VIDEO: Tate High School Class Of 2020 Graduation
June 23, 2020
Watch the Tate High School Class of 2020 graduation held June 23 at the Pensacola Bay Center.
International Paper Investigating After Supposed Noose Found At Mill In Cantonment
June 23, 2020
International Paper is responding and has launched an investigation after a supposed noose was found at their Cantonment mill.
The rope was found hanging against a steel support on the property, and the company says they will not tolerate any racist or threatening acts.
“Upon learning of the situation, we immediately launched an investigation,” International Paper said in a statement released to NorthEscambia.com. “We condemn the offensive nature of this incident. Individuals involved in such behavior will not work at International Paper. We do not tolerate threatening acts, racism, or bigotry. We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive culture where individuals feel valued and engaged and have the opportunity to contribute their best every day.”
Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Child Poverty: North Escambia Has One Of The Worst Zip Codes, And The Best, In Escambia County.
June 23, 2020
The Florida Chamber Foundation’s Prosperity Initiative is working toward reducing the number of children in poverty in the state to less than 10% by 2030.
According to the group, 21.3% of children in Florida, including 22.3% of those under 18 in Escambia County, live below the federal poverty guidelines issued by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
In the North Escambia area zip codes north of I-10, there is a wide range of poverty levels, from the lowest in the county to one of the highest.
The 32568 McDavid/Walnut Hill zip code has just over one-third (34.5%) of all children under 18 living in poverty. In fact, it’s the third highest poverty rate in Escambia County, behind the 32501 zip code at 47.7% and 32505 at 37.6%.
In contrast, at 5.4% the 32533 Cantonment zip code had the lowest percentage of children living in poverty in Escambia County.
Click the map above to see the child poverty rate by zip code in Escambia County.
One Arrested, One Wanted For Untreiner Avenue Shooting
June 23, 2020
One man has been arrested and another man is wanted in connection with a shooting last week on Untreiner Avenue.
Kerrick Van Teamer, 20, is charged with attempted homicide, firing a missile into a vehicle, firing a weapon in public, and possession of a weapon by a convicted felon for the shooting incident that ended on Untreiner Avenue about 6:55 p.m. last Tuesday, June 16. It started on Aaron Drive when gunfire was exchanged between two vehicles. The vehicles chased each other, with one flipping over on Untreiner Avenue. One person was found suffering from multiple gunshot wounds inside the overturned vehicle and was transported to a local hospital.
Kei’Yhaun Irby, 20, was seen leaving the scene in red Kia Soul, and deputies are still looking for him. If you have any information about his whereabouts, call Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP or the ECSO at (850) 436-9620.
Teamer remains in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $105,000.
Flomaton Hardee’s Temporarily Closed After Employee Tests Positive For COVID-19
June 23, 2020
The Hardee’s restaurant in Flomaton was temporarily closed after an employee tested positive for COVID-19.
A Hardee’s spokesperson said the store is expected to be closed through Tuesday so that the store can be disinfected and each employee can be tested. Those that receive a negative test result will be allowed to return to work.
The restaurant’s hours have been temporarily cut to 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. and the store will be staffed by employees from nearby Hardee’s restaurants until tested employees receive their results. Only the drive-thru will be open.
The store is independently owned, and the chain said they have followed CDC guidelines.
Pictured: The Flomaton Hardee’s. NorthEsambia.com photos.
Cove Avenue Closed At Nine Mile Road
June 23, 2020
Cove Avenue north of Nine Mile Road will be closed to traffic at Tuesday, June 23. Drivers may use Nine & Half Mile Road and Bowman Avenue as an alternate route.
The closure is due to road construction along Nine Mile Road and is expected to last for seven days.
Record Number Of Vehicles Head To Pensacola Beach
June 23, 2020
A record number of vehicles traveled to Pensacola Beach over the weekend. Saturday, June 20 was the single busiest day on record since the car counter was installed at the Bob Sikes Toll Booth in 2016.
The toll plaza recorded the first back-to-back 21,000 plus vehicle days on Friday, June 12 and Saturday, June 13.
