Emergency Rental Assistance Program Still Available For Escambia County Residents
November 27, 2021
Escambia County residents struggling to pay rent and utilities due to COVID-19 can still apply for help from the Escambia County Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP).
The application portal is now open and available clicking or tapping here. Call (850) 403-6044 to make an appointment for in-person assistance, or see a list of libraries below.
Emergency rental assistance may be provided to eligible low-income Escambia County residents and families who:
- Have been financially impacted by COVID-19;
- Have total household income at or below 80% Area Median Income;
- Are at risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability; and
- Have not received any other rental assistance for the requested months
Both the renter and the landlord must submit an application through the portal. Reimbursement will be paid directly to the landlord or utility provider. View eligibility requirements and see if you qualify here.
The program can cover up to 12 months of overdue or late rent and utility bills for households in Escambia County. Additional details for rental assistance for landlords and renters can be found at MyEscambia.com/erap.
Escambia County has received the following allocations:
- $9,611,771 from the Consolidated Appropriations Act
- $7,605,344 from the American Rescue Plan
Escambia County ERAP Policies and Procedures are in alignment with the U.S Treasury Department’s guidelines (full policies and procedures).
Email ERAP@myescambia.zendesk.com or call (850) 403-6044 with any questions.
Citizens may use the computers at the following public libraries to complete their application:
- Century Branch Library – 7991 N. Century Blvd., Century
- Molino Branch Library – 6450-A Hwy. 95A, Molino
- Tryon Branch Library – 1200 Langley Ave., Pensacola
- Genealogy Branch Library – 5740 N. Ninth Ave., Pensacola
- Pensacola Library – 239 N. Spring St., Pensacola
- Southwest Branch Library – 12248 Gulf Beach Highway, Pensacola
- Westside Branch Library – 1301 W. Gregory St., Pensacola
Three Injured When SUV Sideswipes FedEx Truck, Overturns And Hits A Tree
November 27, 2021
Three people in a SUV were seriously injured on I-10 Friday afternoon when their SUV sideswiped a FedEx truck, overturned and hit a tree near the Florida Welcome Center.
The Florida Highway Patrol said a 70-year old woman in Kia Sorento was driving in the lane next to the FedEx truck when she left the roadway toward the center median, overcorrected and sideswiped the delivery truck. The woman then lost control of the Kia, traveled back across the median, and the vehicle overturned several times as it crossed the oncoming lanes and struck a tree..
The driver of the Kia and her two passengers, females ages 38 and 47, were all transported to the hospital in serious but stable condition.
The 50-year old male driver of the FedEx truck was not injured.
Coach Kris Lapata Named Beulah Elementary Teacher Of The Year
November 27, 2021
Coach Kris Lapata has been the Teacher of the Year at Beulah Elementary School. Lapata is a physical education teacher. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Chance Of Overnight Rain
November 27, 2021
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: A 30 percent chance of showers after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 46. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph after midnight.
Sunday: A 40 percent chance of showers before noon. Cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 55. West wind around 5 mph.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 38. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 61. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Monday Night: Clear, with a low around 37. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 67. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 41. Calm wind.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 70. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 47. Calm wind.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 72.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 49.
Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 74.
Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 51.
Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 70.
Colethia Lewis Retires After 35 Years With Escambia County, Extension Services
November 27, 2021
A familiar face at Escambia County Extension is retiring.
Colethia Lewis has 35 years of public service to Escambia County in multiple departments, with 25 years at UF/IFAS Extension Services. She has been the face and voice of Escambia Extension for countless people that visited the Extension Office over the years.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Playoffs: Chipley Beats Baker In 1A; Pine Forest Wins In 6A
November 27, 2021
Here are Friday night high school playoff football finals of interest from Friday night.
1A Regional Finals
- Chipley 22, Baker 7
The Chipley Tigers beat the Baker Gators 22-7 Friday night in the 1A regional finals at Baker. Chipley advances to the state semifinal December 3 against top ranked Hawthorne Hornets.
6A Regionals Semifinals
- Pine Forest 49, Mosley 14
The top-ranked Pine Forest Eagles beat the second-ranked Mosley Dolphins 49-14 Friday night at Pine Forest. The Eagles will host Jones High School of Orlando next Friday night in the state semifinals.
Pictured: The Baker Gators. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Ruby Mason Lundy
November 27, 2021
Mrs. Ruby Mason Lundy, age 75, passed away, Friday, November 19, 2021 in Fairhope, AL. She has resided most of her life in Atmore, AL. She was a member of New Beginnings Ministries Church. She owned and operated Hall’s Tax Service for fifty plus years.
