NOAA Predicts Near Normal 2019 Atlantic Hurricane Season
May 24, 2019
NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center is predicting that a near-normal Atlantic hurricane season is most likely this year. This outlook forecasts a 40% chance of a near-normal season, a 30% chance of an above-normal season and a 30% chance of a below-normal season. The hurricane season officially extends from June 1 to November 30.
For 2019, NOAA predicts a likely range of 9 to 15 named storms (winds of 39 mph or higher), of which 4 to 8 could become hurricanes (winds of 74 mph or higher), including 2 to 4 major hurricanes (category 3, 4 or 5; with winds of 111 mph or higher). NOAA provides these ranges with a 70% confidence. An average hurricane season produces 12 named storms, of which 6 become hurricanes, including 3 major hurricanes.
“With the 2019 hurricane season upon us, NOAA is leveraging cutting-edge tools to help secure Americans against the threat posed by hurricanes and tropical cyclones across both the Atlantic and Pacific,” said Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross. “Throughout hurricane season, dedicated NOAA staff will remain on alert for any danger to American lives and communities.”
This outlook reflects competing climate factors. The ongoing El Nino is expected to persist and suppress the intensity of the hurricane season. Countering El Nino is the expected combination of warmer-than-average sea-surface temperatures in the tropical Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea, and an enhanced west African monsoon, both of which favor increased hurricane activity.
“New satellite data and other upgrades to products and services from NOAA enable a more Weather-Ready Nation by providing the public and decision makers with the information needed to take action before, during, and after a hurricane,” said Neil Jacobs, Ph.D., acting NOAA administrator.
NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center will update the 2019 Atlantic seasonal outlook in August just prior to the historical peak of the season.
Century Splash Pad Closed Due To Electrical Issues
May 24, 2019
The splash pad in Century is closed for electrical maintenance, according to the town. There’s no word on when it might reopen.
The splash pad at Showalter Park was supposed to open this year the week of March 18 for spring break. The opening was delayed about a month, also due to electrical issues.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Wahoos Set Season High In Hits In 10-5 Victory
May 24, 2019
Much like Wednesday night, the Blue Wahoos fell behind early on Thursday evening in Tennessee against the Smokies.
But this time, they hit back in the biggest way.
Every Blue Wahoos batter had at least one hit as Pensacola produced a season-high 15 hits in a 10-5 win at Smokies Stadium.
The Blue Wahoos (29-18) put up a trio of crooked innings, erasing an early 3-0 deficit by scoring four times in the second, twice in the fifth, and three times in the sixth. Four Wahoos had multiple hits, led by Travis Blankenhorn (3-5, 3 RBI, 3 R) and Jaylin Davis (3-4, HR, 2 R).
On the mound, Blue Wahoos starter Sean Poppen had his shortest outing of the season, exiting after giving up three runs on five singles in the first inning.
Williams Ramirez replaced him in the second and worked the next three innings, allowing just one hit to earn his first win in his second game with the Wahoos.
After falling behind 3-0, the offense immediately responded, scoring four runs in the second to take the lead. Taylor Grzelakowski led off with a walk. Caleb Hamilton singled. Mark Contreras followed with an RBI double. With two out, Travis Blankenhorn smashed a two-run double. Alex Kirilloff followed with a single to score Blankenhorn.
After the Blue Wahoos answered with those four runs in the second, the game stayed that way until the fifth inning.
In that frame, the Blue Wahoos padded their lead with two out. With Blankenhorn on second base after a leadoff single, Davis walked. Grzelakowski followed with a two run-double down the right field line to score both runners.
After the Smokies added a run in their half of the fifth, the Blue Wahoos answered with three more runs in the sixth inning. Jordon Gore’s one-out double scored Joe Cronin, who had hit a one out single. Blankenhorn then singled home Gore. Blankenhorn moved to second on Kirilloff’s walk, then scored on Mitchell Kranson’s single.
Relievers Ryan Mason and Cody Stashak continued their superb finishes by keeping the Smokies scoreless in the final three innings. The pair allowed just one hit.
With the series tied at 1-1, the Wahoos and Smokies will continue their five-game series tomorrow evening in Tennessee at 6:00 PM. Jorge Alcala (5-1, 4.09), the #18 prospect in the Twins system, is scheduled to start for Pensacola against Cubs #8 prospect Justin Steele (0-4, 9.33 ERA)
Century Audit Costing Thousands More Due To Problems; Mayor Didn’t Tell Town Council For Weeks
May 23, 2019
Century’s annual audit will cost thousands of dollars more due to several factors, including a scathing grand jury investigation, and the mayor tell did not inform the council for weeks, NorthEscambia.com has learned.
