Traffic Alert: Road Construction Trouble Spots For This Week
February 27, 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, Feb. 27 through Saturday, March 6. 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 between Q and A streets as crews perform median improvements and install poles for pedestrian traffic signals.
- 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 traffic pole foundations.
- Sorrento Road (State Road (S.R.) 292) Intersection Improvements at Innerarity Point (County Road (C.R.) 292A) – Motorists can expect intermittent daytime shoulder closures Monday, Feb. 28 through Friday, March 5, as crews place a watermain.
- North Ninth Avenue (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, Feb. 28 through Friday, March 4, as crews mobilize materials and equipment.
- Airport Boulevard (S.R. 750) Maintenance from West of Palafox Street to Davis Highway – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. the week of Monday, Feb. 28 as crews perform concrete operations.
- U.S. 98 (Garden Street) City of Pensacola Grand Mardi Gras Parade – Drivers will encounter road closures between A Street and Tarragona Street from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 26 for the City of Pensacola Grand Mardi Gras Parade.
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, Feb. 27 through Saturday, March 6. 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.
- U.S. 90 Simpson River Bridge Project: Motorists can expect intermittent and alternating lane restrictions from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. Monday, Feb. 28 through Friday, March 4 as crews install a barrier wall.
- 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, Feb. 28 as crews perform construction activities.
- U.S. 90 (Caroline Street) Routine Utility Maintenance at Avalon Boulevard – Eastbound traffic may encounter turn lane closure at Avalon Boulevard intersection from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, Feb. 25 and Saturday, Feb. 26, as crews perform utility work.
- U.S. 90 (Caroline Street) Routine Utility Maintenance from Avalon Boulevard to the Race Way – Eastbound traffic may encounter intermittent lane restrictions from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, Feb. 25 through Monday, Feb. 28 as crews perform utility work.
- U.S. 90 Routine Utility Maintenance at East Milton Road Intersection – Westbound traffic can expect turn lane closure at East Milton Road intersection from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, Feb. 25 through Monday, Feb. 28, as crews perform utility work.
All activities are weather-dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Doris Rose Boutwell
February 27, 2022
Mrs. Doris Rose Boutwell, age 97, passed away Friday, February 25, 2022 in Pensacola, FL. She has resided in Flomaton, AL; most of her life. She was a member of Gospel Light Temple Church.
To know Doris was to love her. She embodied life to the fullest and remained independent to the very end. She loved her Lord, church and family unconditionally.
Doris was a wonderful mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, cousin, niece, aunt and friend. A social butterfly, never meeting a stranger. Her passion for quilting, gardening, canning, cooking, and that famous delicious divinity candy were generously shared to all that knew her.
Doris was a hard worker and loved her job. She remained a loyal, dependable employee until the company closed and reluctantly retired in her late 70’s.
She often spoke fondly of her parents. One of her most favorite memories as a child was picking cotton along side her father. “She was a daddy’s girl”, she’d proudly say. She loved to make tomato gravy and biscuits, word cross puzzles, and good company.
Doris was humble, kind, meek, generous, forgiving, loving, patient, strong-willed, stubborn, tough as nails, independent, one of a kind “Beautiful Soul”.
Mrs. Boutwell is preceded in death by her parents, Archie Franklin McCurdy and Mamie Catherine Settles McCurdy, one son, Carlton Cook, one daughter, Angel Rose Maddox, two grandsons, John Wayne Hays Jr; Kenneth Sewell, one great -great grandson, Mason Ryals, six sisters, Mildred Johnson, Iona Busbee, Wilda Williams, Grace McCullough, Nita Pace, Hazel Coffee, and one brother, Everette McCurdy.
She is survived by her one daughter, Mary (John Wayne) Hays, of Coushatta, LA; daughter-in law, Marion Cook, of Cantonment, FL; seven grandchildren, twenty-two great grandchildren, twenty- three great-great grandchildren, other relatives and friends.
Funeral services will be held Monday, February 28, 2022 at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home LLC at 2:00 PM with Rev. Marion Williams officiating.
Burial will follow at MT. Carmel Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Monday, February 28, 2022 from 1:00 PM until service time at 2:00 PM at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home LLC.
Pallbearers will be Daniel Cook, Matthew Avirett, Justin Barlow, Darren Barlow, Darrell Wheeler, and Brian Avirett.
Honorary pallbearers will be John Wayne Hays, Sr; Nolan Webb, all nephews, and Joe Petty.
