Speed Limit Increased To 70 On I-10 Near Scenic Highway
December 22, 2017
The speed limit on Interstate 10 (I-10), from Davis Highway (/Exit 13) to the east end of the Escambia Bay Bridge in Escambia County, has been increased from 60 mph to 70 mph. The change comes as the I-10/Scenic Highway widening project nears completion early next year.
There are active work zones with reduced speeds to the east and west in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. I-10 eastbound, from west of the U.S. 29 interchange (Exit10A) to east of Davis Highway, is currently posted 60 mph. Westbound near the U.S. 29 interchange (Exits 10A and 10B) is reduced to 50 mph.
Warm Weather Continues, But Colder Temps Expected By Christmas
December 22, 2017
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 74. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 64. South wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: A 50 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 74. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon.
Saturday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 50. North wind around 5 mph.
Sunday: A 20 percent chance of showers before noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 62. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 36. North wind around 10 mph.
Christmas Day: Sunny, with a high near 53. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 35. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 59.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 42.
Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 63.
Wednesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 47.
Thursday: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 63.
Bratt’s ‘Donut Boy’ Continues Sweet Mission At Atmore Police Dept.
December 22, 2017
“Donut Boy” Tyler Carach of Bratt is on a mission to thank every cop in America with a doughnut.
Tyler, now 10 years old, and his mother Sheena, who is a former police officer, created the “I DONUT need a reason to THANK a cop” program. Since buying doughnuts for four Escambia County deputies at a Bratt convenience in August 2016, Tyler has taken his mission on the road, providing donuts for law enforcement agencies across the country. So far, the Byrneville Elementary School student has given out over 50,000 doughnuts to officers in 28 states.
Tyler handed out doughnuts close to home Thursday afternoon at the Atmore Police Department, where they made him an honorary officer and let him explore a police SUV.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Town Hosts Santa, Christmas Movies In Century Park
December 22, 2017
The Town of Century hosted a family friendly event at Nadine McCaw Park Thursday evening with Santa, hot cocoa and Christmas movies.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Get Gift Wrapping Help Through Christmas Eve From The Tate Band
December 22, 2017
The Tate Band Showband of the South will be wrapping gifts for donations at Walmart on Highway 29 in Ensley through Christmas Eve. Look for the big white tent and the Tate Showband trailer near the entrance.
Tate Band Gift Wrap Schedule:
- Saturday, Dec. 23 — 8:00 a.m.- 8:00 p.m.
- Sunday, Dec. 24 — 11 am. – 5p.m.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Most Road Work Halts For The Holidays; Some Hwy 29, Nine Mile Work Continuing
December 22, 2017
For the upcoming holiday season, there will be no lane closures or other activities which impede traffic on state roads beginning at 7 a.m. Friday, December 22 through midnight on Tuesday, January 2.
This includes the Nine Mile Road and Highway 29 construction zones. There will be utility work between Pine Forest Road and U.S. 29 during the holidays, however there will be no impacts to traffic, according to the Florida Department of Transportation.
Santa To Ride Fire Truck Through Century On Saturday
December 22, 2017
The Century Station of Escambia Fire Rescue will escort Santa through Century, Byrneville and Poplar Dell on Saturday on “Ladder 5″.
Santa will leave the Century Fire Station on Tedder Road about 10 a.m., and return about 12:00 or 12:30 where Santa will be available for photos for a short time.
The complete route, as provided by the Century Fire Station, will be:
- Parents please have your kids come out to see them and maybe catch some candy and other goodies when you hear the sirens getting close by!
- We will leave Century Fire Station on Tedder Road at 10:00 AM.
- From there we will head down Hwy 29 to West Hwy 4 to the Century Care Center.
- We will leave Century Care Center heading back to Hwy 29.
- Then we will travel Hwy 29 to East Pond Street and make a right on Jefferson Ave.
- Zooming down Jefferson Ave and making left on East Hecker Rd.
- Going down East Hecker Rd and turning left onto Mayo St.
- Then Santa will go down Mayo St and make a right onto Front St.
- Will travel Front St. and make a right on Alger Rd, and fly down Alger to Hwy 29!
- You can catch a glimpse of the Jolly Ole St Nick moving down Hwy 29 headed towards the Dollar General Store in Century!! Santa and his elves will stop for a short period at the Dollar General for kids that want a closer look! Pictures can be taken here but the kids will have to stand by the truck, Mr. and Mrs. Claus can’t climb down!
- Then we will head towards West Stateline Rd and make a fly over by Shady Lane Apartments.
