Lane Closures Begin Monday In $236 Million, 6-Year Project To Totally Rebuild Entire I-10, Hwy. 29 Interchange
April 19, 2024
Lane closures begin Monday on a major $236 million Florida Department of Transportation reconstruction project to completely rebuild the I-10 and Highway 29 interchange.
The project will include construction of all-new I-10 travel lanes and about a dozen bridges over six years with anticipated completion in the summer of 2030.
Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures on I-10 near the Highway 29 interchange from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Monday, April 22 through Thursday, April 25 as crews perform utility work and place temporary barrier wall.
FDOT said 62,000 commuters travel through the corridor daily. The I-10 speed limit hasbeen reduced from the current 60 mph to 50 mph..
The project includes the following shown on the map above (the numbers correspond to the map, click to enlarge):
- Construction of six new main lanes on I-10 through the center of the interchange, requiring six new bridges.
- Five existing I-10 bridges will be converted, and one new bridge will be constructed for ramps.
- Remove the I-10 loop ramp from I-10 to northbound Highway 29.
- Construct extended two-lane ramps east of the interchange.
- Replace the existing North Palafox and CSX bridges to accommodate widening of I-10.
- Modify the Highway 29 at Dairy Road intersection to allow eastbound and westbound traffic to I-10 from Diamond Dairy.
- Construct stormwater ponds (shown in blue on the map above).
For a complete graphical look at project details, click here.
NorthEscambia.com graphics, click to enlarge.
FWC Law Enforcement Report: Harvesting Deer During Closed Season
April 19, 2024
The Florida FWC Division of Law Enforcement reported the following recent activity:
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
Officers Lugg and Burkhead responded to information they received about a subject living on a vessel in Bayou Chico who had an active warrant. The officers located the subject on his vessel, which was substantially dismantled due to not having any proper steering or propulsion. After conducting an interview with the subject, he admitted the vessel was his and knew it was a derelict vessel. The subject was charged with leaving a vessel on the waters of the state in derelict condition. The officers transported the subject to the Escambia County Jail.
Officer Lugg and Lieutenant Corbin identified two vessels and began the derelict vessel process. The owner was cited for leaving vessels on the waters of the state in derelict condition.
Officer Lugg participated in a field day outreach event for about 400 students at Beulah Academy of Science Middle School. Officer Lugg discussed water and boating safety while the students explored an FWC patrol vessel on display.
Officer Lugg, Officer Wilkenson, and Officer Manning participated in an outreach event at the yearly Outcast Bait and Tackle Shop sale that attracts thousands of anglers and other outdoor enthusiasts. Boating safety and marine law information was provided to attendees.
Lieutenant Corbin was contacted by an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Deputy regarding a traffic stop he had conducted around 2 a.m. The driver was in possession of a recently harvested antlerless deer after the season had closed. Lieutenant Corbin arrived on scene and interviewed the subject, who admitted to killing the deer during the afternoon with a crossbow and showed the harvest location on a map. Lieutenant Corbin went to the area and found an arrow with dried blood and a blood trail. The area is private property and the subject did not have permission to hunt or be on the property. The subject was charged with harvesting an antlerless deer during closed season.
SANTA ROSA COUNTY
Officer Brown was on patrol conducting shore-based resource and license inspections when he observed an individual fishing at a local boat ramp. While conducting a resource inspection, Officer Brown observed what appeared to be an undersized striped bass on a cooler being used for bait. Upon further investigation, Officer Brown located two undersized spotted seatrout and an undersized redfish. The individual was cited appropriately.
Officer Bower located a sailboat that appeared to be a derelict vessel. It tilted to its side and had washed ashore and was grounded. The vessel did not have a 360 white navigation light displayed. The owner was issued a notification of rights package and a notice to appear citation for storing a derelict vessel upon waters of the state and a warning for vessel breaking anchor and a warning for no navigational lights present.
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.
