38 More Escambia County Jail Inmates Test Positive For COVID-19
July 5, 2020
Sunday morning, the Escambia County Jail reported 38 new COVID-19 cases among inmates that were identified for testing by contract tracing.
Of 44 inmates that have been tested, there were the 38 positives, four negative and two that are awaiting results. The county said all of those that have tested positive have not presented any medical concerns.
None of the inmates who have tested positive are are presenting medical concerns. Two of the units in the jail have been turned into isolation zones to house the inmates who have tested positive to try to prevent the further spread of the virus.
On Thursday, the jail reported three positive inmates and 12 infected correctional officers with 13 waiting for their results. Sunday, Escambia County said there were still only 12 positive correctional officers, but did not specify if the 13 others had received their results. The officers are all quarantined at home. The corrections department has 575 employees.
“We are doing everything in our power to keep inmates and employees as safe as possible during this global pandemic,” Escambia County Corrections Chief Rich Powell said. “Our medical staff assured me that none of these inmates are presenting medical concerns at this time. Our priority remains the safety and health of our inmates and employees as we follow our infectious disease processes and CDC guidelines. We are continuing to work with the Florida Department of Health for guidance, and masks are available for all inmates, which we are strongly encouraging them to wear.”
Individuals can call the Escambia County Jail at (850) 436-9650 with questions about inmates.
One Of These 27 People Will Be The Next Escambia County School Superintendent
July 5, 2020
There were 27 people that submitted their application to be the next superintendent of the Escambia County School District.
In November 2018, Escambia County citizens voted to move from an elected to an appointed superintendent. Malcolm Thomas, the current elected superintendent, will retire in November.
Two of the candidates for the job are current Escambia County residents.
Keith Leonard of Cantonment is the current assistant superintendent of Human Resource Services and spent 13 years as the Escambia County School District director of Human Resource Services.
Claudia Williams of Pensacola has worked for the Escambia County School District for about 32 years and is currently a guidance counselor at Judy Andrews/Success Academy. She is a former District 3 board member and campaigned unsuccessfully for superintendent in 2004, 2008 and 2012.
An appointed Superintendent Search Citizens Advisory Committee will name semi-finalists in July, followed by finalists in mid-August. According to a school district timeline, finalists will be interviewed in late August. A special board meeting to select the new superintendent will be held September 1.
The start date for the new superintendent is set for November 17. The salary range is $145,000 to $175,00 a year.
The applicants are listed below in the order in which their applications were received. Tap or click on any applicant’s name to load their resume and application information in pdf format.
- Dr. Peri-Anne Chobot
- Dr. Terry L. Nelson
- Leigh Ann McCray
- Paul Grimaud
- Dr. Wayne Alexander
- Marques L. Stewart
- Dr. Andrei E. Ghelman
- Dr. Greg S. Shull
- Dr.. Raymond L. Bryant, Jr.
- Adam M. Taylor
- Dr. David M. Schmittou
- Dr. Michelle E. James
- Dr. Earl Johnson
- Dr. John Millay
- Dr. Monica Henson
- Dr. Debra L. Fountain
- Keith C. Rittel
- Dr. Timothy A. Smith
- Keith Leonard
- Dr. BrianT. Binggeli
- Dr. Brian J. Boggs
- Dr. Sumita SenGupta
- Dr. Vincent F. Cotter
- Dr. Robert E. Schiller
- Dr. Christopher R. Quinn
- Christopher N. Ruszkowski
- Claudia S. Williams
Searchable Escambia County Employee Salary Database Is Now Live
July 5, 2020
A new Escambia County employee salary database is now live on the county’s website.
The salaries of those employed by government agencies are public record in Florida because they are paid using public funds. The State of Florida has had a salary database live for some time.
To access the Escambia County Employee Wages searchable database, click or tap here.
All 87 pages of the database can be browsed, searched by name or viewed by department from fiscal year 2018 or FY 2019.
International Paper Accepting Applications For $65K In Community Grants. The Deadline Is Monday.
July 5, 2020
International Paper Pensacola Mill will award $65,000 in grants in 2020.
Applications will be accepted at www.ipgiving.com through Monday, July 6. In 2019, the foundation awarded $65,000 in grants to area non-profit organizations (list is below).
The International Paper Foundation makes sustainable investments to address critical needs in the communities where its employees live and work.
Signature Causes include:
- Education – Programs focused on helping children succeed via a comprehensive approach to education. Priority is given to literacy programs from birth through 3rd grade.
- Hunger – Programs dedicated to improving food security throughout our communities.
- Health & Wellness – Programs that promote healthy living habits.
