Traffic Delay: Lane Closures On Highway 97
March 3, 2010
Today, you can expect lane closures and delays on Highway 97 between North Highway 99 and South Highway 99 in Walnut Hill.
Crews from Panhandle Grading and Paving are working to replace a section of guardrail on Highway 97 just south of South Highway 99, according to Shawn Joseph, project administrator for the contractor. Lanes will be temporarily closed during the guardrail replacement, but one lane is expected to be open at all times.
It’s all part of a project to resurface Highway 97 between Molino and the Alabama state line. The project is expected to last until the fall of 2010.
NorthEscambia.com will continue provide the most current Highway 97 lane closure and construction updates to help you avoid delays.
What Are Gulf Power’s Plans For North Escambia Facility? Nuclear, Or What?
March 3, 2010
Gulf Power is revealing a little more information about their plans for a power generation plant in North Escambia — nuclear or otherwise.
The electric utility has paid over $3.5 million for just over 750 acres near Bluff Springs. It’s just the beginning of planned purchases, with the company eventually looking to own about 3,000 acres in the area.
“Nuclear, natural gas, solar or biomass.” That was as specific as Gulf Power’s Manager of Public Affairs Sandy Sims would get in a Tuesday afternoon interview with NorthEscambia.com about the latest on the power company’s plans. As for wind generation, current technology would eliminate that possibility for now, she said.
On the acreage currently owned by Gulf Power, soil analysis is underway to determine if the land can support “any type of generation facility”. Permits are being acquired for a meteorological weather station including 300-foot high tower to measure temperatures, wind speeds and rainfall. All of that data will be crunched, Sims said, as Gulf Power moves forward in a decision on building a new generation facility. Preliminary results from soil and drilling samples are expected by about June.
“We are not being intentionally vague,” Sims said. “We are exploring the options.” Final decisions, and the need for the plant, have been pushed out a couple of years due to a slower economy and lower than anticipated customer growth in 2008 and 2009. The company plans to use 2010 to analyze the data gathered on the parcels of land purchased. The projected need for the plant has been pushed to 2018 or 2019.
There’s always the chance, Sims said, that the North Escambia site will not support a power generation facility of the type Gulf Power plans to construct, Sims said. In that case, the land would be resold. But with millions of dollars invested, all options will be explored.
Residents in the area that have sold, or have been approached about selling, their land are quick to say they’ve been told the facility will be nuclear. But Sims continues to stress that all options — including nuclear — will be explored.
There is a large natural gas pipeline in the area, a lot of solar panels fit in 3,000 acres and with the large timber industry presence in the area, biomass fuels could be abundant.
“The area was chosen strategically due to the availability of different options in the area,” she said. “It keeps the flexibility open.”
While most of the land purchased by Gulf Power has been on the west side of Highway 29, the power giant has purchased acreage on the east side of the highway — near the Escambia River.
“If by chance we were to build a nuclear plant, we we would need a source of water,” Sims said.
As Gulf Power continues to purchase land in the Cox and Roach road areas, the electric utility is taking issue with an article published in last Sunday’s Pensacola News Journal. That article was headlined “Gulf Power grabbing up land”.
“There is no ‘land-grab’,” Bentina Terry, vice president of External Affairs and Corporate Services for Gulf Power, said in a written statement Tuesday to NorthEscambia.com. “The article (in the Pensacola News Journal) also tried to imply that we overpaid for certain parcels. The writer referred to a two-acre parcel ‘with brush and scrub pines’ that we purchased for $175,000. What the (PNJ) writer did not mention was there was a home, private well, fencing and large workshop on these two acres. We did not buy a vacant lot – we bought an improved homestead well worth the price paid.” (To read Terry’s complete statement, click here.)
The daily newspaper’s article also stated that some property owners had been threatened with eminent domain — a legal process by which property is seized for the public good and the owner compensated, if they are not willing to sell.
“At Gulf Power Company, that’s not the way we do business,” Sims said. ” We don’t threaten anybody.”
Sims admits that Gulf Power has discussed eminent domain with some property owners, but only because the property owner asked if Gulf Power could exercise the option. “In an effort to be honest and truthful, we have told them that it could be a last option down the road.”
