Man Faces Multiple Charges After Highway 29 Traffic Stop
September 18, 2023
An Escambia County man is facing multiple charges after a traffic stop on Highway 29.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop on a stolen vehicle at the intersection of Highway 29 and Kenmore Road. K-9 Ray alert on the vehicle, and a firearm and narcotics were located.
After a short foot pursuit, 36-year old Nathanyel Sean Lewis, 36 was taken into custody. He was charged with driving with license suspended, possession of narcotics with intent to distribute, dealing in stolen property, possession of a stolen vehicle, fleeing and eluding, possession o a weapon or ammunition by a convicted felon, possession of a firearm during a felony, resisting arrest and a probation violation. He remained in the Escambia County Jail Monday morning without bond.
The ECSO said additional charges are forthcoming.
Bonus Photos: Northview Band And Cheerleaders
September 18, 2023
The Northview Chiefs defeated the Lighthouse Private Christian Academy Stingrays 35-0 Friday night.
For a bonus photo gallery with the band and cheerleaders, click here.
For a game action story and photos, click here.
Northview is off next Friday night for a bye week.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Here Are The Road Work Spots To Watch This Week
September 18, 2023
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads and projects 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 when the Welcome Center improvements are scheduled to be complete. 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 later this summer.
- 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 September 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 the following lane closures on Lillian Highway from Friday, Sept. 15 through Friday, Sept. 22:
- Daytime lane closures from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., between U.S. 98 and Blue Angel Parkway, as crews perform drainage work.
- Nighttime lane closures from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., between Fairfield Drive and Blue Angel Parkway, as crews perform widening and driveway 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) – Drivers may encounter alternating lane closures, between Cervantes Street and Brent Lane, Friday, Sept. 15 through Friday, Sept. 22 from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. as crews perform sidewalk work.
- 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, Sept. 17 through Thursday, Sept. 21 from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. as crews mill and pave the roadway.
- S.R. 29 Turn Lane Construction North of West Roberts Road at the new Ronny’s Car Wash – Motorists will encounter northbound inside lane closure Monday, Sept. 18 through Friday, Sept. 22 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. for turn lane construction.
- Beulah Road Turn Lane Closure at U.S. 90 – Motorists will encounter northbound turn lane closure at U.S. 90 Sunday, Sept. 17 through Friday, Sept. 29 for utility work.
- S.R. 291 Routine Utility Maintenance from Johnson Avenue to Copter Road – Drivers may encounter alternating lane closures Sunday, Sept. 17 through Tuesday, Sept. 19 from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. for 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, Sept. 17, through Friday, Sept. 22, from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for stormwater drainage improvements and paving operations.
- I-10 Resurfacing from S.R. 281 (Avalon Boulevard) to east of S.R. 87 – Motorists will encounter nighttime east and westbound lane closures Monday, Sept. 18 and Thursday, Sept. 21 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. for paving operations.
- 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, Sept. 19 through Thursday, Sept. 21 from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. as crews receive delivery of construction materials. Drivers are reminded that the speed limit is 35 mph throughout the work zone.
- U.S. 98 (Gulf Breeze Parkway) Routine Undergrown Utility Maintenance at Pfeiffer Street – Motorists will encounter nighttime east and westbound lane closures Monday, Sept. 18 and Thursday, Sept. 21 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. for routine maintenance.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Pictured: Construction on Highway 29 in Century. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Florida Gas Prices Rise An Average Of Eight Cents
September 18, 2023
Florida gas prices increased last week, as anticipated. Sunday’s state average of $3.69 per gallon is eight cents more than the week before.
“Global fuel supplies continue to tighten, putting upward pressure on oil prices and subsequently, the price of gasoline,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group.
In Escambia County, the average was $3.49. A North Escambia low os $3.41 was available Sunday night on Highway 29 in Cantonment. A Escambia County low of $3.19 was available Sunday at a Nine Mile Road station.
