Friday Night Football Finals
November 7, 2015
Here are final Friday night football scores from around the North Escambia area, including playoffs in Alabama. (Additional scores will be added as games end.)
FLORIDA
- South Walton 59, Jay 26
- Trinity Christian 32, Pine Forest 22
- Arnold 44, Milton 29
- Pace 35, Catholic 13
- Navarre 35, Niceville 13
- Crestview 27, Gulf Breeze 24 OT
- Escambia 17, Pensacola 6
- Washington 56, West Florida 42
ALABAMA PLAYOFFS
- Lee Scott Academy 35, Escambia Academy 24
- Flomaton 26, New Brockton 20 FINAL
- T.R. MIller 67, Central Coosa 17
- Munford 20, W.S. Neal 0
Walnut Hill VFD Fish Fry Is Today
November 7, 2015
The Walnut Hill Volunteer Fire Department’s 46th Annual Catfish Fry is today from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the Walnut Hill Fire Station on Highway 97.
Plates will be $7 each with your choice of catfish fillets or grilled chicken, plus baked beans, cole slaw, hush puppies, homemade bread and cake. There will also be drawing for door prizes beginning at 1 p.m. and a live auction.
There will be bounce house and fire safety house for the kids. The Bloodmobile will also be on hand for a blood drive from 10 a.m. until 2:30 p.m.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Scott Pitches Business Friendly Tax Cuts
November 7, 2015
Gov. Rick Scott, who has already asked lawmakers for $250 million that could be used to lure corporations to Florida, rolled out a proposed $1 billion tax-cut package on Thursday.
A Democratic leader decried the tax-cut proposal as a way of gutting state government programs, while a key Republican lawmaker called the requested cuts “bold.”
The bulk of the proposed cuts, which would be amassed over a two-year period, involve permanently eliminating the income tax on manufacturing and retail businesses, a cut the governor’s office estimates at $770 million.
The package also would make permanent the elimination of a tax on manufacturing equipment, reduce a commercial lease tax and extend a temporary elimination of sales taxes on college textbooks.
Scott said in a news release that the tax cut package is “putting job creators on the road to success for years to come.”
“The more we can cut taxes — like the one on commercial lease — the more we can grow our small businesses in Florida and further diversify our economy to invest in our future,” Scott said.
For most Floridians, the cuts will be seen through a pair of sales tax “holidays,” which total just over $70 million. A 10-day back-to-school “holiday” would lift sales taxes on certain school supplies, clothes and some electronics. A separate nine-day period would be set aside to remove sales tax on hurricane supplies.
House Minority Leader Mark Pafford, D-West Palm Beach, said fulfilling Scott’s request would require spending cuts to areas such as the environment and education.
“So we have services that are responsive to the people of Florida, he’s gutting them,” Pafford said. “He’s continuing to move and follow through on his pledge of smaller government. And that pledge is destroying Florida and eating up reserves, paying no attention to what his own agencies are claiming will happen.
“His legacy is going to catch up to him,” Pafford added. “Gov. Scott has led us in to the dark ages and under his control we’re not going to see a renaissance.”
The call for the cuts comes as state economists in September projected lawmakers will have a $635.4 million surplus when crafting the budget for the next fiscal year. In addition to seeking the tax cuts, Scott is pushing for $250 million in economic-development incentive money.
House Finance & Tax Chairman Matt Gaetz, R-Fort Walton Beach, called Scott’s tax-cut proposal “bold.” Gaetz’s committee will work on a final tax-cut package during the legislative session that starts in January.
“Who says you should only cut taxes in an amount that equates to the surplus?” Gaetz said. “Some of us believe you should actually shrink the size of government.”
Gaetz said he’s also encouraged that the governor included reducing the commercial lease tax, which the committee chairman said is a personal priority.
“We’re already seeing the governor reflect priorities of the House in his tax plan, and we’ll do all that is appropriate to vet the proposals he’s put forward and determine what impact they’ll have on Florida’s expanding economy,” Gaetz said.
Senate President Andy Gardiner, who in September said $250 million would be a starting point in discussions on tax cuts, “would certainly support increasing that amount provided we can maintain the structural balance within our budget,” spokeswoman Katie Betta said in an email Thursday.
