Rainy Pattern Continues All Week
March 7, 2022
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Monday: Showers likely, with thunderstorms also possible. High near 79. South wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Monday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before midnight, then a slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 56. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming north after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Tuesday: A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 70. North wind 5 to 10 mph becoming east in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
Tuesday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 58. East wind around 5 mph becoming southwest after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Wednesday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. High near 67. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming north in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Wednesday Night: Showers likely, mainly before midnight. Cloudy, with a low around 56. Northeast wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Thursday: A 40 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 75. North wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
Thursday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 59. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
Friday: A chance of showers, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 74. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Friday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 37.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 51.
Saturday Night: Clear, with a low around 29.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 58.
Beef Cattle & Forage Bootcamp Held In Molino
March 7, 2022
The fourth annual Escambia County Beef Cattle & Forage Bootcamp provided a hand-on learning opportunity for producers involved with cattle or forage management Saturday in Molino.
State and local professionals were present to discuss current research and production strategies. This year, the Northwest Florida Cattlemen’s Association partnered with UF/IFAS Extension to promote education relating to beef and forage best practices. Presenters provided current information on cattle reproduction, nutrition and management along with information focusing on increasing forage productivity.
The event was held at the Escambia County 4-H Ag & Outdoor Learning Center on Highway 99 in Molino.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Mrs. Doris Troutman Cooper
March 7, 2022
Mrs. Doris Troutman Cooper, age 88, passed away, Saturday, March 5, 2022 peacefully at her home in Bratt, FL; surrounded by her family. She has resided most of her life in Bratt, FL. She was a member of Bratt First Baptist Church. She owned and operated Coopers Grocery in Bratt for fifty-four years.
Mrs. Cooper valued her time she got to spend with her family and grandchildren. She enjoyed gardening, cleaning and maintaining her yard and the store front. She enjoyed going to church.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Carl (Maggie Mason) Troutman, husband, Lawrence Cooper, one son, Carl Cooper, one grandson, Bryant Cooper, two brothers, Fredrick Troutman, Leon Troutman, two sisters, Margaret Lockwood, and Mary Mayson.
She is survived by her one son, Marion Cooper, of Bratt, FL; one daughter, Judy (Robert) Gilmore, of Pensacola, FL; one sister, Ouida McGill, of Atmore, AL; four grandchildren, Leslie Cooper, Lindsay Hale, Austin Cooper, Blake Gilmore, five great-grandchildren, Kendall, Bentley. Mia, Eli, Veyda, numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, March 10, 2022 at 10:00 AM at First Baptist Church of Bratt, FL; with Rev. Josh Long officiating.
Burial will follow at Godwin Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Wednesday, March 9, 2022 from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home, LLC.
Pallbearers will be Mark McGill, Steve McGill, Bryan McGill, Austin Cooper, Blake Gilmore, and Greg Vaughn.
Myrtice L. O’Dell
March 7, 2022
Myrtice L. O’Dell, a native of Pensacola, Florida passed away on March 6, 2022 at the age of 83. She was an active member of the Baptist faith. The family would like to extend a special thanks to Sacred Heart Hospital Critical Care and Hospice of Sacred Heart.
She was born April 7, 1938, in Santa Rosa County, Florida to the late Willie Mae Agerton and Jesse McNally. She married Bob O’Dell on November 7, 1958 in Pensacola, Florida.
She is survived by her children, Vicki (Jim) Kelnhofer, Lisa Brisson, Danny (Edna) O’Dell, David (Marion) O’Dell and Mike O’Dell. 7 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Bob O’Dell; a grandson, Robert O’Dell and her parents.
A funeral service will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 8, 2022 at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North. The family will receive friends from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. prior to the service.
