Fire Heavily Damages Ensley Home; No Injuries Reported
August 13, 2020
One person lost their home in a fire Wednesday afternoon in Ensley.
Escambia Fire Rescue responded to the residential structure fire in the 700 block of Prichard Avenue shortly afternoon. They arrived to find heavy fire coming from the attic of the single story brick home. The fire was brought under control in about half an hour.
The attic and kitchen of the home suffered heavy fire damage, and the was smoke damage throughout the entire house.
There were no injuries reported.
The Florida Bureau of Fire and Arson is investigating the cause of the fire.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Over 6,000 Have Voted Early In Escambia County. You Can Too At These Locations.
August 13, 2020
Over 6,000 people have taken advantage of early voting so far in Escambia County.
As of Wednesday, 6,383 early voting ballots had been cast in Escambia County and 20,770 mail ballots had been returned.
With 27,156 ballots cast, turnout for the August 18 primary election was at 15.53% in Escambia County.
Early voting continues through Saturday in Escambia County at the following locations:
- Escambia County Extension, 3740 Stefani Road, Cantonment
- Molino Community Center, 6450-A Highway 95A, Molino
- University of West Florida Conference Center, Building 22, University Parkway
- Pensacola Interstate Fairgrounds, 6655 Mobile Highway
- Genealogy Branch Library, 5740 B, 9th Avenue
- Supervisor of Elections Office, 213 Palafox Place, Second Floor
- Pensacola Library, 239 N Spring Street
- Southwest Branch Library, 12248 Gulf Beach Highway
- Brownsville Community Center, 3200 W. DeSoto Street
Each location will be open from from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m., with the exception of the Supervisor of Elections Office which will be open 8 a.m. until 5 p.m.
UWF Football, Other Fall Sports Postponed Until At Least January Due To Pandemic
August 12, 2020
The Gulf South Conference is postponing fall sports — including football, basketball, soccer and volleyball — until at least January 2021.
These sports are identified as high contact risk sports by the NCAA and are subject to significant testing requirements for all student-athletes and “inner bubble” personnel.
For the University of West Florida, it means the Argos will remain the reigning national champions a longer before facing an opponent.
“As a team we are disappointed that we will not have the opportunity to play in front of our great fans at Blue Wahoos Stadium and defend our national championship this season,” said UWF Head Football Coach Pete Shinnick. “As we move forward we look forward to having an opportunity to compete this spring. And as a program, we plan to continue to seek Arete daily.”
In the sports of football, soccer and volleyball, the conference will evaluate options for spring competition that provide meaningful competition for these student-athletes. A spring season may not feature the use of traditional formats for regular season play or tournaments.
“When some organizations see these kinds of events as setbacks, we will look at this time as a great opportunity,” said UWF Head Women’s Soccer Coach Joe Bartlinkski.
In basketball, the GSC will work over the next several weeks to outline a calendar for this year’s basketball schedule and tournament. Further, the conference will work through the NCAA governance process to advocate for additional weeks of competition in the spring semester.
“Postponing the start of basketball season is the right decision to be made at this time,” remaked Stephanie Lawrence Yelton, UWF’s head women’s basketball coach. Pushing the start of the season to January gives us a bit more time to train our athletes in a healthy and safe manner before competition. We look forward to our athletes arriving on campus later this month after not seeing them for six months since the COVID-19 outbreak.”
“We are very disappointed for our players but we understand these are challenging times. We will use the fall semester to improve individual skills and to work hard on academics. We look forward to playing games in January and look forward to things getting back to normal,” Jeff Burkhamer, UWF men’s basketball coach added.
Cross Country and Golf competition will be permitted during the fall semester with the GSC Cross Country Championship date potentially moved to better accommodate the calendar. Designated as low contact risk and medium contact risk, these sports feature more manageable testing and monitoring requirements per NCAA medical guidance as well as limited competition opportunities.
All practice, strength and conditioning, team meetings, and other countable athletic related activities will be subject to NCAA rules, NCAA health and safety requirements, and institutional discretion.
Photos Morgan Givens/ UWF Athletics for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Half The Inmates At Century Prison Are Positive For COVID-19; FDC Says Death Report Was A Mistake
August 12, 2020
Half of the inmates at Century Correctional Institution have tested positive for COVID-19, but an earlier Florida Department of Corrections report of an inmate death was erroneous.
A Wednesday report from the Florida Department of Health indicated one inmate death at the Century prison. FDC Deputy Communications Director Rob Klepper tells NorthEscambia.com that was a mistake, and there have been no inmate deaths at the facility.
“A data entry error on today’s DOH correctional system update mis-attributed an inmate death to Century CI. That was a mistake and is being corrected. We apologize for the error,” Klepper said.
