20 Years Later: Ivan The Terrible
September 16, 2024
It’s one of those moments in life that Gulf Coast residents will never forget.
It was September 16, 2004 at 1:50 a.m.
Powerful Hurricane Ivan made landfall just west of Gulf Shores as a Category 3 Hurricane 20 years ago today.
Ivan packed 120 mph sustained surface winds and a historic storm surge, the magnitude and extent of the damage and destruction over Baldwin County in Alabama and Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties in northwest Florida exceeded that of both Hurricane Frederic (September 1979) and Hurricane Opal (October 1995).
For a photo gallery, click here.
Hurricane Ivan may rival the magnitude of damage and destruction caused by the Hurricane of 1926 which ravaged the counties east of Mobile Bay. Damage was estimated near $14 billion dollars.
As a major characteristic of most landfalling hurricanes, Ivan’s maximum surface winds occurred within the right front quadrant of the storm (or northeast of Ivan’s center given the orientation of approach in this case) just prior to and after landfall.
The worst storms and some of the highest inland winds on that northeast corner of the monster storm’s eyewall impacted the North Escambia area. On the edge of the eye, the raging winds stopped for a moment, rapidly changing directions with a vengeance. (Pictured left: A hand drawn NWS image shows the estimate eyewall path. Pictured below article: A radar image from 4 a.m. shows the heaviest storms and the edge of the eyewall over North Escambia.)
As we all ventured outside after daybreak, the winds were still strong, and we were met with images we’ll never forget. Trees were down everywhere. Homes were damaged or completely destroyed. Destruction everywhere.
Seven people in Escambia County died as the direct result of Hurricane Ivan, and one person lost their life in Santa Rosa County.
A trucker died when massive waves destroyed a section of the Escambia Bay Bridge.
As soon as there was life, the members of the farming community went to work with tractors and equipment in the Walnut Hill area, clearing the major roads and cleaning up ahead of power crews. It would take those power crews from across the county a good week, sometimes two weeks or more, to restore power in North Escambia.
A peak wind gust of 107 mph was recorded at NAS Pensacola, 101 mph at the Pensacola airport. There were no official weather stations reporting in North Escambia at the time. Many weather stations lost phone and data communications well in advance of the peak winds. But Ivan was more than just hurricane winds with numerous tornadoes inland and a destructive storm surge of several feet at the coast.
Ivan dumped 15 or more inches of rain in portion of Baldwin and Escambia (FL) counties, including the North Escambia area.
For a photo gallery, click here.
The came the cleanup — mountains of debris in front of homes, endless debris trucks, and a staging and burn area on Nine Mile Road.
Data sources: National Weather Service, National Hurricane Center.
Photo sources: Federal Highway Administration, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Navy, USGS, NOAA, NASA, National Weather Service Mobile, Defense Visual Information Distribution Service, State Library and Archives of Florida. FEMA, State of Florida and more…
Photo Gallery: Tate High Homecoming Parade
September 16, 2024
Tate High School held their “Tangled In Our Memories” Friday in Pete Gindle Stadium.
For a Homecoming Parade photo gallery, click here.
- For Homecoming King info and photos, click here.
- For Homecoming Queen and her court, click here.
- For a game action story and photos, click here.
Look for an upcoming photo gallery here on NorthEscambia.com with bonus photos with the alumni cheerleaders, cheerleaders, student section, band, fans and more.\
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Northview Grad Jamarkus Jefferson Making Area College Football History
September 16, 2024
Northview graduate and Chiefs football standout Jamarkus Jefferson made area college football history Saturday.
Jefferson scored the first home touchdown in the history of the Lighthouse Private Christian Academy Makos on their way to a 31-12 defeat of South Carolina Central Christian College, their second win for of inaugural season.
He wears No. 6 for LCC, a number familiar to Northview fans as he racked up records for the Chiefs. During the 2022 season, he was No. 1 in Florida with 286 points. His 47 touchdowns that season ranked 13th nationally.
For Jefferson, the smaller college is great second chance.
