Cantonment Man Charged With Trafficking Cocaine, Concealed Weapon Offense After Traffic Stop
August 7, 2021
A Cantonment man is facing drug and weapons charges after a traffic stop.
Samuel Cooler, Jr., 29, was charged with trafficking cocaine, possession of a concealed firearm without a license, possession of marijuana with intent to sell, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Numerous deputies were in the area of Olive Road and Old Spanish Trail Road after a man reported that he was robbed by several people and one or more of them fled in a gray Dodge Charger. An ECSO investigator spotted a vehicle that matched the description that headed east on Olive Road at up to 80 mph.
Deputies stopped the vehicle in front of an apartment complex on Olive Road. Deputies approached they vehicle and were able to see a large clear bag containing marijuana on the rear passenger seat and the handle of a gun between the center console and the driver’s seat, according to an arrest report.
Cooler, the only occupant, was ordered out of the vehicle and deputies located a “large amount” of currency in his front left shorts pocket. A search of the vehicle located two large bags of marijuana, a loaded 9mm Smith and Wesson semi-automatic handgun, two cellphones and a backpack that contained a bag of about 36 grams crack cocaine, about 13 grams of cocaine powder, another large bag of marijuana, a digital scale and a box of empty sandwich bags, the arrest report states. The report notes Cooler is not a convicted felon and does not hold a concealed weapons permit.
Portions of Cooler’s statements to deputies were redacted from the arrest report, but the report states Cooler said the marijuana was in the vehicle but the cocaine was not his. He also said the approximate $2,300 in currency found in his pocket was obtained from his job at a security company.
Cooler’s vehicle and cell phones were seized.
Escambia Reports 1,944 New COVID-19 Cases In Last Week; Hospitalizations Increase
August 7, 2021
There were 1,944 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 268 COVID-19 hospitalizations as of Friday.
Here is the latest data:
Escambia County cases:
Total cases: 38,193 (+1,944)
Positivity Rate Last Week: 25%
Santa Rosa County cases:
Total cases: 21,319 (+1,118)
Positivity Rate Last Week: 29.5%
Statewide cases:
Florida resident cases: 2,725,450 (+134,506)
Case positivity rate: 18.5%
Deaths: 39,695 (+175)
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 has been removed.
Florida’s Back To School Sales Tax Holiday Continues
August 7, 2021
Florida’s 10-day back to school sales tax holiday continues through Monday August 9.
During the sales tax holiday period, qualifying items will be exempt from tax, including certain school supplies selling for $15 or less per item; clothing, footwear, and certain accessories selling for $60 or less per item; and the first $1,000 of the sales price of personal computers and certain computer-related accessories purchased for noncommercial home or personal use.
For complete details from the Florida Department of Revenue, click or tap here.
Here Are The School Supply Lists For Escambia County Schools
August 7, 2021
Here are the school supply lists for Escambia County.
Florida’s sales tax holiday is continuing through August 9. Most school supplies and clothing are tax exempt, including certain school supplies selling for $15 or less per item; clothing, footwear, and certain accessories selling for $60 or less per item; and the first $1,000 of the sales price of personal computers and certain computer-related accessories purchased for noncommercial home or personal use.
For a printable elementary school list, click here.
For a printable middle school list, click here.
All elementary and middle schools in Escambia County have the same core supply list, including some optional items. Additional wish list items may listed on individual school or PTA sites, including social media. High schools do not have a general supply list.
RELATED STORY: Here’s The List Of Adjusted Start And Dismissal Times For Escambia County Schools
ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
Headphones are not required, however, they are recommended for all grade levels.
