By The Numbers: $25.8 Million In Hurricane Sally Federal Recovery Money So Far For Escambia Residents
October 17, 2020
Since the federal disaster declaration for Hurricane Sally, Escambia County residents have received approximately $25.8 million in total federal funds.
Individual Assistance:
-
2,410 homeowners and renters have been approved for more than $10 million in federal grants through FEMA’s Individuals and Households Program. This includes:
- More than $8.1 million in Housing Assistance grants for housing repair costs, home replacement and rental payments.
- More than $1.9 million in Other Needs Assistance grants to replace essential household items and for other critical disaster-related costs.
- 1,691 homeowners and renters were approved for rental assistance.
- 3,463 survivors have not provided FEMA with the necessary information from their insurance settlements to complete their disaster assistance registration.
National Flood Insurance Program:
- 2,308 flood insurance claims have been filed. An estimated $14.3 million has been paid in claims.
U.S. Small Business Administration:
- Nearly $1.5 million has been approved in low-interest disaster loans for 38 homeowners and renters.
Public Assistance:
- Escambia County was approved for assistance to local governments and private nonprofits for debris removal, emergency protective measures and the repair or replacement of disaster-damaged public facilities on Sept. 23.
- 10 requests for Public Assistance have been received, five have been approved.
Mobile Registration Intake Centers:
A Mobile Registration Intake Center (MRIC) is staffed with FEMA personnel who can assist Hurricane Sally survivors with registration and answer questions about disaster-assistance programs. Centers in Escambia County are open daily 9 a.m.-6 p.m. at the following locations:
- Escambia County Extension Service, 3740 Stefani Road, Cantonment
- Southwest Branch Library, 12248 Gulf Beach Highway, Pensacola
- Brownsville Community Center, 3200 West DeSoto Street, Pensacola
Northview Beats South Walton 70-49 (With Photo Gallery)
October 17, 2020
The Northview Chiefs beat the South Walton Seahawks 70-49 Friday night in Bratt.
The Chiefs were off to a 14-7 lead in the first, including a Jayden Jackson touchdown. All total, Jackson had eight TDs on the night.
A South Walton pass was picked off by Luke Bridges and ran back to the 1-yard line, setting up a touchdown by Bridges and a 21-7 Northview advantage. It was the first interception of the night; he picked off a Seahawks toss in the endzone late in the game (pictured below).
With a 48-yard run from Jackson, the Boys from Bratt were up 27-10. With a Jamarkus Jefferson TD, the Chiefs were in the lead 35-20. Tied at 35-all in the third quarter, Jackson put the Chiefs back on top 41-35.
The Seahawks answered to take a 42-41 lead, but Jackson took it to the house again to put Northview up as they cruised to a 70-49 win.
Friday night, the Northview Chiefs (3-1) will venture across the Escambia River to take on the Jay Royals. TheRoyals (1-3) are coming off a tough 34-33 loss on the road Friday night at Freeport.
The Chiefs and the Royal will face off in two of the next three week. In addition to this Friday night at Jay, they will meet again on November 6 at Northview.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Man At Retirement Home Turned Down Her Advances. The Woman, 70, Shot Him Six Times, ECSO Says.
October 17, 2020
A 70-year old Escambia County woman is charged with attempted homicide after she allegedly shot her neighbor at a retirement home after he refused her sexual advances.
Yagaunda Grace Buschbaum, 70, shot her neighbor six times at Myrtle Grove Villas on Lillian Highway.
Buschbaum said the man attempted to sexually batter her, but the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office found there was no evidence supporting her claim.
“Buschbaum had developed romantic feelings for him and he believes wanted a relationship with him, but he had zero interest,” according to an ECSO arrest report. She allegedly tried to kiss him, but he was forced to physically stop her.
The man was away for a short period of time following Hurricane Sally, but when he returned so did the advances. Buschbaum asked him to stop over briefly — and he obliged.
