Friday: Seven New COVID-19 Deaths Reported In Two-County Area
August 14, 2020
THIS STORY IS OUTDATED. SEE NORTHESCAMBIA.COM FOR THE LATEST.
There were seven additional COVID-19 deaths were reported in the two-county area Friday, according to the Florida Department of Health.
In Escambia County, six fatalities were men ages 72, 79, and 86, and women ages 59, 71, and 80. The Santa Rosa County death was a 78-year old female.
Escambia County cases increased 85 to 10,122. An additional 37 cases brought the Santa Rosa County total to 4,125.
Of the 1,018 tests results returned on Thursday in Escambia County, 7.9% were positive, and 9.8% were positive from 378 tests in Santa Rosa County. Over the past week, the overall average positivity rate for Escambia County is 12.5%.
There were 193 COVID-19 patients currently hospitalized in Escambia County as of Friday, according to data from the three local hospitals.
Of the 147 deaths in Escambia County, 79 have been long-term care facility residents or staff. There have been 45 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 563,285 cases including 557,337 Florida residents. There have been 33,155 hospitalizations* and 9,141 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 — 10,122 (+85 since Thursday)
Non-Florida residents — 909
Pensacola —7,379 (+69)
Century — 865 (+3)
—-including at least 759 Century prison inmates
Cantonment — 698 (+7)
Molino— 115 (+1)
McDavid — 52 (+1)
Walnut Hill — 13
Bellview — 11 (+1)
Gonzalez — 7
Perdido Key — 5
Current hospitalizations: 193
Deaths — 147 (+6)
Male — 4,442
Female — 4,579
Youngest — 0
Oldest — 105
Median Age — 38
Santa Rosa County cases:
Total cases — 4,125 (+37 since Thursday)
Non-Florida residents — 36
Milton — 2,273 (+10)
Gulf Breeze — 597 (+6)
Navarre — 501 (+17)
Pace — 317 (+2)
Jay — 111 (+2)
Bagdad — 9
Cumulative Hospitalizations — 202*
Deaths — 45 (+1)
Male — 2,329
Female — 1,715
Youngest — 2 months
Oldest — 101
Median Age — 39
Florida cases:
Total cases — 563,285
Florida residents — 557,337
Deaths — 9,141
Hospitalizations — 33,155*
*“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.
Only One Company Wants To Lease Century Industrial Building. The Town Told Them No Once Before.
August 14, 2020
Only one company responded to Century’s request for proposals to lease a 40,390 square foot building in the town’s industrial park, and Century has told them no once before. But this time, they are offering more money.
Known as the Helicopter Technology Building — named for the defunct company that was based there — it has been empty since 2008. The town is still footing the bill for utilities, insurance, maintenance and other costs for the vacant property, and they are looking to turn it into a positive cash flow and create jobs along the way.
The town accepted lease proposals for several weeks, with only the one response.
South Alabama Gin Company, doing business as West Florida Gin in Walnut Hill, 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 activity.
West Florida Gin will warehouse processed cotton bales and distribute them from the location.
In 2017, the building was appraised for $550,000 with a fair market rent of $80,000 per year ($6,667 per month). The office and warehouse space has full climate control, sprinkler system, new HVAC and energy efficient lighting.
The town council will consider the proposal at an upcoming meeting.
Last Potential West Florida Gin Lease Was Rejected
A previous lease offer by the gin was rejected by the Century Town Council.
In May 2019, West Florida Gin Manager Robert Earl Godwin and businessman Larry Baxley, who were in the process of setting up North Escambia Warehouse and Storage, LLC, made a preliminary lease-to-own offer on the town-owned building at $4,000 per month for five years, for a total of $240,000. The company offered an $8,000 deposit, pay the first month’s rent in advance, and pay for any upgrades to the building. At the end of the lease term, they would have had the opportunity to buy the building for $100. The building would have been used primarily for cotton storage.
A motion by then council member Ben Boutwell to proceed with negotiations and work on an agreement failed on a 3-2 vote with council members James Smith, Sandra McMurray-Jackson and Luis Gomez voting against. The dissenters expressed objections against the business because it would likely not create any jobs.
“I don’t see the benefit for us,” Smith said at the time. “Where’s the employment?”
Smith and Gomez expressed concerns at the May 2019 meeting that if the council were to lease the building below market value, the town would not have any available industrial space if another company wanted to located in Century with new jobs.
“Someday it could produce jobs, even it’s 10-15 jobs for Century,” Gomez said.
