PSC Approves New Rates For Gulf Power Customers – An Increase Now, Decrease Later
October 27, 2021
The Florida Public Service Commission has approved a four-year rate settlement for Florida Power & Light (FPL) that will mean a near term rate increase for Gulf Power customers in the Panhandle, but a reduction in the long term..
The rate plan will directly support the largest solar buildout in the United States, including 16 million solar panels across more than 50 new sites. The company said that is enough to power one million homes.
FPL’s parent company NextEra purchased Gulf Power in 2019, and the companies legally merged on January 1, 2021. FPL now serves 5.6 million customer accounts from Miami to Pensacola across more than half of Florida.
Based on the approved rate settlement agreement and FPL’s September filing for fuel and other clauses, the standard 1,000-kWh typical monthly residential bill benchmark for Gulf Power in Northwest Florida would be:
- 2021 – $129.24
- 2022 – $137.49
- 2023 – $134.44
- 2024 – $130.25
- 2025 – $126.47
Gulf Power customers will pay more than FPL customers on that average 1,000 kWh usage — $23.64 more in 2022, declining to $9.45 more in 2025. By 2027, customers will pay the same across the board. The settlement does mean that by 2025, Gulf Power customers will be paying less on average that in 2021.
The bill estimates do not include taxes, fees or hurricane surcharges.
Typical business customer bills in Northwest Florida are expected to grow at an average annual rate of up to 1.7%, depending on the rate class, and remain below the national average.
Pictured: A sign on 10 Mile Road at Pate Street for the Gulf Clean Energy Center, formerly known as Gulf Power’s Plant Crist. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century Seeks $3.2 Million To Renovate Two Community Centers, Including One They Don’t Actually Own
October 27, 2021
The Town of Century is applying for a grant worth more than $3 million to renovate two community centers, one of which the town does not actually own.
The application is for a Small Cities Community Development Block Grant — Coronavirus that totals $3,255,000. According to consultant Robin Phillips (pictured left), the fund would be spent below, if awarded.
– $50,000 of the total grant would be used for administrative costs, and engineering will cost $300,000.
– $850,000 would go for the Century Community Center (also known as the Ag Building) at the corner of West Highway 4 and Industrial Boulevard to bring it up to current building code, renovate the kitchen and bathrooms, install a new HVAC and air purification system, install outside lighting and pave the parking lot. The metal building, constructed in 1992 is about 5,000 square feet.
– $1,985,000 would be used for the Carver Community Center at 7040 West Jefferson Avenue to bring it up to code, renovate the kitchen and bathroom, install HVAC and air purification systems, install a new roof, pave the parking lot and for other building renovations. [Photo gallery...]
There’s no guarantee that the town will receive the state grant.
Carver Community Center Questions
A title search is underway by the Escambia County School District to determine exactly who owns the Carver Community Center. According to Escambia Property Appraiser Records, the 6,828 square foot building was constructed in 1945 and belongs to the school district.
For a photo gallery tour of the inside and outside of the old school, click here.
Several people have claimed the building was actually deeded to the Carver Community Center Association, Inc, a Florida not-for-profit corporation that is not listed by the IRS as a tax-exempt organization. Public records indicate that the school board did deed and six-tenths of an acre parcel adjacent to the community center to the county. The county then deeded the property, which currently has a basketball court, to the community center association. But property appraiser records do not indicate the building was ever transferred away from the school district.
But longtime Century resident Helen Mincy (pictured left) said the building was actually given to the “black community” by the school board.
“It was given to the black community of Century, the Carver Community Center was given to the black community of Century’s,” Mincy told the Century Town Council during a special meeting this week and at previous meetings. She has mentioned the possible existence of documentation to that effect, but so far no one has produced any records.
Town officials have said if the building belongs to the school board, they intend to ask for ownership to be transferred to the town, perhaps for a nominal fee.
Regardless of ownership, officials agree the wood frame building, located in the town’s historic district, needs to be preserved.
“Do nothing and it’s just going to fall to the ground,” council president Luis Gomez said.
“I think it’s vital for the community that we keep this building,” Mayor Ben Boutwell remarked. “It’s a beautiful, beautiful building. That history means the world to this community…I want to see it done right”.
Pictured above and below: The Carver Community Center on Jefferson Avenue in Century. Pictured top inset: Consultant Robin Phillips. Pictured bottom: A special town council meeting on the grant application. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Tate And Northview Girls Golf Teams Both Advance To Regionals
October 27, 2021
Both the Tate and Northview girls golf teams have advanced to regionals next week.
Tate placed second in the District 1-3A girls golf tournament Tuesday at the Stonebrook Golf Club. They will compete in the regional tournament Monday in Gainesville.
Northview’s girls golf team placed in the District 1-1A girls golf tournament and advanced to regionals this weekend in St. Augustine.
Pictured top: The Tate High School girls golf team. Pictured below: The Northview High School girls golf team. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
FHP Apprehends Hit And Run Driver That Struck Cantonment Man’s Pickup
October 27, 2021
The Florida Highway Patrol patrol apprehended a hit and run driver Monday evening after he crashed into a Cantonment man’s pickup truck.
FHP said the driver of a Chevrolet Suburban was traveling west on Nine Mile Road when he turned left onto the Highway 29 entrance ramp. He collided with a Ford F150 driven by a 57-year old Cantonment man.
The driver of the Suburban fled south on Highway 29 and was later located and apprehended near an O’Reilly Auto Parts store. Elias Quintanilla was issued criminal citations by FHP for leaving the scene with damage and no valid driver’s license. He was also ticketed for failure to yield.
There were no injuries in the traffic crash.
