Excessive Heat Warning In Effect Today; Heat Index Around 115 Degrees

July 30, 2021

There is an excessive heat warning in effect for Friday, with the heat index to climb to dangerous levels around 115 degrees. The actual air temperature is forecast to be near 100 degrees.

Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:

Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Sunny and hot, with a high near 99. Heat index values as high as 113. Northwest wind around 5 mph.

Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 76. Southwest wind around 5 mph.

Saturday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Sunny and hot, with a high near 97. Heat index values as high as 111. Northwest wind around 5 mph.

Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 76. Southwest wind around 5 mph.

Sunday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 94. West wind around 5 mph.

Sunday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 75. Southwest wind around 5 mph.

Monday: Showers and thunderstorms. High near 90. West wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.

Monday Night: Showers and thunderstorms. Low around 73. Southwest wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.

Tuesday: Showers and thunderstorms. High near 86. Chance of precipitation is 90%.

Tuesday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Wednesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 88. Chance of precipitation is 70%.

Wednesday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 71.

Thursday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly sunny, with a high near 88. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under Archive

Health Department Warns Of Excessive Heat Dangers

July 30, 2021

A excessive heat warning for Escambia and Santa Rosa counties in Florida for Friday. period of hot temperatures is expected with heat indices near 115 degrees. Hot temperature and high humidity will combine to create a dangerous situation in which heat illnesses are possible. Officials say it is important to remember to stay hydrated and protected against heat-related illness and the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays.

For the latest forecast, click or tap here.

The Florida Department of Health in Escambia County (FDOH-Escambia) is encouraging residents and visitors to practice sun safety during extreme heat conditions. Heat-related illness and deaths from extreme heat conditions are preventable. Heat stress can range from mild to severe. Milder conditions, like heat rash and heat exhaustion, are the most common, while the most serious heat-related illness is heat stroke. Heat stroke can cause death or permanent disability if medical treatment is not provided.

Individuals most vulnerable to heat-related illness are older adults, people with a chronic medical condition, those who work or exercise outdoors, and infants and children, but anyone subjected to high temperatures for an extended period of time can overheat.

Never leave children or pets unattended in vehicles, no matter how short the time period. Temperatures in vehicles heat up quickly, especially during the summer, and can become deadly in a matter of minutes.

Know the warning signs of heat-related illness:

Extremely high body temperature (above 103°F);
Weakness, dizziness, or fainting;
Unusually elevated heart rate;
Fast and shallow breathing;
Nausea or vomiting;
Muscle cramps.

Protect yourself with these helpful tips:

Drink plenty of water; avoid sugary and alcoholic beverages;
Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing;
Stay in air-conditioned buildings;
Limit outdoor activity, especially in the afternoon during the hottest part of the day;
Take cool showers or baths;
Check your local news for heat warnings and safety tips.

Avoiding sunburn helps prevent both heat illness and skin cancer.

Sunburned and damaged skin does not release excess body heat as effectively as healthy skin. The sun’s UV rays can damage your skin in as little as 15 minutes, so it is important to protect your skin whenever you are outdoors. Since damage from exposure to UV rays builds up over time, sun protection should start at an early age, and skin should be protected all year. UV ray exposure is the most common cause of skin cancer and, skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. Sunburn and skin cancer risks can be reduced by following sun safety strategies that work.

Follow these simple tips to prevent sunburn:

Seek shade, especially during 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. when the sun is the strongest;
Wear sunglasses with UV protection, a hat, and sunscreen;
Apply broad spectrum sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15;
Reapply sunscreen every two hours and after swimming or sweating;
Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under Archive

Frontier Airlines Announces $29 Nonstop Flights from Pensacola to Orlando

July 30, 2021

Low-fare carrier Frontier Airlines announced this week expanded service at Pensacola International Airport that now includes a nonstop flight to Orlando

This new route, scheduled to begin on November 1, 2021, will operate three times a week on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

“This added service from Frontier Airlines is exciting to see and further amplifies the growth we are seeing at our airport while improving upon our intra-Florida marketplace,” said Airport Director Matt Coughlin.

To celebrate the new service, Frontier is offering introductory fares starting at $29. Tickets must be purchased before Aug. 2, 2021 to receive the introductory rates. Frontier Airlines also offers nonstop flights to Denver and Chicago from Pensacola.

“Pensacola International Airport continues to thrive, despite the challenges faced by the travel industry globally since 2020,” Mayor Grover Robinson said. “I am excited to offer even more nonstop flights to Pensacola residents and visitors through Frontier Airlines, and I look forward to seeing continued growth and success at Pensacola International Airport.”

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News

Molino Man Identified As Truck Theft Suspect By His ‘Distinct’ Facial Tattoos

July 30, 2021

The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office was able to identify a Molino man as a truck theft suspect by his “distinct” tattoos.

Nicholas Bronson Pierce, 35, was charged with felony grand theft of a motor vehicle.

The victim alleged he let a friend known as “Brandon Jensen” use his 1997 Ford F250 for a couple of hours on June 23, but the friend never returned the truck after repeated requests. By June 30, the victim was in jail for 30 days and unable to continue to ask for the return of the truck or to file a police report.

