Here Are The Road Work Construction Spots To Watch This Week

October 15, 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:

Chappie James Double Bridge Run on U.S. 98 through Gulf Breeze – Drivers will encounter lane closures Saturday, Oct. 14 from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. for the Chappie James Double Bridge Run. One lane of traffic will be maintained during the run. Please use caution when traveling in the bridge.
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 October 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 daytime lane closures, between U.S. 98 and Blue Angel Parkway, Monday, Oct. 16 through Friday, Oct. 20 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. 15 through Thursday, Oct. 19 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. 16 through Friday, Oct. 20 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 - Drivers will encounter the following traffic impacts on Scenic Highway (U.S. 90), between Pelican Lane and Scenic Ridge Drive, in Escambia County the week of Sunday, Oct. 15:
- Alternating lane closures from 8 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 15 through 5:30 a.m. Monday, Oct. 16 as crews perform striping work.
- Beginning the night of Sunday, Oct. 15, northbound traffic will be shifted to the inside so crews can perform construction activities. The shift will remain in place until the work on the shoulder is completed.
- The northbound lane will be closed from 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 19 through 5:30 a.m. Friday, Oct. 20 as crews install a low-profile barrier wall. Traffic flaggers will be on site to safely direct drivers through the work zone.

During construction, one lane of traffic will remain open in each direction. Left turn movements will still be permitted.

Mobile Highway (U.S. 90) Resurfacing from Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90A) to west of Pine Forest Road (S.R. 297) – Drivers may encounter nighttime lane closures between Nine Mile Road and Pine Forest Road, Sunday, Oct. 15 through Thursday, Oct. 19 from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. as crews pave the roadway.

U.S. 90 (West Cervantes Street) Routine Utility Maintenance at North C Street – Drivers may encounter alternating lane closures Monday, Oct. 16 through Friday, Oct. 20 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. for utility maintenance.
U.S. 98 (West Garden Street) Routine Utility Maintenance at U.S. 98 – Drivers may encounter alternating lane closures Monday, Oct. 16 through Friday, Oct. 20 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. for utility maintenance.
S.R. 292 (South Pace Boulevard) Routine Utility Maintenance at Street – Drivers may encounter alternating lane closures Monday, Oct. 16 through Friday, Oct. 20 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. for utility maintenance.
S.R. 295 (West Fairfield Drive) Routine Utility Maintenance at Market Street – Drivers may encounter alternating lane closures Friday, Oct. 16 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. 16 through Thursday, Oct. 26 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for tree trimming operations.
S.R. 291 Routine Underground Utility Maintenance at Wynnehurst Street – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures Monday, Oct. 16 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. for routine utility maintenance.

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 15, through Friday, October 20, from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for stormwater drainage improvements and paving operations.
- A new traffic configuration is currently in place from Whisper Bay Boulevard to east of Green Briar Parkway as lanes were shifted slightly north to allow for crews to perform construction activities on the south side of the eastbound lanes.

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 Tuesday, Oct. 17 through Thursday, Oct. 19 from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. as crews perform pile cap construction work. Drivers are reminded that the speed limit is 35 mph throughout the work zone.
I-10 Routine Bridge Maintenance over Blackwater River – Motorists will encounter alternating lane closures west of S.R. 87 Sunday, Oct. 15 through Wednesday, Oct. 18 from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. for routine bridge maintenance.

All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News

UWF Falls 10-6 At West Alabama In Defensive Battle

October 15, 2023

Three years of conference road success and lofty scores produced by the UWF football team came to a crashing halt.

It happened Saturday when least expected.

Unable to sustain drives, summon big plays, or even find the end zone, the sixth-ranked Argos sustained a stunning 10-6 loss against West Alabama and now face an uncommon scenario to reach season goals.

It was the first time UWF has not scored a touchdown in any game since Nov. 12, 2016 in the final game of their inaugural football season.

“That’s on me. This loss is on me and I take full responsibility,” said a crestfallen UWF head coach Kaleb Nobles following the game.

The Argos (5-2, 3-1) had won nine consecutive Gulf South Conference road games and were 18-3 in the past five years in league road games.

But their prolific offense, which was averaging 36.5 points and 464.5 yards total offense this season, suddenly went silent for an entire game.

It led to West Alabama (3-4, 2-3) celebrating a homecoming win amid a crowd of 7,020 at Tiger Stadium unlike any other in program’s past years.

West Alabama put together a game plan that relied on the Tigers’ stout defense, playing ball-control, and taking advantage of UWF mistakes.

All of it came together in this monumental upset.

“In trying to get our guys prepared, I told them this team was a good team and Coach Gilliland does a great job,” Nobles said. “I didn’t get the offense going (Saturday) This loss is on me, solely, nobody else in the program, but myself.”

