Escambia Mosquito Spraying Canceled For Tonight
October 6, 2020
UPDATE: Mosquito spraying in Escambia County has been canceled tonight due to rain.
Escambia County Mosquito Control has multiple spray areas planned for tonight in Commission Districts 1, 3 and 5. Mission hours vary, but typically occur in the evening hours from 6-9:30 p.m.
In general, the spray areas are located:
- Highway 4 to the Alabama state line between Highway 99 in Bratt and Highway 29 in Century
- East of Highway 29 between Becks Lake Road and Quintette Road
- West of Highway 29 between I-10 and West Nine Mile Road
- East of Chemstrand Road between East Nine Mile Road and East Ten Mile and Pate Street
- Esat of Dog Track Road between Gulf Beach Highway and Highway 98
Maps are attached (Please note the maps we received from the county are small and low quality).
Escambia County Issues State Of Emergency, Preparing For Hurricane Delta
October 6, 2020
Escambia County has declared a local state of emergency due to the threat of Hurricane Delta.
During a morning news conference, Escambia Emergency Manager Eric Gilmore said the county is preparing as if Hurricane Delta is headed directly for the county, just in case.
“We are taking this as if we are going to get impacted, that were are going to have a landfall here in Escambia County,” Gilmore said. “We want to scale up as much as we can to be prepared ahead of the storm, and we’ll scale back as needed.”
“Take this time right now to prepare,” he said speaking to the Escambia County citizens. “It’s always best for you to scale up as well, and then we can scale back as needed if we don’t get impacted.”
The Escambia County Emergency Operations Center was already activated at a level 2 due to Hurricane Sally recovery and will continue to be activated due to Hurricane Delta.
Escambia County is urging residents are encouraged to prepare their disaster kits now, which should include seven days of food and water supplies for after the storm arrives. Residents are also encouraged to fuel all vehicles and generators, and prepare all medications needed by family and pets. Individuals should also consider having at least two emergency supply kits, one full kit at home and smaller portable kits in their workplace, vehicle or other places they spend time.
There are currently no evacuations orders issued for Escambia County residents. However, conditions can change rapidly. It is vital that residents monitor local media, including NorthEscambia.com, for the most up-to-date forecasts several times a day and follow any safety directives from Escambia County Emergency Management officials.
Residents should also know their evacuation zone in advance of any possible orders to leave, and know their evacuation plan and route.
Century Man Charged With A Hate Crime Related Battery And Robbery
October 6, 2020
A Century man has been charged with two hate crime related felony offenses after he allegedly used his vehicle to strike a man, stole his bicycle and called him a racial slur.
William Johnathan Hamilton, 30, was booked into the Escambia County Jail on charges of hate crime related aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and hate crime related robbery with a deadly weapon.
The victim was riding his bicycle down Alger Road when Hamilton allegedly drove at him at a high rate of speed. The victim turned into a grassy area to avoid being hit.
Hamilton then yelled “get in the middle of the road (racial slur) so I can run your (vulgarity) over” before hitting the victim and causing him to fall from his bicycle, according to an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office report.
Hamilton exited his vehicle, grabbed the victim’s $150 Mongoose Cruiser bicycle and threw it in the back of his truck, along with the victim’s Nike slides, the report continues.
The victim told deputies that Hamilton had always been friendly toward him until he give the victim a card that stated Hamilton was a member of the Klu Klux Klan. That let to an argument because the victim was upset that Hamilton claimed to a be a KKK member, the arrest report continues.
Hamilton was also arrested on outstanding warrants for two counts of aggravated battery and felony criminal mischief for an unrelated incident back in July.
The victim told deputies Hamilton intentionally hit his Mercedes on Salters Lake Road in Century, causing about $9,000 in damage. At one time, the victim’s ex-wife was dating Hamilton, the arrest report notes.
Hamilton was released from the Escambia County Jail Monday on a $5,000 bond.
Century Grants Late Approval To Budget, Increases Property Taxes And Gives Employee Raises
October 6, 2020
The Century Town Council granted late approval to their annual budget, increased property taxes and handed out employee raises during a Monday night meeting.
The town was required to approve their budget prior to its implementation on October 1, but they were unable to do so at a September 28 special meeting due to the absence of two council members.
