Water Supply To Century Prison Has Failed; Emergency Measures Taken
May 8, 2020
The Town of Century water well serving Century Correctional Institution has failed, and emergency measures have been implemented to supply water to the prison.
The well failed on Thursday and water in the town’s elevated tank located at the prison continued a supply of water until Friday.
Friday afternoon, an emergency interconnect using two, two-inch fire hoses was made from Central Water Works fire hydrants on the south side of Tedder Road to the Town of Century’s fire hydrants on the north side of the road. That, according to Century Interim City Manager Vernon Prather is supplying adequate water to the prison.
Florida Sen. Doug Broxson told NorthEscambia.com that the Department of Corrections is providing bottled water to inmates and a supply of potable water; he said there is currently no human consumption of the water from the temporary emergency supply.
Construction on a permanent solution to the water crisis will begin next week. Tedder Road will be closed from Highway 29 to the prison due to the fire hoses across the road and the construction process.
The Town of Century’s well at the prison did not supply water to the town and the downtime will have no impact on local residents, Prather said. Likewise, Central Water Water Works officials said they have the capacity to supply the prison, and their customers should see no impacts.
Central Water Works was founded in 1965 and provides water for about 1,000 members in Byrneville, McDavid and outside the municipal service areas of Century and Flomaton.
NorthEscambia.com will have ongoing coverage and more information.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Health Advisory Issued Due To Smoke From Beulah Wildfire
May 8, 2020
The Florida Department of Health in Escambia County has issued a health advisory due to smoke from the over 1,000 acre brush fire in Beulah.
From FDOH Escambia:
Smoke is a respiratory irritant that can cause scratchy throat or irritated eyes and nose. According to the CDC, breathing in smoke can have immediate health effects, including coughing, difficulty breathing, scratchy throat, irritated eyes and nose, shortness of breath, and rapid heartbeat. Smoke can also worsen conditions such as asthma and other chronic respiratory or lung conditions. Dust generated from fire response activity may also worsen these conditions.
Protect yourself and your family from smoke:
· Pay attention to local air quality reports, news coverage, or health warnings related to smoke.
· Use common sense when outside conditions are smoky. Avoid outdoor activities, particularly for children and persons with severe or chronic respiratory conditions such as asthma or chronic lung disease.
· While inside, residents should close windows and run their heating or cooling system, if possible. Keep the fresh air intake closed and change or clean the system’s filter as needed to prevent bringing additional smoke inside.
· Help keep particle levels lower inside. When smoke levels are high, try to avoid using anything that burns, such as wood fireplaces, gas logs, gas stoves and even candles. Do not vacuum, which stirs up particles already inside your home. Also, do not smoke tobacco.
· Follow your doctor’s advice about taking medicines and following your asthma management plan if you have asthma or other lung disease. Call your doctor if your symptoms worsen.
Persons experiencing respiratory symptoms, including those with severe or chronic respiratory conditions like asthma or chronic lung disease, should consult their doctor for treatment and stay inside their homes. For questions related to health problems or symptoms you may be experiencing related to the smoke, please contact your doctor. For medical emergencies, call 9-1-1 or go to the nearest emergency room.
Hair Salons, Barber Shops Can Open Monday In Florida, With Safety Restrictions
May 8, 2020
Barber shops and beauty salons in Florida will be allowed to open with safety restrictions on Monday.
Friday afternoon, Gov. Ron DeSantis tweeted a video with the announcement by Orlando barber J. Henry.
“We are ready to get back to work and make some money,” Henry said in the video. “Getting back to work, we want to be safe and continue to wear our gloves wear masks, book by appointments and continue to keep the community safe. We want to keep one thing in mind, safety is always first.”
Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey made a similar announcement about her state Friday.
Restaurants, Hair Salons, Gyms And Churches Can Open Monday In Alabama
May 8, 2020
Restaurants, hair salons and gyms can open on Monday in Alabama, Gov. Kay Ivey announced Friday morning .
