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Sun And Heat This Week, With Popup Showers By Thursday

Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:

Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 93. Light south wind increasing to 5 to 10 mph in the morning.

Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 69. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm after midnight.

Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 92. Light southeast wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the morning.

Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 69. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light after midnight.

Thursday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. South wind 5 to 10 mph.

Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 71. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.

Friday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 90. Southwest wind around 5 mph.

Friday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. Southwest wind around 5 mph.

Saturday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 92.

Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 70.

Sunday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93.

Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 71.

Monday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 94.

This Week’s Traffic Delay Hotspots

Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads and projects in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.  In preparation for the Memorial Day Holiday weekend, there will be no lane closures or other activities which impede traffic on state roads beginning at 9 a.m. Friday, May 24 and ending at 12:01 a.m. Tuesday, May 28.

Escambia County:

• State Road (S.R.) 289 (Ninth Avenue) D.U.I. Checkpoint- The northbound inside lane of Ninth Avenue in Pensacola will be closed at Berkley Drive from 8 p.m. to 12 a.m. Friday, May 24 for a Florida Highway Patrol D.U.I. checkpoint. 
• 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. Tuesday, May 28 through Saturday, June 1.
  • Nine Mile Road Closed: Nine Mile Road will be closed at the U.S. 29 overpass from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Wednesday, May 29, and Thursday, May 30, as crews complete the removal of the southbound bridge deck. Traffic control officers will be on-site to direct traffic. The following detour will be in place:
    • Eastbound Nine Mile Road will be reduced to one lane, directed to U.S. 29 southbound, U-turn at West Hood Drive, and return to Nine Mile Road
    • Westbound traffic will perform the same operation at West 9 1/2 Mile Road.
  • 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 bridge. 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 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement Bridge- Bridge construction will require the following lane closures from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Tuesday, May 28 through Sunday, June 2:

• • 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).

• I-10 Sign Maintenance from the Welcome Center the Escambia Bay Bridge- There will be intermittent and alternating lane restrictions from the Welcome Center to the Escambia Bay Bridge from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. Tuesday, May 28 through Thursday, May 30 as crews repair signs.
• U.S. 98 Sign Maintenance from Chiefs Way to Water Street- There will be intermittent and alternating lane restrictions from Chiefs Way to Water Street from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. Tuesday, May 28 through Thursday, May 30 as crews repair signs.
• S.R. 742 (Creighton Road) Manhole Repair- The westbound inside lane from Marie Avenue to Chapel Street and westbound turn lane from Creighton Road to Marie Avenue will be closed from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Tuesday, May 28 until Thursday, May 30 as crews perform manhole repairs.
• U.S. 90A (Nine Mile Road) Widening from S.R. 297 (Pine Forest Road) to U.S. 29-  Cove Avenue from Nine Mile Road to Fretz Street will be closed from 7 a.m. Tuesday, May 28 until 5 p.m. Saturday, June 1 to enable crews to perform roadway construction and drainage improvements. Traffic will be detoured to Bowman Avenue and Fretz Street. Detour signs and variable message boards are in place to alert drivers of the temporary road closure and detour routes.
• I-10 over Escambia Bay Routine Bridge Maintenance- Motorists will encounter eastbound lane restrictions on I-10 over Escambia Bay from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. Wednesday, May 29 and Thursday, May 30 as crews perform routine bridge maintenance.
• U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Utility Work- Drivers will encounter east and westbound, outside lane restrictions on U.S. 98 over Pensacola Bay from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, June 2 and Monday, June 3 as crews repair overhead lighting.
• I-10 from Exit 5 (U.S. 90 Alt.) to Exit 17 (U.S. 90/Scenic Highway)- There will be east and westbound, inside and outside lane restrictions between U.S. 90 Alt. and Scenic Highway from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday, June 3 to Thursday, June 6 as crews repair overhead lighting.
• I-110 from Exit 1A (Gregory Street West) to the I-10 interchange- There will be north and southbound, inside and outside lane restrictions between Gregory Street and the I-10 interchange from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday, June 3 to Thursday, June 6 as crews repair overhead lighting.
• C.R. 168 Bridge Replacement over Unnamed Branch- Activities associated with the bridge replacement project on C.R. 168 over Unnamed Branch, Northwest of Century continue. The project is anticipated to be complete late 2019.
• Crary Road Bridge Replacement over Pritchett Mill Creek- Crary Road is closed between Tedder Road and Byrneville Road as crews continue to construct a bridge culvert.  Motorists will be detoured via C.R. 4 and Byrneville Road. The project is anticipated to be complete summer 2019.
• 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.  The project is anticipated to be complete summer 2019.
• Hanks Road Bridge Replacement over Breastworks Creek - Construction activities continue. 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 Bridge- Bridge construction will require the following lane closures from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Tuesday, May 28 through Sunday, June 28:

• • 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).

