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Cottage Hill Man Sentenced For Cockfighting

A Cottage Hill man has been sentenced for cockfighting.

Terry Maurus Jackson, 59, was sentenced to three years probation. He will not be allowed to possess any animal during the three year period. Jackson was arrested in June 2017 at his home on McKenzie Road and charged with three counts of animal fighting and three counts of possession of a controlled substance.

Escambia County deputies executed a search warrant at Jackson’s residence for narcotics and found cockfighting roosters, cockfighting paraphernalia, cockfighting trophies and pictures of roosters. Escambia County Animal control was then contacted, along with the State Attorney’s Office.

Animal control reported that the roosters’ talons had been cut and prepared for cockfighting, according to court documents. They were also found to have injuries consistent with cockfighting.

Paraphernalia seized from the home included “Gamecock” magazine;  medications, needles, syringes, saws, spurs and hooks; a written journal and cockfighting trophies. Written on one of the trophies were the words “1st Place — 5-Cock Derby — Poor Man’s Club 3-18-17″.

Schedule III narcotics associated were cockfighting were also seized, according to court documents, including Trenbolone, Testosterone Propionate and Testerone Acetate.

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

Florida Gas Prices Slip Lower

Gas prices in Florida declined nearly six cents last week. The state average of $2.80 per gallon is the lowest daily price since early May, according to AAA.

Since peaking at $2.92 on May 25, gas prices have declined 16 consecutive days for 11 cents. Despite the recent discount, motorists are still paying 46 cents per gallon more than this time last year.

The Escambia County area average was $2.81 per gallon. One year ago, the local average was $2.31.

“Gas prices could drop another five cents this week, unless the market suddenly shifts course,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Prices at the pump are still adjusting to the recent drop in oil and wholesale gasoline, due to the potential of increased crude output from OPEC. However, there is still volatility in the market, and pump prices could move higher if OPEC decides against easing production cuts at a meeting later this month.”

Number Of Florida Children With No Health Insurance Increases

While Florida has made strides in reducing the number of uninsured children, a national health-care expert warned Thursday that those gains are likely stalling, and she put part of the blame on increased scrutiny of immigration status.

Joan Alker, executive director of the Washington-based Center for Children and Families, said data released late last month by the National Center on Health Statistics shows that the number of uninsured children in Florida in 2017 rose slightly to 7.6 percent.

Alker said that while the small rise — from 7.4 percent the previous year — may be statistically insignificant, it could be “an early warning sign” that Florida’s seven-year trend of lowering uninsured rates for children is at risk.

She attributed the increase in part to attrition of what she called “mixed” families, or families where a parent is an immigrant and the child is either a citizen or legally residing in the state.

“Because of all the intimidation that is happening right now with immigrant families, we’ve heard lots of anecdotal evidence that they are very reluctant now to sign their kids up for coverage,” said Alker who has spent years observing Florida’s government-subsidized health insurance programs.

She suggested that other factors that could have played a factor in the slight hike include congressional efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act and a push to restructure the Medicaid program and reduce funding.

State Agency for Health Care Administration spokeswoman Mallory McManus said she wasn’t aware of the new data and said that “ensuring that children have access to health care has always been a priority of our agency.”

Combined, the subsidized Children’s Health Insurance Program and Medicaid provide coverage to an estimated 44 percent of the children in the state.

The National Health Interview Survey data is collected through personal household interviews. Alker called the data an “early sign,” but said that the release in September of information from what is known as the American Community Survey will provide additional insight about health insurance. The American Community Survey is the largest household survey conducted by the Census Bureau.

While the 2017 percentage increase was small, Alker said it shows that Florida lost ground while states such as Texas and California continued to make progress. Those states lowered their uninsured rates by 1 percent and 1.4 percent, respectively.

Alker made the remarks during a webinar where she discussed a new report called, “The New Federal Children’s Health Insurance Law and What it Means for Florida’s Children.”

It is one of a series of reports that Alker has conducted about health insurance for Florida children and was funded by the Florida Blue Foundation, the Health Foundation of South Florida, the Space Coast Health Foundation and the Winter Park Health Foundation, among others, operating under the Florida Philanthropic Network.

