Second Arrest Made In Robbery Of Jay Convenience Store
June 1, 2020
A second suspect has been arrested in connection with the robbery of a convenience store in Jay last October.
Bradon Demarcus Brazile, 19, was booked into the Santa Rosa County Jail late last week on a charge of robbery without a firearm. A second suspect, 21-year old Demarcus Trey Brown (pictured right), was arrested for robbery without a firearm and obstructing justice on April 1.
The Exprezit Exxon Station in the 3800 block of Highway 4 was robbed the night of October 11. The clerk told the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office that two people completely covered by clothing entered the store. One of them jumped the counter and demanded that she empty the register as the second suspect walked around the counter. They emptied the money into a bag and ran out of the store, according to an arrest report.
Both remained in the Santa Rosa County Jail.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Man Airlifted After Crashing On Dirt Road At Lake Stone
June 1, 2020
An adult male was seriously injured when his vehicle overturned at Lake Stone near Century Sunday afternoon..
The man lost control of a Ford Explorer on a dirt road adjacent to the lake and overturned into a tree about a quarter mile from the boat ramp. He was airlifted by Med Star Air Care helicopter to an area hospital.
The Florida Highway Patrol investigated. The Century Station of Escambia Fire Rescue and Escambia County EMS also responded.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Lowest Florida June 1 Gas Prices In 17 Years
June 1, 2020
June begins with the lowest gas prices in Florida since 2003.
The average price per gallon in the state was $1.90 per gallon, 70 cents less than one year ago.
In Escambia County, the average price was $1.80 per gallon Sunday night. In North Escambia, a low price of $1.67 could be found at a station in Cantonment.
“Pump prices remain stifled by lower-than-average fuel demand caused by Covid-19,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Although gasoline demand has slowly recovered during recent weeks, it has not returned to a level that would cause pump prices to suddenly return to pre-pandemic levels.”
NorthEscambia.com photo.
Nine Mile, Pine Forest Traffic Light To Be Moved. It’s In The Wrong Spot By A Few Feet.
June 1, 2020
The previously existing traffic signal on the northwest corner of Pine Forest and Nine Mile Road may be long enough to reach across the future westbound lanes, but it’s in the wrong spot. The Florida Department of Transportation said it will be removed, and a new one installed a few feet away to accommodate the utility, drainage, pedestrian, and roadway upgrades taking place on this corner. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Thousands Of Pounds Of Food Distributed In Century (With Photo Gallery)
May 31, 2020
About 30,000 pounds of food was distributed in Century on Saturday to families in need.
The free food giveaway was a partnership between the Town of Century, Northwest Florida Community Outreach and Farm Share. Hundreds of local resident received a variety of food that included meats, produce, milk and fresh produce.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos by William Reynolds, click to enlarge.
Here’s The Count Of Long-Term Care COVID-19 Deaths By Facility In Escambia County
May 31, 2020
Of the 33 COVID-19 deaths in Escambia County, 26 — just over three-quarters of them — have been in long-term care facilities according to data released by the Florida Department of Health.
There have been 12 residents that died from the virus at Bayside Health and Rehabilitation Center, an increase of five deaths at the facility since a week ago. As of Saturday, there were 24 current cases at Bayside.
At Southern Oaks Care Center, seven residents have died as has one staff member. Four residents have died at Brookdale Pensacola assisted living center, and there has been one resident death each at Rosewood Health and Rehabilitation and Arcadia Health and Rehabilitation Center.
A total of 810 cases were reported in Escambia County as of Saturday night. It’s not possible to determine how many of those have been residents of long-term care facilities; the Florida Department of Health’s data reports only indicate the number of current COVID-19 by facility. It does not provide a cumulative total by facility.
Church Donating Property For Pine Barren Church Road Dirt Road Paving
May 31, 2020
The Pine Barren Baptist Church is donating property to allow for paving of the dirt portion of Pine Barren Church Road near Davisville.
The 0.16 acres at 5270 Pine Barren Church Road is being donated for right of way.
Pine Barren Church Road runs West Highway 4 to Highway 97. About 5,300 linear feet is dirt and part of Escambia County’s Dirt Road Program.
Base preparation and minor drainage work will be constructed by in-house crews and the paving and striping work will be contracted. The donation of real property from Pine Barren Baptist Church is needed to complete the project.
NorthEscambia.com photos.
Here Are This Week’s Road Construction Delay Spots
May 31, 2020
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:
- · Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement- Bridge construction may require the following lane closures from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. The week of Sunday, May 31:
o Intermittent east and westbound lane closures on U.S. 98 from North 14th Avenue in Pensacola to east of the Pensacola Bay Bridge in Gulf Breeze.
o Intermittent lane closures on North 17th Avenue in Pensacola between U.S. 98 and the CSX Railroad overpass (Graffiti Bridge).
- · Scenic Highway Striping Operations from Rothchild to Nine Mile Road- The eastbound and westbound outside lane will be closed from 8 p.m. Sunday, May 31 to 5 a.m. Monday, June 1 as crews replace striping and reflective pavement markings.
- · Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90) Widening from Beulah Road to Pine Forest Road (State Road (S.R.) 297)- The far-right portion of the I-10 eastbound off-ramp that connects to Nine Mile Road (Exit 5) remains closed. Drivers can still access Nine Mile Road east and westbound using the other section of the ramp. The partial ramp closure is needed to reconstruct the ramp.
- · Bayou Boulevard (S.R. 296) Construction Operations at the intersection of E. Avery Street- The southbound lane will be closed at the intersection of E. Avery Street from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, May 29 as crews unload equipment.
