Here Are This Week’s Road Construction Traffic Trouble Spots
June 11, 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:
- U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – Drivers may encounter alternating lane closures on the Pensacola Bay Bridge Sunday, June 11 through Saturday, June 17 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. as crews perform striping work. On Tuesday, June 13, U.S. 98 westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) will have lane closures beginning at 10 p.m. due to Bands on the Beach.
- 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 through the end of summer when the Welcome Center improvements are 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 on this section of East Nine Mile Road has been reduced from 45 mph to 35 mph as vehicles and bicycles will share the roadway. The closure and speed limit reduction will be in place until the project is complete next summer.
- · Pensacola Boulevard (U.S. 29) Resurfacing from Brent Lane (State Road (S.R.) 296) to North of I-10 – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures and intermittent turn lane closures Sunday, June 11 through Thursday, June 15 from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. as crews place thermoplastic pavement markings on the roadway and perform final work list items.
- 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 shoulder and lane closures on Lillian Highway, between U.S. 98 and Blue Angel Parkway, Monday, June 12 through Friday, June 16 from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Crews will be milling and paving and completing drainage improvements.
- Navy Boulevard (S.R. 295) Resurfacing from North of the Bayou Grande Bridge to Gulf Beach Highway/Barrancas Avenue (S.R. 292) – Drivers may encounter alternating lane closures on Navy Boulevard, from Barrancas Avenue to the Bayou Grande Bridge, Friday, June 9 to Friday, June 16 as crews mill and resurface the roadway, adjust utility manholes, and perform striping work.
- U.S. 29 (North Century Boulevard) Resurfacing between Henry Street and Cottage Street in Century – Drivers on U.S. 29 (North Century Boulevard) will encounter a lane shift and lane closures through June. The two U.S. 29 northbound travel lanes and the center turn lane will be closed between Hatties Boulevard and East Cottage Street. During the closure, one northbound and one southbound lane will remain open using the current southbound travel lanes. 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 Innerarity Point Road and Bauer Road, from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. Sunday, June 11 through Thursday, June 15 as crews place friction course on the roadway.
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 Monday, June 12 through Friday, June 16 from 8:30 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. as crews perform construction activities.
- U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – Drivers may encounter alternating lane closures on the Pensacola Bay Bridge Sunday, June 11 through Saturday, June 17 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. as crews perform striping work. On Tuesday, June 13, U.S. 98 westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) will have lane closures beginning at 10 p.m. due to Bands on the Beach.
- U.S. 90 Bridge Replacement over Simpson River – Drivers may encounter nighttime lane closures on U.S. 90 eastbound near the Simpson River Bridge from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Monday, June 12 through Friday, June 16 as crews perform asphalt work. Drivers are reminded that the speed limit is 35 mph through the work zone.
- 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, June 11, through Friday, June 16, from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for stormwater drainage improvements and paving operations.
- The closure at the east entrance of Fordham Parkway will remain closed. This temporary closure will allow crews to install new drainage structures. Motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians will access Fordham Parkway via College Parkway. Detour signs will be in place. Businesses may experience noise, vibrations, and dust during daytime hours as part of this drainage improvement effort.
- 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, June 12 through Friday, June 16 for paving operations.
All activities are weather-dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Speed Limit Lowered On Schaag, Green Hills Roads; New Weight Limit On Schaag
June 11, 2023
Escambia County has lowered the speed limits on Green Hills Road in Cantonment and Schaag Road in Molino , and imposed a new weight restriction on Schaag.
On the entirety of Schaag Road, the speed limit has been reduced from 40 mph to 35 mph.
A truck weight restriction of 10,500 pounds was also implemented on Schaag Road from Highway 196 to Highway 95A. There is an exception for trucks servicing or having business in the area.
The speed limit was also lowered from 35 mph to 25 mph on Green Hills Road between Pine Forest Road and Stefani Road.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Michelle Mobley Names Escambia Employee Of The Month
June 11, 2023
Michelle Mobley has been named the Escambia County June 2023 Employee of the Month. She is an administrative claims specialist in the Human Resources department.
