Ernest Ward Middle Power, Phones Restored
January 30, 2013
Power and phones have been restored at Ernest Ward Middle School in Walnut Hill.
EWMS was without power for a large portion of the morning, and without power, the school’s phone system was no longer functioning.
The school was not on lock down, and school officials had telephone communications out of the school in the event of an emergency during the outage.
Shovels And Rope: Country Rock Duo With Local Ties On Letterman Tonight
January 30, 2013
A husband and wife country rock duo with local ties is scheduled to appear tonight on the Late Show With David Letterman on CBS. Shovels and Rope is Michael Trent and Cary Ann Hearst, based in Charleston, S.C.
Hearst is the daughter of Michael Hearst of Canoe, AL — a small community on the Alabama/Florida line just east of Atmore.
Formed in 2010, Michael Trent and Cary Ann Hearst sing harmony driven folk, rock and country songs using two old guitars, a kick drum, a snare, a few tambourines, harmonicas, and and maybe a little keyboard sometimes. They tour constantly as a two piece, making as much noise as they can.
“I dare to match them (Shovels and Dirt) with the couple that set the standard for country duets, Johnny Cash and June Carter. Both couples share Southern roots and that music-from-the-back porch country sound, and all involved had solo careers first and showed their affection for each other onstage,” Val Haller wrote in the January 8 edition of the New York Times.
As for the name Shovels and Rope, the group’s website says: “The name Shovels & Rope comes from the title of a record by Cary Ann Hearst and Michael Trent called Shovels & Rope. It’s a pretty good record featuring several murder ballads where some characters were hanging and others were doing the burying, so the title seemed apt. It now serves as the official moniker of the band.”
Rain And Possible Severe Storms
January 29, 2013
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after midnight. Some of the storms could produce gusty winds and heavy rain. Cloudy, with a low around 63. South wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
- Wednesday: Showers and thunderstorms. Some of the storms could produce gusty winds and heavy rain. High near 67. South wind around 15 mph becoming west in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%.
- Wednesday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely before midnight. Some of the storms could produce gusty winds and heavy rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 34. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
- Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 59. West wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 35. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
- Friday: Sunny, with a high near 64. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 37. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
- Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 67. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
- Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 41. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
- Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 67.
- Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 40.
- Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 67.
- Monday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 47.
- Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 68.
Learn About ECUA, Neighborhood Watch
January 28, 2013
The Mid-County Neighborhood Watch will meet tonight with an opportunity for attendees to learn about the services provided by ECUA.
The group meets at 6:30 p.m. in room 123 of the new Molino Community Complex at 6450 Highway 95A. Guest speaker will be Jim Roberts, public information office for the ECUA.
Everyone in the Molino community is invited to attend.
Century Set To Appove Water Rate Hike, Support For Library Tax
January 26, 2013
The Century Town Council is poised to hike water rates and agree to implement a proposed Escambia County property tax as a dedicated funding source for the county’s library system.
The town will hold a public hearing a take a final vote Monday night to approve an overall 10 percent rate hike to be implemented with an immediate 5 percent increase and additional 5 percent increase six months later.
If the ordinance passes, the rate for the first 1,500 gallons of water will increase to $9.45 on February 1 and increase again to $9.90 on August 1. Each additional 1,000 gallons will be $2.27 on February 1 and $2.49 on August 1. Sewer rates will remain the same at $13 for the first 6,000 gallons of water used.
The rate increase would be the first in the Century since 1995. In the past, the town has had difficulty applying for, or receiving the full amount of, federal grants for the water system because Century’s rates were markedly lower than surrounding areas.
The council will also hold a public hearing and take a final vote to approve an ordinance to collect a MSTU within the town to support the county’s libraries. Countywide, the tax will generate an estimated $3.7 million for library operations. The tax is estimated to cost the average Century resident from $1 to $7 on their property tax bill beginning next year.
The water rate increase and library tax public hearings will be held during the Century Town Council’s meeting beginning at 7 p.m. Monday at the town hall.
Pictured top: Century Town Council members Gary Riley, Ann Brooks, Sandra McMurry Jackson and Jacke Johnston. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Sold Out: Miss NHS Pageant Tonight
January 26, 2013
The 2013 Miss Northview High School will be named tonight before a sellout crowd.
NorthEscambia.com will provide live coverage and results when the winner is named on our Facebook page (click to like).
