Florida To Add Road Checkpoints As Louisiana Added To Travel Self-Isolation Requirements
March 27, 2020
Gov. Ron DeSantis said Friday afternoon there will be highway checkpoints in the Panhandle as he adds Louisiana residents to the state’s quarantine requirements to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
In a letter Thursday to DeSantis, Escambia County Administrator Janice Gilley requested that Louisiana be added to the required 14-day self-quarantine the governor has imposed upon travelers from the New York area. On Monday, the governor ordered people traveling by air to Florida from New York, New Jersey and Connecticut to self-isolate for 14 days.
“My request is that you acknowledge travel restrictions for visitors coming into Northwest Florida, particularly those coming from Louisiana. Many of these travelers may be bringing the virus with them but are not yet symptomatic,” Gilley wrote. “I believe that Escambia County could be protected if you issue a statement specifically requiring a quarantine of at least 14 days for any visitor coming from Louisiana.”
“There’s a fear that as New Orleans becomes more of a hotspot that you could have an influx of people into the Florida Panhandle from Louisiana,” DeSantis said.
DeSantis said counties and the Florida Highway Patrol will be able to enforce the requirements at checkpoints on the “main thoroughfares” into Florida, including I-10. He suggested vehicles with Louisiana license plates would be flagged, stopped at the checkpoints, and informed of the 14-day self-isolation requirement.
“All we’re trying to do is keep our residents here safe. If you’re coming from one of the epicenters, we probably think that you should follow the directions of your state and local officials, and if they’re telling you to shelter in place, then do that, but don’t come here because we’re trying to protect our folks,” DeSantis said.
DeSantis also suspended new vacation rentals for 14 days.
As of Friday afternoon, Louisiana had 2,746 positive cases and 119 deaths due to coronavirus. Florida had 2,900 cases with 34 deaths. Louisiana is under a shelter-in-place order, while Florida is not.
Log Truck Driver Passes Away After Running Into Wooded Area In Century
March 27, 2020
A log truck driver has passed away after being trapped in mangled cab of his truck over an hour and a half midday Friday after crashing into a wooded area on North Century Boulevard in Century.
The Florida Highway Patrol said 59-year old John Rivers of Greenville, Alabama, was northbound on North Century Boulevard (Highway 29) about 11;!5 a.m. when he crossed the paved median just south of West Highway 4 and ran the entire semi-truck into a wooded area. The force of collision downed downed several mid-size trees.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Firefighters were forced to cut away parts of the cab, freeing the driver about 12:50 p.m. He was transported to Atmore Community Hospital where he was pronounced deceased.
North Century Boulevard was closed for the duration of the extrication.
The Florida Highway Patrol is continuing their investigation.
The Century, Cantonment and McDavid stations of Escambia Fire Rescue, Flomaton Fire Department, Atmore Ambulance and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office were among those that responded.
Escambia Schools Distributing Meals At Over Three Dozen Sites Next Week (With List)
March 27, 2020
The Escambia County School District is adding nearly three dozen additional schools to the list of sites where families can pick up breakfast and lunch for free beginning Monday, March 30
All sites will provide children or teens a breakfast meal and a lunch meal during the same visit. The meals are designed to be carried away and consumed off campus; cafeterias and dining rooms will not be open. Meals will be distributed in a curbside pick-up operation. Food items will be 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.
Meals will be distributed to children 18 and younger from 9 a.m. until noon Monday through Friday, except for Friday, April 10. Students must be present according to USDA policy.
