Contact Tracers Name Reason For Increase In COVID-19 Cases In Escambia County
June 14, 2020
Think of them as medical detectives, CSI for the coronavirus.
When a new COVID-19 case is diagnosed in Escambia County, the contact tracing begins — health department professionals work with patients to develop a list of everyone they have been in close contact with during a certain period.
And that contact tracing has led the Florida Department of Health in Escambia County to determine what has led to a recent increase in COVID-19 cases in Escambia County.
The reason? “Congregational living environments or habitats” — living in a household or activities such as riding together in vehicles.
“These epidemiologic investigation results reinforce how important it is for individuals to continue to practice disease prevention methods to reduce transmission of COVID-19 in Escambia County,” said FDOH-Escambia Director, Dr. John J. Lanza.
When a person tests positive for a COVID-19, a public health case investigator will work with the patient to create a list of people they’ve been in contact with during a given time frame. The contact tracing expert then contacts each of those people so that they can take appropriate precautions (getting tested, self-isolation, monitor for symptoms, etc.) and, in turn, create a list of people they’ve been in contact with as necessary. By using this strategy, contact tracers work to get ahead of infectious diseases and prevent further spread.
All public health professionals who conduct contact tracing are highly trained in confidentiality. When they talk to people who have been in contact with a patient, they do not share any information about that person under any circumstance.
Dry The Remainder Of The Week
June 14, 2020
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 65. Calm wind.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 91. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 67. Calm wind.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 89. Calm wind.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 67. Calm wind.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 88. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 67. Calm wind.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 89.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 68.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 89.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 69.
Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90.
Inmate Airlifted After Being Stabbed At Century Prison
June 14, 2020
A Century Correctional Institution inmate was airlifted to the hospital after being stabbed Saturday afternoon.
Escambia County Fire Rescue and Escambia County EMS were dispatched to the prison on Tedder Road just after 4 p.m. The inmate was transported by medical helicopter to a Pensacola hospital. He had reportedly been stabbed multiple times.
The Florida Department of Corrections has not released additional information as they continue their investigation.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Funeral Services Held For Former Cantonment Fire Chief
June 14, 2020
A former Cantonment fire chief has passed away.
Funeral services were held Sunday for 51-year old Johnell Vincent Smith of Cantonment.
Smith volunteered at the Cantonment Volunteer Fire Department from 1995 to 2008 and served as chief for a couple of years. On May 28, Escambia Fire Rescue presented him with a white chief’s helmet in honor of his service.
Also last month, Smith’s 12-year old son Dakota wanted to go ahead and do something special for Smith for Father’s Day, and asked for a community parade for his dad as he battled state 4 pancreatic cancer. The two sat together in a golf cart alongside Casey Lane on a May Sunday afternoon to watch as the community came together for the very special parade.
For Smith’s obituary, click here.
Landowners, Producers In The Sandy Hollow, Pine Barren Creek Watershed Wanted to Help Pensacola Bay
June 14, 2020
Escambia County is requesting assistance and participation from landowners in the Sandy Hollow – Pine Barren Creek watershed area to work with USDA-NRCS on the Pensacola Bay Watershed Nutrient Reduction Project.
Landowners and producers within the designated watershed area who are actively engaged in row crop, livestock and forest production may be eligible for conservation practice implementation cost share under the project. The project application deadline is Tuesday, June 30.
The project will restore resources injured by the Deep Water Horizon oil spill as outlined in the following Natural Resource Damage Assessment process. This following is included within the restoration plan:
- Restoration goal: Restore Water Quality
- Restoration type: Nutrient Reduction (Non-point source)
- Restoration approach: Reduce nutrient loads to coastal watershed
- Restoration techniques: Agricultural conservation practices
The primary goal for the nutrient reduction project is water quality improvement through nutrient and sediment reduction. This watershed-scale project restores water quality impacted by the DWH oil spill by reducing nutrients and the sediments carrying them into coastal waters. Given the success of USDA-NRCS Farm Bill programs such as EQIP and their strong acceptance by private landowners, there is a significant opportunity to implement conservation practices on private lands that would reduce the levels of nutrients and sediments entering the Gulf of Mexico from the Pensacola Bay watershed.
The USDA-NRCS would provide technical assistance to voluntary participants to develop conservation plans and would use all available conservation practices typically planned and funded by USDA-NRCS programs. The project goal is to make a discernible difference in water quality at the watershed level.
Contact the USDA-NRCS Molino field office at (850) 840-9089 for further information on program details.