Sunday’s state average remains 16 cents below this year’s high of $3.85 per gallon.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Tate High Cheerleaders Hold Lil Aggies Fall Cheer Camp
September 18, 2023
The Tate High School Lil Aggies Fall Cheer Clinic was held Saturday.
At the Friday, September 29, varsity football game, the Lil Aggie athletes will participate in the pregame runout and cheer the first quarter with the Tate Varsity Cheerleaders.
During Saturday’s clinic, athletes learned proper stretch techniques, Tate sideline cheers, proper jump techniques and motion placement, as well as stunting and tumbling skill building.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Playoff-Bound Blue Wahoos Cap Regular Season With 6-3 Win
September 18, 2023
On a day complete with a military honor, the Blue Wahoos could not have choreographed a better way to end the final Sunday of their regular season.
The skies had cleared. The team had just produced a seventh-inning rally. The Blue Angels buzzed above the ballpark in an eighth-inning return home.
And the game closed out amid a cheering crowd.
With a focus moving to a bigger feat, the Blue Wahoos broke a tie game with a trio of runs, then had their bullpen finish the final two innings of a 6-3 victory against the Mississippi Braves at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
It ended the scheduled portion of the Blue Wahoos season with a 79-57 record, which equates into the best winning percentage (.581) in franchise history. The team won 81 games in 2016 with a longer season and lower win percentage.
The Blue Wahoos will now turn attention to Tuesday’s Game 1 of the Southern League South Division series at the Montgomery Biscuits that begins a chance to repeat as league champions. The second game and deciding game, if necessary, in the best-of-three series will be in Pensacola where this team has been so embraced.
“Our players respond to the fan base here,” said Blue Wahoos manager Kevin Randel, whose team unfurled a “Thank You Pensacola” banner in front of the pitcher’s mound before the game. “We have great fans. It’s just a good relationship between the players and fan base.
“It’s fun to play in front of during the game. (Fans) get loud, our guys like the moment and we appreciate playing here and we are very fortunate.”
Sunday’s win put a bow on an eventful finale that began with the Blue Wahoos honoring two Pensacola servicemen who survived the horrors of enemy capture during the Vietnam War on the 50-year commemoration of the return of U.S. prisoners of war from North Vietnam.
The POW-MIA day at the stadium honored 94-year-old U.S. Navy captain Allen Brady and 85-year-old U.S. Air Force colonel Ed Hubbard, both of whom had planes shot down in combat and spent years as a POW.
The two Pensacola residents threw out ceremonial first pitches, along with retired U.S. Navy Admiral Kyle Cozad, the President/CEO of the National Naval Aviation Museum Foundation located at Naval Air Station Pensacola. A decorated officer, Cozad has been confined to a wheelchair since a home accident in 2018 and received a loud ovation with his first pitch.
For Brady, at age 94, it was his first pitch since 1959.
“That was also my last pitch,” he said, smiling. “That was the last time I played baseball. This was the first time in my life ever doing something like this. My wife said, “Now, don’t try to throw a strike.’ I said, I’ll be lucky if I can just get it there.”
Blue Wahoos pitcher Luis Palacios, the team’s likely Game 1 playoff starter Tuesday, caught the ceremonial pitches. The team also wore special commemorative patches for the 50-year commemoration of “Operation Homecoming” that happened on March 28, 1973.
While pitching has been the Blue Wahoos’ strength in the final stretch of the regular season, this team ended its regular season by setting team records in batting average, runs scored, hits, home runs, on-base percentage, slugging percentage and on-base plus slugging (OPS).
“This is the best hitting team I’ve been a part of,” Randel said. “Obviously, we have a little different look now in the lineup. But for that second and third month of the season we were really, really good. We did kind of everything.
‘“We’re a little bit different now. We are grinding our way on the mound. We are grinding our way in the (batter’s) box, but we are still finding ways to win.”
Sunday was prime example of that.
The Blue Wahoos made the most of six hits to get their six runs. After the M-Braves got two runs off Blue Wahoos starter M.D. Johnson in the first inning, Nasim Nuñez led off the Blue Wahoos in the bottom of the inning with a walk and two stolen bases before scoring when Paul McIntosh was caught in a rundown on a designed steal attempt of second.
