ECUA Raises Water, Sewer Garbage Rates; Nixes Employee Pay Increases
September 24, 2010
ECUA voted Thursday to increase rates across the board at a lower level that originally proposed while forgoing planned employee pay raises.
Emerald Coast Utility Authority customers will see an eight percent rate increase for each of the next three years, pushing the average bill from $65 per month now to $88 per month in three years. That amounts to a 26 percent rate increase over a three year period.
ECUA garbage customers will see a two percent rate increase each year during the period. Monthly sanitation rates will jump 17 cents for Lifeline customers, 31 cents for seniors and 36 cents for ordinary residential customers.
The rate increases passed 3-2, with board members Larry Walker, Elizabeth Campbell and Elvin McCorvey voting in favor. Lois Benson and Dale Perkins voted against the proposal, citing concerns about rate increases during the current economic times. The rate increases will be effective October 1.
“Periodic rate increases are necessary to reflect the cost of investments in the utility system and to account for rising costs,” said McCorvey.
The additional revenue, according to ECUA, will be used to continue the modernization of pipes, sewer lift stations and other infrastructure requirements. ECUA also said revenue is significantly down due to decrease water usage, foreclosures and a loss in the total number of customers. At the same time, ECUA said the cost of doing business, higher electric and natural gas rates, and rising chemical costs have impacted the utility’s bottom line.
Also Thursday, ECUA’s board turned down proposed pay increases for over 500 employees.
700,000 employee raises not this year
Dramatic Photos: House Burned
September 24, 2010
An unoccupied wood home in Atmore was burned to the ground Thursday afternoon. The controlled burn was conducted to remove the structure while giving area fire departments a chance for training.
The burn on South Presley Street was conducted by the Atmore Fire Department, Poarch Fire Department and the Nokomis Fire Department. The Walnut Hill Fire Department on standby at the scene to assist or answer any emergency calls in the city.
Click here for a dramatic photo gallery that shows the chronological progress of the fire.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
October 4 Is Last Day To Register To Vote In General Election
September 24, 2010
Monday, October 4 is the last day to register to vote in the November 2 General Election.
Florida law mandates that registration books close 29 days before an election. New registrations must be completed on or before October 4th in order for them to be effective for the November 2nd election, said David Staford, Escambia County supervisor of elections.
Address changes can be made after the books close. To check registration status, visit EscambiaVotes.com and click “Am I Registered?”.
Escambia County citizens have several ways to register or update their record:
Online/By Mail: Visit EscambiaVotes.com and complete, print, and sign the online application. Be sure to include a valid Florida Driver’s License number, a valid Florida ID number, or the last 4 digits of your Social Security Number in the appropriate space. Mail the completed application no later than October 4th to: Escambia County Supervisor of Elections, PO Box 12601, Pensacola, FL 32591-2601. Or, take the completed application to the Elections Office at 213 Palafox Place, 2nd Floor, in downtown Pensacola. Or, call (595-3900) or e-mail the Elections Office (soe@escambiavotes.com) to have a form mailed to you.
In Person: You can register at the Elections Office at 213 Palafox Place, 2nd Floor, in downtown Pensacola, at any Florida Driver’s License Office, and several other governmental offices and public assistance centers. Registration forms are also available to pick up at many locations countywide. For a complete list of locations throughout Escambia County, visit EscambiaVotes.com or call or e-mail the Elections Office.
For voters who wish to cast an absentee ballot, go to EscambiaVotes.com and complete the online request form, or call or e-mail the elections office. Early voting begins October 18th at four locations throughout Escambia County. For more information, including sample ballots, visit EscambiaVotes.com.
Four Teams, Including Northview, Undefeated In District 1-A
September 24, 2010
Four teams remain undefeated in District 1-A football three weeks into the 2010 season — including the Northview Chiefs.
The Chiefs are 1-0 in district play, as is Freeport. Vernon and Holmes County are both 2-0 in the district.
Northview, which was off last week, will face Bozeman this Friday night in Bratt. Bozeman has not won a football game this year. For the Chiefs, it’s the first game of the season at home.
Tonight’s Prep Schedule
September 24, 2010
Here is a schedule of area prep football games tonight in the North Escambia area.
