Kayaker Reported In Trouble On Escambia River; Flooding Closes Bluff Springs And Cotton Lake Recreation Areas
July 18, 2023
Authorities responded to reports of an overturned kayaker in trouble Monday on the Escambia River.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to the Bluff Springs Recreation area midday. We are told the kayaker was safely brought to shore.
The Bluff Springs and Cotton Lake recreation areas are both closed temporarily due to flooding, according to the Northwest Florida Water Management District.
According to the National Weather Service, the Escambia River was at above action stage Monday at about 13 feet and falling.
Pictured: The ECSO responded to the Bluff Springs Recreation Area to assist FWC with reports of a kayaker in trouble Monday. Photo by Cliff Rooker for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Community Action Head Start Hosting Family Fun Days In Molino And Century
July 18, 2023
The Community Action Program locations in Molino and Century will host fun days this week for families and friends.
The community will also have the chance to learn more about what the program offers.
The CAC-Molino Head Start program will begin at 10 a.m. Wednesday behind the Molino Library.
The Century-CAC Head Start program starts at 10 a.m. Thursday at Showalter Park.
Pictured: The CAC-Molino Head Start Center at the Molino Community Center on Highway 95A. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
ECUA May End Free Curbside Recycling, Adding A Fee For Those That Recycle
July 18, 2023
The Emerald Coast Utilities Authority may soon end free curbside recycling, instead charging an extra fee for those that wish to recycle.
“We are considering the possibility of different scenarios to encourage proper use of the recycling can,” ECUA Public Information Office Nathalie Bowers said.
The problem, she said, is contamination in the recycling stream — residents putting items that can’t be recycled in the ECUA program into the recycling can.
“The board will consider adding a fee for recycling,” she said. “They may also reduce the price of a second (regular sanitation) can, or potentially reduce the monthly bill for those without recycling and just one can . Or the board may come back with other possibilities.” The ECUA board will consider the options at their next meeting on July 25 with a final vote coming in August.
ECUA customers have had optional curbside recycling at no charge since 2009. The current recycling facility has been open since 2016.
RELATED: Here’s What To Recycle (And Not).
Florida, Alabama Troopers Kick Off ‘Operation Southern Slow Down’
July 18, 2023
The Florida Highway Patrol and Alabama State Troopers have kicked off “Operation Southern Slow Down,” a joint effort with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the other southern states of Georgia, South Carolina, and Tennessee.
All five states and local law enforcement agencies will conduct a week-long speed enforcement campaign. FHP will specifically focus on detecting and citing drivers for exceeding the posted speed limits across Florida’s interstate corridors.
“The Florida Highway Patrol will be working with our many dedicated law enforcement partners toward providing highway safety,” said Colonel Gary L. Howze, Director of the Florida Highway Patrol. “Your FHP Troopers will be on patrol monitoring traffic for hazardous drivers and enforcing traffic laws along Florida’s state highways in support of Operation Southern Slowdown.”
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Cottage Hill Water Works Issues Boil Water Notice For Phalrose Lane, Cooley Road
July 17, 2023
A precautionary boil water notice has been issued for Cottage Hill Water Works customers on Phalrose Lane and Cooley Road.
The boil water notice was issued following a water main break Monday.
The utility is advising, as a precaution, that all water used for drinking, cooking, making ice, brushing teeth, or washing dishes be boiled. A rolling boil of one minute is sufficient. As an alternative bottled water may be used.
This precautionary boil water notice will remain in effect until the problem has been corrected and a bacteriological survey shows that the water is safe to drink.
The boil water notice was issued following a water main break.
This story will be updated when the advisory has been lifted.
High Speed Fiber Internet Buildout Continues In North Escambia
July 17, 2023
Work is continuing on a high speed fiber internet network in North Escambia.
Escambia River Electric Cooperative (EREC) and partner Conexon Connect will bring internet speeds reaching 2 Gig up and down for $50 to $100 a month in EREC’s service footprint.
