Pensacola and Perdido Bay Watersheds May Get Estuary of National Significance Status
March 15, 2024
The U.S. Senate unanimously passed the Pensacola and Perdido Bays Estuary of National Significance Act to direct the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to formally enroll the Pensacola and Perdido Bays Estuary Program (PPBEP) into the National Estuary Program as an “Estuary of National Significance.” The bill now heads to the U.S. House of Representatives.
U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Rick Scott (R-FL) introduced the legislation to federally designate the PPBEP to leverage federal dollars, in coordination with funding by state and local governments, to address water quality and resource challenges in the estuary. The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) National Estuary Program is non-regulatory.
“The EPA’s National Estuary Program has a successful track record of cooperative federalism across the nation, including with the four existing programs we have in Florida,” Rubio said. “Enrolling the PPBEP in the National Estuary Program will provide critical support for restoration, conservation, and monitoring efforts in Pensacola and Perdido Bays and enhance economic activity in the Florida Panhandle. I urge my colleagues in the House to quickly pass this bill.”
“The Pensacola and Perdido Bays Estuary of National Significance Act will take important steps in our fight to protect and preserve Florida’s environment and natural resources,” Scott remared “I am proud that our good bill was unanimously passed by the Senate last night and look forward to its passage in the House so it can be quickly signed into law.”
“The Pensacola and Perdido Bays Estuary of National Significance Act will take important steps in our fight to protect and preserve Florida’s environment and natural resources. I am proud that our good bill was unanimously passed by the Senate last night and look forward to its passage in the House so it can be quickly signed into law,” said PPBEP Program Executive Director Matt Posner .
Tate Tennis Boys And Girls Defeat Navarre
March 15, 2024
The Tate Aggies boys and girls tennis teams defeated Navarre Thursday afternoon. The boys won 7-0, and the girls were victorious 4-3.
Next up, the Aggies will take on Washington Friday at the Roger Scott Tennis Center in Pensacola.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Driver Killed While Leaving Mobile Highway Walmart Parking Lot
March 14, 2024
One person was killed in a crash in front of the Walmart of Mobile Highway Thursday morning.
A Honda sedan driven by an 83-year old Pensacola man pulled out of the Walmart parking lot near Cherokee Trail amd into the path of a Volkswagen driven by a 28-year old Pensacola man, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
The 83-year old was pronounced deceased following the crash.
FHP is continuing their investigation.
File photo.
Tate High School Hosts District Special Olympics (With Photo Galleries)
March 14, 2024
Escambia County School District’s Special Olympics Spring Games were held Wednesday at Tate High School with about 400 student athletes and nearly 700 Tate student volunteers assisting as “buddies” and event workers.
The event began with a Special Olympics Torch around the track at Carl Madison Field at Pete Gindl Stadium. The National Anthem was performed by Tate senior Ella Kizer.
For a a photo gallery, click or tap here.
For a second photo gallery, click or tap here.
Photos Tate High Yearbook for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Man Charged With Fleeing From Escambia Deputy
March 14, 2024
A Cantonment man was arrested after allegedly fleeing from an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputy.
Edmond Marquis Richburg, 31, was charged with fleeing or eluding a law enforcement officer with lights and siren activated, operating a motor vehicle as a designated habitual offender, and obstructing justice without violence.
An ECSO deputy activated his emergency lights and siren in to stop a vehicle driven by Richburg on North Palafox Street for a tag light violation and improper wind tint.
Richburg refused to stop until he pulled into a residence on Hollingsworth Avenue, exited the vehicle and began to argue with the deputy, according to an arrest report. He refused to walk to the deputy’s vehicle until several other deputies arrived on scene.
“At which time he was forced into the back seat of patrol vehicle,” the report continues.
The report notes that Richburg’s license was suspended for five years in January 2023, and the window tint allowed 5% of light through, 23% below the legal limit.
FPL Seeks Back-to-Back Rate Decreases In April And May
March 14, 2024
Florida Power & Light Company customers could see back-to-back rate decreases after the company today asked state regulators to approve a reduction beginning in May to reflect lower fuel prices. Rates are already scheduled to decrease in April.
If the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) approves FPL’s request, a typical 1,000-kWh residential customer bill would be more than $14 lower in May than it is today. Individual bills vary based on customers’ energy usage.
Rates are going down in April because a temporary surcharge to recover restoration costs from past hurricanes ends March 31. That means a typical 1,000-kWh residential customer bill will fall nearly $7.
PL asked the PSC to reduce the fuel charge on customer bills to reflect lower projected prices for natural gas, which is used in FPL’s power plants to generate electricity. If the PSC approves, a typical 1,000-kWh residential customer bill would fall about $7.70 beginning in May.
“We are committed to providing reliable energy and keeping customer bills as low as possible. While we are pleased with the possibility of back-to-back rate reductions, we also encourage customers to take advantage of tools and tips from our energy experts to help customers reduce their energy usage and make their bills even lower,” said Armando Pimentel, FPL president and CEO.
Tate Falls To Crestview On The Road
March 14, 2024
The Crestview Bulldogs defeated the Tate Aggies 7-1 Wednesday night in Crestview.
Kaleb Posta took the loss for the Aggies, giving up three runs on four hits, striking out one and walking two over four innings.
Conner Hassell went 2-3 at bat for the Aggies with a double. Brayden Beck was 1-3 with one RBI, and Madox Land was 1-3. Sheppard Edgar went for one and a third inning on the mound, surrendering one hit and four runs, striking out one and walking three. Logan Kimmons tossed two-thirds of an inning, giving up one hit, no runs, striking out one and walking one.
Tate will be at Gulf Breeze Thursday at 7 p.m.
Tate Aggies Tennis Boys and Girls Defeat Escambia Gators
March 14, 2024
The Tate Aggies tennis boys and girls teams both defeated the Escambia Gators this week.
The boys were victorious 7-0, and the girls won 5-2 at Escambia.
The boys record improves to 6-1 so far for the season, and the girls are now 4-3.
Up next, the Tate varsity will be at Navarre Thursday.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
One Injured In Cantonment Wreck
March 13, 2024
At least one person was injured in a wreck Wednesday morning at the intersection of Kingsfield Road and Pompano Street, just off Highway 29 in Cantonment.
The injuries were not considered life threatening.
Escambia County Fire Rescue and Escambia County EMS responded.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Molino Sex Offender Charged With Capital Sexual Battery Of Underage Teen Girl
March 13, 2024
A registered sex offender from Molino has been charged with the “prolonged” sexual assault of an underaged teenage girl.
David Gordon Oster, age 35 of Brickton Road, Molino, was charged with capital felony sexual assault by a person 18 or older on a victim under age 12, two first degree felony counts of sexual assault by custodian on a victim age 12-18, and third degree felony providing obscene material of a minor.
Oster allegedly had sexual relations with the teen multiple times, sometimes paying her amounts ranging from $30 to $100 conditional on sexual performance, according to an arrest report.
Investigators said Oster showed photos of naked men and women to the underage girl and sent explicit videos of himself to her.
Oster was described by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office as living in a camper trailer on the property of a mutual family friend, where the family of the victim trusted him to be around the victim.
The family friend was told by Oster that he had over $1 million tied up in Pennsylvania and promised that he would pay off family debts, which the friend believed, the report states.
Oster is a Florida registered sexual offender adjudicated in 2014 in Erie, Pennsylvania, of indecent assault of a victim less than 13-years of age, endangering the welfare of a child and corruption of minors, according to Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
If convicted of capital felony sexual assault on a victim under 12, Oster faces up to life in prison or the death penalty. He remained in the Escambia County jail Wednesday morning without bond.