PER Rescues Two Horses
December 3, 2009
Two horses have been rescued in the Cantonment area. Little Richard and Scam, both former race horses, are now in the care of Panhandle Equine Rescue after being neglected and malnourished by their most recent owners.
“We are so happy that we could get them out of a bad situation before the temperatures dropped,” said PER President Diane Lowery. “They have a dry shelter and plenty to eat now. Their days of neglect are over.”
PER needs donations to pay for their medical and feed expenses, Lowery said. For more information, visit www.panhandleequinerescue.org.
Pictured above: Rescued horses Scam (left) and Little Richard. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Speeding Lands Century Man In Jail For Previous Traffic Crash
December 2, 2009
Speeding last week on Highway 29 landed a Century man in jail on an outstanding warrant from a previous traffic crash.
Alejandro J. Mondaca-Romeros, 27, Century, was arrested Thanksgiving Day by the Florida Highway Patrol in connection with a July 3 accident in Davisville. Mondaca-Romeros was traveling south on Greenland Road approaching Dortch Road at 2:04 a.m. when he lost control and overturned his 2002 Chevrolet, according to the FHP. He then fled the scene before troopers arrived. A passenger in the vehicle, Jamie A. Moddaca, 42, of Century, was treated for minor injuries at Atmore Community Hospital.
On Thanksgiving Day, Mondaca-Romeros was stopped by FHP Cpl. Brian Davis on Highway 29 for driving 83 mph in a 55 mph zone. Mondaca-Romeros was arrested on an outstanding felony warrant for leaving the scene of an accident involving injury. He was also charged with speeding, no insurance and driving with an expired tag. He was booked into the Escambia County Jail where he was released on $10,000 bond. He is due back in court on December 17.
Your Money: Rate Increase For Gulf Power Customers
December 2, 2009
Gulf Power customers will see an increase in their 2010 electric rates after the Florida Public Service Commission approved a rate increase Tuesday morning.
Beginning in January, Gulf power customers will see a 1.5 percent increase on their electric bill as compared to January 2009.
“At the beginning of 2009, the average home using 1,000 kilowatt hours would have cost $124.10,” said Sandy Sims, Gulf Power public affairs manager, “and at the beginning of 2010 the same amount of electricity will cost $126.17. We realize that’s not insignificant in these economic times, but these environmental upgrades are necessary to continue to meet and exceed the state’s stringent environmental laws.”
About two years ago, that same 1,000 kilowatt hours of electricity was $70.29. A series of rate increases over the past two years were approved by the PSC due to rising fuel costs.
The most recent 1.5 percent increase, offset by lower fuel and purchased power costs during the year, is due primarily to a new $500 million scrubber system at the Crist Plant in Pensacola that is designed to reduce emissions upwards of 90 percent.
“Since ’92, Gulf Power has reduced regulated emissions from Plant Crist by 75 percent,” said Sims. “This new scrubber technology, scheduled to come online on December 15, reduces regulated emissions almost 95 percent from those 1992 levels. This means cleaner air for everyone.”
Beginning in 2010, the new scrubber system — Gulf Power’s most significant environmental project ever — will be operational at Plant Crist. This project also allows the company to use all of the treated wastewater from the new ECUA plant, creating a zero discharge wastewater treatment facility and helping to improve the area waterways.
The costs associated with the environmental controls were offset by a reduction of approximately 6.5 percent in the cost of fuel and purchased power costs during the year and the removal of a $2.57 storm surcharge.
The Florida Public Service Commission adjusts Gulf Power’s rates each year based on the costs of fuel, power bought from other utilities and environmental compliance. These filings are a requirement of the FPSC, which held the final public hearings on December 1.
Rate Decrease For Alabama Power Customers
December 2, 2009
Alabama Power customers will see a decrease in their electric rates beginning January 1.
The Alabama Public Service Commission voted Tuesday for a 4 percent rate decrease for Alabama Power’s residential customers. The average bill for a residential customer using 1,000 kilowatts of electricity per month will drop from $125.34 to $120.77 per month.
The PSC approved the rate decrease due to declining prices for coal and natural gas used by Alabama Power to generate electricity.
Urgent Need For Blankets, Heaters For Elderly Residents
December 2, 2009
The Council on Aging of West Florida is seeking donations of small electric space heaters, blankets and funds to help the elderly avoid the serious health problems that can result from exposure to the cold.
Heaters and blankets can be dropped off at any location of Council on Aging of West Florida, including 6025 Industrial Boulevard In Century and 132 Mintz Lane in Cantonment. Only new items can be accepted.
