AAA Forecasting Record Setting Holiday Travel
December 29, 2019
AAA is forecasting a record 115.6 million travelers will break holiday records through January 1.
Here’s how AAA breaks down their forecast for those traveling 50 miles or more:
- Total Travelers:
- Americans - 115.6 million (4.3 million more than last year)
- Floridians - 6.1 million (300,000 more than last year)
- These figures are record highs for both the U.S. and Florida
- Automobiles:
- Americans – 104.8 million (3.9 million more than last year)
- Floridians – 5.5 million (200,000 more than last year)
- More people will drive this holiday season than ever before
- Planes:
- Americans – 6.97 million (300,000 more than last year)
- Floridians – 332,500 (15,500 more than last year)
- With 4.9% growth, air travel will see the biggest increase in travel volume during the year-end holidays – the most since 2003.
- Trains, Buses and Cruise Ships:
- Americans – 3.81 million (111,000 more than last year)
- Floridians – 230,600 (9,300 more than last year)
For the purposes of the AAA forecast, the year-end holiday travel period is defined as the 12-day period from Saturday, December 21 to Wednesday, January 1.
Pictured: Pensacola International Airport. NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Klingman Graduates From Mobile Fire Academy
December 29, 2019
Firefighter Nathaniel Klingman graduated from the Mobile Fire Academy recently. Klingman, a resident of Cantonment, is a volunteer with the Ferry Pass Station of Escambia Fire Rescue and is also employed with Mobile Fire Rescue. Klingman, third from the left, is pictured with fellow Ferry Pass volunteers. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview Names November And December Students Of The Month
December 29, 2019
Northview High School has named students of the month for November and December.
Noah Harigel and Sarah Long are November Students of the Month, and Shelby Kent and Blake Yoker are December Students of the Month. They are pictured with NHS Principal Mike Sherrill.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Man With No Driver’s License Charged With Fleeing From Deputies
December 28, 2019
A Cantonment man is facing charges after allegedly fleeing from a traffic stop and drug possession.
Thomas Devontae Jackson, 27, was booked into the Escambia County Jail for fleeing and eluding, driving while license suspended and possession of marijuana under 20 grams.
Jackson’s arrest came after an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office spotted him not wearing his seatbelt near Clifton Avenue and Lucerne Avenue in Pensacola. The deputy attempted a traffic stop, but Jackson fled. After terminating the traffic stop, the deputy eventually located the vehicle stationary on Armenia Drive. He located Jackson, who he recognized from the attempted traffic stop, outside a residence in the area, according to an arrest report.
The deputy reported finding a small bag of marijuana in Jackson’s pocket.
Jackson was released from jail on a $4,500 bond.
Longtime Cantonment Pharmacy Owner John Reading, Sr. Passes Away
December 28, 2019
A longtime Cantonment businessman passed away Thursday.
John Thomas Reading, Sr., 89, owned the Cantonment Pharmacy for 43 years. The pharmacy closed in 2014 after the business was sold.
“I’m going to miss seeing the people and the families I’ve know for three or four generations. I even performed marriages for a few of them as a notary,” Reading said in a 2014 interview. “We know the people so well…..we love them.”
Reading was underage when he joined the Navy at just 14, and he later joined the Army Air Corps/Air Force. Family said his life was one adventure after another. He owned several motorcycles and airplanes, was an animal lover and Civil War history expert. He authored 10 novels, was a giver of good advice, and “the teller of the tallest tales”.
He is survived by his wife of 69 years, two children, three grandchildren and numerous other relatives.
For the complete obituary, click here.
Fire Damages Beulah Mobile Home
December 28, 2019
Fire heavily damaged a mobile home in Beulah Friday afternoon.
The fire in the 8000 block of Rebel Acres Lane was reported about 4:30 p.m. There were no injuries reported.
The Beulah, Ensley, Bellview, Osceola and Myrtle Grove stations of Escambia Fire Rescue and Escambia County EMS were dispatched to the blaze.
Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Firefighters Respond To Reported Residential Fire In Century
December 28, 2019
Area fire departments were dispatched to a reported residential structure fire Friday night in Century.
The stove fire was reported out as firefighters arrived on scene on East Pond Street shortly after 6 p.m. They remained on scene to evacuate smoke from the residence and install a smoke detector.
If your home does not have a working smoke detector,call Escambia County Fire Rescue at 850-595-HERO (4376) or 850-436-5200 for city of Pensacola residents to have a free one installed.
The Century and McDavid stations of Escambia Fire Rescue, the Flomaton Fire Department and Jay Fire Department were initially dispatched to the call.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Jim Allen Elementary Names Students Of The Month
December 28, 2019
Jim Allen Elementary School recently named their November Students of the Month. They are Mason Loudon and Jayla Bonner. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Boil Water Notice Lifted For Kingsfield, Highway 297A Area
December 28, 2019
A precautionary boil water notice that was issued for part of Cantonment has been lifted. Results of two independent bacteriological samples show the water is safe to drink, according to the Emerald Coast Utilities Authority.
The boil water notice was issued Wednesday morning for Bentley Oaks Drive to Kingsfield Road, North of Kingsfield Road west of 297A to include: Kahuna Way, Bentley Oaks, Waterbury Way, Waterbury Court, Tall Oak Drive, Bur Oak Drive, Flintstone Drive, Natalies Way, Avalon Street, Slate Drive, Quartz Avenue, Granite Lane, and Brightleaf Circle, and Dolan Drive on the east side of 297A.
This notice was issued after repairs were made to a broken 12-inch water main. Precautionary boil water notices are issued as a part of the standard protocol following any loss of water pressure, whether as a result of planned maintenance activities or unscheduled repairs.
Alabama Deputy Crashes Into Tree In Florida During High Speed Chase
December 27, 2019
An Alabama sheriff’s deputy involved in a high speed chase was injured when her cruiser crashed into a tree Thursday night in Florida.
The female deputy was taken to D.W. McMillan Hospital in Brewton with injuries that were not considered serious following the crash on Fannie Road near Century.
The chase started about 9:20 p.m. Old Fannie Road near Hollywood Drive, east of Flomaton in Escambia County, Alabama. That’s where the Escambia County (AL) Sheriff’s Office, Alabama State Troopers and Flomaton Police were conducting a vehicle checkpoint.
“As a vehicle approached the checkpoint, the driver spun around in a ditch and fled at a high rate of speed,” Escambia County (AL) Sheriff Heath Jackson said.
Law enforcement officers gave chase, with an Escambia County (AL) deputy in the lead. The pursuit continued along Fannie Road about a mile and a half before crossing into Florida. About a half mile into Florida, one deputy lost control in a curve on Fannie Road near Carnley Road, ran off the roadway and struck several trees with a 2015 Chevrolet Tahoe patrol unit.
Jackson said the pursuit was called off by the lead deputy shortly after entering Florida, about the time the female deputy crashed into the trees.
A description of the vehicle that fled was not available Thursday night, and the identify of the driver remained unknown.
The wreck is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. The Century Station of Escambia (FL) Fire Rescue, the Escambia County (FL) Sheriff’s Office and MedStar EMS also responded to the crash.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
