These Are Next Week’s Road Construction Trouble Spots
February 5, 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 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 6 through Saturday, Feb. 12. Crews will be using lanes on the current bridge as a platform to pour concrete decks for the westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) structure. In addition, Bayfront Parkway eastbound near the Pensacola Bay Bridge will be shifted onto the roundabout to access U.S. 98 during this time. The lane shifts will allow crews to place rip rap (shoreline protection) along Bayfront Parkway.
- West Cervantes Street (U.S. 90) Pedestrian Safety Improvement – Drivers will encounter the following temporary intermittent lane closures:
- Inside lane closures between Q and A streets as crews perform median improvements and install poles for pedestrian traffic signals.
- Outside lanes at various locations along West Cervantes for crews to construct Americans with Disabilities Act compliant sidewalk ramps and traffic pole foundations.
- U.S. 29 Widening from Interstate 10 (I-10) to Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90) – Drivers will encounter intermittent lane closures and shifts from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 6 through Friday, Feb. 11 between I-10 and Nine and Half Mile Road, and on Nine Mile Road at the U.S. 29 interchange to allow crews to place striping and perform worklist items.
- Sorrento Road (State Road (S.R.) 292) Intersection Improvements at Innerarity Point (County Road (C.R.) 292A) – Motorists can expect intermittent daytime shoulder closures Monday, Feb. 7 through Friday, Feb. 11, as crews place a water main.
- North Ninth Avenue (S.R. 289) Carpenters Creek Bridge Replacement- The traffic shift has been rescheduled because of inclement weather conditions. The Ninth Avenue travel lanes over Carpenters Creek are now expected to be shifted to the southbound portion of the bridge no sooner than Thursday, Feb. 10. One lane in each direction will remain open. The traffic shift will allow crews to construct the northbound side of the bridge.
- Airport Boulevard (S.R. 750) Maintenance from West of Palafox Street to Davis Highway – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. the week of Monday, Feb. 7 as crews perform 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 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 6 through Saturday, Feb. 12. Crews will be using lanes on the current bridge as a platform to pour concrete decks for the westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) structure. In addition, Bayfront Parkway eastbound near the Pensacola Bay Bridge will be shifted onto the roundabout to access U.S. 98 during this time. The lane shifts will allow crews to place rip rap (shoreline protection) along Bayfront Parkway.
- U.S. 98 Widening from Bayshore Road to Portside Drive – Major roadway construction activities are currently underway. Improvements include widening the roadway from four to a six-lanes with a raised median, safety, and drainage upgrades, resurfacing S.R. 281 (Avalon Boulevard) from U.S. 98 to Garcon Point Bridge, extending the existing shared-use path on the south side of U.S. 98 from Gondolier Boulevard, and new signage and pavement markings.
- U.S. 90 Simpson River Bridge Project: Motorists can expect intermittent and alternating lane restrictions from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. Monday, Feb. 7 through Friday, Feb. 11 as crews perform paving operations for the temporary road widening.
- I-10 Resurfacing East of S.R. 281 (Avalon Boulevard) to East of S.R. 87 – The eastbound lane will remain reduced to one lane at the County Road 191 Overpass Bridge (Exit 26) until work associated with bridge approach construction is complete. Motorists can also expect intermittent lane closures from 6 p.m. to 10 a.m. the week of Monday, Feb. 7 as crews perform construction activities.
- U.S. 90 Routine Utility Maintenance at Woodbine Road Intersection – Westbound Motorists will encounter turn lane closures at Woodbine Road from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday, Feb.7 through Friday, Feb. 11 as crews replace utility poles and overhead lines. The merge lane on Woodbine Road at U.S. 90 westbound to Pensacola will also be closed intermittently during nighttime hours as crews perform utility maintenance operations.
- U.S. 98 Routine Maintenance in Gulf Breeze – Motorists can expect lane restrictions starting outside the Pensacola Bay Bridge work zone to Bob Sikes Bridge the week of Monday, Feb. 7 as crews perform tree trimming operations.
All activities are weather-dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Flomaton High’s Damerion Findley Signs To Play College Football
February 5, 2022
Flomaton High School Senior Damerion Findley signed on Friday to play college football with Detroit Christian Community College. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Records 1,805 New COVID-19 Cases
February 5, 2022
There were 1,805 new COVID-19 cases and no deaths reported over the last week in Escambia County, according to the Florida Department of Health and the CDC. There were 3,180 cases and 32 deaths reported during the previous week..
