First COVID-19 Case Reported In Escambia County, Alabama
March 28, 2020
The first confirmed case of COVID-19 has been reported in Escambia County, Alabama, by the Alabama Department of Health.
The Alabama Department of Health did not provide additional information such as city of residence or age of the patient. The Escambia County Healthcare Authority said Friday night that the patient’s sample was not collected at either hospital in the county — Atmore Community Hospital or D.W. McMillan Hospital in Brewton.
There are 639 confirmed COVID-19 cases statewide in Alabama as of early Saturday morning with three reported deaths in Mobile, Madison and Jackson counties.
Above Average Temperatures For The Weekend
March 28, 2020
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high near 87. South wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Saturday Night: Patchy fog after 11pm. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 69. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday: A 20 percent chance of showers before 4pm. Patchy fog before 9am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 84. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming west in the afternoon.
Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Monday: Partly sunny, with a high near 83. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.
Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 65. South wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Cloudy, with a high near 79. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Tuesday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 56. West wind 5 to 10 mph becoming northwest after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 74.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 51.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 74.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 51.
Friday: Partly sunny, with a high near 74.
Escambia Jumps To 28 Positive COVID-19 Cases; Santa Rosa At 13
March 28, 2020
THIS STORY IS OUTDATED. CLICK HERE FOR AN UPDATE.
Escambia County jumped to 28 positive COVID-19 cases in the latest report from the Florida Department of Health, up by eight in just 24 hours. Santa Rosa County now has 13 cases.
Of the Escambia County cases, 20 people are from Pensacola seven are from Cantonment and one is a non-resident. They range in age from 22 to 94, and at least one was in the hospital.
In Santa Rosa County, seven positive are from Navarre, two are from Pace and two are from Milton.
There are 3,198 cases across Florida. Of those 3,054 are Florida residents and 144 are non-residents. COVID-19 has now killed 46 in Florida, and 503 are hospitalized.
County Provides Mobile Hand-Washing Stations To Homeless Centers Amid Coronavirus
March 28, 2020
Escambia County is providing hand-washing stations at homeless centers during the coronavirus pandemic.
The mobile hand-washing stations are at the Waterfront Rescue Mission, 380 W. Herman St., and the Alfred Washburn Center, 31 Murphy Lane.
The hand-washing stations have been placed in strategic areas surrounding the buildings to allow homeless individuals to practice good hygiene and hand-washing techniques.
Waterfront Mission is currently open and providing limited day services, walk up lunch, and limited overnight stay for men. The Alfred Washburn Center is also open and providing to-go meals, showers and laundry facilities for homeless individuals. Find more information about these agencies online at www.waterfrontmission.org and www.alfredwashburn.org.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Florida To Add Road Checkpoints As Louisiana Added To Travel Self-Isolation Requirements
March 27, 2020
Gov. Ron DeSantis said Friday afternoon there will be highway checkpoints in the Panhandle as he adds Louisiana residents to the state’s quarantine requirements to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
In a letter Thursday to DeSantis, Escambia County Administrator Janice Gilley requested that Louisiana be added to the required 14-day self-quarantine the governor has imposed upon travelers from the New York area. On Monday, the governor ordered people traveling by air to Florida from New York, New Jersey and Connecticut to self-isolate for 14 days.
“My request is that you acknowledge travel restrictions for visitors coming into Northwest Florida, particularly those coming from Louisiana. Many of these travelers may be bringing the virus with them but are not yet symptomatic,” Gilley wrote. “I believe that Escambia County could be protected if you issue a statement specifically requiring a quarantine of at least 14 days for any visitor coming from Louisiana.”
“There’s a fear that as New Orleans becomes more of a hotspot that you could have an influx of people into the Florida Panhandle from Louisiana,” DeSantis said.
DeSantis said counties and the Florida Highway Patrol will be able to enforce the requirements at checkpoints on the “main thoroughfares” into Florida, including I-10. He suggested vehicles with Louisiana license plates would be flagged, stopped at the checkpoints, and informed of the 14-day self-isolation requirement.
“All we’re trying to do is keep our residents here safe. If you’re coming from one of the epicenters, we probably think that you should follow the directions of your state and local officials, and if they’re telling you to shelter in place, then do that, but don’t come here because we’re trying to protect our folks,” DeSantis said.