“Let’s talk about y’all’s track record and my track record,” Baxley said after pointing out that no company had seriously considered the building in the past decade but he had developed several similar properties. “For 46 years now, I’ve been making payroll.”
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Tate High: Virtual Tour, Orientation And Important Dates Before Back To School
August 14, 2020
Tate High School has made a virtual orientation and tour available online and announced several important dates before the first day of school on August 24.
The orientation and virtual tour of the school videos are available at www.tatestudents.com. The website also contains other valuable information, including a link to a new bell schedule and updated maps of the campus and classrooms.
Schedules will be available via the Focus portal on Thursday, August 20. Instructions on how to access schedules and tips for reading will be posted.
Open campus hours for students to walk around the campus and find their classes will be:
- Friday, August 21 from noon until 3 p.m.
- Saturday, August 22 from 10 a.m. until noon
On August 24, the first day of school, students will first report to their homeroom.
Meet The Candidates: Escambia County Commission District 5 (With Videos)
August 14, 2020
NorthEscambia.com asked the three candidates for Escambia County Commission District 5 to answer a series of questions. The questions were emailed to each candidate with a deadline to submit their answers.
The candidates were required to answer one question in a video up to three minutes in length, and they were told the video was their “pitch time” to share their message. The video response question was “What’s your background, why are you seeking office, and what’s your plan?”
The remainder of the questions had written responses, which we did not edit. Many of the questions were submitted by NorthEscambia.com readers; the top three most submitted reader questions dealt with broadband internet, trains in Cantonment, and roads and bridges. And so you could learn more about the person, we asked a few light hearted questions about their favorite bingeable shows, music playlists, food and even a question about a secret at the very end.
In alphabetical order, here are candidates with a link to their video and written answers.
John Reading (did not respond)
Early voting continues through Saturday, and the polls will be open Tuesday, August 18 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
State To Offer COVID-19 Testing In Walnut Hill On August 28
August 14, 2020
The Florida Department of Health is bringing COVID-19 testing to Walnut Hill later this month.
The state-supported drive thru testing site will be at the Walnut Hill Community Center on Friday, August 28 from 3-7 p.m. It will be the first testing location made available in the Walnut Hill community.
“We want to make testing available for anyone that wants to be tested,” Escambia County Emergency Manager Eric Gilmore told NorthEscambia.com.
Results from the Walnut Hill testing site will be available within 24 hours, according to FDOH.
The Walnut Hill Community Center is located at 7850 HIghway 97 in Walnut Hill, just north of Ernest Ward Middle School and the Walnut Hill Fire Station. It is also known as the Walnut Hill Ruritan Building.
Man Shot, Killed In Escambia County
August 14, 2020
A man was shot and killed in Escambia County Thursday afternoon.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said Gregory Bradley was shot just after 5 p.m. on Crescent Drive, adjacent to I-10 south of Texar Drive.
According to investigators. two mask men arrived at the home and robbed Bradley before shooting him. The ECSO believes Bradley knew the gunmen.
The suspects were described only as two black males.
Anyone with information on the murder is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP or the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620
Motorcycle Crash Claims One Life In Escambia County
August 14, 2020
A motorcyclist was killed in a crash on Navy Boulevard Thursday afternoon.
The Florida Highway Patrol said the 29-year old was southbound on Navy Boulevard when a sedan driven by 23-year old man pulled out from as stop sign on Patton Drive, failing to yield the right of way to the motorcycle.
The motorcyclist was transported to Baptist Hospital were he was pronounced deceased. The driver of the sedan and his 18-year old passenger were not injured.
Charges are pending further investigation, according to FHP.
FHP no longer releases the names of individuals involved in a traffic crashes.
Gulf Power Crews Return After Helping Restore Power After Hurricane Isaias
August 14, 2020
Gulf Power crews returned home safely this week from New Jersey after restoring power to thousands of customers who were left in the dark following Hurricane Isaias. Gulf Power sent nearly 70 lineworkers and support personnel, along with nearly 50 contractors, to help assist FirstEnergy to restore electric service and aid in the recovery efforts following the storm that knocked out more than 3 million customers from North Carolina to Maine.
Crews worked 16-hour days in difficult conditions to restore power in northeast New Jersey, about 30-35 miles east of New York City. Gulf Power crews helped restore power to more than 7,000 homes and businesses. Gulf Power joined its sister company, Florida Power & Light, which sent approximately 450 employees and contractors as well.
