Escambia County Now Offer Free Hand Sanitizer Along With Free Masks
July 29, 2020
Escambia County is now offering 10,000 bottles of hand sanitizer in addition to face masks as part of the public health campaign, “Mask Up, Escambia!”
The campaign, which began July 1, is focused on informing residents and visitors that masks are recommended by the CDC to protect others. In addition to a 2 ounce hand sanitizer bottle, the public may continue to pick up a free mask while supplies last.
The county offered 27,000 free masks to residents throughout the public health campaign and still has supply at the following locations:
- West Florida Libraries Monday through Friday 2-6 p.m.:
- Molino Branch Library
- Century Branch Library
- Tryon Branch Library
- Pensacola Library
- Genealogy Branch Library
- Southwest Branch Library
- Westside Branch Library
- Escambia County Extension, 8 a.m.to 5 p.m., 3740 Stefani Road
- Brownsville Community Center, 8 a.m.to 5 p.m., 3200 W. De Soto St.
- Ebonwood Community Center, 8 a.m.to 5 p.m., 3511 W. Scott St.
- Pensacola Beach, Tower 4 at Casino Beach or ask a lifeguard
“Escambia County is pleased to be able to offer free hand sanitizer in addition to a free mask for the public during this unprecedented time,” said Emergency Manager Eric Gilmore. “Unfortunately, it sounds like COVID-19 is not going away anytime soon we are urging the public to continue to focus on staying clean to stay healthy. The county has supplies, and we are doing everything in our power to encourage the public to ‘Mask Up’ and stay clean.”
First Century Prison Inmate Is COVID-19 Positive, 265 Inmates Held In Medical Quarantine
July 29, 2020
The first positive inmate COVID-19 case at Century Correctional Institution has been reported by the Florida Department of Corrections. A total of 16 correctional staffers have also tested positive.
There have been 14 other inmates tested since the start of the pandemic. Ten were negative and four are awaiting results. As of Tuesday, there were two inmates held in medical isolation and 265 in medical quarantine, according to FDC.
Inmates in medical quarantine are monitored by health services staff and receive temperature checks twice a day for signs of fever. If an inmate begins experiencing symptoms indicative of COVID-19, FDC will place the inmate in medical isolation and a COVID-19 test will be administered.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Broxson, Barry Encourage Citizens To Pledge To Donate Blood
July 29, 2020
Senator Doug Broxson and Escambia County are continuing to urge local residents to pledge to donate blood, especially if they are a recovered COVID-19 patient.
“Make a pledge to give blood, it is our current best hope of preventing the most vulnerable from dying,” Broxson said, “and keeping an open economy for the rest of us.”
A couple of weeks ago, Broxson appeared before the Escambia County Commission asking for them and their constituents to pledge to donate blood.
“This is a wonderful way to help support our community during this unprecedented time. I want to personally thank Senator Doug Broxson for for his leadership and for bringing Escambia County this pledge to support,” Commission Chairman Steven Barry said. “I am certain the pledge will generate many more units of donated blood and plasma in the near future, thereby saving many additional lives. I am also so proud of the participation of Escambia County employees today. One Blood had 38 total slots for donating today, and all 38 slots were filled before the bus even arrived early this morning.”
Blood and plasma donors at OneBlood must be in good health (free of allergy, flu, cold and nausea symptoms for at least three days), 16 years of age or older, weigh at least 110 pounds, be well-hydrated, eat a healthy meal within four hours before donating, and bring a form of ID.
OneBlood donation centers are located at 1999 East Nine Mile Road and 2209 North Ninth Avenue. Click here to locate upcoming blood drives near you.
OneBlood is testing all blood donations for the COVID-19 antibody. The antibody test is authorized by the FDAand will indicate if the donor’s immune system has produced antibodies to the virus, regardless of whether they ever showed symptoms. Appointments to donate are required at the donation centers, and masks are required.
Donors must be symptom free for 14 days.