Restaurants will be allowed to reopen at a 50% occupancy rate with a six foot spacing between tables and other guidance that has been agreed upon by the Alabama Restaurant and Hospitality Association.
Barber shops, hair and nail salons and other similar-type establishments will be allowed to open up with restrictions, again with guidelines that were developed by the State Board of Cosmetology.
A similar announcement about barber shops and hair salons was made Friday by Gov. Ron Desantis.
Gyms can reopen subject to social distancing and sanitation rules. Hair salons and other close-contact providers can also open Monday subject to social distancing and sanitation rules.
“Today’s order will hopefully provide another round of hope for all of us,” Ivey said.
“I know this has been tough on you; it hasn’t been a joy ride for us either. I so appreciate the personal sacrifices you’ve made to keep yourself and others healthy,” she said.
More information is in the graphic below, click to enlarge.
Three New COVID-19 Deaths Reported In Escambia, Santa Rosa
May 8, 2020
THIS STORY IS OUTDATED. CLICK HERE FOR AN UPDATE.
Three more COVID-19 deaths were reported Friday in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties in the latest data release from the Florida Department of Health.
There were two deaths in Escambia County — a 90-year old female and a 93-year old male. Both were long-term care facility residents with no travel history but with contact with a known patient.
In Santa Rosa County, a 71-year old male wit not travel history and contact with positive case died.
Of the 18 deaths in Escambia County, 13 were long-term care facility residents. There have been eight deaths in Santa Rosa County, all outside long-term care facilities.
A two new cases were reported in Escambia County Friday for a total of 618 positive people. The Santa Rosa County total increase by two to 162.
Statewide, there were 39,199 cases including 38,172 Florida residents. There have been 6,929 hospitalizations and 1,669 deaths.
- Total cases — 618 (+2 since Thursday)
- Pensacola — 475
- Cantonment — 41
- Bellview — 6
- Perdido Key — 1
- McDavid/Walnut Hill — 1
- Molino – 4
- Century — 2
- Hospitalizations: 48*
- Deaths — 18
- Male — 225
- Female — 307
- Youngest — 0
- Oldest — 105
Santa Rosa County cases:
- Total cases — 162 (+2 since Thursday)
- Milton — 86
- Navarre — 33
- Gulf Breeze — 24
- Pace — 16
- Jay — 2
- Residents: 129
- Nonresidents — 1
- Hospitalizations — 23*
- Deaths — 9
- Male — 107
- Female — 54
- Youngest — 2 months
- Oldest — 94
Florida cases:
- Total cases — 39.199
- Florida residents — 38,172
- Deaths — 1,669
- Hospitalizations — 6,929*
*“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.
Beulah, Santa Rosa Fires Grow; Winds To Switch And Push Fires And Smoke North; I-10 Is Now Open
May 8, 2020
Florida Forest Service wildland firefighters are working to monitor, improve, and widen containment lines around the perimeter of the 5 Mile Swamp Fire which is about 2,180 acres and 35% contained.
I-10 is now open in Santa Rosa County. Future closures between Avalon Boulevard and Highway 87 may become necessary depending on fire fighting needs, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
The Hurst Hammock Fire is Beulah is about 1,100 acres and 40% contained. While the Florida Forest Service is battling the fire, Escambia Fire Rescue and Escambia County Sheriff’s Office are standing by to assist.
Crews observed minimal fire activity on both fires throughout the night due to a decrease in wind speed and an increase in relative humidity. Friday’s weather predictions are for a switch in wind direction and a drastic increase in wind speeds. Winds will now prevail from the south/southwest at 13-18 mph gusting up to 25 mph which will increase fire activity on the north/northeast perimeter of fires. Also, smoke will now impact communities north of both fires. Florida Forest Service helicopters will continue concentrated water bucket drops on both fires as wildfire activity increases during the day.
Additional Florida Forest Service personnel and equipment from throughout Florida are still arriving to assist with the firefighting efforts. There are two medium helicopters assigned to both of these wildfires.