Kindergarten
- Crayons — 4 (24-count packs)
- Scissors — 1 pair blunt tip
- Glue sticks — 12
- Glue — 2 (4-ounce bottles)
- Plastic Duo-Tang folders — 2 (solid colors)
- Plastic school box — 1
- Spiral notebooks — 3 wide ruled
- Dry erase markers — 4
- Copy paper — 2 reams (white)
- Pink erasers — 2
- Yellow wooden pencils — 24 (No. 2, sharpened)
- Headphones (recommended)
- Facial tissue (optional)
- Colored pencils (optional)
- Colored markers (optional)
- Antibacterial wipes (optional)
- Quart or gallon Ziplock bags (optional)
- Hand sanitizer (optional)
First grade
- Crayons — 4 (24-count packs)
- Scissors — 1 pair blunt tip
- Glue sticks — 6
- Glue — 1 bottle (4 ounces)
- Plastic Duo-Tang folders — 2 with pockets and prongs
- Plastic school box — 1
- Spiral notebooks — 2 wide ruled
- Dry erase markers — 4
- Copy paper — 2 reams (white)
- Eraser caps — 1 package
- Pink erasers — 4
- Yellow wooden pencils — 48 No. 2, sharpened
- Headphones (recommended)
- Facial tissue (optional)
- Highlighters (optional)
- Washable markers (optional)
- Antibacterial wipes (optional)
- Hand sanitizer (optional)
Second grade
- Crayons — 3 packs (24-count packs)
- Scissors — 1 pair
- Glue sticks — 6
- Glue — 1 bottle (4 ounces)
- Plastic Duo-Tang folders — 4 with pockets and prongs and in solid colors
- Plastic school box — 1
- Spiral notebooks — 3 wide ruled
- Notebook paper — 1 pack wide ruled
- Copy paper — 2 reams (white)
- Pink erasers — 4
- Eraser caps — 2 packages
- Yellow wooden pencils — 48 count No. 2, sharpened
- Headphones (recommended)
- Facial tissue (optional)
- Dry erase markers (optional)
- Hand sanitizer (optional)
- Highlighters (optional)
- Antibacterial wipes (optional)
- Colored pencils (optional)
Third grade
- Crayons — 2 (24-county packs)
- Scissors — 1 pair
- Glue sticks — 6
- Glue — 1 bottle (4 ounces)
- Plastic Duo-Tang folders — 5 with pockets and prongs and in solid colors
- Plastic school box or zippered pouch — 1
- Composition notebooks — 2
- Notebook paper — 2 packs wide ruled
- Copy paper — 2 reams white
- Pink erasers — 2
- Eraser caps — 3 packages
- Yellow wooden pencils — 48 No. 2, sharpened
- Headphones (recommended)
- Dry erase markers (optional)
- Highlighters (optional)
- Hand sanitizer (optional)
- Facial tissue (optional)
- Antibacterial wipes (optional)
- Hand sanitizer (optional)
Fourth grade
- Crayons — 2 (24-count packs)
- Colored pencils — 1 (12-count pack)
- Glue sticks — 4
- Glue — 1 bottle (4 ounces)
- Scissors — 1 pair
- Plastic Duo-Tang folders — 1 of each color: yellow, red, blue, green, purple, orange and with pockets and prongs
- Composition notebooks — 4
- Notebook paper — 2 wide ruled
- Cap erasers — 24
- Yellow wooden pencils — 48 No. 2, sharpened
- Multi-colored highlighters — 1 pack
- Headphones (recommended)
- Facial tissue (optional)
- Hand sanitizer (optional)
- Dry erase markers (optional)
- White copy paper (optional)
- Hand sanitizer (optional)
Fifth grade
- Colored pencils — 1 pack
- Glue — 2 bottles (4 ounces) or glue sticks — 4
- Scissors — 1 pair
- Duo-Tang folders — 2 of each color: yellow, red, blue, green, orange with pockets and prongs
- Zippered pouch — 1 or plastic school box — 1
- Spiral notebooks — 3
- Notebook paper — 4 packs wide ruled
- Cap erasers — 24
- Yellow wooden pencils — 48 No. 2, sharpened
- Multi-colored highlighters — 1 pack
- Headphones (recommended)
- Facial tissue (optional)
- 1½ – 2 inch binder (optional)
- Dry erase markers (optional)
- Antibacterial wipes (optional)
- Hand sanitizer (optional)
MIDDLE SCHOOL
(All grades)
- No. 2 pencils
- Blue or Black ink pens
- Wide ruled notebook paper
- Pack of multi-colored highlighters
- Zippered binder or 2 inch, 3 ring notebook and set of 10 dividers
- Earbuds
- Texas Instruments TI30X solar powered calculator for Algebra I only
Heavy Hitters Go Quiet In 4-0 Shutout Loss
August 7, 2021
Noah Zavolas (W, 4-6) pitched seven shutout innings as Pensacola came up short in a 4-0 loss to Biloxi Friday night at MGM Park.
