FDOH Reports 119 New COVID-19 Cases In Escambia County
November 6, 2020
THIS STORY IS OUTDATED. SEE NORTHESCAMBIA.COM FOR THE LATEST.
The Florida Department of Health reported 119 new COVID-19 cases in Escambia County on Thursday.
Here is the latest data:
Total cases: 14,033 (+119)
Non-Florida residents: 1,448
Total deaths: 273
Long-term care facility deaths : 127
Current hospitalizations: 64 (+5)
Number of tests last day: 1,757
Percent positive last day: 4.9%
Percent positive last week: 5.0%
Escambia County cases by location:
Pensacola: 10,217 (+80)
Cantonment: 1,037 (+10)
Century: 945
—-including 773 Century prison inmates
Molino: 161
McDavid: 77
Bellview: 19
Walnut Hill: 18
Perdido Key: 10
Gonzalez: 7
Santa Rosa County cases:
Total cases: 6,142 (+35)
Non-Florida residents: 70
Total deaths: 88
Long-term care facility deaths: 20
Cumulative Hospitalizations: 371*
Number of tests last day: 396
Percent positive last day: 9.0%
Santa County cases by location:
Milton: 3,061 (+11)
Gulf Breeze: 898 (+4)
Navarre: 844 (+11)
Pace: 515 (+3)
Jay: 160
Bagdad: 14
Florida cases:
Total cases: 827,380
Florida residents: 816,376
Deaths: 16,961
Hospitalizations: 50,077*
*“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.
Flomaton Police Officer’s Social Media Post Under Investigation; Officer Placed On Leave
November 5, 2020
UPDATE: THE OFFICER HAS RESIGNED. CLICK HERE FOR UPDATED STORY.
An internal investigation is underway into a social media post by a Flomaton Police Department captain.
The Flomaton Police Department has not publicly identified the officer, but according to WPMI NBC 15, he is Captain Scott Walden.
“They need to line up ev1 of them and put a bullet in their skull,” Walden commented from his personal Facebook account. His reply was made to another individual’s post that stated, “The idiots that voted for Biden hated Trump enough to throw the country away. Thank the lying liberals and democrats news media”.
In another post on his personal page, Walden said he was calling for the punishment for treason as prescribed by law, not any kind of violence.
Flomaton Police Chief Charles Thompson said the statements are under investigation and could result in termination.
Thompson told NorthEscambia.com that the officer has been placed on administrative leave “for his safety and the safety of his family”.
“Copies of the comments and complaints have been acquired and retained for Internal Investigations,” Thompson wrote in a press release, saying that he expects to provide an update later today.
“The Flomaton Police Department holds officer’s contact to the highest standard and will continue to do so,” the police chief said.
Ivey Extends Alabama Mask Order Until December 11
November 5, 2020
Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey on Thursday announced that the state’s mask order has been extended until Friday, December 11. It was set to expire on Sunday.
Ivey said she had hoped to change the order into a strong recommendation, but it’s simply not time. She said with the impending flu season, the flu and COVID-19 could be a “deadly combination”.
“I know you can’t go on forever with a government mandate,” Ivey said. “I am willing to keep the mask order in place acknowledging that sooner or later it will be up to each up us to do the right thing.”
She did roll back restrictions on retail stores and restaurants, and close contact service providers such as hair and nail salons, allowing them to return to full capacity if everyone is following CDC guidelines.
“If you mask up and social distance, you can increase occupancy in your businesses,” Ivey said.
Specifically:
- Occupancy rates were removed for retailers, fitness centers and entertainment venues.
- An exception to social-distancing rules will be allowed for many businesses, including barber shops, hair salons, gyms, and restaurants, if people are wearing masks and separated by an “impermeable” barrier such as plexiglass partitions.
FDOT Wants Public Input On Potential I-10, Beulah Road Interchange
November 5, 2020
The Florida Department of Transportation is conducting a study to consider the addition of a new I-10 interchange along I-10 in the vicinity of Beulah Road.
The project includes the widening of Beulah Road from West Nine Mile Road to Isaacs Lane, the realignment from Isaacs Lane to West Kingsfield Road, a new interchange at I-10 and the widening of I-10 from the Florida/Alabama line to the Pensacola weigh station.
The project encompasses an area that will see a significant amount of a future development.
As a result of planned growth, there is a need to provide connectivity from new areas of development to the surrounding regional transportation system, according to FDOT. Additionally, there is a need to provide an alternative route that will reduce travel times and congestion within the study area.
For a project update, virtual tour, interactive map and an interactive comment form, click or tap here.
FDOT is seeking public comment on the proposal with a deadline of Thursday, November 19.
Cantonment Man Charged With Pushing Fiancée, Breaking Her Rib
November 5, 2020
A Cantonment man was arrested after allegedly pushing his fiancée of five years into a chair, breaking her rib.
Eric Lamon Hurst, 45, was charged with felony aggravated battery causing bodily harm or injury. He remained in the Escambia County Jail Thursday morning with bond set at $5,000.
The victim told the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office that Hurst had been drinking alcohol and began to video her with his phone while she was not dressed appropriately. Despite multiple requests, he would not stop, so she took his phone away. He became upset and bit her lip and hand, according to an arrest report.
