FDLE agents and analysts are offering free cybersecurity training in Washington, Bay, Gulf and Escambia counties during National Cybersecurity Awareness Month. [Read more…] about FDLE Pensacola offers free training during cybersecurity month
Pensacola
FDLE arrests Pensacola woman for perjury
FDLE agents arrested Sheekina Williams, 36, of Pensacola for providing false information to law enforcement and perjury during an officer use of force investigation. [Read more…] about FDLE arrests Pensacola woman for perjury
Pensacola Added Nearly 2,000 New Jobs Over the Year
Today, Governor Rick Scott announced that the Pensacola area added 1,900 new private-sector jobs in the past year. [Read more…] about Pensacola Added Nearly 2,000 New Jobs Over the Year
Pensacola man claims top prize in $1,000 A WEEK FOR LIFE Scratch-Off game
The Florida Lottery announces that Jason Spero, 47, of Pensacola, claimed a top prize in the $1,000 A WEEK FOR LIFE Scratch-Off game at Florida Lottery Headquarters in Tallahassee. He chose to receive his winnings as a one-time, lump-sum payment of $815,000.00.
Spero purchased his winning ticket from Circle T Food Store, located at 522 Northeast 3rd Avenue in Fort Lauderdale. The retailer will receive a $2,000 bonus commission for selling the winning Scratch-Off ticket.
The $2 Scratch-Off game, $1,000 A WEEK FOR LIFE, launched in July 2017, and features more than 10 million winning tickets, including eight top prizes of $1,000 a week for life. The game’s overall odds of winning are one-in-4.43.
Scratch-Offs are an important part of the Lottery’s portfolio of games, generating more than $784 million for the Educational Enhancement Trust Fund (EETF) in FY 2016-17, and comprising approximately 68 percent of ticket sales.
New campaign highlights benefits of Escambia County tourism
Website educates residents about tourism’s lesser-known
impacts on education, infrastructure, public safety and more
Did you know: Tourism-related tax revenue and visitor spending helps fund various components of K-12 public schools, road and highway maintenance and beach beautification, as well as other programs developments which enhance citizens’ way of life. The tourism industry provides the county with nearly $800 million in direct visitor spending and employs more than 22,300 Escambia County citizens, supplying a wide range of benefits to residents and the community.
Jason Nicholson, a veteran of the tourism industry with over 30 years of experience, Chairman of Visit Pensacola and Vice President of Operations of Innisfree Hotels expressed just how vital the tourism industry is to our community.
“Forty-six percent of all ad valorem taxes (property taxes) paid in Escambia County are paid by accommodation providers which include hotels, condominiums, bed and breakfasts or home rental,” Nicholson explained. “Because of those guests coming into our accommodations, we get to employ 17 percent of Escambia County’s workforce which equates to over $380 million in payroll. In a beautiful cycle, that revenue is seen in the smiles of our employees when they provide for their family, in the city’s infrastructure and so much more.”
These revenues, generated by visitor spending, provide critical revenue for programs on which all Escambia County residents rely and enjoy. The return on investment is clear: as the Pensacola Bay Area continues to welcome record numbers of guests, everyone benefits.
“For every $1 spent marketing the Pensacola Bay Area, the hospitality industry returns $3 in taxes and local businesses gain $107,” President of Visit Pensacola Steve Hayes said. “The restaurants, shops, nightlife and attractions we love are here for our enjoyment because of our guests. They are the ones who cause multiple new businesses to open every year, ultimately making Pensacola a better place to live, work and play.”
To further enhance residents’ understanding of tourism’s impact on their day-to-day lives, the Florida Association of Destination Marketing Organizations (FADMO), the voice for Florida’s county tourism promotion agencies, in partnership with Visit Pensacola, the destination marketing organization for the Pensacola Bay Area, today announced the launch of a new education campaign, “Pensacola Tourism Works for Me.”
The campaign, created and paid for by FADMO, helps promote awareness of tourism’s positive impact on Floridians, and details the work county tourism promotion agencies must do to attract visitors to their communities rather than competing destinations worldwide.
To learn more, visit pensacolatourismworks.com.
CRC Public Hearing in Pensacola at UWF Conference Center
MEDIA ADVISORY
The Constitution Revision Commission (CRC) invites all interested Floridians to participate in a public hearing being held today at the University of West Florida’s Conference Center & Ballroom from 1:00-7:00 PM Central Time. This is the fourth public hearing being held on the CRC’s 2018 “Road to the Ballot” public hearing tour.
Public hearings are free events open to all Floridians who would like to attend. No tickets or RSVPs are required. Free public parking will be provided. Floridians planning to attend the public hearing are respectfully requested to observe the CRC Public Hearing Participation Guidelines.
