ECUA Raises Water, Sewer And Trash Rates
September 30, 2017
Emerald Coast Utilities Authority (ECUA) customers will see an increase in their water, sewer and sanitation pickup rates.
The ECUA board voted to raise sanitation collection fees by 5 percent, from $21.31 a month to $22.38 a month for the average residential customers for weekly collection of recycling, yard waste and bulk waste items.
Water and sewer rates will increase by 3 percent — just over $2 a month more for the average 6,000 gallon residential user.
Mostly Sunny Saturday, Slight Rain Chance For Sunday
September 30, 2017
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 89. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 68. East wind around 5 mph.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 82. East wind around 10 mph.
Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 65. East wind 5 to 10 mph.
Monday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 80. East wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69. East wind around 10 mph.
Tuesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 84. East wind around 10 mph.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 67. East wind around 10 mph.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 84.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 65.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 85.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 65.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 85.
Manhunt In Barrineau Park: One Arrested
September 30, 2017
A manhunt was underway Friday afternoon and into Friday night along the Perdido River near Barrineau Park.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office confirmed they were assisting the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) in the search that included multiple K-9 units and a FWC helicopter.
At least two people reportedly fled a vehicle as FWC closed on them, prompting the manhunt. One suspect reportedly remained on the run Saturday morning, while was booked into jail during the early morning hours Saturday.
Christopher Ray Findley, age 45 of Molino was booked into the Escambia County Jail about 3:30 a.m. on FWC charges of felony driving with license suspended habitual offender, resisting an officer and attached license plate not assigned. He was also arrested on an outstanding warrant from the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office for felony fleeing and eluding police, resiting an officer and reckless driving.He is being held on a $19,000 bond.
Residents of the area reported heavy law enforcement activity on Perdido Lake Road, Vantage Road and other areas near the river. One resident of Perdido Lake Road reported that suspect was seen running from their property to the Perdido River Friday night.
Messages sent by NorthEscambia.com to a FWC spokesperson were not returned Friday night. Further details were not available.
NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Jim Allen Elementary Elementary Collects For Hurricane Irma Relief
September 30, 2017
Jim Allen Elementary collected donations this week for Hurricane Irma relief, ending with a “Hat Day” on Friday. Students and staff wore hats and brought in donations.
The school had a goal of $500. The total amount collected was $1,352 plus three pairs of uniform pants, six uniform shirts, and eight packs of socks.
The money collected will be used to purchase additional uniform items (shirts, pants, and socks) for Bonita Springs Elementary in Lee County, FL.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
FDLE: Drug Dealer Hid Meth Inside Portable Drill Battery
September 30, 2017
Agents with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) arrested an Escambia County man for selling drugs.
Agents arrested Lee Matthew King, 39, on charges of trafficking methamphetamine over 28 grams. Agents found the drugs hidden inside a cordless portable drill battery inside King’s vehicle. He was arrested near the intersection of Whitmire Drive and East Olive Road.
King was booked into the Escambia County Jail and later released on a $15,000 bond.
Body Found Near Brentwood Elementary
September 30, 2017
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is conducting a death investigation after a body was found along Palafox Street near Brentwood Elementary School late Friday afternoon.
The body was found about 5:30 p.m., and authorities said it appeared to be a local homeless man who was found not breathing. There was no immediate indication of any foul play.
Further information has not yet been released.
NorthEscambia.com reader-submitted photo by Jason Isbell, click to enlarge.
Tate Gets District Win Over Washington (With Photo Gallery)
September 30, 2017
The Tate High School Aggies beat the Washington Wildcats for the sixth straight time Friday night at Pete Gindl Stadium in Cantonment. With the 35-17 win, the Aggies improved to 4-0 overall, 1-0 in District 1-6A.
Junior quarterback Hunter Riggan put the Aggies on the board late in the first quarter from less than a yard out, and Tate was up 7-0 with 1:48 on the clock.
