Gulf Power Seeks Approval For Voluntary Solar Program With Yearly Fee
November 23, 2015
Gulf Power is seeking approval from state regulators for a pilot program that would involve customers voluntarily paying extra fees for solar-generated electricity rather than installing expensive rooftop solar panels.
The proposal, filed last week with the Florida Public Service Commission, would lead to customers paying $89 or $99 annual “subscription” fees to cover the costs of solar facilities. Customers would then receive credits of $2 to $2.50 per month on their electricity bills that would partially offset the fees. The credits would reflect that the use of solar energy would reduce the amount of electricity that Gulf would have to generate or buy elsewhere, according to the filing.
The local utility said it would need 2,880 subscriptions to cover the costs of the program. Once approved, the 1-megawatt community solar photovoltaic facility will be built near Milton, Florida.
“This is a customer opportunity to engage in solar participation,” the filing said. “The proposed program is strictly voluntary and is designed for Gulf Power customers who are either unable or do not desire to install solar generation systems on their residences or businesses. For many customers, ownership and operation of a solar generation system is either not feasible or is not desirable.”
The annual fee would be $99 but would be lowered to $89 for customers who agree to participate for five years.
“This is a limited program and we expect it to fill up fast,” said Rick DelaHaya, Gulf Power spokesperson. “We’re excited to bring more renewables to Northwest Florida and give customers a new option to participate in solar without having to install a costly system on their roof.”
If approved, this is the fourth solar project Gulf Power has initiated in Northwest Florida. In April, the Florida Public Service Commission approved the construction of three large-scale solar energy farms. Partnering with the U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force, the solar farms will be constructed at Eglin Air Force Base, NAS Whiting Field, and NAS Saufley Field. When complete, the facilities could produce enough energy to power approximately 18,000 homes for one year.
The News Service of Florida contributed to this report.
Downed Line Cuts Power For 300 Customers In Molino, Sparks Brush Fire
November 23, 2015
About 330 Gulf Power customers in the Molino area lost power Sunday night due to a downed power line on Highway 196 near Schifko Road.
The downed line sparked a roadside brush fire that was extinguished by the Molino Station of Escambia Fire Rescue.
Most of those that lost power — located along and near Chestnut and Chance roads — had their power restored by 10:20 p.m. The restoration for about 30 customers along Highway 196 took until about 11 p.m. as the downed line was repaired.
Pictured top: Firefighters extinguish a brush fire on Highway 196 in Molino Sunday night caused by a downed power line. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge. Pictured below.: This map from Gulf Power shows the area of a power outage Sunday night in Molino.
Barrineau Park 4-H Club Wins State Community Pride Grant
November 23, 2015
The Florida 4-H Foundation has awarded a statewide 4-H Community Pride Grant to the Barrineau Park 4-H Club. The grant focuses on youth exploring the needs of their community and encouraging them to improve the quality of life of those around them.
The Barrineau Park 4-H proposal addresses needs of hunger, mentorship, and agricultural education in our community. With funds given through the grant, the club will purchase a hog, and the supplies for its care, to be raised by an urban youth in conjunction with a 4-H youth seasoned in animal science projects. These youth will work together to monitor the health and nutrition of the hog through a 100 day project that ends with the GCA & NRYO Spring Livestock Show.
During the 100 days, the youth will hope to obtain a buyer, or group of buyers, that will sponsor the project’s final component, having the hog processed and the meat donated to local food distribution venues that serve those in need in the community. The meat will be given to families with a collection of other food items and recipes for preparing meals with their pork products. With these items will also be included information about local agriculture and the benefits of purchasing meat products that have been raised locally. The club hopes that the success of this project will allow for sponsorship of multiple hogs to be raised by mentoring teams for the livestock show in coming years.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Lawmakers Back Higher Penalities, Costs For ‘Terroristic Threats’
November 23, 2015
People found guilty of making “terroristic threats” will face greater charges and have to pay for the fire-rescue and law-enforcement response, as well as any costs if public transportation is used for an evacuation, under a bill (HB 257) that received support from the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee.
The proposal by Rep. Jimmie Smith, R-Inverness, would make it a felony for calling in a threat.
“Currently under Florida law, terroristic threats are only punishable as a criminal mischief or disturbing the peace,” Smith said. “However, as we have seen across the nation these threats of violence must be taken seriously and require a law-enforcement response.”
A similar measure (SB 436) by Sen. Wilton Simpson, R-Trilby, has yet to be scheduled for any of its three planned committee appearances.
by The News Service of Florida
FFA Boxed Fruit Sale Is Underway
November 23, 2015
The annual Northview High School FFA Fruit Sale is underway with delivery before Christmas.
