Monday Was Reopening Day For Part Of Florida’s Economy. Here’s What Opens And What Is Still Closed
May 4, 2020
Here’s what may be open, and what will still be closed as Phase 1 of Gov. Ron DeSantis’ plan goes into effect:
- Retail can operate at 25% of indoor capacity
- Restaurants may offer outdoor seating with six foot spacing between tables, and indoor seating at 25% capacity
- Elective surgeries can resume
- No change for bars, gyms, movie theaters and personal services such as hairdressers (all remain closed)
- Schools continue with distance learning
- Visits to senior living facilities are prohibited
- Vulnerable individuals should avoid close contact with people outside their home.
- All individuals should maximize physical distance from others in public
- Avoid socializing in groups of more than 10 people in circumstances that do not readily allow for physical distancing.
- Face masks are recommended for in close interactions without social distancing.
- Vacation rentals must remained closed.
$5.45 Million Grant Awarded To Support Amtrak’s Return To The Gulf Coast. But Not To Pensacola Or Atmore.
May 4, 2020
The return of passenger rail service along part of the Gulf Coast has received millions in funding, but not for service to Atmore, Pensacola and the rest of Florida.
A $5.45 million grant has been awarded from Restoration and Enhancement Grants Program for service from New Orleans to Mobile, The award will fund operating expenses for the first and second years of service along the restored rail line and also leverages commitments from the states of Louisiana and Mississippi and the City of Mobile. Florida is not a member of the Southern Rail Commission.
“I would like express my gratitude for continued support at the federal, state, and local levels as we work to bring passenger rail back to the Gulf Coast. This award brings us one step closer to realizing the many benefits that restored passenger service will have for our communities in Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana,” SRC Chairman Wiley Blackenship said.
So far there’s no word of any funding continue service past Mobile to Atmore which is home to Alabama’s office rail welcome station or on into Florida. Existing railroad track heads from Atmore to Flomaton and south through Century to Pensacola then eastward to Jacksonville. Passenger rail service from Pensacola to Jacksonville ended after Hurricane Ivan in 2004.
The announcement follows other recent federal awards to the Southern Rail Commission (SRC) for Gulf Coast passenger service restoration, including $33 million through the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) program to complete major infrastructure and capital improvements necessary for service restoration.
The Commission was also awarded a R&E grant of $4.36 million in 2019 to support operating expenses for a portion of the first year of service along the new rail line. These investments confirm the regional and national support for rail restoration along the Gulf Coast and show confidence in the anticipated benefits of the returned service.
Pictured: An Amtrak inspection train rolls in Atmore (top and bottom) and Pensacola (inset) in February 2016. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Drivers Return To The Road As Florida Reopens. That Likely Means Gas Prices Are Nearing Their Cheapest.
May 4, 2020
Florida gas prices may be nearing their low point as most of Florida begins the first reopening phase on Monday. The lifting of stay-at-home restrictions has boosted optimism within the fuel market that gasoline demand will begin to rise.
“The phased reopening of businesses and restaurants will signal a return to the road for many Florida drivers,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Gas prices have plummeted 65 cents in the past 10 weeks. While the increased demand may not cause a pump price surge, it may signal the eventual end of the plunge at the pump.”
The average price per gallon Sunday night in Escambia County was $1.63, down three cents over the last week. Two Cantonment stations were considerably lower at $1.41 Sunday night
Florida gas prices statewide are now averaging $1.77 per gallon – the lowest in four years. The state average is two cents less than a week ago, 15 cents less than a month ago, and $1.02 per gallon less than this time last year.
Need A Haircut? Not Yet In A Florida Salon Or Barbershop. But DeSantis Is Talking Reopening Strategies
May 3, 2020
As many types of businesses across Florida reopen Monday with restrictions, barber shops, hair salons and other personal care services will remain closed.
“Throughout this whole time, I’ve said I’d rather get it right than get it fast,” Gov. Ron DeSantis told a group of hair stylists and barbers this weekend at the Ohsooojazzy Hair Salon in Orlando. “It doesn’t mean we’re going to sit on our hands. But we just want to be very thorough about how we’re doing it.”
They assured DeSantis they are ready with the extra steps to keep their clients safe.
