Beryl Becomes Hurricane, Expected To Become Major Hurricane
June 29, 2024
Beryl strengthened into the first hurricane of the 2024 season on Saturday afternoon and the National Hurricane Center says it is expected to become a major hurricane by Monday.
Beryl formed Friday night a one of only a few storms in history that have formed over the central or eastern tropical Atlantic early in the year.
Beryl is forecast to reach the Windward Islands late Sunday night or Monday.
It is too early to predict what, if any, impacts Beryl may have on the northern Gulf Coast and the North Escambia area.
The latest information on Beryl is in the graphics from the National Hurricane Center on this page.
Pop-Up Storms Through The Weekend
June 29, 2024
Here is your official North Escambia forecast:
Saturday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 10am, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm between 10am and 1pm, then showers and thunderstorms likely after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 75. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Sunday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 92. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Sunday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 76. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Monday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 94. North wind around 5 mph becoming east in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 75. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Tuesday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 74.
Wednesday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 74.
Independence Day: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 75.
Friday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93.
Donut Strike For Manna Wrapped Up Friday (With Gallery)
June 29, 2024
Friday was the last day of the 2024 Donut Strike for Manna.
Local law enforcement and fire departments teamed up fight hunger by going strike against doughnuts and collected food for Manna.
For a photo gallery from the Cantonment Winn Dixie, Ensley Walmart and Beulah Publix, click here.
Pictured: The Donut Strike for Manna Friday afternoon at the Cantonment Winn Dixie, Ensley Walmart and Beulah Publix. NorthEScambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour and submitted, click to enlarge.
Breeze Airways Now Offering Flights From Pensacola To Tampa, Norfolk
June 29, 2024
Pensacola International Airport (PNS) welcomed Breeze Airways Friday, complete with a water cannon salute and gate party.
Breeze Airways now offers nonstop flights to Tampa (TPA) and one stop/no change of plane service to Norfolk (ORF). The two destinations have twice-weekly service on Mondays and Fridays, giving travelers the opportunity to enjoy flights between Pensacola, Norfolk and Tampa. This is the eighth airline to offer flights at PNS.
Flight are from Pensacola to:
- Tampa, Florida: Monday and Friday.
- Norfolk, Virginia: One stop/no change of plane “BreezeThru” service, Monday and Friday.
“We are excited to welcome Breeze Airways to Pensacola,” Airport Director Matt Coughlin said. “This expanded service brings additional travel choices to our customers across the area, while being their gateway to the Gulf Coast.”
Florida’s 2024 ‘Freedom Month Sales Tax Holiday’ Begins Next Week
June 29, 2024
Looking to save a little money on canoes, fishing gear, pool supplies, tickets or other fun items? Florida’s “Freedom Month” beginning July 1.
Sales taxes won’t be collected in July on many supplies for boating, fishing and camping and tickets purchased for live music events, sporting events, fairs, festivals, theater performances and movies all month.
Here is a partial list of what people can buy in July without paying sales taxes:
- Tickets to concerts, sporting events, cultural events, theater performances and movies scheduled before Dec. 31.
- Season tickets to ballets, plays, music events and musical theater performances.
- Gym memberships.
- Bait and fishing tackle that costs $5 or less.
- Sunscreen and insect repellant that costs $15 or less.
- Snorkels, goggles and swimming masks that cost $25 or less.
- Camping lanterns, flashlights and tackle boxes that cost $30 or less.
- Water bottles that cost $30 or less.
- Pool floats, inflatable chairs, and pool toys that cost $35 or less.
- Sleeping bags, portable hammocks, camping stoves and collapsible camping chairs that cost $50 or less.
- Bicycle helmets that cost $50 or less.
- Life jackets, coolers, paddles, and oars that cost $75 or less.
- Fishing rods and reels that cost $75 or less.
- Sunglasses that cost $100 or less.
- Residential pool and spa filters, lights and covers that cost $100 or less.
- Water skis, wakeboards and kneeboards that cost $150 or less.
- Residential pool and spa chemicals that cost $150 or less.
- Tents that cost $200 or less.
- Binoculars that cost $200 or less.
- Gas or charcoal grills that cost $250 or less.
- Paddleboards and surfboards that cost $300 or less.
- Canoes and kayaks that cost $500 or less.
- Bicycles that cost $500 or less.
Wahoos Stymied By Henderson, Shuckers in 7-2 Loss
June 29, 2024
written by Erik Bremer
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos couldn’t solve Logan Henderson in a 7-2 loss to the Biloxi Shuckers on Friday night.
Henderson (W, 4-0) continued his impressive first impression at Double-A with 5.2 innings of three-hit ball. The righty tied a career high with 10 strikeouts, and improved to 4-0 in his first four Southern League starts after a June 1 promotion from the Midwest League.
The Blue Wahoos managed only four hits, highlighted by a two-run homer from Jakob Marsee on his 23rd birthday. Harrison Spohn and Joe Mack added doubles in the losing effort that saw Pensacola strike out a season-high 15 times.
Biloxi jumped ahead 4-0 in the second inning with a two-out rally against Luis Palacios (L, 5-5). Zavier Warren, who had driven in all three runs in Thursday’s 3-2 Shuckers win, kept up his hot hitting with a two-run homer before Carlos Rodriguez followed with a two-run double.
Darrien Miller added insurance with an RBI double in the fifth before capping the night with a two-run homer off Jeff Lindgren in the seventh. Nate Peterson (S, 1) earned a rare three-inning save by getting the final nine outs of the night for the Shuckers.
