ECUA Fires Recycling Company, Takes Over Program Operations
May 14, 2018
The Emerald Coast Utilities Authority has terminated the company that was responsible for processing their recyclables.
Zero Waste had operated the ECUA’s Materials Recycling Facility (MRF), but now ECUA has taken over over direct recycling operations.
“Zero Waste was in breach of contract and owed us for six months, about $250,000 for recyclables sold,” Nathalie Bowers, spokesperson for the ECUA said. “We delivered the recyclables to them, they sold them at market value and there was a sliding scale where we would get revenue back depending on commodity prices that change monthly. They withheld $50,000 last September and October, paid November and December, and then paid nothing in January and February.”
ECUA has hired several Zero Waste staffers to work directly for ECUA in the operation of the recycling facility at the Perdido Landfill.
The recycling facility is near capacity, but hours will be difficult to expand, Bowers said. Hours for the MRF are tied to the hours at the landfill, which must be open for trucks to make deliveries.
A nationwide recycling market downturn has not hit ECUA hard , Bowers said, because it’s still cheaper for ECUA to recycle than send materials to the landfill.
File photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview Class Of 2018 Holds Baccalaureate Service (With Gallery)
May 14, 2018
The Northview High School Class of 2018 held their Baccalaureate service Sunday afternoon at the First Baptist Church of Bratt.
The program also included scripture, prayer, music provide by the Northview Senior Class Ensemble, and a message from Rev. Nathan Brown of Ray’s Chapel Baptist Church.
Graduation for the Northview High School Class of 2018 will be at 4 p.m. Saturday, May 19 at the school.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
FDOT: Weekly Traffic Alerts
May 14, 2018
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.
Escambia County:
· State Road (S.R.) 742 (Creighton Road) Construction Improvement Project from east of Davis Highway (S.R. 291) to Scenic Highway (U.S. 90)- Alternating and intermittent lane closures on Creighton Road between Davis Highway and 9th Avenue and on 9th Avenue at the intersection of Creighton Road from 8:30 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. Sunday, May 13 through Saturday, May 19 as crews perform milling, paving, sidewalk and curb replacement.
- U.S. 29 Widening from I-10 to Nine Mile Road- Drivers traveling U.S. 29 and Nine Mile Road will encounter traffic pattern changes from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, May 13 through Saturday, May 19 as follows:
- Nine Mile Road at the U.S. 29 overpass: North and southbound traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction. Alternating traffic shifts will direct all traffic onto the westbound or eastbound lanes as crews continue construction of the new center bridge deck. Nine Mile Road lane restrictions are Sunday through Friday.
- U.S. 29 between I-10 and 9 1/2 Mile Road: Drivers may experience alternating lane closures as crews continue drainage and paving operations. U.S. 29 lane restrictions are Monday through Saturday.
- U.S. 29 Resurfacing between U.S. 90 and Muscogee Road - Alternating lane closures on U.S. 29 north and southbound, from Muscogee Road to West 9 ½ Mile Road, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, May 13 through Thursday, May17 as crews pave the roadway.
· I-10 / U.S. 29 Interchange Improvements Phase I- The following traffic impacts are planned on I-10 and U.S. 29 near the interchange (Exits 10) from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, May 13 through Thursday, May 17:
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- Alternating lane closures on I-10 east and westbound and U.S. 29 north and southbound.
- The U.S. 29 on-ramps to I-10 eastbound will be intermittently closed. Traffic will be detoured on U.S. 29 to access I-10 eastbound.
- Alternating lane closures on the I-10 westbound exit ramp to U.S. 29 north and south (Exit 10).
· U.S. 98 (S.R. 30) Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement - Alternating east and westbound lane closures between 14th Avenue in Pensacola and Bay Bridge Drive in Gulf Breeze, from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, May 13 through Thursday, May 17 as crews perform construction activities. Lillian Highway (U.S. 98) Resurfacing Project- Construction activities are underway on the U.S. 98 (Lillian Highway) resurfacing project. Any work which will require lane restrictions will take place from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. Sunday, May 13 through Thursday, May 17.
· U.S. 98 Routine Maintenance over Bayou Chico- East and westbound traffic will encounter lane restrictions from 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 15 to 5 a.m. Wednesday, May 16 as crews replace lights and remove debris on the bridge.
