Clouds With A Few Showers
March 27, 2018
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tuesday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 73. Southeast wind 10 to 15 mph.
Tuesday Night: Patchy fog after 10pm. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 62. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday: Patchy fog before 9am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 79. South wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Wednesday Night: Patchy fog after 4am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 64. South wind around 10 mph.
Thursday: A chance of showers, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 1pm. Patchy fog before 9am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 77. South wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Thursday Night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Low around 61. Southwest wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
Friday: A 40 percent chance of showers before 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 75. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 50. North wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 73.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 50.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 79.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 57.
Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 79.
Budget Bill Puts Gulf Coast Amtrak Service Back On Track
March 27, 2018
The $1.3 trillion omnibus bill signed by President Donald Trump provides big wins and great opportunities for the Southern Rail Commission (SRC) and for the return of Amtrak service on the Gulf Coast, including Pensacola and Atmore.
The bill provides significant increases in funding for passenger rail capital and operating programs, and includes report language that is supportive of the ongoing work to support passenger rail projects across the southern coast, the SRC said Monday.
“The Southern Rail Commission is grateful to Senator Thad Cochran, Appropriations Committee Chair and Senator Roger Wicker of the Commerce Committee – as well as the Congressional delegations from Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi – for the commitment to the restoration of passenger rail service across America’s Gulf Coast. These programs can provide the resources that will get passenger rail up and going,” said SRC Mississippi Commissioner, Vice Chairman Knox Ross.
The final bill represents the largest single year increase for the full Amtrak budget as well as the national system. There is $35,547,000 set aside to restore lost passenger rail service such as the Gulf Coast route.
Amtrak service between New Orleans and Orlando was suspended in 2005 due to significant damage caused by Hurricane Katrina.
Work is underway in collaboration with the Federal Rail Administration (FRA), the states of Florida, Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana Gulf Coast Congressional leadership, CSX, Amtrak and the SRC to identify needs and specific funding for phasing capital construction and operations for the restored passenger rail service. Some of this funding could be acquired through the newly appropriated federal rail programs. The SRC has also received significant interest and initial commitments from private sector partners across the Gulf Coast interested in contributing to the rail project.
Also, the SRC and FRA are currently providing $1.33M in grant funds to communities in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama for station area planning and rail safety improvements. These communities have contributed their own cash match, resulting in more than $2.6M in projects underway in preparation for service restoration.
Pictured: An Amtrak inspection train rolls in Atmore (top and bottom) and Pensacola (inset) in February 2016. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Gulf Power Customers To See Rate Reduction
March 27, 2018
Monday, Gulf Power received unanimous approval from the Florida Public Service Commission to pass along approximately $103 million in tax savings to its 460,000 customers. With the approval, the average residential Gulf Power customer using 1,112 kilowatt-hours per month can expect to see a $14 drop on their monthly energy bill for 2018 — the largest decrease in company history. More than $30 million in savings for customers will continue into 2019 and beyond.
“We’re thankful to gain approval from the Commission today so we can now quickly pass these savings on to our customers,” said Stan Connally, Gulf Power chairman, president and CEO. “Gulf Power customers will benefit from this tax reduction in the form of lower energy prices beginning in their April bills.”
“It’s exciting,” said Art Graham, chairman of the Florida Public Service Commission, which approved the plan Monday. “It’s definitely exciting to see the immediate impact of this kind of stuff.”
The tax savings are the result of federal tax reductions under the new Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which was signed into law on Dec. 22, 2017, and became effective on Jan. 1, 2018. The decrease in the Corporate Tax Rate from 35 percent to 21 percent reduces the amount of federal income tax Gulf Power will have to pay and allows the energy provider to pass that savings along to customers.
While the average residential Gulf Power customer who uses 1,112 kilowatt-hours per month will see a $14 drop on their bills, customers who use more energy will see a larger decrease and those who use less, a smaller decrease.
Gulf Power worked together with the Office of Public Counsel, the Florida Industrial Power Users Group and the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy to reach a settlement on how to deliver these savings to customers as soon as possible.
“We think it’s a fair deal, and we think it’s in the public interest,” said Jon Moyle, an attorney for the group commonly known as FIPUG.
The decrease comes on the heels of record consumption by Gulf Power customers during an unusually cold January.
Application Period Open For Century Town Clerk Position
March 27, 2018
The application period for the Century town clerk job is now open.
“The town clerk is the official custodian of all official town records; responsible for the retention and overall management of records in accordance with Florida law. the town clerk records the minutes and actions of the town council and manages all aspects of town elections. work is performed in coordination with the mayor and town council,” according to the job description.
The application period closes April 8. Applications area available at Century Town Hall or can be downloaded by clicking here..
Leslie Howington resigned the town clerk job March 9 after seven and a half years.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Scott Signs Nursing Home Generator Requirements
March 27, 2018
More than six months after residents of a Broward County nursing home died following Hurricane Irma, Gov. Rick Scott on Monday signed two bills that nail down requirements for nursing homes and assisted-living facilities to have backup generators and fuel supplies.
