Rain Likely For Thursday Night, Friday
January 21, 2021
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Showers. Patchy fog after 3am. Low around 57. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming north after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.
Friday: Showers. Patchy fog before 8am. High near 63. Northeast wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Friday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 46. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high near 60. East wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 49. East wind around 5 mph.
Sunday: Cloudy, with a high near 67. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers after midnight. Cloudy, with a low around 61. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Monday: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 75. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Monday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 61.
Tuesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 72.
Tuesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 55.
Wednesday: A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 68.
Wednesday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 50.
Thursday: A slight chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 64.
Arbor Day Tree Giveaway In Molino This Saturday
January 21, 2021
UF IFAS Extension and the Escambia County Natural Resources Department will hold a drive-through tree giveaway from 9 to 11 a.m., or until supplies last, this Saturday in Molino.
The event will be held at the Escambia County 4-H Camp and Livestock Facility located at 5701 Highway 99 in Molino. The giveaway begins promptly at 9 a.m., and attendees will need to follow instructions from volunteers related to entry and route. To keep everyone healthy, attendees will be asked to stay in their vehicles and wear a mask when approached by volunteers. Each vehicle will receive two free native 1 gallon trees. Species available include overcup oak, willow oak, sweetgum and Savannah holly.
Participants and anyone interested in tree care are encouraged to watch a free online seminar at noon on January 21 entitled, “Tree Planting: More than Digging a Hole,” to learn proper tree planting and care techniques. The presentation will go over the types of trees being given away, as well. Registration for the webinar can be found at: https://ufl.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_0gfLeX5SRpGCvJmbD_Qo0w
Arbor Day Mail Art Contest
Escambia County Extension will also host their 4th annual Arbor Day Mail Art Contest this year. To participate, mail a drawing, painting, photograph or mixed media artwork with the theme, “Renew, Regrow, and Reforest” to Arbor Day Art Contest c/o Escambia County Extension, 3740 Stefani Road, Cantonment, FL 32533. Please include your name, age, and contact information on the back of your artwork. Contest entries must arrive by mail or be dropped off by January 25.
First place winners of the art contest will receive prizes including a seven-gallon tree, a shovel and a tree book. Second place winners will receive a tree book and third place winners will receive gardening supplies. Categories include children (12-under), teen (13-18) and adult (over 18). Winners will be announced via Facebook Live on January 29, and prizes given out by appointment. Resource Management Services provided support for the art contest.
File photo.
Escambia County COVID-19 Hospitalizations Set New Record This Week
January 21, 2021
The number of daily local COVID-19 hospitalizations reached new record this week.
There were 284 people hospitalized due to COVID-19 in Escambia County on Monday. The number was 261 on Wednesday.
During a summer surge, local COVID-19 hospitalizations reached a peak of 246 on July 20.
According to Escambia County, there were 19 adult ICU beds available in Escambia County Wednesday night — none at Baptist, five at West Florida and 14 at Sacred Heart.
The numbers in the graph indicate daily hospitalizations in Escambia County and are provided daily by Ascension Sacred Heart Hospital, Baptist Hospital and West Florida Hospital. The daily numbers are not cumulative.
Data source: Escambia County, City of Pensacola. Graphic: City of Pensacola.
Louise Sophia Pashos West
January 21, 2021
t perished from this world on January 20, 2021 in a Pensacola Florida hospital due to an extended illness. She was 75 years of age at the time of her passing.
She was born on September 29, 1945 at Mercy Hospital in Mount Vernon, Ohio to Louis and Helen Pashos.
After graduating from St. Vincent De Paul Catholic High School she traveled the world and gained life experiences as a travel agent.
She earned her Bachelors Degree from Ashland University, and her Masters Degree from Xavier University in Education. She began her teaching experience in Chicago Illinois before transferring back to her home state of Ohio . Her devotion was to education where she dedicated her talents to the public school sector, her love for children and knowledge was her inspiration. Towards the end of her career teaching, she served as a Principal and Superintendent. She has been an educator in Ohio, Georgia, Mississippi and Florida for 45 years before retiring.
After her retirement, she relocated to South Alabama to be near her family, reading books, and sharing her love for boxer dogs.
She has one adult son, Michael in which she dedicated her life to being a fantastic and wonderful mother, raising him by herself as a single parent. She is survived by her son Michael (Andrea) West, two grandchildren, brother Michael Pashos, sister Georgia Dominguez, niece Helen Pashos Pickron among other many close friends.
