Here’s The Latest Update On The Pensacola Bay Bridge Repairs
December 4, 2020
Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) contractors will soon begin driving piles and setting beams on the Pensacola Bay Bridge to repair damaged spans on the structure.
The piles act as the vertical support structure that is used to hold up the bridge and beams are horizontal supports designed to span from one support to another. The fabrication of multiple concrete piles, piers, and beams continues in preparation for reconstruction.
FDOT continues to:
- Mobilize multiple contractors working around the clock to facilitate construction and minimize impacts to the existing structure.
- Approve multiple construction design plans and review additional design plans for the permanent repairs that address the reconstruction of spans for the bridge and reestablishment of four lanes of traffic on the bridge at the same condition as expected for new construction.
- Widen 2,000 feet of northbound and southbound S.R. 281 south of the I-10 interchange and widen the eastbound I-10 off ramp at eastbound S.R. 281 off ramp to two lanes to improve travel time on the detour route.
- Meet with stakeholder groups, state and local officials, civic organizations and local business owners to discuss the bridge reconstruction as well as other actions that are being considered to efficiently restore regional connectivity.
- Fund the Escambia County Area Transit’s (ECAT) temporary bus route to help transport passengers for free between Pensacola and Gulf Breeze.
The Pensacola Bay Bridge has a targeted re-opening date of March 2021. Once repairs are complete, all four lanes will be open with no load restrictions. As each repair method is developed, FDOT will be conducting reviews to ensure the contractor is hitting all milestones in the established schedule.
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 have been suspended through Sunday, December 13.
Christmas Parades To Roll In Jay, Atmore And Milton; Most Others Are Canceled (With List)
December 4, 2020
Christmas parades in Pensacola, Molino, Century and Flomaton have all been canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but the parades will go on in Atmore, Jay and Milton.
SCHEDULED PARADES
Jay Christmas Parade
It’s “Joy in Jay” for Christmas on Saturday, December 5. The annual Jay Christmas parade will roll at 11 a.m. It will be followed by a festival on Commerce Street with Santa’s workshop, food and craft vendors, Christmas theater and more. For information, to volunteer or a vendor application, call the Jay Town Hall at (850) 675-4556.
Atmore Twilight Christmas Parade
The Atmore Twilight Christmas Parade “Songs of Christmas” will take place on Saturday, December 12 beginning at 5:30 p.m. The parade will travel from Atmore City Hall south on Main Street to Lindberg Avenue, ending at Escambia County High School.
Milton Christmas Parade
The Milton Christmas Parade, “A Peanuts Christmas” will be held Saturday at 6 p.m. The route will be from Steward Street to Elva Street.
CANCELED PARADES
Molino Christmas Parade
The Molino Christmas parade has been canceled The parade annually benefits needy families in the community, and donations are still being accepted. To make a donation, message the Molino Ballpark on Facebook. Last year, they were able to help 10 families.
Pensacola Christmas Parade
The Pensacola Christmas Parade has been canceled for 2020. “Considering 50,000 attendees and 5000 participants, it would be impossible to social distance,” according to organizers.
Century Christmas Parade
The annual Century Christmas Parade has been canceled.
Flomaton Christmas Parade
The annual Flomaton Christmas Parade has been canceled.
Pictured: The 2019 Molino Christmas Parade Saturday and visits with Santa. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Car Collides With Dumpster Truck At Highway 29, Highway 97
December 3, 2020
There were no critical injuries reported in a crash involving a passenger car and a truck hauling a roll-off dumpster Thursday afternoon in Molino.
The crash happened a little after 4 p.m. at the intersection of Highway 29 and Highway 97.
The Florida Highway Patrol has not released information on exactly how the wreck happened or the number of injuries.
A Pensacola man was killed at the same intersection November 15 when he rear-ended a stopped truck that was also hauling a large commercial roll-off dumpster.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Missing And Endangered Alert Issued For South Alabama Man With Medical Issues
December 3, 2020
The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency has issued a missing and endangered person alert for a missing man.
The Monroe County (AL) Sheriff’s Office said 71-year old Willie Lee Richardson may have a medical condition that impairs his judgment. Family lost spoke to him November 28 about 8:40 a.m. He was last known to be in Monroeville, Alabama, a small town about 35 miles north of the Florida state line.
