It’s Now Been A Year Since The First COVID-19 Case Was Reported In North Escambia
March 24, 2021
It’s now been a year since the first COVID-19 cases were reported in North Escambia.
On March 24, 2020, three of the nine COVID-19 positives in Escambia County were announced as being from Cantonment, eight days after the first case was reported in Escambia County. A local state of emergency had been declared, and parents had learned during Spring Break that their children would not be going back to in-person class in the Escambia County School District.
It would be about two weeks before additional positive cases were reported across North Escambia.
On April 1, 2020, the first COVID-19 case in Century was reported. There were 96 total cases in Escambia County at the time, including 15 in Cantonment and 66 in Pensacola.
The first Molino case was reported April 5. The first positives in Walnut Hill and McDavid were reported April 6.
Winning $68K Fantasy Five Ticket Sold On Nine Mile Road
March 24, 2021
Someone is over $68,000 richer this morning after purchasing a winning Florida Lottery Fantasy 5 ticket at a Nine Mile Road convenience store.
The ticket sold at the Nine Mile Raceway near Lowe’s was one of three winning tickets sold for Tuesday night’s drawing and is worth $68,177.06. Other winning tickets were sold in Punta Gorda and Miami.
The 375 tickets matching four numbers won $87.50 each. Another 10,063 tickets matching three numbers are worth $9 each, and 92616 ticket holders won a Quick Pick ticket for picking two numbers.
Tuesday’s winning numbers were 11-21-22-23-25.
DeSantis Says COVID-19 Vaccine Will Be Available To All Adult Floridians ‘Way Before’ May 1
March 24, 2021
Gov. Ron DeSantis said Tuesday in Pensacola that the COVID-19 vaccine will be available to all adult Floridians “way before” May 1.
Florida residents age 50 and older are currently eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, and the President Joe Biden administration wants that expanded to all adults by May.
“I can tell you that in Florida, that’s going to happen way before May 1,” DeSantis said. “So stay tuned on that and we’ll make sure that everyone knows that.”
The governor said over three million seniors in the state have received at least one dose of the vaccine, and the overall pace of the demand among seniors has declined.
“The demand was more intense at the beginning of January than it is right now” DeSantis said. “But if the demand continues to be manageable, we want to lower the age again at the appropriate time. I don’t have an announcement on that yet, but we’re monitoring it.”
“We’re going to get to a point where this is just going to be available to everyone. I think that’s going to happen relatively soon,” DeSantis said.
The governor’s comments came during a press conference at the Zion Hope Primitive Baptist Church in Pensacola as he announced 2,000 doses of the Johnson & Johnson one shot vaccine were available at the location through Thursday. [Read more ...]
Pictured: Gov. Ron DeSantis discusses COVID-19 vaccine available in Pensacola on Tuesday. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
DeSantis: 2,000 Doses Of J&J Vaccine Available At Pensacola Church
March 23, 2021
An additional 2,000 doses of the one shot Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine are now available in Pensacola.
The walk-in vaccine distribution site for adults age 50 and over is at the Zion Hope Primitive Baptist Church at 201 West Leonard Street (just west of North Palafox Street).
Speaking Tuesday morning at the church, Gov. Ron DeSantis said the one shot vaccine will be available over a three-day period.
“The great thing about this site,” DeSantis said. “People go through, they get the shot, you don’t have to worry about it after that. You don’t have to come back.”
Adults 50 years and older can walk-in without an appointment, or schedule an appointment for Wednesday, March 24 or Thursday, March 25 at myvaccine.fl.gov.
Pictured: Gov. Ron DeSantis at the Zion Hope Primitive Baptist Church in Pensacola on Tuesday. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Florida Special Olympics Torch Run Begins In Century
March 23, 2021
The 2021 Law Enforcement Torch Run in support of Florida Special Olympics began in Century Monday morning and continued through Pensacola.
The torch run started at the Florida/Alabama state line Monday morning. Runners from Century Correctional Institution carried the torch from the state line to the Century Chamber of Commerce. An addition leg of the torch run Monday traveled from the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office to Bartram Park in Pensacola
Statewide, the participating chiefs, officers, sheriffs, deputies, agents and cadets from virtually every branch of federal, state, county and municipal law enforcement, represent a total of over 300 different agencies. Funds are generated through the sale of the popular Torch Run T-shirts and hats, and through various local fundraising events.
