Publix, Walmart Installing ‘Sneeze Guards’ At Cash Registers
March 26, 2020
Publix and Walmart are among retailers that have announced they are installing “sneeze guards” to protect both employees and customers.
Publix will install the plexiglass barriers at all registers over the next two weeks. Walmart says the retailer started installing the plexiglass barriers at Walmart and Sam’s Club pharmacy lanes and will install these guards at the regular Walmart registers over the next 2 to 3 weeks.
“At Publix, the health and well-being of our associates, our customers and our communities remains our top priority,” said Maria Brous, director of communications, in a statement.
Walmart is also installing floor decals in stores at both the entrances and in checkout lanes, making it easier for customers to judge the proper social distance from each other.
Publix has reduced store hours to 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and designated Tuesday and Wednesday mornings from 7-8 a.m. as shopping hours for persons 65 and older. Walmart has cut store hours to 7 a.m. to 8:30 p.m, and has senior shopping on Tuesdays one hour before the regular store opening.
Florida Attorney General Goes After Amazon Reseller Price Gouging
March 26, 2020
Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody has issued more than 40 subpoenas to third-party sellers in Florida accused of price gouging on essential commodities through accounts on Amazon.
The subpoenas come as Moody’s Consumer Protection Division continues to review allegations of unlawful price increases on essential commodities during the COVID-19 state of emergency. Allegations against the third-party vendors include excessive price increases on commodities such as face masks, hand sanitizers and disinfectants of up to 1,662 percent.
Moody said, “Floridians are searching for essential products needed to stay safe and healthy during this COVID-19 pandemic. Sadly, when they find these products for sale online, they often discover that the price tag makes them unattainable. This is unacceptable and unlawful. My Consumer Protection investigators are working diligently to identify, investigate and bring to justice anyone trying to exploit this global health crisis to rip off Floridians, and we appreciate Amazon’s commitment to helping us stop third-party vendors trying to use its online platform to exploit the crisis.”
Before Governor Ron DeSantis declared a state emergency over the spread of COVID-19, activating Florida’s price gouging laws, Moody said she began communicating with Amazon and other retailers in an effort to protect Florida consumers. Since then, the Attorney General’s Office has worked with Amazon to:
Set up a system to quickly review and address the concerns of consumers who contact the Attorney General’s Price Gouging Hotline;
Provide refunds directly to Florida consumers—even if sellers were third parties;
Remove more than 35 posts selling products at inflated prices related to complaints made by Florida consumers to the Hotline; and
Create a specific point of contact for the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division to quickly address pricing and other consumer-related issues.
Toll To Pensacola Beach Is Now All Electronic, No Cash Accepted
March 26, 2020
The new all-electronic tolling system on Bob Sikes Bridge to Pensacola Beach went live on March 20, which was earlier than anticipated to adhere to social distancing for toll booth workers.
The toll remains $1, but cash and coins are no longer accepted.
All tolls are collected electronically. Motorists will use either SunPass, another interoperable transponder or be billed utilizing the Toll-by-Plate system. Toll-by-Plate customers will be charged a $1 toll for each trip, plus a monthly $2.50 administrative fee and will receive a bill by mail.
While the sandy part of the public beaches are closed at least until April 2 under a county order, the public is still welcome to drive to the beach
“Pensacola Beach establishments are still offering various take out food options while the public beaches remain closed,” said District 4 County Commissioner Robert Bender. “While we social distance due to COVID-19, let’s help out our local businesses and all their hardworking employees by utilizing take out and to go options.”
Revenues from the toll are currently being used to pay for the 2020 bridge rehabilitation project and the bond payment for the widening of Via De Luna Lane through 2031. Revenues will also go toward a replacement bridge needed in approximately 15 years.
Brewton Man Dies After Suffering Medical Emergency In His Pickup In Cottage Hill
March 25, 2020
A Brewton man was found dead following a minor crash in Cottage Hill Wednesday morning.
Darren Burns Downing, 52, was backing up his Ford F-150 at the end of Crowndale Court at about 8:49 a.m. when he suffered a medical emergency with the vehicle still in motion, the Florida Highway Patrol said.
It appeared he may have been backing into a driveway at the time. The rear bumper of the truck collided with a small group of trees, but the FHP said his death was not related to the collision.
Downing was pronounced deceased on the scene by Escambia County EMS.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Bergosh Says He Would Likely Support Reopening Beaches April 2; Lanza Calls For Time In The Sun
March 25, 2020
Escambia County Commissioner Jeff Bergosh voiced support Wednesday for reopening the beaches in Escambia County as the director of the Escambia health department promoted time in the sun as a healthy thing.
Bergosh said he voted last week to close the beaches based upon a letter commissioners receiving calling for the closure from the CEOs of the three local hospitals and Dr. John Lanza, director of the Florida Department of Health in Escambia County. Lanza later said he was not authorized by the state to sign the letter.
During a “Coffee with a Commissioner” livestream from Bergosh’s office, Lanza said he recommends 10-15 minutes a day outside in the sun to allow the body to generate vitamin D, which in turn will boost immunity. He cautioned about spending too much time in the sun without proper sunscreen. He did not directly call for reopening the beaches.
Bergosh later said he was going to have a hard time voting to keep the beaches closed when the commission meets again on April 2.
Both cautioned that no matter their location, citizens should follow the CDC guidelines that call for no more than 10 people in a gathering.
The inability of people at the beach to follow the CDC guidelines was a problem at the beach, Escambia County Administrator Janice Gilley said.
