Escambia Building Inspections Moving From Escrow To Online Payments
December 27, 2017
As part of the transition to a new online payment system for Escambia County Building Services, contractor escrow account payments will no longer be accepted beginning Monday, Jan. 1. While online payments will not be available until mid-January as part of the new MyGovernmentOnline permitting system transition, fees can continue to be paid in cash, checks, money orders, and with debit and credit cards over the phone, in person and via fax.
All escrow accounts will be deactivated on Friday, Dec. 29 at 4:30 p.m. The balance remaining in the account will be returned to the license holder/business on the account via check from the Escambia Clerk of Court. While deposits can no longer be made into the accounts, contractors may continue to have payments deducted from their escrow until the account is deactivated on Dec. 29.
When the new permitting and inspection software is fully launched mid-January, contractors and residents will have the ability to:
- Apply online for permits
- Pay permit fees online with Visa and MasterCard
- Submit plans and documents “paperless” in PDF format
- Track application progress up to permit issuance
- View and print copies of review comment letters
- View and print copies of approved building plans
- Request inspections online (currently available through customer portal)
- View and print completed inspection reports
- Receive real-time email or telephone call notifications when an inspection is completed
Contractors and citizen-builders are encouraged to create a free portal account now at MyGovernmentOnline.org.
A free training course for contractors will be held Monday, Jan. 15 at 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. at the Central Office Complex located at 3363 West Park Place. The course will cover how to utilize all of the program services.
For more information, please contact Escambia County Building Services at 850-595-3550 or buildinginspections@myescambia.com.
FHP Checkpoint Friday Night On Nine Mile Road
December 27, 2017
The Florida Highway Patrol will conduct a roadside checkpoint on Nine Mile Road Friday from 8 p.m. until 12:00 a.m. The checkpoint will be on Nine Mile Road at Baron Miller Road (between Walmart and Kohls). There will be about 30 uniformed officers participating, along with support personnel from the local Mothers Against Drunk Driving chapter.
During the operation, vehicles will be stopped to check for driver impairment. Should any impairment be detected, roadside sobriety testing will be performed on site. Warning devices will be placed in strategic locations for the safety and protection of the public.
It’s Easy To Recycle Your Wrapping Paper, Boxes In North Escambia
December 26, 2017
You can “go green” with those piles of Christmas wrapping paper and boxes by recycling them at one of several drop-off locations around North Escambia or in your weekly ECUA pickup.
Christmas wrapping paper, along with other household paper, plastics, steel and aluminum can be placed in your recycling container on your normal ECUA pickup day. For details on which items are accepted — and which are not — see the list below.
ECUA offers curbside recycling for customers in the unincorporated areas of Escambia County. In addition, ECUA is offering free Christmas tree collections. ECUA customers in Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties may place real wreaths and Christmas trees at the curb for pick-up with their regular yard waste collection. Customers are asked to remove all tinsel and decorations from their trees before placing them at the curb and to ensure that trees, or portions of trees, are no more than 6 feet in length. Trees can be placed at the curb with other yard trash, and should not be placed in the recycling cans or green garbage containers.
Escambia County, through ECUA, offers drop-off recyclable sites across Escambia County:
- Baars Softball Field: 12950 Gulf Beach Highway, Pensacola
- ECUA Ellyson Campus (between the old airplane hangar and the ECUA Water Quality Laboratory): 9255 Sturdevant Street, Pensacola
- Escambia High School: 1310 N. 65th Avenue, Pensacola
- Ever’Man Natural Foods Cooperative Grocery (rear parking lot): 315 W. Garden Street, Pensacola
- Ferry Pass Fire Station: 2331 E. Johnson Avenue, Pensacola
- John R. Jones Athletic Park: 555 E. Nine Mile Road, Pensacola
- Molino Fire Station: 1459 Molino Rd, Molino
- Oak Grove Convenience Center: 745 County Road 99, McDavid
- Perdido Landfill: 13009 Beulah Road, Cantonment
- UF/IFAS Extension Office: 3740 Stefani Road, Cantonment
Free Food Giveaway Thursday At Quintette Community Center
December 26, 2017
There will be a free food distribution Thursday at the Quintette Community Center for area residents. The food distribution by Joe Morris Funeral Home will take place from 10 a.m. until the food runs out. The Quintette Community Center is located at 2490 Quintette Lane. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Four Injured In Christmas Day Crash On Highway 29
December 26, 2017
Four people were reported injured in an accident near McDavid late Christmas morning.
At least one person was temporarily trapped in their vehicle before being extricated by firefighters in the collision at Highway 29 and Mystic Springs Road.