- 21,469 vehicles on Friday, June 12, 2020
- 21,860 vehicles on Saturday, June 13, 2020
- 20,229 vehicles on Sunday, June 14, 2020
- 20,722 vehicles on Friday, June 19, 2020
- 21,970 vehicles on Saturday, June 20, 2020
- 19,936 vehicles on Sunday, June 21, 2020
“This year we have seen an increase in the number of cars going through the toll plaza in a given hour, and noticed more people are coming out earlier in the day,” said District 4 Commissioner Robert Bender. “We are continuing to make improvements and evaluate traffic, including focusing on getting cars off the island.”
2020 has seen record-breaking numbers of vehicles on Pensacola Beach, with toll records already indicating nine days with more than 20,000 vehicles passing through the toll booth — 2019 saw 11 total days throughout the entire year. Saturday, June 20 was the second time this year more than 2,000 cars came through the toll plaza in an hour.
In April 2020, the Bob Sikes Toll Booth went to all electronic tolling, which means drivers do not have to stop and are encouraged to keep driving through the toll booth. A $1 toll will be collected from all vehicles travelling to Pensacola Beach / Santa Rosa Island via the Bob Sikes Toll Bridge. The $1 toll is collected electronically using SunPass®, E-Pass, North Carolina Quick Pass, Georgia Peach Pass, PayTollo app or Toll-By-Plate.
For Toll-By-Plate users, the toll is still $1 each time you pass through the toll plaza, plus a $2.50 administrative fee that is charged each billing cycle (once per month.) No matter the number of trips you take to the beach, you will only be charged the administration fee once per billing cycle.
Secretary Of The Navy Honors Escambia Deputies Who Responded To NAS Pensacola Shooting
June 23, 2020
Naval Air Station Pensacola held an awards ceremony Monday to recognize members of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office that responded to the December 6, 2019, terrorist attack on the base.
Six deputies received the Distinguished Public Service Award from the Secretary of the Navy for their heroic actions that morning.
The deputies honored were:
- Jonathan Glass
- Matthew Housam
- Michael Hoyland
- Matthew Keebler
- Grant Lopez
- Matthew Tinch
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Ransom Middle Yearbooks Distribution Is Tuesday And Wednesday; Extras Are Available For $55
June 23, 2020
Ransom Middle School yearbooks have will be distributed Tuesday and Wednesday.
Pick up for yearbooks that were pre-ordered will be in the car rider line in front of the school from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. and 3-5 p.m. on Tuesday, and from 3-5 p.m. on Wednesday.
There are 80 yearbooks available for purchase for cash only on a first-come, first-serve availability during the listed times.
For more information, email Mrs. Johnson at ljohnson7@ecsdfl.us.
Century Water System Plan Could Mean Significant Rate Increase
June 22, 2020
A significant rate increase could be in the future for Century water customers. if the town council follows a plan they recently approved.
A Century Water System Asset Management and Fiscal Sustainability Plan created by the Florida Rural Water Association (FRWA) found the need for the rate increase, plus increased costs for commercial customers, the prison and possibly water system customers that are outside of the town limits.
For an average family using 5,000 gallons per month, the monthly average water bill is currently about $21.36.
“Although this rate may be minimally sufficient for current operations, the improvements recommended may require a cost adjustment to be financially sustainable,” the Florida Rural Water Association found, also noting commercial accounts currently pay the same rate as residential customers, and that should be changed.
“Although this rate may be minimally sufficient for current operations, the improvements recommended may require a cost adjustment to be financially sustainable,” the report stated.
The Century Correctional Institution accounts for just over half of all the affluent into Century’s wastewater treatment plant, “yet is billed very little comparatively”, and the FRWA recommended that the Florida Department of Corrections pay their fair share.
Without increased rates for the prison and commercial accounts, the FRWA said “an overly cumbersome burden” will be placed on residential customers to pay for mandated rehabilitations.
In order to accomplish an estimated $561,305 in needed capital needs water system improvements and to set aside needed reserve funds, water rates would need to be increased 32.3% in year one with additional smaller increases in each of four additional years.
The plan is only recommendations from FRWA. A rate study would likely first determine the exact amount of any rate increase before it is implemented with the approval of the town council.