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
PONCE DE LEON SCRATCH-OFF WINNER
A 47-year-old Walton County woman has claimed a 2 million dollar top prize from Florida Lottery’s 100 TIMES THE CASH Scratch-Off game. Jennifer Dixon, of Ponce De Leon, chose to receive her winnings as a one-time, lump-sum payment of $1,780,000. Dixon bought her winning ticket from Big Boss Stores at 2951 North Highway 81 in…… MORE
PANAMA CITY BEACH MOTORCYCLE FATALITY
Panama City Beach police say a 44-year-old Panama City Beach man died after a motorcycle crash on Thomas Drive. Police say Thomas Osborne apparently lost control of his motorcycle in front of the Hershey’s Ice Cream Shop on Thomas Drive around midnight Monday. He was not wearing a helmet and was transported to an area…… MORE
PORT BILL TO BE CONSIDERED
State lawmakers will consider a bill that could change who gets to decide what vessels and cargo are allowed into ports across Florida including the Port of Pensacola. 15 ports in Florida are currently regulated by local entities such as a city council and all oppose a bill that would take that power away, and…… MORE
CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE DEATH
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office says a 43-year-old Pensacola man was arrested on charges related to the sexual abuse of a girl under age12 after the girl disclosed the abuse to her teacher. William Outten was charged with sexual assault on a victim under the age of 12 and two counts of lewd or lascivious…… MORE
GULF POWER BILLS
Gulf Power customers will see a slight decrease in their monthly power bills after the Florida Public Service Commission approved changes to the power company’s rates in response to Hurricane Sally and the end of coal use at Plant Crist. Costs will decrease by 73 cents for each 1,000 kilowatt-hour of electricity. The allowed Gulf…… MORE
MASS VACCINATION CLINICS
Ascension Sacred Heart Hospital will offer three mass vaccination clinics this week to vaccinate thousands of teachers and staff in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties who are 50 and older. The two Escambia County clinics will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Thursday and Saturday at Olive Baptist Church, at Olive Road and…… MORE
COVID-19 UPDATE
The Florida Department of Health said the State added 1,700 new COVID-19 cases Monday, bringing the total to 1,910,921 cases, the lowest daily increase since June 11th. The state also added 150 new COVID-19 deaths and Florida’s death toll is now 31,556. Escambia County had 32 new cases and 2 new deaths Santa Rosa County…… MORE
GULF SHORES TRAFFIC FATALITY IDENTIFIED
Alabama State Troopers have identified the victim of a single-vehicle traffic crash in Gulf Shores Friday night as a 40-year-old Cantonment woman. Troopers say Lindsey Murphy was the passenger in a car that left the roadway and crashed into a utility pole. The driver, 34-year old Arthur Arabian of Pensacola, was injured. The Alabama Law…… MORE