Mobley began her career with Escambia County in August 2000. Her duties as an administrative claims specialist include adjusting general and auto liability claims by initiating investigations, determining liability, and responding to claimants on the status of their requests. Michele is also responsible for preparing denial letters, coordinating repairs, rentals, processing claim payments, settlements, and preparing and obtaining releases. In addition, she recovers funds due to the county when county-owned property is damaged and regularly works with other departments to process claims or renew policies.
“Michele is a model employee who represents the county in a positive manner,” said Mark Bartlett, Risk Management Division manager. “She has compassion and care with professionalism and integrity. She is very detailed in her duties and completes tasks prior to the deadline. Her level of detail and professionalism is unmatched! We are so proud of her dedication to our mission and the citizens of Escambia County.”
Outside of her role with Escambia County, Michele is an active member at her church, where she regularly volunteers and teaches classes.
Seven-Run Eighth Lifts Blue Wahoos To 10-4 Win Over Biscuits
June 11, 2023
This has been quite the instant impact that Dalvy Rosario has delivered.
One night after his walk-off bomb, the newcomer outfielder blasted a 3-run homer as part of a seven-run eighth inning that helped ignite the Blue Wahoos past the Montgomery Biscuits 10-4, further delighting a sellout crowd Saturday on Fireworks Night at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
What a pyro prelude the Blue Wahoos produced.
Trailing 4-3 after the Biscuits got a pair of big hits for two runs in the top of the eighth, the Biscuits bullpen was lit up when the Blue Wahoos had their turn.
They used 12 batters, got six hits – three of those for extra bases – and kept circling the bases for a run fest into a rout.
The rally win completed a night with a crowd of 5,038 staying for the fireworks show sponsored by Hancock Whitney Bank.
The win clinched a series win for the Blue Wahoos (35-21), putting them eight games ahead of the Biscuits and maintaining at least a six-game lead on second-place Biloxi, which began its game late Saturday due to a rain delay. The first-half race in the Southern League South division has only 13 games remaining.
The big inning started with first baseman Troy Johnston, who entered the game in the seventh, leading off with a double. Earlier Saturday, Johnston spent an entire morning in the hot sun helping make the day memorable for kids in the Fred Waters Clinic that was part of MLB’s Play Ball Weekend at the ballpark.
Along with pitcher Brady Puckett, the two joined with a group of former Pensacola players who played in the major leagues as part of the youth clinic.
With Johnston on second, Griffin Conine reached on a catcher’s interference. Will Banfield followed with a perfect bunt that became an infield hit.
Cody Morissette then jumped on a high fastball inside for a two-run double to retake the lead. With one out, up stepped Rosario. And out of the ballpark went the second pitch from John Doxakis over the left field wall for a 3-run homer.
It followed his two-run, two-out, walk-off homer Friday after joining the team earlier that day from the Beloit Sky Carp, the Miami Marlins’ High-A affiliate.
Reliever Cristian Charle pitched 1.2 scoreless innings to get the win. Blue Wahoos starter Jonathan Bermudez was strong again, working six innings, allowing just two runs on four hits.
The Blue Wahoos first erased the Biscuits’ 2-0 lead in the sixth inning on Bennett Hostetler’s 2-run homer. Montgomery answered against Blue Wahoos reliever Zack Leban before the rally explosion in the bottom of the eighth.
The teams will close out their six-game series Sunday at Blue Wahoos Stadium with Miami Marlins pitcher Johnny Cueto as the starter on an injury rehab assignment.
Ciueto is now in his 16th major league season in a career that spans six different teams. He was once the ace of the Cincinnati Reds rotation and also a two-time All-Star.
Cueto will likely throw three innings in his start, then Luis Palacios is expected to take over. The Biscuits are using righthander Anthony Molina (2-4, 4.89).
by Bill Vilona, photo Nino Mendez / Pensacola Blue Wahoos
Fire Destroys Hay Barn, Equipment At Bratt Dairy Farm (With Gallery)
June 10, 2023
Fire destroyed a large hay barn and equipment Saturday morning at a dairy farm in Bratt.
A neighbor was the first to notice smoke boiling from an approximately 6,250 square foot barn at the Sigafoose Dairy on Oakshade Road, behind Northview High School.. Firefighters arrived moments later to find most of the hay inside the barn fully involved in fire.
