ECUA’s Recycling Facility Receives National Honor
October 4, 2017
The Emerald Coast Utility Authority’s recycling facility has received national recognition.
The Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) announced ECUA has been named the winner of the SWANA Silver Excellence Award in the Recycling System category. The award was presented at SWANA’s annual conference, WASTECON, last week in Baltimore.
The ECUA received the award for its state-of-the-art materials recycling facility, which began operations in September 2016. The 2017 awards honor programs and facilities in 13 different categories, spanning many facets of the municipal solid waste industry. Award winners represent the most innovative and dynamic organizations throughout North America as judged by their peers, according to SWANA.
“The Emerald Coast Utilities Authority (ECUA) constructed a regional materials recycling facility (MRF) to process recyclables collected from its 100,000 customers as well as residents in surrounding counties in Florida and Alabama,” said Randall Rudd, deputy executive director for ECUA.
ECUA partnered with Escambia County to develop an ECUA-owned MRF at the county’s landfill. The partnership worked under an expedited timeframe to build a 53,460 square-foot single stream MRF capable of processing 25 tons-per-hour. Strategic planning for the $10.7 million facility began in 2015 and was completed in just 18 months.
ECUA decided to employ a dynamic process where the equipment, site development, and operations schedules were compressed by overlapping the design, permitting, procurement, negotiations, and construction. ECUA has constructed a modern high-tech MRF with several state-of-the-art enhancements to allow for advanced automation, customization for desired materials removal and processing, and automatic performance reporting to produce a cleaner and more marketable material.
ECUA Cleans Up 84,000 Gallon Sewage Spill In Cantonment
October 4, 2017
The Emerald Coast Utilities Authority has cleaned and disinfected an area in Cantonment after an 84,000 gallon sewage spill.
The spill happened Monday after a cable contractor bore through a sewer force main at Highway 297A and Promenade Drive. Of the 84,000 gallons estimated to be spilled, 34,220 gallons were recovered and transported to an ECUA water reclamation facility for proper disposal and treatment. An additional 29,500 gallons were diverted from the spill site to four ECUA Lift Stations. Bacteriological sampling has been initiated.
ECUA crews repaired the main and ensured that the overflow area was cleaned and disinfected with a biocide agent that abated any contamination concerns, per state protocol, the utility said. In accordance with standard operating procedure, the ECUA notified the State Warning Point, the Escambia County Health Department and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
The utility said it issued a public notice on the spill “through an abundance of caution”.
FHSAA Releases Local Football Playoff Point Standings
October 4, 2017
The Florida High School Athletic Association has released current projected football playoff points to date for local high school teams.
Beginning this season, district play has been eliminated in Classes 1A-4A, with teams making the playoffs based on a points system. Classes 5A-8A retain districts, with the district champion receiving an automatic playoff bid.
For Classes 1A-4A, no region or district play is required, with each school controlling its own schedule. Four teams from each region (16 total statewide) will make the playoffs based on the new points system.
District play for Class 5A-8A remains, with 32 teams qualifying for the playoffs in each class. District champions will receive an automatic bid to the playoff and will receive a 1-4 seed based on the new points system. Four wild cards will be taken from each region based on points following the conclusion of Week 11.
Bottom Line for North Escambia Schools: Tate is tops in District 1-Class 6A. The Northview Chiefs are currently seventh in Region 1-Class 1A (not in a playoff spot).
For more information on the points system, click the graphic at the bottom of the story to enlarge and click here for a informative pdf.
District 1-Class 6A
Tate 4-1 1-0 36.80
Escambia 2-2 1-0 35.00
Pine Forest 2-2 0-1 37.25
Washington 2-4 0-1 31.50
District 2-Class 6A
Navarre 5-0 1-0 37.80
Gulf Breeze 4-1 1-0 34.80
Milton 2-3 0-1 31.40
Pace 1-4 0-1 25.80
District 1-Class 5A
West Florida 4-1 1-0 43.40
Pensacola 2-4 1-0 27.00
Mosley 4-2 1-1 33.33
Panama City Arnold 2-3 1-1 29.20
Panama City Bay 1-5 0-2 27.00
Region 1-Class 1A
Chipley 5-0 42.80
Baker 5-0 38.20
Holmes County 4-2 37.83
Bozeman 3-2 33.80
Vernon 1-3 32.75
Jay 1-4 32.40
Northview 1-5 30.07
Freeport 3-3 30.00
Graceville 0-4 27.25
Cross Country Results: Northview, Flomaton, Ernest Ward (With Gallery)
October 4, 2017
Results from a cross country meet held Tuesday afternoon at Northview High School are below.
For a photo gallery of most finishers, click here.
Boys Team Placement:
Northview High School 1st Place
Flomaton High School 2nd Place
Ernest Ward 3rd Place
Girls Team Placement:
Ernest Ward 1 st Place
(No girls team was fielded by Flomaton or Northview. Two Northview athletes ran as individuals.)
