Alabama Governor Extends Safer At Home Order, Mask Mandate Until October
August 28, 2020
Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey on Thursday extended her state’s Safer at Home order until October 2.
The order includes a statewide mask mandate that requires individuals to wear a mask or other facial covering when in public and in close contact with other people.
More information on the amended order, which was previously set to expire on August 31, is in the graphic below, click to enlarge.
Tate High School Placed On Lockdown Due To A Gunshot — And Snake
August 27, 2020
Tate High School was place on a brief lockdown early Thursday afternoon due to a gunshot — and snake.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said someone at the school heard a gunshot, called deputies and the school was placed on a precautionary lockdown. An investigation by school resource officers and patrol deputies traced the gunshot to a nearby home.
That’s where they discovered the resident had “shot a big snake as they had all legal rights to do”, according to ECSO Maj. Andrew Hobbs. The snake was pronounced dead at the scene.
“The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office believes student safety is paramount, as does the Escambia County School District, so we take all precautions as we investigate a situation involving our schools,” Hobbs said.
Category 4 Hurricane Laura Makes Landfall Near Cameron, Louisiana With 150 MPH Winds
August 27, 2020
Category 4 Hurricane Laura made landfall at 1 a.m. Thursday near Cameron, Louisiana with maximum sustained winds of 150 mph.
Laura will continue to move inland across Louisiana into Arkansas. The forecast track is below.
ECUA Approves Sanitation Rate Increase
August 27, 2020
The Emerald Coast Utilities Authority has approved a sanitation rate increase.
The 2% increase was approved by the ECUA board 4-0, with District 5 member Larry Walker not yet in the Zoom meeting. The increase applies to all ECUA sanitation services from residential to commercial dumpsters.
For a single family residential customer with one 90 gallon or smaller container, the 2% increase will increase their rate by 38 cents from $24.16 to $24.54.
The rate increase goes into effect October 1. It applies to the collection portion of each bill charged by ECUA, but a disposal fee that’s part of the bill remains constant.
First Inmate COVID-19 Death Reported At Century Prison Where Half Of The Inmates Tested Positive
August 27, 2020
The first COVID-19 inmate death has been reported at the Century Correctional Institution.
The death was reported by the Florida Department of Corrections on Wednesday.
Over half of the inmates tested at Century CI have tested positive for the virus. As of Wednesday night, 766 inmates have tested positive, 748 have tested negative and 10 are awaiting test results. A total of 38 staff members have also tested positive for COVID-19.
There were 443 inmates in medical quarantine Wednesday.
Testing has been offered to all CCI inmates, and each one is being monitored daily, according to FDC. All services, including medical and meals, are being provided to inmates within their housing units.
The name of the inmate that died has not been released.
Century Applying For $312K Loan For Wastewater System Repairs. Most Won’t Be Repaid.
August 27, 2020
The Town of Century is applying for a state loan to make wastewater system repairs, but they won’t be required to repay most of it.
According to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Century is eligible for a $312,518 loan from the State Revolving Fund Program with a 90% principal forgiveness. That equates to $251,266 the town won’t be required to repay.
The town will pledge water and sewer revenues for repayment of the loan.
The Century Town Council has authorized the loan application, which much be submitted by September 10. If the loan is granted, the binding agreements must be repaid by by December 9.
Appeals Court Upholds Life Sentence Of Escambia Man That Murdered Mother Of His Child
August 27, 2020
The First District Court of Appeal has upheld the conviction and sentence of an Escambia County man for a 2018 murder.
Henry Martin Steiger was sentenced to life in prison for second degree murder of Cassandra Robinson, his girlfriend and the mother of his child.
She was last seen alive on February 1, 2018. A missing person investigation began after her disappearance was reported by her family. Her remains were located on July 11, 2018, inside a 565-gallon drum in a cargo trailer owned by Steiger that was located on a vacant lot.
Prosecutors said Steiger murdered Robinson after their daughter’s first birthday party.
The First District Court of Appeal found ruled that no error was committed by the trial court. The appeals court also declined to consider Steiger’s claim of ineffective assistance of counsel because there was no allegation of fundamental error.
