Ian Strengthens, Track Shifts Further East
September 26, 2022
This is an outdated story. See NorthEscambia.com for the latest information.
The forecast for Ian shifted back east on Sunday. The storm is forecast to strengthen into a major hurricane over the Gulf of Mexico in the coming days.
“Confidence is very slowly increasing in a track east of our area; however, we still need to monitor this closely as changes can still occur,” National Weather Service forecasters in Mobile said Sunday night.
But NWS Mobile said very small changes now can lead to bigger changes in the forecast.
High surf is still likely and dangerous rip currents will be a hazard through the weekend along Escambia County’s beaches.
The latest details on Ian are in the graphics on this page.
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ECUA Recycling Facility Reopens Monday; Recycling Returns Thursday For ECUA Customers
September 26, 2022
After a supply chain delay, a belt needed to restart the ECUA Materials Recycling Facility (MRF) has arrived.
The recycling facility was closed in June after the equipment failure.
ECUA will reopen the facility on Monday, accepting recyclables from other partners. The first recycling materials processed from ECUA customers on Thursday, September 29.
While waiting on the repair parts, ECUA used the downtime to conduct extensive maintenance activities at the MRF that would generally require a facility shutdown. We have replaced rollers, bearings, tail pulleys, hydraulic maintenance, as well as replacement of 13 other belts, and assorted other maintenance work.
During the downtime, ECUA landfilled all of the recyclables collected.
Pictured: A replacement belt is installed on machinery inside the ECUA Materials Recycling Facility. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Bonus Photos: Northview Football Fans, Band, Cheerleaders, NJROTC
September 26, 2022
For the first time in a decade, the Northview Chiefs beat the Baker Gators Friday night.
For a bonus photo gallery with fans, the band, cheerleaders and NROTC, click or tap here.
For a game action story and photos, click or tap here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
General Election Ballots Headed To Military And Overseas Voters
September 26, 2022
The first vote-by-mail ballots for the November 8 general election are on the way to military and overseas voters, according to Escambia County Supervisor of Elections David Stafford.
Federal and state law require military and overseas ballots to be sent no later than 45 days prior to a federal election. Florida law establishes a window for mailing civilian ballots between 40 and 33 days prior to election day.Civilian ballots will be mailed no later than October 6 to those who have already requested them.
The deadline to request a vote-by-mail ballot is October 29. Visit EscambiaVotes.gov/vote-by-mail or call (850) 595-3900.
Escambia County voters can track the status of their vote-by-mail ballot in one of two ways: by signing up to receive e-mail or text messages, or by checking the status on our website. Visit EscambiaVotes.gov/track-my-ballot for more information.
The deadline to register to vote before the November 8 General Election is October 11. Visit EscambiaVotes.gov/register-to-vote for more information.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Low Tonight In The Upper 50s
September 26, 2022
For the latest on the tropics and Ian, click here.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 59. North wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 81. North wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Tuesday Night: Clear, with a low around 59. North wind around 10 mph.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 79. Breezy, with a north wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.
Wednesday Night: Clear, with a low around 55. North wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 78. Breezy, with a northeast wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 63. North wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Friday: Tropical storm conditions possible. A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Sunny, with a high near 78.
Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly clear, with a low around 60.
Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Sunny, with a high near 81.
Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly clear, with a low around 61.
Sunday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Sunny, with a high near 84.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 62.
Monday: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Sunny, with a high near 84.
Here Are This Week’s Road Construction Advisories
September 26, 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. The 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 alternating lane closures and lane shifts on the Pensacola Bay Bridge Sunday, Sept. 25 through Saturday, Oct. 1 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. On Tuesday, Sept. 27, U.S. 98 westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) will have lane closures beginning at 10 p.m. due to Bands on the Beach. Crews will be using lanes on the current bridge as a platform to pour concrete decks for the westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) structure.
- 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. The closures will allow crews to work on the new pedestrian crossing signals, irrigation system and landscaping.
- Pace Boulevard from Barrancas Avenue to Massachusetts Avenue – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures on Pace Boulevard and side streets, between Cervantes Street and Barrancas Avenue Sunday, Sept. 25 through Thursday, Sept. 29 from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. The work will continue for several weeks as crews work to adjust manholes, and mill and pave the roadways. In addition, pedestrians will encounter alternating sidewalk closures on Pace Boulevard, between Barrancas Avenue and North Palafox Street (U.S. 29), while crews make sidewalk and curb improvements. Pedestrians will be detoured to the signalized intersections to access the sidewalks on the other side of Pace Boulevard.
