FDOH Reports 21 New Escambia COVID-19 Cases
May 27, 2021
THIS IS AN ARCHIVED STORY. SEE NORTHESCAMBIA.COM FOR THE LATEST DATA.
There were 21 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: 36,557 (+21)
Non-Florida residents: 3,697
Recovered: 34,102*
Total deaths: 700
Long-term care facility deaths: 287
Current hospitalizations: 29 (+3)
Number of tests reported last day: 484
Percent positive reported last day: 4.5%
Percent positive reported last week: 4.0%
Escambia County cases by location*:
Pensacola: 27,414 (+19)
Cantonment: 3,290 (+1)
Century: 1,185
—-including 774 Century prison inmates
Molino: 497
McDavid: 216 (+1)
Bellview: 59
Walnut Hill: 58
Perdido Key: 21
Gonzalez: 13
Santa Rosa County cases:
Total cases: 18,493 (+13)
Non-Florida residents: 260
Total deaths: 291
Long-term care facility deaths: 82
Cumulative Hospitalizations: 916*
Number of tests reported last day: 355
Percent positive reported last day: 3.5%
Santa Rosa County cases by location*:
Milton: 8,832 (+6)
Navarre: 3,804 (+1)
Gulf Breeze: 3,391 (+2)
Pace: 1,519 (+5)
Jay: 561
Bagdad: 32
Florida cases:
Total cases: 2,316,142
Florida residents: 2,272,898
Deaths: 36,647
Hospitalizations: 94,550
*“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.
Janie Suzanne Walker
May 27, 2021
Janie Suzanne Walker, beloved and devoted wife, mother, daughter, and teacher passed away and went to her heavenly home on May 26, 2021 at the age of 47 after complications from a recent surgery.
Janie was born on March 26, 1974 in Pensacola, FL to Robert and Kathy Newbold. Janie grew up in Pensacola and attended Cordova Park Elementary, J.H. Workman Middle School, and Booker T. Washington High School. Janie and her family were active members of First Baptist Church in Pensacola where she was baptized and married and she served as a Children’s Camp Counselor and played the trumpet in the church orchestra.
Following graduation from high school in 1992 with honors, Janie attended the University of Alabama where she received a Bachelor of Music Education in 1997. While at Alabama she was a member of the Million Dollar Band, Jazz Band, Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble, Quota Brass Quintet and Mu Phi Epsilon. Janie and her future husband, Chris Walker, met at Alabama and they were both members of the Million Dollar Band.
Janie started her teaching career in the fall of 1997 when she became the band director at UMS Wright Preparatory School in Mobile, AL. While living in Mobile, Janie played in the Mobile Pops Orchestra.
In the fall of 1999, Janie moved back to Pensacola and became the band director at Ransom Middle School. During her time at Ransom, her symphonic and jazz bands received consistent superior ratings at District Music Performance Assessments, and she had 18 students selected for participation in Florida all state bands. Janie also served as guest conductor for Middle School Honor Bands in Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties in Florida. She was selected as the Ransom Middle School teacher of the year for the 2020-2021 school year.
Janie commitments were her faith in Christ, her family, and the band program at Ransom Middle School. Since 2002, Janie and her family were active members of Hillcrest Baptist Church where she played at various times in the Church’s instrumental group. Janie enjoyed spending time with her family and being mom to her son, Andrew. She enjoyed traveling with her family to Walt Disney World, Universal Studios and Sanibel Island in Florida and attending University of Alabama football games. She enjoyed teaching the love of music to Andrew and seeing him play trombone at Ransom and then seeing Andrew continue his music career with the Tate High School Band.
Janie had a tremendous impact on music education in Escambia County. She cared deeply for her students and wanted her students to reach their potential. She served as a mentor to other band directors in our area and she was always appreciative of the directors who guided her in her teaching career. Former students of Janie are serving in teaching positions at various middle school and high school band programs in the Florida panhandle and various former students are professional musicians.
Janie is preceded in death by her father, Robert Newbold. She is survived by her mother, Kathy Newbold of Pensacola; husband, Chris Walker of Pensacola; son, Andrew Walker of Pensacola; her brother, Robert Newbold (Amy) and their children, Jonathan and Anna of Daphne, AL; mother and father in-law, Judy and Marvin Walker of Gadsden, AL; brother in-law, Mark Walker (Julie) and their children, Matthew and Caleb of Jacksonville, AL.
Visitation will be held at 10:00 am until the Funeral Service begins at 12:00 pm Saturday, May 29, 2021 at Hillcrest Baptist Church on Nine Mile Road in Pensacola, FL with Rev. Jim Locke officiating. Burial will be held at Bayview Memorial Park in Pensacola, FL with Rev. Mark Walker officiating at the graveside.
