ECUA Approves Water, Sewer And Sanitation Rate Increases
August 26, 2021
The Emerald Coast Utilities Authority board has given final approval to increased sanitation, water and sewer rates.
For the average water and sewer customer using 6,000 gallons per month, the added cost will be $1.06. Much of the increase will go to fund a Brownsville sewer expansion project. The increase passed unanimously.
The cost of a single 90-gallon sanitation container, with included recycling and bulk service, jumps $1.85 from $24.54 to $26.39 per month. The increase is intended for pay increases for sanitation workers, include CDL drivers. The increase passed 4-1.
ECUA board members have said the utility is having trouble hiring and retaining personnel, including those in-demand CDL drivers.
Editor’s note: ECUA bulk service has returned as of August 25. It had been suspended for about a week.
Pictured: The Tuesday afternoon meeting of the Emerald Coast Utilities Authority. NorthEscambia.com image, click to enlarge.
Man Who Trespassed On Molino Woman’s Property Charged With Assault With A Deadly Weapon, ECSO Says
August 26, 2021
A Molino man allegedly found on a woman’s property is charged with assaulting her.
Marvin Arlo Lamb, 60, was charged with trespassing, felony aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, and driving with no valid driver’s license.
The victim told the Escambia County Sheriff’s office she observed a gray van parked on her property near Molino. As she approached the vehicle, it drove off. The vehicle returned to her address a short time later, and Lamb was yelling as he approached the victim with a large wooden stick, according to an arrest report.
Lamb denied the allegations against him. An arrest report notes that a wooden stick was located next to the driver’s seat in Lamb’s vehicle.
The victim’s property has posted no trespassing signs and is behind a closed gate, according to the report.
Lamb remained in the Escambia County Jail Thursday with bond set at $1,600.
PHS At Tate Aggies: Here’s What To Know, How To Buy Tickets
August 26, 2021
The Tate Aggies will open their regular season as they host the Pensacola High Tigers Friday night at Pete Gindl Stadium.
There will be no cash ticket sales at the gate. All tickets will be sold using GoFan. Click or tap here to purchase tickets, or search for “Tate High School” on the GoFan app. Parking will be $2 cash per vehicle, and fans should enter the campus through the main gate or the junior parking lot gate.
Concessions will be available from the Tate High School Showband of the South with plenty of hamburgers, Aggie Fries and more.
The following rules will be in place: no reentry, no backpacks, no large bags, no outside chairs, no tobacco, and no alcoholic beverages.
Suspect Charged With Attempt To Deliver Drugs, Phones, Smokes Into Century Prison
August 26, 2021
A suspect allegedly prepared to throw contraband over the fence at the Century Correctional Institution was captured Tuesday afternoon after a manhunt.
Dickale Tanzano Cothrell, age 35 of Orlando, was arrested on a criminal offense of introduction of a contraband into a state correctional facility and one count of interference with prisoners. He was charged by the Florida Department of Corrections Office of the Inspector General.
About 7:50 a.m. Tuesday, Cothrell was reportedly spotted at the perimeter fence of the east side of Century CI. That led to a lockdown of the facility and a prisoner count, while a perimeter and manhunt occurred outside the facility.
Two Century correctional officers found Cothrell on east side of the prison Tuesday afternoon, and he was detained by two Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputies. Corrections officers recovered a package that was ready to be introduced into the facility, according to an arrest report.
The package contained three cellphones, 23.8 grams of suspected synthetic cannabis (commonly known as “spice”), 111..5 grams of cigarettes, a cellphone charger and two charging cables.
Cothrell remained in the Escambia County Jail Thursday with bond set at $3,000.
Local COVID-19 Hospitalizations Reach New Daily High
August 26, 2021
The number of COVID-19 hospitalizations reached a daily record of 398 on Wednesday in Escambia County, nine of those under age 18.
One month ago, only July 25, there 110 hospitalizations at Ascension Sacred Heart, Baptist and West Florida hospitals. On June 25, that number was just 23.
The numbers in the graph indicate daily hospitalizations in Escambia County and are provided by Ascension Sacred Heart Hospital, Baptist Hospital and West Florida Hospital.
The latest Ascension Sacred Heart data from Tuesday showed 153 hospitalizations at their facility, with 93% of those unvaccinated.
