Boil Water Notice Issued For Portion Of Cottage Hill
July 30, 2019
THIS BOIL WATER NOTICE WAS RESCINDED ON 7/31.
A precautionary boil water notice has been issued for a portion of Cottage Hill after a water main break on Cottage Hill Road.
The notice is in effect for residents of 16 to 460 Williams Ditch Road, Virecent Road, Crowndale Road, Cottage Hill Road and Eden Lane.
Cottage Hill Water Works is advising that all water used for drinking, cooking, making ice, brushing teeth, or washing dishes be boiled. A rolling boil of one minute is sufficient as an alternative bottled water may be used.
The precautionary boil water notice will remain in effect until the problem has been corrected and a bacteriological survey shows that the water is safe to drink.
For any additional information, contact Cottage Hill Water Works at (850) 968-5485.
With $325 In The Bank, Century Gas Department Can’t Make Payroll Or Pay $63K In Bills
July 30, 2019
The Century Town Council held an emergency meeting Monday evening to figure out how to meet the gas department financial obligations with just $325 in the bank. The council also decided what to do about 12 customers receiving free gas, discovered that hundreds of new meters have not been installed and that a corrected gas bill has not been presented to the prison months after a new meter was installed.
Thousands In Bills, Just A Few Hundred In The Bank
With just $325.09 in the bank, the town’s gas department was unable to make its payroll of $5,872.70 or pay $63,287.73 in bills. Bills included $40,944.05 to BP Energy for the natural gas that is sold by the department.
Only July 18, the town council voted to transfer $5,000 per month from the garbage fund to the payroll account to supplement the gas department’s payroll, but the gas department used the extra cash for just one week’s paychecks.
Monday night, the town council voted transfer $40,000 from a special revenue fund and $36,024.68 from the water department to the gas department, plus transfer up to another $20,000 in August and September from the water fund if needed.
A Dozen Homes Receive Free Gas
Gas Superintendent Wally Kellett told the council Monday night that he’s found 12 residential users receiving free gas from the town. Most, he said, are outside the town and receive water from Central Water Works. He said there’s no record of how long the 12 non-paying customers have received free gas, and there’s no record of who the people actually are. He noted none answered their doors when town representatives knocked.
“They know that they are receiving free gas,” council member Luis Gomez said. “If I’m receiving free gas, do you think I am going to open the door?”
The council voted unanimously to immediately turn off service to the 12 meters. With no records, the individuals won’t be billed for previous usage, but they will be required to come in to town hall, make a deposit, and sign up for a legitimate account.
Where Are The New Meters?
The town purchased 500 new residential natural gas meters and 52 new commercial meters months ago in an effort to increase billing accuracy and revenue. The meters arrived in February.
Kellett said Monday night only 40 of the new residential meters have been installed because he has been busy with his regular job duties.
The council also decided to have the 40 meters that were removed from service tested to determine just how inaccurate they may have been.
Where’s A Correct Prison Bill?
The Century Correctional Institution is by far the largest customer of the town’s utilities. Town accountant Robert Hudson (pictured) estimates the prison’s aging gas meter was not accurately recording usage from 2016 until it was replaced in October 2018. He estimates that adjusting the prison’s bill will mean up to an extra $80,000 in revenue.
Kellett was tasked with creating an adjusted gas bill for the Florida Department of Corrections, but so far he’s been unable to find the time to even start the process.
“I’m working on it,” he told the council. “I am also trying to run a gas department.”
Century’s New Consultant
Monday was the first day for Century’s new consultant, former Gulf Breeze City Manager Edwin “Buz” Eddy, who has promised to help turn the town around. Eddy was unable to attend Monday evening’s emergency council meeting due to a previously scheduled obligation. Monday’s emergency meeting was not scheduled until late Friday afternoon.
Pictured top: Century Gas Department Superintendent Wally Kellett addresses to the Century Town Council on Monday. Pictured inset: Accountant Robert Hudson explains finances to the council. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Carter, Fleming Named Tate Varsity Cheer Captains
July 30, 2019
Bailey Carter (pictured left) and Shelby Fleming have been named Tate High School varsity cheer captains for the 2019-2020 season. They are seen with their state championship rings from last season. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Inmate Airlifted To The Hospital After Stabbing At Century Prison
July 30, 2019
A Century Correctional Institution inmate was airlifted to the hospital after being stabbed Monday afternoon.
Florida Department of Corrections Press Secretary Rob Klepper told NorthEscambia.com that he could confirm that it was an inmate that was stabbed, not a staff member. Late Monday afternoon he said additional details were not yet available from FDC.
