ECUA Purchasing 50 New Natural Gas Trucks; Buying Fuel From ESP
December 27, 2011
ECUA is purchasing 50 new natural gas trash trucks and partnering with Energy Service of Pensacola to provide fuel to run them.
Emerald Coast Utilities Authority recently finalized a 10-year compressed natural gas (CNG) agreement with Energy Services of Pensacola (ESP).
As part of the agreement, ESP will construct a fast-fill CNG station on ECUA property located at 3050 Godwin Lane, with station access on Pine Forest Road.
“Design and permitting will begin immediately, and construction is expected to be completed in July 2012. ESP will provide CNG to the ECUA at a fee based on the New York commodity rate. ESP will operate and maintain the station, which will be open to the public and third-party fleets,” Steve Sorrell, ECUA Executive director, said.
Sorrell said ECUA is projecting an annual maintenance cost savings in excess of $350,000 and over $1 million in annual fuel costs.
“While there are up-front capital costs in buying or converting to a natural gas fleet, the fuel costs are considerably lower, making NGVs much more affordable over the long run,” he said.
ECUA ordered the 50 new CNG-fueled refuse collection trucks in November with delivery expected in July 2012.
Chet Truett Named Ernest Ward Teacher Of The Year
December 27, 2011
Eighth grade science teacher Chet Truett has been named the Ernest Ward Middle School Teacher of the Year.
Teachers of the year are chosen by the faculty and staff at each school in the county. The Escambia County Teacher of the Year will be announced at the annual Golden Apple Awards Dinner in February 2012.
Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
FDOT Giving Drivers A Break From Road Construction
December 27, 2011
Christmas may be over, but Florida drivers will continue to get a break from road construction during the next week.
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has suspended highway construction projects on major roadways across Northwest Florida during the holiday period from Saturday, December 24 through, Monday, January 2.
Although no construction closures are scheduled through this extended period, existing state highway work zones will remain in effect.
Holiday traffic is expected to be at its peak on Monday, January 2 so FDOT is encouraging drivers to allow extra travel time and to use extra caution in existing work zones along state highways.
Drivers are urged to make sure they buckle up, along with their passengers. FDOT and other safety agencies also ask drivers to obey speed limits, get adequate rest before traveling, avoid distractions and never drink and drive.
Drivers also are urged to be prepared for unscheduled highway closures due to accidents, disabled vehicles or other events. Motorists should be alert to changing weather conditions while traveling.
2011 In Photos: March
December 27, 2011
All this week, we are looking back at the photos that were in the news in 2011. Today, we are featuring photos from March.
An Escambia County Sheriff’s Office SWAT team prepares to enter a Cantonment home to end a domestic violence standoff. The 32-year old suspect was taken into custody without any injuries.
Molino Sandy Sansing’s Lauren Carnley missed a catch at third as the ball grazes the helmet of Northwest Escambia Alto’s Liberty Peebles during opening day games in Molino.
Teamwork: Members of the Ernest Ward Middle School track team compete in their season opening meet at Woodham Middle School.
An Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Operation Clean Sweep was held in Cottage Hill.
A missing Escambia County, Ala., dog found 900 miles away in Texas was flown home.
Escambia County District 5 Commissioner Kevin White, County Administrator Randy Oliver and Century Mayor Freddie McCall discuss the future of Century while outside Century’s business incubator in March.
Open Day ceremonies were held in March at Northwest Escambia in Walnut Hill.
An Escambia County Sheriff’s deputy stopped this truck with the bumper sticker “Buckle Up! Or Pay Up!” on Highway 97 in Walnut Hill. The driver was stopped because he was not wearing a seat belt.
Three people were arrested for firing shots into this Molino home.
A tornado hit McDavid in early March.
A National Weather Service team determined that a tornado that slammed McDavid was an EF1 with 105 mph winds.
A double shooting prompted Century to set new rules for community center rentals in the town.
One person was killed and two were injured in an Atmore Police Department pursuit near the Atmore City Hall.
Grammy award winner Marty Raybon performed in March at the Northview FFA Alumni Blue Jacket Jamboree in Bratt.
Spring flowers: Purple henbit covers a Walnut Hill field.
NorthEscambia.com photos.
