West Florida Recycling Closes For Now, Won’t Impact ECUA Customers
April 26, 2014
West Florida Recycling — the company that processes recyclables for ECUA, the City of Pensacola and Santa Rosa County — has temporarily closed due to heavy rains and standing water. The company recently filed for bankruptcy.
“We notified all of our clients, including Santa Rosa County, that we could not accept material until the water receded, and invoked the clause in our contract that allows service to stop in situations like this. It was not an easy decision to make but for the safety of our clients, their trucks and equipment, and that of our own employees, we had to suspend our operations until the flooding recedes,” said Larry Hoover, CEO of West Florida Recycling.
That means no more recycling for now in Santa Rosa County or Pensacola, but for now, ECUA says it has a temporary alternative plan in place. ECUA will load recyclables onto an 18-wheeler that can hold the loads of eight smaller ECUA trucks and send the materials to Georgia for processing. The process, according to ECUA, won’t cost the utility or customers any more money.
“Overall it’s pretty much a break-even situation as opposed to the alternative which would be to take these recyclables to the landfill,” said Natalie Bowers, ECUA spokesperson.
For now, Pensacola will haul recyclables to the landfill, and Santa Rosa County is in the processing of removing 21 recycling drop-off sites.
Hoover that as of Friday, there is still standing water at the facility even with a week of no rain.
“We hope to resume operations as soon as the weather and flooding will allow, and we apologize for this inconvenience. Our struggles with flooding at our current leased facility have been well-documented, and every time we have to stop operations because of flooding means we aren’t able to generate revenue by re-selling recycled materials and we aren’t able to put our people to work,” Hoover said.
Pictured: Images provided by West Florida Recycling that show flooding at their facility.
Atmore Relays For Life (With Photo Gallery)
April 26, 2014
The annual Relay for Life of Atmore was held Friday evening at Tom Byrne Park in Atmore.
The event began with a special lap around the park for survivors and caregivers, and the evening included a Luminaria Ceremony to to remember people lost to cancer, to support people who are currently battling the disease, and to honor those who have won their battle.
For a photo gallery, click here.
There were eight registered teams that had raised just over $22,600 for the American Cancer Society before Friday night’s relay, which ended at midnight.
Pictured: The Atmore Relay for Life gets underway Friday evening. NorthEscambia.com photos by Bethany Reynolds, click to enlarge.
Ransom Chess Team Competing In National Tournament This Weekend
April 26, 2014
The Ransom Middle School Chess Club is competing in the 2014 National Junior High Chess Championship this weekend.
Middle school students from across the country are participating in the tournament held at the Hyatt Regency in Atlanta through Sunday. Last year, Ransom Middle School students placed third in their division.
Wahoos Club Four Home Run On Way To 5-1 Win Over Braves
April 26, 2014
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos defeated the Mississippi Braves 5-1 in front of a sold-out crowd at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium. The Wahoos (9-13) crushed four home runs to extend the team’s league-leading total to 25. Wahoos pitching held the Braves (8-14) to just six hits on the night.
RHP Daniel Corcino had his longest outing of the season for the Wahoos; he allowed 1 R/ER and gave up three hits in 6.2 innings of work. Drew Hayes came on and pitched 1.0 innings of relief behind Corcino. Hayes gave up no runs and just one hit out of the bullpen. RHP Shane Dyer finished the game for the Wahoos and earned the save. Dyer pitched 1.1 innings in relief and struck out three batters.
Catcher Bryan Anderson had a huge night at the plate for the Wahoos; he went 2-for-3 with two home runs and three RBI. Anderson now has five home runs on the season, which ties him with teammates Rey Navarro and Donald Lutz for the league lead. Travis Mattair continued his hot-streak going 2-for-4 with his third home run of the season. Juan Silverio joined the home run party and hit his second of the year, a solo shot in the fifth inning. The Wahoos scored at least five runs so use the promo code WAHOOS and receive 50% off your entire order Saturday at PapaJohns.com
Major League pitcher Mike Minor made his final rehab start for the Braves. Minor gave up 5 R/ER and 10 hits to the Wahoos. The left-hander added two strikeouts to his ledger. James Hoyt pitched 1.0 inning in relief and struck out two Wahoo batters.
