Vehicle Drives Through Pensacola Protesters; Man Carried Across Pensacola Bay Bridge On SUV’s Hood
June 6, 2020
A vehicle drove through a group of protesters in downtown Pensacola Saturday afternoon, carrying one man on its hood across the Pensacola Bay Bridge.
A group of protesters had walked the short distance from the Graffiti Bridge on 17th Avenue to Bayfront Parkway, locking arms and temporarily blocking access to the Pensacola Bay Bridge. The Ford Flex drove at a slow speed through the group, with one protester jumping onto the hood of vehicle.
The driver continued slowly, with the man on the hood, three miles across the Pensacola Bay Bridge where the vehicle was stopped by Gulf Breeze Police.
The man was transported by ambulance to a hospital, but there was no word on severity of any injuries.
After about 20 minutes, Pensacola Mayor Grover Robinson arrived to speak to the group, and they left the roadway a short time later.
Police are continuing their investigation.
Images for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Charges Upgraded To Attempted Murder Against Cantonment Man For Gas Station Shooting
June 6, 2020
A Cantonment man is now facing an attempted murder charge for allegedly opening fire at a Pine Forest Road gas station last month.
William David Nicholson II, 27, is being held in the Escambia County Jail on charges that include attempted murder, firing a weapon in the public, and possession of a weapon by a convicted felon. He appeared in court Friday on the upgraded charge, and a judge set his bond at $200,000.
On May 10, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to a shots fired call at a gas station located in the 8600 block of Pine Forest Road at I-10. Nicholson was identified as the man that fired two shots at the victim after he allegedly cut Nicholson off in traffic.
The ECSO said Nicholson fired one shot into the victim’s driver’s side window and fired the other shot into the structure surrounding the gas pumps. The victim suffered a non-life threatening injury to the head and was taken to a local hospital.
Phase 2: Bars, Movie Theaters Now Open; New Rules For Stores And Gyms; Gatherings Up To 50 People
June 6, 2020
Phase 2 of Florida’s reopening began on Friday. Here’s what changed:
Bars and pubs can operate at 50% capacity inside and full capacity outside with appropriate social distancing, DeSantis said Wednesday morning. Patrons can only be served if they are seated; they can’t be standing or walking around. Restaurants can now offer bar seating with appropriate social distancing.
Entertainment businesses, including movie theaters, concert houses, auditoriums, playhouses, bowling alleys and arcades, may operate at 50% capacity with appropriate social distancing and sanitation protocols.
Gyms and stores can return to full capacity with social distancing.
Personal services businesses, including tattoo parlors, acupuncture establishments, tanning salons and massage establishments may operate while adhering to guidance from the Florida Department of Health.
Gatherings can now be up to 50 people.
Escambia Man Claims $2 Million Florida Lottery Prize
June 6, 2020
An Escambia County man has claimed a $2 million Mega Millions prize from the Florida Lottery.
Sam Moore’s ticket for the April 24 drawing matched all five of the white ball numbers, but did not match the Mega Ball.
Moore, 36, purchased his winning ticket at Murphy USA in front of the Walmart Supercenter on Mobile Highway. The retailer will receive a $5,000 bonus commission for selling the jackpot-winning ticket.
Atmore Receives ‘Main Street Alabama’ Designation
June 6, 2020
Atmore has received a “Main Street Alabama” designation.
“Main Street works 100% of the time if the community is willing to work,” said Main Street Alabama State Coordinator Mary Helmer. “Atmore impressed upon the selection committee that they had the work ethic to become a successful Main Street program that will bring jobs, dollars, and people back to the district.”
Atmore went thought a five month application process with through partnerships with community organizations, including the demonstration of the city’s commitment and proven track recording including the ongoing renovation of the Strand Theatre.
Main Street Alabama will begin work immediately in Atmore to provide board development, goal setting, work planning, market study with economic development strategies, targeted design assistance, and training related to downtown development.
Main Street Alabama is a private non-profit and state coordinating program of Main Street America. The 40-yea old National Main Street Four Point Approach is a model that focuses work in four areas – organization, design, promotion and economic vitality with strategies unique to the community and based on market-based outcome.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Denied Visitation With His Wife, Jay Man Allegedly Threatened Two People With A Shotgun At Hospital
June 6, 2020
A Jay man is charged with threatening two people at a Santa Rosa County hospital with a shotgun.
Eric Reitz, 57, is facing two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
The Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office said Reitz tried to visit his wife in the Santa Rosa Medical Center, but he was denied access because visitations are not currently allowed due to he pandemic.
An arrest report says Reitz went to his vehicle and returned with a shotgun that he pointed at a nurse an a security guard. He was arrested a short time later when officers arrived on the scene.
Officers reported also finding a loaded rifle in this vehicle.
He remained in the Santa Rosa County Jail on a $20,000 bond.
One Third Of Floridians Are Less Likely To Evacuate For Hurricane Due To COVID–19
June 6, 2020
Floridians are increasingly concerned about the 2020 Hurricane Season and the coronavirus is one of the reasons why.
According to a AAA survey – fielded last week – nearly a third (31%) of Floridians are more concerned about the 2020 Hurricane Season than they were last year. Two-of-five people (42%) say they are less likely to evacuate for a storm this year for fear of contracting the coronavirus. In fact, more than a quarter of residents (29%) say they would not leave their homes if they were warned to evacuate.
