Here Are This Week’s Road Construction Problem Spots
July 30, 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 truck parking lot at the Escambia County Interstate 10 Welcome Center, located at mile marker four, will be temporarily closed until fall when the Welcome Center improvements are scheduled to be complete. The front and middle car parking lots are open.
- East Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90A) Roadway Improvements 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 has been reduced from 45 mph to 35 mph as vehicles and bicycles share the roadway. The closure and speed limit reduction will be in place until the project is complete later this summer.
- Mobile Highway (U.S. 90) Resurfacing from Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90A) to west of Pine Forest Road (State Road (S.R.) 297) – Drivers may encounter lane closures, between Nine Mile Road and Pine Forest Road, Monday, July 31 through Friday, Aug. 4 from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. each night as crews mill and pave the roadway.
- U.S. 29 (North Century Boulevard) Resurfacing between Henry Street and Cottage Street in Century – Northbound and southbound traffic on U.S. 29 (North Century Boulevard) is shifted to one outside travel lane in each direction between Hatties Boulevard and East Cottage Street. The shift will be in place through August as crews perform drainage improvements. Signage will be in place to safely direct drivers through the work zone.
- Sorrento Road (S.R. 292) Resurfacing from the Theo Baars Bridge to Bauer Road - Drivers may encounter intermittent lane closures, between Theo Baars Bridge and Bauer Road, Sunday, July 30 through Thursday, Aug. 3 from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. as crews place pavement markings on the roadway.
- Lillian Highway (S.R. 298) Resurfacing 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 will encounter alternating daytime lane closures on Lillian Highway, between U.S. 98 and Blue Angel Parkway, Sunday, July 30 through Thursday, Aug. 3 from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. as crews perform drainage work.
- County Road (C.R.) 4 over Canoe Creek Bridge – C.R. 4, between Byrneville and Bratt, will be closed through fall 2024 as crews replace the Canoe Creek bridge. Traffic is directed through a 5.6-mile detour using Bratt Road to Pine Barren Road, then back to C.R. 4.
- I-10 Routine Maintenance from Exit 5 (U.S. 90) to Exit 22 (Avalon Boulevard) – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures Tuesday, Aug. 1 through Thursday, Aug. 3 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. for guardrail repairs.
- U.S. 90 (Scenic Highway) Routine Underground Utility Maintenance at Olive Road – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures Tuesday, Aug. 1 from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. for routine maintenance.
- S.R. 296 (Brent Lane) Turn Lane and Intersection Construction at the new Pensacola Christian College Baptist Hospital Campus – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures Sunday, July 30 through Wednesday, Aug. 2 from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. for paving operation.
- S.R. 291 (North Davis Highway) Routine Utility Maintenance near East Fairfield Drive – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures Monday, July 31 through Thursday, Aug. 31 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for routine maintenance.
Santa Rosa County:
- U.S. 98 (S.R. 30/Gulf Breeze Parkway/Navarre Parkway) Resurfacing of specific areas from Abercrombie Road to Calle De Palencia Street - Drivers on U.S. 98 (Navarre Parkway), between S.R. 87 and Calle De Palencia Street, may encounter intermittent nightly lane closures from 8:30 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. as crews perform construction activities.
- U.S. 98 Widening from Bayshore Road to Portside Drive – Motorists will encounter the following traffic impacts:
- 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, July 30, through Friday, Aug. 4, from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for stormwater drainage improvements and paving operations.
- I-10 Resurfacing from S.R. 281 (Avalon Boulevard) to east of S.R. 87 – Motorists will encounter nighttime east and westbound lane closures Monday, July 31 and Thursday, Aug. 3 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. for paving operations.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Three People Shot At Olive Road Apartment Complex
July 30, 2023
Three people were shot at an Escambia County apartment complex Saturday afternoon.
Pensacola Police said the shooting happened at the Northwoods Apartments on Olive Road near 9th avenue sometime before 5 p.m.
“Police responded to a local hospital after one of the victims managed to drive themselves to the hospital after being shot,” Officer Gregory Gordon, public information officer, said in a release.
PPD responded to the apartment complex and found “evidence of gunfire”.
