Vehicle Rollover Crash Discovered Friday Morning
February 3, 2023
There was no immediate word on any injuries in a single vehicle rollover crash discovered Friday morning in Molino.
The vehicle was found with no one around on Highway 95A near Cantering Hills Lane.
The Florida Highway Patrol investigated and has not released further details.
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WaWa Coming To Nine Mile Road In Beulah, Also Highway 98
February 3, 2023
Wawa convenience stores are coming to Beulah and one other Escambia County location, and there are plans for additional stores.
At a preview event Thursday, Wawa announced locations for West Nine Mile Road and Beulah Road and on HIghway 98 at North Blue Angel Parkway. Construction is planned for this year.
Wawa said there are three or four additional locations in Escambia County still under consideration, with a goal of 6-10 locations by 2025.
Last April, Wawa announced they were actively looking for potential sites for new stores in the Pensacola area, along with Panama City, Tallahassee and Mobile. Current plans are for Wawa to open up to 40 stores in these markets beginning in 2024.
In 2022, Wawa marked the 10th anniversary of the opening of its first Florida store. The store opened July 18, 2012, in Orlando across from SeaWorld. Since then Wawa has expanded rapidly throughout the state and opened its 250th store in Florida last year. Today, Wawa employs almost 10,000 associates across the Sunshine State.
DeSantis Announced $3 Million For Broadband In And Around Jay, Escambia County
February 3, 2023
Thursday, Gov Ron DeSantis announced $144 million in rewards through the Broadband Opportunity Grant Program to expand access to broadband internet for Florida’s underserved communities, including over $3 million in projects for Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
Speaking in Milton, DeSantis announced:
- Town of Jay; Fidelis, Berrydale, Cobbtown, and Unincorporated Santa Rosa County, ($2,363,937) — to deploy 103.7 miles of new fiber optic cable and provide FTTH services to 791 unserved locations within Santa Rosa County with download speeds of 300 Mbps and upload speeds of 10 Mbps. The funds will go to a Charter Communications project.
- Escambia County ($802,489) — to deploy 24.8 miles on new fiber optic cable and provide FTTH services to 206 unserved locations within Escambia County with minimum download speeds of 300 Mbps and upload speeds of 10 Mbps.
“I am proud to be in Santa Rosa County to announce the first awards through Florida’s Broadband Opportunity Program,” said DeSantis. “Broadband internet access creates jobs and enhances educational opportunities for Floridians. I look forward to continued investments through this program to ensure Florida families have access to important resources no matter where they live.”
“Broadband internet service is essential for workforce development, education, and healthcare. Thanks to Governor DeSantis’ leadership, Florida has taken monumental steps to bring reliable, high-speed internet to all Floridians,” said Department of Economic Opportunity Deputy Secretary Ben Melnick. “There is no doubt that the projects awarded today will shape the future of broadband in Florida, and we look forward to supporting the Governor’s vision for a connected economy.”
Administered by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO), the Broadband Opportunity Program funds the installation and deployment of broadband internet infrastructure in unserved Florida communities, providing access to telehealth, economic, educational, and workforce development opportunities.
Benefit To Help Daughter Of Escambia Deputy Killed By Alleged Drunk Driver
February 3, 2023
A fundraiser and benefit concert will be held later this month for the family of an Escambia County deputy killed by an alleged drunk driver last October.
Off-duty Master Deputy Kevin Ray of Cantonment was killed in the crash that seriously injured his 15-year old daughter Lauren on Highway 85 just east of Laurel Hill, Florida. Ray had been a member of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office family for over 20 years. He has been assigned to courthouse security for over 10 years.
The benefit will begin at 1 p.m. on February 25 at the AmVets FL Post 292 on Dog Track Road in Pensacola.
Proceeds will assist the family in offsetting the cost of long-term health care for Lauren Ray.
Call LeAnn (850) 554-7764 or Eddie Namyslowski at (901) 690-5638 for more information.
$1.7 Million Replacement Of Dawson Road Bridge Begins
February 3, 2023
A $1.7 million bridge replacement project on Dawson Road just south of Century is now underway.
