Dry Pattern Returns; Colder By Mid Week
December 3, 2023
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 52. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph after midnight.
Monday: Partly sunny, with a high near 69. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Monday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 41. North wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 61. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 40. West wind around 5 mph becoming north after midnight.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 56. North wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Wednesday Night: Clear, with a low around 34. North wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light in the evening.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 59. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 41. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph after midnight.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 68.
Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 52.
Saturday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 71.
Saturday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 46. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Sunday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 59.
These Are The Road Construction Spots To Watch This Week
December 3, 2023
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:
- North Palafox Street (U.S. 29/(State Road (S.R.) 95) from Cervantes Street (S.R. 10A) to Brent Lane (S.R. 296) – Drivers will encounter intermittent nighttime lane closures, from Cross Street to Brent Lane, Monday, Dec. 4 through Friday, Dec. 8 from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. as crews work on new signal pole foundations.
- Mobile Highway (U.S. 90) Resurfacing from Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90A) to west of Pine Forest Road (S.R. 297) - Drivers may encounter nighttime lane closures, between Nine Mile Road and Pine Forest Road, Sunday, Dec. 3 through Thursday, Dec. 7 from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. as crews pave the roadway.
- 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 end of the year as crews perform drainage improvements. Signage is in place to safely direct drivers through the work zone.
- Lillian Highway (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 and nighttime lane closures, between U.S. 98 and Blue Angel Parkway, Monday, Dec. 4 through Friday, Dec. 8 as crews perform paving work.
- County Road (C.R.) 4 over Canoe Creek Bridge – C.R. 4, between Byrneville and Bratt, will be closed through the end of the year 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.
- Scenic Highway (U.S. 90), from north of I-10 to Davis Highway - Northbound traffic, between Pelican Lane and Scenic Ridge Drive, is shifted to the inside so crews can perform construction activities. The shift will remain in place until the work on the shoulder is completed. During construction, one lane of traffic will remain open in each direction and left turns will be permitted.
- U.S. 98 (Lillian Highway) Routine Maintenance at Bauer Road – Drivers may encounter alternating lane closures Monday, Dec 4 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for guardrail repair.
- U.S. 90 (Cervantes Street) Routine Maintenance at Perry Avenue – Drivers may encounter alternating lane closures Friday, Dec. 8 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. for tree trimming operations.
- Interstate 110 Routine Bridge Maintenance over S.R. 752 Overpass – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures south of S.R. 295 Tuesday, Dec. 5 from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. for routine bridge maintenance.
- S.R. 291 (Davis Highway) Routine Maintenance near Jackson Street – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures Monday, Dec. 4 through Wednesday, Dec. 6 from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. sidewalk repair operations.
Santa Rosa County:
- 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 Tuesday, Dec. 5 through Thursday, Dec. 7 from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. as crews perform construction activities for the new bridge. Drivers are reminded that the speed limit is 35 mph throughout the work zone.
- 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, Dec. 3, through Friday, Dec. 8, from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for stormwater drainage improvements and paving operations.
- S.R. 87 Resurfacing from Hickory Hammock Road (C.R. 184) to Technology Avenue – Drivers may encounter intermittent S.R. 87 southbound lane closures, between Technology Avenue and Hickory Hammock Road, Monday, Dec. 4 through Friday, Dec. 8, from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for turn lane construction.
- S.R. 87 Routine Bridge Maintenance over Clear Creek – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures north of S.R. 87A Wednesday, Dec. 6 from 8 p.m. to 12 a.m. for routine bridge maintenance.
- S.R. 281 Routine Bridge Maintenance over Indian Bayou – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures south of I-10 Thursday, Dec. 7 from 12 a.m. to 4 a.m. for routine bridge maintenance.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Six UWF Football Players Named To D2 CCA All-Super Region 2 Team
December 3, 2023
For the second-consecutive season, the UWF football program had six selections voted on to the Division 2 Conference Commissioner’s Association All-Super Region Two team as announced by the organization on Thursday.
Wide receiver John Jiles, offensive linemen Jacob Bruce, defensive lineman John McMullen and linebacker Gael Laurent were First Teamers, and offensive lineman Nymonta Doucoure and defensive back Quincy Milhomme were selected to the Second Team.
Jiles is among the most exciting wideouts in the country, ranking second in the NCAA in receiving yards (1,209), receiving ypg (109.9) and receiving TD (16). The First Team All-Gulf South Conference selection from Wake Forest, North Carolina has six 100-yard receiving games and has caught at least one touchdown in nine games
Bruce has started all four years at offensive tackle and earns his third-consecutive all-region honor, becoming the first 3-time honoree in program history. The Gainesville, Florida product has been part of an offensive line that helped UWF rank 17th in the country with 258 yards passing and 35th with 178.7 rushing yards per game. The Argos were 22nd with 437 yards of total offense this season. Doucure moved from tackle to guard in the fourth game and finished with an 85 percent grade in nine contests this season.
