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.
Tate 2-2, Northview 3-1 In Panama City Beach Softball Tournament
March 5, 2023
The Tate Aggies went 2-2 and the Northview Chiefs were 3-1 in the Florida-USA Softball Challenge in Panama City Beach.
TATE AGGIES
Tate 7, Walton 4
The Tate Aggies defeated Walton 7-4 Saturday.
Peyton Womack earned the win for Tate, going four and a third innings, allowing two runs, six hits, walking one and striking out one. Kate Balagbagan went two and two-thirds innings for Tate, allowing seven hits, two runs, walking one and striking out two.
Charli Vinson homered in the third inning, and Karea Wine had a home run in the sixth.
Opp 3, Tate 2
The Tate Aggies lost in a walk-off to the Opp Bobcats Saturday.
Lacy Wilson and Kara Wine led the Aggies at the plate with two hits each.
Jordan Smith went 8.1 innings for Tate, allowing seven hits, two runs, walking one and striking out four.
Friday: Tate 9, Curry 7; Daphne 6, Tate 0 (Read more…)
NORTHVIEW CHIEFS
Northview 10, Mosley 1
Jamison Gilman has four RBIs Saturday as the Northview Chiefs beat Mostley 10-1.
The Chiefs scored all 10 runs in a big third inning.
Aubrey Stuckey went seven innings in the circle to earn the win for the Chiefs. She allowed two hits, one run and walked one while striking out 10.
In addition to Gilman’s two hits, Emma Gilmore Mary-Clayton Dawson had two hits each.
Arnold 11, Northview 5
The Arnold Dolphins defeated the Northview Chiefs 11-5 Saturday.
Emma Gilmore went seven innings, surrendering seven hits and 11 runs while walking one and striking out nine.
Makayla Golson led the Chiefs at bat with two hits.
Friday: Northview 10, Sneads 0; Northview 11, Altha 9 (Read more…)
Update: 2-Year Old From Escambia County, Alabama Located Safe
March 4, 2023
UPDATED: The Child has been located and is safe, according to Sheriff Heath Jackson.
An emergency missing child alert was issued Saturday afternoon by the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency for a 2-year old girl missing from Brewton, Alabama.
Kacie Isabelle Alexander was last seen about 11:20 Friday night in the area of Foshee Road in Brewton.
If you have any information regarding the whereabouts of Kacie Alexander, please contact the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (251) 809-0741 or call 911.
Kacie Alexander is about 2-feet, 6-inches long, with blonde or strawberry hair and weighing about 28 pounds.
Judge Denies Stand Your Ground Defense In Cantonment Gas Station Murder
March 4, 2023
A judge has tossed the stand your ground argument by an Escambia County man accused of a shooting death at a Cantonment convenience store in 2022.
Charles Tyree Moore was charged with second degree murder for the shooting death of 35-year old Durrell Dupree Palmer at the Circle K on Highway 29 at West Roberts Road in May 2022 in an argument over the victim’s wife.
Moore’s attorney claimed it was a stand your ground case, but Judge John Simon did not agree. Moore remains free on a $150,000 bond with trial set for June.
Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons said following the shooting that there had been “interaction” between the individuals going back two years. He said they had an argument over Palmer’s wife about two weeks prior, but she was not involved in the incident.
“During a conversation that they had actually at the Circle K ended up escalating and ended up in gunfire,” Simmons said.
Both men were at the Circle K at Highway 29 and West Roberts Road when Moore pulled a handgun and fired four or five shots at Palmer, according to the sheriff. The incident occurred outside the store near the gas pumps at the southern end of the parking lot.
Moore fled the scene, but called the ECSO and told them that he would be stopping and placing the gun in the glovebox of his vehicle. Deputies took him into custody within minutes on Palafox Street at Nine Mile Road.
The sheriff said Moore had no criminal history and held a concealed weapons permit.
Pictured above and below: A man was shot and killed at the Circle K at the corner of Highway 29 and West Roberts Road about 7:30 Monday morning. Pictured first below: The suspect was taken into custody minutes later on Palafox Street at Nine Mile Road. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Temporary Closures Planned For Highway 29, W Street Intersection
March 4, 2023
Asphalt repairs will require the closure of sections of North W Street and Pensacola Boulevard (Highway 29) Sunday, March 5 through Thursday, March 9. The work will close W Street northbound at the intersection, along with the left turn lane from Pensacola Boulevard northbound to W Street southbound.
Drivers will be detoured to Marcus Pointe Boulevard, Airport Boulevard, or Industrial Boulevard to access Pensacola Boulevard and W Street. Detour signage will be in place to alert drivers of the closures.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Students Learn About Ag During Northview’s ‘Fresh From Florida’ Event (With Gallery)
March 4, 2023
About 600 elementary school students learned about agriculture first hand Friday morning during the Northview High School FFA “Fresh From Florida” program in Bratt.
The program gave students a chance to make and enjoy eating their own fresh butter, get up close to farm animals and farm equipment, and learn more about how food gets from the farm to their table.
Previous Northview Fresh From Florida programs have been named the best in the state by the Florida FFA and the chapter has been recognized nationally for their efforts.
For more photos, click or tap here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Northview, Milton Students Selected For EREC Washington Youth Tour
March 4, 2023
Jaquez Moorer from Northview High School and Carli Carrillo from Milton High School have been named winners of the Escambia River Electric Cooperative 2023 Youth Tour to Washington contest.
The Washington Youth Tour is a program offered by electric cooperatives throughout the nation to high school juniors from their co-op membership. Participants receive an all expenses paid trip to the nation’s capital.
“Every year, the quality of the students competing for the youth tour remains impressive, and this year is no exception,” said Ryan Campbell, CEO of EREC. “We are pleased that EREC takes an active role in providing opportunities for our youth and works with cooperatives across the country to send students to Washington for this tour.”
Moorer is a member of the Beta Club at Northview and is dual enrolled at Pensacola State College. He was a member of the state runner-up Northview Chiefs football team. Moorer was named as a 2022 Academic All Star by the Atmore Rotary Club and is recognized by his teachers was always willing to help other students who may be struggling. He plans to study marine biology.
Carrillo is a member of the Beta, National Honor Society, and National Society of High School Scholars. She is also a member of the Milton High band where she is the trumpet section leader as well as secretary of the Spanish club. Carrillo is also part of the first year teacher’s academy where she helps kids with reading and comprehension. Outside of school, Carrillo referees soccer games for kids under age 14. She plans to study biology and teaching.
“I’m excited for the unique opportunity to meet new people and see the history of my country,” Carrillo said. “I hope to be able to see the various war memorial sites and museums that Washington has to offer.”
“I am excited to be part of youth tour because of the opportunities and the life experience it will provide me,” Moorer said, adding that he is eager to visit sites including the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Arlington National Cemetery, and the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.