Mammography Services Now Offered By Community Health Northwest Florida
March 2, 2021
Community Health Northwest Florida is now offering mammography services.
Established Community Health patients will be able to access appointments for screening mammograms at its newly expanded imaging department, located at the health center’s main site at 2315 West Jackson Street in Pensacola.
Community Health Northwest Florida patients needing mammograms will be referred for this important screening by their healthcare provider. Initially, mammography services are available on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays each week.
“We are very pleased to be able to offer this life saving screening for our patients, allowing us to detect any potential issues as early as possible. Especially for our low income and uninsured patients, access to mammograms is critical, as vulnerable populations bear a disproportionate burden of breast cancer mortality,” said Chandra Smiley, CEO of Community Health Northwest Florida.
Breast cancer is the second most common cancer in women after skin cancer. Mammograms can detect breast cancer early, possibly before it has spread, according to Community Health. Early detection of breast cancer with screening mammography means that treatment can be started earlier in the course of the disease.
Florida Teachers, Police And Firefighters Over 50 Can Now Get COVID-19 Vaccine
March 1, 2021
COVID-19 vaccine eligibility in Florida is being expanded to sworn law enforcement officers, firefighters and K-12 school employees that are age 50 or older.
Monday, Gov. Ron DeSantis issued an executive order expanding vaccine eligibility that thus far has been concentrated on people age 65 and older. The order goes into effect on Wednesday.
An order issued last week also allows the vaccination of people under age 65 if they are deemed “extremely vulnerable” to the virus by a physician.
Long-term care facility residents and staff, persons 65 years of age and older; and health care personnel with direct patient contact are still eligible for the vaccine.
During a press conference Monday, DeSantis said Florida would get up to 175,000 doses of the newly approved Johnson & Johnson vaccine that only requires a single dose. Bot the Moderna and Pfizer vaccine require two does.
Cantonment Woman Killed In Gulf Shores Crash
March 1, 2021
State troopers have identified the victim of a fatal single vehicle wreck in Gulf Shores Friday night as a Cantonment woman.
Lindsey Murphy, 40, was killed in the crash just after 10 p.m. February 26 on Highway 59. She was the passenger in a 1996 Honda Accord that left the roadway and crashed into a utility pole. The driver, 34-year old Arthur Arabian of Pensacola, was also injured in the wreck.
The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency is continuing their investigation.
File photo.
High Speed Chase Ends Near Ascend With Arrest Of Beulah Car Burglaries, Attempted Gun Shop Burglary Suspect
March 1, 2021
A high speed chase traveled through parts of Cantonment and Gonzalez Monday morning before ending near the entrance to Ascend Performance Materials on Old Chemstrand Road with the arrest of felony suspect on multiple charges.
Chance Gardner, 23, was charged with attempted armed burglary, fleeing and eluding, felony criminal mischief, a felony narcotics violation, and arrested on outstanding warrants for grand theft and vehicle burglaries. He remained in the Escambia County Jail without bond.
Friday morning, Gardner allegedly burglarized multiple vehicles in the 9400 block of Lutoo Lane, just south of Nine Mile Road at the Beulah Fire Station (surveillance photo below).
On Sunday, he allegedly used a stolen car in attempt to ram his way through the backdoors of Mike’s Gun Shop in the 8600 block of Pensacola Boulevard in Ensley, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. “He was unsuccessful in that attempt,” ECSO spokesperson Amber Southard said.
On Monday morning, ECSO deputy Darin Vought spotted Gardner driving stolen vehicle in the area of Highway 95A and Old Chemstrand Road, and a pursuit ensued.
According to multiple North Escambia readers, the pursuit traveled down East Kingfield Road headed both east and then west. It came to an end just outside Ascend where it appeared the suspect vehicle came to a stop in a trailer parking area near the lake on the northeast side of Ascend Park. Gardner was captures without further incident. There were no injuries.
During the pursuit, Sgt. James Newton “bumped” Gardner’s vehicle near Ascend Park in an attempt to stop him. Gardner then backed into the sergeant’s vehicle. The cruiser was located on the shoulder of the road near the park with heavy damage to the push bar and hood (photo above).
“This is a criminal who has stolen guns, broken into numerous cars and placed residents at risk. We were not going to let him get away when we had the opportunity to put an end to his crime spree. We were able to end the pursuit, so he could no longer endanger and victimize the good people of Escambia County,” said Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Amtrak Service Returning Next Year To The Gulf Coast. But Not To Pensacola Or Atmore.
March 1, 2021
Daily Amtrak service will return to the Gulf Coast next year, but stops will not include Pensacola or Atmore.
Amtrak has confirmed it intends to begin passenger rail service between New Orleans and Mobile in 2022. The daily passenger rail service will feature two business friendly round trips each morning and evening, with stops in Bay St. Louis, Gulfport, Biloxi, and Pascagoula.
“Having worked tirelessly with federal, state, and local officials on this project, we are thrilled that a departure time is in sight for passenger rail service on the Gulf Coast,” said Wiley Blankenship, chairman of the Southern Rail Commission. “Since the 2016 inspection train, which brought out thousands of citizens across the Gulf Coast demonstrating enthusiastic support for passenger rail, this is one of the major milestones we have been working toward.”
While the Amtrak inspection train was enthusiastically welcomed to Pensacola and Atmore, Mobile will be the end of the line. That will leave Atmore, which was designated by the Alabama Legislature as the state’s official rail welcome station, without passenger train service. And service will not return to Florida.