- Disaster Relief – Programs that help communities prepare for and recover from natural disasters.
Funding also is available to address environmental initiatives (forests, water and air), employee involvement grants and other critical community needs.
Eligibility
Applicants must be a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization or qualifying federal entity to apply for a grant. To be considered, organizations must have a program that addresses critical community needs and have measureable objectives to demonstrate impact. Details on grant eligibility, guidelines and restrictions are available at www.ipgiving.com.
Application Process & Procedures
An eligible non-profit organization with a program in an area that the foundation supports must apply online by visiting http://www.ipgiving.com. Applications are routed to the local IP facility and must be completed in its entirety to be considered. If you have questions about the grant guidelines or process, contact Whitney Fike at (850) 968-3076 or via email at whitney.fike@ipaper.com.
Local International Paper Foundation grant award winners in 2019 were:
- Autism Pensacola – Kids For Camp Summer Learning Lab
- Bright Bridge Ministries – Cold Storage, Warm Hearts
- Capstone Adaptive Learning – Tell Me Early Learning Literacy Program
- Council On Aging Of West Florida – Ways To Go Green Project
- Creative Learning Academy – Strengthening Literacy by Empowering Young Readers
- Ernest Ward Middle School – Pollinators Promote Sustainability and Hydroponics
- Escambia County 4-H Foundation – Escambia County 4-H Team Challenge Course
- Escambia County Public Schools Foundation – Grants for Excellence
- Every Child A Reader – Books for the Break
- Feeding The Gulf Coast – Weekend Backpacks for Children at Carver Park
- Gulf Coast Kid’s House – Getting Families Back Together
- Institute For Human And Machine Cognition (IHMC) – Hands-On Science Saturday
- Jim Allen Elementary School – Leveled Readers Lead The Way to Literacy
- Kingsfield Elementary – Flocabulary for Fundamental Fabulous Readers
- Manna Food Bank – Healthy Kids Initiative
- Molino Park Elementary School – Classroom Literacy Leap
- Navarre Beach Sea Turtle Conservation Center – Light Boxes and Educational Displays
- Pace Band Boosters – Pace Band Polish and Shine
- Pensacola Children’s Chorus – Inaugural Preparatory Choir
- Pensacola Little Theatre – Teaching an Old Dog New (Dramatic) Tricks
- Pensacola Mess Hall – Questioning Corner
- Pensacola State College Foundation – PSC Milton Campus Food Pantry
- Chain Reaction – Teens Impacting Literacy and Learning
- Quintette Community Park Association – Senior Citizen and Youth Programs
- Ronald McDonald House Charities Of Northwest Florida – Home for Dinner Program
- Studer Community Institute – Brain Bags
- The Arc Gateway – Tools For Developmental Screening: Helping All Children Be Ready for Kindergarten
- United Way of West Florida – Born Learning Trail
- University of West Florida Foundation – Argo Pantry, Community Garden, National Writing Project and B.E.S.T. Robotics Competition
Pictured: 2019 IP grant recipients Ernest Ward Middle School (top), Molino Park Elementary School (below), Feeding the Gulf Coast (second below), Escambia County 4-H Foundation (third below) and the Ronald McDonald House (bottom). Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
These Are This Week’s Road Construction Trouble Spots
July 5, 2020
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads and projects Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.
In preparation for the Independence Day holiday weekend, there will be no lane closures or other activities that impede traffic on state roads beginning at 12:01 a.m. Friday, July 3, and ending 12:01 a.m. Monday, July 6.
Escambia County:
- · Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement- Bridge construction may require the following lane closures beginning Monday, July 6 from 12:01 a.m. to 5 a.m. and resume nighttime lane closures from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday through Sunday.
o Intermittent east and westbound lane closures on U.S. 98 east and westbound, from North 14th Avenue in Pensacola to 2,000-feet east of the Pensacola Bay Bridge in Gulf Breeze.
o Intermittent lane closures on North 17th Avenue in Pensacola between U.S. 98 and the CSX Railroad overpass (Graffiti Bridge).
- U.S. 29 Widening from Interstate 10 (I-10) to Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90)– Motorists traveling Nine Mile Road at the U.S. 29 Overpass and U.S. 29 traffic between I-10 and 9 1/2 Mile Road may experience alternating lane shifts or closures as crews continue drainage and paving operations.
- Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90) Widening from Beulah Road to Pine Forest Road (S.R. 297)- A portion of the I-10 off-ramp that connects to the Nine Mile Road (Exit 5) westbound remains closed. Drivers can continue to access Nine Mile Road east and westbound using the other section of the ramp. The partial ramp closure is needed to reconstruct the ramp.