The bills passed this month by the Legislature, ratified rules issued by the Scott administration. The ratified rules replaced emergency rules issued in September following the deaths of residents of The Rehabilitation Center at Hollywood Hills.
Hurricane Irma knocked out the Hollywood nursing home’s air-conditioning system, which led to sweltering conditions.
The emergency rules drew legal challenges, but the more-permanent rules ratified by the Legislature this month were negotiated by the Scott administration and parts of the long-term care industry. The nursing home rule, for example, requires facilities to have alternative power sources, such as generators, that can keep temperatures at 81 degrees for at least 96 hours. Areas cooled would have to at least be the equivalent of 30 square feet per resident.
Also, nursing homes would have to keep 72 hours of fuel on site. Scott signed the bills during an appearance in Lee County.
Pictured. Generator at Century Health & Rehabilitation in Century. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Molino Park Elementary Names Students Of The Month
March 27, 2018
March students and citizens of the month have been named at Molino Park Elementary. They are: Mady Madril and Makayla Morales, March students of the month; and Chloe Mitchem, and Walker Maughon, March good citizens of the month. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Pine Forest Tops Northview; Lakewood Gets Late Win Over Tate
March 27, 2018
Pine Forest 6, Northview 4
The Pine Forest Eagles took advantage of a sixth inning error to take the lead on the way to defeating the Northview Chiefs 6-4 Monday in Bratt.
Seth Killam took the loss for the Chiefs took the loss for the Northview Chiefs. He allowed four runs on three hits over three innings, walking one and striking out three. Jackson Moore started the game for the Chiefs, giving up four runs in four innings and striking out four.
Northview: Seth Killam1-4, 1R 2B; John Chivington 1-4, RBI; Adam Aliff 1-2, 2R; Jason Fischer R; Billy Rolin 1-2, 2B , RBI; Logan English 1-2, RBI 2B; Tanner Levins 1-3.
Pine Forest: Jason Roberts 1-4; Nolan Rigby 1-3, R, 2B; Garret Holmes R; Timmy William 2-1, R; Christian Munoz 2-3, 2R, 2RBI, 2B; Caleb White R; Jesse Oberst 1-3, RBI.
Pine Forest will host Northview on Tuesday at noon.
Lakewood Ranch 7, Tate 6
Lakewood Ranch High School of Bradenton defeated the Tate Aggies 7-6 Monday.
For Tate: Reid Halfacre 2-3; Raymond Lafleur 1-4, RBI; Mason Land 2-3, 3R;, RBI; Hunter McLean 3-4, R, 2RBI, 2B, 3B; Darrien McDowell 1-3; Jesse Sherrill 1-4, 2R.
Fire Marshal Investigating Suspicious Back Porch Fire At Abandoned Home
March 26, 2018
A suspicious fire that damaged an abandoned mobile home near McDavid is under investigation.
A passerby noticed smoke from the rear of the trailer on Lambert Bridge Road, near Pine Barren Road, about 1 p.m. Monday. The fire originated on the back porch and was quickly extinguished.
The mobile home did not have power or gas service. The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Florida State Fire Marshal’s Office.
Pictured: The first firefighters arrive at an abandoned mobile home on Lambert Bridge Road Monday morning and extinguish a porch fire. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Seven Finalists Named For Escambia County Fire Chief
March 26, 2018
Seven names are on a short list of candidates to be the next Escambia County Fire Chief, down from an original field of 77 applicants.
They are:
- David E. Allen, Pensacola, Florida
- Larry L. Collins, Saline, Michigan
- Stephen F. Cox, South Bend, Indiana
- Steven C. Hudson, Cudjoe Key, Florida
- Russell Clark Nail, Melbourne, Florida
- Paul Randall Smith, Mobile, Alabama
- Steven P. Woodworth, Atlanta, GA
The seven were named after a selection committee meeting Monday. Next, the county will determine if each is interested in moving forward with the selection process. Interviews and background checks will follow.
Allen is the only local candidate remaining.
Among those cut from the list of 77 candidates were local applicants Molino District Fire Chief Anthony Manning, Ferry Pass District Fire Chief Michael Aaron, former Pensacola Fire Chief Matt Schmitt and former Pensacola Deputy Fire Chief Joseph Glover (a current part time ECFR employee), and current ECFR lieutenants Daniel Akerman and Richard Bode.
NorthEscambia.com photo.
Pensacola Woman Killed In I-65 Hit And Run Crash
March 26, 2018
An Escambia County, FL, woman was killed Sunday night when she was struck by a vehicle on I-65 in Alabama.
Alabama State Troopers said 25-year old Anna Caroline Lewis of Pensacola was walking along I-65 about eight miles north of Evergreen when she was hit. She was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The driver of the unknown vehicle fled the scene.
Troopers are continuing their investigation. They have not said why Lewis was walking on the interstate.
Anyone with any information about the crash is asked to call the Alabama State Troopers at (251) 578-1316.