Most Local Government Offices Closed Today Due To Thanksgiving Holiday
November 23, 2023
Most local government offices are closed Friday due to the long Thanksgiving holiday weekend.
Escambia County
The following Escambia County Offices are closed Friday (with exceptions noted below):
- Escambia County Board of County Commissioners - all departments
- West Florida Public Libraries – all locations
- Escambia County Property Appraiser
- Escambia County Tax Collector
- Escambia County Department of Animal Welfare
- Escambia County Supervisor of Elections
- Escambia County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller
- Escambia County Extension Office
- Waste Services Administration
- ECAT administrative offices and customer service
Escambia County notes:
- ECAT buses will not run service Thursday, Nov. 23. Regular service will resume Friday, Nov. 24. ECAT customer service will re-open Friday, Nov. 24.
- The UWF campus and express trolleys will not run service Wednesday, Nov. 22, Thursday, Nov. 23 or Friday, Nov. 24. The express trolley will resume regular service Saturday, Nov. 25. The campus trolleys will resume service Monday, Nov. 27.
- The Animal Welfare and Adoption Center will be open Saturday, Nov. 25, and Sunday, Nov. 26.
- The Perdido Landfill will be closed Thursday, Nov. 23. The landfill will reopen Friday, Nov. 24.
- West Florida Public Libraries will be open Saturday, Nov. 25.
Town of Century
- All Town of Century offices and services are closed Friday. There is no change to trash collection.
Emerald Coast Utilities Authority
- EAll residential sanitation, recycling, and yard trash collections, and all commercial sanitation collections for ECUA customers that would normally be made on Thursday, Nov. 23, or Friday, Nov. 24 will be made one day later, on Friday, Nov. 24, or Saturday, Nov. 25, respectively. ECUA business offices will be closed on Thursday, November 23, and Friday, November 24, in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday. Offices will reopen on Monday, November 27.
Former Flomaton Cop Arrested In Molino Gets 10 Years For Trafficking Meth
November 23, 2023
A former Flomaton Police Department lieutenant has been convicted of drug trafficking after an investigation involving law enforcement from two states and the DEA that culminated in Molino.
Lopez entered a straight up plea to one count of trafficking in methamphetamine 28 to 200 grams and unlawful use of a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony.
Lopez was sentenced by Judge Coleman Robinston to 10 years in state prison, incluing a seven year mandatory minimum on the drug trafficking charge. He will receive credit for 346 days time served while awaiting trial. He will also be responsible for $518 in court costs and a $5,000 fine.
Lopez faced a maximum of 30 years in state prison, plus fines totaling $105,000.
Lopez arranged a narcotics deal for methamphetamine from an Escambia County (FL) Sheriff’s Office investigator by phone and text messages. An arrest report states he arrived on December 7, 2020, at a predetermined location near the ECSO precinct in Molino and accepted the two ounces of methamphetamine from the undercover officer. He was then taken into custody by deputies and the SWAT team.
The cellphone used by Lopez to arrange the meth deal belonged to the Town of Flomaton, according to Escambia County (AL) Sheriff Health Jackson. As a result, Lopez was charged in Alabama for felony use of official position or office for personal gain.
Lopez was terminated from the Flomaton Police Department.
School District, Teachers Union Reach Salary Agreement
November 23, 2023
Escambia County Public Schools, the Escambia Education Association (EEA), and the Union of Escambia Education Staff Professionals have reached an agreement to improve salaries for teachers and Ed. Support employees for the 2023-2024 school year.
The agreement commits to a 3% raise for all teachers plus a performance payment and ESE Self Contained supplement. The Ed. Support employees will receive a 1% COLA and eligible employees will receive a step roll (2%) with the exception of the School Bus Operators. The School Bus Operator hourly rate of $16.14 per hour will be improved to $17.61. Other select employee groups will receive pay grade increases and two supplements were also added. Please visit www.escambiaschools.org/laborrelations for specific details.
Furthermore, the School Board and Superintendent extended a $1,000 Recruitment and Retention bonus to be paid in two $500 installments to the employees of both bargaining units. The first of these payments is scheduled to be deposited on the last day of school prior to the Winter Holiday break.
Darzell Warren, EEA President, and Nicole Lindsey, UESP President provided the following statement: “We are thrilled to announce that after extensive negotiations and dedicated efforts, the Escambia Education Association and the Union of Escambia ESP have reached a favorable settlement with Escambia Public Schools. This collaborative achievement is the result of hours of hard work moving to strike a deal that will benefit our dedicated teachers and support staff. While we celebrate this settlement, we acknowledge that there is still much work to be done. Our commitment to excellence and the well-being of our members drives us to continue this collaborative effort. By doing so, we aspire not only to achieve success within our own school district but also to set a standard that other school districts can look to as a model of excellence. We extend our gratitude to all parties involved in the negotiation process and express our appreciation for their unwavering commitment to the betterment of education in Escambia County. Together, we will continue to strive for success and work towards creating a positive and thriving educational environment that benefits both educators and students alike.”