Here is the latest data from FDOH and the CDC:
Escambia County cases:
Total cases: 74,740 (+1,805)
Positivity rate last week: 25.2%
Current Case Rate per 100k: 551.8
People vaccinated: 169,678 (+340)
Full vaccination rate (age 5+): 57.7%
New hospital admissions: 260
Current hospitalizations (as of Friday): 230
Total deaths reported last 7 days: 0
Santa Rosa County cases:
Total cases: 45,838 (+1,652)
Positivity rate last week: 28.0%
Current Case Rate per 100k: 883.4
People vaccinated: 98,522 (+156)
Full vaccination rate (age 5+): 55.6%
New hospital admissions: 47
Total deaths last 7 days: 0
Statewide cases:
Florida resident cases: 5,610,370 (+132,622)
Case positivity rate: 18.0%
Case Rate per 100k:603.5
Deaths: 66,279 (+210)
Data sources: CDC, Florida Department of Health, Escambia County
FedEx Driver Charged With Carrying A Concealed Weapon
February 4, 2022
A delivery driver from Century has been charged with carrying a concealed weapon.
An Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputy was on patrol in the area of Mobile Highway and Lynch Street about 3 a.m. Monday when he observed a Budget box truck leave the Relax Inn with no headlights. The deputy followed the truck and conducted a traffic stop on Citrus Street.
Gaten Tyree Scott, 22, told the deputy that he was in the area looking for his aunt, and he said the rental truck was provided by his job with FedEx, according to an arrest report. Scott advised the deputy that he had a firearm in his pocket and that he had a concealed carry permit.
A records check indicated Scott has never had a concealed carry permit and that the firearm was not stolen. Scott then told the deputy that he had sent in his paperwork about a month ago but had not received his license yet.
Scott called a coworker to retrieve the vehicle, the report states.
He was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $1,000 bond.
How Do You Spell Winners? Deputy Helps Student With His Tie Before Spelling Bee
February 4, 2022
Thursday was a big day for Flomaton Elementary School sixth grader Caleb Ware.
It was the county spelling bee, and Caleb wanted to look his very best. He had the shoes, the nice white dress shirt, and the tie. But those tie Windsor knots…those are tough.
Enter the school resource officer, Escambia County (AL) Sheriff’s deputy Randall Gulley and his Windsor knot tie-tying skills. Some over, under, through, around, or something like that. There are 11 steps; we looked that up. Or maybe the deputy tied a half-Windsor knot. That has nine steps, so it’s not really half.
Regardless of the knot, it had that sharp classic look, and it gave Caleb confidence as he competed in the county spelling bee.
Caleb knocked it out of the park. He went 12 rounds and finished as first runner-up.
In the picture with his trophy, you can see that tie with the great knot. It’s hard to notice though because of that big smile. A big confident smile.
The next word is winners.
Used in a sentence?
Caleb and Officer Gulley were both winners Thursday in the spelling bee.
Winners. W-i-n-n-e-r-s. Real winners.
FWC Law Enforcement Report
February 4, 2022
The Florida FWC Division of Law Enforcement reported the following activity:
ECACAMBIA COUNTY
Officer Allgood observed a vehicle operating with an antlerless deer strapped to the roof. Officer Allgood conducted a traffic stop and proceeded with a resource inspection. During questioning, Officer Allgood determined the deer was not reported on a harvest log. The appropriate citation was issued.
Officer Allgood observed a vehicle returning from Alabama with a trailer and side by side. The trailer did not have trailer lights, so the officer conducted a traffic stop. As he approached the truck, he saw a buck in the truck bed. During the resource inspection, the operator of the vehicle said his son shot the deer in Alabama. Due to Chronic Waste Disease (CWD), it’s against the law to bring a deer into the state unless the meat is deboned. The appropriate citations were issued.
Officers Allgood and Ramos noticed household debris dumped on county property. After a short investigation the officers were able to determine the owner information located at the dump site. They interviewed the owner and the owner’s son admitted to dumping approximately 2,000 pounds of debris. The officers issued the subject a notice to appear for the illegal dumping
SANTA ROSA COUNTY
K-9 Officer Hutchinson received a complaint of an illegal bait site within the Yellow River State Forest Wildlife Management Area (WMA). The complainant agreed to meet with him and show him the baited hunting stand. Officers Hutchinson and Roberson later met with the complainant who led them to the bait site. After documenting the bait site, the complainant provided them with a vehicle description and tag number belonging to the suspect. The officers contacted the suspect who agreed to meet them at the baited hunting location. Once the suspect arrived, he admitted to placing the bait in the Yellow River WMA. He led the officers to his hunting stand, camera, and the bait that he placed out. After removing his hunting equipment from the area, the subject was issued a Notice to Appear Citation for placing bait within the Yellow River WMA.
