Storms Wreak Havoc Across Escambia County (With Photo Gallery)
April 20, 2020
Severe storms caused damage across Escambia County Sunday night.
Much of the damage was concentrated in the Molino, Quintette, Cottage Hill and Beulah areas, but the storms brought damage to large area of the county.
Trees crashed down on several residences and vehicles. Roadways across the county were blocked by downed trees and powerlines. Small sheds and fences were destroyed in multiple locations.
There were no known reports of any injuries.
Gulf Power reported over 15,000 customers without power, while Escambia River Electric reported several hundred members in the dark.
Crews will survey the damage to determine if it was caused by straight line winds or possible tornadoes.
For a photo gallery, click here.
If you have photos of storm damage in Escambia County, email news@northescambia.com.
Reader submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Who Will Pick Escambia County’s Next School Superintendent? These 22 People Will Play A Major Role.
April 20, 2020
The Escambia County School Board is set to vote Tuesday to appoint the members of the Superintendent Citizen Advisory Committee.
In November 2018, Escambia County citizens voted to move from an elected to an appointed superintendent. Malcolm Thomas, the current elected superintendent, will retire in November.
The search committee will consist of 22 members “with representation from all areas of the county,” according to a resolution to be considered Tuesday. Each of five school board members nominated four people to for the search committee, plus there are two union representatives.
Those nominated for the Escambia County Schools Superintendent Citizen Advisory Committee are:
District 1 – Kevin Adams
- Keith Hoskins, Pensacola, senior vice president of Greater Pensacola Navy Federal Credit Union, former district manager for Gulf Power, retired as captain United States Navy
- Brad Huggins, Pensacola, longtime communications engineer currently at AT&T
- Willie Kirkland, Jr., Pensacola, president of trucking company, president of Northwest Florida Guardian ad Litem Foundation, members Escambia County Board of Adjustment, vice chairman Escambia County School Half-cent Sales Tax Committee
- Matthew Taylor, Pensacola, assistant principal Beulah Elementary School
District 2 – Paul Fetsko
- Ronnie Arnold, Pensacola, 25-year veteran of Escambia School District serving as teacher, coach and administrator.
- Nettie Eaton, Pensacola, over 40 years in education including high school principal and assistant principal, director of middle schools and elementary school principal. Member or board member of several organizations including Escambia Association of Administrators and Florida Association of Secondary Administrators.
- Ronald Rivera, Pensacola, director of development Chip Simmons for Sheriff, member Escambia County Tourism Development Council, advisory council member United Way
- Joe Snyder, Pensacola, principal Brown Barge Middle School, board member Escambia Association for School Administrators
District 3 – Laura Edler
- Dr. Joseph Herzog – Pensacola, professor in the UWF Department of Social Work
- Diane Mack – Pensacola, resident of Diane Mack Advertising, former Pensacola City Council member
- Carol McIntosh – Pensacola, retired Escambia School District administrator, board member of Movement for Change.
- Rev. Carl Reeves – Pensacola, pastor of the Greater Mount Lily Missionary Baptist Church.
District 4 – Patty Hightower
- Dr. Kimberly Krupa, Pensacola, director of Achieve Escambia
- Chuntell Patterson, Pensacola, real estate professional
- Russell F. Queen, Pensacola, 30 years with the Escambia County School District including 19 years as elementary school principal
- Walker Wilson, Pensacola, lumber broker, member of Escambia County Planning Board and multiple organizations
District 5 – Bill Slayton
- Walter Jay Armstrong, Cantonment, commander US. Coast Guard with two children at Ransom Middle School
- Jennifer Grove, Pensacola, vice president external relations Baptist Health Care
- Regina Lipnick, Milton, principal Ransom Middle School
- Robin T. Venettozzi, Molino, retired 35-year Tate High School teacher
Union Representatives
- Donna Harper, Pensacola, educator for 47 years, present of the location teachers’ union Escambia Education Association.
- David Elzbeck, Pensacola, president Escambia School School District Educational Support Personnel union.
The school board meets at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 21.
The Number Of COVID-19 Cases In Alabama Dropped Saturday, Including By Two In Escambia County. Here’s What Went Wrong.
