By The Numbers: Overall Downward Trend Continues In Local COVID-19 Hospitalizations
August 20, 2020
The latest daily COVID-19 local hospitalization numbers continue to show a decrease.
The data in the chart above, compiled by the City of Pensacola, reflects the current combined number of patients hospitalized on the listed date at Ascension Sacred Heart, Baptist Hospital and West Florida Hospital.
“We are seeing a downward trend, but we are not out of this yet. Please keep taking preventative actions, including wearing a mask, social distancing and washing your hands often,” Mayor Grover Robinson said Wednesday.
Tate Aggies Announce New 2020 Football Schedule
August 20, 2020
The Tate High School Aggies have announced their new 2020 football schedule.
The Aggies will kick off their 2020 season at home on September 18 they host the Pine Forest Eagles. All of the teams the Aggies will face in the eight game regular season are from Escambia or Santa Rosa counties.
- 9/18 Pine Forest
- 9/25 @ Washington
- 10/2 @ Pensacola
- 10/9 Pace
- 10/16 Escambia
- 10/23 @ Pine Forest
- 10/30 Pensacola Catholic
- 11/6 @ Gulf Breeze
All games are at 7 p.m.
The Escambia County School District announced on Tuesday that the first practices allowed for fall sports will be Monday, September 7 with the first games a mere 11 days later on September 18.
Spectators will be allowed at sports in Escambia County, but football game attendance will be limited to allow adequate social distancing.
“Face coverings will be worn in district facilities as directed by staff and instructional leaders,” the Escambia School District said in a statement. If a situation arises whereas a student, member of staff, or a visitor is not wearing, or is incapable of wearing a face covering, such individual may be assisted or guided by appropriate authorities within the district to undertake alternative, reasonable, and accommodating actions to protect self and others.” The face mask requirement will include football stadiums.
Pictured: The Tate Aggies and the Washington Wildcats in October 2019. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Former Century Mayor Benny Barnes Passes Away At Age 86
August 20, 2020
Former Century mayor Benny Barnes has passed away at age 86.
Barnes served 13 total years as a councilman and mayor in Century. He also previously served as president of the Century Area Chamber of Commerce.
A Marine veteran, Barnes was born in Santa Rosa County and moved to Century from Byrneville in 1960. He also worked as power house operation for Monsanto.
He is survived by his wife Edna Earle Barnes, a son and numerous other family members and friends. A celebration of life service will be held at a later date.
For the complete obituary, click here.
Pictured top: Serving as Century Chamber president, Benny Barnes in his “Benny’s Bar-B-Q” apron serves up smoked pork in to Carver/Century K-8 School staff and faculty in 2008. Pictured inset: Barnes addresses a chamber meeting in 2011. Pictured below: Barnes addresses the Century Town Council in 2008. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
FloridaWest Confirms Manufacturing Firm Looking At Century Building; Cotton Gin Still On Hold
August 20, 2020
FloridaWest Economic Development Alliance is confirming that a manufacturing company is interested in an industrial building in Century after an offer from another potential tenant was put on hold by the town.
At Monday night’s meeting, the Century Town Council tabled action on a lease proposal for a 40,390 square foot facility in the town’s industrial park known as the Helicopter Technology building. The pause came after Mayor Henry Hawkins said he received an email shortly before from the meeting from FloridaWest advising a manufacturing company wanted to tour the building on Thursday and potentially bring 21 new jobs to Century.
“We can confirm it is a small manufacturing company. At this time we do not want to discuss number of jobs or additional details,” Scott Luth, CEO of FloridaWest, told NorthEscambia.com.
The council delayed action on a lease proposal from West Florida Gin in Walnut Hill until next Monday night, but Luth said any offer from the manufacturing company won’t come that soon.
“If the building meets the needs of the project we will bring additional details back to the city in September or October,” he said. “We appreciate the council’s assistance in showcasing this opportunity for job creation for Century and Escambia County.”
South Alabama Gin Company, doing business as West Florida Gin, proposed a lease of $6,000 per month for five years with an option to renew the contract for an additional five years. They want to occupy the building by October 1 and estimated that six employees would be associated with the the warehousing and distribution of cotton bales.
The gin company was the only company to respond after the town advertised for several weeks seeking lease proposals. It was the second time they had made an offer; the first was rejected.
