Cantonment Man Collects $2 Million Powerball Prize
December 19, 2018
A Cantonment man has claimed a $2 million lottery prize.
The Florida Lottery announced Tuesday that Gary Moore claimed a $2 million prize from the October 27 Powerball drawing. The winning ticket matched all five of the white ball numbers but did not match the Powerball.
Moore purchased his winning ticket from Winn Dixie on South Highway 29 in Cantonment. The store will receive a $5,000 bonus commission for selling the winning ticket.
Report: Holman Prison Has Only About 40 Percent Of Required Security Staff
December 19, 2018
Holman Prison in Atmore has only about 40 percent of the required security staff, according to a report published Tuesday.
The Montgomery Advertiser reported that Holman employs just 72 of the 195 needed to staff the maximum security prison 24 hours a day.
Holman inmate Vaquerro Kinjuan Armstrong, 29, was stabbed to death December 2, and multiple more have been assaulted. One was airlifted to an area hospital after receiving multiple stab wounds. The December 2 incident prompted a security lockdown.
The newspaper reported that 951 inmates were housed at Holman, a facility that opened in 1969.
NorthEscambia.com photo.
Photos: Northview Culinary Students Create Gingerbread Houses
December 19, 2018
Northview High School Culinary 3 students created gingerbread houses to display during the Christmas season.
The students created these from scratch, creating their own patterns and making the dough and icing.
The houses are on display by the the front office.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Johnson Sinks Final Shot To Lift Northview To Victory Over Freeport
December 19, 2018
Joseph Johnson sank the final shot of the game as time expired to lift Northview to a 61-59 win over Freeport Tuesday night in Bratt.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Johnson led the Chiefs with 20 points. Also scoring for Northview: Jason Fayard 15, Seth Killam 12, Ray Bush 7, Ben Wilson 5, Quay Thomas 2.
The Chiefs off for Christmas until the Pensacola Catholic Christmas tournament beginning December 27. They will have another shot at Freeport on the road January 22.
GIRLS
Freeport 38, Northview 25
The Northview girls will next take the court January 8 at W.S. Neal.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Desantis, Lawmakers Look To Boost In Florida Tax Dollars
December 19, 2018
With an unexpected surge in sales-tax and corporate income-tax collections, analysts on Tuesday projected a significant increase in state revenue over two years.
If the revenue projections hold, it will ease the financial pressure on incoming Gov. Ron DeSantis, as he prepares his first budget recommendation, and on the Legislature, which must pass a 2019-2020 state budget when it meets in the spring.
State revenue collections during the fiscal year that started July 1 have been running $365.2 million ahead of projections that had been last revised in August. The two largest components of that increase were $173.5 million in sales-tax collections running ahead of estimates and $126 million in additional corporate income-tax collections.
The sales tax, which generates about $26 billion a year, and the corporate income tax, which generates about $2.2 billion, are the two largest general revenue sources in the state budget. General revenue taxes are closely watched in the Capitol because they play a key role in funding schools, health programs and prisons.
Based on the robust tax collections, the analysts boosted their general revenue projections by $842 million over two years, with a $461.5 million increase in 2018-2019 and a $380.5 million increase in 2019-2020.
In reading the consensus report, Amy Baker, coordinator of the Legislature’s Office of Economic and Demographic Research, noted the $842 million adjustment has come at the same time analysts have adopted state and national economic forecasts that show some weakening in key economic factors.
“While this is the largest combined (two-year) increase since April 2006, during the peak of the housing boom, the conference recognizes that there is an elevated level of risk due to the mature stage of the current economic expansion,” Baker said.
Nonetheless, the new estimates show the state should collect an additional $1.48 billion in general revenue this year, a 4.8 percent increase over the 2017-2018 fiscal year. The new 2019-2020 general revenue projection is 3.1 percent, or $1.01 billion, higher than this year.
