ECUA’S New Wastewater Plant Scheduled To Begin Operations Monday
August 28, 2010
The Emerald Coast Utilities Authority’s new Central Water Reclamation Facility in Cantonment is scheduled to begin operations on Monday.
The first wastewater flow through the $320 million facility will come about six years after Hurricane Ivan’s devastating impact on Northwest Florida and the ECUA’s Main Street Wastewater Treatment Plant.
The CWRF has been designated as an AWT (advanced wastewater treatment) facility, meaning it will produce effluent of a very high quality, which will be disinfected to the level required for unrestricted exposure to the public.
All of the reclaimed water from the plant will be reused, eliminating any potential surface water discharge, according to ECUA. Unique safety design features were included in the state-of-the-art plant; the CWRF is constructed to withstand category 5 hurricane force winds of up to 190 mph and the site is a minimum of 50 feet above sea level, removing it from any potential flood issues.
Unlike most new construction projects of this size, the ECUA was able to complete the $320 million replacement project under budget, and on-time, in about five years. Steve Sorrell, ECUA’s executive director says, “The secret to the success of CWRF project is teamwork and a visionary Board of Directors. The ECUA board focused on the big picture and the needs of the community, putting aside political issues.
My team was allowed to manage the project’s day-to-day operation, allowing us to act with the efficiency of a private organization, keeping the process moving without having to get approvals in advance.”
ECUA engineers have already completed pressure testing and cleaning of the new transmission lines and the three new regional pumping stations. During the week of August 23, ECUA pumped clean water through the system to conduct the final process checkout.
Start-up of the CWRF will begin on Monday, August 30. It will then take a few months before the entire system is fully functional, but it’s expected that all flow will be diverted from the Main Street Plant by January 2011.
The initial start-up includes bringing “seed sludge” from other ECUA facilities to start feeding the biological treatment process, much like a bread starter, according to ECUA.
Once the treatment system is ready, wastewater flow will be diverted from the Main Street Plant and pumped to the CWRF. The rate at which the diversion flow is increased will be determined by how quickly the biological treatment is operating in its new environment at the CWRF. All reclaimed water from the CWRF will go directly to area industries — Gulf Power and International Paper — for use in their industrial processes. When not reused by industry, effluent will be disposed of on spray fields at the plant’s site.
The funding for the project came from five sources and is the largest public works project in Escambia County’s history.
“In this era of financial constraints, the project has been an economic catalyst, stimulating positive income growth and job opportunities for the Northwest Florida area,” Sorrell said.
Enjoy A Full Day Of Football Action At Northwest Escambia Jamboree
August 28, 2010
Northwest Escambia will host a football jamboree beginning at 8 a.m. today and continuing through a final game at 6 p.m. Teams from NWE, Cantonment, Ensley and Brewton will take part.
The jamboree will be held at Ernest Ward Middle School on Highway 97 in Walnut Hill. Admission is $5 for ages 18 and up, free for 17 and under. Concessions will be available all day.
Escambia County Tops Miller In OT; Tate Falls To West Florida; Clarke Beats Escambia Academy
August 28, 2010
Friday night was the first regular season games for Escambia County High School and Escambia Academy in Alabama, and the Tate Aggies played a little preseason football in Florida.
Escambia County 35 T.R. Miller 34 (OT)
It was a nail-biter in Atmore Friday night as the Escambia County High School Blue Devils beat the T.R. Miller Tigers 35-34 in overtime.
The Blue Devils took the lead 7-0 in the first with a five-yard run from Rico Stallworth. But Miller answered with an Anthony Herbert touchdown to even it up at 7-7 in the first. Herber scored again, and with a missed point after, the Tigers held a 13-7 lead. The Blue Devils would strike again just before the half with Chris Smith in for six for one yard out. A good extra point, and the Blue Devils were up 14-13 heading into halftime.
Stallworth added another TD in the fourth. A good extra point, the Blue Devils were back on top 21-13. The Tigers picked up a two-yard touchdown and missed the two-point conversion to make the ECHS lead 21-19 . Smith was in again with about two minutes to go in the ballgame from a couple of yards out. After a missed extra point, ECHS was on top 27-19.
But it was not over, as the Tigers scored again and made a two point conversion to tie the game 27-27 with under a minute on the clock.
