District 5’s Larry Walker Re-elected ECUA Board Chairman
November 22, 2013
District 5 member Larry Walker was re-elected Thursday as chairman of the ECUA Board, while District 1 member member Vicki Campbell, was elected vice-chair. District 5 includes in the North Escambia area.
District two member Lois Benson was elected chair of the Citizens’ Advisory Committee, and Elvin McCorvey of District 3 was elected vice-chair. Deborah Benn, Charles Green, Chuck Kimball, Hurey Smith, Tim Common, Kelley Thompson, and Louise Ritz were appointed as members of the Citizens’ Advisory Committee.
Settlement Would Raise Gulf Power Rates
November 22, 2013
Gulf Power Company will be able to increase base electric rates by $35 million in January and an additional $20 million in 2015, under a proposed settlement agreement filed Friday morning with the Florida Public Service Commission
Gulf Power had request a $74.4 million increase, along with another potential $16.4 million in 2015 that is related to transmission projects. It was a two-step price increase to help pay for the largest power grid construction program in the history of the company. Regulators were set begin a detail hearing on the increase proposal on December 9.
“The agreement is in the public interest and should be approved,” the filing Friday says. “It has been agreed to by each and every party and resolves each and every issue in this (case) docket. It results in rates and charges that are fair, just and reasonable over the term of the agreement.”
The Public Service Commission will need to review and decide whether to approve the settlement agreement, with the parties seeking consideration at a December 3 meeting. The agreement could avert a potentially contentious debate about how much the Pensacola-based utility should be allowed to increase customers’ bills. The agreement would remain in effect until June 2017.
The other parties are the state Office of Public Counsel, which represents consumers in utility issues; the Florida Industrial Power Users Group, which represents major electricity users; federal government agencies that are Gulf customers; and retailers Wal-Mart Stores East, LP, and Sam’s East, Inc.
Gulf Power said over the next three years the company is building and replacing power lines and infrastructure — some more than 70 years old — to keep electricity flowing to its 430,000 customers. In addition, new lines and equipment are needed to comply with new mandatory federal environmental regulations.
Part of the new transmission line construction is to help the company comply with new federal environmental regulations that will change the way the company operates its plants and will require plants to be shut down at regular intervals. The new lines and equipment will be used to ensure voltage stability and reliable power flow while the plants are offline.
The News Service of Florida contributed to this report.
Pictured inset: Gulf Power crews making upgrades to a distribution line. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Cottage Hill Water Works Notice Lifted
November 22, 2013
The following Boil Water Notice has been lifted.
A precautionary boil water notice has been issued for some customers of the Cottage Hill Water Works System.
The following streets are included in the notice: 807-1400 North Highway 29 , Neal Road, Pinetop Lane, Brookhills Drive, Rose Petal Lane, Forehand Lane, Knollwood Drive, Hillock Drive, and Ridgeway.
The notice was issued following a water main break. Residents are advised to boil water for one minute at a rolling boil or to use six drops of regular unscented household bleach per gallon of water for water drinking or cooking purposes. Bacteriological sampling is underway and the advisory will be lifted as soon as possible.
A crew has repaired the main and is flushing out the lines. Residents are advised that there is a possibility of discolored water as a result of the break and flushing, and to flush their home’s plumbing by running their taps for a few minutes. If you have questions, contact the Cottage Hill Water Works, office at (850) 968-5485.
NOAA Calls For Warmer, Drier Winter
November 22, 2013
Winter is likely to see a drought develop across parts of the Southeast, along with above normal temperatures, according to NOAA’s Annual Winter Outlook released Thursday.
In the Southeast, including the North Escambia area, the Precipitation Outlook favors below average precipitation, while the Temperature Outlook favors above average temperatures.
Sea surface temperatures across the equatorial Pacific have been near average since spring 2012, and forecasters expect that to continue through the winter. This means that neither El Niño nor La Niña is expected to influence the climate during the upcoming winter.
The Climate Prediction Center produces the U.S. Winter Outlook to give American communities the best possible scientific prediction of how the winter may shape up across the nation. This outlook supports local and state governments in their effort to plan for public needs during the winter, and large and small businesses as they plan for winter impacts on things like transportation, market demand for goods and services, and finances.
Chiefs Aim For Regional Championship Tonight In Cottondale
November 22, 2013
The defending 1A state champion Northview Chiefs will lay it all on the line tonight in Cottondale as they take on the Hornets for the Region 1-1A championship.
