Powerball Jackpot Soars To $337 Million
June 3, 2017
The jackpot for Saturday’s Powerball drawing has grown to an estimated $337 million. The winner can choose to be paid the full amount over 30 annual installments or receive a $209.1 million one-time, lump-sum payment. Pictured: A billboard on North Century Boulevard in Century teases drivers with big prize money late Friday afternoon. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Scott Signs BP Settlement Bill
June 3, 2017
Gov. Rick Scott signed measures Friday that will release BP oil-spill settlement money to eight Northwest Florida counties most impacted by the 2010 Deepwater Horizon disaster.
“Our beautiful beaches were devastated by the impacts of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill,” Scott said in a statement. “While the surrounding communities have worked hard to recover, this funding will allow them to make critical local investments and continue our efforts to market the state.”
State Rep. Jay Trumbull, a Panama City Republican who oversaw the issue in the House, said the money “will help our businesses continue to grow and attract visitors from around the world to our beautiful coast.”
The measures allocate $300 million of $400 million received by the state last year to Bay, Escambia, Franklin, Gulf, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Wakulla and Walton counties through the non-profit organization Triumph Gulf Coast.
Kim Wilmes, president and CEO of the regional economic-development organization Florida’s Great Northwest, said the money will allow the region “to begin building that bright new economic future.”
The bill sets minimums for how much each county will receive and expands the Triumph board from five to seven, to provide more representation from less-populated counties. The eight counties are also slated to get three-fourths of the remainder of the $2 billion the state is expected to receive for damages associated with the BP disaster, which dumped millions of gallons of oil less than 100 miles off the Florida coast.
FWC Law Enforcement Report
June 3, 2017
The Florida FWC Division of Law Enforcement reported the following activity during the weekly period ending May 25 in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
Officer McHenry was working in Perdido River Wildlife Management Area (WMA) when he observed three individuals enter the area after hours. He approached the individuals in his patrol vehicle and turned his blue lights on. All three individuals fled the area on foot, but Officer McHenry caught up to one of the individuals. A notice to appear citation was issued for resisting arrest without violence, under age possession of alcohol and illegal entry into the WMA. The two other individuals were identified and warrants will be filed for their arrest.
Officers Cushing and Land were on water patrol in Pensacola Bay and conducted a marine fisheries inspection on a small fishing vessel near a navigational buoy. Upon contacting the two persons on board, they said that they had a few lane snapper. An inspection revealed they were in possession of 17 juvenile red snapper, all of them measuring between six and thirteen inches. The appropriate action was taken for the violation of possession of red snapper during closed season.
Officers Allgood and Manning patrolled federal waters south of Pensacola and found five different vessel operators in possession of red snapper during closed season. Federal citations were issued for the violations.
Officer Long checked vessels as they returned to Navy Point Boat Ramp and found one individual in possession of 15 undersized red snapper and another individual in possession of an amberjack during closed season. Officer Long issued notice to appear citations for the violations.
Officer Manning received information that someone was selling seafood at a local flea market without a license. When he arrived, he found an individual selling blue crabs, shrimp and blue runners. The individual did not have a saltwater retail license or any records on where the fish were purchased. Notice to appear citations were issued for the violations.
Officer Cushing spoke to a group of approximately 20 members of the Pensacola Recreational Fisherman’s Association. Officer Cushing gave an overview of the agency’s core mission and answered many questions in regards to current saltwater regulations and boating safety.
SANTA ROSA COUNTY
While on patrol, Officer Mullins observed two individuals fishing the Garcon Point area. He conducted a fisheries/license inspection and one subject was unable to produce a fishing license or identification. The subject provided several different names and dates of birth. Despite the false information, Officer Mullins and FWC Dispatch discovered the subject’s identity. It was revealed that the subject had an active warrant for probation violation. The subject was placed under arrest, booked into the Santa Rosa County Jail and issued citations for interference with an FWC officer and no fishing license.
Investigator Molnar followed up on a complaint about a subject possibly killing over the bag limit of turkey during the 2017 spring season. After multiple interviews with several people, Investigator Molnar interviewed the subject. After the interview, the subject confessed to killing five turkeys in northwest Florida during the 2017 spring turkey season. Three sets of turkey spurs and beards were seized as evidence. Charges will be filed on a later date.
