State Ag Boss Launches Loan Program For Florida Farmers Impacted By Winter Storm
January 29, 2025
Tuesday, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson announced that Florida farmers, ranchers, and growers impacted by the recent winter storm can now apply for interest-free loans through the Agriculture and Aquaculture Producers Natural Disaster Recovery Loan Program. Eligible agriculture and aquaculture producers can use loans to restore, repair, or replace essential physical property — including fences, equipment, greenhouses, and other buildings — and remove debris. Commissioner Wilton Simpson will advocate for additional funding for the program during the upcoming legislative session.
Eligible agriculture and aquaculture producers can use loans to restore, repair, or replace essential physical property — including fences, equipment, greenhouses, and other buildings — and remove debris. Simpson said he will advocate for additional funding for the program during the upcoming legislative session.
“Delivering immediate support to agricultural producers impacted by the recent winter storm, like our nursery growers in North Florida who were hit especially hard, is a critical first step to get them back on their feet,” said Simpson. “The Natural Disaster Recovery Loan Program provides a start with immediate financial relief, ensuring that Florida’s farmers and ranchers begin to rebuild their buildings and infrastructure.”
The winter storm, which brought successive hard freezes and the heaviest snowfall in the state’s history, primarily impacted growers and producers in North Florida. Impacted producers are encouraged to take photos of any property damage sustained from the winter storm and to save all receipts for recovery efforts and supplies. Specific details on the application process are available on the program’s webpage.
Agriculture and Aquaculture Producers Natural Disaster Recovery Loan Program
- Interest-free loans up to $500,000 for eligible agriculture and aquaculture producers that have experienced damage or destruction from the winter storm.
- Loans may be used to restore, repair, or replace essential physical property, including fences, equipment, greenhouses, and other buildings, or to remove vegetative debris.
- Interested producers can learn more or apply here.
Producers who were previously awarded funds for damages sustained from recent hurricanes may be eligible to apply for damage sustained from this disaster. An applicant may not receive more than one loan per storm, more than two loans per year, or more than five loans in any three years.
Pictured: A John Deere tractor sits in a snowy field in Davisville on January 21. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
ECUA Doubling Up Trash Collection For Tuesday Routes Missed Due to Snowstorm
January 28, 2025
The Emerald Coast Utilities Authority is stepping up their collection efforts for sanitation customers on their Tuesday routes, which was canceled last week due to our historic snowstorm.
“Our Tuesday route was not collected at all last week,” ECUA Executive Director Bruce Woody said in an email Monday afternoon. “We recognize that created some difficulties for customers who, as a result, will have more trash than can fit in the ECUA cans they possess”
“Knowing that we are picking up two-weeks’ worth of trash on the January 28th routes, we are committed to pick up everything you bring to the curb that would normally go into an ECUA trash can,” Woody said.
ECUA will operate two trucks on each route Tuesday — the normal automated truck got cans plus a rear-loader truck that staff on the back of truck that will manually pick up any additional plastic bags s of trash set out beside the ECUA can, or small items that might have otherwise gone into the trash can.
“We are going old school with personnel riding the back of the extra trucks to pick up those extra bags,” ECUA District 5 representative Kevin Stephens said.
There are exceptions to the extra collection for the Tuesday collection customers (map below):
- Larger, bulk waste items (e.g. furniture, white goods, mattresses, other large items) still need to be scheduled for pick-up by either using the Recycle Coach app or calling Customer Service at (850) 476-0480. They need to be scheduled because we use a different type of collection vehicle for large, bulk-waste items.
- Loose items need to be in either a plastic trash sack or another container.
- Picking up items outside of the ECUA container is being done only on our January 28th routes because they were missed last week due to the snow-storm. On all other dates, trash collection is limited to what will fit inside the ECUA can
As a result of last week’s record-breaking snowstorm, the Perdido Landfill was closed Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. The reopened on Friday and agreed to open on Saturday and Sunday for the ECUA to operate. That allowed ECUA to collect Wednesday, Thursday and Friday routes last week.
Pictured: ECUA cans await pickup on Tuesday, January 21 on North Highway 99 in Bratt. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Adult Injured, Four Minors Uninjured In Highway 29 Rollover Wreck
January 28, 2025
One adult was injured and four children escaped injury in a single vehicle rollover crash Monday night in Mcdavid.
The driver of a southbound vehicle lost control on Highway 29 near Byrneville Road just before 6 p.m. and ran into the median. The vehicle struck a storm drain and overturned.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
In the photo agove, the caution tape was added to a signpost and barrel that were placed to mark the storm drain following the crash.
Firefighters Rescue Horses From Overturned Trailer
January 28, 2025
Firefighters rescued several horses from an overturned trailer in Beulah last weekend.
At 1:30 a.m. Saturday, Escambia County Fire Rescue responded to vehicle crash involving a large horse trailer that was overturned on its side with four horses inside the trailer. ECFR said two horses were quickly rescued, while firefighters cut a rail to free the leg of a third horse. A fourth horse passed away.
The Florida Highway Patrol and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services are investigating.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and Escambia County EMS also responded.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia (AL) Schools Name Teachers Of The Year
January 28, 2025
Escambia County (AL) Schools named their teachers of the year on Monday.
The Elementary Teacher of the Year is Kimberly Hester from Flomaton Elementary School, and the Secondary Teacher of the Year is Tyler Parker from Pollard McCall Junior High School.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview Drops Senior Night Games To Miller (With Gallery)
January 28, 2025
The Northview High School boys and girls basketball teams dropped games to T.R. Miller Monday night after the Chiefs celebrated senior night.