· S.R. 97 Bridge Replacement Project over Sandy Hollow Creek- Crews will transition traffic from the existing bridge to a temporary detour structure Tuesday, May 15. Motorist can expect intermittent on-lane traffic throughout the day as workers make final preparations to shift traffic. Once traffic has been moved to the new configuration, replacement of the 1940 bridge will begin. The project is anticipated to be complete fall 2018.
· Mobile Highway at Beulah Road Intersection Project- Work to improve the intersection of State Road 10A (Mobile Highway) at Beulah Road in Escambia County is scheduled to begin the week of Monday, May 21. To help minimize traffic impacts, much of the construction work will take place behind a low-profile concrete barrier wall. No lane closures will be allowed Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. or 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. In addition, no lane closures will be scheduled during special school events.
Santa Rosa County:
- U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – Alternating east and westbound lane closures between 14th Avenue in Pensacola and Bay Bridge Drive in Gulf Breeze, from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, May 13 through Thursday, May 17 as crews perform construction activities.
· S.R. 87 Multilane from Eglin AFB boundary to Hickory Hammock Road – Intermittent lane closures on S.R. 87 north and southbound, between Eglin Air Force Base boundary and two miles south of the Yellow River, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Monday, May 14 through Thursday, May 17 as crew perform paving operations. Additionally, traffic between C.R. 184 (Hickory Hammock Road) and the Eglin AFB boundary is restricted to loads less than 11-feet wide. The restriction will be in place until the project is complete.
Putnam Maintains Fundraising Lead In Governor’s Race
May 14, 2018
In the Republican race for governor, new financial reports show Adam Putnam and Ron DeSantis continue to pursue different strategies in their quest for their party’s nomination.
Putnam, a two-term state agriculture commissioner, raised more than $2 million in April and spent $2.4 million, including more than $1.8 million launching his first television ad, the new filings with the state Division of Elections show.
DeSantis, a three-term congressman from Palm Coast, raised $819,000 in April and spent $570,000, the state records show. DeSantis has yet to run any television advertising but is relying on frequent appearances on Fox News to connect with Republican voters.
With total contributions of $28.85 million, Putnam maintained a solid hold as the strongest fundraiser in the governor’s race, among both Republicans and Democrats.
Even with his expenditures, Putnam had approximately $19 million in cash on hand as he moved into May.
DeSantis has raised nearly $8 million and had more than $7 million in cash heading into May, the reports show.
Putnam’s largest contributions reflect his status as the Tallahassee establishment’s favored candidate.
His political committee, Florida Grown, in April received $375,000 from the business-lobbying group Associated Industries of Florida, as well as $215,000 from a political committee affiliated with the Florida Chamber of Commerce.
The committee’s April haul included $100,000 from Publix Super Markets and $100,000 from William Becker, owner of Peace River Citrus Products, last month. And Putnam’s committee received $75,000 from pari-mutuel interests, including $25,000 from Patrick Rooney, president of the Palm Beach Kennel Club.
Phosphate companies contributed $50,000 to Putnam in April. He also received $25,000 from Geo Group, a private prison company, and $25,000 from St. Joe Co., a major developer.
The largest April contribution to DeSantis’ political committee, Friends of Ron DeSantis, was $100,000 from Ahmad Khawaja, the California-based founder of Allied Wallet, an online payment-processing company.
DeSantis’ committee also received $25,000 from a company affiliated with MCNA Dental Plans, a company that has provided dental care for Medicaid patients in Florida. The state is currently reviewing bids for a new contract that will separate dental services from the main Medicaid managed-care program.
House Speaker Richard Corcoran, R-Land O’Lakes, who announced this week he would not run for governor and endorsed Putnam, raised $49,500 for his Watchdog political committee in April, state records show.
Corcoran raised a total $6.9 million, with about $2 million left at the end of April. He has said he may use some of the money to support Republican efforts to maintain majorities in the state House and Senate.
Among Democrats, former U.S. Rep. Gwen Graham had the strongest fund-raising month in April, the records show. She raised more than $1 million, with a total of $7.4 million in contributions to her campaign account and Our Florida political committee. Graham had more than $4.7 million in cash in the accounts moving into May, the reports show.
Former Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine, the first Democratic candidate to run TV spots, spent $1.8 million on ads in April, the latest campaign finance reports show. Levine has raised a combined total of $9 million in his official campaign account and All About Florida political committee, while also loaning $5 million — including $2.2 million in April — to his campaign.
Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum received $445,000 in contributions to his campaign account and political committee, Forward Florida, in April, the records show. He has raised a total of $3 million, and had $1.4 million cash on hand heading into May.
Winter Park businessman Chris King raised $115,000 in April, according to reports reflecting contributions to his campaign account and Rise and Lead political committee. He has raised a total of $3.76 million and has also loaned his campaign $825,000, including $400,000 in April.
by Lloyd Dunkelberger, The News Service of Florida
Powered By Tate And PHS, Academic Team Takes State Title
May 14, 2018
In a hard-fought, back and forth, brain-busting battle, the Escambia County Academic All-Star Team walked away from the Commissioner’s Academic Challenge Finals as Division 2 state champions.
In the three-round competition, Team Escambia was behind after the first round, but it was still a close competition. At the end of round 2, there were four teams who were positioned to take the championship, with Okaloosa County in the lead. The third round was when Team Escambia showed their true grit by answering key questions down the stretch and earning 26 or 30 points on the final team worksheet round while minimizing points lost by answering incorrectly. Eventually, the ECSD team, made up of students from Pensacola high and Tate High schools, beat out the teams from Okaloosa and Leon counties to emerge as this year’s champion. In addition, John Dixon of Tate High was named to the all-tournament team for his outstanding performance.
The All-Star Academic Team is composed of the top six high-school “quiz bowl” players in our district along with two alternates. The students compete in rigorous academic competitions that focus on such subject areas as math, science, language arts, social studies, fine arts, and foreign language. Coached by Allan Robinson from Pensacola High School, the members of this year’s Academic All-Star Team are John Dixon, Michael Dixon, and Maggie Brown (Tate High School), and Ally Shah, Philip Mann, Connor Zemeska, and Abby Lyons (Pensacola High School).
The Commissioner’s Academic Challenge, held each April at Walt Disney World, is Florida’s state championship tournament. The CAC features all-star teams from various Florida counties who compete in three divisions based on K-12 full-time enrollment.
Pictured top: Team Escambia (front, L-R) Abby Lyons, Ally Shah, Maggie Brown, Michael Dixon; (back, L-R) Philip Mann, Coach Tristan Harris, Connor Zameska and John Dixon. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
The ‘Secret Garden Tour’ Will Include Cantonment Treasures
May 14, 2018
The Pensacola Federation of Garden Clubs annual Secret Gardens of the Emerald Coast Garden Tour will feature six residential gardens, two of which are in Cantonment, and the Escambia County Extension Demonstration Garden, also in Cantonment.
The Secret Gardens Tour Committee selected seven unique and beautiful private residential gardens, selected for their creativity, use of native plants, stunning garden features and interesting horticulture specimens.
One Cantonment garden the beautifully developed Grande Oaks Farms subdivision off Tate Road. This home was built on the natural springs lake, with a backyard that slopes dramatically to a reverse wall to control erosion. A dock provides easy access for fishing. The stunning North Alabama stone staircase with multiple patio landings connects the house and lawn area. The front curb appeal is achieved with an explosion of seasonal color in curved beds, provided by well-established coral drift roses, Purple Pixie dwarf loropetalum, Veronica Sunny Border Blue, varied shades of SunPatiens, and lavender. Placed throughout are several sizes of flat rock formations. A Tamukeyama Japanese Maple and two larger Bloodgood Japanese Maples frame the traditional brick home and are lovely statement specimens.
Another garden is located off Highway 297A in Cantonment with a “greenhouse tour” focusing on a stunning collection of cacti and succulents. The beautifully constructed greenhouse holds a variety of specimens in terra cotta clay pots. Enhance your appreciation of arid climate vegetation in this environment-controlled grower’s paradise.
The tour will also feature the Escambia County Demonstration Gardens on Stefani Road in Cantonment. Attendees can stroll through a total of nine themed garden areas featuring a wide variety of plants and garden types. A wonderful resource for all community residents, the Extension Service trained Master Gardeners will be on hand to answer your gardening questions. Grow houses hold the propagation area, and the bog and sensory garden includes educational features for adaptive gardening ideas and gardening inspiration for youth.
The Secred Garden Tour is May 19 and 20 from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Tickets are $20 per person which includes a guide booklet with addresses, a map and driving directions to the gardens. Children 12 and under are free. The tour will be held rain or shine.
Tickets are available 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. through Friday at the The Garden Center, 1850 N 9th Ave, Pensacola.
Northview FFA Holds Annual Banquet (With Photo Gallery)
May 14, 2018
The Northview High School FFA held their annual banquet Friday night.
