Hunter Bags 400 Pound Wild Hog
February 7, 2013
A giant wild hog that had eluded hunters for years was killed Wednesday morning by Angus Brewton of Walnut Hill. The wild hog, weighing in at 400 pounds, was killed on the the Black Branch Hunting Club between Pine Barren Road and Pine Barren Creek, just south of Lambert Bridge Road. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Woman Charged With Pulling Gun On Her Sister
February 6, 2013
A Century woman is behind bars charged with pulling a gun on her sister in an argument over care for their elderly mother.
Mattie Alice Carter, 60, is charged with aggravated assault. She remained in the Escambia County Jail early Wednesday morning with bond set at $100,000.
Carter allegedly got into a verbal argument with her 64-year old sister at their mother’s residence on Jefferson Avenue over money owed by the sister to Carter for their mother’s care. The sister told deputies that Carter pulled a black handgun on her and stated, “I’m gonna blow your [expletive] head off if you don’t give me my money”, according to an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office arrest report.
The victim fled the residence and called deputies.
Residents Report ‘Boom’ Or Explosion; Cause Linked To Hurlburt Field
February 6, 2013
Residents across a wide area reported feeling or hearing a large “boom” or explosion that rattled their homes just after 10:00 Tuesday night.
The noise and rattle were reportedly caused by target practice at Hulbert Field involving AC-130 gunships. Original reports were that noise originated with an unspecified training exercise that originated at Eglin Air Force Base, but an Eglin spokesperson said Wednesday morning that was not the case.
Most of the reports received by NorthEscambia.com were centered in an area from Molino to Cantonment to Nine Mile Road, east across Pensacola Bay into Pace and Milton. There were no reports of any explosions, plane crashes or other events in the two-county area as being rumored Tuesday night on Facebook and other social media sites.
Escambia Invesigators Seize 17 Pounds Of Spice From Seven Stores
February 6, 2013
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office seized over 17 pounds of synthetic marijuana with a street value of about $40,000 from seven convenience stores in the county during undercover operations last week.
Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Unit targeted 11 convenience stores and found seven to be participating in the sale and distribution of synthetic marijuana, commonly known as spice. Investigators seized a total of 1,790 packages of suspected spice during last Friday’s operation.
Several felony charges and arrests are pending further investigation, the Sheriff’s Office said Monday. No other details, including the locations of the stores, have been released.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Effort Underway To Collect Taxes On Internet Sales
February 6, 2013
An annual effort to collect taxes on Internet sales began again in the Legislature on Tuesday, with a Senate committee agreeing to offset any new money collected with other tax breaks in a bid to appease anti-tax lawmakers.
The Senate Commerce and Tourism Committee approved a measure (SB 316) by committee chairwoman Sen. Nancy Detert, R-Venice, that would require Internet vendors who sell to Florida residents to pay state sales tax.
The bill would require Internet based companies, even if they don’t have a physical presence in Florida, to pay sales tax when a product is sold to a person residing in Florida. Though estimates vary widely, Detert said the tax would generate about $400 million in additional sales tax revenue.
The bill was approved 10-1, but still needs approval from three other Senate committees before the floor. A similar House bill (HB 497) is yet to get a committee hearing.
The effort to collect Internet taxes has been cursed for years by the fear of a backlash from voters for voting to increase taxes – even though backers have long argued that the tax is supposed to be charged already, but simply isn’t paid.
In an attempt to win over anti-tax lawmakers, the measure this year includes a $141 million sales tax cut for machinery and equipment used in manufacturing and another $150 million cut in the communication services tax, charged on certain phone and other telecommunications services.
“Rather than worry about whether this is a new tax, a tax reduction, or a tax increase, what this really is, is tax reform,” Detert said.
Business groups queued up on Tuesday to add their support. Representatives from the Florida Chamber of Commerce and Associated Industries of Florida said the time has come to end Internet tax breaks that hurt storefronts and strip malls – now sometimes places that simply showcase items that are later purchased on the web.
“It puts everyone on an equal footing,” said Sen. Gwen Margolis, D- Miami. “I’m tired of seeing empty shopping centers. The money is walking away from Florida.”
