EREC Closes Lobby In Jay, Makes Changes In Walnut Hill Due To COVID-19
August 21, 2021
Due to the recent increase in COVID-19 cases in the area, Escambia River Electric Cooperative is make changes at their office locations.
The EREC lobby in Jay is closed to the public until further notice. The drive-thru will remain open.
The Walnut Hill office lobby will remain open and social distancing measures will be in place. EREC is asking postal customers to leave packages in the lobby, and staff will collect them after the customer has exited the building.
“This measure is in an abundance of caution to protect our members, the community, and our employees from possible coronavirus exposure,” Sabrina Owens, vice president Marketing and Communications, said. “We encourage our members to utilize remote options for electric service. Payments may be made by mail, online at www.erec.com, telephone autopay, EREC app or by night depository. Services such as opening or closing an electric, water or internet account; making changes to your services; inquiring about your account balance, service orders, etc. can all be handled by email or phone as well.”
For more information, email memberservices@erec.com or call (850) 675-4521 or (800) 235-3848 for assistance.
Pictured: The Escambia River Electric Cooperative Walnut Hill Office. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Stewart’s No-Hitter Ends In Sixth As Shuckers Seize Miscues To Win
August 21, 2021
Will Stewart did not allow a hit in his first five innings Friday night against the Biloxi Shuckers.
Unfortunately for Stewart and the Blue Wahoos, the game unraveled in the sixth.
The lefthander lost his command, and the bullpen couldn’t limit the damage, as the Shuckers rallied for four runs which proved enough in a 4-1 victory at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
The result evened the series at two games apiece and continued the Blue Wahoos’ run-scoring struggles.
After Peyton Burdick reached on a throwing error and eventually scored on a wild pitch in the fourth inning, that was all the production the Blue Wahoos managed.
Stewart was cruising through five innings. Suddenly, he crashed.
He plunked the leadoff batter in the sixth inning, then gave up his first base hit to the next batter. Stewart walked the bases loaded, then hit another batter to force in the game-tying run.
It forced a pitching changed. Andrew Nardi entered, but threw a wild pitch to score the second Shuckers run. He then gave up soft pop fly that eluded shortstop Galli Cribbs Jr., enabling the Shuckers to score two more runs.
The Blue Wahoos had baserunners in each of the last four innings, including a two-on, none-out situation in the ninth that mirrored the scenario in Thursday night’s 2-1 loss. Same thing occurred with no one able to deliver a big hit.
The teams will play the fifth game of the homestand on Saturday. The Blue Wahoos (47-47) are seeking their first series win since beating the Shuckers five times on Fourth of July weekend.
Escambia Approves Zoning To Change To Allow Larger Retails Space In Some Rural Areas
August 20, 2021
When Dollar General considered building a new store in Walnut Hill earlier this year, their development company ran into a problem with Escambia County zoning. Thursday, the Escambia County Commission approved a Land Development Code change that will make such development possible in rural areas.
Teramore Development had three properties under contract at the intersection of Highway 97 and Highway 99A in Walnut Hill, next to Ernest Ward Middle School, for a 10,640 square foot Dollar General.
The property is currently zoned Rural Mixed Use (RMU) which allowed commercial buildings up to 6,000 square feet. There was previously no provision whatsoever to grant any exceptions to construct a larger commercial building.
The BOCC Thursday approved an ordinance recommended Escambia County Planning Board that allows up to 15,000 square feet in RMU districts with a conditional use approval for any business, not just a Dollar General. That conditional use provision, County Attorney Alison Rogers told NorthEscambia.com, would mean each request for RMU retail sales construction up to 15,000 square feet would required individual approval by the Board of Adjustment.
There were no were speakers at a public hearing Thursday morning on the ordinance, which was unanimously passed 5-0 by commissioners.
Properties zoned as RMU in Escambia County are typically located near rural community centers and most are not currently used for agriculture. For a map of RMU zoning in Escambia County, click or tap here (pdf).
To date, a Dollar General at Ernest Ward Middle School has not moved forward in the development or permitting process.
Pictured: A proposed Dollar General for Walnut Hill as presented in February 2021 by their development firm. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Over 350 Students, Staff Excluded From Escambia Schools Due To COVID-19; Kingsfield Elementary Parent Addresses Problem
August 20, 2021
Just over a week into the school year, over 350 students and staff members are excluded from school in Escambia County due to either a positive COVID-19 diagnosis or an exposure.
As of late Thursday night, there were 81 confirmed COVID-19 student cases in Escambia County with a total of 326 students excluded from school due a positive test, quarantined due to a close contact with positive case, or were were waiting test results. Among staff, there were 24 positive cases and a total of 30 excluded.
