Sunny, Low 80’s Today; Storms By Thursday
October 31, 2018
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 82. Light southeast wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
Wednesday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70. South wind around 10 mph.
Thursday: Showers and thunderstorms. High near 76. South wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
Thursday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 57. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west after midnight.
Friday: Partly sunny, with a high near 64. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 45. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm after midnight.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 70. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph.
Saturday Night: Clear, with a low around 49. East wind around 5 mph.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 73.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 53.
Monday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 76.
Monday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 62.
Tuesday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 78.
Convicted Felon Arrested For Cantonment Shooting
October 31, 2018
A Cantonment man has been arrested in connection with a Cantonment shooting in July.
Ke’Shawn Denzel Bryant, 23, is charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and possession of a weapon by a convicted felon. He remained in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $300,000.
On July 28, Bryant allegedly shot an adult relative at his residence in the 1400 block of Muscogee Road.
The victim told the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office that after he arrived at the residence, Bryant walked toward him and fired twice from about 10 feet away. He was struck in his right ankle and right upper thigh. Bryant immediately ran into a wooded area behind the residents, and deputies could not immediately locate him, according to an arrest report.
Bryant’s criminal history indicates he has been convicted six times of a being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm.
Pictured: The scene shortly after a July 28 shooting in the 1400 block of Muscogee Road in Cantonment. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
No Injuries In Highway 97 Crash
October 31, 2018
There were no injuries in a two vehicle accident late Tuesday night on Highway 97 in Walnut Hill.
A pickup truck and 2019 Chevrolet Tahoe collided near a curve just north of the Walnut Hill Community Center about 11:25 p.m. The pickup truck came to rest in a wooded area, while the SUV came to rest about 400 feet away in front of the community center. The driver of the pickup and the driver and a passenger in the SUV all refused medical treatment.
The accident is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. The Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue and Escambia County EMS also responded.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Gulf Power Rate Decrease Approved For 2019
October 31, 2018
Gulf Power received unanimous approval Tuesday from the Florida Public Service Commission to pass along additional tax savings to its 460,000 customers in Northwest Florida.
Gulf Power also recently filed a separate request with the FPSC to reduce prices based on reduced fuel, conservation and environmental costs. In total, if all of the proposed changes are approved by the FPSC, the average Gulf Power customer using 1,112 kilowatt-hours per month can expect to see a $2.70 drop on their monthly electricity bill beginning in January. Customers who use more electricity will see more savings while customers who use less will see less.
The approval will reduce rates for 2019 and beyond by approximately $9.6 million on an annual basis and reflects the remaining tax savings resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. The proposed decrease comes on the heels of the previous tax-related rate decrease of $103 million for 2018.
The tax savings are the result of federal tax reductions under the new Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which was signed into law on Dec. 22, 2017, and became effective on Jan. 1, 2018. The decrease in the corporate tax rate from 35 percent to 21 percent reduces the amount of federal income tax Gulf Power will have to pay and allows the energy provider to pass that savings along to customers.
“We’re so pleased to be able to pass these additional savings along to our customers,” said Stan Connally, Gulf Power chairman, president and CEO. “The bottom line for the average customer is savings of about $32 per year that will begin in January. This will be the eighth time in 10 years we’ve been able to decrease prices.”
On the tax-related decrease, Gulf Power worked together to reach an agreement with the Office of Public Counsel, the Florida Industrial Power Users Group, The Florida Retail Federation and the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy to agree on how to deliver these savings to customers.
“Gulf Power, alongside the Office of Public Counsel and other groups reached an agreement that would bring the best short- and long-term value to our customers,” said Connally. “Beginning in January 2019, Gulf Power customers will see additional savings that will be reflected on their future energy bills. I’m excited that our prices will be the lowest they’ve been in five years.”
Bratt Elementary School Names October Students Of The Month
October 31, 2018
Bratt Elementary School has named students of the month for October. They are:
Pre-K
- Christian Madison
- Rileigh Barlow
Kindergarten
- Jackson Beasley
- Claeb Madison
- Ariel Alexander
- Cameron Hall
First Grade
- Cooper Rice
- Audrey Franklin
- Brylynn McGhee
- Chloe McCann
- Waylon Bell
Second Grade
- Landen Barlow
- Jamileon Syria
- Autumn Heist
- Carson Eady
Third Grade
- Logan Diller
- Madalynn Pittman
- Christain Roberts
- Evelyn Esparza
- Robbie Goens
Fourth Grade
- Dakota Richardson
- Crimson Davis
- Makayla Plato
Fifth Grade
- Carley Moore
- Luke Chavers
- Keeli Knighten
- Bryant Mason
Music
- Pryce Flowers
New FDLE App Allows Searches For Registered Sex Offenders Near You
October 31, 2018
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement has launced a new mobile app to see where sexual offenders have registered a residential address in Florida. The “Search Sexual Offenders and Predators” button is one of seven FDLE public services featured in the new app.