“It has been a lingering problem and it has only gotten bigger and bigger,” said Randy Miller, executive vice president of the Florida Retail Federation. “The face of retailing is changing. We recognize that people don’t want to go to the mall anymore. They want to sit at their computer.”
“This protects employees – employees who bring paychecks home to provide for their families,” said Brewster Bevis, senior vice president for Associated Industries of Florida.
Noticeably absent from Tuesday meeting were representatives of Amazon.com and other Internet merchants that enjoy a competitive advantage.
By The News Service of Florida
Ernest Ward To Hold Orientation, Registration Event
February 6, 2013
Ernest Ward Middle School will hold an orientation and registration for all students who plan to attend EWMS next school year. The event will be held Thursday, February 21 from 5:30 until 7:00 p.m. in the school gym.
Invitations have already been sent home with sixth and seventh grade EWMS students, along with students from Byrneville, Bratt and Molino Park elementary schools.
The invitation includes a free meal catered by Archie’s Catering Smokehouse for the immediate family of each student who returns the completed form to their homeroom teacher, guidance counselor or the school office by Tuesday, February 12.
During the program, EWMS and staff will be available to answer questions and explain middle school programs, extracurricular activities, and middle school academies. Parents are encouraged to attend the event to complete their child’s registration process for the next school year.
Century’s ‘Illegal’ Nativity Scene Named Community Pride Award Winner
February 6, 2013
Those behind displaying a nativity scene that once belonged to the Town of Century until it came under attack by an atheist group’s attorney as being illegal, are the February recipients of the Century Chamber of Commerce’s Community Pride Award.
The nativity scene was displayed in December on property across Highway 29 from the Century Town Hall. The town declared the nativity scene as surplus property to be sold to the highest bidder after an attorney for the Wisconsin-based Freedom from Religion Foundation sent letters to the town claiming that a nativity scene on public property is illegal.
The nativity display was purchased by the Faith Bible Baptist Church. It was erected and lit by church volunteers in front of an abandoned building directly across Highway 29 from the Century Town Hall. The use of the property was donated by owner Don Grant of Century Marine. Electricity for the display was donated by the neighboring Abundant Life Assembly of God, while Tabernacle Baptist Church donated the wiring necessary to light the display.
The three churches and Century Marine will receive the Community Pride Award for their efforts. The award is set to be presented on Thursday.
For more about the nativity scene and the atheist group’s claims, click here for December NorthEscambia.com story.
Pictured top and below: The Town of Century’s nativity scene was sold as surplus property to a local church and put on display in December across the street from town hall. Pictured inset; The Century Town Hall (with Christmas lights) is just across Highway 29 from the nativity scene. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Northview, Jay Advance In District Basketball Tourney
February 6, 2013
Northview and Jay both advanced in the District 2-1A basketball tournament at Jay Tuesday.
The No. 3 seed Northview Chiefs beat Freeport 61-43, and the No. 4 seed Jay beat the Baker Gators 53-47 in overtime.
Northview will take on No. 2 Bonifay Friday at 6 p.m., and Jay will face No. 1 Chipley at 7:30 p.m. Friday night’s winners will advance to the championship game at 6 p.m. Saturday in Jay.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Reader Photos: DirecTV Blimp Passes Over North Escambia
February 6, 2013
The DirecTV blimp was spotted over North Escambia Tuesday. These photos from readers Ben and Rachel Gilmore show the blimp over Molino, as seen from Rolling Oaks Drive and Schaag Road. Submitted photos for Northescambia.com, click to enlarge.
Jay Man Passes Away After Wreck
February 5, 2013
A Jay man passed away Monday afternoon from injuries he received in a Monday night wreck.
The Florida Highway Patrol said 40-year old David Willis Bell of Jay was traveling north on Hazel Godwin Road north of County Road 184 in the Brownsdale community about 9:45 p.m. when he lost control. Bell’s 2008 Dodge truck struck several trees, ejecting him onto the roadway.
Bell was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola were he was pronounced deceased at 12:49 Tuesday afternoon.
Bell’s passenger, 22-year old Cheyanne Coty Bishop of Milton, was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital with minor injuries.
The crash is still under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol Traffic Homicide Unit.