In spite of the coronavirus pandemic, Florida’s annual Lionfish Challenge starts today and runs until September 7th. The challenge is hosted by the Reef Rangers of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, is open to recreational and commercial participants statewide. To sign up, fill out the official 2020 Lionfish Challenge registration form on the…… MORE
Category Archives: Uncategorized
CDC SCHOOL REOPENING GUIDELINES
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has released new guidelines for schools to safely re-open while dealing with the coronavirus pandemic. Some of the guidelines include face coverings for all staff members – Cleaning and disinfecting of high-touch surfaces daily – Canceling of field trips, events, and extracurricular activities -Spacing desks 6 ft. apart…… MORE
JUDGE WARD PASSES AWAY
Former Escambia County Judge Billy Ward has passed away at the age of 95. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II and was an elected justice of the peace in Escambia County from January 1957 through December 1971 when the Justice of the Peace Court was abolished by a Florida Constitutional revision.…… MORE
ANOTHER AIR FORCE JET CRASHES ON EGLIN
There has been another crash of an Air Force fighter jet on Eglin Air Force Base – the second crash in 4 days. An F-35A Lightning. assigned to the 58th Fighter Squadron, crashed upon landing around 9:30 p.m. Tuesday. The pilot safely ejected and was taken to the 96th Medical Group for evaluation and was…… MORE
CRESTVIEW FATAL SHOOTING
The Crestview Police Department and the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office are investigating a fatal shooting that happened around 9 p.m. Tuesday at the Hilton Motel on Highway 90. The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office was called to the Hilton Motel and found 19-year-old Kaylun Gray of Elba, Alabama dead of a gunshot wound. 25-year-old Jakeith Tyrrell…… MORE
SOUTH PALAFOX TO CLOSE SUNDAY
Pensacola Mayor Grover Robinson has announced that Palafox Street – between Garden and Main streets in downtown Pensacola – will close to cars this Sunday from 10am to 9pm. He said he hopes the closures will show visitors it’s safe to go downtown to shop or eat. Some business owners have objected saying the closure…… MORE
FLORIDA PRISON VIRUS CASES
Florida corrections officials say there were 72 new COVID-19 cases reported among state prisoners, bringing the total number of inmates who have tested positive to 1,191. The largest jump in cases came at South Bay Correctional Facility, in Palm Beach County. Three other prisons had increases including Hamilton Correctional Institution, with 142 inmate cases; Apalachee…… MORE
WALTON COUNTY VIRUS DEATHS
Walton County now has recorded five deaths from COVID-19, all residents at a single nursing and rehabilitation facility. The Florida Department of Health in Walton County said the two latest victims – a 90-year-old female and an 84-year-old male – were in the Chautauqua Rehabilitation and Nursing Center. A 94-year-old man, a 70-year-old woman, and…… MORE
SHORT-TERM RENTAL PLAN APPROVED
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has approved the reopening of short-term rentals in Escambia, Santa Rosa and Okaloosa Counties, effective immediately. Guidelines include taking reservations and from states with a COVID-19 Case Rate less than 700 cases per 100.000 residents as of May 15th, but reservations from COVID-19 hot spots identified by the Governor are to…… MORE
WILDFIRES CONTAINED
The Florida Forest Service says the Hurst Hammock Fire in Beulah in West Escambia County is now 100% contained. The fire started May 7th and burned almost 1200 acres. The Forest Service also said the 2,200 acre 5 Mile Swamp Fire in Santa Rosa County is now 97% contained. Although more than an inch of…… MORE
