UWF Giving Housing Refunds, Offering All Courses Online For Summer 2020
March 26, 2020
The University of West Florida is offering housing refunds and will offer all courses online for the summer semester.
With exception of a small number of students with no other options, students were forced out of their campus housing due to COVID-19. Now, the university is offering flat-rate refunds ranging from $825 to $1,025 per student depending on the type of housing unit. Students are required to provide e-refund information by April 1 or a refund check will be mailed.
The college said they are still working with their vendor on refunds for student meal plans.
UWF also announced Wednesday that all Summer 2020 course will be offered online, with summer registration opening on March 30. Available courses will be posted at that time.
Complete information is below for housing and dining refunds as well as information on summer course offerings.
REFUNDS
Housing: Room and board costs will be prorated for all residential students who vacated campus housing through the rest of the Spring 2020 semester.
The University will provide students a flat-rate refund based on the type of housing unit:
- Residence Hall Single – $925.00 per student
- Residence Hall Double – $825.00 per student
- Apartment 4 Bedroom – $925.00 per student
- Apartment 2 Bedroom – $1,025.00 per student
Students with any outstanding balances with the University will have this amount deducted before they receive a refund.
Refunds will be provided via the UWF Student Financial Services BankMobile Disbursements. To expedite the refund process, make sure your e-Refund information is set up by Wednesday, April 1, 2020 at 5 p.m. If the e-Refunds option is not selected, a refund check will be mailed to your address on file.
As a reminder, students with no relocation options are not required to check out of housing and should contact housing@uwf.edu for special accommodations. Residents who are on the list of special accommodations and residing on campus after March 30, 2020, will not receive a housing refund.
Students who need to retrieve their belongings should contact Housing and Residence Life before coming to campus at housing@uwf.edu. In an effort to have as few people on campus as possible, we ask that you comply with our efforts to coordinate move out.
Campus Dining Plans: University administration is actively working with our vendor to determine the specifics on refunds. Stay tuned for more details as soon as they are available.
If you have a critical financial need, please contact Case Management Services at casemanagement@uwf.edu for further information.
SUMMER 2020 COURSES
In an effort to provide flexibility to our students, faculty and staff, UWF will offer all courses online for Summer 2020. Summer 2020 registration will begin on March 30, 2020. Available courses will be posted at that time. Students should contact their academic advisor prior to registration.
For additional information on UWF’s COVID-19 efforts, please visit www.uwf.edu/coronavirus.
Community Health Suspends Dental Services In Century And Cantonment Due To COVID-19
March 26, 2020
Community Health of Northwest Florida has suspended dental services in Century and Cantonment due to COVID-19.
Due to mandates from the governor’s office and to keep patients, staff and the public safe, the Community Health Dental Department will not perform dental services at the Century Adults, Century Pediatrics and Cantonment Pediatrics through at least May 8.
Only emergency or urgent dental examinations and treatments will be performed at the Fairfield Drive location during expanded hours of 7:45 a.m. until 2:30 p.m.
Pictured: Community Health of Northwest Florida on Industrial Drive in Century. NorthEscambia.com photo.
Publix, Walmart Installing ‘Sneeze Guards’ At Cash Registers
March 26, 2020
Publix and Walmart are among retailers that have announced they are installing “sneeze guards” to protect both employees and customers.
Publix will install the plexiglass barriers at all registers over the next two weeks. Walmart says the retailer started installing the plexiglass barriers at Walmart and Sam’s Club pharmacy lanes and will install these guards at the regular Walmart registers over the next 2 to 3 weeks.
“At Publix, the health and well-being of our associates, our customers and our communities remains our top priority,” said Maria Brous, director of communications, in a statement.
Walmart is also installing floor decals in stores at both the entrances and in checkout lanes, making it easier for customers to judge the proper social distance from each other.
Publix has reduced store hours to 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and designated Tuesday and Wednesday mornings from 7-8 a.m. as shopping hours for persons 65 and older. Walmart has cut store hours to 7 a.m. to 8:30 p.m, and has senior shopping on Tuesdays one hour before the regular store opening.
Florida Attorney General Goes After Amazon Reseller Price Gouging
March 26, 2020
Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody has issued more than 40 subpoenas to third-party sellers in Florida accused of price gouging on essential commodities through accounts on Amazon.
The subpoenas come as Moody’s Consumer Protection Division continues to review allegations of unlawful price increases on essential commodities during the COVID-19 state of emergency. Allegations against the third-party vendors include excessive price increases on commodities such as face masks, hand sanitizers and disinfectants of up to 1,662 percent.
Moody said, “Floridians are searching for essential products needed to stay safe and healthy during this COVID-19 pandemic. Sadly, when they find these products for sale online, they often discover that the price tag makes them unattainable. This is unacceptable and unlawful. My Consumer Protection investigators are working diligently to identify, investigate and bring to justice anyone trying to exploit this global health crisis to rip off Floridians, and we appreciate Amazon’s commitment to helping us stop third-party vendors trying to use its online platform to exploit the crisis.”
Before Governor Ron DeSantis declared a state emergency over the spread of COVID-19, activating Florida’s price gouging laws, Moody said she began communicating with Amazon and other retailers in an effort to protect Florida consumers. Since then, the Attorney General’s Office has worked with Amazon to:
Set up a system to quickly review and address the concerns of consumers who contact the Attorney General’s Price Gouging Hotline;
Provide refunds directly to Florida consumers—even if sellers were third parties;
Remove more than 35 posts selling products at inflated prices related to complaints made by Florida consumers to the Hotline; and
Create a specific point of contact for the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division to quickly address pricing and other consumer-related issues.
