Here Are This Week’s Road Construction Slow Down Areas
May 23, 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:
- U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures and lane shifts on the Pensacola Bay Bridge Sunday, May 22 through Thursday, May 26 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. On Tuesday, May 24, 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 – Motorists traveling on West Cervantes Street will encounter the following traffic impacts:
o Daytime single lane closures and lane shifts, between A Street and Dominguez Street, as crews perform median improvements, signalization installation, construct sidewalks, and make utility adjustments.
o The new traffic signals on Cervantes Street at the J Street, L Street, and R Street intersections are now activated.
- North Ninth Avenue (State Road (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 from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, May 23 through Friday, May 27, as crews mobilize materials and equipment.
- Sorrento Road (S.R. 292) Intersection Improvements at Innerarity Point (County Road 292A) – Motorists can expect intermittent daytime shoulder closures Monday, May 23 through Friday, May 27 for drainage operations.
- Pace Boulevard from Barrancas Avenue to Massachusetts Avenue – The sidewalks on the eastern side of Pace Boulevard, between Barrancas Avenue and Navy Boulevard, are closed as crews perform sidewalk and curb improvements. Pedestrians will be detoured to the signalized intersections to access the sidewalks on the western side of Pace Boulevard during this time.
- Barrancas Avenue (S.R. 292) from Manchester Street to the Bayou Chico Bridge –The sidewalks on the northern side of Barrancas Avenue, between Manchester Avenue and Pace Boulevard, will be closed for improvements. Detours will be in place for pedestrians in these areas.
- Pensacola Boulevard (U.S. 29) from Brent Lane to North of Interstate 10 (I-10) – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures Sunday, May 22 through Thursday, May 26 from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. for sidewalk and curb improvements.
- I-10 Routine Bridge Maintenance over Perdido River – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures near the Alabama/Florida line, Monday, May 23 from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. for concrete operations.
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, May 22 through Thursday, May 26 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. On Tuesday, May 24, 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:
- Temporary 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 May 22 through Friday, May 27 from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for paving operations.
- Westbound travelers will encounter a new traffic configuration from east of Portside Drive to Redfish Point Road as lanes will be shifted slightly south to allow for widening activities on the outside lane.
- Settlers Colony Boulevard will be closed to complete necessary drainage improvements for the U.S. 98 widening project. This closure will remain in effect for approximately 30 days. Motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians will access Settlers Colony Boulevard via Venetian Way and Coronado Drive. Detour signs will be in place. Residents may experience noise, vibrations, and dust during daytime hours as part of this drainage improvement effort.
- I-10 Resurfacing East of S.R. 281 (Avalon Boulevard) to East of S.R. 87 – Motorists can expect intermittent daytime shoulder closures and lane closures the week of Sunday, May 22 from 6 p.m. to 10 a.m. for construction activities.
All activities are weather-dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Florida Gas Prices Move Just Below Last Week’s Record High
May 23, 2022
Florida gas prices have moved just a little bit lower. On Sunday, the average price for gasoline in Florida was $4.48 per gallon. The state average has declined three cents after setting a new record high price of $4.51 per gallon last week.
With an average price of $4.35 per gallon, the Pensacola metro market was lowest in the state.
A North Escambia low of $4.29 could be found at four stations on Highway 29 in Cantonment Sunday. In Pensacola, one Nine Mile Road station was at $4.20, but most were $4.29 or more.
“Even though pump prices have moved slightly lower, gas prices on Memorial Day are still forecast to be the holiday’s most expensive yet,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “A combination of tightening global supplies and strengthening demand are the main culprits behind this unprecedented pain at the pump. Unfortunately, there doesn’t appear to be a quick end in sight. Gas prices are likely to continue fluctuating throughout the summer and remain well above year-ago levels.”
Escambia County To Design Expansion Of Ransom Middle Pond To Reduce Flooding In Area
May 22, 2022
The Escambia County Commission recently approved funds to design an expansion of a holding pond at Ransom Middle School.
According to the county, an existing holding pond at Ransom Middle experiences severe flooding during moderate to heavy rain events.
Sigma Consulting Group of Pensacola will design drainage improvements to expand the existing stormwater pond at cost of $39,975. The existing pond will be designed to expand to an area encompassing approximately 3.5 acres.
The goal of this project is to design and construct a pond located within the southwest portion of the Ransom Middle School property in an effort to attenuate stormwater to the constructed pond to reduce the risk of flooding. The project is considered as part of a larger plan to reduce flooding in this area, according to Escambia County.
The design will be funded using Local Option Sales Tax.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
ECSO Deputies Stand Watch Over Fallen Officers At Washington Memorial
May 22, 2022
Last weekend, Lieutenant Frazier, Deputy Gaydon, Deputy Carpenter, and Deputy Voght represented the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office by standing watch for fallen officers at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, DC.
The event marked the beginning of National Police Week. Established by a joint resolution of Congress in 1962, National Police Week pays special recognition to those law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty for the safety and protection of others. National Police Week is a collaborative effort of many organizations dedicated to honoring America’s law enforcement community.
For more photos, click or tap here.
Former Fire Chief Needs Kidney Donor
May 22, 2022
A former City of Pensacola fire chief is looking for a kidney donor to survive.
