FDOH: Increased Testing Leads To Additional COVID-19 Cases In Escambia County

March 23, 2020

The Florida Department of Health said increased sample collection and testing led to the announcement Sunday of three new confirmed coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in Escambia County for an overall total of four.

The local health department said the number of cases in Escambia County is expected to change daily due to the return of results from ongoing testing.

By Friday, Sacred Heart Hospital had tested about 800 people since they started drive-thru COVID-19 testing on March 16, and the first results from those tests are expected back.

Those first tests were sent to another laboratory in Jacksonville, leading to the delay. However, Dawn Rudolph, president of Ascension Sacred Heart, said as of Friday that they are moving the tests to the hospital’s in-house laboratory which is able to analyze 50 tests per day due to equipment limitations.

RELATED STORY: Here’s What We Know About The Eight Positive COVID-19 Cases In Escambia, Santa Rosa

Health care providers in Escambia County, Florida are collaborating to make testing available to those for whom testing is indicated by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines. Contact tracing will be conducted for those individuals who have tested positive. Contact tracing is a frequently-used public health tool for tracking and preventing the spread of disease. Epidemiologists work to find everyone who has been in contact with the positive case. Persons identified to be at-risk through the contact tracing process are interviewed, evaluated, and educated on their risk factors and what they need to do next.

Rudolph said she believes some percentage of the 800 people tested will be positive. She told the Escambia County Commission Friday afternoon that over 2,800 people called the testing hotline, but many did not meet the testing qualifications based upon a series of questions.

Persons interested in Sacred Heart’s drive-thru testing much first call (850) 746-2684 to be pre-screened. If they meet the criteria for testing, they will be provided more information on the test and location. The screening call center is open Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. The drive-thru test center is open 9 a.m. until 1 p.m.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News 

All Escambia County Offices Are Closed; Services Available Online Or By Appointment

March 23, 2020

Escambia County has closed all facilities and programs to public in-person access to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

County departments are listed below in alphabetical order with alternative ways to make contact or do business:

Animal Services, 200 W. Fairfield Drive – By Appointment Only

  • Animal Services will continue to handle emergencies and non-contact calls.
  • Available by phone at 850-595-3076 or email at animalshelter@myescambia.com.
  • Animal Services asks citizens not to pick-up stray animals or bring them to the shelter. Contact Animal Control at 850-595-0097 to report a stray animal.
  • Animal Control will not be accepting animals from the public until further notice.
  • Adoptions and lost animal reclaims can be made by appointment only. Please call 850-595-3076 to make arrangements for these services. Please only request an adoption appointment if you are truly interested in adopting an animal as the number of available adoption appointments are limited.
  • Citizens can go to www.petharbor.com to look to see if their lost pet is at the shelter or to look for adoptable animals.
  • Submit an online Animal Control complaint here.

Board of County Commissioners, County Attorney and County Administration, 221 Palafox Place – Closed to Public

  • Citizen’s Information Center  850-471-6600

Capital Improvement Projects, Surveying, and Drainage Issues, Central Office Complex 3363 West Park Place – Closed to Public

Community Centers

  • Community Centers are closed for all public programming.

Community Redevelopment Agency, 221 Palafox Place – Closed to Public

  • No new appointments or walk-ins are being accepted.
  • For questions, please contact 850-595-3217 or email cra@myescambia.com.

Development Services, 3363 West Park Place – Closed to Public

Engineering and Construction, Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place – Closed to Public

The Escambia County Area Transit, 1515 W. Fairfield Drive – Customer Service to remain Open

  • ECAT administrative offices and lobby will be closed to the public beginning Monday, March 23. ECAT Rosa L. Parks Transit Complex and customer service will remain open and will adhere to the 6-feet social distancing policy. Bus tickets are also available for purchase online at www.GoECAT.com.
  • In-person paratransit eligibility interviews will be rescheduled or completed over the phone. Please call the ECAT Mobility Clerk for assistance or to reschedule an interview at 850-595-3230.
  • For additional information, please call 850-595-3228 or visit www.GoECAT.com.

