UWF Developing Plans For The Return To Campus
May 27, 2020
University of West Florida leadership is actively developing a plan to return to campus while keeping the safety, security and wellbeing of the University community at the forefront of every decision. This plan will include a phased return for employees that will begin in June and a student return for the fall semester.
The Florida Board of Governors provided a blueprint for all State University System institutions to utilize in developing their reopening university campuses framework that will be presented to the Board of Governors on June 23.
UWF President Martha Saunders established and assigned subcommittees to focus on specific areas to form the Fall 2020 return to campus framework. These subcommittees are focused on specific key areas, aligned with the Board of Governors’ Blueprint.
UWF is exploring a variety of options for course instruction and will prioritize all decisions based on offering high-quality academic instruction and maintaining the safety and well-being of the campus community. Options may include hybrid courses (online and face-to-face), prioritizing experiential courses for face-to-face instruction, increasing online courses, establishing a classroom capacity threshold to allow social distancing and increasing training opportunities for faculty.
UWF continues taking steps to prevent the spread of COVID-19 by promoting healthy habits and enhancing its existing cleaning and disinfection practices. Additional precautions will be enhanced or developed and may include requiring face coverings, limiting the number of individuals gathered in one area and leveraging available testing and contact-tracing resources.
UWF is currently soliciting feedback and guidance from faculty, staff, students, public health officials and other partners before the plan is presented to the Board of Trustees and Board of Governors.
Don’t Accidentally Throw Away Your Stimulus Payment. Debit Cards Are Arriving In Plain Envelopes.
May 27, 2020
Nearly four million people are being sent their Economic Impact Payment by prepaid debit card, instead of paper check. The determination of which taxpayers receive a debit card was made by the Bureau of the Fiscal Service, another part of the Treasury Department that works with the IRS to handle distribution of the payments.
These Economic Impact Payment Cards arrive in a plain envelope from Money Network Cardholder Services. The Visa name will appear on the front of the card; the back of the card has the name of the issuing bank, MetaBank, N.A. Information included with the card will explain that the card is an Economic Impact Payment Card.
Those who receive Economic Impact Payment by prepaid debit card can do the following without any fees.
- Make purchases online and at any retail location where Visa is accepted
- Get cash from in-network ATMs
- Transfer funds to their personal bank account
- Check their card balance online, by mobile app, or by phone
This free, prepaid card also provides consumer protections available to traditional bank account owners, including protection against fraud, loss, and other errors.
Top Escambia And Santa Rosa Career Academies, Students Honored
May 27, 2020
The Workforce Education departments of the Escambia and Santa Rosa County school districts have named this year’s business and community partners of the year as well as the top career academy instructors and students. This year’s honorees are:
- Construction Industry Partner of the Year: Florida Department of Transportation, Kelli Rice
- Culinary Industry Partner of the Year: Broussard’s Bayou Company, Andy DeMartin
- Education Industry Partner of the Year: Community Action Program Committee, Inc., David Powell
- Health Industry Partner of the Year: Baptist Healthcare, Drew Stringfellow
- I.T. Industry Partner of the Year: Global Business Solutions, Mel Stinson
- Middle School Career Academy Student of the Year:
- Escambia County – Roman Sison, Agriculture Academy, Beulah Middle School
- Santa Rosa County – Benjamin Johnson, Pre-Engineering Academy, Holley Navarre Middle School
- Middle School Career Academy Teacher of the Year:
- Escambia County – Allison Cameron, Game & Application Development Academy ▪ Ferry Pass Middle School
- Santa Rosa County- Jennifer Schmitt, Pre-Engineering Academy, Sims Middle School
- Middle School Career Academy of the Year:
- Escambia County – Agriscience Academy, Beulah Middle School
- Santa Rosa County – Academy of Information Technology, Sims Middle School
- High School Career Academy Student of the Year:
- Escambia County – Zaniah Heath, Sports Medicine Academy ▪ Pensacola High School
- Santa Rosa County – Tyler Hines, Licensed Practical Nursing, Locklin Technical College
- High School Career Academy Teacher of the Year:
- Escambia County – Dynita Bufford, Early Childhood Education Academy, Escambia High School
- Santa Rosa County – Jessica Mathews, Culinary Arts Academy ▪ Central School
- High School Career Academy of the Year:
- Escambia County – Media Academy, Booker T. Washington High School
- Santa Rosa Academy – Agritech Academy, Jay High School
- Career Academy Student Intern of the Year:
- Escambia County – Calysta Ilano, Multimedia Academy, West Florida High School
- Santa Rosa County – Alyssa Lucier, Pharmacy Technician, Locklin Technical College
- High School Career Academy Scholar of the Year:
- Escambia County – Nasim Boussarhane, Game, Simulation & Animation Academy, J. M. Tate High School
- Santa Rosa County – Haley Bondurant, Digital Design Academy ▪ Pace High School
Escambia Man Indicted For Bringing Guns To Pensacola VA Clinic
May 27, 2020
A federal grand jury has indicted an Escambia County man for the possession of firearms, including a concealed firearm, at the Department of Veterans Affairs Joint Ambulatory Care Clinic in Pensacola.
The three-count indictment alleges that 58-year old Howell E. Camp illegally possessed a 5.56 mm Del-Ton Incorporated rifle and a 9 mm Smith & Wesson pistol at the federal facility. It is alleged that Camp possessed these firearms with the intent to commit a crime on May 6, 2020.
“The security of our federal facilities and those who work within them remains a priority of this office and we, along with our law enforcement partners, are deeply committed to protecting such facilities,” said United States Attorney Lawrence Keefe of the Northern District of Florida.
