Scott Signs Budget, Takes It Easy On Vetoes
March 17, 2018
With a light touch of his veto pen, Gov. Rick Scott on Friday signed a new $88.7 billion state budget, eliminating only $64 million in spending and projects, the lowest total of his seven-plus years as governor.
“Today, Florida is strong, and I am proud of our hard work over the past seven years to grow the economy, invest in education, protect the environment and keep our families safe,” Scott said in a budget message.
He said his final budget as governor “will continue to advance the priorities of Florida families for years to come and keep Florida’s future strong.”
Scott wasted little time in dealing with the budget, which was passed by the House and Senate on Sunday and delivered to him Wednesday. The budget will take effect July 1.
Related story: Scott Vetoes $1 Million For Beulah Beltway, Nearly $1 Million For UWF
His $64 million in vetoes was lower than the $69 million he eliminated in 2014, when he was running for re-election. Scott, a Republican, is considering a run for the U.S. Senate this year against Bill Nelson, the Democratic incumbent. This year’s vetoes represent a little more than 10 percent of the $615 million Scott eliminated in his first year in office in 2011, his high mark for vetoed spending.
But rather than focus on the vetoes Friday, Scott emphasized the spending initiatives in the new budget, as well as a tax-cut package that includes sales-tax “holidays” and a slight reduction in a commercial-lease tax. The budget plan also avoided $377 million in increased property taxes for schools because lawmakers decided to roll back a tax rate.
In an interview Friday with The News Service of Florida, Senate President Joe Negron, R-Stuart, said he was pleased with the governor’s support for the Senate’s initiatives, including a $122 million increase in funding for Bright Futures college scholarships.
“I think the vetoes were very modest, and I’m grateful to the governor for his consideration of Senate priorities,” Negron said.
While Scott and Republican legislative leaders have touted the budget, the Florida Association of District School Superintendents this week asked Scott to call a special session to increase funding for the 67 school districts. Although the budget includes a $101.50 increase in per-student funding, the superintendents said districts, on average, would only see a 47-cent increase in basic funding per-student because much of the new money was targeted for mental health and safety issues following last month’s mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Broward County.
In signing the budget, Scott rejected that request, emphasizing the “record” level of funding for the kindergarten-through-high-school system, including a $485 million increase over the current year.
He also cited the $400 million school-safety initiative, which will increase funding for mental-health services, school resource officers and security improvements at schools after the Feb. 14 mass shooting that killed 17 people.
by Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida
Showers Stick Around Through Monday
March 17, 2018
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Saturday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mostly cloudy, with a high near 77. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Patchy dense fog after 1am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 63. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
Sunday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Patchy dense fog before 9am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 79. Southwest wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Sunday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 64. South wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Monday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 78. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Monday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 59. South wind around 10 mph.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 72. West wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 43. Northwest wind around 10 mph.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 64.
Wednesday Night: Clear, with a low around 38.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 64.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 40.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 69.
Rain Reschedules Branden Penegar Car Show For March 31
March 17, 2018
Due to rain this weekend, the annual Brandon Penegar Memorial Car Show has been rescheduled for Saturday, March 31.
Any make, model or year car is welcomed for the show. Car registration will be from 8:00-11:00 a.m. on March 31. The fee is $15 to only display a car, $25 to enter the car in the show. Spectator admission is free. Click here for a printable flyer (pdf) with more information.
Branden Penegar, known as the “Gentle Giant” was a 2011 graduate of Tate High School, an assistant coach for the freshman Tate Aggies’ football program and varsity tennis team, and a member of the Tate High School Student Hall of Fame. He passed away in March 2013 at the age of 20. Penegar was a active member of the Gonzalez United Methodist Church and youth program.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Gulf Power Wind Energy Powering Over 130,000 Homes
March 17, 2018
Gulf Power customers may be surprised to learn that some of the energy they use to wash clothes, cook dinner and power their ever-growing inventory of electronics and smart-home gizmos comes from wind.
At the beginning of 2016, Gulf Power became the leading purchaser of wind energy in Florida. As the utility marks its second anniversary of wind in its mix, it has provided more than 1.7 million megawatts hours of wind-generated energy, enough to power 131,842 houses.
“Two years later, we continue to be the leading purchaser of wind energy in Florida,” said Kimberly Blair, Gulf Power spokesperson. “Wind marked a major step forward in our promise to an efficient and reliable energy future. By using a balanced energy mix that includes smart renewable energy like Kingfisher Wind Farm, our customers can count on us for their energy needs.”
The Kingfisher Farm is among six renewable energy sources that generate 11 percent of Gulf Power’s energy mix. The other renewable sources are three solar farms that make up the Gulf Coast Solar Centers — 1.5 million photovoltaic solar panels on three military bases across Northwest Florida — and the Perdido Landfill Gas-to-Energy facility in Escambia County, Florida.
