Florida DOE Increases Access To Child Care Services For First Responders, Health Care Professionals
April 21, 2020
The Florida Department of Education’s Office of Early Learning (OEL), in coordination with local early learning coalitions, has prioritized and increased access to child care services for first responders and health care professionals. Currently, over 50 percent of Florida’s child care facilities are closed due to COVID-19. Many essential professionals, first responders and health care professionals rely on this care for their children, especially those working extended hours to provide medical care to those in need. OEL has created a referral process, in partnership with employers and statewide early learning coalitions to swiftly provide priority access and expedited referrals for children of first responders and health care professionals.
“Our first responders and health care professionals are on the front lines fighting COVID-19,” said Commissioner of Education Richard Corcoran. “These individuals are critical to providing medical care to those affected by the virus, and finding child care for their own children while performing these life-saving jobs allows them to continue serving the public. The Department of Education is committed to doing everything it can to help first responders and health care professionals find quality child care services while school campuses are closed.”
First responders and health care workers needing help finding a child care provider should contact their local early learning coalition for assistance. To find a map of Early Learning Providers throughout the state visit the Office of Early Learning website.
These services will be authorized for three months, and the continued need for child care will be reevaluated prior to the end of services.
Gulf Power Continues To Work To Restore Power In Escambia County
April 20, 2020
Gulf Power Company worked all day Monday to restore power in Escambia County following overnight storms.
The utility reported 15,000 customers without power in Escambia County about 1 a.m. Monday. By 5 p.m., all but 774 customers had service restored.
About 100 Gulf Power crews from areas in Okaloosa, Walton and Bay counties helped restore power in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties, along with contractor crews. Along with Gulf Power crews and contractors they brought in an additional 150 resources to assist with the restoration effort.
Pictured: Gulf Power crews work to replace poles and restore power on Rebel Road at the Windy Hill Baptist Church. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
ECSO Arrests Former Nanny, Foster Parent On Child Sex Charges. Sheriff Morgan Says There Could Be More Local Victims.
April 20, 2020
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office arrested a nanny and foster care provider on child sex charges Monday morning, and the sheriff is warning that there may be additional victims in Escambia County.
Nicole Lynn Walter, age 27 of 10071 Foxrun Road, was charged with lewd and lascivious exhibition with a victim under 16, possession of child pornography, battery of a law enforcement officer and resisting arrest with violence. Walter, according to investigators, is a porn actress.
Walter has also used the names Nicole Steff and Nicole Stearns, according to investigators.
Sheriff David Morgan said a search warrant found child pornography in her home that possibly depicted children in her home or children that are somewhere in Escambia County. He said she previously worked as a nanny and was a licensed foster parent. He asked anyone whose children may have had contact with Walter to call ECSO Investigator Jeremy Horn at (850) 436-9586 or by email at jahorn@Escambiaso.com.
During her arrest, Walker allegedly began screaming and attempted to pull away during her arrest and attempted to strike a deputy, according to an arrest report.
Morgan said there has been a “tremendous uptick in online stalking”, often targeting children, during the current COVID-19 pandemic.
“These people are in our neighborhoods and they are preying on our children,” Morgan said, cautioning parents to be aware of what their children are doing online.
Walter was being held in the Escambia County Jail without bond Monday afternoon .
WARNING: Some readers will find the following details from an arrest report disturbing.
According to a tip received by the Florida Abuse Hotline, Walter is self-employed porn actress that makes videos of herself masturbating in public locations. Investigators were given a thumb drive containing three video files depicting Walter in various public places masturbating in the presence of the underage victims.
A three-year old female told investigators that Walter touched her privates and took photographs, according to an arrest report.
A Florida Department of Law Enforcement K-9 located a micro SD card underneath drawers in the bedroom that contained child pornography depicting female approximately 10-13 years old nude and posing in sexual positions, the report states. A laptop seized as evidence contained a videos of a completely nude Walter masturbating and engaging in conversation with two children and a third person whose name was redacted from the arrest report.
