Escambia Schools To End Remote Learning, Mask Mandate By Next School Year
April 18, 2021
The Escambia County School District wants students back on campus by the fall, and face masks won’t be required.
In the next school year, the ECSD will not offer remote learning, but students will have an option of enrolling in the state’s Florida Virtual School.
“We need to get kids back in school as fast as possible,” Escambia County School Board Chairman Bill Slayton said during a board workshop. “It’s so important that we get this into the hands of the parents and them knowing that (for) not only VPK and kindergarten students, but our existing students, next year will look different.”
“We are going to move to do away with the blended format,” Superintendent Tim Smith noted.
Summer school in the Escambia County School district will not be offered remotely; it will only be available to in-person students or virtually. Virtual students are part of a permanent online program, while remote students remotely attend their local classes at their assigned schools.
“I think that will give us an opportunity to just make sure we’re back to functioning,” Smith said. “I think it’ll be a time where we will find our rhythm again and I think that’s even more time for caseloads to go down and more people to get immunizations.”
As it stands now, the district won’t require face masks for summer school or in the fall, but they will still be an option for students.
“If a student feels comfortable wearing a mask, they absolutely can wear a mask,” Smith said. “We want our students to be as comfortable as possible.”
Clearing Skies For Sunday, Into Next Week
April 18, 2021
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 50. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 74. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Monday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 51. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Tuesday: A 20 percent chance of showers before 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 75. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the afternoon.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 52. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph after midnight.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 70. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday Night: Clear, with a low around 43. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 70. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 49.
Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 75.
Friday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 61. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Saturday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 75. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Here Are This Week’s Planned Road Construction Delay Spots
April 18, 2021
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.
Escambia County:
- U.S. 98 (State Road (S.R.) 30) Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement - The intersection of North 17th Avenue and Bayfront Parkway will remain closed until spring 2021 as construction continues on the new 17th Avenue interchange. The Visitor’s Center and adjacent boat launch remain accessible from 17th Avenue. Also, the ramp from 17th Avenue to East Gregory Street remains open. Eastbound drivers on Bayfront Parkway should use North 14th Avenue and Cervantes Street (U.S. 90) as a detour route.
- Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90A) from North Palafox Street to Chemstrand Road – Motorists will encounter intermittent nighttime lane closures the week of Monday, April 19 as crews perform paving operations.
- U.S. 29 Widening from Interstate 10 (I-10) to Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90) – Motorists can expect intermittent lane closures and shifts, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., on U.S. 29, between I-10 and Nine and Half Mile Road, and on Nine Mile Road at the U.S. 29 Overpass.
- North Ninth Avenue (S.R. 289) Carpenters Creek Bridge Replacement – North and southbound traffic on Ninth Avenue will be shifted to the northbound travel lanes of the Carpenters Creek Bridge beginning Tuesday, April 20. One lane of traffic in each direction will be maintained as work begins to replace the southbound portion of the bridge. The traffic shift will begin at approximately 7 a.m. and should conclude by 5 p.m. Drivers should anticipate the potential for travel delays during these times. Once shifted, traffic will remain in this temporary configuration until the late summer/early fall timeframe.
- West Cervantes Street (U.S. 90) Pedestrian Safety Improvement Project from Dominguez Street to A Street- Drivers will encounter inside daytime and nighttime lane closures on West Cervantes Street, between Dominguez Street and Kirk Street. The lane closures are needed to perform median improvement work. One lane in each direction will be maintained. The median work and lane closures will progress eastward on Cervantes Street until the end of the year. Also, be advised that the speed limit will be reduced to 30 m.p.h.
- I-10 Bridge Repair and Rehabilitation over Perdido River Bridge – Motorists will encounter intermittent nighttime lane closures the week of Monday, April 19 as crews perform paving operations.
- U.S. 29 (Pensacola Boulevard) and Nine Mile Road Utility Operations - Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures on Pensacola Boulevard and Nine Mile Road from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, April 19 through Monday, May 10, as utility crews perform work.
- U.S. 29 from South of Muscogee Road (County Road (C.R.) 184) to Atmore Hwy (S.R. 97) the following operations will take place on the project the week of Monday, April 19 through Friday, April 23 as crews perform paving operations:
- Intermittent lane closures 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the Cantonment area.
- Intermittent lane closures 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. between Neal Road, north of Cantonment, and north of S.R. 97 in Molino.
- I-10 Escambia Bay Bridge Lighting Maintenance- East and westbound traffic may encounter lane restrictions 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, April 18 through Tuesday, April 20 for lighting maintenance on the bridge.
Santa Rosa County:
- Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – The bridge remains closed until the week of May 31.
- U.S. 90 Drainage Work at Glover Lane– Motorists will encounter intermittent turn lane and shoulder closures on U.S. 90 to Glover Lane Saturday through Thursday beginning Saturday, April 17 through Friday, May 7 for crews to preform drainage improvements.
