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A Few Lingering Showers Possible Into Monday Morning; Turning Cooler

Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:

This Afternoon: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 61. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.

Tonight: Rain likely, mainly after 3am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 44. North wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Monday: A 30 percent chance of rain, mainly before 9am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 52. North wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.

Monday Night: Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming clear, with a low around 41. North wind 5 to 10 mph.

Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 63. North wind 5 to 10 mph.

Tuesday Night: Clear, with a low around 38. North wind around 5 mph becoming east after midnight.

Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 63. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.

Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 40. East wind around 5 mph.

Thursday: Partly sunny, with a high near 66. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.

Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 51.

Friday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 71.

Friday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 58.

Saturday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 71.

These Are The Road Construction Spots To Watch This Week

Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.

Escambia County:

• Scenic Highway (U.S. 90) Resurfacing from north of Interstate 10 (I-10) to Davis Highway – Drivers on Scenic Highway may encounter nighttime alternating lane closures, between I-10 and Davis Highway, Sunday, Feb. 4 through Thursday, Feb. 8 from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. as crews mill and pave the roadway. A pilot vehicle will be present to safely guide drivers through the work zone.
• U.S. 29 (North Century Boulevard) Resurfacing between Henry Street and Cottage Street in Century – Northbound and southbound traffic on U.S. 29 (North Century Boulevard) is shifted to one outside travel lane in each direction between Rudolph Street and Green Street. The shift will be in place through the spring as crews perform drainage improvements. Signage will be in place to safely direct drivers through the work zone.
• Lillian Highway (State Road (S.R.) 298) Resurfacing from north of U.S. 98 to east of Fairfield Drive (S.R. 727) and Lillian Highway at Blue Angel Parkway (S.R. 173) – Drivers will encounter daytime lane closures and intermittent nighttime lane closures, between U.S. 98 and Blue Angel Parkway, Monday, Feb. 5 through Friday, Feb. 9 as crews perform concrete and striping work.
• County Road (C.R.) 4 over Canoe Creek Bridge – C.R. 4, between Byrneville and Bratt, will be closed until fall 2024 as crews replace the Canoe Creek bridge. Traffic is directed through a 5.6-mile detour using Bratt Road to Pine Barren Road, then back to C.R. 4.
• Mobile Highway (U.S. 90) Resurfacing from Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90A) to west of Pine Forest Road (S.R. 297) – A new traffic signal at the Mobile Highway-Klondike Road intersection will be placed into flash mode Monday, Feb. 5 and become fully operational Monday, Feb 12. In addition, drivers may encounter daytime lane closures, between Nine Mile Road and Pine Forest Road, Monday, Feb. 5 through Friday, Feb. 9 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. as crews pave the roadway.

• North Palafox Street (U.S. 29) Resurfacing from Cervantes Street to Brent Lane (S.R. 296) – Drivers will encounter the following traffic impacts:
  • The left turn lane from Pace Boulevard to Massachusetts Avenue is permanently closed. Signage is in place to direct drivers traveling on Palafox Street to Pace Boulevard.
  • The left turn lane from Palafox Street northbound to Pace Boulevard and Massachusetts Avenue is permanently closed. Signage is in place to direct drivers traveling northbound on U.S. 29 destined for Massachusetts Avenue or Pace Boulevard.
  • Intermittent lane closures near the North Palafox Street/Pace Boulevard/Massachusetts Avenue intersection nightly between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. as crews perform construction activities.

• U.S. 98 (Navarre Parkway) Routine Maintenance from Mustang Street to Commander Harvey Lane – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures Monday, Feb. 5 through Friday, March 1 from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. for sidewalk operations.

Santa Rosa County:

• U.S. 98 Widening from Bayshore Road to Portside Drive – Motorists will encounter the following traffic impacts:
  • Median and turn-lane closures from Bayshore Road to Tiger Lake Drive.
  • Intermittent lane closures and additional median closures between Bayshore Road and Tiger Lake Drive Sunday, Feb. 4, through Friday, Feb. 9, from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for stormwater drainage improvements and paving operations.
  • Drivers exiting S.R. 281 South will encounter a new traffic configuration as the northbound exit lanes and eastbound exit lanes will be closed at night to perform necessary utility improvements between 9:00 p.m. and 5:30 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 4. This nighttime lane closure will remain in effect for approximately five days. This lane closure will allow crews to install new drainage structures and perform utility improvements. S.R. 281 South will be open during daytime hours. Motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians will exit S.R. 281 South via Tiger Park Lane during these nighttime operations. Businesses may experience noise, vibrations, and dust during daytime hours as part of this drainage improvement effort.
• U.S. 90 Bridge Replacement over Simpson River - The outside (right) lane of U.S. 90 eastbound on the Simpson River Bridge will be closed from 8 p.m. Monday, Feb. 5 to 5:30 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 6 as crews perform construction activities for the new bridge. Drivers are reminded that the speed limit is 35 mph throughout the work zone.
• S.R. 87 Resurfacing from Hickory Hammock Road (C.R. 184) to Technology Avenue – Drivers may experience intermittent single-lane closures on S.R. 87, between Hickory Hammock Road and Technology Avenue, Monday, Feb. 5 through Friday, Feb. 9 from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. for turn lane construction and paving operations.
• I-10 Westbound at Blackwater River Resurfacing – Drivers will encounter intermittent I-10 westbound outside lane closures, from the Ward Basin Road on-ramp (exit 28) to the Blackwater River Bridge eastern approach, Sunday, Feb. 4 to Thursday, Feb. 8 from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. for bridge end slab replacement. Additionally, the I-10 westbound travel lanes are currently shifted slightly toward the inside of the roadway. This configuration is expected to remain in place through Feb. 2024 while crews work in the construction zone behind the barrier wall.
• S.R. 89 Resurfacing from North of S.R. 87 to C.R. 178 (Spanish Trail) – Drivers will encounter intermittent lane closures, between S.R. 87 and C.R. 178, Monday, Feb. 5 through Friday, Feb. 9 from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. as crews perform paving and earthwork operations.

