Florida Gas Prices Decline Despite Barry
July 15, 2019
Florida gas prices declined through the weekend, even as Tropical Storm (to later become Hurricane) Barry moved over oil platforms and refineries along the U.S. Gulf Coast.
Most of Louisiana’s refineries appear to have weathered Tropical Storm Barry without operational incident. Only one refinery shut down on a precautionary basis, while others continued to run. The restart process can take about a week to complete if there is no damage. Nearly 73% of total Gulf of Mexico production was shut in (temporarily stopped), according to the Federal Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement.
The state average declined to $2.63 per gallon on Sunday. In Escambia County, Sunday’s average price per gallon of regular unleaded was also $2.63, but stations in Cantonment were as low as $2.54.
Normal Summer Shower Pattern Returns
July 15, 2019
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Monday: A slight chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 89. Southeast wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Monday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Tuesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the morning.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Thursday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 74. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Friday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 92.
Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73.
Saturday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 91.
Saturday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73.
Sunday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 90.
FDOT: Weekly Traffic Alerts
July 15, 2019
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.
Escambia County:
- U.S. 29 Widening from Interstate 10 (I-10) to U.S. 90A (Nine Mile Road) – Nine Mile Road will be closed at U.S. 29 from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, July 14 through Thursday, July 18 as crews drive piles for the new southbound bridge deck. Traffic control officers will be on-site to help direct motorists. 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.
- U.S. 29 traffic between Interstate 10 and 9 1/2 Mile Road may experience alternating lane closures as crews continue drainage and paving operations.
- Nine Mile Road (S.R. 10/U.S. 90A) Widening from Pine Forest Road to U.S. 29 – Drivers will experience the following impacts to traffic Sunday, July 14 through Monday, July 22:
- Pine Forest/Nine Mile Road Intersection: Alternating lane closures at the intersection of Nine Mile Road and Pine Forest Road from 8 p.m. Friday, July 19 to 6 a.m. Monday, July 22 as crews reconstruct the intersection to match the newly-constructed eastbound lanes. Traffic control officers will be on-site to help direct traffic.
- Cove Avenue at Nine Mile Road: Cove Avenue north of 9 Mile Road will be closed from 7 a.m. Tuesday, July 16 to 5 p.m. Saturday, July 20 to continue drainage improvements. Traffic will be detoured to West 9 and a Half Mile Road and Fowler Avenue. Detour signs and variable message boards are in place to alert drivers of the temporary road closure and detour routes.
- U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement Bridge- Bridge construction will require the following lane closures from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, July 14 through Wednesday, July 21:
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- Intermittent east and westbound lane closures on U.S. 98 from North 14th Avenue in Pensacola to east of the Pensacola Bay Bridge in Gulf Breeze.
- Intermittent lane closures on North 17th Avenue in Pensacola between U.S. 98 and the CSX Railroad overpass (Graffiti Bridge).
- I-10 Routine Maintenance from U.S. 90A to east of Scenic Highway (Mile Markers 5-19)- There will be intermittent and alternating east and westbound lane closures from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, July 14 through Thursday, July 18 as crews replace overhead signs and lighting.
- I-10 over Perdido River Pavement Testing- There will be alternating east and westbound, outside lane closures on I-10 over the Perdido River at the Florida/Alabama state line from 8 p.m. Monday, July 15 to 5 a.m. Tuesday, July 16 as crews perform pavement testing operations.
- State Road (S.R.) 727 (Fairfield Drive) from South of Usher Circle to North of Hestia Place- Traffic on Fairfield Drive from south of Usher Circle to north of Hestia Place remains shifted to the west as crews complete the installation of the box culvert under the roadway. The north entrance to Usher Circle is also temporarily closed to traffic during the drainage operation. Residents will utilize the south entrance of Usher Circle.
- County Road (C.R.) 168 Bridge Replacement over Unnamed Branch in Northwest Century- Traffic was shifted onto a temporary bridge Wednesday, July 3 and the existing roadway will be closed to traffic and the temporary diversion will remain in place throughout the construction of the new bridge. Activities associated with the bridge replacement project continue and are anticipated to be complete late 2019.
- Crary Road Bridge Replacement over Pritchett Mill Creek- The project is complete and the roadway is open to traffic.
- 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. The project is anticipated to be complete late 2019.
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. Sunday, July 14 through Wednesday July 21:
- Intermittent east and westbound lane closures on U.S. 98 from North 14th Avenue in Pensacola to east of the Pensacola Bay Bridge in Gulf Breeze.
- Intermittent lane closures on 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 Interstate 10 and Avalon Boulevard from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, July 14 through Thursday, July 18
o Alternating lane closures, Sunday through Thursday, on Avalon Boulevard near the I-10 interchange as crews perform construction activities.
o Alternating lane closures on I-10 from the Escambia Bay Bridge to east of Avalon Boulevard (Exit 22), Sunday through Thursday, as crews work to place final striping and to finish work list items.
