Community Health COVID-19 Testing Wednesday In Cantonment For Any Age
August 25, 2020
Community Health Northwest Florida will provide COVID-19 testing Wednesday in Cantonment.
The drive-thru testing will be available Wednesday from 9 a.m. until noon at Community Health Northwest Florida Cantonment Pediatrics at 470 South Highway 29. Community Health plans to hold the testing each Wednesday until further notice.
The testing is for Escambia County (FL) residents only. There is no pre-screening required, and the testing is available for any age regardless of symptoms.
Testing will be provided weather permitting while supplies last. Participants should bring a photo identification and an insurance card (if insured).
Pictured: Community Health Northwest Florida COVID-19 testing in Century on May 13. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Showers Possible Tuesday Night
August 25, 2020
For the latest tropical update, click here.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 7pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 74. East wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Wednesday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 90. Heat index values as high as 106. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 75. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 89. South wind 5 to 15 mph.
Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 75. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 88. South wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 75. South wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 88. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Saturday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74.
Sunday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 88. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73.
Monday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 88. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74.
Tuesday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 89.
Thomas: All Things Considered, Monday Was A Good First Day Of School In Escambia County
August 24, 2020
Monday was probably the most unique first day of school ever in Escambia County. But all things considered, Superintendent Malcolm Thomas said it was a good day, from masks and social distancing to distance learning from home.
“It was a pretty good day,” Thomas told NorthEscambia.com Monday afternoon. “The weather held off at the right points.”
And he said the district’s numbers on students choosing in-person, remote learning and virtual school were about on par with projections.
“Attendance in-person was about what we expected; most of those came back that said they were coming back,” he said. “There was some shifting, but that was expected.”
The new normal of face masks and social distancing went well on the first day students were back in an Escambia County classroom since before Spring Break.
“I visited nine schools Monday. Most of the students wore masks when they were getting off the bus or when they could not social distance,” he said. “I thought it went rather well and according to plans. There were no kids that showed up sick. Parents have to help us this year and not send their kids to school with they have a fever or a cough; with parents’ help we will do well.”
Some students that chose one of the at home options had a few internet connectivity problems on Monday, Thomas said, but those problems were outside the district’s control.
“If you have four kids all trying to learn online at the same time, that can become a little bit of problem with slower broadband speeds,” Thomas said, noting that the Florida Virtual School did have downtime Monday, but that’s not operated by the district.
Pictured above: The first day of school at Kingsfield Elementary School. Pictured below: The first day of school for a distance learner in Escambia County. Parent submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
This Is The Latest Update On Marco And Laura
August 24, 2020
THIS STORY IS OUTDATED. SEE NORTHESCAMBIA.COM FOR THE LATEST WEATHER INFORMATION.
Marco and Laura continue on their path toward the northern Gulf Coast.
Locally, North Escambia can expect a few inches of rain and breezy conditions through Monday due to Tropical Storm Marco’s pending landfall in Louisiana. The greatest potential for heavy rainfall and flash flooding will be across coastal sections of Alabama and the western Florida panhandle. Additional rainfall totals of 2 to 4 inches will be possible with local isolated amounts up to 7 inches. A threat of tornadoes continues in Northwest Florida.
There is a high risk of rip currents continues through Friday. Surf heights ramp up to 5-7 feet today. Surf heights will go down slightly tonight, but we expect another bump in the surf on Tuesday evening (at least 6-8 feet) through Wednesday due to Tropical Storm Laura passing to our south, probably as a hurricane.
Laura will turn more to the northwest as it moves toward the northwest Gulf Coast by late Wednesday night or early Thursday. Laura is expected to intensify into a hurricane as it moves through the Gulf (potentially a strong hurricane). If Laura continues on the forecast track, impacts no local impacts are expected.The latest specific information on both storms is the graphics on this page.
Just Over Half Of Escambia Students Returning To Traditional School; Others Are Remote, Virtual
August 24, 2020
Just over half of the the students in Escambia County are returning to a traditional brick and mortar school on this first day of classes.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, parents were presented with three options for their child’s education — traditional, remote learning or virtual school (in-depth explanations of each are at the end of this story).
According to the latest data from the Escambia County School District provided by Superintendent Malcolm Thomas late Friday afternoon, 54.6% of students chose traditional school, 38.8% chose remote learning and 6.6% picked virtual school.
Here are the choices made by school:
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.
Rain And Thunderstorms
August 24, 2020
For the latest tropical update, click here.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Monday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74. Northeast wind around 10 mph. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Tuesday: Showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. High near 87. East wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Tuesday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74. East wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 86. Southeast wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Wednesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
Thursday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 88. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Friday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 89. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74.
Saturday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 88. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73.
Sunday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 87. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Monday: 63 New COVID-19 Positives, No Deaths In Escambia, Santa Rosa
August 24, 2020
THIS STORY IS OUTDATED. SEE NORTHESCAMBIA.COM FOR THE LATEST INFORMATION.
There were 61 new COVID-19 positives and no deaths reported in the two county region on Monday, according to the Florida Department of Health.
Escambia County cases increased by 42 to 10,832. An additional 19 cases brought the Santa Rosa County total to 4,462.
Of the 689 tests results returned on Sunday in Escambia County, 5% were positive, and 7.3% were positive from 216 tests in Santa Rosa County. Over the past week, the overall average positivity rate for Escambia County is 8.2%.
