Donate Blood At OneBlood And Find Out If You Have The COVID-19 Antibody
July 6, 2020
If you donate blood with OneBlood you will find out if you have the coronavirus antibody.
That’s because the non-profit OneBlood is testing all donations for the COVID-19 antibody.
The antibody test is authorized by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and will indicate if the donor’s immune system has produced antibodies to the virus, regardless of whether they ever showed symptoms. Donors will be able to see their results approximately 48 hours after donating by logging into their donor portal.
OneBlood was one of the first blood centers to begin testing for the coronavirus antibody and plans to provide the antibody testing for the foreseeable future.
Due to social distancing measures that OneBlood has in place, all donors are required to make an appointment to donate. Appointments can be made online at www.oneblood.org or by calling 1-888-9DONATE.
Application Deadline Is Wednesday For Florida Forest Service Longleaf Pine Private Incentive Program
July 6, 2020
The Florida Forest Service has announced the launch of the 2020 Longleaf Pine Private Landowner Incentive Program. Applications will be accepted through Wednesday, July 8.
The primary objective of the Longleaf Pine Private Landowner Incentive Program is to increase the acreage of healthy longleaf pine forests in Florida by assisting eligible, non-industrial private forest landowners with the long-term investment necessary to establish and maintain the valuable longleaf pine ecosystem.
Longleaf pine forests are native to the southeastern United States and are among the most diverse ecosystems in North America. Longleaf pines provide high-quality wood products and are valued for their resistance to damage by insects, disease, wildfire and storms. Due to urbanization and conversion to other land uses, longleaf pine forests have been dramatically reduced and now cover less than four percent of their historical range. Florida is home to more than 2 million acres of longleaf pine ecosystems, which represents more than half of all current longleaf pine forests.
The Longleaf Pine Private Landowner Incentive Program offers incentive payments for the completion of timber stand improvement, invasive species control, prescribed burning, planting longleaf pine, establishing native plant understory and mechanical underbrush treatments. Private lands located within the 58 counties north of Lake Okeechobee, the historical range of longleaf pine, are eligible for the program.
To learn more and access an application, visit FDACS.gov/LongleafIncentive or contact your local Florida Forest Service county forester. In Escambia County, call Cathy Hardin at (850) 587-5237 or email.
COVID-19 Testing Available In Century This Week For Escambia County Residents
July 6, 2020
Community Health Northwest Florida is bringing COVID-19 testing back to Century this week.
The drive-thru/walk-up testing will be available Friday from 9 a.m. until noon on East Hecker Road at the Head Start building (former elementary school) for Escambia County (FL) residents only. There is no pre-screening required, and the testing is available for any age regardless of symptoms. A photo identification is required.
Testing will be provided weather permitting while supplies last.
According to Community Health:
- The tests are no-cost to the individual. If you have health insurance, your insurance will cover the cost. If you do not have insurance, you can still be tested free of charge. Bring an identification and insurance card (if you have insurance).
- Testing is not a doctor visit. You will not receive a medical examination. Community Health will only be collecting a specimen to send to a lab for processing, and then you will be free to go.
- Once your test is complete, is it critical that you go home and self-isolate, wear a face covering and keep way from other people (including family members) to the best of your ability until results are known.
- Community Health will call to share test results when they are available along with instructions on what to do next. They should have a good working contact number for you. They will not leave test result information on a voicemail message.
Pictured: Community Health Northwest Florida COVID-19 testing in Century on May 13. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Man Killed In Klondike Road Rollover Crash
July 5, 2020
An Escambia County man was in killed a crash Sunday morning in Escambia County.
The Florida Highway Patrol said the 36-year old man was traveling south on Klondike Road approaching Dunaway Lane when he lost control of his Ford Focus and began to leave the roadway. His car traveled sideways, hit a fence and rolled over.
The driver was not wearing a seat belt and was ejected. He was pronounced deceased on the scene by Escambia County EMS.