• I-10 Widening from the Escambia Bay Bridge to Avalon Boulevard (S.R. 281/Exit 22) –The following construction related traffic impacts are planned for I-10 and Avalon Boulevard the week of Tuesday, May 28 between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m.:
  • Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures on I-10, from the Escambia Bay Bridge to east of S.R. 281, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Tuesday, May 28 through Friday, May 31 as crews work to widen the roadway.

o  Drivers may encounter alternating lane closures on Avalon Boulevard, near the I-10 interchange, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., Tuesday through Thursday, as crews perform construction activities

• S.R. 4 over Blackwater River Routine Bridge Inspection- Traffic on S.R. 4 will be reduced to one lane over Blackwater River, about four miles west of County Road (C.R.) 189N, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, May 29 as crews perform a routine bridge inspection.
• U. S. 98 Utility Operations between Pala Alto Avenue in Santa Rosa County and Woodland Avenue in Okaloosa County – Drivers will encounter intermittent and alternating lane restrictions on U.S. 98 between Pala Alto Avenue in Santa Rosa County and Woodland Avenue in Okaloosa County from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday, May 29 as Pike Electric completes routine maintenance on power lines. In addition, there will be intermittent daytime shoulder closures, except for the designated Memorial Day Holiday period, until Thursday, May 30.
• S.R. 87 Pavement Markings Replacement- Traffic on S.R. 87 will encounter alternating and intermittent minor delays at the following locations from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday through Friday, until Thursday, July 30 as crews remove and replace pavement markings in the roadway. Law enforcement will be on site to direct traffic:
  • U.S 90 to Nicholas Lake Road
  • U.S. 98 to Vonnie Tolbert Road
• S.R. 87 Multilane from Eglin AFB boundary to Hickory Hammock Road–All north and southbound travel lanes on S.R. 87, between C.R. 184 (Hickory Hammock Road) and two miles south of the Yellow River are now open. Drivers will encounter intermittent lane closures as crews complete construction activities and the speed limit remains 45 MPH until the project in complete.
• U.S. 98 Safety Improvements at Constitution Drive and Navarre School Road- The westbound, left turn lane at Sunrise Drive is open to traffic. Improvements at Navarre School Road and drainage improvements at Thresher Drive and Newport Street are complete. Crews will soon place the final layer of asphalt and striping, perform general project clean up, and place sod.

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.

Updated Rabies Alert Narrowed To Bayou Chico: Rabid Stray Cat Attacks Two People

UPDATE: The Florida Department of Health in Escambia County now says a rabies alert issued due to a stray cat is for the Bayou Chico area.

The alert is in response to a report of a positive test result for rabies in a cat on May 25, 2019, which follows a positive test on a raccoon found in the same area in January 2019.

All residents and visitors in Escambia County should be aware that rabies is present in the wild animal population and domestic animals are at risk if not vaccinated. The public is asked to maintain a heightened awareness that rabies is active in Escambia County. Alerts are designed to increase awareness to the public, but they should not give a false sense of security to areas that have not been named as under an alert.

The rabies alert will last for 60 days and covers the area in southern Escambia County, surrounding Bayou Chico, that lies south of West Jackson Street between New Warrington Road and Pace Boulevard.

Previous story:

A rabid stray cat attacked two people in Escambia County recently, prompting a rabies alert.

The Florida Department of Health in Escambia County collected tissue samples from the cat and forwarded the samples to the state laboratory, which confirmed the presence of the rabies virus.

The health department is urging residents and visitors to protect themselves from the risk of rabies exposure by avoiding contact with wild and stray animals.

Rabies is a viral disease that infects the central nervous system. Without proper treatment, rabies can cause brain infection and death. Rabies is transmitted by a rabid animal by a bite, a scratch, or by contact with mucous membranes such as the eyes, nose, or mouth. A series of “rabies shots” can protect a bite victim from developing the rabies infection, if given soon after the bite occurs.