The man says when he followed her to the backdoor and then turned away from her, Buschbaum shot him six times as he pleaded for her to stop, according to the report. The man said he didn’t know why she shot him, but he believes she’s mentally ill.
Escambia Gators Top Tate 55-14 (With Photo Gallery)
October 17, 2020
The Escambia Gators picked up their 16th straight regular season win Friday 55-14 over the Tate Aggies.
The Gators, ranked sixth in the state, jumped out to an early 13-0.
A touchdown from Tate’s Lyle Jackson closed the gap to 13-7. Up 20-7 at the half, the Gators went on to the win.
The Gators are 4-0 on the season, while the Aggies are 1-3.
The Tate Aggies will be at West Florida High School next Friday night, and the Escambia Gators will host the Pine Forest Eagles.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEsambia.com photos by Jennifer Repine, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Unemployment Rate Dips Slightly
October 17, 2020
The unemployment rate in Escambia County declined slightly in September, according to data released Friday by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity
The unemployment rate in Escambia County was 5.3% in September, down from 5.9% in August. That represents 7,647 people out of work out of a county workforce of 143,418. One year ago, Escambia County’s unemployment rate was just 2.9%, or 4,342 people.
DEO announced the Pensacola area private-sector employment decreased by 5,600 jobs (-3.6 percent) over the year. The industry losing the most jobs over the year was leisure and hospitality (-2,900 jobs). Two major industries gained jobs over the year in September 2020: construction (+200 jobs); and education and health services (+100 jobs).
September labor statistics reflect the continued effects of COVID-19 and the efforts to reopen businesses and services, according to DEO.
Florida’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 7.6 percent in September 2020, up 0.3 percentage point from the revised August 2020 rate, and up 4.7 percentage points from a year ago. There were 770,000 jobless Floridians out of a labor force of 10,143,000.
The U.S. unemployment rate was 7.9 percent in September.
Friday Night Finals
October 17, 2020
Here are Friday night football finals from around the North Escambia area:
FLORIDA
- Escambia 55, Tate 14 [Story, photos...]
- Northview 70, South Walton 49 [Story, photos...]
- Freeport 34, Jay 33
- Washington 23, Pine Forest 7
- West Florida 28, Choctaw 21
- Pensacola Catholic 14, Pensacola 0
- Milton 31, Crestview 27
- Mosley 44, Gulf Breeze 7
ALABAMA
- W.S. Neal 20, Escambia County (Atmore) 9
- Flomaton at Hillcrest CANCELED DUE TO COVID-19 CONCERNS
- Escambia Academy (OFF)
- T.R. Miller (OFF)
NorthEscambia.com photo.
Flomaton Hurricanes Cancel Next Two Football Games Due To COVID-19 Concerns
October 16, 2020
The Flomaton High School Hurricanes have canceled their next two football games “due to COVID-219 concerns”, the school said in a statement Friday morning.
Flomaton was set to travel to Hillcrest Evergreen Friday night and to play T.R. Miller next week.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Free High Speed WiFi Coming To 27 Escambia County Parks And Community Centers
October 16, 2020
Free high speed internet is coming to 27 parks and community centers in Escambia County.
The broadband service was approved Thursday by the Escambia County Commission. The one-time installation cost of $720,320 for equipment will be funded with CARES Act funding, the $2.2 trillion federal economic stimulus bill that was approved for COVID-19 pandemic recovery.
The ongoing annual cost for the broadband connectivity and keeping the network up and running will be $441,350. Commissioners will be able to use CARES ACT funding for the first year.
Commissioners said the service will offer a valuable benefit to those using the parks. District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry said it will offer an option to those without adequate internet service in portions of his district for both work and school.
