DeSantis Says COVID-19 Vaccine Will Be Available To All Adult Floridians ‘Way Before’ May 1
March 24, 2021
Gov. Ron DeSantis said Tuesday in Pensacola that the COVID-19 vaccine will be available to all adult Floridians “way before” May 1.
Florida residents age 50 and older are currently eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, and the President Joe Biden administration wants that expanded to all adults by May.
“I can tell you that in Florida, that’s going to happen way before May 1,” DeSantis said. “So stay tuned on that and we’ll make sure that everyone knows that.”
The governor said over three million seniors in the state have received at least one dose of the vaccine, and the overall pace of the demand among seniors has declined.
“The demand was more intense at the beginning of January than it is right now” DeSantis said. “But if the demand continues to be manageable, we want to lower the age again at the appropriate time. I don’t have an announcement on that yet, but we’re monitoring it.”
“We’re going to get to a point where this is just going to be available to everyone. I think that’s going to happen relatively soon,” DeSantis said.
The governor’s comments came during a press conference at the Zion Hope Primitive Baptist Church in Pensacola as he announced 2,000 doses of the Johnson & Johnson one shot vaccine were available at the location through Thursday. [Read more ...]
Pictured: Gov. Ron DeSantis discusses COVID-19 vaccine available in Pensacola on Tuesday. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Barbara Thompson
March 24, 2021
Last Thursday we said good bye to our precious loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend Barbara (Bobby Ann, Babs) Thompson. She lived on God’s earth for 88 years. She was preceded in death by her parents Arnold B. Cooper and Mary Elizabeth Sirmon Cooper, a sister Mary Gwendolyn Deibler, a brother Johnny Max Cooper.
She has also been preceded in death by her husband James Simmons Thompson who passed away on Thursday, February 3, 2005. They are survived by their children, Robert (Terry) Thompson Eufaula, AL, James Philip Thompson, Pensacola, FL, Shirley (Wayne) Jordan, Cantonment, FL , Cindy (Ray) Smith, Cartersville, GA and Mary Lynn Thompson, Pensacola, FL along with their grandchildren, Elizabeth Ann (Justin) Hall, Joshua Jordan, Justin (Jennifer)Jordan, Jacquelyn (Joe) McCarthy, Jeremiah Jordan, Joyanna Jordan, Webb (Jenny) Smith, Will Smith, Winston Smith and Great Grandchildren (so far) Ethan, Carson, and Addalynne Jordan, Karen, Annabelle, Abigail, and Alex Hall, and Ellie Smith will forever have great memories of being loved wholly and unconditionally.
Barbara is a descendant of Major Thomas Cooper one of the first settler’s in our area and who built the saw mill at Durant’s Bluff which is now known as Molino. Barbara graduated from Tate High School in 1950 where she was the head majorette and cheerleader. She kept her love of football until her last days. But her greatest love was for the Lord. She led a Godly life and in constant prayer for his wisdom, guidance and forgiveness. She loved singing, playing the piano, laughing, learning new things, flowers birds and fresh water fishing. Most of all she enjoyed serving God through Olive Baptist or wherever God led.
Viewing for family and friends will be Monday Evening, March 29th at Faith Chapel North. Funeral and interment will be at Barrancas National Cemetery, NAS Pensacola Tuesday, March 30th at 10 am.
One New COVID-19 Death, 24 New Cases Reported In Escambia County
March 24, 2021
THIS IS AN ARCHIVED STORY. SEE NORTHESCAMBIA.COM FOR THE LATEST DATA.
The Florida Department of Health reported one new death and 24 additional COVID-19 cases in Escambia County on Tuesday.