“Whatever we do will be positive for North Escambia,” she said, “and positive for Northwest Florida, regardless of the type of generation facility.”
Pictured above: This property in the 200 block of Roach Road that was purchased by Gulf Power Company last year. Pictured below: The location of some of the land purchased by Gulf Power. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Hospital Employee Named A ‘Legend’ For Helping Others
March 3, 2010
Baptist Health Care has recognized employees who go above and beyond to improve the quality of life for people in the communities served by the organization, including an employee at Atmore Community Hospital.
The health care company recently honored the employees as part of the their “Legends” program.
Rosa Davis is a dietary aid and cook in the food services department at Atmore Community Hospital.
Davis is a woman of small stature, but has a big heart and strong commitment to helping many people in her community through some challenging situations.
When one neighbor’s home was destroyed by fire, Davis immediately offered her home as a source of shelter. She gathered clothes, food and necessary household items to help comfort and support the family. A few weeks later, one of the family members suddenly became ill. The family did not have the resources to get a much-needed prescription filled, so Davis went to the drug store, purchased the medication and delivered it to the family.
When Davis got news that another neighbor was unable to pay her electric bill, Rosa paid the bill and the power was returned to her neighbor’s home.
Lastly, Davis’ brother had to leave his home when it became flooded with more than a foot of water. Again, Davis was on the scene with food for the family. She arrived with cleaning supplies, too, and went to work putting the house back to order. Davis also serves the community-at-large through local churches.
“Rosa Davis has helped many people in her community through some challenging situations,” said Donna Rogers, director of food services. “Rosa…stands out as a Legend to all of the staff at Atmore Community Hospital.”
Other area Baptist employees nominated for “Legends” status included Stephanie Bain, a nurse manager in the operating room at Jay Hospital and Darren Flott, director of cardiopulmonary services at Atmore Community Hospital.
Pictured: Rosa Davis of Atmore Community Hospital, a Baptist Health Care “Legend”. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Man Guilty Of Threatening To Kill President, ‘Create Another 9/11′
March 3, 2010
A Santa Rosa County man has pled guilty to threatening to kill President Barack Obama, his family and everyone in the Pentagon.
United States Attorney Thomas F. Kirwin, Northern District of Florida, announced Tuesday that Renee Curet, 30, pled guilty in United States District Court in Pensacola to charges that he threatened to kill President Barack Obama and members of his immediate family.
Jury selection was about to begin when Curet decided to enter a plea to the two-count federal indictment. In court this morning, Curet admitted to writing a letter to the White House in October 2009, threatening to kill the President and his family, as well as “everybody in the Pentagon” in order to “create another 9/11.”
The Forensic Services Division of the United States Secret Service confirmed a positive match between the handwritten threat letter and known writing samples of Curet. Curet was subsequently interviewed by the United States Secret Service and told them that he intended to travel to Washington, D.C. with a sniper rifle to kill the President. Curet is currently in custody at the Santa Rosa Correctional Institution on unrelated homicide charges originating out of Broward County.
The Honorable Lacey A. Collier took Curet’s guilty plea and scheduled the sentencing for May 11, 2010. Curet faces up to 10 years’ imprisonment for these charges. This case was investigated by the United States Secret Service and the Florida Department of Corrections Office of the Inspector General. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David L. Goldberg.
Evers Qualifies For Senate Ballot With Petition Signatures
March 3, 2010
Rep. Greg Evers has obtained enough voter signatures to qualify by petition for the ballot for the District 2 Florida Senate seat.
Evers obtained 3,205 certified petition signatures in Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Bay, Washingon, Holmes and Walton counties. He needed one percent of the 290,926 registered voters in the district — 2,909 — to qualify by petition. The signatures have been verified by the Supervisors of Elections in the seven counties and certified to the Department of State Division of Elections.
“I am thrilled to have received the grassroots backing and support of citizens from all across the Northern Panhandle,” said Evers. “It means the world to me that my name will be on the ballot because the people I am seeking to represent – not the money of special interests – put me on that ballot.”
“We have walked door-to-door and visited with people at community events, churches, parades and gun shows in the process of getting these petitions,” he said.
