Escambia County, City Of Pensacola Receive $1.3 Million For COVID-19 Response
April 11, 2020
Escambia County and the City of Pensacola will receive over $1.3 million on Community Development Block Grant funding for COVID-19 response.
Escambia County will receive $872,881, and the City of Pensacola will receive $452,160.
These funds will be used to address a wide variety of public health and public service activities to prevent, prepare for and respond to COVID-19. CDBG funds must be utilized for activities that target low and moderate-income households.
Both local governments are awaiting further guidance from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development regarding the availability date of funding and detailed guidance from HUD as to activities that will be eligible for this funding. Community input will be solicited on how the funds can be utilized to help facilitate COVID-19 response in Escambia County and the City of Pensacola.
Meet Escambia County Deputy Thermadore, Keeping Watch Over ECSO Employee Temperatures
April 11, 2020
Meet the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office “Deputy Thermadore”.
Deputy Thermadore checks the temperatures of deputies and employees as they enter the ECSO building. Everyone has their temperature checked.
“It’s an extra precaution the ECSO is taking to make sure we are safe and healthy to work with our citizens when they need us,” the department said.
The Fotric 226B “offers a very efficient and streamlined solution for detection of elevated or abnormal body temperature. It is designed to simplify the task of temperature monitoring and identifying subjects displaying abnormal readings.It can be used to screen large groups of people simultaneously. Through its powerful AI face detection module, the 226B is able to automatically detect and screen individuals as they pass through its field of view. With a detection range of 2.6 to 10.5 feet, personnel are able to obtain accurate readings while adhering to social distancing requirements. The 226B can be placed at the head of a queue and will alert personnel when its temperature alarm has been triggered.”
Deputy Thermadore is pretty smart…”if the subject is holding a cup of hot coffee, the system will lock onto facial features and ignore the unrelated heat source. It will also adapt to changes in ambient temperature.”
Flomaton Police Check On Seniors, Surprising One Resident On Her Birthday
April 11, 2020
The Flomaton Police Department has had a “How Are Ya!” program for a few months — officers check on senior citizens just to make sure they OK.
The first resident to sign up for the free wellness check program was Sophronia Quinley, and Chief Chance Thompson paid her special visit with a birthday cake.
Mrs. Quinley told the chief that she was celebrating her 24th birthday.
The program is continuing during COVID-19 social distancing. To sign-up a senior in the Town of Flomaton, call Flomaton Police at (251) 296-5811.
Escambia (AL) Hospitals Report Seven Confirmed COVID-19 Cases, 232 Administered Tests
April 10, 2020
Seven people have tested positive for COVID-19 at the two hospitals in Escambia County, Alabama, according to a bi-weekly report from the Escambia County (AL) Healthcare Authority.
They have administered a total of 232 tests, making the positive rate 3%, considerably less than the Alabama statewide positive rate of 14%.
Data released Friday shows there have been 151 total specimens collected at Atmore Community Hospital with four positives, 128 negatives and 13 awaiting results. At D.W. McMillan Hospital, there have been 81 total tests with one positive, 74 negatives and six pending results.
The Alabama Department of Public Health was reporting five confirmed COVID-19 cases and 136 total tests in Escambia County, Alabama, as of midday Friday. The difference between the health department’s total and the hospitals’ totals can be attributed to timing of the data releases. Also, the health department will officially record a case in the patient’s county of residence.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Family Says Goodbye To Young Hit And Run Victim, Grieves With Community; Suspect Booked Into Jail
April 10, 2020
A community received some heartbreaking news Thursday night as they held a candlelight prayer vigil for two juveniles critically injured in a hit and run earlier in the week.
Monday night, Ransom Middle School students 12-year old Hailey Locke and 13-year Rylee Simmons were walking west on Quintette Road approaching Carrington Lake Boulevard when they were struck by a Ford Escape driven by 58-year old Robert William Etheridge of Cantonment, according to the FHP.
Thursday night, Rylee’s parents told about 120 neighbors gathered outside their home that he will not survive; they have said their goodbyes and signed the paperwork to donate his organs.
And the community grieved together.
Rylee’s parents wanted NorthEscambia.com readers to know that “to know him was to love him and he was the kindest most soft hearted child who will be greatly missed”.
Hailey remains in the hospital, but she is improving with hopes of coming home this weekend.
About an hour before the candlelight vigil, Etheridge was booked in the Escambia County Jail for felony hit and run failing to stop or remain at a crash involving injury. He was released on a $30,000 bond.
The FHP said Etheridge immediately fled the scene of the crash and later contacted them to say he may have hit a deer in the area.
COVID-19 Cases Soar To 36 At Blackwater Prison; Still One Case At Century Prison
April 10, 2020
The number of COVID-19 cases reported at a Milton prison soared to three dozen on Thursday, according to the Florida Department of Corrections.
There are now 30 positive inmates and six infected employees or staff members at the Blackwater Correctional Facility. Blackwater is privately operated by the Geo Group, Inc. under a contract with the state and has a capacity of 2,000 inmates.
Just over a week ago, the count was three workers and no inmates.
A staffer at the Century Correctional Institution has also tested positive for coronavirus. No CCI inmates were positive as of Thursday’s report.
