Lipscomb Elementary’s Teacher Of The Year Is Holly Griffin
January 16, 2023
Holly Griffin is the Lipscomb Elementary School Teacher of the Year. She is a fifth grade teacher.
NorthEscambia.com spotlighting Teachers of the Year from the North Escambia area. The county’s overall teacher of the year will be named in late January.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Woman Dies After Medical Episode, Crashing Into Tree, FHP Says
January 16, 2023
A 65-year old Escambia County woman is dead after crashing into a pole Sunday, and troopers say she may have experienced a medical problem prior to the crash.
It happened about 10:30 a.m. at the Admiral Mobile Home Park on Lillian Highway.
“It is believed the 65-year-old female driver of a Kia Forte, from Pensacola, suffered a medical episode prior to crashing her vehicle into a pole, resulting in minor damage,” the Florida Highway Patrol said. “The driver was transported to an area hospital where she was pronounced deceased.”
The investigation is continuing.
Small Rain Chance Monday Night, Tuesday
January 16, 2023
Here is your official Martin Luther King, Jr. Day forecast from NorthEscambia.com:
Tonight: A 20 percent chance of showers. Patchy fog after midnight. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 56. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tuesday: A 20 percent chance of showers before noon. Patchy fog before 8am. Otherwise, partly sunny, with a high near 74. Southwest wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Tuesday Night: Patchy fog after midnight. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 59. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Wednesday: A 40 percent chance of showers, mainly after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 75. South wind 5 to 10 mph increasing to 10 to 15 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph.
Wednesday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 63. South wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Thursday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 72. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 44. West wind around 5 mph becoming north after midnight.
Friday: Partly sunny, with a high near 63. North wind around 5 mph.
Friday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 46. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 58. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Saturday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Cloudy, with a low around 49. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Sunday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 65. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Sunday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 43.
Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 63.
2023 Farm Day Returns To Atmore On February 8
January 16, 2023
Row crop farmers are invited to the 2023 Farm Day in Atmore on February 8.
Registration for the program presented by UF/IFAS Extension and Alabama Cooperative Extension begins at 8 a.m. at Grace Fellowship.
Speakers include:
- Dr. Scott Graham: Managing Cotton Insects in 2023
- Dr. Steve Brown: Cotton Agronomic Considerations
- Dr. Hardeep Singh: Cotton Fertility
- Dr. Ian Small: Areolate Mildew: Current Status & Management Options
- Dr. Steve Li: Emerging Cotton Weeds
For more information, contact Libbie Johnson or Madelyn Godwin.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Deborah Kay Lee
January 16, 2023
Ms. Deborah Kay Lee, age 67, passed away peacefully, Sunday, January 15, 2023, in Century, FL. with family at her bedside She resided most of her life in Bratt, FL. She was a member of Unity Baptist Church.
Ms. Lee enjoyed spending time with her family. She loved to travel, and enjoyed baking cakes, and sewing. She loved to sit down and watch Hallmark Movies.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Mr. Carthell Alderman and Ms. Betty Mullins, one son, Shane Lee, two sisters, Lillian Ard, Susan Alderman, and one brother, Jimmy Alderman.
She is survived by her one son, Robert (Debra) Findlay, of Gulf Breeze, FL; four daughters, Mary Amber (Joel) Broadhead, of Bratt, FL; Sheena (Jacob) Carach, of Bratt, FL; Karissa (Willie) Knight, of Walnut Hill, FL; Heather (Michael) Couillard, of Pace, FL; thirteen grandchildren, Skye Lee (Cody) Parham, Lexi Broadhead (Keyshawn Breedlove), Somer (Christian) Coleman, A.J. Broadhead, Naudia Carach, Zach Carach, Aiden Broadhead, Tyler Carach, Peyton Lee, Landon Lee, Willie Knight IV, Lilliana Couillard, Remington Knight, two great-grandchildren, Cason Coleman, August Parham, and other relatives.
Funeral service will be Friday, January 20, 2023 at 11:00 AM at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home, LLC with Rev. Josh Long officiating.
Burial will follow at Godwin Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Thursday, January 19, 2023 from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home, LLC.
Pallbearers will be A.J. Broadhead, Aiden Broadhead, Zach Carach, Tyler Carach, Joel Broadhead, and Jake Carach.
Honorary pallbearers will be Michael Couillard, and Willie Knight III, and Landon Lee.
No Change To ECUA Schedule Due To MLK Day; Government Offices Closed
January 16, 2023
Here is a look at the government offices that are closed due to the Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday, and the ECUA sanitation collection schedule.
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
Below is a listing of Escambia County offices and departments closed Monday, January 16 in observance of the Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday.
- Escambia County Board of County Commissioners (all departments)
- West Florida Public Libraries (all locations)
- Escambia County Property Appraiser
- Escambia County Tax Collector
- Escambia County Department of Animal Welfare
- Escambia County Supervisor of Elections
- Escambia County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller
- Escambia County Extension Office
- Waste Services Administration
- ECAT buses and trolleys will not operate.