(The example maps below are from the app, showing sexual offenders within two miles of Bratt, Jim Allen and Molino Park elementary schools.)
“I can’t think of a better time to launch this app,” said FDLE Commissioner Rick Swearingen. “I hope all parents will download this before going trick or treating and then use it often to help keep their families safe or to report suspicious activity.”
The app also allows users to search active AMBER, Missing Child and Silver Alerts, search wanted persons or stolen vehicle and gun information, search unsolved cases in Florida, and submit a tip about suspicious activity.
The FDLE App is available for download free of charge in the Google Play store and the Apple App Store. Search for “FDLE Mobile App” in the Google Play Store or for “FDLE” in the Apple App Store.
To use the interactive map to display the registered residential addresses of sexual offenders and predators, location services on the mobile phone must be turned on. However, all other sections of the app still work even if location services are not turned on.
The FDLE mobile app does not track a user’s location or store personal information. FDLE noted it should never be used as an emergency app because it is not monitored 24/7.
NorthEscambia.com graphics.
Vehicle Fire Shuts Down Highway 297A
October 31, 2018
A vehicle fire on Highway 297A briefly shut down Highway 297A near West Kingsfield Road Tuesday night. The fire was extinguished by the Cantonment Station of Escambia Fire Rescue. There were no injuries report. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
High School Football Playoff Point Standings Released
October 31, 2018
The Florida High School Athletic Association has released current projected football playoff point standings for local schools:
6A Region 1
Navarre 41.44
Niceville 40.89
Escambia 40.11
Pine Forest 40.00
Crestview 38.33
Gulf Breeze 37.78
Pace 36.11
St. Augustine 34.78
Ed White 33.33
Milton 32.56
Choctawhatchee 32.56
Tate 31.11
Nease 31.11
Fort Walton Beach 30.56
Washington (Pensacola) 29.22
Middleburg 29.11
Englewood 26.89
1A Region 1
Baker 39.25
Jay 38.13
Vernon 36.43
Northview 35.78
Graceville 35.33
Bozeman 33.14
Holmes County 32.5
Chipley 32.43
Freeport 31.71
5A Region 1
Trinity Christian (Jacksonville) 44.10
Godby 42.89
Wakulla 39.56
West Florida 39.50
Bolles 39.22
Ponte Vedra 38.67
Ribault 37.00
Mosley 36.88
Suwannee 36.22
Pensacola 35.00
Arnold 34.57
Rickards 33.78
Bishop Kenny 33.33
Terry Parker 32.44
Stanton 31.67
Bay 31.17
Westside 30.89
Yulee 30.22
Paxon 27.67
For more information on the points system, click here for a informative pdf.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Century Historic Board Nixes Fence Rules, Votes To Prohibit Storage Containers
October 31, 2018
The Century Historic Preservation Board voted Tuesday to do away with fence requirements in the Alger-Sullivan Lumber Company Residential Historic District that differ from those in the rest of of the town, and the board voted to prohibit the use of storage containers.
The historic board wants the town council to reverse course on a new ordinance recommended by the board to allow only wooden fences in the historic historic district while reducing the side and rear fence allowable height from eight to six feet, and allow only transparent picket fences can be used in front yards.
The board also agreed to restrict the use of freight containers as storage buildings in the historic district.
The historic board’s recommendations must be approved by the town council before becoming final.
Pictured: Members of the Century Historic Preservation Board met Tuesday. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Atmore Man Killed In Semi Accident At Jay Peanut Processor
October 30, 2018
An Atmore man was killed in a semi-truck accident at a peanut processor on State Street in Jay Tuesday morning.
Florida Highway Patrol said the semi was parked unloading a load of peanuts on State Street. After unloading the cargo, semi driver Anthony Mincey of Georgia received communication to pull forward, according to the FHP. Mincey was unaware that 59-year old Craig Sullivan of Atmore was under the trailer attempting to clear debris from the undercarriage.
Sullivan was struck by the moving vehicle. He was airlifted to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola where he later passed away from his injuries.
Any charges in in the incident are pending the outcome of the Florida Highway Patrol investigation.