Escambia County COVID-19 Patient Traveled To France
March 19, 2020
We are learning more about the travel histories of the two people from Escambia and Santa Rosa counties confirmed to have COVID-19.
On Monday, the Florida Department of Health announced Escambia County’s first case. New information shows he was a 53-year old man that had visited France.
A Santa Rosa County patient died last week while being treated at Baptist Hospital in Pensacola. He was a 71-year old man with underlying medical conditions that had traveled to Egypt and Israel.
Navy Federal Credit Union reported Tuesday evening that an employee that last worked March 14 on the Pensacola campus had tested presumptively positive for COVID-19. Health officials say he had no relation to the other Escambia County, and they are working to confirm his presumptive diagnosis.
Four other Florida Panhandle cases have been reported in Okaloosa County. The latest was a 24-year old woman that traveled to Colorado. Other Okaloosa County cases are a 66-year old female that traveled to Japan, a 78-year old female that had traveled to Italy and a 61-year old female with a travel history that included Florida, California and Mexico.
City, County, Sacred Heart To Open Drive-Thru Testing Site In Brownsville
March 19, 2020
Escambia County, the City of Pensacola, Ascension Sacred Heart and Community Health Northwest Florida have partnered to open a drive-thru COVID-19 testing site at Brownsville Community Center at 3200 West De Soto Street. It will open on Monday, March 23.
All patients are required to be screened before arriving at the drive-thru testing center by calling the Ascension Sacred Heart COVID-19 Screening Call Center at (850) 746-2684. Those who have not been screened over the phone will not be provided access to the drive-thru test center.
Once patients have been pre-screened through the call center for symptoms, they will be sent to the testing center for a nasal swab.
The screening call center will be open Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. The drive-thru clinic will be open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
“We believe resources need to be in every neighborhood,” said District 3 County Commissioner Lumon May. “After much conversation with local leaders we decided to do something that could benefit the entire neighborhood. I am very proud of this partnership with our health care providers, faith-based community and local government to make our community better during this unprecedented global event.”
Flomaton To Strictly Enforce Nightly Curfew For Minors
March 19, 2020
The Town of Flomaton will be strictly enforcing a curfew for minors, according to Flomaton Police Chief Chance Thompson.
No unaccompanied minor under the age of 19 will be allowed in any public place or establishment from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m during the week or 12:01 a.m. until 6 a.m. on the weekends. Parents and guardians of minors can also be guilty of allowing a minor to violate the ordinance. Any owner, operator or employee of any establishment can be convicted for allowing a minor to remain on the premisseesduring curfew hours.
The ordinance has been on the books in Flomaton since 1998.
“Now it is very important especially with the current issues with minors being out of school,” Flomaton Police Chief Chance Jackson said. “Our officers will be strictly enforcing this ordinance to help assure the safety of our community’s children.”
The curfew does not apply when the minor was:
- Accompanied by the minor’s parent or guardian;
- On an errand at the direction of the minor’s parent or guardian, without any detour or stop;
- In a motor vehicle involved in interstate travel;
- Engaged in an employment activity, or going to or returning home from an employment activity, without any detour or stop;
- Involved in an emergency;
- On the sidewalk abutting the minor’s residence or abutting the residence of a next door neighbor if the neighbor did not complain to the police department about the minor’s presence;
- Attending an official school, religious, or other recreational activity supervised by adults and sponsored by the town, a civic organization, or another similar entity that takes responsibility for the minor, or going to or returning home from, without any detour or stop, an official school, religious, or other recreational activity supervised by the town, a civic organization, or another similar entity that takes responsibility for the minor;
- Exercising First Amendment rights protected by the United States Constitution, such as the free exercise of religion, freedom of speech, and the right of assembly; or
- Married or had been married or had disabilities of minority removed in accordance with the appropriate state laws.
Flomaton has also closed all parks to persons of all ages.
Update: How ECUA, Century, Molino, Central Water Works And Farm Hill Utilities Are Adapting To COVID-19
March 19, 2020
Here is how local utilities are adapting business practices during the current COVID-19 situation:
Emerald Coast Utilities Authority (ECUA)
ECUA has suspended the discontinuation of services for non-payment during the pandemic period. This will apply to all residential and commercial accounts and will be in effect until further notice.
Town Of Century
The Town of Century has closed their lobby. Town business — such as utility payments — can be conducted at the building’s drive-thru window during regular business hours. The town has not made any changes to utility service due dates. Century does not offer online payments.
Central Water Works
Central Water Works has closed their office lobby to customers due to the current COVID-19 precautions. Payments by check, money order or cash can be made at a secure drop box at the front door. A supply of envelopes is available at the box. Customers can pay their bill online securely at centralwaterworks.com using a credit card, debit card or electronic check. Central Water Works customers can also pay by phone using a credit or debit card by calling (850) 256-3849 during regular business hours.
Molino Utilities
Molino Utilities has closed their lobby and is conducting business only thru their drive-thru window. Payments can also be made in a drop box on the side of the building or by mail. There have been no changes to water service due dates, and hours of operation are 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 a.m., Monday-Friday. Online payments are not offered. For information call (850) 587-5538.
