Monday Is Escambia Real Estate, Tangible Tax Deadline
April 25, 2012
All 2011 unpaid real estate and personal property taxes must be paid and a receipt issued by 4:30 p.m. Monday, April 30 to avoid being advertised as delinquent, according to Escambia County Tax Collector Janet Holley.
Online, automated phone payments, and drop box payments may be made at the April rate by midnight April 30 but will not prevent advertising if not paid by 4:30 p.m.
Payments must be processed:
- in person at one of four branch offices by 4:30 p.m. April 30;
- through the call center at (850) 438-6500 x3252 by 4:30 p.m. April 30;
- online at www.escambiataxcollector.com by midnight April 30;
- on the automated telephone number (800) 601-1055 by midnight April 30;
or
- left in any 24-hour drop boxes available at all offices by midnight April 30.
All late payments will be returned for additional fees, according to Holley.
Gopher Tortoises Emerging, New Wildlife Conservation Efforts Aim To Protect
April 25, 2012
As gopher tortoises are emerging across the North Escambia area, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is offering information and tips to protect the species, while the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service in Florida is taking applications from landowners for technical and financial assistance to restore and protect the gopher tortoise habitat.
Gopher tortoises move slowly through ‘spring training’ of grazing, burrow-digging
The gopher tortoise is emerging from winter dormancy and moving slowly and steadily through the landscape in search of greenery to eat and a new place to dig its burrow.
Look for gopher tortoises’ distinctive domed brown shells and stumpy legs, as these land-dwellers make their way through Florida’s open canopy forests and sandy areas. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) asks people to remember that gopher tortoises are good neighbors, so leave them and their burrows alone.
“The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission works with, and is grateful to, the homeowners, landowners, businesses and public agencies willing to share their lands with gopher tortoises and their burrows,” said Deborah Burr, the FWC’s gopher tortoise plan coordinator. “This state has made progress in reversing the decline of gopher tortoises by providing direction to developers, including re-locating tortoises if necessary, and help to people interested in making room for tortoises.”
Since the Gopher Tortoise Management Plan took effect in 2007, an annual average of 36,000 acres of gopher tortoise habitat has been restored and managed; protected tortoise habitat expanded by more than 6,500 acres; and more than 4,000 gopher tortoises were humanely relocated from development sites.
“In addition to changes in Florida’s economy, the needs of the gopher tortoise have changed since the plan was first approved in 2007,” Burr said. “The proposed revisions to the plan include new actions that the FWC and our partners can implement together to improve the status of the species, and help secure viable populations well into the future.”
In Florida, it is illegal to harm gopher tortoises or their extensive burrows, which provide shelter to more than 350 other native species. Generally, the only time people should pick up and move a gopher tortoise is to help it get across a road. Remember, though, not to put the tortoise in your car. Do point the tortoise in the same direction it was going when you picked it up, but never put it in the water because it is a land animal.
The gopher tortoise can live 40-60 years in the wild.
New Wildlife Conservation efforts to protect gopher tortoise habitat
The USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Florida is currently taking applications for technical and financial assistance on a new innovative partnership approach to restore and protect the habitat for targeted threatened and endangered species, while also helping other vulnerable and game species. Florida landowners can sign-up for assistance to help manage and restore habitat for the gopher tortoise.
Interested producers and landowners in Florida can enroll in the Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program (WHIP) on a continuous basis at their local NRCS field office. NRCS funds from WHIP will share the cost of conservation practices with landowners. All eligible applications received by the application cutoff date of April 30, 2012 will be assigned a priority and ranked as needed. If funds are available a second ranking cut-off date will be May 30, 2012.
Escambia County’s NRCS field office is located at 151 Highway 97 in Molino. For more information, call (850) 587-5345. In Santa Rosa County, the NRCS field office is located at 6277 Dogwood Drive in Milton, call (850) 623-2441.
Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Playoff Wins For Tate Baseball, Softball
April 25, 2012
Tuesday was a good night for the Tate Aggies in playoff softball and baseball.