Left fielder Mycal Jones led off the game with a home run and went 2-for-4 in the contest. Third baseman Kyle Kubitza smashed a double to the right-center field gap and went 1-for-3.
The Reds’ top prospect Robert Stephenson (2-1, 4.41) will start for the Wahoos on Saturday night. The Braves will send their fourth best prospect, Jason Hursh (1-2, 2.95), to the bump in opposition of Stephenson.
by Tommy Thrall
Pictured: The Pensacola Blue Wahoos beat the Mississippi Braves 5-1 Friday. Photos by Michael Spooneybarger/ Pensacola Blue Wahoos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
EREC’s 75th Annual Meeting Saturday At Northview High School
April 25, 2014
Escambia River Electric Cooperative’s 75th Annual Meeting will be held Saturday at Northview High School.
Registration and voting for three trustee seats begins at 11:00 a.m., with the business meeting at 1:00 p.m.
The event also includes a health fair, entertainment by Highway Home, lunch plates available from the Northview High School FFA, gifts for every member, and door prizes, including a grand prize of a $500 credit on the member’s electric bill.
For the kids, there will also be an appearance by Bubbles the Clown, plus games and prizes.
Fourth Suspect Arrested In Cantonment Animal Cruelty Case
April 25, 2014
A fourth person has been charged in connection with a Cantonment animal cruelty case.
George Edward Kenneth Ahl, 23, was arrested Thursday night on charges of causing the cruel death, pain and suffering of animals, and unlawful confinement of animals. He was booked into the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $21,000.
Earlier this month, Casey Tyler Ahl, 19, Frances Rebecca Ahl, 72, and Randolph Hewell Rigby, 43, were arrested on similar charges. The charges against the four were brought directly by the State Attorney’s Office. Authorities said an arrest warrant is outstanding on one additional person in the case.
According to case documents, multiple horses, donkeys and goats were seized from the 400 block of Crowndale Court, while several other animals were found dead on the property.
Escambia County Animal Control officers began their investigation last December. A 17-page document released by the State Attorney’s office details the investigation and provides numerous graphic examples of abuse investigators said they found.
Officers reported finding one horse that was dead and apparently stuck in a fence. Several horses were so malnourished that their bones were protruding, while other had hair loss and marks consistent with a condition called rain rot fungus. Many of the animals had numerous sores and wounds, according to the report. Most were malnourished, and one horse had resorted to eating feces. There was little food available for the animals.
Animal Control also located eight poodles, a doberman and five cats on the property.
One of the malnourished horses, a black Tennessee Walker named Ebony, was taken to Panhandle Equine Rescue for rehabilitation. When officers found Ebony on the property, her bones were showing, her stomach was distended and distended, and she suffered from rain rot.
Over the next several weeks, PER and volunteers worked to save Ebony. She was the subject of several NorthEscambia.com articles as PER and volunteers kept watch over her and raised funds for a sling to help her to her feet. Now, she’s able to walk and run on her own and has gained several pounds.
As of late Friday night, Casey Ahl remained in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $16,000. Frances Ahl was released from jail on a $16,000 bond, and Randolph Rigby was free on a $21,000 bond. They are due to make their first court appearance May 1. In the meantime, they have been ordered, if released on bond, to not possess any animals.
Pictured above: Escambia County Animal Control, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Escambia County Fire Rescue’s Cantonment Station and volunteers use a makeshift sling to lift Ebony, a horse seized from Crowndale Court in Cantonment.. Pictured below: Ebony, was unable to get on her feet in her stall about a week after she was seized. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Sheriff’s TAC Team Dismantled
April 25, 2014
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office TAC Team has been dismantled.
The TAC team often worked with the U.S. Marshals Regional Task Force to arrest felony suspects, and the group targeted high crime areas of the county.
According to Sheriff David Morgan, members of the TAC team were reassigned to areas that included patrol and investigations.