House Democrat: Raise Taxes On Smokers, Lower Driver Fees
December 27, 2011
A South Florida lawmaker wants to increase cigarette taxes by $1 a pack and is offering a political sweetener to try to get it passed: Use the money to roll back fees on motorists under a bill filed by Rep. Jim Waldman, D-Coconut Creek.
Lawmakers in 2009 also approved a $1-a-pack increase in cigarette taxes — or a “surcharge” as supporters called it — as they grappled with budget problems.
Waldman said the state has seen decreases in cigarette smoking, and he hopes the additional taxes will further reduce tobacco use by young people.
“This is a health care bill, plain and simple, to stop the youth from smoking,” he said Monday.
With the Republican-dominated Legislature opposed to tax hikes, Waldman said he would offset the higher cigarette surcharges by rolling back a series of unpopular fee increases that lawmakers also approved in 2009. Those fee increases caused motorists to pay more for such things as vehicle registrations and driver’s licenses.
It is too early to know whether Waldman can get lawmakers to go along with his proposal, which he said would bring in roughly $900 million a year in additional cigarette taxes. No Senate version has been filed.
Florida currently collects $1.34 in taxes on a standard pack of cigarettes, with $1 of that coming from the 2009 surcharge. Money from that surcharge goes into a trust fund to help pay for health-care services.
By The News Service of Florida
FHP Identifies Pedestrian Killed Last Week On Nine Mile
December 27, 2011
Monday, the Florida Highway Patrol released the name of a pedestrian hit and killed last Thursday night on Nine Mile Road.
The FHP says 29-year old Benjamin Joseph Imperiale of Reed Springs, Missouri, stepped into the path of a 1997 Jeep Cherokee driven by 19-year old Victoria N. Oliver of Pensacola on Nine Mile Road near Fowler Avenue about 6:18 p.m on December 22.
Imperiale was wearing dark clothing, and Oliver was unable to see him in time to stop, according to the FHP.
The crash remains under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol Traffic Homicide Unit. No charges have been filed at this time.
Fallen Marine Travis Nelson’s Family Gives Back For Christmas
December 26, 2011
Scott and Beckie Nelson of Bratt just could not stand the thought of their first Christmas without their son LCpl. Travis M. Nelson who was killed in action in Afghanistan back in August. To take their minds off a Christmas without Travis in the house, they decided to give back to the communities that had supported them so much following his death.
The Nelson family, along with a small army of volunteers, prepared and delivered about 125 Christmas meals Sunday for elderly, shut-in and needy people in the Bratt, Atmore and surrounding areas.
“We wanted to do something to give back and wanted take our minds off Travis not being here,” Beckie said as she worked on getting the flavor just right on a sweet potato casserole. “We thought about volunteering at the Waterfront Rescue Mission. Then Scott said we should try to put back into this community and see if there was enough need.”
They initially planned to find about 70 individuals that needed Christmas lunch. But, before it was over, about 125 were on the list. For Beckie, it was her first time cooking a big Christmas lunch.
“We usually go to my mother-in-laws’ for Christmas lunch,” she said.
The recipients of the Nelson’s generosity ranged from the elderly to a family of 13, including eight children, that would have otherwise done without a traditional Christmas lunch.
Plans are already in the works to repeat the Christmas lunches next year in a program they are calling “Operation Enduring Loss”.
“We are continuing to endure the loss of Travis,” Beckie said. “For 19 years, he was here with us opening presents on Christmas. But he’s not coming home this time,” she said, pausing. “Or the next time. That chapter in our lives is closed.”
That’s been tough for the Nelson family, she said, where Christmas always meant family time and presents around the Christmas tree. The family put up a tree this year, but this time it’s a real tree with all brand new ornaments.
“I just couldn’t bear to open the box of our other ornaments,” she said. “There are so many special ornaments in there that belonged to Travis. It’s just never going to be the same.”
Pictured top: Beckie Nelson (left) and volunteer Sandy Brown work on a sweet potato casserole. Pictured inset: Beckie Nelson with a finished sweet potato casserole, one of many used in 125 Christmas lunches. Pictured below: Travis Nelson’s sister Anna Nelson (left) and friend McShane Ingalls prepare fresh string beans. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Nominate North Escambia Persons Of The Year
December 26, 2011
NorthEscambia.com will honor several North Escambia residents as North Escambia Persons of the Year as 2011 comes to a close, and we need your help.
