PSC Presents Energy Efficiency Award To Escambia’s 4-H Center
February 1, 2016
Recognizing energy efficiency accomplishments, the Florida Public Service Commission presented its first 2016 Triple E Award—for Energy Efficiency Effort—to Escambia County’s Langley Bell 4-H Center in Cantonment for applying best energy practices in their new building.
“We commend Escambia County 4-H Center administrators for incorporating a variety of energy efficiency measures in its new building,” PSC Chairman Julie Brown said. “With the money saved on monthly energy costs, the 4-H Center now can do more for the youth and community it serves.”
“Working in concert with Escambia County and Gulf Power Company, we implemented energy efficiency recommendations, using floors optimized for natural daylight, low-e windows with roof overhang, and well insulated walls and ceilings,” said Pamela H. Allen, UF/IFAS Escambia County Extension director. “Because of our center’s innovative building design, we also achieved a ‘Three Green Globes Certificate,’ being recognized for best practices in energy, water, and environmental efficiency.”
“Gulf Power always encourages businesses and organizations to start with us to learn about their organizations’ energy use and the best ways to save money on energy costs,” said Rick DelaHaya, Gulf Power spokesperson. “We worked closely with Escambia County’s Facilities Management before and during the 4-H Center’s new construction and helped them incorporate energy efficiency enhancements in many high-use energy areas, such as the center’s HVAC and outside air ventilation systems, as well as their lighting and roofing designs.”
The PSC encourages cost-effective conservation and renewable energy to reduce the use of fossil fuels and defer the need for new generating capacity. Through the Florida Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act, the PSC approves conservation programs for the state’s five investor-owned utilities, JEA, and the Orlando Utilities Commission.
Covering the state’s five major geographic areas, each month the PSC gives its Triple E Award to a local business that has accomplished superior energy efficiency.
.Pictured: The Langley Bell 4-H Center on Stefani Road. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Appointee Sought For Escambia County Disability Awareness Committee
February 1, 2016
The Escambia County Board of County Commissioners is seeking county residents interested in volunteering for an “At-Large” appointment to the Escambia County Disability Awareness Committee, which was established by the Board during its regular meeting on Oct. 17, 2013.
The purpose of the committee is to make recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners regarding issues relating to the disabled community and any other issues requested by the Board. The committee is composed of seven voting members, and all members of the committee must be electors of Escambia County. Each commissioner on the Board of County Commissioners appoints one member to the committee, and each member serves concurrently with his or her appointing commissioner’s term. The Board collectively appoints two at-large members, who each serve a four-year term.
There are four meetings scheduled each year on the third Wednesday of the month. Meetings begin at 3 p.m. and typically last until 5 p.m. Special meetings may be scheduled if needed. There is no travel required.
Residents interested in serving on the committee are asked to submit a resume and letter indicating their desire to serve by the close of business on Thursday, Feb. 11. Letters and resumes should be submitted to Judy Witterstaeter, Program Coordinator, Board of County Commissioners, P.O. Box 1591, Pensacola, Florida 32502.
Northview Holding Open Gym Sessions For Potential Volleyball Players
February 1, 2016
Northview High School will host four open gyms this semester for any girl that is interested in playing volleyball next season.
Any girl that will be in grades 9-12 year is welcome, including home school students. The open gym sessions will be held February 3 and 17, and March 2 and 16. All sessions will be from 3:30 until 5:45 p.m. A current physical must be on file.
Tate Aggies Win Seminole Wrestling Classic
February 1, 2016
The Tate High School Aggies won the recent Seminole Wrestling Classic hosted by Florida High in Tallahassee as 10 wrestlers won medals
Jacob Cochran was 3-0 for first place in 106-Pool B and pinned his Suwannee competitor in 2:57 to win the championship. Mathew Blalock was 3-1 in Pool A and pinned Florida High’s wrestler in 2:33 for a third place finish overall.
The Aggie’s Heath Herndon was 4-0 in 170 Pool B. Logan Womack at 152 and Alex Porter at 113 also reached the finals for Tate. Scott Houston (120), Tanner Wood (126), Daniel Pigg (138) and Gaven McAnally (220) each finished in third place for Tate. Brandon Pheabus (132) ended with a fourth place finish.
The Aggie Wrestling Team also too first place in the Baldwin County Dual with six wrestlers placing in the top four.
Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Ballots For Military And Overseas Voters On The Way
February 1, 2016
The Escambia County Supervisor of Elections Office has mailed absentee ballots to eligible military and overseas citizens. Voters will either receive their ballot by mail or electronically, depending on their chosen method of delivery. Absent military voters and those living overseas can request, mark and track their absentee ballots electronically.
Absentee ballots for all eligible domestic voters will be mailed beginning on Tuesday, February 9. The deadline to request an absentee ballot to be mailed for the Presidential Preference Primary Election is 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 9. To request or track your absentee ballot for the Presidential Preference Primary Election, visit EscambiaVotes.com and click “Vote by Mail”, or contact the Supervisor of Elections Office at (850) 595-3900.
Suspicious White Powder Prompts Hazmat Team Response
January 31, 2016
A Hazmat team was called to Cottage Hill Saturday night after a resident reported receiving a package containing a suspicious white powder.
A resident of Smyers Road, just off Williams Ditch Road, called authorities just after 8 p.m. to report the package with the unidentified powder. Family members were moved away from the scene in an ambulance, as an Escambia County Fire Rescue Hazmat Team responded.
Just before 10 p.m., the Hazmat team made entry into the residence and performed preliminary testing on the substance. Additional tests were done outside the home, and the substance was declared to be not hazardous by 10:30 p.m.
There was no official word Saturday night as to what the substance actually was and an investigation continues.
There were no injuries reported.
Additional units from Escambia Fire Rescue, Escambia County EMS, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and other agencies responded to the incident.
For additional photos, click here.
Picture top: Hazmat team members test a suspicious substance received in a package at a Cottage Hill home Saturday night. Pictured inset: Team members prepare to enter the home. Pictured below: Hazmat team members suit up for the operation. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Price, click to enlarge.
One Injured In Highway 97 Crash Near Molino Park Elementary
January 31, 2016
One person was airlifted to a Pensacola hospital following a single vehicle crash Saturday evening in Molino.
Authorities believe the driver suffered a medical situation before she lost control of a her northbound Toyota and struck a utility pole at the intersection of Highway 97 and Effie Lane, near Molino Park Elementary School. She was airlifted by LifeFlight helicopter to Baptist Hospital in Pensacola. A passenger in the vehicle was not injured.
The accident remains under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol; further details have not been released. The Molino and Cantonment stations of Escambia County EMS and Escambia County EMS also responded to the crash.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Pictured above and below: A single vehicle crash into a utility pole Saturday evening on Highway 97 near Molino Park Elementary School. Pictured bottom: Lifeflight lands near the scene. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Northview Graduate Stanley Complete Basic Military Training
January 31, 2016
U.S. Air Force Airman Keona M. Stanley graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio, Texas.
The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills. Airmen who complete basic training earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force.
Stanley is the daughter of Davita S. Stanley of Pensacola, and granddaughter of Sheila R. Stanley of Century, and David Stanley of Brewton.
She is a 2015 graduate of Northview High School.
FWC Law Enforcement Report
January 31, 2016
The Florida FWC Division of Law Enforcement reported the following activity during the weekly period ending January 28 in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
Officer Barnard received information on the location of a baited hunting site in Yellow River Management Area. When he responded to the area, he encountered a person leaving the area on a golf cart. Officer Barnard spoke to the subject about the baited site and he denied any knowledge of it. Officer Barnard continued to the baited site, noticing that the golf cart tire sign lead straight to it. At the baited stand site, he discovered corn scattered, a feeder full of corn, a trail camera and a pine tree that had recently been climbed using a climbing tree stand. He also noticed that the tree that held the feeder had approximately 100 nails and screws driven into it in an apparent attempt to keep squirrels out of the feeder. Officer Barnard seized the items as evidence. Officer Barnard again made contact with the subject who again denied any knowledge of the baited sight. Officer Barnard obtained a search warrant to look at the photos on the trail camera, which had a clear picture of the same subject on it. Officer Barnard obtained warrants on the subject for placing bait in a management area and for driving metal objects into a tree which was located on a management area.
