Century Joins Other Local Governments In Natural Gas Vehicle Push
October 28, 2013
The Town of Century has purchased their first natural gas powered truck, and the town’s first filling station will be installed soon. Meanwhile, other local governments are jumping on the natural gas powered vehicle bandwagon in a big way.
“Natural gas is going to be the future,” Century Mayor Freddie McCall said. “We are trying to get in on the ground floor of it.”
The duel-fuel GMC pickup switches seamlessly between compressed natural gas and unleaded gasoline. The only big difference is the price…a gallon of regular unleaded gas is about $3.25, while the town’s cost as a supplier for an equivalent gallon of natural gas is $1 or less.
“The savings will really add up over time,” McCall said, “with natural gas prices down like they are.”
The City of Pensacola, Escambia County and the Emerald Coast Utilities Authority are also jumping onto the natural gas bandwagon in a partnership. According to Mayor Ashton Hayward, Pensacola has been able “to transfer over 100 vehicles from diesel to compressed natural gas, a fuel that is cheaper, cleaner, and most importantly, produced right here in America”.
As ECUA transitioned vehicles to natural gas, they projected an annual maintenance cost savings in excess of $350,000 and an annual fuel cost savings about $900,000.
Pensacola has already constructed two CNG fueling stations with a third slated for completion in December.
“We’ll eventually open up to corporate fleets and private vehicles. This gives us a competitive edge in recruiting business and bringing more jobs,” Hayward said.
McCall sees the same opportunities for Century. The first filling station won’t be open to the public, but Century’s mayor hopes to construct a public CNG filling station soon. He’s already spreading the good news of low priced CNG to area trucking companies and other industries. And the town is looking forward to purchasing additional CNG vehicles in the future.
Century’s first CNG truck serves as a rolling billboard as well as work vehicle. The truck, on a state contract price purchase, was $34,999 from Pete Moore Chevrolet in Pensacola. The cost included $9,300 to convert the vehicle to natural gas. A Natural Gas Fuel Fleet Vehicle Rebate program through the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is valued at half of the cost of the conversion ($4,650). The cost of the ad wrap from Pensacola Sign and Graphics was $1,728.
The gas department will “sell” one of their existing trucks to the Century Water Department for $12,900, which was already in the water department’s budget for a truck.
In addition, Century’s first filling station equipment and a shed will cost about $30,000 to be funded with LOST – local option sales tax – monies. The equipment will be installed in about six weeks.
Pictured top and bottom: Century’s new pickup powered by compressed natural gas. Pictured bottom inset: Pensacola Energy’s CNG filling station on Pine Forest Road just south of Nine Mile Road. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Sunny And Warm; Rain Forecast By Thursday Night
October 28, 2013
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 80. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon.
- Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 53. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
- Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 82. East wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 58. South wind around 5 mph.
- Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 83. East wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
- Thursday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 81. Southeast wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
- Thursday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a low around 66. South wind around 10 mph.
- Friday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a high near 78.
- Friday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 61.
- Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 76.
- Saturday Night: Clear, with a low around 49.
- Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 74.
Trick Or Treat Events At The Molino, Century Libraries
October 28, 2013
Halloween events are scheduled for today at the Molino Branch Library and Thursday at the Century Branch.
Molino Library Parade, Trick or Treat
The Molino Branch Library will host a Not-So-Scary for Little Goblins story time and parade at 4 p.m. on Monday, October 28 for children ages 0-5. Beginning at 6 p.m. and in conjunction with the Mid-County Historical Society, the library will be hosting their 1st Annual “Trick-or-Treat Down a Spooky Museum Street” with a special guest visit from the Florida Garrison 501st Legion. Enjoy stories and songs and some silly theatre presented by staff. This event is for children ages five and up and their grown-ups.
Century Library Program
The Century Branch Library will have their Halloween program on Thursday, October 31 at 5 p.m. There will be ghost stories and lots of goodies for little goblins. Everyone is invited to attend and wear their costume.
Ernest Ward Names October Students Of The Month
October 28, 2013
Ernest Ward Middle School has named their October Students of the Month. They (picture L-R) Kayla Galvan, eighth grade; Aurora McCann, seventh grade; and Keaton Solmonson, sixth grade. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Bill Would Tighten Florida Texting While Driving Ban
October 28, 2013
Just months after state lawmakers approved a ban on texting while driving, a South Florida senator filed a bill Friday to try to strengthen enforcement. The measure, filed by Sen. Maria Sachs, D-Delray Beach, would allow police to stop motorists for texting while driving and give them citations.
