18-Year Killed When He Fell Out Of Moving Pickup Truck Near Atmore
August 31, 2020
An 18-year old was killed when he fell from a moving pickup truck northwest of Atmore.
Alabama State Troopers said Garrett D. Phillips of Robertsdale fell from the moving truck shortly after midnight Sunday. The 2002 Toyota Tacoma was being driven by 19-year old William D. Ray of Robertsdale on Kent Road in western Escambia County, between Jack Springs Road and Lottie Road.
Further information has not been released as troopers continue their investigation.
Low Number Of COVID-19 Positive Reported On Monday; Number Of Tests Also Down
August 31, 2020
THIS STORY IS OUTDATED. SEE NORTHESCAMBIA.COM FOR THE LATEST INFORMATION.
There were 32 new COVID-19 positives and no new deaths reported in Escambia County on Monday, according to the Florida Department of Health. While the number of positive results was down, so was the number of tests returned.
Escambia County cases increased to 11,151. An additional 12 cases brought the Santa Rosa County total to 4,671.
Of the 223 tests results returned in Escambia County, 9.4% were positive, and 19.5% were positive from 62 tests in Santa Rosa County. Over the past week, the overall average positivity rate for Escambia County is 5.5%.
There were 117 COVID-19 patients currently hospitalized in Escambia County as of Monday, according to data from the three local hospitals.
Of the 186 deaths in Escambia County, 89 have been long-term care facility residents or staff. There have been 55 deaths in Santa Rosa County, at least seven of those at the Blackwater River Correctional Facility and 10 in a long-term care facilities.
Statewide, there were 623,471 cases including 616,629 Florida residents. There have been 38,495 hospitalizations* and 11,187 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 — 11,183 (+32)
Non-Florida residents — 1,002
Pensacola —8,175 (+24)
Century — 915 (+5)
—-including 768 Century prison inmates
Cantonment — 783 (+1)
Molino— 129 (+1)
McDavid — 63
Walnut Hill — 16
Bellview — 11
Gonzalez — 7
Perdido Key — 6
Current hospitalizations: 117 (-15)
Deaths — 186
Male — 4,939
Female — 5,148
Youngest — 0
Oldest — 105
Median Age — 39
Santa Rosa County cases:
Total cases — 4,671 (+12)
Non-Florida residents — 42
Milton — 2,534 (+1)
Gulf Breeze — 674
Navarre — 577 (+6)
Pace — 359 (+2)
Jay — 131 (+1)
Bagdad — 9
Cumulative Hospitalizations — 266*
Deaths — 55
Male — 2,601
Female — 2,021
Youngest — 2 months
Oldest — 101
Median Age — 40
Florida cases:
Total cases — 623,471
Florida residents — 616,629
Deaths — 11,187
Hospitalizations — 38,495*
*“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.
**Data Sources: Florida Department of Health, Escambia County, City of Pensacola, local hospitals.
Century Bridge Near Collapse Remains Unrepaired Seven Months After It Was Closed
August 31, 2020
A bridge in the Century town remains closed without repair seven months after it was discovered to be near the point of collapse.
On January 29, the town suddenly closed the bridge on Freedom Road, just east of Jefferson Avenue.
Photos obtained by NorthEscambia.com a few days later showed the dangerous conditions that led to the emergency closure.
Several pilings under the wooden bridge were no longer properly supporting the structure, and some of the pilings were split or have extreme deterioration.
In early February, the Century Town Council voted to move forward with replacing the bridge. Town staff was to determine how to pay the estimated $300,000 price tag. The council voted for the replacement over an estimated $75,000 to $100,000 for repairs that might last a decade, according to Interim City Manager Vernon Prather.
A final determination of a funding option was to come at un upcoming meeting.
In January Mott McDonald engineers conducted a limited inspection of the bridge and found the following problems:
- A backwall has deflected toward the water, pushing piles toward the water and causing them to rotate, split and no longer bear weight.
- One bridge piling has a split at the top of the pile, but it is providing some support.
