Cottage Hill Water Works Rescinds Boil Water Notice For Handy Road
September 25, 2023
THIS BOIL WATER NOTICE WAS RESCINDED ON SEPTEMBER 27.
A precautionary boil water notice has been issued for Cottage Hill Water Works customers on Handy Rod.
The boil water notice was issued following a water main break Monday due to construction work.
The utility is advising, as a precaution, that all water used for drinking, cooking, making ice, brushing teeth, or washing dishes be boiled. A rolling boil of one minute is sufficient. As an alternative bottled water may be used.
This precautionary boil water notice will remain in effect until the problem has been corrected and a bacteriological survey shows that the water is safe to drink.
The boil water notice was issued following a water main break.
This story will be updated when the advisory has been lifted.
Cantonment Man Charged With Meth Trafficking, Destroying Evidence, Fleeing
September 25, 2023
A Cantonment man is facing multiple felony charges after a traffic stop Sunday.
Charlie Clifford Davis, 53, was charged with trafficking methamphetamine, destroying evidence, marijuana possession, possession of drug paraphernalia, fleeing and eluding, and driving with a suspended license third or subsequent offense.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office attempted a traffic stop near Durand Avenue and Elliot Street. Deputies said the driver of the vehicle threw a clear plastic bag containing a “large quantity” of methamphetamine out of the driver’s side window and continued driving until eventually stopping.
Deputies located more methamphetamine in the driver’s floorboard area, the driver’s seat, and on the driver’s door of the vehicle, the ECSO said. Deputies also located marijuana and drug paraphernalia inside the vehicle.
Davis was identified as the driver of the vehicle and taken into custody. He was booked into the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $59,000.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Here Are This Week’s Road Construction Problem Spots
September 25, 2023
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads and projects 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 the end of October 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.
- 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 Rudolph Street and Green Street. The shift will be in place through October as crews perform drainage improvements. Signage will be in place to safely direct drivers through the work zone.
- Lillian Highway (State Road (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 the following lane closures on Lillian Highway from Friday, Sept. 22 through Friday, Sept. 29:
- Daytime lane closures from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., between U.S. 98 and Blue Angel Parkway, as crews perform drainage work.
- Nighttime lane closures from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., between Fairfield Drive and Blue Angel Parkway, as crews perform widening and driveway 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.
- North Palafox Street (U.S. 29/S.R. 95) Resurfacing from Cervantes Street (S.R. 10A) to Brent Lane (S.R. 296) – Drivers may encounter alternating lane closures, between Cervantes Street and Brent Lane, Friday, Sept. 22 through Friday, Sept. 29 from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. as crews perform sidewalk work.
- Mobile Highway (U.S. 90) Resurfacing from Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90A) to west of Pine Forest Road (S.R. 297) – Drivers may encounter nighttime lane closures, between Nine Mile Road and Pine Forest Road, Sunday, Sept. 24 through Thursday, Sept. 28 from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. as crews mill and pave the roadway.
- S.R. 29 Turn Lane Construction North of West Roberts Road at the new Ronny’s Car Wash – Motorists will encounter northbound inside lane closure Monday, Sept. 25 through Friday, Sept. 29 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. for turn lane construction.
- S.R. 29 Turn Lane Construction North of Pinoak Road – Motorists will encounter northbound inside lane closure Wednesday, Sept. 27 and Friday, Sept. 29 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. for turn lane construction.
- Beulah Road Turn Lane Closure at U.S. 90 – Motorists will encounter northbound turn lane closure at U.S. 90 Sunday, Sept. 24 through Friday, Sept. 29 for utility work.
- S.R. 291 Routine Utility Maintenance from Johnson Avenue to Copter Road – Drivers may encounter alternating lane closures Sunday, Sept. 24 through Thursday, Sept. 28 from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. for utility maintenance.
- S.R. 291 Routine Utility Maintenance from Olive Road to Johnson Avenue – Drivers may encounter alternating lane closures Sunday, Sept. 24 through Thursday, Sept. 28 from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. for utility maintenance.
- U.S. 90 Coring Operations from Alabama State Line to west of Beulah Road – Motorists will encounter nighttime lane closures Monday, Sept. 25 through Thursday, Sept. 28 from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. for coring operations.
- S.R. 297 Coring Operations from S.R. 173 to North of I-10 – Motorists will encounter nighttime lane closures Monday, Sept. 25 through Thursday, Sept. 28 from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. for coring operations.
Santa Rosa County:
- 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 Tiger Park Lane and Bayshore Road Sunday, Sept. 24, through Friday, Sept. 29, from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for stormwater drainage improvements and paving operations.