Five Indicted On Murder Charges In Four Different Deaths
July 29, 2020
An Escambia County Grand Jury has returned murder indictments against five people in four different death cases.
Cantonment Adulterous Affair Murder
Gregory Paul Malarik, 57, was indicted on a charge of first degree premeditated murder with a firearm for the death of his wife. He was allegedly involved in an adulterous affair at the time of the murder. Read the complete story by clicking or tapping here.
Homeless Couple Accused Of Murder
Cody Jay Harrimon and Eugina Lynn Martorelli were indicted for the first degree premeditated murder of 62-year old Cheryl Lynn Cain of Pensacola.
Cain was murdered inside her home in the 5000 block of Yacht Harbor Drive on or about April 13, 2020.
After the murder, Harrimon and Martorelli drove the victim’s stolen car to Tulsa, Oklahoma, where they were subsequently apprehended. At the time of their arrest, the couple were in the possession of the victim’s car, her car keys, her driver’s license and her bank card. The grand jury elevated the homicide charge from second degree murder to first degree premeditated murder. Harrimon and Martorelli also face charges of grand theft, grand theft auto, and fraudulent use of a credit or debit card.
On April 24, ECSO investigators along with the help of the Tulsa Police Fugitives Warrants Task Force out of Oklahoma arrested Harrimon and Martorelli. Both suspects were taken into to custody without incident at a hotel in Tulsa, Oklahoma..
2003 Cold Case Murder
David Dale was indicted for the first degree premeditated murder of Marcus Virgin.
Virgin was reported missing in 2003. The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office continued to work the case for 17 years before DNA evidence was developed which linked the crime scene to blood belonging to the victim.
Triple Shooting With One Death
Caleb Gabriel Gladdon, 20, was indicted on charges of first degree premeditated or felony murder with a firearm and two counts of attempted first degree premeditated or felony murder with a firearm.
One March 19, 2020, Gladdon walked into a home on North 61st Avenue, proceeded to the back of the house, and fired several shots from a 9mm handgun into a bedroom. One shot killed 20-year old Jamijah McGee on the bed. Another round hit Evonne Save, McGee’s girlfriend.
On his way out of the house, Gladdon also shot Eddie Johnson, McGee’s cousin. Surveillance footage from a nearby residence and a furniture store on Mobile Highway shows a man, meeting Gladdon’s description and attire, running from the area at the time of the shooting. Gladdon was positively identified by both surviving witnesses.
The murder charge carries a maximum penalty of either death or life in state prison without parole.
Traditional, Remote Learning Or Virtual School? Here Are The Choices Made For Each Escambia School
July 28, 2020
Escambia County parents were asked to choose from three options for their child’s education when students return to class in August.
Across the school district, here’s what parents picked (definitions of each are at the end of the article):
- Traditional learning: 12,463 (34%)
- Remote Learning: 11,559 (31%)
- Virtual School: 3,481 (9%)
- Unknown: 9,753 (26%)
And here are the choices made by school:
Byrneville and Pensacola Beach elementary schools were not included in this data release because they are charter schools.
The district is attempting to contact the parents that did not make a choice by the July 20 deadline (listed as “Unknown” above). Parents can also call their child’s school to make a change in their selection.
The three options, in more detail, are:
Traditional -
This model represents a return to the school campus and the classroom where students will interact directly with their teacher(s) and classmates. If an option is not selected in FOCUS for a student, then this will be the default selection. The school day will follow the standard bell times and standard schedule that includes all the core classes and other subject areas. In short, it represents a return to the traditional school environment – with several significant changes involving enhanced health and safety precautions.
Remote Learning -
The remote learning model is designed for families who would like to maintain their connection to their enrolled school, but don’t yet feel comfortable sending their student(s) back to school in August. Students will attend school remotely, following the standard school schedule and bell times. The lessons, assignments and grading will be similar to traditional school.
Virtual School -
The virtual model is ideal for students who wish to have more control over their learning path and pace, and for whom a flexible daily schedule is important. In this learning model, students often work on assignments in a virtual environment during non-traditional hours and maintain contact with their teacher and classmates using web-based class sessions, email, text messages and telephone calls.
