Escambia (FL) Delays School Start By One Hour Friday; Santa Rosa Two Hours
May 9, 2024
Escambia County (FL) Public Schools are delaying school start times by one hour on Friday due to possible severe weather. Santa Rosa County Schools are delaying start times by two hours.
Parents should plan to have Escambia students at bus stops one hour later than normal or make plans to drop their children off at schools one hour later than normal. All scheduled before-school activities are canceled.
All employees should plan to adjust their schedules accordingly and arrive at their work locations one hour later than their usual start time.
Lunch service will not be affected. Additionally, schools will dismiss at their normal times.
Note: Jay High School will move Algebra 1 and Geometry testing to Monday.
$7 Million In ARPA Projects Approved For Devine Farm, West Roberts Roads
May 9, 2024
The Escambia County Commission recently approved $11.25 million of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Projects, including $7 million for two District 5 stormwater projects in North Escambia.
The approval included $4 million for the replacement of the Devine Farms Road Bridge over an unnamed branch between South County Road 97 and I-10. Escambia County Engineering plans to replace the bridge to meet current and future needs and realign Devine Farms Road east of the bridge within the existing right of way.
A total of $3 million was approved for West Roberts Road from Highway 29 westward to Sutton Place. to improve drainage, which is anticipated to reduce flooding in surrounding neighborhoods, and safety improvements to the roadway. The intent is to widen the West Roberts Road from Highway 29 to Pine Forest Road to two 12-foot travel lanes with 5-foot shoulders. The drainage system will be realigned to accommodate the wider roadway and upgraded to current standards within the current right-of-way.
Other projects included $2 million for Oakfield/Belle Meade Pond and stormwater, $1.15 for Deerfield Drive drainage upgrades, $850,000 for Olive Road improvements and $250,000 to demolish an old county building at 2251 North Palafox Street.
Pictured; West Roberts Road on Wednesday afternoon. NorthEscamba.com photos, click to enlarge.
For The Third Time In A Week, Vehicle Collides With School Bus In Escambia County
May 9, 2024
For the third time in a week, a driver has collided with a school bus in Escambia County.
About 3:25 Wednesday afternoon, A SUV driven by an 84-year-old Pensacola man failed to yield to a school bus when making a left turn onto Interstate Circle east of Pine Forest Road, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. Troopers said the school bus was traveling west on Interstate Circle approaching Pine Forest Road at the time. The front of the school bus collided with the right side of the SUV.
There were 17 students on the school bus at the time.
There were no injuries reported.
This was third crash attributed to other drivers with a school bus in Escambia County during the past week.
On May 3, a school bus and a tractor collided near Walnut Hill. FHP said the tractor operator failed to yield to a passing school bus while making left turn from Highway 164 to Wilman Road (pictured top). There were two dozen students on the bus.
On May 8, a school bus and pickup collided on Highway 29 near West Roberts Road. FHP said the driver failed to yield to the empty school bus when crossing the northbound lanes of Highway 29 (pictured below).
NorthEscambia.com photos.
Ernest Ward Middle’s Maria Willis Named County Math Teacher Of The Year
May 9, 2024
Ernest Ward Middle School’s Maria Willis was named the Middle School Math Teacher of the Year by the Escambia County Council of Teachers of Mathematics. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Risk Of Severe Weather Thursday Evening Into Friday
May 9, 2024
A cold front will bring potential rounds of severe weather on Thursday evening into early Friday morning.
There is a level 2 of 5 risk, according to the National Weather Service. Damaging winds of 60-70 mph and large hail remain the main threats.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
This Afternoon: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 88. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Tonight: Showers and thunderstorms likely after 1am. Some of the storms could be severe. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. South wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Friday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 1pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 85. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 59. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 80. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 60. North wind around 5 mph.
Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 81. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 63. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming east after midnight.
Monday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 76. Southeast wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Monday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 1am. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 65. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Tuesday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. High near 80. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Tuesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68.
Wednesday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 85.
Firefighters Attend Grain Bin Rescue Course
May 9, 2024
Escambia County Fire Rescue took part in a grain bin rescue course Wednesday.
