Escambia Reports Four New COVID-19 Deaths, 148 New Cases
November 21, 2020
THIS IS AN ARCHIVED STORY. SEE NORTHESCAMIBA.COM FOR THE LATEST INFORMATION.
There were four additional COVID-19 deaths and 148 additional cases reported Friday in Escambia County by the Florida Department of Health.
Here is the latest data:
Total cases: 15,732 (+148)
Non-Florida residents: 1,667
Total deaths: 297 (+4)
Long-term care facility deaths : 138
Current hospitalizations: 94 (+7)
Number of tests last day: 1,713
Percent positive last day: 7.3%
Percent positive last week: 9.3%
Escambia County cases by location:
Pensacola: 11,482 (+117)
Cantonment: 1,162 (+7)
Century: 952
—-including 773 Century prison inmates
Molino: 182 (+1)
McDavid: 92
Bellview: 24
Walnut Hill: 18 (-1 data adjustment)
Perdido Key: 14 (+1)
Gonzalez: 8
Santa Rosa County cases:
Total cases: 6,903 (+64)
Non-Florida residents: 86
Total deaths: 97 (+1)
Long-term care facility deaths: 22
Cumulative Hospitalizations: 412*
Number of tests last day: 517
Percent positive last day: 10.9%
Santa Rosa County cases by location:
Milton: 3,309 (+27)
Gulf Breeze: 1,032 (+12)
Navarre: 973 (+17)
Pace: 578 (+3)
Jay: 168
Bagdad: 13
Florida cases:
Total cases: 923,418
Florida residents: 910,065
Deaths: 17,889
Hospitalizations: 53,091*
*“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. Most of these people are longer be 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.
*The Florida Department of Health does not have a clear standard or definition of “recovered” and does not report a number of recovered individuals.
**Data Sources: Florida Department of Health, Escambia County, City of Pensacola, local hospitals.
Here’s How Escambia County Has Spent CARES Act Funds So Far; Thousands Of Applications Waiting For Approval
November 20, 2020
The Escambia County Commissioner initially set aside $3.5 million in CARES Act funds to be distributed directly to Escambia County residents in the form of direct payments. The commission later increased the amount of available funds to $16.5 million and the individual grant’s amount from $2,000 to $3,000.
According to Deputy County Administrator Chips Kirschenfeld, more than 4,900 grant applications are in the final approval stages before funding. Once these grants have been funded, an additional 600 will be approved for funding from the remaining applications. Kirschenfeld said that the county would be able to utilize all $16.5 million earmarked for this program.
Clara Long, director of Neighborhood and Human Services Department, said that approvals are continuing and anticipates the completion of the approval process for the Escambia CARES Family Assistance grant by the first week of December.
“We are working feverishly to finalize all of the applications and get the money in the hands of our citizens,” Long said. “We know this is important to those who applied, but we must do our diligence in making sure that these grants are distributed accurately. We ask that the applicants be patient and wait for a response before contacting our office. That will help us process all of the applications and get this money into the hands of our residents faster.”
Assistant County Administrator Debbie Bowers indicated that the Escambia CARES Business Assistance Grant program was continuing, with more than 80 applicants still needing review.
The grant programs are a good portion of the CARES Act funding that the county has at its disposal to assist with additional expenses or hardships related to COVID-19. In all, $18.7 million of $57.2 million is dedicated to county residents or businesses.
Along with the grants, in its continuing efforts to assist the community, Escambia County also agreed to distribute $3.65 million in funding initiatives for its citizens. Nearly $2.4 million is allocated to the Escambia Serves program, and the county has apportioned $1.25 million for rapid testing programs.
The Escambia Serves programs benefit county residents through the Feeding the Gulf Coast. Escambia County has also dedicated monies to establish and boost broadband internet service at its parks and community centers, allowing its residents to access the internet at socially distanced locations throughout the county.
Community Health Northwest Florida and Ascension Sacred Heart will be receiving $1.25 million in funding for rapid testing. Rapid testing is essential because it provides potentially infected individuals access to results much quicker so they can reliably begin the quarantine process much sooner.
