DeSantis Vetoes Millions For Escambia, Santa Rosa Projects – Including The Bluffs In Cantonment, Jay Park Plan
June 30, 2020
When Gov. Ron DeSantis signed Florida’s $92.2 billion budget Monday, over $1 billion was vetoed as the state prepares to deal with budget shortfalls due to COVID-19.
Millions that had been included in the budget by the Legislature for Escambia and Santa Rosa counties were slashed, including projects in Cantonment and Jay.
ESCAMBIA COUNTY BUDGET CUTS
The Bluffs In Cantonment
One of the cuts by DeSantis was a $750,000 transportation project for The Bluffs in Cantonment.
Announced in late 2015, The Bluffs was envisioned as the home of up to 60 new industrial and manufacturing companies and more than 15,000 jobs. The 6,000 acre master-planned development area includes about 1,700 acres of land that can be developed in an area east of Highway 29 bordered by the Escambia River to the east, Becks Lake Road near International Paper to the north, and the University of West Florida to the south.
The $750,000 would have funded an entrance for The Bluffs at the intersection of New Chemstrand Road, Old Chemstrand Road, Emerald Coast Utilities Authority’s entrance drive, and the Ascend Performance Materials entrance.
Other Escambia County cuts were:
- University of West Florida Office of Economic Development and Engagement ($1.3 million)
- Pensacola State College – Trucking Workforce Development ($500,000)
- Southern Youth Sports Association – Pensacola Community Center Building ($300,000)
- UWF Specialized Degrees for Firefighters ($158,000)
- Brain Bag Early Literacy Program ($50,000)
SANTA ROSA COUNTY BUDGET CUTS
In Santa Rosa County cuts included a master plan for the park in Jay.
Town of Jay – Bray Hendricks Park Master Plan
DeSantis cut $300,000 for the Bray Hendricks Park Master Plan in the Town of Jay.
The 39-year old park is in critical need of updated sports surfaces and support capabilities to place the park in compliance with ADA requirements. The master plan includes one competition softball field, four regulation baseball fields, three tee-ball fields, four tennis courts, a basketball court, a combination soccer/football field, a children’s splash pad, a playground, an accessory concession building, and ADA compliant bathrooms.
Other Santa Rosa County projects that were cut from the budget were:
- Pea Ridge Connector ($750,000)
- Milton North Santa Rosa Regional Water Reclamation Facility ($500,000)
- Navarre Beach Pierce Saber Fire Pumper ($500,000)
- Holley-Navarre Fire District ($500,000)
- Santa Rosa County Santa Monica Street Paving ($100,000)
ECAT Returns To Modified Schedule; One Bus Driver Positive For COVID-19
June 30, 2020
ECAT returns to a modified schedule instead of peak hour service Tuesday.
Currently there is one bus driver that did test positive for COVID-19, but Escambia County said more bus drivers are returning to work after receiving negative results.
Hours and Service Modifications:
The modified weekday schedule matches ECAT’s “Holiday Schedule,” which runs every two hours and with the final route trips departing ECAT and downtown at 6 p.m. The same modified schedule will run on Saturdays with no service on Sundays. The following routes aretemporarily suspended until further notice:
- Route 41, East Pensacola Heights
- Route 59A, NAS Pensacola, Airport
- Route 59X, NAS Pensacola, Downtown, Cordova Mall
- UWF Regular Trolley Service
Routes 1, 2, 31, 32, 43, 44, 45, 47, 48, 50, 51, 52, 55, 57, 58, 60, and 63 will continue to operate modified schedule service Monday – Saturday. UWF Express Trolley will also continue service Monday – Saturday. Contact ECAT at (850) 595-3228 with specific questions.
Capacity Limit 10 Passengers:
Buses will continue to be limited to transporting 10 people with staggered seating. Additional vehicles will be dispatched to ensure all passengers are picked up and complying with the 10- person limit.
Paratransit Services
Escambia County Community Transportation (ECCT) will continue to temporarily suspend all paratransit services after 7 p.m. for weekday and Saturday services. All medical necessary trips will be honored. Sunday service is temporarily suspended. All expired eligibility will be extended for 90 days. In-person eligibility interviews will be rescheduled or completed over the phone. Call ECCT Customer Service at (850) 595-0501 if you need assistance.