The NHS FFA is selling citrus in attractive 2/5, 1/2 or 4/5 bushel boxes perfect for gift wrapping. The Florida citrus is from RiverBrite in Vero Beach.
Orders must be made by Monday, November 30. The pickup date is Wednesday, December 16.
For an order form click here. Order forms and payment can be returned to Northview by mail (the address is on the order form), or dropped off at the school office. Fruits available include red apples, grapefruit, navel oranges, tangelos and Hamlin oranges. Mixed trio half bushels are also available.
For more information, call (850) 327-6681, ext. 248.
Deputies Honored For Saving Officer After Shots Fired In Cantonment
November 22, 2015
Two Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputes have been awarded Medals of Courage for their actions to save another deputy after he was shot at in Cantonment last September.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to the 1500 block of Crystal Drive to assist EMS after the 19-year-old’s family thought he was having a heart attack. Sheriff David Morgan said the family believed the man had ingested some type of narcotics.
EMS was standing by and the family had been locked out of the house. Deputy Ty Brewton attempted contact with the suspect by knocking at the front door and was immediately met with rifle gunfire through the door. Due to the rural nature of the location, Deputy Brewton was forced into a dangerous area where he had very little concealment, no cover and no easy means of escape due to the suspect shooting continuously through the windows of the house.
Senior Deputy John Holcombe and Deputy Sheriff Kaleb Svoboda arrived on scene to assist. They immediately, without hesitation, volunteered to effect an officer rescue. While shots were still being fired. Deputies Holcombe and Svoboda approached the house knowing that the suspect had a superior weapon firing at them from a concealed position within the house. Deputies Holcombe and Svoboda had worked their way into a position near Brewton when the suspect came out the front door and confronted them just as they were able to physically lift Brewton over a privacy fence and cover his egress to safety.
After leaving the incident, Holcombe noticed that he had been seriously injured on his left leg. Holcombe had a puncture-type wound and he responded to the emergency room where the doctor informed him that he had been hit by a shot fired from the suspect. The injury required 14 stitches to close.
Holcombe and were awarded the Medal of Courage for displaying exceptional courage and selflessness in the midst of great personal danger.
The suspect in the incident, Christopher Allen Payne, remains in the Escambia County Jail awaiting trial on charges including two counts of attempted first degree premeditated murder and three counts of assault on officer.
Pictured top: Deputies John Holcombe and Kaleb Svoboda were award the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Medal of Courage for saving a fellow deputy that was being fired on repeatedly during a September incident in Cantonment. Courtesy photo. Pictured inset and below: The incident scene last September. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Century Reschedules Council Meeting
November 22, 2015
The Town of Century has rescheduled their regular meeting for the month of December.
The town council normally meets on the first and third Mondays of each month. However, in December, the council only holds one meeting. This year, that December meeting will be held on December 14, the second Monday of the month, at 7 p.m.
The Century council will return to their normal meeting schedule in January.
Let The Miracle League Fry Your Thanksgiving Turkey
November 22, 2015
Want a fried turkey but afraid to try it yourself? Volunteers from the Miracle League of Pensacola will fry your turkey for you on Wednesday, November 25, saving you the time and trouble while benefiting the charity. And there is still time to make an appointment.
Completely thaw your turkey, removing all of the inside packaging and giblets. Write down exactly how much your turkey weighs so it is fried perfectly and take it to the Miracle League Park at 555 East Nine Mile Road from 7 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Wednesday, November 25. For a monetary donation to Miracle League, the volunteers will fry your turkey to perfection. A minimum of $20 per turkey is necessary to help cover costs, and any additional donation will benefit the Miracle League of Pensacola.
Call (850) 384-9180 with questions or to schedule your time (leave a message if no answer). Reservations should be made early as they number of time slots is limited.
Northview Graduate Smith Completes Basic Military Training
November 22, 2015
Air Force Airman Rickey H. Smith graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio, TX.
The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills. Airmen who complete basic training earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force.
Smith is the son of Heather M. Brooks of Seminole, AL, and Rickey D. Smith of Molino.
He is a 2015 graduate of Northview High School.
Tate High Varsity Cheerleaders Win Second Weekend Competition
November 22, 2015
For the second weekend in the row, the Tate High School Varsity cheerleaders won a competition Saturday. The cheerleaders came in first at the Cheering for a Clause Cheer Competition held at West Florida High School. Photo by Karen Potter for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.