- A second pile has been pushed completely out and no longer supports the bridge.
- A third pile has split, and only half the pile is providing support.
- A fourth pile has deterioration with only a three-inch diameter section remaining about six feet below the bridge. The outer pile section has broken.
- There is soil loss behind a backwall.
- There is a large void underneath the roadway on the east side the bridge
“We cannot predict when the…backwall lateral loads will complete fail…causing the bridge the collapse,” engineer Bart Hendricks wrote in his report. “We also cannot predict when the roadway over the void on the southeast corner will collapse”
The age of the bridge was not provided to the engineer, but he determined the timber pilings may be at or beyond the typical life of 30 years. “A better long-term financial decision may be to replace this structure rather than perform repairs,” Hendricks wrote.
Mott McDonald engineers also recommended that the town perform bridge inspections for all bridges that are not inspected by the Florida Department of Transportation. Those inspections are required every two years for longer bridges by the Federal Highway Administration. The town has not moved forward with the inspections.
Photos/graphics for and by NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Florida Gas Prices Hold Steady After Hurricane Laura
August 31, 2020
Florida gas prices have held relatively steady since Hurricane Laura made landfall along the Gulf Coast. The region is home to nearly half of total petroleum refining capacity in the United States. However, only about 15% of total US capacity shutdown as a precaution before the storm.
Florida gas prices averaged $2.07 per gallon, on Sunday. The state average is the same as a week ago, 8 cents less than last month, and 38 cents per gallon less than this time last year.
In Escambia County, the average price per gallon Sunday night was $2.09. The lowest price to be found in North Escambia was in Cantonment at $2.07, while a few Pensacola stations were below $2.
So far, there are no reports of significant long-term damage to gulf coast fuel supply chain, which provides gasoline to states like Florida. However, two refineries in Lake Charles, Louisiana are still conducting damage assessments.
“Normally, when a storm of this size hits the gulf coast refinery region, drivers see a jump in prices at the pump,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “However, gas prices have been held in check, likely due to lower demand because of the pandemic. Florida gas prices didn’t move much last week, but there could be a lag. Wholesale gasoline prices did get more expensive last week, which could cause retail prices to get slightly more expensive in the days ahead.”
To date, Florida gas prices averaged $2.10 per gallon for the month of August. That’s the lowest monthly price for August since 2004.
For The Second Time, Escambia County Suspends Use Of Inmate Crews Due To Positive COVID-19 Case
August 31, 2020
For the second time, Escambia County Corrections has suspended the use of inmate labor due a positive COVID-19 case.
Escambia County Corrections received a positive COVID-19 test result at the work annex, formerly known as the road prison. As a precaution, Escambia County said Sunday that road crew operations have been suspended. The services include groundskeeping throughout the county and support to the landfill, animal services, code enforcement and fleet maintenance.
“Corrections officers and medical teams continue to monitor inmates and recognized that this male inmate had an elevated temperature,” Escambia County Corrections Chief Rich Powell said. “Corrections is working with Community Health Northwest Florida to establish rapid testing for road crew inmates for their health and welfare as well as to minimize the impact on services that are provided throughout the county. Fortunately, medical staff advises that no inmates are presenting medical concerns at this time. We are continuing to clean more frequently to try to prevent further spread of COVID-19, and masks continue to be available for all inmates.”
As of Friday, 236 inmates have been tested since July at the Escambia County Jail for COVID-19.
“There were 158 positive cases and 149 of those cases have been medically cleared and eight have been released from custody, leaving one active positive case on Friday with no medical concerns at this time and 78 negative tests. At the Walton County jail, 29 Escambia County inmates tested positive out of the 146 inmates housed there,” according to the county statement.
The county received its first positive COVID-19 test result at the work annex on July 9 and suspended road crew operations through July 28.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
What’s Better In 1A Football Than Northview Vs. Jay? Doing It Twice In One Season.
August 31, 2020
What’s better than 1A football than the rivalry battle between Northview and Jay? That would be doing the Battle of Highway 4 twice in one season.
