Here Are The Road Work Construction Spots To Watch This Week
October 22, 2023
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:
- Interstate 10 (I-10) Escambia County Welcome Center – The truck parking lot at the Escambia County Interstate 10 Welcome Center, located at mile marker four, will be temporarily closed until the end of October as crews perform construction activities. The front and middle car parking lots are open.
- East Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90A) Roadway Improvements from Chemstrand Road to east of Baldridge Drive – The bicycle lanes are temporarily closed to allow crews to widen the turn lanes and construct new five-foot bicycle lanes. In addition, the speed limit has been reduced from 45 mph to 35 mph as vehicles and bicycles share the roadway. The closure and speed limit reduction will be in place until the project is complete this fall.
- 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 (State Road (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 daytime lane closures, between U.S. 98 and Blue Angel Parkway, Monday, Oct. 23 through Friday, Oct. 27 from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. as crews perform concrete work. In addition, drivers will encounter nighttime lane closures, between Fairfield Drive and Blue Angel Parkway, Sunday, Oct. 22 through Thursday, Oct. 26 from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. as crews perform paving work.
- County Road (C.R.) 4 over Canoe Creek Bridge – C.R. 4, between Byrneville and Bratt, will be closed through 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.
- North Palafox Street (U.S. 29/S.R. 95) Resurfacing from Cervantes Street (S.R. 10A) to Brent Lane (S.R. 296) – A portion of the right turn lane from northbound North Palafox Street to Brent Lane will be temporarily closed Monday, Oct. 23 through Friday, Oct. 27 as crews construct a retaining wall and pour concrete. Drivers will still be able to access most of the right turn lane.
- Scenic Highway (U.S. 90), from north of 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.
- S.R. 295 (West Fairfield Drive) Routine Utility Maintenance at Market Street – Drivers may encounter alternating lane closures Monday, Oct. 23 through Friday, Nov. 3 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for utility maintenance.
- U.S. 90 (Scenic Highway) Routine Maintenance just pass I-10 – Drivers may encounter alternating lane closures Monday, Oct. 23 through Thursday, Oct. 26 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for tree trimming operations.
Santa Rosa County:
- 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 Point Drive.
- Intermittent lane closures and additional median closures between Tiger Park Lane and Bayshore Road Sunday, October 22, through Friday, October 27, from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for stormwater drainage improvements and paving operations.
- Access to Redfish Point Road from U.S. 98 will remain closed to allow for noise wall construction activities. Motorists will be redirected via Southwind Drive. Detour signs will be in place. 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.
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.
Warm Dry Days, Cool Nights For The Week
October 22, 2023
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 59. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph.
Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 86. East wind around 5 mph.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 58. East wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 81. East wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tuesday Night: Clear, with a low around 58. East wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 81. East wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 60. East wind 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 82. Southeast wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 61.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 83.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 60.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 84.
ReImagine Cantonment Blesses Hundreds With Food, Clothing And Hope (With Photo Gallery)
October 22, 2023
The hearts and lives of hundreds of area residents in need were touched during ReImagine Cantonment at Carver Park on Saturday., just a short distance from International Paper, which last week announcd about 100 upcoming job cuts with a production line closure in Cantonment.
For a photo gallery, click or tap here.
The faith-based event included a 20,000 pound food giveaway, lunch, fishing lessons with free fishing rods, baby diapers, clothing, haircuts and health tests. Absolutely everything was free. There were also free children’s activities, including train rides, inflatables, face painting, games, popcorn, and a coloring contest with three participants winning a new bicycle. There were also plenty of hugs and prayers.
ReImagine Cantonment is a project of Doers of the Word Ministry and was sponsored by numerous churches and other organizations, including NorthEscambia.com.
For a photo gallery, click or tap here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Charges Upgraded To Attempted Murder For Bowling Alley Shooting Suspect
October 22, 2023
Charges have been upgraded against a 19-year old Cantonment man accused of shooting a teen following a bowling alley incident just before 1 a.m. on September 23.
Nicholas James Vallia was originally charged with aggravated battery using a deadly weapon. Friday, the charge was upgraded to first degree attempted murder when he was arraigned. He is also charged with discharging a firearm from a vehicle, firing into a vehicle or building, and criminal mischief.
Vallia allegedly shot into a car that had been parked outside of DeLuna Lanes, striking a 17-year old male in the arm and stomach. The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said the shots were fired somewhere on Nine Mile Road after the victim became involved in an argument with another group of people.