The FHP no longer releases the name of traffic crash victims.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
38 More Escambia County Jail Inmates Test Positive For COVID-19
July 5, 2020
Sunday morning, the Escambia County Jail reported 38 new COVID-19 cases among inmates that were identified for testing by contract tracing.
Of 44 inmates that have been tested, there were the 38 positives, four negative and two that are awaiting results. The county said all of those that have tested positive have not presented any medical concerns.
None of the inmates who have tested positive are are presenting medical concerns. Two of the units in the jail have been turned into isolation zones to house the inmates who have tested positive to try to prevent the further spread of the virus.
On Thursday, the jail reported three positive inmates and 12 infected correctional officers with 13 waiting for their results. Sunday, Escambia County said there were still only 12 positive correctional officers, but did not specify if the 13 others had received their results. The officers are all quarantined at home. The corrections department has 575 employees.
“We are doing everything in our power to keep inmates and employees as safe as possible during this global pandemic,” Escambia County Corrections Chief Rich Powell said. “Our medical staff assured me that none of these inmates are presenting medical concerns at this time. Our priority remains the safety and health of our inmates and employees as we follow our infectious disease processes and CDC guidelines. We are continuing to work with the Florida Department of Health for guidance, and masks are available for all inmates, which we are strongly encouraging them to wear.”
Individuals can call the Escambia County Jail at (850) 436-9650 with questions about inmates.
One Of These 27 People Will Be The Next Escambia County School Superintendent
July 5, 2020
There were 27 people that submitted their application to be the next superintendent of the Escambia County School District.
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.
Two of the candidates for the job are current Escambia County residents.
Keith Leonard of Cantonment is the current assistant superintendent of Human Resource Services and spent 13 years as the Escambia County School District director of Human Resource Services.
Claudia Williams of Pensacola has worked for the Escambia County School District for about 32 years and is currently a guidance counselor at Judy Andrews/Success Academy. She is a former District 3 board member and campaigned unsuccessfully for superintendent in 2004, 2008 and 2012.
An appointed Superintendent Search Citizens Advisory Committee will name semi-finalists in July, followed by finalists in mid-August. According to a school district timeline, finalists will be interviewed in late August. A special board meeting to select the new superintendent will be held September 1.
The start date for the new superintendent is set for November 17. The salary range is $145,000 to $175,00 a year.
The applicants are listed below in the order in which their applications were received. Tap or click on any applicant’s name to load their resume and application information in pdf format.
- Dr. Peri-Anne Chobot
- Dr. Terry L. Nelson
- Leigh Ann McCray
- Paul Grimaud
- Dr. Wayne Alexander
- Marques L. Stewart
- Dr. Andrei E. Ghelman
- Dr. Greg S. Shull
- Dr.. Raymond L. Bryant, Jr.
- Adam M. Taylor
- Dr. David M. Schmittou
- Dr. Michelle E. James
- Dr. Earl Johnson
- Dr. John Millay
- Dr. Monica Henson
- Dr. Debra L. Fountain
- Keith C. Rittel
- Dr. Timothy A. Smith
- Keith Leonard
- Dr. BrianT. Binggeli
- Dr. Brian J. Boggs
- Dr. Sumita SenGupta
- Dr. Vincent F. Cotter
- Dr. Robert E. Schiller
- Dr. Christopher R. Quinn
- Christopher N. Ruszkowski
- Claudia S. Williams
Searchable Escambia County Employee Salary Database Is Now Live
July 5, 2020
A new Escambia County employee salary database is now live on the county’s website.
The salaries of those employed by government agencies are public record in Florida because they are paid using public funds. The State of Florida has had a salary database live for some time.
To access the Escambia County Employee Wages searchable database, click or tap here.
All 87 pages of the database can be browsed, searched by name or viewed by department from fiscal year 2018 or FY 2019.
International Paper Accepting Applications For $65K In Community Grants. The Deadline Is Monday.
July 5, 2020
International Paper Pensacola Mill will award $65,000 in grants in 2020.
