Sunny And Dry Through The Memorial Day Weekend
May 26, 2023
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 61. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 82. Northeast wind around 10 mph.
Saturday Night: Clear, with a low around 59. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 84. East wind around 5 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 64. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
Memorial Day: Sunny, with a high near 86. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 63. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming northeast after midnight.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 87. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 67. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming southwest after midnight.
Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 87.
Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 68.
Thursday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 88.
Thursday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69.
Friday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89.
NOAA Predicts A Near Normal 2023 Atlantic Hurricane Season
May 26, 2023
NOAA forecasters with the Climate Prediction Center, a division of the National Weather Service, predict near-normal hurricane activity in the Atlantic this year.
NOAA’s outlook for the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season, which goes from June 1 to November 30, predicts a 40% chance of a near-normal season, a 30% chance of an above-normal season and a 30% chance of a below-normal season.
The upcoming Atlantic hurricane season is expected to be less active than recent years, due to competing factors — some that suppress storm development and some that fuel it — driving this year’s overall forecast for a near-normal season.
After three hurricane seasons with La Nina present, NOAA scientists predict a high potential for El Nino to develop this summer, which can suppress Atlantic hurricane activity. El Nino’s potential influence on storm development could be offset by favorable conditions local to the tropical Atlantic Basin.
NOAA is forecasting a range of 12 to 17 total named storms (winds of 39 mph or higher). Of those, 5 to 9 could become hurricanes (winds of 74 mph or higher), including 1 to 4 major hurricanes (category 3, 4 or 5; with winds of 111 mph or higher). NOAA has a 70% confidence in these ranges.
“As we saw with Hurricane Ian, it only takes one hurricane to cause widespread devastation and upend lives. So regardless of the number of storms predicted this season, it is critical that everyone understand their risk and heed the warnings of state and local officials. Whether you live on the coast or further inland, hurricanes can cause serious impacts to everybody in their path,” said FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell.
Tara Ann Bryan
May 26, 2023
Ms. Tara Ann Bryan, age 38, passed away, Sunday, May 22, 2023. Tara was born on October 1, 1984, in Foley, AL; to Anthony Bryan, of Atmore, AL; and Lynn Dextras, of Foley, AL.
She loved doing her makeup and hanging out with her friends. She would always start her conversations with “Well how have you been doing” and end them with “I love you”.
She is survived by her son, Cameran Bryan, and her parents, Anthony Bryan and Lynn Dextras. She is also survived by her siblings, Brittany Bryan, Corey Bryan, Tiffany (Colton) Bowen, Ashton Nelson (Brady Rolin), Alexandria (Austin) Lassiter as well as several aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.
Tara will be deeply missed by her family and friends, but her memory will live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved her.
Funeral service will be held Wednesday, May 31, 2023 at 2:00 PM at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home, LLC. with Bro. Tony Sells and Daphne Fretwell officiating.
Burial will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Wednesday, May 31, 2023, from 1 p.m. until 2 p.m. at Petty- Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be Colton Bowen, Brady Rolin, Peter Earl Patterson, Chase Jaye, Joey Barber, and Kemariyuan McCaster.
DeSantis Signs Bill With Expanded Sales Tax Holiday, Permanent Exemption For Baby Products
May 26, 2023
Thursday, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed what he says in the largest tax relief plan in Florida’s history, providing Florida families with $2.7 billion in tax relief during the 2023–2024 fiscal year. The tax relief package includes a permanent exemption for baby and toddler necessities such as strollers, cribs, diapers, and baby wipes. Additionally, the tax relief package includes two back-to-school sales tax holidays lasting 14 days each, two disaster preparedness sales tax holidays lasting 14 days each, and a freedom summer sales tax holiday on recreational items and children’s toys that will last from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Permanent sales tax exemptions included in the tax relief package will save Florida families nearly $234 million. Those exemptions are targeted to cover baby and toddler needs like cribs, playpens, strollers, child safety products, diapers, baby wipes, bottles, and clothing and shoes for children under age 5. Other items permanently exempt from sales tax will include oral hygiene products like toothbrushes and toothpaste and firearm safety devices.