Vallia was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $46,000 bond seven minutes after surrendering at the Escambia County Jail.He spent about nine minutes in jail Friday before being released on a $50,000 bond
Century Camp Fire Kids Learn About Fire Safety With Escambia Fire Rescue
October 22, 2023
Students at the Camp Fire Century Youth Learning center recently learned about fire safety during a visit from Escambia County Fire Rescue Engine 5.
Photos for North Escambia.com, click to enlarge.
No. 16 UWF Stuns No. 5 Delta State
October 22, 2023
Since the start of summer, UWF knew Saturday’s game at Delta State would be a defining one for the entire football season.
After another remarkable, second-half comeback at DSU’s McCool Stadium, the Argos now have a signature win they needed.
Trailing 21-10 at halftime and struggling from their own mistakes, the 18th ranked Argos rallied with a pair of touchdowns and had their defense play lights out in the second half to pull off a stunning 24-21 upset of the No. 5 ranked, previously unbeaten Statesmen.
Another magic act at this stadium, another big-time comeback in UWF’s impressive road history, and a win that first-year coach Kaleb Nobles can cherish in his new role.
“I challenged them at halftime and told them, ‘Hey it’s a 60-minute game, okay? We have every reason to believe in ourselves and play at a high level.’ And I am proud of these guys because they answered the call. I am really proud of them,” said Nobles, who was part of some of UWF’s big upsets as a player, then assistant coach.
Think about this: In their last three games at Delta State, the Argos trailed 30-10 in 2021, 24-10 in last year’s NCAA Division II playoffs, then Saturday’s 11-point deficit.
And UWF won them all.
“That is testament to our players and how well they have played in these games and how well they played (Saturday),” Nobles said.
The comeback, pressure-packed win Saturday put the Argos (6-2, 4-1 in Gulf South Conference) in a position to control their destiny in the conference championship race. They can win the league by winning out in the final three games, beginning with next Saturday’s showdown with rival Valdosta State (7-1, 4-1) in Pensacola at Pen Air Field.
UWF would own the tiebreaker against Delta State (7-1, 5-1) if both win out. The same holds true against West Georgia (5-2, 4-1). That could also bring a home-field playoff game in mid-November.
UWF’s defense, which entered ranked No. 8 nationally in D-2 in scoring defense, 18th in total defense, held a Delta State team averaging 46.6 points to less than half of that output.
That is what essentially won the game, after the Argos followed a late third quarter touchdown with the go-ahead score on their next possession early in the fourth quarter.
Five of Delta State’s six offensive possessions in the second half either resulted in a punt or stop on downs.
“Our defense played well in the first half,” Nobles said. “I don’t know how many plays we played on offense, but a lot of this was testament to our defense and how well they played.”
The Argos overcame 15 penalties for153 yards, along with a fumbled punt in the first half that contributed to Delta State’s lead.
UWF quarterback Peewee Jarrett, who was sacked four times and under duress on other plays, completed 13 of 21 passes for 205 yards and three touchdowns. He also rushed an astonishing 27 times for a net 63 yards.
C.J. Wilson led UWF with 70 yards on 19 carries as Nobles crafted a gameplan that was heavy on ball-control and knowing Delta State’s defense was set on trying to prevent big plays from UWF star receiver John Jiles.
But in the second half, Jiles made a terrific catch on a 19-yard TD pass from Jarett with 1:18 left in the third quarter that completed a 56-yard drive and trimmed the Statesmen lead to 21-17.
“We knew we had to come out and execute and that’s what we had to do in the second half,” Jiles said. “The offense did give an internal (halftime) speech, because we knew our backs were against the wall.”
When UWF got its next chance, the Argos drove 65 yards on 10 plays, capped by another 19-yard pass from Jarrett to Jiles into the corner of the end zone.
“I really just wanted the ball,” Jiles said. “I saw (Delta State) was in a cover two (defensive formation) and Peewee and I just did what we have done all season – make plays.”
The game-sealing sequence came when UWF got the ball at its own 33 with 3:49 left. The Argos had a pivotal third-down conversion pass from Jarett to Caden Leggett near midfield and were able to run out all but the final six seconds of the clock following a punt.
The Argos trailed 21-10 at halftime, after a first half where penalties and a fumbled punt led to 14 of Delta State’s points.
This first quarter began well for the Argos.
After going three plays and punt on their first possession, the Argos’ offense had its best sequence and finish the next time the group got the ball.
