Gyms In Florida Can Open Monday; Restaurants And Retailers Can Increase Capacity
May 15, 2020
Gyms in Florida can reopen on Monday, and restaurants and retailers will be able to increase capacity, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Friday.
‘“Don’t we want people to get in shape? That’s gonna help you fight the virus,” the governor said. “Don’t we want people to be getting in shape?”
On Monday, retailers and restaurants will be able to increase their capacity of 50 percent; they are currently limited to 25%. Museums and libraries can also open at 50%.
Social distancing rules still apply.
Indoor movie theaters and bars still can’t open under what the governor called the “full Phase One” reopening that begins Monday, and individuals still cannot visit nursing homes.
As for moving on to Phases Two of reopening, DeSantis said the state will have to wait. That will happen “once the Governor determines it is suitable to continue re-opening and after fully considering medical data in consultation with state health officials”, according to a FAQ sheet from the Governor’s Office.
Large Bear Spotted Near University Of West Florida Entrance
May 15, 2020
A large bear was spotted near the front entrance of the Pensacola Campus in the early hours of Friday, May 15, 2020. The bear was seen alone and was not approaching humans.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission was notified immediately. UWF Police have increased their presence on campus, especially near the location of the bear sighting.
If you see a bear, please stay away and contact UWF Police immediately at (850) 474-2415 or 911. Please use caution if you are outside on the Pensacola campus.
Wildfires Almost Contained, But Forest Service Says ‘Reburn’ Is Likely
May 15, 2020
Firefighters were still working the 5 Mile Swamp and Hurst Hammock fires this morning as they monitor and patrol the blazes in Santa Rosa and Escambia counties looking for any remaining hot spots to douse and keeping the fire within containment lines.
The 5 Mile Swamp Fire in Santa Rosa County is 2,215 acres and 97% contained and Hurst Hammock near Beulah is 1,191 acres and 98% contained.
In addition to local resources from the Blackwater Forestry Center, there are four brush trucks, three tractor/plow units and other specialized equipment in district to bolster local resources as the potential for new fires remains high until the area receives significant rainfall.
Reburn Likely
As patrol operations continue, residents are likely to witness what’s known as reburn as trees that were affected by the fire but not completely burned will drop their remaining leaves and needles as they begin their recovery process. These needles and leaves could land in lingering hot spots that are well inside the fire lines and flare up. Crews have been mopping up any and all hot spots within 50 feet of the fire line for several days so any reburn that occurs should pose minimal risk to containment.
Escambia, Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties have enacted burn bans and the Florida Forest Service is not issuing burn authorizations. Residents are asked to call the non-emergency line for their respective area to report violations and 911 for emergency situations only.
COVID-19 Cases In Escambia County, Alabama, Up To 39; Hospitals Detail Local Test Results
May 15, 2020
The number of positive COVID-19 cases in Escambia County, Alabama, is now 39, according to the Alabama Department of Public Health.
There have been three deaths in the county, with 844 total tests reported by the state. That’s a positive rate of about 4.6%.
The Escambia County Healthcare Authority reports 33 positive cases have been diagnosed by Atmore Community Hospital and six at D.W. McMillan Hospital in Brewton.
Atmore Community has performed 405 total tests with 359 negative, 12 pending and one inconclusive. D.W. McMillan has conducted 206 tests with 192 negative and eight pending.
The Alabama Department of Health reported 11,100 total positive cases in the state out of 146,051 tests. There have been 473 deaths and 1,372 hospitalizations reported statewide.
Texas Woman Killed In Early Morning Highway 29, Quintette Road Wreck
May 15, 2020
A Texas woman was killed in a single vehicle wreck early Friday morning on Highway 29.
The 51-year old Houston woman was traveling south on Highway 29 at Quintette Road when her Toyota SUV left the roadway, struck a culvert and overturned into a wooded area about 3:53 a.m.
She was pronounced deceased at the scene. There were no other occupants in the vehicle.
The Florida Highway Patrol has implemented a new policy. As of April 24, the FHP will no longer release the names of anyone involved in a traffic crash.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
First Positive COVID-19 Case Confirmed At Century Health And Rehabilitation, FDOH Says
May 15, 2020
The first case of COVID-19 has been reported at Century Health and Rehabilitation in Century.
According to data published by the Florida Department of Health, a staff member has been confirmed positive at the facility located at West Highway 4 and Industrial Boulevard in Century. While the state required the individual to be reported as a staff member, administration said the infected individual was a vendor that visited the facility.
“According to the rules established by the Agency for Health Care Administration, we had to report that an approved and appropriately screened vendor that came into the facility was confirmed positive on Tuesday. Even though this person is not a staff member at Century, I had to report this,” Century Health and Rehabilitation Administrator Scott Berube told NorthEscambia.com.
“When this person came into our facility last Friday (May 8), the individual was wearing full PPE, including a N-95 mask, gown, face shield and gloves. All residents, family members and staff were notified. Resident safety is our top priority. We are doing everything we can to stop the spread of COVID-19 in our facility,” Berube continued. He encouraged anyone with questions to contact him.
No residents at the Century facility have tested positive for the virus, according to FDOH’s latest report.
As previously reported, a dozen other long-term facilities in Escambia County have recorded positive residents or staff members.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Free Meals At Escambia Schools End May 22. Here’s How To Find Alternative Locations.
May 15, 2020
Free student meals at public schools in Escambia County will end on May 22, and school district officials are urging families to seek other sites.
“Since closing schools due the pandemic, ECSD Food Service staff members have served over 157,000 meals; from muffins and yogurt, to cheeseburgers with fresh vegetables,” said Escambia County School Superintendent Malcolm Thomas.
The 27 participating schools served 4,604 students on just Thursday.
Families are encouraged to locate an alternative summer community feeding location by going to https://summerbreakspot.freshfromflorida.com/, and entering a home address. The map will still show the school sites until May 22, but alternative locations should be noted. Families without internet access can call 2-1-1 or text FOODFL to 877877.
NorthEscambia.com photo.
Fire Damages Mobile Home In Cantonment
May 15, 2020
Fire damaged a single wide mobile home in Cantonment Thursday night.
Escambia Fire Rescue responded to the reported kitchen fire in the 1100 block of Well Line Road about 7:55 p.m. Firefighters were able to quickly bring the fire under control.
There were no injuries reported.
The Cantonment, Ensley, Beulah, Ferry Pass, Molino and McDavid stations of Escambia Fire Rescue were dispatched to the fire, along with Escambia County EMS.
Reader submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Pensacola Warns Of Fraudsters Posing As Permitting City Office
May 15, 2020
The City of Pensacola has received reports of a fraudulent email sent to local contractors this week posing as the City Inspection Services/Permitting Department. This email was not sent by the City of Pensacola and was sent from outside of the city’s network.
Anyone who receives this email should immediately delete it. Do not click on any links or attachments.
Contractors are able to update their own information with the city using the MyGovernmentOnline online portal, and City of Pensacola Inspection Services will never threaten to penalize contractors or request information via email in this manner.
Suspect Named In 2003 Escambia County Cold Case Homicide
May 15, 2020
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is looking for a suspect in a 2003 cold case homicide.
David Lasha Dale, 39, is wanted for the murder of Marcus Virgin.
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. In 2019, as part of a renewed focus on cold cases, the DNA evidence in the case was reexamined and led to new information, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of David Dale is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP or the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620