The Argos have a tall order next week, taking a road trip to unbeaten, No. 8-ranked Delta State (7-0), which was ranked behind UWF in the current D-2 coaches poll. Their next home game on Oct. 28 is against Valdosta State (6-1).

“It won’t get any easier and that’s the schedule,” Nobles said. “We knew this was going to be the tough part of the schedule going into the season and our guys have to keep buying into the work, be able to flush this (loss away), and be able to move on and don’t let one loss in the conference change how we play next week.”

The Argos were held to just 214 yards total offense. That was four more yards, however, than West Alabama amassed against UWF’s defense, which stood up the entire game.

Quarterback Peewee Jarrett endured his most difficult game at UWF. He completed just 13 of 32 passes for 158 yards. He was sacked three times and under duress at times as West Alabama’s defense broke through to get into UWF’s backfield.

After having an upgraded rushing attack this season, the Argos were held to 56 net yards rushing due to the sack yardage against Jarrett. CJ Wilson led UWF with 16 carries for 65 yards. Jamontez Woods was held to 12 yards on six carries.

The bright spot on offense was standout receiver John Jiles, who caught seven passes for 147 yards. In one of Saturday’s defining plays, Jiles was open on a 3rd-and-14 play late in the fourth quarter from the UWF 29, but Jarrett overthrew the pass that could have gone for a touchdown.

On the next play, Jarrett connected with KJ Franklin, but the ball was jarred loose as he hit the ground, nullifying a first down and giving West Alabama the ball with 2:47 left.

But once again UWF’s defense held and the Tigers’ missed a 42-yard field goal with 1:49 remaining.

With one last chance, Jarrett’s second-down pass was intercepted and the Tigers ran out the clock.

Earlier in the fourth quarter. Jarrett and Jiles hooked up for a 57-yard completion to the West Alabama 3.

But the Tigers overpowered UWF’s offensive line to tackle Wilson for a 3-yard loss on the next play. On 3rd-and-goal from the 6, the Tigers defense again pressured Jarrett and forced him into a minus-8 yard completion.

Griffin Cerra kicked a 31-yard field goal to keep the Argos within striking distance. But with two more possessions, UWF was thwarted.

Both teams punted nine times in the game.

The Argos best sustained drive occurred in the first quarter when they drove 70 yards on 10 plays to the UWA 19 for Cerra’s first field goal.

The Tigers answered on the ensuing possession, aided by two 15-yard penalties against the Argos, including a pass interference that put the ball at the UWF 7. On the play, the Tigers’ Bry Webb rushed in for the game’s only touchdown with 14:48 before half.

The Argos had scored 40 or more points in each of their last three games. The school record is four, set last season.

But Saturday, UWF looked out of sorts from the opening possession when Jarrett’s first pass resulted in a 3-yard loss and the next two attempts were incomplete. It was one of four possessions where the Argos failed to get a first down.

Linebacker Walker Robinson, a Fort Walton Beach High grad, again led UWF’s strong defensive effort with seven solo stops. John McMullen had five solo stops. Elijah Williams made a terrific interception that briefly gave back emotion to the UWF sideline.

On this day, however, any surge stayed brief and the quick-scoring, high-flying team that was so often prevalent these past several seasons, was unable to generate any kind of similar performance.

written by Bill Vilona / photo Emily Mller

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News, Sports, TOP sports

Cantonment Man Acquitted Of Murdering His Navy Wife In 2001

October 14, 2023

An Escambia County jury acquitted a Cantonment man of the first degree premeditated murder of his Navy wife over two decades ago.

Gregory Paul Malarik, 60, was on trial for the second time for murdering his wife, Sheri Malarik, in 2001. His first trial ended with a mistrial in June 2022 after four days of testimony and four hours of deliberations when the jury could not reach a verdict.

Friday, it took a jury over eight hours of deliberations to return a not guilty verdict Friday night.

Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office arrested Malarik in 2020 for the 2001 murder of his wife, Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Sherri Malarik. Gregory Malarik, a former Navy Petty Officer 1st Class, was employed by the Naval Aviation Technical Training Center aboard Naval Air Station Pensacola.

The body of Sherri Lynn Malarik was found September 22, 2001, at about 8 a.m. inside a Dodge Caravan in the parking lot of the Winn Dixie and Movie Gallery at 1550 South Highway 29, less than three miles from the couple’s home.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News

Northview High Crowns Homecoming Queen Chloe Criswell

October 14, 2023

Friday night, Northview High School crowned Homecoming Queen Chloe Criswell.

