Here Are This Week’s Road Construction Problem Spots
September 8, 2025
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 110 (I-110) Resurfacing from Interstate 10 (I-10) to U.S. 98 – The week of Sunday, Sept. 7, drivers will encounter an outside lane closure on the I-10 westbound ramp to access I-110 southbound (Exit 12). Crews will be performing drainage improvements on I-110 southbound near mile marker 6.
- Pine Forest Road (State Road (S.R.) 297) Resurfacing from Mobile Highway (U.S. 90) to Blue Angel Parkway (S.R. 173) – The week of Sunday, Sept. 7, drivers may encounter intermittent lane closures on Pine Forest Road, from Mobile Highway to Blue Angel Parkway, between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m., for placement of thermoplastic striping.
- Michigan Avenue (S.R. 296) Resurfacing from Mobile Highway (U.S. 90) to North Palafox Street (U.S. 29) – The week of Sunday, Sept. 7, drivers may encounter intermittent lane closures on Michigan Avenue, from Mobile Highway to North Palafox Street, between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m., for paving operations and placement of thermoplastic striping.
- S.R. 292 (Gulf Beach Highway) Resurfacing from Gulf Beach Highway to Manchester Street – The week of Sunday, Sept. 7, drivers will encounter:
- Monday, Sept. 8 through Tuesday, Sept. 9, westbound traffic will be shifted south into the middle turn lane of Gulf Beach Highway, between Patton Drive and W. Sunset Avenue, to allow crews to complete shoulder excavation and drainage work. Signage and traffic cones will delineate the temporary traffic pattern.
- Beginning Wednesday, Sept. 10, travel lanes will shift south on Gulf Beach Highway, between Mills Avenue and Patton Drive. Signage will be in place to direct drivers though the work zone.
- Nightly lane closures on Gulf Beach Highway, between County Road (C.R.) 292A and Manchester Street, between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m., for milling and resurfacing.
- U.S. 90 (Scenic Highway) Resurfacing, from south of I-10 to south of Hyde Park Road – Drivers on Scenic Highway may encounter intermittent lane closures, from south of I-10 to south of Hyde Park Road, Sunday, Sept. 7 through Thursday, Sept. 11, from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m., for paving operations. Law enforcement will be on site and traffic flaggers will direct drivers safely through the work zone.
- Garden Street (Business U.S. 98) Construction from Pace Boulevard to the I-110 Ramp – The week of Sunday, Sept. 7, drivers may encounter the following construction-related traffic disruptions:
- Garden Street, between Pace Boulevard and N. Donelson Street, is reduced to two travel lanes (one in each direction), as crews perform construction activities on the south side of the street. This temporary traffic configuration will be in place through early 2026.
- Temporary side street closures south of Garden Street, from B Street to J Street, for stormwater management upgrades. Signage will be in place to direct drivers through the work zone.
- On-street parking is closed on the south side of Garden Street, between B Street and L Street. Additionally, periodic on-street parking closures will occur on Garden Street, between A Street and Alcaniz Street, for sidewalk and crosswalk improvements.
- Beulah Road (S.R. 99) Resurfacing from Mobile Highway (S.R. 10A) to Isaacs Lane – Drivers will encounter intermittent lane closures on Beulah Road, from Nine Mile Road to Mobile Highway, Sunday, Sept. 7 through Thursday, Sept. 11, between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m., for concrete work and shoulder stabilization operations.
- I-10 at Nine Mile Road Interchange (Exit 5) Construction – Drivers will encounter the following construction-related traffic disruptions:
- Intermittent I-10 inside lane closures near the Nine Mile Road interchange, Sunday, Sept. 7 through Thursday, Sept. 11, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.
- Nine Mile Road will be reduced to one travel lane in each direction between the I-10 ramps, Sunday, Sept. 7 through Friday, Sept. 12, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Law enforcement will be on site, and directional signage will be in place to guide drivers through the work zone.
- I-10 at U.S. 29 Interchange (Exit 10) Construction – Drivers will encounter the following construction-related traffic disruptions from Sunday, Sept. 7 through Friday, Sept. 12:
- I-10 east and westbound travel lanes are shifted away from the median area of the roadway, between mile markers 10 and 12, near the U.S. 29 interchange.
