Southern Oaks Has The Most COVID-19 Nursing Home Residents In The State. Here Are The Numbers For All Escambia Long-Term Facilties.
April 28, 2020
One Escambia County nursing home has the most COVID-19 positive patients of any long-term care facility in the entire state, according to the Florida Department of Health. In fact, they have nearly twice as many infected residents as any other in Florida.
Southern Oaks Care Center has 87 COVID-19 infected residents, plus five positive patients that were transferred out for treatment, and 15 staff members that have tested positive, the FDOH said. The next closest number in Florida is North Dade Nursing and Rehabilitation Center with 45 residents.
According to the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration, Southern Oaks is licensed for a total capacity of 210 residents.
The next highest number of long-term care cases in Escambia County is dramatically lower at Rosewood Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center with six positive resident cases, two residents who have transferred out, and one staff member testing positive.
Eight nursing home patients in Escambia County have died, but the FDOH has not identified where they were residents.
Pictured: Southern Oaks Care Center on West Gregory Street. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Fire Rips Through Large Detached Garage In Cottage Hill
April 28, 2020
Fire ripped through a large detached garage in Cottage Hill Monday night.
The fire was reported about 8 p.m. in on Williams Ditch Road just east of Handy Road. The large two-car garage was destroyed by the fire.
The cause of the fire is under investigation. There were no injuries reported.
Pictured: Photos show the progression of the fire from before firefighters started fighting the blaze (above) to the expansion of the fire (below). NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Food Trucks Now Serving In Beulah. Here’s The Schedule For The Rest Of The Week.
April 28, 2020
Beulah area residents have new restaurant takeout choices.
Monday was the first day Escambia County starting allowing a limited number of food trucks to serve from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. in the parking lot of the Escambia County Equestrian Center at 7550 Mobile Highway.
The Wacked Out Weiner, Sno’s Shaved Ice and Chick-fil-A took part on Monday.
Here’s the tentative schedule for the remainder of the week:
WEDNESDAY
- 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. The Po Boy Shack
- 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Joe’s Caribbean
- 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Arlene Williams BBQ and Grill
- 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. Dr Sno’s Shaved Ice
THURSDAY
- 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Whacked Out Weiner
- 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. 3-D Eats
- 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Joe’s Caribbean
- 10:30 a.m. – 7 p.m. Sneaky Tiki Shaved Ice
- 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. Jordan Valley Mediterranean
FRIDAY
- 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. Dr Sno’s Shaved Ice
- 10 a.m.- 7 p.m. Fresh Food Factory
- 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Wacked Out Weiner
- 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. Arlene Williams BBQ and Grill
- 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. Rolling Embers Pizza
SATURDAY
- 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Fantastic Foods Sweets Snacks & More
- 10 a.m.- 7 p.m. Dr Sno’s Shaved Ice
- 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. Beck’s Jamaican Kitchen
- 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. Arlene Williams BBQ and Grill
The parking lot is a large grassy area and provides ample room for residents to adhere to all CDC social distancing protocols, according to the county. Trucks will be spaced out in the lot and patrons will be asked to stay six feet apart and limit gathering to groups smaller than 10.
To participate as a food truck vendor, call (850) 941-6042 for a vendor application. All Equestrian Center vendor fees will be waived.
Pictured: Food trucks at the Escambia County Equestrian Center Monday. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
FWC Law Enforcement Report: Night Hunting, Other Violations
April 28, 2020
The Florida FWC Division of Law Enforcement reported the following activity during the period ending March 19 in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
Officer McHenry was conducting fishery inspections at the Fort Pickens Fishing Pier when he noticed an individual in a boat pull in a gag grouper from a stringer. The operator of the boat started to leave the area, but then turned toward shore. The operator beached the boat and Officer McHenry walked down to check the fisherman. When Officer McHenry arrived, the subject was cleaning the fish. Officer McHenry advised the subject that gag grouper season was currently closed and issued the appropriate citation for the violation.
SANTA ROSA COUNTY
Officers Wilkenson and Roberson responded to a night hunting complaint about an individual on an ATV with a loaded rifle. The subject trespassed onto a hunt club property nearby. K-9 Officer Hutchinson arrived to assist, and the subject was located. The subject admitted to hunting on the property at night with a gun using his ATV lights. He was cited accordingly.
K-9 Officer Hutchinson was patrolling a road adjacent to the Blackwater State Forest when he observed a bright light being shined into the tree line after sunset. The light was being shined from a subject who was riding a bicycle and holding a hunting rifle. Officer Hutchinson conducted a stop on the bicycle and the subject admitted to shining the light to look for wildlife. Officer Hutchinson seized the rifle and the subject was cited accordingly.
