Mailing A Package For Christmas? Here Are The Post Office Deadlines
December 4, 2023
The U.S. Postal Service is providing 2023 holiday shipping and mailing deadlines. The information below covers domestic, international and military shipping destinations to allow for the timely delivery of cards, letters and packages by Dec. 25th.
The Postal Service has announced it will not have a peak, or demand, surcharge this holiday season, offering increased predictability in pricing for customers. The Postal Service offers simple, upfront pricing year-round with no additional fees for residential area delivery, for Saturday delivery, no fuel surcharges and no volume minimums.
2023 USPS Holiday Shipping and Mailing Deadlines
Within the Lower 48 (excludes Alaska and Hawaii)
USPS Ground Advantage — Dec. 16
First-Class Mail (including greeting cards) — Dec. 16
Priority Mail — Dec. 18
Priority Mail Express — Dec. 20
Alaska
USPS Ground Advantage — Dec. 16
First-Class Mail — Dec. 16
Priority Mail — Dec. 18
Priority Mail Express — Dec. 20
Hawaii
USPS Ground Advantage — Dec. 16
First-Class Mail — Dec. 16
Priority Mail — Dec. 16
Priority Mail Express — Dec. 20
Air/Army Post Office (APO), Fleet Post Office (FPO), Diplomatic Post Office (DPO)
USPS Ground Advantage — Nov. 6
First-Class Mail — Dec. 9
Priority Mail — Dec. 9
Priority Mail Express Military Service — Dec. 15*
Pictured: The Cantonment Post Office. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Florida Gas Prices Inch Upward, Local Average Below $3
December 4, 2023
Florida gas prices are declining again after an abrupt increase last week. After setting a new 2023 low of $3.01 per gallon last Monday, the state average jumped to $3.17 by Thursday.
The average price per gallon Sunday night in Florida was at $3.14.
In Escambia County, drivers were paying an average of $2.98 Sunday nigt. A North Escambia low of $2.89 could be found on Highway 29 in Cantonment, while Pensacola prices were as low as $2.63 on East Nine Mile Road.
“Florida gas prices seem to be moving down again almost as quickly as they shot up,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “There isn’t any clear explanation for last week’s sudden increase, as oil and gasoline futures logged their sixth consecutive weekly loss. Regardless, drivers in many cities are beginning to find gas prices close to the same levels where they were last week.
Pedestrian Critical After Highway 29 Hit And Run Saturday Night
December 3, 2023
A pedestrian is in critical condition after a hit and run on Highway 29 in Escambia County Saturday night.
The Florida Highway Patrol said an unknown vehicle was traveling south on Highway 29 in the area of Jacquelyn Way, south of Brent Lane ,about 7:34 p.m.when it struck a 56-year old Pensacola man that was within the travel lanes before fleeing the scene
The pedestrian was transported to an area hospital.
Anyone with information is asked to call *FHP.
Area Receives Much Needed Rain, Over 3-4 Inches In Some Locations
December 3, 2023
The area received some extremely beneficial rain on Saturday, including over three inches in Molino and four inches in Beulah.
Here are totals from calibrated rain gauges across Escambia County:
- Beulah — 4.06 inches
- Molino – 3.07 inches
- Walnut Hill — 2.13 inches
- Tate High — 2.37
- Pine Forest High School — 2.51 inches
- UWF –3.73 nches
- West Florida High — 2.33 inches
- Century 1.74 inches
- Perdido Key == 1.79
- Bratt– 1.64 inches
- Pensacola Beach — 1.49 inches
Want To Have Your Say In The Future of Beulah? Two Master Plan Meetings This Week
December 3, 2023
Escambia County District 1 Commissioner Jeff Bergosh, county staff and Sigma Consulting invite the public to the Beulah Master Plan Design Charette Tuesday, Dec. 5, and Wednesday, Dec. 6, at the Beulah Senior Citizens Center, 7425 Woodside Road.
This two-day charrette will allow county staff and Sigma Consulting to further engage with citizens and learn more about planning for Beulah. From 6-8 p.m. on Dec. 5, Sigma Consulting will hold a short presentation followed by activities designed to provide Sigma with residents’ preferences for design improvements to the Beulah Master Plan. From 1-5 p.m. on Dec. 6, Sigma will use an open design studio format to quantify and consolidate data collected from the previous day. A presentation will follow the open design studio from 6-7 p.m.
The Beulah Master Plan is funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Treasury under the RESTORE Act program
Northview High Names Students Of The Month
December 3, 2023
Northview High School has named their Students of the Month for October. Pictured with Principal Mike Sherrill, they are Jade Howell and Jaden Satterwhite. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Dry Pattern Returns; Colder By Mid Week
December 3, 2023
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 52. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph after midnight.
Monday: Partly sunny, with a high near 69. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Monday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 41. North wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 61. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 40. West wind around 5 mph becoming north after midnight.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 56. North wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Wednesday Night: Clear, with a low around 34. North wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light in the evening.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 59. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 41. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph after midnight.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 68.
Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 52.
Saturday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 71.
Saturday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 46. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Sunday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 59.