- The length of the U.S. 29 southbound turn lane access to the I-10 eastbound on-ramp has been permanently reduced to allow crews to complete construction activities. A concrete barrier wall and new pavement striping is in place to direct traffic through the work zone.
- I-10, between U.S. 29 and I-110, is reduced to two travel lanes in each direction.
- The U.S. 29 northbound ramp to I-10 eastbound is closed. U.S. 29 northbound drivers are being detoured to make a U-turn at Broad Street onto U.S. 29 southbound to access I-10 eastbound.
Santa Rosa County:
- S.R. 87 Resurfacing, from south of East Bay Boulevard (C.R. 399) to Vonnie Tolbert Road – Drivers may encounter intermittent lane closures on S.R. 87, from East Bay Boulevard to Vonnie Tolbert Road, Monday, Sept. 8 through Friday, Sept. 12, between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m., for concrete repair work and paving operations.
- U.S. 98 Widening from Bayshore Road to Portside Drive – Motorists will encounter the following traffic impacts:
o Median and turn-lane closures from Bayshore Road to Tiger Lake Drive.
o Intermittent lane closures and additional median closures between Bayshore Road and Tiger Lake Drive Sunday, Sept. 7 through Friday, Sept. 12.
o A new traffic pattern will be in place beginning Sunday, Sept. 7, on U.S. 98 from Oriole Beach Road to Greenbriar Parkway.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Wahoos Close Out Road Slate With 4-1 Defeat
September 8, 2025
written by Carter Bainbridge
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos (65-67) ended their last road trip of the 2025 season with a 4-1 defeat to the Biloxi Shuckers (70-62) on Sunday.
In a low-scoring affair, Biloxi starter Tyson Hardin and Pensacola righthander Jacob Miller (L, 3-7) matched zeroes through the first three innings of play. The Wahoos struck the run column first in the top of the fourth inning when first baseman Tony Bullard’s ground ball was mishandled by Shucker second baseman Eduardo Garcia with the bases loaded. With a 1-0 lead, the bases still loaded, and nobody out, Pensacola failed to score again against Biloxi reliever Jesus Broca (W, 1-1), who entered the game to record three unproductive outs and end the threat.
The Shuckers grabbed the lead in the bottom of the fifth inning. After two hits and a walk loaded the bases against Jacob Miller with two outs, Biloxi first baseman Blake Burke promptly hit a two-out grand slam to give the Shuckers a 4-1 lead.
Neither team scored again throughout the remainder of the contest. Former Wahoo righthander Austin Roberts (S, 2) closed out the ninth inning to finalize a 4-1 Pensacola defeat.
The Blue Wahoos return home on Tuesday, September 9 when they begin their final series of the 2025 season versus the Columbus Clingstones.
North Escambia Store Sold One Of Florida’s Only Winning Powerball Jackpot Tickets A Decade Ago
September 7, 2025
“Play Here!”
It’s just a simple Florida Lottery sign on a rather nondescript storefront in Davisville on Highway 97 in a 38-year-old shopping center that shows its age. The storefront is located on Highway 97, about 1,100 feet south of the Florida-Alabama state line.
The corner store, located just around the walkway from the Piggly Wiggly grocery store, is where a winning Powerball jackpot ticket was sold, one of just 17 top prize winning tickets sold in Florida since the state joined the Powerball in 2009.
Alice Patricia Dawson of Frisco City, Alabama, purchased a Quick Pick, a ticket 10 years ago there at the State Line Gift Shop at 11208 Highway 97 and won $80 million on April 11, 2015. She opted for a cash payout of $53,440,213.76 for the only winning ticket for that drawing in the country.
Neighbors in Frisco City, a town near Monroeville, described Alice Dawson and her husband as down to earth people. The Dawsons did not seek the limelight after the win. They told WEAR 3 back in 2015 that they didn’t want any extra publicity and had been playing the lottery in Florida for about 17 years.
Incidentally, one of those 17 winning Powerball jackpot tickets sold in Florida was never claimed and expired. The $50 million winning ticket was sold in Tampa back in 2013.
Pictured:The State Line Gift Shop on Highway 97 in Davisville before the drawing for the September 6, 2025, $1.8 billion Powerball jackpot. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Powerball Players In Missouri And Texas To Split $1.79 Billion Jackpot
September 7, 2025
Two winning tickets were sold in Saturday night’s Powerball drawing. The tickets sold in Missouri and Texas will split the $1.79 billion jackpot.
