Escambia Reports 16 New COVID-19 Cases
May 22, 2021
THIS IS AN ARCHIVED STORY. SEE NORTHESCAMBIA.COM FOR THE LATEST STORY.
There were 16 new COVID-19 cases reported Friday in Escambia County by the Florida Department of Health.
Here is the latest data:
Escambia County cases:
Total cases: 36,454 (+16)
Non-Florida residents: 3,693
Recovered: 33,954*
Total deaths: 698
Long-term care facility deaths: 288
Current hospitalizations: 27 (-4)
Number of tests reported last day: 285
Percent positive reported last day: 5.3%
Percent positive reported last week: 5.0%
Escambia County cases by location*:
Pensacola: 27,324 (+12)
Cantonment: 3,283 (+4)
Century: 1,185
—-including 774 Century prison inmates
Molino: 496
McDavid: 215
Bellview: 59
Walnut Hill: 58
Perdido Key: 21
Gonzalez: 13
Santa Rosa County cases:
Total cases: 18,428 (+18)
Non-Florida residents: 261
Total deaths: 291
Long-term care facility deaths: 82
Cumulative Hospitalizations: 914*
Number of tests reported last day: 270
Percent positive reported last day: 6.0%
Santa Rosa County cases by location*:
Milton: 8,779 (+15)
Navarre: 3,789 (+1)
Gulf Breeze: 3,383
Pace: 1,511
Jay: 559 (+1)
Bagdad: 32
Florida cases:
Total cases: 2,304.860
Florida residents: 2,261.813
Deaths: 36,441
Hospitalizations: 93,965
*“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, 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 Westgate School Class of 2021 Graduates (With Photo Gallery)
May 22, 2021
The Escambia Westgate School Class of 2021 graduated Friday night in a ceremony in the Washington High School auditorium.
Escambia Westgate school serves the needs of pre-K, elementary, middle and high school students with varying exceptionalities.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Images for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
William (Bill) Arthur Corley
May 22, 2021
William (Bill) Arthur Corley, 71 years old, of Cantonment, Florida, passed away on Sunday, May 16, 2021. Bill was born in Century, Florida on March 20, 1950 to Mary Elizabeth Carlisle Corley and Arthur Hildred Corley.
Growing up in Cantonment was an adventure for Bill that included being able to fish and swim in the Perdido River and hunt in the woods surrounding the area for squirrels and game birds. He also enjoyed exploring his Granny Corley’s house and barn for hidden treasures like World War II catalogs and magazines.
After attending Farm Hill Pentecostal Church with his Granny and PawPaw Corley, Bill joined the church and accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as his savior.
Bill attended Jim Allen Elementary and Tate High School. He graduated from Tate High School in 1968. Bill was drafted in the U.S. Army in the fall of 1969 and served a tour of duty in Viet Nam achieving the rank of Sergeant.
Upon his return home Bill worked at Gayfer’s Department Store before settling in as a construction laborer for large industrial projects. He continued on this career course, even serving as a union labor representative before his retirement.
Bill was preceded in death by his grandparents, numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends, his ex-wife Cindy Corley, and his parents, Hill and Mary Elizabeth Corley.
Those left to cherish his memory are his daughter and son-in law, Cacie and Chris Finley; son, Dylan Corley; grandsons, Jake Stafford, Collin Finley, and Mason Finley; sister and brother-in-law, Becky and Ron Blake; niece, Robyn Blake; and numerous relatives and friends.
The family would like to thank the staff of University Hills Health and Rehabilitation, West Florida Hospital medical staff, and Covenant Care Hospice staff at West Florida Hospital for all of their excellent care of Bill. We would also like to thank the staff at Trahan Family Funeral Home for their outstanding service and thoughtful care during this time.
In lieu of flowers please make donations to the Hadji Shrine Transportation Fund, 800 West Nine Mile Road, Pensacola, FL 32526, or a charity of your choice.
Services will be held on Tuesday, May 25, 2021, with his wake beginning at 6:00 pm, his going home service will follow at 7:00 pm. Bill will be laid to rest at Barrancas National Cemetery with military honors on Wednesday, May 26, 2021.