Pallbearers will be: Austin South, Kristopher Wiggins, Corey O’Dell, Justin Wiggins, Ryan Seibold, Andrew O’Dell. Honorary pallbearer will be: James McNally
Here Are This Week’s Road Construction Slow Spots
March 7, 2022
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
- U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures and lane shifts on the Pensacola Bay Bridge from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, March 6 through Saturday, March 12. Crews will be using lanes on the current bridge as a platform to pour concrete decks for the westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) structure
- West Cervantes Street (U.S. 90) Pedestrian Safety Improvement – Drivers will encounter the following temporary intermittent lane closures:
- Inside lane closures between Q and A streets as crews perform median improvements and install poles for pedestrian traffic signals.
- Outside intermittent lane closures will occur at various locations along West Cervantes, between Dominguez and A Streets, to allow crews to construct Americans with Disabilities Act compliant sidewalk ramps and traffic pole foundations.
- Sorrento Road (State Road (S.R.) 292) Intersection Improvements at Innerarity Point (County Road (C.R.) 292A) – Motorists can expect intermittent daytime shoulder closures Monday, March 7 through Friday, March 11, as crews place a watermain.
- North Ninth Avenue (S.R. 289) Carpenters Creek Bridge Replacement- All travel lanes are temporarily shifted to the southbound side of the bridge as crews construct the northbound portion. Additionally, drivers may encounter intermittent temporary lane closures from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, March 7 through Friday, March 11, as crews mobilize materials and equipment.
- Airport Boulevard (S.R. 750) Maintenance from West of Palafox Street to Davis Highway – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. the week of Monday, March 7 as crews perform concrete operations.
- U.S. 29 (Pensacola Boulevard) from Brent Lane to north of I-10 – Work will begin on a $6.3 million construction project the week of Monday, March 7 to mill and resurface a three-mile section of U.S. 29 (Pensacola Boulevard) from Brent Lane (S.R. 296) to north of I-10. The project will also include curb, ramp and sidewalk improvements, new signage and pavement markings, and traffic signalization upgrades. During construction there will be periodic nighttime lane closures between the hours of 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. The project is estimated for completion in early 2023
- Saufley Field Road (S.R. 296) sidewalk improvement project: The eastbound right lane of Saufley Field Road between Mobile Highway and Denver Avenue will be closed beginning Sunday, March from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. as crews construct sidewalk improvements. The closure will last approximately two weeks.
- Mobile Highway (U.S. 90) Routine Utility Maintenance near S.R. 295 – Westbound traffic can expect intermittent lane restrictions from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday, March 8 as crews perform utility work.
- S.R. 291 (Davis Highway) Routine Utility Maintenance near East Fairfield Drive – Motorists can expect intermittent southbound outside lane closures from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Wednesday, March 9 and Thursday, March 10, as crews install equipment.
- Mobile Highway (U.S. 90) Driveway Installation near the AT&T and Urgent Care Building – Motorists can expect intermittent northbound outside lane closures from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday, March 7 through Friday, March 11 as crews perform paving operations.
- West 9 Mile Road (U.S. 90) Routine Utility Maintenance from West Ashland Avenue to Ashland Avenue – Motorists can expect intermittent eastbound lane closures from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, March 7 as crews perform utility work.
Santa Rosa County
- Pensacola Bay Bridge (U.S. 98) Replacement – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures and lane shifts on the Pensacola Bay Bridge from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, March 6 through Saturday, March 12. Crews will be using lanes on the current bridge as a platform to pour concrete decks for the westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) structure.
- U.S. 98 Widening from Bayshore Road to Portside Drive – Major roadway construction activities are currently underway. Improvements include widening the roadway from four to a six-lanes with a raised median, safety, and drainage upgrades, resurfacing S.R. 281 (Avalon Boulevard) from U.S. 98 to Garcon Point Bridge, extending the existing shared-use path on the south side of U.S. 98 from Gondolier Boulevard, and new signage and pavement markings.
- U.S. 90 Simpson River Bridge Project – Motorists can expect intermittent and alternating lane restrictions from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. Monday, March 7 through Friday, March 11 as crews install a barrier wall.
