Median Closure: Quintette Road Access To/From Highway 29 To Be Greatly Limited
November 13, 2019
Access to and from Quintette Road at Highway 29 will be greatly limited beginning Thursday.
The Highway 29 median at Quintette Road will be closed Thursday and remain closed for about a month, according to Ian Satter, spokesperson for the Florida Department of Transportation.
Southbound Highway 29 traffic will no longer be able to turn left onto Quintette Road, and Quintette Road traffic will no longer be able to turn left (southbound) onto Highway 29 as a result of the closure.
The median closure will allow the construction of new turn lanes in both directions of Highway 29 at Quintette Road. The project does not include a traffic signal.
Pictured: The intersection of Highway 29 and Quintette Road on Tuesday afternoon. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Former ECUA Recycling Manager Charged With Stealing Over Half Million
November 13, 2019
A former recycling manager at the Emerald Coast Utilities Authority’s Materials Recycling Facility (MRF) has been charged with stealing over a half million dollars worth of recyclables through a shell company he owned.
Jarrell Lamar Reynolds, age 42 of Pensacola, was charged with grand theft and fraud. He was later released from jail on a $100,0000 bond.
In September of 2018, Reynolds was hired by ECUA to manage the recycling operation at the Perdido Landfill.
“He was hired, according to ECUA management, because of his experience in the industry and his personal contacts with potential new vendors and customers,” an arrest report states. “ECUA believed that hiring Reynolds would increase the efficiency of the the recycling operation and increase their revenues through the introduction of new customers for their recyclable material.”
On December 5, 2018, Reynolds chartered a company called JAT Recycling in Georgia, and he was lone officer of the company. It was through this company investigators said he received funds from three legitimate ECUA customers and converted the proceeds for his personal use, including a $16,000 down payment on a Porsche Panamera.
The three companies — ASM Recycling, Wise Recycling and Cellmark — are all legitimate companies that purchase recyclables in bulk for processing or transport them to other companies where they are turned into viable, sellable products.
Investigators said it appeared management at Cellmark and ASM were led to believe that Reynolds’ JAT was acting as a broker between ECUA and their companies.
“This is not an unusual step, where a broker plays matchmaker between seller and buyer and takes a small percentage of the sale in commission. In this instance, however, JAT has so far kept all the proceeds and refused to have any additional contact with ECUA,” the arrest report states.
ECUA left his position suddenly and without notice near the end of January 2019, shortly after an ECUA auditor began to ask questions. There continued to be email correspondence for a short time between ECUA and Reynolds where JAT promised to make payment.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said JAT and Reynolds received $510,000 in a Suntrust bank account from Cellmark, ASM and Wise Recycling for material taken from ECUA’s recycling facility. Bank records also show Reynolds withdrew $482,330 in cash and checks from the account.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office made repeated unsuccessful attempts to contact Reynolds, but calls were all unreturned. Email contact attempts were also unsuccessful.
When the ECUA director of finance sent an invoice to JAT Recycling in March 2019, they received this response: “Payments are pending due to the criminal investigation of Jarrell Reynolds. All commodities were legally sold to JAT Recycling and we take full accountability of funds due. Please cease and desist all criminal actions against Jarrell Reynolds so we can move forward with getting this paid.”
There was been no additional contact from JAT to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office or ECUA.
Pictured top: The Emerald Coast Utilities Authority’s Materials Recycling Facility (MRF). File photo.
Escambia School District Names Top 10 Teachers Of The Year
November 13, 2019
The Escambia County School District has announced their Top Ten Teachers of the Year.
They are, in alphabetical order:
- Kadee Barnett – Beulah Elementary School
- Jacqueline Chabot - Montclair Elementary School
- Mary Kate Griffith – Booker T. Washington High School
- Maureen Harden – Bailey Middle School
- Marlena Lewis – Warrington Middle School
- Michelle Lingo – Bellview Middle School
- Cheyenna Novotny – West Florida High School
- David Vaughn – Navy Point Elementary
- Jodi Woods – Ransom Middle School
- Tamika Wyrick – Sherwood Elementary School
The Escambia County School District’s Teacher of the Year will be named at the Golden Apple Awards in January.
Ready To Get Started: Century Charter Review Committee Meets
November 13, 2019
The Century Charter Review Committee met Tuesday evening with no real discussion taking place about specific elements of the charter.
