Back To School Sales Tax Holiday Underway
August 5, 2016
Parents and other shoppers looking for tax breaks on clothes and school supplies will have to head to the stores this weekend.
While Florida’s back-to-school sales tax “holiday” has been scaled back from last year, a major retail-industry organization said it anticipates a rush of traffic for the event, which runs Friday through Sunday.
“What we hope they do is take the money they saved on those items, then go back in and buy secondary items that they wouldn’t have purchased originally,” Florida Retail Federation spokesman James Miller said. “The smart retailers will piggyback on top of the sales-tax holiday with extra specials and discounts to get more people into the stores, make themselves more competitive and separate themselves from the competition.”
The tax holiday was spread over 10 days last year. But as the 2016 legislative session came to an end, it was among the casualties of lawmakers responding to state economists who reduced revenue forecasts.
In addition to fewer days for this year’s tax holiday, computers and other electronics are not on the tax-free list as has been the case the past four years.
Also, each item of clothing costing $60 or less this year will be tax free. That has been lowered from a $100 threshold last year and $75 in some previous years.
Items considered school supplies remain tax free if priced at $15 or less.
The holiday is a highlight of a $129.1 million tax-cut package that lawmakers approved this year. Lawmakers have touted $400 million in tax savings because of money they approved to hold down local property taxes that would otherwise go into the state’s school-funding formula.
The tax holiday is projected by state economists to save $28.7 million for consumers while reducing government revenue. That includes $23.3 million of state revenue and $5.4 million local-government revenue.
The state has held tax holidays most years since 1998. Until 2010, the length was often nine days. Other than the 10-day holiday last year, the length has been three days since 2010.
When initially proposed this year as a 10-day discount period, state economists projected the savings to consumers at $68.8 million.
The holiday comes with a number of carve-outs.
The tax must still be collected on clothing and other items, regardless of price, purchased at theme parks, airports or public-lodging establishments. Watches and jewelry don’t count as clothes. Skates, roller blades and swim fins are not included as tax-free footwear.
The retail federation projects that a typical family will spend $673 this year on back-to-school shopping, up from $640 a year ago.
Miller called that hike a “pretty significant” year-to-year increase.
“The economy is doing well, people are feeling better about themselves,” Miller said. “You combine that with high consumer confidence, a good housing market, a seven-year-low in the unemployment rate, all these factors are making people feel more confident about themselves and about their personal finances, which is allowing them to feel more comfortable spending their money.”
Daily Downpours, Otherwise Hot
August 4, 2016
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Thursday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 10am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 95. Heat index values as high as 107. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Thursday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 10pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 75. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Friday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 94. Heat index values as high as 105. Light and variable wind becoming southwest 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Saturday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 95. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Saturday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 76. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
Sunday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 92. West wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Sunday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 75. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Monday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 92.
Monday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 75.
Tuesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 89. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Tuesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 75.
Wednesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 89. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Tour The New School: Century Academy Open House Today
August 4, 2016
An open house will be held Thursday at the new Century Academy, a private, non-profit K-12 school that will specialize in teaching children diagnosed with autism and other related learning disabilities.
Anyone interested in learning more about the school is welcome to attend.
“We are very excited to show the community the wonderful changes to bring this old building back to life and to be able to enrich the Century community. The students will absolutely love the rain forest and ocean themes. It is a beautiful place but one that is carefully designed to enhance the educational experience for children with autism and other learning disorders,” says Barbara Barber, director of Century Academy.
At the present time there are two types of scholarships available, the John McKay scholarship and the Gardiner scholarship. These scholarships generally cover the cost of tuition for a student attending a private school. Century Academy is now actively in the second phase of registration for the John McKay scholarship. This scholarship has a September 1 deadline to file an intent notice.
The Century Academy open house will be held 4-7 p.m. Thursday at the school, 440 East Hecker Road.
Parents looking for more information can call (850) 437-5560.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Showers, Thunderstorms Likely For Wednesday
August 3, 2016
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Wednesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 93. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Wednesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Thursday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 92. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Thursday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Friday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 92. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 76. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Saturday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 94. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 76. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Sunday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 92.
Sunday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 75.
Monday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 91.
Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 75.
Tuesday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 89.
Showers, Thunderstorms Likely
August 2, 2016
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tuesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 91. Light and variable wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Tuesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 10pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Wednesday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 95. Heat index values as high as 107. Light and variable wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon.
Wednesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 10pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Thursday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 91. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Thursday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Friday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 91. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 75. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Saturday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 91.
Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 75.
Sunday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 91.
Sunday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 75.
Monday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 90.
August Begins With A Slightly Higher Rain Chance
August 1, 2016
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Monday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 91. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74. South wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 92. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 74. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Wednesday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 93. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 74. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Thursday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 92. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 74. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Friday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 91.
Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 75.
Saturday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 92.
Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 75.
Sunday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 91.
Family Issues Last Minute Plea To Keep Murderers In Prison
August 1, 2016
PAROLE DENIED. Click here for an update.
A North Escambia family has issued a last minute plea for area residents to help stop the parole of two Nokomis men behind bars for the 1993 murder of a woman and 12-year old girl.
Shannon Dean Barlow, 38, and Franklin Lee Barlow, Jr., 42, are both serving life sentences with the possibility of parole for the murders of Kathy Victor Hall Barlow and Angel Marie Hall.
On October 10, 1993, the Barlow brothers went out with Albert Ganoe “Rocky” Beasley, consuming alcohol and smoking marijuana. They then went to the home of Kathy Barlow in Perdido, Ala., shooting her in the head with a .410-gauge shotgun when she opened the door. According to testimony, he then went to the room of Angel Hall, 12, raped her and shot her in the face.
“The reason why Shannon and Frankie Barlow doesn’t deserve parole is because they viciously murdered my aunt and cousin. They blew my aunt’s head off with a shotgun. They raped, stabbed, strangled, and beat my cousin till her body finally died. There should be no reason in the world why they should be let out. They possess a spirit inside of them that society cannot handle,” Masha Maher of Century said.
Shannon Barlow was sentenced to three consecutive life terms, and Franklin Barlow was sentenced to two life sentences. Both are now eligible for parole from the Limestone Correction Facility in Alabama. Beasley remains behind bars, sentenced to life without the possibility of parole.
The Barlows will have a parole hearing set for Tuesday. The family of the victims is encouraging the public to speak out against parole for the Barlow brothers. Personal protests can be emailed to debra.bonds@paroles.alabama.gov and petitions can be faxed to (334) 353-7701. An online petition can be signed here.
Pictured: This undated photograph shows murder victims Kathy Barlow and 12-year old Angel Hall. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
NWE Football, Cheer Begin Practice Tonight
August 1, 2016
Northwest Escambia football and cheer will begin practice for the 2016 football season at 6:00 tonight at Bradberry Park in Walnut Hill. NWE will continue to register football players during practice. Football registration is $50 with NWE providing all equipment and uniforms, except cleats. For more information, call (251) 234-4716.
July Ends Hot With Scattered Showers
July 31, 2016
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Sunday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 93. West wind around 5 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 75. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
Monday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 92. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 75. South wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 92. West wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 75. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Wednesday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 93. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph.
Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 75.
Thursday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 93.
Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 75.
Friday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 91.
Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 75.
Saturday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 93.
Community Invited To Birthday Party For Missing Teen Danielle Bell
July 30, 2016
It has been about 15 years since then 14-year old Danielle Bell disappeared from Cantonment.
On Saturday, the KlaasKIDS Foundation and Danielle’s family will host a community birthday party for Danielle at the Harvester Homes Community Park located at 430 Belmont Ave in Cantonment from 5:30 until 7:30 p.m.
The free community event will feature a cook-out, digital fingerprinting for children, a bounce house, fire truck from the Cantonment Station of Escambia Fire Rescue and Sam’s Fun City’s Bullwinkle.
Brad Dennis, director of Search Operations for the KlaasKids Foundation, will also announce that the KlaasKIDS Foundation will begin a new effort to search for answers surrounding Danielle’s suspicious disappearance.
Danielle Arion Bell was last seen at age 14 at a party in September 2001 in the 500 block of Cedar Tree Lane, between Highway 29 and Highway 95A in Cantonment.