International Paper Keeps Operating During Pandemic To Supply The Supply Chain
March 25, 2020
International Paper plans to keep mills such as the one in Cantonment operating, the company said Friday.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security considers forest products as an “essential industry” that should remain operational during the pandemic.
“International Paper products are critical components of the supply chains required to produce and deliver food, pharmaceuticals. hygiene products and emergency supplies for consumers around the world,” IP’s statement said. “Disruptions in the availability of our products would create significant hardships for consumers across the country and around the world. “If our customers cannot get our products, health care facilities, first responders, grocery stores and homes across the country and around the world will not be able to access essential items.”
As International Paper continues to operate, the company said it remains committed to protecting the health and safety of employees and contractors.
“The health and safety of our employees are paramount, and we continue to stress the importance of practicing social distancing, along with taking preventative hygiene measures recommended by the CDC,” Whitney Fike, communications manager for IP in Cantonment, said. “We continue to operate our business effectively, as International Paper bears a special responsibility to continue to operate our mills and converting plants to support the critical needs of the supply chain during this event.”
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
After 17 Years, The Search Continues For Melinda Wall McGhee
March 25, 2020
Tuesday marked 17 years since Melinda Wall McGhee went missing from her Atmore home, the apparent victim of foul play.
“The selfishness and meanness of the person that committed this crime haunts us daily. Our love for Melinda is as strong as it ever was and she is missed daily. Perseverance is our only weapon along with prayer. Our God’s vengeance will prevail one day this I believe,” Amanda McGhee said Tuesday as she visited her sister’s empty grave.
The morning of March 24, 2003, was a sunny start to the first day of spring break. Melinda, then 31, returned to her home about 8 a.m. after working the night shift as a nurse at a Bay Minette nursing home.
Her husband, Troy McGhee, was at work at Masland Carpets in Atmore. Their two children were at a babysitter, and Troy’s son from a previous relationship was at a dentist’s office. At about 8:30 the morning of March 24, 2003, Melinda spoke to her mother on the phone. It was the last time anyone known to Melinda would ever hear from her.
“I woke up to birds singing and sun shining just like it was 17 years ago, but our lives will never be the same the pain and loss is just as painful today as it was that day,” her mother, Ouida Wall said Tuesday.
At about 4:00 that afternoon, husband Troy came home to find Melinda missing. There was blood and evidence of a violent struggle inside the home. He reported his wife missing.
In 2010, authorities issued a death certificate for McGhee after a required seven year waiting period passed.
“We continue to be in prayer that Melinda’s body will be found and we can lay her to rest as she should have been years ago,” sister Melissa Wall said. “We are hopeful that the person responsible will be found out or come forward. We also pray that whoever knows something because someone does will come forward in hopes of some type of closure. Nothing will ever bring Sissy back but she deserves to be found and justice needs to be served.”
Crist Wants Early Release Of Benefits To Help Low Income Families During Pandemic
March 25, 2020
U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist is urging Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to release Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits early to help low income and vulnerable residents during the pandemic.
“Most recipients of SNAP benefits do not have the resources needed to live at home for an extended period, living hand to mouth on monthly payments to purchase the food that they need to feed themselves and their families,” Crist said in a letter Tuesday to DeSantis.
“The COVID-19 global pandemic has left many Floridians without a steady stream of income placing great stress on those in need. In response to these growing demands, and the potential requirement for some SNAP recipients to need to self-quarantine for 14 days or more, I urge you to offer the early release of next month’s SNAP benefits, effective immediately,” Crist wrote.
In other crises, Florida has authorized the early release of SNAP benefits, most recently during Hurricane Dorian.
DeSantis Cracks Down On Travelers From New York; Encourages All Age 65+ To Stay Home For Two Weeks
March 25, 2020
Gov. Ron DeSantis is following through on his plan to crack down on people fleeing the COVID-19 shelter-in-place ordera for Florida, and he’s urging everyone 65 and older to stay home for the next couple of weeks.