Click map to enlarge.
5,000 Pound Food Giveaway Monday Morning At Nine Mile Road Church
June 14, 2020
St. Luke United Methodist Church will be giving away 5,000 pounds of food Monday in partnership with Feeding the Gulf Coast.
The church parking lo will open at 8 a.m. for pre-registration. Attendees will remain in their vehicles and will need an identification and will need to know how many people in the household are under 18 year or over 65.
The distribution begins at 10 a.m. on first come, first served basis at 1394 East Nine Mile Road.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Here Are This Week’s Road Construction Slow Spots
June 14, 2020
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads and projects in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.
Escambia County:
- · Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement- Bridge construction may require the following lane closures from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. The week of Sunday, June 14:
o Intermittent east and westbound lane closures on U.S. 98 from North 14th Avenue in Pensacola to east of the Pensacola Bay Bridge in Gulf Breeze.
o Intermittent lane closures on North 17th Avenue in Pensacola between U.S. 98 and the CSX Railroad overpass (Graffiti Bridge).
- · U.S. 29 Widening from Interstate 10 (I-10) to Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90)– Drivers traveling Nine Mile Road at the U.S. 29 overpass and U.S. 29 traffic between I-10 and 9 & Half Mile Road may experience alternating lane shifts or closures as crews continue drainage and paving operations.
- · Michigan Avenue (S.R. 296) at Mobile Highway and Memphis Avenue- Construction activities have begun on a safety improvement project at Mobile Highway and Memphis Avenue. No lane closures anticipated at this time.
- · 9th Avenue, Davis Highway (State Road (S.R.) 291), Alcaniz Street (S.R. 289) , Wright Street (U.S. 98) Underground Sewer Line Videography- Traffic may encounter intermittent lane restrictions from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday through Thursday until Tuesday, June 30 as crews inspect sanitary sewer lines.
- · Bayou Boulevard (S.R. 296) Drainage Improvements at the intersection of Perry Avenue- The southbound lane will be closed at the intersection of Perry Avenue from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. until Friday, July 10.
- · Perdido Key Drive (S.R. 292) Pedestrian Crosswalk Construction at Flora-Bama- Signalization continues. Crews will also perform concrete work at the pedestrian crosswalk. No lane closures are expected. Drivers are reminded to watch for workers and equipment entering and exiting the roadway.
- · U.S. 29 Resurfacing from south of County Road (C.R.) 184 (Muscogee Road) to S.R. 97 (Atmore Highway)- Motorists can expect intermittent daytime lane restrictions as crews continue construction activities at various locations. There will also be intermittent and alternating lane restriction from 8 pm. to 6 a.m. at the intersection of U.S. 29 and Muscogee Road/Becks Lake Road.
- · Mobile Highway (U.S. 90) Intersection Improvements at New Warrington Road
(S.R. 295) – Construction activities are underway. Drivers can expect lane closures between 9:30 p.m. and 6 a.m.
- Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90) Widening from Pine Forest Road (State Road (S.R.)) to U.S. 29 – Cove Avenue north of Nine Mile Road will be closed to traffic at 7 a.m. beginning Tuesday, June 16. Drivers may use 9 & Half Mile Road and Bowman Avenue as an alternate route. The temporary closure is anticipated to take seven to ten days.
- Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90) Widening from Beulah Road to Pine Forest Road (S.R. 297)- Nine Mile Road between Klondike Road and Surrey Drive will be shifted to the newly constructed eastbound roadway as crews build the new westbound lanes the week of Sunday, June 14. One lane in each direction will open between Pinecone Drive and Surry Drive. Just west of Pinecone Drive, westbound traffic will open to two travel lanes. In addition, a portion of the I-10 off-ramp that connects to Nine Mile Road (Exit 5) westbound remains closed. Drivers can continue to access Nine Mile Road east and westbound using the other section of the ramp. The partial ramp closure is needed to reconstruct the ramp.
Santa Rosa County:
- · Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement - Bridge construction may require the following lane closures from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. The week of Sunday, June 14:
o Intermittent east and westbound lane closures from North 14th Avenue in Pensacola to east of the Pensacola Bay Bridge in Gulf Breeze.
o Intermittent lane closures on North 17th Avenue in Pensacola between U.S. 98 and the CSX Railroad overpass (Graffiti Bridge).
- · S.R. 4 Resurfacing and Drainage Improvements from the Escambia River Bridge to Market Road (C.R. 87A) in Jay –There will be a slow-moving vehicle used to perform striping operations. There will also be intermittent shoulder closures throughout the project.
