A New Year, A Higher Rate For Gulf Power Customers
January 3, 2015
Gulf Power customers will see an increase on their bill this month to cover fuel coats associated with electrical generation. The Florida Public Service Commission allows expenses such as power plant fuel to be passed along to consumers, but they are not allowed to earn a profit on fuel charges.
A Gulf Power residential customer who uses 1,000 kilowatt hours a month will pay $139.29, up from $132, according to the PSC.
Fuel costs are a major component of each customer’s monthly bill. The industry commonly uses 1,000 kilowatt hours of electricity for residential customers as a benchmark, though many customers use more power than that each month.
Customers of two other major Florida utilities – Florida Power & Light and Tampa Electric – will see very minor decreases on their bills beginning this month.
Clerks Ready To Issue Same-Sex Marriage Licenses, Including In Century And Pensacola
January 3, 2015
After a year of legal wrangling, same-sex couples should be able to get married anywhere in the state Tuesday, making Florida one of three-dozen states where gay marriage is possible.
That includes Escambia County, where Escambia County Clerk of Circuit Court and Comptroller Pam Childers announced Friday that here office office will being issuing the licenses at 8 a.m. Tuesday at her offices in Century and Pensacola.
And Childers said her office will continue to perform wedding ceremonies for a standard $30 fee in addition to the license fee.
Reversing previous advice, lawyers for the Florida Court Clerks & Comptrollers said Friday that a clarification issued by U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle means that county clerks should issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples or run the risk of being sued.
“He provided the direction that they wanted and provided the judicial authority for them to issue same-gender marriage licenses,” Greenberg Traurig lawyer Fred Baggett, the clerks association’s general counsel, said. “We are advising them it’s in their best interest to accept the authority that Judge Hinkle has given them and to begin issuing licenses.”
Baggett also said he was unaware of any of the state’s 67 clerks who would decline to issue licenses. Kenneth Kent, executive director of the association, issued a statement that said Hinkle’s order Thursday had provided the “guidance” clerks wanted on the issue.
And while clerks are being advised to issue licenses, some have declared they will no longer perform weddings as they seek to avoid marrying same-sex couples. Clerks in Santa County along with Duval, Baker, Clay and Okaloosa and counties have said they have or will discontinue wedding ceremonies.
Florida requires a three-day waiting period if either applicant is a Florida resident. The waiting period can be waived with completion of a pre-marital preparation course by an approved provider. If both applicants are out-of-state residents, then no waiting period is required.
Escambia Man Gets Life For 2013 Murder
January 3, 2015
An Escambia County man has been sentenced to life in prison for the shooting death of another man on Pensacola Beach.
An Escambia County Circuit Judge found Damarcus Rayon Jenkins guilty of second degree murder for the death of Michael Harris. In June of 2013, he shot and killed Michael Harris during an argument in the Casino Beach parking lot.
Prosecutors said Jenkins pulled out a revolver as the argument escalated and shot Harris three times.
FWC Law Enforcement Report
January 3, 2015
The Florida FWC Division of Law Enforcement reported the following activity during the weekly period ending December 31 in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
Officer Hutchinson was patrolling the Escambia River Wildlife Management Area (WMA) when he checked a man and woman fishing. As he inquired about their success, he observed the woman go to the car and place something into her shirt. When he asked about the contents of the car, the subjects admitted that there was marijuana in the car. The woman handed over a bag of cannabis and was issued a notice to appear for possession of not more than 20 grams of cannabis.
Officer Livesay was working night hunting this week due to the high number of complaints from local landowners. From a concealed location, Officer Livesay observed an occupant of a vehicle shine a light into a nearby farm field. This area is known for a large deer population. Officer Livesay stopped the vehicle, identified two occupants and discovered they had a loaded rifle between them in the front seat. Officer Livesay seized the gun and light and issued both individuals a notice to appear citation for the violation.
SANTA ROSA COUNTY
Officer Hutchinson and Lieutenant Hahr were patrolling near the Escambia River WMA when they observed a car parked near a hunting club gate. When they pulled up to the car, they realized that a woman had hidden from them as they went by. They stopped to investigate and were told by the woman that she had just stopped to text her son. Drug paraphernalia was observed in the console, a glass pipe with a piece of crack cocaine ready for smoking was discovered on the floorboard. More crack and paraphernalia was found under the seat. The woman was arrested for possession of a controlled substance and taken to the Santa Rosa County Jail.
This report represents some events the FWC handled over the past week;however, it does not include all actions taken by the Division of Law Enforcement. Information provided by FWC.
Florida House To Get Taste Of Budget In Return To Capitol
January 3, 2015
House members will hold three days of committee meetings when they return to Tallahassee the week of January 5, including getting briefed on budget issues
The Appropriations Committee will meet January 7 and receive a presentation by economist Amy Baker on the state’s long-range financial outlook, which helps provide a backdrop for budget decisions.
Meanwhile, appropriations subcommittees will hold a series of meetings and receive presentations about the “base” budgets in their areas of focus, such as health and human services and education.