The county initially received 25% percent of CARES Act money upfront from the federal government by way of the State of Florida. It has until Dec. 3 to encumber the remaining expenses.
To finalize its expenditure plan to submit to the state, the Board eliminated the FEMA Reimbursement category and reassigned more than $60,000 to the COVID Operations and Oversight category. The Board also increased the total funding for the COVID Operations and Oversight category to $400,000 to account for additional staffing needed to complete the Escambia CARES Family Assistance grant program.
The Board also authorized additional expenses to be paid by CARES Act funding:
- A budget of up to $250,000 for the OpenGov Software Service Agreement, allowing for remote budget management
- Expenses for the medical examiner’s office of $107,195.88 in COVID-19 related costs and $51,454.02 in salary
- The implementation of a Human Resource Information System for the Clerk of Court and the county
- An increase in inmate transportation services by Escambia County Sheriff from $23 to $28 per hour
- Coronavirus relief aid in the amount of $2,204,714.40 for the City of Pensacola
- Increase COVID-19 Operations and Oversight to $400,000
In all, the Board ratified the spending categories for the $57.3 million in CARES Act funding. In total, $30.3 million is allocated to Public Health and Safety, $19.6 million to resident and business grant programs, $3.4 million to Government Response and Compliance, $2.3 million to Escambia Serves programs, $1.25 million to Rapid Testing and $400,000 to COVID-19 Operations and Oversight.
32,000 Pound Food Giveaway Saturday At The Fairgrounds
November 20, 2020
A 32,000 pound food giveaway will be held Saturday at the Pensacola Interstate Fairgrounds.
Jubilee Church and Pensacola Caring Hearts are partnering together for the Farm Share distribution. The drive-thru event will take place on Saturday, November 21 st beginning at 9 a.m. until noon (or while supplies last).
“At Thanksgiving, we are blessed to be able to help approximately 1,000 families who are in need” said Executive Pastor Tim Fox. He added, “our community continues to recover from Hurricane Sally while fighting against COVID-19. This is why we are excited to have this opportunity to love and serve our community.”
Families will pick up their food while staying in their cars. The drive-in, pick-up station will be located in the main parking lot of the Pensacola Interstate Fairgrounds at 6655 Mobile Hwy. In addition, Jubilee will provide uplifting worship music, and encouraging stories while people wait in their vehicles.
To ensure the safety of everyone involved, a full range of protective measures will be taken and social distancing rules will be followed at all times.
Molino Convicted Felon Charged After Allegedly Pawning Shotgun
November 20, 2020
A convicted felon from Molino was arrested after allegedly pawning a shotgun.
Alexander George Deloach, 24, was charged with possession of a weapon by a convicted felon.
According to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, DeLoach pawned a Mossberg 12 gauge shotgun at Cash America Pawn on Nine Mile Road for $100. Surveillance video showed Deloach enter the store with the shotgun and a .22 caliber rifle before exiting the store with the rifle. A pawn shop employee told deputies that they would not take the rusted rifle due to its poor condition.
The fingerprint on the pawn ticket was that of Deloach, according to an arrest report.
Court records show Deloach has a previous felony conviction for fleeing and eluding from law enforcement.
Deloach was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $10,000 bond.
Slightly Warmer Days Ahead
November 20, 2020
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 51. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 76. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 55. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 76. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 54. North wind around 5 mph.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 71. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 47. North wind around 5 mph becoming east after midnight.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 73. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers after midnight. Partly cloudy, with a low around 58. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 76.
Wednesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 59.
Thanksgiving Day: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 75.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 57.
Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 74.
Friday Night High School Football Playoff Schedule
November 20, 2020
Here is the schedule for tonight’s high school football playoff games:
FLORIDA
1A Region Semifinal
- Vernon at Northview, 7 p.m.
- Freeport at Baker, 7:30 p.m.
3A Region Semifinal
- Pensacola Catholic at Florida University HS, 7:30 pm (EST)
5A Quarterfinal
- West Florida at Tallahassee Rickards, 7:30 pm (EST)
- Suwannee at Pine Forest 7:30 p.m.
