Thursday: Nine New COVID-19 Deaths, 134 Cases In Two County Area
August 20, 2020
THIS STORY IS OUTDATED. SEE NORTHESCAMBIA.COM FOR THE LATEST INFORMATION.
There were nine new COVID-19 deaths reported Thursday in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties and 134 total new cases, according to the Florida Department of Health.
The Escambia County deaths were men ages 46, 48, 64, and 79, and two men both age 63. One was a long-term care facility resident. The Santa Rosa deaths were women ages 30 and 66, and a 79 year-old man.
Escambia County cases increased to 10,595. An additional 38 cases brought the Santa Rosa County total to 4,341.
Of the 1,304 tests results returned on Wednesday in Escambia County, 6.8% were positive, and 8.9% were positive from 390 tests in Santa Rosa County. Over the past week, the overall average positivity rate for Escambia County is 10.6%.
There were 163 COVID-19 patients currently hospitalized in Escambia County as of Wednesday, according to data from the three local hospitals.
Of the 170 deaths in Escambia County, 84 have been long-term care facility residents or staff. There have been 50 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 588,407 cases including 582,407 Florida residents. There have been 35,650 hospitalizations* and 10,049 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 — 10,595 (+96 since Wednesday)
Non-Florida residents — 943
Pensacola —7,742 (+79)
Century — 889 (+5)
—-including 761 Century prison inmates
Cantonment — 735 (+4)
Molino— 119
McDavid — 58 (+4)
Walnut Hill — 15
Bellview — 11
Gonzalez — 7
Perdido Key — 5
Current hospitalizations: 163 (+5)
Deaths — 170 (+6)
Male — 4,695
Female — 4,858
Youngest — 0
Oldest — 105
Median Age — 39
Santa Rosa County cases:
Total cases — 4,341 (+38 since Wednesday)
Non-Florida residents — 40
Milton — 2,375 (+12)
Gulf Breeze — 637 (+10)
Navarre — 526 (+9)
Pace — 333 (+3)
Jay — 115 (+1 data adjustment)
Bagdad — 9
Cumulative Hospitalizations — 239*
Deaths — 53 (+3)
Male — 2,4443
Female — 1,851
Youngest — 2 months
Oldest — 101
Median Age — 40
Florida cases:
Total cases — 588,602
Florida residents — 582,407
Deaths — 10,049
Hospitalizations — 35,650*
*“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.
Charges Dropped Against Protester Carried Across Pensacola Bay Bridge On SUV’s Hood
August 20, 2020
Charges have been dropped against the protester carried three miles across the Pensacola Bay Bridge on the hood of a SUV.
Jason Uphaus of the 800 block of South Highway 29 was originally charged with disorderly conduct and criminal mischief.
State Attorney Bill Eddins said that probable cause existed for an arrest, there is insufficient evidence to proceed with the case.
“The charges in this case arose out of an incident that occurred at the foot of the Pensacola Bay Bridge during a demonstration. The victim in this case has failed lo cooperate or communicate with this office during our investigation of this matter. Based on the victim’s lack of cooperation as well as the facts and circumstances of this case, there is insufficient evidence to prove these charges beyond a reasonable doubt,” Eddins said.
One June 6, group of protesters had walked the short distance from the Graffiti Bridge on 17th Avenue to Bayfront Parkway, locking arms and temporarily blocking access to the Pensacola Bay Bridge. The Ford Flex drove at a slow speed through the group, with Uphaus jumping onto the hood of vehicle.
The driver continued slowly, with Uphaus on the hood, three miles across the Pensacola Bay Bridge where the vehicle was stopped by Gulf Breeze Police.
After about 20 minutes, Pensacola Mayor Grover Robinson arrived to speak to the group, and they left the roadway a short time later.
Images for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
One Person Injured In Molino Rollover Crash
August 20, 2020
One person was injured in a single vehicle crash in Molino Thursday morning.
The driver of a Honda Accord ran off the road, struck a culvert, traveled through a fence and overturned multiple times into an open pasture on Nicholson Drive near the Molino Chapel.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour and others, click to enlarge.
Burglar High On Drugs Held At Gunpoint By Resident, ECSO Reports
August 20, 2020
An alleged burglar high on methamphetamine and spice was held at gunpoint until deputies arrived after he walked into a Cottage Hill home.
Matthew Arrington Haveard, age 35 of Cantonment, was charged with felony burglary of an occupied dwelling. He was released from the Escambia County Jail Wednesday on a $5,000 bond.
A resident of Wishbone Road told the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office that he was at home on his computer just after 9 p.m. Monday when he noticed Haveard inside the home. Haveard immediately raised his hands when confronted, and the resident grabbed his handgun before leading Haveard back outside.
The man and his grandmother, the owner of the home, were both inside the residence at the time, and both told deputies they had never seen Haveard before, according to an arrest report.
The Sheriff’s Office said home security video shows Haveard arrive in a Chevrolet pickup truck, walk through an open garage door and enter the residence through a side door.
Haveard told an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputy that he had smoked spice and methamphetamine a couple of hours prior to the incident and did not know where he was, according to the report.
