Make Your Plans: Schedule Announced For Pensacola Beach Blue Angels Show
July 6, 2021
The Santa Rosa Island Authority (SRIA) will once again host the annual Pensacola Beach Air Show, with the U.S. Navy Blue Angels celebrating their 75th anniversary this season and headlining, on Friday, July 9, and Saturday, July 10. In addition to the Blue Angels, there will be a host of world-class military, aerobatic and stunt plane performers, as well as interactive exhibits, military recruitment stations and all types of vendors on the ground.
“We look forward to once again hosting this world-class air show along the shores of this world-class beach,” said Leigh Davis, executive director of the SRIA. “It’s an awe-inspiring tradition that locals and tourists alike get to enjoy every summer bearing witness to the breathtaking display by the United States Navy’s finest.”
To pursue ways to alleviate traffic congestion onto Pensacola Beach for the air show, the SRIA will be increasing free public transportation hours along the island on Friday and Saturday.
On Friday, the SRIA’s three, free open-air trolleys, operated by ECAT, will begin transporting people at 7 a.m. and will run their regular route until midnight.
Starting Saturday at 6 a.m., the SRIA will have 10 buses in addition to the three open-air trolleys running along the island, and will extend their service area to Park East, located a mile east of Portofino Resort.
Buses and trolleys will service Park East to Park West, to transport people to Casino Beach throughout the day Saturday. Additional busing service to Park East ends at 6 p.m. Saturday and the three open-air trolleys will resume normal operations again until midnight.
Passengers who wish to get back to their vehicles as soon as the air show ends need to be on the first fleet of buses leaving Casino Beach post show, or should expect to wait as long as 90 minutes for the trolleys or buses to return due to gridlocked traffic immediately following the air show. Face masks will be required to ride on all public transportation.
The SRIA is requiring the public suspend all flights of unmanned aircraft, or drones, during the air show hours of the Pensacola Beach Air Show week. In addition, glass is always prohibited on the beach, and leashed dogs are only allowed at the two designated dog beaches on either side of the island.
Kicking off the air show week is “Breakfast with the Blues,” on Wednesday, July 7, around 7:30 a.m. when the Blue Angels arrive and circle overhead to mark the show’s coordinates and center points along Pensacola Beach.
On Thursday, July 8, at 2 p.m., the Blue Angels hold a full practice show over Pensacola Beach.
Friday, July 9, is the Pensacola Beach Air Show dress rehearsal, with the aerobatic acts beginning just after 11 a.m. and the Blue Angels overhead at 2 p.m.
Saturday, July 10, marks the official Pensacola Beach Air Show, and follows exactly Friday’s dress rehearsal schedule:
The Gulf Coast Magni Gyro team will lead off the civilian acts portion of the air show with a seven-man formation in their colorful, Magni M24 Orion Gyroplanes starting just after 11 a.m.
Next up, Julian MacQueen will take to the sky in his big, flying seaplane, a vintage 1943 Grumman Widgeon at about 11:20 a.m.
Following that the Veteran’s Flight team will be over the Gulf at approximately 11:35 a.m. Organized by Pensacola attorney and pilot Roy Kinsey, about a dozen vintage Stearman bi-plane pilots from all over the Southeast will be flying World War II and Korean War veterans over Pensacola Beach on Friday and Saturday as a way to pay tribute to them, and give the tens of thousands of beach spectators a glimpse at aviation history.
At 11:43 a.m., a group of United States Navy T-6 planes and TH-57 helicopters from Training Air Wing Five in Milton, Fla., will fly by in multi-plane formations.
Starting about 11:50 a.m. pilots Ken Rieder and Adam Baker with Redline Aerobatic Team take to the skies, in their signature red and black stunt planes, to perform death-defying opposing stunts and inverted maneuvers and formations.
Next up, at 12:07 p.m., watch solo pilot Kevin Coleman push the limits of his bright yellow Extra 300 SHP stunt plane, his body and his mind, to create a visual spectacle like no other over Pensacola Beach.
Solo pilot Gary Ward will zip overhead in his green and purple MX2 aircraft, showcasing an aerobatic act packed with breathtaking maneuvers that range from zero-speed hovers to dives in excess of 250 mph, at about 12:25 p.m.
Stunt pilot Skip Stewart will close out the civilian acts with high-skill passes and jaw-dropping maneuvers in his famous red, white and black-checkered bi-plane, Prometheus, at approximately 12:40 p.m.
