Florida Bars Can Reopen On Monday At 50% Capacity
September 11, 2020
Florida will allow bars to reopen at 50% capacity on Monday as the state’s COVID-19 cases continue to subside.
Department of Business and Professional Regulation Secretary Halsey Beshears signed an executive order Thursday night that rescinds the restrations his department placed on bars just three weeks after they reopened in June after coronavirus cases surged.
“In meetings with hundreds of owners of bars and breweries across the state, I’ve heard their stories of struggle, and I’ve observed their serious commitment to making health and safety a continuing priority in their businesses,” Beshears said in a statement. “It’s time that we take this step, and it’s vital that we start moving forward with this sector of our hospitality industry who have endured one of the toughest paths for sustaining a business during this pandemic.”
Alcohol vendors may operate at 50% capacity, allow bar service to seated patrons, and permit outdoor seating and service with appropriate social distancing, according to the order.
DeSantis Appoints Two To Northwest Florida Water Management District Governing Board
September 11, 2020
Gov. Ron DeSantis has appointed two new members to the Northwest Florida Water Management District Governing Board. They are Kelli Ralston and Nicholas “Nick” Patronis.
Kellie Ralston
Ralston, of Tallahassee, is the Southeast Fisheries Policy Director for the American Sportfishing Association. She has served as a fisheries management analyst for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and currently serves on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee and the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council’s Ad Hoc Red Snapper Private Angler Advisory Panel. She received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in biology from Florida State University.
Nicholas “Nick” Patronis
Patronis, of Panama City Beach, is an owner of Captain Anderson’s Restaurant and Waterfront Market. He has served his community as a member of the Life Management Center of Northwest Florida Board of Directors, the Florida Restaurant Association, and the National Restaurant Association. Patronis attended Gulf Coast Community College.
The appointments are subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.
The Northwest Florida Water Management District’s mission protect and manage water resources in a sustainable manner for the continued welfare of people and natural systems across its 16-county region from the Perdido River in Escambia County to the St. Marks River Basin in Jefferson County.
Pictured: Fillingim Land along the Perdido River in North Escambia is managed by the Northwest Florida Water Management District. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Free Peanut Butter, Jelly And Bread Giveaway Saturday In Dogwood Park
September 11, 2020
Dogwood Baptist Church will be lending a helping hand Saturday to those in need of food with a drive-thru peanut butter, jelly and bread giveaway.
It will take place at the church, 3301 Highway 97 (corner of Highway 97 and Chaudron Road north of Molino), from until 11 a.m. Saturday, or while supplies last.
Attendees should stay in their vehicles, and a volunteer to take the food to the vehicles. Everyone in the community is welcome.
File photo.
UWF Receives Gift To Create A School Of Music
September 11, 2020
The University of West Florida announced a gift to rename the Department of Music. An anonymous contribution has established the Dr. Grier Williams School of Music in memory of the first chair of the music department.
“This incredibly generous and forward-looking gift will enhance our ability to provide the very best music education for our students,” UWF President Martha D. Saunders said. “I expect great things from the Dr. Grier Williams School of Music.”
The majority of the gift will establish a needs-based scholarship endowment for students in the School of Music and members of the Argo Athletic Band. The remaining funds will allow the school to fulfill its five-year plan and work toward long-term goals of establishing a symphony orchestra, an opera program, a piano series and a graduate program.
“This gift is transformational for our music students,” said Dr. Sheila Dunn, associate professor and chair of the music department. “It will put UWF on the map, creating visibility and recognition for our faculty and students.”
Dunn emphasized the need for higher education opportunities in music to serve talented young musicians in Pensacola and beyond.
“As a Pensacola native, it’s a unique honor to shepherd this incredible gift,” she said. “I know how talented the young musicians are in our area. We have some of the best choral and band programs in the nation right here in the surrounding districts. Young people in our area are immersed in education programs from the Pensacola Opera, Pensacola Symphony, Pensacola Children’s Chorus and other area arts organizations.
“These young musicians are passionate about serious music-making and giving back to the community. I envision this gift drawing students to our program from around the nation and the world, while also having a major impact on those from our local community.”
The UWF music department offers three undergraduate degree programs—Bachelor of Music in Performance, Bachelor of Music Education, and a Bachelor of Arts in Music and Outside Field. The B.A. in Music and Outside Field allows students an opportunity to prepare for employment in a variety of disciplines including music, the humanities, education, health and STEM fields.
Williams founded the UWF music department in 1967 and helped it earn national accreditation from the National Association of Schools of Music in 1971. He served as chair of the department for 25 years. For 17 years, he also served as principal conductor of the Pensacola Symphony Orchestra. Williams invited local school teacher Susan Pote to assemble a group of children to accompany the orchestra for choral pieces in 1990, which led to the formation of the standalone Pensacola Children’s Chorus. Williams encouraged others to strive for excellence and made immense contributions to the University and community.
“It is an honor and a joy to know that I worked with Dr. Williams as a young singer in the first Pensacola Symphony Children’s Chorus,” Dunn said. “His name evokes fond memories of a great man, musician and leader in everyone who had the pleasure of knowing him.”