With all council members present Monday night, the council approved a property tax increase with a millage rate of .9204, about 5% greater than the rolled-back rate of .8759.T he rolled-back rate is the tax rate that would generate the same amount of property tax revenue as approved for the prior year. A millage rate higher than the rolled-back rate is defined by Florida law as a tax increase.
They also signed off on a $4.14 million budget for fiscal year 2020-2021, up from $3.63 million during the previous fiscal year that ended September 30.
The town council also voted Monday night to grant raises to town employees, in additional to their 3% annual cost of living increase.
Employees received a raise between 1% and 3% based upon the results of a performance review. Eight employees with an “outstanding” review received a 3% increase, four employees with a “very good” review received 2%, and one employee that had a “good” review received 1%.
Two other employs with an “outstanding” review received higher raises.
Kevin Merchant received a 6% raise due to exemplary performance, extra duties due to COVID-19 and fixing water leaks, and Kristina Wood received a 4% raise due to to exemplary performance along with extra duties due to leave taken by another employee and COVID-19.
The cost of living increase went into effect with the passage of the budget, and the performance raises were approved retroactive to the beginning of the current pay period last Friday, October 2. The town had budgeted up to 3% for the performance raises; their approvals Monday night averaged 2.87%.
Today Is The Last Day For Escambia County Businesses To Apply For COVID-19 Grants
October 6, 2020
Applications close at 8 p.m. Tuesday for Escambia CARES Business Emergency Financial Assistance Grants
.
Applications are accepted online at myescambia.com/CARES and at several physical locations throughout the county.
Those needing assistance or who do not have access to the internet and wish to apply with paper forms instead of online can visit one of the four fully-staffed application assistance centers located throughout the county.
These locations will be staffed for in-person application assistance Tuesday from 8 a.m.-8 p.m. -
- Century Branch Library, 7991 N. Century Blvd.
- Florida SBDC at the University of West Florida, 9999 University Pkwy., Building 8
- Studer Community Institute, 220 W. Garden St., Suite 301
- Brownsville Community Center, 3200 W. DeSoto St.
Businesses wishing to apply for this grant will need to supply:
- Fully completed application, including certifications, affirmations, acknowledgements.
- State of Florida active business registration from SunBiz.org is registered in Escambia County effective October 2019 (will need to confirm still in business as of date of application and is expected to return to full operations after local and state emergency guidelines during COVID‐19 are rescinded). If the business is not registered in SunBiz, a business license or documentation with an Escambia County address will be required.
- Documentation of any PPP funding (must be less than $10,000 to be eligible).
- Copy of owner’s Driver’s License, state ID or passport.
- Entire 2019 tax return.
- IRS Form 941 first quarter 2020.
- A completed and signed IRS W‐9 form.
- Provide attestation that request is valid and truthful.
To qualify for the grant, businesses will need to show proof:
- The business cannot be publicly traded.
- Must be current on ad valorem taxes, if any.
- No current unpaid code enforcement liens or violation of federal, state, or local laws/ordinances.
- Less than 50 full or part-time employees.
- Must have been negatively impacted by COVID-19 after March 1, 2020.
- Received less than $10,000 in Payroll Protection Program loans from Small Business Administration.
Escambia County has allocated more than $7.5 million of CARES Act funding to provide grants of $7,500 for businesses with 0-25 employees and $15,000 for businesses that have 26-50 employees. Escambia CARES Business Emergency Financial Assistance Grants will be dispersed on a first-qualified, first-served basis until funding has been exhausted.
Rain Chances Build, Temperatures Rise
October 6, 2020
For the latest updated on Hurricane Delta, click here.
A burn ban remains in effect for Escambia County in Florida. Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tuesday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 77. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 66. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 85. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69. East wind around 5 mph.
Thursday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 1pm. High near 77. East wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Thursday Night: Showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69. East wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Friday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. High near 78. East wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Friday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 1am, then a chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69. Breezy, with a southeast wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Saturday: Tropical storm conditions possible. A 50 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 79.
Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 66.
Sunday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 80.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 64.
Columbus Day: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 81.