In remembrance, a Memorial Mass is scheduled for Saturday January 23, 2021 (11:30A) at Saint Margaret Catholic Church in Foley Alabama.
A gravesite service at Memorial Gardens Cemetery located in Mount Vernon Ohio will be scheduled and announced at a later date.
Richard Billy Hunter
January 21, 2021
Mr. Richard Billy Hunter, 32, passed away on Saturday, January 16, 2012 in Shreveport, Louisiana.
Mr. Hunter was a native of Pensacola, FL, former resident of Walnut Hill, FL and had resided in Bay Minette, AL for the past 14 years. He was a chef with several restaurants on the Gulf Coast and an over the road truck driver with Flat Creek Transportation Company from Kinston, AL. He is preceded in death by his grandfathers, Billy Ray Gipson and Richard Dale Hunter.
He is survived by his father, Daniel (Kay) Hunter of Bratt, FL; mother, Donna (John) Trahan of Bay Minette, AL; grandmothers, Alice Faye Hunter of Bratt, FL and Bobbie Heard of Pensacola, FL; one daughter, Brooklyn Hunter of Loxley, AL; one brother, Daniel Hunter, Jr. of Bay Minette, AL; two sisters, Erica (Jamie) McMillan of Katy, TX and Crystal (Jonathan) Bossard of Bratt, FL and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.
Visitation will be Friday, January 22, 2021 from 9:00 AM until 10:00 AM at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home
Officials Report 21 Additional COVID-19 Deaths, Another 302 Cases In Escambia County
January 21, 2021
THIS IS AN ARCHIVED STORY. SEE NORTHESCAMBIA.COM FOR THE LATEST DATA.
There were 21 additional COVID-19 deaths and 302 new cases reported Wednesday in Escambia County by the Florida Department of Health.
Here is the latest data:
Escambia County cases:
Total cases: 28,035 (+302)
Non-Florida residents: 2,990
Recovered: 22,938
Total deaths: 469 (+21)
Long-term care facility deaths : 200 (+12)
Current hospitalizations: 261 (-13)
Number of tests reported last day: 1,174
Percent positive reported last day: 19.2%
Percent positive reported last week: 17.4%
Escambia County cases by location*:
Pensacola: 20,646 (+238)
Cantonment: 2,519 (+32)
Century: 1,094 (+9)
—-including 774 Century prison inmates
Molino: 356 (+2)
McDavid: 173 (+1)
Walnut Hill: 47
Bellview: 45 (+2)
Perdido Key: 19
Gonzalez: 11
Santa Rosa County cases:
Total cases: 14,093 (+135)
Non-Florida residents: 178
Total deaths: 189 (+11)
Long-term care facility deaths: 55 (+4)
Cumulative Hospitalizations: 656*
Number of tests reported last day: 371
Percent positive reported last day: 26.0%
Santa Rosa County cases by location*:
Milton: 6,696 (+48)
Navarre: 2,812 (+35)
Gulf Breeze: 2,564 (+36)
Pace: 1,136 (+5)
Jay: 460 (+6)
Bagdad: 29
Florida cases:
Total cases: 1,601,011
Florida residents: 1,571,840
Deaths: 24,578
Hospitalizations: 68,932*
*“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. Most of these people are longer be 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.
**On cases by location, the city is based upon zip code and is not always received as part of the initial notification. There may be a delay in reporting locations as a result, and locations will not total the daily case increase as a result.
***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 is reporting an approximate recovery number defined as the total cases prior to last month, minus deaths. In other words, anyone that tested positive more than a month ago is presumed to have recovered by Escambia County.
**Data Sources: Florida Department of Health, Escambia County, City of Pensacola, local hospitals.
Escambia County Man Arrested On Charges Related To U.S. Capitol Attack
January 20, 2021
An Escambia County man has been arrested for his alleged role in mob attack on the U.S. Capitol.
Jesus D. Rivera, 37, was taken into custody at his residence Wednesday morning for his alleged role in the riot and siege at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, according to the Jacksonville Field Office of the FBI.
Rivera is charged with knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority; knowingly, with intent to impede government business or official functions, engaging in disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds; engaging in disorderly or disruptive conduct on Capitol buildings or grounds; and parading, demonstrating, or picketing in the Capitol buildings.
