Truck Brings Down Lines; Cuts Power And Highway 29, Muscogee Road Traffic Light
May 11, 2020
Am oversize truck hauling a piece of equipment brought down lines on Becks Lake Road in Cantonment Monday morning and damaged several utility poles.
It led to a power disruption and an outage of the traffic light at Muscogee Road/Becks Lane Road and Highway 29. The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to direct traffic during the outage.
There were no injuries reported.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Beulah, Santa Rosa Wildfires Now 75% Contained
May 11, 2020
The Hurst Hammock Fire near Beulah is now 1,248 acres and is 75% contained, and the 5 Mile Swamp Fire in Santa Rosa County is 2,215 acres and is also 75% contained, according to the Florida Forest Service Service.
The Hurst Hammock fire was caused by humans, not nature, the Forest Service said, but the exact cause has not been determined.
Both fires stayed within their established contained lines on Sunday. Crews continued to patrol neighborhoods and communities to identify hot spots and implement thorough mop up operations to extinguish the heat and smoke in those areas. There are currently 182 personnel assigned to these fires.
On Monday, crews will continue to work to keep the fires within the containment zone and continue with mop up operations to reduce smoke. Additional crews have been identified for initial attack to assist the Florida Forest Service – Blackwater Forestry Center on any new fires that may occur in their coverage area which includes Escambia, Okaloosa, and Santa Rosa counties.
A Florida Forest Service fixed-wing aircraft referred to as an Air Attack continues to patrol both fire areas to monitor fire behavior throughout the day. There is also a medium helicopter with a 300 gallon bucket assigned to the two fires if needed.
After a five-day, multi-agency response to the Five Mile Swamp Fire, Santa Rosa County Emergency Management is pulling back structure fire equipment and personnel. The Florida Forest Service will retain command of the fire. The Florida Forest Service Blue Incident Management Team, which took command at noon on Thursday, is based out of the Santa Rosa County Emergency Operations Center.
Santa Rosa County’s damage assessment team has determined 14 residential structures were destroyed (seven damaged) with a total of 27 buildings destroyed. The estimated value for residential structure losses is $1,902,887. No responders or residents were injured. Monetary donations for long-term recovery efforts for residents who have lost their homes can be made to Safer Santa Rosa.
A strike team of engines out of Tallahassee from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection is now in place conducting mop up operations to minimize smoke impacts to surrounding neighborhoods such as Robinson Point and Garcon Point.
COVID-19 Testing Site Open Again This Week At UWF With No Pre-screening Required
May 11, 2020
A mobile COVID-19 testing site with no pre-screening required will be open again this week for Escambia and Santa Rosa County residents at the University of West Florida.
The drive-through test site will be open to the public from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily at the SP2 parking lot, which is on the east side of campus near the East Sports Complex. Individuals are asked to remain in their vehicles. The National Guard will be there to assist.
The site was opened at the request of the Governor’s Office under the direction of the Florida Department of Health in conjunction with both Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. The National Guard is assisting.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
What You Need To Know About Barbershop, Hair And Nail Salon Reopenings In Florida On Monday
May 11, 2020
As barber shops, hair salons and nail salons reopen for business today in Florida, here’s a look at the restrictions followed by a list of frequently asked questions.
The following restrictions are mandatory:
- All customers will be by appointment only.
- Allow at least 15 minutes between the conclusion of an appointment and the beginning of the next appointment for proper disinfecting practices.
- No group appointments are permitted.
- Masks must be worn by all employees while performing personal services.
Shops are encouraged to adhere to the following guidelines:
- Thoroughly clean and disinfect prior to reopening. Make sure to disinfect all surfaces tools and linens, even if they were cleaned before you originally closed. This type of cleaning should continue between each day of operation.
- Consider providing unworn masks to clients for use during their appointment.
- Remove all unnecessary, frequently touched items like magazines, newspapers, service menus and any other unnecessary paper products and decor from customer service areas.
And here’s a list of frequently asked questions:
Which professions does Executive Order 20-120 allow to reopen and provide services?
Holders of the following state-issued barber or cosmetology licenses may provide services at establishments that adopt appropriate social distancing and precautionary measures directed in Executive Order 20-120: barber, restricted barber, cosmetologist, nail specialist, facial specialist, full specialist, hair braider, hair wrapper, and body wrapper. These license holders are permitted to perform the barbering or cosmetology services as authorized by their respective license or registration. (Salons in Broward and Miami-Dade counties are not yet allowed to reopen.)
