Gulf Power Offers Money Saving Cold Weather Tips
December 13, 2010
Gulf Power Company is offering some cold weather energy savings tips for everyone, including customers of other utilities.
This week, Northwest Florida is experiencing very cold overnight temperatures. Gulf Power wants to make sure you stay warm, safe and conserve energy.
Things you can do right now to save money and energy
- Set your thermostat to 68 degrees or lower to conserve energy.
- Reverse the direction of your ceiling fans so they rotate clockwise as you look up at them. This will force warm air down from the ceiling.
- During the middle of the day, open blinds and curtains on the sunny side of the house. Also, where possible, reduce the traffic in and out of the house.
- Don’t use your oven to heat your home — it’s not efficient and most important, it’s not safe.
- A fireplace is not always an efficient heat source. If not used properly it can actually make the rest of the house cooler because airflow up the chimney removes the heated air. When using the fireplace, close all doors and warm air ducts to the room where the fireplace is located. Glass doors on a fireplace will reduce the outflow of warm air. And a fireplace with a blower system is ever better because it actually blows the warm air around the firebox back into the room.
- An electric blanket is more economical than heating the entire house all night long.
- Use a portable electric heater to heat only a small area. Buy models that are thermostatically controlled. Keep it at least three feet from items that could catch fire like curtains or furniture. Make sure you have working smoke detectors on every floor and in every sleeping room of your house.
- Make sure vents and return air registers are not blocked by furniture, draperies, doors or other obstacles.
- Use “draft stoppers” or towels/blankets to block drafts at foot of door.
- If you should lose power, go to your thermostat and turn off your heating system. Please wait 10 to 15 minutes after power has been restored before turning it back on. This prevents a power surge from shutting down electricity again.
- If you should lose power, please do not connect portable generators to your household electrical wiring. This can cause serious injury to you and to Gulf Power employees who are restoring electricity. Instead, plug appliances into the generator. Never use a generator in enclosed or partially-enclosed spaces because of the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Things you can do to prepare your home for the whole winter season
Temperature settings
- Heating a house makes up about half of your electricity bill so set your thermostat to 68 degrees or lower in the winter. Did you know that you can decrease the amount of energy you buy for heating by three percent or more for every degree below 68 degrees you set your thermostat?
- Programmable thermostats are a good investment, or you can take advantage of Gulf Power’s Energy Select. Energy Select is Gulf Power’s advanced energy management program that offers a lower price for electricity 87 percent of the time. Energy Select features a programmable thermostat and a special rate of four price periods based upon time of day, day of week and season. Installation and meter-based surge protection are both free with Energy Select. Only $4.95 per month.
Heating and cooling equipment
- The system heating the home is extremely important. If it’s an older, less efficient unit, upgrading to a geothermal heating and cooling system — or a high efficiency air-source heat pump may be a wise choice. Contact Gulf Power at 1-877-655-4001 for a free Energy Check-Up.
Routine maintenance
- A well-maintained heating system runs more efficiently. A complete tune-up of the home heating system can cost anywhere from $50 to $100 and more, but this is a very worthwhile investment and can reduce your heating bill from 3 to 10 percent. Some companies offer regular service contracts, which are a convenience if you tend to forget system maintenance. Remember to replace the filter every month.
Ductwork
- Duct leakage can account for 20 percent of the heating and cooling cost. Getting ducts sealed up should be at the top of the list for making your home energy efficient.
Insulation
- Adding insulation to your attic is one of the most cost-effective energy saving measures. Different types of insulation material have different R-values. The recommended level is R-38 in the attic.
Weather-stripping and caulking
- Weather-strip door jambs and caulk any cracks around windows to prevent cool air from entering your home.
Window units
- If you have a window air conditioning unit, remove it for the winter months to prevent heat from escaping through and around the unit. If it can’t be moved, put a cover over it to prevent drafts.
Humidifier
- Use a humidifier to keep your home more comfortable. Adding moisture allows you to reduce the thermostat setting without feeling colder.
Other tips are available on the Energy Tips section at www.gulfpower.com, along with an extensive set of Frequently Asked Questions on energy use in the home.
