Escambia And Santa Rosa Increase A Record 361 COVID-19 Cases, One New Death
June 30, 2020
THIS STORY IS OUTDATED. SEE NORTHESCAMBIA.COM FOR THE LATEST.
Escambia County and Santa Rosa County COVID-19 cases set single day record increases on Tuesday, according to the Florida Department of Health. One new death was reported in Escambia County for a total of 45.
Escambia County cases increased by 250 to 1,952. Santa Rosa cases were up by 110 to 593.
Of the test results returned on Monday, 10.5% were positive in Escambia County and 22.4% were positive in Santa Rosa County.
Of the 45 deaths in Escambia County, 34 have been long-term care facility residents or staff. There have been nine deaths in Santa Rosa County, seven of those at the Blackwater River Correctional Facility and none in long-term care facilities.
Statewide, there were 152,434 cases including 149,781 Florida residents. There have been 14,580 hospitalizations* and 3,505 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 — 1,952 (+250 since Monday)
Pensacola — 1,420 (+162)
Cantonment — 110 (+15)
Molino— 21 (+4)
Century — 11 (+1)
Bellview — 6
McDavid — 4 (+1)
Walnut Hill — 1
Perdido Key — 1
Hospitalizations: 92*
Deaths — 45
Male — 704
Female — 906
Youngest — 0
Oldest — 105
Santa Rosa County cases:
Total cases — 593 (+110 since Monday)
Milton — 264 (+29)
Navarre — 91 (+9)
Gulf Breeze — 112 (+35)
Pace — 64 (+21)
Jay — 13 (+8)
Residents: 129
Nonresidents — 1
Hospitalizations — 29*
Deaths — 9
Male — 319
Female — 267
Youngest — 2 months
Oldest — 98
Florida cases:
Total cases — 152,434
Florida residents — 149,781
Deaths — 3,505
Hospitalizations — 14,580
*“Hospitalizations” 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.
U.S. Treasury Approves RESTORE Plan For Beulah Master Plan, Century Wastewater Plant, Eleven Mile Creek Restoration And Other Projects
June 30, 2020
The U.S. Treasury Department has approved Escambia County’s plan for 11 RESTORE funding projects totaling $15.8 million.
Escambia County staff will begin submitting the individual project grant applications to the U.S. Treasury Department for final approval and release of funds.
Projects include:
Beulah Master Plan
$300,000 to develop a master plan for the Beulah area
Escambia County will procure the services of an urban/land-use planning firm to develop a master plan for approximately 30,000 acres in the Beulah community of Escambia County. The master plan will be based on the University of West Florida HAAS Center Citizen Survey, an existing conditions analysis, technical analysis, and on stakeholder engagement and community participation.
The Beulah Master Plan will establish a vision for allowing for the continued growth in the area while preserving the quality of life and sense of place enjoyed by the current residents. The final deliverable will be a master plan and/or zoning overlay district and implementation plan, dependent on the technical guidance provided by the procured consultant and concurrence provided by Escambia County Developmental Services staff.
The Beulah community has experienced extensive growth resulting from improved economic conditions and the expansion of Navy Federal Credit Union’s Beulah campus, which is expected to employ over 10,000 people by 2022. Subdivision development orders in Beulah have increased exponentially, with 7,000 residences permitted for development since 2010. Beulah does not currently have a master plan nor zoning overlay district to effectively plan or manage growth. Development of the Beulah Master Plan will balance the highest and best land uses of the subject area with the needs of the County, region, and the Beulah community in creating a plan for sustaining growth while preserving the character of the community.
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Town of Century Wastewater Improvements
$500,000 to design and permit repairs to Century’s failing wastewater treatment facility
The wastewater treatment and collection system has fallen into disrepair as the town has struggled financially for the last decade to keep pace with maintenance and replacement activities.
Direct Component funds will be utilized to fund planning, design, and permitting associated with wastewater treatment and collection system improvements, including lift station, treatment plant, and piping repairs and replacements.