Active Pallbearers will be Lee Rigdon, Jakob Wisdom, Tristan Workman, Robert Newbold, Andrew Walker, Matthew Walker, and Caleb Walker. Honorary Pallbearers include Jack Overman, Joe Hooten, Tim Willis, Dave Schmidt, and Janie’s co-workers at Ransom Middle School.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may made to the Ransom Middle School Band Boosters, Inc., 1000 W. Kingsfield Road, Cantonment, FL 32533-4621.
Finally, the family would like to thank the care provided to Janie by doctors Jarian Duke-Elmore and Jonathan Dean and the various doctors, nurses, and staff at Ascension Sacred Heart.
Video: Here’s How Traffic Will Flow On When The Pensacola Bay Bridge Opens
May 26, 2021
The Florida Department of Transportation has created an animation to show motorists what to expect when the Pensacola Bay Bridge opens to traffic. The video is meant to assist motorists in preparing for the traffic alignment on the bridge and instruct motorists traveling into Pensacola on how to navigate the 17th Avenue Flyover.
The bridge, expected to open by next week, will be two lanes for less than a mile on the Pensacola end and four lanes for remainder.
Click or tap here for direct video link.
Man Convicted, Sentenced To Life In Prison For Killing Escambia County Store Owner
May 26, 2021
A Montgomery, Alabama, man was convicted Wednesday morning of killing an Escambia County convenience store owner in 2016. He was then sentenced to life in prison.
Raymond Jerome Pruitt, 44, of Montgomery, Alabama, robbed the A&E Food Mart on Pace Boulevard about 9:30 p.m. on April 26, 2016. During the robbery, he shot and killed 53-year old Chung Lun Chiang, known as “Alan,” while he worked.
Pruitt’s crime spree began on April 5, 2016, in Montgomery when he stabbed his girlfriend and shot her with her own pistol as she tried to escape. Pruitt was soon identified as the prime suspect in five armed robberies occurring in Montgomery, Ozark, Troy, and Prattville, Alabama.
Cantonment Man Facing Weapons, Drug Charges After Allegedly Fleeing From Deputies
May 26, 2021
A Cantonment man is facing multiple charges after allegedly running from Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputies as they attempted o arrest him on an outstanding warrant.
Jeffery Jermaine Purifoy, 26, was charged with resisting arrest, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of ammunition by a convicted felon, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, tampering with physical evidence by concealing, possession of marijuana, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of cocaine and possession of a drug paraphernalia.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office attempted to serve a fleeing and eluding warrant on Purifoy at an apartment complex on Massachusetts Avenue. Purifoy allegedly hid a stolen pistol and narcotics before running from deputies.
At the Escambia County Jail, a correctional officer reported finding a bag containing marijuana in Purifoy’s pocket.
New Area Code: The Very First 448 Numbers To Be Available In Century
May 26, 2021
The new 448 area code was official activated for the area last Saturday, and now we are learning that the very first 448 numbers will be available in Century beginning July 17.
The numbers were assigned to Inteliquent, a telecommunications company that provides services to wireless, cable, carriers and communication service providers.
Mandatory 10-digit dialing is effect for existing and new phone numbers in the 850 and the new 448 area codes. This includes landlines, cellphones and other devices. The 850/448 area code region consists of 18 counties in the Florida Panhandle, including the cities of Pensacola, Panama City, and Tallahassee.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Troopers Seek To Identify Vehicle Involved In Highway 29 Hit And Run
May 26, 2021
The Florida Highway Patrol is seeking help to identify a vehicle involved in a hit and run crash Tuesday afternoon.
About 3:40 p.m., a hit and run crash occurred near the intersection of Pensacola Boulevard (Hwy. 29) and Hope Drive. The suspect vehicle, described as a dark colored Mazda hatchback SUV, hit a Dodge Ram on Pensacola Boulevard then fled onto Hope Drive. The Mazda was occupied by a black male with a dreadlocks or a braided style hair, according to FHP.
The victim followed the suspect vehicle after it fled the scene and obtained the picture of the vehicle (above). FHP said the suspect began driving recklessly, passing a stopped school bus, and driving toward oncoming traffic.
Troopers said the suspect vehicle will have damage to the driver’s side front and rear passenger door. Anyone with information regarding the suspect, is asked to contact Trooper Knowles at *347 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
UWF Campus To Host First Argos Football Game In September
May 26, 2021
The University of West Florida Argonauts will play their first-ever regular season football game on the UWF Pensacola Campus, hosting Southwest Baptist at Pen Air Field on Sept. 11, 2021.
