Pensacola Announces Phased Reopening Plan Beginning Friday
April 27, 2020
Pensacola Mayor Grover Robinson announced a phased plan Monday he called “Recover Pensacola” for reopening the city while closely monitoring for the resurgence of coronavirus.
Phase One of the plan begins Friday, May 1 with recreation facilities such as outdoor basketball courts, tennis courts and playgrounds in the city reopening, and restaurants will be able to open outdoor seating. There could be adjustments based upon the plan announced by the state.
“We want to begin reopening as soon as possible, but the last thing we want to do is sacrifice safety in the process.,” Robinson said.
Pensacola’s plan will continue with a green light when there is a measured downward trajectory in flu-like illnesses and COVID-19-like illnesses within a 14 days. A yellow “hold” status will occur when there is a three-day reversal in statistical trends, healthcare system concern or public safety impact with a 15% decrease in available active staffing.
A red status would restart the plan, signaled by a 14-day reversal in statistical trends, healthcare system concern or a if 30% of public safety personnel are unable to work.
Once the health department establishes 14-day downward trend in COVID-19 and flu-like symptoms, restaurants, sporting venues, movie theaters and churches could reopen within the crowd size guidelines, which is currently 10 or less. Schools, camps and bars would remain closed.
The final plan may adjust to match state guidance, and officials are working on the next steps in the plan.
Escambia County has not announced a reopening plan.
Cantonment Man Charged With Allegedly Threatening To Beat His Girlfriend With A Hammer
April 27, 2020
A Cantonment man is accused of threatening to beat his girlfriend with a hammer.
Gordon Kenneth Wallis, Jr., 59, was charged with aggravate assault with a deadly weapon.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to an armed disturbance on Well Line Road where the female victim told deputies she woke up to find Wallis standing over her with a hammer and threatening to beat her. Earlier the in the day, he grabbed her by the throat and punched her on the right side of her, according to an arrest report.
The victim refused medical treatment. Deputies reporting finding a hammer in the yard in the approximate area the victim said Wallis tossed it as he fled.
The Curve: Here’s A Graphical Look At COVID-19 In Escambia County
April 27, 2020
Here is a graphical look at COVID-19 by the numbers in Escambia County.
Below: Escambia County cases per day, Florida residents and non residents
Below: Escambia County cases per day, residents only
Data source: Florida Department of Health as of 4/26.
America Strong: Blue Angels, Thunderbirds Begin Multi-City Flyovers To Salute First Responders
April 27, 2020
In a show of national solidarity, the Navy’s Blue Angels, and the Air Force’s Thunderbirds will conduct a series of multi-city flyovers over the next two weeks.
America Strong is a collaborative salute from the Navy and Air Force to recognize healthcare workers, first responders, and other essential personnel while standing in solidarity with all Americans during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Escambia County had a sneak peak last Tuesday as the Blue Angels and Thurderbirds flew over Escambia County.
“We are incredibly honored to have the opportunity to salute those working on the frontline of the COVID-19 response, we are in awe of your strength and resilience,” said Cmdr. Brian Kesselring, U.S. Navy Blue Angels commanding officer and flight leader. “Thank you to all of those in essential industries keeping our nation moving forward. We will get through this. We are all in this together.”
The two demonstration teams will fly over areas of the country hardest hit by COVID-19, starting this week as both joint and individual team flights occurring every one-to-two days until mid-May.
“We are truly excited to take to the skies with our Navy counterparts for a nation-wide tribute to the men and women keeping our communities safe,” said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. John Caldwell, Thunderbird 1 and mission commander for the flyover. “We hope to give Americans a touching display of American resolve that honors those serving on the frontline of our fight with COVID-19.”
The Blue Angels, based at Naval Air Station Pensacola, and Thunderbirds, based at Nellis Air Force Base, Las Vegas, typically fly at more than 30 air shows each year to demonstrate American military aviation. This year, both teams have been forced to cancel many performances in response to Department of Defense direction resulting from the COVID-19 outbreak.
While America Strong will showcase Department of Defense support to healthcare workers, first responders, military, essential employees, and aims to unite all Americans in the fight against COVID-19, it also fulfills critical training requirements for both teams. Pilots must execute a minimum number of flight hours to maintain proficiency. These flyovers will incur no additional cost to taxpayers.
In order to reach the maximum number of Americans, some portions of America Strong will feature only the Blue Angels or the Thunderbirds, while others will include both teams flying in their signature Delta formations simultaneously.
Both the Blue Angels and Thunderbirds are scheduled to fly over New York City, Trenton, New Jersey, and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on Tuesday.
Pictured: The Blue Angels and the Thunderbirds flew together over Escambia County last Tuesday. NorNorthEscambia.com photos by Perry Doggrell and Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Escambia Commission Votes Tuesday On Reopening Beaches. Here’s How To Submit Your Comments.
April 27, 2020
THIS STORY IS NOW OUTDATED. CLICK HERE FOR AN UPDATE.
Escambia County Votes To Reopen Beaches Beginning Friday
(No further comments will be accepted on the story below…comment on the updated story)
The Escambia County Commission will hold a special meeting Tuesday to discuss reopening public beaches.