Cantonment Murder Suspect Released On Bond; He’s Charged With Killing Navy Wife In 2001 During Adulterous Affair
August 20, 2020
A Cantonment man accused of murdering his wife nearly 19 year ago has been released on bond.
Gregory Paul Malarik, 57, is charged with first degree premeditated murder with a firearm.
During a bond hearing Wednesday, Judge Jan Shackleford set his bond at $400,000. Records show he was released from Escambia County Jail about 10:30 Wednesday night.
Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office arrested Malarik on July 28 for the 2001 murder of his wife, Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Sherri Malarik. Gregory Malarik, a former Navy Petty Officer 1st Class, was employed by the Naval Aviation Technical Training Center aboard Naval Air Station Pensacola.
The body of Sherri Lynn Malarik was found September 22, 2001, at about 8 a.m. inside a Dodge Caravan in the parking lot of the Winn Dixie and Movie Gallery at 1550 South Highway 29, less than three miles from the couple’s home. She was found by family members who are not named in the report.
An autopsy found that she was murdered – shot twice in the head with a .25 caliber handgun. She was found in the floorboard of the van. Forensic evidence indicated that she was shot while seated in the passenger seat.
The investigation revealed he was engaged in an extramarital affair with Jennifer f who, at that time, was his co-worker. Spohn later disclosed that he wanted to end the marriage but, having previously been married, did not want to go through another divorce proceeding. She related a conversation in which Gregory Malarick suggested he should just kill Sherri.
Investigators said they believed Gregory Malarik drove Sherri Malarik to the Winn Dixie in the minivan. Gregory told Spohn to meet him later that evening at the Winn Dixie to pick him up. When Spohn arrived at Winn Dixie at the appointed time, Gregory was there with the van, got into her vehicle, and told her to drive normally. Once out on Highway 29, Gregory discarded what appeared to be a long-haired wig. Spohn then dropped Gregory off at the marital residence.
Swabs taken from his hands the day of the murder were positive for gunshot residue, and pants believed to have been worn the night of the murder were found to have gunpowder in the left front pocket, the report states.
In 2017, a NCIS investigator examined phone records from the Malarik residence from the night of September 21, 2001. He found that multiple calls were made at 6:29 p.m., 7:59 p.m., 8 p.m. at 8:47 p.m. “This provided two periods of time sufficient for Malarik to have committed the homicide, transported (Sherri) Malarik’s body to Winn Dixie, and returned home,” the report states.
Multiple children in the home were interviewed in 2001 and have since been re-interviewed. All provided statements generally consistent with a timeframe provided by Gregory Malarik. However, one child said that Gregory Malarik called Sherri Malarik into the backyard on September 21, 2001. Shortly after seeing her go in the backyard, the child said they heard a “pop” similar to a firecracker. Gregory Malarik then immediately walked back inside, showered and changed clothes, the report states, before leaving for 10 to 15 minutes. That was sufficient time, the investigation found, to drive the victim to Winn Dixie.
The .25 caliber handgun used in the murder was never recovered, but the investigation revealed Gregory Malarik owned such a weapon at the time of the homicide.
The arrest report states that emails recovered show Gregory Malarik and his mistress had discussed “how to trick a polygraph” as early July 31, 2001.
An email from Sherri Malarik to her sister stated: “I believe that there is spiritual warfare going on in my home and Greg just can’t see it…He is simply upset because he feel that I put other people before him when I listed to the possibility of masonry being something other than it seems…He feels as if I betrayed him. Please keep us in your prayers…we need all the help we can get.”
Spohn was re-interviewed in May 7, 2002, and gave a similar account to her 2001 statements. Spohn was interviewed again on March 6, 2020, during which she gave testimony that was inconsistent with her original statement, the arrest report states, leading investigators to believe her original statement about returning a lawn mower was a cover story. Those statements were redacted. Investigators believe she assisted in the homicide and the destruction of evidence which had been preplanned, possibility for several months as indicated by emails.
Escambia Superintendent Candidate Pool Narrowed To Four
August 20, 2020
The pool of candidates to become the next Escambia County school superintendent is now down from six to four.
The Escambia County School Board removed one name from the list this week, and one other candidate has withdrawn his name from consideration.
The four remaining semi-finalists are:
- Dr. Earl Johnson – Executive director Leadership/Operations Flagler County Schools (FL), 13,000 students, 2017 to present. Previous: High school and elementary principal Flagler County, 2004-2017.
- Keith C. Rittel — Superintendent, Provo, UT, 18,000 students, 2012-present. Previous: Deputy superintendent, Clover Park (Lakewood, WA), 12,000 students, 2008-2012.
- Dr. Timothy A. Smith – Executive area director of high schools, Orange County (FL), 212,000 students, June 2018 to present. Previous: Principal of Winter Park High School (FL), 3,400 students, July 2010-June 2018.
- Keith Leonard – assistant superintendent of Human Resource Services Escambia County, 40,500 students, June 2020-present. Previous: Director of Human Resources, Escambia County, 2007-2020.
Vincent Cotter withdrew from consideration due to family obligations, and the board did not advance Marques Stewart.