Maple, The FDLE K-9 Cop That Sniffed Out Computer Criminals, Has Passed Away
April 19, 2024
There is some some sad news to report.
Florida Department of Law Enforcement K-9 Maple has passed away.
Maple died Wednesday following a battle with cancer.
Maple was FDLE’s first Electronic Storage Detection (ESD) canine.
Maple began her work in 2019 and was assigned to FDLE’s Pensacola Region. At the time, she was one of three ESD canines statewide and the only ESD canine in Florida’s Panhandle. She worked numerous cases, especially child pornography cases, which were reported on NorthEscambia.com.
Earlier this year, Maple and her handler, Special Agent Supervisor Stephanie Cassidy, transferred to FDLE Jacksonville.
During her career, she was deployed more than 100 times helping collect around 200 pieces of evidence.
“Maple loved her work and her FDLE family. During her career she visited thousands of school children, helped raise money for local charities and was the highlight at FDLE and community events,” FDLE Commissioner Mark Glass said.
FDLE Pensacola Special Agent in Charge Chris Williams said, “When Maple came to PROC, I thought she’d have a positive impact on the law enforcement community and the office overall. But I had NO IDEA how much impact she would have with all of our members and beyond. She has fan clubs everywhere she goes. I believe Maple has had more of a positive impact on morale than any single action by her human friends.”
Maple served with the highest standards, sniffing out electronics while providing love and support to everyone. Rest easy Maple, you are a pioneer for FDLE. All ESD dogs owe you a debt of gratitude for being the first,” commented FDLE Deputy Commissioner Matt Walsh.
Jay Royals Slide Past Northview 4-0
April 19, 2024
The Jay Royals defeated the Northview Chiefs 4-0 Thursday night in Bratt.
Cadee Carroll earned the win for Jay, going a complete seven innings, allowing one hit and no runs while striking out one and walking three.
Jamison Gilman started for Northview in the circle, giving up seven hits and four runs in four innings, walking two and striking out two.
For a photo gallery, click or tap here.
Brett Watson went 3-3 for the Lady Royals while Carroll and Ella Nelson were both 2-3.
MaKayla Golson led the Chiefs at the plate, going 2-2 for the night. Mikayla McAnally pitched three innings, surrounding three hits, striking out one and walking one.
Northview will host Crestview at 6:30 Friday night, and Jay will host Flomaton at 6 p.m.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Partly Sunny, Middle 80s Today
April 19, 2024
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Friday: Partly sunny, with a high near 85. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Friday Night: Patchy fog after 1am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 65. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 84. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming southwest in the afternoon.
Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming north after midnight.
Sunday: A chance of showers before 10am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 10am and 1pm, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 71. North wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 49. North wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 74. North wind 10 to 15 mph.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 50. North wind around 5 mph becoming east after midnight.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 81.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 58.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 83.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 60.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 84.
Missed Chances Doom Pensacola In Loss To Rocket City
April 19, 2024
by Bill Vilona
The Blue Wahoos failed multiple times earlier in the game to cash in scoring opportunities.
They paid for it at the end.
The Rocket City Trash Pandas took advantage of two walks and a throwing error on a sacrifice bunt to score a pair of ninth inning runs and beat Pensacola 5-3 on Mullet Thursday at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
Taking on their alternate identity as the Pensacola Mullets and wearing specialty jerseys, the crowd was energized by Tanner Allen’s big night, headlined by his game-tying homer in the seventh inning off renown flamethrower Ben Joyce.
After watching a pair of fastballs at 103 mph from the former Tennessee Vols star, Allen jumped on the next one at 99 mph and sent a laser into the right field berm for a two-run homer to knot the score at 3-3.
It was part of a 4-for-4 night at the plate for Allen, a Mobile-area native and Mississippi State star of the Bulldogs’ College World Series championship team in 2021. By far, he’s been Pensacola’s top player so far this season, batting .333.
Allen drove in the Mullets other run with his second inning single.
