Atmore Man Arrested For Baldwin County Homicide
August 23, 2017
An Atmore man has been arrested in connection with a Tuesday morning murder in northern Baldwin County, AL.
The Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office says 31-year-old Justin Brian Still has been charged with murder.
Deputies responded to call in Perdido Tuesday morning. They found a white male in his 20’s deceased with from an apparent gunshot wound on the side of Dallas Hadley Lane near Hoyle Bryars Road, about five miles from the Florida state line.
Further details, including the name of the victim, were not immediately released.
George Stone Offers GED Classes In Four Locations
August 23, 2017
George Stone Technical Center (GSTC) is offering Adult Basic Education/GED classes on the main campus and also three outlying sites, including Molino. They have open enrollment and students may enroll anytime throughout the year.
Classes are actively taught by certified teachers and personalized instruction is given based on each student’s academic level.
“We have the proven prescription for success to pass the GED test. We use direct instruction, as well as materials that are aligned to the actual content of the GED test,” said Patricia Harrison, GSTC counselor. “When students are ready to take the test, they can feel confident and assured of a passing score.”
GED classes on GSTC’s main campus on Longleaf Drive are held Monday through Friday offering class times in the morning, afternoon, and evening. Classes starts on the main campus on August 10.
If this location is not convenient, students may attend classes at one of the 3 outlying sites. GED classes are held at:
- Molino Community Center every Monday and Thursday from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
- Pathways for Change every Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday from 9:30 am till 12:00. Free childcare is offered at the Pathways for Change site.
- Ensley Elementary every Tuesday & Thursday from 4:00 – 6;00 p.m. The Ensley Elementary site offers free tuition for all students enrolled in that program.
Classes will start at the outlying sites the week of August 21st. Students wanting to enroll in any of GSTC’s Adult Programs need to complete the online application by visiting www.georgestonecenter.com. To find out more about the variety of Adult Education programs offered by Escambia County School District’s George Stone Technical Center visit their page at www.georgestonecenter.com or call Patricia Harrison at 850-941-6200 ext. 2361.
Gulf Power Flips Switch On Major DOD Solar Installation
August 23, 2017
Executives from Gulf Power and Coronal Energy joined officials from the U.S. Air Force and Navy Tuesday at Naval Air Station Pensacola’s Naval Outlying Landing Field (NOLF) Saufley for the ceremonial “Flip the Switch” ceremony signifying the completion of the three largest combined solar facilities on Department of Defense property.
“We work hard every day to provide our customers with valuable and diverse energy solutions, and it’s a special occasion to see the vision we had for this project come to life today,” said Stan Connally, Gulf Power chairman, president and CEO. “Adding clean, affordable energy to our energy grid through the innovative public-private partnership that enabled the completion of all three of the portfolio’s solar facilities is a proud accomplishment for Gulf Power, and a significant milestone for the local economy, our customers and the environment.”
Ground was broken in November 2016 on the 120 megawatt Gulf Coast Solar Center that spans 940 acres across three Navy and Air Force sites in Northwest Florida. The ceremonial Flip the Switch was held at Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola’s Naval Outlying Landing Field (NOLF) Saufley, which hosts the largest of the three installations spanning 366-acres, with nearly 600,000 solar photovoltaic panels producing 50 megawatts of energy.
The large-scale solar complex is just one of three military installations constructed by Gulf Power and developer Coronal Energy, powered by Panasonic. The projects will support the Department of Defense’s commitment to renewable energy and help further diversify Gulf Power’s energy portfolio and support the mission to provide safe, affordable, reliable and environmentally responsible energy for its customers in Northwest Florida.
The three-project portfolio, representing one of the largest combined solar projects east of the Mississippi, also includes the Eglin Air Force Base Reservation and Naval Air Station (NAS) Whiting Field’s (NOLF) Holley Field. All three combined have approximately 1.5 million solar panels capable of generating up to 120 megawatts of electricity, enough energy to power nearly 18,000 homes each year across Escambia, Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties. These projects became operational earlier this summer.
“Considering the scale of the Gulf Coast Solar Center portfolio, collaboration between our team and the like-minded teams at the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy, and Gulf Power has been an essential element of our success in developing these projects,” said Jonathan Jaffrey, chairman and CEO of Coronal Energy™. “The result is a landmark energy project that represents what is possible when our nation’s military and its leading energy companies like Gulf Power commit to renewables. We are honored to take our place alongside these partners for this historic project.”
Combined, the facilities have the potential to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by more than 3.5 million tons over 25 years. This figure equates to removing nearly 670,700 cars from the road for one year.
“The Navy continually explores commercially viable means of incorporating renewable energy into our base operations and communities, both on land and at sea,” said NAS Pensacola Commanding Officer Capt. Christopher Martin. “The initiative we’re celebrating today, in which Naval Air Stations Pensacola and Whiting Field converted two dormant landing fields into fully operational and grid-connected solar facilities, showcases one path we’ve chosen. By strategically repurposing these assets, we’ve added resilience to our bases and created economic opportunity for the United States military and all of the project partners.”
