Wednesday Report: COVID-19 Cases Up By Eight In Escambia County
June 10, 2020
The number of COVID-19 cases in Escambia County increased by eight since Tuesday, according to the Wednesday report from the Florida Department of Health.
The number of cases in Escambia County is now 915, and Santa Rosa County increased by one to 262.
Of the 36 deaths in Escambia County, 28 have been long-term care facility residents or staff. There have been eight deaths in Santa Rosa County, seven of those at the Blackwater River Correctional Facility and none in long-term care facilities.
Statewide, there were 66,000 cases including 67,371 Florida residents. There have been 11,345 hospitalizations* and 2,801 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 — 915 (+8 since Tuesday)
- Pensacola — 637
- Cantonment — 53
- Bellview — 6
- Perdido Key — 1
- McDavid/Walnut Hill — 1
- Molino – 12
- Century — 3
- Hospitalizations: 66*
- Deaths — 36
- Male — 304
- Female — 418
- Youngest — 0
- Oldest — 105
Santa Rosa County cases:
- Total cases — 262 (+1 since Tuesday)
- Milton — 159
- Navarre — 42
- Gulf Breeze — 31
- Pace — 17
- Jay — 4
- Residents: 129
- Nonresidents — 1
- Hospitalizations — 26*
- Deaths — 9
- Male — 182
- Female — 76
- Youngest — 2 months
- Oldest — 94
Florida cases:
- Total cases — 67,371
- Florida residents — 65,779
- Deaths — 2,801
- Hospitalizations — 11,345*
*“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.
Century Man Facing Battery, Drug Charges After Disturbance With His Brother
June 10, 2020
A Century man is facing battery and drug charges over a disturbance involving his brother.
Aaron Tyrone Madison, Jr., 35, was charged with battery, battery by strangulation and possession of a controlled substance.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to a reported disturbance at the Food Giant on North Century Boulevard. The individuals involved in the disturbance had left the store and gone to a home nearby on State Line Road. Deputies arrived at the home and observed Madison in a physical altercation with his brother. The brother and several others were yelling at Madison to leave but he instead tried to walk to the rear of the property, according to an arrest report.
When the deputy approached Madison, he observed a clear plastic baggie in his hand and another bag was later found in his pocket. The substance in the bags was believed to be bath salts and will be sent to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for testing.
A female at the home stated Madison grabbed his brother around the throat until he passed out and grabbed her by the hair and “slung” her before punching her two times in the cheek.
Madison was booked into the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $16,000.
Cold Front Brings Showers Today. Yes, We Said Cold Front.
June 10, 2020
A cold front will move through the area Wednesday, bringing a chance of showers and thunderstorms. It will be dry on Thursday with slightly lower temperatures. The North Escambia high on Thursday will be in the 80s, and Thursday night’s low will be in 60s.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Wednesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 87. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Wednesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 64. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming north after midnight.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 86. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 63. North wind around 5 mph.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 88. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 68. North wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 67. Calm wind.
Sunday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 67.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 89.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 68.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 89.
FHSAA Approves Rule Allowing Football Players To Play Varsity And JV Games Each Week
June 10, 2020
Beginning this season, high school football players in Florida may be allowed to play in varsity and junior varsity games during the same week.
The Florida High School Athletic Association voted Tuesday for a new policy that will waive the one game per week policy and allow players to participate in six quarters per week.
It’s not automatic; each individual school must apply by the Monday of week three of the regular season in order to use the new six-quarter rule. Before approval, the FHSAA football administrator will consider program history along with current and past roster size of the school.
Many smaller schools across the state fail to consistently play junior varsity games for fear of not having enough back up players for their varsity games. That, according to the FHSAA, limits participation and development for players that are not ready to play at the varsity level.
“These lost opportunities to play make it harder to develop younger players and makes it harder to keep 9th and 10th graders engaged in the sport,” FHSAA said.
Pictured: Baker at Northview, September 2019. NorthEscambia.com photos.