Extension Escambia County, 3740 Stefani Road, Cantonment – By Appointment Only

  • UF/IFAS Extension is open by appointment only. The phone number for appointments 850-475-5230, ext. 3 for Extension Services, ext. 2 for the 4-H office or email shendrix@ufl.edu.
  • Walk-in traffic is closed to the main lobby at the Extension Services office and the Langley Bell 4-H Center beginning Monday, March 23.
  • Traditional services such as soil samples, plant samples or identification are still available, but clientele is encouraged to communicate by phone or computer as much as possible.
  • Field visits will be limited and must be considered essential at this time. Clientele are encouraged to call, set up appointments and follow guidelines for visits from the agents.
  • All volunteers associated with Extension Services are asked to limit office visits and contact agents by phone or email.
  • Unless directed by Parks & Rec, the walking track around Extension Services is still open to the public, we highly encourage social distancing.
  • ECUA yard debris bag pick up at Extension Services has been suspended until further notice. Recycling and FOG station remain available for use.
  • Pesticide license testing for limited and commercial pest control will not be available for administration through our office until after April 30.
  • 4-H Livestock facility in Molino is closed to the general public. Only essential authorized personnel are allowed in the facility.

Neighborhood Enterprise Division, 221 Palafox Place – Closed to Public

  • No new appointments or walk-ins are being accepted.
  • For questions, please contact 850-595-0022 or email ned@myescambia.com.

Neighborhood & Human Services, 221 Palafox Place – Closed to Public

Parks and Recreation office, 1651 East Nine Mile Road – Closed to Public

  • Please call 850-475-5220 for assistance.

Permitting and Inspections – Building Services, Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place – Closed to Public

  • All walk-in permitting has been suspended effective Monday, March 23, until further notice. Business will still be conducted as usual using online accounts through mygovernmentonline.org and submitting permits electronically. For all permit-related questions, please call Building Services at 850-595-3550. Below are a few helpful guidelines to follow while transitioning to online permitting:
  • Permit applications must be submitted electronically using mygovernmentonline.org. Guidelines for creating an account and submitting online are available through the Escambia County Building Services website.  You may also call Building Services at 850-595-3550 for help in creating an account. For all active customer portal account questions, please call My Government Online at 866-957-3764.
  • If the permit requires plan review, two sets of stamped sealed paper copies are required to be submitted. Plans can be dropped off in the drop boxes located at both the Central Office Complex and Molino permitting locations. Please attach the application to the plans and ensure that contact information is clearly displayed.  If the plans are too large to fit within the drop box, then you may make an appointment for drop off. At the scheduled appointment, staff will meet you to receive the plans at either location. To schedule an appointment for plans drop off, please call 850-595-4560.
  • All documents such as notices of commencement must be uploaded into the permit application through the online portal or submitted with the plans.
  • Contractor registration, application for a new license (examination), and application for reciprocity must be a complete package upon submission. to contractorlicense@myescambia.com. To renew a license, please call 850-595-3550 and ask for licensing in order to renew over the phone.
  • All permits must be paid by credit card and printed from your online account and posted on the job site prior to commencement of work.
  • Customers picking up paper plans only must schedule an appointment by calling 850-595-1627 or 850-595-3587 and a staff member will meet with you to provide the approved copy.
  • Owner-builder permits will need to be submitted online. The required owner-builder affidavit will need to be done by appointment only, and a notary will meet you to notarize and witness the signature per Florida Statutes. Please call 850-595-4560 for assistance.
  • Permit extensions and requests for renewals of expired permits must be submitted via email to buildinginspections@myescambia.com.
  • Requests for certificates of occupancy for permits issued prior to Nov. 5, 2019 should be made by phone to 850-595-3559 or email at buildinginspections@myescambia.com. Copies of signed certificates of occupancy will be emailed out.
  • Inspection requests for mygovernmentonline.org permits will need to be scheduled either online through the customer portal, or via telephone using the IVR system by dialing 866-957-3764 and choosing option 5.
  • Inspections, where the inspector has to enter an inhabited residence, will need to be completed via Facetime, Skype, etc.  All other inspections will be completed in the normal fashion.

