Hundreds To Lose Power In Planned Outage This Afternoon
February 5, 2009
A few hundred Escambia River Electric Cooperative customers will loose power this afternoon for up to two hours.
Power to about 200 customers will be cut from 2:00 until 4:00, according to Sabrina Owens, EREC spokesperson. Customers from the Oak Grove Substation on North Highway to Highway 97 to Arthur Brown Road to the Enon community will be without power. EREC on neighboring highways may be impacted by the outage depending on the direction from which their electric service originates.
The customers that are expected to have their power cut should have received an automated phone call from EREC Wednesday afternoon.
Owens said EREC crews will be working to replace an aging piece of equipment in the Oak Grove Substation. She said the piece of equipment is being replaced now to prevent an eventual outage that might be lengthier and impact a much larger number of customers.
The outage will not likely last the full two hours, Owens added.
Town To Resurface State Line Road; Eventually Industrial Blvd.
February 5, 2009
The Town of Century has awarded a $128,437.30 paving contract to Roads, Inc. of NWF for State Line Road.
State Line from Highway 29 to Shady Lane will be resurfaced under the contract, a distance of about a half mile.
Roads, Inc. was also the low bidder on repaving a section of Industrial Boulevard in the town’s industrial park. Roads, Inc.’s bid to repave first two-tenths of a mile of Industrial Boulevard off Highway 4 was $88,520. The town has not yet accepted that bid because they are hoping that a hurricane debris contractor will pick up the tab.
The road was reportedly damaged by the debris contractor hauling debris during Hurricane Ivan. The contractor had agreed, according to the mayor, to repair the road before leaving town. They did not.
Now they will be presented with the $88,520 bid and asked to pay up. If they don’t, the town plans to look at legal action, according to Mayor Freddie McCall, in order to recover the funds.
The State Line repaving project will be paid for out of of Local Option Sales Tax (LOST) funds.
Word Of The Morning: Brrr!
February 5, 2009
It was warmer this morning in Juneau, Alaska, than here in North Escambia, FLORIDA.
The morning low here in North Escambia bottomed out in the teens, while Juneau hit a low around 27.
And it’s going to be cold again tonight with a low around 18. Here’s our complete North Escambia forecast for the next several days:
- Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 52. Wind chill values between 15 and 25 early. North wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south.
- Thursday Night: Clear, with a low around 18. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
- Friday: Sunny, with a high near 64. Wind chill values between 25 and 35 early. West wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south.
- Friday Night: Clear, with a low around 35. South wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 69. South wind between 5 and 10 mph.
And, just for the record, it might have been warmer in Juneau, Alaska, this morning, but our Florida weather was better. They were expecting up to eight inches of snow last night and today in Juneau.
Hard Freeze Warning: Low Tonight Of 18
February 4, 2009
A hard freeze warning has been issued for tonight as temperatures will fall below freezing just after sunset and continue to fall to the upper teens by morning.
Our official National Weather Service forecast for NorthEscambia says:
- Tonight: Clear, with a low around 18. North wind around 5 mph.
- Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 51. Wind chill values between 15 and 25 early. North wind around 5 mph becoming south.
- Thursday Night: Clear, with a low around 21. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Friday: Sunny, with a high near 64. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph.
- Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 38. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 69. Calm wind becoming south between 5 and 10 mph.
A hard freeze warning means temperatures will drop below freezing and remain below 26 degrees for five or more hours. Relief agencies should prepare for additional demand of those needing shelter from the cold. Consider extra insulation or dripping faucets for exposed pipes.
Check on the elderly… impoverished… and shut-ins to ensure they have heat and that no attempt is made to run a space heater or other fuel burning device without ventilation. Residents with gas heat ensure Carbon monoxide detectors are in working order.
These conditions will damage crops and other sensitive outdoor vegetation. Action should be taken to ensure shelter for pets. Ensure liquid cooled engines have proper coolant.
Alltel Blackberry Network Goes Down
February 4, 2009
Officials with Alltel say that portions of their Blackberry network in the Southeast were down again Wednesday.
Alltel experienced a Blackberry network outage over the weekend, and continued message delivery delay problems Monday and Tuesday. Blackberry users in the Southeast, including locally in North Escambia and South Alabama, begain to experience network problems about 9:30 Wednesday morning.
Many users had their Blackberry service restored about 3:30 Wednesday afternoon.
Most Blackberry users were unable to access the Internet, send or receive Blackberry or other non-SMS (txt message) email, or send or receive Blackberry phone-to-phone PIN messages.
