‘He’ll Be Dead By The Time They Get Here’ – Residents Say Escambia EMS Units Often Unavailable In Walnut Hill, Century
February 13, 2024
“He’ll be dead by the time they get here” – that’s how Bennie Davis of Walnut Hill described what his wife told a 911 operator as the couple waited for an Escambia County EMS ambulance to respond from Pensacola to his home near Walnut Hill as he was having a heart attack.
Davis did receive care from the volunteers from the Walnut Hill Station of Escambia County Fire Rescue. He was eventually flown to the hospital by medical helicopter and has since recovered.
District 5 Escambia County Commissioner Steven Barry has publicly said EMS units would be stationed at the EMS facility in Century and at the Walnut Hill Fire Station — just over two miles from Davis’s home. Barry has said the EMS units would remain at those posts, unless responding to calls in the Molino, Walnut Hill or Century areas.
During a District 5 town hall meeting Monday night in Cantonment, multiple residents told Commissioner Steven Barry that county ambulances are often not available in the far north end of the county because they are pulled south to answer calls elsewhere in the county.
“This is getting unacceptable,” Josh Edwards said. “It’s not happening once or twice; it’s happening more times than a lot. We need something done that we have a staff ambulance up there. I mean I realize we’ve waited and waited on (ambulances from) Pensacola but still it’s not a good situation when you don’t know if you’re going to live or die and nobody is there to help you.
Just recently, Edward’s father was down and in need of an ambulancee at his home on Oakshade Road, near Northview High School, and Edwards said no Escambia County EMS unit was available to respond. He said Walnut volunteer firefighters requested a MedStar EMS to respond from Atmore.
“One of the things that was important when we expanded (Escambia County) EMS was having a unit that would be stationed at Walnut Hill everyday,” Barry (pictured left) said. “I thought that it was staying. They started everyday up there; it turns out they weren’t staying up there. When there was a need, they were getting called to town. ”
Barry said after learning the units were being pulled south, he had numerous conversations with Public Safety Director Eric Gilmore and County Administrator West Moreno, and thought the situation had been rectified.
“If it’s the first call you’ve had that day and no one is there to respond; that’s the part that is unacceptable,” Barry added, noting that GPS and call records could be pulled to find out where the units have been and for how long.
“I knew it was a problem and became a problem, and I really thought after a handful of conversations it was addressed.”
“We thought that it was addressed,” Moreno (pictured left) said.”When that ambulance (in Walnut Hill) moves, I get a text message on my phone. I can log in and see where it goes and when it comes back. I’ve been doing that pretty regularly.”
“That’s unacceptable and that’s not going to continue. Something will happen as a result of the meeting tonight,” Barry said.
“We try to keep the ambulances up there; one in Century, one in Walnut Hill,” Gilmore (pictured below) said. He said during the incident involving Edwards’ father on Oakshade Road; both of the EMS units were on calls in the Molino area, one on Brickton road, and on Cedartown Road.
Gilmore noted that the commission has approved 18 additional EMS employees — nine medics and nine EMTS — that they are looking to hire right now. In addition, eight l EMS units are on order and are set to arrive in late February or early March.
Pictured top inset: Walnut Hill resident Bennie Davis speaks during a District 5 town hall meeting Monday evening in Cantonment. Pictured top:An Escambia County EMS unit at the Walnut Hill Fire Station. NorthEsambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Century Prison Carpentry Program Building Future For Inmates
February 13, 2024
Century Correctional Institution recently celebrated the latest inmate group to complet the Home Builders Institute’s 12-week carpentry program that is buiding hope for a brighter future for inmates.
The program, in partnership with the Home Builders Institute, provides hands-on experience in reading construction plans, estimating material and labor costs, and learning about job site safety. Graduates of the program receive industry certifications, which prepares them for success upon their reentry into their communities.
The Florida Department of Corrections said the department prioritizes rehabilitation and vocational training in order to improve public safety, reduce victimization, and facilitate the successful reintegration of inmates into society.
“Century Correctional Institution is proud to have a collaboration with Home Builders Institute. We’ve seen such a drastic improvement in the men in the 12 short weeks that they are in the program” Century CI Warden Kelly Watkins said.
“The program is going to give me the opportunity to change my lifestyle outside on the streets and give me a better future,”one inmate program participant said with a slight smile. “I’m going to be a better provider for my family and give me better reasons to stay away from this place.
“I get to see a transformation in their teamwork,” William Stark. Home Builders Institute instructor, said. “So when they come into this class, they’re very much by themselves. And as we go, they learn that they can ask questions and that this is a learning environment. This is not an environment that they’re used to. So they get to learn and grow and have fun, and hopefully prosper.”
