Pensacola Bay Bridge Westbound To Open On Tuesday
February 13, 2023
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) will open the westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) span of the Pensacola Bay Bridge on U.S. 98 to vehicular traffic by 6 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 14. The two spans of the bridge are now temporarily accommodating two east and two westbound travel lanes, but upon final completion of the project each structure will support three lanes of traffic in each direction, along with inside and outside shoulders, and 10-foot-wide multiuse paths for pedestrians and bicyclists.
The multiuse path on the eastbound (Pensacola to Gulf Breeze) bridge remains open, but the westbound path will remain closed until completed.
While there is now traffic on both spans of the bridge, multiple miscellaneous tasks remain to complete the project. These include work on the U.S. 98 tie-ins and median areas, the wayside park in Gulf Breeze, bridge painting, and other final items. Completion of the project is currently estimated for this summer.
With a construction cost of approximately $440-million, the Pensacola Bay Bridge replacement project is the largest transportation initiative in Northwest Florida history. More than 55,000 drivers travel the bridge daily between Pensacola and Gulf Breeze. The modern, six-lane structure replaces a four-lane bridge that opened in 1960.
Two, Ages 19 And 12, Critically Injured In Cantonment Dirt Bike Crash
February 13, 2023
Two young people from Cantonment were critically injured when their dirt bike crashed into a pickup truck Sunday afternoon in Cantonment.
The Florida Highway Patrol said a blue Yamaha dirt bike was traveling east on Lincoln Street toward Louis Street where driver failed to stop at a stop sign and collided with the side door of a pickup truck.
FHP said the 19-year old and 12-year old on the dirt bike were not wearing helmets. They were transported by Escambia County EMS to Sacred Heart Hospital in critical condition. The 52-year Molino man driving the pickup truck was not injured.
Photos by WEAR 3 for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Weight Limit Lowered To Three Tons On Bridge Near Molino
February 13, 2023
Escambia County Public Works has lowered the weight limit on a 56-year old Chestnut Road Bridge to just three tons after a recent inspection.
That prevents many large private vehicles, commercial vehicles, fire trucks and school buses from crossing the bridge over Dry Creek, about a mile north of Barrineau Park Road.
Escambia County District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry said the county is putting together an action plan to address the situation.
The bridge, constructed in 1967, is about 16 feet long and spans Dry Creek.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Tate Aggie Cheerleaders Take 10th In The Nation
February 13, 2023
The Tate High School Aggie Cheerleaders competition team placed 10th in the nation Sunday at the 2023 UCA National High School Cheerleading Championships in Orlando.
There were 113 total teams that competed in the small varsity division with the Aggies.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
No Identity, Cause Of Death Released Yet After Human Remains Discovery In Bratt
February 13, 2023
A week after investigators returned to Bratt looking for more human remains in a wooded area, there’s still no word on an identity or cause of death.
Highly decomposed remains were first discovered by a hunter on Christmas Eve, and investigators were back in the woods on C.W. Caraway Road last Monday, February 6, with cadaver dogs. NorthEscambia.com was there as crime scene technicians, investigators, and volunteers with the cadaver dogs returned from a heavily wooded area, some carrying evidence bags.
Dan Schebler, director of operations for the District One Medical Examiner’s Office, said more evidence was located. The additional remains located last week were believed to be from the same individual as the December discovery.
For more photos, click or tap here.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said the remains are part of an ongoing death investigation, and the remains may be those of an individual in an open missing person case. The Medical Examiner’s Office will make the final identification and determination if any foul play was involved.
C.W. Caraway Road is a private dirt lane that travels north off West Highway 4, about 1.5 miles east of Northview High School.
NorthEscambia.com exclusive photos, click to enlarge.
Tate Boys Basketball Moves Into 6A State Series
February 13, 2023
The Tate Aggies have earned a bid in the FHSAA Class 6A state championship series.
In Class 6A Region 1 quarterfinals, the No. 6 Tate Aggies (18-5) will travel about 360 miles to Orange Park to face the No. 3 Oakleaf Knights (23-1) at 7 p.m. Thursday.
Also, No. 4 Gulf Breeze (22-3) will host No. 5 Nease (18-18) at 7 p.m. Thursday.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Today Is Voter Registration Deadline For Special Primary Election In Century
February 13, 2023
Today, February 13, is the deadline to register to vote in an upcoming special primary election in Century, if it’s required.
The Town of Century has set a special election for town council seats 3 and 4. The special general election will be held on Tuesday, March 28. If three or more candidates qualify for either of the seats, a special primary election will be held on Tuesday, March 14.
The registration deadline for the special general election is Monday, February 27. New voter registration applications need to be postmarked or submitted to a voter registration agency by close of business on the day of the deadline.
For more on the special election, click or tap here.
Pauline Coker Ward
February 13, 2023
Pauline Coker Ward, age 90, of Atmore, AL passed away on February 12, 2023 in Mobile, AL. She was born on June 19, 1932 in Goodway, AL to Paschal and Nettie Ramsey Coker. She was a member of Enon Baptist Church and a Sunday school teacher for over fifty years. During her career, she was a bookkeeper for Ward Brothers Farm and worked at Vanity Fair. She is preceded in death by her parents, and her husband, James Lavaughn
Ward.
She is survived by her daughter, Sheliah (J.P.) Sawyer of Huxford, AL; her brothers, John C. Coker of Opelika, AL and Kenneth (Margaret) Coker of Mobile, AL; her sister, Kathryn Letts of Wetumpka, AL; three grandchildren: Carlie Crutchfield, John Patrick Sawyer and Victoria Sawyer (Austin) Cain; three great grandchildren: Aubrianna, Railen and Haegan along with numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, February 15, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. at Enon Baptist Church in Goodway, AL with Bro. James Henry and Bro. Tom Thurman officiating.
Interment will follow in Enon Baptist Church Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Wednesday, February 15, 2023 from 1:00 p.m. until service time at 2:00 p.m. at Enon Baptist Church in Goodway, AL.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Florida Gas Prices Drop About A Dime On Average
February 13, 2023
Florida gas prices declined for the second consecutive week, declining a total of 19 cents per gallon. During the past week, the state average dropped 10 cents.
Drivers are now paying an average price of $3.40 per gallon. That’s the lowest daily average price in a little more than three weeks (January 19th).
In Escambia County, the average per gallon was $3.25. The North Escambia low Sunday night was $3.16 at a Muscogee Road station, while Pensacola prices were as low as $3.01 at the warehouse clubs and a staton on Nine Mile Road.
The downward trend at the pump may not last much longer,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Crude oil and gasoline futures prices jumped 9% last week, almost completely erasing the losses that led to the 2-week drop at the pump. This could cause falling pump prices to plateau, or possibly inch higher in the coming weeks.”
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Week Starts Sunny; Thursday Is Our Rain Day
February 13, 2023
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Increasing clouds, with a low around 42. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 72. South wind 5 to 10 mph increasing to 10 to 15 mph in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph.
Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62. South wind around 10 mph.
Wednesday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 76. South wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 65. Southeast wind around 10 mph.
Thursday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 76. South wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Thursday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before midnight, then a chance of showers. Some of the storms could be severe. Cloudy, with a low around 44. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph becoming northwest after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 53. North wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 32. North wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 57.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 37.
Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 65.
Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 48.
Washington’s Birthday: Partly sunny, with a high near 74.