In A Week, Escambia County, Alabama, COVID-19 Cases Up 27%, Fatalities Up 50%
July 16, 2020
The number of COVID-19 cases in Escambia County, Alabama, are continuing to grow an increasingly rapid pace.
As of Wednesday night, there were 562 confirmed cases in the county, up over 27% from 441 a week ago. There also four more deaths reported in the county Wednesday, increasing the number of confirmed coronavirus deaths by 50% to 12.
In the past two weeks, 270 of 1,444 tests have been positive, a rate of nearly 19%, compared to 12% statewide.
The latest data from the Escambia County Healthcare Authority shows 253 of the positive tests were from Atmore Community Hospital, and 60 were from D.W. McMillan Hospital in Brewton.
Cantonment Improvement Distributed Food To 330 This Week; Next Week It’s A 10,000 Pound Giveaway
July 16, 2020
Despite the pouring rain, the Cantonment Improvement Committee distributed 330 bags and boxes of food to people in need this week, up from 247 bags the previous week.
And next week, they are planning an every larger food distribution.
The CIC will hold a food distribution on Tuesday, July 21 at Carver Park, 208 Webb Street. There will be 10,000 pounds of food distributed, including meats, fresh fruits, vegetables and more.
The food distribution will begin at 3 p.m. and continue while supplies last for anyone in need of food. Line up on Webb Street facing north.
Driver Crashes Into FHP Trooper’s Vehicle On I-110
July 16, 2020
A Florida Highway Patrol trooper received minor injuries when a vehicle crashed into his patrol unit in Escambia County.
Trooper said a car occupied by two 18-year old Baldwin County women lost control in a curve of an I-110 ramp to I-10. Their vehicle began to rotate and struck the trooper’s marked vehicle parked on the north shoulder of the ramp. The force of the collision pushed the FHP vehicle off the road into multiple trees.
The trooper along with the driver and passenger of the other vehicle were transported a local hospital with minor injuries.
File photo.
Hot, Humid Days With That Summertime Chance Of Rain
July 16, 2020
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph in the morning.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Sunday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Monday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 73.
Tuesday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92.
Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 74.
Wednesday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 90.
ECAT Receives $10.1 Million CARES Act Federal Grant
July 16, 2020
ECAT has been awarded a grant of $10.1 million through CARES Act federal funding for operational and preventative maintenance expenses during COVID-19 for local transit services.
The funds will also pay for PPE, sanitation supplies, and other COVID prevention measure implemented since March. Escambia County Area Transit ECAT provides service through the fixed-route bus, seasonal Pensacola Beach trolley, University of West Florida UWF on-campus trolley and paratransit demand response transportation.
“We are very excited to receive this funding to better serve this community,” Escambia County Mass Transit Director Tonya Ellis said. “Our priority remains the safety and health of our employees and passengers, especially during this pandemic.”
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration announced a total of $25 billion in federal funding allocations to help the nation’s public transportation systems respond to the Coronavirus Disease 2019. Funding is provided through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, signed by President Donald Trump on March 27.
Funding will be provided at a 100 percent federal share, with no local match required, and will be available to support capital, operating, and other expenses generally eligible under those programs to prevent, prepare for, and respond to COVID-19.
Since April 6, ECAT has supported the county’s efforts to address the COVID-19 virus and has temporarily suspended fare collection for passengers of ECAT bus services. In addition, bus passengers have been instructed to enter and exit through the rear doors only and sit behind the accessibility-reserved seating area. Front-door access is permitted only for passengers needing the boarding ramp or operator assistance to access the bus. ADA accessible seating space near the front of the bus is reserved for individuals in mobility devices, individuals in need of special assistance and families with children in strollers. These changes provide some separation between the operator and the passengers, and between passengers.
Century Cancels First Budget Workshop To Allow For A Little More Advance Planning
July 16, 2020
The Town of Century has canceled their first budget workshop planned for next week.
The workshop scheduled for July 23 won’t be held. Instead, according to Town Clerk Kim Godwin, the town’s accountant will be providing current financial information to each department head this week to allow each to better plan.
Additional budget workshops are planned for July 30 and August 6 at 2 p.m., plus there is a tentative meeting on the calendar for August 13 only if needed.
The town’s fiscal year 2020-2021 budget will go into effect on October 1.
Tom Francis Simard
July 16, 2020
Thomas Francis “Tom” Simard, resident of Walnut Hill, FL passed away on Tuesday, July 7, 2020, at the age of 75. He was born on December 3, 1944, in Lynn, Massachusetts to the late Herman Simard and Bertha Boudreau Simard.
