Escambia Supervisor Of Elections David Stafford Sworn In For Fifth Term
January 6, 2021
Escambia County Supervisor of Elections David Stafford was sworn in Tuesday for his fifth term.
The Honorable William H. Stafford, Jr. presided over the small ceremony with family members and staff at the Supervisor of Elections office.
Stafford was first elected as Escambia County supervisor of elections in November 2004. A graduate of the University of Florida, Stafford is a past president of the Florida Supervisors of Elections and the current legislative co-chair of the National Association of Election Officials.
Florida CFO Rallies Support In Pensacola To Limit COVID-19 Business Liability
January 6, 2021
Tuesday, Florida Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis hosted a ‘Rally at the Restaurant’ event at The Fish House in Pensacola to advocate for vital COVID-19 liability protections for Florida businesses.
Joined by state leaders, lawmakers and business owners, CFO Patronis encouraged Floridians to patronize and support local businesses and asked Legislators to work together to pass meaningful liability protections to get Florida’s economy back on its feet. Over the last several months, CFO Patronis has emphasized the need for COVID-19 liability protections for businesses and highlighted his three guiding principles to help shape legislation in the upcoming Legislative Session.
“I was proud to be joined in Pensacola today by local leaders and small business owners to Rally at the Restaurant at The Fish House and fight for vital COVID-19 liability protections for all Pensacola businesses. As a former small business owner myself, I’ve spent most of my life in the restaurant industry and I know how hard it is to make payroll on a good day, much less when hampered by the financial impacts of COVID-19,” Patronis said. “No doubt, unless we take action to protect our small businesses, we’ll see big problems: businesses will close, insurance rates will continue to grow, and critical services will get squeezed. I’m confident that we can pass meaningful liability protections and add Florida to the list of 21 other states that have enacted some sort of liability shields for businesses.”
Members of the local legislative delegation stood in support with Patronis.
Senator Doug Broxson said, “Covid 19 has created enormous pressure on our small businesses and restaurants. For any legal or governmental institution to take advantage of these hardworking individuals during this time is especially egregious. I am thankful that CFO Patronis, a business owner himself, understands these concerns and I stand with him in protecting these restaurants and their employees.”
Representative Michelle Salzman said, “I am proud to stand with CFO Patronis on this critical issue affecting our businesses. If Florida’s business owners are following the proper guidelines they should not have to live in fear of frivolous litigation. By passing these important protections, our business community will be able to reopen and operate in confidence.”
Representative Alex Andrade said, “I appreciate CFO Patronis’ commitment to provide common sense business liability protections. The pandemic has created a tremendous burden on our small business. Knowing that Florida’s elected officials are concerned and working to address inappropriate liability tactics will go a long way in our state’s economic recovery.”
Ascension Sacred Heart Opens New COVID-19 Vaccine Appointments. Here’s How To Sign Up Now.
January 5, 2021
Update: Ascension Sacred Heart’s website indicates all appointments are taken.
Ascension Sacred Heart plans to hold additional COVID-19 vaccination clinics on Thursday in Milton and Pensacola for local residents who are age 65 and older.
Both clinics are being organized in coordination with the Florida Department of Health (DOH) and officials from Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. The clinics on Thursday are in addition to clinics to be held Wednesday.
The Pensacola clinic will take place in the gym of Olive Baptist Church, 1836 E. Olive Road, Pensacola, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. In Santa Rosa County, the vaccination clinic will be located in the basketball gym of Milton Community Center, 5329 Byrom Street, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
The vaccinations must be scheduled in advance. Persons without an appointment will not be eligible to get the vaccine.
To schedule a vaccination online, click or tap here. The available times for the Pensacola clinics are listed first, followed by the available slots for the Milton site.
Ascension Sacred Heart does not have enough vaccine yet to meet the great demand for the vaccine in the community, but it will schedule more clinics as Florida’s supply of vaccine continues to grow.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis recently announced a new executive order directing that the next priority group for vaccinations in Florida should be persons age 65 and older. The seniors group follows the first priority group, which is healthcare workers and long-term care facility residents an
UPDATE: Molino Library Closed For Cleaning After Positive COVID-19 Test
January 5, 2021
UPDATE: The Molino Branch Library was closed Tuesday for cleaning due to a positive COVID-19 test.
“It was temporarily closed due to someone testing positive for COVID-19,” said Escambia County spokesperson Laura Coale. The library was expected to be reopen on Wednesday.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Semi Truck Overturns On Highway 29
January 5, 2021
There were no serious injuries reported when a semi-truck overturned Tuesday morning on Highway 29 just south of Bluff Springs Road.
The truck hauling paper products came to rest on its side in the median about 9:35 a.m.
The highway remained open both north and southbound, but drivers were urged to slow and use caution in the area.
Escambia County EMS and Escambia Fire Rescue responded. The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating the cause of the wreck.
Reader submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Sheriff Chip Simmons Sworn In; Commits To Reopening Molino Substation, Body Cameras
January 5, 2021
Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons was sworn into office Tuesday morning.
