By The Numbers: Escambia Reports 570 New COVID-19 Cases
October 2, 2021
There were 570 new COVID-19 cases reported Escambia County over the last week by the Florida Department of Health.
Baptist, Ascension Sacred Heart and West Florida hospitals reported a combined 119 COVID-19 hospitalizations as of Friday.
Here is the latest data:
Escambia County cases:
Total cases: 52,736 (+570)
Positivity rate last week: 11.9%
Current total hospitalizations: 117
Over age 18 and over hospitalizations: 115
Under age 18 hospitalized: 2
Total deaths reported last 7 days: 85 (CDC data)
Escambia County Vaccinations
People vaccinated: 149,880 (+747)
Total Population of Escambia County Partially Vaccinated: 53.9%
Total Population of Escambia County Fully Vaccinated: 45.%
*These numbers are the percent of total Escambia County population vaccinated. Not the percentage of hospitalized individuals.
Santa Rosa County cases:
Total cases: 31,805 (+360)
Positivity rate last week: 10.9%
People vaccinated: 87,369 (+436)
Partial vaccination rate (age 12+): 54%
Total deaths last 7 days: 22 (CDC data)
Statewide cases:
Florida resident cases: 3,5576,571 (+37,772)
Case positivity rate: 6.5%
Deaths: 55,299 (+233)
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 is no longer provided by FDOH.
Good Grilling: Escambia 4-H Members Place At State Tailgating Contest
October 2, 2021
Five Escambia County 4-H members placed at the state 4-H tailgating contest at the University of Florida.
The winners from Escambia County 4-H were:
- Aubrie Dillon — first place, shrimp
- Taylor Anderson — third place, pork
- Kailee Dunlap — first place, pork
- Madelyn Goss — second place, beef
- Tucker Padgett — first place, beef
The top two individuals in each protein category earned college scholarship money — $1,500 for first place and $1,000 for second place. Each participant from Escambia County placed in the competition, earning a total of $5,500 in college scholarships.
Participants created table displays to show off their recipes and were judged on their grilling abilities. In addition, their knowledge was put to the test with questions from judges on food and fire safety as well as meat selections.
“4-H helps our youth gain the knowledge and skills they need for their future,” said UF/IFAS Extension Escambia Director Nick Simmons. “Whether they are interested in science, technology, food or public speaking, we have projects that will benefit everyone and help them give back to their community. The tailgating contest allowed them to think outside the box, but also taught them important food and fire safety rules. All Escambia County participants have learned so much from this competition and have taken home new skills to share with their families.”
Photos: Northview High School Homecoming Parade
October 2, 2021
A large crowd line Highway 4 Friday afternoon in Bratt for the annual Northview High School Homecoming Parade.
For a photo gallery, click to tap here. (Make sure to share and tag!)
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Friday Night Football Finals
October 2, 2021
FLORIDA
- Northview 54, Jay 13 [Details, photo gallery]
- Pace 37, Tate 0
- West Florida 47, Godby 28
- Washington 25, Milton 22
- Pensacola High 35, Arnold 21
- Pensacola Catholic 10, Mobile Christian 8
- Gulf Breeze (bye week)
- Navarre (bye week)
- Pine Forest 22, Escambia 20 (Thursday)
ALABAMA
- Escambia Academy 22, Chipley (FL) 7
- Vigor 46, Escambia County (Atmore) 0
- Bayside Academy 28, Flomaton 21
- T.R. Miller 39, Excel 0
- St. Michael Catholic 42, W.S. Neal 6
Pictured: The Northview Chiefs beat the Jay Royals Friday night in Bratt. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Escambia Man Dies After Crashing Into Roundabout Just Off Nine Mile Road
October 1, 2021
An Escambia County man died after he crashed into a roundabout just south of Nine Mile Road Thursday night.
The Florida Highway Patrol said the 39-year old man was traveling south on Bowman Avenue about 8:30 p.m. and failed to navigate around a small raised roundabout in the center of the roadway at Kayzan Street. His white pickup truck collided with a tree located in the roundabout.
The man was transported to Sacred Heart ER on Nine Mile Road where he was pronounced deceased. FHP said he was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Two Arrested, One Still Wanted For Ladarius Clardy Murder
October 1, 2021
Two people have been arrested and a second person is wanted for the murder of football standout Ladarius Clardy, and Sheriff Chip Simmons says he was not the intended target.
Amos Dehontiguan Snowden Jr. and his brother Da’Quavion Snowden, Jr. are both charged with first degree principal to murder and conspiracy to commit murder.
Authorities are still searching for Kobie Lashun Jenkins, Jr. on charges including first degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder.
“I will tell you that it appears they thought they were attacking, cowardly attacking, someone else,” Simmons said. The sheriff said it is very likely that there will be more arrests in the case at the investigation continues.
“This was an intentional attack, an intentional attempt to kill,” he said. “The only way I can truly describe them is that they are killers…the motive is they through they were shooting someone else. It’s as simple as that.”
