Escambia County Putting Inmate Crews Back To Work, Releases Inmate COVID-19 Numbers
July 28, 2020
Escambia County Corrections will stagger the redeployment of work annex staff and inmate work crews beginning Tuesday, July 28.
All six departments, including Roads, Waste Services, Parks, Facilities, Code Enforcement and Animal Services will recover a portion of the normal inmate work crews as staffing allows. The redeployment timeline may be accelerated or delayed based on the rate of return of staff to duty and the availability of inmate crews medically cleared for work.
“We are looking forward to providing services such as grounds keeping and support to the landfill, animal services, code enforcement and fleet maintenance again.” Escambia County Corrections Chief Rich Powell said. “Temperatures are taken as road crews depart and return to the facility each day, and we will continue to monitor this situation throughout this pandemic.”
Corrections received its first positive COVID-19 test result at the work annex, formerly known as the road prison on July 9. As a precaution, the medical recommendation was to suspend road crew operations that provide services throughout the county.
Cumulatively, 197 inmates have been tested at the Escambia County jail for COVID-19. As of today, July 27, there are 25 active positive cases with no medical concerns at this time. Of the 197 inmates, there were 141 positive cases (111 have been medically cleared due to the amount of time and five have been released from custody), 56 negative cases and 0 pending results. Out of the 146 Escambia County inmates housed at the Walton County jail, 29 tested positive for COVID-19.
“Escambia County Corrections is continuing to monitor the health of inmates during this pandemic,” added Chief Powell. “The jail has a rolling population of inmates coming and going. We are following our infectious disease protocol when inmates are booked into the jail, and we are monitoring the situation as if all inmates were positive in terms of observation. There is a daily medical “sick call” for inmates to access health care and the medical staff is diligently monitoring for COVID-19 symptoms. Additionally, inmates have had and will continue to have access to face masks. The health and safety or our employees and inmates continues to be a top priority during this global pandemic.”
Individuals can call the Escambia County Jail at (850) 436-9650 with questions about inmates.
First F/A-18 Super Hornet Delivered To The Blue Angels
July 28, 2020
The latest plane for the United States Blue Angels was delivered to Pensacola Monday.
Capt. Eric Doyle, director of the Blue Angels Super Hornet Transition Team, delivered the first Blue Angels F/A-18 Super Hornet to Naval Air Station Pensacola.
“We would like to especially thank the teams at Boeing, Chief of Naval Air Training Command, Naval Air Systems Command, Fleet Readiness Center Southeast, and Naval Supply Systems Command Weapons Systems Support,” said Cmdr. Brian Kesselring, commanding officer and flight leader of the Blue Angels. “The success of this mission was a direct reflection of their hard work.”
The Blue Angels are slated to transition to the F/A-18 Super Hornet later this year after using the F/A-18 Hornet for 34 years.
Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Here’s Your Chance To Express Your Opinion About The Future Of OLF-8 In Beulah
July 28, 2020
The OLF8 Master Plan project team, led by DPZ CoDesign, has officially launched their website and Facebook page, and the team is ready for your feedback.
“This OLF-8 project is really a project for the entirety of Escambia County,” said Escambia County District 1 Commissioner Jeff Bergosh. “We need citizens to bring their unique perspective to this project so that our planning team will have the best information to create something that really makes a difference in Beulah and Escambia County as a whole.”
The OLF8 Master Plan project is an Escambia County-driven initiative to turn the empty helicopter field by Navy Federal Credit Union Campus into a thriving asset for the community. The project team was selected by the Escambia County Commissioners to create a plan to maximize the opportunities for jobs and community uses on this 500 plus acre site in Beulah.
“Even though we are living in unprecedented times, that is no reason to sacrifice public input, especially on this project,” said team leader Marina Khoury, of DPZ Design. “With this website, we look forward to getting feedback from the community today, which will be very helpful for us leading up to our charrette week in September and beyond.”
