Highway 4, Highway 168 Bridges Across North Escambia Remain Closed. Here’s An Update.
July 22, 2024
Two frequently traveled east-west routes across the extreme northern part of Escambia County remain closed due to bridges closures.
The Highway 168 bridge over Hobbs Branch, about three-quarters of a mile east of Pine Barren Road near Bratt, was closed July 3 after it failed a state inspection. When NorthEscambia.com photographed the bridge late shortly after the closure, it was obvious that at least one wooden support was extremely deteriorated and almost completely broken in two.
District 5 Escambia County Commissioner Steven Barry said Sunday it is expected to take about 90 days for the Highway 168 bridge repairs, but there’s always hope the fix could be completed in less time.
Highway 168 and the bridge have served as a vital link between Bratt and Century since the closure of an 81-year-old Highway 4 bridge over Canoe Creek in July 2023.
Now, Bratt Road Bratt to Byrneville is the detour for both Highway 4 and Highway 168. Drivers from Highway 168 will also use Pine Barren Road to the west and Raines Road to the east to reach Bratt Road.
The latest estimate is that a new bridge on Highway 4 will reopen in late July. Sunday evening, the bridge appeared complete, but work remained to prepare and pave the approaches as well as finish shoulder work.
While not the “official” detour, many local residents have been using Highway 168 as a detour for Highway 4.
Average daily traffic in 2021 was 550 vehicles per day on the Highway 168 bridge. However, traffic is likely significantly higher now the closure of the Highway 4 bridge for replacement. The average daily traffic count on the Highway 4 bridge was 1,800 vehicles per day prior to its closure.
Pictured above: The Highway 4 bridge over Canoe Creek Sunday evening. Pictured below: The Highway 168 bridge over Hobbs Branch on July 3, 2024. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Free Summer Lunch Available For Youth At Libraries In Escambia County
July 22, 2024
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Free summer lunches for youth are continuing at West Florida Public Libraries locations.
The libraries serve free lunch for youth 18 years of age and younger at all library locations Monday through Friday from noon until 1 p.m. through a partnership with Feeding the Gulf Coast. Disabled individuals are 19 and older who participate in a public or private non-profit program during the school year are also eligible to receive meals.
A special rural grab-and-go version of the program is available at the Century and Molino library locations.
Cafeteria style lunch is hosted at the Pensacola, Tryon, Westside, Southwest and Bellview libraries. Food at these locations must be consumed on-site.
The program will continue through Friday, August 2.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
AAA: Florida Gas Prices Dropped 18 Cents In 10 Days
July 22, 2024
Florida gas prices have plummeted 18 cents per gallon in the past 10 days, AAA says.
Sunday’s state average of $3.36 is the lowest daily average price since July 1. It’s 28 cents less than the highest price this year ($3.64) – recorded on May 3.
During that time, the state average fell from $3.55 per gallon to $3.36 per gallon on Sunday.
In Escambia County, the average price was $3.14. A low of $2.97 was available Sunday night at stations on Pine Forest Road, East Nine Mile Road and Mobile Highway. In North Escambia, the low price was $3.05 at a station on Highway 29 in Cantonment.
“Futures prices have fallen the past two weeks, to the lowest levels in more than a month,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “This lowered the cost of gasoline production. However, Florida gas prices have been erratic this summer and an early week rally is not out of the question.”
Potential Sinking Of SS United States Under Consideration For Escambia County As Artificial Reef
July 22, 2024
There’s discussion about sinking the SS United States, a 1,000-foot-long ship that’s larger than the Oriskany and longer than the Titanic, offshore from Escambia County.
Many in the diving community have expressed support of the idea, saying it would make Escambia County an ultimate diving spot.
If approved, the ship would become a new dive attraction in the area, bringing tourism and economic benefits to the region. But it would come without a hefty price tag.
Escambia County Commissioner Jeff Bergosh said it would take a commitment of $10 million and fast because it would need to be moved from a shipyard in Pennsylvania by September 12 and towed to Escambia County during hurricane season.