Customers can get a free Energy Check-Up online or at your home with an appointment. Gulf Power energy experts will analyze your house and electricity use, and look for ways to make the house more energy efficient. Just go to www.gulfpower.com or call 1-877-655-4001.
Gulf Power Company is an investor-owned electric utility with all of its common stock owned by Atlanta-based Southern Company. Gulf Power serves more than 400,000 customers in 10 counties throughout Northwest Florida. The company’s mission is to safely deliver affordable, reliable and environmentally responsible energy to very satisfied customers in strong communities.
Charges Dropped Against Felon With Alleged Sawed Off Shotgun
December 13, 2010
Charges have been dropped against a convicted felon that allegedly admitted to deputies responding to a disturbance at his Cottage Hill home that he had a sawed off shotgun hidden behind a bedroom TV.
Brian Gray Falkenberry, 39, was facing three felony counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and one felony count of possession of a short barreled shotgun. But all of the charges were dropped for insufficient evidence, according to Escambia County Clerk of the Circuit Court records.
Deputies were called to a disturbance between Falkenberry and a 40-year old female in the 1400 block of Williams Ditch Road in August. When they arrived, Falkenberry was moving his belongings out of the house and into the driveway, according to an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office report.
While moving items of the house, Falkenberry told deputies that he needed to go back to the master bedroom to retrieve the last of his items. He was escorted to the bedroom by a deputy. Behind the bedroom TV, deputies found a sawed off .20 gauge shotgun, bird shot, a Smith and Wesson .38 special and 17 live rounds of ammunition, according to the Sheriff’s Office report.
According to Falkenberry’s arrest report, he has at least five felony convictions on his record, including one for cocaine trafficking.
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Church Uses Cardboard Testimonies To Share Stories Of Faith
December 13, 2010
They say a picture is worth a thousand words. But a few words on piece of plain brown cardboard can tell a life story and story of faith in a way a thousands words could not touch.
The concept is simple. A piece of cardboard. A permanent marker. On the first side of the cardboard for all to see is the story of a sin, a trial, a struggle or battle. On the flip side is where the person stands today though Christ.
A young woman walks into the spotlight at Highland Baptist Church in Molino with a few simple words written on a piece of cardboard. Words that perhaps would be hard to verbally express about childhood abuse in front of strangers, much less friends, family and neighbors in a rural church.
“Innocence Taken as a Young Girl,” one side of her cardboard says. The other side: “By God’s Grace Finally Healing. One Step Closer to Peace.”
Her “Cardboard Testimony” was one of many shared at a recent service at Highland. The biggest challenges, hurts, prayers of a lifetime condensed into moments in the spotlight on plain cardboard.
“Told Preacher – Stay On Your Side of the Fence,” one man’s Cardboard Testimony read. The other side: “God Removed the Fences”.
Removing fences – that’s what Cardboard Testimonies do in a figurative manner , according to Highland Baptist Pastor Brian Calhoun.
“People that might not be able to step up and speak out their testimony in words in front of others can do a cardboard testimony without speaking,” he said. And sometimes the visual is the evidence of the powerful.
“Only child born with severe (heart) defects. 2 cardiac arrests. 4 heart surgeries. Gave Her Back to God,” a mother’s cardboard reads. Her child’s cardboard: “8 Year Old Heart Survivor. Standing here by God’s grace and love.”
“The point is that even in the darkest hour, there’s a time a strength and God provides,” Calhoun said.
Watch the Highland Baptist Church “Cardboard Testimonies” in the YouTube video at the top of the page. If you don’t see the video, it is because your church, school, home or work firewall is blocking external videos.
Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Longer School Days Enters Education Reform Talk
December 13, 2010
A push for struggling schools to lengthen the school day may become a part of a larger education reform debate that lawmakers have hinted will be a major part of the spring 2011 legislative agenda.
Key lawmakers in the Senate and House have already said that a revamped proposal on teacher merit pay that was vetoed by outgoing Gov. Charlie Crist last spring will be on the table and Democrats have signaled they are interested in talking about the issue. But it’s possible that at least in the Senate, education committees will entertain a measure to extend the school day by one hour for the state’s lowest performing schools.
Newly elected State Sen. David Simmons, R-Altamonte Springs, who previously served in the House, has told fellow lawmakers, including Senate Prek-12 Chairman Sen. Steve Wise, R-Jacksonville, that he intends to file a bill extending the school day, and Wise said he is interested in taking it up in committee.
