Watching The Heat, Watching The Tropics
July 8, 2019
We are watching the heat as the week begins, and we are watching the tropics for possible impacts by the end of the week.
A trough of low pressure was located on the southeastern United States. It’s forecast to move southward toward the northeastern Gulf of Mexico, where a broad area of low pressure will likely form in a few days. Some gradual development is then possible and a tropical depression could form by the end of the week while the low meanders near the northern Gulf Coast.
Residents should monitor the progress of this system. Regardless of development, this system has the potential to produce heavy rainfall along the Gulf Coast later this week.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Monday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 96. Heat index values as high as 106. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 10pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 76. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 96. Heat index values as high as 110. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 10pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 76. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Wednesday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 95. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph in the morning.
Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 75. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Thursday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74. East wind around 5 mph.
Friday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91.
Friday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74.
Saturday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 90. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Saturday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74.
Sunday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 90. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Summer Program Continues At Your Library With ‘Animal Tales’ This Week
July 8, 2019
After taking a week off for Fourth of July, the Summer Ready Program returns this week at the West Florida Library.
This week, the program is Animal Tales with up close and personal experiences with animals in a fun learning environment. The schedule is as follows:
– Tuesday, July 9, 11 a.m. – Southwest Branch (held at Big Lagoon Park)
– Tuesday, July 9, 3 p.m. Tryon Branch Library
– Wednesday, July 10, 11 a.m. – Century Branch Library
– Wednesday, July 10, 3 p.m. – Pensacola Library
– Thursday, July 11, 11 a.m. – Molino Branch Library
– Friday, July 12, 11 a.m. – Tryon Branch Library
Pictured: Maksat “Maks” Annaev performed in late June at the Century Branch Library as part of the Summer Reading Program. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia School District Holding Job Fair Today
July 8, 2019
The Escambia County School District is holding a Back to School Job Fair Tuesday. The district is hiring for all positions.
The job fair will be held from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the McDaniel Building, 75 North Pace Boulevard in Pensacola.
Tree Falls Across Mobile Home Near Flomaton
July 8, 2019
For the second time in 10 days, high winds downed a tree and caused damage near Flomaton.
Sunday evening, a tree fell across a mobile home and power lines were downed on Pecan Grove Lane, according to Flomaton Fire Chief Steve Stanton. There were no injuries reported.
On June 27 a man was trapped under at tree that fell on him as he mowed grass on Pecan Leaf Lane. The tree fell across his legs, and Flomaton firefighters used the Jaws of Life to free him. He refused transport to the hospital. (For photos, click here.)
Pictured: A tree was downed by high winds Sunday on Pecan Grove Lane near Flomaton. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tri-County 8-10 Softball Takes Second In The State
July 8, 2019
The Tri-County 8-10 Softball All-Star Team came in second place in the state Sunday in the Florida Little League tournament in Lehigh Acres. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Here Are This Week’s Road Construction Problem Spots
July 8, 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 the U.S. 29 from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Monday, July 8 through Thursday, July 11 and 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 – Cove Avenue north of 9 Mile Road will be closed from 7 a.m. Tuesday, July 9 to 5 p.m. Saturday, July 13 to perform 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 9 through Sunday, July 16:
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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).
- S.R. 291 (Davis Highway) at Brent Lane Turn Lane Construction- Motorists will encounter southbound, outside lane restrictions on Davis highway at Brent Lane from 8 p.m. Monday, July 8 to 5 a.m. Tuesday, July 9 as crews construct a right turn only entrance.
- 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 line from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Tuesday, July 9 and Wednesday, July 10 as crews perform pavement testing operations.
- I-10 over the Choctaw River Relief Routine Bride Inspection- Drivers will encounter alternating east and westbound lane restrictions on I-10 over the east and west Choctaw River Relief Bridges from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday, July 9 as crews perform a routine bridge inspection.
- 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 was shifted from its current alignment to the west Tuesday, June 18 to allow crews to complete the installation of the box culvert under the roadway. The north entrance to Usher Circle will also be temporarily closed to traffic during the drainage operation. Residents will utilize the south entrance of Usher Circle. The temporary lane shift and road closure is anticipated to take place for approximately three weeks.
- 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- 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. Sunday, July 9 through Sunday, July 16:
- 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. the week of Monday, July 8:
o Alternating lane closures, Tuesday 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), Tuesday 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:
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- 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.
Wahoos Can’t Break Losing Streak With Birmingham
July 8, 2019
The Blue Wahoos held leads three times Sunday in effort to break a losing streak against the Birmingham Barons.
In each case, prosperity was short-lived.
For the third time in this series, the Blue Wahoos suffered a walk-off loss, but the one Sunday occurred in the most bizarre way, after reliever Zack Weiss’ two out, wild pitch in the 10th inning caromed down the left field line, allowing two runs to score in the Barons’ 6-5 win at Regions Field in Birmingham.
It became the fourth consecutive loss for the Blue Wahoos (9-9 second half), after they entered the road trip on a six-game win streak.
The Barons (13-5 second half), who had the Southern League’s worst record in the first half, won their eighth consecutive home game, their 11th overall in the past 12 games.
Birmingham’s eight-game home win streak is the club’s longest in six years. The Barons and Blue Wahoos will play again Monday and Tuesday as part of a six-game series.
The Blue Wahoos loss continued their recent struggles on the road. They have now lost 12 of their last 14 road games.