The fire reportedly caused damage to the building, damaged equipment including a combine, and destroyed the hay for the cattle.
It took several hours to fight the fire, and equipment was brought in to spread the smoldering hay so it could be fully extinguished.
Firefighters battled not only the fire, but also the heat and humidity as they worked to put out the fire.
The cause of the fire was not immediately known. There were no injuries reported.
The Walnut Hill, Century and McDavid stations of Escambia County Fire Rescue, the Atmore Fire Department, Escambia County EMS and Escambia County EMS were among the responding agencies.
For more photos, click or tap here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Rep. Matt Gaetz Discusses Trump Indictment, Border Crisis, Farming At Jay Event
June 10, 2023
Congressman Matt Gaetz met with constituents in Jay Friday evening, discussing tops from the indictment of former President Donald Trump to immigration to the price of fertilizer.
Commerce Street in the heart of Jay was closed and bleachers were set up outside Scott’s Outdoors. Gaetz walked out of the store to chants of “USA, USA!” from the crowd on a muggy evening before he was introduced by Mike Scott, a third generation owner of the store.
“At Scott’s Outdoors, we stand for the constitution of the United States,” Scott said. “We stand for the right to keep and bear arms in this United States.”
“I never thought we’d be at this moment where America was at risk of looking more like a third world country than the greatest society that’s ever existed in all of human history,” Gaetz said. “This indictment against President Trump is not only factually unsound and legally unreasonable, it is explicit election interference. And I think everybody knows, if Donald Trump wouldn’t running for president again, and if he wouldn’t winning, this wouldn’t be happening. Joe Biden has had classified records in his house since 1974. I wouldn’t even born; I wouldn’t even a twinkle in my daddy’s eye.
“This is really an affront against us, against the people,” he said.
The Northwest Florida Congressman spoke out against debt limit increases and across the board cuts for every federal agency.
Instead, he said he wants to abolish the Department of Education, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Labor and make other targeted agency cutbacks.
“I tell them in Washington — alcohol, tobacco and firearms is just a good weekend in Northwest Florida, not a need for government agency,” he said to laughter from the crowd.
Gaetz said he wants to see term limits for the House and a balanced budget.
Wearing a “Keep America Farming” cap, the congressman said food security is national security as farmers face fertilizer costs up 40% and other financial challenges.
And he wants to see better decisions on the border.
“I am for legal immigration,” he said. “I believe that having the ambition edge on the rest of the world is a really important thing for the United States of America.But allowing people to come in without permission, without any sense of screening…we should be allowed to choose the people we want. Is that a bad thing to say? That we as a country should choose who comes and goes. In all of your homes, do you choose who comes and goes?”
Pictured: Congressman Matt Gaetz speaks to a crowd in Jay Friday evening. Images by WEAR 3 for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century Man Gets 15 Years For Raping Woman After A Night Out
June 10, 2023
A Century man has been sentenced to the maximum of 15 years in state prison for sexual battery.
Demontra Johntra Mitchell, 29, was also designated as a sexual offender by Circuit Court Judge Linda Nobles.
On October 8, 2020, after spending the evening in downtown Pensacola, the victim and several others went to Mitchell’s house. In the early morning hours, the victim was sexually battered by an unidentified individual. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement conducted DNA analysis. The tests showed Mitchell had sexually battered the victim.
“The defendant’s actions stripped the victim of all sense of personal security. His actions warrant the maximum sentence of 15 years in prison,” prosecuting attorney Frederick V. Longmire argued at the sentencing hearing.
Escambia Extension Small Farm Workshop Is Tuesday
June 10, 2023
Do you want to start a farm but are not sure where to start? Or just want to learn more about Florida programs that can help with your current operation?
Escambia Extension will hold a Small Farm Workshop for Emerging Farms on June 13 from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. at 3740 Stefani Road in Cantonment.
Topics will include loan and cost share programs, soil fertility, agritourism, small ruminant livestock and marketing.
The cost is $15. To register, or for more information, click here. Lunch will be provided.
License-Free Freshwater Fishing This Weekend In Florida
June 10, 2023
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) invites Florida residents and visitors to go freshwater fishing June 10-11 without a license.
