Slight Chance Of Showers Tonight
June 14, 2021
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Tuesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 95. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 70. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming northwest after midnight.
Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89. North wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 67. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 90. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 71. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Friday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 86. Light and variable wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
Friday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 82. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Saturday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72.
Sunday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 82. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Sunday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72.
Monday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 84. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Jay High’s Carson Walters, First National Merit Finalist In School History, Receives Auburn Scholarship
June 14, 2021
Jay High School Class of 2021 graduate Carson Walters has been awarded the National Merit Auburn University Scholarship. Walters is the first National Merit Scholar finalist to graduate from Jay High.
College-sponsored Merit Scholarship winners are a part of a distinguished group of about 7,500 high school seniors who will receive National Merit Scholarships for college undergraduate study worth a total of nearly $30 million. Walters lists his probable career field as orthopedic surgery and will be attending Auburn University in the fall.
Cottage Hill Neighborhood Watch Meets Tonight
June 14, 2021
A newly formed Cottage Hill Neighborhood Watch group will meet tonight.
The neighborhood watch group will meet with representatives of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at 6:30 p.m. at the First Baptist Church of Cottage Hill, 230 Williams Ditch Road.
Residents of the Cottage Hill community are encouraged to attend.
AAA Says Florida Gas Prices Are The Highest Since 2014
June 14, 2021
Florida gas prices increased as projected last week, with the state average jumping 12 cents. The increase was following significant gains in the prices of crude oil and gasoline futures, as the recovery in global fuel demand outpaces supply, according to AAA.
The average price per gallon in Florida is now $2.97, the most expensive since 2014.
In Escambia County, the average price per gallon was also $2.97 Sunday night. The lowest price to be found in Cantonment was $2.87 on Highway 29 in Cantonment, while in Pensacola two warehouse clubs were at $2.72.
“Fortunately, futures prices flattened out last week, so drivers should not face another round of rising prices this week,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Land Being Cleared For New Dollar General Store In Century
June 13, 2021
Work is underway at the planned location for a new Dollar General store in Century.
Land is currently being cleared for the store in the 7000 block of North Century Boulevard, on the west side of the road between Highway 4A and West Hecker Road.
According to plans for the proposed store, it will be 9,291 square feet on about 1.5 acres. It will have 31 total parking spaces, with entrances from North Century Boulevard and West Hecker Road. The developer has told the town that they will remove 17 trees from the property. They plan to replant those 17 trees at the site, along with five flowering trees and 15 shade trees in the Nadine McCaw Park on North Century Boulevard, just northeast of the planned store.
The new Century Dollar General will employ about 6-10 people. It will include the new “DG Fresh” concept that offers fresh produce and healthier grocery options.
Angela Petkovic of Dollar General Corporate Relations told NorthEscambia.com said the new store will not replace the current Dollar General just over a mile and a half away on North Century Boulevard near the state line, the Food Giant and a Family Dollar. The existing Century Dollar General opened in July 2002 in a building that was constructed in 1970.
The new Century Dollar General will employ about 6-10 people.
Pictured: Land is being cleared for a new Dollar General store in Century. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Boil Water Notice Issued For Nine Mile Road Area From Pine Forest To Beulah Road
June 13, 2021
THIS BOIL WATER NOTICE WAS LIFTED THE AFTERNOON OF JUNE 15, 2021.
A precautionary boil water notice has been issued by the Emerald Coast Utilities Authority for customers along West Nine Mile Road from Pine Forest Road To Beulah Road.
ECUA crews completed repairs Saturday to a 16-inch pipe in the area, and they have flushed out the lines.
Residents are advised to boil water for one minute at a rolling boil or to use eight drops of regular unscented household bleach per gallon for water to be used for drinking or cooking purposes.
Two independent bacteriological samples have been initiated and the advisory will be lifted as soon as possible. This process routinely takes 48 hours and the notice will be rescinded at that time.
Residents in the area and nearby are advised that there is a possibility of discolored water as a result of the utility work, and to flush their home’s plumbing by running their taps for a few minutes. If problems persist, customers are asked to contact ECUA Customer Service at (850) 476-0480 for assistance.
Traffic Alerts – What To Expect On The Road This Week
June 13, 2021
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:
- Pensacola Bay Bridge (U.S. 98) Replacement - The Pensacola Bay Bridge has reopened. Drivers will encounter nighttime lane restrictions on the Pensacola Bay Bridge from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Friday, June 11 through Thursday, June 17 as crews work to restore four travel lanes for the length of the bridge.
- 17th Avenue Interchange construction – There is a new, temporary traffic configuration in place for the 17th Avenue interchange in Pensacola. Traffic exiting the Pensacola Bay Bridge now has direct access to both 17th Avenue northbound and Gregory Street westbound. 17th Avenue southbound is currently closed at Bayfront Parkway while work on the interchange continues. Access to the Pensacola Visitors Center and boat launch remains open from 17th Avenue. Westbound access to the bridge is available via Bayfront Parkway, however, there are no left turns permitted from 14th Avenue to Bayfront Parkway. These drivers should detour to Ninth Avenue southbound, turn east onto Chase Street, and then continue east to Bayfront Parkway and the Pensacola Bay Bridge
- North Ninth Avenue (State Road (S.R.) 289) Carpenters Creek Bridge Replacement- All travel lanes are temporarily shifted to the northbound side of the bridge as crews work to replace the southbound portion of the structure.
- Drivers will encounter brief, intermittent lane closures as crews mobilize materials and equipment. The brief, intermittent lane closures and traffic configuration will continue through the end of the year.
- Pile driving work is also underway. Crews will be driving piles during the daytime hours. Nearby residents and commercial property owners may experience noise and vibration.
