Fabrizio GowdyGadsden County News Service On Sept. 30, the Gadsden County Commission approved the 9.0 millage rate tentatively adopted at its first budget hearing on Sept. 15. The 3-1 vote in favor of keeping the mill rate the same came in spite of significant public pressure to approve the rollback rate of 8.6383.Commissioner Alonzetta Simpkins…
Jim SaundersNews Service of Florida Pointing to laws allowing use of medical marijuana and hemp, a state appeals court Wednesday reversed course and said police officers can’t search vehicles only on the basis of smelling cannabis.The 2nd District Court of Appeal’s main opinion said that for “generations, cannabis was illegal in all forms — thereby…
Fabrizio GowdyGadsden County News Service The Havana Town Council adopted a $15.2 million budget and a millage rate of 3.0000 at its final public hearing Monday. The meeting was lightly attended and lasted just eight minutes. No citizens to be heard came forward during public comment. The council’s decision not to approve the rollback rate…
Staff ReportGadsden County News Service The Gadsden County Veteran Service Office will be closed on Monday, October 6, 2025, through Friday, October 10, 2025, for training, which will be given by the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs. The office will reopen on Monday, October 13, 2025, at 8 a.m. If you have an appointment at…
Dara KamNews Service of Florida Bullet-proof vests, AI-assisted translation software and license-plate readers are on a wish-list of items sheriffs are seeking through a $250 million state grant program aimed at bolstering immigration enforcement.The types of equipment, along with money for overtime, bonuses, vans and restraints, are included in a list of grant requests the…
Fabrizio GowdyGadsden County News Service Law enforcement officials, faith leaders, and community organizers gathered at the Kelly Campbell Community Center in Quincy Thursday night to strategize ways to prevent gun violence. “This topic is important to our plight and what has been going on in our community,” said Quincy Commissioner Robin Wood, who introduced the…
Jim TurnerNews Service of Florida A state House panel Monday began a two-day review of property taxes as it looks at potential changes that could have a major impact on local governments.Gov. Ron DeSantis is pushing lawmakers to put a proposed constitutional amendment on the 2026 ballot to reduce or eliminate taxes on homesteaded properties….
Jim TurnerNews Service of Florida A more than decade-long push by business groups will pay off next week with the end of a state sales tax on commercial leases.The tax, widely known as the business rent tax, will go away Oct. 1 after 57 years as part of a wide-ranging tax package that lawmakers passed…
Fabrizio GowdyGadsden County News Service Gadsden County Commissioners met Tuesday for a regularly scheduled board meeting. The meeting took place less than 48 hours after Florida State University football player Ethan Pritchard was shot in Havana, causing Gadsden County to receive national media attention.At Chair Eric Hinson’s direction, Vice Chair Ronterious Green prayed for Pritchard…
Jim TurnerNews Service of Florida State Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo on Wednesday vowed to end vaccine mandates in Florida, putting the state in the middle of a growing national debate. Ladapo said the Florida Department of Health will eliminate rules set by his predecessors and request that the Legislature “get rid of the rest of…
