Employee Arrested For Smuggling Items Into Prison
May 8, 2013
A Century Correctional Institution employee has been arrested for allegedly smuggling banned items into the facility.
Sara Elizabeth Lowery, age 30 of Flomaton, went through a routine check as she reported for work. The check revealed Lowery had five packs of unopened cigars, eight AA batteries, two cell phones wrapped in M&M paper, three cans of smokeless tobacco. two lighters, five activation cards, two packs of colored pens, two packs of single cigarettes and $100 worth of $20 bills, according to an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office employee. All of the items were retained by the prison.
Lowery was booked into the Escambia County Jail one felony charge of smuggling contraband into prison. She was released from jail on a $2,500 bond.
Landfill Gas To Electricity Facility Turns Trash To Energy Treasure
May 8, 2013
The county’s Perdido Landfill is continuing to turn trash into energy treasure= with Gulf Power Company’s Landfill Gas-to-Energy project hitting a new milestone. Since startup, the plant has generated nearly 65 million kilowatt-hours of renewable energy. That’s enough electricity to power a 100 watt bulb for 7,000 years.
Landfill methane gas is one of the most cost-effective forms of renewable energy, forming naturally by decomposition of organic material in landfills. Municipal solid waste landfills are the second largest human-generated source of methane emissions in the United States.
“Since 2010, we have been producing energy from the methane gas created naturally by Escambia County’s Perdido Landfill,” said Natalie Smith, Gulf Power spokesperson. “All of that organic waste that is collected creates methane gas at the landfill over time. We’re proud to hit this new milestone for our customers.”
Gulf Power buys the methane from Escambia County and the utility uses it to generate electricity right there at the landfill.
“This is a significant project,” said Smith. “We’re helping the environment, providing revenue for Escambia County and lighting up our communities for years to come. Together, we’re eliminating a source of greenhouse gas by capturing and using the methane gas. We’re generating electricity from a renewable source.”
Currently, landfill gas generators can produce 3,200 kilowatts of renewable energy. The energy capacity can be increased as the landfill produces more methane in the future.
In addition, the facility holds educational tours for school groups and community groups.
Pictured: Gulf Power Company’s Landfill Gas-to-Energy facility, including two 1,600-kilowatt landfill gas generators. File photos, courtesy Gulf Power, for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Hollingshead Honored At Judson College Honors Convocation
May 8, 2013
A local student was honored at Judson College’s recent spring Honors Convocation in Marion, Ala.
Anna Hollingshead of Century was named to “Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities” and inducted into the Beta Beta Beta Biology Honor Society and the Kappa Delta Epsilon Education Honor Society.
Hertz Moving World Headquarters From New Jersey To Florida
May 8, 2013
Gov. Rick Scott and Hertz announced Tuesday that the company will locate its worldwide headquarters to Estero, Florida, from Park Ridge, New Jersey. Over a two-year period, up to 700 jobs will be relocated starting later this year, while more than 2,000 personnel will remain in New Jersey and the metro-New York City area, including up to 150 employees who currently work in Park Ridge. All other Park Ridge employees will be able to retain their current positions at the new headquarters in Ft. Myers, scheduled to be completed in early ”
“It is great news for Florida that Hertz has chosen Lee County to relocate its corporate headquarters. These 700 jobs, along with opportunities for continued growth in Southwest Florida, will make a big impact across the Sunshine State,” Scott said. ” We are proud to say that Florida is not just a top destination for vacationers, but for growing businesses from all around the world.”
Hertz made the decision to relocate to Florida following its recent acquisition of the Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group, which is currently headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Consolidating the corporate offices to one location will allow for increased efficiencies and cost synergies across the company. Additionally, access to the Florida travel and tourism population will position the company for long-term growth.
“After our recent business expansion, we have been looking for the right location to blend Hertz and Dollar Thrifty head office employees. Florida is the center of the U.S. travel and tourism industry – this move enables us to be closer to leisure and business customers, as well as many travel and association partners,” said Hertz Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Mark P. Frissora.
Pictured: Gov. Rick Scott and Hertz Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Mark P. Frissora announced Tuesday that the company will locate its worldwide headquarters to Estero, Florida from Park Ridge, New Jersey. Courtesy photo NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Blue Wahoos Go 13 Innings To Down Jacksonville Suns
May 8, 2013
The third time was the charm for the Blue Wahoos on Tuesday night at Bragan Field at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville. Pensacola took the lead in the game’s potential final inning three times before hanging on for the 5-4 win over the Jacksonville Suns. It is the second-straight win for the Blue Wahoos after snapping the longest losing streak of the season on Sunday.
Jacksonville’s Christian Yelich was the story of the game for the Suns. He accounted for two of the Suns four runs by going 5-for-6 and finishing a double shy of the cycle, despite hitting a pair of triples. His first three-bagger led to the game’s first run against Wahoos starter Chad Rogers in the bottom of the first inning.
Pensacola drew even when Tucker Barnhart singled home Ryan LaMarre in the fourth inning. Jacksonville reclaimed the lead in the sixth, when Derek Dietrich scored on a hit by pitch of Audy Ciriaco with the bases loaded. Three straight walks opened the inning, but Dietrich’s run was all the Wahoos would allow the Suns to score. Lee Hyde picked off Ciriaco at first for the second out before coaxing a groundout by Noah Perio to end the threat.
The Blue Wahoos quickly answered by taking advantage of a leadoff double from Bryson Smith in the top of the seventh. Michael Gilmartin delivered an RBI single which plated Smith and tied the game at two. Pensacola took its first lead of the game in the top of the ninth. Steve Selsky brought home Smith from second with a base hit. The Suns drew even in the bottom of the ninth with three hits against Wahoos reliever Drew Hayes to tie the game at 3-3 and force extra innings.