Clardy, a former standout Pine Forest High School quarterback, was shot and found dead in a vehicle crash. His vehicle was found with over 50 bullet holes in a ravine at Hollywood Avenue and Fairfield Drive about 1 a.m. on July 1.
Anyone with information on Jenkins’ whereabouts is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620, Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP, or 911.
The arrests were announce during an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office press conference Thursday night.
Century Losing Interim Town Manager Vernon Prather
October 1, 2021
Interim Town Manager Vernon Prather has notified Century that he is leaving when his contract ends December 1.
“I will not be requesting a renewal or extension to the contract, as I have decided to fully retire,” Prather wrote in an email to the council and mayor. “It has been a privilege to serve with the Mayor and Council, these last two (2) years, and I wish continued success for the Town.”
Prather is paid $40 an hour for 30 hours per week, or $1,200 per week ($62,400 yearly). He has complete control over his work schedule and hours worked. If he exceeds 30 hours per week, he is not be paid overtime but is allowed to take comp time off at his discretion. He also receives a $600 per month vehicle allowance, but does not receive employee benefits such as vacation, retirement or insurance.
When his contract was extended for a year in December 2020, the council did so with the stipulation that they review his performance at least every quarter. With three quarters already passed this year, the council has not held a single review.
Prather began working for the town on a consulting basis as part of a $35 an hour package deal when Buz Eddy came on board in July 2019 following a scathing grand jury report on previous town operations.
Prather served Gulf Breeze in various positions from 2006 to 2017, including director of public services, operations consultant and assistant city manager, while Eddy retired as Gulf Breeze city manager in 2017 after 25 years on the job. Prather holds wastewater and water certifications in addition his on the job experience.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Second In A Week: New North Escambia Dollar General Opens; Two More Planned
October 1, 2021
For the second time in a week, a new Dollar General has opened in North Escambia, and there are still two more in the works.
A new 9,291 square foot Dollar General in the 7000 block of North Century Boulevard in Century is now open.
Last weekend, a new Dollar General opened at the corner of Highway 297A and West Kingsfield Road in Cantonment. Escambia County granted a conditional use to allow the 8,960 square foot store in an area that is zoned for low density mixed-use up 6,000 square feet. A conditional use in the zoning category allows for retail sales up to 35,000 square feet. The Escambia County Board of Adjustment approved the conditional use with the stipulation that the store have a residential area design with wood siding and a shingled roof. [Click or tap to see the store.]
Dollar General’s development company has development applications for two more North Escambia stores in the works. One is on 1.89 acres on the west side of Highway 29 between Ten Mile Road and Roberts Road, just north of Kingline Equipment.
The second is in Walnut Hill at 7100 Highway 97, on the north side of the intersection of South Highway 99. There are currently two residential structures on the 5.3 acre property, which is across the road from a former farm supply retail business.
Pictured: A new Dollar General is now open in the 7000 block of North Century Boulevard in Century. Here, the store is shown late Thursday afternoon. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Slight Chance Of Rain Friday And Saturday, Higher Chance By Sunday
October 1, 2021
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Friday: A 20 percent chance of afternoon showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 86. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.
Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 10pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 67. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Saturday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 85. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68. East wind around 5 mph.
Sunday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 84. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
Sunday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 68. South wind around 5 mph.
Monday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 83. South wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Monday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 67. South wind around 5 mph becoming north after midnight.
Tuesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 81. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Tuesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 63.
Wednesday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 80.
Wednesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 61.
Thursday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 80.
UWF State Of The University Address: Saunders Reflects On Navigating Pandemic, Looks To New Horizon
October 1, 2021
University of West Florida President Martha D. Saunders reflected on the adaptation and accomplishments of Argonauts amid a global pandemic during her 2021 State of the University address Thursday. Saunders addressed students, faculty and staff in the UWF Center for Fine and Performing Arts Mainstage Theatre.
“The combined impacts of Hurricane Sally, the broken bridge, a challenging legislative session, and the Delta variant blew us off course a time or two,” Saunders said. “But true to form, the Argonauts adapted and showed the resilient spirit for which we are known.”
Saunders said although UWF faced many obstacles, the University still had several treasures including record enrollment and recognition through metrics, rankings, grants and awards.
Highlights of the last year included the University receiving the 2021 Higher Education Excellence in Diversity, or HEED, award for the sixth time. Saunders also pointed out that for the ninth time, UWF was named a Great Colleges to Work For. UWF ranked among the best public regional universities in the South for the second consecutive year in the 2022 U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges list. The University of West Florida was No. 1 in the Florida State University System for Metric 1 of the Florida Board of Governors’ 2020-21 performance-based funding model. More than 79% of UWF bachelor’s graduates are employed or furthering their education one year after graduation. The University was also once again named a gold-level military friendly school.
Despite the pandemic challenges, the University stayed true to its mission, providing high-quality education, research and community engagement. Saunders looked ahead to new horizons and plans including master planning, strategic planning, enrollment planning, and diversity planning.
“Having experienced a major disruption last year, we have a great opportunity to reconsider the ways in which we conduct our business,” Saunders said. “Storms have a way of clearing new paths and this will help shape us for years to come.”