Need To Donate Some Stuff? Itching To Shop? Waterfront Thrift Stores Reopen
May 16, 2020
Waterfront’s thrift stores have reopened, ready for shoppers and donations.
Stores are open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m., including locations in Cantonment and Pensacola. Item donations have resumed and are accepted at each store during operating hours or can be scheduled by calling 850.607.8340 or by visiting www.pickupmydonation.com.
“Our homeless neighbors get food and shelter and other vital help thanks to those who donate to and shop at our stores,” said Jason Grizzard, who oversees Waterfront’s mission services. “It’s a win-win because while shoppers experience great thrift finds, someone who is hopeless and homeless gets life-transformative assistance.”
Waterfront Thrift Stores are following CDC guidelines. Employees are wearing masks, shopping carts and high traffic areas are being disinfected and social distancing is being followed.
Program Pays Ag Producers To Improve Florida Forests
May 16, 2020
Agricultural producers in Florida can apply for financial assistance until June 15 for a Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) project to improve forested lands from USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).
NRCS will provide financial and technical assistance to farmers, ranchers and landowners for conservation practices that improve forest ecosystems through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP).
For more information contact your local USDA service center:
Molino Service Center
Natural Resources Conservation Service Office
(850) 587-5404
josh.mcelhaney@usda.gov
Jay Service Center
Farm Service Agency Office
(850) 675-6696 Ext 2
june.weinmann@fl.usda.gov
Eula Mae (Godwin) Lynn
May 16, 2020
Eula Mae (Godwin) Lynn, 80, went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on May 13th, 2020. Eula peacefully passed away in her daughter’s home in Walnut Hill, Florida. She was born February 18th, 1940 in Perdido, Alabama. Eula joyfully served school children lunch for over 20 years at Bratt Elementary School. She retired as the beloved cafeteria manager. Eula loved her co-workers, and each child that came through the lunch line. She even had the joy of serving lunch to her very own grandchildren. Eula shared her love of Jesus to everyone she met. She was a faithful member of New Life Fellowship in Walnut Hill, Florida. Eula was also a glorious talent in the gospel singing group, Restoration, which included vocalists; Kevanah and Betty Hare, Carolyn Thortis, and Glen Thrower. One of Eula’s favorite scriptures that she hung on a wall in her house was Joshua 24:15: “But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” The way she lived her life should be an example for all of us. She made sure that as a mother, all five of her children were raised in church, and that the Word of God was instilled in them. Eula loved her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She lived life knowing that when her time on this earth was over, she would be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We are to celebrate this day with overflowing joy in our hearts knowing that Eula is also celebrating with her Lord in Heaven. She will truly be missed.
She is preceded in death by her father James Calvin Ramer, and mother Leona Bryars Ramer. Her first husband Hilery Lamar Godwin passed away August 20th, 1997 at the age of 58. They were married for 38 years and had 5 beautiful children. Her son Reginald Lamar Godwin born on June 26th, 1963 passed away on January 1st, 2010. In 2006, she then married Loyd Lowell Lynn of Barnet, Texas. They were married for 13 years when he went to be with the Lord on March 16th, 2020. She is also preceded by her siblings Otis Ramer, Aubrey Ramer, Norman Ramer, Curtis Ramer, and a sister Edith Marie Ramer. Eula is survived by her siblings Vertis Ramer of Bay Minette, Alabama; Robert (Doris) Ramer of Perdido, Alabama; Willie (Ola Mae) Ramer of Perdido, Alabama; Arthur (Sheila) Ramer of Atmore, Alabama and Vernon (Sheila) Ramer of Perdido, AL. Her two sons Jefferey Keith Godwin and Hilery Lamont Godwin of Bratt, Florida. Her two daughters Rhonda Lynn (Tommy) Holifield of Atmore, Alabama and Cathy Madonna (Christopher) Scott of Walnut Hill, Florida; eight grandchildren, nine great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held Sunday, May 17, 2020 at 2:30 PM from the Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Ray Hudson officiating. Burial will follow in Godwin Cemetery in Bratt, FL. Active pallbearers will be Nick Moore, Joshua Scott, Codye Dauson, Collin Howard, Ryan Stabler and Jamie Ramer.
Visitation will be held Sunday, May 17, 2020 from 1:30 PM until service time at 2:30 PM at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home.
Gyms In Florida Can Open Monday; Restaurants And Retailers Can Increase Capacity
May 15, 2020
Gyms in Florida can reopen on Monday, and restaurants and retailers will be able to increase capacity, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Friday.
‘“Don’t we want people to get in shape? That’s gonna help you fight the virus,” the governor said. “Don’t we want people to be getting in shape?”
On Monday, retailers and restaurants will be able to increase their capacity of 50 percent; they are currently limited to 25%. Museums and libraries can also open at 50%.
Social distancing rules still apply.
Indoor movie theaters and bars still can’t open under what the governor called the “full Phase One” reopening that begins Monday, and individuals still cannot visit nursing homes.
As for moving on to Phases Two of reopening, DeSantis said the state will have to wait. That will happen “once the Governor determines it is suitable to continue re-opening and after fully considering medical data in consultation with state health officials”, according to a FAQ sheet from the Governor’s Office.
Large Bear Spotted Near University Of West Florida Entrance
May 15, 2020
A large bear was spotted near the front entrance of the Pensacola Campus in the early hours of Friday, May 15, 2020. The bear was seen alone and was not approaching humans.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission was notified immediately. UWF Police have increased their presence on campus, especially near the location of the bear sighting.
If you see a bear, please stay away and contact UWF Police immediately at (850) 474-2415 or 911. Please use caution if you are outside on the Pensacola campus.
