Central Water Works Cancels Annual Meeting Due To Pandemic
January 7, 2021
Central Water Works has canceled their annual membership meeting due to the pandemic.
The meeting was scheduled for Monday, January 11.
Copies of audited financial statements for the fiscal year ending October 21, 2020, will be available by request on January 12. Anyone needing further information can call the utility at (850) 256-3849.
Central Water Works serves about 1,000 members in the McDavid, Century and Flomaton areas.
DeSantis Visits Vaccination Site At Olive Baptist Church
January 7, 2021
Wednesday, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis visited a COVID-19 vaccination site operated by Ascension Sacred Heart at Olive Baptist Church in Pensacola.
The Governor was joined at the event by Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis, state Senator Doug Broxson and state Representatives Alex Andrade and Michelle Salzman.
Ascension Sacred Heart has completed vaccinating their frontline health care workers and are expanding their efforts to the community.
The hospital will have administered 3,500 vaccinations in two days at Olive Baptist and the Milton Community Center by the end of Thursday. These vaccinations were reserved for individuals 65 years of age and older and were available by appointment only. All of the appointment slots have been filled.
DeSantis was joined by Florida by Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis, state Senator Doug Broxson and state Representatives Alex Andrade and Michelle Salzman.
Local Legislative Delegation Meets Next Week To Discuss ECUA, Local Funding Requests
January 7, 2021
The local legislation delegation will hold a public hearing next week to discuss items that may go before the Florida Legislature this session.
The delegation will consider local bills, including an act that would implement term limits and oversight of the Emerald Coast Utilities Authority. The delegation will discuss legislative action ratifying the negotiated terms, requirements and amounts of the pension plan and collective bargaining agreement between the City of Pensacola and the International Association of Firefighters, Local 707.
Delegation members will also hear presentations from government entities, organizations, and take public comment on proposals for the 2021 regular session of the Florida Legislature.
The meeting will be Tuesday, January 19 from 5:30 until 7:30 p.m. at the Paul Amos Performance Studio at 1000 College Boulevard in Pensacola.
The Escambia County legislative delegation consists of Sen. Doug Broxson, Rep. Michelle Salzman and Rep. Alex Andrade.
Molino Man Charged With Aggravated Assault With A Deadly Weapon
January 6, 2021
A Molino man has been charged after allegedly pointing a gun at a person inside his house.
Gordon Alexander Wright, 62, was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to an armed robbery complaint to 6000 block of Highway 95A in Molino.
A victim told the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office that he picked up an elderly female a gas station in Century. When arrived at her residence on Highway 95 near Highland Baptist Church in Molino, the woman told the victim that she was returning to his vehicle to retrieve her debit card so she could withdraw money to reimburse him for gas. They went to the store at the corner of Highway 95A and Molino Road, but she was unable to withdraw money.
When they returned to her residence, the victim said he saw what he believed to be his blue credit card and $20 in her right hand. The victim confronted her, and she invited him into the residence. Inside, Wright was sitting cross-legged on the floor pointing a handgun at him, according to an ECSO arrest report. Wright allegedly told him not to worry about his stuff and to get off his property.
When deputies arrived, Wright was sitting on a couch next to a shotgun and stated that he was not coming out, the report states. Deputies were able to take him into custody without further incident, noting that he appeared highly intoxicated. They located handgun on his person with a magazine and six rounds of ammunition, the report continues.
The female told deputies that she had a blue debit card belonging to Wright, and deputies confirmed that it was in his wallet. There were no items belonging to the victim found Wright’s possession or in the possession of the woman.
The female was not charged with any crime. Wright is not a convicted felon, so the weapons will be returned.
Wright was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $5,000 bond.
Florida Carjacking Suspect Police Chase Ends With Crash In Flomaton
January 6, 2021
Escambia County (FL) deputies pursued a car jacking suspect into Alabama Tuesday night before performing a PIT maneuver to end the pursuit.
The deputies were pursuing a Ford pickup truck that was reportedly taken during a carjacking in Okaloosa County.
The Florida Highway Patrol chased the vehicle through parts of Santa Rosa County before losing sight of the vehicle somewhere in the Cantonment area, according to Escambia County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Amber Southard. Deputies in Century spotted the vehicle in the area of Highway 29 and East Highway 4 and gave chase. The pursuit crossed state lines into Flomaton.
Escambia County (FL) deputies performed a PIT maneuver — a tactical maneuver that causes a driver to lose control and stop — at the intersection of Sidney Manning Boulevard (Highway 29) and Poplar Street in Flomaton. The pickup truck came to rest in front of the Advance Auto Parts store, and the driver was taken into custody.
The suspect, identified as 22-year old Trevor William Faubel of Crestview, was arrested by Flomaton Police and charged with bringing stolen property into the State of Alabama, theft of property first degree and driving with a suspended or revoked license, according to Flomaton Police Chief Charles Thompson.
Faubel was transported to the Escambia County Detention Center in Brewton to await a bond hearing on the Alabama charges and extradition back to Florida where he is expected to face multiple charges in Okaloosa and Escambia counties.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery from the end of the pursuit in Flomaton, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Century Woman Wanted On Tennessee Charges Arrested After Highway 29 Traffic Stop
January 6, 2021
A Century woman wanted on multiple charges in Tennessee is behind bars after a traffic stop in Escambia County.
According to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, 37-year old Amber Hixon Bradshaw was traveling “in excess of 90 mph” when a deputy stopped her vehicle on Highway 29 in the area of Mystic Springs Road.
A records check revealed Bradshaw had outstanding warrants from the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office in Chattanooga, Tennessee, for two counts of petit theft and failure to appear on charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of Xanax, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Bradshaw remained in the Escambia County Jail as a fugitive from justice awaiting extradition back to Tennessee.