April 20, 2020
The Alabama Department of Health has explained how the number of COVID-19 cases in the state decreased between Friday night and Saturday morning.
“On the afternoon of April 17, in the course of electronic transmission of data, an outside entity mistakenly marked COVID-19 lab results as positive when they were in fact negative,” the ADH said in a statement. “The data team has been working since yesterday to correct this information and advises it could take a few days to completely resolve the information from the outside entity. The entity is cooperating with us in this effort and has reached out to providers who ordered tests through their facility.”
“No patients received incorrect test results as a result of this data error. The error only affected the numbers reported on our website and the dashboard,” the ADH tweeted.
Friday evening, the Alabama Department of Health reported 14 positive cases of COVID-19 in Escambia County, Alabama, and then decreased the case county to 12 by Saturday morning as the data was corrected. An additional case was reported on Sunday for a total of 13.
Florida Gas Prices At Lowest In Years
April 20, 2020
Gas prices in Florida continue at their lowest in four years.
The average price per gallon Sunday in Florida was $1.82, the lowest since March 2016. The entire state is now below $2.
In Escambia County, the average per gallon was $1.71 Sunday night, with one Cantonment station at $1.52. In Pensacola, gas was at a low of $1.49 per gallon among reporting stations.
“Gas prices continue moving lower as COVID-related state lockdowns keep Americans off the road, leading to lower demand for gasoline,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Nationwide, implied demand for gasoline has fallen nearly 60%. With fewer drivers on the road, refiners are reducing output. Crude oil prices sank to new lows last week, amid continued uncertainty of when conditions will return to normal. Meanwhile, wholesale gasoline prices remain at lows that could allow the state average to eventually sink to the $1.50s.”
This Week’s Road Construction Spots
April 20, 2020
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.
Escambia County:
- · Pine Forest Road (State Road/S.R. 297) Construction Activities between Kersey Road and Stratford Road– There will be lane closures between Kersey Road and Stratford Road from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, April 19 through Thursday, April 23 as crews install the southbound inside lane and driveway connection to 5 Flags RV Park.
- · Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement- Bridge construction may require the following lane closures from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. the week of Sunday, April 19:
o Intermittent east and westbound lane closures on U.S. 98 from North 14th Avenue in Pensacola to east of the Pensacola Bay Bridge in Gulf Breeze.
o Intermittent lane closures on North 17th Avenue in Pensacola between U.S. 98 and the CSX Railroad overpass (Graffiti Bridge).
- · U.S. 29 Widening from Interstate 10 (I-10) to Nine Mile Road (State Road (S.R.) 10 / U.S. 90A)– Drivers will experience the following traffic impacts the week of Sunday, April 19:
o Nine Mile Road- Minor adjustments to the traffic pattern between Palafox Street and Untreiner Avenue. Motorists may experience alternating lane shifts as crews construct curb and gutter, and complete drainage improvements.
o U.S. 29- Traffic between I-10 and 9 1/2 Mile Road may experience alternating lane closures as crews continue drainage and paving operations.
- · Nine Mile Road (S.R. 10 / U.S. 90A) Widening from Beulah Road to Pine Forest Road (S.R. 297) – Drivers will experience the following traffic impacts the week of Sunday, April 19:
o The Nine Mile Road eastbound travel lane, between Patrick Lane and Navy Federal Way, will be temporarily closed Thursday, April 23 between 8 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. to repair and restripe the roadway. One travel lane will be maintained during the work with flagmen onsite to safely direct drivers through the work zone.
o The far-right portion of the I-10 off ramp that connects to Nine Mile Road (Exit 5) westbound remains closed. Drivers can still access Nine Mile Road east and westbound using the other section of the ramp. The partial ramp closure is needed to reconstruct the ramp and will be in place through spring 2020.
- · I-10 Routine Maintenance east of U.S. 90 (Scenic Highway)- The westbound, outside lane will be closed from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, April 20 as crews repair a barrier wall.
- · Perdido Key Drive (S.R. 292) Pedestrian Crosswalk at Flora-Bama- Construction activities associated with the project are underway. There are no lane closures anticipated at this time.
- · U.S. 29 Resurfacing from south of C.R. 184 (Muscogee Road) to S.R. 97 (Atmore Highway)- Crews will resume paving operations. Motorists can expect intermittent daytime lane restrictions. There will also be ongoing turn lane, widening, and median work with daytime lane closures at various locations on the project.