“Our biggest thing is we don’t want to just keep ourselves safe,” Nadine Armstrong-Tarpley, an owner of Ohsooojazzy, told DeSantis. “We love our clients … so we want to keep them safe.”
They said they can limit the number of clients in their shops and schedule times to see their clients most at risk from COVID-19 like older adults and those with pre-existing medical conditions, all while upgrading already stringent sanitation requirements.
“We have hand sanitizer by the dozens in here. We have a manufacturer here in Orlando that supplies it to us, so it’s always readily available,” Armstrong-Tarpley said. “We’ve even gone a step further to order disposable capes so it’s never touching again. We have masks in the front, just in case someone doesn’t bring one in. We’ve supplied masks to all of our stylists.”
The governor said he’ll take the measures back to the the state barber and cosmetology licensing boards.
“If it vets and it’s safe, then I think we have a responsibility to get the ‘yes’ on this stuff,” said DeSantis, who joked that he has not had a haircut since February.
Pictured: Gov. Ron DeSantis meets with hair stylists and barbers at an Orlando salon this weekend. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Convicted Cantonment Sex Offender Charged With Additional Child Molestation Crimes
May 3, 2020
A convicted sex offender from Cantonment that was out on probation has been arrested on additional child sexual molestation charges.
Michael Davis Edgar, 47, was charged with two counts of lewd or lascivious battery, two counts of providing obscene material to a minor and two counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor for encounters that occurred between 2016 and 2018.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office was called when a juvenile male told his father that he had sexual encounters with Edgar over 20 times from the time he was 12 years old until October 2018. He told his father than Edgar would get him drunk and provide him with alcohol and marijuana whenever they were together.
Another underage male victim told investigators that over the course of three years Edgar had performed sexual acts with him over 20 times while he was drunk or high. The victim said the encounters happened at Edgar’s house, but later Edgar would offer to take him out “on repo runs” from his Genesis Recovery repossession office. The victim said he would get drunk or high and they would have sexual encounters at the repo office.
Edgar was convicted on May 2019 of contributing to the delinquency of a minor and lewd or lascivious exhibition of a person less than 16. He was placed on probation and forced to register as a sex offender.
Edgar remained in the Escambia County Jail without bond Sunday.
A Helping Hand: Thousands Of Pounds Of Food Distributed At Olive Baptist, Molino Church
May 3, 2020
Food giveaways were held Saturday at Olive Baptist Church on Davis Highway and at a Molino Church.
Ministry Village At Olive Baptist Church
The Ministry Village at Olive Baptist Church distributed over 30,000 pounds of free food to those in need Saturday. Over 85 volunteers, wearing masks and gloves, helped to sort and pack the food items for the distribution. They packed over 1,200 bags in 2.5 hours.
There was no paperwork to complete or guidelines to meet to receive the food from Farm Share though Patriot Emergency Response Team.
Beacon of Hope – Molino
A “Hope 4 Molino” drive-thru food distribution was held Saturday at Beacon of Hope Church of God on Molino Road.
Pictured above: A food giveaway Saturday at Olive Baptist Church. Pictured first two photos below: Food distribution Saturday at the Beacon Hope Church of God in Molino. Pictured bottom: A few more shots from Olive. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Good Eats In Beulah: Food Trucks At The Equestrian Center This Week (With Daily Schedule)
May 3, 2020
Food trucks will continue to serve up at the Escambia Count Equestrian Center this week. Here is the tentative schedule through next Satuday:
Monday, May 4
- 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. — Facto’s Snack Shack
- 10:30 a.m. – 7 p.m. — Sneaky Tiki Shaved Ice
- 4-7 p.m. — Chic-Fil-A
- 4-7 p.m. — Beach Bums
- 4-7 p.m. — City Bowls
Tuesday, May 5
- 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. — Facto’s Snack Shack
- 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. — Dr Sno Shaved Ice
- 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. — 3-D Eats
- 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. — Joe’s Caribbean
- 4-7 p.m. — Lone Star Tex Mex
- 4-7 p.m. — Arlene Williams BBQ & Grill
Wednesday, May 6
- 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. and 4-7 p.m. — Joe’s Caribbean
Thursday, May 7
- 10:30 a.m. – 7 p.m. — Sneaky Tiki Shaved Ice
- 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. — Joe’s Caribbean
- 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. 3-D — Eats
- 4-7 p.m. — Chic-fil-A
Friday, May 8
- 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. — Dr Sno Shaved Ice
- 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. — The Po Boy Shack
- 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. – 3-D Eats
Saturday, May 9
- 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. — Dr Sno Shaved Ice
- 4-7 p.m. — Lone Star Tex Mex
- 4-7 p.m. – Chic-fil-A
- 4-7 p.m. — Arlene Williams BBQ & Grill
Trucks are spaced out in the lot and patrons are asked to stay six feet apart and limit gathering to groups smaller than 10. To participate as a food truck vendor, call (850) 941-6042 for a vendor application. All Equestrian Center vendor fees will be waived.
