Mosquito Fogging Tonight East Of 29 Between Barth, Quintette
September 24, 2019
The Escambia County Mosquito Control Division plans to fog this evening between 6-9:30 p.m. in an area east of Highway 29 between Quintette Road and Barth Road.
To make a request for service or an area to be listed as a no spray area, please call 850-937-2188, submit an online request here or send an email to mosquitocontrol@myescambia.com.
Click the map to enlarge.
Atmore Man Murdered In ‘Ambush’ Shooting
September 24, 2019
An Atmore man was shot and killed in an apparent ambush early Tuesday morning, not far from Escambia County Middle School.
The shooting occurred about 2:30 a.m. on Jimbos Road, about a block from Escambia County Middle School on Highway 21.
“When officers arrived on scene, they found a male subject identified as Roderick Watkins, Jr. laying beside his car. Officers also noticed several bullet shell casings laying next to the car,” Atmore Police Chief Chuck Brooks told NorthEscambia.com. “Preliminary investigation revealed Mr. Watkins was ambushed.”
He said Watkins was returning home from work when he was shot.
The car was located in the driveway of a home at the end of the road. The back passenger window of the Nissan Altima was shattered with visible bullet holes.
“We believe at this time it was a lone gunman. At this time, we do have a person of interest, and we are actively searching for that individual,” Brook said. He declined to name the person of interest as the investigation continues.
Brook said while the gunman remained on the loose, he did not believe there was any threat to the nearby middle school. He said a K-9 team from the Alabama Department of Corrections searched the area, and it was determined that the suspect may have left the area in a vehicle.
“We believe all the children that are attending Escambia County Middle School are safe,” he said.
No possible motive for the shooting has been released.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Approves $493 Million Budget, Property Tax Increase
September 24, 2019
The Escambia County Commission Monday evening approve a tax increase and an increased budget for the upcoming fiscal year.
The millage rates approved by the board are 6.6165 for the countywide millage rate, .3590 for the Library Municipal Services Taxing Unit (MSTU) and .6850 for the Sheriff’s Law Enforcement Municipal Services Taxing Unit (MSTU). The aggregate of these millage rates is 4.32% above the rolled back rate.
The rolled-back rate is the tax rate that would generate the same amount of property tax revenue as approved for the prior year. A millage rate higher than the rolled-back rate is defined by the state of Florida as a tax increase.
The commission also approved a balanced unified budget of $493,429,327 for fiscal year 2019/2020. That is 3.41%, or about $1.6 million, more than the current fiscal year.
NorthEscambia.com photo.
Century Approves Tax Increase, Increased Budget
September 24, 2019
The Town of Century is raising taxes for the upcoming fiscal year in order to meet an increased budget.
Monday, the town council approved $3.63 million budget for the fiscal year 2019-2020, up slightly from $3.43 million during the current fiscal year. The council also approved a millage rate of .9204, which is about 10% greater than the rolled-back rate of .8361.
The rolled-back rate is the tax rate that would generate the same amount of property tax revenue as approved for the prior year. A millage rate higher than the rolled-back rate is defined by the state of Florida as a tax increase.
The budget and property tax increases were approved on a 3-0 vote. Council members Ann Brooks, Luis Gomez and Sandra McMurray-Jackson voted in favor, while James Smith and Ben Boutwell did not attend Monday’s meetings.
Pictured: Century council members Ann Brooks (left) and Sandra McMurray-Jackson await the arrival of councilman Luis Gomez for a quorum in order to conduct a budget hearing Monday. Gomez was running only about threes minutes late, but the council was unable to proceed with three of five members at the table. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Northview Sets Homecoming Parade; Enter By Friday
September 24, 2019
The annual Northview High School Homecoming Parade has been set for Friday, October 4.
The parade will line up at 12:30 p.m. at Bratt Elementary School. It will depart at 1 p.m. and travel to Northview High. Entries are being accepted now; there is no cost to enter. For a printable entry form, click here. Entries are due by Friday, September 27.