- · Perdido Key Drive (S.R. 292) Pedestrian Crosswalk Construction at Flora-Bama- The signal will become operational Monday, July 6 around 10 a.m. There are no scheduled nighttime lane closures.
- · East Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90A) Construction Activities at Shoppes– Motorists will encounter westbound lane closures from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Tuesday, July 7 through Thursday, July 9 as crews perform ditch grading, driveway connection, and roadway work.
- · Bayou Boulevard (S.R. 296) Drainage Improvements at the intersection of Perry Avenue- The southbound lane will be closed at the intersection of Perry Avenue weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. until Friday, July 10.
- · U.S. 29 Resurfacing from south of County Road (C.R.) 184 (Muscogee Road) to S.R. 97 (Atmore Highway)- Motorists can expect intermittent daytime lane restrictions as crews continue construction activities at various locations. There will also be intermittent and alternating nighttime lane restriction at the intersection of U.S. 29 and Muscogee Road/Becks Lake Road.
- · Michigan Avenue (S.R. 296) at Mobile Highway and Memphis Avenue- Construction activities have begun on the safety improvements. The contractor will be working during daytime hours. Nighttime lane closures are possible.
- · Mobile Highway (U.S. 90) Intersection Improvements at New Warrington Road
(S.R. 295) – Construction activities are underway. Drivers can expect lane closures between 9:30 p.m. and 6 a.m.
Santa Rosa County:
- · Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement - Bridge construction may require the following lane closures beginning Monday, July 6 from 12:01 a.m. to 5 a.m. and resume nighttime lane closures from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday through Sunday.
o Intermittent lane closures on U.S. 98 east and westbound, from North 14th Avenue in Pensacola to 2,000-feet east of the Pensacola Bay Bridge in Gulf Breeze.
o Intermittent lane closures on North 17th Avenue in Pensacola between U.S. 98 and the CSX Railroad overpass (Graffiti Bridge).
- · S.R. 4 Resurfacing and Drainage Improvements from the Escambia River Bridge to Market Road (C.R. 87A) in Jay –There will be a slow-moving vehicle used to perform striping operations. There will also be intermittent shoulder closures throughout the project.
- · U.S. 90 Pavement Marking Operations from Avalon Boulevard (S.R. 281) to the Okaloosa County Line-Motorists can expect minor delays Sunday through Thursday from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. until Thursday, Aug. 27 as slow-moving vehicles are used to perform pavement marking operations.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Pictured: New entrance and exit ramps recently opened at Nine Mile Road and Highway 29. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Local Farmers Eligible For Assistance After Alabama Counties Declared Drought Disaster Areas
July 5, 2020
Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue designated two Alabama counties as primary natural disaster areas. Producers in Baldwin and Mobile counties who suffered losses due to recent drought, may be eligible for U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) emergency loans.
Producers in the contiguous Alabama counties of Clarke, Escambia, Monroe, and Washington, along with Escambia County, Florida, and George, Greene, and Jackson counties in Mississippi, are also eligible to apply for emergency loans.
This natural disaster designation allows FSA to extend much-needed emergency credit to producers recovering from natural disasters. Emergency loans can be used to meet various recovery needs including the replacement of essential items such as equipment or livestock, reorganization of a farming operation or the refinance of certain debts.
The deadline to apply for these emergency loans is Feb. 10, 2021.
FSA will review the loans based on the extent of losses, security available and repayment ability.
Pictured: This map shows drought conditions across the area in mid-May. NorthEscambia.com graphic.
Local Earns Wings Of Gold At Whiting Field
July 5, 2020
Lt.j.g. Lucas J. Zalar earned his wings of gold at Naval Air Station Whiting Field recently.
“Growing up in Pensacola definitely had an influence on me,” Zalar recalls.
“Between the Blue Angels shows, and the TH-57s that would fly low over Pensacola Beach, it would always make me think about how cool it would be to fly for a living.”
While the influence of his hometown was apparent, Zalar had even more influence at home. “My father who is still active duty was prior enlisted in the Air Force then became a Navy officer. Therefore, growing up I always had a strong affiliation and appreciation for the military.”
Being able to observe the opportunities and camaraderie that come from military service in his father all but assured his own desire to serve. While Zalar knew he wanted to serve, he went back and forth about whether naval aviation was right for him. In the end, he remarks that he was “lucky enough” to be selected as a student naval aviator (SNA) and given the chance to earn his wings of gold as a Navy pilot.