“I will take it up and then let him and the appropriations committee worry where the funding’s coming from because I think it’s essential that we start out with that and do something along those lines,” Wise said following his committee’s first meeting in Tallahassee this week.
The Prek-12 Education Appropriations Committee, which Simmons chairs, would likely be the first stop for any measure related to a longer school day because of the potential fiscal impact. Simmons’ chairmanship of the committee would likely ensure passage of the bill as long as he can develop a funding mechanism for the bill. It would then likely go to Wise’s committee for consideration.
“If you’re an ‘F’ school, then I would highly endorse doing that and maybe that’s kind of what we do,” Wise said.
The Florida Department of Education released its grades of Florida public schools earlier this week, on an A through F scale. The grades are half based on students’ performances on the state’s standardized exam. According to the department, 140 schools earned an “A,” 192 earned a “B,” 69 earned a “C,” 58 earned a “D” and 11 earned an “F.”
Simmons’ proposal, which has not yet been filed, would target the lower schools.
“In a period of about five years, they’ll end up having an extra year of schooling,” he told the News Service earlier this month.
State Sen. Bill Montford, D-Tallahassee, who is also the director of the Florida Association of District School Superintendents, said he has not had any extensive discussions with Simmons about the bill and the association has not been discussing about it either. As a lawmaker and former Leon County Superintendent though, he wants to see a proposal extending the school day advance.
“Superintendents in general support any effort to increase the amount of time that students are in class and before teachers,” Montford said.
In Volusia County, low performing schools have been experimenting with a longer school day for more than 10 years said Volusia Teachers’ Organization President Andrew Spar. It started as a voluntary program, but now it is a part of teachers’ contracts. The teachers receive additional pay for a school day that is an hour longer.
“The day is just an hour longer, so that way the teachers have more time because one of the problems we run into is they just don’t have enough time to get things done,” he said.
Mark Pudlow, a spokesman for the Florida Education Association, said that if the matter does advance, the union would support if it operated like the system in the Volusia County schools where teachers are paid for the extra time.
By Kathleen Haughney
The News Service Florida
People To People: Jay Teen Headed To China
December 13, 2010
Jay High School freshman Jeremy Gibbs has been selected to participate as a student ambassador with the People to People International Student Ambassador Program in a 17 day trip to China next summer. He is the only student from the north end of Santa Rosa county to take part in the program this year.
Students are selected for the People to People ambassador program based upon outstanding scholastic merit, civic involvement and leadership potential.
The People to People program provides international travel opportunities to students in a State Department program that was founded by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1956. Student Ambassadors experience hands-on learning opportunities and immerse themselves in the arts, sports and family life of cultures around the world.
Jeremy is the son of John and Michele Gibbs. The family has offered their thanks to the two Jay businesses and 13 Pensacola area businesses that that have made Jeremy’s trip to China possible. Further financial help is needed, email mgibbs8192@yahoo.com for more information.
Weather: Wind Chill Advisory, Hard Freeze Watch And Warning
December 12, 2010
There is a wind chill advisory in effect for the entire area for tonight. There is a hard freeze watch for residents of Florida and a hard freeze warning for residents of Alabama.
The wind chill advisory is from midnight tonight until 8 a.m. Monday for wind chills in the single digits. According to the National Weather Service, wind chills before 10 degrees can lead to frost bite and hypothermia if precautions are not taken.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 20. Wind chill values between 10 and 15. Northwest wind between 10 and 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
- Monday: Sunny, with a high near 43. Wind chill values between 10 and 20. North wind between 10 and 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
- Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 19. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 49. Wind chill values between 15 and 25 early. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 28. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph.
- Wednesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 58. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph.
- Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 47. South wind around 5 mph.
- Thursday: A 30 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 73. South wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Thursday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 50. South wind around 5 mph becoming north.
- Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 66.
- Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 36.
- Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 56.
- Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 32.
- Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 51.
Move That Bus: Pensacola Extreme Home Makeover
December 12, 2010
The Emmy award-winning reality show Extreme Makeover: Home Edition episode in Pensacola aired nationwide Sunday night, as well as locally on WEAR TV 3.