Toll To Pensacola Beach Is Now All Electronic, No Cash Accepted
March 26, 2020
The new all-electronic tolling system on Bob Sikes Bridge to Pensacola Beach went live on March 20, which was earlier than anticipated to adhere to social distancing for toll booth workers.
The toll remains $1, but cash and coins are no longer accepted.
All tolls are collected electronically. Motorists will use either SunPass, another interoperable transponder or be billed utilizing the Toll-by-Plate system. Toll-by-Plate customers will be charged a $1 toll for each trip, plus a monthly $2.50 administrative fee and will receive a bill by mail.
While the sandy part of the public beaches are closed at least until April 2 under a county order, the public is still welcome to drive to the beach
“Pensacola Beach establishments are still offering various take out food options while the public beaches remain closed,” said District 4 County Commissioner Robert Bender. “While we social distance due to COVID-19, let’s help out our local businesses and all their hardworking employees by utilizing take out and to go options.”
Revenues from the toll are currently being used to pay for the 2020 bridge rehabilitation project and the bond payment for the widening of Via De Luna Lane through 2031. Revenues will also go toward a replacement bridge needed in approximately 15 years.
Warm Spring Day With Highs Near 90 For Thursday
March 26, 2020
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 89. Light and variable wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 64. South wind around 5 mph.
Friday: Partly sunny, with a high near 85. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 66. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high near 85. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday: A 20 percent chance of showers before 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 80. West wind around 5 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon.
Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 60. North wind around 5 mph.
Monday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 80.
Monday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 60.
Tuesday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 77.
Tuesday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 55.
Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 72.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Now At 17 Coronavirus Cases, Santa Rosa At Eight
March 25, 2020
THIS STORY IS OUTDATED. CLICK HERE FOR AN UPDATE
Escambia County now has 17 confirmed coronavirus cases according to the Florida Department of Health. The Santa Rosa County total has also increased by one for a total of eight as of a late Wednesday afternoon update.
Eleven of the Escambia County cases are in Pensacola, and six are from Cantonment. They range in age from a 22-year old female to a 76-year old male.
Five of the Santa Rosa County cases are from Navarre, one is from Gulf Breeze, and two are from Milton. They range in age from two to 74. A 71-year old man from Santa Rosa County died, and at least four others are hospitalized.
Late Wednesday afternoon, the total number of Florida cases was 1,977 of which 1,867 are Florida residents and 110 are non-residents within the state. There have been 23 deaths reported across the state, including the Santa Rosa County man that died at a Pensacola hospital.
Brewton Man Dies After Suffering Medical Emergency In His Pickup In Cottage Hill
March 25, 2020
A Brewton man was found dead following a minor crash in Cottage Hill Wednesday morning.
Darren Burns Downing, 52, was backing up his Ford F-150 at the end of Crowndale Court at about 8:49 a.m. when he suffered a medical emergency with the vehicle still in motion, the Florida Highway Patrol said.
It appeared he may have been backing into a driveway at the time. The rear bumper of the truck collided with a small group of trees, but the FHP said his death was not related to the collision.
Downing was pronounced deceased on the scene by Escambia County EMS.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Bergosh Says He Would Likely Support Reopening Beaches April 2; Lanza Calls For Time In The Sun
March 25, 2020
Escambia County Commissioner Jeff Bergosh voiced support Wednesday for reopening the beaches in Escambia County as the director of the Escambia health department promoted time in the sun as a healthy thing.
Bergosh said he voted last week to close the beaches based upon a letter commissioners receiving calling for the closure from the CEOs of the three local hospitals and Dr. John Lanza, director of the Florida Department of Health in Escambia County. Lanza later said he was not authorized by the state to sign the letter.
During a “Coffee with a Commissioner” livestream from Bergosh’s office, Lanza said he recommends 10-15 minutes a day outside in the sun to allow the body to generate vitamin D, which in turn will boost immunity. He cautioned about spending too much time in the sun without proper sunscreen. He did not directly call for reopening the beaches.
Bergosh later said he was going to have a hard time voting to keep the beaches closed when the commission meets again on April 2.
Both cautioned that no matter their location, citizens should follow the CDC guidelines that call for no more than 10 people in a gathering.
The inability of people at the beach to follow the CDC guidelines was a problem at the beach, Escambia County Administrator Janice Gilley said.
“I think it’s sad that as a society we could not trust people to follow that under 10 directive,” Gilley said. “I think that’s what we heard from the health care professionals last week. For the protection of all, we are asking you to keep in small groups. Because there was a thought that we as a society could not guard and manage ourselves, we took away an amazing fantastic benefit that we just heard a professional (Dr. Lanza) say is good for you…a beach.”
Pictured: (L-R) Dr. John Lanza, Janice Gilley and Jeff Bergosh during an early morning “Coffee with the Commissioner” livestream. Image for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
FDLE Arrests Escambia Man On 30 Child Porn Charges Involving Infants And Toddlers
March 25, 2020
An Escambia County man is facing multiple child pornography charges.
Agents with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement arrested Jason Andrew Winn, 41, of Pensacola, on 30 counts of possession of obscene material and one count of obscene material promotion. Winn was identified as a high-volume child pornography suspect in Florida with a large number of videos and photos involving infants and toddlers being sexually abused.
The investigation began in January. Winn was arrested Wednesday morning at his home, 6111 Enterprise Drive, Pensacola. The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office assisted with the arrest.
During a search warrant, FDLE’s electronic detection K-9, Maple identified an additional electronic storage device that also contained child pornography. Computer forensics examinations continue on a number of electronic devices agents believe belong to Winn. Additional charges are expected, FDLE said.
Winn was booked into the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $160,000.