One Month Remaining To Apply For Hurricane Sally FEMA Assistance
November 2, 2020
Florida Panhandle residents who have uninsured losses resulting from Hurricane Sally have until December 1 to register with FEMA for disaster assistance. One month after residents in five counties became eligible for federal disaster assistance, more than $94 million has been approved in federal grants, loans and flood insurance payments.
As of October 29:
- FEMA has approved $19.2 million to 4,554 individuals and households.
- The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has approved $25.9 million in disaster loans for 653 homeowners, renters and businesses.
- The National Flood Insurance Program has received 4,383 claims and paid $49.7 million.
December 1 is also is the deadline 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 is July 2, 2021.
Cantonment Man Charged With Burglary After Hurricane Sally
November 2, 2020
A Cantonment man has been charged with burglarizing storage building after hurricane Sally.
Jacob Dakota Boswell, 24, was charged with felony burglary and petit theft.
Boswell allegedly took items including a welder, air powered tools, side grinders, electric wrench, drill and a torch with hoses from a detached storage shed on River Annex Road. Boswell then tried to sell some of the items to a neighbor, admitting that he took them, according to an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office report.
Boswell then returned some of the items to the owner, saying he had found them, the report continues.
When approached by deputies, Boswell said the victims’ grandson and he had a “worked out a deal” about getting a torch and hoses, the report says. Boswell says a few days after Sally, he saw the victims’ garage door open and went inside to take the items because of his arrangement with their grandson.
The victim told deputies there was not any agreement made.
Boswell remained in the Escambia County Jail Monday morning with bond set at $7,000.
Stefani Road Speed Limit Lowered North Of 10 Mile Road
November 2, 2020
The Escambia County Commission has lowered the speed limit on a portion of Stefani Road.
The commission voted to lower the 40 mph speed limit to 35 mph on Stefani Road from West 10 Mile Road to West Roberts Road. The change was made after complaints from residents and subsequent studies.
The change created a consistent speed limit on Stefani Road in a residential community. The speed limit on Stefani Road south of West Roberts Road was already 35 mph.
Pictured: The speed limit was already 35 mph on Stefani Road south of 10 Mile Road, such here just south of 9 1/2 Mile Road. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
EREC Crews, Fresh Off Local Power Restoration, Head To Mississippi To Help With Hurricane Recovery
November 2, 2020
Fresh off power restoration at home, line crews from Escambia River Electric Cooperative are working to restore power in coastal Mississippi following Hurricane Zeta.
The EREC crews are assisting Coast Electric Power Association in Gulfport.
Zeta left 65,000 of Coast EPA’s 83,000 members without power.
“Our cooperative finished power restoration to our membership on Friday following Hurricane Zeta,” said CEO Ryan Campbell. “But we have fellow cooperatives still working to rebuild their damaged power systems. Once our linemen had a chance to rest from working around the clock restoring power to our members, they volunteered to go help fellow cooperatives hit by this devastating storm.”
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Gas Prices Decline To Lowest Level Since June, AAA Says
November 2, 2020
The statewide average gas price in Florida is at its lowest level since June, according to AAA.
The state average dropped 4 cents last week to an average price of $2.05 per gallon. Gas prices are on a 29-day streak of declines, and It appears that trend will continue this week.
The state average is 41 cents less than this time last year, and 15 cents less than what the price was on the last presidential election in 2016.
The average price per gallon in Escambia County Sunday night was above the state average at $2.09. The lowest price to be found Sunday night in cantonment was $2.05 on Muscogee Road, while two Pensacola stations bottomed out at $1.83.
Crude oil prices are tumbling - dropping 10% last week and another 3% overnight. The market is concerned that global fuel demand will continue to struggle thanks to rising COVID-19 cases both domestic and abroad.
“Gas prices are declining as Floridians prepare to drive to the polls this Tuesday,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Although drivers in some metro areas are already paying sub-$2 gas prices, the latest round of crude price drops could drag the state average below $2 for the first time since early June. The state average could eventually sink to $1.90 per gallon, unless wholesale gasoline prices recover.”