Once the victim was out of jail, he reported the truck stolen and provided a Facebook page for “Brandon Jensen”, but deputies were unable to find a match for that name. But deputies were able to determine that the man pictured on the Facebook page was in fact Pierce due to his distinctive facial tattoos.

Pierce remained in the Escambia County Jail Friday morning with bond set at $5,000.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News

M-Braves Hand Wahoos Seventh Straight Defeat With 5-1 Loss

July 30, 2021

For the third night in a row, Pensacola saw an early lead evaporate at the Blue Wahoos fell 5-1 to the M-Braves on Thursday night.

Pensacola starter Zach McCambley (L, 0-3) allowed four runs—including a pair of homers—in 4.2 innings of work. The 22-year-old struck out five while only walking two in his second career start at Blue Wahoos Stadium.

Pensacola took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning when Lazaro Alonso led off the frame with a solo home run. For Alonso, it was his first home run since May 28th against the Biloxi Shuckers.

After that Mississippi scored five unanswered. Immediately after the Alonso homer, Greyson Jenista homered in the top of the third to tie the game. The M-Braves tooka 2-1 lead later in that inning after Braden Shewmake doubled home Jalen Miller with two outs in the frame. The visitors added three more runs, including a pair of homers late, bringing the total of home runs allowed this series up to 13 in three games.

Mississippi’s starter, Freddy Tarnok (W, 1-0), struck out 12 Wahoos across five innings of work. Outside of the home run, Tarnok only allowed two other hits while walking only two for his first career Double-A win. Pensacola batters struck out 20 times on Thursday, which is the highest strikeout total this season in a single game. The Wahoos are also mired in their worst losing streak of the season, having lost seven straight games dating back to July 22nd.

The series continues Friday when RHP Jeff Lindgren toes the rubber (3-6, 4.76). Opposing Lindgren will be RHP Spencer Strider (1-4, 6.65).

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News, Sports, TOP sports

Small Plane Crashes In Front Of Blue Angels Elementary School

July 29, 2021

A small plane crashed in front of Blue Angels Elementary School on Dog Track Road in Pensacola Thursday afternoon.

The plane went down directly in front of the school and burst into flames.

Three people that were on the aircraft were injured. They were identified as a teacher at Blue Angels Elementary School, her husband and a juvenile, but their names have not been released.

There were no injuries reported on the ground and no damage to the school or any other structures.

The single engine plane was a civilian aircraft and not military. The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating.

Exclusive photo for NorthEscambia.com shows the scene moments after the crash as civilians rush to check on the pilot and any passengers on the aircraft, click to enlarge.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News

Pensacola State College Reinstates Mask Mandate For All Students, Faculty And Visitors

July 29, 2021

ON SUNDAY, AUGUST 1, PSC ANNOUNCED THIS MASK MANDATE IS RESCINDED. MORE DETAILS, CLICK HERE.

Pensacola State College will reinstate a mandatory indoor mask policy on Monday August 2 due to rising COVID-19 infections.

The policy applies to both vaccinated and unvaccinated students, faculty, employees and visitors.

PSC President Ed Meadows made the announcement soon after the CDC issued guidelines recommending that fully vaccinated people should wear a mask in public indoor settings if they are in areas of substantial or high transmission rates. The CDC was already recommending that those who are unvaccinated should wear a mask indoors.

Last week, 14 people at Pensacola State College — 11 students and three employees — tested positive for COVID, the highest weekly total since the first week of February, according to the college.

“I urge all of those who are still unvaccinated to get vaccinated in order to protect yourself and those around you from being infected or required to be quarantined,” Meadows said.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under Archive

Eric Gilmore Named Permanent Escambia County Public Safety Director

July 29, 2021

Eric Gilmore of Bratt has been named permanent Escambia County Public Safety director, interim county Administrator Wes Moreno told NorthEscambia.com Thursday morning.

Moreno said he will bring the promotion to the Escambia County Commission next week.

Gilmore had served as interim public safety director since December, after having served as emergency management manager since January 2020.

Gilmore has worked for the Florida Department of Health since 2004, serving as a planner, public health preparedness director, and most recently regional emergency response advisor for a 10 county region. He is also the district chief of the McDavid Station of Escambia Fire Rescue.

Eric Gilmore’s father, Elton Gilmore, retired in 2017 after seven years as the Emergency Management Operations Officer in the Escambia County Public Safety Department.

Pictured: Escambia County Public Safety Director Eric Gilmore speaks during a public forum at the Molino Community Center on June 28, 2021. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News

Heat Advisory In Effect, Excessive Heat Warning For Friday

July 29, 2021

A heat advisory is in effect for Thursday night, and there is an excessive heat warning for heat index values up 10 114 degrees on Friday.

Hot temperatures and high humidity may cause heat illnesses to occur, according to the National Weather Service.

Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors. Young children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles under any circumstances.

Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:

Tonight: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 10pm. Mostly clear, with a low around 75. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.

Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Sunny and hot, with a high near 99. Heat index values as high as 114. Northwest wind around 5 mph.