Four New COVID-19 Cases In Escambia, 11 In Santa Rosa
May 20, 2020
Four new COVID-19 cases were reported in Escambia County and an additonal 13 in Santa Rosa County, according to the Florida Department of Health.
The number of cases in Escambia County increased by four to 723 , and Santa Rosa was up by 11 to 197.
Of the 20 deaths in Escambia County, 15 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 47,471 cases including 46,197 Florida residents. There have been 8,681 hospitalizations and 2,096 deaths.
- Total cases — 723 (+4 since Tuesday)
- Pensacola — 534
- Cantonment — 48
- Bellview — 6
- Perdido Key — 1
- McDavid/Walnut Hill — 1
- Molino – 4
- Century — 2
- Hospitalizations: 62*
- Deaths — 21
- Male — 249
- Female — 350
- Youngest — 0
- Oldest — 105
Santa Rosa County cases:
- Total cases — 197 (+11 since Tuesday)
- Milton — 114
- Navarre — 35
- Gulf Breeze — 26
- Pace — 16
- Jay — 2
- Residents: 129
- Nonresidents — 1
- Hospitalizations — 23*
- Deaths — 9
- Male — 135
- Female — 59
- Youngest — 2 months
- Oldest — 94
Florida cases:
- Total cases — 47,471
- Florida residents — 46,197
- Deaths — 2,096
- Hospitalizations — 8,681*
*“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.
ECUA Loses Appeal To Keep 2018 Grand Jury Report On Allegations A Secret
May 20, 2020
The Florida First District Court of Appeals has denied an Emerald Coast Utility Authority’s appeal to block the the release of a 2018 grand jury report.
The appeals court found that the report should be issued, along with five portions that were previously removed.
An Escambia County grand jury completed its review into complaints and allegations involving ECUA in July 2018. But that report was never released due to appeals filed by ECUA seeking to block it from becoming public.
A grand jury was convened and tasked with review of the operations, policies, and procedures of ECUA, specifically the grand jury investigation related to eminent domain proceedings, Florida public records and sunshine law, ECUA Board supervision, and delegation of authority.
Following its investigation and witness testimony, the grand jury concluded that criminal charges were not appropriate and returned a no true bill. However, because the grand jury was “deeply concerned” by the testimony it received, it issued the report. Under Florida law, individuals named in the report were given the opportunity to move to repress or expunge improper unlawful portions of the report.
ECUA Attorney Bradley S. Odom and other parties filed motions to repress. The state consented to remove several portions of the report prior to release, and a lower court entered a ruling on the remaining portions.
Odom raised three points on appeal, all of which were rejected by the appeals court:
- He asserted that the state attorney does not possess the authority to respond to motions, repress or expunge grand jury reports; its role or duty in grand jury proceedings ends once the jury drafts its report.
- He argued that the lower court erred in not considering alleged breaches in confidentiality when determining whether to repress or expunge portions of the report.
- He also argued that numerous additional portions of the grand jury report should be repressed or expunged because they either contain factual inaccuracies or are improper.
The State Attorney’s Office filed a cross-appeal and contended that the lower court erred in repressing five portions of the grand jury report:
- The absence of term limits on ECUA board bembers has created a sense of complacency and has fostered an overreliance on the executive director and attorneys. An amendment to the special act of the legislature that created ECUA should be considered that would place term limits on board members.
- Indemnity and hold harmless agreements should be in all easements unless specifically prohibited by law.
- The State Attorney’s Office stated that they found Odom to be both unprofessional and unprepared, and made the findings because they are important and should be considered by the board in future decisions.
- Recommended that the employment contract for the executive director be renegotiated every two years with no automatic renewal provision. The current contract has been in place since 2004
- Directed that the State Attorney provide a copy of this report together with the opinion issued by the First District Court of Appeal to the Office of the Governor and the Florida Bar as well as the local legislative delegation.
First District Court of Appeal found in their ruling released Thursday that:
There was error in excluding the portions of the grand jury report as the statements are both lawful and proper. They emphasized the broad powers conveyed to grand juries. In making these statements, the grand jury did not exceed its lawful and proper function to “consider the actions of public bodies and officials in the use of public funds and report or present findings and recommendations as to practices, procedures, incompetency, inefficiency, mistakes and misconduct involving public offices and public monies.” There is a factual foundation in the grand jury report to support each of the above conclusions.
Accepted the state’s argument that any factual foundation, whether singular or otherwise, may be sufficient to support a comment in a grand jury report.