6A Quarterfinal
- Escambia at st, Augustine, 7:30 pm (EST)
ALABAMA
AISA Class 2A Championship
- Escambia Academy vs. Chambers, 3:30 p.m. Cramton Bowl, Montgomery
Bratt Elementary’s Emily Tullis Named School District’s Stellar Employee Of The Month
November 20, 2020
Emily Tullis of Bratt Elementary School was name the Escambia County School District’s Stellar Employee of the Month for November. Tullis is the data specialist at Bratt Elementary and has been with the school district for 16 years. She is pictured above with Superintendent Timothy Smith and below with Bratt Principal Karen Hall at an Escambia County School Board meeting. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Attending The Northview Playoff Game? Here’s What You Need To Know.
November 20, 2020
The Northview Chiefs will host the Vernon Yellow Jackets in 1A regional semifinals Friday night.
Kickoff is at 7 p.m. at Tommy Weaver Memorial Stadium on the campus of Northview High School in Bratt.
Tickets are available for online purchase. A convenience fee will apply.
- For home side tickets, click or tap here.
- For away side tickets, click or tap here.
Tickets for this event must be presented using your mobile device, via the GoFan app or the gofan.co mobile site. You will not be able to print tickets.
The winner of the game will face the winner of Freeport at Baker next Friday night. If Northview advances, the game will be played in Bratt.
Monica Suzanne Oglesby
November 20, 2020
Monica Suzanne Oglesby, 31, of Cantonment, Florida, was given her wings on Tuesday, November 17, 2020.
She was born on October 24, 1989 in Dayton, Ohio.
Monica was a very loving and compassionate mother. She love to go to the beach, the river, playing bingo, and spending time with her two sons. She had the most beautiful smile that could light up the room.
She is preceded in death by her brother, Tommy L. Hennessey; cousin, Anna Oglesby; grandparents Tommy Oglesby, Greg Domijan, and Ronnie and Sue Lambeth.
Monica is survived by her loving children, Kurtis Bailey and Tommy Lloyd; her father, David Oglesby and step-mother, Melissa Oglesby; her mother, Susan Spraberry and step-father George Spraberry; brother, Dalton and Brittany Oglesby (son) Dean Olgesby; grandparents, Shirley Oglesby, Jimmy and Pearl Johnson, Chris Domijan, and Lomax and Alice Gunn; and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends
Graveside Services will be held at 1PM on Sunday, November 22, 2020 at Pensacola Memorial Gardens, 7433 Pine Forest Rd, Pensacola, FL 32526. Friends may pay their respects at 12:30pm
Jack E. Merchant
November 20, 2020
Mr. Jack E. Merchant, age 73, passed away on Thursday, November 19, 2020 at his home in Bluff Springs, Florida.
Mr. Merchant was a native and life long resident of Bluff Springs, FL. He was a loving husband, daddy, paw-paw and great paw-paw. He was retired from Johnson Sand and Gravel with over 20 years of service, was a Little League Baseball and Football Coach for many years, loved working with kids and was a member of the Tabernacle Baptist Church. He is preceded in death by his parents, George and Grace Merchant; one sister, JoAnn Merchant; six brothers, William, Richard, Nathan, Jerry, Steve and Larry Merchant and his 2nd mother, Evelyn Johnson.
He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Linda Faye Merchant of Bluff Springs, FL; three sons, Billy (Wendy) Merchant of Century, FL, George Richard (Jennifer) Merchant of Flomaton, AL and Kevin (Renee) Merchant of Bluff Springs, FL; one brother, John (Gloria) Merchant of Modesto, CA; one sister, Linda Ingram of Ozark, AL; ten grandchildren, Miranda, Brittany, Darrin, Cheyanne, Mallory, Kelli, Hannah, Tyler, Jaycee and Molly; four great grandchildren, Mason, Walker, Easton and Sawyer and numerous, nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, November 21, 2020 at 2:00 PM at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Bro. Ben Piatt officiating.
Burial will follow at Pleasant Hill Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Saturday, November 21, 2020 from 12:30 PM until service time at 2:00 PM at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be Darrin Merchant, Eric Merchant, B.J. Johnson, Willie Johnson, Jr. Milstead and Dennis Mathis.