Community Health Northwest Florida Celebrates 30 Years of Care
April 24, 2022
Community Health Northwest Florida is celebrating three decades of providing acessible health care.
The health center is celebrating 30 years of providing comprehensive primary outpatient care to citizens of Escambia and Santa Rosa counties and surrounding areas. To commemorate this milestone anniversary, over the next 12 months the organization will host a series of events with the intent to share the celebration with all who have played a part in its growth over the years: patients, community partners, staff, and the people of the communities in which they serve, including Cantonment.
“This milestone anniversary is a great opportunity for us to pause and reflect with gratitude on the past 30 years and how many lives we have been able to impact since first opening our doors,” remarks CEO Chandra Smiley. “ As we look ahead to the next 30, we remain committed to ensuring that we are providing quality, comprehensive healthcare services to all who walk through our doors, regardless of.”
After the closing of University Hospital on West Leonard Street in Pensacola, in early 1992, through financial support from Escambia County government, Baptist Hospital and Sacred Heart Hospital, Escambia Community Clinics was established to provide outpatient primary care for the uninsured. Throughout the first decades of service to the community, former Executive Director Don Turner, along with the clinic’s Board of Directors, had a goal to expand access to primary care to the uninsured, underinsured and medically needy residents of the area. In 2007, the organization achieved designation as a Federally Qualified Health Center by the Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration. In 2009, the health center expanded its reach to Santa Rosa County, bringing Santa Rosa Community Clinics in Milton into its list of service sites. Throughout his 22-year tenure, Mr. Turner remained unwavering in his dedication to fulfill the mission of providing compassionate care to the most vulnerable.
In late 2014, Don Turner retired, and Chandra Smiley, MSW, was selected as the next Executive Director and CEO of the health center. Under Ms. Smiley’s leadership, the organization experienced steady growth, adding sites and
services, and consistently increasing the number of patients served each year. In 2018, the organization re-branded under a new name, Community Health Northwest Florida, to better reflect the health center’s service to the community.
Today, 30 years after opening their doors as Escambia Community Clinics, Community Health Northwest Florida has successfully expanded access, services and sites, with 17 care locations along with two mobile dental units and a mobile medical unit.
Community Health offers a wide range of healthcare services including Adult & Family Care, Pediatric Care, Women’s Care, Optometry, Chiropractic Care, Dental Care, Behavioral Health and Wellness as well as four new in-house
pharmacies, Ancillary Services and more. It is the work home to over 300 dedicated employees, including physicians, APRNs, PAs, dentists, LCSWs, dental hygienists, optometrists and countless other professionals who keep operations running smoothly. Since 1992, the organization has provided 1.8 million visits to over 450,000 people in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
Community Health Northwest Florida kicked off its 30 Years of Care event series by hosting a backyard community party at its main site on Jackson Street on Saturday.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview’s Gilman, McGhee And Grantham Named FFA American Degree Candidates
April 24, 2022
Amber Gilman, Meredith McGhee and Leia Grantham from Northview High School have been selected as Florida FFA American Degree candidates.
Each had years of recordkeeping and hard work on FFA supervised agricultural experiences, community service, competitions and FFA events.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Molino Park Elementary Holds Community Helpers Day (With Photo Gallery)
April 24, 2022
They are the folks that make the community go round. And they’ve got cool tools, and trucks, sirens and other gadgets and gizmos.
Molino Park Elementary School held their annual Community Helpers Day on Friday.
The event included personnel and equipment from the Florida Highway Patrol, Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Escambia County Fire Rescue, Florida Forest Service, Escambia County School District Maintenance Department, a towing company, dentist and more.
Students also dressed as their favorite community helpers, such as firefighters, police officers, teachers, nurses and others.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
2022 Congressional Art Competition Winners Announced In Florida’s First District
April 24, 2022
On Saturday, Rep. Matt Gaetz announced the winners of the 2022 Congressional Art Competition for Florida’s First District.
Winners were:
- 1st Place Winner: Jason Creef from Booker T. Washington High School
- 2nd Place Winner: Elly Diaz from Pace High School
- 3rd Place Winner: Aaron Waters from Pace High School
- 1st Place Runner Up: Evelyn Mosley from Rocky Bayou Christian School
- 2nd Place Runner Up: Elizabeth Plauche from Rocky Bayou Christian School
- 3rd Place Runner Up: Coral Pyritz from Pace High School
- 4th Place Runner Up: Alexandra Cherif from Destin High School
- 5th Place Runner Up: Kaydee Cook from Tate High School
The winning artwork will be displayed for one year in the U.S. Capitol.
Biscuits Top Wahoos 7-6
April 24, 2022
A ninth-inning home run from Ray-Patrick Didder wasn’t enough for the Pensacola Blue Wahoos on Saturday night, falling 7-6 to the Montgomery Biscuits in front of another sellout crowd.