Brigadier General Evan Dertien, 96th Test Wing, Air Force Materiel Command, Eglin Air Force Base said, “The initiatives at Eglin, along with those at Saufley and Holley, support the Department of Defense’s commitment to renewable energy and are an impressive display of joint leadership that results in the effective pursuit of energy independence. We’re also empowered by the fact that the revenue received for leasing the projects on Eglin lands will afford us the opportunity to invest in Eglin’s on-base energy initiatives, all while offering long-term local benefits that can serve as a positive example to military communities across the country.”
The combined solar facilities contribute to the growth rate for renewable energy jobs in Northwest Florida. Since construction began at all three locations in November 2016, nearly 450 local laborers have been deployed.
The facilities are estimated to generate the following amounts of electricity:
- Eglin Air Force Base: 30 megawatts with approximately 371,000 photovoltaic panels, producing enough energy to power nearly 4,500 Okaloosa County homes for a year.
- NAS Pensacola NOLF Saufley: 50 megawatts with approximately 600,000 photovoltaic panels, producing enough energy to power nearly 7,400 Escambia County homes for a year.
- NAS Whiting Field NOLF Holley: 40 megawatts with approximately 475,000 photovoltaic panels, producing enough energy to power nearly 6,100 Santa Rosa County homes for a year.
Wahoos Lose To Jackson
August 23, 2017
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos let a game slip away when Jackson Generals left fielder Jamie Westbrook crushed a homer into Pensacola Bay in the eighth inning.
The game-winning home run gave the Generals a, 3-2, victory over Pensacola, which fell to 20-26 on the season in one-run games.
Pensacola had chances to add more runs Tuesday in the second, third and eighth innings but left six runners on base and went 0-6 with runners in scoring position.
After scoring 8.5 runs a game and hitting .294 during its five-game win streak, the Blue Wahoos have scored seven runs in its last four games.
“If I knew that I wouldn’t be managing in Double-A,” said Pensacola manager Pat Kelly when asked about the Blue Wahoos offense. “We jumped on them early but didn’t do anything after that.”
Pensacola third baseman Nick Senzel broke his 1-for-14 slump by hitting a high fly ball that barely sailed over the right field fence into Hill-Kelly Hill with second baseman Arismendy Alcantara on base to give the Blue Wahoos a 2-0 lead.
The 22-year-old, who was the second overall pick in the 2016 draft by the Cincinnati Reds, has belted 10 homers in the second half for the Blue Wahoos.
Pensacola drew 3,567 fans to Tuesday’s game at Blue Wahoos Stadium. The ballclub has 14 sellouts of 5,038 this season and has reached 267,230 total fans for the year.
To keep its streak alive of drawing more than 300,000 fans a season since its inaugural year in 2012, Pensacola must average about 4,100 fans in the last eight games of its current 10-game homestand.
Also in the crowd Tuesday was Hall of Fame coach Tony La Russa, the Arizona Diamondbacks chief baseball analyst. Jackson is the Diamondbacks Double-A affiliate. La Russa and Walt Jocketty, the Cincinnati Reds executive advisor to the CEO, took in the game together.
Kelly said he admires La Russa, the third winningest coach in baseball history, four-time manager of the year and three-time World Series champion. Kelly credits La Russa, then a White Sox manager, for advising him to take a pitching coach position with organization’s rookie league team in 1984.
“I’ve always looked up to him,” said Kelly, who has taken Pensacola to the playoffs three straight seasons. “I’ve read all his books and used some of his philosophies and incorporated them into my strategies.”
Kelly is trying to manage the Blue Wahoos to win its fifth straight half, which would be a Southern League record. Under Kelly, Pensacola is now tied with the Tennessee Smokies, which won four straight halves between 2009 and 2011.
The Blue Wahoos dropped to 27-30 in the second half and are 3.5 games out of first place in the Southern Division behind the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp. Jackson improved to 26-31 in the Northern Division
After the Blue Wahoos took the early lead, Jackson came right back to tie the game. Generals right fielder Kelly Dugan ripped a double over the center fielder’s head to drive in Jackson catcher Michael Perez to trail Pensacola, 2-1.
The Generals tied the game up, 2-2, in the fourth inning when shortstop Vladimir Frias smacked a hard liner into center field with two out to drive in Westbrook. Westbrook was 2-4 with two runs scored, a solo home run and RBI.
Meanwhile, in his last outing against the Mississippi Braves, Pensacola right-hander Keury Mella snapped a streak of 10 starts without a win. He failed to get his first win in 12 starts at home Tuesday but threw a season-high 103 pitches and gave the Blue Wahoos six strong innings. Mella, 3-10 with a 4.69 ERA, allowed two runs on five hits, three walks and tied his season-high with seven strikeouts — three Ks came in the fourth inning.
Molino Man Leads Deputy On Short ‘Pursuit’ Home
August 23, 2017
A Molino man was jailed after fleeing from a deputy at the local Tom Thumb.
