The new Cat Country 98.7 App is ready!
Download your App Here:
Redesigned and your Control Center for Music. Get alerts when songs you want to hear are on. Let us know what you think… You can vote Thumbs Up or Thumbs Down. Flash Contests mean more ways to win… Tickets, Fly Aways and $500 a month just for using the App.
People can start booking appointments Wednesday, January 25, to get their taxes filed for free through VITA, United Way of West Florida’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program.
“Last year, we secured more than $1 million in refunds for hardworking families in our community,” said United Way of West Florida Financial Stability Manager Mike Eveland. “That’s money they can use for food, bills, or any other need they might have.”
VITA is a free program for families and individuals making less $60,000 or less a year. Volunteers will operate four sites throughout the tax season- Pensacola State College Main Campus, Pensacola State College Milton Campus, Pensacola State College Warrington Campus, and Goodwill on Olive Road.
Most of those VITA sites will open on February 1, but people can start making appointments now. Call 211 to schedule your time.
You can see a complete schedule for the VITA sites on United Way of West Florida’s website- uwwf.org/free-tax-help.
SOLD OUT – Check back here for availability
Pick up is Wednesday, November 23rd from 10am-2p.
Big Moose, Semi-Pro Amateur BBQ guy, now award winning, winning Top Chef… Is smoking a limited number of Boston Butts for the cause with Costello’s Butcher Shoppe. There are only 50 Butts available and they will be available to pick up the day before Thanksgiving. Order now… the money goes to Making Strides Against Breast Cancer. Orders are closed on October 28th. Pickup is on Wednesday, November 23rd.
Lance Carpenter – Another day on Pensacola Beach
1. Charge any device that provides light. Laptops, tablets, cameras, video cameras, and old phones. Old cell phones can still used for dialing 911. Charge external battery back ups.
2. Wash all trash cans, big and small, and fill with water for flushing toilets. Line outdoor trash cans with trash bags, fill with water and store in the garage. Add bleach to sterilize.
3. Fill every tub and sink with water. Cover sinks with Saran Wrap to keep it from collecting dust. Fill washing machine and leave lid up to store water.
4. Fill old empty water bottles and other containers with water and keep near sinks for washing hands.
5. Fill every Tupperware with water and store in freezer. These will help keep food cold longer and serve as a back up water supply.
6. Fill drinking cups with water and cover with Saran Wrap. Store as many as possible in fridge. The rest you can store on the counter and use first before any water bottles are opened. Ice is impossible to find after the storm.
7. Reserve fridge space for storing tap water and keep the sealed water bottles on the counter.
8. Cook any meats in advance and other perishable foods. You can freeze cooked food. Hard boil eggs for snacks for first day without power.
9. Be well hydrated before the storm hits and avoid salty foods that make you dehydrated.
10. Wash all dirty clothes and bed sheets. Anything dirty will smell without the A/C, you may need the items, and with no A/C, you’ll be sweating a lot. You’re going to want clean sheets.
11. Toss out any expiring food, clean cat litter boxes, empty all trash cans in the house, including bathrooms. Remove anything that will cause an odor when the A/C is off. If you don’t have a trash day pickup before the storm, find a dumpster.
12. Bring in any yard decor, secure anything that will fly around, secure gates, bring in hoses, potted plants, etc. Bring in patio furniture and grills.
13. Clean your environment so you have clear, easy escape routes. Even if that means temporarily moving furniture to one area.
14. Scrub all bathrooms so you are starting with a clean odor free environment. Store water filled trash cans next to each toilet for flushing.
15. Place everything you own that is important and necessary in a backpack or small file box that is easy to grab. Include your wallet with ID, phone, hand sanitizer, snacks, etc. Get plastic sleeves for important documents.
16. Make sure you have cash on hand.
17. Stock up on pet food and fill up bowls of water for pets.
18. Refill any medications. Most insurance companies allow for 2 emergency refills per year.
19. Fill your propane tanks. You can heat soup cans, boil water, make coffee, and other stuff besides just grilling meat. Get an extra, if possible.
20. Drop your A/C in advance and lower temperatures in your fridges.
21. Gather all candles, flashlights, lighters, matches, batteries, and other items and keep them accessible.
22. Clean all counters in advance. Start with a clean surface. Buy Clorox Wipes for cleaning when there is no power. Mop your floors and vacuum. If power is out for 10 days, you’ll have to live in the mess you started with.
23. Pick your emergency safe place such as a closet under the stairs. Store the items you’ll need in that location for the brunt of the storm. Make a hand fan for when the power is out.
24. Shower just before the storm is scheduled to hit.
25. Keep baby wipes next to each toilet. Don’t flush them. It’s not the time to risk clogging your toilet!
26. Run your dishwasher, don’t risk having dirty smelly dishes and you need every container for water! Remember you’ll need clean water for brushing your teeth, washing yourself, and cleaning your hands.
27. Put a small suitcase in your car in case you decide to evacuate. Also put at least one jug of water in your car. It will still be there if you don’t evacuate! You don’t need to store all water in the house. Remember to pack for pets as well.
28. Check on all family members, set up emergency back up plans, and check on elderly neighbors.
29. Remember, pets are family too. Take them with you!
30. Before the storm, unplug all electronics. There will be power surges during and after the storm.
31. Gas up your car and have a spare gas container for your generator or your car when you run out.
32. Get LED Lanterns… They last a LONG TIME and are super bright
If you can, take a video of your house and contents….walk room to room–open cabinets/drawers and closets. This will help if you need to make a claim later. It will show proof of items and help you list all the items (help your memory, so you don’t forget anything)…I highly recommend!!!
