Motorcyclist Killed In Crash After Fleeing From Traffic Stop
March 25, 2024
A 59-year-old Escambia County man was killed in single motorcycle crash late Saturday night while exiting I-10.
The Florida Highway Patrol said the Pensacola Police Department attempted to stop the motorcyclist who was traveling at a high rate of speed. He fled the traffic stop, and PPD did not pursue him.
The motorcyclist later lost control on the exit ramp to Davis Highway and struck a concrete barrier wall and signpost before continuing into a wooded area. He was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Here Are The Road Work Construction Spots To Watch This Week
March 25, 2024
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:
- Interstate 10 (I-10) at the Nine Mile Road Interchange (Exit 5) – Drivers will encounter the following traffic impacts near the I-10/Nine Mile Road interchange (Exit 5):
- The left (inside) lanes of Nine Mile Road, between the I-10 on-and off- ramps at Exit 5, will be closed Monday, March 25 through Friday, March 29 from 7 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. as crews perform median work.
- Traffic on I-10 near Exit 5 is shifted to the outside (right) so crews can begin bridge construction work. The shift will be in place until spring 2025.
- U.S. 29 (North Century Boulevard) Resurfacing between Henry Street and Cottage Street in Century – Northbound and southbound traffic on U.S. 29 (North Century Boulevard) is shifted to one outside travel lane in each direction between Rudolph Street and Green Street. The shift will be in place through the spring as crews perform drainage improvements. Signs are in place to safely direct drivers through the work zone.
- County Road (C.R.) 4 over Canoe Creek Bridge – C.R. 4, between Byrneville and Bratt, will be closed through fall 2024 as crews replace the Canoe Creek bridge. Traffic is directed through a 5.6-mile detour using Bratt Road to Pine Barren Road, then back to C.R. 4.
- North Palafox Street (U.S. 29) Resurfacing from Cervantes Street to Brent Lane (State Road (S.R.) 296) – Drivers will encounter the following traffic impacts:
- The left turn lane from Pace Boulevard to Massachusetts Avenue is permanently closed. Signs are in place to direct drivers traveling on Palafox Street to Pace Boulevard.
- The left turn lane from Palafox Street northbound to Pace Boulevard and Massachusetts Avenue is permanently closed. Signs are in place to direct drivers traveling northbound on U.S. 29 destined for Massachusetts Avenue or Pace Boulevard.
- Scenic Highway (U.S. 90), from north of I-10 to Davis Highway – Drivers on Scenic Highway, between I-10 and Davis Highway, may encounter nighttime alternating lane closures Sunday, March 24 through Thursday, March 28 from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. as crews mill and pave the roadway. Flaggers will be present to safely guide drivers through the work zone.
- Lillian Highway (S.R. 298) Resurfacing from north of U.S. 98 to east of Fairfield Drive (S.R. 727) and Lillian Highway at Blue Angel Parkway (S.R. 173) - Drivers will encounter daytime and nighttime lane closures, between U.S. 98 and Blue Angel Parkway, Monday, March 25 through Friday, March 29 as crews perform earthwork, concrete, signing and striping work. Traffic flaggers will be on site to safely direct drivers through the construction work zone.
Santa Rosa County:
- U.S. 98 Widening from Bayshore Road to Portside Drive – Motorists will encounter the following traffic impacts:
- Median and turn-lane closures from Bayshore Road to Tiger Lake Drive.
- Intermittent lane closures and additional median closures between Bayshore Road and Tiger Lake Drive Sunday, March 24, through Friday, March 29, from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for stormwater drainage improvements and paving operations
- S.R. 89 Resurfacing from north of S.R. 87 to C.R. 178 – Drivers will encounter intermittent daytime lane closures, between S.R .87 and C.R. 178, Monday, March 25 through Friday, March 29 as crews perform paving and earthwork operations.
- S.R. 87 Resurfacing from Hickory Hammock Road (C.R. 184) to Technology Avenue – Drivers may experience intermittent single-lane closures on S.R. 87, between Hickory Hammock Road and Technology Avenue, Monday, March 25 through Thursday, March 28 from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. for construction activities.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Bratt Elementary Students Donate Supplies, Goodies To Escambia Animal Shelter
March 25, 2024
Students at Bratt Elementary School collected a lot of supplies and goodies for the dogs and cats at the Escambia County Animal Shelter. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Florida Gas Prices Decline 7 Cents After Setting New 2024 High
March 25, 2024
Florida gas prices are moving lower again after jumping early last week. The state average rose 10 cents by Wednesday, setting a new 2024 high of $3.56 per gallon. Since that time, the Florida average logged daily declines, falling a total of five cents.
