Century Picks Up Extra Cash By Auctioning Off Used Vehicles
April 15, 2019
The Town of Century has picked up some extra cash by auctioning off several used vehicles.
Minimum bids on the vehicles totale $6,900, but they sold for a total of $9,571.
The top sealed bids on each vehicle, the purchaser and the advertised minimum bid were as follows:
- 1992 Crown Victoria — $950 Earl Bell (min. bid $800)
- 2005 Chevy Silverado 1500 — $1,710 Donald Morgan (min. bid $1,000)
- 2005 Chevy Silverado 2500 — $3,751 Gary Small (min. bid $3,000)
- 1995 E-350 Club Wagon — $1,100 Vander Mitchell (min. bid $400)
- 2004 F350 — $1,410 Donald Morgan (min. bid $1,200)
- 1985 Ford F600 — Earl Bell $650 (min. bid $500)
Tate High Showband Marches In Universal Studios Parade (With Gallery)
April 15, 2019
The Tate High School Showband of the South took part in the Universal Studios Superstars Parade Saturday in Orlando.
They were also able to spend time in the park and attended a Blue Man Group performance Friday night.
For more photos, click to enlarge.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Florida Gas Prices On The Upswing
April 15, 2019
Florida gas prices set a new 2019-high of $2.80 per gallon, last week. The state average rose a total of 9 cents, but declined a penny over the weekend.
Florida drivers are now paying an average price of $2.79 per gallon at the pump. That price is 8 cents more than a week ago, nearly 20 cents more than last month, and 15 cents more than this time last year.
The average price per gallon in Escambia County was $2.70 on Sunday, up a nickel from last week and up 24 cents from a month ago.
So far this year, the state average has climbed a total of 68 cents per gallon. However, the 2019-high remains 12 cents below the highest daily average price in 2018.
“Florida gas prices may seem high now, but the state average is still less than last year’s high,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Although springtime travelers may not be enjoying the recent jump at the pump, it doesn’t seem to be slowing them down either. The latest figures from the EIA point to strong gasoline demand, which eclipsed the levels seen this time last year. Lingering supply issues are keeping upward pressure on prices at the pump, but relief should come soon, as refineries are expected to return to full strength in the coming weeks.”
Florida TaxWatch: You’re Finally Working For Yourself, Not To Pay State Taxes
April 15, 2019
On Sunday, April 14, Floridians celebrated the first day of the year where taxpayers are finally earning money for themselves and not for the tax collector. Taxpayer Independence Day, calculated by Florida TaxWatch, accepts that every dollar earned since January 1 goes to pay federal, state, and local obligations. This year, it will take the average Florida family 103 out of 365 days – or almost three and a half months – to satisfy its tax obligations. Looking at it another way, it takes two hours and 15 minutes of every eight-hour workday to earn enough to pay your taxes.
Historically, taxpayer independence comes sooner in Florida than for the average U.S. taxpayer, and this year is no exception. The Tax Foundation estimates that the national “Tax Freedom Day” for 2019 is April 16, two days later than Florida’s.
“Florida’s economy is steadily and modestly growing, and that is boosting state and local tax collections,” said Florida TaxWatch President and CEO Dominic M. Calabro. “Even with the federal tax cuts of 2017 and the Florida Legislature’s tax-cutting policy, tax collections paid by Floridians grew faster than their income in 2019 so Taxpayer Independence Day is coming one day later this year.”
Federal tax burden continues to have the largest impact on Floridians, as federal taxes comprise 68.7 percent of Floridians’ federal, state, and local tax burden. For the average Floridian, the state tax burden is 16.5 percent and local tax burden is 14.7 percent of their total tax bill. Florida will contribute $301 billion in taxes to federal, state, and local governments in 2019, $15 billion more than last year.
“Taxes are Florida families’ single biggest expense, more than food, housing and clothing combined,” said Florida TaxWatch Vice President of Research Kurt Wenner. “It’s important that they are kept informed about the changing size of their tax bill, so they can decide if they are getting the government they pay for.”
One Shot And Killed In Ensley, ECSO Seeks Man For Questioning
April 15, 2019
One person is dead following a shooting early Monday morning in Ensley.
The victim has been identified as 28-year old Kyle Isaiah Baldwin. The shooting took place on East Ensley Street and Vickie Street around 2 a.m.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Office is looking for 25-year old Bobby Johndal Hawkins (pictured) for questioning only in connection with the homicide. He is also wanted on a violation of probation warrant.
A deputy was leaving the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office precinct on Hood Drive, next to Walmart, early Monday morning when they heard multiple gunshots. The deputy soon noticed a vehicle being driven erratically, and the driver pulled the vehicle over a short distance away near Hannah Street and Highway 29. A passenger in the vehicle was dead from gunshot wounds.
The driver was questioned and released.
