Escambia Reports 105 New COVID-19 Cases In Last Week
July 3, 2021
There were 105 new COVID-19 cases reported Escambia County over the last week by the Florida Department of Health.
FDOH has moved from daily to weekly reports and removed the COVID-19 dashboard. The state is now releasing a weekly report with local data limited only to number of cases and positivity rate; the number of deaths by county or cases by local cities and communities has been removed.
Here is the latest data:
Escambia County cases:
Total cases: 33,244 (+105)
Positivity Rate Last Week: 5.3%
Santa Rosa County cases:
Total cases: 18,675 (+114)
Positivity Rate Last Week: 9.1%
Statewide cases:
Florida resident cases: 2,337,613 (+15,978)
Case positivity rate: 3.8%
Deaths: 37,772 (+44)
ECSO Still Seeks One For Questioning In Ladarius Clardy Murder; Two Others Located
July 2, 2021
UPDATE: Nicholas Joseph Wells and Taziah Dekal McHenry have been located and are no longer wanted for questioning. Melvin Douglas Hester III is still wanted for questioning only.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is seeking three people for questioning only in the murder of former Pine Forest High School standout Ladarius Clardy.
The ECSO is looking for 20-year old Taziah Dekal McHenry, 18-year old Melvin Douglas Hestle III, and 19-year old Nicholas Joseph Wells.
If you have any information on their whereabouts or the shooting, call Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP or the ECSO at (850) 436-9620.
Ladarius Clardy was found shot to death at the scene of a traffic crash early Thursday morning at Hollywood Avenue and Fairfield Drive. There were over 50 bullet holes in the vehicle, most in the driver’s door.
For an earlier story, click here.
Editor’s note: ECSO updated last name of one subject to Hestle.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely Friday Night
July 2, 2021
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 1am. Low around 71. Southwest wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Saturday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 88. North wind around 5 mph.
Saturday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 69. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Independence Day: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Monday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 87. South wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Tuesday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 88. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72.
Wednesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 89. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Wednesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72.
Thursday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 88.
Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73.
Friday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 89.
Increased Chance Of Afternoon Showers And Thunderstorms
July 1, 2021
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
Friday: Showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. High near 86. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Friday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. Southwest wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Saturday: Showers and thunderstorms. High near 84. West wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Saturday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming northwest after midnight.
Independence Day: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 85. North wind around 5 mph becoming south in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Sunday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
Monday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 85. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Monday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71.
Tuesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 84. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Tuesday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72.
Wednesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 86. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Good Chance Of Showers And Thunderstorms By Afternoon
June 30, 2021
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Wednesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 88. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Thursday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 86. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 10pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. South wind around 5 mph.
Friday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 87. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Friday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. Southwest wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Saturday: Showers and thunderstorms. High near 82. Southwest wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Saturday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Independence Day: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 82. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Sunday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70.
Monday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 83. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Monday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70.
Tuesday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 83.
Bratt Family To Appear Tonight On National TV Show ‘Survivalists’
June 29, 2021
A Bratt family will appear Tuesday night on a national TV reality show call “Survivalists” on the BYUtv network.
Parents Jacob and Sheena Carach along with their children — 18-year old Naudia, 17-year old Zach and 13-year old Tyler — spent a week at the end of November and December filming the episode in Moab, Utah, in hopes of winning $10,000. Survivalists is a BYUtv original series that features families participating in a three-day survival course in an effort to reconnect, unplug, and strengthen their family bonds while competing to win the cash.
Back in early November, Sheena heard about an opportunity for families to apply to compete on the show through a social media post and asked her family if they would be interested in her applying. Being a family that enjoys the outdoors and is always up for a challenge and new adventure, they all thought it sounded like an amazing and fun opportunity. Never thinking they would actually be selected, she applied and much to her surprise, they were contacted and asked to go through the interview process, ultimately being selected.
As Florida natives, the Carach family is used to high temperatures and flat ground. They are no strangers to camping, hiking and extreme outdoor activities, however, they say that what they faced in Moab was no walk in the park.
“The challenges for me were very hard physically, but the disconnection from the rest of the world was amazing,” said Zach Carach.
