Tornado, Flash Flood Watch: Severe Storms, Heavy Rain Possible
March 9, 2011
Severe storms and heavy rains are forecast for Wednesday. A tornado watch, flash flood watch and wind advisory are in effect for today.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Today: Showers and thunderstorms. High near 74. South wind 10 to 15 mph becoming west. Chance of precipitation is 100%.
- Tonight: Isolated showers and thunderstorms before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 44. West wind between 10 and 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 63. Northwest wind between 10 and 15 mph.
- Thursday Night: Clear, with a low around 36. North wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Friday: Sunny, with a high near 66. North wind around 5 mph.
- Friday Night: Clear, with a low around 37. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 73. Calm wind becoming south between 5 and 10 mph.
- Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 46. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 74. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph.
- Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 47.
- Monday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 73.
- Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 47.
- Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 71.
Flash Flood Watch: Heavy Rain, Severe Storms Possible
March 8, 2011
Rain showers are forecast to begin tonight, with stronger storms and heavy rain expected into Wednesday morning. A flash flood watch is in effect for the entire area from Wednesday morning through Wednesday afternoon.
Rainfall totals are forecast to be 2-3 inches, with some locations receiving 5-7 inches of rain.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight…Cloudy. Scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms in the evening…then numerous thunderstorms and showers after midnight. Some thunderstorms may be severe with heavy rainfall after midnight. Lows in the lower 60s. Southeast winds 15 to 20 mph. Chance of precipitation 70 percent.
- Wednesday…Widespread thunderstorms and showers. Some thunderstorms may be severe with heavy rainfall. Highs in the mid 70s. South winds 15 to 20 mph. Chance of precipitation near 100 percent.
- Wednesday Night…Cooler. Mostly cloudy in the evening becoming partly cloudy. Isolated showers and thunderstorms in the evening. Lows in the mid 40s. Northwest winds 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation 20 percent.
- Thursday…Cooler…sunny. Highs in the mid 60s. Northwest winds 10 to 15 mph.
- Thursday Night…Colder. Mostly clear. Lows in the mid 30s. Northwest winds 5 to 10 mph.
- Friday…Sunny. Highs in the mid 60s.
- Friday Night…Mostly clear. Lows in the upper 30s.
- Saturday…Sunny. Highs in the lower 70s.
- Saturday Night…Not as cool. Mostly clear. Lows in the upper 40s.
- Sunday…Mostly sunny. Highs in the mid 70s.
- Sunday Night…Partly cloudy. Lows around 50.
- Monday…Mostly cloudy. Highs in the lower 70s.
- Monday Night…Mostly cloudy. Slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Lows in the lower 50s. Chance of precipitation 20 percent.
- Tuesday…Mostly cloudy. Slight chance of rain. Highs in the upper 60s. Chance of rain 20 percent.
March Madness Math Night At Bratt Elementary
March 8, 2011
Bratt Elementary School will hold a March Madness Math Night for third, fourth and fifth graders Tuesday night. Students and their parents are invited for a night of math fun with door prizes, refreshments and games from 6:30 until 7:30 at the school. For more information contact Bratt Elementary School at (850) 327-6137.
Preview: Gov. Rick Scott’s First State Of The State Address Tonight
March 8, 2011
Don’t expect Gov. Rick Scott to deviate much from his frequent message as he delivers his first State of the State speech Tuesday night before a joint session of the Legislature.
Jobs and the need to attract more of them will continue to resonate through the governor’s public discourse as he makes his first major speech since his inaugural address.
“I’m going to continue to watch how we spend every dollar…make sure that we give money back to taxpayers,” Scott said Monday when asked about what themes would be in his upcoming speech. “Make sure we prioritize things. Make sure our education system is for the benefit of our children, not special interests. Those are generally the things I’m going to talk about.”
House and Senate leaders say they expect few surprises Tuesday evening, saying the governor has remained on message since jumping into the race in April. Given Scott’s strong performance among conservatives, they expect the governor to come back to his mantra of lowering taxes and cutting spending by redefining the role of what state government should do.
