National Museum Of Naval Aviation To Reopen For Active Duty Military, Their Families
September 10, 2020
The National Naval Aviation Museum, in alignment with the phased reopening of activities on board NAS Pensacola, will reopen to active duty personnel and their dependent family members beginning on Tuesday, September 15, at 10 a.m.
This is an important first step for us,” said Museum Director CAPT Sterling Gilliam, USN (Ret.). “In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the staff has worked diligently to institute measures to keep our visitors safe while still preserving the world-class experience they have come to expect.”
Active duty visitors and their dependents must bring their own masks and wear them at all times while inside the museum. Visitors can expect a different look when they arrive. There are defined paths around the aircraft and some exhibits will remain closed to ensure social distancing. The Naval Aviation Museum Foundation will operate its giant screen theater at reduced capacity and there will be limited refreshments available. The popular Cubi Bar Café will not be open at this time.
We look forward to serving our active duty personnel, a large number of whom have been confined to base since March and anxiously await the eventual return of all our loyal patrons,” Gilliam said.
Hours of operation will be Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m beginning September 15.
Tropical Update: Active Atlantic
September 10, 2020
Tropical Storm Paulette and Tropical Storm Rene both continue to move through the Atlantic.
It appears both eventually curve north, becoming “fish storms” and have no impact on the United States.
The latest on both storms is in the graphics on this page.
Paul Nicholas Spettel
September 10, 2020
Paul Nicholas Spettel, 89, of Jay, Fl, passed away September 4, 2020 in Jay, FL. He was born August 26, 1931 in Bromley, Alabama. He was a retired Staff Sergeant with the US. Air Force.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Clara Hastings; three brothers, Lawrence Edward Spettel, Edward (Bo) Spettel, and Pete Spettel.
Paul is survived by four daughters, Susan Johnson, Peggy Nelson, Penny Proffitt, and Teri (Glenn) Palmer; ten grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren; and 1 great great grandchild.
Two New Deaths, 91 Additional COVID-19 Cases Reported Wednesday In Escambia, Santa Rosa
September 9, 2020
THIS STORY IS OUTDATED. SEE NORTHESCAMBIA.COM FOR THE LATEST INFORMATION.
There were 91 new COVID-19 confirmed positives and two additional deaths reported in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties Wednesday, according to the Florida Department of Health.
The Escambia County death was an 82-year old female long-term care facility resident, and the Santa Rosa County death was an 80-year old female.
Escambia County cases increased by 59 to 11,634. An additional 32 cases brought the Santa Rosa County total to 4,990.
Of the 945 tests results returned in Escambia County, 5% were positive, and 8% were positive from 399 tests in Santa Rosa County. Over the past week, the overall average positivity rate for Escambia County is 5.4%.
There were 84 COVID-19 patients currently hospitalized in Escambia County as of Wednesday, according to data from the three local hospitals.
Of the 194 deaths in Escambia County, 93 have been long-term care facility residents or staff. There have been 60 deaths in Santa Rosa County, at least seven of those at the Blackwater River Correctional Facility and 12 in a long-term care facilities.
Statewide, there were 652,148 cases including 644,517 Florida residents. There have been 40,517 hospitalizations* and 12,115 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 — 11,634 (+59)
Non-Florida residents — 1,029
Pensacola —8,510 (+39)
Century — 923
—-including 771 Century prison inmates
Cantonment — 844 (+9)
Molino— 136 (+1)
McDavid — 68 (+1)
Walnut Hill — 17
Bellview — 12
Gonzalez — 7
Perdido Key — 7
Current hospitalizations: 84 (-10)
Deaths — 194 (+1)
Male — 5,131
Female — 5,380
Youngest — 0
Oldest — 105
Median Age — 39
Santa Rosa County cases:
Total cases — 4,990 (+32)
Non-Florida residents — 48
Milton — 2,660 (+14)
Gulf Breeze — 715
Navarre — 624 (+5)
Pace — 390
Jay — 139
Bagdad — 9
Cumulative Hospitalizations — 293*
Deaths — 60 (+1)
Male — 2,740
Female — 2,194
Youngest — 2 months
Oldest — 101
Median Age — 40
Florida cases:
Total cases — 652,148
Florida residents — 644,781
Deaths — 12,115
Hospitalizations — 40,517*
*“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.
