ECUA Conducting Sewer Smoke Testing In Cantonment Area
March 28, 2019
The Emerald Coast Utilities Authority is conducting smoke testing for sewer system leak detection in the Cantonment area into next week.
On Thursday, crews were working in the Booker Street area.
The smoke testing areas include Booker Street to Muscogee Road east to International Paper, and Muscogee Road to Well Line Road to Highway 29 (see maps).
White smoke will be circulated into the sewer lines and manholes to locate broken pipes and other plumbing defects, and it will exit from vent pipes on home roofs. The smoke is non-toxic, leaves no residue, and creates no fire hazard. The smoke will not enter the house unless there is defective plumbing present or the drain traps are dry. If potential problems are found on private property, residents will be notified of repairs that may need to be made.
NorthEscambia.com graphics.
10-Year Plan Proposed For Lake Stone’s Future; Public Hearing Set
March 27, 2019
A 10-year plan for Lake Stone is in the works, and the public will have an opportunity to learn more and comment next month.
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) staff will present the draft land management plan for the Lake Stone Fish Management Area.
Lake Stone is managed through a cooperative agreement between the FWC and Escambia County to conserve natural communities and use lake management techniques to maintain healthy fish habitats. The area features a man-made lake stocked with largemouth bass, bluegill, redear sunfish, black crappie and channel catfish. The impoundment, managed and maintained by FWC, was constructed in the late 1960s to provide additional freshwater fishing opportunities in an area where these opportunities are limited.
Escambia County maintains public camping facilities and a fishing pier, along with roads, trails and parking facilities in the area. In addition to fishing opportunities, the lake provides recreational opportunities such as wildlife viewing, hiking, paddling and camping. Gasoline boat motors are prohibited from use on Lake Stone; however, the use of electric trolling motors is allowed.
“This draft management plan provides conservation-based management for healthy terrestrial and aquatic habitats, cultural resources, along with fish- and wildlife-based outdoor recreation opportunities for public use,” said Dylan Imlah, FWC land conservation planner.
There is about $148,000 in the first year and an additional $428,000 over the 10-year life of the plan for capital construction.
About 15 campsites have been paved so far, and another 50 to 60 will be paved with county funding, according to Escambia County Parks and Recreation Director Michael Rhodes. The county also hopes to replace the playground and the office/caretaker trailer.
“We are also looking towards potentially building a new open pavilion, kiosk and new gate near the dam for the area, however these items have not yet been approved or vetted for funding,” said Imlah.
There are also two full-time employees in the plan.
“Currently, we have several employees from both the FWC and Escambia County assisting in managing the area. The two employees listed in the plan is based off of our proposed budget, showing that we would need at a minimum of two full time employees dedicated to the area in order to manage optimally. Currently, we have an FWC manager along with several other staff who help maintain the lake and fish populations. We also have FWC staff who monitor wildlife species and exotics that may occur on the upland areas. Additionally, the county pays a caretaker to live on the area and manage the recreational facilities. Not to mention county staff that assist in campsite reservations, facility development improvements,” Imlah told NorthEscambia.com.
There are no plans, she said, to change the public’s current use of Lake Stone, only improve access as funding allows.
The Lake Stone Fish Management Area public hearing will be held on Wednesday, April 10 at 7 p.m. at Century Town Hall.
Pictured: Lake Stone near Century. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
ECSO: Man Caught On Camera Performing Lewd Act At Auto Parts Store
March 27, 2019
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is looking for a suspect caught on camera in lewd act behind a business.
The suspect was performing a lewd and lascivious act behind the AutoZone at 8877 Pensacola Boulevard, near Hood Drive.
Anyone with information on his identity is asked to call the Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Bratt Elementary Names March Students Of The Month
March 27, 2019
Bratt Elementary School has named their Students of the Month for March. They are:
Pre-K
Sameul Peters
Lilly Harper Jacobson
Kindergarten
Mason Wilson
Michael Flowers
Cory Stetson
Nicholas Flowers
1st Grade
Tucker Hare
Cade Hare
Teagen Black
Olivia Grimes
Calee Satterwhite
2nd Grade
Abigail Brown
Alexa Beasley
Izzy Barber
Joey Fontenot
3rd Grade
Zaviar Williams
Breah Shelly
Jamarriea Davis
Parker Tutton
Brayden Talamo
4th Grade
Presley Amos
Hallie Emmons
Hunter Griffis
5th Grade
Landon Watson
Jackson Simmons
Jackson Bridges
Zakhel Clemm
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
DeSantis Appoints Lewis Bear To Triumph Gulf Coast Board Of Directors
March 27, 2019
Tuesday, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced the appointment of Lewis Bear, Jr. the Triumph Gulf Coast board of directors.
