Dennis Alvin Garrett

December 4, 2017

Mr. Dennis Alvin Garrett, Jr., 51, passed away Tuesday, November 28, 2017 in Pensacola, Florida.

Mr. Garrett was native and former resident of Bay Springs, FL and has resided in Molino, FL for the past 8 years. He was a retired LPN with 24 years of service and was a barber for two years. He is preceded in death by his grandparents, Samuel A. “Butch” Garrett and Henson & Cannie Hayles.

He is survived by his father & step-mother, Dennis A. and Sara Garrett, Sr. of Walnut Hill, FL, mother, Sarah Hayles Garrett of Poarch, AL; wife, Sue Gulsby Garrett of Molino, FL; one step-son, Gabe Rhea of Molino, FL; one step-daughter, Susan Wyse-Wright of Molino, LF; two brothers, Jamie Lynn (Tracy) Garrett of Pineville, FL and William David Garrett of Pensacola, FL; grandmother, Mary Lee Garrett of Bay Springs, FL; one grandchild, Lyndzi Wright; one niece, Saige Garrett; two nephews, Blayne Garrett and Lucas White and two very special friends, Oliver Sledge and Anita Pugh. He had many, many friends and coworkers from his nursing days in New Orleans at Lakeland Hospital and Tulane Medical Center.

Funeral services will be Tuesday, December 5, 2017 at 2:00 PM at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Rev. Kenny Johnson and Rev. Craig Hayles officiating.

Burial will follow at the Bay Springs Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Johnny Ryland, Ronny Ryland, Joe Grim, Aaron Dagen, Adam Bolen, Brian Hall and Larry Hayles.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Bill Gulsby, Wayne Gulsby, Oliver Sledge, Wendell O. Hall and Dr. William Shane Harigel.

Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes, LLC is in charge of all arrangements in Atmore, Alabama.

FDOT: Weekly Traffic Alerts

December 4, 2017

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) Routine Bridge Maintenance over Bay Center Parking Lot- The southbound, right lane will be closed over Bay Center parking lot from 8 p.m. Monday, Dec. 4 to 5 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 5 as crews repair bridge joints.
  • U.S. 98 (Chase Street) over State (S.R.) Road 291 (Alcaniz Street) Routine Maintenance- Traffic on Chase Street will be reduced to one lane over Alcaniz Street from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday, December 4 and Tuesday, Dec. 5 as crews replace joints on the overpass.
  • U.S. 98 (Pensacola Bay Bridge) Routine Maintenance- East and Westbound traffic can expect intermittent lane restrictions from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 5 and Wednesday, Dec. 6 as crews repair overhead lighting on the bridge.
  • U.S. 98 (S.R. 30) Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – Alternating lane closures on U.S. 98 east and westbound (Bayfront Parkway), from 14th Avenue to the Gulf Breeze side of the bridge, from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday, Nov. 27 through Saturday, Dec. 2 as crew’s place pavement markings, pour concrete, and perform bridge repairs.
  • S.R. 4 over Wilson Branch Creek and East Relief Routine Bridge Maintenance- Eastbound traffic on S.R. 4 can expect lane restrictions to occur from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 12 as crews perform a routine inspection on the bridges located over Wilson Branch Creek, 2.7 miles east of U.S. 29 and East Relief, three miles east of U.S. 29.
  • I-10/U.S. 29 Interchange Improvements Phase I – The following traffic impacts are planned on I-10 and U.S. 29 near the interchange (Exits 10A and 10B) from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Monday, Nov. 27 through Thursday, Nov. 30:
    • Alternating east and westbound I-10 and north and southbound U.S. 29 lane closures.
    • The U.S. 29 on-ramps to I-10 eastbound will be intermittently closed. Traffic will be detoured on U.S. 29 to access I-10 eastbound.
    • The exit ramp from I-10 westbound to U.S. 29 south (Exit 10A) will be intermittently closed. Traffic will be detoured to U.S. 29 north (Exit 10B).
    • Alternating lane closures on the I-10 westbound exit ramp to U.S. 29 north (Exit 10B).
  • U.S. 29 Widening from I-10 to Nine Mile Road- Drivers traveling U.S. 29 and Nine Mile Road will encounter traffic pattern changes from 8 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 3 through Saturday, Dec. 9 as follows:
    • Nine Mile Road at the U.S. 29 overpass: The nightly eas­tbound traffic shift onto the westbound inside travel lane continue as crews prepare the area for construction of the support column for the new center bridge deck.
    • U.S. 29 between I-10 and 9 1/2 Mile Road: Drivers may experience alternating lane closures as crews perform drainage operations.
  • S.R. 742 (Creighton Road) Construction Improvement Project from east of Davis Highway to Scenic Highway – Intermittent and alternating lane closures between Davis Highway and Scenic Highway from 8:30 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 3 through Saturday, Dec. 9 continue as crews perform milling and paving operations, curb replacement, sidewalk repairs, and Americans with Disabilities Act upgrades.
  • 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:

