Traffic Alert: This Week’s List Of Construction Slow Down Spots
April 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:
- U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures on the Pensacola Bay Bridge Sunday, April 16 through Saturday, April 22 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. as crews perform paving operations. On Tuesday, April 18, 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 until 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 Sunday, April 16 through Thursday, April 20 from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. as crews pave the roadway.
- 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 closures and daytime lane closures on Lillian Highway, between U.S. 98 to Blue Angel Parkway, Monday, April 17 through Friday, April 21 from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Crews will be performing drainage and shoulder construction.
- Navy Boulevard (S.R. 295) Resurfacing from North of the Bayou Grande Bridge to Gulf Beach Highway/Barrancas Avenue (S.R. 292) – Drivers will encounter outside lane closures on Navy Boulevard southbound, from Barrancas Avenue to the Bayou Grande Bridge, Monday, April 17 through Friday, April 21 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Crews will be working on curb, gutters and sidewalks.
- 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 April. 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.
Santa Rosa County:
- U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures on the Pensacola Bay Bridge Sunday, April 16 through Saturday, April 22 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. as crews perform paving operations. On Tuesday, April 18, 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 will encounter intermittent nightly lane closures on U.S. 90 beginning Monday, April 17 between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. as crews prepare to open the westbound bridge to four lanes of traffic. Currently, the westbound bridge is accommodating one eastbound and two westbound lanes.
- 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, April 16, through Friday, April 21, from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for stormwater drainage improvements and paving operations.
All activities are weather-dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Blue Wahoos One-Hit Shuckers In 7-1 Win
April 16, 2023
Patrick Monteverde backed up a dominant 2023 debut with an even more impressive performance on Saturday night, firing the first seven innings of a one-hitter in a 7-1 Blue Wahoos win over the Biloxi Shuckers.
Monteverde (W, 1-0), who allowed only a hit over 6.0 innings last Sunday against Montgomery, repeated his performance over 7.0 scoreless frames against the Shuckers while adding eight strikeouts. Biloxi’s only hit, a Tyler Black single in the fourth, was immediately erased on a pickoff.
Patrick Murphy and Jefry Yan got the final six outs to complete the 12th one-hitter in Blue Wahoos history, and the first since Zach King and Justin Evans combined for a one-hit effort in a 2-1 loss to the Mississippi Braves on August 17, 2022. Eury Pérez and three relievers also one-hit the Shuckers at MGM Park last April 29.
Pensacola opened up the scoring in the third against Carlos Rodriguez (L, 0-1) as J.D. Orr laced a triple into the right field corner and scored on a José Devers single. Paul McIntosh and Joe Rizzo each hit two-run homers in the late innings, padding out the lead against the Biloxi bullpen.
The Shuckers scored an unearned run against Yan thanks to an error and three walks, but the lefty finished off the performance with a popout just as the Biloxi crowd was coming to life.
The Blue Wahoos wrap up their series against the Shuckers on Sunday at MGM Park.
by Erik Bremer
Barth Residents Seek County Improvements. Streetlights, A Clean Up, And Perhaps A Park Are Coming.
April 15, 2023
There’s Barth Road, Barth Heights, Barth Lane and north Barth Road — all in Barth.
Barth is a quiet little community between Highway 29 to the west and the Escambia River to the east, a couple of miles north of the Highway 29 and Highway 97 intersection.
The houses are spread out, but the community is close.
And the residents are looking to Escambia County for some improvements.
Some of the roads are dirt. And it’s dark, with no street lighting.. There’s no bus stop, no community center, and no playground. Children play basketball in the street with a goal next to Barth Lane.
“This is a small community, but we are still people. And we need the same concern and consideration,” resident Mary Nory recently said. She was born in Barth, moved away, and returned home about a decade ago. “No one seems to help Barth. They pass over Barth. They go to everywhere but Barth, and there is a whole community here.”
Escambia County Commissioner Steven Barry, who represents District 5 including Barth, said he is looking at ways to help the area, including their first ever community cleanup event.
“I don’t know if you have been out in Barth and seen some of the areas, but a lot of people is kind of concerned about, when I say that they yard is like really, really, really high and they don’t even know how they going to get it cleaned,” Franscine Mathis told Barry during a town hall meeting this week. He explained that county resources could not be used on private property, but perhaps some community groups could help. During the upcoming community cleanup event, residents will be able to put debris on the right of way for free disposal by the county.