Washington would strike back from about their own 20 yard line just inside the first quarter, 7-7. The Aggies scored again with 7:17 to go in the second quarter. Riggan found senior Alex Young for a touchdown, 14-7 the Aggies back on top.
Washington managed a field goal to wrap up the first half scoring, Tate on top 14-10 headed to the lockers.
Tate increased their lead to 21-10 with 3:59 to go in the third on a pass from Riggan to Patrick Palmer just inside the end zone.
Washington scored with 10:29 to go in the ballgame, 21-17.
Shemari Jones scored another Aggie touchdown with 5:51 in the fourth, and the Aggies added one more TD just over a minute to go for the final 35-17.
Tate sits out next week with an open date before facing Escambia at October 13. The Aggies and the Gators are tied for the top spot in District 1-6A, both at 1-0.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Jennifer Repine, click to enlarge.
Friday Night High School Football Scores
September 30, 2017
Here are Friday night high school football finals from around the North Escambia area:
FLORIDA
- Freeport 48, Northview 19
- Tate 35, Washington 17
- Baker 49, Jay 27
- Escambia 33, Pine Forest, 21
- Pensacola High 22, Bay, 19
ALABAMA
- Hillcrest-Evergreen 40, Escambia County (Atmore) 8
- Carroll (Ozark, AL) 26, W.S. Neal 13
- Tallassee 33 T.R. Miller, 29
- Flomaton (open)
- Escambia Academy (open)
Freeport Rolls Past Northview (With Photo Gallery)
September 30, 2017
The Northview Chiefs dropped their fifth straight Friday night in Bratt, losing 48-19 at Tommy Weaver Memorial Stadium.
“We ran the ball wonderfully, but we got behind,” Northview head coach Dereck Marshman said. “We got behind on the scoreboard and had to start throwing the football a little more.”
Freeport jumped out to a 7-0 lead with a long 95-yard touchdown with 4:47 to go in the first quarter.
The hometown Chiefs answered with a Trent Peebles touchdown at 9:51 in the second, 7-7 under the Friday night lights in Bratt.
With 7:05 before the half, Freeport was back on top 14-0 and jumped up 21-7 with 2:41 on the clock.
Freshman Jayden Jackson was in for a touchdown from about 35-yards out, recovering from a bad snap. The Chiefs were down 21-13 with 1:06 to go in the half.
“We didn’t play a really good first half,” Marshman said. “I know the score didn’t indicate it, but we made a lot of mistakes and left a lot of points out there. We made a lot of mistakes, even though we played with a lot of energy.”
Peebles would score again for the Chiefs late in the third.
“In the second half, those same mistakes came back to bite us. Both teams were real sloppy in the first half. We continued to play sloppy in the second half, and they continued to do what they needed to do,” he said.
Next week, the Chiefs will travel across the Escambia River to take on the Jay Royals on their home turf.
“Jay is always a big rivalry game, it’s going to be a challenge to get these guys up and ready to play. They just played their hearts and soul out and ended up a little short,” Marshman said. “It is Jay and a big rivalry game. Just the name itself with get the guys up sometimes.
The Northview Chiefs (1-5) and Jay (1-4) will face off at 7 p.m. next Friday.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Work Begins Monday To Lower Nine Mile Road Beneath I-10
September 30, 2017
Construction to widen Nine Mile Road from two to four lanes between Beulah Road and Pine Forest Road will require lowering the roadway beneath the I-10 overpass. Nine Mile Road will be lowered by about two feet.
Beginning Monday, Nine Mile Road will be reduced to one lane in each direction for about one-half mile on either side of the I-10 overpass. East and westbound traffic will be shifted to the inside lanes as crews lower the elevation of the outside roadway. Once crews have completed the work, traffic will be shifted to the outside lanes and construction to lower the inside travel lanes will begin. Drivers can expect the temporary lane closures to be in place until all work is complete.
File photo.