Escambia County Putting Inmate Crews Back To Work, Releases Inmate COVID-19 Numbers
July 28, 2020
Escambia County Corrections will stagger the redeployment of work annex staff and inmate work crews beginning Tuesday, July 28.
All six departments, including Roads, Waste Services, Parks, Facilities, Code Enforcement and Animal Services will recover a portion of the normal inmate work crews as staffing allows. The redeployment timeline may be accelerated or delayed based on the rate of return of staff to duty and the availability of inmate crews medically cleared for work.
“We are looking forward to providing services such as grounds keeping and support to the landfill, animal services, code enforcement and fleet maintenance again.” Escambia County Corrections Chief Rich Powell said. “Temperatures are taken as road crews depart and return to the facility each day, and we will continue to monitor this situation throughout this pandemic.”
Corrections received its first positive COVID-19 test result at the work annex, formerly known as the road prison on July 9. As a precaution, the medical recommendation was to suspend road crew operations that provide services throughout the county.
Cumulatively, 197 inmates have been tested at the Escambia County jail for COVID-19. As of today, July 27, there are 25 active positive cases with no medical concerns at this time. Of the 197 inmates, there were 141 positive cases (111 have been medically cleared due to the amount of time and five have been released from custody), 56 negative cases and 0 pending results. Out of the 146 Escambia County inmates housed at the Walton County jail, 29 tested positive for COVID-19.
“Escambia County Corrections is continuing to monitor the health of inmates during this pandemic,” added Chief Powell. “The jail has a rolling population of inmates coming and going. We are following our infectious disease protocol when inmates are booked into the jail, and we are monitoring the situation as if all inmates were positive in terms of observation. There is a daily medical “sick call” for inmates to access health care and the medical staff is diligently monitoring for COVID-19 symptoms. Additionally, inmates have had and will continue to have access to face masks. The health and safety or our employees and inmates continues to be a top priority during this global pandemic.”
Individuals can call the Escambia County Jail at (850) 436-9650 with questions about inmates.
First F/A-18 Super Hornet Delivered To The Blue Angels
July 28, 2020
The latest plane for the United States Blue Angels was delivered to Pensacola Monday.
Capt. Eric Doyle, director of the Blue Angels Super Hornet Transition Team, delivered the first Blue Angels F/A-18 Super Hornet to Naval Air Station Pensacola.
“We would like to especially thank the teams at Boeing, Chief of Naval Air Training Command, Naval Air Systems Command, Fleet Readiness Center Southeast, and Naval Supply Systems Command Weapons Systems Support,” said Cmdr. Brian Kesselring, commanding officer and flight leader of the Blue Angels. “The success of this mission was a direct reflection of their hard work.”
The Blue Angels are slated to transition to the F/A-18 Super Hornet later this year after using the F/A-18 Hornet for 34 years.
Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Here’s Your Chance To Express Your Opinion About The Future Of OLF-8 In Beulah
July 28, 2020
The OLF8 Master Plan project team, led by DPZ CoDesign, has officially launched their website and Facebook page, and the team is ready for your feedback.
“This OLF-8 project is really a project for the entirety of Escambia County,” said Escambia County District 1 Commissioner Jeff Bergosh. “We need citizens to bring their unique perspective to this project so that our planning team will have the best information to create something that really makes a difference in Beulah and Escambia County as a whole.”
The OLF8 Master Plan project is an Escambia County-driven initiative to turn the empty helicopter field by Navy Federal Credit Union Campus into a thriving asset for the community. The project team was selected by the Escambia County Commissioners to create a plan to maximize the opportunities for jobs and community uses on this 500 plus acre site in Beulah.
“Even though we are living in unprecedented times, that is no reason to sacrifice public input, especially on this project,” said team leader Marina Khoury, of DPZ Design. “With this website, we look forward to getting feedback from the community today, which will be very helpful for us leading up to our charrette week in September and beyond.”