The report examines the impact of two recently passed extensions of the Children’s Health Insurance Program and what they mean for the state. CHIP funding expired last year, and many states, such as Florida, were forced to operate the program on carry-over funds from previous years. Congress agreed to extend CHIP funding in January and again in February.

CHIP funds subsidized insurance coverage for more than 345,000 children in Florida.

Under the extensions, Alker said Florida cannot make any future changes to the CHIP program that would make it more cost- restrictive, including increasing co-payments.

by Christine Sexton, The News Service of Florida

Molino 8U Wins All Star Championship

The Molino 8U team won an all-star championship this weekend. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Push Continues For Drilling Off Florida Coast

Proponents of drilling for oil and natural gas haven’t given up on tapping areas closer to Florida’s shoreline despite repeated assurances those waters will be exempt from a White House plan to expand exploration.

The Washington, D.C.-based American Petroleum Institute announced Wednesday a multi-state “Explore Offshore” coalition to support the Trump administration’s plan to open previously protected parts of the Atlantic Ocean and eastern Gulf of Mexico to oil and gas drilling.

The coalition’s Florida team, which is focused on the eastern Gulf waters, includes former Lt. Gov. Jeff Kottkamp, former Okaloosa County Commissioner Wayne Harris, former Puerto Rico state Sen. Miriam Ramirez and Florida Petroleum Council Executive Director David Mica.

Mica said Floridians use more than 25 million gallons of motor fuel a day, while the industry is restricted from “some very, very good areas” that potentially have oil.

“We need to do it in an environmentally responsible manner, but we must go forward,” Mica said. “I think that it’s really putting your head in the sand if you think that we’re not going to need a lot more oil and gas into the future and that we can rely only on alternative fuels.”

Many Florida officials, including Gov. Rick Scott, Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Noah Valenstein and members of Florida’s congressional delegation from both sides of the political aisle have denounced the possibility of opening to drilling nearly all of the nation’s outer continental shelf — a jurisdictional term describing submerged lands 10.36 statutory miles off Florida’s west coast and 3 nautical miles off the east coast.

Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke appeared briefly Jan. 9 in Tallahassee to announce drilling would not occur off the Florida coast. But the Trump administration’s stance has not been formalized and continues to draw questions.

U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., on Wednesday equated the petroleum industry’s new coalition with lingering skepticism over Zinke’s assurances that waters off the Florida coast will be exempt from the plan.

“Here we go. Like us, Big Oil doesn’t believe Florida is really ‘off the table’ to new drilling — despite what Scott and the Trump Administration keep saying — and now they are making a new push to drill closer to Florida’s shores,” Nelson tweeted. “We can’t let that happen!”

The federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management is expected to release a draft report on the offshore proposal before the end of the year. That will kick off a second round of public hearings.

Drilling proponents have hailed the prospects of exploring for oil and gas closer to shore as benefiting consumers by potentially creating jobs and additional government revenue while strengthening national security.

The American Petroleum Institute said its coalition features more than 100 businesses, organizations and officials from Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Florida.

In its release, the institute highlighted Florida’s dependence on natural gas, which generates 67 percent of the state’s electricity, and forecast that offshore development could result in $2.6 billion in private investment in Florida and $1 billion per year in state revenues.

Kottkamp said the “availability of affordable energy is critical” to Florida’s qualify of life.

“We look forward to working with our local leaders to discuss ways to maintain our state’s natural beauty while at the same time expanding opportunities to keep our nation energy independent,” Kottkamp said in a statement.

