Escambia VAB Hearing, Agenda Review Canceled This Week
January 7, 2024
The Value Adjustment Board hearing and Agenda Review, originally scheduled for 8:30 and 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 9, have been canceled. The Value Adjustment Board hearing will be rescheduled for a later date.
The Community Redevelopment Agency, originally scheduled for 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 9, will now take place at 5:25 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 9 prior to the start of the Board of County Commissioners meeting.
Florida Back To School Sales Tax Holiday Is Continuing
January 7, 2024
As students head back to school in January, Florida is holdinh its second, two-week ack-to-School Sales Tax Holiday from Monday, January 1, 2024 through Sunday, January 14, 2024.
Parents will get a break from the state’s sales tax on school-related items, just like each Fall.. No Florida sales tax or local option tax will be collected during this time on the sale of the following items:
- Clothing, footwear, and certain accessories with a sales price of $100 or less per item
- Certain school supplies with a sales price of $50 or less per item
- Learning aids and jigsaw puzzles with a sales price of $30 or less
- Personal computers, laptops, monitors, and certain computer-related accessories with a sales price of $1,500 or less, when purchased for noncommercial home or personal use
Among the allowed school supplies are the following: calculators, colored pencils, crayons, pens, construction paper, lunch boxes, notebooks, glue, paste, staplers, markers, rulers, and scissors.
Examples of learning aids and jigsaw puzzles include electronic or interactive books, flashcards, memory games, puzzle books, search-and-find books, toys intended to teach reading or math skills, and stacking or nesting blocks or sets.
For detailed information, click or tap here (pdf).
New Voting Precinct Added In Growing Beulah Area
January 7, 2024
The Escambia County Supervisor of Elections just announced a new precinct and polling location have been added to accommodate the growing Beulah area. The new Precinct 115, which was created by dividing Precinct 43 into two precincts, was approved by the Board of County Commissioners last month.
The portion of Precinct 43 north of Mobile Highway and south of 9 Mile Road will become the new Precinct 115, while the portion south of Mobile Highway will remain in Precinct 43. The new polling location for Precinct 115 will be located at First Baptist Church of Beulah, 5808 Beulah Church Road. Precinct 43 voters will continue to vote at Beulah Freewill Baptist Church, 7561 Mobile Highway.
All voters impacted by this precinct change will be notified by mail with a new voter information card and a map to the new polling location. Precinct 115 voters will be voting in the same districts and contests in 2024 as they have since the last redistricting process following the 2020 Census.
On Election Day, the polls will be open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. Voters will receive a sample ballot in advance of each election, including information on early voting, which will be available at several locations throughout the county prior to the 2024 Presidential Primary, Primary, and General Elections. Voters who wish to vote-by-mail can contact our office by phone or use the online form at EscambiaVotes.gov.
It is very important for voters to keep their voter registration information current. Most updates to voter records can now be made online if you have a Florida Driver’s License or ID card, by visiting RegistertoVoteFlorida.gov. Voters can also contact our office with any questions by phone at (850) 595-3900 or email at soe@escambiavotes.gov.
Genia Bashore Named Bratt Elementary’s Teacher Of The Year
January 7, 2024
Genia Bashore has been named the Bratt Elementary School Teacher of the Year. Bashore is Bratt Elementary’s music teacher. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
NorthEscambia.com is welcoming 2024 honoring the Teachers of the Year from North Escambia schools over the next several days. Escambia County’s overall Teacher of the Year will be named in February.
Here Are The Road Work Construction Spots To Watch This Week
January 7, 2024
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.
Escambia County:
- Mobile Highway (U.S. 90) Resurfacing from Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90A) to west of Pine Forest Road (State Road (S.R.) 297) - Drivers may encounter nighttime lane closures, between Nine Mile Road and Pine Forest Road, Sunday, Jan. 7 through Thursday, Jan. 11 from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. as crews pave the roadway.
- U.S. 29 (North Century Boulevard) Resurfacing between Henry Street and Cottage Street in Century – Northbound and southbound traffic on U.S. 29 (North Century Boulevard) is shifted to one outside travel lane in each direction between Rudolph Street and Green Street. The shift will be in place through the end of the year as crews perform drainage improvements. Signage will be in place to safely direct drivers through the work zone.
- Lillian Highway (S.R. 298) Resurfacing from north of U.S. 98 to east of Fairfield Drive (S.R. 727) and Lillian Highway at Blue Angel Parkway (S.R. 173) – Drivers will encounter intermittent daytime and nighttime lane closures between U.S. 98 and Blue Angel Parkway, Monday, Jan. 8 through Friday, Jan. 12 as crews perform signing and striping work.
- County Road (C.R.) 4 over Canoe Creek Bridge – C.R. 4, between Byrneville and Bratt, will be closed until fall 2024 as crews replace the Canoe Creek bridge. Traffic is directed through a 5.6-mile detour using Bratt Road to Pine Barren Road, then back to C.R. 4.
- S.R. 297 (Pine Forest Road) Turn Lane Operations at Legends at Pine Forest – Drivers may encounter intermittent lane closures Wednesday, Jan. 10 from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. for turn lane operations.
Santa Rosa County:
- U.S. 90 Bridge Replacement over Simpson River - The outside (right) lane of U.S. 90 eastbound on the Simpson River Bridge will be closed Tuesday, Jan. 9 through Thursday, Jan. 11 from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. as crews perform construction activities for the new bridge. Drivers are reminded that the speed limit is 35 mph throughout the work zone.