Applications will be accepted at www.ipgiving.com through Monday, July 6. In 2019, the foundation awarded $65,000 in grants to area non-profit organizations (list is below).
The International Paper Foundation makes sustainable investments to address critical needs in the communities where its employees live and work.
Signature Causes include:
- Education – Programs focused on helping children succeed via a comprehensive approach to education. Priority is given to literacy programs from birth through 3rd grade.
- Hunger – Programs dedicated to improving food security throughout our communities.
- Health & Wellness – Programs that promote healthy living habits.
- Disaster Relief – Programs that help communities prepare for and recover from natural disasters.
Funding also is available to address environmental initiatives (forests, water and air), employee involvement grants and other critical community needs.
Eligibility
Applicants must be a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization or qualifying federal entity to apply for a grant. To be considered, organizations must have a program that addresses critical community needs and have measureable objectives to demonstrate impact. Details on grant eligibility, guidelines and restrictions are available at www.ipgiving.com.
Application Process & Procedures
An eligible non-profit organization with a program in an area that the foundation supports must apply online by visiting http://www.ipgiving.com. Applications are routed to the local IP facility and must be completed in its entirety to be considered. If you have questions about the grant guidelines or process, contact Whitney Fike at (850) 968-3076 or via email at whitney.fike@ipaper.com.
Local International Paper Foundation grant award winners in 2019 were:
- Autism Pensacola – Kids For Camp Summer Learning Lab
- Bright Bridge Ministries – Cold Storage, Warm Hearts
- Capstone Adaptive Learning – Tell Me Early Learning Literacy Program
- Council On Aging Of West Florida – Ways To Go Green Project
- Creative Learning Academy – Strengthening Literacy by Empowering Young Readers
- Ernest Ward Middle School – Pollinators Promote Sustainability and Hydroponics
- Escambia County 4-H Foundation – Escambia County 4-H Team Challenge Course
- Escambia County Public Schools Foundation – Grants for Excellence
- Every Child A Reader – Books for the Break
- Feeding The Gulf Coast – Weekend Backpacks for Children at Carver Park
- Gulf Coast Kid’s House – Getting Families Back Together
- Institute For Human And Machine Cognition (IHMC) – Hands-On Science Saturday
- Jim Allen Elementary School – Leveled Readers Lead The Way to Literacy
- Kingsfield Elementary – Flocabulary for Fundamental Fabulous Readers
- Manna Food Bank – Healthy Kids Initiative
- Molino Park Elementary School – Classroom Literacy Leap
- Navarre Beach Sea Turtle Conservation Center – Light Boxes and Educational Displays
- Pace Band Boosters – Pace Band Polish and Shine
- Pensacola Children’s Chorus – Inaugural Preparatory Choir
- Pensacola Little Theatre – Teaching an Old Dog New (Dramatic) Tricks
- Pensacola Mess Hall – Questioning Corner
- Pensacola State College Foundation – PSC Milton Campus Food Pantry
- Chain Reaction – Teens Impacting Literacy and Learning
- Quintette Community Park Association – Senior Citizen and Youth Programs
- Ronald McDonald House Charities Of Northwest Florida – Home for Dinner Program
- Studer Community Institute – Brain Bags
- The Arc Gateway – Tools For Developmental Screening: Helping All Children Be Ready for Kindergarten
- United Way of West Florida – Born Learning Trail
- University of West Florida Foundation – Argo Pantry, Community Garden, National Writing Project and B.E.S.T. Robotics Competition
Pictured: 2019 IP grant recipients Ernest Ward Middle School (top), Molino Park Elementary School (below), Feeding the Gulf Coast (second below), Escambia County 4-H Foundation (third below) and the Ronald McDonald House (bottom). Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
These Are This Week’s Road Construction Trouble Spots
July 5, 2020
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads and projects Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.
In preparation for the Independence Day holiday weekend, there will be no lane closures or other activities that impede traffic on state roads beginning at 12:01 a.m. Friday, July 3, and ending 12:01 a.m. Monday, July 6.
