International Paper Announces $90 Million Reinvestment In Cantonment Mill
October 30, 2014
International Paper has announced plans to reinvest more than $90 million over the next five years in their mill in Cantonment in order to increase energy efficiencies, support and enhance the work environment and strengthen its competitive position.
The Pensacola Containerboard Mill, located in Cantonment, employs more than 400 people. The mill has been a foundation in the Greater Pensacola Region since 1941 and was acquired by IP in 2000. IP’s Pensacola Mill – which is part of the company’s industrial packaging group – produces lightweight containerboard and specialty fluff pulp. From Pensacola, the mill’s containerboard products are sent to container facilities to create corrugated brown boxes. The fluff pulp is distributed to customers for diapers and other hygiene products.
“Northwest Florida’s business-friendly environment and initiatives continue to attract strong, innovative businesses,” said Florida Senate President Don Gaetz. “Just last year, International Paper’s Pensacola Mill had a local economic impact of nearly $330 million. I am confident this multi-year investment will continue to help our communities thrive and our region’s economy to grow.”
The IP Pensacola Mill is vitally important to the local, regional and statewide economy, with the company’s local annual average wages representing more than 200 percent of the Escambia County average wage of $37,360. According to an analysis by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, the manufacturing industry sector directly contributed more than 14,500 jobs in the Northwest Florida region, with an additional gain of more than 9,700 jobs for local businesses.
The company’s commitment to Escambia County will be supported by approximately $5,000,000 in grants and infrastructure improvements.
“The Escambia County Board of Commissioners supports fostering the growth of our existing industry base. The Board’s commitment of tax incentives and investments in county-wide infrastructure, such as the proposed project at Muscogee Road and US-29, not only serves the logistic needs of one of our most established local companies, but it also benefits IP’s more than 400 employees and the citizens of Escambia County,” said Escambia County Commissioner Steven Barry.
Dixie Group Issues Earnings Report, Continues Atmore Masland Changes
October 30, 2014
The Dixie Group has issued its third quarter earnings report as the company continues to make changes at its Masland plant in Atmore. The company announced an overall loss Wednesday despite increased sales.
During the quarter, the company shutdown both the yard and carpet dyeing operations in Atmore and transferred those products to a combination of internal operations and external suppliers. The company will also continue to decommission a waste water treatment plant in Atmore.
For the quarter, the Company had sales of $109,359,000 and a loss from continuing operations of $166,000, or $0.01 per diluted share, compared with sales of $90,210,000 and income from continuing operations of $1,432,000, or $0.11 per diluted share for the third quarter of 2013. Income from continuing operations, excluding manufacturing integration, facility consolidation, equipment impairment, and acquisition related expenses, after-tax, was $1,326,000 (non-GAAP adjusted income from continuing operations), or $0.08 per diluted share for the period. The Company had $2,579,000 in facility consolidation, equipment impairment and acquisition related expenses during the period as it implements its previously announced plans to expand capacity, integrate acquisitions and streamline operations.
Molino’s Cunningham Shows Champion Steer At Fair
October 30, 2014
Austin Cunningham of Molino showed his champion steer last week at the Pensacola Interstate Fair, winning several awards. He was awarded Reserve Grand Champion, FFA Grand Champion, and Grand Champion for a homegrown steer. The Northview High School senior also received second in Senior Showmanship. Cunningham sold his 1,250 pound steer “Heisenberg” to Dave Howell Tires for $5.50 per pound, or $6,875. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
State To Offer More Citizens Insurance Policies To Private Firms
October 30, 2014
More than 182,000 policies now in the state-backed Citizens Property Insurance Corp. will be available to be picked up by nine private carriers after the start of the new year.
The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation announced Wednesday that up to 2,527 commercial residential policies will be made available on January 6, and a week later 180,040 personal residential policies will become available. Typically the number of policies actually moved in the “takeout” process is far smaller than what is offered to the private firms. The private companies are able to cherry-pick the least-risky policies and often go after many of the same customers. Policyholders targeted for takeout also have the option to remain covered by Citizens.
For 2014, the state insurance office approved 1.1 million policies for private “takeout,” yet as of September 18, the number moved out of Citizens was 127,550. Citizens, which two years ago had 1.47 million policies, was down to 930,385 policies as of September 30.