In November, Florida voters will decide whether to approve a proposed constitutional amendment that would ban nearshore oil and gas drilling. That ban would affect state-controlled waters.

by Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida

BOCC Weekly Meeting Schedule

Here is a schedule of Escambia County public meetings for the week of June 11-15:

Monday, June 11

Technical Coordinating Committee – 8:30 a.m., Pensacola City Hall, 160 Governmental Center

Director of Corrections Selection Committee – Short List Applications – 9:30 a.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place, Fourth Floor Training Room

Citizens’ Advisory Committee – 10:30 a.m., Pensacola City Hall, 160 Governmental Center

Escambia County Marine Advisory Committee – 5:30 p.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place, Room 104

Tuesday, June 12

Amalgamated Transit Union 1395 Collective Bargaining – 11 a.m., ECAT Administrative Offices, 1515 W. Fairfield Drive

Environmental Enforcement Special Magistrate – 1:30 p.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place, Room 104 (Agenda)

Escambia County Housing Finance Authority – 5 p.m., 700 S. Palafox St., Suite 310

Merit System Protection Board – 5 p.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place, Fourth Floor Training Room

Affordable Housing Advisory Committee – 5:30 p.m., 420 W. Chase St.

Wednesday, June 13

Florida-Alabama Transportation Planning Organization – 9 a.m., Tiger Point Community Center, 1370 Tiger Park Lane, Gulf Breeze

Amalgamated Transit Union 1395 Collective Bargaining (If necessary) – 9 a.m., ECAT Administrative Offices, 1515 W. Fairfield Drive

Public Safety Coordinating Council – noon, M.C. Blanchard Judicial Building, 190 W. Government St., Fifth Floor

Development Review Committee - Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place

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

SRIA Budget Workshop – 5:05 p.m., 1 Via De Luna Drive, Pensacola Beach

Thursday, June 14

BCC Committee of the Whole – 9 a.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place, Board Chambers

Friday, June 15

International Association of Firefighters Local 4131 Collective Bargaining – 10 a.m., Escambia County Public Safety, 6575 N. “W” St.

Wahoos Beat The Braves

Keury Mella (W, 5-3) turned in one of his best starts of the season in the Blue Wahoos 3-1 win over the Mississippi Braves Sunday evening at Trustmark Park. The right-hander fanned eight while allowing just one run on three hits in matching his longest start of the season with seven innings.

The Blue Wahoos had the two-out magic working at the plate. All three Pensacola runs came with two outs. The Blue Wahoos scored first for the first time in the series with a two-out single from Luis Gonzalez that brought home Narciso Crook. Still leading 1-0 in the sixth inning, Taylor Sparks and Chris Okey hit back to back doubles to make it 2-0. Okey scored on a dropped pop up at second base off the bat of Mella to stretch the lead to 3-0.

Braves starter Bryse Wilson (L, 1-3) was good, but suffered the loss after getting saddled with all three Wahoos runs (two earned) over seven innings.

The Braves didn’t break through against the Blue Wahoos starter until the seventh inning. Tyler Marlette doubled to start the inning and scored with one out on a double from Carlos Martinez for the only blemish on an otherwise stellar line for the Blue Wahoos starter.

Jesus Reyes (S, 1) pitched a scoreless ninth inning to earn his first save of the season.

At the plate, Sparks and Okey both had two-hit games, but it was Crook that led the way with a 3-for-4 game including a double and a run scored.

The Blue Wahoos will look for their second straight series win, and third against the M-Braves on Monday night. RHP Vladimir Gutierrez (2-8, 6.23) is coming off his best start of the season and will pitch for Pensacola against M-Braves RHP Andres Santiago (3-1, 4.54).

FDOT: Weekly Traffic Alerts

Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities. 

Escambia County:

