Gulf Power Looks To Add More Wind Energy
June 28, 2016
Gulf Power is seeking to further diversify its energy mix by adding more wind. Monday, the company filed a petition asking the Florida Public Service Commission to approve adding 94 megawatts of wind energy from the Kingfisher Wind farm in Oklahoma.
Gulf Power is already a leading purchaser of wind generation among Florida utilities. Since January of this year, Gulf Power’s original Kingfisher Wind project has been producing 178 megawatts of wind-generated energy. The energy company is seeking approval of a second agreement involving the Kingfisher Wind project that would add an additional 94 megawatts of wind energy to its energy mix, for a total of 272 megawatts.
“Gulf Power is committed to renewable energy that makes economic sense for our customers,” said Rick DelaHaya, Gulf Power spokesperson. “Our renewables team worked very hard to make these projects affordable. These smart renewables, like Kingfisher Wind, can actually put downward pressure on prices.”
Located in Oklahoma, the Kingfisher Wind project has a total of 136 wind turbines capable of producing enough energy to power approximately 77,150 homes for a year.
“Adding alternate sources of renewable energy to our portfolio is important for our customers and takes careful planning,” added DelaHaya. “By diversifying our energy supply with an ‘all of the above’ approach that includes renewable energy, our customers can count on us for their energy needs today and well into the future.”
If the additional 94 megawatts are approved by the FPSC, and once construction of Gulf Power’s military solar projects are complete, renewable energy sources are projected to be approximately 9 percent of the company’s energy mix, helping to diversify the power supply. Kingfisher is the energy company’s sixth renewable energy project following the Perdido Landfill Gas-to-Energy Facility, which has produced more than 100 million kilowatt hours of electricity since 2010.
Gulf Power is also bringing large-scale solar to Northwest Florida at three military solar energy projects across Northwest Florida. Located at Eglin AFB (Air Force), Saufley Field (Navy) and Holley Field (Navy), the projects are expected to provide approximately 30MW, 50MW and 40MW of renewable energy respectively.
FWC Law Enforcement Report
June 28, 2016
The Florida FWC Division of Law Enforcement reported the following activity during the weekly period ending June 23 in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
Officer Cushing conducted fisheries inspections near the Pensacola Pass. During one inspection, the occupants on board claimed to have only king mackerel and mingo snapper. While on board, Officer Cushing discovered an undersized gray triggerfish. The season for gray triggerfish is closed. A citation was issued to the individual who caught the fish.
Officer Cushing received a phone call from a concerned citizen who had observed an individual on the beach at Ft. Pickens carrying an oversized redfish from the beach toward the parking lot. After beaching his vessel on the bayside, he proceeded to the parking lot and observed one of the individuals described to him by the complainant. Upon initial contact, the individual slumped his head and confessed that he had the oversized redfish in his truck. Upon further inspection, the individual had a total of three oversized redfish in a cooler in his truck. Citations were issued for oversized and over‑the‑bag limit of redfish.
On board the FinCat, officers patrolled in federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico. They approached a vessel that was fishing and asked the captain if they had any fish on board. The captain stated that they only had white snapper on board. After boarding the vessel, the officers discovered a large triggerfish. The crew claimed they forgot putting the fish on the vessel. The captain of the vessel was issued a federal citation for the violation.
Officer Land conducted a derelict vessel investigation on a sailboat that had been left in a wrecked condition at Shoreline Park in Gulf Breeze. The vessel had become grounded and the interior had filled with water. The registered owners of the vessel were notified and given a deadline to remove the vessel or restore it to working order. The vessel remained untouched by the owners and continued to deteriorate. Officer Land issued a notice to appear to each of the registered owners for abandoning a derelict vessel on the waters of the state.
SANTA ROSA COUNTY
Lieutenant Hahr and Officers Hutchinson and Clark were on foot patrol at the steel bridge on Coldwater Creek. They observed a group of individuals on a sandbar smoking cannabis. The officers made contact and interviewed the subjects. Upon conclusion of the interviews, three of the subjects surrendered baggies of cannabis and one cannabis cigarette. A total of four citations were issued for possession of cannabis under 20 grams and one citation was issued for possession of paraphernalia.