Pictured above: Miss NHS 2013 contestants (front row, L-R) Ashley Cunningham, Penny Banda, Julia Thorpe, Shaquanna Jones, Tiffani Pritchett, Jody Paramore, Julie Hester, Ashley Mooney,Mariah Albritton, (middle) Lily Townson, Audra Martin, Ariel Holland, Olivia Neal, Karmen Watson, Clarissa Ross, Kamryn Brock, Courtney Lambert, (back) Misty Doran, Rebekah Sepulveda, Ashlynn Mccall, Morgan Ward, Lauryn Walker, Kaitlyn Abbott, and Kendal Cobb. Pictured in front of the group is Miss NHS 2012 Charlie McPherson. Pictured left inset: A few of the contestants practice a dance routine.
Nice Weekend Weather
January 26, 2013
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 49. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 74. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.
- Sunday Night: Patchy fog after midnight. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 50. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm after midnight.
- Monday: Patchy fog before 8am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 73. Light southeast wind increasing to 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
- Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 59. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
- Tuesday: A 20 percent chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 76. South wind 5 to 10 mph increasing to 10 to 15 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph.
- Tuesday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a low around 67. South wind around 10 mph.
- Wednesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Some of the storms could be severe. Cloudy, with a high near 72. South wind 10 to 15 mph becoming southwest in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
- Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 43.
- Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 59.
- Thursday Night: Clear, with a low around 35.
- Friday: Sunny, with a high near 62.
Pictured: Friday evening’s sunset. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Body Found Behind Highway 29 Business
January 25, 2013
The body of a female was found in a field behind a business on Pensacola Boulevard about 1:50 Friday afternoon. The body was discovered behind Alternative Powersports, near Kenmore Boulevard.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the cause of death; foul play is suspected. Investigators said the body appears to have been at the scene for at least a couple of days.
Further details have not been released.
Today: Sunny And 64; Warmer For Thursday
January 23, 2013
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 64. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.
- Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 44. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm after midnight.
- Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 69. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph in the morning.
- Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 48. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph after midnight.
- Friday: A 40 percent chance of showers, mainly after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 69. Southwest wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
- Friday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly before midnight. Partly cloudy, with a low around 38. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming north after midnight.
- Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 56. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 33. North wind around 5 mph.
- Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 56.
- Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 42.
- Monday: Partly sunny, with a high near 68.
- Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 51.
- Tuesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 69.
Health Advisory Issued Due To Ensley Landfill Fire
January 22, 2013
A health advisory has been issued due to a landfill fire that is continuing to burn in the Ensley area.
The Cove Landfill, located directly behind Pine Meadow Elementary School, has been burning since Friday, often producing large amounts of smoke. The fire is burning underground, where natural debris such as tree limbs, stumps and other natural material spontaneously combusted. Officials say there is no construction debris in the material.
Children at Pine Meadow Elementary were relocated from portable classrooms into the main building on Tuesday as a precaution. Air conditioners and fans were used to keep air circulating for students.
Escambia County was working Tuesday afternoon to dump large amounts of dirt on the fire in an effort to smother and extinguish it.
HEALTH ADVISORY
“Smoke is a respiratory irritant that can cause scratchy throat or irritated eyes and nose. Smoke can also worsen conditions such as asthma and other chronic respiratory or lung conditions. Dust generated from fire response activity may also worsen these conditions,” the Escambia County Health Department said in a health advisory release.
The health department offered the following tips:
- Pay attention to local air quality reports, news coverage, or health warnings related to smoke.
- Use common sense when outside conditions are smoky. Avoid outdoor activities, particularly for children and persons with severe or chronic respiratory conditions such as asthma or chronic lung disease.
- While inside, residents should close windows and run their heating or cooling system, if possible. Keep the fresh air intake closed, and change or clean the system’s filter as needed to prevent bringing additional smoke inside.
- Help keep particle levels lower inside. When smoke levels are high, try to avoid using anything that burns, such as wood fireplaces, gas logs, gas stoves and even candles. Do not vacuum, which stirs up particles already inside your home. Also do not smoke tobacco.
- Follow your doctor’s advice about taking medicines and following your asthma management plan if you have asthma or other lung disease. Call your doctor if your symptoms worsen.
- For medical emergencies, call 911 or go immediately to the nearest emergency room.
Pictured: Smoke billows from the Cove Landfill behind Pine Meadow Elementary School Tuesday. Photos by WEAR 3 for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.