Here Are This Week’s Road Construction Traffic Trouble Spots
January 22, 2023
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 10 (I-10) Escambia County Welcome Center – The middle car parking lot at the Escambia County Interstate 10 (I-10) Welcome Center, located at mile marker four, is temporarily closed for construction. The front car parking lot and truck parking area remain open. As work progresses, sections of the sidewalk will continue to be closed to allow crews to upgrade the sidewalks and curbs to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements. Directional signage will be in place to guide pedestrians while the sidewalks are under construction.
- U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures and lane shifts on the Pensacola Bay Bridge Sunday, Jan. 22 through Saturday, Jan. 28 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Crews will be using lanes on the current bridge as a platform to perform miscellaneous construction activities on the westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) structure.
- Pace Boulevard from Barrancas Avenue to Massachusetts Avenue – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures and sidewalk closures on Pace Boulevard and side streets between Barrancas Avenue and North Palafox Street (U.S. 29) Sunday, Jan. 22 through Thursday, Jan. 26 from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. The work will allow crews to perform paving operations as well as sidewalk and curb improvements. Pedestrians will be detoured to the signalized intersections to access the sidewalks on the other side of Pace Boulevard.
- East Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90A) from Chemstrand Road to East of Baldridge Drive – The bicycle lanes are temporarily closed to allow crews to widen the turn lanes and construct new five-foot bicycle lanes. In addition, the speed limit on this section of East Nine Mile Road has been reduced from 45 mph to 35 mph as vehicles and bicycles will share the roadway. The closure and speed limit reduction will be in place until the project is complete next summer.
- Pensacola Boulevard (U.S. 29) from Brent Lane (State Road (S.R.) 296) to North of I-10 – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures Sunday, Jan. 22 through Thursday, Jan. 26 from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. as crews pave the roadway.
- Lillian Highway (S.R. 298) from North of U.S. 98 to East of Fairfield Drive (S.R. 727) and Lillian Highway at Blue Angel Parkway (S.R. 173) – Drivers may encounter intermittent lane closures from U.S. 98 and Blue Angel Parkway, Monday, Jan. 23 through Friday, Jan. 27 from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. for drainage improvements and erosion control operations.
- Navy Boulevard (S.R. 295) from North of the Bayou Grande Bridge to Gulf Beach Highway/Barrancas Avenue (S.R. 292) – Drivers may encounter outside southbound lane closures on Navy Boulevard, from Barrancas Avenue to the Bayou Grande Bridge, Friday, Jan 23 through Friday, Jan. 27 from 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. while crews remove and replace existing concrete curb and gutter.
- Sorrento Road (S.R. 292) Resurfacing from the Theo Baars Bridge to Bauer Road – Drivers may encounter intermittent nighttime lane closures and lane shifts at the Sorrento Road and Bauer Road intersection as crews install drainage pipe. Flagging operations will be in place to direct drivers.
- U.S. 90 Routine Bridge Maintenance over the Escambia River Bridge – Motorists may encounter intermittent lane closures east of U.S. 29 Wednesday, Jan. 25 and Thursday, Jan. 26 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. for routine bridge maintenance.
- U.S. 29 Routine Bridge Maintenance over Mitchell Creek – Motorists may encounter intermittent lane closures north of S.R. 97 from 8 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 25 to 4 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 26 for routine bridge maintenance.
- U.S. 29 Routine Bridge Maintenance over Canoe Creek – Motorists may encounter intermittent lane closures north of S.R. 97 from 8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 26 to 4 a.m. Friday, Jan. 27 for routine bridge maintenance.
Santa Rosa County:
- Pensacola Bay Bridge (U.S. 98) Replacement – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures and lane shifts on the Pensacola Bay Bridge Sunday, Jan. 22 through Saturday, Jan. 28 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Crews will be using lanes on the current bridge as a platform to perform miscellaneous construction activities on the westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) structure.
- U.S. 90 Bridge Replacement over Simpson River - Construction crews have temporarily shifted eastbound traffic to the westbound bridge over Simpson River. The shift is expected to be in place through March 2023. During this time, there will be two westbound lanes and one eastbound travel lane using the westbound bridge. Due to the traffic shift, there will not be dedicated bike lanes on the bridge. Drivers are urged to use extra caution as they will be temporarily sharing the bridge with cyclists. Drivers are also reminded that the speed limit is 35 mph through the work zone.
- U.S. 98 Widening from Bayshore Road to Portside Drive – Motorists will encounter the following traffic impacts:
- The median crossover at the intersection of Bayshore Road and U.S. 98 will remain closed to perform necessary road widening activities.
- Median and turn-lane closures from Bayshore Road to Tiger Point Drive.
- Intermittent lane closures and additional median closures between S.R. 281 and Bayshore Road Sunday, Jan. 22, through Friday, Jan. 27, from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for stormwater drainage improvements and paving operations.
- Settlers Colony Boulevard will remain closed to complete necessary drainage improvements. Motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians will access Settlers Colony Boulevard via Venetian Way and Coronado Drive. Detour signs will be in place. Residents may experience noise, vibrations, and dust during daytime hours as part of this drainage improvement effort.