DeSantis issued an executive order that requires anyone that traveled to Florida from New York, New Jersey or Connecticut in the past three weeks to self-isolate or quarantine for 14 days or for the length of their visit, whichever is shorter. They must also notify officials of the people they’ve had contact with since they arrived in the state. Violating the order is a second-degree misdemeanor, punishable by imprisonment for up to 60 days and a fine of up to $500.
The National Guard is stationed at major airports in the state to help with screenings and take temperatures of planes arriving from restricted areas. The governor expects to expand the National Guard’s presence to smaller airports in the next few days.
“That’s the only way we can be sure that that virus is not going to be reintroduced in the state of Florida and then spread,” DeSantis said during a Tuesday press conference.
In addition, DeSantis is ordering Surgeon General Scott Rivkees to issued a public health order encouraging those 65 and over and those of any age with underlying medical conditions to stay at home for 14 days,
“Folks who are 65-plus are the ones that have the best chance to suffer a negative outcome, and that’s disproportionately so when you talk about fatalities.” DeSantis said. “We want to make sure those folks are protected.”
Escambia (AL) Schools To Begin Meal Distributions On March 30
March 25, 2020
The Escambia County (AL) School System will offer free meals for children 18 and young at three locations beginning March 30.
The meals will be distributed with curbside pick up. Students will receive two breakfasts and two lunches on Mondays and Wednesdays and one breakfast and one lunch on Fridays from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the following locations:
- Escambia County Middle School, Atmore
- Flomaton Elementary School
- W.S. Neal High School, East Brewton
Note that the locations are open on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and are closed on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Children do not have to be enrolled in the Escambia County (AL) Schools to participate. Breakfast and lunch will be provided to take home. No identification or proof of school enrollment is required, but the child must be present.
COVID-19: How To Apply For Reemployment Assistance, Business Loans And Programs
March 25, 2020
Florida Rep. Alex Andrade provided the following information to NorthEscambia.com on how to receive employment assistance, small business loans and other resources due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Reemployment Assistance
If a Floridian’s employment has been negatively impacted as a result of the mitigation efforts in Florida to stop the spread of COVID-19, they may be eligible to receive Reemployment Assistance. While not of direct benefit to business owners, providing the below information to employees whose hours have been cut or who may have been furloughed during this time will put employers in the best position possible to help keep their employees afloat until business operations can resume in earnest.
Individuals who may be eligible for Reemployment Assistance may include:
• Those who are quarantined by a medical professional or a government agency,
• Those who are laid off or sent home without pay for an extended period by their employer due to COVID-19 concerns, or
• Those who are caring for an immediate family member who is diagnosed with COVID-19.
Individuals whose employment has been impacted, but are still receiving wages through paid leave are not eligible to receive Reemployment Assistance.
At this time, individuals who apply for Reemployment Assistance whose employment was negatively impacted as a result of COVID-19 will follow the same application, review and payment process as all applicants for Reemployment Assistance in Florida.
Any Floridian whose employment has been negatively impacted as a result of COVID-19 to visit FloridaJobs.org and click on Reemployment Assistance Service Center to learn more about the program and watch a short video on how to apply. Click here for a direct link to instructions on how to apply for Reemployment Assistance. Click here for a direct link for a FAQ on Reemployment Assistance for individuals who have been impacted by COVID-19.
Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program
The Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program is an up to $50,000 loan currently available to small business owners located in all Florida counties statewide that experienced economic damage as a result of COVID-19. These short-term, interest-free working capital loans are intended to “bridge the gap” between the time a major catastrophe hits and when a business has secured longer term recovery resources, such as sufficient profits from a revived business, receipt of payments on insurance claims or federal disaster assistance.
Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program
The U.S. Small Business Administration is offering designated states and territories low-interest federal disaster loans for working capital (up to $2,000,000) to small businesses suffering substantial economic injury as a result of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). Upon a request received from a state’s or territory’s Governor, SBA will issue under its own authority, as provided by the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act that was recently signed by the President, an Economic Injury Disaster Loan declaration. For more information or to apply please click here.
Other Resources
Short Time Compensation Program for Employers
The Short Time Compensation program helps employers retain their workforce in times of temporary slowdown by encouraging work sharing as an alternative to layoff. The program permits prorated reemployment assistance benefits to employees whose work hours and earnings are reduced as part of a Short Time Compensation plan to avoid total layoff of some employees.
While not as broadly applicable as reemployment assistance, Short-Time Compensation (STC) is available for full-time employees who have established a set number of hours per week, but have been constrained because of COVID-19. Employers who have had to reduce hours of their full time, hourly staff, between 10% and 40% are able to apply for assistance in offsetting the hours they can no longer provide their employees during this period.
Business Damage Assessments Survey
Additionally, the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity activated the Business Damage Assessment Survey at FloridaDisaster.biz. This survey is a critical piece of the State’s efforts to help businesses throughout the state lessen the impacts the mitigation efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19 will have on their bottom line. Please encourage any of the business owners impacted by COVID-19 to fill out the survey.
Nearly 400 Kids Receive Food Bags At Carver Park; Another Distribution Next Week
March 25, 2020
Nearly 400 children that came from as far away as Pensacola and Walnut Hill received food bags Tuesday at Carver Park in Cantonment.
“A very special thank you to some of the best donors and volunteers ever,” Mary Holley-Lewis, member of the Cantonment Improvement Committee that organized the event.
Another food distribution will begin at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, March 31 at Carver Park Park in Cantonment. To receive food, remain in your vehicle, line up facing north on Webb Street and the food will be delivered to your vehicle. Children must be present.
The CIC will be accepting food donations and bagging them on Monday, March 30 beginning at 3 p.m. at Carver Park. Those volunteering to bag food should be prepared to have a temperature check, practice social distancing and other CDC guidelines.
File photo.
Four Arrests Made In Escambia County EMS Investigation
March 24, 2020
Four people have been arrested for allegedly falsifying Escambia County EMS records.
Those arrested Tuesday afternoon were:
- Stephen White, former chief of EMS operations
- Katherine Kenny, paramedic supervisor
- Lawrence Salter, Jr., former deputy chief of EMS Operations
- James Bonoyer, former captain in charge of training, quality assurance, and American Heart Association training center coordinator for the county
“The investigation is complete is unless we receive additional information,” State Attorney Bill Eddins told NorthEscambia.com. “I would like the public to know that my office will not tolerate this kind of conduct.”
Eddins said he assigned a special prosecutor to the case, and his office will be seeking jail time for all four defendants.
He said the arrests are the result of a detailed and lengthy investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement into the alleged falsification of official records of the Escambia County Department of Public Safety. The investigation began after a 2019 letter from Escambia County Medical Director Dr. Rayme Edler.
“I am glad the criminal investigation has finally come to a close,” Escambia County Administrator Gilley said. “We are going to continue to provide full cooperation to the State Attorney’s Office as they continue their process.”
“I want to thank the Board of County Commissioners. They have been supportive in uprooting this type of malfeasance,” she said. “I appreciate their trust they have showed me in allowing time to work with our law enforcement partners in the best interest of the public.”
The records alleged to have been falsified pertain to mandatory training courses with the American Heart Association. Successful completion of these courses is a requirement for a paramedic’s license with the State of Florida and employment as an Escambia County EMS paramedic. These courses include basic life support, advanced cardiac life support, pediatric advanced life support and pediatric emergency assessment, recognition and stabilization.
