The Escambia County Sheriff’s Department says six young people – ranging in age from 17 to 20 have been arrested for a home invasion-burglary during which one of them was shot by the homeowner. Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons said 18-year-old Cynthia Register knew her grandfather kept money at his home and got five of…… MORE
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ESCAMBIA COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT STAFFING
Interim Escambia County Public Safety Director Eric Gilmore told county commissioners yesterday morning the County is working on a plan that would temporarily shut-down fire stations because of staffing shortages. The plan could be used if staffing falls below the minimum department-wide number of 47 firefighters on-duty during the week or 43 on-duty after hours…… MORE
GRANDPARENT TUITION WAIVER BILL
A proposal is advancing in the Florida House that would allow high-performing students who live outside of Florida to pay in-state tuition rates at public universities if their grandparents reside in the Sunshine State. House Bill 1273 is called the “grandparent tuition waiver bill” by House sponsor Patt Maney, from Shalimar. It would let out-of-state…… MORE
ALL FLORIDA TEACHERS TO BE VACCINATED
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has announced that COVID-19 vaccinations are now open to all Florida teachers and staff, along with child care workers, regardless of age. The announcement follows a Biden administration mandate. However, the Governor said Florida will continue to push for the vaccination of seniors saying the age-based approach is the most effective…… MORE
HOSPITAL HOSTAGE-TAKER ARRESTED
The Escambia County Sheriffs Department says a 26-year-old Alabama man was arrested at West Florida Hospital after holding a patient hostage and fighting off staff and deputies. Timothy Rains, of Loxley, Alabama, was taken to the hospital for a medical condition, but became verbally aggressive when asked to put on hospital clothes and provide a…… MORE
COVID-19 SCAMMERS
The Better Business Bureau Northwofest Florida has issued a warning about scammers taking advantage for the high demands of the COVID-19 vaccine in order to obtain personal information. Tammy Ward with the BBB said most recently scammers are stealing information from COVID-19 vaccination cards that people post on their own social media accounts after they…… MORE
VACCINATIONS FOR TEACHERS UNDER 50
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ new executive order for those who are eligible for a COVID-19 vaccination includes law enforcement, firefighters and teachers over 50. Those under 50 have not yet made the list. However, Alabama offers the vaccine to all teachers – even if they don’t live there – so some Northwest Florida teachers are…… MORE
SPRING BREAK CONCERNS
Spring break is coming to the Florida Panhandle and questions have been raised about how this will affect Northwest Florida’s fight against COVID-19. There are no travel restrictions that would stop anyone from coming to the Panhandle, but Mayor Grover Robinson continues to limit city-permitted events and the local mask ordinance and state of emergency…… MORE
UNITED WAY OF SANTA ROSA COUNTY RESTITUTION
month sentence for wire fraud and tax evasion. Now federal authorities say they have paid out $220,000 in restitution that Thompson owes to 16 local charities as part of his $650,000 restitution order. The $220,000 was seized from two bank accounts. He was accused of devising a complex scheme to embezzle $650,000 from United Way…… MORE
NEW SRIA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
The Santa Rosa Island Authority will soon have new Executive Director. Paolo Ghio is retiring later this month and the SRIA board has selected a Parks and Recreation Director from Leon County to take his place. Leigh Davis was one of three finalists; the other two were Edward Spears and Sandra Ambris. Her selection will…… MORE