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) has strict requirements for the proper operation and maintenance of the utility system, and Century is responsible for meeting these requirements. Funding design and permitting of wastewater treatment and collection system improvements will allow the town to work with FDEP to secure funding to implement the improvements from the State’s Revolving Loan Fund as a rural, disadvantaged community.
Eleven Mile Creek Restoration
$1,268,800 to for improvements along the creek
The Eleven Mile Creek Stream Restoration project will provide expansion of the creek’s buffers, restore natural habitat, and improve water quality in Eleven Mile Creek and Perdido Bay. Additionally, it will mitigate coastal flooding, protect valuable public infrastructure, and repair existing nonfunctional stormwater infrastructure.
Restoration and expansion of the floodplain, restoration of wetlands, reduction in invasive species, and reestablishment of riparian buffers will increase wildlife habitats as well as provide flood protection for Bristol Park, Bristol Creek, and Ashbury Hills neighborhoods and surrounding areas. With a 40 acre floodplain expansion, an estimated 160 homes will be protected from flooding.
OTHER PROJECTS:
- Pensacola International Airport Campus Extension — $1.524 million, replaces OLF8 Master Plan on funding request
- Perdido Bay Boat Ramp — $2.5 million for the construction of a boat ramp
- Brownsville Community Center Renovation — $300,000 to renovate the interior and exterior, add incubator retail space
- CRA Community Center – $500,000 for a community center in a yet to be determined CRA but likely in the Palafox CRA
- CRA Economic Development Program -- $1.5 million to institute the complete streets program in CRAs
- Little Sabine Bay Restoration Program – $2 million for a multi-tiered restoration effort
- SOAR with Restore – $900,000 for an Escambia County workforce development program that will provide training in underserved communities.
- Perdido Key Multi-Use Path — $4.5 million to fund the construction of about one mile of the east segment of path.
Pictured top: The Century Wastewater Treatment Facility, NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge. Pictured below: The Navy Federal campus in Beulah.
Pensacola Man Charged In Shots Fired Burglary In Walnut Hill
June 30, 2020
A Pensacola man was arrested following a shots fired burglary in Walnut Hill on Sunday.
Edward DeWayne Broxson, 56, was charged with burglary of a residence and criminal mischief. He was later released from the Escambia County Jail on a $3,000 bond.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to a shots fired disturbance in the 8100 block of Highway 97, near Wiggins Lake Road, and received a report that the suspect wearing black shorts was walking south.
Deputies arrived in the area to find Broxson on a Highway 97 bridge, wearing black shorts. He told deputies that he had just been pistol-whipped at a nearby residence. Broxon wa detained and transported back to the residence.
The victim told deputies he saw an unidentified vehicle at his residence, next to a vacant residence that was the former home of his grandmother. The victim said when he arrived, he fired a warning shot, at which time Broxson came out of the house begging him not to shoot. The two got into a physical altercation, and Broxson was able to escape when his shirt was pulled off, an arrest report states.
“That man was in my house and had no business being there,” the victim told deputies, according to the report. Deputies found that a window on the back of the residence had been knocked out.
Broxson’s statements to law enforcement were redacted from his arrest report.
There were no injuries.
Summer Pattern: Humid, Those Afternoon Showers And Storms Scattered About
June 30, 2020
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 75. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Wednesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 94. West wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 75. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Thursday: Showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. High near 90. Southwest wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Thursday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Friday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 88. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Friday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73. Calm wind.
Independence Day: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 87. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Saturday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72.
Sunday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 86. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Sunday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72.
Monday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 86. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Monday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73.
Tuesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 87.
DeSantis Vetoes Millions For Escambia, Santa Rosa Projects – Including The Bluffs In Cantonment, Jay Park Plan
June 30, 2020
When Gov. Ron DeSantis signed Florida’s $92.2 billion budget Monday, over $1 billion was vetoed as the state prepares to deal with budget shortfalls due to COVID-19.