Following the civilian stunt pilot performances, there will be a 45-minute window for spectators to cool off and take a dip in the Gulf before lifeguards clear the water again in anticipation of the start of the Blue Angels show.
Then, at 2 p.m., look to the Gulf horizon as a famous C-130J aircraft, affectionately known as Fat Albert, followed by six signature blue and gold F-18 Super Hornets, make their way over Pensacola Beach. For the next 50 minutes, spectators will get a glimpse of the U.S. Navy Blue Angels aeronautic maneuvers like the Diamond Dirty Loop, the Double Farvel, the Vertical Pitch, the Fleur-de-Lis, the Opposing Knife-Edge pass, and the crowd-favorite Sneak Pass. These are just a few of the mind-blowing displays of choreographed precision flying the Navy’s flight demonstration team has perfected over the past 75 years.
Pictured : The Blue Angels in inverted formation over Buffalo, New York, during a June 2021 show. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Elsa Moving Toward Florida West Coast Landfall
July 6, 2021
Tropical Storm Elsa is continuing on a path toward a landfall on the western Gulf Coast of Florida, with high confidence that Elsa will track east of our local area.
Elsa will move northward across the far eastern Gulf through Tuesday night then turn northeast
Heavy rain combined with already saturated soil condition will lead to the potential of flash flooding in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. There is also a high risk of rip currents is now in effect from Tuesday evening through Thursday evening for the Alabama and western Florida panhandle beaches.
Complete details on Hurricane Elsa are in the updated graphics on this page.
Lane Closures Through Thursday On Highway 29 Cantonment To Molino For Striping, Signal Work
July 6, 2021
The Florida Department of Transportation said drivers can expect possible delays Tuesday through Thursday on Highway 29 between Molino and Cantonment.
FDOT said motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures on Highway 29 front just south of Muscogee Road in Cantonment to Highway 97 in Molino. Contractors will be performing striping operations and signal work needed complete the project.
All activities are weather-dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Pictured: Looking north on Highway 29 just south of the Highway 97 intersection in Molino. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
District 5 Quintette Neighborhood Cleanup Set For Tomorrow
July 6, 2021
Residents of Quintette will have the opportunity to dispose of yard debris and other items free of charge Wednesday, July 7 during a District 5 neighborhood cleanup.
Only residents in the designated cleanup area are able to participate in the neighborhood cleanup (click map above to enlarge). Items left at the curb outside of the cleanup area will not be collected.
During neighborhood cleanups, Escambia County departments team up to bring services to residents in an effort to keep local neighborhoods clean and safe. Participating is easy: Residents in the cleanup area simply leave eligible items at the curb to be disposed of free of charge by Escambia County and partnering agencies.
All debris must be at the curb directly in front of a residence by 7 a.m. on the day of the cleanup. Tires and paint cans should be separate from all other debris. Do not place piles under low-hanging lines or near poles, fences or mailboxes.
Items eligible for removal include:
Household appliances and electronics
- Household junk and debris
- Bicycles and toys
- Old furniture and mattresses
- Barbecue grills
- Household hazardous waste (old paint, motor oil, chemicals, batteries)
- Tires (limit 10 per household)
Items NOT eligible for removal include:
- Building materials (concrete, bricks, blocks, roofing, drywall or lumber)
- Explosives or ammunition
- Auto parts
- Dirt or sod
- Vehicles or vessels
- 55-gallon drums of fluids
The neighborhood cleanup initiative involves an aggressive clean-up effort, targeting different neighborhoods throughout the county, with crew members and volunteers picking up a variety of debris and waste, including electronics, furniture and household items.
Leonard Lewis Crutchfield
July 6, 2021
On Saturday July 3, 2021 Leonard Lewis Crutchfield, loving father of four, passed away at the age of 60. He was born on November 4, 1960, in Pensacola Florida. He followed his fathers footsteps at a young age. His father taught him about plumbing and he was a plumber for about 40 years.
Leonard was preceded in death by father Hershel; mother, Vivian; brother, Foy and wife, Rebecca; and grandson, Aiden Crutchfield.
He is survived by brother, Ronnie and sister-in-law Joyce; daughters, Lanee Thomas, Amanda, Audrey and Ashley Crutchfield; grandchildren, Tyler Thomas, Julie Thomas, Gabriel Crutchfield, Caleb Pinkerton, Canen Crutchfield, Leeland Crutchfield, Isaiah Crutchfield and Tobias Crutchfield.