They took a 3-2 lead when Nuñez, a switch-hitter, connected on his first homer batting righthanded with a wind-aided shot that carried over a leaping attempt by M-Braves right fielder Jacob Pearson.
With game tied in the seventh, Bennett Hostetler led off by reaching on an error. Jake Thompson singled. Cobie Fletcher-Vance had an RBI single. A second run scored on a double play, then Fletcher-Vance scored on a passed ball.
Blue Wahoos closer Dylan Bice struck out the side in the ninth to seal the win and earn his third save.
Here is how the schedule shapes up for the Southern League playoffs in both divisions. Each series is a best-of-three. The Blue Wahoos have home field advantage in the first round and championship series, if they advance.
Blue Wahoos Southern League Playoff Schedule
MONDAY – Off Day
TUESDAY – Game 1 at Montgomery Biscuits, 6:35 p.m., Riverwalk Stadium, Montgomery. Ala.
WEDNESDAY – Off Day
THURSDAY – Game 2 vs. Montgomery, 6:05 p.m. at Blue Wahoos Stadium
FRIDAY – Game 3 (if necessary) vs. Montgomery, 6:05 p.m. at Blue Wahoos Stadium
SL Championship Series (If Advancing)
SEPT. 23 – Off Day
SEPT. 24 – at Tennessee Smokies-Chattanooga Lookouts North Division Winner
SEPT. 25 – Off Day
SEPT. 26 — Game 2 vs. TNS/CHA, 6:05 p.m. at Blue Wahoos Stadium
SEPT. 27 – Game 3 (if necessary vs. TNS/CHA, 6:05 p.m. at Blue Wahoos Stadium
by Bill Vilona, photo Nino Mendez / Pensacola Blue Wahoos
New North Escambia Fiber Service Was Down More Than A Full Day. Here’s Why.
September 17, 2023
The new fiber internet service in North Escambia was down over 28 hours over the weekend due to a fiber cut outside the area.
Connect powered by Escambia River Electric Cooperative went down about 4:15 p.m. Saturday. Service was restored about 8:30 p.m. Sunday.
According to the company’s customer service department, a large boring machine damaged a significant portion of the main fiber that connects Conexon Connect customers in Escambia County, the Big Bend area of Florida, and an area in Georgia.
Repairs were hampered by wet ground conditions and no estimated time of repair was available as of Sunday afternoon.
Replacement Of Dawson Road Bridge Nearing Completion, And The Cost Is Rising
September 17, 2023
Less than 10 months after construction began, work is nearing completion on a bridge replacement project just south of Century, and the cost is rising.
Dawson Road closed in early February for the replacement of the county-owned bridge over Pritchett Mill Creek.
The cost was originally set at $1.7 million, but once work started, needed changes were discovered. A $34,103 CEI (construction, engineering and inspection) change order was already approved due to an additional length of piling, and a $38,248.05 change order is pending for county commission approval next Thursday due to additional pilings needed to construct the bridge.
The new total construction cost stands at $2,142,203. The Florida Department of Transportation is picking up 75% of the cost, while Escambia County has a 25% match commitment.
The previous county-owned wooden-support bridge was constructed in 1965. It is being replaced with a 76-foot long concrete structure. The project also includes replacement of about 270 feet of roadway, curb and gutter, guardrail improvements and ditch grading. The bridge work was being coordinated with utility companies due two a 3-inch water main and a 3/4 inch Town of Century gas main.
The project is expected to be completed by the end of the year.
For more photos of the old bridge before demolition, click or tap here.
Pictured top: The Dawson Road bridge over Pritchell Mill Creek as seen Wednesday, September 13. Pictured below: The original 1965 structure prior to demolition. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
FWC Law Enforcement Report: Drugs Along The Perdido, Boating And Fishing Violations
September 17, 2023
The Florida FWC Division of Law Enforcement reported the following recent activity:
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
Officers Waters and Hahr were patrolling Perdido River Wildlife Management Aea and found three groups of recreators using marijuana and methamphetamine. Two people were charged with use of medical marijuana in a public place, one was charged with possession of cannabis, and two men were charged with possession of methamphetamine. One of the subjects was also arrested for two felony warrants.
