COVID-19 Is Changing Our Lives. And Now It’s Changing What Happens When Loved Ones Die.
March 24, 2020
The COVID-19 pandemic is changing how we all live, and it’s even changing what happens after our loved ones die.
Faith Chapel Funeral Homes is one of a growing number of funerals homes changing the way they do business in response to the virus.
Monday, owners Mike and Teresa said in an open letter than they are continuing to hold visitations and services at this time, but there will be limitations in keeping with CDC guidelines for public gatherings at their two locations.
Faith Chapel is limiting visitations to 30 minutes prior to the service with no more than 10 people in attendance. Families will decide who attends. Their chapel has been roped off and seats marked to indicate the six-foot social distancing limited recommended by the CDS.
According to the letter, if the deceased tested positive for COVID-19, Faith Chapel will not perform a service or visitation for 14 days after date they tested positive. If a test on the deceased is pending, funeral arrangements will be paused until test results are back.
“We are in very different times right now and hopefully with everyone’s cooperation this will not last long so that we may continue to serve or families in a manner that is more comfortable for all of us,” the Atwoods said in their letter.
Hundreds Of Kids Receive Drive-Thru Meals At Schools, Public Libraries. Here’s Where To Get Food.
March 24, 2020
One by one they came as schools and libraries across Escambia County turned into drive-thrus Monday to feed kids during the pandemic.
There were 110 children served at Bratt Elementary School and 214 at Bellview Elementary. All total, 712 kids received meals curbside at five schools. The school district will ramp up efforts next week, expanding Monday-Friday feeding to 33 additional schools that will be announced on Thursday.
“We had a great first day of feeding kids,” said Jaleena Davis, Escambia County School District Food Services director.
A few hundred additional children receive meals at five West Florida Library locations on Monday through at partnership with Feeding the Gulf Coast.
Free meals are available at sites across Escambia and Santa Rosa counties this week for youth under 18. Children must be present to receive meals, which will be distributed curbside at locations listed under the photo below.
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
Town of Century
The Town of Century will have “grab and go” food available for school age children and senior citizens at the Century Business Center, 150 East Pond Street in Century. The food will be available while supplies last beginning at 10 a.m. each day Monday-Friday. If not consumed quickly, some foods may require refrigeration.
Escambia County Schools
Food will be available Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. until noon the week of March 23 for youth 18 and younger at the following schools:
- Bratt Elementary School, 5721 North Highway 99, Bratt
- Bellview Elementary School, 4425 Bellview Avenue
- Warrington Middle School, 459 South Old Corry Field Road, Pensacola
- C.A. Weis Elementary School, 2701 North Q Street, Pensacola
- Booker T. Washington High School, 6000 College Parkway, Pensacola
There will be 33 additional schools announced later and added to the list on Monday, March 30.
Meals will be distributed in a curbside pick up operation. Cafeterias will not be open – food is to be consumed off-site. 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. Each child will receive breakfast and lunch in the same visit. Children do not have to be a student at that school in order to pick up meals there. Children must be present.
West Florida Libraries
Escambia County West Florida Public Libraries are partnering with Feeding the Gulf Coast to provide free curbside pickup meals for youth ages 18 and under at all library branch locations, Monday-Friday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.:
- Molino Branch Library, 6450-A Highway 95A, Molino
- Pensacola Library, 239 N. Spring St., Pensacola
- Tryon Beach Library, 1200 Langley Ave., Pensacola
- Genealogy Branch Library, 5740 N. 9th Ave., Pensacola
- Southwest Branch Library, 12248 Gulf Beach Highway, Pensacola
- Westside Branch Library, 1301 W. Gregory St., Pensacola
- Century Branch Library, 7991 N. Century Blvd., Century
The meals will include lunch and a snack, and meals will be available on a first come, first served basis. Youth must be present to receive meals; food will not be given to adults.