• U.S. 29 Widening from I-10 to U.S. 90 (Nine Mile Road)- Drivers traveling U.S. 29 and Nine Mile Road will encounter traffic pattern changes from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, June 10 through Saturday, June 16 as follows:
  • Nine Mile Road at the U.S. 29 overpass: North and southbound traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction. Alternating traffic shifts will direct all traffic onto the westbound or eastbound lanes as crews continue construction of the new center bridge deck. Nine Mile Road lane restrictions are Sunday through Friday.
  • U.S. 29 between I-10 and 9 1/2 Mile Road: Drivers may experience alternating lane closures as crews continue drainage and paving operations. U.S. 29 lane restrictions are Monday through Saturday.
  • Northbound traffic will be transitioned from the northbound bridge to the newly-constructed center bridge section over Nine Mile Road around 8 p.m. Sunday, June 10. The traffic shift will allow crews to begin demolition of the old northbound structure. The current southbound configuration will remain unchanged. Due to the increased vertical clearance of the new bridge, the on-ramp will be extended up to the entrances of Emerald Cuts Salon and the Unitarian Universalist Church. This temporary shift will affect access to businesses and residences on the east side of U.S. 29 between 9 Mile Road and 9 1/2 Mile Road. The following will be in effect for the next 60 days:
    • Motorists seeking access to properties on the east side of U.S. 29 will utilize the northbound on-ramp.
    • Only right turns will be permitted for vehicles existing driveways from these properties between 9 Mile Road and 9 1/2 Mile Road.
  • North Palafox Street will be closed to thru traffic between 9 Mile Road and 9 ½ Mile Road from 8 p.m. Friday, June 8 through 6 a.m. Monday, June 11. This area will be open to local traffic only. The closure will enable crews to place drainage pipes across the roadway at Chauncey Street.
• U.S. 29 Resurfacing between U.S. 90 and Muscogee Road - Alternating lane closures on U.S. 29 north and southbound, from Muscogee Road to West 9 ½ Mile Road, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, June 10 through Thursday, June 14 as crews pave the roadway.

·       I-10 / U.S. 29 Interchange Improvements Phase I- The following traffic impacts are planned on I-10 and U.S. 29 near the interchange (Exits 10) from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, June 10 through Thursday, June 14:

• • Alternating lane closures on I-10 east and westbound and U.S. 29 north and southbound.
  • The U.S. 29 on-ramps to I-10 eastbound will be intermittently closed. Traffic will be detoured on U.S. 29 to access I-10 eastbound.
  • Alternating lane closures on the I-10 westbound exit ramp to U.S. 29 north and south (Exit 10).

·        U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement- Alternating east and westbound lane closures between 14th Avenue in Pensacola and Bay Bridge Drive in Gulf Breeze from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, June 10 through Thursday, June 14 as crews perform construction activities.

·       U.S. 98 (Lillian Highway) Resurfacing from Perdido Bay Bridge to Dogtrack Road – Alternating and intermittent, east and westbound lane closures from Perdido Bay Bridge to Dogtrack Road from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. Sunday, June 10 through Thursday, June 14 as crews perform construction activities.

·       U.S. 90 (Mobile Highway) Intersection improvement at County Road (C.R.) 99 (Beulah Road)- To help minimize traffic impacts, much of the construction work will take place behind a low-profile concrete barrier wall. No lane closures will be allowed Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. or 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.  In addition, no lane closures will be scheduled during special school events.

·       U.S. 29 Routine Bridge Maintenance over Canoe Creek and Mitchell Creek- Traffic will be reduced to one lane over Canoe Creek and Mitchell Creek, about ten miles north of S.R. 97, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday, June 11 as crews perform routine bridge maintenance.

·       U.S. 90 (Mobile Highway) Temporary Lane Closure- There will be intermittent southbound lane closures on Mobile Highway from New Warrington Road to Edison Avenue 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Tuesday, June 12 through Friday, June 15 as crews perform maintenance activities.

·       U.S. 98 (Garden Street) in Pensacola- Traffic can expect eastbound, right lane restrictions on Garden Street from Tarragona Street to Alcaniz Street from 5:30 a.m. to 7 a.m. as crews remove sidewalk and install a new driveway connection. In addition, sidewalk will be closed from Manresa Street to Alcaniz Street. Flaggers will be onsite to direct traffic.

·       Lillian Highway at 75th Avenue-  There will be east and westbound lane restrictions on Lillian Highway at 75th Avenue from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Wednesday, June 13 as crews perform maintenance activities.

·       Bayou Boulevard (S.R. 296) Partial Turn Lane Closure- The westbound, right turn lane on Bayou Boulevard, just east of 9th avenue, in Pensacola will be partially closed beginning at 6:30 a.m. Monday, June 11 and will remain closed until 3:30 p.m. Friday, July 6 to allow crews to install drainage structures for new private commercial businesses.

