Arctic Blast On The Way; Maybe Some Snow For Tuesday?
January 28, 2019
One thing is for sure in our forecast – it’s going to turn very cold. As for the chance of snow, things are not quite as certain, and a lot depends on your location.
REALLY COLD BLAST
Temperatures will plummet during the day on Tuesday following the passage of an arctic cold front. Temperatures by Tuesday afternoon will range from the mid 30s to around 40 degrees.
Gusty northwest winds will cause the wind chill to plunge into the 20’s and 30s during the day on Tuesday. By Tuesday night, it gets worse as clearing skies will lead to bitter cold temperatures with lows ranging from low to mid 20’s.
Preparations to protect outdoor pets, sensitive vegetation, and exposed plumbing is encouraged on Tuesday.
SNOW?
Snow accumulation up to a half inch is looking most likely in Alabama north of a line from Monroeville to Greenville. In the northern half of North Escambia, basically from Molino north, accumulation is not expected, but snow flurries are a possibility. From about Cantonment and south, flurries can’t be ruled out but are not likely. We’ll keep you update on any forecast changes here on NorthEscambia.com.
FORECAST
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: A chance of showers between midnight and 3am, then rain likely after 3am. Increasing clouds, with a low around 39. South wind 5 to 15 mph becoming west after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Tuesday: Rain, possibly mixing with snow after 9am, then gradually ending. Temperature falling to around 38 by 5pm. Breezy, with a northwest wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.
Tuesday Night: Increasing clouds, with a low around 25. North wind 5 to 15 mph.
Wednesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 48. Wind chill values between 20 and 30 early. North wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 30. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Thursday: Partly sunny, with a high near 53. East wind around 5 mph.
Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 37. East wind around 5 mph.
Friday: Partly sunny, with a high near 62. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
Friday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 46. East wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 66.
Saturday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 53.
Sunday: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 69.
Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 56.
Monday: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 71.
FDOT Weekly Traffic Alerts – This Week’s State Road Slowdowns
January 28, 2019
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.
- U.S. 90A (Nine Mile Road) Widening from Beulah Road to Pine Forest Road - Construction work will close Beulah Road south of the Nine Mile Road intersection from 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 25 through 5 a.m. Monday, Jan. 28 and 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 1 through 5 a.m. Monday, Feb. 4. During the weekend closures, crews will remove the existing section of Beulah Road, build up and widen the lanes, pave, and restripe the roadway. Drivers may utilize Rebel Road, Beulah Church Road, and Beulah Road. Variable message boards and signs are in place to direct traffic.
- U.S. 90 (Mobile Highway) and County Road (C.R.) 99 (Beulah Road) Intersection –Intermittent lane restrictions from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 26 as crews install mast arms for the new traffic signal. There will be no lane closures allowed from 6 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
- U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – Lane closures will take place from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 27 through Sunday, Feb.3:
- U.S. 98 east and westbound from North 14th Avenue in Pensacola to just east of the Pensacola Bay Bridge in Gulf Breeze.
- North 17th Avenue in Pensacola between U.S. 98 and the CSX Railroad overpass (Graffiti Bridge).
- U.S. 29 Widening from Interstate 10 (I-10) to U.S. 90A (Nine Mile Road) – The following traffic impacts will occur from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 27 through Saturday, Feb. 2.
- Nine Mile Road at the U.S. 29 Overpass: Alternating traffic shifts will direct all traffic onto the westbound or eastbound lanes as crews continue construction of the new northbound bridge deck. Nine Mile Road lane restrictions are Sunday through Friday.
- U.S. 29 between I-10 and 9 1/2 Mile Road: Drainage and paving operations continue. Drivers can expect alternating lane closures Monday through Saturday.
- U.S. 98 (Lillian Highway) Resurfacing from the Perdido Bay Bridge to Dog Track Road– Paving operations continue from the Perdido Bay Bridge to Dog Track Road. Lane closures will be in effect from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. Monday, Jan. 28 through Sunday, Feb.3.