Millions that had been included in the budget by the Legislature for Escambia and Santa Rosa counties were slashed, including projects in Cantonment and Jay.
ESCAMBIA COUNTY BUDGET CUTS
The Bluffs In Cantonment
One of the cuts by DeSantis was a $750,000 transportation project for The Bluffs in Cantonment.
Announced in late 2015, The Bluffs was envisioned as the home of up to 60 new industrial and manufacturing companies and more than 15,000 jobs. The 6,000 acre master-planned development area includes about 1,700 acres of land that can be developed in an area east of Highway 29 bordered by the Escambia River to the east, Becks Lake Road near International Paper to the north, and the University of West Florida to the south.
The $750,000 would have funded an entrance for The Bluffs at the intersection of New Chemstrand Road, Old Chemstrand Road, Emerald Coast Utilities Authority’s entrance drive, and the Ascend Performance Materials entrance.
Other Escambia County cuts were:
- University of West Florida Office of Economic Development and Engagement ($1.3 million)
- Pensacola State College – Trucking Workforce Development ($500,000)
- Southern Youth Sports Association – Pensacola Community Center Building ($300,000)
- UWF Specialized Degrees for Firefighters ($158,000)
- Brain Bag Early Literacy Program ($50,000)
SANTA ROSA COUNTY BUDGET CUTS
In Santa Rosa County cuts included a master plan for the park in Jay.
Town of Jay – Bray Hendricks Park Master Plan
DeSantis cut $300,000 for the Bray Hendricks Park Master Plan in the Town of Jay.
The 39-year old park is in critical need of updated sports surfaces and support capabilities to place the park in compliance with ADA requirements. The master plan includes one competition softball field, four regulation baseball fields, three tee-ball fields, four tennis courts, a basketball court, a combination soccer/football field, a children’s splash pad, a playground, an accessory concession building, and ADA compliant bathrooms.
Other Santa Rosa County projects that were cut from the budget were:
- Pea Ridge Connector ($750,000)
- Milton North Santa Rosa Regional Water Reclamation Facility ($500,000)
- Navarre Beach Pierce Saber Fire Pumper ($500,000)
- Holley-Navarre Fire District ($500,000)
- Santa Rosa County Santa Monica Street Paving ($100,000)
ECAT Returns To Modified Schedule; One Bus Driver Positive For COVID-19
June 30, 2020
ECAT returns to a modified schedule instead of peak hour service Tuesday.
Currently there is one bus driver that did test positive for COVID-19, but Escambia County said more bus drivers are returning to work after receiving negative results.
Hours and Service Modifications:
The modified weekday schedule matches ECAT’s “Holiday Schedule,” which runs every two hours and with the final route trips departing ECAT and downtown at 6 p.m. The same modified schedule will run on Saturdays with no service on Sundays. The following routes aretemporarily suspended until further notice:
- Route 41, East Pensacola Heights
- Route 59A, NAS Pensacola, Airport
- Route 59X, NAS Pensacola, Downtown, Cordova Mall
- UWF Regular Trolley Service
Routes 1, 2, 31, 32, 43, 44, 45, 47, 48, 50, 51, 52, 55, 57, 58, 60, and 63 will continue to operate modified schedule service Monday – Saturday. UWF Express Trolley will also continue service Monday – Saturday. Contact ECAT at (850) 595-3228 with specific questions.
Capacity Limit 10 Passengers:
Buses will continue to be limited to transporting 10 people with staggered seating. Additional vehicles will be dispatched to ensure all passengers are picked up and complying with the 10- person limit.
Paratransit Services
Escambia County Community Transportation (ECCT) will continue to temporarily suspend all paratransit services after 7 p.m. for weekday and Saturday services. All medical necessary trips will be honored. Sunday service is temporarily suspended. All expired eligibility will be extended for 90 days. In-person eligibility interviews will be rescheduled or completed over the phone. Call ECCT Customer Service at (850) 595-0501 if you need assistance.
