Escambia Business Tax Renewals Due By The End Of The Month
September 23, 2015
Escambia County Tax Collector Janet Holley is reminding all business owners and practicing professionals that September 30 is the final day for business tax receipt renewals. After that date, penalties will be added.
Online renewal is encouraged, but renewals can be made by mail, phone (with a convenience fee) and in person at any of three tax collector locations:
- Downtown – 213 Palafox Place
- Marcus Pointe – 6451 North W Street
- Molino – 6440 Highway 95-A North, Suite A
Applications and information for business tax receipts are available at www.EscambiaTaxCollector.com. For more information or to make an appointment, visit the tax collector’s website or call (850) 438-6500, ext. 3252.
Volleyball: Jay Defeats NHS
September 23, 2015
The Jay Lady Royals defeated Northview 3-0 in three sets Tuesday night in Jay, 25-14, 25-14, 25-17.
Jay will host Laurel Hill on Thursday, while Northview will host Pensacola Christian at 4:30 (JV) and 5:30 (varsity).
In junior varsity action, Jay won on two sets, 25-19, 25-21.
NothEscambia.com photos by Gary Amerson, click to enlarge.
Tate Girls Cross Country Delivers Strong Finishes At Jay Invitational
September 23, 2015
The Tate High girls cross country team continued their successful cross country season with a second place finish out of 14 teams in the JD Mac Invitational at Jay.
The were led by Carley Pope with a sixth place finish with a time of 21:00.
The other scoring members of Tate’s team were
7. Hannah Wellenkamp 21:00 1
2. Avery Royer 21:21
13. McKenna Royer
15. Emma Shows 21:57
23. Riley Orr 22:49
Atwater Looks For Next Steps At Dozier Boys School In Marianna
September 23, 2015
The Florida Cabinet is expected next week to discuss the state’s next steps after researchers finish onsite work at the shuttered Arthur G. Dozier School for Boys, a former reform school where children are alleged to have been abused and died in Marianna.
State Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater wrote a letter Sept. 4 to Secretary of State Ken Detzner that said University of South Florida researchers, who have been excavating the site and seeking identification of remains, will submit a final report to the governor and Cabinet in the coming months.
Atwater urged that one entity be put in charge of issues that will follow the completion of the researchers’ onsite work.
“Now, the next phases involving the preservation of artifacts unearthed, the storage and reinterment of the remains of those unidentified, decisions regarding appropriate memorials, and state funding appropriations will need to be addressed,” Atwater wrote. “The issues involving the preservation of historical resources and records, archives, and state monuments seem best to be handled by the Department of State or an appropriate oversight body. Having one entity to oversee these next phases and ensuring the inclusion of stakeholders and families will be paramount as we move towards eventual closure.”
In the letter, Atwater asked for the issue to go before the governor and Cabinet, and it has been placed on the agenda of a meeting next Tuesday.
Dozier served as a state reform school for decades. Atwater’s letter said the USF researchers would submit a final report in December, though the Cabinet agenda indicates it will be submitted in January.
by The News Service of Florida
Pictured top: A trench dug in the search for human remains at the Arthur G. Dozier School for Boys in Marianna. Pictured below: Mapping the graves. Pictured inset: The remains of George Owen Smith have been positively identified. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Okaloosa County Deputy Dies After Being Shot, Suspect Dead
September 22, 2015
An Okaloosa County deputy has died after being shot Tuesday morning out side an attorney’s office in Shalimar.
Deputy Bill Myers was 64. The 25-year veteran rejoined the agency to serve part-time in 2013. He is survived by his wife, children and granddaughter. He was, according to Sheriff Larry Ashley, saving money to take his granddaughter and family on a trip to Disney World.
Investigators say Myers had just finished serving a domestic violence injunction to 33-year old Joel Dixon Smith of Navarre at Cotton and Gates Law Firm on Plew Avenue around 8:20 a.m. Deputy Myers was walking outside when he was shot multiple times in the back, including a gunshot wound to the rear of his head.
Investigators say the suspect in the shooting, 33-year old Joel Dixon Smith of 9807 Navarre Parkway in Santa Rosa County, then drove to the Comfort Inn and Suites, 148 John Sims Parkway, in Niceville, where he barricaded himself inside a room.
The OCSO Special Response Team responded and evacuated the building, setting up a perimeter.
After an hour and a half of negotiations, the suspect came out of his room with a weapon at 11:13 a.m. Deputies responded and the suspect was struck and taken to Fort Walton Beach Medical Center where he later died. No members of the SRT Unit were injured.
“Deputy Myers has been a treasured part of this agency’s family since 1989,” said Sheriff Larry Ashley. “He served this community with distinction for decades. He was loved, admired, and respected for his dedication to the law enforcement profession. He loved photography and he had an ability to make those around him smile, especially his young granddaughter who he adored and took to Disney World as often as he could. We pray for his soul and for his family and we ask that the community pray for them as well, and for all the men and women who have the courage in these troubled times to put their lives on the line for others.”
“We also want to express our sincere gratitude to all of you who have reached out to our agency at this time with words and gestures of support, and to all the agencies which assisted us today at the scene of the shooting and in Niceville.
Ashley described Smith as a “sick little coward”.
In a written statement late Tuesday afternoon, Gov. Rick Scott said, “Today, our hearts are broken to learn of the death of Deputy Bill Myers. Florida’s law enforcement officers risk their lives daily to protect others, and any act of violence against these brave heroes is shameful and cowardly. My wife, Ann, and I send our sincerest condolences to Deputy Myers’ family and brothers and sisters in Florida’s law enforcement community. I am grateful for the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Department and all law enforcement and first responders whose immediate response helped protect innocent lives during this horrific incident.”
