This Week’s Road Construction Slow Down Locations
July 10, 2022
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:
- State Road (S.R.) 292 (Sorrento Road /Perdido Key Drive) Resurfacing from Theo Baars Bridge to South of Bauer Road – Canal Drive at Perdido Key Drive will be closed from 8 a.m. Monday, July 11 to 5 p.m. Friday, July 22 to reconstruct Canal Drive as part of the Sorrento Road improvement project. Canal Drive traffic will be detoured to Innerarity Point Road, then south on Monterrey Drive to Canal Drive. Construction signs will be in place to alert drivers of the road closure and detours.
- U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures and lane shifts on the Pensacola Bay Bridge Sunday, July 10 through Saturday, July 16 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. On Tuesday, July 12, U.S. 98 westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) will have lane closures beginning at 10 p.m. due to Bands on the Beach. Crews will be using lanes on the current bridge as a platform to pour concrete decks for the westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) structure.
- West Cervantes Street (U.S. 90) Pedestrian Safety Improvement – Drivers will encounter intermittent daytime and nighttime single lane closures and lane shifts, between A Street and Dominguez Street, as crews perform remaining work on traffic signals, landscaping and pedestrian fence.
- North Ninth Avenue (S.R. 289) Carpenters Creek Bridge Replacement – All travel lanes are temporarily shifted to the southbound side of the bridge as crews construct the northbound portion. Additionally, drivers may encounter intermittent temporary lane closures Monday, July 11 through Friday, July 15 from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. as crews mobilize materials and equipment.
- Pace Boulevard from Barrancas Avenue to Massachusetts Avenue – Pedestrians will encounter alternating sidewalk closures on Pace Boulevard, between Barrancas Avenue and North Palafox Street (U.S. 29), as crews perform sidewalk and curb improvements. Pedestrians will be detoured to the signalized intersections to access sidewalks on the opposite side of Pace Boulevard during this time.
- Pensacola Boulevard (U.S. 29) from Brent Lane to North of Interstate 10 (I-10) – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures, Sunday, July 10 through Thursday, July 14 from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. for sidewalk and curb improvements.
- I-10 at the Interstate 110 (I-110) Interchange – Drivers will encounter the following traffic impacts, Sunday, July 10 through Thursday, July 14 from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.:
- Alternating lane closures on the I-110 northbound ramp to I-10 westbound as crews perform asphalt work.
- Alternating lane closures on the I-110 northbound ramp to Davis Highway and the I-110 northbound ramp to I-10 eastbound as crews place high friction surface treatment on the ramps.
- U.S. 90 Routine Bridge Maintenance over Escambia River – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures 5.4 miles east of U.S. 29, Wednesday, July 13 from 9 p.m. to 12 a.m. for routine bridge maintenance.
Santa Rosa County:
- Pensacola Bay Bridge (U.S. 98) Replacement – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures and lane shifts on the Pensacola Bay Bridge Sunday, July 10 through Saturday, July 16 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. On Tuesday, July 12, U.S. 98 westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) will have lane closures beginning at 10 p.m. due to Bands on the Beach. Crews will be using lanes on the current bridge as a platform to pour concrete decks for the westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) structure.
- 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 Point Drive.
- Intermittent lane closures and additional median closures between S.R. 281 and Bayshore Road, Sunday, July 10 through Friday, July 15 from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for paving operations.
- Settlers Colony Boulevard remains open. The closure has been postponed until further notice due to material delays.
- I-10 Resurfacing East of S.R. 281 (Avalon Boulevard) to East of S.R. 87 – Motorists can expect intermittent nighttime lane closures Monday, July 11 through Thursday, July 14 for construction activities. In addition, a detour will be in effect at Garcon Point Road overpass, Sunday, July 10 from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. Traffic will be diverted to the westbound off-ramp at exit 26 (Garcon Point Road) and re-enter the interstate on the westbound on-ramp.
- S.R. 87 Routine Utility Maintenance from Ray Helms Road to South of South Lynn Road – Motorists can expect intermittent southbound lane closures Thursday, July 14 from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. for power pole maintenance.
- U.S. 90 Routine Bridge Maintenance over Marquis Bayou – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures a half a mile east of Canal Street, Tuesday, July 12, from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m. for routine bridge maintenance.
All activities are weather-dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Mesa’s Four Hits Not Enough In Mississippi’s 7-6 Defeat Of The Blue Wahoos
July 10, 2022
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos fell victim to another late Mississippi Braves rally on Saturday night, dropping their third in a row in dramatic fashion by a score of 7-6.
Victor Victor Mesa went 4-for-4 at the plate with a triple for the Blue Wahoos, but his performance was overshadowed by a game-winning two-run double from Mississippi’s C.J. Alexander with two outs in the bottom of the eighth.
Pensacola starter Zach King allowed an early two-run homer to Drew Lugbauer in the first inning, but looked much sharper in his second Double-A start. The lefty allowed three runs on four hits over 5.0 innings with five strikeouts.