- S.R. 87 Resurfacing from south of Clear Creek to north of S.R. 4- Motorists can expect intermittent daytime lane restrictions just north of S.R. 4 Wednesday, April 21 as crews perform asphalt repair work.
- S.R. 89 (Dogwood Drive) Maintenance Operations from Cypress Street to Berryhill Road – Motorists can expect a southbound lane shift and outside lane closure 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, April 23 as crews trim trees.
- U.S. 98 Widening from Bayshore Road to Portside Drive- Early construction activities have begun to prepare for the widening and improvements of the 4.25-mile section. These activities include utility relocations, clearing, excavation, and drainage improvements. As part of the upgraded drainage system, the project includes the construction of five stormwater ponds. Clearing and excavating of areas for the stormwater ponds are currently underway. There are no traffic impacts associated with the construction of the ponds, but nearby residents and businesses may experience some noise. Access to residences and businesses will be maintained.
All activities are weather-dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Pictured: Nine Mile Road at Fowler Avenue Friday evening. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Unemployment Rate Up Slightly
April 18, 2021
The unemployment rate in Escambia County increased last month, according to data released Friday by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity.
The unemployment rate in Escambia County was 4.9% in March, up from 4.8% in February. That represents 7,275 people out of work out of a county workforce of 149,398. One year ago, Escambia County’s unemployment rate was 5.4%, or 8,060 people.
The professional and business services industry grew faster in the metro area than statewide over the year. The industry gaining in jobs over the year was professional and business services with 1,200 jobs.
Industries losing the most jobs over the year in the Escambia County area were:
- leisure and hospitality -2,000 jobs
- government -600 jobs
- manufacturing -300 jobs
- education and health services -300 jobs
- other services -300 jobs
- financial activities -200 jobs
- information -100 jobs
Florida’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.7 percent, unchanged from a year ago and down 0.2% from a year ago. There were 475,000 jobless Floridians out of a labor force of 10,170,000. The U.S. unemployment rate was 6.0 percent in March.
Community Health Vaccination Clinics This Week In Cantonment, Brownsville
April 18, 2021
Community Health Northwest Florida will hold Moderna COVID-19 vaccination clinics this week in Cantonment and Brownsville.
Appointments are required.
Eligible persons who wish to participate in one of these events should call the Community Health COVID-19 Vaccine Call Center at (850) 439-3358 to schedule an appointment.
Tuesday, April 20
Location: Brownsville Community Center — 3200 W. De Soto St., Pensacola
Time: 3 p.m. — 7 p.m.
Thursday, April 22
Location: 4-H Building — 3730 Stefani Road, Cantonment
Time: 8 a.m. — 3 p.m.
Friday, April 23
Location: Brownsville Community Center — 3200 W. De Soto St., Pensacola
Time: 8 a.m. — 3 p.m.
These clinics are open to all Florida residents who qualify to receive the vaccine.
EREC’s Annual Meeting Is Virtual This Year (And Yes, You Can Still Get A Gift Bucket)
April 18, 2021
Escambia River Electric Cooperative’s 82nd Annual Meeting will be held virtually this year as a safety precaution due to COVID-19. And yes, you can still get one of those registration gift buckets.
The meeting will take place at 10 a.m. on Saturday, April 24. A link will be provided on www.erec.com, and information will be posted on Facebook prior to the start time for members to access the meeting.
“Safety for our members and employees is top priority at EREC,” said Ryan Campbell, CEO. “We are encouraging members to vote by absentee ballot to minimize their risk of exposure. With vaccines readily available now to the public, I’m hopeful the pandemic will soon be a distant memory.”
Absentee ballots will be available at the EREC offices in Jay and Walnut Hill until end of business on April 23. Members voting by absentee ballot will receive a registration gift bucket when their ballot is submitted in person to an EREC office. Members returning their absentee ballot by mail will be able to pick up their registration gift bucket after EREC has received their ballot.
Members unable to vote by absentee ballot can go to either EREC office Saturday, April 24, between 8 a.m. and 9:45 a.m. only and vote in person in a drive-thru setup. No registration gift buckets will be given to members voting in person April 24. They can be picked up later at either office.
Every member voting by absentee ballot or in person will be registered for prize drawings. Winners will be notified later for prize pickup at their local office. Members can find voting ballot information in their April issue of Florida Currents magazine. Election results will be posted on the EREC website and Facebook immediately after election office personnel complete the vote count.
“EREC’s annual meeting is different this year because of COVID, but I hope our members will join us virtually on the 24th,” said Campbell. “The presentation will include announcement of our scholarship winners and a 2020 hurricane recap video. Even though we can’t meet in person, we’re looking forward to this great opportunity to connect with our membership.”
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Public Invited To Escambia Consortium HUD Consolidated Plan Meeting On Monday
April 18, 2021
The Escambia Consortium, comprised of Escambia County, the City of Pensacola, Santa Rosa County and the City of Milton, will hold a second public hearing to solicit input on the development of the Consortium’s HUD Five Year Consolidated Plan as well as annual action plans for the 2020/21 and 2021/22 fiscal years.