He is described as a black male, about six feet tall and 200 pounds.
Anyone with information on Richardson’s whereabouts is asked to contact the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office at (251) 575-2635 or 911.
10 Mile Road Resident Injured While Saving Cat From Mobile Home Fire
December 3, 2020
A resident was injured while rescuing their cat from a mobile home fire Thursday morning.
The adult went back into the mobile home in the 600 block of East 10 Mile Road in order to save the cat. The resident was transported by Escambia County EMS to an area hospital due to smoke inhalation. The cat did not suffer any serious injuries. It was evaluated by Escambia County EMS and left in the care of a neighbor.
The older mobile home in the Shady Haven Mobile Home Park was a total loss. Firefighters were able to quickly bring the fire under control without damage to other nearby homes.
The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Florida State Fire Marshal.
The fire will be the first red bulb in Escambia County’s Keep The Wreath Green fire safety campaign. Large wreaths are on display at fire stations and other locations across the county. Each time Escambia Fire Rescue responds to a residential fire with damage during December, a green light bulb will be replaced with a red one to remind citizens of the dangers posed by fire.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Interior photo: Escambia Fire Rescue.
Second Suspect Arrested For Fatal Triple Shooting In Century
December 3, 2020
The second suspect in a fatal triple shooting in Century was arrested Wednesday night.
Tacorius Cordale Stallworth, 22, was booked into the Escambia County Jail at 10:30 p.m. on charges of first degree homicide, home invasion robbery, and aggravated battery.
Jaran Britt Myles, 26, was taken into custody Tuesday night at the Liquor Cabinet on Highway 29 at Old Chemstrand Road. He was jailed without bond on charges including first degree homicide, home invasion robbery, aggravated battery, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of marijuana, possession of cocaine, three counts of possession of a controlled substance without a prescription and possession of drug paraphernalia.
RELATED STORY: Myles Was Recently Released From Prison For 2015 Manslaughter
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to the shooting about 11:35 p.m. Monday in the 8200 block of Alger Road, just off North Century Boulevard.
Arrest reports obtained by NorthEscambia.com offer new insight into the fatal triple shooting:
The victim, Joseph Christopher Smith, was found shot to death outside a shed near the mobile home. Multiple shell casings were found near the body, in the shed and leading away from the body. The inside of the shed had a couch, several chairs, tables and lamp. The items were in a state of disarray with the lamp glass shattered.
Two other adult males, Xavier Demarquese Walker and Lavor Chante Johnson were sitting near the mobile home when deputies arrived; both had been shot. They were transported by Escambia County EMS and Flomaton Medstar ambulance to a Pensacola hospital for treatment.
Walker stated he was seated in his vehicle when three males approached him, pointed guns at him and told him to get out of the vehicle. He said the black males “slapped him down” and put in a gun in face, saying “Don’t say nuthin, don’t make a noise”. Walker told investigators that he told them that he did not have “nuthin”. He told investigators that he recognized “Run-Run”, the street name used by Myles, and Stallworth, but did not recognize the third male.
Walker said the gunmen walked him over to the shed and told him to knock on the door and say “It’s Xa”. Walker stated that when the door opened, the three suspects pushed past him and went inside. Walker said he “freaked out”, the report states, and jumped on the ground where he was shot in the leg by Stallworth.
The suspects took Smith outside the shed before shooting him multiple time because of money, Walker stated.
Johnson told investigators that he was walking back from the store when he was picked up in a vehicle driven by Smith. He said he went inside the shed with Smith when someone knocked on the door and said “it’s Xa”. Smith opened the door, and the three male suspects entered the shed.
The report states Johnson said one of the men pointed a gun directly at his head and then shot him in the leg. They then started shooting in all directions inside the shed, striking Walker in the leg.
One of the suspect said “Where’s the money” to Smith, who replied “Ain’t no money. Johnson stated that the males took Smith outside, and he heard numerous gunshots.
Johnson told deputies that after the males shot Smith, they began celebrating by firing their guns and yelling, “Yeah, we caught that [expletives] slackin” before fleeing the scene.