“I think he’s going to have an ambitious agenda,” said Senate President Mike Haridopolos. “It’s one the American people are looking for.”
Scott minimized potential conflicts with his legislative dance partners, who have questioned the ability to provide business tax cuts while dealing with a $3.6 billion budget deficit. House Speaker Dean Cannon said Monday he also wants to put $1 billion in reserve, making business tax cuts even more difficult to deliver.
Scott remained unfazed, but downplayed the idea he might take a combative tone.
“Everybody got elected and they got elected on a platform,” Scott said. “The positive thing is everyone knows the number one issue is jobs,” Scott said.
Not everyone listening Tuesday night will agree with the message.
Senate Democratic Leader Nan Rich said she’d like to hear a number of things from Scott Tuesday night.
“I’d like to hear how he is going to get the state back on track in terms of jobs and closing the budget gap without decimating health care, social services and our education system,” Rich said. “I’d like to hear how we can responsibly balance the budget by closing tax loopholes and looking for additional resources, not by cutting corporate income taxes or lowering property taxes.”
That said, Rich is not under the presumption that such proposals will be brought up by Scott when he addresses the chambers in a joint session.
“I expect to hear what we’ve heard for the last 12 years,” Rich said. “We’ll hear about cutting taxes, cutting services to our most vulnerable. We’ll hear about cutting education.”
Protests have been scheduled for Tuesday by teachers’ groups, environmentalists and others to express their concern over Scott’s agenda, which includes reduced funding for environmental programs, support for merit pay for teachers, and increasing the employee contribution level for the state’s pension fund. Scott said he welcomes the protesters.
“One thing that is great about our country is that everyone has the right to speak,” Scott said. “It’s good that people show up and say what they care about.”
By Michael Peltier
The News Service Florida
Alzheimer’s Support Group To Meet Wednesday
March 7, 2011
Alzheimer’s Family Services provides monthly support groups for family members or friends coping with a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease.
A support group meeting will take place Wednesday, March 9 at 10:00 a.m. at Century United Methodist Church at 530 Church Street. The support group is free but registration is required to attend, and respite care is available in most locations.
Support Groups are a means for caregivers and others interested in learning more about Alzheimer’s disease to exchange ideas, gather information and discuss their concerns with others who are dealing or have dealt with the same issues. To register for this support group or for additional information, call (850) 478-7790 or visit www.AlzFamServ.org.
Alzheimer’s Family Services is a not-for-profit organization serving individuals and families in Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, and Walton counties in Florida as well as Escambia County in Alabama. Our mission is to provide education and emotional support through a variety of services including: memory screens, support groups, tracking devices for wandering patients, respite, and counseling. AFS is an affiliate of Covenant Hospice.
By The Way, It’s Still Winter: Near Freezing Tonight
March 6, 2011
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 33. Calm wind.
- Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 65. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph.
- Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 41. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Tuesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 70. East wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Tuesday Night: Scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 57. East wind between 5 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
- Wednesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 72. East wind 10 to 15 mph becoming southwest. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
- Wednesday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 50. West wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 63. North wind between 5 and 15 mph.
- Thursday Night: Clear, with a low around 39. North wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Friday: Sunny, with a high near 65.
- Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 40.
- Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 71.
- Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 45.
- Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 73.
Northview FFA Blue Jacket Jamboree Today; Tickets Still Available
March 5, 2011
Tickets are still available for the Northview FFA Blue Jacket Jamboree this evening.
A man that achieved legendary status in country music — 13 number one singles, 22 songs on the charts, a Grammy Award, and a CMA Vocal Group of the Year trophy — will headline concert this evening in Bratt.
The Northview FFA Alumni Scholarship Fund and NorthEscambia.com will present the Northview FFA Blue Jacket Jamboree featuring Marty Raybon at 5 p.m. Marty Raybon will be joined by the Southern Gospel quartet Lookin’ Up and Northview’s own Ashton Gibbs in the Northview High School Theater.
