Escambia Property Tax Bills Are In The Mail. Here’s How You Can Get A Discount.
November 1, 2022
The collection of 2022 real estate and tangible personal property taxes begins today, November 1. The bills were mailed on Monday.
This year’s rolls include 182,129 accounts totaling over $386 million, according to Escambia County Tax Collector Scott Lunsford.
Discounts are available for early payments:
- November payments are discounted 4%
- December payments are discounted 3%
- January payments are discounted 2%
- February payments are discounted 1%
- March payments receive no discount, and the gross amount is due by close of business on March 31, 2023. Any payment made April 1 and after is considered delinquent and will be assessed a penalty.
Help is available for those taxpayers who may need to make partial payments. If a property owner decides to make partial payments, the following information applies:
- Property owner must submit an application (found on the back of the tax bill, online at EscambiaTaxCollector.com or available at the tax collector’s office) with initial partial payment.
- Partial payments are accepted for current year taxes only between November 1 and March 31.
- No discount allowed for partial payments.
- A $10 processing fee is deducted from each partial payment.
- Partial payments are not accepted after March 31, and any remaining balance as of April 1 is delinquent and subject to all applicable penalties and fees.
Lunsford encourages taxpayers to take advantage of the Tax Payment Installment Plan. By utilizing this plan, taxpayers make four quarterly payments instead of one lump sum payment. Each quarterly bill will receive a different discount for early payment. The quarterly payments are due by the last day of June, September, December, and March. The payment plan application deadline for 2023 property taxes is April 30, 2023.
Property owners can apply online at EscambiaTaxCollector.com.
“The installment program not only helps ease the financial burden on taxpayers by allowing them to spread out the payments, it also provides a discount for making payments on time,” Lunsford said.
Tate High School Names 2023 Hall Of Fame Members
November 1, 2022
The Tate High School Senior Class of 2023 Hall of Fame members have been announced.
They are:
- Ashley Abney
- Ellee Adams
- McKenzie Alfred
- Landry Bellard
- Frederick Benjamin
- Lavarion Blanton
- Chloe Cole
- Ava Claire Culbertson
- Landen George
- Savannah Guilford
- Adriana Guthrie
- Adyson Illian
- Rebekah Kelly
- Nathan Killingsworth
- Erica Langton
- Avery Leventhal
- Baylor Locke
- Ryleigh Maxwell
- Aidan McKinney
- Paige McKinney
- Drew Reaves
- Ilyas “Michael” Sardar
- Margaret Shaffer
- Caiden Stone
- Cara Willis
NorthEscambia.com photo.
Escambia Man Gets 45 Years For Relationship With Teen Girl
November 1, 2022
An Escambia County man has been sentenced to state prison for a sexual relationship with a teen girl.
Darrel Tyrone Mays Sr., was convicted by a jury of three counts of unlawful sexual activities with certain minors and sentenced. He was sentenced to the maximum of 45 years and designated as a sexual offender by Judge Jennie Kinsey.
Testimony revealed Mays befriended a family that had fallen on hard times. Between August 2019 and January 2020, he took advantage of the situation and began having sex with the 17-year-old victim, according to prosecutors. He was 54-years old at the time.
Mays helped provide housing for the victim and her family. He threatened the victim that if she told anyone about him having sex with her that her family would be homeless again.
“This defendant preyed on a vulnerable victim during a difficult time in her family’s life and that makes him a danger to the community. This verdict provides some closure to the family,” prosecuting attorney Carrie Gilmer stated.
There is a second case pending against Mays with similar allegations by another victim.
Reminder: Wednesday Is An Early Release Day For Escambia Schools
November 1, 2022
Wednesday, November 2, is an early release day for public schools in Escambia County.
All schools will serve breakfast and lunch to students on the early release day. Regular modes of student transportation will be provided.
Other early release days this school year are scheduled for December 20, February 1 and May 23.
Early release days provide teachers and staff regular opportunities for professional development.
Release times are listed below as proved by the school district. For additional information, contact your child’s school.
Northview Mini Cheer Clinic Is Thursday
November 1, 2022
A Mini Chief Cheer Clinic will be held Thursday for ages 5-12 at Northview High School from 4:30 until 7 p.m. in the gym.
During this second camp of the year, the focus will be on team skills and stunts. Individual cheerleaders and entire teams, including their coaches, are welcome
Mini cheerleaders will have the opportunity to cheer with the NHS cheerleaders under the Friday night lights at the Northview vs. Bay football game this Friday night at 7:00.
The cost is $35 for new cheerleaders or $15 for returning cheerleaders.
Attendees should have comfortable clothes and tennis shoes.
For more information, call Lauren at (850) 572-6412 or email lauren.ashleymccall@yahoo.com.
One Arrested In Fatal Weekend Shooting; One Suspect Still Wanted
October 31, 2022
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office has made one arrest and is searching for another suspect in a weekend murder.