A number of the proposals are already moving in the Senate.
Proposals for a 10-day sales tax holiday on back-to-school items (SB 198) and to reduce the tax on commercial leases from 6 percent to 5 percent (SB 116) have each gone through two Senate committees without finding any opposition.
The state Revenue Estimating Conference estimates the “back-to-school tax holiday” could save shoppers $68.7 million, cutting state revenue by $56.1 million and local government revenue by $12.6 million.
Reducing the commercial lease tax by a single percentage point is projected to reduce state and local government revenue by $199.6 million next fiscal year, with the amount growing to $287 million. The reduction would go into place Jan. 1, 2017, which is in the middle of next fiscal year.
Scott announced the proposed tax-cut package at the annual Manufactures Association of Florida Summit in West Palm Beach. He had earlier called for making the manufacturing-equipment tax cut permanent.
Lawmakers in 2013 approved a three-year moratorium on the manufacturing-equipment tax, but the tax is scheduled to be revived in 2017. Scott last year projected that companies will have to pay $142.5 million annually if the tax returns.
Cutting the commercial-lease tax is a priority for a number of business groups.
The conservative-advocacy group Americans for Prosperity-Florida, which considers reducing the commercial lease tax a top priority, wasted little time calling on lawmakers to work with Scott on his proposed cuts. Also, the group reiterated its opposition to requests to fund professional sports stadiums in Miami, Jacksonville, Tampa and Daytona Beach or to create incentives for the film and television industry.
“While legislators and the governor are making great strides to reduce burdens such as the commercial lease sales tax on Florida families and businesses, they should be working to eliminate taxes that stifle growth and competition all together,” AFP-Florida State Director Chris Hudson said in a release.
Throughout his nearly five years in office, Scott has made a top priority of cutting taxes.
As he ran for re-election in 2014, Scott campaigned on a promise of $1 billion in tax cuts over a two-year period. Lawmakers put together a wide-ranging tax-cut package during a June special session that is projected by state economists to cut revenue by $372.4 million this fiscal year.
by Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida
Arts, Crafts And Car Show Today At Highland Baptist
November 7, 2015
Highland Baptist Church will host their Fourth Annual Open Car Show and Arts/Craft Show today from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m.
Show cars will be judged at 9 a.m.; trophies awarded at 2 p.m. to the Top 30 vehicles plus several best in class and Pastor’s Choice.
Numerous vendors are scheduled to participate, including Thirty-One, Tupperware, Love Me Knots, Crochet items, Younique, Traci Lynn Jewelry, It Works, Jamberry, Rada Cutlery, Teaching Tools2 Go, Too Many Piez, Scentsy, Shelley Belle Creations, Mary Kay, Plexus, Kyani, Wooden Bowls, Wreaths, Burlap items and small desserts, Brandi’s Cottage, Lilla Rose, Origami, National Cremation & Burial Society, Christmas dresses, and Bare Quilting.
There will also be a bounce house, games and activities for the kids.
All proceeds will benefit missions and outreach ministries.
Highland Baptist Church is located at 6240 Highway 95A North in Molino.
Elbert Stacey
November 7, 2015
Mr. Elbert “Fat Boy” Stacey, 70, passed away on Tuesday, October 27, 2015, in Pensacola.
Mr. Stacey was a native and lifelong resident of Rabun, Alabama. Mr. Stacey was a member of the Blue Sandbed Hunting Club and Alabama Dog Hunters Association. He worked offshore on Dredge Boats for years and Standard Furniture. He was of the Pentecostal faith. He is preceded in death by his parents, Luzell and Letha Mae Stacey; two sisters, Jeanette Stacey Chaffin and Marie Stacey Hadley; and three sons, Jeremy E. Stacey, Ronald E. Stacey and Randall E. Stacey.