At last report, three victims were being treated. An update on their condition was not available.
The investigation is continuing.
Bag Sale: Last Day Of The Friends Of The Library Big Summer Book Sale
July 30, 2023
Sunday is the the last day — and the popular bag sale — at the Friends of the West Florida Public Library Big Summer Book Sale.
Everything that will fit in a provided bag is just $7, and admission is free from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m.
Credit and debit cards will be accepted.
The sale is at the Downtown Library, 239 North Spring Street in downtown Pensacola.
Eder Fans Ten As Blue Wahoos Beat Braves 7-2
July 30, 2023
Jake Eder had his most dominant start since his return from Tommy John surgery, striking out 10 batters over 5.2 one-hit innings as the Pensacola Blue Wahoos beat the Mississippi Braves 7-2 on Saturday night.
Eder (W, 2-1) pitched into the sixth inning for the first time this year, allowing only a Hudson Potts solo homer as the Blue Wahoos secured a series win in their six-game set against the Braves.
Bennett Hostetler led the Pensacola offense, opening the scoring with a two-run double against Luis De Avila (L, 5-6) in the second and adding a two-run homer in the sixth.
Mississippi threatened to tie the game twice, but were shut down both times. In the fifth, a leadoff hit batsman came around to score thanks to an Eder throwing error and a Beau Philip RBI groundout to bring the score to 3-2. With the tying run at third base, Eder struck out Cody Milligan to end the inning.
In the eighth, the Braves loaded the bases with an error and two scratch singles before Jefry Yan (S, 11) entered to face Tyler Tolve representing the tying run in a 6-2 game. Yan fanned the Mississippi catcher on three pitches to end the inning, and returned for the ninth to strike out three more batters and earn his league-leading 11th save.
The Blue Wahoos wrap up their series and road trip against the Braves on Sunday.
written by Erik Bremer
Back To School Sales Tax Holiday Continues
July 29, 2023
Florida’s two-week back to school sales tax holiday continues through August 6.
Items exempt from sales tax include:
- Most school supplies selling for $50 or less
- Clothing, footwear and accessories selling for $100 or less
- Computers and related accessories selling for $1,500 or less (when purchased for non-commercial and personal use)
- Learning aids and jigsaw puzzles selling for $30 or less
“Getting ready for the new school year can be an expensive time for Floridians, and that is why I’m encouraging Florida families to take full advantage of the back-to-school sales tax holiday. This tax break will help families ensure their children have all the supplies they need to reach their full academic potential this school year,” said Florida CFO Jimmy Patronis.
For the complete, detailed list, click here.
Century Man Sentenced For Stealing Semi Truck And Its $80,000 Cargo
July 29, 2023
A Century man was recently sentenced for stealing a semi truck and its cargo of $80,000 worth of rolled steel.
Aftered pleading no contest, Cecil Devon Brown, 41, was found guilty of grand theft of a motor vehicle, first degree felony grand theft of cargo valued at $50,000 or more in interstate commerce, and criminal mischief with property damage. He was sentenced to 24 months probation after credit for 123 days served. He was also ordered to maintain employment, pay fines and costs, and make $1,400 in restitution to the victim payable at a minimum of $100 a month.
The victim told investigators that she hired Brown to drive her 2007 Volvo semi and the rolled steel cargo from Mobile to Pensacola to Birmingham before making a return delivery to Milton. She said he did pick up the truck and cargo and drove it to Pensacola, but then she lost contact with Brown. She stated that she texted him and told him there was a tracking device on the truck, then the GPS device went offline.
Another of the victim’s drivers spotted the truck in Flomaton. The victim found the trailer and rolled steel parked next to the Dollar General at 9410 North Century Boulevard, but the truck was missing. While she was there, Brown pulled up in her Volvo semi truck and ran away, according to an arrest report.
Deputies located Brown nearby at his residence on Ivey Street.
According to the report, Brown was suspected in the theft of a Garmin truck GPS and $520 he received to purchase diesel fuel. The truck’s radio was also ripped from the dash, causing about $300 in damage.
The truck, trailer and $80,000 worth of rolled steel were released to the owner.
