Rick Scott, Pensacola Mayor On European Trade Mission
July 10, 2012
Gov. Rick Scott and an entourage of business and economic-development leaders are in England to drum up business for Florida, including Pensacola Mayor Ashton Hayward.
With plans announced earlier this month for a new Airbus manufacturing plant in Mobile, Florida is hoping to cash in on its proximity and aeronautical experience. The news of the Alabama deal provides an added incentive for the trade group that crossed the pond for the Farnborough International Air Show.
On Monday, Scott met with British Prime Minister David Cameron to discuss the importance of the aerospace sector to the global economy and their efforts to implement policies that create aerospace sector jobs in the UK and Florida.
“The UK and Florida have significant trade and investment links as the world’s seventh and 20th largest economies, respectively,” Scott said in a statement. Great Britain is one of Florida largest direct investors, and nearly 1.3 million British tourists visit Florida every year.
The trade mission comes a week after Airbus announced it would build a $600 million manufacturing plant in Mobile. Scott and others are hoping to lure or expand ancillary businesses needed to support the plant, which is expected to employ 1,000 workers and cost the state of Alabama about $165 million in incentives.
Scott plans to spend all day Tuesday at the air show in back-to-back meetings with undisclosed aviation companies. He has scheduled other appointments with private companies periodically for the remainder of his trip, which ends July 15.
Florida is home to 12 military aviation bases and three spaceports. The aviation sector in Florida includes about 2,000 companies and 83,000 employees, according to information from Enterprise Florida.
Scott is not the only governor to lead groups to Great Britain. Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin and Virginia Gov. Bob McConnell are also leading potential trading partners. Florida Senate President Mike Haridopolos, R-Merritt Island, also made the trip. Enterprise Florida paid for travel expenses for most government travelers. Private companies paid their own way.
Government groups and economic developers in attendance include staff members from Enterprise Florida, the governor’s office and local economic development agencies including Pensacola, the Space Coast, and the Jacksonville Aviation Authority.
By The News Service of Florida
Heat, Humidity, Hit And Miss Thunderstorms This Week
July 9, 2012
Expect heat and humidity and be the weather words of the day this week, and expect higher than average rain chances. Not everyone will see rain; the thunderstorms will be of the hit and miss summertime variety.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight: Scattered showers and thunderstorms before 10pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
- Tuesday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 91. Light and variable wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
- Tuesday Night: Scattered showers and thunderstorms before 10pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
- Wednesday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 91. Light and variable wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
- Wednesday Night: Scattered showers and thunderstorms before 10pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
- Thursday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 90. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon.
- Thursday Night: Scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 10pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 71. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
- Friday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 91. Light and variable wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
- Friday Night: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. South wind around 5 mph becoming east after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
- Saturday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 92. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
- Saturday Night: Isolated showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Sunday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 92. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
- Sunday Night: Isolated showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Monday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 92. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Chance Of Rain Continues
July 8, 2012
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight: Scattered showers and thunderstorms before 10pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
- Monday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 91. Light and variable wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
- Monday Night: Scattered showers and thunderstorms before 10pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
- Tuesday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 92. Light and variable wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
- Tuesday Night: Scattered showers and thunderstorms before 10pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
- Wednesday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 88. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
- Wednesday Night: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
- Thursday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 89. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
- Thursday Night: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
- Friday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 91. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
- Friday Night: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 71. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
- Saturday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 90. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
- Saturday Night: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
- Sunday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 90. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Alabama’s Storm Supply Tax Free Weekend Ends Today
July 8, 2012
Most places of Alabama will observe a 2012 Severe Weather Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday through midnight Sunday with no tax on certain severe weather preparedness supplies.
Atmore and Brewton will not take part in the sales tax holiday, but Flomaton and most Baldwin and Mobile County cities will.
The event means no sales tax on storm prep items up to $60 each, including:
- Batteries (excluding auto or boat batteries)
- Cellular phone batteries and chargers
- Portable self-powered or battery-powered radio, two way radio, weatherband radio or NOAA weather radio
- Portable self-powered light source, including battery powered flashlights, lanterns, or emergency glow sticks
- Tarpaulin
- Plastic sheeting
- Plastic drop cloths
- Other flexible, waterproof sheeting
- Ground anchor system, such as bungee cords or rope, or tiedown kit
- Duct tape
- Plywood, window film or other materials specifically designed to protect window coverings
- Non-electric food storage cooler or water storage container
- Non-electric can opener
- Artificial ice, blue ice, ice packs and reusable ice
- Self-contained first aid kit
- Fire extinguisher
- Smoke detector
- Carbon monoxide detector
- Gas or Diesel fuel tank or container
Portable generators and power cords up to $1,000 are also tax free during the event.
In future years, the event will be held beginning the last weekend in February.
For more information, click here.
Weekend Weather
July 7, 2012
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Mostly clear, with a low around 70. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
- Sunday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. South wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
- Sunday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light southwest after midnight.
- Monday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 87. Light west wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
- Monday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
- Tuesday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. Light and variable wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
- Tuesday Night: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
- Wednesday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 89. Light and variable wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
- Wednesday Night: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
- Thursday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 89. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
- Thursday Night: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
- Friday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 89. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
- Friday Night: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 71. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
- Saturday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 91.
Market Offers Produce, Other Items Including Canjos
July 7, 2012
The Market at St. Monica’s will be open Saturday in Cantonment with lots of fresh produce and more.
Visitors to the market on the first and third Saturdays of each month have come to expect a wide variety of produce — there’s almost always tomatoes, many kinds of peppers, sweet corn, squash and more. But the market also offers baked goods, free range eggs, arts and crafts and items like soap, shampoo, and shampoo bars from goat’s milk.
