EREC Warns Members About Telephone Scam
November 10, 2020
Escambia River Electric Cooperative is warning members about a telephone scam.
“In the past few days, we have had some members receive a phone call from someone saying they were an EREC representative,” the member owned cooperative said in a statement. “The person advised the members to call a telephone number, which was not an EREC office number, by 12 noon or their power would be disconnected.”
“We encourage our members to be extremely cautious with any telephone calls of this nature.”
Anyone that receives a such a call is asked to hang up and call EREC directly at (850) 675-4521 or (800) 235-3848.
Pictured: The Walnut Hill office of Escambia River Electric Cooperative. NorthEscambia.com photo.
Over 3.2 Million Cubic Yards Of Hurricane Sally Debris Collected In Escambia County; Final Pass Begins December 1
November 10, 2020
Escambia County contractors have collected nearly 3.2 million cubic yards of Hurricane Sally debris.
That’s 65,827 loads, which equals 499 football fields piled three feet high or enough to fill nearly 70% of the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans.
The third and final Hurricane Sally debris collection pass will begin on December 1, with a goal to finish all collections by Christmas.
To help expedite the process, separate debris for service. Vegetative debris like tree limbs need to be separate from construction and demolition materials like drywall and carpet. Keep debris away from storm drains, low power lines, other utilities and mailboxes.
Curbside Residential Debris Pickup Instructions
Escambia County residents, that can safely do so, are asked to place any storm-generated debris on the public right of way (the area of residential property that extends from the street to the sidewalk, ditch, utility pole or easement).
- Commercial-generated waste will not be accepted.
- Businesses should contact their waste collection service provider or a debris removal contractor. Business and commercial material is not eligible to be removed curbside by Escambia County.
- Nonprofits are allowed to place debris on public right of way for pickup.
Debris that was generated by Hurricane Sally should be placed and sorted on the area immediately adjoining the road in front of your home.
Residents are urged to separate the debris as follows:
- Vegetative Debris - whole trees and large limbs should be cut into lengths of four feet or less, tree stumps, tree branches, tree trunks and other leafy material
- Construction and Demolition Debris - damaged components of buildings and structures such lumber and wood, wall board, glass, metal, roofing materials, tile, furnishings and fixtures
- Appliances and White Goods - refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners, heat pumps, ovens, ranges, washing machines, clothes dryers and water heaters
- Electronic Waste - computers, televisions, office electronic equipment, etc.
- Household Hazardous Waste - materials that are ignitable, reactive, toxic or corrosive such as paints, cleaners, pesticides, etc.
- Mailboxes
- Water meters
- Fire hydrants, or any other above-ground utility
Escambia County contractors will make multiple passes through neighborhoods and along county right-of-way for debris removal. If your debris is not removed, please be patient. The crews will make additional passes along your road.
The county contractors have dedicated pieces of equipment for different debris streams (vegetation, C&D and stumps). Please understand that if vegetation is collected and C&D or stumps are left behind, they are not “missed,” but rather assigned to different trucks dedicated to that debris stream. Contractors cannot commingle debris streams in a single truck load.
Drop Off Instructions for Residential Vegetative Debris Drop Off Sites
In addition to curbside removal of debris for residents, residential drop off sites are accepting vegetative debris generated by Hurricane Sally. This is for private, residential use only, NO COMMERCIAL DEBRIS. Hurricane Sally debris drop off sites are open for Escambia County residents only and will be open from 8 a.m. to 7 a.m., until further notice. Residents need to bring ID and proof of residency.
Drop Off Locations:
- Escambia County Equestrian Center at 7750 Mobile Highway
- John R. Jones Athletic Complex at 555 East Nine Mile Road
- Oak Grove Convenience Center at 745 North Highway 99
- Baars Field at 13020 Sorrento Road
- Lexington Terrace at 900 S Old Corry Field Road
- Park East at 1233-1235 at Fort Pickens Road
If residents would like to drop off construction and demolition debris, they can do so at the following locations (ordinary fees apply):
- Perdido Landfill (Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.)
