Scott Signs Tax-Cut Package Including Back To School Tax Holiday
April 14, 2016
Gov. Rick Scott on Wednesday signed a trimmed-down package of tax cuts that will permanently eliminate a sales tax on manufacturing equipment and set up a three-day tax “holiday” for back-to-school shoppers.
However, the signing came with less flourish than might have been expected for one of Scott’s top priorities during the recent legislative session.
Scott held a ceremonial bill-signing as the undercard of an announcement by Novolex — which makes plastic bags — that it’s expanding a manufacturing facility in Jacksonville.
In a release, the governor’s office noted that “during the announcement, Gov. Scott also ceremonially signed HB 7099.”
“This bill will not only give Florida families an important back-to-school sales tax holiday, but it will also permanently eliminate the sales tax on manufacturing machinery and equipment so companies like Novolex can invest more money in growing their business and creating new jobs,” Scott said in the release. “We will continue to do all we can to cut more taxes and support economic growth so Florida can become first for jobs.”
The package, a legislative compromise that totals $129 million in the fiscal year that begins July 1, includes a Scott priority to eliminate a sales tax on manufacturing equipment. It also exempts sales taxes on food and drinks sold by veterans’ organizations and phases out — over three years — a sales tax on asphalt used for government projects.
The measure also revises how taxes are calculated on alcohol and tobacco sales for cruise ships within Florida waters, on pear cider, and on an excise tax on aviation fuel, which is a discount for most carriers.
For many Floridians, the biggest part of the package will be a sales-tax “holiday” for back-to-school shoppers. However, the holiday will run from Aug. 5 to Aug. 7, rather than the 10 days initially proposed by Scott and many lawmakers.
In addition to the shorter period, the amount of savings available to shoppers will be lower than in earlier proposals. For example, shoppers will be able to avoid paying sales taxes on clothes that cost $60 or less, down from an earlier $100 proposal. Also, computer purchases won’t be included in the holiday. The measure also lifts the tax on school supplies costing $15 or less.
Regardless of the number of days, the Florida Retail Federation says the tax holiday provides an economic boost to retailers.
“We look forward to the savings that consumers will enjoy and the increased sales for retailers during the anticipated back-to-school sales tax holiday shopping weekend,” Florida Retail Federation President and CEO Randy Miller said in a release.
Scott had sought more than $1 billion in tax cuts for the upcoming fiscal year and $250 million for business-recruitment incentives at the public-private Enterprise Florida.
But as state tax-revenue projections declined, lawmakers agreed not to provide any of the incentive money and downsized the tax-cut package.
Still, lawmakers have joined Scott in saying that $1 billion in tax relief has been approved over a two-year period, a figure Scott campaigned on in 2014 as part of his re-election bid.
Last year, lawmakers approved a tax cut package that totaled $428.9 million, topped by a reduction in the communications-services tax on cell-phone and cable-TV bills.
This year, lawmakers say Floridians also will get tax savings because the newly approved 2016-2017 budget includes money to hold down local property taxes that would otherwise go into the state’s school-funding formula. The issue involves part of the formula known as “required local effort.”
With the property tax money, the Senate put the “tax relief” for the coming year at more than $550 million.
House Finance & Tax Chairman Matt Gaetz, R-Fort Walton Beach, said the relief is “over a half billion dollars for this session.”
“We have made the decision in Florida that we can grow our economy, meet the needs of our state and care for the vulnerable not by having more taxes, but by having more taxpayers,” Gaetz said in a prepared statement. “These tax cuts welcome new families, businesses, and visitors to our state each day.”
by Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida
Blue Jacket Jamboree Has New Home; Entries Accepted For Beautiful Baby Contest, Craft Vendors
April 14, 2016
The Northview High School FFA’s Blue Jacket Jamboree is returning this year with a new home and an exciting new beautiful baby contest.
The Blue Jacket Jamboree will be Saturday, April 23 from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. at the new Escambia County 4-H Facility at 5701 Highway 99 in Molino. The event will be held in conjunction with the GCA/NYRO Youth Spring Livestock Show.
