Unemployment Was At A Record Low In Florida. Then COVID-19 Hit.
March 30, 2020
Florida’s unemployment rate was at a record low in February, prior to the start COVID-19 pandemic in Florida.
Florida’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 2.8 percent in February 2020, unchanged from January 2020, and down 0.6 percentage point from a year ago. Florida’s unemployment rate tied the record low of 2.8 percent
February’s unemployment rate was 3.2% in Escambia County, down from 3.4% a year ago.
But those numbers, just released Friday, reflect on February numbers, not the soaring number of applicants after COVID-19 business shutdowns.
The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity reported 130,000 calls about unemployment benefits in just four days last week. They normally receive about 28,000 in a month. Complaints have been rampant about a state unemployment website that crashes.
Complete Florida unemployment data for March won’t be available until April.
Editor’s note: This data is for February and was just released Friday by the state. It does not reflect the soaring unemployment after the COVID-19 pandemic hit.
Chance Of Severe Storms On Tuesday
March 30, 2020
We’re keeping an eye on Tuesday’s weather with a slight chance of strong or severe storms. The primary threat will be damaging wind, but there’s also a slight chance of quarter-size hail or an isolated tornado.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: A slight chance of showers between 1am and 4am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 4am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 64. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Tuesday: Showers and thunderstorms before 1pm, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm between 1pm and 4pm, then a slight chance of showers after 4pm. High near 84. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming southwest 10 to 15 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 48. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 71. North wind around 10 mph.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 48. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 77. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 57. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Friday: Partly sunny, with a high near 80. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 59. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Saturday: A 30 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 81.
Saturday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 61.
Sunday: A 50 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 82.
Sunday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 65.
Monday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 81.
Evelyn Marie Simmons
March 30, 2020
Mrs. Evelyn Marie Simmons, age 85 of Flomaton, AL, passed away on Sunday, March 29, 2020 in Brewton, AL.
Mrs. Simmons was born in Goodway, AL, and had been a resident of Flomaton since 1955 coming from Goodway. During her working years, she worked as a restaurant manager and cashier. She was involved with the Lion’s Club and the S.A.I.L program with the Town of Flomaton and loved her flowers and gardening. Mrs. Simmons was a member of Little Escambia Baptist Church, and was preceded in death by her husband, Ray Simmons; her parents, Clarence and Bertha Davidson Wiggins, one brother, Robert Wiggins, and son-in-law, Carlos Morris.
She is survived by her daughters, Marie Morris of Jay, FL and Lucie (Bennie) Godwin of Millbrook, AL; brothers, David Wiggins of Century, FL and Curtis (Lizette) Wiggins of Atmore, AL; one grandchild, Jeremy (Rethelle) Word of Millbrook, AL, and three great-grandchildren, Jordan Word, Tyler Word, and Jerrica Word; and numerous other family members and friends.
Graveside services will be held on Thursday, April 2, 2020 at Flomaton Cemetery at 1 P.M. with Rev. Jonathan Hill and Rev. Steve Patrick officiating.
Escambia COVID-19 Cases Increase, Up By Nine Since Saturday
March 29, 2020
THIS STORY IS NOW OUTDATED. CLICK HERE FOR AN UPDATE
The number of COVID-19 cases in Escambia County jumped to 37 in the Sunday evening report from the Florida Department of Health, an increase of nine since Saturday.
Of the Escambia County cases, 26 are from Pensacola, nine are from Cantonment (an increase of two) and two are non-residents. They range in age from 20 to 94, and two are hospitalized.
In Santa Rosa County, there are 20 cases — nine positive from Navarre, two from Pace, five from Milton and four from Gulf Breeze. They range in age from 2 months to 81 years. Seven are hospitalized and one died.
There were 4,950 cases across Florida as of the Sunday evening FDOH report. Of those 4,768 are Florida residents. COVID-19 has now killed 60 in Florida, and 633 are hospitalized.
Remote Learning Begins This Week. This Is How It Will Work For Escambia County Students.
March 29, 2020
Tens of thousands of students in Escambia County will start classes this week at home, the first time they have had formal instruction since getting out of school for spring break on March 13.
Teachers and staff members officially head back to work on Monday, and teachers will begin calling students with complete details on how they will handle online instruction. Teachers were originally set to report to campuses on Monday, but many will work from home, Superintendent Malcolm Thomas said Saturday afternoon.
Every Escambia County School district student in grades 3-12 already has an assigned Chromebook, and the district will be providing Chromebook laptops to students in grade K-2 from a stockpile of extras.
“The Chromebooks were purchased to use for a three-year cycle, but it turned out they lasted longer. We still had 10,000 of them we had not gotten rid off. They were taken offline, but they still work perfect and will go to schools for grades K-2. Some parents may also let their kids use their current laptop or computer.”