Both are teams are coming into the game as district runner-ups. The Chiefs (4-6) are coming off a 22-19 road win against District 2-1A champion Vernon Yellow Jackets. Cottondale (7-4) beat the District 1-1A champion Baker Gators 28-23.
The winner of tonight’s Northview-Cottondale game will face the winner of the Blountstown vs. Port St. Joe in the state semi-finals next week on the road to the state championship game December 6 in Orlando.
Directions To Cottondale’s Stadium (137 miles from Northview):
- Traveling east on Interstate I-10 take exit 130 toward Cottondale/Dothan AL.
- Take 231 N for about 3 miles to the first traffic light (HWY 90).
- Turn right onto HWY 90 East.
- Travel past Cottondale High School, take next right onto Zion St.
- Travel to the 4-way stop, turn left onto Thomas St.
- The football field is on the right.
Map: Click here.
Pictured top: Northview head football Coach Sid Wheatley celebrates victory last Friday night in Vernon. Pictured below: Northview beat Vernon 22-19. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Poll: Charlie Crist Keeps Edge Over Rick Scott
November 22, 2013
With a campaign full of attack ads and big money ready to play out, Democrat Charlie Crist has a seven-point lead over incumbent Republican Rick Scott in the 2014 race for Florida governor, a poll released Thursday shows.
Crist, a former Republican governor who became a registered Democrat last year, leads Scott by a margin of 47 percent to 40 percent, according to the Quinnipiac University poll. A similar poll in June showed Crist leading 47 percent to 37 percent in a match-up with Scott.
While the new poll showed the margin narrowing, it also indicated that voters continue to have a generally negative view of Scott. For example, 42 percent of the people in the poll said they approved of the way Scot is handling his job, while 47 percent disapproved.
Crist filed paperwork Nov. 1 to formally enter the race, and Scott and his allies are expected to spend tens of millions of dollars blasting the former Republican as a political opportunist who was in office when the economic recession hit the state.
The poll shows voters split 46 percent to 46 percent about whether Crist’s party-switching is a positive or negative thing. Also, it showed that 53 percent of voters approve of the job Crist did as governor.
“To catch Crist, Scott is going to have to convince Florida voters that Crist was a bad governor and a political opportunist,” Peter Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute, said in a prepared statement. “And he is planning on spending tens of millions of dollars on television adds to make that argument. This will be an intensely negative campaign on both sides. The survivor will be the candidate voters dislike least on Election Day.”
The poll also showed that voters, by large margins, approve of allowing people to use marijuana for medical purposes. That issue could come before voters as a proposed constitutional amendment in November 2014 if supporters can get it on the ballot.
Quinnipiac surveyed 1,646 registered voters from Nov. 12 to Nov. 17, and the poll has a margin of error 2.4 percentage points. The Connecticut-based Quinnipiac frequently conducts polls in Florida and other states.
By The News Service of Florida
Chiefs Honor Volleyball Players During Annual Banquet
November 22, 2013
The Northview High School volleyball teams honored their best Thursday night during their annual banquet.
They also celebrated the success of the varsity team, which set a school record at 13-10 for the season and second place place in the district. The varsity team is graduating seven seniors.
“Our varsity team was not filled with returning players,” coach Barbara Luker said. “The varsity team was a team that was willing to fight and work together to achieve the win.”
Awards presented Thursday night included:
Junior Varsity Best Offensive Award
Leah Fischer – JV, 11 Aces, 13 Kills
Laurie Purdy – JV, 14 Aces, 3 Kills and 10 Assists
Kyndall Hall – Varsity, 41 Aces, 40 Kills, and 98 Assists
Danielle Steadham – Varsity, 19 Aces, 111 Kills, and 3 Assists
Junior Varsity Best Defensive Award
Dimonique Brown – JV, 2 Blocks and 19 Digs
Danielle Steadham – Varsity, 56 Blocks and 118 Digs
Lily Townson – Varsity, 230 assists and 108 digs
Most Improved
Mallory Merchant – JV
Hanna Ging – Varsity
Coaches Award
Lily Townson
Best Attitude Award
Cheyenne Redditt – JV
Penny Bandit – Varsity
Effort Award
Maddi Weber – JV
E’Layzha Bates – Varsity
Rebecca Grim – Varsity
Pictured: The varsity Northview High School volleyball team was recognized during their annual banquet Friday night. Pictured below: Most Improved Award winners senior Hanna Ging (left) and junior varsity Mallory Merchant (middle) and Coach’s Award Winner Lily Townson. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
United Way Seeks Income Tax Prep Volunteers
November 22, 2013
United Way of Escambia County is seeking volunteers for the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA).