SMS (texting) and voice calls continued to work as they do not depend on the Blackberry network.
Phones other than the Blackberrys did not experience issues, Alltel says.
Century Town Employee Gets In Fight, Leaves Inmate Alone; Punishment Debated
February 4, 2009
The Town of Century is debating what action should be taken after a town employee left a state prisoner unattended in parking lot, and after he got into a fight while on the time clock — a fight that got him arrested.
Escambia Sheriff’s Department reports say that Robert Allen Powell, 56, of Century got into a fight with Randall Keith Grimes, 47, of Century at the town’s Dollar General store.
Powell stopped at the Dollar General in a town truck along with a prisoner from the Century Correctional Institute that was on work detail for the town. Powell reported went into the store to purchase cold medication, leaving the prisoner unattended in the parking lot. Inside the store, Powell ended up in the altercation with Grimes.
Their stories differ on what happened. Powell told deputies that Grimes called him names and then punched him. Grimes said Powell called him a “retard” and a “bastard” before Powell punched him in the face. Powell told deputies the entire incident stemmed from Grimes’ involvement with his ex-wife.
The report says store surveillance video shows that Powell threw the first punch, according to the ECSO report. Powell was arrested on a battery warrant, and released on a $2,500 bond.
The big issue for some members of the Century Town Council was not the fight, but the fact that Powell left the prisoner unattended outside the store.
“The issue is not with the man defending his honor,” said council member Henry Hawkins. “It’s about leaving the prisoner unattended.”
“I investigated it to the best of my ability,” Century Mayor Freddie McCall said. McCall is supervisor of all town employees. McCall said the store’s surveillance video does not tell the whole story; the mayor said that Powell stated he threw the first punch after Grimes spit in his face.
Court records indicate that Powell filed for a restraining order against Grimes. A hearing in the matter is scheduled for today before Judge Kim Skievaski.
McCall said the prison system will continue to allow the town to use free inmate labor. Powell will not be able to supervise an inmate until after his court process is complete, but McCall said prison officials had stated that he would be able to supervise prisoners in the future.
McCall said the prison system would “overlook” the fact that Powell stopped to get the cold medicine, and that the prison warden did not consider it a big problem.
“He was on company time, in a company vehicle and in charge of an inmate,” said Council President Ann Brooks. She added that since Powell was representing the town and was a town employee he should be held responsible for his actions.
The town’s personnel manual does spell out that an employee can face punishment ranging from a written reprimand to three days suspension without pay for fighting, according to Town Clerk Dorothy Sims. It does not spell out any punishment for leaving a prisoner unsupervised.
Hawkins recommended that the town determine what punishment the prison system would inflict on a prison employee that might leave a prisoner unattended. He said the town should consider a punishment “up to” that level. His motion to take such action died without a second.
McCall said he would find out how the prison system would deal with an employee committing such an offense and report back to the council.
Powell will face Judge David Ackerman on February 19 on the misdemeanor battery charge.
Grimes has not been charged in connection with the incident.
Town Wants $300,000 From Prison For Water Overages
February 4, 2009
The Town of Century is looking to collect almost $300,000 from the Florida Department of Corrections for water bills the town says the state owes.
Under the town’s contract to provide water for the Century Correctional Institute, there is an added charge for water usage above 6 million gallons per month.
Mayor Freddie McCall says ongoing high water consumption by the prison has been somehow overlooked, and now the town wants the prison system to pay up a grand total of $298,751.54 in overusage charges dating back to January 2000.
The state did pay overusage charges totaling $18,362.38 for June, July, August and September of last year, McCall said. But they failed to pay the town’s bill for charges from January 2000 to May 2008.
“They’ve done admitted guilt because they sent me those checks,” McCall said of the four payments received from the state.
The town will turn the water overusage bill over to Matt Dannheisser, the town’s attorney, to being collection proceedings.
The Town of Century was successful in recovering over $300,000 for prison system natural gas usage. The town received a $302,488.40 check in late October to cover back gas billings for the Century Correctional Institute.
The dispute stemmed from billing practices that dated back to 2000. Under the town’s agreement with the DOC and Century Correctional Institute, the prison was to pay for natural gas at the rate of 120 percent of the town’s actual cost. The town’s billing system would generate a bill at the normal rate, then town employees would re-rate the bill and send a new bill about 10 days later at the 120 percent rate. That adjustment was originally done twice a year based upon the rate from nine months earlier.