The Florida Department of Transportation will pick up about $1.2 million of the cost, while Escambia County will be responsible for the rest of the cost for the bridge over Pritchett Mill Creek.
The current county-owned wooden-support bridge was constructed in 1965. It will be replaced with a 76-foot long concrete structure. The project will also include replacement of about 270 feet of roadway, curb and gutter, guardrail improvements and ditch grading. The bridge work is being coordinated with utility companies due to a 3-inch water main and a 3/4 inch Town of Century gas main.
The project is expected to be completed by the end of the year.
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Man Charged With Fleeing From Traffic Stop
February 3, 2023
A Cantonment man is accused of fleeing from deputies attempting a traffic stop.
Skyler Anthony Kauffman, 19, was charged with fleeing and eluding.
A deputy tried to stop Kauffman on Pensacola Boulevard near Walmart for no tag on his Dodge Challenger. When the deputy activated his emergency lights and siren, the Challenger made a u-turn, entered the Walmart parking lot and accelerated to a high rate of speed, according to an arrest report. The deputy discontinued the attempted traffic stop.
A few minutes later, deputies located his Dodge Challenger with front end damage in a ditch on 9 1/2 Mile Road and Palafox Street. Kauffman was placed under arrest.
Kauffman remained in the Escambia County Jail Friday with bond set at $5,000.
New FPL Solar Farm In McDavid Is Now Online. It’s The Second Of Three In North Escambia.
February 2, 2023
The new Florida Power and Light First City Solar Energy Center near McDavid went online Wednesday.
FPL brought nine other solar farms online Wednesday across the state, including the Blackwater River Solar Energy Center in Santa Rosa County.
The new First City Solar Energy Center, located along Holland, Cox and Roach roads, has more than 223,000 photovoltaic panels with a planned output of 75 megawatts — enough to power about 15,000 homes. It is the second of three FPL solar farms in North Escambia.
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The 300,000 solar panels at the Cotton Creek Solar Energy Center on Bogia Road near McDavid have been in operation since early 2022 and were officially dedicated in March. It produces enough electricity to power about 15,000 homes.
The Sparkleberry Solar Energy Center is planned for 553 acres south of the end of Pilgrim Trail. According to FPL, over 200,000 solar panels will also generate about 75 megawatts. At last report, construction was expected to commence in the summer.
Pictured: The Florida Power and Light First City Solar Energy Center near McDavid went online Wednesday. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Woman Left Her Elderly Father Alone With No Food Or Water For Days, ECSO Says
February 2, 2023
A Flomaton woman is charged with leaving her elderly father alone in an unkept home near McDavid with no access to food or water for days.
Tiffany June Quebedeaux, 40, was charged with felony neglect of an elderly person.
The sheriff’s office said the 82-year old man was found on a dirty mattress in the bedroom of his trailer on North Pine Barren Road after a family friend contacted authorities.
“I observed the residence to be falling apart,” a responding Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputy wrote in his report. “I observed multiple holes in the floor, some being large enough to fall through. I observed multiple pieces of fruits and vegetables around the kitchen all containing mold. I observed cooking pots with food left inside that were covered in mold. I observed dirty clothes and trash to be all over the floor throughout the trailer.”
“I observed (the victim) to have multiple injuries to his arms and to have extremely outgrown nails and hair,” the report continued. The victim’s “bedroom was also covered in dirty clothes and trash. I also detected a strong odor of rotten food and body odor throughout the residence”
The victim told deputies that had been lying in the same spot in bed for four to five days. He stated that Quebedeaux was responsible for his care, but he had not seen her for about five days when she left with his wallet and cellphone, the arrest report states.
The victim said he was forced to fall out of bed and crawl on the floor to the kitchen for food and water. He said he had no way to pay for anything or call for help.
The deputy noted that there was no fresh or edible food or any water in the area around the victim. There were no walking aides or phones the victim could use to call EMS or use to get himself to the bathroom, according to the report.