Purchasing, 213 Palafox Place – Closed to Public

  • Purchasing will use Skype if needed for solicitations.

Road Department call center office, 1651 East Nine Mile Road – Closed to Public

  • For Road Department services for stormwater, mowing, tree trimming, streets and sidewalks go to: Our Services – Public Works.
  • Available by phone Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 850-494-5860. To report an issue of an immediate nature after business hours, please call 850-937-2100.

Transportation and Traffic, Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place – Closed to Public

  • Transportation and Traffic services are available via email or phone at Traffic@myescambia.com or 850-595-3404.
  • Signals and Signs Maintenance and Traffic Calming services can be utilized online:

Signals and Signs Maintenance and Traffic Calming, Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place – Closed to Public

  • Signals and Signs Maintenance and Traffic Calming services can be utilized online:
  • Click here to learn how to report a traffic signal problem.
  • Click here to report a road sign issue.
  • Click here to request new traffic calming measures.

Veterans Services, Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place – Closed to Public

Waste Services, Perdido Landfill 13009 Beulah Road and Oak Grove Convenience Center 745 County Road 99 – OPEN

West Florida Public Libraries – Closed to Public

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News 

ECAT Modifies Schedules, Limits Buses To 10 Riders To Reduce Coronavirus Risk

March 23, 2020

ECAT is moving buses to a modified schedule on Monday and limited riderships to 10 people or less in effort to help lessen the change of potential exposure to coronavirus.

Until April 14 weekday bus routes will run on a modified schedule. This modified weekday schedule will match our “Holiday Schedule”, which runs every two hours and with the final route trips departing ECAT and Downtown at 6 p.m. The same modified schedule will run on Saturdays and no service on Sundays. The following routes will be temporarily suspended until further notice:

  • Route 41, East Pensacola Heights
  • Route 59A, NAS Pensacola, Airport
  • Route 59X, NAS Pensacola, Downtown, Cordova Mall
  • Route 61, Pensacola Beach
  • Route 64, Beach Jumper
  • UWF Regular Trolley Service

Routes 1, 2, 31, 32, 43, 44, 45, 47, 48, 50, 51, 52, 55, 57, 58, 60, and 63 will continue to operate  modified schedule service Monday – Saturday. UWF Express Trolley will also continue service Monday – Saturday.

ECAT will be scaling capacity to increase social distancing and safety for the general public as well as employees. Buses will be limited to transporting 10 people and encourage staggered seating. Additional vehicles will be dispatched to ensure all passengers are picked up and complying with the 10- person limit.

Contact ECAT customer service at (850) 595-3228 for additional information.

Paratransit Services

Escambia County Community Transportation (ECCT) will temporarily suspend all paratransit services after 7 p.m. for weekday and Saturday services.  All medical necessary trips will be honored. Sunday service is temporarily suspended. All expired eligibility will be extended for 90 days. In-person eligibility interviews will be rescheduled or completed over the phone. Call ECCT customer service at (850)  595-0501 for assistance.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News 

Gas Prices Dive Below $2 A Gallon In Escambia County

March 23, 2020

As COVID-19 cases in America increased last week, fuel prices plummeted across the board. Crude oil plunged to 18-year lows, while prices at the pump are now the lowest since August 2016.

The average price for gasoline in Florida is $2.08 per gallon. The state average will likely dip below $2 per gallon this week, for the first time since March 2016, according to the travel group AAA.

The average gallon of gas in Escambia County Sunday night was $2.01, but numerous stations were below the $2 mark.

