ECUA Shuts Down Recycling Center, Awaiting Repair Parts
June 17, 2022
The ECUA Materials Recycling Facility (MRF) is closed following the failure of an essential piece of equipment.
This equipment, the second of two aging conveyor belts, was slated for replacement in this fiscal year. The ECUA Board approved the $82,000 purchase of two new replacement belts at its February 2022 meeting.
But the existing equipment did not outlast the supply chain delays that are affecting so many businesses across the country. The conveyor belts are critical parts of the infeed system to the MRF and the facility cannot operate without them.
“We are continuing normal recycling collection, which is a free opt-in service with residential sanitation accounts, and urge our customers to keep in a positive recycling habit,” said Nathalie Bowers, ECUA public information officer.
“ECUA maintenance crews will take advantage of this downtime to make repairs and perform maintenance work on equipment that generally requires a facility shutdown, as well as prepare for the installation of the new belts, to ensure the restoration of MRF operations as quickly as possible. The most current delivery date information we have for the belts is early August so at this time, we anticipate resuming operations in mid-August,” Bowers said.
NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Three Injured In High Speed Jacks Branch Road Pickup Truck Rollover
June 17, 2022
Three people were injured in a high speed single vehicle rollover crash Thursday in Cantonment.
The 39-year old driver of a Toyota Tacoma was traveling south on Jacks Branch Road approaching Old Bridge Road at a high rate of speed, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. He was unable to maintain control in a curve, causing the vehicle to leave the roadway. The pickup continued to travel south on the shoulder of the road, colliding with a mailbox and a concrete culvert.
The pickup went airborne and landed in the roadway. It began to rotate and rolled for about 350 feet, according to troopers. The driver was ejected.
The driver was airlifted to Sacred Heart Hospital by Escambia County EMS. A 14-year old female and a 16-year old male passenger were taken by family to the Sacred Heart Pediatric Emergency Room.
A dog that was in the back of the pickup did not survive.
The Florida Highway Patrol is still investigating the crash.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Deputies Seek Suspect That Damaged Two ECSO Vehicles
June 17, 2022
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is looking for a suspect they say damaged two ECSO vehicles. It happened at an apartment complex in the 8000 block of Pine Forest Road on Wednesday.
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP or the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620.
Florida Adding ‘Purple Alerts’. What Do They Mean?
June 17, 2022
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement will begin issuing Purple Alerts on July 1. The Purple Alert will be used to assist in the location of missing adults suffering from mental, cognitive, intellectual or developmental disabilities.
Purple Alert Criteria:
- The person is 18 or older and does not qualify for a state- or local-level Silver Alert.
- The person has an intellectual or developmental disability, brain injury or another physical, mental or emotional disability that is not related to substance abuse and does not have Alzheimer’s disease or a dementia-related disorder.
- The local law enforcement agency’s investigation concluded the disappearance poses a credible threat of immediate danger or serious bodily harm to the missing person and they can only be returned to safety through law enforcement intervention.
- There is a detailed description of the missing person suitable for distribution.
- The missing person information has been entered into Florida Crime Information Center (FCIC).
- The law enforcement agency of jurisdiction recommends activation.
When issued, Purple Alert information will be distributed to citizens who have signed up to receive the alerts, displayed on dynamic highway message signs when applicable and local alerts will be posted by media including NorthEscambia.com.
Wahoos Beat The Smokies 6-5 In Another Walk-Off Win
June 17, 2022
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos earned another walk-off win on Thursday night, defeating the Tennessee Smokies 6-5 in 10 innings when Norel González was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded.
The win was Pensacola’s third in a row over the Smokies, and the Blue Wahoos have now won six of their past nine home games in walk-off fashion.
The Blue Wahoos maintained their 4.5-game lead in the South Division with 9 to play in the first half. A combination of five Blue Wahoos wins or Biloxi losses will clinch Pensacola’s first playoff berth since 2019 and their first division title since 2017.
Smokies starter Anderson Espinoza was erratic, walking six batters over 1.2 innings, as the Blue Wahoos jumped out to an early 5-1 lead. A two-run single from González in the second was followed by an RBI single from Bubba Hollins to give Pensacola starter Zach McCambley early run support.
McCambley was sharp through three innings, but lost command of the zone himself in the fourth. Tennessee scored three runs on only one hit to draw the score to 5-4. An inning later, Jake Slaughter hit a solo homer to tie the game 5-5.
Scoreless bullpen work from Zack Leban and Jefry Yan helped the Blue Wahoos send the game to the 10th, where Andrew McInvale (W, 1-1) escaped a bases-loaded jam to keep the Smokies off the board again.
In the bottom of the 10th, Ray-Patrick Didder walked and Troy Johnston singled against Danis Correa (L, 1-2) before Griffin Conine was intentionally walked to load the bases. González was hit in the back leg by a Correa breaking ball to force in the winning run.
The Blue Wahoos continue their home series against the Tennessee Smokies on Friday.
by Erik Bremer, Pensacola Blue Wahoos
4,000 Hot Rods Roll Through North Escambia (With Photo Gallery)
June 16, 2022
Some 4,000 hot rods traveled through North Escambia Thursday, part of the country’s largest rolling car show.