In overtime, T.R. Miller drove to the one and was in for six. The kick was good, and Miller was up 34-27. The Blue Devils took possession and drove to the one. On fourth down, Stallworth was in again for a one-yard touchdown. It was Stallworth again for the two-point conversion, and the Blue Devils took the win 35-34.
For the T.R. Miller Tigers, it was their first game without Coach Donnie Rotch on the field or in the stand. Rotch, who died in a traffic crash earlier this month in Brewton, was honored by his beloved Tigers with special helmet decal.
For Escambia County High School, Friday night was the regular season coaching debut for former Northview High School Coach Mark Heaton.
Escambia County will be on the road next Friday against B.C. Rain while the T.R. Miller Tigers will travel to Bayside Academy.
West Florida 21 Tate 20
The regular season in Florida does not start until next Friday night, but the West Florida Tech Jaguars and the Tate Aggies met in a Kickoff Classic Fiday night at Woodham Middle School. The Jaguars came out on top, 21-20.
Defense was not the name of the game for either team; both teams scored on every drive before the clock ran out. Antawn Carter scored for the Jags on 76-year, 10-play drive. Then it was Tate’s turn, with quarterback Nathaniel “Thumper” Grice with a 34-yard TD run. A missed two-pointer, and the Jags were up 7-6.
The Jags drover it in again, capped by a touchdown pass from Kyle Faxlanger to Jake Morris. 14-6. It was Tate’s turn to score again, with Lorenzo Long, a running back, with a 27-yard run. On West Florida’s next drive, Faxlanger tossed to Jake Morris for another TD. The Aggies answered after a 14-play drive ending with a three-yarder running back Josh Dees. Long got the two point conversion.
Last year, the Aggies won the matchup 35-0.
The Aggies will be at Washington High School next Friday night at 7:30 in a non-district game.
Clarke Prep Academy 51 Escambia Academy 30
It was a tough night on the road for the Escambia Academy Cougars as they lost to Clarke Prep Academy 51-30. It was the first regional game of the year for the Cougars (1-1, 0-1).
The Gators had just over 500 yards on the ground in their defeat of the Cougars, who were ranked ninth in the Alabama Independent School Association going into the game.
Escambia Academy will be at home in Canoe, Ala., next Friday night as they host Jackson.
Walnut Hill Community Mourns Loss Of Royce Ward
August 28, 2010
The Walnut Hill community is mourning the loss of Royce Ward, 78.
Ward was a longtime member of the Walnut Hill Ruritan Club, and served as the group’s president when the club organized the Walnut Hill Volunteer Fire Department in 1965. A farmer and cattleman, he also served four years in the U.S. Navy achieving the rank of lieutenant.
Funeral services were held at 2 p.m., Sunday, August 29 at the Walnut Hill Baptist Church with Rev. Ted Bridges, Rev. LaDon Hall, Rev. James Boyd and Rev. Jerry Peebles officiating. Interment followed in theWalnut Hill Baptist Church cemetery. Visitation was held Saturday at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home in Atmore.
For the complete obituary, click here.
Pictured: Royce Ward was honored in November, 2009, by the Walnut Hill Volunteer Fire Department for his part in organizing the agency. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Blood Drive Today In McDavid
August 28, 2010
North Escambia residents will have the opportunity to give the gift of life Saturday in McDavid.
The Northwest Florida Bloodmobile will be at the McDavid Mini Mart on Highway 29 near Highway 164 Saturday from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m.
When you donate to Northwest Florida Blood Services, you can save the life of a hospital patient in northwest Florida. Northwest Florida Blood Services is the exclusive provider of blood products to more than 24 area hospitals who need 175 blood donations a day. Each donation can save up to three lives.
Requirements for giving blood are below.
- Donors must be in generally good health
- At least 17 years of age, without permission. 16-year olds are now allowed to donate with permission granted by parents or legal guardians.