We are asking our readers to nominate individuals that they believe made a difference in North Escambia during 2011. We will choose several of them to be named as a 2011 North Escambia Person of the Year. The awards are our way of saying thanks to those that have worked to improve our lives in the North Escambia area during the past year.
We are not necessarily looking for a person with a long list of accomplishments. We are looking for people that have given of themselves — often quietly — to help others and the communities of North Escambia during 2011.
To nominate someone, please email their name, contact information (if known), and the reason why you believe they should be a Person of the Year. The person must either be a resident of North Escambia, work in North Escambia or otherwise have significantly impacted North Escambia in some way. For the purposes of this award, we define North Escambia as being Cantonment north to the Alabama line.
Entries should be emailed to news@northescambia.com by Wednesday, December 28. We need your email and phone number just in case we have questions, but your name and contact information will not be published.
Please make your nominations by email; do not use the story comment form below.
The 2011 North Escambia Persons of the Year will be named late this week.
Pictured: Lawrence and Doris Cooper, two of the North Escambia Persons of the Year for 2010. Read their story by clicking here. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
2011 In Photos: January, February
December 26, 2011
All this week, we are looking back at the photos that were in the news in 2011. Today, we are featuring photos from January and February.
Fire ripped through this Jahaza Road home in Molino on January 12.
The winners, including Miss Northview High School Hayley Simpson, pose after the January Miss Northview High School pageant.
Ernest Ward Middle School’s National Junior Honor Society held an induction ceremony in late January.
An accidental fire destroys equipment at a work site in Walnut Hill.
In February, Molino residents got their first look at a proposed community center and library in the old Molino School.
Century residents gathered to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
A Bessemer, Ala., man (inside police car) tries to explain why he used an ax as he forced his way into an elderly woman’s home west of Flomaton.
Commander Merlin Ladner, USN (Ret) addresses the audience during Northview High School’s NJROTC Annual Inspection in February.
A mobile home burns with a meth lab inside on Molino Road.
Four people were left homeless after a fire started by an oven being used for heat destroyed their Byrneville mobile home.
Drivers were inconvenienced for weeks as the North Highway 99 bridge over Pine Barren Creek was closed in January.
January’s weather was cold, as evidenced by this fountain at Century Care Center.
Rick Scott was sworn in as Florida’s new governor.
The 1165th Military Police Company, including many North Escambia area residents, deployed to Afghanistan.
Jacke Johnson, Gary Riley and Sandra McMurray Jackson were sworn in as new members of the Century Town Council.
Former Century Town Council member Sharon Scott passed away in late February.
In February, numerous arrests were made after a drug-related sweep. A meth lab was found as this Molino Road home.
Lifeflight awaits as a victim is freed from a traffic crash on Highway 4A west of Century.
Recycle Your Christmas Tree
December 26, 2011
You can recycle your natural Christmas tree in Escambia or Santa Rosa counties.
In Escambia County:
The Emerald Coast Utilities Authority (ECUA) will pick up Christmas trees from customers for free with the regular collection of yard waste.
Customers are asked to remove all decorations from their trees and cut the trees so that no portion is longer than six feet. Trees can be placed at the curb with other yard trash, and should not be placed in the regular garbage container or recycling cans.
ECUA will not offer drop-off sites for trees this year because of the lack of participating the last few years.
For more information, call ECUA Customer Service at (850) 476-0480.
In Santa Rosa County:
Santa Rosa County residents are urged to start the New Year “green” by recycling their live Christmas trees. Trees dropped off by Tuesday, January 31 at the five recycling areas around the county will be chipped and offered as free mulch at Clean Community System in Milton at a later date to be announced.
When dropping off trees, please place the trees in the designated area identified by signage. Do not place trees in front of the recycling containers. Trees can be disposed at:
- Jay Transfer Station, on Transfer Station Road
- Quintette Recycle Area at the Five Points Intersection
- Pace Patriot Boulevard next to Pace Volunteer Fire Department
- Tiger Point recreation area in Gulf Breeze, east of Walmart
- Clean Community System on Park Avenue