In softball, the Tate Lady Aggies (20-9) beat Mosley 8-6. Tate will now play Niceville on Friday at Tate in the regional semifinals.
The Tate Aggies topped Washington 5-0 in baseball to advance in the district tourney. Tate will play Wednesday at 4 p.m. against the Escambia Gators at Milton High School.
Counties, Including Escambia, To Appeal Online Travel Ruling
April 25, 2012
A group of counties — including Escambia — will appeal a Leon County circuit judge’s ruling that online travel companies do not have to pay disputed hotel taxes, an attorney for the counties said Tuesday.
Circuit Judge James Shelfer sided last week with online travel companies, such as Orbitz and Expedia, in a long-running legal battle with 17 counties about the payment of tourist-development taxes.
Roberto Martinez, an attorney for the counties, said Tuesday the case is “far from over” and that the counties definitely will appeal. “We respect the court’s ruling, but we’re disappointed, and we will file a notice of appeal to the 1st District Court of Appeal,” he said.
Shelfer made the oral ruling during a hearing Thursday and still must sign a written order. A similar case, filed by Broward County, also is pending in Leon County circuit court, though it is being heard by a different judge.
Online-travel companies, which serve as middlemen between hotels and travelers, charge customers for room rentals and fees related to providing the service. The legal fight centers on whether tourist-development taxes apply to the total cost that customers pay or only to the portion that goes for room rentals. While counties say the total cost should be taxed, the industry says taxing its fees would amount to a services tax.
ECHS Head Coach Mark Heaton Leaving For New Job
April 25, 2012
Mark Heaton, head football coach and athletic director at Escambia County High School in Atmore is leaving.
Heaton is taking over as athletic director and head football coach at Haleyville High School in northwestern Alabama. In two seasons at ECHS, Heaton was 14-9, including a 2010 quarterfinal appearance in the state playoff series.
Heaton’s employment was approved Tuesday night by the Haleyville Board of Education with a start date of May 1. A dozen people were interviewed for the position.
He is a former offensive coordinator for the Northview Chiefs and head coach for the J.U. Blacksher Bulldogs in Uriah, Ala., where he went 13-9.
Heaton’s wife, Betty, is the head volleyball coach and teaches reading at Northview High School. Reports indicate she is expected to follow her husband to northwestern Alabama by next school year.
Wahoos Fall As Biscuits Take Series
April 25, 2012
Montgomery shortstop Hak-Ju Lee drove in three runs with a triple in the fifth, while third baseman Cole Figueroa and designated hitter Greg Sexton both recorded multi-hit games, as the Biscuits defeated the Pensacola Blue Wahoos on Tuesday afternoon at Riverwalk Stadium. The win gives Montgomery a 3-2 series victory over the Blue Wahoos.
Leading 4-3 going into the fifth, Montgomery LF Omar Luna singled, while Sexton walked and RF Emeel Salem reached on a base knock to load the bases and set the stage for Lee. The shortstop then drove the second pitch of the at bat into the right-center field gap to bring home all three runners and give the Biscuits a four-run cushion in what proved to be the game’s crucial hit.
Montgomery had taken an early 2-0 advantage with a pair of scores in the opening frame. 1B Michael Sheridan lifted a sacrifice fly to left to send in the game’s first run, while Sexton would subsequently drive in Figueroa, who had singled earlier, to push the Biscuits ahead 2-0.
The Blue Wahoos answered however, with a three-run third frame to take a 3-2 lead. An RBI single from 3B Henry Rodriguez got the scoring started, while 2B Brodie Greene doubled to left to score Rodriguez. Pensacola then took advantage of a passed ball to plate the go-ahead run.
But the Biscuits would tie it at 3-3 in their half of the third. Sheridan led off with a walk, stole second and then advanced to third on a wild pitch before subsequently scoring on a run-scoring single from CF Brad Coon.