“It’s a great opportunity; it’s giving us a second chance to do and play the sport that we love. A lot of us are overlooked because these major colleges want players out of the portal or that are 4 and 5 stars,” he said.
LCC head coach Ronnie Cottrell left Mobile Christian after nine seasons with a 2023 state championship. In 24 years as a head coach, he was 186-101 at schools that included Flomaton, W.S. Neal, and Mobile Christian. He was the Alabama Crimson Tide recruiting coordinator under Mike DuBose from 1998-2000.
“It’s local kids that are just as good or even better with Coach Cottrell starting this program,” Jefferson said. “It’s even giving us a chance to play local and stay home to be able to play in front of our families.”
Pictured: Jamarkus Jefferson gains yardage Saturday for the Lighthouse Christian College Makos. Photos courtesy Jenette Stuckey for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely For Monday
September 16, 2024
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 10pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69. East wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Monday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 1pm, then showers and thunderstorms likely after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 79. East wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Monday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68. East wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 82. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 68. Calm wind.
Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 84. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 67. Calm wind.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 85. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph in the morning.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 65. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 86.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 66.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 85.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 66.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 83.
Blue Wahoos End Season With Dramatic Walk-off Win In 10 Innings
September 16, 2024
by Bill Vilona
A rain delay had passed and the skies were still threatening Sunday when the Blue Wahoos hurriedly unfurled a pregame banner thanking their fans.
More than three hours later, after catching a break with weather, they treated the crowd at Blue Wahoos Stadium to a 6-5, walk-off win in 10 innings against the Montgomery Biscuits, thus ending the season in a special way.
Josh Zamora blasted a fastball from fill-in pitcher Mason Auer, the Biscuits’ centerfielder, that hit the warning track in left-center and easily scored Andrew Pintar for the game-winner.
And the celebration was on. For the crowd of 3,839 who endured some intermittent rain, what a game and dramatic finish this one became.
While the game itself didn’t matter in the big picture of things – the Biscuits won both half-season division races — the teams played as if it were the postseason.
The Blue Wahoos had a 3-0 lead into the sixth. The Biscuits picked up a run that inning, then had a 4-run rally in the seventh against two new Blue Wahoos relievers.
Trailing 5-3, the Blue Wahoos answered in the eighth with a pair of runs. Graham Pauley led off with a walk. Pintar doubled to put runners on second and third. Kemp Alderman followed with a two-run double.
It stayed that way through the ninth. In the top of the 10th, Blue Wahoos reliever Tyler Eckberg had a clutch performance to earn the win. With the Biscuits’ placed runner Xavier Isaac on second, Eckberg struck out the first batter, Dru Baker. Auer then followed with a walk.
Eckberg got catcher Ricardo Genoves and third baseman Willy Vasquez to fly out to end the inning.
With many in the crowd standing with anticipation, the Wahoos got their turn. Pintar was the placed runner on second base. He moved to third when Auer’s first pitch to Alderman sailed wide and high past home plate.
With one-out and a 2-1 count, Zamora ended the game and the Blue Wahoos (71-65) finished the season with three consecutive wins against the Southern League South Division winners to split the series. The Biscuits (80-57) will now head to Biloxi to face the Biloxi Shuckers on Tuesday in the first game of their divisional playoff series.
Because of their playoff games ahead, the Biscuits went to Auer in the 10th. But he surprised, reaching the mid-90s with his fastball and locating a breaking pitch well.
The Wahoos got a big swing from Zamora to produce their first walkoff win since July 25, after staring the season 5-0 on home walkoffs.
The Blue Wahoos used seven pitchers in this game, beginning with Evan Fitterer, who worked five innings, allowing no runs on two hits and recording seven strikeouts for one of his best outings of the year.
Four Blue Wahoos hitters – Johnny Olmstead, Nathan Martorella, Graham Pauley and Andrew Pintar – finished with two hits apiece in a 12-hit attack.
Olmstead got things started for the Blue Wahoos when he led off the first inning with a single and later scored on a wild pitch. He then scored the game’s second run when leading off the third inning with a single, advancing on a double steal and scoring on Martorella’s RBI ground out.
