Two Residential Fires Represented By Two Red Lights On Fire Safety Wreath
December 29, 2017
Two structure fires that occurred on Wednesday represent the eighth and ninth red bulbs on the “Keep the Wreath Green” fire safety wreath.
The first residential structure fire was reported about 5:20 p.m. in the 3000 block of Pelican Lane in the Scenic Ridge neighborhood. Crews arrived on scene to find a working fire with flames showing from the chimney and smoke from the roof of the two-story home. Escambia County Fire Rescue called the fire under control at 6 p.m., with the chimney and surrounding living areas sustaining moderate heat and smoke damage.
The occupants were displaced as the power was shut off to the house. No injuries were reported.
ECFR determined that the fire was caused by by a breach in the wall of the gas fireplace and the use of a false chimney. Smoke detectors were present but did not operate, as the majority of the fire was confined to the exterior of the house and extended up the wall into the attic area.
The second fire occurred at approximately 6:38 p.m. in the 100 block of Ariola Drive on Pensacola Beach. Crews arrived on scene to find smoke coming from the second and third stories of the three-story home. Escambia County Fire Rescue called the fire under control at 7:50 p.m. No one was injured in the fire, but the house sustained damage to the second and third story. ECFR determined that the fire was caused by the fireplace.
Here are a few quick tips on fireplace safety from the National Safety Council and the Chimney Safety Institute of America:
- Each season, before using your wood burning or gas fireplace, have your chimney, flue and vents inspected and cleaned by a certified professional.
- Know your chimney liner. Some chimney liners are not compatible with gas appliances because of the material from which they are made. It is important to make sure that the lining system you purchase – or even the one that may currently be in your chimney – is appropriate for use with gas appliances.
- If using a wood burning fireplace, use dry, seasoned wood that’s cut into manageable pieces. If using synthetic logs, follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Never break a synthetic log apart and only use one log at a time. Don’t ever burn garbage. Always use a fireplace screen or door.
- Always extinguish fires before leaving the house or going to bed. Never leave a fire unattended.
- Dispose of ashes in a tightly-sealed metal container (only after they have completely cooled).
- Don’t forget that a carbon monoxide detector is important in any home, especially one with a wood burning or gas fireplace.
2017: 4,199 Escambia Voters Change Parties
December 29, 2017
Since January 1, 2017, a total of 4,199 Escambia County voters have changed party affiliation.
There were 620 voters who switched to the Democratic party, 894 that became Republicans, 2,455 who switched to no party and 230 that changed their registration to a minor party.
There are now 92,250 Republican voters in Escambia County, 70,073 Democrats, 41,238 with no party affiliation, and 1,168 registered with a minor party.
Source: Escambia County Supervisor of Elections.
New Year’s Government Closures, Trash Pickup Schedules
December 29, 2017
Here’s a look at New Year’s holiday government closures:
Escambia County Closures:
Below is a listing of Escambia County offices and departments closed Monday, Jan. 1 in observance of the New Year’s holiday.
- Escambia County Board of County Commissioners - All departments, including:
- Escambia County Animal Shelter
- West Florida Public Libraries (All locations)
- Escambia County Property Appraiser
- Escambia County Tax Collector
- Escambia County Supervisor of Elections office
- Escambia County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller’s office
- The Perdido Landfill and administrative offices will be closed Monday, Jan. 1.
Escambia County Exceptions:
- ECAT buses will not operate Monday, Jan. 1. There will be no UWF Trolley or Express Shuttle service through Tuesday, Jan. 2. UWF service will resume Wednesday, Jan. 3.
- Animal Control will be responding to emergency calls only.
Town of Century:
Town of Century offices and departments will be closed Monday, Jan. 1 in observance of Christmas and New Year’s holidays. The regular Monday, Jan. 1 council meeting has been rescheduled for Jan. 8.
ECUA Escambia County:
There are no changes to the ECUA sanitation collection schedules in Escambia County for garbage, recycling and yard trash services.
