Get Tested For HIV For Free Thursday In Escambia County
October 5, 2021
The Florida Department of Health in Escambia County (FDOH-Escambia) will offer free HIV rapid testing this Thursday, October 7, at FDOH-Escambia’s Fairfield Drive location. The testing is open to the public, with no appointment needed.
What: Free HIV Rapid Testing
Who: Open to the public, no appointment needed
When: Thursday, October 7, 2021 between 4:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Where: FDOH-Escambia, 1295 W Fairfield Dr, Pensacola, FL
How: The rapid HIV test gives highly accurate results in as little as 15 minutes. All testing is confidential and conducted in a private clinic setting.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend that everyone between the ages of 13 and 64 get tested for HIV at least once as part of their routine health care. People at higher risk should get tested more often.
One Person Critically Injured In I-10 Rollover Crash
October 4, 2021
One person was critically injured in a rollover crash on I-10 Monday afternoon.
The crash happened before 3 p.m. on the eastbound side of the interstate between Pine Forest Road at Highway 29. A, 33-year old Grand Bay, Alabama woman was airlifted to a Pensacola hospital by LifeFlight.
The Florida Highway Patrol said the woman was traveling east when she lost drifted off the right side of the road, overcorrected to the left and suddenly veered to the right. She collided with a tree, causing her pickup truck to overturn and partially eject her.
I-10 eastbound was closed due to the crash, with one lane reopening shortly before 4 p.m. I-10 westbound remained open following the wreck, but traffic was moving very slowly.
By about 5 p.m., all lanes were reopened.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating the crash and has not released further details.
Photos courtesy ECFT and FDOT for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Facebook Was Down; But You Can Still Follow NorthEscambia.com Updates On Twitter
October 4, 2021
Facebook, Instagram, Facebook Messenger and Instagram were down for hours on Monday.
You can still follow news updates from NorthEscambia.com 24/7 on Twitter @NorthEscambia.
https://twitter.com/northescambia
Florida First Lady Casey DeSantis Diagnosed With Breast Cancer
October 4, 2021
Casey DeSantis, the wife of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, has been diagnosed with breast cancer.
“I am saddened to report that Florida’s esteemed First Lady and my beloved wife has been diagnosed with breast cancer,” DeSantis said in a statement released Monday morning.
“As the mother of three young children, Casey is the centerpiece of our family and has made an impact on the lives of countless Floridians through her initiatives as First Lady. As she faces the most difficult test of her life, she will have not only have my unwavering support but the support of our entire family, as well as the prayers and well wishes from Floridians across our state. Casey is a true fighter, and she will never, never, never give up,” the governor continued.
The Governor and first lady DeSantis are parents to daughter, Madison, 4; son, Mason, 3; and daughter, Mamie 18-months, who is the first baby born in the Governor’s Mansion in more than 50 years.
A native of Troy, Ohio, she is a three-time National Champion equestrian, as well as a runner-up Division I NCAA Champion. She worked for the PGA Tour as a producer and on-air host. She earned an Emmy for on-air talent while working in Jacksonville.
Since becoming Florida’s first lady, DeSantis has launched four major initiatives, including “Hope Florida — A Pathway to Prosperity, Economic Self-Sufficiency and Hope.”
Pictured top: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, first lady Casey DeSantis and their three children (left to right) Mamie, Madison, and Mason
Century Receives First Half Of $924,576 In American Rescue Plan Funds
October 4, 2021
Century has received the first half of $924,576 from the American Rescue Plan.
The first half of the town’s award totaled $462,288. The second half will arrive in about one year.
To date, the town council has not discussed how to spend the money, but there is plenty of time left to decide. All funds must be allocated by December 31, 2024, and all expenditures must be complete by December 31, 2026.
