Missing Santa Rosa County Man Found Safe
January 19, 2017
UPDATE: THIS MISSING SENIOR HAS BEEN LOCATE SAFE.
Previous story:
A silver alert has been issued for 72-year old Joseph Emanuel Harbison who was last seen in Santa Rosa County.
Harbison’s last known location was 6 p.m. Wednesday in the Deaton Bridge area of Santa Rosa County. He may be attempting to travel to South Florida in a 1999 Beige Chevy SUV with a Florida Disabled Veteran Tag (DV1609B).
He is described as a white male, 5-foot-9, 172 lbs. and was last seen wearing a green shirt with blue jeans and military style boots. He has a beard and glasses.
Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to call their local law enforcement agency.
FHP Seeks Truck Involved In Molino Hit And Run
January 19, 2017
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating a hit and run crash near Molino Thursday morning.
The FHP is looking for a red or maroon truck that fled the accident scene on Highway 29 at Barrineau Park Road. The vehicle reportedly turned around from the crash and returned west on Barrineau Park Road.
The driver of a car involved in the 10:15 a.m. crash was not injured.
Anyone with information on the crash is asked to call *FHP from a cell phone or Gulf Coast Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Convenience Store Robbed At Gunpoint
January 19, 2017
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is investigating an armed robbery Wednesday night at a Cantonment convenience store.
A white male suspect armed with a firearm entered the CMP Food Mart at 400 North Highway 29 shortly before 10 p.m. with his face covered. He asked the clerk for cigarettes before fleeing, according to Deputy Jacob Holloway, spokesperson for the Escambia Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies established a perimeter and a K-9 unit searched the area, but there was no arrest at last report.
There were no injuries reported.
Further details have were not released as the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office continues their investigation.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Pedestrian Injured In Cantonment Hit And Run Crash
January 19, 2017
A pedestrian was injured in a hit and run crash Wednesday night in Cantonment.
The pedestrian was struck by an unknown vehicle about 9:50 p.m. on Highway 95A behind the old Winn Dixie store. He was reportedly found face down in the roadway. He was transported to an area hospital by ambulance with injuries not believed to be life threatening.
There were no witnesses and no description of the vehicle available at last report.
The accident is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. Escambia County EMS and the Cantonment Station of Escambia Fire Rescue also responded.
Further details have not been released.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Gulf Power Installs First Solar Panels On Local Large-Scale Projects
January 19, 2017
Executives from Gulf Power and Coronal Energy, powered by Panasonic, joined officials from Eglin Air Force Base and Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola for the installation of the first two solar photovoltaic panels on two large-scale solar projects. The projects at Eglin Air Force Base and NAS Pensacola’s Navy Outlying Landing Field (NOLF) Saufley, along with a third project at NAS Whiting Field’s NOLF Holley, comprise the Gulf Coast Solar Center Portfolio.
When complete, the combined facilities will be among the state’s largest solar projects with approximately 1.5 million solar panels capable of generating up to 120 megawatts of electricity, enough energy to power approximately 18,000 homes annually.
“These projects exemplify our commitment to leveraging strong partnerships and innovative solutions to develop large-scale solar projects that deliver clean energy to a diverse set of customers,” said Jonathan Jaffrey, chairman and CEO of Coronal Energy™. “The collaborative approach to the development of the Gulf Coast Solar Center Portfolio represents a smarter approach to pursuing solar energy, and may serve as a model for future public/private sector renewable energy initiatives.”
Coronal Energy, powered by Panasonic, is constructing the three facilities on Department of Defense property in Northwest Florida – one at NAS Pensacola’s NOLF Saufley, one on NAS Whiting Field’s NOLF Holley, and one at Eglin Air Force Base. Construction began at all three locations in November 2016 and are expected to become operational during the summer of 2017.
Stan Connally, Gulf Power chairman, president and CEO, pointed out that the solar projects are vital to building a sustainable energy infrastructure while easing the impact on the environment. They also help further diversify the company’s energy portfolio and support the mission to provide safe, affordable and reliable energy to its Northwest Florida customers.
“We’re proud to work with Coronal Energy, powered by Panasonic, the Air Force and the Navy as we work toward meeting critical energy needs as well as the energy needs of the region,” said Connally. “Gulf Power is investing in smart renewables such as these solar projects that make economic sense for our customers as part of a balanced energy mix.”
Jim Doyle, president of Panasonic Enterprise Solutions Company, added: “Solar is the world’s fastest-growing energy source. With these projects, Gulf Power — in cooperation with the Air Force and the Navy — takes a big step forward adding clean, resilient, domestic renewable energy to its portfolio for the benefit of its customers. They’re showing how going solar translates to smart business and smart government, not just for residents and businesses in Florida but also across the country.”
“We continually seek to balance the military mission with the stewardship of this environmental national treasure and look for innovative ways to excel in both arenas,” said Col. Craig Johnson, 96th Civil Engineer Group commander at Eglin AFB. “This project does that by leasing 240 acres of underused land to Gulf Power and in turn Eglin AFB will receive lease payments we will use to improve the energy resiliency of our installation. At the same time, the project will provide a substantial amount of clean energy back to Eglin and the surrounding community.”