Officer Roberson was on patrol when he observed four individuals fishing next to a bridge. Officer Roberson contacted the fishermen and found they had multiple bass, bream, and an undersized redfish in a bucket. Upon further inspection two of the individuals caught all the fish using a cast net. One of the individuals was cited for undersized redfish, and the other was cited for using an illegal method to catch freshwater gamefish.
Officer Mullins observed a vehicle shine a light from the roadway into Blackwater Wildlife Management Area (WMA). The officer stopped the subjects for a resource inspection, and they admitted to shining for deer and had a shotgun in the front of the truck between them. The shotgun, ammunition, and light were seized as evidence. The subjects were each issued a misdemeanor notice to appear.
Officers in Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties focused efforts on illegal night hunting activity. Officer Mullins stopped a vehicle actively shining a light. The subject had fresh blood on his pants, and upon further investigation deer hair and blood was found in the vehicle. Officers Roberson, Brown, Hutchinson, and K-9 Zara assisted in the investigation that identified multiple suspects. The investigation revealed approximately 10 deer were taken illegally, with most deer being shot at night from a roadway. Multiple sets of deer parts and firearms were seized. Charges were filed with the state attorney’s office for multiple wildlife violations.
This report represents some events the FWC handled during the time period; however, it does not include all actions taken by the Division of Law Enforcement. Information provided by FWC.
NorthEscambia.com photo.
Escambia County (AL) COVID-19 Cases Increase To 27
April 28, 2020
The number of COVID-19 cases in Escambia County (AL) increased has increased by five since Friday.
There are now 27 positive cases with on recorded death. There have been 343 total COVID-19 tests administered in the county.
The Alabama Department of Health reported 6,644 total positive cases in the state out of 75,138 tests. There have been 242 deaths and 903 hospitalizations reported statewide.
Jay Man Charged With Sexual Battery Of 8-Year Old Girl
April 28, 2020
A Jay man has been charged with allegedly molesting an 8-year old girl.
Michael George Rasmussen, age 42 of Cobbtown Road, was charged with sexual battery by a suspect over 18 on a victim under 12, a capital felony.
During a sleepover in January, the victim revealed that she had been inappropriately touched by Rasmussen around Easter 2018 when he thought she was sleeping after a trip to the beach, according to an arrest report. She later told a Santa Rosa Kids House investigator that she did not tell her mom because she was scared but eventually told a friend during the sleepover.
A Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s deputy wrote in his report that he set numerous appointments to interview Rasmussen about the allegations, but he refused to appear.
The redacted arrest report does not reveal the relationship between the girl and Rasmussen.
Rasmussen remained in the Santa Rosa County Jail with bond set at a half million dollars. If convicted as charged, he faces life in prison.
Becoming Cloudy Wednesday Night; Thunderstorms For Thursday
April 28, 2020
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 64. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday: Showers and thunderstorms. High near 79. Southwest wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.
Wednesday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Cloudy during the early evening, then gradual clearing, with a low around 55. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming northwest after midnight.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 76. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Thursday Night: Clear, with a low around 50. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 81. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph in the morning.
Friday Night: Clear, with a low around 55. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 86. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 61. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 89.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 66.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 90.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 67.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 91.
Suspect Taken Into Custody After Shots Fired Incident In Bratt
April 27, 2020
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Officer responded to a shots fired disturbance in the 3400 block of West Highway 4 in Bratt about 7:20 Sunday night.
The caller told the ECSO that shots had been fired at their residence by a relative. He was later located at a home on West Highway 4 near C.W. Carraway Road, about a mile east of Northview High School.
The individual was taken into custody without incident under Florida’s Baker Act, which allows someone to be transported to a mental health facility.
There were no injuries, and deputies did not find any damage to the house that was reportedly fired at earlier in the evening.
Pensacola Announces Phased Reopening Plan Beginning Friday
April 27, 2020
Pensacola Mayor Grover Robinson announced a phased plan Monday he called “Recover Pensacola” for reopening the city while closely monitoring for the resurgence of coronavirus.
Phase One of the plan begins Friday, May 1 with recreation facilities such as outdoor basketball courts, tennis courts and playgrounds in the city reopening, and restaurants will be able to open outdoor seating. There could be adjustments based upon the plan announced by the state.
“We want to begin reopening as soon as possible, but the last thing we want to do is sacrifice safety in the process.,” Robinson said.
Pensacola’s plan will continue with a green light when there is a measured downward trajectory in flu-like illnesses and COVID-19-like illnesses within a 14 days. A yellow “hold” status will occur when there is a three-day reversal in statistical trends, healthcare system concern or public safety impact with a 15% decrease in available active staffing.