In late May, work started to pull the fiber cable out across the area from EREC’s Bratt Substation. Fiber cabinets have been installed at the Bratt and Oak Grove substations; they are large, free-standing, climate controlled cabinets that contain the necessary equipment to provide the internet service across the fiber network.
Batteries in the cabinets can keep the network powered for up to eight hours in the event of a power failure, and a generator can be used in a more extended outage. The remainder of the network in North Escambia is passive — no other power or equipment needed along the fiber to provide service.
For more photos, click or tap here.
Pictured: The installation of a fiber cabinet at the EREC Bratt Substation on Bratt Road. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Reminder: Food And Backpack Distribution Set For Saturday In Gonzalez
July 17, 2023
A food and school backpack distribution will be held Saturday, July 22 in Gonzalez.
The event begins at 8 a.m, with line up no earlier than 7:30 a.m., at the Gonzalez Methodist Church at 2026 Pauline Street. The event will continue while supplies last (a minimum of 300 families).
Rep. Michelle Salzman, the Gonzalez Methodist Church and other community partners are sponsoring the event, which is open to all in need with no eligibility requirements.
“We understand that going back to school is a struggle for many families, so during our Fall Food Distribution, we are also giving away backpacks, courtesy of Ascend Cares, State Farm Tyler Kercher, Kevin Stephens, and Jubilee Church. Along with our food distribution, we want our families to get a good start for the new school year,” Salzman said.
Pictured: A similar distribution was held last July at the Molino Community Center. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia Seeks Volunteers For Merit System Protection Board
July 17, 2023
The Escambia County Board of County Commissioners is seeking Escambia County residents interested in volunteering to be considered for appointment to the Escambia County Merit System Protection Board. Residents who wish to apply are asked to submit a resume and letter indicating their desire to serve by the close of business on July 21, 2023.
Two vacancies are available for the MSPB: one vacancy will be filled immediately following appointment by the Escambia County Commission, while the second vacancy will be filled effective October 1, 2023
Resumes should be submitted via email to boardapply@myescambia.com or mailed to:
Jose Gochez, Program Coordinator
Escambia County Board of County Commissioners
P.O. Box 1591
Pensacola, FL 32502
All submittals are subject to public records requests.
Gas Prices Drop A Few Cents On Average In Florida
July 17, 2023
Gas prices decreased a few cents on average last week in Florida.
The average price per gallon Sunday in Florida was $3.41, down from $3.46 last week, according to AAA. In Escambia County, the average per gallon was $3.20.
In North Escambia, a low of $2.98 was available at one station on Muscogee Road in Cantonment. In Pensacola several stations were below $3, including a low of $2.97 on Pine Forest Road.
Sunday’s state average remained below this year’s high of $3.72 per gallon.
Barons Beat Blue Wahoos In Lopsided 15-2 Finale
July 17, 2023
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos dropped their road trip finale to the Birmingham Barons on Sunday afternoon, falling 15-2 in their most lopsided loss of the season.
The Barons put up 15 runs on 18 hits, and benefitted from nine walks and three Pensacola errors, to take the rubber match of the three-game series.
Ben Norman delivered most of the early offense, hitting a three-run homer in the second, a two-run double in the third and a two-run single in the fourth. The Barons outfielder finished 3-for-4 with 7 RBI on the afternoon.
Pensacola starter M.D. Johnson (L, 1-3) allowed 10 runs, 9 earned, over 3.0 innings. The righty began the fourth inning, but departed without recording an out as the Barons stacked up seven runs in the frame to put the game out of reach.
Birmingham starter Matt Thompson (W, 4-9) allowed two runs on three hits over 5.0 innings. A Nasim Nuñez RBI double in the third inning and Cody Morissette RBI groundout in the sixth accounted for the only Blue Wahoos runs of the game.
After an off day Monday, the Blue Wahoos begin a six-game home series against the Rocket City Trash Pandas on Tuesday.