New Hanks Road Bridge Over Breastworks Creek Is Now Complete
April 14, 2020
The $1.58 million Florida Department of Transportation replacement of the Hanks Road Bridge over Breastworks Creek near Bratt is now complete.
It took just over a year to replace the bridge, mill and resurface the pavement, add new signage and pavement markings, install new guardrails and make drainage improvements.
The old bridge was constructed in 1968.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Attorney General Issues Consumer Alert: Scammers Know Direct Deposit Stimulus Payments Are On The Way
April 14, 2020
Attorney General Ashley Moody has issued a consumer alert to warn Floridians that scammers are out to steal economic stimulus payments.
Millions of Americans with banking information on file with the Internal Revenue Service are beginning to receive direct deposits, and Floridians should take steps now to avoid falling prey to scams designed to steal payments, banking account numbers or other sensitive personal information, she said.
Floridians who already provided banking information to the IRS by virtue of filing their taxes have now begun to receive direct deposits and do not need to take action. The IRS will follow up by mailing confirmation notices to beneficiaries within a few weeks after payments are made. Anyone who receives a notice, but does not receive a payment, should contact the IRS immediately.
The IRS will not initiate contact with anyone by email, phone call, text messages or social media to request personal or financial information. The IRS emphasizes on its website that there is no sign-up requirement to receive a payment.
- Respond to text messages, emails or ads directing you to click on a link;
- Provide any personal or financial information in response to an unsolicited message;
- Trust Caller ID displays claiming a call is from the IRS—as spoofing technology allows scammers to change phone displays to impersonate government agencies; and
- Make any advance payment in order to secure or expedite access to a benefit.
Moody said Floridians should never:
13-Year Old Hit By Vehicle On Quintette Road Dies; Charges Upgraded Against Man That Said He Thought He Hit Deer
April 13, 2020
One of the juveniles hit by a vehicle last week on Quintette Road has died, and the driver will now be charged with his death.
Rylee Simmons, 13, was removed from life support over the weekend after an organ donations; his family told community members last Thursday night that he would not survive.
Robert William Etheridge, 58, of Cantonment, will now be charged with leaving the scene of an accident involving death, according to Assistant State Attorney Greg Marcille. He is also facing one count of leaving the scene of a crash with serious bodily injury for injuries received by 12-year old Hailey Locke.
As of Monday afternoon, Etheridge remained free on a $30,000 bond after his arrest last Thursday.
“We are in the process of filing the amended charge, and the court will address the bond issue at that time,” Marcille said. If convicted of the charge for the death of Simmons, Etheridge faces a maximum of 30 years in prison with a minimum of four years. On the charge involving the injuries to Locke, Etheridge faces a maximum sentence of 15 years with no minimum if convicted.
On April 6, Locke and Simmons, both students at Ransom Middle School, were on Quintette Road approaching Carrington Lake Boulevard when they were struck by a Ford Escape driven by Etheridge, according to the FHP. Troopers said he fled the scene and later called the FHP to say he thought he had hit a deer.
Pictured top: Rylee Simmons, 13. Photo provided by family for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
There Are Now 29 Long-Term Care COVID-19 Cases In Escambia. Pensacola Mayor Says He’d Like The Facility Name Released.
April 13, 2020
Concern is growing among family members with loved ones in long-term care facilities in Escambia County after the Florida Department of Health reported that there are now 29 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in residents or staff.
The FDOH won’t say which facilities have the cases, and Escambia County Administrator Janice Gilley has said the county is not allowed to release facility names. She said that can only be released by Florida Surgeon General Dr. Scott Rivkees.
Pensacola Mayor Grover Robinson said Monday morning that has has no authority to name the facility with the COVID-19 cases, but he believes it is in the city limits.
“I don’t think this is the right decision at all for us to be doing and not publicizing,” Robinson said during a virtual press conference from his home. He’s still on self-quarantine after his son was confirmed to have the virus.
“I realize that there is a challenge in that everybody in that nursing home is not going to have it and has the potential to create more panic,” he said. “When you just simply say it’s a nursing home in the Pensacola area, what you said is much more concerning.”
Robinson said at least the FDOH should release the zip code of the facility.
“It’s not trying to create a panic at that institution, but it is at least trying to assure other individuals that have loved ones either at an ALF or a nursing home to understand they don’t have a challenge there. Certainly everyone is one edge and it would have been better for us to identify where this was occuring,” the mayor said.
There were total of 962 COVID-19 cases in Florida’s long-term care facilities as of Thursday.
Cantonment Man Charged With Kidnapping, Aggravated Battery and Multiple Drug Charges
April 13, 2020
Cantonment man facing multiple felony charges after allegedly kidnapping and battering a woman.
Cordaryl Dion Gross, 29, was charged with kidnapping, aggravated battery, possession of crack cocaine, possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine), possession of a controlled substance (ecstasy), possession of drug paraphernalia, criminal mischief and driving with a suspended license third offense.
Gross and the victim were inside a vehicle at the dead end of Lake Drive in Cantonment when they got into an argument. He allegedly stuck the victim several times over the head with the victim’s cellphone, chased her when she got out of the vehicle, struck her in the head with a closed hand, dragged her back into a vehicle, locked the car doors and then hit her again several times with a closed fist.
When deputies caught up with them, they reported finding crack cocaine, methamphetamine, ecstasy and a digital scale in the vehicle.
Gross remained in the Escambia County Jail Monday morning without bond.
Over 5,600 Tested In Escambia County. Here Are The Details, Plus Data On Hospital Beds And Vents
April 13, 2020
Over 5,600 COVID-19 test have been administered in Escambia County, and about two-thirds of those people know their results.