The benefits of wind are significant. Research from the Department of Energy confirms that producing energy from wind involves zero direct emissions. Wind is one factor that has contributed to Gulf Power reducing greenhouse gas emissions by nearly 50 percent over the past decade.
While wind energy is seen as an emerging green energy source today, it’s been used for thousands of years — propelling boats along the Nile River as early as 5000 BC and turning simple windmills to pump water in China in 200 BC, according to the Wind Energy Foundation.
As of 2017, the United States’ wind power capacity surpassed 82 gigawatts, according to Energy.gov, making it the largest renewable generation capacity in the United States — enough to power more than 20 million average American homes. The projected growth of wind-energy projects is on track to provide 10 percent of the nation’s energy by 2020 alongside $85 billion in economic activity and 50,000 new jobs, according to the American Wind Energy Association.
“Desiring to harness this clean energy, Gulf Power entered into its first wind agreement involving a 178-megawatt portion of the Kingfisher Wind Farm in January 2016. A second agreement involving an additional 94 megawatts was inked in February 2017, for a total of 272 megawatts of wind capacity.
“We are always looking at renewable energy opportunities that make economic sense for our customers,” said Blair. “Gulf Power is leading the way in Florida.”
Little River State Forest North Of Atmore Reopens
March 17, 2018
Little River State Forest and Claude D. Kelley Recreational Area north of Atmore reopened Saturday.
The park will be open to the public on weekends for day-use only, from Friday noon through Sunday at 5:00 pm.
According to officials with the Alabama Forestry Commission (AFC), the park’s hours of operation will be expanded in the near future, and camping sites should be available soon. Closed for over a year now, State Forester Rick Oates said, “We are truly excited to reopen Little River. As owners of the park, our agency has a responsibility to see that this beautiful, natural state resource is available for the public’s benefit.”
Consisting of approximately 2,100 acres of longleaf pine forest and a 25-acre lake, Little River State Forest and Claude D. Kelley Recreational Area offers a beautiful setting for outdoor adventures including hiking, swimming, fishing, and horseback riding. Along the trails there are plenty of opportunities to view wildlife, and bird watchers find it an exceptional site to observe species of all types. Pavilions are available (in varying dimensions to accommodate different group sizes) to rent by the day for family reunions, weddings, church events such as Easter sunrise services, as well as Boy Scout and Girl Scout activities. All of these activities are available for a moderate entry fee.
Oates continued, “Plans for the near future include providing electricity, water, and sewage hook-ups for people with campers and travel trailers.”
There is something at Little River State Forest and Claude D. Kelley Recreational Area for everyone, including history buffs. A literal example of US President Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s ‘Great and Lasting Good,’ much of the original construction remaining on the grounds hails from the ‘CCC Era.’ Previously owned by private individuals, the property was deeded to the Alabama Forestry Commission in the early 1930s during the Great Depression. As a Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) development project, workers from Company 1432 built structures (now a cabin and office), pavilions, the Gazebo Trail, as well as the lake with its dam, levee, and spillway from local stone..
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Clara V. Smith
March 17, 2018
Clara V. Smith, 83, of Pensacola, FL passed away on Thursday, March 15, 2018.
She was born on October 23, 1934, in Alabama to the late George and Clara Denham Vaughn. She was very active in her church working in leadership positions, Sunday School, Women’s Ministry, choir and food pantry. Clara was an avid poem writer and was involved in the local Cancer Society. She was a strong, loving and caring person who adored her family.
She is preceded in death by husband, Charles W. Smith; parents; and daughter, Karen McNeil.
Clara is survived by her daughter, Brenda Smith; son, Charles W. “Bill” (Shelia) Smith, II; grandchildren, Lona Thiel, Shauncey (Chloe) Fury, Michael McNeil, Joshua McNeil, Tyler (Krista) Smith and Raegan Smith; nine great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Monday, March 19, 2018, at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North with Rev. Wesley Jackson and Rev. Billy Adams officiating.
Burial will follow services in Pugh’s Chapel Cemetery.
The family will receive friends on Sunday, March 18, 2018, from 3 p.m. until 6 p.m. and at 8 a.m. on Monday prior to services at the funeral home.
Pallbearers will be Shauncey Fury, Joshua McNeil, Michael McNeil, Tyler Smith, Jason Vaughn and Ronnie Ward.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is entrusted with the arrangements.
Christeen Morgan
March 17, 2018
On March 13, 2018 Christeen Morgan moved to her Heavenly Home. She was born in Uriah, AL on November 12, 1928, to the late Leonard and Ethel Ardis Glover.