In lieu of flowers, family request that donations can be made to John Wayne Hays Jr. Bible Fund Hickory Grove Baptist Church 1911 Sigler St. Coushatta, LA. 71019.
United Way Day Of Caring Makes A Difference Across The Area (With Photo Gallery)
February 26, 2022
More than 500 volunteers fanned out across Escambia and Santa Rosa counties Friday from the United Way of West Florida’s 28th Annual Day of Caring.
This year 35 different companies and civic groups worked on Day of Caring projects to make the community stronger.
“Our team members are always quick to roger up when it comes to giving back,” said Todd Phillips, Mortgage Loans operations manager at Navy Federal Credit Union and UWWF board member. “United Way’s Day of Caring is truly a highlight of our year because we get to serve as boots on the ground in our communities and help where it’s needed most.”
Since 1993, United Way of West Florida has coordinated more than 28,000 volunteers to complete projects across Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
For a photo gallery, click here.
These were just a few of the North Escambia area related projects:
International Paper team members volunteering with United Way Day of Caring at Camp Fire Century Youth Learning Center. Volunteers spread and raked new sand on the playground and pressure washed the building and signs.
Navy Federal volunteers help sort books for Goodwill (with help from Florida Blue), worked in the warehouse at Feeding the Gulf Coast, and worked on playground preparation and landscaping at the therapy center at Santa Rosa Kids’ House. They also participated in other volunteer service across the area.
There were 16 volunteers Escambia River Electric Cooperative, Town of Jay, and United Way that worked on several projects at Jay Elementary School, including weeding, painting, pressure washing, picking up trash and putting up granite benches that had been donated by the classes of 1958 and 1959.
Pictured top and bottom: Volunteers from International Paper worked Friday morning at the Camp Fire Century Youth Learning Center. Pictured below: Navy Federal volunteers worked in the warehouse at Feeding the Gulf Coast. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Upper 40s Saturday Night; Chance Of Sunday Showers
February 26, 2022
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 48. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Sunday: A 40 percent chance of showers, mainly after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 63. Light north wind becoming northwest 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 41. North wind around 10 mph.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 63. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 41. North wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 68. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 42. North wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 72. North wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 44.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 76.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 47.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 78.
Escambia Woman Claims $1 Million Lottery Scratch-Off Prize
February 26, 2022
An Escambia County woman has claimed a $1 million top prize in the Florida Lottery’s The Fastest Round to $1,000,000 scratch off game.
Bridget Burgess, 51, chose to receive her winnings as a one-time, lump-sum payment of $790,000.
Burgess purchased her $30 winning scratch-off ticket from Barrancas Food Mart on Barrancas Avenue. The retailer will receive a $2,000 bonus commission for selling the winning ticket.
Man Wanted On Fentanyl And Firearms Charges
February 26, 2022
The Escambia County Sheriff’s office is looking for a man on fentanyl and firearms charges.
On February 23, the ECSO Narcotics Unit served a search warrant at the Pampered Paws Resort in the 4900 block of Mobile Highway. Once inside the pet business, ECSO investigators located a felony amount of fentanyl and five firearms. Investigators determined two of the five guns were stolen.
Cameron Eric Paulchek is wanted for trafficking fentanyl with intent to sell and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He is also wanted for an outstanding battery warrant.
Anyone with information about his whereabouts is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP or the ECSO at (850) 436-9620.
The ECSO has not detailed the connection between Paulchek and the business.
Tate Takes Two From Navarre; Escambia Sweeps Northview
February 26, 2022
The Tate Aggies swept two from Navarre Friday, while the Northview Chiefs dropped two to Escambia High.
Tate 10, Navarre 0
Fresh off a 10-0 shutout of Crestview Thursday night, the Tate Aggies shut out Navarre 10-0 Friday night.
Rilee Lowery went four innings, allowing one hit, no runs and striking out four. Ethan McAnally closed allowing one hit, no runs and striking out two.
Madox Land was 2-2 with three RBIs to lead the Aggies at the plate. Drew Reaves, Kirk Mosley, Clif Quiggins and Cade Kelly had one hit each.
Tate 5, Navarre 2 (JV)
The junior varsity Tate Aggies topped Navarre 5-2 Friday.
Gabe Patterson earned the win for the for the JV Aggies, going for three innings, allowing no runs on wo hits and striking out eight. Cameron Partick and Cole McNair closed in relief.