A homecoming meal will available Friday from 10 a.m. until from the football concession stand to support the Tommy Weaver Scholarship Fund. The $7 meal will include a barbecue sandwich, chips, cookie and a drink.. Preorder by calling the school at (850) 461-6000 ext. 302137 or email aeubanks@escambia.k12.fl.us
The Northview Chief’s homecoming game will kickoff at 7 p.m. on October 4 against Walton.
Pictured: Last year’s Northview High School Homecoming Parade. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
It’s National Voter Registration Day; Here’s How To Register To Vote Right Now
September 24, 2019
Tuesday is National Voter Registration Day.
There are numerous ways to register to vote in Escambia, listed below. If you are already registered, you can update your voter information online.
Need help? Contact the Escambia County Supervisor of Elections Office at (850) 595-3900, online at www.escambiavotes.com or by email at soe@escambiavotes.com.
Online
If you are not currently registered to vote in Florida, you can use the Florida Online Voter Registration System. If you do not possess a current Florida driver’s license or Florida identification card, you may complete the application online, but must then print, sign, and return it to the Supervisor of Elections office.
In Person
You can register at the at the Supervisor of Elections office at 213 Palafox Place, 2nd Floor, in downtown Pensacola, at any Florida Driver License Office, and several other governmental offices and public assistance centers. Also, registration forms are available to pick up at many locations countywide. A complete list of locations is at the bottom of this article.
By Mail
Complete and sign a Florida Voter Registration Application (click for a printable pdf). Mail your completed application to:
Escambia County Supervisor of Elections
PO Box 12601
Pensacola FL 32591-2601
Or take your completed application to the Supervisor of Elections office at 213 Palafox Place, 2nd Floor, in downtown Pensacola.
FLORIDA VOTER REGISTRATION APPLICATIONS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS:
- Escambia County Supervisor of Elections Office – 213 Palafox Place, Second floor, Suite 4
- Academy Sports & Outdoors #66 – 7171 N Davis Hwy
- Bank of the South – 4410 W Fairfield Dr
- Bank of the South – 136 Fort Pickens Rd
- Center for Independent Living of NW Florida – 3600 N Pace Blvd
- Central Credit Union – 6200 N “W” St
- Central Credit Union – 308 N Spring St
- Central Credit Union – 4964 Bayou Blvd
- Chamber of Commerce – 890 S Palafox St., Ste. 202
- City of Pensacola – 160 Governmental Center, Chappie James Bldg. Rm. 412
- Clerk of the Circuit Court – M.C. Blanchard Judicial Building, 190 Governmental Center
- Community Drug & Alcohol Council – 3804 N 9th Ave
- Council on Aging of West Florida, Inc – 875 Royce St
- Dept of Children and Families – 33 Brent Ln Suite 103
- Dept of Financial Services – 610 E Burgess Rd
- Developmental Services DCF – 160 Governmental Center Chappie James Bldg Rm 412
- Dick’s Sporting Goods – 5100 N 9th Ave
- Division of Blind Services – 600 University Office Blvd Building 4
- ECUA – 9255 Sturdevant St
- Federal Courthouse – 100 N Palafox St. 1st Floor, Clerk’s Office
- Gulf Winds Federal Credit Union – 220 E Nine Mile Rd
- Gulf Winds Federal Credit Union – 5596 N Blue Angel Pkwy
- Gulf Winds Federal Credit Union – 1444 Creighton Rd
- Gulf Winds Federal Credit Union – 400 W Garden St
- Independence for the blind – 3107 N Davis Hwy
- Key Necessities – 16698 Perdido Key Dr
- Northwest Florida Agency on Aging – 5090 Commerce Park Cir
- Outcast Bait & Tackle – 3520 Barrancas Ave
- Pensacola Association of Realtors – 107 W Main St
- Pensacola State College – 5555 W Highway 98
- Pensacola State College – Vocational Rehabilitation,1000 College Blvd Bldg 6, Rm 659
- Pensacola State College – 1000 College Blvd Bldg 2 (Bursar’s Office)
- Pensacola State College – Student Affairs,1000 College Blvd Bldg 6
- Pensacola Christian College – 250 Brent Ln
