EREC Closes Jay Office Lobby After Local COVID-19 Cases Increase Five-Fold In A Week
July 6, 2020
Citing the recent spike in COVID-19 cases in the local area, Escambia River Electric Cooperative has closed their lobby in Jay to the public until further notice.
The drive-thru in Jay remains opens, the EREC lobby and post office in Walnut Hill are also still open.
The number of COVID-19 cases in Jay have increased five-fold in a week – from five one week ago to 25 on Monday, according to the Florida Department of Health.
The utility is encouraging members to utilize remote options to manage their electric service.
Payments may be made by mail, online at www.erec.com, telephone autopay, EREC app or by night depository. Services such as opening or closing an electric, water or internet accounts; making changes to services; inquiring about account balance and service orders. can all be handled by email or phone as well. Contact memberservices@erec.com or call (850) 675-4521 or (800) 235-3848 for assistance.
EREC has not reported any COVID-19 cases among employees.
Florida Gas Prices Increase, Average $2.06 In Escambia County
July 6, 2020
Although Florida gas prices increased last week, drivers found the lowest prices at the pump for Independence Day since 2004, according to AAA.
Florida gas prices increased eight cents last week. The state average of $2.11 per gallon is the highest price since March 19th. Despite the recent increase, drivers are saving an average of 57 cents per gallon compared to this time last year.
The average price per gallon Sunday night in Escambia County was $2.06. The lowest North Escambia price was $1.84 per gallon at Highway 29 and Muscogee Road in Cantonment, while in Pensacola the lowest was $1.89 at two wholesale clubs.
“Gas prices remain very low for this time of year, due to the effects the COVID-19 pandemic has had on supply and demand,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Retailers raised gas prices last week, in anticipation of strong demand for the Independence Day holiday weekend.”
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
NEP Ducks Win Coach Pitch Championship
July 6, 2020
The NEP Ducks won a recent coach pitch championship. Pictured are players and coaches. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Donate Blood At OneBlood And Find Out If You Have The COVID-19 Antibody
July 6, 2020
If you donate blood with OneBlood you will find out if you have the coronavirus antibody.
That’s because the non-profit OneBlood is testing all donations for the COVID-19 antibody.
The antibody test is authorized by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and will indicate if the donor’s immune system has produced antibodies to the virus, regardless of whether they ever showed symptoms. Donors will be able to see their results approximately 48 hours after donating by logging into their donor portal.
OneBlood was one of the first blood centers to begin testing for the coronavirus antibody and plans to provide the antibody testing for the foreseeable future.
Due to social distancing measures that OneBlood has in place, all donors are required to make an appointment to donate. Appointments can be made online at www.oneblood.org or by calling 1-888-9DONATE.
Application Deadline Is Wednesday For Florida Forest Service Longleaf Pine Private Incentive Program
July 6, 2020
The Florida Forest Service has announced the launch of the 2020 Longleaf Pine Private Landowner Incentive Program. Applications will be accepted through Wednesday, July 8.
The primary objective of the Longleaf Pine Private Landowner Incentive Program is to increase the acreage of healthy longleaf pine forests in Florida by assisting eligible, non-industrial private forest landowners with the long-term investment necessary to establish and maintain the valuable longleaf pine ecosystem.
Longleaf pine forests are native to the southeastern United States and are among the most diverse ecosystems in North America. Longleaf pines provide high-quality wood products and are valued for their resistance to damage by insects, disease, wildfire and storms. Due to urbanization and conversion to other land uses, longleaf pine forests have been dramatically reduced and now cover less than four percent of their historical range. Florida is home to more than 2 million acres of longleaf pine ecosystems, which represents more than half of all current longleaf pine forests.
The Longleaf Pine Private Landowner Incentive Program offers incentive payments for the completion of timber stand improvement, invasive species control, prescribed burning, planting longleaf pine, establishing native plant understory and mechanical underbrush treatments. Private lands located within the 58 counties north of Lake Okeechobee, the historical range of longleaf pine, are eligible for the program.
To learn more and access an application, visit FDACS.gov/LongleafIncentive or contact your local Florida Forest Service county forester. In Escambia County, call Cathy Hardin at (850) 587-5237 or email.
COVID-19 Testing Available In Century This Week For Escambia County Residents
July 6, 2020
Community Health Northwest Florida is bringing COVID-19 testing back to Century this week.
The drive-thru/walk-up testing will be available Friday from 9 a.m. until noon on East Hecker Road at the Head Start building (former elementary school) for Escambia County (FL) residents only. There is no pre-screening required, and the testing is available for any age regardless of symptoms. A photo identification is required.
Testing will be provided weather permitting while supplies last.
According to Community Health:
- The tests are no-cost to the individual. If you have health insurance, your insurance will cover the cost. If you do not have insurance, you can still be tested free of charge. Bring an identification and insurance card (if you have insurance).
