Many Alabama Businesses Opened Friday As The State Recovers. Others Are Still Forced To Remain Closed.
May 2, 2020
Friday was the first day of the reopening of the Alabama economy under Gov. Kay Ivey’s Safer at Home order.
Retail stores were able to reopen with occupancy limited to 50 percent of the fire marshal’s occupancy load, subject to sanitation and social distancing rules, elective surgeries opened, and beaches opened with proper social distancing rules.
Restaurants, bars and breweries remain limited to take-out, curbside or delivery. Churches remain closed but are encouraged to have online or drive-up services.
Other “higher risk” businesses like casinos, bingo halls an bowling alleys remain closed. Close contact businesses like hair salons, nail salons and spas are also still prohibited from operating.
Pictured: A handmade sign outside Home Style Furniture on Main Street in Atmore proudly proclaims the business as open on Friday. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
ECSO Deputy Arrested, Fired For Stealing Money Orders After Traffic Stop
May 1, 2020
An Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputy has been arrested and terminated after he was accused of stealing money orders from a vehicle after making an arrest.
William Christopher Henley, 37, was charged with burglary, four counts of larceny, dealing in stolen property, fraud, two counts of intent to defraud and destroying evidence. He remained in the Escambia County Jail Friday afternoon without bond.
A woman contacted the ECSO to report money orders had been stolen from a vehicle driven by her boyfriend. The boyfriend was pulled over and arrested by Henley on outstanding warrants, and the vehicle was left behind. The women contacted Western Union and was provided copies that showed they had been deposited by William Henley. The address on the money orders matched that in Henley’s ECSO employee file, according to an arrest report.
ECSO investigators obtained surveillance photos from Navy Federal that showed Henley in uniform depositing the money orders, the report states. The values of the money order were $200 and $500.
Henley was interviewed on Thursday. His statements were redacted from the arrest report.
He was arrested and booked into the Escambia County Jail without bond Thursday evening. He was also terminated from his position of four years with the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Henley’s mugshot is exempt from the release under Florida law due to his law enforcement status. He is pictured in a 2019 photo after received a Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) award for making over 100 DUI arrests the previous year. NorthEscambia.com photo.
Cantonment Woman Charged With Four Counts Of Welfare Fraud
May 1, 2020
A Cantonment woman is facing welfare fraud charges for failing to report she was actually working while collecting benefits over a four year period.
Ashley Sue Chamberlain was charged with four counts of welfare fraud for failing to report four jobs she held.
Chamberlain worked at the Pensacola School of Massage , Tom Thumb and Truelieve between 2015 and 2019, according to the State Attorney’s Office, without reporting her employment to the Department of Children and Family Services. She fraudulently collection Food Stamp Program and Medicaid Program benefits during the period, a court document states.
She was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $10,000 bond.
Escambia County Beaches Are Back Open. Here’s The Info To Know.
May 1, 2020
Beaches in Escambia are now open – with times and conditions — as of May 1.
Here’s the info to know:
- Escambia County beaches, including the sound side, Gulf side, Pensacola Beach and Perdido Key open 30 minutes before sunrise and close 30 minutes after sunset, daily. [More: What is sunrise/sunset time a the beach?]
- Pavilions, the Pensacola Beach Gulf Pier and the area around and under the fishing pier will remain closed.
- The area under the pier is closed.
- Groups are limited to 10 people or fewer. Beach goers should adhere to CDC social distancing measures by keeping a six-foot distance between others who are not in their immediate household.
- Beach bathroom facilities remain closed and portable toilets are in place. Hand-washing stations will be provided.
- Hand-washing stations will be provided. Dog parks will be reopened and permitted in designated areas.
- Pensacola Beach Lifeguard towers are in place and lifeguards will continue to provide coverage at up to seven towers.
- Pensacola Beach Gulf Pier will reopen Saturday, May 2. The pier will open 30 minutes before sunrise and close 30 minutes after sunset. The pier will be accepting anglers only. No pedestrians at this time. Every angler will be required to remain 6 feet apart. The pier will be clearly marked with 6-foot markers to ensure everyone is able to follow the CDC social distancing guidelines. Once the pier is at full capacity, new anglers will be admitted as spots become available with anglers leaving.