Chairperson Mary Hudson Bourgeois told Interim City Manager Buz Eddy that the committee needs agendas prepared in advance. Brief mention was made that attorney Gerald McKenzie has volunteered to offer free advice to the committee. Member Evelyn Hammond said she would like to see better attendance by committee members; only six of 10 members have attended the last two meetings.
The committee heard a presentation on meeting procedures and Robert’s Rules of Order. They also reviewed paper copies of a Powerpoint presentation presented to the town council last May by Lynn Tipton with the Florida League of Cities that explained charters.
But during the hour-long meeting, the committee held no specific discussion of Century’s charter.
“I’m tired of dragging it out,” vice-chair Shelisa Abraham said. “I just want to get started.”
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Northview High Names Students Of The Month
November 12, 2019
Northview High School has named Students of the Month for October. They are Lillian Worden and Tyler Kite, pictured with Principal Mike Sherrill. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century Gets Jump On Renewing Permits To Operate Water Wells
November 12, 2019
Century is getting a head start on renewing permits to operate wells that provide water to the town.
The town has approved up to $10,000 for Municipal Engineering Services, Inc. to file the renewal applications for permits on all three wells maintained and operated by the town. The permits must be renewed by July 2020.
Municipal Engineering will reviewing the existing permit, discuss future needs with town staff, facilitate a meeting with Northwest Florida Water Management District staff, complete the renewal application including supporting data and respond to reasonable questions from District permitting staff.
If the required documentation for the last five years is available from the town, Municipal Engineering said the process should take 30-45 days.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Ashland Avenue To Remain Closed Longer Than First Anticipated
November 12, 2019
The closure of Ashland Avenue at the intersection of Nine Mile Road has been extended due to inclement weather. First expected to open November 9, officials now expect it to reopen November 20.
During the closure, crews are placing drainage pipes across the roadway as part of the drainage improvements associated with the Nine Mile Road widening project. Traffic is detoured to Stefani and 9 1/2 Mile roads. Signs and variable message boards are in place to alert drivers of the temporary closure and direct traffic to the alternate routes.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather. Drivers are reminded by the Florida Department of Transportation to obey the 35-mph speed limit and to use caution, especially at night, when traveling through the work zone.
Football Playoff Games Continue Friday Night
November 12, 2019
Here’s a look at Friday night’s high school playoff schedule. In Florida, it’s the regional semifinals, and in Alabama it’s round two.
FLORIDA
7A
(3) Fleming Island at (2) Niceville, 7 p.m.
6A
(4) Mainland at (1) Escambia, 7:30 p.m. (purchase tickets online)
5A
(6) Godby at (2) Pine Forest, 7:30 p.m. (purchase tickets online)
3A
(4) Trinity Catholic at (1) Catholic, 7:30 p.m.
1A
(3) Northview at (2) Vernon 7:30 p.m. (purchase tickets online)
(5) Graceville at (1) Baker 7:30 p.m.
ALABAMA
3A – Round 2
St. James at Flomaton. 7 p.m.
T.R. Miller at Montgomery Academy, 7 p.m.
AISA Semifinals Class AA
Edgewood at Escambia Academy
Crop Insurance Application Deadline Is November 15
November 12, 2019
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Risk Management Agency (USDA RMA) are reminding Florida pasture, rangeland, and forage (PRF) and apiculture producers that deadlines to apply for crop insurance coverage for the 2020 crop year is November 15.
Current policyholders who wish to make changes to their existing coverage also have until the sales closing dates to do so.
“The risk of crop damage in Florida is of increasing concern, due in part to extreme weather and intensifying storms,” said Agriculture Commissioner Nicole “Nikki” Fried. “We encourage producers to stay informed, check their current coverage status, and apply for new crop insurance before the deadlines to ensure that their livelihoods aren’t jeopardized by unpredictable disasters.”
Federal crop insurance is critical to the farm safety net. It helps producers and owners manage revenue risks and strengthens the rural economy.
Growers are encouraged to visit their crop insurance agent soon to learn specific details for the 2020 crop year. A list of crop insurance agents is available at all USDA Service Centers and online at the RMA Agent Locator. Growers can use the RMA Cost Estimator to get a premium amount estimate of their insurance needs online.
Quick Tips: How To Be Safe If Using Space Heaters
November 12, 2019
With our first freezing temperatures of the season, it’s important to remember a few safety tips if using space heaters.
