Four Homeless After Early AM Molino Mobile Home Fire
May 27, 2011
Four people were left homeless after early morning fire near Molino.
All occupants were able to escape without injury when fire broke out in the single wide mobile home on Vantage Road, just off Jacks Branch Road, about 12:10 a.m. Friday. A family dog was rescued, but several pet birds in the mobile home were lost.
For a photo gallery from the scene, click here.
There was no immediate cause known for the fire; the State Fire Marshal’s Office was called to investigate.
The American Red Cross will assist the family of two adults and two children with temporary shelter for the next few days.
The Molino, Cantonment, McDavid, Ferry Pass and Century stations of Escambia Fire Rescue responded to the blazer, along with Escambia County EMS.
Pictured top: Fire destroyed this mobile home near Molino early Friday morning. Pictured inset: Fire rages inside the mobile home as firefighters arrive (Kristi Smith photo). Pictured below: Firefighters sift through the remains of the residence. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Gulf Power To Seek Rate Increase
May 27, 2011
Gulf Power Co. this summer plans to ask for a $95 million increase in base rates, arguing that the cost of supplying electricity to the Panhandle has jumped during the past decade.
The Pensacola-based utility filed a document this month with the state Public Service Commission that outlines the proposal.
If granted, the proposal would translate to a 21.5 percent increase over Gulf’s 2010 base-rate revenues of $442 million — though it is too early to know how such a hike would affect individual customers’ bills.
Company spokeswoman Sandy Sims said Gulf Power has not sought base-rate change in 10 years. She said the company has “pushed off and pushed off as long as we can” any increases, but it needs higher rates to help protect quality of service.
“We wouldn’t be asking for it at this point if it wasn’t necessary,’’ Sims said Thursday.
Gulf likely will file a detailed proposal with the Public Service Commission in July, starting a months-long review process and hearings. Sims said the company hopes new rates will take effect in April 2012, though it also wants a so-called “interim” rate increase later this year that would involve a smaller amount.
State Public Counsel J.R. Kelly, whose office represents consumers in utility cases, said it is premature to know whether Gulf Power can justify the $95 million increase. But he said his office will closely examine the proposal.
“We will have our experts lined up and ready to contest, I’m sure, many of their issues,’’ Kelly said.
Gulf Power likely will be the first of three electric utilities that will take base-rate cases to the Public Service Commission during the next year. Florida Power & Light and Progress Energy Florida are operating under rate plans that end December. 31, 2012, and Kelly said he expects them to file new proposals late this year or in early 2012.
Base rates pay for many of the day-to-day operations of utilities. But they don’t include costs for such things as power-plant fuel and certain types of environmental upgrades.
Gulf and the other utilities go before the Public Service Commission each year to get approval for passing along those costs to customers. The costs fluctuate, which can lead to customers facing higher bills if, for example, the cost of coal or natural gas increases.
With about 428,000 customers, Gulf Power is the dominant utility in the Panhandle. Rates are set differently for residences and businesses, and it is unclear how any increases would be spread among Gulf’s customers.
The document that outlines the proposed increase was filed with the Public Service Commission on May 9. In the document, Gulf Power said it has faced increased infrastructure costs during the past decade, such as the cost of adding 1,000 miles of new power lines.
“Gulf has avoided a base-rate proceeding for as long as possible,’’ said the document, signed by company President and CEO Mark Crosswhite. “An increase in base-rate revenues is now necessary to maintain a reliable electric system and to preserve our financial integrity, which is in the long-term best interest of our customers.’’
Gulf Power received new revenues during the past decade because of growth in Northwest Florida, but Sims said such growth only partially offsets the higher costs.
Kelly took issue with the idea that the utility should receive approval because it hasn’t filed a base-rate case in so long. He pointed to factors such as customer growth and improved technology, which can reduce expenses.
“That, in and of itself, is never a valid argument,’’ he said.
By Jim Saunders
The News Service of Florida
Meth Lab Suspect Burned, Arrested
May 27, 2011
A Santa Rosa man burned in a methamphetamine lab gone bad is now facing drug charges.
Shawn Hinesley, 34, was dropped off at the Santa Rosa Medical Center wearing only underwear and with severe burns during the early morning hours of May 12. When deputies contacted his mother, she said no one should be living at the residence in question and told deputies she suspected there might be a meth lab at the home in Milton.