20th COVID-19 Death, 11 New Cases Reported In Escambia County
May 15, 2020
THIS STORY IS NOW OUTDATED. SEE NORTHESCAMBIA.COM FOR THE LATEST UPDATE.
One death and 11 new COVID-19 cases were reported Friday in Escambia County by the Florida Department of Health.
The death was an 84-year old long-term care facility resident with no travel history that had previous contact with a known patient.
The Escambia County total now stands at 682. The Santa Rosa County is up by two to 182.
Of the 20 deaths in Escambia County, 15 have been long-term care facility residents. There have been eight deaths in Santa Rosa County, all outside long-term care facilities.
Statewide, there were 44,138 cases including 42,940 Florida residents. There have been 7,959 hospitalizations and 1,917 deaths.
- Total cases — 682 (+11 since Thursday)
- Pensacola — 513
- Cantonment — 47
- Bellview — 6
- Perdido Key — 1
- McDavid/Walnut Hill — 1
- Molino – 4
- Century — 2
- Hospitalizations: 57*
- Deaths — 50
- Male — 240
- Female — 330
- Youngest — 0
- Oldest — 105
Santa Rosa County cases:
- Total cases — 182 (+2 since Thursday)
- Milton — 101
- Navarre — 34
- Gulf Breeze — 26
- Pace — 16
- Jay — 2
- Residents: 129
- Nonresidents — 1
- Hospitalizations — 23*
- Deaths — 9
- Male — 119
- Female — 59
- Youngest — 2 months
- Oldest — 94
Florida cases:
- Total cases — 44,138
- Florida residents — 42,940
- Deaths — 1,917
- Hospitalizations — 7,959*
*“Hospitalizations” is a count of all laboratory confirmed cases in which an inpatient hospitalization occurred at any time during the course of illness. These people may no longer be hospitalized. This number does not represent the number of COVID-19 positive persons currently hospitalized. The FDOH does not provide a count of patients currently hospitalized.
Wildfires Almost Contained, But Forest Service Says ‘Reburn’ Is Likely
May 15, 2020
Firefighters were still working the 5 Mile Swamp and Hurst Hammock fires this morning as they monitor and patrol the blazes in Santa Rosa and Escambia counties looking for any remaining hot spots to douse and keeping the fire within containment lines.
The 5 Mile Swamp Fire in Santa Rosa County is 2,215 acres and 97% contained and Hurst Hammock near Beulah is 1,191 acres and 98% contained.
In addition to local resources from the Blackwater Forestry Center, there are four brush trucks, three tractor/plow units and other specialized equipment in district to bolster local resources as the potential for new fires remains high until the area receives significant rainfall.
Reburn Likely
As patrol operations continue, residents are likely to witness what’s known as reburn as trees that were affected by the fire but not completely burned will drop their remaining leaves and needles as they begin their recovery process. These needles and leaves could land in lingering hot spots that are well inside the fire lines and flare up. Crews have been mopping up any and all hot spots within 50 feet of the fire line for several days so any reburn that occurs should pose minimal risk to containment.
Escambia, Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties have enacted burn bans and the Florida Forest Service is not issuing burn authorizations. Residents are asked to call the non-emergency line for their respective area to report violations and 911 for emergency situations only.
COVID-19 Cases In Escambia County, Alabama, Up To 39; Hospitals Detail Local Test Results
May 15, 2020
The number of positive COVID-19 cases in Escambia County, Alabama, is now 39, according to the Alabama Department of Public Health.
There have been three deaths in the county, with 844 total tests reported by the state. That’s a positive rate of about 4.6%.
The Escambia County Healthcare Authority reports 33 positive cases have been diagnosed by Atmore Community Hospital and six at D.W. McMillan Hospital in Brewton.
Atmore Community has performed 405 total tests with 359 negative, 12 pending and one inconclusive. D.W. McMillan has conducted 206 tests with 192 negative and eight pending.
The Alabama Department of Health reported 11,100 total positive cases in the state out of 146,051 tests. There have been 473 deaths and 1,372 hospitalizations reported statewide.
Texas Woman Killed In Early Morning Highway 29, Quintette Road Wreck
May 15, 2020
A Texas woman was killed in a single vehicle wreck early Friday morning on Highway 29.
The 51-year old Houston woman was traveling south on Highway 29 at Quintette Road when her Toyota SUV left the roadway, struck a culvert and overturned into a wooded area about 3:53 a.m.
She was pronounced deceased at the scene. There were no other occupants in the vehicle.
The Florida Highway Patrol has implemented a new policy. As of April 24, the FHP will no longer release the names of anyone involved in a traffic crash.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
First Positive COVID-19 Case Confirmed At Century Health And Rehabilitation, FDOH Says
May 15, 2020
The first case of COVID-19 has been reported at Century Health and Rehabilitation in Century.
According to data published by the Florida Department of Health, a staff member has been confirmed positive at the facility located at West Highway 4 and Industrial Boulevard in Century. While the state required the individual to be reported as a staff member, administration said the infected individual was a vendor that visited the facility.
“According to the rules established by the Agency for Health Care Administration, we had to report that an approved and appropriately screened vendor that came into the facility was confirmed positive on Tuesday. Even though this person is not a staff member at Century, I had to report this,” Century Health and Rehabilitation Administrator Scott Berube told NorthEscambia.com.
“When this person came into our facility last Friday (May 8), the individual was wearing full PPE, including a N-95 mask, gown, face shield and gloves. All residents, family members and staff were notified. Resident safety is our top priority. We are doing everything we can to stop the spread of COVID-19 in our facility,” Berube continued. He encouraged anyone with questions to contact him.
No residents at the Century facility have tested positive for the virus, according to FDOH’s latest report.
As previously reported, a dozen other long-term facilities in Escambia County have recorded positive residents or staff members.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.