Slight Downward Trend In Local COVID-19 Hospitalizations
August 6, 2020
The latest daily COVID-19 local hospitalization numbers show a decrease over the last few days.
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 have seen hospitalizations decrease for the past four days, but this does not mean we are out of the woods,” Pensacola Mayor Grover Robinson said. “Please keep taking preventative actions, including wearing a mask, social distancing and washing your hands often.”
Saturday Is The Deadline To Request A Vote By Mail Ballot
August 6, 2020
The deadline to request a mail ballot is 5 p.m. Saturday.
Voters may vote by mail using a vote-by-mail ballot, which can be requested through the online form at EscambiaVotes.gov, or by contacting the Supervisor of Elections by mail, phone (850) 595-3900, e-mail (votebymail@escambiavotes.com), or fax (850) 595-3914.
Requests must include the voter’s date of birth and the address.. Voted ballots must be received in the Elections Office no later than 7 p.m. on Election Day and may not be returned to a polling location on Election Day. Voters may now drop-off a vote-by-mail ballot during Early Voting hours at any of the nine area locations.
Early voting will be available Saturday, August 8 through Saturday, August 15 at the following locations and times:
- Supervisor of Elections Office, 213 Palafox Place, Second Floor (8 a.m. – 5 p.m.)
- Main Library, 239 Spring Street (9 a.m. – 6 p.m.)
- Molino Community Center, 6450-A Highway 95A, Molino (9 a.m. – 6 p.m.)
- Genealogy Branch Library, 5740 B, 9th Avenue (9 a.m. – 6 p.m.)
- Southwest Branch Library, 12248 Gulf Beach Highway (9 a.m. – 6 p.m.)
- Pensacola Interstate Fairgrounds, 6655 Mobile Highway (9 a.m. – 6 p.m.)
- Escambia County Extension, 3740 Stefani Road, Cantonment (9 a.m. – 6 p.m.)
- Brownsville Community Center, 3200 W. DeSoto Street (9 a.m. – 6 p.m.)
- University of West Florida Conference Center, Building 22, University Parkway (9 a.m. – 6 p.m.)
Gulf Power Crews Head To Northeast To Help Restore Power After Hurricane Isaias
August 6, 2020
Wednesday, Gulf Power crews and other resources are headed to the Northeast, where Hurricane Isaias has knocked out power to millions of customers from North Carolina to Maine. Nearly 120 Gulf Power employees and contractors left early Wednesday morning to assist with restoration efforts in the New Jersey area. Gulf Power joins its sister company, Florida Power & Light, that is supporting the same restoration effort with more than 600 employees and contractors.
“These communities need our help to get their lights back on safely and as quickly as possible, and we are honored to be able to assist – just as so many have stepped up to help us in the past,” said Marlene Santos, president of Gulf Power. “We are in unprecedented times as together utilities across the country work to restore power while also facing a global pandemic. We will continue to take every precaution to keep both our crews and the communities we will be working in safe.”
On Monday, a crew of nearly 70 Gulf Power lineworkers and support personnel returned from the West Palm Beach area where they assisted sister company FPL in restoring power to approximately 40,000 customers as the storm brushed the eastern coastline of Florida.
The crews will follow COVID-19 safety guidelines to keep everyone safe, including social distancing, increased sanitation measures and wearing masks where appropriate. In addition, the crews are planning to be self-sufficient to limit contact with other teams. Signs on trucks remind the public to honor the six feet social distancing requirements that help keep the crews safe while they work.
Groundbreaking Held In Milton For Helicopter Company, 50 New Jobs
August 6, 2020
A groundbreaking was held Wednesday for a new hanger facility in Milton that is expected to bring 50 new, high-paying jobs to the area.
The new hangar facility at Peter Prince Airport will serve as the temporary home of Leonardo Helicopters, a Philadelphia-based aviation company. In April, county commissioners gave the go-ahead for design and engineering of the hangar, warehouse, and modular office complex. Construction on the new facility is expected to begin later this month.