Statements made regarding Odom specifically were not improper given Odom was a witness and a subject of the investigation, and his legal services were paid using public funds. The fact that Odom is a private citizen is immaterial. Also, included in the grand jury’s broad powers is the power to conclude that a public official is not fit to continue in their position and recommend that actions be taken for their removal.
Former Escambia County Judge Billy G. Ward Of Walnut Hill Passes Away
May 20, 2020
Former Escambia County Judge Billy G. Ward of Walnut Hill has passed away at the age of 95.
Ward was known for being a community servant, a dedicated Christian and a family man.
He served his country in the U.S. Army on foreign soil during World War II before returning home to farm.
He was a justice of the peace in Escambia County from January 1957 through December 1971 when the Justice of the Peace Court was abolished by a Florida Constitutional revision, replaced by the Circuit Court and County Court. Ward was grandfathered as a county judge, and went on to win election to the bench. He served until his retirement on December 31, 1988.
On August 21, 1997, the Century Courthouse was renamed the “Billy G. Ward Century Courthouse” in his honor.
Ward involved in his community. He became a charter member of the Walnut Hill Ruritan Club in 1947 and served with many community organizations. He was a a deacon and long-time member of Walnut Hill Baptist Church.
In October 2009, Ward was one of just over 100 WWII veterans that traveled to Washington on the Fifth Annual Emerald Coast Honor Flight so that the veterans could see the World War II Memorial — their memorial. Ward took along a camera and shared his day with NorthEscambia.com readers.
Ward is survived by his wife of 74 years Lois and numerous other family members and close friends. Funeral services will be held Friday, May 11 at Walnut Hill Baptist Church with burial to follow in the Walnut Hill Baptist Church Cemetery. Visitation will be held beginning at 9:30 a.m. until service time. For the complete obituary, click here.
Pictured top: Billy G. Ward at the dedication of the Ernest Ward Middle School in 2015. Pictured below: Billy Ward and his wife Louis, Ward tossing a first little league pitch in Walnut Hill, Ward at during a WWII honor flight in Washington, D.C. (including with Sen. Bob Dole, and the Billy G. Ward Century Courthouse. NorthEscambia.com photos. Pictured inset: Escambia County Judge Billy G. Ward in an undated photo.
Drive-Thru COVID-19 Testing Returns To Cantonment On Thursday
May 20, 2020
Community Health Northwest Florida, will offer drive-thru COVID-19 testing Thursday in Cantonment.
It is the second time testing has been offered at Carver Park; there were 306 people tested on April 27.
Testing will be from 9 a.m. until noon, while testing supplies last, at Carver Park, 208 Webb Street in Cantonment. Unlike other test sites, there is no pre-screening phone call required.
The drive-thru testing is intended for residents of Escambia County only of any age.
Individuals should bring their identification and insurance card (if any). The tests are no-cost to the individual. If you have health insurance, your insurance will cover cost. If you do not have insurance, you can still be tested free of charge.
More information:
- Enter the park area from Booker Street and driver counterclockwise around the park to the testing spot. Stay in your vehicle and wait for instruction from testing team members.
- Testing is not a doctor visit. You will not receive a medical examination. Community Health will only be collecting a specimen to send to a lab for processing, and then you will be free to go.
- Once your test is complete, is it critical that you go home and self-isolate, wear a face covering and keep way from other people (including family members) to the best of your ability until results are known.
- Community Health will call to share test results when they are available along with instructions on what to do next. They should have a good working contact number for you. They will not leave test result information on a voicemail message.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Northview High Students To Return Textbooks And Other Items, Pick Up Yearbooks On Thursday
May 20, 2020
Northview High School students will return items that belong to the school and pick up their yearbooks on Thursday.
Here is the information from the school:
All 9th, 10th, and 11th grade students are invited to drive through our bus loop on Thursday, May 21, to have the opportunity to return regular textbooks, dual enrollment textbooks, library books, ROTC Uniforms, and Sports uniforms. You will also be able to pick up your Yearbook if you have already purchased one, or you may buy one for a $65 cash payment while supplies last. Not all students in grades 9-11 need to turn in their Chromebooks. You will need to keep your Chromebook over the summer, and bring it back with you when you return to Northview in August.
All 12th grade students will also come to return their Chromebooks and any textbooks they may still have.
Students should arrive at the following specified times:
9th Graders should arrive between 9:00-10:00 AM
10th Graders should arrive between 10:00-11:00 AM, and
11th Graders should arrive between 11:00-Noon.
12th Graders should arrive between 12:00-1:00
Students with last names, A through M, should arrive the first 30 minutes of your assigned time, and students with last names, N through Z, should arrive the last 30 minutes of their assigned hour of time. Also, please stay in your vehicle; this is for your safety as well as the safety of faculty and staff members working in the bus loop.
