Century Man Wanted For Vehicle Theft
August 13, 2019
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is looking for Michael Alexander Dubose of Century on an outstanding warrant.
Dubose is wanted for grand theft of a motor vehicle, according to the ECSO. He has a total bond of $10,000.
Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Gulf Coast Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP. Crime Stoppers callers can remain anonymous and can be eligible for a cash reward up to $1,000.
Nine Mile, Pine Forest Intersection To Be Paved Wednesday Night
August 13, 2019
Paving of the Nine Mile Road and Pine Forest intersection has been scheduled for Wednesday night and Thursday morning, according to the Florida Department of Transportation.
Drivers will encounter minor delays at the intersection from 8 p.m. Wednesday to 6 a.m. Thursday.
Crews will stop traffic at interval times for workers to pave through the intersection. Traffic control officers will be on site to direct traffic through the intersection.
Hill Files Bill To Roll Back Parkland Gun Restrictions
August 13, 2019
Rep. Mike Hill has filed a bill to repeal several gun law changes and red flag provisions that were passed after the 2018 massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland.
The provisions Hill seeks to repeal include the prohibition of mentally ill persons buying guns, the ban on bump stock devices, the increase from 18 to 21 as the minimum age to purchase rifles and a three-day waiting period. Last year, Hill filed a similar bill, but it went nowhere and was not heard in committee.
The red flag laws allow law enforcement agencies to seize firearms from individuals that may pose a danger to themselves or the people around them.
The 2020 legislative session in Florida begins in January.
Pensacola City Councilman Wingate Passes Away
August 13, 2019
Pensacola City Councilman Gerald Wingate has died.
Wingate, who was battling cancer, passed away overnight.
The District 5 councilman served as council president from 2017-2018 and vice president from 2016-2017.
Wingate was a Pensacola native, and he served as officer in the U.S. Army for 25 years. He graduated from Booker T. Washington High School, Pensacola Junior College and the University of West Florida. He is survived by his wife and five children.
Byrne Planning To Introduce Alternative To High Tolls On $2.1 Billion I-10 Bridge Project
August 12, 2019
Congressman Bradley Byrne said Monday afternoon that he’s opposed to the high tolls proposed for a new Interstate 10 Mobile River Bridge and Bayway.
The Alabama Department of Transportation has proposed a $6 one-way toll or a $90 monthly pass for unlimited trips across the planned $2.1 billion bridge.
During a town hall meeting in Atmore Monday afternoon, Byrne announced he will “introduce something soon” to present to Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey that will offer an alternative to the high tolls. He said he is working at the federal, state and local levels to determine what might be feasible to lower or eliminate the tolls and decrease the overall price of the bridge project. Right now, he said, the toll is simply “too much”.
“Finding the money to pay for this project – the biggest infrastructure project in our state’s history – was never going to be easy,” Ivey wrote in an op-ed piece released Friday. “Be assured, we will continue to look to Washington for additional help that can make this project a reality.”
She announced that elected leader from local, state and federal offices will be given an opportunity to submit their ideas at a public meeting on October 7 in Montgomery.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Fire Heavy Damages Two Story Home Near Jay
August 12, 2019
Fire heavily damaged a two story home just southwest of Jay early Monday morning.
The fire in the 4000 block of Curt Lane was report about 4:45 a.m. Firefighters arrived to find heavy fire coming from the structure.
There was no word of any injuries, and the cause of the fire was under investigation. The Jay, Allentown, Munson, Berrydale, Whiting Field, Century and Flomaton fire departments responded to the blaze.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Resurfaces 3 Miles Of North Pine Barren Road At No Extra Cost To Taxpayers
August 12, 2019
Escambia County has resurfaced about three miles of North Pine Barren Road at no extra cost to taxpayers.
The roadway was resurfaced from West Highway 4 to Christian Home Drive — a stretch of road that was riddled with potholes and crumbling asphalt. It’s a frequent route for McDavid and Molino students on their way to Northview High School.
But how did it not cost taxpayers?
Escambia County’s Cooper Saunders, project manager, explained.
After the county bid the recent resurfacing of North Highway 99, the Florida Department of Transportation replaced a bridge and paved the approaches. That left the county with an excess paid for quantity of asphalt and time that transferred to the North Pine Barren Road project.
“The funds were allocated for a project that was in District 5, so we looked at Pine Barren Road because it was a priority,” Saunders said. “And the contactor agreed to the idea.”
“Only through the hard work of Escambia County staff and the cooperation of our contractor, are we able to utilize remaining funds from the Highway 99 improvements and pave nearly three miles of Pine Barren Road,” Escambia County District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry said. “Specifically, I would like to thank Cooper Saunders, project manager, and our partners from Panhandle Paving & Grading for directly bettering the quality of life for more of our citizens in the community.”
Pictured: Looking north (above) and south (below) on Pine Barren Road from Bratt Road. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Confused When To Stop For A School Bus? Here’s What You Need To Know
August 12, 2019
It’s the first day of school in Escambia County, with more than 40,000 students making their way to and from school. About 25,000 of them will be on board 300 school buses across the county.
Parents are reminded to instruct their children to be at the bus stop at least five minutes before scheduled bus arrival time, stay off of the roadway, observe and stay clear of traffic, stay out of the bus blind spots, don’t chase after the bus once it leaves the bus stop, and buckle seat belts as soon as they board.
Motorists are reminded to give themselves plenty of time to get where they’re going and to be patient in traffic. They should watch out for school buses, comply with bus-passing laws, and stay off of those cell phones.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, drivers must follow these school and school bus safety rules:
- Adhere to the posted speed limit in designated school zones.
