Historic Drop In Gas Prices; Local Gas Falls Up To 76 Cents A Gallon In Week
October 14, 2008
Gas prices across North Escambia have experienced this biggest drop in history in the past few days, due to a falling economy and Americans driving less.
In just a week, the price for a gallon of regular unleaded had fallen a full 76 cents a gallon in Century, down to $2.99 a gallon from $3.75 in just a week at the Korner Kwik Stop BP.
The price for a gallon of regular unleaded had fallen as low as $2.91 a gallon at the Tom Thumb in Molino Monday night, a decrease of 52 cents a gallon from a week ago.
That same gallon of gas was also down to $2.99 in Davisville.
Those prices are still higher than a year ago, when the average price per gallon was $2.76. Some stations in Pensacola were approaching that level Monday night, with gas down to $2.82 at about a half dozen stations.
Soaring prices and a poor economy have led to an overall decrease in gas demand in the country, according to AAA. The Secretary of Transportation reported September 30 that Americans had driven 9.6 billion fewer miles in July of this year than in July 2007. During the nine month November 2007 to July 2008 period, Americans had driven 62.6 billion fewer miles.
Even with the record gains in the stock market on Monday, oil prices managed to recover just $3.49 a barrel on the world market, up to $81.19. That’s a 40% decrease over crude prices in July that hovered around $150 a barrel.
Pictured above: Gas was below $3 a gallon late Monday afternoon in Davisville. NorthEscambia.com photo.
Blackcats, Eagles and Chiefs: Did You Ever Play In The Band?
October 14, 2008
If you ever played in the band at Ernest Ward, Century or Northview high schools, the Alumni Band is looking for you.
The Northview Band Boosters are putting together an Alumni Band to reunite at the Northview 2008 Homecoming game on October 24.
The group will decide soon if majority wants to do a pre-game show or just reunite and sit in the stands together. If possible, the Alumni Band will perform a pre-game show featuring the Star Spangled Banner.
The group is also looking for color guard members and majorettes!
If you played in the band but no longer have an instrument, loaner instruments are available.
For more information, email homerandpunkin@yahoo.com.
Century To Hold Policies Workshop With Expert
October 14, 2008
The Town of Century will hold a workshop this afternoon to discuss its policies and procedures.
The council will meet with Dr. David Goetsch from Northwest Florida State College to discuss policies and procedures for the town.
Goetsch holds a number of different degrees including Associate of Science Degree, Bachelor of Science Degree in Technical Education, Master of Science Degree in Management, Master of Arts Degree in Education, Master of Science Degree in Psychology, Master of Science Degree in Political Science/International Relations, and a Doctorate Degree in Higher Education.
Goetsch is the author of more than 50 books on leadership, management, and supervision; seven of which are best sellers.
The workshop, which is open to the public, will take place at 5:30 this afternoon at Century Town Hall.
Fair Seeking Agricultural Volunteers
October 14, 2008
The Pensacola Interstate Fair is in need of volunteers to help with agricultural exhibits. The fair begins Thursday and runs through October 26.
Volunteers at the Pensacola Interstate Fair can receive service hours their high school or community organization. Volunteers will be asked to participate in three to four hour shifts helping the public as they visit the “AG-venture” stations where visitors can learn how to make butter, germinate seeds and observe many other agriculture activities. Service organizations, clubs, groups of students and individuals are encouraged to inquire.
The “AG-tivity” Center is an extension of a program designed by the Florida Department of Agriculture, “Florida Agriculture in the Classroom,” which seeks to expand youth awareness and understanding of Florida agriculture and natural resources by integrating agricultural concepts into core educational disciplines. The program teaches students where their food comes from and about the important contributions Florida farmers make to their communities and their state.
Students who volunteer at least 10 hours at the Fair are also eligible to apply for the John E. Frenkel, Sr. Education Grants Program, which awards $1,000 grants to Escambia and Santa Rosa County students. Throughout the last 24 years, more than $800,000 in scholarships has been awarded to area students. More information about scholarships for the 2009-2010 school year will be made available in spring 2009.
For more information about agricultural events at the Fair, contact Natalee Brooks at (850) 944-4500 or Nataleefb@cox.net.
Fire Units Called To Hilltop Road
October 13, 2008
Fire units from Century, McDavid and Flomaton are were called to a home in the 300 block of Hilltop Road in Century about 10:30 Monday morning.