On October 18, Finis Gaston and his family received news from special guest Mariah Carey that they were recipients of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. While the Gaston family vacationed in Disney World, EM: HE design team, local builder Heritage Homes and thousands of community volunteers built their 3,600-square-foot dream home located at 1301 Rainbow Avenue in Pensacola.
The volunteer partners included several from the North Escambia area, and the Tate High School Showband of the South was featured in the “big reveal” parade.
The red dirt used for foundation was donated by Campbell’s Sand & Gravel in Century owned by James Campbell. Four dump trucks and seven 18-wheelers each dumped two loads of dirt at the construction site on Rainbow Avenue.
American Concrete, located in Molino, donated the concrete for the foundation of the home, and lumber for the house was donated by Cantonment Building Materials. Both companies are owned by Billy Campbell.
Rock Solid Surfaces in Cantonment, the exclusive training facility and distributor of Granicrete for south Alabama and Northwest Florida, did the front walkway and courtyard. Granicrete is a decorative concrete designed to adhere to concrete, tile, and even laminate countertops producing the look of natural stone (field stone, slate, marble, etc.) with the consistency and durability of concrete.
“We are excited for the nation to see the story of Finis and this Pensacola community,” said Frank Lott, III, president of Heritage Homes. “Together, we built a great home for Finis and his family, and weʼre ready to gather again with all the volunteers and partners to enjoy the experience together.”
The newly completed home is 3,600 square feet total with 3,100 square feet heated and cooled and a 500 square foot garage. Layout includes four bedrooms and a nursery as well as three bathrooms.
Pictured top inset: The Tate High School Showband of the South marches in the “Big Reveal” parade. Pictured middle inset: Cantonment Building Materials donated lumber for the home. Pictured bottom inset: Tyler Hochstetler (Atmore), Steve Gaier (Orlando), Berry Nall (Atmore), Rocky Williams (Cantonment), Matt Cummings (Cantonment) and Mike Mathews (Pensacola) of Rock Solid Surfaces in Cantonment. Pictured below: Campbell’s Sand & Gravel of Century dumps a load of dirt for the foundation of the ABC Extreme Home Makeover house. Pictured bottom: “Move That Bus!”. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Merry Christmas Y’all
December 12, 2010
Our redneck friends and neighbors in north Santa Rosa County celebrated Christmas with their annual Chumuckla Redneck Christmas Parade Saturday. An estimated 18,000 people attended the parade and BonfireJam with Rodney Atkins and Little Big Town.
Deer, camo, trucks and tractors were a common theme, along just good redneck fun.
For more photos from the Chumuckla Redneck Christmas Parade, click here.
Pictured above and below: The annual Chumuckla Redneck Christmas Parade was held Saturday afternoon in north Santa Rosa County. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Sims, Golson To Wed
December 12, 2010
Darryl and Ellen Sims of Bogia announce the engagement and forthcoming marriage of their daughter, Chelsea Sims, to Ethan Golson, the son of Ricky and Cheryl Golson of Bratt.
Chelsea is the granddaughter of Buck and Glenda Kelley of Bogia and Gene and Gwen Sims of Brewton. She is a 2009 graduate of Northview High School and is currently attending Pensacola State College. She is pursuing a degree in education. She is employed with Heather Leonard’s Danceworks as a dance instructor.
Ethan is the grandson of Marlene Forester of Atmore and the late Curtis Forester, and the late Walter Lee Golson and Doris Oline Hopkins. He is a 2008 graduate of Northview High School. He is currently serving in the U.S. Navy and is stationed in Norfolk, Virginia, aboard the U.S.S. Scranton.
The wedding will be at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 1, 2011, at Highland Baptist Church in Molino. All friends and relatives are invited to attend.
Local Residents Celebrate Christmas At Sabal House
December 12, 2010
The Sabal House Adult Living Facility in Pensacola recently held their annual Christmas Family Night. Residents Gail Fillingim (seated, left) from Bay Springs and Betty Meadows (seated, right) of Davisville, were joined by their daughters, Susan F. Purvis and Sheila M. Bass, and other family members. They were treated to a delicious prime rib dinner and entertained by The Silvertone Summer Band with a special appearance by Santa Claus. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.