Students will also be able to retrieve items from PE or sports lockers. These students should drive to the student parking lot and a staff member will give them direction on how to retrieve these items.
Finally, students should continue to complete their assignments, as teachers will be assigning grades next week.
Nine Mile Road Traffic Shift Delayed Until Next Week
May 20, 2020
UPDATE- This traffic shift has been postponed until next week due to inclement weather.
A traffic shift is planned for Nine Mile Road on Thursday.
The travel lanes between Allegheny Avenue and the Leisure Lakes RV Park will be shifted to the new eastbound roadway to allow crews to construct the new westbound lanes. Motorists will encounter alternating and intermittent lane closures between the Leisure Lakes RV Park and Eleven Mile Creek.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather
Flomaton High Class Of 2020 Graduates In Outdoor Socially Distanced Ceremony
May 20, 2020
A socially distanced Flomaton High School Class of 2020 graduation was held outdoors Tuesday evening in the Flomaton High School stadium.
Graduates were properly spaced, as were family members in the stands. Students were allowed to invite four family members to attend.
“2020 has definitively been unexpected,” Valedictorian Meagan Chaudron said. She said the class has learned the hard way how to cherish every single moment.
“Nobody prepared us for coronavirus but we have pushed through, and we will come out victorious. Senior year may not have been what we envisioned, but it was ours…so please today learn from us and what we’ve had to go through. I hope all of your wake up every morning and choose the make the very best of each day and live it to the fullest,” she said.
“To you, my fellow classmates, I hope each and every one of you are able to accomplish your goals and dreams in the future,” Chaudron said. “I hope you all come out better and stronger because of the trials we have had to face together.”
The Top Ten members of the Flomaton High School Class of 2020 are:
- Meagan Chaudron – Valedictorian
- Brooke Welch – Salutatorian
- Grace Morgan
- Nealy Wiggins
- Alex Glidewell
- Raylin Wesley
- Mattie White
- Malin White
- Michael Dunn
- Alexis Lee
Pictured above and below: A socially distanced graduation for the Flomaton High School Class of 2020. Pictured bottom: Valedictorian Meagan Chaudron (left) and Salutatorian Brooke Welch. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Dedria’s Gift Presents Two Scholarships
May 20, 2020
Dedria’s Gift presented two cash scholarships to Flomaton High School students on Tuesday.
The scholarships were presented to Ta’Nyas Hall (pictured left) and Taylor Graves. . The scholarships were presented were distributed in memory of Dedria Robinson, who was killed in 2005 in an automobile accident at age 11.
Dedria’s Gift takes part in numerous community projects in Flomaton and North Escambia. Past projects have included scholarships, Christmas gifts for nursing home residents and school supply donations to area elementary schools.
Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Rotary Academic All-Stars Named
May 20, 2020
The Atmore Rotary Club has named 150 area high school students as Academic All-Stars.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the in-person ceremony could not be held this year, and students were mailed a recognition packet.
The Academic All-Star program is open to students who attend Northview High School, Atmore Christian School, Escambia County High School or Escambia Academy. To be named an Academic All-Star, a student must have maintained at least a B average in every subject for each grading period of the school year, with at least one A for each grading period.
Those who have maintained this status from the 9th through the 12th grades, were honored as Four-Year Academic All-Stars and received a scholarship. The program excludes Northview students that are full-time dual enrolled.
The Rotary Club is presented over $15,000 in scholarships this year to 24 seniors. Each four year Senior Academic All Star received a scholarship for $900. The seniors who have been an Academic All Stars for three years received $650, two year seniors received $550, and first year seniors received $450.
Rotarian presented the Academic All-Star award to 11 students from Atmore Christian School, 15 from Escambia Academy, 23 from Escambia County High School in Atmore, and 101 students from Northview High School.
Those honored as Atmore Rotary Club Academic All Stars were:
(Four-Year Academic All-Stars are denoted with an asterisk.)