“We understand what the customers are going through, and how difficult it is to be without power – especially in the midst of the pandemic, when we are all spending more time at home,” said Gulf Power President Marlene Santos. “Just like when utilities came from all over the nation to help us after Hurricane Michael, Gulf Power employees have the experience and stand ready to lend support. It’s been a busy hurricane season already, and I am so proud of our men and women for leaving their families to help other communities during a time of need.”
Before making the decision to send help, Gulf Power makes sure its customers are taken care of and that no other storms are on the immediate horizon.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
August 14, 2020
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 10pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light west in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Saturday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 88. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Sunday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph in the morning.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 72. Calm wind.
Monday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93. Calm wind.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. Calm wind.
Tuesday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. Calm wind.
Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72.
Wednesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 88. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Wednesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70.
Thursday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 86. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Thursday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70.
Friday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 85.
Steven Barry, Candidate Escambia County Commission District 5
August 14, 2020
NorthEscambia.com asked the three candidates for Escambia County Commission District 5 to answer a series of questions. In alphabetical order, here are candidates with a link to their video and written answers.
Steven Barry
John Reading (did not respond)
Megan Walters
Early voting continues through Saturday, and the polls will be open Tuesday, August 18 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Candidate: Steven Barry, Escambia County Commissioner District 5
Occupation:
Certified Financial Planner
Education:
B.A. Financial Accounting, University of West Florida, 1997
Criminal Record (traffic citations excluded):
None
Top Five Priorities:
1) Continuing to improve transportation infrastructure
2) Forging ahead bettering financial position of the county
3) Dealing with the Covid crisis
4) Divesting the public interest in outlying field 8 in Beulah
5) Improving all types of communication to the citizens
What , if anything, can you do to help ensure access to broadband internet access for residents of District 5, and ensure that the providers maintain an acceptable quality of service?
Through working on constituent concerns, I have become intimately aware the cable company franchises are granted and regulated through the State of Florida, rather than Escambia County. There are very few if any, performance measures or guidelines the companies are required to meet to maintain their franchise, other than not being able to discriminate against citizens or to not offer service in certain areas or neighborhoods. There are affordable low-income options with various providers, but firm consistent requirements for reliability of service, or speed and quality of service do not currently exist in the state requirements for franchisees. The great news is that the CARES ACT dollars the county has received can be used to provide for and to improve rural broadband access throughout District 5, and I am confident I can advocate successfully on our behalf to secure substantial dollars to do so.
What more can be done by the District 5 commissioner about trains stopped for long time periods across Highway 29 and/or Becks Lake Road in Cantonment?
I am very thankful for the help we received from Senator Doug Broxson to gather all the stakeholders together to improve the situation greatly with the trains blocking both the Beck’s Lake Road area crossing and Highway 29, just south of Muscogee Road. Our meetings also included International Paper, CSX, and Alabama Gulf Rail, which controls the rail storage area just west of Highway 29, east of the International Paper mill. We received support from AGR to reduce the number of rail cars stored in the area, thereby reducing the impact of the train when it is working at the rail crossing Highway 29. Best of all, we were able to convince CSX to reroute the cargo it was moving on the north-south rail line that was not bound for Pensacola, to a different route, resulting in a tremendous decline in the blocking of the crossing at Beck’s Lake Road.
What will you do, if anything, to improve roads and bridges in District 5? How do you fund improvements?
I plan to continue advocating successfully on our board for District 5 to secure the dollars to improve the road s and bridges of District 5. Since 2012, my constituents have benefitted from an unprecedented level of production, maximizing the return of their tax dollars to our community. In less than eight years, we have paved 37 dirt roads, totaling over 30 miles, resurfaced 83 roads, totaling over 50 miles, repaired, or replaced 57 bridges, and completed 13 large road widening and drainage projects. Most of these improvements have been funded with local option sales tax dollars, and I expect that dynamic to continue.
How do we improve public safety in District 5, both fire and EMS? How do you fund any improvements?
I will ensure that the allocation of county public safety resources matches the changing dynamic of Escambia County and District 5. Most of the growth in the future will be in District 5, and the allocation of resources should match more closely. As more people move into our community, we need a larger piece of the public safety financial pie. Through responsible financial management, attention to procurement, and controlling overtime expenses, we can make certain that there are enough resources to work with. I believe we have enough revenue to be successful, if we manage it prudently, so I have not in the past and do not support raising fees or taxes now.
Should any tax or MSBU be raised, and for what purpose?
I do not support raising the MSBU or any tax or fee.
