Blackwater Prison COVID-19 Cases Hit 115 With Seven Deaths; Still Just One Case At Century Prison
May 28, 2020
The number of positive COVID-19 cases at the Blackwater River Correctional Facility in Milton has hit 115 while in North Escambia the Century prison remains at one case.
According to the latest data from the Florida Department of Corrections, there are now 101 inmates that have tested positive for coronavirus and 14 positive staff members. The Florida Depeartment of Health said there have been seven COVID-19 inmate deaths at the prison, which is operated by the The GEO Group.
There are currently 1,007 other inmates at Blackwater in medical quarantine. There are 553 inmates with pending tests results and 1,271 that tested negative.
In late March, one staff member at Century Correctional Institution tested positive for COVID-19. There have been no other confirmed cases since that time. Only three inmates have been tested; all were negative.
Wind Creek Announces Reopening Plans
May 28, 2020
Wind Creek Hospitality is reopening in Alabama over the next two weeks.
A soft opening to small groups of invited guests begins Thursday, June 4 followed by a public opening for the “new” full operation on Monday, June 8.
New policies to ensure that guests can enjoy themselves safely include temperature checks for all guests and employees, and masks or face coverings will be required for everyone. Guests are asked to bring their own mask. Players who do not have their own mask will be able to acquire one on property for a small donation supporting local first responders, health care providers, and COVID patient relief funds. Smoking will only be allowed in designated spots separate from the gaming floor, restaurants, and other public areas.
To accommodate social distancing, all of the properties will be limiting the number of guests on the casino floor; this “new” capacity is roughly one-third of normal operations. All locations are employing increased distances between tables in dining venues and clearly marking appropriate distances near hotel check-in, player services, and other areas where lines historically formed.
Upon reopening, the casino floor will be open to the public for four sessions each day and deep cleaning will be conducted between sessions. These deep cleaning efforts are in addition to the cleaning of each machine before and after every guest.
Once Wind Creek properties open for general admission on June 8, special waiting areas will be available for guests at each property if a property is at capacity.
Only Democrat To Prefile For Escambia District 5 Commission Seat Has Withdrawn
May 28, 2020
The only Democrat to prefile so far for the Escambia County Commission District 5 seat has withdrawn from the race.
Barbara Goins prefiled in June 2019 but officially withdrew from the race on Thursday.
Two Republicans, incumbent Steven Barry and Megan Walters, have also prefiled. The final field of candidates for the seat won’t be set until qualifying ends at noon on June 12.
USDA Approves Florida’s School Meals Program. Eligible Families To Receive Benefit In June.
May 28, 2020
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has approved a Florida program to automatically issued benefits to children with no access to free and reduced price meals this summer.
The approval was announced Wednesday by Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida’s Pandemic EBT Program (P-EBT).
Families eligible to receive free or reduced-priced school meals will automatically receive this benefit during the month of June; no further action is needed from recipients at this time.
The Department of Children and Families (DCF), in partnership with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS), developed a P-EBT program to automatically issue benefits during the month of June to more than 2.1 million children who have temporarily lost access to free and reduced-price school meals during COVID-19-related school closures.
“I applaud President Trump and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for allowing states to identify gaps in services and develop new and needed programs that will help parents be reassured that their children will continue to receive healthy lunches although the school year is completed,” said DeSantis. “Throughout the public health emergency, Florida has taken a proactive approach to supporting families and ensuring they have access to critical resources and services.”
Cost Rises To Design Replacement Bridge On O.C. Phillips Road
May 28, 2020
It’s going to cost more than anticipated to design a replacement bridge on O.C. Phillips Road over Brushy Creek.
In September 2017, the Escambia County Commission approved a Local Agency Program Agreement for design of the bridge replacement. In March 2020, during the 60% design and permitting phase, it became apparent that a different type permit would be required due to the scope of the wetlands impact.
Additional work includes delineation of jurisdictional wetlands, additional survey; species surveys; submittal of mitigation strategies, and agency verification, according to Escambia County. The cost for the additional work is $79,524 and will be shared 75% by the Florida Department and Transportation and 25% by Escambia County.
FDOT will reimburse the County up to $565,893 for expenses related to the design of the project. The required permit will iincrease FDOT’s share by $59,643, from $506,250 to $565,893. Escambia County’s share will increase by $19,881, from $168,750 to $188,631..
The current bridge on the dirt road was constructed in 1968.
NorthEscambia.com file photos.
Walnut Hill Man Charged With Aggravated Assault Of Stepfather In Road Rage Incident
May 27, 2020
A Walnut Hill man has been charged with attempting to run into his stepfather in a road rage incident in North Escambia.
Andrew Corey Fanning, 28, was charged with felony aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
Fanning allegedly tried to run head-on into a Kia Rio driven by his stepfather and his stepfather’s wife on Lambert Bridge Road. The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said he then turned around and chased him down Highway 164 and continued his actions as they headed south on Highway 29. The stepfather told deputies that Fanning swerved into his lane and he followed within inches of his bumper, putting him in fear for his life, according to an arrest report.
A woman in the truck with Fanning told deputies that he drove into his stepfather’s lane at a high rate of speed and swerved just inches away from a head-on collision before starting to chase him down Lambert Bridge Road, the report states.
