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Today’s edition · Wed., Nov. 4

The SS United States sinks Nov. 12, and Escambia renews its sales tax

Plus, Pensacola Catholic's volleyball run ends in the 3A state semifinals.

The Daily Pensacola team2 stories13 sources5 min read

Gulf CoastTop story

The SS United States is set to become the world's largest artificial reef Nov. 12

Escambia County is putting money behind the new reef

$1 million
toward deploying the ship
$500,000
a year for five years to market it
32
nautical miles southeast of Pensacola Pass

Source: Pensacola News Journal

If you've ever wanted to watch a 990-foot ocean liner go down on purpose, mark Nov. 12. The SS United States is set to become the world's largest artificial reef that day, about 32 nautical miles southeast of Pensacola Pass, weather permitting. Okaloosa County leads the project, but Escambia County tourism officials committed $1 million toward deployment and $500,000 a year for five years to market it.

Local dive operators expect the reef to draw visitors. Kerry Freeland of Dive Pros calls it "another jewel in our crown," and he estimates 30% to 40% of area dive charter trips still go to the , sunk off Pensacola in 2006.

The liner set a transatlantic speed record on its first voyage in 1952. The Navy covered about one-third of its $77.7 million construction cost for possible troop duty, but it was never used that way.

  • Livestream: thessus.com, with a viewing link before deployment
  • Purchase price: $10.1 million, bought by Okaloosa County in October 2024
  • Site: 22 nautical miles southwest of Destin-Fort Walton Beach

The send-off and the sinking are set for Nov. 11 and 12

  1. Nov. 11Okaloosa County's public send-off ceremony starts at 1:30 p.m. in Destin.
  2. Nov. 12Visit Pensacola's free watch party begins at 9:30 a.m. at Seville Quarter.
  3. Nov. 12The sinking is set to start at 10 a.m.

Source: Pensacola News Journal

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Asked

How will you follow the SS United States sinking on Nov. 12?

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High School Sports

Pensacola Catholic's volleyball season ends in the 3A state semifinal

Pensacola Catholic's bid for a first state championship ended Tuesday morning. The No. 2 King's Academy Lions swept the No. 3 Crusaders in the Class 3A semifinal at Polk State College in Winter Haven.

King's Academy won all three sets

SetKing's AcademyPensacola Catholic
12523
22520
32520

Source: OKC Thunder Wire

It wasn't a walkover early. King's Academy had to survive a late 7-1 run by the Crusaders in the first set and revisit the court after a match point was overturned. In the second, Pensacola Catholic tied it at 11-11.

The Crusaders went into the semifinal 27-4 and made the semifinals for a second straight year. A year ago they were swept by Calvary Christian.

  • Title match: Wed., Nov. 4, 6 p.m. CT, in Winter Haven
  • King's Academy's opponent: winner of Merritt Island and Pine Crest
  • King's Academy's last state final: 2007

27-4Pensacola Catholic's record going into the semifinal

The Crusaders reached the 3A state semifinals for the second straight year.

Source: Pensacola News Journal

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News Notes

Sales tax

Escambia County voters renewed the local option sales tax for another 10 years, 82,215 to 27,361 in unofficial results. The one-cent tax has been in place since 1992. Pensacola News Journal

Escambia voters renewed the local option sales tax by a wide margin

Unofficial results from Escambia County

Escambia County local option sales tax renewal

✓For renewal82,21575.0%
Against renewal27,36125.0%

Source: Pensacola News Journal

View as table
RaceCandidateVotesShare
Escambia County local option sales tax renewalFor renewal, won82,21575.0%
Escambia County local option sales tax renewalAgainst renewal27,36125.0%

Santa Rosa tax

Santa Rosa County voters extended the half-cent local option sales tax for five more years. With 41 of 41 precincts counted, 73% voted for renewal. Pensacola News Journal