Officers Hutchinson and Clark were on foot patrol on Coldwater Creek and observed a group of males and females on the sandbar drinking alcohol. They made contact and asked if everyone was 21 or older. Four of the females stated they were not. One of the males who was 21 years old was observed sharing an alcoholic beverage with one of the underage females. Four citations were issued for possession of alcohol by persons under 21 and one citation was issued for contributing to the delinquency of a minor: giving alcohol to a person under 21.
This report represents some events the FWC handled over the past week; however, it does not include all actions taken by the Division of Law Enforcement. Information provided by FWC.
Afternoon Thunderstorms Likely
June 28, 2016
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tuesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 90. West wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Tuesday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Wednesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 89. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph.
Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Thursday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 71. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 71. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 75.
Sunday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93.
Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 75.
Independence Day: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 93.
Bricks For Century High Monument Now On Sale
June 28, 2016
Bricks from the former Century High School are now for sale.
Engraved bricks will be sold at $50 each to be placed around a 1936 monument and flagpole salvaged from the former school, which was demolished due to tornado damage. In total, about 2,100 bricks were saved from the school building for the project. The $50 covers the cost of engraving the brick and construction of the monument; there is no profit made.
To print an order form, visit CenturyHighBricks.com.
The design of the monument and its exact location are yet to be determined. A committee established by the town is exploring the possibility of constructing the monument at, or very near, the actual site of the former Century High School on Hecker Road.
Summer Reading Club: Dr. Magical Balloons At The Library This Week
June 28, 2016
The Summer Reading Club continues this week at the West Florida Libraries.
West Florida Public Libraries present Dr. Magical Balloons for a free summer reading club performance. Enjoy amazing balloon sculptures and original stories as he captivates and astounds readers of all ages.
Dr. Magical Balloons will perform at multiple branches on the following dates:
Tuesday, June 28, 2016:
- 11 a.m. at Big Lagoon State Park, 12301 Gulf Beach Highway, located across from Southwest Branch Library. Show your library card for free all day park access.
Wednesday, June 29, 2016:
- 11 a.m. at Century Branch Library, 7991 N Century Blvd
- 4 p.m. at Pensacola Library, 239 N. Spring St.
Thursday, June 30, 2016:
- 11 a.m. at Molino Branch Library, 6450-A Highway 95A
Volunteer Firefighters Undergo Hands On LifeFlight Training
June 28, 2016
Volunteer firefighters participated in a LifeFlight training class Monday evening at the Molino Fire Station. A LifeFlight crew gave the participants from Molino and other area fire stations a tour of the aircraft, plus instruction on how to handle emergencies involving the helicopter, how setup a landing zone and how patients are loaded.
Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Felony Fugitive Arrested At Flomaton Restaurant
June 28, 2016
A dangerous fugitive was taken into custody Monday at a Flomaton restaurant.
The Flomaton Police Department was assisted by the Brewton Police Department in arresting 34-year old Emmitt Jones III of Brewton. He had felony warrants for his arrest with the Brewton Police Department for burglary first degree and domestic violence second degree.
Jones was located in the parking lot of Hardee’s in Flomaton. Officers from Flomaton and Brewton conducted a “high risk take down” on Jones as he was sitting in the rear seat of a vehicle, according to police. Officers had previously received information that Jones was armed.
At the time of his arrest, Jones was found to be in possession of a loaded, large caliber handgun and an extra magazine, according to Flomaton Police.
In addition to the Brewton warrants, Jones was also charged with being a certain person forbidden to possess a firearm by Flomaton Police.
“This was a great job of communication and working together between the two departments to arrest Jones and take a gun off of our streets,” said Flomaton Police Chief Brian Davis.
Impact Of Supreme Court Abortion Ruling On Florida Law Unclear
June 28, 2016
Florida abortion providers are breathing sighs of relief following a U.S. Supreme Court ruling on Monday striking down a Texas law that would have greatly limited access to legal abortion in that state.
