Escambia COVID-19 Hospitalizations Down About 25%; Sacred Heart Says Case Load Is Still High
September 9, 2021
The number of COVID-19 hospitalizations in Escambia County has declined about 25% in the past two weeks.
There were 288 COVID-19 patients in the hospital Wednesday, eight of those under age 18. Two weeks ago, there were 398 hospitalizations.
Ascension Sacred Heart Hospitalizations
The number of people hospitalized with COVID-19 at Ascension Sacred Heart Pensacola has declined over the past week but cases remain at a very high level, the hospital said Wednesday.
The number of hospitalized patients fluctuates frequently, so any individual data points are only a moment-in-time snapshot.
There were a total of 121 people being treated for complications from COVID-19 infection at Ascension Sacred Heart Pensacola. The number of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 a week ago was 149.
In addition, there were five children with COVID-19 being treated at Studer Family Children’s Hospital.
The current number of 121 patients is seven times higher than what it was on July 4, shortly before the current surge began in Northwest Florida. On July 4, the hospital had 17 patients hospitalized with COVID-19.
While cases have dropped over the past week, the number of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 is still higher than the hospital’s previous peak of COVID-19 patients that occurred in January 2021.
Of all COVID-19 patients coming to Sacred Heart for care, including visits to the ER, more than half were under age 50.
Overall, the infection rate in the Pensacola area appears to be very high, Sacred Heart said. COVID-19 testing conducted in Pensacola by Ascension Medical Group Sacred Heart Tuesday found that 34 percent of those who were swab tested were found to have COVID-19. That is 2.5 times higher than what Ascension Medical Group recorded on average last year. Among children 18 and under who had nasal swabs collected Tuesday, 36 percent were found to have the virus.
In the Ascension hospitals in Northwest Florida and Mobile, Ala., 93 percent of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 are not vaccinated.
“The community should know that cases of COVID-19 remain high and the Delta variant of the virus is still widespread,” said Dawn Rudolph, president of Ascension Sacred Heart Pensacola. “We grieve for those who have passed from COVID-19 and we encourage you to help us stop COVID19 spread by wearing masks in public indoor spaces, social distancing, and, most important, getting the vaccine. Everyone in our community plays a critical role in keeping us safe from this virus.”
Tate Theatre To Present “110 Stories” In Honor Of 9/11
September 9, 2021
In honor of the 20th anniversary of 9/11, the Tate High School Theatre Department will present “110 Stories”.
The performances will be Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 2:30 p.m. in the cafeteria. Tickets at the door will be $10.
Playwright Sarah Tuft interviewed people who lived or worked in lower Manhattan on the day of and the days after the tragedy of 9/11. The result is a series of interrelated monologues which gives the audience an idea of how residents, workers, and first responders reacted to that terrible moment in time.
For more information, contact director Steven Tuley at stuley@ecsdfl.us.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
IMPACT 100 Announces Finalists For $101,820 Grants
September 9, 2021
IMPACT 100 Pensacola Bay Area, a women’s philanthropic organization, has announced the grant finalists selected for 2021. During the group’s annual meeting in October, 11 of the 15 nonprofit finalists will each receive a grant of $101,820.
The 15 finalists are:
ARTS, CULTURE & HISTORY
- Ballet Pensacola, Inc. — Project: Ballet Pensacola Ballet Floors
- Pensacola Children’s Chorus, Inc. –Project: PUMP UP THE VOLUME: Building Confidence with Reliable Sound Equipment
- Pensacola Lighthouse Association, I-nc. dba Pensacola Lighthouse & Museum — Project: Shining Light on Buried History
EDUCATION
- Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge, Inc. – Project: Keeping Wild Alive in Northwest Florida
- Escambia County Public Schools Foundation for Excellence, Inc. – Project: Pensacola High School Innovation Center Revitalization
- United Methodist Children’s Home dba Embrace Florida Kids – Project: A Higher Education Home: Wrap-around Support for Vulnerable Youth for Collegiate Success
ENVIRONMENT, RECREATION & PRESERVATION
- The Arc Gateway, Inc. – Project: The Arc Gateway SHRED WORKS
- Bream Fishermen Association, Inc. and PYC Satori Foundation, Inc. — Project: Taking the Coast to the Kids – Improving our Waterways through Science and Recreation
- Greater Pensacola Junior Golf Association, Inc. dba First Tee Gulf Coast – Project: First Tee Gulf Coast – Inspiring Youth and Rebuilding Warrington
FAMILY
- A Hope, Inc. – Project: The Foundation for Families with Pets
- Martha’s Vineyard Foundation, Inc. dba Vineyard Family House — Project: Caring for Families in Crisis
- Rally Foundation, Inc. – Project: Rally Resource Room powered by IMPACT100
HEALTH & WELLNESS
- Pace Center for Girls, Inc. – Project: Girls Going Places
- United for a Good Cause, Inc – Project: Hope Squad Peer-to-Peer Suicide Prevention for Schools
- United Service Organization, Inc. – Project: Pop-Up USO
This is the 18th year that IMPACT 100 will award grants to local nonprofit organizations. Since its inception in 2004, IMPACT 100 Pensacola Bay Area has awarded 120 grants totaling $12,830,000 to nonprofit organizations serving Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties. After the 2021 awards next month, IMPACT 100 will have awarded 131 grants totaling $13,950,000.
Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
District 5 Cantonment, Farm Hill Neighborhood Cleanup Scheduled for September 17
September 9, 2021
Residents of a portion of Cantonment and Farm Hill can dispose of yard debris and other items free of charge during a District 5 Neighborhood Cleanup on Friday, September 17.
During neighborhood cleanups, Escambia County departments team up to bring services to residents in an effort to keep local neighborhoods clean and safe. Participating is easy: Residents in the cleanup area simply leave eligible items at the curb to be disposed of free of charge by Escambia County and partnering agencies.
All debris must be at the curb directly in front of residences in the area by 7 a.m. on the day of the cleanup. Tires and paint cans should be separate from all other debris. Debris piles should not be placed under low-hanging lines or near poles, fences or mailboxes. All items, including containers, will be collected.
Only residents in the designated cleanup area are able to participate in the neighborhood cleanup. Items left at the curb outside of the cleanup area will not be collected.
Items eligible for removal include:
- Household appliances and electronics
- Household junk and debris
- Bicycles and toys
- Old furniture and mattresses
- Barbecue grills
- Household hazardous waste (old paint, motor oil, chemicals, batteries)
- Tires (limit 10 per household)
Items NOT eligible for removal include:
- Building materials (concrete, bricks, blocks, roofing, drywall or lumber)
- Explosives or ammunition
- Auto parts
- Dirt or sod
- Vehicles or vessels
- 55-gallon drums of fluids
The neighborhood cleanup initiative involves an aggressive cleanup effort, targeting different neighborhoods throughout the county, with crew members and volunteers picking up a variety of debris and waste, including electronics, furniture and household items.
Since 2016, more than 3,509 tons (7,018,000 pounds) of debris were collected and disposed of through the Community Redevelopment Agency’s Safe Neighborhood Program.
The county’s neighborhood cleanup program is hosted by the Escambia County Community Redevelopment Agency’s Safe Neighborhood Program. Local partners include Escambia County Waste Services, Environmental Code Enforcement, Public Works, Animal Services and Road Prison, along with the City of Pensacola Sanitation Department and Keep Pensacola Beautiful. During the cleanups, county staff handle issues such as roaming dogs and cats, unsafe structures, tree trimming, right of way mowing, street sweeping, household hazardous waste recycling and more.
Sherry Digmon Appointed To Escambia (AL) School Board To Fill Late David Nolin’s Seat
September 9, 2021
The Escambia County (AL) Board of Education has appointed an Atmore newspaper publisher to a seat left vacant by the recent death of a board member.
Sherry Digmon, publisher of the Atmore News, will serve out the remainder of the term of David Nolin, who passed away September 2.
Digmon served in the District 6 position representing the Atmore area, until she was defeated by Nolin in 2016.
Nolin was a 1966 Flomaton High School graduate. He was former principal at A.C. Moore Elementary School in Atmore. At Flomaton High, he was a former teacher and head football, basketball and baseball coach. As baseball coach for the Hurricanes in 1976, he won one of two baseball state championships in the history of Flomaton High School.
Burdick’s Bomb Sets HR Record, As Blue Wahoos Drop Another To Shuckers
September 9, 2021
Earlier in the game, Blue Wahoos outfielder Peyton Burdick had a moment to remember.
Leading off the third inning, he waited on a sinking pitch, timed and squared it perfectly, and launched the ball so deep over the wall that Biloxi’s left fielder did not move.
The moon shot homer Wednesday night became his 21st this season – his first since August 11 – and set the Blue Wahoos franchise record held for most homers (same team) in a single-season.
The homer mark was formerly held by Aristides Aquino, now with the Cincinnati Reds.
Unfortunately for Burdick and teammates, that highlight and its joy was followed by late inning frustration of missed opportunities in the Blue Wahoos 5-3 loss against the Biloxi Shuckers, which further hampered Pensacola’s playoff hopes.
After the Blue Wahoos exited the third inning with a 3-1 lead, Biloxi’s pitchers continued to step up and deliver scoreless innings the rest of the way.
The Shuckers (40-65), who have struggled in last place all season in the Double-A South, have won the first two games in the Blue Wahoos (54-51) final homestand.
Wednesday night, the Blue Wahoos loaded the bases in the seventh and eighth innings, but came up empty.
