Christmas Parades: Pensacola And Molino Canceled, But Jay And Atmore Still On
November 24, 2020
Christmas parades in Pensacola and Molino have been canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but the parades will go on in Atmore and Jay.
Molino Christmas Parade
The Molino Christmas parade has been canceled The parade annually benefits needy families in the community, and donations are still being accepted. To make a donation, message the Molino Ballpark on Facebook. Last year, they were able to help 10 families.
Pensacola Christmas Parade
The Pensacola Christmas Parade has been canceled for 2020. “Considering 50,000 attendees and 5000 participants, it would be impossible to social distance,” according to organizers.
Jay Christmas Parade
It’s “Joy in Jay” for Christmas on Saturday, December 5. The annual Jay Christmas parade will roll at 11 a.m. It will be followed by a festival on Commerce Street with Santa’s workshop, food and craft vendors, Christmas theater and more. For information, to volunteer or a vendor application, call the Jay Town Hall at (850) 675-4556.
Atmore Twilight Christmas Parade
The Atmore Twilight Christmas Parade “Songs of Christmas” will take place on Saturday, December 12 beginning at 5:30 p.m. The parade will travel from Atmore City Hall south on Main Street to Lindberg Avenue, ending at Escambia County High School.
Pictured: The 2019 Molino Christmas Parade Saturday and visits with Santa. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Florida Dept. Of Health Offers Tips For Safe Pandemic Thanksgiving
November 24, 2020
Thanksgiving will look a bit different this year.
The Florida Department of Health is offering advice on how to have a safe Thanksgiving during the COVID-19 pandemic and tips on tweaking old traditions to keep your family and friends safe.
FDOH is suggesting that groups hold outdoor events rather than inside. All individuals should wash their hands or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer frequently. If someone feels ill during the holiday season, get tested for COVID-19 and avoid going out in public or being around at-risk individuals. Older persons or persons at increased risk should should avoid in-person gatherings with people who do not live in their household.
Guests who have traveled from out of town should distance themselves from people who are 65 or older and people of any age who have underlying health issues such as lung or heart disease. And hosts entertaining at home should make sure frequently touched surfaces are cleaned and disinfected before and after gatherings.
From cooking, to how much you eat, to travel, the Florida Department of Health has a cornucopia of other advance for a safe Thanksgiving:
Food Safety
- Handwashing with soap and water for 20 seconds (or hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol) before and after preparing, serving and eating food is key to food safety.
- Frozen turkeys can defrost at a safe temperature using one of these methods: in a leak-proof container in the refrigerator; in a leak-proof plastic bag in a sink of cold water (water should be changed every 30 minutes), or in the microwave, following the microwave manufacturer’s instructions. Never defrost meat at room temperature.
- Cross contamination of foods causes illness—separate utensils, cutting boards and plates used for raw meats from other foods.
- Food thermometers are the best way to confirm that a food is cooked to a safe temperature.
- Hot foods should be kept hot and cold foods cold.
- Leftovers should be refrigerated within two hours of eating.
Holiday Travel
- People who are sick should not travel—even if symptoms are mild, infection can spread to others.
- Everyone traveling by car should wear seat belts and adults should check that infant and child car seats are properly installed.
- If you are traveling from Florida to another state on a commercial flight, wear a mask and social distance as much as possible. If you feel ill upon return, get tested for COVID-19 as soon as possible.
Healthy Habits for the Holidays
- Smaller servings of favorite foods that are high in fat, salt and sugar can be balanced with healthier options like lean meats, whole grains, vegetables and fruits.
- Physical activity helps keep weight in check during the holidays: adults should be active for at least 2½ hours a week, and at least 1 hour a day is ideal for children and teens.
Fire Prevention
- Fireplaces, space heaters, candles and food cooking on stoves or ovens should not be left unattended.
- A clearance of 3 feet kept around heat sources—fireplaces, air vents, space heaters—is safer.
- The manufacturers’ instructions for connecting Christmas light strands should be followed.
- Christmas trees should be watered daily—dry pine needles are fire hazards.
Injury Prevention
- Carbon monoxide poisoning is 100% preventable—generators, grills or other gasoline or charcoal-burning devices should not be used inside the home or garage.
