PSC Gives Final Approval To Gulf Power Rate Increase
May 5, 2017
Thursday, the Florida Public Service Commission approved a Gulf Power Company rate increase. The rates are from the Commission’s previously approved settlement agreement. Customers will be noticed about their final rates, effective July 1, 2017.
The impact of the settlement agreement on a 1,000 kilowatt-hour monthly residential bill is a $6.20 difference, with the bill increasing from $131.43 to $137.63. The bill impact on commercial and industrial customers will vary depending on usage; however, on average, commercial/industrial bills will increase by about three to six percent.
On April 4, 2017, the PSC approved a settlement agreement on the utility’s rate petition. The agreement was signed by Gulf Power; the Office of Public Counsel, who represents all ratepayers; the Florida Industrial Power Users Group; and the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy. No other party to the case objected.
Gulf Power originally requested additional revenues of $106 million and a return on equity of 11 percent. The agreement provides Gulf with recovery of an additional $62 million in revenues and maintains its return on equity at the current 10.25 percent.
Gulf Power filed its petition for a base rate increase with the PSC on October 12, 2016. The PSC held customer service hearings on January 26, 2017 in Pensacola and on January 27, 2017 in Panama City. Gulf Power currently provides electric service to more than 450,000 retail customers in eight Florida counties including most of Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
‘Life Threatening Injuries’ During Inmate Altercation At Century Prison
May 5, 2017
An inmate suffered life -threatening injuries as the result of an apparent inmate-on-inmate altercation at Century Correctional Institution Wednesday night, the Florida Department of Corrections has confirmed. The inmate was reportedly stabbed.
The inmate, whose name has not been released, was transported to a Pensacola hospital for the treatment.
There were no injuries reported to corrections officers or other staff.
The incident is currently under investigation by the Florida Department of Correction’s Office of the Inspector General.
Century Observes National Day Of Prayer (With Photo Gallery)
May 5, 2017
A National Day of Prayer event will held Thursday evening in Century.
Community and spiritual leaders gathered in prayer, asking for God’s favor on their town, surrounding communities and the nation.
“If we want to turn Century right side up, we are going to need to turn go God,” Century Mayor Henry Hawkins said.
If you want to see change, we need to pray,” Pastor Booker Bivins of New Life Christian said. “God is looking for his people to come together.”
For a photo gallery, click here.
Pictured top Pastor Booker Bivins of New Life Christian. Pictured below: A National Day of Prayer event in Century Thursday evening. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Scott Stops In Escambia County To Stump For Legislative Priorities
May 5, 2017
With the annual legislative session scheduled to end Friday, Gov. Rick Scott made a stop in Pensacola Thursday afternoon to tout his priorities, including money for Enterprise Florida and Visit Florida.
He has clashed for months with House Speaker Richard Corcoran about funding for those agencies. A budget outline negotiated by legislative leaders would not provide money to Enterprise Florida for business incentives and would provide $25 million to Visit Florida for tourism, marketing, about a third of what Scott sought.
“Enterprise Florida is going to be basically shut down, so we will have no more Navy Federal Credit Unions,” Scott said. He has frequently highlighted Enterprise Florida’s role in landing Navy Federal and its thousands of jobs in Escambia County.
Scott urged those in attendance to contact members of the Florida Legislature and push for Enterprise Florida and Visit Florida funding.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Atmore Marks National Day Of Prayer (With Gallery)
May 5, 2017
Atmore marked the National Day of Prayer Thursday with several events, drawing the faithful and pastors from Alabama and Florida. A prayer walk was held at Atmore City Hall, followed by prayer at the Veterans Memorial. A community prayer service and Bible reading was held Thursday afternoon in the Cornell Torrence Gym at Escambia County High School.
Community, business and spiritual leaders led those gathered in prayer before the annual Bible reading for government, the church, the family, media, education and business.
For a photo gallery, click here.
For a photo gallery from the event, click here.
Pictured: National Day of Prayer events in Atmore Thursday. Inset: A woman plays a shofar, an ancient musical horn made from a ram’s horn and used for religious purposes. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Locals Gather To Discuss Coyote Issues
May 5, 2017
Nine local residents met with UF IFAS Extension, UF IFAS Ag Communications, and the FWC to discuss encounter issues with coyotes. Participants included residents from the North Escambia area as well as Pensacola Beach. Information collected during this focus group meeting will be complied with comments from similar meetings in other parts of the state to develop “living with coyote” education materials and programs. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview’s Ohijie Elliott Signs With Alabama Prep Birmingham
May 5, 2017
Northview High School senior Ohijie Elliott has signed to play football for Alabama Prep Birmingham. He is pictured at a signing ceremony Thursday afternoon at Northview with family, friends and fellow Northview Chiefs players.
Deputies Seek Circle K Armed Robbers
May 5, 2017
Just after midnight on May 1, masked individuals walked into the Circle K on Burgess Road, pointed a gun at the clerk and demanded money. After robbing the clerk at gunpoint, the masked suspects then robbed a customer. Anyone with information on the incident is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP or the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-960. Submitted images for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Santa Rosa Detention Deputy Accused Of Using Excessive Force On Juvenile
May 4, 2017
A Santa Rosa County juvenile detention deputy was arrested Wednesday for allegedly using excessive force on a minor.
Detention Deputy Sgt. Ovando Vincente Blankenship was charged with cruelty toward a child and falsifying official documents, both third degree felonies.
The Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office said Blankenship used “inordinate force” to place a juvenile into a cell on April 21 and then falsified his report of the incident. Video obtained by detectives varied in detail from Blankenship’s official report of the incident, a news release states.
Blackenship’s mugshot has been withheld by authorities under Florida law. He is being held in the Santa Rosa County Jail.
The investigation is continuing.
Two Busted For Meth While Dropping Off Child At Jim Allen Elementary
May 4, 2017
Two people were arrested on methamphetamine related charges after dropped a child off at Jim Allen Elementary School.
Robert Clinton Wooten, 36, was charged with possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was also cited for driving while license suspended and attached tag not assigned. He remained in the Escambia County Jail Thursday with bond set at $5,500. Camie Denean Linton, 34, was charged with possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia. She remained in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $3,000.
An Escambia County Sheriff’s deputy reported seeing Wooten turn into Jim Allen Elementary and recognized him as someone that has eluded law enforcement in the past. A computer checked revealed an improper tag on the vehicle, and the deputy conducted a traffic stop after a child exited the vehicle for school.
A K-9 alerted for drugs in the vehicle. A search of the vehicle revealed drug paraphernalia, methamphetamine and other items in the center console, in reach of both Winton and Linton, according to an arrest report. Both were taken into custody and transported to the Escambia County Jail.