- When approaching an intersection where a crossing guard is present in the crosswalk with the stop sign raised, do not cross – or turn – into the crosswalk until the guard has completely left the crosswalk.
- Never stop a vehicle in a manner that blocks a crosswalk.
- When you approach a stopped school bus (from behind) with lights flashing and the stop arm extended, you must stop.
- When you approach a stopped school bus (from front) with lights flashing and the stop arm extended, you also must stop, unless:
- you are on a divided highway and the roadways are separated by an unpaved space at least five feet in width, or
- you are on a divided highway and the roadways are separated by a physical barrier.
- You are required to stop at least 10 feet away from the school bus.
- You must not resume driving until the school bus turns its lights off and withdraws its stop sign.
- Be certain all exiting children have reached a safe place before proceeding.
Share Your First Day Of School Photos
August 12, 2019
It’s a NorthEscambia.com tradition…share you first day of school photos with us! We are asking that you share your photos on this post on Facebook, or tag NorthEscambia on Facebook.
Pictured: “First Day of School” sign at Jim Allen Elementary School. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
FDOT Weekly Traffic Alert: Where To Expect Delays This Week
August 12, 2019
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:
- U.S. 98 from Lillian Highway (State Road/S.R. 298) to West of Blue Angel Parkway (S.R. 173) – There will be intermittent lane restrictions from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 11 through Thursday, Aug. 15 as crews finish paving the final layer of asphalt. This work is expected to take approximately one week to complete. There are no lane closures anticipated for Friday, Aug. 16 and Saturday, Aug. 17.
- U.S. 29 Widening from Interstate 10 (I-10) to Nine Mile Road (S.R. 10/U.S. 90A) – Drivers will experience the following impacts to traffic Sunday, Aug. 11 through Saturday, Aug. 17:
o Nine Mile Road at the U.S. 29 Overpass: Alternating traffic shifts will direct all traffic onto the westbound or eastbound lanes as crews continue removing the old southbound bridge. Nine Mile Road lane restrictions are Sunday through Friday.
o U.S. 29 traffic between Interstate 10 and 9 1/2 Mile Road may experience alternating lane closures as crews continue drainage and paving operations.
- Nine Mile Road (S.R. 10/U.S. 90A) Widening from Pine Forest Road (S.R. 297) to U.S. 29- Drivers will encounter minor delays at the intersection of Nine Mile Road and Pine Forest roads from 8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 13 to 6 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 14. Crews will stop traffic at interval times for workers to pave through the intersection. Traffic control officers will be on site to direct traffic through the intersection.
- U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement Bridge- Bridge construction may require the following lane closures from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 11 through Sunday, Aug. 18.
- 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.
- Intermittent lane closures on North 17th Avenue in Pensacola, between U.S. 98 and the CSX Railroad overpass (Graffiti Bridge).
- · Cervantes Street (S.R. 10A) Underground Utility Operations- The middle turn lanes on Cervantes Street between N. De Villiers and N Palafox streets will be closed from 8 p.m. Monday, Aug. 12 to 5 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 13 as crews video the sewer main.
- · U.S. 29 Resurfacing from south of Muscogee Road (County Road/C.R. 184) to Atmore Highway (S.R. 97) - Post mounted delineators have been erected between the Thrift Store and Cross Roads Dollar General to prevent cut-through traffic from Molino Road. Workers are clearing trees and shrubs and excavating for roadway widening at the Molino Road intersection. Drivers may encounter intermittent lane restrictions as crews and heavy equipment enter and exit the roadway.
- · C.R. 168 Bridge Replacement over Unnamed Branch in Northwest Century- Traffic was recently shifted to the temporary acrow bridge. Activities associated with the bridge replacement project continue and are anticipated to be complete late 2019.
- Bratt Road Bridge Replacement over Canoe Creek - Bratt Road continues to be closed near Canoe Creek. Drivers on Bratt Road, west of the bridge, will be detoured to Pine Barren Road and C.R. 4. Drivers east of the bridge will be detoured east on Bratt Road. The project is anticipated to be complete summer 2019.
- Hanks Road Bridge Replacement over Breastworks Creek - Construction activities continue. The roadway will be temporarily closed during construction. Drivers on Hanks Road, west of the bridge, will be detoured to C.R. 99 and C.R. 4. Drivers east of the bridge will utilize Pine Barren Road. The project is anticipated to be complete late 2019.
Santa Rosa County:
- U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement Bridge- Bridge construction may require the following lane closures 8 p.m. until 5 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 11 through Sunday, Aug. 18 from
- 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.
- Intermittent lane closures on North 17th Avenue in Pensacola, between U.S. 98 and the CSX Railroad overpass (Graffiti Bridge).
- I-10 Widening from the Escambia Bay Bridge to Avalon Boulevard (S.R. 281/Exit 22) – Drivers can expect alternating and intermittent lane closures on I-10 from the Escambia Bay Bridge to east of Avalon Boulevard from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 11 through Thursday, Aug. 15 as crews to finish final work list items.
- S.R. 87 Utility Operations over Yellow River Bridge- Southbound motorists may encounter daytime intermittent lane closures Monday, Aug. 12 through Friday, Aug. 16 as utility crews perform adjustments.
- S.R. 87 Pavement Markings Replacement- Traffic will encounter alternating and intermittent minor delays between Nicholas Lake Road and Vonnie Tolbert Road from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday through Thursday until Tuesday, Dec. 31 as crews remove and replace pavement markings in the roadway. Law enforcement will be on site to direct traffic.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather. Drivers are reminded to use caution, especially at night, when traveling through a work zone and to watch for construction workers and equipment entering and exiting the roadway.