Mrs. Lundy valued the time she spent with her family and going out to eat. She enjoyed traveling to the beach and the mountains. She enjoyed singing and listening to music. She was an avid ‘Alabama Football Fan” and she loved her dog “Duke”.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Orville (Quilla Jay) Mason.
She is survived by her son, Dakota Lundy, of Atmore, AL; two daughters, Melanie (Jamerson) Nelson, of Excel, AL; Shala (Matt) Canning, of Atlanta, GA; one sister, Gayle (Thurl) Pearson, of Atmore, AL; two grandchildren, Judd Arnold, Jacob Nelson, special nieces and nephews, cousin, David Wellington, special friends, Marie Williams, and Polly Harrison.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, November 23, 2021 at 2:00 PM at the Petty- Eastside Chapel Funeral Home LLC with Rev. Thurl Pearson officiating.
Burial will follow at Walnut Hill Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, November 23, 2021 from 1:00 PM until service time at 2:00 PM at the Petty- Eastside Chapel Funeral Home LLC
Pallbearers will be Jay Nichols, Eric Strehl, Jakob Higdon, Buddy Strehl, Daniel Higdon, and Jim Reynolds.
Thanksgiving Holiday Tragedy: 10-Year Old Dies In Rollover Wreck
November 26, 2021
A two-vehicle rollover crash west of Atmore claimed the life of an Atmore child and injured two other people on Thanksgiving eve.
The 10-year old boy was a passenger in a 2014 Chevrolet Equinox driven by 40-year old Wandra T, Gibson of Atmore. According to Alabama State Troopers, Gibson attempted to pass a Freightliner tractor-trailer drive by 50-year old Jonathan T. Jeter, also of Atmore. The crash happened about 3:58 p.m. Wednesday on Highway 31 about three miles west of Atmore.
“As the Equinox went to pass the Freightliner the vehicles collided, causing the Equinox to overturn and land in (the) roadway. The 10-year-old youth was fatally injured and pronounced deceased at the scene,” Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Sgt. Jeremy Burkett said Thursday.
Gibson and a second passenger, a 9-year old, were transported to an area hospital for treatment of their injuries.
Further information has not been released as troopers continue their investigation.
File photo.
Many Locals Will Use A Space Heater To Stay Warm Tonight. Here’s How To Be Safe.
November 26, 2021
With colder weather arriving in North Escambia, many people will turn to space heaters to stay warm. And that can be dangerous.
According to the National Fire Protection Association, heating equipment is one of the leading causes of home fire deaths and space heaters account for four out of five home heating fire deaths.
“Space heaters should have a three-foot safe zone around them,” said Escambia County Fire and Life Specialist Ray Melton. “They should never be left on while you’re away from home. They should be checked and served every year before used. Never plug a space heater into power strips or extension cords, and always have working smoke alarms.”
Follow these tips to stay safe while heating your home:
- Have heating equipment and chimneys cleaned and inspected annually by a qualified professional.
- Keep anything that can burn at least 3 ft. away from heating equipment, like the furnace, fireplace, wood stove or portable space heater.
- Portable space heaters should be turned OFF every time you leave the room and before going to bed.
- Never plug a space heater in a power strip.
- Install carbon monoxide detectors to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.
- Never use an oven to heat your home.
For portable electric heaters:
- Place them on a solid, flat surface, away from high traffic areas and doorways.
- Use and purchase heaters with an automatic shut off so if they are tipped over they will shut off.
- Plug power cords directly into outlets and never into an extension cord.
- Inspect for cracked or damaged, broken plugs or loose connections; replace before using.
Freeze Warning Tonight North Of I-10
November 26, 2021
There is a freeze warning in effect for Friday night into Saturday morning for inland and central Escambia County, north of I-10.
According to the National Weather Service, residents should take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold. To prevent freezing and possible bursting of outdoor water pipes they should be wrapped, drained, or allowed to drip slowly. Those that have in ground sprinkler systems should drain them and cover above ground pipes to protect them from freezing.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 31. North wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 61. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming west in the afternoon.
Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 43. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph.
Sunday: A 30 percent chance of rain before noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 59. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 38. North wind around 5 mph.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 62. North wind around 5 mph.
Monday Night: Clear, with a low around 36. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 67. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 41. Calm wind.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 71.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 46.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 72.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 48.
Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 72.