Jimitre McMillan Is Escambia Westgate’s Teacher Of The Year
January 23, 2023
Jimitre McMillan was named the Escambia Westgate’s Teacher of the Year.
NorthEscambia.com is continuing to spotlight Teachers of the Year from the North Escambia area during January.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Local Weather Radar Will Be Down For The Next Two Weeks (And What That Means)
January 23, 2023
UPDATE: The major radar maintenance and two week outage originally scheduled to begin Monday for the weather radar has been postponed until Wednesday due to a severe weather threat Tuesday night.
The weather radar that serves the Mobile/Pensacola area is scheduled to be down for about two weeks.
Beginning on January 25, the radar operated by the National Weather Service in Mobile (KMOB) will be down for replacement of the radar pedestal.
What happens if there is hazardous weather during this significant radar downtime? Meteorologists at the NWS Mobile/Pensacola Office will use the adjacent radar sites (listed below) in addition to GOES-16 satellite imagery, and observational data to provide accurate and timely warnings, when or if necessary.
The radar pedestal is one of the most critical components of the radar, which is necessary for antenna rotation and position to capture data in all directions. The components are extremely heavy and will require the radome to be removed by crane and then replaced by crane when the work is completed. Once this project begins, the radar cannot be turned on until the work is complete. Work on the radar should be completed by February 4.
This weather radar is what is used by most local television stations, phone apps and websites to show rain in the Mobile/Pensacola area, including North Escambia.
During the downtime, adjacent radars will be available, including those from Eglin Air Force Base (KEVX), New Orleans, LA (KLIX), Ft Rucker, AL (KEOX), Maxwell AFB, Montgomery, AL (KMXX),
The radar and pedestal were designed to last 25 years, and this radar has exceeded its lifespan. This activity is necessary to keep the radar functioning for another 20 years or more.
The pedestal refurbishment is the third major project of the NEXRAD Service Life Extension Program, a series of upgrades that will keep our nation’s radars viable into the 2030s. NOAA’s National Weather Service, the United States Air Force, and the Federal Aviation Administration are investing $135 million in the eight-year program. The first project was the installation of the new signal processor and the second project was the refurbishment of the transmitter. The fourth project will be the refurbishment of the equipment shelters. The Service Life Extension Program will be completed in 2023.
The KMOB WSR-88D is part of a network of 159 operational radars.
Photo courtesy Don Shepherd for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Safety Improvements Completed On Highway 97 South Of Walnut Hill
January 23, 2023
The Florida Department of Transportation has completed a safety project on Highway 97 south of Walnut Hill.
The project included upgraded signage and pavement markings from Tungoil Road to just south of Mason Road. The endwall of drainage pipes were also extended away from the roadway.
Pictured: New reflective pavement marking and signs mark a curve on Highway 97 south of Mason Road. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Florida Gas Prices Up 15 Cents In Last Week On Rising Oil Prices
January 23, 2023
Florida gas prices jumped by 15 cents last week on a second week of rising oil prices.
The state average reached $3.41 per gallon on Sunday. That is the highest daily average price since November 24th, but 18 cents less than this time last year.
A low of $3.13 could be found Sunday night at a station on Highway 29, while prices in Pensacola bottomed out at $3.11 on Blue Angel Parkway.
“Florida drivers might be surprised to hear that China is having a direct impact on what they pay at the pump,” said Mark Jenkins, public relations manager, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “During the past two weeks, oil prices have made strong gains on the belief that fuel demand will ramp-up as China reopens its economy. China is the largest oil importer in the world, and since oil is a globally traded commodity, global fluctuations in supply and demand have a direct affect local prices – just as they always have.
“Retail prices appear to have mostly adjusted to the recent oil price gains. Where gas prices go from here will be contingent on what happens in the oil market this week,” Jenkins said.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Convicted Felon Facing Drug And Weapons Charges
January 22, 2023
A convicted felon from Cantonment is facing drug and weapons charges after encountered deputies at a convenience store.