Officers Jernigan and Lewis participated in a Career Field Day at Chumuckla Elementary School. The FWC officers, Santa Rosa Sheriff’s K-9 deputies, and local EMT’s, paramedics, and volunteers from the local fire departments spent time with different classes to tell about their careers and what they do each day in the field. Officers Jernigan and Lewis spoke to more than 150 children about boating and gun safety. Each child boarded a patrol vessel, received coloring books, stickers and fun facts about Florida’s bears and alligators.
Officers Lewis, Jernigan, Hutchinson and Clark coordinated with the Blackwater Pirates and the United States Coast Guard (USCG) Auxiliary to perform voluntary vessel safety inspections on multiple vessels at Carpenter’s Park and Russell Harbor boat ramps in Milton during the weekend. Everyone involved educated the public on boating safety; distributed boating safety literature, and answered various questions from the public
This report represents some events the FWC handled over the past week; however, it does not include all actions taken by the Division of Law Enforcement. Information provided by FWC.
NorthEscambia.com photo.
Escambia Man Sentenced On State, Federal Charges
June 3, 2017
An Escambia County man has been convicted on federal and state charges.
Robert Lamar Gerald was convicted by an Escambia County jury of possession of cocaine, possession of marijuana less than 20 grams, possession of drug paraphernalia, resisting an officer without violence and driving while license suspended,
On June 9, 2015, an Escambia County Sheriff’s Deputy on patrol stopped the vehicle Gerald was driving. After the stop, Gerald fled on foot and was apprehended after a brief chase. The search of his vehicle revealed marijuana, cocaine, drug paraphernalia and a loaded 9 MM pistol.
Gerald was a multi-convicted felon from Hillsborough County who had been released from the Department of Corrections custody on April 7, 2014.
In a joint effort with the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida, Gerald was prosecuted for the possession of a firearm by a convicted felon in federal court. He was sentenced to 210 months in federal prison as and armed career criminal.
The Office of the State Attorney continued to prosecute Gerald for the remaining charges.
Judge Gary Bergosh sentenced Gerald to 69 months in state prison and ordered this sentence to run consecutive to the federal sentence.
The investigation was a joint effort by Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and the Gun Crime Response Team.
Barrineau Park Historical Society Presents Scholarships
June 3, 2017
The Barrineau Park Historical Society presented two scholarships Friday night. Jared Aliff received a $500 Louis Crabtree Senior Scholarship, and Deborah Rogers received a $1,000 Barrineau Park Historical Society Scholarship. Both are home schooled. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Jumbo Shrimp Tie Up Series With The Wahoos
June 3, 2017
The Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp have gotten some revenge for getting swept by the Pensacola Blue Wahoos in the teams’ first meeting this season and going 4-15 in Blue Wahoos Stadium the last two years.
Jacksonville received home runs from catcher Austin Nola and third baseman Brian Anderson to beat Pensacola, 7-2, Friday in front of 4,778 Pensacola fans. Jacksonville evened the series, 2-2, heading into Saturday’s final game between the teams.
Pensacola manager Pat Kelly watched helplessly as his team, which scored 19 runs in the first three games, was blanked for the first six innings by Jacksonville starter Mike Kickham and managed just two runs Friday.
“It’s one of those days,” Kelly said. “We hit into three double plays and fell behind. It was very tough to make up the deficit.”
Pensacola Blue Wahoos right-hander Deck McGuire entered the game having won four straight starts. But the Jacksonville Shrimp knocked him around, earning five runs on six hits to jump out to a, 5-0, lead after the first five innings. McGuire also allowed two walks and struck out seven in his five innings of work Friday.
McGuire, a former first-round draft pick, got off to a stellar start striking out the first three Jumbo Shrimp batters he faced in the first inning. The loss dropped his record to 5-3 on the season and increase his ERA to 3.25.
“He was just a little off,” Kelly said. “I thought they truly hit some good pitches.”
Jacksonville right fielder John Norwood, who doubled to start the inning, scored on a sacrifice fly to center field by first baseman Taylor Ard to put the Jumbo Shrimp up, 1-0. With two outs, Jacksonville center fielder Yefri Perez smacked a triple into the right center gap to score left fielder Cal Towey for a 2-0 lead.
