Here Are This Week’s Road Construction Slow Down Areas
March 10, 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:
- 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. Signage is 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 until 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 (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. Signage is 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 Interstate 10 (I-10) to Davis Highway –Traffic will be reduced to one lane on Scenic Highway, between Piper Glen Drive and Riverina Drive, Sunday, March 10 through Thursday, March 14 from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. as crews mill and pave the roadway. A pilot vehicle and traffic flaggers will safely guide drivers through the work zone. This work is expected to continue through March.
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.
- Motorists traveling eastbound will encounter a new traffic configuration from Green Briar Parkway to the end of the project as lanes will be shifted slightly north to allow for crews to perform construction activities on the south side of the eastbound lanes.
- U.S. 90 Bridge Replacement over Simpson River - The outside (right) lane of U.S. 90 eastbound on the Simpson River Bridge will be closed from 8 p.m., Wednesday, March 13, through 5:30 a.m., Thursday, March 14, as crews perform construction activities for the new bridge. Drivers are reminded that the speed limit is 35 mph throughout the work zone.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather. Drivers are reminded to use caution, especially at night, when traveling through a work zone and to watch for construction workers and equipment entering and exiting the roadway.
NorthEscambia.om file photo.
Spring Forward: Rubio Renews Push For Year-Round Daylight Saving Time
March 9, 2024
As people across Florida “spring forward” for the start of day saving time, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio renewed his push for permanent daylight saving time.
“We’re ‘springing forward’ but should have never ‘fallen back.’ My Sunshine Protection Act would end this stupid practice of changing our clocks back and forth,” Rubio said this week.
The Sunshine Protection Act, an amendment to the Uniform Time Act of 1996, would make daylight saving time permanent. Florida passed the amendment in 2018, but individual states cannot standardize daylight saving time under a 1996 federal law.
The Senate unanimously passed the Sunshine Protection Act in March 2022, but the House has yet to approve it..
Year-round DST would reduce car crashes, reduce crime, improve physical fitness, reduce energy use and benefit agriculture, according to the bill sponsors.
Early Voting Begins Today At 10 Escambia County Locations
March 9, 2024
Early voting for the Presidential Preference Primary Election in Escambia County opened Saturday, March 9, and continues through Saturday, March 16 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the following 10 locations:
- Molino Community Center, 6450 Highway 95A North, Molino
- Billy G. Ward Courthouse, 7500 N. Century Blvd, Pensacola
- Escambia County Extension Services, 3740 Stefani Road, Cantonment
- UWF Center for Fine and Performing Arts, Building 82, 11000 University Parkway, Room 235, Pensacola
- Supervisor of Elections Office, 213 Palafox Place, Second Floor, Pensacola
- Main Library, 239 N. Spring Street, Pensacola
- Pensacola State College Building 17, 1000 College Pkwy, Pensacola
- Southwest Library, 12248 Gulf Beach Highway
- Brownsville Community Center, 3200 W. DeSoto Street, Pensacola
- Bellview Library, 6425 Mobile Highway, Pensacola
Voters may choose any one of the ten locations, each of which is also equipped with a ballot marking device.
If voters have requested a Vote-by-Mail ballot, they must be received in the Elections Office no later than 7 p.m. on Election Day and may not be returned to a polling location on Election Day. Voters may drop-off a vote-by-mail ballot during early voting hours at any of the ten area locations. The USPS recommends voters mail ballots at least one week before the due date. Vote-by-mail participants may track the status of their ballot at EscambiaVotes.gov.
The third option for voters is to cast a ballot at their precinct on Election Day, Tuesday, March 19. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Your Local Winn Dixie Is Now Owned By ALDI
March 9, 2024
ALDI has announced this week that they have completed the purchase of Winn-Dixie and Harveys Supermarket in the Southeast.
ALDI also announced plans to add 800 stores nationwide by the end of 2028 through a combination of new openings and store conversions
A significant number of Winn-Dixie stores will be converted to the ALDI format over the next several years. Starting mid-summer, ALDI will begin a phased approach to the store conversion process. ALDI anticipates that approximately 50 stores will begin the conversion process during the latter half of 2024, with the majority of these stores reopening as ALDI in 2025. However, the company said a “meaningful” number of Winn-Dixie stores will continue to operate under their current name.
Exactly which Winn Dixie-Dixie stores will be converted to ALDI has not yet been announced.
“With the acquisition of Winn-Dixie and Harveys Supermarkets, ALDI will serve even more communities in the Southeast, bringing us closer to our customers in a region where we’ve already experienced significant demand for affordable, quality groceries,” said Jason Hart, CEO of ALDI. “As we look ahead to this next chapter in our company history, both the ALDI and SEG teams will play a critical role in driving the business forward for our future collective success.”
ALDI is one of America’s fastest-growing retailers, serving millions of customers across the country each month.
Pictured top: The Winn Dixie store in Cantonment. Pictured below: The ALDI store on Mobile Highway in Pensacola. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Make Plans: ‘High School Musical On Stage’ March 14-16 At Tate
March 9, 2024
Make you calendars, Tate High School Theatre will proudly present Disney’s “High School Musical On Stage” March 16-17.
March 14-16, performances will be at 7:00 nightly. On Sunday March 17, there will be an afternoon performance at 2 p.m.
The entirely student-designed production is an upbeat classic for the entire family.
Tickets will be $10 at the door, cash or checks only. Escambia County Public School employees are free with their badge.
Pictured: Members of the Tate Drama cast of Disney’s “High School Musical On Stage” visited the car rider line recently at Lipscomb Elementary School. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Vehicle Hits Lottery Store, Former Barber Shop In Highway 97 Shopping Center
March 8, 2024
There were no injuries when a vehicle struck a building at a Davisville shopping center late Friday morning.