Farm Hill Utilities
The Farm Hill Utilities lobby is closed, and business hours have changed to 8 a.m. until 1 p.m., Monday-Friday. All business must be conducted in the drive-thru, and payments can also be made via drop box, phone using a card or check or at www.farmhillutilities.net. Outside business hours, call (850) 554-5023.
Century Correctional Officer Assaulted By Convicted Murderer
March 19, 2020
A correctional officer was recently assaulted at Century Correctional Institution by convicted murderer, according to information released by the Florida Department of Corrections.
Inmate Demetrius Benjamin assaulted an officer by striking them in the face with a closed fist. Staff responded appropriately, and the inmate was subdued, FDC said.
Benjamin remains at Century CI, serving a 25-year sentence for second degree murder (dangerous act), according to prison system records.
Escambia County Woman Takes Uber To Rob Credit Union, ECSO Says
March 19, 2020
An Escambia County woman took Uber to rob a credit union, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
The ECSO said 22-year old Dajsha Ashely Sledge walked into the Gulf Winds Credit Union on North Blue Angel Parkway, placed a gun and brown bag on the counter, and demanded money.
She fled the scene with an undisclosed amount of cash in a red Dodge Journey driven by the Uber driver.
Florida Highway Patrol troopers were able to locate the Uber vehicle, but Sledge was not inside. The FHP learned she had been dropped off at a Tom Thumb on Blue Angel Parkway at Mobile Highway. Deputies said that while inside the store she changed her clothes and wig to alter her appearance before leaving the store.
Deputies were able to track Sledge to her home in the Crystal Lake Mobile Home Park in 7000 block of Pine Forest Road.
Sledge was charged with robbery with a firearm, using or displaying a firearm during a felony and possession of a firearm.
She was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $55,000 bond.
Annual Blue Jacket Jamboree, Livestock Show Canceled
March 19, 2020
The annual Blue Jacket Jamboree and the Gulf Coast Agriculture & Natural Resources Youth Organization Annual Spring Livestock Show have been canceled due to the coronavirus.
“This decision has not been an easy one to come to, but the safety of our students and community are our most important priority. I would like to thank our Alumni and FFA members, vendors, and community for continuing to support this event in the years past,” said Northview FFA Alumni President Mitchell Singleton.
Organizers plan for the event to return for 2021.
For a look back at the 2019 Blue Jacket Jamboree, click here.
The Blue Jacket Jamboree is sponsored in part by NorthEscambia.com each year.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
‘Presumptive Positive’ Employee At Navy Federal Was Not Previously Tested, Health Department Says
March 18, 2020
The Florida Department of Health says the Navy Federal employee the company announced as presumptively for COVID-19 was not previously tested. The Navy Federal employee is not the one positive case previously announced by the health department in Escambia County.
Dr. John Lanza, director of the Florida Department of Health in Escambia County said an investigation is underway to determine of the person is positive for the virus.
“A lab report from a qualified commercial or hospital laboratory, or from the Florida Bureau of Public Health laboratory is required for a person to be declared for a person to be declared presumptive positive for COVID-19. The Navy Federal employee believed to be presumptively positive for COVID-19 was not previously tested,” Lanza said Wednesday morning. “A public health investigation is currently being conducted to confirm or rule out the presence of the COVID-19 virus in this individual.”
“We’ve asked the Florida Department of Health to provide to all the businesses, and really everyone in our community and state, a statement as to what they should do when a similar situation occurs,” he continued. “So that hopefully that information will be available soon.”
Tuesday afternoon, Navy Federal issued a statement that an employee working at its Pensacola campus tested presumptive positive for COVID-19. The company said the employee last reported to work on Saturday, March 14 before seeking medical treatment.
The Tuesday Navy Federal statement said they are working with health officials. We reached out to a Navy Federal spokesperson for additional comment Wednesday, and we were referred back to Lanza and his staff.
NorthEscambia.com image.
Cordova Mall Closes Due To Coronavirus
March 18, 2020
Cordova Mall will close at 7 p.m. Wednesday and remain closed until March 29, owners Simon Property group said in a press release.
“The health and safety of our shoppers, retailers and employees is of paramount importance and we are taking this step to help reduce the spread of COVID-19 in our communities,” said David Simon, CEO of Simon Property Group.
The closure is to address the spread of COVID-19, the company said, and includes all of their properties nationwide.
Central Water Works Closes Office Lobby
March 18, 2020
Central Water Works has closed their office lobby to customers due to the current COVID-19 precautions.
Payments by check, money order or cash can be made at a secure drop box at the front door. A supply of envelopes is available at the box. Customers can pay their bill online securely at centralwaterworks.com using a credit card, debit card or electronic check.
Central Water Works customers can also pay by phone using a credit or debit card by calling (850) 256-3849 during regular business hours.
Central Water Works serves about 1,000 members in the McDavid, Century and Flomaton areas.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.