Hot, Humid, Showers

July 12, 2014

Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:

  • Saturday Night Isolated showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
  • Sunday Scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
  • Sunday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm after midnight.
  • Monday Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93. Light south wind becoming southwest 5 to 10 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
  • Monday Night Isolated showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
  • Tuesday Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 91. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
  • Tuesday Night Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. West wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
  • Wednesday Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 89. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
  • Wednesday Night Isolated showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 69. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
  • Thursday Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
  • Thursday Night Isolated showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 69. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
  • Friday Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 91. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Pictured: Friday afternoon’s post-storm sunset in Walnut Hill. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.

It’s Blue Angels Airshow Weekend At Pensacola Beach

July 11, 2014

It’s the big Red, White and Blues Week on Pensacola Beach, with the Blue Angels’ annual air show taking place this weekend.

On Saturday, the Pensacola Beach Air Show begins at noon with the civilian acts and the Blue Angels are scheduled to fly at 2 p.m.

Civilian acts includes Gary Ward, Team Aerodynamix and Skip Stewart. Crowd favorite Fat Albert won’t be in this year’s show; the plane is down for maintenance.

Are you heading to the show? Send us your pictures! Email news@northescambia.com

Pictured top: Lt. John Hiltz, Blue Angel right wingman, flies an F/A-18 Hornet in the, “dirty configuration” during a practice flight demonstration over Pensacola Beach. Photo by by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Andrew Johnson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Chance Of Storms Today

July 11, 2014

Here is your official North Escambia are forecast:

  • Friday A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph in the morning.
  • Friday Night A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 71. Calm wind.
  • Saturday A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 92. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph in the morning.
  • Saturday Night A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 71. South wind around 5 mph becoming east after midnight.
  • Sunday A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 95. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
  • Sunday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light after midnight.
  • Monday A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 95. Light southwest wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
  • Monday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm after midnight.
  • Tuesday A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 95.
  • Tuesday Night A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72.
  • Wednesday A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 93.

Pictured: A shelf cloud moves over Pensacola Beach Thursday afternoon. Reader submitted photo by Tiffany White for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

‘Saving Heaven’ Event To Bring Awareness Of Missing Persons, Human Trafficking

July 11, 2014

The family of 25 year-old Tiffany Daniels, missing since August 12, 2013, is sponsoring an awareness event Saturday to profile the region’s missing persons and the plague of human trafficking.

With over 2200 persons reported missing every day in the United States and over 200,000 US children at-risk of human trafficking; awareness and education becomes our best weapon, according to the family. Florida currently ranks third in the country in reporting of human trafficking offenses and I-10 is widely recognized as the leading trafficking corridor in the country. These problems exist and do affect the local area, family member said.

Saturday, the public is welcome to a free awareness event  and education outreach from 5-8 p.m.  at Gonzalez Methodist Church at 2026 Pauline Street in Cantonment. Childcare will be available.
“I want everyone to get informed and be involved before they lose someone they love,” said Tiffany’s mother. Featured speakers will include Amy Pernie of In His Steps Dance Studio, KlaasKids Foundation, Called2Rescue, Broken Chains and others.  A special memorial for each of the area’s missing persons will conclude the event.

Showers, Thunderstorms Likely Today

July 10, 2014

Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:

  • Thursday Showers and thunderstorms likely. Cloudy, with a high near 92. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
  • Thursday Night A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
  • Friday A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 94. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph.
  • Friday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 71. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph.
  • Saturday A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 96. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph.
  • Saturday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
  • Sunday A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 95. South wind around 5 mph.
  • Sunday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
  • Monday A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 94.
  • Monday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 73.
  • Tuesday A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 93.
  • Tuesday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 73.
  • Wednesday A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 93.

Fizz, Boom, Read: Summer Reading Thursday At Century, Molino Libraries

July 10, 2014

The Fizz, Boom, Read: Summer Reading Program continues Thursday at library branches in Molino and Century.

Children and teens 6-12 are invited to participate in the West Florida Public Library’s 2014 Fizz, Boom, Read program, which focuses on experimenting with STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics).

The interactive program is a fun way for students to keep their minds sharp throughout the summer months. Join the library for the summer reading game and interactive enrichment programs where there will be prizes for reading books, a chance to take part in science experiments and meet new people.

The program will be held Thursday afternoon at the Century Branch Library from 2:30 until 3:30 p.m. and at the Molino Branch Library from 6-7 p.m. The program continues at the same times at the Century and Molino libraries on July 17, July 24 and July 31.

