19-Year Old Escambia County Woman Killed In I-10 Crash
April 15, 2021
A 19-year old Escambia County woman was killed in an early morning wreck Thursday on I-10.
It happened about 1:25 a.m. on I-10 eastbound near the Ninth Avenue overpass. The Florida Highway Patrol said the woman lost control of her car and traveled onto the shoulder where she struck a tree.
A 21-year old female passenger in the vehicle was seriously injured, and a two-year old suffered minor injuries.
FHP said all occupants of the vehicle were properly restrained.
Helping Neighbors: CIC Has Distributed Tons Of Food In Cantonment Since The Start Of The Pandemic
April 15, 2021
When the pandemic forced schools to close last year, it left many families in need of help to feed their children who had relied on school breakfast and lunch.
The Cantonment community rallied together to help those kids. In March 2020, the Cantonment Improvement Committee (CIC) and countless volunteers began to collect prepackaged food donations from the community, local churches and groups including Ascend Cares and International Paper.
Mary Holley-Lewis, who organizes the food giveaways each week, continued to see increased need in North Escambia and expanded their distributions to also support families within the community.
Manna Food Pantries became involved and partnered with CIC. Each week, Manna provides at least 150 healthy food bags – each with enough food for about five days — and additional items such as fresh produce and breads.
Since May 2020, Manna has shared more than 121,800 pounds of food, the equivalent of nearly 135,500 meals, with CIC.
On Tuesday, Manna’s latest food delivery was 3,535 pounds of food (pictured above).
The CIC food distributions begin at 3:30 p.m. every Tuesday at Carver Park and continue while supplies last for anyone in need of food. Participants are asked to line up on Webb Street facing north, and the food is loaded into vehicles. The event will take place rain or shine.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Driver Receives Minor Injuries In Collision With Deer Near Walnut Hill
April 15, 2021
A driver received minor injuries in a collision with a deer late Wednesday night near Walnut Hill.
The female hit the deer on Highway 97A near Corley Road will enough force to deploy the air bags in her vehicle and cause her to run off the road about 11:35 p.m.
The Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue and Escambia County EMS responded, but the driver refused transport to the hospital. The deer did not survive.
The Florida Highway Patrol investigated the crash.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Cuteness Overload Alert: Goat Gives Birth To Triplets At Beulah Middle School
April 15, 2021
Three new “kids” joined the Beulah Middle School family Tuesday afternoon as a goat in the school’s agriscience program gave birth to triplets.
Beulah Middle agriscience teacher Leanne Jenkins tells the story, in her own words:
Y’allllllllllllll…..
My cheeks hurt so bad and my heart feels like it’s going to explode! Today we experienced the most amazing births at Beulah Middle School! I’m in tears typing this announcement to you.
We thought we had a day or two before the arrival, but we moved Mama to her “birthing suite” to get her comfortable with the area. She was there most of the day and was crying to go back to the field with her buddies.
At the beginning of the last period, I had a student go on the back porch to get a duckling. He casually walked into the classroom with the duckling and said, “That goat out there is having a baby.” I told him she’s not having her baby yet, that she had a day or two before arrival. He then said, “oh, I could have swore I saw something coming out of her bottom.”
I went running, and sure enough, there was a hoof coming out of sweet mama!!
About 40 minutes later, with 60 students and staff members quietly watching, we have healthy, thriving, triplets!!!
It was beautiful and amazing and we are all on cloud nine.
Welcome to the world sweet babies ❤️. Brace yourselves for the hundreds of students that are thrilled to have you join our farm ❤️.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Flood Maps Are Changing, And They Could Impact Construction And Insurance Costs
April 15, 2021
New flood hazard maps for Escambia County are ready for public review. The preliminary maps are the result of a multi-year project to develop accurate and detailed digital flood maps for the Florida Panhandle Region, based on data from the latest mapping and modeling technologies.
TO VIEW THE INTERACTIVE ESCAMBIA COUNTY MAP WITH MAP LEGENDS, CLICK OR TAP HERE.
The Northwest Florida Water Management District is releasing the updated maps in cooperation with the Federal Emergency Management Agency and communities throughout Escambia County. The new maps reflect current flooding risks, replacing maps that are based on outdated studies, some of which are more than 30 years old. Revisions to these mapping products may affect residents and business owners in Escambia County.
Residents and businesses will want to be aware of how the maps are changing, how the changes may affect new construction and rebuilding decisions, as well as requirements for flood insurance. Property owners are encouraged to visit Northwest Florida’s Virtual Flood Risk Open House to better understand the project and changes linked here.
Northwest Florida’s Virtual Flood Risk Open House provides information relevant to the proposed changes in flood risks in your community, as well as an opportunity to connect with floodplain management experts from your local jurisdiction, NWFWMD and FEMA.