According to Interim City Manager Vernon Prather, the council cannot simply lease the building to the manufacturing company. Instead, they would be required to reject the West Florida Gin offer and advertise again for formal proposals, much like a bid process.
For an earlier story, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Here’s Important Back To School Info For Tate And Northview High Schools
August 20, 2020
Here is important back to school information for Tate and Northview high schools.
TATE HIGH SCHOOL
Tate High School has made a virtual orientation and tour available online and announced several important dates before the first day of school on August 24.
The orientation and virtual tour of the school videos are available at www.tatestudents.com. The website also contains other valuable information, including a link to a new bell schedule and updated maps of the campus and classrooms.
Schedules will be available via the Focus portal on Thursday. Instructions on how to access schedules and tips for reading will be posted.
Open campus hours for students to walk around the campus and find their classes will be:
- Friday, August 21 from noon until 3 p.m.
- Saturday, August 22 from 10 a.m. until noon
On August 24, the first day of school, students will first report to their homeroom.
NORTHVIEW HIGH SCHOOL
Northview High School Principal Mike Sherrill explained the return to school to students and parents in a telephone call-out. Here is the text of that call as provided by the school:
Orientation for 9th grade and New Students:
Due to the pandemic, Northview was not able to have its regular orientation for incoming 9th graders and new students to Northview. Instead Northview will offer incoming 9th grade students, new students, and their parents the option to walk through the main building on Friday, August 21st, between 3:30 and 5:00 PM. It is not a requirement to attend, and the walkthrough is really for students who are not familiar with the main building. The walkthrough is not a time to meet with teachers or staff, and there will not be any presentations. It is simply an opportunity to pass through the main halls and see where everything is located. Parking should occur in the student parking lot, and students and their parents should enter through the east breezeway gate near the gym. You will then walk down Wing C, pass through the main hallway, and then walk down Wing D which will take you out of the building. You can then exit out the same gate you entered and return to your vehicle. It will probably take 10 or 15 minutes for someone to walk through. Parents and students should wear a mask if they choose to come to and walk through the main building. The gym and theater will not be available for the walkthrough due to groups using them during this time.
First Day of School and Chromebooks:
All traditional students will be allowed to enter the building between 8:20 and 8:40 AM. Bus riders will enter through the bus loop, and students that drive or are dropped off will enter through the east breezeway gate near the gym. Breakfast and lunch are free for all students. Students that do not eat breakfast will be spaced in the gym until 8:40 AM, when all students report to their first class. Classes begin at 8:45 AM when the tardy bell rings, so students that drive or are dropped off can choose to arrive close to that time as long as they are not tardy.
All students and staff will need to bring a mask when they come to school, and they will need to wear their mask in all common areas such as the cafeteria, hallways, and the Innovation Center. Masks will also need to be worn when a student arrives at school and leaves at the end of the day. You will also need to wear masks during all class changes, and possibly in some classes. Parents will need to wear a mask when they come to school to take care of any school business.
Parents and students will have access to FOCUS class schedules on Thursday, August 20th. Bus information is also available on the Transportation Tab in FOCUS. It will be helpful if traditional students know their schedule when they arrive on Monday, so they can report to their second period class at 8:40 AM. Second period teachers will also have a new class schedule for them to keep.
Remote students will also need to look up their schedule in FOCUS on Thursday, and information has also been mailed to each remote student to explain expectations and procedures. Remote students should also receive a call from one of their teachers this week. Incoming 9th grade remote and full time virtual students may also bring their old Chromebook to the bus loop on Friday, August 21st to exchange it for a new one between 1:00 – 3:00 PM. Also, remote and full time virtual students Grades 10-12 may also come at this time to exchange their Chromebook, if it is not working properly. Simply drive up in the bus loop, stay in your car, and someone will come help you. Northview will try to work with families later if you are not able to come at this scheduled time. Traditional 9th grade students should bring their old Chromebooks with them to Northview starting on the first day of school, and they will be able to exchange it for a new one on the first day. All students should have a fully charged Chomebook every day.
Practices Begin Sept. 7 For Fall Sports In Escambia County, First Games Sept. 18
August 19, 2020
The Escambia County School District will allow practices for fall sports to begin September 7, with the first games as early as September 18.
Tryouts for student athletes will be conducted the week of August 31 through September 4.
