Resident Shoots Burglary Supect
December 13, 2013
An Escambia County resident shot a burglar early Friday morning.
Just before 2 a.m., the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to the 700 block of North 46th Avenue in reference to a shots fired disturbance. According to the resident, he discovered someone attempting to break into his garage/storage shed. The resident said he discharged his firearm at the suspect, striking him once. The suspect was later identified as Daniel Joshua Driver, 19.
As deputies responded to the area, they observed the suspect running from the residence. Deputies searched with a K-9 but could not find the suspect. Several hours later, Driver attempted to check himself into a local hospital under a fake name, claiming he was stabbed somewhere off Hollywood Avenue.
The hospital determined they had been provided false information and contacted the Sheriff’s Office. Driver later confessed and was subsequently treated at the hospital, released and arrested. He was charged with burglary and petit theft. His bond was set at $1,250.
McDavid Post Office Set For Cutbacks Or Closure
December 13, 2013
The McDavid Post Office has been targeted by the U.S. Postal Service for cutbacks or possibly even closure.
Residents and businesses in the 32568 zip code were notified Thursday that the Postal Service will take future action regarding the McDavid Post Office. Possibilities include:
- Keep the office open, with window hours cut from 8 hours per day to six hours with those weekday hours realigned to match workload.
- Look at closing the office, providing only roadside mailbox delivery. Retail and delivery service would be provided through a rural carrier, with customers able to purchase most postal services from their carrier or alternative access points.
- Close the office and find a contract post office location, usually a local business. This contract location would provide post office boxes and most retail services.
- Close the office and relocate post office box service to a nearby post office.
Residents and businesses in the 32568 have received, or will receive, a mailed customer survey on the available options.
The Postal Service will hold a public meeting concerning the McDavid Post Office on January 16, 2014, at 5 p.m. at the McDavid United Methodist Church at 2 Main Street in McDavid. No decision concerning the McDavid post office will be made until after the public meeting.
“Residents are encouraged to return the survey and attend the meeting to offer their input into the future of the post office,” Stephen Seewoester, spokesman for the U.S. Postal Service said Thursday afternoon.
The Walnut Hill Post Office, also in the 32568 zip code, will not immediately be impacted by any closures or changes at the McDavid Post Office, Seewoester said. The Walnut Hill Post Office is a contract location operated by Escambia River Electric Cooperative, providing retail window services and post office boxes.
“We plan to keep the Walnut Hill Post Office open and continue to serve the community,” Sabrina Owens, spokesperson for EREC, said Thursday afternoon.
The McDavid Post Office is the only local office in Escambia or Santa Rosa counties on the current closure or cutback list.
Photos, Video: Century Land To Lake Parade, Christmas Event
December 13, 2013
With a “Land to Lake” theme, the first lighted Christmas parade in several years rolled through Century Thursday night. The parade ended at Lake Stone, with Santa Claus, hot cocoa, cookies and an sack lunch.
For a parade video, click here.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Two Tax Collector Offices Closing Early Friday
December 13, 2013
Two Escambia County Tax Collector offices will close early Friday. Both the Marcus Pointe (6451 North W Street) and Warrington (507 N. Navy Boulevard) locations will close at 2 p.m. These two branches are closing early to accommodate a state-ordered replacement of computer equipment.
The downtown (213 Palafox Place) and Molino (6440 Highway 95 A) locations will be open their normal business hours.
Escambia Man Busted In Sexual Predator Investigation
December 13, 2013
An Escambia County man was arrested Wednesday morning after allegedly showing up to meet a teen boy for sex — but that teen turned out to be an investigator.
Donald Gough Jr, 37, was charged with traveling to meet a juvenile for sex and using a two way device (email) to facilitate a felony, ending a month long investigation.
According to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Gough begin communicating on November 15 with a person he thought to be a 14-year old boy. The boy was actually a computer crimes investigator. During their conversations, Gough engaged in sexually explicit conversation and agreed to meet the boy Wednesday with the intention of having sex, deputies said.
Gough was arrested when he traveled to Nine Mile Road and Hummingbird Boulevard to meet the boy.
Gough remains in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $10,000.
Scott Proposes Rolling Back Motor Vehicle Taxes And Fees
December 13, 2013
Gov. Rick Scott Thursday announced that around $400 million in tax and fee cuts will go directly to Florida families by rolling back motor vehicle taxes and fees to pre-2009 levels. In 2009, Floridians experienced significant increases in various taxes related to the annual registration of motor vehicles, increasing the cost of registering a typical motor vehicle by an average of 54 percent.
