FDOT: Weekly Traffic Alerts
June 11, 2017
Drivers will encounter traffic variations on the following state roads in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.
Escambia County:
· Interstate 10 (I-10)/U.S. 29 Interchange Improvements Phase I- Drivers will encounter the following traffic impacts on I-10 near the U.S. 29 interchange (Exits 10A and 10B) from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, June 11 through Thursday, June 15 as crews perform paving, guardrail, and shoulder work.
o Alternating lane closures on I-10 eastbound.
o The U.S. 29 north to I-10 westbound ramp will be closed. Traffic will be detoured north to make a U-turn at Broad Street to access I-10 westbound.
o The U.S. 29 south to I-10 eastbound ramp will be closed. Traffic will be detoured south to make a U-turn at Diamond Dairy Road to access I-10 eastbound.
· Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement- Test pile driving for the new bridge has begun. While there are no direct traffic impacts, persons nearby may detect noise and the possibility of vibration. Pile driving work is scheduled during daytime hours, seven-days-a-week.
· I-10 Widening from Davis Highway (State Road (S.R.) 291) to the Escambia Bay Bridge- Drivers will encounter the following traffic impacts from 7 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. Monday, June 12 through Friday, June 16 as crews paint barrier wall and perform paving work.
o Intermittent lane closures eastbound and westbound I-10 between Davis Highway (Exit 13) and the approach to Escambia Bay Bridge.
o Alternating lane closures on Scenic Highway (U.S. 90) between Whisper Way and Northpointe Parkway.
· Nine Mile Road Widening from Beulah Road to Pine Forest Road– Salt Grass Drive will be closed from 5 a.m. Monday, June 12 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, June 13 as crews relocate utilities. Drivers will need to use Foxtail Loop to access Nine Mile Road during this time.
· Creighton Road (S.R. 742) Construction Improvement Project from east of Davis Highway to Scenic Highway – Intermittent and alternating lane closures between 9th Avenue and Scenic Highway from 8:30 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. continues as crews perform sidewalk repairs and Americans with Disabilities Act upgrades.
· W. Fairfield Drive (S.R. 295) near W. Texar Drive Underground Utility Work- Eastbound, right lane closed from 8 p.m. Monday, June 12 to 5 a.m. Tuesday, June 13 as crews perform underground utility work.
· Road Ranger Service Patrol on the Pensacola Bay Bridge – Service patrol vehicles will be stationed on each of the bridges between 5 a.m. and 8 p.m., Monday through Friday, and between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. on weekends and major holidays. At other times, at least one unit will be on-call and available to respond within 30 minutes. Road Ranger assistance on the Pensacola Bay Bridge will be available by dialing the Florida Highway Patrol at *FHP (*347).
· U.S. 29 (S.R. 95) Widening from I-10 to Nine Mile Road- Alternating lane closures continue from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. on U.S. 29 between I-10 and 9 1/2 Mile Road and on Nine Mile Road near the U.S. 29/ Nine Mile Road overpass as crews perform drainage and bridge operations.
· Nine Mile Road (S.R. 10/U.S. 90A) Widening from Pine Forest Road to U.S. 29- Alternating lane closures continue on Untreiner Avenue as crews perform jack and bore operations.
Santa Rosa County
· I-10 Widening from Escambia Bay Bridge to Avalon Boulevard (S.R. 281) – Alternating lane closures on I-10 from the Escambia Bay Bridge to just east of S.R. 281 (Avalon Boulevard/Exit 22) from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, June 11 through Thursday, June 15 as crews continue widening work. In addition, alternating lane closures on Avalon Boulevard near the I-10 interchange during this time as crews reconstruct the Avalon Boulevard overpass.
· I-10 Resurfacing from east of S.R. 87 to the Okaloosa County Line- Intermittent and alternating closures between the S.R. 87 interchange (Exit 31) and the Okaloosa County line from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, June 11 through Thursday, June 15 as crews perform paving operations, striping, and sodding. Motorists are reminded the speed limit is reduced to 60 MPH within the lane closure.
· Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement- Intermittent east and westbound, right lane closure on the Gulf Breeze approaches to the bridge from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday, June 12 through Saturday, June 17. On Tuesday, June 13 the lane restriction will take place from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. Crews will be demolishing existing curb, clearing and grubbing in the state owned right-of-way, and placing temporary pavement. Test pile driving for the new bridge has begun. While there are no direct traffic impacts, persons nearby may detect noise and the possibility of vibration. Pile driving work is scheduled during daytime hours, seven-days-a-week.
