Response Plan Implemented After Florida’s First Chronic Wasting Disease Case
June 21, 2023
Following the confirmation of Florida’s first case of chronic wasting disease (CWD) in Holmes County, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) have implemented management actions and an executive order to protect against the possible spread of CWD.
As part of a response plan, the FWC will collect samples from specific established zones to further assess the spread of the disease. The results from this initial sampling effort will inform resource managers so they can respond with appropriate management strategies.
As part of the plan, the FWC will collect samples from specific established zones to further assess the spread of the disease. The results from this initial sampling effort will inform resource managers so they can respond with appropriate management strategies.
In an executive order signed by FWC Executive Director Roger Young on June 19, new actions include:
- Establishment of a CWD Management Zone centered around the location of the positive sample. The CWD Management Zone includes the portions of Holmes, Jackson and Washington counties north of Interstate 10, east of State Road 81 and west of U.S. Highway 231.
- The prohibition of exporting whole cervid (deer) carcasses and high-risk carcass parts originating from the CWD Management Zone
- The prohibition of baiting or feeding deer within the CWD Management Zone with limited exceptions
- The prohibition of rehabilitating or releasing injured or orphaned white-tailed deer originating within the CWD Management Zone.
FDACS management actions to date include:
- Heightened review of transportation permits for intra-state captive cervids to or from captive cervid facilities within the CWD Management Zone.
- Increased communication with captive cervid facilities in the CWD Management Zone.
- Quarantine of all captive cervid facilities in the CWD Management Zone.
- The Florida Department of Health has provided informational resources to all county health offices in the area and is integrated into the Unified Command to assist as necessary.
The purpose of these regulations is to help protect Florida’s white-tailed deer herd by reducing the potential spread of CWD within the CWD Management Zone and to other parts of the state.
Controlling the spread of CWD is difficult once it becomes established in a natural population. Because prions shed by infected deer persist in the environment, the best chance for controlling CWD is acting quickly after it’s been detected to prevent more animals from becoming infected. CWD can be transmitted directly – from animal to animal – or indirectly from the environment. Multiple management strategies will be employed to control the spread of the disease.
The FWC is asking anyone who sees a sick, abnormally thin deer or finds a deer dead from unknown causes to call the CWD hotline, 866-CWD-WATCH (866-293-9282) and report the animal’s location.
Currently, there is no scientific evidence that CWD can be transmitted to humans or livestock under natural conditions. However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention do not recommend consuming meat from animals that test positive for CWD or from any sick animal. The FWC provides information about precautions people should take when pursuing or handling deer that might have been exposed to CWD.
‘Constituent Services Day’ Gives Local Residents Access To Government Officials
June 21, 2023
Several government officials were on hand for a Constituent Services Day in Beulah Tuesday afternoon, assisting local residents with a variety of issues.
State Rep. Michelle Salzman hosted the event in conjunction with U.S. Sen. Rick Scott, U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, Escambia County Commissioner Jeff Bergosh, Escambia County Tax Collector Scott Lunsford, and the Veterans Affairs team to assist constituents with local, state and federal casework issues.
The Escambia County Tax Collector’s Office was also there with their new mobile identification card program.
The event took place at the Beulah Freewill Baptist Church.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Showers And Storms Likely Thursday
June 21, 2023
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 10pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69. West wind around 5 mph.
Thursday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 88. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west in the afternoon. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Thursday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 69. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Friday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 87. West wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Friday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 70. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89. West wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89. West wind 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 73.
Monday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91.
Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 73.
Tuesday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Sunny, with a high near 92.
Tropical Storm Bret No Longer Forecast To Become Hurricane
June 21, 2023
Tropical Storm Bret continues to move across the Atlantic. The latest information is in the graphic above.
It is no longer forecast to become a hurricane.
Blue Wahoos, Smokies Rained Out In Tennessee
June 21, 2023
Tuesday’s series opener between the Pensacola Blue Wahoos and Tennessee Smokies has been postponed due to rain at Smokies Stadium.
The game will be made up as part of a doubleheader on Thursday, with first pitch beginning at 4:30 CT. Both games will be seven-inning contests.
Pensacola’s magic number to clinch the First Half South Division Championship remains at two. They can clinch with one more win, or if Montgomery, Mississippi and Biloxi each lose a game. All three South Division foes were scheduled to play their series openers, meaning the Blue Wahoos could still secure a playoff spot on Tuesday pending other results around the league.