Gusty Thunderstorms Move Through Area, More Rain Possible Tonight

July 9, 2014

Thunderstorms with gusty winds moved through portions of the North Escambia area this afternoon. In Molino, portion of a tree fell across Fairground Road, and about three dozen Gulf Power customers in the Fairground Road area south of Cedartown Road lost power.

Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:

  • Tonight A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light west after midnight.
  • Thursday Showers and thunderstorms likely. Cloudy, with a high near 90. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 70%
  • Thursday Night A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm after midnight.
  • Friday Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 94. North wind around 5 mph becoming south in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
  • Friday Night Isolated showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
  • Saturday Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 94. Light and variable wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
  • Saturday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
  • Sunday Isolated showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 95. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
  • Sunday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 72.
  • Monday Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 95. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
  • Monday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72.
  • Tuesday Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 95. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Photo by Mitchell Singleton for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Traffic Delays Today In Century, Cantonment, Creighton Road Areas

July 8, 2014

Drivers in Century, Cantonment to Nine Mile Road and in the Creighton Road areas can expect minor traffic delays today.

Crews will perform pavement testing in the following areas:

  • Cantonment: Highway 29 from south of Muscogee Road to north of Nine Mile Road
  • Century: East Highway 4 from North Century Boulevard (Hwy 29) to the Escambia River Bridge
  • Pensacola: Creighton Road from Davis Highway to Scenic Highway

Drivers are reminded to pay attention to the speed limit when traveling through the construction area and to use caution when driving in work zones, according to the Florida Department of Transportation. Construction activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or re-scheduled in the event of inclement weather.

Dry, Sunny Weather Continues

July 6, 2014

Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:

  • Sunday Sunny, with a high near 92. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.
  • Sunday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 68. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
  • Monday Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. Light and variable wind becoming southwest 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon.
  • Monday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 70. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
  • Tuesday A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. West wind 5 to 10 mph.
  • Tuesday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
  • Wednesday A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 92. West wind 5 to 10 mph.
  • Wednesday Night A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
  • Thursday A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 93.
  • Thursday Night A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 73.
  • Friday A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 92.
  • Friday Night A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74.
  • Saturday A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 93.

High Gas Prices On This Independence Day Weekend

July 6, 2014

AAA expects the majority of U.S. drivers likely will pay the highest gas prices for Independence Day since 2008. Today’s national average price of gas is about 20 cents per gallon more expensive than the average on July 4, 2013, which was $3.48 per gallon. In recent years gas prices have declined in the weeks leading up to Independence Day, but this has not occurred this summer due to higher crude oil costs as fighting intensifies in Iraq.

In Escambia County, the price for a gallon of regular unleaded averages $3.60, up from $3.38 on year. But back in 2008, that gallon of gas hit an all-time local record just after the Fourth weekend of $4.03.

“Most drivers are paying about 15-20 cents more per gallon than expected heading into the busy Independence Day weekend due to market fear about Iraq,” said Avery Ash, AAA spokesman. “It is frustrating that events overseas will make it more expensive to celebrate Fourth of July here at home.”

AAA projects 41 million Americans will journey 50 miles or more from home during the Independence Day holiday weekend, a 1.9 percent increase from the 40.3 million people who traveled last year and a nearly 14 percent increase compared to the Memorial Day holiday weekend.  The majority of travelers will be celebrating their freedom with a road trip, with more than eight in 10 (34.8 million) choosing to travel by automobile, the highest level since 2007.  The Independence Day holiday travel period is defined as Wednesday, July 2 to Sunday, July 6.

“With school out for summer, the Fourth of July holiday is typically the busiest summer travel holiday, with five million more Americans traveling compared to Memorial Day weekend,” said AAA Chief Operating Officer Marshall L. Doney. “In line with tradition, most travelers are celebrating their newfound summer freedom with an all-American road trip.”

An increase in consumer spending is primarily due to increasing credit, rather than rising incomes.  Consumers have been hesitant to add to their credit card balances the past several years, but continued improvements in the employment picture and rising home values means they are starting to feel more comfortable taking on debt. In addition to consumer spending, a boost in consumer confidence and the employment outlook are driving more Americans to take a road trip.

“Steady improvement in the economy has spurred increased consumer confidence and spending,” continued Doney.  “Optimistic Americans are more willing to take on debt this year, dusting off their credit cards to pay for a much-needed Independence Day getaway.”

NorthEscambia.com file photo.

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