UWF Awarded $6 Million Grant To Lead National Cybersecurity Workforce Development Program
November 2, 2020
The University of West Florida will lead a coalition of 10 institutions designated as National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity in establishing a program to address the critical national shortage of qualified cybersecurity professionals in the U.S. The National Security Agency selected UWF to oversee the program, which will launch in the spring and be funded by a two-year, $6 million grant.
“The National Security Agency is excited to have the University of West Florida serve as the coalition lead for a new cybersecurity education and workforce development program,” said Diane M. Janosek, Commandant, National Security Agency’s National Cryptologic School. “Their unique program transitions veterans and first-responders into cybersecurity professionals qualified to shore up critical gaps in our nation’s critical infrastructure sectors.”
The National Cybersecurity Workforce Development Program will focus on recruiting, preparing and placing transitioning military and first responders into cybersecurity work roles in critical infrastructure sectors, including financial services, defense industrial base and energy sectors. The cybersecurity workforce shortage tops 500,000 nationwide according to CyberSeek, a comprehensive cybersecurity workforce analytics website. Industry, government and nonprofit partners will collaborate with UWF and the academic coalition to align the workforce program with critical needs and prepare students for cybersecurity roles.
“Cybersecurity is an exploding field vital to our nation’s protection,” said UWF President Martha D. Saunders. “As a national leader in cybersecurity, UWF is proudly at the forefront of workforce development. We will continue developing talented cybersecurity professionals to protect us against cybercrime.”
The team will establish a nationally scalable certificate-based cybersecurity workforce development program that aligns with the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education, or NICE, Cybersecurity Workforce Framework. The program will provide flexible pathways that accommodate participants’ diverse aptitudes, education and experience. Students will develop core competencies and skills through stackable and verifiable credentials and certificates. In addition to core knowledge and skills essential for critical infrastructure sector work roles, the program will integrate cutting-edge topics, including artificial intelligence, machine learning and threat intelligence.
“UWF is honored to lead this important national initiative to prepare and expand the cybersecurity workforce for our critical infrastructure sectors,” said Dr. Eman El-Sheikh, director of the UWF Center for Cybersecurity. “We will establish a scalable national cybersecurity workforce program that focuses on employability and can be scaled to include additional work roles, sectors, employers and institutions in future years. Our strong and passionate coalition team aims to solve the cybersecurity workforce crisis once and for all.”
The program will leverage strong partnerships across the financial services, defense and energy sectors to develop a national employers network, and prepare and place participants within those organizations. Recruitment will prioritize veterans and first responders, and eligible students will receive scholarships to participate. The workforce program pathways will be offered across the nation by the 10 CAE designated institutions, via delivery formats including face-to-face, online and hybrid. The program website will provide a one-stop shop to recommend cybersecurity work roles, connect students with CAE-C institutions offering workforce pathways and with employers hiring for those roles.
UWF will lead a team of nationally designated cybersecurity institutions, including Augusta University, Dakota State University, Eastern New Mexico University-Ruidoso, Florida International University, University of Houston, Metropolitan State University, San Antonio College, Cyber Florida at the University of South Florida and the University of Texas at San Antonio.
Quick Tips: How To Be Safe If Using Space Heaters
November 2, 2020
As colder weather starts to set in, Escambia County Fire Rescue would like to encourage residents to practice space heater safety and know the potential risks associated with home heating equipment. Home fires occur more in the winter months than any other time of year. According to the National Fire Protection Association, heating equipment is one of the leading causes of home fire deaths and space heaters account for 4 out of 5 home heating fire deaths.
“Most heating fires can be prevented from happening by following simple tips,” said Ray Melton, Escambia County Fire Rescue fire and life safety specialist. “Additionally, the fire department is going on too many fire calls where smoke alarms are not working or are not present. I’m urging residents to contact us at 850-595-HERO (4376) to schedule an appointment for smoke alarm installation. This simple act can save lives.”
Follow these tips to stay safe while heating your home:
- Have heating equipment and chimneys cleaned and inspected annually by a qualified professional.
- Keep anything that can burn at least 3 ft. away from heating equipment, like the furnace, fireplace, wood stove or portable space heater.
- Portable space heaters should be turned OFF every time you leave the room and before going to bed.
- Never plug a space heater in a power strip.