- Oak Grove Convenience Center (Fridays and Saturdays 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)
Pictured: Debris pick up on North Highway 99. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Receive Rental Assistance From FEMA? You May Be Eligible For Continued Help
November 10, 2020
FEMA may provide financial assistance to residents of Escambia and Santa Rosa counties who need temporary housing because they are displaced from their primary residence as a result of Hurricane Sally.
If you received an initial grant of rental assistance from FEMA and cannot return to your primary residence, you may submit an application for Continued Rental Assistance to FEMA. This application is mailed to households after they receive their initial rental assistance grant. If you did not receive the application, you may call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. It is important that FEMA have your current contact information.
The application must be accompanied by these supporting documents:
- Pre-disaster and current household income status
- Copies of pre-disaster lease, utility bills, renter’s insurance
- Copy of current lease or rental agreement signed by you and the landlord
- Rental receipts, canceled checks or money orders showing the rental assistance was used to pay for housing expenses.
You can submit these documents by creating an account at DisasterAssistance.gov, by uploading via the FEMA App for smartphones or by visiting a FEMA mobile registration center in your area.
Renters must call the FEMA Helpline to determine eligibility.
As of November 8, 2020, nearly 3,700 households have received rental assistance as a result of Hurricane Sally.
Atmore Man Killed In Motorcycle Crash
November 9, 2020
A motorcycle crash ha claimed the life of an Atmore man.
William Van Cooey, 71, was killed when his 2018 Harley Davidson motorcycle left the roadway and overturned on Jack Springs Road about eight miles north of Atmore, according to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency.
Troopers are continuing their investigation into the crash that occurred about 6:30 p.m. Sunday.
EREC Awards Scholarships To Students After Washington Youth Tour Is Canceled
November 9, 2020
Two students were awarded scholarships by Escambia River Electric Cooperative after their youth tour trip to Washington, D.C., was canceled due to COVID-19.
The $2,000 scholarships were awarded to Amber Gilman from Northview High School and Katelyn Mayo from Jay High School.
EREC awards high school juniors an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C. each June as part of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association Youth Tour program. About 1,800 teens from electric cooperatives across the country convene in the nation’s capital to learn more about government, cooperatives and rural electrification.
“The cancellation of the trip was unfortunate,” said EREC CEO Ryan Campbell. “But these bright young ladies deserve to be commended for the efforts they put forth to win the Youth Tour competition. We are happy to offer them scholarships to further their education at the college of their choice.”
Pictured: EREC CEO Ryan Campbell awards scholarships to Amber Gilman from Northview High School (top) and Katelyn Mayo from Jay High School (below). Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia County, Pensacola Census Self-Response Rate Better Than State Average; Century Below
November 9, 2020
Escambia County’s self response rate to the 220 Census was below the national response rate, but better than the state level.
The self-response rate in Escambia County was 64.6% (including 49.9% on the internet). The national rate was 67%, and the state rate was 63.8%.
Escambia County ranked 25th out of Florida’s 67 counties. Santa Rosa County was third statewide at 71.6%.
Century’s total self response rate was just over half at 50.1%, with 24.4% of those responses coming from the internet. The City of Pensacola was above average at 68.8% with 55.7% online.
Florida Gas Prices Declining Below $2 A Gallon
November 9, 2020
It appears the state average price for gas is set to fall below $2 a gallon for the first time since June, according to AAA.
The average price per gallon in Florida was $2.01 Sunday, down 17 cents compared to a month ago.
In Escambia County, the average price was $2.07. Drivers could find a low of $1.98 Sunday night in Cantonment and $1.81 in Pensacola.
“Demand concerns – related to surging cases of COVID-19 - continue to weigh on the global fuel market, leading to lower prices at the pump,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Although US gasoline demand is not nearly as low as it was in April, it remains 9% lower than what’s common, this time of year. Florida drivers should see another round of discounts this week. The state average should slip below $2 a gallon and sink to $1.95 by the weekend.”
