Here Are This Week’s Road Construction Trouble Zones
April 2, 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 2 through Saturday, April 8 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. as crews perform paving operations. On Tuesday, April 4, 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. 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.
- 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 2 through Thursday, April 6 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 nighttime lane closures on Lillian Highway, between U.S. 98 and Blue Angel Parkway, Monday, April 3 to Friday, April 7 from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Crews will be performing drainage and shoulder widening work.
- 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, Friday, March 31 through Friday, April 7 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Crews will be working on curb, gutters and sidewalks.
- Sorrento Road (S.R. 292) Resurfacing from the Theo Baars Bridge to Bauer Road - Crews will be performing concrete work near the right turn lane from Sorrento Road to Bauer Road southbound nightly between 9 p.m. and 5:30 a.m. Flagging operations will be in place to direct drivers through the work zone.
- S.R. 289 (North 9th Avenue) Routine Utility Maintenance North of Ash Drive – Motorists may encounter intermittent lane closures Sunday, April 2 and Monday, April 3 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. for routine utility maintenance.
Santa Rosa County:
- U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures on the Pensacola Bay Bridge Sunday, April 2 through Saturday, April 8 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. as crews perform paving operations. On Tuesday, April 4, 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 – Construction crews have temporarily shifted eastbound traffic to the westbound bridge over Simpson River. The shift is expected to be in place through April 2023. During this time, there will be two westbound lanes and one eastbound travel lane using the westbound bridge. Due to the traffic shift, there will not be dedicated bike lanes on the bridge. Drivers are urged to use extra caution as they will be temporarily sharing the bridge with cyclists. Drivers are also 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, April 2, through Friday, April 7, from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for stormwater drainage improvements and paving operations.
- S.R. 87 Routine Utility Maintenance South of the East River Bridge – Motorists may encounter intermittent lane closures Tuesday, April 4 from 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. for routine utility maintenance.
All activities are weather-dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Jury Convicts Century Felon Of Cocaine Trafficking, Weapons Offenses
April 1, 2023
A Century felon was convicted this week on drugs and weapons charges.
Kendrick Jamar Washington was found guilty by an Escambia County jury of trafficking in cocaine, carrying an unlicensed concealed firearm and carrying a concealed firearm while trafficking in cocaine. He will be sentenced in late May.
On June 24, 2022, Washington allegedly pointed “an assault rifle” at his sister and threatened to kill her, according to an arrest report. She headed to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Century Precinct to file a report.
During the investigation, deputies were alerted of an armed disturbance on Ashford Alley off Jefferson Avenue and detained Washington. A .38 Special revolver and a Del-Ton rifle were recovered from Washington, along with a .223 round in the chamber, 13 rounds in the magazine of the rifle and five rounds in his pocket, according to an arrest report.
Deputies also found a plastic bag with 91.7 grams of powdered cocaine, 18.9 grams of crack cocaine and 1.6 grams of marijuana, according to court documents. A total of $4,642 in currency was found on Washington’s person, deputies said.
Charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and possession of marijuana against Washington were dropped.
Strike Out Cancer Game Raises Nearly $28,000 As Tate Hosts West Florida (With Gallery)
April 1, 2023
The Tate High School Strike Out Cancer game raised nearly $28,000 Friday night with funds raised by both Tate and West Florida high schools, and other including the umpire’s association.
During the game, the Lady Jaguars defeated the Lady Aggies 6-1.
For a photo gallery, click here. (Strike Out Cancer photos are first, followed by game action.)
Sydney Scapin earned the win for West Florida, going for a complete game allowing one run one four hits and striking out 15. Scapin also led the Jags at the plate, going 3-3.
Jordan Smith allowed six hits and two runs over four innings while striking out three for Tate. Peyton Womack was in the circle for three innings, allowing five hits, four runs and striking out one. Lacy Wilson was tops at the plate for the Aggies, going 2-3. Kara Wine and Kylea Gibbs also had hits for Tate.
NorthEscambia.com photos by William Reynolds, click to enlarge.
No. 1 Pace Defeats The Tate Aggies 5-2 (With Gallery)
April 1, 2023
The Pace Patriots, ranked No. 1 in the state, defeated the Tate Aggies 5-2
Pace pushed their lead to 5-0 with a three run homer from Owen Land in the
With the bases loaded with Aggies in the bottom of the seventh, Ethan McAnally had a double, scoring Frank Randall and Brayden Touchstone.
With bases loaded again in the bottom of the seventh, Caden Kelly was called out on strikes (pictured first below) on a below the knees ball.
Rilee Lowery went for three on the mound for Tate, allowing two runs, two hits and striking out three. Gabriel Patterson was on the mound for four, allowing three hits, three runs and striking out three.
For more photos, click or tap here.
The Tate Aggie will host Navarre on Tuesday.
NorthEscambia.com photos by William Reynolds, click to enlarge.
Santa Rosa County Soldier Among Nine Killed In Army Helicopter Crash
April 1, 2023
One of the nine 101st Airborne Division Soldiers killed in a helicopter crash near Fort Campbell, Kentucky on Wednesday is from Santa Rosa County.
Warrant Officer 1 Jeffery Barnes, 33, of Milton was among the casualties.
“This is a time of great sadness for the 101st Airborne Division. The loss of these Soldiers will reverberate through our formations for years to come,” said Maj. Gen. JP McGee, commanding general of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) and Fort Campbell. “Now is the time for grieving and healing. The whole division and this community stand behind the families and friends of our fallen Soldiers.”
An Army aviation safety team from Fort Rucker, Ala. is investigating the accident.
