City Of Pensacola Implements New Event Restrictions Due To COVID-19
January 9, 2021
Due to a rising number of COVID-19 cases, the City of Pensacola has issued new event restrictions.
- Effective immediately, the City of Pensacola will not issue new event permits for events at outdoor city venues. This will remain in effect through Feb. 28 and will be re-evaluated at that time based on current COVID-19 conditions.
- Events that have already been issued a permit or events currently in the permitting process between now and Feb. 28, located at outdoor city venues, will be allowed with the following restrictions:
- No more than 100 in attendance
- Must show control of crowd congestion and follow CDC guidelines, including wearing face coverings and practicing social distancing (remain at least 6 feet from others who don’t live with you)
- Outdoor markets are allowed to continue above the 100-person cap, but must show control of crowd congestion and follow CDC guidelines, including wearing face coverings and practicing social distancing (remain at least 6 feet from others who don’t live with you)
- Indoor events at City of Pensacola venues are limited to 25% capacity or less, with COVID-19 protocols in place, including wearing face coverings and practicing social distancing . Indoor events also require Mayoral approval. This will remain in effect until Feb. 28.
The city will work with event organizers to reschedule events as needed.
These restrictions only apply to City of Pensacola-permitted events at city venues and do not apply to private events or churches.
Using A Space Heater? Here Are Quick Need To Know Tips To Be Safe
January 9, 2021
Escambia County Fire Rescue is encouraging residents to practice space heater safety and know the potential risks associated with home heating equipment.
Home fires occur more in the winter months than any other time of year. 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.
“As cold air rushes into our area, space heaters and fire places will be used. Most heating fires can be prevented from happening by following simple tips,” said Ray Melton, Escambia County Fire Rescue fire and life safety specialist. “ECFR wants to remind our citizens that space heaters, furnaces and fire places should all be checked prior to use. Last year during a cold period, ECFR responded to several chimney fires that displaced residents.”
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.
Heating Fire Facts:
- Most home heating fire deaths (86%) involved stationary or portable space heaters.
- The leading factor contributing to home heating fires (27%) was failure to clean, principally from solid-fueled heating equipment, primarily chimneys.
- The leading factor contributing to ignition for home heating fire deaths (54%) was heating equipment too close to things that can burn, such as upholstered furniture, clothing, mattress, or bedding.
- Nearly half (48%) of all home heating fires occurred in December, January and February.
For information about obtaining a home smoke detector, call (850) 595-HERO (4376). City of Pensacola residents may call (850) 436-5200 for smoke detector installation assistance.
Gloria Marie Rydzowski
January 9, 2021
Mrs. Gloria Marie Rydzowski, age 89, passed away on January 7, 2020 in Pensacola, Florida.
Mrs. Rydzowski was native of Century, FL and had resided in Flomaton, AL since 1993. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She was a member of the Flomaton 1stUnited Methodist Church. She is preceded in death by her husband of 68 years, Ramon Francis Ray Rydzowski; parents, Robert Fleming and Ruth Dunn and Edgar Archer and granddaughter, Charity Joanne Rydzowski Polk.
She is survived by her three sons, Steven Ray (Donna) Rydzowski of McDavid, FL, Paul Francis (Karen) Rydzowski of Wing, AL and Robert Craig (Ann) Rydzowski of Flomaton, AL; six grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, January 9, 2021 at 2:00 PM at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Bro. Waylon Stuckey and Rev. Cathy McKinley officiating.
Burial will follow at the Flomaton Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Saturday, January 9, 2021 from 1:00 PM until service time at 2:00 PM at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be Joe Brantley, Alvin Brantley, Mack McKinley, Buster Crapp, Ray Lee and Andrea Deloin.
The family request mask be worn and social distancing practiced.
Escambia County Reports 338 New COVID-19 Cases, Five More Deaths
January 9, 2021
THIS IS ARCHIVED STORY. SEE NORTHESCAMBIA.COM FOR THE LATEST DATA.
Five additional COVID-19 deaths and 338 new cases were reported Friday in Escambia County by the Florida Department of Health.