Feeding the Gulf Coast
Feeding the Gulf Coast is providing free meals to children age 18 and younger at multiple locations:
- E Comfort Inc., 2300 N. Pace Blvd, Pensacola
- Cobb Resource Center, 601 E. Mallory St., Pensacola
- Fricker Resource Center, 900 North F St. Pensacola
- Woodland Heights, 111 Berkley Drive, Pensacola
- Gull Point Resource Center, 7000 Spanish Trail, Pensacola
- Bethel AME Church, 511 Woodland Drive, Pensacola
- Brownsville Community Center, 3200 W. DeSoto St., Pensacola
- Bellview Assembly of God, 2920 W. Michigan Ave., Pensacola
- Molino Branch Library, 6450-A Highway 95A, Molino
- West Florida Libraries – Downtown, 239 N. Spring St., Pensacola
- Morris Court, 1401 W. Lloyd St., Pensacola
- Shooting Starz Unlimited, 312 E. Nine Mile Road, Unit 14, Pensacola
- Dixon School of Arts and Science, 1201 H St., Pensacola
- Tryon Beach Library, 1200 Langley Ave., Pensacola
- Genealogy Branch Library, 5740 N. 9th Ave., Pensacola
- Southwest Branch Library, 12248 Gulf Beach Highway, Pensacola
- Westside Branch Library, 1301 W. Gregory St., Pensacola
- Crown Church, 9600 N. Palafox St., Pensacola
- Lillian Square Apartments, 7200 Lillian Highway, Pensacola
- Carver Park Community Center, 208 Webb St., Cantonment
- Magnolia Crossing Apartments, 4312 Magnolia Crossing Circle, Pace
- My Father’s Arrows, Inc., 4025 Highway 178, Jay, (Gate code: 2014)
- Century Branch Library, 7991 N. Century Blvd., Century
For distribution days and times, visit https://www.feedingthegulfcoast.org/find-help/find-a-pantry and search by your location.
SANTA ROSA COUNTY
Breakfast and lunch feeding program school sites with drive-thru service 9:30 until 11 a.m. until further notice at the following locations:
- Milton High School, 5445 Stewart St., Milton
- East Milton Elementary, 5156 Ward Basin Road, Milton
- Bagdad Elementary, 4512 Forsyth St., Milton
- T.R. Jackson Pre-K Center, 4950 Susan St., Milton
- Russell Elementary, 3740 Excalibur Way, Milton
- Berryhill Elementary, 4900 Berryhill Road, Milton
- Jay Elementary, 13833 Alabama St., Jay
- Central School, 6180 Central School Road, Milton
- Pea Ridge Elementary, 4775 School Lane, Pace
- Holly Navarre Primary, 8019 Escola Street, Navarre
Pictured: Meal distribution for kids under 18 Monday at the Century Branch Library. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Three COVID-19 Cases In Cantonment; Six In Pensacola, FDOH Says
March 24, 2020
THIS STORY IS OUTDATED. CLICK HERE FOR AN UPDATE.
The Florida Department of Health says three of Escambia County’s COVID-19 cases are in Cantonment, and six are in Pensacola.
The age of those diagnosed in Escambia County ranges from 25 to 76. One case is travel related, three are not related to travel, and the travel is unknown for five individuals. None of the nine Escambia County patients are currently in the hospital; they are all self-isolated.
Of the four cases in Santa Rosa County, three are from Navarre and one is from Miton.
Monday afternoon, the total number of Florida cases was 1,227, of which 1,147 are Florida residents and 80 are non-residents within the state. There have been 17 deaths reported across the state, including the Santa Rosa County man that died at a Pensacola hospital.
ECUA Closes Walk-In Customer Service, Suspends Non-Payment Disconnects
March 24, 2020
ECUA has closed their walk-in customer service center and Ellyson Industrial Park, and they have suspend disconnects for non-payment.
Customers can take advantage of a variety of bill pay payment options that do not require face-to-face exposure or can be accomplished from home. For information on bill payment options, visit ecua.fl.gov/my-bill.
ECUA has suspended disconnections for non-payment for both residential and commercial accounts during the pandemic period.
Escambia County Parks Are Open. But Don’t Do This.
March 24, 2020
Escambia County’s parks are open, but the county is offering advice on how to stay COVID-19 safe.
The county is asking park visitors to refrain from using playground equipment because the highly-touched surfaces are not disinfected. The county is also encouraging park visitors to bring their own sports equipment.
Many of Escambia County’s parks offer paved walking trails, ball courts and other amenities that can still be enjoyed. Click here to find an Escambia County park. Note that all community centers listed on that page are closed.
Pictured: The playground at the Barrineau Park Community Center. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Escambia Animal Shelter Limits Services, Not Accepting Drop-Offs. But You Can Still Adopt.
March 24, 2020
The pandemic is restricting services offered by the Escambia County Animal Shelter.
Animal Services will not accept animals from the public until further notice, and they are asking citizens not to pick-up stray animals or bring them to the shelter.
