ECSO Beats U.S. Navy In ‘Boots Vs. Badges Challenge’ In Molino
May 22, 2018
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office beat the U.S. Navy in the Escambia County 4-H Council’s Boots Vs. Badges Challenge at the 4-H property Molino.
The teams competed in an obstacle course challenge. The event also featured an obstacle course for the public, kids activities, vendors, a car show and more.
The event benefited Gulf Coast Kids House.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
FHP Holding Local Career Fair
May 22, 2018
The Florida Highway Patrol is looking to hire troopers.
The FHP will hold a career fair on Thursday at the FHP Pensacola Station at 150 Stumpfield Road from 3-6 p.m.
The minimum qualifications are:
- United States citizen
- High School graduate or equivalent
- Minimum of 19 years old at time of application (no maximum age restriction)
- Valid driver’s license
- One of the following – one year of law enforcement experience (sworn or non-sworn); two years of public contact experience; two years of active continuous U.S. military service with an honorable discharge; completed 30 semester or 45-quarter hours of college credit from an accredited college or university.
Jackson Generals Beat The Blue Wahoos 5-0
May 22, 2018
The Jackson Generals put on an offensive showcase against the Blue Wahoos in Monday night’s game to complete the series sweep at Blue Wahoos Stadium. The game was called after the top of the eighth as the rain began coming down, which gave the Generals a 5-0 win.
Starting pitcher Wyatt Strahan (L 4-3) got off to a shaky start. The right-hander allowed a two-run double to Rudy Flores that gave the Generals an early 2-0 lead. His pitching woes continued as Kevin Madrano singled home two, which doubled the Generals lead to 4-0 after two innings. However, he finished strong and did not allow a run over his final three innings.
Arizona Diamondbacks top prospect Jon Duplantier (W 3-1), pitched six shutout innings and allowed just one infield single on the night. The Wahoos were unable to solve Duplantier and the Generals starter did not allow a runner in scoring position all night. Yuhei Nakaushiro pitched a scoreless inning in the seventh inning before the game was called. Jackson’s win handed Pensacola its first five-game sweep since May 3-7 at the hands of Chattanooga.
The Wahoos will have an off day Tuesday before continuing the homestand with a five-game series against the Tennessee Smokies starting Wednesday night. Right-handed pitcher Daniel Wright (2-2, 4.63) will start for the Wahoos against Tennessee right-hander Trevor Clifton (3-3, 3.83).
Gulf Power To Be Sold In Multi-Billion Dollar Deal
May 21, 2018
In a major move in the state’s utility industry, the parent company of Florida Power & Light said Monday it will buy Northwest Florida’s Gulf Power as part of a $6.475 billion deal.
NextEra Energy Inc. plans to buy Gulf Power, the Florida City Gas natural-gas company and ownership interests in two power plants from The Southern Company. The purchase of Gulf Power and the stakes in the power plants, which are subject to federal approval, are expected to close during the first half of 2019, while the Florida City Gas purchase is slated for the third quarter of 2018, according to a NextEra Energy announcement.
The deal would expand NextEra Energy’s already-massive footprint in the state. Its Florida Power & Light subsidiary is by far the largest electric utility in Florida, serving nearly 5 million customers. Gulf Power, with about 450,000 customers in eight counties, is the largest utility in the Panhandle.
Florida City Gas has about 110,000 residential and commercial natural-gas customers in Miami-Dade, Brevard, St. Lucie and Indian River counties. NextEra said it will buy a 100 percent ownership interest in a power plant near Cocoa known as Plant Oleander, which has contracts to sell electricity to the Florida Municipal Power Agency and Seminole Electric Cooperative. It also will buy a 65 percent stake in a plant near Orlando known as the Stanton Energy Center, which has contracts with the Orlando Utilities Commission and the Florida Municipal Power Agency.
“These transactions will provide meaningful benefits for the state of Florida, and Gulf Power and Florida City Gas customers, as well as NextEra Energy shareholders,” Jim Robo, chairman and chief executive officer of NextEra Energy, said in a prepared statement. “Importantly, these transactions are consistent with our long-standing, disciplined approach of maintaining the strength of our balance sheet and credit ratings, both of which are among the strongest in the industry.”
NextEra Energy plans to finance the deal through the issuance of new debt, according to the announcement. The $6.475 billion total includes NextEra Energy assuming $1.4 billion of Gulf Power debt.
Subsidiaries of The Southern Company, which is based in Atlanta, operate in numerous states. In addition to Gulf Power, the subsidiaries include Alabama Power, Georgia Power and Mississippi Power. The Florida Public Service Commission last year approved a settlement agreement that set base rates for Gulf Power.
In the announcement, NextEra Energy said that with the addition of Gulf Power, Florida City Gas and the power plants, the Juno Beach-based company “will be even better positioned to generate long-term shareholder value through a more robust financial profile, greater scale and an expanded platform for growth.”
by Jim Saunders The News Service of Florida
Driver Rolls Vehicle
May 21, 2018
One person was injured in a single vehicle rollover crash Sunday night.
