Missing Kids Found Near Munson, Manhunt Underway For Their Biological Mother
March 3, 2021
Two young boys kidnapped Tuesday in Louisiana were found safe Wednesday afternoon near Munson in Santa Rosa County, but their mother remained on the run.
Kaesyn Heck, age 8, and Jax Matthews, age 4, were kidnapped by their biological mother Shawntel Heck Tuesday afternoon from their father’s home in Ponchatoula, Louisiana, according to Louisiana authorities. The children were in a 2013 Hyundai Elantra stolen from the father’s residence.
Deputies received information about a possible destination for Heck in Santa Rosa County. The two children were recovered about 2:30 p.m. Wednesday at an address off Byron Cooley Road, about three miles southwest of the Munson fire station.
The suspect fled from the area and a K-9 search began, according to Sgt. Rich Aloy of the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office. As of about 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, deputies were still searching for the suspect.
Shawntel Heck is a former resident of the Milton area, according to Santa Rosa County Jail records.
State Approves Two Rate Changes For Gulf Power. Here’s What It Means For Your Bill.
March 3, 2021
The Florida Public Service Commission on Tuesday approved two rate change requests from Gulf Power — one to cover Hurricane Sally recovery costs and the other due to the conversion to natural gas generation.
The rate changes will lead to a net decrease for customer bills beginning in March, according to Gulf Power.
Gulf Power customers will bear the cost of $206 million in Hurricane Sally costs. For residential customers, the charge will be $3 a month on a 1,000 kwh bill.
But that increase will be more than offset by savings from the conversion of Plant Crist, recently renamed as the Gulf Clean Energy Center, from coal to natural gas. Gulf Power constructed a 39-mile long natural gas pipeline through North Escambia from Century to the plant.
With an adjusted environmental cost recovery provision, there will be a net decrease in the typical residential customer bill of approximately 73 cents per month for the remainder of the year.
Earlier this year, Gulf Power announced that its Plant Crist coal units had been converted to natural gas delivered by a new pipeline. The company notified the FPSC late last year that it planned to retire the plant’s coal assets early, resulting in benefits to the local community as well as cost savings for customers.
“Ending our use of coal in Florida is part of our plan to usher in a new, cleaner energy era for Northwest Florida, along with emissions-free solar farms,” said Mike Spoor, vice president of Gulf Power. “Modernizing Gulf Clean Energy Center ensures we deliver benefits for our customers and our communities through greater reliability and lower costs along with cleaner emissions.”
The retirement of coal at the plant was accelerated by Hurricane Sally, which caused damage to the plant’s coal equipment. The company determined that it is in the best interests of its customers to accelerate the conversion to natural gas instead of repairing the coal equipment.
North Escambia plays a key role in Gulf Power’s plans to rely more on solar energy with two solar farms on about 1,200 acres in McDavid, as first reported by NorthEscambia.com.
Construction beginning on the Cotton Creek Solar Energy Center in the area of Bogia Road. At 74.2 megawatts, Cotton Creek will generate enough electricity to power 15,000 homes annually, according to Gulf Power.
Gulf Power is now seeking the necessary permits for the First City Solar Energy Center in the area of Cox and Roach Roads. It will be 74.5 megawatts, also enough to power another 15,000 homes annually.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Bratt Man Pursues Suspected Burglars Driving Stolen Truck In ‘Wild’ Chase
March 3, 2021
A Bratt man pursued suspected burglars driving a stolen truck in what was described by law enforcement as a wild chase during the early morning hours Tuesday.
It all started when a pickup truck was stolen from outside a business in the 11000 block of Highway 97 in Davisville about 2:30 a.m. By 4:30 a.m., the pickup was outside a home in the area of North Highway 99 and Macks Road in Bratt. The resident heard noises and thought his barn was being burglarized. The resident went outside, got in his vehicle and chased the stolen pickup, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
The Bratt man called 911 and was able to provide the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office with the license plate number and description of the stolen truck he was chasing.
“It went behind houses and through yards on McElhaney Road,” ECSO spokesperson Amber Southard told NorthEscambia.com. “The man kept following the stolen truck, and the suspects were driving wildly and attempting to elude him.”
The man told deputies that the suspects tried to hit his vehicle, and he was forced to take action avoid a collision several times.
“At one point, a suspect threw a large piece of PVC pipe out of the truck, striking the victim’s truck and damaging his side mirror,” Southard said. The man eventually lost sight of the stolen truck as it headed toward Alabama.