The event included a somber retirement ceremony for four of the chapter’s graduating senior officers as they slowly removed their signature FFA blue jackets for the last time.
The night also included many awards for Northview FFA members and supporters. The Northview High School FFA has been continuously honored as a top chapter in Florida and the nation.
Awards and honors presented included:
Glynn Key Ruritan Scholarship – Cody Kite
Jamie Hall Memorial Scholarship - Cody Kite
Northview FFA Alumni Scholarship — Donnie Dixion, Wesley Hardin, Cole Hassebrock, Cody Kite
Retiring Officers
- Donnie Dixon
- Wesley Hardin
- Cole Hassebrock
- Cody Kite
Honorary Members
- Mitchell Singleton
- Allie Eubanks
- Christa Godwin
- Ed Sizemore
2018-2019 Officer Team
- President: Raeleigh Woodfin
- 1st Vice President: Amber Gilman
- 2nd Vice President: Olivia Porter
- Secretary: Autumn Williams
- Treasurer: Destiny Cleckler
- Reporter: Lacie Carter
- Sentinel: Emily Stabler
- Parliamentarian: Meredith McGhee
- Chaplain: Bryce Korinchak
- Historian: Paige Gibbs
- Photographer: Stewart Woodfin
- Public Relations: Summer Waters
- Chairman of Citizenship: Sarah Sconiers
- Chairman of Membership: Rachel Sanders
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Heading To Pensacola Beach? Parking Lot Improvements Begin
May 14, 2018
Construction of intersection improvements within the Casino Beach Parking Lot is scheduled to begin Monday on Pensacola Beach.
The improvements will allow motorists to enter the main parking area from the parking lot in front of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Substation, and provide enhanced signage and pavement markings for guidance. The construction is anticipated to last three weeks. However, no construction will occur during the Memorial Day weekend, Thursday, May 24 through Monday, May 28.
The parking lot will function in a circular configuration in order to improve traffic movements within the lot.
Visitors will be able to access both Casino Beach parking lots during construction, but intermittent lane closures will be in effect.
Drivers are asked to exercise caution in the area while the work is completed.
Five-Run Sixth Lifts Wahoos Past Shuckers, 6-4
May 14, 2018
The Blue Wahoos scored five-unanswered runs in the top of the sixth inning to blast their way past the Biloxi Shucker 6-4 on Sunday afternoon at MGM Park.
Shed Long gave the Blue Wahoos an early lead with his third home run of the season, a solo shot in the third inning. Biloxi answered quickly with four runs over the next two innings. In the fourth, a single and hit by pitch set up Jake Gatewood’s two-run double to put the Shuckers up 2-1. Milwaukee Brewers top prospect Corey Ray belted a two-run, two-out home run in the fifth to make it 4-1 before the Wahoos rallied.
Pensacola answered in a big way in the sixth inning. Reliever Josh Uhen (L, 0-2) retired two of the first-three batters he faced before getting ambushed. Aristides Aquino led the charge with a two-run home run to left field. Brian O’Grady followed with a double to right-center field, and scored a batter later on Cassidy Brown’s first double-a hit. Brown came home with C.J. McElroy when Wahoos starting pitcher Keury Mella (W, 4-1) ripped a double to left field.
Mella was solid on the mound too. He was charged with just two earned runs, four total, over seven innings. He added seven strikeouts without a walk to earn the win. Robinson Leyer (S, 1) closed the door with two scoreless innings for the save to secure the win.
The teams meet in game three of the five-game series Monday night. Anthony DeSclafani is scheduled to join the Blue Wahoos on a Major League rehab assignment and get the start. He hasn’t pitched in a Major League game since 2016. Also expected to pitch is former Blue Wahoo Michael Lorenzen, also on a rehab assignment. The Shuckers will counter with RHP Zack Brown (2-0, 3.18).
Missing Santa Rosa County Girl Located
May 14, 2018
UPDATE 5/15 3:15 pm: This missing child has been located, and the missing child alert has been canceled. One person, whose name has not been released, is also in custody. No further details were released.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement has issued a missing child alert for a missing girl from Santa Rosa County.
Emily Navarro was last seen in the area of the 6800 block of Flintwood Street in Navarre. The child may be in the company of Elvin Castron Murcia. He has a slender build. They may be traveling in a black Honda Civic with Tennessee plates.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 983-1100 or 911.