- · U.S. 90 Pavement Marking Operations between Avalon Boulevard (S.R. 281) and the Okaloosa County Line-Motorists can expect minor delays Sunday through Thursday from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. until Thursday, Aug. 27 as slow-moving vehicles are used to perform pavement marking operations.
- · U.S. 98 Safety Improvement from Villa Woods Circle to Ortega Park Drive- Paving operations are underway throughout the project limits. Drivers can expect nighttime lane restrictions.
- · S.R. 87 Bridge Rehabilitation and Repair Over Yellow River- Motorists may encounter nighttime southbound lane closures as crews continue expansion joint work.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Another Escambia County COVID-19 Death; Florida Sees Record Single Day Increase In Cases
June 13, 2020
THIS STORY IS OUTDATED. SEE NORTHESCAMBIA.COM FOR THE LATEST UPDATE.
The number of COVID-19 cases in Escambia County increased by five as another death was reported Saturday, according to the Friday report from the Florida Department of Health. Saturday was the highest single day increase in cases across the state.
The Escambia fatality was a 97-year old long-term care facility resident that had previous contact with a known case.
The number of cases in Escambia County is now 961, and Santa Rosa County increased by 10 to 285.
Across Florida, the number of cases increased by 2,581 for a total of 73,552. Saturday was the first day more than 2,000 new cases were reported in a single 24 hour period. The increase is somewhat attributed to increased testing and, according to Gov. Ron DeSantis, an increase in farm workers on large commercial farms.
The jump in new cases Friday (which are reported on Saturday) came without a significant increase in the number tests received. DOH received tests for 39,815 individuals Friday. That’s fewer than the number of results received Friday a week ago (57,074) and lower than the peak of 77,934 tests received.
Of the 38 deaths in Escambia County, 29 have been long-term care facility residents or staff. There have been nine deaths in Santa Rosa County, seven of those at the Blackwater River Correctional Facility and none in long-term care facilities.
Statewide, there were 73,552 cases including 71,589 Florida residents. There have been 11,874 hospitalizations* and 2,925 deaths. The Florida Department of Health does not have a clear standard or definition of “recovered” and does not report a number of recovered individuals.
Escambia County cases:
- Total cases — 961 (+5 since Friday)
- Pensacola — 680
- Cantonment — 56
- Bellview — 6
- Perdido Key — 1
- McDavid — 1
- Walnut Hill — 1
- Molino – 13
- Century — 3
- Hospitalizations: 67*
- Deaths — 38
- Male — 324
- Female — 440
- Youngest — 0
- Oldest — 105
Santa Rosa County cases:
- Total cases — 285 (+10 since Friday)
- Milton — 166
- Navarre — 43
- Gulf Breeze — 34
- Pace — 19
- Jay — 4
- Residents: 129
- Nonresidents — 1
- Hospitalizations — 26*
- Deaths — 9
- Male — 185
- Female — 86
- Youngest — 2 months
- Oldest — 98
Florida cases:
- Total cases — 73,552
- Florida residents — 71,589
- Deaths — 2,925
- Hospitalizations — 11,874*
*“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.
Here Are The Local Candidates That Qualified For The 2020 Ballot. And Those Automatically Elected.
June 13, 2020
Noon Friday was the deadline for local candidates to qualify to appear on the 2020 ballot.
Primaries are open — with voters from all parties voting — if there is not a candidate that qualified from both parties or a write-in candidate that declared. The Escambia County Commission District 5 primary, for instance, will be open to all voters because there are only Republican candidates.
In races where only one candidate qualified, that person was automatically elected. That means two Escambia County school board members, the property appraiser, supervisor of elections and one incumbent Century council member were elected Friday.
The primary election in August 18, and the general election is November 3.
