Marshall Welch
October 13, 2016
Marshall “Brandon” Welch, age 32 of Milton, FL passed away suddenly on Sunday, October 9, 2016. Brandon was a native of Escambia County, Florida, but spent most of his life in Berrydale, FL. He attended Jay High School, then moved on to working in construction and the oil industry. He enjoyed reading, fishing, hunting, mud riding, and watching Auburn football; but most of all spending time with family and many friends.
He is preceded in death by his mother, Linda Gail Whitfield Welch of Berrydale; his maternal grandparents, Lee Whitfield and Eunice Whitfield of Berrydale; his paternal grandparents, Irving Francis Welch Sr. and Nanny Lottie May Welch of Orange Beach, AL.
He is survived by his father, “Nick” Irving Francis Welch Jr. (wife Donna); brother, Gerald Welch (wife Katie); stepbrothers, Scott and Chad Ward; aunts, Joyce McCrory (husband Martin) and Nancy Greathouse; uncles, Gene Whitfield (wife Shirley) and Lavaughan Whitfield; cousins, Gene, David, Paul, and Chris Greathouse, Matt James, and Shelby McCrory; special friend, Frances Smith; and extended family along with many, many friends.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, October 16, 2016, from 12 p.m. until the funeral services begin at 3 p.m. at the funeral home with Brother Kevin Nelson officiating services.
Burial will follow at Whitfield Cemetery in Berrydale.
Active pallbearers will be Tim Stewart, Josh Penton, Will Rhodes, Chad Sutton, Josh Goodwin, Zack Price, and Rusty Johnston.
Trahan Family Funeral Home of Milton is in charge of arrangements.
Arson Suspected In Century Church Fire; Reward Now Offered
October 12, 2016
A little smoke was still rising from the rubble of the Wesley Chapel church in Century late Tuesday morning, over two days after the church burned to the ground, likely the work of an arsonist.
Neighbors reported hearing an explosion before looking outside to see the Wesley Chapel Church on Jefferson Avenue fully involved in flames just before daybreak Sunday. The building was a complete and total loss. There were no injuries reported.
Now, the Florida State Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the fire as arson and offering a reward of up to $2,500 for information leading to the identification of the person responsible for the fire. Anyone with information on the fire can call 877-NO-ARSON (877-662-7766) or Detective Bell at (850) 453-7803.
The church on Jefferson Avenue had sat empty since a February 15 EF-3 tornado ripped through Century, causing significant damage to the building. The congregation had continued to meet each Sunday in the local County on Aging building. A church member said they had recently decided to dismantle the old building board by board, hoping to salvage and use as much of the wood as possible from the 1934 structure.
The building had no utility service. The fire also caused damage — melted siding — to a neighboring home.
NorthEscambia.com photos click to enlarge.
PSC Approves More Wind Energy For Gulf Power
October 12, 2016
Pointing to potential savings for customers, the Florida Public Service Commission on Tuesday approved a Gulf Power proposal linked to energy produced at an Oklahoma wind farm.
The proposal involves a 20-year agreement that the Pensacola-based utility reached to buy a fixed amount of electricity from Morgan Stanley Capital Group, Inc., according a commission staff recommendation.
Since January of this year, Gulf Power’s original Kingfisher Wind project has been producing 178 megawatts of wind-generated energy. With the approval of a second agreement, it will add an additional 94 megawatts of wind energy to Gulf Power’s energy mix, for a total of 272 megawatts.
Under the agreement, Morgan Stanley will provide an amount that would match a portion of energy generated by the Kingfisher Wind Farm in Oklahoma — although the actual electricity Gulf Power receives through a broader transmission system wouldn’t necessarily be renewable energy.
The staff recommendation said the agreement is projected to save $21 million for Gulf customers, with the utility also receiving renewable energy credits related to the wind farm.
“Customers will realize savings within the first year of Gulf’s power purchase agreement, and it also encourages renewable energy development,” Public Service Commission Chairwoman Julie Brown said in a prepared statement after the approval. “The agreement is a win for customers, the economy, and the environment.”
“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 plus 24/7 traditional sources, our customers can count on us for their energy needs today and well into the future.”
Helping to diversify a balanced energy mix, renewable energy sources are projected to make up approximately 9 percent of Gulf Power’s energy mix with the recent approval of the additional 94 megawatts of wind energy, and once construction of Gulf Power’s military solar projects are complete. 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.
Dry Weather Pattern Continues
October 12, 2016
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Clear, with a low around 53. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 86. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 58. Calm wind.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 88. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 61. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 84. East wind around 5 mph.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 63. East wind around 5 mph.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 83. East wind around 5 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 63.
Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 86.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 65.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 87.
Detour: Highway 112 (Muscogee Road) Closed In Alabama
October 12, 2016
Highway 112 (Muscogee Road) will be closed to traffic in Baldwin County today and Thursday.
The closures will be between County Road 87 and Barrineau Park Road for drainage improvements.
A portion of County Road 112 between River Road East and Ray Road will be impassable from 7:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 12. Another portion of County Road 112 between County Road 87 and Ray Road will be impassable between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 13.
See the above map (click to enlarge) for specific closure information and a recommended detour.
Ernest Ward Middle Names Students Of The Month
October 12, 2016
Ernest Ward Middle School has named Students of the Month for August. They are (L-R) Savannah Doremus, eight grade; Shelby Cotita, seventh grade; and Drake Driskell, sixth grade. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview Football Names Players Of The Week
October 12, 2016
Northview High School has named the following as Players of Week following the team’s game last week at Liberty County.
Offense
Neikel Robinson – 8 receptions, 193 yards, 1 TD
Jeremiah Woods – 12 carries, 97 yards, 2 TD
Defense
Hunter Cofield – 10 total tackles, 2.5 TFL, 0.5 sacks
Jared Aliff – 8 total tackles, 1 TFL, 1 sack, 2 fumble recoveries
Dominator
MJ Jones – Hit on Liberty County WR to dislodge ball on pass attempt
Dustin Bethea – Hit on interception return in 2nd quarter
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Photo Gallery: Lil’ Aggies Cheerleaders
October 12, 2016
The Tate High School Cheerleaders recently held a Lil’ Aggies Cheer Champ. Last Friday night, the participants were able to cheer during Tate’s game against Pace.
Click here for a photo gallery.
Reader submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Fields of Faith: Student Led Community Worship Wednesday At Northview
October 12, 2016
Northview High School’s Fellowship of Christian Athletes will host their 3rd annual Fields of Faith at Northview High School on October 12, at 6:30 p.m. on the football field. Speakers will include Zach Barrow, Lauren McCall, and Seth Leonard. Free admission. Everyone is welcome.
The Northview High School Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) is sponsoring a student led worship event, “Fields of Faith” Wednesday night at Tommy Weaver Memorial Stadium in Bratt.
Northview students, area churches, youth groups and community members will come together to worship, hear student testimonies and enjoy a brief message from speakers that include Zach Barrow, Lauren McCall, and Seth Leonard.
The public is encouraged to attend the event at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday. Free admission.
Pictured: Last year’s Fields of Faith event at Northview High School. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Camp Fire Kids Learn About Fire Safety
October 12, 2016
The Century Station of Escambia County Fire Rescue stopped by the Camp Fire Century Youth Learning Center Tuesday for their fire and bike safety week.
The firefighters taught the children about stop, drop and roll, how to crawl out of a house full of smoke and what a fireman will look and sound like trying to rescue them. They also had a chance to sit in a firetruck.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
