Live Nativity: ‘Night In Bethlehem’ Sunday Evening In Molino
December 10, 2021
Highland Baptist Church will host “Night in Bethlehem” on Sunday from 5:30 until 7 p.m. During the live, interactive portrayal, visitors can taste, smell, feel and experience what Bethlehem was like on that wondrous night. There will be a live Nativity with live animals, along with the opportunity to visit the marketplace, see the potter, taste the bread, hear the angels and talk with Mary and Joseph.
Admission is free. Highland Baptist Church is located at 6240 North Highway 95A in Molino.
NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
New Software Streamlining Escambia EMS Billing, Patient Care Reports
December 10, 2021
Escambia County EMS has transitioned to new streamline billing and patient care reports.
“ImageTrend Elite is a report-writing software platform that allows EMS to more efficiently document patient care reports,” said Escambia County EMS Chief David Torsell. “This platform allows previously transported patient data to be accessed for faster documentation in the field, data analysis for continuous review, electronic patient care reports to be sent to local hospitals and for EMS to receive patient outcome data from hospitals.”
EMTs are able to use ImageTrend to expedite the documentation process between EMS and the local hospital, and allows data-sharing that can be used for overall quality improvement.
ImageTrend has a patient care billing platform that allows EMTs and paramedics to ensure accuracy with billing processes, which includes measures that allow for gathering additional patient information even after EMS services are complete. Statements are also generated in a timely manner, which are then distributed to the patient or the patient’s insurance provider.
Public Safety Eric Gilmore said Escambia County EMS is currently able to generate a patient bill the day after a transport.
As Escambia County EMS crews are continuing to utilize the software, they will be able to quickly gather information on their patients, especially with those who have used Escambia County EMS in the past. Overall, the ImageTrend data analysis allows EMS to do internal studies to track information on patient encounters, such as overdoses, heart attacks, strokes and more.
Former Flomaton High Athletic Trainer Accused Of Sex With A Student
December 10, 2021
A former Flomaton High School athletic trainer was arrested Thursday afternoon on a sex charge involving a student.
Kelsie Lauren Johnson, 26, was charged with being a school employee engaging in a sex act with a student under 19, an Alabama Class B felony. She was booked into the Escambia County (AL) Detention Center without bond pending an initial appearance.
On November 15, the Escambia County (AL) Sheriff’s Office opened an investigation after receiving a formal complaint of an inappropriate relationship between Johnson and a male athlete at the school, according to Sheriff Heath Jackson. At the time, Johnson was acting as a sports trainer on loan from another school system, he said.
“At the completion of the investigation, it was determined that Johnson had participated in a sexual encounter with a student under the age of 19 and her position as a trainer assigned to the school violated Alabama State Law,” Jackson stated.
Johnson was removed from her position at Flomaton High School after the formal complaint was made.
Santa And Friends Visit Escambia Westgate On A Snowy Thursday
December 10, 2021
Thursday was an absolutely magical day at Escambia Westgate School with snow and a special visit from Santa and friends.
Santa had a little help from not only his elves, but also Ascend Performance Materials in making the day possible.
For more photos, click or tap here.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
DeSantis Announces $99.7 Billion ‘Freedom First’ Budget
December 10, 2021
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has released his “Freedom First Budget” proposal with recommendations for fiscal year 2022-2023.
The budget totals $99.7 billion, with total reserves exceeding $15 billion.
“In Florida, we have put Freedom First – protecting Floridians’ freedom to earn a living, to operate businesses and to choose educational options tailored for their children,” DeSantis said. “As a result of our commitment to freedom, Florida’s economy continues to thrive and Floridians are better able to provide for their families. Today, I am proud to announce my budget proposals that will build on our foundation of freedom by investing in priorities that matter to our residents. This budget puts Floridians and their freedoms first, keeps taxes low, and addresses key priorities – all while maintaining record budget reserves.”
Among the budget highlights, according to the Governor’s Office:
- The Freedom First budget includes a Fuel Tax Holiday to provide a reprieve from increasing gas prices and save Florida Families over $1 billion.
- It proposes the elimination of fees charged for the issuance of a Florida Identification Card to save Florida families $14.7 million.
- A second round of $1,000 bonus checks for approximately 179,000 teachers and principals in Florida.
- $600 million – a $50 million budget increase over the past year – for teacher pay, continuing Florida’s efforts to reach a minimum teacher salary of $47,500.
- An increase in per-student funding to raise this year’s budget to $8,000 per student. This will represent the highest amount of per-student funding in Florida’s history.
- The Base Student Allocation increase is $124 per student.
- $421 million for school safety and mental health initiatives. That funding includes $210 million for the safe schools program – an increase of $30 million over the previous year, $140 million for mental health – a $20 million increase over the previous year, $42 million for school hardening grants, and $4 million for safety initiatives at Jewish Day Schools.
- To fully eliminate the Florida Standards Assessment and implement progress monitoring in its place, DeSantis is proposing $15.5 million in recurring funding to provide progress monitoring tools to schools.