Michael Sanchez, age 22 of Effie Road, was charged with felony fleeing or eluding police, knowingly driving with a suspended license and marijuana possession. He also received traffic citations for an expired registration and attaching a validation sticker unlawfully.
An Escambia County deputy reported seeing Sanchez travel through the parking lot of the Tom Thumb at Highway 29 and Highway 97 with an expired tag. The deputy initiated a traffic stop in the parking lot with lights and siren, but Sanchez continued traveling, heading north on Highway 97 at speeds of 50 to 55 mph. He then turned on Effie Lane, traveling at 11 mph, until he stopped at his residence on Effie Lane. The deputy approached the vehicle with his gun drawn and removed Sanchez from the vehicle, according to an arrest report.
The deputy noted the smell of marijuana coming from the vehicle and reported finding marijuana with the vehicle, along with three capsules containing a white powder substance that will be lab tested.
Sanchez was also arrested on two outstanding warrants. He remained in the Escambia County Jail without bond.
Vehicle Destroyed By Fire
August 22, 2017
Fire destroyed a passenger vehicle near Century Monday night.
The fire was reported about 10:20 p.m. on West Highway 4 near the entrance to Lake Stone. The vehicle was fully engulfed when the first firefighters arrived on scne.
A witness said the vehicle had been parked on the shoulder of the road for over two hours prior to the fire.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Century To Seek Public Input On Oil Spill Money Projects
August 22, 2017
The Town of Century is working on five project ideas to submit for possible funding from oil spill money through Triumph Gulf Coast.
Town consultant Debbie Nickles said the town received a letter from Escambia County Commission Chairman Doug Underhill soliciting the five proposals from the town by September 15.
The Gulf Coast Economic Corridor Act signed by Gov. Rick Scott on June 2 directs $1.5 billion to be spent over a 15 year period in eight counties in Northwest Florida that were impacted by the oil spill. The act directs Escambia and other seven other counties to seek proposals from other local governing boards withing their county.
Activities eligible for funding include ad valorem tax rate reductions, workforce skill development, local funding match requirements, public infrastructure projects, equipment and personnel for local disaster action plans, promotion of tourism and workforce and educational career development programs.
The Century Town Council decided Monday night to hold a joint workshop with the Century Area Chamber of Commerce at 6 p.m. on August 24 to received project ideas from the chamber and the public. The council will then hold a special meeting at 7 p.m. to vote on five projects to submit to the county for possible funding.
Further details on the meeting will be published on NorthEscambia.com.
Pictured above: Town consultant Debbie Nickles addresses the Century Town Council Monday night. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Students View Eclipse (With Photo Gallery)
August 22, 2017
A small group of students at Northview High School were able to watch the solar eclipse on Monday.
Using approved eclipse glasses, they were able to watch most of the eclipse up until just before the 1:35 p.m. maximum time when clouds rolled over the sun.
Teachers and staff were also able to use an 8-inch telescope with proper filter to observe the eclipse.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
NorthEscambia.com Photos: The Great Solar Eclipse
August 22, 2017
The Great American Eclipse was viewed by thousands Monday in the North Escambia area..while many others missed their shot due to clouds and rain across a portion of the area.
NorthEscambia.com had two photographers taking close-up photos of the eclipse.
The photo above was taken about by NorthEscambia.com’s William Reynolds at 1:30 p.m., five minutes before cloud cover over the 1:35 p.m. maximum at Northview High School in Bratt.
The photo below was taken by Ditto Gorme for NorthEscambia.com at 1:30 p.m. in Atmore. The photo at bottom shows the unique shadows cast on a sidewalk in Bratt during the eclipse.
For more NorthEscambia.com photos, click here.
For reader submitted photos, click here.
Editor’s note: The color difference in the photographs is due to the type of solar filter used.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Man That Crashed Jeep Into ER Charged With Cantonment Battery
August 22, 2017
The Cantonment man who crashed his Jeep into the lobby of the Sacred Heart Hospital Emergency Room last week has been arrested.
Kevin Wayne Pryor, 25, was charged with battery by strangulation by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office for an incident that reportedly occurred in Cantonment before he drove into the ER.
The victim told deputies that she and Pryor were involved in a verbal argument when he became agitated and grabbed her by her arm. Pryor then took her car keys and attempted to get the victim into a vehicle, according to an arrest report. She said she struggled on the ground with Pryor at which time he choked her until she lost consciousness.
She told deputies she agreed to get into the Jeep with Pryor to calm him down, and he drove from Cantonment to Sacred Heart Hospital and through the doors of the emergency room.
The victim, according to an arrest report, told deputies that she believed Pryor was possibly trying to harm himself and her by driving through the building.
Pryor and the victim were not able to give sworn written statements at the time due to their injuries, the report adds.
Pryor was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $5,000 bond. He is expected to face additional charged from the Pensacola Police Department for the incident at Sacred Heart Hospital.