The Blue Wahoos picked up their third run in the when Josh Zamora doubled and catcher Spencer Bramwell doubled. It was only the second game Bramwell has played this season as bullpen catcher.
GAME NOTABLES
— The Blue Wahoos players followed the game by cleaning out lockers and preparing to head out on Monday to their homes and either begin an off-season or await playing in the Arizona Fall League which begins in early October.
— More than a dozen people, including injured Blue Wahoos pitcher M.D. Johnson, participated in a post-game baptismal service performed by Marcus Pointe Baptist Church, a long-time Blue Wahoos partner. Entitled, “Headed For Home,” each person was introduced by the assistant pastor handling the ceremony. They climbed into a baptismal pool that was located at home plate while the brief service was completed.
— Johnson, who played at Dallas Baptist University during his collegiate career, started 16 games for the Blue Wahoos before an injury curtailed his season. He and his wife attended Sunday services at Marcus Pointe Baptist and liked living in Pensacola.
WHAT’S NEXT?
OPENING NIGHT: 2025 Blue Wahoos Season Opener
WHO: Biloxi Shuckers vs. Blue Wahoos
WHEN: April 4, 2025
WHERE: Blue Wahoos Stadium
These Are This Week’s Road Construction Trouble Spots
September 16, 2024
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 Circle Bridge Over Eight Mile Creek Construction – Interstate Circle is closed at the Eight Mile Creek Bridge through mid-2025 while crews replace the bridge. Signage is in place to detour drivers around the work zone using Pine Forest Road, Longleaf Drive and Wymart Road.
- Interstate 10 (I-10) at U.S. 29 Interchange (Exit 10) Construction Drivers will encounter the following construction-related traffic disruptions the week of Sunday, Sept. 15:
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- I-10, between U.S. 29 and I-110, is reduced to two travel lanes in each direction.
- Sunday, Sept. 15 through Thursday, Sept. 19, drivers will encounter intermittent lane closures on I-10 near U.S. 29 and on Palafox Street near the I-10 overpass between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m.
- The U.S. 29 northbound ramp to I-10 eastbound is closed. U.S. 29 northbound drivers are being detoured to make a U-turn at Broad Street onto U.S. 29 southbound to access I-10 eastbound.
- A new, temporary on-ramp for U.S. 29 southbound drivers accessing I-10 eastbound will open Monday, Sept. 16. Detouring traffic to the temporary ramp will allow crews to continue work to reconstruct the I-10/U.S. 29 interchange.
- I-10 at Nine Mile Road Interchange (Exit 5) Construction– Drivers will encounter inside lane closures on I-10 near Exit 5, Wednesday, Sept. 18 and Thursday, Sept. 19, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. These closures are required as crews construct a temporary detour.
- U.S. 29 (North Century Boulevard) Resurfacing between Henry Street and Cottage Street in Century – Traffic on U.S. 29 (North Century Boulevard) is shifted to the southbound travel lanes, between Rudolph Street and Green Street. One travel lane in each direction remains open as crews reconstruct the adjacent northbound lanes. The traffic shift is expected to remain in place through fall 2024. Signage is in place to safely direct drivers through the work zone.
- North Palafox Street (U.S. 29) Resurfacing from Cervantes Street to Brent Lane (State Road (S.R.) 296) – Drivers may encounter intermittent lane closures on North Palafox Street, between Brent Lane and West Scott Street, Sunday, Sept. 15 through Saturday, Sept. 21, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. for milling and paving operations.
Santa Rosa County:
- S.R. 89 Resurfacing, from north of S.R. 87 to County Road (C.R.) 178 – Drivers will encounter intermittent daytime lane closures, between S.R .87 and C.R. 178, Monday, Sept. 16 through Friday, Sept. 20 as crews install rumble strips and place thermoplastic striping.
