Florida Attorney General Activates Price Gouging Hotline During State Of Emergency
August 2, 2024
Attorney General Ashley Moody has Florida’s Price Gouging Hotline following a state of emergency declaration for areas of the state preparing for Invest 97L, including Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
Florida’s price gouging law applies to items and services essential to getting ready for, or recovering from, a storm within the areas of a declared state of emergency.
“Invest 97L is expected to bring heavy rain and powerful winds to much of the state. To help Floridians prepare for this event, we are activating the price gouging hotline to accept reports of extreme price increases on essential commodities. As the system approaches, I’m urging Floridians to finalize their storm preparations, monitor weather reports and follow the guidance of local authorities. Stay Safe, Florida,” Moody said.
During a storm-related declared state of emergency, state law prohibits excessive increases in the price of essential commodities, such as equipment, food, gasoline, hotel rooms, ice, lumber and water needed as a direct result of the weather event.
Anyone who suspects price gouging can report it to the Florida Attorney General’s Office by visiting MyFloridaLegal.com or calling 1(866) 9NO-SCAM. For more information on price gouging, access Attorney General Moody’s Scams at a Glance: Price Gouging resource by clicking here.
Lowder Quiets Wahoos In 2-1 Loss To Lookouts
August 2, 2024
written by Erik Bremer
One night after hammering out 36 runs in a doubleheader sweep, the Pensacola Blue Wahoos were kept largely quiet by the Chattanooga Lookouts in a 2-1 loss on Thursday night.
Rhett Lowder (W, 3-4), the reigning Southern League Pitcher of the Week, worked 6.0 innings of three-hit, one-run ball to earn the win for Chattanooga. Pensacola’s lone run came on a solo homer from Cody Morissette in the fifth inning.
The Lookouts jumped ahead against Pensacola starter Jeff Lindgren (L, 1-3) in the second inning as Nick Northcut hit his league-leading 21st home run of the season. They added another run in the fourth on an RBI single from Jack Rogers.
Pensacola threatened in the seventh, but both Shane Sasaki and Morissette were thrown out attempting to steal after reaching base against reliever Luis Mey. Patrick Weigel (S, 4) worked around a two-out walk to lock down the save in the ninth.
The series in Chattanooga continues on Friday. First pitch from AT&T Field is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. ET/6:15 p.m. CT,
DeSantis Declares State Of Emergency In Florida
August 1, 2024
Gov. Ron DeSantis Thursday afternoon declared a state of emergency in Escambia, Santa Rosa and 52 other counties in advance of potential storm in the Gulf of Mexico.
The order references current projections showing that tropical disturbance Invest 97L may strengthen into a tropical depression “over the weekend and early next week over the eastern Gulf of Mexico and the Florida Peninsula.”
“WHEREAS, based on meteorological reports, there is significant threat of heavy rainfall over most of the State of Florida, with the possibility of at least twelve (12) inches of rainfall over the next seven (7) days,” the order said.
The order says that heavy rain may last a long time and lead to “flash flooding, river flooding, coastal flooding, erosion, and gusty winds.” DeSantis also stated in the order that infrastructure including major roadways, schools, hospitals, airports and power grids.
Current conditions may mean that if Invest 97L makes landfall in Florida, it could make some river flooding last for weeks, the governor stated
“The incoming heavy rainfall, flooding, and gusty winds will cause widespread power outages due to downed trees and powerlines,” he said.
Canceled: Silver Alert For Missing Escambia County Woman
August 1, 2024
This silver alert has been canceled, according to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Further details were not released.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office has issued a silver alert for a missing 63-year -old Escambia County woman.
Diana Brandy Shannon was last seen Thursday in the 8300 block of Vickie Street in the Ensley area. She was last seen driving a white 2006 Dodge Caravan with Florida Tag# QQSY56.(actual vehicle pictured below). She is 5’0”, 188 pounds and mae be wearing glasses. She may be in need of medical attention, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Anyone with information is asked to call the ECSO at (850) 436-9620 or 911.
Free Sand For Storm Prep Available In Escambia County
August 1, 2024
Escambia County has free sand available for residents living in flood prone areas in advance of a system potentially moving into the Gulf of Mexico.
The sand is available on a first come, first served basis at the following locations:
- John R. Jones Jr. Athletic Park – 555 E. Nine Mile Road
- Don Sutton Park – 2320 Crabtree Church Road, Molino
- Travis M. Nelson Park - 4541 Highway 4, Bratt
- Equestrian Center – 7750 Mobile Highway
- Escambia County Road Department – 601 Highway 297A
- Brent Athletic Park – 4711 N. W St., Pensacola
- Ferry Pass Middle School -available on northwest corner of school property on Parazine Street
- Baars Field Athletic Park – 13001 Sorrento Road, Pensacola
Residents must bring their own sandbags and shovels. Sandbags are usually available for purchase at home improvement and hardware stores.