Hot Weathers Continues Into The Weekend With Scattered P.M. Storms
July 29, 2023
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
This Afternoon: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 94. Heat index values as high as 105. West wind around 5 mph.
Tonight: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 7pm. Mostly clear, with a low around 75. South wind around 5 mph becoming west after midnight.
Sunday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Sunny and hot, with a high near 97. Heat index values as high as 109. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 76. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
Monday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Sunny and hot, with a high near 100. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 75. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Tuesday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Sunny and hot, with a high near 99. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 75. North wind around 5 mph becoming southwest in the evening.
Wednesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 98. Light and variable wind becoming northeast 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 76.
Thursday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 96.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 74.
Friday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Sunny, with a high near 96.
Staffed Escambia Fire Stations Are ‘Safe Havens’ For Newborns
July 29, 2023
Escambia County Fire Rescue stations that are staffed 24/7 have been designated as Safe Havens for newborns.
Safe Haven is considered a safety net for both the mother and the newborn infant. The program allows mothers, fathers or whoever is in possession of an unharmed newborn, approximately seven days old or less, to leave them with someone at Safe Havens with full anonymity and no questions asked.
Safe Haven locations include staffed fire stations, hospitals or any staffed emergency medical service station. Once a baby is delivered to a Safe Haven, a local participating adoption agency is contacted.
“ECFR is proud to partner with A Safe Haven for Newborns to provide mothers a safe, secure location to drop off a newborn child while remaining anonymous,” said Deputy Fire Chief Paul Williams. “This program also offers a confidential 24/7 toll-free helpline as a resource for mother-to-be or mothers of newborn babies. The program has saved over 300 newborn babies in Florida alone. We now have the Safe Haven signs on all our stations that are staffed 24/7.”
Woman Convicted Of Battery, Child Abuse In Death Of Her Daughter
July 29, 2023
Friday, an Escambia County woman was found guilty of battery and child abuse for an incident that claimed her daughter’s life in 2021.
Jessica Ann Caroline Bortle, 36, was originally charged with negligent manslaughter and aggravate child abuse for the death of 14-year old Jasmine Singletary inside Sacred Heart Hospital.
A jury returned a guilty verdict Friday on lesser charges of battery and child abuse.
Pensacola Police said Singletary — described as a special needs patient with a neuromuscular disorder — was in her room at Sacred Heart with her grandmother and Bortle.
Jasmine unexpectedly lost consciousness and stopped breathing, police said. Hospital staff began life saving procedures, but those efforts were unsuccessful and Jasmine died.
The autopsy showed that Jasmine had suffered massive injuries to her ribs and her liver. Those injuries were not present when she was admitted to the hospital.
Pensacola Police investigators said they determined that the injuries were caused by Bortle. An arrest report states told police that she “slammed the hospital table into Singletary’s abdomen and then leaned onto the table with her weight” after she became angry after Jasmine cussed at her over color crayons.
During her trial, Bortle maintained that it was all an accident.
Bortle is set to be sentenced on October 4. She remained in the Escambia County Jail without bond.
Time Is Running Out For Free Dog And Cat Adoptions At The Escambia Animal Shelter
July 29, 2023
The Escambia County Department of Animal Welfare is participating in the Bissell Pet Foundation “Empty the Shelters” event through next Monday, July 31.
Adoptions for all cats and dogs 1 year or older will be free. Puppies will be available for $50 and kittens will be available for $25. An $11 licensing fee will be applied to all adoptions for Escambia County residents.
“We are proud to participate with Bissell for the first time for their ‘Empty the Shelters’ event,” said John Robinson, Director for the Escambia County Department of Animal Welfare. “This will provide opportunities for all of our great dogs and cats to find their new families this summer. Adopting a pet not only gives our homeless animals a second chance, but also creates space that will allow our organization to help many other animals in need of temporary housing. We have a large number of animals available for adoption that will make a great addition to your family.”
The Escambia County Animal Welfare and Adoption Center is located at 200 W. Fairfield Drive. Hours of operation are Monday-Friday, 12-5 p.m., and Saturdays from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m