The Atmore Police Department later located the stolen truck and two suspects in a field in the area of Old Bratt Road and Airport Road. Atmore Police said the men were not immediately arrested, but unspecified charges are now pending. Arrest warrants for the vehicle theft are also expected to be issued in Florida.
File photo.
Design Firm Presents New OLF-8 Hybrid Concept During Virtual Town Hall (With Video)
March 3, 2021
The design firm that is working to create an master plan for the OLF-8 site in Beulah held a virtual town hall Tuesday night to present their latest mixed use concept.
On February 18, DPZ CoDesign first presented the new plan to the Escambia County Commission with a combination of commerce, residential and amenities (pictured bottom). The “Adjusted Hybrid Plan” allocates 271 acres to commerce and industrial; 61 acres to residential including duplexes, townhomes and multifamily; 47 acres to a mixed-use center such as residential over retail and office over retail; and 45 acres to trails and public amenities such as a post office, school, day care and community garden.
DPZ presented the plan to the public during the virtual meeting, allowing residents a chance to ask questions and present feedback. Participants were asked to complete a four questions survey, and those results are below. The number of people that took part in the survey was not announced with the results.
Video of the meeting is below; skip ahead to about 5:30 for the beginning of the nearly three hour town hall.
“We are optimistic this new compromise plan will have the political support to move forward into the next phase of the project,” said Marina Khoury, of DPZ CoDesign. “We value continued public engagement and community input.”
The county commission will discuss OLF-8 again at their next meeting.
Flags At Half Staff In Florida Today To Honor COVID-19 Victims And Families
March 3, 2021
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis had directed flags be flown at half staff across the state on Wednesday to recognize the victims of COVID-19 and their families.
Monday marked one year since DeSantis first declared a public health emergency in Florida in response to the COVID-19 outbreak.
“For the past year, millions of Americans have experienced great loss as loved ones succumbed to the virus and have encountered great challenges resulting from lockdowns, including harmful impacts to our economy, society, and mental health,” DeSantis said. “Thankfully, hope is on the horizon. Throughout the pandemic, Florida has prioritized and protected those most vulnerable to the virus, including seniors, long-term care residents and individuals with underlying health conditions.”
“We must remember all those lost so that we may move forward to ensure a brighter future for all Floridians,” the governor said.
Down Around 40 Degrees Wednesday Night
March 3, 2021
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 39. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 67. North wind around 5 mph.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 43. North wind around 5 mph.
Friday: Partly sunny, with a high near 70. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.
Friday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 48. East wind around 5 mph becoming north after midnight.
Saturday: A 30 percent chance of showers before 7am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 63. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 41. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 63. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 39. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 65.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 43.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 70.
Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 52.
Wednesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 72.
Free UF/IFAS Dicamba Stewardship Training Available Online For Farmers
March 3, 2021
The University of Florida’s Pesticide Information Office has launched Florida’s virtual 2021 Dicamba Stewardship Training. The training is free, short (roughly 36 minutes), and is virtual. There is no need to physically come into an Extension office to view the training as in years past. Due to the shorter length of this year’s training, there are no pesticide CEUs are associated with it.
This training is required for all applicators who plan to apply (or want the option of applying) dicamba over the top of cotton or soybean. These crop labeled dicamba products are XtendiMax, Engenia, Tavium, and Fexapan. All applicators using these products are required to have a restricted use pesticide license (no supervision of unlicensed applicators).
For the online training and more information, click or tap here. A completion certificate can be printed online to show proof of training.
Pictured: Traditional cotton with dicamba drift injury row (right) vs healthy (left). Photo by Jay Ferrell, UF/IFAS, for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Charles W. Guthrie
March 3, 2021
Mr. Charles W. Guthrie, 90, of Lynn Haven, FL passed away on Saturday, February 27, 2021. He was born on May 26, 1930 in Ranger, NC to Lon C. Guthrie and Ethel K. Guthrie. He was the 11th child of 14.
Mr. Guthrie was a veteran of the U.S. Army, was a police officer in Florala, AL and worked for the Division of Forestry at Tyndall AFB until his retirement in 1990. Other than loving his family, Charles was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping and anything to do with the woods.
He married Marie F. Guthrie on April 18, 1953. They were married for 54 yrs. until she passed away in 2008.
Mr. Guthrie is also preceded in death by his parents and numerous brothers & sisters.