Ida Jean Knowles
May 22, 2021
Ida Jean Knowles, age 83, of Molino, FL passed away May 18, 2021. She was born on July 11, 1937 in Bratt, FL to the late Aubrey H. and Agnes Velda Wiggins Ashcraft. She loved her family dearly. She was of great faith and was a member of The Pentecostal Faith.
She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, James “Pete” Knowles; her daughter, Toni L. Knowles and her brothers, Aubrey Kenneth Ashcraft and James Larry Ashcraft.
She is survived by her sons, Terry (Cindy) Knowles of Cantonment, FL and Rusty (Melanie) Knowles of Molino, FL; her daughters, Cindy Knowles of Molino, FL and Vickie (Ken) Johnson of Molino, FL; eight grandchildren, thirteen great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.
A graveside service will be held Friday, May 21, 2021 at 2:45 p.m. at Bratt-Godwin Cemetery with Rev. Rusty Knowles and Rev. Ken Johnson officiating. Interment will follow at Bratt-Godwin Cemetery in Bratt, FL.
Active pallbearers will be Jonathan Knowles, Wesley Knowles, Nathan Johnson, Tyler Knowles, Karson Brown Matt Blackburn, Jason Brown and A.J. Ashcraft.
New 448 Area Code, Mandatory 10-Digit Dialing Now In Effect
May 21, 2021
A second area code has been activated in Northwest Florida, and mandatory change in how you dial your phone is now in effect.
Mandatory 10-digit dialing will be effective for all calls, including local calls, for existing and new phone numbers in the 850 and the new 448 area codes. This includes landlines, cellphones and other devices.
“With Florida’s 850 area code running out of phone numbers, the 448 overlay plan and 10-digit dialing is necessary,” said PSC Chairman Gary Clark. “The good news is that Florida’s growing population and economy are driving this change. With today’s digital applications, programming 10-digit dialing into our contacts and devices is relatively easy.”
The PSC actually delayed mandatory 10-digit dialing implementation for three months—originally scheduled to begin in February—so that business customers in the overlay region had ample time to reprogram alarm systems and elevator operations.
Here are some other quick facts about the new 448 area code:
- Your current telephone number, including current 850 area code, will not change.
- You will need to dial area code + telephone number for all local calls.
- What is a local call now will remain a local call.
- The price of a call, coverage area, or other rates and services will not change due to the overlay.
- You can still dial just three digits to reach 911. You can also dial three digits to reach 211 and 811, as well as 311 and 511, where available.
- Telephone customers should remember to include their area code (3-digit area code + 7-digit telephone number) when giving their number to friends, family, business associates, and customers.
- Customers should ensure that all services, automatic dialing equipment, or other types of equipment recognize the new 448 area code as a valid area code, and should continue to program 10-digit telephone numbers.
The 850/448 area code region consists of 18 counties in the Florida Panhandle, including the cities of Pensacola, Panama City, and Tallahassee.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Local Pearl Harbor Survivor Frank Edmond Turns 103
May 21, 2021
Pearl Harbor survivor Frank Emond of Cantonment celebrated his 103rd birthday Friday. And he’s looking forward to reading your birthday wishes in the comment section below, or on our Facebook page.
Originally from Rhode Island, Emond enlisted in the Navy in 1938 as a musician. He played the French horn for the ship’s band and even got to perform at the 1939 World’s Fair in New York before he was assigned to the USS Emond, CWO4 USN (RET.), spent his naval career as a musician and band director. He was on the stern of the USS Pennsylvania (BB-38) getting ready to play morning “Colors” on his French horn when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. Emond then walked to the conductor’s stand, picked up the baton and proceeded to direct the band in “Stars and Stripes”.
After seven years of playing horn, he became a Navy bandleader, retiring in 1968.
“I’m about the last one (Pearl Harbor survivor) left around here,” Emond said during a drive-by birthday party last year at the Gonzalez United Methodist Church.
He remained a music man; sometimes leading the music at Gonzalez Methodist and performing with the Pensacola Civic Band. The Guinness Book of World Records named him the “Oldest Musical Conductor” in the world after he participated in a 2019 Memorial Day concert.