  • S.R. 87 (Steward Street) at U.S. 90 (Caroline Street) northbound to Dogwood Drive- S.R. 87 will be closed at U.S. 90 to Dogwood Drive for parade festivities Saturday, Dec. 2 from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m.  Law enforcement will be on site. Drivers use caution.
  • U.S. 98 (S.R. 30) Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – Alternating lane closures on U.S. 98 east and westbound, from the Pensacola side of the bridge to Bay Bridge Drive in Gulf Breeze, from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday, Dec. 4 through Saturday, Dec. 9 as crews place pavement markings, pour concrete, and perform bridge repairs.
  • I-10 Widening from Escambia Bay Bridge to Avalon Boulevard (S.R. 281/Exit 22) - Alternating lane closures on I-10, from the Escambia Bay Bridge to east of S.R. 281 (Avalon Boulevard/Exit 22), from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 3 through Friday, Dec. 8 as crews work to widen the roadway. In addition, alternating lane closures on Avalon Boulevard, near the I-10 interchange, as crews reconstruct the overpass.
  • U.S. 90 Turn Lane Construction between Shadow Oak Lane and Spears Street- The westbound lane will be restricted between Shadow Oak Lane and Spears Street from 8 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 5 and 5 a.m., Wednesday, Dec. 6 as crews install pavement markers and construct new right turn lane
  • S.R. 87 Multilane from Eglin AFB boundary to Hickory Hammock Road – Traffic between County Road 184 (Hickory Hammock Road) and the Eglin AFB boundary is restricted to loads less than 11-feet wide. The restriction will be in place until the project is complete.
  • U.S. 90 Roadway Testing over Simpson River- Beginning Monday, Dec. 11 and continuing through Thursday, Dec. 21 east and westbound traffic over Simpson River can expect intermittent lane restrictions from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday through Thursday as crews perform roadway testing.
  • S.R. 87 Pipe Maintenance from Laredo Street to Nevada Street- Drivers can expect intermittent lane restrictions from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday through Thursday as crews continue to seal and line existing pipes.

All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or re-scheduled in the event of inclement weather. Drivers are reminded to use caution, especially at night, when traveling through a work zone and to watch for construction workers and equipment entering and exiting the roadway.

Cars Collide On Canoe Creek Bridge

December 3, 2017

Two vehicles collided on the Highway 4 Canoe Creek bridge between Bratt and Byrneville Saturday night.

The cars were traveling in opposing directions as they sideswiped after one crossed the center line. The adult male driver of one vehicle as transported by Escambia County EMS to Atmore Community Hospital with injuries that were not considered serious. The elderly male driver of the second vehicle refused transport to the hospital.

The vehicles came to rest off opposite ends of the bridge about a quarter mile apart.

The accident is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. Names and further details have not been released.

The Century and Walnut Hill Stations of Escambia Fire Rescue also responded.

NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.

Sunny And Warm To Start The Week, Maybe A Light Freeze By Week’s End

December 3, 2017

Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:

Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 71. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph.

Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 53. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph.

Monday: Partly sunny, with a high near 76. Light east wind becoming southeast 5 to 10 mph in the morning.

Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62. Southeast wind around 5 mph.

Tuesday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 75. South wind 5 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Tuesday Night: Rain. Low around 47. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming north after midnight. Chance of precipitatTuesday Night: Rain. Low around 47. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming north after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 80%.

Wednesday: A 50 percent chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 55. North wind 5 to 10 mph.

Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 36. North wind around 5 mph.

Thursday: A 20 percent chance of rain. Partly sunny, with a high near 55.

Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of rain. Partly cloudy, with a low around 33.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 55.

Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 32.

Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 56.

Molino Holds Annual Christmas Parade (With Photo Gallery)

December 3, 2017

The annual Molino Christmas Parade was held Saturday morning on Crabtree Church Road. After the parade, Santa Claus met with lots of good boys and girls at the Molino Ballpark.

Sponsored by the Molino Recreation Association, proceeds from the parade are used to benefit needy children in the Molino area during the Christmas season.

For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery, click here.

Pictured: The annual Molino Christmas Parade Saturday morning. NorthEscambia.com by Jo Ann Hope, Haley Smith, Dara Estrin, Crystal Godwin and Kellie Odom, click to enlarge.



UWF Argos Beat UWA, 28-21 To Head To National Semifinals

December 3, 2017

The slipper still fits for the UWF football team.

The Argonauts erased a 7-point deficit with a dominating 25-minute stretch of play on both sides of the ball before stopping a late push by the 17th-ranked and top-seeded Tigers for a 28-21 win in the NCAA Division II Super Regional Two Championship.

UWF (10-3) won its fifth-consecutive game in just its 24th game all-time to advance to next Saturday’s national semifinals against No. 1/3 Indiana University of Pennsylvania (13-0). The Crimson Hawks scored with just over a minute to play to defeat Assumption, 27-22, for the Super Regional One title. Kickoff at George P. Miller Stadium in Indiana, Pennsylvania is at Noon Eastern Time.