During one thirty minute video, Walter was masturbating nude on her bed while “constantly engaging her children in conversation” as she performed sexual acts on herself.
The report does not indicate that the children appeared on camera during the videos, but states the conversation in the video clearly indicates the children were present in the room an aware of what was happening.
Walter told investigators she uploads the videos to various pornographic websites for “clients” who pay for such material.
FHSAA Officially Cancels Remainder Of The 2020 Spring Sports Season
April 20, 2020
The Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) said Monday that the remainder of the spring sports season is now official canceled, and there were be no extension of eligibility for athletes.
All FHSAA affiliated events, including the state series and all championship events, for spring sports are canceled.
“The safety of our student-athletes, coaches, officials, and fans is our top priority,” FHSAA said in statement. “We are deeply saddened for our student-athletes who have seen their seasons and/or high school careers end so abruptly. Our association knows the impact and role high school athletics play in the lives of so many and will continue to work towards the betterment of high school sports. We know this is a trying time, but the health and safety of all is of utmost importance to this association.”
The FHSAA had previously held out hope that eligibility for student athletes could be extended, possibly finishing the season after graduation into the summer.
“Under the guidance of the Florida Department of Education regarding grade level retention, and upon review of the Florida Statutes and FHSAA Bylaws, no additional eligibility will be granted for spring sport athletes,” FHSAA said Monday.
“To all our senior student-athletes, we thank you for dedicating your time and efforts to your school, your coaches, and your teammates. Cherish the memories you have made and embrace all that the future holds for you. While we are saddened that you are unable to compete this season, we could not be prouder to have been represented by such hard-working individuals,” FHSAA said.
Pictured: Avery Beauchaine and Cam Wolfenden homered for the Tate Lady Aggies during a Tuesday, March 10 win over Navarre — just days before spring break and a COVID-19 school closure. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Vehicle Fire Slows Nine Mile, Chemstrand Traffic
April 20, 2020
A vehicle fire Monday afternoon slowed traffic and blocked part of the intersection of Nine Mile Road and Chemstrand Road. There were no injuries immediately reported. Reader submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Storms Wreak Havoc Across Escambia County (With Photo Gallery)
April 20, 2020
Severe storms caused damage across Escambia County Sunday night.
Much of the damage was concentrated in the Molino, Quintette, Cottage Hill and Beulah areas, but the storms brought damage to large area of the county.
Trees crashed down on several residences and vehicles. Roadways across the county were blocked by downed trees and powerlines. Small sheds and fences were destroyed in multiple locations.
There were no known reports of any injuries.
Gulf Power reported over 15,000 customers without power, while Escambia River Electric reported several hundred members in the dark.
Crews will survey the damage to determine if it was caused by straight line winds or possible tornadoes.
For a photo gallery, click here.
If you have photos of storm damage in Escambia County, email news@northescambia.com.
Reader submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Who Will Pick Escambia County’s Next School Superintendent? These 22 People Will Play A Major Role.
April 20, 2020
The Escambia County School Board is set to vote Tuesday to appoint the members of the Superintendent Citizen Advisory Committee.
In November 2018, Escambia County citizens voted to move from an elected to an appointed superintendent. Malcolm Thomas, the current elected superintendent, will retire in November.
The search committee will consist of 22 members “with representation from all areas of the county,” according to a resolution to be considered Tuesday. Each of five school board members nominated four people to for the search committee, plus there are two union representatives.
Those nominated for the Escambia County Schools Superintendent Citizen Advisory Committee are:
District 1 – Kevin Adams
- Keith Hoskins, Pensacola, senior vice president of Greater Pensacola Navy Federal Credit Union, former district manager for Gulf Power, retired as captain United States Navy
- Brad Huggins, Pensacola, longtime communications engineer currently at AT&T
- Willie Kirkland, Jr., Pensacola, president of trucking company, president of Northwest Florida Guardian ad Litem Foundation, members Escambia County Board of Adjustment, vice chairman Escambia County School Half-cent Sales Tax Committee
- Matthew Taylor, Pensacola, assistant principal Beulah Elementary School
District 2 – Paul Fetsko
- Ronnie Arnold, Pensacola, 25-year veteran of Escambia School District serving as teacher, coach and administrator.