I also heard you should freeze a cup of water, place a coin on top after it is frozen…keep this in your freezer to help you gauge the temperature if the power goes out. If the coin stays on top, the food is staying frozen. If the coin falls into the water, the freezer thawed out and most food will likely need to be thrown away. This is super helpful is you have to leave and come back, as it may appear everything is still frozen, but if the coin is in the cup–you will know!!
Finally, anything that you want to try and preserve, but you can’t take with you—place it in a plastic bin and put in your dishwasher, lock the door—this should make it water tight in case of any water intrusion into your home. But of course, take all the important/irreplaceable items you can!!
Stay Safe everyone!
A website and petition campaign called Open Our Museum has been organized by a group of local citizens and civic leaders working together to urge the U.S. Navy and the Department of Defense (DoD) to reestablish the public access waiver to NAS Pensacola so all citizens are allowed to visit the National Naval Aviation Museum (NNAM) and the base’s other historic attractions.
Some of the civic leaders behind the campaign include retired Navy Capt. Dean-o Fournier, former Pensacola mayors Jerry Maygarden, Ashton Hayward, Mike Wiggins and John Fogg, retired Marine Lt. Col. David Glassman with Freedom Quest, and Nancy Fetterman – widow of the late U.S. Navy Vice Adm. Jack Fetterman who served as president & CEO of the Naval Aviation Museum Foundation.
“Jack worked tirelessly for decades to transform the Naval Aviation Museum into the national treasure that it is today. He’d be so disappointed to know that the public is still being denied access to it,” said Fetterman. “The entire purpose of the museum was for everyone to experience its magic and wonder, to inspire all.”
For two-and-a-half years the public has been restricted entry to a National Museum whose operations are paid for, in large part, by their hard-earned tax dollars.
Following a terrorist attack on base in December of 2019, access to the National Naval Aviation Museum, as well as the Pensacola Lighthouse, Fort Barrancas and the Blue Angels practices, has been restricted to only Department of Defense (DoD) cardholders and veterans who possess a Veterans Health Identification Card. All other U.S. citizens are still not allowed access.
The community campaign hopes to change that.
Founded in 1963 onboard Naval Air Station Pensacola, NNAM tells the story of how Pensacola became the “Cradle of Naval Aviation” and has been at the cutting edge of aerospace history for more than a century.
Since its founding, NNAM has grown to become the second-largest aviation museum in the United States. Featuring more than 150 fully-restored military aircraft, thousands of artifacts, and dozens of military exhibits on display, plus a giant screen movie theater, virtual reality flight simulators, interactive rides, and more – NNAM is considered a top 10 attraction in Florida and the leading tourist attraction between Orlando and New Orleans. Its visitors come from every state in the U.S., with more than 70 percent visiting from outside Florida.
A recent economic impact study done by Matrix for the Naval Aviation Museum Foundation (NAMF) found that NNAM’s visitorship declined by 64% in January and February of 2020 due to restricted base access. That equates to approximately 342 total jobs and $11 million in labor income lost due to the enhanced security measures stemming from the December 2019 terrorist attack on base. The NAMF study also found that local industry sectors lost an estimated $31.5 million in gross sales between 2019 and 2020 directly related to declining visitor traffic.
Visits to the Pensacola base’s historic attractions have always been treasured by tourists and locals alike before access became locked off. Tens of millions of citizens have visited the National Naval Aviation Museum, and other base attractions, for decades without the occurrence of a single significant security incident.
“It’s time to cut through the red tape and get our museum reopened to everyone, once again,” said Fetterman.
Residents of Escambia and Santa Rosa counties making $73,000 or less annually are eligible to file their taxes for free with United Way of West Florida’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program. Eligible participants may visit one of four convenient locations across the community or use limited virtual assistance to utilize this free service and maximize their tax return with the assistance of an IRS-certified volunteer.
VITA sites are operated by IRS partners such as United Way of West Florida and are staffed by volunteers who want to make a difference in their communities. All VITA volunteers who prepare returns must take and pass tax law training that meets or exceeds IRS standards. This training includes maintaining the privacy and confidentiality of all taxpayer information.
VITA sites will begin in-person returns on February 7th.
Please see below for a complete list of VITA sites throughout Escambia and Santa Rosa counties, as well as their opening dates and hours. VITA is by appointment only in 2022, to schedule an appointment simply dial 211. For up-to-date information please visitwww.uwwf.org/taxhelp.
Goodwill Easterseals of the Gulf Coast
1715 E. Olive Rd., Pensacola, FL 32514
Opening: February 9
Wednesday 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.; Saturday, February 19 from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Pensacola State College (Main Campus)
1000 College Blvd., Pensacola, FL 32504 Bldg 98
Opening: February 7
Hours: Monday 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.; Thursday 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday February 26, March 26, and April 9, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Pensacola State College (Warrington Campus)
5555 US-98, Pensacola, FL 32507
Opening: February 8
Hours: Tuesday 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Wednesday 2:00 p.m. – 6 p.m. Thursday 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Pensacola State College (Milton Campus)
5988 Hwy 90, Milton, FL, 32583 Bldg 400
Opening: February 8
Hours: Tuesday 2 p.m. – 6 p.m., Friday 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.; Saturday March 3, and April 2, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Filers must bring the following documentation with them when filing taxes at one of the VITA sites:
Promotional materials containing information about United Way of West Florida’s VITA program are available for distribution. To request these materials or any questions concerning the VITA program, contact Financial Stability Manager, Elizabeth Bondurant, at elizabeth.bondurant@uwwf.org.
United Way of West Florida’s VITA Program is sponsored by the University of West Florida, Pensacola State College, Goodwill Easterseals of the Gulf Coast, IRS, and Wells Fargo.