“Leonardo Helicopters is exactly the kind of company we had in mind when we worked with the Navy to establish the Whiting Aviation Park,” said Commissioner Don Salter. “The company is not only bringing great jobs to the area, it’s also supporting the US military’s mission, and helping fulfill our vision to become a major aviation and aerospace hub in the Southeast.”
“Today’s groundbreaking is an important milestone in our shared commitment to providing the US Navy with both the best aircraft and the best, most immediate customer support for its critical training mission,” said William Hunt, managing director of Leonardo Helicopters – US. “Together in partnership with Santa Rosa County, the new hangar at Peter Prince Airport allows us to immediately begin maintaining the fleet locally as the first aircraft are delivered from our production line and while the permanent facility at Whiting Aviation Park is under construction.”
Leonardo is under contract with the Navy to deliver and maintain up to 130 new training helicopters that will be used at NAS Whiting Field. When infrastructure funding from Triumph Gulf Coast becomes available, the company will become the first tenant of the new Whiting Aviation Park and construct a larger facility there. The interim hangar at Peter Prince Airport will then be used to incentivize other, similar companies to locate operations here.
“Santa Rosa County is central to the highest concentration of military and private-sector aviation assets you’ll find anywhere,” said Erica Grancagnolo, Santa Rosa’s associate director of economic development. “With the Whiting Aviation park coming online, we will soon have the best aviation industrial site located in the heart of the nation’s most active military flight hub.”
Grancagnolo added that Leonardo’s experience is a model for how the county intends to pursue future aviation park tenants.
“We couldn’t ask for a better proof-of-concept than to have a company like Leonardo ready to move into Whiting Aviation Park before it’s even ready for tenants,” she said. “Our elected leaders acted swiftly to approve this interim facility, which helped us land this high-paying prospect and will continue to help us close more deals in the years to come.”
Whiting Aviation Park was created in partnership with the US Navy and shares space with NAS Whiting Field, a major rotary and fixed-wing training facility. An agreement between Navy and the County allows civilian companies in the park access to both the runways and towers on the airfield. County officials are working with Triumph Gulf Coast to fund infrastructure that support the operations of multiple companies on the site.
New Flomaton Head Baseball Coach Coy Campbell Indicted On Forged Instrument, Theft, Ethics Charges
August 5, 2020
New Flomaton High School head baseball coach Coy Campbell, Jr. has been arrested after being indicted on multiple counts.
An Escambia County (AL) grand jury indicted Campbell, 50, on seven counts of possession of a forged instrument, one count of theft of property third degree and one count of an ethics violation/using position for personal gain. He surrendered to the Escambia County (AL) Sheriff’s Office and was released on a $25,000 bond.
“The charges stem from a criminal investigation into the handling of money that was collected during sporting events that took place for the school year of 2019-2020,” Escambia County Sheriff Heath Jackson said.
In April, the Escambia County (AL) School Board approved Campbell’s transfer from W.S. Neal High School in East Brewton to Flomaton High School as a physical education and driver’s education instructor. He was also named head baseball coach.
At W.S. Neal, Campbell served as head baseball coach since 2001. He was also assistant principal at the time of his transfer.
Santa Rosa Sheriff Bob Johnson Positive For COVID-19 After Attending Sheriff’s Conference
August 5, 2020
Santa Rosa County Sheriff Bob Johnson confirmed Wednesday that has tested positive for COVID-19.
Johnson attended the annual Florida Sheriffs Association Conference in Bonita Springs last week. At least five people that attended have also tested positive.
“Sheriff Johnson did attend the Sheriff’s Conference. During the conference, Sheriff Johnson followed CDC Guidelines of practicing social distancing and the utilization of PPE (mask). Just after the Sheriff’s return from the conference, he felt a bit under the weather and decided to proactively test for COVID. The test returned positive,” said Sgt. Rich Aloy, Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office public information officer.
The results of the test do not indicate where or how the virus was contracted. Our office has had members test positive before the Sheriff’s departure to the conference. More importantly, Sheriff Johnson is doing extremely well and is currently quarantined at his residence,” Aloy continued. “We want to share our thoughts and prayers to those members of our Agency who are currently having difficulties with their illnesses.”