The accident happened about 9:45 p.m. on Highway 95A at East Roberts Road when the driver of GMC Yukon lost control and overturned into the Wayne Frier Home Center lot. The driver’s injuries were not considered life threatening.
The crash is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. Further details have not been released.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
This Week’s Gradution Schedule, New Security Guidelines
May 21, 2018
Graduation ceremonies will be held this week for most Escambia County schools, and there are important new security rules in place for those held at the Pensacola Bay Center.
The schedule is as follows:
May 21 – 11:00 Camelot Academy at First Baptist Church of Warrington
May 21 – 6:00 p.m. Judy Andrews (Second Chance) at Pensacola High School
May 23- George Stone EMT/Fire Academy 6p.m., Washington High
May 23 – George Stone Criminal Justice Center, 7 p.m. West Florida High
May 24 – at Pensacola Bay Center:
11:00 a.m. J.M. Tate High School
2:30 p.m. West Fla. High School
6:00 p.m. Pine Forest High School
May 25 – at Pensacola Bay Center:
11:00 a.m. Escambia High School
2:30 p.m. Pensacola High School
6:00 p.m. B.T. Washington High School
The Escambia County School District distributed the following security information for graduations held at the Pensacola Bay Center:
“There will be metal detectors in use. All patrons and bags are subject to a security search. Friends and family are encouraged to leave all gift exchanges for another location. Bags are limited to 12 inches and clutch purses size limit is 4.5” x 6.5” Camera lens must be 6 inches long or less. All attendees will be asked to remove keys and cell phones for the security search (belts, watches, jackets and jewelry may be left on and change and wallets may remain in a purse or pocket). Items that will be prohibited in the building include: large bags, backpacks, waist packs, strollers, noisemakers, signs or banners, containers, glass items, wrapped gifts. You may not bring in outside food or drinks. Also prohibited are any weapons, spikes, chains, laser pointers. Patrons with these items inside may be ejected from the venue. Umbrellas are restricted, but in the event of inclement weather, they will be allowed once cleared by security. Bay Center Security may also ban any other item deemed inappropriate or challenging to public safety.”
Students Cast Ballots For Favorite Books With Supervisor Of Elections Help
May 21, 2018
Students across Escambia County voted for their favorite books in Sunshine State Youth Reader Award book elections with the help of the Escambia County Supervisor of Elections.
The winning book at Ransom Middle School was “The War That Saved My Life”.
At McArthur Elementary School, 120 students cast a ballot. The favorite book among second graders was “Narwhal Unicorn of the Sea”, while third through fifth grade students chose “The Wild Robot”.
At Lipscomb Elementary School, the top book was “Maxi’s Secrets: Or What You Can Learn From a Dog”.
Pictured: Sunshine State Youth Reader Award book elections at Lipscomb Elementary (top), Ransom Middle School (below) and MrArthur Elementary (bottom). Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia BOCC Weekly Meeting Schedule
May 21, 2018
Here is a schedule of Escambia County public meetings for the week of May 21-25:
Monday, May 21
Library Board of Governance – 4 p.m., 1301 W. Gregory St.
Tuesday, May 22
HUD Annual Plan Public Meeting – 5:30 p.m., 420 W. Chase St.
Environmental Enforcement Special Magistrate – 1:30 p.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place
Merit System Protection Board – 5 p.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place, 4th Floor Training Room
Wednesday, May 23
Coffee with Commissioner Bergosh – 6:30 a.m., McDonald’s, 5 S. Blue Angel Parkway
DSM Professional Advisory Committee – 8:30 a.m.,Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place, Room 104
Development Review Committee – 1 p.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place
Santa Rosa Island Authority Committee – 5 p.m., 1 Via de Luna, Pensacola Beach
Santa Rosa Island Authority Budget Workshop – 5:05 p.m., 1 Via de Luna, Pensacola Beach
Thursday, May 24
FloridaWest EDA Board of Directors – 1 p.m., 418 W. Garden St., Room 307
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
County Renews Contract For Lake Stone Caretaker
May 21, 2018
The Escambia County Commission is extending their caretaker agreement for the Lake Stone Campground near Century.
Dennis Keith Cole will continue to manage thee facility for another year, until May 31, 2019. He will be paid $11,400 in 12 equal monthly installments of $950 with housing and utilities provided. Cole was first named Lake Stone caretaker in June 2013.
Lake Stone Campground is a 100-acre campground and boat ramp facility located at 801 West Highway 4. The campground has 77 campsites for everything from big RV rigs to tents. Lake Stone is the Escambia County’s only facility located on a fresh water lake. The facilities include a boat ramp , indoor public use pavilion, a playground, showers, restrooms, a fishing pier, security lights, electrical and water hookups, a sewage dump station, picnic areas and the lake.
The Lake Stone pavilion or campsites can be reserved by calling the Lake Stone campground manager at (850) 256-5555 or Escambia County Parks and Recreation at (850) 475-5220.
Since the inception of the Lake Stone Campground, the County has entered into an agreement for on-site caretaker/management services at the facility.
NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Bratt Elementary Celebrates Reading With Star Wars Party
May 21, 2018
Bratt Elementary School held a Star Wars themed Accelerated Reader Party for students that met their reading goals for the year.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