The Deadline Is Less Than A Month Away To Register To Vote In The General Election
September 11, 2020
The deadline to register to vote in the general election is less than a month away.
Escambia County Supervisor of Elections David H. Stafford is reminding voters that Monday, October 5 is the last day to register to vote for the November 3 general election. Florida law mandates that registration books close 29 days before an election. New registrations must be completed and received or postmarked no later than October 5 for them to be effective for the November 3 election. Address changes can be made after the books close. If you are unsure of your registration status, visit EscambiaVotes.gov and click Am I Registered? to verify your status or call the Supervisor of Elections office.
scambia County citizens have several ways to register to vote or update their record:
Online: Simply go to EscambiaVotes.gov to register to vote, or to update or change your current registration, including your address or party affiliation. It’s a quick and secure way to make sure you are ready to vote.
In Person: You can register at the Elections Office at 213 Palafox Place, 2nd Floor, in downtown Pensacola, at any Florida Driver’s License Office, public library, and several other governmental offices and public assistance centers. Registration forms are also available to pick up at many locations countywide. For a complete list of locations throughout Escambia County, visit EscambiaVotes.gov or call or e-mail the Elections Office.
By Mail: Visit EscambiaVotes.gov and complete, print, and sign the online application. Be sure to include a valid Florida Driver’s License or Florida ID number, or if you have neither, the last 4 digits of your Social Security Number in the appropriate space. Completed applications must be received or postmarked no later than October 5. Mail to: Escambia County Supervisor of Elections, PO Box 12601, Pensacola, FL 32591-2601, or take the completed application to the Elections Office at 213 Palafox Place, 2nd Floor, in downtown Pensacola. To have a form mailed to you, call (850) 595-3900 or e-mail the Elections Office (soe@escambiavotes.com).
Vote-By-Mail Requests Still Being Accepted
For voters who wish to cast a ballot by mail, requests are being accepted until 5 p.m. on October 24. Requesting a vote-by-mail ballot is fast and easy. Here are a few ways to do it: go to EscambiaVotes.gov and complete the online request form, call or e-mail the elections office or send a signed, written request to: Supervisor of Elections, PO Box 12601, Pensacola, FL 32591. Be sure to include your date of birth and address when requesting a ballot. Voters can return their ballot by mail, by hand delivery to the Supervisor of Elections office, or to a drop box at any early voting site during the early voting period. Return postage on vote-by-mail ballots for the General Election has be paid by the Supervisor of Elections office.
Northview High Student Airlifted After Highway 4 Wreck; Adult, Four Young Children Uninjured
September 10, 2020
A Northview High School student was critically injured in a two vehicle wreck Thursday morning near the school, while five other people including four children escaped injury.
The crash happened about 8:05 a.m. at the intersection of West Highway 4 and North Pine Barren Road. The high school student apparently pulled her Nissan Murano from a stop sign on Pine Barren Road into the path of a Lincoln MKZ traveling eastbound on Highway 4.
The 16-year old female was trapped in her vehicle and extricated by firefighters before being airlifted to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola by Shandscair helicopter. The adult female driver of the Lincoln and four young children were not injured.
The crash is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. The Walnut Hill and Century stations of Escambia Fire Rescue, Atmore Fire Department, Escambia County EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Gunfire Hits Vehicle In Molino
September 10, 2020
Updated: Gunfire hit a vehicle in Molino early Thursday morning.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the shooting just after 1:45 a.m. at Highway 29 and Highway 95A.
The ECSO said gunfire struck a truck parked in the yard of a home. There were no injuries reported, and the house was not struck by gunfire.
No other details have been released as the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office continues their investigation. Anyone with information is asked to call the ECSO at (850) 436-9620 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Editor’s note: Highway 95A intersects with Highway 29 in both Cantonment and north of Highway 97 in Molino. The shooting location was originally relayed to us as being on the Cantonment end of Highway 95A, but we’ve since learned the shooting was near the Molino end of Highway 95A at Highway 29.
File photo.
$1 Million Old Chemstrand Road Resurfacing Project Is Now Underway
September 10, 2020
A million dollar project to resurface Old Chemstrand Road got underway this week from Highway 29 to the Ascend plant entrance.
The $1,040,250.49 total contract amount was awarded to CWR Contracting of Tallahassee, which has a local Pensacola office.
The resurfacing and associated shoulder work is expected to be completed by the end of November, according to the company’s projected timeline.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
By The Numbers: Escambia County COVID-19 Hospitalizations Declining; Lowest Since July 2
September 10, 2020
The number of COVID-19 hospitalizations in Escambia County are continuing to decline. As of Wednesday, there were 84 patients current hospitalized for COVID-19 in Escambia County, the lowest number since July 2.
The number include COVID-19 hospitalizations only for each day. The numbers since June 18 are in the graphic below (click to enlarge).
Source: City of Pensacola.
18 New Escambia County Deputies Sworn In
September 10, 2020
Eighteen new Escambia County deputies were sworn in this week by Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
