Eric Gilmore Named Permanent Escambia County Public Safety Director
July 29, 2021
Eric Gilmore of Bratt has been named permanent Escambia County Public Safety director, interim county Administrator Wes Moreno told NorthEscambia.com Thursday morning.
Moreno said he will bring the promotion to the Escambia County Commission next week.
Gilmore had served as interim public safety director since December, after having served as emergency management manager since January 2020.
Gilmore has worked for the Florida Department of Health since 2004, serving as a planner, public health preparedness director, and most recently regional emergency response advisor for a 10 county region. He is also the district chief of the McDavid Station of Escambia Fire Rescue.
Eric Gilmore’s father, Elton Gilmore, retired in 2017 after seven years as the Emergency Management Operations Officer in the Escambia County Public Safety Department.
Pictured: Escambia County Public Safety Director Eric Gilmore speaks during a public forum at the Molino Community Center on June 28, 2021. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Developer Plans New Dollar General Store On Highway 29
July 29, 2021
A new Dollar General has been proposed for the 3000 block of Highway 29.
Teramore Development, LLC, of Thomasville, Georgia, is asking the Escambia County Development Review Committee (DRC) for approval for the store on 1.89 acres on the west side of Highway 29 between Ten Mile Road and Roberts Road, just north of Kingline Equipment.
According plans filed with Escambia County, the new store will be 10,769 square feet with 35 parking places. The parking lot will have entrances and exits to both Highway 29 and Crowl Road (directly behind the store).
An initial application has been made to the Escambia DRC, which has not taken any final action.
NorthEscambia.com graphics.
Community Health Northwest Florida To Resume Drive-Thru COVID-19 Testing
July 29, 2021
Due to the rise in COVID-19 cases in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties, Community Health Northwest Florida will resume drive-thru testing at Brownsville Community Center.
The testing will be available each Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. at 3200 West Desoto Street. All ages are eligible.
Important Scheduling Information:
- Rapid test: For symptomatic individuals only. Appointment is required. Call the CHNWF COVID-19 Testing Call Center at (850) 390-4276 to be scheduled.
- Send out (PCR) test: For individuals with or without symptoms. No appointment is necessary. Individuals may drive through at their convenience during regular hours of operation.
- All adult participants will be required to show photo ID at time of appointment.
- All adult participants should wear a face covering at time of appointment.
For more information, contact the Community Health COVID-19 Testing Call Center at (850) 390-4276.
State To Purchase Garcon Point Bridge; DeSantis Cuts Tolls Nearly In Half
July 29, 2021
Gov. Ron DeSantis has directed the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to reduce the toll rates on the Garcon Point Bridge.
The rates will be reduced from $4.50 to $2.30 for SunPass customers and from $5.00 to $2.75 for cash customers. The reduced toll rates are consistent with other FDOT toll facilities across the state, and the new rate erases 20 years of toll increases to the bridge. More than 6,000 drivers use the Garcon Point Bridge every day and will benefit from this reduction in tolls.
“Five dollars is just too much to pay for the more than 6,000 drivers that use the Garcon Point Bridge every day,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “I am pleased to announce that today I am directing FDOT Secretary Thibault to reduce the toll rates on the bridge as soon as possible to bring them in line with other facilities across the state and erase 20 years of rate increases.”
DeSantis also directed FDOT to reach a settlement with the trustee and the bondholders to purchase the bridge and transfer control to the Florida Turnpike Enterprise.
Following impacts from Hurricane Sally in September 2020, the Pensacola Bay Bridge closed while being repaired. While the Pensacola Bay Bridge was closed, thousands of residents in the area used the Garcon Point Bridge, but were paying a $5.00 toll to cross the bridge. Shortly following the impacts of Hurricane Sally, Governor DeSantis waived the tolls on the Garcon Point Bridge, and continued the toll suspension through July 6, 2021.
Detailed Local COVID-19 Hospitalization Data Released
July 29, 2021
COVID-19 hospitalizations in Escambia County are up about six times in the past month and have climbed by 18 in the past day, according to a graph released Wednesday by the City of Pensacola.
