Hard Freeze Warning, Low About 20 Tonight
February 11, 2012
There is a hard freeze warning in effect for tonight. Lower twenties are forecast over the entire region, with some upper teens possible inland at other normally colder locations.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 21. Wind chill values between 15 and 20. North wind around 10 mph.
- Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 50. Wind chill values between 10 and 20 early. North wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 25. North wind around 5 mph.
- Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 58. Wind chill values between 20 and 30 early. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming southeast.
- Monday Night: Showers likely, mainly after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 46. South wind between 5 and 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
- Tuesday: Showers likely, mainly before noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 71. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
- Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 46. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 69. North wind around 5 mph becoming southeast.
- Wednesday Night: Isolated showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 51. East wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Thursday: Scattered showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 68. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
- Thursday Night: Isolated showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 50. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Friday: Isolated showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 70. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 41.
- Saturday: Isolated showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 64. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Gulf Power Looks To Lower Bills Just A Bit
February 11, 2012
Pointing to lower natural-gas costs, Gulf Power Company wants to trim customers’ monthly electric bills.
The Florida Public Service Commission on Tuesday will consider a Gulf Power proposal to pass along fuel savings to customers starting March 1. A residential customer who uses 1,000 kilowatt hours of electricity a month — a common measuring stick — would see a $3.33, or 2.6 percent, reduction, according to a PSC staff recommendation.
Power-plant fuel costs are a major component of electric bills and are passed through to customers. The PSC approved projected 2012 fuel costs in November, but the Pensacola-based Gulf Power sought a revision last month because of lower-than-expected gas prices.
I-10 Wreck Claims Life Of Escambia County Woman
February 11, 2012
One person was killed in a wreck Friday night on I-10 near the Pine Forest Road exit – one of three wrecks over a three mile stretch of interstate.
In the first accident about 7:15 p.m., the Florida Highway Patrol said 59-year old Thomas Herbert Crowley, Jr. was traveling east on I-10 between Pine Forest Road and Highway 29 in a semi-truck when he moved into the lane occupied by a Honda Civic driven by Nicole Anne Frey, 24.
Frey’s Honda Civic then cross the median and hit a 2006 Nissan Altima driven by Shannon Lacey Morgan, 23. Morgan and passenger Bobby Joe Mason, 21, both of Calhoun City, MS, were seriously injured and transported to West Florida Hospital.
Frey was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital where she passed away at 9:06 p.m.
Charges against Crowley are pending the FHP’s investigation.
The second accident involved an overturned pickup in the I-10 median near the Highway 29 exit, while the third involved a car into a wooded area also near the Highway 29 exit. Details on those crashes, including the names of those involved, have not yet been released. The accidents remain under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.
One Injured In Highway 29 Crash
February 11, 2012
At least one person was injured in a traffic crash Friday night in Cantonment.
The accident happened about 7:35 at Highway 29 at Woodland Street, near the Cantonment Fire Department. A female was transported by ambulance to a Pensacola hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
The crash tied up traffic on Highway 29 for about 45 minutes.
Further details on the crash have not yet been released by the Florida Highway Patrol.
The Cantonment, Molino and Ensley stations of Escambia Fire Rescue responded to the crash, along with Escambia County EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Pictured above and below: One person was injured in this accident Friday night on Highway 29 in Cantonment. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Smith, click to enlarge.
Man Robs Friend On The Way To Ensley Walmart
February 11, 2012
A friendship likely ended late Friday night as an Escambia County man robbed his friend while the pair were on their way to the Ensley Walmart.
According to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Clyde William McArthur and his friend, Robbin Decker, were on their way to Walmart when McArthur pushed Decker off his bicycle and began hitting him several times.
McArthur then fled on foot. Decker told deputies that his wallet, and undisclosed amount of money and the headlight from his bicylce were stolen by McArthur.
Deputies located McArthur in the immediate area, along with the victim’s wallet. He was also in possession of the exact amount and denominations of money that the victim reported stolen. The victim positively identified McArthur as the suspect who robbed him.
McArthur was charged with robbery and petit theft. McArthur, who listed his address as being a transient, remained in the Escambia County Jail Friday with bond set at $5,500.