A resident reported a popping sound and a burning smell from an electrical outlet.
Fire units arriving on the scene reported no smoke showing. An electrical problem with a power line was reported, and the power company was called to the scene.
There were no injuries.
Ouch! Shocking Gulf Power Bills Arriving After Latest Rate Increase
October 13, 2008
Many people are finding their latest Gulf Power bill shocking; bills arriving now in mailboxes across North Escambia are the first with a rate increase that was approved back during July.
Residential Gulf Power customers have seen an increase of 11.3 percent, raising the cost of 1,000 kilowatt hours from $102.22 to $113.76. In September 2007, that same amount of electricity would cost just $70.29. Gulf power says there will be no more rate increases this year, but there’s an application for a nine percent rate increase for January 2009.
In late July, the Florida Public Service Commission approved an 11.3 percent increase for Gulf Power, the electric utility in the area of North Escambia from Century south through Molino and continuing south into Pensacola. Areas such as Bratt, Oak Grove, Walnut Hill and Davisville west to Baldwin County, Alabama, are served by Escambia River Electric Cooperative.
Those higher bills are in the mail, and in the hands of consumers, across the area.
Citing double-digit increases in the price of natural gas and coal, Gulf Power asked the Florida Public Service Commission in July to approve an increase in electricity prices to cover a $76 million shortfall in 2008 revenues.
Gulf Power makes no profit on the cost of fuel. Customers are billed only what Gulf Power pays for the fuels used to make electricity.
To lessen the impact on customers, Gulf Power asked the FPSC to spread the increase out until the end of 2009, rather than collecting all of the shortfall in 2008 – the normal annual recovery period.
“The increase in the cost of fuel that we are experiencing is unprecedented,” said Gulf Power’s General Manager of Public Affairs John Hutchinson. “We don’t like increasing our prices especially at this difficult time. But just like the rising cost of gasoline, the cost of the fuels we use continues to climb. By spreading the shortfall out over a longer period of time we hope to lessen the impact as much as possible.”
The average price of coal, which fuels more than 80 percent of Gulf Power’s electricity generation, has risen 30 percent in the last year while average natural gas prices have jumped 47 percent since 2007.
Gulf Power was the third major utility in Florida to seek a mid-year fuel adjustment, with Florida Power and Light and Progress Energy seeking increases earlier this month. Normally, the FPSC adjusts electricity prices each January for fuel price fluctuations. But coal and natural gas prices have risen so rapidly in 2008, utilities are being forced to ask for mid-year adjustments.
Electric utility customers pay only the actual fuel costs that the company incurs. When fuel prices go up, the additional costs are passed through to customers. And when fuel prices go down, the savings are passed through to customers. Fuel costs have a major impact on electricity bills, accounting for almost 50 percent of the total bill.
To help customers, Gulf Power offers free energy checkups to identify energy efficiency measures to save homeowners and businesses money on their electricity bills. The company also offers rebates on Geothermal heating and cooling systems which save up to 40 percent on heating and cooling costs, as well as innovative rates and residential energy management systems to help customers lower their bills. And, the company offers a number of payment options and programs to help customers smooth out payments during high-bill months. Plan details and energy-saving tips are available at www.gulfpower.com.
A White Hummingbird?
October 13, 2008
Cindy Voorhees in Davisville reported a strange little visitor recently.
The pictured hummingbird, which is mostly white, visited her feeder at her home on Highway 4 for several days.
She said the bird is all white, except for darker areas on his wings, tail and head. She said he was shy compared to her other birds.
Submitted photos.
Masland Moving Machines, Some Jobs To Atmore
October 13, 2008
The Dixie Group, which owns Masland Carpets, has announced that it is closing a plant in Eton, GA, and move that equipment and some jobs to Atmore.
The equipment from Dixie’s carpet tufting operation in Georgia will be moved to their tufting, dyeing and finishing facility in Atmore.
The company could call back some of the 40 employees that were laid off from the Atmore plant this year, or could lead to more employees being hired at the 360 worker plant.
Dixie has reduced their total employment by nine percent so far this year, and the Georgia closure is expected to reduce their total number of employees by another five to seven percent when coupled with administrative and organizational changes.
The company continues to lose money, according a released statement, rather than reaching their goal of an eight percent profit. The company statement says the losses are due to “continuing weakness in the sales of new and existing homes and deteriorating credit conditions”.
