Escambia County, Alabama, COVID-19 Cases Up By 76 In Two Weeks
September 7, 2020
The number of COVID-19 cases in Escambia County, Alabama increased by 76 in the past two weeks.
There are now 1,247 confirmed cases plus an additional 214 probably cases in the county, according to the Alabama Department of Health. There have been 22 confirmed COVID-19 deaths in Escambia County, Alabama.
There were 624 people tested in the last two weeks for a positivity rate of 15.2%
Data released Friday by the Escambia County Healthcare Authority shows 540 of the positive cases were tested at Atmore Community Hospital, and 231 received positive results at D.W. McMillan Memorial Hospital in Brewton. There were 26 pending test results between the two hospitals.
Molino Fire Responds To Grass Fire In Barrineau Park
September 6, 2020
The Molino Station of Escambia Fire Rescue responded to a grass fire in the area of Barrineau Park Road and Barrineau Park Lane about 2 p.m. Sunday. There were no structures threatened, and no injuries reported. It took about an hour to contain the fire. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
USGS: There Were Actually Two Earthquakes Last Week Near Century
September 6, 2020
The U.S. Geological Survey confirmed Saturday that there were actually two earthquakes last Thursday near the Florida/Alabama state line.
A magnitude 3.8 earthquake at 10:07 a.m. was centered just south of Old Highway 31 near Pollard, Alabama, or about 4 miles northeast of Century. The quake was felt across a wide area.
NorthEscambia.com received hundreds of reports of the ground shaking and even motion of walls and other objects inside buildings from across the area. Most of the reports were in the areas of Century, Flomaton and Jay, but extended outward to Pensacola, Cantonment and Brewton.
A weaker magnitude 2.0 earthquake occurred about three hours later at 1:17 p.m. Thursday.
The USGS said Saturday their data shows it was located in Escambia County, Florida, about a mile northeast of Fischer Landing in Century between Oil Company Road and the Escambia River.
There was no damage reported from either earthquake.
There was a series of earthquakes in the vicinity from March 6 to April 17 in 2019 ranging from magnitude 1.8 to magnitude 2.8. In 1997, a magnitude 4.9 earthquake occurred in the area.
United Way Seeks Volunteers To Make Face Masks For Adults And Children
September 6, 2020
If you can sew and have time volunteer, the United Way of West Florida could use your help.
The United Way is collecting fabric masks for children and adults for the YMCA of Northwest Florida, Early Learning Coalition of Escambia County, Every Child a Reader in Escambia, and the Fricker Community Center.
If you are interested or for more information, contact Jackie Dale at jackie.dale@uwwf.org.
Century Botches Public Hearing To Change Land Use For Council Member’s Father
September 6, 2020
The Century Town Council is being forced to reconsider a land use change for the father of a council member after town staff botched a legal notice.
James Smith, Sr., father of council member James Smith, Jr., requested a use change for just over of a tenth of an acre at 220 East Pond Street from public/institutional to low density residential. It’s ordinary business that took a turn due to Florida’s Sunshine Law.
The town council held a required public hearing on the change during their August 17 meeting. James Smith, Jr. made a motion to approve the action, but was informed by Council President Ann Brooks that he could not make the motion due to a conflict of interest. On a new motion by Luis Gomez, the council approved the change 4-0 without a vote from Smith.
But it was later discovered that the public notice published by the town did not include a date for the public hearing, invalidating the entire process.
The council will hold a new public hearing at or after 7:25 p.m. on Tuesday, September 8 and vote again to approve or deny the change.
The town’s planner will pick up the tab for the publication of the improper public notice.
Pictured above: The red area shows the property at 220 East Pond Street. Pictured below: This published public notice did not indicate the date of the meeting. NorthEscambia.com graphics.
County Plans Ensley Gateway Beautification Project; Public Comment Being Accepted
September 6, 2020
A gateway beautification project is planned for the an open parcel north of the intersection of North Palafox Street and East Johnson Avenue in Ensley. It’s in the area that remained after the realignment of West Detroit Boulevard and East Johnson Avenue.
The proposed concept plan includes pedestrian walkways and seating walls that will provide a pleasant passive use park for neighborhood use and enjoyment. A plaza at the intersection is planned and it will provide access to the existing safe pedestrian crosswalks.
The site concept proposes landscaping with native trees and grasses along a bioswale/rain garden that will handle stormwater management in a low impact, natural, sustainable form.
A sidewalk along North Palafox Street is proposed to connect the site to space for an ECAT transit stop.
The public is invited to view the preliminary design concepts for the District 3 Ensley Gateway Beautification Project and provide their comments. The public comment period will open through Wednesday, September 30. Public comments can be submitted in the following ways:
- Mail: Atkins, 2114 Airport Blvd., Suite 1450, Pensacola, Florida 32504
- Phone: (850) 378-6961
Drivers Get A Break Through Monday. Then These Will Be The Trouble Spots.
