Flomaton Employee Positive For COVID-19; Fire Department ‘Professionally Disinfected’
July 4, 2020
Flomaton confirmed Friday that a town employee has tested positive for COVID-19 and mandatory face masking has been ordered for town employees and volunteers.
In a statement, Flomaton said they learned the employee had become ill on Tuesday, June 30, and the employee was placed on paid leave and sent home to quarantine. A release from the town does not identity the department in which the person worked, but it does note that “after the exposure the fire department was professionally disinfected”.
Mayor Dewey Bondurant has directed the mandatory use of face masks in most circumstances by town employees and volunteers, including the fire department, “when two or more persons are present”.
All municipal buildings are being disinfected and are closed to visitors. A drive-thru window is open normal business hours for court or utility payments, which can also be made online.
The Alabama Department of Health is expected to do contact tracing and make any needed notifications to persons that may have been exposed to the infected employee.
Photo Archive: Local Fireworks Shows
July 4, 2020
Happy Fourth of July!
Since most public fireworks shows in the area are canceled or postponed, we decided to share a little fireworks show of our own from the NorthEscambia.com photo archives for you to enjoy.
Here’s a look back at several local fireworks shows:
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
FHP, DEA Make Big Escambia Drug Bust, Recover Fentanyl, Over 2.5 Pounds Of Meth, Heroin And Cocaine
July 4, 2020
The Florida Highway Patrol and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) made a large drug bust in Escambia County, the FHP announced Friday night.
Troopers with the FHP Criminal Interdiction United conducted a traffic stop on a 2003 Buick LaSabre near the intersection of Nashville Avenue and Michigan Avenue for a traffic violation.
After a K-9 alerted on the vehicle driver Bryant Marsh, 61, was searched. Troopers located 56.5 grams of methamphetamine in the cargo pocket of his pants.
Inside the vehicle, troopers located 12.9 grams of crack cocaine and .25 grams of fentanyl. Due to the amount of the narcotics, troopers contacted the DEA.
A subsequent search of Marsh’s residence was conducted. In total, 1.1 pounds of methamphetamine, 1⁄2 pound of heroin, 1.1 pounds of cocaine, 160 grams of pharmaceuticals, and 1 gram of fentanyl were seized.
FHP said a loaded handgun reported stolen in Escambia County was also found in his residence.
Another COVID-19 Death Reported In Escambia County, Cases Up By 157 In Friday Report
July 3, 2020
THIS STORY IS OUTDATED. SEE NORTHESCAMBIA.COM FOR THE LATEST.
Escambia County COVID-19 cases were up by 157 in the Friday report from the the Florida Department of Health.
An additional death of a 90-year old long-term care facility resident was reported, bringing Escambia County’s fatalities to 46.
Escambia County cases increased to 2,397, and Santa Rosa cases were up by 67 to 743.
Of the 1,042 test results returned on Wednesday, 11.5% were positive in Escambia County and 14.63 were positive from 434 tests in Santa Rosa County.
Of the 46 deaths in Escambia County, 36 have been long-term care facility residents or staff. There have been nine deaths in Santa Rosa County, seven of those at the Blackwater River Correctional Facility and none in long-term care facilities.
Statewide, there were 175,594 cases including 175,718 Florida residents. There have been 15,491 hospitalizations* and 3,684 deaths. The Florida Department of Health does not have a clear standard or definition of “recovered” and does not report a number of recovered individuals.
Escambia County cases:
Total cases — 2,397 (+157 since Thursday)
Non-Florida residents — 388
Pensacola — 1,764 (+122)
Cantonment — 148 (+13)
Molino— 24 (+2)
Century — 13 (+1)
Bellview — 7
McDavid — 6
Walnut Hill — 3
Perdido Key — 3
Hospitalizations: 101* (+3)
Deaths — 46 (+1)
Male — 889
Female — 1,119
Youngest — 0
Oldest — 105
Median Age — 38
Santa Rosa County cases:
Total cases — 743 (+67 since ThurSday)
Non-Florida residents — 8
Milton — 315 (+18)
Navarre — 124 (+22)
Gulf Breeze — 144 (+11)
Pace — 79 (+7)
Jay — 17
Hospitalizations — 40* (+2)
Deaths — 9
Male — 395
Female — 339
Youngest — 2 months
Oldest — 98
Median Age — 34
Florida cases:
Total cases — 178,594
Florida residents — 175,718
Deaths — 3,684
Hospitalizations — 15,491
*“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.
No Mask Mandate: County Launches ‘Mask Up, Escambia!’ Ad Campaign, Distributing Free Masks
July 3, 2020
Escambia County has launched a public health campaign urging residents and visitors to follow CDC guidelines, and the county is distributing tens of thousands of face masks for free.
The “Mask Up, Escambia!” campaign will include online, TV, billboard, and other advertising, along with social media efforts, a postal mailer to residents and the face mask distribution. It’s all being funded by the CARES Act, which provided money for local governments to deal with COVID-19 impacts.
The county stopped short of implementing a mask mandate like the City of Pensacola, but the commission did unanimously vote Thursday night to encourage citizens to follow CDC guidelines including the wearing of masks, social distancing and proper hand washing.