· S.R. 87 Multilane from Eglin AFT Boundary to Hickory Hammock Road-(County Road 184) -Traffic between County Road 184 (Hickory Hammock Road) and the Eglin AFB boundary is restricted to loads under 11-feet wide. The restriction will be in place through the completion of the project.
Drivers are reminded to use caution, especially at night, when traveling through the construction zone, and to pay attention for workers and equipment entering and exiting the work area. All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Boy Or Girl? Volunteer Firefighter Family Finds Out At Gender Reveal
June 11, 2017
An Escambia County volunteer fireman and his wife were right on target with a “gender reveal” Saturday afternoon at the Century Fire Station.
Clay and Destinie Smith are expecting their second child in December. They were joined by friends, family and firemen for the reveal that involved popping black balloons filled with paint. A couple of dart throws later, the couple knew from the pink paint that they were expecting a little girl.
The Smith’s first child, a boy named Braxton, is 16 months old. Their daughter is due on Christmas Eve. They have a few name ideas in mind, but nothing certain yet..
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate, Northview Players Named To All-State Softball Teams
June 11, 2017
Miracle Sports, the official website of Florida high school softball, has named several Tate and Northview players to their 2017 all-state teams.
The Escambia County area’s only First Team players are in Class 7A with senior outfielder Hayden Lindsay and sophomore utility player Shelby Ullrich, both Tate Aggies. The Aggies also had junior pitcher Hannah Brown named to the 7A Second Team and a Honorable Mention placement by Belle Wolfenden.
In 1A, Northview pitcher Tori Herrington and senior outfielder Peighton Dortch were named 1A Second Team, while Chiefs Kendall Enfinger, Aubree Love and Jamia Newton received honorable mentions.
CLASS 7A
First Team
OF Hayden Lindsay, Tate
UTIL Shelby Ullrich, Tate
Second Team
P Hannah Brown, Tate
Honorable Mention
Belle Wolfenden, Tate
Class 1A
Second Team
P Tori Herrington, Northview
OF Peighton Dortch, Northview
Honorable Mention
Kendall Enfinger, Northview
Aubree Love, Northview
Jamia Newton, Northview
Pictured top: Northview High School’s Tori Herrington. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
First Baptist Church Of Cantonment Youth Spend Week Serving
June 11, 2017
The youth at the First Baptist Church of Cantonment spent their Vacation Bible School week serving other groups that help the less fortunate in our communities.
On Youth Missions Week Day 1 the group volunteered to sort food at the Manna Food Bank. On day two, it off to help prepare and serve lunch at the Waterfront Rescue Mission. Day three was a Wednesday well spent helping out at the Waterfront Thrift Store, and day four was a big cleanup at The Living Room, a nonprofit on Mobile Highway that reaches out to feed and meet the other needs of the less fortunate.
Pictured top: First Baptist Church of Cantonment youth serving lunch at the Waterfront Rescue Mission last week. Pictured below: Sorting clothing at the Waterfront Thrift Store and sorting food at the Manna Food Bank. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Florida Gov’t Weekly Roundup: ‘Cardiac Kids’ Go Home From Tallahassee
June 11, 2017
Legislative sessions often follow a similar script.
They start with high hopes, get sidetracked in disagreements and posturing and then, like a miracle, come together in grand bargains.
That was pretty much the story of the special session that ended by cocktail hour Friday.
The story started a week earlier when Gov. Rick Scott, House Speaker Richard Corcoran and Senate President Joe Negron appeared at a news conference in Miami to announce plans for the special session. After months of bickering, Scott and Corcoran had agreed on a deal to boost funding for public schools and economic development. Negron? Well, his involvement in the news conference became a matter of debate.
But as the session started Wednesday, the drama had started to build. Senators were unhappy. Democrats tried to ramp up the storyline of dysfunctional Republican leadership. News stories raised the specter of the session collapsing.
Then came Friday, the final day of the special session. And out of the backrooms came a compromise that Scott, Corcoran and Negron supported. At 4:42 p.m., the session ended.
“We call ourselves the cardiac kids,” Corcoran said. “We get you guys all worked up, and then we come to a nice smooth landing and we accomplish a tremendous amount of policy.”
GOING BACK TO SCHOOL
Most lawmakers like to tell the folks back home about how the Legislature has increased funding for public schools. But when lawmakers returned to their districts after the regular session ended last month, they faced a blowback for not putting enough money into schools.
The state budget approved at the end of the regular session included only a $24.49 per-student increase in the main funding formula for public schools.