“I like the idea; I like the plan. But $10 Million is a heavy lift. Possible funding sources include TDT (tourist development tax) funds, perhaps some BP Oil Spill money, and potentially even a Triumph Gulf Coast grant if such a project could meet that board’s criteria,” Berfosh wrote on his blog. ” Stay tuned over the next several weeks as this will be discussed due to the pressing timeline. And again, for my vote, I LOVE this idea just as I LOVED the plan to bring American Magic here — which has now come to pass.
“This ship could also be a huge get for our area,” he wrote.
The Escambia County Marine Advisory Committee is expected to discuss the idea at a Monday afternoon meeting.
The SS United States is 990 feet long, 100 feet longer than the Titanic. It is just over 101 feet wide, and 53,330 tonnes. The draw at the load line was 36 feet-4 inches. The ocean liner was built between 1950 and 1951 for Unite States Lines. It was taken out of service in 1969.
The nonprofit SS United States Conservancy is working to relocate the ship from Philadelphia to comply with a court order. They have filed a motion with the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania requesting a short extension of the deadline to move the vessel from September 12, 2024, until December 5, 2024.
The Conservancy’s motion comes as the organization continues to aggressively explore potential temporary and permanent berths in the Philadelphia area and other port cities along the East Coast and prepare the ship to leave its current pier safely, according to a press release.
Earlier this summer, U.S. District Court Senior Judge Anita Brody ruled that the SS United States’ landlord, Penn Warehousing, could not double dockage fees without notice in its effort to force America’s Flagship from Pier 82 in Philadelphia. However, the Court also directed the Conservancy to remove the irreplaceable national symbol from Pier 82 in Philadelphia by September 12, 2024.
M-Braves Sweep Blue Wahoos
July 22, 2024
written by Bill Vilona
The weather broke favorably all weekend for the Blue Wahoos.
That became the best fortune of a rough return home.
The Mississippi Braves completed a three-game sweep Sunday, erupting with four runs in the 11th inning for a 5-1 win that included a pair of unwelcome records in Pensacola’s first homestand in 16 days at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
They struck out 22 times, surpassing the Blue Wahoos franchise record of 20 whiffs, which occurred twice – the last time in 2021.
A crowd of 4,737, just shy of a third consecutive capacity crowd at Blue Wahoos Stadium, watched the M-Braves righthander Drue Hackenberg – the Atlanta Braves’ second round draft pick in 2023 — produce his best professional outing. He struck out 16 of the 25 batters he faced, allowing just three hits and no walks in seven innings.
It was two strikeouts shy of the Southern League record set in 1979 by former long-time major league veteran Mike Boddicker. Hackenberg’s 16 Ks marked the most strikeouts against the Blue Wahoos by an opposing starter in franchise history.
Hackenberg, whose brother, Christian, was a former Penn State star quarterback who played in the NFL, and another older brother, Adam, is now in Triple-A with the Chicago Cubs organization, threw 67 strikes in 90 pitches.
Sunday’s game became a pitching-defense duel. Blue Wahoos starter Adam Laskey had a quality outing with five hits allowed in five innings with six strikeouts and no walks. The next four relievers who followed all put up zeroes.
But a familiar malady was the Blue Wahoos’ inability to get run production.
After the M-Braves scored a first-inning on a double by Cal Conley and Justin Dean’s single, Laskey got out of the inning with a double play and then did not allow two base runners in any inning the rest of his day.
The Blue Wahoos’ best inning at the plate occurred in the third. Sean Roby led off with a single. Dalvy Rosario followed with a single and Jacob Berry drove home Roby with his single. Berry had two of the Blue Wahoos’ five hits in the game.
Austin Roberts gave the Blue Wahoos a chance to win in walkoff style after recording two strong scoreless innings. When that didn’t work out in the ninth, the Blue Wahoos failed to deliver in the 10th with placement runner Zach Zubia stranded on third base with two outs.
In the 11th, the M-Braves scored their go-ahead run on a stolen base and wild pitch from reliever Matt Pushard. And then, M-Braves designated hitter Tyler Tolve followed with a three-run blast off Pushard to provide the insurance runs.
The Blue Wahoos (49-40) will now turn attention to their next home series, a six-game set against the Biloxi Shuckers who have the best second-half record in the Southern League.
Despite the sweep, however, the Blue Wahoos had the weather break in their favor each of three days after morning and early afternoon thunderstorms gave way to sunshine and calm conditions.