Trailing 3-0 in the fourth, the Blue Wahoos started a rally against Braves starter Tanner Gordon with a leadoff double from Norel González. RBI singles from J.D. Orr and Cobie Fletcher-Vance followed, and an RBI groundout from Bubba Hollins in the fifth tied the game 3-3.
The Blue Wahoos took their first lead in the sixth on a Ray-Patrick Didder RBI single, and run-scoring sacrifice flies from Griffin Conine and Paul McIntosh stretched the lead to 6-3. Mississippi got a run back in the sixth with a solo homer from Jalen Miller, but the Pensacola lead stayed 6-4 going to the final two innings.
Braves reliever Indigo Diaz (W, 1-4) worked around a Mesa triple with one out in the top of the eighth inning to set the stage for Alexander’s heroics against Eli Villalobos (L, 3-2) in the bottom of the frame. Tyler Ferguson (S, 3) worked a spotless ninth to earn the save for Mississippi.
The Blue Wahoos wrap up their series against the M-Braves on Sunday afternoon.
by Erik Bremmer, Pensacola Blue Wahoos
Two Charged With Attempted Armed Carjacking Of Woman At Highway 29 McDonald’s In Gonzalez
July 9, 2022
Two men have been arrested for trying to carjack a woman at the McDonalds in Gonzalez.
Kevon Lametris Keys, 19, and Diamond Kaneil Slack, 26, are charged with attempted carjacking with a weapon. Slack (pictured left) is also charged with aggravated assault.
The victim had just gone through the drive-thru at the McDonalds on Highway 29 near Old Chemstrand Road. She was in the waiting area of the drive-thru when she was approached by two males that pulled a gun and demanded that she exit her vehicle, according to Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons.
“For some reason, they decide to change their mind, made a comment something about ‘you seem like a nice lady’, and they take off and run,” Simmons said.
Keys was jailed with bond set at $50,000, and bond was set at $55,000 for Slack.
Escambia Honors Firefighter And Paramedic Bill Halfacre As He Retires After 41 Years
July 9, 2022
This week, Escambia County Fire Rescue honored Willis “Bill” Halfacre as he retired with 41 years of dedicated service as a firefighter and paramedic.
“Well, I made it,” Halfacre said during the ceremony. “I appreciate everyone for being here today, and I am so thankful to Escambia County for everything they have done for me. They will always be remembered.”
Halfacre began his fire service career as a volunteer firefighter with Ensley Volunteer Fire Department in January 1981. In 1989, Halfacre went to work part-time with Escambia County EMS as an EMT and eventually become a paramedic in May 1994.
He joined ECFR full-time in January 2000. Throughout his career, FF Halfacre received his HAZMAT certification, Fire Officer II certification, live fire training Instructor certification, pump operator certification and his AAS degree in fire science from Pensacola State College.
Family, friends, colleagues, local elected officials, local law enforcement and fire partners from nearby communities gathered to honor Halfacre. Escambia County District 4 Commissioner Robert Bender presented him with an official proclamation from the board thanking him for his service, and he also received a certificate of recognition from the office of Rep. Michelle Salzman.
Halfacre has been married to his wife Cassandra since 2005.
Missing, Endangered Flomaton Man Found Safe After 12 Hours In Creek
July 9, 2022
A missing and endangered Flomaton man was located early Saturday morning after over 12 hours in the waters of the Big Escambia Creek.
Gerry Don Thompson was last seen about 6 p.m. Friday in the area of the Flomaton Boat Landing on Big Escambia Creek, just off Highway 31 and the Skippy White Bridge. According to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, he is a 33-year old that lives with a condition that may impair his judgment.
“This was a great outcome with various different hands assisting. He is now back with his family,” Flomaton Police Chief Chance Thompson said.
“If you could have heard the excitement in the boat I was in with the other responders…it was truly amazing to hear him talk back to us,” the chief added.
The Flomaton Police Department was assisted by the Escambia County (AL) Sheriff’s Office, Flomaton Fire Department, D.W. McMcMillan EMS, Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s aviation unit and troopers, Alabama Department of Corrections, and several Good Samaritans.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
M-Braves Walk-Off Homer Sends Blue Wahoos To 6-3 Loss
July 9, 2022
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos were walked off by the Mississippi Braves for the second straight game on Friday night, falling 6-3 on a three-run home run from Drew Lugbauer in the bottom of the ninth.
Jeff Lindgren fought through shaky command to complete four innings of one-run ball, but the Blue Wahoos couldn’t solve Mississippi starter Darius Vines in the early innings. Vines struck out eight batters over 4.0 perfect innings before Norel González finally gave Pensacola a baserunner with a single in the fifth.
The Blue Wahoos finally broke through in the sixth, getting an RBI double from Griffin Conine to tie the game 1-1 and a two-out, two-run single from Victor Victor Mesa to take a 3-1 lead.
Mississippi tied the game 3-3 in the seventh as Anthony Maldonado surrendered a solo home run to Cade Bunnell, followed by a two-out RBI single from Yariel Gonzalez.