Here are the candidates that will appear on the ballot:
Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller
- Pamela Lynn Chiders – R – incumbent
- Chase Anderson “Andy” Romagnano – write-in
Sheriff
- David Alexander III – D
- Chip Simmons – R
Property Appraiser
- Chris Jones – D – incumbent, reelected with no opposition
Tax Collector
- Scott Lunsford – R – incumbent
- Wendy Rich – NPA
Supervisor of Elections
- David Stafford – R – incumbent, reelected with no opposition
County Commission District 1 (Open Primary)
- Jeff Bergosh – R – incumbent
- Jesse Casey – R
- Jonathan Owens – R
- Jimmie Trotter – R
County Commission District 3
- Jason Laird – write-in, won’t appear on ballot
- Lumon May – D – incumbent
- LuTimothy May Sr. – D
County Commission District 5 (Open Primary)
- Steven Barry – R – incumbent
- John Reading – R
- Meagan Walters – R
ECUA District 1
(Open Primary)
- Debra Brusso – R
- Vicki H. Campbell – R – incumbent
ECUA District 3
- John R. Johnson – NPA
- Ellison Bennett – D
- Clorissti Bernie-Shoemo – D
- Eric L. Jordan Sr. – D
- Ashley McDonald – D
- Larry Williams – D
- Pueschel Schneier – R
ECUA District 5
(Open Primary)
- Kevin Stephens – R
- Larry Walker – R – incumbent
The following offices are non-partisan.
Town of Century Mayor
- Benjamin D. Boutwell
- Henry Hawkins – incumbent
Town of Century Council Seat 1
- Ann C. Brooks – incumbent
- Calvin Cottrell Jr.
- Dynette Lewis
Town of Century Council Seat 2
- Luis Gomez Jr. – incumbent, reelected with no opposition
Town of Century Council Seat 3
- Shelisa Dorshae McCall
- Leonard B. White
Escambia County Soil and Water Conservation District, Group 1
- Matt Sharpsteen
- Betty Wilson – incumbent
Escambia County Soil and Water Conservation District, Group 3
- Catherine Monroe-Dismuke – elected with no opposition
Escambia County Soil and Water Conservation District, Group 5
- Louis A. Toth –elected with no opposition
Escambia County Judge, Group 2
- Charles Young – elected with no opposition
Escambia County School Board District 4
- Patty Hightower – incumbent, reelected with no opposition
Escambia County School Board District 5
- Bill Slayton – incumbent, reelected with no opposition
Santa Rosa Island Authority
- Thomas A. Campanella – incumbent, reelected with no opposition
Pensacola City Council District 1
- Jennifer Brahier
- P.C. Wu – incumbent
Pensacola City Council District 3
- Casey Jones – elected with no opposition
Pensacola City Council District 5
- Teniade Broughton
- Ron Helms
Pensacola City Council District 7
- Brenton Goodman
- James L. Gulley
- Delarian Wiggins
FEDERAL, STATE AND JUDICIAL CANDIDATES
These are the federal, state and judicial candidates in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
U.S. Representative House District 1
- Phil Ehr – D
- Matt Gaetz – R – incumbent
- Greg Merk – R
- John Mills – R
- Albert Oram – NPA
State Attorney
- Ginger Bowden Madden – R – elected with no opposition
Public Defender
- Bruce A. Miller – R – incumbent, reelected with no opposition
State Senator District 1
- Douglas V. Broxson – R – incumbent
- Karen M. Butler – D
State Representative House District 1
- Mike Hill – R – incumbent
- Michelle Salzman – R
- Franscine C. Mathis – D
- Barbara Scott-Shouse – D
State Representative House District 2
- Alex Andrade – R – incumbent
- Cris Dosev – R
- Dianne Krumel – D
State Representative House District 3
- Angela L. Hoover – D
- Jayer Williamson – R – incumbent
Microgrants Totaling $50,000 Available To Black Owned Small Businesses In Escambia County
June 13, 2020
The Spring Entrepreneur Hub is launching it’s Black-Owned Small Business Microgrant Program. It will provide grants totaling $50,000 to eligible black-owned small businesses in Escambia County.
Each microgrant will provide a minimum of $1,500 per business. While all black-owned companies are eligible to receive grant funds, this will be given to companies that did not receive any of the COVID-19 state or federal programs during 2020.
The application deadline is through 9 a.m. on Monday, June 22. Winners will be selected by Friday, June 27.
Requirements:
- Must be a black-owned business located within Escambia County.
- Business owner must be 18 years of age or older.
- Verification of company information (employees, revenue, income tax return) may be required.
- All funding must be used for payroll, rent/mortgage or utility payments only. This is also subject to verification.
- Funding may not be used as a founder stipend.
- Winners may be asked to update on impact from grant funding.
Applying by clicking or tapping here.
For more information or assistance, contact contact D.C. Reeves at The Spring at dcreeves@quintstuder.com.
The Studer Community Institute, FloridaWest Economic Development Alliance, Greater Pensacola Chamber of Commerce, Gulf Coast Minority Chamber of Commerce, Gulf Power, Pensacola State College and the University of West Florida Center for Entrepreneurship partnered earlier this year to form The Spring Entrepreneur Hub.