Eight Additional COVID-19 Deaths, 91 New Escambia County Cases Reported
February 14, 2021
THIS IS AN ARCHIVED STORY. SEE NORTHESCAMBIA.COM FOR THE LATEST UPDATE.
There were eight additional COVID-19 deaths and 91 new cases in Escambia County Saturday, as reported by the Florida Department of Health.
Here is the latest data:
Escambia County cases:
Total cases: 32,681 (+91)
Non-Florida residents: 3,385
Recovered: 30,855*
Total deaths: 593 (+8)
Long-term care facility deaths: 257 (+1)
Current hospitalizations: 124 (-4)
Number of tests reported last day: 1,163
Percent positive reported last day: 6.6%
Percent positive reported last week: 11.1%
Escambia County cases by location*:
Pensacola: 24,330 (+72)
Cantonment: 2,957 (+7)
Century: 1,133 (+1)
—-including 774 Century prison inmates
Molino: 447
McDavid: 193
Bellview: 56
Walnut Hill: 49
Perdido Key: 21
Gonzalez: 12
Santa Rosa County cases:
Total cases: 16,442 (+52)
Non-Florida residents: 210
Total deaths: 241 (+3)
Long-term care facility deaths: 74 (+1)
Cumulative Hospitalizations: 744*
Number of tests reported last day: 410
Percent positive reported last day: 11.5%
Santa Rosa County cases by location*:
Milton: 7,883 (+15)
Navarre: 3,319 (+9)
Gulf Breeze: 3,074 (+13)
Pace: 1,301 (+3)
Jay: 504 (+1)
Bagdad: 31
Florida cases:
Total cases: 1,821,937
Florida residents: 1,788,827
Deaths: 28,663
Hospitalizations: 75,991*
*“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.
Escambia Ordinance Under Consideration To Allow Countywide Sunday Morning Alcohol Sales
February 13, 2021
A new Escambia County ordinance under consideration will allow stores to sell alcohol on Sunday mornings across the entire county.
Escambia County’s current hours for sale or purchase of alcoholic beverages were established in 1989, allowing sales between 6 a.m. and 2:30 a.m. each day except Sunday. The current ordinance bans retail alcohol sales on Sundays between 2:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. countywide, with an exception for Pensacola Beach and Perdido Key where it is legal to sell alcohol at retail stores on Sundays after 7 a.m.
If approved, the new ordinance will allow alcohol sales between 6 a.m. and 2:30 a.m. each day of the week (still prohibiting sales between 2:30 a.m. and 6 a.m., seven days a week).
The Escambia County Commission will hold a public hearing on the ordinance on Thursday, February 18 at 9:01 a.m.
If approved, the ordinance will become effective when it is filed with the Florida Department of State.
File photo.
Cloudy And Cold Weekend; Cold Rain Returns Monday
February 13, 2021
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: A 20 percent chance of showers after midnight. Cloudy, with a low around 41. North wind around 10 mph.
Sunday: Cloudy, with a high near 51. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 43. North wind around 5 mph.
Washington’s Birthday: Showers, mainly after noon. High near 56. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Monday Night: Showers likely before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 27. Northwest wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 44. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 29. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday: A 50 percent chance of showers, mainly after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 54. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday Night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Low around 48. East wind around 10 mph becoming south after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
Thursday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before noon, then showers likely. High near 62. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Thursday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 34.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 48.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 29.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 56.
Flags At Half Staff Sunday For Marjory Stoneman Douglas Remembrance Day
February 13, 2021
Flags across Florida will be flown at half staff on Sunday to mark Marjory Stoneman Douglas Remembrance Day.
“On February 14, 2018, Nikolas Cruz opened fire at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. Seventeen innocent lives were lost. Students, teachers, and faculty showed great courage in the face of danger. The sacrifices of these heroes, as well as the brave actions of first responders, will never be forgotten,” Gov. Ron DeSantis said.
DeSantis has ordered flags to be flown at half staff at a local and state government buildings, installations and grounds in Florida from sunrise to sunset on Sunday.
Pictured: The flag at half staff on February 14, 2020, at Bratt Elementary School to mark Marjory Stoneman Douglas Remembrance Day. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Century Library Still Closed For Remodel; Some Services Available On Saturdays
February 13, 2021
The Century Branch Library is currently closed for an extensive interior remodel, but there are a few services available on Saturdays.
The remodel will feature an expansion of the children’s area by reducing on-site storage. There will also be improvements to the public service desk for increased accessibility, an improved adult reading area, new carpet, new paint, new lighting and new furnishings.
An additional sidewalk, benches, bicycle area and tables have already been added outside the library.
While the library will be closed, Feeding the Gulf Coast youth meals will be available for the week each Saturday from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Library materials that have been reserved through the library’s website will also be available each Saturday from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.
Borrowed items can be returned during the closure by using the outdoor book drop on the south side of the building.