Boys Individual Times:
1. Kevin Meeks/Flomaton 19:03
2. Tanner Levins/Northview 19:14
3. Oscar Rodriguez/Northview 21:06
4. Logan Doremus/Northview 22:46
5. Samm Bradley/Northview 23:00
Girls Individual Times:
1. Kara Santorelli/Ernest Ward 23:16
2. Emily Levins/Ernest Ward 32:10
3. Aurora McCann/Northview 33:16
4. Anna Bryants/Ernest Ward 34:41
5. Adrianne Shanks/Ernest Ward 35:04
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
FHP Releases Names, Details In Serious Hwy 97 Crash
October 3, 2017
Five people were seriously injured in a two vehicle, near head-on collision Sunday night just north of Walnut Hill. Their names and crash details were released Tuesday afternoon by the Florida Highway Patrol.
According to the FHP, 38-year old Travis J. English of Pensacola was southbound about 8 p.m. on Highway 97 near Ficklin Road in a 2006 Hyundai Sonata when he crossed the center line in a no passing zone. Now traveling southbound in the northbound lane, English was in the path of a northbound 2004 Dodge Ram 3500 driven by 35-year old Tyler D. Respress of Atmore.
Both drivers took evasive actions toward the shoulder of the road, according to the FHP, causing the vehicles to collide. The pickup came to rest partially on Highway 97, while the Sonata came to rest in the ditch.
English and his passengers were trapped in the Hyundai, with firefighters using the Jaws of Life to remove the vehicle roof oin order to free them. English and backseat passenger Gabreal McDowell, age 23 of Pensacola, were transported to Pensacola hospitals in serious condition. Front seat passenger Athena McBride, age 39 of Cantonment, was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital in critical condition.
Respress and passenger Ashley Respress, 34, were transported by ambulance to Sacred Heart Hospital in serious condition.
Any charges in the accident are pending the outcome of an ongoing Florida Highway Patrol investigation.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
No Injuries In Classic El Camino Crash In Bratt
October 3, 2017
An elderly driver received only minor injuries when he crashed a classic Chevrolet ElCamino into a tree Tuesday morning in Bratt.
The driver lost control while southbound on Highway 99 near Cecil’s Road, crossed the center line, left the roadway and struck a brick mailbox. He then cross back over the highway, left the roadway again and struck a tree about 7:35 a.m.
He was treated on the scene by Escambia County EMS and not transported to the hospital.
The accident is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. The Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue also responded.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Highway 168 Bridge Reopens After Emergency Repairs
October 3, 2017
A North Escambia bridge reopened Tuesday morning after emergency repairs were completed.
The bridge over Reedy Creek on Highway 168 near Wawbeek Road was closed for repairs on May 18 after Escambia County received notice from the Florida Department of Transportation that the bridge had failed an inspection and was deemed structurally deficient.
The bridge is located northeast of Bratt, about seven miles west of Century.
Pictured: The bridge over Reedy Creek on Highway 168 was reopened Tuesday morning. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Bonus Gallery: Northview Cheerleaders, Band, NJROTC
October 3, 2017
For a bonus gallery with the Northview band, cheerleaders, NJROTC and spirit line from last Friday night, click here.
For football game action photos and story, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Contractor Granted Time Extensions For Molino Road Bridge Completion
October 3, 2017
When Molino Road was closed for replacement of the bridge over Penasula Creek, just east of Sunshine Hill Road, the construction contact called for the project to be complete by September 25. But the contractor has been granted multiple time extensions by the Florida Department of Transportation, NorthEscambia.com has learned.
Contractor F&W Construction Company started the project on January 3 under a contract that gave the company 265 days for completion.
The Florida Department of Transportation has granted F&W 30 additional days due to weather and eight additional holiday days to complete the project. That would make the required completion date November 1.
But according to Tanya Branton, spokesperson for FDOT, there are two pending time extensions. One is for 14 days due to additional piling that was required and another nine days due to Hurricane Irma. If those requested extensions are granted, the anticipated final acceptance date will be November 24 for a total of 326 contract days.
The old wood piling supported bridge was constructed in 1958 had reached a level of deterioration to warrant replacement and was next on the list of the FDOT’s Five-Year Work Plan. The project is being funded and the construction work is being performed under contract with the Florida Department of Transportation. After completion of the structure, Escambia County will be responsible for the maintenance of the bridge.
To date, the bridge project is only $1,617 over original budget, with an adjusted current contract amount of $1,129,920.01.
Pictured: The current status of construction on the Molino Road bridge over Penasula Creek. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia Man Faces Up To Life For Drug Trafficking
October 3, 2017
An Escambia County man faces up to life in prison after a drug conviction.
Ozell Pressley, Sr. was convicted by an Escambia County jury of one count of trafficking in cocaine (28 grams or more, but less than 200 grams), one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and one count of possession of controlled substance (less than 20 grams of cannabis).
On November 03, 2016, Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Investigators served a search warrant at a known drug house located in the 2300 block of West Bobe Street. An investigation into Pressley began after information was received that Pressley was distributing crack cocaine from the West Bobe Street House. Pressley, a co-defendant and three other adults were located in the home, along with more than 30 grams of crack cocaine, cannabis and a loaded firearm.
Pressley is a convicted felon and has an extensive criminal history, including five prior charges of Sale, manufacture, or delivery, three prior charges of possession of controlled substance, resisting an officer with violence, attempting to flee and elude, felony battery, possession of marijuana (over 20 grams), improper exhibition of a firearm and aggravated battery.
Circuit Judge Edward Nickinson scheduled sentencing for October 27.
Ozell Pressley, Sr. qualifies as a habitual felony offender. He faces a maximum sentence of up to life in prison on the count of trafficking in cocaine.