As in years past, during the fun-filled day for the entire family there will be arts, crafts, food, entertainment and a car show. And this year, there will be a “Blue Jacket Baby Contest” for children birth through two-years old.
For event information, to register for the baby contest, or to learn more, visit www.bluejacketjamboree.org.
To join the over 40 arts and craft vendors registered for the event, call Linda Till at (850) 572-1076 or visit the website.
To register for the car or tractor show, call Angus Brewton at (850) 712-7884.
Pictured: Last year’s Blue Jacket Jamboree, which was held at Northview High School. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Wahoos Lose To Jacksonville 2-1 In Nine
April 14, 2016
On paper it was a matchup of the top pitching prospects in the Cincinnati Reds and Miami Marlins organizations.
Pensacola Blue Wahoos southpaw Amir Garrett and Jacksonville Suns lefty Jarlin Garcia delivered on the suggested pitching duel between the two No. 3 prospects in the Southern League Double-A match up.
In the end, though, the Jacksonville Suns pulled out a 2-1 victory Wednesday over Pensacola in a dramatic ninth inning when both teams scored all their runs at Blue Wahoos Stadium. Both teams are 5-2 on the season and tied with the Biloxi Shuckers for first place in the Southern League South Division.
Garrett struck out Jacksonville’s first four batters and got nine of the first 10 hitters out in his six shutout innings. He allowed only four hits and struck out seven.
Meanwhile, Jacksonville’s Garcia allowed a single in his 5.2 innings and struck out six Blue Wahoos before walking two batters in the sixth and being lifted for reliever Tyler Bremer.
Pensacola Manager Pat Kelly said the fireworks between the hurlers was to be expected.
“Garcia was good but Garrett was just as good, if not better,” Kelly said. “We had two pretty good lefties out there.”
Garrett said he has faced Garcia a few times during their minor league careers and was “pumped” to be facing him in his first game in front of the Blue Wahoos crowd.
“I was feeling really good tonight,” Garrett said. “I was pretty pumped up and wanted to make a statement.”
Long after the superb performances by Garrett and Garcia, Jacksonville first baseman Brady Shoemaker scored on a deep fly ball by third baseman Matt Juengel to Pensacola right fielder Tony Renda to make it, 1-0, in the top of the ninth inning.
Suns right fielder Moises Sierra then put Jacksonville up, 2-0, when he tagged from third on a line drive by second baseman James Roberts to left fielder Phillip Ervin, who barely missed throwing Sierra out at the plate.
The game looked over but Pensacola came back to load the bases. Blue Wahoos first baseman Ray Chang hit a sacrifice fly to right to score Ervin from third base, pulling the Blue Wahoos within one run, 2-1, with two outs.
Pensacola catcher Joe Hudson, who had a single, walk and double in his first three at bats, then hit a chopper to third that looked like it was heading to left field. However, the Suns third baseman Juengel cut it off, stumbled but made a force out at second in the nick of time to end the game.
“This team shows a lot of grit,” Kelly said. “They came right back at the end.”
Fire Destroys Large Shed In Walnut Hill
April 13, 2016
Fire destroyed a large shed behind a residence in Walnut Hill Wednesday morning. The approximately 400 square foot shed was fully involved when the first firefighters arrived on scene just after 6:15 a.m. The cause of the fire was not immediately known; there were no injuries. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
State Budget Includes $21 Million For North Escambia Road, Bridge Projects
April 13, 2016
Almost $21 million in North Escambia road and bridge projects are included in Florida’s 2016-2017 budget that was recently signed by Gov. Rick Scott.
Projects in the North Escambia area that received funding were:
BRIDGE REPLACEMENTS
- Molino Road over Pensaula Creek Bridge $1,157,752
- The bridge was constructed in 1958 and is located west of Highway 29 between 4 Star Farm Road and Sunshine Hill Road.