Deputies found a meth lab and several bottles that appeared to have exploded, partially burned clothing and a melted baseball cap. They also found Hinesley’s wallet and driver’s license.
Hinesley was arrested Wednesday after his release from the hospital. He was charged with possession of methamphetamine, possession of felony drug equipment and possession of listed chemicals. He was released from jail on GPS monitor due to burn-related issues, according to the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office.
3rd Grade FCAT Scores Mixed News For Local Schools
May 27, 2011
Third grade FCAT scores in reading and math were released Wednesday, and they were mixed results for North Escambia area schools.
Byrneville Elementary third graders were among the top in Escambia County on both the reading and math FCAT. In reading, 100 percent of Byrneville students scored a 3 or above, up from 91 percent last year. In math, 96 percent scored at grade level three or above. In terms of percentage, Byrneville and Pensacola Beach, both charter schools, had the best scores in Escambia County. (Pictured top: Byrneville third graders celebrate their FCAT success Friday morning at the school.)
At Bratt Elementary, there was a slight decrease in math scores, down from 84 percent at grade level last year to 77 percent this year. In reading, scores improved from 64 percent last year to 71 percent at grade level this year.
At Molino Park Elementary, 89 percent of third graders were at grade level on the math FCAT, down slightly from 92 percent last year. The percent of students that scored at grade level in reading fell from 90 to 77 percent.
At Jim Allen Elementary, 84 percent of third grade students were at grade level in math, compared to 82 percent last year. On the reading FCAT, Jim Allen improved from 76 percent at grade level in 2010 to 84 percent in 2011.
At Jay Elementary, the percent of grade level students decreased from 86 percent in 2010 to 80 percent this year. In math 85 percent of third grade students were at grade level in 2011, compared to 90 percent in 2010.
In Escambia County, scores essentially held steady during the past year. Math fell one point from 75 percent in 2010 to 74 percent in 2011, and reading scores increased one percent from 71 to 72 percent, and
In Santa Rosa County, math fell one point from 90 to 89 percent and reading scores improved three percent from 85 to 88 percent.
Pictured top: Byrneville third graders celebrate their FCAT success Friday morning at the school. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Jay Royals Win Spring Game
May 27, 2011
The Jay Royals won their spring jamboree Thursday night over Rocky Bayou Christian School 34-22 on the road at Destin Middle School.
The first half of the game featured the junior varsity and second string varsity and ended with a 22-22 tie.
The Royals came out fighting, scoring on their opening possession. After a 15-yard pass from Justin Goodwin to Baylor Mann, Brandon Boutle was in from nine yards out for a 25-22 Jay lead.
With just under two and a half minutes to go, Dakota Smith was in from four yards out for a 34-22 Royal advantage.
It was the Royals first game under new coach Kent Smith, a Jay graduate and former player. Smith has spent the past 22 years as an assistant coach at Pace. The 2011 season will be a rebuilding year for the Jay Royals — they are coming off a 0-10 season last year.
Photos: NWE Closing Ceremonies
May 27, 2011
Closing ceremonies were held Thursday evening for Northwest Escambia Little League in Walnut Hill. Junior and senior baseball and senior softball will continue at NWE through June 14.
For a photo gallery from the event, click here.
Photos by Mandi Kinely for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Rain, Gusty Winds Last Night; Sunny Today
May 27, 2011
After some much needed overnight rain, we will be back into our sunny and dry pattern through the Memorial Day weekend.
Rain totals were under an inch across the area Thursday night as a windy storm moved through the area with gusts as high as 44 mph in Walnut HIll. There was a report of dime size hail just northwest of Flomaton on Upper Creek Road just after 9 p.m. A few scattered power outages were reported across the area.
Here are some selected rain totals and wind gust speeds from across the area Thursday:
- Atmore — 0.85 inches, 33 mph wind
- Byrneville — 0.48 inches, 25 mph wind
- Jay — 0.31 inches, 39 mph wind
- Molino — 0.38 inches, 26 mph wind
- Walnut Hill — 0.80 inches, 44 mph wind
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 63. South wind between 5 and 10 mph becoming calm.
- Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. Calm wind becoming south between 5 and 10 mph.
- Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 66. South wind between 5 and 10 mph becoming calm.
- Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 93. South wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 66. South wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Memorial Day: Sunny, with a high near 92. Southeast wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 65. South wind between 5 and 10 mph becoming calm.
- Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 91. East wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 65.
- Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93.
- Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 67.
- Thursday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 92.
Scott Signs Budget, Slashes $615 Million
May 27, 2011
Saying lawmakers had approved a budget weighted down with “short-sided, frivolous, wasteful” projects, Gov. Rick Scott vetoed a record $615 million from the once nearly $70 billion spending plan. The moves pleased Scott’s grass-roots, tea party allies but irritated some influential lawmakers.
Speaking to an event at The Villages that had all the trappings of a political rally, Scott called for the Legislature to plow the money from the vetoes into K-12 education — even though lawmakers cut far less from public schools than Scott’s original proposal in February.
“Let’s turn these short-sided, frivolous, wasteful spending programs into long-term investments into the future of Florida’s workforce,” Scott said. “By doing this, we are prioritizing our children and our grandchildren’s education over special interests, paying as we go and living within a budget.”
The record veto number — aimed at encouraging the small-government activists who helped Scott beat the Republican establishment in last year’s GOP primary — was significantly inflated by axing $305 million in authorized spending for the Florida Forever land-conservation program, as long as the state could generate the money from the sale of surplus lands.
That actual money wasn’t really in the budget – and most of it wasn’t likely to be either. Florida Forever supporters believed those surplus land sales would generate as little as $5 million to $10 million.
“It was not a major source of money,” said Eric Draper, executive director of Audubon of Florida. “It does not make sense for the governor to veto that. It certainly doesn’t make sense that he would then claim that as some sort of budget reduction.”
Draper said conservationists had hoped whatever money could be provided for the program could keep Florida Forever running until better times could lead to more funding for land conservation.
“Gov. Scott has taken a program that was struggling and kicked it to the curb,” he said.
Meanwhile, House Speaker Dean Cannon, R-Winter Park, suggested Scott’s comments on education were disingenuous, given that less than $100 million of Scott’s vetoes came in general revenue that could easily be shifted to education by the Legislature.
“What is more surprising is the Governor’s sudden emphasis on K-12 education,” Cannon said in a statement issued by his office. ” … It would have been helpful if the Governor had shared this new found emphasis with us before the budget was finalized.”
Democrats were less kind about Scott’s claim that he was signing a “jobs budget.”
“Only tea partiers under the control of billionaire right wingers could cheer such propaganda,” Senate Minority Leader Nan Rich, D-Weston, said in a withering statement about the signing. “Only the supporters of voodoo economics could honestly believe that firing 4,500 state workers followed by thousands more public school teachers in a state already drowning in pink slips will somehow create jobs.”
Scott used his line-item veto to cut $164 million worth of university and college construction projects.
The projects were predominantly funded using bonds backed with revenues from a utilities tax. Scott said he was concerned about adding more bond debt, and the negative impact that might have on the state’s rating.
“Florida is borrowing beyond its self-imposed constraints and taking on debt that it should not,” Scott said.
State University System Chancellor Frank Brogan issued a statement Thursday saying Scott had raised “compelling questions about how the state addresses funding for the construction of much-needed classrooms, labs and research facilities.”
University of Central Florida lobbyist Daniel Holsenbeck called the Scott vetoes “not surprising.” UCF was one of the hardest hit schools, with $21.3 million in money for repairs and new construction axed.
“We are disappointed, but we certainly respect his opinion and we will not stop working on getting these projects funded,” Holsenbeck said.
Holsenbeck said UCF needs money to pay for the construction of a classroom building, for instance. Without it, the university has to delay needed construction and squeeze more students into the same number of rooms.
But perhaps the most expensive budget line-item for college construction projects was saved. The University of South Florida polytechnic campus, in Senate Budget Chairman J.D. Alexander’s home district, was protected from Scott’s veto pen, though other USF projects were nixed.
Alexander, R-Lake Wales, has been a strong advocate for the campus and was angered last year when funding for the campus was vetoed by Gov. Charlie Crist.
Scott defended the $35 million expenditure in his veto message, saying the new campus focuses on the “high-tech fields of the future,” and will help ease the state university system’s “demand for access.”
On another closely-watched item, the governor declined to veto a $150 million raid of the state’s road-building fund, blaming it on lawmakers’ decision to use the money to plug holes in public school funding.
