Weather: Higher Rain Chances This Week; Watching The Tropics
June 2, 2020
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Patchy fog after 1am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 70. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Wednesday: Showers likely, with thunderstorms also possible after 11am. Patchy fog before 9am. Otherwise, cloudy, with a high near 83. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Wednesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Thursday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 85. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Thursday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68. Calm wind.
Friday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 86. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming south in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Friday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70. East wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 84. East wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Saturday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. East wind around 10 mph.
Sunday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 82. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Sunday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73.
Monday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 86. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Monday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 73.
Tuesday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 87.
Century Council Votes 3-1 To Reopen The Town’s Parks
June 2, 2020
The Century Town Council voted Monday night to reopen the town’s parks, departing from the advice given by Mayor Henry Hawkins. The Century parks are about the last, if not the last, recreation area in Escambia County to be reopened after the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Hawkins told the council that the parks remained closed because the town does not have the personnel to monitor them for proper social distancing like Escambia County and the City of Pensacola.
The county and city never closed their parks and never instituted any formal monitoring programs.
Councilmen Ben Boutwell and James Smith both expressed that some point people must have personal accountability for the their actions such as proper social distancing the in the parks.
“People can do what they want to do,” Councilman Luis Gomez said. “I’m not trying to stop it, but I’m trying to say if the people start getting sick and people start overwhelming the park, are we going to be willing to close it back?”
The council voted 3-1 to reopen the parks and reinstall the basketball rims that were removed from Marie McMurray Park. Gomez cast the dissenting vote, and council member Sandra McMurray-Jackson did not vote after apparently being disconnected from the telephone meeting.
“I’ll go no with this one,” Gomez said about his vote. “It ain’t going to be on my conscience.”
When Century closed their parks in early April due to COVID-19, they also removed the basketball from the Carver Community Center’s basketball courts on Jefferson Avenue. Monday night, the council voted 4-0 to return the rims to the community group that owns the courts because they are not town property.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Free Produce Giveaway Wednesday At Highland Baptist Church
June 2, 2020
Highland Baptist Church will host a free fresh produce box giveaway on Wednesday.
It will take place from 3-6 p.m., or while supplies last at the church, 6240 Highway 95A in Molino. It is limited to one box per vehicle. The produce is being provided in conjunction with the USDA and Gulf Coast Produce.
For more information, call (850) 587-5174.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
EREC Reopens Lobbies For Member Services
June 2, 2020
Escambia River Electric Cooperative has reopened their business lobbies in Walnut Hill and Jay with recommendations to follow CDC social distancing guidelines.
In response to COVID-19, the lobbies were closed in March and contract post office services were scaled back in Walnut Hill.
EREC is still encouraging members to utilize remote options to do business with the cooperative. EREC accept payments by mail, online, by phone or using a night depository drop. Services such as opening or closing an electric, water or internet account; making changes to services; balance inquiries and service orders can be accomplished b phone or email. Contact memberservices@erec.com or call (850) 675-4521 or (800) 235-3848 for assistance.
Pictured: The Walnut Hill post office. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Northview High Names Valedictorian, Salutatorian
June 2, 2020
Northview High School has named the valedictorian and salutatorian for the Class of 2020.
Valedictorian is Keaton Brown, and salutatorian is Kayla McKillion.
A graduation ceremony for the Northview High School Class of 2020 will held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, June 24 at the Pensacola Bay Center. Seating will be limited.
Click or tap here for more information on planned graduation ceremonies in Escambia County.
UWF COVID-19 Testing Site Reopened Tuesday, One Day After It Was Closed By The State
June 1, 2020
The mobile testing site at the University of West Florida will reopen to the public, Tuesday, June 2 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. After Tuesday, it will be open to the public 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week.
The drive-through test site is located at the SP2 parking lot, which is on the east side of campus, near the East Sports Complex. Individuals are asked to remain in their vehicles, and pre-screening is not required.
On Monday, the state announced the testing site was closed after the National Guard was activated.
The site was first opened to the public May 2 at the request of the Governor’s Office under the direction of the Florida Department of Health in conjunction with both Escambia and Santa Rosa counties and assistance from the Florida National Guard.
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Tropical Depression Forms In Bay Of Campeche; Likely To Become Tropical Storm Cristobal
June 1, 2020
Tropical Depression Three formed in the Bay of Campeche (southern Gulf of Mexico) Monday afternoon.
