ECUA Rates Increase 9.5% For Sanitation With ‘Free’ Second Can, 5% For Water And Sewer
October 2, 2023
Emerald Coast Utilities Authority rates increased effective October 1 by 9.5% for all sanitation customers and a 5% for water and sewer customers.
The 9.5% increase raises the rate for one 90-gallon container from $27.67 to $29.88 and includes an optional additional trash or recycling can at no cost.
Facing a potential $1.8 million shortball and big problems with the wrong items being placed in recycling cans, staff had proposed a more modest 3.5% rate increase for sanitation customers plus a $3 a month recycling fee.
ECUA staff had proposed a 4% rate increase for water and 6% for wastewater. The board approved an increase to both water and wastewater by 5%.
ECUA customers can make their request for a second sanitation can by calling customer service at (850) 476-0480 Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m or by using an online contact form. Customer who wish to continue using a current recycling container do not need to call.
Warm Days, Nice Nights To Begin The Week; Fall Feels By Next Weekend
October 2, 2023
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Monday Night: Clear, with a low around 61. East wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 90. East wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tuesday Night: Clear, with a low around 60. East wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 88. East wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 62. East wind around 5 mph.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 89. East wind 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 65. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 88.
Friday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 63.
Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high near 82.
Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 54.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 78.
Century Library Is Now Open On Mondays
October 2, 2023
The Century Library is now open on Mondays.
The library is open Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. and Saturdays 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.
“Opening our Century location on Mondays is a step forward in ensuring that we are best serving the communities in the north end of Escambia County. We look forward to bringing new programming and events to the Century Library six days a week,” said Todd J. Humble, director of West Florida Public Libraries.
The Century Library hosts Family Story Time every Wednesday from 10:30 until 11:30 a.m. in addition to other programming and events.
The library is located at 991 North Century Boulevard, next to the town hall. A 24-hour book return is also available at the rear of the building.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Annual Peanut Butter Challenge Underway; Here’s How To Donate
October 2, 2023
The annual Peanut Butter Challenge is now underway in Escambia County to help families in need.
The Peanut Butter Challenge, UF/IFAS Extension’s annual jar collection for local food pantries, first launched in the Florida Panhandle in 2012. It has since launched statewide, giving counties the chance to compete for most jars of peanut butter donated. The challenge serves a way to feed hungry families ahead of the holidays and also promotes peanuts grown in Florida.
Unopened, unexpired jars of peanut butter can be donated at the following locations through October 31:
- Escambia County Extension, 3740 Stefani Road, Cantonment
- Escambia County Farm Bureau, 153 Highway 97, Molino
- Escambia County Public Safety, 6575 North W Street
- Gilmore Services, 31 East Fairfield Drive
- Escambia County Administration, 221 Palafox Place, 4th Floor
- Holy Spirit Catholic, 10650 Gulf Beach Highway
In addition to the community donations, the Florida Peanut Producers Association (FPPA) and Florida Peanut Federation (FPF) have partnered with the project for years. These organizations are based in the northwest and northeast peanut-producing regions of the state and will again contribute to the totals distributed to food pantries in those regions.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Pine Meadow Elementary Hosts ‘Donuts With Dad’
October 2, 2023
Pine Meadow Elementary School recently hosted “Donuts with Dad”. Dads had a chance to attend and enjoy doughnuts with their children Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Bonus Pics: Tate Mini Cheerleaders, Cheerleaders, Band, ROTC And Fans
October 2, 2023
The Tate Aggies beat the Milton Panthers Friday night home.
For a bonus photo gallery with the cheerleaders and mini cheerleaders, click here.
For a bonus gallery with the student section, ROTC and band, click here.
For a game action story and photos, click here.
The Tate Aggies (3-2) will celebrate homecoming — Glo-Co ‘23 — Friday night as they host the West Florida Jaguars (2-4).
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
These Are This Week’s Road Work Trouble Spots
October 2, 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:
- Interstate 10 (I-10) Escambia County Welcome Center – The truck parking lot at the Escambia County Interstate 10 Welcome Center, located at mile marker four, will be temporarily closed until the end of October when the Welcome Center improvements are scheduled to be complete. The front and middle car parking lots are open.
- East Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90A) Roadway Improvements from Chemstrand Road to east of Baldridge Drive – The bicycle lanes are temporarily closed to allow crews to widen the turn lanes and construct new five-foot bicycle lanes. In addition, the speed limit has been reduced from 45 mph to 35 mph as vehicles and bicycles share the roadway. The closure and speed limit reduction will be in place until the project is complete later this summer.
- 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 October 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 the following closures on Lillian Highway from Monday, Oct. 2 through Friday, Oct. 13:
- Daytime shoulder closures from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., between U.S. 98 and Blue Angel Parkway, as crews perform work.
- Beginning Sunday, Oct. 8, there will be nighttime lane closures from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., between Fairfield Drive and Blue Angel Parkway, as crews perform widening and driveway work.
- County Road (C.R.) 4 over Canoe Creek Bridge – C.R. 4, between Byrneville and Bratt, will be closed through 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.
- North Palafox Street (U.S. 29/S.R. 95) Resurfacing from Cervantes Street (S.R. 10A) to Brent Lane (S.R. 296) – Drivers will encounter the following closures on Lillian Highway from Monday, Oct. 2 through Friday, Oct. 13:
- Daytime shoulder closures from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., between U.S. 98 and Blue Angel Parkway, as crews perform work.
- Beginning Sunday, Oct. 8, there will be nighttime lane closures from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., between Fairfield Drive and Blue Angel Parkway, as crews perform widening and driveway work.
- S.R. 29 Turn Lane Construction North of Pinoak Road – Motorists will encounter northbound inside lane closure Monday, Oct. 2 through Thursday, Oct. 5 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. for turn lane construction.
