Gulf Power Crews Honored For Assistance In Puerto Rico
June 12, 2018
The Edison Electric Institute presented Gulf Power with the association’s special 2018 Emergency Assistance Award for Puerto Rico Power Restoration recognizing its contributions to the unprecedented emergency power restoration mission on the island following Hurricane Maria.
The devastating Category 4 hurricane made landfall in Puerto Rico on September 20, 2017, impacting all critical infrastructure, damaging at least 80 percent of the island’s energy grid, and leaving all island residents without power.
“Our lineworkers, engineers, team leaders and support staff who went to Puerto Rico demonstrated great efforts in assisting with restoration in Puerto Rico,” said Adrianne Collins, Gulf Power’s vice president of Power Delivery. “They were away from their families much longer than a normal storm trip and yet never wavered from their commitment to safety and dedication to restoring power and hope to the residents.”
Gulf Power joined its sister companies in Southern Company, which were among nearly 60 investor-owned electric companies and public power utilities that committed crews, equipment and/or materials to the emergency power restoration mission. Overall, approximately 3,000 industry lineworkers and support personnel were involved in the restoration effort on the island.
One Gulf Power storm team left for Puerto Rico in late January and worked 60 days; another team followed in March and worked for 21 days. Also, several team leaders, engineers and safety and IT employees took part in the effort.
The storm teams faced challenging and complex restoration work because extensive portions of Puerto Rico’s energy grid are in rugged, mountainous terrain that has little or no road access. Getting crews and equipment to Puerto Rico was also much more complicated and time-intensive than deploying mutual assistance in the mainland, and it required extensive coordination among responding companies.
On May 22, the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority announced that power had been restored to 99 percent of its customers across the island who can receive electricity. This is a significant milestone that was reached by PREPA and its restoration partners, including FEMA, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and its contractors, and industry mutual assistance crews. The resources, equipment, and people sent from the mainland, greatly accelerated the restoration process.
“The power restoration effort in Puerto Rico was a massive and unprecedented mission, and electric companies from across the country, including Gulf Power, responded to the call for help,” said EEI President Tom Kuhn. “The electric power industry pulled together with one goal in mind, to restore power to the people of Puerto Rico — it truly was one team, one mission. Gulf Power is deserving of this recognition for providing tremendous support to PREPA and our fellow citizens in Puerto Rico.”
Escambia Man Sentenced For Dragging Dog Behind Pickup Truck
June 12, 2018
An Escambia County man has been sentenced for dragging his dog behind his pickup pickup truck.
Thomas Ward, 71, was sentenced on an animal cru by Circuit Judge Gary Bergosh to 90 days in the county jail, followed by one year of community control to be followed by two years of probation. He was ordered to not possess any animals.
On August 11, 2017, witnesses saw Ward driving his truck and dragging his pit bull that was tied to the hitch of his vehicle. Witnesses followed him to his home where they observed Ward remove the dog’s lifeless body to a shed located on his property.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and Escambia County Animal Control responded to the scene. Over Ward’s objections, law enforcement retrieved the animal’s body but unfortunately, the dog had already passed away. A necropsy was performed and the results confirmed that the dog died from asphyxiation and wounds consistent with road rash.
Molino 10U Wins All-Star Championship
June 12, 2018
The Molino 10U All Stars recently won the Gulf Coast Youth Baseball tournament. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century Academy Presents Student Awards
June 12, 2018
Century Academy presented the following year-end student awards:
- Grayson McLellan – Most Improved
- Seth Dean – Super Student
- Bentley Kirkland – Super Student
- Adolfo Smith – Outstanding Student
- Braxton Hale – Super Star for Improvement
- Mason Hale – Super Student
- L.J (John) Bradley – Reading Award (Not Pictured)
- Austin Gibbs – Reading Award
- Michael Allen – Award of Excellence in Art
- Isaak Armstrong – Award of Excellence in Math
- Ethan Lathem – Outstanding Student
- Ryan Hudson – Most Improved
- Joseph Franklin – Most Improved
- Chad Sager – Award of Excellence in Social Studies
- Brandon Odom – Super Student
- Ella Kizer – Most Improved
- Sarah Brooks – Award of Excellence in Math
- Olivia Lambeth – Award of Excellence in General Studies
- Rose Boutwell – Award of Excellence in Science
- Sage Moon – Certificate of Awesomeness
- Chauni Lathem – Reading Award
- Maggie McCauslin – Award of Excellence in Spelling
Dalton Lane Davis
June 12, 2018
Mr. Dalton Lane Davis age 22, of Uriah passed away on Sunday, June 3, 2018. He was a native of Greenville, AL and worked in the construction industry.
Mr. Davis was preceded in death by his stepfather, Brady Champion.
He is survived by his father, Jerry (Rudy) Davis, Jr. of Monroeville, AL; mother, Brenda Champion of Greenville, AL; step-parents Mitch and Sharon Johnson of Uriah, AL; one brother, Shannon Champion of Uriah, AL and one sister, Michelle Reid of Uriah, AL.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 16, 2018, at Goodway Baptist Church from 5 until 7 p.m.
Johnson Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.
New Lights For Cervantes, Search Continues For Vehicle In Deadly Hit And Run
June 12, 2018
State and local officials announced lighting improvements Tuesday morning for Cervantes Street following a deadly hit and run that left two people dead.
