Florida Power & Light CEO Silagy Is Retiring
January 27, 2023
Eric Silagy, chairman, president and CEO of Florida Power & Light Company, is retiring after 20 years with the company, including 11 years leading FPL.
Silagy has worked for FPL parent company NextEra Energy for nearly two decades. Prior to his appointment as president of FPL in 2011, he served as senior vice president of regulatory and state governmental affairs and as chief development officer, managing all generation development, including solar, natural gas and nuclear energy projects. Silagy also spent time working for NextEra Energy Resources where he served as vice president and general manager of the southern region, and vice president of business development.
Armando Pimentel, who previously served in several senior executive roles with NextEra Energy, will rejoin the company and is named president and CEO, FPL. John Ketchum, chairman, president and CEO, NextEra Energy, was named chairman, FPL.
“Eric is a passionate advocate for continuous improvement and under his leadership FPL has transformed into the nation’s largest electric utility, providing our customers with the country’s most reliable service with bills significantly lower than the national average,” Ketchum said. “He is commitment to putting customers first was on full display last year during hurricanes Ian and Nicole, where his dedication, commitment and compassion drove the FPL team to restore power in record time and quickly put the state of Florida back on its feet. Eric has been a devoted supporter of the state and his work for a variety of organizations has helped to foster Florida’s economic growth, strengthen the state university system and grow the next generation of Florida leaders. I wish Eric and his family all the best on this next chapter in life.”
“It has been an honor and privilege to lead the FPL team for more than a decade and I couldn’t be more proud of the accomplishments we have delivered to our customers and the state of Florida,” said Silagy. “Over the last decade, we have transformed FPL’s generation fleet into one of the cleanest, most reliable and lowest-cost portfolios in the country, delivered award-winning customer service, ensured bills are significantly lower than the national average and provided our customers the best grid reliability in the country.
Pictured top: Eric Silagy, FPL chairman and CEO, during a commissioning ceremony for the Cotton Creek Solar Energy Ceremony in McDavid on March 24, 2022. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Steven Craig ‘Steve’ Morris
January 27, 2023
, age 57, of Atmore, AL passed away on January 25, 2023 in Pensacola, FL. He was born on February 6, 1965 in Atmore, AL to John and Lois Overstreet Morris. He was a member of Dry Spings Community Church. During his career, Steve served ten years with the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, sixteen years with the Atmore Police Department, and two years with the Flomaton Police Department.
Steve was an avid fisherman and hunter who especially loved his family. He is preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Rita Dunn.
He is survived by his wife, Kristina Todd Morris; his sons, Steven Morris, Jr. (Angie) of Atmore, AL, Jordan Lassitter (Taylor Sims) of Atmore, AL and Dylan Lassitter (Shawnee McGee) of Poarch, AL; his sisters, Elaine McKinley of Atmore, AL and Patti Prater of Newnan, GA and his grandchildren, Britton Morris, Weston Morris, Amelia Morris Ryleigh Lassitter and Blakelyn Lassitter.
Graveside services will be held Saturday, January 28, 2023 at 3:00 p.m. at Oak Hill Cemetery with Bro. John Spence officiating. Interment will follow in Oak Hill Cemetery. Active pallbearers will be his fellow police officers.
Visitation will be held Saturday, January 28, 2023 from 1:30 p.m. until 2:30 p.m. at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home.
Dump Truck Driver Hits Cow On Highway 95A
January 26, 2023
A driver was not injured when his vehicle struck a cow early Thursday morning near the Quintette area.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the 59-year old dump truck driver was traveling south on Highway 95A when his vehicle collided with “a cow that was crossing” the road about 5:50 a.m..
Witnesses tell us the cow came to rest in the ditch before later walking away. Troopers said the cow was later rounded up by its owner.
A photograph from the scene showed that more than one cow was loose near the crash scene.
Photo by Sarah Hassebrock for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Driver Killed When His Vehicle Crashes Off Bob Sikes Fishing Pier
January 26, 2023
The Florida Highway Patrol said a 24-year old man was killed when his vehicle plunged off the Bob Sikes Fishing Pier.
FHP said the man from Malvern Arkansas, was traveling north on the pier, when he failed to observe the end of the pier. His vehicle crashed into a concrete barrier and came to rest at the bottom of the water about 11:30 a.m.
The vehicle with the man’s body inside was recovered Thursday afternoon.
No additional details have been released.
Contractor Jesse LaCoste Charged With Fraud, Larceny
January 26, 2023
Local contractor Jesse Wayne LaCoste has been arrested on larceny and fraud charges in Escambia County.
According to jail records, LaCoste was charged with two counts of larceny between $20,000 and $100,000, insurance fraud between $20,000 and $100,000, larceny by a contractor failing to refund, and grand theft between $750 and $5,000.
