Road Construction Suspended For Memorial Day
May 25, 2015
Road construction in the state of Florida remains suspended through today to promote safety and reduce congestion for Memorial Day, according to the Florida Department of Transportation. Motorists are reminded by FDOT to use caution while traveling through work zones around barricades and equipment on current projects. Travelers can access Florida’s 511 service from cell phones, landlines, and at www.FL511.com to receive updates on travel in the area. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
‘Click It Or Ticket’ Campaign Underway
May 24, 2015
The Florida Highway Patrol, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and other law enforcement agencies are in the midst of their annual “Click It or Ticket” crackdown designed to increase seat belt use and decrease motor vehicle fatalities across the county. The campaign will run day and night through May 31.
“Every day, unbuckled motorists are losing their lives in motor vehicle crashes,” said Sheriff David Morgan. During the “Memorial Day weekend and the summer vacation season, we want to make sure people are doing the one thing that can save them in a crash, buckling up.”
“Florida’s seat belt use rate stands at nearly 89 percent, which represents the highest use rate in Florida history,” said Colonel David Brierton, Director of the Florida Highway Patrol. “But that means there is still 10 percent of the population that doesn’t buckle up. We must do better if we are going to save lives and teach young people about the importance of using their seat belts.”
In 2013, about 59 percent of those who were killed in crashes because they weren’t wearing their seat belts were killed during the overnight hours of 6 p.m. and 5:59 a.m. The Florida Highway Patrol reminds everyone that Florida law requires the use of seat belts by drivers, passengers in the front seat, and all children under the age of 18 in a motor vehicle.
Florida Forest Service Warns Of Wildfire Danger Time
May 24, 2015
For some it’s beaches, others think of backyard cookouts or baseball games. For wildland firefighters and the personnel of the Florida Forest Service’s Blackwater Forestry Center, however, the days and weeks around Memorial Day typically means a big fire or two.
While Florida experiences wildfires year round, spring traditionally is the height of the season across the state. In the three counties within the Blackwater response area (Escambia, Santa Rosa and Okaloosa) that window can be narrowed down even more.
“Right around Memorial Day we usually see some pretty significant fire activity,” said David Smith, operations administrator for the district. “We get rain in April and early May that will prompt new growth and add to the fuel on the ground and then we typically get a drying period of a week, maybe two weeks, that usually produces some of our more difficult fire conditions.”
Current forecasts show no rain in the next week or so. In the past few days, moderate winds and low humidity have helped dry out vegetative fuels after the recent rains. That lines up with historical patterns that have helped make the time around Memorial Day busy for the FFS.
During the past 10 years, Blackwater has seen an average of about 16 wildfires from May 20 to June 10 — the 21 days centered on the holiday. During the past four years, each of the season peaks has produced at least one fire larger than 50 acres that has had a significant impact on residents, roads or the public in general.
Pictured: A wildfire in Bratt. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Chance Of Rain For Sunday And Memorial Day Monday
May 24, 2015
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Today
A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 87. East wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Tonight
A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Memorial Day
Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 87. East wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Monday Night
A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tuesday
Showers and thunderstorms likely. Cloudy, with a high near 86. Southeast wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Tuesday Night
A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a low around 71. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday
A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 84. South wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday Night
A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Thursday
A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 88. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Thursday Night
A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69.
Friday
A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 88.
Friday Night
A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 71.
Saturday
A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 89.