Pictured: Sand at Travis M. Nelson Park in Bratt. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Forest Service Grant To Establish Arboretum At Byrneville Community Park
August 1, 2024
A Florida Forest Service grant will be used to tree arboretum at the Byrneville Community Park.
Escambia County received a $23,650 Forest Service grant for the project. There will be 43 native trees planted at the park, which is located by the Byrneville Community Center, located at West Highway 4 and Highway 4A.
The project will enhance the public area but provide educational, aesthetic, and environmental benefits to this community, the county said. The park will become a learning tool with educational signage and serve as a local tree arboretum for citizens and students to see and learn about the diverse native tree species in our region and the many benefits provided by our tree canopy.
The Northview High School FFA and other volunteers have committed to assisting with maintenance of the trees.
It is expected that the first trees will be planted in October.
An arboretum is a place where trees or plants are cultivated for scientific or educational purposes.
Pictured: The Byrneville Park. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Century Approves Proposed Property Tax Rate, And It’s A Decrease
August 1, 2024
The Town of Century has set a proposed property tax rate for the next fiscal year.
The town council voted unanimously in a special meeting to approve a tentative millage rate of .9204, which has been the steady rate for several years.
That is 5.9% less than the rolled-back rate of .9781 mills, according to documents filed Wednesday. The rolled-back rate is a computed millage rate that would generate the same amount of ad valorem tax dollars as the prior fiscal year, based on the proposed year’s tax roll, excluding new construction. While Century’s tax rate will hold steady, it by definition a tax decrease as it is lower than the rolled-back rate.
Century’s adjusted prior year ad valorem proceeds are estimated at $50,148 from a property in the town with a taxable value of $51,271,029.
The millage rate must be approved at two upcoming meetings before it becomes final. The first budget public hearing is set for Tuesday, September 3 at 5:30 p.m. The second and final public hearing is set for September 12 at 5:30 p.m.
With the same .9204 millage rate last year, Century effectively approved a nearly 300% property tax increase, as defined by state law.
Pictured top: The Century Town Council voted this week to set a proposed property tax rate for the next fiscal year. Pictured inset: Century council member Henry Cunningham reviews the tax rate information. Pictured below: Century interim town manager Howard Brown and procurement specialist Bobbi Williams attended the meeting remotely. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Atmore Couple Charged After Children Allegedly Found Living In Squalor Alongside Drugs
August 1, 2024
An Atmore couple was charged with the chemical endangerment of a child and multiple drug offenses after police reportedly found children living in squalor with drugs nearby.
Nikki Presley, 24, and her husband, 37-year-old Corderela Dirden were both charged with possession of a controlled substance, chemical endangerment of a child and possession of drug paraphernalia. Both were booked into the Escambia County Detention Center without bond.
The arrests came after the Atmore Police Department responded to a reported domestic disturbance in the 300 block of Jacks Springs Road. When the officers arrived on the scene, they encountered a male and a female in the front yard who claimed they weren’t involved in a disturbance.
After checking their identifications, officers discovered that 50-year-old Lori Nelson had an active felony warrant for failure to appear in a possession of dangerous drugs case with the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office. Nelson was detained as officers continued to investigate.
Officers contacted Presley has she exited the residence. She informed police that they could go inside where Dirden was. Dirden had an outstanding misdemeanor warrant from APD.
“While looking for Dirden, the officers found three children under 4 years of age asleep in a bedroom and in the living room with drug paraphernalia and methamphetamine in close proximity. Dirden was located and was
placed under arrest in reference to the active misdemeanor warrants,” Atmore Police Sgt. Darrell McMann said. “The officers also observed the residence was infested with roaches and other insects. The floor was littered
with dirty diapers, food, feces, and other waste. The Department of Human Resources was contacted, and the children were turned over to a family member.”
Nelson was turned over to the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office.
Two Injured In Highway 29 Crash At Bluff Spring Road
August 1, 2024
Two people were reportedly injured in a two vehicle crash Wednesday afternoon on Highway 29.
The driver of a SUV apparently collided with the rear of a pickup truck at the intersection of Highway 29 and Bluff Springs Road.
One person was transported to the hospital by Escambia County EMS, and a second person was going to the hospital in a private vehicle.
None of the injuries were considered critical.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating and has not released additional details.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Woman Dies After Beulah Shooting
August 1, 2024
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said a 25-year-old woman shot Saturday night in Beulah has passed away from her injuries.
The ECSO said a death investigation is now underway.
The shooting happened about 8:40 Saturday night at a home on Cali lane near Frank Reeder Road.
Deputies responded to a report of a female with a gunshot wound and found the woman had in fact been shot. She was transported to an area hospital where she later died.’
Further details have not been released.