This Week’s Traffic Trouble Spots
July 16, 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 I-10 Welcome Center located on I-10 eastbound, (mile marker four) will be closed from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, July 16 Thursday, July 20. In addition, the outside lane of I-10 eastbound near the Welcome Center and the on- and off-ramps to the Welcome Center will be closed. Drivers may use the I-10 eastbound rest area at mile marker 29 during these times. The Welcome Center, along with the front and middle parking lots, will remain open daily from 6 a.m. until 8 p.m., but the truck parking area will remain closed until work concludes at the Welcome Center this summer.
- 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.
- 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 alternating lane closures on Lillian Highway, between Fairfield Drive and Blue Angel Parkway, Sunday, July 16 through Thursday, July 20 from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. as crews perform paving and widening work.
- 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 Hatties Boulevard and East Cottage Street. The shift will be in place through August as crews perform drainage improvements. Signage will be in place to safely direct drivers through the work zone.
- Sorrento Road (S.R. 292) Resurfacing from the Theo Baars Bridge to Bauer Road - Drivers may encounter intermittent lane closures, between Theo Baars Bridge and Bauer Road, Sunday, July 16 through Thursday, July 20 from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. as crews place friction course on the roadway.
- 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.
- U.S. 90 Routine Underground Utility Maintenance at North G Street Intersection – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures Monday, July 17 through Friday, July 21 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. for routine maintenance.
- U.S. 90 Routine Underground Utility Maintenance at North Reus Street Intersection – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures Monday, July 17 through Friday, July 21 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. for routine maintenance.
- U.S. 90 Routine Underground Utility Maintenance at West Garden Street Intersection – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures Monday, July 17 through Friday, July 21 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. for routine maintenance.
- S.R. 297 (Pine Forest Road) Turn Lane Construction South of Nine Mile Road – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures Monday, July 17 and Sunday, July 23 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. for paving operation..
- Beulah Road Turn Lane Construction at U.S. 90 Intersection – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures Monday, July 17 through Sunday, July 28 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. for paving operation.
- U.S. 29 (S.R. 95) Turn Lane Construction North of West Roberts – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures Monday, July 17 through Monday, July 31 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. for paving operation.
Santa Rosa County:
- U.S. 98 (S.R. 30/Gulf Breeze Parkway/Navarre Parkway) Resurfacing of select areas from Abercrombie Road to Calle De Palencia Street - Drivers on U.S. 98 (Navarre Parkway), between S.R. 87 and Calle De Palencia Street, may encounter intermittent nightly lane closures from 8:30 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. as crews perform construction activities.
- 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 S.R. 281 and Bayshore Road Sunday, July 16, through Friday, July 21, 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, July 17 and Thursday, July 20 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. for paving operations.
- I-10 Routine Bridge Maintenance on Blackwater Bridge – Motorists will encounter intermittent westbound lane closures near Exit 28, Sunday, July 16 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. for routine bridge maintenance.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Wahoos Come Up Short In Wild 11-Inning Saturday Night Loss
July 16, 2023
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos put together a furious rally with two outs in the ninth inning to force extra innings on Saturday night, but their effort wasn’t enough in a 10-9, 11-inning loss to the Birmingham Barons.
After leading 6-1 early, the Blue Wahoos surrendered the next eight runs of the ballgame before putting together a three-run rally of their own with their backs to the wall in the ninth. After forcing extras, the Blue Wahoos couldn’t push across another run before Luis Mieses ended the game with a walk-off single in the bottom of the 11th.
The Blue Wahoos provided Jake Eder with early run support, thanks to a Troy Johnston two-run double in the third and Cody Morissette two-run homer in the fifth. The Pensacola starter departed with two outs in the fifth and a 6-2 lead, but left the bases full before the Barons unloaded them against reliever Josan Méndez with a two-run single from Alsander Womack and a single from Mieses.
Birmingham catcher Xavier Fermandez tied the game 6-6 in the sixth with a solo homer, and the game remained tied until the bottom of the eighth when the Barons got a two-run double from Rodriguez to claim their first lead of the night.