- Step stools or ladders that are locked and placed on a level surface should be used when hanging decorations.
- Fireworks are safety hazards that can burn people and houses, and terrify pets—the safer choice is to exclude fireworks from celebrations.
- Bicycle or skateboarding helmets help prevent the most serious types of head and brain injuries.
Thanksgiving Closures, Sanitation Schedule Changes
November 24, 2020
Here are Thanksgiving closures and sanitation schedule changes:
Escambia County
Below is a listing of Escambia County offices and departments closed Thursday, Nov. 26 and Friday, Nov. 27 in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday.
- Escambia County Board of County Commissioners - all departments including:
- West Florida Public Libraries (all locations)
- Escambia County Property Appraiser
- Escambia County Tax Collector
- Escambia County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller
- Escambia County Supervisor of Elections Office
- ECAT administrative offices. No bus or trolley services will be provided.
- Perdido Landfill
- Escambia County Animal Shelter (The shelter will return to normal operations Saturday, Nov. 28. The shelter still requires appointments for adoptions, redemptions, admissions and other services. Email animalshelter@myescambia.com to make an appointment for Saturday).
Escambia County Exceptions:
- Regular ECAT bus service resumes Friday, Nov. 27, but the administrative office will remain closed. UWF trolleys will not operate Thursday, Nov. 26 or Friday, Nov. 27.
- The Perdido Landfill will reopen Friday, Nov. 27.
ECUA Escambia County
- All residential sanitation, recycling, and yard trash collections for ECUA customers that would normally be made on Thursday, Nov. 26, or Friday, Nov. 27 will be made one day later, on Friday, Nov. 27 or Saturday, Nov. 28, respectively.
- All commercial sanitation collections for ECUA customers that would normally be made on Thursday, Nov. 26, will be made one day earlier, on Wednesday, Nov. 25. There are no changes to the schedule for commercial services scheduled on Friday, Nov. 27, or Saturday, November 28.
ECUA Santa Rosa County & Town of Jay
- There will be no garbage or yard trash collection on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 26. Garbage and yard trash will be collected on the next normally scheduled collection day for that route (Monday). Recycling collection scheduled for Thursday, November 26, will be collected on Saturday November 28.
- There are no changes to Tuesday and Friday collections, which are unaffected by the holiday.
City of Pensacola
The following City of Pensacola offices and facilities will be closed Thursday, Nov. 26 and Friday, Nov. 27 in observance of the Thanksgiving Day holiday.
- City of Pensacola administrative offices
- City Hall
- City of Pensacola community resource centers
City of Pensacola Exceptions:
- Osceola Golf Course will be closed on Thursday, Nov. 26 and reopen on Friday, Nov. 27.
- Roger Scott Tennis Center will remain open.
Pensacola Sanitation Service Changes:
Crash Near Atmore Claims Life Of Local Man
November 23, 2020
An Atmore man has been charge with vehicular homicide for a crash that claimed a life on November 20 just outside Atmore.
Mathiew Norman Wilson, 58, attempted to turn his 1997 Dodge Ram pickup from Highway 31 onto 21st Avenue when he collided with a Ford Excursion driven by 18-year old Phenix Nicole Crews, according to Alabama state troopers. Wilson’s passenger, 31-year old Jacob Oran Bailey, later died from his injuries.
Wilson was booked into the Escambia County (AL) Detention Center in Brewton ib
File photo.
One Injured In Two Vehicle Rollover Crash In Cantonment
November 23, 2020
One person was injured in a two vehicle rollover crash Monday afternoon in Cantonment.
The crash happened just after 1 p.m. at South Highway 97 and West Kingsfield Road. One person was transported to an area hospital by Escambia County EMS with injuries that were not considered life threatening.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Just Over A Week Remains To Apply For Hurricane Sally FEMA Assistance Or Business Loans
November 23, 2020
Just over a week remains to apply for federal Hurricane Sally assistance. The application deadline for Escambia County residents with uninjured losses is Tuesday, December 1.
Survivors can register with FEMA:
- By visiting DisasterAssistance.gov
- Downloading the FEMA App for smartphones
- Calling 800-621-3362 (800-462-7585 TTY). Multilingual operators are available.