The lowest price per gallon in North Escambia was $1.91 at station on Highway 29 in Cantonment Sunday night, while prices in Pensacola were as low as $1.84.

“At this point, drivers do not need to rush out to the pump to fill-up their tanks,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Gas prices will continue to fall this week, and supplies themselves to do not appear to be a concern. AAA confirmed with state leaders Sunday night that Florida’s ports are scheduled to remain open for deliveries of various goods including gasoline. The governor has also waved restrictions for truck drivers, allowing them to drive longer hours and carry heavier loads - so all necessary deliveries are made.

“Fuel prices have suffered a historic collapse during the past month,” Jenkins continued. “Weeks ago, oil plummeted when Saudi Arabia announced plans to flood the market with oil. That downward momentum has only continued, as Americans are asked to stay home, thus eroding fuel demand expectations. If wholesale gasoline prices do not recover soon, Florida drivers could eventually pay $1.50 per gallon or less; a threshold that has not been reached since December 2003.”

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News 

All Florida State Parks Closed

March 23, 2020

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection has closed all state parks at the direction of Governor DeSantis and to successfully uphold CDC guidance to maximize social distancing and avoid gatherings larger than 10 people.

The state said efforts were made to continue providing resource recreation at state parks, such as limiting operating hours and reducing visitor capacity at parks with high visitation. But FDEP said that did not result in the reductions needed to best protect public health and safety as Florida continues to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News 

Vehicle Crashes Through Roof Of Escambia County Home

March 22, 2020

A vehicle crashed through the roof of an Escambia County home early Sunday morning.

The Florida Highway Patrol said 21-year old Demarcus Atkins fell asleep about 5:15 a.m. as he traveled southwest on Fairfield Drive near Atlas Street. He missed a sharp curve and ran off the road as the vehicle accelerated. The vehicle collided with an embankment, went airborne and crashed into the home in the 1400 block of Atlas Street.

Atkins, who was wearing his seatbelt, was not injured and was able to escape the vehicle before first responders arrived.

The homeowner, Kimiko Bonfiglio, was asleep in the bedroom adjacent to where the vehicle came through the roof. He was uninjured.

Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News 

Walkin’ Lawton Remembered by Locals; Chiles Started 1,000 Mile Journey In Century

March 22, 2020

by Sandra Averhart

Fifty years ago last week, a little-known state senator, Lawton Chiles, started a 1,000-mile walk across Florida. The trip – that earned him the nickname “Walkin’ Lawton” – would take him to the U.S. Capitol and later the governor’s mansion in Tallahassee. This famous journey on Mar. 17, 1970 began north of Pensacola, in the small Town of Century.

Today, a sign reminds residents and visitors of the campaign trek that propelled Chiles into the U.S. Senate.

A historic marker denoting “The Lawton Chiles Trail” is located on State Road 4, just east of U.S. Highway 29 in Century.

Dedicated to “Walkin’ Lawton,” it includes an image of a pair of his worn-out boots.

“My name is Bubba Hammac. I’m a lifelong Century resident. I’ve been working at Bondurant Lumber and Hardware for 27 years,” said Hammac on a busy afternoon at the store.  He is one of several people in the community who were around back in 1970 and recall the buzz surrounding the political event.

“My mother was Mamie Hammac. She ran Mamie’s Restaurant, from 1966-1976, right down the road here, just a block or two away,” Hammac remembered. “And, the year that Mr. Chiles started his walk, he had breakfast in my Mom’s restaurant that morning.”

Hammac was just 12 years old at the time. He’s not for sure, but points out that Chiles and company likely would have enjoyed a plate of eggs and bacon to start the day. He did recall the crowd that gathered at the restaurant and that his mother was honored to host them.

“I think it helped put our business on the map as far as people all over the state saw Mamie’s Restaurant, and I thought that was really neat,” Hammac said. “You know, as I grew older and I’ve looked back on it from time to time, I even brought it up on the internet and looked at it. And, it was; it was great for our business, my Mom’s business and the town.”