The funds provide eligible governments such as Century with a substantial infusion of resources to meet pandemic response needs and rebuild a stronger, and more equitable economy as the country recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the U.S. Treasury, the funds may be used to:
- Support public health expenditures, by, for example, funding COVID-19 mitigation efforts, medical expenses, behavioral health care, and certain public health and safety staff
- Address negative economic impacts caused by the public health emergency, including economic harms to workers, households, small businesses, impacted industries, and the public sector
- Replace lost public sector revenue, using this funding to provide government services to the extent of the reduction in revenue experienced due to the pandemic
- Provide premium pay for essential workers, offering additional support to those who have and will bear the greatest health risks because of their service in critical infrastructure sectors
- Invest in water, sewer, and broadband infrastructure, making necessary investments to improve access to clean drinking water, support vital wastewater and stormwater infrastructure, and to expand access to broadband internet
Within these overall categories, recipients have broad flexibility to decide how best to use this funding to meet the needs of their communities.
Escambia County will receive a total of $61.7 million from the American Rescue Plan. The county has received the first payment of about $30.9 million with the second payment to arrive in 2022.
Byrneville Elementary Names Students Of The Month
October 4, 2021
Byrneville Elementary School recently named students of the month for August.
They are:
Cantonment Man Allegedly Found Naked, Screaming In Local Front Yard
October 4, 2021
A Cantonment man was charged after he was allegedly found naked and screaming in the front yard of a local residence.
William Kevin Owen, 45, was charged with trespassing, resisting arrest without violence and indecent exposure.
Deputies arrived at a Cantonment residence to find Owen completely naked in the front yard, according to an arrest report. He refused to place his hands behind his back and was taken to the ground by deputies who grabbed his legs and upper body, the report continues.
A resident of the home told deputies he was inside his home when he heard Owen screaming and cussing. He looked outside to find Owen naked in the front yard.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said Owen was indefinitely trespass warned from the home back in May 2020.
Owen remained in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $600.
Week 3 Escambia River Youth Football Scores
October 4, 2021
Here are week three scores from the Escambia River Conference youth league:
Freshmen
NWE Garnet 35, Baker 0
NWE Gold 13-Straughn 0
Jay 26, Brewton 6
Atmore 24, Flomaton 18
Neal 6, Andalusia 0
Sophomore
NWE Garnet 35 -Baker 0
Straughn 18 – NWE Gold 7
Jay 19 -Brewton 6
Flomaton 34 -Atmore 7
Andalusia 25-Neal 0
Junior
NWE Garnet 35 – Baker 0
NWE Gold 18 -Straughn 0
Brewton 13 -Jay 0
Flomaton 14 -Atmore 7
Andalusia 35-Neal 0
Senior
NWE Garnet 27 – Baker 6
Brewton 19 -Jay 6
Atmore 14 – Flomaton 0
Andalusia 27 – Neal 6
Straughn 2 -NWE Gold 0 (forfeit)
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Purrfect Ending: Trapped Kitten Rescued
October 4, 2021
It was a rescue with a “purffect” ending Saturday night for Escambia Fire Rescue.
The Ensley Fire Station responded to an animal rescue call about 7 p.m. They found a small kitten trapped under the eave of the roof, above the soffit. The kitten was removed unharmed and transported to the Escambia Count Animal Shelter.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Florida Gas Prices Down On Average
October 4, 2021
Florida gas prices declined another couple of cents last week. The state average has been on a downward trend for the past two weeks; slipping a total of nickel since setting since in mid-September.
The state average stands at $3.05, while the average price per gallon in Escambia County is $3.02. A low of $2.90 could be found in North Escambia Sunday night at a station on Highway 29 in Cantonment, while the Pensacola warehouse clubs were at $2.87.
“After weeks of declines, gas prices face renewed upward pressure after the price of crude oil rose 3% last week,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Crude prices have remained elevated this year, because unlike the years before the pandemic – where supplies far outpaced demand – the global fuel market has tightened. Many countries reduced fuel production, due to the pandemic, and are now struggling to keep pace with returning demand.”