In the fourth inning, Nola clobbered a solo home run, his second of the season, to left field, putting the Jumbo Shrimp up, 3-0.
Anderson also clubbed a two-run home run in the seventh inning off of Pensacola reliever Brennan Bernardino to left field for a 7-0 Jacksonville lead. Anderson, who MLB Pipeline.com ranks as the Miami Marlins third best prospect, was 3-5 and added a triple and single for four RBIs in Friday’s game.
Pensacola second baseman Angelo Gumbs reached base seven straight at-bats over the last two games, before grounding out into a double play in the ninth inning. He was 2-4 with a triple but reached on a fielder’s choice and scored one of the Blue Wahoos’ two runs.
Pensacola is 30-24 but remain in first place in the Southern League South Division where they’ve been in all but six days this season.
Hurricane Supplies Are Tax Free This Weekend In Florida
June 2, 2017
A three-day sales tax holiday on storm supplies is underway in Florida.
Through 11:59 p.m. Sunday, Florida will not charge sales tax on certain emergency preparedness supplies. Items ranging from reusable ice packs to portable generators up to $750 are covered by the “2017 disaster preparedness sales tax holiday.”
“I was proud to sign a tax cut package that includes a disaster preparedness sales tax holiday so families and businesses have additional opportunities to get the supplies they need to be prepared. With the 2017 hurricane season beginning today, I encourage all Floridians to take advantage of this weekend’s disaster preparedness sales tax holiday and ensure your family is safe, “Gov. Rick Scott said.
Items tax exempt during the sales tax holiday in Florida are outlined in the poster below, click to enlarge.
Valedictorian Reflects On High School And Value Of Community
June 2, 2017
Alyssa Borelli of Molino started last Saturday morning anxious for graduation, but a little sad that four years filled with lots of hard work and many laughs was coming to an end.
“I’m excited,” Alyssa quickly stated when asked the first thing that comes to mind when told she is Northview High School’s 2017 Valedictorian. “My parents deserve a huge thank you for being my biggest supporters throughout high school. My teachers and friends definitely deserve to be thanked as well.”
As the Executive Officer, or XO, of Northview’s NJROTC, the vice president of the Future Business Leaders of America, and actively involved in Beta Club, the Student Government Association, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, the school advisory council, and several other organizations, Alyssa worked hard not only in her studies, but to be an active student too.
Alyssa plans to attend the University of West Florida where she will major in mathematics. She wants to minor in education and teach high school math after graduating college.
When reflecting on the community, Alyssa realizes just how valuable it can be.
“This community is really important to me. I’ve been able to make a lot of close friends and even people I’ve just met are really nice and easy to talk to.”
Alyssa even touched on why she chose the University of West Florida when discussing the importance of the community to her.
“When picking between UWF and UF,” she stated, “I chose UWF to stay close to my family and friends.”
More Rain Likely
June 2, 2017
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 7pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Saturday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Cloudy, with a high near 81. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
Saturday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a low around 69. Calm wind.
Sunday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 86. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Sunday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
Monday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 85. Southwest wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Monday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 84. Northwest wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 66.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 86.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 65.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 86.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 65.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 88.
Century Chamber Questions Future Of Economic Development Director
June 2, 2017
The board of directors of the Century Area Chamber of Commerce voted Thursday to seek a county attorney opinion concerning the employment status of their economic development coordinator.
Chamber President Freddie McCall told the board that Janet Etheridge is repeatedly missing work without notifying him, is not attending board meetings to provide status reports on a regular basis, has not submitted required paperwork to the county and is generally not performing her expected duties. Etheridge was not present at Thursday’s meeting, and McCall said she did not provide any reason in advance.
Etheridge’s position is funded by a yearly grant to the chamber by the Escambia County Commission. For that reason, McCall will, at the board’s direction, ask the Escambia County attorney’s office to review her employment contract to determine what options are available to the chamber board.
The chamber board expects to call a special meeting on Etheridge once they receive the attorney opinion.
Pictured: Century Chamber of Commerce Economic Development Coordinator Janet Etheridge at a 2016 meeting. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.