Florida Gas Prices Stalling Due To Renewed COVID-19 Concerns, AAA Says
June 15, 2020
The average Florida gas prices exceeded $2 last week for the first time since March, but for now it appears they are holding steady.
“The recent upward momentum in pump prices is beginning to stall amid renewed concerns regarding the coronavirus,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Market-watchers are beginning to worry that elevated cases of Covid-19 in Florida and some other states could result in another drop in gasoline demand. For now, gas prices should hold steady this week with the possibility of a slight decline.”
The average price of gallon in the state is $2.02, about 50 cents per gallon less than a year ago.
In Escambia County, the average price was $1.97. In North Escambia, the low price was $1.89 at a couple of Cantonment stations, while in Pensacola one station was at $1.79
Beulah Food Trucks Are Back Once Per Month. Here’s The Schedule For This Tuesday.
June 15, 2020
During the pandemic, Escambia County started allowing food trucks daily in the parking lot of the Escambia County Equestrian Center at 7550 Mobile Highway.
The schedule has been cut back to just the third Tuesday of the month. The food trucks will be at the county-owned facility from 3-7 p.m. on June 16, July 21 and August 18.
This Tuesday, June 16, the following food trucks are scheduled:
- Dr. Sno’s Shaved Ice 3-7 p.m.
- 3-D Eats & Tea Pensacola 3-7 p.m.
- Rolling Embers Wood Fired Pizza 4-7 p.m.
- Beck’s Jamaican Kitchen 4-7 p.m.
And if if you are looking for a Taco Tuesday, we’re told Beck’s Jamaican Kitchen will be serving jerk chicken tacos.
The parking lot is a large area and provides ample room for residents to adhere to all CDC social distancing protocols, according to the county. To participate as a food truck vendor, call (850) 941-6042 for a vendor application. All Equestrian Center vendor fees will be waived.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Contact Tracers Name Reason For Increase In COVID-19 Cases In Escambia County
June 14, 2020
Think of them as medical detectives, CSI for the coronavirus.
When a new COVID-19 case is diagnosed in Escambia County, the contact tracing begins — health department professionals work with patients to develop a list of everyone they have been in close contact with during a certain period.
And that contact tracing has led the Florida Department of Health in Escambia County to determine what has led to a recent increase in COVID-19 cases in Escambia County.
The reason? “Congregational living environments or habitats” — living in a household or activities such as riding together in vehicles.
“These epidemiologic investigation results reinforce how important it is for individuals to continue to practice disease prevention methods to reduce transmission of COVID-19 in Escambia County,” said FDOH-Escambia Director, Dr. John J. Lanza.
When a person tests positive for a COVID-19, a public health case investigator will work with the patient to create a list of people they’ve been in contact with during a given time frame. The contact tracing expert then contacts each of those people so that they can take appropriate precautions (getting tested, self-isolation, monitor for symptoms, etc.) and, in turn, create a list of people they’ve been in contact with as necessary. By using this strategy, contact tracers work to get ahead of infectious diseases and prevent further spread.
All public health professionals who conduct contact tracing are highly trained in confidentiality. When they talk to people who have been in contact with a patient, they do not share any information about that person under any circumstance.
Inmate Airlifted After Being Stabbed At Century Prison
June 14, 2020
A Century Correctional Institution inmate was airlifted to the hospital after being stabbed Saturday afternoon.
Escambia County Fire Rescue and Escambia County EMS were dispatched to the prison on Tedder Road just after 4 p.m. The inmate was transported by medical helicopter to a Pensacola hospital. He had reportedly been stabbed multiple times.
The Florida Department of Corrections has not released additional information as they continue their investigation.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Funeral Services Held For Former Cantonment Fire Chief
June 14, 2020
A former Cantonment fire chief has passed away.
Funeral services were held Sunday for 51-year old Johnell Vincent Smith of Cantonment.
Smith volunteered at the Cantonment Volunteer Fire Department from 1995 to 2008 and served as chief for a couple of years. On May 28, Escambia Fire Rescue presented him with a white chief’s helmet in honor of his service.
Also last month, Smith’s 12-year old son Dakota wanted to go ahead and do something special for Smith for Father’s Day, and asked for a community parade for his dad as he battled state 4 pancreatic cancer. The two sat together in a golf cart alongside Casey Lane on a May Sunday afternoon to watch as the community came together for the very special parade.
For Smith’s obituary, click here.
Landowners, Producers In The Sandy Hollow, Pine Barren Creek Watershed Wanted to Help Pensacola Bay
June 14, 2020
Escambia County is requesting assistance and participation from landowners in the Sandy Hollow – Pine Barren Creek watershed area to work with USDA-NRCS on the Pensacola Bay Watershed Nutrient Reduction Project.
