Atmore Police Investigating Homicide, Victim Found In Street
August 4, 2017
The Atmore Police Department is investigating a homicide that occurred Thursday night.
About 10:38 p.m., Atmore Police received a 911 call in reference to a person that was shot on Ann Street.
Police responded and found 31-year old Shawn O’Neil Quarles of Camden, AL, suffering from a gunshot wound to the chest. The first Atmore Police Officer on scene immediately began aid to Quarles. Atmore Ambulance was called to the scene and transported Quarles to Atmore Community Hospital where he was later pronounced deceased.
According to witnesses, Quarles was found lying on Ann Street after they heard several gunshots in the area.
Atmore Police investigators were told by witnesses that Quarles was riding a bicycle to a store to purchase cigarettes when the offense occurred.
The Atmore Police Department is now working the case as a homicide and encourages anyone with information to call the at (251) 368- 9141.
The Mystery Of North Escambia’s Only Highway Rest Area
August 4, 2017
When readers reach out to NorthEscambia.com with questions involving public facilities, our roads, our bridges, and mysteriously appearing toilets…we sometimes respond.
Today we’re exploring the mystery of North Escambia’s only roadside “rest area”. The rest area is located along Pine Barren Road, about 1.5 miles north of Bogia Road. It’s located comfortably just off the highway, and has “Made in America” facilities for him and her.
Update: Since our photo was taken Thursday afternoon, we’re told that the facilities have been expanded to include three toilets (a family toilet, perhaps?).
Area residents say this is version three of the rest area…the third time someone has placed toilets at the remote location. The first two versions also included three toilets before they were removed.
If you are looking for these facilities, here are the GPS coordinates: 30.85900, -87.36897. The area is expected to be filled to capacity for the August 21 eclipse.
NorthEscambia.com exclusive (like anyone else would run this…) photos, click to enlarge.
Century Chamber Looks To Reinvent Itself Facing A 97 Percent Funding Cut
August 4, 2017
The Century Chamber of Commerce is looking for ways to reinvent itself after a major change in how economic development dollars are allocated to Century.
The Escambia County Commission is considering a budget that would remove $55,000 per year in direct funding to the chamber, instead opting to make the funds available to the chamber, the town and perhaps other non-profits for economic development on a project by project basis to be approved by the commission upon presentation by District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry.
But commissioners made it clear at a recent budget meeting that requests can include no more than a 10 percent administrative overhead and funding cannot be used for salaries or daily operations — meaning the chamber won’t be able to use the money to continue funding their $40,o00 per year economic development coordinator position.
“We are fixing to go into some hard times economically,” chamber President Freddie McCall said during a board meeting Thursday afternoon.
McCall said the chamber needs about $4,000 per year to pay basic bills such as utilities and has no funds for any employees.
The $55,000 provided by the county this fiscal year amounted to 97 percent of the chamber’s total funding for the year, according to budget documents submitted to the Escambia County Commission. The chamber reported expected income through September of $56,585.02 and expenses of $60,239.45 for a net anticipated loss of $3,654.43.
The chamber recently held a two day workshop to identify how it might better serve Century businesses and the community while continuing to move forward:
During the workshop, the chamber set goals to:
- Increase membership, developing member’s benefits and a benefits brochure
- Conduct a monthly business after-hours
- Create a newsletter for members and community leaders
- Highlight a business of the month
- Develop a business visitation schedule with board members visiting at least two members and two prospective members per month
- Develop a unified website
- Collaborate with town council
- Analyze business needs
- Increase awareness through social media
- Create a schedule for flexible meetings (holding meetings at different times of day)
- Develop a beautification program
- Partner with Florida West and the town council to enhance the recruitment and expansion of industry and businesses
- Grow local businesses
- Develop leadership development programs
- Complete a 2018 budget by November 1, 2017
- Increase sponsorship dollars
- Increase membership revenue
McCall said the chamber will continue to work progressively toward achieving the identified goals.
During the past year, the chamber accomplished the following this year, according to their submissions to Escambia County:
- 6-7 new chamber memberships
- Annual employment increased from 39 to 45 percent
- 4-10 business inquired about startups
- Graduation levels were increased 9 percent
- A 10 percent increase in the previous year’s 35 Century Welcome Center visitors.