Northview Takes Double Header Over J.U. Blacksher (With Gallery)
April 1, 2023
The Northview Chiefs took both games of a double header over J.U. Blacksher Friday in Bratt.
For a photo gallery, click or tap here.
Northview 4, J.U. Blacksher 0
In the first game of the twin bill, Carson Burkett pitched a complete game shutout as Northview beat Blacksher 4-0.
Burkett had seven strikeouts and walked just one.
Kaden Burkett led the Chiefs going 2-3 at bat. Luke Bridges, Rustin Pope, Jamarkus Jefferson, Josh Landis and Ethan Collier all had a hit for Northview.
Northview 7, J.U. Blacksher 3
In the nightcap, Northview defeated Blacksher 7-3.
Jarmarkus Jefferson went five and a third innings, allowing three hits and three runs while striking out seven. Grayden Sheffield threw one and two thirds innings, allowing no hits and no runs while striking out three.
At the plate, Northview had hits from Jefferson, Kaden Odom, Luke Bridges, Rustin Pope, Josh Landis and Tyler Shaw.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Sci-Fi Movie Filmed In Molino, Including Jimmy’s Grill (With Gallery)
March 31, 2023
A new sci-fi thriller filmed recently in Molino and Pensacola may be coming to a big screen, or a streaming platform, soon.
“Serus” was filmed at Panhandle Alarm & Telephone on Industrial Boulevard, Jimmy’s Grill in Molino and a machine shop on Fairground Road in Molino.
In Serus, “two retirement-ready clandestine agents are ordered to find the entity responsible for an ambush on their colleagues. Their colleagues attempted to secure tech that enables stealing all global natural resources, so the agents must lead an operation back to the ambush site.”
The first season, or the trilogy, of a film series, follows black ops assets tasked with discovering who is responsible for the loss of a squadron. After the enemy tracks a survivor back to their base, they learn that the enemies are not part of any government or enemy group. But seismic technologies hang in the balance, and humanity’s global survival is at stake.
For more photos, click or tap here.
A future trilogy or series spinoff will explore an arms race extending into space.
Serus is written, created, and produced by Pensacola native Brad Blanchard and Alton James, owner of a metro Detroit production company.
The idea for Serus arose from a conversation between Blanchard and James, both passionate about the prepper world and storytelling. Together, they saw the opportunity to produce a meaningful story of human unity.
“We just work well together,” James said while filming scenes inside Jimmy’s Grill with Blanchard. The movie is being filmed in 3D and Dolby Atmos sound using two iPhone 14s.
“It’s being done so that it can be released as a film, or broken into episodes for streaming,” he said. “Once it’s done, we will shop it around, and we will be back for local screenings.”
Pictured: Scenes for “Serus” are filmed at Jimmy’s Grill in Molino. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
ECUA Conducting Controlled Burn At CWRF Near Gonzalez
March 31, 2023
The Emerald Coast Utilities Authority (ECUA) will be conducting prescribed burn operations on their property near the Central Water Reclamation Facility (CWRF), starting on Friday, weather permitting.
Conditions will be evaluated each morning and ECUA’s burn-certified contractor will conduct the burn operations, which are scheduled to begin at approximately 9 a.m. for several days. The burn activities are a part of ECUA’s management plan for the ecological restoration of forest lands at the CWRF site.
The ECUA’s CWRF property is in the Gonzalez community and mostly lies south of Becks Lake Road near the Escambia River. A small amount of ECUA’s property north of Becks Lake Road will be included in the prescribed burn operation. ECUA said every effort will be made to ensure smoke will not affect roadways, drivers should exercise caution in the event smoke does lead to reduced visibility on the area’s roads.
Take Stock in Children Accepting Scholarship Applications Through Area Middle Schools
March 31, 2023
Escambia County middle schools are now accepting requests for applications for Take Stock in Children, a program offering “scholarships, mentors & hope” to qualified students.
Students must be in the sixth or seventh grade, be eligible for free or reduced lunch, a U.S. citizen, and have grades of C or better with good attendance and behavior. Most middle schools have a deadline of early April to request the application and then several weeks for applications to be submitted for consideration.
Take Stock in Children was established in 1995 as a non-profit organization in Florida operating locally under the Escambia County Public Schools Foundation. The program provides a unique opportunity for deserving low-income students to escape the cycle of poverty through education. Students are selected through a need-based application process in middle school, and comprehensive services continue through high school and include the students’ transition into college. Students receive college scholarships, caring volunteer mentors, college readiness skills, and hope for a better life.
Scholarships are funded through a unique public-private fundraising model in which local scholarship donations are matched by the Florida Prepaid College Foundation when scholarships are purchased each year.
Currently, there are 141 students in grades 7-12, over 70 students in college, and there have been 133 college graduates thus far from the program.
For more information, Contact Take Stock in Children Coordinator Sally Lee at (850) 496-5458 or slee@ecsdfl.us.
Stuckey Throws Shutout As Northview Beats Escambia 10-0 (With Gallery)
March 31, 2023
Aubrey Stuckey threw a complete game shutout as the Northview Chiefs beat the Escambia Gators 10-0 in five innings Thursday evening in Bratt.
The Chiefs jumped out to a six-run lead in the first inning.
Jamison Gilman went 2-3 to lead the Chiefs at the plate. Stuckey, Emma Gilmore, Ry Brooks, M Golson, A Flowers and B Hall each added a hit for Northview.
Stuckey allowed two hits and no runs in five innings while walking one.
For more photos, click or tap here.
The Chiefs recorded seven stolen bases Thursday, including two each from Gilman and Chloe Ragsdale.
The Lady Chiefs will travel to Baker on Tuesday.
In junior varsity action, Northview beat Escambia 7-6 Thursday.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