WHAT: Northwest Florida Public Hearing of the Constitution Revision Commission
WHEN: Today, Tuesday, February 27, 1:00 – 7:00 PM Central Time (Doors open at Noon)
WHERE: University of West Florida
Conference Center & Ballroom
11000 University Parkway, Building 22
Pensacola, FL 32514
PARKING: Free parking is available in Lots J, K & L.
PARKING MAP LINK (PDF)
GOOGLE MAP LINK
SIGN-UP TO SPEAK: To speak at a CRC public hearing, Floridians must fill out an appearance form and hand it in to CRC staff at the Citizen Services Desk. The appearance form is available online at flcrc.gov and printed copies are available at public hearings. Appearance forms will not be accepted in advance of the public hearing.
Public speakers will be called in the order in which appearance forms are received by CRC staff at the Citizen Services Desk at the public hearing. The Citizen Services Desk will be open to accept appearance forms starting at 12:00 PM (Noon) Central Time. Appearance forms received by 7:00 PM Central Time will be accepted.
Additional information for today’s public hearing is available online at flcrc.gov/Meetings/PublicHearings.
FDLE arrests two Pensacola women for dealing heroin
Agents with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement arrested Paola Sotolongo, 46, and Krystel Theologis, 27, for drug trafficking and possession following a heroin distribution investigation. The investigation began in July and yesterday a search warrant was conducted at a home shared by the women, 7155 Mobile Highway in Pensacola, where both were arrested. The State Attorney’s Office, ATF and FBI assisted in the investigation and search warrant.
During the search, investigators found prepackaged heroin, methamphetamine and cocaine along with fentanyl, marijuana and alprazolam. Sotolongo was charged with trafficking in heroin and methamphetamine and possession of fentanyl and cocaine with intent to sell within 1,000 feet of a place of worship. Theologis has been charged with possession of alprazolam with intent to sell within 1,000 feet of a place of worship, and possession of marijuana.
Both women were booked into the Escambia County Jail. The case will be prosecuted by the State Attorney’s Office, First Judicial Circuit.
Florida DBS to Host 75th Anniversary Regional Expo and Ceremony in Pensacola
Tomorrow, the Florida Division of Blind Services (DBS) will host its final 75th Anniversary Regional Ceremony and Expo in Pensacola. The event will feature educational sessions, networking opportunities and a community and technology showcase.
During the ceremony, DBS administrators will also induct new members into the “Successful 75,” an award program that recognizes individuals, organizations and businesses who have remained steadfast in the advancement of independence for persons who are blind and visually impaired.
This family-friendly event is free and open to the public.
WHAT: Division of Blind Services 75th Anniversary Regional Ceremony and Expo
WHEN: Wednesday, May 10
12:30 – 4:30 p.m. (75th Anniversary Ceremony begins at 3 p.m.)
WHO: Director Robert L. Doyle III, Florida Division of Blind Services
Paul Edwards, Florida Council for the Blind
Pamela Wirick, DBS Client, Early Learning Coalition of Escambia
Representative Frank White, District 2, Florida House of Representatives
WHERE: Hyatt Place Pensacola Airport
161 Airport Lane
Meeting Place 1 & 2
Pensacola, Florida 32504
For 75 years, the Division of Blind Services has fostered independence for the blind and visually impaired community through its educational, vocational, medical, social and recreational services and programs. The Division’s mission is to ensure blind and visually-impaired Floridians have the tools, support and opportunity to achieve success. To find out more, visit dbs.fldoe.org.
For more information about the Florida Department of Education, visit www.fldoe.org.
Gov. Scott Stops in Pensacola on “Fighting for Florida’s Future” Tour
Governor Rick Scott today met with local leaders and job creators in Pensacola during his “Fighting for Florida’s Future” tour. Governor Scott is traveling the state to encourage Floridians to contact members of the Florida Legislature and urge them to invest in key priorities- funding for tourism and economic development and the Herbert Hoover Dike at Lake Okeechobee.
Pensacola man claims $1 million Scratch-Off prize one day after celebrating his birthday
The Florida Lottery announces that Leslie Holtzclaw, of Pensacola, claimed a $1 million prize in the $5,000,000 FLAMINGO MULTIPLIER Scratch-Off game at Florida Lottery Headquarters in Tallahassee, just one day after celebrating his 52nd birthday.
Holtzclaw chose to receive his winnings as a one-time, lump-sum payment of $716,577.60. He purchased his winning ticket from Six Kids Store Super Deli, located at 1023 Greenbrier Boulevard in Pensacola.
The $20 game, $5,000,000 FLAMINGO MULTIPLER, launched in September 2015 and features more than seven million winning tickets and more than $346 million in total cash prizes! The game’s overall odds of winning are one-in-2.97.
Scratch-Off games are an important part of the Lottery’s portfolio of games, comprising approximately 65 percent of ticket sales and generating more than $734 million for the Educational Enhancement Trust Fund (EETF) in fiscal year 2015-16.
