Photos Show Work To Repair the Pensacola Bay Bridge During 2021
April 4, 2021
The Pensacola Bay Bridge is currently expected to open the week of May 31, according to the Florida Department of Transportation.
When it reopens, about the first mile or so out of Pensacola will only be two lanes.
The bridge has been closed since it was struck and damaged by multiple Skanska barges.
Initially the state had targeted March 22 to reopen the bridge, but that date was pushed to May or the first week in June after initial damage was found to a trophy piece, one of the piers that supports the roadway spans.
For photos that show the work on the Pensacola Bay Bridge repairs so far in 2021, click here.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Florida Forest Service Warns About Wildfire Risk
April 3, 2021
As northwest Florida is starting to reach the peak of its year-round wildfire season, officials with the Florida Forest Service are asking residents to be careful if they choose to burn yard debris.
“This cold front has brought cooler temperatures and lower humidity into the area,” said David Smith, operations administrator for the Blackwater Forestry Center. “That combination can dry vegetation out very quickly and allow fire to spread despite the fact we have had rain recently.”
Spring often is a great time to get the yard in shape and that leads people to pile and burn limbs, brush and other materials. With cold, dry weather in place for the next several days, it could lead to a dangerous situation. Residents are asked to follow the required setbacks and be extra cautious as low humidity and higher winds can cause a fire to escape quickly. Always keep a charged water hose handy to douse any fire that might flare up, never turn your back on a fire, don’t go inside “just for a minute,” and be sure your fire is dead out before leaving it unattended. If your fire does escape, call 911 immediately so firefighters can respond quickly.”
SUV, Semi Collide On Highway 29
April 3, 2021
One person was injured in a collision involving an SUV and a semi-truck Friday afternoon in Cantonment.
The Kia reportedly collided with the tires on the semi trailer on Highway 29 near Tree Street, near International Paper.
The driver of the Kia was transported to an area hospital by Escambia County EMS. Their injuries were not considered life threatening.
The Florida Highway Patrol investigated and has not released further details.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Northview Chiefs Beat The Laurel Hill Hoboes 13-1
April 3, 2021
Northview 13, Laurel Hill 1
The Northview Chief completed a two-game district sweep over the Laurel Hill Hoboes 13-1 Friday night in Bratt. Thursday night, the Chiefs beat Laurel Hill 18-2.
Jamarkus Jefferson earned the win for the Chiefs, allowing two hits and one run while striking out four in three innings. Cameron Patrick pitched two innings in relief, giving up no hits, not runs and striking out five.
Josh Landis led the Chiefs, going 3-4 with three runs and four stolen bases. Cody Thomas was 2-3 with two runs and three RBIs; and Wyatt Scruggs went 2-2 with a run and two RBIs. Kaden Odom, Luke Bridges and Ethan Collier added one run each.
Escambia 19-Year Old Gets 18 Years On Child Porn Charges
April 3, 2021
An Escambia County man has been sentenced to state prison on child pornography charges.
Donnie James Mclachlan, 19, was sentenced to 18 years and designated as a sexual offenders by Judge Jennie Kinsey.
Mclachlan entered a plea straight up to the court on 15 counts of possession of child pornography, one count of using a computer to solicit the sexual conduct of a child, and one count of transmission of harmful material to a minor.
The charges stemmed from an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office investigation. An Escambia resident contacted law enforcement after Mclachlan sent her minor child a nude photograph of himself over social media. After an investigation, a search warrant was served at Mclachlan’s residence. A large quantity of child pornography was found on various storage devices in Mclachlan’s possession. After being interviewed by law enforcement, Mclachlan
admitted to possessing the child pornography and sending the nude photo to the minor victim.
Fire Destroys Abandoned Mobile Home In Cantonment
April 2, 2021
Fire destroyed an abandoned mobile home Friday afternoon in Cantonment.
The fire was reported about 1:15 p.m. in the 500 block of Robinson Street, a dirt lane north of Taylor Street. The first fire units arriving on scene found the mobile home about 50% involved in fire. Two nearby vehicles also burned.
There were no reports of any injuries.
The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Florida State Fire Marshal.
The Cantonment, Ensley, Beulah and Molino stations of Escambia Fire Rescue and Escambia County EMS were among those responding.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
No Serious Injuries Reported In Highway 29, Highway 97 Traffic Crash
April 2, 2021
There were no serious injuries reported in a wreck Thursday night in Molino.
The crash occurred about 8:50 p.m. at the intersection of Highway 29 and Highway 97. The intersection was partially blocked for over two and a half-hours by the wreck.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating. The Molino Station of Escambia Fire Rescue, Escambia County EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
FDOT: Damaged Trophy Piece Removed; Pensacola Bay Bridge Still Set To Open Week Of May 31
April 2, 2021
The Florida Department of Transportation said Wednesday that contractors have completed demolition and pile driving efforts at a damaged pier on the Pensacola Bay Bridge and are preparing the site for placement of the new trophy piece.