Board members expressed concern that Stewart did not have enough experience at the district level. Stewart, a 1996 Woodham High School graduate, is currently a 9th grade principal at an Atlanta high school and spent four years at middle school principal.
The only finalist to receive a vote from all five school board members was Smith, who has been in school administration in Orange County for three decades. The other three semi-finalists received three votes each from board members.
“I like the fact that he comes from a large district. He’s in Florida. He’s got education degrees, but his undergraduate degree was in business,” Board Chair Patty Hightower said. “He also mentions the military, needing to address the military and communicate well with the military.”
The school board will invite the four semi-finalists to Escambia County August 26-28. August 27 will be a day of interviews that will be streamed online for the public to see, and the public will have a chance to submit questions. Each of the four will also take part in one-on-one interviews with school board members.
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. The school hopes to name his replacement by September 1 with an anticipated start date of November 17.
By The Numbers: Overall Downward Trend Continues In Local COVID-19 Hospitalizations
August 20, 2020
The latest daily COVID-19 local hospitalization numbers continue to show a decrease.
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 are seeing a downward trend, but we are not out of this yet. Please keep taking preventative actions, including wearing a mask, social distancing and washing your hands often,” Mayor Grover Robinson said Wednesday.
Tate Aggies Announce New 2020 Football Schedule
August 20, 2020
The Tate High School Aggies have announced their new 2020 football schedule.
The Aggies will kick off their 2020 season at home on September 18 they host the Pine Forest Eagles. All of the teams the Aggies will face in the eight game regular season are from Escambia or Santa Rosa counties.
- 9/18 Pine Forest
- 9/25 @ Washington
- 10/2 @ Pensacola
- 10/9 Pace
- 10/16 Escambia
- 10/23 @ Pine Forest
- 10/30 Pensacola Catholic
- 11/6 @ Gulf Breeze
All games are at 7 p.m.
The Escambia County School District announced on Tuesday that the first practices allowed for fall sports will be Monday, September 7 with the first games a mere 11 days later on September 18.
Spectators will be allowed at sports in Escambia County, but football game attendance will be limited to allow adequate social distancing.
“Face coverings will be worn in district facilities as directed by staff and instructional leaders,” the Escambia School District said in a statement. If a situation arises whereas a student, member of staff, or a visitor is not wearing, or is incapable of wearing a face covering, such individual may be assisted or guided by appropriate authorities within the district to undertake alternative, reasonable, and accommodating actions to protect self and others.” The face mask requirement will include football stadiums.
Pictured: The Tate Aggies and the Washington Wildcats in October 2019. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Former Century Mayor Benny Barnes Passes Away At Age 86
August 20, 2020
Former Century mayor Benny Barnes has passed away at age 86.
Barnes served 13 total years as a councilman and mayor in Century. He also previously served as president of the Century Area Chamber of Commerce.
A Marine veteran, Barnes was born in Santa Rosa County and moved to Century from Byrneville in 1960. He also worked as power house operation for Monsanto.
He is survived by his wife Edna Earle Barnes, a son and numerous other family members and friends. A celebration of life service will be held at a later date.
For the complete obituary, click here.
Pictured top: Serving as Century Chamber president, Benny Barnes in his “Benny’s Bar-B-Q” apron serves up smoked pork in to Carver/Century K-8 School staff and faculty in 2008. Pictured inset: Barnes addresses a chamber meeting in 2011. Pictured below: Barnes addresses the Century Town Council in 2008. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
FloridaWest Confirms Manufacturing Firm Looking At Century Building; Cotton Gin Still On Hold
August 20, 2020
FloridaWest Economic Development Alliance is confirming that a manufacturing company is interested in an industrial building in Century after an offer from another potential tenant was put on hold by the town.
At Monday night’s meeting, the Century Town Council tabled action on a lease proposal for a 40,390 square foot facility in the town’s industrial park known as the Helicopter Technology building. The pause came after Mayor Henry Hawkins said he received an email shortly before from the meeting from FloridaWest advising a manufacturing company wanted to tour the building on Thursday and potentially bring 21 new jobs to Century.
“We can confirm it is a small manufacturing company. At this time we do not want to discuss number of jobs or additional details,” Scott Luth, CEO of FloridaWest, told NorthEscambia.com.
The council delayed action on a lease proposal from West Florida Gin in Walnut Hill until next Monday night, but Luth said any offer from the manufacturing company won’t come that soon.
“If the building meets the needs of the project we will bring additional details back to the city in September or October,” he said. “We appreciate the council’s assistance in showcasing this opportunity for job creation for Century and Escambia County.”
South Alabama Gin Company, doing business as West Florida Gin, proposed a lease of $6,000 per month for five years with an option to renew the contract for an additional five years. They want to occupy the building by October 1 and estimated that six employees would be associated with the the warehousing and distribution of cotton bales.
The gin company was the only company to respond after the town advertised for several weeks seeking lease proposals. It was the second time they had made an offer; the first was rejected.
According to Interim City Manager Vernon Prather, the council cannot simply lease the building to the manufacturing company. Instead, they would be required to reject the West Florida Gin offer and advertise again for formal proposals, much like a bid process.
For an earlier story, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