FHP Looking For Driver Involved In Fatal Hit And Run
November 9, 2020
The Florida Highway Patrol is looking for a driver that struck and killed a pedestrian Sunday morning in Escambia County.
About 6 a.m., the driver of a vehicle describe by FHP only as a sedan hit a 59-year old female on Saufley Field Road near St. Ann’s Catholic Church. The pedestrian did not survive.
The vehicle then fled the scene but was located in a dtich a few miles away on Blue Angel Parkway. The driver had fled on foot.
Anyone with with information is asked to call troopers at *FHP (*347) or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
About 1,000 More Pre-Orders Needed To Make Blue Angels License Plate A Reality
November 9, 2020
Almost 2,000 people have placed pre-orders for the new Blue Angels license plates, but about 1,000 more are needed to make the tag a reality.
The Florida Department of Motor Vehicle’s process to establish a new specialty license plate requires the foundation to sell 3,000 vouchers before the plate goes into production.
“This support moves us one step closer to making the Blue Angels license plate a reality for the state of Florida,” said retired Rear Adm. Kyle Cozad, president and CEO of the Naval Aviation Museum Foundation. “The ordering process is easy and the plates are available to registered Florida drivers across the state.”
The voucher is redeemable for the plate once the sale requirement has been met and the plates are in production. Purchasing a voucher ensures the plate will go into production as quickly as possible.
Florida drivers can now purchase a voucher in person at a local tax collector’s office or online. The online service is available to all Florida residents residing in any county.
It’s not necessary to wait for a vehicle’s registration to need renewal to purchase the Blue Angels license plate. For $30, a new plate can be ordered at any time without affecting the vehicle’s registration cycle.
As a process to gain public support, the Naval Aviation Museum Foundation is offering numbered Commemorative Challenge Coins to the first 3,000 Floridians who purchase a voucher from the Escambia County Tax Collector’s website. The 1.5” antique bronze coin showcases the Blue Angels crest on the front and the words “I Helped Make History” on the back. This exclusive coin is a way to thank those who helped make the Blue Angels license plate a reality for Florida.
Gulf Power Offering Direct COVID-19 Relief To Past Due Customers; Disconnects Resuming This Month
November 8, 2020
Gulf Power has announced plans to begin offering direct relief to customers significantly behind on their energy bills due to the COVID-19 pandemic and to those small business customers who have diligently paid their bills but still have a deposit with the company.
Residential and small business customers may be eligible for a bill credit of up to $200 based on the status of their account and how long the account has been past due. To receive the direct bill relief, eligible customers will need to pay their total outstanding balance, net of the bill credit. For example, an eligible customer who has a total outstanding balance of $600 would need to pay $400 to qualify for the maximum one-time credit of $200.
Eligible customers have been pre-identified based on their account status. Gulf Power will communicate directly with eligible customers through email or direct mail to explain the steps required to obtain the bill relief. Customers who are past due on multiple bills can also go online to their Gulf Power account to check for eligibility and view offer available.
“We remain committed to doing everything we can to support customers experiencing hardship as a result of COVID-19, including offering direct bill relief to eligible customers to help them get back on their feet,” said Gulf Power President Marlene Santos. “While most of our customers have continued to pay their bills on time, others may be struggling – and we want to help.”
In addition to direct bill relief, Gulf Power continues to help customers with payment extensions and connecting them with available financial assistance. Gulf Power is also planning to accelerate deposit refunds for eligible small business customers, depending on rate class; the company already returns deposits for residential customers after 12 months of on-time bill payment.
As the COVID-19 pandemic began to affect our customers early this year, Gulf Power immediately offered payment extensions and information on financial assistance for customers experiencing hardship due to the pandemic, policies that remain in effect. The company has also suspended disconnections for nonpayment. Through a measured approach, Gulf Power will resume issuing final notices beginning with customer accounts that have been past due since before COVID-19 became widespread in March. For customer accounts that receive a final notice but do not pay their past-due balance or contact Gulf Power to make payment arrangements, disconnections are planned to begin in mid-November.