A 5-gallon bucket was left for the victim, and it was about half full of urine and feces, the report continues. The deputy noted there was no concrete evidence that Quebedeaux took the wallet or money, but the investigation is continuing.
The Florida Department of Children and Families was also contacted, and the state agency has opened an investigation, according to the ECSO.
Deputies were unsuccessful to contact Quebedeaux by phone or at a residence on Creamer Road, and a warrant was issued for her arrest. She was released Wednesday night on a $2,500 bond
Gulf Breeze Wins District Championship Over Tate 1-0 In Two Overtimes (With Gallery)
February 2, 2023
The Gulf Breeze Dolphins defeated the Tate Aggies 1-0 in two overtimes Wednesday night to win the District 1 6A championship at Ashton Brosnaham Park.
For a photo gallery, click or tap here.
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Gov. DeSantis Announces $114.8 Billion ‘Framework for Freedom Budget’; Here Are The Takeaways
February 2, 2023
Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday announced his “Framework for Freedom Budget” proposal for the next fiscal year.
The Framework for Freedom Budget totals $114.8 billion, with total reserves exceeding $15 billion.
“Florida’s focus on freedom has led us to outpace the nation on all fronts,” said DeSantis. “Through the Framework for Freedom Budget, we are establishing freedom first policies to benefit Florida workers and families and to provide a framework for future prosperity. Florida will fight against federal headwinds by putting forth sound fiscal policies that keep more money in the pockets of Floridians. Our budget proposal not only builds on the successes of the past four years, but ensures that Florida will continue to thrive.”
Here are the key takeaways from the budget proposal, as provided by the Governor’s Office:
ECONOMIC PROSPERITY FOR HARDWORKING FLORIDIANS
The Framework for Freedom Budget proposes four permanent tax cuts and more than 10 temporary tax cuts to allow hardworking Floridians to keep money in their pockets while facing record-high inflation thanks to the federal government. The tax holidays include:
- A permanent sales tax exemption for baby and toddler necessities
- A permanent sales tax exemption for cribs and strollers
- A permanent sales tax exemption for over-the-counter pet medications
- A permanent sales tax exemption for gas stoves
- Temporary holidays on children’s books, children’s toys, children’s athletic equipment, certain household items and clothing, disaster preparedness items, outdoor recreation items, dental and oral hygiene products, pet food, hand and power tools, energy star appliances, and natural gas.
Governor DeSantis’ Framework for Freedom Budget continues to support important staff employed by the state, particularly in hard-to-fill positions. State employee pay raises include:
- An across-the-board 5 percent pay increase for all state employees.
- An additional 10 percent increase over the statewide average for certain “hard-to-hire” positions of importance for state government.
- An increase for correctional officers to $23 per hour.
In 2022, Florida experienced record economic growth. In December, Florida’s unemployment rate dropped to 2.5%, a historic low last reached in October 2006. Florida’s unemployment rate has remained lower than the national rate for 25 consectutive months
- Florida’s unemployment rate in December 2022 was 2.5 percent, a full percentage point less than the national unemployment rate of 3.5 percent.
- Florida’s private sector employment increased by 425,800 jobs from December 2021 to December 2022, a growth rate of 5.3 percent and a full two percentage points higher than the national growth rate of 3.3 percent. As of December 2022, Florida employers have added jobs for 32 consecutive months, and Florida’s private sector over-the-year job growth rate has exceeded the nation’s for 21 consecutive months.
- In 2022, Florida experienced the largest percentage increase in net population migration, ranking as the fastest growing state in the nation at a rate of 1.9 percent. Domestic migration accounted for 318,855 of Florida’s net migration total, also the largest gain of any state.
It is more important than ever to maintain our state’s economic momentum through targeted investments in programs that support the creation of good jobs for Floridians and promote key Florida industries like tourism. The Framework for Freedom Budget provides substantial funding for such initiatives, including:
- $100 million for the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund, which supports additional economic growth in Florida by providing local areas with funding for proposed public infrastructure and workforce training projects.
- $100 million to continue the vital state marketing and promotion efforts of VISIT FLORIDA, the state’s official tourism marketing corporation and a source of travel planning for visitors across the globe.