It’s the first report of daily local hospitalization rates since the report was stopped last month.
On June 24, there were 19 people hospitalized for COVID-19 in Ascension Sacred Heart, Baptist and West Florida hospitals. By Wednesday, July 28, that number was at 131.
“I cannot emphasize enough the importance of getting vaccinated, and I encourage everyone to get the COVID-19 vaccine if you are able, Pensacola Mayor Grover Robinson said. “Remember that there are still everyday preventive actions you can take against COVID-19, including wearing a mask, washing your hands often and staying home if you’re sick.”
The numbers in the graph indicate daily hospitalizations in Escambia County and are provided daily by Ascension Sacred Heart Hospital, Baptist Hospital and West Florida Hospital. The daily numbers are not cumulative.
Baptist Hospital has also implemented at least twice-weekly reporting with additional information for their facility. Between July 1 and July 27, Baptist Health Care has treated a total of 96 patients who have been hospitalized for COVID-19. Of those, 85 were unvaccinated.
Data sources: Escambia County, City of Pensacola, Ascension Sacred Heart, Baptist and West Florida hospitals. Graphics: City of Pensacola.
Free Food Distribution To Be Held Saturday In Century
July 29, 2021
Northwest Florida Community Outreach will hold a food distribution Saturday in Century.
The drive-up distribution will take place from 10 until 11 a.m. at the Century Business Center at 130 East Pond Street. The event is for Escambia County, Florida, residents only.
Pictured: A previous Northwest Florida Community Outreach food distribution in Century on March 27, 2021. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Lightning Forces Shortened Game; Wahoos Lose 5-2 To M-Braves
July 29, 2021
Pensacola’s bullpen woes continued as the M-Braves scored three runs late to win Wednesday’s rain-shortened affair 5-2 at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
Tied at 2-2, Josh Roberson (L, 1-1) surrendered a pair of home runs in the top of the seventh to Drew Lugbauer and Jalen Miller that ultimately sealed Pensacola’s fate. In the top of the eighth, Braden Shewmake also hit a solo home run to give Mississippi the winning 5-2 score.
Offensively, it was a déjà vu performance where Pensacola took the lead early and couldn’t score fir the rest of the night. After a double by Griffin Conine, Chris Chinea launched a two-run homer off Bryce Elder (4-1) to put Pensacola up 2-0. After that, Elder did not allow another run and finished his outing with nine strikeouts and three walks across seven innings.
In the top of the second, Pensacola starter Max Meyer had a momentary lapse in his command that led to a pair of runs. After a pair of singles, Meyer threw three wild pitches that allowed Shea Langeliers and Wendell Rijo both to score, which tied the game at 2-2. After that, Meyer was terrific and finished the night with five innings pitched, five hits allowed, one walk surrendered while striking out seven.
In the last two games, Pensacola’s relievers have yielded 10 home runs in seven innings. Over the past four games, Pensacola’s bullpen has allowed 26 runs (22 ER) over 15 innings, which is an ERA of 13.20 during that stretch. The Wahoos have now lost six consecutive games and 11 of their past 13.
ECUA Moves Forward Toward Water, Sewer And Sanitation Rate Increases
July 28, 2021
The Emerald Coast Utilities Authority took a final step Tuesday to move toward a vote on increased sanitation, water and sewer rates.
For the average water and sewer customer using 6,000 gallons per month, the added cost will be $1.06. Much of the increase will go to fund a Brownsville sewer expansion project.
The cost of a single 90-gallon sanitation container, with included recycling and bulk service, will jump $1.85 from $24.54 to $26.39 per month. The increase is intended for pay increases for sanitation workers, include CDL drivers.
ECUA board members have said the utility is having trouble hiring and retaining personnel, including those in demand CDL drivers.
