Florida Shutdown: Leisure, Hospitality Industries Lost The Most Jobs Locally. Here’s How Other Industries Fared.
June 7, 2020
The unemployment rate in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties jumped to 12% in April, 9.1% higher than the region’s year ago rate of 2.9%.
As expected due to the COVID-19 pandemic and Florida’s state at home orders, the leisure and hospitality industries were the hardest hit, losing 5,300 jobs. That was followed by 2,500 jobs lost in retail trade industries.
The chart above detail job losses over the past year by sector in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
Escambia Courts Resume In Person Hearings This Week; Civil Cases Reset (With Schedule)
June 7, 2020
The First Judicial Circuit has set staggered hearing times for plea day this week and has reset small claim hearings.
The courts are moving to resume certain limited in-person hearings, appearance times will be staggered to allow for proper social distancing. Out-of-custody individuals with county court criminal hearings scheduled before Judge Kerra Smith (Division 2) on Tuesday, June 9 in Escambia County at the M.C. Blanchard Building should report according to the following schedule:
Those with scheduled hearings should report to the courthouse at least 15 minutes prior to their hearing times to allow for adequate screening. All persons entering the courthouse will undergo a temperature check and will be asked COVID-19 screening questions. A face covering is required at all times while in the court facility.
Small Claims Pre-Trial Conferences set for Wednesday, June 10 Have Been Reset
All small claims cases in Escambia County are presently being conducted by video conference or teleconference. Those persons with a small claims pre-trial conference previously scheduled for Wednesday, June 10, should not appear in person at the M.C. Blanchard Building. The parties have been sent a reset summons with information regarding appearing by Zoom. For questions regarding new dates, call (850) 595-4173 or (850) 595-4424.
File photo.
Vehicle Drives Through Pensacola Protesters; Man Carried Across Pensacola Bay Bridge On SUV’s Hood
June 6, 2020
A vehicle drove through a group of protesters in downtown Pensacola Saturday afternoon, carrying one man on its hood across the Pensacola Bay Bridge.
A group of protesters had walked the short distance from the Graffiti Bridge on 17th Avenue to Bayfront Parkway, locking arms and temporarily blocking access to the Pensacola Bay Bridge. The Ford Flex drove at a slow speed through the group, with one protester jumping onto the hood of vehicle.
The driver continued slowly, with the man on the hood, three miles across the Pensacola Bay Bridge where the vehicle was stopped by Gulf Breeze Police.
The man was transported by ambulance to a hospital, but there was no word on severity of any injuries.
After about 20 minutes, Pensacola Mayor Grover Robinson arrived to speak to the group, and they left the roadway a short time later.
Police are continuing their investigation.
Images for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Charges Upgraded To Attempted Murder Against Cantonment Man For Gas Station Shooting
June 6, 2020
A Cantonment man is now facing an attempted murder charge for allegedly opening fire at a Pine Forest Road gas station last month.
William David Nicholson II, 27, is being held in the Escambia County Jail on charges that include attempted murder, firing a weapon in the public, and possession of a weapon by a convicted felon. He appeared in court Friday on the upgraded charge, and a judge set his bond at $200,000.
On May 10, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to a shots fired call at a gas station located in the 8600 block of Pine Forest Road at I-10. Nicholson was identified as the man that fired two shots at the victim after he allegedly cut Nicholson off in traffic.
The ECSO said Nicholson fired one shot into the victim’s driver’s side window and fired the other shot into the structure surrounding the gas pumps. The victim suffered a non-life threatening injury to the head and was taken to a local hospital.
Phase 2: Bars, Movie Theaters Now Open; New Rules For Stores And Gyms; Gatherings Up To 50 People
June 6, 2020
Phase 2 of Florida’s reopening began on Friday. Here’s what changed:
Bars and pubs can operate at 50% capacity inside and full capacity outside with appropriate social distancing, DeSantis said Wednesday morning. Patrons can only be served if they are seated; they can’t be standing or walking around. Restaurants can now offer bar seating with appropriate social distancing.
Entertainment businesses, including movie theaters, concert houses, auditoriums, playhouses, bowling alleys and arcades, may operate at 50% capacity with appropriate social distancing and sanitation protocols.