Pictured: The 2021 Law Enforcement Torch Run in support of Florida Special Olympics Monday morning in Century and Pensacola. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Fire Rescue Now Hiring For Paid, Entry Level Firefighting Cadet Program
March 23, 2021
Escambia County has created a paid entry level firefighting position for fire cadets. While attending the fire academy, cadets will receive on-the-job training, a salary and a full range of county benefits including health insurance.
Cadets will attend fire academy classes and other formal training programs to prepare them for state certification as a career firefighter. This also includes participating in fire training drills and observing emergency and non-emergency responses.
“There are a lot of great opportunities with ECFR right now,” said Interim Fire Chief Paul Williams. “We’re looking for volunteer and career firefighters. The cadet program provides a path to get training and receive compensation and benefits. It’s the best of both worlds.”
Fire cadets are allotted one year from time of employment to complete minimum standard training and obtain the required Firefighter II certification with the State of Florida. Incumbents promote from cadet to firefighter upon completion of the course and passing the state test.
Applicants must be age 18 or older and possess a valid driver’s license.
The annual salary for the position is $20,800.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
FDOH Announces This Week’s Escambia County Vaccine Distribution Plan
March 23, 2021
The Florida Department of Health in Escambia County (FDOH-Escambia) has announced this week’s COVID-19 vaccine distribution plan for Escambia County.
FDOH-Escambia was notified they would be receiving an allocation of 2,500 doses of the COVID-19 Moderna vaccine for the week of March 22, 2021. We are coordinating with community partners on distribution efforts.
In partnership with Ascension Sacred Heart, Baptist Health Care and East Hill Pharmacy, FDOH-Escambia is distributing vaccine in Escambia County. FDOH-Escambia’s total allocation will be distributed accordingly:
- Ascension Sacred Heart: 800 doses
- Baptist Health Care: 800 doses
- East Hill Pharmacy: 200 doses
- FDOH-Escambia: 700 doses
Some appointments will be scheduled using the statewide pre-registration system. FDOH-Escambia and partner organizations are in the process of contacting individuals to schedule appointments.
Vaccine recipients must bring proof of eligibility for one of the priority groups :
- Long-term care facility residents and staff;
- Persons 50 years of age and older;
- Health care personnel with direct patient contact; and
- Medically vulnerable as determined by a physician with a completed form.
FDOH-Escambia is using the statewide preregistration system to schedule COVID-19 vaccine appointments. Escambia County residents should use the statewide pre-registration system to sign up. Residents can call the toll-free line at, 866-201-1025 or preregister online at myvaccine.fl.gov.
Tate Aggies Tennis Boys And Girls Beat Escambia
March 23, 2021
Tate High Aggies tennis defeated Escambia High Monday.
Tate Aggies Boys Tennis extended their district record to 5-1 with their 7-0 victory over Escambia. Aggies Girls tennis improveD to 3-2 in the district as they also swept Escambia 7-0.
Silver Alert Canceled: Missing 69-Year Old Man Found Safe
March 22, 2021
On Monday, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office canceled a Silver Alert for a missing 69-year old man after he was located safe.
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Robert William Scanlon was last seen on March 20th wearing multi-colored pajama pants, a navy blue sweatshirt, and a red and black toboggan hat. He was driving a 2020 white Kia Sorrento with Florida tag number PTEE92. He could possibly be driving to Franklin, Tennessee.
Scanlon is 5-feet, 8-inches tall, 150 pounds and has hazel eyes.
If you have any information about his whereabouts, call the ECSO at (850) 436-9620.
Man Arrested In Connection With Multiple Catalytic Converter Thefts
March 22, 2021
A man wanted in connection with several catalytic converter thefts has been arrested.
Brett Andrew Bass, 33, was charged with criminal mischief, burglary of an unoccupied conveyance, possession with burglary tools with intent to use and grand theft. He was booked into the Santa Rosa County Jail Monday morning without bond.
The Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office said called Bass a “big piece of the puzzle” is solving “extensive” catalytic converter thefts.
His arrest came the day after a story about his arrest warrants was published on NorthEscambia.com.