- S.R. 87 Pavement Markings Replacement- Traffic 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 State Road (S.R.) 87, between County Road (C.R.) 184 (Hickory Hammock Road) and two miles south of the Yellow River are now open and the speed limit is now 65 mph. Drivers will encounter intermittent lane closures as crews complete construction activities and the speed limit is reduced to 45 mph through the active work zones.
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.
Biscuits Blank The Wahoos
July 15, 2019
They went to rival colleges in the Pac-12 Conference, entered professional baseball in the same year, so Caleb Hamilton was well-familiar with Montgomery Biscuits pitcher Matt Krook.
“I had an idea of what he was doing, but he was still pretty nasty,” said Hamilton, the Blue Wahoos’ versatile catcher-infielder.
So nasty, in fact, that Krook struck out four of the six batters he faced in order Sunday, including Hamilton, in his role to pitch the first two innings as an “opener.” This is a concept the Biscuits’ parent club, the Tampa Bay Rays, introduced to baseball a year ago.
On the same day when the Rays used an opener (Ryne Stanek), then starter Ryan Yarbrough to nearly pull off the first combined, perfect game in baseball history, the Biscuits used their own tandem to help blank the Blue Wahoos in a 4-0 win at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
Krook threw two perfect innings, then scheduled starter Kenny Rosenberg followed to work the next six, improving to 9-1 – tied for the most wins in the Southern League — after allowing just three hits and three walks.
It gave the Biscuits (59-35, 15-9 second half) their third win of a six-game series which concludes Tuesday. The Blue Wahoos (49-45, 11-13 second half).
As an organization, Tampa Bay is credited for starting a baseball trend that the Blue Wahoos and Minnesota Twins have tried at times.
The Rays’ perfect game bid was broken up in the ninth inning of their 4-1 win against the Baltimore Orioles, spoiling a feat that has never happened with two pitchers in MLB history.
”From my perspective, it’s you throw a closer role out there to open up the game to face the lineup’s best hitters, so the starter doesn’t have to face them three or four times,” said Hamilton, a Southern League All-Star and former Oregon State player, who went 2-for-3 Sunday and walked in another at-bat.
“So it’s always tough when you have a dude that’s pretty nasty up there… and in the beginning of the game… to go through once or twice,” said Hamilton, who was part of the 2016 draft with Krook. “It’s pretty tough to hit and then the actual starter comes in. You have to adjust and as hitters, we don’t want to adjust.”
It’s the 10th time this season that Krook, a former Oregon Ducks star, has worked as an opener. The Biscuits are 9-1 in those games.
Since returning July 6 from the injured list, Krook has struck out eight of 12 batters in two games and not allowed a baserunner in two appearances.
The two Biscuits pitchers held the Blue Wahoos to four hits and three walks. Neither team made an error. A night earlier, the Blue Wahoos broke out with 12 hits in their 5-3 win.
Sunday’s loss spoiled a second consecutive quality start by the Blue Wahoos Jorge Alcala. He worked into the sixth, allowing five hits and three earned runs. Alcala gave up a mammoth, solo home run blast to Brett Sullivan into the wind at right field in the fifth inning.
In the sixth, Alcala ran into trouble after issuing a leadoff walk, then giving up a one-out single that brought Blue Wahoos manager Ramon Borrego to summon reliever Andrew Vasquez.
But Alcala’s outing was another positive sign that the touted, hard-throwing right hander is on the right track.
“He is commanding three pitches,” said Hamilton, who was Alcala’s catcher Sunday. “Command is what comes down to his success.
“If he has no command, he gets hit around and he walks guys. He just needs confidence. That comes from the first pitch, that comes from the (warmup) bullpen.”
Vasquez, who began this season with the Twins in their bullpen, struggled in his first Blue Wahoos appearance.
After an intentional walk with two outs, loading the bases, Vasquez then walked in a run and gave up a two-single by Lucius Fox.
That was all the scoring in the game.
Just like the previous three games in this series, the wind from Pensacola Bay was a factor. Sullivan’s homer was the only one of the series and would have left any ballpark.
But the Blue Wahoos Lewin Diaz had a fourth-inning shot to right field that got knocked down to allow a warning track catch. In the ninth, Joe Cronin drove a pitch deep in left-center, but it was curtailed by the wind.
“It is always tough when you have a ball that can’t get out of the ballpark, but you have to adjust to it,” said Hamilton, in summation for the team. “And it almost makes the stadium quiet, because all you hear is wind.
“You can’t hear anything else. But you have to adjust. Baseball is a game of adjustments, so we can’t control weather.”
The loss was the Blue Wahoos’ eighth in their last 10 games. Montgomery, meanwhile, has won nine of its last 12 games.
But Hamilton put the game in perspective, after signing autographs for a group of young children, when assessing the team’s position.
“We are just trying to have some fun. The moment you are not having fun playing baseball is when it all goes downhill. We’re just going out there every day… to do our best and making adjustments to different pitchers but at the end of the day it’s just having fun and playing a kids’ game.