In the seventh, Shuckers reliever Braden Webb struck out Riley Mahan to start inning, but the ball eluded catcher Brent Diaz, whose then committed a throwing error allowing Mahan to reach second. He broke a string of 11 consecutive Blue Wahoos hitters retired in order.
After Galli Cribbs Jr. followed with a single, then Burdick coaxed a one-out walk, Webb made big pitches to strike out J.J. Bleday and Griffin Conine.
In the eighth, Shuckers reliever Zach Vennaro plunked two Blue Wahoos batters to load the bases, but struck out Kameron Misner to end the threat.
It was this kind of tough night for the Blue Wahoos.
Starting pitcher Max Meyer worked five innings in his final regular-season home start, but was touched up for seven hits and four runs. It was the most runs he allowed at home since the May 11 home opener against Birmingham.
Bleday went 3-for-5 at the plate with an RBI, Burdick went 2-for-4, plus a walk and two runs scored. They accounted for more than half of the team’s nine hits.
Game 3 of the six-game series is Thursday with the Blue Wahoos’ Zach McCambley on the mound.
by Bill Vilona, Blue Wahoos Senior Writer
Man Charged With Stealing Tools From Unlocked Vehicles At Town Of Century Shop
September 8, 2021
A Century man has been charged with allegedly stealing over $4,000 in tools from the Town of Century.
Travis Leigh Carroll, 29, was charged with seven felony counts of vehicle burglary an grand theft. He remained in the Escambia County Jail Wednesday morning with bond set at $27,000.
Carroll entered the Town of Century’s secured and fenced shop property on Alger Road, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
According to an arrest report, he took five Carlyle brand battery jump boxes valued at $1,395, an impact wrench and batteries valued at $500, three DeWalt cordless tool kits valued at $1,650, a DeWalt socket kit valued at $105, a Craftsman socket set worth $150, two Pittsburgh wrench kits worth $100, and two Carlyle brand impact socket sets valued at $150. The items were taken from seven unlocked work trucks and unlocked tool boxes on the back of the trucks, the ECSO said.
Several of the items were recovered from an address on Woods Street where Carroll was found hiding in the grass, according to the ECSO.
Carroll told deputies that he found the tools in the woods between the town garage and nearby Showalter Park. He state that he took the found tools home to sell them to make money, the sheriff’s office report states.
Woman Charged With Burglarizing Goodwill With Juvenile Daughter In Her Pickup Truck
September 8, 2021
A Cantonment woman is charged with allegedly burglarizing bins at a local Goodwill while her juvenile daughter was in her pickup truck.
Nicole Ann Glidden-Dion, 38, was charged with felony unarmed burglary, felony grand theft, possession of marijuana and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to a trespassing complaint at the Goodwin on McLemore Drive. At the end of McLemore Drive, deputies reporting finding Glidden-Dion ratcheting down items in the bed of a pickup truck that were stacked higher than cab. She immediately began saying that she did not know that she could not take the items, according to an arrest report. She stated that she was told by friends that she could get items from the bins outside the building.
Glidden-Dion had her 15-year old daughter with her at the time, according to deputies and witnesses.
Goodwill reported a long list of items valued at $1,000 to be stolen. The items included two rolling carts, household items and decorations, 20 pieces of metal, a trash can full of metal, blankets, linens, a shoe rack and more. The bins were located in a fenced area.
Glidden-Dion was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $6,000 bond.
Yes, You Can Divide Your Day (Lilies)
September 8, 2021
Yes, you can divide your old fashioned day lilies, according to the Escambia County Extension Service.
Master Gardener volunteers recently learned how to do just that.
According to Extension agent Beth Bolles, here’s how it works:
- Dig up the overcrowded clumps, dunk them in water to more easily pull art the pieces.
- Cut off any dead leaves, then cut back the leaves to one-third.
- Make a mound of soil mixes with compost.
- Spread the roots over the mound.
- Fill in the soil, being careful not add soil over the leaves.
Pictured. Master Gardener volunteers recently learned how divide day lilies at the Escambia Extension Service office in Cantonment. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
EREC Sends New Line Crew To Louisiana
September 8, 2021
Escambia River Electric Cooperative is committed for the long haul to help restore power following Hurricane Ida’s landfall in Louisiana early last week.
EREC line crew members Tyler Prescott, Kyle Strickling, Kevin Macht and Doug Stewart left Tuesday for DEMCO to continue power restoration efforts.
This allows the EREC crew members who have been working in Louisiana this past week to return home to their families and their work for the EREC membership.
After landfall of the Category 4 hurricane, there were 84,896 DEMCO customers without power in the Greenwell Springs, Louisiana area. EREC has also sent five bunk trailers and a shower trailer to Washington — St. Tammany Electric Cooperative in Mandeville, Louisiana, to house cooperative line crews working to restore power there.