About 60 people from across the attended the Florida Sheriffs Association Conference in person, including Gov. Ron DeSantis, Attorney General Ashley Moody, Corrections Secretary Mark Inch, incoming House Speaker Chris Sprowls and sheriffs across the state.
Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan attended the conference virtually.
Cantonment Man Facing Battery, Other Charges In Six Cases Involving His Wife, Two Other Women
August 5, 2020
A Cantonment man is facing multiple charges for six different alleged incidents including battery, burglary and other crimes involving his wife and two other women between May 5 and August 1.
Robert Lewis Bassett, Jr., age 43, was charged with two felony aggravated battery causing bodily harm, battery, two counts of criminal mischief with property damage, burglary of a residence and multiple violations of domestic violence injunctions. He remained in the Escambia County Jail without bond Wednesday.
An adult female told Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputies that Bassett punched her six or seven times in the face during a disturbance over $40 at a residence on Cedar Tree Lane. The victim, who was identified as a “friend”, suffered bleeding from the left side of her face, swollen eyes and had marks on her face and the back of her head, according to an arrest report.
In a separate incident, Bassett allegedly forced his way into a room at the Garden Inn and Suites by shoving a door into a female before punching her multiple times in the face. He then hit the woman multiple times with a wooden chair while claiming she stole $300 from him, according to arrest report.
The woman described Bassett as a former roommate that she resided with about three months prior, but they had no relationship. She suffered multiple cuts and bruises, facial swelling and a broken nose according to the ECSO. She was transported by Escambia County EMS to Sacred Heart Hospital for treatment of a concussion.
In a third incident, Bassett was reported to be in a vehicle within three feet of a vehicle belonging to his wife and her mother’s house in violation of a temporary domestic violence injunction against him.
In a fourth case, Bassett allegedly punched his ex-girlfriend in the face multiple times with a closed fist at the T&W Flea Market, removed her keys from her vehicle’s ignition and threatened to kill her.
In a fifth case, Bassett allegedly violated an domestic violence injunction by flattening the tires on his wife’s vehicle. The woman told deputies they were in the process of separation.
And in a sixth incident, Bassett was charged with violating a domestic violence order by texting his wife, “I’m on my way. I need you.”
Bassett also has pending charges in Santa Rosa County, according to Escambia County Jail records.
Preliminary Report Into Fatal Atmore Crop Duster Crash Released By NTSB
August 5, 2020
The National Transportation Safety Board has issued a preliminary report on a fatal crop duster plane crash June 16 north of Atmore.
The crash about 7:30 a.m. behind a lake house on Gideons Lake Road just north of I-65 claimed the life of Eddie Gideons, a well-loved member of the local community.
The report states:
“According to the pilot’s spouse, he departed earlier on the morning of the accident to dispense two small ‘loads.’ On his return home he called and asked her to come outside of their residence to watch the airplane fly over. She said that the airplane flew over the house before making a climb straight up. The airplane then banked to the left, rolled right, descended straight down, and she heard a loud ‘boom’ shortly thereafter.
“Two witnesses that were fishing on a nearby lake saw the airplane flying below the tree line before it climbed straight up. They said the airplane rolled and descended straight down nose first. They heard a ‘loud thud’ and then silence. The witnesses contacted emergency services and assisted local responders in finding the wreckage.”
A FAA inspector examined the plane prior its removal from the accident site and noted that the nosk, cockpit and tail area were crushed, and both wings were crushed on their edges.
The engine and propeller were impact damaged and were recovered with the airframe for further examination.
The plane was a 2013 year model Air Tractor AT-502 single turbo-prop engine crop duster. The company’s website describes the plane as the “world’s most popular ag plane”. It was registered to Wallace Flying Service, Inc. based at 1001 McMullough Road in the McCullough community north of Atmore.
NorthEscambia.com photos.
Lipscomb Elementary Counselor Named Finalist For National Magazine’s Educator Of The Year Award
August 5, 2020
A Lipscomb Elementary School counselor has been named a top four finalist for a national magazine’s Educator of the Year Award.