Pictured: Some of the outside improvements at the Century Branch Library. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Jay High’s Kaden Roberson Signs With Huntingdon College
February 13, 2021
Jay High School’s Kaden Roberson has signed a football scholarship with Huntingdon College. Roberson is pictured with his family. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Code Enforcement Officer Threatens Woman, Holds Her Against Her Will, SRSO Says
February 13, 2021
An Escambia County Code Enforcement officer has been charged in Santa Rosa County for allegedly threatening a woman and holding her against her will in Milton.
Ethan Lee Brown is charged with simple assault and kidnapping false imprisonment.
The Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office responded to a domestic disturbance and found Brown standing in the front yard, smelling of alcohol and with an empty gun holster on his hip, according to an arrest report. A woman told deputies Brown threw a mirror and nightstand, and punched a hole in a door, the report states.
The woman tells deputies she told Brown he frightened her and asked him to leave when he held her down on the bed with his body weight, the report says. When she tried to leave, Brown stood between her and the front door.
When deputies arrived, they found the damaged items and two firearms on the coffee table and couch. The report states Brown made choking motions close to the woman’s head like he was about to commit the act.
Under Florida law, Brown’s mugshot was not available due to his status as a code enforcement officer.
An Escambia County spokesperson said Brown has worked as a code enforcement officer with Escambia County since 2019.
Chumuckla Tom Thumb Temporarily Closed Due To COVID-19
February 13, 2021
Tom Thumb said Friday that they closed their store at 9393 Chumuckla Highway after a team member informed them of a positive COVID-19 test.
The store was closed to be cleaned and sanitized by an industrial cleaning crew. The store will reopen in the next few days.
“We are grateful to all our customers for your patience and understanding during this time,” Tom Thumb said. “We are making every effort to provide the affected Team Member and our broader team with the necessary resources and support.”
File photo.
Three More COVID-19 Deaths, 106 New Cases Reported In Escambia County
February 13, 2021
THIS IS ARCHIVED STORY. SEE NORTHESCAMBIA.COM FOR THE LATEST DATA.
The Florida Department of Health reported three new COVID-19 deaths and 106 new cases Friday in Escambia County.
Here is the latest data:
Escambia County cases:
Total cases: 32,590 (+106)
Non-Florida residents: 3,374
Recovered: 30,861*
Total deaths: 585 (+3)
Long-term care facility deaths: 256 (+3)
Current hospitalizations: 128 (-9)
Number of tests reported last day: 1,462
Percent positive reported last day: 6.4%
Percent positive reported last week: 11.1%
Escambia County cases by location*:
Pensacola: 24,258 (+90)
Cantonment: 2,950 (+7)
Century: 1,132 (+2)
—-including 774 Century prison inmates
Molino: 447
McDavid: 193
Bellview: 56
Walnut Hill: 49
Perdido Key: 21
Gonzalez: 12
Santa Rosa County cases:
Total cases: 16,390 (+82)
Non-Florida residents: 209
Total deaths: 238 (+1)
Long-term care facility deaths: 73 (+1)
Cumulative Hospitalizations: 738*
Number of tests reported last day: 688
Percent positive reported last day: 10.7%
Santa Rosa County cases by location*:
Milton: 7,868 (+41)
Navarre: 3,310 (+23)
Gulf Breeze: 3,074 (+13)
Pace: 1,298 (+3)
Jay: 503 (+1)
Bagdad: 31
Florida cases:
Total cases: 1,814,422
Florida residents: 1,781,450
Deaths: 28,595
Hospitalizations: 75,734*
*“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.
Molino Homeowner Holds Burglary Suspects At Gunpoint
February 12, 2021
A Molino homeowner held two burglar suspects on the ground at gunpoint until deputies arrived.
Deputies arrived in the 4000 block of Molino Road to find the homeowner holding Franklin and Liechty at gunpoint on the ground in his backyard.
Franklin told deputies that he and Liechty tried to push-start their Honda Civic when it broke down, and they had coasted into the victim’s yard. The vehicle was about 40 yards behind the house near the wood line. An arrest report states a bolt-action rifle and a revolver were found in the Honda Civic. Both weapons were loaded.
The victim told deputies he arrived at home to find the duo and believed they were breaking into his home. Je pulled out his handgun and ordered them to the ground as his wife dialed 911.
They are also accused in the burglary of a 2006 Dodge truck at a neighboring residence. The vehicle owner provided video allegedly showing the duo breaking into his truck and taking a backpack containing numerous hunting items worth about $900. The backpack was discovered in the suspects’ Honda Civic. According to the ECSO, Liechty was wearing a hat and sunglasses taken during the vehicle burglary at the time of his arrest.
As Franklin stepped out of the deputy’s vehicle at the jail, a clear bag containing methamphetamine was discovered. When Franklin was searched, four old coins and pearls were discovered on his person, according to the report.
Both suspects remained in the Escambia County Jail Friday afternoon. Franklin’s bond was set at $56,000, and Liechty’s bond was set $46,000.