Second Arrest Made In 2003 Escambia County Cold Case Homicide
June 30, 2020
A second person has been arrested in the 2003 murder of Marcus Virgin.
Keishaun Irby is now charged with homicide.
David Dale was arrested for his part in the murder back in May, previously admitting to taking part in the murder on May 9, 2003. He named Irby as an accomplice that supplied a vehicle and the firearm to commit the murder.
“Recent advances in DNA technology, as well as renewed efforts by the ECSO Cold Case Unit, Intelligence Unit and Crime Scene Units, made it possible to bring this case to a closure by arresting both of the parties responsible,” according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Virgin went out with his friends on May 8, 2003, and was never seen again; his body was never found. Over the following years, investigators received information that indicated Virgin had been murdered. DNA evidence was discovered in 2007, but was not enough for an arrest at the time
Irby is currently a federal inmate and will be transported back to Escambia County for court sometime in the near future.
Visitors Barred From Florida Prisons Until At Least July 15
June 30, 2020
The COVID-19 pandemic visitation suspension at Florida prisons has been extended again, the Florida Department of Corrections announced Monday.
The visitor ban is in effect this time until at least July 15.
“The decision to reinstate the normal visitation schedule will be evaluated in consultation with public health experts,” the FDC said.
Inmates will continue to have access to their loved ones through mail, phone calls and video visitation. Legal visits will not be impacted, although attorneys are encouraged to consult with their clients via phone, email or mail during this time
As of Monday, 24 inmates have died from the virus, 1,963 have tested positive and 438 corrections staff have been infected, according to the agency.
Speaking In Pensacola, DeSantis Addresses Rising COVID-19 Cases, Especially Among Younger Adults
June 29, 2020
Speaking in Pensacola Sunday, Gov. Ron DeSantis addressed the rising rate of COVID-19 among younger adults.
In May through June, the rate of positive COVID-19 cases across all demographics was in a stable two to three percent range, but in it has recently soared to 10 to 12 percent, with the largest case increases in young adults.
“That positive increase is really being driven by a big increase over the last three weeks in individuals testing positive throughout the state of Florida in younger age groups, particularly 18 to 44,” DeSantis said. “And if you look at that 25 to 44 age group, that is now by far the leading age group for positive tests in the state of Florida, and that’s something that is pretty new.”
MORE INFO: Escambia County COVID-19 Cases Jump 38.6% In One Week, Positivity Rate Rises
He attributed the increase among younger Floridians to socializing.
“Basically, I think from talking to folks, this is basically socializing”” he said. “You have graduation parties, you’re going out and doing different things and in certain environments that is going to be conducive to transmitting the virus.”
“It’s important to identify who may be carrying this so even if they aren’t significantly ill from this, that they don’t pass it to somebody else, who may end up being more vulnerable to serious illness,” DeSantis said during a press conference Sunday afternoon at Sacred Heart Hospital.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Numbers: Escambia County COVID-19 Cases Jump 38.6% In One Week, Positivity Rate Rises
June 29, 2020
Here’s a quick look at Escambia County COVID-19 data:
The total number of COVID-19 cases in Escambia County jumped 38.6% in one week as the rate of positive tests also increased.
From Sunday, June 21 to Sunday, June 28, the number of confirmed tests in Escambia County increased from 1,198 to 1,660.
In the week prior to June 21, there were 3,652 total tests with 164 positives, a positivity rate of 4.5%.
In the week prior to June 28, there were 4,448 total tests with 447 positives, a positivity rate of 10%. These weekly numbers exclude people who have previously tested positive.
During the time period, cases increased by 46.1% in Pensacola, up 386 to 1,660; and increased by 40.9% in Cantonment, up 27 to 93.
RELATED: Speaking In Pensacola, DeSantis Addresses Rising COVID-19 Cases
Libraries Served 2,000 Free Meals For Kids Last Week. Here’s How The Program Works.
June 29, 2020
West Florida Libraries served just over 2,000 free curbside meals for youth 18 and under last week in conjunction with Feeding the Gulf Coast.