COVID-19 Testing Now Available Five Days A Week In Cantonment, Brownsville
October 6, 2020
Community Health Northwest Florida is now offering COVID-19 testing five days a week at two locations.
Drive-thru testing is available Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. at:
- Community Health Northwest Florida Cantonment Pediatrics at 470 South Highway 29, Cantonment.
- Brownsville Community Center at 3200 West DeSoto Street, Pensacola
No pre-screening is required at the Cantonment or Brownsville locations, and the tests are available for all ages. A photo ID and insurance (if insured) are requested.
COVID-19 rapid testing is also available in partnership with Ascension Sacred Heart by appointment only for Escambia County residents three months and older who are experiencing Covid symptoms. Patients desiring rapid testing must call the Ascension Sacred Heart call center at (850) 746-2684 to be pre-screened and scheduled if eligible.
Escambia County Offers Free Sand For Storm Prep
October 6, 2020
Escambia County is offering sand for residents living in flood-prone areas. The sand is available on a first come, first served basis at the following locations:
- Baars Field Athletic Park – 13001 Sorrento Road, Pensacola
- Brent Athletic Park – 4711 N. W St., Pensacola
- Don Sutton Park – 2320 Crabtree Church Road, Molino
- Equestrian Center – 7750 Mobile Highway, Pensacola
- Escambia County Road Department – 601 Highway 297-A, Pensacola
- Ferry Pass Middle School -available on northwest corner of school property on Parazine Street
- John R. Jones Jr. Athletic Park – 555 E. Nine Mile Road, Pensacola
- Travis M. Nelson Park - 4541 Highway 4, Bratt
Residents must bring their own sandbags and shovels.
Pictured: Sand at Travis M. Nelson Park in Bratt. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Monday: No New COVID-19 Deaths, 16 Additional Cases Reported In Escambia County
October 6, 2020
THIS IS OUTDATED STORY. SEE NORTHESCAMBIA.COM FOR THE LATEST UPDATE.
There were no additional COVID-19 deaths reported Monday in Escambia County, as the case total increased by 16, according to the Florida Department of Health.
Here is the latest data:
Escambia County cases:
Total cases: 12,494 (+16)
Non-Florida residents: 1,146
Total deaths: 243
Long-term care facility deaths : 114
Current hospitalizations: 54 (+4)
Number of tests last day: 294
Percent positive last day: 5.2%
Percent positive last week: 2.7%
Escambia County cases by location:
Pensacola: 9,137 (+13)
Cantonment: 935 (+3)
Century: 933
—-including 773 Century prison inmates
Molino: 149
McDavid: 74
Walnut Hill: 18
Bellview: 16
Gonzalez: 7
Perdido Key: 7
Santa Rosa County cases:
Total cases: 5,437 (+7)
Non-Florida residents: 51
Total deaths: 78
Long-term care facility deaths: 17
Cumulative Hospitalizations: 322*
Number of tests last day: 76
Percent positive last day: 8.4%
Santa County cases by location:
Milton: 2,821 (+2)
Gulf Breeze: 789 (+1)
Navarre: 686 (+1)
Pace: 451 (+1)
Jay: 155
Bagdad: 12
Florida cases:
Total cases: 717,874
Florida residents: 709,157
Deaths: 14,712
Hospitalizations: 44,775*
*“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.
Skanska Says They Are Keeping A Close Eye On Hurricane Delta
October 6, 2020
Bridge contractor Skanska says they are keeping a close eye on Hurricane Delta.
During Hurricane Sally, over 20 Skanska barges broke free. Several hit the Pensacola Bay Bridge, severely damaging and closing it. Others hit different bridges, several were grounded around the Pensacola Bay area and several sank to the bottom of the bay.
In a statement, Skanska said they are continually monitoring the progress of Hurricane Delta, and they “are in close communication with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) and local authorities. We are making all preparations necessary to best ensure the safety of the surrounding community and our construction team members. Given the storm’s projected path at this time, we are preparing our project site and equipment for a potential hurricane-force impact should landfall occur in or near Pensacola.”
The company said they are continuing to make progress on retrieving the barges lost during Hurricane Sally. As of Monday, they had recovered and sectured 12 of the 23 barges that ran aground.