One victim was airlifted to the hospital by Okaloosa MedFlight helicopter with serious injuries.
Further details have not been released as the Florida Highway Patrol investigation continues.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
FHP Seeks Info On Man Struck By Car On Christmas
December 26, 2017
The Florida Highway Patrol is seeking help in locating the family of a man struck by a car early Christmas morning.
The FHP said a pedestrian holding a bicycle was standing in the southbound, inside lane of Highway 29 at Airport Boulevard at 12:00 a.m. He was wearing dark clothing and holding a black bicycle with no lights. The driver of a Nissan Altima, 27-year old William Jordorris Pugh of Pensacola, saw the pedestrian and attempted to swerve but still collided with him. The pedestrian suffered a critical head injury and was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola.
The pedestrian has been identified as 48-year old Walter Sinclair Anderson of Denver, CO, but has no known residence there or in the Pensacola area. So far, the FHP has not been able to locate any next of kin. Anyone that knows any information about Anderson is asked to call the Florida Highway Patrol at (850) 484-5000.
Pugh and his passengers were not injured.
Waterfront Rescue Mission Hosts Annual Christmas Banquet
December 26, 2017
The Waterfront Rescue Mission held its annual Christmas Day Banquet on Monday. Volunteers were busy serving up a hot meal to the homeless. Anyone alone for the holidays, or in need of a good meal, was encouraged to attend. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Power Company Employees Spend Christmas On Puerto Rico Power Restoration
December 26, 2017
A group of Southern Company and Gulf Power employees enjoyed Christmas dinner with a family in Puerto Rico. The employees are in the country helping with the restoration of the power grid after the devastation of Hurricane Maria. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
The Grinch That Stole Food On Christmas Eve
December 25, 2017
A local family that operates a produce stand in Walnut Hill on the honor system is looking for a less than honorable thief that stole food from them early Christmas Eve morning.
Video surveillance shows the man try to get into a cash box before stealing produce valued at about $20 from the small roadside produce stand on Highway 97 at Mason Road just before 4 a.m. Sunday.
The couple wants the Grinch to return and pay up, or simply let them know that he needed the food.
Images for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia 4-H Holiday Bake-Off Winners And ‘Christmas Cracker Candy’ Recipe
December 25, 2017
Escambia County 4-H recently hosted its inaugural Holiday Bake-Off with 89 entries.
The best of show award went to Allen Thomas Bridgers from the Barrineau Park 4-H Club for his Christmas Cracker Candy.
Category winners were:
- Cloverbuds (Participation ribbon only)-Bailey Bray-Crews (2) and Kassidy Weiss
- Cakes-Taylor Nelson of the HorsePower 4-H Club
- Cupcakes-Nathan J. of the Cool Clovers 4-H Club
- Pies-Brayton Workman of the Cool Clovers 4-H Club
- Candies-Allen Thomas Bridgers of the Barrineau Park 4-H Club
- Cookies-Taylor Nelson of the HorsePower 4-H Club
- Brownies-Ethan Thorne of the Lucky Clovers 4-H Club
- Breads-Hannah S. of the Northview 4-H Club
- Specialty Items-Hannah Thorne of the Escambia County Leadership 4-H Club
- Appetizers-Izzy Kent of the Barrineau Park 4-H Club
- Lite Recipes-Izzy Kent of the Barrineau Park 4-H Club
BEST OF SHOW RECIPE
Christmas Cracker Candy
2017 Escambia County 4-H Holiday Bake-Off Best of Show
Allen Thomas Bridgers
Barrineau Park 4-H Club
1 Sleeve Saltine Crackers
1 cup butter
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 bag chocolate chips (milk or dark per your liking)
Toppings: White chocolate drizzle, sprinkles, nuts, or candies
Preheat the oven to 400F. Line a rimmed baking pan with parchment paper. Lay a single layer of saltine crackers on the baking pan.
Melt butter in a sauce pan on the stove. Once melted, add brown sugar and mix until dissolved. Bring to a boil. Let boil 3-4 minutes until the sauce is thick and darker in color; stirring constantly. Pour caramelized sauce over crackers and smooth to cover all.
Place pan in the oven for 7-10 minutes until bubbly. Remove from oven and sprinkle chocolate chips on top. Let sit for a couple of minutes until the chocolate chips have softened. Smooth melted chocolate to cover all of the crackers. Top with whatever toppings you prefer. (We drizzle melted white chocolate and add sprinkles.)
Place in the refrigerator to set for 30 –45 minutes, or the freezer for 15 -20 minutes. After candy has set, break apart and enjoy!
