Escambia (AL) Schools To Begin Meal Distributions On March 30
March 25, 2020
The Escambia County (AL) School System will offer free meals for children 18 and young at three locations beginning March 30.
The meals will be distributed with curbside pick up. Students will receive two breakfasts and two lunches on Mondays and Wednesdays and one breakfast and one lunch on Fridays from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the following locations:
- Escambia County Middle School, Atmore
- Flomaton Elementary School
- W.S. Neal High School, East Brewton
Note that the locations are open on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and are closed on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Children do not have to be enrolled in the Escambia County (AL) Schools to participate. Breakfast and lunch will be provided to take home. No identification or proof of school enrollment is required, but the child must be present.
Donald Gray Welch
March 25, 2020
Donald Gray Welch resident of Cantonment, FL, passed away on Monday, March 16, 2020, at the age of 88. He was born in Winston-Salem, NC, on August 21, 1931, to the late Laurie Thomas Welch and Mary Ozelle Overcash Welch. Donald was a member of Hillcrest Baptist Church. He was a veteran of the Air Force and Air Force Reserves. He was also very active in the Civil Air Patrol. Donald retired from civil service as an aircraft electrician.
He is preceded in death by his parents; sister, Tommie Faye Welch; son, Gregory Thomas Welch; and grandson, Casey Eugene Bass.
Donald is survived by his wife of 67 years, Carolyn Brown Welch; daughters, Donna Gay (Larry) Bass and Joy (Jim) Whaley; four grandchildren; six great grandchildren; one sister, Sylvia Mathis; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North on Friday, March 20, 2020.
The family will receive friends from 12:30 p.m. prior to services.
Burial will be held in Pensacola Memorial Gardens Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Hillcrest Baptist Church or Covenant Care Hospice.
Patricia Ann “Patty” Miller
March 25, 2020
Patricia Ann “Patty” Miller passed away peacefully at home on March 19, 2020 at the age of 75.
Patty was born in Pensacola to a military family and lived in FL, TX and NV before finally settling back in the Pensacola area. She spent 35 years working at Coca-Cola before retiring in Molino. Patty was known for her quick wit, sarcasm and undying loyalty to the people she loved.
Patty is preceded in death by her parents, Marcus and Eloise Poston, and her brother, David Poston. She is survived by her husband, Tim; son, Pete; sister, Linda; sister-in-law, Alicia; and a host of nieces and nephews.
Graveside service will be held on Sunday, March 22, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Elizabeth of Hungary Catholic Church in Molino, FL.
The family will receive friends on Saturday, March 21, 2020 between the hours of 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. Due to recommendations of the CDC the funeral home will only be able to allow a maximum of 10 people in the building at a time.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her name to the National Osteoporosis Foundation at nof.org.
COVID-19: How To Apply For Reemployment Assistance, Business Loans And Programs
March 25, 2020
Florida Rep. Alex Andrade provided the following information to NorthEscambia.com on how to receive employment assistance, small business loans and other resources due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Reemployment Assistance
If a Floridian’s employment has been negatively impacted as a result of the mitigation efforts in Florida to stop the spread of COVID-19, they may be eligible to receive Reemployment Assistance. While not of direct benefit to business owners, providing the below information to employees whose hours have been cut or who may have been furloughed during this time will put employers in the best position possible to help keep their employees afloat until business operations can resume in earnest.
Individuals who may be eligible for Reemployment Assistance may include:
• Those who are quarantined by a medical professional or a government agency,
• Those who are laid off or sent home without pay for an extended period by their employer due to COVID-19 concerns, or
• Those who are caring for an immediate family member who is diagnosed with COVID-19.
Individuals whose employment has been impacted, but are still receiving wages through paid leave are not eligible to receive Reemployment Assistance.
At this time, individuals who apply for Reemployment Assistance whose employment was negatively impacted as a result of COVID-19 will follow the same application, review and payment process as all applicants for Reemployment Assistance in Florida.
Any Floridian whose employment has been negatively impacted as a result of COVID-19 to visit FloridaJobs.org and click on Reemployment Assistance Service Center to learn more about the program and watch a short video on how to apply. Click here for a direct link to instructions on how to apply for Reemployment Assistance. Click here for a direct link for a FAQ on Reemployment Assistance for individuals who have been impacted by COVID-19.
Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program
The Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program is an up to $50,000 loan currently available to small business owners located in all Florida counties statewide that experienced economic damage as a result of COVID-19. These short-term, interest-free working capital loans are intended to “bridge the gap” between the time a major catastrophe hits and when a business has secured longer term recovery resources, such as sufficient profits from a revived business, receipt of payments on insurance claims or federal disaster assistance.
Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program
The U.S. Small Business Administration is offering designated states and territories low-interest federal disaster loans for working capital (up to $2,000,000) to small businesses suffering substantial economic injury as a result of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). Upon a request received from a state’s or territory’s Governor, SBA will issue under its own authority, as provided by the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act that was recently signed by the President, an Economic Injury Disaster Loan declaration. For more information or to apply please click here.
Other Resources
Short Time Compensation Program for Employers
The Short Time Compensation program helps employers retain their workforce in times of temporary slowdown by encouraging work sharing as an alternative to layoff. The program permits prorated reemployment assistance benefits to employees whose work hours and earnings are reduced as part of a Short Time Compensation plan to avoid total layoff of some employees.
While not as broadly applicable as reemployment assistance, Short-Time Compensation (STC) is available for full-time employees who have established a set number of hours per week, but have been constrained because of COVID-19. Employers who have had to reduce hours of their full time, hourly staff, between 10% and 40% are able to apply for assistance in offsetting the hours they can no longer provide their employees during this period.
Business Damage Assessments Survey
Additionally, the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity activated the Business Damage Assessment Survey at FloridaDisaster.biz. This survey is a critical piece of the State’s efforts to help businesses throughout the state lessen the impacts the mitigation efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19 will have on their bottom line. Please encourage any of the business owners impacted by COVID-19 to fill out the survey.
Nearly 400 Kids Receive Food Bags At Carver Park; Another Distribution Next Week
March 25, 2020
Nearly 400 children that came from as far away as Pensacola and Walnut Hill received food bags Tuesday at Carver Park in Cantonment.
“A very special thank you to some of the best donors and volunteers ever,” Mary Holley-Lewis, member of the Cantonment Improvement Committee that organized the event.
Another food distribution will begin at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, March 31 at Carver Park Park in Cantonment. To receive food, remain in your vehicle, line up facing north on Webb Street and the food will be delivered to your vehicle. Children must be present.
The CIC will be accepting food donations and bagging them on Monday, March 30 beginning at 3 p.m. at Carver Park. Those volunteering to bag food should be prepared to have a temperature check, practice social distancing and other CDC guidelines.
File photo.
Escambia Now At 13 COVID-19 Cases – Six In Cantonment, Seven In Pensacola
March 24, 2020
THIS STORY IS NOW OUTDATED. CLICK HERE FOR AN UPDATE.
There are now 13 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Escambia County, according to the Florida Department of Health. Six of the cases are persons from Cantonment, and seven are from Pensacola.
The three latest Escambia County cases announced Tuesday evening are a 49-year old female and two males ages 26 and 58. The age of those diagnosed in Escambia County ranges from 22 to 76. None of the Escambia County patients are in the hospital; they are all self-quarantined.
Santa Rosa is now at six confirmed cases, the latest announced being a 73-year old male and a 60-year old female.
Tuesday evening, the total number of Florida cases was 1,467 of which 1,379 are Florida residents and 88 are non-residents within the state. There have been 20 deaths reported across the state, including the Santa Rosa County man that died at a Pensacola hospital.
You’re Invited: Virtual ‘Coffee With A Commissioner’ With Health Dept. Boss And County Administrator
March 24, 2020
Commissioner Jeff Bergosh will hold a virtual “District 1 Coffee with Commissioner” Wednesday morning from 6:30 until 7:30 a.m. The online event is not just for District 1 residents.
Guests will include Dr. John Lanza, director of the Florida Department of Health in Escambia County, who will take questions about COVID-19, and Janice Gilley, Escambia County administrator, who will provide an update on the county’s response.
To join, simply go to the following Facebook page at 6:30 a.m. and watch the live stream: https://www.facebook.com/CommissionerBergosh/.
Residents are encouraged to send virtual questions and comments they would like to discuss with their District 1 Commissioner during the event through Facebook.
Four Arrests Made In Escambia County EMS Investigation
March 24, 2020
Four people have been arrested for allegedly falsifying Escambia County EMS records.
Those arrested Tuesday afternoon were:
- Stephen White, former chief of EMS operations
- Katherine Kenny, paramedic supervisor
- Lawrence Salter, Jr., former deputy chief of EMS Operations
- James Bonoyer, former captain in charge of training, quality assurance, and American Heart Association training center coordinator for the county
“The investigation is complete is unless we receive additional information,” State Attorney Bill Eddins told NorthEscambia.com. “I would like the public to know that my office will not tolerate this kind of conduct.”
Eddins said he assigned a special prosecutor to the case, and his office will be seeking jail time for all four defendants.
He said the arrests are the result of a detailed and lengthy investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement into the alleged falsification of official records of the Escambia County Department of Public Safety. The investigation began after a 2019 letter from Escambia County Medical Director Dr. Rayme Edler.