“To me, it wasn’t much of a choice,” Scott said at The Villages. “We are putting that $150 million into education.”
Bob Burleson, head of the Florida Transportation Builders’ Association, called for lawmakers to come up with a way to restore the funding.
“By deliberately making the STTF raid veto-proof, they have tied Governor Scott’s hands and are responsible for the potential elimination of thousands of Florida jobs,” Burleson said.
Scott cut down multimillion dollar projects across the state, some of them seemingly politically appealing. He slashed $12 million in funding for the National Veteran’s Homeless Support Group, $10 million for the restoration of the St. Johns River and $6 million in economic aid for the Panhandle in the wake of the Deepwater Horizon oil disaster.
He also sliced a series of smaller-ticket items that he and allies said weren’t critical in hard times, from $400,000 to study casino gambling to $250,000 to craft a plan for rainwater collection at state prisons.
“Where I’m from, rainwater can be caught with a $2 bucket,” Scott said.
Almost immediately, questions began cropping up about whether lawmakers might overturn Scott’s decision — either next year or in a special session before the Legislature returns in January for an early session centered on redistricting.
“Over the coming weeks I will visit with senators statewide as we carefully examine the Governor’s vetoes and the budget as a whole,” said Senate Majority Leader Andy Gardiner, R-Orlando. “As elected representatives of the people of the state of Florida, it is our duty to thoroughly review the Governor’s decisions while considering the wide-ranging needs of our diverse state.”
Sen. David Simmons, R-Maitland, told the capitol bureau for the Orlando Sentinel and the South Florida Sun Sentinel that he would like to see the Legislature hold a special session to smooth out “rough edges” in education and health-care funding.
But Katie Betta, a spokesman for Cannon, told the papers the speaker had “no plans to call a special session at this time.”
Pictured top: Gov. Rick Scott signs the 2011-2012 Florida budget into law Thursday at The Villages. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
By Brandon Larrabee and Lilly Rockwell
The News Service of Florida
Man Charged In 3-Butcher Knife Home Invasion
May 27, 2011
An Escambia County man is charged in a home invasion in which deputies say he entered the home swinging three butcher knives.
Escambia County Sheriff’s deputies arrested Michael Scott Elliot, 50, early Wednesday evening on a charge of armed burglary and two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
Officers responded to a report of a home invasion in the 2900 block of W. Lloyd St. at approximately 8 p.m. Once officers arrived at the location of the call, it became evident that Elliot had fled scene.
The victim stated that a friend had gone to open the front door of the residence to take out the trash and Elliot was standing at the door. Elliot then entered the home swinging three butcher knives, yelling “I’m going to kill you all”, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
The victim started to call 911 and Elliot backed out of the front door, jumped in his car and sped off.
Deputies located Elliot’s vehicle at his home in the 700 block of Citrus Street. He was booked into the Escambia County Jail on $60,000 bond.
Joe W. Lassiter
May 27, 2011
Joe W. Lassiter, 74, of Cantonment died Tuesday, May 24, 2011, at home.
Joe was born April 01, 1937, in Laurel Hill to Berry Lassiter and Bessie Smith Lassiter. He retired from Monsanto after 35 years of service.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brother E.B. Lassiter and sister, Eunice Lassiter.
Survivors include his wife, Charlene Lassiter of Cantonment; son, Joe W. Lassiter, Jr. (Gladys) of the Philippines; daughters, Rhonda Cowan (Rob) of Pace, Linda Popanz (Mike) of Englewood, FL, Pam Paskewitz (Butch) of Beaver Creek, OH and Brenda McElveen (Jack) of Virginia Beach, VA; step daughter, Vikki Thomas (Michael) of Pensacola; sisters, Louvene Harrison of Tallahassee, Ernstine Barnes of Baker, Lisa Miller of Prattville, and Evelyn Lassiter of Ft. Walton Beach; and 13 grandchildren.
Graveside services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, May 27, 2011, at Wing Cemetery in Wing, Alabama.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Emerald Coast Hospice, 5401 Corporate Woods Drive, Suite #800, Pensacola, FL 32504.
Bayview Fischer-Pou Chapel, 3351 Scenic Highway is in charge of arrangements.
Condolences may be offered at www.bayviewfisher-pouchapel.com.