Over the next few weeks, the unions will be advertising and delivering ratification packets and ballots to each work site. “It is important to make all of our employees aware of the ratification process. Union members and non-members should be informed and vote in order to properly request for School Board approval,” stated Caroline Gray, ECPS Chief Negotiator. “At this time, voting will likely take place the week of December 11, and Board Approval will be the following Monday, December 18. This is something we look forward to having accomplished as we move into 2024.”
Beulah Academy Collects 245 Canned Items In Food Drive
November 23, 2023
The Beulah Academy PTSA collected 245 canned food items during their recent food drive to fight hunger in the community.
With 99 cans, eighth graders brought in the most cans of food. Seventh grade collected 57 cans, while sixth graders collected 89 cans.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
AAA Predicting 3 million Floridians To Travel Over Thanksgiving Weekend
November 23, 2023
AAA projects more than 3 million Floridians will travel 50 miles or more during the Thanksgiving holiday travel period*. This year’s forecast is the second highest on record (2005), with an expected 87,000 (3%) more holiday travelers than last year.
“Travel demand has been strong all year and that trend will continue with one of the busiest Thanksgivings on record,” said Debbie Haas, Vice President of Travel for AAA – The Auto Club Group. “With more people taking to the roads, skies, rails and sea; travelers should expect congested roads and longer lines at transportation terminals. AAA encourages travelers to develop their plan now, leave early, and be courteous to others.”
Most Thanksgiving travelers will drive to their destinations. AAA predicts nearly 2.8 million Floridians will take a road trip of 50 miles or more. That’s nearly 71,000 more Florida drivers (+2.6%) than last year. This year’s forecasted auto travel volume is 10,000 shy of the all-time high, set during the 2005 Thanksgiving holiday weekend.
Thanksgiving road trips should be less costly at the gas pump this year. Despite global tensions causing ripples through the oil market, strong domestic gasoline supplies are causing pump prices to drop. Last Thanksgiving, the national average price for gasoline was $3.58 per gallon, while the state average was $3.41. AAA believes gas prices should remain low through the holiday season unless oil prices suddenly spike. Visit GasPrices.AAA.com to view updated gas price averages.
AAA expects nearly 210,000 Floridians to fly for Thanksgiving. That’s nearly 12,000 (6%) more than 2022, and the second highest air travel volume in 15 years, behind 2019.
Tuesday and Wednesday before Thanksgiving are the busiest air travel days ahead of the holiday and the most expensive. While Sunday is typically the busiest day to return home, AAA data shows Monday is also a popular day to fly back after Thanksgiving.
The number of Floridians traveling by cruise, bus, and train over Thanksgiving is up nearly 9% over last year. AAA expects 50,000 travelers to head out of town using these other modes of transportation, which suffered a severe setback during the pandemic, but have rebounded nicely.
“The cruise industry, in particular, has made a remarkable comeback, and thrives during the holidays,” Haas added. “Holiday cruises are highly sought-after as a means for large families to travel together and visit multiple destinations without having to worry about the cooking and cleanup. For those looking to plan a 2024 vacation, this is also a great time to connect with a Travel Advisor, who can navigate the many options available to find the best fit.”
Jim Allen Elementary School Students Hold Their Own Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
November 23, 2023
Ms. Taylor and Mrs. Cooley’s classes at Jim Allen Elementary School learned about the history of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Along with learning about gravity, the students worked together to design balloons to overcome gravity. When they finished, they held their very own “Macy’s” parade.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Rotary Provides Thanksgiving Meals For Over 1,600 People (With Photo Gallery)
November 23, 2023
Over 1,600 people can enjoy a complete Thanksgiving meal this year thanks to the members and friends of the Cantonment Rotary Club.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Wednesday, the club distributed everything for a turkey meal to 324 families in the North Escambia area. The recipients were chosen with the help of local school guidance counselors who helped identify families that might need a little help this time of year.
The Tate High School cheerleaders volunteered Wednesday at St. Luke United Methodist Church to help package the meals for delivery.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Miracle League Holds Annual Turkey Fry (With Photo Gallery)
November 23, 2023
The Miracle League of Pensacola held their annual turkey fry fundraiser Wednesday at their park on East Nine Mile Road.
Volunteers with the Miracle League spent their day frying about 300 turkeys for a minimum $35 donation, with all of the proceeds going to benefit the Miracle League.
For a photo gallery, click here.
A small army of volunteers worked to deep fry the turkeys to perfection, rows of timers keeping track of the cooking time at a command center of sorts. Cadets from the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also volunteered to make sure the turkeys were ready to enjoy on Thanksgiving.
