Boil Water Notice Notice Area Of Highway 29 Between Quintette, Pinoak
November 30, 2022
A broken water main at Highway 29 and Hazzard Lane has led to a boil water notice for some Cottage Hill Water Works customers.
All Cottage Hill Water Works customers on Hazzard Lane and on Highway 29 from Quintette Road south to Pineoak Lane are under a precautionary boil water notice until further notice.
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.
This story will be updated when the boil water notice is lifted.
Bonus Gallery: NHS Cheerleaders, Band, NJROTC And Fans
November 30, 2022
Here is a photo bonus gallery with the Northview band, cheerleaders, NJROTC and fans from the last two playoff games.
Click here to view the gallery.
Northview (12-0) will host the Fightin’ Tigers of Union County High (8-2) at 7 p.m. Tickets are $9 and are available at GoFan.co.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Chooses EREC To Bring 2 Gigabit Fiber Internet To North Escambia
November 29, 2022
The Escambia County Commission voted Monday to pursue an agreement with Escambia River Electric Cooperative to bring high speed fiber internet directly to thousands of homes and businesses in rural northern Escambia County potentially as early as next summer.
Escambia County will contribute $6 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act funds to the project across EREC’s franchise area, which is roughly north of Barrineau Park Road. EREC will provide the balance of the estimated $23 to $24 million project or apply for other grants and funding.
“4,200 to 4,300 homes and businesses, which is every single home and business in their footprint,” District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry said. “It’s fiber to every one of those. It’s nearly 700 miles of fiber, 500 aerial, 200 underground. And what’s been negotiated is a $6 million contribution from county ARPA funds.”
Three basic speed tiers are proposed are:
- 100 Mbps/100 Mbps — $49.95/month
- 1 Gig/1Gig — $79.95/month
- 2 Gig/2Gig — $99.95/month
Under the Affordable Connectivity Program, ACP, Lifeline, and other low-income benefits will lower by $30 per month, or as low as $19.95 per month.
EREC is a member-owned cooperative founded in 1939.
“I could not be more excited to be moving forward with a partnership with EREC. The ability to bring real fiber high speed internet access to every home and business in their service area is a dream come true,” Barr said. “By utilizing only federal dollars, thousands of residents will gain access to something that is crucial, and Escambia County has the ability to partner with EREC, a cooperative that is owned by our friends and neighbors. It’s truly a blessing to be able to bring access to this service to rural areas neglected by internet providers for so long.”
“We are very excited to learn of the Escambia County award,” EREC CEO Ryan Campbell said. “All of us at Escambia River Electric Cooperative are eager to bring broadband fiber to unserved and underserved homes and businesses in this rural county. We are in the very early design stage, and we look forward to communicating more about our plans in early 2023.”
EREC’s fiber ring will also connect about two dozen county-owned facilities in the cooperative’s service area.
EREC will partner with Conexon Connect under the proposal.
“Conexon Connect works predominantly with electric cooperatives, building networks using a methodology and architecture that allows the co-ops to leverage their existing infrastructure, thus powering reliable and affordable broadband service for 100% of their members,” according to the company’s website.
The county commission’s vote during a special meeting Monday afternoon was to negotiate a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with EREC, and provide support as EREC applies for Florida Department of Economic Opportunity grants. The MOU will return to the BOCC for final approval at a future meeting.
The vote was 4-1, with newly-elected District 2 Commissioner Mike Kohler voting no after saying that he did not have time to read and become familiar with program documentation.
“I can’t vote for something if I don’t have complete knowledge on it, and I don’t,” he said.
Other proposals were received from Cox Communications, Florida Power & Light’s sister company NextCity Networks, and C-Spire Fiber.
Cox proposed connecting about 2,500 homes, while NextCity Networks proposed taking up to 10 years to provide fiber to homes.
Escambia County originally sought proposals to provide fiber to homes north of 10 Mile Road, with another upcoming request for proposals for the area south of 10 Mile Road. The county committed up to $10 million to the area north of 10 Mile Road, with another $12 million for the area to the south.
Accepting the EREC proposal for $6 million for an area further north of 10 Mile Road will shift the second phase to roughly south of Barrineau Park Road.
One Injured In Alleged Wrong Way Driver Crash On Highway 97 In Walnut Hill
November 29, 2022
FOR AN UPDATE ON AN ARREST IN THIS CRASH, CLICK HERE.
One person received minor injuries in a wreck involving two vehicles on Highway 97 in Walnut Hill Monday night.
Witnesses said a pickup truck was traveling in the wrong lane of Highway 97 near Wiggins Lake Road, just north of Walnut Hill Fire Station, about 6:47 p.m.
An oncoming driver reportedly swerved out of the way to avoid a head-on collision, and his pickup truck struck a guardrail. The driver was not injured.
The alleged wrong-way pickup truck came to rest about 1,000 feet away in a ditch after also apparently hitting a guardrail. The driver of the truck was transported by Escambia County EMS to Jay Hospital for treatment.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating the crash, which completely closed Highway 97 and backed up traffic for over half a mile.