Escambia County:
- · Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement- Bridge construction may require the following lane closures beginning Monday, July 6 from 12:01 a.m. to 5 a.m. and resume nighttime lane closures from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday through Sunday.
o Intermittent east and westbound 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. 29 Widening from Interstate 10 (I-10) to Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90)– Motorists traveling Nine Mile Road at the U.S. 29 Overpass and U.S. 29 traffic between I-10 and 9 1/2 Mile Road may experience alternating lane shifts or closures as crews continue drainage and paving operations.
- Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90) Widening from Beulah Road to Pine Forest Road (S.R. 297)- A portion of the I-10 off-ramp that connects to the Nine Mile Road (Exit 5) westbound remains closed. Drivers can continue to access Nine Mile Road east and westbound using the other section of the ramp. The partial ramp closure is needed to reconstruct the ramp.
- · Perdido Key Drive (S.R. 292) Pedestrian Crosswalk Construction at Flora-Bama- The signal will become operational Monday, July 6 around 10 a.m. There are no scheduled nighttime lane closures.
- · East Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90A) Construction Activities at Shoppes– Motorists will encounter westbound lane closures from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Tuesday, July 7 through Thursday, July 9 as crews perform ditch grading, driveway connection, and roadway work.
- · Bayou Boulevard (S.R. 296) Drainage Improvements at the intersection of Perry Avenue- The southbound lane will be closed at the intersection of Perry Avenue weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. until Friday, July 10.
- · U.S. 29 Resurfacing from south of County Road (C.R.) 184 (Muscogee Road) to S.R. 97 (Atmore Highway)- Motorists can expect intermittent daytime lane restrictions as crews continue construction activities at various locations. There will also be intermittent and alternating nighttime lane restriction at the intersection of U.S. 29 and Muscogee Road/Becks Lake Road.
- · Michigan Avenue (S.R. 296) at Mobile Highway and Memphis Avenue- Construction activities have begun on the safety improvements. The contractor will be working during daytime hours. Nighttime lane closures are possible.
- · Mobile Highway (U.S. 90) Intersection Improvements at New Warrington Road
(S.R. 295) – Construction activities are underway. Drivers can expect lane closures between 9:30 p.m. and 6 a.m.
Santa Rosa County:
- · Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement - Bridge construction may require the following lane closures beginning Monday, July 6 from 12:01 a.m. to 5 a.m. and resume nighttime lane closures from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday through Sunday.
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).
- · S.R. 4 Resurfacing and Drainage Improvements from the Escambia River Bridge to Market Road (C.R. 87A) in Jay –There will be a slow-moving vehicle used to perform striping operations. There will also be intermittent shoulder closures throughout the project.
- · U.S. 90 Pavement Marking Operations from Avalon Boulevard (S.R. 281) to the Okaloosa County Line-Motorists can expect minor delays Sunday through Thursday from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. until Thursday, Aug. 27 as slow-moving vehicles are used to perform pavement marking operations.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Pictured: New entrance and exit ramps recently opened at Nine Mile Road and Highway 29. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Local Farmers Eligible For Assistance After Alabama Counties Declared Drought Disaster Areas
July 5, 2020
Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue designated two Alabama counties as primary natural disaster areas. Producers in Baldwin and Mobile counties who suffered losses due to recent drought, may be eligible for U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) emergency loans.
Producers in the contiguous Alabama counties of Clarke, Escambia, Monroe, and Washington, along with Escambia County, Florida, and George, Greene, and Jackson counties in Mississippi, are also eligible to apply for emergency loans.
This natural disaster designation allows FSA to extend much-needed emergency credit to producers recovering from natural disasters. Emergency loans can be used to meet various recovery needs including the replacement of essential items such as equipment or livestock, reorganization of a farming operation or the refinance of certain debts.
The deadline to apply for these emergency loans is Feb. 10, 2021.
FSA will review the loans based on the extent of losses, security available and repayment ability.
Pictured: This map shows drought conditions across the area in mid-May. NorthEscambia.com graphic.