Here Are This Week’s Road Construction Trouble Zones
June 25, 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 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.
- 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 daytime shoulder and lane closures on Lillian Highway, between U.S. 98 and Blue Angel Parkway, Monday, June 26 through Thursday, June 29 from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Crews will continue drainage improvements, final grading and sodding work.
- 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 23 through Thursday, June 29 as crews work on the sidewalks.
- U.S. 29 (North Century Boulevard) Resurfacing between Henry Street and Cottage Street in Century – Traffic on U.S. 29 (North Century Boulevard), between Hatties Boulevard and East Cottage Street, will be shifted to the outside (right) travel lanes beginning Tuesday, June 27. One lane of traffic will remain open in each direction. The shift will be in place for approximately 30-45 days 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, from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. Sunday, June 25 through Thursday, June 29 as crews place friction course on the roadway.
- Pensacola Boulevard (U.S. 29) Resurfacing from Brent Lane (S.R. 296) to North of I-10 - Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures and intermittent turn lane closures Sunday, June 25 through Thursday, June 29 from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. as crews place thermoplastic pavement markings on the roadway and perform final work list items.
- S.R. 297 (Pine Forest Road) Coring Operations from South of I-10 to U.S. 90 – Drivers may encounter intermittent lane closures Sunday, June 25 through Thursday, June 29 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. for coring operations.
- U.S. 90 (Cervantes Street) Routine Utility Maintenance between Palafox Street and Baylen Street – Drivers may encounter intermittent lane closures Thursday, June 29 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. for power pole replacement.
- Interstate 110 (I-110) Routine Bridge Maintenance over CSX Railroad Overpass – Motorists will encounter lane closure Sunday, June 25 from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. for routine maintenance.
- I-110 Routine Bridge Maintenance over S.R. 8A Southbound Overpass – Motorists will encounter lane closure at Cervantes Street ramp Exit 2 Monday, June 26 from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. for routine maintenance.
- I-110 Routine Bridge Maintenance over S.R. 752 (East Texar Drive) Overpass – Motorists will encounter lane closure south of S.R. 295 Tuesday, June 27 from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. for routine maintenance.
- At Cervantes Ramp Exit 2
- I-110 Routine Bridge Maintenance over S.R. 296 (Brent Lane) Overpass – Motorists will encounter lane closure south of I-10 Wednesday, June 28 from 8 p.m. to 12 a.m. for routine maintenance.
Santa Rosa County:
- U.S. 90 Bridge Replacement over Simpson River – Drivers will encounter nighttime lane closures on U.S. 90 eastbound on the Simpson River Bridge from 8 p.m. Wednesday, June 28 through 5:30 a.m. Thursday, June 29 as crews perform asphalt work. Drivers are reminded that the speed limit is 35 mph through the work zone.
- 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 26 through Thursday, June 29 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, June 25, through Thursday, June 29, 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 26 through Thursday, June 29 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. for paving operations.
- U.S. 90 Turn Lane Construction at West Florida Baptist Church in Milton – Motorists will encounter nighttime lane closure Monday, June 26 through Thursday, June 29 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. for paving operations.
- S.R. 87 Turn Lane Closure at Distribution Drive – Motorists will encounter turn lane closure Monday, June 26 through Friday, July 14 for construction activities.
- I-10 Routine Bridge Maintenance over Garcon Point Road – Motorists will encounter lane closure west of S.R. 87 Sunday, June 25 from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. for routine maintenance.
- U.S. 90 Routine Underground Utility Maintenance at Mary Street in Milton – Motorists will encounter lane closure Tuesday, June 27 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. for routine utility maintenance.
All activities are weather-dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather. Drivers are reminded to use caution, especially at night, when traveling through a work zone and to watch for construction workers and equipment entering and exiting the roadway.
Blue Wahoos Split Doubleheader With Historic Win
June 25, 2023
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos dropped the first game of their Saturday doubleheader 6-4 to the Tennessee Smokies, but rallied late to take the nightcap 6-5 and secure the best half-season record in franchise history.
At 41-27 with one game to play in the half, the Blue Wahoos officially surpassed the 2016 club that went 41-29 in the first half en route to a division title.
In game one, the Smokies used the long ball to take an early lead against Luis Palacios (L, 4-3). Haydn McGeary hit a two-run homer in the first, and Nelson Maldonado and Jordan Nwogu went back-to-back in the second, to put Tennessee ahead for good.
RBI singles from Victor Mesa Jr. and Griffin Conine brought the Blue Wahoos to within a run at 4-3, but Zac Leigh worked 2.0 effective innings of relief for the Smokies and Owen Caissie added two insurance runs with a double in the fifth to extend the Tennessee lead to 6-3.
In the seventh and final inning, Conine led off with a double and Troy Johnston followed with an RBI single before Danis Correa (S, 3) closed out the win.