What will you do, if anything, to continue dirt road paving in District 5? And what dirt road do you believe will be the very last paved in D5?
We have made considerable progress on dirt road paving, but I understand there is still much more work to do. We have been able to stretch the limited tax dollars by doing quite a bit of the preparatory work by the road department, and they have done a fantastic job and saved citizens millions of dollars, which have then been able to be used to pave even more roads. Relatively recently, at a board meeting, someone asked me if dirt roads were still a big issue in District 5, and I responded, “If you or your loved ones live on one, or you travel them regularly, then absolutely they are”. Conditions and circumstances are constantly changing with roads, so I would not be comfortable guessing which may be the last dirt road to be paved.
How will you manage growth and development in District 5? Please address your answer in at least two parts — the more populated areas of the district and the more rural, agricultural areas.
It is especially important for a community to have a long-range comprehensive plan that makes available an ample supply of land for residential, commercial, and recreational development, and sets aside permanent meaningful green spaces. The plan should also protect environmentally sensitive areas while maintaining a balance between environmental concerns and reasonable needs for the future growth of the community. Sufficient infrastructure becomes the largest issue in the more populated areas, and as the local option sales tax fund is our primary source of funds for constructing and updating our infrastructure, wisely managing that cash flow and fund balance is paramount to ensuring the resources are available when needed. In the less populated areas, some degree of residential growth is also coming. I think it very reasonable to have a future land use category whose density matches a zoning category of one unit per four acres. I believe that will also help with the problem that many farmers are having where they have one home on a parcel they farm and would like to sell the home, but currently to do so would require them to sell 20 acres, and potentially lose the ability to farm the acres that the buyer of the home may not need or want. It would also make it much more affordable for people who would like to live in rural areas to move there.
How does Escambia County react and prepare for economic impacts caused by the COVID-19 pandemic?
The Covid pandemic provides so many issues, both health and economic related. We have citizens currently sick, and citizens who have passed. We have businesses still struggling, and businesses which have closed and will not reopen. Congress has taken considerable financial actions to help businesses and individuals, but those measures are coming to an end and it is unclear what further measures may be taken. The timely and prudent disbursement of the CARES ACT funds we receive will be a great focus of the board over the next few months. Until there is a vaccine, or some other medical information emerges that eases the fear and anxiety felt by so many people, the Covid crisis will consume a tremendous amount of the county’s time and resources.
What can Escambia County do to ensure the continued success and growth of smaller businesses in D5, especially in light of the pandemic?
We must continue to focus on the health of our small businesses, as we know 80% of the new jobs created over the next five years will come from our small business partners. I will ensure our local small businesses are a big part of the county’s CARES ACT funding package, and that we have grant terms to impact positively the largest number of businesses we are able. We can also do a much better job of communicating the resources the county has access to which can aid our small business partners.
Do you support or oppose the Escambia Children’s Trust?
I supported the Escambia Children’s Trust being on the ballot for the voters to decide whether they support the initiative. I need to see more details about the operational aspects of the board and exactly how the organization will be run, and how the tax dollars will be spent before I decide on my personal vote in November.
Century has had their obvious share of economic and infrastructure problems in recent years. How can/should Escambia County assist?
I will continue to anything I can to support the Town and the citizens of Century. I will make certain a portion of CARES ACT funding is spent within the town limits as our board moves forward with our disbursement plan. We will continue to provide considerable support for the CRA (Community Redevelopment Area) efforts that the town has recently made. I placed a project in the BP Restore plan for $ 486,000 to support the town’s wastewater plant improvements and will see to it that the project comes to fruition. Also, I support the use of county CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) funds to help with clean up at the Alger Sullivan mill site, which should happen soon.
Your Top 5 favorite spots in D5 to spend time for enjoyment when you are not working:
Ashton Brosnaham facility, the playground at Ascend Park, nature trail at UWF, new walking track and demonstration garden at Stefani Extension, events at the beautiful 4-H property in Molino
Your Top 5 bingeable shows:
The Office, 30 Rock, Parks and Recreation, Veep, and Seinfeld
Your Top 5 favorite songs on your current playlist:
Some Things Never Change, Into the Unknown, All in Alabama, The Conversation, Shriner’s Convention
Top 5 favorite foods (and restaurant name, if it’s a restaurant dish):
Pizza, ice cream, lime popsicles, black beans and rice, cream corn from Filly’s in Cantonment
Best kept secret of District 5:
4-H Property in Molino