The winning numbers were 11, 23, 44, 61, and 62, with the Powerball number being 17.
The winners will have the option of taking their half as a lump sum of $820.6 million cash.
The drawing trails only the world record $2.04 billion jackpot won on November 7, 2022, in California.
There was a single Florida $1 million Match 5 winning ticket was sold in New Port Richey, one of 18 sold across the nation.
The next Powerball drawing Monday night is estimated at $20 million.
Tate High School Aggies Win Freshman Invitational Tournament
September 7, 2025
The Tate High School Aggies won the Freshman Invitational Tournament on Saturday at Tate.
The Aggies won all six games to claim the tournament title.
Other participating schools were Crestview, Navarre, Milton, Pace, and West Florida high schools.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Sharp Scores Three Touchdowns To Lead UWF Over Kentucky Wesleyan
September 7, 2025
Running back Jay Sharp did a little bit of everything on Saturday, scoring three touchdowns to help the Argos take down Kentucky Wesleyan on the road, 28-7.
Sharp finished with 16 carries for 82 yards and a touchdown along with three receptions for 97 yards and two scores. He was the leading rusher and receiver on the day for UWF.
FIRST HALF
Much like the home opener, the Argos wasted no time in getting on the board. On the first offensive play of the game Marcus Stokes’ screen pass to Sharp went 75 yards for a touchdown. Just 15 seconds into the game UWF took a 7-0 lead.
On the next possession the UWF defense forced a fumble and Jamal Ellis recovered it at the Kentucky Wesleyan 21-yard line. The defensive stop set up a 20-yard touchdown catch for Sharp to notch his second score of the day.
The West Florida defense held the Panthers to only 54 yards of offense in the first half.
Penalty calls became the crutch for the Argos with two first half scores being nullified. After Wesleyan punted on its second possession, Tony Newsome returned the punt 90 yards for a touchdown, but it was called back for holding.
With 9:30 remaining in first quarter an interception returned for a score by Jamari Dickens was taken off the board for a pass interference call.
SECOND HALF
The Argos used a 12-play – 85-yard drive that took up nearly seven minutes on their first offensive possession of the second half resulting in a touchdown. Running back Preston Godfrey had a 21-yard run and capped it off with a seven-yard touchdown run to put West Florida up 21-0.
Wesleyan got on the board at the start of the fourth quarter on a deep 41-yard touchdown pass, but it was the only scoring opportunity the Panthers came across.
Sharp found the end zone for the third time in the game with 38 seconds remaining following a two-yard run, putting the Argos up 28-7.
KEY PERFORMANCES
The UWF defensive front did not allow the Kentucky Wesleyan running game to gain positive yards. The Panthers finished with -26 yards rushing on 24 attempts.
Jay Sharp had a career-high three touchdowns and 178 yards of total offense.
Preston Godfrey had his first score as an Argo.
Ja’Kobe Clinton had six total tackles including one sack and 1.5 tackles for loss.
NEXT UP
West Florida will host Shorter on Sat. Sept. 13 at 6 p.m. as part of Family Weekend presented by Florida Blue at Pen Air Field.
Library’s Paula Hammond Named Escambia County Employee Of The Month
September 7, 2025
West Florida Public Libraries STEAM Instructor Paula Hammond has been named the Escambia County September 2025 Employee of the Month. She was recognized with a proclamation during a recent Board of County Commissioners meeting.
Hammond’s career with West Florida Public Libraries began in 2013 when she joined the Century Library as a part-time employee. Since then, she has filled several roles at the Century Library, including serving as the acting branch manager for a year and a half. She is always willing to lend a helping hand however she can and has been celebrated by her team members for her positive demeanor.
In her current role as a STEAM Instructor, she provides science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics programs for patrons at the Century and Molino libraries. Hammond’s tie-dye program at the Century Library is popular among library patrons, bringing dozens of people to the library each month to experience hands-on, creative activities.