- Sales tax holidays included in the tax relief package for the 2023–2024 fiscal year:
- Back-to-School sales tax holidays will take place July 24 – August 6, 2023, and January 1 – January 14, 2024.
- Disaster Preparedness sales tax holidays will take place May 27 – June 9, 2023, and August 26 – September 8, 2023.
- The Freedom Summer sales tax holiday lasts from Memorial Day through Labor Day of this year.
- The Tools and Equipment sales tax holiday will take place from September 2 – September 8, 2023.
Additionally, the tax relief package includes a one-year sales tax exemption on gas stoves and Energy Star appliances. There will also be a reduction in the tax rate on business rent from the current 5.5% down to 4.5% effective December 1, 2023, to help small businesses keep more of their profits.
“Because of President Biden’s disastrous economic policies, Florida families are feeling the pressure of inflation on their wallets,” said DeSantis. “But in Florida, we are ensuring that our state’s economic success gets passed on to the people that made it possible. I will continue to push smart fiscal policy that will allow Florida families to keep more of their hard-earned money in their pockets. Stronger families make a stronger Florida.”
Palacios Leads Pensacola To 6-2 Win Over Braves
May 26, 2023
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos got back in the win column on Thursday night, defeating the Mississippi Braves by a score of 6-2.
Luis Palacios (W, 2-1) took charge in a strong pitching performance, allowing two runs over 6.0 innings to earn the win.
The Blue Wahoos scored three runs on four singles in the first against Domingo Robles (L, 3-3), with RBI singles from Victor Mesa Jr. and Will Banfield followed by a double steal and a throwing error on catcher Tyler Tolve.
Banfield added another RBI single in the third as part of a three-hit night to extend the Pensacola lead to 4-0. Drew Lugbauer hit a two-run homer in the fourth, his third homer in as many nights, to account for Mississippi’s only offense of the night.
Ynmanol Mariñez drove in a pair with a two-run double in the eighth for his first Double-A hit, and Sean Reynolds locked down the win with a pair of hitless innings of relief.
The Blue Wahoos remain 5.0 games clear of second place Montgomery in the South Division with 27 games to play in the first half.
The Blue Wahoos continue their series against the Braves on Friday at Trustmark Park.
written by Erik Bremer
Jerry Houston Shelby
May 26, 2023
Jerry Houston Shelby, 79, of Cantonment, FL passed away May 24, 2023. He was born in Molino, FL on January 31, 1944 to Laura Pugh Shelby and Joseph Wheeler Shelby. He was married to Linda Simmons Shelby for 44 years. Jerry worked as an office equipment technician for the Escambia School Board. He was a member of Wilde Lake Church and the American Legion Post 340. He had a passion for missions’ trips, traveling, cooking for the soup kitchen, cooking for family and friends, and watching his grandchildren grow up.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Laura & Joseph Shelby; his brothers, Joseph Shelby, James-Irvin “Jim” Shelby, Theodore “Dago” Shelby; and his son, Jerry Houston Shelby Jr. (little Jerry).
Jerry is survived by his wife, Linda Simmons Shelby; his two daughters, Mellondy Shelby Schmidt (Kurt) and Emily Shelby Benavides (Chris); grandchildren, Alex, Matthew and Isabella Benavides; four grand-dogs, Sarge, Sascha, Scottie Mae, and Scout; one grand-cat, Oliver; along with many other family members and friends.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 30, 2023 at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North with Reverend Andy Blackmon officiating. Burial will follow in Beulah Baptist Church Cemetery, Beulah, FL.
The family will receive friends at 11:00 a.m. prior to service.