Building opportunities for economic growth in Florida’s rural communities plays an important role in creating lasting economic opportunities for all Floridians. The Framework for Freedom Budget continues the state’s ongoing commitment to funding projects that will benefit Floridians in rural areas across the state:
- $100 million to support broadband initiatives to expand high-speed internet deployment and access to Florida communities.
- $30 million for the Rural Infrastructure Fund to support projects such as roads, storm and wastewater systems, and telecommunications facilities.
FREEDOM IN EDUCATION
Florida is the #1 ranked state in education freedom and has earned the spot of #1 higher education system in the nation for 5 straight years. Governor DeSantis’ recommendations continue to ensure high quality education choices for all students and support teachers to ensure they have the tools they need to prepare Florida students for future success. Key investments include:
- $1 billion, an increase of $200 million, in funding to provide salary increases for new and veteran teachers and other eligible instructional personnel.
- $1.6 billion in funding for early childhood education, including more than $451 million for Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten (VPK).
- Historic $26 billion in funding, of which $14.1 billion is record state funding for the K-12 public school system.
- $1.5 billion in state operating funding for the Florida College System.
- $3.1 billion in state operating funding for the State University System.
- $100 million for the recruitment and retention of highly qualified faculty at state universities.
- $15 million for the institutional overhaul and restructuring of the New College of Florida.
$1 million is maintained to continue expanding the Florida Civics and Debate Initiative, which creates and enhances existing speech and debate programs with a focus on civic education. The Florida Civics and Debate Initiative is currently active in 54 Florida school districts, with 243 participating schools. In addition, the Framework for Freedom Budget includes $3.5 million in funding to provide support to school districts for the improvement of civic literacy for Florida’s students using regional civics literacy captains and coaches, and $3 million for civics education curriculum. The Framework for Freedom Budget does not include any tuition or fee increases for Florida’s colleges and universities. Our students and families should not face any additional financial burdens as they are completing their education.
PRIORITIZING WORKFORCE EDUCATION
The Governor has championed Florida becoming the #1 state in the nation for workforce education by 2030. To make this goal a reality, the Governor has committed more than $5 billion to workforce education since 2019, making Florida #1 in the nation for attracting and developing a skilled workforce. To continue elevating Florida’s workforce program, the Framework for Freedom Budget includes over $624 million to support workforce education programs to ensure Florida students are prepared to fill high-demand, high-wage jobs, and help Florida meet its goal of becoming first in the nation for workforce education by 2030.
- This includes $20 million, an increase of $5 million, to develop the Teacher Registered Apprenticeship Program for the Governor’s Pathways to Career Opportunities Grant Program to establish or expand pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship programs for high school and college students.
The budget maintains $125 million in total funding to support the LINE and PIPELINE nursing education initiatives.
PROTECTING FLORIDA’S NATURAL RESOURCES FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS
In 2019, Governor DeSantis called for $2.5 billion to be invested over four years for the protection of water resources. The Governor surpassed that goal by securing over $3.3 billion, and is building on this historic investment with Executive Order 23-06, calling for $3.5 billion over the next four years for Everglades restoration and protection of water resources, including water quality and water supply. The Framework for Freedom Budget initiates this investment, by dedicating more than $1.1 billion. Governor DeSantis has recomended more than $614 million for Everglades restoration projects, including:
- $58 million for Restoration Strategies.
- $182.2 million for the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP).
- $86.3 million for the C-43 West Basin Reservoir Storage Project.
- $152 million for the EAA Reservoir to continue the momentum of this critical project to reduce harmful discharges and help send more clean water south of the Everglades.
- $50 million is included for specific project components designed to achieve the greatest reductions in harmful discharges to the Caloosahatchee and St. Lucie Estuaries as identified in the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan Lake Okeechobee Watershed Restoration Project Draft Integrated Project Implementation Report and Environmental Impact Statement dated August 2020.
- $86.1 million is included for the Northern Everglades and Estuaries Protection Program.