Pictured: Food trucks at the Escambia County Equestrian Center last week. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
UWF Students In Need Benefit From Laptops, Food, Financial Help
May 3, 2020
As the COVID-19 virus challenges University of West Florida students in ways never imagined, the Division of Academic Engagement and Student Affairs is continuing its mission to support their personal development and academic success.
“Our students are facing a new normal and in this environment new challenges sometimes arise,” said Dr. Kim LeDuff, UWF chief diversity officer and vice president for the Division of Academic Engagement and Student Affairs. “We continue to serve our students by providing traditional support, but we also realize that students and their families may be facing unique challenges. Staff in my division have been very innovative and quite successful in their efforts to support our campus community at this difficult time.”
The division, in coordination with University Advancement, developed a campaign that in less than a month has raised nearly $19,000 in donations for the Student Emergency Support Fund. The fund assists students with emergent needs including housing, utilities, minor vehicle repairs and food. The division has partnered with the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships to ensure students’ needs are met by leveraging its resources with the emergency grant funds offered through financial aid.
Case Management Services has assisted students with food through the Argo Pantry, emergency assistance, including housing, laptops and travel, connections to resources at UWF and in the community, along with communicating with faculty and staff about various situations which may impact students’ academic progress.
“Case Management has seen an increase in the number of students requesting financial assistance due to the recent impact of COVID-19,” said Dawn Rockey, assistant dean of students. “Students have reported an unexpected loss of income resulting in difficulty maintaining stable housing and acquiring food and other resources. We are thankful for the recent support from our UWF community and are currently in need of ongoing financial support and virtual donations.”
The Argo Pantry remains open on a limited basis from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. each Monday to provide food to students in need of assistance. Students unable to visit the pantry during that time frame are asked to contact Case Management to schedule an appointment at an alternative time. The Argo Pantry is in need of donations to provide students and accepts items through a wish list created on Amazon.
Here Are This Week’s Road Construction Traffic Trouble Spots
May 3, 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, May 3:
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- 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.
- 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 will experience the following traffic impacts the week of Sunday, May 3:
o Nine Mile Road at the U.S. 29 Overpass and U.S. 29 traffic between I-10 and 9 1/2 Mile Road may experience alternating lane shifts or closures as crews continue drainage and paving operations.
- Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90) Widening from Beulah Road to Pine Forest Road (State Road (S.R.) 297)- Drivers will experience alternating lane closures between Patrick Lane and Navy Federal Way the week of Sunday, May 3 from 8 p.m.to 6 a.m. as crews make repairs to the roadway. One travel lane will be maintained during the work. Traffic Flaggers will be on-site to safely direct drivers through the work area. In addition, the far-right portion of the I-10 eastbound off-ramp that connects to Nine Mile Road (Exit 5) remains closed. Drivers can still access Nine Mile Road east and westbound using the other section of the ramp. The partial ramp closure is needed to reconstruct the ramp.
- Perdido Key Drive (S.R. 292) Pedestrian Crosswalk Construction at Flora-Bama- The contractor has installed the drill shaft and is awaiting cure time before returning to the project. There are no lane closures or impacts to traffic at this time.
- 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 perform paving operations. There will also be ongoing turn lane, widening, and median work at various locations on the project.
- 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.