He is survived by his wife, Rose (Joiner) Stacey of Rabun; daughter, Amanda Stacey (Robert) Pitts of Perdido; four step-daughters, Jennifer Tuberville of Rabun, Christy Tuberville (Ed) White of Robertsdale, Jessica Tuberville (Fernando) Flores of Rabun and Angie Tuberville of Rabun; three sisters, Joyce Stacey (Ernest) Hadley of Stockton, Carolyn Stacey (Danny) Hadley of Perdido and Diane Stacey (Don) Sanks of Dyas, AL; three brothers, Willie Stacey of Rabun, Bob (Lori Davidson) Stacey of Stockton and Bo Stacey of Rabun; one grandchild; 11 step-grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and one step-great-granchild.
Funeral services were held Saturday, November 7, 2015, at 2 p.m. at the New Providence Baptist Church with Bro. Angelo Thomley and Bro. Michael Hadley officiating.
Burial was at Dean Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Danny Hadley, Boy Hadley, Dana Stacey, Fernando Flores, Bo Brown and Jimbo Brown.
Honorary pallbearers were Bo Floyd and Ed White.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes, LLC is in charge of all arrangements.
Ethel Louise Gates
November 7, 2015
Mrs. Ethel Louise Gates, 71, passed away on Wednesday, November 4, 2015, in Spanish Fort.
Mrs. Gates was a native of Lottie, Alabama and a resident of Spanish Fort for the past 35 years. Mrs. Gates was a wonderful wife, mother and grandmother.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Otto and Ethel Milstead; sister, Wynell Milstead; and son, Charles “Lonnie” Breedlove.
Survivors include her husband, Bill Gates of Spanish Fort; three sons, William Curtis Gates of Millington, TN, Floyd Lee Breedlove of Magnolia Springs, AL and Johnny William Breedlove of Citronelle, AL; six daughters, Tambra Sluder of Spanish Fort, Laurie Ann Davis of Fairhope, Susan Luree Breedlove of Summerdale, Shawn Louise Strasser of Bay Minette, Cynthia Sue Griffin of Bay Minette and Lou Ann Strasser of Daphne; four brothers, Buford Milstead of Fairhope, Ray Milstead of Mobile, Roy Odom of Fairhope and Edward Odom of Pensacola; two sisters, Luvern Boyington of Whitehouse Fork and Frances Cook of Shubuta, MS; 21 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; and special Aunt, Mary Alice Odom of Bay Minette.
Funeral services were held Saturday, November 7, 2015, at 10 a.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Rev. Mike Grindle officiating.
Burial was at Milstead Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Steven Gates, Blake Gates, Paul Strasser, Michael Griffin, Pat Goodman and Ed Griffin.
Honorary pallbearers were Barney Gates and Patrick Bertagnoli.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes, LLC is in charge of all arrangements.
Herbert Hare
November 7, 2015
Herbert Hare, 69, passed away on Wednesday, November 4, 2015.
He retired from International Paper in 2008. Herbert loved fishing, hunting, just being outside and usually working in his shed.
Herbert is survived by his wife of 43 years, Audrey; three children, Stephanie (Jason) Comalander, Eric Hare (Tabitha Roberts) and Vanessa Hare; six grandchildren, Eric, Destanie, Jasmine, Zachery, Jason Jr. and Little Raylee; one brother, Bartis (Brenda) Hare; one step-sister, Sue Fillingim; one step brother, Ray Gene White; and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends.
Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, November 7, 2015, at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North.
Active pallbearers were James Hare, Jeff Hare, Joseph Hare, Tracey Hare, Matthew Freeman, and Elliot Ross.
Interment was in New Hope United Methodist Church Cemetery in Robertsdale.
In lieu of flowers donations are being accepted in Herbert’s name towards funeral expenses.
Homecoming Airshow Saturday: Blue Angells To Fly Early
November 6, 2015
The Blue Angels will close the 2015 season at their annual Homecoming Air Show aboard Naval Air Station Pensacola Saturday.
The Blue Angels will fly early at 11:30 a.m. Saturday due to expected inclement weather.
Prior to the world-famous Blue Angels F/A 18 Hornet performances, the Blues’ C-130 Hercules transport known as “Fat Albert” will thrill the crowd with its short-field take-off and low-level passes.