Trailing 9-6 with two outs in the ninth, the Blue Wahoos kept hope alive as José Devers hit an RBI double before Morissette added an RBI infield single. Griffin Conine hit a tapper to second base that would have ended the game if not for a hurried and errant throw from Womack, scoring Devers for the tying run.
Brady Puckett (L, 1-2) pitched scoreless relief in the ninth and 10th, but the Blue Wahoos couldn’t scratch across any more runs in extra innings. Their best chance was foiled in the 11th, when Morissette lifted a fly ball to right field against Nick Gallagher (W, 1-2) with Johnston at third as the potential go-ahead run. Yoelqui Cespedes dealt a perfect throw to the plate, cutting down Johnston trying to score and ending Pensacola’s last threat.
Puckett returned for the 11th, but allowed a single and a walk before Mieses ended the game with a walk-off single down the left field line.
At 3 hours and 36 minutes, the game was Pensacola’s longest of the season. It was also their first time playing 11 innings all year.
The Blue Wahoos wrap up their series against the Barons on Sunday.
written by Erik Bremer
Vehicle Goes Airborne Over Fence And Hits Tree In Molino; One Injured
July 15, 2023
A vehicle went airborne over a fence and crashed into a tree early Saturday morning in Molino, injuring one person.
The crash happened about 4:15 on Highway 95A at Joanna Lane, near Highland Baptist Church. The vehicle apparently struck a culvert, went airborne over a chain-link fence, struck a tree about 10 feet off the ground and came to rest upside down inside the fenced-in area.
One person was transported to an area hospital.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Boil Water Notice Lifted For Glenmoor Trail Subdivision In Cantonment
July 15, 2023
UPDATE: THIS BOIL WATER NOTICE WAS LIFTED THE MORNING OF JULY 19.
Farm Hill Utilities has issued boil water notice for the Glenmoor Trail Subdivision in Cantonment until further notice.
The precautionary boil water notice is due to a water main repair in the area.
The utility is advising, as a precaution, that all water used for drinking, cooking, making ice, brushing teeth, or washing dishes be boiled. A rolling boil of one minute is sufficient. As an alternative bottled water may be used.
This precautionary boil water notice will remain in effect until the problem has been corrected and bacteriological survey shows that the water is safe to drink.
Cantonment Man Charged With Elderly Abuse For Allegedly Hitting Woman With Bat
July 15, 2023
A Cantonment man is accused of felony elderly abuse for allegedly striking a woman with a baseball bat.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to the Sacred Heart Emergency Room on Nine Mile Road where the 66-year old victim told deputies that William Ladon Stacey, 62, was forcing her to move out of our house. He followed her while yelling before picking up an aluminum bat and striking her in the arm and head, according to arrest report.
The victim stated that she has never had a romantic relationship with Stacey, but no further information was provided in the arrest report.
Deputies said there were no visible marks on the victim’s arms, but there was swelling and broken skin on the side of her head consistent with her statements.
Stacey remained in the Escambia County Jail Saturday morning with bond set at $5,000.
Prosecutors Seek Witness As Ladarius Clardy Homicide Trial Set To Begin
July 15, 2023
Jury selection is set to being Monday in the July 2021 murder of 18-year old Ladarius Clardy, and the State Attorney’s Office is attempting to locate a witness in the case.
Clardy, a former standout Pine Forest High School quarterback, was found shot dead in a vehicle crash about 1 a.m. on July 1, 2021. His vehicle was found with over 50 bullet holes in a ravine. Authorities say the murder was a case of mistaken identity.
Jury selection begins Monday in the case against Da’Quavion Snowden, 23, one of two charged with Clardy’s murder.
The Office of the State Attorney said they are attempting to locate Zityra Terrell, also known as Zityra Robbins, who was a witness in the homicide. Anyone with information on her whereabouts is asked to call State Attorney Investigator Wright at (850) 200-6903.
Da’Quavion Snowden’s brother Amos Dehontiquan Snowden, Jr. is awaiting trial and is due back in court in late September.