The Argos will host the Bearcats for a special, one-time only, on-campus game. The UWF campus will be buzzing with activity leading up to the 6 p.m. kickoff.
“I’m looking forward to hosting Argo fans on our beautiful campus,” said UWF President Martha D. Saunders. “It will be a grand event and, as always, the best party in town.”
The Argos play their home games at Blue Wahoos Stadium. But this first home game for 2021 will be moved to the UWF Pensacola Campus due a conflict with the Blue Wahoos’ schedule.
“This is a great opportunity to create a college game day atmosphere on our beautiful campus,” explained UWF Athletic Director Dave Scott. “We have accomplished several firsts with football, but this will be the first-ever Argonaut Football Game on campus, at Pen Air Field, and the ticket will be something Argo fans will want to hang on to.”
The game will be a campus-wide event with involvement from a variety of organizations.
The first-ever, on-campus game will be another opportunity to celebrate the Argos’ 2019 NCAA Division II National Championship with the greater Pensacola community. The event will also showcase the UWF Football facilities in the Darrell Gooden Center and on Pen Air Field.
“We are looking forward to sharing this historic day on Pen Air Field with our great fans,” said UWF Head Coach Pete Shinnick.
The Argos are 35-17 in four seasons under Coach Shinnick. UWF is 13-7 at home during those first four seasons.
Season tickets for the UWF Football 2021 schedule are on sale now. Season ticket holders who renew their tickets by July 16, 2021 will have this game included in their season ticket price.
Those with UWF Football parking passes will be able to use their pass for this on-campus game as well.
Single game tickets will go on sale August 1.
Three Blue Wahoos Homer In 4-1 Series Opening Win Over Shuckers
May 26, 2021
Max Meyer (W, 2-1) twirled five shutout innings against the Shuckers and three different Wahoos homered en route to a 4-1 series opening win at MGM Park on Tuesday.
Meyer, who dazzled in his previous outing against Rocket City, continued his dominant pitching against a veteran Biloxi team. Meyer scattered two hits across his five scoreless innings, and walked only one while striking out three. Over Meyer’s last two outings, the Marlins #3 prospect has not given up a run over 10.2 innings of work.
Offensively, the team with the fewest home runs in the Double-A South slugged their way to win.
Lazaro Alonso doubled his home run tally in the second when he led off the inning with an opposite-field homer off Bowden Francis (L, 3-1) to put the Wahoos up 1-0. After Bleday doubled the Wahoos lead in the third with an RBI groundout, Nick Fortes launched his first home run of the season to make it 3-0.
The reigning Double-A South hitter of the week, Peyton Burdick, continued his hot streak when he belted his fifth home run of the season in the fifth inning to make it 4-0.
It was a true boom-or-bust night for the Wahoos, who set a new season high for home runs in a game, but also struck out 16 times.
The bullpen was excellent again for the Blue Wahoos. Despite the fact that Zack Leban was touched up for one run in two innings of work, Sean Guenther delivered a scoreless eighth inning and Colton Hock worked out of a bases-loaded jam in the ninth to capture his fourth save of the season. Over the bullpen’s last 31.1 innings of work, the pitchers have only allowed seven earned runs (2.01 ERA) and have issued four walks compared to 44 strikeouts.
The series continues tomorrow evening at 6:35 PM CT in Biloxi. LHP Jake Eder (1-1, 0.60) will face LHP Ethan Small (1-1, 5.25).
File photo.
Two Teens Arrested, Third Suspect Wanted For Burglarizing Vehicles At Dealership
May 26, 2021
Two teens were arrested and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is looking for a third suspect after vehicles were burglarized at a Car City dealership.
Zacharias Jackson-Holley, 17, and Darrian Jenkins, 17, were both charged with attempted burglary and resisting arrest without violence. Jackson-Holley was also charged with use or display of a firearm during a felony.
Sgt. Tony Godwin spotted three juvenile suspects burglarizing vehicles at the Sandy Sansing Nissan dealership on Pensacola Boulevard. As Godwin approached the suspects they took off running.
Deputy James Morris and K-9 Rocket began tracking the suspects. K-9 Rocket located Jackson-Holley and Jenkins near the retention pond on the west side of the dealership.
A handgun was located on suspect Jackson-Holley, according to the ECSO.
The third suspect is described as a younger black male with dreads, wearing black shorts and a white shirt. Anyone with information about his identity is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP or the ECSO at (850) 436-9620.