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, May 3:
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 – Drivers can expect shoulder closures throughout the project limits as crews perform paving 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 daytime 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. Drivers are reminded to use caution, especially at night, when traveling through a work zone and to watch for construction workers and equipment entering and exiting the roadway.
Escambia County Office Buildings To Reopen On Monday
May 3, 2020
Escambia County’s Central Office Complex, the Ernie Lee Magaha building, the Parks and Recreation Department office and West Florida Public Libraries will reopen to the public Monday and will operate at 25% capacity under the Phase 1 Plan announced by Gov. Ron DeSantis.
Here’s information on the reopening from Escambia County:
Escambia County Buildings, Offices and Enclosed Facilities
- Services at each Escambia County government building and enclosed facility have been evaluated to determine the public’s need for access in order to conduct county business and/or to facilitate the private sector’s return to work. Common areas and lobbies should remain uncongested.
- Public access to Escambia County government buildings and facilities will be limited based on safe distancing guidelines. Escambia County will monitor the areas of public access to ensure enough space is available to meet social distancing standards, which may result in time periods when people have to wait outside the building until enough people have exited in order to maintain the necessary space for social distancing. Such metering will be monitored based on the number of public entering and exiting the facility, if necessary. Any individual dry coughing or otherwise exhibiting symptoms similar to the CDC listed COVID-19 symptoms will not be allowed entrance to the government facility.
- Some facilities may offer appointments only, or phone consultation for certain functions. Citizens should call the department in which services are being sought to determine if appointments are available.
- Some Escambia County buildings or enclosed facilities normally accessible to the public require further evaluation prior to allowing re-entry to the public (for example community centers). Information regarding this process will be made available once safe operations can be determined.
- Plexiglass or similar separation devices have been installed at many interaction points where an employee serves a member of the public. Any documents or form of payment will be exchanged at the bottom of the plexiglass. Employees will use hand sanitizer with 60% or higher alcohol content after each exchange. Employees are encouraged to use a face mask if contact with the public is within the proper social distancing boundaries or outside of the separation devices.
Escambia County Supervisor of Elections Office
- Residents can access most services at EscambiaVotes.com, by phone at 850-595-3900, by email soe@escambiavotes.com, or by mail.
- Voter registration and record updates are available through RegisterToVoteFlorida.gov.
- Voter services will be available by phone Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. until 5 p.m., and document drop-off is accessible at the Palafox Street entrance to the downtown Tax Collector’s office, 213 Palafox Place.
- Advance appointments are preferred, if in-person services are required.
- Access to the elections office will be through the main county office building.
- Six-foot “social distancing” is required, and the number of customers allowed in the office at a time will be limited.
Escambia County Tax Collector’s Office
- Citizens should visit EscambiaTaxCollector.com for the most current information regarding Escambia County Tax Collector’s Office operations.
Escambia County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller First Judicial Circuit
The MC Blanchard and Theodore Bruno Juvenile Justice Building will remain open, at this time, but have limited public access. The Clerk’s office will continue to process the following emergency court services:
- Petitions for Dating Violence, Domestic Violence, Repeat Violence, Sexual Violence or Stalking Injunctions
- Baker Act petitions
- Marchman Act petitions
- Vulnerable Adult petitions
- Adult Protective Services petitions
- Emergency guardianship appointment
- Family Law and Dependency cases in which the imminent safety of children is at issue
Clerk’s Official Records, Treasury, Finance, and Clerk to the Board Offices will reopen at 25% public capacity effective Monday, May 4. Passport services remain suspended until further notice.
The following Clerk’s offices will remain closed for in-person services until further notice.
- Traffic Office, MC Blanchard Judicial Building, 190 W. Government St.
- Marriage Office, MC Blanchard Judicial Building, 190 W. Government St.
- Century Courthouse office
- The Public Records Center, 120 E. Blount St.
To make payments and access other online services, please visit our e-services page here. For further information visit escambiaclerk.com.
Escambia County Property Appraiser’s Office
- Citizens should visit www.escpa.org for the most current information regarding Escambia County Property Appraiser’s Office operations.
West Flora Public Libraries
For more information on the West Florida Public Libraries, click here for a previous story.
NorthEscambia.com photo.