Florida Reopens Phase 3: DeSantis Lifts Restrictions On Restaurants, Other Businesses
September 25, 2020
Florida has entered the third phase of reopening effective immediately, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Friday. That allows all businesses to reopen as COVID-19 restrictions loosen.
The order removes all state-love restrictions and removes the ability of local governments to close businesses and assess fines on individuals. The change effects mostly restaurants and bars, which had been restricted to 50% capacity.
While a local government can’t close a business under the order, they can still limit and regulate businesses.
“You can’t just say no,” DeSantis said. “You can’t say no after six months and just have people twisting in the wind.”
The exception to that is restaurants. Restaurants cannot be restricted further than 50% capacity, and local governments must justify it from an economic and health perspective.
“This is a very difficult industry to succeed in,” DeSantis said, adding the idea that government should lead on restrictions rather than self-imposed business practices “misplaced.”
Local governments cannot collect and fines or fees on individuals, and that includes to enforce a mask mandate.
Officials Plead With Public To Help Because Hurricane Sally Federal Individual Assistance Not Approved
September 25, 2020
Escambia County Commission Chairman Steven Barry and Senator Doug Broxson both say they are highly disappointed that a federal disaster declaration does not include any help for individuals and families.
“If John Doe makes an application to FEMA and he is denied, that’s one thing. If he doesn’t have the opportunity to apply for that direct assistance, that’s unfair. We have had a tremendous loss, and that’s unfair to our citizenry to not have the opportunity to apply. The merits of everybody’s situation is going to merit the award, but we have to have the opportunity for our people to apply,” Barry said.
What is called an Individual and Households Program (IHP) declaration that, simply put, helps people, was missing from the federal disaster declaration issued by President Donald Trump. It provides federal funds for home repairs, temporary housing, and additional programs for individuals and businesses.
“This is a different storm; it’s gotten different response from FEMA,” Broxson said. “Frankly, I’m very disappointed with that. We checked all the boxes, and there’s a narrative out that jutt it was not a big enough storm to get the attention of nation that would appall them about what we saw last week.”
The country launched an effort Wednesday on NorthEscambia.com to ask the public for help in the plea for individual assistance. Residents are still asked to gather several photos that show their damage, write a short email (up to 200 words) telling their story about Hurricane Sally damage, include the physical address of the damage and send the email to hurricanesally@myescambia.com..
By 5:30 p.m. Thursday, 516 residents had submitted their photographs and damage information, Barry said.
Barry and Broxson both expressed possible reasons the individual assistance declaration has not yet come down the pipe from Washington.
“We’ve been told that the folks that were in town and and doing assessments on the federal level didn’t see as much damage as they might have thought that they were going to see or maybe that they’ve seen in the past,” Barry said. “I would dare sare that had a lot to do with whether it’s a COVID issue, or the amount of boots that were on the ground here or the amount of time that was spent here.”
“There’s a tremendous amount of damage; I know it,” he continued. “I know my colleagues know it.”We’ve had two board meetings this week, and each of us to a person have limited the damage and the hurt that’s in our communities. So we know it exists. We know as a board and as a county that we deserve individual assistance.”
Broxson said FEMA would normally have a team of 300-400 people on the ground for a storm survey, but they did not due to COVID-19.
“To be very blunt with you, we’ve checked every box that we’ve always checked, and we’ve gotten a different response. That’s very disappointing, and hopefully we are going to see something happen more robust next week,” Broxson said. “Historically, I’ve never seen them not writing checks at this point. Very disappointing, and that’s after having the director here this weekend….You can’t see from 1,000 feet what is inside someone’s living room or the fact they’ve lost everything.”
“I can’t implore to the citizenry how important that aspect is,” Barry added. “Having been in office for a little while now and serving through the floods of 2014 the individual assistance part is what that’s what’s going to put money in the citizens household. I mean, that’s where it’s going to be direct financial assistance to our residents that have been been damaged, that have been harmed. So I don’t think the impact of that can be overstated.”
Pensacola Council Keeps Mask Mandate In Place, Rejecting Mayor’s Proposal
September 25, 2020
The Pensacola City Council has rejected a proposal by Mayor Grover Robinson to end a mask mandate in the city.