“We are disappointed that residential carpet markets have continued to weaken and commercial carpet sales have declined faster than anticipated,” said Dan K. Frierson, chairman and chief executive officer. “As a result, we expect to report a loss from continuing operations for the third quarter, which will result in earnings well below current analyst estimates.”
Dixie markets their carpet and rugs to high-end residential and commercial customers under the names Fabrica International, Dixie Home and Masland Carpets.
Northview Yearbooks Now On Sale Online
October 13, 2008
The 2009 Tribal Yearbook for Northview High School is now on sale.
Yearbooks can be purchased online at jostensyearbooks.com now.
Extras such as name stamping and icons are available with online ordering only.
Some books may be available for in-school orders in the spring. Books are $53.00 with a $2.00 handling fee. Contact yearbook sponsor Alison Robinson, at 327-6681, ext.230 for
more information.
NWE Eagles Mites Crush NEP Wildcats, 40-8; The Midgets Eagles Win 30-12
October 12, 2008
The Northwest Escambia Mites dominated the Northeast Pensacola Wildcats Saturday in Walnut Hill, while the NWE Mini-Mites lost to NEP and the NWE Midgets beat NEP.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery, click here.
NWE Mites 40 NEP 8
There was no stopping the NWE Mites offense Saturday, as they quickly racked up the points against the Northeast Pensacola Wildcats.
Just a couple of minutes into the game, the Eagles’ Luke Ward gained over 50 yards on a fourth down to put the Eagles on the board early, 6-0. The field goal attempt by Chason Freeman was no good.
But Freeman was not going to miss scoring for long. Less than a minute later, he intercepted a Wildcat pass and ran 45 yards for the TD. The point after was good, and the Eagles were up 13-0.
With less than seven seconds to go in the first, Andrew Edwards crossed the goal line and a good extra point put NWE up 20-0 going into the second.
The Wildcats were not able to gain much yardage in the second, thanks to the Eagles strong defense and numerous backfield slams by Jared Aliff.
With five and half to go in the second quarter, Chasen Freeman scored again, this time on a 40 yard run on a punt recovery.
The Wildcast tried and failed three times to move the ball. Thomas “Smiley” Booth was in on a sack keeping the ball away from a Wildcat first down.
The NEP Wildcasts fought back, with a 15 yard pass and a 35 yard run. They got their first an only TD of the game, making the score 26-8 Eagles.
Zach Payne went airborne for the Eagles for an interception with 2:18 to go in the first half, giving NWE Eagles offense the ball for the remainder of the half.
The third was slower for the Eagles, with several failed sweeps and handoffs but little yardage.
But the fourth quarter was all Eagles, with the Wildcats hardly touching the pigskin. With 2:00 in the game, a handoff to Andrew Edwards gave the Eagles another touchdown. A good extra point and the Eagles soared.
With 19 seconds to go in the game, the Eagles added another touchdown, this time on a Zachary Holland run for a final score of 40-8.
NWE Midgets
The NWE Midget Eagles beat the NEP Wildcats 30-12.
The Eagles began with Dalton Tullis receiving the ball. Tullis picked up the first touchdown for NWE. That was followed by a touchdown by a 12 yard run by Dalton Tullis for another six and a good kick by LaMikeal Banks.
Dalton Daniel recovered the kickoff for the Eagles, and Dionte Mitchell picked up a big tackle in the backfield.
Daniel ran 10 yards for first down. Then Banks ran for 15, and Colton Williams added eight for a touchdown. The extra point by Banks was good.
Williams added another touchdown for the Eagles on a seven yard run, and the kick by Banks was good.
Taylor Reyes and Elijah Harbison both picked up eight yards late in the game for NWE.
NWE Mini-Mites
In Mini-Mite action in Walnut Hill Saturday, the NWE Eagles lost to the Wildcats of Northeast Pensacola.
NEP was up 13-0 at the half, and they continued to dominate the second half of play.
With 7:23 to go in the third, NEP picked up a 60 yard far side run. A missed point after, and NEP was up 19-0.
With 4:20 to go in quarter number three, NEP added another 30 yard run to moved ahead 25-0
The Wildcats picked up another touchdown with 1:30 to go in the game.
The NWE Eagles will be off next week and on the road October 25 at Brewton.
Wendy Aliff and Stephanie Piniewski contributed to this article.
Pictured above: Touchdown Eagles! Pictured below: He’s got the look. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