The Walnut Hill and McDavid stations of Escambia County Fire Rescue and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Theme Is ‘Light Up The Night’ For Friday’s Northview Playoff Game
November 29, 2022
The theme for this Friday night’s Northview Final Four playoff football game will be “Light Up the Tigers”.
Fans are asked to wear necklaces, bracelets or anything that lights up.
Northview (12-0) will host the Fightin’ Tigers of Union County High (8-2) at 7 p.m. Tickets are $9 and are available at GoFan.co.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Escambia Man Gets 15 Years For Attempted Murder, Robbery, Grand Theft
November 29, 2022
An Escambia County man has been sentenced to 15 years in state prison on multiple charges including attempted murder.
Ernest Lamar Finklea, 20, previously pleaded guilty to attempted second degree murder, robbery with a deadly weapon, grand theft auto, grand theft of a firearm and criminal mischief for the 2021 incident.
Finklea punched and stabbed the victim before telling him “I will kill you”, according to persecutors. He smashed the victim’s phone and electronic watch, and stole his handgun, wallet and car keys.
After being released from the hospital and getting his phone repaired, the victim discovered that Finklea’s social media account was logged in on the victim’s phone. The victim was able to view messages sent by the Finklea as well as videos of him driving the stolen car and with the stolen gun.
Deadline Is Wednesday For Discount On Real Estate, Tangible Property Taxes
November 29, 2022
A 4% discount on payment of real estate and tangible personal property taxes ends Wednesday, November 30, according to Escambia County Tax Collector Scott Lunsford.
To receive the 4% discount, payments must be:
- mailed with a November postmark;
- left by midnight, November 30, in a 24-hour drop box available at all locations; or
- made online by midnight, November 30, at EscambiaTaxCollector.com.
Taxpayers are encouraged to visit our virtual office at EscambiaTaxCollector.com to pay online 24 hours a day. Online services allow customers to pay their taxes, search records, print receipts, renew vehicle and vessel registrations and many other services. There is no additional fee to pay current taxes by eCheck. Customers who decide to visit tax collector offices can drop off their payment in the drive thru or in a dropbox.
To check the status of your taxes, pay online or print a receipt, visit the payment center at EscambiaTaxCollector.com. Taxpayers are encouraged to contact the tax collector’s office by email ectc@EscambiaTaxCollector.com or by phone with any questions.
Pictured: The Escambia County Tax Collector Office in Molino. NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Fourth Inmate Death Of The Year At Century Prison Under Investigation
November 29, 2022
The death of an inmate at the Century Correctional Institution is under investigation — the fourth inmate death reported at the facility this year.
“We can confirm the Office of Inspector General is currently investigating an incident which resulted in the death of an inmate at Century Correctional Institution on Friday, November 25,” the Florida Department of Corrections told NorthEscambia.com in an email.
FDOC would not specifically confirm if the death was believed to be the result of foul play, but did say that “inmates who cause harm to others are held accountable for their actions”.
The name of the inmate and additional details were not released due an ongoing investigation.
Other inmate deaths were reported this year on April 17, May 14 and July 14. The cause of death remains pending in each, and names have not been released.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Fourth North Escambia FPL Solar Farm Planned South Of Bratt Road
November 28, 2022
Florida Power & Light is proposing a fourth solar farm in North Escambia.
The “Mitchell Creek Solar Energy Center” would be located on 1,282 acres between Camp and Cox Roads, just south of Bratt Road and the Escambia County Road Department North Camp, according to plans obtained by NorthEscambia.com.
The proposed location is just northwest of the First City Solar Energy Center, located along Holland, Cox and Roach roads in McDavid. It is on track to go into operation in early 2023. The site will have more than 223,000 photovoltaic panels with a planned output of 75 megawatts.
The 300,000 solar panels at the Cotton Creek Solar Energy Center on Bogia Road near McDavid have been in operation since early 2022 and were officially dedicated in March. It produces. enough electricity to power about 15,000 homes.
The Sparkleberry Solar Energy Center is fully permitted for 553 acres south of the end of Pilgrim Trail. According to FPL, over 200,000 solar panels will generate nearly 75 megawatts — enough energy to also power 15,000 homes.
The new Mitchell Creek Solar Energy Center is just entering the Escambia County permitting process.
Pictured top: Map of the proposed Mitchell Creek Solar Energy Center NorthEscambia.com graphic, click to enlarge. Pictured below: Construction is at about the halfway point for the First City Solar Energy Center in McDavid. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Two Collect $58K Each For Fantasy 5 Tickets Sold In Davisville, Pensacola
November 28, 2022
Two people have cashed in winning Fantasy Five tickets bought in Davisville and Pensacola on November 15. The tickets were worth $58,371.34 each.
William H. Stinson of Saraland purchased his winning ticket at the State Line at the State Line Gift Shop at 11208 Highway 97 in Davisville, in the Piggly Wiggly shopping center. Joseph Edward Bush of Chipley purchased a second Escambia County winning ticket at the Publix at 1100 East Cervantes Street in Pensacola.
A third winning ticket was sold in Miami.
The 326 tickets matching four numbers won $86.50 each. Another 8,424 tickets matching three numbers are worth $9 each, and 77,584 ticket holders won a free ticket for picking two numbers.
The November 15 winning numbers were 10-18-20-22-24.