DeSantis Signs Three Sales Tax Holidays Into Law During Visit To Pensacola
May 22, 2021
Gov. Ron DeSantis signed three tax holidays into law in Pensacola Friday.
The “Florida Tax Cut Package” includes sales tax holidays for hurricane preparation, back to school and a new “Freedom Week”.
“In Florida, we are providing more than $168 million in taxpayer savings for families and businesses,” Desantis said. “From sales tax holidays to permanent tax exemptions helping seniors live independently, I am committed to continuing to reduce the tax burden for all residents of our state.”
DeSantis signed the tax cut package bill into law Friday morning at the Home Depot on Davis Highway in Pensacola. The package includes:
“Disaster Preparedness” Tax Holiday from May 28 until June 6, 2021
This 10-day tax holiday allows Floridians to prepare for hurricane season while saving money on disaster preparedness items such as flashlights under $40, batteries less than $50, tarps under $100, generators less than $1,000, and more.
“Freedom Week” Tax Holiday from July 1 until July 7, 2021
The first ever “Freedom Week” provides seven days of sales tax savings on outdoor recreation purchases, such as the first $100 of the sales price of sunglasses, the first $200 of the sales prices of tents, and the first $500 of the sales price of kayaks or canoes, as well as tickets for events, museums, the arts, and more.
Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday from July 31 until August 9, 2021
Spanning 10 days, Floridians will pay no sales tax for certain clothing of $60 or less per item, school supplies of $15 or less per item, and the first $1,000 of personal computers and related accessories.
Tax Cuts to Support Florida’s Seniors Living Independently
The bill signed Friday also creates Florida’s first permanent sales tax exemption for independent living items for seniors in our state. Items like bed transfer handles, bed rails, grab bars, and shower seats will be exempt from sales tax for individual purchases.
Ad Valorem Tax Breaks
The tax package doubles the ad valorem tax exemption for certain affordable housing properties from 50% to 100%. Additionally, the bill includes implementation language for a proposed constitutional amendment providing property tax relief for residential property improvements made for the purpose of flood mitigation. This property tax relief is subject to the approval by the voters on the 2022 General Election ballot.
BUSINESS TAX BREAKS
Strong Families Tax Credit Program
To help support the wellbeing of children in our state, HB 7061 creates the Strong Families Tax Credit Program for businesses that make monetary donations to certain eligible charitable organizations that provide services focused on child welfare.
Internship Tax Credit
The newly created Internship Tax Credit provides tax relief for Florida businesses that employ and retain student interns, encouraging companies to hire young Floridians attending college in our state.
Brownfields Tax Credit Program
The bill also provides a one-time increase in funding of $17.5 million for the Brownfields Tax Credit Program to fund a backlog of approved credits. This program, administered through the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, incentivizes businesses to clean up and redevelop hazardous sites to protect our environment and economy.
Northview Chiefs Take On Flomaton In Spring Game (With Photo Gallery)
May 22, 2021
The Northview Chiefs and Flomaton Hurricanes met in a spring game Friday night in Bratt.
In the first half varsity scrimmage, Flomaton defeated Northview 28-6. In the second half scrimmage, Northview beat Flomaton 7-0.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery, click or tap here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Sunny And Dry Through Next Week
May 22, 2021
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 59. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 87. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 62. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 92. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 66. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming west after midnight.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 92. Light and variable wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 65. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west after midnight.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 90.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 66.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 91.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 67.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 92.
Tate Aggies, Escambia Gators Meet In Spring Game (With Gallery)
May 22, 2021
The Tate Aggie and Escambia Gators met in a spring game Friday night at Escambia.
In the first half scrimmage, Escambia defeated Tate 7-3. In the second half varsity scrimmage, Escambia topped Tate 27-7.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Jennifer Repine, click to enlarge.
Picture Perfect: Krul Lake Is Refilled And Open
May 22, 2021
Krul Lake in the Blackwater State Forest is now refilled and in pristine condition.
The lake was drained for repairs to the drain pipe system and retaining wall, as well as upgrades and basic maintenance. The process to refill the lake started last week.
Krul Lake is filled from springs located on the north end of the lake and is popular summer swimming area. The Krul Recreation area, located about a half mile east of Munson (click for map), also features restrooms and showers, hiking trails, a gristmill, a suspension bridge over Sweetwater Creek, and a picnic area.
Pictured above and below: Krul Lake this week. Pictured bottom two photos: Krul Lake while drained earlier this year. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Pitching, Defense Lead Blue Wahoos To 2-1 Win Over The Trash Pandas
May 22, 2021
The Blue Wahoos already won a couple games this week on walk-off hits.