- U.S. 98 Widening from Bayshore Road to Portside Drive – Motorists will encounter the following traffic impacts:
- Median and turn-lane closures from Bayshore Road to Tiger Lake Drive.
- Intermittent lane closures and additional median closures between Bayshore Road and Tiger Lake Drive Sunday, Jan. 7, through Friday, Jan. 12, from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for stormwater drainage improvements and paving operations.
- S.R. 87 Resurfacing from Hickory Hammock Road (C.R. 184) to Technology Avenue – Drivers may experience intermittent S.R. 87 single-lane closures, between Hickory Hammock Road and Technology Avenue, Monday, Jan. 8 through Friday, Jan. 12 from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. for turn lane construction and paving operations.
- I-10 westbound at Blackwater River Resurfacing – Drivers will encounter intermittent single-lane closures on I-10 westbound, from the Ward Basin Road on-ramp (exit 28) to the Black Water River Bridge eastern approach, Sunday, Jan. 7 through Thursday, Jan. 11 between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. for construction activities.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Escambia Man Gets 25 Years For Fleeing Traffic Stop, Meth Trafficking
January 7, 2024
An Escambia county man has been sentenced to 25 years in state prison for drug trafficking and other charges after a pursuit and multiple crashes.
Charles Ingmire, Jr. was sentenced by Circuit Judge Coleman Lee Robinson to 25 years, including a 3 year minimum mandatory, in state prison for trafficking in methamphetamine, fleeing or attempting to elude law enforcement, possession of fentanyl, leaving the scene of an accident involving property damage, and driving while license suspended or revoked third conviction.
On December 15, 2022, law enforcement officers attempted to pull Ingmire over for a traffic infraction at which time he fled at high speed and drove recklessly through heavy traffic areas. Ingmire struck another vehicle and continued to flee while driving on a rim. He eventually bailed out of the vehicle after crashing through a residential fence and striking additional vehicles. Prosecutors said Ingmire left drugs, identification, credit cards, his cell phone, and social security card in the vehicle.
Ingmire has a lengthy criminal history and served time in state prison on three prior occasions. He was convicted after a jury trial held on October 31, 2023.
Flomaton Counterfeit Cash Suspect Charged With Burglary At Century Business
January 6, 2024
We are learning more about the Flomaton conterfeit cash suspect arrested for burglary in Century.
Aaron Tyrone Madison, 40, was charged with larceny, felony unarmed burglary of a conveyance, attempted burglary, and attempted grand theft of a motor vehicle.
Madison allegedly stole a battery out of a pickup truck at the NAPA Auto Parts on North Century Boulevard. According to an arrest report, Madison was caught on surveillance video outside the connected Jasper Engines and Transmissions checking multiple vehicles to see if they were locked, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, before taking the battery.
Madison was positively identified from a photo lineup. Deputies noted that he lives within walking distance of the business.
Flomaton Police said Madisonhas warrants in Alabama for counterfeit bills, failure to appear, second degree criminal mischief, and first degree theft of property.
Madison’s bond was set at $125,000 at the Escambia County (FL) Jail as he awaits extradition to Escambia County, Alabama, on the counterfeit charges.
Free Winter Jackets Available For Children In Century; Register Now
January 6, 2024
Through the support of Subaru of America, Inc, United Way of West Florida and Anderson Subaru have partnered to provide brand-new winter jackets to youth in Century. The gift of a brand-new jacket will provide warmth, and build confidence and hope to the youth of Century.
To receive a free coat and atten the event, parents or guardians should complete the form here by Monday, January 8.
Emails will be sent if your child is approved to receive a coat during an event on January 15. Availability is based on a first come first serve.
For assistance, call (850) 912-8168.
NorthEscambia.com graphic.
Convicted Drug Trafficker Sentenced To 55 Years For New Violations
January 6, 2024
An Escambia County drug trafficker has been sentenced to over half a century in prison.
Judge Coleman Lee Robinso sentenced Jeremiah Antwoine Frye to 55 years in state prison.
Frye was released from prison on May 2, 2022, and placed on 24 months of community control for prior criminal charges. On May 3, 2023, the he was found in possession of trafficking amounts of
cocaine (approximately 248 grams), about 132 grams of oxycodone and (over 800 tablets of fentanyl). At a contested hearing on November 15, 2023, he was found guilty of violating his supervision based on the new law violations.
Sheriff Pushes ‘Ladarius Clardy Act’ With Tougher Penalties For Drive-By Shootings
January 6, 2024
Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons is calling for the Legislature to pass a bill providing tougher penalties for drive-by shootings.
House Bill 807 and Senate Bill 1050, dubbed the Ladarius Clardy Act, have been filed in an attempt to prevent and reduce drive-by shootings in Florida.
Simmons has also recommended naming the legislation after Ladarius (LD) Clardy. In July of 2021, LD Clardy was shot and killed in a drive-by shooting, though he was not the intended target.
Simmons approached the local legislative delegation with the idea and Repr. Michelle Salzman was able to get a sponsor for the potential legislation. Currently, House Bill 807 and Senate Bill 1050 are working their way through the Legislature. These similar bills, if passed, would create the Ladarius Clardy Act and provide for appropriate penalties.