A Couple Of Dry Days Before Rain Chance Returns

December 4, 2019

Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:

This Afternoon: Sunny, with a high near 65. Northwest wind around 5 mph.

Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 39. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.

Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 66. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph.

Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 48. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.

Friday: A slight chance of showers, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 7am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 69. East wind around 5 mph becoming south in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Friday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 7pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 7pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 52. Northeast wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Saturday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 7am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 66. East wind around 5 mph.

Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers after 7pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 51. East wind around 5 mph.

Sunday: A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly after 7am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 69. East wind 5 to 10 mph.

Sunday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly before 7pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 56.

Monday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 75.

Monday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 58.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under Archive

Giving Tuesday: Here’s How To Check Out Charities, Avoid Fraud

December 3, 2019

It’s Giving Tuesday, and Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) Commissioner Nikki Fried is offering tips on how not to become the victim of fraud.

“Florida is the top state for fraud. That’s why the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is working to ensure that the hard-earned money of generous consumers gets to those in need,” stated Fried. “This Giving Tuesday, we want you to give safely – protect yourself against sham charities, verify you’re giving to reputable organizations, and get up-to-date information on the latest scams to avoid.”

All charities soliciting within the state of Florida (excluding religious, educational, political, and governmental agencies) are required to register and file financial information with FDACS.

According to Commissioner Fried and FDACS, here are six tips to help consumers give safely:

Search the organization’s name online along with key words like “complaint” and “scam.” Also look for reviews and feedback about the organization.
Ask how exactly your donation will be used, what specific cause it will go towards, and how much of the contribution will be used for program services.
Check if the organization is properly registered with the state through our Check-a-Charity tool.
Request written information about the organization and a breakdown of how the money is being utilized. Consumers should not assume their donation will be spent a particular way.
Verify whether or not your donation is tax deductible. Not every organization that solicits contributions is tax-deductible, ask for the organization’s tax-exempt number issued by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) or use the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search tool. Donations to individuals are not tax-deductible.
Pay with a credit card or check to be safe. Do not make a donation in cash, by gift card, or by wiring money — these are forms of payment which lack any security measures that scammers take advantage of.

Consumers can call 1-800-HELP-FLA (1-800-FL-AYUDA en español), or visit FloridaConsumerHelp.com to find out if a charity is properly registered, how much the charity is spending on administration and fundraising, and how much money goes to actual programming.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under Archive

Sunny Skies, High In The Upper 50s

December 3, 2019

Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:

Tonight: Clear, with a low around 37. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph.

Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 65. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph.

Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 40. Calm wind.

Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 67. Calm wind.

Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 48. Calm wind.

Friday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 69. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.

Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 48. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph after midnight.

Saturday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 64. East wind around 5 mph.

Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 49. East wind around 5 mph.

Sunday: A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 68.

Sunday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 55.

Monday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 75.

Monday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 57.

Tuesday: A 50 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 71.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under Archive

Colder Weather

December 2, 2019

Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Monday Night: Clear, with a low around 31. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.

Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 56. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.

Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 37. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph.

Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 63. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph.

Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 37. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.

Thursday: Partly sunny, with a high near 65. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph.

Thursday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 46. Southeast wind around 5 mph.

Friday: Showers likely, mainly before noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 67. Chance of precipitation is 70%.

Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 48.

Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high near 65.

Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 49.

Sunday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 70.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under Archive

Turning Colder Into The Week

December 1, 2019

Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:

This Afternoon: Sunny, with a high near 69. West wind 10 to 15 mph.

Tonight: Clear, with a low around 38. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph.

Monday: Sunny, with a high near 53. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Monday Night: Clear, with a low around 29. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.

Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 57. North wind around 5 mph becoming west in the afternoon.

Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 37. West wind around 5 mph.

Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 64. Northwest wind around 5 mph.

Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 39. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.

Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 65. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph in the afternoon.

Thursday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 49.

Friday: Showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 69. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 48.

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 65.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under Archive

Threat Of Strong Storms Overnight

November 30, 2019

An approaching storm system will bring a line of showers and storms through the area late tonight into early Sunday morning. Damaging winds will be the primary concern, but a brief tornado cannot be ruled out.

Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:

Tonight: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm, mainly after midnight. Cloudy, with a low around 58. South wind 10 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.

Sunday: A 20 percent chance of showers before 9am. Cloudy through mid morning, then gradual clearing, with a high near 69. West wind 10 to 15 mph.

Sunday Night: Clear, with a low around 38. Northwest wind around 10 mph.

Monday: Sunny, with a high near 55. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph.

Monday Night: Clear, with a low around 29. Northwest wind around 5 mph.

Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 57. West wind around 5 mph.

Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 35. West wind around 5 mph.

Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 65. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the afternoon.

Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 38. Calm wind.

Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 67.

Thursday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 49.

Friday: A 50 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 68.

Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 45.

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 68.
Pictured: Friday’s sunset. Reader submitted photo by BW Wiggins for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under Archive

Four Percent Escambia County Propery Tax Discount Ends Today

November 30, 2019

An available four percent discount on payment of Escambia County real estate and tangible personal property taxes ends today.

To receive the four percent discount, payments must be:

mailed with a November postmark;
left by midnight, November 30, in a 24-hour drop box available at all locations; or
made online by midnight, November 30, at EscambiaTaxCollector.com.

Since all offices are closed from November 28 through December 1, customers, who make their payment in person at any tax collector office on Monday, December 2, will receive the four percent discount.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under Archive

Free Beans, Rice And Clothing Giveaway Saturday In Cantonment

November 29, 2019

Saint Monica’s Episcopal Church will be giving away free dried beans, white rice, coats and other gently worn clothing items on Saturday, November 30.

The distribution will be from 9 until 11 a.m. (or while supplies last) at the church located at 699 South Hwy 95-A in Cantonment.

There are no guidelines and no paperwork required.

The rice and beans are distributed on the last Saturday of every month.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under Archive

Black Friday, Cyber Monday Safe Shopping Tips

November 29, 2019

Here are safe holiday shopping tips from Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody:

When shopping online it is often wise to pay with a credit card instead of a debit card, if possible. Both payment methods allow you to dispute a charge if the merchandise never arrives or is different from what was ordered. However, with a debit card, the purchase is already deducted from your bank account and it may take days or weeks for your bank to reverse the charge.
When ordering online, ensure that the web browser has a secure connection before inputting or submitting payment information. In the address bar, a padlock should appear if your session is secure.
Some debit and credit card providers offer one-time card numbers to be used for online transactions to further protect their cardholders. Log in to your account or contact your card provider to see if it offers this service.
When shopping online there are often additional costs such as shipping and handling. Be sure to account for such additional charges when comparing prices across retailers or when making the choice between an online purchase or an instore purchase.
Keep your receipts and be sure you understand retailers’ return policies and periods so you can return any unwanted item(s) for a full refund.
Some retailers offer layaway plans or other payment options to allow shoppers to pay for items in installments or at a later date. Before agreeing to such a plan, be sure to ask whether the retailer charges a fee for its program and whether payments and any fees are refundable if the purchase is canceled or returned.
When purchasing gift cards, check whether there is an additional activation fee, and provide the activation receipt to the recipient. Additionally, consider the retailer’s financial situation before buying a gift card. If the retailer closes or declares bankruptcy, the recipient may not be able enjoy the card’s value.
Shop with retailers that you are familiar with or have done business with in the past. If shopping with a new retailer, check with the Better Business Bureau at www.bbb.org to determine whether other customers have filed complaints against them

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under Archive