Here Are The Slow Down Spots For This Week Due To Road Construction

October 6, 2024

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. 98 (Gregory Street) Resurfacing, from North Palafox Street to east of 14th Avenue – Drivers may encounter U.S. 98 (Gregory Street) westbound outside lane closures, from North Tarragona Street to North Palafox Street, Monday, Oct. 7 through Thursday, Oct. 10, between 8:30 a.m. and 1 p.m., while crews perform concrete work.
Interstate Circle Bridge Over Eight Mile Creek Construction – Interstate Circle is closed at the Eight Mile Creek Bridge through mid-2025 while crews replace the bridge. Signage is in place to detour drivers around the work zone using Pine Forest Road, Longleaf Drive and Wymart Road.

Interstate 10 (I-10) at U.S. 29 Interchange (Exit 10) Construction – Drivers will encounter the following construction-related traffic disruptions the week of Sunday, Oct. 6:
- I-10, between U.S. 29 and I-110, is reduced to two travel lanes in each direction.
- Sunday, Oct. 6 through Thursday, Oct. 10, drivers will encounter intermittent lane closures on I-10 near U.S. 29 between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m.
- The U.S. 29 northbound ramp to I-10 eastbound is closed. U.S. 29 northbound drivers are being detoured to make a U-turn at Broad Street onto U.S. 29 southbound to access I-10 eastbound.
- A new, temporary on-ramp for U.S. 29 southbound drivers accessing I-10 eastbound is now open. Detouring traffic to the temporary ramp will allow crews to continue work to reconstruct the I-10/U.S. 29 interchange.
I-10 at Nine Mile Road Interchange (Exit 5) Construction– Drivers will encounter inside lane closures on I-10 near Exit 5, Sunday, Oct. 6 through Thursday, Oct. 10, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. These closures are required as crews construct a temporary traffic shift.

U.S. 29 (North Century Boulevard) Resurfacing between Henry Street and Cottage Street in Century – Drivers will encounter the following traffic impacts:
- Traffic on U.S. 29 is shifted to the southbound travel lanes, between Rudolph Street and Green Street. One travel lane in each direction remains open as crews reconstruct the adjacent northbound lanes. The traffic shift is expected to remain in place through fall 2024. Signs are in place to safely direct drivers through the work zone.
- U.S. 29 lane closure to repair a manhole located between Rudolph Street and Green Street will begin on Thursday, Oct. 10 at 8 p.m. and will last approximately four hours. During the lane closure, north and southbound traffic will be reduced to one lane with flaggers to direct drivers safely through the work zone.

North Palafox Street (U.S. 29) Resurfacing from Cervantes Street to Brent Lane (State Road (S.R.) S.R. 296) – Drivers may encounter intermittent outside lane closures and traffic signal disruptions on North Palafox Street at Fairfield Avenue and West Leonard Street/Cross Street, Sunday, Oct. 6 through Saturday, Oct. 12, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Crews will be performing traffic signalization work. Law enforcement will be on site to safety direct drivers through the work zone.
S.R. 97 (Atmore Highway) Coring Operations from County Road (C.R.) 95A to the Alabama State Line – Drivers will encounter intermittent lane closures Monday, Oct. 7 and Tuesday, Oct. 8 from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. for coring operations.
North Davis Highway Routine Maintenance at Shoal Creek Drive – Drivers will encounter intermittent lane closures Sunday, Oct. 6 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. for routine maintenance.

Santa Rosa County:

S.R. 89 Resurfacing from north of S.R. 87 to C.R. 178 – Drivers will encounter intermittent daytime lane closures on S.R. 89, between S.R. 87 and C.R. 178, Monday, Oct. 7 through Friday, Oct. 11 as crews place thermoplastic striping.
U.S. 90 Resurfacing from west of Avalon Boulevard to east of Stewart Street – Drivers may encounter intermittent U.S. 90 lane closures, between Avalon Boulevard and Stewart Street, Sunday, Oct. 6 through Thursday, Oct. 10, from 7 p.m. to 5:30 a.m., for paving operations.
U.S. 98 Widening from Bayshore Road to Portside Drive – Motorists will encounter the following traffic impacts:
- Median and turn-lane closures from Bayshore Road to Tiger Lake Drive.
- Intermittent lane closures and additional median closures between Bayshore Road and Tiger Lake Drive Sunday, Oct. 6, through Friday, Oct. 11, from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for stormwater drainage improvements and paving operations.

All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News

Defense Dominates In UWF Shutout Win Over Mississippi

October 6, 2024

Good things happen when you force the opponent into more punts than total yards of offense. That’s exactly what the University of West Florida defense did on Saturday evening to help lead the Argos to a 31-0 win over Mississippi College.

The UWF defense had a dominating performance that allowed just seven total yards to the Choctaws which included 11 punts in the game. In 46 total offensive plays, Mississippi converted two first downs, had negative 27 yards rushing and 34 total yards passing.

“They (the defense) got challenged a lot,” said head coach Kaleb Nobles. “The whole team got challenged by me at things we have to get better at. I’m very proud of our defense and how they showed up and played well tonight. As a head coach that makes you feel really good.”

After a slow start for the Argos offense that saw three missed field goals following drives that stalled inside the redzone, it was the defense that made a big play to spark the team. Redshirt junior, Kyriee Lewis intercepted a short pass by Choctaw quarterback Jackson Allen and took it 52-yards for the pick-six to get UWF on the board with 3:42 remaining in the first half.