Trailing by four and down to their final out, the Blue Wahoos got a three-run blast from Didder before Griffin Conine struck out to end the game.
Montgomery did most of their damage in the third inning, scoring six runs on only two hits against starter Zach McCambley (L, 0-1). A throwing error on a pickoff attempt from catcher Paul McIntosh brought home a pair of runs, and Jordan Qsar capped the inning with a three-run triple.
The Blue Wahoos answered back in the bottom of the third against Biscuits starter Ian Seymour, scoring three runs on a Troy Johnston RBI double, McIntosh RBI groundout and Didder RBI single.
Effective relief from Parker Bugg and Eli Villalobos held the Biscuits to only one run the rest of the way, allowing the Blue Wahoos to get within a run in the ninth before falling short.
Jerar Encarnacion added two more hits and a pair of walks in a 2-for-3 night, extending his hitting streak to 11 games while batting .500 over that stretch.
The Blue Wahoos wrap up their series against the Montgomery Biscuits on Sunday afternoon.
by Erik Bremer, Pensacola Blue Wahoos
Two Inmates Accused Of Assaulting Century Correctional Institution Officers
April 23, 2022
Two Century Correctional Institution inmates assault correctional officers in separate incidents recently, according to the Florida Department of Corrections.
Inmate Ja Quez Smith-Green (pictured left) assaulted an officer, and inmate Robert McAffee, Jr., assaulted an officer by headbutting their abdomen, according to the state.
“Staff responded appropriately, and the inmate was subdued,” FDC said in both instances.
Smith-Green is serving a six year sentence out of Duval County for robbery and aggravated battery. McAffee is serving a 20 year sentence out of Pinellas County for aggravated assault with a weapon, cocaine possession and fleeing law enforcement.
Molino Man Gets Five Years For Fleeing From Deputies After Alleged Assault
April 23, 2022
A Molino man was sentenced Friday to five years in state prison for fleeing from deputies after allegedly attempting to run over a woman.
Judge Jennie Kinsey sentenced 42-year old Brian Lamar Dukes to five years in state prison after he pleaded no contest to fleeing and eluding law enforcement and resisting arrest without violence. An additional charged of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon was dropped as part of a plea agreement.
The August 13. 2021, incident occurred at the Forest Creek Apartments on Patton Drive. A female called the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and stated that a black male in a dark colored SUV was attempting to murder her by backing his vehicle toward her at a high rate of speed.
A deputy observed Dukes’ SUV on Gulf Beach Highway and attempted a traffic stop, but Dukes fled at speeds approaching 90 mph. The pursuit ended when Dukes drove into a ditch in front of the Perdido Bay Emergency Room. He ran, but deputies quickly caught up with him, took him to the ground and placed him under arrest.
Here Are Next Week’s Road Construction Spots To Watch
April 23, 2022
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.
Escambia County:
- U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures and lane shifts on the Pensacola Bay Bridge from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, April 24 through Saturday, April 30. On Tuesday, April 26, U.S. 98 westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) will have lane closures beginning at 10 p.m. due to Bands on the Beach. Crews will be using lanes on the current bridge as a platform to pour concrete decks for the westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) structure.
- West Cervantes Street (U.S. 90) Pedestrian Safety Improvement – Motorists traveling on West Cervantes Street between Dominguez and A streets will encounter the following traffic impacts:
- Single lane closures and shifts between B and Q Streets as crews perform median improvements, signalization installation, construct curb and gutter, sidewalks, and utility adjustments.
- North Ninth Avenue (State Road (S.R.) 289) Carpenters Creek Bridge Replacement- All travel lanes are temporarily shifted to the southbound side of the bridge as crews construct the northbound portion. Additionally, drivers may encounter intermittent temporary lane closures from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, April 25 through Friday, April 29, as crews mobilize materials and equipment.
- Sorrento Road (S.R. 292) Intersection Improvements at Innerarity Point (County Road 292A) – Motorists can expect intermittent daytime shoulder closures the week of Monday, April 25 as crews place a watermain.
- Airport Boulevard (S.R. 750) Routine Maintenance from West of Palafox Street to Davis Highway – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures from west of Palafox Street to Davis Highway from 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. the week of Monday, April 25 as crews place asphalt on the roadway.
- Barrancas Avenue (S.R. 292) from Manchester Street to the Bayou Chico Bridge –The sidewalks on the northern side of Barrancas Avenue, between Manchester Avenue and Pace Boulevard, will be closed as crews work on sidewalk improvements. Detours will be in place for pedestrians in these areas.
- Interstate 10 (I-10) Pavement Markings at the Pensacola Weigh Station – Crews will perform striping operations at the eastbound weigh station the week of Monday, April 25. During these operations the eastbound station and adjacent truck parking area will be temporarily closed.