Leonard had a passion for music and playing the guitar. He had a kind heart and great sense of humor. He will be greatly missed.
Funeral services will be held Sunday, July 11, 2021, at Molino First Assembly of God at 3436 Molino Rd in Molino. Public viewing will be from 2 p.m. until 2 p.m. Services will begin at 3 p.m.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home South is entrusted with arrangements.
Florida Gas Prices Averaging About $3 A Gallon
July 6, 2021
Florida gas prices are now averaging $3.01 a gallon, the highest daily average since October 2014, according to AAA.
On average, Florida drivers are now paying seven cents per gallon more than a week ago and 15 cents less than this time last month. The state average is now 90 cents more than this time last year, when prices plummeted due to low demand because of the pandemic.
The average price per gallon in Escambia County was $2.99 Monday night. The lowest price to be found Monday night in North Escambia was $2.95 at a Cantonment station. In Pensacola, the two warehouse clubs were at $2.83.
“Florida drivers continue to feel the effects of rising crude oil prices, which have made it more expensive to produce gasoline,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Oil prices have surged nearly 60% this year, as global fuel demand outpaces the recovery in supplies. Unfortunately, these pump prices will likely hang around through the summer, unless fundamentals change. Tropical Storm Elsa is not expected to impact prices at the pump.”
Last year, during the pandemic, many fuel-producing countries reduced crude oil output, due to plummeting fuel demand. According to the EIA, the United States’ production levels dropped a total of 24% from January 2020 to August 2020. Although US production levels have bounced back from mid-2020 lows, they remain 15% below pre-pandemic levels. Reopening rigs can take time due to staffing and other logistics.
Tracy Michelle Doby Lile
July 6, 2021
Tracy Michelle Doby Lile, 44, of Pensacola, Florida passed away on July 3, 2021. She was born October 29, 1976, in Pensacola, Florida. She graduated from Pine Forest High School in 1995. She also attended Pensacola State College.
Tracy was preceded in death by her father, Milton Doby.
She is survived by her mother, Kathleen Gilmore; daughter, Chayla Maddox; step-father, Jeff Gilmore; sister, Summer Gilmore, step-sister, Jocalyn Gilmore; and nephew, Lucas Gilmore.
Tracy enjoyed crafting, gardening, cooking, and going to concerts with friends. One of her greatest joys were her four cats. She loved them dearly.
She will be missed dearly by her family and many friends. May she fly high with the Angels.
Tracy’s wishes were to be cremated and have a Celebration of Life with her family and close friends.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North has been entrusted with arrangements.
No Injuries In Highway 29 Hit And Run Crash In Molino
July 5, 2021
There were no injuries reported in a hit and run crash on Highway 29 in Molino Monday.
The Florida Highway Patrol responded just after noon to the crash on Highway 29 near Omega Drive. It was not known what time the wreck occurred.
The Florida Highway Patrol said the wreck was a hit and run. Further details were not provided.
NorthEscambia.com photo.
Century Man Charged With Stealing The Cash Pot From Poker Game After He Went Broke
July 5, 2021
A Century man is facing felony charges for allegedly stealing the cash pot during a poker game.
Ronnie Lee Simpson, Jr., 39, was charged with robbery with a firearm, felony grand theft, two counts of petit theft, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.
Simpson was allegedly playing poker for money at a residence on Blackmon Street in Century when he pulled a gun and stole the pot. Other players said Simpson had “gone broke” and was upset.
One victim told deputies that he had $740 in the pot, and another said he was had $300. Both said they wished to pursue charges. A third victim told deputies he was in for $1,875 that was stolen but he said he wished to pursue the issue civilly.
Simpson was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $40,000 bond.
Ordinary Call Leads To Random Act Of Kindness For Escambia Firefighters
July 5, 2021
When a group of Escambia County firefighters were leaving an ordinary “lift assist” call recently, they stopped to perform a random act of kindness.
The crew of Escambia Fire Rescue Squad 3 saw a wheelchair bound homeowner cutting his grass with a push mower. It was a tough job that the man said would have taken an hour and a half.
Squad 3 took over and was able to complete the job is less than 20 minutes with Lt. John Van Matre, firefighter Allen Harrison, and firefighter Kyle Saxton.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