But in 2000, there was spike in natural gas prices, Matt Dannheisser, the town’s attorney said, and the town went back to the DOC that agreed to pay 100 percent of the town’s cost on a monthly basis. But they did not agree to pay the 20 percent profit margin until a new agreement was reached.
Town Accountant Robert Hudson had reported to the council several months ago that the DOC owed about $569,000 in back payments. But that amount included $127,000 in interest that Dannheisser said the DOC was not willing to pay, and the DOC disputed some of the billing amounts.
The check received in October was deposited into the town’s gas fund, McCall said, with the town council to make the eventual decision what to do with the funds.
Man Busted For Stealing Assault Rifle, Other Items From Police Cars
February 4, 2009
A man arrested for stealing items that included an AR-15 assault rifle from from five police cars is not the phony cop that has stopped several area women in Escambia County.
John Kelvin White, 23, of Pensacola was arrested early Tuesday morning for breaking into five law enforcement vehicles parked at officer’s homes. White is suspect of stealing items from a marked Escambia County Sheriff’s Department cruiser, two marked Pensacola Police Department cars and two state Department of Transportation officer vehicles.
But sheriff’s department officials say White is not the same man that has impersonated a law enforcement officer in several traffic stops in Pensacola, including one where a woman was violently assaulted.
Deputies say that about 2:00 Monday morning, a Pensacola Police Car was burglarized in the driveway of the officer’s residence in the area of the Coral Creek subdivision. Stolen from the police car were an AR-15 assault rifle and several magazines of ammunition.
Early Wednesday morning, Escambia Deputy Mark Smith, being aware of the burglary the previous evening, was on patrol in the subdivision when he observed a red 1987 Ford pickup truck stopped partially in the roadway and partially in a driveway in the 2100 block of Coral Creek Drive.
Deputy Smith exited his patrol car and approached the Ford Pickup where he observed a white male rise up from behind the steering wheel as if trying to hide, according to Sheriff’s Department spokesman Ted Roy.
The suspect, later identified as White was observed wearing a jacket with the Department of Transportation patches and sewn on badge on it. Deputy Smith then observed an Escambia Sheriff’s Office Jacket, bullet proof vest and a bag of chemical protective gear lying in plain view in the passenger side of the vehicle.
As Deputy Smith made contact with the suspect and lone occupant, the suspect exited the pickup, took off the jacket and stated someone had just stolen his truck and he chased them to this point.
Suspect White was immediately detained and handcuffed. A pat down of the suspect revealed two sets of handcuffs and two wallets belonging to the victims in the suspect’s pockets.
White was then placed under arrest. Items recovered included police car keys, an AR-15 rifle with four fully loaded magazines, a flashlight, a digital camera with lens, identification cards from the officer’s vehicles, handcuffs, chemical protective gear and miscellaneous items including a police badge and jacket.
White was charged with possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, burglary, possession of burglary tools, fraud-unlawful use/possession of a police badge and possession of marijuana. The suspect’s vehicle was also seized and transported to the Sheriff’s Office. It was also learned that the suspect had an outstanding warrant out of Texas for felony marijuana possession. The officers whose items were stolen were contacted and responded to the scene and recovered their items.
White’s bond was set at $22,000. He remained in the Escambia County Jail early Wednesday morning.
Fish Fry, Motorcycle Ride To Benefit Toby Quimby Saturday
February 4, 2009
Toby Quimby and the Quimby family have been there for countless families in the North Escambia and Atmore areas for many years, and now they need your help with Toby’s mounting medical expenses.
Toby and the Quimbys have worked with area residents for years at Johnson Quimby Funeral Home and Atmore Memorial Chapel. Now Toby is battling two types of Lyme disease, spending most days in bed. He is in Kansas City, Missouri, for treatments that was last a minimum of three months.
Every week of those treatments is $2,000. Some of the cost is covered by insurance, but not all.
“God is really at work in our lives right now and we are aware that He is walking hand and hand with us through all of this,” Toby’s wife Maggie wrote in a journal that is chronicling Toby’s treatments. “He has really been through a lot of pain and weakness these past few days.”
The Atmore First United Methodist Church will hold a catfish plate fund raiser for Toby from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. next Saturday at the church. Catfish plates will be $6. Tickets are available at the church office. For more information, call (251) 368-8297. There will also be a yard sale in the church fellowship hall from 7 a.m. until 2 p.m. next Saturday.