Patricia Swanz-Reiners was named a finalist for the award to be presented by Reinvented Magazine. She was nominated by Angela Cleveland, the director of NCWIT (National Center for Women & Information Technology) Counselors for Computing Program. The two met at the annual National Math and Science Initiative annual conference last year. Swanz-Reiners’ participation in last year’s NMSI conference built relationships that provided the opportunity to present to various groups. She became a Counselor Consultant with Counselors for Computing and has been presenting virtually in several states since the pandemic closed schools in the spring.
“Swanz-Reiners was the counselor representative on the ECSD (Escambia County School District) team last year and it was the initial year that NMSI offered a week on coding and computer science. We spent the week in sessions specific to our areas and NCWIT was the leader in the group for counselors. Pati has stayed involved with her NCWIT contacts and she traveled to speak at events and she has presented at a couple of NCWIT virtual events,” explained Lauren Thurman from ECSD’s Instructional Technology Professional Development Department.
“Part of my presentation to other school counselors includes talking about the Grant for Excellence which Lipscomb received from the Escambia County Public Schools Foundation for a program we call Google Expedition: Voyage into the Unknown,” said Swanz-Reiners. She worked with Thurman to present the Expedition to Lipscomb’s students last year.
“Google Expedition incorporates both virtual and augmented reality and challenges students to not only be consumers of technology, but also producers of technology. By introducing new opportunities that engage our students in cutting edge technology, we are leveling the educational playing field for all students. We are providing equity in the classroom regardless of the student’s socioeconomic status, race, or gender.”
“Being recognized as a finalist gives me the opportunity to highlight the importance of the work I am doing in my school, that many of us are doing in our school district, and the work I am doing with so many other school counselors,” said Swanz-Reiners when she learned to the Education of the Year Award nomination.
Reinvented Magazine has a single mission in mind, she explained. Their mission is to reinvent the general perception of women in STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) while inspiring interest in STEM for young women worldwide. “The Educator of the Year award recognizes the critical role that K-12 educators have in sparking an early interest in STEM and opening opportunities for young people, especially those underrepresented in the field,” Swanz-Reiners said.
“Being selected as one of 20 finalists from around the world is an honor that elevates the role of educators who are impacting change in their sphere of influence and serving as a role model of how we can integrate inclusive strategies to engage more students in STEM with creativity, advocacy, and collaboration,” said Swanz-Reiners. ”Finding out I was in the top four finalists was so exciting! It truly is an honor to be among amazing women who are doing great things in the world and making it a better place for all of our students, especially our girls. It was thrilling.”
Reinvented Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that aspires to break barriers and aid the movement to get more girls involved in STEM by creating the nation’s first print magazine for women in STEM.
Meet Maple, K-9 Cop Sniffing Out Computer Criminals
August 5, 2020
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s police dog Maple has been been on the job for a little over a year, sniffing out electronic storage devices hidden by suspects in an effort to conceal their crimes — everything from child pornography to terrorism.
“The work of this 4-year-old rescue cannot be overstated. Because of Maple, there is no doubt we found devices that we otherwise would not have,” said FDLE Pensacola Special Agent in Charge Jack Massey. “Thanks to Maple and the dedication of Special Agent Cassidy, our community is safer.”
During her first year, Maple has been deployed 34 times assisting FDLE as well as federal and local agencies. She is FDLE’s only canine that can sniff out the electronic storage devices and one of only two in the Pensacola area. To date, Maple has found 73 concealed devices in closets, door frames, shoes and vehicles.
Her handler is FDLE Special Agent Stephanie Cassidy, who is assigned to the cyber squad. Agent Cassidy trained Maple to sniff out anything that can digitally store information like USB drives, hidden cameras, computers, thumb drives, cell phones, CDs and DVDs.
Pictured: Florida Department of Law Enforcement K-9 Maple and her handler Special Agent Stephanie Cassidy. Maple sniffs out electronic storage devices. Photos courtesy Al Showers/WEAR 3 for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