First runner-up to the queen was Chloe Morris, and second runner-up was Tydeasia McKenzie. Other members of the court were junior maid Lacey Sapp, sophomore maid Noel Pugh and freshman maid Jaycee Miller.

Look for a full homecoming court photo gallery by Monday.

NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News

Female Body Recovered From The Perdido River

October 14, 2023

The body of a female drowning victim was recovered from the Perdido River Friday afternoon.

Authorities were alerted to someone in the water about 3 p.m. Friday in an area near Ruby’s Fish Camp and the Wilson B. Robertson boat launch along the Perdido River.

The incident is under investigation by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

The identity of the victim has not been released as the ECSO awaits confirmation from the Medical Examiner’s Office.

No other information has been released.

File photo.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News

‘I Don’t Think We’ve Seen Our Best Yet’ – Northview Beats Jay 41-19 (With Gallery)

October 14, 2023

The Northview Chiefs beat the Jay Royals 41-19 Friday night at Tommy Weaver Memorial Stadium in Bratt.

It was a big homecoming win, and awin that head coach Wes Summerford believes will put the Chiefs on the right track for the rest of the season.

For a game action photo gallery, click here. (Look for additional galleries with the homecoming court, cheerleaders, mini-cheerleaders, band and more coming soon.)

“It gets us on the track that we have been trying to get on for weeks now after a couple of games we dropped early that I thought we had a chance in,” Northview head coach Wes Summerford said. “I think this was that win we really needed to prove to our guys that we haven’t seen our best yet. That’s what I told them after the game. ‘I don’t think we’ve seen our best yet.’. But the kids have got to believe it first.”

The Chiefs headed into Friday night’s game ranked at No. 5 in Region 1-1R — right behind the Royals at No. 4. The will likely put the Chiefs in a better postseason playoff position.

Devin Kelly had three touchdowns on the night for the Chiefs. Joe Wright added a Northview TD, and quarterback Wyatt Scruggs had a quarterback keeper into the endzone.

Friday night marked Northview’s seventh consecutive win over the Royals.

Northview (3-4) will host Blountstown (4-2) Friday night in Bratt. The Jay Royals (4-3) will celebrate homecoming while hosting Lighthouse Private Christian Academy.

NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News, Sports, TOP sports

FHP: Two Vehicles Flee Scene After Hitting Pedestrian On Highway 29

October 14, 2023

Two vehicles fled the scene after hitting a pedestrian on Highway 29, and the Florida Highway Patrol is looking for information.

Two vehicles were southbound on Highway 29 approaching Van Pelt Lane about 11:05 p.m. Thursday

Troopers said the male pedestrian traveled into the path of the first vehicle and was struck. The vehicle continued southbound, fleeing the scene. The victim was then hit by a second vehicle that also continued southbound.

The collision occurred in front of a Whataburger. Witnesses heard the first crash and believe one of the vehicles was a dark color SUV.

The pedestrian was transported to Baptist Hospital in critical condition. Their identity was not yet known.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News

Friday Night Football Scoreboard

October 14, 2023

Here are Friday night football scores from around the North Escambia area:

FLORIDA

Northview 41, Jay 19 [Game story, photos...]
Pace 41, Tate 13
IMG Academy 55, Pine Forest 14
West Florida 41, Pensacola 0
Fort Walton Beach 44, Washington 14
Choctaw 24, Escambia 20
Walton 23, Pensacola Catholic 21
Lighthouse Private Christian Academy at Sneads
Navarre 45, Milton 14
Baker 14, FAMU 0
Tohopekaliga 18, Gulf Breeze 14 (Thursday p.m.)

ALABAMA

W.S. Neal 44, Flomaton 21
Patrician Academy 42, Escambia Academy 14
T.R. Miller 42. Escambia County (Atmore) 7

NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News, Sports, TOP sports

Woman Charged With Three Counts Of Attempted Murder After Road Rage Incident

October 14, 2023

A woman is charged with three counts of attempted murder following a road rage incident in Escambia County.

Melissa Danielle Johnson, 30, was also charged with the three counts of attempted murder, deadly missiles into a vehicle, discharging a firearm from a vehicle, possession of a controlled substance without a prescription, possession of cocaine and possession of marijuana weighing less than 20 grams. She was booked into the Escambia County Jail without bond.

The incident happened Thursday in the area of Barrancas Avenue.

“The victims claimed that the shooting was the result of a road rage incident, where the suspect fired a single shot from their vehicle into the victim’s vehicle, resulting in one of the passengers being injured and transported to the hospital prior to the deputies’ arrival,” the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement.

Johnson contacted the ECSO, identified herself as the suspect, and turned herself in. When deputies searched her vehicle, the firearm and narcotics were located.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News