Robinson proposed that the mandate be dropped because hospitalizations have continued to decline.
Some of the council members said they were concerned about dropping the mask mandate during the hurricane recovery period, but most expressed it might be a better idea in the future.
The current mandate, approved by the city council in late June, requires face coverings by employees and patrons in Pensacola businesses, and it also adds fines for violations. The ordinance applies only within the city limits of Pensacola, not in unincorporated Escambia County.
The ordinance includes exceptions that include young children, medical conditions and persons that are eating and drinking.
Dry, Seasonable Weather Headed Into The Weekend
September 25, 2020
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Patchy fog after 4am. Otherwise, partly cloudy, with a low around 65. Calm wind.
Saturday: Patchy fog before 9am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 85. Calm wind.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 67. South wind around 5 mph.
Sunday: A slight chance of showers, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 84. South wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Sunday Night: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 10pm, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68. Southeast wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Monday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 87. East wind around 5 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
Monday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 65. South wind around 5 mph becoming northwest after midnight.
Tuesday: A 20 percent chance of showers before 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 74. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 54. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 76.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 55.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 80.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 54.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 76.
Applications Open Today For Escambia CARES Family Emergency Financial Assistance Grants
September 25, 2020
Escambia County is accepting application from 8 a.m. Friday until 8 p.m. Tuesday for Escambia CARES Family Emergency Financial Assistance Grants.
Applications will be accepted online at myescambia.com/CARES and at several physical locations throughout the county.
Those needing assistance or who do not have access to the internet and wish to apply with paper forms instead of online can visit one of the 10 fully-staffed application assistance centers located throughout the county, with at least one location available in each district.
These locations will be staffed for in-person application assistance during the grant application window, Friday, Sept. 25, through Tuesday, Sept. 29, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekdays and from noon to 5 p.m. weekends (unless otherwise noted):
- Beulah Senior Citizens Center, 7425 Woodside Drive
- Open Friday, Sept. 25, from 1 to 8 p.m.; Saturday, Sept. 26, and Sunday, Sept. 27, from noon to 5 p.m.; and Monday, Sept. 28, and Tuesday, Sept. 29, from 1 to 8 p.m.
- Brownsville Community Center, 3200 W. DeSoto St.
- Carver Park Resource Center, 208 Webb St.
- Century Branch Library, 7991 N. Century Blvd.
- Dorrie Miller Community Center, 2819 N. Miller St.
- Escambia County Extension Services, 3740 Stefani Road
- Gull Point Community Center, 7000 Spanish Trail
- Marie K. Young Wedgewood Community Center, 6405 Wagner Road
- Molino Community Center, 6450 Highway 95-A North
- Walnut Hill Community Center, 7850 Highway 97 North
Escambia County has allocated more than $3.5 million of CARES Act funding to provide grants of $2,000 each to families who have been impacted by COVID-19 and need of assistance. Escambia CARES Family Emergency Financial Assistance Grants will be dispersed on a first-qualified, first-served basis.
To be eligible for the Escambia CARES Family Emergency Financial Assistance Grant, applicants must:
- Be residents of Escambia County.
- Be a U.S. citizen or a permanent legal resident.
- Be at least 18 years old.
- Have a household income of $45,000 or less.
- Have been negatively impacted by COVID-19.
To apply for the Escambia CARES Family Emergency Financial Assistance Grant, applicants will need to provide:
- Certification of COVID-19 impact
- Copy of a valid, state-issued ID
- Copy of Social Security card or other proof of a Social Security number
- Tax-Filers: Copy of the first page of their 2019 federal tax return (IRS form 1040, 1040A or 1040EZ)
- Non-Tax Filers: Self-Certification letter stating why you did not file a 2019 Federal Income Tax Return and/or the type of income you received – Social Security Benefits (SSA, SSI/SSD), Railroad Retirement, Veterans Affairs Pension, Disability Benefits, etc.
- A completed W-9 form. Click here for the fillable W-9 Form.
For more information on the Escambia Cares Family Emergency Financial Assistance Grant, visit the program’s list of Frequently Asked Questions.