“The coronavirus just complicates matters even more for those preparing for what is forecast to be an active hurricane season,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “AAA urges families to develop an emergency plan now. Your plan should include several evacuation destinations, in case a shelter or hotel is closed due to the pandemic. Also be sure to utilize the 7-day tax free holiday to assemble a supply kit. This year’s kits should include cleaning supplies, to provide peace-of-mind for evacuees.”
Coronavirus aside, residents’ decision to evacuate often depends on the severity of the storm. Of those who would evacuate, four-of-five people (80%) would leave for a Category 2 hurricane or greater.
Florida’s COVID-19 Checkpoint On I-10 Has Been Deactivated
June 5, 2020
The I-10 checkpoint at the Florida/Alabama state line was deactivated Friday morning.
In March, the state set up a checkpoint on I-10 eastbound entering Florida to enforce an order issued by Gov. Ron DeSantis concerning travelers from areas with significant COVID-19 community spread. It was an attempt to get travelers from Louisiana, New York, New Jersey and Connecticut to self isolate for 14 days after entering Florida.
Nearly 28,000 traveler forms were collected while the checkpoint was open.
A similar checkpoint on I-95 at the Florida/Georgia state line remains active.
NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Sertoma 4th Of July Fireworks In Pensacola Canceled; Fate of Century, Flomaton Show To Be Discussed
June 5, 2020
This year’s Sertoma 4 of July Fireworks Celebration in Pensacola has been canceled, and a meeting will be held next week to discuss the fate of the annual combined Century-Flomaton show.
Sertoma chairwoman Lucy Stolfi said the cancellation was due to the coronavirus, permitting issues, and a lack of funding.
“We know the cancellations of this event will be a disappointment for many and we are disappointed as well,” Sertoma said in a statement. “Next year we will return bigger and better to celebrate the men and women that sacrificed so much for our country and the great community we live in.”
The Century Town Council will discuss the annual Century-Flomaton Fireworks Show at a meeting on Monday. The show is funded by both communities, and it alternates locations each year from Showalter and Anthony Pleasant parks in Century to Hurricane Park in Flomaton.
If this year’s show happens, it is set to be in Century.
Pictured: A previous fireworks show in Century. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Local $2,500 COVID-19 Small Business Recovery Grants Awarded. These Are The Recipients.
June 5, 2020
Fifty businesses have been awarded Escambia County Small Business COVID-19 Recovery Grants.
In April 2020, Escambia County and the City of Pensacola, in partnership with FloridaWest EDA, the Greater Pensacola Chamber and the UWF Small Business Development Center, created the program. The grant was intended to assist for-profit businesses located in Escambia County with their immediate cash flow needs as a result of a demonstrated economic injury due to COVID-19. The max grant reward is $2,500 per applicant or business.
Escambia County funded the grant with a contribution of $100,000 to a UWF Foundation Account. The City of Pensacola contributed an additional $25,000 for businesses within the city, with $12,500 from Mayor Grover Robinson’s discretionary fund and $12,500 from Pensacola Councilman Andy Terhaar’s discretionary fund.
Recipients were categorized as follows:
- Within Pensacola city limits – 48%
- Minority Owned businesses – 29%
- Businesses with 0-10 employees – 72%
- Businesses with 11-20 employees – 28%
In Escambia County Commission districts, grants were distributed as follows:
- District 1 – 12.5%
- District 2 – 20%
- District 3 – 35%
- District 4 – 17.5%
- District 5 – 15%
The grant recipients were:
DISTRICT 1
- Amanda’s Hair & Nail Salon
- Ash Simmons LLC
- Write Away Engraving
- In his steps christian dance studio & performing
- Sands Tech AV LLC
DISTRICT 2
- Gulf Coast Tattoos, LLC
- Fusion Grill Inc.
- Warrington Jewelers
- Headhunter Hairstyling
- Bauer triple D’s Learning Complex Inc.
- W.G. & Sons Inc DBA Intermission
- Caldwell Perdido Ventures DBA The Islander Food Shack
- ECRA PLLC
DISTRICT 3
- Indigeaux Denim Bar & Boutique
- Premier properties of America inc
- Pensacola Battery Sales Inc
- Chelsey Domschke Inc
- I Heart Bento
- Casks & Flights
- Battery Buyers Inc.
- Paint University LLC
- JCG Companies LLC DBA Snap Soccer
- Boogie Inc.
- Franzone Shu Repair
- Vital Signs By Chip Spirson Inc
- David Hewston’s Auto Repair
- CNP ENTERPRISES, Inc. DBA Razor’s Edge Fitness
DISTRICT 4
- South Coast Audiology LLC
- SoBo Boutique
- Advanced Amusements of NW FL, LLC
- TT&Tim Inc.
- 1022, LLC DBA The Magnolia
- Advanced Mutual Promotions LLC
- H and L of Pensacola, Inc. dba Spanish Trail Pub
DISTRICT 5
- Grandview Florist
- Herbal Nails Spa At UWF
- Lashes & Nails Bar LLC
- Bridal Suite of Pensacola Inc.
- Cypress Bay Enterprises
- Escape Lol
CITY OF PENSACOLA
- Emerald Coast Dance Conservatory Inc.
- New York Nicks
- The Southern Creative
- Bonellicorp Limited Liability Company
- Salon on the Avenue by Danielle LLC
- Jolly Sailing, LLC
- Play Pensacola
- Carmen’s Lunch Bar LLC
- Sunshack II LLC
- Fast Automotive LLC