The Miracle League provides physically and mentally challenged children a safe and spirited program in which they can hit, run, and catch on a baseball field – just like other kids. MLP offers a unique and memorable opportunity these children would not otherwise have. It is a place where every player plays, every player hits, every player gets on base, every player scores, and every player wins – every inning.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Ice Flyers Give Thanks With Shutout Win, Gender Reveal, And Remain Unbeaten At Home
November 23, 2023
By Bill Vilona
After the team’s practice Tuesday, the Ice Flyers players went together on a grocery shopping mission for Thanksgiving dinner, where they were to all share all gather.
The Ice Flyers have now completed the first two months with an unbeaten (6-0) home record. It is such a turnaround from the past several seasons when home ice wasn’t such an advantage.
“Obviously, it’s fun to play at home,” said Ice Flyers veteran forward Ivan Bondarenko. “We have a great crowd behind us and we always get that that energy and you can tell by our record, we are playing very well at home.”
For more photos, click or tap here.
And though he didn’t factor into the scoring Wednesday, Bondarenko generated energy when he and his wife, along with their young son, stayed on the ice after the first period for a gender-reveal event.
Bondarenko swiped at an artificial puck that burst into blue, signifying another boy is on the way.
“Originally the plans were for him to just be with his wife and we said, no, we all want to be there,” said Ice Flyers coach Gary Graham. “That was a cool moment. All the years I coached, I have never been part of that.”
Added Bondarenko: “It was amazing. It was an incredible moment to do it around friends and family and all the fans. It was great.”
At the time, the Ice Flyers led 1-0. Dante Zapata, who had seven assists in his first 10 games with the Ice Flyers, scored his first goal Wednesday on a rebound wrister with 12:35 left in the first period.
The game stayed 1-0 through midpoint of the second period.
Birmingham kept much of the play in the Ice Flyers zone though the first 10 minutes until Meirs Moore got free along the boards on the right side. He swooped toward the goal cage and sent a wrist shot into the net with 6:58 left for his first goal this season.
The Ice Flyers then followed with two goals 69 seconds apart. Leading scorer Brett Mecrones scored a spectacular goal while falling backwards on the ice. He got off a good wrist shot on a rebound and set it into the net. Malik Johnson then scored his first goal on a shot through the goaltenders pads and just like that, the Ice Flyers went from 1-0 to 4-0 at second intermission.
“(Earlier) in the second period we weren’t very good,” Graham said. And Dinger (Mundinger) was just huge for us. He made some big saves for us.
“And when Meirsey had that goal and we had the chance to build momentum we really seized it and you could see bang, bang, bang we scored three goals.
The Ice Flyers generated only 20 shots through two periods. But they scored four goals. That kind of efficiency decided the game before final period began.
“We got secondary scoring from guys that frankly we haven’t gotten it from this year,” Graham said. “Whenever you see three players in the classic goal celebration where they take the (imaginary) monkey off the back and (pretend) throw it into the stands… you usually see that once a game, but you had three guys who scored and could say, been waiting awhile for this to come.”
Mundinger, 28, a Smithtown, New York native, played four seasons as a backup goaltender with the University of Maine, one of the top collegiate programs in the country. He has been a special addition to this year’s team.
Earlier Wednesday, Ice Flyers goaltender Kaden Fulcher received a callup to the ECHL with the Savannah (Ga.) Ghost Pirates.
“For Dinger it was about just getting into the net and playing games this year,” Graham said. “We are just ecstatic to have him. We love Kaden, we love Dinger.”
It was the fourth meeting with Birmingham this season. Both teams entered tied for third in the standings with 14 points. The Ice Flyers will travel on Friday for a rematch against the Bulls in Birmingham.
Following that game, the Ice Flyers will then travel to Macon, Georgia for a game on Sunday at 4 p.m. against the Macon Mayhem.
“Bulls activated two really good forwards in their lineup and they had lot more firepower than last two times we played them,” Graham said. “Knowing that, we talked about trying to win the game defensively tonight and really be stingy, trying to get more physical on them.”
Following that game, the Ice Flyers will then travel to Macon, Georgia for a game on Sunday at 4 p.m. against the Macon Mayhem.
“Bulls activated two really good forwards in their lineup and they had lot more firepower than last two times we played them,” Graham said. “Knowing that, we talked about trying to win the game defensively tonight and really be stingy, trying to get more physical on them.”
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
WHAT’S NEXT?
WHO: Ice Flyers vs. Birmingham Bulls
WHEN: Friday, 7:05 p.m.
WHERE: Pelham Civic Complex, Pelham, Alabama.
Happy Thanksgiving! Chilly Temps In the 50s Today
November 23, 2023
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Thanksgiving Night: A 30 percent chance of rain before midnight. Cloudy, with a low around 44. North wind around 5 mph.
Friday: Partly sunny, with a high near 61. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 42. North wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 65. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 47. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph after midnight.
Sunday: Showers likely, mainly after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 64. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming north in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Sunday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 46. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Monday: Partly sunny, with a high near 58. North wind around 10 mph.
Monday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 37.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 54.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 33.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 57.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 37.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 59.