These Are The Road Construction Spots To Watch This Week
December 3, 2023
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:
- North Palafox Street (U.S. 29/(State Road (S.R.) 95) from Cervantes Street (S.R. 10A) to Brent Lane (S.R. 296) – Drivers will encounter intermittent nighttime lane closures, from Cross Street to Brent Lane, Monday, Dec. 4 through Friday, Dec. 8 from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. as crews work on new signal pole foundations.
- Mobile Highway (U.S. 90) Resurfacing from Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90A) to west of Pine Forest Road (S.R. 297) - Drivers may encounter nighttime lane closures, between Nine Mile Road and Pine Forest Road, Sunday, Dec. 3 through Thursday, Dec. 7 from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. as crews pave the roadway.
- U.S. 29 (North Century Boulevard) Resurfacing between Henry Street and Cottage Street in Century – Northbound and southbound traffic on U.S. 29 (North Century Boulevard) is shifted to one outside travel lane in each direction between Rudolph Street and Green Street. The shift will be in place through the end of the year as crews perform drainage improvements. Signage is in place to safely direct drivers through the work zone.
- Lillian Highway (S.R. 298) Resurfacing from north of U.S. 98 to east of Fairfield Drive (S.R. 727) and Lillian Highway at Blue Angel Parkway (S.R. 173) – Drivers will encounter daytime and nighttime lane closures, between U.S. 98 and Blue Angel Parkway, Monday, Dec. 4 through Friday, Dec. 8 as crews perform paving work.
- County Road (C.R.) 4 over Canoe Creek Bridge – C.R. 4, between Byrneville and Bratt, will be closed through the end of the year as crews replace the Canoe Creek bridge. Traffic is directed through a 5.6-mile detour using Bratt Road to Pine Barren Road, then back to C.R. 4.
- Scenic Highway (U.S. 90), from north of I-10 to Davis Highway - Northbound traffic, between Pelican Lane and Scenic Ridge Drive, is shifted to the inside so crews can perform construction activities. The shift will remain in place until the work on the shoulder is completed. During construction, one lane of traffic will remain open in each direction and left turns will be permitted.
- U.S. 98 (Lillian Highway) Routine Maintenance at Bauer Road – Drivers may encounter alternating lane closures Monday, Dec 4 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for guardrail repair.
- U.S. 90 (Cervantes Street) Routine Maintenance at Perry Avenue – Drivers may encounter alternating lane closures Friday, Dec. 8 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. for tree trimming operations.
- Interstate 110 Routine Bridge Maintenance over S.R. 752 Overpass – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures south of S.R. 295 Tuesday, Dec. 5 from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. for routine bridge maintenance.
- S.R. 291 (Davis Highway) Routine Maintenance near Jackson Street – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures Monday, Dec. 4 through Wednesday, Dec. 6 from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. sidewalk repair operations.
Santa Rosa County:
- U.S. 90 Bridge Replacement over Simpson River - The outside (right) lane of U.S. 90 eastbound on the Simpson River Bridge will be closed Tuesday, Dec. 5 through Thursday, Dec. 7 from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. as crews perform construction activities for the new bridge. Drivers are reminded that the speed limit is 35 mph throughout the work zone.
- 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 Lake Drive.
- Intermittent lane closures and additional median closures between Bayshore Road and Tiger Lake Drive Sunday, Dec. 3, through Friday, Dec. 8, from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for stormwater drainage improvements and paving operations.
- S.R. 87 Resurfacing from Hickory Hammock Road (C.R. 184) to Technology Avenue – Drivers may encounter intermittent S.R. 87 southbound lane closures, between Technology Avenue and Hickory Hammock Road, Monday, Dec. 4 through Friday, Dec. 8, from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for turn lane construction.
- S.R. 87 Routine Bridge Maintenance over Clear Creek – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures north of S.R. 87A Wednesday, Dec. 6 from 8 p.m. to 12 a.m. for routine bridge maintenance.
- S.R. 281 Routine Bridge Maintenance over Indian Bayou – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures south of I-10 Thursday, Dec. 7 from 12 a.m. to 4 a.m. for routine bridge maintenance.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Six UWF Football Players Named To D2 CCA All-Super Region 2 Team
December 3, 2023
For the second-consecutive season, the UWF football program had six selections voted on to the Division 2 Conference Commissioner’s Association All-Super Region Two team as announced by the organization on Thursday.
Wide receiver John Jiles, offensive linemen Jacob Bruce, defensive lineman John McMullen and linebacker Gael Laurent were First Teamers, and offensive lineman Nymonta Doucoure and defensive back Quincy Milhomme were selected to the Second Team.
Jiles is among the most exciting wideouts in the country, ranking second in the NCAA in receiving yards (1,209), receiving ypg (109.9) and receiving TD (16). The First Team All-Gulf South Conference selection from Wake Forest, North Carolina has six 100-yard receiving games and has caught at least one touchdown in nine games
Bruce has started all four years at offensive tackle and earns his third-consecutive all-region honor, becoming the first 3-time honoree in program history. The Gainesville, Florida product has been part of an offensive line that helped UWF rank 17th in the country with 258 yards passing and 35th with 178.7 rushing yards per game. The Argos were 22nd with 437 yards of total offense this season. Doucure moved from tackle to guard in the fourth game and finished with an 85 percent grade in nine contests this season.