Analysts projected a $156 million increase in corporate income- tax collections this year, which they said is likely to result in tax refunds due to a new state law.
“The new level of net collections (receipts minus refunds) forecast for the current year, if they materialize, would trigger the tax rate reduction and refund provisions in (House Bill) 7093 as passed by the 2018 Legislature,” the report said.
It would result in $49.9 million in tax savings for the companies that pay the corporate income tax in 2019-2020 and $12.6 million in 2020-2021.
by Lloyd Dunkelberger, The News Service of Florida
Mobile Home, Heavy Truck Registrations Due December 31
December 19, 2018
Scott Lunsford, Escambia County Tax Collector, reminds those residents who own mobile homes, heavy trucks, nine-passenger, for hire and commercial vehicles to renew their registration by December 31.
Mobile homes taxed as real property (RP) must display a permanent RP decal. Mobile homes not taxed as real property are subject to annual registration fees. Each section of the mobile home requires a separate registration, that must be displayed and visible from the roadway. Registration fees are based on the length of the mobile home and must be renewed by December 31. A delinquency fee will be charged if the registration is not renewed by January 10, 2019.
Florida law requires that registrations for all trucks with an empty weight of 5,000 pounds or more expire in December. The registered owner is required to declare a gross vehicle weight (GVW). Registration fees are determined by the gross vehicle weight.
Citizens are encouraged to visit EscambiaTaxCollector.com, click the Express Lane – Same Day Vehicle/Vessel Registration Renewal and Pickup button to renew online fee free with eCheck. Renewals processed before 3 p.m. Monday through Friday can be picked up the same day. Renewals after 3 p.m. can be picked up the next business day.
Vehicle Rollover Crash On Highway 29
December 18, 2018
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating a two vehicle wreck just after noon on Highway 29 near West Roberts Road. No information was available on any injuries. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
No Injuries In I-10 Rollover Crash
December 18, 2018
There were no injuries when a vehicle struck a guardrail on I-10 near the Highway 29 exit Tuesday The drive refused medical transport. NorthEscambia.com photo by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Santa Rosa Deputy Arrested On Child Porn Charges
December 18, 2018
A Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s deputy has been arrested for child pornography.
Sgt. Jeffery Perkins was charged with aggravated assault, reckless display of a firearm and eight counts of possession of child pornography.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement began an investigation based upon a citizen’s complaint was received December 12. On December 14, Perkins was involved in “an incident” that involved domestic violence, according to Chris Williams, assistant agent in charge of the FDLE Pensacola Field Office. He declined to discuss the specifics of that incident during a Tuesday morning news conference.
Williams said the FDLE obtained a search warrant Perkins’ cell phone the evening of December 14 and discovered child pornography.
“We will prosecute this case to the fullest extent possible under the law,” State Attorney Bill Eddins said. He said a special prosecutor that specializes in child pornography cases will be assigned.
“Every once in a while you have somebody who doesn’t need to wear the badge, but we try to find them as quick as possible and get rid of them,” Sheriff Bob Johnson said. He said Perkins has been terminated. He had worked with the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office since 2010.
Williams and Eddins said an active investigation is continuing.
Perkins’ booking mugshot was not available under a Florida statute that restricts the release of law enforcement officer mugshots. The photo was taken from a March promotion ceremony.
Century Council Honors 20-Year Member Gary Riley
December 18, 2018
The Town of Century recognized longtime council member Gary Riley Monday night at his last council meeting. After 20 years on the council, Riley decided not to run for reelection.
Riley said he always worked to make Century a better place, and he plans to be in the audience at future meetings.
He was presented a plaque that stated, “For 20 Years of Faith, Dedication, and Absolute Excellence Towards This Town and Its Community.”
Riley is still officially a council member until his replacement, James Smith, Jr., is sworn in on January 7.
Pictured: Council President Ann Brooks presented plaque to council member Gary Riley Monday night. Riley received a standing ovation. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
