Driver Charged With DUI Manslaughter In Fatal Cantonment Crash
November 23, 2013
A Cantonment driver has been charged with DUI manslaughter following a Thursday night traffic crash that claimed the life of his 54-year old passenger.
Melvin Pryear, 48, was released for from Sacred Heart Hospital Friday night, less than 24 hours after the crash. He was immediately taken into custody and charged with the death of Albertina McCarty of Pensacola. The Florida Highway Patrol said Pryear was driving under the influence when he pulled into the path of a 18-wheeler near International Paper.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Pryear was traveling north on Highway 29 in a 2004 Chrysler Sebring about 10:45 p.m. when he turned into the path of a southbound 2000 Volvo 18-wheeler driven by 60-year old Standford Britts of Medina, OH. The FHP said that according to multiple witnesses, both north and southbound Highway 29 had a green light as he approached Muscogee Road, but there was no green turn arrow for Pryear.
The front of the 18-wheeler struck the Chrysler, causing it to rotate onto the southbound shoulder at the Raceway gas station. McCarty, Pryear’s passenger in the Chrysler, was pronounced deceased at the scene by Escambia County EMS. Britts not injured.
Pryear remained in the Escambia County Jail early Saturday morning where he was being held without bond.
Pictured: A 54-year old Pensacola woman was killed in this crash Thursday night in Cantonment. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Smith, click to enlarge.
Escambia Shooting Victims’ Names Released
November 23, 2013
Escambia Sheriff’s investigators have released the names of two shooting victims from an incident which occurred on November 19. The victims are identified as 32-year old Willie Maurice Floyd and 27-year old Courtney Germaine Floyd.
According to the victims, they were walking near the 3200 block of West Gadsden Street when they were approached by two black males. An argument ensued at which time one of the black males pulled a gun and fired several shots. Deputies responded and discovered the victims with what appeared to be non-life threatening injuries
Investigators are seeking any information regarding this crime. Anyone with information about this or any other crime is asked to call Gulf Coast Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-7867.
Satsumas Available From Davisville Man’s Orchard
November 23, 2013
A local man is selling the fruits of his labor — satsumas from his orchard.
Jimmie Davis has nearly 180 satsuma trees in his orchard in the Davisville community. The satsumas, which are said to be better than an orange and peel like a tangerine, are available while supplies last.
To purchase the satsumas, stop by 9941 Highway 97 (south of Highway 4, near Pine Forest Road).
Pictured above: Jimmie Davis of Davisville with one of his satsuma trees. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Firefighters Battle Train Engine Fire Near State Line
November 22, 2013
Firefighters from Alabama and Florida battled a train engine fire Friday afternoon near the state line.
The CSX locomotive caught fire near Welka Road just outside Flomaton. Flames were shooting several feet into the air over the engine, which was still attached to freight cars. None of the train cars were on fire or immediately threatened by the engine fire. The train cars did not contain any hazardous materials, and the fire was not posing any threat to the public.
CSX officials were on scene with firefighters dispatched from Flomaton, Friendship, McCall, Barnett Crossroads, Century, McDavid and other departments. Preliminary information indicated there was abut 3,000 gallons of diesel fuel on the locomotive, and CSX devised a plan to turn off the fuel supply and extinguish the fire.
The Flomaton Police Department, Escambia County (Ala.) Sheriff’s Office, Alabama State Troopers, Escambia County (AL) Emergency Management and Escambia County (FL) EMS were also among the responding agencies.
The fire was declared out by about 3:25 p.m. No injuries were reported in the incident.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
District 5’s Larry Walker Re-elected ECUA Board Chairman
November 22, 2013
District 5 member Larry Walker was re-elected Thursday as chairman of the ECUA Board, while District 1 member member Vicki Campbell, was elected vice-chair. District 5 includes in the North Escambia area.
District two member Lois Benson was elected chair of the Citizens’ Advisory Committee, and Elvin McCorvey of District 3 was elected vice-chair. Deborah Benn, Charles Green, Chuck Kimball, Hurey Smith, Tim Common, Kelley Thompson, and Louise Ritz were appointed as members of the Citizens’ Advisory Committee.
Settlement Would Raise Gulf Power Rates
November 22, 2013
Gulf Power Company will be able to increase base electric rates by $35 million in January and an additional $20 million in 2015, under a proposed settlement agreement filed Friday morning with the Florida Public Service Commission
Gulf Power had request a $74.4 million increase, along with another potential $16.4 million in 2015 that is related to transmission projects. It was a two-step price increase to help pay for the largest power grid construction program in the history of the company. Regulators were set begin a detail hearing on the increase proposal on December 9.
“The agreement is in the public interest and should be approved,” the filing Friday says. “It has been agreed to by each and every party and resolves each and every issue in this (case) docket. It results in rates and charges that are fair, just and reasonable over the term of the agreement.”
The Public Service Commission will need to review and decide whether to approve the settlement agreement, with the parties seeking consideration at a December 3 meeting. The agreement could avert a potentially contentious debate about how much the Pensacola-based utility should be allowed to increase customers’ bills. The agreement would remain in effect until June 2017.
The other parties are the state Office of Public Counsel, which represents consumers in utility issues; the Florida Industrial Power Users Group, which represents major electricity users; federal government agencies that are Gulf customers; and retailers Wal-Mart Stores East, LP, and Sam’s East, Inc.
Gulf Power said over the next three years the company is building and replacing power lines and infrastructure — some more than 70 years old — to keep electricity flowing to its 430,000 customers. In addition, new lines and equipment are needed to comply with new mandatory federal environmental regulations.