Here is the latest data:
Escambia County cases:
Total cases: 34,590 (+24)
Non-Florida residents: 3,583
Recovered: 33,204*
Total deaths: 658 (+1)
Long-term care facility deaths: 277
Current hospitalizations: 23
Number of tests reported last day: 629
Percent positive reported last day: 3.5%
Percent positive reported last week: 2.7%
Escambia County cases by location*:
Pensacola: 25,780 (+24)
Cantonment: 3,117
Century: 1,171
—-including 774 Century prison inmates
Molino: 484
McDavid: 207
Bellview: 57
Walnut Hill: 53
Perdido Key: 21
Gonzalez: 13
Santa Rosa County cases:
Total cases: 17,616 (+24)
Non-Florida residents: 220
Total deaths: 276
Long-term care facility deaths: 80
Cumulative Hospitalizations: 841*
Number of tests reported last day: 401
Percent positive reported last day: 5.9%
Santa Rosa County cases by location*:
Milton: 8,394 (+8)
Navarre: 3,639 (+8)
Gulf Breeze: 3,272 (+5)
Pace: 1,412 (+3)
Jay: 545
Bagdad: 32
Florida cases:
Total cases: 2,016,513
Florida residents: 1,979,240
Deaths: 32,820
Hospitalizations: 83,804
*“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.
DeSantis: 2,000 Doses Of J&J Vaccine Available At Pensacola Church
March 23, 2021
An additional 2,000 doses of the one shot Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine are now available in Pensacola.
The walk-in vaccine distribution site for adults age 50 and over is at the Zion Hope Primitive Baptist Church at 201 West Leonard Street (just west of North Palafox Street).
Speaking Tuesday morning at the church, Gov. Ron DeSantis said the one shot vaccine will be available over a three-day period.
“The great thing about this site,” DeSantis said. “People go through, they get the shot, you don’t have to worry about it after that. You don’t have to come back.”
Adults 50 years and older can walk-in without an appointment, or schedule an appointment for Wednesday, March 24 or Thursday, March 25 at myvaccine.fl.gov.
Pictured: Gov. Ron DeSantis at the Zion Hope Primitive Baptist Church in Pensacola on Tuesday. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Commission To Consider Body Camera Purchase For ECSO, Funding Plan
March 23, 2021
The Escambia County Commission is considering the purchase of body cameras for the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, and a funding plan has been developed to cover the costs for the next three years.
In January, Sheriff Chip Simmons followed through on a campaign pledge and asked commissioners for $912,727 to purchase body cameras for his deputies.
“Every day that we do not have body cameras, there’s one thing that could take place that could come up and embarrass the Sheriff’s Office, could embarrass the county,” Simmons said. “I just think that this is that important — too important for us to delay it.”
Commissioners decided in January to revisit the issue in March, and now there’s a roadmap for the purchase..
The proposed funding schedule is as follows:
- In fiscal year 2021, purchase 268 body worn cameras to equip all patrol officers
- In fiscal year 2022, the Sheriff’s Office operating budget will increase $250,000 per year for four new positions to support administration, monitoring and data storage related to the cameras
- In fiscal year 2023, it is anticipated an additional $50,000 per year will be required for additional storage
CARES Act funds would be used to purchase the body cameras to equip all patrol officers. The purchase will outfit all deputies, and the equipment will sync will existing vehicle cameras. Warranties and software as needed will also be included in the purchase price.
The commission is expected to vote on the plan at a meeting Thursday morning.
Florida Special Olympics Torch Run Begins In Century
March 23, 2021
The 2021 Law Enforcement Torch Run in support of Florida Special Olympics began in Century Monday morning and continued through Pensacola.
The torch run started at the Florida/Alabama state line Monday morning. Runners from Century Correctional Institution carried the torch from the state line to the Century Chamber of Commerce. An addition leg of the torch run Monday traveled from the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office to Bartram Park in Pensacola
Statewide, the participating chiefs, officers, sheriffs, deputies, agents and cadets from virtually every branch of federal, state, county and municipal law enforcement, represent a total of over 300 different agencies. Funds are generated through the sale of the popular Torch Run T-shirts and hats, and through various local fundraising events.