Freshman quarterback Mike Beaudry threw for 247 yards on 18-of-29 passing with two touchdowns. He was particularly effective in the second half, totaling 134 yards on 9-of-12 with both scoring strikes.

As it has done during the entire postseason, the UWF defense turned up the intensity when it mattered most, holding West Alabama to 20 yards in the third quarter and a combined three 3-and-outs and a 4-and-out while building the 14-point lead.

The Argos held the Tigers to a season-low scoring total, well below their average of 38.3 points per game. Johnathan Coleman led the defense with a career-high 16 tackles. He has 50 stops with six sacks in the last five games.

Freshman Ka’Ron Ashley had a career-high game, finishing with six receptions for 138 yards and a touchdown. His two biggest plays came on the fourth quarter drive that put UWF ahead 28-14. He out-jumped his man on a 26-yard third-and-11 play to keep the drive alive before grabbing a 43-yarder a play later that put the ball at the two. Chris Schwarz scored a play later to give the Argonauts a cushion with 6:27 to play.

For his part, Schwarz ran down hill for much of the second half, picking up 53 yards on 14 carries after the intermission. He ended the game with 68 yards on 20 rushes. UWF had 133 yards on the ground and a 3.8 yards per rush.

Freshman Anthony Johnson had 59 yards on eight carries. He sparked the comeback with a 40-yard touchdown run on UWF’s first offensive play of the second half. Earlier in the game, his 2-yard run in the first quarter tied it at 7-7.

West Alabama (10-3) ended with 331 yards of total offense. The Tigers had 86 yards on their final two possessions. Harry Satterwhite threw for 225 yards on 19-of-36 with two touchdowns. Both quarterbacks were sacked twice.

A Gulf South Conference team has now represented Super Regional 2 in 14 of the past 16 years. Prior to Saturday’s outcome, the GSC was the only conference with two teams remaining in the Division II playoff.

Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to

Photo Gallery: Flomaton Christmas Parade

December 3, 2017

The annual Christmas Parade rolled through the streets of Flomaton Saturday morning. The parade featured floats, vehicles, the Flomaton High School cheerleaders and band,  plenty of candy throws and Santa Claus.

For a photo gallery, click here.

NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.

December’s First Fire: Two Red Bulbs Lit After Escambia Fires

December 3, 2017

Two red bulbs have been lit in a local fire safety wreath campaign representing residential fires in Escambia County.

Aloha Lane in Beulah

A structure fire on the 9700 block of Aloha Lane in Beulah is represented by the first red bulb on the “Keep the Wreath Green” fire safety wreath. Escambia County911  received a phone call reporting the residential fire at 4 a.m. Saturday. Crews arrived on scene at 4:06 a.m. to find a working fire covering approximately 75 percent of the single-wide mobile home.

Escambia Fire Rescue and NAS Pensacola firefighters responded and the fire was called under control at 4:30 a.m., with the home a total loss. The fire displaced one adult who is being assisted by the American Red Cross. No injuries were reported and the Florida State Fire Marshal is investigating the cause of the fire.

8300 block of Gardenia Circle

A fire in the 8300 block of Gardenia Circle is the second red bulb on the “Keep the Wreath Green” fire safety wreath. Escambia County Emergency Communications received a phone call reporting a kitchen fire in a single story multi-residential building at 1:55 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 3. Escambia Fire Rescue crews arrived on scene at 2 a.m. to find moderate smoke showing from the roof.

The fire was called under control at 2:22 a.m., with the unit a total loss. The fire displaced one adult and one child who are being assisted by the American Red Cross. No injuries were reported.

The cause of the fire was unattended cooking.

The “Keep the Wreath Green” fire safety campaign is a collaborative initiative with the city of Pensacola to promote fire safety during the month of December. During the month-long campaign, five-foot wreaths are on display at 18 county fire stations and five city fire stations, with wreaths also placed outside Escambia County’s Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building downtown, the Escambia County Public Safety Building, Pensacola City Hall and Cordova Mall near the food court entrance. Each time firefighters respond to a residential fire with damage, a green light bulb will be replaced with a red one to remind citizens of the dangers posed by fires in residential home.

One Injured In Molino Rollover Wreck

December 3, 2017

One person was injured in a single vehicle rollover crash about 11:37 Saturday night at the intersection of Highway 196 and Highway 95A in Molino. The injured driver was transported by Escambia County EMS to a Pensacola area hospital. The accident remains under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. The Molino Station of Escambia Fire Rescue also responded to the crash. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.

Who Needs Reindeer? Santa Arrives In Blue Angels F/A-18 Hornet

December 3, 2017

Who needs Rudolph and those tiny little reindeer when you have a Blue Angels F/A-18 Hornet? The U.S. Navy and Marine Corp welcome Santa and his helpers to Pensacola to spend time with Blue Angels families on Saturday. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

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