LaCoste, 31, was released on a $130,000 bond within an hour of being booked in the Escambia County Jail.
LaCoste and his contractor brother-in-law Matthew Banks, have had their contractor licenses revoked in both Escambia and Santa Rosa counties after multiple accusations that they took payment for work that was never completed or even started. LaCoste was arrested in November on charges in Santa Rosa County for accepting $15,000 for work that was never done.
Earlier this month, LaCoste told the Escambia County Contractor Competency Board that he wants his privilege to pull building permits reinstated so that he can get back to work .
“I’ve been called a lot of things this year,” LaCoste said, adding that he has been a builder for 11 years as of this month. “I had nothing but beautiful relationships all along the Gulf Coast, and was touted as something pretty good to work with for a long time. And had nothing but positive interactions.”
“This year, I’ve had my entire life stripped from me,” an emotional LaCoste said at the January meeting. “I’ve continued to be the same person I am, while being called everything you can imagine, receiving death threats and all of those things.”
The Contractor Competency Board told they him would revisit the reinstatement request in the future after fines and restitution are paid.
Teen Sentenced As Adult For 2021 Armed Store Robbery, Residential Armed Burglary
January 26, 2023
A teen has been sentenced as an adult to 12 years in prison for a 2021 convenience store armed robbery in Davisville and an unrelated residential burglary in Molino.
Tallin Treyton Bishop, now 18, was 17 when he was charged with the December 7, 2021, armed robbery of the Marathon convenience store on Highway 97 in Davisville.
He was charged with armed burglary, aggravated assault by threat with a deadly weapon, and shooting into a dwelling for a burglary the following day off Highway 97 in the Dogwood Park area. Wearing masks and armed, Bishop and two others entered the home through an unlocked door and were confronted by the homeowner, according to an arrest report.
According to court documents, Bishop will receive credit for 284 days served while awaiting trial. He was also ordered to pay costs and restitution.
Two other defendants — Ricky Lee Cooper, Jr. and Samuel Adams — are awaiting trial for their alleged roles in the burglary.
Surveillance images for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Man Charged With Three Counts Of Child Abuse
January 26, 2023
A Flomaton man is accused of abusing three children following an investigation that began in Escambia County, Florida.
Anthony Williams, 56, was charged with three counts of felony willful child abuse.
“Allegations were made that…Anthony Williams was abusing them. It was later discovered through this investigation that these incidents occurred in Flomaton,” Flomaton Police Chief Johnny Wilson said. The alleged abuse occurred between November 2022 and January 2023, Wilson stated.
According to Flomaton Police, the case began with the Florida Department of Children and Families interviewing three children. The case was transferred to the Alabama Department of Human Resources and the Flomaton Police Department because the investigation involving four children who lived in the Flomaton jurisdiction, according to FPD.
Further information on the allegations was not released.
Williams was being held in the Escambia County (AL) Detention Center without bond.
Inmate Accused Of Assaulting, Injuring Century Correctional Institution Officer
January 26, 2023
Inmate Lincoln Woods assaulted an officer at Century Correctional Institution, according to the Florida Department of Corrections.
“Staff responded appropriately, and the inmate was subdued,” FDC said.
Woods was sentenced to 25 years in 2011 on multiple Volusia County convictions, including carjacking, kidnapping, fleeing law enforcement, burglary, selling cocaine, and grand theft motor vehicle.
Freezing Tonight In North Escambia
January 26, 2023
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 30. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 55. Wind chill values between 25 and 35 early. North wind around 5 mph becoming southwest in the afternoon.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 35. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming east after midnight.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 60. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.
Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 46. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday: A chance of showers, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after noon. High near 65. East wind 10 to 15 mph becoming south in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
Sunday Night: Showers likely, mainly before midnight. Cloudy, with a low around 57. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming east in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Monday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 69. West wind 5 to 10 mph becoming northeast in the afternoon.
Monday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 58. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming southeast after midnight.
Tuesday: A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 73.
Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 60.
Wednesday: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 71.
Wednesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 54.
Thursday: A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 65.
Tate FFA, Ag Students Take Part In Literacy Week At Jim Allen Elementary
January 26, 2023
The Tate High School FFA chapter helped kick off Literacy Week at Jim Allen Elementary school.
Tate FFA officers, students from the agriculture communications class, ag teachers and FFA advisors partnered with Jim Allen Elementary to introduce the agriculture literacy program through Ag in the Classroom.
Agriculture students and FFA members shared a part of Florida agriculture with the first grade classes. Students read and shared the book “The Cattle Tale”. Students learned about Florida cattle ranch history and production practices highlighting the past, present and future industry trends. Students also worked on group activities with first graders centered around the book.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
