Low In The Middle 30s For Monday Night
February 7, 2022
Here is your official North Escambia are forecast:
Monday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 35. North wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 56. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 33. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 60. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 36. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 63. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 37. Calm wind.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 64.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 40.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 66.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 39.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 56.
Extension Cord To Blame For Ferry Pass Mobile Home Fire
February 7, 2022
Escambia County Fire Rescue says an extension cord is to blame for a mobile home in Ferry Pass.
Firefighters arrived to find heavy smoke and flames coming from the single-wide in the 8300 block of Kipling Street just after 5 p.m. Friday.
There were no injuries, but the home was a total loss.
The fire was sparked by sparks from an extension cord, according to ECFR.
Gas Prices Up Another 12 Cents Since Last Week
February 7, 2022
Florida gas prices jumped another 12 cents last week, rising a total of 24 cents in two weeks. Sunday’s state average of $3.47 per gallon is the most expensive daily average price since July 2014.
The average price per gallon was $3.29 in Escambia County. A low of $3.29 could be found at a few stations Sunday night in North Escambia, while prices bottomed out at $3.09 in Pensacola.
On Friday, the U.S. price for crude oil settled above $90 a barrel for the first time since October 2014. Friday’s settlement of $92.1 per barrel is $5.49/b more than the week before, and $7.66/b more than last year’s high.
Since oil is a key ingredient in gasoline, the price of oil influences about half the total price of what drivers pay at the pump. So far this year, the U.S price for crude oil has risen 21%. That $16 increase in crude is the equivalent of a 40 cent swing in gasoline prices. So far this year, gas prices have risen 27 cents, which means pump prices may rise another 13 cents before fully adjusting to the latest oil price hike.
“Unfortunately it looks like the pain at the pump may continue to worsen, after oil prices saw another strong round of gains last week,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “The upward momentum in crude prices has been driven by geopolitical concerns related to Russia, cold weather and underwhelming global crude output. The price of crude rose $6 last week, which if sustained, could trigger another 10-15 cent hike at the pump in the coming weeks.”
State Law Enforcement Charges Two In Escambia Retail Theft Ring
February 6, 2022
Investigators with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement (OALE) targeted organized retail theft rings in Escambia County as part of “Operation Secret Shopper,” leading to the arrests of two people.
OALE collaborated with a national retailer to identify several members of theft rings known to conceal Romex electrical wire rolls in shopping carts and pass all points of sale without paying for the items. The thieves are known to sell stolen wire directly to the public or to area metal recyclers.
Law enforcement investigators used direct surveillance techniques to observe Scott Hollingsworth and two other suspects steal wire rolls and lighting valued at $2,461.42 from a local retail store. Following day, OALE law enforcement investigators observed Patrick Callahan steal wire rolls and a rug valued at $1,006.56 from a local retail store.
Scott Mariane Hollingsworth, 39, was charged with felony grand theft, using or possessing the identification of another person, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Warrants are also being sought for Hollingsworth’s accomplices.
Patrick Michael Callahan, 62, was charged with felony grand theft, and possession of a controlled substance.
Both suspects remained in the Escambia County Jail Sunday morning.
Romex wire is electrical cable used to wire circuits for wall outlets, lights and more.
Multiple Injuries In Highway 29, Highway 97 Crash
February 6, 2022
Three people were reported injured in a trafic crash Saturday night on Highway 29 at Highway 97 in Molino.
One adult was airlifted to a Pensacola hospital by LifeFlight helicopter following the 8:45 p.m. crash. An adult and juvenile were reported to have also suffered non-life threatening injuries.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating. The Molino Station of Escambia Fire Rescue and Escambia County EMS responded.
The crash closed southbound Highway 29 for a period of time.
Reader submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Low In The Upper 30s Tonight, Maybe A Shower On Monday
February 6, 2022
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 38. North wind around 5 mph.
Monday: A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 54. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Monday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 35. North wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 56. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 33. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 60. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 36. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 63. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 37. Calm wind.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 64.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 40.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 66.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 39.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 56.
Pensacola Police Officer Struck By Vehicle
February 6, 2022
A Pensacola Police Department officer was struck by a vehicle Saturday night.
It happened about 10:05 p.m. on Scenic Highway near Mandolete Street, south of Langley Avenue.