The Jay Fire Department hosted the Farm Bureau Insurance specialized rescue class.
The classroom was followed by hands-on practice with a grain bin prop, used to show how quickly someone can become trapped. The course also demonstrated the best practices to ensure safe removal for first responders and the victims.
Escambia County has a regional Urban Search and Rescue Team that provides this type of specialized response for our residents, visitors, and neighbors.
Pictured: Escambia County Fire Rescue attended a grain bin rescue course hosted by the Jay Fire Department. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview, Tate, Jay Softball In Regional Tournament Action Tonight
May 9, 2024
The Northview, Tate and Jay softball teams will be action in regional play tonight.
Region 1-6A Softball
The Tate Lady Aggies received an at-large bid to the regional quarterfinals. As the No. 7 seed, the Aggies (15-11) will travel to Oviedo, Florida, just northeast of Orlando, to face the Hagerty Huskies (21-5) at 7 p.m. (EDT) on Thursday. Meanwhile, back in the Panhandle, the No. 1 seed and district champion Pace Patriots (23-2) will host the No. 8 Oviedo Lions (12-12) from Oviedo, Florida.
Region 1-1A Softball
No 1. seed Northview (21-4) will host the No. 4 Freeport Bulldogs (16-8) at 6 p.m. Thursday in Bratt. District champions and No. 2 seed Jay (14-9) will host the Holmes County Blue Devils (14-13), at 7 p.m. Thursday. The winners will advance to the regional finals on May 14 at the higher seed.
Pictured: Northview and Jay district championship action May 2 at Central High in Allentown. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Reminder: ECUA Flow Testing Water In Beulah Today
May 9, 2024
On Thursday, May 9, ECUA will conduct water system flow tests in the Beulah area to gather information, which will assist with planning future improvements to the water system.
The flow tests will begin at 9 a.m. until about 4 p.m. Residents and businesses in the testing areas may expect fluctuations in water pressure, and some temporary discoloration of the water may occur due to turbulence created by the tests. These effects should be minimal, with no ill effects on customers’ health or long-term adverse impacts on the system, ECUA said.
ECUA crews will remain in the test area throughout the day, flushing lines if necessary to clear up affected areas. Call (850) 476-0480 for assistance or more information.
Roy Clinton Lowery
May 9, 2024
Mr. Roy Clinton Lowery, age 74, passed away, Thursday, May 9, 2024 surrounded by his loving family. He was a native of Monroeville, Alabama and lived most of his life in Canoe, Alabama and Bratt, Florida.
Mr. Lowery greatly enjoyed fishing, hunting and shopping. He loved the time he got to spend with his family, especially going to the mountains. Family cookouts, frying fish was also something he loved to do. He was an avid Alabama Football fan. He retired from the Oil Field Industry with 35 years of service.
Preceded in death by his parents Ralph Clifford and Christine Nall Lowery.
He is survived by his loving wife of 50 years, Ann Lowery of Bratt, Florida; son, Craig Lowery of Bratt, Florida; two brothers, Ray (Freida) Lowery of Canoe, Alabama, Ray (Rita) Reeves of Silverhill, Alabama; sister, Hazel (Ed) Johnson of Demopolis, Alabama; six grandchildren, Colton, Addi, Maddi, Avrey, Leigha and Landyn; special friends Frank and Beth Mosley.
Funeral service will be held Saturday, May 11, 2024 at 2:00 PM at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes, LLC. with Reverend Greg Sellers officiating.
Burial will follow at Godwin Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Saturday May 11, 2024 from 1:00 PM until service time at 2:00 PM at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes, LLC.
Pallbearers will be Jeff Wilson, Slick Roley, Wayne Gunn, Kenneth Roley, Bo McGhee, and Gary Roley.
Honorary Pallbearers will be Joe Mosley and Frank Mosley.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home, Atmore, Alabama is in charge of all arrangements
Wahoos Get Education Day Win Over Birmingham Barons
May 9, 2024
written by Bill Vilona
When Cody Morissette was growing up in New Hampshire, some of his favorite memories were the school day field trips to take in a professional baseball game.