Escambia County Ballots Mailed For General Election
September 25, 2020
Thursday, the Escambia County Supervisor of Elections began delivering vote by mail ballots to the U.S. Postal Service for voters who have requested them for the November 3 general election. This is in addition to the more than 6,500 ballots sent to military and overseas voters last week. The initial mailing, which is approaching 60,000, will continue into next week.
Voters who have requested to vote by mail should begin receiving their ballot packages by the end of the next week.
After completing the ballot, the voter must sign and date the return envelope and return it by mail or deliver it to the Supervisor of Elections office or an early voting site. Ballots must be received by the Supervisor of Elections no later than 7 p.m. on election day. All vote-by-mail ballot envelopes are verified prior to tabulation. Complete voter instructions are included in the vote-by-mail package.
The U.S. Postal Service recommends voters mail their ballots at least one week before the due date.
The deadline to request a vote-by-mail ballot for the general election is 5 p.m. on Saturday, October 24. To request a vote-by-mail ballot or track the status of a ballot, visit EscambiaVotes.gov and click “Vote by Mail”, or contact the Supervisor of Elections office at 595-3900.
The deadline to register to vote is Monday, October 5. Any eligible Floridian who is not a registered voter in Florida and wishes to vote in the upcoming election must register or postmark their registration no later than October 5. There are multiple ways to register to vote, including the online registration portal at EscambiaVotes.gov.
One Injured In Tate Road, Kingfield Road Wreck
September 25, 2020
One person was transported to the hospital after a two vehicle wreck Thursday.
The crash occurred about 5:40 p.m. at Tate Road and Kingfield Road. Four other people involved were reportedly not injured.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Business Tax Receipt Renewal Deadline Approaching
September 25, 2020
Next Wednesday is the deadline for business owners to renew their Business Tax Receipt (BTR) with Escambia County.
Businesses can make online payments and print their renewed BTR at EscambiaTaxCollector.com.
“Paying and printing online is easy and secure, and there is no wait time,” said Lunsford. “By signing up for electronic notification, businesses can save additional time and money by being notified by email when their account is due.”
There is never an extra fee for online payments paid by eCheck. Businesses also can make payments by mail or through the drive-thru at one of three convenient offices.
Also, business owners are encouraged to take advantage of the installment plan for tangible personal property tax payments. By utilizing this plan, business owners with a tangible personal property tax bill of at least $100 can make four quarterly payments instead of one lump sum payment. Each quarterly bill will receive a different discount for early payment as prescribed by Florida Statutes. The quarterly payments are due by the last day of June, September, December and March. Applications for the 2021 tax year are being accepted now at EscambiaTaxCollector.com.
Lunsford said, “The installment program not only helps ease the financial burden on taxpayers by allowing them to spread out the payments, it also provides a discount for making payments on time.”
Need Help With Hurricane Cleanup? Here Are Some Important Phone Numbers
September 25, 2020
If you need help with Hurricane Sally debris cleanup, mucking, trap installation or mold remediation, there are a couple of options in Escambia County.
Residents can call Crisis Cleanup at (850) 451-1954 or Florida Baptist Disaster Relief at (904) 253-9924, according to Escambia County Emergency Management.
The Escambia County Information Line (850) 471-6600 from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. and 211 will also match residents with needed service agencies.
File photo.
Council On Aging Resumes Meals On Wheels, Feeding Sites
September 25, 2020
The Council on Aging of West Florida has resume its Meals on Wheels program, and feeding sites have resume operation.
Meals are served between 11 and 11:30 a.m. Monday through Friday, and seniors are asked to call (850) 432-1475 by noon the day before.
Feeding sites are:
- Cantonment Senior Center, 132 Mintz Lane
- Century Senior Center, 6025 Industrial Boulevard
- Beulah Senior Center, 7425 Woodside Rd.
- Bayview Senior Center, 2000 E Lloyd St.
- Cobb Center, 601 E Mallory St.
- Westwood Homes, 4400 Westover Ave.
- Westminster Retirement Village, Building #1: 1700 N. “L” Street; Building #2: 1951 W. Blount Street