There were will be 72 LED street lights installed or replaced along a 2.5 mile stretch of Cervantes to improve safety. The lights will be installed between Dominguez and A Street.
Pensacola Police are continuing their search for a white 2015-2018 Dodge Challenger involved in the hit and run last Wednesday night. Three people were crossing Cervantes Street near M Street when they were hit by a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed. Neariaah Ikerria Williams, age 8 months, and a family friend, 28-year-old Nephateria Monique Williams, died. The child’s mother, 27-year-old Quineka Tyon Baldwin, was injured.
Anyone with information on the crash is asked to call 911, the Pensacola Police Department, or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Sen. Doug Broxson, Escambia County Commissioner Lumon May, Pensacola Mayor Ashton Hayward, Pensacola City Councilwoman Jewel Cannada-Wynn, Florida Department of Transportation officials, and Gulf Power representativesmade the joint safety announcement at the Brownsville Community Center as an audience of local children looked on.
Gulf Power started the street light installation Tuesday morning.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Lola Peebles
June 12, 2018
Mrs. Lola Peebles, age 88, passed away on Saturday, June 9, 2018, in Pensacola, Florida.
Mrs. Peebles was born in Berlin, Germany and had resided in Bratt, FL for most of her life. She was a member of the Shiloh Freewill Baptist Church. She is preceded in death by her husband, Thomas Henry Peebles.
She is survived her two sons, Willie (Pat) Peebles of McDavid, FL and Robert Franz Peebles of Bratt, FL; two daughters, Mary L. Peebles of Atmore, AL and Becky (Tony) Wheeler of Bratt, FL; seven grandchildren, Kevin Peebles, Keith Peebles, Derick Peebles, Kathy Dickerson, Paula Short, Michael Stacey and Gene Wheeler; 15 great-grandchildren; and seven great-great grandchildren.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, June 12, 2018, at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Rev. Ricky Peebles and Rev. James Sage officiating.
Burial was at the Godwin Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Kevin Peebles, Keith Peebles, Derick Peebles, Gene Wheeler, Jeff Steadham and David Steadham.
Honorary pallbearer was be Danny Steadham.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes is in charge of all arrangements.
Jerry J. Dykes
June 12, 2018
Jerry J. Dykes, 71, of Jay, Florida passed away Saturday, June 9, 2018.
He was a loving father, grandfather and brother. He loved his children and family. He enjoyed hunting and fishing and was retired from Sterling Fibers.
He was preceded in death by his parents, James LaRue and Arvilla Dykes; son, John Wesley Dykes; friend, Deana Richardson; sister, Barbara Harrison and niece, Ashley McCullough.
He is survived by his daughters, Ruby White and Kimberly (John David) Roberts; sons, Jerry Allen Dykes and James Brian Dykes; sisters, Lou Jean (Lester) Black and Evelyn (Richard) Pope; brother, Larry (Beverly) Dykes; special friend, Ethel Walker; 11 grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm on Wednesday, June 13, 2018, at Ebenezer Church with Reverend Earl Harrison and Brother Bobby Carnley officiating.
Burial will follow in the Church Cemetery.
Jack Hodge
June 12, 2018
Jack Hodge passed away on June 6, 2018, at the age of 86 years. Born in 1931 in Castleberry AL, he joined the Army and served in the Korean Conflict, and left with honorable discharge in 1952.
After settling in Molino, FL, he began his career with St. Regis Paper Mill where he was to spend 30 years until he co-founded Plastic Coated Papers Inc. He would later retire from there in 1994. Jack was involved with numerous organizations, including board member of Harvesters Federal Credit Union, Coach for Molino Little League, and he also belonged to his local Masonic chapter. Throughout Jack’s life, he was a devout Christian, and served each church family he was privileged to belong to. He served as a Deacon and mentor at Highland Baptist Church, Deacon at First Baptist Church of Cantonment, and is currently a member of Windy Hill Baptist Church.
He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Peggy Jo Hodge; daughter Susan McCrory, sons, Jackie Hodge and David Hodge; sister Jean of LA; seven grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Challie and Emma Ruth Hodge; eldest son, Aaron Hodge, and eight siblings.
Services were held Tuesday, June 12, 2018, at Eastern Gate Memorial Funeral Home, officiated by Pastor Ricky Skaggs.
Memorial donations in memory of Jack can be made to Windy Hill Baptist Church, Building Fund, 9896 Rebel Road, Pensacola, FL 32526.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Eastern Gate Memorial Funeral Home.
Elderly Pensacola Woman Stabbed, Left For Dead
June 11, 2018
A man has been charged with brutally attacking an 82-year old woman in Pensacola and leaving her for dead.
Tyler Hyden Owens, 18 was charged with attempted murder and home invasion robbery following the incident Saturday night at the Arbor Club Apartments off Ninth Avenue.
The woman was stabbed inside her apartment late Saturday night and left for dead, according to Pensacola Police. She was found by a family member Sunday morning with multiple wounds and transported to the hospital. She is expected to recover.
Police said Owens lived in a neighboring apartment. After a search warrant was served, several items were found in his apartment that belonged to the victim, along with bloody clothes. The clothes will be tested to determine if they match blood from the crime scene.
Owens reportedly made statements about being hungry and needing food during the incident.