“I am glad the criminal investigation has finally come to a close,” Escambia County Administrator Gilley said. “We are going to continue to provide full cooperation to the State Attorney’s Office as they continue their process.”
“I want to thank the Board of County Commissioners. They have been supportive in uprooting this type of malfeasance,” she said. “I appreciate their trust they have showed me in allowing time to work with our law enforcement partners in the best interest of the public.”
The records alleged to have been falsified pertain to mandatory training courses with the American Heart Association. Successful completion of these courses is a requirement for a paramedic’s license with the State of Florida and employment as an Escambia County EMS paramedic. These courses include basic life support, advanced cardiac life support, pediatric advanced life support and pediatric emergency assessment, recognition and stabilization.
Bonoyer is charged with one count of Racketeering, a first degree felony. Racketeering is punishable with a maximum penalty of 30 years in state prison. He is also charged with 23 counts of official misconduct, a third degree felony. All third degree felonies are punishable by a maximum penalty of five years in state prison. Additionally, Bonoyer faces 20 counts of forgery, a third degree felony, and 13 of paramedic license fraud, a first degree misdemeanor. All first degree misdemeanors are punishable by a maximum penalty of one year in county jail. He was previously employed by the Escambia County Department of Public Safety as the American Heart Association Training Center coordinator and a paramedic.
Kenney is charged with one count of racketeering, a first degree felony, five (5) counts of Official Misconduct, a third degree felony, five (5) counts of Uttering a Forged Instrument, a third degree felony, and four counts of paramedic license fraud, a first degree misdemeanor. At the time of her arrest, she was employed by EMS as a paramedic supervisor. She was immediately terminated by Gilley.
Salter is charged with three counts of official misconduct, a third degree felony, three counts of uttering a forged instrument, a third degree felony, and two counts of paramedic license fraud a first degree misdemeanor. He was previously by Escambia County as deputy chief of operations and a paramedic.
White is charged with one count of racketeering, a first degree felony, eight counts of official ,misconduct, a third degree felony, six counts of uttering a forged instrument, a third degree felony, and two counts of paramedic license fraud, a first degree misdemeanor. He was previously employed by the Escambia County Department of Public Safety as chief of operations and a paramedic.
Eddins also thanked the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for their “excellence in thoroughly investigating this matter of great public importance.”
Gilley said Escambia County EMS is moving forward.
“I do think we have new leadership that is going in a new direction, working for months to make sure training is correct. The public should not be concerned in that sense,” she said. “Everyone is properly trained.”
Baptist, Jay And Gulf Breeze Hospitals Now Have A No Visitation Policy In Place
March 24, 2020
A no visitation policy with limited entry doors has been enacted at Baptist Hospital, Gulf Breeze Hospital and Jay Hospital.
Visitor exceptions will be made for end of life and critical caregivers. Approved visitors will be actively screened prior to entrance with CDC screening questions and temperature checks. They hospital said they recognize and value the vital role friends and family play in restoring the health of their loved ones, but they believe these measures are necessary for the well being of our patients, team members and the community.
Under government guidelines, elective surgeries and procedures at Baptist Health Care facilities have been postponed. This includes Andrews Institute Ambulatory Surgery Center, Baptist Medical Park – Nine Mile Ambulatory Surgery Center, Baptist Hospital, Gulf Breeze Hospital and Jay Hospital.
Baptist is working with all patients to reschedule their care to a future date and ensuring their current needs are being met. Exceptions will be made for time-sensitive and urgent needs on a patient-by-patient basis. This action allows us to redeploy resources including supplies, equipment and staff to meet the current and future needs.
All screening appointments for imaging, including mammograms, DEXA scans, lung CTs and screening endoscopy, are being rescheduled for late April. Medically urgent imaging appointments will remain unchanged as scheduled
Another Cantonment COVID-19 Case Increases Escambia County Total To 10
March 24, 2020
THIS STORY IS NOW OUTDATED. CLICK HERE FOR THE UPDATE.
A 58-year old man in Cantonment has been diagnosed with COVID-19, according to the Florida Department of Health, bringing Escambia County’s total confirmed case count to 10. Santa Rosa County remained at four cases in the latest data release Tuesday.
Four of Escambia County’ cases are from Cantonment, and six are from Pensacola. The age of those diagnosed in Escambia County ranges from 25 to 76. None of the Escambia County patients are currently in the hospital; they are all self-isolated.
There have been 118 negative tests in Escambia County reported to the FDOH.
Of the four cases in Santa Rosa County, three are from Navarre and one is from Miton. A 71-year old male died, and two patients are currently hospitalized.
Tuesday morning, the total number of Florida cases was 1,412, of which 1,330 are Florida residents and 82 are non-residents within the state. There have been 18 deaths reported across the state, including the Santa Rosa County man that died at a Pensacola hospital.