Man Charged In Two Cottage Hill Shots Fired Incidents; Photo Shows Bullet Hole In Victim’s Truck
July 14, 2019
[UPDATED DETAILS] At least one shot was fired from inside a pickup truck early Saturday morning in Cottage Hill in one of two shots fired disturbances that ended with one arrest.
James Peter Tipton, 38, was charged with two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, firing a weapon in public or on residential property, discharging a firearm from a vehicle, armed burglary, and two counts of criminal mischief with property damage. He remained in the Escambia County Jail Sunday morning with bond set at $96,000.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to the 1800 block of Williams Ditch Road about 4 a.m. The victim reported that as he exited his vehicle someone driving a dark colored SUV fired two shots at him, according to Sgt. Melanie Peterson.
About 7 a.m. deputies responded to another shots fired disturbance a short distance away in the 1400 block of Highway 95A. Tipton’s uncle reported that Tipton drove into his yard and entered his garage. The uncle observed Tipton removing guns from his SUV and placing them into the bed of the uncle’s truck, Peterson said. The victim also stated that Tipton fired two shots from a rifle into the woods.
A photo obtained NorthEscambia.com shows a bullet hole in the driver’s door of the reported victim’s pickup.
Tipton was taken into custody without incident. There were no injuries reported.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Fire Destroys Cantonment Mobile Home
July 14, 2019
Fire destroyed a mobile home midday Saturday in Cantonment.
The mobile home was fully involved when firefighters arrived on scene in the 500 block of Robinson Street. A second structure was also threatened by the fire.
There were no injuries immediately reported.
Further details have not been released on the cause of the fire.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Rogers, Macks Complete Basic Military Training
July 14, 2019
Nicholas J. Rogers
U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Nicholas J. Rogers graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio, Texas.
The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills.
Airmen who complete basic training also earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force.
Rogers is the son of Alex C. and Jacquline A. Rogers of Cantonment.
Lane J. Macks
U.S. Air Force Reserve Airman 1st Class Lane J. Macks graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio, Texas.
The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills.
Airmen who complete basic training also earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force.
Macks (no photo provided) is the son of Amy and step-son of Bo Booker of Century.
He is a 2014 graduate of Northview High School in Bratt.
Lower Rain Chances
July 14, 2019
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am, then a slight chance of showers. Cloudy, with a low around 75. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Monday: A slight chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 89. Southeast wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Monday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Tuesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the morning.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Thursday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 74.
Friday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 92.
Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73.
Saturday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 91.
Saturday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73.
Sunday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 90.
Pictured: Possible rotation in a tornado-warned storm in Bratt Saturday afternoon. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Flomaton Police: Man Burglarized Hardee’s, Other Businesses
July 14, 2019
A local man has been charged with the Friday burglary of the Hardee’s restaurant in Flomaton, and police say he will be charged with additional burglaries.
Andreas Payne, 26, was taken into custody less than three hours after the burglary and booked into the Escambia County Detention Center in Bretwon.
Early Friday morning, the Flomaton Police Department responded to the Hardee’s at Highway 31 and Sidney Manning Boulevard. They discovered the drive-thru window had been opened and the safe had been looted.
Flomaton Police said Payne was developed as a suspect and later confessed to the Hardee’s burglary. He is also the suspect in three other burglaries, including the burglary of Len’s Jewelers, according to police.
An employee at Hardee’s is also under investigation for involvement in the restaurant burglary, police said.
FWC Law Enforcement Report
July 14, 2019
The Florida FWC Division of Law Enforcement reported the following activity during the weekly period ending June 27 in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
Officers Ramos and Long were on vessel patrol in an idle speed zone when they spotted a personal water craft (PWC) casting a wake and passing other vessels. They contacted the operator of the PWC who showed multiples signs of impairment. The operator was placed under arrest for boating under the influence and transported to the Escambia County Jail.
SANTA ROSA COUNTY
K9 Officer Hutchinson received a call about a teenage male subject who was missing at the Blackwater State Park. The teenager had been missing for over 24 hours after wrecking his truck on the previous day. Officer Hutchinson established the teens last known location, which was a parking lot inside Blackwater State Park. Officer Hutchinson deployed his K9 partner Zara and conducted an area search.
After searching for approximately 45 minutes in a thick swamp, K9 Zara located the teenager down an embankment sitting in the water and wedged between a tree and the river bank. When Officer Hutchinson contacted him he was unable to speak clearly and showed signs of severe dehydration. Officer Hutchinson provided him fresh drinking water and stabilized him to keep him from passing out in the river.
Officers H. Rockwell and Hoomes who were assisting with the search were notified that the teen was located. They retrieved a canoe from the state park and paddled to Officer Hutchinson’s location. The teen was unable to stand or move. The officers put him in the canoe and maneuvered it upriver. The teen was loaded into an ambulance and taken to the hospital.
This report represents some events the FWC handled during the time period; however, it does not include all actions taken by the Division of Law Enforcement. Information provided by FWC.
NorthEscambia.com photo.