A red status would restart the plan, signaled by a 14-day reversal in statistical trends, healthcare system concern or a if 30% of public safety personnel are unable to work.
Once the health department establishes 14-day downward trend in COVID-19 and flu-like symptoms, restaurants, sporting venues, movie theaters and churches could reopen within the crowd size guidelines, which is currently 10 or less. Schools, camps and bars would remain closed.
The final plan may adjust to match state guidance, and officials are working on the next steps in the plan.
Escambia County has not announced a reopening plan.
Applications Close 5pm Today $2,500 COVID-19 Small Business Recovery Grants In Escambia County, Pensacola
April 27, 2020
The application process ends at 5 p.m. for $2,500 grants available to assist for-profit small businesses in Escambia County or the City of Pensacola.
Escambia County and the City of Pensacola, in partnership with the UWF Small Business Development Center, FloridaWest EDA and the Greater Pensacola Chamber of Commerce have created the Escambia County Small Business COVID-19 Recovery Grant Program. The grant is intended to assist for-profit businesses located in Escambia County with their immediate cash flow needs as a result of a demonstrated economic injury due to COVID-19. The max grant award is $2,500 per applicant or business.
Escambia County will fund the grant with a contribution of $100,000 to UWF. The City of Pensacola will contribute an additional $25,000 for businesses within the city, with $12,500 from Mayor Grover Robinson’s discretionary fund and $12,500 from District 3 Councilman Andy Terhaar’s discretionary fund. The Florida SBDC at UWF will assist eligible for-profit businesses with applying for the grant, and UWF will distribute the appropriate funds to businesses who have been awarded grant funds. A third-party review board will be created to review applications, determine eligibility and approve the award of grant funding to each applicant on a case-by-case basis using the following parameters:
Eligibility
YOUR BUSINESS MUST:
1. Be a for-profit, privately held small business that maintains a place of business in Escambia County, Florida and established on, or before January 1, 2019. (verified by Sunbiz - dos.myflorida.com/sunbiz/search or hold an occupational or business license). Businesses within city limits applying for City of Pensacola funding must be registered in Sunbiz.
2. Have been a going concern since at least Jan. 1, 2019.
3. Have been mandated by federal, state, or local government to reduce or eliminate services and/or have a demonstrated reduction in sales revenues of 25% or greater due to the loss of business income related to COVID-19.
4. Provide written justification of economic loss or injury caused as a result of the declared disaster, e.g. sales or income from a previous year compared to current period. Provide documentation of a reduction of sales revenues.
5. Have been a small business with no more than 20 employees employed at the time of the disaster.
6. Pledge in good-faith to remain in business for at least 6 months following the receipt of fund.
Steps to apply for the grant:
- Go to the Florida SBDC at UWF website www.sbdc.uwf.edu and select REQUEST SBDC CONSULTING and complete the online request form. Remember to identify “Escambia COVID-19 Grant” by name in the request form.
- Download the Escambia County Small Business COVID-19 Recovery Grant application at myescambia.com/COVID19Grant, complete and sign the application, and gather all supporting documents. Email completed and signed applications, as well as supporting documents, all in PDF format to fsbdcatuwf@gmail.com. Please put “Escambia COVID-19 Grant” in the subject line of the email. For assistance with completing the application, contact the Florida SBDC at UWF at 850-586-7802 or fsbdcatuwf@gmail.com. If you need assistance scanning documentation into a PDF, please contact Escambia County’s Neighborhood and Human Services Division Manager Carla Thompson at 850-595-3123 or cell at 850-572-1938 to schedule an appointment at Brownsville Community Center, 3200 W. DeSoto, Pensacola. Only completed application forms with all requested supporting documents will be accepted for review.
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- The application form must be completed and signed by individual(s) who, individually or collectively, own fifty-one percent (51%) or more of the equity of the business.
- A copy of each individual’s driver’s license or US Passport must be provided for identity verification purposes.
Each applicant OR business is only eligible for one grant. If the applicant OR business has received the Northwest Florida Small Business COVID-19 Grant they will not be eligible for the Escambia County Small Business Recovery COVID-19 Grant. Fifty percent of grant funds will be awarded to businesses with up to 10 employees, and 50 percent will be awarded to business with 11 to 20 employees. The Escambia grant will be awarded with consideration given to business locations throughout the entire county to ensure that all districts of the county are represented. The City of Pensacola’s contribution will be awarded to businesses within the city.
By partnering with UWF SBDC the applicant information remains confidential per state statute.