Palafox Street In Downtown Pensacola Will Be Pedestrian Only Every Sunday Through June
May 23, 2020
A section of Palafox Street in downtown Pensacola will be closed to vehicle traffic for “Sunday Strolls” every Sunday in May and June to promote safe outdoor retail and restaurant activities to support local businesses.
Palafox Street from Garden Street to Main Street will be closed to vehicle traffic from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. every Sunday through June beginning Sunday, May 24.
Closing the street to vehicular traffic will provide additional space for downtown visitors to more easily practice social distancing while supporting local businesses.
The City of Pensacola hopes area residents will support local restaurants and businesses as they enter economic recovery. CDC social distancing guidelines should be followed.
DeSantis Lifts All Restrictions On Youth Activities
May 22, 2020
Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Friday that he is lifting restrictions on youth activities effective immediately.
“Effective immediately, Florida will be lifting all restrictions on youth activities including summer camps and athletics,” Gov. DeSantis said during a Jacksonville news conference. “We believe this makes sense based on the data and observed experience.”
The Florida Department of Health may post some best practice guidelines, but they won’t be “instituting a lot of rules or any rules”.
“At the end of the day, we trust parents to be able to make decisions in conjunction with physicians and community leaders and coaches to be able to do these activities in a way that is safe,” he said.
Local municipalities will still be able to implement restrictions if they choose.
NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
One Additional COVID-19 Death Recorded In Escambia County
May 22, 2020
The number of reported COVID-19 deaths in Escambia County increased by one on Friday to 25, as the number of cases increased by a half dozen.
The death of a 76-year old male was not indicated as a long-term care center related fatality, according to the Florida Department of Health.
The number of cases in Escambia County increased by six to 740,, and Santa Rosa was up by one to 198.
Of the 25 deaths in Escambia County, 18 have been long-term care facility residents or staff. There have been eight deaths in Santa Rosa County, seven of those at the Blackwater River Correctional Facility and none in long-term care facilities.
Statewide, there were 49,451 cases including 48,150 Florida residents. There have been 9,117 hospitalizations and 2,190 deaths.
- Total cases — 740 (+6 since Thursday)
- Pensacola — 545
- Cantonment — 48
- Bellview — 6
- Perdido Key — 1
- McDavid/Walnut Hill — 1
- Molino – 4
- Century — 2
- Hospitalizations: 63*
- Deaths — 25
- Male — 255
- Female — 355
- Youngest — 0
- Oldest — 105
Santa Rosa County cases:
- Total cases — 199 (+1 since Thursday)
- Milton — 119
- Navarre — 35
- Gulf Breeze — 26
- Pace — 16
- Jay — 2
- Residents: 129
- Nonresidents — 1
- Hospitalizations — 23*
- Deaths — 9
- Male — 135
- Female — 60
- Youngest — 2 months
- Oldest — 94
Florida cases:
- Total cases — 49,451
- Florida residents — 48,150
- Deaths — 2,190
- Hospitalizations — 9,117*
*“Hospitalizations” is a count of all laboratory confirmed cases in which an inpatient hospitalization occurred at any time during the course of illness. These people may no longer be hospitalized. This number does not represent the number of COVID-19 positive persons currently hospitalized. The FDOH does not provide a count of patients currently hospitalized.
All But One COVID-19 Death In Escambia County Was Someone Over Age 65; 75% Were Long-Term Care Residents
May 22, 2020
Every COVID-19 death but one in Escambia County was someone over 65-years old and 75% of the deaths have been directly related to long-term care facilities, according to the Florida Department of Health.
The death toll in Escambia County increased by three on Thursday to 24 people. The youngest was a 52-year old female, and the oldest was a 103-year old female. Most of the deaths (21) were over 70-years old.
Three-quarters of the COVID-19 deaths in Escambia County have been in long-term care facility residents or staff members (18 total).
NorthEscambia.com graphics, click to enlarge.
Barrineau Park Historical Society Awards Four Scholarships
May 22, 2020
The Barrineau Park Historical Society has presented scholarships to four deserving high school seniors. The scholarships were presented to Emma Barlow, Tate High School; Kayla McKillion, Northview High School; Raeleigh Woodfin, Northview High School; and Sierra Ziglar, home-schooled.
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Emma Barlow, senior at Tate High,received the Stephen Jogan $1,000 Scholarship from the Barrineau Park Historical Society. She plans to attend the Universit of South Alabama in the fall and major in pre-medical and transfer to the University of Alabama at Birmingham to get her medical degree.
Kayla McKillion, a Northview High senior, was presented the Lynda C. Minchew Scholarship worth $500 presented by BPHS President Craig Exner. The Bobby Minchew family endowed the funds for this scholarship in honor of Lynda who was a strong supporter of education and her grandmother, Bernice Crabtree Vaughn who was an avid volunteer at Barrineau Park Elementary. Kayla will be attending the University of West Florida and plans to major in nursing.
Raeleigh Woodfin, a Northview High senior, was awarded a $500 scholarship by the Louis Crabtree, Sr. Family in memory of Louis, a strong supporter and lifetime member of the Barrineau Park Historical Society. Raeleigh plans to attend Troy University in the fall and major in Communication Arts and Agriculture.