Nine Mile At Highway 29 Set To Be Completely Closed Wednesday Night
June 10, 2020
Nine Mile Road is set to be completely closed at the Highway 29 overpass from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Wednesday and Thursday, June 10 and 11.
The closure is planned for crews paint portions of the newly constructed bridge. Construction activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
All Nine Mile Road traffic will be directed to the on and off-ramps at the Highway 29 overpass. Traffic control officers will be on site to help direct motorists.
Eastbound Nine Mile Road will be reduced to one lane, directed to Highway 29 southbound, U-turn at West Hood Drive, and return to Nine Mile Road. Westbound traffic will perform the same operation at West 9 1/2 Mile Road.
Throughout the week, drivers traveling Nine Mile Road at the Highway 29 overpass and traffic between I-10 and 9 1/2 Mile Road may experience alternating lane shifts or closures as crews continue drainage and paving operations.
Click graphic to enlarge.
Neighborhood Cleanup Set For Friday In Cottage Hill. Get Rid Of Yard Debris, Junk For Free.
June 10, 2020
Residents of Cottage Hill will have the opportunity to dispose of yard debris and other items free of charge on Friday during the Cottage Hill Neighborhood Cleanup.
Only residents in the designated cleanup area are able to participate in the neighborhood cleanup. Items left at the curb outside of the cleanup area will not be collected. The general cleanup area is east of North Highway 95A and north of Eden Lane. Click or tap the map above for the details of the cleanup area.
During neighborhood cleanups, Escambia County departments team up to bring services to residents in an effort to keep local neighborhoods clean and safe. Participating is easy: Residents in the cleanup area simply leave eligible items at the curb to be disposed of free of charge by Escambia County and partnering agencies.
All debris must be at the curb directly in front a residence by 7 a.m. on the day of the cleanup. Keep tires and paint cans separate from all other debris. Do not place piles under low-hanging lines or near poles, fences or mailboxes.
Items eligible for removal include:
- Household appliances and electronics
- Yard waste
- Household junk and debris
- Bicycles and toys
- Old furniture and mattresses
- Barbecue grills
- Household hazardous waste (old paint, motor oil, chemicals, batteries)
- Tires (limit 10 per household)
Items NOT eligible for removal include:
- Building materials (concrete, bricks, blocks, roofing, drywall or lumber)
- Explosives or ammunition
- Auto parts
- Dirt or sod
- Vehicles or vessels
- 55-gallon drums of fluids
The neighborhood cleanup initiative involves an aggressive clean-up effort, targeting different neighborhoods throughout the county, with crew members and volunteers picking up a variety of debris and waste, including electronics, furniture and household items.
Free Produce Giveaway This Afternoon At Highland Baptist Church
June 10, 2020
Highland Baptist Church will host a free fresh produce box giveaway on Wednesday.
It will take place from 5-6 p.m., or while supplies last at the church, 6240 Highway 95A in Molino. It is limited to one box per vehicle. The produce is being provided in conjunction with the USDA and Gulf Coast Produce.
For more information, call (850) 587-5174.
Convicted Escambia County Sex Offender Gets 50 Years For Probation Violation
June 10, 2020
A convicted sex offender will spend the next five decades in prison for violating his probation.
Charlie Morgan Smith, 40, was sentenced to 50 years in state prison to be followed by a lifetime of probation.
On October 19, 2000, an 18-year old female was leaving Walmart on Mobile Highway when she was forced into her vehicle by Smith. He threatened her with a semi-automatic weapon, took $115 from her, and forced her to drive to a wooded area where he sexually assaulted her. He was convicted and forced to register as a sexual predator.
On October 23, 2003, he pleaded guilty to sexual battery with a weapon, kidnapping, and robbery with a gun. Smith was sentenced to 22 years in state prison followed by three years on probation. He was released from prison on July 3, 2019, placed on probation and forced to register as a sexual predator.
He absconded from probation in December 2019. In February of 2020, he was arrested for stealing from Walmart. Upon search of his bag, ammunition was also located. He was charged with possession of ammunition by convicted felon and petit theft.
