Fields Of Faith: Community Worship Service Held (With Gallery)
October 13, 2016
The Northview High School Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) sponsored a student led worship event “Fields of Faith” Wednesday night in the Tommy Weaver Memorial Stadium.
The service included music, testimonies and more.
For photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Judge Extends Voter Registration Deadline Until Tuesday
October 13, 2016
Florida residents will have until next Tuesday to register to vote, after a federal judge ordered an extension of the registration deadline because of Hurricane Matthew.
With lawyers for Gov. Rick Scott and Secretary of State Ken Detzner voicing no opposition to the extension, which was requested by the Florida Democratic Party in a lawsuit filed over the weekend, U.S. District Judge Mark Walker approved the move during a brief hearing Wednesday.
The hearing came a day after the state’s original deadline for registering to vote. Walker had already issued an emergency order extending that deadline to Wednesday while he considered the further extension to help potential voters who fled Hurricane Matthew as it lashed the eastern side of the state late last week.
“We are thrilled the court agreed to extend the voter registration deadline a full week (from the original deadline) following Hurricane Matthew,” Florida Democratic Party Chairwoman Allison Tant said in a statement Wednesday. “While we wish it had not taken a lawsuit to get the Scott administration to do the right thing, today’s ruling is a major victory for all Floridians and for the democratic process in the Sunshine State.”
Scott had initially resisted moving the date, saying “(e)verybody has had a lot of time to register.” But critics said that the 1.5 million Floridians who were under evacuation orders due to the storm deserved to have more time to return home, get their affairs in order and register — particularly after Scott urged residents to follow those orders.
“It came from him,” Cecile Scoon, second vice president of the League of Women Voters of Florida, said after the hearing. “It should have come from him to allow people to have the extension to register.”
Scott’s office issued a statement Tuesday that signaled he might back down and also suggested that the Legislature consider changes to the state’s voter registration law during the 2017 session. Florida has one of the earliest registration deadlines in the nation, and the law has no provision for what happens if a disaster strikes near the deadline.
Walker, while stressing that he wasn’t telling state lawmakers what to do, emphasized those points about Florida’s deadlines during the hearing — saying they contributed to his initial decision Monday to order an additional day for registration. That ruling also argued the state law was unconstitutional.
“That’s the entire point of this court’s (earlier) ruling — namely, it is that gap that creates the problem that brings us here today,” he said.
Arguing for continuing the extension through Tuesday, a lawyer for the Democratic Party said the additional time would make up for the weekend lost to Hurricane Matthew. That could help replace some of the voter registration drives lost to the storm.
“It’s terribly important to have a weekend. … Candidates and political parties take advantage of the weekend,” said Kevin Hamilton, the attorney.
Voting-rights groups that joined the Democratic Party’s lawsuit were already gearing up to push for changes in Florida law after Walker’s decision.
“The reality of Florida is that there are going to be natural disasters, and Florida needs to have plans and policies in place that account for this,” said Myrna Perez, a deputy director with the New York-based Brennan Center’s Democracy Program, which represented the League of Women Voters. “I hope that this is an opportunity for the Legislature to revisit Florida’s election practices.”
Ion Sancho, the outgoing supervisor of elections in Leon County, suggested that the problem could be at least partially addressed when the state moves to allow voters to register online following this year’s presidential election.
Walker also agreed to the Democratic Party’s request to allow counties to submit or change their plans for early voting by Monday. Those plans were originally supposed to be in Sunday — shortly after Matthew pushed past Florida for good.
by Brandon Larrabee, The News Service of Florida
Arson Suspected In Century Church Fire; Reward Now Offered
October 12, 2016
A little smoke was still rising from the rubble of the Wesley Chapel church in Century late Tuesday morning, over two days after the church burned to the ground, likely the work of an arsonist.
Neighbors reported hearing an explosion before looking outside to see the Wesley Chapel Church on Jefferson Avenue fully involved in flames just before daybreak Sunday. The building was a complete and total loss. There were no injuries reported.
Now, the Florida State Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the fire as arson and offering a reward of up to $2,500 for information leading to the identification of the person responsible for the fire. Anyone with information on the fire can call 877-NO-ARSON (877-662-7766) or Detective Bell at (850) 453-7803.
The church on Jefferson Avenue had sat empty since a February 15 EF-3 tornado ripped through Century, causing significant damage to the building. The congregation had continued to meet each Sunday in the local County on Aging building. A church member said they had recently decided to dismantle the old building board by board, hoping to salvage and use as much of the wood as possible from the 1934 structure.
The building had no utility service. The fire also caused damage — melted siding — to a neighboring home.
NorthEscambia.com photos click to enlarge.