- Must bring picture ID
- Weigh at least 110 lbs
- Free of infection, fever or flu symptoms, for 3 days
- No cancer within the last 5 years
- No antibiotics within the last 48 hours
- No tattoos within the past 12 months
- No chest pain, heart disease, heart surgery (Requires written physician release with diagnosis)
- No history of viral hepatitis
- Cannot have lived in France for 5 years or more between 1980 and the present
- Cannot have lived or visited in the UK for a total of 3 months or more from 1980 to 1996
- Cannot have received a blood transfusion in the UK between 1980 and the present
- Military personnel (current and former), and their dependents, who spent time in military bases in northern Europe during 1980-1990, or southern Europe during 1980-1996, for 6 months or more
- All military personnel (active & reserve) that are returning from Iraq, are deferred for a period of 1 year after the last date on location in that country.
Pictured: The Northwest Florida Blood Services Bloodmobile at the Walnut Hill Farm Supply this past Monday. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Former Cop Pleads Not Guilty To Burglarizing Pharmacy With His Brother
August 28, 2010
A former Alabama cop arrested for allegedly helping his brother burglarize a pharmacy has entered a not guilty plea. The brother was arrested earlier this year at a Pensacola motel.
Matthew Kirk, 36, of Brewton was arrested August 17 after being indicted by an Escambia County (Ala.) Grand Jury. The former East Brewton Police Department lieutenant (pictured left) is charged with two counts of third degree burglary, one count of second degree theft of property and one ethics violation.
Authorities believe Kirk aided his brother in the burglary of a Fred’s pharmacy in East Brewton on March 23. Kirk was the only police officer on duty in the small Alabama town at the time the burglary occurred.
Kirk, who is free on a $100,000 bond, entered the plea in Escambia County (Ala.) Circuit Court.
The police officer’s brother, Jason Daniel Kirk, 30, of Flomaton, was arrested in April in Escambia County, Fla., with just under a half pound of illegal pills.
Members of the Escambia County (Fla.) Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit executed a search warrant at Kirk’s room at the Value Place Extended Stay hotel on Scenic Highway in Pensacola. During the search of the room, deputies found a lock box that contained quantities of Xanax, oxycodone, methadone, morphine and hydrocodone, according to the arrest report. One bag of hydrocodone weighed in excess of 200 grams (0.44 pounds), the report stated.
The room also contained sales and inventory figures for the illicit narcotics, and the key to the safe was located on Kirk’s person, deputies said. Kirk (pictured left) admitted to ownership of the narcotics, according to the Sheriff’s Office report.
Investigators said at the time that they believed the pills were from the East Brewton pharmacy burglary. Jason Kirk later told authorities that his brother Matthew Kirk was his accomplice.
Matthew Kirk resigned from the East Brewton Police Department in April.
Jason Kirk remains in the Escambia County (Fla) Jail on $307,500 bond. He has entered a not guilty plea on all charges and is set for trial in September. At the time of his arrest, Jason Kirk was also charged with negotiating a $57.45 worthless check at the Southern Pit Stop, Inc. in Century. He pleaded guilty to writing the bad check and was sentenced to 60 days in jail.
Crash Slows Friday Highway 29 Travel
August 28, 2010
At least one person was reported injured in a two vehicle accident on Highway 29 Friday night. The accident involving a SUV and a pickup truck was reported about 10:15 p.m. on Highway 29 just north of Ten Mile Road. The accident is still under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. Further details were not available.
Reader submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
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Woman Wanted In Check Cashing Scheme
August 28, 2010
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is looking for a woman that is wanted in connection with a fraudulent check cashing scheme.
Pamela Kay Quarles of Tampa is wanted for questioning in connection with the scheme, according to the Sheriff’s Office, but warrants have not been issued for her arrest. Investigators believe she is traveling in a black Jeep and may be is possession of checking printing equipment.
Ten other suspects in the scheme are in custody, according to Sgt. Ted Roy, spokesperson for the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
“It is unclear how long this group has been in the area but it believed this ring of thieves had just arrived. Due to the quick thinking of business owners/employees and law enforcement, it is believed that this group was not able to get established and begin to steal from businesses,” Roy said.
Further details about the scheme or those in custody were not released.
Anyone with information about Quarles should contact the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620.
Roses: A Knock Out Performer
August 28, 2010
Knock Out roses are the hottest plants to hit the market in years. Gardeners love these colorful shrub roses because they bloom profusely with minimal care.
These shrub roses usually bloom like gangbusters for the first two to three years. Then, you may notice a decrease in their bloom set. But don’t despair; they may just need some attention.
Remember that roses need three things to perform their best: sun, water and fertilizer.