For a boys game action photo gallery, click here.
Northview girls basketball honored seniors
- Madeleine Atallah
- Aaliyah Fountain
- Taliyah Johnson
- Madison Levins
Northview seniors boys recognized were:
- Beau Daw
- Luke Diamon
- Demonte Ewings
- Tyler Gilmore
- Zykel Jones
- Robert Mitchell
- Brayden Reaves
- Zi’don Smith
- Brian Yoder
In boys action, Miller defeated Northview 55-14, while the Northview girls fell 64-18.
NorthEsambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Salzman Hosting Winter Coat Drive For Elementary School
January 28, 2025
Florida Rep. Michelle Salzman and community leaders and partners have joined in a collaborative Children’s Winter Coat Drive to help children at one local elementary school stray warm.
The drive is collecting new coats and monetary donations until Thursday, January30, with all coats being delivered to Lincoln Park Elementary School on Friday, January 31.
“No child should have to face the cold without a warm coat,” stated Salzman. “This winter coat drive is about coming together as a community to ensure every child stays warm and cared for during the colder months.”
“Jubilee Church will spread warmth this season – please help us by donating a coat and making a difference in a child’s life. Together, we can wrap our community in love and care,” said Pastor Tim Fox.
How You Can Help:
-
Donate New Coats: Drop off new coats at any of the following collection sites:
- Rep. Michelle Salzman’s office at 3212 South HIghway 95A in Cantonment
- Jubilee Church at 5910 North W Street in Pensacola.
- Splash City Adventures at 6709 Pensacola Boulevard in Pensacola.
- Make a Monetary Donation: Contributions will help purchase new coats for children. Monetary donations can be coordinated through Salzman’s office at (850) 207-5024 or via email at michelle.salzman@myfloridahouse.gov.
For additional information about the coat drive, contact Jennifer Harrison at (850) 324-2744 or via email at jennifer@gcpromo.com.
Bond Revoked For 14-Time Convicted Cantonment Felon Awaiting Trial On Drug Charges
January 27, 2025
Bond has been revoked for a 14-time convicted felon awaiting trial on a 2023 arrest for multiple drug charges.
Joshua Brennan Totty, 33, was charged with trafficking of methamphetamine-14 grams or more, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of marijuana with the intent to sell, manufacture, and/or deliver, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
According to court documents, Torry failed to follow GPS monitor conditions of his pretrial release agreement despite multiple warnings. This month, Judge John Miller ordered that Totty be held without bond.
On October 11, 203, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team and Narcotics Unit served a search warrant in the 1900 block of Ryale Road off Old Kingsfield Road.
A used glass smoking pipe with burnt residue on it and $230 cash were found in Totty’s front pocket, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
In the home, shed, and pickup truck deputies reported finding:
- six white rectangle bars inscribed with “555″ from black hoodie from bedroom one
- one round of 12 gauge ammunition from bedroom one cabinet
- clear crystal like substance in zip-lock bag from camouflage jacket pocket from bedroom two
- Taurus G3C 9mm with magazine from bathroom two plastic drawer
- 51 rounds of 9mm ammunition from bathroom two plastic drawer
- liquid methadone in 220 mg bottle from bathroom two
- camouflage backpack from Ford Ranger front seat, which contained multiple quantities of suspected methamphetamine
- black digital scale from camo backpack
- approximately three grams of marijuana in baggie from camo backpack
- $33,633 cash from camo backpack
- black Tracfone wireless smartphone in black case from shed countertop
- quantity of methamphetamine *field tested positive* from bedroom one dresser drawer
- miscellaneous ammo from bedroom one dresser drawer
- 40 cal ammo (13 rounds) from bedroom one dresser top
- Harrington and Richardson shotgun from bedroom one closet
- black digital scale in the laundry room
The ECSO said Totty is a convicted felon with 21 total felony charges and 14 total felony convictions, the latest of which was from two years ago for possession of methamphetamine with the intent to sell, manufacture, or deliver.
7 Brew Plans New Coffee Shop On Nine Mile Road
January 27, 2025
7 Brew is planning a new coffee shop on Nine Mile Road, according to plans filed with Escambia County just after their first location opened on Davis Highway.
The new location is planned for 300 East Nine Mile Road — at the northeast corner of Nine Mile and Chemstrand Road. It will replace a former auto sales business that will be demolished, according to plants filed recently with the Escambia County Development Review Committee.
It is located next to an existing Dunkin’ Donuts and near a Winn Dixie store that is being converted into an Aldi.
The coffee shop would be located on just under a half-acre and will be about 540 square feet. Plans show that it will have two driver-thru lanes.
A new 7 brew opened earlier this month on North Davis Highway and recently on Brent Lane.
Pictured: The recent grant opening of a 7 Brew at 5305 North Davis Highway. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Students Return To School Today
January 27, 2025
Escambia County students head back to class on Monday — the first school day since Friday, January 17. Monday, January 20 was the MLK Day holiday, and students were out January 21-24 for snow and winter weather days.
Escambia County School District staff spend Saturday checking on building operations and making sure campuses were safe and ready for students to return today. ‘
Issues that were repaired included buster water pipes and heating and cooling systems.
Pictured: Snow covers the Tate High School in Cantonment last Tuesday. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