The public hearing will be held in Room 104 at the Escambia County Central Office Complex, located at 3363 West Park Place, Pensacola at 4 p.m. on Monday, April 19.
The meeting is being sponsored by the Consortium to afford citizens the opportunity to provide input and recommendations regarding assisted housing, housing related needs and priorities, supportive housing needs, and non-housing community development needs within the Consortium. This meeting will assist with planning for the utilization of the Community Development Block Grant Program and HOME Investment Partnerships Act funds. Comments regarding the Escambia Consortium Fair Housing Plan and Analysis of Impediments are also welcome.
The Consortium also generated a needs assessment survey that can be accessed online here. The survey will be available through April 30.
One New Death, 27 Additional COVID-19 Cases Reported In Escambia County
April 18, 2021
THIS IS AN ARCHIVED STORY. SEE NORTHESCAMBIA.COM FOR THE LATEST DATA.
There were 27 new COVID-19 cases reported Saturday in Escambia County by the Florida Department of Health.
Here is the latest data:
Escambia County cases:
Total cases: 35,419 (+27)
Non-Florida residents: 3,661
Recovered: 34,178*
Total deaths: 675 (+1)
Long-term care facility deaths: 281
Current hospitalizations: 22
Number of tests reported last day: 811
Percent positive reported last day: 3.0%
Percent positive reported last week: 5.8%
Escambia County cases by location*:
Pensacola: 26,454 (+22)
Cantonment: 3,183 (+1)
Century: 1,173
—-including 774 Century prison inmates
Molino: 488
McDavid: 211
Bellview: 57
Walnut Hill: 53
Perdido Key: 21
Gonzalez: 13
Santa Rosa County cases:
Total cases: 17,967 (+10)
Non-Florida residents: 242
Total deaths: 282
Long-term care facility deaths: 81
Cumulative Hospitalizations: 878*
Number of tests reported last day: 258
Percent positive reported last day: 4.0%
Santa Rosa County cases by location*:
Milton: 8,566 (+6)
Navarre: 3,708 (+2)
Gulf Breeze: 3,322
Pace: 1,453 (+1)
Jay: 548
Bagdad: 32
Florida cases:
Total cases: 2,162,067
Florida residents: 2,121,387
Deaths: 34,404
Hospitalizations: 88,130
*“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.
**On cases by location, the city is based upon zip code and is not always received as part of the initial notification. There may be a delay in reporting locations, and locations will not total the daily case increase as a result.
***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 is reporting an approximate recovery number defined as the total cases prior to last month, minus deaths. In other words, anyone that tested positive more than a month ago is presumed to have recovered by Escambia County.
**Data Sources: Florida Department of Health, Escambia County, City of Pensacola, local hospitals.
Cecelia Gregson Nobles
April 18, 2021
Ms. Cecelia Gregson Nobles. age 51, passed away on Tuesday, April 13, 2021, in Atmore, AL.
Ms. Nobles was a native of Atmore, AL. She was a member of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians. She loved spending time with her children, grandchildren, and family. She is preceded in death by her parents, Charles Edward Gregson and Daisy Bell Rolin; brother, Eddie Wayne Gregson; and sister, Sherry Ann Phillips.
She is survived by her one son, Fayv Blain (Hunter) Nobles (Kassadi) of Atmore, AL; one daughter, Daya Nicole (Pookie) Nobles of Atmore, AL; two brothers, Charles Gregson (Cheryl) of Atmore, AL; Timothy Gregson of Semmes, AL; two sisters, Robin Barlow (Larry) of Atmore, AL; Melanie Gregson of Atmore, AL; two beautiful grandchildren, Harmonie Nobles and Bentley Ard.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, April 20, 2021, at 11 a.m. at Friendly Holiness Church.
Burial will follow at New Home Cemetery.
Visitation will be Monday, April 19, 2021, from 6 p.m. until 11 p.m. at the Friendly Holiness Church.
Pallbearers will be Fayv Nobles, Dakota Barlow, Aaron Gregson, Bryan Gregson, Anthony Phillips, Steven Gregson.
Honorary pallbearers will be Charles Gregson, Keith Griffith, Corey Gregson, Cody Phillips, Michael Wayne McGhee, Jeff Ard and Andy Nobles.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes, LLC in Atmore, AL is in charge of all arrangements.
Florida State Forest RV Sites, Campsites Return To Full Operation
April 18, 2021
RV sites, tent campsites and horse stalls in Florida’s state forests are now fully open.
The Florida Forest Service said COVID-19 safety measures are still in effect, including a 10-person maximum at group campsites and a 50-person maximum for outside events and pavilion rentals. Inside events are restricted based upon building size.
For more information, click or tap here. To make reservations, visit floridastateforests.reserveamerica.com.
Pictured: Krul Lake Recreation Area in the Blackwater State Forest. File photo.