The Northview Chiefs and the Jay Royals have scheduled a second game during this year’s abbreviated eight-game season. They’ll face off October 23 at Jay and two weeks later on November 6 at Northview.
Here’s the updated Northview High Chiefs football schedule for 2020:
- Sept. 18 at Baker
- Sept. 25 vs. Holmes County (*Senior Night)
- Oct. 2 at Escambia Academy (AL)
- Oct. 9 at Walton
- Oct. 16 vs. South Walton
- Oct. 23 at Jay
- Oct. 30 vs. Chipley (*Homecoming)
- Nov. 6 vs. Jay
Here is the Jay High School Royals schedule:
- Sept. 25 vs. Flomaton
- Oct. 2 vs. Baker
- Oct. 9 at Chipley
- Oct. 16 at Freeport
- Oct. 23 vs. Northview
- Oct. 30 vs. Lighthouse Christian
- Nov. 6 at Northview
Pictured: The Northview Chiefs defeated the Jay Royals 40-7 on November 1, 2019. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Help ECSO Name Their New K-9 Cop Puppy
August 31, 2020
CLICK HERE FOR AN UPDATE TO THIS STORY, AND FIND OUT WHICH NAME WAS PICKED.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit is asking for your help to name their new puppy.
She is nine months old and is the agency’s first bloodhound. She will be assigned to Sergeant Biggs, and her main job will be to conduct searches for missing people or suspects.
The ECSO has narrowed it down to three names, but can’t decide which one fits their newest employee.
Are you team Izzy, Stella or Sadie? Vote by clicking or tapping here by 3 p.m. Monday.
Local Animal Group Holding Supply Drive For Pets In Hurricane Laura Path
August 31, 2020
A local animal group is collected supplies to help pets in areas impacted by Hurricane Laura.
400 Paws is holding a supply drive this week . Items will be accepted daily through Friday from 2-4 p.m. at 1147 Creighton Road.
Items Needed:
Pet Supplies
Dog & Cat Food Wet & Dry
Dog & Cat Treats
Puppy & Kitten formula
Leashes, harnesses and collars
Water/Food bowls, toys
Dog beds
Puppy pads
Cat litter & litter boxes (disposable/small plastic/foil pans)
Kennels of all sizes – metal or plastic (not broken)
Dog/Puppy pens
Flea/Tick medication
Dog/Puppy shampoo
**anything else pet related does not have to be specifically dog and cat**
Cleaning Supplies
Bleach, Clorox wipes
Mosquito Repellant
Washing detergent
Blue Dawn dish soap
Trash bags
Paper products – Paper towels, toilet paper, cups
Disposable plates & bowls
Plastic utensils
Misc
Bottled water
Tarps
Bungee Cords
Zip ties
Small fleece blankets – new
Hot And Humid Start To The Week With The Usual Afternoon Rain
August 31, 2020
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 75. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Tuesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. Heat index values as high as 105. Light west wind becoming southwest 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 74. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 73. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Thursday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 74. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Friday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91.
Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74.
Saturday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 90.
Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73.
Sunday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 89.
Biker Killed After Rear-Ending Molino Man’s Pickup On I-110
August 30, 2020
A motorcyclist was killed after rear-ending a Molino man’s pickup truck on I-110 early Sunday morning.
The Florida Highway Patrol said the 28-year old old male motorcyclist from Pensacola was northbound on I-110 near the Brent Lane overpass about 1:05 a.m. A 33-year old Molino man was also northbound in his pickup truck in the center lane of I-110 as the motorcycle approached at a high rate of speed.
The front of the motorcycle collided with the rear of the pickup and continued northwest onto the left paved shoulder of the roadway. The motorcycle then collided with the center concrete barrier, and the rider was thrown from the bike. The rider was pronounced deceased on scene by Escambia EMS.
The Molino man was not injured.
A second vehicle struck the motorcycle debris and continue d to a controlled stop on the shoulder.
The Florida Highway Patrol will no longer release the names of persons involved in traffic crashes.