Tentatively scheduled will be extraordinary aerobatics by performers such as Screamin’ Sasquatch-Jet Waco, a 1920s “Barnstormers” Taperwing body with a jet engine flown by John Klatt; the GEICO Skytypers, flying six vintage World War II aircraft in precision maneuvers; the Goodyear Extra 300SC which performs amazing aerobatics with unmatched tumbles and rolls, flown by Michael Goulian; the Vertigo Air Shows Jet Glider, the world’s only jet-launched sail plane, flown by Bob Carlton; Team AeroDynamix, the world’s largest precision-flying air show team; Wing Walker Theresa Stokes with Gene Soucy; team Redline R8s; the Shockwave Jet Truck; plus Precision Exotics will present a race between a Ferrari and a Lamborghini.
Along with incredible flying demonstrations, more than 50 military and civilian aircraft will be on display. These static displays will include a variety of aircraft ranging from the present-day, state-of-the-art fighters to aircraft from the 1930s.
Tentatively scheduled for viewing are an E-2 Hawkeye, airborne early warning platform; KC-135 Stratotanker; Delta Air Lines 757German Tornado; Fouke Wulf 149D; as well as T-28 Stearman, L-1, L-2 and L-3 warbirds; plus several aircraft from the National Naval Aviation Museum.
In addition to the scheduled Saturday show, there will be a special night show from 4:15-7 p.m. on Friday only. Aircraft will light up the sky with full afterburner and pyrotechnics, Shockwave Jet Truck, and will end with
one of the largest fireworks shows in the Pensacola area.
Admission and parking for all shows is free. Areas will be reserved for the physically challenged. Food and memorabilia will be available at numerous concession stands. Pets and coolers are not permitted.
Security personnel and signs will direct spectators to parking areas near the show site. Gates to access the base will open at 8 a.m.. All guests must have proper identification ready for security personnel.
Over A Month After Homeless Story Goes Viral, Steve Has Been Found
November 6, 2015
Remember Steve the homeless man? He’s been found again and plans are underway to help him make it through the winter.
In late September, NorthEscambia.com published a story about John Brantley, an Atmore elementary school principal, and his encounter with Steve outside a Best Buy store in Mobile. The story of Steve went viral, viewed well over a million times.
It all began when Brantley snapped a photo of Steve, on his knees digging through a trash can looking for bits of food.
Offers poured in from around the country to help Steve….except Brantley and others were not able to find him again. Until Thursday night.
“I had a long conversation with Steve tonight and he has agreed to be helped,” Brantley wrote in a Facebook post. “I have set up this gofundme account to help raise money for Steve a place to stay this winter as well as helping him with basic essentials and ultimately helping him get back on his feet.”
To read our original story about Steve and Brantley’s encounter with him, click here.
To visit the gofundme page and donate to help Steve, click here.
Saturday: Fire Dept Fish Fry; Church Car Show And Craft Sale
November 6, 2015
Among the local events happening Saturday in the North Escambia area are the annual Walnut Hill Volunteer Fire Department Fish Fry and an Open Car Show and Craft Show at Highland Baptist in Molino.
Walnut Hill Volunteer Fire Department Fish Fry
The 46th Annual Catfish Fry at the Walnut Hill Volunteer Fire Department is Saturday from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the Walnut Hill Fire Station on Highway 97. Plates will be $7 each with your choice of catfish fillets or grilled chicken, plus baked beans, cole slaw, hush puppies, homemade bread and cake. There will also be drawing for door prizes beginning at 1 p.m. and a live auction. There will be bounce house and fire safety house for the kids. The Bloodmobile will also be on hand for a blood drive from 10 a.m. until 2:30 p.m.
Open Car Show and Arts/Craft Show
Highland Baptist Church will hold their 4th Annual Open Car Show and Arts/Crafts Show on Saturday, November 7, from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m.. Car show registration begins at 8 a.m. Judging starts at 9 a.m. Trophies will be awarded at 2 p.m. Registration fee is $25. Spaces for the arts crafts show are 10×10 with a booth fee of $30. Email Angie Bodiford at angalnick2@gmail.com or call the church office at (850) 587-5174 to reserve booth space. There will be a bounce house, games and lots of activities for kids. Concessions will also be available. Proceeds benefit missions and outreach ministries. The church is located at 6240 Highway 95A North in Molino.