In game two, Tennessee once again jumped out early with a first-inning home run from Caissie. José Devers evened the score with a Pensacola homer, and Conine brought in Nasim Nuñez with an RBI single in the third to put the Blue Wahoos ahead 2-1.
The Smokies evened the score against Jonathan Bermudez (W, 1-2) with a fourth-inning Cole Roederer RBI single, and Luis Vazquez blasted a 478-foot homer in the fifth to put Tennessee up 4-2.
In the top of the sixth, the Blue Wahoos drew three walks against Scott Kobos (L, 0-1) to tie the game 4-4 before Norel González capped the rally with a two-run single.
In the bottom of the seventh, Cristian Charle (S, 1) allowed a double and a Caissie RBI single before issuing a walk and three stolen bases to put the tying run at third and winning run at second. A strikeout of Roederer ended the game, securing a doubleheader split and eliminating the Smokies from the first half North Division race.
The Blue Wahoos wrap up their series against the Smokies on Sunday afternoon.
written by Erik Bremer
Cantonment Man Charge With Battery, False Imprisonment Of Girlfriend
June 24, 2023
A Cantonment man has been charged after an alleged confrontation with his girlfriend.
Roderick Ezell Purifoy, 33, was charged with felony kidnapping false imprisonment domestic violence and misdemeanor battery. He remained in the Escambia County Jail Saturday morning with bond set at $5,000.
Purifoy’s girlfriend said they got into an argument that became a physical confrontation as they were taking her child somewhere, according to an arrest report. She accused him of grabbing her arm causing scratches and throwing her to the ground.
Purifoy claimed she opened the passenger door of a vehicle while they were driving and attempted to exit the vehicle. He said he grabbed her arm to prevent her from leaving the moving vehicle, the report continues.
According to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, there have been several other domestic violence incidents in the past between the two.
Escambia Sheriff’s Newest Vehicle Is a 1957 Chevy Bel Air
June 24, 2023
The newest vehicle in the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office fleet is a 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air.
The non-profit Escambia County Sheriff Foundation purchased and modified the classic car to gift to the ECSO ato further promote community engagement and pay tribute to the men and women who have served at the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office throughout its history.
“This has quickly become a favorite in our fleet,” Sheriff Chip Simmons said. “This gift allows us to acknowledge the dedication and sacrifice of those who have proudly served at the Sheriff’s Office throughout our 200-year history, while providing us with another opportunity for community engagement.”
For more photos, click or tap here.
The Escambia County Sheriff Foundation exists to promote the community engagement efforts of the Sheriff’s Office while directly supporting its employees. It is the Foundation’s hope that this privately funded gift will help enhance the engagement efforts of the sheriff’s office while evoking a sense of pride from current employees as well as those who have come before.
The Chevy Bel Air was presented during an event at the Summer Vista Assisted Living Community.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Perry Doggrell, click to enlarge.
Teen Seriously Injured In Early Morning Cantonment Wreck
June 24, 2023
At least one person was seriously injured in a wreck early Saturday morning in Cantonment.
A teen male was reportedly ejected from a pickup. He was transported to a Pensacola hospital as a “trauma alert” following the 12:20 a.m. crash on Highway 29 near Tree Street.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating and has not released additional information.
Escambia Man Who Murdered His Girlfriend Could Be Paroled In 2059
June 24, 2023
An Escambia County murderer is looking at a possible parole date in 2059.
This week, the Florida Commission on Offender Review continued to set Sean Patrick Esty’s presumptive parole date for January 7, 2059. Esty is serving life for murdering his girlfriend in 1991 when he was 18-year old.
The murder occurred prior to the legislative changes that now require inmates to serve the entirety of a life sentence, Esty is parole eligible after 25 years, but the date set by the commission is the earliest that Esty could be paroled. He would be 86 at that time.
Esty brutally stabbed 15-year-old Lauren Ramsey with a butcher knife before retrieving a baseball bat with metal studs and beating her until she lost consciousness. He then took a machete and sliced her head and face. Esty planned the murder after Ramsey learned she was pregnant with Esty’s child.
He bought the butcher knife at Albertson’s the night of the murder and changed into a trench coat and combat boots before killing Ramsey. Her body was found in a secluded area at Gulf Islands National Seashore on December 24, 1991, two days after she disappeared.
Ramsey’s family spoke at the hearing and urged commissioners to keep Esty in prison for the remainder of his life. Assistant State Attorney John Molchan pointed out the aggravating factors and urged the commission to keep Esty from ever being released into society. Lauren’s mother, Jan Ramsey, spoke emotionally but eloquently to the commission about the significant impact the murder of her child had upon her and her family.
The State Attorney’s Office for the First Circuit said they will continue to oppose any parole for Esty.