Here is the latest data:
Escambia County cases:
Total cases: 24,868 (+338)
Non-Florida residents: 2,688
Recovered: 22,816*
Total deaths: 405 (+5)
Long-term care facility deaths : 174 (+3)
Current hospitalizations: 265 (+/- 0)
Number of tests reported last day: 1,717
Percent positive reported last day: 15.5%
Percent positive reported last week: 17.8%
Escambia County cases by location*:
Pensacola: 18,228 (+246)
Cantonment: 2,217 (+50)
Century: 1,046 (+4)
—-including 774 Century prison inmates
Molino: 305 (+5)
McDavid: 152 (+1)
Walnut Hill: 42
Bellview: 39 (+1)
Perdido Key: 17
Gonzalez: 11
Santa Rosa County cases:
Total cases: 12,524 (+214)
Non-Florida residents: 162
Total deaths: 148 (+5)
Long-term care facility deaths: 32 (+3)
Cumulative Hospitalizations: 591*
Number of tests reported day: 635
Percent positive reported last day: 25.0%
Santa Rosa County cases by location*:
Milton: 6,060 (+108)
Navarre: 2,459 (+34)
Gulf Breeze: 2,224 (+31)
Pace: 983 (+24)
Jay: 370 (+11)
Bagdad: 26
Florida cases:
Total cases: 1,449,252
Florida residents: 1,423,510
Deaths: 22,666
Hospitalizations: 65,063*
*“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 as a result, 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.
ECSO: Man On A Rampage Commits Home Invasion And Carjacking, Injuring One Victim
January 8, 2021
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said a man on a rampage committed a home invasion and carjacking, sending one victim to a local hospital.
Deputies said 31-year old David Neil Slocovich walked inside a home in the 8700 block of scenic highway and demanded keys while taking other items. The victim tried to call 911, but Slocovich took the phone out of the victims hand.
A physical altercation followed, but Slocovich got away by jumping off the condo’s balcony, broke a window on the victims car and fled the scene, according to the the ECSO.
Slocovich then traveled to the General Electric Wind Energy plant in the 8300 block of Scenic Highway where he took a company vehicle with a female still inside, deputies stated. He crashed the stolen van into a concrete barricade in the same parking lot, injuring himself and the female victim.
Slocovich then tried to steal an 18-wheeler in the same parking lot, but the driver of truck fought back.
Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Sergeant Ben Dunlap was the first to arrive on scene and took Slocovich into custody.
The female victim and Slocovich were taken to local hospitals for their injuries.
Slocovich, who deputies believed to be under the influence at the time, was charged with home invasion, depriving 911 services, criminal mischief, carjacking, robbery, kidnapping, aggravated battery and burglary.
“This seems outrageous, but this is true. It is as disturbing as it is scary. We are glad no one was seriously injured as this could’ve turned out very differently,” Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons said.
Suspect In Multiple Carjackings Shot After Trying To Run Over Officer North Of Atmore (With Photo Gallery)
January 8, 2021
FOR AN UPDATE TO THIS STORY, CLICK HERE.
A suspect tied to multiple carjackings across south Alabama was shot by a Poarch Creek Police officer Friday morning north of Atmore, according to one Alabama police department.
The shooting occurred in the parking lot of the Creek Travel Plaza located at I-65 and Jacks Springs Road, about a mile from the Poarch Creek Indian Reservation.
For a photo gallery, click here.
The man was shot by a Poarch Creek Tribal Police officer and transported to an area hospital for treatment. An update on the suspect’s condition has not been provided. No officers were injured.
According to Wetumpka (AL) Assistant Police Chief Earl Reeves, their first contact with the man was during suspicious persons call at 5:15 p.m. Thursday. The man told police officers he had just been discharged from a hospital and was waiting on a ride. Police said his story was verified, and he was told not to panhandle or harass anyone.
At 5:41 a man driving a Nissan Armada left his vehicle running as he went inside the Pace Car Gas Station in Wetumpka. The suspect jumped in and drove away with an assault rifle that had been left in the vehicle, according to AL.com.
The suspect took the Armada to Evergreen where it was discovered abandoned at 10:40 p.m. but the assault rifle was missing.. The suspect then reportedly then took another vehicle at gunpoint and drove to north to Greenville, Alabama.
The suspect then carjacked a vehicle at a gas station in Greenville near I-65, according to Greenville Police Chief Justin Lovvorn. He then carjacked another vehicle at a Murphy gas station at the Greenville Walmart, also near I-65.
Lovvorn said Greenville Police pinged the location of vehicle and discovered it was near Atmore. Poarch Creek Police located the vehicle in the Creek Travel Plaza parking lot, where the suspected attempted to run over the officer, according to Greenville Police. The Poarch officer then fired at the suspect.
“After being approached by uniformed officers and marked patrol vehicles, an altercation ensued forcing officers to discharge their firearms,” Escambia County (AL) Sheriff Heath Jackson said.