Escambia County Fire Rescue and Escambia County EMS were dispatched to the prison on Tedder Road at 2:27 p.m., according to a county spokesperson. The prisoner was airlifted by LifeFlight helicopter as a trauma alert.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Tate Graduate Keeps The Navy’s Newest, Most Advanced Helicopters Flying
July 30, 2019
A 2014 J.M. Tate High School graduate and Pensacola native is serving with a U.S. Navy helicopter squadron that flies the Navy’s newest and most technologically-advanced helicopter.
Petty Officer 2nd Class Joanna Osburn credits much of their success from lessons they learned growing up in Pensacola.
“I learned that I am never alone and to never give up,” said Osburn.
Osburn is an aviation maintenance administrationman with the “Airwolves” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 40, a Mayport, Florida based squadron that operates the Navy’s next generation submarine hunter and Anti-Surface Warfare helicopter, the MH-60R Seahawk. Each helicopter is nearly 65 feet long, may weigh up to 23,500 lbs. (max gross) and can travel over 120 miles per hour for nearly 320 miles on a tank of gas.
As an aviation maintenance administrationman, Osburn is responsible for clerical, administrative, and managerial duties for the squadron.
According to Navy officials, the MH-60R is the most capable multi-mission helicopter available in the world today. It is used for a variety of missions, including hunting and tracking enemy submarines, attacking enemy ships, search and rescue, drug interdiction, delivering supplies and supporting the Navy’s special operations forces.
It is replacing the Navy’s older helicopters because of its greater versatility and more advanced weapon systems.
Osburn is now a part of a long-standing tradition of serving in the Navy our nation needs.
“My brother served in the Air Force, my dad in the Navy, my uncle Army, and my other brother served in the Marines,” said Osburn. “It’s definitely a big part of my family.”
Osburn said they are proud to be part of a warfighting team that readily defends America at all times.
“Watching junior sailors develop into become great leaders is incredibly satisfying,” said Osburn.
Sailors’ jobs are highly varied within the squadron. Approximately 297 Navy men and women are assigned and keep all parts of the squadron running smoothly. This includes everything from maintaining helicopter airframes and engines, to processing paperwork, handling weapons and flying the aircraft.
Osburn is playing an important part in America’s focus on rebuilding military readiness, strengthening alliances and reforming business practices in support of the National Defense Strategy.
“Our priorities center on people, capabilities and processes, and will be achieved by our focus on speed, value, results and partnerships,” said Secretary of the Navy Richard V. Spencer. “Readiness, lethality and modernization are the requirements driving these priorities.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon capital assets, Osburn and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes.
Serving in the Navy, Osburn is learning about being a more respectable leader, Sailor and person through handling numerous responsibilities.
“The Navy is a big family. They always have your back through thick and thin, no matter the situation,” said Osburn.
by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Amanda Rae Moreno
FDLE Says There May Be More Victims Of Deputy Charged With Child Sex Crimes
July 30, 2019
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement says there may be additional victims of an Escambia County deputy arrested Friday for child sexual battery.
FDLE arrested Jerome Bernard Zaid, 33, of Pensacola, on a capital felony charge of battery of a child and sexual battery of a child. At the time of his arrest, Zaid was employed as a deputy with Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, but the agency said he is being terminated.
Agents believe Zaid victimized at least two children under the age of six, both of whom Zaid had frequent contact with, according to FDLE.
If convicted on the capital charge, he faces a mandatory life sentence.
An arrest warrant affidavit details the allegations against Zaid. It provides details on multiple instances in which he is alleged to have urinated into the mouth of a young girl between October 2017 and July 2019. The girl is now 5-years old.
Anyone with any information about Zaid is asked to call the FDLE Pensacola Regional Operations Center at (850) 595-2100. He remains in the Escambia County Jail without bond.
Traffic Alert: Nine Mile Road Closed At Highway 29 Nightly Through Thursday
July 30, 2019
Nine Mile Road will be closed at Highway 29 nightly from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. through Thursday, August 1 as crews drive piles for the new southbound bridge deck. Traffic control officers will be on-site to help direct motorists. The following detour will be in place:
▪ Eastbound Nine Mile Road will be reduced to one lane, directed to Highway 29 southbound, U-turn at West Hood Drive, and return to Nine Mile Road.
▪ Westbound traffic will perform the same operation at West 9 1/2 Mile Road.
