Gulf Power Rate Settlement Approved
April 5, 2017
A settlement that will lead to rate increases for customers of Gulf Power was approved by state utility regulators on Tuesday.
The Public Service Commission unanimously supported the settlement agreement, which was initially announced March 20 but continued to be negotiated and was put forward Tuesday without opposition from customer groups.
The proposed settlement would lead to a base-rate increase of $62 million — with a $54.3 million net impact to customers — through the end of 2019.
Due to the settlement, about $7 is expected to be added to the monthly bills of typical residential customers who use 1,000 kilowatt hours of electricity a month.
Starting July 1, the monthly bills for such customers are expected to go from $144 to $151.
The initial request from the utility sought to boost the typical monthly bill to $158 as Gulf Power —a subsidiary of Atlanta-based The Southern Company — first sought to raise overall base rates by $106.8 million.
Jeff Stone, Gulf Power general counsel, called the settlement “a reasonable compromise of the positions held by all parties.”
The utility previously said it would use the increased money to help pay for infrastructure improvements, including work on transmission lines and substations.
The settlement was not signed by the Sierra Club, the Florida League of Women Voters, the Federal Executive Agencies and Walmart. But representatives for each said they do not necessarily oppose the agreement.
Robert Scheffel Wright, an attorney representing the Florida Retail Federation and Walmart, said the Arkansas-based retailer thinks that a potential “return on equity” remains too high. But he added that “on balance we believe it’s a reasonable settlement.”
In the agreement, Gulf Power will have a targeted “return on equity,” a measure of profitability, of 10.25 percent, down from the original proposal of 11 percent. Gulf Power also agreed to take a one-time $32.5 million write down on costs related to a Georgia power plant, known as Plant Scherer.
Gulf Power in the past has sold electricity from the plant on the wholesale market but now uses power from the plant for its retail customers.
The Pensacola-based Gulf Power is one of four major investor-owned utilities in Florida. It serves about 450,000 customers in eight Northwest Florida counties.
by Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida
Driver Slams Into Loaded Horse Trailer
April 5, 2017
There were no injuries when a driver slammed into a horse trailer and pickup Tuesday afternoon on Highway 29 in McDavid.
The pickup driver with a horse trailer had reportedly stopped in a travel lane of Highway 29 south of Bogia Road for a school bus with stop lights activated. The driver of car then reportedly hit the horse trailer.
Both drivers and a horse were not injured. The horse trailer was not movable following the crash due to damage to the trailer hitch. The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office livestock officer responded to the scene to transport to the horse to its destination.
The school bus was not involved in the crash.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Deputies Remove Meth Lab From Cantonment Home
April 5, 2017
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office cleaned up methamphetamine lab inside an unoccupied home in Cantonment Tuesday.
The ECSO received a tip that meth lab was inside the home on Lakeview Avenue near Forrest Street. A narcotics team responded and safely disposed of the meth lab.
There were no arrests made, according to the ECSO. An investigation continues.
Reader-submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Community Clinics Cantonment Pediatrics Is Now Open
April 5, 2017
The new Escambia Community Clinics Cantonment Pediatrics is now open.
Medical, dental and behavioral health services area available at the new clinic located at 470 South Highway 29 in Cantonment in the old Winn Dixie shopping center.
Pediatrician Quetheline Lanza, MD and pediatric nurse practitioner Stephanie Howell, ARNP, are joining behavioral health provider Catherine Dunham, LCSW, and dentist Victoria Lane, DMD, as providers at the new location.
For an appointment and more information, call (850) 780-0111.
Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Sex Crime Charges Dropped Against Jay Woman
April 5, 2017
Sex crime charges against a Jay woman have been dropped, but she is still headed to prison on a previous conviction.
State Attorney Bill Eddins announced Tuesday that the charge of unlawful sexual activity against 46-year old Kimberly Ann Seevers has been dismissed by the state.
Seevers was charged on April 12, 2016, for the pending case. The case was scheduled for judge trial before Circuit Judge John Simon later this week.
The victim met with prosecutors Tuesday and expressed that he did not want to return to Florida to testify. He also indicated that he was satisfied with the prison sentence Seevers had received and wished to move forward with his life.
Seevers was previously arrested on November 24, 2015, for the same charge involving another minor. In that case, Seevers entered a plea of no contest and was sentenced on January 17 to 38 months in state prison by Circuit Judge Ross Goodman.
With no further charges pending, Seevers will be transferred from the Santa Rosa County Jail to the Florida Department of Corrections to begin serving her prison sentence.
Escambia County, Mayors Recognize Community Volunteers
April 5, 2017
Commissioner Jeff Bergosh, Century Mayor Henry Hawkins and Pensacola Mayor Ashton Hayward presented proclamations Tuesday afternoon for the Mayors and County’s’ Day of Recognition for Community Volunteers. The day is a nationwide bipartisan effort to recognize the positive impact of national service, thank those who serve, and encourage citizens to give back to their communities. Pictured top: Pensacola Mayor Ashton Hayward (background, left), County Commissioner Jeff Bergosh (left) and Century Mayor Henry Hawkins. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Deputies Seek Man For Robbery In Store Parking Lot
April 5, 2017
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is looking for a man that allegedly robbed an individual in the parking lot of a convenience store at Kenmore Road and Pensacola Boulevard on March 19. Investigators said these surveillance images show the suspect and his vehicle. Anyone with information is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620.
Softball: Kentucky Team Tops Tate
April 5, 2017
Louisville (KY) Male High School topped the Tate Aggies Tuesday 4-2 in softball action.
Male jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the second before adding one in the seventh. The Aggies remained scoreless until two runs in the bottom of the seventh.
Hannah Brown pitched seven for the Aggies, allowing eight hits, four runs, one error, walking four and striking out three.
For Tate: Hanna Brown and Hayden Lindsay were 1-4, Belle Wolfenden 1-4, R; Shelby Ullrich 3-4, R, RBI; Leslee Scruggs RBI.
Pictured: Hayden Lindsay with a single in the first. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Weekes Arrested Again: Charged With Providing Drugs To Minor
April 4, 2017
A Flomaton man has been arrested for allegedly providing marijuana to a teenage boy.
Trey Alexander Weekes, 20, was charged with unlawful possession of a controlled substance (marijuana) and distribution of drugs to a minor. He was booked into the Escambia County (AL) Detention Center in Brewton Monday night.
Flomaton Police Chief Bryan Davis said a grandparent came forward after seeing a news report that Weekes had been arrested on unrelated charge. The grandparent told police Weekes had provided marijuana to his grandson, an allegation that Davis said the investigation supported.
The drug charges are unrelated to arrest for which Weekes was in the news last week. He was charged with two counts of rape second degree for alleged misconduct with two female victims under the age of 16.
That case, authorities said, will be presented to a Escambia Co. Grand Jury for “further prosecutorial efforts”.
Anyone with further information is asked call the Escambia County (AL) Sheriff’s Office at (251) 809-0741 or visit their website at escambiacountysheriffal.org.
Convicted Felon Pulls Gun On FHP Trooper
April 4, 2017
An Escambia County man is accused of pulling out a gun on a state trooper during a traffic stop.
T
he incident happened early Monday morning on Lillian Highway.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, 28-year-old Markies Devon Smiley rushed the trooper’s car and reached for a gun. The trooper used a taser to stop him.
Smiley was charged with resisting arrest, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, carrying a concealed weapon and failure to obey police. He was booked into the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $17,500.