ECUA Wins ‘Recycle Florida Today’ Environmental Sustainability Award
November 9, 2021
The Emerald Coast Utilities Authority (ECUA) has been awarded the Outstanding Public Program tier of the annual Environmental Sustainability award presented by Recycle Florida Today.
The Recycle Florida Today Environmental Sustainability Award is the industry’s premier recognition of those having outstanding programs or events centered on recycling and environmental sustainability.
ECUA’s state of the art Materials Recycling Facility currently processes an average of 789 tons of recyclables per week with recycling programs from Destin to Biloxi relying on the facility for processing. Over 77% of ECUA customers participate in single stream curbside recycling.
With this award, ECUA was recognized statewide for innovative and highly efficient recycling operations, as well as their creative and resourceful public information campaigns that have significantly increased awareness to motivate recycling, composting, waste reduction, and other sustainability efforts.
Members of ECUA’s public information team recently joined other Recycle Florida Today Environmental Sustainability Award finalists from across the state in a virtual event to share information about their outstanding programs.
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Cantonment Cowboy Cheerleaders Win Multiple Competition Awards
November 9, 2021
The Cantonment Cowboy cheerleaders won multiple awards at the Emerald Coast Cheer Association competition recently at Pace High School.
There Cantonment Cowboy Midgets won first place, level one grand champions and high score grand champions.
The Cowboys Mighty Mites won first place, Mites won second place, and the Mini Mites won third place.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
ECSO: Ensley Homicide Was Drug Deal Gone Bad
November 8, 2021
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a homicide late Sunday afternoon in Ensley.
About 4:50 p.m., deputies responded to the 8600 block of Rawls Avenue where they found a 20-year old man deceased from an apparent gunshot wound.
“At this time, ECSO investigators believe it was a marijuana drug deal gone bad,” the Sheriff’s Office said.
Anyone with information on the incident is asked to call the ECSO at (850) 436-9620 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
The shooting occurred about three blocks behind the Ensley Fire Station.
Bonus Gallery: Northview Chiefs Band, Cheerleaders
November 8, 2021
The Northview Chiefs defeated Arnold Friday night in Bratt.
For a bonus photo gallery with the band and cheerleaders, click or tap here.
For an action photo gallery, click or tap here.
And click here for a game summary.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Century Woman Charged With Failing To Report Child Abuse
November 8, 2021
One of the four people recently arrested on child neglect charges for living in squalor with several children is now accused of failure to report child abuse.
Tabitha Ann Tedder, 50, was arrested Friday on the third degree felony charge. She was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $10,000 bond.
According to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Tabitha Tedder failed to report the sexual battery of a minor child. Investigators believed she had knowledge that sexual abuse was taking place.
Michael Tracy Tedder, 29, was charged with three counts of capital sexual battery of a victim under 12 by a person in familial custody. If convicted as charged, Michael Tedder faces up to life in prison. During a recent appearance, he entered a plea of not guilty, and his bond was set at $3 million. He remains in the Escambia County Jail.
The victim disclosed at school that she had been raped by Michael Tedder, according to an arrest report. She stated that it hurt, and about the time she healed, he would do it again, the report continues. The alleged abuse occurred between January 1, 2020, and October 20, 2021.
Much of the arrest report is redacted under Florida law, but it states “several (others) divulged sexual abuse by Michael Tedder. The incidents they described were similar to the sexual abuse disclosed, adding credibility to her statement.”
For more information on the charges against Michael Tedder, click or tap here for an earlier story.
When the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office went to Michael Tedder’s home on October 20 to investigate the sexual battery allegations, deputies found Tedder and three others living in squalor with six children in two campers.
They found Michael Tedder and his wife 28-year old Elizabeth Mae Dennis, along with 55-year old Norman Tracy Tedder and his wife Tabitha Tedder. All four were charged with felony child neglect. Only Michael Tedder is accused of a sex crime; the other three have not been charged with any sex crime or named as suspects.
The Department of Children and Families temporarily removed the children and transported them to the Gulf Coast Kids House.
For more information on the child neglect allegations, click or tap here for an earlier story.
Northview Chiefs To Open Playoffs At Home Against The Bozeman Bucks
November 8, 2021
The Northview Chiefs will host the first round of the 1A playoffs at home.
The Bozeman Bucks (6-4) will be at the Northview Chiefs (5-4) in the regional quarterfinal Friday night in Bratt. The winner will face Baker (6-2) on November 19.
In Region 1-1A, end of season rankings were as follows:
The top six teams earned a playoff berth, with the top two getting a first week bye.