“In the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office’s continuing efforts to improve our process it has been determined that it is statistically not feasible to maintain the TAC team. Due to critical shortages in Patrol and Investigations, these officers will be reassigned,” Morgan said in a prepared statement.
Driver Wraps Truck Around Utility Pole In Beulah
April 25, 2014
One person was injured in a single vehicle accident Thursday evening on Beulah Road.
The accident was reported near the intersection of Peartree Drive about 7:18 p.m. The driver of a pickup truck lost control and struck a utility pole. He was transported by ambulance to an area hospital with injuries that were not life threatening.
The accident remains under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. Further details, including the driver’s name, have not yet been released.
Pictured: One person was injured in this crash on Beulah Road. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Smith, click to enlarge.
Tate Lady Aggies Beat Chiles In Regional Play
April 25, 2014
The Tate Lady Aggies beat Tallahassee Chiles 7-3 Thursday night in regional softball playoff action. With the win, the Lady Aggies advanced to the Region 1-7A semifinals on Tuesday as they host Navarre.
NorthEscambia.com file photo by Timothy Dunsford.
Florida Senate Approves Higher Speed Limits
April 25, 2014
The Senate approved a measure Thursday that could increase the posted speed to 75 mph on certain stretches of state roads, where motorists would be allowed to push the lead to 80 mph with little fear of getting a ticket.
Despite concerns expressed by some lawmakers about safety and the potential impact on tourists and seniors, senators voted 27-11 to support the measure (SB 392), which directs the Florida Department of Transportation to determine whether to increase the minimum and maximum speed limits on all divided highways that have at least four lanes.
“We’re not talking about raising the speed limits to 90 (mph) or 95, we’re talking about the potential to raise the speed limit a mere 5 miles per hour,” said Sen. Jeff Clemens, a Lake Worth Democrat who sponsored the bill. “I would suggest to you, ladies and gentlemen, that 5 miles per hour clearly is not going to cause any difference in safety of our constituents in the state of Florida.”
But Sen. Arthenia Joyner, D-Tampa, argued that allowing speeds to be increased could become problematic for many of the state’s seniors and tourists who aren’t used to the higher speeds.
“Slow down, Senate,” Joyner said. “Let’s not increase the speed. This is a safety issue. The faster you go, the more lives are in peril, and you don’t get there but maybe 10 seconds, or more, faster than the person driving the speed limit.”
The Senate action could put the pedal to the metal on the House companion (HB 761), which has yet to appear on the floor since clearing the second of its two scheduled committee appearances on April 11.
The result of the transportation studies could be that Florida joins Maine and 16 western states is posting maximum speeds at 75 mph or higher.
The 75 mph limit is a speed many motorists already drive on the highway, as Florida law allows for a warning to those traveling less than 6 miles per hour over the posted speed limit.
Sen. Audrey Gibson, D-Jacksonville, said increasing the maximum and minimum speed limit will only “encourage all drivers to drive faster, whether they want to or not.”
“We’re a tourist state and we want people to slow down and not speed up,” Gibson said. “Just because we can increase the speeds in certain areas doesn’t mean we should.”
St. Petersburg Republican Sen. Jeff Brandes, the other sponsor of the bill, defended the proposal as simply allowing state engineers to determine the safe speeds on rural stretches of roads.
The bill could eventually allow state transportation officials to increase speed limits on Florida’s “limited access highways” to 75 mph and raise the maximum posted limits on divided four-lane highways in sparsely-populated rural areas from 65 mph to 70 mph. The transportation department could hike speeds to 60 mph on other roads they deem safe. And the agency would also have the authority to set minimum speeds on certain highways.
The proposal, opposed by AAA, was not requested by Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Ananth Prasad.
Prasad has said his agency would only conduct the speed studies in select areas where conditions may warrant an increase.
Florida’s highways have had a 70 mph maximum since 1996, the last time the speed limit was reviewed.
In other states, higher speed limits have resulted in more deaths from speeding accidents because drivers’ reaction times are reduced, and the severity of injuries is intensified, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
by Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida