Santa Rosa Opens New Arena
December 14, 2013
Santa Rosa County officially cut the ribbon on a new $1.23 million arena Friday afternoon. The June Ates Arena, named after a local horse enthusiast, will provide a venue for a wide variety of community and outdoor events. The 61,500 square foot arena was paid for with District 2 recreational funds.T he June Ates Arena is located at 8690 Bobby Brown Road in East Milton.
The arena will be available for local community events and will provide a venue for a wide variety of outdoor events from equestrian activities, heavy equipment and car shows, music festivals, and livestock competitions. Additionally, the arena may be used as a staging area for personnel and supplies after a disaster.
According to Santa Rosa County District 2 Commissioner Bob Cole, the Santa Rosa County Fair Association, the Tourist Development Council and the local equestrian community were instrumental in bringing this project to fruition, “Through the hard work of many volunteers over several years, we are able to make this project a reality for the residents of Santa Rosa County.” Cole continues, “From 4-H events for our children to outdoor festivals that increase tourism in the off-season, this arena will be an asset to our community.”
The arena is 300 feet by 205 feet and includes a 300 feet by 130 feet dirt arena, two 35 feet concrete pads for bleachers, enclosed judging booth and is designed to accommodate future growth.
Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Resident Shoots Burglary Supect
December 13, 2013
An Escambia County resident shot a burglar early Friday morning.
Just before 2 a.m., the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to the 700 block of North 46th Avenue in reference to a shots fired disturbance. According to the resident, he discovered someone attempting to break into his garage/storage shed. The resident said he discharged his firearm at the suspect, striking him once. The suspect was later identified as Daniel Joshua Driver, 19.
As deputies responded to the area, they observed the suspect running from the residence. Deputies searched with a K-9 but could not find the suspect. Several hours later, Driver attempted to check himself into a local hospital under a fake name, claiming he was stabbed somewhere off Hollywood Avenue.
The hospital determined they had been provided false information and contacted the Sheriff’s Office. Driver later confessed and was subsequently treated at the hospital, released and arrested. He was charged with burglary and petit theft. His bond was set at $1,250.
McDavid Post Office Set For Cutbacks Or Closure
December 13, 2013
The McDavid Post Office has been targeted by the U.S. Postal Service for cutbacks or possibly even closure.
Residents and businesses in the 32568 zip code were notified Thursday that the Postal Service will take future action regarding the McDavid Post Office. Possibilities include:
- Keep the office open, with window hours cut from 8 hours per day to six hours with those weekday hours realigned to match workload.
- Look at closing the office, providing only roadside mailbox delivery. Retail and delivery service would be provided through a rural carrier, with customers able to purchase most postal services from their carrier or alternative access points.
- Close the office and find a contract post office location, usually a local business. This contract location would provide post office boxes and most retail services.
- Close the office and relocate post office box service to a nearby post office.
Residents and businesses in the 32568 have received, or will receive, a mailed customer survey on the available options.
The Postal Service will hold a public meeting concerning the McDavid Post Office on January 16, 2014, at 5 p.m. at the McDavid United Methodist Church at 2 Main Street in McDavid. No decision concerning the McDavid post office will be made until after the public meeting.
“Residents are encouraged to return the survey and attend the meeting to offer their input into the future of the post office,” Stephen Seewoester, spokesman for the U.S. Postal Service said Thursday afternoon.
The Walnut Hill Post Office, also in the 32568 zip code, will not immediately be impacted by any closures or changes at the McDavid Post Office, Seewoester said. The Walnut Hill Post Office is a contract location operated by Escambia River Electric Cooperative, providing retail window services and post office boxes.
“We plan to keep the Walnut Hill Post Office open and continue to serve the community,” Sabrina Owens, spokesperson for EREC, said Thursday afternoon.
The McDavid Post Office is the only local office in Escambia or Santa Rosa counties on the current closure or cutback list.
Photos, Video: Century Land To Lake Parade, Christmas Event
December 13, 2013
With a “Land to Lake” theme, the first lighted Christmas parade in several years rolled through Century Thursday night. The parade ended at Lake Stone, with Santa Claus, hot cocoa, cookies and an sack lunch.
For a parade video, click here.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia Man Busted In Sexual Predator Investigation
December 13, 2013
An Escambia County man was arrested Wednesday morning after allegedly showing up to meet a teen boy for sex — but that teen turned out to be an investigator.
