Restaurants Partner With Meals On Wheels To Feed Seniors For Free
June 15, 2020
The Council on Aging of West Florida is expanding its Meals on Wheels program to cover all elderly adults 60 and over who qualify for the service, at no cost to the client.
The additional meals will be prepared by Primal Nosh and Nancy’s Catering & Events, and will be delivered to the clients’ homes as part of an initiative to help seniors during Coronavirus.
This initiative is part of a larger statewide partnership between the Department of Elder Affairs and the local elder service providers. The entities hope that this will match the needs of the business community and workers with the needs of the elderly and meal delivery services.
Locally, Council on Aging has seen about a 30% increase in demand for Meals on Wheels, as seniors are continually cautioned against venturing outside unnecessarily. Additionally, fears about supply chain interruption have fueled hoarding tendencies, leaving few options for the elderly adults who do area visit grocery stores. This expanded need for meals, coupled with restaurants’ increased need for income during the economic shortfall, will be a win-win for all parties involved, according to the Council on Aging.
“We’re very excited to offer vulnerable senior adults more nutritious options as we weather this crisis together,” said Council on Aging President/CEO John Clark. “Food is among the most fundamental of necessities, and this program will allow us to keep up with demand while providing our clients with safety during this difficult time.”
All meals delivered by local restaurants to senior adults must meet nutritional regulations set by the state, including providing one-third of the recommended daily caloric allowance for the elderly.
“We are grateful to provide homestyle, freshly made meals to our most vulnerable population, our senior citizens during this challenging time,” said Gus Silivos, chef and owner at Nancy’s.
It is projected that this program will remain through at least the end of 2020, as social distancing especially for those 60 and up continues to be recommended by local and state health departments. Senior adults interested in signing up for the expanded Meals on Wheels program should call (850) 432-1475 to complete an assessment.
Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century Health And Rehabilitation Staff Member Tests Positive For COVID-19
June 15, 2020
A staff member at Century Health and Rehabilitation has been confirmed positive for COVID-19, according the Florida Department of Health.
This is the first staff member reported positive at the facility on West Highway 4 in Century. They have recorded no positive patients and no deaths.
NorthEscambia.com gave facility Administrator Scott Berube the opportunity to explain from his point of view what that means as they face their first staff member case. Here’s what he had to say, in his own words:
“We want to express our heartfelt concern for our fellow staff member who has been diagnosed positive for coronavirus; our thoughts and prayers are with this individual and the individual’s loved ones at this difficult time.
“We are in very close communication with local and state health officials to ensure we are taking all appropriate steps. Coronavirus is a particularly dangerous virus for the elderly, which is why we have been vigilant in our efforts to keep our residents safe and taken significant measures to limit the spread of the virus.
“We have restricted visitors and our team is donning masks and using gloves in accordance with regulatory requirements, and we continue to follow CDC guidelines and adhere to all protocols for pre-screening residents prior to any admission, infection control techniques and personal protective equipment recommendations.
“We fully recognize how difficult this time is for our residents, staff and loved ones. Working in conjunction with all appropriate authorities, we are doing everything we can to minimize the risk of exposure to all of our residents and our staff and will continue to do so until the coronavirus threat has subsided.”
In mid-May, a vendor did test positive for COVID-19, but Berube said the vendor entered the facility only with full protective gear. The person was not employed at the facility.
Things We Love: This Little Flower Stand In Bratt. It’s On The Honor System.
June 15, 2020
Flowers can’t solve all problems. But they’re a great start.
There’s a new roadside flower stand in Bratt, and it’s on the honor system.
The rustic stand is located next to a corn field on Highway 4, just east of Pine Barren Road and Northview High School. When we stopped by Friday, there were fresh cut bouquets priced at $10 and $20.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Traffic Shift On Nine Mile Road; Temporary Closures At Cove And Bowman Avenues
June 15, 2020
Nine Mile Road traffic between Klondike Road and Surrey Drive will be shifted to the newly constructed eastbound roadway (one lane in each direction) this week as crews build the new westbound lanes. Westbound traffic, west of Pinecone Drive, will open to two travel lanes.
Cove Avenue north of Nine Mile Road will be closed to traffic at 7 a.m. beginning Tuesday, June 16. Drivers may use 9 1/2 Road and Bowman Avenue as an alternate route.
Additionally, Bowman Avenue north of Nine Mile Road will be closed to traffic at 7 a.m. beginning Tuesday, June 23. Ashland Avenue and Ponderosa Drive will be used as an alternate route.
The temporary closures are anticipated to take seven to 10 days, each, to complete as crews perform construction activities. Detour signs and variable message boards are in place to alert drivers.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Click graphic to enlarge.
