Traffic On Highway 29 In Century Set For Big Shift On Tuesday In $4.7 Million Project
June 26, 2023
Big changes are scheduled to happen Tuesday in the Highway 29 construction zone, according to the Florida Department of Transportation.
All traffic on Highway 29 between Hatties Boulevard and East Cottage street will be shifted to one outside lane in each direction. One lane of traffic will remain open in each direction for approximately 30-45 days as crews perform drainage improvements.
The switch may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
The total project has an anticipated completion target date in January 2024. FDOT will also upgrade traffic signals, drainage structures, pavement markings, and driveways, while also improving curb ramps and sidewalks to comply with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements.
Pictured: Lane closures on Highway 29 in Century as seen recently. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
FHP: McDavid Girl, 16, Causes Perdido Key Crash Seriously Injuring Motorcyclist
June 26, 2023
Troopers say a 16-year old McDavid girl was responsible for causing a three vehicle crash that seriously injured a motorcyclist Sunday morning on Perdido Key.
The 16-year old was driving her Dodge Dart east on Perdido Key Drive near Sharp Reef Drive about 10 a.m. when traffic started to slow; she rear-ended a BMW motorcycle driven by a 72-year old Gulf Shores man, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The force of the impact then pushed the motorcycle forward into the rear of a Chevrolet Malibu driven by a 48-year old woman from Pensacola. The motorcyclist, who was wearing full protective gear, was airlifted to an area hospital with serious but non-life threatening injuries, FHP said.
The 16-year old, her 15-year old passenger, and those in the Malibu were not injured.
FHP cited the McDavid girl for careless driving.
The crash closed Perdido Key Driver for a period of time.
NWE 10U Wins Gulf Coast Recreation Classic All-Star Tournament
June 26, 2023
Northwest Escambia won the 10U championship Saturday in the Gulf Coast Recreation Classic All-Star Tournament. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Sunday Midday Winning $14K Fantasy Five Ticket Sold On Nine Mile Road
June 26, 2023
Someone is over $14,000 richer today after purchasing a winning Florida Lottery Fantasy 5 ticket on Nine Mile Road.
The ticket sold at the Tom Thumb (Cumberland Farms) at 5901 West Nine Mile Road was one of four winning tickets in Sunday’s midday drawing and is worth $14,361.68. The other winning tickets were sold in Clearwater, Miami and Tallahassee.
The 85 tickets matching four numbers won $109 each. Another 2,573 tickets matching three numbers are worth $10 each, and 25,251 ticket holders won a free ticket for picking two numbers.
Sunday’s midday winning numbers were 7-18-19-28-35.
NAS Pensacola, Local Law Enforcement Conducting Exercise On Tuesday
June 26, 2023
NAS Pensacola and local emergency services will hold a training exercise on Tuesday.
NAS Pensacola Security Forces, Fire and Emergency Services Gulf Coast, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Escambia County Fire Rescue, LifeFlight and volunteer service members will take part in the exercise beginning at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday.
The exercise should not affect normal base operations, including base access, although individuals accessing the air station could expect delays at the facility’s gates.
NAS Pensacola Installation Training Team Coordinator Trent Hathaway said the importance of exercises such as this is to prepare installation and partner first responders on joint tactics and procedures.
“Law enforcement and first responders are often put in the line of danger – it’s inherent with the nature of their jobs,” he said. “This joint training involves all actions first responders must go through, and to conduct a training exercise such as this with area first responders enhances the capability for our NSF to respond to any issue at any time.”
Florida Average Gas Prices Drop
June 26, 2023
Florida gas prices dropped about six cents on average last week to $3.35 per gallon.
In North Escambia, a low of $3.19 was available Sunday night at a Highway 29 station, while Pensacola prices were as low as $2.99 at the warehouse clubs.
“Florida gas prices have fallen about 12 cents per gallon throughout the past two weeks,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Low oil prices have enabled gas prices to remain well below year-ago levels. However, strong demand has created some volatility throughout the past month. Even if gas prices bounce higher again soon, Independence Day road trippers will pay much less at the pump than they did last year.”
NorthEscambia.com photo.
Blue Wahoos, Smokies Canceled By Rain In First Half Finale
June 26, 2023
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos and Tennessee Smokies saw their series and first half finale on Sunday afternoon canceled due to rain. The game will not be made up.
After two consecutive off days, the Blue Wahoos begin the second half of their season in Montgomery on Wednesday night. They return home to Blue Wahoos Stadium on Tuesday, July 4 for a six-game series against the Biloxi Shuckers.
written by Erik Bremer
FPL’s Third North Escambia Solar Farm Is Under Construction In Molino
June 25, 2023
Florida Power & Light’s third solar farm in North Escambia is under construction in Molino.
The Sparkleberry Solar Energy Center is coming to 553 acres at the south end of Pilgrim Trail off Highway 97. According to FPL, over 200,000 solar panels will generate nearly 75 megawatts — enough energy to power 15,000 homes.