“It’s truly a job working with the library system,” Hammond said. “I love all the people there, all the patrons in Century. Century is home, always has been, and I look forward to what the future holds. ”
“We are incredibly proud of Paula for her endless dedication to the Century library and our patrons,” Interim Library Services Director Christal Bell-Rivera said. “When people in Century think about the library, they think about Paula. She is a fixture in the community and is known and loved by many of the regulars that visit the library. She is extremely deserving of this recognition, and it is an honor to celebrate her as the Employee of the Month.”
In addition to the STEAM programming and her other regular branch duties, Hammond manages local outreach for the Century Center for Rehabilitation & Healing, providing interactive crafts for elderly adults designed with their skills and abilities in mind.
To read the proclamation, click here.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Wahoos Fall 5-3 To Shuckers Despite Strong Hitting
September 7, 2025
written by Erik Bremer
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos lost a back-and-forth game to the Biloxi Shuckers on Saturday night, falling 5-3 as their playoff hopes continued to fade.
The Blue Wahoos scratched out 12 singles, including six with runners in scoring position, but made three outs on the bases and twice were thrown out at the plate trying to score from second base.
Dub Gleed went 3-for-5, opening the scoring with an RBI single in the third inning off Shuckers starter K.C. Hunt. Gleed is now 11-for-20 through the first five games of this week’s series in Biloxi.
Blue Wahoos starter Luis Palacios worked a perfect first two innings, extending Pensacola’s scoreless streak to 21.0 innings dating back to Wednesday, but saw an unearned run score in the bottom of the third on a Tony Bullard fielding error to tie the game 1-1.
An RBI single from Colby Shade in the fourth put Pensacola ahead 2-1, but the Shuckers answered back once more in the bottom of the inning on a Zavier Warren sacrifice fly and Darrien Miller RBI single for a 3-2 Biloxi edge.
Bullard tied the game 3-3 in the fifth with a two-out RBI single, but Gleed was thrown out at the plate on a Payton Green single and Gage Miller was robbed of a run-scoring hit on a diving catch by Biloxi right fielder Garrett Spain to keep the game tied.
The Shuckers scratched across two runs in the sixth against Blue Wahoos reliever Evan Fitterer (L, 6-6), taking a 4-3 lead on a Miller hit-by-pitch and adding on with an Eduardo Garcia RBI single.
Abdiel Mendoza (W, 5-3) worked 2.2 scoreless innings of relief, benefitting from another outfield assist throwing out Gleed at the plate on a Green single in the seventh, and Travis MacGregor (S, 3) finished off the game with a perfect ninth inning for a 5-3 final.
With the loss and a Montgomery win, the Blue Wahoos trail the Biscuits by 6.0 games with 7 to play in the regular season. Any Pensacola loss or Montgomery win would eliminate the Blue Wahoos from playoff contention.
The Blue Wahoos play their final road game of the season against the Shuckers on Sunday.
Northview Falls To Freeport 48-43 (With Photo Gallery)
September 6, 2025
The Northview Chiefs fell to the Freeport Bulldogs 48-43 in a hard fought game Friday night at Tommy Weaver Memorial Stadium in Bratt.
The Chiefs led 22-14 at the half, before closing out the third quarter with a 35-21 advantage.
But the Bulldogs bit back with a strong fourth quarter, score 27 points to 8 for the Northview.
For a photo gallery, click here.
The Chiefs, now 0-3, will look for their first win on the road next week against the Central Jaguars, also 0-3. Central lost 41-6 Friday night to the Baker Gators.
*Look for cheerleader, band, and fans photos coming soon from NorthEscambia.com.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
High School Football Scoreboard
September 6, 2025
Here are Friday night football scores from the North Escambia area (along with two Thursday night scores).
FLORIDA
Freeport 48, Northview 43 [Story, photos...]
West Florida 34, Fort Walton Beach 14
Niceville 35, Pine Forest 14
Pensacola Catholic 42, Tallahassee Godby 28
Baker 41, Central 6
Jay (Bye week)
Escambia (Bye week)
Navarre (Bye week)
Thursday Games
Tate 41, Pensacola High 0 [Story, photos...]
Milton 14, Washington 13
ALABAMA
Flomaton 28, Excel 7
Jackson 40, Escambia County (Atmore) 0
Escambia Academy 62, Springwood 0
T.R. Miller 35, Monroe County 8
St. Michael Catholic 43, W.S. Neal 29
Pictured: The Northview Chiefs fell to Freeport 48-43 Friday night in Bratt. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.