PSC Approves More Wind Energy For Gulf Power
October 12, 2016
Pointing to potential savings for customers, the Florida Public Service Commission on Tuesday approved a Gulf Power proposal linked to energy produced at an Oklahoma wind farm.
The proposal involves a 20-year agreement that the Pensacola-based utility reached to buy a fixed amount of electricity from Morgan Stanley Capital Group, Inc., according a commission staff recommendation.
Since January of this year, Gulf Power’s original Kingfisher Wind project has been producing 178 megawatts of wind-generated energy. With the approval of a second agreement, it will add an additional 94 megawatts of wind energy to Gulf Power’s energy mix, for a total of 272 megawatts.
Under the agreement, Morgan Stanley will provide an amount that would match a portion of energy generated by the Kingfisher Wind Farm in Oklahoma — although the actual electricity Gulf Power receives through a broader transmission system wouldn’t necessarily be renewable energy.
The staff recommendation said the agreement is projected to save $21 million for Gulf customers, with the utility also receiving renewable energy credits related to the wind farm.
“Customers will realize savings within the first year of Gulf’s power purchase agreement, and it also encourages renewable energy development,” Public Service Commission Chairwoman Julie Brown said in a prepared statement after the approval. “The agreement is a win for customers, the economy, and the environment.”
“Adding alternate sources of renewable energy to our portfolio is important for our customers and takes careful planning,” added DelaHaya. “By diversifying our energy supply with an ‘all-of-the-above’ approach that includes renewable energy plus 24/7 traditional sources, our customers can count on us for their energy needs today and well into the future.”
Helping to diversify a balanced energy mix, renewable energy sources are projected to make up approximately 9 percent of Gulf Power’s energy mix with the recent approval of the additional 94 megawatts of wind energy, and once construction of Gulf Power’s military solar projects are complete. Kingfisher is the energy company’s sixth renewable energy project following the Perdido Landfill Gas-to-Energy Facility, which has produced more than 100 million kilowatt hours of electricity since 2010.
Detour: Highway 112 (Muscogee Road) Closed In Alabama
October 12, 2016
Highway 112 (Muscogee Road) will be closed to traffic in Baldwin County today and Thursday.
The closures will be between County Road 87 and Barrineau Park Road for drainage improvements.
A portion of County Road 112 between River Road East and Ray Road will be impassable from 7:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 12. Another portion of County Road 112 between County Road 87 and Ray Road will be impassable between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 13.
See the above map (click to enlarge) for specific closure information and a recommended detour.
Ernest Ward Middle Names Students Of The Month
October 12, 2016
Ernest Ward Middle School has named Students of the Month for August. They are (L-R) Savannah Doremus, eight grade; Shelby Cotita, seventh grade; and Drake Driskell, sixth grade. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview Football Names Players Of The Week
October 12, 2016
Northview High School has named the following as Players of Week following the team’s game last week at Liberty County.
Offense
Neikel Robinson – 8 receptions, 193 yards, 1 TD
Jeremiah Woods – 12 carries, 97 yards, 2 TD
Defense
Hunter Cofield – 10 total tackles, 2.5 TFL, 0.5 sacks
Jared Aliff – 8 total tackles, 1 TFL, 1 sack, 2 fumble recoveries
Dominator
MJ Jones – Hit on Liberty County WR to dislodge ball on pass attempt
Dustin Bethea – Hit on interception return in 2nd quarter
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Photo Gallery: Lil’ Aggies Cheerleaders
October 12, 2016
The Tate High School Cheerleaders recently held a Lil’ Aggies Cheer Champ. Last Friday night, the participants were able to cheer during Tate’s game against Pace.
Click here for a photo gallery.
Reader submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Camp Fire Kids Learn About Fire Safety
October 12, 2016
The Century Station of Escambia County Fire Rescue stopped by the Camp Fire Century Youth Learning Center Tuesday for their fire and bike safety week.
The firefighters taught the children about stop, drop and roll, how to crawl out of a house full of smoke and what a fireman will look and sound like trying to rescue them. They also had a chance to sit in a firetruck.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
One-Year Old Bitten By Dog In Walnut Hill
October 11, 2016
A one-year old child was bitten by a dog Tuesday morning in Walnut Hill.
The child was transported by Escambia County EMS to Sacred Heart Hospital with minor injuries. The incident happened about 9:15 a.m. in the 100 block of Juniper Street.
The pit mix dog was seized by Escambia County Animal Control. If it is being considered a stray dog at the present time, according to Joy Tsubooka, and will be held on quarantine for 10 days. An owner has 10 days to step forward to claim the dog.
“Otherwise adoption would not be an option for this particular dog.” Tsubooka said.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
