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Here Are This Week’s Traffic Delay Hot Spots

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. 29 Widening from Interstate 10 (I-10) to U.S. 90A (Nine Mile Road) – The following traffic impacts will occur from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, April 21 through Saturday, April 27.

• • Northbound U.S. 29 off and on-ramps at Nine Mile Road: will be closed from 8 p.m. Friday, April 19 to 6 a.m. Monday, April 22 to provide safe work zones for crews to construct partial segments of the future off and on-ramps. The following detour will be in place:
    • Nine Mile Road to U.S. 29 Northbound – Palafox Street, 9 ½ Mile Road, to U.S. 29.
    • U.S. 29 Northbound to Nine Mile Road – W. Hood Drive, Palafox Street, to Nine Mile Road.
  • 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 construction of the new northbound bridge deck. Nine Mile Road lane restrictions are Sunday through Friday.
  • U.S. 29 between I-10 and 9 1/2 Mile Road: Drainage and paving operations continue. Drivers can expect alternating lane closures Monday through Saturday.

• U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement Bridge- Bridge construction will require the following lane closures from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, April 21 through Sunday, April 28:

• • U.S. 98 east and westbound from North 14th Avenue in Pensacola to just east of the Pensacola Bay Bridge in Gulf Breeze.
  • North 17th Avenue in Pensacola between U.S. 98 and the CSX Railroad overpass (Graffiti Bridge).

• State Road (S.R.) 296 (Bayou Boulevard) Turn lane Construction- The westbound, right turn lane on Bayou Boulevard, just east of Ninth Avenue, will be closed from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday, April 22 and Tuesday, April 23 as crews repave the turn lane.
• U.S. 90A (Nine Mile Road) Widening from S.R. 297 (Pine Forest Road) to U.S. 29-  Southbound Fowler Avenue at Nine Mile Road will be closed until 5 p.m. Saturday, April 27 as crews place drainage pipes across the roadway. Traffic will be detoured as follows:
  • Nine Mile Road east and westbound: Untreiner Avenue, Detroit Boulevard, Fowler Avenue.
  • Northbound Fowler Avenue: Detroit Boulevard, Cove Avenue or Untreiner Avenue
  • During the temporary closure, the left turn from westbound Nine Mile Road onto Untreiner Avenue will be reopened
• County Road (C.R.) 168 Bridge Replacement over Unnamed Branch- Activities associated with the bridge replacement project on County Road 168 over Unnamed Branch, Northwest of Century, are underway. The project is anticipated to be complete late 2019.
• Crary Road Bridge Replacement over Pritchett Mill Creek- Crary Road is closed between Tedder Road and Byrneville Road as crews continue to construct a bridge culvert.  Motorists will be detoured via C.R. 4 and Byrneville Road. The project is anticipated to be complete summer 2019.
• Bratt Road Bridge Replacement over Canoe Creek - Bratt Road will continue 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.

Santa Rosa County:

• S.R. 87 Pavement Markings Replacement- Traffic will encounter minor delays at the following locations from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday through Thursday until Thursday, April 25 as crews remove and replace pavement markings in the roadway. Law enforcement will be on site to direct traffic:
  • From U.S. 90 to Nicholas Lake Road.
  • From U.S. 98 to Vonnie Tolbert Road.

• U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement Bridge- Bridge construction will require the following lane closures from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, April 21 through Sunday, April 28:

• • U.S. 98 east and westbound from North 14th Avenue in Pensacola to just east of the Pensacola Bay Bridge in Gulf Breeze.
  • 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) –Crews will be placing the final layer of asphalt on the following ramps between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m.:
  • Wednesday, April 24, I-10 eastbound on-ramp.
  • Sunday, April 28, I-10 eastbound off-ramp.
  • Monday, April 29 I-10 westbound off-ramp.

Additionally, drivers may encounter alternating lane closures on Avalon Boulevard, near the I-10 interchange, and on I-10, from the Escambia Bay Bridge to east of S.R. 281, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, April 21 through Friday, April 26 as crews perform construction activities.