No Burning Today: Red Flag Warning, Forestry Suspends Burn Permits
February 11, 2012
Officials with Florida Forest Service’s Blackwater Forestry Center will not issue burn authorizations for today, based on the predicted weather conditions. There is a Red Flag Warning in effect.
The forecast calls for extremely low relative humidity – in the teens in some areas – as well as high winds gusting close to 30 mph. This combination increases the likelihood of a burn escaping and spreading rapidly. While the local drought index is relatively low, smaller, flashy fuels (small brush, dead grass) will dry rapidly and burn readily, according to Forestry officials.
Conditions should improve Sunday and officials will monitor and determine when it is safe to begin issuing permits again.
Residents are strongly urged not to burn any yard debris over the weekend due to the Red Flag Warning.
Ball Registration: Molino, Cantonment, Century, Atmore, Miracle League
February 11, 2012
Baseball and softball registrations will continue today for Molino, Century, Cantonment, Atmore and the Pensacola Miracle League. Today is the final day of registration for the Pensacola Miracle League and Atmore. Details for each are below.
Molino Ballpark registration will be held every Saturday until February 18 from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the Don Sutton Ballpark. Cost is $50 for the first child, $45 for the second and $40 for the third from the same family. A copy of the child’s birth certificate should be brought to registration. Ages 3-16.
Cantonment Baseball and Softball registration will he held every Saturday until February 18 from 9 a.m. until noon at the Cantonment Ballpark, 681 Well Line Road.
Ages 4 and up. Registration is $80 for the first child, $70 for the second, $60 for the third and additional child per family.
Teams include:
- T-ball 4-6
- Coach Pitch 7-8
- Minors 9-10
- Majors 11-12
- Pony 13-14
Girls’ softball is returning for 15-18 year olds. (Those interested would need to attend a board meeting at 6:30 on Tuesday nights at the park). For more information, call Amy Johnson at (850) 982-6676 or email jacccc6@yahoo.com.
Century League registration for baseball, softball, pre-t and t-ball will be held each Saturday in February from 10 a.m. until noon for ages 3-18 at Showalter Park. The cost is $45 for the first child, $40 for the second sibling and $35 for the third. A birth certificate copy should be brought to registration.
Pensacola Miracle League registration will be held from 9 a.m. until noon on Saturday, February 11 at the ballpark, 500 East Nine Mile Road across from Hillcrest Baptist Church. The season begins Friday, March 16 and Saturday, March 17 and continues for six weeks. Friday night games will be under the lights. “Buddies” are also needed for the kids. More info: miracleleaguepensacola.org
Atmore Babe Ruth Softball — Tryouts will be Saturday, February 11 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the softball fields at Tom Byrne Park. Players may register on the day of tryouts. The registration fee will be $45 for one child and $40 each for the second and additional children. A copy of the player’s birth certification should be brought to registration.
Saturday Is The Deadline For Public Comment On Molino FSA Office Closure
February 11, 2012
Today is the deadline for the public to comment on the proposed closure of the Molino Farm Services Agency office.
The Molino FSA Office administers farm commodities, crop insurance, credit, environmental conservation and emergency assistance for farmers and ranchers in Escambia County. On January 9, the USDA announced the proposed closure of the office, forcing the farmers to drive to Milton or Brewton for FSA services.
Tim Manning, FSA state executive director, said that offices with two or less employees and offices that were located within 20 miles of another office were targeted for closure. Manning (pictured left) said that on December 23, the day chosen as a “snapshot” of the Molino office, it met both criteria for closure.
But multiple farmers and producers were quick to point out that it is more than 20 miles to drive from Molino, or areas like Walnut Hill or Nokomis, to the FSA office in Milton because of limited routes across the Escambia River. And the criteria for two or fewer employees, many producers said, was met only because a third employee in the office had recently retired.
The major savings from closing the Molino Farm Service Agency will be about $16,000 per year in rent to the Escambia County Farm Bureau for office space along with telephone service. All other utilities are included in the monthly rent.
