Update: ECUA Recycling Facility Open After Weekend Fire
October 2, 2022
UPDATE: The Emerald Coast Utilities Authority’s Materials Recycling Facility will be open Monday and will be accepting recyclables on a normal schedule.
Earlier story:
Less than a week after reopening, a fire broke out Friday night at ECUA’s recycling facility, but officials are hoping it will be running on Monday.
The fire was reported about 6:15 Friday in the ECUA Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) in what is known as the “plastics bunker”, according to ECUA Public Information Officer Nathalie Bowers. She said smoke and flames were able to reach the presort room above the bunkers through discharge chutes.
The heat triggered just four sprinkler heads, two in the presort room and two above the plastics bunker. Bowers said this helped limit the fire, and Escambia County Fire was able to quickly contain the fire shortly after arrival.
“The machinery had been off since 1:30 pm Friday and there is no machinery or electrical equipment in this bunker area, so the source of the fire is not likely anything related to equipment,” Bowers said. “Due to the mass of melted plastics in the bunker, we were unable to confirm what materials in the plastics bunker caused the fire. This serves as a reminder to our customers that only accepted materials should be placed in their recycling container.”
A preliminary review of the area revealed limited damage to one wall in the presort room, lighting fixtures and ceiling tiles. The sprinkler heads were set to be replaced on Saturday.
“ECUA staff will replace the fixtures, check wiring in this area, and inspect the belt to confirm that there was no damage,” Bowers added. “At this point, we are cautiously optimistic that normal operations will be able to resume Monday and will confirm that after the inspections are completed.”
The recycling facility was closed in June after an equipment failure and just returned to service last Monday, September 26.
In July 2021, a fire damaged the ECUA MRF at the Perdido Landfill in July 2021, shutting down the recycling program until October 2021.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Escambia County’s Mobile Command Center Supporting Hurricane Ian Recovery Efforts
October 2, 2022
Escambia County’s Emergency Mobile Command Center, nicknamed “THOR,” is supporting Hurricane Ian recovery efforts at an emergency operations center in Tallahassee.
The THOR command post trailer expands to offer 1,000 square feet of interior working space. It is equipped with a 44-kilowatt generator with 72 hours of fuel onboard, and there are dual 5-ton air conditioning units.
It allows for wireless communications, including cellular, satellite, VOIP phones and radio equipment. It has a 52-foot mast with antennas, high resolution cameras, a video distribution system for off-air television, satellite television and computer system. There is a four-position communication room and office space with printers, scanners, office supplies, mini-fridge, microwave and a coffee maker.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Florida’s Minimum Wage Workers Just Got A Raise
October 2, 2022
The second of six yearly increases to Florida’s minimum wage has gone into effect.
The previous minimum wage of $10 per hour increased by $1 to $11 per hour. The rate for tipped workers went from $6.98 an hour to $7.98 per hour.
In November 2020, Florida voters approved changes to the state’s minimum wage, which will gradually increase from $8.65 an hour in 2020 to $15 an hour by September 2026.
The current federal minimum wage, which neighboring Alabama follows, is $7.25 an hour.
Escambia Man Charged With Double Shooting
October 2, 2022
An Escambia County man has been charged in a double shooting Thursday night in Escambia County.
Keenan Antwan Hall, 28, is charged with two counts of first degree attempted homicide, two counts of aggravated battery, multiple weapons offenses and criminal mischief property damage. He was booked into the Escambia County Jail without bond.
About 8:15 p.m. Thursday, Hall allegedly opened fired from his vehicle into another vehicle on Mobile Highway near Edison Avenue.
Two people were transported to the hospital with injuries, with one of them reportedly suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is continuing their investigation.
Pen Air Credit Union Converts To A State Charter. Here’s What That Means.
October 2, 2022
Pen Air Federal Credit Union members approved converting to a state charter. As of October 1, the credit union is now known as just Pen Air Credit Union.
With the conversion to a state chatter, the credit union can pursue growth opportunities across 17 counties, ranging from Mobile County in Alabama, all the way to Leon and Wakulla Counties in Florida. Membership can be opened to anyone who lives, works, worships, or goes to school in the approved service area.
“Pen Air is currently celebrating our strongest financial position in our history,” Pen Air Credit Union’s President and CEO Delbert Lee Morgan said. “Changing our charter and expanding the geography we serve is an important step to ensure we continue attracting new members. We remain committed to our existing members who have helped us grow and prosper, while expanding our ability to enhance people’s lives across a larger geographic area.”
Pen Air remains federally insured by the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund (NCUSIF) which is managed by the NCUA and backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government.
The Pen Air Federal Credit Union Board of Directors unanimously approved a recommendation to change from a federal charter to a state charter. Pen Air is a not-for-profit institution and therefore the bylaws required a member vote to approve a change to the charter.
