Overturned Truck, Lumber Block I-10 Ramp
March 6, 2023
An overturned semi-truck closed the entrance ramp from Pensacola Boulevard to I-10 Monday.
The truck driven by a 54-year old Pensacola man came to rest on its side, scattering its load of lumber.
The Florida Highway Patrol said a strap broke on the trailer, causing the truck’s load to shift.
The driver was not injured, and the ramp has since reopened.
Pictured top: An overturned truck that was hauling lumber shortly after an 11:40 a.m. crash on an I-10 entrance ramp. Pictured below: The lumber remained shortly after 5 p.m., but the truck and trailer had been removed.
Escambia To Consider OLF-8 Proposals In April. Right Now, $38 Million Is Top Offer.
March 6, 2023
Escambia County is set to consider offers for OLF-8 at an April 6 public meeting.
There are two offerson the table now for the 540 acre county-owned property on Nine Mile Road.
Breland Companies of Huntsville, Alabama, had made a $35 million cash offer for the property. Breland, according to the company, is a nearly 50-year old real estate development firm that has developed over 500 residential communities with over 30,000 units, plus multi-family, office and retail developments. Those developments have been anchored by companies that include BJ’s Wholesale, Starbucks, Chipotle, Outback, Deluth Trading, and others.
Homebuilder D.R. Horton made a $33 million proposal, but then upped it to $38 million after Breland’s offer.
A third company has expressed interest in submitting a proposal but at last report had not.
It is expected that Breland and D.R. Horton will make their proposals before the Escambia County Commission on April 6.
A master design plan approved by the commission is in place for the property with a combination of commerce, residential and amenities.
Breland said in their proposal that they would follow the master plan while D.R. Horton said they would write a master plan of their own.
The commission has formally acknowledged receipt of the offers and directed the county administrator and attorney and have non-exclusive negotiations with both parties and any other company that makes an offer.
Susan Hendrix Named Escambia County Employee Of The Month
March 6, 2023
The Escambia County Commission has recognized Susan Hendrix as the March 2023 Employee of the Month. She is a director’s aide for Extension Services.
Hendrix began her career with Escambia County on November 16, 2004. As the director’s aide, she is responsible for managing day-to-day operations for the Extension and 4-H offices. She addresses challenges with ease while verifying and approving department payroll, hiring, training and employee evaluations.
She collaborates with other county departments for several tasks, including scheduling work crews, maintenance for three buildings, personnel matters, a multitude of reporting needs throughout the year and preparing the department’s annual budget. She also works with the county to acquire funding to support departmental team-building exercises and frequently recognizes county staff’s strong work ethics and skills.
Hendrix’s colleagues have also recognized her commitment to Escambia Extension and 4-H. She has worked tirelessly to connect with more 4-H volunteers and youth in Escambia County to champion the growth of the 4-H program and regularly works with agents and staff in all stages of program planning to help 4-H shine. She also works closely with the 4-H bookkeeper to maintain Escambia County’s 4-H Foundation, the largest such foundation in Florida. The foundation aids in connecting programs and 4-H volunteers and youth throughout the county.
“Susan is a true champion of our office,” said Nick Simmons, Escambia Extension Services director. “She is a morale booster and a hard worker who is always willing to step up and accommodate her colleagues without compromising her professionalism. Her passion for 4-H and Extension Services shines through in her work. She is most deserving of the Employee of the Month award, and we are all proud to recognize her outstanding leadership and contributions to 4-H, Extension Services and Escambia County.”
Outside of her duties with the county, Hendrix is an active member of Hillcrest Baptist Church where she is involved with her Connect Group serving in ministries such as meal prep and delivery for families in need.
EREC Crews Head To Kentucky To Assist With Power Restoration Follow Big Storms
March 6, 2023
Crews from Escambia River Electric Cooperative departed early Sunday morning to help Farmers RCCC in Kentucky restore power.
Storms with near hurricane force winds moved through Kentucky on Friday, leaving 16,000 Farmers customers without power in Glasgow and other communities east and northeast of Bowling Green, Kentucky.
By Sunday, about 10,000 customers had been restored, according to Farmers.
Pictured: (L-R) EREC’s Ken Blair, Christian Kent, Jacob Polk, Tyler Prescott and Kyle Strickling depart early Sunday morning for Kentucky. Kevin Macht (not pictured) also traveled to assist. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Pine Meadow Elementary Holds School Carnival
March 6, 2023
Pine Meadow Elementary School held their school carnival Saturday on the Tate High School football field.
The event featured games, door prices, bounces houses, face painting, a basket auction, food trucks, vendors and more.
For more photos, click or tap here.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com click to enlarge.
AAA: Florida Gas Prices Down 36 Cents From 2023 High
March 6, 2023
Florida gas prices declined 8 cents per gallon last week. On Sunday, the state average was $3.22 per gallon.
The state average has declined 12 cents within the past 10 days. That’s 36 cents less than the highest price of this year.
“Florida gas prices are at their lowest level since late January,” said Mark Jenkins, Public Relations Manager for AAA – The Auto Club Group. “The recent dip was driven by falling oil prices. Unfortunately, that downward trend ended last week, and oil prices are back up, which means gas prices are likely to get more expensive soon.”