- · Mobile Highway (U.S. 90) Intersection Improvements at New Warrington Road (S.R. 295) – Construction activities are slated to begin the week of Monday, April 20. The project includes milling and resurfacing, removing the existing right-turn bypass lanes to replace with standard right turn lanes, improve signalization, upgrade pedestrian features, construct a new pedestrian crosswalk west of the intersection, and perform minor drainage improvements. Lane closures will be allowed between 9:30 p.m. and 6 a.m.
Santa Rosa County:
- · Avalon Boulevard (Milton) Removal of Existing Concrete Driveway – Drivers will encounter daytime lane closures beginning Friday, April 17 to Wednesday, April 22 from the hours of 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 4315 Avalon Boulevard in Milton, to remove an existing concrete driveway.
- · Highway 98 City of Gulf Breeze Landscape and Tree Trimming – Crews will be performing landscaping services from the hours of 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. from Monday, April 20 to Wednesday, April 29. The work will begin at Bay Bridge Drive and end at the West side of the Gulf Islands National Seashore. Drivers can expect to encounter lane closures during this time.
- · Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – Bridge construction may require the following lane closures from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. the week of Sunday, April 19:
o Intermittent lane closures on U.S. 98 east and westbound, from North 14th Avenue in Pensacola to 2,000-feet east of the Pensacola Bay Bridge in Gulf Breeze.
o Intermittent lane closures on North 17th Avenue in Pensacola, between U.S. 98 and the CSX Railroad overpass (Graffiti Bridge).
- · U.S. 90 Corridor (Pace) Management Improvement Project- Crews are working during daytime hours in the median at Sanford Street and Bostic Lane laying sod and removing drums. Drivers will not experience lane closures.
- · S.R. 4 Resurfacing and Drainage Improvements from the Escambia River Bridge to Market Road (County Road (C.R.) 87A) in Jay – Drivers can expect shoulder closures throughout the project limits as crews perform paving operations.
- · U.S. 98 Safety Improvement from Villa Woods Circle to Ortega Park Drive- Crews continuing work at all seven locations within the project limits. Drivers can expect nighttime lane restrictions.
- · S.R. 87 Bridge Rehabilitation and Repair Over Yellow River- Motorists may encounter daytime southbound lane closures as crews continue expansion joint work.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Escambia County (AL) Reports Additonal COVID-19 Case
April 19, 2020
The Alabama Department of Health is now reporting 13 COVID-19 cases in Escambia County (AL), an increase of one since Saturday.
ADH is reporting 237 total COVID-19 tests have been performed in Escambia County, a positive rate of about 5.5%.
There have been no coronavirus related deaths in Escambia County.
The Alabama Department of Health reported 4,783 total positive cases in the state out of 45,712 tests. There have been 151 reported deaths statewide.
Report Names Long-Term Facilities With COVID-19 Cases. Here’s The Escambia And Santa Rosa List.
April 19, 2020
Gov. Ron DesSantis has ordered the release of the names of long-term care facilities with reported cases of COVID-19. The move came after weeks of requests from media, including NorthEscambia.com, and people across the state.
As of midday Sunday, there were 64 COVID-19 cases reported in long-term care center residents or staff in Escambia County with six of those cases resulting in deaths. There were 10 cases in Santa Rosa County with no fatalities.
The list published by the administration included 11 facilities in Escambia County:
- Arcadia Health & Rehabilitation Center
- Asbury Place
- Brookdale Pensacola
- De Luna Health And Rehabilitation Center
- Homestead Village Retirement Community
- Olive Branch Health And Rehabilitation Center
- Rehabilitation Center At Park Place
- Rosewood Healthcare And Rehabilitation Center
- Southern Oaks Care Center
- Specialty Health And Rehabilitation Center
- Westpointe Retirement Community Inc
The list did not indicate how many cases there are per individual facility.
The Arbors Of Gulf Breeze was the only listed facility with coronavirus cases in Santa Rosa County.
