Design Firm To Present New OLF-8 Hybrid Concept At Tuesday Town Hall
February 28, 2021
The design firm that is working to create an master plan for the OLF-8 site in Beulah will hold a virtual town hall on Tuesday to present their latest mixed use concept.
On February 18, DPZ CoDesign presented the new plan to the Escambia County Commission with a combination of commerce, residential and amenities (click or tap image to enlarge). The “Adjusted Hybrid Plan” allocates 271 acres to commerce and industrial; 61 acres to residential including duplexes, townhomes and multifamily; 47 acres to a mixed-use center such as residential over retail and office over retail; and 45 acres to trails and public amenities such as a post office, school, day care and community garden.
DPZ will present the plan and allow residents a chance to ask questions or provide feedback due the virtual town call on Tuesday, March 2 at 6 p.m. Interested participants are invited to register online.
The Escambia County Commission and DPZ have been at odds over project design and behind the scenes emails. DPZ previously presented four concepts that included high density residential use, along with commerce, amenities and green space. Commissioner Jeff Bergosh, who represents the Beulah area, has pushed for much more commerce on the property.
“We are optimistic this new compromise plan will have the political support to move forward into the next phase of the project,” said Marina Khoury, of DPZ CoDesign. “We value continued public engagement and community input.”
Bergosh said he is still skeptical about DPZ after more emails have come to light between DPZ and others including Navy Federal and the “Beulah Coalition,” some of which were disparaging toward the commission. Commissioners have received dumps of external emails from DPZ, but he company wants to charge the county, their client, $189 per hour to fulfill a commission request for internal emails.
The county commission will discuss OLF-8 again at their next meeting on March 11.
Walnut Hill Ruritan Holds 46th Annual Auction (With Photo Gallery)
February 28, 2021
The Walnut Hill Ruritan Club held their 46th annual auction Saturday in Walnut Hill with crowds bidding on farm equipment and hundreds of other items.
All proceeds from the auction benefit the Walnut Hill Ruritan Club’s community service projects in the Walnut Hill area. The auction is held each year on the last Saturday of February.
The auction included not only farm equipment, but also household items like tools and small equipment, lawn and garden items, antiques and more.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Pictured: Hundreds attended the annual Walnut Hill Ruritan Club farm equipment auction Saturday in Walnut Hill. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Pedestrian Struck And Killed In Front Of 5 Flags Speedway
February 28, 2021
A pedestrian was struck and killed on Pine Forest Road Saturday night in front of 5 Flags Speedway.
The Florida Highway Patrol said a 31-year old man from Kunkletown, Pennsylvania was walking northbound near the white line by the shoulder of Pine Forest Road. He was struck by a pickup truck driven by a 70-year old Fountain, Florida, man that was traveling south in the outside lane of the roadway. The pedestrian was pronounced deceased at the scene of the 6:10 p.m. crash. The pickup truck driver was not injured.
The Florida Highway Patrol is continuing their investigation.
File photo.
Here’s Where To Expect Road Work Delays This Week
February 28, 2021
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 – The intersection of North 17th Avenue and Bayfront Parkway will remain closed until spring 2021 as construction continues for the new 17th Avenue interchange. The Visitor’s Center remains accessible from 17th Avenue. In addition, the ramp from 17th Avenue to East Gregory Street remains open. Eastbound drivers on Bayfront Parkway should use North 14th Avenue and Cervantes Street (U.S. 90) as a
- detour route.
- U.S. 29 Widening from Interstate 10 (I-10) to Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90) – Motorists can expect intermittent lane closures and shifts, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. on U.S. 29, between I-10 and Nine and Half Mile Road, and on Nine Mile Road at the U.S. 29 overpass.
- North Ninth Avenue (S.R. 289) Carpenters Creek Bridge Replacement- Both northbound travel lanes of North Ninth Avenue (S.R. 289) will be closed approaching the Carpenters Creek Bridge Monday, March 1 through Friday, March 5 as crews work on the drainage system in the vicinity of the bridge.
- W. Cervantes Street Underground Utility Operations- Drivers may encounter lane closures from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday, March 1 through Friday, March 5.
- East Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90) Safety Project from North Palafox Street to Chemstrand Road – Motorists will encounter intermittent right turn lane closures beginning Monday, March 1.
- I-10 Bridge Repair and Rehabilitation over Perdido River Bridge – Motorists will encounter intermittent nighttime lane closures beginning at 8 p.m. Monday, March 1 through Friday, March 5 as crews set barrier wall and perform operations associated with the bridge repair project.
- I-10 Escambia County Welcome Center Water Main Repair – Wednesday, March 3 water services at the Escambia County Welcome Center will be temporarily shut down for approximately four to six hours as crews make repairs. Portable toilets and message boards will be on site.
Santa Rosa County:
- U.S. 98 Widening from Bayshore Road to Portside Drive- Early construction activities including utility relocations, clearing, excavation, and drainage improvements have begun. Clearing and excavating of areas for the stormwater ponds are currently underway. There will be no traffic impacts associated with the construction of the ponds, but nearby residents and businesses may experience some noise. Access to residences and businesses will be maintained. Major roadway construction activities are anticipated to begin summer 2021.
- Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – A partial reopening of the bridge is planned for late March.
- U.S. 98 Utility Operations from Palmetto Lake Road to Whispering Pines Boulevard – Motorists will encounter an eastbound lane closure from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday, March 1 through Thursday, March 4 as Gulf Power performs utility operations.
- U.S. 98 Tree Trimming from Gulf Breeze to the beginning of National Seashore and to the beginning of Bob Sikes Bridge – Motorists will encounter intermittent east and westbound lane closures from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday, March 1 through Friday, March 26 as crews trim trees over the roadways and in medians. Operations will begin on the east end working westward toward Gulf Breeze.
- U.S. 90 Turn Lane Construction West of Bell Lane in Pace– Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. through Friday, March 5 as crews construct an east and westbound turn lane for the New Discount Tire Store.
- S.R. 89 North, S.R. 87 North and S.R. 89 Bypass Roadway Maintenance Operations- Drivers may encounter intermittent lane restrictions until Sunday, April 25 as crews perform roadway maintenance activities along the corridors. Off duty law enforcement will be on-site to assist with traffic control.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
COVID-19 Vaccines Offered At Winn Dixie Cantonment, Nine Mile Road
February 28, 2021
Two Escambia County Winn Dixie stores will now offer the COVID-19 vaccine.
The stores are at 1550 South Highway 29 in Cantonment and 312 East Nine Mile Road in Pensacola.
Qualified individuals are encouraged to visit www.winndixie.com/pharmacy/covid-vaccine to schedule appointment and for timely updates including vaccine availability details and participating store locations.
File photo.
Town Of Jay To Begin Paving Project This Week
February 28, 2021
The Town of Jay will begin a paving project this week.
Beginning Monday, March 1, Panhandle Grading and Paving will resurface the following streets:
North Commerce Street
Arthur Avenue
Pine Street
South Cherry Street
Magnolia Street
Oak Street
Rosetta Lane
North Cherry Street
Booker Lane
Edeker Circle
There may be some traffic delays along these streets as the company completes the paving project. All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
The town has applied for a grant to pave the remainder of streets in the town. Town officials are hopeful that will happen by late summer.
ECSO Seeks Suspect In String Of Beulah Car Burglaries
February 27, 2021
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is searching for a suspect in several car burglaries Friday morning in Beulah.
The unlocked vehicles were burglarized in the 9400 block of Lutoo Lane, just south of Nine Mile Road at the Beulah Fire Station. A black 2017 Hyundai Sonata with Florida tag NGWU37 was also stolen.
The ECSO has identified the suspect as Chance Gardner. Gardner also has outstanding warrants for grand theft and vehicle burglaries.
Anyone with information on Gardner’s whereabouts is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP or the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620.
65-Year Man Killed After Trying To Cross Davis Highway
February 27, 2021
A 65-year old Escambia County Man was killed Friday night when he attempted to walk across North Davis Highway.
It happened about 7 p.m. as a 40-year old Pensacola man was traveling southbound near Ladd Drive when his SUV struck the pedestrian. The pedestrian was transported to Sacred Heart hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.
The Florida Highway Patrol no longer releases the names of traffic crash victims.
Northview Chiefs Shut Out The Flomaton Hurricanes 7-0 (With Photo Gallery)
February 27, 2021
The Northview Chiefs shut out the Flomaton Hurricanes 7-0 Friday night in Bratt. The game was scoreless until the Chiefs came alive in the third with five runs.
On the mound, Jamarkus Jefferson led the Northview Chiefs to victory. He went four and two-thirds innings, allowing one hit and no runs while striking out one. Josh Landis tossed two and third innings in relief, allowing three hits and striking out two.
On the mound, Jefferson had a triple.
Rustin Pope went 2-4 for the Chiefs with three RBIs. Kaden Odom, Josh Landis and Logan Misnar had one RBI each.
William Rollin and Jerry Wayne Carnley had two hits each for Flomaton.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Flomaton 11, Northview 3 (JV)
The junior varsity Flomaton Hurricanes pulled away in the fourth inning with eight runs to defeat the Northview Chiefs 11-3 Friday in Bratt.
Rylan Minor pitched four and a third innings for the Chiefs, allowing nine hits and zero runs while striking out six. Caden Mill pitched relief for two-thirds of an inning.
Minor, Mills, Daniel Riggs, Zach Jones, Payton Gilliam, Robbie Bodiford, and Braedon McGhee each had one hit for the JV Chiefs.
Pictured: The Northview Chiefs defeated the Flomaton Hurricanes in varsity baseball action Friday night. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Glodfelter Throws Complete Game Shutout As Tate Beats Milton (With Photo Gallery)
February 27, 2021
Josiah Glodfelter threw a complete-game shutout Friday night as the Tate Aggies beat the Milton Panthers 3-0.
Glodfelter allowed just one hit and walked zero while striking out 15.
At the plate, Drew Reaves, Jadon Fryman, Jackson Penton and Frankie Randall each had one hit for the Aggies. Randall had two RBIs.
Up next, the Tate Aggies will be on the road Tuesday night at Fort Walton Beach.
Photos by Laura Glodfelter for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