The latest testing data shows 753 of the inmates are positive for COVID-19, 744 have tested negative and 35 are awaiting test results. There are 554 inmates currently in medical isolation.
In a statement released Wednesday morning, FDC said there are approximately 1,500 inmates currently held at the Century prison; the FDC website lists the capacity of the prison at 1,345.
“The great majority of inmates at Century CI who have tested positive showed mild or no symptoms of the virus when they were tested. All inmates continue to be provided with on-going medical care and monitoring by facility health care professionals who follow CDC guidelines for the prevention, evaluation, treatment and management of COVID-19. Working in tandem with security staff, they are ensuring that inmates receive the care they need while still fulfilling FDC’s important public safety mission,” the Department of Corrections said in a statement.
In addition to measures already in place to protect inmates, FDC says they have initiated the following actions at Century Correctional Institution:
FDOH Reports Six Additional COVID-19 Deaths In Escambia, One In Santa Rosa
August 12, 2020
THIS STORY IS OUTDATED. SEE NORTHESCAMBIA.COM FOR THE LATEST.
There were six new COVID-19 deaths reported in Escambia County and one reported in Santa Rosa County Wednesday by the Florida Department of Health.
The Escambia County fatalities were women ages 68, 79 and 80, and males ages 41, 78, and 86. Two were long-term care facility residents. Santa Rosa County reported the death of a 67-year old man.
Escambia County cases increased 122 to 9,929. An additional 40 cases brought the Santa Rosa County total to 4,053.
Of the 972 tests results returned on Tuesday in Escambia County, 10.5% were positive, and 10.7% were positive from 394 tests in Santa Rosa County. Over the past week, the overall average positivity rate for Escambia County is 16.3%.
There were 198 COVID-19 patients currently hospitalized in Escambia County as of Wednesday, according to data from the three local hospitals.
Of the 137 deaths in Escambia County, 73 have been long-term care facility residents or staff. There have been 40 deaths in Santa Rosa County, at least seven of those at the Blackwater River Correctional Facility and eight in a long-term care facilities.
Statewide, there were 550,901 cases including 545,040 Florida residents. There have been 31,947 hospitalizations* and 8,765 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 — 9,929 (+122 since Tuesday)
Non-Florida residents — 895
Pensacola —7,224 (+101)
Century — 859 (+7)
—-including at least 753 Century prison inmates (+0)
Cantonment — 685 (+7)
Molino— 111 (+2)
McDavid — 51
Walnut Hill — 13
Bellview — 10
Gonzalez — 7
Perdido Key — 5
Current hospitalizations: 198 (+2)
Deaths — 137 (+6)
Male — 4,387
Female — 4,529
Youngest — 0
Oldest — 105
Median Age — 38
Santa Rosa County cases:
Total cases — 4,053 (+40 since Tuesday)
Non-Florida residents — 31
Milton — 2,249 (+20)
Gulf Breeze — 587 (+2)
Navarre — 484 (+6)
Pace — 310 (+3)
Jay — 108 (+5)
Bagdad — 9
Cumulative Hospitalizations — 198*
Deaths — 41 (+1)
Male — 2,311
Female — 1,701
Youngest — 2 months
Oldest — 101
Median Age — 39
Florida cases:
Total cases — 550,901
Florida residents — 545.040
Deaths — 8,765
Hospitalizations — 31,947*
*“Hospitalizations” in the statewide and Santa Rosa County totals 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. The Escambia County number is current data compiled each day from the local hospitals.
**Data Sources: Florida Department of Health, Escambia County, City of Pensacola, local hospitals.
Century Considers Giving Fischer Landing Away, But Opts To Clean It Up Instead
August 12, 2020
The Town of Century has had more than its share of difficulties in maintaining Fischer Landing, a boat ramp off Highway 4 along the Escambia River. The problems have even led to the town council exploring the possibility of finding a new owner.
Council President Ann Brooks recently told the council that she has received multiple complaints about the lack of maintenance at Fischer Landing. She inquired if it could be given to Escambia County so that it would be properly maintained.
After discussion, the town council decided not to take any immediate action.
Now, the Town of Century has scheduled two days — Thursday and Friday, August 13-14 — to close access to the landing on the Escambia River in order to clean it up.
NorthEscambia.com stopped by Fischer Landing on a recent Saturday afternoon. A couple of local anglers told us that the boat ramp is filled with sand, making it very difficult to launch a boat. Another man said he has been picking up the trash every few days because the town does not.
For a photo gallery, click here.
We found that the grass was overgrown, the boardwalk next to the boat launch was buried in sand and unusable, and very large holes filled with water made the entry road hard to navigate in a midsize car.
It should be noted that when the Escambia River rises to near flood stage, the entire landing, parking lot and a long section of the access road are underwater. The resulting shifting sand makes maintenance difficult at best for the town. Mayor Henry Hawkins has noted before that the town lacks the equipment needed to keep the landing in top condition.