Cantonment Man Charged With Aggravated Battery With Deadly Weapon On His Girlfriend
September 9, 2020
A Cantonment man is facing felony charges after allegedly swerving into his girlfriend’s vehicle following an argument.
Nicholas Blake Hughes, 34, was arrested on outstanding warrants for aggravated battery using a deadly weapon and criminal mischief with property damage.
His girlfriend told deputies that she and Hughes got into an argument at mutual friend’s house on Casey Lane. She said she tried to walk away, but Hughes continued to verbally assault her. She said she drove away from the residence, but Hughes ran out to his vehicle and followed her at a high rate of speed, according to an arrest report.
The victim stated Hughes passed her and intentionally swerved into her vehicle before fleeing on Highway 95A, the report states. She provided deputies with a photo related to the incident.
Deputies noted about $2,000 in damage to her vehicle including a damaged fender and bumper, in addition to a white paint transfer from the vehicle driven Hughes.
Hughes remained in the Escambia County Jail Wednesday without bond due to an additional charge of failure to appear in a felony case involving weapons and narcotics charges.
Century Council Forced To Cancel Meeting After Zoom Calls Fail
September 9, 2020
The Century Town Council was forced to cancel their regular meeting Tuesday night because their virtual software was not allowing telephone connections.
During the pandemic, and executive order from Gov. Ron DeSantis has allowed governmental bodies to meet virtually. The Century council switched to Zoom in July for meetings, and everything has worked almost flawlessly since.
While most people think of Zoom as a video conferencing service, there are plan options that allow users to join meeting audio by making an ordinary telephone call. Council members and the public have mostly joined the meetings by telephone, with only just a few using the Zoom app or website. The council has not been broadcasting video.
Tuesday night, callers were met with a message that telephone service was not available for the Century council zoom meeting. It was not immediately known if that was a Zoom technical glitch, or Century’s account was no longer configured or if the fee was properly paid for the “Zoom Phone” options.
The only participants to join the meeting via the Zoom app Tuesday night were the mayor, the interim city manager and an administrative clerk that were physically at town hall, council member James Smith and NorthEscambia.com. The other council members and public all apparently tried to use the telephone method and that failed.
Due to the failure, the meeting was canceled. It is expected to be rescheduled.
ECSO Seeks Beulah Area Vehicle Burglary Suspects
September 9, 2020
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is looking for three individuals caught on surveillance video near the scene of several vehicle burglaries.
The burglaries happened early Tuesday morning, September 8 on Blackhorse Circle north of Mobile Highway, not far from the area of Beulah Elementary School.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Need Work? Re-Employ Escarosa Job Fair Will Be Thursday
September 9, 2020
Looking for work? Dozens of businesses will take part in a virtual job fair this week.
The Re-Employ Escarosa event will take place on Thursday from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. The employers will be on hand to meet virtually with potential employees.
You can pre-register, view participating employers and see a list of a available jobs by clicking or tapping here.
CareerSource Escarosa partnered with FloridaWest, The Greater Pensacola Chamber of Commerce, The Gulf Coast Minority Chamber, Studer Community Institute, Pensacola Young Professionals, and Fleet and Family Support Center to host the event.
Tate, PHS Students Named National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists
September 9, 2020
The National Merit Scholarship Corporation has named semifinalists in the 66th annual National Merit Scholarship Program.
These academically talented high school seniors have an opportunity to continue in the competition for National Merit Scholarships worth more than $30 million that will be offered next spring.
Local students named National Merit semifinalists are Michael R. Dixon and John T. Semple from Tate High School; and Sydney Dodson, Calla Endacott, Kendall Frazee, Owen Ides, Maxanthony Mateer, Alyssa Pascoe, George Prettyman, Mai Tran, Ashley Wu and Amy Zhang from Pensacola High School.
Free Produce Box Giveaway Today At Highland Baptist In Molino
September 9, 2020
A free produce distribution will be held Wednesday afternoon 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.
The church will also hold the produce giveaway on Wednesday, September 16 from 5-6 p.m.
For more information call (850) 587-5174.