High Speed Internet Will Be Available To Students At Escambia Libraries, Community Centers
March 21, 2020
As the Escambia County School systems moves toward the start of virtual instruction on April 1, Escambia County is making libraries and community centers available for students.
Students without an adequate internet connection at home will be able to use the high speed internet at county libraries and community centers.
It some instances the internet access may only be able outside community centers. If the community center buildings are opened, or in the libraries, CDC recommendations will be followed for cleaning and distancing.
Details on exactly how the program will work will be finalized and published prior to April 1, the date Escambia County students begin online classes.
“When we learned from Superintendent Thomas that the District needed help with a solution for children who lived in areas with limited internet access…we wanted to step up and partner with them immediately,” said Escambia County Commission Chairman Steven Barry. “We will work with the District to provide direct assistance so children are able to complete their school work and to learn remotely wherever they possibly can. Our Escambia County community centers and libraries offer the availability of high speed internet connectivity and plenty of space for students to spread out and continue to further their education. We will also be focusing on enhancing and even adding infrastructure to existing facilities and areas in the attempt to improve the positive impact we can have in the partnership.”
Escambia County School District Superintendent Malcolm Thomas said, “For our education continuity plan to work, to truly help our students stay engaged in their learning during the pandemic interruption, it will take teamwork between our teachers, support staff, students and their families. For some of those families, a lack of internet connectivity is a roadblock to their students’ success. Although, our instructional plan provides for the use of books and paper packets, the most robust instruction will occur through virtual sources. The connectivity provided throughout the county will allow these students access to their lessons over the internet enhancing their opportunity for greater academic success.”
“It is this kind of community support, during any kind of crisis we have experienced, hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, the freeze and now a pandemic, that makes Escambia County an outstanding place for all of us to live and work. Thank you Commissioner Barry for your leadership and please express the school district’s gratitude to the other Commissioners and let the staff members who will be helping our students know that they are making a difference in a difficult time,” Thomas added.
Clouds, Chance Of Rain For The Weekend
March 21, 2020
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Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Saturday: A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 79. Light northwest wind becoming north 5 to 10 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Saturday Night: A slight chance of showers, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Sunday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 80. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the morning.
Sunday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 63. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Monday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 82. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the morning.
Monday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 64. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Tuesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 81. Light south wind increasing to 5 to 10 mph in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph.
Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 67. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 85.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 66.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 88.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 68.
Friday: Partly sunny, with a high near 87.
Santa Rosa’s Third COVID-19 Case In A Teenager; Still One Confirmed Case In Escambia
March 21, 2020
A teenager is the third confirmed case of coronavirus in Santa Rosa County.
It is not traveled related, according to an update from the Florida Department of Health, and the 17-year old male did not have contact with a previously known case.
Santa Rosa County’s first case was announced March 5. The 71-year old man traveled to Egypt, Israel and Jordan. He died at Baptist Hospital In Pensacola. A 48-year old male with a travel history to the United Kingdom was the county’s second case.
The number of cases in Escambia County remained at one, a 53-year old male that traveled to France.
Meals For Kids Available Next Week At West Florida Library Locations
March 21, 2020
Escambia County West Florida Public Libraries are partnering with Feeding the Gulf Coast to provide free curbside pickup meals for youth ages 18 and under at all library branch locations, Monday-Friday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., beginning Monday, March 23.
The meals will include lunch and a snack, and meals will be available on a first come, first served basis.
Youth must be present to receive meals; food will not be given to adults.
Meals will be available for pickup only at the locations listed below Monday-Friday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.:
- Molino Branch Library, 6450-A Highway 95A, Molino
- Pensacola Library, 239 N. Spring St., Pensacola
- Tryon Beach Library, 1200 Langley Ave., Pensacola
- Genealogy Branch Library, 5740 N. 9th Ave., Pensacola
- Southwest Branch Library, 12248 Gulf Beach Highway, Pensacola
- Westside Branch Library, 1301 W. Gregory St., Pensacola
- Century Branch Library, 7991 N. Century Blvd., Century
Country Music Icon Kenny Rogers Dies At 81; ‘The Gambler’ Had Pensacola Connections
March 21, 2020
Legendary country music icon Kenny Rogers passed away Friday night at age 81.
Rogers performed in Pensacola several times, including a benefit concert after Hurricane Ivan at the request of his former producer, the late Larry Butler of Pensacola.
In a career that spanned more than six decades, Kenny Rogers left an indelible mark on the history of American music. His songs have endeared music lovers and touched the lives of millions around the world. Chart-topping hits like “The Gambler,” “Lady,” “Islands In The Stream,” “Lucille,” “She Believes In Me,” and “Through the Years” are just a handful of Kenny Rogers’ songs that have inspired generations of artists and fans alike. Rogers, with twenty-four number-one hits, was a Country Music Hall of Fame member, six-time CMA Awards winner, three-time GRAMMY® Award winner, recipient of the CMA Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award in 2013, CMT Artist of a Lifetime Award honoree in 2015 and has been voted the “Favorite Singer of All Time”.
Pictured below: Kenny Rogers (left) with his producer, Larry Butler of Pensacola.
DeSantis Orders Cancellation Of All Elective Surgeries
March 21, 2020
In order to provide relief to hospitals that are, or might be, stretched thin due to the coronavirus, Gov. Ron DeSantis has ordered the cancellation of all elective surgeries.
“All hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers, office surgery centers, dental, orthodontic and endodontic offices, and other health care practitioners’ offices in the state of Florida are prohibited from providing any medically unnecessary, non-urgent or non-emergency procedure or surgery which, if delayed, does not place a patient’s immediate health, safety or wellbeing at risk, or will, if delayed, not contribute to the worsening of a serious or life-threatening medical condition,” the governor’s office said.