On Sunday, the state average was $3.51 per gallon. That’s four cents more than a week ago, and 11 cents more than this time last year.
The average in Escambia County was $3.28 Sunday night. North Escambia prices were as low as $3.17 on Highway 29 in Cantonment. In Pensacola, the low prices were $3.11 on Highway 98 and $3.12 on Nine Mile Road.
“Gas prices took a step back late last week, but there’s still plenty of upward pressure in the fuel market,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Bluff Springs, Cotton Lake Recreation Sites Reopen, Williams Lake Still Closed By Flooding
March 24, 2024
The Northwest Florida Water Management District has reopened the Bluff Springs and Cotton Lake recreation sites in the Escambia River Wildlife Management Area
The Williams Lake site remained closed due to flooding until further notice.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Blue Jacket Jamboree, Livestock Show, Car Show Held Saturday In Molino (With Photo Galleries)
March 24, 2024
Hundreds of people attended the Northview High School FFA Blue Jacket Jamboree in Molino Saturday.
The Easter Bunny was on hand for a big egg hunt. The event also included arts and crafts vendors, a car show and more.
All proceeds from the Blue Jacket Jamboree will benefit Northview High School FFA students and their scholarship fund.
For a Blue Jacket Jamboree photo gallery (including the car show), click or tap here.
The Blue Jacket Jamboree was held in conjunction with the Gulf Coast Agriculture & Natural Resources Youth Organization Annual Spring Livestock Show.
For a more photos from the livestock show, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Motorcyclist Killed In Highway 4 Crash Near Bear Lake
March 24, 2024
A crash on Highway 4 in northern Santa Rosa County claimed the life of a motorcyclist Saturday afternoon in the Blackwater State Forest near Bear Lake.
A SUV driven by a 69-year-old Fort Walton Beach man was traveling west of Highway 4 when he made a left turn at the intersection of Red Morris Road, failing to yield to a motorcycle, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
The 19-year motorcyclist was pronounced deceased at the scene. The driver of the SUV was transported to a local hospital with minor injuries.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Byrneville Elementary School Names Students Of The Month
March 24, 2024
Byrneville Elementary School recently named their February Students Of The Month. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Cottage Hill Man Charged After Allegedly Pouring Out Soda Inside A Pickup Truck
March 24, 2024
More details have been released in the arrest of a Cottage Hill man for theft charged after allegedly pouring out soda inside a pickup truck.
Joshua Glenn Mobley, 34, was charged with burglary, criminal mischief $200 to $1,000, and second degree petit theft.
In a Facebook post Wednesday, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office asked for the public’s help to find Mobley and said he was wanted for a March 17 burglary in the 1000 block of Grenelefe Drive near McKenzie and Handy roads in Cottage Hill.
According to an arrest report, Mobley reached into a pickup truck belonging to “the soon to be ex-husband of this current girlfriend” and poured some a six-pack of sodas that was inside on the driver’s side floorboard and stole the rest.The victim told deputies it would cost $500 to have the truck detailed to cleanup the sods, which was valued at $6.
Mobley remained in the Escambia County Jail Sunday morning with bond set at $8,000. Additional charges of possession of controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia were also filed against him.
Local Unemployment Rate Increases
March 24, 2024
FloridaCommerce has announced that the Pensacola area’s labor force increased by 2.5 percent (+5,955 jobs) over the year in February 2024. Private sector employment increased by 3,400 jobs, an increase of 2.0 percent over the year in February 2024.
The industries gaining the most jobs over the year were leisure and hospitality, increasing by 1,400 jobs; education and health services, increasing by 1,200 jobs; and government, increasing by 1,000 jobs. The Pensacola area unemployment rate was 3.4 percent in February 2024, up 0.6 percentage point from the February 2023 rate of 2.8 percent.
Florida’s statewide unemployment rate has been lower than the national rate for 40 consecutive months. The national unemployment rate was 3.9 percent for February 2024, 0.8 percentage point higher than Florida’s rate. Florida’s private sector job growth rate increased by 2.3 percent (+194,200 jobs) over the year in February 2024. This is faster than the national rate of 1.6 percent over the same period.