The driver of an Infiniti SUV struck the exterior wall of the State Line Gift Shop and the former location of a barber shop in the Piggly Wiggly shopping center on Highway 97 in Davisville at the state line.
The vehicle apparently jumped a curb from a parking space before hitting the building about 11 a.m., causing some damage to an exterior wall. The vehicle then continued down a sidewalk.
For more photos, click or tap here.
There were no injurie, and the business remained open.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating.
The Walnut Hill Station of Escambia County Fire Rescue, Escambia County EMS, Atmore Fire Department and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
$22 Million OLF-8 Deal Runs Into Stumbling Blocks, County And Developer To Continue Negotiations
March 8, 2024
Thursday night, a multi-million dollar deal between Escambia County and developer Fred Hemmer and his partners with Beulah Town Center (BTC) for the OLF-8 property on Nine Mile Road ran into some stumbling blocks to send the parties back into negotiations.
In February, the Escambia County Commission voted unanimously to enter into two weeks of contract term negotiations with BTC. At that time, BTC’s offer was $20 million, but they returned with a “top line” $22 million offer this week for 290 acres while sticking with the master plan for the property.
“I think it’s time to move forward,” District 1 Commissioner Jeff Begosh, who represents that area, said to open commission discussion Thursday night. “We’ve been living this thing since 2015…We are at a point where we have an offer on the table that really would give us all a win.”
“I think they’ve a good faith offer,” Bergosh continued. “It allows us to keep 250 acres to create jobs. That field generates no money for us right now, no money for taxpayers. It sits there empty…Now is the time to cash it in.”
“Candidly, there are a number of items in the proposal that I’m not going to be able to support in the way they’ve been presented to us.” Barry told the board. “I would be comfortable, what we gave last time, was saying that currently we are negotiating with them. If the intent of the majority of the board is to continue those negotiations to see if we can get to a point that we are able to agree, then I would be comfortable with that.”
“It’s more than one or two things. There Are a few sections that I think are going to need some attention. The top line number may need some attention,” Barry added, saying that the language in some sections of the proposed agreement need attention. “We received an agreement, now we can work off that as a base.”
“I actually agree. Eventually, we have to sell that property and get tax dollars off it,” Commissioner Mike Kohler said. “I do think the up front money and the overall price could improve a little bit.”
Barry took issue with the county becoming a member of an association that would public funds for a main road, aesthetics and maintenance of common infrastructure.
Barry said the closing might be 18 months to two years because it “almost puts perpetual extension on the due diligence period”, adding that he wants to see more hard money with non-refundable deposits.
“I do think the main road going through and the county being part of the association is a no-go. It doesn’t make sense to me,” Kohler said.
Hemmer said the county needs to build the road. He said the developers would not need the road if the county did not have 250 aces at the back of the overall parcel.
Commission Lumon May said his deciding factor will be the top line number and the return on investment for the county and citizens of all five districts.
“There has to be an ROI for the citizens I represent,” May added.
Commissioners will meet individually with County Administrator Wes Moreno and County Attorney Alison Rogers to express their concerns as Moreno and Rogers work to come to terms with FTC. They will have a goal of returning any revised agreement to the commission at their April 4 meeting.
Hemmer asked the county to have their changes to him within two weeks, if possible, for additional negotiations before the meeting date.
Northview Blanks L.E.A.D. Academy 15-0
March 8, 2024
The Northview Chiefs blanked L.E.A.D. Academy of Pace 15-0 in four innings Thursday night in Bratt.
Gage Harrison earned the win for the Chiefs, allowing no hits and no runs in one inning while striking out two and walking two. Jadyden White went for three inning in relief, allowing one hit and no runs while striking out five and walking two.
Jase Portwood went 2-3 at bat for the Chiefs. Dane King, Colby Pugh, Brady Smith, Rylan Minor and Grayden Sheffield each added two runs for the Northview Chefs.
The Chiefs are scheduled to be at Central Friday at 6:30 p.m.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Northview Chiefs Beat Catholic 14-0
March 8, 2024
The Northview Lady Chiefs defeated Catholic 14-0 in five innings Thursday night in Pensacola.
Jamison Gilman earned the win for Northview, pitching five innings while giving up two hits and no runs while striking out eight and walking just two.
At the plate, Riley Brooks went 3-4 for Northview, including a triple in the fifth inning, a double in the first and a single in the fourth. Daviona Randolph and Kylee Lanham both drove in three runs for the Chiefs, and Makayla Golson went 2-3.
Up next, Northview will host Baker at 6 p.m. Monday.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Funeral Service Set For Legendary Football Coach Carl Madison
March 8, 2024
Funeral services are set for Monday for legionardy high school football coash Carl Madison..
Madison passed away Sunday at age 93.
Madison had a career coaching record of 326-129-7, earning him the distinction of being number two on Florida’s all-time football coaching victories list. He was inducted as a member of the Florida High School Athletic Association Hall of Fame.
In addition to winning a state title at Tate High School, he took the Pine Forest Eagles to two state championships in 1987 and 1988. The 1988 Eagle team was named as national champions by USA Today, and Madison earned the title of the National High School Football Coach of the Year. All in all, he coached at five different Florida High Schools including Ernest Ward, plus three out of state schools.
The football field at Tate bears the name “Carl Madion Field.”
For more about Madison and his career, click or tap here.
Funeral services for William Carl Mardison will be held Monday March 11, 2024, at Hillcrest Baptist Church on Nine Mile Road. Visitation will be from 1-3 p.m. with services beginning at 3 p.m. Interment will follow at Bayview Cemetery on Scenic Highway. For the complete obituary, click here.