The 2022 HOT ROD Power Tour participants traveled to the Pensacola Interstate Fairgrounds for an afternoon car show.
For a photo gallery of many of the hot rods traveling through Century Thursday, click or tap here.
And, if you want to see the rolling car show for yourself, vehicles are scheduled to depart the fairgrounds on Mobile Highway about 7:30 Friday morning. Most will head north on Pine Forest Road, take Highway 297, continue on Louis Street to Muscogee Road, turn east on Muscogee then north on Highway 29 through Century and Flomaton to Highway 113 then I-65 on their way to the Atlanta Motor Speedway.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Editor’s note: Publication of an additional story that was to publish Friday about the Hot Road tour has been delayed.
Major FDOT Safety Improvement Project Set To Begin On Highway 29 In Century This Winter
June 16, 2022
The Florida Department of Transportation is set to begin a $3.3 million major safety improvement project on Highway 29 in Century this winter.
FDOT plans a major reconstruction of Highway 29 from just south of East Highway 4 to the Alabama state line. The project includes the roadway reconstruction, curb and gutter, drainage upgrades, signal loop replacement, driveway modifications, and sidewalks.
A curve at Jackson Street (pictured inset and shown in graphic below) will be realigned with drainage improvements; the curve has been the site of several truck accidents in recent years.
The new state budget recently signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis included $3,278,228 for the project.
Pictured: Looking south into Florida on Highway 29 in Century. Pictured inset: Part of a Highway 29 safety improvement project will include the realignment of this curve. Graphics below show project details. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Tolls Slashed By Almost Half On Garcon Point Bridge As State Takes Ownership
June 16, 2022
Tolls have been reduced by almost half on the Garcon Point Bridge effective today after the Florida Department of Transportation took ownership.
For SunPass customers, the toll has been reduced from $4.50 to $2.30, and from $5 to $2.75 for cash customers.
“For the first time, tolls collected on the Garcon Point Bridge will remain in Florida,” the Florida Department of Transportation said in a statement. All tolls collected previously to pay outstanding debt as while FDOT spent about $1.5 million each year.
Gov. Ron DeSantis announced in July 2021 that he was moving forward to lower tolls permanently as the state worked to acquire the bridge.
FDOT said in a statement:
“To alleviate burdensome toll escalations, Governor Ron DeSantis directed the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to reach an agreement with the trustee and bondholders to retire the outstanding bond debt on the Garcon Point Bridge in Santa Rosa County. Since July of last year, the department has been in back-and-forth negotiations with the bondholders to reach an agreement to buy out the remaining debt and acquire the bridge. The settlement initiates the transfer of ownership of the bridge facility to the department, improving operational efficiency and giving the department the ability to lower tolls for the Garcon Point Bridge.
“Floridians are dealing with skyrocketing inflation caused by the bad policies of the federal government, and lowering the tolls solidifies the Governor’s commitment to providing much-needed relief to the more than 6,000 motorists that use the bridge everyday.”
Flomaton Man Charged With Century Marine Burglary
June 16, 2022
A Flomaton man was arrested this week on an outstanding warrant for two burglaries that occurred during 2020 at Century Marine.
Aaron Keith Baxter, 33, is charged with felony burglary and grand theft. He remained in the Escambia County Jail Thursday morning with bond set at $4,000.
In June 2020, Baxter allegedly climbed over a perimeter fence and entered a coverage workshop, stealing an Evinrude boat motor, air compressor, three boat seat pedestals and a three gallon boat fuel tank. The total value of the items was $3,550. In October 2020 he allegedly stole a boat valued at $950 during a burglary of the business on North Century Boulevard.
The stolen items were recovered in 2020 from a property on Pineview Circle in Flomaton and returned to Century Marine.
Charges against an alleged accomplice in the burglaries were later dropped.
DeSantis Unveils The Florida State Guard, Announces Director
June 16, 2022
Wednesday, Florida Gov. unveiled the Florida State Guard and introduced the new director of this emergency-focused civilian volunteer force, retired Marine Corps. Lieutenant Colonel Chris Graham.
By bringing back the Florida State Guard, Florida now joins 22 other states and territories with state-level defense forces, and many other states have laws on the books allowing for the activation of these organizations. Florida will add 400 members of the Florida State Guard to respond to a projected active hurricane season, and more than 1,200 individuals have already expressed interest in joining.
“The U.S. military has been kicking out great service members over the Biden administration’s unacceptable COVID vaccine mandate, and they are even targeting members of the National Guard,” said DeSantis. “The bureaucrats in D.C. who control our National Guard have also refused to increase the number of guardsmen despite our increasing population, leaving Florida with the second worst National Guardsman to resident ratio. By reestablishing the Florida State Guard under the leadership of Lieutenant Colonel Graham, we have a great opportunity to expand our capability to help people in times of need or disaster.”
“Two months ago I retired from the Marine Corps. as a Lieutenant Colonel after two decades plus of service, and once I saw the opening to become the Director of the State Guard, I decided that two months of retirement was all I needed,” said Graham. “This is an unbelievable privilege to reestablish and build from the ground up a modern state defense force. Florida will be joining 22 other states and territories with state guards, but we have an opportunity to break new ground and deliver a 10-fold investment for Floridians.”