Memorial Day Closures
May 23, 2015
The following will be closed Monday in observance of the Memorial Day holiday:
Escambia County
- Escambia County Board of County Commissioners
- West Florida Public Library System
- Escambia County Property Appraiser
- Escambia County Tax Collector
- Escambia County Supervisor of Elections
- Escambia County Clerk of the Court & Comptroller
- Perdido Landfill, excluding the administrative offices, will be open
- Oak Grove Convenience Center will be closed
- Escambia County Area Transit (ECAT):
- Administrative offices closed
- ECAT will ONLY operate the following routes on Memorial Day:
- 59 Express
- 64 Beach Jumper
- Beach Trolley
- UWF Trolleys will not operate
ECUA
- ECUA Business Offices will be closed
- Residential and commercial sanitation collections will be unaffected and will follow normal schedule
Cities/Town Of Century, Pensacola, Jay
- All city offices and departments will be closed
Santa Rosa County
- Santa Rosa County Board of Commissioners, including the library system and animal shelter
- The Central Landfill is open Monday, May 26 from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Santa Rosa County Clerk of the Court
- Santa Rosa County Property Appraiser
- Santa Rosa County Supervisor of Elections
- Santa Rosa County Tax Collector
Weak Cold Front Brings Better Weather
May 22, 2015
Here is your official North Escambia are forecast:
Friday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 82. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 62. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Saturday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 89. East wind around 5 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.
Saturday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 69. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
Sunday
A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 86. Southeast wind around 10 mph.
Sunday Night
A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Memorial Day
A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 86. South wind around 10 mph.
Monday Night
A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tuesday
A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 86.
Tuesday Night
A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70.
Wednesday
A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 86.
Wednesday Night
A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69.
Thursday
A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 87.
Tate, Pine Forest, Northview And Jay In Spring Football Games Tonight
May 22, 2015
Tonight is spring football for several area teams;
The Tate Aggies will travel to Pine Forest for a 7 p.m. kickoff.
The Northview Chiefs will host Jay at 7 p.m. Admission is $6. Northview and Jay fans should take note of the following information released by NHS:
Visitors to the Northview High School campus for Friday night’s Spring Game are to be advised that there is construction in the stadium area. There are concrete sidewalks being poured, beginning at the entrance all the way by the concession stand. Each visitor is advised to remain alert to obstacles along pathways. Caution tape will be used to alert visitors to dangerous areas. In addition, all possible lighting will be utilized. The ticket booth at baseball will not be open, due to construction.
Parking for the handicapped is available along the fence south of the football practice field. In addition, a driver for a handicapped person may enter the asphalt parking area adjacent to the new weight room, proceed toward the ticket booth, unload any passenger who has difficulty walking, turn around, exit, and park in the regular parking area. The turn-around area is for handicapped only, not for the general public.
Parking in the concession stand area is reserved for concession stand workers, press box workers, chain gang workers, and officials.
NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Sheriff’s Office Clean Sweep Today In Cottage Hill
May 21, 2015
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is conducting a Clean Sweep in the Cottage Hill area this morning.
The Clean Sweep will begin at the Cottage Hill Baptist Church at 230 Williams Ditch Road and concentrate on the area east of Highway 95, McKenzie Road, Williams Ditch Road and Eden Lane.
The focus of “Operation Clean Sweep” is to work with Neighborhood Watch groups, residents, churches and business owners to control and prevent the damaging effects of criminal activity, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Scattered Daily Rain Continues
May 20, 2015
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Wednesday Night
A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. West wind around 5 mph.
Thursday
A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
Thursday Night
A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 67. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
Friday
A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89. North wind around 5 mph.
Friday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 66. North wind around 5 mph.
Saturday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.
Saturday Night
A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70. Southeast wind around 5 mph
Sunday
A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 88.
Sunday Night
A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70.
Memorial Day
A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 87.
Monday Night
A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 70.
Tuesday
A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 86.
Rain Chances Continue
May 19, 2015
Here is your official NorthEscambia area forecast:
Tuesday
A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Otherwise, partly sunny, with a high near 88. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph.
Tuesday Night
A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 1am. Patchy fog after 4am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Wednesday
A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Patchy fog before 7am. Otherwise, partly sunny, with a high near 87. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Wednesday Night
A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. West wind around 5 mph.
Thursday
A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 87. West wind around 5 mph.
Thursday Night
A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
Friday
A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 86. North wind around 5 mph.
Friday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 68. North wind around 5 mph.
Saturday
A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89.
Saturday Night
A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 71.
Sunday
A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 87.
Sunday Night
A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71.
Memorial Day
A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 86.
Pictured: A distant storm cloud and rain shaft as seen Monday afternoon in Bratt. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.