Justin Jamal Nettles, 35, was charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of cocaine and resisting arrest without violence. He was released on a $21,000 bond.
An Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputy observed Nettles at a Raceway gas station on W Street. Nettles ran from the deputy but was captured after a short foot pursuit. A 9mm magazine was located in his pocket,
After a K-9 alerted on the vehicle Nettles had occupied, a loaded Glock 9mm handgun was found in the floorboard, according to an arrest report, along with a $1 bill with cocaine on it in the driver’s door handle.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said Nettles has a total of eight felony convictions, including robbery with a firearm.
Tate High Holding Parent Night For 9th, 10th Graders On Monday
January 22, 2023
Tate High School will hold a parent night for parents of ninth and tenth grade students on Monday, January 23.
The meeting will be held at 6 p.m in the school innovation center.
Rep. Salzman Announces Winners Of Essay Contest To Be House Page Or Messenger
January 22, 2023
Rep. Michelle Salzman has announced the winners of an essay contest to select pages and messengers for the 2023 House program.
The winners nominated to serve in the program are Bella Trivison and Timothy Kinsella.
Pages and messengers work one week at the Florida Capitol during the 60-day regular legislative session. They assist representatives and their staff during the busy time while observing state government in action.
While performing their duties, pages and messengers have the opportunity to observe lawmakers, lobbyists, staff, and constituents working together in the legislative process. Opportunities will include committee meetings, House sessions in the chamber, and occasionally press conferences with notable people or celebrities.
The page and messenger program is a longstanding tradition in the Florida House of Representatives, dating back to 1865. Each student who serves as a page or messenger will have his or her name appear in the Journal of the House. This will be an official record of their time spent in the Florida House to perhaps one day show their children and grandchildren.
Escambia Unemployment Rates Falls Over The Last Month
January 22, 2023
The Escambia County unemployment rate fell last month, according to newly released data from the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity.
The unemployment rate in Escambia County was 2.4% in December, down from 2.7$ in November. That represented 3,652 people out of work out of a county workforce of 149,773. One year ago, Escambia County’s unemployment rate was 3.0%, or 4,393 people.
The area unemployment rate dropped to 2.3 percent over the year in December 2022, down 0.5 percentage point from 2.8 percent reported in December 2021. The area’s private sector employment increased by 3.2 percent over the year in December 2022, adding 5,300 jobs. The Pensacola area labor force increased by 5,337 over the year, a 2.3 percent increase.
The industries gaining the most jobs over the year were education and health services, increasing by 1,700 jobs; and leisure and hospitality, increasing by 1,200 jobs.
“Florida continues to outpace the nation and withstand negative headwinds due to federal policy,” said Gov. Ron DeSantis. “I look forward to building off our success with record tax relief in the upcoming legislative session.”
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely For Sunday
January 22, 2023
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Sunday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm, mainly before 3pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 3pm. Patchy fog before 8am. High near 65. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph becoming west in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 40. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 56. North wind 5 to 15 mph.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 36. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday: A 30 percent chance of showers after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 62. East wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Tuesday Night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Low around 52. Windy, with an east wind 15 to 25 mph becoming southwest after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 40 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
Wednesday: A 30 percent chance of showers before noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 62. Windy, with a west wind 15 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 37. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 53.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 33.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 57.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 37.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 62.
Arbor Day Tree Giveaways Held Saturday In Molino, Pensacola
January 22, 2023
Florida Arbor Day tree giveaways will be held Saturday in Molino and Pensacola.
Live oak, dahoon holly, mayhaw, and Walter’s viburnum were available at three simultaneous events at the Molino, Bellview and Tryon branches of the West Florida Regional Libraries
UF IFAS Extension/Escambia County had funding support from Escambia County Natural Resources Management Department and International Paper, and volunteer support from Our Corner (formerly Keep Pensacola Beautiful), the Florida Forest Service, and Escambia County Master Gardeners.
For more photos, click or tap here.
A tree giveaway was held Friday in Century from the Town of Century and the Florida Forest Service. Click here for more.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