- U.S. 90 Resurfacing from west of Avalon Boulevard to east of Stewart Street – Drivers may encounter intermittent U.S. 90 lane closures, between Avalon Boulevard and Stewart Street, Sunday, Sept. 15 through Thursday, Sept. 19, from 7 p.m. to 5:30 a.m., for paving operations.
- 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 Lake Drive.
- Intermittent lane closures and additional median closures between Bayshore Road and Tiger Lake Drive Sunday, Sept. 15, through Friday, Sept. 20, from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for stormwater drainage improvements and paving operations.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Highway 29 Southbound To I-10 Detour Scheduled To Start Today
September 16, 2024
UPDATE: Readers tell us this detour did not start Monday as announced by FDOT. We’ve reached out to FDOT for more information and a new schedule.
On Monday, September 16, drivers from Highway 29 southbound will be detoured to a temporary on-ramp to access I-10 eastbound. The temporary on-ramp will allow crews to reconstruct the interchange, according to the Florida Department of Transportation.
FDOT reminds drivers that the Highway 29 northbound ramp to I-10 eastbound is also closed. Highway 29 northbound drivers will continue north and make a U-turn at Broad Street onto U.S. 29 southbound to access I-10 eastbound. Directional signage is in place to direct drivers through the work zone.
The $236 million project to construct all-new I-10 travel lanes and about a dozen bridges is expected to be complete by 2030. FDOT said 62,000 commuters travel through the corridor daily.
This detour was schedule from begin September 9, but was delayed by weather.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Click graphic to enlarge.
AAA: Florida Gas Prices are the Lowest Since January
September 16, 2024
Florida gas prices continue their downward march in response to falling oil prices. according to AAA. On Sunday, Florida’s average price was $3.11 per gallon. That’s the lowest daily average price since January 23, 2024. The lowest state average price of 2024 was $2.988 on January 22.
“It has been 237 days since Florida gas prices were below $3 a gallon, but that streak could come to an end soon,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Oil prices suffered big losses in recent weeks, due to global economic concerns and the belief that global fuel supplies could begin to outpace demand. This could enable the state average to fall below $3 a gallon before October.”
More than a quarter of Florida gas stations already have pump prices below $3 a gallon. The lowest 10% of unleaded gasoline prices averaged $2.82 per gallon. The highest 10% of regular unleaded gas prices averaged $3.47 per gallon.
In Escambia County, the average per gallon was $2.84. A low of $2.59 was available Sunday night in North Escambia at a station on Highway 29 in Cantonment. Pensacola prices were as low as $2.58 at stations on Mobile Highway and Kenmore Road.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Marleen Dagmar Link Rodrigues
September 16, 2024
Marleen Dagmar (Link) Rodrigues, beloved wife, mother, sister, grandmother, and friend, passed away peacefully in her home in Walnut Hill, Florida, on September 6, 2024.
She was born on July 8, 1940, in Germany to the late Herman and Erika Olga Link. Her early life in Germany instilled in her a love for her heritage and a resilience that carried her through life’s challenges and joys. She met the love of her life Frank Rodrigues in 1961 while he was stationed in Germany and they married the year later. They came to the United States in 1963 and settled in Walnut Hill where they lived for the past 50 years. Together, they built a life filled with love, family, and shared memories.
Her career was in the cardiology field within Sacred Heart and West Florida hospital, where she retired. She leaves behind a passionate legacy to all those that worked with her.
Marleen’s life was a testament to the values of love, family, and perseverance. She will be remembered for her gentle spirit, warm heart, and unwavering strength. After a long battle with cancer, she showed incredible courage and grace, inspiring all who knew her.
Marleen is preceded in death by her sister, Ingrid Prasuhn, whose memory she cherished dearly.
She’s survived by her loving husband, Frank, who was by her side for countless cherished moments over the last 62 years of marriage. Her devoted daughter, Scarlett (Rodrigues) Henderson, who was inspired by her mother’s kindness, love and strength. Scarlett believes God chose the perfect mother to guide her through life. She was a proud and doting grandmother to Serenah Wakeman and Nickolas Rieth, who will always remember her as a source of wisdom, warmth, and unconditional love. Her legacy will live on through their fond memories and the values she instilled in them. They will always remember her as the most kind hearted and loving Omi and will ensure her memories are passed down through future generations. She is also survived by her brother, Tom Link, his wife, Erika Link, and their daughter Kathrin Link, who shared many family celebrations and close bonds over the years.