Friday night, they got an edge-of-seat win with their pitchers thriving on a tight rope of pressure.
Despite yielding 11 hits, including a home run, the Blue Wahoos beat the Rocket City Trash Pandas 2-1, amid an energized, sellout crowd at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
They did it with continued clutch pitches at critical times. And fittingly, closer Colton Hock’s glove made a big save on a bullet up the middle that Hock snared and threw for the final out, generating a loud roar of happiness.
“Usually (game like Friday), there are some double plays involved, some big plays, scattering hits, and that’s what we did,” said Blue Wahoos pitching coach Tim Norton.
They did all of that, plus more, in a win unlike any other, so far this first season as a Miami Marlins affiliate. The series continues Saturday and Sunday before a 12-game homestand ends.
The Blue Wahoos (9-7) turned four double-plays – three of those to end innings with multiple baserunners. A trio of pitchers combined to strand seven Rocket City (8-8) runners in scoring position. They also got some terrific defense, led by left fielder Tristan Pompey’s running, sliding backhand catch in foul territory to end the third inning.
Meanwhile, the Blue Wahoos got just enough offense on five hits. One of those was a no-doubt, blast over left field by Peyton Burdick to lead off the eighth-inning. It was third home run this week.
And it became the decisive run. The Wahoos go their other run in the fifth when Chris Chinea was hit by a pitch, moved into scoring position on Pompey’s single and scored on Lorenzo Hampton’s single.
Less than three weeks into the season, the Blue Wahoos pitching staff has collectively been a clear strength, save for a couple rough nights against Birmingham last week.
“We have some elite stuff on this staff in our rotation and in the bullpen,” Norton said. “We have some pretty good octane out there in the bullpen, so it’s a combination of good stuff, throwing strikes, catchers understanding what (pitchers) are trying to do.
“A lot goes into each day preparing for nine innings.”
It showed again with starter Jeff Lindgren battling his way into another quality start.
He went six innings without a walk, striking out three and overcoming eight hits by continuing to get game-changing outs to end threats.
“He’s got a good 2-seamer (fastball),” Norton said. “He is willing and able to pitch in. Obviously, his pitch is his slider. Guys can’t seem to pick it up real good.
“He sprinkles enough change-ups to keep guys honest, but it’s his slider that has taken him over. No panic, he is really composed. He understands he’s one pitch away.
“He feels like he can punch anyone out with that slider, so there’s no panic. He’s been doing a great job. He has probably been in four tough innings in the last 13 innings and he has escaped all of them.”
All of his attributes occurred Friday, followed by stellar relief.
After Zach Leban got his second hold with 1.2 scoreless innings, Hock followed in the eighth inning with two out, two on, and delivered a strikeout pitch.
In the ninth, he gave up a one-out home run to Torii Hunter Jr., son of the former Minnesota Twins star, struck out the next batter and ended the game with his fielding play on the mound.
by Bill Vilona, Blue Wahoos senior writer
Escambia Reports 16 New COVID-19 Cases
May 22, 2021
THIS IS AN ARCHIVED STORY. SEE NORTHESCAMBIA.COM FOR THE LATEST STORY.
There were 16 new COVID-19 cases reported Friday in Escambia County by the Florida Department of Health.
Here is the latest data:
Escambia County cases:
Total cases: 36,454 (+16)
Non-Florida residents: 3,693
Recovered: 33,954*
Total deaths: 698
Long-term care facility deaths: 288
Current hospitalizations: 27 (-4)
Number of tests reported last day: 285
Percent positive reported last day: 5.3%
Percent positive reported last week: 5.0%
Escambia County cases by location*:
Pensacola: 27,324 (+12)
Cantonment: 3,283 (+4)
Century: 1,185
—-including 774 Century prison inmates
Molino: 496
McDavid: 215
Bellview: 59
Walnut Hill: 58
Perdido Key: 21
Gonzalez: 13
Santa Rosa County cases:
Total cases: 18,428 (+18)
Non-Florida residents: 261
Total deaths: 291
Long-term care facility deaths: 82
Cumulative Hospitalizations: 914*
Number of tests reported last day: 270
Percent positive reported last day: 6.0%
Santa Rosa County cases by location*:
Milton: 8,779 (+15)
Navarre: 3,789 (+1)
Gulf Breeze: 3,383
Pace: 1,511
Jay: 559 (+1)
Bagdad: 32
Florida cases:
Total cases: 2,304.860
Florida residents: 2,261.813
Deaths: 36,441
Hospitalizations: 93,965
*“Hospitalizations” in the statewide and Santa Rosa County totals is a count of all laboratory confirmed cases in which an inpatient hospitalization occurred at any time during the course of illness. Most of these people are longer be hospitalized. The FDOH does not provide a count of patients currently hospitalized. The Escambia County number is current data compiled each day from the local hospitals.