A Chevrolet vehicle with the windows shot out was directly in front of the truck stop’s diner. Multiple shell casings could be seen in the parking lot, and about a dozen bullet holes were in the windows of the diner.
An assault-style rifle was removed from the scene by the SBI.
Special agents with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) are investigating the officer involved shooting. SBI said the results of their investigation will be turned over to the Escambia County (AL) District Attorney’s Office for review.
The Creek Travel Plaza is owned by the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, but is not located on the reservation.
The suspect’s name has not been released. Further details will be posted when they are made available.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
‘Going To Blow Tonight’ – Cantonment Man Charged With Arson For Setting House On Fire
January 8, 2021
A Cantonment man has been charged by state investigators with setting fire to a local house.
Andrew Christian Geoghagan was charged with felony arson of a structure by the Florida Bureau of Fire, Arson and Explosives Investigations in connection with a fire in the 600 block of Jacks Branch Road in Cantonment.
A state fire investigator found the structure fire was started Geoghagan by lighting his backpack containing his clothes and papers taken from the residence.
Before the fire, Geoghagan was seen taking a propane tank, and when confronted he stated, “that’s alright this [expletive] is going to blow tonight,” according to an arrest report. He was also seen in the area of the fire.
Geoghagan’s grandmother told investigators that he has issues with schizophrenia and was thought to be using methamphetamine, the report states. She also stated he had started other fires in the past.
After his arrest, Geoghagan refused to answer any questions. He remained in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $10,000.
The estimated damage to the structure was approximately $1,000.
Didn’t Receive Your $600 Stimulus Money? Prepaid Debit Cards Going Out This Week
January 8, 2021
Starting this week, the Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service are sending approximately 8 million second Economic Impact Payments (EIPs) by prepaid debit card.
These EIP Cards follow the millions of payments already made by direct deposit and the ongoing mailing of paper checks that are delivering the second round of Economic Impact Payments as rapidly as possible.
For those who don’t receive a direct deposit, they should watch their mail for either a paper check or a prepaid debit card. To speed delivery of the payments to reach as many people as soon as possible the Treasury’s Bureau of Fiscal Service is sending payments out by prepaid debit card.
IRS and Treasury urge eligible people who don’t receive a direct deposit to watch their mail carefully during this period. The prepaid debit card, called the Economic Impact Payment card, is sponsored by the Bureau of the Fiscal Service and is issued by Treasury’s financial agent, MetaBank, N.A.
Taxpayers should note that the form of payment for the second mailed EIP may be different than the first mailed EIP. Some people who received a paper check last time might receive a prepaid debit card this time, and some people who received a prepaid debit card last time may receive a paper check.
EIP Cards are being sent in a white envelope that prominently displays the U.S. Department of the Treasury seal. The EIP Card has the Visa name on the front of the Card and the issuing bank name, MetaBank, N.A. on the back of the card. Each mailing will include instructions on how to securely activate and use the EIP Card.
Cold, Low Near Freezing Tonight
January 8, 2021
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 32. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 48. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 28. North wind around 5 mph.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 51. Wind chill values between 25 and 35 early. North wind around 5 mph.
Sunday Night: A 30 percent chance of rain after 3am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 36. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph after midnight.
Monday: Rain. High near 51. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Monday Night: A 30 percent chance of rain before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 37. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tuesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 51. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 32. North wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 55.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 34.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 60.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 40.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 59.
Escambia County Now Reporting Number Of Recovered COVID-19 Patients
January 8, 2021
For the first time since the pandemic began, Escambia County is now reporting a number of people believed to be recovered from COVID-19.
Of the 24,530 total cases in Escambia County as of Thursday, the county reports 22,794, or 98.2% of them have recovered, for a fatality risk of 1.8%.
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.
As for the “fatality risk”, here’s how the Escambia County explains that calculation: “The Crude Case-Fatality Risk (CFR) is calculated by dividing the Total Number of Fatalities in Escambia County (Resident and Non-Resident) by the Total Number of Confirmed Cases in Escambia County (Resident and Non-Resident) and multiplying by 100%. The Crude Case-Recovery Risk (CRR) is calculated by subtracting the CFR from 100%. The CFR and CRR are not adjusted for the time delay from diagnosis to death which is highly variable from one to eight weeks.”
NorthEscambia.com now includes this recovered number data in our daily reporting.
Pictured: COVID-19 testing last August at the Walnut Hill Community Center. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.