In Class 1A, playoff spots are not determined by district wins; it’s the Rating Percentage Index (RPI). RPI rankings are based upon a mathematical formula based upon a team’s current record, current Winning Percentage (WP), Opponents Winning Percentage (OWP), and their Opponent’s Winning Percentage (OOWP).
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Veterans Day Ceremonies Planned At Veterans Memorial Park
November 8, 2021
The Veterans Memorial Park Foundation of Pensacola invites the community to attend the Veterans Day Ceremony at the park on Thursday at 11 a.m.
Major General John P. Stokes, retired, the former Director of Air, Space and Information Operations at the Air Force Command at Robins Air Force Base, will be the keynote speaker.
Musical selections, including a patriotic medley, will be performed by the Pensacola Opera Chorus. The invocation and benediction will be led by Jason Givens from First Baptist Church.
The Military Tribute Banner project sponsored by Veterans Memorial Park will be unveiled at the ceremony. Family members and friends are encouraged to honor their military heroes with patriotic banners featuring their photographs in uniform and information about their military service. The project will continue from now until after Memorial Day 2022.
“Veterans Day is our nation’s opportunity to pay tribute to military veterans who have honorably served the United States of America. Those special servants who have worn the cloth of our country are worthy of our thanks, respect, and admiration,” said Veterans Memorial Park Foundation of Pensacola President Paul Entrekin.
Escambia County Has A New Judge
November 8, 2021
Escambia County has a new judge.
The investiture of The Honorable Barry E. Dickson, Jr. to the Escambia County Court bench was held Friday afternoon.
Prior to his appointment by Gov. Ron DeSantis, Dickson was an assistant public defender in the First Judicial Circuit for 16 years. He is a colonel in the U.S. Air Force Reserve, serving as augmentee to the Air Force Special Operations Command Chaplain. He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida and his law degree from Florida State University.
Dickson fills the vacancy created by the elevation of Judge Jennifer Frydrychowicz to the Circuit Court.
Florida Gas Prices Back Off 2021 High
November 8, 2021
Florida’s average gas price is backing off the 2021 high of $3.32 per gallon. The state average is now $3.28 per gallon, after declining 3 cents last week.
The average price per gallon in Escambia County was $3.29. A North Escambia low of $3.22 was at one Cantonment station Sunday night, while four Pensacola stations were at $3.13 or below.
The price of crude oil – which has been the main driver of rising gas prices this year – dropped 7% last week, as domestic oil production and stocks logged weekly gains. It was the first real sign of weakness in the oil market in a month. Unfortunately for motorists, half of that oil price drop was erased by the end of the week, as fuel demand continues to outpace global supplies. The price for U.S. oil settled at $81.27 per barrel, down $2.30 (3%) from the week before – lowering the cost of producing gasoline.
“Gas prices may inch a little lower this week, following the recent declines in the oil and gasoline futures market,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Despite the setback, significant upward pressure remains in the oil market. Prices are still at 7-year highs and are likely to remain elevated through the holiday season, which will in turn keep upward pressure on prices at the pump.”
At 103, Local Pearl Harbor Survivor Breaks His Own World Record As ‘World’s Oldest Conductor’
November 7, 2021
At 103-years old, Pearl Harbor survivor Frank Emond of Cantonment broke his own world record Saturday night in Washington, D.C.
Two years ago, he set the Guinness World Record as “World’s Oldest Conductor” as he conducted “The Stars and Stripes Forever” at the Pensacola Civic Band’s Memorial Day Concert in May 2019.
Saturday night, he led the U.S. Air Force Band’s Airmen of Note in Glenn Miller’s iconic “In the Mood” at the American Veteran Center’s “America Valor: A Salute to our Heroes” at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington.
Wearing a Hawaiian print shirt with a Pearl Harbor Survivor patch, Emond turned to the crowd, smiling and waving as he received a standing ovation.
Originally from Rhode Island, Emond enlisted in the Navy in 1938 as a musician. He played the French horn for the ship’s band and even got to perform at the 1939 World’s Fair in New York before he was assigned to the USS Emond, CWO4 USN (RET.), spent his naval career as a musician and band director. He was on the stern of the USS Pennsylvania (BB-38) getting ready to play morning “Colors” on his French horn when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. He went into action, evacuating the dead and wounded.
After seven years of playing horn, he became a Navy bandleader, retiring in 1968. Emond continued to perform with the Pensacola Civic Band and lead music at Gonzalez United Methodist Church.
Pictured above and below: Pearl Harbor survivor Frank Emond of Cantonment breaks his own Guinness World Record Saturday night as the “World’s Oldest Conductor” at age 103. Pictured first below: Emond turned to the crowd, smiling and waving as he received a standing ovation. Images courtesy American Veterans Center for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