But, under their grant agreement with Florida Communities Trust, the town is bound to maintain the site to set standards. Annual reports, management plans and more must be done.
The agreement also specifies several items that don’t seem to exist at Fischer Landing. It states that nature trails, boardwalks and interpretive displays shall be provided…none of which can be found (except for the small boardwalk by the landing that was buried in sand). If the nature trails exist, they are either unmarked or overgrown, or both.
In 1999, the West Florida Regional Planning Council prepared a Preservation 2000 Grant application in order to purchase the five acre parcel from James Campbell, and the sale was completed on December 19, 2000. The grant award states that “any transfer of the project site shall be subject to the approval of the Florida Communities Trust and the Florida Communities Trust shall enter into a new agreement with the transferee, containing such covenants, clauses, or other restrictions as are sufficient to protect the interest of the people of Florida”. That means that in the event the town should choose to transfer ownership of Fischer Landing to Escambia County in the future, it would require approval of the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, formerly known as the Florida Communities Trust as a non-regulatory agency within the Florida Department of Community Affairs.
Fischer Landing was dedicated in October 2008 (pictured below). It was named for former town council member Jerry Fischer who worked to make the boat ramp a reality both while he was on the council and afterwards.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
FBI, Sheriff’s Deputies Arrested Escambia (AL) Jail Corrections Officer
August 12, 2020
The FBI and Escambia County (AL) Sheriff’s Office have a arrested a corrections officer on contraband charges, and the sheriff said more charge are anticipated
Sheriff’s investigators and FBI agents arrested Escambia County (AL) Detention Center corrections officer Lakerdra Shanta Snowden on Tuesday. She is charged with one count of promoting prison contraband first degree and one count of use of official position for personal gain, an ethics violation. She was booked into jail without bond awaiting a bond appearance.
“Today’s arrest stems from a joint operation between ECSO and the FBI into the smuggling of contraband into the detention facility,” Sheriff Heath Jackson said. He immediately terminated Snowden’s employment.
“This is still an ongoing investigation and more charges are anticipated. We will continue to arrest and prosecute anyone who is involved with bringing contraband to the detention facility,” Jackson said.
Ascend Donates Advanced Acteev Face Masks To The Arc Gateway
August 12, 2020
Employees of Ascend Performance Materials in Cantonment donated 800 of their Acteev Protect face masks to The Arc Gateway adult learning program on Tuesday.
The Acteev masks are made in a nanofiber and a microfiber nonwoven version and a one-two punch of antiviral properties plus top-level barrier protection against microbes, harmful airborne particles and fluid splatter, according to the company.
The material that goes into the mask material is made locally at the Ascend plant on Old Chemstrand Road.
The masks, donated through the Ascend Cares program, will help The Arc with the threat of COVID-19.
The Arc Gateway, Inc. serves children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the greater Pensacola area. The Arc offers full time, part time and relief employment.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
U.S. Marshals Offer $5,000 Reward For Escaped Alabama Inmate That May Be In NW Florida
August 12, 2020
The U.S. Marshals Gulf Coast Regional Fugitive Task Force is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the capture of a man who escaped from an Alabama jail July 31.
Larry Dewayne Gaither, 43, was one of two men who escaped from the Calhoun County Jail. The Marshals arrested the other man, Bryant Deandre Johnson, August 3 in the Atlanta metro area.
Gaither was being housed in the Calhoun County Jail pursuant to a state probation violation related to drug and weapons charges. State law enforcement personnel became interested in Gaither due to an ongoing investigation by the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s (ALEA) Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.
A search of Gaither’s residence led to the discovery of an AR style assault rifle in his bedroom. Gaither’s criminal history includes a previous weapons charge for which he served time in the federal system.
Gaither’s state probation was revoked and ALEA’s investigation continued. ATF has taken custody of the recovered assault rifle.
Members of the GCRFTF have spoken to ALEA investigators who expect Gaither to be charged with at least one count each of production and distribution of child pornography.
On August 3, members of the GCRFTF interviewed an associate who admitted to transporting Gaither the afternoon of his escape to a Love’s Truck Stop located in the 17000 block of Highway Drive South in Mossy Head, Florida. This is Gaither’s last known location.
Anyone with information regarding Gaither’s whereabouts is encouraged to contact the nearest USMS District Office, the U.S. Marshals Service Communications Center at 1-800-336-0102, or submit a tip using USMS Tips.
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms Wednesday Night
August 12, 2020
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 10pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Thursday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 91. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Thursday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Friday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 89. Heat index values as high as 105. Light southwest wind increasing to 5 to 10 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Friday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Saturday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Sunday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph in the morning.
Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. Calm wind.
Monday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93.
Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72.
Tuesday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91.
Tuesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70.
Wednesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 90.