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Hawkins is asked to call the ECSO at (850) 436-9620 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Blue Wahoos Top Shrimp
April 15, 2019
- On a picture-perfect sunny Sunday afternoon at Blue Wahoos Stadium, the Pensacola Blue Wahoos completed their first comeback win of the season, beating the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp 4-3 thanks to a late two-run double by Jimmy Kerrigan and strong relief outings from Sean Poppen (W, 1-0) and Ryan Mason (S, 2).
Jacksonville took an early 2-0 lead in the top of the first on a two-run home run by John Silviano, just the second time this season the Blue Wahoos have allowed their opponent to score first.
Tanner English responded immediately in the home half of the first inning, leading off and hitting the first pitch thrown to him over the fence in left to cut Jacksonville’s lead in half.
After allowing two in the first, Blue Wahoos starter Andro Cutura settled in and put zeroes on the board the next three innings. Jacksonville added an additional run in the fifth, stringing together three straight singles with two outs to increase their lead to 3-1.
Jumbo Shrimp starting pitcher Cody Poteet was excellent early, allowing just the first pitch homer. But, the Wahoos caught up to him in the sixth inning.
Four straight Blue Wahoos batters singled to lead off the sixth inning with Jordan Gore, Luis Arraez, Brian Schales, and Mitchell Kranson each consecutively knocking base hits. With the bases loaded and no outs, Jimmy Kerrigan dropped a double down the right field line, scoring two and giving Pensacola a 4-3 lead.
Cuture finished with a line of 5.0 innings pitched, eight hits and three runs allowed, no walks, and two strikeouts. Poppen entered in the sixth, throwing two one-hit innings of scoreless relief and striking out four to earn his first victory of the season. Mason didn’t allow a hit in 2.0 scoreless, striking out three on his way to his second save.
Today’s win improves the Blue Wahoos record to a Southern League best 7-3 while Jacksonville falls to 4-6. Pensacola heads on the road to Biloxi tomorrow for a five-game series against the Shuckers.
What Is Your Church Doing For Easter? Share With Our Readers
April 14, 2019
What is your church doing for Easter?
NorthEscambia.com will provide free promotion for churches in North Escambia or North Santa Rosa counties in Florida, or Atmore or Flomaton in Alabama. If your church is having a special Good Friday and/or Easter service, or any other special service or event, let us know!
We will share your information with thousands of readers across the area. We will list the services on our Events page free of charge, and we’ll be publishing a special story by Good Friday. Please try to keep your announcement for our events page to 100 words or less.
Send your announcement to news@northescambia.com or click here for our contact page. We will also be happy to publish photos after your event; email them to news@northescambia.com.
Pictured top and below: A morning “Sonrise Service” at Pensacola’s Maritime Stadium. Pictured inset: A sign at Poplar Dell Baptist Church sums up the Easter story in simple terms. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Update: Firefighters Battle ‘Mountain’ Of Fire For Two Nights
April 14, 2019
UPDATE: Firefighters battled a “mountain” of fire fueled by high winds for hours Saturday and Sunday nights in Davisville.
Huge mounds of a cotton trash — a byproduct of the cotton ginning process — were burning from within at the West Florida Gin just west of Highway 97.
West Florida Gin Manager Robert Earl Godwin said the fire has been burning deep inside the mounds for about two months, but extinguishing them had proved difficult.
Winds of up to 30 mph with higher gusts Saturday night caused fires to grow through the mounds, some of which reach 20 feet high over an area over about 250 feet long. At times, one mound was spewing sparks from the top, giving it the appearance of a volcano (pictured below).
Firefighters from the Walnut Hill, McDavid and Century stations of Escambia Fire Rescue and the Atmore Fire Department worked for about two and a half hours Saturday night to extinguish the fires.
Escambia Fire Rescue responded to the West Florida Gin again Saturday night after the fire reflashed and worked for about three hours.
There were no buildings threatened and no injuries.
Pictured top: Fire burns inside a “mountain” of cotton trash Saturday night at the West Florida Gin. Pictured below: Another mound looks like a volcano as it spews sparks. Pictured bottom: Firefighters battle the fires. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Northview’s Kite Places Third In 1A State Weightlifting Meet
April 14, 2019
Northview High School’s Tent Kite finished third in the 129-pound weight class Saturday at the FHSAA 1A State Weightlifting Championship in Panama City.
Kite had best bench press of 240 lbs. and a best clean/jerk of 195 lbs. for a total 435, just five behind the second place finisher from River Ridge High School.
He placed second in the state meet last year.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Bratt Elementary Pre-K Students Cruise Down To The Drive-In Theater
April 14, 2019
Bratt Elementary School Pre-K students cruised down the hall in their custom cars last week to the “Bratt Drive-in Theater” to enjoy some movie fun. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