The Argos were able to get the ball back in good field position with a minute left in the half and move into field goal range. Tyler Patterson connected on a 36-yard field goal as time expired in the first half to give UWF a 10-0 lead.

“I would love to start faster,” said Nobles speaking about the offense. “There are some things we have to clean up. Some are plays people are making against us, but a lot are self-inflicted wounds. My biggest concern is to keep getting better.”

The UWF offense had trips to the MC’s six-, seven-, and nine-yard lines that ended up empty in the first half.

In the second half, Virgil Lemons made a splash in the return game like he has done multiple times this season. The senior returned a punt 58-yards for a touchdown midway through the third quarter to give UWF a 17-0 lead. The senior had another punt return in the third quarter that he returned for a touchdown but was called back for an illegal block. Lemons also had one of the team’s three interceptions on the day.

TJ Lane and Jay Sharp closed out the scoring for the Argos with the two running backs each finding the endzone in the fourth quarter. UWF combined for 266 rushing yards between six different rushers. Sharp led the team with 133 yards. Lane finished with 45 yards. Keeshaun Glanton picked up reps in the fourth quarter and ran for 63 yards on six carries.

“It’s sweet, it’s fun, it’s good to get back into the win column and play football like I know we can,” Nobles said.

UWF (2-2, 1-1 GSC) will be back in action next Saturday at home against Delta State for homecoming weekend. The 4-1 Statesmen at ranked No. 20 in the country and are coming off a 54-9 win over Chowan. Kickoff is slated for 4 p.m. at Pen Air Field.

Photo Jon Rose/UWF for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News, Sports, TOP sports

Mary Catherine Hughes Named Northview High Homecoming Queen (With Photo Gallery)

October 5, 2024

Mary Catherine Hughes was crowned Northview High School’s 2024 homecoming queen Friday night.

First runner-up was Maddie Mae Driskell, and Lacey Sapp was named second runner-up. Aakira Davis was named junior maid, MaKayla Plato was named sophomore maid, and Meeyah Lassiter was named freshman maid.

For a photo gallery, click or tap here.

NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under FEATURE TOP STORY, Features, News

DeSantis Appoints Ashlee Hofberger To Escambia County Commission

October 5, 2024

Gov. Ron DeSantis has appointed Ashlee Hofberger to the District 4 seat on the Escambia County Commission.

The District 4 seat has been vacant since Robert Bender was appointed Supervisor of Elections in January.

In August, Hofberger won the Republican primary for the seat. She will still face Democratic candidate Ron Helms in November. Helms is a Navy veteran and owner of a Pensacola business.

“I am so excited, beyond grateful to everyone that volunteered, and contributed, and everyone that got out and voted today.” Hofberger said after the win in August. “Thank you.”

“I believe our government’s top priority is to keep us safe,” she added. “And when you pick up the phone to call 911, the person who responds should have the tools and the skills to fix whatever emergency you are in. And I want to make sure that our firefighters and our EMTs and our law enforcement have the resources so they can do that.”

Hofberger is owner of The Wash Room laundromat and Bogeys Golf Suites. In 2012, she opened the emergency restoration firm Complete DKI and later sold it to the national company First Onsite in 2021. She is the recipient of the 2019 National Association for Industrial and Office Properties Member of the Year. A volunteer of the PACE Center for Girls, Hofberger earned her bachelor’s degree in business from the University of West Florida.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News

FDLE: Doctor, 11 Others Charged In Pill Mill Scheme

October 5, 2024

Agents with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) has arrested Dr. Elaine Sharp for murder, manslaughter and racketeering following a multiyear investigation involving an illegal drug ring accused of dealing narcotics and opioids throughout the Northwest Florida area. Ten others in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties have also been arrested in the case.

FDLE started its investigation in February 2021 after agents received complaints from several local pharmacists regarding the large amounts of oxycodone being prescribed. Agents say Dr. Sharp ran a pill mill out of her physician’s office in Gulf Breeze. Several patients overdosed after taking drugs prescribed by her.

FDLE Pensacola Special Agent in Charge Chris Williams said, “Shutting down this pill mill unquestionably made our community safer. We know this drug ring, led by Dr. Elaine Sharp, was a major contributor of illegal drugs flowing into our neighborhoods and even attracting drug dealers from throughout the Southeast looking for an easy way to obtain these drugs.”

Agents also arrested several suspects charged with selling drugs prescribed by Sharp. Most suspects were prescribed 120 oxycodone pills a month with no legitimate medical need.

Agents made arrests yesterday. The case will be prosecuted by the State Attorney’s Office, First Judicial Circuit.

Arrests

Dr. Elaine Sharp, 72, Pensacola Beach

Charges: murder, manslaughter, conspiracy to commit racketeering, unlawfully prescribing for monetary gain, unlawfully prescribing not medically necessary, conspiracy-trafficking oxycodone 100 grams or more, conspiracy-trafficking hydromorphone 28 grams or more, conspiracy-trafficking hydrocodone 100 grams or more, money laundering

Tammy Zell, 58, Gulf Breeze

Charges: conspiracy to commit racketeering, conspiracy-trafficking oxycodone 100 grams or more, conspiracy to obtain controlled substance not medically necessary, doctor shopping

Cheryl Tassin, 63, Milton