“I just don’t want them to be fined. That’s what I am worried about,” she said. “When they do the clean sweep, and maybe code enforcement may see something or come out there to see something, and I just don’t want nobody to get fined.”
Barry reassured Mathis that fines are not the focus of a community cleanup event; he said the code enforcement system is generally complaint driven.
Chris Phillips, Escambia County assistant engineer, said the county has identified several locations around Barth for streetlights. Those are Highway 29 and Barth Road, Highway 29 and North Barth Road, Barth Road and Barth Heights, and Barth Road and Barth Lane.
“I’m comfortable looking at something similar to what we did in the Walnut Hill community, a small community park that’s walking distance for a lot of residents that may not have transportation,” Barry said. He said a park in Barth could be located on any small parcels owned by the county. The Katie Mae Marshall Memorial Park open in July 2021 on North Cypress Street in Walnut Hill with a playground on a small parcel that escheated to the county..
Mathis said she had has contact with a Barth landowner with “a lot of land” that has expressed interest in allowing a park on their property. Barry said that was doable, if they donate the land or lease it to the county for $1 a year.
Pictured top: The White Lilly Baptist Church on Barth Road was built in 1970. Pictured inset: Franscine Mathis address District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry during a town hall meeting this week. Pictured bottom inset: The Katie Mae Marshall Memorial Park open in July 2021 on a piece of property that escheated to Escambia County on North Cypress Street in Walnut Hill. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Lady Aggies Celebrate Senior Night With 11-1 Run-Ruled Win Over Escambia
April 15, 2023
The Tate Lady Aggies run-ruled the Escambia Gators with a big senior night 11-1 Friday night in five innings.
Before shutting down the Gators, the Tate Aggies honored seniors Charlie Vinson and MacKenzie Cook.
Jordan Smith pitched a complete game for the Aggies, allowing two hits and one run while striking out five.
Kate Balagbagan led the Aggies at the plate going 3-3. Amburleigh Laird went 2-2, and K Wine was 2-3. Cook, Lacy Wilson, Tristen Showalter, Olivia Latner, Peyton Womack, and Kylea Gibbs each added one hit.
The Aggies will host Gulf Breeze on Tuesday and travel to West Florida on Thursday.
Inmate Accused Of Assaulting Century Correctional Institution Officer
April 15, 2023
Inmate Michael A. Johns assaulted an officer at Century Correctional Institution, according to the Florida Department of Corrections.
Johns is serving a 15 year sentence for burglary out of Orange County with a release date in 2032.
“Staff responded appropriately, and the inmate was subdued,” FDC said.
Northview Beats Chipley 4-2 (With Photo Gallery)
April 15, 2023
The Northview Chiefs doubled up on the Chipley Tigers with a 4-2 win Friday evening in Bratt.
Jamarkus Jefferson earned the win for the Chiefs, giving up one run and three hits while striking out eight in five innings. Kaden Odom was on the mound for the final two innings, striking out three while allowing one run and one hit.
Jefferson led the Chiefs at bat, going 2-3. Rustin Pope, Tyler Shaw and Trent Knighten added one hit each.
The Chiefs will be in action three times next week as they host W.S. Neal on Monday, travel to Flomaton on Tuesday, and welcome Central on Thursday.
For more photos, click or tap here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
No. 1 Pace Tops No. 10 Tate (With Gallery)
April 15, 2023
In a big District 1-6A game Friday night, the No. 1 Pace Patriots downed the No. 10 Tate Aggies 5-3.
Colton Swiers took the loss for the Aggies, allowing two hits and two runs, striking out three, in one and two-thirds innings. Drew Reaves opened on the mound for Tate, giving up five hits and three runs, striking out three, in three innings. Gabe Patterson threw one and a third innings with two strikeouts and allowing one hit.
Clif Quiggins led the Aggies at bat, going 2-4. Reaves, Frank Randall, Ethan McAnally, James Davis, Caden Kelly and Madox Land each added a hit for Tate.
The Patriots improved to 18-2 on the season, while the Aggies fell to 13-6.
The Aggies have a three game home stand next week as they host Washington on Tuesday, West Florida on Thursday and Pensacola High on Friday.
For more photos, click or tap here.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Laura Glodfelter, click to enlarge.