“I cannot emphasize enough the importance of getting vaccinated, and I encourage everyone to get the COVID-19 vaccine if you are able,” Pensacola Mayor Grover Robinson said Wednesday.
Data sources: Escambia County, City of Pensacola, Ascension Sacred Heart, Baptist and West Florida hospitals. Graphics: City of Pensacola.
Sunshine And Showers For Thursday. And Maybe A Rainbow Or Two.
August 26, 2021
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Thursday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 10am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. East wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Friday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 89. East wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Friday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. East wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 89. East wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Saturday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73. East wind around 5 mph.
Sunday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 88. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Sunday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73. East wind around 5 mph.
Monday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 87. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Monday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73.
Tuesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 87. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Tuesday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73.
Wednesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 88. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Pictured: A rainbow this week over Gonzalez United Methodist Church. Photo courtesy GUMC for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Flomaton’s Hurricane Lake Reopens; Alligator Sighted Last Week Was Not Found
August 26, 2021
Hurricane Lake in Flomaton, closed last week due to an alligator sighting, has reopened.
An Alabama Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division agent was unable to locate the alligator.
According to the Flomaton Police Department, Hurricane Lake is only about 100 yards from Big Escambia Creek, and it’s believed the alligator and perhaps others traveled between the two bodies of water.
Pictured top: Hurricane Lake in Flomaton. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge. Below: A photo showing an alligator in Hurricane Lake in Flomaton last week.
Free Beans And Rice Giveaway Saturday In Cantonment
August 26, 2021
St. Monica’s Episcopal Church is continuing its food ministry with a free drive-thru beans and rice giveaway this Saturday
On the last Saturday of every month, St. Monica’s gives away dried beans and white rice to anyone in need from 9-11 a.m., or while supplies last. Other items such as canned tomatoes and peanut butter are included when available.
St. Monica’s is located at 699 South Highway 95A, just north of Faith Chapel Funeral Home.
Donna Belinda Fillmore
August 26, 2021
Mrs. Donna Belinda Fillmore, age 71, passed away Monday, August 23, 2021 in a Pensacola hospital.
Mrs. Fillmore was born in Atmore, AL and had been a life-long resident of Escambia County, AL. She retired as a dispatcher with the Flomaton Police Department. Her greatest joy in life was spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She was of the Baptist faith.
Mrs. Fillmore was preceded in death by her parents, William Petty and Nell Petty.
She is survived by two sons, Greg (Tracey) Fillmore and Kevin (Rachael) Fillmore, all of Barnett Crossroads, AL; a daughter, Tracey (Alan) Harp of Atmore, AL; seven grandchildren, Jessica Fillmore, Hannah Fillmore, Andrew (Mercy) Harp, Cameron (Chloe) Harp, Olivia Harp, Weston Fillmore, Raeleigh Fillmore; and great-grandchildren, Tucker Fillmore, Shepherd Fillmore, Isaac Harp and baby Harp due in April 2022.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, August 28, 2021 at 11:00 A.M. from the chapel of Flomaton Funeral Home with Bro. Alan Harp officiating. Interment will follow in Rays Chapel Cemetery.
Visitation will be held at Flomaton Funeral Home on Saturday from 10:30 A.M. until service time at 11:00 A.M.
Pallbearers: Andrew Harp, Cameron Harp, Weston Fillmore, Matt Carter, Keith Steadman, and Matthew Fillmore.
Mildred “Pansy” Kersey
August 26, 2021
Mildred “Pansy” Kersey was born on November 29, 1933 in Grenada, MS. She spent the majority of her life in Pensacola, FL. She passed away on August 20, 2021 at home in Molino, FL.
Pansy was a loving wife, daughter, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and aunt. She was proud to be an “old country girl”. She wore many hats, excelling at them all, but none more than that of loving and caring for her family and others. We love you and miss you, Momma.
Pansy was preceded in death by her husband, William Kersey, Sr.; father, Troy Barnes; mother, Myrtle Barnes; son, William Kersey, Jr.; grandson, Bryce Andress; granddaughter, Clarissa Andress; brother, Buford Barnes; and sister, Kathleen Tyler.
She is survived by her daughter, Teresa Kersey Andress (Joe); son, Ivy Cole; daughter, Linda Cole Kanov (Jeff); daughter, Elizabeth Kersey Bell; daughter, Katherine Cole; 17 grandchildren; and 19 great-grandchildren.