VITA volunteers provide free tax preparation help for those with low-to-moderate income. In 2013, 52 volunteers helped return over $900,000 in earned income tax credit and a total of over $2.8 million in refunds to 2,055 families in our community. The overall financial impact of this initiative was $3.3 million
VITA volunteers will:
- Volunteer in the role of either as a Tax Preparer or Greeter.
- Be able to commit to one to four hours per week from January 14th
- Receive IRS training and certification.
- Expand your knowledge of federal tax return procedures.
- Add a new skill to your resume.
- Receive CRA credit (for depository institutions only).
- Serve local citizens and help stimulate the local economy.
VITA site locations will include Pensacola State College (multiple campuses), Friendship Missionary Baptist Church, Central Credit Union (Spring Street branch) and St. Sylvester Catholic Church in Navarre. Sites will open January 14, 2014.
Training starts for volunteers in December for sites in Pensacola, Milton and Navarre. United Way will train tax preparers and greeters. The online portion of the training can be completed at the volunteer’s pace.
To become a VITA volunteer, call (850) 444-7128 or email name and contact information to lyndi@unitedwayescambia.org.
Cantonment Teen Killed In Well Line Road Crash
November 21, 2013
A Thursday afternoon single vehicle crash claimed the life of a Cantonment teen.
The Florida Highway Patrol said 18-year old Thomas Lavaughn Hennessey of Cantonment was eastbound on Well Line Road near the Cantonment Ballpark about 3:20 p.m. when he traveled off the pavement and over-corrected, causing him to lose control of his 2002 Ford Ranger. The pickup overturned, partially ejecting Hennessey, who was not wearing a seat belt, according to the FHP. He was pronounced deceased at the scene by Escambia County EMS.
The crash remains under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.
Pictured: A Cantonment teeen was killed in a single vehicle crash Thursday afternoon on Well Line Road near the Cantonment Ballpark. NorthEcambia.com photo by Kristi Smith, click to enlarge.
McGhee Guilty, Gets Life In Lottery Store Murder
November 21, 2013
An Escambia County jury found 25-year old Malcolm Troy McGhee guilty of first degree murder for the shooting death of 74-year old Thomas “Tommy” Kroll during a robbery on November 6, 2012, at the State Line O’ Yes Lotto on Highway 97.
Immediately after the unanimous jury verdict late Wednesday, Judge Linda Nobles sentenced McGhee to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
“Justice was done today,” Kroll’s wife of 44-years, Kathy Kroll, told NorthEscambia.com Wednesday night. “The jury did their job, and we are pleased with the verdict and thank everyone for their prayers and support at this time.”
“Tommy we love and miss you, and justice was done for you,” she said.
According to testimony, McGhee, Brent Lambeth and Micheal Orso planned a robbery at the State Line O’Yes Lotto to take cash, scratch-off lottery tickets and a synthetic substance commonly known as Spice.
According to the State Attorney’s Office, the “Spice” being sold by Kroll as incense was 100 percent legal under Florida law at the time of the murder. Laws banning the substance went into effect at a later date.
McGhee and Lambeth were wearing ski masks when they entered the store, armed with a handgun. Gunfire was exchanged with Kroll, with multiple witnesses testifying that McGhee was the shooter. McGhee was struck once when a bullet ricocheted off a large cross pendant he was wearing around his neck. Kroll was struck three times, including once in the head, and was pronounced deceased at the scene. McGhee and Lambeth fled the scene before the first law enforcement arrived.
The defense argued that McGhee fired his weapon in self defense, and that the trio may have discussed the robbery but they were high on Spice and never intended to follow through on the plan.
Lambeth, 21, previously pleaded no contest to second degree murder. Under his plea deal, he will receive no more than 30 years in prison in exchange for his testimony against McGhee and Orso.
Orso, is charged with premeditated first-degree murder for allegedly assisting in planning the robbery and providing the the gun used in Kroll’s murder. Arrested just last week, he is scheduled to make his first court appearance on December 6.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