- Nettie Eaton, Pensacola, over 40 years in education including high school principal and assistant principal, director of middle schools and elementary school principal. Member or board member of several organizations including Escambia Association of Administrators and Florida Association of Secondary Administrators.
- Ronald Rivera, Pensacola, director of development Chip Simmons for Sheriff, member Escambia County Tourism Development Council, advisory council member United Way
- Joe Snyder, Pensacola, principal Brown Barge Middle School, board member Escambia Association for School Administrators
District 3 – Laura Edler
- Dr. Joseph Herzog – Pensacola, professor in the UWF Department of Social Work
- Diane Mack – Pensacola, resident of Diane Mack Advertising, former Pensacola City Council member
- Carol McIntosh – Pensacola, retired Escambia School District administrator, board member of Movement for Change.
- Rev. Carl Reeves – Pensacola, pastor of the Greater Mount Lily Missionary Baptist Church.
District 4 – Patty Hightower
- Dr. Kimberly Krupa, Pensacola, director of Achieve Escambia
- Chuntell Patterson, Pensacola, real estate professional
- Russell F. Queen, Pensacola, 30 years with the Escambia County School District including 19 years as elementary school principal
- Walker Wilson, Pensacola, lumber broker, member of Escambia County Planning Board and multiple organizations
District 5 – Bill Slayton
- Walter Jay Armstrong, Cantonment, commander US. Coast Guard with two children at Ransom Middle School
- Jennifer Grove, Pensacola, vice president external relations Baptist Health Care
- Regina Lipnick, Milton, principal Ransom Middle School
- Robin T. Venettozzi, Molino, retired 35-year Tate High School teacher
Union Representatives
- Donna Harper, Pensacola, educator for 47 years, present of the location teachers’ union Escambia Education Association.
- David Elzbeck, Pensacola, president Escambia School School District Educational Support Personnel union.
The school board meets at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 21.
The Number Of COVID-19 Cases In Alabama Dropped Saturday, Including By Two In Escambia County. Here’s What Went Wrong.
April 20, 2020
The Alabama Department of Health has explained how the number of COVID-19 cases in the state decreased between Friday night and Saturday morning.
“On the afternoon of April 17, in the course of electronic transmission of data, an outside entity mistakenly marked COVID-19 lab results as positive when they were in fact negative,” the ADH said in a statement. “The data team has been working since yesterday to correct this information and advises it could take a few days to completely resolve the information from the outside entity. The entity is cooperating with us in this effort and has reached out to providers who ordered tests through their facility.”
“No patients received incorrect test results as a result of this data error. The error only affected the numbers reported on our website and the dashboard,” the ADH tweeted.
Friday evening, the Alabama Department of Health reported 14 positive cases of COVID-19 in Escambia County, Alabama, and then decreased the case county to 12 by Saturday morning as the data was corrected. An additional case was reported on Sunday for a total of 13.
Florida Gas Prices At Lowest In Years
April 20, 2020
Gas prices in Florida continue at their lowest in four years.
The average price per gallon Sunday in Florida was $1.82, the lowest since March 2016. The entire state is now below $2.
In Escambia County, the average per gallon was $1.71 Sunday night, with one Cantonment station at $1.52. In Pensacola, gas was at a low of $1.49 per gallon among reporting stations.
“Gas prices continue moving lower as COVID-related state lockdowns keep Americans off the road, leading to lower demand for gasoline,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Nationwide, implied demand for gasoline has fallen nearly 60%. With fewer drivers on the road, refiners are reducing output. Crude oil prices sank to new lows last week, amid continued uncertainty of when conditions will return to normal. Meanwhile, wholesale gasoline prices remain at lows that could allow the state average to eventually sink to the $1.50s.”