An 80-yard, 8-play drive ended with Leggett catching a short throw from Peewee Jarrett, breaking a tackle and diving into the end zone on a 26-yard scoring pass. It gave UWF a 7-0 lead midway through the quarter.
But from that point, the Argos had self-inflicted mistakes that proved costly.
On a Delta State punt that Virgil Lemons chose to try and catch inside his 10, the ball bounced off his shoulder pads and right into a diving Delta State defender at the Argos 8.
Two plays later, Statesmen quarterback Patrick Shegog connected with Jaylen Green on a 7-yard score with 1:06 left in the quarter.
That emotion turning moment led into another. On a third-down Delta State play that would have been an incompletion, the Argos were flagged for rouging Shegog on the pass.
With new life, Shegog then hit Jaylen May in stride on a deep route and with a UWF defender trailing, May finished a 56-yard touchdown play.
The Argos missed a chance to tie the game late in the quarter. Jarrett connected with Jiles for a 29-yard gain to the Statesmen 10. But on a second down play, the Argos committed a holding penalty. That led to Griffin Cerra’s 34-yard field goal, cutting the deficit to 14-10 with 3:43 left.
Both teams exchanged possessions. After failing to convert, UWF punted. Delta State took over at its 20 with 1:14 left.
In less than 60 seconds, Delta State was in the end zone. A 44-yard completion from Shegog to Green set up a play where tight end Tycen Gray was left wide open in the end zone for 4-yard touchdown pass with 22 seconds left.
At that point, all of the emotion, all the game’s future seemed in Delta State’s favor. The Statesmen got the ball to start the second half, but UWF’s defense produced one of its many stops.
That was a moment that helped changed the game’s direction.
“A lot of self-inflicted wounds and that’s a really good team we just played,” Nobles said. “There was a reason they were undefeated.
“We know we have a lot of work left to do…a lot of football left… and we still haven’t’ played our best. But I know if it’s in our heart we can do it.”
Blountstown Tops Northview 18-7
October 21, 2023
The Northview Chiefs fell to the Blountstown Tigers 18-7 Friday night at Tommy Weaver Memorial Stadium in Bratt.
While it was a loss. Northview head coach Wes Summerford said he was proud of his team’s effort.
For a photo gallery, click or tap here.
” I thought we had numerous opportunities, gave them some short fields, The defense played a great game tonight,” Summerford said. We had some injuries that got in the way, and I think it sputtered our offense.. I think it sputtered our team at a bad time in the game.
The Chiefs forr the Chies was a a 25-yard touchdown run from Devin Kelley for a 7-6 lead with 6:21 to to in the first quarter
“Extremely proud ofof the guys, I felt like they fought hard, it ain’t on the kids, you know, they fought their tails off and played good, played good,” He said, “I thought we played well enough to win. I’m just proud of them and for four quarter they gave me effort, so I”m really proud of hat.
The Northview Chiefs will sit out next week with a bye before traveling to Walton on November 3.
For a photo gallery, click or tap here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Reimagine Cantonment Saturday At Carver Park
October 20, 2023
Reimagine Cantonment is going on today, Saturday, October 21, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Carver Park on Webb Street in Cantonment.
The faith-based event will include a 20,000 pound food giveaway, lunch, fishing lessons with free fishing rods, free tablets, baby diapers, HIV testing, clothing, free laundry detergent and more. Absolutely everything is free. There will also be free children’s activities, including train rides, inflatables, face painting, games, popcorn, and a coloring contest with three participants winning a new bicycle.
ReImagine Cantonment is a project of Doers of the Word Ministry and is sponsored by numerous churches and other organizations, including NorthEscambia.com.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Upcoming Beulah Master Plan Meetings Canceled
October 19, 2023
Beulah Master Plan public meetings that were scheduled for October 24-25 have been cancelled due to scheduling conflicts.
The meetings will be rescheduled and the new dates, times and location will be announced soon.
Thursday Night Molino Crash Claims Life
October 19, 2023
A traffic crash Thursday night in Molino claimed at the life of a Cantonment motorcyclist.
The Florida Highway Patrol said a 68-year old Cantonment man was traveling north on Highway 95A when he left the roadway and lost control of his motorcycle, causing it to overturn. He was pronounced deceased at the scene of the 8:45 p.m crash near Highway 196.
There were no other vehicles involved and no other injuries. FHP no longer releases names of traffic crash victims.
File photo.
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