Authorities Searching For Stolen $4,000 Dog
October 30, 2014
Local authorities are looking for a stolen dog — a $4,000 stolen dog — taken from a local pet store early this week.
The incident occurred at Petland on North on North Davis Highway on Tuesday. The suspect reportedly entered the business and began talking with a store employee.
When she said she had recently lost a French bulldog, the store employee said they had one in stock.
The employee then brought the dog to a petting room and handed it to the suspect. After a couple of minutes, the employee left the pet enclosure to go to another part of the store.
Once he returned, he realized the suspect and puppy were gone. The female French bulldog is approximately three months old, cream colored with black markings on its face and is valued at approximately $4,000, according to Pensacola Police.
The female suspect was heavyset with short hair and was wearing a gray shirt, shorts and a baseball cap. She appeared to have tattoos on one or both of her forearms in addition to tattoos on her calves. She also may have one or more facial piercings.
Anyone with information on the suspect or the dog’s location is asked to contact Detective Chad Willhite at (850) 435-1972, the Pensacola Police Department at (850) 435-1900 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Morgan Invites Residents To Learn About Neighborhood Watch Programs
October 30, 2014
Sheriff David Morgan is inviting the public to a Neighborhood Watch Academy class taking place November 18 at the Sheriff’s Main Administration Building at 1700 West Leonard Street.
Morgan said the Neighborhood Watch Program is one of the best means of eliminating and preventing criminal activity in your neighborhood. Attendees of the class will learn how to organize a successful neighborhood watch program and prevent crime in their homes and neighborhoods. Topics to be covered in this one evening seminar include:
- The history of the neighborhood watch program
- How to make an effective call for a police response without fear of retribution
- How to become less likely to be a victim or crime
Navy Federal To Create 5,000 New Local Jobs With Expansion
October 29, 2014
This morning, Navy Federal Credit Union announced it will continue expanding its operations in Pensacola, bringing 5,000 new jobs and $350 million in capital investment to the region by 2026.
“This is our largest expansion in Pensacola thus far. It underscores what we’ve long been saying about this great community—it’s a great place to grow your business and a wellspring of talented people to employ,” said Cutler Dawson, CEO/president of Navy Federal. “Continued growth for Navy Federal not only signifies the strength of the credit union, but also means upholding our high standards for member service. It takes the best to serve the best, and that’s why we continue to invest in Pensacola.”
The expansion will include facilities and parking for an additional 5,000 employees, bringing the total number of employees on the Nine Mile Road campus to 10,000 by 2026 and an overall capital investment of $1 billion.
“Today’s announcement that Navy Federal will create 5,000 more jobs for Floridians is a huge win for the Florida families. Because of companies like Navy Federal, we have created 651,300 private-sector jobs since December 2010, and we will continue working hard to create jobs so that every Floridian can live the American Dream,” said Gov. Rick Scott.
Potential employees can apply for existing jobs online.
Navy Federal is a growth story in Pensacola, beginning in 2003 with 60 employees. In 2014, Navy Federal has added 530 jobs, bringing its current total in the region to over 3,800 employees with an annual payroll of $160 million. Gov. Scott recognized these efforts and awarded Dawson the Business Ambassador Award, given to individuals for their efforts in creating jobs and opportunities for Florida families.
“When FORTUNE Magazine named Navy Federal Credit Union as one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For in 2014, they highlighted what we in Northwest Florida have known for more than a decade,” said U.S. Rep. Jeff Miller. “Our friends at Navy Federal have not only been good corporate neighbors, they have become part of the community. We appreciate them choosing Pensacola, and we look forward to having them in our neighborhood for many years to come.”
In January 2014, FORTUNE Magazine named Navy Federal on its list of the “100 Best Companies to Work For.” This marked Navy Federal’s fourth appearance on the list, having first been recognized in 2008, 2012 and 2013. Navy Federal has also been recognized for the sixth straight year as a Best Place to Work in Florida.
Train Hits Vehicle In Bogia
October 29, 2014
A train hit an unoccupied vehicle on the railroad tracks at East Bogia Road, just east of Highway 29, Tuesday night.