The SRC has been uniquely successful in securing multiple federal grants to enable the Amtrak trains roll next year between New Orleans and Mobile, including full federal support of operating costs for the first year of service and continued federal support in the second and third year ($11.2 million), and a federal grant and local matching funds for improvements to area railroad infrastructure for passenger and freight service ($66 million) to cities along the route for planning, upgrading, and constructing their rail stations ($2 million).
Pictured: An Amtrak inspection train rolls in Atmore (top and bottom) and Pensacola (inset) in February 2016. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Motorcyclist Killed In Jacks Branch Road Crash
March 1, 2021
A Cantonment crash claimed the life of a motorcyclist Sunday afternoon.
The crash happened about 2:15 p.m. when a 74-year old Cantonment man was traveling southbound on Jacks Branch Road. The Florida Highway Patrol said a 19-year old Cantonment man headed northbound on Jacks Branch Road turned his Chevrolet Tahoe left at the intersection of Old Bridge Road, directly into the path of the motorcycle. The vehicles collided at the intersection.
The motorcyclist was airlifted by LifeFlight to Sacred Heart Hospital where he was later pronounced deceased.
The Florida Highway Patrol is continuing their investigation. FHP no longer releases the names of traffic crash victims.
Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Ernest Ward FFA Presents ‘Golden Cow Dung Award’ To Assistant Principal
March 1, 2021
Ernest Ward Middle School Assistant Principal Tyvanna Boulanger received the annual “Golden Cow Dung Award” from members of the Ernest Ward FFA recently. The award features a large piece of cow dung, painted a golden color and mounted on a board painted in school colors.
Boulanger received the award during National FFA Week as a “thank you” for supporting FFA.
(Cow dung, in case you didn’t know for sure, is what you are probably thinking it is. It’s that natural byproduct that cows drop in the field. The award is 100% real dung spray painted a golden color. The golden piece is actually the original award piece created and painted in 2009.)
Pictured: Assistant Principal Tyvanna Boulanger received the annual “Golden Cow Dung Award” from the Ernest Ward Middle School FFA. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Lifeguards Return To Pensacola Beach This Week
March 1, 2021
Lifeguards will return to their towers on Pensacola Beach this week.
Initially, one to three towers at Casino Beach will be staffed from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week, shifting from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. beginning Sunday, March 14. As summer approaches, staffing will increase to provide coverage at up to 10 towers, including the towers at Gulf Islands National Seashore, which begin staffing Memorial Day weekend.
In preparation for the 2021 season, Pensacola Beach hired 19 new lifeguards and welcomed 56 returning lifeguards to a rigorous training program, including 80 hours of open water training, emergency medical training and more.
Last season, Pensacola Beach Lifeguards performed 104 rescues from drowning and 128 assists to swimmers experiencing moderate distress, also attended to 35 major medical incidents and assisted 31 patients for EMS transport. Lifeguards made contact with beachgoers 157,633 times during the 2020 season, providing information about rip currents, beach condition flags and other safety tips.
“This season is looking to be a busy one,” said Escambia County Public Safety’s Water Safety Chief Dave Greenwood. “We’ve got a great crop of vigilant lifeguards prepared to respond to the needs of our residents and visitors. We encourage beachgoers to be safe, aware and to have fun!”
Pensacola Beach Lifeguards have maintained a presence on Casino Beach throughout the winter since the 2020 season ended last October, primarily through patrol vehicles.
Century Charter Review Committee Application Deadline Is Thursday
March 1, 2021
Century seeking volunteers to help rewrite the town’s charter, and the deadline to apply is Thursday.
The previously appointed 11-member Century Charter Review Committee is now down to just six people.
The Century Town Council appointed the committee in August 2019 to explore the town charter — the document that establishes the town, outlines its powers and spells out how it should operate. The charter has not been updated in almost 40 years, and that often creates problems in the operation of the town.
The committee held their first meeting in October 2019, two months after it was established. The early meetings were spent learning about the Sunshine Law, orderly meetings and background information. Most of the discussion at the committee’s sporadic meetings then centered around one central topic — the form of government and the possible addition of a permanent city manager.
The COVID-19 pandemic slowed regular meetings for the charter committee and any chance of moving forward in 2020, preventing any charter change from making the ballot.
The Century Town Council is accepting applications for volunteers for their Charter Review Committee until March 4, 2021. All applicants must reside with the town limits.
To download an application, click or tap here. Applications are also available at the Century Town Hall.
Pictured top: Century Charter Review Committee Chairperson Mary Hudson Bourgeois (right) and member Evelyn Hammond at a 2019 meeting. NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Florida Gas Prices Average Highest Since July 2019, AAA Says
March 1, 2021
February was the most expensive month at the pump in Florida since July 2019, according to AAA. Throughout the month, gas prices increased an average total of 24 cents per gallon.
Florida drivers are now paying an average price of $2.61 per gallon.
In Escambia County, the average price per gallon was $2.65. The lowest North Escambia price to be found Sunday night was $2.55 at stations on Highway 29 and on Muscogee Road. A low of $2.54 could be found at several Pensacola area stations.
“Last month’s jump at the pump was largely driven by refinery issues — caused by arctic weather in Texas,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA — The Auto Club Group. “Other factors were tightening global fuel supplies and continued optimism that the COVID-19 vaccine and stimulus money would help boost fuel demand. Drivers should expect continued volatility at the pump in the coming months as refineries enter maintenance season and prepare to switch to summer gasoline.”
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.