Must businesses limit capacity in the barbershop or salon?
Barbershops and salons must manage capacity of the premises based on an appointment-only schedule and must allow at least 15 minutes between the conclusion of an appointment and the beginning of the next appointment for proper disinfecting practices. Barbershops and salons should take necessary action to limit gatherings in waiting areas prior to and following appointments to the extent necessary to promote appropriate social distancing. Barbershops and salons are encouraged to adopt means of limiting patrons waiting for appointments, such as calling patrons from a waiting vehicle or outdoor waiting area once an available service station is cleaned, prepared, and ready for service of the next patron.
Are any restrictions in effect for the waiting area of a barbershop or cosmetology salon?
Barbershops and salons should remove all unnecessary, frequent-touch items, such as magazines, newspapers, service menus, and any other unnecessary paper products and décor from customer service areas. These businesses should take necessary action to limit gatherings of patrons in waiting areas to the extent necessary to promote appropriate social distancing.
The order prohibits group appointments. What constitutes a group for purposes of the order?
Executive Order 20-120 restricts appointments to individuals only. Where multiple individuals are seeking joint or co-scheduled appointments to obtain services as a party at the same appointment time, barbershops and salons should restrict the number of individual appointments to the number of available service stations that can be responsibly accommodated while maintaining appropriate social distancing.
Must a barbershop or cosmetology salon limit hours of operation?
No. Executive Order 20-120 does not restrict the hours of operation of a barbershop or salon. License holders are encouraged to monitor any local government restrictions that may impact the hours of operation of businesses in their area.
Are licensed professionals required to wear a mask when providing services in the barbershop or salon? How long will the requirement of wearing a mask be in effect?
Yes, a mask must be worn by an employee while providing personal services in the barbershop or salon. The requirement to wear a mask while providing services remains in effect until a subsequent order modifies or rescinds this precautionary measure.
Do licensed professionals have to wear a particular type of mask while providing services?
No.
Are licensed professionals required to wear gloves or any other personal protective equipment other than a mask when providing services in the barbershop or salon?
No.
Are patrons required to wear masks while obtaining services in the barbershop or salon?
No. However, barbershops and salons are encouraged to consider providing unworn masks to clients for use during their appointment. As a private business, barbershops and salons may adopt their own policies requiring the use of a mask by patrons obtaining services.
Are any other measures expected of barbershops or salons? Are any other measures recommended?
Yes. Barbershops and salons should be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected prior to reopening, and disinfection practices should be repeated, at minimum, between each day of operation. All surfaces, tools, and linens should be disinfected, even if the items were cleaned before the barbershop or salon was closed.
Barbershops and salons also should take all reasonable steps to ensure that the shop and individual service areas are maintained and operated in a safe and sanitary manner, including particular attention and adherence to existing Florida sanitation regulations applicable to these services and these locations as promulgated in Rule 61G3-19.011 (Barbershop Requirements) and Rule 61G5-20.002 (Salon Requirements), Florida Administrative Code.
How will the restrictions in Executive Order 20-120 be enforced?
The Department of Business and Professional Regulation maintains routine inspection practices at licensed barbershops and salons, which will continue during the effect of this order. The Department will incorporate the restrictions of this order in compliance inspection activities.
Florida Gas Prices Level Off At Florida Reopens
May 11, 2020
Florida gas prices are leveling off, after plunging for 10 consecutive weeks. The 76-day streak of declines came to an end last week, as Floridians returned to the road, driving up demand for fuel.
Gas prices dropped a total of 66 cents per gallon since February, when the coronavirus outbreak caused Floridians to stay home to stop the spread. The driving force behind plunging pump prices was low gasoline demand, which sank as much as 75 percent below normal levels during the lockdown. Since the phased reopening began last week, gasoline demand has improved to only 40 percent below year-ago levels.
The average price per gallon across the state was $1.76 a gallon, $1 less than this time last year.
In Escambia County, the average price per gallon Sunday night was $1.65, but one Cantonment station was at $1.57 and stations in Pensacola were at $1.58.
“The plunge at the pump appears to be over now that Floridians are driving more often,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “The rising demand has restored optimism in the fuel market, causing higher crude oil and gasoline prices. Wholesale gasoline prices also increased last week, but not yet to a level that demands retailers to raise their rates.”