Saturday, the ECSO responded to the 1000 block of Medford Avenue where they found a male with multiple gunshot wounds. He was transported to a local hospital where he was later pronounced deceased.
The victim has been identified by family members as 22-year old Jesse Allen Geoghahan.
Lawrence Bonner, Jr., 44, was been charged with principal to first-degree premeditated murder. They are still looking for 29-year old Jacob Monroe Colville for first degree premeditated murder.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Cantonment Woman Identified As Victim In Fatal Fiery Crash Oct. 21 In Baldwin County
October 31, 2022
A Cantonment woman has been identified as the victim in a fiery fatal crash October 21 in Baldwin County.
Amber N. Wiggins, 35, was fatally injured when the 2015 Nissan Armada she was driving caught fire after striking a 2020 Freightliner tractor-trailer driven by Akbar Shah Nazar Mohammad, 27, of San Antonio, Texas, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency said Monday.
After the initial collision, the Nissan struck the rear of a 2022 Freightliner tractor-trailer driven by Gurkirt S. Benipal, 26, of Cypress, Texas, and was then struck on the rear by the 2020 Freightliner, according to troopers.
Wiggins was pronounced deceased at the scene of the crash about 9:55 p.m. on October 21 on I-10 about two miles east of Mobile.
“As a result of the fire, Wiggins’s identity was not immediately available,” ALEA Corporal Reginal M. King said Monday.
The investigation is continuing.
Fire Rips Through Gulf Coast Seafood On Nine Mile Road
October 31, 2022
Fire ripped through Gulf Coast Seafood and the Seafood Platter Restaurant on Nine Mile Road Monday morning.
The Florida State Fire Marshal is now investigating.
The fire was reported about 9:15 a.m. at the business just west of Starbucks and Publix. Heavy smoke was reported when firefighters arrived on scene and it took about two hours to bring the fire under control.
According to Escambia County Fire Rescue, the fire apparently originated in the attic and spread through the remainder of the metal building.
The building is a complete loss.
ECFR said the fire claimed the life a cat.
For more photos, click or tap here.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Escambia Schools Get $30K Grant For Firefighting Training Program
October 31, 2022
Friday, Gov. Ron DeSantis awarded more than $2.7 million to help 28 school districts and state colleges purchase industry standard equipment for career and technical education (CTE) programs across Florida. The awards included $30,000 for an introduction to firefighting program in Escambia County.
The funding will better equip students as they prepare for job opportunities in high demand fields, according to the Florida Department of Education.
““These investments set our students up for career success while nearly guaranteeing Florida’s most vital occupations have the talent they need,” said Education Commissioner Manny Diaz, Jr.
CTE programs are a major component of workforce education and are responsible for preparing individuals for occupations important to Florida’s economic development. These programs are organized into 17 different career clusters and are geared toward middle school, high school, district technical school, and Florida College System students throughout the state.
The awards were authorized under the Perkins V Career and Technical Education Equipment Upgrade and Modernization program, which offers secondary and post-secondary agencies the opportunity to more fully develop academic and technical career skills among CTE students.
These Are This Week’s Road Construction Delay Areas
October 31, 2022
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:
- Interstate 10 (I-10) Escambia County Welcome Center – The front parking lot is temporarily closed as crews work to resurface the pavement. The other parking areas remain open. Temporary sidewalk modifications are also in place while work is underway.
- U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures and lane shifts on the Pensacola Bay Bridge Sunday, Oct. 30 through Saturday, Nov. 5 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Crews will be using lanes on the current bridge as a platform to pour concrete decks for the westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) structure.
- Saufley Field Road (State Road (S.R.) 296), from the Naval Air Station Entrance to West of Mobile Highway (U.S. 90) – Drivers will encounter single lane closures with traffic flagging operations on Parda Road as crews remove and reconstruct a portion of the roadway. The closures will continue for the next several weeks.
- West Cervantes Street (U.S. 90) Pedestrian Safety Improvement – Drivers may encounter intermittent daytime and nighttime single lane closures and lane shifts, between A Street and Dominguez Street. The closures will allow crews to work on the new pedestrian barrier fence and other miscellaneous final work activities. In addition, the seven new mid-block crossing signals on Cervantes Street are now in operation. Motorists are reminded to stop for the flashing yellow lights when pedestrians are using the mid-block crossings.
- Pace Boulevard from Barrancas Avenue to Massachusetts Avenue – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures and sidewalk closures on Pace Boulevard and side streets, between Barrancas Avenue and North Palafox Street (U.S. 29) through Wednesday, Nov. 30 from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. The work will allow crews to adjust manholes, mill and pave the roadways, and make sidewalk and curb improvements. Pedestrians will be detoured to the signalized intersections to access the sidewalks on the other side of Pace Boulevard.
- I-10 at the Interstate 110 (I-110) Interchange – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures on the following ramps Sunday, Oct. 30 through Thursday, Nov. 3 from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. for installation of thermoplastic pavement markings:
- I-110 northbound ramp to I-10 eastbound.