They seemed in position for a breakthrough Sunday. Trailing 4-2 in the ninth, they tied the game with singles. Mark Contreras led off the ninth with a base hit. Joe Cronin followed with a single. Aaron Whitehead moved the runners into scoring position with a sacrifice bunt.
Jordan Gore grounded out to first, allowing Contreras to score. Travis Blankenhorn came through again with a big hit, this time his two-out, RBI single to right field tied the game.
After Blue Wahoos’ reliever Hector Lujan, who pitched two scoreless innings Sunday, retired the Barons with a double-play after two batters reached on singles, the game went extra innings.
In the 10th, Alex Kirilloff began on second base in the MILB extra-inning format. Lewin Diaz drove him home with a double. But Birmingham reliever Hunter Schryver retired the next three batters to keep it a one-run game.
Weiss started the bottom of the 10th in relief of Lujan. He walked Joel Booker, after Luis Gonzalez was placed on second base. Blake Rutherford singled to load the bases.
Weiss then got Gavin Sheets, the Barons’ hottest hitter, to ground into a double play that began with a force out at home.
One out away from a win, calamity ensued. Weiss’ pitch got away from catcher Ben Rortvedt and the ball bounced down the line allowing Booker to score, then Rutherford, who kept running and beat the throw to the plate.
The game began three hours earlier with Kirilloff blasting a first-inning, solo home run, his second in three days.
Blue Wahoos pitcher Charlie Barnes held that lead until Birmingham tied the game in the bottom of the fourth inning when Sheets hit a solo homer, his 11th HR this season. It also extended his on-base streak to 25 games. He is rated the No. 17 prospect in the Chicago White Sox organization by MLB Pipeline.
The Blue Wahoos regained the lead in the fifth inning when Joe Cronin’s double was followed by Jordan Gore’s one-out double.
But in the sixth inning, the Barons knocked Barnes out of the game after Booker and Rutherford singled and Sheets hit a run-scoring double. Alex Phillips replaced Barnes and got the first out, but gave up an RBI signled to Damek Tomscha, then a ground ball out that scored Sheets with the third run of the inning.
It stayed 4-2 until the eventful ninth and 10th innings.
Four Blue Wahoos players had multiple hits among the team’s 12 for the game. Blankenhorn, Kirilloff, Contreras and Cronin all had two hits. Eight of the Blue Wahoos batters reached base at least once in the game.
The vital statistic again was the Blue Wahoos finishing the game 3-for-16 with runners in scoring position.
The series continues Monday with the Blue Wahoos’ Jorge Alcala (5-5, 5.81 ERA) going against Birmingham’s Matt Tomshaw (3-4, 3.29).
The good news for the Blue Wahoos is their road woes haven’t cost a big drop in the standings. Jacksonville (10-8) leads the South Division, but the other four teams are within three games. Pensacola and Biloxi are tied for second with 9-9 records.
Girlfriend Charged With Murder After Man Found Stabbed In Cantonment
July 7, 2019
FOR AN UPDATE TO THIS STORY, CLICK HERE.
A man was found stabbed late Saturday night in Cantonment, and his girlfriend has been charged with his death.
Ja’Quoia XiaXiana Collins, 24, stabbed her boyfriend in the chest outside the Wild Oak Farms Apartments in the 800 block of North Highway 29 shortly before midnight, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
The approximately 21-year old male was transported by Escambia County EMS to Sacred Heart Hospital where he later died.
The victim’s name and further details have not yet been released as the investigation continues.
Collins is being held in the Escambia County Jail without bond.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
More Heat And Humidity
July 7, 2019
A new record high of 102 was set Saturday in Pensacola, and we’re in for more heat and humidity for Sunday. A lucky few with see showers, otherwise expect a high in the upper 90s and a heat index of 105 plus.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 11pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 76. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Monday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 95. Heat index values as high as 106. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 10pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 76. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 95. Heat index values as high as 109. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 10pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 76. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Wednesday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 95. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph in the morning.
Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 75. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Thursday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74. East wind around 5 mph.
Friday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91.
Friday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74.
Saturday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 89. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Saturday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74.
Sunday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 91. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Former Gulf Breeze City Manager To Explain How He Can Help Century
July 7, 2019
The Century Town Council will sit down Monday with longtime Gulf Breeze City Manager Edwin “Buz” Eddy who has offered his consulting services to help the town solve the numerous problems identified in a recent report.
Eddy made the unsolicited offer after reading a report by independent financial consultant Bob Inzer, whose services were provided to the town by the Florida League of Cities following a scathing grand jury findings. Inzer repeatedly told the town council that Century needs to hire someone for a chief financial officer type position to have direct oversight over the town’s finances.
Eddy is not currently seeking a full time job with Century. Instead, he is proposing an hourly rate of $35 as a consultant. The town had not yet formally accepted his proposal, which he is expected to present Monday afternoon at 5:30 in council chambers.
Eddy recommended that the town set aside $5,000 for the initial phase, providing for 143 hours of service.
Eddy met with the Century Town Council in early 2018, explaining a new tax up to 10 percent that the town could levy on electricity, municipal water, propane and natural gas usage within the town limits. He also told the council that they could add an additional 25 percent premium to the bills of those outside the town limits that use town water or natural gas services, and up to a 5 percent communications tax to phone and internet bills.
The council never acted on any utility tax increases.
Eddy served as the Gulf Breeze city manager from 1992 until his retirement in 2017. He also worked as the city manager in Coral Springs, Florida, from 1988-1992.
Pictured above and below: Consultant Buz Eddy explained possible new tax revenue to the Century Town Council in February 2018. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