- Pensacola Boulevard (U.S. 29) from Brent Lane to North of I-10 – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures at the W Street intersection from 9 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 27 to 6 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 28 as crews install pedestrian signal upgrades.
- I-10 at the Interstate 110 (I-110) Interchange – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures on the following ramps Sunday, Sept. 26 through Thursday, Sept. 29 from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. for install thermoplastic pavement markings:
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- I-110 northbound ramp to I-10 eastbound.
- I-110 northbound ramp to I-10 westbound.
- I-110 northbound ramp to Davis Highway.
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- Davis Highway on-ramp to I-110 southbound.
- I-10 eastbound ramp to I-110 southbound
- Sorrento Road Resurfacing from the Theo Baars Bridge to Bauer Road – Drivers will encounter the following lane closures Sunday, Sept. 25 through Thursday, Sept. 29 from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m.:
- Reduction to one lane and traffic flagging operation from the Theo Baars Bridge to Innerarity Point Road as crews mill and pave the roadway.
- Reduction to one lane and traffic flagging operations between Doug Ford Road and Bauer Road as crews perform shoulder widening and drainage work.
- Barrancas Avenue Routine Maintenance from Manchester Street to the Bayou Chico Bridge – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures on Barrancas Avenue and side streets, between Manchester Street and the Bayou Chico Bridge, Sunday, Sept. 25 through Thursday, Sept. 29 from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. for construction operations.
- Alcanize Street (State Road (S.R.) 291) Routine Underground Utility Maintenance Between La Rua Street and Belmont Street – Motorists will encounter nighttime road closures beginning Sunday, Sept. 25 through Friday, Sept. 30 for underground utility maintenance. Traffic will be detoured to La Rua and Belmont Streets in order to avoid the one block road closure.
- Blue Angel Parkway (S.R. 173) Routine Maintenance near Green Acres Drive – Motorists will encounter nighttime lane closures Sunday, Sept. 25 for paving operations.
- West Garden Street (U.S. 98) Routine Utility Maintenance Between Tarragona Street and Jefferson Street – Motorists can expect intermittent lane closures Wednesday, Sept. 28 from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. for utility maintenance.
- S.R. 97 Routine Maintenance near South Highway 99 at the new Dollar General – Motorists will encounter a lane closure Sunday, Sept. 25 through Thursday, Sept. 29 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. for paving operations.
Santa Rosa County:
- Pensacola Bay Bridge (U.S. 98) Replacement – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures and lane shifts on the Pensacola Bay Bridge Sunday, Sept. 25 through Saturday, Oct. 1 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. On Tuesday, Sept. 27, U.S. 98 westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) will have lane closures beginning at 10 p.m. due to Bands on the Beach. Crews will be using lanes on the current bridge as a platform to pour concrete decks for the westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) structure.
- 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, Sept. 25 through Friday, Sept. 30 from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for stormwater drainage improvements and paving operations.
- Settlers Colony Boulevard will remain closed to complete necessary drainage improvements. This closure will remain in effect for approximately 30 days. Motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians will access Settlers Colony Boulevard via Venetian Way and Coronado Drive. Detour signs will be in place. Residents may experience noise, vibrations, and dust during daytime hours as part of this drainage improvement effort.
- I-10 Resurfacing East of S.R. 281 (Avalon Boulevard) to East of S.R. 87 – Motorists can expect intermittent nighttime and daytime lane closures Monday, Sept. 26 through Friday, Sept. 30 for construction activities.
- U.S. 98 Turn Lane Construction at Rosewood Avenue – Motorists can expect intermittent lane closures Monday, Sept. 26 through Thursday, Sept. 29 for construction activities
All activities are weather-dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather. Drivers are reminded to use caution, especially at night, when traveling through a work zone and to watch for construction workers and equipment entering and exiting the roadway.
Florida Gas Prices Declined Last Week
September 26, 2022
Florida gas prices declined 4 cents per gallon last week. Drivers are now paying an average price of $3.38 per gallon, which is the lowest daily average since January.
The average price per gallon in Escambia County was $3.15. Sunday night, the lowest in North Escambia was $3.07 at a Cantonment station on Muscogee Road, while in Pensacola a low of $2.99 could be found at several stations.