Wednesday’s regularly scheduled game will not be impacted by Tuesday’s rainout.
written by Erik Bremer
Essie Drew Josey
June 21, 2023
Essie Drew Josey, age 101, of Atmore, AL passed away on June 18, 2023. She was born on June 13, 1922 in Baldwin County, AL to James Alex Drew and Ettie Solomon Drew. Essie was a member of Brooks Memorial Baptist Church. She worked as a machine operator with Masland Carpets, Inc. until her retirement. She is preceded in death by her parents; her son, Randall Josey; her brother, Onas Drew and her sisters, Estelle Dean, Jessie Criswell, and Dorothy Barber.
She is survived by her son, Ricky (Glenda) Josey of Stockton, AL and their family, Matthew Bowen and Vicky Evans; the late Randall Josey’s family, Ashley Josey and Justin Josey; her brother, Wilburn Cleo (Mildred) Drew of Pensacola, FL; her sister, Voncile Branch of Atmore, AL and numerous great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Friday, June 23, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. James Boyd officiating. Interment will follow in Lottie New Home Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Friday, June 23, 2023 from 10:00 a.m. until service time at 11 a.m. at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home in Atmore.
Driver Shot And Killed On Wallace Like Road Near Pace
June 20, 2023
A 24-year old man was shot before crashing his vehicle Monday evening in Pace.
The Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office said 24-year old Joseph Liebe was in the area of Wallace Lake Road off Quintette Road and was shot while driving away. His vehicle crashed into a nearby wooded area.
There were no other injuries.
SRSO detectives have identified a suspect and are actively working to locate and apprehend them.
No additional details were released.
Driver Charged With Highway 29 Hit And Run, Cantonment Man Seriously Injured
June 20, 2023
A 38-year old man is charged a Highway 29 hit and run early Tuesday that left a Cantonment man seriously injured.
Johnathan Schick was booked into the Escambia County Jail charged with felony hit and run. His bond was set at $2,500.
The Florida Highway Patrol said Schick was traveling west at 3:41 a.m. in a black Ford F150 pickup on West 9 1/2 Mile Road and failed to stop at the traffic light. He collided with a Volkswagen Beetle driven south on Highway 29 by a 19-year old Cantonment man. The driver of Volkswagen swerved off the roadway and overturned, coming to rest upside down in ditch. He was extricated by Escambia County Fire Rescue and transported to an area hospital in serious condition.
FHP said Schick fled the scene. Witness described the vehicle as a black F150 with heavy front end damage last seen traveling south on Highway 29. Troopers followed a trail of vehicle fluids from the scene to intersection of West Hannah Street and Walnut Avenue where the pickup was disabled due to damage from the crash. That’s where Schick was arrested.
Poarch Band of Creek Indians CFO, Two Others Killed In Wreck; Man Charged With Manslaughter
June 20, 2023
The chief financial officer of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians was among three people killed in a wreck caused by a man allegedly driving under the influence Sunday in Baldwin County.
PCI CFO Tim Speegle, 64, Christie Lowe, 47, and her daughter Margaret, 19, were pronounced deceased after the wreck on the Baldwin Beach Express in Robertsdale, according to police. Two others were injured.
David Colburn, 60, was booked into the Baldwin County Jail on a count of driving under the influence and three counts of manslaughter.
The Poarch Band of Creek Indians issued the following statement Monday evening:
“As many of you may have learned Tim Speegle, our CFO, was tragically killed in an automobile accident on Sunday. Like so many others who were lucky to know Tim, we are deeply grieving his passing, and we are praying for his much-loved wife, Jeanna, who sustained critical injuries in the accident and remains hospitalized.
“Tim was a good man, through and through. He was generous, smart, funny, and deeply committed to our Tribe and its success. Tim’s contributions to the Poarch community will be felt for generations to come, and we hope that his and Jeanna’s children, grandchildren, mothers and extended family find some comfort in that.
“On a personal level, Tim was a friend to us all. He could be counted on in the worst of times to do the right thing and to make good decisions. In good times, he was a joy to be around – a caring man who loved his family, enjoyed life to the fullest, and was incredibly thoughtful and caring to others.
“Tim’s sudden passing is a sad reminder to all of us that we should appreciate each and every day and never miss an opportunity to tell those we care about how much they are loved.”
Chance Of Showers, Storms Tonight
June 20, 2023
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 69. West wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday: Showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. High near 87. West wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
Wednesday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 1am. Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly clear, with a low around 69. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
Thursday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 87. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Thursday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 70. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 88. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Friday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 71. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89. West wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 72.
Sunday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91.
Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 73.
Monday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. Chance of precipitation is 60%.