FEMA ASSESSORS HERE

• The county’s debris hauling contractor will be cutting hanging limbs over the roads so trucks can pick up debris beginning Thursday.
• Residential debris removal begins Thurs., Sept. 24. from dawn to dusk.Debris haulers will be operating in all five districts each day of removal.
• Once crews make a complete pass, two passes will be made to pick up extra debris – total of three passes. Residents will be notified before the final pass.
• Separate your debris as follows:
  – normal household trash
  – vegetative debris (do not bag leaves/vegetative debris)
  – construction/demolition debris
  – appliances/white goods
  – electronics
  – household hazardous debris (see list)
• Cut logs less than 8 feet long. Vegetative debris cannot be mixed with treated lumber, fencing, construction or demolition debris.
• Do not stack debris under power lines, low-hanging limbs, near mailboxes, fire hydrants, water meters or in ditches
• Crews are not allowed to go on to private property to remove debris.
• Residents may bring vegetative debris to Central Landfill free until further notice.
• If you choose to burn your debris rather than take it to the landfill at no charge or wait for the hauler to pick it up from your yard, be aware Florida statutes prohibit burning debris within 25′ of your home or wild lands, 50′ from paved public roads and 150′ from other occupied buildings.

Donation Needs and Volunteer Coordination

• Residents who still need food, clothing, should contact 211.
• Residents who need assistance with tree removal, roof tarping, muck-outs or other manpower needs should call the Citizen Information Line, 850-983-INFO (4636).
• Persons and organizations (churches, etc.) who would like to volunteer should also call 850-983-INFO (4636) and a coordinator will match them to the best fit.

Garcon Point Bridge

• Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Kevin J. Thibault, P.E. directed Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise (FTE) to further extend the toll suspension on the Garcon Point Bridge, until 6 a.m. Friday, October 23.
• In addition, a new, temporary traffic signal is operational at the intersection of State Road (S.R.) 281 (Avalon Boulevard) and I-10. Variable message boards have been placed near the intersection to alert drivers about the temporary signal. The temporary signal was installed to ease traffic flow associated with the utilization of the Garcon Point Bridge on S.R. 281 as a designated detour route due to the closure of the Pensacola Bay Bridge.
• For the latest information about the Pensacola Bay Bridge, visit fdot.gov/PensacolaBay. Travelers can also access Florida’s 511 service from cell phones, landlines and online at www.FL511.com.

Small Business Economic Recovery Grant

Santa Rosa County has allocated a total of $2.6 million of CARES Act funding to provide grants of up to $20,000 to eligible small businesses. In partnership with the Florida Small Business Development Center, applications will be reviewed on a first come, first served basis. The application period begins on September 28 at 8 a.m. and closes on October 16 at 5 p.m. Applications received before or after the application period will not be reviewed.

Santa Rosa County has increased the grant amount tiers to ensure that businesses can make a quicker recovery.

• $10,000 for small businesses with 0-25 employees
• $20,000 for small businesses with 26-100 employees

To apply, eligible businesses must submit the completed grant application form and all required documents in PDF to [email protected] with the headline “Small Business Grant.” Visit santarosa.fl.gov for eligibility requirements and a list of required documents.

There will also be an informational webinar with the Florida SBDC on Friday Sept. 25 from 10 – 11 a.m. to guide small business owners in applying for the grant. The webinar will address correctly filling out the application and supporting documents. A recorded version will be made available on the website following the webinar.

Applicants will receive notice of approval or denial as soon as their applications have been processed. Only eligible and completed applications with required supporting documentations will be accepted. Grant funding will be disbursed from the Santa Rosa County Grants Department by check via mail to the business’s listed address.

For more information, contact the SBDC at [email protected] or by phone at (850) 474-2528

City of Milton

• For up to date information, visit www.miltonfl.org or www.facebook.com/MiltonFlorida.

City of Gulf Breeze

• See www.cityofgulfbreeze.us, www.facebook.com/cityhallgb, www.twitter.com/GulfBreezeCity, or Nextdoor for updates.

Escambia County Information

• Visit www.myescambia.com/stormcenter for all Escambia County, Florida updates.

First Judicial Circuit Court

• The state courts in Santa Rosa County will be closed Thursday and Friday, Sept.  24 and 25. Certain hearings will be conducted at alternative locations, as follows:
• Judge Giraud will conduct first appearances at 9 a.m. at the jail Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
• Judge Hilliard’s misdemeanor arraignments (out of custody) will be conducted at 8:30 a.m. at the Santa Rosa County Auditorium, 4530 Spikes Way in Milton, on Thursday, Sept. 24.
• Felony arraignments (out of custody) will be conducted at 9 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 24, at the Santa Rosa County Auditorium, 4530 Spikes Way in Milton.
• Judge Dickey’s violation of probation hearings scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 24 will be moved to Oct. 16. Inmates will be seen in the morning, and out-of-custody will begin at 1:30 p.m. Those with pending hearings should contact their attorneys for the precise time of their scheduled hearing on Oct. 16. Dockets will be divided into small groups to comply with all COVID-19 requirements.
• Judge Dickey’s criminal motions scheduled for Friday, Sept. 25 must be reset.  Attorneys will be contacted by the judicial assistant upon reopening to set new hearing dates.
• All other court proceedings will be rescheduled.