That means the targeted reopening of the bridge with at least two lanes remains the week of Memorial Day.
Damage was discovered last week that led to the replacement of the trophy piece at “Pier 70″.
FDOT is also improving the detour route on State Road 281 in Santa Rosa County by extending the southbound right turn lane on State Road (S.R.) 281 at U.S. 98 and installing a temporary traffic signal on Garcon Point Road (County Road 191) by Monday, April 5.
Multiple crews are working around the clock to complete repair projects critical to the opening of the Pensacola Bay Bridge that will uphold FDOT’s commitment to provide the safe and efficient reconnection of Gulf Breeze and Pensacola communities and deliver a bridge with a 75-year design life, FDOT said.
FDOT is regularly reviewing the contractor’s schedule of the entire Pensacola Bay Bridge Project with the anticipated completion date for all improvements currently scheduled for January 2022.
Motorists should continue to use all available detour routes, which include the Garcon Point Bridge and State Road 87. At this time, tolls on the Garcon Point Bridge are suspended through Friday, April 9, 2021. Commuters can also use the ECAT temporary bus route travel between Pensacola and Gulf Breeze free of charge.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Whataburger Thanks Employees With More Than $90 Million in Bonuses
April 2, 2021
Whataburger has awarded more than $90 million in bonuses to its employees in thanks for their extraordinary service during the pandemic and severe winter weather across its 10-state footprint. Whataburger employees also received Extra Mile bonuses, emergency pay, and a doubling of their 401(k) plan matching for 2020.
Whataburger employees — known as “Family Members” — continued to deliver despite challenging circumstances and helped set record company performance numbers from March 2020 to March 2021, according to the company.
“The past year reshaped how we live, work and play, with the restaurant and hospitality industry being heavily impacted by the pandemic and this year’s crippling winter storms. We are so humbled and grateful for the loyalty of our customers during this time,” said Ed Nelson, Whataburger CEO. “And we wanted to help ensure that our Family Members and their families were taken care of and thank them for continuing to go the extra mile to serve our guests with great Pride, Care and Love. Our Family Members and guests are the foundation of our success, and we are grateful for both.”
Pictured: Whataburger in Century. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Tate Takes Three Over Pace, Including Two Shutouts; Northview Varsity And JV Destroy Laurel Hill 18-2, 19-1
April 2, 2021
Tate 10, Pace 6
Drew Reaves had four RBIs on three hits and Jadon Fryman homered in the third as the Tate Aggies beat Pace 10-6 Thursday night,
Josiah Glodfelter started on the mound for Aggies, going four and a third innings, allowing six runs on four hits and striking out seven.
Reaves, Dylan Godwin and Fryman had multiple hits for the Aggies. Dalton Bowen, Franki Randall and Bray Touchstone had one hit each.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Tate 7, Pace 0 (JV)
Three Tate High School junior varsity pitchers earned a shutout win over Pace Thursday, 7-0.
Rilee Lowery earned the win for Tate, going four and two-thirds innings, allowing no runs on three hits and striking out three. Ethan McAnally and Colton Swiers closed out the game in relief.
Javin Floyd and Paul Whitson each had runs, and Allan Beasley and Jaxson Stafford both added a run.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Tate 4, Pace 0 (Freshmen)
Neal Croom did not allow a single run as the Tate Aggie Freshmen beat Pace 4-0 Thursday.
Croom went for six innings, allowing two hits, no runs and striking out eight.
Ketch King was 2-3 at the plate with one run. Cole McNair, Conner Hassell, Trey Rebber, Hayden St. Amant, and Damian Colen all had one hit for the Aggies..
Northview 18, Laurel Hill 2
The Northview Chiefs easily defeated the Laurel Hill Hobos Thursday night 18-2 in just four innings.
Kaden Odom took the win for the Chiefs, giving up two runs on one hit in three innings while striking out four. Josh Landis tossed one inning in relief, allowing one hit and no runs.
Jamarkus Jefferson homered for Northview in a seven-run fourth inning. He was 1-2 at the plate, with two runs and four RBIs. Wyatt Scruggs, Landis and Rustin Pope also had a couple of hits for Northview. Odom, Bryce Korinchak and Cody Thomas each had a hit.
Northview 19, Laurel Hill 1 (JV)
The junior varsity Northview Chiefs had a blowout win over Laurel Hill Thursday, 19-1 in three innings.
Northview had eight runs in the first inning and nine in the second.
Cameron Patrick pitched the win for Northview, allowing no hits and one run in two innings while striking out three. Rylan Minor threw one inning in relief out of the bullpen with no hits, no runs and striking out three to close the win.
Robbie Bodiford was 4-4 with three RBIs to lead Northview. Cameron Patrick and Aron Chaveria had two hits each, and Cody Pugh had one.
Photos by Laura Glodfelter for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