The Molino Sparkleberry solar farm is roughly the same size as two others in North Escambia.
The 300,000 solar panels at the Cotton Creek Solar Energy Center on Bogia Road near McDavid have been in operation since early 2022, producing up to about 75 megawatts.
The First City Solar Energy Center, the second FPL solar site to be built in North Escambia, off Holland, Cox and Roach roads in McDavid went online February 2, 2023, also with an output of 75 megawatts.
“This is an exciting time for our customers in Northwest Florida. Solar energy centers provide our customers with low-cost, reliable electricity,” said FPL Northwest Vice President and General Manager J.T. Young. “We’re investing in this innovative technology on behalf of our customers to reduce fuel costs and further Florida’s energy independence by harnessing Florida’s abundant sunshine.”
Pictured: The entrance to the Sparkleberry Solar Energy Center as seen Saturday afternoon. NorthEscambia.com photos and graphic, click to enlarge.
Dustin Vaughn Is New Cantonment Rotary Club President
June 25, 2023
The Rotary Club of Cantonment recently installed Dustin Vaughn as its new president for the next year.
A product of Ransom Middle and Tate High schools, Vaughn will lead a club that has seen nine new members in the previous leadership of Tony Lee. He is currently employed at Harvesters Federal credit Union and is married with three children.
Now in its 75th year, the Rotary Club of Cantonment continues to support many projects for the area, primarily north of Nine Mile Road. The club also funds various scholarships and other philanthropic projects throughout the area.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
FWC Law Enforcement Report: Fillingim Landing Underage Party; Fishing And Violations
June 25, 2023
The Florida FWC Division of Law Enforcement recently reported the following activity:
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
Officers Allgood and Hahr were working in the Perdido River Wildlife Management Area when they observed five 13- to 18-year-olds carrying a cooler of beer onto the sandbar at Fillingim Landing. Before the officers made contact, they observed them smoking cannabis and drinking beer. The youths stated they had bought a half ounce of cannabis, THC vape cartridges, and the case of beer in preparation for their night out. The two adults were issued notices to appear for the violations and the three juveniles were referred to Department of Juvenile Justice.
Officers Allgood and Hahr were patrolling near Pensacola Bay when they observed a charter boat fishing in the military exclusion area. They conducted a vessel stop and explained to the captain he could not fish in the restricted area. A fishery inspection revealed a red snapper located in the fish box. Officers issued the captain a resource citation for possession of a red snapper during the closed season.
Officer Allgood was patrolling in the Pensacola Bay area and observed an individual fishing from a vessel near the Ft. Pickens fishing pier. He conducted a resource inspection and asked to see their fishing license. The captain on the boat provided an individual commercial fishing license and said they were fishing commercially. The other two subjects were fishing without a commercial fishing license. The officer inspected their fish and found undersized pompano and Spanish mackerel. Notice to appear citations were issued for the violations.
Lieutenant Lambert conducted a resource inspection on a fishing vessel as it returned to the Navy Point Boat Ramp. When he was about to open a cooler to inspect the catch, the captain of the boat revealed they had undersized spotted sea trout. The inspection revealed 10 trout with four of them being undersized. Citations were issued for undersized sea trout and possession of over the daily bag limit.
Officers Allgood and Hahr were on patrol in Perdido River Wildlife Management Area and observed an individual driving into the area. The subject was later observed drinking vodka and was charged with driving with a revoked license and possession of alcoholic beverages in Perdido River WMA.
While on patrol in the Perdido River, Officer McHenry noticed an individual fishing with free-floating noodles. The subject was also using bream for bait. Both these methods are illegal in Florida. Citations were issued for the violations.
SANTA ROSA COUNTY
While on patrol, Officer Mullins observed a vessel operating on plane in an idle speed zone in Blackwater River. When contacting the vessel and its four occupants, one of the subjects exposed his backside to the officer and nearby members of the public. Officers Wilkenson and Roberson assisted with the subjects, who tried to leave the area. An inspection revealed the possession of alcohol, and each subject was under the age of 21. The operator was issued the appropriate citations/warnings for boating violations. Each subject was issued a notice to appear for possession of alcohol under 21 years of age. Officers stressed the importance of boating laws, safety, and possession/ consumption of alcohol while recreating on the water.
Officer Land was on patrol near Milton Marina when he observed an individual on a personal watercraft operating on plane within the idle speed zone in Quinn Bayou. Officer Land gave the subject loud verbal commands to approach the shoreline. When Officer Land began speaking to the subject, he noticed the individual was sunburnt and his eyes were bloodshot and watery. When the subject spoke, Officer Land detected the smell of alcohol. Officer Land asked the subject if he had been drinking, and the individual stated he had been. Officer Land asked the individual to perform a seated standardized field sobriety tasks. At the conclusion of the tasks the individual was placed under arrest for operating a vessel with normal faculties impaired. The Individual was transported to the Santa Rosa County Jail.
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.