Here Are Next Week’s Road Construction Trouble Zones
April 2, 2022
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 and lane shifts on the Pensacola Bay Bridge from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, April 3 through Saturday, April 9. Crews will be using lanes on the current bridge as a platform to pour concrete decks for the westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) structure.
- West Cervantes Street (U.S. 90) Pedestrian Safety Improvement – Drivers will encounter the following temporary intermittent lane closures:
- Inside lane closures and shifts between D and Q streets as crews perform median improvements, signalization installation, and construct curb and gutter and sidewalk.
- Outside intermittent lane closures will occur at various locations along West Cervantes, between Dominguez and A Streets, to allow crews to construct Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant sidewalk ramps and erect traffic poles.
- North Ninth Avenue (State Road (S.R.) 289) Carpenters Creek Bridge Replacement- All travel lanes are temporarily shifted to the southbound side of the bridge as crews construct the northbound portion. Additionally, drivers may encounter intermittent temporary lane closures from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, April 4 through Friday, April 8, as crews mobilize materials and equipment.
- Sorrento Road (S.R. 292) Intersection Improvements at Innerarity Point (County Road 292A) – Motorists can expect intermittent daytime shoulder closures Monday, April 4 through Friday, April 8, as crews place a watermain.
- Airport Boulevard (S.R. 750) Routine Maintenance from West of Palafox Street to Davis Highway – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures from west of Palafox Street to Davis Highway from 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. the week of Monday, April 4 as crews place asphalt on the roadway.
- Barrancas Avenue (S.R. 292) from Manchester Street to the Bayou Chico Bridge –Sidewalks between Live Oak Avenue and Manchester Street will be closed as crews begin work on the sidewalk improvements. Detours will be in place for pedestrians.
- Interstate 10 (I-10) Pavement Markings at the Pensacola Weigh Station – Crews will perform striping operations at the westbound weigh station starting at 4 p.m. Saturday, April 2. During the operations, the westbound station and adjacent truck parking area will be temporarily closed.
Santa Rosa County:
- Pensacola Bay Bridge (U.S. 98) Replacement – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures and lane shifts on the Pensacola Bay Bridge from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, April 3 through Saturday, April 9. Crews will be using lanes on the current bridge as a platform to pour concrete decks for the westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) structure.
- U.S. 98 Widening from Bayshore Road to Portside Drive – Major roadway construction activities are currently underway. Improvements include widening the roadway from four to a six-lanes with a raised median, safety, and drainage upgrades, resurfacing S.R. 281 (Avalon Boulevard) from U.S. 98 to Garcon Point Bridge, extending the existing shared-use path on the south side of U.S. 98 from Gondolier Boulevard, and new signage and pavement markings.
- I-10 Resurfacing East of S.R. 281 (Avalon Boulevard) to East of S.R. 87 – The eastbound lane will remain reduced to one lane at the C.R. 191 Overpass Bridge (Exit 26) until work associated with bridge approach construction is complete. Motorists can also expect intermittent lane closures from 6 p.m. to 10 a.m. the week of Monday, April 4 as crews perform construction activities.
- S.R. 281 (Avalon Boulevard) Routine Utility Maintenance from San Jose Street to Del Monte Street – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, April 4 as crews perform utility maintenance.
All activities are weather-dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Tate Baseball Drops To Pace, Northview Beats Pine Forest; Tate Softball Shuts Out Escambia
April 2, 2022
Here’s a roundup of Friday night high school scores:
BASEBALL
- Pace 5, Tate 2
- Pace 6, Tate 4 (JV)
- Northview 2, Pine Forest 1
SOFTBALL
- Tate 12, Escambia 0
- Tate 12, Escambia 0 (JV)
For a photo gallery from both the varsity and junior varsity Tate games, click here.
Photos by Laura Glodfelter for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Fire At International Paper In Cantonment Friday Morning
April 1, 2022
Firefighters responded to a fire at International Paper in Cantonment Friday morning.
“This morning there was a fire at our Pensacola Containerboard Mill. The mill emergency response team responded immediately,” IP Communications Manager Whitney Fike said.
Firefighters responded at 9:33 a.m. and cleared the scene about an hour later. The fire was reportedly inside a building at the mill, but the structure itself was not involved.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation. There were no injuries reported.
“We appreciate the immediate response of trained team members on-site to help control the fire and the quick response of local fire departments with their assistance,” Fike said.
Eight Escambia Fire Rescue units and Escambia County EMS responded to the incident. Further details have not been released.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Man Charged With Destruction Of Evidence After Traffic Stop
April 1, 2022
A Cantonment man is facing a felony charge after allegedly swallowing evidence following a traffic stop.
William Austin Thomann, 24, was charged with felony destruction of evidence and resisting arrest.
An Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputy stopped Thomann on South County Road 97 near Britt Road after he was clocked at 67 mph in a 45 mph zone in his Nissan pickup truck.
He jumped out of the vehicle, closed and locked everything inside the vehicle, and consented to a search of his person. The deputy located a small plastic bag containing two pills in his pocket and gave commands for him to place his hands behind his back, according to an arrest report.