After receiving a tip Tuesday night, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office caught up with Myles as he walked out of the Liquor Cabinet on Highway 29 at Old Chemstrand Road in Gonzalez. Deputies gave him loud verbal commands, but he turned and walked back inside the store. The deputies drew their service weapons, entered the store and continued to give loud verbal commands. Myles entered one of the aisles and made movements near products on the shelf before placing his hands and surrendering, an arrest report states.
After and ECSO K-9 alerted on the vehicle, a search produced 24 MDMA pills, crack cocaine, methamphetamine, Alprazolam pills and suspected fentanyl.
A firearm was located inside the Liquor Cabinet.
Pictured: Deputies look for evidence at the scene of a of a triple shooting in Century as seen early Tuesday morning on Alger Road. NorthEscambia.com exclusive photos, click to enlarge.
Verizon Seeking Approval For New Cell Tower Near Walnut Hill
December 3, 2020
Verizon Wireless is seeking Escambia County approval for a new cellular tower in the Walnut Hill area.
At 280 feet tall, the self-supporting tower would be constructed near the end of Wilma Road, just north of Highway 164 about two miles east of North Highway 99.
“Given the demand in this area, this tower is critical to increasing the coverage area and providing a reliable signal for residents and emergency responders within the area,” Verizon wrote in their Escambia County development application..
“This site was specifically chosen due to the minimal visual impact on the surrounding area and allow the facility to function in accordance with minimum standards and technical design, as well as the site falling into the desired search area,” the company continued.
The tower would be located on a leased 6,400 square foot portion of a parcel that is currently zoned for agricultural use.
Verizon must obtain approval of the Escambia County Development Review Committee, building permits and approval from various agencies before the tower could be built. There’s no guarantee that the tower will ever reach the construction phase.
Employee COVID-19 Cases Keep Century Town Hall Closed Longer Than Expected
December 3, 2020
The Century Town Hall will remain closed a little longer than expected after employees tested positive for COVID-19.
“We do have two employees who have tested positive for Covid and waiting the results of two in the office,” Century Mayor Henry Hawkins said.
The town hall was closed Tuesday and Wednesday and professional cleaned. And now a reopening date in uncertain.
The town hall could reopen as early as Monday, but that’s dependent on pending COVID-19 test results, Hawkins said. If that employee test is positive, town hall may not be able to open until an employee returns on December 10.
Pictured: The customer service window inside the Century Town Hall. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Here’s How To Check Your Sally FEMA Application (And Maybe A Way To Apply After The Deadline)
December 3, 2020
The deadline for individuals and households to apply for FEMA disaster assistance has passed, but work on Florida’s recovery from Hurricane Sally continues.
Escambia and Santa Rosa county residents who registered with FEMA can check the status of their applications, ask questions and get information in several ways:
- By visiting DisasterAssistance.gov
- Using the FEMA App for smartphones
- Calling 800-621-3362.
Survivors who were unable to register before the December 1 deadline and who can provide justification for late registration may contact FEMA and request consideration for disaster assistance.
Woman Charged With Battery On Deputy And Nurse After Wreck
December 3, 2020
A Walnut Hill woman was charged with battery of a deputy and a nurse following a wreck.
Holly Mae Kelson, 36, was charged with felony battery on a law enforcement officer and felony battery on a specified person.
Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to the area of 6400 Rockaway Creek Road where a truck was wrecked into a fence and tree the night of November 28. Area residents advised they saw a male and female move the truck to a nearby residence.
After deputies located the truck, they made contact with five people, including Kelson, that were described as being intoxicated and uncooperative.
An ECSO arrest report states Kelson “was constantly screaming profanity and sexual references”.
“Kelson then pushed me on my upper body and shoulder area with her open hands and attempted to strike me in the face, but she missed,” the deputy wrote in her report.
After Kelson was taken into custody, she was transported to Baptist Hospital to be medically cleared. While at the hospital, she jumped off her hospital bed. As the deputy and a nurse attempted to place her back on the bed, she kicked at both. She kicked the nurse in his face, causing a cut on his mouth, the report states.
While still at the hospital Kelson told the deputy, “[Expletive], I’ll shoot you in the [expletive] face,” according to the report.