- Highway 97A over Boggy Creek Bridge $2,967,954
- The bridge was constructed in 1969 and is located on Highway 97A about one mile west of the Highway 97A and Highway 99 intersection near Enon.
- Highway 99 over Pine Barren Creek $3,815,089
- The bridge was constructed in 1955 and is located on North Highway 99 north of Gobbler Road, near the Oak Grove Park.
- Highway 99A over Boggy Creek $1,741 ,636
- The bridge was constructed in 1968 and is located on Highway 99A (Arthur Brown Road) just west of Walnut Hill Baptist Church.
WIDENING AND DRAINAGE
- Muscogee Road Widening and Drainage Improvements $1,674,000
PRELIMINARY ENGINEERING
- 9 Mile Road from Highway 90 to Beulah Road $1,000,000
- Highway 29 from south of Muscogee Road to Highway 97 (resurfacing) $1,200,000
RESURFACING
- Highway 4 from Highway 29 to Escambia River Bridge $1,058,585
- Highway 29 from north of Highway 90 to south of Muscogee Road $6,306,108
Pictured top: The Molino Road bridge over Penasula Creek. Pictured: The deteriorating wood pilings that support the bridge. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
FDOT Meeting To Address Mobile Highway, Beulah Road Intersection
April 13, 2016
The Florida Department of Transportation will hold a public meeting concerning proposed improvements at the intersection of Mobile Highway and Beulah Road.
The meeting will be held Tuesday, April 26 from 5:30 until 6:30 p.m. at the Beulah Senior Center at 7425 Woodside Road.
The FDOT proposes to design a new traffic signal and add or extend left turn lanes to improve safety and operations at the intersection. Mobile Highway and Beulah Road will be widened and resurfaced as needed to accommodate the additional turn lanes. Additional right-of-way will be required for this project. This project is funded for construction in late 2017, with construction scheduled to begin first quarter of 2018.
The meeting will be an open house type format with no formal presentation. Representatives from the FDOT will be available to explain the proposed improvements, answer questions and receive comments.
Written comments may be submitted to: FDOT General Consultant Project Manager, Tommy Johns, P.E., at 1141 Jackson Avenue, Chipley, Florida 32428 or via email to tommy. johns@atkinsglobal.com.
Pictured: A Monday night crash that injured six people Monday night at the Mobile Highway and Beulah Road intersection. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Project Provides Free Dictionaries For All Jim Allen Third Graders
April 13, 2016
Third grade students at Jim Allen Elementary School recently received their own personal dictionary for free. The dictionaries were sponsored by The Dictionary Project and the Women’s Group at St. Jude Catholic Church. The national program’s goal is to assist all students in becoming good writers, active readers, creative thinkers, and resourceful learners. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Way We Worked: Learn About The History Of Molino Mills
April 13, 2016
West Florida Public Libraries and the Molino Mid-County Historical Society will host a talk on the history and archaeology of Molino Mills by UWF graduate student, Melissa Maynard, Thursday, April 14 at 6 p.m. This event will be held at the Molino Community Complex, 6450 Highway 95A. Maynard will provide insight into a lumber mill which operated along the Escambia River from 1865-1884 and was significant because it helped develop a community and an industry.
Also at the Molino Community Complex, visit the complementary exhibit “The Way We Worked.” This Smithsonian Traveling Exhibition celebrates the history of our nation’s diverse workers and industries on display until April 30. Viewing hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekly, closed Sundays, and open during Maynard’s talk from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
“The Way We Worked” has been made possible in Molino by the Florida Humanities Council. “The Way We Worked”, an exhibition created by the National Archives, is part of Museum on Main Street, a collaboration between the Smithsonian Institution and State Humanities Councils nationwide. Support for Museum on Main Street has been provided by the United States Congress.