Police said the officer was on scene of a separate traffic crash investigation when struck by another uninvolved vehicle.
The officer was transported in stable condition to a local hospital for treatment. Further details were not immediately released.
File photo.
Expect Overnight Lane Closures All Week On The Pensacola Bay Bridge
February 6, 2022
Drivers can expect delays each night this week on the Pensacola Bay Bridge.
From 8 p.m. until 5 a.m. Sunday, February 6 through Saturday, February 12 crews will be using lanes on the current bridge as a platform to pour concrete decks for the new westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) bridge.
In addition, Bayfront Parkway eastbound near the Pensacola Bay Bridge will be shifted onto the roundabout to access U.S. 98 during this time. The lane shifts will allow crews to place rip rap, or shoreline protection, along Bayfront Parkway.
Flood Warning For The Escambia River Near Century
February 6, 2022
A flood warning is in effect for the Escambia River near Century until early Thursday morning. Minor flooding is forecast.
At 8 p.m. Saturday, the stage was 17.29 feet. The river is expected to rise to a crest of 19.5 feet Monday morning. It will then fall below flood stage late Wednesday evening.
Flood stage is 17 feet.
The Perdido River near Barrineau Park is expected to crest at 8.9 feet on Monday, just below action stage of 9.0 feet. Minor flood stage for the Perdido River is 13 feet.
Hundreds Of Emergency Rental Assistance Applications Pending Or Denied; Here’s How To Apply
February 6, 2022
Escambia County residents struggling to pay rent and utilities due to COVID-19 can still apply for help from the Escambia County Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP).
As of late last week, hundreds of applications were still in-progress or had been denied. Here is the latest status.
Program applications:
- Total tenant applications: 2,275
- In progress: 1,126
- Under review: 13 (31 under a second review)
- Pending information: 174
- Pending landlord: 20
- Denied, withdrawn or duplicates: 568
Approximates funds expended:
- $150,000 paid
- $340,000 submitted
- $280,000 this week
- $700,000 approved
- $200,000 recurring monthly
Escambia County received $9,611,771 from the Consolidated Appropriations Act and $7,605,344 from the American Rescue Plan.
According to Andie Gibson, Escambia County media and public information manager, applications can be denied for a variety of reasons such as not meeting the eligibility criteria, no response from the applicant for more than 60 days or fraud associated with the applications.
“Some common issues we are seeing with pending tenant applications include no proof of COVID hardship, incomplete lease documents, not meeting the eligibility requirements for income, or the tenant has already received assistance from OurFlorida,” Gibson said. Applications are not eligible if they have received rental assistance from another agency.
“Common issues among pending landlord applications include missing forms (specifically W-9s) or other statements, related parties, or the landlord simply does not want to participate,” Gibson said.
The application portal is now open and available clicking or tapping here. Call (850) 403-6044 to make an appointment for in-person assistance, or see a list of libraries below.
Emergency rental assistance may be provided to eligible low-income Escambia County residents and families who:
- Have been financially impacted by COVID-19;
- Have total household income at or below 80% Area Median Income;
- Are at risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability; and
- Have not received any other rental assistance for the requested months
Both the renter and the landlord must submit an application through the portal. Reimbursement will be paid directly to the landlord or utility provider. View eligibility requirements and see if you qualify here.
The program can cover up to 12 months of overdue or late rent and utility bills for households in Escambia County. Additional details for rental assistance for landlords and renters can be found at MyEscambia.com/erap.
Escambia County ERAP Policies and Procedures are in alignment with the U.S Treasury Department’s guidelines (full policies and procedures).
Email ERAP@myescambia.zendesk.com or call (850) 403-6044 with any questions.
Citizens may use the computers at the following public libraries to complete their application:
- Century Branch Library – 7991 N. Century Blvd., Century
- Molino Branch Library – 6450-A Hwy. 95A, Molino
- Tryon Branch Library – 1200 Langley Ave., Pensacola
- Genealogy Branch Library – 5740 N. Ninth Ave., Pensacola
- Pensacola Library – 239 N. Spring St., Pensacola
- Southwest Branch Library – 12248 Gulf Beach Highway, Pensacola
- Westside Branch Library – 1301 W. Gregory St., Pensacola
NorthEscambia.com graphic.