Jackson Generals Beat The Blue Wahoos 5-0
May 22, 2018
The Jackson Generals put on an offensive showcase against the Blue Wahoos in Monday night’s game to complete the series sweep at Blue Wahoos Stadium. The game was called after the top of the eighth as the rain began coming down, which gave the Generals a 5-0 win.
Starting pitcher Wyatt Strahan (L 4-3) got off to a shaky start. The right-hander allowed a two-run double to Rudy Flores that gave the Generals an early 2-0 lead. His pitching woes continued as Kevin Madrano singled home two, which doubled the Generals lead to 4-0 after two innings. However, he finished strong and did not allow a run over his final three innings.
Arizona Diamondbacks top prospect Jon Duplantier (W 3-1), pitched six shutout innings and allowed just one infield single on the night. The Wahoos were unable to solve Duplantier and the Generals starter did not allow a runner in scoring position all night. Yuhei Nakaushiro pitched a scoreless inning in the seventh inning before the game was called. Jackson’s win handed Pensacola its first five-game sweep since May 3-7 at the hands of Chattanooga.
The Wahoos will have an off day Tuesday before continuing the homestand with a five-game series against the Tennessee Smokies starting Wednesday night. Right-handed pitcher Daniel Wright (2-2, 4.63) will start for the Wahoos against Tennessee right-hander Trevor Clifton (3-3, 3.83).
Gulf Power To Be Sold In Multi-Billion Dollar Deal
May 21, 2018
In a major move in the state’s utility industry, the parent company of Florida Power & Light said Monday it will buy Northwest Florida’s Gulf Power as part of a $6.475 billion deal.
NextEra Energy Inc. plans to buy Gulf Power, the Florida City Gas natural-gas company and ownership interests in two power plants from The Southern Company. The purchase of Gulf Power and the stakes in the power plants, which are subject to federal approval, are expected to close during the first half of 2019, while the Florida City Gas purchase is slated for the third quarter of 2018, according to a NextEra Energy announcement.
The deal would expand NextEra Energy’s already-massive footprint in the state. Its Florida Power & Light subsidiary is by far the largest electric utility in Florida, serving nearly 5 million customers. Gulf Power, with about 450,000 customers in eight counties, is the largest utility in the Panhandle.
Florida City Gas has about 110,000 residential and commercial natural-gas customers in Miami-Dade, Brevard, St. Lucie and Indian River counties. NextEra said it will buy a 100 percent ownership interest in a power plant near Cocoa known as Plant Oleander, which has contracts to sell electricity to the Florida Municipal Power Agency and Seminole Electric Cooperative. It also will buy a 65 percent stake in a plant near Orlando known as the Stanton Energy Center, which has contracts with the Orlando Utilities Commission and the Florida Municipal Power Agency.
“These transactions will provide meaningful benefits for the state of Florida, and Gulf Power and Florida City Gas customers, as well as NextEra Energy shareholders,” Jim Robo, chairman and chief executive officer of NextEra Energy, said in a prepared statement. “Importantly, these transactions are consistent with our long-standing, disciplined approach of maintaining the strength of our balance sheet and credit ratings, both of which are among the strongest in the industry.”
NextEra Energy plans to finance the deal through the issuance of new debt, according to the announcement. The $6.475 billion total includes NextEra Energy assuming $1.4 billion of Gulf Power debt.
Subsidiaries of The Southern Company, which is based in Atlanta, operate in numerous states. In addition to Gulf Power, the subsidiaries include Alabama Power, Georgia Power and Mississippi Power. The Florida Public Service Commission last year approved a settlement agreement that set base rates for Gulf Power.
In the announcement, NextEra Energy said that with the addition of Gulf Power, Florida City Gas and the power plants, the Juno Beach-based company “will be even better positioned to generate long-term shareholder value through a more robust financial profile, greater scale and an expanded platform for growth.”
by Jim Saunders The News Service of Florida
Driver Rolls Vehicle
May 21, 2018
One person was injured in a single vehicle rollover crash Sunday night.
The accident happened about 9:45 p.m. on Highway 95A at East Roberts Road when the driver of GMC Yukon lost control and overturned into the Wayne Frier Home Center lot. The driver’s injuries were not considered life threatening.
The crash is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. Further details have not been released.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
This Week’s Gradution Schedule, New Security Guidelines
May 21, 2018
Graduation ceremonies will be held this week for most Escambia County schools, and there are important new security rules in place for those held at the Pensacola Bay Center.