Santa Rosa County Specific Information:
Evacuations/Re-Entry
- Closed – Everything on Garcon Point Road east to the Blackwater Bay from I-10 to Mary Kitchens remains closed.
- Level 1 - Everything south of Mary Kitchens Road on Avalon and Garcon Point Road, and on the west side of Avalon is at a Level 1 evacuation, meaning residents can return to their homes but need to stay aware. Level 1 also extends up to Da Lisa Road
- Level 2 - Indian Bayou to Mary Kitchens Road and the houses along Mary Kitchens Road are a Level 2 evacuation and may return to home but must be prepared to leave at a moment’s notice.
Citizen Information Center
The Santa Rosa County Citizen Information Center is open. Those who have evacuated or who have questions may call 850-983-INFO (4636).
Pictured above: Firefighters battle the 5 Mile Swamp fire in Santa Rosa County. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Helping Each Other In A Time Of Need. Company Pays It Forward To Build New Porch For Century Woman.
May 8, 2020
Helen Mincy of Century lives in little wood frame house on a Century street that bears her last name.
When a powerful EF-3 tornado ripped through Century on the afternoon of February 16, 2016, Mincy Court was pretty much ground zero for the strongest winds — an estimated 152 mph.
Mincy is often front and center in Century, working to make sure the citizens are not forgotten. After the tornado, she worked tirelessly to make sure Century got the help it deserved. For Mincy, it was all about helping each other in a time of need.
When state lawmakers toured the damage a few days after the tornado, she met them in the street and made sure they heard what she had to say.
“I don’t have anything and government officials need to get out here and help us. We ain’t got nothing,” she told the late Senator Greg Evers as he put his arm around her shoulders.
Fast forward to 2020. Her little house stands tattered, paint peeling from the outside walls. And there was no stable front porch between the front door and the front steps. It was not a good situation for a woman as young at heart as Ms. Helen.
When Justyn Dulac heard about Mincy’s plight, he decided to step up and pay it forward through his company, DuLac Commercial Cleaning, and build her a new porch.
“Ms. Mincy would awake day to day stepping over rotten wood on her porch as she moved in and out of her house,” DuLac said. So he and a few partners decided to pay it forward and rebuild her porch.
Mincy literally danced with joy as her new porch came together.
“Remember friends, this is what uniting is all about,” DuLac said, “helping one another in a time of need.”
Pictured above and below: DuLac Commercial Cleaning and friends build a new front porch for Helen Mincy of Century. Photos by Trey Goldsmith for NorthEscambia.com. Pictured inset: Mincy talks with the late Senator Greg Evers after a February 2016 EF-3 tornado tore across Mincy Court. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
FDLE: Tallahassee Man Used Escambia County Business’ Tax Info To Lease Vehicles, Equipment
May 8, 2020
A Tallahassee man was arrested Thursday on charges for allegedly using the tax information of an Escambia County business to lease vehicles and equipment valued at $225,000.
Agents with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement arrested 45-year old Robert Brinker, 45, of Tallahassee, on charges of scheme to defraud and criminal use of personal identification information.
Brinker is the owner of Deep South Crane and Equipment Rentals, Inc., in Tallahassee.
FDLE began its investigation in March after receiving a citizen complaint. Agents say Brinker used the tax identification number of a similarly named business in Pensacola to lease three new vehicles and heavy equipment from a Tallahassee dealership.
In September and October of last year, Brinker leased a 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee valued at nearly $95,000, a 2019 Dodge Ram 3500 truck valued around $62,000 and a 2019 Dodge Ram 4500 valued at more than $68,000. He was able to obtain the credit to lease the vehicles using the tax ID number from the Escambia County company.
“While Brinker does not work for the Pensacola business and is not affiliated with them, he has victimized the business in the past and has additional charges pending against him for using their tax ID number to purchase vehicles,” FDLE said in a statement.
Troopers with the Florida Highway Patrol assisted with the arrest.
Escambia County Promotes Two To Deputy County Administrators, One To Department Director
May 8, 2020
The Escambia County Commission approved three senior level staff promotions at their Thursday night meeting.