“I think it’s sad that as a society we could not trust people to follow that under 10 directive,” Gilley said. “I think that’s what we heard from the health care professionals last week. For the protection of all, we are asking you to keep in small groups. Because there was a thought that we as a society could not guard and manage ourselves, we took away an amazing fantastic benefit that we just heard a professional (Dr. Lanza) say is good for you…a beach.”
Pictured: (L-R) Dr. John Lanza, Janice Gilley and Jeff Bergosh during an early morning “Coffee with the Commissioner” livestream. Image for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
FDLE Arrests Escambia Man On 30 Child Porn Charges Involving Infants And Toddlers
March 25, 2020
An Escambia County man is facing multiple child pornography charges.
Agents with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement arrested Jason Andrew Winn, 41, of Pensacola, on 30 counts of possession of obscene material and one count of obscene material promotion. Winn was identified as a high-volume child pornography suspect in Florida with a large number of videos and photos involving infants and toddlers being sexually abused.
The investigation began in January. Winn was arrested Wednesday morning at his home, 6111 Enterprise Drive, Pensacola. The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office assisted with the arrest.
During a search warrant, FDLE’s electronic detection K-9, Maple identified an additional electronic storage device that also contained child pornography. Computer forensics examinations continue on a number of electronic devices agents believe belong to Winn. Additional charges are expected, FDLE said.
Winn was booked into the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $160,000.
West Florida Hospital Implements No Visitor Policy
March 25, 2020
West Florida Healthcare has implemented a no visitor policy for West Florida Hospital, the West Florida Rehabilitation Institute, The Pavilion and Perdido Bay ER.
Visitor exceptions will be made for labor and delivery, end of life visits, pediatrics and the pediatric intensive care unit. Those exceptions will be limited to one parent or support person during visiting hours which are 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., daily. These visitors will continue to be screened prior to entrance with CDC screening guidelines. Any visitor who screens positive for respiratory illness will not be allowed to enter the facility.
“While we know how stressful these decisions can be, these measures are necessary for the well-being of our patients, employees, physicians and the community we serve,” West Florida Healthcare said in a statement.
International Paper Keeps Operating During Pandemic To Supply The Supply Chain
March 25, 2020
International Paper plans to keep mills such as the one in Cantonment operating, the company said Friday.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security considers forest products as an “essential industry” that should remain operational during the pandemic.
“International Paper products are critical components of the supply chains required to produce and deliver food, pharmaceuticals. hygiene products and emergency supplies for consumers around the world,” IP’s statement said. “Disruptions in the availability of our products would create significant hardships for consumers across the country and around the world. “If our customers cannot get our products, health care facilities, first responders, grocery stores and homes across the country and around the world will not be able to access essential items.”
As International Paper continues to operate, the company said it remains committed to protecting the health and safety of employees and contractors.
“The health and safety of our employees are paramount, and we continue to stress the importance of practicing social distancing, along with taking preventative hygiene measures recommended by the CDC,” Whitney Fike, communications manager for IP in Cantonment, said. “We continue to operate our business effectively, as International Paper bears a special responsibility to continue to operate our mills and converting plants to support the critical needs of the supply chain during this event.”
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
After 17 Years, The Search Continues For Melinda Wall McGhee
March 25, 2020
Tuesday marked 17 years since Melinda Wall McGhee went missing from her Atmore home, the apparent victim of foul play.
“The selfishness and meanness of the person that committed this crime haunts us daily. Our love for Melinda is as strong as it ever was and she is missed daily. Perseverance is our only weapon along with prayer. Our God’s vengeance will prevail one day this I believe,” Amanda McGhee said Tuesday as she visited her sister’s empty grave.
The morning of March 24, 2003, was a sunny start to the first day of spring break. Melinda, then 31, returned to her home about 8 a.m. after working the night shift as a nurse at a Bay Minette nursing home.
Her husband, Troy McGhee, was at work at Masland Carpets in Atmore. Their two children were at a babysitter, and Troy’s son from a previous relationship was at a dentist’s office. At about 8:30 the morning of March 24, 2003, Melinda spoke to her mother on the phone. It was the last time anyone known to Melinda would ever hear from her.
“I woke up to birds singing and sun shining just like it was 17 years ago, but our lives will never be the same the pain and loss is just as painful today as it was that day,” her mother, Ouida Wall said Tuesday.
At about 4:00 that afternoon, husband Troy came home to find Melinda missing. There was blood and evidence of a violent struggle inside the home. He reported his wife missing.
In 2010, authorities issued a death certificate for McGhee after a required seven year waiting period passed.
“We continue to be in prayer that Melinda’s body will be found and we can lay her to rest as she should have been years ago,” sister Melissa Wall said. “We are hopeful that the person responsible will be found out or come forward. We also pray that whoever knows something because someone does will come forward in hopes of some type of closure. Nothing will ever bring Sissy back but she deserves to be found and justice needs to be served.”
Crist Wants Early Release Of Benefits To Help Low Income Families During Pandemic
March 25, 2020
U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist is urging Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to release Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits early to help low income and vulnerable residents during the pandemic.
“Most recipients of SNAP benefits do not have the resources needed to live at home for an extended period, living hand to mouth on monthly payments to purchase the food that they need to feed themselves and their families,” Crist said in a letter Tuesday to DeSantis.
“The COVID-19 global pandemic has left many Floridians without a steady stream of income placing great stress on those in need. In response to these growing demands, and the potential requirement for some SNAP recipients to need to self-quarantine for 14 days or more, I urge you to offer the early release of next month’s SNAP benefits, effective immediately,” Crist wrote.
In other crises, Florida has authorized the early release of SNAP benefits, most recently during Hurricane Dorian.