Chance Of Rain Tonight And Into Tuesday
August 8, 2022
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 10pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. Calm wind.
Tuesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 10am. Partly sunny, with a high near 87. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. Calm wind.
Wednesday: Showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. High near 88. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Wednesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. Calm wind.
Thursday: Showers and thunderstorms. High near 86. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Thursday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. Calm wind.
Friday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 88. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Friday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 71. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Saturday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 87.
Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 71.
Sunday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 88.
Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 71.
Monday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 88.
Pictured: A beautiful North Escambia Sunday afternoon at the Perdido River on the Florida-Alabama state line. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Florida Gas Prices At Their Lowest Since Early March
August 8, 2022
Florida gas prices fell for the eighth consecutive week, declining 14 cents from a week ago. The state average is now $3.79 per gallon. That’s the lowest daily average price since March 4th.
The state average has now declined a total of $1.10 per gallon since setting a new record high of $4.89 on June 13th. The average cost for a fill-up is now $57 for a 15-gallon tank. That’s $16.50 less than what drivers paid two months ago.
The average price per gallon Sunday night in Escambia County was $3.68. A North Escambia low of $3.56 could be found at two Cantonment stations, while Pensacola bottomed out at $3.28.
“Falling oil prices and drooping gasoline demand has paved the way for the recent pump price plunge,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “The downturn should continue this week, after another round of big losses in both oil and gasoline futures markets.”
UWF Football Serves Up Meals At Waterfront Rescue Mission
August 8, 2022
The University of West Florida football team spent time recently giving back at the Waterfront Rescue Mission.
Team members washed dishes, helped prepare food, served breakfast and lunch, and spent time fellowshipping with Waterfront clients.
The UWF football season kicks off September 3 as they host Warner.
Photos for NorthEsambia.com, click to enlarge.
ECSO Personnel To Read Their Favorite Books At The Library Tuesday, National Book Lover’s Day
August 8, 2022
Tuesday is National Book Lover’s Day, and the West Florida Public Libraries are celebrating with the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
ECSO representatives will be reading their favorite books to the public at libraries across Escambia County.
Here is schedule:
- Century Library — 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.
- Molino Library — 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.
- Pensacola Library — 10:30 a.m.
- Southwest Library — 10:30 a.m and 2 p.m.
- Tryon Library — 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.
- Westside Library — 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.
At the Tryon and Westside libraries, the 10:30 a.m. reading will replace the regular storytime event.
Biscuits Top The Wahoos 7-6 In Series Finale
August 8, 2022
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos suffered another late loss to the Montgomery Biscuits on Sunday afternoon, falling in their series finale 7-6.
Demetrius Sims had Pensacola’s first five-RBI game of the season, going 3-for-4 with a homer and a double, but the Blue Wahoos surrendered three runs in the bottom of the eighth as they dropped five of six in their weeklong road trip.
Montgomery jumped out to an early 3-0 lead against starter A.J. Ladwig, as Brett Wisely hit a leadoff homer in the first and Jordan Qsar and Roberto Alvarez hit back-to-back RBI triples in the second. Nasim Nuñez countered with an RBI single in the third to put the Blue Wahoos on the board, and Sims blasted a three-run homer in the fourth to put Pensacola in front 4-3.
Erik Ostberg hit a game-tying homer in the fifth to even things up 4-4, but Sims delivered again with an RBI single in the sixth and an RBI double in the eighth to give the Blue Wahoos a 6-4 edge. Effective relief from Josh Simpson after Ladwig’s departure preserved the lead until the bottom of the eighth.
In his second Double-A appearance of the season, Tyler Mitzel (L, 0-1) got the first two outs of the eighth inning without incident. But a walk to Niko Hulsizer was followed by a game-tying home run to Ronny Simon, and Ostberg delivered the go-ahead RBI double three batters later to put Montgomery ahead for good. Alan Strong (W, 1-0) pitched the final two innings for the Biscuits to lock down the win.
After an off day Monday, the Blue Wahoos begin a six-game home series against the Birmingham Barons on Tuesday.
by Erik Bremer, Pensacola Blue Wahoos
Increasing Rain Chance Into Early Next Week
August 7, 2022
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 10pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. Calm wind.
Monday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 87. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, then gradually becoming partly cloudy, with a low around 72. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Tuesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Wednesday: Showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. High near 89. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Wednesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 71. Calm wind.