Pallbearers will be Chris Benavides, Alex Benavides, Matthew Benavides, Kurt Schmidt, Bob Baker, Warren Day, Gary Storey and Mike Roberts
ECSO: Century Man Threw Brick Or Rock Through Woman’s Window
May 25, 2023
A Century man is facing a felony charge after allegedly throwing a brick or rock through a woman’s window.
Brooks Griggs III, 53 , was charged with felony launching a missile into a dwelling and misdemeanor criminal mischief between $200 and $1,000.
Griggs allegedly threw a brick or rock through a window on Pond Street. A resident told deputies that she observed Griggs running away, and she said everyone in the neighborhood had been “having issues” with him destroying their property, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Griggs later arrived back at his home in a vehicle, sticking his head out of a passenger window and asking deputies if they were looking for him, according to an arrest report. He was then detained.
Brooks remained in the Escambia County Jail Thursday with bond set at $15,500.
Rabid Fox Bites Three In Bratt, Rabid Bat Reported In Florida; Now A Rabid Bat Is Confirmed Near Flomaton
May 25, 2023
Days after three people were bitten by a rabid fox in Bratt and someone had an encounter with a rabid bat in Escambia County, Florida, officials say someone was exposed to a rabid bat near Flomaton.
On Wednesday, the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) confirmed the rabies exposure near Flomaton.
“This should be a stern reminder that all pets should be properly vaccinated against rabies, given the circumstances of rabid animals now in the same general area,” Alabama Public Health Veterinarian Dr. Dee W. Jones said.
Last Friday, the Florida Department of Health (DOH-Escambia) issued a Rabies Alert for Escambia County, Florida, after three people were confirmed to be exposed to a rabid fox and one person was exposed to a rabid bat.
While the Escambia health department did not specify a location, NorthEscambia.com independently confirmed that three people were bit by a rabid fox in Bratt, in the general area of Northview High School and Travis Nelson Park.
“Rabies is a potentially fatal disease. It is important not to handle wild animals, to be aware of unusual acting animals, and to keep pets vaccinated against rabies,” said Marie Mott, DOH-Escambia administrator.
Mott recommended the following precautions:
- Keep rabies vaccinations up to date for all pets and at-risk livestock.
- Do not allow your pets to run free. Follow leash laws by keeping pets and livestock secured on your property. If your pet or livestock are bitten by a wild animal, seek veterinary assistance for the animal immediately and contact Escambia County Animal Services at (850) 595-0097.
- Support animal control in efforts to reduce feral and stray animal populations.
- Spay or neuter your pets to help reduce the number of unwanted pets that may not be properly cared for or regularly vaccinated.
- Do not handle, feed, or unintentionally attract wild animals with outdoor food sources such as uncovered trash or litter.
- Never adopt wild animals or bring them into your home.
- Teach children never to handle unfamiliar animals, wild or domestic, even if they appear friendly.
- Prevent bats from entering living quarters or occupied spaces in homes, churches, schools, and other similar areas, where they might come in contact with people and pets.
- Persons who have been bitten or scratched by wild or domestic animals should seek medical attention and report the injury to the DOH-Escambia at (850) 595-6700.
New: Get Your Vehicle Registration In Molino – Without Waiting In Line
May 25, 2023
Escambia County Tax Collector Scott Lunsford has introduced a new way to pick up registrations from his office in Molino without the need to get in line.
The Molino tax collector office now has ExpressWay lockers.
Here’s how it works:
- Renew your registration online at EscambiaTaxCollector.com.
- Receive an email from “Luxer One” when your registration is ready.
- Scan your pickup code at the locker.
- No need to wait in line.
The Escambia County Tax Collector Molino Office is located at 6440 North Highway 95A, in the Molino Community Center complex.
Contributed photo.
Second Candidate Prefiles For Escambia School Board District 5
May 25, 2023
A Cantonment man is the second person to prefile for the District 5 seat on the Escambia County School Board.
Joshua Matthew Luther prefiled Wednesday with the Escambia County Supervisor of Elections.