Free reusable cloth masks are available to Escambia County citizens at the following locations while supplies last:
- Escambia County Extension, 3740 Stefani Road
- Molino Branch Library 2 p.m. until 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Saturdays
- Century Branch Library 2 p.m. until 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Saturdays
- Pensacola Library 2 p.m. until 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Saturdays
- Tryon Branch Library 2 p.m. until 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Saturdays
- Genealogy Branch Library 2 p.m. until 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Saturdays
- Southwest Branch Library 2 p.m. until 6 p.m. Monday through Friday
- Brownsville Community Center 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Monday through Friday
- Ebonwood Community Center 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Monday through Friday
Note that all of the locations above are closed Friday, July 3 due to the Independence Day holiday.
In addition, disposable paper masks will be available on Pensacola Beach at lifeguard Tower 4 or directly from any lifeguard.
Most Area Fireworks Shows Canceled, Jay And Atmore Shows Still Planned
July 3, 2020
Most fireworks shows in the North Escambia area have been canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But there are shows planned for Friday night in Jay and Saturday night in Atmore, if the weather cooperates.
FLORIDA
Jay – The annual fireworks show in Jay is set for Friday night after dark at Bray Hendricks Park at 5259 Booker Lane. Attendees are asked to stay near their vehicles and practice social distancing. There is no reschedule date in the event of rain.
Century/Flomaton – The annual Century/Flomaton fireworks have been canceled.
Pensacola – The annual Sertoma fireworks have been canceled.
Pensacola - The annual Independence Day celebration fireworks and movie at Blue Wahoos Stadium have been postponed. A future date has not been announced.
Pensacola Beach – The Pensacola Beach 2020 Independence Day “Fireworks at the Beach” has been postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and threat of inclement weather. A rescheduled date has not been determined.
ALABAMA
Atmore – The annual free fireworks display will take place at 9 p.m. Saturday, July 4 at Wind Creek on Highway 21 at I-65. The amphitheater will be closed.
Brewton/East Brewton - All activities and festivities have been canceled.
Century/Flomaton – The annual Century/Flomaton fireworks have been canceled.
Gulf Shores – The annual City of Gulf Shores Fourth of July fireworks have been canceled.
Pictured: A previous fireworks show in Jay. NorthEscambia.com file photo.
United Way ‘Born Learning Trail’ Opens In Jay. The Next One Will Be In Century.
July 3, 2020
The first of five Born Learning Trails was opened this week in Jay at the newly renovated Bray-Hendricks Park.. The next one will be in Century.
The Jay Born Learning Trail was made possible through a partnership between the early Learning Coalition, International Paper, the Town of Jay and the United Way of West Florida.
The Born Learning Trail, a United Way Worldwide initiative since 2005, is a series of 10 signs with activities painted on a park trail that offer fun, interactive learning activities for young children and their families. It helps parents, caregivers, and communities create quality engagement opportunities when out on a stroll or while playing at a park.
FOR A PHOTO GALLERY, CLICK HERE.
The next local Born Learning Trail will be installed at Showalter Park in Century, according to Naomi Kjer, market manager for the United Way of West Florida. She said the plans are confirmed and approved. The installation was delayed due to COVID-19, but should happen in near future.
After Century, three more trails will be announced for locations in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Local Government Independence Day Closures, Trash Pick Up Information
July 3, 2020
Here is Independence Day closure information for Escambia County, ECUA and the Town of Century.
Escambia County
Below is a listing of Escambia County offices and departments closed Friday, July 3:
- Escambia County Board of County Commissioners - all departments including:
- West Florida Public Libraries (all locations)
- Escambia County Property Appraiser
- Escambia County Tax Collector
- Escambia County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller
- Perdido Key Landfill
- Exceptions: ECAT administrative offices will be closed Friday, July 3 and buses and trolleys will run on a modified Independence Day schedule. ECAT will only operate Route 59X and Route 64 Beach Jumper. The Pensacola Beach Trolley will run from 4 p.m. to 12 a.m. Regular service will resume Monday, July 6.
ECUA
ECUA business offices will be closed on Friday, July 3 However, residential and commercial sanitation collections for ECUA customers in Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties will be unaffected by the holiday and will be carried out as usual. Customers may contact ECUA Customer Service at (850 476-0480 for more information. ECUA offices, including customer service will re-open on Monday, July 6 at 8:30 am.
TOWN OF CENTURY
Town of Century offices will be closed Friday, July 3. Regularly scheduled drive-thru service hours will resume on Monday, July 6 at 7 a.m.
High Rain Chances Through The Weekend
July 3, 2020
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Friday: Showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. High near 90. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Friday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73. Calm wind.
Independence Day: Showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 10am. High near 87. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Saturday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73. Calm wind.
Sunday: Showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. High near 87. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Sunday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. Calm wind.
Monday: Showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. High near 86. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Monday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. Calm wind.
Tuesday: Showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. High near 88. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73.
Wednesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 89. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Wednesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 74.
Thursday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 91.
FDLE Arrests Escambia County Man On 20 Child Porn Counts
July 3, 2020
Agents with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement arrested an Escambia County man Thursday on multiple child pornography charges.
William Gray, age 44 of Turkey Road, was charged with 20 counts of promotion of child pornography.
FDLE agents, with assistance from Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and Homeland Security Investigations, served a search warrant at Gray’s home and found numerous digital images and videos of child pornography, according to FDLE.
Gray’s remained in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $400,000.