Construction Underway On North Escambia Solar Farm (With Photo Gallery)
August 31, 2021
Gulf Power is now working to install 300,000 solar panels at the Cotton Creek Solar Energy Center in North Escambia.
At about 500 acres, the site on Bogia Road will have the capacity to generate 75 megawatts — enough energy to power 15,000 homes and the emissions-free energy generated is the equivalent to removing 14,000 cars from the road annually.
The development is in an area north of West Bogia Road between South Pine Barren Road and Highway 29, just west of Ray’s Chapel Baptist Church.
For a photo gallery, click here.
“With every panel installed, we are ushering in a more sustainable future for Florida by delivering cleaner, lower-cost energy while increasing reliability for our customers,” said Mike Spoor, Gulf Power vice president. “With each solar farm we build, we are driving down costs that will ultimately lead to lower bills for our customers. We are also reducing our carbon footprint and providing cleaner air for our region, ensuring we keep Northwest Florida beautiful for generations to come, while also benefiting the local economy with the contribution of hundreds of thousands of additional tax dollars.”
The project has created about 100 construction jobs, according to Gulf Power, that have attracted local skilled installers and laborers, who get the opportunity to work in the innovative renewable energy industry. Some workers travel to the area to work, providing an economic boost through their purchases of goods and services. Gulf Power said the company has many local hires from counties across Northwest Florida working on the project, and the company is also using local vendors where possible for goods and services.
When the Cotton Creek Solar Energy Center and Blue Springs Solar Energy Center in Jackson County are completed in early 2022, they will join Gulf Power’s Blue Indigo Solar Energy Center in Jackson County in provided solar power. Cotton Creek will be Gulf Power’s first owned and operated solar energy center in Escambia County.
Gulf Power is in the development phase for the First City Solar Energy Center, also in North Escambia. Similar in size and capacity to power another 15,000 homes, First City will be located off Holland, Cox and Roach roads in McDavid.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Pictured: Constructions is underway on the Cotton Creek Solar Energy Center in Bogia. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Flood Warnings For The Perdido And Escambia Rivers
August 31, 2021
Flood warnings are in effect for the Perdido and Escambia rivers.
Perdido River
A flood warning is in effect for the Perdido River near Barrineau Park until early Saturday morning.
Early Tuesday morning, the stage was 14 feet, above flood stage of 13.0 Minor flooding is occurring and moderate flooding is forecast.
The river is forecast to rise to a crest of 19.1 feet by Wednesday evening and fall below flood stage Friday evening.
Escambia River
A flood warning is in effect for the Escambia River near Century from Wednesday afternoon to Thursday evening.
Monday night, the river stage was 10.4 feet; flood stage is 17 feet. Minor flooding is forecast.
The river is expected to rise above flood stage Wednesday afternoon and crest near 17.1 feet by Wednesday evening. The river will fall below flood stage Thursday afternoon.
At 17 feet, there will be considerable flooding of lowlands.
Nine Mile Road Paving Continues (As Weather Permits)
August 31, 2021
Road widening continues for Nine Mile Road between Pine Forest Road and the Highway 29 interchange in Escambia County.
As weather permits, crews are placing the final, friction layer of asphalt on the 6.5 mile stretch of Nine Mile Road. Once the asphalt is placed, a steel drum rolling machine, like the one pictured here, will make multiple slow passes to compact the surface and achieve the required density.
Crews plan to finish paving operations on this stretch of Nine Mile Road in early September.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Ida Moving Away. Clearing Skies, Breezy At Times, A Few Scattered Showers
August 31, 2021
The remnants of Ida are moving away from the North Escambia area. It will remain breezy at times this afternoon with a few scattered showers and thunderstorms possible. Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
This Afternoon: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 85. Southwest wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Tonight: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 71. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 69. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Thursday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Sunny, with a high near 87. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 64. North wind around 5 mph.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 88. North wind around 5 mph.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 65. Calm wind.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 88. North wind around 5 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 67.
Sunday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Sunny, with a high near 88.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 69.
Labor Day: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89.
Escambia County Surpasses 50% At Least Partially Vaccinated
August 31, 2021
Over half of Escambia County’s residents age 12 or older are now fully vaccinated for COVID-19, according to the CDC.
Data indicated 50.4% of the total population of Escambia County was partially vaccinated as of Monday, while 41.1% of the population was fully vaccinated with either the Johnson & Johnson “one shot” or both shots of the Pfizer or Moderna series.
There were 2,719 people in Escambia County that were vaccinated last week.
Escambia County has recorded 45,904 total COVID-19 cases.
Inmate Accused Of Assaulting Century Correctional Institution Officer
August 31, 2021
Inmate Mario J. Kilpatrick assaulted an officer at Century Correctional Institution by punching them, according to the Florida Department of Corrections.
“Staff responded appropriately, and the inmate was subdued,” FDC said.
Hines is serving a 21 year sentence for sexual battery, burglary with assault and robbery out of Wakulla County.
Florida Deploying Resources, Including Search And Rescue Teams, To Help With Hurricane Ida Recovery
August 31, 2021
Florida is deploying resources to assist Louisiana and Mississippi with recovery from Hurricane Ida.
