Banker: Byrneville Elementary Needs To Make Changes To Secure Millions In Building Financing
April 25, 2019
As Byrneville Elementary School ponders a multi-million dollar building project, they are being told changes may be needed to secure financing.
United Bank Vice President Chris Walker told the Byrneville Elementary School Board of Directors Wednesday afternoon that they will need to increase revenue by increasing enrollment or find a way to cut expenses to be in the best position to borrow the funds needed for construction.
Byrneville is considering financing with the the USDA Community Facilities Direct Loan and Grant Program through United Bank.
To do only new classroom construction to replacing aging portable buildings, the school would need to increase enrollment by about 30 students. To build the new classrooms and renovate the school’s main building, which was constructed in 1941, the school would need some 40 to 45 additional students.
The dollar figure for the project depends on how much is scaled-back, but the overall project was estimated at up to $7.7 million, according to an architect’s needs assessment.
“Your expenses went up, but your number of students went down,” Walker told the board of directors.
There were about 200 students last school year at Byrneville Elementary; that number is about 190 now.
Pictured: United Bank Vice President Chris Walker addresses the Byrneville Elementary School Board of Directors Wednesday afternoon. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
ECSO: Cantonment Man Stole Checks From Business, Cashed Them
April 24, 2019
A Cantonment man has been charged after allegedly taking checks from a West Nine Mile Road business and fraudulently cashing them.
Robert Carl Godwin, 35, is facing multiple felony counts, including dealing in stolen property, grand theft and uttering a forged instrument.
He allegedly stole keys and several business checks from his stepfather’s business, Horizon Home Improvements, and he told deputies he formerly worked there as a warehouse manager, according to an arrest report.
Godwin allegedly cashed multiple fraudulent checks taken from Horizon Home Improvements at a check cashing business on North Pace Boulevard, including checks for $1,250 and $940, the report states.
He was allegedly in possession of 10 checks and keys from business the time of his arrest. The business owner told deputies that Godwin was never issued or given keys to the business.
Godwin remained in the Escambia County Jail Wednesday with bond set at $40,000.
NextEra, Gulf Power Report Earnings As Hurricane Michael Recovery Surcharge Looms
April 24, 2019
Tuesday, NextEra Energy, Inc. reported Gulf Power financial results for the first quarter of the year, as Gulf Power awaits approval for $350 million in customer restoration fees for Hurricane Michael recovery.
Gulf Power reported first-quarter 2019 net income of $37 million, or $0.08 per share.
Gulf Power base retail operation and maintenance costs were down nearly 5% year-over-year. Gulf Power’s capital expenditures were approximately $100 million in the first quarter of 2019, and full-year capital investments are expected to be approximately $700 million. During the first quarter of 2019, Gulf Power’s average number of customers was roughly flat to the comparable prior-year quarter as a result of continued impacts from Hurricane Michael in 2018.
During the quarter, Gulf Power filed a cost recovery petition for approximately $350 million in Hurricane Michael restoration costs. Subject to a review and prudence determination of final storm costs by the PSC, Gulf Power is proposing a surcharge equivalent to $8.00 per month on a 1,000-kilowatt-hour residential bill until the storm costs are fully recovered, which is expected to occur after approximately 60 months. Gulf Power believes that the proposed surcharge strikes an appropriate balance between ensuring timely cost recovery and mitigating customer bill impacts.
NextEra, which complete its purchase of Gulf Power on January 1, reported 2019 first-quarter net income attributable to NextEra Energy of $680 million, or $1.41 per share, compared to $4.43 billion, or $9.32 per share, for the first quarter of 2018.
Fountain Correctional Officer Arrested On Drug Charges
April 24, 2019
A Fountain correction officer has been arrested following a joint law enforcement investigation.
Wiggins Washington, a correctional officer assigned to Fountain Correctional Facility in Atmore, was arrested at a business and charged with conspiracy to traffic methamphetamines, according to the Alabama Department of Corrections. Washington, 50, also faces additional federal charges for being in possession of a firearm at the time of his arrest.
Washington was taken into custody in Bay Minette by agents from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Investigations Task Force, U.S. Marshals Service, ADOC Investigations and Intelligence Division, Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, and Bay Minette Police Department. Washington did not immediately resign, but administrative disciplinary actions are pending. He had served as a correctional officer since October 2007.
Coin Toss: Jay Gets Top Seed In District Softball Tourney, Northview Second
April 24, 2019
The Jay Royals claimed the top seed in the upcoming district tournament Tuesday by winning a coin toss with Northview. The Chiefs are second seed.
The district tournament schedule is:
Game 1 – Monday, April 29
#5 Chipley vs. #4 Baker, 6 p.m. at Baker
Game 2 – Tuesday, April 30
#3 Freeport vs. #2 Northview, 5 p.m. at Jay
Game 3 – Tuesday, April 30
Winner of Game 1 vs. Jay, 7 p.m. at Jay
Game 4 – Thursday, May 2
Game 2 Winner vs. Game 3 Winner, 7 p.m. at Jay
Pictured: Northview at Jay on March 12. NorthEscambia.com photos.
Splash Pads: Century Now Open; Atmore To Open May 1
April 24, 2019
The splash pad in Century is now open, and Atmore’s will open next week.
The Town of Century’s splash pad at Showalter Park is open daily from 8 a.m. until 7 p.m. Century had hoped to open their splash pad the week of March 18 for spring break, but Mayor Henry Hawkins said that was delayed by an electrical problem.
