Last Chance To Save: Florida Freedom Week Sales Tax Holiday Ends At Midnight
July 7, 2021
Florida’s new Freedom Week Sales Tax Holiday ends today with tax savings on outdoor recreation, live events, museums and more.
Through July 7, purchases of admissions to music events, sporting events, cultural events, specified performances, movies, museums, state park annual passes, and fitness facilities for events held from July 1 – December 31, 2021, will be tax free. Additionally, purchases of season tickets are also exempted. (For a complete list, click here for a printable pdf.)
The Freedom Week Sales Tax Holiday also applies to sales of boating and water activity supplies, camping supplies, fishing supplies, general outdoor supplies, and sports equipment.
Boating and Water Supplies: The tax holiday applies to the first $75 of the sales price of life jackets and coolers; the first $50 of the sales price of safety flares; the first $150 of the sales price of water skis, wakeboards, kneeboards, and recreational inflatable water tubes or floats capable of being towed; the first $300 of the sales price of paddleboards and surfboards; the first $500 of the sales price of canoes and kayaks; the first $75 of the sales price of paddles and oars; and the first $25 of the sales price of snorkels, goggles, and swimming masks.
Camping Supplies: The tax holiday applies to the first $200 of the sales price of tents; the first $50 of the sales price of sleeping bags, portable hammocks, camping stoves, and collapsible camping chairs; and the first $30 of the sales price of camping lanterns and flashlights.
Fishing Supplies: The tax holiday applies to the first $75 of the sales price of rods and reels, if sold individually, or the first $150 of the sales price if sold as a set; the first $30 of the sales price of tackle boxes or bags; and the first $5 of the sale price of bait or fishing tackle, if sold individually, or the first $10 of the sales price if multiple items are sold together.
General Outdoor Supplies: The tax holiday applies to the first $15 of the sales price of sunscreen or insect repellant; the first $100 of the sales price of sunglasses; the first $200 of the sales price of binoculars; the first $30 of the sales price of water bottles; the first $50 of the sales price of hydration packs; the first $250 of the sales price of outdoor gas or charcoal grills; the first $50 of the sales price of bicycle helmets; and the first $250 of the sales price of bicycles.
Sports Equipment: The tax holiday applies any item used in individual or team sports, not including clothing or footwear, selling for $40 or less.
WWE Superstar Wrestler ‘Jimmy Uso’ Of Cantonment Arrested On DUI Charge In Pensacola
July 7, 2021
WWE superstar wrestler Jonathan Solofa Fatu of Cantonment, whose ring name is Jimmy Uso, has been arrested on a DUI charge by the Pensacola Police Department.
Fatu was booked into the Escambia County Jail at 1:03 a.m. Tuesday.
According to an arrest report. Fatu was speeding in the area of Garden and I streets Monday night. An officer observed Fatu run a red light at Garden and A streets and made a traffic stop. The officer reported smelling alcohol, and Fatu failed a field sobriety test, the report states.
According to the PPD arrest report, Fatu’s breath tests showed alcohol levels of .202 and .205, more than twice the legal limit of .08.
He was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $500 bond.
In July 2019, Fatu was arrested for DUI by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
A deputy parked at Publix and observed a vehicle turn from Pine Forest Road onto Highway 297A, rapidly accelerate, and come very close to another vehicle. The vehicle’s speed was verified by radar at 86 mph in a 45 mph zone. The deputy conducted a traffic stop on 33-year old Fatu in the area of Highway 297A and Brockwood Place, just south of Kingsfield Road in Cantonment. Fatu, 33, seemed to be confused, had bloodshot and watery eyes, droopy eyelids, dilated pupils and slow, slurred speech, the deputy noted in his report.
Fatu was later found not guilty of DUI after the 2019 arrest.
Century Council Moves Back To Town Hall After COVID-19 Decline
July 7, 2021
Now that COVID-19 cases have decline, the Century Town Council has moved their meeting s from a large community center venue back to their relatively small council chambers.
After holding meetings via Zoom for much of 2020 due to COVID-19, the council returned to in-person meetings at the Century Community Center back in January to allow room for more social distancing.
Monday night, the council was back at the table in their chambers at town hall, 7995 North Century Boulevard.
Century’s next step in returning to a post-pandemic normal is a workshop at 5:30 p.m. on July 22 to discuss rental agreements for town community centers and the splash pad.
Pictured above: Monday night’s Century Town Council meeting back in council chambers at town hall. Pictured below: A panoramic view of a recent Century Town Council meeting at the Century Community Center. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
ESCO Deputy Treated For Smoke Inhalation After Rescuing Burglary Suspect From Burning Shed
July 7, 2021
An Escambia County Sheriff’s deputy was treated for smoke inhalation after rescuing a burglary suspect from a burning shed.
The incident happened late Monday night on Toni Street at Lanier Drive after the sheriff’s office responded to a call about the burglary of an unoccupied shed.
After they arrived, the suspect lit the shed on fire and was pulled out by the deputy, according to ECSO spokesperson Amber Southard.
Both the deputy and the suspect were treated for smoke inhalation.
At last report, the suspect remained in the hospital and had not been formally charged with any crime, His name has not been released.
The fire was quickly extinguished by Escambia Fire Rescue.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Mayor Wants To End Century’s Joint Fireworks Show With Flomaton, Go Bigger With Their Own Show
July 7, 2021
The Town of Century may have their own fireworks show for the Fourth of July 2022, ending a decade long agreement for a joint show with neighboring Flomaton.