- · Perdido Key Drive (S.R. 292) Pedestrian Crosswalk Construction at Flora-Bama- Crews are performing signalization work during daytime hours. There are currently no lane closures or impacts to traffic.
- · U.S. 29 Resurfacing from south of County Road (C.R.) 184 (Muscogee Road) to S.R. 97 (Atmore Highway)- Motorists can expect intermittent daytime lane restrictions as crews continue construction activities at various locations. There will also be intermittent and alternating lane restriction from 8 pm. to 6 a.m. around the CSX RR crossing in Cantonment Sunday, May 31 through Thursday, June 4 as crews construct improvements to the railroad crossing.
- · Mobile Highway (U.S. 90) Intersection Improvements at New Warrington Road (S.R. 295) – Construction activities are underway. Drivers can expect lane closures between 9:30 p.m. and 6 a.m.
- U.S. 29 Widening from Interstate 10 (I-10) to Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90)– Drivers will experience the following traffic impacts the week of Sunday, May 31.
- Nine Mile Road will be closed at the U.S. 29 overpass from 8 p.m. to midnight Thursday, June 4 as crews paint a beam and rail of the newly constructed southbound bridge deck. The following detour will be in place:
- Eastbound Nine Mile Road will be reduced to one lane, directed to U.S. 29 southbound, U-turn at West Hood Drive, and return to Nine Mile Road.
- Westbound traffic will perform the same operation at West 9 1/2 Mile Road
- Throughout the week, drivers traveling Nine Mile Road at the U.S. 29 Overpass and U.S. 29 traffic between I-10 and 9 1/2 Mile Road may experience alternating lane shifts or closures as crews continue drainage and paving operations.
Santa Rosa County:
- · Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement - Bridge construction may require the following lane closures from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. The week of Sunday, May 31:
o Intermittent east and westbound lane closures from North 14th Avenue in Pensacola to east of the Pensacola Bay Bridge in Gulf Breeze.
o Intermittent lane closures on North 17th Avenue in Pensacola between U.S. 98 and the CSX Railroad overpass (Graffiti Bridge).
- · Garcon Point Bridge (S.R. 281) Routine Bridge Maintenance over East Bay- Traffic will be reduced to one lane from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Friday, June 5. Traffic flaggers will be on site to direct drivers through the work area
- · S.R. 4 Resurfacing and Drainage Improvements from the Escambia River Bridge to Market Road (C.R. 87A) in Jay – There will be temporary shoulder and lane closures throughout the project limits.
- · U.S. 90 Pavement Marking Operations between Avalon Boulevard (S.R. 281) and the Okaloosa County Line-Motorists can expect minor delays from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. through Thursday, Aug. 27 as slow-moving vehicles are used to perform pavement marking operations.
- · U.S. 98 Safety Improvement from Villa Woods Circle to Ortega Park Drive- Paving operations are underway throughout the project limits. Drivers can expect nighttime lane restrictions.
- · S.R. 87 Bridge Rehabilitation and Repair Over Yellow River- Motorists may encounter nighttime southbound lane closures as crews continue expansion joint work.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Remembering Trayton, Young Boy Killed In Four Wheeler Accident
May 31, 2020
A community is in mourning after a tragic four-wheeler accident claimed the life young Trayton Adams Thursday evening in Flomaton.
“Trayton was a joy to have in our school. He loved hard and he smiled large every day. He was loved by all his classmates and the staff,” Flomaton Elementary George Brown wrote on the school’s Facebook page.
“Trayton loved to smile and he loved to give hugs,” said Brittany Brown, his kindergarten teacher. “His smile would light up the room because it was so full of joy and his hugs were so pure and filled with love. He loved so freely and so genuinely.”
“He was very smart and he loved to draw. His journals were full of the most beautiful pictures that he would draw each day. I was always in awe of the talent that he had. He had a servant’s heart and always wanted to help others. Not a day went by that he didn’t offer to help one of his classmates or me. He loved to laugh and he loved to play outside.”
“I’m so grateful for all the precious memories our class made with him, we will cherish them and hold them in our hearts forever,” Brown said.
Photos: Brittany Brown for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
ECAT Encouraging Riders To Wear Masks
May 31, 2020
Beginning Monday,, passengers will be encouraged to wear face masks while riding Escambia County Area Transit buses.
If a rider does not already have a mask, ECAT employees will offer a mask to the passenger during the month of June to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. ECAT operators will also continue to wear masks.
Also beginning Monday, ECAT employees and operators will have their temperature taken when they arrive to work as a precaution. ECAT continues to implement safety measures such as limiting ridership to 10 bus passengers and increased bus and facility cleanings. ECAT lobby areas are open at 25% occupancy (two people in the front lobby and eight people in the customer service area). Beach trolleys have seating spaced to accommodate social distancing.
“Our priority remains the safety and health of our employees and passengers, especially during this pandemic. Since March, we have been implementing health and safety measures such as frequent and daily cleaning of buses, limiting the number of passengers to 10, and boarding buses in a manner that promotes social distancing,” Escambia County Mass Transit Director Tonya Ellis said.
Since April 6, fair collection has been suspended for ECAT bus services.
Bus passengers have been instructed to enter and exit through the rear doors only and sit behind the accessibility-reserved seating area. Front-door access is permitted only for passengers needing the boarding ramp or operator assistance to access the bus. ADA accessible seating space near the front of the bus is reserved for individuals in mobility devices, individuals in need of special assistance and families with children in strollers.