“Since Hurricane Michael, communities throughout Northwest Florida have faced immense challenges in their recovery efforts,” said DeSantis. “The Triumph Gulf Coast board of directors is focused on overseeing funds to address the economic recovery of some of the most heavily impacted communities and I’m confident Lewis Bear, Jr. will be a champion for that cause.”
Bear, of Gulf Breeze, is the president and CEO of the Lewis Bear Company, a wholesale distribution business in Pensacola. He received his bachelor’s degree from Troy University and is a member of the University of West Florida board of trustees. He is the chair of the Pensacola-Escambia Promotion and Development Commission, appointed for the remainder of a three-year term.
Triumph Gulf Coast is a nonprofit corporation that allocates funds recovered by the Florida attorney general for economic damages resulting from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Originally created in 2013, Triumph Gulf Coast administers the distribution of the funds to be used for the recovery, diversification and enhancement of eight Northwest Florida counties affected by the oil spill. This year, Triumph Gulf Coast voted to create a Hurricane Michael Disaster Recovery Fund of $15 million to address economic recovery and ad valorem tax losses in Bay, Franklin, Gulf and Wakulla counties.
Bill To Map, Track And Require Septic Tank Inspections Passes First House Committee
March 27, 2019
A bill that would require the Florida Department of Health identify and map all septic tanks in the state by 2021 passed its first required House committee on Tuesday.
The Agriculture and Natural Resources Subcommittee vote 12-0 for the bill. It will still go before two additional House committees.
The measure would require inspections of septic systems at least once every five years and require the Department of Health to develop minimum standards and requirements for pumping out or repairing failing systems. Those requirements would take effect July 1, 2022.
A companion bill in the Senate still faces several committees.
Attorney General Issues Consumer Alert For Tax, Identity Scams
March 27, 2019
Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody is issuing a Consumer Alert ahead of the federal tax filing deadline to help Floridians avoid common tax scams. From now through the April 15 filing deadline, identity thieves and scammers will be ramping up efforts to steal taxpayers returns and sensitive identification information.
“Tax season is a busy time for identity thieves and scammers as they look for ways to steal returns and the identities of taxpayers. When filing, Floridians should take precautions to protect their identities and sensitive tax-filing information to avoid falling victim to these fraudsters, and if anyone encounters a scam they should immediately report it to our office,” Moody said.
The following are tips to help taxpayers avoid identity theft and scams when preparing and filing taxes:
- Get recommendations and research a tax preparer thoroughly before providing personal information;
- Use a secure internet connection when filing electronically. Do not use unsecure, publicly available Wi-Fi hotspots;
- Mail tax returns directly from the post office, not from home;
- After filing, shred any unneeded tax receipts or filing documents before disposal;
- Know that the IRS will never initiate contact by email, phone, text or social media. If the IRS needs information, it will first contact by mail;
- Do not give out Social Security numbers unless absolutely necessary; and
- If a Social Security number is compromised contact the IRS ID Theft Protection Specialized Unit at 1(800) 908-4490.
If anyone believes they are a victim of a tax scam, identity theft or any other fraud, they can report the incident to the Florida Attorney General’s Office by calling 1(866) 9NO-SCAM or visiting MyFloridaLegal.com.
Softball: Tate Pounds Washington, West Florida Over FWB; Baseball: Escambia Tops Northview; Pine Forest Wins
March 27, 2019
SOFTBALL
Tate 17, Washington 1
The Tate Lady Aggies destroyed Washington 17-1 Tuesday night in a run-rule three inning game.
Avery Beauchaine earned the win for Tate, allowing one run, one hit, walking two and striking out five.
Ryleigh Cawby had a homer for the Aggies, going 3-3 with two runs and five RBIs. Also for Tate: Amber Decoux 1-2, 2R, RBI; Hannah Halfacre 2R; Beauchaine R; Madison Cawby R; Lilly Locke 2-2, 2R, RBI; Cam Wolfenden 1-3, 2R; RBI; Shelby McLean 1-2, 2R, RBI; Taylor Noack 1-2, 2R, RBI; Gabby Locke R.
Tate 18, Washington 0 (JV)
The Tate Aggies JV sent the Washington Wildcats packing in short order Tuesday afternoon with an 18-0 shutout in three innings.
Courtney Lundquist earned the win for the Aggies, allowing no run, no hits, walking one and striking out eight on 44 pitches.
For the JV Lady Aggies: Lundquist 2-2 , 2R, 2RBI; Courtney Adams 2R, RBI; Christina Mason 2-2, 2R, RBI; Kennedy Turner 2-2, 2R; 3RBI; Ella Little 1-1, 2R, 2RBI; Alyssa Rowell 2R; RBI; Brianna Folmar 2R, RBI: Aaliyah Jordan 2-2, 2R, 2RBI; Taylor Green 2R, RBI.