**On cases by location, the city is based upon zip code and is not always received as part of the initial notification. There may be a delay in reporting locations, and locations will not total the daily case increase as a result.
***The Florida Department of Health does not have a clear standard or definition of “recovered” and does not report a number of recovered individuals. Escambia County is reporting an approximate recovery number defined as the total cases prior to last month, minus deaths. In other words, anyone that tested positive more than a month ago is presumed to have recovered by Escambia County.
**Data Sources: Florida Department of Health, Escambia County, City of Pensacola, local hospitals.
Escambia Westgate School Class of 2021 Graduates (With Photo Gallery)
May 22, 2021
The Escambia Westgate School Class of 2021 graduated Friday night in a ceremony in the Washington High School auditorium.
Escambia Westgate school serves the needs of pre-K, elementary, middle and high school students with varying exceptionalities.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Images for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
William (Bill) Arthur Corley
May 22, 2021
William (Bill) Arthur Corley, 71 years old, of Cantonment, Florida, passed away on Sunday, May 16, 2021. Bill was born in Century, Florida on March 20, 1950 to Mary Elizabeth Carlisle Corley and Arthur Hildred Corley.
Growing up in Cantonment was an adventure for Bill that included being able to fish and swim in the Perdido River and hunt in the woods surrounding the area for squirrels and game birds. He also enjoyed exploring his Granny Corley’s house and barn for hidden treasures like World War II catalogs and magazines.
After attending Farm Hill Pentecostal Church with his Granny and PawPaw Corley, Bill joined the church and accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as his savior.
Bill attended Jim Allen Elementary and Tate High School. He graduated from Tate High School in 1968. Bill was drafted in the U.S. Army in the fall of 1969 and served a tour of duty in Viet Nam achieving the rank of Sergeant.
Upon his return home Bill worked at Gayfer’s Department Store before settling in as a construction laborer for large industrial projects. He continued on this career course, even serving as a union labor representative before his retirement.
Bill was preceded in death by his grandparents, numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends, his ex-wife Cindy Corley, and his parents, Hill and Mary Elizabeth Corley.
Those left to cherish his memory are his daughter and son-in law, Cacie and Chris Finley; son, Dylan Corley; grandsons, Jake Stafford, Collin Finley, and Mason Finley; sister and brother-in-law, Becky and Ron Blake; niece, Robyn Blake; and numerous relatives and friends.
The family would like to thank the staff of University Hills Health and Rehabilitation, West Florida Hospital medical staff, and Covenant Care Hospice staff at West Florida Hospital for all of their excellent care of Bill. We would also like to thank the staff at Trahan Family Funeral Home for their outstanding service and thoughtful care during this time.
In lieu of flowers please make donations to the Hadji Shrine Transportation Fund, 800 West Nine Mile Road, Pensacola, FL 32526, or a charity of your choice.
Services will be held on Tuesday, May 25, 2021, with his wake beginning at 6:00 pm, his going home service will follow at 7:00 pm. Bill will be laid to rest at Barrancas National Cemetery with military honors on Wednesday, May 26, 2021.
Ida Jean Knowles
May 22, 2021
Ida Jean Knowles, age 83, of Molino, FL passed away May 18, 2021. She was born on July 11, 1937 in Bratt, FL to the late Aubrey H. and Agnes Velda Wiggins Ashcraft. She loved her family dearly. She was of great faith and was a member of The Pentecostal Faith.
She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, James “Pete” Knowles; her daughter, Toni L. Knowles and her brothers, Aubrey Kenneth Ashcraft and James Larry Ashcraft.
She is survived by her sons, Terry (Cindy) Knowles of Cantonment, FL and Rusty (Melanie) Knowles of Molino, FL; her daughters, Cindy Knowles of Molino, FL and Vickie (Ken) Johnson of Molino, FL; eight grandchildren, thirteen great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.
A graveside service will be held Friday, May 21, 2021 at 2:45 p.m. at Bratt-Godwin Cemetery with Rev. Rusty Knowles and Rev. Ken Johnson officiating. Interment will follow at Bratt-Godwin Cemetery in Bratt, FL.
Active pallbearers will be Jonathan Knowles, Wesley Knowles, Nathan Johnson, Tyler Knowles, Karson Brown Matt Blackburn, Jason Brown and A.J. Ashcraft.