Escambia Hit And Run Suspect Arrested
March 5, 2019
The Florida Highway Patrol said Monday night that a hit and run suspect has been arrested.
Cherie Renee Wallace, 42, was charged with hit and run and aggravated battery using a deadly weapon. She was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $20,000 bond.
January 30, Wallace was involved in an alleged burglary on Fairfield Drive. She backed her black Toyota Celica into 56-year-old Mark Booth while she was trying to flee the scene, according to the FHP.
Wallace is former resident of Molino, according to police reports.
Prep Ball: Tate, Northview, West Florida
March 5, 2019
SOFTBALL
Tate 15 Pine Forest (JV) 0
The Tate High School JV softball team shut out Pine Forest 15-0 on a cold Monday night at Tate.
West Florida
West Florida Lady Jags participated in the Florida-USA Softball Challenge in Panama City Beach this past weekend and this years 2019 team lead by seniors, Guerra, Klemm, McBride, Morgan and Wiley rose to the occasion and came out with 4 great victories.
Friday night, the Jags defeated Mosley 12-2. Amanda Klemm went 3 for 3 with a walk and stealing 6 bases. MeAsia Armstrong went 2 for 3 with a triple, a walk, and 3 RBIs. Mackenzie McBride went 1 for 3 with a 3-Run Homerun. Jeya Prasad got the win, going 6 innings and striking out 16 batters. The Jags also went into game 2 and defeated Walton High School 9 to 5. Down 5 to 1 in the bottom of the 5th inning, they came back and rallied for 8 runs. Kiauna Watson went 2 for 3 with a double. Meredith Morgan got the win, threw 7 total innings striking out 6.
They opened Saturday morning defeating Lincoln High School 2 to 1. Jeya Prasad went 2 for 3 with an RBI. Kenzi Wiley went 1 for 3 with a double. And during their final game, they defeated Bay High School 21-2. Amanda Klemm went 2 for 3 with 2 doubles, a walk, and 3 RBIs. Kiauna Watson went 3 for 4 with a double, triple, and a homerun, and 5 RBIs. Mikayla Kent and MeAsia Armstrong each also contributed at the plate.
West Florida Lady Jaguars are now 1-0 in district play and 7-0 overall. They Lady Jags will travel to Navarre on Tuesday and host Escambia on Thursday.
BASEBALL
Northview 6, Flomaton 1
The Northview Chiefs beat the Flomaton Hurricanes 6-1 in Flomaton Monday night.
Seth Killam earned the win for Northview walking one while allowing five hits, one run and striking out 12 in seven innings.
For Northview: Bryson Love RBI; Nick Venable 2-4, R; Seth Killam 2-4, R; Ben Wilson R; Jackson Moore 1-4, 2R; Adam Aliff 1-3, 2B.
Northview will host Excel on Thursday – JV at 4:30, varsity at 6:30.
Tate 9, Gulf Breeze 6 (Freshmen)
The Tate High School Freshmen opened their baseball schedule Monday night with a 9-6 win over Gulf Breeze, battling back from a 6-1 deficit.
Warren Henke pitched the win for Tate in four innings, allowing two hits and two runs with nine strikeouts.
For Tate: Paul Whitson 3-3, 2R, RBI, 3B; Warren Henke 1-3, 3R; 2B; Jaxson Stafford 1-2, R, RBI, 2B; Saxon Hill 1-2, 2RBI, 2B; Kirk Mosley 1-1, R, RBI; Wiley Griffin 1-1, R, RBI; Tucker Griffin 1-3, R.
Up next, the Freshmen Aggies will be at Pace Thursday at 7 p.m.
Tate vs. Whitewater, GA – Weather Cancellation
Pictured: The junior varsity Lady Aggies after a win Monday night. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century Sanitation Large Trash Collection Delayed Due To Equipment Breakdown
March 5, 2019
Large pick ups like limbs will be delayed for Town of Century sanitation customers. The town’s limb truck is broken down. Mayor Henry Hawkins said he hopes it will be in operation again by Friday.
Northview Weightlifting Beats Jay; Track Places In Baker Meet
March 5, 2019
WEIGHTLIFTING
The Northview Chiefs defeated the Jay Royals Monday afternoon in a dual-weightlifting meet at Jay by a score of 56-28.
Results were as follows:
119-lb. class: 1st – Phillips, Jay; 2nd – Dewise, Jay; 3rd – Ahston Ray, Northview
129-lb. class: 1st – Gary Clayton, Northview
139-lb. class: 1st – Logan Bryan, Northview; Roberson, Jay; Tyler Ray, Northview
154-lb. class: 1st – Jarius Moorer, Northview; 2nd – Kennington, Jay; 3rd – Desse, Jay
169-lb. class: 1st – Aunterio Minor, Northview; 2nd – Roberts, Jay; 3rd – Daniel Merit, Northview
183-lb. class: 1st – Eddings, Jay; 2nd – Rayvon Bush, Northview; 3rd – Ahzavion Gregory, Northview
199-lb. class: 1st – Lance McLaughlin, Northview; 2nd – William Swearengin – Northview; 3rd – Sorrells, Jay
219-lb. class: 1st – Jacob Hawkins, Northview; 2nd – Trevor Scott, Northview; 3rd – Murray, Jay
238-lb. class: 1st – Jojo Parker, Northview; 2nd – Davis, Jay
HVY-lb. class: 1st – Matthew Caine, Northview; 2nd – Cameron Findley, Northview
The Chiefs return to action this Friday in the Baker Gator Invitational.