Santa Rosa County:

• U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – Alternating east and westbound lane closures between 14th Avenue in Pensacola and Bay Bridge Drive in Gulf Breeze, from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, June 10 through Thursday, June 14 as crews perform construction activities.
• S.R. 87 Multilane from Eglin AFB boundary to Hickory Hammock Road – Intermittent lane shifts from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. the week of Monday, June 11 between Eglin Air Force Base boundary and two miles south of the Yellow River as crews pave the roadway. Additionally, traffic between C.R. 184 (Hickory Hammock Road) and the Eglin AFB boundary is restricted to loads less than 11-feet wide. The restriction will be in place until the project is complete.
• I-10 Widening from Escambia Bay Bridge to Avalon Boulevard (S.R. 281/Exit 22) – Southbound traffic on Avalon Boulevard (State Road 281) will be shifted to the west near the I-10 interchange the evening of Thursday, June 14. Northbound lanes are anticipated to be shifted to the west by Sunday, June 17.  The temporary configuration will remain in place throughout the summer months to allow crews to reconstruct the northbound lanes of Avalon Boulevard. Drivers will also encounter alternating lane closures from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday through Thursday.  Two lanes of traffic will remain open in each direction at all times.
• U.S. 98 across from Joybrook Road- Motorists can expect east and westbound lane restrictions on U.S. 98 across from Joybrook Road in Navarre from 8 p.m. Wednesday, June 13 to 5 a.m. Thursday, June 14 as crews install travel lane pavement markings for a new Walmart Market.
• S.R. 281 (Garcon Point Bridge) over East Bay – Drivers will encounter lane restrictions on the Garcon Point Bridge over East Bay, about one mile north of U.S. 98, from 8 p.m. Tuesday, June 12 to 5 a.m. Wednesday, June 13 as crews perform routine bridge maintenance.

All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or re-scheduled 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.

Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities. 

Escambia County:

• U.S. 29 Widening from I-10 to U.S. 90 (Nine Mile Road)- Drivers traveling U.S. 29 and Nine Mile Road will encounter traffic pattern changes from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, June 10 through Saturday, June 16 as follows:
  • Nine Mile Road at the U.S. 29 overpass: North and southbound traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction. Alternating traffic shifts will direct all traffic onto the westbound or eastbound lanes as crews continue construction of the new center bridge deck. Nine Mile Road lane restrictions are Sunday through Friday.
  • U.S. 29 between I-10 and 9 1/2 Mile Road: Drivers may experience alternating lane closures as crews continue drainage and paving operations. U.S. 29 lane restrictions are Monday through Saturday.
  • Northbound traffic will be transitioned from the northbound bridge to the newly-constructed center bridge section over Nine Mile Road around 8 p.m. Sunday, June 10. The traffic shift will allow crews to begin demolition of the old northbound structure. The current southbound configuration will remain unchanged. Due to the increased vertical clearance of the new bridge, the on-ramp will be extended up to the entrances of Emerald Cuts Salon and the Unitarian Universalist Church. This temporary shift will affect access to businesses and residences on the east side of U.S. 29 between 9 Mile Road and 9 1/2 Mile Road. The following will be in effect for the next 60 days:
    • Motorists seeking access to properties on the east side of U.S. 29 will utilize the northbound on-ramp.
    • Only right turns will be permitted for vehicles existing driveways from these properties between 9 Mile Road and 9 1/2 Mile Road.
  • North Palafox Street will be closed to thru traffic between 9 Mile Road and 9 ½ Mile Road from 8 p.m. Friday, June 8 through 6 a.m. Monday, June 11. This area will be open to local traffic only. The closure will enable crews to place drainage pipes across the roadway at Chauncey Street.
• U.S. 29 Resurfacing between U.S. 90 and Muscogee Road - Alternating lane closures on U.S. 29 north and southbound, from Muscogee Road to West 9 ½ Mile Road, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, June 10 through Thursday, June 14 as crews pave the roadway.