“I have one message today for every Florida family: We are going to undo the 54% tax increase you saw in 2009 to register your motor vehicles. This means around $400 million annually will be given back to Florida families. This has never been government’s money – it’s your money – and I look forward to working with the Florida legislature to return it back to you,” Scott said. “We want to create an opportunity economy in Florida, and letting people keep more of the money they make means families have more money to invest in their future. We want to create an economy that supports job creation for generations to come.”
As a result of the 2009 tax increases, the cost of registering a typical automobile for Floridians increased from an estimated $46.80 to $71.85 every year. Combined with increases in driver license fees and various service charges, the increases translated to state revenues of over $1 billion, which were directed primarily to the state’s general revenue fund.
Scott’s proposed tax/fee automobile roll back would offer relief to the millions of taxpayers who pay these taxes/fees on over 13 million annual registrations each year, returning automobile taxes/fees to pre-2009 levels effective September 2014. On average, families will see registration costs drop from about $71 today to $46 next September, an average decrease in costs of about $25 for Florida families.
Snowball Express Transports Families Of Fallen Military
December 13, 2013
The Blue Angels were on hand Thursday to welcome 16 local families of fallen military heroes to the Pensacola International Airport before their Snowball Express flight to Fort Worth.
The Snowball Express is a charity organization for children of America’s fallen military heroes.
Blue Angels team members signed autographs, posed for photos and spent time with the children in the Pensacola airport’s USO center before their flight to Fort Worth to join more than 1,700 other children and surviving spouses.
“Snowball Express is a great organization because it helps the children of fallen service members by surrounding them with other kids and families who are all dealing with the loss of a loved one, while showing them a fun time,” said Lt. Cmdr. Declan Hartney of the Blue Angels.
American Airlines provides transportation annually for families across the world to attend the Snowball Express event, where children and surviving spouses meet for a weekend of enjoyment.
Pictured: Blue Angels Flight Surgeon Lt. Cmdr. Mark DeBuse signs an autograph for a child during the annual Snowball Express send-off event at the Pensacola Regional Airport USO Thursday. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview Boys Beat Jay; Lady Royals Down Northview
December 13, 2013
BOYS — Northview 61, Jay 58
The Northview Chiefs beat the Jay Royals 61-58 Thursday night in varsity high school basketball at Jay.
Scoring for the Chiefs were Neino Robinson 18, Tony McAroy 17, Cameron Newsome 14, Trent Howard 6, Jeffery Taylor 3, Dalton Tullis, and Nick Lambert 1.
Scoring for Jay were: Thomas Fisher 17, Marshall Thomas 13, Victor Minchew 8, Justice Garcia 7, Taylor Kelly 7, Eric Travino 3, Tate Upton 2, and Brandon Boutwell 1.
The Northview Chiefs will host Freeport Friday. The JV Girls play at 4:00; the Varsity Girls at 5:15 and the Varsity Boys at 6:30. Jay will travel to Baker this afternoon.
GIRLS — Jay 50, Northview 31
The Jay Lady Royals defeated the Northview Chiefs Thursday night in varsity girls high school basketball at Jay.
Scoring for the Jay Royals were: Carissa Mulford 14, Hillary Hendricks 11, Destiny Herring 7, annah Prescott 4 ,Emily Dobson 4, Paige Smith 4, Jorga Agrait 2, Bayleigh Upton 1.
Scoring for the Chiefs were: Elayzha Bates 11, Lana Clayton 7, Angle Lathan 4, Danielle Steadham 4, Zacarra Davis2 , and Deasia Fountain 2.
Jay will travel to Catholic at 4:30 Friday. The Northview Chiefs will host Freeport Friday. The JV Girls play at 4:00; the Varsity Girls at 5:15 and the Varsity Boys at 6:30. Jay will travel to Baker this afternoon.
Video: Century Christmas Parade
December 13, 2013
Video of the 2013 Century Christmas Parade by Delaney for NorthEscambia.com.
(If you do not see the video above, it is because your home, school or work firewall is blocking YouTube videos.)
Toyz For Kidz Ride Saturday To Help Those In Need
December 13, 2013
Santa will have some very special helpers on Saturday as the LA Bikers roll across the area to make sure needy kids get a Christmas present.
The 13th Annual Toyz for Kidz Bike Ride will raise funds for the program and distribute toys to families in need.
The event begins at David’s Catfish on South Main Street in Atmore with registration from 9-10 a.m. The ride will begin at 10, and it will end back in Atmore with lunch and a prize drawing.
All proceeds go yo the LA Bikers Toyz for Kidz program. For more information, call (251) 747-7030. or (251) 294-0708.
Pictured: The LA Bikers Toyz for Kidz ride departs Bratt last year after Santa and helpers delivered toys to children waiting at Bratt Elementary School. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
