Severe Weather Threat Tonight Into Thursday Morning
May 25, 2022
A slightly more organized threat of severe weather is expected to develop across the area late this evening into Thursday morning. Some of these storms may linger into the afternoon. Damaging winds and a few tornadoes will be possible hazards through Thursday.
Multiple rounds of showers and storms will move across the area through Thursday. Widespread rainfall amounts of 3-5 inches with locally higher totals are forecast. A flash flood watch is in effect.
RELATED: NWS Confirms An EF-1 Tornado Touchdown And Strong Straight Line Winds Wednesday Morning
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1am. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Low around 68. Southeast wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.
Thursday: Showers and thunderstorms. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. High near 79. South wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.
Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 62. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 83. West wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 61. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 83. North wind around 5 mph becoming west in the afternoon.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 63. Calm wind.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 86. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 65.
Memorial Day: Sunny, with a high near 87.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 67.
Tuesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 68.
Wednesday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 88.
NOAA Predicts Above Normal 2022 Hurricane Season
May 25, 2022
Forecasters at NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center, a division of the National Weather Service, are predicting above-average hurricane activity this year — which would make it the seventh consecutive above-average hurricane season. NOAA’s outlook for the 2022 Atlantic hurricane season, which extends from June 1 to November 30, predicts a 65% chance of an above-normal season, a 25% chance of a near-normal season and a 10% chance of a below-normal season.
For the 2022 hurricane season, NOAA is forecasting a likely range of 14 to 21 named storms (winds of 39 mph or higher), of which 6 to 10 could become hurricanes (winds of 74 mph or higher), including 3 to 6 major hurricanes (category 3, 4 or 5; with winds of 111 mph or higher). NOAA provides these ranges with a 70% confidence.
“Early preparation and understanding your risk is key to being hurricane resilient and climate-ready,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo. “Throughout the hurricane season, NOAA experts will work around-the-clock to provide early and accurate forecasts and warnings that communities in the path of storms can depend on to stay informed.”
The increased activity anticipated this hurricane season is attributed to several climate factors, including the ongoing La Niña that is likely to persist throughout the hurricane season, warmer-than-average sea surface temperatures in the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea, weaker tropical Atlantic trade winds and an enhanced west African monsoon. An enhanced west African monsoon supports stronger African Easterly Waves, which seed many of the strongest and longest lived hurricanes during most seasons. The way in which climate change impacts the strength and frequency of tropical cyclones is a continuous area of study for NOAA scientists.
Pictured below: Visible satellite image of Hurricane Ida approaching land in the Gulf of Mexico at 4:10 a.m. on August 29, 2021.
IP Donated Butterfly Kits To 631 Classrooms In Escambia And Santa Rosa
May 25, 2022
International Paper, in partnership with Celebrate Planet Earth, provided 631 kindergarten through fourth grade classrooms in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties with free butterfly and sunflower kits, enabling local children to experience the wonder of nature.
Schools received their kits March through May, and students had the opportunity to witness caterpillars undergo metamorphosis over the course of two to three weeks. Once the butterflies emerged, students fed them sugar-water for about a week before experiencing the delight of releasing them into the world. Students also learned how to sprout and grow sunflowers from seed to bloom.
The butterfly and sunflower kits were distributed to 27 schools:
- Bagdad Elementary School
- Bellview Elementary School
- Berryhill Elementary School
- Beulah Elementary School
- Blue Angels Elementary School
- Bratt Elementary School
- Capstone Academy – Milton
- Central School
- Creative Learning Academy
- East Milton Elementary School
- Ensley Elementary School
- Episcopal Day School
- Gulf Breeze Elementary School
- Jim Allen Elementary School
- Kingsfield Elementary School
- Lincoln Park Elementary School
- Lipscomb Elementary School
- Longleaf Elementary School
- McArthur Elementary School
- Molino Park Elementary School
- N. B. Cook Elementary School
- Oriole Beach Elementary School
- Pine Meadow Elementary School
- Pleasant Grove Elementary School
- S.S. Dixon Primary
- W. H. Rhodes Elementary School
- West Navarre Primary
“We are committed to improving the communities along the greater Gulf Coast, and we aim to be responsible stewards of our planet,” said Scott Taylor, Pensacola Mill manager. “We are proud to offer this learning experience to the young students in our surrounding communities and hope it instills in them a respect for our planet.”
Pictured: Students enjoy butterflies at Kingsfield Elementary School (above) and Molino Park Elementary (below). Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Jay Lady Royals Win State Semifinal; Play For State Championship On Wednesday
May 25, 2022
The Jay Lady Royals defeated Liberty County 3-2 Tuesday afternoon in Clermont in the 1A state softball semifinal.