Farmers, Forest Landowners Can Now Apply For Hurricane Sally FSA Emergency Assistance
January 6, 2021
Local farmers and forest landowners can now apply for additional Hurricane Sally assistance.
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services encourages eligible producers to apply for for the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) and Emergency Forest Restoration Program (EFRP). Registration opened Monday and will continue through March 4.
The activation of the ECP and EFRP programs are for those with farmland and private forestland damaged by natural disasters in Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, and Walton counties. This assistance is in addition to FSA disaster loans through the Secretarial designations for Hurricane Sally-impacted producers in Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton, Bay, Holmes, Washington, Calhoun, Gadsden, Jackson, and other contiguous counties. Enrollment for ECP and EFRP will be facilitated by county FSA offices, as with loans and other disaster assistance programs.
“Farmers and producers in the Florida Panhandle have suffered serious natural disasters and setbacks the past few years, including major flooding and up to 100 percent crop losses from Hurricane Sally,” said Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried. “With enrollment for additional federal disaster assistance opening today, I encourage all impacted producers to contact their county Farm Service Agency office and apply before the deadline, as they replant and rebuild in 2021.”
USDA has developed a disaster assistance discovery tool specifically targeted to rural and agricultural issues. The tool walks producers through five questions that generate personalized results identifying which USDA disaster assistance programs can help them recover from a natural disaster. USDA also encourages residents and small businesses in impact zones to contact USDA offices which meet their individual needs. Producers can find more information on programs and services at farmers.gov.
Pictured: Hurricane Sally damage in Escambia County. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Supervisor Of Elections David Stafford Sworn In For Fifth Term
January 6, 2021
Escambia County Supervisor of Elections David Stafford was sworn in Tuesday for his fifth term.
The Honorable William H. Stafford, Jr. presided over the small ceremony with family members and staff at the Supervisor of Elections office.
Stafford was first elected as Escambia County supervisor of elections in November 2004. A graduate of the University of Florida, Stafford is a past president of the Florida Supervisors of Elections and the current legislative co-chair of the National Association of Election Officials.
Florida CFO Rallies Support In Pensacola To Limit COVID-19 Business Liability
January 6, 2021
Tuesday, Florida Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis hosted a ‘Rally at the Restaurant’ event at The Fish House in Pensacola to advocate for vital COVID-19 liability protections for Florida businesses.
Joined by state leaders, lawmakers and business owners, CFO Patronis encouraged Floridians to patronize and support local businesses and asked Legislators to work together to pass meaningful liability protections to get Florida’s economy back on its feet. Over the last several months, CFO Patronis has emphasized the need for COVID-19 liability protections for businesses and highlighted his three guiding principles to help shape legislation in the upcoming Legislative Session.
“I was proud to be joined in Pensacola today by local leaders and small business owners to Rally at the Restaurant at The Fish House and fight for vital COVID-19 liability protections for all Pensacola businesses. As a former small business owner myself, I’ve spent most of my life in the restaurant industry and I know how hard it is to make payroll on a good day, much less when hampered by the financial impacts of COVID-19,” Patronis said. “No doubt, unless we take action to protect our small businesses, we’ll see big problems: businesses will close, insurance rates will continue to grow, and critical services will get squeezed. I’m confident that we can pass meaningful liability protections and add Florida to the list of 21 other states that have enacted some sort of liability shields for businesses.”
Members of the local legislative delegation stood in support with Patronis.
Senator Doug Broxson said, “Covid 19 has created enormous pressure on our small businesses and restaurants. For any legal or governmental institution to take advantage of these hardworking individuals during this time is especially egregious. I am thankful that CFO Patronis, a business owner himself, understands these concerns and I stand with him in protecting these restaurants and their employees.”
Representative Michelle Salzman said, “I am proud to stand with CFO Patronis on this critical issue affecting our businesses. If Florida’s business owners are following the proper guidelines they should not have to live in fear of frivolous litigation. By passing these important protections, our business community will be able to reopen and operate in confidence.”
Representative Alex Andrade said, “I appreciate CFO Patronis’ commitment to provide common sense business liability protections. The pandemic has created a tremendous burden on our small business. Knowing that Florida’s elected officials are concerned and working to address inappropriate liability tactics will go a long way in our state’s economic recovery.”
Ascension Sacred Heart Opens New COVID-19 Vaccine Appointments. Here’s How To Sign Up Now.
January 5, 2021
Update: Ascension Sacred Heart’s website indicates all appointments are taken.
Ascension Sacred Heart plans to hold additional COVID-19 vaccination clinics on Thursday in Milton and Pensacola for local residents who are age 65 and older.
Both clinics are being organized in coordination with the Florida Department of Health (DOH) and officials from Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. The clinics on Thursday are in addition to clinics to be held Wednesday.
The Pensacola clinic will take place in the gym of Olive Baptist Church, 1836 E. Olive Road, Pensacola, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. In Santa Rosa County, the vaccination clinic will be located in the basketball gym of Milton Community Center, 5329 Byrom Street, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
The vaccinations must be scheduled in advance. Persons without an appointment will not be eligible to get the vaccine.
To schedule a vaccination online, click or tap here. The available times for the Pensacola clinics are listed first, followed by the available slots for the Milton site.
Ascension Sacred Heart does not have enough vaccine yet to meet the great demand for the vaccine in the community, but it will schedule more clinics as Florida’s supply of vaccine continues to grow.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis recently announced a new executive order directing that the next priority group for vaccinations in Florida should be persons age 65 and older. The seniors group follows the first priority group, which is healthcare workers and long-term care facility residents an