Zavolas turned in one of his best outings of the year scattering five hits and three walks across his start while also striking out seven.
The Wahoos best chance to score may have come early in the game. In the top of the first the Wahoos loaded the bases via three Zavolas walks; however, Demetrius Sims flew out to right field with two outs to end the threat.
In an abbreviated outing for Pensacola, Jake Eder (L, 3-5) was handed a tough-luck loss as he yielded one unearned run in three innings of work. After Eder retired the leadoff hitter to begin the bottom of the first, Sims and Marcos Rivera botched back-to-back grounders to set up the Shuckers with first and second and only one out. Alexander Palma followed with an RBI single to put the Shuckers ahead 1-0. Eder remained composed and forced David Fry into an inning-ending double play to end the threat.
Eder finished the night having surrendered one hit and picked up three strikeouts in his three innings on Friday,
In the second inning, Santiago Chavez led off the road half of the inning with a lead-off double for the Wahoos. Zavolas, unphased, retired the next three batters to end the potential threat.
Pensacola’s top four hitters in the lineup (JJ Bleday, Peyton Burdick, Griffin Conine and Brian Navarreto) struggled against Biloxi’s starter. The four hitters finished the night a combined 0-for-14 with two walks and four strikeouts.
Most of Biloxi’s damage came late in the game. Eight of the Shuckers 10 hits came in the final three innings of the game. After Alberto Guerrero allowed a run in his 2.1 innings of work, Dylan Bice was tagged for a pair of runs, courtesy of a David Hamilton two-run homer in the seventh.
Trailing 4-0, Colton Hock made his return to the Blue Wahoos. He worked a scoreless eighth inning in his first appearance since July 4th, which was also against the Shuckers.
ECSO Update: Woman Will Not Face Charges Of Kidnapping Her Grandchildren
August 6, 2021
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office now says the 50-year old Escambia County woman originally accused of kidnapping her grandchildren will not face charges.
The ECSO said Thursday that Amy Patterson Cannon was arrested and her grandchildren were found safe, a day after stating she was wanted for two counts of kidnapping minors under the age of 13.
After further investigation, it was determined that Cannon will not face an charges, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said Friday morning.
Northview’s Student Athletes Rank No. 6 Academically In Florida Class 1A
August 6, 2021
All of Northview High School’s student athletes were collectively ranked No. 6 academically in the state in Class 1A for the 2020-2021 school year, according to rankings from the Florida High School Athletic Association.
Northview High School students not only work hard athletically, but also in the classroom,” said Obreonne Smith, Northview athletic director. “This is a great accomplishment for the students, staff and school.”
Pictured: Class of 2021 members of the Northview High School Lady Chiefs softball team. Pictured below: Last year’s Chiefs baseball team celebrates a district win over Jay. NorthEscambia.com photos.
Escambia Considers Zoning Change To Allow Larger Retail Space In Some Rural Areas
August 6, 2021
When Dollar General considered building a new store in Walnut Hill earlier this year, their development company ran into a problem with Escambia County zoning. But now the Escambia County Commission is considering a Land Development Code change that would make such development possible in rural areas.
Teramore Development had three properties under contract at the intersection of Highway 97 and Highway 99A in Walnut Hill, next to Ernest Ward Middle School, for a 10,640 square foot Dollar General.
The property is currently zoned Rural Mixed Use (RMU) which allows commercial buildings up to 6,000 square feet. There is currently no provision whatsoever to grant any exceptions to construct a larger commercial building.