- I-110 northbound ramp to I-10 westbound.
- I-110 northbound ramp to Davis Highway.
- Davis Highway on-ramp to I-110 southbound.
- I-10 eastbound ramp to I-110 southbound.
- Sorrento Road Resurfacing from the Theo Baars Bridge to Bauer Road – Drivers will encounter intermittent lane closures between Innerarity Point Road and Bauer Road from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 30 through Thursday, Nov. 3. The closures will allow crews to mill and pave the roadway.
- · Barrancas Avenue Routine Maintenance from Manchester Street to the Bayou Chico Bridge – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures on Barrancas Avenue, between Manchester Street and the Bayou Chico Bridge, from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 30 through Sunday, Nov. 6. The closures will allow crews to work on the manholes and place thermoplastic striping on the roadway.
- East Nine Mile Road. (U.S. 90A) from Chemstrand Road to East of Baldridge Drive – The bicycle lanes are temporarily closed to allow crews to widen the turn lanes and construct new five-foot bicycle lanes. In addition, the speed limit on this section of East Nine Mile Road has been reduced from 45 mph to 35 mph as vehicles and bicycles will now share the roadway. The closure and speed limit reduction will be in place until the project is complete next summer.
- North Ninth Avenue (S.R. 289) Carpenters Creek Bridge Replacement – The Ninth Avenue northbound bridge over Carpenter’s Creek is open with four travel lanes, two in each direction. Drivers will continue to encounter intermittent and alternating lane closures as crews place the final layer or “friction course” of asphalt and perform final work activities.
- Pensacola Boulevard (U.S. 29), from Brent Lane (S.R. 296) to North of I-10 – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures Sunday, Oct. 30 through Thursday, Nov. 3 from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. as crews pave the roadway. In addition, traffic on Pensacola Boulevard, from Brent Lane to north of I-10, will be shifted back to the normal traffic alignment as the median barrier wall work has been completed.
- Lillian Highway (S.R. 298), 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 may encounter intermittent lane closures on Lillian Highway, between U.S. 98 and Blue Angel Highway, for erosion control operations. Shoulder closures will be present throughout the project for erosion control installation.
- U.S. 90 Routine Bridge Maintenance over Alabama and Gulf Coast Railroad Overpass – Motorist will encounter intermittent lane closures east of I-10 Tuesday, Nov. 1 from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. from routine maintenance.
- U.S. 29 Routine Bridge Maintenance over Pine Barren Creek Bridge – Motorist will encounter intermittent lane closures north of S.R. 97 Wednesday, Nov. 2 from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. from routine maintenance
- U.S. 98 Routine Bridge Maintenance over Alabama and Gulf Coast Railroad Overpass – Motorist will encounter intermittent lane closures west of S.R. 292 Thursday, Nov. 3 from 8 p.m. to 12a.m. from routine maintenance
Santa Rosa County:
- Pensacola Bay Bridge (U.S. 98) Replacement – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures and lane shifts on the Pensacola Bay Bridge Sunday, Oct. 30 through Saturday, Nov. 5 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Crews will be using lanes on the current bridge as a platform to pour concrete decks for the westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) structure.
- U.S. 90 Bridge Replacement over Simpson River - Construction crews have temporarily shifted eastbound traffic to the westbound bridge over Simpson River. The shift is expected to be in place through March 2023. During this time, there will be two westbound lanes and one eastbound travel lane using the westbound bridge. Due to the traffic shift, there will not be dedicated bike lanes on the bridge. Drivers are urged to use extra caution as they will be temporarily sharing the bridge with cyclists. Drivers are also reminded that the speed limit is 35 mph through the work zone.
- I-10 Resurfacing East of S.R. 281 (Avalon Boulevard) to East of S.R. 87 – Motorists can expect intermittent nighttime and daytime lane closures Monday, Oct. 31 through Friday, Nov. 4 for construction activities.
- 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 Point Drive.
- Intermittent lane closures and additional median closures between S.R. 281 and Bayshore Road Sunday, Oct. 30 through Friday, Nov. 4 from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for stormwater drainage improvements and paving operations.
- Settlers Colony Boulevard will remain closed to complete necessary drainage improvements. Motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians will access Settlers Colony Boulevard via Venetian Way and Coronado Drive. Detour signs will be in place. Residents may experience noise, vibrations, and dust during daytime hours as part of this drainage improvement effort.
- S.R. 4 Roadway Maintenance East of Magaha Road in Jay – Motorists will encounter intermittent daytime lane closures Monday, Oct. 31 through Friday, Nov. 4 for paving operations.
- S.R. 4 Routine Bridge Maintenance over Wilson Branch Creek Bridge – Motorist will encounter intermittent lane closures east of U.S. 29 Monday, Oct. 31 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. from routine maintenance.
All activities are weather-dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.