First Sea Turtles Of The Year Hatch On Pensacola Beach
August 10, 2020
Pensacola Beach saw its first sea turtle hatch of the season Sunday night. Approximately 129 loggerhead hatchlings emerged on the county-patrolled portion of Pensacola Beach and made their way to the Gulf of Mexico.
Sea turtles nest May through October along the Gulf Coast and nests incubate for around 60 days. Once the sun sets, hatchlings emerge all at once and make their way to the Gulf of Mexico. They will spend their first few days in a swimming frenzy to escape the many predators found in nearshore waters. Safer in the open ocean, they will use floating mats of algae to hide and feed until they are big enough to return to nearshore areas.
Sea turtle hatchlings face many threats long before they reach the water. Bright lights from homes, flashlights and cars can lead hatchlings away from the Gulf and into danger. Nearly 60% of hatchlings will be disorientated before reaching the Gulf of Mexico.
Forgotten furniture, toys, sandcastles, and holes can trap hatchlings, causing injury, starvation, and dehydration. Food and other waste left on the beach attracts gulls, crows, stray dogs, and coyotes who also prey on hatchling turtles.
Escambia County recommends the following to protect sea turtles:
- Lights Out! Both hatchlings and nesting turtles need dark beaches to find the Gulf of Mexico. Leave the flashlights and cell phones at home or use a red flashlight when on the beach at night. Turn off beach-facing lights and close windows and curtains to keep our beaches dark.
- Leave No Trace! Remove all furniture and toys from the beach when you’re done for the day, including hammocks, tents, canopies, chairs, toys and sports equipment.
- Stow It, Don’t Throw it! Trash and food waste can entangle turtles and other wildlife and attract unwanted predators. Always dispose of trash in the proper receptacle and refrain from feeding wildlife.
If you see a nest hatching or encounter hatchlings turtles on the beach, stay a respectful distance away and call Escambia County Marine Resources at 850- 426-1257.
One New COVID-19 Death In Santa Rosa; 148 New Cases In Escambia, Santa Rosa
August 10, 2020
THIS STORY IS OUTDATED. SEE NORTHESCAMBIA.COM FOR UPDATES.
There were 148 total new COVID-19 cases reported Monday in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties by by the Florida Department of Health.
Santa Rosa County reported the death of a 73-year old male that was not listed as a long-term care facility resident.
Escambia County cases increased 124 to 9,632. An additional 24 cases brought the Santa Rosa County total to 3,963.
A notably lower number of test results were reported Monday. Of the 586 tests results returned on Sunday in Escambia County, 17.5% were positive, and 16.3% were positive from 123 tests in Santa Rosa County. Over the past week, the overall average positivity rate for Escambia County is 16.3% (increased skewed by a large number of Century prison inmates).
There were 187 COVID-19 patients currently hospitalized in Escambia County as of Sunday, according to data from the three local hospitals.
Of the 115 deaths in Escambia County, 66 have been long-term care facility residents or staff. There have been 36 deaths in Santa Rosa County, at least seven of those at the Blackwater River Correctional Facility and seven in a long-term care facilities.
Statewide, there were 536,961 cases including 531,217 Florida residents. There have been 30,785 hospitalizations* and 8,277 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 — 9,632 (+124 since Sunday)
Non-Florida residents — 890
Pensacola —7,042 (+39)
Century — 775 (+108)
—-including at least 595 Century prison inmates
Cantonment — 668 (+16)
Molino— 106 (+1)
McDavid — 50 (+2)
Walnut Hill — 13
Bellview — 10
Gonzalez — 7
Perdido Key — 5
Current hospitalizations: 187 (-6)
Deaths — 120
Male — 4,217
Female — 4,412
Youngest — 0
Oldest — 105
Median Age — 38
Santa Rosa County cases:
Total cases — 3,963 (+24 since Sunday)
Non-Florida residents — 31
Milton — 2,202 (+12)
Gulf Breeze — 576 (+7)
Navarre — 473 (+1)
Pace — 305 (+7)
Jay — 100
Bagdad — 9
Cumulative Hospitalizations — 190*
Deaths — 38 (+1)
Male — 2,258
Female — 1,660
Youngest — 2 months
Oldest — 101
Median Age — 39
Florida cases:
Total cases — 536,961
Florida residents — 531,217
Deaths — 8,277
Hospitalizations — 30,785*
*“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.