The complete list includes almost 300 of Florida’s almost 700 facilities. As of Sunday, there were 1,785 infected residents and staff members at long-term care facilities across Florida with 175 deaths. DeSantis backed off previous claims that releasing the data might provide identifying patient information, but said Saturday, “I don’t think it does.”
“If you have one incident in a week from now and they don’t follow through with that, I don’t want to be in a situation where families don’t know,” DeSantis said.
The governor said he is upping the number of rapid response teams visiting Florida’s nursing homes and assisted living facilities to spot check residents and staff that might be infected but have no symptoms.
“You may have everyone doing everything right, but you could have a staff member who is asymptomatic and spread to the rest very very quickly,” DeSantis said.
Applications Open At 8 A.M. Monday For $2,500 COVID-19 Small Business Recovery Grants In Escambia County, Pensacola
April 19, 2020
The application process begins Monday morning for $2,500 grants available to assist for-profit small businesses in Escambia County or the City of Pensacola.
Escambia County and the City of Pensacola, in partnership with the UWF Small Business Development Center, FloridaWest EDA and the Greater Pensacola Chamber of Commerce have created the Escambia County Small Business COVID-19 Recovery Grant Program. The grant is intended to assist for-profit businesses located in Escambia County with their immediate cash flow needs as a result of a demonstrated economic injury due to COVID-19. The max grant award is $2,500 per applicant or business.
The opening date to apply is Monday, April 20 at 8 a.m. CST with a deadline of Monday, April 27 at 5 p.m. CST. Complete applications will be reviewed in the order they are received.
Escambia County will fund the grant with a contribution of $100,000 to UWF. The City of Pensacola will contribute an additional $25,000 for businesses within the city, with $12,500 from Mayor Grover Robinson’s discretionary fund and $12,500 from District 3 Councilman Andy Terhaar’s discretionary fund. The Florida SBDC at UWF will assist eligible for-profit businesses with applying for the grant, and UWF will distribute the appropriate funds to businesses who have been awarded grant funds. A third-party review board will be created to review applications, determine eligibility and approve the award of grant funding to each applicant on a case-by-case basis using the following parameters:
Eligibility
YOUR BUSINESS MUST:
1. Be a for-profit, privately held small business that maintains a place of business in Escambia County, Florida and established on, or before January 1, 2019. (verified by Sunbiz - dos.myflorida.com/sunbiz/search or hold an occupational or business license). Businesses within city limits applying for City of Pensacola funding must be registered in Sunbiz.
2. Have been a going concern since at least Jan. 1, 2019.
3. Have been mandated by federal, state, or local government to reduce or eliminate services and/or have a demonstrated reduction in sales revenues of 25% or greater due to the loss of business income related to COVID-19.
4. Provide written justification of economic loss or injury caused as a result of the declared disaster, e.g. sales or income from a previous year compared to current period. Provide documentation of a reduction of sales revenues.
5. Have been a small business with no more than 20 employees employed at the time of the disaster.
6. Pledge in good-faith to remain in business for at least 6 months following the receipt of fund.
Steps to apply for the grant:
- Go to the Florida SBDC at UWF website www.sbdc.uwf.edu and select REQUEST SBDC CONSULTING and complete the online request form. Remember to identify “Escambia COVID-19 Grant” by name in the request form.
- Download the Escambia County Small Business COVID-19 Recovery Grant application at myescambia.com/COVID19Grant, complete and sign the application, and gather all supporting documents. Email completed and signed applications, as well as supporting documents, all in PDF format to fsbdcatuwf@gmail.com. Please put “Escambia COVID-19 Grant” in the subject line of the email. For assistance with completing the application, contact the Florida SBDC at UWF at 850-586-7802 or fsbdcatuwf@gmail.com. If you need assistance scanning documentation into a PDF, please contact Escambia County’s Neighborhood and Human Services Division Manager Carla Thompson at 850-595-3123 or cell at 850-572-1938 to schedule an appointment at Brownsville Community Center, 3200 W. DeSoto, Pensacola. Only completed application forms with all requested supporting documents will be accepted for review.
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- The application form must be completed and signed by individual(s) who, individually or collectively, own fifty-one percent (51%) or more of the equity of the business.
- A copy of each individual’s driver’s license or US Passport must be provided for identity verification purposes.