According to federal court documents, Rivera uploaded to his Facebook account a five minute video showing a crowd of individuals in the U.S. Capitol crypt. Approximately 13 seconds into the video, Rivera changed the direction
of the camera toward the individual recording the video and Rivera’s face is clearly visible. The video ends with the individual recording the footage, Rivera, beginning to climb out of a window.
Rivera uploaded two other videos to Facebook that allegedly show Rivera approaching the U.S. Capitol and then on the U.S. Capitol grounds surrounded by individuals demonstrating or protesting. In the videos, Rivera states, “record numbers here in DC.”. Rivera late states, “hey guys, if you are on here, share this live because I am about to take my ass to the middle of the state Capitol and see what’s going on, where they are trying to jump in.”
Rivera’s Facebook account has since been deleted.
Pictured: Screenshots from Facebook videos that allegedly show suspect Jesus D. Rivera of Pensacola inside the U.S. Capitol and on the Capitol grounds. Pictured inset: Rivera’s driver’s license photo.
500 COVID-19 Vaccine Appointments Made Available ForThursday In Molino
January 20, 2021
UPDATE: All available appointments were taken within minutes of NorthEscambia.com posting this story.
Ascension Medical Group Sacred Heart plans to hold another COVID-19 vaccination clinic on Thursday at the Molino Community Center.
The vaccination team from Ascension Sacred Heart will vaccinate approximately 500 people aged 65 and older.
Vaccinations are by appointment only and walk-up visitors will not be accepted. Vaccinations must be scheduled online by visiting www.getsacredheartcare.com. Appointments were available at the time of publication.
The State of Florida has not received nearly enough vaccine to provide the shots to the 4.5 million residents of the state who are 65 and older. Ascension Sacred Heart has stepped up to support the community, the state, and the Florida Department of Health in distributing vaccines as it becomes available.
Ascension Medical Group has vaccinated more than 8,000 seniors in Northwest Florida. Scheduled appointments have filled very quickly in clinics held so far due to the strong demand for the new vaccines. Additional vaccination clinics will be scheduled by Ascension Medical Group and the Department of Health as more is supplied to the state.
Century Council Can’t Agree To Allow 300 Foot Cell Tower By Showalter Park Or The Library
January 20, 2021
The Century Town Council could not reach a consensus Tuesday night to allow a new 300-foot tall cell tower to be built next to the library or near Showalter Park.
Two parcels owned by the town were under consideration for the tower site:
- A 0.698 acre lot directly south of the Century Branch Library. The tower would be located less than 50 feet from the library property, which is owned by Escambia County.
- A 0.68 acre area located on the northeast corner of the town’s maintenance building property on Alger Road, just across the railroad tracks from the playground at Showalter Park.
“I would not want a tower in my neighborhood,” council member Sandra McMurray Jackson said. “They don’t want it on Alger Road … I’m going to respect those residents.” She said Alger Road residents were concerned about possible ill effects to their health, and she said there would be no changing their minds.
Council President Luis Gomez said he did not think the tower belonged along Highway 29, between the library and a commercial building he owns. He said that while he personally does not want it located on Highway 29, it is important to consider that someone might want to locate a business on the property in the future.
“We need cellphone service in Century,” Gomez said. “No one wants to put a business in Century with the stagnant service we have.”
A motion by council member James Smith to locate the tower at the town’s shop on Alger Road and a motion by Jackson to locate it on Highway 29 both failed to reach a vote due to a lack of seconds.
Diamond Towers had requested a variance to the required 200 foot setback requirement for the tower. At 300 feet, the tower would be about the equivalent of a 30 story building, according to interim City Manager Vernon Prather.
If the council had approved, Diamond Towers would have leased one of the two properties at $1,000 total for one year with an optional extension for one more year at $1,000. Once a tower was constructed, Diamond’s lease would have increased to $1,500 per month for at least five years, with another $500 per month due for additional cellular providers collocated on the tower.
Pictured: This lot next to the Century Branch Library was one of two locations under consideration for a 300-foot tall cell tower. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Announces Top Five Teachers Of The Year
January 20, 2021
The Escambia County School District has named the Top 5 Teachers of the Year.
They are (in alphabetical order):
- Rochelle Carmichael — Workman Middle School
- Stephanie Connors — Washington High School
- Briana McCreary — Montclair Elementary
- Heather McWethy — A.K. Suter Elementary
- Mercedes Musto — Alternative Education
An overall Teacher of the Year will be announced January 29 during the Golden Apple award ceremony.