The Blue Wahoos continue their series against the Shuckers on Saturday. First pitch from Keesler Federal Park is scheduled for 6:05 p.m.
Rodney Brown Maxwell
June 29, 2024
Rodney Brown Maxwell, 79, of Pensacola, Florida peacefully passed away on June 12, 2024, surrounded by his devoted family.
He was known to many as “Max”. Rodney is survived by his loving wife Sheila Sheehan of 57 years.
He was the proud father of daughters Crystal Lane and Dawn (Eric) Jackson and sons Corey (Jennifer) Maxwell and Ryan (Heather) Maxwell. He was most affectionately known as Poppy to his loving grandchildren Tyler (Megan), Sierra, Maxwell, Ryleigh, Sydney, Reece, Emalyn and great granddaughter, Elizabeth. He is also survived by his sister, Maxine Strickland, cousin Buddy Brown, and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents Wilbur Lee and Mary Autney Maxwell and brother-in-law, Roy Strickland.
Rodney was born on September 2, 1944 in DeFuniak Springs, Florida. He graduated from Walton High School in 1962. He joined the Air Force and was stationed in Germany and Hill Air Force Base in Utah where he met his wife whom he married on December 22, 1967. After serving, Rodney moved to Pensacola and began his career with Southern Bell as a cable splicer where he made many lifelong friends. He was a dedicated and hardworking employee for 40 years until his retirement in 2007. He spent much of his time fishing and listening to Alabama football. He was his grandchildren’s number one fan and spent countless hours supporting their many endeavors.
A Celebration of Life for family and friends will be held on Sunday, July 14th at 4:00 pm at the Sanders Beach Community Center.
The family is encouraging guests to dress in appropriate “Rodney” attire including Hawaiian or fishing shirts. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to ARC Gateway. Interment at Barrancas National Cemetery will occur on a separate date.
Jay Bicyclist Killed After Being Hit By Two Vehicles
June 28, 2024
A bicyclist from Jay was killed when he was struck by two vehicles near Allentown late Thursday night.
The Florida Highway Patrol said the 43-year-old Jay man was riding his bicycle north in the northbound lane of Highway 87 near Hopewell Road about 11:39 p.m. He was hit by a car driven by a 35-year-old Brewton man, throwing him from the bicycle into the southbound lane where he was hit by a car driven by a 39-year old Georgia man.
The bicyclist was pronounced deceased at the scene by LifeGuard EMS.
There were no other injuries.
FHP is continuing their investigation.
Third Suspect In Shooting, Pursuit, Bridge Jump Arrested In Texas
June 28, 2024
The third suspect that jumped off the Highway 90 bridge over Escambia Bay following a drive-by shooting and pursuit Monday has been arrested in Texas.
Terrance Lovelle Gross, Jr., 19, was arrested in Laredo, Texas, by the Webb County Sheriff’s Office.
“Gross is believed to be the third suspect who jumped over the Hwy 90 bridge,” the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said Frida. “Gross has been arrested and will be extradited to Escambia County, where he will face charges associated with shooting a 70-year-old female.”
ECSO said they believe Gross was attempting to flee to Mexico.
“On June 27, 2024, information was relayed to the Webb County Sheriff’s Office of Terrance Lovelle Gross Jr., a male suspect wanted for murder out of Pensacola, Florida, who was traveling to Laredo, TX,” Webb County said. “Through a collaborative effort with Department of Homeland Security (HSI), Department of Public Safety (DPS), and other law enforcement agencies a felony traffic stop was conducted on a white Dodge Ram at the intersection of Calle Del Norte and McPherson.” That intersection is about four miles from the Mexico border.
Texas authorities said, his father, Terrance Lovelle Gross, was driving the vehicle and later released. The passenger of the vehicle was identified as Terrance Lovelle Gross Jr.
Gross is jailed in Texa awaiting extradition back to Florida.
One suspect was killed in his jump from the Highway 90 bridge after deputies performed a PIT maneuver to stop their vehicle. Another suspect 19-year-old Jaquarius Trayquan Etheridge was captured at the scene after jumping from the bridge. Etheridge has been charged with murder while engaged in a crime for the death of the other suspect, attempted murder for the drive-by shooting, fleeing and eluding, and a weapons offense. He is jailed without bond.
The drive-by shooting with about 40 rounds fired happened about 6:30 p.m. Monday in the Erress Boulevard area near Montclair Elementary School area. A 70-year-old woman was reportedly shot in the neck. At last report, she was continuing to fight for her life.
ECSO K-9 Streeter jumped off the bridge in pursuit off Gross, Jr. He was treated and released and was expected to return to duty on Friday.
Highway 4 Bridge Replacement Project Approaching Completion
June 28, 2024
Escambia County is estimating that a new bridge over Highway 4 bridge over Canoe Creek, about halfway between Byrneville and Bratt, will open in late July.
The new bridge will replace an 81-year-old structure that was closed in July 2023 for replacement.
The project includes drainage improvements and reconstruction of the roadway approaching the bridge. This will include milling and resurfacing the pavement, widening travel lanes, and placing new signage and pavement markings.
The state budget included $3,837,105 to replace the structurally deficient bridge. The bridge and roadway are owned by Escambia County, but the work was done under a locally funded agreement with FDOT.
Pictured: The new bridge over Highway 4 bridge over Canoe Creek is nearing completion. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