There are a total of 42 employees and contact staff positive at Florida Department of Corrections facilities, including Blackwater’s 36. Outside Blackwater in Milton, the other positive inmate in the state is at Sumter Correctional Institution west of Orlando.
Seven First Responders Cleared, Off Quarantine After Contact With Suspected COVID-19 Patient In Walnut Hill
April 10, 2020
Seven Escambia County first responders that were quarantined after responding to a medical call in Walnut Hill early Tuesday morning have now been cleared to return to duty.
Five volunteer members of the Walnut Hill Station of Escambia County Fire Rescue and two Escambia County EMS crew members were self-quarantined at their respectives homes as they awaited COVID-19 test results for the patient.
Late Thursday afternoon, county fire officials learned the individual tested negative, according to Laura Coale, Escambia County spokesperson.
NorthEscambia.com has learned the patient was pronounced deceased shortly after the original medical call; a cause of death has not been released.
Coale said two other EMS employees were quarantined for non-work related reasons that were unrelated to the Walnut Hill call. There have been no positive cases of COVID-19 in any Escambia County EMS or Fire Rescue employee or volunteer, she said.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Big Brothers Big Sisters Takes Mentoring Program Virtual
April 10, 2020
Due to COVID-19 Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Florida has gone virtual. It’s a big change for on organization based around one-to-one mentoring for children ages 5-18.
“In everything we do at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Florida, we must put the health, safety, and well-being of our Bigs, Littles, board, partners, and employees first,” said CEO and President Paula Shell. “During this stressful time, full of anxiety, fear, and worry our children need a mentor now more than ever. We are still conducting business, it is just a little different. But the staff is here to help you throughout all of the difficulties and challenges you may face.”
The staff will be conducting all volunteer and child interviews online and will be matching new Bigs and Littles virtually. Like many, BBBSNWFL is adjusting to a new normal and relying on technology to continue to serve their communities. Throughout this transition, BBBSNWFL encourages Bigs and Littles to stay connected virtually. For example, Facetime, call, or text with Littles, play words with friends, choose a book to both read together virtually, write each other letters. They said now is the time to think outside of the box because children need a mentor more than ever.
Last year, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Florida served 646 children in Northwest Florida.
Pictured: Big and Little Bekah and Bella in a video chat.
Free Virtual Financial Coaching Available To Escambia, Santa Rosa Residents
April 10, 2020
Thousands of households in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties struggle with increased debt and a lack of information about available resources to help them improve their financial standing. The EscaRosa Financial Stability Coalition, facilitated by United Way of West Florida, is now offering virtual financial coaching services to help individuals and families take steps towards financial stability.
Financial coaching is administered by trained volunteers and focuses on the following areas:
Credit Score Improvement: Your credit score can impact your ability to borrow money, obtain certain types of employment, or secure affordable housing. Financial coaches will pull your credit report, explain your score, and help you develop a plan for improvement.
Debt Reduction: Reducing debt can give you the ability to save more money, alleviate financial stress, and achieve your financial goals. Financial coaches will work with you to create a budget and develop strategies for repaying debt and dealing with debt collectors.
Increased Saving and Asset Building: Weathering financial shocks and setbacks while saving for the future is a critical step toward financial security. Financial coaches can help you develop a plan to achieve your saving goals.
Banking Access: Accessing a safe, affordable account is key to joining the financial mainstream and keeping earnings secure through saving. Financial coaches will work with you to identify a bank or credit union that meets your needs.
All financial coaching services, including credit report analysis, are provided free of charge to any low- to median-income adult living in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. To schedule a virtual financial coaching appointment, email United Way of West Florida Financial Stability Program Outreach Manager, Katrina Madden, at katrina.madden@uwwf.org.
Facilitated by United Way of West Florida, the EscaRosa Financial Stability Coalition is a diverse group of community partners with expertise in the banking industry, education field, career and workforce development, financial counseling, and homeownership. The Coalition works to protect, educate, and support all residents in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties by providing free, trusted, and unbiased resources to help them understand, manage, and improve their personal financial situations.
Florida Attorney General Asks Retailers To Limit Quantities To Prevent Hoarding
April 10, 2020
Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody’s Consumer Protection Division is continuing to fight price gouging, and to further deter the illegal practice, the attorney general is asking more Florida retailers to limit per customer sales of essential commodities and other scarce products.
Moody held a conference call Thursday with members of the Florida Retail Federation to thank stores already taking steps to prevent hoarding and encourage even more participation in these crucial efforts.
“We are aggressively fighting price gouging and asking Florida retailers to help us in this battle. One way we prevent outrageous price increases is by preventing the purchase of excessive amounts of essential commodities, which can temporarily clear retail shelves and provide unscrupulous individuals with the opportunity to sell for astronomical prices the large quantities of high-demand products they may be allowed to purchase,” Moody said.
Representatives of some of the largest retailers doing business in Florida reported to the attorney general that the supply chain remains strong and sufficient, and scarce items are being quickly re-stocked in retail stores. They are requesting that consumers not hoard by only purchasing reasonable amounts of supplies, so that retail shelves can stay consistently stocked.
President Donald Trump previously issued an executive order outlawing hoarding for the purpose of selling them above the fair market value. The order is enforceable by the U.S. Department of Justice.