New Scrap Gold Buying Business Opens In Century
December 20, 2011
A ribbon cutting was held Monday for Century’s newest business.
The Century Chamber of Commerce cut the ribbon Monday afternoon for Florida Precious Metals. The scrap silver and gold-buying business is located at 8311 North Century Boulevard, south of Whataburger and across from Workforce Escarosa.
The 1,400 square foot building, which was constructed in 1983 and updated in 2007, formerly housed a medical office.
No Joy: Vandal Strikes Couple’s Christmas Light Display
December 19, 2011
A large sign in their yard proclaims “JOY”, surrounded by Christmas lights that have always put joy into the hearts of a Century couple. But Agnes and Glen Grant just can’t understand why a vandal would destroy part of their gift to the community.
In the scheme of thousands of Christmas lights, the 13 strands that were cut and destroyed in their yard were really not that much — probably about $40 to replace, according to an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office report.
“But I just can’t understand why anyone would want to destroy the lights,” Agnes Grant said.
Agnes and Glen have been married for 53 years, and they have decorated their large yard at the corner of Highway 29 and Elsie Davis Road for at least 25 years, she said. There are lighted trees, a manger scene, Disney characters and more along Highway 29 and Elsie Davis Road.
“We just love it,” she said. “Christmas decorating got into my blood as 10-12 year old child,” she said. “Dad started decorating outside with just one tree covered in blue lights. I remember walking out toward the road to make sure the lights were in perfect position. It was our family tradition.”
Now, Glen is facing health issues, his wife said, but the couple still gets great joy in looking at their lights and sharing them with the community.
“It’s Christmas,” she said, “I just can’t understand. The lights are so pretty.”
Pictured top: A sign proclaims Christmas JOY at the the home of Agnes and Glen Grant. Pictured inset: A manger scene is part of their display. Pictured below: A view from Highway 29 of the display, which also fronts Elsie Davis Road. NorthEsambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Gulf Power Rate Hike Hearing Ends, Decision Soon
December 19, 2011
The Florida Public Service Commission could decide February 27 whether Gulf Power Company customers will pay $93.5 million more a year for electricity — partially to fund the purchase of 4,000 acres of land for a possible nuclear power plant near McDavid.
The commission has wrapped up a nearly four-day hearing on the Pensacola-based utility’s request for an increase in base rates. The hearing centered on issues such as how much potential investor earnings should be included in the rates. Attorneys for consumer and business groups argued that the rate proposal should be dramatically scaled back, with some arguing Gulf has justified only a $16.2 million increase.
Currently, a Gulf Power residential customer who uses 1,000 kilowatt hours a month of electricity pays $127.16. That number will drop slightly to $125.80 in January because of lower fuel and environmental costs. But if the PSC approves Gulf Power’s base-rate proposal, the customer bill would jump to $133.46 in April.
County Crews Working On Morgan Cemetery And Kansas Roads
December 19, 2011
Escambia County Road Department projects are underway at two locations in North Escambia:
Morgan Cemetery Road — the county’s asphalt crew is overlaying the road due to deterioration of the open grade cold mix material. Morgan Cemetery Road is a short road located in Molino off Highway 29 just north of Highway 97.
Kansas Road — the county’s shoulder crew is adding material to the shoulders as necessary to repair drop-offs and to allow proper drainage along the roadway. Kansas Road is located in Walnut Hill between Highway 97 and Arthur Brown Road. It is about five miles in length.
Man Busts Into Former Girlfriend’s Apartment, Threatens To Kill new Boyfriend
December 19, 2011
An Atmore man just released from jail is back behind bars after allegedly busting into his former’s girlfriend’s apartment where he found her and her new boyfriend.
According to the Escambia County (Fla.) Sheriff’s Office, Jeffrey Lee Barron, 40, of Horner Street, was charged with two counts of simple assault with the threat to do violence, aggravated stalking, criminal mischief with property damage and burglary of an occupied dwelling.
When deputies responded to a disturbance call on Gordon Avenue, they found Barron in the street outside the residence acting extremely nervous. He said that he had come over to see his girlfriend, who is also the mother of his child, and knocked on the door. He said he gave her a different name at the door, hoping to surprise his girlfriend to get a kiss.