At MyOLF8.com, residents can find many ways to not only learn about the project, but also how to participate as a citizen in the project planning. Learn about the team members guiding the project, read the project goals set out by the county and explore the ample opportunities to leave your own input.
“This is a really big project for Escambia County, so it’s important to us to know that the citizens will have plenty of opportunities to give their input,” said Terri Berry, Project Coordinator in the Natural Resources Management Department. “We’re excited to finally hear what the community has to say and what they want to OLF8 to be.”
The website contains an interactive online map where citizens can leave virtual “flags” with their ideas, such as what they would like to see at the location, or if they know something about the geography of a particular portion that would be of interest to the project team.
MyOLF8.com also has the ability to conduct public meetings, like charrette week, with a large virtual presence. Charrette week, which begins on September 21, is the team’s chance to sit down with members of the community to hear their concerns and their wishes for the project.
During the week, the design team will use that feedback to craft a plan for the site that creates the highest and best use for the community. At the end of the week, the team will have another large presentation where the public input-based plan is debuted. This week will also consist of smaller topic-based meetings to gather citizen ideas and feedback.
You can find the full schedule online.
Project managers said the new concerns over group meetings have pushed many citizen activities online, but with perhaps even better results.
“In the last few months, we have observed a larger virtual presence at other charrettes conducted and have seen promising results,” said Khoury. “It is our aim to be as inclusive as possible and we expect to receive more input online than we could have expected in person. The platform we are using will make it easy for anyone to leave a comment, and we will easily be able to track them.”
We May Now Know Why Mysterious Seeds Arriving In The Mail From China; Florida Is Warning Don’t Plant Them
July 28, 2020
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) is warning Floridians about unsolicited packages of seeds received through the mail. And we may now know why they are showing up in mailboxes across the country.
As of Tuesday, FDACS has received at least 631 reports from Florida residents, including some in Escambia County, reporting having received suspicious seed packages. The content of the seed packages is unknown at this time.
The USDA said Tuesday that the seeds to be part of a “brushing” scam.
“At this time, we don’t have any evidence indicating this is something other than a “brushing scam” where people receive unsolicited items from a seller who then posts false customer reviews to boost sales. USDA is currently collecting seed packages from recipients and will test their contents and determine if they contain anything that could be of concern to U.S. agriculture or the environment,” the USDA said in a statement.
“Plant seeds from unknown sources may introduce dangerous pathogens, diseases, or invasive species into Florida, putting agriculture and our state’s plant, animal, and human health at risk,” said Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried. “Anyone receiving these suspicious seed packets should not open them, should not plant them, should limit contact with them, and should report them immediately to both our department and USDA officials.”
The seed packets, which may arrive unexpectedly in packages bearing Chinese characters, may bear the name China Post, and may be labeled as jewelry, have been reported in multiple states including Alabama, Virginia, Kansas, Washington, Oklahoma, Louisiana and Utah.
Anyone receiving unsolicited seed packages from other countries should follow these directions:
When reporting the seed package to FDACS and USDA/APHIS, please be prepared to provide one’s name, physical address, phone number, and email address for contact purposes.
The introduction of plant seeds into the United States is tightly regulated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Seeds of unknown origin may constitute agricultural smuggling, may be invasive, may introduce pathogens, toxins, or plant and animal diseases, may pose a risk of foodborne illness, and may pose a threat to plant, animal, and human health. FDACS is working closely to receive guidance from the USDA and its Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), the lead regulatory body on this issue, in consultation with U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
Free Produce Box Giveaway Wednesday At Highland Baptist In Molino
July 28, 2020
A free produce distribution will be held again this Wednesday afternoon, July 29 at Highland Baptist Church in Molino.
It will take place from 5-6 p.m., or while supplies last at the church, 6240 Highway 95A in Molino. It is limited to one box per vehicle, rain or shine. The produce is being provided in conjunction with the USDA and Gulf Coast Produce.
For more information call (850) 587-5174.