Each applicant OR business is only eligible for one grant. If the applicant OR business has received the Northwest Florida Small Business COVID-19 Grant they will not be eligible for the Escambia County Small Business Recovery COVID-19 Grant. Fifty percent of grant funds will be awarded to businesses with up to 10 employees, and 50 percent will be awarded to business with 11 to 20 employees. The Escambia grant will be awarded with consideration given to business locations throughout the entire county to ensure that all districts of the county are represented. The City of Pensacola’s contribution will be awarded to businesses within the city.
By partnering with UWF SBDC the applicant information remains confidential per state statute.
Meals For Kids Available Weekdays At West Florida Library Locations
April 19, 2020
Escambia County West Florida Public Libraries are continuing their partnership with Feeding the Gulf Coast to provide free curbside pickup meals for youth ages 18 and under at all library branch locations, Monday-Friday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The meals will include lunch and a snack, and are available on a first come, first served basis.
Youth must be present to receive meals; food will not be given to adults.
Meals will be available for pickup only at the locations listed below Monday-Friday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.:
- Molino Branch Library, 6450-A Highway 95A, Molino
- Pensacola Library, 239 N. Spring St., Pensacola
- Tryon Beach Library, 1200 Langley Ave., Pensacola
- Genealogy Branch Library, 5740 N. 9th Ave., Pensacola
- Southwest Branch Library, 12248 Gulf Beach Highway, Pensacola
- Westside Branch Library, 1301 W. Gregory St., Pensacola
- Century Branch Library, 7991 N. Century Blvd., Century
Florida Politics: ‘Don’t Ask For Government Permission’ – Mike Hill Mocks Unemployed Constituent
April 19, 2020
by FloridaPolitics.com
Rep. Mike Hill of Pensacola, no stranger to gaffes in normal times, is stepping up his game during the coronavirus crisis.
Hill’s latest antic is an email to a constituent who made the mistake of reaching out to the Panhandle lawmaker for help navigating the state’s unemployment claims system.
“It is clear now that government created this disaster,” Hill wrote Amanda McCallum, a server at a Pensacola bar, “and government does not have the answer.”
“When Americans are tired of being afraid and instead want to work and provide for their families,” Hill insisted, “they will.”
“Don’t ask for government permission,” Hill advised.
McCallum has no control over whether she works, of course. The same government that Hill is a part of closed bars and dine-in restaurants as a precaution against the spread of the coronavirus.
McCallum posted Hill’s response on her personal Facebook page.
Hill’s career in the Florida Legislature has been typified by unforced errors, as even casual observers of The Process know.
Before this year’s Session, the legislator was yanked by Speaker Jose Oliva from the House Public Integrity and Ethics Committee, after offering offensive commentary about the LGBTQ community.
In May, audio was released detailing Hill’s exchange with an audience member at a meeting with a group called Women for Responsible Legislation.
A man in the audience (incorrectly) cited 1 Corinthians, saying it supports putting gays to death, then asks Hill to sponsor legislation allowing the same.
Hill is heard on tape laughing before saying, “I wonder how that would go over.”
That drew condemnation from not only from lawmakers of the opposing party, but also Gov. Ron DeSantis and Speaker Oliva.
Oliva released a joint statement on the matter with Speaker-designate Chris Sprowls: “We unequivocally condemn both the question asked of Rep. Hill, and Rep. Hill’s laughter and refusal to push back and remind his audience that this is America and we don’t stone people to death we disagree with.”
Hill’s recalcitrance has led to a serious primary challenge in Michelle Salzman. She is backed by former Senate President Don Gaetz, former Rep. Frank White and several other influential Northwest Florida Republicans.
Hill’s fundraising was frozen during Session, and he raised just $1,250 since Sine Die. He has under $20,000 cash on hand, a perilous position to be in with the GOP establishment squared up against him.
Salzman has approximately $27,000 on hand, with a high burn rate cutting into over $52,000 raised thus far.
Hill was elected to HD 1 in 2018 after previously holding HD 2 and giving it up for an ill-fated Senate run.
His return to the Legislature took every trick in the book — he trashed one of his Republican primary opponent for being childless and falsely claimed that he had both President Donald Trump’s endorsement and, oddly, his star from the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
He won the GOP nomination by just 542 votes.