Pen Air now will be able to operate in the following counties under the new state charter:
- Escambia, Florida
- Santa Rosa, Florida
- Okaloosa, Florida
- Walton, Florida
- Bay, Florida
- Washington, Florida
- Holmes, Florida
- Jackson, Florida
- Calhoun, Florida
- Gulf, Florida
- Franklin, Florida
- Liberty, Florida
- Gadsden, Florida
- Wakulla, Florida
- Leon, Florida
- Mobile, Alabama
- Baldwin, Alabama
Robert Elliott Harvey
October 2, 2022
Robert Elliott Harvey, long time resident of Pensacola, Florida, passed away on Wednesday, September 28, 2022, at the age of 88. He was born in Westerly, Rhode Island, on September 14, 1934, to James and Alice Harvey. Robert served as a Seaman in the United States Navy and enjoyed a 40 year career as a supervisor at Monsanto/Solutia. He married the love of his life, Marie, on March 10, 1962, and they spent 60 incredible years together. Robert, or simply “Bob” to those who knew him well, had a lifelong love of fishing and found great joy in traveling and golfing with friends and family. He loved his country and his community. He was immensely proud of his military service and delighted in recounting his experiences aboard submarines during the Korean War. He was a husband, a father, a grandfather, a teacher, a friend, a rock. He will be deeply missed and forever loved. Robert is preceded in death by his father, James H Harvey; his mother, Alice E Harvey; his brother, James H Harvey Jr.; and his sister, Constance A Engle. He is survived by his wife, Margaret Marie Harvey; his children, Robert Harvey Jr., Kim Cristofoletti, and Ronald Harvey; and his grandchildren, Joshua Harvey, Haley Harvey, Peyton Cristofoletti, and Spencer Cristofoletti. Please join us in remembering Robert Harvey on Monday, October 3rd, 2022, at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North, located at 1000 South Highway 29, Cantonment, FL, 32533. Visitation will be at 10:00 am, followed by service at 11:00 am. Burial will be held at Barrancas National Cemetery following the service.
School Superintendent Moves Questioned Library Books To Parental Opt-In ‘Restricted Section’
October 1, 2022
After a Northview High School teacher and Escambia County School Board member called for the immediate removal of 115 “obscene” books from school libraries until they can be reviewed, the school district has taken a step to control access to the books.
School Superintendent Dr. Smith has implemented a “Restricted Section” in school libraries. The books in question will be housed in the section, and parents will be able to opt-in their students to have access to the restricted book as they are being reviewed.
“While we review disputed books, we want to make sure parents still have the right to make decisions relative to what they believe is and isn’t appropriate for their children,” Smith said. “We feel the implementation of a Restricted Section in each of our school libraries, from which students can access these titles only with parent permission, will best meet the needs of our families as books are under review. The final arbiter of what is appropriate for a child to read is always that child’s parent; not other parents, teachers, or aggrieved members of the public.”
As we first reported on Monday, 30-year veteran teacher Vicki Baggett compiled a growing list of 116 books that she says are inappropriate in schools, mostly due to sexual language and graphic drawings that she believes actually violate Florida’s obscenity laws. To read more about her arguments, click here. To see the list of the books, click here.
Many of the books books on her list contain graphic and descriptive sexual language, include pedophilia and bestiality. One book uses the F-word 116 times. The are numerous books containing underage sex, what she termed “alternate sexualties”, “explicit violent content”, self-mutilation, suicide, rape, racism, and graphic drawings.
School Board Chairman Kevin Adams asked that Smith quarantine or remove from circulation the challenged books until a review consistent with state statute is conducted.
“The School Board has the authority to remove books from its libraries; however, it cannot do so simply because it disagrees with the message of a book or it offends the personal morals of an individual,” School Board General Counsel Ellen Odom said in an emailed statement on Monday. “Through the review process, if the School Board determines that a particular book is pornographic or obscene, is not suited to student needs and their ability to comprehend the material presented, is inappropriate for the grade level and age group for which the material is used, or is factually inaccurate or misleading, it can direct the removal of such book.”
The current school district “Reconsideration of Educational Media Policy” states that requests for reconsideration are to be submitted to the school with the title in question. Once the request has been submitted, the school will form a “School Materials Review Committee” to read the title, review the complaint, consult professional reviews, and consult outside experts as needed. The School Materials Review Committee will then meet to discuss the title and hold a blind vote to keep the title, move the title to another level, or remove the title completely.
The complainant then has the opportunity to appeal the decision to a District Materials Review Committee. That committee will read the title, review the complaint and appeal, consult professional reviews, and consult outside experts as needed. The District Materials Review Committee will then meet to discuss the title and hold a blind vote to keep the title, move the title to another level, or remove the title completely. The complainant then has the opportunity to appeal the decision to the school board.
The Escambia County School Board has scheduled a special workshop for 8 a.m. on October 10 to discuss a revised school library collection development policy and educational media review policy to ensure consistency with a recently passed state law, HB 1467, which requires school districts to be transparent in the selection of instructional materials, including library and reading materials.
Free Adoptions This Month At The Animal Shelter; Special ‘Adoptapalooza’ On Sunday
October 1, 2022
Adoptions are free this month at the Escambia County animal shelter, and they are hosting an “Adoptapalooza” adoption event on Sunday.
The Adoptapalooza event is open to the public, their pets and anyone who has been considering adopting. Come out and enjoy food, games, and activities for both kids and dogs. Free pet adoptions will also be offered during the event. Staff will be available to help match families with their perfect pet from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Sunday.
In addition to Sunday’s event, the Animal Welfare and Adoption Center is open Monday-Friday from 12-5 p.m. and Saturdays from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m.
Adoptions are free and license fees are waived through October 31.
Florida’s Month-Long Gas Tax Holiday Started Saturday
October 1, 2022
Florida’s month-long gas tax holiday started Saturday and continues through the entire month of October.
The holiday is expected to save Floridians about $200 million by lowering the price of gas by 25.3 cents per gallon.
The gas tax holiday is not in response to Hurricane Ian. It was approved by the Florida Legislature as part of a broader tax savings package earlier this year.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Firefighters From Alabama, Florida Battle Fire Near Atmore Airport
October 1, 2022
Fighters from Alabama and Florida battled a large field fire Friday afternoon near the Atmore Municipal Airport.
The fire burned quickly across a field to the east of the airport, along Hanger Road. There was no immediate word on the number of acres involved or the cause of the blaze.
The Atmore Fire Department, Poarch Creek Fire Department, and multiple units from the Walnut Hill Station of Escambia County (FL) Fire Rescue responded.
The Atmore airport is located on Highway 31 just east of the city, about a mile north of the Alabama-Florida state line.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