Parents and students will be instructed when to pick up their Chromebooks during a phone call from their teacher on Monday or Tuesday along with virtual learning instructions. The distribution times and days will be staggered to keep large groups from forming on campuses. If parents have not received a call from their child’s teacher by the end of Wednesday, they should call the school and make sure the district has the right phone number on file.
The district is targeting Wednesday, April 1 to begin remote instruction.
“Some elementary teachers are ready today,” Thomas said Saturday. “Some are ahead but for some it is going to depend on technology in the home of the student, and that will be a little more challenging.”
Once it became clear that students would switch to virtual learning at home, the district began to grapple with exactly how to reach students that have inadequate or even no available internet access at home.
“Teachers can put workbooks and assignments on flash drives for students without Wi-Fi,” he said. “We have the availability of Wi-Fi at community centers and libraries as a last resort for students. I think some will use it, but I don’t think it will be a larger number.”
Each student already knows their student ID and their password, the superintendent said, so working at home on their Chromebooks will be almost the same as being on campus. For the most part, work can be completed on the student’s schedule, but there may be a scheduled time for a video conference in some classes.
“We are going to be very flexible, whatever works for families, students and teachers,” he said.
The district will be taking attendance based upon when students log into the learning environment.
Exclusive: COVID-19 Testing Site Will Be Announced This Week In Cantonment
March 29, 2020
NorthEscambia.com has learned that COVID-19 testing site will be announced for Cantonment this week.
The site will a partnership between Escambia County and Community Health Northwest Florida. Testing will likely be conducted on Tuesday and Thursdays, beginning as early as this Tuesday, March 31.
Details are expected to be officially announced early this week along with the exact location and the registration process. We’ll have that information on NorthEscambia.com as soon as it is made available.
As of Monday morning, nine positive COVID-19 cases had been reported in Cantonment by the Florida Department of Health.
FHP Sets Up Checkpoint On I-10 To Enforce State COVID-19 Travel Restrictions
March 29, 2020
The Florida Highway Patrol set up a checkpoint on I-10 eastbound entering Florida on Saturday to enforce an order issued by Gov. Ron DeSantis concerning travelers from areas with significant COVID-19 community spread.
On Friday, DeSantis announced there would be checkpoints entering the state after he added Louisiana to the state’s self-quarantine requirements to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
DeSantis said counties and the Florida Highway Patrol will be able to enforce the requirements at checkpoints on the “main thoroughfares” into Florida, including I-10. Drivers from Louisiana, New York, New Jersey or Connecticut are pulled aside for further screening. They are required to isolate for a period of 14 days upon entry to Florida or for the duration of their visit, whichever is shorter, and should be prepared for additional monitoring by the Florida Department of Health.
Upon entry in Florida, each arriving traveler or responsible family member (if traveling as a family) will be required to complete a traveler form. The form requires key information, including each traveler’s contact information and trip details. Failure to complete the form and failure to follow any isolation or quarantine order from DOH are a violation of Florida law.
Additionally, travelers from the targeted states are provided with a traveler card, which has contact information and guidance in the event the traveler exhibits symptoms while in isolation that are attributed to COVID-19, including fever, cough, or shortness of breath.
The Florida Highway Patrol is staffing the I-10 checkpoint at the Alabama/Florida line 24 hours a day with about 16 troopers per 12 hour shift..
Commercial vehicles are allowed to bypass the checkpoint.
A second checkpoint will be created on I-95 on Florida’s northern border to screen for travelers from the New York area, DeSantis announced Saturday.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Church Provides 400 Meals For Waterfront Rescue Mission
March 29, 2020
The disaster response team from Pinewoods Presbyterian Church in Cantonment delivered 400 meals to the Waterfront Rescue Mission recently.
Donations to Waterfront have dropped off due to COVID-19, and the church took the opportunity to help.
Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click enlarge.
FWC: Social Distancing Applies On The Water Too With New Boating Restrictions
March 29, 2020
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission (FWC) has added new boating restrictions to reduce large gatherings to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Recreational vessels must be at least 50 feet apart with no more than 10 people on board under the order.
“The Commission has observed and received numerous reports from across the state that large numbers of vessels are congregating together in various locations across the state, tying up or anchoring close together, and individuals are often leaving their vessels and assembling closely in shallow water,” the order states.
The distance restriction does not apply to public or private marinas, mooring fields or permanent wet slips.
A Few Showers Possible Sunday, Chance Of Storms By Tuesday
March 29, 2020
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Sunday: A slight chance of showers. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 83. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 63. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Monday: Partly sunny, with a high near 83. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.
Monday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 66. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 1pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. High near 81. South wind 10 to 15 mph becoming west in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 52. West wind around 10 mph becoming north after midnight.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 72. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 50. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm after midnight.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 76.
Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 53.
Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 75.
Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 50.
Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 71.