- Then Byrneville area here he comes! We will be traveling down West Stateline Rd / Hwy 4A and make left onto Killam Rd.
- Travelling down Killam Rd. we will make a right onto West Hwy 4.
- We will travel West Hwy 4 and make a left onto Byrneville Rd. and Santa and his elves will stop for another short break at the old Driscolls Gas Station. Bring the kids here to catch another closer look! Again pictures can be taken with kids standing by the truck but Mr. and Mrs. Clause can’t climb down!
- Leaving Driscolls you can catch a view of them heading down Byrneville Rd all the way to Hwy 29.
- Then the sleigh will be headed down Hwy 29 back to the Century Fire House on Tedder Rd so Mr. and Mrs. Claus and the reindeer can get back to the North Pole and get ready for Christmas Eve night!
Pictured: Last year’s Century Santa Run. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Man Cited After Multiple Injury Crash At Highway 29, Highway 97
December 21, 2017
Multiple people were injured in a two vehicle crash Thursday evening at Highway 29 and Highway 97 in Molino.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, 73-year old Elroy Vannuys of Michigan was traveling north on Highway 29 in a 2009 Ford F150 pickup when he failed to notice a 2009 Mazda 5 driven by 36-year old Rachel Parish of Pensacola. Vannuys attempted a turn onto Highway 97, pulling into the direct path of Parish, causing a head-on collision about 5:25 p.m.
Elroy Vannuys suffered minor injuries while his passenger, 71-year old Carolyn Vannuys of Michigan, was seriously injured. Both were transported by Escambia County EMS to West Florida Hospital. Parish was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital with serious injuries. Her passenger, 30-year old Lisa Bembeneck of Pensacola was taken to Sacred Heart Hospital with minor injuries.
The traffic signal at the time of the crash was indicating green for was north and south traffic on Highway 29, troopers said.
Elroy Vannuys was cited for an improper turn by the Florida Highway Patrol.
The Molino and Cantonment stations of Escambia Fire Rescue and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded to the crash.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Century Planner Resigns Over Moral, Ethical And Credibility Issues With Town
December 21, 2017
Century’s longtime town planner has submitted her resignation over moral and ethical issues, and concerns about the town’s credibility.
The last day on the job for Debbie Nickles will be December 29, but she will continue to complete a few ongoing projects.
Nickles gave no reason for her resignation in a memorandum to Mayor Henry Hawkins and town council members. But Wednesday she told NorthEscambia.com in an email, “I feel that I have been placed in a moral/ethical dilemma and that the Town has lost its focus and credibility”.
She gave no hint of her resignation as she addressed town council members Monday night, but did express grave concerns regarding the town’s decision to bill an apartment developer $180,250 to establish water and sewer service as opposed to $63,500 based upon a 2015 verbal agreement that she and then-mayor Freddie McCall made with the Paces Foundation. The 2015 agreement was based upon then-current published rates. [Read more...]
“I love the town. I’d do anything in the world for the town,” Nickles told the council be expressing displeasure over the $180,250. “In my opinion, that is taking this new development and using them as a way to make up for your lack of maintenance and your lack of taking care of you infrastructure. In other words you are trying to get them to pay for your problems.”
“I feel like this is a moral, ethical thing to me. I feel like we made a commitment to them and the town should honor that commitment,” she said addressing the town council.
“I appreciate the opportunity to have been a part of moving Century forward and the support I have received from the Town and Century residents over the past 30+ years,” Nickles said in her resignation letter. She said Wednesday that she does not currently have future plans.
Pictured top and inset: Town Planner Debbie Nickles at a recent meeting of the Century Town Council. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Reimagine Century Community Outreach To Return In 2018
December 21, 2017
Organizers have announced that Reimagine Century will return in 2018 as the faithful will reach out to touch the hearts, souls and lives of area residents in need.
Reimagine Century will be held Saturday, May 5 with complete times and details to be announced.
The last Reimagine Century event was held in May 2016 with a wide variety of activities, including a 15,000 pound food giveaway, health screenings, youth and teen activities, free haircuts, baby diaper giveaway, live music, free lunch, manicures, hearing tests, motorcycle rides and much more. There were also children’s activities including inflatables, face painting, popcorn and games. All items, activities and events were free.
Doers of the Word Ministry will hold additional Reimagine events in 2018 in Milton on March 10, the Montclair neighborhood in Pensacola on September 22, and Brownsville on November 3.
Reimagine Century 2016 was sponsored in part by numerous organizations, including NorthEscambia.com.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
