After A Holiday Break, Road Construction Delays Return Tuesday
January 1, 2024
After a long holiday break, road construction lane closures return on Tuesday in Florida.
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:
- Mobile Highway (U.S. 90) Resurfacing from Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90A) to west of Pine Forest Road (State Road (S.R.) 297) - Drivers may encounter nighttime lane closures, between Nine Mile Road and Pine Forest Road, Wednesday, Jan. 3 and Thursday, Jan. 4 from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. as crews pave the roadway.
- U.S. 29 (North Century Boulevard) Resurfacing between Henry Street and Cottage Street in Century – Northbound and southbound traffic on U.S. 29 (North Century Boulevard) is shifted to one outside travel lane in each direction between Rudolph Street and Green Street. The shift will be in place through the end of the year as crews perform drainage improvements. Signage will be in place to safely direct drivers through the work zone.
- Lillian Highway (S.R. 298) Resurfacing from north of U.S. 98 to east of Fairfield Drive (S.R. 727) and Lillian Highway at Blue Angel Parkway (S.R. 173) – Drivers will encounter intermittent daytime and nighttime lane closures, between U.S. 98 and Blue Angel Parkway, Wednesday, Jan. 3 through Friday, Jan. 5 as crews perform signing and striping work.
- County Road (C.R.) 4 over Canoe Creek Bridge – C.R. 4, between Byrneville and Bratt, will be closed until fall 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.
- Scenic Highway (U.S. 90), from north of Interstate 10 (I-10) to Davis Highway - Northbound traffic, between Pelican Lane and Scenic Ridge Drive, is shifted to the inside so crews can perform construction activities. The shift will remain in place until the work on the shoulder is completed. During construction, one lane of traffic will remain open in each direction and left turns will be permitted.
Santa Rosa County:
- U.S. 90 Bridge Replacement over Simpson River - The outside (right) lane of U.S. 90 eastbound on the Simpson River Bridge will be closed Wednesday, Jan. 3 and Thursday, Jan. 4 from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. as crews perform construction activities for the new bridge. Drivers are reminded that the speed limit is 35 mph throughout the work zone.
- 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 Tuesday, Jan. 2, through Friday, Jan. 5, from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for stormwater drainage improvements and paving operations.
- S.R. 87 Resurfacing from Hickory Hammock Road (C.R. 184) to Technology Avenue – Drivers may experience intermittent S.R. 87 single-lane closures, between Hickory Hammock Road and Technology Avenue, Wednesday, Jan. 3 through Saturday, Jan. 6 from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. for turn lane construction and paving operations.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather. Drivers are reminded to use caution, especially at night, when traveling through a work zone and to watch for construction workers and equipment entering and exiting the roadway.
Glenda Bell Named Ernest Ward Middle School Teacher of the Year
January 1, 2024
Glenda Bell is the Ernest Ward Middle School Teacher of the Year.
NorthEscambia.com is wrapping up 2023 by honoring the Teachers of the Year from North Escambia schools over the next several days. Escambia County’s overall Teacher of the Year will be named in February.
ECUA Trash Collection On A Normal Schedule For The Rest Of The Week
January 1, 2024
ECUA will collect all residential customers on their normal day for the remainder of the New Year’s holiday period.
The New Year’s Day, Monday, Jan. 1, 2024 collection was made on Sat. Dec. 30.
All other ECUA offices and the drive-thru window will be open Tuesday.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Ice Flyers Unable To Hold Off Bulls In Front Of Franchise Record Crowd
January 1, 2024
by Bill Vilona, Ice Flyers Correspondent
The Ice Flyers set a record crowd Saturday night and created an unprecedented holiday weekend setting.
What missed, however, was a celebratory outcome in the game.
The Birmingham Bulls scored a trio of power play goals, including twice with just two seconds remaining in the man advantage, and produced a 4-2 win that quieted a crowd of 7,159 at the Pensacola Bay Center. The win followed first place Birmingham’s 4-3 victory Friday on the Bulls home ice and brought a sweep of three games in five days this holiday week against the Ice Flyers.
The near-sellout crowd in the building was the Ice Flyers’ largest in their 15-year franchise history for a game that didn’t occur on the annual $5 ticket weekend. Saturday was Military Appreciation Night and it led into a special atmosphere.
