Fire Weather Watch In Effect, Sunny Skies Today
January 30, 2018
There is a fire weather watch in effect Tuesday afternoon due to a long duration of low humidity and windy conditions; outdoor burning is discouraged.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 52. North wind 10 to 15 mph.
Tuesday Night: Clear, with a low around 32. North wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 60. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south in the morning.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 47. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
Thursday: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 65. South wind around 5 mph.
Thursday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 46. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming north after midnight.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 58. North wind around 10 mph.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 36. North wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 58.
Saturday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 46.
Sunday: Showers likely. Cloudy, with a high near 61. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Sunday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 43.
Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 59.
Three Injured When Vehicle Plunges Over 50 Feet Below I-65 Bridge Near Atmore
January 30, 2018
Two people were airlifted to the hospital after a vehicle plunged over 50 feet below an I-65 bridge north of Atmore Monday night.
A dramatic rope rescue by the Poarch Fire Department followed, with three people rescued from the vehicle. Two were airlifted in critical condition by two different medical helicopters to area hospitals. while a third victim was transported by ambulance.
The accident happened about two miles north of the Atmore exit.
The accident remains under investigation by Alabama State Troopers; further details have not been released.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
School Bus Driver Ticketed After Highway 95A Accident
January 30, 2018
A school bus driver was ticketed after a minor accident on Highway 95A near Crowl Lane Monday morning.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, 70-year old Vaughn Lowe was driving the school bus northbound on Highway 95A when he made a left turn in front of a Nissan Senta driven by 37-year old Karianna Siple of Pensacola. Siple was unable to stop in time and collided with the bus.
There were no passengers on the bus. Lowe and Siple were not injured.
Lowe was cited for an improper left turn by the FHP.
Innovative Steel Bridge Opens On Arthur Brown Road In Walnut Hill
January 30, 2018
The Arthur Brown Road (Hwy. 99A) Bridge over Freeman Springs Branch has reopened after the full demolition and replacement of the previous bridge.
The Florida Department of Transportation ordered the closure of the bridge on November 8 after a failed inspection, and bridge replacement work began December 6 after the completion of preparatory requirements. The new 24-foot wide steel bridge arrived in three major pieces on January 5 and was installed on January 6.
Escambia County Administrator Jack Brown led the charge for the faster pre-fabricated steel replacement versus traditional concrete bridge due to the number of residents facing lengthy detours of many miles.
The steel bridge saved several months of construction time and cost about $400,000 as opposed to $1 million for a concrete bridge.
“I believe this is a great example of the County Administrator Jack Brown understanding that we needed some alternative methods of working both quickly and less expensively,” District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry said. “Additionally, I am very excited for the residents and those who commute through the affected area”
County officials have said they hope to use more of the steel bridges on future county funded bridge replacements.
Eight other North Escambia bridges remained closed for replacement construction.
“I understand many residents are still inconvenienced by the many bridge closures, and I am diligently working to get all the bridges open as quickly as is safely possible,” Barry said.
To read more about the steel replacement bridge and see additional photos, click here for an earlier article “Escambia County Explores How To Build A Bridge Faster, Smarter And Cheaper“.
Pictured: The Arthur Brown Road bridge over Freeman Springs Branch reopened Monday. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
No Serious Injuries In Highway 97 Crash In Davisville
January 30, 2018
There were no serious injuries in a two-vehicle crash Monday night on Highway 97 in front of the Piggly Wiggly grocery store, jus south of the Florida/Alabama state line.
A Chevrolet pickup truck and Chevrolet Equinox were involved in the accident, which remains under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.
The Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue and Escambia County EMS also responded to the 7:40 p.m. accident, which shut down Highway 97 in Davisville for a brief period.
NorthEcambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Sacred Heart To Build New $7 Million Medical Park On Nine Mile
January 30, 2018
Sacred Heart will soon begin construction of a new 28,000 square-foot outpatient medical park next to Publix on Nine Mile Road at Pine Forest Road.
The $7 million outpatient facility will include at three physicians and a nurse practitioner, physician specialists including cardiologists and OB/GYNs, outpatient rehabilitation, a medical lab and diagnostic services such as mammography, CT, X-ray, MRI and ultrasound.
The new facility is slated to open in December of this year.
“As the Milestone area grows, so does the community’s need for specialized medical care. Sacred Heart is committed to meeting that need,” said Susan Davis, president and CEO of Sacred Heart Health System. “Our promise to provide personalized, compassionate care begins in our physician offices. By bringing healthcare closer to where people live and work, we can provide services that are more timely, which ultimately leads to better outcomes and quality of life for our patients.”
Updated: Owl Recovering After Rescue From Tangled Fishing Line
January 30, 2018
A barred owl — better known as a hoot owl — rescued near Century Saturday is recovering from his injuries.
The owl was hanging by a wing that was tangled in fishing line at Salter’s Lake. After being rescued by a group of local residents, the owl was picked up by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and transported to the Wildlife Sanctuary of Northwest Florida.
Wildlife Sanctuary Director Dorothy Kaufmann said Monday afternoon that the owl was examined by Dr. Tommy Knight at the Westside Animal Clinic. She said the biggest concern right now is the left wing tip from which the owl was dangling.