Picture above, Emond is seen celebrating a few days ago and encouraging future Naval Aviator Eva Miller as she begins her time in the NROTC at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University. Miller, who is graduating this year from Tate High School, calls Emond “Uncle Frank” even there is no blood relation.
For photos from Emond’s 102 drive-by birthday event in 2020, click or tap here.
Pictured below: Scenes from Frank Emond’s 102nd drive-thru birthday party last year at Gonzalez United Methodist Church. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Man Charged With Armed Carjacking In Century
May 21, 2021
A Panama City man has been charged in connection with a carjacking in Century.
Daniel Jerod Brocklehurst, 31, was charged with carjacking with a weapon. He remained in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $100,000.
A resident reported an attempted carjacking in the 8000 block of Jefferson Avenue. She told the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office that an armed white male had approached her, demanded one of her vehicles and asked to go inside her residence. When she refused, the alleged suspect put on a black motorcycle helmet and fled the scene in a black Volkswagen.
As they were responding to the to the area, deputies saw Brocklehurst wearing a black motorcycle helmet standing in the front yard of a residence in the 800 block of Hecker Road. He resisted deputies and was taken to the ground, according to an arrest report.
Deputies determined that Brocklehurst had committed a carjacking at the home on Hecker Road. The victim said she was sitting in her vehicle when she saw Brocklehurst approach her from across Jefferson Avenue. She said he pulled a handgun from his waist area, pointed at her and demanded her 2001 Mercury Grand Marquis.
The victim exited the car and Brocklehurst entered, placing the gun on the passenger seat. He started to back out of the driveway, but pulled back in and exited the vehicle, the report continues. Brocklehurst then tried to explain his actions to the victim and her father.
A Ruger semi-automatic handgun with a live 9 mm round in the chamber was recovered from the front seat of the vehicle.
Brocklehurst was not charged with the incident on Jefferson Avenue.
Sunny, Dry And Warming For The Next Week
May 21, 2021
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 84. Southeast wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 64. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 85. East wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 61. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 90. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 64. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 92. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 65. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 91.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 66.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 90.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 67.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 90.
Ready For Some Football? Spring Games Tonight For Northview vs. Flomaton, Tate vs. Escambia
May 21, 2021
Are you ready for some football? Both Tate and Northview high schools have spring games tonight.
The Northview Chiefs will host the Flomaton Hurricanes at 7 p.m. in Bratt. Tickets are available at GoFan (click or tap here).
The Tate Aggies will be at Escambia High School at 7 p.m. Tickets are available from GoFan (click or tap here).
Pictured: Northview and Flomaton last met during a regular season game in 2019. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
NOAA Predicts Above Average Hurricane Season, But Not 2020 Kind Of Busy
May 21, 2021
NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center is predicting another above-normal Atlantic hurricane season. Forecasters predict a 60% chance of an above-normal season, a 30% chance of a near-normal season, and a 10% chance of a below-normal season. However, experts do not anticipate the historic level of storm activity seen in 2020.
For 2021, a likely range of 13 to 20 named storms (winds of 39 mph or higher), of which 6 to 10 could become hurricanes (winds of 74 mph or higher), including 3 to 5 major hurricanes (category 3, 4 or 5; with winds of 111 mph or higher) is expected. NOAA provides these ranges with a 70% confidence. The Atlantic hurricane season extends from June 1 through November 30.
“Now is the time for communities along the coastline as well as inland to get prepared for the dangers that hurricanes can bring,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “The experts at NOAA are poised to deliver lifesaving early warnings and forecasts to communities, which will also help minimize the economic impacts of storms.”
An average hurricane season produces 14 named storms, of which 7 become hurricanes, including 3 major hurricanes.
“Although NOAA scientists don’t expect this season to be as busy as last year, it only takes one storm to devastate a community,” said Ben Friedman, acting NOAA administrator. “The forecasters at the National Hurricane Center are well-prepared with significant upgrades to our computer models, emerging observation techniques, and the expertise to deliver the lifesaving forecasts that we all depend on during this, and every, hurricane season.”
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