Firefighters Battle Fire At The Perdido Landfill
July 30, 2019
Firefighters battled a trash fire at the Perdido Landfill on Beulah Road early Tuesday morning.
The call came in at 12:13 a.m., and firefighters arrived at 12:27 a.m. They were able to use equipment already on site and the landfill to put out the fire, Escambia County spokesperson Hana Frenette said.
There were no injuries reported.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Blue Wahoos Seven-Game Win Streak Ends In Pitching Duel
July 30, 2019
With his latest gem, Miami Marlins top prospect Sixto Sanchez put a chill Monday night to the Blue Wahoos’ hot bats and season-best win streak.
Sanchez, 20-year-old right-hander with a rising future, worked six scoreless innings, allowing just two hits, for a second consecutive shutout outing, this one leading the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp to a 1-0 victory against the Blue Wahoos at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville.
The result ended the Blue Wahoos seven-game win streak despite getting outstanding pitching of their own.
Bryan Sammons, who allowed just three hits and a run in 4.2 innings, absorbed the hard-luck loss. Relievers Anthony Vizcaya and Tom Hackimer followed Sammons and yielded just one hit, no walks.
For the first time in a week, the Blue Wahoos were unable to supply enough offense.
They were held to just three hits, one of those a double by newcomer shortstop Royce Lewis, the Minnesota Twins’ consensus top overall prospect.
In a strange twist, Lewin Diaz, who began the series Saturday with the Blue Wahoos (56-51 overall) as their popular first baseman, then was traded to the Marlins organization during Saturday’s game, played first base Monday for the Jumbo Shrimp. He went 0-for-4 in the game, his first as opposing player.
Diaz was part of a trade that sent Miami Marlins’ top reliever Sergio Romo to the Twins, along with minor league pitching prospect Chris Vallimont, in exchange for the left-handed, power-hitting Diaz.
When the trade was finalized Saturday, it happened right before Diaz was due up at the plate for the Blue Wahoos in the seventh inning. Knowing what was going on, Blue Wahoos’ Ivan De Jesus Jr., a major league veteran seeking to make a comeback, alertly grabbed a bat and stepped out to the plate as a pinch-hitter.
Diaz at that moment was suddenly ineligible to play for Pensacola. He was not in the lineup Sunday for Jacksonville.
Sanchez (7-4, 2.96 ERA), the No. 1 rated Marlins prospect by MLB Pipeline, allowed just two hits and a walk in his outing. It followed a seven-inning shutout he weaved six days earlier against the first place Biloxi Shuckers.
Two Jumbo Shrimp relievers, Tommy Eveld and Dylan Lee followed. They combined to allow just one hit, one walk. Lee picked up his 12th save.
The game’s only run occurred in the first inning when Jumbo Shrimp designated hitter smacked a solo homer off Sammons.
In the final five innings, the Blue Wahoos had two baserunners. In the seventh, Mark Contreras led off with a walk, but was thrown out on a steal attempt at second base. In the ninth, Trevor Larnach hit a one-out single, but Lee got Ryan Jeffers to pop out and struck out Contreras to end the game.
The teams will continue the series Tuesday night.
Vehicle Damaged After Metal Joint Separates On Quintette Bridge; Here’s The Plan To Fix It
July 29, 2019
A vehicle was damaged when a piece of metal on the Quintette Road bridge across the Escambia River popped up into a travel lane Monday.
An expansion joint — the piece of metal between concrete sections of the bridge — was seen in photographs protruding over a foot into the air in a westbound travel lane. The metal was reportedly struck by multiple vehicles, but the Florida Highway Patrol said only one was damaged.
“Metal from the expansion joint was protruding above the surface of the roadway and the vehicle suffered damage to the front and undercarriage from the protruding metal,” Lt. Robert Cannon of the FHP said.
Repair Plan
Maintenance of the bridge is Escambia County’s responsibility, according to Escambia County Public Works Director and Engineer Joy Jones. She said repairs will be made between 9 p.m. Tuesday and 6 a.m. Wednesday, and those repairs will require temporary lane closures and traffic shifts.
In the meantime, Jones said drivers should slow down and watch for signage as the speed limits drops to 5 mph at the bridge joint.
“There’s a bit of a bump there, so we are asking drivers to slow down and obey the speed limit reductions,” Jones said.
Ian Satter, a spokesman for the Florida Department of Transportation, said the bridge remains structurally sound and the incident will not prompt a bridge inspection.
“It’s not a structural issue, and the bridge will remain on its same inspection schedule,” Satter told NorthEscambia.com.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