Marleen’s life was marked by her generosity, compassion, humbleness, unwavering support and her passion for knitting which she shared with all her family and friends. She had a special talent for making everyone feel welcome and loved, and her home was always a gathering place filled with laughter and joy.
Her passing leaves a void that will be felt deeply by all who knew her. While Marleen’s physical presence is no longer with us, her spirit and the impact she had on those around her will remain forever in our hearts.
A memorial mass was held Friday, September 13, 2024 at 10 a.m. at Saint Robert Bellarmine Catholic Church, Atmore, Alabama to honor Marleen’s life and the wonderful memories she leaves behind with Father Gordon Milsted and Father Joseph Chacko officiating. Inurnment was at Holy Cross Cemetery, Pensacola, Florida. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in her memory to either Saint Roberts Bellarmine Catholic Church in Atmore, Alabama or a charity of choice.
Rest in peace, Marleen (Link) Rodrigues. You will be dearly missed and forever remembered.
JoAnn Fern Koehn Nightengale
September 16, 2024
JoAnn Fern Koehn Nightengale was born to Fred P. and Sarah Smith Koehn on June 3, 1931, in Montezuma, Kansas. She passed away on September 12, 2024, at Jay Hospital in Jay, Florida, reaching the age of ninety-three years.
JoAnn spent her early life and school days near Montezuma. Those were the Dust Bowl days, and the challenges of that time taught her the strength and industriousness she carried through life.
At 12 years old, she accepted God’s call to salvation and gave her heart to Him, receiving His abiding peace. She was baptized upon the confession of her faith into the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite by Minister David J. Koehn. To this commitment, she lived faithfully all her days.
On October 2, 1949, JoAnn was married to Marvin Nightengale in Montezuma, Kansas, with Minister David J. Koehn officiating. They were married for 64 years until his passing in 2014.
For the first 7 years of their married life, they lived in the Montezuma area, taking up farming for their livelihood. In 1956, they moved with their small family to Walnut Hill, Florida, where they continued farming. Except for a brief time of relocating to Ocala, Florida, they lived in the Walnut Hill area. They were blessed with three sons and one daughter. The grandchildren were a special blessing to JoAnn as they went in and out of her home.
JoAnn had a lively personality and was very outgoing. She was attentive to those with difficulties and cared for many, especially those with physical challenges. She willingly shared this gift and was deeply appreciated by those whose lives she touched.
Her love for children manifested in her time as a teacher at Walnut Hill Christian School. The three years she spent teaching was a special time for her, creating a lasting impact and many friendships with the faculty.
Doyle faithfully cared for her until she moved to Century Center for Rehabilitation and Healing. Her friendly, caring disposition was a light to the other residents and caretakers during her time there.
Her passing leaves a wealth of warm memories for her children, Doyle, of Davisville, FL; Randy of Crestview, FL; Scott and Lilian of Walnut Hill, FL; and Charlotte and Brian Decker of Wakarusa, IN; Seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren; two sisters, Helen Unruh of Moundridge, KS; June Schoonover of Colorado Spring, CO; and countless friends and relatives.
Preceding her in death were her husband, Marvin, seven sisters, two brothers; four brothers-in law and one sister-in-law.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, September 18, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. at Walnut Hill Mennonite Church with Minister Benjamin Koehn, Minister Myron Nightingale, Minister Mike Koehn, and Minister Keith Nightingale officiating. Interment will follow in Walnut Hill Memorial Gardens.
Active pallbearers will be Calvin Becker, Mark Johnson, Jason Schneider, Henry Hiebert, Curtis Hiebert and Tracey Hiebert.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, September 17, 2024 from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Walnut Hill Mennonite Church.