Now, the BOCC is considering an ordinance recommended Escambia County Planning Board that would allow up to 15,000 square feet in RMU districts with a conditional use approval for any business, not just a Dollar General. That conditional use provision, County Attorney Alison Rogers told NorthEscambia.com, would mean each request for RMU retail sales construction up to 15,000 square feet would required individual approval by the Board of Adjustment.
The county commission held the first of two public hearings on the ordinance Thursday night. The second public hearing and final vote will come on August 19.
Properties zoned as RMU in Escambia County are typically located near rural community centers and most are not currently used for agriculture.
To date, a Dollar General for Walnut Hill has not moved forward in the development or permitting process.
Pictured: A proposed Dollar General for Walnut Hill as presented in February 2021 by their development firm. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
BOCC Releases Legal Opinion That 401(a) Annuity Plan Is In Fact Legal
August 6, 2021
The Escambia County Commission voted Thursday night to release an outside legal opinion that states the county’s 401(a) annuity plan is in fact legal for elected officials and senior management.
The item was brought to the agenda by Commissioner Jeff Bergosh, who does not participate in the plan but still holds an Florida Retirement System pension plan from his time on the Escambia County School Board. It passed 4-0, with Commissioner Doug Underhill off the dais and not participating in the discussion.
In late July, Escambia County Clerk Pam Childers asserted that state has told her that the county’s 401(a) annuity plan is illegal. Thursday night, she sat silently on the dais as commissioners carried on their conversation.
The board obtained an outside legal opinion from Michael Mattimore of Allen Norton & Blue, which Bergosh described as a “very expensive, high end government firm out of Tallahassee”.
“It is my opinion that the Local 401(a) Annuity Program is legal,” Mattimore wrote of that plan. To read the complete opinion (pdf), click or tap here.
Commissioners Stephen Barry, Robert Bender and Lumon May all opted for the plan.
Barry said there was additional documentation in Internal Revenue Service code and from Westlaw, an online legal research service and proprietary database for lawyers and legal professionals, that references the legality plan type. The commissioner’s vote also allowed the release of that information.
“Once we share (the legal opinion), I want to share everything,” Barry said in response to releasing the legal opinion.
“It’s been alleged that it is illegal because it is not a local annuity. That’s not true,” Barry added.
“To think that I did something illegal be completing a piece of paperwork that HR gave me when I started this position,” Bender said. “I didn’t have vote in it. I didn’t do anything with it. They (HR) said here are your three options, and I chose one.”
“No one could fault you for that,” Bergosh replied.
“The plan goes back to 1997, 25 years give or take, and we’ve had 25 audits that have never pointed to any issues to the plan,” Barry remarked.
“We should certainly not only get an opinion, but we should get a court order,” May said. “It should be brought forth because it deserves to be decided whether by commission or omission is this legal, is it ethical, or is it right. I do believe that it is.”
The board also voted 4-0 Thursday night to instruct Rogers “procure some outside help” on the matter, “without defining exactly it is”.
401(a) Annuity Program
It’s called a 401(a) annuity program, and under state statute was offered only to senior management service employees and commissioners that opt out of the Florida Retirement System (FRS). It’s available statewide, not just in Escambia County.
The plan does not cost Escambia County taxpayers anything extra when contributions are made in a timely fashion; the employee contributions are exactly the same whether or not the money goes into FRS or the annuity program. FRS has significant administrative overhead and fund liability that is funded from employee contributions. The 401(a) annuity plan participant costs are lower, so participants can earn significantly more retirement dollars.
Escambia County has offered a 401(a) annuity program to senior management employees and elected officials since 1997.
15-Year Old Charged With Armed Robbery Of Pine Forest Road Dollar General
August 6, 2021
A 15-year old has been charged with the armed robbery of a Pine Forest Road Dollar General on Monday.
Logan Alexander Hardy was charged Thursday with armed robbery and two counts of aggravated assault using a firearm during the commission of a felony.
According to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Hardy was armed with a gun when walked into the Dollar General on Pine Forest just north of Highway 297A about 9:23 Monday morning and asked the clerk for $5. He fled in a yellow car with “small amount” of cash.