DeSantis also suspended new vacation rentals for 14 days.
As of Friday afternoon, Louisiana had 2,746 positive cases and 119 deaths due to coronavirus. Florida had 2,900 cases with 34 deaths. Louisiana is under a shelter-in-place order, while Florida is not.
Log Truck Driver Passes Away After Running Into Wooded Area In Century
March 27, 2020
A log truck driver has passed away after being trapped in mangled cab of his truck over an hour and a half midday Friday after crashing into a wooded area on North Century Boulevard in Century.
The Florida Highway Patrol said 59-year old John Rivers of Greenville, Alabama, was northbound on North Century Boulevard (Highway 29) about 11;!5 a.m. when he crossed the paved median just south of West Highway 4 and ran the entire semi-truck into a wooded area. The force of collision downed downed several mid-size trees.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Firefighters were forced to cut away parts of the cab, freeing the driver about 12:50 p.m. He was transported to Atmore Community Hospital where he was pronounced deceased.
North Century Boulevard was closed for the duration of the extrication.
The Florida Highway Patrol is continuing their investigation.
The Century, Cantonment and McDavid stations of Escambia Fire Rescue, Flomaton Fire Department, Atmore Ambulance and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office were among those that responded.
All ‘Non-Essential Businesses’ In Alabama To Ordered Closed By Saturday Afternoon
March 27, 2020
Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey has ordered many types of non-essential businesses in the state to close in an effort to stop the spread of COVID-19. The order goes into effect at 5 p.m. on Saturday, March 28 and expires Friday, April 17 at 5 p.m.
“Folks, this is serious and this is real,” Ivey said. “We must be serious about eliminating the spread of this deadly virus.”
She stopped short of issuing a shelter-in-place order, saying “she has to keep an eye on the economy.”
“I have the responsibility to look statewide and in this case, one size does not fit all,” she added. “We can’t print enough money in Washington D.C. to bring businesses back to life. Individually, if people want to impose their own shelter in place, they do not need my permission to do so.”
The businesses ordered closed include entertainment venues such as theaters, racetracks, indoor children’s play area and casinos; athletic facilities including fitness centers, spas, and activities on commercial or playground equipment; close-contact service providers such barber shops, hair salons, nail salons and tanning salons; and retail stores such as department stores, furniture stores, clothing stores and sporting goods stores. A more complete list in the order below.
Gas stations, grocery stores, pharmacies and business types not on the list below can remain open.
The order also prohibits any non-work related gathering of 10 more people or that cannot maintain a 6-foot separation between people.
Among the businesses ordered closed in Alabama are:
Entertainment venues as follows:
- Night clubs
- Bowling alleys
- Arcades
- Concert venues
- Theaters, auditoriums, and performing arts centers
- Tourist attractions (including museums and planetariums)
- Racetracks
- Indoor children’s play areas
- Adult entertainment venues
- Casinos
- Bingo halls
- Venues operated by social clubs
Athletic facilities and activities as follows:
- Fitness centers and commercial gyms
- Spas and public or commercial swimming pools
- Yoga, barre, and spin facilities
- Spectator sports
- Sports that involve interaction with another person of closer than 6 feet
- Activities that require use of shared sporting apparatus and equipment
- Activities on commercial or public playground equipment
Close-contact service providers as follows:
- Barber shops
- Hair salons
- Waxing salons
- Threading salons
- Nail salons and spas
- Body-art facilities and tattoo services
- Tanning salons
Massage-therapy establishments and massage services
- Retail stores as follows:
- Furniture and home-furnishings stores
- Clothing, shoe, and clothing-accessory stores
- Jewelry, luggage, and leather goods stores
- Department stores
- Sporting goods stores
- Book, craft, and music stores
Pictured: A sidewalk sale in downtown Atmore a few months ago. NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Escambia COVID-19 Cases Rise To 22, Santa Rosa At 11
March 27, 2020
THIS IS AN OUTDATED STORY. CLICK HERE FOR AN UPDATE>
The number of COVID-19 cases in Escambia County increased by two while the number in Santa Rosa County decreased by one in the lastest midday report from the Florida Department of Health.
Escambia County now has 22 cases — 15 in Pensacola, six in Cantonment and one non-resident that is in the county. They range in age from 22 to 76, and only one is hospitalized.
