IP Mill In Cantonment Switching Natural Gas Supplier To Pensacola Energy
December 27, 2021
In 2022, the International Paper mill in Cantonment will switch natural gas suppliers to Pensacola Energy, significantly increasing revenue for the municipal utility while saving money for IP.
“Pensacola Energy offered natural gas at competitive rates and we look forward to our relationship with them,” Whitney Fike, IP communications manager, said.
“It’s not often that a gas utility gets to add a major industrial customer like that, and we are fortunate to be able to secure a supply of gas that is costing them less than their current supply,” Pensacola Energy Director Don Suarez said. “That addition of International Paper will increase our throughput, our sales, next year by about 14%.”
“Utilities are slow growth businesses, so 14% increase in one year is significant for us. So we are real excited about that,” Suarez continued.
Pensacola Energy was able to offer IP a lower natural gas price than they are currently paying because of a discount from a prepaid gas agreement, according to Kaycee Lagarde, public information officer for the City of Pensacola.
Area residents won’t see any digging, new pipes or any physical changes around the IP mill in Cantonment with the new gas supplier.
“Pensacola Energy is working through our current supplier to deliver the gas and bill International Paper, so this will be a strictly transactional change,” Lagarde said. ” No digging or pipe changes will be necessary, and the gas will flow just like it currently does through the pipeline.”
Pictured: The International Paper mill in Cantonment. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
FHP Pursues, Arrests Driver Traveling Over 100 In 40 MPH Zone
December 27, 2021
The Florida Highway Patrol arrested a driver Sunday night that was traveling over 100 mph in a 40 mph zone.
The vehicle was clocked at 104 mph on Beverly Parkway when the trooper began the pursuit. Several PIT maneuvers were performed before the vehicle was disabled on Saufley Field Road. A Florida Highway Patrol K-9 was deployed and the suspected driver was apprehended.
The suspect driver was identified as 18-year-old Trequez L. Davis of Pensacola. He already had an active warrant out of Okaloosa County for fleeing and eluding. Troopers said various amounts of different narcotics were located in center console of the vehicle, and a large amount of cash was also located.
Davis was booked into the Escambia County Jail on charges that included reckless driving, feeling and eluding, no driver’s license, and possession of narcotics with intent to sell.
Here’s How To Get A Property Tax Discount, If You Pay By December 31
December 27, 2021
A 3% discount on payment of real estate and tangible personal property taxes ends Friday, December 31, according to Escambia County Tax Collector Scott Lunsford.
The Escambia County Tax Collector’s office will open from 8:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. on Friday, December 31. 2021. Offices will reopen on Tuesday, January 4, 2022.
Property owners paying their 2021 real estate and tangible personal property tax will receive a 3% discount when paying online by midnight December 31. Online property tax payments may be made by visiting the payment center at EscambiaTaxCollector.com. Current taxes may be paid by eCheck for no additional fee. Proof of payment will be available online and by email.
To check the status of your taxes, pay online or print a receipt, visit the payment center at EscambiaTaxCollector.com. Taxpayers are encouraged to contact the tax collector’s office by email ectc@EscambiaTaxCollector.com or by phone with any questions.
Pictured: The Escambia County Tax Collector Office in Molino. NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Karl King Named Tate High School’s Teacher Of The Year
December 27, 2021
Karl King has been named Tat High School’s Teacher of the Year.
King began his career as an educator in 1995 in Edmond, Oklahoma, at Summit Middle School where he taught eighth grade math, Algebra 1, and coached football for two years. He transferred to Edmond Santa Fe High School in 1997 where he spent 6 years teaching Algebra 1 and serving as a varsity baseball coach and freshman football coach. In 2003, he was offered the opportunity to become a head baseball coach and spent six years at Putnam City North High School where he taught Algebra 1 and also served as a freshman football coach. In 2009, he became the head baseball coach at Edmond North High School where he spent the next seven years teaching Algebra 1, Algebra 2, and Intermediate Algebra while winning a baseball state championship in 2012 and being named the Oklahoma Coach of the Year.
In 2016, he and his family made the big move to Cantonment where he is now in his sixth year at Tate High School teaching Liberal Arts Math 1 and 2 and serving as an assistant varsity baseball coach.
“Coach Karl King, we are proud to have you represent us as Tate High School’s Teacher of the Year! Thank you for your dedication to our students, school, and community,” the school said in an email.
Firefighters Free Kitty Stuck In Furniture
December 27, 2021
A cute little kitten recently found itself stuck in a tough spot, but was saved by Escambia Fire Rescue.
The kitten’s head recently became stuck in a piece of furniture. With the careful use of tin snips, firefighters were able to safely free the kitty.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Florida Gas Prices Hold Steady
December 27, 2021
Florida gas prices were steady over the past week.
Pump prices averaged $3.22 per gallon across the state on Sunday, after slipping 3.5 cents two weeks ago and 12 cents per gallon since Thanksgiving.
In Escambia County, the average price per gallon Sunday night was $3.15, unchanged from a week ago. About a half dozen Cantonment stations were below $3, while a county low of $2.81 could be found at a Pensacola Boulevard gas station.
Christmas Day Fire Rips Through Molino Mobile Home
December 26, 2021
A fire that damaged a mobile home in Molino Christmas afternoon is under investigation.
The fire was reported about 4:30 p.m. Saturday in the 6000 block of Jahaza Street, just off Molino Road. The fire was reported to be under control by about 4:57 p.m.
There were no reports of injuries.
The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Florida State Fire Marshal’s Office.
The Molino, McDavid, Walnut Hill, Ensley, Ferry Pass and Bellview stations of Escambia Fire Rescue, Escambia County EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Bag Of Christmas Presents Found Near 9 1/2 Mile, Pine Forest Roads
December 26, 2021
THE PRESENTS HAVE BEEN RETURNED….CLICK HERE FOR AN UPDATE.
A large bag of Christmas presents was found in the area of 9 1/2 Mile Road and Pine Forest Road on Christmas morning.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said they were wrapped in special paper and only first names were written on them.
Anyone that knows who the gifts may belong to is asked to call the ECSO Evidence Department on Monday, December 27 after 8 a.m. at (850) 436-9506
No Road Construction Traffic Delays This Week
December 26, 2021
Florida drivers will get a break from road construction through this week for the holidays.
There will be no lane closures or other activities that impede traffic on major state roads throughout the Florida panhandle ending at 12:01 a.m. Monday, January 3, according to the Florida Department of Transportation.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
ECUA Board Member Makes $5,000 Donation To Escambia Sheriff Foundation
December 26, 2021
Emerald Coast Utilities Authority District 5 board member Kevin Stephens recently stopped by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Molino Precinct to make a $5,000 donation to the Escambia County Sheriff Foundation. The non-profit foundation supports the employees and engagement efforts of the ECSO. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.