Chips Kirschenfeld and Wes Moreno were promoted to deputy county administrators, and Clara Long was promoted to director of the Neighborhood and Human Services.
Chips Kirschenfeld, Deputy County Administrator
Chips Kirschenfeld was appointed deputy county administrator and will maintain his position as director of Natural Resources Management while also serving in senior leadership to assist with the management of operations, the oversight of major projects, and supervision of departments under the direction of the assistant county administrator for the Community and Administrative branch.
Kirschenfeld began his career with Escambia County in 2001 as a senior scientist in charge of writing a new wetlands protection ordinance and establishing a new wetlands management program. In 2008, he became division manager of the Water Quality and Land Management division and established a new water quality laboratory to monitor area surface waters. Kirschenfeld was named director of Natural Resources Management in 2016 and was assigned additional duties as interim assistant county administrator in 2019 until the permanent positions were filled.
Wes Moreno, Deputy County Administrator
Wes Moreno was appointed deputy county administrator and will maintain the position of director of Public Works while also serving in senior leadership to assist with the management of operations, the oversight of major projects, and supervision of departments under the direction of the assistant county administrator for the Infrastructure and Public Safety branch.
Moreno began his career with Escambia County in 1987 as a maintenance worker with the Public Works department. Moreno has held several positions including equipment operator, road correction officer, engineering tech, chief of construction management, deputy bureau chief of public works and deputy director of Public Works. Beyond the numerous road, drainage and bridge improvement projects for the county, he also assisted with recovery efforts from major disasters including hurricanes George, Charley, Frances, Ivan and Dennis, and both an ice storm and flooding in 2014.
Clara Long, Director of the Neighborhood & Human Services Department
Clara Long was approved and promoted on Thursday, May 7 as the new director of Neighborhood & Human Services. Clara Long most recently served as Escambia County’s interim director of Neighborhood & Human Services, a position she held since August 2019.
Prior to serving as interim director, Long served as the Community Redevelopment Agency division manager from 2013 to 2019. Long began her career with Escambia County in April 2001 and began working in the CRA Division in 2003. She has held many positions in the agency including office administrative assistant, CRA urban planner II, development program manager, enterprise zone coordinator/redevelopment specialist, and CRA division manager.
Long graduated from the University of Florida with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College with an associate’s degree in business administration. She has 28 years of experience in the field of administration and is a member of Take Stock in Children Mentoring Program, the Florida Chapter American Planning Association, and the American Planning Council.
The Neighborhood and Human Services Department oversees the Community Redevelopment Agency, Neighborhood Enterprise Division and the Safe Neighborhood Program. In addition, Neighborhood & Human Services administers the Youth Employment Program, Human Assistance Program, the Indigent Burial Program and various Community and Resource Centers.
ADOC: Staff Member At Holman Prison Tests Positive For COVID-19; Escambia County (AL) Cases Up To 33
May 8, 2020
A staff member at Holman Correctional Facility in Atmore has self-reported to the Alabama Department of Corrections (ADOC) that they are positive for COVID-19.
ADOC said the individual promptly self-quarantined under the direction of his or her healthcare provider.
“The ADOC’s Office of Health Services (OHS) immediately initiated an investigation to determine which, if any, ADOC inmates or employees may have had direct, prolonged exposure to this staff member. Upon completing the appropriate follow-up interviews and due diligence, OHS will advise any exposed staff members to contact their healthcare providers and self-quarantine for the recommended 14-day period, or as advised by their healthcare provider,” said Samantha Rose, public information specialist for the prison system.
The ADC said the positive test represents the 17th self-reported case of COVID-19 among corrections employees and contracted staff, twelve (12) of which remain active. Five (5) staff members who previously self-reported a positive test have been cleared by a medical provider to return to work.
According to Alabama Department of Health data Thursday night, the total number of COVID-19 cases in Escambia County increased to 33. It was not known if the Holman staff member is part of that number.
There have three deaths form the virus in Escambia County, Alabama.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.