Leak Repairs Complete At Molino Branch Library; It Will Reopen Wednesday
August 10, 2021
The Molino Branch Library was closed part of Monday and all day Tuesday due to a water leak.
The library, located in the Molino Community Center, will reopen at 10 a.m. Wednesday.
Normal library hours are:
Sunday: Closed
Monday: 10 a.m. — 7 p.m.
Tuesday: 10 a.m. — 7 p.m.
Wednesday: 10 a.m. — 7 p.m.
Thursday: 10 a.m. — 7 p.m.
Friday: 10 a.m. — 7 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. — 4 p.m.
NorthEscambia.com photo.
School Superintendent Is Excited For A Return To Class. But It’s A Cautious Optimism Due To COVID-19.
August 10, 2021
Escambia County School Superintendent Tim Smith is excited about the first day of school on Wednesday. But it’s really more of a cautious optimism as COVID-19 looms over the local community as tens of thousands of students return.
“I hope these COVID metrics show declines here very soon because it’s important for us to get out of the gate quickly and strongly in our return to a brick and mortar setting on a full-time basis,” Smith told NorthEscambia.com “I really hope the kids are excited and have a good positive start.”
“I think that’s important with our teachers too. I hope they feel ready and prepared. I hope just everybody in the schools is excited. I think with COVID we just have to be very flexible. It’s a fluid condition that exists, and we need to make sure we’re staying in compliance with the guidelines provided by the medical experts. In this case our guidelines that we’re following are those put out by the Florida Health Department and the Florida Department of Education.”
Those guidelines, released just last Friday, do not include a mask mandate, giving parents or guardians the opportunity to opt out their student from wearing a face covering. There will be a return to normal activities such as field trips, and volunteers will be allowed back on campuses. Athletic events and extracurricular activities such as band and choral concerts will occur without seating capacity limits. [Read the complete policy...]
“It’s just important I think for us to get to a level of functionality where we’re holding class, kids are able to think and concentrate, and engage in learning. That’s going to be our goal is to provide that type of environment and of course safety is always, always important for us.”
“If we have a student who is showing symptoms, we will quickly, quickly have them attended to, and we will need family to come pick that student up,” Smith said. “One of the important things is if the student is showing symptoms is to not come to school. I think our parents did a great job with that (last year). I think those steps, that quick reaction to a student showing symptoms, is a key piece. I think what helped us a lot last year was that quick and responsive set of protocols that we had. Our principals were able to call and work with our health coordinator and her team as she frequently communicated with the Department of Health.”
For students that are required to quarantine, in some cases up to 10 days, they will be able to continue the learning process at home, but it will be different from last year.
“We don’t have the remote blended platform like we did last year where you have a teacher with both students in class and online,” Smith said. “We really didn’t anticipate having to work with that virus the whole year.”
“That whole blended remote platform was designed for flexibility because if you were taking let’s say you’re chemistry class and you are at home you still had the same teacher in the same course section so you could just come right back. That sunsetted with the end of the executive order from the commissioner of education and the governor.”
The Escambia Virtual School, with registration open through August 31, allows a student to have an online environment for the full year. But for a student that is out a few days to over a week due to a required COVID-19 quarantine, there is no such established remote learning mechanism in place this school year.
But education will go on, Smith said.
“That’s where our amazing teachers will step up, and they will do great work on making the lesson and the activities at home blended,” Smith said. “That’s not always easy to do, but that’s the goal so there can be a number of steps that are taken. You can use some electronic platforms that have lesson components built in, and the students can just go through those lesson components. You can do electronic activities where the kids go in and pull their work. We may even have some teachers post videos, or who do all kinds of things.”
“That is the charge — to make it as connected as possible, and our teachers will be very creative,” Smith said.
Here Are The New Start And Dismissal Times For Escambia County Schools
August 10, 2021
The Escambia County School District has provided a list detailing the start and dismissal times for every school in the county, many of which were adjusted due a shortage of bus drivers.
Escambia County School Superintendent Tim Smith said Monday that the district is still trying to recruit new bus drivers, but that has been a very difficult undertaking.
To help overcome the shortage, the district has most bus drivers running an extra elementary route each day, in addition to their normal routes. Start and dismissal times were adjusted for several schools as a result, as much as 20-30 minutes in some cases.
“That’s why the times were adjusted. Our transportation team did it a remarkable job on figuring that out,” he said. “That was a highly complex venture and took a number iterations to get the correct schematic in place.”
“We have to make sure our bus routes and drivers are ready to go,” he said. “To do that with a limited number of buses in operation from the bus driver shortage, it became rather complicated to do this.”
