Escambia County Won’t Raise Fire Fee, Property Tax Or Sales Tax To Increase Fire Services Funding
June 17, 2022
Escambia County will not raise the fire fee, sales tax or property tax in order to fund fire services this year.
Instead, they will use $5 million from an expected increase in the general fund. Escambia County is projecting about $19 million more in property tax revenue next year without a change in the tax rate due to increased property values.
“It appears to me as if the only course of action is to just absorb the expenses out of the general fund and leave MSBUs, MSTUs and ad valorem alone and just move forward,” Commissioner Steven Barry said.
The Escambia County Commission took no formal action on Thursday. Instead, they will include the $5 million five services increase in the next general fund budget, which will take effect on October 1.
Earlier this month, the commission considered raising the fire MSBU from $125 to $165 per year instead of a previously discussed sales tax increase.
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.
High In The Upper 90s Today; Heat Advisory Continues
June 17, 2022
A heat advisory is in effect again for Friday. The combined effects of air temperatures in the mid 90s and high humidity will result in a heat index “feels like temperature” of 105 to 112 degrees.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Friday: Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 98. Heat index values as high as 110. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph.
Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 77. West wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Sunny and hot, with a high near 99. Heat index values as high as 110. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 73. North wind around 5 mph.
Juneteenth: Sunny and hot, with a high near 97. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 74. East wind around 5 mph.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 95. East wind 5 to 10 mph.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 74. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light in the evening.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 96.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 74.
Wednesday: Sunny and hot, with a high near 99.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 76.
Thursday: Sunny and hot, with a high near 101.
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.
Judy Moye Boutwell
June 17, 2022
Mrs. Judy Moye Boutwell, age 73 of Upper Creek Road in Flomaton, passed away Tuesday morning June 14, 2022 in a Pensacola, Florida Hospital.
Mrs. Boutwell was a native of Atmore and long time resident of the Flomaton area. She had previously worked as a seamstress for Judy Bond Fashions and Vanity Fair Mills. Mrs. Boutwell also worked at Century Health and Rehab as well as the Terrace Senior Living as a cook. She attended Lambeth Holiness Church.
She is survived by her husband of 54 1/2 years, Wendell Mike Boutwell of Flomaton; two sons, Michael Boutwell of Flomaton, Douglas (Sue) Boutwell of Richton, Mississippi; daughter, Valerie (Shon) Haveard of Flomaton; brother, Randy Crutchfield of Pensacola; sister, Anita (Earl) Bradley of Flomaton; nine grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren.
Preceded in death by her father and mother, Cleveland Moye and Bertha Knowles Crutchfield; step-father, Jack Crutchfield; special great-nephew, Logan Mitchell.
Visitation will be held Saturday June 18, 2022 from 1 until 3 P.M. service time at Flomaton Funeral Home Chapel.
Funeral services for Mrs. Judy Moye Boutwell will be held Saturday afternoon June 18, 2022 at 3 P.M. from the chapel of Flomaton Funeral Home with Brother Andy Boutwell officiating. Interment will follow in Lambeth Holiness Church Cemetery with FLOMATON FUNERAL HOME DIRECTING.
Active Pallbearers: Dusty Boutwell, Cole Gandy, Trey Boutwell, Caleb Boutwell, Chase Lee, Tony Lee.
Honorary Pallbearers: Landon Haveard, Terry Boutwell, Luke Mitchell, Zach Knowles.
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.