He was thrilled to watch two players for the New Hampshire Fisher Cats, Bo Bichette and Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who are now among the biggest stars in Major League Baseball.
“It was the best trip ever,” he said.
On Wednesday, the Blue Wahoos second baseman dazzled in his own way to create some special memories for area kids.
Morissette followed a leadoff double with a steal of third base, then stole home, to ignite a 2-run rally in the sixth inning that helped the Blue Wahoos to a 5-1 win against the Birmingham Barons, thus delighting a crowd of 4,063 in a matinee Education Day game filled with thousands of area school children at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
“We don’t play many 11 a.m. games, so it’s a tough game for us to wake up for, but once we get out there… I remember being those kids,” Morissette said. “I’m happy to have all those kids in the stands.
“We all go out there and try to give them our best energy. Trying to give them a good show during the day. They take time out of their school day to come watch us play and hopefully we can inspire a few kids to want to do what we do one day.”
There were about 2,300 kids from 25 schools represented from five counties, including Baldwin County in Alabama, attending the second of two Education Days.
The first one on April 24 also resulted in a win that day against the Biloxi Shuckers.
They watched the Blue Wahoos (16-13) take an immediate lead on Joe Mack’s sacrifice fly in the first inning to score leadoff batter Jakob Marsee, who reached on the first of his four walks in the game.
After missing chances in the second and third innings, stranding seven runners during a three inning span, the Blue Wahoos provided a textbook way to manufacture runs. They took a 2-1 lead on Jacob Berry’s RBI single to score Paul McIntosh, who reached on an error and advanced on Nathan Martorella’s single.
That was part of another impact game from Martorella, who joined the Blue Wahoos with Marsee on Tuesday following the Luis Arraez trade between the Miami Marlins and San Diego Padres.
Marsee scored on a balk after Martorella’s single moved him to third. Martorella then drove in the fifth run on an eighth-inning single.
That was plenty enough production for the Blue Wahoos pitching staff, which has carried this team to its first-place position. Starter Luis Palacios allowed just three hits in five innings against the Barons (20-8). Three relievers, Adam Laskey, Anderson Pilar and Raffi Vizcaíno followed with scoreless relief, issuing just one walk and yielding three hits.
“This team we’re playing, we know they’re a good team, so we know we have to scrap across runs whenever we can,” Morissette said. “Especially (Wednesday), the pitchers were throwing it well, so we had to find a way to get a run across.
“Being able to hit a double (in the sixth), I wanted to make it easier for the guy behind me. I was able to get a good jump at second and take third.”
And then his steal of home was the second of his Blue Wahoos career and the seventh steal of home in franchise history. Marsee was on first base when the Blue Wahoos pulled off the double steal. Barons reliever Garrett Schoenle tried to pick off Marsee, who beat the throw as Morissette took off.
“We actually ran that same play last year in Mississippi when I stole home,” Morissette said. “And Smoke (manager Kevin Randel) said, ‘Start creeping (down the third base line) and as soon as (the reliever) picks over to first, take home and it was able to get my arm in on the slide.”
The third game of the homestand, matching the two first place teams in the Southern League, will revert back to a night game at 6:05 p.m. Thursday and with a unique twist. Former Blue Wahoos pitcher Jake Eder, a star lefthander from the 2021 season, will now be the opposing pitcher to face his former organization. Eder is 0-1 with a 5.18 ERA and will go against the Blue Wahoos’ Valente Bellozo.
GAME NOTABLES
— The Blue Wahoos’ Jessica Voigt, a group sales trainee, performed the National Anthem for the third time this season and received a loud ovation that included a salute from Blue Wahoos manager Kevin Randel.
— The schools attending this game were as far east as Bonifay and west to Bay Minette. In addition, the Bayview Senior Center had 27 of its residents attending the game and those fans sat right behind home plate and stayed through the hot weather to see the final out recorded.
WANT TO GO?
WHO: Birmingham Barons vs. Blue Wahoos
WHEN: Thursday, 6:05 p.m.
WHERE: Blue Wahoos Stadium