- U.S. 90 Bridge Replacement over Simpson River – The outside (right) lane of U.S. 90 eastbound on the Simpson River Bridge will be closed Tuesday, Sept. 26 through Thursday, Sept. 28 from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. as crews receive delivery of construction materials. Drivers are reminded that the speed limit is 35 mph throughout the work zone.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather
Rain Chance Builds Into Midweek
September 25, 2023
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 68. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Tuesday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 88. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph in the morning.
Tuesday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69. East wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 84. East wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Wednesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68. East wind around 10 mph.
Thursday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 82. East wind around 10 mph.
Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 66. Northeast wind around 10 mph.
Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 85. Northeast wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 64.
Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 86.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 65.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 86.
New 134 Lot Subdivision Planned For Highway 29 Near Pinoak Lane
September 25, 2023
A new 134 lot subdivision is proposed for Highway 29 near Cantonment.
“Turtle Creek” would be located on 31.45 acres east and northeast of Highway 29 near Pinoak Lane, across from the produce stand.
The development is being proposed by Garden Street Communities Southeast of Pensacola for single family homes, according to Escambia County Development Review Committee (DRC) documents.
The proposal is in the initial staff internal review phase of the DRC process and has not yet been set for a public meeting.
NorthEscambia.com graphics.
One Injured In ATV Rollover Crash
September 25, 2023
One person was injured in an ATV rollover Sunday morning near Walnut Hill.
The crash happened on Deer Lake Road about 8:15 a.m. An adult male was transported to an area hospital.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Mark Randall Boyington
September 25, 2023
Mr. Mark Randall Boyington, age 48, passed away, Saturday, September 23, 2023, in Mobile, AL; surrounded by his loving family. He was a member of Flomaton Pentecostal Holiness Church. He was employed with Wind Creek Casino for 13 years, and the past 4 years with the Poarch Creek Indian Gaming Commission.
Mr. Boyington’s life was filled with family, faith and love, he especially enjoyed spending time with his children and family. He was a very avid Alabama Football Fan “Roll Tide”. He liked going fishing, shopping, going to yard sales and the Thrift Stores. He was a mama’s boy and her nickname for him was “Rudy”.
He is preceded in death by his father, O’Neal Boyington, one brother, Danny Boyington, one sister, Racheal Reeves, grandfather, Roil Hadley, grandmother, Dottie Burdick, grandmother, Pearl (Hayward) Boyington, and grandparent’s in-law, Charles (Claudeen) Kimmons.
He is survived by his mother, Imogene Boyington, of Atmore, AL; his loving wife of 6 years, Britney Boyington, of Atmore, AL; one son, Dustin Boyington, of Atmore, AL; three daughters, Alyssa Gordon, of Atmore, AL; Stormi Boyington, of Bay Minette, AL; Kathleen Boyington, of Atmore, AL; two brothers, Rodney (Becky) of Lottie, AL; Jimmie (Michelle) Boyington, of Atmore, AL; three sisters, Ester (Doug) Smith, of Atmore, AL; Linda (Dewayne) Salter, of Atmore, AL; Lisa Garrick, of Atmore, AL; other relatives and friends.
Funeral services will be held, Tuesday, September 26, 2023 at 2:00 PM at Flomaton Pentecostal Holiness Church with Rev. Al Bethea and Rev. Kathy Chavers officiating.
Burial will follow at Lottie New Home Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Monday, September 25, 2023, from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home, LLC.
Pallbearers will be Jimmie Boyington, Dustin Boyington, Joe Smith, Ashley Salter, Chris Burch, and Chris Marion.
Honorary pallbearers will be Justin Burch, Daniel Zylstra, Skyler McDaniel, Tyler McDaniel, JD Boyington, and Joshua Ramer.
Early Deficit Too Large As Wahoos Drop Game One Of SLCS
September 25, 2023
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos dug themselves an early hole in Game One of the best-of-three Southern League Championship Series on Sunday evening, falling 8-4 to the Tennessee Smokies.
The Blue Wahoos will return to Pensacola, needing a win in Game Two on Tuesday night to keep their season alive and force a Game Three on Wednesday.
Evan Fitterer (L, 0-1) didn’t have his best command in his start for Pensacola, allowing six runs over 2.1 innings in the loss. He allowed the leadoff man to reach and score in all three innings in which he pitched.
In the first, he hit leadoff batter Matt Shaw on an 0-2 pitch before allowing an RBI double to BJ Murray and an RBI single to Owen Caissie. In the second, a leadoff walk to Pablo Aliendo came in on an RBI double from Ezequiel Pagan.
