Still Mail Letters? Stamp Prices Increased Today
August 29, 2021
If you mail a letter or that birthday card to grandma, it will cost you more beginning today..
The U.S. Postal Service has raised the price of a first-class stamp from 55 cents to 58 cents — that’s 60 cents more for a book of 20 stamps. Domestic postcards increased from 36 cents to 40 cents.
If you are holding on to “Forever Stamps” — they are still good at the new rate regardless of the price you paid.
First-class single-piece flat mail went from $1 to $1.16. Certified mail increased from $3.60 to $3.75 and registered went from $12.90 to $13.75.
This is the second time the Post Office has raised the cost of mail this year; the first rate increase took effect back on January 24.
Pictured: The Cantonment Post Office. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
It’s Only Marijuana: ECSO Reacts To Naysayers After Big Marijuana Trafficking Arrest
August 28, 2021
After the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office made their largest marijuana grow and distribution operation bust ever, they are now reacting to social media naysayers.
As part of the operation (read more), local and federal investigators seized:
- 2,156 pounds of the “highest grade” marijuana
- 24 pounds of spice
- 18 pounds of THC
- 32 firearms
- 12 vehicles (two of which were stolen)
- $820,000 in cash
- $150,000 worth of gold bars
- $750,000 worth of jewelry
- a tractor
- a ski boat
On the ECSO Facebook, as well as the social media sites of NorthEscambia.com and other local media, many commenters had a generally negative opinion. Many accused the ECSO of wasting time and resources over a marijuana arrest.
The ECSO released the following statement in reaction Friday afternoon:
“The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office has investigated and continues to investigate violent crimes associated directly with marijuana trafficking.
“So, if someone tells you that “it’s only marijuana”, let them know that trafficking in marijuana is no different than trafficking in any other drugs with regards to the potential for violent crime. Trafficking means money, and money associated with illegal trafficking inevitably leads to violence. We are not talking about personal or prescription usage, we are talking about the large amounts of money passing hands and the violence associated with it. Marijuana at these levels is illegal everywhere.
“If you excuse the trafficking in marijuana, please think about recent victims who are fathers, sons, uncles and neighbors, all of whom, were shot and killed because of the trafficking of marijuana right here in Escambia County.”
Employee Accidently Shot At Atmore Manufacturing Company
August 28, 2021
An employee at an industry in Atmore was accidently shot in the leg, according to police.
The Atmore Police Department responded to Brown Precision at 410 Innovation Parkway, near Poarch Road at I-65.
“On arrival, APD officers were told the employee accidentally discharged the gun while at a work station causing the injury,” Atmore Police Chief Chuck Brooks said Friday.
“APD officers learned the firearm was brought into the building by the injured employee’s brother, who also works for the company. The brother told officers he forgot to remove the weapon before entering the building so it was placed at his work station. At some point, the gun owners brother retrieved the weapon and attempted to disassemble it and the gun went off causing the injury,” Brooks continued.
The employee was airlifted to a Mobile hospital. An update on his condition was not available.
Flomaton Hurricanes Storm Through Second Half To Beat Northview 38-14 (With Gallery)
August 28, 2021
The Northview Chiefs and Flomaton Hurricanes were tied headed into the half Friday night in Flomaton, but the Hurricanes blew away the second half with 24 unanswered points.
Northview’s Jamarkus Jefferson had two touchdowns for the Chiefs. He was in from 17-yards out in the first and added a 3-yard TD in the second.
The Hurricanes’ Damerion Findley had three touchdowns Friday night of 9-yards, 4-yards and a kick off return for 60-yarder. Quarterback Zeb Vickery found William Rolin for a 59-yard touchdown, and Deontay Averette added a 52-yard touchdown.
The Northview Chiefs will host Lighthouse Christian Thursday night Bratt, and the Flomaton Hurricanes will be on the road at Southern Choctaw.
For a photo gallery, click here. (Look for a cheerleader and band photo gallery on Sunday.)
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia Motorcyclist Rear Ends Tow Truck, Dies In Santa Rosa Crash
August 28, 2021
An Escambia County motorcyclist died in wreck Friday afternoon in Santa Rosa County east of Harold.
The Florida Highway Patrol said the 33-year old man was traveling east on Highway 90 approaching Starrider Trail directly behind a tow truck about 12:25 p.m. The tow truck slowed to turn into a private driveway.
“The motorcycle collided with the right rear area of the tow truck causing fatal injuries to the motorcycle operator,” according to FHP.
The tow truck driver, a 28-year old man from Pace, was not injured. FHP no longer releases the names of traffic crash victims.
Tate Aggies Beat The PHS Tigers
August 28, 2021
The Tate Aggies opened their season with a 9-0 win over the Pensacola High Tigers Friday night at Pete Gindl Stadium.
The game was scoreless until 6:20 in the fourth quarter when senior Zane Repine sacked the Tigers quarterback deep in the end zone for safety, putting the Aggies up 2-0. The Aggies scored again with 2:36 to go in the fourth on a handoff to senior Warren Henke
The Tate Aggies (1-0) will host the Gulf Breeze Dolphins (1-0) next Friday night. Gulf Breeze is coming off a 35-20 win over Pensacola Catholic.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Jennifer Repine, click to enlarge.