Pensacola capped their scoring in the seventh after C Mark Fleury led off with a double and took third on a ground out before coming home on a sacrifice fly from SS Didi Gregorius. Gregorius was held hitless to snap his torrid 10-game hitting streak, during which he lead all Minor Leaguers in hits, batting average and on-base percentage.
Montgomery starter Joe Cruz (5.0 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 2 SO) earned the win after allowing just two earned runs on only three hits in five frames, while reliever Jim Paduch (1.0 IP, 1 SO) notched his second save of the year for the Biscuits. Blue Wahoos starter J.C. Sulbaran (4.2 IP, 8 H, 7 R, 6 ER, 4 BB, 3 SO) suffered the loss to fall to 1-2 after surrendering six earned runs on eight hits in 4.2 innings.
The Blue Wahoos now travel to Jacksonville for a five-game series with the Suns, the Double-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins. First pitch for the series is set for Wednesday night at 6:05 pm central time. Pensacola is slated to give the ball to RHP Pedro Villarreal for the series opener, while Jacksonville’s starter has not yet been announced.
Up For A Volleyball Team? Spring Scalpball Tournament Planned
April 25, 2012
The Northview High School volleyball team will host the Spring 2012 Scalpball Tournament on May 19.
It will be a four versus four volleyball tournament for anyone over the age of 14. There will be two divisions — 14-19 and age 20 and up. Teams can be all male or female, or they can be coed. There can be up to five players per team.
The tournament begins at 8:30 a.m. at the Northview gym and the First Baptist Church of Bratt gym, with the finals to be played at Northview.
Team fees are $12 per player if paid by Friday, April 27, $14 per player if paid by May 11 and $15 per player if paid by May 16. Registration forms can be printed by clicking here, or obtained at Northview High School’s attendance desk or the Atmore YMCA.
All proceeds benefit the volleyball program at Northview High School.
For tournament information and a printable registration form click here (pdf).
Pictured top: Winners in the Spring 2011 Scalpball Tournament Team Bradley: Josh Bilon, Tara Bradley, Michael Bradley, Dan McDonald and Mike Dalton. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
4-H Approves $3.6 Million Navy Federal Land Deal
April 24, 2012
The children and teens on the Escambia 4-H County Council voted Monday to sell the 240 acre Langley Bell 4-H Center to Navy Federal Credit Union.
The young 4-H Council members, who represented 4-H Clubs across the county, voted 21-16 in favor of the sale and a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that specifies what happens next to 4-H.
The sale will next go to the Escambia County Commission, the members of which serve as trustees for the 4-H property. The MOU also creates a 4-H Extension Task Force to consider what happens next for 4-H between to proposed options.
“We plan on staying involved,” 4-H Council President Devon Bell, age 18, said. “Both options are out there, but there’s room for a lot of improvements on both options. We want the best for 4-H.”
If they agree to terms with the county, Navy Federal will pay $3.6 million for the property next to the credit union’s campus in Beulah. The Escambia Commission will also contibute $1.5 million in local option sales tax funds to construct a new 4-H building with the plans subject to the approval of the Extension Service.
Option one of the approved MOU will construct the new building on 23 acres at the Escambia County Extension Service on Stefani Road. The first option also provides for 20-30 acres next to the Roy Hyatt Environmental Center in cooperation with the Escambia County School Board for animal-related programs and other appropriate 4-H activities. This property will be in addition to the facility to be located at the Extension Service on Stefani Road.
The second option would allow for the purchase of other acreage and propert with up to $1.6 million of the Navy Federal sale proceeds for the use of the 4-H program. The “Friends of 4-H”, a group of of 4-H supporters, is calling for the purchase of former the former Bayer Crop Science Facility on Crabtree Church Road in Molino. The 250 acres stretches from Crabtree Church Road north to Highway 97 near Molino Park Elementary School.
“We are going to keep pressure on the Extension Office to make sure the MOU is followed regardless of the option chosen,” said Jacob Gilmore, Friends of 4-H member. “The $1.6 million available from the Langley Bell purchase could be used for the purchase of the Bayer property. We would like to see the Extension Office moved to the Bayer property.”