The license-free fishing weekend offers a great opportunity to enjoy the outdoors and experience the many fishing opportunities the Fishing Capital of the World has to offer. The FWC encourages everyone to take advantage of the weekend to spend time enjoying the beautiful Florida waters.
“Fishing is a great way to enjoy the outdoors and experience Florida’s abundant fishing opportunities,” said Roger Young, FWC’s executive director. “License-free fishing weekends allow Floridians and visitors to get outdoors, connect with nature and create lasting memories with family and friends.”
During the license-free weekends, all bag limits, size limits and fishing regulations still apply. Anglers must also follow all other fishing rules, such as gear restrictions, seasons and closures. To help ensure a fun and safe fishing experience, the FWC encourages all anglers to review the regulations before heading out on the water.
Pictured: Fishing at Lake Stone near Century. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Rosario’s Walk-Off Homer Lifts Blue Wahoos To Thrilling Victory
June 10, 2023
Dalvy Rosario arrived in Pensacola shortly before noon on Friday.
Nine hours later, he was celebrating as a team hero.
The 22-year-old outfielder, called up from the Beloit Sky Carp to fill a position need, electrified a capacity crowd in his debut Friday night with a dramatic, ninth-inning, two-run walk-off homer, lifting the Blue Wahoos to a 6-4 victory against the Montgomery Biscuits.
The win pushed the Blue Wahoos (34-21) into a seven-game lead over the Biscuits, six games ahead of the Biloxi Shuckers, who lost Friday, in the first half Southern League division race that has 14 games left to play.
Rosario, a Dominican Republic native, had not homered this season. But on a 3-1 count, he jumped on a slider from Biscuits reliever Graeme Stinson and sent a moon shot over the left field wall with the ball carrying 380 feet and exiting at 101 mph off his bat.
And it was also his first Double-A hit, although he just missed a homer to center field earlier in the night.
When the hit was launched, the roar began, the Blue Wahoos dugout erupted, and a celebratory ice bucket bath awaited from teammates at home plate in one of Pensacola’s signature wins this season.
It was the first time the Blue Wahoos had a walk-off homer since Peyton Burdick, now a Miami Marlins outfielder, produced the feat in the 2021 season. It was the Blue Wahoos’ second walk-off win this season. The first happened on a fielder’s choice and throwing error.
This one came on Giveaway Friday where fans received a Blue Wahoos 2022 championship t-shirt courtesy of game sponsor Total Fire Protection.
Rosario’s rocket was even more significant because it happened after the Biscuits’ Evan Edwards tied the game with two outs in the top of the ninth with a monster shot off reliever Brady Puckett. The ball went over the video board traveling 461 feet towards the water.
Earlier Friday night, it was the Patrick Monteverde and José Devers show. Monteverde, the Blue Wahoos’ top pitcher, was in his usual form. The lefty allowed just two hits and one run, striking out nine batters in six innings.
Meanwhile, Devers hit a two-run homer in the third inning and followed with a solo blast in the fifth. He began the night with just two homers this season. Both of the ones Friday were no-doubter line drives into the right field berm.
Cobie Fletcher-Vance, making his return from Triple-A Jacksonville had a good night at the plate as well, including an RBI double in the fourth inning.
Monteverde threw 100 pitches in his outing. His final pitch was a ground out to second baseman Nasim Nuñez – the third putout for Nuñez in the inning – to complete the sixth.
After Monteverde exited, carrying the 4-1 lead, the Biscuits quickly trimmed it on their first two at-bats off reliever Will Stewart in the seventh inning.
Mason Auer led off with a fly ball that Norel González misplayed into a triple. Diego Infante followed by launching a blast into the right-center berm. Stewart then recovered to get a lineout and pair of strikeouts around a single to end the inning.
Jefry Yan replaced Stewart in the eighth inning and was solid, recording a pair of strikeouts in his return from Triple-A Jacksonville.
Puckett started the ninth with a long fly ball out and was in position to get the save when Edwards hit the bomb.
The Blue Wahoos will try to gain the series win on Saturday night. Jonathan Bermudez (0-2, 2.95 ERA) will be on the mound for the Blue Wahoos against the Biscuits’ Mason Montgomery (0-2, 4.75).
by Bill Vilona, photo Nino Mendez / Pensacola Blue Wahoos