The northbound CSX train with about 60 cars hit the vehicle shortly before 11:00. It was not immediately clear if the 56-year old driver was stuck or simply stopped on the tracks. He told authorities that he thought he was on Jordan Street in Pensacola.
The train engineer saw the vehicle on the tracks and began an emergency stop before reaching the crossing, but the train struck the car and pushed it down the tracks over 100 feet. There were no injuries.
The accident was investigated by the Florida Highway Patrol. The driver’s name has not been released. The McDavid Station of Escambia Fire Rescue and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded to the accident.
Pictured: This car was pushed over 100 feet down the tracks after being hit by a train Tuesday night in Bogia. The train was backed away from the vehicle prior to the photos in order to open the railroad crossing. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Three Local Residents Sentenced, Two Indicted For Federal Tax Fraud
October 29, 2014
Three local residents, including a Cantonment man, have been sentenced to federal prison and two more have been indicted by a federal grand jury for their roles in related tax refund fraud and identity theft schemes.
Tuesday, 29-year old Rex E. Robinson, Jr.of Cantonment was sentenced by Senior U.S. District Judge Roger Vinson to 75 months in prison after having pled guilty to mail fraud and aggravated identity theft charges stemming from his participation in a scheme to defraud the IRS by filing over 100 false tax returns using other people’s identities, the majority of whom were deceased.
Robinson was found in possession of approximately 566 individuals’ identities, 179 of which were actually used to file the fraudulent returns attributed to the scheme. As a result of his scheme, the IRS mailed out $87,324 in fraudulently obtained tax refund checks to Robinson’s various addresses, which Robinson was ordered to pay back in restitution as part of his sentence.
Ariyanna S. Lampley (previously Schuyler J. Nickerson), 32, of Pensacola, was sentenced by Chief U.S. District Judge M. Casey Rodgers to 75 months in prison after having pled guilty to theft of government money and aggravated identity theft. Lampley forged a deceased person’s signature and deposited into her account one of the fraudulent tax refund checks obtained by Robinson, knowing that Robinson had obtained it by filing false returns.
Lampley was ordered to pay back $212,792.96 in restitution to the IRS not only for the check she deposited for Robinson, but for the over 70 additional fraudulently obtained federal tax refund checks she had cashed for others since 2010.
This past July, Brian Richardson, 28, of Cantonment, was sentenced by Senior U.S. District Judge Roger Vinson to 12 months and one day in prison after having pled guilty to aggravated identity theft. Richardson stole the personal identifying information of over 40 elderly hospital patients from his employer and provided it to Robinson for use in the tax fraud scheme.
In addition, on October 21, a federal grand jury indicted Richard J. Beverly II, 25, and Andrey C. Cook, 33, both of Pensacola, on mail fraud and aggravated identity theft charges in a related but separate case. The indictment alleges Beverly filed approximately 40 false tax returns to get over $85,000 in tax refunds using the identities of deceased persons and disabled patients living at a group home in Pensacola, which were stolen and provided by Cook. Both defendants have pled not guilty, and trial is currently scheduled for December 1, 2014, before Senior U.S. District Judge Lacey Collier.
These cases resulted from investigations by the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations Division, with assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Marshals Service, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alicia Kim.
CareerSource Escarosa Offering Skills Assessment Testing In Century
October 29, 2014
An employment skills assessment test will be offered Thursday in Century. All Escambia County residents who are seeking employment, looking to further their career, or enhance their skills and education, are urged to participate in this free program.
Through partnership with local government and a consortium of community organizations, CareerSource Escarosa will offer Skill Assessment Tests to Escambia County residents as part of the Escarosa Community Occupational Talent Search, a targeted workforce development initiative.
E-COTS participants will have access to a variety of no-cost programs and services offered through CareerSource Escarosa which include; educational workshops, career training and guidance, tuition assistance, skill enhancement sessions, and more.
Testing sessions will be available at 9:30 a.m. at 1:30 p.m. at the Carver Community Center, 7040 Jefferson Avenue in Century.
A basic skill assessment is required for program participation. To register, call (850) 607-8750 or visit careersourceescarosa.com/ECOTS.