September 6, 2020
Drivers will get a break from lane closures on state roads through midnight Monday due to the Labor Day holiday weekend. But then it’s back to normal at 12:01 a.m. Tuesday when drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.
Escambia County:
- Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement- Bridge construction may require the following lane closures from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. the week of Tuesday, Sept. 8:
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- Intermittent east and westbound lane closures on U.S. 98 from North 14th Avenue in Pensacola to east of the Pensacola Bay Bridge in Gulf Breeze.
- Intermittent lane closures on North 17th Avenue in Pensacola between U.S. 98 and the CSX Railroad overpass (Graffiti Bridge).
- · U.S. 29 Widening from Interstate 10 (I-10) to Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90)– Drivers traveling Nine Mile Road at the U.S. 29 Overpass and U.S. 29 traffic between I-10 and Nine and Half Mile Road may experience alternating lane shifts or closures as crews continue drainage and pavement operations.
- · U.S. 29 Resurfacing from south of Muscogee Road (County Road (C.R.) 184) to Atmore Highway (State Road (S.R.) 97)- Motorists can expect intermittent daytime lane restrictions as crews continue construction activities at various locations.
- · Mobile Highway (U.S. 90) Intersection Improvements at New Warrington Road
(S.R. 295) – Construction activities continue. Drivers can expect lane closures between 9:30 p.m. and 6 a.m. - · Brent Lane (S.R. 296) Underground Utility Operations Near Davis Highway- Traffic will be restricted from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 8 and Wednesday, Sept. 9 as crews perform underground utility work.
Santa Rosa County:
- Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement- Bridge construction may require the following lane closures from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. the week of Tuesday, Sept. 8:
- Intermittent east and westbound lane closures on U.S. 98 from North 14th Avenue in Pensacola to east of the Pensacola Bay Bridge in Gulf Breeze.
- Intermittent lane closures on North 17th Avenue in Pensacola between U.S. 98 and the CSX Railroad overpass (Graffiti Bridge).
- · S.R. 87 Resurfacing from Clear Creek to S.R. 4- Drivers can expect intermittent daytime lane closures along the 14-mile corridor through fall 2020 as crews perform paving operations.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
IMPACT 100 To Name Grant Finalists This Week. 11 Of Them Will Receive $106K Each
September 6, 2020
IMPACT 100 Pensacola Bay Area, a local women’s philanthropic organization, will announce finalists that will have a chance to share grants totalling $1,166,000.
During an event this Wednesday, 15 nonprofit organizations will be announced as finalists from IMPACT 100’s five focus areas — arts and culture; education; environment; recreation and preservation; family; and health and wellness.
With 1,166 members this year, IMPACT 100 Pensacola Bay Area will award $106,000 each to eleven nonprofit organizations in the community for a total impact of $1,166,000 for 2020 at its annual meeting on Sunday, October 11.
This is the 17th year that IMPACT 100 will award grants to local nonprofit organizations. Since its inception in 2004, IMPACT 100 Pensacola Bay Area has awarded 109 grants totaling $11,664,000 to 78 nonprofit organizations serving Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties.
Pictured: IMPACT 100 Pensacola Bay Area’s 2019 grant presentation. File photo.
Man Charged With Murder After Body Found In Nokomis
September 5, 2020
An Atmore man is behind bars charged with murder after a body was found in Nokomis, Alabama.
De’Antae Deshay Knight is being held in the Escambia County (AL) Detention Center with bond set at $1 million.
Escambia County (AL) Sheriff Heath Jackson said authorities received a tip about a possible homicide in Nokomis. Investigators from the Escambia County (AL) Sheriff’s Office and the Atmore Police Department responded Thursday. Interviews were conducted and search warrants were executed throughout the night.
After an extensive search of numerous wooded areas, the body of an unidentified adult was found hidden in a brushy area off James Road. Authorities are awaiting identification from the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences.
The discovery was made by the ECSO with assistance from Atmore Police and K-9 units from KlaasKids .
Jackson said this is an ongoing investigation, and anyone with information is asked to call the Escambia County (AL) Sheriff’s Office at (251) 809-0741.
No Injuries In Overturned Vehicle Wreck In Century Or Barrineau Park Crash; Vehicle Hits Horse In Beulah
September 5, 2020
There were no injuries reported in a Friday night wreck in Century and another crash in Barrineau Park. And a driver escaped injury in an early Saturday morning crash with a horse in Beulah.
The Century Station of Escambia Fire Rescue responded to an overturned vehicle on Hilltop Road near Red Lane, just west of North Century Boulevard, about 8:10 p.m. Friday. They found the vehicle on its side and were able to get the victim out through a door.
A vehicle crash was reported about 9:15 p.m. on Molio Road near Barrineau Park Road. There were no injuries, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
And a truck hit a horse after 2 a.m. Saturday in the 9500 block of Bridlewood Road in Beulah near Nine Mile Road. The driver was not injured, but the horse did not survive.
The FHP is investigating the crashes.
File photo.