K-9 Officer Hutchinson was patrolling the Blackwater Wildlife Management Area (WMA), when he observed a truck parked and blocking half of a forest road. Officer Hutchinson observed hunting equipment sticking out of the back of the truck along with a bow lying in the back window and dried blood on the tail gate. He approached the driver side of the truck and observed a male subject lying in the seat. After contacting him, Officer Hutchinson learned that another male subject was hunting in the woods near the truck. Officer Hutchinson questioned the man about the dried blood and learned that he had harvested an antlerless deer a few days prior. The man admitted to not registering the deer in the State Registry System. The second subject who was hunting nearby approached Officer Hutchinson and confirmed the first subjects’ story about the deer blood. Officer Hutchinson issued a citation to the first subject for not registering the antlerless deer.
This report represents some events the FWC handled during the time period; however, it does not include all actions taken by the Division of Law Enforcement. Information provided by FWC.
NorthEscambia.com photo.
Atmore Receives Grant For New Industrial Park Rail Yard
February 4, 2022
The City of Atmore has received a grant for a new rail yfard.
The City of Atmore will use Delta Regional Authority (DRA) funds to construct a new rail transload yard to support the new peanut processing plant and other existing and new industries located in Atmore’s Industrial Park. This investment is projected to create 150 jobs and retain 200 jobs.
The DRA grant, one of 13 announced Thursday by Gov. Kay Ivey, is $307,071 with a total project investment of $3,066,371.
“Alabama is proud of our ever-important federal state partnership with the Delta Regional Authority,” said Ivey. “We look forward to seeing these funds positively impact and improve the lives of Alabamians across the Black Belt. With these thirteen new investment projects, communities will see improvements that are critical to economic growth throughout their areas.”
The 13 new investment projects will improve water and sewer systems, update transportation infrastructure and support entrepreneurship in communities across the Alabama Black Belt, according to the Governor’s Office. These projects are expected to create or retain 1,091 jobs, train 200 individuals and affect over 5,100 families.
Northview High Names Students Of The Month
February 4, 2022
Northview High School has named Students of the Month for January. They are junior Bayllon Matson and sophomore Ava Gurganus. They are pictured with Principal Michael Sherrill. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century Council Makes Change In Hopes Of Making Public Comment Easier
February 4, 2022
The Century Town Council has made a procedural change in hopes of making it more convenient for the public to make comments at meetings.
For many years, the council has heard public comment at the end of meetings, sometimes two or three hours after they convene.
Now, the council will hear public comment at the beginning of each meeting, in addition to just before the close.
“If you just want to know about a pothole or a fence in your area, you don’t have to sit for three hours,” said council president Luis Gomez.
The public often addresses city services type issues at council meetings — utility bills, water leaks and road issues are common areas of concern. Sometimes, an individual that signed up to address the council would simply give up and leave before the end of a meeting.
Pictured: Century resident Peggie Morris addresses the Century Town Council at the beginning of a meeting. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Former Flomaton Cop Arrested On Florida Drug Charges Now Accused Of Child Endangerment In Alabama
February 3, 2022
A former Flomaton Police Department lieutenant arrested for drug trafficking in 2020 in Molino is back behind bars in an Alabama jail facing new charges.
Isaac R. Lopez, 37, was taken into custody Wednesday by the Escambia County (AL) Sheriff’s Office on Flomaton Police Department warrants.
Lopez is charged with reckless endangerment of a child and contributing to the delinquency of a minor, according to Flomaton Police. Both charges are misdemeanors.
“Our office received a call of a minor under influence of alcohol. Our officers investigated and found probable cause for the warrants. DHR (Department of Human Resources) Escambia also was called and investigated,” Flomaton Police Chief Charles Thompson told NorthEscambia.com Wednesday night.
The incident reportedly occurred on Christmas 2021 and involved a 13-year old child.
Due to the new charges, Lopez’s bond in Alabama was revoked, and he remained in the Escambia County (AL) Detention Center in Brewton.
The Escambia County (FL) Sheriff’s Office received information that Lopez was trafficking methamphetamines and set up an operation to catch him in the act in December 2020, according to the agency. Lopez arranged a narcotics deal for two ounces of methamphetamine from an Escambia County (FL) Sheriff’s Office investigator by phone and text messages, according to an arrest report. The report states he arrived at a predetermined location in Molino and accepted the two ounces of methamphetamine from the undercover officer.
Lopez was not on duty and not in his agency issued vehicle at the time of his drug arrest in the 5800 block of North Highway 29.
He was charged with trafficking methamphetamine and using a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony. He was booked into the Escambia County (FL) Jail and later released on bond.
The cellphone used by Lopez to arrange the meth deal belonged to the Town of Flomaton, according to Escambia County (AL) Sheriff Health Jackson. As a result, Lopez was charged in Alabama for felony use of official position or office for personal gain. He was released on a $200,000 bond; it was that bond that was revoked with his latest arrest Wednesday.
Lopez was terminated by the Flomaton Police Department.
The original drug arrest was the result of a partnership between the Escambia County (FL) Sheriff’s Office, Escambia County (AL) Sheriff’s Office, Flomaton Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).