The schedule is as follows:
May 21 – 11:00 Camelot Academy at First Baptist Church of Warrington
May 21 – 6:00 p.m. Judy Andrews (Second Chance) at Pensacola High School
May 23- George Stone EMT/Fire Academy 6p.m., Washington High
May 23 – George Stone Criminal Justice Center, 7 p.m. West Florida High
May 24 – at Pensacola Bay Center:
11:00 a.m. J.M. Tate High School
2:30 p.m. West Fla. High School
6:00 p.m. Pine Forest High School
May 25 – at Pensacola Bay Center:
11:00 a.m. Escambia High School
2:30 p.m. Pensacola High School
6:00 p.m. B.T. Washington High School
The Escambia County School District distributed the following security information for graduations held at the Pensacola Bay Center:
“There will be metal detectors in use. All patrons and bags are subject to a security search. Friends and family are encouraged to leave all gift exchanges for another location. Bags are limited to 12 inches and clutch purses size limit is 4.5” x 6.5” Camera lens must be 6 inches long or less. All attendees will be asked to remove keys and cell phones for the security search (belts, watches, jackets and jewelry may be left on and change and wallets may remain in a purse or pocket). Items that will be prohibited in the building include: large bags, backpacks, waist packs, strollers, noisemakers, signs or banners, containers, glass items, wrapped gifts. You may not bring in outside food or drinks. Also prohibited are any weapons, spikes, chains, laser pointers. Patrons with these items inside may be ejected from the venue. Umbrellas are restricted, but in the event of inclement weather, they will be allowed once cleared by security. Bay Center Security may also ban any other item deemed inappropriate or challenging to public safety.”
More Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms All Week
May 21, 2018
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Tuesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 85. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
Tuesday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Wednesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 86. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Wednesday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Thursday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 88. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Thursday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming east after midnight.
Friday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 86. East wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Friday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68. East wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Saturday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 85. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Saturday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 67. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Sunday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 86. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Sunday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 67.
Memorial Day: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 87. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Students Cast Ballots For Favorite Books With Supervisor Of Elections Help
May 21, 2018
Students across Escambia County voted for their favorite books in Sunshine State Youth Reader Award book elections with the help of the Escambia County Supervisor of Elections.
The winning book at Ransom Middle School was “The War That Saved My Life”.
At McArthur Elementary School, 120 students cast a ballot. The favorite book among second graders was “Narwhal Unicorn of the Sea”, while third through fifth grade students chose “The Wild Robot”.
At Lipscomb Elementary School, the top book was “Maxi’s Secrets: Or What You Can Learn From a Dog”.
Pictured: Sunshine State Youth Reader Award book elections at Lipscomb Elementary (top), Ransom Middle School (below) and MrArthur Elementary (bottom). Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia BOCC Weekly Meeting Schedule
May 21, 2018
Here is a schedule of Escambia County public meetings for the week of May 21-25:
Monday, May 21
Library Board of Governance – 4 p.m., 1301 W. Gregory St.
Tuesday, May 22
HUD Annual Plan Public Meeting – 5:30 p.m., 420 W. Chase St.
Environmental Enforcement Special Magistrate – 1:30 p.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place
Merit System Protection Board – 5 p.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place, 4th Floor Training Room
Wednesday, May 23
Coffee with Commissioner Bergosh – 6:30 a.m., McDonald’s, 5 S. Blue Angel Parkway
DSM Professional Advisory Committee – 8:30 a.m.,Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place, Room 104
Development Review Committee – 1 p.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place
Santa Rosa Island Authority Committee – 5 p.m., 1 Via de Luna, Pensacola Beach
Santa Rosa Island Authority Budget Workshop – 5:05 p.m., 1 Via de Luna, Pensacola Beach
Thursday, May 24
FloridaWest EDA Board of Directors – 1 p.m., 418 W. Garden St., Room 307
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
County Renews Contract For Lake Stone Caretaker
May 21, 2018
The Escambia County Commission is extending their caretaker agreement for the Lake Stone Campground near Century.
Dennis Keith Cole will continue to manage thee facility for another year, until May 31, 2019. He will be paid $11,400 in 12 equal monthly installments of $950 with housing and utilities provided. Cole was first named Lake Stone caretaker in June 2013.