The commission closed the public beaches and Santa Rosa Island and Perdido Key back on March 21 in a effort to slow the spread of COVID-19.
The commission meeting will be live streamed, and the public is urged to participate electronically and submit any comments or questions before the meeting to maximize social distancing. A public input form has been made available, and form comments will be read into the record during the meeting. Comments must be submitted prior to the vote.
The special commission meeting will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday.
Navy Federal Offering Grocery, Prepared Food Pick Up For Employees
April 27, 2020
Navy Federal is now offering curbside food services – including groceries and prepared food — for employees.
Navy Federal launched a “Shop With Us” service that allows employees to order food and other grocery items to be picked up same day. Through the program, employees can use an app to place orders for single person, family, or a la cart meals as well as in-demand grocery items like bottled water, milk, toilet paper, and fresh produce. Employees can schedule a convenient time for them to pick up the items at their campus location.
Navy Federal has also transitioned 80% of their workforce to be able to work from home, offers paid leave for team members impacted by school and day care closures, bonus pay for front line employees and is providing team members with masks and gloves for those that report to branch locations.
Low Demand Keeps Pump Prices Low
April 27, 2020
Gas prices are still declining after a turbulent week in the fuel market. Crude oil prices sank to record lows last week amid growing concerns that producers are running out of space to store excess fuel supplies.
Florida gas prices remain at 4-year lows. Prices at the pump are averaging $1.78 per gallon across the state and $1.66 in Escambia County.
North Escambia are gas prices were as low as $1.47 Sunday night in Cantonment.
“Gas prices face continued downward pressure from extremely low demand, as residents are urged to stay home to stop the spread of coronavirus,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “The low demand has made it less profitable to pump oil and convert it to gasoline and jet fuel. Refiners are now having to make difficult decisions to either reduce output or close plants in attempt to lower gasoline supplies to match demand.”
The oversupply issues for gasoline are similar to the issues with the global supply of crude. Last week, the price of crude collapsed by more than 300 percent, with prices dipping well into the negative. The record lows were brought on by concerns that the US will soon run out storage for excess supplies. Energy experts believe global crude storage will reach capacity within the next 3-4 weeks, unless output is dramatically reduced.
By Friday, crude oil futures returned to $16 per barrel. The upswing was brought on by a new contract month, another US stimulus package, demand recovery in China
Bicyclist Struck And Killed In Escambia County
April 26, 2020
A bicyclist died as result of her injuries after being struck by a vehicle Saturday night in Escambia County.
The Florida Highway Patrol said the 41-year old female bicyclist was traveling on the shoulder of Dog Track Road south of Blue Angel Parkway and attempted to cross the highway. Her bicycle was struck when traveled directly into the the path of a SUV driven by a 35-year old female.
She was airlifted by LifeFlight helicopter to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola where she passed away as the result of her injuries.
The Florida Highway Patrol has implemented a new policy. As of April 24, the FHP will no longer release the names of anyone involved in a traffic crash.
Pandemic Pauses Century’s Natural Gas Meter Replacement Plans
April 26, 2020
COVID-19 has put the brakes on Century’s plan to replace natural gas meters in an effort to increase natural gas billings and curb losses.
Interim City Administrator Vernon Prather said they are not able to replace residential gas meters during the pandemic because the process requires going inside a customer’s home to verify that pilot lights are on and everything is safe.
In 2019, the town undertook a systematic approaches to auditing natural gas accounts and replacing meters. By early this year, audits had uncovered at least a half dozen locations that were not in the billing system and over two dozen meters that had stopped working.
At the first town council meeting in March, Prather recommended that the town hire Precision Meter Repair (PMR) of Plant City to replace 400 residential meters at $160 each. They would have been able to install 400 meters in a matter of weeks.
Florida Gas Utility, which provides natural gas consulting service to the town, obtained three quotes to change out the meters ranging from PMR’s $160 to a high of $1,000 each, Prather said.
The town council was not completely satisfied that would meet state bid laws, and tabled action until compliance could be determined.
The town purchased hundreds of new meters in early 2019 to replacing aging meters believed to be causing the under-billing of many natural gas customers. At of early March, 15 commercial and about 200 residential meters had been replaced.
Thousands Of Pounds Of Food Given Away In Flomaton And Century; Flomaton Will Do It Again
April 26, 2020
Free food distributions were held Saturday in Flomaton and Century, and Flomaton’s mayor said his town is going to do it again.
Over 11,000 pounds of USDA food were distributed in Flomaton Saturday morning. Individuals, local churches and business joined Feeding the Gulf Coast to provide the food to families in need. The Flomaton Town Council approved a recommendation from Mayor Dewey Bondurant establishing the a food bank at the Flomaton Community Center.
“We will do this again for the next two Saturdays,” Bondurant said. NorthEscambia.com will post details on the next giveaway times when they are announced.
A food distribution was also held in Century Saturday morning at the Century Business Center. The drive-thru event was sponsored by Mayor Henry Hawkins “and friends,” along with Feeding the Gulf Coast and the First Baptist Church of Ferry Pass.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