Area High School Football Scores
August 28, 2021
Here Friday night’s North Escambia area high school football scores
FLORIDA
- Flomaton 38, Northview 14 [Details, photo gallery...]
- Tate 9, Pensacola High 0 [Details, photo gallery...]
- South Walton 42, Jay 6
- Gulf Breeze 28, Catholic 20
- University Christian 37, Washington 27
- Crestview 27, Milton 14
- Navarre 28, Fort Walton 6
- Choctaw 41, Pace 35 (Thursday p.m.)
- Escambia at West Florida (Canceled/COVID concerns)
ALABAMA
- T.R. Miller 36, Escambia County (Atmore) 6
- Escambia Academy 59, Glenwood 47
Pictured: Northview’s student section supports their Chiefs Friday night in Flomaton. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Reports 3,067 New COVID-19 Cases, 367 Hospitalizations
August 28, 2021
There were 3,067 new COVID-19 cases reported Escambia County over the last week by the Florida Department of Health.
Baptist, Ascension Sacred Heart and West Florida hospitals reported a combined 367 COVID-19 hospitalizations as of Friday.
Here is the latest data:
Escambia County cases:
Total cases: 45,904 (+3,067)
Positivity rate last week: 25.1%
Current total hospitalizations: 367
Over age 18 and over hospitalizations: 356
Under age 18 hospitalized: 11
Escambia County Vaccinations
People vaccinated: 140,187
Total Population of Escambia County Partially Vaccinated: 49.4%
Total Population of Escambia County Fully Vaccinated: 40.1%
*These numbers are the percent of total Escambia County population vaccinated. Not the percentage of hospitalized individuals.
Santa Rosa County cases:
Total cases: 26,301 (+2,101)
Positivity rate last week: 28.3%
People vaccinated: 81,486
Partial vaccination rate (age 12+): 51%
Statewide cases:
Florida resident cases: 3,179,714 (+151,749)
Case positivity rate: 20.3%
Deaths: 43,979 (+389)
FDOH has moved from daily to weekly reports and removed the COVID-19 dashboard. The state is now releasing a weekly report with local data limited only to number of cases and positivity rate The number of deaths by county or cases by local cities and communities is no longer provided.
Lawmakers To Seek Funding For Elevated Walkway Over Nine Mile Road At Beulah Middle School
August 27, 2021
Local leaders plan to work together to seek funding for a walkway over Nine Mile Road at Beulah Middle School.
Rep. Michelle Salzman, Escambia County Commissioner Jeff Bergosh and Escambia County School Board Member Kevin Adams are set to make the official announcement on Monday.
“This will be my main priority, garnering funding for this overpass, as I enter the next legislative session in January,” Salzman said.
They plan to seek funding for the design and construction of the elevated walkway and work for increased pedestrian access and connectivity in the growing community via expanded sidewalk construction on the north and south side of Nine Mile Road near the school.
“I am interested in dramatically expanding the amount of sidewalks in my growing district and will be bringing a plan to do this to this press conference on Monday, including a commitment of up to $500,000 in D1 lost funding to support the effort,” Bergosh said.
Adams added, “I look forward to making this school and this surrounding area a model for safe walking conditions for our students by working closely with my elected counterparts on the county commission and in the state house — together we can make this much better for everyone.”
Escambia Insurance Agent Pleads Guilty To Wire Fraud, Money Laundering
August 27, 2021
The owner of an Escambia County insurance agency has pleaded guilty to wire fraud and money laundering offenses as the FBI seeks more potential victims.
John Michael Thomas, 51, pleaded guilty to wire fraud and money laundering charges related to selling fraudulent insurance policies to his clients in exchange for approximately $4.8 million in insurance premium payments.
Court documents reflect that between September 2013 and February 2021, Thomas operated an insurance business known as Thomas Insurance, LLC. and defrauded customers through a type of insurance fraud known as premium diversion. Thomas executed this scheme by collecting insurance premiums from customers and keeping the funds for personal use instead of producing insurance policies. To conceal his acts, Thomas gave the customers fraudulent documents referencing insurance policies that did not exist.
This case resulted from a joint investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigations and the Florida Department of Financial Services, Division of Investigative & Forensic Services, Bureau of Insurance Fraud. W
Thomas’ sentencing hearing is scheduled for November 29 at the United States District Courthouse in Pensacola before District Judge T.K. Wetherell. Thomas faces a maximum term of 20 years imprisonment for wire fraud, a maximum term of 10 years imprisonment for money laundering, and a maximum term of 20 years imprisonment for money laundering to conceal proceeds of specified unlawful activity.
Work is ongoing to ensure all alleged victims are identified. If you are a client of Thomas Insurance, LLC. and wish to speak to an investigating agent regarding your policy, you are asked to contact FBI Jacksonville at (904) 248-7000 or email FLinsurancefraud@fbi.gov, and reference “Thomas Insurance.” An FBI representative will respond with additional instructions.