The girlfriend told deputies that she had no idea that Barron was out of jail — released after allegedly burglarizing her home once before. She said he charged through the door, attacked her new boyfriend and threatened to kill her. A physical confrontation followed, according to an arrest report. The new boyfriend then ran down the street from the home, with Barron allegedly giving chase and trying to run over him with his Ford Mustang.
Barron then returned to the apartment and once again tried to enter and yelled threats to kill his former girlfriend, according to the arrest report.
Escambia Set For First Wave Of Gulf Restoration Funding
December 19, 2011
A pair of Escambia County efforts totaling $5 million will be among $57 million in projects included in the first wave of restoration endeavors throughout the Gulf in the wake of the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
Of the $5 million received in the first phase of grant awards, $4.4 million will provide matching funds for four boat ramp projects in Escambia County and $585,898 toward beach dune restoration on 20 acres.
The initial slate of efforts is part of $1 billion in payments agreed to by BP as part of the National Resource Damage Assessment under the Oil Spill Prevention Act of 1990.
By The News Service of Florida
Weather: Better Find Your Umbrella
December 19, 2011
Here is your North Escambia area Christmas week forecast:
- Tonight: A 30 percent chance of showers after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 55. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
- Tuesday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Cloudy, with a high near 74. Southeast wind between 5 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
- Tuesday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 61. South wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Wednesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 74. South wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 59. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph.
- Thursday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 75. South wind between 5 and 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
- Thursday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 54. South wind around 5 mph.
- Friday: A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 69. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west.
- Friday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 46. Northwest wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 64.
- Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 37.
- Christmas Day: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 58.
- Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy and breezy, with a low around 38.
- Monday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny and breezy, with a high near 52.
Gulf Power Employees Donate Bikes, Cash For Christmas
December 19, 2011
Gulf Power Company employees are helping Santa out this year by donating hundreds of toys, clothing and other gifts to the 2011 Communities Caring at Christmas campaign.
The annual gift drive included an employee donation of over $10,000 as well as almost 150 new bicycles and helmets bought and assembled by the utility’s employees.
“We know this holiday season may be difficult for many of our citizens so Communities Caring at Christmas is a great way to directly help those in need,” said Sandy Sims, Gulf Power’s manager of Public Affairs. “Every year our employees reach into their own pockets to help make sure as many children as possible have a great Christmas.”
Communities Caring at Christmas provides new toys, clothing and daily living needs for low income as well as abused, neglected and abandoned children living in foster care in Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa and Walton counties.
A Christmas Gift: Teen With Leukemia Uses Her One Wish To Help Others
December 19, 2011
Leukemia patient Sarah Kelly, an Escambia County teen, was recently granted a wish by the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Rather than choose most anything she wanted as a wish for herself, she decided to go on a shopping spree and purchase items needed for the Ronald McDonald House in Pensacola.
Sarah said she understands what children and families like her own go through first hand, and she was hoping to bring some happiness to those in need this Christmas season.
Sunday, Sarah began her day at her favorite restaurant — Carrabba’s Italian Grill. She then made her way to the Wal-Mart on Creighton Boulevard who provided a $100 gift card to help out with her purchases. She also visited the Lowe’s on Airport Boulevard where she received additional discounts and her very own check-out lane.
Bud Merchant
December 19, 2011
Mr. Bud Merchant, 81, passed away on Tuesday, December 13, 2011, in Century.
Mr. Merchant was a native of South Flomaton, AL, a former resident of Modesto, CA, a resident of Bluff Springs since 2001 and attended the Church of Christ. He was preceded in death by his wife, Phyllis Merchant; a daughter, Anita merchant; and a son, Ray Cofield.
He is survived by his son Paul and Deborah Merchant of Weisser, ID; a sister, Agnes of Greensboro, SC; two grandchildren, Allen Merchant and Samantha Merchant; and a host of nieces and nephews.
Graveside services will be Friday, December 23, 2011, at 2 p.m. at the Crary Memorial Cemetery.
Visitation will be Thursday, December 22, 2011, from 6-9 p.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home in Atmore.