But Pensacola stranded seven runners in scoring position, including twice with runners on third base.
Rocket City took a 3-1 lead in the sixth inning on right fielder Tucker Flint’s no-doubter homer into right center off Mullets reliever Jeff Lindgren.
Starter Valente Bellozo had a much better second outing Thursday. He battled through five innings, allowing four hits and only one run with nine strikeouts.
In the seventh, Rocket City summoned Joyce in his first appearance this week. He made his major league debut last season, appearing in 12 games for the Los Angeles Angels.
On this night, while his fastball regularly exceeded 100-plus mph, the Blue Wahoos hitters were jumping on it. Bennett Hostetler led off the seventh with a double into the gap. Joyce had a 1-1 count on Allen when his fastball was perfectly timed and driven out of the ballpark.
He then walked the next batter Dalvy Rosario, who stole second base with one out. Joyce got out of the inning with a strikeout and groundout.
In the top of the night, Blue Wahoos reliever Matt Pushard walked the first two batters he faced. Caleb Hamilton, who played in Pensacola for the Blue Wahoos in 2019 as a Minnesota Twins prospect, dropped down a perfect bunt that Pushard fielded, but his throw sailed over first baseman Jacob Berry’s glove leading to two runs and deciding the game.
It gave the Trash Pandas (7-5) their first back-to-back wins in Pensacola in their four-year history. Rocket City had won just twice in the ballpark before this week.
The Blue Wahoos (5-7) will try to even the series tomorrow with righthander Evan Fitterer on the mound.
WANT TO GO?
WHO: Rocket City Trash Pandas vs. Blue Wahoos.
WHEN: Friday, 6:05 p.m.
WHERE: Blue Wahoos Stadium.
Boil Water Notice Issued For Portion Of, West Roberts, Stallion Road Areas
April 18, 2024
THIS BOIL WATER ADVISORY WAS LIFTED ON APRIL 20.
Due to a broken four-inch water main, ECUA has issued a precautionary boil water notice for a portion of an area off West Roberts Road.
Precautionary Boil Water Notices are issued as a part of the standard protocol following any loss of water pressure, whether as a result of planned maintenance activities or unscheduled repairs.
Specifically, the boil water notice includes:
- 885 W.Roberts Rd.
- 2641~2708 Stallion Rd.
- 2666~2906 Monica Ln.
- 895 Colt Ln.
- 2822- 2849 Pierce Rd.
Residents located in the specified boil water notice area are advised to boil water for one minute at a rolling boil or to use eight drops of regular unscented household bleach per gallon of water, for water to be used for drinking or cooking purposes. Two independent bacteriological samples have been initiated and the advisory will be lifted as soon as possible. This process routinely takes 48 hours, and the notice will be rescinded at that time.
ECUA crews have completed the repairs and flushed out the lines. Residents within the area and nearby are advised that there is a possibility of discolored water as a result of the utility work, and to flush their home’s plumbing by running their taps for a few minutes. If problems persist, customers are asked to contact ECUA Customer Service at (850) 476-0480 for assistance.
One Injured In Highway 29 Collision Involving Transit Bus With Seven Passengers
April 18, 2024
One person was injured in a crash involving a transit bus with seven passengers Thursday morning on Highway 29 near Tate School Road.
The Florida Highway Patrol said a Honda SUV driven by a 36-year-old woman was traveling north on Highway 29 and attempted a left turn onto Tate School Road about 7:30 a.m.
Troopers said a transit bus traveling south on Highway 29 collided with the side of the SUV. The SUV left the roadway and came to rest in the wood-line after the crash. The bus came to a stop blocking one lane of Highway 29.
Escambia County Public Information Officer Davis Wood said the transit vehicle was owned by a private company, not Escambia County.
FHP reported that everyone involved suffered minor injuries. Wood said one person was transported by Escambia County EMS and the remainder refused transport.