The Texas law would have required doctors to have admitting privileges at hospitals within 30 miles of the clinics where they perform abortions and clinics to meet the same standards as walk-in surgical centers.
By a 5-3 vote, the justices found that neither of the provisions “offers medical benefits sufficient to justify the burdens upon access (to abortion) that each imposes,” and that each constitutes an “undue burden” on access to the procedure, violating the U.S. Constitution.
“This decision is certainly historic,” said Laura Goodhue, executive director of the Florida Alliance of Planned Parenthood Affiliates. “This is the biggest case since Roe v. Wade in terms of its impact on access to a safe and legal procedure.”
But in Florida, supporters of recent laws requiring more stringent standards for abortion providers say the high court ruling should have no impact.
Sen. Kelli Stargel and Rep. Colleen Burton, both Lakeland Republicans, sponsored House Bill 1411, which was signed into law by Gov. Rick Scott in March. On Monday, they said the new Florida law is different from the Texas statute at issue in the Supreme Court case. Scott’s office and legislative leaders are reviewing the ruling.
Among its provisions, the new Florida law requires clinics that perform first-trimester abortions to have patient-transfer agreements with nearby hospitals, or for clinic doctors to have admitting privileges nearby. Stargel noted that the law does not include Texas’ requirement that a doctor have admitting privileges within 30 miles of an abortion clinic.
“We have reasonable proximity, which is what we’ve had in law for a very long time with regards to all other clinics, and we’re doing abortion clinics the same way,” she said.
Although the Florida law takes effect Friday, U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle on Wednesday will hear a challenge from Planned Parenthood aimed at blocking three parts of the law.
That complaint, in part, targets a section of the law that seeks to prevent state agencies, local governments and Medicaid managed-care plans from contracting with organizations, like Planned Parenthood, that own, operate or are affiliated with clinics that perform elective abortions. The complaint also challenges a provision that would require the state Agency for Health Care Administration to inspect at least 50 percent of abortion-clinic patient records each year. And it challenges a change to the way the state determines trimesters of pregnancy.
Burton, the House sponsor of HB 1411, said the three provisions had nothing to do with the Texas law. And while opponents contend the challenged provisions are medically unnecessary, Burton said she was only concerned with protecting women’s health and safety.
Tallahassee attorney Rick Johnson, local co-counsel in another challenge to a recent abortion statute, agreed that Monday’s ruling was unlikely to alter Florida law for now. He’s involved with a challenge to a 2015 law, requiring a 24-hour wait before women can obtain an abortion. That case is now before the Florida Supreme Court.
Johnson said the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of protecting access to legal abortion threatened by an “undue burden.” But in Florida, he said, stronger protections are in place — those of privacy.
“We had the intermediate appellate court, the 1st (District Court of Appeal), attempt to apply the federal ‘undue burden’ standard and find that under that standard, the 24-hour waiting period was good enough,” Johnson said. “So if (Monday’s ruling) has any impact, that will be the impact — that some of those courts that were incorrectly applying Florida law will now find that even if they apply federal law, some of those ridiculous restrictions won’t pass muster.”
Monday’s ruling drew a wide range of reactions from political candidates and activists. Florida Senate President Andy Gardiner, R-Orlando, was dismayed by those who celebrated the ruling.
“In Florida, we have championed policies and programs that promote life and provide resources for women who choose life for their babies,” Gardiner said in a statement. “Photos of people celebrating today’s ruling should disgust anyone who values the health of women and the life of their unborn children.”
Goodhue said Scott and the Legislature are unlikely to back off their efforts to limit abortion in Florida.
“We’ve seen an increase every year in the number of bills filed, but also in the extremist content of their nature,” she said. “So we’ve seen these attacks escalate, and we fully anticipate that we’ll have to continue this fight.”
by The News Service of Florida
Wahoos Lose 12-1 To Tennessee In Rain Shortened Game
June 28, 2016
The Chicago Cubs still appear to have plenty of top prospects to look forward to playing for them one day, including Double-A affiliate Tennessee Smokies second baseman Ian Happ and starting pitcher Brad Markey.