Landowners and producers within the designated watershed area who are actively engaged in row crop, livestock and forest production may be eligible for conservation practice implementation cost share under the project. The project application deadline is Tuesday, June 30.
The project will restore resources injured by the Deep Water Horizon oil spill as outlined in the following Natural Resource Damage Assessment process. This following is included within the restoration plan:
- Restoration goal: Restore Water Quality
- Restoration type: Nutrient Reduction (Non-point source)
- Restoration approach: Reduce nutrient loads to coastal watershed
- Restoration techniques: Agricultural conservation practices
The primary goal for the nutrient reduction project is water quality improvement through nutrient and sediment reduction. This watershed-scale project restores water quality impacted by the DWH oil spill by reducing nutrients and the sediments carrying them into coastal waters. Given the success of USDA-NRCS Farm Bill programs such as EQIP and their strong acceptance by private landowners, there is a significant opportunity to implement conservation practices on private lands that would reduce the levels of nutrients and sediments entering the Gulf of Mexico from the Pensacola Bay watershed.
The USDA-NRCS would provide technical assistance to voluntary participants to develop conservation plans and would use all available conservation practices typically planned and funded by USDA-NRCS programs. The project goal is to make a discernible difference in water quality at the watershed level.
Contact the USDA-NRCS Molino field office at (850) 840-9089 for further information on program details.
Click map to enlarge.
Here Are This Week’s Road Construction Slow Spots
June 14, 2020
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads and projects in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.
Escambia County:
- · Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement- Bridge construction may require the following lane closures from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. The week of Sunday, June 14:
o Intermittent east and westbound lane closures on U.S. 98 from North 14th Avenue in Pensacola to east of the Pensacola Bay Bridge in Gulf Breeze.
o Intermittent lane closures on North 17th Avenue in Pensacola between U.S. 98 and the CSX Railroad overpass (Graffiti Bridge).
- · U.S. 29 Widening from Interstate 10 (I-10) to Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90)– Drivers traveling Nine Mile Road at the U.S. 29 overpass and U.S. 29 traffic between I-10 and 9 & Half Mile Road may experience alternating lane shifts or closures as crews continue drainage and paving operations.
- · Michigan Avenue (S.R. 296) at Mobile Highway and Memphis Avenue- Construction activities have begun on a safety improvement project at Mobile Highway and Memphis Avenue. No lane closures anticipated at this time.
- · 9th Avenue, Davis Highway (State Road (S.R.) 291), Alcaniz Street (S.R. 289) , Wright Street (U.S. 98) Underground Sewer Line Videography- Traffic may encounter intermittent lane restrictions from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday through Thursday until Tuesday, June 30 as crews inspect sanitary sewer lines.
- · Bayou Boulevard (S.R. 296) Drainage Improvements at the intersection of Perry Avenue- The southbound lane will be closed at the intersection of Perry Avenue from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. until Friday, July 10.
- · Perdido Key Drive (S.R. 292) Pedestrian Crosswalk Construction at Flora-Bama- Signalization continues. Crews will also perform concrete work at the pedestrian crosswalk. No lane closures are expected. Drivers are reminded to watch for workers and equipment entering and exiting the roadway.
- · U.S. 29 Resurfacing from south of County Road (C.R.) 184 (Muscogee Road) to S.R. 97 (Atmore Highway)- Motorists can expect intermittent daytime lane restrictions as crews continue construction activities at various locations. There will also be intermittent and alternating lane restriction from 8 pm. to 6 a.m. at the intersection of U.S. 29 and Muscogee Road/Becks Lake Road.
- · Mobile Highway (U.S. 90) Intersection Improvements at New Warrington Road
(S.R. 295) – Construction activities are underway. Drivers can expect lane closures between 9:30 p.m. and 6 a.m.
- Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90) Widening from Pine Forest Road (State Road (S.R.)) to U.S. 29 – Cove Avenue north of Nine Mile Road will be closed to traffic at 7 a.m. beginning Tuesday, June 16. Drivers may use 9 & Half Mile Road and Bowman Avenue as an alternate route. The temporary closure is anticipated to take seven to ten days.
- Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90) Widening from Beulah Road to Pine Forest Road (S.R. 297)- Nine Mile Road between Klondike Road and Surrey Drive will be shifted to the newly constructed eastbound roadway as crews build the new westbound lanes the week of Sunday, June 14. One lane in each direction will open between Pinecone Drive and Surry Drive. Just west of Pinecone Drive, westbound traffic will open to two travel lanes. In addition, a portion of the I-10 off-ramp that connects to Nine Mile Road (Exit 5) westbound remains closed. Drivers can continue to access Nine Mile Road east and westbound using the other section of the ramp. The partial ramp closure is needed to reconstruct the ramp.