Here’s a quick look at testing in Escambia County and the status of the local hospitals as of Sunday:
TESTING
- Total Tests: 5,607
- Total Negative Results: 3413
- Total Positive: 221
- Total Waiting For Results: 1,973
- Percent Positive: 6%
- Percent Tests With Results: 65%
- Percent Awaiting Results: 35%
HOSPITALS
- Bed Capacity: 1,315
- Bed Occupancy: 738
- Beds Available: 577
- Total Ventilators: 222
- Ventilators In Use: 39+
- Available Ventilators: 183
Over 42K Free Meals Served At Local Schools Over The Last Two Weeks
April 13, 2020
Over the last two weeks 42,293 free meals were served at schools across Escambia County.
There are 27 sites that are providing free meals designed to be carried away and consumed off campus; cafeterias and dining rooms are not be open. Meals are distributed in a curbside pick-up operation. Food items are in to-go containers and will consist of ready-to-eat food items that should be consumed when received or should be quickly refrigerated for consumption at a later time.
Here’s a breakdown of the number served over the last two weeks at these active locations:
- Bellview Elementary — 2,548
- Beulah Elementary — 1,850
- Beulah Middle — 1,598
- Bratt Elementary — 1,703
- Brentwood Elementary — 1,079
- Ensley Elementary — 1,833
- Ernest Ward Middle — 879
- Ferry Pass Elementary — 316
- Global Learning Academy — 971
- Jim Allen Elementary — 2,429
- Jim Bailey Middle — 2,240
- Lincoln Park Elementary — 975
- McArthur Elementary — 1,077
- Molino Park Elementary — 1,265
- Montclair Elementary — 1,682
- Myrtle Grove Elementary — 1,868
- Oakcrest Elementary — 1,269
- Pine Meadow Elementary — 1048
- Ransom Middle — 1,225
- Scenic Heights Elementary — 995
- Semmes Elementary — 790
- Sherwood Elementary — 909
- Warrington Elementary — 980
- Warrington Middle — 1,455
- Washington High — 1,348
- Weis Elementary — 1,665
- West Pensacola Elementary — 1,731
The follow schools served for one week and were discontinued as feeding sites after April 3:
- Blue Angels Elementary — 664
- Cordova Park Elementary — 64
- Ferry Pass Middle — 1109
- Longleaf Elementary — 291
- Navy Point Elementary — 473
- Northview High — 409
- Pensacola High — 143
- Pleasant Grove Elementary — 516
- Suter Elementary — 186
- Tate High — 330
- Workman Middle — 380
NorthEscambia.com photo.
Gas Price Continue Their Decline. But How Low They Go Will Depend On OPEC Deal.
April 13, 2020
The dive at the gas pump continues last week with Florida gas prices falling another six cents. How low gas prices will go will depend on how the market responds to a historic deal made by OPEC and its oil producing allies over the weekend.
On Sunday, OPEC and its allies agreed to cut oil production by 9.7 million barrels per day — the single largest output cut in history. This effectively ends a price war that broke out between Saudi Arabia and Russia, which caused an overnight 25% reduction in oil prices last month. From there, the downward trend continued as the effects of the coronavirus impacted the global economy and forced Americans to stay off the road.
“The OPEC deal should not cause gas prices to suddenly spike, but it will affect how low they can go,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA — The Auto Club Group. “Wholesale gas prices suggest the state average could eventually reach $1.50 or below, but that won’t happen if oil prices gain upward momentum.”
Since February 21, the price of crude plummeted from $53 per barrel to $23/b. Florida gas prices also dropped 56 cents. This deal is an attempt to help eliminate supply surpluses and strengthen the price of crude.
The state average of $1.85 per gallon is six cents less than a week ago, and 95 cents less than last year.
The average price per gallon in Escambia County was $1.75 per gallon. Three Cantonment stations were at $1.55 Sunday night, and Pensacola stations were as low at $1.49.
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Florida Prisons Extend Visitation Suspension at Correctional Institutions Statewide
April 13, 2020
The Florida Department of Corrections (FDC) has extended suspension of visitation at all correctional institutions statewide.
“We are doing all we can to keep our inmates, staff, community and our families safe. We don’t take this decision lightly,” said Secretary Mark Inch. “During this state of emergency, it’s critical we take all precautions necessary to minimize the potential risk to the inmate population and staff charged with their care and custody. The current situation dictates that we extend this suspension.”
The visitation suspension will be in effect through April 30. The decision to reinstate the normal visitation schedule will be evaluated in consultation with public health experts.
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.
Putting It On The Line — Celebrating National Lineman Appreciation Day
April 13, 2020
Escambia River Electric is celebrating National Lineman Appreciation Day on Monday to honor the men and women that work hard to keep power flowing in our neighborhoods.
Line crews work around the clock, sometimes in difficult and dangerous conditions to keep the lights on. Whether they’re restoring power after a major storm or maintaining critical infrastructure to the electric system, lineworkers are at the heart of the electric grid.
“Whether our community is facing a hurricane, an ice storm, or a medical emergency like COVID-19, our linemen are ready and willing to answer the call to provide for our community’s energy needs,” said Ryan Campbell, CEO of Escambia River Electric Cooperative. “They understand the critical nature of the job they do, and they are committed to be there for our members when it matters the most.”
The first National Lineman Appreciation Day was on April 18 as approved by the U.S. Senate. The National Rural Electric Cooperative later approved celebrating the day on the second Monday of April each year.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