It is expected to remain in the same general area and meander in the southern Gulf through late Wednesday before beginning to move north. It will likely become Tropical Storm Cristobal.
It is too early to forecast when and where it will make landfall. A Northwest Florida landfall is not currently likely, but cannot be ruled out. We will keep you updated on NorthEsambia.com.
Click any graphic to enlarge for additional information.
One Injured In Highway 29, Highway 97 Rear-End Collision
June 1, 2020
One person was injured in a rear-end type collision at Highway 29 and Highway 97 in Molino Monday afternoon.
The crash happened 1:45 p.m. when the driver of passenger car rear-ended a Toyota 4Runner. One person was transported to an area hospital by Escambia County EMS.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating. The Molino Station of Escambia Fire Rescue also responded.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Finalizes Graduation Schedule For June 22-24 At Pensacola Bay Center
June 1, 2020
The School District of Escambia County, Florida, has announced plans for 2020 high school graduation ceremonies. After consultation with local and state officials, dates for graduation ceremonies have been scheduled and will be held as follows:
Monday, June 22, 2020
- 9:30 a.m. Escambia Virtual School & George Stone at Pensacola High School
- 4:00 p.m. Escambia High School at Pensacola Bay Center
Tuesday, June 23, 2020
- 9:00 a.m. West Florida High School at Pensacola Bay Center
- 2:00 p.m. Pine Forest High School at Pensacola Bay Center
- 7:00 p.m. Tate High School at Pensacola Bay Center
Wednesday, June 24, 2020
- 9:00 a.m. Pensacola High School at Pensacola Bay Center
- 2:00 p.m. Northview High School at Pensacola Bay Center
- 7:00 p.m. Booker T. Washington High School at Pensacola Bay Center
Important safety measures will be added to these graduation ceremonies from those held in the past. In order to adhere to social distancing guidelines, the following information is provided:
- Ceremonies will be live streamed. Remote viewing is encouraged
- Participation in graduation ceremonies is voluntary
- Face masks are encouraged
- Bags of any kind (tote bags, backpacks, etc.) are discouraged
- Seating is general admission, with six (6) tickets provided to each graduating student and distributed by their school
- Absolutely no replacement of lost tickets
- Graduation times have been scheduled to allow the Pensacola Bay Center to be sanitized after each ceremony
- No congregating after graduation ceremonies; graduates and families should go directly to their vehicles and exit the property promptly
- Graduates will be allowed to keep their cap and gown, and return these items to schools at a later date. This allows families to celebrate and take pictures with their graduates
- Graduates and guests will maintain social distancing while in the Pensacola Bay Center
- Anyone who has recently traveled outside of the country, had a fever within the last 14 days, or in contact with someone who was COVID-19 positive will be asked not to attend.
- All graduations will be live streamed for the general public for family members and friends who cannot attend, or to watch at a later time.
“The Escambia County School District is committed to recognizing and celebrating the educational successes of the Senior Class of 2020. Your hard work and persistence during these turbulent last few months has been admirable. We are eager and excited about coming together to celebrate the success of your high school career. We are finally going to make it happen and look forward to seeing you on June 22, 23rd and June 24th,” said Escambia County School Superintendent Malcolm Thomas. “Congratulations to the Class of 2020 graduates. Best wishes in your future endeavors.”
State Closes COVID-19 Testing Site at UWF
June 1, 2020
UPDATE: THE SITE WILL REOPEN ON TUESDAY. CLICK OR TAP FOR MORE INFORMATION.
The state has closed a mobile COVID-19 testing site the University of West Florida after a month of operation.
The drive-through, no pre-screening required test site opened to Escambia and Santa Rosa county residents on May 2.
“The UWF COVID-19 Test Site will be closed until further notice. The site was run primarily by the National Guard, which has been activated by the Governor. We will notify you when the site reopens,” Escambia County said in a statement Monday morning.
The site was opened at the request of the Governor’s Office under the direction of the Florida Department of Health in conjunction with both Escambia and Santa Rosa counties and assistance from the Florida National Guard.
The National Guard has been deployed to other parts of the state due to civil arrest following the death of George Floyd, a black man that died after a police officer in Minnesotan pushed his knee into Floyd’s neck for over eight minutes.
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