Donald Gough Jr, 37, was charged with traveling to meet a juvenile for sex and using a two way device (email) to facilitate a felony, ending a month long investigation.
According to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Gough begin communicating on November 15 with a person he thought to be a 14-year old boy. The boy was actually a computer crimes investigator. During their conversations, Gough engaged in sexually explicit conversation and agreed to meet the boy Wednesday with the intention of having sex, deputies said.
Gough was arrested when he traveled to Nine Mile Road and Hummingbird Boulevard to meet the boy.
Gough remains in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $10,000.
Scott Proposes Rolling Back Motor Vehicle Taxes And Fees
December 13, 2013
Gov. Rick Scott Thursday announced that around $400 million in tax and fee cuts will go directly to Florida families by rolling back motor vehicle taxes and fees to pre-2009 levels. In 2009, Floridians experienced significant increases in various taxes related to the annual registration of motor vehicles, increasing the cost of registering a typical motor vehicle by an average of 54 percent.
“I have one message today for every Florida family: We are going to undo the 54% tax increase you saw in 2009 to register your motor vehicles. This means around $400 million annually will be given back to Florida families. This has never been government’s money – it’s your money – and I look forward to working with the Florida legislature to return it back to you,” Scott said. “We want to create an opportunity economy in Florida, and letting people keep more of the money they make means families have more money to invest in their future. We want to create an economy that supports job creation for generations to come.”
As a result of the 2009 tax increases, the cost of registering a typical automobile for Floridians increased from an estimated $46.80 to $71.85 every year. Combined with increases in driver license fees and various service charges, the increases translated to state revenues of over $1 billion, which were directed primarily to the state’s general revenue fund.
Scott’s proposed tax/fee automobile roll back would offer relief to the millions of taxpayers who pay these taxes/fees on over 13 million annual registrations each year, returning automobile taxes/fees to pre-2009 levels effective September 2014. On average, families will see registration costs drop from about $71 today to $46 next September, an average decrease in costs of about $25 for Florida families.
Snowball Express Transports Families Of Fallen Military
December 13, 2013
The Blue Angels were on hand Thursday to welcome 16 local families of fallen military heroes to the Pensacola International Airport before their Snowball Express flight to Fort Worth.
The Snowball Express is a charity organization for children of America’s fallen military heroes.
Blue Angels team members signed autographs, posed for photos and spent time with the children in the Pensacola airport’s USO center before their flight to Fort Worth to join more than 1,700 other children and surviving spouses.
“Snowball Express is a great organization because it helps the children of fallen service members by surrounding them with other kids and families who are all dealing with the loss of a loved one, while showing them a fun time,” said Lt. Cmdr. Declan Hartney of the Blue Angels.
American Airlines provides transportation annually for families across the world to attend the Snowball Express event, where children and surviving spouses meet for a weekend of enjoyment.
Pictured: Blue Angels Flight Surgeon Lt. Cmdr. Mark DeBuse signs an autograph for a child during the annual Snowball Express send-off event at the Pensacola Regional Airport USO Thursday. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview Boys Beat Jay; Lady Royals Down Northview
December 13, 2013
BOYS — Northview 61, Jay 58
The Northview Chiefs beat the Jay Royals 61-58 Thursday night in varsity high school basketball at Jay.
Scoring for the Chiefs were Neino Robinson 18, Tony McAroy 17, Cameron Newsome 14, Trent Howard 6, Jeffery Taylor 3, Dalton Tullis, and Nick Lambert 1.
Scoring for Jay were: Thomas Fisher 17, Marshall Thomas 13, Victor Minchew 8, Justice Garcia 7, Taylor Kelly 7, Eric Travino 3, Tate Upton 2, and Brandon Boutwell 1.
The Northview Chiefs will host Freeport Friday. The JV Girls play at 4:00; the Varsity Girls at 5:15 and the Varsity Boys at 6:30. Jay will travel to Baker this afternoon.
GIRLS — Jay 50, Northview 31
The Jay Lady Royals defeated the Northview Chiefs Thursday night in varsity girls high school basketball at Jay.
Scoring for the Jay Royals were: Carissa Mulford 14, Hillary Hendricks 11, Destiny Herring 7, annah Prescott 4 ,Emily Dobson 4, Paige Smith 4, Jorga Agrait 2, Bayleigh Upton 1.