Caregiver Charged With Abusing Seniors
October 27, 2021
Attorney General Ashley Moody’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, with the assistance of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, arrested a former senior caregiver for abusing senior residents. According to the MFCU investigation, Twicka Jones, aka Tumicka Jones or Nikki Jones, pushed two elderly dementia residents resulting in them falling to the ground.
Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “Our seniors in assisted living facilities deserve the utmost care and respect. Especially dementia patients who may already feel vulnerable or scared. I am sickened by this caregiver’s actions, and my Medicaid Fraud Control Unit will hold her responsible for these crimes.”
Jones worked at The Beacon at Gulf Breeze, a Medicaid receiving facility. The MFCU investigation found video footage showing Jones aggressively pushing two elderly individuals to the ground. The first incident resulted in an elderly dementia resident bleeding from the back and head. The resident then had to be transported by ambulance for further care. Another video shows a confrontation with a separate dementia resident who may have tried to assist the first victim. Jones then pushed the second victim, who fell on their hip and back. The video then shows Jones stepping around the second victim and walking away without helping or requesting further care for the victim.
Jones is charged with two counts of abuse of an elderly person, both third-degree felonies. If convicted, Jones faces up to 10 years in state prison.
Assistant Attorney General Christi Hankins of Attorney General Moody’s MFCU will prosecute the cases through an agreement with the State Attorney for the First Judicial Circuit.
Beulah Man Charged With Child Abuse, Allegedly Struck Child Some 30 Times With A Belt
October 26, 2021
A Beulah man has been charged for allegedly hitting a child some 30 times with a belt, leaving “extensive” bruising.
Jake Braden Moore, 28, was charged with third degree felony child abuse in a domestic violence situation. He was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $2,500 bond.
The child had been at Moore’s house. He told the child’s caregiver that he had to spank the child “and that he might have left marks”, according to an arrest report. she found a “large amount” of bruising on the child’s buttocks, lower back, and legs while putting rash cream on the child. She then contacted the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
The child told investigators that he was at Moore’s residence working on school work when Moore slammed his computer down and made him stand up and grab the back of the chair before striking him about 10 times with a belt, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. The child continued to say Moore struck him an estimated 20 more times with a belt and five times with his hand, deputies said, before telling the child not to tell anyone about the bruising.
Moore’s girlfriend told deputies that she observed Moore spank about four times with a belt to discipline him after misbehaving, and she later observed bruising on his buttocks where he had been spanked, the report states.
A deputy noted in his report that the child had “extensive” bruising consistent with being struck numerous times with a belt-shaped object.
Other details about the incident, including the child’s age, were redacted from the arrest report.
ECUA Bills Are Still Arriving Late For Some Customers
October 26, 2021
About a month ago, the Emerald Coast Utilities Authorities said their third party bill printing and mailing processor was running behind due to a COVID-19 related staffing shortage.
Now, some customers’ bills are still being delivered near or after their due date.
Customers’ account standing will not be adversely affected nor be charged a late fee if they received a delayed bill, according to ECUA. Customer accounts enrolled in ECUA’s and E-Notification billing programs are not affected by these delays.
Customers who wish to access their bill online may do so by going to the ECUA website at https://ecua.fl.gov/my-bill and clicking on ‘View Your Bill’ to set up an account. Once on the Click2Gov website, customers may also opt-in to receive an email notification that their bill is ready to be viewed online on the same day that it is generated by the billing system.
ECUA has contracted a new vendor to process the billing and will start switching over next month.
Convicted Sex Offender From Atmore Accused Of Sexual Battery In Escambia, Florida
October 26, 2021
A convicted sex offender from Atmore has been charged with the sexual battery of a woman in Escambia County, Florida.
Antonio Dywone Hartley, 28, was booked into the Escambia County (FL) Jail Monday afternoon after he allegedly forced himself sexually on a woman in her bedroom.
Hartley entered the victim’s bedroom, undressed and got into bed with her, according to an arrest report. She told him to leave, but he began to sexually assault her, the report continues.
Two witnesses told deputies he received texts from the victim asking for help. One of them busted through the victim’s door and found Hartley in his underwear and getting dressed behind a door, according to the report.
Deputies said Hartley and the victim exchanged texts before the incident.
Hartley remained in the Escambia County Jail Tuesday morning with bond set at $10,000.
According to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Sex Offender Registry, Hartley was convicted of second degree rape in June 2013.
Motorcyclist Dies In Escambia County Crash
October 26, 2021
A motorcyclist was killed in a crash Monday afternoon in Southwest Escambia County.
A 64-year Escambia County man pulled his pickup truck from a stop sign on Allanthus Drive onto Bauer Road and into the path of a motorcycle driven by a 52-year old Pace man, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The motorcyclist attempted to avoid a collision by braking suddenly, but he was thrown from the bike. He was then struck by the pickup truck.
The man was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The FHP is continuing their investigation.
Volunteers Needed For Escambia County Extension Council
October 26, 2021
Escambia County is seeking residents interested in volunteering to be considered for an appointment to the Escambia County Extension Council for zones 1, 3, 7, 9 and 11.
Escambia County residents interested in serving on the Escambia County Extension Council, who meet the requirements noted in the job description below, are asked to submit an information sheet and letter indicating their desire to serve by 5 p.m., Friday, Oct. 29, 2021. Info sheets and letters should be submitted via email to shendrix@ufl.edu or by mail to: Susan Hendrix, 3740 Stefani Road, Cantonment, FL 32533.
The zones are as follows:
Zone 1 – North of intersection at Highway 164 and Highway 97
Zone 3 – Tungoil Road to Gibson Road
Zone 7 – Nine Mile Road to Kingsfield Road
Zones 9 & 11 – At large