The audit for the 2018 fiscal year that ended on September 30 is due to the state by the end of June. The town was informed in an April 8 email sent to Mayor Henry Hawkins, Town Clerk Kim Godwin, and town CPA Robert Hudson that the auditing firm Warren Averett was increasing their fee from $21,000 last year to a minimum of $30,000 this year.
Hawkins repeatedly told the town council over the last several weeks that the firm would begin the audit after tax season, but he never mentioned receiving any communication from the auditor or the $9,000 fee increase to the council. In the meantime, the audit did not begin due to a lack of an engagement letter (a type of contract with a CPA firm).
But an email obtained by NorthEscambia.com shows Hawkins forwarded the auditor’s email to Chief Deputy Clerk of Finance Kristina Wood on April 9. “FYI,” Hawkins wrote. “Now where do they think we’re getting the money from?”
CPA Kristen McAllister of Warren Averett said in a May 20 email to Town Council President Ann Brooks, “I do not think you have been informed correctly. I reach out to the Clerk, Mayor, and Robert (Hudson) a month ago to discuss a change in the audit contract before we can begin.” She added the delay “did not have anything to do with waiting until after tax season”.
McAllister said the higher audit fee was due to concerns over the utility billing cycle, concerns noted in the grand jury report, incorrect information provided that required multiple adjustments in the past two audits and a failure to follow the audit timeline.
For a previous story with details on the March grand jury report, click here.
NorthEscambia.com file photo and document images.
Man Indicted For First Degree Murder; Shell Casings Found On Four Streets
May 23, 2019
Bobby Johndal Hawkins was indicted by a grand jury the charges of first degree premeditated murder with a firearm and attempted first degree premeditated murder.
During the early morning hours of April 15, Hawkins allegedly shot and killed 28-year old Kyle Isaiah Baldwin at the intersection of Sonnyboy Lane and East Ensley Street. An Escambia County Sheriff’s deputy observed a Chevrolet Blazer traveling at a high speed up North Palafox Street and was able to stop the vehicle on Highway 29 and Hannah Street.
Baldwin was found slumped over on the front passenger seat and had suffered a fatal gunshot wound to his lower chest area, and he was pronounced deceased on scene. The driver of Baldwin’s vehicle was not injured.
The shots were fired from a 2019 black Cadillac driven by Hawkins as he chased Baldwin’s vehicle through Ensley. Shell casings were recovered along Sonnyboy Lane, Ensley Street, Johnson Avenue and North Palafox Street.
Hawkins’ vehicle was occupied by another individual who also participated in the shooting. That individual has not been identified. Hawkins is being held without bond.
New Phone App Will Give Escambia School Staff An Emergency Alert ‘Panic Button’
May 23, 2019
The Escambia County School District is purchasing a phone app that will give employees a panic button in the palm of their hands in the event of a campus security breach.
The panic button in the Volo app can trigger a lockdown, notifying school staff and law enforcement. The app is “geofenced” — meaning it will only work in specific geographic area such as on a school campus.
Use of the app by employees will be voluntary and training will be offered during the summer break.
The first year of a five-year contract will cost the school district $104,100 under an agreement approved 5-0 by the school board.
FWC Law Enforcement Report
May 23, 2019
The Florida FWC Division of Law Enforcement reported the following activity during the weekly period ending May 9 in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
Officer Long responded to a single vessel accident that occurred in the Gulf of Mexico near the Alabama line. The vessel was found beached with the operator being the only occupant on board. The vessel sustained major damage to the engines and other electrical equipment due to water intrusion after being beached. The operator admitted consuming several alcoholic drinks which caused him to fall asleep. While Officer Long spoke to him, he noticed several signs of impairment. The operator agreed to perform field sobriety exercises, which confirmed he was impaired. Officer Long placed the operator under arrest and transported him to the Escambia County Jail for booking. The operator agreed to give a breath sample which showed his breath alcohol level was .253 G/210L blood alcohol content, which is over three times the legal limit. The operator was also found at fault with the accident and was cited for a navigation rule violation.