This Week’s Road Construction Spots
April 20, 2020
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.
Escambia County:
- · Pine Forest Road (State Road/S.R. 297) Construction Activities between Kersey Road and Stratford Road– There will be lane closures between Kersey Road and Stratford Road from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, April 19 through Thursday, April 23 as crews install the southbound inside lane and driveway connection to 5 Flags RV Park.
- · Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement- Bridge construction may require the following lane closures from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. the week of Sunday, April 19:
o 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.
o 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 (State Road (S.R.) 10 / U.S. 90A)– Drivers will experience the following traffic impacts the week of Sunday, April 19:
o Nine Mile Road- Minor adjustments to the traffic pattern between Palafox Street and Untreiner Avenue. Motorists may experience alternating lane shifts as crews construct curb and gutter, and complete drainage improvements.
o U.S. 29- Traffic between I-10 and 9 1/2 Mile Road may experience alternating lane closures as crews continue drainage and paving operations.
- · Nine Mile Road (S.R. 10 / U.S. 90A) Widening from Beulah Road to Pine Forest Road (S.R. 297) – Drivers will experience the following traffic impacts the week of Sunday, April 19:
o The Nine Mile Road eastbound travel lane, between Patrick Lane and Navy Federal Way, will be temporarily closed Thursday, April 23 between 8 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. to repair and restripe the roadway. One travel lane will be maintained during the work with flagmen onsite to safely direct drivers through the work zone.
o The far-right portion of the I-10 off ramp that connects to Nine Mile Road (Exit 5) westbound 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 and will be in place through spring 2020.
- · I-10 Routine Maintenance east of U.S. 90 (Scenic Highway)- The westbound, outside lane will be closed from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, April 20 as crews repair a barrier wall.
- · Perdido Key Drive (S.R. 292) Pedestrian Crosswalk at Flora-Bama- Construction activities associated with the project are underway. There are no lane closures anticipated at this time.
- · U.S. 29 Resurfacing from south of C.R. 184 (Muscogee Road) to S.R. 97 (Atmore Highway)- Crews will resume paving operations. Motorists can expect intermittent daytime lane restrictions. There will also be ongoing turn lane, widening, and median work with daytime lane closures at various locations on the project.
- · Mobile Highway (U.S. 90) Intersection Improvements at New Warrington Road (S.R. 295) – Construction activities are slated to begin the week of Monday, April 20. The project includes milling and resurfacing, removing the existing right-turn bypass lanes to replace with standard right turn lanes, improve signalization, upgrade pedestrian features, construct a new pedestrian crosswalk west of the intersection, and perform minor drainage improvements. Lane closures will be allowed between 9:30 p.m. and 6 a.m.
Santa Rosa County:
- · Avalon Boulevard (Milton) Removal of Existing Concrete Driveway – Drivers will encounter daytime lane closures beginning Friday, April 17 to Wednesday, April 22 from the hours of 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 4315 Avalon Boulevard in Milton, to remove an existing concrete driveway.
- · Highway 98 City of Gulf Breeze Landscape and Tree Trimming – Crews will be performing landscaping services from the hours of 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. from Monday, April 20 to Wednesday, April 29. The work will begin at Bay Bridge Drive and end at the West side of the Gulf Islands National Seashore. Drivers can expect to encounter lane closures during this time.
- · Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – Bridge construction may require the following lane closures from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. the week of Sunday, April 19:
o Intermittent lane closures on U.S. 98 east and westbound, from North 14th Avenue in Pensacola to 2,000-feet 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).
- · U.S. 90 Corridor (Pace) Management Improvement Project- Crews are working during daytime hours in the median at Sanford Street and Bostic Lane laying sod and removing drums. Drivers will not experience lane closures.
- · S.R. 4 Resurfacing and Drainage Improvements from the Escambia River Bridge to Market Road (County 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- Crews continuing work at all seven locations within 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.