Scott took the highly unusual step of vetoing the portion of the budget that includes the formula, known as the Florida Education Finance Program, or FEFP, and making increased education funding a centerpiece of the special session. Scott and legislative leaders agreed to an additional $215 million for the FEFP — which translates into an increase of $100 per student.
“These dollars are greatly needed, severely needed. If we had not done this, if we had not had the work of (Senate Appropriations Chairman Jack) Latvala and others to get these extra dollars, three weeks from now school districts would be laying off people and cutting programs, quite frankly,” said Sen. Bill Montford, a Tallahassee Democrat who is CEO of the Florida Association of District School Superintendents. “And that’s not the sky’s falling, that’s the reality of it.”
The increased funding drew bipartisan support during the special session, with the House and Senate overwhelmingly passing an FEFP bill (HB 3A). But arguments about education funding and policy continued to linger, largely because of a massive bill, commonly known as HB 7069, that passed at the end of the regular session.
Corcoran, the main architect of the bill, has called HB 7069 the “greatest educational K-12 policy that we’ve passed in the history of the state.”
But critics are pressuring Scott to veto the bill, which they contend would hurt traditional public schools because of changes involving such issues as charter schools and Title I funding that goes to schools in low-income areas.
Not exactly on the same page as Corcoran, Sen. Gary Farmer, D-Fort Lauderdale, called HB 7069 “the most horrific public- education bill to ever pass the Florida Legislature. It will hasten the privatization of our public schools.”
JOBS, JOBS, JOBS (AND A DIKE)
Scott and Corcoran feuded for months about the future of economic-development efforts, with the House wanting to do away with the business-recruitment agency Enterprise Florida and slash funding for tourism-marketer Visit Florida.
To Scott, the programs were crucial to carrying out his “jobs, jobs, jobs” mission. To Corcoran, they were dens of “corporate welfare” and questionable spending.
But going into the special session, it looked like Scott and Corcoran had a plan to bridge their differences. The Legislature, in part, would provide $76 million to Visit Florida — up from $25 million approved during the regular session — and put more restrictions on the agency’s operations and contracting.
Also, lawmakers would create an $85 million “Florida Job Growth Grant Fund,” which would provide money for infrastructure projects and job-training programs to help in economic development. The House could say it didn’t give in on its opposition to providing money for direct business incentives, while Scott could say he got economic-development tools he needed.
Big picture, that’s what ended up in a bill (HB 1A) that passed Friday. But the bill also picked up a couple of other issues — money for repairs to the Herbert Hoover Dike around Lake Okeechobee and money for higher-education projects — that became necessary to, in Corcoran’s words, bring the session in for a landing.
The bill came together Friday, a day after Negron, in somewhat-uncharacteristic fashion, said the Senate wouldn’t agree to a deal reached between Scott and Corcoran without concessions. Negron also pushed back against what he described as a “fake narrative” that he was involved in negotiations leading up to Scott’s decision to call the session, saying the House and the governor hammered out the agreement.
“We’re glad that they’re coming together and that they’re reaching common ground, but we’re not just going to rubber-stamp an agreement that two parties made without our priorities being taken into account,” Negron said.
The final details emerged early Friday afternoon after behind-the-scenes negotiations.
The Senate got at least part of what it wanted — $60 million for higher-education projects across the state. Scott had vetoed $75 million of such projects from the budget that lawmakers passed during the regular session, angering Senate leaders. The special-session deal will restore funding for projects, though at somewhat lower amounts.
Meanwhile, Scott also got something he wanted — $50 million to help speed up repairs to the dike around Lake Okeechobee. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is in charge of the project, but Scott in recent months has pushed for shortening the schedule of the work.
In the end, Scott appeared to get what he wanted during the three-day special session, with lawmakers approving the money for schools, economic development and dike repairs.
“I’m excited to travel the state and brag about what got accomplished in the special session,” Scott said at a news conference after the session ended.
MAYBE SOME RELIEF
Like with public-school funding, lawmakers went home after the regular session and faced criticism for not reaching agreement on a plan to carry out a November constitutional amendment that broadly legalized medical marijuana.
A major part of the backstory is that marijuana businesses see Florida as a potentially lucrative market and have been lobbying and maneuvering to be better-positioned than their competitors. A key sticking point between the House and Senate during the regular session was about how many retail stores the marijuana operators should be able to run.
But the special session provided another chance for lawmakers to negotiate the regulatory framework for the industry. And Friday afternoon, they received overwhelming approval of a bill (SB 8-A) that includes increasing the number of businesses that can receive medical-marijuana licenses and allowing each of those businesses to initially have up to 25 retail stores.