At MyOLF8.com, residents can find many ways to not only learn about the project, but also how to participate as a citizen in the project planning. Learn about the team members guiding the project, read the project goals set out by the county and explore the ample opportunities to leave your own input.
“This is a really big project for Escambia County, so it’s important to us to know that the citizens will have plenty of opportunities to give their input,” said Terri Berry, Project Coordinator in the Natural Resources Management Department. “We’re excited to finally hear what the community has to say and what they want to OLF8 to be.”
The website contains an interactive online map where citizens can leave virtual “flags” with their ideas, such as what they would like to see at the location, or if they know something about the geography of a particular portion that would be of interest to the project team.
MyOLF8.com also has the ability to conduct public meetings, like charrette week, with a large virtual presence. Charrette week, which begins on September 21, is the team’s chance to sit down with members of the community to hear their concerns and their wishes for the project.
During the week, the design team will use that feedback to craft a plan for the site that creates the highest and best use for the community. At the end of the week, the team will have another large presentation where the public input-based plan is debuted. This week will also consist of smaller topic-based meetings to gather citizen ideas and feedback.
You can find the full schedule online.
Project managers said the new concerns over group meetings have pushed many citizen activities online, but with perhaps even better results.
“In the last few months, we have observed a larger virtual presence at other charrettes conducted and have seen promising results,” said Khoury. “It is our aim to be as inclusive as possible and we expect to receive more input online than we could have expected in person. The platform we are using will make it easy for anyone to leave a comment, and we will easily be able to track them.”
We May Now Know Why Mysterious Seeds Arriving In The Mail From China; Florida Is Warning Don’t Plant Them
July 28, 2020
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) is warning Floridians about unsolicited packages of seeds received through the mail. And we may now know why they are showing up in mailboxes across the country.
As of Tuesday, FDACS has received at least 631 reports from Florida residents, including some in Escambia County, reporting having received suspicious seed packages. The content of the seed packages is unknown at this time.
The USDA said Tuesday that the seeds to be part of a “brushing” scam.
“At this time, we don’t have any evidence indicating this is something other than a “brushing scam” where people receive unsolicited items from a seller who then posts false customer reviews to boost sales. USDA is currently collecting seed packages from recipients and will test their contents and determine if they contain anything that could be of concern to U.S. agriculture or the environment,” the USDA said in a statement.
“Plant seeds from unknown sources may introduce dangerous pathogens, diseases, or invasive species into Florida, putting agriculture and our state’s plant, animal, and human health at risk,” said Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried. “Anyone receiving these suspicious seed packets should not open them, should not plant them, should limit contact with them, and should report them immediately to both our department and USDA officials.”
The seed packets, which may arrive unexpectedly in packages bearing Chinese characters, may bear the name China Post, and may be labeled as jewelry, have been reported in multiple states including Alabama, Virginia, Kansas, Washington, Oklahoma, Louisiana and Utah.
Anyone receiving unsolicited seed packages from other countries should follow these directions:
When reporting the seed package to FDACS and USDA/APHIS, please be prepared to provide one’s name, physical address, phone number, and email address for contact purposes.
The introduction of plant seeds into the United States is tightly regulated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Seeds of unknown origin may constitute agricultural smuggling, may be invasive, may introduce pathogens, toxins, or plant and animal diseases, may pose a risk of foodborne illness, and may pose a threat to plant, animal, and human health. FDACS is working closely to receive guidance from the USDA and its Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), the lead regulatory body on this issue, in consultation with U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
Free Produce Box Giveaway Wednesday At Highland Baptist In Molino
July 28, 2020
A free produce distribution will be held again this Wednesday afternoon, July 29 at Highland Baptist Church in Molino.
It will take place from 5-6 p.m., or while supplies last at the church, 6240 Highway 95A in Molino. It is limited to one box per vehicle, rain or shine. The produce is being provided in conjunction with the USDA and Gulf Coast Produce.
For more information call (850) 587-5174.