Happ went 3-3, including a two-run homer and Markey threw four perfect innings as the Smokies rolled to a 12-1 victory Monday over the Pensacola Blue Wahoos at Smokies Park. The game was shortened to six innings because of rain.
The victory clinched the opening series, 3-2, of the second half of the season for Tennessee and dropped Pensacola’s overall record to 18-21 on the road. At Blue Wahoos Stadium, the Cincinnati Reds Double-A affiliate won all seven series going 24-11.
Happ, the Cubs No. 3 prospect according to MLB.com, went 11-15, or .733 with four multi-hit games in his first five games at the Double-A level with the Smokies. The 21-year-old hit two home runs, drove in six runs and scored six times.
Meanwhile, Tennessee right hander Markey, the No. 29 prospect, threw four perfect innings, striking out two.
But Pensacola right fielder Sebastian Elizalde led off the fifth inning with a double to left field. Blue Wahoos center fielder Brandon Dixon followed with another single on a grounder to left that scored Elizalde to pull Pensacola within, 3-1 — the closest it would get to Tennessee.
Markey threw six innings, allowing four hits and one run, while striking out two. He improved to 6-3 with a 2.34 ERA.
Smokies first baseman Victor Caratini singled on a line drive to right fielder that drove in center fielder Jacob Hannemann to put Tennessee ahead, 1-0, in the first inning.
Tennessee went up, 3-0, in the third inning when Happ hit a two-run homer to right field that also scored Smokies third baseman Chesney Young, who had doubled to right field.
Tennessee then broke the game open in the bottom of the fifth inning sending nine hitters to the plate and scoring four times on four hits and two walks to go ahead, 7-1. The big hit came when Smokies right fielder Billy McKinney, the Cubs No. 6 prospect, drove in three runs when he tripled to right field with the bases loaded on a 1-2 count and two outs. The seventh run of the game came when Tennessee catcher Ben Carhart singled up the middle to score McKinney.
The Smokies sent 10 hitters to the plate in the sixth inning, adding five more runs to go up, 12-1. Tennessee had five singles, a double and a hit batter in the inning.
Elizalde was 5-15 in the series for Pensacola and is hitting .302 on the season. Pensacola second baseman Alex Blandino also hit well going 5-19. Blue Wahoos center fielder Phillip Ervin extended his hitting streak to five games Monday, going 5-17 during that span.
Pensacola has the day off Tuesday and then starts a five-game home series at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday against the Chattanooga Lookouts.
Resurfacing, Widening Projects Continue On Hwy 99, Barrineau Park Road
June 27, 2016
Projects are now 70 to 80 percent complete to widen and resurface several miles of County Road 99 and Barrineau Park Road.
Work is 70 percent complete on a project to widen and resurface seven miles of Highway 99 from Barrineau Park Road north to Highway 97A in Bay Springs, according to Escambia County. Construction on the project began in October 2015, with the contractor currently still working to widen the highway and install driveway pipes by early July. The roadway will be resurfaced by September . Following striping and sign installation, the project should be completed by October.
The Highway 99 project will be submitted to the Federal Highway Administration Agency (FHWA) for reimbursement at an estimated project construction cost of $2.87 million.
The Barrineau Park Road project includes widening the existing travel lanes to 11 feet wide, adding four foot paved shoulders, upgrading guardrails and minor drainage improvements.
Barrineau Park Road is about 80 percent completed. Shoulder widening is currently underway and is scheduled to be completed by the end of July. After the widening, the entire roadway will be resurfaced by the end of September. Following striping and signage, the project should be completed in October.
In addition to the two county projects, the Florida Department of Transportation upgraded the railroad crossing on Highway 99 south Highway 97A.
Pictured: Work continues on widening Highway 99 just south of Highway 97A in Bay Springs. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