Distribution sites are:
- Jim Allen Elementary School, 1051 Highway 95A North, Cantonment
- Jim C. Bailey Middle School, 4110 Bauer Road, Pensacola
- Bellview Elementary School, 4425 Bellview Ave., Pensacola,
- Beulah Elementary School, 6201 Helms Road, Pensacola
- Beulah Middle School, 6001 W. Nine Mile Road, Pensacola
- Blue Angels Elementary School, 1551 Dog Track Road, Pensacola
- Bratt Elementary School, 5721 North Highway 99, Century
- Brentwood Elementary School, 4820 N. Palafox St. (U.S. 29), Pensacola
- Cordova Park Elementary School, 2250 Semur Road, Pensacola
- Ensley Elementary School, 501 E. Johnson Ave., Pensacola
- Ernest Ward Middle School, 7650 Highway 97, Walnut Hill
- Ferry Pass Elementary School, 8310 N. Davis Highway, Pensacola
- Ferry Pass Middle School, 8355 Yancey Ave., Pensacola
- Global Learning Academy, 100 North P St., Pensacola
- Lincoln Park Elementary School, 7600 Kershaw St., Pensacola
- Longleaf Elementary School, 2600 Longleaf Drive, Pensacola
- L.D. McArthur Elementary School, 330 E. Ten Mile Road, Pensacola
- Molino Park Elementary School, 899 Highway 97, Molino
- Montclair Elementary School, 820 Massachusetts Ave., Pensacola
- Myrtle Grove Elementary School, 6115 Lillian Highway, Pensacola
- Navy Point Elementary School, 1321 Patton Drive, Pensacola
- Northview High School, 4100 West Highway 4, Bratt
- Oakcrest Elementary School, 1820 N. Hollywood Blvd., Pensacola
- Pensacola High School, 500 W. Maxwell St., Pensacola
- Pine Meadow Elementary School, 10001 Omar Ave., Pensacola
- Pleasant Grove Elementary School, Owen Bell Lane, Pensacola
- Ransom Middle School, 1000 W. Kingsfield Road, Cantonment
- Scenic Heights Elementary School, 3801 Cherry Laurel Drive, Pensacola
- O.J. Semmes Elementary School, 1250 E. Texar Drive, Pensacola
- Sherwood Elementary School, 501 Cherokee Trail, Pensacola
- A.K. Suter Elementary School, 501 Pickens Ave., Pensacola
- J.M. Tate High School, 1771 Tate Road, Cantonment
- Warrington Elementary School, 220 N. Navy Blvd., Pensacola
- Warrington Middle School, 459 South Old Corry Field Road, Pensacola
- Booker T. Washington High School, 6000 College Parkway, Pensacola
- C.A. Weis Elementary School, 2701 North Q St., Pensacola
- West Pensacola Elementary School, 801 North 49th Ave., Pensacola
- Workman Middle School, 6299 Lanier Drive, Pensacola
NorthEscambia.com photo.
Gulf Power Donates $250,000 To Help Those Impacted By COVID-19
March 27, 2020
United Way of West Florida has received a $250,000 donation from the Gulf Power Foundation to help member of the community impacted by COVID-19.
“Gulf Power has always been a leader in our region,” said United Way of West Florida President and CEO, Laura Gilliam. “During these unprecedented times, they are once again showing their commitment to the health and well-being of our community and the entire Northwest Florida region with this very generous contribution.”
Gulf Power’s contribution will be used to support those economically impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak, as well as local organizations providing critical services to those in need and most at risk.
Services supported by United Way of West Florida’s COVID-19 Relief Fund will include assistance with rent, utilities, food, childcare, as well as programs serving the elderly and disabled in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
For Gulf Power customers experiencing hardship as a result of COVID-19, Gulf Power has resources available at www.GulfPower.com/Help, or they can connect customers with resources available from federal, state, and local authorities. To further assist their customers, Gulf Power is also suspending disconnections and providing payment extensions for those facing hardships.
Individuals in need of immediate assistance accessing food, paying housing or utility bills, or other essential services are urged to dial 211 from their phones or visit www.211nwfl.org. 211 Northwest Florida, powered locally by United Way of West Florida, provides information and referral services to the following counties: Escambia, Bay, Calhoun, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, Santa Rosa, and Washington.
To donate to this fund, text 850Respond to 41444 or visit www.uwwf.org/covid19fund.
Need A Job? CareerSource Escarosa Lists Local Companies Hiring Now
March 27, 2020
Multiple companies in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties are hiring people now, according to CareerSource Escarosa.
Companies include Walmart, Family Dollar, Sam’s Club, BJ’s, Target, Chick-Fil-a, Winn Dixie, Mediacom Communications, Winn Dixie and many.
CareerSource Escarosa has a complete list on their website.
USDA Takes Actions To Help Rural Residents, Businesses And Communities Affected By COVID-19
March 27, 2020
USDA Rural Development has taken a number of immediate actions to help rural residents, businesses and communities affected by the COVID-19 outbreak.