Part of the new transmission line construction is to help the company comply with new federal environmental regulations that will change the way the company operates its plants and will require plants to be shut down at regular intervals. The new lines and equipment will be used to ensure voltage stability and reliable power flow while the plants are offline.
The News Service of Florida contributed to this report.
Pictured inset: Gulf Power crews making upgrades to a distribution line. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Cottage Hill Water Works Notice Lifted
November 22, 2013
The following Boil Water Notice has been lifted.
A precautionary boil water notice has been issued for some customers of the Cottage Hill Water Works System.
The following streets are included in the notice: 807-1400 North Highway 29 , Neal Road, Pinetop Lane, Brookhills Drive, Rose Petal Lane, Forehand Lane, Knollwood Drive, Hillock Drive, and Ridgeway.
The notice was issued following a water main break. Residents are advised to boil water for one minute at a rolling boil or to use six drops of regular unscented household bleach per gallon of water for water drinking or cooking purposes. Bacteriological sampling is underway and the advisory will be lifted as soon as possible.
A crew has repaired the main and is flushing out the lines. Residents are advised that there is a possibility of discolored water as a result of the break and flushing, and to flush their home’s plumbing by running their taps for a few minutes. If you have questions, contact the Cottage Hill Water Works, office at (850) 968-5485.
NOAA Calls For Warmer, Drier Winter
November 22, 2013
Winter is likely to see a drought develop across parts of the Southeast, along with above normal temperatures, according to NOAA’s Annual Winter Outlook released Thursday.
In the Southeast, including the North Escambia area, the Precipitation Outlook favors below average precipitation, while the Temperature Outlook favors above average temperatures.
Sea surface temperatures across the equatorial Pacific have been near average since spring 2012, and forecasters expect that to continue through the winter. This means that neither El Niño nor La Niña is expected to influence the climate during the upcoming winter.
The Climate Prediction Center produces the U.S. Winter Outlook to give American communities the best possible scientific prediction of how the winter may shape up across the nation. This outlook supports local and state governments in their effort to plan for public needs during the winter, and large and small businesses as they plan for winter impacts on things like transportation, market demand for goods and services, and finances.
Poll: Charlie Crist Keeps Edge Over Rick Scott
November 22, 2013
With a campaign full of attack ads and big money ready to play out, Democrat Charlie Crist has a seven-point lead over incumbent Republican Rick Scott in the 2014 race for Florida governor, a poll released Thursday shows.
Crist, a former Republican governor who became a registered Democrat last year, leads Scott by a margin of 47 percent to 40 percent, according to the Quinnipiac University poll. A similar poll in June showed Crist leading 47 percent to 37 percent in a match-up with Scott.
While the new poll showed the margin narrowing, it also indicated that voters continue to have a generally negative view of Scott. For example, 42 percent of the people in the poll said they approved of the way Scot is handling his job, while 47 percent disapproved.
Crist filed paperwork Nov. 1 to formally enter the race, and Scott and his allies are expected to spend tens of millions of dollars blasting the former Republican as a political opportunist who was in office when the economic recession hit the state.
The poll shows voters split 46 percent to 46 percent about whether Crist’s party-switching is a positive or negative thing. Also, it showed that 53 percent of voters approve of the job Crist did as governor.
“To catch Crist, Scott is going to have to convince Florida voters that Crist was a bad governor and a political opportunist,” Peter Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute, said in a prepared statement. “And he is planning on spending tens of millions of dollars on television adds to make that argument. This will be an intensely negative campaign on both sides. The survivor will be the candidate voters dislike least on Election Day.”
The poll also showed that voters, by large margins, approve of allowing people to use marijuana for medical purposes. That issue could come before voters as a proposed constitutional amendment in November 2014 if supporters can get it on the ballot.
Quinnipiac surveyed 1,646 registered voters from Nov. 12 to Nov. 17, and the poll has a margin of error 2.4 percentage points. The Connecticut-based Quinnipiac frequently conducts polls in Florida and other states.
By The News Service of Florida
Chiefs Honor Volleyball Players During Annual Banquet
November 22, 2013
The Northview High School volleyball teams honored their best Thursday night during their annual banquet.
They also celebrated the success of the varsity team, which set a school record at 13-10 for the season and second place place in the district. The varsity team is graduating seven seniors.
“Our varsity team was not filled with returning players,” coach Barbara Luker said. “The varsity team was a team that was willing to fight and work together to achieve the win.”
Awards presented Thursday night included:
Junior Varsity Best Offensive Award
Leah Fischer – JV, 11 Aces, 13 Kills
Laurie Purdy – JV, 14 Aces, 3 Kills and 10 Assists
Kyndall Hall – Varsity, 41 Aces, 40 Kills, and 98 Assists
Danielle Steadham – Varsity, 19 Aces, 111 Kills, and 3 Assists
Junior Varsity Best Defensive Award
Dimonique Brown – JV, 2 Blocks and 19 Digs
Danielle Steadham – Varsity, 56 Blocks and 118 Digs
Lily Townson – Varsity, 230 assists and 108 digs
Most Improved
Mallory Merchant – JV
Hanna Ging – Varsity
Coaches Award
Lily Townson
Best Attitude Award
Cheyenne Redditt – JV
Penny Bandit – Varsity
Effort Award
Maddi Weber – JV
E’Layzha Bates – Varsity
Rebecca Grim – Varsity
Pictured: The varsity Northview High School volleyball team was recognized during their annual banquet Friday night. Pictured below: Most Improved Award winners senior Hanna Ging (left) and junior varsity Mallory Merchant (middle) and Coach’s Award Winner Lily Townson. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
