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.
Alabama Sheriff Says If You Litter, He Wants You Sentenced To Pick Up Trash For 40 Hours
July 28, 2021
The sheriff of Escambia County, Alabama, says if you are caught littering on a public road in his county, he’ll ask the judge to sentence you to pick up roadside trash.
Sheriff Heath Jackson asked, “How hard is it to use a trash can?”
His comments came Tuesday after eight inmates picked up a full trailer load of trash on county roads in just eight hours (pictured).
“We should be ashamed of ourselves,” Jackson said. “If we catch you throwing trash out of your window, I will be asking the judge to assign you to an inmate crew for 40 hours of community service to see how you like it. We are better than this!”
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Man Charged In 2020 Fatal Hit And Run
July 28, 2021
An Escambia County man was arrested Tuesday for a fatal hit and run that claimed the life of a pedestrian last year.
Brian Justin Morgan, 50, was charged in connection with the death of a 59-year old female killed November 8, 2020. The Florida Highway Patrol said Morgan’s vehicle collided with the woman on Saufley Field Road near St. Anne Catholic Church.
FHP said the woman was just outside her neighborhood when she was hit. She was thrown onto the shoulder and remained on the shoulder with fatal injuries for an unknown period of time, according to troopers
An FHP investigation determined Morgan and his vehicle were involved.
Morgan was booked into the Escambia County Jail without bond on felony charges of leaving the scene of a crash involving a death and driving with a suspended license.
With Seven Homers, M-Braves Beat The Wahoos 9-3
July 28, 2021
After being no-hit for five innings, the M-Braves clubbed seven homers en route to a convincing 9-3 win on Tuesday night at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
The end of the game distracts from its start, which featured a brilliant pitching performance from Kyle Nicolas in his Double-A debut.
The right-hander consistently flashed a fastball in the upper 90s while striking out a bevy of M-Brave batters. He struck out one in the first, then another two in the second, before striking out the side in the third. Despite four walks on the night, Nicolas finished his outing with no hits allowed and eight strikeouts across five shutout innings.
There was a brief injury scare when Nicolas was struck by a line drive from the last batter he faced in his outing (Trey Harris). Fortunately, the ball hit off his back and popped up to the second baseman Demetrius Sims, who made the catch to end the inning.
The game also started positively for the Wahoos in the first inning when they took a 1-0 lead. After JJ Bleday doubled, he scored on a two-out RBI base hit from Lazaro Alonso in his first game back in over a month with the Wahoos.
Once Nicolas left the game, things turned south for the Wahoos very quickly. The bullpen surrendered seven homers in the final four innings, including four solo homers in the top of the seventh. Six different M-Braves hit home runs, and top Atlanta’s top catching prospect, Shea Langeliers turned in a multi-homer performance.
The Wahoos scored two runs late, but never seriously mounted a comeback challenge as Pensacola dropped its fifth game in a row, and its ninth in 10 tries.
The series continues tomorrow evening as the Wahoos try to tie up the series on Wednesday night. RHP Max Meyer (4-1, 1.80) takes the hill for Pensacola against RHP Bryce Elder (3-1, 3.60
Escambia County Agrees To Provide $450,000 For Century Wastewater Infrastructure Improvements
July 27, 2021
The Town of Century and Escambia County have entered into an interlocal agreement under which the county will provide $450,000 to improve wastewater infrastructure in Century.
Century will use the funding for improvements at the wastewater treatment plant, including the rebuilding of a clarifier, replacement of pumps and controls, repair of a filter, repair of cracks and more. In addition, nine sewage lift stations will be rehabilitated and the master lift station for the Century Correctional Institution will be repaired and improved.
The necessary upgrades at the wastewater treatment plant, lift stations, and associated infrastructure will allow Century to achieve compliance with Florida Department of Environmental Protection regulations.
Century will be required to submit invoices and other documentation in order to receive payment from the county on a reimbursement basis.
In February 2020, the Escambia County Commission approved the use of Deepwater Horizon oil spill RESTORE funds for the Century wastewater project. In March 2021, the BOCC moved $450,000 in local option sales money from a West Roberts Road/Eleven Mile Creek Regional Stormwater Ponds Project to the Century project, and moved RESTORE funds from the Century project back to the West Roberts/Eleven Mile Creek project.
Essentially, both projects kept the fully allocated amount, just from different funding sources through the county.
The funding source switch was made due to Century’s need for a match requirement for Florida Department of Environmental Protection Revolving Loan Fund. The RESTORE funding would have been a lengthier process. The funding structure will allow both projects to proceed without schedule delays, according to county documentation.
Pictured: The Century Wastewater Treatment Plant. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia County New COVID-19 Cases, Hospitalizations Almost Double In A Week
July 27, 2021
The number of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in Escambia County have both almost doubled in the past week.
Pensacola Mayor Grover Robinson said as of Monday afternoon there were 107 COVID-19 patients in Ascension Sacred Heart, Baptist and West Florida hospitals. A week before, were a combine 58 COVID-19 patients in the three major hospitals.
“Obviously the concern is we went for a long period of time where we were under 50, to now where we are at 107. To have that almost really go up 50 people since last weekend, obviously there are concerns,” Robinson said during a Monday news conference.
As of Friday, Baptist Health Care has treated a total of 65 patients who have been hospitalized for COVID-19. Of those, 57 were unvaccinated.
The Florida Department of Health reported 757 new COVID-19 cases in Escambia County as of Friday, up from 390 new positives in the week prior. The positivity rate in Escambia County stands at 19.9%.
Robinson said a mask mandate had been discussed with the hospital, but for now that’s not seen as the best course of action right now.
“We all agreed the best action was to encourage mask for those unvaccinated but to really push for vaccinations. The vaccine is much more effective than the mask and we encourage all of those eligible to get it,” the mayor said.