Escambia Pedestrian Killed While Trying To Cross I-10 Near Pine Forest Road
December 31, 2020
An Escambia County man trying to walk across I-10 was killed Wednesday night.
The Florida Highway Patrol said the 59-year old man was attempting to cross the portion of I-10 just west of Pine Forest Road near the end of the entrance ramp.
The driver of a silver sedan was attempting to merge onto I-10 when he struck the pedestrian. After rendering aid, the driver contacted EMS and police, FHP said.
No names were released.
File photo.
Escambia Health Department Offering COVID-19 Vaccine Appointments To Residents 65+
December 30, 2020
The health department in Escambia County now has an online form for people age 65 and older to request an appointment to received the COVID-19 vaccine.
The Florida Department of Health in Escambia County is one of several Florida counties taking part in COVID-19 vaccination efforts that will prioritize Moderna immunizations for medical providers at high-risk for COVID-19 exposure and persons 65 years of age or older.
FDOH-Escambia received 2,500 doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. A total of 840 doses have either been provided to community partners for administration or administered at FDOH-Escambia Clinic.
FDOH-Escambia continues to coordinate vaccine administration with local health care providers and independent living facilities. Clinic appointments are also available for health care workers and Escambia County residents 65 years of age and older.
The health department is requesting individuals 65 years of age and older who are interested in getting vaccinated request an appointment. For the appointment request form, click or tap here. Residents are asked not to call or walk into the health department for the COVID-19 vaccine.
The form only asks for a name and phone number. The health department has not said when they will contact interested individuals 65 and older, or how an appointment can be requested without internet access.
“The arrival of the first doses of COVID-19 vaccines in Escambia County gives us an extraordinary opportunity to protect older adults and health care workers who are at an especially high-risk for COVID-19 exposure,” said Marie Mott, health officer and administrator for FDOH-Escambia.
As vaccination events and details are finalized, FDOH-Escambia will release more information on the vaccination plan. COVID-19 vaccines from other manufacturers will be available for use at later dates as supplies reach the state.
$600 Stimulus Payments Are Now Being Delivered
December 30, 2020
YouR $600 economic stimulus check may already be in your bank account.
The IRS and Treasury Department began delivering the second round of stimulus payments directly to bank accounts Tuesday night, and the direct deposits will continue into next week. The first paper checks will hit the mail on Wednesday.
The IRS emphasizes that there is no action required by eligible individuals to receive this second payment. Some Americans may see the direct deposit payments as pending or as provisional payments in their accounts before the official payment date of January 4, 2021. The IRS reminds taxpayers that the payments are automatic, and they should not contact their financial institutions or the IRS with payment timing questions.
As with the first round of payments under the CARES Act, most recipients will receive these payments by direct deposit. For Social Security and other beneficiaries who received the first round of payments via Direct Express, they will receive this second payment the same way.
Anyone who received the first round of payments earlier this year but doesn’t receive a payment via direct deposit will generally receive a check or, in some instances, a debit card. For those in this category, the payments will conclude in January. If additional legislation is enacted to provide for an additional amount, the Economic Impact Payments that have been issued will be topped up as quickly as possible.
Eligible individuals who did not receive an Economic Impact Payment this year – either the first or the second payment – will be able to claim it when they file their 2020 taxes in 2021. The IRS urges taxpayers who didn’t receive a payment this year to review the eligibility criteria when they file their 2020 taxes; many people, including recent college graduates, may be eligible to claim it. People will see the Economic Impact Payments (EIP) referred to as the Recovery Rebate Credit (RRC) on Form 1040 or Form 1040-SR since the EIPs are an advance payment of the RRC.
Authorized by the newly enacted COVID-relief legislation, the second round of payments is generally $600 for singles and $1,200 for married couples filing a joint return. In addition, those with qualifying children will also receive $600 for each qualifying child. Dependents who are 17 and older are not eligible for the child payment.
U.S. citizens and resident aliens who are not eligible to be claimed as a dependent on someone else’s income tax return are eligible for this second payment. Eligible individuals will automatically receive an Economic Impact Payment of up to $600 for individuals or $1,200 for married couples and up to $600 for each qualifying child. Generally, if you have adjusted gross income for 2019 up to $75,000 for individuals and up to $150,000 for married couples filing joint returns and surviving spouses, you will receive the full amount of the second payment. For filers with income above those amounts, the payment amount is reduced.
State Rep. Salzman Commits To Become More In Tune With Century’s Needs
December 30, 2020
At a recent Century Town Council meeting, newly elected Florida Rep. Michelle Salzman (pictured standing) committed to become more in tune with Century’s needs. She said she will attend as many council meetings as possible, or send her assistant, to understand what is happening in the town. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Volunteer Wanted West Florida Public Library Board of Governance
December 30, 2020
The Escambia County Board of County Commissioners is seeking county residents interested in volunteering to be considered for an appointment to the West Florida Public Library Board of Governance.