Food Distribution Tuesday At Carver Park In Cantonment
May 11, 2020
A food distribution will be held Tuesday at Carver Park in Cantonment.
The distribution through Feeding the Gulf Coast will included meats, fresh produce, canned goods, dairy and other food items. It is limited to one box per family, and identification is needed. The Cantonment Improvement Committee’s food bags for children will also be distributed.
The distribution will begin at 3:30 p.m. (not the usual Tuesday 3 p.m.) at Carver Park, 208 Webb Street.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
State Issues COVID-19 Testing Orders For Long-Term Care Facilities
May 11, 2020
With hundreds of COVID-19 deaths across the state linked to long-term facilities, the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration issued an emergency rules Sunday to bolster testing of staff members.
The rules require nursing homes and assisted living facilities to grant access to the Florida Department of Health or their authorized representative for the purpose infection prevention and control, including mandated COVID-19 testing of both on-duty and off-duty staff when arranged by the department.
“The challenge we face is mitigating and containing the spread of this deadly virus in our long-term care facilities,” said AHCA Secretary Mary Mayhew.”To guard against the rapid spread of COVID-19, I am issuing emergency rules for our nursing homes and assisted living facilities requiring that every facility allow access to the Department of Health or their authorized representative for mandatory testing for all facility staff by the Florida Department of Health during testing visits. These rules will also require every facility to allow access to the Department of Health or their authorized representative for infection prevention and control purposes.”
As of Sunday morning, 703 residents or staff members of long-term care facilities had died from the virus, according for over 40% of all COVID-19 deaths in Florida. In Escambia County, about three-quarters of the COVID-19 deaths have been related to long-term care facilities.
Sunny, North Wind Today; No Outdoor Burning
May 11, 2020
A Red Flag Warning is in effect for Monday afternoon through Monday evening for Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. With low humidity and higher winds, the fire danger is high. Outdoor burning should be avoided.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Today: Sunny, with a high near 80. North wind around 10 mph.
Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 49. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 82. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 56. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 86. Light and variable wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 62. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 84. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 62. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 86. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 65.
Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 86.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 65.
Sunday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 87.
Sharon Marie Bryant Brown
May 11, 2020
Sharon Marie Bryant Brown, 61 of Atmore, AL. passed away April 29, 2020 in Atmore. She was born to the late Wiley Houston and Mary Marie Hadley Byrd on November 1, 1958. She was the owner of State Line Pawn Shop and was a member of Cross Point Church in Atmore. She is preceded in death by her parents; husband; Gary Lynn Bryant; husband; Ronnie Kent Brown and a brother; Steven Houston Byrd.
She is survived by her daughter Marylynn Marie Bryant of Montgomery, AL; Sister; Teresa Byrd (Ben) Martin of Perdido, AL.; aunt; Sue Stafford; special friend; Lucille Edwards and numerous family and friends.
Graveside services will be held Friday, May 8, 2020 at 11 AM at Oak Hill Cemetery with Bro. Guy Heath officiating.
Due to the current health crisis it is asked of you to please use the social distancing requirements for the safety of the family and others.
Brenda Cooper
May 11, 2020
Mrs. Brenda Cooper, age 68, passed away on Friday, May 8, 2020 in Fairhope, Alabama.
Mrs. Cooper was a native of Atmore, AL, former resident of Walnut Hill, FL and had resided in Bay Minette, AL for the past 30 years. She was a retired Junior Food Store Supervisor with 25 years of service and a member of the Fretwell Tabernacle Church. She is preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Genell Hall; sister, Betty Sue Flowers and brother, Robert Clayton Hall.
She is survived by her husband of 47 years, Clyde F. “Pete” Cooper of Bay Minette, AL; three sons, Robbie (Rebecca) Hall of Navarre, FL, Chris (Melissa) Cooper of Loxley, AL and Charlie Cooper of Bay Minette, AL; one sister, Sue Cooper of Atmore, AL; eleven grandchildren; one great grandchild and numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.
Graveside service will be held Monday, May 11, 2020 at 12:30 PM at the Johnson Cemetery in Whitehouse Fork, AL with Sis. Helen Stewart officiating.
Pallbearers will be Terrance Newsome, Ben Ryals, Hank Paul, Malcolm Harrelson, Pete Weaver and Lee Williams.