There were 137 COVID-19 patients currently hospitalized in Escambia County as of Sunday, according to data from the three local hospitals.
Of the 171 deaths in Escambia County, 84 have been long-term care facility residents or staff. There have been 54 deaths in Santa Rosa County, at least seven of those at the Blackwater River Correctional Facility and nine in a long-term care facilities.
Statewide, there were 602,829 cases including 596,511 Florida residents. There have been 36,596 hospitalizations* and 10,325 deaths. The Florida Department of Health does not have a clear standard or definition of “recovered” and does not report a number of recovered individuals.
Escambia County cases:
Total cases — 10,832 (+42 since Saturday)
Non-Florida residents — 967
Pensacola —7,920 (+34)
Century — 899
—-including 763 Century prison inmates
Cantonment — 750 (+2)
Molino— 121
McDavid — 62
Walnut Hill — 15
Bellview — 11
Gonzalez — 7
Perdido Key — + (+1)
Current hospitalizations: 137 (-8)
Deaths — 171
Male — 4,791
Female — 4,979
Youngest — 0
Oldest — 105
Median Age — 39
Santa Rosa County cases:
Total cases — 4,462 (+19 since Saturday)
Non-Florida residents — 39
Milton — 2,440 (+7)
Gulf Breeze — 647 (+3)
Navarre — 547 (+2)
Pace — 340
Jay — 121 (+2)
Bagdad — 9
Cumulative Hospitalizations — 245*
Deaths — 54
Male — 2,501
Female — 1,914
Youngest — 2 months
Oldest — 101
Median Age — 40
Florida cases:
Total cases — 602,289
Florida residents — 596,511
Deaths — 10,397
Hospitalizations — 36,468*
*“Hospitalizations” in the statewide and Santa Rosa County totals is a count of all laboratory confirmed cases in which an inpatient hospitalization occurred at any time during the course of illness. These people may no longer be hospitalized. This number does not represent the number of COVID-19 positive persons currently hospitalized. The FDOH does not provide a count of patients currently hospitalized. The Escambia County number is current data compiled each day from the local hospitals.
**Data Sources: Florida Department of Health, Escambia County, City of Pensacola, local hospitals.
Young Marines Honor Memory Of Fallen Marine LCpl. Travis Nelson
August 24, 2020
The Young Marines of Pensacola honored a hero over the weekend in Bratt.
LCpl. Travis Nelson was killed in action on August 18, 2011, while conducting combat operations in in Helmand province, Afghanistan. Nelson, a former member of the Young Marines, had turned 19 just 13 days before his death and had been in Afghanistan for about a month.
The Young Marines of Pensacola is dedicated to ensuring that he is is never forgotten.
Nelson attended Bratt Elementary School from the first through fifth grades and Ernest Ward Middle School through the seventh grade. His family then moved to Pace, where he attended Pace High School.
The ceremony was held at the Travis Nelson Park in Bratt, which features a memorial and is dedicated to Nelson.
Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century Prison Inmate Murdered By Another Inmate
August 24, 2020
The death of a Century Correctional Institution inmate is being investigated as murder.
On August 17, inmate Nelson J. Sanderson was pronounced deceased on August 17 as the result of an apparent inmate on inmate assault at CCI, the Florida Department of Corrections (FDC) said.
The FDC confirmed Friday afternoon to NorthEscambia.com that an active homicide investigation is underway by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the FDC Office of Inspector General.
“The safe and secure operation of Florida’s correctional institutions is the Department of Corrections’ top priority. Every inmate death is thoroughly investigated by law enforcement and the Department’s Office of Inspector General to ensure independent oversight and absolute accountability at all levels,” FDC said in an email.
“The Florida Department of Corrections is committed to providing for the safety and wellbeing of all inmates in custody. Inmates who cause harm to others are held accountable for their actions. This includes administrative sanctions, placement in restrictive housing and criminal charges if applicable. This is done for the safety of staff and other inmates,” FDC concluded.
In 2016, Sanderson was serving two life sentences out of Lee County for the lewd and lascivious molestation of a child less than 12-years old.
Former Escambia County Assistant Administrator Larry Newsom Has Passed Away
August 24, 2020
Former Escambia County Assistant Administrator Larry Newsom passed away Sunday afternoon. He was 56.
Newsom was serving as city manager in Flagler Beach.
“This is a profound loss for our family here in Flagler Beach. Our saddened hearts are with Lisa during this most trying of times and our community will miss Larry’s dedication to our City” stated Jane Mealy, Chairperson of the Flagler Beach City Commission.
Newsom resigned from Escambia County in late 2014.
During his tenure at Escambia County, Newsom served as interim county administrator in 2010 after the non-renewal of Bob McLaughlin’s contract, after the firing of Administrator Randy Oliver in 2012, and beginning in December 2013 until the resignation and then passing of George Touart. He served until Jack Brown was hired as adminstratorin April 2014.
When not serving in an administrator position, Newsom worked as the manager of the Escambia County Transportation and Traffic Division.
Newsom began his tenure with the City of Flagler Beach in January 2016 and his leadership help guide the city through hurricanes Matthew, Irma and Dorian.
Pictured top: Larry Newsom (left) speaks during a Molino public forum in 2014 as District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry (right) listens. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.