Anthony Longo led the Aggies at the plate, going 2-2. Patterson, Ketch King, Floyd and McNair each added a hit for Tate.
For more Tate varsity and JV photos, click here.
Escambia 4, Northview 3
The Escambia Gators got a late 4-3 win over the Northview Chiefs Friday night in Bratt.
Jamarcus Jefferson allowed five hits and two runs while striking out five in five and a third innings. Cason Burkett threw four and two thirds innings in relief.
Cason Burkett, Luke Bridges, Kaken Odom, Wyatt Scruggs and Trent Knighten had one hit apiece for the Chiefs.
Escambia 6, Northview 2 (JV)
The Northview Chiefs JV fell to Escambia 6-2 Friday.
In three innings, Northview’s C Allen allowed four hits and four runs while striking out three. C Mills allowed one hit and two runs and sat down one in one inning. J White threw one inning.
Pugh went 1-2 for Northview, and Mills was 1-1.
Pictured: Tate varsity and junior varsity beat Navarre Friday. Photos by Laura Glodfelter for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Boil Water Notice Lifted For Highway 297A Area
February 26, 2022
A boil water notice been lifted for ECUA customers in the area of Highway 297A due to a water main break Wednesday morning.
The boil water notice is no longer in effect for customers on Highway 297A and side streets from West Kingsfield Road south to Pinebrook Circle, also including Sceptor Court, Meander Lane, Meander Circle and Brookwood Place.
A 12-inch main at Highway 297A and Meander Lane was broken Wednesday morning.
Map: ECUA
New Weekly COVID-19 Cases In Escambia County Continue To Fall Sharply
February 26, 2022
The number of new COVID-19 cases in Escambia County continues to fall sharply.
There were 273 new COVID-19 cases reported over the last week in Escambia County, according to the Florida Department of Health and the CDC. There were 1,541 cases reported two weeks ago and 542 cases one week ago.
Here is the latest data from FDOH and the CDC:
Escambia County cases:
Total cases: 77,519 (+273)
Positivity rate last week: 7.1%
Current Case Rate per 100k: 83.5
People vaccinated: 170,440 (+134)
Full vaccination rate (age 5+): 58.5%
New hospital admissions: 71
Current hospitalizations (as of Friday): 66
Total deaths reported last 7 days: 0
Santa Rosa County cases:
Total cases: 99,025 (+203)
Positivity rate last week: 16.28%
Current Case Rate per 100k: 108.6
People vaccinated: 99,025 (+74)
Full vaccination rate (age 5+): 56.5%
New hospital admissions: 13
Total deaths last 7 days: 0
Statewide cases:
Florida resident cases: 5,800,561 (+25,640)
Case positivity rate: 5.6%
Case Rate per 100k: 193.3
Deaths: 69,790 (+119)
Data sources: CDC, Florida Department of Health, Escambia County
George Robert Underwood
February 26, 2022
George Robert Underwood passed away Thursday, February 10, 2022, after a twelve-year battle with Alzheimer’s Disease. While the Disease took its toll on his body and mind, it couldn’t break his spirit, take his smile, laughter, or the love he had for his wife of 30 years Marsha Smith Underwood.
George was a proud United States Marine and the epitome of a modern-day John Wayne – fair, loyal, tough, and courageous. He was never petty, never shirked a task, never went looking for a fight, but never backed down from one either. As Captain of the Uniform Patrol Division the Pensacola Police Department he was proud to mentoring rookie officers and always had your back. If you worked for the Pensacola Police Department between 1970 and 1997, George Underwood knew your name and was one of the first people to wish you Happy Birthday every year. He inspired hundreds of Police Officers to be better human beings by his words and example. He was one of the finest Captains to ever serve in the storied history of the Pensacola Police Department.
Born on August 1, 1934 in Newark, New Jersey to John J. Underwood, Jr., and Helen Underwood, he grew up working at his father’s gas station and playing football and basketball. Despite spending his youth in the north, he did not like snow. Upon graduation from high school, he attended Community College in New Jersey before enlisting in the United States Marine Corps in 1953. While in the Marines he was assigned to several different security positions which kindled an interest in law enforcement.
George began his career in law enforcement walking a beat in Washington D.C. in 1960. He did not have a patrol car so any suspects he apprehended were handcuffed to light poles or parking meters while he walked to the nearest call box to call for a paddy wagon. From D.C. he served as a U.S. Border Patrol agent in Harlingen, Texas, where he discovered that he did not like riding horses. His next stop was a job as a police officer in Oakland, California.