Alayna Lowery led the Lady Royals in the circle, allowing five hits and two runs in five innings while striking out five and walking one.
Lowery, Caitlyn Gavin, Mattie Cochran, Kassidy Nevels, Ella Nelson, Brett Watson, and Kaylee Gilbreath each had one hit for Jay. Mattie Coleman pitched two innings, giving up no hits and no runs while striking out three.
The Lady Royals move on to the FHSAA 1A state championship game Wednesday at 4:30 p.m. EDT. They will face Fort White.
Gladys “Granny” Lee
May 25, 2022
Gladys “Granny” Lee
5/7/1919-5/23/2022
Granny, age 103, passed away on May 23, 2022 in her Molino home surrounded by her family. She was born in Barth, FL to Charlie and Alice Ward. Granny was a lifelong resident of Molino, Florida. When Granny was not at home raising her 4 sons, she could be found working in the lunch room at old Molino school. She was a devoted and faithful member of her church, Calvary Apostolic Tabernacle for 70+ years. You could always find Granny in the kitchen, whether it be at home or church. She enjoyed canning vegetables and going on camping trips with her late husband, Murdock. In her later years, she enjoyed coloring and making cards. She could also be seen giving the children a ride on her walker.
Granny was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She was preceded in death by her parents, Charlie and Alice Ward, her husband, Murdock F. Lee, her sons, Dauphin E. Lee and George F. Lee, her grandson, Michael Lee, great grandson, Kyle Smith and siblings, Lena Ward, Nancy Terry and Clarence Ward. She is survived by her sons and daughters-in-law, Buford and Faye Lee and Randy and Carri Lee, her grandchildren, Debbie, Belinda, Bruce, Kathan, Steven, Tommy, Brian, and Alan, 14 great grandchildren and 5 great-great grandchildren.
Granny will be greatly missed by her family, friends, church family and anyone who was fortunate enough to have met her. The family would like to extend a special thank you to Randy and Carri Lee for their dedication and care of Granny in her final years, to Emerald Coast Hospice, especially nurse Shannon, and the TLC sitters.
The pallbearers will be Alan Lee, Bruce Lee, Bruce Lee Jr. Cameron Snyder, Derek Smith and Tommy Lee. Honorary pallbearers will be Douglas Neal, Michael Burnham, Millan Molina, and Parish Smith. The service will be held Friday, May 27, 2022 at Calvary Apostolic Tabernacle in Molino, FL with visitation at 1PM, funeral service at 2PM and burial to follow at the church cemetery.
Braves Snap Blue Wahoos’ Winning Streak At Seven
May 25, 2022
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos got a stellar start from Jeff Lindgren, but saw their seven-game winning streak come to an end with a 5-2 loss to the Mississippi Braves on Tuesday night.
Lindgren allowed only one hit over 6.0 scoreless innings, striking out four batters and facing only one over the minimum.
The Blue Wahoos, playing for the first time in six days, turned a leadoff double from Luis Aviles Jr. into the game’s first run in the third inning thanks to an RBI single from Griffin Conine. That lead held through the middle innings, but Mississippi starter Alan Rangel kept the Blue Wahoos from adding any more.
In the seventh, the Blue Wahoos’ usually dependable bullpen had an off night. Josh Simpson, who entered with 18.2 scoreless innings to start his season, allowed a single and a pair of walks to load the bases before Riley Delgado hit a two-out, two-run single to put the Braves in front 2-1.
J.D. Orr led off the bottom of the seventh with a walk, and swiped second and third base on consecutive pitches before coming home on a sacrifice fly from José Devers to tie the game 2-2. The Blue Wahoos got a leadoff walk in the eighth against Justin Yeager (W, 1-0), but left him aboard to send the game to the ninth still tied.
In the ninth, Anthony Maldonado (L, 1-2) issued back-to-back leadoff walks before Jacob Pearson hit a go-ahead RBI double off the right field wall. Andrew Moritz followed with a two-run single past a drawn-in infield to extend the Mississippi lead to 5-2. Justin Maese (S, 
worked a perfect bottom of the ninth to lock down the save.
The Blue Wahoos’ seven-game winning streak, their longest streak since 2018, came to a close as their division lead shrank to 2.5 games with 29 to play in the first half.