• U.S. 98 Utility Operations from Pala Alto Avenue in Santa Rosa County east to Woodland Avenue in Okaloosa County- Drivers will encounter intermittent and alternating lane restrictions between Pala Alto Avenue in Santa Rosa County and Woodland Avenue in Okaloosa County from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday, April 24 and Wednesday, May 1 as Pike Electric performs routine maintenance on power lines. In addition, there will be intermittent daytime shoulder closures from Monday, April 22 until Thursday, May 2.

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.

Woman Charged In Fatal DUI Crash

An Escambia County woman was charged with DUI after a fatal crash Sunday afternoon.

The Florida Highway Patrol said 47-year old Marie Ann Simpkins failed to stop her Hyundai Sonata at a red traffic signal at Fairfield Drive and W Street about 4:30 p.m. and collided with two other vehicles. Her vehicle collided with a 2003 Ford Mustang drive by 49-year old Randy Riley. Riley was critically injured, while the crash claimed the life of his passenger, 22-year old Nelson Riley of Pensacola.

Simpkins’ vehicle also hit a Nissan Murano drive by Gladys Taylor, who suffered minor injuries.

Two passengers in Simpkins’ car, 19-year old Jobe Simpkins and a 4-year old, were also transported to the hospital.

Simpkins was charged with vehicular manslaughter, DUI manslaughter, DUI with serious bodily injury and reckless driving. She was booked into the Escambia Jail late Sunday night without bond.

Missing Man Found Safe In Cantonment Woods; Silver Alert Canceled

A missing elderly  man that was the subject of a silver alert was found in safe the woods in Cantonment Sunday afternoon.

Clifford Reynolds, 83, left his home on Gulf Beach Highway Friday about 6 p.m. He was found with his white Chevrolet Avalanche by several people shortly before 5:00 Sunday afternoon down a trail off Becks Lake Road. He was rescued from the woods by the Cantonment Station of Escambia Fire Rescue, Escambia County EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.

Reynolds was transported to an area hospital by ambulance for  evaluation but appeared to be in good condition, according to Sgt. Melanie Peterson, spokesperson for the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.

NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.

Worshipers Gather For Easter Sunrise Services

Worshipers gathered for sunrise services across Escambia County on Easter Sunday morning.

The services were to celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, an important event to the faithful. According to the Bible:

Matthew 28:1-20

Resurrection Morning
1 After the Sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to view the tomb. 2 Suddenly there was a violent earthquake, because an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and approached [the tomb]. He rolled back the stone and was sitting on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his robe was as white as snow. 4 The guards were so shaken from fear of him that they became like dead men. 5

But the angel told the women, “Don’t be afraid, because I know you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. 6 He is not here! For He has been resurrected, just as He said. Come and see the place where He lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell His disciples, ‘He has been raised from the dead. In fact, He is going ahead of you to Galilee; you will see Him there.’ Listen, I have told you.”

8 So, departing quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, they ran to tell His disciples the news. 9 Just then Jesus met them and said, “Good morning!” They came up, took hold of His feet, and worshiped Him. 10 Then Jesus told them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell My brothers to leave for Galilee, and they will see Me there.”

The Soldiers Are Bribed to Lie
11 As they were on their way, some of the guard came into the city and reported to the chief priests everything that had happened. 12 After the priests had assembled with the elders and agreed on a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money 13 and told them, “Say this, ‘His disciples came during the night and stole Him while we were sleeping.’ 14 If this reaches the governor’s ears, we will deal with him and keep you out of trouble.” 15 So they took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has been spread among Jewish people to this day.

The Great Commission
16 The 11 disciples traveled to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had directed them. 17 When they saw Him, they worshiped, but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came near and said to them, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

from the Holman Christian Standard Bible

Pictured above and below are the Marcus Pointe Baptist Church Community Sonrise Service at Blue Wahoos Stadium. Pictured bottom is from the Molino Community Sunrise Service at Aldersgate United Methodist Church. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Fire Destroys Mobile Home, Vehicle In Cantonment

Fire destroyed mobile home and a vehicle in Cantonment Saturday afternoon.

