ECUA Seeks Rate Increases, Pay Hikes
September 10, 2010
ECUA garbage, water and sewer customers will see higher bills in the coming months if the utility approves rate increases currently under consideration. And ECUA employees may receive across the board pay raises.
Emerald Coast Utility Authority customers in North Escambia only have garbage service. ECUA is proposing a three percent rate increase to take effect on October 1. That would increase the the bill by 54 cents per month from $17.99 to $18.53 for a customer with one standard 90-gallon container. Senior citizens would pay 45 cents more per month, from $15.08 to $15.53.
Significant increases for water and sewer customers would be in four stages, with a 10 percent increase on October 1, 2010, an a additional eight percent on October 1, 2011, another eight percent increase on October 1, 2012, and another eight percent increase on October, 2013.
The current average water and sewer bill would rise from $65.50 per month now to $70.36 in October.
The ECUA board voted 3-2 in favor of the rate increases, with Lois Benson and Dale Perkins against. Elvin McCorvey, Elizabeth Campbell and Larry Walker voted in favor of the rate hike.
ECUA’s new budget for 2010-2011 would also give pay raises to over 500 employees. There would be an across the board one percent pay hike, with an additional two percent merit pay increase for some employees. Benson and Perkins votes against the pay hikes, while McCorvey, Campbell and Walker voted in favor.
ECUA will hold a public hearing on the water, sewer and sanitation rate increases at 3 p.m. on September 23 at the ECUA board meeting room in the Ellyson Industrial Park, 9250 Hammon Street in Pensacola.
Lady Chiefs Defeat ECHS (With Photo Gallery)
September 10, 2010
The Northview Lady Chiefs swept Escambia County High School in three games Thursday afternoon in Atmore.
The Lady Chiefs beat the Blue Devils 25-13 in the first game, 25-14 in the second game and 25-11 in the final game of the match.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery from the game, click here.
Senior Shawna Montgomery had two kills, seven aces and one assist for the Lady Chiefs, while senior Kara Hardin recorded four kills, one ace, one assist and a block. Ashely Digmon, also a senior, had a half dozen assists and five aces. Raylin Spence, who is a junior, added two aces, five assists and a dig for the Northview Lady Chiefs.
“The team did a good job tonight of continuing to work on quickening our offense. We also worked on changing our game strategy regarding our setters,” said Northview Head Coach Betty Heaton. ” The girls did a good job adjusting to these changes. I look forward to seeing how our changes will work against Baldwin County and Murphy on Tuesday.”
The JV Chiefs will be in action this Saturday in tournament action in Spanish Fort. The JV and varsity will be action Tuesday against Baldwin County High School and Murphy High in Bay Minette. The first home games for the Lady Chiefs will be September 23 against Freeport.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery from the game, click here.
Pictured top: (L-R) Ashley Digmon, Kara Hardin, Morgan Payne and Sarah Killam. Pictured inset: Northview’s Kara Hardin stops an Escambia County High School shot Thursday afternoon in Atmore. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
More Eastern Equine Encephalitis Cases Confirmed
September 10, 2010
Alabama health officials have confirmed cases of Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) in three horses, including one in Escambia County, less than a month after a Molino horse was confirmed to have the disease.
Thursday, the Alabama Department of Public Health has confirmed three positive cases of Eastern equine encephalitis in horses located in Escambia, Baldwin, and Washington counties.
A Molino horse named Spirit was euthanized in late August after showing symptoms of EEE, a diagnosis confirmed by laboratory tests, according to Katie Miller, spokesperson for the Escambia County (Fla.) Health Department. The horse was pastured on River Bend Road, near the Escambia River, near Fairgrounds Park.
EEE, West Nile virus and other mosquito-borne viruses are transmitted by mosquitoes after they feed on birds. The same mosquitoes can then infect mammals, particularly humans and horses. Humans and horses can sometimes become seriously ill from the infection. Typically one or two human cases are reported each year in Florida, according to the Florida Department of Health. The state averages over 70 reported cases of equine EEE each year.
Miller said it is still a good idea to follow the “5-D’s ” of mosquito protection:
- Don’t go outdoors at DUSK and DAWN when mosquitoes are most active.
- DRESS so your skin is covered with clothing
- Apply mosquito repellent containing DEET to bare skin and clothing. Other effective repellents include picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, and IR3535.
- Empty containers and DRAIN standing water around your home where mosquitoes can lay eggs.
