2019 Brings Lower Rates For Gulf Power Customers
January 1, 2019
Beginning in January, Gulf Power customers will see prices drop nearly 2 percent thanks to additional tax savings and lower costs. The drop was approved last year by the Florida Public Service Commission. The average residential Gulf Power customer using 1,112 kilowatt-hours per month can expect to see a $2.70 drop on their monthly energy bill. Customers who use more electricity will see more savings while customers who use less will see less.
“This tax reduction and lower costs means lower energy prices beginning in customers’ January bills,” said Gulf Power spokesperson Jeff Rogers. “This will be the eighth time in 10 years we’ve been able to decrease prices with the average customer saving about $32 per year.”
In October 2018, the Florida Public Service Commission approved Gulf Power’s request to reduce rates for 2019 and beyond. This reflects the remaining tax savings resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. The proposed decrease comes on the heels of a previous price drop in 2018. Gulf Power worked to reach an agreement with the Office of Public Counsel, the Florida Industrial Power Users Group, The Florida Retail Federation and the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy to agree on how to best deliver these savings to customers.
A portion of the price drop includes lower costs in fuel, environmental controls and energy conservation programs. These “clauses” are reviewed annually.
“We’re extremely excited that electricity prices for our customers in Northwest Florida will be the lowest they’ve been in five years,” said Rogers. “As we pass along these additional savings to our customers, we will continue to invest in Northwest Florida’s energy grid to maintain the safe, reliable and affordable service our customers have come to expect.”
Florida Minimum Wage Increases
January 1, 2019
Minimum-wage workers in Florida are getting a little more in their paychecks in 2019.
The state’s minimum wage is $8.46 an hour as of Tuesday, up from $8.25 an hour in 2018, according to the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity. The minimum wage for tipped employees is now at least $5.44 an hour, up from $5.23 an hour in 2018.
Florida voters in 2004 approved a constitutional amendment establishing a state minimum wage that is higher than the federal minimum wage.
The state minimum wage increases because it is tied to inflation. The federal minimum wage is $7.25 an hour.
by The News Service of Florida
Escambia Man Sentenced For Selling Drugs From Hotel Room Where His Kids Were Sleeping
January 1, 2019
An Escambia County man that was selling drugs from a Highway 29 motel hotel room has been sentenced to 23 years in state prison.
Tony Kwabena Lovelace must serve 15 years of his sentence as a minimum mandatory.
Lovelace, 39, was convicted of one count of trafficking in heroin, possession of methamphetamine with intent to sell, one count of possession of cocaine with intent to sell, two counts of child neglect and one count of possession of drug paraphernalia.
On May 7, 2018, Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Investigators served a search warrant at a hotel room at the Luxury Suites on Pensacola Boulevard. An investigation began after information was received that Lovelace was selling heroin from the hotel room. Lovelace, an unknown female, and Lovelace’s two young children were located in the hotel room, along with more than 19 grams of heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine, drug paraphernalia, and over $6,600 in cash.
Lovelace’s two children were asleep in the bed near the controlled substances. Lovelace is a convicted felon and has a criminal history that includes several prior convictions for possession of controlled substances with intent to sell.
File Management: Learn How Manage Files And Folders At Century Library
January 1, 2019
The West Florida Public Library will offer a file management class at the Century Branch Library on Thursday at 6 p.m.
Attendees will lean how to create and organize files and folders. The class will include information on local and cloud-based storage options.
Escambia Man Sentenced To 50 Years For Molesting Young Girl
January 1, 2019
An Escambia County man will spend 50 years in state prison for molesting a young girl.
Monday, Christopher David McCumsey was sentenced on two counts of lewd or lascivious molestation on a victim less than 12.
Circuit Judge Stephen Pitre sentenced the McCumsey to 25 years state prison as a minimum mandatory sentence to run consecutively for a total of 50 years in state prison followed by lifetime sex offender probation. He was also designated as a sexual predator.
In December of 2017, a 7- year old child disclosed that McCumsey had sexually abused her since May of 2017.