The Framework for Freedom Budget also includes $370 million for targeted water quality improvements to achieve significant, meaningful, and measurable nutrient reductions in key waterbodies across the state and to implement the initial recommendations of the Blue-Green Algae Task Force. On top of the investment in targeted water quality improvements, the budget includes $50 million to restore Florida’s world-renowned springs; $85 million for the continued stabilization, water treatment, and closure at Piney Point; and a $65 million investment to improve water quality and combat the effects and impacts of harmful algal blooms, including blue-green algae and red tide. The Framework for Freedom Budget includes up to $3.4 million for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to remove pythons from the Everglades. The Framework for Freedom Budget includes more than $2.7 billion for Florida’s agricultural industry. To preserve Florida’s iconic citrus industry, the budget invests $29.4 million for citrus research, the Citrus Health Response Program, and for consumer awareness marketing efforts. Additional investments in Florida’s environment include $11.5 million for wildfire suppression equipment and $4.9 million for road and bridge maintenance to allow for better access for land management and wildfire suppression activities.
INVESTING IN FLORIDA’S INFRASTRUCTURE
Florida is currently home to over 22 million people and welcomes millions of visitors each year. As a high-growth state, being able to move an increasing number of people and goods from place to place quickly and effectively depends on a continuing commitment to developing and maintaining a world-class transportation infrastructure. The Framework for Freedom Budget includes $14.7 billion for the Florida Department of Transportation to retain current employees and supports the creation of more than 244,000 jobs. Every dollar invested in transportation is estimated to result in a return of up to $4 in user and economic benefits to Florida’s residents and businesses. Of this total, $13.4 billion is provided for the State Transportation Work Program, an ongoing five-year plan for the implementation and completion of transportation infrastructure projects, including the construction and maintenance of Florida’s roads, bridges, rails, seaports, and other public transportation systems that grow the state’s economy and improve the quality of life for our citizens. $12 million is recommended to continue implementation of the Governor’s initiative to protect Floridians against the harms resulting from illegal immigration by facilitating the transport of unauthorized aliens from any point of origin in the U.S. to any jurisdiction. Governor DeSantis has always recognized the importance of recommending significant resources in the state budget for affordable homes and apartments, providing Floridians with options for safe and decent housing. The Framework for Freedom Budget provides $402.7 million to fully fund the Sadowski Affordable Housing Trust Funds:
- $121.7 million for the State Apartment Incentive Loan (SAIL) Program.
- $281 million for the State Housing Initiatives Partnership Program (SHIP).
The Framework for Freedom Budget also provides $100 million for the second year of the Hometown Heroes Housing Program. This program makes homeownership affordable for eligible frontline community workers such as law enforcement officers, firefighters, educators, healthcare professionals, childcare employees, and active military or veterans. KEEPING FLORIDA COMMUNITIES SAFE Floridians are enjoying a 50-year record low crime rate, and year-over-year crime in Florida is down nearly ten percent. The Framework for Freedom Budget continues to make necessary investments in our public safety, including comprehensive salary increases for law enforcement and correctional officers, enhancing law enforcement and correctional officer safety, and combatting the flow of fentanyl into Florida from the southern border. The Governor reccomends $124.3 million to provide salary increases across various public safety agencies, including:
- $107.2 million to increase the Department of Corrections’ (FDC) base rate of pay to $23 per hour for specified Correctional Officer, Correctional Probation Officer, and Inspector positions;
- $1.8 million to provide a four percent increase to Special Agents and Law Enforcement positions within the Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE);
- $6.8 million for special pay adjustments based on salary ranges for all sworn law enforcement officers within FDLE, Department of Legal Affairs (DLA), State Attorneys, and State Courts (SCS); and
- $8.5 million for an increase for years of service for sworn law enforcement officers within FDLE, DLA, State Attorneys, and SCS.
In addition to the five percent pay increase provided to all state employees, $3.4 million will provide a targeted retention pay plan for Correctional Officers, Correctional Probation Officers, and the Inspectors. This funding aims to increase retention rates by providing a $1,000 pay increase at two years of service, a $500 pay increase at five years of service, and a $1,000 pay increase at eight years of service.