The Sheriff’s Office said Thomann disobeyed the commands and resisted, finally able to slip his hand into his pocket. He was able to grab the small plastic bag and swallow it, the report continues.
He remained in the Escambia County Jail Friday with bond set at $6,000.
One deputy received minor scratches during the incident but did not require medical treatment.
License-Free Freshwater Fishing This Weekend In Florida
April 1, 2022
Freshwater fishing this weekend is license-free in Florida.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said license-free freshwater fishing days provide an excellent opportunity for those new to fishing without needing to first purchase a license. On these days, the fishing license requirement is waived for all recreational anglers, including residents and non-residents. All other rules including seasons, bag and size limits still apply.
Pictured: Fishing at Lake Stone near Century. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
West Florida Softball And Baseball Top Northview; Gulf Breeze Bests Tate Freshmen
April 1, 2022
SOFTBALL
West Florida 6, Northview 1
The West Florida Lady Jaguars defeated the Northview Lady Chiefs 6-1 Thursday in Bratt.
Sydney Scapin went seven innings for West Florida, allowing one run on two hits while striking out 14.
Emma Gilmore opened on the mound for Northview, giving up four runs and one hit while striking out three in three and two-thirds innings. Aubrey Stuckey tossed three and a third innings
Jamison Gilman and Kayla Dixon both had one hit to lead Northview.
Scapin, Mariah Golson, M. McAnally, Alesha Write and Brea Holley each had one hit for West Florida.
BASEBALL
West Florida 8, Northview 6
The Northview Chiefs fell to the West Florida Jaguars 8-6 Thursday night in Bratt.
Gavin King went five and a third innings on the hill for West Florida to earn the win, allowing six hits and five runs while tallying five strikeouts.
Northview’s Josh Landis allowed six hits and six runs in four innings, striking out one. Jamarkus Jefferson and Ethan Collier each allowed one hit, one run and had two strikeouts.
West Florida’s Grayson Phillips and Gage Dewsnap had two hits each.
Jefferson, Landis, and Wyatt Scruggs had two hits each for the Chiefs.
Gulf Breeze 12, Tate 8 (Freshmen)
The Gulf Breeze Dolphins defeated the Tate Aggies 12-8 Thursday in Freshman baseball.
Edgar Sheppard went two innings, allowing five hits, eight runs and striking out two for Tate. Taite Davis pitched three, allowing four runs, four hits, and striking out two.
Kaleb Posta and Nathan Ozuna had two hits each for the Aggies. Tyler Folmar and Kaydon Biggs both added a hit.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Tate Aggies Tennis Defeats Escambia
April 1, 2022
Tate Tennis defeated Escambia on Thursday.
The Tate boys won 7-0, and the girls defeated Escambia 6-1.
Up next, Tate will host Gulf Breeze on Monday.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
At Least One Injured In Semi, Car Crash
March 31, 2022
At least one person was trapped after a crash involving a passenger car and an 18-wheeler Thursday afternoon.
The crash happened about 2 p.m. on Broad Street at Pensacola Boulevard. The car came to rest under the semi’s trailer.
Further details have not been released as the Florida Highway Patrol continues their investigation.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Flomaton Police Find Man With Meth, Possible Explosive Device In Store Parking Lot
March 31, 2022
A man was found in the parking lot of a Flomaton business early Thursday morning with methamphetamine and a possible explosive device, according to police.
The Flomaton Police Department checked a vehicle parked in front of the We Care Thrift Store.
The occupant, 32-year old Andrew Robert Howell, was in possession of a crystal-like substance identified as methamphetamine and had an outstanding warrant from another state, according to police.
“Also inside of the car was an item/device that was electrical taped and had a protruding fuse. It was more/less the size of a potato,” Flomaton Police said in a statement.
An investigation into the device is continuing with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Bomb Squad assisting the Flomaton Police Department.
Howell was booked into the Escambia County (AL) Detention Center without bond on charges of possession of controlled substance (methamphetamine), unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia, and as a fugitive from justice.
Storms Dump Hail; Strong Winds Cause Minor Damage
March 31, 2022
A line of strong storms dropped hail, and strong winds caused minor damage in Escambia County early Thursday morning.
NorthEscambia.com reader submitted photos (below) showed minor damage to an awning at a home near the intersection of Kingsfield and Chemstrand Roads, and tree limbs were reported down in the Cantonment area.
The trailer of an 18-wheeler was left hanging over Escambia Bay as severe weather moved through the area early Thursday morning. Click here for details and photos.
Hail fell across a large swath from Beulah in Escambia County and into Santa Rosa County.
Escambia River Electric Cooperative reported up to about 500 customers without power in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. Florida Power & Light reported up to about 300 out in Escambia County and nearly 2,000 without power in Santa Rosa County.
Escambia County Fire Rescue responded to scattered reports of power lines down across the county, including Highway 168 near Wiggins Road near Bratt.
For more photos, click or tap here.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