Inmate Found Dead In The Escambia County (AL) Jail
July 28, 2020
An inmate was found dead in the Escambia County (AL) Detention Center in Brewton last Thursday.
The inmate, whose name has not been released, was found to be unresponsive during a cell check by staff.
“The elderly inmate was pronounced deceased at the scene from what appeared to be natural causes,” Escambia County (AL) Sheriff Heath Jackson said Monday afternoon.
The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency is investigating, which is normal protocol for all in-custody deaths, Jackson said.
Community Health COVID-19 Testing Wednesday In Cantonment For Any Age
July 28, 2020
Community Health Northwest Florida will provide COVID-19 testing Wednesday in Cantonment.
The drive-thru testing will be available Wednesday, July 29 from 9 a.m. until noon at Community Health Northwest Florida Cantonment Pediatrics at 470 South Highway 29. Community Health plans to hold the testing each Wednesday until further notice.
The testing is for Escambia County (FL) residents only. There is no pre-screening required, and the testing is available for any age regardless of symptoms.
Testing will be provided weather permitting while supplies last. Participants should bring a photo identification and an insurance card (if insured).
Pictured: Community Health Northwest Florida COVID-19 testing in Century on May 13. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Rain, Thunderstorms Likely For Tuesday
July 28, 2020
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tuesday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73. South wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Wednesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 87. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Thursday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the morning.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 73.
Sunday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90.
Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72.
Monday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91.
olf 8
July 27, 2020
Monday: Two More Deaths, 140 New COVID-19 Cases Reported In Escambia County
July 27, 2020
THIS STORY IS OUTDATED. SEE NORTHESCAMBIA.COM FOR THE LATEST.
Two additional COVID-19 deaths and 140 new cases were reported Monday in Escambia County by the Florida Department of Health.
The Escambia County deaths were a 77-year old male and a 73-year old female. One was a long-term care facility resident.
Escambia County cases increased to 7,158. An additional 282 cases brought the Santa Rosa County total to 2,507.
Of the 863 tests results returned on Sunday in Escambia County, 12.8%% were positive, and 33.4% were positive from 565 tests in Santa Rosa County. Over the past week, the overall average positivity rate for Escambia County is 12.1%.
There were 237 COVID-19 patients currently hospitalized in Escambia County as of Monday, according to data from the three local hospitals.
Of the 82 deaths in Escambia County, 51 have been long-term care facility residents or staff. There have been 19 deaths in Santa Rosa County, seven of those at the Blackwater River Correctional Facility and two in a long-term care facilities.
Statewide, there were 432,747 cases including 427,698 Florida residents. There have been 24,332 hospitalizations* and 5,931 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 — 7,158 (+140 since Sunday)
Non-Florida residents — 795
Pensacola — 5,587 (+119)
Cantonment — 517 (+6)
Molino— 80 (+1)
Century — 49
McDavid — 33 (+1)
Bellview — 10
Gonzalez — 6
Walnut Hill — 8
Perdido Key — 4
Current hospitalizations: 237 (+1)
Deaths — 82 (+2)
Male — 2,775
Female — 3,444
Youngest — 0
Oldest — 105
Median Age — 38
Santa Rosa County cases:
Total cases — 2,789 (+282 since Sunday)
Non-Florida residents — 17
Milton — 1,427 (+260)
Gulf Breeze — 461 (+7)
Navarre — 366 (+3)
Pace — 223 (+5)
Jay — 84 (+4)
Bagdad — 4 (+1)
Cumulative Hospitalizations — 145*
Deaths — 19
Male — 1,529
Female — 1,214
Youngest — 2 months
Oldest — 101
Median Age — 38
Florida cases:
Total cases — 432,747
Florida residents — 427,698
Deaths — 5,931
Hospitalizations — 24,332*
*“Hospitalizations” in the statewide and Santa Rosa County totals 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. The Escambia County number is current data compiled each day from the local hospitals.