- I-10 Resurfacing East of S.R. 281 (Avalon Boulevard) to East of S.R. 87 – The eastbound lane will remain reduced to one lane at the C.R. 191 Overpass Bridge (Exit 26) until work associated with bridge approach construction is complete. Motorists can also expect intermittent lane closures from 6 p.m. to 10 a.m. the week of Monday, March 7 as crews perform construction activities.
All activities are weather-dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Man Critically Injured In Molino Road Wreck
March 6, 2022
A 37-year old Pensacola man was critically injured in a wreck Saturday night on Molino Road.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the man was westbound on Molino Road approaching 95A when he lost control. His vehicle traveled through the intersection and along the north should of Molino Road. The vehicle went airborne, coming to rest upside down in a ditch.
The man was transported by Escambia County EMS as a trauma alert to Sacred Heart Hospital.
FHP has not released further information about the 7:13 p.m. crash.
The Molino and Cantonment stations of Escambia County Fire Rescue and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Deploys Command Center To Bay County Wildfire
March 6, 2022
Escambia County has deployed the “THOR” mobile command center to assist in the battle against a 1,000 acre wildfire in Bay County.
“Escambia County is always ready to assist other counties whenever we are called upon,” said Public Safety Director Eric Gilmore.
The THOR command post trailer expands to offer 1,000 square feet of interior working space. It is equipped with a 44-kilowatt generator with 72 hours of fuel onboard, and has dual 5-ton air conditioning units.
It allows for wireless communications, including cellular, satellite, VOIP phones and radio equipment. It has a 52-foot mast with antennas an high resolutions cameras, a video distribution system for off-air television, satellite television and computer system. There is a four-position communication room and office space with printers, scanners, office supplies, mini-fridge, microwave and a coffee maker.
North Escambia Gas Prices Top $4 A Gallon
March 6, 2022
Gas prices jumped over $4 a gallon Saturday afternoon at several stations in the North Escambia area.
At the Tom Thumb in Molino (pictured above), the price for a gallon of regular unleaded had moved to $4.09.
The price increased to $4.29 per gallon at the Marathon on Highway 97 in Davisville (pictured below).
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Firefighters From Alabama And Florida Battle Multiple Brush Fires Near Flomaton
March 6, 2022
Firefighters from Florida and Alabama battled brush fires across the area Saturday, including four fires near Flomaton.
One fire burned about eight acres and threatened several structures near Highway 31 east of Flomaton.
An individual on Old Fannie Road thought his trash fire was out, but it caught about 100 tires on fire, according to Flomaton Fire Chief Stanton. The fire entered a wooded area just over a mile north of Alabama-Florida state line and jumped over Highway 31 and Twin Bridges Road.
The fire sent flames 40 or more feet high through a wooded area, closing Highway 31.
“It burned right up to a barn, but no structures were damaged,” Stanton said. There were no injuries reported.
There were also fires in the Barnett Crossroads area, a 20 acre fire on Pineview Cemetery Road and a two acre fire on Old Atmore Road.
The Century, Walnut Hill, McDavid and Molino stations of Escambia County (FL) Fire Rescue and the Jay Fire Department joined Alabama firefighters in battling the wildfires.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Cloudy Tonight; Rain Moves In Monday
March 6, 2022
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Monday: A chance of showers before 9am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 9am and noon, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 78. Southwest wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Monday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before midnight, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between midnight and 3am, then a chance of showers after 3am. Patchy fog between midnight and 3am. Otherwise, increasing clouds, with a low around 57. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming north after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Tuesday: A chance of showers, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 70. North wind 5 to 10 mph becoming east in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Tuesday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 58. East wind around 5 mph becoming southwest after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Wednesday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. High near 67. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming north in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Wednesday Night: Showers likely, mainly before midnight. Cloudy, with a low around 56. Northeast wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Thursday: A 40 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 72. North wind around 5 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
Thursday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 60. South wind around 5 mph.
Friday: A 50 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 74.
Friday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 37.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 51.
Saturday Night: Clear, with a low around 30.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 59.