Evers currently represents Florida House District 1, which includes parts of Escambia, Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties. He is running for the District 2 Florida Senate seat currently held by Durell Peaden, Jr. who cannot run for re-election due to term limits.
Rep. Dave Murzin and Mike Hill are also running for the seat.
Escambia (Ala.) Comm. Larry White Attends Washington Think-Tank Event
March 3, 2010
Escambia County (Ala.) Commissioner Larry White joined county leaders from throughout the nation in a Washington D.C. think-tank designed to enhance the influence of county governments on the federal level.
As president of the Association of County Commissions of Alabama, White represented Alabama at the event, which included sessions with several federal departments and a briefing on local government issues at the White House. Sponsored by the National Association of Counties, the session attracted state association presidents from throughout the country to focus on problems that cross state lines.
“This was a wonderful opportunity for me to meet with other county government association presidents to learn from their experiences. The problems we are facing in Alabama – funding for local programs, road and bridge construction, jail overcrowding, unfunded mandates – are typical across the country,” White explained. “Our time together was very productive and we’ve made contacts that will be very valuable to our state and to Escambia County.”
“Commissioner White represented Alabama very well, including during one-on-one sessions with staff and legislative directors for members of our state Congressional delegation,” said ACCA President Sonny Brasfield. “Alabama plays a major role in NACo activities and we look forward to continuing our leadership position during Commissioner White’s tenure as state president.”
The Association of County Commissions of Alabama is a statewide organization representing county government in Alabama. ACCA promotes improved county government services in Alabama, offers educational programs for county officials and their staff members, administers insurance programs for county governments and employees, offers legal advice and represents the interest of county government before state and federal organizations and agencies. The activities of the association are governed by a board of directors composed of three officers, past presidents and representatives elected from 12 Alabama districts.
Pictured: Association County Commissioners of Georgia President Jan Tankersley and Association of County Commissions of Alabama President Larry White during a discussion group in Washington, D.C. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Gulf Power: Not ‘Grabbing Up Land’, But Providing For The Future With North Escambia Facility
March 3, 2010
The following letter to the editor was submitted to NorthEscambia.com by Bentina Terry, vice president of External Affairs and Corporate Services for Gulf Power Company. It is in response to a Sunday article in the Pensacola News Journal.
A recent Pensacola News Journal front page article on Gulf Power possibly building a power generation facility in Escambia County (“Gulf Power grabbing up land”) excluded information and unfairly represented a process we hope will bring new jobs and new tax revenues to the county.
The headline, “Gulf Power grabbing up land,” is not an accurate portrayal of the facts. Gulf Power has been purchasing property in the McDavid area for almost two years. In fact, there have been several articles in other publications over the last two years about our property purchases in that area and we have answered questions that have been posed to us on this topic during this same time period. There is no “land-grab.”
The article also tried to imply that we overpaid for certain parcels. The writer referred to a two-acre parcel “with brush and scrub pines” that we purchased for $175,000. What the writer did not mention was there was a home, private well, fencing and large workshop on these two acres. We did not buy a vacant lot – we bought an improved homestead well worth the price paid.
Also puzzling was – in the same edition of the newspaper – the writer’s column encouraged the private sector to “step(s) up a, put(s) its shoulder to the wheel” and take responsibility for improving Florida’s economy.
A new power generating facility for Escambia County would do exactly that. Unfortunately the News Journal has negatively portrayed a progressive undertaking that means jobs and economic development for this area. In this case, not only were the facts imprecise, the tone of the article could discourage other businesses from investing in our future.
Unemployment Tax Hike Delayed For Two Years
March 3, 2010
Tuesday, the Florida Legislature unanimously passed legislation that will provide a two-year delay in increased unemployment taxes.
The bill sponsored by Rep. Dave Murzin holds down dramatic increases in unemployment tax rates for businesses for the next two years and takes advantage of the time extension for the State Extended Benefits program by covering up to eight additional weeks for claimants. Approximately 20,000 Floridians would be eligible to receive extended benefits.
“Recharging Florida’s economy and putting Floridians back to work is our top priority this year. Making sure that employers can afford to keep the employees they already have is part of that agenda,” said House Speaker Larry Cretul. “It is better right now for Florida employers to use their dollars to keep Floridians working rather than be forced to lay off employees in order to afford a higher unemployment tax bill.”