- Gulf Breeze Parkway (U.S. 98) Turn Lane Operations at the Corner of S.R. 399 – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures Monday, Jan. 23 through Friday, Feb. 10 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. for turn lane construction at the new Cefco.
All activities are weather-dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Two EREC Team Members Complete Certified Journeymen Linemen Program
January 21, 2023
Two Escambia River Electric Cooperative team members are now certified journeymen linemen.
Kyle Strickling and Tyler Prescott completed the rigorous lineman apprenticeship program through the Tennessee Valley Public Power Association.
“We are very proud of the hard work and time spent by these guys,” says Ryan Campbell, CEO of EREC. “Without the exceptional dedication and commitment of these hardworking men, we simply would not have the reliable electricity that we need for everyday life.”
Becoming a journeyman lineworker can take more than 7,000 hours of training because working with high-voltage equipment requires specialized skills, experience, and ongoing mental toughness. Shortcuts are not an option and there is no room for error in this line of work.
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Middle School Dean Arrested For Soliciting Sex From A Student
January 21, 2023
The dean at Warrington Middle School is facing multiple sex offense charges for allegedly soliciting sex from an underage male student.
Darreyel Devahn Laster, 33, was charged with lewd and lascivious behavior involving a person under the age of 18, using a computer to seduce or solicit a child, and committing a sex act. He was released on a $75,000 bond.
Laster was dean when the student attended Warrington Middle School and later saw him at Escambia High School, an arrest report states.
The student said “he was being provided marijuana and alcohol along with being asked to perform or receive (a sexual act) from his former (redacted) dean, Darreyel Laster”. Laster later gave him a bag of marijuana “and smoked some with him later that day,” according to the report.
“While smoking together, Darreyel Laster tried to get (the student) to let him perform oral sex on him,” the report states. Laster allegedly went to the student’s home and left alcoholic beverages outside his window, texting and asking him to “check by your window”.
At one point, investigators said Laster touched the student in a “provocative manner” and “caressed” his arm.
The student blocked Laster’s phone number, but he reportedly kept texting him using different numbers.
With an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office investigator listening and recording the call, the student called Laster back early Thursday morning. According to the arrest report, Laster agreed during the conversation to a sexual act with the student.
According to Escambia County Public Schools, Laster resigned Thursday afternoon and is no longer employed by the district. He was hired in December 2021 as the Warrington Middle dean. He has not worked at any other schools in the district.
Funeral Services Held For Local Pearl Harbor Survivor Frank Emond, 104
January 21, 2023
Funeral services were held Friday for local Pearl Harbor survivor Frank Emond who passed away January 10 at age 104.
Following the funeral service at Oak Lawn Funeral Home, a graveside service was held at Barrancas National Cemetery.
Originally from Rhode Island, Emond enlisted in the Navy in 1938 as a musician. He played the French horn for the ship’s band and even got to perform at the 1939 World’s Fair in New York before he was assigned to the USS USS Pennsylvania. CWO4 USN (RET.) Emond, spent his naval career as a musician and band director. He was on the stern of the USS Pennsylvania (BB-38) getting ready to play morning “Colors” on his French horn when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. Emond then walked to the conductor’s stand, picked up the baton and proceeded to direct the band in “Stars and Stripes”.
After seven years of playing horn, he became a Navy bandleader, retiring in 1968.
He remained a music man; sometimes leading the music at Gonzalez Methodist and performing with the Pensacola Civic Band.
Last May, Emond broke his own world record when he led the Pensacola Civic Band in the seventh annual Pensacola Memorial Day Concert at the Community Maritime Park amphitheater.
He held the Guinness World Record as “World’s Oldest Conductor” for leading the U.S. Air Force Band’s Airmen of Note in Glenn Miller’s iconic “In the Mood” at the American Veteran Center’s “America Valor: A Salute to our Heroes”. He set the previous record at age 103 last November in Washington, D.C.
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District Leader Tate Beats Pace 46-38 (With Gallery)
January 21, 2023
The Tate Aggies beat the Pace Patriots 46-38 Friday night in Cantonment.
The Aggies took an 11-9 lead in the first period.
For a photo gallery, click or tap here.
With the win, Tate improved to 12-4 overall and 5-1 to lead 6A District 1. Pace fell to 00-9, 3-4 in the district.
Tate will travel to West Florida next Tuesday before hosting Pein Forest on Thursday.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Rising Temps And Rain Tonight; More Rain For Sunday
January 21, 2023
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Patchy fog after midnight. Temperature rising to around 62 by 5am. East wind 10 to 15 mph becoming south after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
Sunday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm, mainly before 3pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 3pm. Patchy fog before 8am. High near 65. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph becoming west in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 40. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 56. North wind 5 to 15 mph.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 36. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday: A 30 percent chance of showers after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 62. East wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Tuesday Night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Low around 52. Windy, with an east wind 15 to 25 mph becoming southwest after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 40 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
Wednesday: A 30 percent chance of showers before noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 62. Windy, with a west wind 15 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 37.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 53.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 33.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 57.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 36.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 62.