- $500,000 to expand access to the Florida Civics and Debate Initiative into every school district in the 2022-2023 school year.
- $534 million in funding to support workforce education programs
- 226.7 million to provide salary increases for those working in public safety – including 25% raises for all veteran state sworn law enforcement; 20% salary increases for entry-level state sworn law enforcement.
- A $5,000 signing bonus for every recruit who is new to the law enforcement profession in Florida once they complete their training and they officially become a law enforcement officer.
- Providing the State Officer Certification Exam free of charge to law enforcement officers relocating to Florida and covering the cost of any necessary equivalent training programs for relocating officers, up to $1,000 per officer.
- Creating a law enforcement academy scholarship program to cover the cost of enrollment for men and women seeking to serve their state and communities through police work.
- More than $200 million in funding to support direct care workers with pay raises.
- $100 million – a $37 million increase – for cancer research.
- $15 million, an increase of $10 million over current year, in funding for Alzheimer’s Disease research to enhance diagnosis and prevention strategies for those Floridians impacted by this disease.
- $188.6 million in behavioral health initiatives including mental health and substance abuse services to ensure Floridians get the help that they need.
- $133 million to provide services to those served by the child welfare system, including foster parent support and adoption subsidies
Tate Aggies Name Rhett Summerford As Head Football Coach
December 9, 2021
Tate High School has named Rhett Summerford as their new head football coach.
Summerford is coming to the Tate Aggies from the head coaching job at West Florida High School. The Jaguars finished this season at 9-2 and second in District 1 5A, dropping the regional semifinal game to Baker County. The Jaguars outscored opponents 351-129 in 2021.
“He’s coming home,” Tate High Principal Laura Touchstone told NorthEscambia.com Thursday morning. “He is a Tate alumnus, and we are happy to have him back.”
Summerford played football and baseball at Tate, and previously served as an assistant football coach at Tate. He will officially be on the job at Tate in January.
Football runs big in the Summerford family. Rhett’s brother Wes is the current head football coach at Northview High School, Dad Neil has a long history in local high school football, including as a member of Tate’s staff under Carl Madison when Tate won a state championship back in 1980.
Tate head coach Jay Lindsey resigned in early October as the Aggies stood at 1-5 and having been outscored by opponents 165-23 on the season.
Graphic courtesy Tate Football for NorthEsambia.com, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Man Beat Friend With Shovel, Golf Club For Not Loaning Him Money, ECSO Says
December 9, 2021
A Cantonment man is accused of allegedly beating his friend with a shovel and golf club, and trying to run over him after the friend refused to loan him money.
Anthony Ray Williams, 57, was charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and aggravated assault without the intent to kill.
Deputies arrived to find the victim with multiple wounds on his head and torso, covered in a “large amount of blood”, according to an arrest report. The victim stated Williams came over to his residence and asked to borrow money, but he declined. Later that day, Williams was driving through the victim’s neighborhood, accelerated and drove the vehicle directly at the victim, the report continues.
Williams then got out of the vehicle with a golf club, and the victim grabbed a shovel in order to defend himself. Williams began swinging the golf club, hitting his friend and breaking the end off the golf club. The victim fell to the ground, and Williams picked up his shovel and struck the friend, causing multiple injuries, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies noted in their report that there was blood on the shovel, the golf club and the street.
The men had known each other some 15-20 years, the victim told deputies.
Williams provided an address on Handy Road in Cantonment at the time of his arrest. He remained in the Escambia County Jail Thursday with bond set at $40,000.
Friday, Dec. 17 Added As Escambia Schools Early Release Day
December 9, 2021
Mark your calendar…the Escambia County School District has added Friday, December 17 as an early release day.
It’s also the last day of class before the long Christmas break.
All schools will serve breakfast and lunch to students on the early release day. Regular modes of student transportation will be provided.
Tate Alumni Association Collects Food For Molino Ministry
December 9, 2021
The Tate High Alumni Association is known for giving back to the community. They recently collected food items and presented them to the mission program at the Cross Roads Thrift Store in Molino. Pictured are Grace Howard Paulcheck (left) and Ashely Seward. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
ECSO Establishes ‘SAFE’ Zones For Online Shopping Exchanges
December 9, 2021
If you are buying or selling online, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office now has three “SAFE” places to make the exchange.
“If you are thinking about buying or selling stuff, consider doing so here at the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, ” Sheriff Chip Simmons said. “The bad guys won’t get you here.”
The “Sheriff’s Area For E-Commerce”, or SAFE zones, have 24 hour video surveillance in marked parking spaces.
“If the buyer or seller does not want to meet at a law enforcement agency, that should be a red flag,” Simmons said.
The e-commerce zones are located at the ECSO Ensley Precinct at 97 West Hood Drive, the main ECSO building at 1700 West Leonard Street, and the Warrington Precinct at 30 North Navy Boulevard.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