Ernest Ward Middle School Implements New Car Rider Morning Drop Off Procedure
August 27, 2020
Ernest Ward Middle School has implemented a new car rider drop off procedure effective today.
The following is the text of a callout phone message to parents made Wednesday evening:
“As many of you are aware of, the number of morning car riders at Ernest Ward has increased over last year, which is causing quite a backup. In an effort to alleviate the backup of traffic, beginning Thursday morning, August 27, if you arrive to drop off in the car rider line at 8:35 or later and do not plan to drop off for breakfast, you will need to take an alternate route.
“Instead of entering through the front gates and circling around in the field, you will need to utilize our gravel maintenance road on 99A and follow it around to the front of the school. If you arrive at school at 8:35 or later, school officials will be at the front entrance to remind you that it is not open. They will also be posted at the entrance to the gravel maintenance road to help direct you.
“If you arrive prior to 8:35 or plan to drop off in the center lane for breakfast, please continue to use the front entrance.
“This new process will hopefully help us avoid vehicles being backed up on Hwy 97, avoid having our grass torn up, and avoid people getting stuck in the muddy field due to inclement weather.”
Photos/images for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Dollar General At West Kingsfield, Hwy. 297A Gets Zoning Approval, With A Design Condition
August 26, 2020
The Escambia County Board of Adjustment on Wednesday granted approval to a conditional zoning for a new Dollar General on West Kingsfield Road at Highway 297A.
Teramore Development, LLC, of Thomasville, Georgia went before the board seeking a conditional use to build an 8,960 square foot Dollar General Store. The current low density mixed-use (LDMU) zoning is intended to provide for a mix or residential uses with neighborhood scaled retail sales and services with a retail limit of 6,000 square feet. A conditional use in the zoning category allows for retail sales up to 35,000 square feet.
The board approved the conditional use with the stipulation that the store have a residential area design with wood siding and a shingled roof as in a concept drawing submitted by the developer.
The Escambia County Land Development Code will require screening on the south and east property boundaries because the adjoining properties are residential, and the developer intends to install additional landscaping.
The initial application for the Dollar General went before the Escambia County Development Review Committee (DRC) Wednesday afternoon. It’s the first of several required stops at the DRC before required approval can be granted to apply for a building permit.
The proposed development is on a 1.37 acre parcel on the southeast corner of the West Kingsfield Road and Highway 297A. The freestanding Dollar General will have 32 parking spots in a lot that will connect to West Kingsfield.
The property was previously developed as a single family residence that has since been removed.
The retailer intends to sell beer and wine the location.
Images for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Work Is Beginning To Replace Century Gas Meters For $56K; Town Couldn’t Account For 28% Of Natural Gas
August 26, 2020
Work is beginning to replace 283 gas meters in Century in an effort to increase revenue due to improved billing accuracy. As reported in July, the town could not account for 28 percent of the natural gas they purchased for resale. That’s not due a leak; it’s due to billing and meter inaccuracies, according to town officials.
Florida Gas Utility received bids on behalf of the town, with only one bid submitted from Precision Meter Repair, Inc. of Plant City, Florida. The company will go door to door to make the needed replacements. If no one is at home, a door hanger like the one pictured here will be placed on the door.
Residents need to be home at the time of the meter replacement to avoid a prolonged service interruption of an after-hours service call. That’s because once the meter is change, pilot lights will be relit by the company, and they’ll also ensure everything about the installation is safe.
The council approved the purchase of new gas meters in early 2019 for a system with 615 connections. City staff and contractors replaced 265 meters during the winter of 2019, while the other meters remained in storage.
Precision Meter will replace 283 meters and regulators at $160 each for a total of $45,280. Numerous meters will require a regulator replacement at $38 each, with the contract allocating up to an additional $10,754. The company said it will take about 45 to 60 days to complete the job once they begin.
There are 67 inactive meters that will not be replaced at this time. They will be changed out when service is requested by the customer.
The meter replacements is being funded by Local Option Sales Tax funds.
In 2018, the town could not account for nearly 60% of their bulk purchased natural gas.
NorthEscambia.com photo/graphic. Click to enlarge.