David Allen, 57, has gone through one kidney transplant that failed, and now he is is approaching the end stages of kidney failure with just nine percent of normal function.
About a year ago, his wife Teresa donated one of her kidneys to David, but it had to be removed.
David’s activities are impacted by his situation.
“The difference comes when I try to do anything, from walking to the car, or just the smallest thing that I used to take for granted,” he said.
David’s blood type is A, but he can accept either an A or O. Anyone seriously interested in donating a kidney and in generally good health can call (850) 485-3953.
“I answer with the hope that maybe there is someone on the other end of the phone that could offer,” a tearful Teresa said.
Northview High Names Students Of The Month
May 22, 2022
Northview High School recently named their Students of the Month for April. They are senior Hannah Hassebrock and junior Clay Allen. They are pictured with Principal Michael Sherill. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Is Your Church Having VBS?
May 22, 2022
Is your North Escambia area church holding Vacation Bible School this year?
Now is the time to submit your Vacation Bible School announcements to NorthEscambia.com so that we can include them on our events page and let everyone know.
Send the information to news@northescambia.com for inclusion.
Happy Birthday Mr. Frank! Local Pearl Harbor Survivor Frank Emond Turns 104
May 21, 2022
Pearl Harbor survivor Frank Emond of Cantonment celebrated his 104th birthday Saturday. You can leave your birthday wishes in the comment section below, or on our Facebook page.
Originally from Rhode Island, Emond enlisted in the Navy in 1938 as a musician. He played the French horn for the ship’s band and even got to perform at the 1939 World’s Fair in New York before he was assigned to the USS Emond, CWO4 USN (RET.), spent his naval career as a musician and band director. He was on the stern of the USS Pennsylvania (BB-38) getting ready to play morning “Colors” on his French horn when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. Emond then walked to the conductor’s stand, picked up the baton and proceeded to direct the band in “Stars and Stripes”.
After seven years of playing horn, he became a Navy bandleader, retiring in 1968.
“I’m about the last one (Pearl Harbor survivor) left around here,” Emond said during a previous drive-by birthday at the Gonzalez United Methodist Church.
He remained a music man; sometimes leading the music at Gonzalez Methodist and performing with the Pensacola Civic Band.
Last November, he broke his own Guinness World Record as “World’s Oldest Conductor”. At age 103, led the U.S. Air Force Band’s Airmen of Note in Glenn Miller’s iconic “In the Mood” at the American Veteran Center’s “America Valor: A Salute to our Heroes” at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington.
For photos from Emond’s 102 drive-by birthday event in 2020, click or tap here.
Pictured above: At 103, Pearl Harbor survivor Frank Emond of Cantonment broke his own Guinness World Record as “World’s Oldest Conductor” in Washington, D.C. Pictured below: Scenes from Frank Emond’s 102nd drive-thru birthday party in 2020 at Gonzalez United Methodist Church. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Building Official Tim Tolbert Appointed To State Building Commission
May 21, 2022
Friday, Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed Tim Tolbert of Navarre to the Florida Building Commission. Tolbert is the Building Official and director of Building Services for Escambia County. He is a member of the International Code Counsel and the Building Official Association of Florida. Tolbert earned a certificate from Florida State Fire College.
Northview High Names 2022 Honors Graduates
May 21, 2022
Northview High School has named their honors graduates for the Class of 2022.
Valedictorian of the Class of 2022 is Hunter Borelli, and salutatorian is John Bashore.
The Northview High School Class of 2022 graduates at 3:15 p.m. Wednesday, May 25 at the Pensacola Bay Center.
Summa Cum Laude (4.0 GPA and above)
Valedictorian: Hunter Borelli
Salutatorian: John Bashore
Anna Faith Adams
Evelyn Liya Alexander
Tereasia Siamone Burt
Zachary Jacob Carach
Shelby Nicole Cotita
Olivia Elizabeth Crews
Weslyn Elizabeth Dunn
Jason Zane Gurganus
Sarah Margaret Hetrick
Jesse Allen Hughes
Ethan Riley Kilburn
Alyssa Mercedes Moya
Dallon Thortis Rackard
Benjamin Charles Rowinsky
Sarah Jane Sconiers
Jessica Faith Stabler
Mia Rain Starns
Madison Victoria Watson
Magna Cum Laude (3.85 GPA and above)
Kaitlin Hope Gafford
Audrey Grace Goetter
Grayson Elizabeth James
Rakailla Aja Munford
Makayla Shana Ramsey
David Dewayne Ward
Cum Laude (3.5 GPA and above)
Olan Drew Albritton
Cheveyo Dasan Bingham
Miyhanna Patrice Davidson
Zykuria Alizah Fountain
Laura Nicole Frazier
Holley Danielle Gilley
Taylor Lynn Levins
Taylor Elaine McMinn
Logan Christophor Misenar
Alanna Rose Roberson
Paige Alyssa Ross
Addison Lee White
Valedictorian: Hunter Borelli (right); Salutatorian: John Bashore
Summa Cum Laude (4.0 GPA and above)
Summa Cum Laude (4.0 GPA and above)
Magna Cum Laude (3.85 GPA and above)
Cum Laude (3.5 GPA and above)
Photos: Emma Gilmore and Sarah Bailey for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.