Pérez Fans Seven, But Shuckers Beat Blue Wahoos 7-1
April 15, 2023
In his final start as a teenager, Pensacola Blue Wahoos righty Eury Pérez struck out seven batters in a 7-1 loss to the Biloxi Shuckers on Friday night.
A game billed as a showdown between two of baseball’s top prospects, Pérez and Biloxi outfielder Jackson Chourio, saw Pérez (L, 0-1) fan his fellow 19-year-old twice before Chourio hit a game-breaking three-run homer in the fifth inning.
Biloxi opened up the scoring in the first with an unearned run, as Lamar Sparks reached on an error and scored on Tyler Black’s RBI double. Pensacola couldn’t solve Shuckers starter Christian Mejias (W, 1-0), who allowed only one hit over 5.0 scorless innings.
Pérez was in good shape heading to the fifth, and almost had an inning-ending double play before Freddy Zamora’s sharp grounder to third took a bad hop and turned into an RBI double. Two batters later, Chourio sent a liner off the left field foul pole for a three-run homer to extend the Biloxi lead to 5-0.
The Blue Wahoos managed their only run in the sixth, as Cobie Fletcher-Vance hit a double and scored on a José Devers groundout. The Shuckers added insurance in the seventh on a Zamora homer and in the eighth on a Griffin Conine fielding error.
Brandon Knarr and Harold Chirino combined to pitch the final four innings for the Shuckers, who have taken three of the first four games in their series against Pensacola.
The Blue Wahoos continue their series against the Shuckers on Saturday at MGM Park in Biloxi.
by Erik Bremer
ECUA Pauses Recycling Facility Operation Due To Staffing Shortage
April 14, 2023
ECUA’s recycling facility will not be processing mixed recyclables for several weeks due to a “staff turnover”; instead, the recyclables will go into the landfill.
During the period, ECUA will be working to hire and train employees for the Materials Recycling Facility (MRF).
However, the MRF will continue to receive and process source-separated recyclables, primarily cardboard. Mixed recyclables such as those collected from residences at the curb cannot be processed safely and effectively until the facility is again operational and fully staffed.
“During this interruption in plant operation, the ECUA requests that its customers continue to separate materials for recycling, as usual, to remain in that practice,” ECUA Public Information Office Nathalie Bowers said. “In a similar vein, ECUA will continue to collect recycling cans with a recycling collection vehicle, as it normally does. However, we have no choice but to landfill these materials as they cannot be processed for recycling until the MRF facility is fully operational. We currently estimate resuming operations in four weeks or less, and are doing our best to expedite this process.”
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Magazine Honors ECFR’s Ray Melton As 2022 Exemplary Public Servant
April 14, 2023
Escambia County Fire Rescue Fire and Life Specialist Ray Melton has been honored by a national magazine.
American City & County, a 113-year old publication for government officials, recognized as one of their Exemplary Public Servants for 2022.
Melton’s interest in the fire service began when he was five years old when firefighters saved his life after he became sick and stopped breathing. After joining the Army at 17 as a finance specialist, he transferred to a firefighting position when the opportunity became available.
In 2016, Melton discovered his passion for fire prevention, but it came with tragedy. On an early Thursday morning, four children lost their lives in Pensacola after a water heater shorted out, causing a deadly fire. From there, Melton knew he had to do something.
Following the tragedy, Melton has worked to make sure another deadly incident like that would never happen again. While with ECFR, Melton has implemented a number of effective and innovative fire prevention programs, such as the county’s “Ready, Set, Go” wildland-urban interface education initiative, where he partners with local forestry personnel to host educational programs with urban communities that could be affected by wildfires.
Last year, Melton started the home fire safety program. The program is an opportunity for Escambia County residents to request to have their homes inspected for any potential fire hazards, such as exposed wiring, burned electrical outlets and non-functioning smoke detectors. Since then, Melton has inspected numerous Escambia County homes and identified several potential fire hazards, leading to preventative maintenance in those homes.
“My seven years with ECFR have been very rewarding in that we have saved lives through education,” said Melton. “The greatest rewards come when I get feedback from our citizens who explain how grateful they are for our implemented programs that bring fire safety to them on a personal level or when they tell me that after we installed alarms in their home, the alarms saved their life. Bringing awareness to a personal level lets our citizens know we truly care about them and even though we will not prevent many fires, the awareness we bring to their homes will save lives.”
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.