- There were five job openings last year, until the announcement of 20 part-time jobs at a new bingo hall.
- There were four housing starts, until the EF-3 tornado destroyed a large number of homes, leading to over 50 new housing starts
Florida Offers Tax Holiday For Back To School Shoppers
August 4, 2017
With computers returned to the discount list, Florida retailers are readying for back-to-school shoppers this weekend during the state’s sales-tax “holiday.”
Click here for complete details on what is tax free (pdf).
The holiday, which will run Friday through Sunday is a large part of a tax-cut package (HB 7109) that lawmakers passed this spring. The package is projected to provide $91.6 million in tax breaks during the budget year that started July 1.
James Miller, a spokesman for the Florida Retail Federation, said the tax holiday is “much needed at this time of year,” as families buy clothes, supplies and other items before school starts.
“Families are going out and stocking up anyways,” Miller said. “Being able to save 6, 7, 8 percent is really big.”
A House bill analysis estimated the holiday period will reduce state revenue by $26.6 million and local government revenue by $6.8 million.
The holiday allows shoppers to avoid paying sales taxes on clothes and shoes costing up to $60 per item; school supplies that cost $15 or less; and personal computers and related accessories priced at $750 or less.
The state has offered back-to-school tax holidays most years since 1998. Computers return to this year’s list after being left out of a 2016 tax holiday.
Two years ago, meanwhile, the holiday ran 10 days, with the clothing limit at $100 and a discount on the first $750 of the sales prices of computers.
Florida retailers have long backed the tax holidays. But not everyone thinks such discount periods provide wide-ranging benefits.
The Washington, D.C.-based Tax Foundation released a study July 25 deriding the periods as simply shifting spending rather than stimulating economic growth.
“Shoppers waited until the holiday to purchase exempted goods, thereby slowing sales in the weeks prior to and following the holiday,” the study said.
The Tax Foundation questioned the expense of having to recalibrate store computers for the discount periods and called the holidays “a gimmick that distract policymakers and taxpayers from real, permanent, and economically beneficial tax reform.”
The foundation also labeled the discount periods as a form of “picking winners and losers” — a favorite target of many Florida politicians opposed to business incentives — by favoring products and industries through arbitrary tax exemptions. The foundation also maintained that large businesses lobby for the holidays as a way to receive free advertising.
Miller disagreed.
“I know there are reports out there saying these sales-tax holidays aren’t that good for retailers,” Miller said. “One thing I would say is if that was the case, retailers wouldn’t be making this one of their significant legislative priorities year in and year out.”
He added that many retailers that don’t offer items on the state’s discount list take advantage of the period by offering their own sales.
“There are tens and tens of thousands of retailers in this state that benefit from this,” Miller said. “There are others retailers that can piggyback on it and have promotions in conjunction with it. That’s what I would do if I were a retailer. When you consider technology, clothing and supplies, that is a large number of retailers that will be eligible. We are excited about the weekend, and we know they are too.”
Florida, one of 16 states this year offering back-to-school breaks, also offered a tax holiday on disaster-preparation items in June to mark the start of hurricane season.
Two other key portions of the overall tax-cut package — an elimination of sales taxes on feminine hygiene products and a reduction in a commercial lease tax — go into effect on Jan. 1.
by Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida
UF/IFAS Extension Offers Right-of-Way, Forests And Invasive Species Workshop
August 4, 2017
UF/IFAS Extension in Escambia, Okaloosa and Santa Rosa counties will hold a Right-of-Way, Forestry and Invasive Species Workshop on Wednesday, August 9 from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Bear Lake Pavilion, approximately 2.5 miles east of Munson crossroad of Highway 4 and Highway 191 in the Blackwater Forest north of Milton. Cost is $10 per person and includes lunch.
Pesticide license exams will not be given during this workshop, however, this program will prepare students for aspects of the exam. CEUs will be available in the following areas: Core (2), Private Applicator (4), Demo and Research (4), Forestry (4), Natural Areas (4), and Right-of-Way (4).
Topics include: Herbicides, Herbicide Safety, Weed Management Considerations for Forestry, Chemical Side Trim, and Roadside Invaders. To pre-register or to set up an appointment to take a pesticide license exam, contact Bethany Diamond at the Santa Rosa County Extension Office: 850-675-6654.
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
