Florida’s Back To School Sales Tax Holiday Continues Ends Sunday
August 6, 2022
Florida’s Back to School Sales Tax Holiday continues Ends Sunday, August 7.
During the sales tax holiday period, tax is not due on the retail sale of:
- 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 and certain computer-related accessories with a sales price of $1,500 or less, when purchased for noncommercial home or personal use
For the complete, detailed list from the Florida Department of Revenue, click or tap here.
RELATED: Here Are The School Supply Lists For Escambia County Schools
The sales tax holiday does not apply to:
- Any item of clothing with a sales price of more than $100
- Any school supply item with a sales price of more than $50
- Books that are not otherwise exempt*
- Computers and computer-related accessories with a sales price of more than $1,500
- Computers and computer-related accessories purchased for commercial purposes
- Rentals of any eligible items
- Repairs or alterations of any eligible items
- Sales of any eligible items within a theme park, entertainment complex, public lodging establishment or airport
Distracted Driver Slams Into Alabama State Trooper Near Flomaton Exit
August 6, 2022
A driver crashed into an Alabama state trooper’s vehicle Friday afternoon on I–65 just south of the Flomaton exit.
According to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA), the trooper was stationary working a previous crash on I-65 southbound when his vehicle was struck in the rear by a distracted driver that failed to move over. The crash propelled the state trooper’s vehicle in the median.
Both the trooper and the other driver were transported by ambulance to an area hospital as a precautionary measure. Neither suffered major injuries, according to ALEA.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Man Charged With Trying To Solicit A Child Is Released On Bond
August 6, 2022
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement has arrested a Santa Rosa County man for trying to solicit a child.
Nickolas Patrick Rose, 22 is charged with transmission of material harmful to a minor, use of a computer to solicit a minor and unlawful use of a two-way communication device. He was released from the Escambia County Jail Friday on a $15,000 bond.
The investigation began in May, when an agent posing as a 14-year-old girl on a social networking site was messaged by Rose Agents said that during the conversations Rose sent a photograph of his genitalia and made sexual comments to the agent’s 14-year-old persona.
Nighttime Lane Closures And Traffic Pacing Planned For Pensacola Bay Bridge
August 6, 2022
Drivers will encounter the following nighttime traffic impacts on and near the Pensacola Bay Bridge (U.S. 98) in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m.
- Alternating lane closures and lane shifts Sunday, Aug. 7 through Saturday, Aug. 13 as crews will use lanes on the current bridge as a platform to pour concrete decks for the westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) structure.
- Vehicle pacing operations Tuesday, Aug. 9 through Thursday, Aug. 11 as crews install overhead signage for the new bridge. Vehicle pacing operations, also known as “rolling roadblocks,” are used to create gaps in traffic so that short-duration construction activities can be completed.
- Bayfront Parkway westbound ramp and the 17th Avenue westbound ramp will be closed Wednesday, Aug. 10 and Thursday, Aug. 11 for the installation of overhead signs. Drivers will be detoured to Gregory Street during this time.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Michigan Man Charged With Flomaton Murder, Also Wanted For Wisconsin Murder
August 6, 2022
A Michigan man has been charged with murdering a Flomaton man Wednesday morning.
Dwight Dixon, 52, was found deceased when officers from the Flomaton Police Department responded to an emergency medical call on Dixon Road about 8:30 a.m.
The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency identified the suspect as 23-year old Caleb Scott Anderson of Michigan. He was arrested Wednesday in Shelby County, Alabama, on charges related to a murder in Green Bay, Wisconsin, on Tuesday, August 2.
On Wednesday, Intelligence Analysts within ALEA’s Fusion Center received information and created a statewide law enforcement bulletin on behalf of the Green Bay Police Department and the United States Marshals (USMS) Gulf Coast Regional Fugitive Task Force of a possible murder suspect traveling in Alabama.
Once the bulletin was released intelligence analysts quickly began receiving tips from local police departments which assisted ALEA special agents in identifying Anderson as the suspect and led to the discovery of evidence which
linked him to murders in both states.
Anderson was located while operating a stolen vehicle and was arrested by the U.S. Marshals and officers with the Helena Police Department in Helena. Anderson is currently being charged with murder and first degree burglary and is being held in the Shelby County Jail without bond.
Authorities have not released any further details about the Flomaton murder or any possible motive. ALEA said their findings will be presented to the Escambia County (AL) District Attorney’s Office.
Dwight Dixon
Wahoos’ 16 Hits Not Enough In 11-9 Loss To Biscuits
August 6, 2022
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos pounded out a season-high 16 hits, including a pair of homers, but were unable to outslug the Montgomery Biscuits in an 11-9 loss on Friday night.
Pitching prospect Eury Pérez (L, 3-3) had a difficult night for Pensacola, allowing six runs in 1.1 innings while walking a season-high four batters as he took the loss.
In the first inning, Troy Johnston hit a solo homer and Cobie Fletcher-Vance hit an RBI single to put the Blue Wahoos up 2-0. Brett Wisely countered with a leadoff homer for the Biscuits, trimming the lead to 2-1.