He was a deacon for many years at St. Elizabeth’s Catholic Church and had worked in Prison Ministry. Tom, an inventor and entrepreneur, was also a private pilot, airplane builder and a business owner in the computer business.
He is preceded in death by his parents; and brother, Raymond Simard.
Tom is survived by his wife of 50 years, Jane Fowler Simard; brothers, Robert (Fran) Simard and Paul Simard; sisters, Arlene (Bob) Connor and Claire (Ronnie) Larson; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held Thursday, July 16, 2020, at St. Jude Thaddeus Church with Father George Thekku officiating.
Burial will follow in Barrineau Park Colony Cemetery.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is entrusted with arrangements.
Carolyn Worley
July 16, 2020
Carolyn Worley, resident of Pensacola, FL, passed away on Monday, July 13, 2020, at the age of 82. She was born in Robertsdale, AL on March 25, 1938, to the late Dewey Lee Godwin and Elizabeth Mae Hurd Godwin. Carolyn was an active member of Hillcrest Baptist Church and had the gift of serving. She loved her children and her grandchildren very much.
She is preceded in death by her husband of 40 years, John Worley; parents; four brothers; and three sisters.
Carolyn is survived by her children, Katherine (Joseph) Reding, Mike (Holly) Allan, Ronny Allan, and Jacqueline (Jonathon) Stoner; step-son, James Worley; sister, Linda Bugaj; brother, Renae Godwin; 14 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at 12 p.m. on Friday, July 17, 2020, at Hillcrest Baptist Church with Pastor Pat Mobley officiating.
Burial will follow in Baldwin Memorial Cemetery in Robertsdale, AL.
The family will receive friends at 11 a.m. prior to services.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is entrusted with arrangements.
Clarence Eugene Carlton
July 16, 2020
Clarence Eugene Carlton, 71, of Atmore, AL passed away on July 12, 2020. He was born on January 17, 1949, in Bay Minette, AL to the late Lloyd and Lettie Thompson Carlton. He served 21 years in the United States Army and during his military career, he also served in Vietnam retiring at the age of 38. Thereafter, he became a contractor for Shell Oil (Gulf of Mexico). He attended Healing Waters Church in Bay Minette, AL.
He is preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Janet Carlton and his brother, Tommy Carlton.
He is survived by his wife, Felicia Carlton of Canoe, AL; one son Brandon (Heather) Carlton of Alabaster, AL; eight grandchildren Rylee, Reese, Rowan, Kennedy, Dagan, Addie, Maddie and Garrick; one sister, Patsy White of Nokomis, AL and three brothers Jimmy (Janice) Carlton of Canoe, AL, Johnnie Ray Carlton of Eufala, AL and Billy Joe Carlton of Atmore, AL.
Funeral services were held Wednesday, July 15, 2020, at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home with Bro. Josh Long and Bro. Don Davis officiating.
Interment was at Oak Hill Cemetery in Atmore, AL.
Active pallbearers were Johnny Rolin, Sean Rhinehart, Sam Singleton, Eric Jones, Seth Williams and Eric Marshell.
Please use social distancing requirements due to the current health care crisis and the safety of you and others.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.
Larry Eugene McCoy
July 16, 2020
Mr. Larry Eugene McCoy, 74 of Nokomis, AL, passed away July 12, 2020, in Nokomis, AL.
He was born in Anna, IL on December 5, 1945, to the late Wilbert and Mary Bloodworth McCoy. He served in the United States Army 2nd Armored Division and was an E-5 SPC 2nd Class and served during the Vietnam War. He was a graduate of Southern Illinois University. He served 30 years with National Mine Service and served on the rescue team which he was awarded the Coal Mine Rescue Hall Of Fame Award for his twenty six rescues. Mr. McCoy then continued his protection with his Company Mc2 and worked six years with Draeger Safety.
He is preceded in death by his parents and his brother, James “Jim” McCoy.
He is survived by his wife of 34 years, Barbara Rogers McCoy of Nokomis, AL; two children, Ross McCoy of Montgomery, AL and Katherine (Khaki) Bell of Atmore, AL; three grandchildren, Tyler, Lucas and Emily; many nieces, nephews, cousins, family and friends across the country.
Graveside services were held Tuesday, July 14, 2020, at Sullivan Cemetery in Nokomis, AL.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to a Ronald McDonald House near you.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.