- State Road (S.R.) 292 (Pace Boulevard) from Romana street to Garden Street – The northbound outside lane between Romana Street and Garden Street will be closed from 8 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 30 to 5 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 31 as crews construct a new commercial driveway.
- Crary Road Bridge Replacement- Crary Road is closed between Tedder Road and Byrneville Road as crews construct a bridge culvert. Motorists will be detoured via C.R. 4 and Byrneville Road.
- Bratt Road Bridge Replacement over Canoe Creek - Bratt Road will continue to be closed near Canoe Creek. Drivers on Bratt Road, west of the bridge, will be detoured to Pine Barren Road and C.R. 4. Drivers east of the bridge will be detoured east on Bratt Road.
- Hanks Road Bridge Replacement over Breastworks Creek - Construction activities are scheduled to begin the week of Feb. 4, 2019. The roadway will be temporarily closed during construction. Drivers on Hanks Road, west of the bridge, will be detoured to C.R. 99 and C.R. 4. Drivers east of the bridge will utilize Pine Barren Road.
Santa Rosa County:
- U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – Lane closures will take place from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 27 through Sunday, Feb. 4:
- U.S. 98 east and westbound from North 14th Avenue in Pensacola to just east of the Pensacola Bay Bridge in Gulf Breeze.
- North 17th Avenue in Pensacola, between U.S. 98 and the CSX Railroad overpass (Graffiti Bridge).
- S.R. 281 (Avalon Boulevard) Routine Bridge Maintenance over Mulatto Bayou – The southbound, outside lane will be closed over Mulatto Bayou, about one mile north of I-10, from 8 p.m. to 12-mignight Thursday, Jan. 31 as crews perform routine bridge maintenance.
- I-10 Routine Bridge Maintenance over S.R. 87 - The eastbound, outside lane over S.R. 87, 9 1/2 miles east of S.R. 281, will be closed from 12 a.m. to 4 a.m. Friday, Feb. 1 as crews perform routine bridge maintenance
- S.R. 4 Routine Bridge Maintenance over Cold Water Creek – Drivers will encounter alternating east and westbound lane restrictions over Cold Water Creek, about three miles east of S.R. 89, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 3 and Monday, Feb. 4 as crews perform routine bridge maintenance.
- S.R. 87 Multilane from Eglin AFB boundary to C.R. 184 (Hickory Hammock Road) – Drivers may encounter intermittent southbound lane closures at the Yellow River bridge from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday, Jan. 28 and Tuesday, Jan. 29.
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.
Escambia BOCC Weekly Meeting Schedule
January 28, 2019
Here is a schedule of Escambia County public meetings this week:
Monday, Jan. 28
Northwest Florida Regional Transportation Planning Organization Board – 9:30 a.m., Santa Rosa County Visitor Information Center, 8543 Navarre Parkway, Navarre
Library Board of Governance – 4 p.m., 1200 W. Langley Ave.
Escambia County Delegation Public Meeting – 5:30 p.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place, Board Chambers
Tuesday, Jan. 29
Emergency Medical Specialist Interviews – Emergency Medical Services – 10 a.m., Escambia County Public Safety, 6575 N. “W” St.
Environmental Enforcement Special Magistrate – 1:30 p.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place
Home How to Workshop for Residents – 5:30 p.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place
Wednesday, Jan. 30
Emergency Medical Specialist Interviews – Emergency Medical Services – 10 a.m., Escambia County Public Safety, 6575 N. “W” St.
Development Review Committee – 1 p.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place
Thursday, Jan. 31
ECAT Proposed Route Recommendation Workshop for Community Transportation Project – 5 p.m., Molino Community Center & Historical Museum, 6450 Highway 95-A, Molino
Friday, Feb. 1
Veterans Services Officer Interviews – 8:30 a.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place
Saturday, Feb. 2
Pensacola Beach Lifeguards Tryout – 11 a.m., University of West Florida Aquatic Center, 11000 University Parkway, Building 72
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Sylvester Thomley
January 28, 2019
Mr. Sylvester Thomley, age 82, passed away on Saturday, January 26, 2019 in Bay Minette, Alabama.
