Leisha Gibbs Strickland
September 25, 2020
Mrs. Leisha Gibbs Strickland, age 47, passed away on Wednesday, September 23, 2020, in Fairhope, Alabama.
Mrs. Strickland was a native of Atmore, AL and had resided in Fairhope, AL for the past 19 years. She attended the New Providence Baptist Church. She is preceded in death by her father, Larry Gibbs.
She is survived by mother, Nett Stewart Thomas of Rabun, AL; one son, James Richard Strickland, III of Nashville, TN; one daughter, Cassie Gibbs of Foley, AL; one brother, Matthew Thomas of Atmore, AL; one sister, Keisha Gibbs and nine grandchildren.
Graveside services were held Monday, September 28, 2020, at the New Providence Cemetery with Rev. Henry Wilson officiating.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes is in charge of all arrangements.
Blue Angels Will Fly Over Pensacola Friday; Tribute To Resiliency Of Community
September 24, 2020
The U.S. Navy Blue Angels will be flying over Pensacola starting at 8 a.m. Friday as a tribute to the people of Pensacola and the resiliency of the Pensacola community after Hurricane Sally.
“We hope this flight over Pensacola provides a touching display of appreciation for the thousands of Hurricane Sally first responders and the continued resolve of the people of this community,” said Cmdr. Brian Kesselring, U.S. Navy Blue Angels commanding officer and flight leader for the flyover. “We will get through this, just like we have so much this past year. We are all in this together.”
“I am very appreciative of the Blue Angels for this incredible show of support for the people of Pensacola as we begin the long recovery from Hurricane Sally,” Mayor Grover Robinson said. “This storm has impacted so many people in our community during a time when many of us were already facing challenging times, but I know we will recover. Pensacola is a strong, resilient community, and we will be even stronger once we get through this together.”
The Blue Angels flyover will include the following areas:
- Pensacola Beach
- Perdido Key
- Community Maritime Park
- Palafox Street in downtown Pensacola
- Areas surrounding Pensacola Fire Stations 1, 3 and 4
The Blue Angels will be visible from many locations throughout the Pensacola area and along this route.
The public is reminded to continue to follow guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Pictured: The Blue Angels and the Air Force Thunderbirds during a flyover of downtown Pensacola in April 2020. NorthEscambia.com photos.
Major Disaster Declaration Issued For Escambia County, No Individual Assistance Yet
September 24, 2020
A major disaster declaration was issued by President Donald Trump Thursday morning for Escambia County following Hurricane Sally. It does not yet include any provision for individual or household assistance.
The declaration will provide funding for roads, bridges, public facilities, debris removal and other public damages. So far, Escambia County has recorded some $183 million in damage to public infrastructure.
Escambia County Administrator said Escambia County will continue to seek funding for individual and household assistance.
“We are not taking our foot off the gas in trying to get that,” Commissioner Robert Bender said.
““I’m pleased to announce that FEMA has approved our request for a major disaster declaration for Hurricane Sally,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “This declaration adds all categories of public assistance for Escambia County, providing critical federal support for the long-term rebuilding efforts of this area following the severe damage and flooding that Sally left in its wake. Northwest Floridians are resilient, and we will continue to work with our local and federal partners to ensure a full recovery from Hurricane Sally.”
Beginning Wednesday on NorthEscambia.com, Escambia County began to ask the public to submit damage photos and narratives in an effort to seek assistance. By Thursday morning, about 250 people had submitted their damage photos directly to the county to be used to advocate for help for individuals and households. Click or tap here to submit your damage photographs and information.
Nine Mile, Highway 29 Construction Projects Mostly Undamaged By Sally. Except Maybe All Those Orange Barrels.
September 24, 2020
Hurricane Sally certainly scattered orange barrels everywhere around the Nine Mile Road and the Highway 29 construction zones, but overall the Florida Department of Transportation says both projects faired well.
After the Category 2 hurricane passed, inspectors began assessing the corridor for possible damage, clearing the roadway, replacing traffic control devices and more. And replacing all those orange barrels.
Nine Mile Road
Initial assessments show that the Nine Mile Road construction zone between U.S. 29 and Surrey Drive received minimal damage, according to FDOT.
Over the next week to 10 days, crews will focus on restoring the project to pre-hurricane condition while the area dries out from more than 25 inches of rain brought by Hurricane Sally. Once the project is sufficiently dry, normal operations will resume with crews focusing on paving the new westbound lanes.
Highway 29
Inspections found that the project had minimal damage. Currently, crews are focusing efforts on restoring the project to pre-hurricane condition as the construction zones dry out.
Pictured: Construction on Nine Mile Road. NorthEscambia.com photo.
HS Football: Northview Plays Friday Night, Other Games Delayed To Saturday; Tickets Sold Online
September 24, 2020
All of the high school football games in Escambia County this week, except for Northview, have been moved to Saturday, and the district has announced that tickets will be sold online.
The Northview Chiefs will host Bonifay at 7 p.m. Friday in Bratt as originally scheduled.
On Saturday, Tate will be at Washington at 1 p.m., West Florida will be at Escambia at 2 p.m., and Pensacola Catholic will host Pine Forest at 7.p.m.