Century, Flomaton, the Century Area Chamber of Commerce, and the Flomaton Chamber of Commerce joined forces in 2011 to split the cost of a $2,500 fireworks show at an even $625 each. Over the years, the chambers of commerce dropped out, and the towns evenly divided the cost of what became a $5,000 show.
Fireworks were canceled due to the pandemic in 2020, and in 2021 the show was canceled after it was not scheduled with the fireworks company in time.
Monday night, Mayor Ben Boutwell made a proposal to the town council for a Century-only show from now on. Boutwell said he already has the show tentatively scheduled with the vendor, and he wants the council to bump its annual fireworks budget to $10,000. The council will consider the request during upcoming budget workshops.
Pictured: Monday night, Century Mayor Ben Boutwell told the town council he wants to up Century’s commitment to a year Fourth of July fireworks show. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
More Showers, More Thunderstorms Likely Wednesday
July 7, 2021
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Wednesday: Showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. High near 85. East wind around 5 mph becoming north in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Wednesday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Thursday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 86. West wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
Friday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 85. Southwest wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Friday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Saturday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 88. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm after midnight.
Sunday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89.
Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 71.
Monday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 71.
Tuesday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89.
Both Lanes Of Nine Mile Road Eastbound Open Between Beulah Road And I-10, But Lane Closures This Week
July 7, 2021
All four lanes are now open on Nine Mile Road between Beulah Road and I-10. However, drivers can expect intermittent lane closures this week on the eastbound roadway as crews place the final layer of asphalt. The work is dependent on weather. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
EREC Sends Storm Team To Assist In Big Bend In Advance Of Tropical Storm Elsa
July 7, 2021
EREC has sent a storm recovery team to Tri County Electric Cooperative in Madison, Florida, in advance of Tropical Storm Elsa.
EREC’s line crewmen will be staged and ready to assist with any damage caused by the storm to the cooperative’s service area. Tri-County EC serves more than 13,000 members in the Big Bend region of Florida, about 45 miles east of Tallahassee.
“Tropical systems can cause severe damage to an electric utility and leave thousands of cooperative members without power,” said EREC CEO Ryan Campbell. “We’ve seen firsthand how great it is to be part of a network of cooperatives that we can rely on when we need them the most.”
Crew members are Tony Moody, Tyler Prescott, Stephen Jones, Jake Moye and Jeremiah Daugett.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
M-Braves Take Series Opener, Tied With Wahoos For First Place
July 7, 2021
The M-Braves surged past the Wahoos late in Tuesday’s series opener and defeated the Wahoos 8-1 at Trustmark Park.
Trailing 3-1 in the bottom of the seventh, Mississippi scored twice off Tyler Stevens courtesy of back-to-back homers from Jalen Miller and Greyson Jenista to put the M-Braves up 5-1. Any hopes for a comeback bid were erased after the hosts scored three more runs in the bottom of the eighth courtesy of three walks and two hits allowed by the Pensacola bullpen.
Edward Cabrera’s fourth start with the Wahoos got off to a slow start as each of the first three hitters for Mississippi rattled off base hits. Justin Dean and Trey Harris each singled before an RBI single from Drew Lugbauer put the M-Braves up 1-0.
After that Cabrera looked like his usual self, striking out Atlanta’s top catching prospect Shea Langeliers before inducing a double-play ground ball from Braden Shewmake.
Pensacola tied the game in the top of the third thanks to back-to-back hits of their own. Riley Mahan floated a single into right field before Jhon Nunez poked a double into the right-field corner that scored Mahan from first.
Unfortunately for Pensacola, the offense would end there as Pensacola was held to a total of five hits while the club struck out 17 times. Mississippi retook the lead in the bottom of the fourth inning after a leadoff walk to Lugbauer and consecutive singles from Langeliers and Shewmake.
With the loss the Wahoos and M-Braves are now 32-22 and have the best records in the Double-A South. The series continues tomorrow afternoon as LHP Jake Eder (3-2, 1.03) is expected to make the start for the Wahoos. He will be opposed by LHP Hayden Deal (1-2, 3.83).
ECSO Seizes Vehicle Used In Ladarius Clardy Homicide; Reward Increased To $10,000
July 6, 2021
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office has seized the vehicle used in the Ladarius Clardy homicide last week, and the reward for information leading to an arrest has been increased to $10,000.
The ECSO said the pictured black 2014 Ford Fusion was used in the homicide on July 1 at the intersection of West Fairfield Drive and Hollywood Avenue. Investigators are seeking information about who was inside the vehicle and where it was before the homicide.
Gulf Coast Crime Stoppers along with the assistance of the Florida Sheriffs Association Criminal Apprehension Assistance Program has increased the reward to $10,000 for information leading to the identity of the person or persons responsible for the murder.
“We are glad to announce the additional funds for anyone providing information as to who conducted this senseless act,” Sheriff Chip Simmons said Tuesday.
Clardy was found shot to death at the scene of a traffic crash early the morning of July 1 at Hollywood Avenue and Fairfield Drive. There were over 50 bullet holes in the vehicle, most in the driver’s door.
If you have any information leading to the arrest of a suspect or suspects you could be eligible for a cash reward up to $10,000 by remaining anonymous and calling Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.