Cool Tuesday; Dropping Into The 30s Tuesday Night
February 13, 2024
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 35. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 64. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 39. Calm wind.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 68. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph.
Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 46. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 64. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
Friday Night: Showers likely, mainly after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 48. South wind around 5 mph becoming north after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Saturday: A 50 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 54. North wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 34. North wind 10 to 15 mph.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 54.
Sunday Night: Clear, with a low around 32.
Washington’s Birthday: Sunny, with a high near 62.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 39.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 66.
Molino Man Charged With Home Invasion
February 13, 2024
A Molino man has been charged with home invasion after allegedly forcing his way into his ex-girlfriend’s home.
Gregory DeWayne Thames, 53, was booked into the Escambia County Jail on charges of home invasion robbery, petit theft, criminal mischief, aggravated stalking and hindering communications to law enforcement. He also had an outstanding warrant for grand theft of a motor vehicle. He remained in the Escambia County Jail Monday with bond set at $43,000.
Thames allegedly forced his way into his ex-girlfriend’s home on Cedartown Road, busting through the front door and a bedroom door. He then snatched the victim’s cell phone, according to an arrest report. The victim was able to run next door and call 911.
Thames returned to the residence as deputies were leaving, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, and he was placed under arrest.
Deputies said the victim had applied for a domestic violence injunction against Thames, but it had not been served at the time of the alleged home invasion.
Century Responds To Records Request On Urban Development Center’s Loan Repayment
February 13, 2024
The Town of Century on Monday responded to a February 7 public records request regarding a payment that the CEO of the Urban Development Center said she made toward what started as an unsecured $61,925 loan for the YouthFirst Century program that suffered a complete funding cut by the Escambia County Children’s Trust (ECT).
Last Tuesday, Jessca Griffen told the Century Town Council by phone that she had made a $20,000 payment to the town. Our public records request to the town for any proof of the payment (such as a copy of the check or deposit slip) remained ignored until February 12.
Monday, Town Clerk Leslie Howington provided copy of a $20,000 cashier’s payable to the Town of Century from The Urban Development Center.
Last year, Escambia Children’s Trust (ECT) awarded a contract to the Pensacola non-profit Urban Development Center for “YouthFirst Century” to serve 750 youth ages 11-18 over a three-year period at a total cost of $1.2 million. In reality, they only reached 30 children in their targeted ages of 11-18. They requested to lower their target age group to just 5-years old, but that was also denied by ECT.
The Town of Century fronted an unsecured $61,925 loan to UDC to purchase items like computers and workbooks. Previously, Griffen stated another $20,000 was previously repaid to the town, according to audio from a council meeting. However, public records requests by both NorthEscambia.com and Rick’s Blog to the town produced no documentation of the payment.
Griffen had proposed that the remaining $41,295 be repaid by December 31, 2023, but that deadline was missed. She requested an extension to March 31, 2024.
UDC has been reimbursed $164,903.50 by ECT through October, according to records from the taxpayer funded Escambia Children’s Trust, but those funds were not used to fully repay the Town of Century.
UDC has requested a $189,256.70 reimbursement for their first year of operation, despite reaching just 56 children, with less than 30 of those in the target age range. That equals $6,308 per targeted child in the 11-18 age group.
Pictured top: A copy of a $20,000 loan payment from The Urban Development Center. The account numbers were redacted by NorthEscambai.com. The Urban Development Center’s Dr. Jessica Griffen introduces YouthFirst Century to a group at the Pilgrim Lodge Baptist Church in Century in February 2023. NorthEscambia.com file photo. click to enlarge.
Woman Charged In 9 1/2 Mile Hit And Run That Killed Man On A Scooter
February 12, 2024
The Florida Highway Patrol has made an arrest in a fatal hit and run that claimed the life of a 34-year old male on an electric scooter on January 26.
Sarah Rachel Nowlin was booked into the Escambia County Jail on a charge of leaving the scene of a crash involving death.
Trooper said Nowlin was driving a 2008 Toyota Prius that was traveling west on 9 1/2 Mile Road about 9:30 p.m. when it struck a 34-year old male on an electric scooter. Nowlin slowed the vehicle then sped off, traveling westbound while leaving the scene, FHP said. The on scene investigation identified the vehicle and the information was disseminated on NorthEscambia.com and other media outlets..
On January 27, a bystander located the vehicle abandoned behind the trees on a vacant property. The bystander contacted the Florida Highway Patrol and the vehicle was impounded.