“I will reinforce a commitment to service. We will be there when you need us,” Simmons said. “We will be there, and we will be brave. We will be courteous, and we will be compassionate.”
Simmons committed to reopening substations in Molino and Perdido and discuss the need for any other precinct in Escambia County. He will also place a request to use seized and forfeited funds be used for body cameras.
“We will work every day to be the sheriff’s office that you can be proud of. One that is courteous, one that is committed, one that is strong and professional, and one that is brave. A true reflection of the county that it serves,” Simmons said.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
New Century Mayor And Council Members Sworn In; Council Elects New President And VP
January 5, 2021
A new mayor and two new town council members were sworn in Monday evening in Century.
Benjamin Boutwell was sworn in as mayor, and political newcomers Dynette Lewis and Leonard White took the oath of office for town council. Incumbent Luis Gomez was also sworn in for another term. Due to staggered terms, council members Sandra Jackson and James Smith were not up for election in 2020 and round out the five member council.
Gomez was elected as council president by his fellow council members, and Smith was elected vice president.
During the 2020 elections, Boutwell defeated incumbent Henry Hawkins. Lewis defeated incumbent council president Ann Brooks, and White was elected to the seat that was held by Boutwell until his resignation to run for mayor. Gomez was automatically reelected without opposition.
Pictured: The swearing in ceremonies Monday evening for Mayor Ben Boutwell (pictured above on the left), and council members Dynette Lewis (first below), Leonard White (second below) and Luis Gomez (bottom). All four were sworn in by Town Clerk Kim Godwin. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia To Host Bristol Park Area Flooding FEMA Grant Public Meeting
January 5, 2021
Escambia County will hold a public meeting next week to update progress on the efforts to address flooding in the Bristol Park area.
The county is applying for FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program to further the county’s acquisition and floodplain restoration initiative in this area. The county is looking to voluntarily acquire properties in the Bristol Park and Ashbury Hills neighborhoods from willing homeowners.
“Unfortunately, the Bristol Park area experienced substantial flooding againduring Hurricane Sally,” District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry said. “This meeting will provide a venue for homeowners to ask questions and gain additional information about an option that may be available to help them with their individual situation.”
The purpose of the meeting is to further gauge interest of homeowner willingness to participate and to address frequently asked questions and concerns about the grant application.
The meeting will me held at 5 p.m. on Monday, January 11 at the Escambia County Extension Office at 3740 Stefani Road in Cantonment.
After the presentation, homeowners will have the opportunity to ask further questions in small groups or individually, and the county would like to make appointments for these time slots. Residents are asked to contact either Kelli Reddick (kelli.reddick@arcadis.com) or Rob McCracken (rob_mccracken@myescambia.com) prior to the meeting to schedule an appointment, ask questions about the grant application and/or see a pre-application package.
Pictured: Household items piled outside a home in the Bristol Park area that flooded during Hurricane Sally. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
New COVID-19 Quarantine Procedures Begin In The Escambia County School District
January 5, 2021
It’s the first day back in class, and the first day of new COVID-19 quarantine procedures, for the Escambia County School District.
Students will now be able to return to school on the 11th day following an exposure, provided they have no symptoms of COVID-19. Students may return as early as the eighth day after an exposure, if they are having no symptoms and have obtained a negative PCR Molecular COVID-19 test administered on the sixth day (or later) following exposure.
However, students will need to observe the full 14 days of quarantine from extracurricular activities and athletics, according to Superintendent Dr. Tim Smith. He said there may be additional school situations which require students to observe the full 14 days of quarantine from school.
The school district said the changes are to align the school system with the Florida Department of Health an recent COVID-19 quarantine information released by the CDC.
Keep The Wreath Green: 10 Residential Fires In Escambia County During December
January 5, 2021
The 2020 “Keep the Wreath Green” campaign ended with 10 red bulbs on the fire safety wreath to represent 10 residential fires in Escambia County during December.
The first of those fires was December 3 in the North Escambia area, injuring a resident as they rescued their cat from the blaze in the 600 block of East 10 Mile Road.
The majority of homes impacted during the 2020 campaign had no fatalities or serious injuries, but most did not have working smoke alarms present, according to county fire officials. The leading causes of fires in Escambia County for this year’s campaign were from candles, unattended cooking and electrical fires. There was also an increase in garage and shed fires during 2020.
“I would like to thank the citizens for making fire safety a priority,” said Paul Williams, Escambia County interim fire chief. ”This year’s campaign ended with fewer red bulbs than the previous year likely due to residents being diligent about practicing fire safety, but we should not stop there. If we continue to work together, we can eliminate both the personal and property loss due to fire. Almost all of the homes impacted during this year’s campaign did not have working smoke alarms.”
To receive a free smoke alarm contact Escambia County Fire Rescue at (850) 595-HERO (4376) or (850) 436-5200 for city of Pensacola residents to schedule an appointment for smoke alarm installation.
The 2019 Keep the Wreath Green campaign ended with 13 residential fires in the county.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Interior photo: Escambia Fire Rescue.