Mr. Thomley was a native and life long resident of Perdido, AL. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, uncle and friend to all who knew him. He was affectionately known as “Uncle Syl” by all who loved him. He was employed with Alabama Dry Dock with 28 year of service, retired from the Baldwin County School Board with 18 years of service, was a life long cattleman and attended the Hall’s Fork Assembly of God Church. He is preceded in death by his parents, Jack & Myrtle Thomley; one brother, Elisha Thomley and four sisters, Eulia Hadley, Flora Peacock, Earlene Hicks and Jean Brown White.
He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Joyce Thomley of Perdido, AL; one son, Samuel (Paula) Thomley of Perdido, AL; two daughters, Magi (Jackson) Williams of Cantonment, FL and Gloria Hadley of Perdido, AL; two sisters, Aileen Quinley of White House Fork, AL and Frankie Lou (Wendell) Hall of Bay Minette, AL; nine grandchildren, Brandon Williams, Aaron Thomley, Jonathan Thomley, Jeremy Hadley, Nathan Thomley, Elisha Thomley, Levi Thomley, Johnathan Hadley and Rachel Meyer and eleven great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, January 30, 2019 at 11:00 AM at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Rev. James Peacock, Rev. Angelo Thomley and Rev. Windell Hadley officiating.
Burial will follow at Bay Minette Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, January 29, 2019 from 6 to 9 PM at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be his grandchildren, Aaron Thomley, Jonathan Thomley, Nathan Thomley, Elisha Thomley, Levi Thomley, Jeremy Hadley and Rachel Meyer.
Lawmakers Balk at ‘Bundled’ Ballot Measures
January 28, 2019
“Bundled” constitutional amendments, which led in November to voters casting ballots on proposals that combined seemingly unrelated issues such as vaping and offshore oil drilling, would be a thing of the past under a measure that started moving in the Senate.
The Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously approved a proposal (SJR 74) that targets the type of bundled ballot proposals that came out of the Florida Constitution Revision Commission last year.
Sen. Rob Bradley, a Fleming Island Republican who is sponsoring the proposed change, called his measure a start. But he’s also interested in a separate measure (SJR 362) by Sen. Jeff Brandes, R-St. Petersburg, that would eliminate the commission, which meets every 20 years and has unique powers to put proposals on the ballot.
“I would be interested in abolishing the CRC. I haven’t made a final decision about whether I’m going to support that bill,” Bradley said after the committee meeting. “What I do know is that if we’re going to have a CRC, they need to stop the bundling.”
Last year the 37-member commission met for months before putting seven proposed amendments on the ballot. Five included more than a single subject. All of those proposals were approved by voters.
Amendment 7, for example, dealt with payment of death benefits for first responders killed while performing official duties and the creation of a governance system for the 28 state and community colleges. Amendment 9 prohibits drilling for gas and oil in state coastal waters and bans vaping and the use of electronic cigarettes in workplaces.
Another measure, Amendment 10, requires all charter-county governments to have elected constitutional officers, including sheriffs. It also set the start of the annual state legislative session in January in even-numbered years, creates the Office of Domestic Security and Counterterrorism within the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and deals with the state Department of Veterans’ Affairs.
In May, Brecht Heuchan, chairman of the commission’s Style and Drafting Committee which put together the final proposals, defended the use of grouping by noting it was done by constitution revision commissions in 1998 and 1978.
“In fact, it was done more prolifically than we did,” Heuchan said. “We grouped less than either of the two earlier CRCs. In fact, at the bedrock of all of this, the Constitution that we are operating under now, which was ratified in 1968 by the voters … at its point of ratification, the entire Constitution was bundled or grouped, depending on the word you want to choose, into three amendments.”
With all of the commission proposals approved in November, Bradley said Floridians apparently have a natural default to vote yes more than no.
“That is not how this is supposed to work,” Bradley said. “Voters should have clear choices presented to them when they’re engaged in amending our fundamental law.”