She is preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, Otha Douglas Morgan; sister, Olean Emmons and Ruth Cabiness; and brothers, Eugene, Troy and Junior Glover.
Left to cherish her memory are her two daughters, Cynthia (Randy) Peters and Fay (Glenn) Faircloth; grandchildren, Jason (Jamie) Peters and Brandon Peters; great-grandchildren, Emily, Michael, Zach and Scott; one brother, Clark (Marie) Glover; step-grandson, Andy (Stephani) Faircloth; step-great-grandchildren, Sydney and Matthew and numerous nieces and nephews and a very special next door “son” Joey Brown.
Her home going celebration will be Friday March 16, 2018, from the Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Kevin Flannagin and Rev. Doug Odom officiating.
Interment will follow in Bratt Godwin Cemetery.
Active pallbearers were Jimmy McElhaney, Jerry McElahney, Josh McElhaney, Chris McElhaney, Roy Ward, Kevin Odom.
Honorary pallbearers were Scott Lee, Alvin Brown, James Bolton, John McCall, Ronnie Boone, Willie Peebles, David Johnson, Mike McCall, and Wayne Faircloth.
Special thanks goes to Hilda Hiebert, Gloria Gilman, Deborah Baldwin, Linda Doyle, and Emerald Coast Hospice for the loving care and support during her illness.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Bratt Godwin Cemetery.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.
Natural Gas Pipeline To Be Installed Along Hwy 29, Not In Century Residential Neighborhoods
March 16, 2018
A company installing a natural gas pipeline has abandoned plans take a path through a Century residential neighborhood.
Instead, Florida Public Utilities (FPU) will install the pipeline under sidewalks along Highway 29 under a new agreement reached with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT).
“FDOT just approved a new plan this afternoon,” Barry Kennedy, director of gas operations for FPU, told NorthEscambia.com Thursday afternoon. “We will be using Highway 29 after they agreed we could go under the sidewalks and our hours were extended.”
FDOT will allow the company to work 5 pm. to 5 a.m. to bore and place the pipeline under the sidewalks on the east side of Highway 29 south from East Highway 4. There will be minimal lane closures, Barry said, with work expected to last about six weeks.
FDOT previously approved plans to run the pipeline along Highway 29 through Century, but new restrictions were imposed. FDOT specified that the gas pipeline be placed underneath the outer northbound lane of Highway 29, and work would only be allowed during the night and overnight hours. The job would require digging large holes in Highway 29 every 1,000 to 1,500 feet in order to bore the pipe under the roadway. It was estimated that the process would take about three months.
FPU then switched plans, looking to bury the pipeline aong Jefferson Avenue and Salters Lake Road within an estimated two week time frame. But that idea raise the ire of local residents along Jefferson Avenue in Century as they expressed concerns over property values, damage to their property and safety.
Pipes that were preliminarily placed along Salters Lake Road, but not buried, will be removed.
The Town of Century held a public meeting last week with concerned residents and FPU, and schedule another meeting for Thursday, March 16 — but that meeting was canceled Thursday afternoon after the new agreement was reached with FDOT.
Florida Public Utilities is constructing the pipeline along a 42-mile route through North Escambia from Century to Nine Mile Road. The pipeline continues south from Century along Highway 29 right of way from Century to Old Chemstrand Road. From there, an eight-inch line will follow Old Chemstrand Road to Ascend, while another eight-inch line will continue south on Highway 29 to Highway 95A in Cantonment to West Roberts Road to Pine Forest Road to West Nine Mile Road where the project will connect to an existing gas system.
Florida Public Utilities is a private company, not a government agency.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Don Ripley Retiring As ‘Century Care’ Administrator
March 16, 2018
Century Health and Rehabilitation Administrator Don Ripley is retiring. A retirement reception in his honor was held Thursday.
Ripley has been a dedicated member of the Century community since 1999 when he set out on a mission to make what was then called the Century Care Center the best skilled nursing Home in the area.
He devoted time and effort to projects like the construction of a stocked fish pond for residents, a producing garden, and numerous programs to reach the interest of residents.
Ripley was also devoted to the community, volunteering as a board members and vice-president of the Century Area Chamber of Commerce, where he served on numerous committees and recruited volunteers. He was also a proud supporter of the Alger-Sullivan Historical Society, the Century Lions Club, the Rotary Club, and local schools.
In 2016, the Century Area Chamber of Commerce named Ripley their Citizen of the Year.
Ripley said he plans to spend time fishing during his retirement. He final day on the job will be March 30.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
First Responders Attend LifeFlight Training Class
March 16, 2018
Multiple local agencies attended a LifeFlight training class Thursday evening at the Flomaton Fire Department.
Local fire departments support LifeFlight be establishing safe landing zones and standing by in case of an accident involving the helicopter and crew.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