“There is a big problem,” said Cody Brown, a parent of a student at Kingsfield Elementary School. “I mean I’ve talked to many parents whose kids are out of school this week due to COVID. It’s an issue.”
Brown’s comments came as he addressed the Escambia County School Board this week.
He said all of the students in his son’s class have been excluded until August 23 due to a COVID exposure. He said he’s being told to go to the school to grab paperwork, but he believes there must be a better way.
“This year, we’re not even a week in, and now I’ve got to have my son out of school, which he’s a first grader, for a whole week,” Brown said. “Now my daughter is out of school as well due to being in close contact.”
“You know last year this virus wasn’t attacking students like it is this year. This year we’re having a bigger issue. I’m not a mask person; I’ll be the first to tell you,” he said. “I’m not a vaccine person. I went and got the vaccine because it’s a time right now we need to be selfless.”
He praised Kingsfield Elementary’s staff for their response, noting they were simply following the protocols put forth by the state and school district.
Escambia County does not report data for individual schools.
Pictured: Cody Brown, Kingsfield Elementary School parents, addresses the Escambia County School Board. Image for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
ECUA Continues Recycling Facility Fire Repairs
August 20, 2021
The Emerald Coast Utilities Authority is continuing to urge customers to stay in the recycling habit as repairs continue on their recycling facility following a fire last month.
The recyclables are being collected as normal, but they are being landfilled for now.
The ECUA Materials Recycling Facility (MRF) was damaged in a July 15 fire, requiring significant cleanup and repair work.
“The first few weeks following the fire were spent assessing the damage and investigating the source of the fire. While investigators were not able to make a final determination as to the cause of the fire, it is strongly suspected that batteries or a propane tank caught in the metals’ sorting equipment ignited, and fire erupted, in this area. This serves as a stark reminder that such combustible materials should not be placed in the recycling carts,” ECUA Public Information Officer Nathalie Bowers said. “Once the assessment and investigation were completed, deep cleaning of the entire facility began to remove all smoke residue and fire-damaged equipment. This phase is largely complete, as is a complete inventory of damaged conveyor belts, rollers, bearings, and electrical conduit and wiring. Some of the electrical components were damaged by water in the firefighting effort.”
Replacement parts have been ordered, and they are being installed as they arrive.
“The one item that will have the longest lead time is the replacement magnet that provides the sorting capability in the metals’ sorting area. While we are waiting for its arrival, ECUA staff are evaluating the relocation of this sorting station and associated equipment to the front of the operation for a potentially more efficient process,” Bowers said.
For now, ECUA does not have a specific restart day for the MRF as they await parts and equipment.
Pictured above and below: Inside the ECUA Materials Recycling Facility (MRF) at the Perdido Landfill as cleanup was beginning. Pictured bottom: Smoke pours from the MRF on Thursday, July 15. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Church Children And Youth Buy Stuffed Animals For Escambia Sheriff’s Office
August 20, 2021
The children and youth of Poplar Dell Baptist Church near Byrneville raised almost $1,000 during their Vacation Bible School during the summer.
The funds were used to purchase stuff animals for the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
“We know that sometimes children are in serious or scary situations, and perhaps these stuffed animals can help them feel a little bit more at ease or secure,” said Louise Gandy, Poplar Dell’s VBS director.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Has Three New Public Info Staffers. Here’s The Info To Know About Them.
August 20, 2021
As Escambia County Director for Communications and Public Information Laura Coale resigned, three new public information employees were hired in Escambia County.
(For an earlier story about Coale’s resignation, click here.)
The three new employees hold positions other than that being vacated by Coale on October 1.
Andie Gibson is the media and public information manager, Davis Wood is the public information and education officer for Public Safety and Sarah Stanford is the multimedia communications specialist for West Florida Public Libraries.
Here’s the information to know about each:
Andie Gibson, media and public information manager
Andie Gibson is local to Pensacola and a fifth-generation native of Escambia County. She is a graduate of the University of West Florida, obtaining a bachelor’s degree in communications with a specialization in public relations. Most recently, she served as the marketing content manager at Southern Vacation Rentals, a local property management company handling just over 1,100 properties across the Florida Panhandle and Alabama coastline. During her time there, she managed the company’s digital content strategy for web, social media and paid advertising. A highly skilled copywriter and content editor, her efforts helped drive one of the company’s most successful summer seasons in its 26-year history, exceeding sales goals in 2020 and again in 2021. She also worked closely with the business development division on owner acquisition strategies, working to expand the company into new markets and strengthen its brand reputation as a local leader in vacation rental management.
“Escambia County is my home – I’m excited to be here and for the opportunity to get involved with the community. I look forward to working with the team and continuing the work we’re doing to improve the lives of our citizens,” Gibson said.