House Majority Leader Ray Rodrigues, who shepherded the measure through his chamber, said lawmakers “have a responsibility and a duty” to implement the amendment, approved by more than 71 percent of voters, or else the regulatory framework would be decided by the courts.
The constitutional amendment made medical marijuana legal for what is expected to be hundreds of thousands of patients with debilitating conditions. That is a dramatic increase from the limited types of patients who have access to cannabis under laws passed in 2014 and 2016.
“The House did not get everything the House wanted and the Senate did not get everything the Senate wanted,” but the compromise bill is one “that both of us can live with and is actually very good policy,” Rodrigues, R-Estero, said before the bill was approved.
But medical marijuana still could end up the courts because of part of the bill that bans smoking cannabis, effectively requiring patients to find other ways to receive the treatment.
Orlando trial lawyer John Morgan, who largely bankrolled the constitutional amendment, pledged to fight the smoking ban.
“I do care about smoke, and I will sue them because of that,” Morgan told The News Service of Florida in a telephone interview Friday afternoon. “It clearly was called for in the amendment, and so what they’ve done for me is allowed me to step back up on my soapbox and go get what the people of Florida wanted when they passed this bill with 71 percent.”
STORY OF THE WEEK: Florida lawmakers finished a special session Friday with a deal that included increased funding for schools and economic development and a plan to carry out a medical-marijuana constitutional amendment.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “It doesn’t feel right. It doesn’t look right. You and I know that.” — Sen. Jeff Brandes, R-St. Petersburg, arguing against part of a bill that would require health officials to give preference for up to two medical-marijuana licenses to businesses currently or previously involved in “the canning, concentrating, or otherwise processing of citrus fruit or citrus molasses.”
by Brandon Larrabee, The News Service of Florida
Showers And Storms Becoming Likely
June 11, 2017
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Sunday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
Monday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 87. South wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Monday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Tuesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 86. Southeast wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 86. East wind around 5 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Thursday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 87.
Thursday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71.
Friday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 86.
Friday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71.
Saturday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 86.
Wahoos Fall To Mississippi
June 11, 2017
Pensacola Blue Wahoo fans were shown again Saturday why the 22-year-old right hander Tyler Mahle is considered the team’s ace.
The No. 10 prospect in the Cincinnati Reds organization pitched six scoreless innings and tied his career-high with nine strikeouts.
It appeared Pensacola was going to win, 2-0, when center fielder Gabriel Guerrero singled in two runs in the bottom of the eighth inning with the Southern League-leading saves leader Jimmy Herget entering the game in the ninth. Instead, the Mississippi Braves rallied to score four runs and overcome Pensacola, 4-2, in front of the 10th sellout crowd of the season of 5,038 at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
Pensacola manager Pat Kelly said the Blue Wahoos emotions went from feeling on “top of the world” to everything “falling apart.”
“Sometimes you just have those nights,” Kelly said of Herget, who gave up the runs and blew his third save opportunity of the season. “In your life as closer, you have to have a real short memory. There’s a pretty good chance he will be out there tomorrow.”
Mahle, who was seeking his Southern League eighth win, also brushed off the loss.
“Next time he’ll get the save,” Mahle said of Herget. “That’s just baseball. It happens.”
Mahle and Kelly were also not ready to panic with eight games left in the first half of the season. Pensacola leads the Southern Division with a 35-27 record and is vying to become the first team since the Tennessee Smokies to win four straight halves. The Smokies did it from 2009 to 2011.
Despite Pensacola losing Saturday, Biloxi lost 5-2, to the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp and are tied for second with Mississippi at 32-30, which is three games behind Pensacola.
“We just have to win the next two series, 3-2,” Kelly said. “I think we’re in pretty good position.”
The 23-year-old Guerrero, who was selected for the Southern League All-Star game, punched a line drive over the first baseman’s head into right field with two outs that scored both shortstop Blake Trahan and third baseman Josh VanMeter to give the Blue Wahoos a 2-0 lead.
But five of the first six batters Herget faced reached base on a walk, single, double and two more singles. Mississippi batted around in the inning. Braves catcher Kade Scivicque drove in the first run for Mississippi with a double that scored third baseman Travis Demeritte, who leadoff the inning with a walk to start the onslaught.
Mahle wasn’t the only impressive pitcher on the mound Saturday. Mississippi Braves right-hander Mike Soroka, a 19-year-old ranked the No. 4 prospect in the Atlanta Braves organization, also pitched well.