NAS Pensacola

NAS Pensacola will be closed to anyone without a Department of War ID card on Thu., Nov. 5 for STEAM Day, which brings more than 5,000 area students to the base. The free Blue Angels Homecoming Air Show follows Fri., Nov. 6 and Sat., Nov. 7, with gates opening at 8 a.m. Pensacola News JournalPenAir

SEC soccer

Escambia County will host the SEC women's soccer tournament at Ashton Brosnaham Athletic Park from Nov. 8-15, its fifth straight year. The top 12 teams will compete for the conference championship. WEAR-TV

McDonald's

Niceville-based Costa Family McDonald's acquired eight restaurants in Northwest Florida and South Alabama, bringing its total to 27. The company said it plans to create about 200 jobs over the next six months. Mid Bay News

Home

Two home kitchen upgrades under $24 while sales last: super-absorbent dish towels that come in an eight-pack and include a hanging loop, and a water-absorbing stone sponge holder that’s minimalist, compact, and keeps counters and sponges dry with natural diatomite stone.

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Asked

Tap an answer to see how Pensacola answered.

Asked

Are you heading to the Blue Angels Homecoming Air Show?

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Today’s puzzles

A new puzzle in each one every morning, played right here.

All 13 games

Quoted

You can't wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club.

— Jack London

Things to Do

Things to Do

Pensacola, FL

Wednesday, Nov. 4

See every Pensacola eventFeature your event

Jobs

Jobs

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Around the Block

Around the Block

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Neighbors

I am by no means perfect and of course I do make mistakes.

“Nevertheless, my question is this. Are the comments on this app that contain multiple misspelled words and grammatical errors due to expeditious typing, ignorance or worse? It certainly has an effect on my consideration of the poster's opinion. I suppose that I am weird, but I want anything that I produce to be a…”

— A neighbor, North East Hill

73 likes · 100 comments

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The Wrap

Cotton candy spun by hand, whoopie pies and a dirty soda bar all under one roof? Amber Powell has opened Wonder Wisps Creations, a gluten-free bakery on Nine Mile Road. She started it as a cottage business during the pandemic, and cinnamon rolls are on the menu too. Sweet tooth, meet your new spot.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Escambia and Santa Rosa set early-vote records as Election Day arrives

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Every source in this edition13 links · 8 outlets
  1. The Weather Channelweather.com
  2. Pensacola News Journalpnj.com
  3. Stars and Stripesstripes.com
  4. Pensacola News Journalpnj.com
  5. OKC Thunder Wireokcthunderwire.usatoday.com
  6. Pensacola News Journalpnj.com
  7. Pensacola News Journalpnj.com
  8. Pensacola News Journalpnj.com
  9. Pensacola News Journalpnj.com
  10. PenAirpenair.org
  11. WEAR-TVweartv.com
  12. Mid Bay Newsmidbaynews.com
  13. Pensacola events calendardailypensacola.com

Past issues

  1. Tues., Nov. 3Escambia and Santa Rosa set early-vote records as Election Day arrives
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Daily Pensacolato me · Wed., Nov. 46:00 a.m.

The SS United States sinks Nov. 12, and Escambia renews its sales tax

Plus, Pensacola Catholic's volleyball run ends in the 3A state semifinals.

The TLDR

  1. The SS United States is set to sink as a reef Nov. 12
  2. Pensacola Catholic falls to King's Academy in the 3A semifinal
  3. Escambia voters renew the local option sales tax
Read this edition

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ElectionsEscambia and Santa Rosa set midterm early-voting records as Election Day arrivesVoting today? Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. across Northwest Florida, and if you're in line at 7 p.m., you can still vote. Escambia and Santa Rosa set midterm records for in-person early voting, the most for a midterm since Florida started early voting in 2004.Tuesday’s editionRead Things to DoThe 42nd Frank Brown Songwriters Festival kicks off Thursday, Nov. 5If you like songs with the stories behind them, the festival runs Nov. 5 through Nov. 15. Gulf Coast Media says more than 200 songwriters and artists play over 11 days, including Hillary Lindsey, Cary Barlowe and Gordie Sampson.Tuesday’s editionRead

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