The Florida Department of Health says the state added 8,408 New COVID-19 cases yesterday, bringing the state’s total to 1,676,171 cases. There were also 169 new deaths bringing Florida’s death toll to 26,249. Escambia County had 306 new cases and 5 new deaths Santa Rosa County had 120 new cases and 3 new deaths Okaloosa…… MORE
CONCEALED WEAPON PERMIT CHANGES
Two Pensacola area legislators are sponsoring bills that would make it legal to carry guns at churches with schools and would also limit the agricultural commissioner’s discretion over issuing concealed carry permits. District 3 State Representative Jayer Williamson, says he will make another attempt to pass an exemption that would allow concealed carry permit holders…… MORE
PROPOSED 9-MILE ROAD PROPERTY PURCHASE
Developers have made an offer to buy the county-owned property on Nine Mile Road in Beulah known as OLF-8 for 16-million dollars. Hemmer Consulting of Pensacola and 68 Ventures of Spanish Fort, Alabama, made the offer Tuesday to purchase 400 acres for $40,000 cash per acre. The County would keep about 130 of the 530…… MORE
FATAL SHOOTING FOLLOW-UP
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Department has released additional information about last Friday’s fatal shooting. Investigators now say there were actually three victims in last Friday’s shooting, one of whom was killed. 61-year-old Samul Thomley suffered fatal injuries during what investigators termed a drug rip-off and two others suffered non-life-threatening gunshot wounds. 4 teenagers – ages…… MORE
PANAMA CITY BEACH FLOOD INSURANCE RATES
The City of Panama City Beach says more than 12,000 local households soon will receive about a 25% discount on flood insurance because of an improved score on the National Flood Insurance Program Community Rating System. That is a voluntary program run by the Federal Emergency Management Agency that rates communities on a scale of…… MORE
PROPOSED FLORIDA BEACH SMOKING BAN
A bill approved by a Senate committee yesterday in the Florida Legislature would allow local governments to ban tobacco smoking at beaches and parks. Florida already bans smoking at indoor workplaces and restaurants other than bars that sell a minimal amount of food, but cities and counties can’t enact local ordinances to further restrict smoking.…… MORE
COVID-19 UPDATE
Florida added 9,594 new COVID-19 cases Tuesday, bringing the state’s total to 1,667,763. The state also added 231 new COVID-19 deaths. Florida’s death toll is now up to 26,080. Escambia County added 234 new cases and had 13 new deaths Santa Rosa County had 97 new cases and 11 new deaths Okaloosa County had 147…… MORE
SHOOTING INVESTIGATION
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office says four teenagers have been arrested for a deadly shooting last week that was said to be a drug rip off that ended in murder. Deputies responding to the 900 block of Massachusetts Avenue found a truck that had crashed into a power pole. The body of 61-year-old Samuel Thomley…… MORE
NINE MILE ROAD WIDENING PROJECT
The Florida Department of Transportation says the long-delayed Nine Mile Road widening project is scheduled for completion this summer. FDOT spokesman Ian Satter said that Hurricanes Michael and Sally caused delays, as well as other tropical storms and hurricanes. The 46- million-dollar project began in 2016 and was projected for completion in early 2019.… MORE
COMMISSIONER SUES COUNTY
Escambia County Commissioner Doug Underhill is suing Escambia County for more than $23,000 in legal fees he incurred in successfully defending a defamation lawsuit. An Escambia Circuit Court Judge ruled that Commissioner Underhill had immunity from a lawsuit filed by Scott Miller over Underhill’s comments on Facebook about Miller’s involvement with the Rolling Hills landfill…… MORE