·       I-10 / U.S. 29 Interchange Improvements Phase I- The following traffic impacts are planned on I-10 and U.S. 29 near the interchange (Exits 10) from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, June 10 through Thursday, June 14:

• • Alternating lane closures on I-10 east and westbound and U.S. 29 north and southbound.
  • The U.S. 29 on-ramps to I-10 eastbound will be intermittently closed. Traffic will be detoured on U.S. 29 to access I-10 eastbound.
  • Alternating lane closures on the I-10 westbound exit ramp to U.S. 29 north and south (Exit 10).

·        U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement- Alternating east and westbound lane closures between 14th Avenue in Pensacola and Bay Bridge Drive in Gulf Breeze from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, June 10 through Thursday, June 14 as crews perform construction activities.

·       U.S. 98 (Lillian Highway) Resurfacing from Perdido Bay Bridge to Dogtrack Road – Alternating and intermittent, east and westbound lane closures from Perdido Bay Bridge to Dogtrack Road from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. Sunday, June 10 through Thursday, June 14 as crews perform construction activities.

·       U.S. 90 (Mobile Highway) Intersection improvement at County Road (C.R.) 99 (Beulah Road)- To help minimize traffic impacts, much of the construction work will take place behind a low-profile concrete barrier wall. No lane closures will be allowed Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. or 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.  In addition, no lane closures will be scheduled during special school events.

·       U.S. 29 Routine Bridge Maintenance over Canoe Creek and Mitchell Creek- Traffic will be reduced to one lane over Canoe Creek and Mitchell Creek, about ten miles north of S.R. 97, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday, June 11 as crews perform routine bridge maintenance.

·       U.S. 90 (Mobile Highway) Temporary Lane Closure- There will be intermittent southbound lane closures on Mobile Highway from New Warrington Road to Edison Avenue 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Tuesday, June 12 through Friday, June 15 as crews perform maintenance activities.

·       U.S. 98 (Garden Street) in Pensacola- Traffic can expect eastbound, right lane restrictions on Garden Street from Tarragona Street to Alcaniz Street from 5:30 a.m. to 7 a.m. as crews remove sidewalk and install a new driveway connection. In addition, sidewalk will be closed from Manresa Street to Alcaniz Street. Flaggers will be onsite to direct traffic.

·       Lillian Highway at 75th Avenue-  There will be east and westbound lane restrictions on Lillian Highway at 75th Avenue from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Wednesday, June 13 as crews perform maintenance activities.

·       Bayou Boulevard (S.R. 296) Partial Turn Lane Closure- The westbound, right turn lane on Bayou Boulevard, just east of 9th avenue, in Pensacola will be partially closed beginning at 6:30 a.m. Monday, June 11 and will remain closed until 3:30 p.m. Friday, July 6 to allow crews to install drainage structures for new private commercial businesses.

Santa Rosa County:

• U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – Alternating east and westbound lane closures between 14th Avenue in Pensacola and Bay Bridge Drive in Gulf Breeze, from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, June 10 through Thursday, June 14 as crews perform construction activities.

Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities. 

Escambia County:

• U.S. 29 Widening from I-10 to U.S. 90 (Nine Mile Road)- Drivers traveling U.S. 29 and Nine Mile Road will encounter traffic pattern changes from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, June 10 through Saturday, June 16 as follows:
  • Nine Mile Road at the U.S. 29 overpass: North and southbound traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction. Alternating traffic shifts will direct all traffic onto the westbound or eastbound lanes as crews continue construction of the new center bridge deck. Nine Mile Road lane restrictions are Sunday through Friday.
  • U.S. 29 between I-10 and 9 1/2 Mile Road: Drivers may experience alternating lane closures as crews continue drainage and paving operations. U.S. 29 lane restrictions are Monday through Saturday.
  • Northbound traffic will be transitioned from the northbound bridge to the newly-constructed center bridge section over Nine Mile Road around 8 p.m. Sunday, June 10. The traffic shift will allow crews to begin demolition of the old northbound structure. The current southbound configuration will remain unchanged. Due to the increased vertical clearance of the new bridge, the on-ramp will be extended up to the entrances of Emerald Cuts Salon and the Unitarian Universalist Church. This temporary shift will affect access to businesses and residences on the east side of U.S. 29 between 9 Mile Road and 9 1/2 Mile Road. The following will be in effect for the next 60 days:
    • Motorists seeking access to properties on the east side of U.S. 29 will utilize the northbound on-ramp.
    • Only right turns will be permitted for vehicles existing driveways from these properties between 9 Mile Road and 9 1/2 Mile Road.
  • North Palafox Street will be closed to thru traffic between 9 Mile Road and 9 ½ Mile Road from 8 p.m. Friday, June 8 through 6 a.m. Monday, June 11. This area will be open to local traffic only. The closure will enable crews to place drainage pipes across the roadway at Chauncey Street.
• U.S. 29 Resurfacing between U.S. 90 and Muscogee Road - Alternating lane closures on U.S. 29 north and southbound, from Muscogee Road to West 9 ½ Mile Road, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, June 10 through Thursday, June 14 as crews pave the roadway.