- Public Library – Main Branch, 239 N Spring St
- Public Library – Genealogy Branch, 5740 N 9th Ave
- Public Library – Lucia M. Tryon Branch, 1200 Langley Ave
- Public Library – South West Branch,12248 Gulf Beach Hwy
- Public Library – West Side Branch,1301 W Gregory St
- Public Library – Molino Branch Library, 6450-A Highway 95A
- Public Library – Century Branch7991 N Century Blvd
- Tax Collector – 213 Palafox Pl
- Tax Collector’s Office – 6440 N Highway 95A, Suite A, Molino
- Tax Collector’s Office – 6451 N W St
- Tax Collector’s Office – 4051 Barrancas Ave, Suite A
- The Gathering Awareness & Book Center – 314 N Devillers St
- University of West Florida – 11000 University Pkwy Bldg 18
- University of West Florida – 11000 University Pkwy Bldg 21
- University of West Florida – 11000 University Pkwy Bldg 22
- VA Joint Ambulatory Care Center – 790 Veterans Way
- Vocational Rehabilitation and Medical Services – 600 University Office Blvd Ste 2 & Ste 6
- Wal-Mart, Sporting Goods Dept – 2650 Creighton Blvd
- Wal-Mart, Sporting Goods Dept – 4600 Mobile Hwy, Suite #122
- Wal-Mart, Sporting Goods Dept – 2951 S Blue Angel Pkwy
- Wal-Mart, Sporting Goods Dept – 501 N Navy Blvd
- Wal-Mart, Sporting Goods Dept – 8970 Pensacola Blvd
- Escambia County Health Dept (WIC office) – ECHD,1295 W Fairfield Dr
- WIC Dept of Children and Families – Century,511 Church St
- WIC Dept of Children and Families – ECHD,8390 N Palafox St
- WIC Dept of Children and Families – 3960 Navy Blvd Suite 1
- WIC Dept of Children and Families – Molino,3470 N Highway 29
- WIC Dept of Children and Families – Naval Hospital,6000 W Highway 98 Rm A-1047
VOTER REGISTRATION SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE AT THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS:
- Escambia County Supervisor of Elections, 213 Palafox Place, 2nd Floor
- Air Force Recruitment Office, Recruiter in Charge – 6706 N 9th Ave
- Army Recruitment Office, Recruiter in Charge – 528 Navy Blvd
- Community Drug & Alcohol Council – 3804 N 9th Ave
- Council on Aging of West Florida, Inc – 875 Royce St
- Dept of Children and Families – 33 Brent Ln Suite 103
- Dept of Financial Services – 610 E Burgess Rd
- Developmental Services DCF – 160 Governmental Center Chappie James Bldg Rm 412
- Division of Blind Services – 1120 N 12th Ave
- Independence for the blind – 3107 N Davis Hwy
- Marines Recruitment Office, Recruiter in Charge – 5043 Bayou Blvd
- Navy Recruitment Office, Recruiter in Charge – 5043 Bayou Blvd
- Northwest Florida Agency on Aging – 5090 Commerce Park Cir
- Pensacola State College – Vocational Rehabilitation,1000 College Blvd Bldg 6, Rm 659
- Public Library – Main Branch, 239 N Spring St
- Public Library – Genealogy Branch, 5740 N 9th Ave
- Public Library – Lucia M. Tryon Branch, 1200 Langley Ave
- Public Library – South West Branch,12248 Gulf Beach Hwy
- Public Library – West Side Branch,1301 W Gregory St
- Public Library – Molino Branch Library, 6450-A Highway 95A
- Public Library – Century Branch7991 N Century Blvd
- Tax Collector – 213 Palafox Pl
- Tax Collector’s Office – 6440 N Highway 95A, Suite A, Molino
- Tax Collector’s Office – 6451 N “W” St
- Tax Collector’s Office – 4051 Barrancas Ave, Suite A
- VA Joint Ambulatory Care Center – 790 Veterans Way
- Vocational Rehabilitation and Medical Services – 600 University Office Blvd Suite 2 & Suite 6
- Escambia County Health Dept (WIC office) – ECHD,1295 W Fairfield Dr
- WIC Dept of Children and Families – Century, 511 Church St
- WIC Dept of Children and Families – ECHD,8390 N Palafox St
- WIC Dept of Children and Families – 3960 Navy Blvd Suite 1
- WIC Dept of Children and Families – Molino,3470 N Highway 29
- WIC Dept of Children and Families – Naval Hospital,6000 W Highway 98 Rm A-1047
Century Spending About $47K In Fixes To Keep Sewer Plant Running
September 24, 2019
The Century Town Council Monday night approved tens of thousands of dollars of expenditures to keep the town’s sewage treatment plant up and running.