TRACK & FIELD
Results from Northview High School Track during a recent meet at Baker:
Boys
110 Hurdles-1st place Jarius Moorer
100 meter-2nd place Quay Thomas, 3rd place Daniel Merritt
4×100-2nd place
200 meter-1st place Quay Thomas
Long jump-2nd place Ray Bush
Girls
100 Hurdles-2nd place Karlee Criswell
100 meter-1st Crystal Douglas, 2nd Nene Findley, 3rd Lexi Broadhead
4×100 -1st place
200 meter- 1st Nene Findley, 2nd Crystal Douglas
4×400- 3rd place
High Jump-1st Karlee Criswell
Pictured: Northview defeated Jay in weightlifting Monday afternoon in Jay. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Small Fire Reported At Whataburger In Cantonment
March 4, 2019
Firefighters responded to a small fire at Whataburger in Cantonment Monday afternoon.
The small fire was reportedly contained to an area in the attic or ceiling area over a drive-thru window on the north side of the Highway 29 building. No major damage was reported.
The restaurant was evacuated during the incident. There were no injuries.
The cause of the fire remained under investigation.
The restaurant reopened for business Tuesday afternoon.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
SRSO: United Bank Robbery Under Investigation
March 4, 2019
The Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a robbery late Monday morning at the United Bank in the 3600 block of Highway 90 in Pace.
Deputies responded to the bank at about 11:4 a.m. They are looking for a white male in his 40s or 50s wearing a dual-colored zipper jacket that is darker in color on top and lighter on the bottom. The suspect was also wearing a tan baseball cap that was white on the brim. The suspect was last seen on foot on Diamond Street.
No additional information has been released as the investigation continues.
Anyone with information is asked to call Santa Rosa Crime Stoppers at (850) 437-STOP.
Test Shows E. coli Levels At Double The State Limit In Escambia River At Century
March 4, 2019
A recent water quality test of Escambia River near Century’s wastewater treatment plant showed E. coli bacteria levels more than double the state limits, but the bacterial levels did not result from the plant.
According to a report obtained by North Escambia, a state certified lab found E. coli levels of 906 MPN/100ml downstream from the Century wastewater plant and 813 MPN/100ml upstream.
The state limit is 410 MPN/ml for single samples, according Brandy Smith of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP). She said different acceptable levels apply depending on the number of samples collected.
“The E. coli samples collected upstream and downstream of the facility’s discharge point do exceed the single sample surface water quality standard for Class III fresh water bodies,” Smith said in an email to NorthEscambia.com. Class III fresh water bodies are those, like the Escambia River, used for recreation, fishing and wildlife.
The samples were taken February 13 as the result of a complaint the FDEP received alleging an unreported spill from Century’s wastewater treatment plant. However, testing revealed effluent discharge from the facility into the river was within guidelines at 10 MPN/100ml.
“The E. coli samples were collected as part of a complaint inspection to help us determine if there were impacts to the river from the wastewater facility. The results do not indicate impacts to the river from the facility,” Smith said. “E. coli levels can be affected by many factors, such as stormwater runoff and wildlife.”
The single sample on February 13 did not warrant any health advisories from the Florida Department of Health.
The Escambia River in North Escambia County is not routinely tested for E. coli, but there have been 64 tests from 2013 to 2018, according to FDEP. Of those, 51 were below the acceptable threshold, and 13 were above. The results over the five-year period ranged from 5 to 2,420 MPN/100ml.
Pictured: The Century wastewater treatment plant. According to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, the plant was not responsible for high levels of E. coli in the Escambia River. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Pensacola MESS Hall Brings Science Fun To Bratt, Jim Allen Elementary Students
March 4, 2019
Pensacola MESS Hall brought science-powered fun to Bratt and Jim Allen elementary schools recently.
Children and parents had a chance to participate in hands-on interactive activities and experiments.
The Pensacola MESS Hall will take part in the Gulf Coast Science Festival in Seville Square in Pensacola March 30 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.
For more photos from Bratt and Jim Allen elementary schools, click here.
Pictured: Science activities at Bratt Elementary School (above) and Jim Allen Elementary School (below). NorthEscambia.com and courtesy photos, click to enlarge.
FDOT: Weekly Traffic Alerts
March 4, 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.