Second Arrest Made In 2003 Escambia County Cold Case Homicide
June 30, 2020
A second person has been arrested in the 2003 murder of Marcus Virgin.
Keishaun Irby is now charged with homicide.
David Dale was arrested for his part in the murder back in May, previously admitting to taking part in the murder on May 9, 2003. He named Irby as an accomplice that supplied a vehicle and the firearm to commit the murder.
“Recent advances in DNA technology, as well as renewed efforts by the ECSO Cold Case Unit, Intelligence Unit and Crime Scene Units, made it possible to bring this case to a closure by arresting both of the parties responsible,” according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Virgin went out with his friends on May 8, 2003, and was never seen again; his body was never found. Over the following years, investigators received information that indicated Virgin had been murdered. DNA evidence was discovered in 2007, but was not enough for an arrest at the time
Irby is currently a federal inmate and will be transported back to Escambia County for court sometime in the near future.
Visitors Barred From Florida Prisons Until At Least July 15
June 30, 2020
The COVID-19 pandemic visitation suspension at Florida prisons has been extended again, the Florida Department of Corrections announced Monday.
The visitor ban is in effect this time until at least July 15.
“The decision to reinstate the normal visitation schedule will be evaluated in consultation with public health experts,” the FDC said.
Inmates will continue to have access to their loved ones through mail, phone calls and video visitation. Legal visits will not be impacted, although attorneys are encouraged to consult with their clients via phone, email or mail during this time
As of Monday, 24 inmates have died from the virus, 1,963 have tested positive and 438 corrections staff have been infected, according to the agency.
Margarita M. Mezey
June 30, 2020
Margarita M. Mezey, 92, of Cantonment, FL passed away June 27, 2020 at her home in Cantonment, FL.
Mrs. Mezey was born in Monterrey, Mexico and worked for the Red Cross until she retired. She then volunteered at West Florida Hospital until the age of 89 – that was her passion.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Basiil Mezey. Survivors include her daughter, Margaret (Steve) Minton; one son, Jose Mezey; three granddaughters, Caitlin (Nick) Mezey Marlow, Christa Minton and Stephanie (Jamie) Franklin; grandson, Tyler Mezey; and nine great grandchildren.
The family suggest to those who desire, memorials be made to St Jude’s Children’s Hospital, the Shriners Hospital or the Humane Society.
Monday: Escambia County COVID-19 Cases Up By 42, Santa Rosa By 14
June 29, 2020
THIS STORY IS OUTDATED. SEE NORTHESCAMBIA.COM FOR THE LATEST INFORMATION.
Escambia County COVID-19 cases were up by 42 on Monday, according to the Florida Department of Health.
Escambia County cases increased to 1,702. Santa Rosa cases were up by 14 to 482. No new deaths were were reported in either county.
Of the 44 deaths in Escambia County, 34 have been long-term care facility residents or staff. There have been nine deaths in Santa Rosa County, seven of those at the Blackwater River Correctional Facility and none in long-term care facilities.
Statewide, there were 146,341 cases including 143,805 Florida residents. There have been 14,354 hospitalizations* and 3,447 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 — 1,702 (+42 since Sunday)
Pensacola — 1,258
Cantonment — 95
Molino— 17
Century — 10
Bellview — 6
McDavid — 3
Walnut Hill — 1
Perdido Key — 1
Hospitalizations: 89*
Deaths — 44
Male — 618
Female — 805
Youngest — 0
Oldest — 105
Santa Rosa County cases:
Total cases — 482 (+14 since Sunday)
Milton — 235
Navarre — 82
Gulf Breeze — 77
Pace — 43
Jay — 5
Residents: 129
Nonresidents — 1
Hospitalizations — 29*
Deaths — 9
Male — 276
Female — 199
Youngest — 2 months
Oldest — 98
Florida cases:
Total cases — 146,341
Florida residents — 143,805
Deaths — 3,447
Hospitalizations — 14,354
*“Hospitalizations” 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.