Financial donations can be sent to Council on Aging of West Florida, PO Box 17066, Pensacola, FL 32522-7066 or made online at www.coawfla.org.
Seniors in need of a heater, blanket or other assistance should call 432-1475.
New Traffic Light On Nine Mile Road
December 2, 2009
A new traffic signal on Nine Mile Road at Copter Road will be activated Thursday morning.
The Florida Department of Transportation will activate the signal about 9:30 Thursday morning. The signal has been in flash mode to acquaint motorists with the location. Drivers are urged to use caution when approaching the intersection.
Northview Presents Cross Country Awards
December 2, 2009
Northview High School’s Cross Country team recently held their annual banquet, presenting awards to many members.
The following awards were presented:
- FCA Go the Distance Award: Georgia Geotter and Dustin Lewis
- Most Improved: Georgia Geotter and Dillian Crutchfield
- Fastest: Georgia Geotter and Joshua Scott
- Leadership: Sarah Killam, Joshua Scott, and Jackson Smith
- Junmi Ross Award: Jessica Bloodsworth
- Jim Ross Award: Clint Davis
- Coaches Choice Award: Angel Mitchell and Dustin Lewis
The following athletes received a letter for completing their first varsity level sport:
- Jackson Smith
- Jansen Bodiford
- Dillian Crutchfield
- Bubby Sanders
- Georgia Geotter
- Angel Mitchell
The following received bars as returning cross country athletes:
- Clint Davis -2nd year
- Joshua Scott-2nd year
- Dustin Lewis 2nd year
- AJ Lambert 2nd year
- Blake Luker 2nd year
- Jessica Bloodsworth 2nd year
- Sarah Killam 2nd year
For photos of the award winners, click here.
Pictured top: Members of the Northview High School Cross Country team at their annual banquet. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Deadline Near To Vote On Farm Service County Committee Member
December 2, 2009
Monday is the deadline for eligible voters to cast their ballot for the Area 3 seat on the USDA Farm Service Agency County Committee.
The only candidate for the seat is Jamie Hall, a local cattleman, hay producer and forester.
Eligible voters must live in the area bounded by Pine Barren Creek to the east, the Alabama state line to the north, the Perdido River to the west and the south boundary of township of Township 4N to the south. The area includes Walnut Hill, Oak Grove and Nokomis. Eligible voters must also be a farm owner, operator, tenant, sharecropper or partner in farm in Area 3.
Ballots are due in the USDA office at 151 Highway 97 in Molino by the close of business on December 7.
For more information, call (850) 587-5345.
Driver Trapped After Highway 97 Crash With 1,800 Pound Bull
December 1, 2009
One person was seriously injured in a collision with a 1,800 pound bull in Walnut Hill Monday night.
The Florida Highway Patrol says Jesse Croley, 77, of Pensacola, was southbound on Highway 97 about 7:30 p.m. when he struck a black bull on Highway 97 just past Arthur Brown Road. Croley’s Chevrolet Impala then left Highway 97 and continued about 100 yards into a cotton field.
Firefighters from the Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue were forced to use the Jaws of Life to remove the roof on the car in order to free Croley from the wreckage. He was transported to Atmore Community Hospital by Atmore Ambulance. LifeFlight was requested but was unable to respond to the scene due to weather.
The bull was severely injured in the crash and had to be put down.
The accident is still under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.
For more exclusive NorthEscambia.com photos from the scene, click here.
Pictured above: Emergency personnel work to free a driver trapped in his car after a collision with an 1,800 pound bull Monday night in Walnut Hill. Pictured below: The car came to rest in a cotton field about 100 yards from the point of impact. The roof of the Chevrolet Impala was removed in order to free the driver. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Santa Rosa To Borrow Millions To Build New Jay High School
December 1, 2009
Santa Rosa County will borrow about $12.6 million to build a new main building at Jay High School and construct a new kitchen at Central School.
The Santa Rosa County School board approved the $12,585,000 loan for both projects at a special meeting on Monday. The $12.6 million will fund the acquisition, construction and equipping of Jay High School as well as the additions to Central School. The yearly repayment on the loan will be about $1.1 million with an interest rate of 4.11 percent from Suntrust Bank.
Hurricanes Ivan and Dennis caused extensive cracks to appear in the walls of Jay High, prompting the installation of over five dozen braces in the school’s 48,000 square foot main building north of the gym.
Plans call for an 80,000 square foot building to be constructed north of the Jay gym. It will included classrooms, media center, art lab, music suite, cafeteria and administrative area. Construction is expected to begin by March of 2010 and be complete in about 18 months. The building will also be used as a hurricane shelter for the Jay community.
The current building will be demolished or partially salvaged.