- During the week of June 14, Ninth Avenue will be temporarily closed near Carpenters Creek during nighttime hours for approximately 10-15 minutes to allow crews to move a crane.
- · U.S. 29 from South of Muscogee Road (County Road (C.R.) 184) to Atmore Hwy (S.R. 97) – Motorists will encounter intermittent day and nighttime lane closures, Monday through Friday, throughout the limits of the project for striping operations, signal work, and other miscellaneous items needed complete the project.
o A new traffic signal on U.S. 29 at Molino Road (County Road 182) will become fully operational around 10 a.m. Tuesday, June 15. The new signal is mounted horizontally on mast arms. Motorists with color weakness problems will need to remember red is on the left and green on the right. The signal is currently in flash mode to acquaint motorists with the new location. Drivers are urged to use caution when approaching the intersection.
- West Cervantes (U.S. 90) Pedestrian Safety Improvement Project – Drivers are encountering inside day and nighttime lane closures between Dominguez Street and Shoemaker Street as crews perform median improvement work. One lane in each direction will be maintained. The median work and lane closures will progress eastward on Cervantes Street until the end of the year. The speed limit between Dominguez Street and A Street has been permanently reduced to 30 mph.
- U.S. 29 Widening from I-10 to Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90) – Motorists can expect intermittent lane closures and shifts on U.S. 29 between I-10 and Nine and Half Mile Road and on Nine Mile Road at the U.S. 29 Overpass 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Monday, June 14 through Friday, June 18.
- Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90) Widening from Pine Forest (S.R. 297) to U.S. 29 – Drivers will encounter lane closures and shifts between I-10 and Surrey Drive between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. the week of Monday, June 14 as crews pave and repair the asphalt.
- In addition, the new traffic signal on Nine Mile Road at I-10 will be placed in a flash mode at 10 a.m. Tuesday, June 15. Drivers exiting I-10 eastbound to Nine Mile Road eastbound will encounter a flashing red light telling them to stop, then proceed once traffic is clear. East and westbound Nine Mile Road traffic will encounter a yellow flashing signal meaning slow down and proceed through the intersection with caution. Tuesday, June 22 around 10 a.m. the traffic signal will become fully operational. The new signal is mounted horizontally on mast arms. Motorists with color weakness problems will need to remember red is on the left and green on the right.
- S.R. 292 (Sorrento Road) Intersection Improvements at the Innerarity Point (C.R. 292A)– Motorists should expect intermittent lane closures 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, June 13 through Thursday, June 17 as crews restripe and install temporary asphalt in preparation for construction of low-profile barrier wall.
Santa Rosa County:
- Pensacola Bay Bridge (U.S. 98) Replacement - The Pensacola Bay Bridge has reopened. Drivers will encounter nighttime lane restrictions on the Pensacola Bay Bridge from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Friday, June 11 through Thursday, June 17 as crews work to restore four travel lanes for the length of the bridge.
- I-10 Resurfacing East of S.R. 281 (Avalon Boulevard) to East of S.R. 87 – Motorists can expect intermittent lane closures 8 p.m. Sunday, June 13 to 6 a.m. Monday, June 14 as crews perform paving operations.
Jay Man Critically Injured After Being Ejected, Pinned Under His Van
June 13, 2021
A Jay man was critically injured when he was ejected from his van and pinned under it Saturday afternoon.
The 19-year old was eastbound on Old Pollard Road about a mile west of Highway 89 when he drove through standing water and lost control about 2 p.m. The vehicle rotated, struck a mailbox and a drainage ditch before becoming airborne. The passenger side of the van struck a tree and continued to rotate, ejecting the man, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
State troopers said he was ejected and pinned under the van.
The man was airlifted to an area hospital by Shands Cair 6 medical helicopter. The Jay Volunteer Fire Department and Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office were among those that responded.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
June 13, 2021
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Showers and thunderstorms likely in the evening. Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming southwest in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Monday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 94. Heat index values as high as 105. North wind 5 to 10 mph becoming southwest in the afternoon. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Monday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 10pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Tuesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph in the morning.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 71. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. North wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 69. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 90. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph in the morning.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 70. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Friday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89.
Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71.
Saturday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 85.
Saturday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72.
Sunday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 83. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Florida Forest Service Southern Pine Beetle Assistance Application Deadline Is June 18
June 13, 2021
Applications close Friday, June 18 for the 2021 Southern Pine Beetle Assistance and Prevention Program for non-industrial, private forest landowners. The program is limited to 44 northern Florida counties, including Escambia and Santa Rosa.
The Southern Pine Beetle Assistance and Prevention Program, supported through a grant by the U.S. Forest Service, provides incentive payments for landowners who have overstocked pine stands and need to conduct a first thinning. In addition, it offers partial cost reimbursement for activities that can mitigate SPB activity, such as prescribed burning, mechanical underbrush treatments, and the planting of longleaf or slash pine rather than loblolly pine, the beetle’s preferred species. All qualifying applications received during the submission period will be evaluated and ranked for approval.
To obtain an application or to learn more about the Southern Pine Beetle Assistance and Prevention Program, visit FDACS.gov/SPBPrevention.
The southern pine beetle (SPB) is one of the most economically devastating forest pests in the Southeastern United States, with periodic outbreaks destroying thousands of acres of pine timber. The last major SPB outbreak in Florida, between 1999 and 2002, caused an estimated $59 million in timber losses on over 24,000 acres. The Southern Pine Beetle Assistance and Prevention Program promotes forest management practices that reduce the risk and impacts of SPB infestations. Since it was first offered in 2005, the program has been implemented on more than 197,000 acres and helped thousands of landowners.