Santa Rosa County has 11 cases with one death and six hospitalizations. The cases range in age from two months to 81 years. Santa Rosa County had 12 cases reported on Thursday, but one was reclassified.
There are now 2,900 cases in Florida, of which 2,757 are Florida residents and 135 are non-residents. The death toll now stands at 35.
Escambia Schools Distributing Meals At Over Three Dozen Sites Next Week (With List)
March 27, 2020
The Escambia County School District is adding nearly three dozen additional schools to the list of sites where families can pick up breakfast and lunch for free beginning Monday, March 30
All sites will provide children or teens a breakfast meal and a lunch meal during the same visit. The meals are designed to be carried away and consumed off campus; cafeterias and dining rooms will not be open. Meals will be distributed in a curbside pick-up operation. Food items will be in to-go containers and will consist of ready-to-eat food items that should be consumed when received or should be quickly refrigerated for consumption at a later time.
Meals will be distributed to children 18 and younger from 9 a.m. until noon Monday through Friday, except for Friday, April 10. Students must be present according to USDA policy.
Distribution sites are:
- Jim Allen Elementary School, 1051 Highway 95A North, Cantonment
- Jim C. Bailey Middle School, 4110 Bauer Road, Pensacola
- Bellview Elementary School, 4425 Bellview Ave., Pensacola,
- Beulah Elementary School, 6201 Helms Road, Pensacola
- Beulah Middle School, 6001 W. Nine Mile Road, Pensacola
- Blue Angels Elementary School, 1551 Dog Track Road, Pensacola
- Bratt Elementary School, 5721 North Highway 99, Century
- Brentwood Elementary School, 4820 N. Palafox St. (U.S. 29), Pensacola
- Cordova Park Elementary School, 2250 Semur Road, Pensacola
- Ensley Elementary School, 501 E. Johnson Ave., Pensacola
- Ernest Ward Middle School, 7650 Highway 97, Walnut Hill
- Ferry Pass Elementary School, 8310 N. Davis Highway, Pensacola
- Ferry Pass Middle School, 8355 Yancey Ave., Pensacola
- Global Learning Academy, 100 North P St., Pensacola
- Lincoln Park Elementary School, 7600 Kershaw St., Pensacola
- Longleaf Elementary School, 2600 Longleaf Drive, Pensacola
- L.D. McArthur Elementary School, 330 E. Ten Mile Road, Pensacola
- Molino Park Elementary School, 899 Highway 97, Molino
- Montclair Elementary School, 820 Massachusetts Ave., Pensacola
- Myrtle Grove Elementary School, 6115 Lillian Highway, Pensacola
- Navy Point Elementary School, 1321 Patton Drive, Pensacola
- Northview High School, 4100 West Highway 4, Bratt
- Oakcrest Elementary School, 1820 N. Hollywood Blvd., Pensacola
- Pensacola High School, 500 W. Maxwell St., Pensacola
- Pine Meadow Elementary School, 10001 Omar Ave., Pensacola
- Pleasant Grove Elementary School, Owen Bell Lane, Pensacola
- Ransom Middle School, 1000 W. Kingsfield Road, Cantonment
- Scenic Heights Elementary School, 3801 Cherry Laurel Drive, Pensacola
- O.J. Semmes Elementary School, 1250 E. Texar Drive, Pensacola
- Sherwood Elementary School, 501 Cherokee Trail, Pensacola
- A.K. Suter Elementary School, 501 Pickens Ave., Pensacola
- J.M. Tate High School, 1771 Tate Road, Cantonment
- Warrington Elementary School, 220 N. Navy Blvd., Pensacola
- Warrington Middle School, 459 South Old Corry Field Road, Pensacola
- Booker T. Washington High School, 6000 College Parkway, Pensacola
- C.A. Weis Elementary School, 2701 North Q St., Pensacola
- West Pensacola Elementary School, 801 North 49th Ave., Pensacola
- Workman Middle School, 6299 Lanier Drive, Pensacola
NorthEscambia.com photo.
Warm Weather Pattern Continues
March 27, 2020
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Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Friday: Partly sunny, with a high near 86. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 65. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high near 86. South wind 5 to 15 mph.
Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday: A 20 percent chance of showers before 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 82. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon.
Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 83. East wind around 5 mph.
Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 64. Calm wind.
Tuesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 82. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 58.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 75.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 52.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 75.