Three In A Row: Wahoos Beat Smokies 7-4
June 24, 2023
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos won their third in a row on Friday night, beating the Tennessee Smokies on the strength of four home runs.
Will Banfield, Griffin Conine, Troy Johnston and Cody Morissette each went deep in support of Jake Eder, who allowed three runs over 4.1 innings in his first Double-A start since August of 2021.
Nasim Nuñez began the game by drawing a leadoff walk against Smokies starter Kohl Franklin (L, 2-4), then stole a pair of bases before scoring on a Johnston RBI single. Banfield went deep with a two-run blast a batter later, giving the Blue Wahoos a 3-0 lead.
Eder allowed an RBI double to Luis Vasquez and and RBI single to BJ Murray in the first inning, but settled into a groove as he made his milestone return in a continued recovery from elbow surgery. The lefty struck out two and walked three, departing in the fifth inning after throwing a prescribed 75 pitches.
Solo homers from Conine and Johnston helped stretch out the lead further, and Josan Méndez (W, 4-1) left the bases loaded in the bottom of the fifth to prevent a Smokies comeback.
Morissette’s solo homer in the seventh stretched the Pensacola lead to 7-3. Tennessee got a run back on another Vasquez RBI double against Blue Wahoos reliever West Tunnell, but Jefry Yan (S, 6) worked a spotless ninth to lock down the win.
The Blue Wahoos and Smokies play a doubleheader on Saturday, making up a rainout from Thursday.
written by Erik Bremer
Escambia County Fire Rescue Holds Awards Ceremony (With Gallery)
June 23, 2023
Escambia County Fire Rescue recently held an awards ceremony, presenting medals, citations and certificates to several firefighters.
Final Alarm medals were presented to the families of two late Century firefighters, civilians were honored for lifesaving efforts, retirees were honored and promotions were recognized.
For a photo gallery, click or tap here.
Career Fire Officer of the Year
- Lt. Jim Allen
Volunteer Fire Officer of the Year
- District Chief Brandon Stevens
Career Firefighter of the Year
- FF David Carballosa
Volunteer Firefighter of the Year
- FF Jay Ates
Lieutenant Terrell Jackson Award
- FF Channin O’Connor
District Chief Dwain Bradshaw Award
- FF Christianne Barry
Hurricane Ian Deployment Ribbon
- Deputy Chief Paul Williams
- Assistant District Chief Yoshimi Core
- Lt. Nick Gradia
- Lt. Keith Chapman
- Lt. Jim Allen
- FF Kenny Fehl
- FF Chris Knezenski
Retiree Service Recognition Medal
- Capt. Craig Ammons
- Lt. John Van Matre
- Lt. Steve Bode
- Lt. Bill Halfacre
Final Alarm Medal
- Retired District Chief Regi Burkett
- FF J.B. Johnson
Civilian Lifesaving Award
- John Haynes
- Kristina Barth
Service Recognition Medal
- Warehouse Supervisor John Elswick
- Division Chief Greg Campanella
- Battalion Chief Jon Hollingsworth
- Division Chief Joe Quinn
- Lt. Jeff Tavener
- Lt. Tad Bush
- FF Jason Rocco
Distinguished Service Medal (Structure Fire with Rescue of Trapped Victim on 8/27/2021)
- Lt. Ronson Cloer
- FF Robert Held
Company Citation (Structure Fire with Rescue of Trapped Victim on 8/27/2021)
- Lt. Joey Jasionowski
- FF Scott Walther
- FF Robert Vardeman
- FF Nick Segner
Medal of Courage (Motor Vehicle Crash with Extrication on 9/19/2021)
- Lt. Daniel Mills
- FF Kenny Fehl
- FF Will Smith
Distinguished Service Medal (Saved a Choking Victim on 6/22/2021 and Saved a Cardiac Arrest Victim on 8/3/2021)
- Division Chief Joe Quinn
Distinguished Service Medal (Saved a Firefighter in Cardiac Arrest)
- Lt. Sean King
- Lt. Nick Gradia
- Lt. TJ Smith
- Lt. Ian Sumner
- FF Peter Welch
- FF Robert Held
- FF Brian Kraatz
- FF Michael Iglesias
- FF Baylen Payne
Company Citation with Ribbon (Saved a Firefighter in Cardiac Arrest)
- Lt. Jeff Tavener
- FF JP Norris
- FF Ryan Callahan
- FF Clint Miller
Medal of Courage (Mayday Incident at Jasmine Creek Apartments)
- Lt. Jim Beagle
Company Citation (Mayday Incident at Jasmine Creek Apartments)
- FF Jacob Hoskins
- FF Brent Nesmith
- FF Garett Chandler