The arrest report states Fanning told deputies that at no time did he try to strike his stepfather’s care, but he admitted he did follow him.
Fanning was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $5,000 bond.
Atmore’s Parks And Splash Pad Now Open
May 27, 2020
Atmore has reopened their city parks, and the splash pad is now open.
Effective Wednesday, May 27, the Atmore splash pad is open from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m., seven days a week, according to Atmore Mayor Jim Staff.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
UWF Developing Plans For The Return To Campus
May 27, 2020
University of West Florida leadership is actively developing a plan to return to campus while keeping the safety, security and wellbeing of the University community at the forefront of every decision. This plan will include a phased return for employees that will begin in June and a student return for the fall semester.
The Florida Board of Governors provided a blueprint for all State University System institutions to utilize in developing their reopening university campuses framework that will be presented to the Board of Governors on June 23.
UWF President Martha Saunders established and assigned subcommittees to focus on specific areas to form the Fall 2020 return to campus framework. These subcommittees are focused on specific key areas, aligned with the Board of Governors’ Blueprint.
UWF is exploring a variety of options for course instruction and will prioritize all decisions based on offering high-quality academic instruction and maintaining the safety and well-being of the campus community. Options may include hybrid courses (online and face-to-face), prioritizing experiential courses for face-to-face instruction, increasing online courses, establishing a classroom capacity threshold to allow social distancing and increasing training opportunities for faculty.
UWF continues taking steps to prevent the spread of COVID-19 by promoting healthy habits and enhancing its existing cleaning and disinfection practices. Additional precautions will be enhanced or developed and may include requiring face coverings, limiting the number of individuals gathered in one area and leveraging available testing and contact-tracing resources.
UWF is currently soliciting feedback and guidance from faculty, staff, students, public health officials and other partners before the plan is presented to the Board of Trustees and Board of Governors.
Don’t Accidentally Throw Away Your Stimulus Payment. Debit Cards Are Arriving In Plain Envelopes.
May 27, 2020
Nearly four million people are being sent their Economic Impact Payment by prepaid debit card, instead of paper check. The determination of which taxpayers receive a debit card was made by the Bureau of the Fiscal Service, another part of the Treasury Department that works with the IRS to handle distribution of the payments.
These Economic Impact Payment Cards arrive in a plain envelope from Money Network Cardholder Services. The Visa name will appear on the front of the card; the back of the card has the name of the issuing bank, MetaBank, N.A. Information included with the card will explain that the card is an Economic Impact Payment Card.
Those who receive Economic Impact Payment by prepaid debit card can do the following without any fees.
- Make purchases online and at any retail location where Visa is accepted
- Get cash from in-network ATMs
- Transfer funds to their personal bank account
- Check their card balance online, by mobile app, or by phone
This free, prepaid card also provides consumer protections available to traditional bank account owners, including protection against fraud, loss, and other errors.
Top Escambia And Santa Rosa Career Academies, Students Honored
May 27, 2020
The Workforce Education departments of the Escambia and Santa Rosa County school districts have named this year’s business and community partners of the year as well as the top career academy instructors and students. This year’s honorees are:
- Construction Industry Partner of the Year: Florida Department of Transportation, Kelli Rice
- Culinary Industry Partner of the Year: Broussard’s Bayou Company, Andy DeMartin
- Education Industry Partner of the Year: Community Action Program Committee, Inc., David Powell
- Health Industry Partner of the Year: Baptist Healthcare, Drew Stringfellow
- I.T. Industry Partner of the Year: Global Business Solutions, Mel Stinson
- Middle School Career Academy Student of the Year:
- Escambia County – Roman Sison, Agriculture Academy, Beulah Middle School
- Santa Rosa County – Benjamin Johnson, Pre-Engineering Academy, Holley Navarre Middle School
- Middle School Career Academy Teacher of the Year:
- Escambia County – Allison Cameron, Game & Application Development Academy ▪ Ferry Pass Middle School
- Santa Rosa County- Jennifer Schmitt, Pre-Engineering Academy, Sims Middle School
- Middle School Career Academy of the Year:
- Escambia County – Agriscience Academy, Beulah Middle School
- Santa Rosa County – Academy of Information Technology, Sims Middle School
- High School Career Academy Student of the Year:
- Escambia County – Zaniah Heath, Sports Medicine Academy ▪ Pensacola High School
- Santa Rosa County – Tyler Hines, Licensed Practical Nursing, Locklin Technical College
- High School Career Academy Teacher of the Year:
- Escambia County – Dynita Bufford, Early Childhood Education Academy, Escambia High School
- Santa Rosa County – Jessica Mathews, Culinary Arts Academy ▪ Central School
- High School Career Academy of the Year:
- Escambia County – Media Academy, Booker T. Washington High School
- Santa Rosa Academy – Agritech Academy, Jay High School
- Career Academy Student Intern of the Year:
- Escambia County – Calysta Ilano, Multimedia Academy, West Florida High School
- Santa Rosa County – Alyssa Lucier, Pharmacy Technician, Locklin Technical College
- High School Career Academy Scholar of the Year:
- Escambia County – Nasim Boussarhane, Game, Simulation & Animation Academy, J. M. Tate High School
- Santa Rosa County – Haley Bondurant, Digital Design Academy ▪ Pace High School