BBB Warns Against Sharing That Old Senior Photo In #Classof2020 Facebook Challenge
April 15, 2020
From the Better Business Bureau of Northwest Florida:
It seems harmless and fun! A bunch of friends on Facebook or other social media are sharing their senior portraits, including the high school name and graduation year, to support the graduating class of 2020 (most of whom are at home because of the coronavirus pandemic).
Watch out, scammers or hackers who surf through social media sites will see these #ClassOf2020 posts, and will now have the name of your high school and graduation year, which are common online security questions. All it takes is an internet search to reveal more information about you, such as family members, your real name, birthdate or even where you live.
Better Business Bureau (BBB) cautions everyone to be aware of what they are sharing. Even if you think it’s just going to your friends, it could also be going somewhere else.
Other recent viral personal list posts include all the cars you’ve owned (including makes/model years), favorite athletes, and top 10 favorite television shows.
What most people forget is that some of these “favorite things” are commonly used passwords or security questions. If your social media privacy settings aren’t high, you could be giving valuable information away for anyone to use.
BBB has the following tips to keep you safe on social media:
Resist the temptation to play along. While it’s fun to see other’s posts, if you are uncomfortable participating, it is best to not do it.
Review your security settings. Check your security settings on all social media platforms to see what you are sharing and with whom you are sharing.
Change security questions/settings. If you are nervous about something you shared possibly opening you up to fraud, review and change your security settings for banking and other websites.
Atmore Company Making PPE For Baptist Hospital, Keeping Workforce On The Payroll
April 15, 2020
A Pensacola hospital will benefit from the efforts of an Atmore company that ha shifted to making Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), while the Atmore company will be able to keep its workforce on the job.
Muskogee Technology just delivered their first batch of gowns to Baptist Hospital.
“Muskogee Technology is always looking for new paths to help. We are honored to serve and do what we can during this pandemic. I am proud we have the agility to refocus our equipment, workforce, and other vital resources critically needed to assist our healthcare communities during these trying times,” said Muskogee Technology’s President and CEO Westly L. Woodruff.
“We are thankful Muskogee Technology can shift their production to gowns for our doctors, nurses and team members. COVID-19 has changed the health care landscape and as we work to provide care to our patients and others we serve, we are grateful this local company can partner with us in this way,” said Baptist CEO and President Mark Faulkner.
Woodruff began working with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) upon learning of the shortage of PPE necessary to combat COVID-19. In addition to saving lives by stepping up for the healthcare communities, Muskogee Technology is able to retain their 77 employees.
Muskogee Technology is owned by the Creek Indian Economic Development Authority (CIEDA), the economic development arm of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians.) Muskogee Technology normally provides a variety of services to meet the needs of the aerospace, defense, heavy machinery, wind energy, and oil and gas industries.
Escambia (AL) Hospitals Release COVID-19 Testing Data
April 15, 2020
The Escambia County (AL) Healthcare Authority (ECHA) is reporting that test results are back for most of the people they have tested at two hospital in the county.
There are 10 total positive cases in Escambia County, Alabama, according to the Alabama Department of Public Health, with nine of those positive tests at hospitals in Atmore and Brewton.
Data released Tuesday shows there have been 166 total specimens collected at Atmore Community Hospital with eight positives, 144 negatives and 13 awaiting results. At D.W. McMillan Hospital, there have been 96 total tests with one positive, 84 negatives and nine pending results.
The Alabama Department of Public Health was reporting five confirmed COVID-19 cases and 188 total tests in Escambia County, Alabama, as of Tuesday. The difference between the health department’s total and the hospitals’ totals can be attributed to timing of the data releases. Also, the health department will officially record a case in the patient’s county of residence.
Escambia County Hires New Transportation Engineer
April 15, 2020
Escambia County has hired Christine Fanchi as the county’s new transportation engineer.
Born and raised in Fort Walton Beach, Fanchi obtained her bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Auburn University. She is also a graduate of the Leadership in Engineering Administrative Program. She is a licensed professional engineer and a certified professional transportation planner.
Fanchi has extensive experience working with large and small municipalities, freeway design, sidewalk design, long-range planning and sea level rise.
“I look forward to the opportunity to work collaboratively with residents, partners, and county leadership to foster future economic growth and improved mobility within the county and region,” Fanchi said.
Fanchi brings six years of experience with the public sector and 20 years in transportation engineering and planning experience to the county. Most recently she served as the transportation engineering design manager with the City of Fort Lauderdale. Previously, she worked as city transportation planner at the City of Avondale, special projects manager in the street transportation department at the City of Phoenix, deputy project manager for Dibble Engineering, transportation project engineer for CK Engineering and a transportation design engineer for BRW, Inc. in Phoenix, Arizona.
$2,500 COVID-19 Small Business Recovery Grants Available In Escambia County, Pensacola
April 14, 2020
Grants of $2,500 are 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.
The application will be available online starting Monday, April 13, but applications will not be accepted until Monday, April 20 at 8 a.m. Please note that 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.
Grace Fellowship In Atmore Provided Free Breakfast, Lunch Pick Up Meals For Kids
April 14, 2020
Grace Fellowship in Atmore has partnered with Feeding the Gulf Coast to provide free meals to children 18 and younger.