Before Southern, she worked in retail store management where she was responsible for hiring and retaining talent, managing day-to-day store operations and regularly reviewing customer feedback for employee training and customer retention. She also oversaw the visual execution of the store and ensured the team met all financial and statistical goals.
Davis Wood, public information and education officer – Public Safety
Although new in the field of Community and Media Relations, Davis Wood arrives to Escambia County with years of media broadcasting and leadership experience as he begins his new journey as the public information and education officer with Escambia County’s Public Safety Department.
“I’m thrilled to begin this new chapter of my life with Escambia County. As a former member of the media, I’m excited to apply my skills and experiences to Public Safety,” Wood said.
Prior to his new role with Escambia County, Wood worked for ADX Communications from May 2017 to early August 2021, serving as the Program Director of NewsRadio 92.3 and ESPN Pensacola 1330AM/99.1FM, while also serving as the producer of the Pensacola Morning News with Andrew McKay and hosting his own sports talk show on Saturdays.
Wood obtained a bachelor’s degree in telecommunications and film from the University of West Florida in 2018.
Sarah Stanford, multimedia communications specialist – Library Services
Sarah Stanford is the new multimedia communications specialist for Library Services in Escambia County. She is responsible for community and media relations for all seven libraries’ marketing, outreach and programming endeavors. She has previous experience in graphic design, marketing, market research and product development and management.
Sarah holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in graphic design from the University of West Florida and a Master of Science degree from Florida State University in global merchandising and product development. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and their two children.
Local Utility Pursues Charges For Alleged Water Theft
August 20, 2021
A local utility is pursuing charges against a Century man for allegedly stealing water.
David Allen Cormany, 55, was charged with petit theft of utility services second degree and criminal mischief.
He is accused of breaking the lock off his water meter to restore water service to his residence on South Crary Road.
Central Water Works told the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office they disconnected Cormany’s water service for nonpayment on May 24. By late July, the meter showed water usage of about 8,000 gallons, according to an arrest report. The water usage totaled $65.69 and the damaged equipment was valued at $57.56.
According to the ECSO, Cormany was given a chance to pay the bill and costs, but missed the deadline, and Central Water Works pursued criminal charges.
Cormany was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $200 bond.
Blue Wahoos: Ninth Inning Rally Falls Just Short On Mullets Thursday
August 20, 2021
Trailing the Shuckers 2-1 in the bottom of the ninth, Pensacola stranded two runners in scoring position and lost on Thursday night at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
Entering the ninth, Biloxi brought in their closer Braden Webb (S, 3), who historically had troubles against the Wahoos this season. After walking JJ Bleday, Webb surrendered a base hit to Peyton Burdick, which set up first and second with nobody out. After a strikeout of Jerar Encarnacion, both runners advanced on a wild pitch.
Unfortunately for the Wahoos, Griffin Conine followed with a groundout to first that failed to score Bleday from third. With two outs, Chris Chinea grounded out to third to end the game.
The Shuckers had taken the lead in the top of the ninth when Chad Spanberger hit a solo home run off Zack Leban (L, 1-1) to give the Shuckers the lead. Biloxi picked up their first run of the game in the top of the first when David Fry belted a solo homer off Pensacola’s starter Zach McCambley.
Thursday’s contest featured to phenomenal pitching performances from both starters. For the Shuckers, Carlos Luna pitched six innings allowed one run on four hits. McCambley—though he only pitched five innings—also allowed one run on four hits.
McCambley ran into trouble in the fifth when the Shuckers loaded the bases with nobody in the inning. However, the right-hander showed his moxie by retiring Gabe Holt with a force out at the plate. Then McCambley struck out David Hamilton before Garrett Mitchell grounded out to end the inning.
Pensacola’s series continues against Biloxi on Friday at 6:35 PM CT. Biloxi will send Lucas Erceg to the mound (0-5, 5.75) while Pensacola has yet to disclose their starter.
Game recap by Chris Garagiola
Navy Helicopter Crashes In Santa Rosa County, Two Injured
August 19, 2021
A Navy helicopter crashed in Santa Rosa County Thursday afternoon, injuring two on board.
About 1:50 p.m., a Navy TH-57 Sea Ranger helicopter assigned to Training Air Wing Five at NAS Whiting Field, was involved in a crash at Naval Outlying Landing Field (OLF) Santa Rosa near Milton.
Navy and local emergency services responded to the scene.
The two occupants, an instructor pilot and a student naval aviator, were transported to a local medical treatment facility in serious condition.
“Navy personnel are on scene and are cooperating fully with local authorities. The incident is under investigation,” said Julie Ziegenhorn, public affairs officer, NAS Whiting Field.
File photo.