- Testing is not a doctor visit. You will not receive a medical examination. Community Health will only be collecting a specimen to send to a lab for processing, and then you will be free to go.
- Once your test is complete, is it critical that you go home and self-isolate, wear a face covering and keep way from other people (including family members) to the best of your ability until results are known.
- Community Health will call to share test results when they are available along with instructions on what to do next. They should have a good working contact number for you. They will not leave test result information on a voicemail message.
Pictured: Community Health Northwest Florida COVID-19 testing in Century on May 13. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Man Killed In Klondike Road Rollover Crash
July 5, 2020
An Escambia County man was in killed a crash Sunday morning in Escambia County.
The Florida Highway Patrol said the 36-year old man was traveling south on Klondike Road approaching Dunaway Lane when he lost control of his Ford Focus and began to leave the roadway. His car traveled sideways, hit a fence and rolled over.
The driver was not wearing a seat belt and was ejected. He was pronounced deceased on the scene by Escambia County EMS.
The FHP no longer releases the name of traffic crash victims.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
38 More Escambia County Jail Inmates Test Positive For COVID-19
July 5, 2020
Sunday morning, the Escambia County Jail reported 38 new COVID-19 cases among inmates that were identified for testing by contract tracing.
Of 44 inmates that have been tested, there were the 38 positives, four negative and two that are awaiting results. The county said all of those that have tested positive have not presented any medical concerns.
None of the inmates who have tested positive are are presenting medical concerns. Two of the units in the jail have been turned into isolation zones to house the inmates who have tested positive to try to prevent the further spread of the virus.
On Thursday, the jail reported three positive inmates and 12 infected correctional officers with 13 waiting for their results. Sunday, Escambia County said there were still only 12 positive correctional officers, but did not specify if the 13 others had received their results. The officers are all quarantined at home. The corrections department has 575 employees.
“We are doing everything in our power to keep inmates and employees as safe as possible during this global pandemic,” Escambia County Corrections Chief Rich Powell said. “Our medical staff assured me that none of these inmates are presenting medical concerns at this time. Our priority remains the safety and health of our inmates and employees as we follow our infectious disease processes and CDC guidelines. We are continuing to work with the Florida Department of Health for guidance, and masks are available for all inmates, which we are strongly encouraging them to wear.”
Individuals can call the Escambia County Jail at (850) 436-9650 with questions about inmates.
One Of These 27 People Will Be The Next Escambia County School Superintendent
July 5, 2020
There were 27 people that submitted their application to be the next superintendent of the Escambia County School District.
In November 2018, Escambia County citizens voted to move from an elected to an appointed superintendent. Malcolm Thomas, the current elected superintendent, will retire in November.
Two of the candidates for the job are current Escambia County residents.
Keith Leonard of Cantonment is the current assistant superintendent of Human Resource Services and spent 13 years as the Escambia County School District director of Human Resource Services.
Claudia Williams of Pensacola has worked for the Escambia County School District for about 32 years and is currently a guidance counselor at Judy Andrews/Success Academy. She is a former District 3 board member and campaigned unsuccessfully for superintendent in 2004, 2008 and 2012.
An appointed Superintendent Search Citizens Advisory Committee will name semi-finalists in July, followed by finalists in mid-August. According to a school district timeline, finalists will be interviewed in late August. A special board meeting to select the new superintendent will be held September 1.
The start date for the new superintendent is set for November 17. The salary range is $145,000 to $175,00 a year.
The applicants are listed below in the order in which their applications were received. Tap or click on any applicant’s name to load their resume and application information in pdf format.
- Dr. Peri-Anne Chobot
- Dr. Terry L. Nelson
- Leigh Ann McCray
- Paul Grimaud
- Dr. Wayne Alexander
- Marques L. Stewart
- Dr. Andrei E. Ghelman
- Dr. Greg S. Shull
- Dr.. Raymond L. Bryant, Jr.
- Adam M. Taylor
- Dr. David M. Schmittou
- Dr. Michelle E. James
- Dr. Earl Johnson
- Dr. John Millay
- Dr. Monica Henson
- Dr. Debra L. Fountain
- Keith C. Rittel
- Dr. Timothy A. Smith
- Keith Leonard
- Dr. BrianT. Binggeli
- Dr. Brian J. Boggs
- Dr. Sumita SenGupta
- Dr. Vincent F. Cotter
- Dr. Robert E. Schiller
- Dr. Christopher R. Quinn
- Christopher N. Ruszkowski
- Claudia S. Williams
Searchable Escambia County Employee Salary Database Is Now Live
July 5, 2020
A new Escambia County employee salary database is now live on the county’s website.
The salaries of those employed by government agencies are public record in Florida because they are paid using public funds. The State of Florida has had a salary database live for some time.
To access the Escambia County Employee Wages searchable database, click or tap here.
All 87 pages of the database can be browsed, searched by name or viewed by department from fiscal year 2018 or FY 2019.