Sierra Ziglar, a home-schooled senior, received a $1,000 Barrineau Park Historical Society Scholarship presented by BPHS President Craig Exner. Sierra has been active in mission work in third world countries and will attend the University of West Florida in the fall and major in nursing.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
NOAA Predicts Above Average Hurricane Season, And Here’s The List Of Storm Names
May 22, 2020
An above-normal 2020 Atlantic hurricane season is expected, according to forecasters with NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center, a division of the National Weather Service.
The outlook released Thursday predicts a 60% chance of an above-normal season, a 30% chance of a near-normal season and only a 10% chance of a below-normal season. The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30.
NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center is forecasting a likely range of 13 to 19 named storms (winds of 39 mph or higher), of which 6 to 10 could become hurricanes (winds of 74 mph or higher), including 3 to 6 major hurricanes (category 3, 4 or 5; with winds of 111 mph or higher). An average hurricane season produces 12 named storms, of which 6 become hurricanes, including 3 major hurricanes.
NOAA said they have a 70 percent confidence rate in their forecast.
“As Americans focus their attention on a safe and healthy reopening of our country, it remains critically important that we also remember to make the necessary preparations for the upcoming hurricane season,” said Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross. “Just as in years past, NOAA experts will stay ahead of developing hurricanes and tropical storms and provide the forecasts and warnings we depend on to stay safe.”
The combination of several climate factors is driving the strong likelihood for above-normal activity in the Atlantic this year. El Nino conditions are expected to either remain neutral or to trend toward La Nina, meaning there will not be an El Nino present to suppress hurricane activity. Also, warmer-than-average sea surface temperatures in the tropical Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea, coupled with reduced vertical wind shear, weaker tropical Atlantic trade winds, and an enhanced west African monsoon all increase the likelihood for an above-normal Atlantic hurricane season. Similar conditions have been producing more active seasons since the current high-activity era began in 1995.
“NOAA’s analysis of current and seasonal atmospheric conditions reveals a recipe for an active Atlantic hurricane season this year,” said Neil Jacobs, Ph.D., acting NOAA administrator. “Our skilled forecasters, coupled with upgrades to our computer models and observing technologies, will provide accurate and timely forecasts to protect life and property.”
Family Photo Shoot: Canada Geese At Lake Stone
May 22, 2020
NorthEscambia.com recently did a “family photo shoot” at Lake Stone with a family of Canada geese.
Two adults and their youngsters enjoyed a nice sunrise and morning walk at the lake on West Highway 4 just outside Century.
The geese are often seen at Lake Stone this time of the year.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Fully Reopens Beaches, But Perdido Still Sunrise To Sunset
May 22, 2020
The Escambia County Commission voted Thursday to fully open public beaches to the public.
Camping on the beach is not allowed under a county ordinance and consistent with the “Leave No Trace” protections for nesting sea turtles. Other Escambia County parks, including public access points on Perdido Key are open from sunrise to sunset.
CDC social distancing guidelines remain in place. Beach goers are asked to keep group sizes at 10 or less and to keep a six-foot distance from those not in their immediate household.
Pavilions, beach bathrooms, the area of the fishing pier and beach dog parks have all reopened.
Florida Department Of Corrections Extends Visitation Suspension Statewide
May 22, 2020
The Florida Department of Corrections (FDC) has extended the suspension of visitation at all correctional institutions statewide due to COVID-19.
The visitation suspension will be in effect through June 7, 2020. The decision to reinstate the normal visitation schedule will be evaluated in consultation with public health experts, FDC said.
Inmates will continue to have access to their loved ones through mail, phone calls and video visitation. Legal visits will not be impacted, although attorneys are encouraged to consult with their clients via phone, email or mail during this time.
FDC partners have provided complimentary communications credits to inmates and loved ones to provide avenues for communication during the visitation suspension.
NorthEscambia.com photo.
Escambia County Names Indiana Man As New Public Safety Director
May 21, 2020
Escambia County has named Jason Rogers as the new director of Public Safety.
His responsibilities to include oversight of daily operations and planning for long- term improvements for Escambia County EMS, Emergency Management, county dispatch and 911 center, the Pensacola Beach Lifeguards, the county medical director, as well as Escambia County Fire Rescue’s combination career and volunteer division.
Rogers brings 27 years of public safety experience from Indiana to Escambia County. He currently serves as both the director of emergency management and as the executive director of the Delaware County Emergency Medical Services in Muncie, Indiana, and began his career as a paramedic and police officer. Delaware County, Indiana, has a population of about 114,000 people, about one-third the size of Escambia County.
“My goal has always been to improve public safety for both the responders and the citizens that I serve,” Rogers said. “I’m looking forward to serving Escambia County, and my vision is to build an even stronger partnership between our first responders and the Escambia County community.”
Rogers previously served as a police officer and investigator for the City of Muncie Police Department, and as an EMT and paramedic for Delaware County Emergency Services. He has also served as a volunteer firefighter. Rogers has served the last four years on the Indiana State Fire Service Training Board, and the last eight years on the county 911 Board of Directors. He has instructed across the country for the fire service specializing in hazmat.
Rogers has been recognized for his leadership in emergency management, emergency medical services and government affairs. He was named the 2017 Delaware County EMS Director of the Year, the 2009 Hero of the Heartland by the American Red Cross for leadership of the District Disaster Response Task Force and received a 2004 Medal of Valor by the Fraternal Order of Police #87 for bravery and courage under gunfire during SWAT operations.
Rogers graduated with honors from the Indiana Law Enforcement Agency, is a nationally registered paramedic through the Methodist Hospital Paramedic Program in Indianapolis and studied at Ball State University.