“We cannot guarantee that the service is going to be better,” board member Louis Benson said of the sanitation service increase. “We are doing our part to give an opportunity to increase the service. I also firmly believe that if we did not implement this rate increase, we’re sure not to get improved service. So we have to empower the staff with the financial resources that they believe they need to improve the services.”
“I am going to go and sell this rate increase, but I need to sell this rate increase with the fact that we are going to make sure that services are increased as well,” said board member Larry Williams.
ECUA District 5 board member Kevin Stephens said the public needs to know that ECUA uses day labor, not regular employees, for bulk pick ups. He said funds from the rate increase need to go toward that service as well.
“Allot the increased wages to the appropriate departments that will hopefully, in addition to CDL drivers, make it more incentivized to come work with us, and show up, and show up on time and pick that garbage up,” Stevens said. “Fingers crossed. That was the idea anyway.”
“These rate increases are not going to generate us some big windfall. I think that initial increase in rates, i.e. revenue, is going to be absorbed pretty darn quickly between labor and materials,” Stephens noted.
The ECUA board voted unanimously Tuesday afternoon to place a public hearing on both rate increases on their agenda for 3 p.m. on August 24. If approved, the rate hikes will take effect on October 1.
Pictured: The Tuesday afternoon meeting of the Emerald Coast Utilities Authority. NorthEscambia.com image, click to enlarge.
Local COVID-19 Cases And Data Reporting Increases; Mandatory Employee Vaccinations For Ascension Sacred Heart
July 28, 2021
As COVID-19 cases rise in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties, hospitals are releasing more data and considering visitation restrictions and mandatory vaccinations for employees.
Escambia County has relaunched hospitalization data reports. On Tuesday, there were 113 COVID-19 inpatients at Sacred Heart, West Florida and Baptist hospitals.
“Unfortunately, hospitalization numbers related to COVID-19 have increased in Escambia County, which includes surrounding communities coming to our local providers,” said interim Public Safety Director Eric Gilmore. “It is important to note that medical professionals have shared that the majority of these patients have not been vaccinated. We are fortunate there is plenty of vaccine still available, and the hospital system is not stressed at this time. Once someone is admitted into the hospital, it is too late to be vaccinated.”
Baptist Hospital has also implemented at least twice-weekly reporting with additional information for their facility. Between July 1 and July 27, Baptist Health Care has treated a total of 96 patients who have been hospitalized for COVID-19. Of those, 85 were unvaccinated.
Ascension Sacred Heart will require all of its healthcare workers to finish their vaccination process by November 12. The vaccine will be required of all employees, whether or not they provide direct patient care, and whether they work on site or remotely.
The new requirement also includes associates employed by subsidiaries and partners; physicians and advanced practice providers, whether employed or independent; and volunteers and vendors entering Ascension facilities. There will be a process for requesting an exemption in accordance with collective bargaining agreements.
Beginning Wednesday, Santa Rosa Medical Center will restrict patient visitors to one immediate family member, partner or significant other age 18 or older. Entrance to the facility will only be through the emergency room.
Also beginning Wednesday, Atmore Community Hospital will restrict inpatient visitation to 6-8 a.m. and 5-7 p.m. Only one visitor will be allowed for surgery and outpatient physician visits. No visitors will be allowed in the emergency department or with patients receiving lab or radiology services. Exceptions will be made to the new policies based upon medical necessity and end of life situations.
Jay Woman Wanted For Sex Offender Violation
July 28, 2021
A Jay woman is wanted by authorities on sex offender violation charges, according to Santa Rosa County Crime Stoppers.
Shaylene Nicole Matthews, 36, is wanted for failure to appear on a sex offender violation for failure to notify law enforcement of a sex offense.
Matthews is described as a white female, 5-feet tall, 155 pounds with blonde hair and green eyes.
At the time of a February 2021 arrest in Santa Rosa County, Matthews resided on Cherry Street in Jay.
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Matthews is asked to call Santa Rosa Crime Stoppers at (850) 437-STOP. Tips can be submitted anonymously and could earn a reward of up to $3,000.