Gyms and stores can return to full capacity with social distancing.
Personal services businesses, including tattoo parlors, acupuncture establishments, tanning salons and massage establishments may operate while adhering to guidance from the Florida Department of Health.
Gatherings can now be up to 50 people.
Escambia Man Claims $2 Million Florida Lottery Prize
June 6, 2020
An Escambia County man has claimed a $2 million Mega Millions prize from the Florida Lottery.
Sam Moore’s ticket for the April 24 drawing matched all five of the white ball numbers, but did not match the Mega Ball.
Moore, 36, purchased his winning ticket at Murphy USA in front of the Walmart Supercenter on Mobile Highway. The retailer will receive a $5,000 bonus commission for selling the jackpot-winning ticket.
Atmore Receives ‘Main Street Alabama’ Designation
June 6, 2020
Atmore has received a “Main Street Alabama” designation.
“Main Street works 100% of the time if the community is willing to work,” said Main Street Alabama State Coordinator Mary Helmer. “Atmore impressed upon the selection committee that they had the work ethic to become a successful Main Street program that will bring jobs, dollars, and people back to the district.”
Atmore went thought a five month application process with through partnerships with community organizations, including the demonstration of the city’s commitment and proven track recording including the ongoing renovation of the Strand Theatre.
Main Street Alabama will begin work immediately in Atmore to provide board development, goal setting, work planning, market study with economic development strategies, targeted design assistance, and training related to downtown development.
Main Street Alabama is a private non-profit and state coordinating program of Main Street America. The 40-yea old National Main Street Four Point Approach is a model that focuses work in four areas – organization, design, promotion and economic vitality with strategies unique to the community and based on market-based outcome.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Denied Visitation With His Wife, Jay Man Allegedly Threatened Two People With A Shotgun At Hospital
June 6, 2020
A Jay man is charged with threatening two people at a Santa Rosa County hospital with a shotgun.
Eric Reitz, 57, is facing two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
The Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office said Reitz tried to visit his wife in the Santa Rosa Medical Center, but he was denied access because visitations are not currently allowed due to he pandemic.
An arrest report says Reitz went to his vehicle and returned with a shotgun that he pointed at a nurse an a security guard. He was arrested a short time later when officers arrived on the scene.
Officers reported also finding a loaded rifle in this vehicle.
He remained in the Santa Rosa County Jail on a $20,000 bond.
One Third Of Floridians Are Less Likely To Evacuate For Hurricane Due To COVID–19
June 6, 2020
Floridians are increasingly concerned about the 2020 Hurricane Season and the coronavirus is one of the reasons why.
According to a AAA survey – fielded last week – nearly a third (31%) of Floridians are more concerned about the 2020 Hurricane Season than they were last year. Two-of-five people (42%) say they are less likely to evacuate for a storm this year for fear of contracting the coronavirus. In fact, more than a quarter of residents (29%) say they would not leave their homes if they were warned to evacuate.
“The coronavirus just complicates matters even more for those preparing for what is forecast to be an active hurricane season,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “AAA urges families to develop an emergency plan now. Your plan should include several evacuation destinations, in case a shelter or hotel is closed due to the pandemic. Also be sure to utilize the 7-day tax free holiday to assemble a supply kit. This year’s kits should include cleaning supplies, to provide peace-of-mind for evacuees.”
Coronavirus aside, residents’ decision to evacuate often depends on the severity of the storm. Of those who would evacuate, four-of-five people (80%) would leave for a Category 2 hurricane or greater.
Florida’s COVID-19 Checkpoint On I-10 Has Been Deactivated
June 5, 2020
The I-10 checkpoint at the Florida/Alabama state line was deactivated Friday morning.
In March, the state set up a checkpoint on I-10 eastbound entering Florida to enforce an order issued by Gov. Ron DeSantis concerning travelers from areas with significant COVID-19 community spread. It was an attempt to get travelers from Louisiana, New York, New Jersey and Connecticut to self isolate for 14 days after entering Florida.
Nearly 28,000 traveler forms were collected while the checkpoint was open.
A similar checkpoint on I-95 at the Florida/Georgia state line remains active.
NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