Pictured: The scene outside a Shalimar law firm following the shooting of an Okaloosa County deputy Tuesday morning. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge
Century Approves Property Tax Increase, $4.25 Million Budget
September 22, 2015
The Town of Century Monday night gave final approval to a budget for the next fiscal year that is down about 16.5 percent from last year, along with a property tax increase.
The budget for the 2015-2016 fiscal year is $4,259,831.36, down from $5,107,641.34. Last year’s budget was higher due to the inclusion of increased grant income and expenditures. For a summary of Century’ budget, click here (pdf).
The council also approved a property tax rate increase from a current year 0.8707 mills to 0.9006 mills, an increase of 6.35 percent. The increase would equal the 2013-2014 rate, while remaining lower than the rate during the previous three years.
One mill is equal to $1 in taxes per $1,000 in taxable value. If the tax increase is approved, the property tax paid to Century on home with a $50,000 taxable value would increase from $42.34 to $45.03, or about $2.69 per year.
With the increase Century would be set to collect $29,549 in total property taxes, up from $27,784. Due to homestead and other exemptions, many Century residents do not pay any property tax at all, according to council members.
Pictured top: Century council members (L-R) Gary Riley, Sandra McMurray Jackson and Ben Boutwell. Pictured inset: Council members Annie Savage. Council President Ann Brooks was not present at Monday night’s meeting. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Sex Offender Gets 130 Months In Prison For Failing To Register
September 22, 2015
Lateef Harris, 38, was sentenced Monday to 130 months state prison for failure to comply with sex offender registration requirements by Circuit Judge Linda Nobles.
Florida law requires that certain individuals convicted of sexually related offenses register with the State of Florida. This registration provides a database through which the State can track their whereabouts. Harris has been a registered sex offender since 1995 and had previously been convicted of failure to comply with the registration requirements. Harris had left the jurisdiction and was arrested in Georgia.
He was originally convicted of sexual battery by an adult on a victim under 12 in Escambia County, according to Florida Department of Law Enforcement records.
Bond Set At $1 Million For Cantonment Suspect That Shot At Deputy
September 22, 2015
Bond has been set at $1 million for a Cantonment man that allegedly opened fire on an Escambia County deputy Thursday night before holding deputies at bay during a two hour standoff.
Christopher Allen Payne, 19, is charged with felony assault on an law enforcement officer following the incident in the 1500 block of Crystal Drive.
Payne’s family called for Escambia County EMS, thinking he might be having a heart attack after taking an illegal substance. Sheriff David Morgan said the family believed the man had ingested some type of narcotics, possibly LSD.
Payne kicked his family out of the, barricading himself inside with two rifles and a shotgun, Morgan said. The Sheriff’s Department SWAT team was called to assist, and neighboring homes were evacuated as a precaution. A Sheriff’s Office hostage negotiator was able to reach Payne on the phone and establish a rapport, Morgan said. Payne was eventually talked into a peaceful surrender.
Payne appeared in Escambia County Circuit Court Monday. He is due to be back in court for an arraignment hearing in just over two weeks.
Escambia County 4-H Presents Annual Awards
September 22, 2015
Escambia County 4-H recently awarded youth, volunteer and club efforts in the past year.
Youth Awards
Beasley Junior Achievement Award – Leah Rutherford, Gracie Meredith
Intermediately Leadership Award – Dillon Conti
Extension Director Leadership Award – Allison Woodfin
Dave and Sylvia Timberlake Helping Hand Award – Danielle Tinker
Langley Bell Award – Tori Kelson and Karrigan Scott
Margie Gindl Public Speaking and Public Awareness Award – Amanda Tanner
Cecil Guidy Animal Science Award – Kaley Lashley
4-H’er of the Year Award – Jessica Conti and Hannah Thorne
Youth Standards of Excellence
Cloverbud
Nathan Jacobs
Senior
Emerald – Rachel Grammer, Tori Kelson, Amanda Tanner, Danielle Tinker, Michelle Tinker
Silver – Karrigan Scott
Intermediate
Emerald – Dillon Conti, Jessica Conti, Lauren Walsh
Silver – Raven Hollis, Ami Rodgers, Raven Thompson
Bronze – Avery DeStafney
Junior
Bronze – Tanner DeStafney, Brayten Workman
Volunteer Awards
Margie Gindl Volunteer Leader Award – Christine Rodgers
Jean Guidy Volunteer Award – Sarah Jane Conti
Volunteer Standards of Excellence
Emerald – Sarah Jane Conti, Christine Rodgers, Sharon Tanner
Gold – Teresa Myrick
Club Awards
Historian’s Book Award – Cool Clovers 4-H Club, by Ami Rodgers
Treasurer’s Book Award – Cool Clovers 4-H Club, by Dawn VanIderstine
Secretary’s Book Award – Barrineau Park 4-H Club, by Jessica Conti
Scrapbook Award – Escambia County Shooting Sports
Club Standards of Excellence
Emerald – Barrineau Park 4-H Club
Gold – Escambia County Shooting Sports
Traffic Shifts At Scenic To I-10 On Ramp
September 22, 2015
Traffic on the Scenic Highway on ramp to Interstate 10 (I-10) westbound was shifted to the the south beginning Monday night, Monday. The new traffic pattern will be in place until summer 2016.