Bonoyer is charged with one count of Racketeering, a first degree felony. Racketeering is punishable with a maximum penalty of 30 years in state prison. He is also charged with 23 counts of official misconduct, a third degree felony. All third degree felonies are punishable by a maximum penalty of five years in state prison. Additionally, Bonoyer faces 20 counts of forgery, a third degree felony, and 13 of paramedic license fraud, a first degree misdemeanor. All first degree misdemeanors are punishable by a maximum penalty of one year in county jail. He was previously employed by the Escambia County Department of Public Safety as the American Heart Association Training Center coordinator and a paramedic.
Kenney is charged with one count of racketeering, a first degree felony, five (5) counts of Official Misconduct, a third degree felony, five (5) counts of Uttering a Forged Instrument, a third degree felony, and four counts of paramedic license fraud, a first degree misdemeanor. At the time of her arrest, she was employed by EMS as a paramedic supervisor. She was immediately terminated by Gilley.
Salter is charged with three counts of official misconduct, a third degree felony, three counts of uttering a forged instrument, a third degree felony, and two counts of paramedic license fraud a first degree misdemeanor. He was previously by Escambia County as deputy chief of operations and a paramedic.
White is charged with one count of racketeering, a first degree felony, eight counts of official ,misconduct, a third degree felony, six counts of uttering a forged instrument, a third degree felony, and two counts of paramedic license fraud, a first degree misdemeanor. He was previously employed by the Escambia County Department of Public Safety as chief of operations and a paramedic.
Eddins also thanked the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for their “excellence in thoroughly investigating this matter of great public importance.”
Gilley said Escambia County EMS is moving forward.
“I do think we have new leadership that is going in a new direction, working for months to make sure training is correct. The public should not be concerned in that sense,” she said. “Everyone is properly trained.”
Baptist, Jay And Gulf Breeze Hospitals Now Have A No Visitation Policy In Place
March 24, 2020
A no visitation policy with limited entry doors has been enacted at Baptist Hospital, Gulf Breeze Hospital and Jay Hospital.
Visitor exceptions will be made for end of life and critical caregivers. Approved visitors will be actively screened prior to entrance with CDC screening questions and temperature checks. They hospital said they recognize and value the vital role friends and family play in restoring the health of their loved ones, but they believe these measures are necessary for the well being of our patients, team members and the community.
Under government guidelines, elective surgeries and procedures at Baptist Health Care facilities have been postponed. This includes Andrews Institute Ambulatory Surgery Center, Baptist Medical Park – Nine Mile Ambulatory Surgery Center, Baptist Hospital, Gulf Breeze Hospital and Jay Hospital.
Baptist is working with all patients to reschedule their care to a future date and ensuring their current needs are being met. Exceptions will be made for time-sensitive and urgent needs on a patient-by-patient basis. This action allows us to redeploy resources including supplies, equipment and staff to meet the current and future needs.
All screening appointments for imaging, including mammograms, DEXA scans, lung CTs and screening endoscopy, are being rescheduled for late April. Medically urgent imaging appointments will remain unchanged as scheduled
COVID-19 Is Changing Our Lives. And Now It’s Changing What Happens When Loved Ones Die.
March 24, 2020
The COVID-19 pandemic is changing how we all live, and it’s even changing what happens after our loved ones die.
Faith Chapel Funeral Homes is one of a growing number of funerals homes changing the way they do business in response to the virus.
Monday, owners Mike and Teresa said in an open letter than they are continuing to hold visitations and services at this time, but there will be limitations in keeping with CDC guidelines for public gatherings at their two locations.
Faith Chapel is limiting visitations to 30 minutes prior to the service with no more than 10 people in attendance. Families will decide who attends. Their chapel has been roped off and seats marked to indicate the six-foot social distancing limited recommended by the CDS.
According to the letter, if the deceased tested positive for COVID-19, Faith Chapel will not perform a service or visitation for 14 days after date they tested positive. If a test on the deceased is pending, funeral arrangements will be paused until test results are back.
“We are in very different times right now and hopefully with everyone’s cooperation this will not last long so that we may continue to serve or families in a manner that is more comfortable for all of us,” the Atwoods said in their letter.