Adoptions and claiming lost animals can only be done by appointment only. The shelter is asking the citizens to only request an adoption appointment if they are truly interested in adopting any animal because appointment time slots are limited.
To looks for lost pets or see adoptable pets, visit www.petharbor.com.
Escambia County Animal Services will continue to handle non-contact calls and emergencies. For more information or to make an adoption appointment, call (850) 595-3076 or email animalshelter@myescambia.com.
Warm And Bit Windy For Tuesday, Getting Even Warmer Later This Week
March 24, 2020
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Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tuesday: A slight chance of showers Otherwise, partly sunny, with a high near 83. Light south wind increasing to 10 to 15 mph in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers after 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 67. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 84. West wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 61. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 87. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 64. South wind around 5 mph.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 86. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 68. South wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high near 86.
Saturday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 66.
Sunday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 81.
Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 58.
Monday: Partly sunny, with a high near 78.
James Scott Sutton
March 24, 2020
With great sadness our family announces the loss of our husband, daddy, son, brother, uncle, and friend, James Scott Sutton, on Sunday, March 22, 2020 at the age of 39. James was born October 7, 1980 in Georgetown, Kentucky. He attended Scott County High School.
James is survived by his loving family: wife, Naomi; four daughters, Ashlin, Camdyn, Avery, and Eliana; and son, Jaxon. He was also survived by his mother, Kelli Glass Parks; step father, Jason Parks; sister, Michaela Abney Vest; brother, Eric M. Abney; maternal grandmother, Lynne G. Glass; aunts, Terry Sutton, Debbi Link (Joel), and Angie Riddle (Brian); uncles, Scotty Sutton (Jennifer) and Ken Glass (Amanda); and his many nieces, nephews, and in-laws that will always love him.
James is preceded in death by his father, Douglas Preston Sutton; paternal grandparents, Charlie Sutton and Connie Sutton; and maternal grandfather, James Glass.
Pallbearers will be Seth Sawyer, Justin Smith, Alex Farrington, Sam Sutton, Eric Abney, and Joe Miller. Honorary Pallbearers will be Jaxon Flowers, Ja
mes Edmonson, Jason Parks, Scotty Sutton, and Brett Sawyer.
James Sutton’s Memorial Service will be held on Friday, March 27, 2020 at Crown Church located at 9600 N. Palafox St., Pensacola, FL 32534.
Viewing for family will begin at 12:30PM friends at 1:00PM with services beginning at 1:30PM.
Graveside Service to follow at New Beginning’s Church of God, Pilgrim’s Rest Cemetery, located on the corner of Thomley Street, and Jacobi Street Molino, FL 32577.
Escambia County COVID-19 Cases Now At Nine; Two-Year Old Diagnosed In Santa Rosa County
March 23, 2020
The total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Escambia County has increased to nine, according to the Florida Department of Health. The number of cases in Santa Rosa County has increased to four, included a two-year old.
The age of those diagnosed in Escambia County ranges from 25 to 76. One case is travel related, three are not related to travel, and the travel is unknown for five individuals. None of the nine Escambia County patients are currently in the hospital; they are all self-isolated.
The latest case in Santa Rosa County is a two-year old, according to the FDOH. A 71-year old male died, and two patients are currently hospitalized.
Monday afternoon, the total number of Florida cases was 1,227, of which 1,147 are Florida residents and 80 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.
DeSantis Says He Won’t Issue A ‘Shelter In Place’ Order For Florida
March 23, 2020
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said Monday afternoon that he does not intended to issue a “shelter in place” type order for the state, but he does intend to restrict persons arriving by air from New York and New Jersey.
“That would be a very blunt instrument….It’s not really clear to me that doing an entire massive shutdown of the entire state would work,” DeSantis said during a news conference from his Tallahassee office. He said people will be noncompliant has been evident in videos from other states where such orders are in place.
“A governor is not going to start imprisoning people just because they leave their house,” he said.
“This is not a virus that’s impacting every corner of the state. We have 20 counties that have zero cases,” he said.
“It’s not going to be easy in the days and weeks to come but we will get through it and we’ll be there for you,” DeSantis said.
“We’re going to work hard together as a community and we’re going to come out of this on the other side stronger than we are now.”
DeSantis said he will issue an executive order requiring a 14-day self quarantine for travelers arriving by air from COVID-19 hotspots New York and New Jersey. He said there were 190 flights scheduled from the New York area to Florida on Monday, and he would think each one probably had someone positive on the flight.