Thursday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 88. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Thursday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 71. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Friday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Friday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 73.
Saturday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89.
Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 70.
Sunday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89.
Here Are This Week’s Road Construction Delay Spots
August 7, 2022
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.
Escambia County:
- Interstate 10 (I-10) Escambia County Welcome Center – The front parking lot is temporarily closed as crews work to resurface the pavement. All other parking areas remain open. Temporary sidewalk modifications are also in place while work is underway.
- U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – Drivers will encounter the following nighttime traffic impacts on and near the Pensacola Bay Bridge (U.S. 98) in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m. next week.
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- Alternating lane closures and lane shifts Sunday, Aug. 7 through Saturday, Aug. 13 as crews use lanes on the current bridge as a platform to pour concrete decks for the westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) structure.
- Vehicle pacing operations Tuesday, Aug. 9 through Thursday, Aug. 11 as crews install overhead signage for the new bridge. Vehicle pacing operations, also known as “rolling roadblocks,” are used to create gaps in traffic so that short-duration construction activities can be completed.
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- Bayfront Parkway westbound ramp and the 17th Avenue westbound ramp will be closed Wednesday, Aug. 10 and Thursday, Aug. 11 for the installation of overhead signs. Drivers will be detoured to Gregory Street during this time.
- West Cervantes Street (U.S. 90) Pedestrian Safety Improvement – Drivers may encounter intermittent daytime and nighttime single lane closures and lane shifts, between A Street and Dominguez Street, as crews adjust manholes and pedestrian fencing.
- North Ninth Avenue (State Road (S.R.) 289) Carpenters Creek Bridge Replacement – All travel lanes are temporarily shifted to the southbound side of the bridge as crews construct the northbound portion. Additionally, drivers may encounter intermittent temporary lane closures Monday, Aug. 8 through Friday, Aug. 12 from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. as crews mobilize materials and equipment.
- Pace Boulevard from Barrancas Avenue to Massachusetts Avenue – Pedestrians will encounter alternating sidewalk closures on Pace Boulevard, between Barrancas Avenue and North Palafox Street (U.S. 29), as crews perform sidewalk and curb improvements. Pedestrians will be detoured to the signalized intersections to access sidewalks on the opposite side of Pace Boulevard during this time.
- Pensacola Boulevard (U.S. 29) from Brent Lane to North of I-10 – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures Sunday, Aug. 7 through Thursday, Aug. 11 from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. for paving operations.
- I-10 at the Interstate 110 (I-110) Interchange – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday through Thursday nights as crews clean the roadway and place high friction surface treatments on the following ramps:
- Davis Highway ramp to I-110 southbound.
- I-110 northbound ramp to I-10 westbound.
- I-10 eastbound ramp to I-110 southbound.
- Sorrento Road (S.R. 292) Intersection Improvements at Innerarity Point (County Road 292A) – Motorists can expect intermittent daytime shoulder closures Monday, Aug. 8 through Friday, Aug. 12 for placement of a watermain.
- Sorrento Road Resurfacing from the Theo Baars Bridge to Bauer Road – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures Monday, Aug. 8 through Friday, Aug. 12 from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. The closures will allow crews to place base material for construction of new paved shoulders
- I-10 Routine Bridge Maintenance over Escambia Bay – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures just east of U.S. 90 Thursday, Aug. 11 from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m. for a routine bridge maintenance.
- I-10 Routine Utility Maintenance Between Exit 5 (U.S. 90) and Exit 22 (Avalon Boulevard) – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures Monday, Aug. 8 through Thursday, Aug. 11 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. to repair overhead lights.
- I-110 Routine Utility Maintenance from I-10 to Mile Marker 6 – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures Monday, Aug. 8 through Thursday, Aug. 11 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. to repair overhead lights.
Santa Rosa County:
- Pensacola Bay Bridge (U.S. 98) Replacement – Drivers will encounter the following nighttime traffic impacts on and near the Pensacola Bay Bridge (U.S. 98) in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m. next week.
- Alternating lane closures and lane shifts Sunday, Aug. 7 through Saturday, Aug. 13 as crews will use lanes on the current bridge as a platform to pour concrete decks for the westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) structure.
- Vehicle pacing operations Tuesday, Aug. 9 through Thursday, Aug. 11 as crews install overhead signage for the new bridge. Vehicle pacing operations, also known as “rolling roadblocks,” are used to create gaps in traffic so that short-duration construction activities can be completed.