Atmore Mayor Jim Staff said Atmore’s splash pad is scheduled to open on May 1 and will be open daily from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m
Pictured top: The Century splash pad. Pictured below: The splash pad in Atmore. NorthEscambia.com file photos.
EREC Annual Meeting Is Saturday
April 24, 2019
Escambia River Electric Cooperative’s 80th Annual Meeting will be held Saturday, April 27 at Jay High School.
This year’s meeting begins with voting and activities from 8 a.m. until 10 a.m. prior to the business meeting at 10 a.m.
There will be entertainment by the Glorybound Southern Gospel Band, a pancake breakfast fundraiser for the Jay High Band, gifts for every member and door prizes. The grand prize will be a $500 credit on the member’s electric bill.
For children, there will be a magic show, games and prizes.
Pictured: The 2018 Escambia River Electric Cooperative annual meeting. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Softball, Baseball: Northview, Tate, West Florida, Flomaton Finals
April 24, 2019
BASEBALL
Northview 16, Baker 4
The Northview Chiefs beat the Baker Gators 16-4 Tuesday night in Baker. For a photo gallery. click here.
Tate 7, Pace 4 (Freshmen)
The Tate Freshmen Aggies improved to 13-0-1 Tuesday afternoon as they defeated Pace 7-4. They end their season Thursday night at West Florida High School.
SOFTBALL
West Florida 4, Tate 3
The Tate Lady Aggies lost to West Florida 4-3 Tuesday night.
Avery Beauchanie took the loss for Lady Aggies, allowing seven hits and four runs over six innings, while striking out three.
For Tate: Amber Decoux 1-3, RBI; Hannah Halfacre 1-2; Ryleigh Cawby R; Cam Wolfenden R; Lilly Locke 1-3, 2RBI; Gabby Locke 1-3; Shelby McClean 1-3, R.
Tate 21, West Florida 0 (JV)
Courtney Lundquist threw a no-hitter Tuesday afternoon as the JV Tate Lady Aggies shut out West Florida 21-0 in three innings.
At the plate, Lundquist was 3-4 with four runs and three RBIs. Also for Tate: Courtney Adams 3-4, 3R, RBI; Kennedy Turner 1-3, 2R, 3RBI; Brianna Folmar 2-3, 3R, 2RBI; Ella Little 3-4, 2R, 4RBI; Alyssa Rowell 2-3, 2R, RBI; Sophia Jones 1-3, 2R, RBI; Aaliyah Jordan 2-3, 2R, RBI; Taylor Green 2-3, 2R, RBI.
Northview 9, Flomaton 2
The Northview Chiefs Lady Chiefs defeated the Flomaton Lady Hurricanes Tuesday night 9-2 in Flomaton.
Tori Herrington allowed four hits and struck out seven of 29 batters.
At the plate for Northview: Kaitlin Gafford 2-5, RBI; Neveah Brown 1-4, RBI; Herrington 1-4; Aubree Love 1-3, RBI; Kailyn Watson 2-4, RBI; Ashley Ragsdale 1-3, RBI; Valen Shelly 2-4, 2RBI; Kendall Enfinger 1-4, RBI; Heather Knowles 1-3. RBI.
Northview 18, Baker 2
In junior varsity softball, the Northview Chiefs defeated Baker at Baker 8-2 Tuesday afternoon.
Pictured: Northview beat Baker Tuesday night in Baker. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Blue Wahoos Blacked 1-0 By Mobile
April 24, 2019
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos received another brilliant pitching rotation from their staff, but weren’t able to provide any run support in a 1-0 loss to the Mobile BayBears.
Entering the game with the best ERA in the Southern League, Devin Smeltzer delivered his fourth strong start of the season, allowing just one run over 7.0 innings while striking out nine. The BayBears did their only damage in the third inning, using a two-out ground ball single by Connor Justus, a stolen base, and a single by Brandon Marsh to score the game’s only run.
With the lead, the Mobile pitching staff kept the Blue Wahoos batters out of rhythm throughout the night. Starter Jeremy Beasley threw 5.0 shutout innings to earn the win, striking out five and allowing just two hits. In relief, Joe Gatto tossed 2.2 scoreless and Dario Beltre earned the save by recording the game’s final four outs on strikeouts.
Offensively, Luis Arraez, Jaylin Davis, and Brian Navarreto split the Wahoos’ three hits evenly. Davis’ second inning infield single extended his hitting streak to 10 games.
With tonight’s one-run effort, the Blue Wahoos pitching staff now holds a 1.87 team ERA, the best in baseball at any level in the majors or minors.
The Blue Wahoos and BayBears will finish their five-game set at Blue Wahoos Stadium Wednesday evening.
Man Injured In Rear-End Crash With School Bus; Students OK
April 23, 2019
The driver of a passenger car and one student were injured when a school bus was rear-ended Tuesday morning on Pine Forest Road.
Justin D. Patterson, 29, was northbound on Pine Forest Road just south of West Roberts Road about 7:07 a.m. when he failed to stop and collided with the Escambia County School District bus driven by 59-year old James Edward Roetter, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
Patterson was transported with minor injuries to Sacred Heart Hospital by Escambia County EMS.
There were about 33 Pine Meadow Elementary School students on the bus. All were evaluated by Escambia County EMS, and one student was transported to an area hospital with minor injuries.
The FHP cited Patterson with careless driving, failure to provide insurance and driving on a suspended license.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