Nowlin remained inthe Escambia County Jail with no bond pending first appearance for the charges.
Jay Man Charged With First Degree Murder After Buried Skeletal Remains Located
February 12, 2024
A Jay man was charged with murder after skeletal remains were found buried Saturday south of Jay.
Jeffrey Scott Bostwick, 53 was charged with first degree murder without premeditation and possession of a weapon by a convicted felon.
Friday, the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office received information that a Milton resident was missing and believed to have been killed in the 2900 block of Cobbtown Road in Jay and that the suspect has numerous firearms.
The SRSO obtained a search warrant and found multiple firearms in Bostwick’s possession. They also received information that the missing person was buried at another location in the same block of Cobbtown Road.
A warrant was obtained to search that area, and the reported grave was identified. Major Crimes Investigators, SRSO Crime Scene, and the District One Medical Examiner’s Office excavated the grave and recovered skeletal remains.
The victim’s name has not yet been released.
“Currently our investigators have been able to presumptively identify the remains, however this has not yet been officially confirmed through DNA testing,” Jillian Durkin, Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office public information officer, said.
Bostwick remained in the Santa Rosa County Jail Monday morning without bond.
Escambia County Program Will Provide Bus Or Plane Tickets To Get Homeless Out
February 12, 2024
Escambia County has launched a new program to offer free transportation assistance to individuals experiencing homelessness who are seeking to reunite with their family, friends, or other support networks.
“Real Change Project Reconnect” is a completely voluntary program that aims to reduce homelessness in Escambia County, while offering resources to those wanting to travel to locations where they have a better support system to help them get back on their feet.
Through the program, eligible individuals and families will be provided with a bus or plane ticket to their chosen destination, provided they can demonstrate that family, a job, or support network is in place for them.
The Real Change Project Reconnect program is already seeing early success, helping two brothers who were experiencing homelessness and living on the streets of downtown Pensacola for several months. The Pensacola Police Department’s Community Outreach Division was able to connect the brothers with Project Reconnect, which gave them free bus tickets to be reunited with their father in Alabama, where they had housing, family support, and potential job opportunities waiting for them. Although the brothers had previously been offered assistance, they did not express an interest in accepting help until they heard about Real Change Project Reconnect and the opportunity it provided them to reconnect with family support.
he following individuals and families may be eligible for Real Change Project Reconnect:
- Individuals and families seeking family reunification and housing with their family or other support system.
- Individuals and families who have identified employment and need only short-term social service support to facilitate their transition to the arrival community.
- Individuals and families who have affordable permanent housing or other shelter options awaiting them in a community where they have family or social supports.
- Escambia County is working with community partners to facilitate the program, which includes an application and screening process to help ensure the travel assistance is provided to individuals who will benefit the most from the program. During the application process, travel options will be evaluated and coordinated with applicants to determine whether bus or plane tickets are the most economical option for their destination.
This program is just one part of Escambia County’s ongoing efforts to reduce homelessness in the community, and the county is continuing to work with community partners to strategize additional solutions for those experiencing homelessness.
In order to help assess the level of interest in the program, a new question was added to the annual Point in Time Count and Survey in Escambia County, which took place in January 2024. The new survey question asked participants whether they would be interested in transportation assistance for family reunification and/or support.
Of the participants who answered the relocation question, approximately 30% indicated that they are interested in transportation assistance. Data from the surveys will help Escambia County connect with those individuals who have expressed an interest in participating in the program.
For more information about Project Reconnect and other Escambia County Real Change programs and resources, visit MyEscambia.com/realchange or email homelessness@myescambia.com.
Limited funding available. Program participation is subject to funding availability and eligibility requirements. Completing an application does not guarantee transportation assistance.
Motorcylist Killed In Crash Near Atmore
February 12, 2024
A motorcyclist from Texas was killed in a crash Sunday afternoon on I-65 near Atmore.
The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency said 54-year-old Marvin Haynes of San Antonio was fatally injured when the 2022 Harley-Davidson motorcycle he was operating left I-65and struck a tree about 12:22 p.m. Sunday at the 49 mile marker, about five miles south of the Jack Springs Road exit.
He was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s (ALEA) Highway Patrol Division is continuing.
Ernest Ward Middle FFA Horse Judging Team Places Eighth In The State
February 12, 2024
The Ernest Ward Middle School FFA horse Judging Team placed eighth in the state this past weekend in Tampa.
The program encourages FFA members to explore the equine industry, through evaluating horses at halter and horsemanship through equitation, plus learning about breeds, coloring, markings and tack used in the industry.
Photos for NorthEscambaia.com, click to enlarge.