There’s also Walnut Hill-made benches, tables and more from sycamore, oak, walnut and cedar.
And canjos. Canjos started as banjos made from tin cans, but now they have evolved into beautifully hand-crafted instruments made from oak, poplar and walnut.
Concessions are also available, including all-beef hotdogs, sno-cones, popcorn, cold sodas and bottled water.
The Market at Saint Monica’s will be held from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the church, located at 699 South Highway 95A in Cantonment.
Pictured: A handcrafted “canjo” available at the Market at St. Monica’s in Cantonment. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Alabama Holds Storm Supply Tax Free Weekend
July 6, 2012
Most places in Alabama will observe a 2012 Severe Weather Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday through Sunday with no tax on certain severe weather preparedness supplies.
Atmore and Brewton will not take part in the sales tax holiday, but Flomaton and most Baldwin and Mobile counties cities will.
Through midnight Sunday, the event means no sales tax on storm prep items up to $60 each, including:
- Batteries (excluding auto or boat batteries)
- Cellular phone batteries and chargers
- Portable self-powered or battery-powered radio, two way radio, weatherband radio or NOAA weather radio
- Portable self-powered light source, including battery powered flashlights, lanterns, or emergency glow sticks
- Tarpaulin
- Plastic sheeting
- Plastic drop cloths
- Other flexible, waterproof sheeting
- Ground anchor system, such as bungee cords or rope, or tiedown kit
- Duct tape
- Plywood, window film or other materials specifically designed to protect window coverings
- Non-electric food storage cooler or water storage container
- Non-electric can opener
- Artificial ice, blue ice, ice packs and reusable ice
- Self-contained first aid kit
- Fire extinguisher
- Smoke detector
- Carbon monoxide detector
- Gas or Diesel fuel tank or container
Portable generators and power cords up to $1,000 are also tax free during the event.
In future years, the event will be held beginning the last weekend in February.
For more information, click here.
Showers, Thunderstorms Today
July 5, 2012
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Thursday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 95. Calm wind becoming west 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 72. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
- Friday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 93. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon.
- Friday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
- Saturday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 94. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon.
- Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 71. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Sunday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 93. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.
- Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
- Monday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93.
- Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72.
- Tuesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 93.
- Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72.
- Wednesday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 92.
Guide To Area Fireworks Shows
July 4, 2012
Here’s a guide to public Fourth of July Fireworks shows across the North Escambia area:
WEDNESDAY
Sertoma — Downtown Pensacola, Sponsored by NorthEscambia.com
For the 23rd year, Sertoma organizations will coordinate and host the fireworks display over Pensacola Bay on Wednesday, July 4th, at 9:00 p.m.
There will be activities throughout the day, from 11:00 am until 6:30 pm, in Seville Square to include a FREE Children’s Area with inflatables and pony rides, arts and crafts vendors, food vendors, and live entertainment on the gazebo stage beginning at 11:00 a.m. There is also a hot dog eating contest at noon.
Starting at 4 p.m., there will be live music on the Bayfront Stage, featuring Crosstown Band, followed by Bad Habits at 6:30. The festivities will culminate with the fireworks show over Pensacola Bay at about 9 p.m. synchronized with music broadcast on Cat Country 98.7.
Sponsors for the program include NorthEscambia.com, Cat Country 98.7, NewsRadio 1620, WEAR 3, Publix, Escambia County and the City of Pensacola.
Jay
The Town of Jay and the Jay Area Chamber of Commerce will celebrate Wednesday, July 4 with a fireworks show set to begin around 9 p.m. at Bray-Hendricks City Park. Food vendors and arts and crafts vendors will be on hand. There will also be a kids’ fun center with a large slide and bounce house. Admission to the park is free. No pets.
East Brewton
The Fort Crawford Commission will celebrate Wednesday, July 4, with a fun-filled day beginning at 9 a.m. at Fort Crawford Park and ending with a fireworks show at 9:30 p.m.
Bay Minette
The City of Bay Minette will host a fireworks show on Wednesday, July 4, beginning around 9 p.m. at the Bay Minette Intermediate School.
Riverfest 2012: A Celebration of Freedom
Riverfest will be held Wednesday, July 4 in Milton. Festivities include the 11th annual Firecracker Bike Show at 9 a.m., a Freedom Car Show at 9 a.m., the Treasure Island Children’s Activity Area at 1 a.m., the sixth annual Great MillTown Duck Race at 5 p.m., the Acoustic Project at 5:30 p.m., a Veteran’s Salute at 6:30 p.m. and karaoke at 7 p.m. The day will end with a fireworks display over the Blackwater River at dark.
Fireworks over Pensacola Beach
Fireworks are over Santa Rosa Sound, just offshore from Quietwater Beach. Fireworks start at 9 p.m. on Wednesday, July 4. Best views from the Portofino Boardwalk or Quietwater Beach. The trolley will operate on its normal schedule from 4 p.m. to midnight, running from the Fort Pickens entrance to Portofino.
4th Of July Closings
July 4, 2012
The following will be closed Wednesday in observance of the Independence Day holiday:
- City offices in Century, Flomaton, Jay, Atmore, Pensacola
- Escambia County (Ala. & Fla.) offices
- Santa Rosa County offices
- Florida state offices
- All federal offices
- West Florida Library branches, including Century
- Santa Rosa County libraries, including Jay
- University of West Florida, Pensacola State College closed
- Retail windows at the U.S. Post Office will be closed, and there will be no mail delivered or collected, except for Express Mail.
- ECAT buses will run only limited service for: Route 59 Express, Route 64 Beach Jumper, Beach Trolley
- Wednesday’s ECUA route was picked up on Tuesday.