The Blue Wahoos got on the board with two singles and a Nasim Nuñez sacrifice fly against Brandon Birdsell (W, 1-0) in the top of the third, but the Smokies answered back with five runs in the bottom of the inning to put the game out of reach. Another leadoff walk was followed by an RBI double from Haydn McGeary before Fitterer departed.
Breidy Encarnación, who had worked 6.1 scoreless innings in his first taste of Double-A in the final weeks of the regular season, struggled to find the strike zone. After a bases-loaded hit batsman forced in a run, he allowed a Pagan sacrifice fly and RBI singles to Kevin Alcantara and Andy Weber to give the Smokies an 8-1 lead.
The rest of the Pensacola bullpen kept the Smokies off the scoreboard from the fourth inning on, but the Blue Wahoos were unable to get much going at the plate. Paul McIntosh lined a sacrifice fly in the eighth and Cody Morissette hit a two-run homer in the ninth, but it wasn’t nearly enough to erase the deficit.
After an overnight bus ride back to Pensacola, the Blue Wahoos will have Monday off and prepare for a must-win Game Two at Blue Wahoos Stadium on Tuesday night.
written by Erik Bremer/Blue Wahoos; photo Nick Grant/Smokies
Eighth-Ranked Argos Break Rivalry Trend, Blow Out West Georgia In GSC Opener
September 25, 2023
The oddest element of UWF’s eventful history with a football team has now become a footnote.
The Argos emphatically on Saturday made sure of it.
In their most dominant performance of September, the eighth-ranked Argos blew past West Georgia in a 49-21 victory at Pen Air Field, delighting a near capacity crowd of 5,048 and ending the trend of the home team never winning in the seven previous matchups.
The Argos (3-1) led 35-7 at halftime of their Gulf South Conference opener, then increased it to 49-7 after three quarters, which enabled starters to rest in the fourth quarter and mass participation much of the second half.
“Very excited with how our guys responded to the challenge,” said UWF first-year coach Kaleb Nobles, whose team next plays on the road against North Greenville on Sept. 30 in a 6 p.m. (CDT) game.
Obviously coming off a loss (last week at Division I member Florida A&M), it was something we really challenged the guys to improve and get better,” Nobles said. ”The (home team never winning in series) is something our guys told me about, and I never really thought about it much.
“We are trying to just win every game and be at our best, but it’s good to break a streak and get that monkey off our backs. But we have to play at a high level no matter who we play. (Game atmosphere) was electric. It was awesome and our guys feed off it.”
The game brought an emotional backdrop for Nobles, going against West Georgia coach David Dean, his former head coach at Valdosta State, who has built at 44-18 record at UWG.
Nobles played 23 games with Dean as Valdosta’s coach, before the quarterback transferred as a grad student to play his final year of collegiate eligibility in UWF’s 2016 inaugural series.
The two embraced at midfield following the game.
“We were really able to talk more before the game,” Nobles said. “We are good friends. I have great respect for him. He has done a lot for the GSC and won a lot of games and coached at high level.”
This game may have unfortunately been the last meeting between the teams.
West Georgia (2-2, 1-1 in GSC) announced earlier this year of its intention to become a Division I member, beginning in 2024, leaving the Gulf South Conference to play football in the United Athletic Conference and other sports in the Atlantic Sun Conference.
Some of the most memorable games in UWF’s football tenure have been against the Wolves.
This latest one was noteworthy for being UWF’s most points against West Georgia. The Argos racked up 416 yards total offense in three quarters, finishing with 479 yards.
Quarterback Peewee Jarrett led the offensive explosion by completing 20 of 27 passes for 298 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions before exiting prior to the fourth quarter.
Senior receiver John Jiles caught 11 passes for 175 yards and two touchdowns.
Defensively, the Argos forced quick possessions in the first half and third quarter. Sophomore linebacker Walker Robinson, a Fort Walton Beach High graduate, led the defense with six tackles, helped contribute to one of UWF’s two quarterback sacks and broke up a pass.
Fellow linebacker Ralph Ortiz, a Leesburg native, had a pick-six interception return for score in the second quarter.
“We had a bad ending to the FAMU game and we had to prove ourselves this game,” Ortiz said. “We had to come out firing and keep the foot on the gas and that’s what we were able to do. The defensive was firing on our cylinders.”
The game’s defining sequence occurred in the first quarter. West Georgia swarmed UWF’s Jalen Bussy as he strived for more yards, then had a defender punch the ball loose. The Wolves Jeremy Smith returned the fumble 28 yards for a score that tied the game 7-7 with 2:15 left in the first quarter.