SANTA ROSA COUNTY
Officer Hoomes responded to assist a Santa Rosa County deputy who was investigating a suspicious person in Navarre who was in possession of an undersized redfish. Officer Hoomes arrived and determined the redfish was less than 18 inches in total length. The subject had cut the fish up and was using the redfish for bait. The subject was issued a citation for possession of an undersized redfish and issued warnings for failure to land a redfish in whole condition and no saltwater fishing license.
FEDERAL WATERS
While on patrol in the offshore patrol vessel “Vigilance,” Officers P. Rockwell and Matechik boarded a recreational vessel approximately 15 miles south of Pensacola. While approaching the vessel to conduct a fisheries inspection, the vessel operator saw the officers’ approach and quickly attempted to leave the area at a high rate of speed. The Vigilance quickly caught up to the vessel and stopped it. During the fisheries inspection, the officers found the occupants in possession of several undersized gray triggerfish. The violations were addressed, and appropriate action was taken.
This report represents some events the FWC handled over the past week; however, it does not include all actions taken by the Division of Law Enforcement. Information provided by FWC.
NorthEscambia.com photo.
Maybe A Shower Today, Heat Wave By The Weekend
May 23, 2019
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Thursday: A slight chance of showers between 1pm and 3pm, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 3pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. East wind around 5 mph becoming south in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Thursday Night: A slight chance of thunderstorms before 7pm. Areas of fog after 1am. Otherwise, mostly clear, with a low around 69. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 10%.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 91. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Friday Night: Areas of fog after 1am. Otherwise, mostly clear, with a low around 68. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 95. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph.
Saturday Night: Areas of fog after 1am. Otherwise, mostly clear, with a low around 69. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 96. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Sunday Night: Areas of fog after 1am. Otherwise, mostly clear, with a low around 69. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Memorial Day: Sunny, with a high near 96.
Monday Night: Patchy fog. Otherwise, mostly clear, with a low around 71.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 95.
Tuesday Night: Patchy fog. Otherwise, mostly clear, with a low around 72.
Wahoos Fall To The Smokies 9-3
May 23, 2019
The Blue Wahoos started their longest road trip Wednesday in a tough way.
Their league-best pitching took a hit, after the Tennessee Smokies jumped to a big league and cruised to a 9-3 victory against the Blue Wahoos in the series opener at Smokies Stadium in Kodak, Tenn.
Five relievers followed Blue Wahoos starter Andro Cutera, who faced only 11 batters and gave up six hits and three runs. In the fourth inning, Adam Bray was unable to get an out in the seven batters he faced as the Smokies extended a 3-1 lead into 8-1.
It was the second-most runs allowed by the Blue Wahoos this season. The Blue Wahoos (28-18) entered Wednesday with a 2.61 earned run average, the lowest among all 30 Double-A teams, and watched it jump 15 points tonight.
The Smokies (23-22), the Chicago Cubs affiliate, counter in this series with the Southern League’s best team batting average (.247) and they padded their league-best hit total Wednesday with 12 hits, all singles.
But with the Mobile BayBears beating Biloxi, the Blue Wahoos did not lose ground Wednesday atop the standings with a four game lead.
It was Cutura’s first start for the Blue Wahoos since April 19. He has been on the injured list since making his last appearance in a relief role on April 25.
The game followed the first off day for both teams in 20 days. The Blue Wahoos left at mid-day Tuesday for the 525 mile trip to Kodak, located just outside of Knoxville.
Tennessee shortstop Vimael Machin went 4-for-5 in the game and drove in three runs. First baseman Jared Young also had three RBI.
The Blue Wahoos briefly tied the game in the top of the second when Caleb Hamilton led off with a double, moved to third on Ben Rortvedt’s single and scored on Ernie De La Trinidad’s sacrifice fly.
But in the bottom of the second, after Cutura retired the first two batters, he gave up two singles, along with a wild pitch that led to the first run. He was lifted after the next two batters reached on a walk and single.
The Blue Wahoos got two runs in the fifth on RBI singles from Mitchell Kranson and Rortvedt, who went 3-for-4 in the game. Hamilton and Alex Kirilloff each had two hits.
The teams will play the second game of this series Thursday.
Photo Gallery: Northview High Class Of 2019 Graduation
May 23, 2019
The Northview High School Class of 2019 graduated last Saturday.
For a photo gallery, click here. (Editor’s note: This Facebook photo gallery is provided as a public service. Feel free to *share* or tag the posts, but do not download and post the copyrighted photos.)
For an earlier story with a list of all graduates, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