Scoring for the Chiefs were: Elayzha Bates 11, Lana Clayton 7, Angle Lathan 4, Danielle Steadham 4, Zacarra Davis2 , and Deasia Fountain 2.
Jay will travel to Catholic at 4:30 Friday. The Northview Chiefs will host Freeport Friday. The JV Girls play at 4:00; the Varsity Girls at 5:15 and the Varsity Boys at 6:30. Jay will travel to Baker this afternoon.
Senate Prez Backs Statewide Vote On Casinos
December 13, 2013
Senate President Don Gaetz said Thursday voters should probably weigh in on whether the state opens the door to Las Vegas-style casinos, posing another hurdle for out-of-state operators eager to start doing business in South Florida.
“I think you can make an argument that that’s a systemic change that the people of Florida ought to have a say about,” Gaetz, R-Niceville, said during a free-wheeling breakfast meeting with reporters.
Gaetz’s comments make it more likely that voters will play a role in any gaming expansion next year.
House Speaker Will Weatherford last week told The News Service of Florida he is “warming up to” a constitutional amendment that would require statewide voter approval for any future gambling expansion. But Weatherford, R-Wesley Chapel, was unclear about whether any changes approved by the Legislature next year would also have to get the voters’ blessing.
“Those details have to be worked out in the future,” Weatherford said this week.
But what is clear is that both the House and the Senate are considering a constitutional amendment — or possibly more — as part of the solution to the thorny issue of reshaping the state’s gambling landscape.
Gaetz indicated that destination resorts, one of the myriad components being considered by lawmakers as they explore gambling ideas, would be a sweeping enough change in state policy to require a statewide referendum. That could mean a second question for voters to decide in November.
Gaetz said “localized issues” might not necessarily require a statewide referendum. A destination resort in Miami-Dade County could be considered a local matter, Gaetz said.
But when pressed, he conceded that even a single hotel casino in a lone county could represent a marked shift in the state’s gambling policy.
“I think it could be. We don’t have destination casinos other than on Native American land right now. So if we opened up to two or three or …I don’t know. It’s hard then to say we’re going to do it in Miami but nobody else need apply. So in effect you’ve made a decision to get in the destination casino business. I think you can make an argument that that’s a systemic change that the people of Florida ought to have a say about,” he said. “I tend to sit on the side of asking people what they think.”
Lawmakers drew fire for placing 11 proposed constitutional amendments, many of them politically charged, on the 2012 ballot.
Gaetz said he and Weatherford last year pledged not to “litter up the constitution or the ballot with a bunch of crap, a bunch of issues de jour, a bunch of political stuff.”
But the gambling proposals now under discussion are different, he said.
“This is not like a political issue where you’ve got one side using a constitutional issue to try to posture and get people to the polls or something like that. If we did a major expansion of gambling, that’s a significant change,” Gaetz said.
Some destination resort proponents are hoping that voters have warmed up to the idea of Las Vegas-style casinos in an already gambling-rich state home to eight Indian casinos offering slots, blackjack and other tabled card games; 27 pari-mutuels, including two dozen that also have poker rooms and seven facilities in Broward and Miami-Dade counties that also have slot machines; a state Lottery; and “cruises to nowhere” with unregulated and untaxed casino gambling three miles offshore.
A sweeping gambling bill that included up to three destination resorts went nowhere during the 2012 legislative session, prompting Malaysian-based casino giant Genting Group to back a ballot initiative. Genting later abandoned that route after it became clear lawmakers would again tackle the issue during the 2014 session.
Resorts World Miami, linked with Genting, owns property in downtown Miami it hopes to transform into one of the stand-alone casinos.
Including destination resorts in the gambling framework is a plus, said Resorts World Miami lobbyist Brian Ballard.
“Obviously, the Senate president is going to have a huge amount of sway on the final outcome. At first blush, I’m just glad he’s talking about destination resorts being part of the mix. As far as a referendum goes, we’re open to any and all solutions,” Ballard said. “It’s certainly appealing that the concept of destination resorts seems to be gaining either support or a recognition that it is going to be an important part of this package at the end of the day.”
by The News Service Florida
Your Christmas Photos: Bratt House Decked Out
December 13, 2013
This house in Bratt, located on North Highway 99 just south of Breastworks Road, is decked out for the Christmas Season.
Share your Christmas lights or other Christmas photos. Email the photos to news@northescambia.com.
Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.