- ECAT administrative offices
- Exception: The Perdido Landfill will be open
ECUA
ECUA business offices will be closed on Monday, January 16, in observance of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day holiday. However, residential and commercial sanitation collections will be unaffected by the holiday and will be carried out as usual. Customers may contact ECUA Customer Service at (850) 476-0480 for more information.
TOWN OF CENTURY
Town of Century offices will closed Monday, January 16 in observance of the Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday.
These Are The Road Constructions Spots That Might Slow You Down This Week
January 16, 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:
- Garden Street (U.S. 98) Pensacola Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Parade – Motorists will encounter a road closure between A Street and Tarragona Street Monday, Jan. 16 from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. for the Martin Luther King Day Parade.
- Interstate 10 (I-10) Escambia County Welcome Center – The middle car parking lot at the Escambia County 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. 15 through Saturday, Jan. 21 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. 15 through Thursday, Jan. 19 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. 15 through Thursday, Jan. 19 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. 16 through Friday, Jan. 20 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 intermittent alternating lane closures from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. each night as crews place construction signage near the roadway.
- Saufley Field Road (S.R. 296), from the Naval Air Station Entrance to west of Mobile Highway (U.S. 90) - Work has been completed to improve pedestrian safety and mobility along Saufley Field Road, from the Pensacola Naval Air Station entrance to west of Mobile Highway. Crews upgraded and replaced sidewalks to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), improved drainage, and made enhancements to signing and pavement markings
Santa Rosa County:
- U.S. 90, from West of Avalon Boulevard to East of Stewart Street – Work will begin Monday, January 16 on a $7.5 million project to resurface a 2.5-mile segment of U.S. 90. The project also includes curb and sidewalk improvements constructed to comply with ADA requirements, traffic signalization upgrades, and placement of new signs and pavement markings. During construction, drivers may encounter temporary traffic shifts and intermittent lane closures between 8 p.m. and 5:30 a.m. seven days a week. The project is estimated for completion in spring 2024
- Pensacola Bay Bridge (U.S. 98) Replacement – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures and lane shifts on the Pensacola Bay Bridge Sunday, Jan. 15 through Saturday, Jan. 21 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 be closed to perform necessary road widening activities. This closure will be in effect for approximately seven days beginning Sunday, Jan. 15.
- 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. 15, through Friday, Jan. 20, 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.
- Motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians be advised that construction crews will be actively working during Martin Luther King, Jr. Day on Monday, Jan. 16.
All activities are weather-dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Patricia Faye Billingsley
January 16, 2023
Mrs. Patricia Faye Billingsley, age 57, passed away, Thursday, January 12, 2023, in Atmore, AL. She was a lifelong resident of Flomaton, AL. She attended the Gospel Light Temple for many years.
Mrs. Billingsley loved spending time with her family. She enjoyed listening to music, and dancing. She was very artistic, loved to draw and loved making beaded jewelry. She enjoyed going to the mountains, and the creek. She always opened her home up to anyone in need and enjoyed taking care of many babies over the years.
Mrs. Billingsley is preceded in death by her parents, James McLain and Betty Hall McLain, two brothers, Kenneth Dewayne McLain, Donnie Lee McLain, grandparents, Jesse Lambert, and Allen Sutton.
She is survived by her aunts, Kathy (Raymond) Rolin, of Atmore, AL; Mary (Scott) Hardin, of Pensacola, FL; one step-daughter, Carrie Coleman, of Brewton, AL; half-sister, Vanessa Tillman, of McDavid, FL; step-mother, Patsy McLain, of McDavid, FL; a special friend, Maegen Ferrera, and other relatives.
Funeral service will be held Wednesday, January 18, 2023 at 1:00 PM at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home, LLC. with Bro. Clarence Rolin and Bro. Raymond Rolin officiating.
Burial will follow at Pollard Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Wednesday, January 18, 2023 from 12:00 PM until service time at 1:00 PM at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home, LLC.
Pallbearers will be Matt Lee, Jeffery Lambeth, Johnathan Watson, Eduardo Rosales, Jared Anderson, and Justin Anderson.
Two People Injured In Cantonment Rollover Crash Involving Two Vans
January 15, 2023
Two people were injured in a crash involving two vans on Highway 29 in Cantonment on Saturday.
The vans crash on Highway 29 in front of the Grocery Advantage, just north of the Cantonment Station of Escambia County Fire Rescue.
The crash involved a commercial Nissan NV200 cargo van and a Dodge Grand Caravan minivan that overturned. The Caravan came to rest on its side in a median crossover.
Both occupants of the Caravan were transported to an area hospital by Escambia County EMS with injuries that were considered serious but not life-threatening.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating. The Cantonment Station of ECFR and the Escambia Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Escambia Fire Rescue, Forest Service Battle Brush Fires Saturday
January 15, 2023
Firefighters battled several brush and small outside fires Saturday in the North Escambia area.
On Highway 29 near Cedartree Lane, a fire that appeared to have started on the shoulder of the road spread into a nearby wooded area. The Florida Forest Services responded, along with Escambia County Fire Rescue.
Firefighters also responded to a reported vegetation fire on Neal Road and another on North Highway 99 in Bratt.
Pictured: A brush fire on Highway 29 near Cedartree Lane Saturday afternoon. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