One Injured In Highway 29 Rollover Crash After Avoiding Deer
December 31, 2018
One person was injured in a single vehicle rollover accident Monday afternoon on Highway 29 near Cotton Lake Road. The driver reportedly attempted to avoid a deer, according to witnesses. Escambia County EMS and the Molino, McDavid and Cantonment stations of Escambia Fire Rescue responded, and the Florida Highway Patrol is investigating. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Four People, Including Two Children, Injured In Bratt Head-on Collision
December 31, 2018
Four people were injured in a head-on collision Sunday night in Bratt.
According to a witness, the driver of a Ford Taurus crossed the centerline of West Highway 4 near Still Road and into the path of a Mercedes-Benz SUV occupied by two adults and two young children about 6:15 p.m.
The driver of the Taurus along with an adult female and the two children from the Mercedes were transported by Escambia County EMS to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola. The mother and two children were treated and released, according to family members.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating the crash. Troopers have not released additional information.
The Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia Man Honored During Tournament Of Roses Parade
December 31, 2018
Bryan Herrington, an organ and tissue donor from Escambia County, was honored on the 2019 Donate Life Rose Parade float on New Year’s Day in Pasadena, California. He is being featured among the float’s 44 floragraphs — a portrait made of organic materials such as seeds, spices and crushed flowers — that honor organ, tissue and eye donors from across the country.
“Bryan was all about being a servant and helping people,” said Terri Herrington, Bryan’s wife. “He would never have guessed that one decision could help so many people.”
Bryan was a husband and father of five, one son is currently a freshman at Tate High School. He was the owner of a family roofing business. In July 2004, he slipped while repairing a damaged roof, resulting in a terrible fall. Bryan never regained consciousness from that injury. Many years prior, he had registered as an organ and tissue donor. Because of Bryan’s generous gifts, he has helped save and restore the lives of 16 people through organ and tissue donation.
“Bryan made a life-changing difference for many people with his gifts,” said Rony Thomas, president and CEO of LifeNet Health, which nominated Herrington to be on the float and is sponsoring his family’s attendance at the parade. “We are proud to honor his legacy and hope he inspires others to make the selfless decision to register.”
The Donate Life Rose Parade float serves as a memorial to organ and tissue donors and a platform for donor families, living donors and transplant recipients to inspire the world to save and heal those in need through the gift of life. Today, more than 115,000 men, women and children are waiting for life-saving organ transplant. One organ donor can help save the lives of eight people and restore the health of more than 150 through tissue donation.
Pictured: Family members of Bryan Herrington finished a floragraph in his honor during a local ceremony. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Christmas Night House Fire Victim Passes Away
December 31, 2018
The victim of a Christmas night fire in Escambia County has passed away.
He was identified by family as Ronnie Owens, according to our news partners at WEAR 3.
Owens suffered burn injuries in the fire about 11:30 p.m. December 25 in the 900 block of Rentz Avenue in Warrington.
Escambia County Emergency Communications received a call at 11:34 p.m. reporting the residential structure fire.
Crews arrived on scene at 11:43 p.m. to find light smoke coming from the residence, with a report of an occupant still inside. Firefighters were able to locate the adult male occupant, who was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital in trauma alert condition and later transferred to a burn unit in Mobile.
The fire was called under control at 11:59 p.m., with major damage throughout the home.
Smoke alarms were present in the residence, but it is unknown if they alerted the occupant, according to Escambia Fire Rescue.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
ECUA Collections One Day Later Than Normal This Week; Christmas Tree Disposal Too
December 31, 2018
All ECUA sanitation collections in Escambia County (garbage, recycling and yard trash) will be made one day later than normal this week due to the New Year’s holiday.
And if you are looking to get rid of a Christmas tree, ECUA customers in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties may place real wreaths and Christmas trees at the curb with their regular yard waste collection. Customers are asked to remove all tinsel and decorations from their trees before placing them at the curb, and to ensure that trees, or portions thereof, are no more than 6 feet in length. Trees can be placed at the curb with other yard trash and should not be placed in the recycling cans or green garbage containers.