ECUA Santa Rosa County:
There will be no collections on Monday, Jan. 1. Monday recycling collections for our Santa Rosa County customers will be made on Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2018.
Jeff Bergosh Guest View: We Need A Decider
December 29, 2017
Guest editorial by Jeff Bergosh
In order to cut through red tape, sometimes one needs to get to a decider who can come off his/her script, use common sense, and make a smart decision.
In Escambia County, we have a situation brewing that desperately needs a decider, at the Federal level, to intervene.
This is about jobs, growth, and infrastructure–and millions of dollars are on the line.
Everyone knows that the exponential growth of Navy Federal Credit Union (NFCU) in Beulah over the last several years was a good thing. Everyone knows having the largest Credit Union in the World locate a second headquarters here is a good thing. All 6,200 Pensacola employees that work at NFCU presently know that having NFCU in Pensacola is a good thing. It’s all good!
But the growth is straining the infrastructure and even though NFCU’s campus is a mere 1 mile from the interstate—traffic still backs up into and out of Beulah morning, noon, and night.
I’m told by high-level sources within NFCU that it takes employees as long as 20 minutes to get out of the parking structure and onto 9-Mile road in the afternoons—due to the traffic congestion on the only way in and out.
This situation is straining morale for the workers and the nearby residents that also deal with this problem daily.
In a year and a half, the four-lane expansion of 9-Mile Road will be complete and will help with the congestion going in and out of Beulah..
In 7-10 years, the Beulah Interchange will help significantly.
In the meantime, though, a second exit out the back of the NFCU property could easily be built. And it would help immediately and immensely.
It’s literally about a hundred feet from the end of Navy Federal Way to the out-going lane of the visitor’s center off of Interstate 10.
A one-lane, egress-only road out the back of NFCU and into the visitor’s center exit ramp (100 feet) could be built quickly and (relatively) inexpensively.
Congressman Matt Gaetz and Governor Rick Scott have been engaged in this effort. Mayor Ashton Hayward has engaged in this effort. People are trying to make this happen.
Unfortunately— this initiative is being stymied at the Federal Level.
Apparently, because the distance between this potential exit and the existing exit 5 (Hwy 90) is less than a mile, this is disallowed. There must be at least One (1) Mile between exits according to the “rules.” (The distance between the visitor’s center and exit 5 is about .95 Mile)
So this technicality is what is killing this initiative….
Why can’t we get a waiver, though? Why can’t we get a decider to look at the overall big picture and intervene?
People are now shrugging their collective shoulders and looking for other options…
Digging a tunnel under 9-Mile road at the NFCU East exit to allow cars to go under 9 Mile road and get directly onto the interstate is now the new initiative.
This is really being seriously considered. It would take four years minimum and would cost upwards of $64 Million dollars– but this is being discussed. [Full disclosure: I have serious reservations about building a tunnel under 9 Mile Road……]
So something intelligent needs to happen and fast, or the planned expansion by NFCU to 10,000 jobs might be jeopardized. (e.g. those additional 3,800 jobs could go somewhere other than Pensacola).
This would be an unmitigated disaster.
We must prevent this loss by finding a decider with the guts to make the smart call.
We need this decider’s intervention yesterday.
Jeff Bergosh is chairman, Escambia County Board of County Commissioners
Missing Special Needs Man Found Safe In Flomaton
December 28, 2017
Update 9 p.m. — Flomaton Police Chief Bryan Davis said a a missing special needs person has been found. Police said he returned home with no injuries.
The Flomaton Police Department was joined in their search by the Escambia County (AL) Sheriff’s Office, the Flomaton Fire Department, Alabama State Troopers, numerous volunteers and an infrared equipped drone from Anonymity Rescue.
Previous story:
Jeremy Dunn, 28, was reported missing from the area of Wiley Drive in Flomaton. He was last seen about 3 p.m. in the area of Highway 13.
Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to call the Flomaton Police Department at (251) 296-5811 or their local law enforcement agency.