After Trevor Brigden (W, 3-5) worked a scoreless second, the Biscuits exploded for five runs to bounce Pérez from the game. An RBI single from Tyler Frank was followed by a sacrifice fly from Osleivis Basabe to put Montgomery ahead 3-2, and Kameron Misner dealt the big blow with a three-run homer.
In his Double-A debut, Blue Wahoos reliever Chandler Jozwiak surrendered a bases-loaded walk and a three-run double to Diego Infante to extend the Montgomery lead to 10-2 in the third.
Pensacola chipped away at the deficit, as José Devers hit a three-run blast for his first Double-A homer in the fourth, but couldn’t get much going in the middle innings against long reliever Sean Hunley. In the ninth, the Blue Wahoos scored three runs and brought the tying run to the plate before Justin Sterner (S, 4) struck out Will Banfield for the final out.
J.D. Orr had his first three-hit game of the year with a 3-for-4 night, and Davis Bradshaw was 3-for-4 with a pair of doubles for his first Double-A hits.
The Blue Wahoos continue their series in Montgomery on Saturday.
by Erick Bremmer, Pensacola Blue Wahoos
Judge Recommends $5,000 Fine, Reprimand And Public Censure In Underhill Ethics Case
August 5, 2022
An administrative law judge has recommended that the Florida Ethics Commission issue an order imposing a public censure, reprimand and a $5,000 fine against Escambia County Commissioner Doug Underhill.
The Ethics Commission found probable cause to believe that Underhill misused his position by publicly sharing or publishing confidential transcripts, including minutes from Escambia County Commission shade meetings. Probable cause also was found to believe the information he disclosed was only available to him as a public officer and gained by reason of his official position.
Judge G. W. Chisenhall said in a recommendation issued Thursday that the transcript release was “the most serious charge” against Underhill and was “reckless and ill-advised”, but the evidence did not establish that his action was corrupt under Florida law. The judge stated his actions did justify a public censure and reprimand.
Chisenhall imposed the $5,000 fine due to Underhill’s nonpayment of legal services to Clark Partington could have represented a conflict of interest. He paid nothing toward the debt in 2018 and 2019 before ultimately making payment after the nonpayment became the subject of an ethics complaint.
Other allegations were dismissed by the Ethics Commission with a finding of no probable cause Those dismissed allegations include that Underhill published his GoFundMe legal defense fund to social media, solicited free legal services from a lobbyist/vendor, accepted free legal services from a lobbyist or vendor, had a conflicting employment or contracted relationship with the Pensacola Sports Association, Inc., and an allegation that Mr. Underhill solicited, and then accepted, reimbursement for travel and expenses from an organization that accepting funding from the county.
The judges order will not become final until it is approved by the Florida Ethics Commission.
Click or tap here to read the entire recommendation.
Cantonment Man Serves On USS Ronald Reagan In Philippine Sea
August 5, 2022
Aviation Electronics Technician 2nd Class Devante Bonham of Cantonment is serving on the USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) in the Philippine Sea.
He is pictured on Thursday, August 4, operating on a receiver processor in the avionics shop aboard the U.S. Navy’s only forward-deployed aircraft carrier. Ronald Reagan’s avionics shop troubleshoots aviation equipment, ensuring the squadrons aboard are equipped with properly functioning gear.
Ronald Reagan, the flagship of Carrier Strike Group 5, provides a combat-ready force that protects and defends the United States, and supports alliances, partnerships and collective maritime interests in the Indo-Pacific region.
Photos by USN Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Eric Stanton for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Woman Accused Of Stealing Gas, Taking Clothes From A Dryer During Burglary
August 5, 2022
A Cantonment woman is accused of walking into her brother’s house and stealing gas for her vehicle along with clothes out of the dryer.
Melia Shea Caine, 30, was charged with burglary of an occupied structure and grand theft. She remained in the Escambia County Jail Friday morning with bond set at $20,000.
The victim inherited a home from his grandfather years ago and owns it outright. His sister, Caine, had been living in a shed behind the house for several years until she was legally evicted on May 10, 2022, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
A witness in the house at the time told deputies that he watched Caine walk into the garage, grab a can of gas and pour the gas into a vehicle outside. She then walked back into the garage, opened the dryer and took clothing before walking to a bedroom and stealing a Dremel rotary tool, according to an arrest report.
The entire incident was recorded on the victim’s home surveillance system, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Back To School Bash Events This Weekend In Bratt And Molino
August 5, 2022
There will be Back to School Bash events this weekend sponsored by two North Escambia churches.
Highland Baptist Church in Molino will hold a community Back to School Bash on Sunday from 4-6 p.m. at the pavilion by the playground behind the Molino Community Center. There will be food, games, a bounce house, school supply essentials and free basic haircuts.
A Bash to School Bash will be held Saturday from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. for grades K-6 at the First Baptist Church of Bratt at 4570 Highway 4. There will be games, food, school supplies (while supplies last), and door prizes..