His proposal would require that any constitutional revision from the commission “must embrace but one subject.”
The Constitution Revision Commission doesn’t meet again until 2037.
Bradley’s proposal, if approved by the Legislature, would go before voters in 2020. The bill must still go before the Ethics and Elections and the Rules committees to reach the Senate floor.
Showing support for Bradley’s proposal, Sen. Jose Javier Rodriguez, D-Miami, withdrew his own measure (SJR 86), which also targeted bundling. A similar bill (HJR 53) has been filed in the House for consideration during the legislative session that starts March 5.
by Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida
OK Weather Into Monday; Rain And Snow? For Tuesday
January 27, 2019
Snow? The word is in the North Escambia forecast for Tuesday, but at this point any accumulation appears unlikely.
We’ll start Tuesday with rain, and there’s a pretty good chance that will turn into flurries around midday or into the early afternoon, especially north of Molino. Right now the forecast is for any flurries to be for just a brief time with accumulation unlikely. Accumulation up to an inch is possible north of places in Alabama like Monroeville and Greenville.
With lows Tuesday night dipping into the low to mid 20’s be on the lookout for some possible icy spots.
Keep checking the local weather here on NorthEscambia.com for the local forecast specific to our local area. We’ll know more as the arctic blast approaches and will keep you updated. In the meantime, it’s a good time to think about hard freeze preparedness…check the antifreeze and windshield washer fluid in your car, wrap your pipes and make plans to take care of plants and pets.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 37. Calm wind.
Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 63. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the morning.
Monday Night: A 30 percent chance of rain after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 41. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tuesday: Rain likely, mixing with snow after 9am, then gradually ending. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 47. West wind 10 to 15 mph becoming north in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 24. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 49. North wind around 5 mph becoming east in the afternoon.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 28. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Thursday: Partly sunny, with a high near 53.
Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 37.
Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 58.
Friday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 40.
Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high near 61.
Carsyn Dortch Named Miss Ernest Ward (With Pageant Photo Gallery)
January 27, 2019
Carsyn Laine Dortch was named Miss Ernest Ward Middle School Saturday night in a “The Greatest Show” themed pageant at the school.
Third runner-up was Jamison Abigail Gilman, second runner-up was McKenna Rae Simmons, and the first runner-up in the annual pageant was Emma Sage Gilmore.
The Personality Award went to McKenna Rae Simmons; Miss Hospitality, the People’s Choice Award and the Physical Fitness Award to Jessica Faith Stabler; the Poise and Appearance Award to Emma Sage Gilmore; and Miss Congeniality to Carsyn Laine Dortch.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery from the pageant, click here.
Pictured top: Miss Ernest Ward Middle School Carsyn Laine Dortch. Pictured below in descending order: First Runner-up Emma Sage Gilmore, second runner-up McKenna Rae Simmons, and Third Runner-up Jamison Abigail Gilman. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Is Sonny’s BBQ Coming To Molino?
January 27, 2019
A spray painted sign in Molino has created quite the social media stir among local residents.
There may be a Smokey Bear nearby, but don’t get your hopes up for a smoked pork plate just yet.
The sign proclaims “Sonny’s BBQ Coming Soon” at Highway 29 and Highway 196. That’s near the Florida Forest Service fire tower, the local home of Smokey.
A spokesperson for Sonny’s corporate office told NorthEscambia.com Friday that there is no Sonny’s coming to Molino anytime soon. The only new Sonny’s in the near future for Escambia or Santa Rosa counties will be in Pace.
Reader submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate High School Names Students Of The Month
January 27, 2019
Tate High School recently announced Gustavo Pineda-Mendoza and Laya Denae Seals as November Students of the Month. They are pictured with Principal Rick Shackle. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Local Leaders Attend Governmental Prayer Breakfast
January 27, 2019
Leaders from across the area gathered Saturday morning in Pensacola for the annual Governmental Prayer Breakfast. The non-denominational event seeks to cross political lines is to encourage moral and spiritual values in government.
County Judge Robert Hilliard was honored with the God in Government Award during the event.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