Camp is charged with possession of the firearms with the intent to commit a crime, for which he faces up to five years’ imprisonment. He is also charged with carrying a concealed firearm in violation of law, for which he faces up to three years’ imprisonment.
Pine Forest’s Taniyah Killette Signs To Play Softball At The Next Level
May 27, 2020
Taniyah Killette from Pine Forest High School signed with Winston-Salem State University to play softball. Pictured are: Taniyah Killette (signing) with Mika Killette Black and (standing, L-R) Wendol Black and Pine Forest Coach Mike Haveard. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorm Pattern Continues
May 27, 2020
A burn ban remains in effect for Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Wednesday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68. South wind around 5 mph.
Thursday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 87. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the morning.
Thursday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 69. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Friday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 86. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Saturday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 87. Calm wind.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 67. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 88.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 65.
Monday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 68.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 87.
Suspect Arrested For 2003 Escambia County Cold Case Homicide
May 27, 2020
The suspect in a 2003 cold case homicide was booked into the Escambia County Jail Tuesday night on a murder charge.
David Lasha Dale, 39, is charged with the first degree premeditated murder of Marcus Virgin.
Virgin went out with his friends on May 8, 2003, and was never seen again.; his body was never found. Over the following years, investigators received information that indicated Virgin had been murdered. DNA evidence was discovered in 2007, but was not enough for an arrest at the time. In 2019, as part of a renewed focus on cold cases, the DNA evidence in the case was reexamined and led to new information, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
10,000 Pounds Of Food To Be Given Away Wednesday In Walnut Hill
May 26, 2020
A 10,000 pound food giveaway will be held Wednesday in Walnut Hill.
Pensacola Caring Hearts and Justified Incarcerated Ministries has partnered with Feeding the Gulf Coast for the food distribution.
The food will be given away from 9 a.m. until noon, or as long as supplies last, at The House of Prayer at 54 North Cypress Street in Walnut Hill. Families will pick up their food while remaining in their vehicle, and social distancing rules will be followed.
“We are blessed to be able to help approximately 300 families who are in need,” said Pastor Reginald Benjamin. “As this pandemic continues, it continues to create stress and hopelessness on the families in our community. This is why we are excited to have this opportunity to help a community who has not receive any help during this pandemic free food distribution for this community.”
Escambia, Santa Rosa COVID-19 Cases Increase By Just One Each Tuesday
May 26, 2020
THIS STORY IS OUTDATED. SEE NORTHESCAMBIA.COM FOR THE LATEST INFO.
The number of COVID-19 cases in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties increased by just one each , according to the Florida Department of Health.
The number of cases in Escambia County is now 769, and Santa Rosa is at 209.
Of the 26 deaths in Escambia County, 19 have been long-term care facility residents or staff. There have been eight deaths in Santa Rosa County, seven of those at the Blackwater River Correctional Facility and none in long-term care facilities.
Statewide, there were 52.255 cases including 50,916 Florida residents. There have been 9,482 hospitalizations and 2,259 deaths.
EscambiaCounty cases:
- Total cases — 769 (+1 since Monday)
- Pensacola — 563
- Cantonment — 48
- Bellview — 6
- Perdido Key — 1
- McDavid/Walnut Hill — 1
- Molino – 5
- Century — 2
- Hospitalizations: 64*
- Deaths — 26
- Male — 259
- Female — 370
- Youngest — 0
- Oldest — 105
Santa Rosa County cases:
- Total cases — 209 (+1 since Monday)
- Milton — 123
- Navarre — 36
- Gulf Breeze — 27
- Pace — 16
- Jay — 2
- Residents: 129
- Nonresidents — 1
- Hospitalizations — 23*
- Deaths — 9
- Male — 145
- Female — 61
- Youngest — 2 months
- Oldest — 94
Florida cases:
- Total cases — 52,255
- Florida residents — 50,916
- Deaths — 2,259
- Hospitalizations — 9,482*
*“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.
Prison Still On Temporary Water Supply, But Century Has Made Major Progress In Restoring Potable Water
May 26, 2020
The Town of Century has taken to major steps forward toward a dependable permanent supply of water for the Century Correctional Institution.
Earlier in May, the town’s water well that was the sole water supply for the prison failed.
Town officials and the town council were aware the water pump had not been properly maintained in the past, and last fall the council gave preliminary approval to connecting their water system at the prison to a neighboring water franchise as a backup. That would allow Century’s well to be taken out of service for much needed maintenance. The agreement was finalized in April, and parts were ordered. They arrived just before the pump failed, leaving the prison without a water supply.
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An emergency interconnect using two, two-inch fire hoses was made from Central Water Works fire hydrant on the south side of Tedder Road to the prison on the north side of the road.
Last week, a temporary submersible electric pump was installed in Century’s well that can pump about 300-325 gallons per minute, and a permanent turbine pump has been ordered.
After being out of service, the well failed two bacteriological samples, so the prison is not yet back on Century water, City Manager Vernon Prather said. Additional sampling will be done after a repeat disinfection process.
The permanent interconnect in front of the prison between Town of Century and Central Water Works was completed last week, except for a meter, and was awaiting water sampling results as the prison remained on the temporary fire hose connection through the holiday weekend. Prisoners continued to drink bottled water in the interim because the fire hoses do not meet potable water supply standards.
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Prather estimated that the town has spent about $60,000 so far on repairs and the new turbine pump will cost about $40,000. That will put the total repair cost in the neighborhood of $100,000.
The cost of the interconnect was estimated at an additional $60,000, but Prather said money has been saved by Central and Century staff doing much of the labor. The elevated storage tank at the prison is not connected to the water supply for the remainder of Century’s residents and businesses.
On May 10, the Florida Department of Corrections transferred at least 190 close custody inmates about of the Century prison due to the water situation. FDC has not said if they have been returned.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
