Florida’s Tax Revenues Higher Than Expected
May 30, 2012
Florida’s general-revenue collections in April topped an earlier projection by $51.4 million, according to a report posted this week by the Legislature’s Office of Economic & Demographic Research.
The April report marked the fourth straight month that collections have exceeded the amounts projected in January by state analysts. In all, the state is $202.4 million above projections for the year.
General revenue is the key source of tax dollars for many state programs and plummeted in recent years with the economic recession and slow recovery. It is made up of a variety of types of taxes, including sales taxes, which exceeded estimates by $34.5 million in April, the report says.
Three Injured, Two Charged After Wreck
May 30, 2012
Three people were injured in a two vehicle crash Tuesday afternoon on Old Palafox (Highway 95A) near Floral Tree Gardens in Gonzalez.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, 59-year old Grover L. Holley, Jr, of Pensacola, pulled his 1998 Pontiac out of a business entrance into the path of a 1998 Chevrolet Lumina driven by 21-year old Ashleigh M. Strickland of Pensacola. The collision forced both vehicles into a paved crossover to Highway 29.
Strickland, her unrestrained 3-year old passenger, and Holley received only minor injuries. All three were transported to Sacred Heart Hospital following the 2 p.m. crash.
Holley was charged with violation of right of way, while Strickland was charged with failure to display a driver’s license and improper child restraint, according to the FHP.
Pictured: There were no serious injuries in this crash Tuesday afternoon on Old Palafox (Highway 95A) in Gonzalez. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Smith, click to enlarge.
Generals Hand The Pcola Wahoos Their Second Straight Loss
May 30, 2012
The Jackson Generals used a pair of solo home runs for some much needed insurance as the Blue Wahoos lost their second straight to Jackson 4-2 from Pringles Park.
Pensacola got on the board first with an RBI double from Brodie Greene plating Ryan LaMarre in the top of the first. Jackson wasted no time answering with a pair of runs in the bottom of the inning. Francisco Martinez came home from third on a sacrifice fly to center by Denny Almonte. Joe Dunigan followed that with a double and came home a batter later on Jesus Sucre’s single giving Jackson the lead.
Chih-Hsien Chiang hit his first home run of the year in the fourth, a solo blast while Kalian Sams hit his fourth big fly of the year in the sixth. The insurance runs proved necessary as the Blue Wahoos tacked on a run in the fifth. Joel Guzman singled home Didi Gregorius but that was the last of the offense. David Vidal grounded into an inning-ending double play a batter later leaving the tying run at third. The Wahoos only had one baserunner the rest of the game.
Wahoos starter J.C. Sulbaran (L, 3-4) was charged with the loss after allowing all four Generals runs over six innings. He walked just one and struck out three. Steve Garrison (W, 3-1) earned the win for the Generals. He was allowed both Blue Wahoos runs on seven hits over six innings. Steven Hensley (S, 2) picked up the save by striking out the side in order in the ninth.
The two teams meet in a matinee on Wednesday at Pringles Park in Jackson, Tenn. Pensacola sends right-hander Kyle Lotzkar (1-1, 1.10) to the mound against Jackson right-hander Taylor Stanton (2-1, 6.08 w/Advanced-A High Desert).
By Tommy Thrall
Photo by Chris Nelson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Upcoming Program – Cattle Management 101
May 30, 2012
The Escambia County Extension Service will present “Cattle Management 101: Establishing Yourself in the Cattle Industry”.
The program will cover such topics as getting started in the cattle industry, forages and nutrition, reproduction, herd health, marking and equipment. The cost is $30 per person and includes course materials.
The course will be presented on Thursdays from 6-8 p.m. from May 31 until June 28 at the Escambia County Extension Service on Stephani Road in Cantonment and the Santa Rosa Extension Service on Dogwood Drive in Milton.
For more information or to register, call the Escambia County office at (850) 475-5230 or the Santa Rosa County Office at (850) 623-3868.
Weather Photos: Storms Pound Area
May 30, 2012
The photo above shows lightning striking near Highway 29 in Cantonment Tuesday evening. Submitted by Allyson Bullard.
.
.
Thunderstorms moved through the North Escambia area Tuesday evening, leaving behind scattered minor damage and putting a lot of households in the dark.
Hail was reported from Bratt south to Cantonment, while small trees and power lines were reported downed in the Jay, Molino and Cantonment areas. Both Escambia River Electric Cooperative and Gulf Power reported scattered power outages related to the storm. An exact number of customers without power was not available late Tuesday night.
The photographs on this page were submitted by NorthEscambia.com readers, providing a look at the weather across the area. When you see news or interesting weather, snap a photo and send it to news@northescambia.com.
Pictured: Gusty winds down trees on Williams Ditch Road Tuesday night in the Cottage Hill community. Photo by Tammie Neal.
This reader photo is of small hail Tuesday evening on Morgan Cemetery Road in Molino.
Pictured above: Gusty winds snapped this pine tree (center of photo behind pool) near on Azel Scott Lane just south Jay. Photo by Michelle Gibbs.