The high speed WiFi networks will be installed in the following parks and community centers:
DISTRICT 5
Ashton Brosnaham Park — 10370 Ashton Brosnaham Drive
Cantonment Youth Athletic Park — 681 Well Line Road
Don Sutton Athletic Park — 2340 Crabtree Church
Extension Services Office-Park — 3740 Stefani Road
4-H Center — 5681 Chalker Road
Harvey C Bradberry Athletic Park — 4760 Highway 99A
Lake Stone Campground & Boat Ramp — 801 Highway 4
Santa Maria Plaza-Madrid — 199 Madrid Road
Travis Nelson Park-Bratt — 4503 West Highway 4
DISTRICT 1
Bellview Athletic Park — 2750 Longleaf Drive
Escambia County Equestrian Center — 7750 Mobile Highway
Southwest Escambia Sports Complex — 2020 Bauer Road
Beulah Regional Park — 7820 Mobile Highway
DISTRICT 2
Baars Field Athletic Park — 13001 Sorrento Road
Myrtle Grove Athletic Park — 99 61st Avenue
Innerarity Point Park — Cruzat Way
Perdido Kids Park — 10004 Gulf Beach Highway
DISTRICT 3
Brent Athletic Park-Baseball — 4711 North W Street
Brent Athletic Park-Football — 4711 North W Street
John R Jones Jr Athletic Park — 555 Nine Mile Road
Raymond Riddle Park — 1704 North W Street
Aviation Field — 2900 North Miller Street
Bristol Park — 5311 Bristol Avenue (off West Michigan)
Diego Circle-Westernmark Park — 751 Massachusetts Avenue
Lincoln Park — 7865 Aaron Drive
DISTRICT 4
SRIA – Pensacola Beach-Casino Beach Area — Pensacola Beach
Regency Park — 8245 Fathom Road
There’s no exact timetable for the installation of the WiFi service at the parks, but the equipment must be ordered by December 31 to qualify for CARES Act reimbursement.
All of the WiFi setups but one will use high speed connections to Cox Communications or Uniti Fiber. The Lake Stone connection will rely on Verizon because there is no cable or fiber internet available along that part of West Highway 4 just outside Century.
WiFi is currently already available at 17 community centers in Escambia County, including Barrineau Park, Byrneville, Carver Park, Davisville, Molino, Oak Grove, Quintette and Walnut Hill in District 5.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Pedestrian Left Behind Seriously Injured In Molino Ditch; FHP Seeks Hit And Run Driver
October 16, 2020
A pedestrian is recovering after being hit by a vehicle and left in a ditch Thursday in Molino.
A 40-year old Cantonment man was found with a head injury in a ditch alongside Highway 95A just south of South Chipper Road about 1:45 p.m. The Florida Highway Patrol said he was walking northbound near the east should of the roadway when he was apparently struck from behind by a vehicle.
The vehicle fled, leaving the man in the ditch until he was found by a passerby.
The FHP said the vehicle may be an unknown color 2003-2006 GM truck or full size SUV that is now missing the right mirror.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Trooper J. Marcum at (850) 484-5000, *FHP, or Gulf Coast Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
File photo.
Murder Mystery: Cold Case Homicide Victim Identified, Search For Suspect Continues
October 16, 2020
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office has identified a man that was murdered 35-years ago.
On January 23, 1985, the body of an adult male was found in the area of west Klondike Road and Wild Lake Boulevard. He had been murdered.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office released details about the victim’s location and other identifying factors to the public. Years passed, but there were no tips in the case.
In 2018, a person searching for a missing family member stumbled on the cold case information on the ECSO website and contacted investigators.
The thing that stuck out to the person the most was the victims belt buckle with the hand-engraved initials “W.T.”. The person felt this could have been their missing uncle, whose last known location was in Escambia County near the same time the unidentified body was discovered.
The last time Thompson made contact with his family was on September 23, 1983, when he called his mother from an unknown location on Pensacola Beach. A missing person’s report was never filed with the ECSO.
The case is being actively worked as a homicide.
“This is another example of the never-ending quest for justice,” Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Chip Simmons said. “While we haven’t yet solved the homicide. It is a step forward and can give the family some closure until the case is solved.”
Anyone with information about the homicide is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP or the ECSO at (850) 436-9620.