Laurent led the team with 63 tackles, including 42 solos, four tackles for loss, two sacks and two pass break-ups. The Miami, Florida standout finished his career with 154 stops, 24 TFL and 13 sacks in 44 games.
McMullen has been a dominant force in the offensive backfield all season. The GSC Defensive Player of the Year ranks second in the country with 13 quarterback sacks and set a UWF record with 22 tackles for loss. In a career that included time at Northern Michigan and UWF, McMullen ended his college playing days with 227 tackles, 68 TFL, 33 sacks and seven forced fumbles.
Milhomme was also an all-conference pick who starred in the secondary for the Argos. He started six of the final nine games at safety and ended his junior season with 32 tackles, 27 solos, three pass break-ups and two interceptions.
The first team selections will advance to the All-America ballot with top vote-getters from the other three super regions. The teams are voted on by the nation’s NCAA Division II sports information directors. The All-America teams will be announced on December 14.
Photo: Emily Miller.
Ice Flyers Rally In Third Period To Stay Unbeaten At Home On Rally Gulf Coast Night
December 3, 2023
The celebratory chants were a little louder inside the home team locker room. The music played a lot longer, too.
The Ice Flyers’ latest home ice win Saturday night became the best one.
For more photos, click or tap here.
Trailing 2-0 with less than 14 minutes remaining, the response was an extra gear, big saves and a clutch power-play goal by Dallas Comeau with 1:47 remaining that lifted the Ice Flyers to a gratifying 3-2 victory against the Peoria Rivermen to sweep the two-game series at the Pensacola Bay Center.
“They are obviously huge rivals, and it was awesome seeing the resiliency of this group,” Comeau said. “When we come together, we can make mountains move and it was awesome.”
The Ice Flyers (11-5-0) are now 8-0 at home after the win on Rally Foundation Night to benefit Rally Gulf Coast. The Ice Flyers, who wore specialty Rally Foundation uniforms, won’t play at the Bay Center again until two days before Christmas, but it’s been a joyous holiday-like time at home so far for this team.
They turned a lull into an energized crowd roar Saturday, especially after Nick Leitner’s tying goal with 6:44 remaining was followed by the furious final minutes.
“It was amazing,” said Ice Flyers goaltender Stephen Mundinger, who stopped 28 of 30 shots. “Probably one of the most fun games I’ve been a part of, as far as I can remember.
“Just after every goal, if you saw me, I was going nuts. It’s why we play the game, right? Stuff like this is worth all the memories. This was definitely special.”
Mundinger was definitely special Saturday. After Peoria (8-4-1) scored two first period goals in the final three minutes, both after turnovers in the Ice Flyers zone, he made huge saves in the second period, then in the third to keep the score as it was and help enable the comeback to happen.
“Second period we were just holding on for dear life,” said Ice Flyers coach Gary Graham. “Thank God, Dinger played a great game. He really gave us a chance. I really thought he should have been number one star, because without him making some big saves… in second period if that thing gets down 3-0 it could be curtains.
“I thought that was our worst period of the season. They took our confidence away from us in the second period.”
But the Ice Flyers got it back and the crowd into the action when Sean Gulka pounced on a loose puck in the crease area and chipped it up into the net to cut the deficit.
“That was the ice breaker we needed,” Comeau said.
Earlier in the game, Gulka brawled with Peoria’s Tristan Trudel, son of Peoria head coach Jean-Guy Trudel.
“I thought that really got (Rivermen) fired up,” Graham said.
Gulka’s goal was followed by linemate Leitner’s tying goal.
“That line was huge,” Graham said. “They played bull in a China shop hockey, because it’s a big line for us and two of our biggest wingers are on that line.”
With 2:51 remaining, Peoria was whistled for a delay of game penalty, giving the Ice Flyers only their second power play of the game. This time, they struck gold.
“A big face off win by Mitchy (Mitch Atkins) and nice shot by Zac (Herrmann) and I just got loose in position on that power play and was able to find the back of the net (on rebound),” Comeau said. “It was just electric in there (Bay Center). It was awesome in the third period. I was only a small piece of it.”
The Ice Flyers now have a 21-day gap between home games. Their next home game is Dec. 23 against Macon.
For more photos, click or tap here.
In the first intermission, Ice Flyers owner Greg Harris helped raise thousands for Rally Foundation by showing off his own hockey skills. After easily converting goals from the red line, Harris went to the other end, took off his shoes and went barefoot on the ice to send pucks end to end into the net.