Census Takers Will Be Knocking On Doors Beginning Tuesday. 39% Of Escambia Residents Have Not Responded.
August 10, 2020
Have your filled out your 2020 census? If not you may get a knock at the door soon. Census workers across the country will begin follow-up work on Tuesday, August 11.
In Florida 60.1% of people have complete their census response online, by phone or by mail. In Escambia County, 61% have responded.
In the two cities in Escambia County, 64.7% of Pensacola residents have completed the census, while 46.8% of Century residents have responded.
Households can still respond now by completing and mailing back the paper questionnaire they received, by responding online at 2020census.gov, or by phone at 844-330-2020. Households can also respond online or by phone in one of 13 languages and find assistance in many more. Those that respond will not need to be visited to obtain their census response.
The Census Bureau will provide face masks to census takers and requires that census takers wear a mask while conducting their work. They will follow CDC and local public health guidelines when they visit. Census takers must complete a virtual COVID-19 training on social distancing protocols and other health and safety guidance before beginning their work in neighborhoods.
Census takers are hired from local communities. All census takers speak English, and many are bilingual. If a census taker does not speak the householder’s language, the household may request a return visit from a census taker who does. Census takers will also have materials on hand to help identify the household’s language.
If no one is home when the census taker visits, they will leave a notice of their visit with information about how to respond online, by phone or by mail. People are encouraged to cooperate with census takers and ensure that everyone who was living in their household as of April 1, 2020, is counted.
Census takers can be easily identified by a valid government ID badge with their photograph, a U.S. Department of Commerce watermark, and an expiration date on the badge. To confirm a census taker’s identity, the public may contact their regional census center to speak with a Census Bureau representative.
Additional COVID-19 Death Reported In Escambia County, Alabama
August 10, 2020
Another confirmed COVID-19 death was reported Sunday in Escambia County, Alabama.
The county’s death toll now stands at 17.
There have been 1,082 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Escambia County, Alabama, with 244 of those in the past 14 days.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Florida Gas Prices Back Off 20-Week Highs
August 10, 2020
Florida gas prices are beginning to trickle lower. Retail prices are backing off from the 20-week high of nearly $2.16 per gallon, which was just over a week ago.
The state average declined 3 cents per gallon last week. Florida drivers are now paying an average price of nearly $2.13 per gallon.
In Escambia County, the average price per gallon is $2.07, down from $2.09 a week ago and on par with one month ago. A year ago, Escambia County drivers were paying $2.51.
The lowest price per gallon in North Escambia Sunday night was $1.97 at Highway 29 an Muscogee Road in Cantonment. Two wholesale clubs were at $1.82 Sunday night in Pensacola.
“Florida drivers continue to enjoy unusually low gas prices for this time of year,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “The cost for a full tank of gas is about $5 less than it was this time last year. The pandemic’s effect on fuel demand continues to weigh on crude oil and wholesale gasoline prices, preventing any monumental gains. Low oil prices make it cheaper to produce and sell gasoline.”
Hot And Humid; Increased Chance Of Rain To Start The Week
August 10, 2020
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 7pm. Mostly clear, with a low around 74. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
Monday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after noon. Otherwise mostly sunny, with a high near 94. Heat index values as high as 106. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Tuesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 94. Heat index values as high as 106. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 74. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Wednesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 92. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Wednesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph.
Thursday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 91. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Thursday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Friday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 90. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 73.
Saturday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 91. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74.