Zalar enrolled in the U.S. Naval Academy, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in quantitative economics, graduating and commissioning in 2018. His days of being a student would be far from over, however, because after commissioning Zalar went to NAS Pensacola for Aviation Preflight Indoctrination (API). API is an intensive ground-school portion of flight training that takes place prior to SNA’s getting inside the cockpit of military aircraft.
Following API, Zalar began primary flight training in Training Squadron Six (VT-6), flying the T-6B Texan II onboard NAS Whiting Field. Zalar continued his training at NAS Whiting Field after being selected for helicopter advanced training, flying the TH-57 Sea Ranger in Helicopter Training Squadron Eighteen (HT-18).
“The experiences that we are able to participate in during flight school and the Navy in general are things that many people dream of doing but never will in their lifetime,” Zalar stated. 2
“Whether it be flying aerobatics in primary, using night vision goggles to fly your own route in advanced, traveling, and the friendships that I have made, these experiences are hard to find in any other occupation. Though these opportunities require a lot of training and are not just given to us, they make the hard work worth it,” he said.
Zalar is headed to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 2 (HSC-2), the “Fleet Angels,” to learn to fly the MH-60S.
“I am excited to be able to use the skills I have been developing as a pilot to actually complete the missions we train for in support of our nation’s goals,” Zalar remarked on his future in the Fleet.
Zalar plans on making a career for himself in the Navy, but one thing that he has become accustomed to in aviation training is the necessity to adapt when life throws curveballs. “Whether it be the flight schedule, a flight plan, or weekend plans, things are constantly changing on short notice and you need to be prepared and adapt.”
While some aspects of the future may be cloudy, there are some certainties for Zalar. “At the end of the day, I just hope to be the best officer and Navy pilot I can be so whenever I walk away from the service, I will leave it knowing I made a positive impact,” he commented.
Fireworks Sales Skyrocket After Florida Legalizes Use For The Fourth. And The Pandemic Means More Business Too.
July 4, 2020
Business has been brisk this year at an Alabama roadside fireworks store west of Atmore, less than a mile north of Florida line.
A year ago, it was illegal to set off many types of fireworks Florida. But this year is different, after Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a new law that allows fireworks of any kind to be used on July 4, December 31 and January 1. Not just the sparklers, noisemakers and the like Floridians have been restricted to for years, but real fireworks that explode or shoot into the sky.
“Class ‘C’ consumer fireworks are legal now for the Fourth,” Fireworks Distributors owner Greg Odom said. “That means anything in the store is legal in Florida for the Fourth of July.”
That new Florida law has led to an uptick in sales to customers to both Florida and Alabama for Odom, but so has the COVID-19 pandemic that has many people not wanting to be out in crowds. And the cancellation of most area public fireworks shows has meant even more business.
“This season has been phenomenal; I’ve never seen anything like it,” Odom said. “People don’t want to get out in crowds. They would rather stay home. Families want to be families again.”
Odom’s fireworks store is located at the corner of Highway 31 and Pineville Road. He said they are offering masks to customers and working to follow recommended CDC guidelines.
The new law signed by DeSantis does not supersede any local regulations governing fireworks.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
IP: Supposed Noose Found At Mill In Cantonment Was Just A Rope Used To Hold Cables
July 4, 2020
International Paper has determined that a supposed noose found at their mill in Cantonment last month was not a noose but simply a rope used in the industrial setting.
A third party investigative team found the rope was used to hold up cables but had been knocked down by a storm.
“The team discovered photographs from as far back as 2012 that showed the rope was used to elevate cables that were knocked to the ground by a storm,” IP Director of Marketing Thomas Ryan told NorthEscambia.com in an email. “The team ultimately found no evidence of racist conduct or intent. The company remains committed to creating and maintaining a diverse workforce and a workplace where all employees feel welcomed and able to contribute their best every day.”
He said more than 60 employees and contractors were interviewed during the investigation.
“The knot on the end of the rope was a ‘heaving line knot’, typically used to add weight so it could be thrown. The loop and the heaving line knot were not attached, and therefore, it was determined not to be a noose,” IP found. A graphic provided by IP is below.
In a statement issued in June after the rope was alleged by some to be a noose, IP said in a statement to NorthEscambia.com, “We do not tolerate threatening acts, racism, or bigotry. We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive culture where individuals feel valued and engaged and have the opportunity to contribute their best every day.”
Pictured top: The original reader submitted image from June. Pictured below: Graphic submitted July 3 by IP. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
LEO Wives Hang ‘Hearts For Heroes’ At Escambia, Santa Rosa Sheriff’s Offices
July 4, 2020
The Northwest Florida LEO Wives hung “hearts for heroes” at the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office to show their support and appreciation. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