Escambia County, Alabama, Tops 100 Positive COVID-19 Cases
June 15, 2020
The number of positive COVID-19 cases in Escambia County, Alabama, has passed 100.
The latest data from the Alabama Department of Public health shows 107 positive cases across the county as of Monday night, with 35 of those reported in the last two weeks. There have been three deaths.
NorthEscambia.com photo.
Florida Gas Prices Stalling Due To Renewed COVID-19 Concerns, AAA Says
June 15, 2020
The average Florida gas prices exceeded $2 last week for the first time since March, but for now it appears they are holding steady.
“The recent upward momentum in pump prices is beginning to stall amid renewed concerns regarding the coronavirus,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Market-watchers are beginning to worry that elevated cases of Covid-19 in Florida and some other states could result in another drop in gasoline demand. For now, gas prices should hold steady this week with the possibility of a slight decline.”
The average price of gallon in the state is $2.02, about 50 cents per gallon less than a year ago.
In Escambia County, the average price was $1.97. In North Escambia, the low price was $1.89 at a couple of Cantonment stations, while in Pensacola one station was at $1.79
Beulah Food Trucks Are Back Once Per Month. Here’s The Schedule For This Tuesday.
June 15, 2020
During the pandemic, Escambia County started allowing food trucks daily in the parking lot of the Escambia County Equestrian Center at 7550 Mobile Highway.
The schedule has been cut back to just the third Tuesday of the month. The food trucks will be at the county-owned facility from 3-7 p.m. on June 16, July 21 and August 18.
This Tuesday, June 16, the following food trucks are scheduled:
- Dr. Sno’s Shaved Ice 3-7 p.m.
- 3-D Eats & Tea Pensacola 3-7 p.m.
- Rolling Embers Wood Fired Pizza 4-7 p.m.
- Beck’s Jamaican Kitchen 4-7 p.m.
And if if you are looking for a Taco Tuesday, we’re told Beck’s Jamaican Kitchen will be serving jerk chicken tacos.
The parking lot is a large area and provides ample room for residents to adhere to all CDC social distancing protocols, according to the county. To participate as a food truck vendor, call (850) 941-6042 for a vendor application. All Equestrian Center vendor fees will be waived.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Contact Tracers Name Reason For Increase In COVID-19 Cases In Escambia County
June 14, 2020
Think of them as medical detectives, CSI for the coronavirus.
When a new COVID-19 case is diagnosed in Escambia County, the contact tracing begins — health department professionals work with patients to develop a list of everyone they have been in close contact with during a certain period.
And that contact tracing has led the Florida Department of Health in Escambia County to determine what has led to a recent increase in COVID-19 cases in Escambia County.
The reason? “Congregational living environments or habitats” — living in a household or activities such as riding together in vehicles.
“These epidemiologic investigation results reinforce how important it is for individuals to continue to practice disease prevention methods to reduce transmission of COVID-19 in Escambia County,” said FDOH-Escambia Director, Dr. John J. Lanza.
When a person tests positive for a COVID-19, a public health case investigator will work with the patient to create a list of people they’ve been in contact with during a given time frame. The contact tracing expert then contacts each of those people so that they can take appropriate precautions (getting tested, self-isolation, monitor for symptoms, etc.) and, in turn, create a list of people they’ve been in contact with as necessary. By using this strategy, contact tracers work to get ahead of infectious diseases and prevent further spread.
All public health professionals who conduct contact tracing are highly trained in confidentiality. When they talk to people who have been in contact with a patient, they do not share any information about that person under any circumstance.
Inmate Airlifted After Being Stabbed At Century Prison
June 14, 2020
A Century Correctional Institution inmate was airlifted to the hospital after being stabbed Saturday afternoon.
Escambia County Fire Rescue and Escambia County EMS were dispatched to the prison on Tedder Road just after 4 p.m. The inmate was transported by medical helicopter to a Pensacola hospital. He had reportedly been stabbed multiple times.
The Florida Department of Corrections has not released additional information as they continue their investigation.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Funeral Services Held For Former Cantonment Fire Chief
June 14, 2020
A former Cantonment fire chief has passed away.
Funeral services were held Sunday for 51-year old Johnell Vincent Smith of Cantonment.
Smith volunteered at the Cantonment Volunteer Fire Department from 1995 to 2008 and served as chief for a couple of years. On May 28, Escambia Fire Rescue presented him with a white chief’s helmet in honor of his service.
Also last month, Smith’s 12-year old son Dakota wanted to go ahead and do something special for Smith for Father’s Day, and asked for a community parade for his dad as he battled state 4 pancreatic cancer. The two sat together in a golf cart alongside Casey Lane on a May Sunday afternoon to watch as the community came together for the very special parade.
For Smith’s obituary, click here.