Pensacola made four outs on the bases in the span of three innings, squandering opportunities to add to their run total. Justin Maese (W, 1-4) worked out of a jam in the top of the ninth to keep the game tied before Dylan Bice (L, 1-1) walked a pair in the bottom half and served up Lugbauer’s walk-off blast.
The Blue Wahoos continue their series against the M-Braves on Saturday.
by Erik Bremer, Pensacola Blue Wahoos
Sheriff: Cantonment Man Killed His Daughter’s Dogs By Locking Them In A Hot Car For Days
July 8, 2022
A Cantonment man is accused of killing his daughter’s dogs by locking them in a hot car for days while she was out of town.
Felton Charles Henderson, 72, was charged with felony animal cruelty causing death, pain and suffering. He was booked into the Escambia County Jail Friday morning with bond set at $45,000.
According to Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons, a woman left her three dogs while she went out of town for a few days. She left behind water and food, and did everything appropriately, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
“When she returned after a couple of days, she asked where her dogs were,” Simmons said. “Henderson takes her to a blue Toyota Camry, he opens the doors, and he pulls out three dead dogs.” Henderson did not say anything before gathering a few items from the garage and leaving, according to an arrest report.
The sheriff said it was apparent he locked the dogs in the car despite the summer heat over the past few days.
“You can imagine the suffering they (the dogs) probably went through,” Simmons added.
Traffic Crash Claims Life Of 23-Year Old Man
July 8, 2022
An Escambia County traffic crash has claimed one life.
About 6 p.m. Thursday, a white sedan driven by a 21-year old Pensacola man failed to yield at the intersection of Mobile Highway and Boulder Avenue. He pulled out in front of a gray Ford pickup driven by a 23-year old Pensacola man, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
State troopers said the driver of the pickup truck passed away as a result of his injuries.
Increased Public Trolley Services for Pensacola Beach Air Show
July 8, 2022
To help alleviate traffic congestion for the Pensacola Beach Air Show, the Santa Rosa Island Authority is extending public transportation hours along the island on Friday, July 8, and is adding extra buses to the schedule on Saturday, July 9.
On Friday, July 8, the SRIA’s three, free open-air trolleys will begin transporting customers starting at 7:30 a.m. and extend their service to Park East, located a mile east of Portofino Resort, until 6 p.m. Following that, the regular route will resume until midnight.
On Saturday, July 9, starting at 6:30 a.m., the SRIA will have seven buses in addition to the three open-air trolleys running and will extend their service area to Park East until 6 p.m. Following that, the three open-air trolleys will resume normal operations until midnight.
On Friday and Saturday, buses and trolleys will service passengers from Park East and Park West to Casino Beach throughout the day. Post-show, trolleys servicing Portofino Resort/Park East will be staged on Via de Luna directly across from Santa Rosa Island Authority (facing east). Trolleys servicing Park West will be staged on Ft. Pickens Road adjacent to The Sandshaker (facing west).
Due to extreme traffic and congestion buildup on Friday and Saturday, trolley service to the access road stops (Grand Marlin, Radical Rides/Laguna’s, Quietwater Beach and the Boardwalk) will be temporarily suspended until 6 p.m.
The SRIA wants to remind all passengers that they will only be picked up and dropped off at designated trolley stops.
Passengers who wish to get back to their vehicles as soon as the air show ends need to be on the first fleet of buses leaving Casino Beach post show. Due to the gridlock that occurs immediately following the air show, riders should expect to wait as long as 90 minutes for the trolleys or buses to return to Casino Beach if they are not on the first trip out.
Former Baker Fire Chief Indicted For First Degree Murder Of Escambia Businessman
July 8, 2022
The former Baker Fire District chief was indicted Thursday for the first degree murder of a 63-year old business owner in Escambia County.
Brian Keith Easterling, age 52 of Baker, is accused of the shooting death of Michael Evers on June 2.
Pensacola Police received a call to check on the welfare of Evers at his home because he had not been seen in several days. Officers entered the home and found blood on the floor, but Evers was not inside. They responded to his shop in the 3900 block of Creighton Road.
Inside the shop, an officer tripped over an item under a car cover, exposing the victim’s right elbow. Officers said Evers was face down on the floor, obviously deceased with a gunshot wound to the back of his head. His 2011 Chevrolet 2500 was not at either location.
According to an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office report, surveillance video from 5:15 p.m. on Thursday, June 2 showed a man later identified as Easterling arrive at the shop with Evers. The victim entered the building and Easterling is seen standing outside the door looking around nervously.
“Easterling actually turns a complete circle looking all around, before entering the building. Within minutes of entering the building, Easterling walks up behind (the victim),” the report states. The victim “then falls immediately to the ground. Easterling can be seen on video getting a car cover and covering (the victim).”
Evers allegedly owed Easterling money, according to the ECSO.
Easterling remains in the Escambia County Jail without bond.
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