NORTHVIEW HIGH SCHOOL
9th Grade
Olan Drew Albritton
Clayton Mitchell Allen
Erich Webb Amerson
Leah Kalyn Anderson
Ryan Steven Andrews
Cheyeyo Dasan Bingham
Terrell Luke Bridges
Ethan Scott Collier
Presley Sheree Dortch
Drake Allen Driskell
Logan Taylor Faith
Ashlin Nevaeh Flowers
Caitlyn Sarah Gibson
Emma Sage Gilmore
Audrey Grace Goetter
William Cross Goslee
Mathew Braydon Harigel
Cayla Jocelyn Houston
Kayla Nicole Johnson
Zacharie Neil Jones
Shelby Lynn Kent
Trent Austin Knighten
Emily Grace Levins
Sarah Kennedy Long
Travis Houston Lowry
Hadassah Raquel Mascaro
Braeden O’Bryan McGhee
Megan T McGhee
Ruth Nicole Mobley
Kaia Kalifa Montgomery
Elanna T Morales
David Kaden Odom
Chase Randal Pugh
Torian Aljahnea Richardson
Leila Katherine Sanders
Dustin James Santinelli
Kara Elizabeth Santorelli
Alana Shelly
McKenna Rae Simmons
Jessica Faith Stabler
Kristopher Kole Stewart
Audrey Michelle Stuckey
Elijah-Dean Schuster Suratos
Preston Clay Wilson
Blake Richard Yoder
10th Grade
Anna Faith Adams
Evelyn Liya Alexander
John Blake Bashore
Hunter Shane Borelli
Madeline Carol Brown
Tereasia Siamone Burt
Shelby Nicole Cotita
Olivia Elizabeth Crews
Casandra Lynn Davis
Weslyn Elizabeth Dunn
Kaitlin Hope Gafford
Jason Zane Gurganus
Jon Noah Harigel
Sarah Margaret Hetrick
Jesse Allen Hughes
Grayson Elizabeth James
Ethan Riley Kilburn
Taylor Lynn Levins
Taylor Elaine McMinn
Torka M Mills
Logan Christopher Misenar
Makayla Shana Ramsey
Paige Alyssa Ross
Benjamin Charles Rowinsky
Sarah Jane Sconiers
Mia Rain Starns
Aliyah Laura Ann-Marie Walker
Addison Lee White
Lillian Joan Worden
11th Grade
Maggie Lauren Amerson
Sehoye Rose Buckley
Staci Brianna Colter
Alexis Madison Fleming
Leia Madison Grantham
Rylee Evan Huskey
Alexia Taylor Jeneske
Heather Lashea Knowles
David Allen Lamb
Taylor Brooke Lashley
Meredith McKinley McGhee
Kenna Jenae Redmond
Michael Jerome Sanders
Leland Stanford Seaton
12th Grade
Alexia Lee Broadhead
Keaton Adam Brown *
Logan Alexander Brown
Lacie Elizabeth Carter *
Garrick Neal Davis
Jason Nikijha Fayard
Kelli Shania Merchant
Kinzie Brooke Rackard *
Teriana Jayde Redmond
Kyle Austin Sconiers
Cloe Madison Smith
Elana Marie Ward
Chunqi Yang
ATMORE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
9th Grade
Elliott Classen
Claire Girby
Sydney Mast
Abigail Weber
10th Grade
Caeden Battles
11th Grade
Micah Mast
Reese White
Megan Wilson
12th Grade
Lylia Albritton *
Paxton Hobbs
Jace Weber *
ESCAMBIA ACADEMY
9th Grade
Tiffany Gookin
Abby-Kate Helton
Hannah Stone
10th Grade
Braden Crysell
Emma Hall
Brady Howell
Jamison Janes
Christopher Long
11th Grade
Tyler Ray Cloud
Sam Fields
Daughtry McGhee
Disha Patel
Austin Washington
12th Grade
Chase Bell
Gaines Tanner *
ESCAMBIA COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL
9th Grade
Hasten Dean
Breona Gaines
Tykeria Lambert
Ne’Kaylia Perryman
James Willis
10th Grade
Zakiyah Ford
Nyla Graves
Alyssa McMillan
Aniya Stots
Sheldon Williams
Jykeria Wilson
11th Grade
Samantha Forkins
Nadija Graves
Revontae McMillan
Shantel Richardson
Madison Simmons
Mia Simmons
12th Grade
Anna Forkins
Kirsten Hollinger
Kayley Johnson *
Brianna Lee
Divya Patel
Jaclynn Tucker
Organizers said if a student’s name appears on the list above and the student does not receive a packet by May 23, contact Cindy Lee, Academic All-Star coordinator, at cindydlee92@gmail.com or school administration to confirm s mailing address.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Rain Chances Continue Daily Through The Weekend
May 20, 2020
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
This Afternoon: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 81. West wind around 5 mph.
Tonight: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 63. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Thursday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 84. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Friday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 89. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 70. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm after midnight.
Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 68. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Sunday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph.
Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 67.
Memorial Day: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90.
Monday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 68.
Tuesday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 88.
Pictured: A rainy drive through North Escambia. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.