“Excellent crowd. The crowd was unreal,” said Ice Flyers coach Gary Graham. “Too bad they had to see us shoot ourselves in the foot countless times. That was disappointing.”
The Ice Flyers scored the game’s first goal when Garrett Milan tipped in a shot less than five minutes into the period. But once Birmingham tied the game less than two minutes later, the Bulls never trailed again.
Playing with only five defensemen due to injuries, the Ice Flyers were further challenged by having to try and kill six power play chances for the Bulls while committed eight infractions in the game.
“I thought we had a timely start, getting the first goal, which was good for our group,” Graham said. “We are dealing with some chemistry issues… little tired on the back end, guys have been battling and that has definitely been an issue for us as of late.
“But again, we have not had discipline issues all season and now they are starting to rear their ugly head. And that’s something I am not going to tolerate one bit.
“The carelessness of how we tried to execute on our game plan against a team that has been sitting atop of the league and to think we can do that type of stuff and have success is just mind numbing.”
Birmingham scored a go-ahead goal on a power play with 1:43 left in the first period on a wrist shot by Ryan Romeo from inside the blue line.
The Bulls went up 3-1 in the second period, after the Ice Flyers nearly killed off a 5 on 3 disadvantage situation. They played with two men down for 53 seconds, got that killed off, but the Bulls’ Carson Rose scored with 6:36 left and Malik Johnson ready to come out of the penalty box.
“We knew going in with five defensemen against best team in the league, here is a certain way you have to play to manage that type of environment,” Graham said. “And taking penalties and putting yourself shorthanded is the worst thing you can do for those defensemen. It just wears them down.”
The Ice Flyers energized the crowd when Ivan Bondarenko scored with 21.2 seconds left in the period by pouncing on a favorable bounce off the back boards and getting the puck past Birmingham goaltender Drennen Atherton.
That momentum carried into intermission and the Ice Flyers had a chance for a tying goal when Birmingham was whistled for a holding penalty with 11:17 left.
With 4:38 remaining Lucas Herrmann was called on a cross-checking penalty just before the Ice Flyers had killed off an earlier penalty. In this case, the Bulls Drake Glover scored 23 seconds later for a two-goal lead and the crowd began to exit.
“We just have a lot of guys underperforming right now. I think every team deals with it throughout a year. I think there has been some complacency that has been festering and we are starting to see it, ” said Graham.
“When you play the top team in the league three straight games you are either going to sink or you are going to swim and I think we are seeing what direction we are going.”
With their trio of wins in a week, Birmingham (17-4, 3 OT losses, 27 points) heads into the New Year with a two-point lead over Fayetteville atop the SPHL standings. The Ice Flyers (13-11) dropped into a fifth-place tie.
The Bulls now have a 5-3 lead in the season series.
Graham promised some hard practices and adjustments before the Ice Flyers next game on Jan. 4 at home against Peoria.
“There will be a lot of working going on behind the scenes, that’s for sure,” he said.
WHAT’S NEXT?
WHO: Peoria Rivermen vs. Ice Flyers
WHEN: Thursday (Jan. 4), 7:05 p.m.
WHERE: Pensacola Bay Center
2023 Ends With Century’s State-Required Financial Audit Not Posted
December 31, 2023
As 2023 comes to a close, Century’s state-required audit of the previous fiscal year is now six months overdue, leaving residents without a clear picture of the financial condition of their town.
The legal deadline for submitting the Annual Financial Report, often referred to simply as an audit, to the Florida Department of Financial Services is June 30 of each year.
As of December 30, Century’s 2021-22 fiscal year audit that was due June 30, 2023, had not been received and posted online by the Florida Auditor General.
Century has missed the state law mandated audit deadline every year for about a decade.
The late audit comes in a year that Florida State Sen. Doug Broxson warned interim Century Mayor Luis Gomez, Jr. that the town may need to consider de-chartering and letting Escambia County take over.
Broxson’s comments came during a late October meeting of the Escambia County Legislative Delegation — Sen. Doug Broxson, State Rep. Alex Andrade and State Rep. Michelle Salzman — in Pensacola. Gomez had addressed the delegation, thanking them for millions in state funding that has gone to projects in Century, including a bridge replacement, wastewater treatment plant repairs and repairs to a failed water well serving the state prison.