Sunday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 92. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Over 2.2K Early Voting Ballots Cast Over The Weekend (With Location List)
August 10, 2020
There were 519 ballots cast in early voting Sunday in Escambia County, bringing the weekend total to 2,231.
There have also been 18,599 mail ballots returned for a nearly 12% turnout to date with 20,831 total ballots cast.
Early voting will continue until next Saturday, August 15 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.
Primary election day is Tuesday, August 18.
Want To Get Involved In Local Government? These Are The County Meetings This Week
August 10, 2020
Here is a schedule of Escambia County public meetings this week:
Monday, August 10
Special Tourist Development Council Meeting – 3 p.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place, BCC Meeting Room
Marine Advisory – 5:30 p.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place (Agenda)
Tuesday, August 11
Escambia County Housing Finance Authority Audit Committee – 4:30 p.m., (Teleconference)
Merit System Protection Board – 5 p.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place, Fourth Floor Training Room 0.605
Escambia County Housing Finance Authority Board Meeting – 5 p.m., (Teleconference)
Wednesday, August 12
Virtual Event: Coffee with the Commissioner, District 1, Jeff Bergosh – 6:30 a.m., (Link to Live Stream)
Development Review Committee – 1 p.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place (Agenda)
Escambia County Housing Finance Authority Public Hearing – 1:30 p.m., 700 S. Palafox St., Suite 310
Santa Rosa Island Authority Board Meeting – 5 p.m., 1 Via de Luna, Pensacola Beach (Agenda)
Century Town Hall Remains Closed. Here Are The Days Utility Payments Can Be Made By Phone.
August 10, 2020
The Century town hall remains closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but there area few upcoming dates when utility payments can be made over the phone.
Drive-thru service will not be available in the near future. Utility payments can be made 24/7 in a secure drop box next to the drive-thru window. Only checks or money orders are accepted in the drop box, not cash.
Credit card payments can be made by phone on August 11, August 14 and August 19. Century does not accept payments online.
For more information or further assistance call (850) 256-3208 from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. or email kgodwin@centuryflorida.us or hhawkins@centuryflorida.us.
Adam Gene Miller
August 10, 2020
Adam Gene Miller, born June 6, 1991 passed away suddenly on Thursday, July 30, 2020 at the age of 29. He was the first born son of Gene and Kelly Miller and weighted 11 lbs. 1 oz. at birth. He was born in Pensacola, Florida but raised in the Gateswood area of Alabama for most of his life. Adam was an avid outdoorsman who loved to hunt and fish. He especially loved going fishing with his late Paw Paw, Ralph McCormick, who spent a lot of time with his grandsons. Adam played football at Tate High School where he started on the varsity team his junior and senior years. He was a captain on the team his senior year and was known as Big Country. He was liked by both teachers and students at Tate. The last few years he was a proud member of the Teamsters Union and the team at UPS. He was truly loved and will be deeply missed.
He was preceded in death by his Maw Maw, Betty Jenks McCormick; Paw Paw, Ralph E. McCormick; and aunt, Lisa Ramey.
Adam is survived by his mother, Kelly McCormick Miller; dad, Gene Ray Miller, Jr.; grandmother, Paulie Hunter; grandfather, Gene R. (Char) Miller, Sr.; two brothers, John Ray (Little Country) Miller and Chason Harris; two aunts, Traci McCormick Garman (Jodie Howard) and Vicki McCormick (Stan) Pagonis; and cousins, Megan, Rachel, Sarah, Jessica, Brandon, Nikki, Carly, Margaret, and Alex.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30AM, on Thursday, August 13, 2020 at Farm Hill Holiness Church with Pastor Clyde Hughes officiating. Burial will follow in Eastern Gate Memorial Gardens Cemetery.
The family will receive friends at 9:30AM prior to services.
Pallbearers will be Brandon McCormick, Brandon Wiggins, Ron Smith, John Rasmussen, George Purvis, and Thornton Rogers.