The town approved up to $36,000 for emergency repairs to a clarifier — a device that removes solids from sewage passing through the plant. Interim City Manager Buz Eddy said the clarifier was last rebuilt some 19 or 20 years ago. He described it as a geared device that has simply worn out and dropped the plant’s capacity by one-third.
There are three clarifiers at the wastewater plant, with the other two last rebuilt in in 2007 and 2017. The town will fund the repair using capital outlay money in the upcoming fiscal year that begins October 1.
Monday night, the town also approved the removal of biosolids and sludge and evaluation of filters as first reported by NorthEscambia.com Monday morning. Those items are reprinted below.
Sewage Sludge/Biosolids Removal
According to town documents, the level of biosolids and sewage sludge are too high, and the town’s current disposal method using drying bed is inadequate to remedy the problem.
The Century treatment facility has three drying beds, but one is out of service and in need of significant repairs estimated at $25,000. Somewhere around 2006, the town purchased a belt press – which essentially squeezes the liquid out of the sludge — but it has been out of service for several years and repair parts are no longer available.
The town has a tanker truck that could be used to haul the sludge away, but it is not in operating order. It’s a 1987 Peterbilt that pulls a 1970’s era tanker trailer that holds about 5,000 gallons. It is estimated it would cost $7,000 for truck repairs and an inspection on the structural integrity of the tank.
The town contacted three companies for quotes to remove the sludge:
- Johnson Septic declined to quote.
- Boyett’s in Pensacola quoted $1,500 per 4,000 gallon tanker load, including a $405 ECUA disposal fee, which equates to 37.5 cents per gallon.
- Green South Solutions in Florala, AL, quoted a turnkey solution at $950 per $6,500 gallon tanker load, or 14.6 center per gallon. The price includes all equipment, personal, disposal permits and insurance to remove the excess biosolids.
The town council awarded the contract to Green South Solutions to remove 10 loads of biosolids/sludge for $9,500 total.
Wastewater Filters
The town council awarded a $1,800 contract to Aqua-Aerobic Solutions to evaluate the effluent filters at the wastewater treatment plant. The filters, according to town documents, have been out of service for several years due to the controls being submerged.
The filters, manufactured by Aqua-Aerobic Solutions, were installed in 2002 and 2007.
Jim Allen Elementary Names Students Of The Month
September 24, 2019
Jim Allen Elementary School has named students of the month for August. They are Addyson Smallwood and Jamarion Purifoy. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
No Serious Injuries In Escambia School Bus Crash
September 24, 2019
There were no serious injuries when a woman rear-ended a school bus in Beulah Monday afternoon.
The Florida Highway Patrol said 33-year old Jennifer McCool was traveling east on Mobile Highway near Beulah School Board when she failed to slow and rear-end the Escambia County School District bus, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
Of 34 children on the bus, on 11-year old complained about minor arm pain, according to troopers, but was not transported to the hospital.
McCool was ticketed for careless driving.
Hot Days Continue
September 24, 2019
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 71. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 93. Calm wind.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 71. Calm wind.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 94. Calm wind.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. Calm wind.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 93. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 70. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 92. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 70. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 94.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 70.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 94.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 70.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 93.