“Affordable premiums are critical to Florida’s businesses during these tough economic times,: said Murzin, chair of the Economic & Community Affairs Council. “This bill is vital to help keep Floridians working and get our economy back on track. I appreciate Speaker Cretul’s confidence in asking me to spearhead this effort.”
The bill approved makes several changes, including:
- Reduces the taxable wage base from $8,500 down to $7,000 for the next two years. This change will have the effect of reducing employers’ unemployment compensation taxes for 2010 and 2011. The rate will return to $8,500 in 2012, and sunsets back to $7,000 in 2015.
- Regardless of the balance in the Unemployment Compensation Trust Fund, no rate increase will be triggered for the next two years. Rates will begin to rise again in 2012, but forecasts indicate our economy will be stronger and hopefully employers will have used the time to plan for the higher costs.
- Grants employers the ability to make their 2010 and 2011 tax payments in quarterly installments without interest or penalties if the employers make the quarterly filings and payments on time.
- The payment of interest on federal advances will be made through an employer assessment.
- Provides an extension of the State Extended Benefits program which is 100% federally funded. This extension will cover up to 8 additional weeks for claimants. Approximately 20,000 Floridians would be eligible to receive extended benefits.
The bill was signed into law by Florida Gov. Charlie Crist Tuesday night.
Making History: Molino Park Students Recognized At County History Fair
March 3, 2010
Several Molino Park Elementary School students were recognized during the recent Escambia County History Fair.
“We were so proud of our students,” said Ester Robinson, fourth grade teacher. “All of our 4th grade students participating in the History Fair worked hard on their projects.”
The following Molino Park Elementary School students were recognized:
Elementary Individual Exhibits
- 2nd Place Kyle Lovell (Garrett Morgan Project)
- Honorable Mention: Hunter Rogers (Jackie Robinson Project)
African American Heritage Awards, Individual Elementary
- 1st Place: Kyle Lovell
- 2nd Place: Carson Lowery
- 3rd Place: Hunter Rogers
African American Heritage Awards, Group Elementary
- Sabra Stewart & Devin Abrams (African American Women: Seeds of Greatness Project)
The Holly Benson Women’s History Award
- Elementary: Carson Lowery (Harriet Tubman Project)
Historical Exhibit Awards: Elementary
- 2nd Place: Kyle Lovell
Escambia County Council of PTA/PTSA Awards
- Sabra Stewart
- Devin Abrams
T. T. Wentworth Museum Best in Show Awards
- Kyle Lovell
- Hunter Rogers
Pictured: Molino Park Students participating in the recent Escambia County History Fair were: (front L-R) Devin Abrams and Sabra Stewart; (back L-R) Kyle Lovell, Carson Lowery, Hunter Rogers, and Ali Carter. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
James Edward Pearson
March 2, 2010
Mr. James Edward Pearson, 85, passed away on Saturday, February 27, 2010 at a Mobile hospital.
Mr. Pearson was a native of Range, AL, a resident of Atmore, AL, for most of his life, and attended the New Beginnings Ministries. He was a talented musician and singer and a member of SAIL. Preceded in death by his Wife, Agnes Pearson and a Son, Thomas Clyde Pearson.
Survivors include: two Sons, the Rev. Ollie and Myrle Pearson of Eight Mile, AL and the Rev. Thurl and Gayle Pearson of Atmore, AL; two Daughters, Lillian and Kenneth Nix of Brewton, AL and Frances and Al Brown of Atmore, AL; 22 Grandchildren; 55 Great-Grandchildren; and 5 Great-Great-Grandchildren.
Funeral services will he held Wednesday, March 3, 2010 at 10:00 A.M. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with the Rev. Thurl Pearson and the Rev. Clyde Bruley officiating.
Burial will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, March 2, 2010 between 6:00 and 9:00 P.M. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be Bobby Morrison, Wade White, Jeff Pearson, Anthony Pearson, Michael Pearson, Michael Herrington, and Blake Pearson.
Honorary pallbearers will be Ray Pearson and Ralph Beasley.