“There’s actually downward pressure on pump prices, despite the forecast that a hurricane would approach Florida this week,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Gasoline and oil futures prices plunged 7% last week, to 8-month lows on concerns that aggressive interest rate hikes by the U.S. Federal Reserve could trigger an economic recession.”
“Since Tropical Storm Ian is not projected to impact the refineries in Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas, it’s unlikely that the storm itself or the resulting demand, would cause pump prices to spike,” Jenkins said.
NorthEscambia.com photo.
Blue Wahoos Fall To Smokies In Game One Of Championship Series
September 26, 2022
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos fell 4-1 to the Tennessee Smokies on Sunday afternoon in Game One of the best-of-three Southern League Championship Series.
The Smokies, who defeated Rocket City in the Division Series, kept their momentum with a three-run first inning against Luis Palacios (L, 0-1). A bases-loaded walk to Chase Strumpf was followed by a missed catch error from Bubba Hollins on a pickoff attempt that scored two more Tennessee runs to put the Smokies ahead 3-0.
Tennessee’s lone run-scoring hit came in the third, as Nelson Maldonado hit a solo home run to extend the lead to 4-0. The Pensacola bullpen combined for six scoreless innings, but the Smokies bullpen was just as dominant.
The Blue Wahoos finally built a threat in the fourth against Smokies starter D.J. Herz, but a run-scoring error from second baseman Chase Strumpf would prove to be the only Pensacola run of the game. Riley Martin (W, 1-0), in his Double-A debut, worked out of a bases-loaded jam in relief of Herz to foil the last significant threat of the night.
Bailey Horn (S, 1) stranded two runners in the ninth to finish off a six-out save for the Smokies, sending them back to Tennessee needing only one more win to secure a Southern League title.
Game Two of the Southern League Championship Series at Smokies Stadium will be Tuesday night.
by Erik Bremer, Pensacola Blue Wahoos
Betty Woods Deubler
September 26, 2022
Betty Woods Deubler passed away in the comfort of her home on Thursday, September 22, 2022 at the age of 78. She was a native of Byrneville, Florida and a longtime resident of Harvey Louisiana. She was born and raised in Century, Florida and moved to Louisiana where she met her husband of 50 years, E.J. Deubler.
Betty was an avid outdoors woman. She was a member of Ducks Unlimited, National Rifle Association, Safari Club International, National Wildlife Turkey Federation and Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. She learned in the beginning of her relationship with E.J. that if you can’t beat them, join them. She learned to hunt and found a deep love of the sport. E.J. and Betty have traveled the world on their hunting adventures and made numerous friends along the way.
Betty and E.J., along with his parents started Deubler Electric in 1980, where they grew the business for 40 years.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Robert Greer Woods and Maggie Gentry Woods; her brother Robert “Bobby” Woods and her beloved grandson, Cameron Greer Dice “her heart”.
She is survived by her sister, Ruby Gail Clary; her brother, Gilbert Woods. She left behind her beloved husband, E.J. Deubler; her daughter, Amy D. Foy; her grandchildren, Rylee Brees and Kooper Reed Foy. She is also survived by her step children Jay Deubler (Denise) and Jodi Cutie; her grandchildren, Jenn Williams (Blaine), Anthony Legal and Kristin Cutie; her nieces and nephews, Scotty Clary, Lisa Jones (Ricky), Greg Clary (Lorri), Lisa Lackey (Bob), Jeannie Brown (John), Michael Woods (Jennifer), Lisa Woods and a whole tribe of great nieces and nephews whom she adored.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend the celebration of her life on Wednesday, September 28, 2022 from 3:00 – 6:00 pm with a service in the chapel at 6:00 pm at Mothe Funeral Home 2100 Westbank Expressway Harvey, Louisiana.
Burial will be in her hometown on Thursday, September 25, 2022 at 1:30PM at Byrneville Community Church 1351 Byrneville Road Century, Florida.
Ian Expected To Rapidly Intensify As It Moves Toward The Gulf Of Mexico
September 25, 2022
This is an outdated report. See NorthEscambia.com for the latest weather updates.
The forecast for Ian shifted west on Saturday. The storm will turn more northerly over the next few days as it moves into the Gulf of Mexico
lan is heading into a very favorable environment for it to rapidly intensify, and it should be a major hurricane by Monday night or early Tuesday. There remains a large amount of uncertainty in the forecast for Tuesday afternoon and beyond, so further adjustments to the track are possible.
According to the National Weather Service office in Mobile, it is too early to let your guard down locally.
The latest details on Ian are in the graphics on this page.
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