All roses prefer full sun. They perform and bloom best with eight hours of direct sun daily. While Knock Out roses can survive with less, some people will push the limit and place them in shady areas of the landscape. Less sun will result in leggier plants with fewer blooms.
Roses need a lot of water during the warmer months, but they don’t like “wet feet”. When watering, try to keep the water off the foliage. Reducing the shrub’s exposure to overhead watering prevents leaf spot and disease.
Even though these roses are good, easy-to-grow plants, they still need properly prepared beds when planting. If your area does not drain well, consider improving drainage by making raised beds.
The soil pH requirement for all roses is around 6.5. This indicates a slightly acid soil. Always follow recommendations of a soil test when modifying soil pH.
Mulch your roses with pine straw or a similar organic material in spring and add new mulch in late summer or early fall. Two to three inches of mulch are great for roses.
Because Knock Out roses bloom so profusely, you may want to fertilize them regularly to keep them looking their best. Fertilize them with commercial rose food according to the product instructions. Water the soil thoroughly before you feed the roses to keep from burning the roots. Stop fertilizing late in the season so the plants can prepare to slow down or go dormant during the winter.
Sometimes low potassium (the third number on the fertilizer bag) can contribute to blooming problems. Differences in soil consistency may account for differences in plant responses to equal fertilization. Take soil samples to make sure your nutrient levels are appropriate in all flower beds.
Prune in mid-February by removing two-thirds of the plant’s height. Also, prune again late August to early September by removing about one-third of the shrub’s height. It is important to eliminate some older interior wood when pruning two to three year-old and older plants.
Knock Out roses don’t have to be deadheaded. While not needing to deadhead roses is a good quality, it can also slow down the ability of the rose to bloom again quickly. If you want to keep your Knock Out roses blooming as often as possible, snip off the old blooms. Even though they will eventually drop their dead blossoms, you can get ahead of the game by helping them out.
Knock Out roses, as well as many other shrub-type roses, have five to seven bloom cycles between April and November. So take care of your plants properly, and you can enjoy blooms for the vast majority of the year.
Theresa Friday is the Residential Horticulture Extension Agent for Santa Rosa County.
Royce H. Ward
August 27, 2010
Royce H. Ward, 78, of Walnut Hill, died Wednesday August 25, 2010, at his residence. He was a retired farmer and cattleman, born in Escambia County, Fla., on January 31, 1932, to the late Horace and Minnie Lou Morgan Ward.
He was a lifelong member of the Walnut Hill Baptist Church, a graduate of University of Florida, served in the Navy for four years as lieutenant, a charter member of the Walnut Hill Fire Department, and president of the Walnut Hill Ruritian Club.
He is preceded in death by his brothers, Marshall Ward and Ernest Ward. Survivors are his wife, Marilyn Ward, of Walnut Hill; three sons, Brett Ward and wife, Susan of Walnut Hill, Horace Ward and wife, Lisa of Birmingham, Scott Ward and wife, Beth of Springhill, Fla.; one daughter, Luanne Tharp and fiance Bill Henderson of Walnut Hill; one brother, Billy G. Ward of Walnut Hill; one sister, Willodean Bingham of Pensacola; 10 grandchildren, Heath Ward, Stacey Ward, Morgan Ward, Arden Ward, Zachary Ward, Eric Ward, Megan Tharp, Caroline Ward, Jake Ward, Ben Ward; one great-granddaughter, Laila; many friends and relatives.
Services were held Sunday August 29, 2010, at 2 p.m. from Walnut Hill Baptist Church with Rev. Ted Bridges, Rev. LaDon Hall, Rev. James Boyd and Rev. Jerry Peebles officiating. Interment followed in the Walnut Hill Baptist Church cemetery.
Active pallbearers were Heath Ward, Zachary Ward, Eric Ward, Rob Faircloth, Bill Strickland and Ross Ward. Honorary pallbearers were the Walnut Hill Baptist Church adult men’s Sunday school class, Howard Shell, Jimmy Davis, Jerry Till, Johnny Till, Jon Garrard, Jim Van Pelt and George Van Pelt.
Family received friends, Saturday evening August 28, 2010, at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Walnut Hill Baptist Church Building Fund. Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home, Inc in charge of all arrangements.