- U.S. 90A (Nine Mile Road) Widening from State Road (S.R.) 297 (Pine Forest Road) to U.S. 29- The dedicated, eastbound bike lane on between Surrey Drive and U.S. 29 is closed to accommodate widening activities. Bicyclists and motorists will share the eastbound travel way until the completion of the project.
- 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, March 2 until Saturday, March 9.
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- 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 (Garden Street) Mardi Gras Parade at Palafox Street (Downtown Pensacola) - East and westbound traffic to seek alternate routes Saturday, March 2 from 6:30 a.m. until 6 p.m. in association with the Pensacola Mardi Gras Grand Mardi Gras Parade.
- 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, March 3 until Sunday, March 10:
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- 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).
- S.R. 727 (Fairfield Drive) from South of Usher Circle to North of Hestia Place- The northbound lane on Fairfield Drive from South of Usher Circle to North of Hestia Place will be closed from 8:30 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. until Sunday, March 10 as crews remove the existing asphalt to prepare for roadway widening.
- U.S. 90 (Mobile Highway) and County Road (C.R.) 99 (Beulah Road) Intersection – Drivers will encounter intermittent lane restrictions near the intersection the week of Sunday, March 3 as paving operations continue. There will be no lane closures allowed from 6 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
- U.S. 98 (Lillian Highway) Resurfacing from the Perdido Bay Bridge to Dog Track Road– Drivers may encounter lane restrictions from the Perdido Bay Bridge to Dog Track Road as crews complete paving operations. Lane closures will be in effect from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. Monday, March 4 until Sunday, March 10.
- S.R. 742 (Creighton Road) Utility Operations between Tippin Avenue to Forest Glenn- The eastbound outside lane between Tippin Avenue and Forest Glenn will be closed from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday, March 4 until Wednesday, March 6 as crews perform utility work.
- I-10 over C.R. 191 (Garcon Point Road)- Motorists can expect alternating lane restrictions as crews take core samples from the bridge approaches. Lane restrictions will be in effect from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, March 6.
- Crary Road Bridge Replacement over Pritchett Mill Creek- Crary Road is closed between Tedder Road and Byrneville Road as crews construct a bridge culvert. Motorists will be detoured via C.R. 4 and Byrneville Road. The project is anticipated to be complete spring 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 have begun. 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:
- I-10 from Blackwater Bay to East of S.R. 87 (Exit 31)-Traffic may encounter alternating and intermittent lane restrictions from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m., Sunday through Thursday, until Thursday, March 28 as crews remove and replace pavement markings. Law enforcement will be on site to assist with traffic control.
- S.R. 87 Pavement Markings Replacement- Traffic will encounter minor delays at the following locations Monday through Thursday from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. until Thursday, April 25 as crews remove and replace pavement markings in the roadway. Law enforcement will be on site to direct traffic:
- U.S. 90 to Nicholas Lake Road
- U.S. 98 to Vonnie Tolbert Road
- I-10 Joint Repair over S.R. 87 (Exit 31)- Eastbound traffic will be reduced to one lane over S.R. 87 from 8 p.m. to noon Sunday March 3 as crews repair joints on the bridge.
- U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – Bridge construction will require the following lane closures from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, March 3 until Sunday, March 10:
- 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).
- S.R. 89 (Dogwood Drive) Routine Maintenance from Chestnut Street to Starhill Drive- There will be intermittent lane restrictions between Chestnut Street and Starhill Drive as utility crews trim trees. Lane closures will be in effect from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. until Saturday, March 2.
- I-10 Widening from Escambia Bay Bridge to Avalon Boulevard (S.R. 281/Exit 22) – The following construction related traffic impacts are planned for I-10 and Avalon Boulevard from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. the week of Sunday, March 3:
- I-10 westbound from Escambia Bay Bridge to Avalon Boulevard will be shifted to the outside. Shifting as crews construct the inside shoulders before placing the westbound travel lanes in final configuration later this month.
- I-10 alternating lane closures from the Escambia Bay Bridge to east of S.R. 281, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, March 3 through Friday, March 8 as crews work to widen the roadway.
- Drivers may encounter alternating lane closures on Avalon Boulevard, near the I-10 interchange, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Monday through Thursday evenings as crews perform construction activities.
- U.S. 98 Safety Improvements at Constitution Drive and Navarre School Road- There will be intermittent eastbound lane closures near Thresher Drive from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday through Thursday as crews construct a right turn lane.
- Drainage work is underway at Newport Street and Thresher Drive.
- Construction activities continue from Sunrise Drive to east of Cotton Bay Lane. Lane Closures will be in effect Sunday through Thursday from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. as crews perform concrete operations in the median.
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.
West Hecker, Highway 4A Intersection In Century To Be Closed For Two Days
March 4, 2019
The intersection of West Hecker Road and Highway 4A in Century will be closed Tuesday and Wednesday due to road work, according to the Town of Century. Drivers are asked to find an alternative route. NorthEscambia.com graphic.