A double rainbow was visible south of Jay following Tuesday evening’s storms. Photo by Michelle Gibbs.
Reader submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Photos: Progress Continues On Molino Library, Tax Collector Office
May 30, 2012
Progress is continuing on a $4 million project to convert the old Molino School into a community center and museum.
The project includes the conversion of the old Molino School into a 15,600 square foot library, community center and museum under a $2.95 million construction contract awarded by Escambia County to Birkshire Johnstone, LLC.
In addition to converting the 72-year old school building, a new 7,000 square foot building is being constructed adjacent to the old building for the tax collector and property appraiser. The current Escambia County Tax Collector office in the former Winn Dixie shopping center in Cantonment and the property appraiser office on Highway 97 in Molino will both be closed. The facility will also house a polling station for early voting and elections.
Final completion for both buildings is scheduled for November 2012.
Pictured: Work to convert the old Molino School into a new library and museum, plus the addition of a new building for the tax collector and property appraiser. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Ava Edwina (Ms. Bee) Reeves
May 30, 2012
Mrs. Ava Edwina ( Ms. Bee ) Reeves, passed away May 28, 2012, at home.
She is preceded in death by her parents James Leonard and Effie Lois Williams, sons Noah Anderson Green III, James Leonard Green, and daughter Sharon Kay Tonge.
She is survived by Cecil Eugene Reeves of Jay; daughters Mary Ann ( Tracy) Knight, Cross City, FL, Tammy Jane ( Scott ) Day, Milton,Lois JoAnn ( Oliver ) Jowers, Ocilla, GA; 12 grandchildren; 25 great grandchildren; two great great grandchildren; her loving pet “Buddy”;, and a host of “ Special Angels “, who supported and cared for her during her battle with cancer.
She was a member of Cora Baptist Church and was known affectionately by her friends and neighbors as “ Ms. Bee”. She loved her family and her friends and was known for always doing something for others.
She was a faithful Christian and loved her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. She was a skilled seamstress and made garments for many years for her children and grandchildren.
Funeral services will be 2 p.m.. Thursday, May 31, 2012, at Jay Funeral Home with Rev. LaDon Hall officiating . Visitation will be Wednesday May 30, 2012, at Jay Funeral Home from 6-8 p.m.
Pallbearers are Roger Cobb, Leroy Cobb, Donald Cobb, Silas Ballard, Larry Glover and Bill Cannon
Severe Thunderstorm Warning – Including Molino, Cantonment
May 29, 2012
THE FOLLOWING WARNING WAS CANCELED AT 7:45 p.m.
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN MOBILE HAS ISSUED A
* SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR…
CENTRAL ESCAMBIA COUNTY IN NORTHWEST FLORIDA…
* UNTIL 815 PM CDT
* AT 726 PM CDT…A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING QUARTER
SIZE HAIL AND DAMAGING WINDS OVER 60 MPH WAS LOCATED 3 MILES WEST
OF MOLINO…OR 9 MILES NORTH OF CANTONMENT…AND MOVING SOUTH AT 10
MPH.
* LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE…
MOLINO… GOULDING… GONZALEZ…
FERRY PASS… ENSLEY… CANTONMENT…
BRENT… BELLVIEW…
THIS INCLUDES INTERSTATE 10 BETWEEN MILE MARKERS 1 AND 16.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
CONTINUOUS CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING IS OCCURRING WITH THIS STORM.
MOVE INDOORS IMMEDIATELY! IF YOU CAN HEAR THUNDER…YOU ARE CLOSE
ENOUGH TO BE STRUCK BY LIGHTNING.
Man Sentenced Today To 15 Years For Escambia County Burglary
May 29, 2012
Lavonne Lee Shavers was sentenced Tuesday by Judge Gary Bergosh to the maximum 15 year in state prison as a prison releasee reoffender for a September 2010 burglary.
The victim awoke to find Shavers standing in her bedroom door, according to State Attorney Bill Eddins. Escambia County Sheriff’s deputies found Chavers hiding under a tree outside the victim’s home.
Shavers was released from an Alabama prison in February 2010 after serving 20 years for multiple charges including rape.lavo
Needs A Job? Workforce Escarosa Helping Fill Local Positions
May 29, 2012
Need a job? A wireless company is hiring for nearly two dozen jobs in Pensacola.
Workforce Escarosa will assist T-Mobile with the recruitment and hiring for over 20 open positions at their two new Pensacola retail stores. A hiring event has been scheduled for Wednesday, May 30, at the Workforce Escarosa Pensacola One-Stop Center, located at 3670-A North L Street, from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m.
Openings include solutions specialists, assistant managers and store managers. All positions are full-time and offer benefit packages, flexible hours and an hourly rate plus commission. Interested individuals are advised to apply in-person at the scheduled hiring event on May 30. Applicants should bring copies of their resume and dress for success. T-Mobile representatives will be on-siteand may choose to conduct interviews with selected individuals at the event.