Drugs, Guns And Cash Seized During ECSO Raid
August 4, 2017
A month long drug investigation by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit ended with the arrest of three people.
The Narcotics Unit and SWAT team served a search warrant at a suspected drug house in the 1800 block of West Maxwell Street. When officers arrived, 25-year old Brandon Anderson and 27-year old John Moore attempted to flee the residence in a vehicle.
Anderson crashed the car he was driving in to another vehicle, a fence, and a tree. Back at the home on West Maxwell Street investigators found cocaine and marijuana that were packaged for sale along with several firearms and nearly $7,000 in cash.
Anderson and Moore were arrested at the crash scene, and Michael Bryant was arrested at the home. Their charges include cocaine trafficking, possession with intent to sell cocaine and marijuana within 1,000 feet of a church, and possession of drug paraphernalia. More arrests are expected to be made in this case, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Wahoos Drop Series To Birmingham
August 4, 2017
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos came within, 3-2, in the seventh inning but the Birmingham Barons held on to win, 5-2, Thursday at Regions Field.
Birmingham captured the series, 3-2, but Pensacola won the head-to-head matchup 6-4 this season.
Pensacola third baseman Nick Senzel, the Cincinnati Reds top prospect, blasted a solo homer to left field to lead off the seventh inning to trail the Barons, 3-1. It was his fifth homer with the Blue Wahoos and 22nd RBI in 38 games.
Pensacola scored a second run in the inning when DH Chad Tromp singled to left field with two outs to drive in left fielder Josh VanMeter to pull within, 3-2. But that was as close as the Blue Wahoos would get.
Birmingham scored first in the second inning when left fielder Courtney Hawkins scored on a sacrifice fly to center field by catcher Brett Austin for a 1-0 lead.
Barons second baseman Danny Mendick then put Birmingham ahead, 2-0, in the third inning when he scored when right fielder Mason Robbins grounded out into a double play.
Birmingham added another run in the sixth inning to go up, 3-0, when DH Keon Barnum smacked a single to right field that scored Hawkins.
Blue Wahoos pitcher Domingo Tapia made his eighth spot start and worked five innings. He gave up two runs on eight hits and two walks and struck out two. As a starter for Pensacola, he is 1-4 on the year.
Birmingham scored two more runs in the eighth inning off Pensacola reliever Brennan Bernardino to go ahead, 5-2.
Pensacola fell into second place in the Southern League South Division with a 20-20 record in the second half. Pensacola is 60-50 overall and won the first half title. Birmingham, which is in last place in the Southern League North Division, is 17-23 and are 43-66 overall.
Youth Sports Grant Applications Being Accepted
August 4, 2017
The Pensacola Sports Foundation is accepting applications for its 2018 grant program. Community organizations involved in providing youth sports opportunities are eligible to apply for funding. Applications must be received by November 1,2017.
The mission of the Pensacola Sports Foundation is to “support that part of the mission of the Pensacola Sports that focuses on the development, education, promotion and recognition of youth sports, amateur sports, scholar athletes, and athletic excellence in the Greater Pensacola area.” Since its inception in 1984, the Foundation has distributed over $500,000 in funding to organizations in the Greater Pensacola area.
Foundation Grant application forms can be downloaded from the Pensacola Sports website – www.pensacolasports.org or by contacting the Pensacola Sports office at (850) 434-2800. Completed forms may be either mailed to the Pensacola Sports Foundation, P.O. Box 12463, Pensacola FL 32591, or delivered to the Pensacola Sports office downtown at 101 W. Main Street, Pensacola FL 32502.
Questions regarding the Pensacola Sports Foundation grant program should be submitted in writing to Pensacola Sports, to the attention of Sally Garst (sgarst@pensacolasports.org).
Cantonment Man Charged With Arson, Aggravated Stalking
August 3, 2017
A Cantonment man has been arrested in connection with a house fire at the Santa Rosa County home of the mother of his two children.