“We do want to keep the pressure on and be involved in the process to make sure the 4-H’ers receive the best,” Whitney Fike, another Friends of 4-H member.
George Carpenter, president of the Escambia County 4-H Foundation, also agreed that the process will be watched for the best interest of the young 4-H members.
“Regardless of the commission votes and what happens next, we will be looking out for the 4-H’ers,” Carpenter said. “If this all works out and the property is sold, it can be a win-win for 4-H and Navy Federal. But we will be working to protect the interests of 4-H.”
“This really is all about the youth,” Wilson Robertson, chairman of the Escambia County Commission and 4-H trustee, said. “We have tried to step out of the way, but we will do what is in the best interest of the 4-H’ers.”
For a photo gallery, click here.
Pictured top: 4-H County Council President Devon Bell (right) watches as Sonya Daniel (left) and Wilma David from the Escambia County Supervisor of Elections Office count ballots on the sale of the Langley Bell 4-H Center to Navy Federal. Pictured top inset: Bell signs off on the ballot results. Pictured bottom inset: County Commission Chairman Wilson Robertson addresses 4-H supporters. Pictured below: Audience members watch as ballots are counted. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Union Pushes For ECAT Public Transit Gas Tax
April 24, 2012
The union that represents ECAT drivers is pushing for a new 3-cent gas tax to fund public transit in Escambia County.
After the Escambia County Commission considered, and decided against, cutting $3.7 million in funding for libraries, commissioners also mentioned the idea of cutting $3 million in funding for ECAT and replacing it with a 3-cent gas tax that would be in addition to the county’s current 10-cent levy.
Escambia County is facing a projected $9.5 million budget deficit this year, with $6.2 million of that money going to the state after a requirement that counties reimburse Tallahassee for unpaid Medicaid expenses that have been adding up for over a decade.
In a letter to the commission, Michael A. Lowery, president of the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1395, said he supports the gas tax.
Lowery said the transit union supports the gas tax rather than closing libraries.
“The Union also stands strong behind maintaining our Library System for the great citizens of Escambia County and we would argue that having access to public libraries and funded by our County is crucial to support many of our lower income citizens and their children for furthering their education. Many of these citizens don’t have the ability and means to afford the books, internet, and library programs to be successful,” Lowery wrote.
He said the gas tax would cost the average Escambia County driver about $20 per year.
If the library funding had been cut, the Century Branch Library would have been closed, and the currently under-construction Molino Library would never open.
Pictured top: A gas war of sorts continued Monday in Cantonment and Molino, with several stations selling a gallon of regular for $3.65 — several cents below the rest of Escambia County. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Identities Released: Clerk, Robber Both Dead After Store Shootout
April 24, 2012
The identities have been released of a clerk and a robber both killed in a shootout at an Escambia County store Monday evening.
Shortly after 5 p.m., 33-year-old Joshua Levi Hilton of Pensacola entered the AC Grocery at the intersection of Pace Boulevard and Godfrey Street and robbed store clerk Terra Denise Fountain, age 41, at gunpoint, according to investigators.
During the robbery, Fountain retrieved a firearm, and both exchanged gunfire inside the store. Hilton managed to flee the store on foot, but collapsed a short distance away. Hilton was still clutching the gun and money he had taken, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. He died a short time later at a local hospital.
Fountain was pronounced dead at the scene.
There were no other suspects in the robbery, the Sheriff’s Office said.
Nearly two hours after the shooting, dozens of onlookers were still at the scene, watching as crime scene technicians processed evidence. Deputies stood watch, keeping the onlookers back from crime scene tape surrounding the parking lot of the small store. One of the glass windows of the store was shattered.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery from the scene, click here.
Pictured top: Both a robber and store clerk died in a shootout at the AC Grocery on Pace Boulevard Monday evening. Pictured inset: An Escambia County Sheriff’s Office investigator works inside the store following the shootings. Pictured below: A crime scene technician (left) gathers evidence near a shattered window in the small grocery store. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