The order continues until the end of the current COVID-19 State of Emergency.
Cabinet Member Calls For DeSantis To Issue Statewide ‘Stay At Home’ Order
March 21, 2020
Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried is asking Governor Ron DeSantis to implement a statewide “stay-at-home” order in response to the increasing number of COVID-19 cases in the state.
“I want to recognize the difficult choices the Governor has had to make in this public health crisis. No Governor in recent history would have expected to have to make a decision like California, New York, or Illinois have made in the past 72 hours,” Fried, the only Democrat holding an elected statewide office, said in an email.
“Shutting down one of the nation’s largest states is a decision that will have an economic impact — but it is a decision that will save lives. Based on the data, we know we are a week behind California’s vast increase in COVID-19 cases. The individuals and businesses I’ve spoken with are growing more anxious by the day. As the nation’s third largest state, we need to go further, and we cannot afford to lose another week.”
She said a single order would be more effective than the “piecemeal approach” of increasing closures.
Early in the week, the governor ordered bars to close for 30 days and cut the seating area of restaurants by half. On Friday, he completely closed restaurant dinings rooms, along with gyms and fitness centers until the current state of emergency ends.
Pensacola Chamber Announces Save Florida Business Initiative
March 21, 2020
The Greater Pensacola Chamber of Commerce, Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association (FRLA) and DigiPro Media have partnered together to announce the Save Florida Business Initiative as a way to support Florida businesses during this difficult time.
The Save Florida Business Initiative will connect consumers in Escambia and Santa Rosa County to area businesses through the SaveFloridaBusiness.com website where consumers can be connected to businesses participating in the program.
To participate, any Escambia or Santa Rosa County business must offer a $75 Gift Card Bond that has a retail value of $100. The purchase of the Gift Card Bond incentivizes consumers since they earn $25 for every $75 Gift Card Bond purchased.
“The Save Florida Business Initiative will get money directly to businesses now while we endure the economic impact of the Coronavirus,” stated Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association Regional Director Corey Mobley. “This program will also incentivize consumers to return to our local businesses once this has passed.”
Local businesses can register to participate, and consumers can search and connect with registered businesses at www.savefloridabusiness.com. There is no limit to the number of Gift Card bonds an individual can purchase. We are also leaving it to the participating business to decide when the Gift Card Bonds can be redeemed.
“Many in our community have asked how they can help businesses during this trying time, “stated Greater Pensacola Chamber of Commerce President Todd Thomson. “The Save Florida Business Initiative is a way to provide immediate help for our friends and neighbors. I encourage all who can to participate in this program.”
The SaveFloridaBusiness.com website was built by DigiPro Media in partnership with the FRLA and Greater Pensacola Chamber of Commerce. The website contains information on the program, a place for businesses to register, and a directory of businesses offering Gift Card Bonds.
Body Found Along Roadway Believed To Be 11-Year Old Colorado Boy
March 21, 2020
A body found Tuesday afternoon along Highway 90 on the Santa Rosa end of the Escambia River Bridge has been tentatively identified as a missing 11-year old boy from Colorado.
Gannon Stauch, 11, was reported missing January 27. His stepmother, Letecia Stuach, stands accused of his murder; she was arrested March 2 in South Carolina. She’s now back in Colorado, charged with first degree murder, child abuse resulting in death, tampering with a deceased human body and tampering with physical evidence.
Road construction workers found the body about noon Tuesday, and an autopsy has tentatively identified it as Stauch. Authorities have not said how the body got to Santa Rosa County.
Anyone that may have seen Letecia Stauch in the Escambia or Santa Rosa county areas is asked to call during the February 3-5 timeframe is asked to contact the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office Tip Line at (719) 520-6666 or email tips@elpasoco.com or call Santa Rosa County Crime Stopper stoppers at (850) 437-STOP.
Second COVID-19 Test Is Negative For Navy Federal Employee
March 20, 2020
An employee announced Tuesday by Navy Federal as “presumptive positive” for has been determined to be negative for COVID-19.
The following morning, the Florida Department of Health said the employee was not previously tested and found positive under guidelines from the health department, and a public health investigation was launched to determine if the person was in fact positive.
Friday afternoon, Navy Federal spokesman Bill Pearson confirmed that the person’s second test came back negative.
Navy Federal is continuing to work to protect employees, Pearson said.
“We are doing everything we can as an organization to expand our work from home capabilities along with following all CDC and government guidance for providing healthy work environments. During times of crisis, financial institutions like banks and credit unions are considered essential services to the American public. Navy Federal has more the nine million members around the globe and we’re doing everything possible to continue our mission of serving these members while doing the right thing for our workforce,” he said in a email to NorthEscambia.com. “We’ve implemented the recommended measures to promote social distancing and we’ve taken every step possible to clean and sanitize our buildings. As we’ve been able to increase the amount of teleworkers, we’ve been able to spread the remaining employees out across our campus. All meetings are being conducted virtually and we’ve asked employees not to travel between buildings.”
Pearson reacted to public comments about how close Navy Federal employees work together at their Pensacola campus.
“We understand and empathize with the concerns expressed by employees and the community,” he said. “Our commitment has been and will continue to be, supporting employee’s needs and we encourage them to have open dialogue with their supervisors to make sure legitimate issues can be addressed appropriately.”
“While we are expanding our work from home capability, we do not have any plans to close any of our campuses, including our operations center in Pensacola,” he added.