Pictured: The 2021 Law Enforcement Torch Run in support of Florida Special Olympics Monday morning in Century and Pensacola. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Fire Rescue Now Hiring For Paid, Entry Level Firefighting Cadet Program
March 23, 2021
Escambia County has created a paid entry level firefighting position for fire cadets. While attending the fire academy, cadets will receive on-the-job training, a salary and a full range of county benefits including health insurance.
Cadets will attend fire academy classes and other formal training programs to prepare them for state certification as a career firefighter. This also includes participating in fire training drills and observing emergency and non-emergency responses.
“There are a lot of great opportunities with ECFR right now,” said Interim Fire Chief Paul Williams. “We’re looking for volunteer and career firefighters. The cadet program provides a path to get training and receive compensation and benefits. It’s the best of both worlds.”
Fire cadets are allotted one year from time of employment to complete minimum standard training and obtain the required Firefighter II certification with the State of Florida. Incumbents promote from cadet to firefighter upon completion of the course and passing the state test.
Applicants must be age 18 or older and possess a valid driver’s license.
The annual salary for the position is $20,800.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Flash Flood Watch: 4-8 Inches Of Rain Possible This Week
March 23, 2021
FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT
A multi-day heavy rain event is expected to unfold across the area this week. Heavy rain combined with saturated soil conditions will result in an elevated risk of flash flooding. According to the National Weather Service, the North Escambia area could receive 4 to 8 inches of rain.
The rain will continue into the weekend; we don’t dry out again until early next week.
In addition to the flooding, there is the potential for a severe thunderstorm and tornado event on Thursday.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Low around 60. Southeast wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between 3 and 4 inches possible.
Wednesday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. High near 71. Southeast wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.
Wednesday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a low around 63. Southeast wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Thursday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Some of the storms could produce gusty winds. Cloudy, with a high near 76. Breezy, with a southeast wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Thursday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 1am. Cloudy, with a low around 64. South wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Friday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 77. South wind around 10 mph.
Friday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 64. South wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 82. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 66.
Sunday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 80.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 54.
Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 74.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 53.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 80.
FDOH Announces This Week’s Escambia County Vaccine Distribution Plan
March 23, 2021
The Florida Department of Health in Escambia County (FDOH-Escambia) has announced this week’s COVID-19 vaccine distribution plan for Escambia County.
FDOH-Escambia was notified they would be receiving an allocation of 2,500 doses of the COVID-19 Moderna vaccine for the week of March 22, 2021. We are coordinating with community partners on distribution efforts.
In partnership with Ascension Sacred Heart, Baptist Health Care and East Hill Pharmacy, FDOH-Escambia is distributing vaccine in Escambia County. FDOH-Escambia’s total allocation will be distributed accordingly:
- Ascension Sacred Heart: 800 doses
- Baptist Health Care: 800 doses
- East Hill Pharmacy: 200 doses
- FDOH-Escambia: 700 doses
Some appointments will be scheduled using the statewide pre-registration system. FDOH-Escambia and partner organizations are in the process of contacting individuals to schedule appointments.
Vaccine recipients must bring proof of eligibility for one of the priority groups :
- Long-term care facility residents and staff;
- Persons 50 years of age and older;
- Health care personnel with direct patient contact; and
- Medically vulnerable as determined by a physician with a completed form.
FDOH-Escambia is using the statewide preregistration system to schedule COVID-19 vaccine appointments. Escambia County residents should use the statewide pre-registration system to sign up. Residents can call the toll-free line at, 866-201-1025 or preregister online at myvaccine.fl.gov.
10,000 Pound Food Giveaway Today At Carver Park In Cantonment
March 23, 2021
The Cantonment Improvement Committee will hold a 10,000 pound food distribution today at Carver Park, 208 Webb Street.
The food distribution will begin at 3:30 p.m. and continue while supplies last for anyone in need of food. Line up on Webb Street facing north; food will be loaded into vehicles. The event will take place rain or shine.
Pictured: A previous 10,000 pound food giveaway at Carver Park in Cantonment. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.