There were no injuries reported in the blaze on Robinson Street. Firefighters were able to save an adjacent mobile home.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.

Easter Bunny Visits The Molino Branch Library (With Photo Gallery)

The Easter Bunny stopped by the Molino Branch Library last week for story time and to take photos with the kids.

For more photos, click here.

Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

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Bicyclist Hit By Car On North Palafox, Critically Injured

A bicyclist was seriously injured Saturday afternoon when he was hit by a car.

The 54-year old man entered the direct path of a Chevrolet Malibu driven by 42-year old Lakeshia Snow of Pensacola about 3:45 p.m.on North Palafox Street south of Hope Drive.

The bicyclist was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital in critical condition. His name has not been released as the FHP attempted to notify his next of kin.

Wahoos Shut Out The BayBears

Pensacola’s lauded starting pitching rotation got a new cast member on Saturday evening at Blue Wahoos Stadium as Sean Poppen made his first start in a Blue Wahoos uniform. True to the part, the Harvard grad delivered 5.0 shutout innings and struck out 11 BayBears batters in a 5-0 win for Pensacola. With tonight’s outing by Poppen, Blue Wahoos starting pitchers now have a 1.39 ERA this season, having allowed just 13 earned runs in 84.1 innings.

Poppen, who made his first appearance of the year on the mound for AAA-Rochester, recovered from some first inning hiccups before cruising to the win. The game’s leadoff batter Jahmai Jones singled and one batter later Jack Kruger was hit by a pitch, but Poppen quickly worked out of the jam, striking out a pair in the inning.

After walking the first batter in the second, he struck out two more. In the home half of the inning, Tanner English was hit by a pitch, stole second, and scored on an Ernie De La Trinidad single, the first of three for De La Trinidad.

Poppen was back at it in the third, striking out a pair for the third straight inning. In the fourth, he one-upped himself, striking out the side. Two more strikeouts followed in the fifth, giving him 11 in the game, the most by a Blue Wahoos pitcher this season.

Pensacola scored twice in the bottom of the fifth, using a walk to Brian Schales and singles by Luis Arraez, Jaylin Davis, and English to go up 3-0.

Following the fifth inning, both teams welcomed John Matthew Peacock, an inspirational local 4-year-old who has battled medical problems throughout his life after being born prematurely, for 2019’s first Home Run For Life. John Matthew circled the bases, high fiving the players on both teams, before leaping on home and hugging Kazoo while a sold-out crowd gave him a standing ovation.

LHP Jovani Moran took over on the mound for Pensacola and picked up where Poppen left off, striking out five over 2.0 scoreless, hitless innings.  RHP Cody Stashak followed in the eighth, and struck out a pair over over 2.0 scoreless to finish out the shutout for the Blue Wahoos and give Pensacola pitchers 18 strikeouts in the game.

Offensively, Pensacola had nine hits in the game, including a 3-4 night by De La Trinidad. English was 2-2 with a walk, two RBI, three runs scored, and two stolen bases. Davis was 2-3 with a run and a steal.

The win improves Pensacola’s record to a league-best 11-5 while Mobile falls to 6-9.

Escambia County Weekly Meeting Schedule

Monday, April 22

Library Board of Governance – 4 p.m., Southwest Branch Library, 12248 Gulf Beach Highway

Wednesday, April 24

April Coffee with the Commissioner – Jeff Bergosh, District 1 – 6:30 a.m., McDonald’s, 5 S. Blue Angel Parkway

Development Review Committee – 1 p.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place

Visit Pensacola Board of Directors Meeting – 3 p.m., 120 Church St.

Santa Rosa Island Authority Committee Meeting – 5 p.m., 1 Via De Luna Drive, Pensacola Beach

Two Jay Royals Place At State Weight Meet

Two Jay High School lifters places in the recent state 1A weightlifting meet.

Senior James Eddings tied for third in the 183 pound weight class with a total of 595 pounds at the state meet. The tiebreaker was a weigh off and resulted in a fourth place medal.

Junior Dylan Phillips had the winning total in the 119 pound weight class. There was a tie for the state championship in that weight class and Phillips finished as runner up in the tie breaker.

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