Brannon Creel, age 40 of Well Line Road, was charged with the fire that burned a home in the 3800 block of Legend Creek Drive in Pace.
The Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to the home on Legend Creek Driver in Pace on a domestic violence complaint. They arrived to find the Pace Fire Department extinguishing a fire in the home.
The victim said Creel was at her home “looking for his pistol”. She told deputies that Creel “constantly makes threats toward her and that he has been texting her about taking his pistol back.”
The victim also told deputies that she has two children with Creel, and an domestic violence injunction that prevents contact between them unless it is in regards to the children. Creel told Santa Rosa County deputies that he was in Cantonment the entire day of the fire.
Creel was booked into the Santa Rosa County Jail for contempt of court, aggravated stalking, burglary and arson. He was being held without bond.
Why Do Tag Renewals Cost More From The Escambia Tax Collector Than From The State?
August 3, 2017
Recently, we discovered that renewing three Florida motor vehicle tags was almost $7 more through the Escambia County Tax Collector’s website than renewing through the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. So we reached out to Escambia County Tax Collector Scott Lunsford to find out why. Here is his response, in his own words:
Thanks for reaching out to us regarding the convenience fee for online transactions. To better serve our citizens, we offer a variety of payment options. These include cash, check, debit, and credit card payments. We also offer in-office, mail, and online transactions to meet our customers’ needs. As tax collector, I encourage each taxpayer to use the delivery and payment method best suited to their needs.
The Escambia Tax Collectors office offers no fee, E‑check payments for online transactions, which allows customers to pay the same rate as cash across the counter. The credit convenience fee is collected by the vendor. In return, they provide the payment portal, reporting, maintenance, and interface to our office to process online transactions. The online convenience fee for vehicle registrations is $2.95 per item for customers opting for payment by card.
The State of Florida processes thousands of driver license and registration renewals daily, not to mention each service offered by the various departments and agencies. We process a fraction of their volume and cannot compete on a level playing field.
As you know, I took office in January of this year and currently am operating under contracts signed several years ago. As these contracts expire and I am afforded an opportunity, I will negotiate for the lowest possible convenience fees and continue to offer as many no-fee options as may be available.
Sincerely,
Scott Lunsford, CPM, CFC
Volunteer Sought For The Escambia County Planning Board
August 3, 2017
The Escambia County Board of County Commissioners is seeking Escambia County residents interested in volunteering to be considered for an at-large appointment to the Escambia County Planning Board.
At-large members serve a two-year term of office and attend one meeting per month (generally the first Tuesday of the month). Meetings are generally from 8:30 a.m. to no later than noon; however, occasionally may go beyond noon depending upon the agenda. No travel is involved unless the Planning Board members decide to view a particular property for informational purposes. Financial disclosure is required.
Please be aware that resumes submitted to a BCC agenda for consideration will become part of the official minutes and are subject to public records requests.
Escambia County residents interested in being considered for a possible appointment to the Escambia County Planning Board to begin serving in September 2017 are asked to submit a resume and letter indicating their desire to serve by close of business on Wednesday, Aug. 16. Letters and resumes should be submitted to Kayla Meador; 3363 West Park Place; Pensacola, Florida 32505; or emailed to krmeador@myescambia.com.
Rainy Pattern Has Returned
August 3, 2017
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Thursday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Cloudy, with a high near 84. North wind around 5 mph becoming south in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Thursday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 10pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Friday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 85. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Friday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. South wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Saturday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 87. South wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Saturday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Sunday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 87. South wind around 5 mph.
Sunday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74. South wind around 5 mph.
Monday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 89.
Monday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74.
Tuesday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 90.
Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74.
Wednesday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 90.
Extension And ECUA To Host Recycling Celebration And Compost Giveaway
August 3, 2017
UF/IFAS Escambia County Extension and Emerald Coast Utilities Authority will host a Recycling Celebration and Compost Giveaway on Friday, Aug. 4. The event will be held at the Escambia County Extension Office, 3730 Stefani Road, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
There will be ongoing 10 minute compost-based educational sessions, which include an overview of how to use compost, what to compost and proper composting containers. Those who participate in the session will be given educational material and two 40-pound bags of compost as supplies last.
Orientation, Schedule Pickup Friday At Tate High School
August 3, 2017
Freshman and new student orientation and upperclassmen schedule pickup will be Friday at Tate High School.
Friday, August 4 – Freshmen/New Student Orientation, 9:00 am-10:30 am
Our more formal, assembly-style orientation will be at 9:00 am in the Fryman Gym. You will meet our administrators, deans, and 9th grade guidance counselor, Chuck Stanhope. Also, coaches and club sponsors will be available to answer any questions. At 10:30 am, 9th grade schedules will be available (in the gym). Tate leadership students will be present to assist in learning where classes are located. At 11:00, any schedules not picked up will return to the front office.
Friday, August 4 – Upperclassmen Schedule Pickup
10th-12th Schedules will be available for pick up from 1:00-3:00 in the Cafeteria.
Florida Students To See Financial Aid Expansion
August 3, 2017
As Florida students return to universities and state colleges this month for a new academic year, many will benefit from a major expansion of need-based financial aid.
Florida’s main program aimed at students with financial need, known as “student assistance grants,” will expand to cover a record 234,824 students in the 2017-18 academic year, an increase of 112,495 students from last year, according to an estimate approved Wednesday by state analysts.
The 92 percent increase in eligible students is a result of the Legislature this year providing an additional $121 million for the program, for a total of $269.4 million in the new school year.
The students will receive an average grant of $1,147, with a maximum award up to $2,610. The money does not have to be repaid.
Last year, a little more than 122,000 students received the grants, but there were an estimated 107,449 who were eligible but did not receive the financial support because of a lack of funding, according to the Florida Department of Education
The program expansion, which became law when Gov. Rick Scott signed an $82 billion budget that took effect July 1, is projected to cover all eligible students this year. Senate President Joe Negron, R-Stuart, spearheaded efforts to expand aid as part of a broader effort to revamp the higher-education system.
About 204,000 state university and college students will receive the assistance grants this year, along with 18,000 students in private universities and colleges. Another 13,000 students will use the grants in other post-secondary programs, including career education.
In merit-based aid, the new projections show 46,570 university and college students who qualify as “academic scholars” under Florida’s Bright Futures program will have all of their tuition and fees covered in 2017-18 and will receive $300 a semester for books.
The full scholarships will cover 44,456 university students and 2,114 state college students, the projection shows.
Last year, the top Bright Futures scholarship only covered about half of the tuition and fees, which average about $215 per credit hour at the 12 state universities.
Lawmakers this year expanded the scholarships to cover full tuition and expanded the top-level scholarships to summer classes.
About 16,600 Bright Futures scholars are expected to attend summer classes this year, averaging 11 credit hours at a cost of $39 million.
Overall, the cost of the expanded Bright Futures program will rise to $402 million this year, up from $204 million last year, the projection shows. It also includes funding for 47,491 Bright Futures “medallion scholars,” who receive aid covering $77 of each credit hour per semester.
The Legislature also expanded the “Florida Resident Access Grant” program, which will provide $3,300 a year to 37,324 students attending private colleges and universities in Florida in 2017-18.
That projection includes 6,536 Keiser University students, 2,552 University of Miami students, 2,334 St. Leo University students and 1,833 Bethune-Cookman University students receiving grants from the $123 million program.
The Benacquisto scholarship program, which covers full tuition, housing and other costs for National Merit Scholars, is expected to cover 873 students this year, up from 665 last year. The program will cost an estimated $13.2 million this year.
The projections were made by what is known as the “financial aid estimating conference,” which includes analysts from the House, Senate, governor’s office, the Department of Education and the Office of Economic & Demographic Research.