SANTA ROSA COUNTY
Officers Lewis and Ramos were on patrol when they heard gunshots after legal shooting hours in a nearby farm field. They entered the farm field and observed a truck that was attempting to exit the field. The officers observed a man and a woman along with three rifles on the front seat of the truck. When asked about the gunshots, the male said that he was attempting to shoot at a fox because they were digging holes in the field. He said he was hunting in the field earlier but did not see any deer. The officers located an injured antlerless deer lying in the field. The man was interviewed and admitted to shooting at a doe deer as they left the field. A computer check revealed that the man was a convicted felon and the woman had a warrant for worthless checks. The rifle the man shot the doe deer with came back as stolen. The officers charged the male subject with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and taking an antlerless deer during the closed season and arrested the woman for the warrant. Both subjects were booked into the Santa Rosa County Jail. The theft of the firearm is under investigation.
Lieutenant Hahr located an area along Coldwater Creek that had been baited with milo for ducks. He returned to the area before sunrise and observed three subjects arrive at the site, set up wood duck decoys and begin calling for wood ducks. After a little while, two of the subjects shot but did not hit any ducks. As they began to leave, Lieutenant Hahr approached them. They admitted to baiting the area and attempting to take wood ducks. Lieutenant Hahr documented several other violations including hunting with an unplugged shotgun, using lead shot to take waterfowl, no federal duck stamp, and no hunting license or applicable permits. The three subjects were all charged with hunting ducks over bait and were given citations for some of the license violations. They were warned for the additional violations.
This report represents some events the FWC handled over the past week; however, it does not include all actions taken by the Division of Law Enforcement. Information provided by FWC.
FDOT: Weekly Traffic Alerts
January 31, 2016
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.
U.S. 29, Escambia County – Intermittent and alternating lane closures within the town of Century and from Champion Drive north continue.
I-10 over Eleven Mile Creek Bridge, Escambia County – East and westbound traffic reduced to one lane at the bridge near exit 5 ( U.S. 90 ALT/ 9 Mile Road) as crews reconstruct the bridge approaches.
I-10 Widening, Escambia County – Alternating east and westbound lane closures near U.S. 90 (Scenic Highway/Exit 17) from 7 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. the week of Feb. 1 as crews perform bridge deck work for the new Scenic Highway overpass. Drivers are reminded that the speed limit on I-10, between Davis Highway and Scenic Highway, is reduced to 60 mph.
U.S. 98 (Pensacola Bay Bridge), Escambia/Santa Rosa County –East and westbound outside lane closures from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday, Feb. 1 through Thursday, Feb. 4 as crews repair lights on the bridge.
State Road (S.R.) 289 (9th Avenue), Escambia County – Crews continue paving operations between the intersection of Bayou Boulevard and Creighton Road. Lane closures will be in effect from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. Motorists will also encounter intermittent and alternating daytime lane closures between Fairfield Drive and Cervantes Street as crews adjust manholes and valves.
U.S. 90 (Scenic Highway) at the intersection of Scenic Highway Circle, Escambia County – Emergency repair work continues. New stormwater pipe will be installed beneath Scenic Highway. Traffic flaggers will be on site to assist with traffic control as construction vehicles enter and exit the work area. The repair work will take about two months to complete.
U.S. 90 at White River Bridge, Santa Rosa County – Westbound lane closures will take place Saturday, Jan. 30 or Sunday, Jan. 31. from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. as crews make repairs to roadway at bridge. Work is depended on daytime temperatures which must be 65 degrees and rising to allow crews to lay asphalt properly. Variable messages boards are on site to alert drivers of the upcoming change in the traffic pattern.
I-10 Widening, Santa Rosa County – Alternating lane closures on I-10 between the Escambia Bay Bridge and State Road (S.R.) 281 (Avalon Boulevard/Exit 22) from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 31 through Thursday, Feb. 4 as crews perform construction activities.
U.S. 98, Santa Rosa County- Alternating lane closures between Central Parkway and the Gulf Breeze Zoo from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. Sunday through Thursday beginning Sunday, Jan. 31. Crews will mill and pave crossovers and side streets through the end of February.
S.R. 281 (Avalon Boulevard), Santa Rosa County – Interment lane closures from north of I-10 to south of the Moors Oak subdivision from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Friday, Feb. 5 as crews complete construction activities.
S.R. 87, Santa Rosa County– Northbound inside lane closed near intersection of Magnolia Street from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Friday, Jan. 29, Sunday, Jan. 31 and Friday, Feb. 5 as crews perform utility work.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or re-scheduled in the event of inclement weather. Motorists are reminded to use caution, especially at night, when traveling in a work zone and to watch for construction workers and equipment entering and exiting the roadway.