All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.

Ice Flyers Get 4-2 Win Saturday Against Macon Mayhem

by Bill Vilona, Ice Flyers correspondent

The Ice Flyers’ Malik Johnson skated back to center ice, after chosen as the game’s No. 1 star, tapping his heart to acknowledge the supportive crowd.

For more photos, click here.

This was the desired capper to the weekend, the kind of celebratory scene with former stars and the current team that followed the Ice Flyers 4-2 win Saturday against the Macon Mayhem, thus delighting a sellout crowd of 8,049 at the Pensacola Bay Center.

With two memorable nights on the Ice Flyers 15th anniversary weekend, which was paired with the $5 ticket weekend, the Ice Flyers filled the building from floor to ceiling and honored former players who helped forge the franchise legacy that includes four championships.

But most importantly to this team, a win ensued that was much needed.

“It was cool, it was an awesome weekend,” said Ice Flyers coach Gary Graham referring to the experience presented by back-to-back sellouts. “The (former players) came in (locker room) before the game and got ‘em pumped up. We made them more a part of it (Saturday), behind closed doors, more of an intimate setting with our team.”

After Macon scored the game’s first goal with 11:01 left in the first period, the Ice Flyers tied it less than two minutes later when team captain Garrett Milan scored off a faceoff from an in-traffic assist from Houston Wilson.
This was more than just a tying goal. It was Milan’s first goal in 11 games. And it set a tone for what followed.

“It was great to see Garrett score that first goal,” Graham said. “He’s needed that bad. He has been working his tail off, he’s been battling through some nagging injuries, and he’s been a warrior.

“He puts a lot of pressure on himself… that’s what a captain does when times aren’t going good. I know I’ve been hard on him, too. So to see him finally get that monkey off his back and go to the net hard and get rewarded…. I think it was good for our team to see our captain doing that.

“He was out there finishing checks. He led with his actions on the ice, and I thought the rest of the team really followed his lead.”
Yes, they did.
Four minutes after Milan’s goal, fellow Ice Flyers veteran Ivan Bondarenko finished a perfect pass from Taylor Egan in the slot to give the Ice Flyers a 2-1 intermission lead. Bondarenko then bowed in salute of Egan as the players embraced.
The Ice Flyers almost had a 3-1 lead before the period ended. With 3:41 remaining and a timeout that followed what first appeared on the videoboard replay of a rebound goal, the officials looked extensively at their replay available in the penalty box area. And it was affirmed just as ruled in real time on the ice that it wasn’t a goal.

“When you look at the camera view — and a lot of times you see this in the NHL too — it looks like (puck) is crossing the line, but it’s a depth issue. (The puck) wasn’t across and (officials) had another view they used, and I knew it wasn’t a goal.”

What was a clear goal, however, scored in dramatic fashion by Johnson, occurred early in the second period.

He won a race to the puck on a breakaway against Macon’s diving goaltender who was well out of the crease. Johnson then gained control and with a trailing defender easily tapped the puck into the net for a 3-1 lead.
“He’s one of the fastest guys in the league and it was a good anticipation read on his part,” Graham said. “He read the chip that was happening, and he just beat the goalie to it.”

After the Mayhem added suspense with a shorthanded goal early in the third period, the game stayed 3-2 until the Ice Flyers Nick Leitner fired into an empty net with two seconds remaining.

Macon gained a 6 on 4 situation with their goaltender pulled, after the Ice Flyers were whistled for too many men of the ice with 50.6 seconds later. But the Ice Flyers didn’t allow Macon a clean shot and sealed the game.
“The main thing was Garrett and (Joseph) Widmar did a good job on the (penalty kill) holding the blue line. We just didn’t let (Macon) get into the zone,” Graham said.

Overall, Graham was pleased with his team’s response that followed a deflating 1-0 loss Friday night against first-place Birmingham.

“I thought we came right out of the gate and started putting more pucks at the net,” he said. “I thought the first goal (by Milan) symbolized what we wanted to start doing more and that is just crashing the net.”
When the final horn sounded, 10 former Ice Flyers players came onto the ice with wives and girlfriends for a team photo with the current players. They locked arms in a poignant scene that ended the special weekend.
The Ice Flyers will now be on the road next weekend at Huntsville, while Pensacola celebrates its Mardi Gras weekend of parades. They finished Saturday, however, with their own good times rolling.