The transit bus was driven by a 29-year-old female. The passengers ranged in age from 35 to 74 years old.
An injury crash that occurred Wednesday afternoon in the same area sent one person to the hospital.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Century Commits Quarter Million Dollars In Expenditures Not On Agenda During Final Minutes Of Meeting
April 18, 2024
The Century Town council committed up to nearly a quarter million dollars on items not on the agenda in the final minutes of a two-hour meeting this week, not providing any opportunity for public comment prior to their votes.
The council voted unanimously to allow Mayor Luis Gomez, Jr. to hire Clear Water Solutions for a period not to exceed one year for a monthly fee of $19,464 — up to $233,568 in one year — to take over the operations of the town’s water and wastewater departments.
The item was not on the meeting’s agenda but was brought up by Gomez during his “Mayor’s Report” to the council.
“I’ll give you a minute to look over that,” Gomez said as he passed a document out to council members. The document was not provided to the council, the public, or the media prior to the meeting as part of the weekly agenda package. NorthEscambia.com made a public records request by email to Gomez, interim Town manager Howard Brown, and staff member Mallory Walker early Wednesday morning by email and received no response or acknowledgement by Thursday publication time
Just 21 seconds after passing out the information to the council for their first look, Gomez commenced discussion on hiring the company.
After the involuntary resignation of Heath Burkett, Century’s water and wastewater superintendent, last month, council member Alisha Johnston took over his duties as an unpaid volunteer. She is a state-certified operator in both areas. The transition came as the town after the town came under several warning letters from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).
The town has advertised three water and wastewater jobs for weeks but received little response.
Johnson blamed the lackluster response a lot of bad press and the fact that the town’s operations are being closely monitored by DEP following the warning letters.
Gomez said the town is “getting ready to release Ms. Johnson back out into the world” and that she would no longer be able to provide free water and wastewater leadership, necessitating the services of Clear Water.
Gomez did not specify how any bids may have been received for the services.
A little more than six minutes after seeing the first information about Clear Water, the council unanimously approved the mayor’s recommendation to hire Clear Water.
Washington Trip
During the “Council Comments” portion at the end of the meeting, the council — including council member Shelisa Abraham — unanimously approved up to $800 for travel and expenses for Abraham to attend a Florida League of Cities Federal Action Strike Team event next month in Washington, D.C. The travel expenses were not on the agenda.
“What is the benefit that it provides to the Town of Century,” Council president Dynette Lewis asked.
“Century gets a voice at the table,” Abraham replied. “We also have a weekly call with the White House to express our concerns for our town, what funding is needed here, what our emergencies are. what our projects are. We stay top mind at the White House.”
Fireworks
For several years, the towns of Century and Flomaton have split the cost of annual Fourth of July fireworks show, alternating the show’s location between the towns each year. This year, Flomaton is contributing just $5,000 toward a show in Century. In another items not on the distributed council agenda, the council unanimously approved $13,000 to put on the 2024 fireworks show.
NorthEscamba.com file photos.
McDavid Woman Charged With Methamphetamine, Cocaine and Fentanyl Possession
April 18, 2024
A McDavid woman is facing felony drug charges related to methamphetamine, cocaine and fentanyl.
An Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputy spotted 38-year-old Valene Alaine Walker in a vehicle parked after hours at the Century Food Mart in the 7900 block of North Century Boulevard. A deputy that approached the vehicle recognized Walker as having an outstanding warrant to appear on another felony charge.
She was taken into custody and placed in the male deputy’s patrol vehicle. In response to questioning, she told the deputy that she might have “ice” inside her bra, according to an arrest report. Due to no available female deputy in the area, she was transported to the Escambia County Jail where she was searched by a female officer.
Small plastic bags containing methamphetamine and cocaine were found in her bra, the report states, and a small piece of folded paper contained three fentanyl tablets.
Walker was charged with three counts of possession of a controlled substance. She remained in the Escambia County Jail without bond Thursday morning.