Meals are available for pickup at all WFPL library locations on Monday-Friday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Library locations are:
- Molino Branch Library, 6450-A Highway 95A, Molino
- Pensacola Library, 239 N. Spring St., Pensacola
- Tryon Beach Library, 1200 Langley Ave., Pensacola
- Genealogy Branch Library, 5740 N. 9th Ave., Pensacola
- Southwest Branch Library, 12248 Gulf Beach Highway, Pensacola
- Westside Branch Library, 1301 W. Gregory St., Pensacola
- Century Branch Library, 7991 N. Century Blvd., Century
The meal includes lunch. Meals are available on a first come, first served basis. Youth ages 18 and under must be present to receive meals; food will not be given to adults.
“All of our employees have a passion for the community we serve and without feeding the body, a child cannot feed their mind,” Todd Humble, Library Services director said. “We are proud to have been recognized as the leading provider of meals in the Mississippi, Alabama and Florida Gulf Coast region that Feeding the Gulf Coast services.”
Escambia County, Alabama, COVID-19 Cases More Than Double In Two Weeks; Drive-Thru Testing Offered
June 29, 2020
The number of COVID-19 cases in Escambia County, Alabama, have more than doubled in the past two weeks, according to data Sunday night from the Alabama Department of Health.
There have been 216 confirmed confirmed cases, with 107 of those reported from 599 tests in the the last 14 days for a positivity rate of near 18%.
There have been six confirmed COVID-19 deaths in the county.
The Escambia County (AL) Healthcare Authority reports 92 positive cases from 772 tests at Atmore Community Hospital and 20 cases from 406 tests at D.W. McMillan Memorial Hospital in Brewton in data released Friday.
The Escambia County (AL) Health Department is offering drive thru COVID-19 testing at the following locations:
- Brewton: June 29 and every Monday in July, 9-11 a.m.. Call (251) 867-5765 to schedule an appointment.
- Atmore: June 29 and every Monday in July, 1-3 p.m.. Call (251) 368-9188 to schedule an appointment.
Get Rid Of Yard Debris, Junk For Free During Cantonment, Farm Hill Neighborhood Cleanup July 10
June 29, 2020
Residents of the Cantonment and Farm Hill areas will have the opportunity to dispose of yard debris and other items free of charge Friday, July 10 during a neighborhood cleanup.
Only residents in the designated cleanup area cam participate in the neighborhood cleanup. Items left at the curb outside of the area will not be collected. The general cleanup area is east of Jack’s Branch Road and north of Pine Lane Drive. Click or tap the map above to enlarge.
All debris must be at the curb directly in front of a residence by 7 a.m. on the day of the cleanup. Keep tires and paint cans separate from all other debris. Do not place piles under low-hanging lines or near poles, fences or mailboxes.
Items eligible for removal include:
- Household appliances and electronics
- Yard waste
- Household junk and debris
- Bicycles and toys
- Old furniture and mattresses
- Barbecue grills
- Household hazardous waste (old paint, motor oil, chemicals, batteries)
- Tires (limit 10 per household)
Items NOT eligible for removal include:
- Building materials (concrete, bricks, blocks, roofing, drywall or lumber)
- Explosives or ammunition
- Auto parts
- Dirt or sod
- Vehicles or vessels
- 55-gallon drums of fluids
Florida Gas Prices Stall As Coronavirus Cases Spike
June 29, 2020
Florida gas prices increased by a penny last week, but any additional gains may be hard to come by, as Florida experiences a surge in COVID-19 cases, according to AAA.
There’s growing concern in the fuel market that rising cases of coronavirus will interfere with the recovery in fuel demand, which took a significant hit during the height of the state’s stay-at-home orders. During that time, fuel demand was down as much as 80 percent in some Florida metro areas. Since reopening, the deficit shrunk to only 20 percent.
The average price for gasoline in Florida is $2.03 per gallon. The state average is 1-cent more than a week ago, and 14 cents more than last month. Despite the recent uptick, Florida drivers are still paying 51 cents per gallon less than this time last year.
The average price per gallon in Escambia County was $2.07 Sunday, up slightly from $2 last week but significantly less than $2.50 a year ago. In North Escambia Sunday night, one Highway 29 station was at $1.99, but other stations were over $2 a gallon.
“Demand concerns are beginning to creep back into the market, now that cases of coronavirus are on the rise in Florida,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “State numbers suggest demand is holding steady, but market analysts worry about an eventual downturn. With wholesale prices turning lower, it’s possible drivers will begin to see slightly lower prices at the pump this week.”
NorthEscambia.com photo.