“It was rocking. It was exciting,” Graham said. “Obviously, we couldn’t blow the lid off it (Friday night). You don’t want to get shut out on Teddy Bear toss night and you don’t want to get shut out in front of 8,000 fans, but unfortunately that happened. It was disappointing for the guys.”

But the response Saturday became a gratifying end.

For more photos, click here.

WHAT’S NEXT?
WHO: Ice Flyers vs. Huntsville Havoc
WHEN: Friday-Saturday (Feb. 9-10) 7 p.m. both games.
WHERE: Propst Arena, Huntsville, Ala.

Applications Now Open for 2024 Florida Forestry Teachers Tour

The Florida Forest Service invites educators across the state to apply for this summer’s Florida Forestry Teachers Tour. This year’s free annual tour is scheduled for June 18-21, 2024. Applications will be accepted through Friday, March 1.

The Florida Forestry Teachers Tour is designed to provide educators with an opportunity to learn how the forest industry meets the needs of Florida’s communities and the environment, which includes conservation practices and efforts established to keep our state’s forests healthy, renewable, and sustainable for future generations.

“Getting to know these forestry workers and their profession will change their outlook on this industry and Florida agriculture in general,” said Florida Forest Service Director Rick Dolan.

The four-day event also earns Florida teachers 30 Continuing Education Units (CEU) and includes all aspects of forestry practices. Attendees will visit tree farms to see tree planting and harvesting, then tour a local lumber mill to learn how various wood products are made, plus an assortment of other activities and tours.

Educators of all subjects and grade levels across Florida are encouraged to apply. All lodging, meals, and tour transportation are provided at no cost to teachers through the support of private partners and sponsors, including the Florida Forestry Association, Florida Project Learning Tree, and Friends of Florida State Forests.

To apply, visit floridastateforests.org/TeachersTour

Tate Cheerleaders Win FHSAA State Championship; Jay Places Fourth

The Tate High School Cheerleaders won the FHSAA Small State Championship Saturday in Lakeland. This was their third state title.

The Jay High School Cheerleaders tied for fourth place in their division.

Photos for NorthEscambia.com.

Escambia County Residents Receive Free Trees

Free trees were distributed Saturday to Escambia County residents during a UF/IFAS Escambia Extension event at Ashton Brosnaham Park.

The trees were distributed to individuals that pre-registered.

Available species included Eagleston Holly, and Tensaw Dahon Holly.

Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Pine Meadow Elementary School’s Cassi McGee Named Escambia County Teacher Of The Year

Pine Meadow Elementary School’s Cassi McGee has been named the Escambia County Public Schools Teacher of the Year.

McGee was honored during the 39th Annual Golden Apple Awards Friday night at Washington High School.

McGee will now be in the running for Florida’s Teacher of the Year.

Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Photos: Tate High Holds Community Career, College And Job Fair

A career, college, and job fair was held Thursday at Tate High School for students, families and community members.

For more photos, click here.

The event hosted over 1,800 stueents over the day.

About 45 companies, colleges, and training programs were scheduled to attend and provide information about employment, and seondary opporunities.

Participants included: Emerald Coast Utilities Authority, Escambia County Fire Rescue, Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, U.S. Army. Florida Department of Health,  Florida Highway Patrol,  U.S. Air Force,  Cox Communications, Navy Federal Credit Union, Circle K, Florida Forest Service,  Ingals Shipbuilding, Escambia County Emergency Communications, and U.S. Marines.

Colleges attending included: Mississippi State,  Pensacola State, University of South Alabama, University of Alabama, and University of West Florida.

The event was hosted by Tate FFA and Tate Guidance Department.

Photos by Tate High School Yearbook for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Military And Overseas Vote-by-mail Ballots On The Way

The Escambia County Supervisor of Elections Office began sending vote-by-mail ballots Friday, to eligible military and overseas citizens. Voters will either receive their ballot by mail or electronically, depending on their chosen method of delivery. Absent military voters and those living overseas can request, mark, and track their absentee ballots electronically.

Vote-by-mail ballots for all eligible domestic voters will be mailed beginning on Thursday, February 8. The deadline to request a vote-by-mail ballot to be mailed for the Presidential Preference Primary Election is 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 7. Voters may track the status of their ballot by clicking Track My Ballot at EscambiaVotes.gov. The U.S. Postal Service recommends voters mail ballots at least one week before the due date.

The 2024 Presidential Preference Primary is for Republican voters. Florida holds closed partisan primary elections; you are only eligible to vote in primary contests for the party in which you are registered

Pictured: Escambia County Supervisor of Elections Robert Bender with vote-by-mail ballots headed to military and overseas citizens. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

West Panhandle Regional Science And Engineering Fair Winners Announced

Last week, The University of West Florida hosted the 69th Annual West Panhandle Regional Science and Engineering Fair. The fair was a great success and many young scientists were able to spotlight their work. Escambia County Public School students award winners were:

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