Santa Rosa County:
- · Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement - Bridge construction may require the following lane closures from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. The week of Sunday, June 14:
o Intermittent east and westbound lane closures from North 14th Avenue in Pensacola to east of the Pensacola Bay Bridge in Gulf Breeze.
o Intermittent lane closures on North 17th Avenue in Pensacola between U.S. 98 and the CSX Railroad overpass (Graffiti Bridge).
- · S.R. 4 Resurfacing and Drainage Improvements from the Escambia River Bridge to Market Road (C.R. 87A) in Jay –There will be a slow-moving vehicle used to perform striping operations. There will also be intermittent shoulder closures throughout the project.
- · U.S. 90 Pavement Marking Operations between Avalon Boulevard (S.R. 281) and the Okaloosa County Line-Motorists can expect minor delays Sunday through Thursday from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. until Thursday, Aug. 27 as slow-moving vehicles are used to perform pavement marking operations.
- · U.S. 98 Safety Improvement from Villa Woods Circle to Ortega Park Drive- Paving operations are underway throughout the project limits. Drivers can expect nighttime lane restrictions.
- · S.R. 87 Bridge Rehabilitation and Repair Over Yellow River- Motorists may encounter nighttime southbound lane closures as crews continue expansion joint work.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Here Are The Local Candidates That Qualified For The 2020 Ballot. And Those Automatically Elected.
June 13, 2020
Noon Friday was the deadline for local candidates to qualify to appear on the 2020 ballot.
Primaries are open — with voters from all parties voting — if there is not a candidate that qualified from both parties or a write-in candidate that declared. The Escambia County Commission District 5 primary, for instance, will be open to all voters because there are only Republican candidates.
In races where only one candidate qualified, that person was automatically elected. That means two Escambia County school board members, the property appraiser, supervisor of elections and one incumbent Century council member were elected Friday.
The primary election in August 18, and the general election is November 3.
Here are the candidates that will appear on the ballot:
Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller
- Pamela Lynn Chiders – R – incumbent
- Chase Anderson “Andy” Romagnano – write-in
Sheriff
- David Alexander III – D
- Chip Simmons – R
Property Appraiser
- Chris Jones – D – incumbent, reelected with no opposition
Tax Collector
- Scott Lunsford – R – incumbent
- Wendy Rich – NPA
Supervisor of Elections
- David Stafford – R – incumbent, reelected with no opposition
County Commission District 1 (Open Primary)
- Jeff Bergosh – R – incumbent
- Jesse Casey – R
- Jonathan Owens – R
- Jimmie Trotter – R
County Commission District 3
- Jason Laird – write-in, won’t appear on ballot
- Lumon May – D – incumbent
- LuTimothy May Sr. – D
County Commission District 5 (Open Primary)
- Steven Barry – R – incumbent
- John Reading – R
- Meagan Walters – R
ECUA District 1
(Open Primary)
- Debra Brusso – R
- Vicki H. Campbell – R – incumbent
ECUA District 3
- John R. Johnson – NPA
- Ellison Bennett – D
- Clorissti Bernie-Shoemo – D
- Eric L. Jordan Sr. – D
- Ashley McDonald – D
- Larry Williams – D
- Pueschel Schneier – R
ECUA District 5
(Open Primary)
- Kevin Stephens – R
- Larry Walker – R – incumbent
The following offices are non-partisan.
Town of Century Mayor
- Benjamin D. Boutwell
- Henry Hawkins – incumbent
Town of Century Council Seat 1
- Ann C. Brooks – incumbent
- Calvin Cottrell Jr.