West Florida 10, Fort Walton Beach 8
West Florida Jags Varsity nabbed the lead late in the game in a 10-8 victory over Fort Walton Beach on Tuesday. West Florida Jags Varsity trailed 8-7 in the top of the fifth inning when McKenzi Kent singled on a 1-1 count, scoring two runs.
Meredith Morgan led the West Florida Jags Varsity to victory in the pitcher’s circle. She allowed four hits and eight runs over five innings, striking out one.
McKenzi Kent went 3-for-4 at the plate to lead West Florida Jags Varsity in hits. West Florida Jags Varsity tore up the base paths, as two players stole at least two bases. Makayla Kent led the way with two.
BASEBALL
Escambia 7, Northview 4
The Northview Chiefs fell to Escambia 7-4 Tuesday night.
Northview opened with a double from Jackson Moore in the first and added three runs in the third powered by hits from Moore and Adam Aliff for a 4-3 advantage headed into the bottom of the sixth.
Seth Killam got with win for the Chiefs with one hit, no runs, no walks and three strikeouts. ick Venable and Tanner Levins entered the game as relief.
Pine Forest 4, West Florida 0
Pine Forest defeated West Florida 4-0 on Tuesday as Tekoah Roby and Timmy Williams combined for the shutout.
Pine Forest got on the board in the second inning scoring 3 times. Pine Forest added a late insurance run on an RBI single by 1st baseman Jalen Bryant.
Tekoah Roby earned the win for Pine Forest. He surrendered zero runs on three hits over five and a third innings, striking out ten. Timmy Williams threw one and two-thirds innings in relief out of the bullpen. Williams recorded the last five outs to earn the save for Pine Forest.
Pine Forest collected eight hits. Nolan Rigby, Chase Gullatt, and Christian Munoz each collected multiple hits for Pine Forest. Pine Forest didn’t commit a single error in the field.
Tate 2, Gulf Breeze 1 (JV)
In freshman action, Tate defeated Gulf Breeze 2-1.
Dagan Guy grounded out, scoring one run for the Aggies in the first. In the third, Kirk Mosley singled on a 1-0 count for a run.
Conner Wright pitched Tate Aggies Freshman 2019 to victory. He surrendered one run on two hits over four innings, striking out five. Warren Henke threw three innings in relief out of the bullpen. Henke recorded the last nine outs to earn the save for the freshmen Aggies.
Troopers Seek Information On Fatal Escambia County, AL, Hit And Run
March 26, 2019
Alabama State Troopers are looking for information in a fatal hit and run early Saturday morning on I-65 west of the Flomaton exit.
Steven Stone Stewart, 47, was killed when the 2005 Chevrolet Tahoe in which he was a passenger made contact with an unknown vehicle, left the roadway, and overturned about 12:10 a.m., according to troopers.
Stewart was airlifted to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola where he died from his injuries. The driver of the Chevrolet, James Pittman, 55, of Nederland, TX, was injured and transported to Atmore Community Hospital.
The vehicle that left the scene of the crash is believed to be a blue minivan. Anyone with any information about this crash is encouraged to call Alabama State Troopers at (251) 578-1315.
State Attorney Submitting Century Financial Information To Florida’s Auditor General
March 26, 2019
The State Attorney’s Office is providing documents related to the financial condition of Century to Florida’s Auditor General.
“We recommend this matter be brought to the attention of the State Auditor General’s Office and that forensic financial audits be done for the past five years,” a recent grand jury report stated. The grand jury also found Century is in a state of financial emergency.
But so far, the town has not self-reported their poor financial condition to the Auditor General, and no mention of the state audit recommendation was made by town leaders at a recent council meeting.
“We are in the process of providing the grand jury report and information to the Auditor General,” Assistant State Attorney Greg Marcille said Monday afternoon.
“Although the Auditor General has the authority to audit local governments, such as towns, these audits are typically conducted at the direction of the Joint Legislative Auditing Committee,” Mike Gomez, audit manager for the Florida Auditor General, told NorthEscambia.com in an email. The Auditor General is a reporting agency and has no enforcement authority, according to Gomez, and he said the town “may be responsible for paying the cost of the audit.” Any findings would be referred to an appropriate agency.
The Joint Legislative Auditing Committee has not been asked by the town to review their finances.
Earlier this month, the grand jury found the Town of Century lost over $1 million in utility accounts in just two years, can’t account for over 40 percent of their natural gas, made loans not revealed on audits for 14 years, improperly borrowed about $3 million from accounts with a 750-year payback plan, and is a state of financial emergency.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.