The Farm Service Agency will continue to accept written comments from the public concerning the Molino office closure through today . Comments can be emailed to mark.cotrell@fl.usda.gov or submitted by mail. To download a comment form, click here.
To read about a recently public meeting on the closure, click here.
Escambia Crime: Walmart Robbery, Teen Surrenders After Burglary, Two Gas Stations Robbed
February 11, 2012
Here is a look at crime across Escambia County on Friday, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office:
Walmart Robbery
Deputies arrested David Calland, 21, for robbery of an individual about 1 p.m. Friday at Walmart on Blue Angel Parkway. The suspects fled the scene as deputies arrived. Sheriff’s deputies gave chase, with the suspects abandoning their vehicle at Leyte Drive and Navy Boulevard and fled on foot. Calland was arrested while a female in the vehicle was questioned.
The victim of the robbery said she was exiting the Wal-Mart with her wallet in hand when Calland jumped on her back and took her wallet. A bystander gave chase and tackled Calland in the parking lot causing him to drop the wallet.
Teen Turns Himself In After Burglary
A Pensacola teenager was arrested on burglary charges after he called the Escambia Sheriff’s Office and turned himself in after being chased by the victim of the burglary.
Jalen Lawrence Foster, 16, was charged with burglarizing a vehicle. The victim told deputies that he heard load noises about 3:00 a.m. Friday in his driveway. As Corbitt walked outside, he observed two black males inside his vehicle and two black males inside his wife’s vehicle. Corbitt yelled at the suspects, at which time all four suspects ran and got into a white Mazda Tribute and fled.
Corbitt followed the suspects in his vehicle to the area of the Montclair Subdivision. The driver then stopped the vehicle and all four suspects fled on foot in different directions.
Moments later, Foster, called the Sheriff’s Office wanting to turn himself in. Upon talking with deputies, Foster gave them information that led to his arrest.
Deputies also discovered the vehicle the suspects had fled in was stolen from the 9400 block of Wanda Drive earlier in the night. Foster was subsequently charged
with grand theft auto in that case.
Gunman Robs Circle K
Just before 1 a.m. Friday, a black male wearing a bright orange ski mask, entered the Circle K at 2350 West Michigan Avenue and robbed the clerk at gunpoint.
According to the clerk, the suspect entered the store wearing an orange ski mask, black long sleeve shirt, dark blue board shorts, black and white gloves and black
tennis shoes. The suspect, armed with a silver revolver, pointed the gun at the clerk and demanded money. The clerk gave the gunman an undetermined amount of
money from the register. The gunman then fled the store on foot heading east from the store.
Gunman Robs Murphy Gas Station
An unknown black male robbed the Murphy Gas Station at 690 North Navy Boulevard in the early morning hours Friday. Deputies say the suspect entered the store at about 2 a.m. and asked the clerk for directions to a 24-hour “spice” store. The suspect left after the clerk gave him directions.
“The suspect returned moments later and told the clerk he was with some big guys that were in the car outside and he was with a gang. The suspect then demanded money from the clerk,” according to Sgt. Mike Ward, spokesperson for the Sheriffs’ Office.
The suspect fled the store with an undetermined amount of money from the register in a red, two-toned car. A description of the suspect was not available.
Ernest Ward Holds Valentine’s Dance, Names Court (With Photo Gallery)
February 11, 2012
Ernest Ward Middle School held its annual Valentine’s Dance Friday night, naming a queen and her court based upon student votes.
Eighth grader Jessica Barrows was named queen, and Gavin Grant was named king. From the seventh grade, McKensie Colvin was named maiden, and Dustin Bethea was named knight. Sixth grade maiden was Raegen Harrell and sixth grade knight was Micheal “MJ” Jones.
For a photo gallery with the complete court, click here.
Pictured top: (L-R) Ernest Ward Middle School Valentine’s Dance sixth grade Maiden Raegen Harrell and Knight Micheal “MJ” Jones, King Gavin Grant, Queen Jessica Barrows, and eighth grade Knight Dustin Bethea and Maiden McKensie Colvin. Pictured below: King Gavin Grant and Queen Jessica Barrows NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