On June 9, Smith pleaded guilty to violation of probation an possession of ammunition by a convicted felon and petit theft. Judge Coleman Robinson sentenced him to 50 years in state prison on the violation of probation charge and 15 years in state prison on the possession of ammunition by a convicted felon to run concurrently.
Atmore Man Was Alabama’s First-Ever ‘Missing and Endangered Person Alert’. He Was Quickly Found Safe.
June 10, 2020
When an 81-year old man with dementia left his home late Sunday afternoon near Atmore, a missing person report was filed with the Atmore Police Department, and local officers began to search.
And a short time later, Alabama issued its first-ever “Missing and Endangered Person Alert”. Within minutes, NorthEscambia.com and other media across Alabama and beyond shared the missing person information for Verbin. L Kemp. About an hour after the alert, Kemp was located on Lowery Landing Road near the Appleton community in northern Escambia County, Alabama.
Alabama Governor Kay Ivey signed into law an expanded version of Alabama’s Missing Senior Alert, changing the name to the Missing and Endangered Person Alert, effective June 1.
Previously, the Missing Senior Alert was issued for missing citizens with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia and at risk of bodily harm or death. The newly expanded alert also includes individuals ages 18 and older who have a mental or physical disability and who are at risk of bodily harm or death.
“In the past, our Alabama Fusion Center has faced the challenge of how to alert the public when a missing individual is too old to meet the criteria for an AMBER or Emergency Missing Child Alert and too young to meet the criteria for a Missing Senior Alert,” Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Secretary Hal Taylor said. “We appreciate Governor Ivey and the Llegislature’s support in working with us to ensure some of the state’s most vulnerable individuals who are reported missing are found as quickly as possible.”
According to Alzheimer’s of Central Alabama, wandering is a danger for 60 percent of those living with Alzheimer’s. The organization recognizes the need to include anyone ages 18 and older who has a mental or physical disability and who is at risk of bodily harm or death in the state’s new Missing and Endangered Person Alert.
The new Missing and Endangered Person alert is one of four alerts in Alabama. The other alerts are:
- AMBER Alert: for a child ages 17 and younger who has been abducted and is believed to be in danger of serious bodily injury or death
- Emergency Missing Child Alert: for a child ages 17 and younger who is missing (not abducted) and believed to be in danger of serious bodily injury or death
- Blue Alert: for a peace officer who is missing, injured or killed and the at-large suspect is believed to be a serious threat to the public
Pictured: Verbin Kemp. Photo below is from the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency; the photo above was provide to NorthEscambia.com by family.
Johnell Vincent Smith
June 10, 2020
Johnell Vincent Smith, 51, of Cantonment, FL, passed away on Tuesday, June 9, 2020.
Mr. Smith was born November 1, 1968, in Pensacola, FL. He owned and operated Smith Services and from 1995-2008 volunteered at the Cantonment Volunteer Fire Department. He was honored to serve as fire chief for a couple of years and received the White Fireman’s helmet.
He was preceded in death by his father, Journei Smith; two brothers, Donell Smith, Joey Smith; father-in-law, James Hobbs, Sr; mother-in-law, Linda Hobbs; and brother-in-law, James Hobbs, Jr.
Surviving is his wife, Lori Smith; son, Dakota Smith; daughter, Trinity Smith; stepchildren, Hunter Kinnard, Amanda Geary, Garrett McGlothren, Autumn Trail; mother, Ethel Smith; sisters, Sharon (Reggie) Thompson, Karen (Reggie) Carper, Marian (John) Shaw; nieces, Heather (Sara) Phelps; nephews, Bradley (Ashley) Thompson, Kyle (Trysha) Thompson, J. J. (Charlsie) Shaw, Ryan Smith, Riley Smith, Ricky Smith; great nephews, Liam Thompson, River Phelps; great niece, Haley Carter.
Funeral services will be held 1 p.m. Sunday, June 14, 2020, at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North with Rev. Jeff Howard officiating. Interment will follow in Pensacola Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends Saturday, June 13, 2020, from 5-7 p.m. at the funeral home.