In-person virtual meetings are available by appointment only and can be reserved on the website, via the “Connect with Us” page of the Virtual Flood Risk Open House linked here. Appointments will be held between May 18 and June 3, 2021. Appointments can be reserved between May 3 and May 14, 2021.
A 90-day public comment period will soon be open to address any submitted appeals and/or comments. Another notice will be sent when the public comment period opens. After all appeals and comments are addressed, the maps are expected to become effective in early to mid-2022. At that time, the new insurance requirements will take effect.
To learn more about the preliminary maps, see what areas will change, learn what the insurance options are and find the schedule for related community meetings, visit the link here.
For general information about the upcoming map changes, you can contact:
Escambia County
- Harry Gibson, Building Inspections Department, Floodplain Administrator 850-595-3550
- Jennifer Hampton, Building Inspections Department, Floodplain Manager 850-595-3550
Town of Century
- Debbie Nickles, Town Planner, Town of Century 850-994-0081
City of Pensacola
- Jonathan Bilby, Floodplain Administrator, City of Pensacola 850-436-5600
Santa Rosa Island Authority
- Juan C. Lemos, Flood plain Manager, Santa Rosa Island Authority 850- 932-2257
Vaccination Clinics Planned In Escambia County (FL), Flomaton
April 15, 2021
Vaccination clinics are planned in Escambia County (FL) and in Flomaton as follows:
Florida Department of Health in Escambia County has two walk-in clinics this week in Escambia County. During the week of April 12, 2021, FDOH-Escambia is offering same-day clinic appointments and will hold 2 off-site clinics for Florida residents 18 and older:
- Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at FDOH-Escambia: 1295 W Fairfield Dr, Pensacola, FL 32501. Same-day appointments may be available by calling 850-595-6554.
- Thursday, April 15 from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Brownsville Community Center: 3200 W De Soto St, Pensacola, FL 32505. Walk-ins will be accepted between 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.
- Saturday, April 17 from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at FDOH-Escambia: 1295 W Fairfield Dr, Pensacola, FL. Walk-in, no appointment needed.
Residents can use the statewide preregistration system, at myvaccine.fl.gov to get in line for appointments as new schedules are opened. They may also call 850-595-6554 to be scheduled into any remaining available appointments. Questions can be directed to FDOH-Escambia’s COVID-19 phone line at 850-595-6500 option 6.
Escambia County residents should use the statewide preregistration system to sign up for vaccination. Residents can call the toll-free line at 866-201-1025 or preregister online at myvaccine.fl.gov. The TTY number for the deaf and hard of hearing is 833-476-1461. Registrants will be notified when appointments are available in their area.
Ascension Sacred Heart will hold vaccination clinics at Olive Baptist Church in Pensacola on:
- April 16 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- April 17 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- April 19 from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Online appointments can be made at www.GetSacredHeartCare.com. The clinics will offer either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, which require two shots about 3-4 weeks apart.
Baptist Health Care- Baptist Health Care is currently offering COVID-19 vaccination appointments at Baptist Medical Park – Nine Mile located at 9400 University Parkway in Pensacola while supplies last. Appointments are required:
- Visit EasySchedule.com. Click “procedure appointment” and complete the registration.
- Email name and contact information to BHCVaccine@bhcpns.org.
- For those who do not have email/internet access, call 850.908.SHOT (7468), Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Community Health Northwest Florida will hold vaccination clinics for Florida residents:
-
Thursday, April 15
- Location: PSC Warrington Campus- Student Services Building 3600, 5555 W. Highway 98 Pensacola, Florida
- Time: 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.
- APPOINTMENTS REQUIRED – Call 850-439-3358
- Vaccine: Moderna COVID-19 vaccine – First dose (of two)
Friday, April 16
- Location: Brownsville Community Center
- Time: 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.
- APPOINTMENTS REQUIRED – Call 850-439-3358
- Vaccine: Moderna COVID-19 vaccine – First dose (of two)
West Florida Hospital will hold a vaccination clinic on Thursday April 15:
- First dose vaccine clinic scheduled for Thursday, April 15, 2021
- Appointments can be scheduled through this link. Walk-ins will not be possible.
- This vaccine clinic is open to all Florida residents
Flomaton Medical Center Pharmacy will hold a Moderna vaccination clinic on Saturday April 24 beginning at 8 a.m. by appointment only. Bring a photo identification and insurance card. Open to Alabama residents and Florida residents of Escambia, Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties. Call (251) 296-0001 for an appointment.
Slight Chance Of Showers For The Remainder Of The Day
April 15, 2021
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
This Afternoon: Slight chance of showers between 1pm and 4pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 73. North wind around 10 mph. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Tonight: Increasing clouds, with a low around 54. North wind around 5 mph.