·       I-10 / U.S. 29 Interchange Improvements Phase I- The following traffic impacts are planned on I-10 and U.S. 29 near the interchange (Exits 10) from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, June 10 through Thursday, June 14:

• • Alternating lane closures on I-10 east and westbound and U.S. 29 north and southbound.
  • The U.S. 29 on-ramps to I-10 eastbound will be intermittently closed. Traffic will be detoured on U.S. 29 to access I-10 eastbound.
  • Alternating lane closures on the I-10 westbound exit ramp to U.S. 29 north and south (Exit 10).

·        U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement- Alternating east and westbound lane closures between 14th Avenue in Pensacola and Bay Bridge Drive in Gulf Breeze from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, June 10 through Thursday, June 14 as crews perform construction activities.

·       U.S. 98 (Lillian Highway) Resurfacing from Perdido Bay Bridge to Dogtrack Road – Alternating and intermittent, east and westbound lane closures from Perdido Bay Bridge to Dogtrack Road from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. Sunday, June 10 through Thursday, June 14 as crews perform construction activities.

·       U.S. 90 (Mobile Highway) Intersection improvement at County Road (C.R.) 99 (Beulah Road)- To help minimize traffic impacts, much of the construction work will take place behind a low-profile concrete barrier wall. No lane closures will be allowed Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. or 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.  In addition, no lane closures will be scheduled during special school events.

·       U.S. 29 Routine Bridge Maintenance over Canoe Creek and Mitchell Creek- Traffic will be reduced to one lane over Canoe Creek and Mitchell Creek, about ten miles north of S.R. 97, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday, June 11 as crews perform routine bridge maintenance.

·       U.S. 90 (Mobile Highway) Temporary Lane Closure- There will be intermittent southbound lane closures on Mobile Highway from New Warrington Road to Edison Avenue 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Tuesday, June 12 through Friday, June 15 as crews perform maintenance activities.

·       U.S. 98 (Garden Street) in Pensacola- Traffic can expect eastbound, right lane restrictions on Garden Street from Tarragona Street to Alcaniz Street from 5:30 a.m. to 7 a.m. as crews remove sidewalk and install a new driveway connection. In addition, sidewalk will be closed from Manresa Street to Alcaniz Street. Flaggers will be onsite to direct traffic.

·       Lillian Highway at 75th Avenue-  There will be east and westbound lane restrictions on Lillian Highway at 75th Avenue from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Wednesday, June 13 as crews perform maintenance activities.

·       Bayou Boulevard (S.R. 296) Partial Turn Lane Closure- The westbound, right turn lane on Bayou Boulevard, just east of 9th avenue, in Pensacola will be partially closed beginning at 6:30 a.m. Monday, June 11 and will remain closed until 3:30 p.m. Friday, July 6 to allow crews to install drainage structures for new private commercial businesses.