Charges in the case were dropped against Timothy Donaill Knight, Terrell Taquez Parker and Kobie Lashun Jenkins, Jr. due to a lack of evidence.
Boil Water Notice Lifted For Parts Of Highway 99 And On Molino Road
July 15, 2023
THIS BOIL WATER NOTICE WAS LIFTED THE NIGHT OF JULY 16 FOLLOWING CLEAR SAMPLES.
Molino Utilities has issued a precautionary boil water notice following the repair of broken water main.
The notice is in effect until further notice for Molino Utilities customers on Highway 99 from Haupert Lane south of Highway 196, and Molino Road from the 5500 to 7200 block including Lula Road.
The utility is advising, as a precaution, that all water used for drinking, cooking, making ice, brushing teeth, or washing dishes be boiled. A rolling boil of one minute is sufficient. As an alternative bottled water may be used.
This precautionary boil water notice will remain in effect until a bacteriological survey shows that the water is safe to drink.
For any additional information, contact the utility at (850) 587-5538.
Cottage Hill Water Works Lifts Boil Water Notice For Cedar Tree Lane
July 15, 2023
UPDATE: THIS BOIL WATER NOTICE WAS LIFTED MONDAY, JULY 17.
A precautionary boil water notice has been issued for Cottage Hill Water Works customers in the 500-1200 blocks of Cedar Tree Lane
The boil water notice was issued following a water main break.
The utility is advising, as a precaution, that all water used for drinking, cooking, making ice, brushing teeth, or washing dishes be boiled. A rolling boil of one minute is sufficient. As an alternative bottled water may be used.
This precautionary boil water notice will remain in effect until the problem has been corrected and a bacteriological survey shows that the water is safe to drink.
The boil water notice was issued following a water main break.
This story will be updated when the advisory has been lifted.
ECSO Locates Missing 1-Year Old
July 15, 2023
UPDATE: Rashell Tally Pitsikoulis has been safely located.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is searching for a missing 1-year old.
Rashell Tally Pitsikoulis was last seen Friday in the 6800 block of Kitty Hawk Drive. She was last seen with her mother, Crystal Mathism and grandfather, Paul Mitchell, according to the ECSO. They may possibly be headed to Tallahassee in a 2021 white Ford Expedition with Florida tag NJX6K.
Anyone with information is asked to call the ECSO at (850) 436-9620.
Well-Rested Wahoos Beat Barons 8-3
July 15, 2023
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos didn’t miss a beat after their four-day All-Star Break, returning to action as sharp as ever in an 8-3 win over the Birmingham Barons on Friday night.
Patrick Monteverde turned in another great start with only one earned run in 5.1 innings, Victor Mesa Jr. drove in three with a homer and an RBI double, and Troy Johnston added to his league-leading RBI total with a pair of clutch hits in the final two innings.
The Blue Wahoos took a 1-0 lead in the third when Victor Mesa Jr. lined an RBI double over the head of Barons left fielder Luis Mieses, scoring Norel González from first base. The Barons tied the game 1-1 in the bottom of the fifth when a dropped pop-up was followed by an RBI single from Bryan Ramos.
In the sixth, Mesa put the Blue Wahoos in front again with a solo homer to right field. Monteverde departed after 5.1 innings with a man on third base, and Cristian Charle (W, 5-2) let in the inherited runner with a sacrifice fly from Yoelqui Cespedes to tie the game 2-2.
In the eighth, Dalvy Rosario led off with a double against Andrew Perez (L, 1-3). With two outs, Johnston hit a grounder deep in the hole at second base that Jose Rodriguez threw away for an RBI single to put Pensacola ahead 3-2. Will Banfield followed with a deep fly to center that Terrell Tatum lost in the night sky, allowing the Blue Wahoos catcher to reach third on an RBI triple.
Penascola added four insurance runs in the ninth on a Mesa RBI groundout and a Johnston three-run double to stretch their lead to 8-3. Johnston now has a league-leading 70 RBI on the season.
Zack McCambley recorded the final three outs in the ninth to lock down the series-opening win.
The Blue Wahoos continue their series against the Barons on Saturday.
written by Bll Vilona