He threw seven scoreless innings, allowing four hits, no walks and striking out four. Soroka has now thrown 15 scoreless innings in his past two starts.
“Those were two pretty good pitchers right there,” Kelly said.
Lois Bray
June 11, 2017
Lois Bray, 77, of the Berrydale Community, north of Milton, Florida, died Friday, June 9, 2017.
She was born November 4, 1939, to James Jernigan and Zealie Cooley Jernigan. After graduating Jay High School in 1957, she moved to Pensacola to work and live with her aunt. While there, she met and married her life-long love and partner, W.L. Bray, who passed away last July after 57 years of marriage. After a tough year apart, they are at last together again.
Lois’ life was devoted to taking care of others, especially her children and grandchildren, but also any others who needed love, a helping hand or a word of wisdom.
She is preceded in death by her husband, W.L. Bray; all of her brothers and sister, Bo, Buddy and John Jernigan, and Myrtle Holley; and niece, Kay Holley.
Lois leaves behind to cherish her memory, daughter, Susan (Carth) Garrison; son, Billy Bray (Cathy Boutwell); daughter, Lisa Bray; daughter, Brenda Davis (Gary Hardy); daughter, Casey Holley-Bray, seven grandchildren, Katelyn Garrison, Kyle Davis, Paul Bray, Austin Jordan-Ward, Kendra Hardy, Jessica (Jonathon) Easterling, and Cotton Malone; one great-grandchild, Jon Luke Easterling; ex-son-in-law, Jerry Davis; and ex-son-in-law, Darryl Erhardt.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m., Monday, June 12, 2017, at Lewis Funeral Home Milton Chapel.
Lois will be laid to rest beside her husband in the Berrydale Community Cemetery at a later time. There will be no graveside service.
Silas Steven Sinclair
June 11, 2017
Mr. Silas Steven Sinclair, 59, passed away on Wednesday, June 7, 2017, in Atmore, Alabama.
Mr. Sinclair was a native and former resident of Loxley, AL and had resided in Atmore, AL for the past 30 years. He was a member of the Atmore Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He is preceded in death by his parents, Howard and Betty Jean Sinclair and a brother, Clay Morgan.
He is survived by his wife, Clara E. Copeland of Atmore, AL; two sons, Steven Sinclair of Atmore, AL and Leon Sinclair of Loxley, AL; two daughters, Brittany Sinclair of Loxley, AL and Christina (Kenneth) Townson of Brewton, AL; one brother, Tony Sinclair of Mississippi; one sister, Bettina Simoneaux of Baker, LA; nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes, LLC in charge of all arrangements, Atmore, Alabama.
New Pediatric Medical, Dental Clinic Opens In Cantonment
June 10, 2017
A new children’s pediatric and dental clinic is now open in Cantonment.
Escambia Community Clinics celebrated the opening of their newest site, ECC Cantonment Pediatrics and Pediatric Dental Clinic, with a ribbon cutting ceremony and a children’s carnival Friday at 470 South Highway 29 in Cantonment — in the old Winn Dixie building.
ECC Cantonment Pediatrics provides pediatric medical, pediatric dental and behavioral health care in one convenient location, allowing for easy access to important care for children and families. A wide range of pediatric services are available, such as well-baby and well-child checkups, immunizations, routine physicals, diagnosis and treatment of illnesses, and management of allergies, asthma and ADHD.
Pediatrician Dr. Quetheline Lanza and Stephanie Howell, ARNP provide medical services for the practice.
Pediatric behavioral health services provided by a licensed clinical social worker include family counseling and assistance coping with issues such as ADHD, bullying, divorces and separations, trauma, adjusting to chronic medical conditions, anxiety and depression.
ECC Cantonment Pediatrics location also offers dental care for children and young adults, ages 0 to 20, and provides dental exams, dental X-rays, dental cleanings/dental hygiene, dental extractions, fillings and tooth restorations, dental sealants and fluoride varnish, and oral health education.
ECC Cantonment Pediatrics and Pediatric Dental Clinic is now accepting calls for medical and dental appointments Monday through Friday during business hours at 850-780-0111. Same-day appointments may be available for medical and dental appointments, depending on the clinic schedule. ECC is a Humana and Molina Medicaid provider, accepts DentaQuest dental coverage and many private insurances.
This is ECC’s second location in Cantonment. Adult primary care services are available at ECC’s Cantonment Medical Center, located at 748 Highway 29 in Cantonment.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