Santa Rosa County:

• U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – Alternating east and westbound lane closures between 14th Avenue in Pensacola and Bay Bridge Drive in Gulf Breeze, from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, June 10 through Thursday, June 14 as crews perform construction activities.
• S.R. 87 Multilane from Eglin AFB boundary to Hickory Hammock Road – Intermittent lane shifts from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. the week of Monday, June 11 between Eglin Air Force Base boundary and two miles south of the Yellow River as crews pave the roadway. Additionally, traffic between C.R. 184 (Hickory Hammock Road) and the Eglin AFB boundary is restricted to loads less than 11-feet wide. The restriction will be in place until the project is complete.
• I-10 Widening from Escambia Bay Bridge to Avalon Boulevard (S.R. 281/Exit 22) – Southbound traffic on Avalon Boulevard (State Road 281) will be shifted to the west near the I-10 interchange the evening of Thursday, June 14. Northbound lanes are anticipated to be shifted to the west by Sunday, June 17.  The temporary configuration will remain in place throughout the summer months to allow crews to reconstruct the northbound lanes of Avalon Boulevard. Drivers will also encounter alternating lane closures from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday through Thursday.  Two lanes of traffic will remain open in each direction at all times.
• U.S. 98 across from Joybrook Road- Motorists can expect east and westbound lane restrictions on U.S. 98 across from Joybrook Road in Navarre from 8 p.m. Wednesday, June 13 to 5 a.m. Thursday, June 14 as crews install travel lane pavement markings for a new Walmart Market.
• S.R. 281 (Garcon Point Bridge) over East Bay – Drivers will encounter lane restrictions on the Garcon Point Bridge over East Bay, about one mile north of U.S. 98, from 8 p.m. Tuesday, June 12 to 5 a.m. Wednesday, June 13 as crews perform routine bridge maintenance.

All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or re-scheduled 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.

• S.R. 87 Multilane from Eglin AFB boundary to Hickory Hammock Road – Intermittent lane shifts from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. the week of Monday, June 11 between Eglin Air Force Base boundary and two miles south of the Yellow River as crews pave the roadway. Additionally, traffic between C.R. 184 (Hickory Hammock Road) and the Eglin AFB boundary is restricted to loads less than 11-feet wide. The restriction will be in place until the project is complete.
• I-10 Widening from Escambia Bay Bridge to Avalon Boulevard (S.R. 281/Exit 22) – Southbound traffic on Avalon Boulevard (State Road 281) will be shifted to the west near the I-10 interchange the evening of Thursday, June 14. Northbound lanes are anticipated to be shifted to the west by Sunday, June 17.  The temporary configuration will remain in place throughout the summer months to allow crews to reconstruct the northbound lanes of Avalon Boulevard. Drivers will also encounter alternating lane closures from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday through Thursday.  Two lanes of traffic will remain open in each direction at all times.
• U.S. 98 across from Joybrook Road- Motorists can expect east and westbound lane restrictions on U.S. 98 across from Joybrook Road in Navarre from 8 p.m. Wednesday, June 13 to 5 a.m. Thursday, June 14 as crews install travel lane pavement markings for a new Walmart Market.
• S.R. 281 (Garcon Point Bridge) over East Bay – Drivers will encounter lane restrictions on the Garcon Point Bridge over East Bay, about one mile north of U.S. 98, from 8 p.m. Tuesday, June 12 to 5 a.m. Wednesday, June 13 as crews perform routine bridge maintenance.

All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or re-scheduled 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.

Atmore Splash Pad Closed For A Few Days

The new splash pad in Atmore will be closed for the next “two or three days” for additional improvements, Mayor Jim Staff said Monday morning.  The splash pad was opened under a month ago at South Trammel Street and West Craig Street, just behind Heritage Park on South Main Street. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.

Son Charged With Murdering Father in Escambia County, AL

A man has been charged with the murder of his father in Escambia County, AL.

Friday night, the body of 72-year-old Donald Nall was found outside his home on Highway 21 north of Fountain Prison  with an obvious gunshot wound. He was pronounced deceased at the scene.

His son, 32-year old Matthew Nall of Huxford, was arrested at the scene and charged with homicide for allegedly shooting his father in the head.

Nall remained in the Escambia County (AL) Detention Center in Brewton Sunday morning.

Further information, including any motive, has not been released.

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