One Reported Injured In West Roberts, Pine Forest Road Wreck
May 9, 2020
One person was reported injured in a Saturday afternoon wreck in Cantonment.
The two-vehicle crash occurred about 12:18 p.m. at the intersection of West Roberts Road and Pine Forest Road.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating. Escambia County EMS and the Ensley Station of Escambia Fire Rescue responded. ‘
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Travel Trailer Destroyed In Early Morning Highway 97 Crash
May 9, 2020
A travel trailer was destroyed in a crash early Saturday morning near Walnut Hill.
The travel trailer and a truck went off Highway 97 near Howell Road about 1:20 a.m.. There was no word of any serious injuries.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating. The Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue, Escambia County EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Beulah Wildfire Tops 1400 Acres; Santa Rosa Fire 2100 Acres; Both Are 50% Contained
May 9, 2020
Both the Hurst Hammock Fire in Beulah and the 5 Mile Swamp Fire in Santa Rosa County were reported as 50% contained.
The Beulah fire grew to 1,405 acres, according to the Florida Forest Service. Helicopters made total of 120 water drops on the west perimeter of the fire. Crews also spent time Friday widening and establishing new fire containment lines in that same area of the Hurst Hammock Fire.
The Santa Rosa County fire expanded to 2,153 acres as crews focused their attention Friday on creating 30-40-foot-wide containment lines on the north and northeast perimeter.
Firefighters continue to improve, monitor, and hold all containment lines around both wildfires as well as reduce critical hot spots in the residential areas.
The Forest Service said the Santa Rosa County fire has destroyed 14 homes and damaged seven others. There were also eight outbuildings destroyed and five damaged.
Saturday’s weather calls for winds out of the north and northwest with gusts up to 20 mph and another drop in humidity .
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Tax Collector Offices Open Monday With Limited Access And Services
May 9, 2020
All Escambia County Tax Collector offices will be open beginning Monday with limited access and services.
To limit the number of people in the lobbies, services are limited to Escambia County residents only.
Transactions and customers will be pre-screened prior to entering the building. Only the customer directly involved in the transaction will be admitted to further comply with CDC social distancing guidelines. To ensure a successful visit and transaction, citizens are encouraged to visit the “What Do I Bring” page at EscambiaTaxCollector.com. After confirming all document requirements have been met, Escambia County
residents may “Join the Line” for service.
After joining the line, customers will receive an estimated wait time by text. Wait times may be longer than normal. Customers should remain in their vehicles until called for service. When called, their
transactions will be pre-screened prior to entering. Customers will have their temperature checked with a non-contact thermometer and be screened prior to entering the lobby. Customers will be required to supply and wear a mask while in tax collector buildings and will take the mask off only if required for an official photo.
Driver licenses and identification cards that expired from March 16 to May 30 have been automatically extended.
The vision requirements have not been waived for driver license transactions, so a vision test will be given. If customers are uncomfortable with the vision machine, they can request a vision form be sent via email that can be taken to an eye care professional and completed before the customer visits an office.
Driving exams are being offered by appointment only for Escambia residents who have held their learner permit for at least one year. Parents are encouraged to contact the office to schedule the appointment. We are unable to offer walk-in, medical or special driving exams at this time.
“We feel these steps will help keep both our customers and our employees safe while still assisting our citizens to the best of our ability,” said Lunsford. “We continue to ask our customers to have patience, understanding and grace as we all navigate this new normal. Our employees are happy to serve and continue to do so in a kind, efficient and safe manner.”
The following transactions are available at the Escambia County Tax Collector’s website and will not be processed in the lobbies:
- Registration (Tag) Renewal
- License plate or tag renewals MUST be renewed online using the RenewExpress system. Choose same-day pick up available at one of three drive-thru locations or choose to have the registration mailed after next-day processing.
- Business Tax Receipt
- The Payment Center allows customers to create an original or renew or edit a current record. It’s a great way to locate a business in the county. Searching by keywords such as plumbing will create a list of licensed plumbing businesses.
- Property Tax
- Pay property tax, review full payment history, research and print prior years receipts and search ownership by name or address.
- Hunting and Fishing License
- Purchase or renew a hunting and fishing license.
Visit EscambiaTaxCollector.com/payment.
Full payment of fees is required at time of service, and payment may be made by eCheck, debit, or credit cards. Payments made by eCheck are fee-free. Credit and debit transactions are subject to convenience
fees charged by the payment vendor(s).
Palafox Street In Downtown Pensacola Will Be Pedestrian Only For Mother’s Day
May 9, 2020
A section of Palafox Street in downtown Pensacola will be converted to pedestrian traffic only on Mother’s Day to promote safe outdoor retail and restaurant activities for businesses and individuals visiting downtown for the Mother’s Day holiday.
Palafox Street from Garden Street to Main Street will be open to pedestrians only from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday, May 10. Visitors are asked to maintain a six foot separation and to not gather in groups of more than 10.
“We know the Pensacola community is eager to support local businesses and restaurants as we begin to enter into an economic recovery period from COVID-19,” Mayor Grover Robinson said. “Our goal is to provide an opportunity for the public to show their support in a safe way. We are very excited we will be able to open Palafox for our citizens to celebrate Mother’s Day. We are grateful for all that the mothers of Pensacola have done to make our community great.”
Limiting the street to pedestrian traffic only will provide additional space for downtown visitors to more easily practice social distancing while supporting local businesses.
2-Year Old Accidentally Shot In Escambia County
May 9, 2020
A two-year old was accidentally shot in Escambia County Friday night.