‘I’ve been dealing with Century for 14 years,” Broxson told Gomez. “I know you’ve had tremendous challenges there. Your tax base is very low, and your needs are very great. I can tell you this delegation has doubled down on trying to help Century.”
“We are praying for you, we know you have a big challenge, we want you to do well,” Broxson continued. “But we know you are in tough circumstances. I would hope that at some point if things continue where it’s a challenge to meet your budget, that you would consider de-chartering Century so you could come under the umbrella of Escambia County and let them take their resources and help you with some of your major problems. I’ve watched it, I know you’ve tried, but we really need a bigger hand to help you get to where you need to be.”
The last audit with the state three months late for fiscal year 2020-21 found a deficit balance in the General Fund of $2.9 million and in the Natural Gas Fund of $1.8 million. A list of deficiencies and problems were also identified, many repeated from previous years.
A 2019 grand jury report that found gross mismanagement in the town, over a million dollars lost in utility operations, missing natural gas, about $3 million improperly borrowed from accounts with a 750-year payback plan, and a state of financial emergency. The town has never worked to follow many of the grand jury recommendations.
Welcome 2024 With Fireworks At Midnight On Pensacola Beach
December 31, 2023
The largest public fireworks display in Escambia County will be the annual Pensacola Beach Chamber of Commerce New Year’s Eve Fireworks display at midnight Sunday, Dec. 31, along the sound side of Pensacola Beach.
At the stroke of midnight, a dazzling light display, sponsored by Escambia County, will take place overlooking the Santa Rosa Sound from the Pensacola Beach Boardwalk.
NorthEscambia.com photo.
Cassi Mcgee Named Pine Meadow Elementary Teacher of the Year
December 31, 2023
Cassi Mcgee is the Pine Meadow Elementary Teacher of the Year.
NorthEscambia.com is wrapping up 2023 by honoring the Teachers of the Year from North Escambia schools over the next several days. Escambia County’s overall Teacher of the Year will be named in February; McGee is a top five finalist.
Escambia Ends 2023 With Some Of The Cheapest Gas In Florida
December 31, 2023
The average price of a gallon of regular unleaded gas in Florida jumped 14 cents during the past week, with demand growing from travel over the end-of-the-year holiday period.
AAA said Florida drivers paid an average of $3.12 on Wednesday, matching the national average for the first time since August. Florida’s average was $2.98 last week and $3.01 a month before.
Escambia area drivers enjoyed some of the state’s lowest prices at the pump at $2.85 on average while the West Palm Beach-Boca Raton area paid an average of $3.30 a gallon. In North Escambia, drivers Saturdayday could find $2.75 at the Circle K on Highway 29 in Cantonment and $2.78 at the Quick Fill on Muscogee Road. In Pensacola, Cumberland Farms on Pine Forest Road was the lowest at $2.68, according to GasBuddy.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
One Killed In North Davis Highway Wreck Saturday Afternoon
December 30, 2023
A 45-year old man was killed in a head-on collision Saturday afternoon on Davis Highway just north of HCA Florida West Hospital.
The Florida Highway Patrol said a pickup truck driven by a 22-year old Escambia County woman traveled southbound into the northbound lanes of North Davis Highway near Abbie Lane about 2 p.m.. The pickup collided with a SUV driven by a 45-year old Pace man who was pronounced deceased at the scene. Two other people were critically injured and two suffered minor injuries.
Charges are pending the outcome of the investigation, FHP said.
Florida’s Expanded ‘Move Over’ Law Takes Effect Monday
December 30, 2023
Beginning January 1, Florida’s Move Over law expands to require motorists to move over for all disabled vehicles with flashers on stopped on the side of the road.
Starting Monday, motorists will have to provide space when disabled vehicles are stopped along the road while people are visible or things like emergency flashers are on.
The Move Over Law already required drivers to get out of lanes closest to stopped vehicles such as police cars, ambulances and utility trucks.
Violations will carry a fine of up to $158 for a noncriminal traffic infraction.
Moving over benefits everyone,” said Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Executive Director Dave Kerner. “Protect not only emergency, utility, and sanitation vehicles but also your family and loved ones by keeping your eyes on the road and moving over when you see a vehicle, including a disabled vehicle, on the side of the road. If you can’t move over, you should decrease your speed to 20 miles an hour and pass cautiously. Save a life and move over.”