Rowell Pitches Perfect Game For Tate; Jay Advances To Title Game
April 13, 2016
SOFTBALL
Tate 8, Pine Forest 0
Savannah Rowell had a perfect game with 18 strikeouts as Tate beat Pine Forest 8-0 in the District 1-7A semifinals Tuesday night
Savannah Ullrich had two homeruns for Tate. The Aggies advance to the District 1-7A title game Thursday night against Pace. The game begins at 7 p.m. Thursday at Escambia High School.
Pace advance to the title game with a 7-6 win over Escambia on Tuesday.
Jay 5, Freeport 4
The Jay Lady Royals are headed to the District 3-1A title game for the sixth year in a row after beating Freeport Tuesday night 5-4.
Destiny Herring pitched the win for Jay in seven innings with six strikeouts while allowing four runs.
Jay hitters – Destiny Herring 1-3, 2B, 2RBI, R; Avery Jackson 1-3, 2R; Samantha Steadham RBI single.
Also Tuesday, South Walton beat Chipley 4-0. That sets up a Jay versus South Walton title game at Northview Thursday night at 7:00.
BASEBALL
Milton 2, Tate 1
The Tate Aggies fell to the Milton Panthers 2-1 Tuesday night at Milton HIgh School.
Cole Halfacre homered for the Aggies in the fourth inning.
Tate hitters – Mason Land 1-4, Penton 1-3, Cole Halfacre 1-3, HR; Reid Halfacre 1-1, 2 BB.
Wahoos Open At Home With 4-3 Win Over Jacksonsville
April 13, 2016
Pensacola Blue Wahoos first baseman Donald Lutz made up for his slow start to the 2016 season.
He was the hero in the Blue Wahoos sold out season opener at home Tuesday when he slapped a screaming groundball to right field in the fifth inning to score two runners and give Pensacola a 4-3 victory over the visiting Jacksonville Suns 
at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
Lutz said it was comforting playing in front of the Blue Wahoos fifth straight season opening sellout crowd. He went 0-15 with nine strikeouts, including striking out five times in five at bats Monday against the Mississippi Braves the day before. But against the Suns, Lutz got some extra work in the batting cage before the game.
“It’s baseball,” Lutz said. “I’m a big believer that it doesn’t matter if you get angry and throw stuff. You can’t get too high or too low.”
He enjoyed breaking out of his slump with two singles in three at bats and the game-winning hit. “When you take the lead it gives you a little phhhh (relief). It loosens you up a little bit.”
The Wahoos came back and scored three runs in the bottom of the fifth off of Esch and chased him from the game.
Lutz had the big hit when his two-out single scored both Amaral and Vincej to put the Blue Wahoos ahead, 4-2. Pin-Chieh Chen got the rally started with a lead-off walk and then scored the first run of the inning to tie the game, 2-2, when with the bases loaded Esch hit left fielder Phillip Ervin with a pitch.
Pensacola improved its record to 5-1 to remain atop the Southern League South Division.
Kelly said this game was a test to see how good the Wahoos are. Jacksonville entered the game with a 4-1 record, too.
“Playing another 4-1 club was a good challenge,” Kelly said. “I wanted to see how we would rise to the occasion.”
The game also featured the right field lights going out in the third inning. They never came back on. However, the umpires decided to continue the game when both team’s right fielders said they could still see the ball.
Jacksonville did get a run back in the sixth when second baseman Avery Romero singled to center field to score third baseman J.T. Riddle from second base.
The Suns loaded the bases in the eighth inning off Pensacola reliever Alejandro Chacin. But with one out, he struck out the final two batters to get out of the inning unscathed.
“Those were tremendous,” Kelly said. “That’s why we love this kid. He’s not afraid. If you’re going to pitch late in the game you can’t have any fear.”
The Blue Wahoos wasted little time to score the first run of the game, when center fielder Beau Amaral led off the first inning by pulling the ball over the right field wall into the Hill Kelly Hill area. Amaral went 2-4 with two runs scored and a solo home run.
Jacksonville shortstop Peter Mooney doubled to lead off the third inning, moved to third on a bunt single by pitcher Esch and scored on a fielder’s choice by center fielder Yefri Perez to tie the game, 1-1.