House panels will meet January 6 to January 8, though a handful of representatives also will take part January 5 in a Joint Legislative Auditing Committee meeting. The House and Senate also are expected to hold committee meetings the week of January 20 as they prepare for the annual session, which starts in March.
Taxwatch: Florida Bowl Games A Big Win For Florida’s Economy
January 3, 2015
College football playoffs and postseason games were expected to bring additional revenue to state and local economies, according to the latest Economic Commentary from Florida TaxWatch, the independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit public policy research institute. Florida was host to eight of the 38 college football postseason games, which is more than any other state.
“For 80 uninterrupted years, Florida has welcomed fans across the nation to the Sunshine State for postseason bowl games, including Championship Games,” said Dominic M. Calabro. “Bowl games give Florida an incredible opportunity to show off our vibrant communities and impeccable attractions and resources.”
Bowl games benefit Florida’s economy best when they host out-of-state teams, since fans travel to stay in Florida hotels and are encouraged to spend time at Florida’s theme parks, beaches and other attractions. In this year’s postseason bowl games, Florida hosted 15 out-of-state schools and their fans. The only Florida school to participate in a Sunshine State bowl game was the University of Central Florida.
Benefits of postseason bowl games include additional tax revenue, more money circulating through local and regional economies, and national exposure for host cities. Florida industries expected to benefit most from Florida’s bowl games are accommodations and food services; arts, entertainment and recreation; and retail trade.
“Florida residents should be excited to welcome this year’s out-of-state postseason bowl game fans,” added Calabro. “When fans come to watch their teams play, they also pay, which enables Florida taxpayers to continue experiencing low tax rates.”
2014 In Photos: August
January 3, 2015
We are looking back at the top events of 2014 in photos. Today, we are featuring photos from August.
The annual back to school Prayer Walk was held at Molino Park Elementary School. Students and adults from Highland Baptist Church prayed for the Lord’s blessings on the upcoming school year.
Work began in August on a leaking section of natural gas pipe under Highway 29 in Century, three and a half years since the leak was publicly revealed as a “major public safety issue”.
A Farm Share food distribution for the needy was held in Century.
Two people were arrested after a 56-mile police chase from Santa Rosa County to just outside Atmore.
The Cantonment Improvement Committee’s annual Back to School Bash was. The event included free school supplies and a hot lunch at Carver Park.
The driver of a SUV was not injured when she slammed into a cow on Highway 97 south of Walnut Hill.
A free “Day of Hope” provided free school supplies, food and an encouraging word in Molino.
A new Walmart officially opened in Atmore.
Georgia Pacific announced an investment of more than $375 million into an energy improvement project at the company’s mill in Brewton, AL.
A “topping out” was held at the new Ernest Ward Middle School in Walnut Hill.
A community “glow run” at Travis Nelson Park in Bratt. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Free school supplies were available in Century for 300 children in need, thanks to a family honoring the memory of one of their own, in a program called “Deidra’s Gift”.
After a summer of hard work, the Tate High School Showband of the South held a Preview Night at Pete Gindl Stadium for parents and friends.
CrossFaith Church in Molino presented “cardboard testimonies” at a Highway 29 intersection in Cantonment.
Ernest Ward Middle School took on the Jay Royals.
The Northview High School dance team performs.
The Northview Chiefs held a scrimmage game.
The Jay Royals lost to Flomaton.
The Tate Aggies beat West Florida.
A late August sunset.
NorthEscambia.com photos.
Motorcyclist Collides With Log Truck
January 2, 2015
An Alabama man was seriously injured early Friday morning when he drove he motorcycle in the back of a log truck in Cantonment.
Ladon Cauley, age 48 of Opp, was traveling south on his Suzuki motorcycle on Highway 29 approaching Muscogee Road and failed to see the log truck in front of him. He collided with logs overhanging from truck, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
Cauley was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital in serious condition.
The log truck driver was unaware that a crash had occurred and continued south on Highway 29, the FHP said. There were no charges filed in the crash.
Cantonment Stabbing Under Investigation
January 2, 2015
An altercation Thursday night in Cantonment ended with one man stabbed in the abdomen and another with less serious injuries.
A 37-year old man suffering from a stab wound was transported to an area hospital by ambulance as a “trauma alert” following the incident at a mobile home in the 300 block of Crowndale Road shortly before 10 p.m. Another man in his 50’s was reportedly hit in the head with a pipe but refused medical treatment.
Details concerning the incident have not yet been released by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Pictured: Fire and EMS units arrive at a mobile home on Crowndale Road where one person was stabbed Thursday night. NorthEscambia.com photo by Kristi Price, click to enlarge.
Man Charged With Escambia Shooting
January 2, 2015
[Updated] One person has been charged in connection with an early Thursday morning shooting in Escambia County.
A woman was reportedly shot in the chest and transported to an area hospital.
Michael Jerome Gratton, a 31-year old listed as being a transient, was charged with aggravated battery using a deadly weapon, improper exhibition of a firearm, firing a weapon in public and attempted first degree murder. The woman’s condition and further details concerning the shooting and arrest have not been released by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
He’s also charged with a shooting that injured two men last May.
He remained in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at just over $1 million.