Good morning, Pensacola.

Free sand is available today at designated Pensacola sites and nearby areas — residents must supply their own sandbags and shovels as supplies are offered on a first come, first served basis ahead of potential severe weather later this week.

Culinary Productions has introduced Our Garden, a new event venue for intimate gatherings of up to 75 guests at 811 W.

Garden St. in downtown Pensacola. The venue will begin hosting events in December and accepts reservations for weddings + corporate events and other celebrations.

Pensacola Mardi Gras has announced its 2027 season schedule, starting with the first City-Wide Planning Meeting on Oct.

22 at Apple Annie’s at Seville Quarter and a Kick-Off Celebration on Jan. 2 featuring J’s Bakery king cakes and Pensacola Ice Flyers hosting Mardi Gras Night on Jan. 30.

District officials have decided to close Lincoln Park Elementary due to low enrollment despite its strong gains for struggling students—202 students will be bused to nearby schools as boundaries are redrawn, with details shared at today's SAZAC meeting at 5 p.m. at the Vernon McDaniel Building.

The Orionid meteor shower is active today and will peak around Oct.

21-22, remaining visible until Nov. 7; locals are advised to find dark sites away from city lights for the best view (NASA recommends checking clear skies).

After heavy rain over the weekend, Bayou Texar and Carpenter's Creek turned reddish-orange after clay runoff from a nearby FDOT interchange project overwhelmed erosion controls along U.S.-29 and I-10.

Experts from the Pensacola and Perdido Bays Estuary Program noted similar discoloration in other local water bodies.

Pensacola residents should monitor Invest 92L, which has a 90% chance of becoming Tropical Storm Isaias by Thursday and is expected to bring heavy rainfall and tropical storm-force winds this weekend.

Updates may prompt caution for beachgoers and boaters in the Panhandle area.

Gov. Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency in 25 north counties yesterday as Tropical Depression Nine is forecast to strengthen and bring coastal flooding later this week.

Emergency management will stage supplies in Tallahassee and Santa Rosa County while urging residents to review their disaster plans.

Billy Ducote of The Zimmern Team at Levin Rinke Realty, a retired firefighter, shares home safety reminders including checking smoke alarm age and safe device charging during Fire Safety Month (Fire Prevention Week runs Oct.

4–10). He will continue offering seasonal tips for holiday safety.

Pensacola area high school football Week 8 offers ten games including eight district matchups; Navarre-Tate and Gulf Breeze-Escambia will play on Oct.

8 after rescheduling for storm concerns, while Pace faces Niceville on Oct. 9 at 7 p.m. in a contest to decide the District 1-5A title.