In late 1967, George left Oakland and returned to Pensacola. In 1970 he was hired by the Police Department where he would spend the next 28 years of his professional life and meet the love of his life. Along the way he earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of West Florida in 1974 and a Master of Science Degree in Criminal Justice from Troy State University in 1977. He is a 1975 Graduate of the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia. More importantly he raised a son, Kenneth B. Underwood and daughter, Sheila J. Underwood, whom he loved dutifully and dearly.
His hard work, competence, loyalty, and persistence translated into a meteoric rise in the ranks of the Pensacola Police Department. In 1978 while a Sargent of the Detective Bureau he oversaw the most famous arrest in Pensacola history – the capture of serial killer Ted Bundy. George was among the group that led the handcuffed killer into the Escambia County Courthouse. In what seemed like a blink of an eye, he became Captain of the largest Division of the Department – the Uniformed Patrol Division where he oversaw 100 officers. One of the more stressful and difficult divisions, George was known as a tough, but fair Captain who would vigorously defend an officer he felt was in the right. George had a profound impact on the lives of countless police officers. His contributions to the Department are too numerous and varied to list. At his retirement in 1997 the Department honored him by naming the road around the Pensacola Police Department “George Underwood Way.”
Married in 1990, George Underwood and Marsha Smith became “George & Marsha.” George & Marsha loved to be together and loved the outdoors. After borrowing a tent from friends to go on a campout they graduated to a pop-up camper, then a series of recreational vehicles. George enjoyed campground life and wherever they travelled he never met a stranger. Never afraid of adventure, in 1999-2000 they hosted a Brazilian exchange student Gustavo Seabra who they regard as their “Brazilian Son.” After retirement George & Marsha said goodbye to their RV and bought a chalet in Pine Mountain, Georgia. George & Marsha loved Pine Mountain where they spent time relaxing together and with family – fishing, cooking, sight-seeing, chasing dogs, and watching the Atlanta Braves. George kept a journal recounting the adventures of each day they spent together at the chalet.
George’s influence extended beyond law enforcement deep into the community including service on the Board of Directors for the Northwest Florida Crippled Children’s Association (now known as the New Horizons of Northwest Florida) and the Escambia AIDS Services and Education Board. He was an active Lifetime member of the Marine Corps League Pensacola J.R. Spears Jr. Chapter #66. George donated gallons of Blood throughout his life and after seeing the loving care his son Kenneth received from Hospice at the end of his life, George became a tireless volunteer and advocate for Hospice – not one for the spotlight, George led as he always did through service – taking out the garbage, making coffee, and visiting with the families of patients – especially veterans. For his work in law enforcement and the community he was recognized with a Distinguished Service Award from the Council on Crime and Delinquency in 1995. In typical George fashion, when asked about the honor he said simply, “I guess they couldn’t think of anyone else to give it to.” Truth told – there was no one more deserving.
George is preceded in death by his parents, John J. and Helen Underwood and his son Kenneth B. Underwood.
He is survived by his wife Marsha, his daughter Sheila J. Underwood of Pace; his mother-in-law, Betty Horne Smith of Pensacola; his “Brazilian Son” Gustavo Seabra of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; his brother and sister-in-law Tom & Dinah Remington of Santa Rosa Beach Florida and his nephews & nieces: Scott & Amie Remington (Pensacola); Mary Blake & Kirby Williams (Santa Rosa Beach); Betsy & Pat Hart (Pensacola); Sara Smith (Colorado Springs, CO) and Nick Smith (San Francisco, CA); great-nieces & nephews, Virginia Remington, Betsy Williams, Mac Williams, James Williams, Tom Remington, Harry Remington, Mary Scott Hart, Libby Hart, and Chris Hart. He will be missed by his Pensacola Police Department Family, countless friends, community members, his family, and most of all his beloved Marsha.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to the Caregivers at The Residence and YourLife Memory Care Facilities for their love and care for George.
If you knew George – then you know he would not want his obituary to exclude the following advice: keep your eyes open and your back to the wall.
A memorial service will be held 1:00pm Thursday, March 3, 2022 at Gadsden Street United Methodist Church in Pensacola, followed by Police Honor Guard escort to Barrancas National Cemetery on-board Pensacola Naval Air Station for internment with full military honors by the United States Marine Corps.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in George’s name to Gadsden Street United Methodist Church, 901 East Gadsden Street, Pensacola, Florida 32503