Remember, if you are attending a game, we encourage you to email us scores, stats and/or photos tonight to news@northescambia.com.
Florida
- Bozeman at Northview
- Tate at Pace
- Flomaton at Jay
- Gulf Breeze at West Florida
- Pensacola at Washington
- Crestview at Catholic
- Navare at Pine Forest
- Escambia at Miilton
Alabama
- Flomaton at Jay
- Escambia County (Atmore) at Faith Academy
- Escambia Academy at Patrician
- T.R. Miller at Andalusia
- Hillcrest at W.S. Neal
Pictured top: The Northview Chiefs at a recent practice. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Northview Beats Freeport
September 24, 2010
The Northview varsity and junior varsity beat Freeport on the volleyball coat Thursday.
Varsity
The varsity Lady Chiefs defeated Freeport three games to two — 25-13, 25-15, 11-25, 24-26, 15-13.
“The varsity came out intense and ready to play. The scores from the first two games show that. We struggled to maintain that intensity in the third game and the beginning of the fourth game. However, towards the middle of the fourth game the girls picked their intensity back up and really played hard. They kept that same intensity in the fifth game and we were able to come away with a win,” Northview Head Coach Betty Heaton said.
Seniors Shawna Montgomery, Ashely Digmon, Sarah Killam and Katie Wieborg led the Lady Chiefs in their first home matches of the season. Montgomery produced 15 kills, six aces, five blocks and three digs, while Digmon added 13 assists, two aces and three digs. Killam had 11 assists, one kill, three digs, five aces and a block; and Wieborg had five kills, three aces and two digs.
The Northview Lady Chiefs are 3-1 in district play and 4-9 overall.
Junior Varsity
The junior varsity Lady Chiefs had swept Freeport — 25-15, 25-19.
“The JV team did a great job communicating and making effort during the game. They really stepped up and played hard,” Heaton said.
Paeton Hadley finished with eight assists, two aces and two digs, while Lana Clayton had five kills and three aces. Madison Arrington added two assists and one ace; and Danielle Steadham had seven kills and one dig.
The JV Lady Chiefs are 2-6 overall.
Pictured: Senior Katie Wieborg prepares to serve for the Northview Lady Chiefs. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
‘Person of Interest’ Named In Escambia Murder Investigation
September 24, 2010
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office has named a person of interest in a Pensacola murder.
Larry Cox, Jr., 22, of Pensacola, is wanted by the Sheriff’s Office on an unrelated accessory after the fact charge. He is also a person of interest in the August 25 murder of Matthew William Suarez on Madison Drive in the Mayfair Subdivision.
Anyone with information about the current whereabouts of Cox is asked to contact the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Gulf Coast Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP. Persons providing a tip to Crime Stoppers are eligible for up to a $1,000 reward.
Registration Discount Ends Today For Chief Challenge 5K Run/Walk
September 24, 2010
The First Annual Chief Challenge 5K Run/Walk is coming to Northview High School, and today is the last day to receive a preregistration discount.
The event will be held Saturday, October 2 at 8:30 a.m. at the school campus in Bratt. “The course is not your typical 5K race. It includes a variety of terrains and challenging hills around the campus,” according to event organizers.
A preregistration discount is available through September 24. For a registration form and more details, click here.
The First Annual Chief Challenge 5K Run/Walk is sponsored in part by NorthEscambia.com.
Jay Quarterback Club Lunches Sold Today
September 24, 2010
If you are hungry and in North Santa Rosa County, the Jay Quarterback Club has lunch for you.
The Jay Quarterback Club will be selling Chubby’s Chicken Dinners consisting of a leg quarter, baked beans, cole slaw, bread and a dessert for $7. Pick ups will be at the football field concession stand, while delivery is available for orders of five or more.
The Jay Quarterback Club supports all athletics at Jay High School. For more information call (850) 675-2730.
Stuck Truck Blocks Molino Roadway
September 23, 2010
Traffic was blocked on a Barrineau Park Road for a short time Thursday afternoon by a stuck truck. The driver of the 18-wheel flatbed truck attempted to turn around and became stuck just west of Highway 29. Submitted photo by April Mitchell for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
When you see news, email news@northescambia.com