Actions include a moratorium on foreclosures and evictions for 60 days and numerous other individual and business changes.
For complete information, click here.
UWF Offering A Pass/Fail Option For All Spring Courses
March 27, 2020
The University of West Florida will make a temporary modification to the UWF grading policy for the Spring 2020 semester. All undergraduate and graduate students will have the option to convert courses to satisfactory (S) or unsatisfactory (U) grading, otherwise referred to as Pass/Fail.
Students can make the decision on a course-by-course basis and there is no limit on the number of courses students can convert to S/U grading for this semester.
Compete information from the University of West Florida:
All courses that receive satisfactory (S) grades will count toward degree requirements.
- Undergraduate: all grades of C- or better in a course for which students elect the satisfactory/unsatisfactory grade will convert to an S.
- Graduate: all grades of C or better in a course for which the students elect the satisfactory/unsatisfactory grade will convert to an S.
If you choose to remain with letter grades in all of your courses, you will not need to do anything. To convert a course/courses to satisfactory or unsatisfactory, students must complete the Grade Mode Change Request form by Friday, May 1, 2020. The form can be submitted by students beginning on Friday, April 3, 2020.
Before making this decision, students must consult with their academic advisor, department chairperson or faculty advisor to discuss available options. Students with any type of financial aid must consult with their financial aid counselor to discuss potential implications.
This decision was made after consultation with the Faculty Senate, Student Government Association, Office of the Registrar and UWF executive leadership. The flexibility and exception to the existing grading policy is in response to this unprecedented situation and is meant to help our students succeed and successfully complete the semester.
UWF will provide a web page with detailed resources and information to students on Monday, March 30, 2020, to help students with the decision.
We expect all remote courses at UWF to maintain the highest quality instruction. We also expect students to continue to seek the most from their courses and faculty
Alabama Schools Will Be Closed For The Rest Of The Academic Year
March 26, 2020
Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey said Thursday afternoon that Alabama students will not return to class this year.
“This decision has not been made lightly,” Ivey said. “However the virus continues to spread.”
Ivey ordered local school district to find “alternative methods of instruction” such as online courses by April 6 in order to finish the academic year. Academic work is optional for school districts prior to April 6.
“We must be serious about eliminating the spread of this virus,” the governor said.
“Nothing can replace the interaction between the teacher and the students in a classroom setting.” Ivey said. “However, access to high-quality instruction is crucial for our students to maintain their competitive edge academically.”
Ivey’s state of emergency order will have the following added:
“Beginning at the start of school on April 6, 2020, all public K-12 schools shall implement a plan to complete the 2019-2020 school year using alternate methods of instruction as established by the State Superintendent of Education.”
“Local school districts shall make staffing decisions and determinations related to access to school buildings in accordance with all applicable public health orders and the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Alabama Department of Public Health.”
Baptist Hospital Caring For Presumptive Positive COVID-19 Patient In Pensacola, Two In Gulf Breeze
March 26, 2020
Baptist Hospital said they have two presumptive positive patients in their care at Gulf Breeze Hospital and one at their location in Pensacola.
A no visitation policy with limited entry doors was previously enacted at Baptist Hospital, Gulf Breeze Hospital and Jay Hospital. Visitor exceptions will be made for end of life and critical caregivers.
Baptist will open a second COVID-19 screening center on Friday in south Santa Rosa County to evaluate people with respiratory illness and COVID-19 symptoms.
The center’s focus is to provide a more comprehensive treatment program by screening those who may have COVID-19 and treating people with Flu-A, Flu-B, pneumonia or other respiratory illnesses. All individuals with respiratory symptoms – such as cough, fever and shortness of breath – can call 850 (434) 4080 to determine if they need an appointment with the screening center.
An appointment is required to visit this center. If they meet the criteria, an appointment will be scheduled for them. They will be given a phone number to call upon their arrival. Patients will be asked to remain in their vehicles, and a BMG team member will greet them and escort them to the clinic.
Couple Dead After Escambia County Murder-Suicide
March 26, 2020
A couple is dead after a murder-suicide Thursday afternoon in Escambia County.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to a home near East Shore Drive and West Michigan Avenue about 1:40 p.m.
The couple was described as elderly with health issues by the ECSO.
Additional details were not released as the investigation continues.
File photo.