The toddler was shot when a gun accidentally went off while the owner was cleaning it, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. It happened near Binnacle Place and Marlinspike Drive off Gulf Beach Highway.
The child was shot in the hip area and is expected to recover. No charges were filed.
Florida Department Of Health Launches New COVID-19 Mobile App
May 9, 2020
The Florida Department of Health has launched a new mobile app, StrongerThanC19.
The free app complements the community action survey website of the same name that launched on April 3. These cutting-edge tools are giving residents the power to unite in the fight to help slow the spread of COVID-19 in Florida.
Florida Surgeon General Scott Rivkees said, “The participation from the website has been very promising so far with over 300,000 surveys submitted, and we’re hopeful that this app will help to build on the submissions and data that has already been gathered. Together, the information collected from the StrongerThanC19 mobile app and website will be used to help further inform and improve the state’s response to COVID-19.”
Florida residents are encouraged to do their part in helping Florida flatten the curve by anonymously answering questions that range from age and residency, to recent travel, to potential COVID-19 contact. The app allows users to go back and update their answers as symptoms and information change, providing officials with up-to-the minute information to help improve the distribution of resources in response to COVID-19. With the app, users will also have access to information in real-time as it’s gathered from users across the state via the Community Action Survey Report.
Once the brief survey is completed, users will also have the opportunity to sign-up to receive notifications for the most up-to-date information on COVID-19 in Florida from the Department of Health. The brief survey is available in both English and Spanish.
The free StrongerThanC19 app is available to both iOS and Android users and can be downloaded from the Apple or Google app stores.
The StrongerThanC19 app and website are designed to gather information to help the Department of Health track and slow the spread of COVID-19 in Florida; they are not intended to be used as a symptom checker designed to dispense medical advice.
Escambia Man’s Dump Truck Goes Off I-10 Into The Blackwater River
May 8, 2020
Shortly after I-10 in Santa Rosa County reopened Friday, an Escambia County man and his dump truck ended up in the Blackwater River.
The unloaded dump truck drive by a 42-year old Pensacola man was driving west on I-10 approaching the Blackwater River Bridge when his front left tire failed and came apart, according to a preliminary FHP investigation. The vehicle traveled toward the grassy median, collided with a steel guardrail between the two bridge spans and became airborne. FHP estimates the dump truck fell about 55 feet when it crashed into the river.
The driver was rescued by four FHP troopers. He was transported by ambulance to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola.
I-10 from Avalon Boulevard to Highway 87 had been closed since Wednesday due to smoke from a massive wildfire.
Water Supply To Century Prison Has Failed; Emergency Measures Taken
May 8, 2020
The Town of Century water well serving Century Correctional Institution has failed, and emergency measures have been implemented to supply water to the prison.
The well failed on Thursday and water in the town’s elevated tank located at the prison continued a supply of water until Friday.
Friday afternoon, an emergency interconnect using two, two-inch fire hoses was made from Central Water Works fire hydrants on the south side of Tedder Road to the Town of Century’s fire hydrants on the north side of the road. That, according to Century Interim City Manager Vernon Prather is supplying adequate water to the prison.
Florida Sen. Doug Broxson told NorthEscambia.com that the Department of Corrections is providing bottled water to inmates and a supply of potable water; he said there is currently no human consumption of the water from the temporary emergency supply.
Construction on a permanent solution to the water crisis will begin next week. Tedder Road will be closed from Highway 29 to the prison due to the fire hoses across the road and the construction process.
The Town of Century’s well at the prison did not supply water to the town and the downtime will have no impact on local residents, Prather said. Likewise, Central Water Water Works officials said they have the capacity to supply the prison, and their customers should see no impacts.
Central Water Works was founded in 1965 and provides water for about 1,000 members in Byrneville, McDavid and outside the municipal service areas of Century and Flomaton.
NorthEscambia.com will have ongoing coverage and more information.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Health Advisory Issued Due To Smoke From Beulah Wildfire
May 8, 2020
The Florida Department of Health in Escambia County has issued a health advisory due to smoke from the over 1,000 acre brush fire in Beulah.
From FDOH Escambia:
Smoke is a respiratory irritant that can cause scratchy throat or irritated eyes and nose. According to the CDC, breathing in smoke can have immediate health effects, including coughing, difficulty breathing, scratchy throat, irritated eyes and nose, shortness of breath, and rapid heartbeat. Smoke can also worsen conditions such as asthma and other chronic respiratory or lung conditions. Dust generated from fire response activity may also worsen these conditions.
Protect yourself and your family from smoke:
· Pay attention to local air quality reports, news coverage, or health warnings related to smoke.
· Use common sense when outside conditions are smoky. Avoid outdoor activities, particularly for children and persons with severe or chronic respiratory conditions such as asthma or chronic lung disease.
· While inside, residents should close windows and run their heating or cooling system, if possible. Keep the fresh air intake closed and change or clean the system’s filter as needed to prevent bringing additional smoke inside.
· Help keep particle levels lower inside. When smoke levels are high, try to avoid using anything that burns, such as wood fireplaces, gas logs, gas stoves and even candles. Do not vacuum, which stirs up particles already inside your home. Also, do not smoke tobacco.
· Follow your doctor’s advice about taking medicines and following your asthma management plan if you have asthma or other lung disease. Call your doctor if your symptoms worsen.
Persons experiencing respiratory symptoms, including those with severe or chronic respiratory conditions like asthma or chronic lung disease, should consult their doctor for treatment and stay inside their homes. For questions related to health problems or symptoms you may be experiencing related to the smoke, please contact your doctor. For medical emergencies, call 9-1-1 or go to the nearest emergency room.