The law passed earlier this year only allows enforcement as what is known as a “secondary offense.” That means motorists can only be cited for texting while driving if they are pulled over for other reasons.
The new law took effect October 1, and Sachs indicated at the time she would file a bill for the 2014 session to try to strengthen enforcement.
High School Football District Standings, Schedules
October 28, 2013
Here is a look at local high school football district standings, scores from last week, and Friday night’s schedule for Florida schools:
Northview Preps For Gator Hunt With Bonfire, Trunk Or Treat, Tailgating Event Thursday Night
October 28, 2013
The Northview High School Chiefs will prepare for their Friday night Gator hunt against Baker with a big event Thursday night at the school stadium.
The event will include a bonfire, tailgating (bring your own grill and food) and trunk-or-treating (bring candy). There was also be a hayride, scavenger hunt, games and a car beating.
The event begins at 5:30 p.m. Thursday. Everyone is encouraged to wear camouflage.
The Chiefs (3-4, 2-0) will take on the Baker Gators (8-0, 2-0) Friday night at 7:00 in Bratt for the district championship.
Pictured: The Northview Chiefs, on their way to a state title, beat the Baker Gators last year 34-0 to claim the District 1-1A championship.
Charlie Youngblood
October 28, 2013
Charlie Youngblood, age 89 of Jay, went home to be with the Lord on October 27, 2013. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, and gardening. Charlie never met a stranger. He was a loving father, grandfather, great-grandfather, great-great grandfather, brother, and friend. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Dorothy Youngblood; two sisters and sister-in-law, Sara Youngblood.
He is survived by his sons, Ed (Linda) Youngblood of Mobile and Earl Youngblood of Jay; daughter, Anita (Mike) Newby of Jay; nine grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; brother, Bennie Youngblood of Jay; sister, Annette (Bob) Edwards and two sisters-in-law, Derlie (Buddy) White and Doris Gentry.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, October 29, 2013, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Jay Funeral Home.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, October 30, 2013, at 2 p.m. at Jay Funeral Home with Brother Bobby Carnley officiating services.
Burial will follow at Cora Baptist Church Cemetery.
The family would like to express a special thank you to Frank Green, Larry Glover, Covenant Hospice, Ashley Burkett, and Lanelle Cross for the gentle and loving care provided to our father and everyone else for their love and support during our time of need.
Jay Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Motorcyclist Seriously Injured After Hitting Deer Near Molino
October 27, 2013
A motorcyclist was seriously injured in a collision with a deer early Sunday morning near Molino.
The accident was reported by a passerby just before 2 a.m. on Sunshine Hill Road just north of Crabtree Church Road. The 58-year old male victim was thrown from his motorcycle after a direct collision with the deer. He told first responders that he had been down in the roadway about an hour before he was found.
He was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital by ambulance as a “trauma alert” with back and leg injuries. The deer did not survive the crash.
The victim’s name has not been released by the Florida Highway Patrol.
The Molino Station of Escambia Fire Rescue and Escambia County EMS also reponded to the crash.
The Power Of Pink: Thousands Take Part In Breast Cancer Walk
October 27, 2013
About 15,000 people took part in the 11th annual Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk Saturday morning in Pensacola.
“My sister and I walked with our mom who is a breast cancer survivor,” Tiffany White of Flomaton said after the walk along with her mother Brenda Peterson of Century.
Like Tiffany, most walked for a reason. For a mom, a grandmother, a friend or their own personal battle against breast cancer. For many, it’s a party-style event, with a variety of festive outfits. The walk begins at the former University Mall and ends at Cordova Mall.
“I try and walk every year in the Breast Cancer Walk, my grandma had it 15 years ago,” said Ashley Suggs of Cantonment. “She’s a survivor!”
There were hundreds of survivors honored during the walk that raises nearly a half million dollars each year for breast cancer research and the American Cancer Society.
Pictured top: Valerie Craft of Century, survivor Brenda Peterson of Century and Tiffany White of Flomaton. Pictured below: The view from Chris Jordan of Cantonment as an estimated 15,000 took part in the annual Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk Saturday morning in Pensacola. Pictured inset: Ashley Suggs of Cantonment and family walk for her grandmother. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