- Bayfront Parkway westbound ramp and the 17th Avenue westbound ramp will be closed Wednesday, Aug. 10 and Thursday, Aug. 11 for the installation of overhead signs. Drivers will be detoured to Gregory Street during this time.
- U.S. 98 Widening from Bayshore Road to Portside Drive – Motorists will encounter the following traffic impacts:
- Median and turn-lane closures from Bayshore Road to Tiger Point Drive.
- Intermittent lane closures and additional median closures between S.R. 281 and Bayshore Road, Sunday, Aug. 7 through Friday, Aug. 12 from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for paving operations.
- Eastbound travelers will encounter a new traffic configuration from Whisper Bay Boulevard to College Parkway as lanes will be shifted slightly south to allow for widening activities in the median.
- Settlers Colony Boulevard remains open. The closure has been postponed until further notice due to material delays.
- I-10 Resurfacing East of S.R. 281 (Avalon Boulevard) to East of S.R. 87 – Motorists can expect intermittent nighttime lane closures Monday, Aug. 8 through Thursday, Aug. 11 for construction activities.
All activities are weather-dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
FWC Hunter Safety Course Offered At Molino Library
August 7, 2022
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is offering a free hunter safety internet-completion course in Molino on August 10 at 6 p.m.. Hunter safety courses are designed to help students become safe, responsible and knowledgeable hunters and learn about conservation.
Participants must take the online course before attending this class.
All firearms, ammunition and materials are provided free of charge. Students should bring a pen or pencil and paper. An adult must accompany children younger than 16 at all times.
Anyone born on or after June 1, 1975, must pass an approved hunter safety course and have a hunting license to hunt alone (unsupervised). The FWC course satisfies hunter-safety training requirements for all other states and Canadian provinces.
Those interested in attending a course can register online and obtain information about future hunter safety classes at MyFWC.com/HunterSafety or by calling FWC safety instructor Paul Averill at (850) 982-8070 for more information.
IP Shift Safety Calendar Created By Jim Allen Elementary Students
August 7, 2022
This shift safety calendar being used this year at International Paper in Cantonment was created by students at Jim Allen Elementary School.
“Nothing is more important than the safety of our team members, and the shift calendar serves as a reminder for all of us to keep an active safety mindset,” said Whitney Fike, IP communications manager. “We asked the students of Jim Allen Elementary to help us create safety messages for each month of our shift calendar. The students were very creative in their safety messages and drawings and we were excited to be able to have them participate.”
International Paper thanked the students earlier this year with a pizza party and copies of the finished calendar.
For more photos, including each photo in the calendar, click or tap here.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
So What’s A Sparkleberry, Besides FPL’s New Molino Solar Farm?
August 7, 2022
So what’s a sparkleberry?
Escambia County recently approved a 75 megawatt Florida Power & Light solar farm named the Sparkleberry Solar Energy Center at the end of Pilgrim Trail in Molino.
But many NorthEscambia.com readers asked us what exactly is a sparkleberry. So we took our question to Lydia Purvis, horticulture specialist for Escambia County Extension.
Here’s what she had to say:
Sparkleberry is a Florida native tree. It is known for being a relative of the blueberry, huckleberry and cranberry. It has delicate flowers with a glossy foliage and shiny berries. Sparkleberry is considered to be wildlife friendly and drought tolerant. Growing from hardiness zones 6-9b, Sparkleberry trees can be seen all over the state of Florida.
Sparkleberry is a perennial shrub or small tree. It has fragrant white flowers that hang down like bells in the spring, then as the summer months approach you see green foliage and bluish black berries in the fall. Spring flowers are a good source of food for pollinators. The berries feed birds and other small wildlife.
Sparkleberry (Vaccinium arboretum) berries are also edible to humans. They are not considered as flavorful as their relatives mentioned above. Larger sparkleberries have been incorporated into jams, jellies, and pies historically. Most homeowners leave the berries for the wildlife presently.
Since this shrub is a native to Florida, it has adapted to our hot and humid climate. It can grow in full sun or partial shade. Sparkleberry trees prefer the soil to be sand and dry. Once established, it requires little irrigation.
Sparkleberry is considered a low maintenance tree. The species causes few to no allergens and only requires occasional light pruning.