In two plays, UWF answered by regaining the lead. From his own 35-yard-line, Jarrett threw a perfect deep pass to Jiles, who caught the aerial in stride and was pushed out at the Wolves 1-yard line on the 64-yard completion. On the next play, C.J. Wilson rushed into the end zone.
It only took 37 seconds for UWF’s go-ahead score and the Argos never looked back.
“The whole plan was that we knew if there was a certain guy (defensive back) out there on the perimeter (for West Georgia), we were going to take advantage of him and we really did,” Jarrett said. “We executed the play well. I wish (Jiles) could have gotten into the end zone, but it was a great drive.
“I think the past couple games, when we had something (negative) happen in a game, we kinda sat on it for two or three drives and didn’t overcome it right away. But in that moment (Saturday) we were able to overcome really quick.”
In the second quarter, the Argos engineered an 81-yard scoring drive that Jarrett finished with a 9-yard TD pass to Caden Leggett. On the ensuing possession, Ortiz was sitting back in coverage when UWG quarterback Ben Whitlock was pressured and threw an errant pass right into Oritz’ arms that he turned into the interception for score.
The Argos defense then forced a stop with 1:24 left in the half and Jarrett quickly brought the Argos into position for a 25-yard touchdown pass to Jiles with 25 seconds left in the half.
“Our defense has played phenomenal,” Nobles said. “They have been phenomenal for four games. I have high expectations for them. They can create a lot of pressure and chaos for other teams.
“Anytime we score on defense it raises your chances of winning enormously.”
Nobles also showed his emotions on UWF’s first touchdown drive. After a reverse run, Nobles felt a West Georgia defensive player went low to try and take out Jarrett’s legs.
Nobles was furious, racing on the field and getting a 15-yard unsportsmanlike penalty. The Argos offense responded with a big-play pass from Jarrett back to the 1-yard line for C.J. Wilson’s first of two scores.
“Obviously I have been talking about penalties and I didn’t want to contribute to that, but we had a reverse called and defensively, you are not allowed to cut anybody on offense,” said Nobles, who had to be restrained by coaches instantly. ”I felt they went low on our quarterback and I wanted to let our guys know I got their back.
“The referees really didn’t have a good explanation for it and I wanted our guys know I’m trying to protect them. I’ve gone through battles with them, and I want to make sure everyone on our team knows that.
“I don’t want to get an unsportsmanlike conduct, but I want to make sure referees know we have to make the right call and protect guys.”
His players responded. They blew open the game before halftime and cruised to the ending.
by Bill Violona / photo Scott A. Miller
Peggy Sue Couch
September 25, 2023
Mrs. Peggy Sue Couch, age 75, passed away, Monday, September 25, 2023, in Atmore, AL; surrounded by her loving family. She was a native of the Poarch Community and a proud member of the Poarch Band of Creek Indian, where she served three terms on the Tribal Council.
Mrs. Couch enjoyed traveling with family to numerous places such as the mountains and Nevada. She liked quilting and wood working, specially building cabinets. She enjoyed watching the Hallmark channel and canning food. She really liked Christmas, such as making Christmas stockings and candy. She always was there to help people in need.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Buster Eugene (Bessie Mooneyham) Rolin, husband, Harold McElhaney, three brothers, Donnie Eugene Rolin, Earnest Dean Rolin, and Harvey James Rolin.
She is survived by her four sons, Tinker (Tasha) Rolin, of Poarch, AL; Johnny Ray Steadham, of Booneville, AL; Bryan (Linda) Couch, of Atmore, AL; Danny (Tammy) Couch, of Franklinville, NC; seven brothers, Roy Rolin, of Poarch, AL; Walter (Anita) Rolin, of Gulf Shores, AL; Kenneth Wayne Rolin, of Poarch, AL; Shawn (Stephanie) Rolin, of Poarch, AL; Anthony (Jennifer) Rolin, of Century, FL; Dino (Nicole) Rolin, of Lottie, AL; Johnny Mack Rolin, of Poarch, AL, two sisters, Virginia “Bell” Godwin, of Poarch, AL; Tonya (Wesley) Rayborn, of Atmore, AL; twelve grandchildren, twenty-one great-grandchildren, other relatives and friends.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, September 28, 2023, at 11:00 AM at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home, LLC with Rev. Richard Daniels officiating.
Burial will follow at Judson Creek Indian Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Wednesday, September 27, 2023 from 6:00 PM until 9:00 PM at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home, LLC.
Pallbearers will be Chasen Rolin, Tysen Rolin, Devin Steadham, Earnest Rolin, Johnny Mack Rolin, and Bradley Rolin.
Honorary pallbearers will be Kevin Andrews, Deno Rolin, Darren McGhee, and Spencer Dogette.