- Pensacola Beach Lifeguards, Escambia County Code Enforcement, Escambia County Parks and Recreation staff and Santa Rosa Island Authority staff will monitor public beaches for social distancing compliance.
- Residents and visitors are urged to exercise caution when visiting the beach and swimming in the Gulf, especially when lifeguards are not present.
- Tolls to the beach are now all electronic, no cash. [More info...]
- Dog parks will be reopened and permitted in designated areas.
- Beaches in the Gulf Islands National Seashore are not open.
Pictured: Final preparations were made Thursday with the placement of social distancing sign requirements on public beaches in Escambia Count. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
No Injuries In Car, Semi Truck Crash On Highway 29 In McDavid
May 1, 2020
There were no injuries in a wreck involving a passenger car and a semi-truck Thursday evening on Highway 29 at Highway 164 in McDavid.
The driver of the southbound car apparently left the roadway, over corrected and crossed into the side of a southbound semi.
The McDavid Station of Escambia Fire Rescue, Escambia County EMS, Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and Florida Highway Patrol responded.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
The Beach Is Open From 30 Minutes Before Sunrise And 30 After Sunset. But Exactly What Time Is That?
May 1, 2020
Escambia County beaches are now open from 30 minutes before sunrise and 30 minutes after sunset. But exactly what time is that? Here’s a convenient table from NorthEscambia.com showing the times through Saturday, May 9 for Pensacola Beach. NorthEscambia.com graphic.
Toth Prefiles For Escambia County Soil and Water Conservation, Group 5
May 1, 2020
Louis Toth prefiled Thursday for Escambia County Soil and Water Conservation, Group 5. This is a nonpartisan office that appears on the 2020 ballot.
The Escambia County Soil & Water Conservation District is a “special district established to provide for control and prevention of soil erosion and for furthering the conservation, development and utilization of soil and water resources, and the disposal of water, to preserve natural resources, control floods, assist in maintaining the navigability of rivers and harbors, preserve wildlife, protect the tax base and public lands, and protect and promote the health, safety and general welfare of the people”.
The Second Hole Was The Hottest Thursday At Cypress Lakes. Hot Enough To Call The Fire Department.
May 1, 2020
The Cantonment Station of Escambia Fire Rescue responded to a small woods fire near the second hole at the Cypress Lakes Golf Club on Old Chemstrand Road late Thursday afternoon. Photos by Jason Cawby for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Photos: Cantonment Firefighters Battle Vehicle Fire
May 1, 2020
The Cantonment Station of Escambia Fire Rescue battled a vehicle in the 1100 block of Woodlake Drive Thursday afternoon. The fire appeared to originate in the engine compartment. There were no structures threatened and no injuries reported. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
COVID-19 Testing Site Saturday At UWF With No Pre-screening Required
April 30, 2020
A new mobile testing site with no pre-screening required will be open to Escambia and Santa Rosa County residents Saturday at the University of West Florida and continue for two weeks.
The drive-through test site will be open to the public from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily at the SP2 parking lot, which is on the east side of campus near the East Sports Complex. Individuals are asked to remain in their vehicles. The National Guard will be there to assist.
“We want to thank the Governor’s Office for initiating this testing site at the University of West Florida for Escambia and Santa Rosa County residents,” said Escambia County Board Chairman Steven Barry. “I’d also like to thank Dr. Martha Saunders and the University of West Florida for the use of their campus to accommodate residents from both counties in such a central location. Furthermore, this site will provide residents the opportunity to be tested, both for their own peace of mind and for the overall health of our community.”
The site is is being opened at the request of the Governor’s Office under the direction of the Florida Department of Health in conjunction with both Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
Santa Rosa County Chairman Don Salter added, “We appreciate the governor bringing these much needed resources to our part of the state. Increased testing capacity is the key to safely reopening the Florida panhandle.”
“We are happy to provide the opportunity for this much needed testing site,” said UWF President Martha Saunders. “UWF will always do its part to protect the health and safety of our community.”
The site will be open for first responders only on Friday, May 1.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.