Flash Flood Watch: Several Inches Of Rain Possible
February 4, 2010
A flash flood watch is in effect as light showers will give way to heavy rain by Thursday night.
The National Weather Service says we can expect 2 to 4 inches of rain across the area, and some isolated areas could receive from 5 to 6 inches by Friday morning.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Low around 52. East wind 5 to 15 mph becoming west. Chance of precipitation is 100%.
- Friday: A 50 percent chance of showers, mainly before noon. Mostly cloudy, with a steady temperature around 57. West wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 39. Northwest wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 55. Northwest wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 32. North wind around 5 mph.
- Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 56. North wind around 5 mph.
- Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 34. East wind around 5 mph.
- Monday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a high near 60. Southeast wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Monday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 46.
- Tuesday: A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 61.
- Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 44.
- Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a high near 57.
- Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 37.
- Thursday: A slight chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a high near 56.
Library Supporters Want You To Sign Petition For Molino Library By Today
February 2, 2010
Supporters of a new library in Molino have gathered several pages of petition signatures, and they are asking Molino and Cantonment area residents to sign the petition by today.
Petitions in support of the library are available through today at Scott’s Pharmacy and Fran’s Diner in Molino, and Sharon’s Diner and Grandview Florist in Cantonment.
Last year, Escambia County purchased the old Molino School on Highway 95A for $400,000 for a library, community center and perhaps a museum. The county has budgeted funds toward the renovations, but additional funding from the state is needed to complete the library.
In 2007, the county applied for a $500,000 state library construction grant. That 2007 application was ranked number two for funding among 23 applicants; but, the Florida Legislature did not fund any applicants. The county has already committed $510,408 in matching local option sales tax funds toward the $1,010,408 total library cost. The same application was again re-submitted in 2008 and ranked number three, but due to funding constraints, the Legislature did not fund any projects. The county has submitted the grant request a third time.
“This $500,000 is vitally important for the construction of the library and the furnishings inside,” Gene Fischer, director of the West Florida Library wrote in an email sent to library supporters. Fisher asked in the email that supporters contact members of the legislative delegation and encourage them to approve the funding this year.
Escambia County currently does not have a library between the Tryon Library, located on Langley Avenue a short distance from Sacred Heart Hospital, and the Century Branch Library — a distance of about 40 miles. Fischer said that library supporters have tried for 12 years to locate a library in the middle portion of the county.
“This is an opportunity to fulfill that need,” he wrote. “Please let the legislators know that this construction is not only to support formal and informal education, but it is also an economic stimulus to the ailing state construction industry.”
The grant, if awarded by the legislature, would require the county to use the facility as a library in Molino for a minimum of 20 years.
Six More Weeks Of Winter? North Escambia Weather Ducks See Shadow
February 2, 2010
On the Groundhog Day, Puxatony Phil, the world famous groundhog, and the NorthEscambia.com Weather Ducks have both predicted six more weeks of winter.
Forklore says that if the groundhog sees his shadow on Groundhog Day, it means six more weeks of winter. We did not have a groundhog handy for a photo, but we did have the NorthEscambia.com Weather Ducks (pictured above). And just like their more famous Pennsylvania weather buddy, our weather ducks also saw their shadow this morning here in North Escambia.
Here is your official Groundhog Day forecast:
- Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 34. North wind around 5 mph.
- Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 58. Northeast wind between 5 and 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
- Wednesday Night: Showers likely. Cloudy, with a low around 42. East wind between 5 and 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
- Thursday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Cloudy, with a high near 58. East wind between 10 and 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
- Thursday Night: Showers likely. Cloudy, with a low around 50. North wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
- Friday: A 50 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 60. West wind around 10 mph.
- Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 42. Northwest wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high near 57.
- Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 34.
- Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 59.
- Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 34.
- Monday: Partly sunny, with a high near 62.
Lane Closures Begin On Highway 97
February 1, 2010
Lane closures began Monday on Highway 97 as a $5.7 million resurfacing project got underway.
The project will begin with a major clearing of the right of way in select locations, according to Shawn Joseph, project administrator for Panhandle Grading and Paving, Inc. All of the lane closures scheduled for the first week of February will be south of Highway 4 and north of Highway 29.
The next major phase of the project will be guardrail replacements, Joseph said.
Once work begins on the actual highway, work crews will restrict traffic to one lane through the work zone. Weather permitting, the project should be completed in September 2010.
“They will maintain accesses to businesses and residences during the process,” according to Tanya Branton, spokesperson for the Florida Department of Transportation.
During the entire 270 day project, NorthEscambia.com will provide the most current Highway 97 lane closure and construction updates to help you avoid delays.
Pictured above: A sign in Davisville warns of impending lane closures on Highway 97. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Sunny, Seasonable, Showers
February 1, 2010
Our North Escambia area forecast calls for sunny, seasonable weather through Wednesday, then showers by Thursday and Friday.
- Monday: Sunny, with a high near 59. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph.
- Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of rain after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 38. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 62. North wind around 5 mph.
- Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 34. North wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 62. North wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of rain after midnight. Partly cloudy, with a low around 40. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
- Thursday: A 50 percent chance of showers. Cloudy, with a high near 60. East wind between 5 and 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
- Thursday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers. Cloudy, with a low around 44. East wind around 15 mph.
- Friday: A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 62.
- Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 42.
- Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a high near 59.
- Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 36.
- Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 57.
Want To Save On Your Taxes? Today Is The Deadline
January 31, 2010
If you want to save 2% on your property tax bill, payments must be made by Sunday.
Janet Holley, Escambia County Tax Collector, said that the 2% discount to pay real estate and tangible personal property taxes ends Sunday, January 31. Since the deadline falls during the weekend when the offices are closed, offices will honor the 2% discount Monday, February 1 for in-person payments only.
In addition, payments will receive the 2% discount if:
- mailed with a postmark of January 31;
- left in a 24-hour drop box available at all offices by midnight January 31;
- made on the tax collector’s web site by midnight January 31;
- made on the tax collector’s after-hours automated telephone (800) 601‑1055 by midnight January 31;
Drive thru service and 24-hour drop boxes are available at all locations.
You may check the status of your taxes and pay online at www.escambiataxcollector.com. If you have any questions, call the tax collector’s office at 438-6500, ext. 252. (TTY users for the hearing impaired call 850-472-0031.)
Cool, But Otherwise Great Weekend
January 30, 2010
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 28. Wind chill values between 20 and 25. North wind around 10 mph.
- Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 54. Wind chill values between 20 and 30 early. North wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 32. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
- Monday: Sunny, with a high near 63. East wind around 5 mph.
- Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 41. East wind around 5 mph becoming north.
- Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 63. North wind around 5 mph.
- Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 38. North wind around 5 mph.
- Wednesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 62. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
- Wednesday Night: A 30 percent chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 39. East wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Thursday: A 40 percent chance of showers. Cloudy, with a high near 58.
- Thursday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers. Cloudy, with a low around 44.
- Friday: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 60.
- Friday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 38.
- Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a high near 58.
Ball Registration Ends Today For NWE, Continues For Molino, Century
January 30, 2010
Northwest Escambia has extended their ball registration through today, and registration is continuing this weekend in Century and Molino.
Northwest Escambia
Registration for Northwest Escambia baseball and softball ends Saturday, January 30 for ages 3 to 18 for Wee ball to big league.
Registration fees are: 1st child, $35, 2nd child: $25, 3rd child: free. Children will be measured and a $20 uniform deposit collected at registration. A copy of each child’s birth certificate is required. There will also be a cleat swap…bring a pair of outgrown cleats and trade/swap while supplies last.
NWE registration will be held from 10 a.m. until noon Saturday at Bradberry Park in Walnut Hill. Tryouts for boys and girls ages 3-12 will be Saturday, February 6 beginning at 10 a.m.
Junior, Senior & Big League boys 13-18 deadline for registration will be March 20th.
Molino Recreation Association
The Molino Recreation Association will hold registration Saturday from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm. Registration will continue through last Saturday in February for Wee Ball, tee ball, baseball and softball.
The cost is $50 for the first child, $45 for the second, $40 for the third and free for the fourth. The softball draft will be February 20 only.
Century Little League
Registration will be held January 30 and February 6 and 13 for Century Little League.
The registration fee is $30 for the first child and $20 for each additional child. A copy of each child’s birth certificate is required.
Anyone interested in coaching can fill out an application on any of the registration days. For more information, contact Wes Sims at (251) 370-0246.
Flash Flood Watch; Heavy Rain Possible Tonight
January 29, 2010
A flash food watch is in effect for the North Escambia area for tonight. Some of the overnight thunderstorms could produce heavy rainfall. With our already saturated ground, just a few inches of rain would be enough to cause flooding.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Low around 46. Southeast wind 10 to 15 mph becoming west. Chance of precipitation is 100%.
- Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 50. West wind between 10 and 15 mph.
- Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 30. North wind between 10 and 15 mph.
- Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 54. Wind chill values between 25 and 35 early. North wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 30. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
- Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 62. East wind around 5 mph.
- Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 38. East wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Tuesday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 62. Calm wind becoming north between 5 and 10 mph.
- Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 37. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Wednesday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 63.
- Wednesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers. Cloudy, with a low around 44.
- Thursday: A 40 percent chance of showers. Cloudy, with a high near 67.
- Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 47.
Sell Your Gold This Afternoon, Help EWMS Drama Club
January 28, 2010
The Ernest Ward Middle School Drama Club will hold a Gold Party fundraiser this afternoon from 4-7 in the school cafeteria.
If you have gold jewelry that you no longer want or need, you can sell it and get cash on the spot. Broken jewelry is also accepted. The broker will test and weigh the gold in front of you and offer you a price. For more info, email Katie Ward kward1@escambia.k12.fl.us