“Rabies is a fatal infection but is preventable,” notes FDOH-Escambia’s director, Dr. John J. Lanza. “It is important to not feed or pet wild and stray animals, to avoid animals that appear to be acting strangely, and to keep pets vaccinated against rabies. Persons who are bitten by a wild animal or an animal who has not been vaccinated against rabies should seek immediate medical care. Proper medical treatment of an animal bite can be life-saving.”

In Florida, raccoons, foxes, bats, and cats are the animals most frequently diagnosed with rabies. Other animals that are at high risk for rabies include dogs, bobcats, skunks, and otters. Because of their proximity to people, stray and unvaccinated cats and dogs pose a special risk.

Individuals cannot always tell if an animal has rabies by looking at it. To guard against rabies, the health department recommends residents follow these steps:

• Teach your children not to go near wild and stray animals, and never keep them as pets.
• Vaccinate your dog, cat, ferret, or horse to protect against rabies. Keep vaccinations up-to-date.
• Do not feed your pets outside. The food may attract wild animals.
• Make sure your garbage is securely covered. Open garbage attracts wild and stray animals.
• Spay or neuter your pet to reduce its tendency to roam or fight.
• Do not let your pets roam freely or allow them to interact with wild or stray animals. Keep them in a fenced yard or on a leash at all times.
• Prevent bats from entering living quarters or occupied spaces in homes, churches, schools, and other similar areas, where they might come into contact with people and pets.
• Call Escambia County Animal Control, at 850-595-0097, to remove stray dogs and cats from your neighborhood.
• If your pet is bitten by another animal, immediately seek veterinary assistance for your pet and contact Escambia County Animal Control.
• If you are bitten by a wild animal, or by any animal that is acting strangely, seek medical care as soon as possible so that a physician can evaluate your risk of rabies infection and administer the rabies vaccine, if appropriate.

DOH-Escambia’s Environmental Health division investigates animal bite reports, tests animals for rabies through the state laboratory, and orders animal quarantine as necessary. For more information, or to report an animal bite, contact the FDOH-Escambia Environmental Health office at (850) 595-6700 or visit www.EscambiaHealth.com.

File photo.

Escambia County Students Can Ride ECAT Buses For Free

Escambia County students and other youth under age 18 can ride Escambia County Area Transit buses for free.

Escambia County students grades K-12 are now able to use their county-issued student library cards as a free bus pass year-round on all ECAT buses and trolleys.

In addition, the ECAT Summer Wheels Youth Pass Program will include free, unlimited rides for Summer Wheels Pass holders, ages 18 and under through September 2.

The free bus programs provide youth with the opportunity to explore Pensacola, travel to summer jobs, visit libraries and participate in summer camps.

ECAT also offers free training for those who are new to the bus system to help read the Ride Guide, plan trips and review safety.

To receive a free Summer Wheels Pass, bring your kids and their photo IDs to ECAT’s main office located at 1515 W. Fairfield Drive, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Apply for the Summer Wheels Pass online and view complete application details here.

Escambia Animal Shelter Offering Reduced Adoption Fees for All Animals

Rosco and Oreo found a new furever home this weekend. Rosco had been at the Escambia County Animal Shelter for over two months, longer than any any other cat. And now, they are part of the NorthEscambia.com family.

The Escambia County Animal Shelter is offering a special reduced adoption fee of $40 for all dogs and puppies and $20 for all cats and kittens through Friday, May 31.

Adoption fees include spay or neutering services, microchip, heartworm test and initial vaccinations, including rabies vaccinations. Escambia County residents are also required to purchase a license for an additional $11 over the adoption fees and is paid separately.

The Escambia County Animal Shelter is located at 200 W. Fairfield Drive and is open Monday-Friday from noon to 5 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, contact the shelter at (850) 595-3075.

Pictured: Rosco (above) and Oreo (below) found new furever homes this weekend when they were adopted from the Escambia County Animal Shelter. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.

Gas Prices Sink To Two Year Low

Florida gas prices continued to decline through the busy Memorial Day holiday weekend. The daily average price for gasoline is now the lowest since March, and travelers found the lowest Memorial Day gas prices in two years.

Florida gas prices now average slightly below $2.60 per gallon. The state average was 31 cents less than last year’s holiday, but 30 cents more than 2017.