Here are the 2021-2022 school year start and dismissal times for every Escambia County School District school:
ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
7:10 a.m. until 1:25 p.m. (11:35 a.m. early release)
- Ensley Elementary
- Global Learning Academy
- L.D. McArthur Elementary
- Longleaf Elementary
- Montclair Elementary
- Navy Point Elementary
- Oakcrest Elementary
- O.J. Semmes Elementary
- Scenic Heights Elementary
- West Pensacola Elementary
7:35 a.m. until 1:50 p.m. (noon early release)
- Beulah Elementary
- Bratt Elementary
- Hellen Caro Elementary
- Molino Park Elementary
7:50 a.m. until 2:10 p.m. (12:20 p.m. early release)
- Bellview Elementary
- Blue Angels Elementary
- Brentwood Elementary
- Cook Elementary
- Cordova Park Elementary
- Ferry Pass Elementary
- Holm Elementary
- Jim Allen Elementary
- Kingsfield Elementary
- Lincoln Park Elementary
- R. C. Lipscomb Elementary
- Myrtle Grove Elementary
- Pine Meadow Elementary
- Pleasant Grove Elementary
- Sherwood Elementary
- A. K. Suter Elementary
- Warrington Elementary
- C. A. Weis Elementary
MIDDLE SCHOOLS
8:40 a.m. to 3:20 p.m. (1:10 p.m. early release)
- Brown Barge Middle School
9:05 a.m. until 3:45 p.m. (1:35 p.m. early release)
- Ernest Ward Middle School
9:30 a.m. until 4:15 p.m (2:10 p.m. early release)
- Bailey Middle
- Bellview Middle
- Beulah Middle
- Ferry Pass Middle
- Ransom Middle
- Workman Middle
9:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m (2:10 p.m. early release)
- Warrington Middle
HIGH SCHOOLS
8:25 a.m. until 3:05 p.m. (12:55 p.m. early release)
- West Florida High
8:30 a.m. until 3:10 p.m. (1:20 p.m. early release)
- Escambia High
- Pensacola High
- Pine Forest High
- Tate High
- Washington High
8:45 a.m. until 3:20 p.m. (1:10 p.m. early release)
- Northview High
ALTERNATIVE SCHOOLS/CENTERS
- Hope Horizon Lakeview Center — 7:20 a.m. until 1:20 p.m. (noon early release)
- Westgate Center — 7:50 a.m. until 2:10 p.m. (12:20 p.m. early release)
- District Extended (times vary, early release at noon)
- KAPS K-5/ Achieve 6-12 — 8:45 a.m. until 3:25 p.m. (2 p.m. early release)
- Success Academy — 9 a.m. until 2:35 p.m. (12:30 p.m. early release)
Residents Of Cantonment District Asked To Take Habitat For Humanity Survey (And Earn A Gift Card)
August 10, 2021
Pensacola Habitat for Humanity needs 200 resident of the Cantonment Redevelopment District to take a quick survey, and they are offering a $5 gift card to the first 200 participants.
Click or tap here to take the survey.
“The Community Impact Measurement Survey that we are conducting in Cantonment CRA will help us identify the greatest needs within that area and how we at Pensacola Habitat for Humanity can help,” said Kristin O’Bryan, senior communications associate at Pensacola Habitat for Humanity.
“Our goal is over the next few years be able to apply for funding to help address some of the infrastructure needs that are desperately needed in the area. Our mission at Pensacola Habitat is to bring people together to build homes, communities, and hope and this survey will go a long way to help us open some doors to help strengthen the Cantonment CRA community,” O’Bryan said.
The quick survey asks residents about living in the area, concerns and community needs.
The survey is available only to those living in the Cantonment Redevelopment District, an area bordered roughly by Well Line and Neal Road to the north, Nowak to the west, along Becks Lake Road to the east, and south of Booker Street to the south (see map).
Click or tap here to take the survey.
NorthEscambia.com graphic, click to enlarge.
Inmate Accused Of Assaulting Century Correctional Institution Officer With Food Tray
August 10, 2021
Inmate James Hines assaulted an officer at Century Correctional Institution by striking them with a food tray, according to the Florida Department of Corrections.
“Staff responded appropriately, and the inmate was subdued,” FDC said.
Hines is serving a four year, two month sentence for a sex offender registration violation in Lee County.
Escambia County COVID-19 Hospitalizations Reach Record High Of 322 On Monday
August 9, 2021
The number of current COVID-19 hospitalizations in Escambia County increased Monday to a daily record of 322. That compares to a high of 291 back in January.
On Monday, there were 322 people currently hospitalized for COVID-19 in Ascension Sacred Heart, Baptist and West Florida hospitals. One week ago, there were 216, and two weeks ago there were 107.
West Florida Healthcare CEO Gay Nord said nationally about 94% of all patients hospitalized or COVID are unvaccinated, and local numbers are very much the same.