He is survived by his children, Cynthia Smith (David) of Milton, FL, David Guthrie (Sandi), Kenneth Guthrie all of Southport, FL and Catherine Mount (Kelly) of Chipley, FL; one brother, Jack Guthrie (Evelyn) of Defuniak Springs, FL; grandchildren, Jesse Jalomo (Juan) of Milton, FL, Jacquelyn Johnston (Brian) of Century, FL, Rebecca Guthrie of Southport, FL, Justin Guthrie, Kevin Guthrie (Ashlynn) of Panama City, FL, Codey Guthrie (Amanda) of Long Beach, MS, Ethan Mount (Whitney) of Chipley, FL and Levi Mount (Xena) of Chancellor AL; great-grandchildren, Brianna Smith, Meredith Johnston, Madyson Guthrie, Miles Guthrie, Annalynn Guthrie, Caden Guthrie, Jordy Guthrie, Amelia Harris, Malone Harris, Ryleigh Farrell, EJ Mount and Kyle Mount; numerous nieces and nephews.
Graveside funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, March 4, 2021 at Lynn Haven Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, our Dad would want you to buy someone some bait or take them fishing.
Super Delta: Blue Angels and Air Force Thunderbirds Debut New Joint Flight Formation
March 3, 2021
For the first time ever, the Thunderbirds and Blue Angels flew a F-16 Fighting Falcon and F/A-18 Super Hornet flight formation known as the “Super Delta” during a joint training Tuesday afternoon over the Imperial Valley in California.
The formation grew out of a series of joint training opportunities held in 2020 and 2021, including joint training over Escambia County.
The Blue Angels and Thunderbirds will virtually debut a full flight this Memorial Day weekend during the nationwide broadcast of the National Memorial Day Parade: America Stands Tall that will air on ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC affiliate stations nationwide.
Photos top: SSgt Andrew Sarver, Thunderbirds. Photo below: MC2 Cody Hendrix, Blue Angels.
FDOH Reports One New Death, Another 91 New COVID-19 Cases In Escambia County
March 3, 2021
THIS IS AN ARCHIVED STORY. SEE NORTHESCAMBIA.COM FOR THE LATEST DATA.
There were 91 new COVID-19 cases and one additional death in Escambia County reported Tuesday by the Florida Department of Health.
Here is the latest data:
Escambia County cases:
Total cases: 33,804 (+91)
Non-Florida residents: 3,495
Recovered: 33,035*
Total deaths: 632 (+1)
Long-term care facility deaths: 269 (+2)
Current hospitalizations: 68
Number of tests reported last day: 1,020
Percent positive reported last day: 7.7%
Percent positive reported last week: 6.0%
Escambia County cases by location*:
Pensacola: 25,191 (+70)
Cantonment: 3,051 (+9)
Century: 1,146 (+3)
—-including 774 Century prison inmates
Molino: 480 (+2)
McDavid: 200 (+1)
Bellview: 56
Walnut Hill: 51
Perdido Key: 21
Gonzalez: 13
Santa Rosa County cases:
Total cases: 17,163 (+45)
Non-Florida residents: 216
Total deaths: 262
Long-term care facility deaths: 78
Cumulative Hospitalizations: 794*
Number of tests reported last day: 397
Percent positive reported last day: 10.0%
Santa Rosa County cases by location*:
Milton: 8,205 (+15)
Navarre: 3,519 (+12)
Gulf Breeze: 3,202 (+12)
Pace: 1,362 (+4)
Jay: 528 (+3)
Bagdad: 31
Florida cases:
Total cases: 1,918,100
Florida residents: 1,882,865
Deaths: 31,135
Hospitalizations: 79,731*
*“Hospitalizations” in the statewide and Santa Rosa County totals is a count of all laboratory confirmed cases in which an inpatient hospitalization occurred at any time during the course of illness. Most of these people are longer be hospitalized. The FDOH does not provide a count of patients currently hospitalized. The Escambia County number is current data compiled each day from the local hospitals.
**On cases by location, the city is based upon zip code and is not always received as part of the initial notification. There may be a delay in reporting locations, and locations will not total the daily case increase as a result.
***The Florida Department of Health does not have a clear standard or definition of “recovered” and does not report a number of recovered individuals. Escambia County is reporting an approximate recovery number defined as the total cases prior to last month, minus deaths. In other words, anyone that tested positive more than a month ago is presumed to have recovered by Escambia County.
**Data Sources: Florida Department of Health, Escambia County, City of Pensacola, local hospitals.