ECUA May End Free Curbside Recycling, Adding A Fee For Those That Recycle
July 18, 2023
The Emerald Coast Utilities Authority may soon end free curbside recycling, instead charging an extra fee for those that wish to recycle.
“We are considering the possibility of different scenarios to encourage proper use of the recycling can,” ECUA Public Information Office Nathalie Bowers said.
The problem, she said, is contamination in the recycling stream — residents putting items that can’t be recycled in the ECUA program into the recycling can.
“The board will consider adding a fee for recycling,” she said. “They may also reduce the price of a second (regular sanitation) can, or potentially reduce the monthly bill for those without recycling and just one can . Or the board may come back with other possibilities.” The ECUA board will consider the options at their next meeting on July 25 with a final vote coming in August.
ECUA customers have had optional curbside recycling at no charge since 2009. The current recycling facility has been open since 2016.
RELATED: Here’s What To Recycle (And Not).
Out With The Rain And In With The Heat And Humidity
July 18, 2023
There is a heat advisory in effect as the afternoon feels like heat index temperature is predicted to reach 105 to 110 degrees.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 97. Heat index values as high as 105. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 74. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 95. Heat index values as high as 106. South wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 73. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 94. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 74. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 94. West wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 76. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 90. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Saturday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72.
Sunday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 86. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Sunday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71.
Monday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 86. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
10,000 Pound Food Giveaway Tuesday Afternoon In Cantonment
July 18, 2023
The Cantonment Improvement Committee will hold a drive-thru 10,000 pound food giveaway Tuesday afternoon, July 18 at Carver Park on Webb Street.
The food distribution will begin at 3 p.m. and continue while supplies last for anyone in need of food. People should line up their vehicles, single file on Webb Street facing north; food will be loaded into vehicles. Identification is required.
NorthEscambia.com file photos.
Florida, Alabama Troopers Kick Off ‘Operation Southern Slow Down’
July 18, 2023
The Florida Highway Patrol and Alabama State Troopers have kicked off “Operation Southern Slow Down,” a joint effort with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the other southern states of Georgia, South Carolina, and Tennessee.
All five states and local law enforcement agencies will conduct a week-long speed enforcement campaign. FHP will specifically focus on detecting and citing drivers for exceeding the posted speed limits across Florida’s interstate corridors.
“The Florida Highway Patrol will be working with our many dedicated law enforcement partners toward providing highway safety,” said Colonel Gary L. Howze, Director of the Florida Highway Patrol. “Your FHP Troopers will be on patrol monitoring traffic for hazardous drivers and enforcing traffic laws along Florida’s state highways in support of Operation Southern Slowdown.”
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Powerball, Mega Millions Reach Combined Prize Over $1.5 Billion
July 17, 2023
The jackpots for the Powerball and Mega Millions Draw games continue to rise, reaching a combined total of more than $1.5 billion.
On Friday, the Mega Millions jackpot rolled to an estimated $640 million ahead of Tuesday night’s drawing. On Saturday, the Powerball jackpot rolled to an estimated $900 million ahead of tonight’s drawing.
Jackpot winners have the option to receive their winnings in 30 annual installments or as a one-time, lump-sum cash option of approximately $465.1 million for Powerball and $328 million for Mega Millions. In addition to the jackpot prize, players can win lower-tier prizes of up to $2 million with Powerball and up to $5 million with Mega Millions.
Powerball players win by matching the five white ball numbers (1-69) and the Power Ball number (1-26). The overall odds of winning a prize in the game are approximately 1-in-24.9.
Mega Millions jplayers win by matching the five white ball numbers (1-70) and the Mega Ball number (1-25). The overall odds of winning a prize in the game are approximately 1-in-24.
Cottage Hill Water Works Issues Boil Water Notice For Phalrose Lane, Cooley Road
July 17, 2023
A precautionary boil water notice has been issued for Cottage Hill Water Works customers on Phalrose Lane and Cooley Road.
The boil water notice was issued following a water main break Monday.
The utility is advising, as a precaution, that all water used for drinking, cooking, making ice, brushing teeth, or washing dishes be boiled. A rolling boil of one minute is sufficient. As an alternative bottled water may be used.
This precautionary boil water notice will remain in effect until the problem has been corrected and a bacteriological survey shows that the water is safe to drink.
The boil water notice was issued following a water main break.
This story will be updated when the advisory has been lifted.
High Speed Fiber Internet Buildout Continues In North Escambia
July 17, 2023
Work is continuing on a high speed fiber internet network in North Escambia.
Escambia River Electric Cooperative (EREC) and partner Conexon Connect will bring internet speeds reaching 2 Gig up and down for $50 to $100 a month in EREC’s service footprint.
In late May, work started to pull the fiber cable out across the area from EREC’s Bratt Substation. Fiber cabinets have been installed at the Bratt and Oak Grove substations; they are large, free-standing, climate controlled cabinets that contain the necessary equipment to provide the internet service across the fiber network.
Batteries in the cabinets can keep the network powered for up to eight hours in the event of a power failure, and a generator can be used in a more extended outage. The remainder of the network in North Escambia is passive — no other power or equipment needed along the fiber to provide service.
For more photos, click or tap here.
Pictured: The installation of a fiber cabinet at the EREC Bratt Substation on Bratt Road. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Rain Chance Decreases Into Midweek
July 17, 2023
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 73. West wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 96. Heat index values as high as 105. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 74. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 95. Heat index values as high as 106. South wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 73. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 94. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 74. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 94. West wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 76. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 90. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Saturday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72.
Sunday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 86. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Sunday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71.
Monday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 86. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Reminder: Food And Backpack Distribution Set For Saturday In Gonzalez
July 17, 2023
A food and school backpack distribution will be held Saturday, July 22 in Gonzalez.
The event begins at 8 a.m, with line up no earlier than 7:30 a.m., at the Gonzalez Methodist Church at 2026 Pauline Street. The event will continue while supplies last (a minimum of 300 families).
Rep. Michelle Salzman, the Gonzalez Methodist Church and other community partners are sponsoring the event, which is open to all in need with no eligibility requirements.
“We understand that going back to school is a struggle for many families, so during our Fall Food Distribution, we are also giving away backpacks, courtesy of Ascend Cares, State Farm Tyler Kercher, Kevin Stephens, and Jubilee Church. Along with our food distribution, we want our families to get a good start for the new school year,” Salzman said.
Pictured: A similar distribution was held last July at the Molino Community Center. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Century To Consider Payment Plan For Past Due Utility Customers
July 17, 2023
The Town of Century is considering a payment plan agreement for utility customers with past due accounts.
The standardized policy for water, wastewater, and/or natural gas customers would allow customers to pay one-half of their balance over a period of up to six months. Under the plan, one-half of the balance would be due immediately in order to qualify. The remaining half of the outstanding bill would be due alongside regular bills.
Customers would be limited to two payment plan requests in a 24 month period.
If not paid by the due date of the 24th of each, the agreement would be voided, services would be disconnected, and the full balance would be due before reconnection.
We reached out to two other public utilities in Escambia County to see how they handle customers unable to pay their full balance.
The Emerald Coast Utilities Authority said they will “work with” customers unable to pay their full balance due. ECUA offers water, wastewater and sanitation services in most of Escambia County.
“Pensacola Energy does not have a delayed payment option. If a customer doesn’t make their payment and they have a good payment history, we will let them go a week late, but then they must pay their bill in full,” City of Pensacola Public Information Officer Kaycee Lagarde said. Pensacola Energy provides natural gas across a wide area of the county.
The Century Town Council will consider the standardized payment agreement at a meeting on Tuesday.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.