Lake Stone Campground is a 100-acre campground and boat ramp facility located at 801 West Highway 4. The campground has 77 campsites for everything from big RV rigs to tents. Lake Stone is the Escambia County’s only facility located on a fresh water lake. The facilities include a boat ramp , indoor public use pavilion, a playground, showers, restrooms, a fishing pier, security lights, electrical and water hookups, a sewage dump station, picnic areas and the lake.
The Lake Stone pavilion or campsites can be reserved by calling the Lake Stone campground manager at (850) 256-5555 or Escambia County Parks and Recreation at (850) 475-5220.
Since the inception of the Lake Stone Campground, the County has entered into an agreement for on-site caretaker/management services at the facility.
NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Higher Test Score Standards Could Lead To Drop In Graduation Rates
May 21, 2018
Freshmen entering Florida high schools this fall will need higher scores on alternative tests to meet graduation standards in math and language arts, under a rule adopted by the state Board of Education on Wednesday.
School districts warned the higher test scores could prevent more minority students and students learning to speak English from graduating. But state education officials said the new “concordant” scores on exams like the SAT or ACT, which can be used in place of regular assessments, will bring those alternative tests in line with more rigorous education standards adopted in 2016.
The change won’t effectively take place until the spring of 2022, when this fall’s freshman class will be graduating from high school.
The rule impacts students who cannot pass the language arts portion of the Florida Standards Assessment exam, which replaced the FCAT. It will also affect students who cannot pass the “end-of-course” exam for Algebra 1.
Students have the option of using alternative tests like the SAT or ACT to meet those high-school graduation standards. They currently also can take the Postsecondary Education Readiness Test (PERT) to meet the algebra requirement.
The new rule, adopted by the Board of Education during a meeting in Pinellas County, would raise the passing scores for the 2022 graduates on the SAT and ACT. It would also eliminate the PERT, which state officials said is not as rigorous as current math standards.
For instance, the passing score for the reading and writing portion of the SAT would increase from 430 to 480. Students would need a 420 on the math portion of the SAT or a 16 on the ACT math test to meet the algebra requirement.
In an amendment adopted Wednesday, the state board also added the preliminary SAT (PSAT) as another option for meeting the graduation requirements.
But the board’s action came over the objections of a number of Florida school districts, which have questioned the impact of the higher tests scores on their graduation rates.
Kelly Thompson, director of assessment and accountability for the Seminole County school system, said half of the students who currently use the alternative tests to help the district achieve its 88.6 percent graduation rate will not be able to do that with the higher scores.
She projected it would mean 428 students, including 252 African-American and Hispanic students, would end up “without a high-school diploma because of a number on a test on a given day” once the new scores take effect.
Ashlee Zienteck was one of three Winter Springs High School students who asked the board not to adopt the rule.
Zienteck said she was diagnosed with a learning disability in elementary school but will graduate this year, having earned passing scores on the SAT and ACT to make up for falling short by “one question” on the FSA.
“Please don’t change the scores because it makes it harder not only for me but for other kids that are like me who struggle with testing,” said Zienteck, who has earned a scholarship to play softball in college.
In a resolution to the board, Duval County projected the new rule would reduce its graduation rate by 7 to 11 percent, denying 850 students a diploma. Duval officials said the impact could be even greater for schools serving high-poverty populations, projecting graduation declines as high as 30 percent.
Although the vote for the rule was unanimous, several board members expressed concern about the impact.
Michael Olenick, who said he had a son who struggled to earn his high-school degree, said he understood the board had to adopt the rule to comply with the state law on testing standards, but the impact on minority and non-English speaking students “is still hanging over my head.”
Education Commissioner Pam Stewart said the debate over the policy and its impact occurred in 2016, when the board adopted the rule imposing the new testing structure. She said Wednesday’s rule implemented that policy after education officials had collected enough data to set the alternative test scores based on the new standards.
Stewart also said the Department of Education would maintain its priority of reducing the graduation-rate gap between at-risk students and the overall student population.
“It is about ensuring we do the right thing by those vulnerable students that we have talked about, to ensure that they graduate with those competencies and skills that they need in the world no matter what they are going to do,” she said.
by Lloyd Dunkelberger, The News Service of Florida
Bratt Elementary Celebrates Reading With Star Wars Party
May 21, 2018
Bratt Elementary School held a Star Wars themed Accelerated Reader Party for students that met their reading goals for the year.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