“I’m Jerry Fischer, F-i-s-C-h-e-r,” said Fischer, emphasizing the “C” in the spelling of his name.

Retired from careers in photography and insurance, Fischer is president of the Alger Sullivan Historical Society, a post he’s held for more than 20 years.

“(I’ve) been here most all my life. I went to school in Hawaii, but my heart was always in dear old Century. I’ve never wanted to be anywhere else except here,” he declared.

Fischer was in Century and serving on the Town Council at the time of the walk in March 1970. He was at the kick-off event with some of his council colleagues.

“It was great,” Fischer recalled. “I know Marie McMurray, who was one of our black city councilmen [sic]. He really hit it off with her because I think she want for a walk with him some.”

In recounting the story, Fischer recalls teasing McMurry, “I told her then, I said, ‘Marie, you’re too “dad-gum” old to be walking with that young man.”

“Oh, shut your mouth Jerry Fischer,” he says was her lively response. “But, it was fun; it was good.”

A special detail for Fischer is that his wife is from Chiles’ hometown of Lakeland and, amid the “hoopla” over the walk, the candidate took time out to look her up, and meet and greet voters, at the nearby ballpark.

“He was really down to earth. He knew how to communicate with country people like me and Bubba,” Fischer explained. “I thought he did a great job and he was a lot like Bob Sykes. If you needed him, you could call him and he would return your call. He would talk to you.”

On that day back at  Mamie’s Restaurant, when it was time to leave, Chiles walked out the front door of the diner, crossed Hwy 29, known locally as North Century Boulevard, and headed out Highway 4 toward Jay.

At the time, there was a sizeable group of media, but Fischer said Chiles seemed more interested in talking to the people who were there.

“They lined the streets. People followed him out of town,” he said of the event.  Fischer. “It was a real big event and the people were tickled to death to get that much publicity from Lawton Chiles, “Walkin’ Lawton.”

Lawton walked east across the Panhandle and then south toward the Florida Keys.

An archive report from Miami-Dade College’s Wolfson Archives, features a 1970 interview with reporter Fred Francis of Miami’s Channel 4 News.

“Sen. Chiles, what’s the basic issue you’ve found, the one overriding issue from Pensacola to Miami that seems to be troubling the people,” Francis asked the candidate.

“The overriding issue is that people are frustrated and fed up with the fact they don’t think their vote counts or what they say or think counts anymore and they never see an elected official,” Chiles began. “They just see them on television, when they talk to them, and their taxes go up and up, but they can’t find anything in those taxes that they think affects them. Traffic is terrible on our roads. Pollution is continuing in our lakes, nothing is being done about that. Schools are in a state of havoc, yet money is being spent everywhere and they don’t think any of it applies to them.”

The news clip continues with Chiles talking to some voters what they thought he should do as a U.S. Senator, “I’m walking and listening.”

“That’s what he learned, I think on the walk, was to listen to people; which most politicians don’t listen to people, and Lawton did,” satid Chris Broxson, widow of former state Senator John Broxson, who died just months ago, in December of last year.

Broxson and Chiles were long-time friends, dating back to the 1960’s when they began serving together in the Florida Legislature.

“They didn’t become good friends until in 1966, when there was a wave of House members that were elected to the Senate and Lawton and John were in that class. So, that became a close group.”

Shuffling through some old photos, Broxson said her husband John’s initial response to the walk was that it seemed a little crazy and he thought, “How’s he going to do that?”

“Of course, he did not walk every step of the way,” recalled Mrs. Broxson. “He did have vehicles to pick him up when the only thing there was pine trees and you know there’re lots of miles of pine trees in Florida, still there are. That was the way he got to rest.”

Nevertheless, Chris Broxson says their support for Chiles was there from the beginning and throughout his 91-day, thousand-mile journey.