- Pace Boulevard (S.R. 292) from Barrancas Avenue to Massachusetts Avenue – Construction activities have begun to mill and resurface Barrancas Avenue (S.R. 292) from the Bayou Chico Bridge to Pace Boulevard, and Pace Boulevard (S.R. 292) from Barrancas Avenue to Massachusetts Avenue in Escambia County. Motorists and bicyclists can expect lane closures and traffic shifts. Lane closures are limited from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Pedestrian detours will be in place while sidewalk improvements are underway.
- Pensacola Boulevard (U.S. 29) from Brent Lane to north of I-10 – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, April 24 through Thursday, April 28 as crews work on sidewalk and curb improvements.
- Airport Road (S.R. 750) Pavement Coring Operations from Pensacola Boulevard (S.R. 95) to North Palafox Street – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday, April 25 through Thursday, April 28 as crews perform pavement coring operations.
- U.S. 90 (North Davis Highway) Pavement Coring Operations from Escambia River to Woodbine Road – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday, April 25 through Thursday, April 28 as crews perform pavement coring operations.
Santa Rosa County:
- Pensacola Bay Bridge (U.S. 98) Replacement – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures and lane shifts on the Pensacola Bay Bridge from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, April 24 through Saturday, April 30. On Tuesday, April 26, U.S. 98 westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) will have lane closures beginning at 10 p.m. due to Bands on the Beach. Crews will be using lanes on the current bridge as a platform to pour concrete decks for the westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) structure.
- U.S. 98 Widening from Bayshore Road to Portside Drive – Motorists traveling westbound will encounter intermittent lane and median closures between S.R. 281 and Bayshore Road between the hours of 9 p.m. and 5:30 a.m. Sunday, April 24 through Friday, April 29, while crews perform median work.
- I-10 Resurfacing East of S.R. 281 (Avalon Boulevard) to East of S.R. 87 – Motorists can expect intermittent daytime shoulder closures and lane closures from 6 p.m. to 10 a.m. the week of Monday, April 25 as crews perform construction activities.
All activities are weather-dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Tate Aggies Get Senior Night Shutout Over PHS (With Gallery)
April 23, 2022
Tate 17, Pensacola 0
The Tate High School Aggies celebrated Senior Night with a 17-0 shutout of Pensacola High Friday night that included an 11-run third inning.
Rilee Lowery, Tucker Griffin, Caleb Murph and Jackson Penton combined on the mound for the win, allowing just one hit and combining to strike out six.
Drew Reaves and Kirk Mosey were both 2-2 at the plate. Joshiah Glodfelter, Frankie Randall, Dalton Biggs and Cade Kelly each added another hit for the Aggies.
Before the game, the Aggies honored seniors Dalton Biggs, Josiah Glodfelter, Tucker Griffin, Wiley Griffin, KIrk Mosley, Caleb Murph, Jackson Penton, Dawson Guy and Quint O’Brien.
Gulf Breeze 7, Tate 6 (Freshman)
In freshman baseball, Gulf Breeze defeated Tate 7-6 Friday.
Pitching for the Aggies, Taite Davis went six innings, allowing five hits, four runs and striking out four. Kaleb Posta allowed six hits and three runs over one and one-third innings, while striking out three and walking one.
Trever Land hit a home run for the Aggies. Posta, Davis, Nathan Ozuna and Brayden Walker also had one hit each for Tate.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Laura Glodfelter, click to enlarge.
Senior Night: 1A Northview Falls Just Shy Of Gulf Breeze, No. 1 Team In 1-5A (With Gallery)
April 23, 2022
The 1A Northview Chiefs gave Gulf Breeze, the number one team in District 1-5A, a serious run on Senior Night Friday in Bratt but fell short 8-6.
The teams were scoreless through the third and tied 1-1 after four. The Chiefs took a fifth inning lead on a single by Kailyn Watson and a double by Emma Gilmore to make it 4-2 headed into the sixth inning. Gulf Breeze added three in the sixth and three in the top of the seventh for an 8-4 lead.
The Chiefs added two runs in the bottom of the seventh on a triple by Gilmore and an error.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Jamison Gilman was in the circle for the Chiefs for six innings, giving up seven runs and eight hits while striking out four. Aubrey Stuckey pitched one inning in relief, allowing two runs, two hits and striking out one.
Gilmore went 2-3 and Kayla Dixon went 2-4 to lead Northview at the plate. Chloe Ragsdale, Watson and Kaitlin Gafford each added one hit.
Before the game, Northview honored seniors Alexis Barnhill, Nevaeh Brown, Kayla Dixon, Kaitlin Gafford, Payton Gilchrist, Alanna Roberson, and Kailyn Watson on Senior Night.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