The average price per gallon in Escambia County was $2.59, down from $2.73 a month ago and 30 cents less than one year ago. Many Escambia County stations were sharply lower, including $2.47 at Highway 29 and Muscogee Road in Cantonment Monday night.

The average price across Florida declined for the 24th consecutive day on Monday, for a total discount of 19 cents. Monday’s state average price of $2.60 per gallon is 4 cents less than a week ago, 12 cents less than last month, and 31 cents less than this time last year.

“Gas prices took an early summer slide, due to growing domestic fuel supplies and the ongoing trade war between the U.S. and China,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Both factors forced oil prices to their lowest level in two months. As we begin the summer driving season, Florida drivers are saving a little more than $4.50 compared to last year, when filling an average size tank of gas.”

Woman Killed, Man Injured In Drive-by Shooting Near Pensacola Club

A woman was killed and a man injured in a drive-by shooting near a Pensacola nightclub early Monday morning.

The incident occurred at a parking lot near the Platinum Night Club on North Palafox Street about 2 a.m.

The woman has been idenfiied as Elizabeth A. Harris, 20. The injured man was shot in the leg but is expected to recover. His name has not been released.

Police said they are looking for at least three shooters that fired over 40 rounds, hitting the two individuals and several vehicles.

Anyone with information on the incident is asked to call the Pensacola Police Department at (850) 435-1901 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.

NWE 14U Team Receives Tournament Rings

The Northwest Escambia 14U baseball team recently received their runner-up rings for finishing second of seven teams from the PARA Park Baseball League. Picture are (front, L-R) Luke Bridges, Caden Mills, Aron Chavira, Braeden McGhee, Josh Diamond, Josh Landis, Drake Allen Driskell, Trent Knighten, J. P. Gilman, (back) Team Manager Allen Driskell, Coach Eric Jefferson, Judson Lee, Jamarkus Jefferson, Coach Justin Mills and  Coach Philip Gilman. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Schedule: High School Graduations Tuesday, Wednesday

Graduations are scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday at the Pensacola Bay Center for many Escambia County schools:

Graduation ceremonies will be live streamed online here.

Here is the complete graduation schedule for Escambia County high schools:

Northview High School Graduation Ceremony
Graduation was held Saturday, May 18. WATCH VIDEO

Booker T. Washington High School Graduation Ceremony
May 28, 11:00 a.m., Pensacola Bay Center.

Pensacola High School Graduation Ceremony
May 28, 2:30 p.m., Pensacola Bay Center.

Escambia High School Graduation Ceremony
May 28, 6:00 p.m., Pensacola Bay Center.

Pine Forest High School Graduation Ceremony
May 29, 11:00 a.m. , Pensacola Bay Center.

West Florida High School Graduation Ceremony
May 29, 2:30 p.m., Pensacola Bay Center.

J.M. Tate High School Graduation Ceremony
May 29, 6:00 p.m., Pensacola Bay Center.

Pictuered: The Northview High School graduation on May 18. NorthEscambia.com photo.

Helmut Maucher

Helmut Maucher, 89 of Cantonment, passed away on May 26, 2019. Helmut was born in Dramburg, Germany. He came to the United States in 1955 where he served in the US Army, 101st Airborne division. He married Maria Luise Haydl and had three sons: Paul, Michael and Martin. Helmut worked as an electrician at the International Paper Mill in Cantonment for 25 years before retiring in 1995. Although retired, he remained working in the community on others’ houses and a horse farm because he always liked helping people. He also enjoyed painting, gardening and was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Pensacola.
Helmut is preceded in death by his brother Walter, sister Helga (Germany) and wife of 56 years Maria Luise.

Survivors include his brother Ernst (Finland), his three sons: Paul Maucher, Michael Maucher and Martin Maucher; five grandchildren: Russel Maucher, Nathan Maucher, Stacey Maucher, Christine Doss and Randy Maucher; and other great grandchildren.

Funeral Services will be Saturday, June 1, 2019 at 11 a.m. , at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North in Cantonment. Visitation will be at 10 a.m. . Interment will be at St. Elizabeth’s Catholic Church Cemetery in Barrineau Park, FL.

Pallbearers will be Paul Maucher, Michael Maucher, Martin Maucher, Russel Maucher, Nathan Maucher and Randy Maucher.

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