In Escambia County, gas prices averaged $3.14 Sunday night. The low price in North Escambia was $3.05 at a Highway 29 station in Cantonment, while Pensacola saw a low of $2.92 on Nine Mile Road.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Traffic Alert: Where To Expect Road Construction Delays This Week
March 6, 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 the following alternating lane closures on the Pensacola Bay Bridge Sunday, March 5 through Saturday, March 11 between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m. Crews will be performing miscellaneous paving operations and work on the wrong way detection system.
- 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.
- Pace Boulevard (State Road (S.R.) 292) Resurfacing from Barrancas Avenue to Massachusetts Avenue – Drivers may encounter intermittent lane closures on Pace Boulevard, between Barrancas Avenue and North Palafox Street, Friday, March 3 through Friday, March 10 as crews perform striping, and final work list items.
- 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 (S.R. 296) to North of I-10 – Drivers will encounter the following traffic impacts:
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- Alternating lane closures Sunday, March 5 through Thursday, March 9 from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. as crews pave the roadway.
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- Asphalt repairs will require closure of sections of North W Street and U.S. 29 Sunday, March 5 through Thursday, March 9. The work will close W Street northbound at the U.S. 29 intersection, along with the left turn lane from U.S. 29 northbound to W Street southbound. Drivers will be detoured to Marcus Pointe Boulevard, Airport Boulevard, or Industrial Boulevard to access U.S. 29 and W Street. Detour signage will be in place to alert drivers of the closures.
- 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 may encounter daytime lane and shoulder closures on Lillian Highway, between U.S. 98 and Blue Angel Parkway, Friday, March 3 and Monday, March 6 through Friday, March 10 from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Crews will be performing shoulder reconstruction and paving 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 3 through Friday, March 10 from 8 a.m. to 6 a.m. Crews will be paving and working on curb, gutters and sidewalks.
- Mobile Highway (U.S. 90) Resurfacing from Nine Mile Road to west of Pine Forest Road (S.R. 297) – Drivers may encounter nighttime lane closures, between Nine Mile Road and Klondike Road, Sunday, March 5 through Friday, March 10 from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. as crews pave the roadway.
- North Davis Highway (S.R. 291) Routine Underground Utility Maintenance – Motorists will encounter intermittent northbound lane closures near East Scott Street Wednesday, March 8 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. for routine maintenance.
Santa Rosa County:
- U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – Drivers will encounter the following alternating lane closures on the Pensacola Bay Bridge Sunday, March 5 through Saturday, March 11 between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m. Crews will be performing miscellaneous paving operations and work on the wrong way detection system.
- 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 March 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, March 5, through Friday, March 10, from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for stormwater drainage improvements and paving operations.
- U.S. 98 Routine Maintenance West of S.R. 87 – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures Monday, March 6 through Thursday, March 9 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. for paving operations.
All activities are weather-dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Roy Hyatt Environmental Center Holds ‘Night of Nature’ (With Gallery)
March 5, 2023
The annual Roy Hyatt Environmental Century Night of Nature was held Friday night.
Visitors were able to meet owls with the Wildlife Sanctuary of Northwest Florida, peer through telescopes into the beautiful night sky with the Escambia Amateur Astronomy Association, observe aquatic animals in their different aquatic habitats, learn about exotic creatures, visit with the resident reptiles in the Reptile Room, stroll through the butterfly house, and more.
The Roy Hyatt Environmental Center is located at 1300 Tobias Road in Cantonment. The facility is owned and operated by the Escambia County School District.
For more photos, click or tap here.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate Aggies Shut Out Crestview Bulldogs
March 5, 2023
The Tate Aggies shut out Crestview 4-0 Saturday afternoon at Tate.
Rilee Lowery took the win for Tate, going five and a third innings while allowing two hits and no runs. He recorded one walk and nine strikeouts.
Javin Floyd was 2-2 at bat for the Aggies. Madox Land, Clifton Quiggins, Brayden Touchstone, Frank Randall, and Ketch King each had one hit.
The Aggies and Bulldogs will face off again Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. as Tate travels to Crestview.
For more photos, click or tap here.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
NASA Awards $217 Million Communications Contract To Poarch Creek Indians Media Company
March 5, 2023
NASA has awarded a $217.6 million communications contract to a media company owned by the Poarch Creek Indians of Atmore.
PCI Productions LLC of Huntsville will manage communication services for all agency centers including headquarters, as well as its mission directorates, to enable the widest practicable and appropriate dissemination of NASA information.
“This is one major step in our overall procurement strategy for communications that will allow us to more efficiently and effectively use the amazing capability of NASA communications organizations to connect the world with the agency’s missions,” said Johnny Stephenson, deputy associate administrator for Communications at NASA Headquarters in Washington.
Work to be performed under the contract consists of communication services including, strategic communications, planning, and integration services; stakeholder relations and public engagement support; media relations services; history and archives services; library services; and services in support of Freedom of Information Act requests.
The contract period of performance consists of a 16-month base period that begins on June 1, 2023, followed by one 20-month option period, and two one-year option periods.
Pictured: The Artemis I moon rocket lifts off from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. on November 16, 2022. NASA photo for NorthEcambia.com, click to enlarge.