- Install carbon monoxide detectors to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.
- Never use an oven to heat your home.
For portable electric heaters:
- Place them on a solid, flat surface, away from high traffic areas and doorways.
- Use and purchase heaters with an automatic shut off so if they are tipped over they will shut off.
- Plug power cords directly into outlets and never into an extension cord.
- Inspect for cracked or damaged, broken plugs or loose connections; replace before using.
Heating Fire Facts:
- Most home heating fire deaths (86%) involved stationary or portable space heaters.
- The leading factor contributing to home heating fires (27%) was failure to clean, principally from solid-fueled heating equipment, primarily chimneys.
- The leading factor contributing to ignition for home heating fire deaths (54%) was heating equipment too close to things that can burn, such as upholstered furniture, clothing, mattress, or bedding.
- Nearly half (48%) of all home heating fires occurred in December, January and February.
For information about obtaining a home smoke detector, call (850) 595-HERO (4376). City of Pensacola residents may call (850) 436-5200 for smoke detector installation assistance.
ECSO Investigating Early Sunday Morning Shooting On West Roberts Road
November 1, 2020
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is investigating an early Sunday morning shooting on West Roberts Road at Tuttle Road.
Deputies responded to a shots fired call and discovered one male victim suffering from a gunshot wound, according to ECSO spokesperson Amber Southard. They also found multiple bullet holes in the vehicle sitting on West Roberts Road and shell casings in the area.
When deputies arrived, the victim was attempting to get into a friend’s car to leave, according to the ECSO. That vehicle was stopped by deputies.
The male victim in his 20s had a large sum of money in his possession and is refusing to cooperate with law enforcement, the ECSO said.
The victim was transported to a local hospital after the 2:10 a.m incident. His current condition is not known.
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP or the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620.
Over Half Of Escambia County Voters Have Already Voted; Early Voting Ends With Nearly 70K Ballots Cast
November 1, 2020
Over half of the registered voters in Escambia County have already cast ballots in the general election.
Early voting came to a close Saturday with 69,834 votes cast, and 57,881 vote by mail ballots cast. That a total of 127,775 ballots cast for a voter turnout of slightly over 55% by Saturday.
The busiest early voting location was the Genealogy Branch Library on 9th Avenue with over 13,000 voters, and the slowest was the newest location, the Billy G. Ward Courthouse in Century with 800 voters.
There were 10 early voting locations in Escambia County. The total number of ballots cast at each is listed below.
Billy G. Ward Courthouse – 800
Molino Community Center – 4,996
Escambia County Extension – 11,961
Mobile Hwy/Pine Forest Rd Early Voting Center – 9,645
UWF Center for Fine and Performing Arts – 5,127
Genealogy Branch Library – 13,165
Main Library -7,120
Supervisor of Elections Office – 3,957
Brownsville Community Center – 3,463
Southwest Branch Library – 9,660
Of the early votes cast in Escambia County, 47.63% of voters were Republicans, 35.45 were Democrats and 15.41% had no party affiliations.
Vote by mail ballots must be received in the elections office no later than 7 p.m. on Tuesday and may not be returned to a polling location on election day.
Polls will be open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. on Tuesday.
Pictured: Escambia County newest early voting location, the Billy G. Ward Courthouse in Century. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Century Residents Facing Garbage Rate Increase
November 1, 2020
Century residents are facing a garbage rate increase.
The town contracts with Republic Services to collect garbage within the town limits. Republic has a provision in their contract that allows them to increase the rates they charged the town each December to match the Consumer Price Index.
That will amount to 3.4%, or about 80 cents, per customer, according to Interim Town Manager Vernon Prather. The town traditionally passes the rate increase directly along to residents.
Century renewed a five year contract with Republic Services in July.
Residential sanitation customers in Century currently pay a monthly fee of $23.63. That’s broken down to $17.42 per residential container and $6.21 for biweekly yard waste pickup. Century does not offer recycling services. Republic charges the town $14.44 a month for each residential container, so the town retains $2.98 each. With 533 containers as of July, Century makes $1,588.34 per month that pays the town for providing customer service and billing.
The Century Town Council will consider the rate increase at their November 16 regular meeting.