“The state of Florida stands with both our Gulf Coast neighbors as they face the devastation left by Hurricane Ida,” said Gov. Ron DeSantis. “I am proud that we are able to deploy aid to both Mississippi and Louisiana during their time of need, just as others help Florida when disaster strikes here. We will continue to coordinate with both states to identify needed resources.”
Florida is sent Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) Task Forces 1 and 2 in Mississippi and mobilized both USAR Task Force 4 and 50 Florida National Guardsmen to Louisiana.
Florida is deploying its best and brightest to support our neighbors to the west,” said CFO and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis. “These Urban Search & Rescue Teams are the same ones that worked Surfside and they’re going to do a lot of good in getting impacted communities back on their feet. Thank you to Governor DeSantis for providing strong leadership for the recovery efforts following Hurricane Ida. The truth is everybody along the Gulf Coast looks out for each other; it’s no different than when Louisiana sent services following Hurricane Michael.”
The Florida Department of Emergency Management continues to work closely with the states of Louisiana and Mississippi to identify remaining needs. This includes coordinating with food banks in Louisiana that are serving residents displaced by the storm. Partners are on standby to assist Mississippi food banks as necessary.
In Florida, we know how disastrous a Category 4 hurricane can be,” said FDEM Director Kevin Guthrie. “As our partners in Louisiana and Mississippi continue to respond to Ida and begin their initial recovery process, the Division stands ready to deploy requested resources to assist. Our thoughts and prayers are with Gulf Coast residents impacted by Ida during this time, and we will continue to support their storm response.”
FDEM continues to work closely with the states of Louisiana and Mississippi to identify remaining needs. This includes coordinating with food banks in Louisiana that are serving residents displaced by the storm. Partners are on standby to assist Mississippi food banks as necessary.
State of Florida industry partners, including Florida Power, Light and the Florida Municipal Electric Association, Tampa Electric Company and Duke Energy immediately deployed utility restoration personnel and equipment to support Louisiana’s crews. More than 1,100 Florida utility restoration personnel are support these efforts.
FDEM has two Incident Management Teams on standby that are ready to deploy as requested. Incident Management Teams are comprised of state and local experienced emergency management professionals who are prepared to support the responses in Louisiana and Mississippi as necessary.
Nancy Hargrave
August 31, 2021
Nancy Hargrave passed away on August 28, 2021 at the age of 69. She was born in Gurdon, AR to Warren and Arline Bones. She graduated from Gurdon High School and Ouachita Baptist University. Nancy married Bobby Hargrave in 1973. She lived in many places as a Navy wife – ranging from Maine to the Philippines. While in Hawaii, they had two sons, Paul and Mark Hargrave. After a career in the Navy, Bobby and Nancy returned to Cantonment, FL where they made their home.
She was a member of Olive Baptist Church. Her faith in the Lord made her resilient. She loved cooking, sewing, going to Pilates and watching SEC football. She loved listening to music, playing piano, and collecting dolls and bears. But most of all, Nancy loved the people around her.
Friends and family are invited to celebrate her life at a memorial service at Faith Chapel North in Cantonment, FL, Thursday, September 2, at 1pm. Burial services will be held at a later date (TBD) in Gurdon, Arkansas.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is entrusted with the arrangements.
Schools, Government Offices, Other Services Will Be Open On Tuesday
August 30, 2021
Local schools and governments that were closed on Monday due to Ida will be open on Tuesday.
Announcements are listed below, and we generally expect everything else to be open unless posted otherwise below.
ESCAMBIA COUNTY – OPEN
- Escambia County School District campuses and offices will resume normal operations on Tuesday.
- University of West Florida will be open after 4:59 a.m. Tuesday.
- All Escambia County operations and offices will be open as usual on Tuesday.
- The Town of Century will be open on Tuesday.
- ECUA sanitation collections will be as normal on Tuesday.
- City of Pensacola offices will be open.
- Escambia County courts will resume normal operations.
- ECAT bus service will return to normal on Tuesday.
- Pensacola airport will be open.
- Ascension Medical Group Sacred Heart’s COVID drive-thru testing sites will be open after 9 a.m. Tuesday.
ESCAMBIA COUNTY – CLOSURES
- Barrineau Park Road bridge to Baldwin County is closed due to water over the bridge.
- Bands on the Beach has been canceled for Tuesday, August 31. The series will return September 7.
SANTA ROSA COUNTY – OPEN
- School Rosa County schools will be open on Tuesday, including extracurricular and after school activities.
- All Santa Rosa County offices will be open.
SANTA ROSA COUNTY – CLOSURES
- I-10 closed from Exit 24 to Exit 30 due to fuel spill.
- Deaton Bridge Road is closed at the bridge due to water over the bridge. Seek an alternate route
ESCAMBIA COUNTY, ALABAMA
- Escambia County (AL) schools will be open.
- Escambia Academy and Atmore Christian School will be open
Portion Of I-10 Westbound Closed In Santa Rosa Due To Fuel Spill
August 30, 2021
A portion of I-10 westbound is closed in Santa Rosa County due to a fuel spill
I-10 westbound in Santa Rosa County is closed from Exit 31 (Milton) to Exit 22 (Avalon Blvd) due to the fuel spill. Authorities say to seek an alternate route and use caution when approaching the area.
It is not known how long the closure will be in effect.
A vehicle traveling that part of the interstate was leaking diesel fuel causing slick conditions.