The views were breathtaking, the -10 degree temperatures while sleeping in a tent were harsh and the experience was definitely one of a lifetime”, says Sheena Carach.
The family says they were pushed to overcome fears and were at times pushed almost to their breaking points, but at the end of the day they put their frustrations to the side and worked together as a team to conquer each day.
“It was truly the most rewarding experience we have ever had. We are a close family but were able to strengthen our bond even further,” says Naudia Carach. “This was a once in a lifetime opportunity to see and do something amazing as a family, it was really fun and I am very glad we had the chance to be a part of it, even though I am scared of heights and one of the challenges involved heights,” said Tyler Carach.
Tyler is also known at the “Donut Boy”, irst gained notoriety after being featured on NorthEscambia.com in 2016 as a superhero that’s on a mission to thank law enforcement officers personally with doughnuts. That quest led him to share donuts in person with officers from all 50 states.
Survivalists is hosted by Colin O’Brady, a professional endurance athlete who is currently climbing Mt. Everest. He is a motivational speaker and an author, and works with kids to encourage positive thinking to help them overcome obstacles and the negative self-talk so many in that generation are struggling with. It is produced by Mark Koops (“The Biggest Loser” and “Masterchef”). This is the second season of “Survivalists” and includes 10 episodes released each Tuesday.
The Carach family appears on Survivalists episode 9, airing June 29th at 8 p.m. (CDT) on BYUtv and for free on byutv.org. (It can also be watched on DirecTV channel 374, AT&T U-Verse 567, HD 1567, and Dish Network 374). Viewers can download the BYUtv app for free on any smartphone or capable smart TV.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Typical Scattered Afternoon Thunderstorms For Tuesday (And Maybe A Great Rainbow)
June 29, 2021
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
his Afternoon: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Otherwise partly sunny, with a high near 88. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Tonight: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 71. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming northeast after midnight.
Wednesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 86. East wind around 5 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 69. East wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Thursday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 87. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 71. South wind around 5 mph.
Friday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 87. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Friday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Saturday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 83. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Saturday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Independence Day: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 84. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Sunday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70.
Monday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 85.
Pictured: A rainbow over Gibson Road in Molino Monday afternoon. Photo by Linda Huber for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
10,000 Pound Food Giveaway In Cantonment Today, Another Food Giveaway In Century Too
June 29, 2021
A 10,000 pound food giveaway will be held Tuesday afternoon in Cantonment, and a food giveaway will also be held in Century.
In Cantonment, the Cantonment Improvement Committee will hold a 10,000 pound food distribution beginning at 3:30 p.m. at Carver Park, 208 Webb Street. Line up on Webb Street facing north; food will be loaded into vehicles. Identification is required.
In Century, a food giveaway will begin at 5 p.m. Tuesday at the Century Business Center (old Carver Middle School) at 400 Pond Street. The event is open to the anyone.
Pictured: The Jennie V. Dortch Foundation, Vincent Dortch Ministries and Century Mayor Ben Boutwell held a food and merchandise giveaway earlier than expected Monday afternoon. Another giveaway of food items will begin at 5 p.m. Tuesday. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
District 5 Commissioner Barry To Hold Town Hall Meeting In Molino Tonight
June 28, 2021
Escambia County District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry will host a town hall meeting Monday at 5:30 p.m. at the Molino Community Center.
Residents are invited and encouraged to attend the open forum event.
The Molino Community Center is located at 6450 Highway 95A.
Pictured: Escambia County District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry at February 2019 town hall meeting at the Molino Community Center. NorthEscambia.com file photos.
Lower Rain Chance Today, But Still Scattered Summer Storms Possible
June 28, 2021
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Monday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. East wind 5 to 10 mph.
Monday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 8pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 70. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Tuesday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 2pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 88. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.
Tuesday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 8pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 70. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Wednesday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 8am. Partly sunny, with a high near 87. East wind around 5 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
Wednesday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 8pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. South wind around 5 mph.
Thursday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 8am. Partly sunny, with a high near 86. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
Thursday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71.
Friday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 85. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Friday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Saturday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 84. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Saturday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Independence Day: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 84.