School athletic directors are will work together to create game schedules, with as little travel out of the area as possible, said Escambia County School Athletic Director Roger Mayo.
It’s not known yet if schools will take part in the state playoff series or if an small regional conference might be formed.
Mayo said a Panhandle regional conference has been discussed For Escambia, Santa Rosa and other Panhandle counties. The possibility is still in play presently.
“It’s just too early to tell right now,” Mayo said Monday.
Spectators will be allowed at sports in Escambia County, but football game attendance will be limited to allow adequate social distancing.
“Face coverings will be worn in district facilities as directed by staff and instructional leaders,” the Escambia School District said in a statement. If a situation arises whereas a student, member of staff, or a visitor is not wearing, or is incapable of wearing a face covering, such individual may be assisted or guided by appropriate authorities within the district to undertake alternative, reasonable, and accommodating actions to protect self and others.”
Mayo said the face mask requirement will include football stadiums.
Michelle Salzman Beats Mike Hill In GOP Race For House District 1 Seat
August 19, 2020
Michelle Salzman won the Republican nomination for Florida House District 1 over incumbent Rep. Mike Hill.
Salzman will go on to face Democratic nominee Francine Mathis in the November general election.
“I feel humbled and grateful, and I’m hopeful for the future of Northwest Florida,” Salzman told NorthEscambia.com. “This is not my victory; this is a victory of the people.”
Salzman won the GOP nod with 52.48% of the vote to Hill’s 47.52% according to complete, but unofficial results. She had a 1,048 vote advantage.
In her campaign, Salzman highlighted the fact that Hill failed to get any bill that he sponsored passed. And she picked up key endorsements from the National Rifle Association, Florida Medical Association, Florida Professional Firefighters and the Florida Police Benevolent Association. Salzman, an Army veteran, has spent much of the past several years volunteering locally and is the former president of the Escambia County Council of PTAs.
Hill, a local insurance agent, was first elected during a 2013 special election in House District 2. He ran unsuccessfully for state Senate in 2016. In 2018, he ran for House District 1, defeating Rebecca Bydlak after releasing a video recorded at the Confederate monument in downtown Pensacola claiming that he would bring the Donald Trump Hollywood star to Pensacola. That never happened.
Salzman said during the next phase of her campaign, she will be reaching out to voters to see what they want from their representative.
“I look forward to reaching out to all of the voters and finding out what are the priorities I can work on in Tallahassee,” she said.
In the Democratic primary, Mathis won with 68.20% of the vote to Barbara Schott-Shouse’s 31.80%.
Steven Barry Elected To Third Term As Escambia County District 5 Commissioner
August 19, 2020
Incumbent Escambia County District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry won a third term Tuesday.
“I am both humbled by the support of my friends and neighbors of District 5 and excited about the opportunity to continue my public service for another term. I am proud of many things that have been completed, but I understand there is a lot of work to be done,” Barry said. “We are going to keep paving dirt roads, resurfacing existing roads, and completing drainage projects.”
Barry received 54.72% of the vote. Political newcomer Megan Walters had 27.32%, and former commissioner John Reading received 17.96%. Barry returns to his seat with no Democratic opposition in November.
“The campaign has also highlighted some other major areas of concerns, including but not limited to, improving access to high-speed internet throughout the entire district, enhancing established residential areas, and prudently managing the growth continuing to come to District 5,” Barry told NorthEscambia.com Tuesday night. “I hope to make my constituents proud of my behavior as their elected county commissioner. I take the responsibility I have been given seriously and I am thrilled to start the work of the next four years, beginning tomorrow morning”
“I want to thank my beautiful wife Ellen, my entire family, and all my friends for their work and help with the campaign. With the COVID crisis, this has been a challenging campaign season and I would not have been successful without a tremendous amount of help. My thoughts and prayers are with all those who have lost loved ones during the pandemic,” Barry added. “I also want to thank my opponents for a positive, competitive campaign.”
Barry is an independent Certified Financial Planner, and has operated his small business in District 5 for nearly 20 years.
Escambia County Election Results Roundup
August 19, 2020
Here are complete unofficial results from the Primary Election in Escambia County from NorthEscambia.com.
Santa Rosa County Election Results Roundup
August 19, 2020
Here are results from the Primary Election in Santa Rosa County from NorthEscambia.com.