JV: Pace Goes Ahead To Upend Tate In OT (With Gallery)
January 21, 2023
The Pace Patriots pulled ahead in overtime to upend the Tate Aggie 42-38 Friday night,
For a photo gallery, click or tap here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Florida Arbor Day Trees Gone In Minutes During Century Tree Giveaway
January 21, 2023
The Florida Forest Service and the Town of Century distributed 125 trees in just a few minutes during a Florida Arbor Day tree giveaway Friday morning.
“We had a big turnout,” Century Mayor Ben Boutwell said. A line had formed by start time, and most of the trees were gone, two per person, in about 10 minutes.
Live oak, red maple, mayhaw, red cedar and dahoon holly were available in Century. The red maple trees were the most popular.
For more photos, click or tap here.
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Ashton Brosnaham Park To Get $2.7 Million Locker, Multipurpose Building
January 20, 2023
The county will construct a new $2.7 million multiuse locker room facility at Ashton Brosnaham Park.
At a Thursday meeting, the Escambia County Commission approved a $2,714,510 contracted with AAA Affordable Structures for the two-story building (plans below) to meet the growing needs at the park off East 10 Mile Road.
Ashton Brosnaham has become a popular venue, hosting everything from the nationally televised SEC Women’s Soccer Tournament and other sporting events to birthday parties, family reunions and group meetings.
The open area within the new building will be suited for additional team lockers for those larger sporting events, and also compatible with the other activities.
The SEC Women’s Soccer Tournament will return to the park this fall. Last year’s event set attendance records. According to the SEC, there were 3,025 in attendance — the largest crowd for a game in the 37 years of SEC women’s soccer. The overall tournament also set a SEC record with 10,450 total fans. Escambia County will host the SEC Soccer Tournament through 2024.
And there’s another benefit from the tournament, the parks director said. Now that the tournament is packed up and gone for a year, upgrades to the facilities at Ashton Brosnaham remain to benefit local residents. There’s new turf on the stadium field, enhancements on the practice field, new fencing around the perimeter of the field along with other improvements.
“We made a lot of enhancements to brighten the facility. The SEC is here one week out of the year, but for 365 days a year our job is to serve the residents and the soccer community, Escambia County Parks and Recreation Director Michael Rhodes said after the tournament. “We know they (local players) are going to be proud, and they’ll always be able to say that they’re playing at the venue that the SEC Soccer Tournament was held at.”
The modular-type building is expected to be completed in August.
RELATED:
- SEC Soccer Tournament Sets Attendance Records, Provides Local Economic Boost
- South Carolina Upsets No. 1 Seed Alabama For SEC Tournament Title (With Photo Gallery)
- Ole Miss Shuts Out LSU; Mississippi State Tops Texas A&M. And Escambia County Wins In SEC Tourney Day One
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Escambia Fire Captain Joel Richardson Named Florida’s Instructor of the Year
January 20, 2023
Escambia County Fire Rescue Captain Joel Richardson has been named the 2022 Instructor of the Year by the Florida Fire Chiefs’ Association. The Florida Rapid Intervention Training Operations Group, a training organization instructing the FFCA since 2012, was also recognized for the award alongside Richardson.
Richardson joined ECFR in October 2009. He was promoted to lieutenant in 2012 and to captain in September 2022. Since then, he has served as the training/safety captain for ECFR. He has been a member of the Florida Rapid Intervention Team (RIT) Operations Group since its inception in 2012 and has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to training and mentoring firefighters in Escambia County and the state of Florida.
“The recognition of Captain Richardson at this level is an attestation of the hard work on and off duty that the men and women of ECFR put in every day to serve the citizens and visitors of Escambia County,” said Fire Chief Jason Catrambone. “Congratulations to Captain Richardson and the Florida RIT Operations Group.”
Each year, the Florida RIT Operations Group holds a competition throughout the state to reemphasize the basic Rapid Intervention Team elements of saving firefighters when in trouble or trapped. These skills include search and rescue, victim removal, radio communications, command and control, and aspects of firefighter survival. ECFR members are part of Florida RIT Operations Group and participate in the annual Fire Rescue EAST Conference in Daytona Beach.
“Escambia County Fire Rescue is fortunate to have such a great team as part of the organization and having three of our officer staff receiving awards is a testament to the great leaders we have,” said Deputy Fire Chief Paul Williams. “The entire organization is made up of men and women dedicated to the fire service and top-notch professionals.”
Richardson and the Florida RIT Operations Group were formally recognized during a ceremony at Fire-Rescue EAST in Daytona Beach on Wednesday.
Richardson’s and the Florida RIT Operations Group’s recognition continues a streak of honors for ECFR. Last month, ECFR’s Lt. Nick Gradia was recognized as the 2022 Professional Firefighter of the Year by the Florida State Fire Marshal’s Office. And ECFR’s Assistant District Chief Yoshimi Core was named the 2022 Volunteer Fire Officer of the Year by the Florida Fire Chiefs’ Association.