“He would call John,” she said of Chiles while he was on the walk. “They stayed in touch. He would be somewhere and he’d call and say, ‘I saw so-and-so, and what do you think about this.’”

With very little name recognition beforehand, Lawton Chiles’ walk across Florida was wildly successful, generating much-needed media coverage and the opportunity to meet voters in the state.

He went on to win the Democratic primary and defeated his Republican opponent William Cramer by a margin of 54% to 46%.

Courtesy WUWF for NorthEscambia.com.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News 

Cantonment Man Charged With Domestic Battery By Strangulation

March 22, 2020

A  Cantonment man is facing charges after allegedly attacking a young man during a domestic disturbance.

Kristopher Karl Jernigan, 43, was charged with felony domestic battery by strangulation and violation of a domestic violence injunction after the incident earlier this month.

The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to a family disturbance on Handy Road.

Jernigan allegedly put his hands around the throat of the  18-year old male relative after pushing him against a wall. Deputies reported the victim had a red mark around this throat but was otherwise uninjured.

Jernigan remained in the  Escambia County Jail Sunday morning with bond set at $34,500.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News 

Doing It Again At Carver Park: Donate Food On Monday For Distribution To School Kids Tuesday

March 22, 2020

The Cantonment Improvement Committee is once again asking the community to step up to help school-age children that need a meal during the school closures.

Dozens and dozens of people and businesses responded a week ago, and they are going it again.

The CIC will be accepting food donations and bagging them on Monday beginning at 3 p.m. at Carver Park, 208 Webb Street in Cantonment. Those volunteering to bag food should be prepared to have a temperature check, practice social distancing and other CDC guidelines.

“I am humbled by your charity and giving heart. May God bless each of you,” CIC’s Mary Holley-Lewis said. “So many children are not going hungry because of your big hearts.”

The food distribution will begin at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, March 24 at Carver Park Park. 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.

For more information, call Holley-Lewis at (850) 346-2797.

Over 200 kids received about a week’s worth of food during the event last week.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News 

FWC, Northwest Florida Water Management District Closing Campgrounds And Recreational Facilities

March 22, 2020

The Northwest Florida Water Management District and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission are closing recreational facilities and campgrounds on Monday, March 23.

The Northwest Florida Water Management District

The Northwest Florida Water Management District is closing each of its reservation campsites and developed recreation areas beginning Monday, March 23, 2020, for the next 60 days. This includes picnic areas, swimming areas, and other developed recreation sites.

Hiking trails, bike trails, equestrian trails, and boat ramps will remain open for individual use, but users may not congregate at or use associated shared facilities (e.g. picnic tables, pavilions, restrooms, etc.) Individuals must maintain appropriate distances from other users while using trails and launching and retrieving boats and paddle craft.

Until further notice, hunting and other disbursed recreation activities are allowed on all District-owned Wildlife Management Areas in accordance with Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission rules for these areas.

Individuals on District lands are expected to abide by current health guidelines implemented by the federal and/or state government for prevention of COVID-19 transmission, and in accordance with FWC regulations.

Wildlife Management Areas where disbursed (backcountry) camping is allowed include: Escambia River WMA, Choctawhatchee River/Holmes Creek WMA, and the District-owned portions of the Yellow River WMA, Apalachicola WMA, and Apalachicola River Wildlife and Environmental Area (WEA).

FWC Campgrounds

The FWC is closing all designated campgrounds on the Wildlife Management Area (WMA) system for a minimum of 30 days beginning Monday, March 23 at 10 a.m. Also, permits for camping after Monday, March 23 will be canceled. On areas where it is currently allowed, dispersed wilderness camping (camping outside of designated campgrounds or where no permit is required) will continue to be allowed, but only for groups of less than 10 people.

Pictured: The Northwest Florida Water Management District’s Pipes Landing on the Perdido River off Jacks Branch Road. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News 

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