Officers Waters and Hahr checked a boat leaving Mahogany Mills Boat Ramp and were told by the two subjects they had caught 50 almaco jacks. Upon conducting a resource inspection of their cooler, the officers discovered the subjects had harvested 49 greater amberjack measuring between 10.5 and 14.5 inches. The minimum size limit for greater amberjack is 34” and the bag limit is one fish. Both subjects were charged with taking over the bag limit and undersized greater amberjack.
Officer Ramos concluded a five-month investigation of a derelict vessel abandoned in Bayou Chico by an individual who resides out of state and indicated he had no intention of removing the vessel from the water. Officer Ramos filed a warrant for the individual’s arrest and proper paperwork to have the vessel removed from local waters. In addition to an arrest, the responsible party of the vessel will also be required to reimburse the state of Florida for the removal costs of the derelict vessel after it has been removed and destroyed.
Officer Ramos received a complaint of a hook-and-line fishing vessel operating recklessly near another vessel engaged in scuba diving in the Gulf of Mexico on a natural reef. The scuba diving vessel was properly displaying a divers-down flag and it was apparent the captain of the offending vessel knew divers were in the water. A verbal altercation ensued and then the fishing vessel rapidly accelerated on plane and made a series of sharp turns in the water above the divers before fleeing the scene. Officer Ramos was able to determine the vessel registration and subsequently located and interviewed the operator of the vessel, who was discovered to be a commercial charter boat captain running a charter trip with paying customers during the time of the offense. After compiling additional witness interviews, Officer Ramos obtained an arrest warrant for reckless operation of a vessel.
Officer Ramos was on joint enforcement agreement patrol and conducted a resource inspection on a vessel that had been offshore fishing. A large gag grouper was discovered on board; however, the season for this species was closed when the fish was harvested. The harvester of the illegal fish was issued an appropriate citation for the violation.
Officers Wilkenson and Ramos were on patrol and observed a recreational fishing boat returning from the Gulf of Mexico. The officers conducted a boating safety and resource inspection and discovered an undersized gray triggerfish. The appropriate citation was issued to the individual who harvested the illegal fish.
SANTA ROSA COUNTY
Officers Ramos and Ates were on night patrol and observed two subjects gigging and attempting to take flounder. The fishing vessel did not display required navigational lights. The officers conducted a boating safety and resource inspection and asked the subjects if they had any fish. One of the subjects replied they had a flounder and he showed it to the officers, implying it was the only fish on board. Officer Ramos continued investigating and discovered the subjects were also in possession of a red drum that they had gigged, which is an illegal method of take for that species. Officer Ates issued the subject a notice to appear for gigging the red drum and a warning for the navigation lights violation.
Officers Ramos and Ates were on night patrol and observed two subjects gigging and attempting to take flounder. The vessel they were using did not display required navigational lights. The officers conducted a boating safety and resource inspection and asked the subjects if they had any fish. One of the subjects replied they had a flounder and took it from a small cooler and showed the officers, implying it was the only fish on board. Officer Ramos continued investigating and discovered the subjects were also in possession of a red drum they had gigged, which is an illegal method of harvest for this species. Officer Ates issued the subject a notice to appear for gigging the red drum and a warning for the navigation lights violation.
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.
Inmate Serving Life For Attempted Murder Of Police Officer Accused Of Assaulting Century Correctional Officer
September 17, 2023
A Century Correctional Institution inmate assaulted a correctional officer recently, according to the Florida Department of Corrections.
Inmate Jack Holt assaulted an officer. He is serving a life sentence for a 2004 attempted first degree murder in Miami-Dade County after he shot and wounded a female police officer with an AK-47.
“Staff responded appropriately, and the inmate was subdued,” FDC said.