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services said the majority of cases of EEE and other mosquito-borne diseases in horses can be prevented through proper vaccinations. Horse owners are urged to check with their veterinarian to make sure their animals have received current vaccinations and booster shots against EEE and West Nile Virus, and that these shots are kept up to date.
Pictured top: Jessica Mullins with Spirit, the Molino horse that contracted Eastern equine encephalitis. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Considers $377 Million Budget
September 10, 2010
Last night, Escambia County Commission held the first of two public hearings on their proposed $377,608,676 budget for the 2010-2011 fiscal year.
The budget includes the following major changes when compared to last year, according to the county:
- Reduction in Ad-Valorem and MSTU – $5,528,198
- Reduction in SRIA budgeted reserves (beach taxes) – $3,012,085
- Reduction in the total General Fund Budget of – $582,322
- Reduction in BCC position counts of 17 positions – $710,406
- Reduction in the General Fund Transfer to Code Enforcement Fund – $164,282
- Reduction in the West Florida Library Budget – $34,734*
- Reduction in the Building Inspections Budget – $301,160
- Reduction in the Emergency Medical Services Budget – $502,856
- Net reduction of Elected Officials General Fund Budgets – $112,656**
- Century Courthouse/included in the Clerk’s Budget – $60,709
- Increase in the Sheriff’s General Fund Budget – $2,552,418
- Increase in the General Fund transfer to ECAT – $541,253
- Increase in Grants to the County over FY2009/10 levels – $7,467,819
- Increase in the Solid Waste Budget – $5,853,566
- Increase in the Civic Center Subsidy from the TOT – $349,810
- County General Fund Reserves are at FY2009/10 levels – $12,723,349
- Employee health insurance premiums will remain at the FY2009/10 levels
* According to the contractual funding formula the County’s $34,734 reduction will trigger a reduction of between $9,000 and $10,000 in the city’s required funding.
** Includes the Property Appraiser, Tax Collector, Clerk, and Supervisor of Elections only. (Excludes the Sheriff’s budget)
A second public hearing on the budget will be held September 23 at 5:01 p.m. in the Board Chambers on the first floor at 221 Palafox Place.
Angel Food: Get About $60 Worth Of Groceries For $30
September 10, 2010
As the cost of food continues to rise, there is a program available locally that can save more than half of the cost of groceries. And, perhaps best of all, everyone qualifies, no strings attached. It’s called Angel Food Ministries, a program that provides food relief to more than a half million families a month across the nation.
It’s a simple concept…pay $31 for a box of food worth about $60. There are no applications; everyone qualifies regardless of family status or income. The process is simple too…just stop by one of the designated local locations, pay the $30 and return on the designated pickup day to receive the box of food. They even accept food stamps. Or, the food can be ordered online at angelfoodministries.com.
This months “Signature Box” contains a variety of items — including split chicken breasts, been and cheese burritos, hamburger patties, boneless pork chops and more more. (See the complete items at the bottom of this page.)
In the North Escambia area, orders can be placed online or through Allen Memorial United Methodist Church or Pine Forest Assembly of God in Cantonment, New Life Baptist Church in Century or the Poarch Band of Creek Indians. Click here for a complete list of locations in the North Escambia area.
At Allen Memorial United Methodist Church in Cantonment, orders can be placed in person on Saturday, September 11 from 10:30-11:30 or September 13-14 from 3-4 p.m. Click here for the complete Angel Food menu and ordering information from Allen Memorial or call (850) 968-6213. Allen Memorial even serves a complimentary breakfast to all guests on distribution day.
To order online for pickup at any of the North Escambia area sites, visit www.angelfoodministries.com. When ordering online, enter the code “Just4me5″ to save five percent on the Just 4 Me After School Box or enter the code “Blessed5″ to save five percent off the Bountiful Blessing Box.
Pictured: The graphic below shows the items in the “Signature Box” from Angel Food Ministries available from several local churches and organizations. Courtesy graphic for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
JV Chiefs Fall To West Florida
September 10, 2010
The junior varsity Northview Chiefs lost their season opener Thursday night to the Jaguars of West Florida High School, 44-6.
The JV Chiefs will be on the road again next Thursday at 6 p.m. against the Baker Gators. Their first home game will be September 27 against the Blue Devils of Escambia County High School of Atmore.
For a photo gallery from the game, click here.
Pictured above: Action from the JV Chiefs versus the West Florida Jags Thursday in Pensacola. NorthEscambia.com photos by Ramona Fischer, click to enlarge.