Laurent led the team with 63 tackles, including 42 solos, four tackles for loss, two sacks and two pass break-ups. The Miami, Florida standout finished his career with 154 stops, 24 TFL and 13 sacks in 44 games.
McMullen has been a dominant force in the offensive backfield all season. The GSC Defensive Player of the Year ranks second in the country with 13 quarterback sacks and set a UWF record with 22 tackles for loss. In a career that included time at Northern Michigan and UWF, McMullen ended his college playing days with 227 tackles, 68 TFL, 33 sacks and seven forced fumbles.
Milhomme was also an all-conference pick who starred in the secondary for the Argos. He started six of the final nine games at safety and ended his junior season with 32 tackles, 27 solos, three pass break-ups and two interceptions.
The first team selections will advance to the All-America ballot with top vote-getters from the other three super regions. The teams are voted on by the nation’s NCAA Division II sports information directors. The All-America teams will be announced on December 14.
Photo: Emily Miller.
Ice Flyers Rally In Third Period To Stay Unbeaten At Home On Rally Gulf Coast Night
December 3, 2023
The celebratory chants were a little louder inside the home team locker room. The music played a lot longer, too.
The Ice Flyers’ latest home ice win Saturday night became the best one.
For more photos, click or tap here.
Trailing 2-0 with less than 14 minutes remaining, the response was an extra gear, big saves and a clutch power-play goal by Dallas Comeau with 1:47 remaining that lifted the Ice Flyers to a gratifying 3-2 victory against the Peoria Rivermen to sweep the two-game series at the Pensacola Bay Center.
“They are obviously huge rivals, and it was awesome seeing the resiliency of this group,” Comeau said. “When we come together, we can make mountains move and it was awesome.”
The Ice Flyers (11-5-0) are now 8-0 at home after the win on Rally Foundation Night to benefit Rally Gulf Coast. The Ice Flyers, who wore specialty Rally Foundation uniforms, won’t play at the Bay Center again until two days before Christmas, but it’s been a joyous holiday-like time at home so far for this team.
They turned a lull into an energized crowd roar Saturday, especially after Nick Leitner’s tying goal with 6:44 remaining was followed by the furious final minutes.
“It was amazing,” said Ice Flyers goaltender Stephen Mundinger, who stopped 28 of 30 shots. “Probably one of the most fun games I’ve been a part of, as far as I can remember.
“Just after every goal, if you saw me, I was going nuts. It’s why we play the game, right? Stuff like this is worth all the memories. This was definitely special.”
Mundinger was definitely special Saturday. After Peoria (8-4-1) scored two first period goals in the final three minutes, both after turnovers in the Ice Flyers zone, he made huge saves in the second period, then in the third to keep the score as it was and help enable the comeback to happen.
“Second period we were just holding on for dear life,” said Ice Flyers coach Gary Graham. “Thank God, Dinger played a great game. He really gave us a chance. I really thought he should have been number one star, because without him making some big saves… in second period if that thing gets down 3-0 it could be curtains.
“I thought that was our worst period of the season. They took our confidence away from us in the second period.”
But the Ice Flyers got it back and the crowd into the action when Sean Gulka pounced on a loose puck in the crease area and chipped it up into the net to cut the deficit.
“That was the ice breaker we needed,” Comeau said.
Earlier in the game, Gulka brawled with Peoria’s Tristan Trudel, son of Peoria head coach Jean-Guy Trudel.
“I thought that really got (Rivermen) fired up,” Graham said.
Gulka’s goal was followed by linemate Leitner’s tying goal.
“That line was huge,” Graham said. “They played bull in a China shop hockey, because it’s a big line for us and two of our biggest wingers are on that line.”
With 2:51 remaining, Peoria was whistled for a delay of game penalty, giving the Ice Flyers only their second power play of the game. This time, they struck gold.
“A big face off win by Mitchy (Mitch Atkins) and nice shot by Zac (Herrmann) and I just got loose in position on that power play and was able to find the back of the net (on rebound),” Comeau said. “It was just electric in there (Bay Center). It was awesome in the third period. I was only a small piece of it.”
The Ice Flyers now have a 21-day gap between home games. Their next home game is Dec. 23 against Macon.
For more photos, click or tap here.
In the first intermission, Ice Flyers owner Greg Harris helped raise thousands for Rally Foundation by showing off his own hockey skills. After easily converting goals from the red line, Harris went to the other end, took off his shoes and went barefoot on the ice to send pucks end to end into the net.
Joining him were long time Ice Flyers sponsor Troy Rafferty, part of the Levin Papantonio Raffery Law Firm and Capt. Terrance Shashaty, commanding officer of Naval Air Station-Pensacola.
WHAT’S NEXT?
WHO: Ice Flyers vs. Quad City Storm
WHEN: Friday and Saturday (Dec 8-9), 7:05 p.m.
WHERE: Vibrant Arena, Moline, Illinois.