Marty Raybon is perhaps best known as the former lead singer of the country mega-group Shenandoah from 1985-1996. He led Shenandoah to 22 singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts, including thirteen number one singles, such as: “The Church on Cumberland Road” (1989), “Sunday in the South” (1989), “Two Dozen Roses” (1989), “Next to You, Next to Me” (1990) and “Butterfly Kisses” (1997). At the top of the charts, Raybon became known for his bluegrass and gospel-influenced semi-traditional country sound.
Tickets for the Northview High School FFA Alumni Blue Jacket Jamboree are $15 and are available now at Smith Tractor in Atmore, Scott’s Pharmacy in Molino and Ann’s Hallmark on Nine Mile Road in Ensley. Tickets will also be available at the door.
The event is indoors, so rain will not be an issue.
Pictured: Grammy award winning Marty Raybon performs last year at Northview High School. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Turning Colder
March 5, 2011
Here is your North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight…Cloudy. Numerous rain showers in the evening… then isolated rain showers after midnight. Lows in the mid 40s. Northwest winds 10 to 15 mph. Chance of showers 70 percent.
- Sunday…Mostly cloudy in the morning then clearing. Patchy dense fog in the morning. Highs in the lower 60s. North winds 10 to 15 mph.
- Sunday Night…Colder. Clear in the evening becoming partly cloudy. Lows in the mid 30s. North winds 5 to 10 mph becoming around 5 mph after midnight.
- Monday…Mostly sunny in the morning becoming mostly cloudy. Highs in the mid 60s. Northeast winds 5 to 10 mph becoming east in the afternoon.
- Monday Night…Mostly cloudy. Lows in the lower 40s. East winds 5 to 10 mph.
- Tuesday…Mostly cloudy. Highs around 70.
- Tuesday Night…Warmer. Mostly cloudy. Slight chance of rain showers. Lows in the mid 50s. Chance of showers 20 percent.
- Wednesday…Cloudy. Showers and thunderstorms likely. Highs in the mid 70s. Chance of precipitation 70 percent.
- Wednesday Night…Mostly cloudy. Showers and thunderstorms likely. Lows in the mid 50s. Chance of precipitation 60 percent.
- Thursday…Cooler. Mostly cloudy in the morning then clearing. Highs in the mid 60s.
- Thursday Night…Colder…clear. Lows around 40.
- Friday…Sunny. Highs in the mid 60s.
- Friday Night…Mostly clear. Lows in the lower 40s.
- Saturday…Sunny. Highs in the lower 70s.
Greater Good Music, Art Festival To Benefit Camp Fire USA
March 5, 2011
Good music, fun children’s activities and more will come together Sunday at the Greater Good Music, Art and Children’s Festival to benefit Camp Fire USA.
The festival, previously held in North Escambia, will take place at Adventures Unlimited in Milton Sunday with a variety of activities, vendors, art, food and plenty of diverse music. The festival will honor Camp Fire USA, a 101 year-old non-profit organization that provides many different programs that help build youth into caring and confident future leaders. Locally, Camp Fire USA offers child care, after-school care, voluntary pre-kindergarten, and other programs in Century, Pensacola and Milton.
For more information including tickets, times and artist line-ups, visit www.greatergoodmusicandart.com.
Relay For Life Chicken Plates Sold Out
March 4, 2011
A lot of people will enjoy a good lunch in the Century area today and help the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life.
The Town of Century’s Relay for Life Team had planned to sell smoked chicken plates to the general public today at the Roadside Park. All of the plates sold out during the pre-order period. Pre-ordered plates can be picked up in the park beginning at 10:30 a.m. Plates will not be available unless a pre-order was placed.
Each $6 plate includes smoked chicken, baked beans, cole slaw or potato salad, bread and dessert. For more information, call (850) 256-3208.