“We will see how things heal over the next six to seven days,” Kaufmann said. “The shoulder will also be a time situation to see how much he can recover the range of motion.”
The owl was rescued by local duck hunters Ben Preston and Lakelynn Parker…click here to read more.
Photos by Ross Daughdrill and Tammy Parker for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Volleyball: Ernest Ward Middle Defeats Beulah Academy Of Science (With Photo Gallery)
January 30, 2018
The Ernest Ward Middle School varsity and JV volleyball games both improved to 2-0 Monday night with wins over the Beulah Academy of Science Bobcats.
The Ernest Ward varsity Eagles beat Beulah in two sets (25-13, 25-20) and the JV Eagles topped the Bobcats in two (25-17, 25-14).
Last Thursday, Ernest Ward’s varsity beat Ferry Pass 25-22, 25-21. The JV EWMS Eagles defeated Ferry Pass 25-18, 25-18.
On Thursday, Ransom Middle will travel to Ernest Ward, and Beulah will be at Woodham. JV games begin at 5:30 and varsity takes the court at 6:15 p.m.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Highway 29 Hit And Run Driver Arrested
January 29, 2018
A hit and run driver was arrested Monday morning, thanks to a tip from a NorthEscambia.com reader.
Jimmy Ray Burkett, 27, was charged with felony driving while license suspended/revoked, misdemeanor leaving the scene of an accident and making an improper left turn. He was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $3,500 bond.
On Wednesday, January 24 Burkett was traveling south in a 2011 Toyota Scion on Highway 29 and entered a left turn lane at Hood Drive as 23-year old Hannah Fiellin was traveling northbound on Highway 29 in a 2009 Honda Accord. Burkett made a left turn directly in front of Fiellin, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
Burkett then fled the scene.
Acting on a citizen’s tip, troopers were able to locate the vehicle and identify Burkett.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Get Ready For Bigger Power Bills: Gulf Power, EREC Set Demand Records In Cold Weather
January 29, 2018
Gulf Power and Escambia River Electric Cooperative are reporting record energy demands during our recent arctic blast.
Weather plays the biggest role in the amount of energy customers use and how it impacts their power bill, according to Gulf Power. Customers typically see their highest bills after the hottest months of the summer and coldest of the winter.
With the rounds of Artic blasts tumbling temperatures into the teens and 20s across Northwest Florida this month, Gulf Power and EREC experienced the highest energy demand ever from customers trying to stay warm.
The severe winter weather experience in January resulted in Gulf Power setting an all-time high system peak demand of 2,817 megawatts on January 18, compared to an expected system peak demand of 2,202 megawatts under more typical weather conditions. This winter’s peak is 28 percent higher than forecasted and surpasses the all-time peak of 2,694 megawatts in January of 2014.
At 6:30 a.m. on January 18, EREC experienced a peak demand of 63.04 megawatts, which was about 24 percent higher than forecasted, according to Nick Jackson, EREC spokesperson.
“What this means is our customers should prepare for higher than normal power bills,” said Kimberly Blair, Gulf Power spokesperson. That thought was echoed by Jackson.
“It’s going to mean higher bills for our members,” he said.
Gulf Power company offers a budget billing program. With budget billing, pay about the same amount each month with their bill averaged out based on their previous 12 months’ electrical usage. That eliminates the drastic spikes from extreme weather events.
An immediate fix to avoid higher bills – get in the habit of leaving your thermostat at a constant temperature, Blair said. “Almost half of the energy in your home goes to heating and cooling. In the winter, set it at 68 degrees and leave it. For every degree above 68 you set your thermostat, you’ll pay 10 percent more in heating costs.”
For those who may struggle to the pay their higher bill, the Salvation Army has a program called Project SHARE those that need help with energy bills, repairs to heating and air-conditioning equipment, and other energy-related needs. The program assists the elderly, the disabled, the sick and others who are experiencing financial hardship. Project SHARE is available to help Gulf Power or EREC customers.
Other community agencies also offer help with utility payments.
Both utilities companies encourage proactive actions now to help alleviate high bills later including energy checkups, programmable thermostats, finding and sealing leaks, maintaining heating systems and using fluorescent or LED lighting. Also, the use of an electric blanket at night is recommended — it’s more economical than heating the entire house all night long.
Here is a full list of where to get help paying an electric bill. The availability of help from a listed agency may depend on the customer’s utility company.
Escambia County
* United Ministries (only provides assistance to families w/children) 257 E Lee St., Pensacola, 850-433-2333
* Catholic Social Services, 222 E Government St., Pensacola, 850-436-6425
* Community Action Program (Tuesdays 8:15-9:15 am), 1308 W Garden St., Pensacola, 850-607-2088
* First Call For Help, 1800 N Palafox St, Pensacola, 850-595-5905
* Salvation Army, 1501 North Q St., Pensacola, 850-432-1501
* First Baptist Church, 850-438-8907
* Olive Baptist Church. 850-473-4466
Santa Rosa County
* Interfaith Ministries — Santa Rosa County residents, Gulf Breeze, Navarre, Milton, 850-934-8385
* We Care Ministries (United Methodist Church — Santa Rosa County residents, Navarre) 850-939-1005
* Family Resource Center, 850-626-2054
* Salvation Army, Santa Rosa County, 850-623-4099
* Tri County Community Council, 6607 Elva St., 850-981-0036