IP Explosion: Portion Of Mill Is Restarting
February 1, 2017
A portion of the International Paper mill in Cantonment will be restarting soon, IP officials said Tuesday.
The mill has been idle for more than a week following a January 22 explosion, but that’s about to change.
Those in the area may notice steam and hear loud noises that are a normal part of the process, according to International Paper.
Library $5 Bag Book Sale Set For Saturday
February 1, 2017
Friends of West Florida Public Library will hold a $5 Blowout Bag Sale Saturday, Feb. 4, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Pensacola Library, located at 239 N. Spring St.
Here’s how it works: Attendees will receive a brown paper bag when they enter the library and can fill it with whatever books will fit inside. Each bag is only $5, and there is no limit on bags. There will be mysteries, novels, reference books, children’s books, biographies, military history and many more categories to browse.
“The $5 bag sale is always one of our most popular events,” said Linda Williams, immediate past president and book sale chair. “Besides giving the community the opportunity to get great books at a great price, the sale is another way for the Friends of the Library to raise funds to support library programs.”
Friends of West Florida Public Library President Mike Lane said, “Our volunteers are working hard to fill the tables with the best books we have. There will definitely be an opportunity for everybody to get some great buys.”
The Friends of West Florida Public Library is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization providing financial support to the West Florida Public Library system through membership fees, book sales and donations. The Friends organization was the major source of funds for the library’s 2016 Summer Reading Program, and it also provides funds for other literacy and educational activities.
Jim Allen Elementary Welcomes Escambia’s Teacher Of The Year To Class
January 31, 2017
Escambia County School Superintendent Malcolm Thomas joined Jim Allen Elementary School in welcoming teacher Lacey Brown to campus Monday morning. Brown was named the Escambia County School District Teacher of the Year Saturday night.
The campus was decorated with signs and balloons to welcome Brown, and a balloon drop awaited her in her classroom.
Photos by Savanna Calhoun ECSD for NorthEcambia.com, click to enlarge.
IP Explosion: Beware Of Scammers
January 31, 2017
Officials are warning those impacted by the International Paper explosion to be aware of scammers.
The Unified Command Teams says they have been made aware that businesses are contacting community members potentially impacted by the explosion and offering various services including water testing, pressure washing and carpet cleaning for a fee.
International Paper, through the Unified Command Team, is not currently coordinating with any businesses other than Cotton and CTEH, who are managing the community cleanup.
Gonzalez Utilities, which operates the water system in much of the area most impacted by the IP explosion, is also warning customers that any testing of the water quality should be done by Gonzalez Utilities to eliminate scams. Gonzalez Utilities employees will have the necessary identification to prove their association.
Gonzalez Utilities officials said Monday that the water system has been inspected and no contamination issues have been found..
For more information, contact Unified Command (850) 968-4208 at or Gonzales Utilities at (850) 968-5434.
The Unified Command Team is comprised of International Paper, Escambia County EMA/Public Safety, Florida Department of Health, Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
IP Explosion: Coast Guard Joins Cleanup Effort
January 31, 2017
The cleanup and remediation continue following the explosion just over a week ago at International Paper. And now the Coast Guard has joined the effort.
The Coast Guard National Strike Force is working to monitor any potential environmental impact. They are working directly under the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to collect air, water and soil samples from across the area surrounding the Cantonment mill.
The monitoring includes the search for any possible impacts from a pulp and black liquor by-product blown across several neighborhoods during the blast.
Nine Mile Widening Traffic Update
January 31, 2017
This week, both travel lanes of Nine Mile Road will be shifted between Stefani and Waring Roads southward onto temporary asphalt. The shift will allow drainage crews to extend the box culvert under Nine Mile Road.
Also, alternating lane closures will continue on Untreiner Avenue as crews drive temporary sheet pile.