A benefit motorcycle ride for Toby will be held Saturday, February 7 beginning at Atmore First United Methodist Church. The ride will follow a scenic route through Escambia and Monroe counties. The sign up is at 9:00. The first bike will be out at 9:45 and the last one will be out at 10:30. The ride is $20 per person, including lunch. For more information, email BigDCMA@mchsi.com or call (251) 294-0386.
All proceeds from both events will go to the Friends of Toby Quimby Fund.
To read Toby’s Caringbridge journal, click here.
Contributions can also be made to the Friends of Toby Quimby Fund at the First National Bank & Trust, P. O. Box 27, Atmore, AL 36504.
Pictured top: Toby Quimby. Pictured below: The Quimby family: Blake, 14; Brad, 10; Bryant, 7; Maggie and Toby. Courtesy photos.
Gulf Power Low-Income Customers Can Get Help Paying Their Bill
February 4, 2009
Cold winter weather means higher energy bills and for low income households that may cause difficulties. But Gulf Power Company has several programs that help customers save money on their energy bills, make their homes more energy efficient or help them get direct assistance.
Some of those programs include:
Gulf Power participates with the Salvation Army in Project Share, a program that provides emergency assistance to those who need help with energy bills, repairs to heating and air-conditioning equipment, and other energy-related needs. Project Share and other non-profit programs assist the elderly, the disabled, the sick, and others experiencing financial hardship. Eligible customers can apply for Project SHARE assistance at The Salvation Army office in their county. Eligibility requirements for Project SHARE recipients are set by The Salvation Army. Gulf Power customers can donate to the program by indicating so on their power bill.
Gulf Power offers a bill payment option called Budget Billing. Budget Billing can “levelize” monthly payments so customers can know approximately how much their bill will be each month and avoid high cost fluctuations caused by increased energy purchases during very cold or hot periods.
Gulf Power also has many excellent programs to help customers save money by making their homes and businesses more energy efficient (see list below following assistance programs).
The WAP (Weatherization Assistance Program) and LIHEAP (Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program) are federal, statewide programs that help pay energy bills for low-income households. To find out more about qualifications, contact your county’s local WAP and/or LIHEAP agency, which can be found on the Department of Community Affairs Web site at http://www.floridacommunitydevelopment.org/liheap/index.cfm or by calling the state’s information line at 2-1-1.
Florida Low-income energy assistance programs Florida Division of Housing and Community Development The Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP & WAP-LIHEAP) annually provides grant funds to community action agencies, local governments, Indian tribes and non-profit agencies to provide specific program services for low-income families of Florida. The assistance includes: repair or replace inefficient heating and cooling units, air-infiltration/weather stripping, caulking, thresholds, minor wall, ceiling and floor repairs, window and door replacement, attic insulation, repair or replace water heaters, install solar screens, apply solar reflective coating to manufactured homes, and attic ventilation.
The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) provides grants to local governments and non-profit agencies to assist eligible low-income households in meeting the costs of home heating and cooling. Assistance includes utility bill payment, crisis and emergency assistance (bill payment, utility deposits, fees for restoring power, fans, repair or replacement of heating or cooling equipment, blankets and other items as needed, other items specific to the emergency). These programs receive funding from the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services. The extent of services to be provided depends on available funding. The LIHEAP program also is funded each year by the federal Department of Energy.
Local community assistance programs (listed below) accept applications, and the Department of Community Affairs (Division of Housing and Community Development) sets guidelines for participation.
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
WAP-LIHEAP
Community Action Program Committee, Inc.
Mailing Address: Post Office Box 628
Pensacola, Florida 32591
Street Address: 1380 North Palafox Street
Pensacola, Florida 32591
Executive Director: Ms. Brenda Trimble, Executive Director
E-MAIL: trimbleb@capc-pensacola.org
Program Director: Ms. Agnes Doering
E-MAIL: agnes@capc-pensacola.org
LIHEAP Coordinator: Ms. Sandra Johnson
E-MAIL: sandra@capc-pensacola.org
Finance Officer: Ms. Janet Saunders
E-MAIL: janet@capc-pensacola.org
Phone: (850) 438-4022 ext. 12
FAX: (850) 438-0121
WAP Coord: Ms. Connie Parker
E-MAIL: connie@capc-pensacola.org
Phone: (850) 438-4021
Counties Served: Escambia, Okaloosa and Santa Rosa WAP, WAP/LIHEAP
Santa Rosa-CSBG and LIHEAP served by Tri County Comm. Action Agency
FL Dept. of Community Affairs Consultant-CSBG/LIHEAP: Ms. Joe Anne Jones