Sunday’s game featured “Dino Day” with costume and dinosaur figures throughout the ballpark.
Two-Time Super Bowl Champ Inspires Local Youth Athletes (With Photo Gallery)
July 21, 2024
Two-time Super Bowl champion and Century native Anthony Pleasant returned to the park that bears his name for a youth football fundraiser Saturday, offering potentially life changing advice to young athletes.
Pleasant, a 1986 graduate of Century High School, played defense for the New England Patriots when they won two Super Bowls.
He told the youth following a flag football game that it does not matter that they attend a small school and live in small towns. He said success in football — and life — is about a willingness to work hard and be dedicated.
For a photo gallery, click here.
“When you are playing football, you’ve got to be committed,” he said. “To play this game, you’ve got to be fully committed.
Pleasant urged the youth to always compete at their best, and listen to their coaches.
Before the NFL, Pleaseant through the would go through college playing basketball, but his coaches convinced him that he was better at football.
And they were right.
“Your coaches see things in your that you don’t see in yourself. They may see the potential you have, and you don’t even see it.” Pleasant said. “Anytime your coach is trying to tell you something, listen to him because he may see something in you. You don’t know what coach in your life career is going to speak to your destination.”
Pleasant attended a Century Blackcats youth football fundraiser at Anthony Pleasant Park, where he held a meet and greet. He’s in town for an upcoming Century High School reunion, spent time with high school classmate reminiscing about this time as a Century Blackcat.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Century Woman Charged With Meth Possession After Traffic Stop
July 21, 2024
A Century woman was charged with meth possession after a traffic stop for a defective tag light.
Lisa Ann Martin, 56, was charged with felony possession of a controlled substance without a prescription (meth) and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Deputies with the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office pulled Martin’s vehicle over on North Century Boulevard for an inoperative tag light. A Flomaton Police Department officer with a K-9 responded, and the K-9 alerted on the vehicle. A probable cause search located of the vehicle located a purse containing a silver tube containing five grams of methamphetamine and a glass smoking pipe with residue.
Martin remained in the Escambia County Jail Sunday morning with bond set at $3,000.
For Escambia, Alabama, Deputy Charge With Federal Civil Rights Violation
July 21, 2024
A former Escambia County, Alabama, deputy has been charged with a federal civil rights violation.
Eric Glenn Lambeth, Jr. was charged with deprivation of rights under color of law for allegedly having sex with a female he had arrested and was transporting to jail, according to court records. If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in prison.
Lambeth was arrested and charged with custodial sexual abuse and a felony ethics violation in April 2023. He was released from jail on a $45,000 bond.
Sheriff Heath Jackson said his office received a complaint that Lambeth had sexual contact with an inmate who was being transported to jail.
“Lambeth was terminated from his position and transported to the Escambia County Detention Center,” Jackson said following the incident.
The sheriff said Lambeth previously worked at the jail and was transferred to patrol after attending the law enforcement academy in 2022.
The state custodial sexual abuse and a state felony ethics violation charges are still pending in Escambia County District Court.
FWC Law Enforcement Report: Snapper Size, Gopher Tortoises
July 21, 2024
The Florida FWC Division of Law Enforcement reported the following recent activity:
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
(No reports were submitted from Escambia County.)
SANTA ROSA COUNTY
Officer Brown observed a vessel with fishing equipment returning to the boat ramp. Officer Brown made a vessel stop to conduct a resource inspection and located an undersized red snapper. One of the subjects on the vessel took ownership of catching and keeping the undersized red snapper. The subject was cited appropriately.
Officers Wilkenson and Burkhead in coordination with Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office, conducted an enforcement effort at Marques Bayou Boat Ramp. The Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office and the FWC have been receiving a high number of complaints regarding illegal activities at the boat ramp. Over the course of a day officers arrested two individuals and cited several other individuals for a variety of illegal activities including boating safety violations, fishing violations, and vessel registration violations. Arrests included driving while license revoked and a felony warrant for grand thief and criminal mischief.