The duties of the board include establishing policy and overseeing the management of Escambia County library services and making recommendations to the BCC regarding the annual budget according to the purposes and authority set forth in resolutions, interlocal agreements and other agreements, as well as state and federal laws. These duties also include establishing an annual plan of service and the long-range strategic planning of library services.
West Florida Public Libraries provides service to all of Escambia County, with the board typically meeting on the fourth Monday of the month from 4-6:30 p.m.
Residents interested in serving on the board are asked to submit a resume and letter indicating their desire to serve by close of business on Friday, January 29. Resumes should be submitted to Todd J. Humble, Director, West Florida Public Libraries, 239 N. Spring St., Pensacola, FL, 32502 or by email to tjhumble@mywfpl.com.
Resumes submitted to a BCC agenda for consideration will become part of the official minutes and are subject to public records requests.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
10th Fire Means Another Red Bulb On Escambia Fire Safety Wreath
December 30, 2020
Escambia County Fire Rescue has placed an additional red bulb on the “Keep the Wreath Green” fire safety campaign wreath to represent a fire on Madison Drive. That marks a total of 10 residential fires in December 2020.
ECFR arrived to find working kitchen fire about 11 p.m. Monday. There were no injuries, but one resident was displaced due to the damage.
The resident reported that the oven was left on and a pan of grease on the oven vent caught fire.
Smoke alarms were present, but did not work. If your home does not have a working smoke detector, call Escambia County Fire Rescue at (850) 595-HERO (4376) or (850) 436-5200 for city of Pensacola residents.
File photo.
Inmate Airlifted To The Hospital After Being Stabbed At Century Prison
December 29, 2020
An inmate was stabbed Tuesday morning at Century Correctional Institution.
It happened at the Tedder Road prison about 6:30 a.m.
The inmate was flown by medical helicopter to an area hospital.
The Florida Department of Corrections has not confirmed the identity of the victim or the extent of his injuries.
Two Century Correctional inmates were stabbed earlier this month. Both were transported by ambulance to area hospital after the inmate-on-inmate incident on December 5.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Two Motorcyclists Killed In Escambia County Crash
December 29, 2020
Two motorcyclists were killed Monday night in Escambia County.
The Florida Highway Patrol said a 29-year old local woman was traveling west on Highway 98 in a SUV and turned left onto Fairfield Drive.
Two approaching motorcycles crashed into the SUV. The motorcycle riders — an 18-year old male from Cantonment and a 30-year old male from Pensacola — were both pronounced deceased at the scene. The SUV driver was transported to the hospital with serious injuries.
Multiple witnesses told the FHP that the motorcycles were traveling at a high rate of speed above the posted speed limit.
Any charges are pending the outcome of a FHP traffic homicide investigation. The FHP no longer releases the names of crash victims.
Deadline Is Thursday For Discount On Real Estate, Tangible Property Taxes
December 29, 2020
The three percent discount for payment of real estate and tangible personal property taxes ends at midnight Thursday, according to Escambia County Tax Collector Scott Lunsford.
To receive the three percent discount, payments must be:
- made online by midnight December 31, at EscambiaTaxCollector.com;
- mailed with a December postmark;
- left by midnight, December 31, in a 24-hour drop box available at all locations.
Taxpayers are encouraged to visit the virtual office at EscambiaTaxCollector.com to pay online, check the status of your taxes or print a receipt 24 hours a day, as well as other tax collector services.
Customers who decide to visit one of our four convenient offices can join the line online at EscambiaTaxCollector.com and manage their time their way. Citizens select an office location and type of service, receive a message with approximate service time and then continue their regular activities until the service time approaches.
Pensacola’s Mardi Gras Celebration Postponed Until May
December 29, 2020
Pensacola’s 2021 Mardi Gras celebration as been postponed until May.
The 2021 Season Kick-Off Celebration and Blessing of the Krewe Fleets event previously scheduled on January 8 will no take place in May and will kick-off an even larger Pensacola “Carnivale Celebration”.
“We want to have the best Mardi Gras experience for our wonderful Krewes of Pensacola, in the safest way possible for the entire community,” said Danny Zimmern, president of Pensacola Mardi Gras, Inc. “This year, that is just going to look a little different from the experience we all know and love, as we celebrate together in Carnivale”
The decision to postpone derived from many long and detailed conversations between Pensacola Mardi Gras, Pensacola Mayor Grover Robinson and city staff with focus centered on public health. Due to the current rising number of virus cases, the team members of Pensacola Mardi Gras and the city staff agreed that postponing the event was the most responsible course of action.
“The spike in hospitalizations makes a postponement of celebrations logical” said Robinson. “At city hall, we recognize how important the community of our great Krewes is, and we want to celebrate all together. We look forward to gathering after this pause, outside and being socially responsible at Roger Scott, and in the historic streets of downtown.”
The one-time, unique 2021 Carnivale Celebration will begin in May and is set to include a Kick-Off celebration to ignite the experience, as well as a Grand Parade, and a few other unique and exciting experiences inspired by the local krewes, and will lead into Pensacola’s celebration of its history, Fiesta. The Grand Fiesta Parade will be on Friday June 4, 2021.