Medal of Courage (Mayday Incident on Mathison Road)
- FF Dale Dirks
- FF Jacob Hoskins
Company Citation with Ribbon (Water Rescue Involving Multiple Victims on 1/4/2023)
- Capt. Wesley Barnett
- Lt. Josh Rowe
- FF/Paramedic Guy Meredith
- FF Rick Mauro
- FF Robert Stivers
- FF Mattox Chapman
Company Citation with Ribbon (Water Rescue Involving Multiple Victims on 3/16/2022)
- Lt./Paramedic Jeff Tavener
- FF JP Norris
- FF Stephen Service
- FF Matt Van Matre
Company Citation (Motor Vehicle Crash with Extrication 9/22/2022)
- Lt. Dimitri Jansen
- FF Donovan Murphy
- FF Michael Maddrey
- FF Logan McGuffey
Company Citation (Saved a Cardiac Arrest Patient on 1/4/2023)
- Lt. Jim Allen
- FF Tony Buscaino
- FF Mathius Russ
Company Citation with Ribbon (Motor Vehicle Crash with Extrication)
- Battalion Chief Jon Hollingsworth
- District Chief Brandon Stevens
- Assistant District Chief Yoshimi Core
- Lt. Ian Sumner
- Lt. Keith Chapman
- FF Jacob Creighton
- FF Anthony Rizzo
- FF Nathan Montgomery
- FF Chris French
- FF Chris Knezenski
- FF Zach McMillan
- FF Jonathan Welsh
Company Citation with Ribbon (Electrocution at Pensacola Christian College)
- Deputy Chief Paul Williams
- Division Chief Norman Robinson
- Battalion Chief Adam Bobe
- Lt. Jake Anderson
- Lt. Keith Chapman
- Lt. Matt Scallan
- FF Charles Bailey
- FF Kyle Muldoon
- FF Zach Aceto
- FF Aubrey Ashcraft
- FF Garrett Chandler
- FF Brent Nesmith
- FF Reiner Crabtree
- FF Jeff Huber
Company Citation with Ribbon (Locating and Removing a Lost Person from Wildland Area on 11/3/2021)
- Lt. Scott Hunsucker
- Lt. Tad Bush
- FF Jon Quina
- FF Anthony Stafford
- FF John Longsworth
- FF Michael Maddrey
- FF Jacob Hoskins
- FF Ryan Callahan
Company Citation with Ribbon (Locating, Treating and Removing Patient from Wildland/Swamp Area on 1/4/2023)
- Lt. Jeff Roher
- Lt. Dan Kunz
- Lt. Daniel Mills
- FF Tim Nagim
- FF Wesley Brandt
- FF Jakub Fajardo
- FF Charles Bailey
- FF Ryan Callahan
- FF Gordon Wilson
- FF Sean Straut
- FF Kyle Saxton
- FF Geoff Carmichael
Company Citation (Peripheral Entrapment at the County Jail)
- Battalion Chief Curt Isakson
- Lt. Keith Chapman
- Lt. Charles McGuffey
- Lt. Jake Anderson
- FF David Carballosa
- FF Zack Aceto
- FF Josh Reeves
- FF Phillip Hoffman
- FF Brandon Figueredo
- FF Michael Iglesias
- FF Kyle Muldoon
Company Citation with Ribbon (Motor Vehicle Crash with Extrication)
- Lt. Dimitri Jansen
- Lt. Lyndon Halteman
- FF Michael Maddrey
- FF Logan McGuffey
- FF Donovan Murphy
- FF Justin Marcum
- FF Marcus Fairley
- FF Jacob Stevenson
Promotions
The following individuals were promoted to the position of Lieutenant:
- Lt. Justin Marcum
- Lt. Kyle Saxton
- Lt. Phillip Hoffman
- Lt. John Longsworth
- Lt. Jacob Creighton
- Lt. JP Owens
- Lt. Tom Schwarz
The following individuals were promoted to the position of Captain:
- Capt. Scott Averill
- Capt. Wesley Barnett
- Capt. Dan Kunz
The following individuals transferred from company officer positions to training and safety lieutenants:
- Lt. Jim Allen
- Lt. Daniel Akerman
- Lt. TJ Smith
Utility Trailer Overturns After Collision With Car In Cantonment
June 23, 2023
There were no injuries reported in a collision between a car and a utility trailer Thursday afternoon in Cantonment.
The utility trailer came loose from the pickup truck that was pulling it and overturned on South Highway 97 and West Kingsfield Road about 4:10 p.m.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating the cause of the wreck.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge
First Responders Collect Donations For Manna During ‘Donut Strike’
June 23, 2023
Local first responders collected food and monetary donations for Manna to help fight hunger.
They were on a “Donut Strike”, stationed at grocery stores across Escambia and Santa Rosa counties to collect food and monetary donations.
For photos from the Winn Dixie in Cantonment Thursday, click here.
Pictured: Donations were collected Thursday afternoon from Manna at the Winn Dixie on Highway 29 in Cantonment. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