Officers Wilkenson and Burkhead responded to a complaint of land being developed that possibly contained active gopher tortoise burrows. The officers found areas of the property had been disturbed, several pieces of heavy land clearing equipment, and an active gopher tortoise burrow. The officers located the individuals responsible for the property and its development and found they did not have the proper gopher tortoise permits in place to continue working. The officers successfully stopped the work on the property, documented the incident and referred the subjects to the FWC’s gopher tortoise program.
This report represents some events the FWC handled during the time period; however, it does not include all actions taken by the Division of Law Enforcement. Information provided by FWC.
NorthEscambia.com photo.
These Are This Week’s Road Construction Trouble Spots
July 21, 2024
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.
Escambia County:
- Scenic Highway (U.S. 90) Resurfacing, from south of Interstate 10 (I-10) to south of Hyde Park Road – Scenic Highway is closed just north of Manolete Street through Thursday, Aug. 1 as crews reconstruct a portion of the roadway. Signage is in place to detour drivers around the work zone using Langley Avenue, Spanish Trail and Summit Boulevard.
- Interstate Circle Bridge Over Eight Mile Creek – Interstate Circle is closed at the bridge over Eight Mile Creek through mid-2025 as crews replace the Eight Mile Creek bridge. Signage is in place to direct drivers around the work zone using Pine Forest Road, Longleaf Drive and Wymart Road.
- I-10 at U.S. 29 Interchange (Exit 10) – Drivers will encounter intermittent lane closures on I-10 near the U.S. 29 interchange Monday, July 22 through Thursday, July 25 between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. Crews will be placing concrete barrier wall.
- I-10 at Nine Mile Road Interchange (Exit 5) – Drivers will encounter the following traffic impacts as crews perform paving operations, barrier wall installation and bridge demolition activities:
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- Inside lane closures on I-10 near Exit 5, Monday, July 22 through Thursday, July 25 from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.
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- Inside lane closures on Nine Mile Road between the I-10 ramps, Monday, July 22 through Thursday, July 25, from 7 p.m. to 5:30 a.m.
- U.S. 29 (North Century Boulevard) Resurfacing between Henry Street and Cottage Street in Century – Traffic on U.S. 29 (North Century Boulevard) will be shifted to the southbound travel lanes, between Rudolph Street and Green Street, beginning Thursday, July 25. One travel lane in each direction will be open as crews reconstruct the adjacent northbound lanes. The traffic shift is expected to remain in place through the summer. Signage is in place to safely direct drivers through the work zone.
- County Road (C.R.) 4 over Canoe Creek Bridge – C.R. 4, between Byrneville and Bratt, will be closed through late 2024 as crews replace the Canoe Creek bridge. Traffic is directed through a 5.6-mile detour using Bratt Road to Pine Barren Road, then back to C.R. 4.
- State Road (S.R.) 289 (North 9th Avenue) Routine Utility Maintenance from East LaRua Street to East Jackson Street – Motorists may encounter intermittent lane closures Monday, July 22 through Friday, July 26 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. for manhole repairs.
- S.R. 289 (North 9th Avenue) Routine Utility Maintenance from East Desoto Street to East Strong Street – Motorists may encounter intermittent lane closures Monday, July 22 through Friday, July 26 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. for manhole repairs.
- S.R. 289 (North 9th Avenue) Routine Utility Maintenance from East Jordan Street to East Moreno Street – Motorists may encounter intermittent lane closures Tuesday, July 23 through Wednesday, July 31 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. for manhole repairs.
- S.R. 291 (North Davis Street) Routine Utility Maintenance from East Cervantes Street to East La Rua Street – Motorists may encounter intermittent lane closures Monday, July 22 through Friday, July 26 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. for manhole repairs.
Santa Rosa County:
- S.R. 89 Resurfacing, from north of S.R. 87 to C.R. 178 – Drivers will encounter intermittent daytime lane closures, between S.R .87 and C.R. 178, Monday, July 22 through Friday, July 26 as crews perform paving operations.
- U.S. 98 Widening from Bayshore Road to Portside Drive – Motorists will encounter the following traffic impacts:
- Median and turn-lane closures from Bayshore Road to Tiger Lake Drive.
- Intermittent lane closures and additional median closures between Bayshore Road and Tiger Lake Drive Sunday, July 21, through Friday, July 26, from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for stormwater drainage improvements and paving operations.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.