December 1 also is the deadline for homeowners and renters, businesses of all sizes, and nonprofit organizations to apply to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) for low-interest disaster loans for physical property damage. The deadline for working capital applications for small businesses and eligible nonprofit organizations is July 2, 2021.
For additional information about SBA disaster loans, the loan application process, or for help completing the SBA application, visit SBA’s secure website at https://DisasterLoanAssistance.sba.gov/. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 or email FOCE-Help@sba.gov to make an appointment for assistance over the phone. Individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing may call 800-877-8339.
For in-person assistance with an SBA disaster loan, visit the Business Recovery Centers, open 7 days a week, 8 a.m.-8 p.m., at East Pensacola Heights Clubhouse, 3208 E. Gonzalez Street, Pensacola.
Northview NJROTC Places In Escarosa Area 8 Drill Meet
November 23, 2020
The Northview High School NJROTC took part in the Escarosa Area 8 Drill Meet in Milton over the weekend.
Northview received third place trophies in unarmed basic drill, unarmed exhibition drill, color guard and the 16×100 relay.
“This was the first meet for nearly half of our cadets,” Chief Jeffrey Simpkins said. ”Not a bad day for our first time out this year, especially in a field loaded with four former Navy National champions.”
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
COVID-19 Testing Offered Five Days A Week In Cantonment
November 23, 2020
Community Health Northwest Florida is now offering COVID-19 testing five days a week in Cantonment.
The testing is Monday through Friday behind Community Health Northwest Florida’s Cantonment Pediatrics. It is drive-through with no prescreening required for all ages. Bring a photo identification and insurance card (if insured).
Rapid testing is now offered for symptomatic individuals by appointment only. These patients must call the Ascension Sacred Heart call center at (850) 746-2684 to be prescreened and scheduled.
For more information on Community Health testing, call (850) 436-4630.
Gulf Power Foundation Contributes Nearly $100,000 To Community Organizations
November 23, 2020
The Gulf Power Foundation recently awarded nearly $100,000 to local charitable or nonprofit organizations to support our communities throughout Northwest Florida.
“Gulf Power is proud to support the communities in which we live and work, and our quarterly grants through the Gulf Power Foundation help build strong and sustainable communities here in our region,” said Sandy Sims, executive director for the Gulf Power Foundation. “Our mission at the Foundation is to improve the lives of Northwest Florida residents, and during difficult and uncertain times like we currently face, we are honored to be able to give back to others through these grants.”
Recent quarterly grant recipients for the region are:
- Bay Youth Summer Work Foundation – $3,000
- Every Child A Reader in Escambia – $3,800
- Florida Insititute for Human and Machine Cognition – $8,500
- Food4Kids – $10,000
- Fuller Center Disaster Rebuilders – $12,000
- Navarre Beach Sea Turtle Conservation Center – $5,315
- Studer Community Institute – $5,000
In addition, the Gulf Power Foundation awarded two other grants in partnership with its parent company’s charitable foundation, the NextEra Energy Foundation:
- Boys & Girls Club of the Emerald Coast – $37,500
- Boys & Girls Club of Bay County – $12,500
The Gulf Power Foundation has operated for 30 years as an independent 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, partnering and investing in communities throughout Northwest Florida. The Foundation is one of the region’s largest corporate foundations, funded entirely through resources independent of Gulf Power’s customers.
Florida Thanksgiving Gas Prices Set To Be Lowest In 12 Years
November 23, 2020
The average fuel price in Florida was up four cents last week, setting up the lowest Thanksgiving price in more than a decade.
Drivers across the state are paying an average price of $2.03 per gallon. Sunday’s state average is 7 cents less than a month ago, and 34 cents less than this time last year.
A gallon of regular unleaded averaged $2.09 Sunday night in Escambia County, down just a penny from one week ago. A low of $1.97 could be found on Highway 29 in Cantonment, while the discount warehouse clubs in Pensacola bottomed out at $1.83 Sunday night.
“Drivers are likely to find the lowest Thanksgiving gas prices in 12 years,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Gas prices are inching higher, due to vaccine news, but reports of rising cases of coronavirus should prevent any significant gains at the pump.”