“The highest spread of cases and severe outcomes is happening in places with low vaccination rates,” she said. “Virtually all hospitalizations and deaths have been among the unvaccinated.” She added that the severity of illness is greater with the Delta variant and is much more contagious.
“The only defense we have to minimize illness and death is the vaccine. I appeal to you today, as I know all of my colleagues will do the same, to get vaccinated if you have not,” Nord said. “The burden on our community and our healthcare system is real.”
CSX Trains Moving In McDavid After Derailment Three Weeks Ago, Final Environmental Cleanup Forthcoming
August 9, 2021
The CSX rail line in McDavid has reopened following a derailment three weeks ago, and plans are being made to finalize the environmental cleanup.
Twenty-five cars of a southbound CSX train derailed in a heavily wooded area a mile north of the West Fraser Sawmill about 10:35 p.m. the night of July 19. Several tanker and hopper cars were among those scattered about the tracks during the derailment.
According to the Florida Department of Environment Management, two of the cars were carrying ammonium nitrate and molten sulfur, both hazardous materials. Three of the cars spilled limestone rock adjacent to the tracks, and (nonhazardous) methionine was spilled, CSX confirmed shortly after the crash.
“CSX continues to conduct source removal activities, including the removal/disposal of the impacted cars and spilled gravel, to prevent or minimize contamination,” FDEP Press Secretary Alexandra Kuchta told NorthEscambia.com in an email late Friday afternoon.
“Additionally, a site assessment is underway to assess potential environmental impacts. This will also be used to determine appropriate corrective actions, remediation and enforcement actions, including potential penalties,” Kuchta continued.
CSX said they are finalizing cleanup plans.
“CSX has resumed normal train operations in the area. We are working on a plan to safely move the derailed cars to a nearby site to prepare for proper disposal,” Sheriee S. Bowman, CSX Media Relations, told NorthEscambia.com.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, NorthEscambia.com graphic, click to enlarge.
Century Council To Review City Manager’s Job Performance At Workshop Meeting
August 9, 2021
The Century Town Council will a hold a special workshop meeting Thursday to evaluate the job performance of Interim Town Manager Vernon Prather.
In late June, the council was set to hold the performance review. but backed out of the schedule agenda item. Council members were to have submitted written evaluation forms to he town clerk, but all five failed to do so.
Prather was hired in December 2019, and his contract was extended for a year in December 2020. He is paid $1,200 a week ($40 per hour) to work 30 hours on a schedule of his choosing. He is also paid a $600 per month vehicle allowance, but receives no other benefits.
His contract specifies that the mayor and town council will meet with him “at least every three months for the purpose of defining goals and performance objective”. That has not taken place to date in 2021.
The city manager job performance evaluation workshop will be held at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at the Century Town Hall.
Pictured: Century Interim Town Manager Vernon Prather. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Police: Man Found Passed Out In Vehicle At Railroad Tracks Facing Drug Charges
August 9, 2021
A Century man is facing drug charges in Alabama after officers allegedly found him passed out in his vehicle at a railroad crossing.
Early Saturday morning, the Flomaton Police Department responded to the area of a railroad crossing on Old Fannie Road, just north of the Florida/Alabama state line. According to police, the driver was unconscious with his foot on the brake, but the vehicle was not in park.
After multiple attempts, the Flomaton officer was able to wake the driver.
Brandon William Qualls, 30, admitted to smoking synthetic cannabinoids, also known as spice, and was found to be in possession of the drug, according to police.
“This incident could have ended terribly both for the public and the defendant, fortunately no one was injured or harmed,” Flomaton Police said in a statement.
Qualls was charged with possession of a controlled substance (spice-synthetic cannabinoid), driving under the influence of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, driving with a revoked license, operating a vehicle without insurance and switching a tag.
Qualls was booked into the Escambia County Detention Center in Brewton without bond.
Florida Gas Prices Inch Lower After Six Cent Jump
August 9, 2021
Florida gas prices are inching lower after setting a new 2021 high last week. The state average jumped nearly six cents per gallon, briefly reaching $3.03 per gallon. By Sunday, the state average inched once-cent lower.
The state average of $3.02 per gallon is five cents per gallon more than a week ago and one-cent per gallon more than a month ago.
The average per gallon of regular unleaded was $3.03 Sunday night in Escambia County. A North Escambia low of $2.94 could be found at a station on Highway 29 in Cantonment, while Pensacola prices bottomed out at $2.82 at a Nine Mile Road store.
“Gas prices jumped early last week because of lower gasoline supplies and a weaker dollar,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “However by the end of the week, futures prices dropped 8% on a stronger dollar and concerns about how the spread of COVID-19 could curb global fuel demand. If sustained, lower futures prices would enable gas prices to slip lower this week.”
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.