Driver Hits Tree At School
September 9, 2010
Two people were injured in a single vehicle accident about 10:15 this morning at the Escambia Charter School in Cantonment.
The driver of a car hit a tree next to a building at the school, which is located at the intersection of Goldenrod Road and 90 & 9 Ranch Road, just north of Old Chemstrand Road.
The accident is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Smith, click to enlarge.
Teen Gets 50 Years In Prison For Murder Of Century Native
September 9, 2010
A Bay Minette teen has been sentenced to 50 years in prison for the shooting death of a Century native last year.
Ellis Jarel McArthur, now 19, of Bay Minette, Ala., will serve a minimum of 25 years of the 50 year sentence in state prison under the sentenced handed down Wednesday by Judge Nickolas Geeker.
McArthur shot Jeffrey Kimbrough, 41, of Pensacola in the right eye on June 14, 2009, in the 1500 block of Gulf Beach Highway in the Warrington community in the southwest part of the county. The incident occurred at the Heritage Oaks Mobile Home Park, which had been without water for about a week due to a bill that the park owner did not pay to the Peoples Water Service.
Escambia County Sheriff’s deputies said Kimbrough confronted McArthur about a stolen wallet. That is when, according to deputies, McArthur pulled out a handgun and shot Kimbrough in the right eye. Kimbrough died a short time later at Baptist Hospital in Pensacola.
The shooting incident occurred not far from where members of Pensacola’s First Assembly of God Church were holding services, grilling hot dogs and giving away water to the trailer park residents. Several members of the church witnessed the shooting.
Kimbrough was born in Century and attended Century Elementary and Carver Middle school. During the time he lived in Century, Kimbrough was a member of Century Volunteer Fire Department where he obtained the rank of captain. After moving from Century, he served as a volunteer for the Pensacola Fire Department. He was employed the last five years at the Pensacola Civic Center.
He was survived by his wife of 24 years Clara Ann Nettle; children Bridgett, Leroca, Elandarge and Tamara; mother Carrie Kimbrough; four brothers and three sisters. His funeral was held at New Life Baptist Church in Century, and internment was in the Century Cemetery.
Mayor, Council President Contribute To Century Council Candidates
September 9, 2010
The first round of finance reports for two council seats in Century shows support for two candidates by members of the current administration.
For the Town Council, Seat 5, candidate Annie Savage received contributions of $100 each from Century Mayor Freddie McCall, his wife Margie and his daughter Sonja McCall. She also received a $35 contribution from former Mayor Benny Barnes, $50 from Marilyn Robinson and she contributed $100 to her own campaign. In all, Savage received $485 in contributions as of August 27.
Her opponent, Sandra McMurray-Jackson contributed $75 to her own campaign and spent $48 on her qualifying fee.
In the race for Town Council, Seat 3, Robert Lasher received a $250 contribution from current Century Town Council President Ann Brooks, $100 from banker Bill Cox, $50 each from Mima and Jack Floyd of Jay and he contributed $80 to his own campaign.
Challenger Jacke Johnston had contributed $77 to her own campaign as of August 27. Incumbent Henry Hawkins had $200 in one contribution — listed by Hawkins as being from pharmacist Julie Moran-Booth.
Town Council, Seat 4 Incumbent Gary Riley — who does not face any competition for his seat — filed his final report Thursday morning. He showed he paid his own $48 qualifying fee.
To view a candidate’s complete finance report for the period ending August 27, click their name below:
Century Town Council, Seat 3
Century Town Council, Seat 5
Top 7: County Administrator Candidates Named
September 9, 2010
The list of finalists for the Escambia County administrator position has been released.
The new administrator will serve at the will of the Escambia County Commission on a one-year contract with provisions for renewal. The job pays $120,065 to $145,000 plus benefits.
The commission will interview the seven finalists during a special meeting from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m. on Friday, September 17. The finalists, presented in alphabetical order, are:
- Melinda Carlton, town manager in Vernon Township, New Jersey
- Kenneth Griffin, assistant county administrator in Marion County, Florida
- Maurice Inkel, of Pensacola, retired Air Force colonel
- Gregory Lewis, county manager in Niagara County, Minnesota
- Charles (Randy) Oliver, a former city manager in Surprise, Arizona
- Rebecca Peterson, from Pace, former manager of the Solutia plant in Cantonment
- Steve Stevens, accountant from Pensacola