Escambia County schools will participate in state series competitions for all fall sports, including football, volleyball, cross country, golf and swimming.
“Coaches and athletes are participating in fall sports events with the understanding that all events which require overnight travel will be evaluated on a case by case basis,” said Escambia County Superintendent Malcolm Thomas.
Tickets for sporting events will be available online through GoFan.co. Families of athletes, band members and cheerleaders, as well as faculty members, will have the opportunity to purchase tickets prior to the general public. If tickets are not sold out online, then a limited number of tickets may be sold at the gate.
A convenience fee may apply to tickets sold online.
Steps to enhance safety at all sporting events will mean operational changes, including extensive sanitation plans, with social distancing guidelines for athletes, cheerleaders, band members and spectators, according to the school district.
“COVID-19 safety guidelines will be followed, to include recommendation of social distancing and face coverings, with families, friends and fans encouraged to support the students and district efforts to promote safety,” Thomas said. “Schools are starting with 30% capacity and look forward to a time when event capacity can be increased.”
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Tarps Still Available For Residents Of Cantonment, Carver Park And Molino
September 24, 2020
Residents in Molino, Carver Park and Cantonment who need tarps can contact the Escambia County Citizen Information Line at (850) 471-6600 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m to put in a request.
Residents will be asked to provide their name, phone number and address to be contacted to schedule logistics while supplies last.
Updated 9/24/20 noon: All of the food and water that was available is now gone.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Showers, Possibly A Thunderstorm For Thursday
September 24, 2020
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Thursday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am, then a slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 67. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light and variable in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 84. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 67. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 85. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 68. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Sunday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 83. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph in the morning.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 67. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Monday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 84.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 66.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 84.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 62.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 76.
Cox Still Working To Restore Service; Cantonment Was One Of The Hardest Hit Areas
September 24, 2020
Cox Communications continues to work to restore service in Escambia County.
The large majority of customers that still don’t have service are located in Cantonment, Myrtle Grove and along Lillian Highway in Southwest Escambia County, Perdido Key and other small pockets where infrastructure was more heavily damaged and, in some cases, is not easily accessible.
Wednesday afternoon, Cox was on scene of the damaged fiber optic network areas and was expecting more customers to come online Wednesday night as those repairs were made.
“Due to the impact of Hurricane Sally, we are experiencing delays in our typical time to restore services and that is causing errors in our outage restoration messaging through the Cox app and text alert system. Our crews are working extremely hard to restore services by the end of the week. Some of the harder hit areas may take longer for restoration projects to be completed,” Cox said in a statement.
“We appreciate how much our customers have been through in the last week,” said Anthony Pope, senior vice president and region manager of Cox Southeast. “We want our storm-impacted customers to be able to focus on their recovery and not their Cox bills. So, we are providing various forms of assistance, including credits for service disruptions.”
Flomaton Man Charged With DUI After Crash That Caused Gas Leak
September 24, 2020
A Flomaton man was arrested on a DUI charge after a traffic crash near Century that caused a gas leak.
Larry Eugene Salter, age 61, lost control of his vehicle and ran off Carnley Road about 5:15 Sunday afternoon. Firefighters were able to contain the gas leak shortly after their arrival; there were no other injuries reported.
A Florida Highway Patrol trooper and Escambia County Sheriff’s deputy were able to smell alcohol on Salter’s breath, according to an arrest report. The trooper also noted Salter stumbled and swayed on the scene and during a field sobriety test that was conducted in the parking lot of the Whataburger in Century.
Breath tests conducted after Salter was transported to jail showed his alcohol level at .139 and .140. The legal limit in Florida is .08.
Salter was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $1,000 bond
Emergency Bridge Loan Program Activated For Small Businesses Impacted By Hurricane Sally
September 24, 2020
Governor Ron DeSantis has activated the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan program to support small businesses impacted by Hurricane Sally.
The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) administers the Emergency Bridge Loan program that provides short-term, zero-interest loans to small businesses that experienced physical damage or economic injury during Hurricane Sally. The application period is now open and runs through November 14 or until the available funds are expended.
“The intense wind, rain and flooding from Hurricane Sally has led to extensive damage in Northwest Florida,” said Governor DeSantis. “We are working diligently to help these communities recover and I encourage affected small business owners to apply for the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan to assist them with necessary funding to rebuild.”
DEO administers the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan program in partnership with the Florida Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) Network and Florida First Capital Finance Corporation to provide cash flow to businesses damaged by a disaster. The short-term, zero-interest loans help bridge the gap between the time damage is incurred and when long-term funding is secured, including Small Business Administration or commercially available loans, insurance claims or other resources. Up to $5 million has been allocated for the program.
Small business owners with two to 100 employees located in Escambia, Okaloosa and Santa Rosa counties affected by Hurricane Sally can apply for short-term loans up to $50,000, or in special cases $100,000, if warranted by the needs of the business.
DEO is currently surveying businesses in the affected counties through the Florida Business Damage Assessment Survey. To access the survey, please visit www.FloridaDisaster.biz and select “Hurricane Sally” from the dropdown menu. Response to the damage assessment is not an application for the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan.
To apply or to learn more about the eligibility requirements for the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan, visit www.FloridaJobs.org/EBL.