The Blue Wahoos continue their series against the Mississippi Braves on Wednesday.
by Erik Bremer, Pensacola Blue Wahoos
Pensacola Fitness Murder Suspect Arrested At Nine Mile And Beulah Road
May 24, 2022
UPDATED — Kennon Farrow has been arrested without incident at Nine Mile and Beulah Road. A traffic stop was made by members of the U.S. Marshall’s Fugitive Task Force, Pensacola Police, Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, and the Florida Highway Patrol. There were no injuries during the traffic stop.
Previous story:
The Pensacola Police Department is searching for 39-year old Kennon Nicholas Farrow for a fatal shooting Tuesday morning at Pensacola Fitness on North 9th Avenue at Creighton Road.
At 4:25 a.m., Farrow allegedly entered the gym armed with a handgun and fired several shots at 48-year Carla Elaine Williams. She was hit multiple times and pronounced deceased at the scene.
PPD said Farrow fled the scene. He is now wanted for first degree premeditated murder.
Police first said he might be traveling in a gray Mercedes Benz with Florida tag #154-RZU. Late Monday afternoon, PPD said they now believe he is traveling in small blue Nissan SUV with an unknown tag number.
If anyone has information on the whereabouts of Farrow, they are asked to call 911 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP to remain anonymous.
Williams (pictured below) was an associate math professor and former basketball star at Pensacola State College. She worked at PSC for over 24 years in athletics, collegiate high, and the math and computer science departments.
Farrow (above) is pictured in a February 2022 mugshot
10,000 Pound Food Giveaway This Afternoon In Cantonment
May 24, 2022
The Cantonment Improvement Committee will hold a drive-thru 10,000 pound food giveaway Tuesday afternoon at Carver Park on Webb Street.
The food distribution will begin at 3:30 p.m. and continue while supplies last for anyone in need of food. People should line up their vehicles, single file on Webb Street facing north; food will be loaded into vehicles. Identification is required.
The event will take place rain or shine
NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Pedestrian Struck By Vehicle Early Tuesday Morning In Molino
May 24, 2022
A pedestrian was seriously injured when he was struck by a vehicle early Tuesday morning in Molino.
It happened about 3:40 a.m. on Highway 29 at the intersection of Molino Road.
An male in his mid-20s was struck by a passenger car. He was transported to a Pensacola hospital by Escambia County EMS. The driver of the vehicle was not injured.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century Man Previously Convicted Of Manslaughter Gets 45 Years For Possessing Handgun, Probation Violation
May 24, 2022
A Century man previously convicted of manslaughter has been sentenced to 45-years in state prison for a gun he tried to hide in a Cantonment liquor store.
Jaran Britt Myles, 27, was sentenced by Judge John Simon for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and violation of his probation on a 2015 conviction for manslaughter with a firearm.
Myles was indicted by an Escambia County grand jury on murder and battery charges for a November 2020 triple shooting that left one man dead and two others injured. Myles was indicted on one count of first degree murder for the death of Joseph Christopher Smith and two counts of aggravated battery for two others that were shot and survived for a shooting in the 8200 block of Alger Road in Century.
After receiving a tip a few days later, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office caught up with Myles as he walked out of the Liquor Cabinet on Highway 29 at Old Chemstrand Road in Gonzalez. Deputies gave him loud verbal commands, but he turned and walked back inside the store. The deputies drew their service weapons, entered the store and continued to give loud verbal commands. Myles entered one of the aisles and made movements near products on the shelf before placing his hands and surrendering, an arrest report states.
Myles removed a handgun from sweatshirt and attempted to hide the gun on a store shelf. The incident was caught on surveillance video.
At age 21, Myles pleaded no contest and was sentenced to prison for manslaughter with a firearm for the January 31, 2015, shooting death of 20-year old Jonathan Ray Wilson on Backwoods Road in Century.
In 2015, a witness told deputies that “Run Run”, later identified as Myles, pulled out a gun and asked him if he was scared of it before taking the magazine out of the weapon and pointing it at him. Myles then pulled the trigger of the gun, without the magazine, but it “dry fired”, he said.
The witness said Myles then pointed the gun to Wilson’s head after loading the magazine back into the gun. Wilson then adjusted the height of the gun to his head, “correcting the placement of the gun pointed at him”. The witness said when Wilson let go of the gun, Myles pulled the trigger and shot Wilson in the head.
As a high school sophomore, Myles was a member of the 2012 state champion Northview High School football team and was named “Mr. Versatile” during a team awards banquet.
Pictured: A 2020 triple shooting scene on Alger Road in Century. One person was killed, and two others were injured. Pictured below: The scene of a January 31, 2015, fatal shooting on Backwoods Road in Century. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