Joining him were long time Ice Flyers sponsor Troy Rafferty, part of the Levin Papantonio Raffery Law Firm and Capt. Terrance Shashaty, commanding officer of Naval Air Station-Pensacola.
WHAT’S NEXT?
WHO: Ice Flyers vs. Quad City Storm
WHEN: Friday and Saturday (Dec 8-9), 7:05 p.m.
WHERE: Vibrant Arena, Moline, Illinois.
Pickup Truck Rolls Over In Highway 297A, Kingsfield Road Crash
December 2, 2023
A pickup truck rolled over during a wreck Friday afternooon in Cantonment.
The crash happened about 3 p.m. at the intersection of Highway 297A and Kingsfield Road.
At least three vehicles were invovled in the crash, including two SUVs in addition to the pickup truck.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating and has not released additional information.
Photos by Monica French for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Kicks Off The ‘Keep The Wreath Green’ Fire Safety Campaign
December 2, 2023
Escambia County Fire Rescue, in collaboration with the Pensacola Fire Department, launched its annual “Keep the Wreath Green” fire safety campaign on Friday, Dec. 1. While a joyous time of year, cold weather, holiday decorations and festivities can create serious fire dangers. Firefighters hope to reduce the number of fires by promoting simple, life-saving holiday safety tips each day in December.
During the month-long campaign, five-foot wreaths will be on display at 21 county fire stations and five city fire stations, as well as Escambia County’s Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building downtown, the Escambia County Public Safety Building and Pensacola City Hall. Each time firefighters respond to a residential or commercial structure fire with damage, a green light bulb will be replaced with a red one to remind citizens of the dangers posed by fires in residential homes. In 2022, 16 bulbs were changed to red on county wreaths, while one bulb was changed in the city.
“Keep the Wreath Green is a great initiative that literally brings to light the importance of fire safety at home,” said Fire Chief Adam Harrison. “Any time there is a fire where someone is displaced, you will notice a red bulb on that wreath. I want to encourage every resident to do their part in making sure that we keep our wreaths green this holiday season.
Escambia County recorded 16 residential fires during December 2022, represented by 16 red bulbs in the “Keep the Wreath Green” in the annual fire safety campaign.
Three of the fires were in the North Escambia area.
If your home does not have a working smoke detector, call Escambia County Fire Rescue at (850) 595-HERO (4376) or (850) 436-5200 for city of Pensacola residents.
Pictured above: A “Keep the Wreath Green” display at the McDavid Fire Station last year. Pictured below: A residential fire during December 2022 on Still Road in Bratt. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
A Christmas Miracle: The Miracle League’s Annual Christmas Party At Tate High
December 2, 2023
Santa visited with Miracle League players at their Christmas party at Tate High School Friday night.
Tate High student organizations and volunteers came together to put on the party, including the Beta club.
The Miracle League players were able to visit Santa, enjoy dinner, watch a special drama performance and more.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century Celebrates Christmas Season With Caroling, Tree Lighting
December 2, 2023
The anual tree lighting ceremony was held Friday in Century.
While the town’s Christmas tree is located in Nadine McCaw Park, the ceremony was moved across Highway 29 to the Century Area Chamber of Commerce due to forecasted rain.
The event featured complementary refreshments, ornament making with the staff of the Century Branch Library and caroling from the Tri-City Children’s Choir.
Next Friday, the Century Christmas parade will roll at 5:30 p.m. It will be followed by a movie and food — all free — from the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at Anthony Pleasant Park.
Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Atmore Publisher, Reporter Indicted For Reavealing Grand Jury Secrets
December 2, 2023
An Escambia County, Alabama School Board member, who is a weekly newspaper owner and publisher, and one of her reporters have now officially been indicted by a a grand jury.
Atmore News Publisher Sherry Digmon, 72, and Don Fletcher, 69, were each indicted by an Escambia County Grand Jury on charges of “revealing evidence of the grand jury”.
Both were set to appear in court Monday for a preliminary hearing, but that hearing was canceled after the indictment was returned. They are no longer eligible for a preliminary hearing after being indicted.
Digmon is co-owner and publisher of The Atmore News which reported October 25 that the local district attorney was investigating COVID funds paid to school system employees. The paper also revealed that Digmon’s phone and that the phone of another school board member had been seized under a search warrant. Both had recently voted against renewing an employment contract with Superintendent of Education Michele McClung.
Football Playoffs: Pensacola Catholic Season Ends With OT Loss In State Semifinals
December 2, 2023
Pensacola Catholic, the last remaining North Escambia area team in the playoffs, lost to the Bradford Tornadoes 22-21 in overtime Friday night in the Region 1-2S state semifinal game.
Catholic’s season ends at 11-3, while Bradford will take on Cocoa for the 2S crown.