Main Library To Close Temporarily
March 13, 2012
The West Florida Public Library’s Main Branch at 200 West Gregory Street will close Sunday, March 18 for about two weeks as part of the ongoing construction of a new library building on the site.
West Florida Public Library’s five other branches will remain open during the closure, including the Century Branch Library.
During the closure, library staff will move books, computers, and other items from the existing building to the new addition, which is expected to be completed this week. After the main branch reopens in the new addition, a complete renovation of the existing library building will begin.
“With completion of the new addition, we’ve reached a major milestone in this project,” said Pensacola Mayor Ashton Hayward. “By reusing the existing building, we’re getting the most out of every dollar, and with the new building’s energy efficiency upgrades, we’ll save on energy costs while greening our City.”
When construction is completed this fall, a 40,000 square foot Main Library will anchor the West Florida Public Library system. The new building will become the first City facility to gain LEED certification.
“The new facility will provide a quantum leap in library service to Pensacola area residents,” said Library Director Gene Fischer. “The new building is a positive indication of how Pensacola is progressing.”
The finished building will feature an expanded children’s area, new books section, 50 computers for public use, a bookstore, two community meeting rooms, a coffee shop, and an atrium.
The project is funded through $6 million in local sales tax, a $606,500 U.S. Department of Energy grant, and $1 million left over from WFPL’s Tryon Branch on Langley Avenue, construction of which came in under budget. Friends of the Pensacola Library have also contributed $100,000.
Pictured top: A rendering of the new Main Branch of the West Florida Library. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Romney Makes Last Minute Whistle Stop (With Gallery)
March 13, 2012
Alabama voters headed to the polls Tuesday for the state’s primary elections. On Monday, Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney began his late push for voters with a breakfast appearance on the Fox News Channel’s Fox & Friends talk show from the Whistle Stop Cafe in Mobile.
For more photos from the event, click here.
Alabama has 50 delegates on the line in Tuesday’s primary. According to a poll released Monday by North Carolina-based Public Policy Polling, Romney held a small margin among potential Republican voters at 31 percent, while Newt Gingrich had 30 percent, Rick Santorium polled at 29 percent and 8 percent were in favor of Ron Paul.
“If you think that Washington is a mess I hope you will send me there so I can fix it,” Romney told the Mobile audience, according to the Mobile Press-Register. “If you think this country needs to be taken on a different direction than it’s been going under the last three years, then I want your vote here in Alabama.”
Comedian Jeff Foxworthy joined Romney on the campaign trail, joining the small crowd inside the Whistle Stop Cafe in singing “Happy Birthday” to Romney, who turned 65 on Monday.
Along with choosing their Republican presidential favorite, Alabama voters will also choose delegates for the Republican National Convention. Among those in the running is Jeff Peacock of Atmore. Peacock and a small number of Atmore residents joined Romney for his breakfast visit in Mobile on Monday.
For more photos from the event, click here.
Pictured top: Comedian Jeff Foxworthy (left) and Robert Maxwell of Atmore (center) listen as Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney campaigns Monday in Mobile. Pictured inset: Mitt Romney turned 65 on Monday, with supporters in Mobile singing “Happy Birthday” to the candidate. NorthEscambia.com photos by Jodi Peacock, click to enlarge.
Photo Gallery: Northview, Jay, ECHS Track Meet
March 13, 2012
The Jay Royals took first place while the Northview Chiefs claimed second in a track meet last week in Bratt.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Results, with total points earned, were as follows:
Girls
Jay — 118 points
Northview — 76
JU Blacksher — 58
Central High — 55
Escambia County (Atmore) — 11
Boys
Jay High — 99
Northview High – 75
JU Blacksher — 60
Central High — 56
Escambia County (Atmore) –29
For a photo gallery, click here.
Pictured: Action from a track meet last week Northview High School in Bratt. NorthEscambia.com photos by Bethany Reynolds, click to enlarge.
Free Hog And Deer Management Program Offered
March 13, 2012
Escambia County Extension will offer a free Managing Hog and Deer Damage program. The class will be held on Friday, March 23, from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Walnut Hill Community Center at 7850 Highway 97.
Topics reviewed during the program will be:
- Wild Hog History, Biology and Ecology
- Managing Deer Numbers to Mitigate Crop Loss
- Laws Governing Removal of Animals
- Hog Trapping: Things to Consider
- Hogs: Role of the Sport Hunter, Identification of Hog Signs and Night Hunting
- Coyote Considerations for the Hunter and Farmer
Pre-registration is required for the program. Contact Libbie Johnson at libbiej@ufl.edu or (850) 475-5230 by Tuesday, March 20, to register or receive more information.
Lunch will be sponsored by Scott’s Outdoor Sports.
Foreclosure Bill Dies
March 13, 2012
A controversial measure to speed up foreclosures fell by the wayside as lawmakers called it quits with the end of their regular session last week.
The proposal would have accelerated foreclosure proceedings on abandoned properties and also made it easier for lenders to complete proceedings in cases in which both parties agreed to end the process.