Each meal includes a breakfast and lunch. They are available on Monday, Wednesday and Friday beginning at 11 a.m. while supplies last on a drive-thru pick up basis. Two of each meal is provided on Monday and Wedneday.
The child must be in the vehicle to receive a meal.
Pastor Glenn Weber said the church stepped in to provide the meals after the Escambia County (AL) School District stopped providing meals.
About 80 kids were served on Monday, the first day of the program. The church is currently able to serve 200 kids per day with the ability to expand the program three-fold if there is a demonstrated need.
Grace Fellowship is located at 1412 East Nashville Avenue in Atmore.
Council On Aging Offers Free Lunches For Senior Adults 60+ In Century And Cantonment
April 14, 2020
Senior adults age 60 and over can receive free, pre-plated lunches to go Monday through Friday at two North Escambia area community centers.
Council on Aging of West Florida is distributing the meals, all of which meet one-third of the FDA’s recommended daily allowance for adult nutrition, at 132 Mintz Lane in Cantonment and 6025 Industrial Boulevard in Century. The only requirement for the free meals is to be 60 or over. There is no income, disability or other requirement.
Senior adults interested in the program must call Council on Aging at (850) 432-1475 by noon the day before they wish to begin in order to place the order. There is no waitlist for this service and all prospective participants can be onboarded immediately.
“This is an incredible asset to senior adults in the northern end of Escambia county,” said Council on Aging President/CEO John Clark. “As all of us are encouraged to remain at homes for as long as possible, and as grocery store shelves continue to fall short of demand, the to-go meals is a great, free way to remain healthy and fed during this time.”
All dining site staff follow CDC guidelines for cleanliness and hygiene, wear gloves and face masks, and the meal contractor sanitizes all surfaces and cleaning materials on an accelerated basis.
Council on Aging generally provides the meals as part of a congregate program; however, as CDC guidelines have shut down all community centers, the meals transitioned to a pre-plated format on March 17. This new delivery system will continue for the foreseeable future. Meals are distributed Monday through Friday beginning at 11 am.
For a full list of meal sites, visit http://www.coawfla.org/senior-advocacy-services/senior-dining-sites/.
New Hanks Road Bridge Over Breastworks Creek Is Now Complete
April 14, 2020
The $1.58 million Florida Department of Transportation replacement of the Hanks Road Bridge over Breastworks Creek near Bratt is now complete.
It took just over a year to replace the bridge, mill and resurface the pavement, add new signage and pavement markings, install new guardrails and make drainage improvements.
The old bridge was constructed in 1968.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Attorney General Issues Consumer Alert: Scammers Know Direct Deposit Stimulus Payments Are On The Way
April 14, 2020
Attorney General Ashley Moody has issued a consumer alert to warn Floridians that scammers are out to steal economic stimulus payments.
Millions of Americans with banking information on file with the Internal Revenue Service are beginning to receive direct deposits, and Floridians should take steps now to avoid falling prey to scams designed to steal payments, banking account numbers or other sensitive personal information, she said.
Floridians who already provided banking information to the IRS by virtue of filing their taxes have now begun to receive direct deposits and do not need to take action. The IRS will follow up by mailing confirmation notices to beneficiaries within a few weeks after payments are made. Anyone who receives a notice, but does not receive a payment, should contact the IRS immediately.
The IRS will not initiate contact with anyone by email, phone call, text messages or social media to request personal or financial information. The IRS emphasizes on its website that there is no sign-up requirement to receive a payment.
- Respond to text messages, emails or ads directing you to click on a link;
- Provide any personal or financial information in response to an unsolicited message;
- Trust Caller ID displays claiming a call is from the IRS—as spoofing technology allows scammers to change phone displays to impersonate government agencies; and
- Make any advance payment in order to secure or expedite access to a benefit.
Moody said Floridians should never:
13-Year Old Hit By Vehicle On Quintette Road Dies; Charges Upgraded Against Man That Said He Thought He Hit Deer
April 13, 2020
One of the juveniles hit by a vehicle last week on Quintette Road has died, and the driver will now be charged with his death.
Rylee Simmons, 13, was removed from life support over the weekend after an organ donations; his family told community members last Thursday night that he would not survive.
Robert William Etheridge, 58, of Cantonment, will now be charged with leaving the scene of an accident involving death, according to Assistant State Attorney Greg Marcille. He is also facing one count of leaving the scene of a crash with serious bodily injury for injuries received by 12-year old Hailey Locke.
As of Monday afternoon, Etheridge remained free on a $30,000 bond after his arrest last Thursday.
“We are in the process of filing the amended charge, and the court will address the bond issue at that time,” Marcille said. If convicted of the charge for the death of Simmons, Etheridge faces a maximum of 30 years in prison with a minimum of four years. On the charge involving the injuries to Locke, Etheridge faces a maximum sentence of 15 years with no minimum if convicted.
On April 6, Locke and Simmons, both students at Ransom Middle School, were on Quintette Road approaching Carrington Lake Boulevard when they were struck by a Ford Escape driven by Etheridge, according to the FHP. Troopers said he fled the scene and later called the FHP to say he thought he had hit a deer.
Pictured top: Rylee Simmons, 13. Photo provided by family for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.