“It’s rewarding to be part of this project, which will provide an opportunity for us to assist local and state partners in understanding the Department of the Navy’s overall strategy and commitment for renewable energy,” said NAS Pensacola Commanding Officer Capt. Christopher Martin.
“It is gratifying to be part of a partnership that truly is beneficial to everyone,” NAS Whiting Field Commanding Officer Capt. Todd Bahlau stated. “This effort will develop cost-effective, renewable sources of energy, which will also enhance the Navy’s energy security. Our team is excited to play a role in this collaborative project.”
Energy produced by the projects will serve Gulf Power customers across Northwest Florida and were unanimously approved by the Florida Public Service Commission in April 2015. Together, these facilities will be among the largest photovoltaic arrays in Florida and have the potential to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by more than 3.5 million tons over 25 years. Combined they will be one of the largest solar projects east of the Mississippi.
The solar facilities are estimated to generate the following amounts of energy:
· NAS Pensacola’s NOLF Saufley: approximately 600,000 photovoltaic panels with a capacity of 50 megawatts producing enough energy to power nearly 7,400 Escambia County homes for a year
· NAS Whiting Field’s NOLF Holley: approximately 475,000 photovoltaic panels with a capacity of 40 megawatts producing enough energy to power nearly 6,100 Santa Rosa County homes for a year
· Eglin Air Force Base: approximately 375,000 photovoltaic panels with a capacity of 30 megawatts producing enough energy to power nearly 4,500 Okaloosa County homes for a year
Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
FWC Law Enforcement Report
January 19, 2017
The Florida FWC Division of Law Enforcement reported the following activity during the weekly period ending January 12 in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
No report was submitted this week from Escambia County.
SANTA ROSA COUNTY
Officers Lewis and Ramos were on patrol when they received information from Officer Hutchinson about a baited area in Blackwater Wildlife Management Area (WMA). They checked the area and found a man hunting over scattered corn concealed behind a blind made of freshly cut vegetation. The subject admitted to cutting various trees in the area to make a shooting lane and a blind. He was also hunting deer without wearing any hunter orange protective clothing. The subject was charged with hunting over bait in a WMA, failure to wear hunter orange, and cutting vegetation within a WMA.
Officer Lewis was on patrol in Blackwater WMA when he saw vehicles that appeared to be setting up a perimeter in a still-hunt area. He had checked hunters the previous day that were setting up for a man-drive in the same area. Officer Lewis saw a subject standing beside a pickup truck that was parked on a paved right-of-way and saw the subject walk to the front of the pickup truck carrying a rifle. Officer Lewis explained to the subject that he could not take wildlife with a gun from the right-of-way. The man initially stated that he was unaware of the road-hunting rule, but finally admitted that he knew the law. He admitted to hunting deer and stated that he would have shot from the roadway if he saw a deer cross the road. The subject was cited accordingly.
This report represents some events the FWC handled over the past week; however, it does not include all actions taken by the Division of Law Enforcement. Information provided by FWC.
Suspect Fleeing Deputy Causes Traffic Crash
January 19, 2017
Authorities say a man fleeing an Escambia County deputy caused an Ensley traffic crash Wednesday afternoon.
The Florida Highway Patrol said 61-year old Jeffery Grandison fled from a deputy when he attempted to stop his 2016 BMW near Palafox Street and Hope Drive. Grandison attempted to pass a 2007 Chevrolet driven by 77-yaer old Barbara Lowery of Pensacola. He attempted the pass on the grass shoulder of Palafox Street.
Deputy Darin Vought attempted to stop Grandison. Grandison rear-ended Lowery, then the deputy’s vehicle struck Lowery’s vehicle.
Grandison was later apprehended and charged with careless driving, failure to provide insurance, hit and run, fleeing and eluding, trespassing, vehicle theft and resisting arrest.
Photo by Ray Turner, WEAR 3, for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview’s Ward, Robinson Named To All-State Teams
January 19, 2017
Northview High School’s Luke Ward and Neikel Robinson were selected to the 2016 AP Class 1A All-State Teams.
Ward, a senior, was selected as a 1st-team Utility player after throwing for 1,121 yards, rushing for 1,117 yards and accounting for 27 total touchdowns.
Robinson, a junior, was selected as a 2nd-team WR after having 48 catches for 818 yards and 6 TD.
Pictured: Luke Ward (top) and Neikel Robinson (below). NorthEscambia.com photos.
Jay’s Herring Signs With Mississippi Gulf Coast College
January 19, 2017
Jay High School’s Destiny Herring signed Wednesday to play softball with Mississippi Gulf Coast College in Perkinston, MS. Herring played softball for the Jay varsity team for six years. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Bill Would Require Some Septic Tank Inspections In Florida
January 19, 2017
The Florida House will once again consider septic tank inspections.
The proposal filed Wednesday by Rep. Randy Fine, R-Palm Bay would require septic tank inspections only as part of the sale of a home or other types of real estate.
In a news release, Fine said the bill would not affect people who do not plan to sell their homes.
“There is no question that leaky septic tanks are contributing to water quality challenges across our state, including in our beloved Indian River Lagoon,” Fine said in a prepared statement. “This measure would begin to tackle this issue by ensuring that septic tanks are inspected as part of the suite of inspections that regularly take place during a home sale so that buyers are fully informed about the properties they are considering buying.”
The legislative session begins March 7.