Friday: A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 1pm. Cloudy, with a high near 68. East wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Friday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 1am. Cloudy, with a low around 58. Southeast wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Saturday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 1pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Cloudy, with a high near 74. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Saturday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 52. North wind around 5 mph.
Sunday: A 20 percent chance of showers before 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 71. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 50. North wind around 5 mph.
Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 73. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 53.
Tuesday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 76.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 52.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 77.
West Florida Library Patrons Can Now Browse The Shelves At All Branches
April 15, 2021
For the first time since the start of the pandemic, patrons can now browse the shelves at West Florida Public Libraries.
Online order pickup is still available. Requests for library materials placed prior to arrival will be retrieved and ready for pickup at your vehicle. Designated online order pickup spaces will be marked. Drive-thru services are closed.
West Florida Public Libraries also increased eBook, eAudiobook and eMagazine titles for electronic access during COVID-19.
Pictured: The Century Branch Library. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
51 New COVID-19 Cases Reported In Escambia County
April 15, 2021
THIS IS AN ARCHIVED STORY. SEE NORTHESCAMBIA.COM FOR THE LATEST INFORMATION.
There were 51 new COVID-19 cases reported Wednesday in Escambia County by the Florida Department of Health.
Here is the latest data:
Escambia County cases:
Total cases: 35,294 (+51)
Non-Florida residents: 3,653
Recovered: 34,178*
Total deaths: 675
Long-term care facility deaths: 281
Current hospitalizations: 31 (+8)
Number of tests reported last day: 721
Percent positive reported last day: 6.2%
Percent positive reported last week: 5.8%
Escambia County cases by location*:
Pensacola: 26,348 (+44)
Cantonment: 3,173 (+6)
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: 17,959 (+30)
Non-Florida residents: 238
Total deaths: 282 (+3)
Long-term care facility deaths: 81
Cumulative Hospitalizations: 871*
Number of tests reported last day: 306
Percent positive reported last day: 8.4%
Santa Rosa County cases by location*:
Milton: 8,534 (+1)
Navarre: 3,701 (+4)
Gulf Breeze: 3,332 (+2)
Pace: 1,451 (+1)
Jay: 549 (+1)
Bagdad: 32
Florida cases:
Total cases: 2,141,686
Florida residents: 2,401,365
Deaths: 34,164
Hospitalizations: 87,523
*“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.
Augusta Parker Hopkins
April 15, 2021
Augusta Parker Hopkins peacefully departed this world on April 13, 2021 surrounded by her family. She was deeply loved and will be greatly missed. Augusta was born on January 7, 1933 to Lawrence and Eula Parker in Davisville, FL. She also resided in Atmore AL, Mobile, AL and was a long time resident of Orange Beach, AL.
Augusta was a successful businesswoman, owning several ventures with her husband Troy in Atmore, Mobile and Orange Beach. Together they won several awards and trips abroad as top sellers in their industry. She also had a true talent for raising a large family and making it look easy. There was always room for another chair around the table at the “big house” on Horner Street and many of her children’s friends considered it a second home. She was a wonderful cook and loved teaching her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren how to make her many recipes, buttermilk biscuits being at the top of the list. She never met a stranger and had a unique knack for finding something in common with every one she met. Augusta also loved sports, played basketball in school and enjoyed traveling with Troy to cheer on the Alabama Crimson Tide both home and away. Sharp as a tack mentally she worked crossword puzzles with an ink pen in minutes.
Augusta was preceded in death by her parents Lawrence and Eula Parker; husband Troy E. Hopkins Sr.; son Troy E. Hopkins Jr.; sister Ruby Lee Varner; brothers Eddie and Arnold Parker; grandchildren John, Miranda and Melissa Hawkins and son-in-law Charles Walker.
She is survived by three daughters Dianne Walker; Charlotte Culbreth and her husband Steve of Orange Beach and Cindy Hopkins of Foley. One son, Greg Hopkins Sr. One brother, Curtis A. Parker and his wife Annie. Eight grandchildren Troy Hopkins III (Brandie);Minnie Bilbo (Cline); Gus Smith(Andy);Beau Hawkins(Chelsie);Emma Hawkins; Greg Hopkins Jr.; Katie Hopkins and Elizabeth Hancock (Scott);38 great grandchildren and 2 great great grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Services will be held from Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home, 1322 South Main St. in Atmore, AL on Saturday April 24, 2021. The family will gather at 12:30pm with visitation at 1pm and the service following at 2pm. Burial will be at Oak Hill Cemetery in Atmore. Pallbearers will be Troy Hopkins III, Gus Smith, Cline Bilbo, Steve Culbreth, Beau Hawkins, Peyton Smith, Reece Hopkins and Grant Bilbo.