Byrneville Elementary Releases Honor Roll
January 31, 2017
Byrneville Elementary School named the following students to their honor roll for the first nine weeks of the school year:
Mrs.Barberree Kindergarten
All Satisfactory
Landon Barrow
Mazie Burkett
Zoey Dunsford
McKenzie Griffis
Olivia Levins
Ruby Lovely
Ashanti Manuel
Bryce Miller
Molly Powell
Zi’nique Smith
Kinley White
Bryce Yoder
Mrs.Coleman Kindergarten
All Satisfactory
Ethan Carter
Anastacia Cooley
Allison Grant
Ta’kayvia Jackson
Brandon Lambeth
Brooklyn Miller
Tyson Milliken
Iviyanah Phifer
Brody Rigby
Natalie Rogers
Ember Claire Waters
Jazzlynn Wesley
Mrs.Seales Kindergarten
All Satisfactory
A’zariyah Elliott
Bryce Giger
Annie Mathis
Kaden Smith
Mrs.Brown 1st grade
A- Honor Roll
Jaxon Anderson
Briley Beers
Lyla Calloway
Emma Godwin
Sydney Little
Nicholas Long
Lola Weldon
A/B- Honor Roll
Blaine Buckhault
LaWayne Grice
Katelyn Levins
Trayton Phifer
Zane Weaver
Cecelia Whorff
Mrs.Kitchin 1st grade
A-Honor Roll
Sierra Carnley
Brylen Hadley
Meeyah Lassitter
Olina Miles
Jordan Mullally
AnnaBelle Odom
Jackson Salter
Olivia Thomas
Audrinna Woods
A/B-Honor Roll
Jacob Bolen
Madelyn Calloway
Kallie Harwell
Aziyah Jackson
Tyson Phifer
Dalton Smith
Taraji Wesley
Mrs.Frankhouser 2nd grade
A/B-Honor Roll
Taylor Curtis
Gabrielle Hawsey
Caleb Levins
Benji Parker
Isaiah Phifer
Jase Portwood
Aleah Therrell
Cannon Whorff
Allison Yoder
Mrs.Linton 2nd grade
A/B-Honor Roll
Autumn Coleman
Crest Waters
Trenton Wright
Mrs.Dunsford 3rd grade
A-Honor Roll
Elizabeth Coleman
Makenzie Levins
Christian Velazquez
A/B-Honor Roll
Cameron Bourgeois
Easten Odom
Braxton Wagner
Charlee Weaver
Mrs. Weaver 3rd grade
A-Honor Roll
Luke Godwin
London Brooks
A/B-Honor Roll
Jaycee Harvell
Savannah Hudson
Ryder Lee
Andrew Plant
Bree Robertson
Evelyn Smith
Malia Smith
Mrs.Marshman 4th grade
A-Honor Roll
Maddie Mae Driskell
Madison Levins
Riley Long
Brian Yoder
A/B-Honor Roll
Kailee Ancell
Ayden Atallah
Braden Glick
Zack Herndon
Jaci Jackson
Mia Kornegay
Mrs.Thornton 4th grade
A-Honor Roll
Kelan Jury
A/B-Honor Roll
Tripp Curtis
Evin Matlock
Addisen Miller
Mia Turner-White
Jayden White
Mrs.Johnston 5th grade
A-Honor Roll
Kaylie Glick
Madalyn Grimes
Kaylee Hamilton
Meredith Johnston
Tyler Riggs
Aydan Smith
A/B-Honor Roll
Adrianna Atallah
Malachi Bolen
Kadence Calvert
Caitlyn Dortch
Nolin Godwin
Isaiah Hetrick
Camron Howell
Josh Johnson
M.J. Smith
Reygan Steadham
Leif Waters
Joe Wright
State Seeks To Keep Feds Out Of Prison Disability Case
January 31, 2017
The Florida Department of Corrections has asked a judge to block the U.S. Department of Justice from intervening in a year-old lawsuit alleging that the state’s prison system has violated the rights of inmates with disabilities.
The Justice Department sought this month to intervene in the case, which was filed in January 2016 by the organization Disability Rights Florida and alleges violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act and other federal laws. The Justice Department’s motion to intervene focused on inmates who are deaf or hard of hearing, alleging that the state routinely fails to provide hearing aids, interpreters and types of communication devices that inmates could use to contact attorneys, families or friends.
But the Department of Corrections filed a 21-page document in federal court in Tallahassee, arguing, in part, that the Justice Department took too long to seek to intervene. It said federal officials first expressed concerns about the rights of disabled inmates in 2013 but did not take action.
“During the past year, DRF (Disability Rights Florida) has aggressively pursued this case, interviewing numerous inmate witnesses, employing at least three experts who have conducted many weeks of prison visits, and propounding massive discovery requests that have resulted in the DOC (the Department of Corrections) producing over 190,000 pages of documentation,” the state department argued. “Significantly, upon information and belief, the DOJ (Department of Justice) has been in communication with DRF about the proceedings in this case, yet it did not attempt to intervene in this case until a few weeks ago. Based on the foregoing, the DOJ, which knew of the issues for years, and clearly had an interest, unreasonably delayed its attempt to enter this case.”
by The News Service of Florida
IP Explosion: Gonzalez Utilities Says Water Is Safe
January 31, 2017
Gonzalez Utilities said its water system is uncontaminated following the January 22 explosion at International Paper in Cantonment. That includes customers in Cantonment Heights – Woodbury Circle, Woodbury Drive, Woodbury Place and Greenberry Drive.
The utility said water distribution lines, wells and tanks have been inspected and no contamination issues have been found. Any testing of the water quality should be done by Gonzalez Utilities to eliminate any scams, the utility said. A Gonzalez Utilities employee will carry property identification.
Customers will questions should contact the Gonzalez Utilities office at (850) 968-5434 Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. until 4p.m. or Russell Bracken at (850) 554-6845.
Escambia Commission, Pensacola Council Hold Joint Meeting
January 31, 2017
The Pensacola City Council and the Escambia County Commission held a joint meeting Monday to discuss common issues. They discussed the creation of a commerce park in central Pensacola, the reduction of homelessness and panhandling, and the creation of “park rangers” or “ambassadors” to watch over security in public parks. None of the discussions or decisions made Monday are binding; any final decision must be approved at a council or commission meeting. The bodies will scheduled another joint meeting within the next couple of months. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
