Dr. John Lanza Retiring As Escambia Health Boss; Marie Mott Named As His Successor
July 21, 2020
Dr. John Lanza is retiring after 25 years as the health officer and director of the Florida Department of Health in Escambia County, and the state has named his replacement.
Marie Brady Mott will take over as the health officer and administrator for the FDOH-Escambia on July 24. She brings nearly 20 years of experience in the health field with 13 years working at FDOH-Escambia, currently as the public health services manager.
In her new role as the health officer and administrator, she will be responsible for ensuring that FDOH-Escambia continues to address state and local public health priorities and provide population-based partnerships with community stakeholders to protect, promote, and improve the health of county residents.
“In her service as the Public Health Services Manager, Ms. Mott has proven to be a strong and effective leader for the Florida Department of Health in Escambia County,” said Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nuñez. “I have the utmost confidence that she will continue to provide excellent public health resources and guidance to the people of Escambia County.”
“With nearly 20 years of experience in a variety of public health, clinical and hospital settings, Ms. Mott is a proven public health leader whose experience and talents are well suited to the challenges and great opportunities with leading the Florida Department of Health in Escambia County,” Florida Surgeon General Dr. Scott Rivkees. “With Ms. Mott at the helm, the people in Escambia County will continue to be served well.”
“Ms. Mott is dedicated to public health and committed to the community with many years of experience,” said Escambia County Administrator Janice Gilley. “We are fortunate to have a dedicated public servant continue this service, especially during this time of a public health emergency.”
Mott began her career with the department in 2007 as the senior public health nutritionist for FDOH-Escambia. She became the department’s public health communications manager until 2019. Prior to entering the public health field, Mott practiced clinical dietetics in the areas of critical care nutrition, nutrition support, and medical nutrition therapy for chronic disease management and prevention.
Mott holds a Doctor of Jurisprudence from the University of Alabama School of Law and a Master of Science in Human Nutrition from the University of Alabama College of Human Environmental Sciences. She maintains her credentials of attorney and counselor at law, registered dietitian, licensed dietitian/nutritionist, and certified specialist in sports dietetics.
Food Distributions Wednesday At Highland Baptist Molino, Epps Christian Center Pensacola
July 21, 2020
Food distributions will be held Wednesday at Highland Baptist Church in Molino and Epps Christian Center in Pensacola.
Highland Baptist Church
Highland Baptist Church will host a free fresh produce box giveaway for the next two Wednesdays, July 22 and 29.
It will take place from 5-6 p.m., or while supplies last at the church, 6240 Highway 95A in Molino. It is limited to one box per vehicle. The produce is being provided in conjunction with the USDA and Gulf Coast Produce. For more information call (850) 587-5174.
Epps Christian Center
A food distribution in cooperation with Farm Share will be held Wednesday beginning at 10 a.m. while supplies last at Epps Christian Center at 2202 North Pace Boulevard. The distribution will include fresh produce, canned goods and water.
Blue Angels Take Their New Fat Albert On A First Test Flight
July 21, 2020
The Blue Angels took their new Fat Alert for a test flight Monday.
Pilots and crew performed their first functional check flight over England. It’s not brand new; it’s a used Royal Air Force C-130J Hercules. The flight checks are in preparation for the transatlantic trip to the United States.
Blue Angels fans may notice a couple of changes to the paint scheme compared to the previous Fat Albert. The flight surfaces now have yellow tips, similar to the Blues’ F/A-18s, two stripes run down the side of the aircraft and the iconic white top has been changed to a tear drop design.
And the paint scheme also has the Blue Angels team name in gold lettering rather than blue.
Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
All Of These Major Retailers Are Now Requiring Face Masks, And Winn Dixie Reverses Course
July 21, 2020
Several major retailers have implemented face mask mandates. And Winn Dixie, which said they would not require masks, has reversed course.
Face masks are now required at:
- Walmart
- Sam’s Club
- Publix
- Lowe’s
- BJ’s Wholesale
- Walgreens
- CVS
- Kohl’s
- PetSmart.
Face mask mandates will go into effect at Home Depot on Wednesday and at Target on August 1.
Southeast Grocers, parent company of Winn Dixie, first said they would not require shoppers to wear face coverings. But Monday the grocer said that due to customer feedback face masks will be required beginning Monday, July 27.
Face masks are required at all businesses within the city limits of Pensacola and across the state of Alabama.
Pictured: Publix Super Market at Nine Mile. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century Swears In New Council Member, Makes Other Appointments After Councilman Resignation
July 21, 2020
A new council member was sworn in Monday night in Century as other appointments were made due to the resignation of a council member in June.
Brenda Spencer was appointed to the town council through the end of the year to fill the seat left vacant after Ben Boutwell resigned to run for Mayor.
Boutwell was also chairman of Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Board and was the town’s representative to the Community Action Program Committee (CPAC).