After each team traded zeros in the 10 th and 11 th innings, Pensacola broke through against Jacksonville reliever Collin Cargill with a run in the 12 th. Again, it was a leadoff hit that led to a run as it was with the previous two runs. Brodie Greene led the inning off with a single, and scored on a soft roller up the first base line from Barnhart that was misplayed by Suns first baseman Mark Canha. Yelich then homered in the bottom of the 12 th to send the game to the 13 th when Pensacola reclaimed the lead for the final time.
Gilmartin drew a leadoff walk and scored from second on another Greene single. That proved to be the game-winner as Wilkin De La Rosa retired the Suns in order to end the game. Despite allowing the home run to Yelich, De La Rosa earned the win. Cargill gave up the Wahoos runs in the 12 th and 13 th and was saddled with the loss. Blue Wahoos starter Chad Rogers got a no-decision after working five innings, allowing just one run and matching his career-high with eight strikeouts.
Pensacola and Jacksonville will continue their series with a matinee on Wednesday from the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville. First pitch is slated for 12:05 p.m. CT. Pensacola will start LHP Ryan Dennick (1-2, 3.86) against Suns RHP Sam Dyson (0-2, 2.96).
story by Tommy Thrall
Southwest Airlines To Serve Pensacola; Add Flights To Nashville, Houston
May 7, 2013
Southwest Airlines will begin services at the Pensacola International Airport later this year.
In 2011, Southwest completed the purchase of AirTran Airways, which has served Pensacola since 2001. Southwest announced in January 2012 that it intended to convert Pensacola’s AirTran operations to Southwest over time. This morning, Southwest announced their flight schedule for the remainder of 2013, including nonstop service from Pensacola to Houston Hobby Airport (HOU) and Nashville International Airport (BNA), slated to begin by November.
As a result of its decision to transition Atlanta from a hub to a focus city, Southwest is expected to phase out service from Pensacola to Atlanta. The new Southwest service will represent a 22% increase in seat capacity over AirTran’s existing service, and the number of one-stop destinations served will increase from 53 to 65.
“Today’s announcement is a tremendous victory for our community,” said Pensacola Mayor Ashton Hayward. “Pensacola is driving economic development, tourism, and transportation across the region, and I believe this partnership with Southwest will help take us to new heights.”
Pictured top: Greg Donovan, director of the Pensacola International Airport and Mayor Ashton Hayward Tuesday morning as they announced that Southwest Airlines will serve Pensacola. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
$500K Savings: Escambia To Privatize School Nurses, Health Techs
May 7, 2013
The Escambia County School District is set to privatize school health services next school year due to cutbacks at the Escambia County Health Department.
School nurses and health technicians in Escambia County schools have been outsourced through the health department for years. But beginning next year, the district plans to outsource medical staff through a private company, PSA Healthcare. The move is expected to save the school district about a half million dollars per year, according to Superintendent Malcolm Thomas.
“We will have health techs in every school,” Thomas said. Additionally, there will be 15 nurses, seven of which will serve a regional cluster of schools. “It’s the same arrangement we currently have with the health department.”
School nurses and health techs were notified last week that their jobs with the health department were being cut. Those employees will be offered jobs with PSA, Thomas said.
A contract between the Escambia County School District and PSA Healthcare is in the legal review stage and will be presented to the Escambia County School School Board for approval in May or June.
Cantonment Man Critically Injured In Santa Rosa I-10 Crash
May 7, 2013
A Cantonment man was critically injured in a single vehicle accident Monday night on I-10 in Santa Rosa County.
The Florida Highway Patrol said 50-year old Robert Merrill McGhee, Jr., was eastbound on I-10 when he entered the grass median at a high rate of speed in an attempt to pass vehicles in the eastbound travel lane. McGhee lost control of his 1993 Mercedes in the median, crossed over the travel lanes of I-10 and slid across a grassy area into multiple trees.
The FHP said McGhee traveled about 500 feet in the median before he lost control.
McGhee was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola. Charges against him are pending, the FHP said.
One Injured In Brentwood Shooting
May 7, 2013
A shooting Monday in Escambia County is under investigation.
A man was reportedly shot numerous times in the abdomen on Rosalyn Way near Palm Court in the Brentwood area, just a few blocks from the North Palafox Street and Beverly Parkway intersection.
The man was transported to a local hospital ambulance. His name and condition were not available early Tuesday morning. Further details have not been released by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Small Farms Spring Field Day To Focus On Food Production
May 7, 2013
UF/IFAS county extension agents and the UF/IFAS West Florida Research and Education Center have joined efforts to provide relevant hands on training for the small farmers of northwest Florida and surrounding areas through the Gulf Coast Small Farms and Alternative Enterprises program.
The spring field day will be a sneak peek for what the program will offer in the coming months and years. Attendees on Friday, May 10 can discover new production practices and opportunities for small farms.
Training topics include irrigation practices, small farms integrated pest management, hydroponic float bed lettuce, protected ag and food safety issues for the small farm.
Registration and check-in on Friday will begin at 8:30 a.m. , with the event itself beginning at 9:00 a.m. and ending at 1:30 p.m. The training will be held at the UF/IFAS West Florida Research and Education Center located at 4253 Experiment Road in Jay. The $25 registration fee includes lunch For a complete listing of speaker topics or to register online, visit gulfcoastsmallfarmsandalternativeenterprises.eventbrite.com.
For more information call Robin Vickers at (850) 983-5216 ext. 113 or email rvickers@ufl.edu.