$30 million is included to fund a second round of recruitment bonus payments for law enforcement officers who are new to the profession in the state, including those relocating from other states. This initiative will provide bonus payments of $5,000 to eligible law enforcement officers.
The Governor is committed to protecting communities from fentanyl manufactured in China and flowing across the Southern Boarder. The Framework for Freedom Budget reccomends $20.7 million to support law enforcement efforts to combat the opioid epidemic affecting Florida’s communities.
The Framework for Freedom Budget includes $2 million for FDLE to provide body armor to local law enforcement agencies, with a focus on agencies within fiscally constrained counties.
$2.1 billion in federal and state funding is provided so that communities and the state can respond to and recover from major disasters or emergencies as well as mitigate against future disasters or emergencies. REMAINING THE MOST MILLITARY &
VETERAN FRIENDLY STATE IN THE NATION
To ensure Florida remains fully fortified to respond to not only natural disasters but also to protect its people and borders from illegal aliens and civil unrest, it is now more important than ever to augment our Florida National Guard with the support of the Florida State Guard. The Framework for Freedom Budget provides $98 million to grow the Florida State Guard, a civilian volunteer force, to aid during emergencies. The Framework for Freedom Budget includes $9.2 million for the following initiatives:
- $6.2 million to fully support Florida National guardsmen seeking higher education degrees and to expand the program to allow a guardsman to transfer their unused education benefit to a spouse or child.
- $2 million to give a one-time $1,000 bonus to guardsmen who renew their contract.
- $1 million to give $1,000 bonuses to guardsmen who recruit new members into the Florida National Guard.
The Framework for Freedom Budget invests $14.7 million to support nursing home residents, medical and non-medical equipment upgrades, capital improvements, and the remainder of the staff needed for the Ardie R. Copas and Alwyn Cashe State Veterans’ Nursing Homes. The budget also continues a more than $2 million investment to assist veterans in training, networking, and mentoring throughout the state. BUILDING A ROBUST PUBLIC HEALTH NETWORK Governor DeSantis and First Lady Casey DeSantis have pushed for record funding to support cancer research to enhance Florida’s competitiveness at national and international levels and ensure that all Floridians have access to the highest quality of care. The Framework for Freedom Budget invests more than $166 million in cancer research funding, with $20 million in funding to establish the Florida Cancer Innovation Fund to support groundbreaking cancer research. The Framework for Freedom Budget commits nearly $143 million to enhance services for pregnant and postpartum women and children. This funding also includes $3.8 million to support premiums for families who receive services through the Florida Healthy Kids program and were impacted by Hurricane Ian. The Framework for Freedom Budget includes more than $96 million to support those served by the child welfare system. Funding will support foster parents and caregivers, community-based services, local prevention grants, and additional family navigators to connect high risk families and children to resources and supports through collaboration with front line child protective investigators. The Framework for Freedom Budget includes more than $76 million for hospitals that provide in-patient services for acutely ill newborns and pediatric patients. The Framework for Freedom Budget provides more than $531 million in funding to support a comprehensive array of behavioral health services.
- $334 million is recommended to increase access to treatment such as prevention services, medication assisted treatment, recovery support and continues research, and surveillance activities that seek to reduce overdoses, unemployment, and the incidence of hospitalization and homelessness.
- The Framework for Freedom Budget also includes $147.4 million from the Opioid Settlement.
The Framework for Freedom Budget includes investments in the health of the state’s most vulnerable populations, including:
- $1.5 million to provide services for victims of human trafficking, including individualized clinical treatment, behavioral supports such as cognitive behavioral treatment, and motivational interviewing.
- An additional $9 million to expand services provided by the 17 Memory Disorder Clinics and the Brain Bus to enhance diagnosis and prevention strategies for those impacted by Alzheimer’s disease and other related dementias.
- More than $79.6 million in funding to allow an additional 1,200 individuals in crisis to be served through the Agency for Persons with Disabilities waiver program.