For consumers, the bill would have reduced the length of time lenders could go after a borrower following a foreclosure sale from five years down to one year.
Backers said the change would have allowed homeowners to get on with their lives.
Other provisions, however, were more lender friendly, including relaxing the restrictions on foreclosing on abandoned property and limiting damages in foreclosure cases to monetary damages.
By The News Service of Florida
Minor Injuries In Century Wreck
March 12, 2012
One person was injured in a two vehicle accident Monday afternoon in Century.
The accident happened about 3:20 near the intersection of East Highway 4 and North Century Boulevard. Following the accident, both vehicles were pulled into the parking lot of the Panhandle Restaurant.
An adult female was transported to Jay Hospital by ambulance with minor injuries.
The accident is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. Escambia Fire Rescue and Escambia County EMS also responded.
Multiple North Escambia Railroad Crossings Closed This Week
March 12, 2012
Several North Escambia railroad crossings are scheduled to be closed this week for maintenance.
The crossings are:
- Barth Road
- Brickyard Road
- Daffin Road
- Private road just north of Williams Ditch
- Williams Ditch Road
The crossings will be closed some or all of the period between Monday and Friday as work is performed.
Gulf Power Rate Increase Gets Final Approval
March 12, 2012
Monday morning, the Florida Public Service Commission gave final approval to a rate increase for Gulf Power Company.
On Monday, the Commission set new rates to reflect the increase. Beginning in mid-April, the price for a residential customer buying 1000 kilowatt-hours of electricity will increase to $126.53. The new price is $3.86 more than the price was before the utility asked for the increase last year. Customers are currently paying $127.16 per month for the same usage, since Gulf Power’s approved interim increase on September 22, 2011.
Commissioners reduced potential investor returns and also refused to allow the company to recoup money for land it bought in North Escambia for a possible future nuclear-power plant.
“Through the Commission’s careful, comprehensive rate review and the recent decrease in fuel charges, Commissioners were able to mitigate the potential financial impact on Gulf customers,” PSC Chairman Ronald A. Brisé said. “With today’s decision, Gulf can continue providing its great customer service, as we learned from customers at hearings last summer.”
“Base rates cover everyday expenses of providing electric service — bucket trucks, diesel fuel, wire, poles, transformers, customer service offices, and much more,” said Sandy Sims, Manager of Public Affairs for Gulf Power. “These expenses have increased over the last 10 years, some by more than 250 percent. We absorbed these increases as long as possible, but we’ve reached a point that an increase is necessary to cover these rising costs.”
While this is the first base rate increase in a decade, other factors have increased Gulf Power’s prices, primarily the cost of meeting new environmental regulations and the cost of fuel the utility uses to make electricity. For instance, Gulf Power recently installed a new state-of-the-art scrubber system at its largest generating plant. While this new system benefits the environment, it also carried a price tag of more than $650 million that is reflected in the company’s rates.
In addition, fuel costs have risen sharply in the last few years.
“As part of the energy charge on the electricity bill we recover the costs of fuel from our customers without any markup,” Sims said. “So when fuel prices increase, the price of electricity usually increases. We strive to maintain a fuel mix that provides reliable, stable prices for our customers. In fact, we just recently passed along two decreases in fuel costs to our customers — one in January and one this month.”
The PSC also approved a $4 million step increase to include Gulf’s Turbine Upgrade Projects for Crist Units 6 and 7 in rate base rather than through the Environmental Cost Recovery Charge on the bill. Effective in January 2013, the base rate step increase will have a $.48 impact on the base rate portion of a customer’s 1,000 kWh bill.
Morning Wreck Slows Traffic On Nine Mile Road (Updated)
March 12, 2012
(Updated) There were no serious injuries in a wreck that shut down a portion of Nine Mile Road Monday morning.
About 9:30, the Florida Highway Patrol said Richard G. Pierle, age 73 of Pensacola, pulled his 2005 Mercury Marquis from the stop sign on Jernigan Road into the path of 2002 Jeep Cherokee, causing the Jeep to overturn.
The driver of the Jeep, 47-year old Michele Millit of Pensacola, received only minor injuries. Pierle was not injured.
Pierle was cited by the FHP for violation of right of way.
Pictured: There were no serious injuries in this wreck Monday morning on Nine Mile Road. NorthEscambia.com photo by Kristi Smith, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Man Charged With Beating Woman, Drug Offenses
March 12, 2012
A Cantonment man is now behind bars on outstanding warrants for felony battery and multiple drug charges.
Patrick Davison, age 36 of Welcome Circle,was charged last week with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of cocaine with intent to distribute and possession of drug paraphernalia.
While arresting Davison on other outstanding warrants, Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputies reported finding cocaine and marijuana in his vehicle, which was located at an apartment on Tippin Avenue.
Davison was also charged with aggravated battery for an October 2011 incident in which he was accused of beating the mother of his children. He allegedly punched her in the face multiple times on Fields Lane. The female suffered cuts, bruises and had a tooth knocked out in the incident, according to an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office report.
Due to another outstanding warrant for failure to appear, Davison is being held in the Escambia County Jail without bond.