Councilman Louis Gomez was appointed the CRA chairman; he was serving as vice-chairman. Council President Ann Brooks was appointed the vice-chair to replace Gomez. The council sits as the CRA board, which will receive it’s first round of tax funding this year to improve a blighted section of the town.
Spencer was appointed by council vote as their representative on the Community Action board.
Spencer is a Century native who retired in 2012 after 21 years as a legal secretary and co-office manager for the Escambia County attorney and deputy attorney. She has previous experience as medical secretary and was secretary to the plant manager at Wayne Dalton Corporation in Century from 1980-1988.
Pictured above: Brenda Spencer was sworn in to the Century Town Council during a meeting that was partially held on Zoom. Pictured inset: Brenda Spencer. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
School District: Online Superintendent Candidate Survey Is ‘Bogus’, But Organizers Say It’s Just Public Input
July 20, 2020
The Escambia County School District says an online superintendent survey is “bogus”, but the creators say it’s just a chance for public input.
Posts on social media are asking people to read about the six finalists for the Escambia school superintendent job and take a survey. The ECSD said in a Facebook post of their own — in all caps — that the “SURVEY IS BOGUS”.
The creators of the survey updated their posts Monday morning to clarify that the “community based” survey is not endorsed by the school district. They said the results and comments will be emailed to school board members as form of public comment on who is “a great candidate”.
“It was created by community members to provide everyone a voice pertaining to the hiring process. It does not guarantee a certain candidate will be hired,” Donte Sheppard said in an updated Facebook post. As of about 9 a.m. Monday, he said about 200 people had completed the survey, which does not ask for any personally identifiable information.
Voters decided the next school superintendent in Escambia County will be appointed. Last week, the Superintendent Search Citizens Advisory Committee narrowed a field of 27 applicants to their top six. Next, the school board will name their semi-finalists.
Read more about the candidates by clicking or tapping here.
Homes Briefly Evacuated In Cantonment Due To Gas Leak
July 20, 2020
A few homes in Cantonment were reportedly evacuated for a brief time Sunday night due to a natural gas leak.
The leak was reported about 9:35 p.m. in the 100 block of Mintz Lane, just north of Muscogee Road.
The Cantonment Station of Escambia Fire Rescue and Pensacola Energy responded, securing the leak by 10 p.m. There was damage of any kind and no injuries.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Community Health COVID-19 Testing Tuesday In Cantonment For Any Age
July 20, 2020
Community Health Northwest Florida is bringing COVID-19 testing back to Cantonment this week.
The drive-thru testing will be available Tuesday, July 21 from 8-11 a.m. at Community Health Northwest Florida Cantonment Pediatrics at 470 South Highway 29.
The testing is for Escambia County (FL) residents only. There is no pre-screening required, and the testing is available for any age regardless of symptoms.
Testing will be provided weather permitting while supplies last. Participants should bring a photo identification and an insurance card (if insured).
Pictured: Community Health Northwest Florida COVID-19 testing in Century on May 13. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
FDC Offering $1,000 Hiring Bonuses At Century And Santa Rosa Correctional Institutions
July 20, 2020
The Florida Department of Corrections has announced $1,000 hiring bonuses at prisons across the state, including Century Correctional Institution and the Santa Rosa Correctional Institution.
The bonuses are available for new hires who complete their correctional officer certification through either FDC or certain state colleges will be eligible for the bonus. Paid training is available.
FDC has expanded the applicant base for correctional officers within the state prison system. The minimum age requirement for a correctional officer is 18 years of age.
For more information, visit FLDOCjobs.com.
AAA: Florida Gas Prices Move Lower, Shaping Up To Be Cheapest July In 16 Years
July 20, 2020
Florida gas prices slipped lower last week by about three cents over the last 11 days.
Florida gas prices reached a summertime high of $2.11 per gallon on Independence Day. Since that time, gas prices have mostly faced downward pressure. The average price for a gallon of gasoline in Florida is now $2.08. That’s 2 cents per gallon less than a week ago, and 61 cents less than this time last year.
The average price per gallon in Escambia County was $2.07. Sunday night, the lowest price in the Cantonment area was $2.04, while a couple of Pensacola stations were at $1.88.
This is shaping up to be the cheapest July at the pump since 2004, according to AAA. So far this month, Florida gas prices have averaged $2.10 per gallon. That’s 13 cents per gallon more than the monthly average price in June 2020, and 29 cents per gallon more than the monthly average in May. Pump prices are higher than recent months, as Floridians returned to the road for the summer.
“Fuel market watchers remain concerned about the overall impact that elevated cases of COVID-19 could have on future fuel demand,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesperson, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “As a result, wholesale gasoline prices dropped nearly 10 cents last week. This could allow retail pump prices to slip even lower in the coming days.”