State Attorney Clears BOCC Over Meeting To Discuss Sheriff’s Budget Appeal
December 28, 2017
The State Attorney’s Office has determined that the Escambia County Commission did not violate the Sunshine Law, as alleged by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
The commission held a closed door meeting in October to discuss the Sheriff’s budget appeal to the governor’s office, saying that the meeting was an attorney-client meeting to discuss pending litigation as allowed by the law.
The Sheriff’s Office alleged it was a “shade” meeting held outside the parameters allowed by law and additionally complained that Escambia County’s failure to release a transcript of the meeting violates public records laws.
Assistant State Attorney Greg Marcille wrote in his findings that it was clear the co-mission complied with all requirements regarding notice and held the meeting in accordance with all applicable laws . In addition, the State Attorney’s Office found that there were no violations of public records laws. The private session was recorded by an official court reporters as required by law, and the transcript may be kept confidential until the litigation is concluded.
Century Town Council To Compete With National Championship Football Game
December 28, 2017
The Century Town Council has decided to take on the National Championship football game for local attention.
The council normally meets the first and third Monday nights of each month, but the first Monday of January is New Year’s Day. The council has voted to reschedule that meeting for 7 p.m. the following Monday, January 8.
So interested citizens will be forced to choose — watch the beginning of the College Football Playoff National Championship game live on ESPN from Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, or attend the Century Town Council meeting live from council chambers.
“I have DirecTV,” council member Ben Boutwell quipped recently, jokingly referring to the ability to watch the game from the council chambers on a smartphone or tablet.
Last January, the council yielded to Alabama and Clemson and reschedule a meeting to avoid conflict with the National Championship game.
Pictured: The Century Town Council at a recent meeting. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Santa Rosa County Man Killed In Alabama Vehicle Accident
December 28, 2017
A young Santa Rosa County man was killed in a vehicle accident in Alabama.
Alabama State Troopers said 20-year old Nathan Chase Dixon of Milton was killed when the Dodge pickup truck he was driving hit a Peterbilt tractor trailer that disabled. The accident happened Tuesday night about four miles north of Alexander City on U.S. 280 near the 61 mile marker.
Dixon was pronounced deceased at the scene. A passenger in the truck, 21-year old Jesse Smith, was transported to an area hospital for treatment of his injuries. His condition was not available.
The Alabama State Troopers are continuing to investigate the crash.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Dispose Of Natural Christmas Trees At The Curb
December 28, 2017
Residents wishing to dispose of organic Christmas trees can do so by simply placing the tree curbside with all decorations, ornaments and any attached tree stands removed. Trees or segments of trees should not be more than six feet in length. Do not place Christmas trees in recycling or garbage containers.
In unincorporated Escambia County, ECUA will remove curbside trees on the customer’s normally scheduled yard waste collection day.
The Town of Century will remove Christmas trees in their regular bulk pickup on the first and third Tuesdays of the month. Crews will begin removing trees placed on the curb in the incorporated areas Tuesday, January 2. It may take several days for the trees to be removed, according to town officials.
City of Pensacola Sanitation will remove trees placed on the curb on the customer’s regular trash collection day.
Mobile Home, Heavy Truck Registrations Due By January 1
December 28, 2017
Escambia County residents who own mobile homes, heavy pickups, nine-passenger, for hire and commercial vehicles should renew their registrations by December 31, according to Escambia County Tax Collector Scott Lunsford.
Mobile homes taxed as real property must display a permanent RP decal. Mobile homes not taxed as real property are subject to yearly registration fees. Each section of the mobile home requires a separate registration, which must be displayed and visible from the roadway. Registration fees are based on the length of the mobile home and must be renewed by December 31. A delinquency fee will be charged if the registration is not renewed by January 10, 2018.
Florida law requires that registrations for all trucks with an empty weight of 5,000 pounds or more expire in December. The registered owner is required to declare a gross vehicle weight (GVW). Registration fees are determined by the gross vehicle weight.
For more information, please visit our web site at EscambiaTaxCollector.com. Citizens are encouraged to contact the tax collector’s office at ectc@EscambiaTaxCollector.com or (850) 438-6500, ext. 3252 with any questions.