Hurst then pushed the victim down into a wooden chair hard enough to break her rib and the chair, the report states. She was transported by Escambia County EMS to West Florida Hospital for treatment.
Hurst told deputies he was sleeping and did not touch the victim and he was video chatting with his sister. He also said that he was not sure why EMS transported the victim, the ECSOs reported.
Gulf Power Customers To See Slight Electric Rate Increase In January
November 5, 2020
Gulf Power customers will see a small rate increase on their bills in January.
Gulf Power residential customers that use 1,000 kilowatt hours in a month will see their bill increase by 19 cents from $140.43 to $140.62, according to the Florida Public Service Commission. The 1,000 kilowatt hours in an example; actual usage varies widely among consumers.
Customers of Florida Power & Light, the parent company of Gulf Power, will see a $2.62 increase for 1,000 kilowatt hours. Their total bill for example usage will increase to $99.05.
Photo Gallery: Blue Angels Final Flyover For Legacy Hornets
November 5, 2020
Wednesday afternoon, the Blue Angels took their final flight in the F/A-18 A/B/C/D “Legacy” Hornets marking the official transition of the Blue Angels to the F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet platform.
For a photo gallery, click here.
“We are incredibly honored to have the opportunity to salute those teams who have flown, maintained and supported this platform for over three decades of service,” said Cmdr. Brian Kesselring, U.S. Navy Blue Angels commanding officer and flight leader. “We deeply appreciate the expertise and operational knowledge Blue Angels past and present have brought to the team and we look forward to enhancing our operations as we fully transition to flying the Super Hornet.”
The final flight departed from and landed at NAS Pensacola. The Blue Angels traveled over downtown Pensacola, Ferry Pass, Perdido Key, Pensacola Beach, Navarre Beach, Orage Beach, Gulf Shores, Fort Morgan and surrounding areas.
The 2020 show season marked the end of the service life of the aircraft the team has flown for 34 years. The 2021 show season will be the Blue Angels’ first year flying the Super Hornet platform as well as the 75th anniversary of the team.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Perry Doggrell and courtesy U.S. Navy for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Property Tax Bills Are In The Mail. Here’s How You Can Get A Discount.
November 5, 2020
Collection of Escambia County 2020 real estate and tangible personal property taxes is underway, and there’s a way to get a discount.
This year’s tax rolls include 179,704 accounts totaling over $320 million, and bills are being delivered now by the postal service and should arrive by November 12.
Discounts are available:
- November payments are discounted 4%
- December payments are discounted 3%
- January payments are discounted 2%
- February payments are discounted 1%
- March payments receive no discount, and the gross amount is due by close of business on March 31, 2021.
Any payment made April 1 and after is considered delinquent and will be assessed a penalty.
When mailed, discounts are determined by postmark of payment. When a discount period ends on a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday, the discount period will be extended to the next business day for online payments or walk-in customers.
In addition, help is available for those taxpayers who may need to make partial payments. If a property owner decides to make partial payments, the following information applies:
- Property owner must submit an application (found on the back of the tax bill, online at EscambiaTaxCollector.com or available at the tax collector’s office) with initial partial payment.
- Partial payments are accepted for current year taxes only between November 1 and March 31.
- No discount allowed for partial payments.
- A $10 processing fee is deducted from each partial payment.
- Partial payments are not accepted after March 31, and any remaining balance as of April 1 is delinquent and subject to all applicable penalties and fees.
Escambia County Tax Collector Scott Lunsford encourages taxpayers to take advantage of the Tax Payment Installment Plan. By utilizing this plan, taxpayers make four quarterly payments instead of one lump sum payment. Each quarterly bill will receive a different discount for early payment as prescribed by Florida Statutes. The quarterly payments are due by the last day of June, September, December and March. The installment payment plan application deadline for 2021 property taxes is April 30, 2021.
“The installment program not only helps ease the financial burden on taxpayers by allowing them to spread out the payments, it also provides a discount for making payments on time,” Lunsford said.
NorthEscambia.com photo.
By The Numbers: Escambia County COVID-19 Hospitalizations Increasing
November 5, 2020
The number of COVID-19 hospitalizations in Escambia County is increasing.
As of Wednesday, there were 62 patients current hospitalized for COVID-19 in Escambia County, the highest number since September 17.
“The numbers are starting to increase,” Pensacola Mayor Grover Robinson said. “It’s too early to say whether that trend will continue, but please keep taking preventative actions, including wearing a mask, social distancing and washing your hands often.”
The numbers are still significantly below late July when over 240 were hospitalized.
The numbers in the graph indicate daily hospitalizations in Escambia County. They are not cumulative.
Sourc/graphic: City of Pensacola.
Partly Sunny And Warmer For Thursday, Friday; Maybe A Saturday Shower
November 5, 2020
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Thursday: Partly sunny, with a high near 76. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 58. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Friday: Partly sunny, with a high near 77. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday: A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 76. Northeast wind around 10 mph.
Saturday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 65. East wind around 10 mph.
Sunday: A 20 percent chance of showers after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 78. East wind around 10 mph.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 65. Northeast wind around 10 mph.
Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 80.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 67.
Tuesday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 80.
Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 67.
Veterans Day: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 80.