- Dynette Lewis
Town of Century Council Seat 2
- Luis Gomez Jr. – incumbent, reelected with no opposition
Town of Century Council Seat 3
- Shelisa Dorshae McCall
- Leonard B. White
Escambia County Soil and Water Conservation District, Group 1
- Matt Sharpsteen
- Betty Wilson – incumbent
Escambia County Soil and Water Conservation District, Group 3
- Catherine Monroe-Dismuke – elected with no opposition
Escambia County Soil and Water Conservation District, Group 5
- Louis A. Toth –elected with no opposition
Escambia County Judge, Group 2
- Charles Young – elected with no opposition
Escambia County School Board District 4
- Patty Hightower – incumbent, reelected with no opposition
Escambia County School Board District 5
- Bill Slayton – incumbent, reelected with no opposition
Santa Rosa Island Authority
- Thomas A. Campanella – incumbent, reelected with no opposition
Pensacola City Council District 1
- Jennifer Brahier
- P.C. Wu – incumbent
Pensacola City Council District 3
- Casey Jones – elected with no opposition
Pensacola City Council District 5
- Teniade Broughton
- Ron Helms
Pensacola City Council District 7
- Brenton Goodman
- James L. Gulley
- Delarian Wiggins
FEDERAL, STATE AND JUDICIAL CANDIDATES
These are the federal, state and judicial candidates in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
U.S. Representative House District 1
- Phil Ehr – D
- Matt Gaetz – R – incumbent
- Greg Merk – R
- John Mills – R
- Albert Oram – NPA
State Attorney
- Ginger Bowden Madden – R – elected with no opposition
Public Defender
- Bruce A. Miller – R – incumbent, reelected with no opposition
State Senator District 1
- Douglas V. Broxson – R – incumbent
- Karen M. Butler – D
State Representative House District 1
- Mike Hill – R – incumbent
- Michelle Salzman – R
- Franscine C. Mathis – D
- Barbara Scott-Shouse – D
State Representative House District 2
- Alex Andrade – R – incumbent
- Cris Dosev – R
- Dianne Krumel – D
State Representative House District 3
- Angela L. Hoover – D
- Jayer Williamson – R – incumbent
Microgrants Totaling $50,000 Available To Black Owned Small Businesses In Escambia County
June 13, 2020
The Spring Entrepreneur Hub is launching it’s Black-Owned Small Business Microgrant Program. It will provide grants totaling $50,000 to eligible black-owned small businesses in Escambia County.
Each microgrant will provide a minimum of $1,500 per business. While all black-owned companies are eligible to receive grant funds, this will be given to companies that did not receive any of the COVID-19 state or federal programs during 2020.
The application deadline is through 9 a.m. on Monday, June 22. Winners will be selected by Friday, June 27.
Requirements:
- Must be a black-owned business located within Escambia County.
- Business owner must be 18 years of age or older.
- Verification of company information (employees, revenue, income tax return) may be required.
- All funding must be used for payroll, rent/mortgage or utility payments only. This is also subject to verification.
- Funding may not be used as a founder stipend.
- Winners may be asked to update on impact from grant funding.
Applying by clicking or tapping here.
For more information or assistance, contact contact D.C. Reeves at The Spring at dcreeves@quintstuder.com.
The Studer Community Institute, FloridaWest Economic Development Alliance, Greater Pensacola Chamber of Commerce, Gulf Coast Minority Chamber of Commerce, Gulf Power, Pensacola State College and the University of West Florida Center for Entrepreneurship partnered earlier this year to form The Spring Entrepreneur Hub.
Convicted Escambia Sex Offender Arrested On New Federal Child Porn Charges
June 13, 2020
A registered sex offender from Escambia County was arrested Friday on new federal charges related to the distribution, receipt, and possession of child pornography.
Steven J. McLendon, 36, is a registered sex offender in the state of Florida stemming from prior convictions for lewd and lascivious conduct with a minor and child pornography in 2007. Lawrence Keefe, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, announced the charges today after McLendon made his initial appearance in federal court in Pensacola.
The allegations against McLendon stem from a months long investigation by the FloridaDepartment of Law Enforcement in Pensacola. The charges allege that from February through June, McLendon was utilizing peer to peer software to distribute and receive child pornography in Pensacola. Upon the execution of a search warrant at his residence in Pensacola this week, law enforcement is alleged to have seized multiple pieces of digital evidence containing child pornography. This includes a device McLendon is alleged to have attempted to hide in his refrigerator.
McLendon, because of his prior convictions, faces the following enhanced penalties if convicted:
- Distribution of Child Pornography – A mandatory minimum of 15 years up to a maximum of 40 years in prison;
- Receipt of Child Pornography – A mandatory minimum of 15 years up to a maximum of 40 years in prison;
- Possession of Child Pornography – A mandatory minimum of 10 years up to a maximum of 20 years in prison; and
- Forfeiture of his all the electronics used to commit the offenses.
“Protecting the children of our community against those who would do them harm is a difficult and serious task. My office is grateful to the men and women of law enforcement who work tirelessly to rescue children from online sexual exploitation,” Keefe said.
“FDLE’s Cyber Squad began this investigation in March and found child pornography involving young children being victimized,” said FDLE Special Agent in Charge Jack Massey. “McLendon is already on Florida’s Sex Offender Registry and I appreciate the hard work and dedication of our cyber squad agents.”
The case was investigated by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and the North Florida Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David L. Goldberg.