- U.S. 90 (West Cervantes Street) Routine Utility Maintenance at North C Street – Drivers may encounter alternating lane closures Monday, Oct. 2 through Friday, Oct. 20 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. for utility maintenance.
- U.S. 98 (West Garden Street) Routine Utility Maintenance at U.S. 98 – Drivers may encounter alternating lane closures Monday, Oct. 2 through Friday, Oct. 20 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. for utility maintenance.
- S.R. 292 (South Pace Boulevard) Routine Utility Maintenance at Street – Drivers may encounter alternating lane closures Monday, Oct. 2 through Friday, Oct. 20 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. for utility maintenance.
- S.R. 297 Turn Lane Operations at Mandeville Lane – Motorists will encounter nighttime lane closures Tuesday, Oct. 3 through Thursday, Oct. 5 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. for turn lane operations.
- U.S. 29 (Palafox Street) Routine Underground Utility Maintenance from Cross Street to Texar Drive – Motorists will encounter nighttime lane closures Monday, Oct. 2 through Friday, Oct. 6 for underground utility maintenance.
- S.R. 292 (Barrancas Avenue) Routine Maintenance near Palao Road – Motorists will encounter nighttime lane closures Wednesday, Oct. 4 from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. for driveway repairs.
- U.S. 29 (Pensacola Boulevard) Routine Utility Maintenance from Broad Street to Detroit Boulevard – Drivers may encounter alternating lane closures Tuesday, Oct. 3 from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. for utility maintenance.
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 Point Drive.
- Intermittent lane closures and additional median closures between Tiger Park Lane and Bayshore Road Sunday, October 1, through Friday, October 6, from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for stormwater drainage improvements and paving operations.
- 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 Friday, Sept. 29, and Tuesday, Oct. 3 through Thursday, Oct. 5 from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. as crews perform pile cap construction work and receive delivery of construction materials. Drivers are reminded that the speed limit is 35 mph through the work zone.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Chiquita Moore ‘Aunt Coot’ Mathis
October 2, 2023
Mrs. Chiquita Moore “Aunt Coot” Mathis passed away Sunday, October 1, 2023, at the age 92.
Chiquita was born Tuesday, September 8, 1931, in Jay, Florida. She was a lifelong resident of Century, FL. She was a homemaker who enjoyed yard sales, gardening (including cutting her own grass), dressing up and wearing jewelry, and feeding young’uns. She was a member of Tabernacle Baptist Church.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Noah Mathis; sons, Larry Mathis, Bubba Moore; mother, Myrtle McDaniel Moore; sisters, Lemmie Goodson, Ann Mathis, Mary Mathis; brothers, Walter Moore, Alvin Moore, Ralph Moore, and Roy Moore.
Chiquita is survived by her sons, Brandon Mathis, Jimmy Moore (Betty Smith), Louis Moore, and Scotty Moore; daughters, Betty Jackson, June Thompson, Judy Dunsford; daughter-in-law, Mari Mathis; several grandchildren, and many great-grandchildren; special nieces, Kathy Simmons, Gayle Aldridge, Wendy Caraway, and many more.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, October 5, 2023, at 2 p.m. from the chapel of Flomaton Funeral Home with Rev. Glenn Johnson and Bill Cozart officiating. Interment will follow in Flomaton Cemetery.
Visitation will be held at Flomaton Funeral Home from 1 p.m.. until service time at 2 p.m.. on Thursday.
Pallbearers will be Tony Jones, Joe Walston, Michael McDonald, Daniel Higdon, Lan Sims, and B.J. Johnson.
Florida Gas Prices Continue Falling, AAA Says
October 2, 2023
Oil prices remain high, yet prices at the pump are falling fast. Florida’s average price for gasoline dropped a dime last week.
The state average has now declined 20 cents per gallon, through the past two weeks. Sunday’s state average was $3.49 per gallon. That’s the lowest daily average price since late July.
In Escambia County the average per gallon was $3.33, the lowest metro region in the state. In North Escambia, a low of $3.15 was available Sunday night on Highway 29 in Cantonment, while Pensacola prices were as low as $3.05 at a station on East Nine Mile Road.
“Gas prices are moving lower, even as the price of oil remains near 2023 highs,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Now that the summer driving season is over, gasoline demand has declined, but gasoline production is stronger than a year ago. Gasoline futures logged a second-consecutive 18 cent drop, which should signal another round of falling prices at the pump this week.”
The price of oil settled at $90.79 per barrel. That was 1% more than the week before.
NorthEscambia.com photo.
Jo Ann Morgan Roley
October 2, 2023
Jo Ann Morgan Roley, age 81, of Atmore, AL went home to be with her Lord and Savior on September 30, 2023, surrounded by her family. She was preceded in death by her parents, Ira Stanford Morgan and Viola Brooks Morgan and her husband, James L. Roley. Jo Ann is survived by four children, Cheryl Datuin and husband, Tony; Johnny Jones and wife, Mona; Ricky Jones and wife, Lisa and Dina Jones; 11 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren.
Jo Ann was an accountant for Service Welding and Street Rods Unlimited. She also worked at Atmore Memorial Funeral Home and Southern Real Estate before retiring. She worked hard for her family and did whatever she could to provide. She was a kind, generous and loving person to all.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, October 4, 2023, at 2:30 p.m. at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Ricky Tedder officiating. Interment will follow in Godwin Cemetery in Bratt, FL.
Active pallbearers will be Stan Morgan, Derek Morgan, Paul Powell and Scott Parker.
Visitation will be held Wednesday, October 4, 2023, from 1:30 p.m. until service time at 2:30 p.m. at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home.
The family would like to extend special thanks to Southern Care Hospice.