Unity In The Community School Supply, Uniform Giveaway Saturday In Atmore
July 24, 2020
The annual Unity in the Community Festival (COVID-Style) will be held Saturday at Grace Fellowship in Atmore with free school supplies and school uniforms.
The event normally includes entertainment, bounce houses, food and activities, but it’s drive-thru only this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic from 1-4 p.m.
The giveaways are for school-aged children. Grace Fellowship is located at 1412 East Nashville Avenue in Atmore.
ECSO Seeks To Identify Skeletal Remains Found Near Pine Forest Road In 2004
July 24, 2020
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help to solve a 2004 cold case homicide.
On December 18, 2004, Escambia County deputies were called after a human skeleton was located inside a mobile home near the 7000 block of Pine Forest Road, close to I-10.
Media coverage in 2004 did not result in any tips, the Sheriff’s Office said.
A facial reconstruction was completed to create a sketch. It is believed the body found is that of a 35-55 year-old black male, between 5′4″ and 5′10″, a slight to average build, and with a predominant gap in the front teeth.
Clothing found at the scene was determined to be “oversized” consisting of 36×32 Levi jeans, a large blue Starter shirt, size 10 men’s running shoes, a 38′ belt, a gold necklace, and a blue hat with “Butler Transport” on it.
Anyone with information on the man’s identity is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620.
Local Hospitals Encourage Blood Donations From Recovered COVID-19 Patients
July 24, 2020
Local hospitals are asking recovered COVID-19 patients to donate blood plasma.
Baptist Health Care, Ascension Sacred Heart Hospital and West Florida Hospital encourage those who have recovered from a confirmed case of COVID-19 to consider donating blood plasma for convalescent plasma therapy in critically ill patients. Such plasma is currently in short supply locally.
“People who recover from coronavirus infection may develop antibodies to the virus that remain in the plasma portion of their blood. In convalescent plasma therapy, the plasma that contains the antibodies is transfused into a person still fighting the virus and can provide a boost to the patient’s immune system and potentially help them recover,” Baptist Hospital Public Relations Specialist Kathy Bowers said in an email.
Locally, donations are accepted by OneBlood, where all blood donors will receive free results from COVID-19 antibody donations.
OneBlood donation centers are located at 1999 East Nine Mile Road and 2209 North Ninth Avenue. Due to social distancing measures that OneBlood has in place, all donors are required to make an appointment to donate. Appointments can be made online at www.oneblood.org or by calling 1-888-9DONATE.
Escambia Teachers, Staff To Have Face Shields As An Option
July 24, 2020
“When you are teaching kids to read, they need to see the words, hear your voice and see you form the sounds with your lips,” according to the Escambia County School District.
That’s why schools in Escambia County will have face shields as an option to teachers and staff.
“We are dedicated to finding what will work the best in different circumstances,” the school district said in a statement.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
High School Fall Sports Delayed; First Day Of Practices Moved To August 17 In Escambia County
July 23, 2020
The Escambia County School Superintendent Malcolm Thomas has delayed the start date for practices for fall high school sports.
The first day of practices has been moved to Monday, August 17 as a result of the first day of school being delayed two week to August 24.
Fall sports played at the high school level which will be impacted include football, volleyball, golf, cross-country, track, swimming and diving. Contest schedules for all fall sports are being adjusted accordingly and information will be released at a later date.
Athletic conditioning may continue following the Escambia County School District guidelines for Safe Return to Athletic Training, utilizing social distancing protocols and proper sanitation measures for training equipment.
“Social distancing protocols will be followed, as well as the proper sanitation steps by district personnel,” Thomas said. “This will be a team effort by all participants.”
Pictured: The first day of 2019 spring practice for the Northview Chiefs on April 22, 2019.. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Second Person Charged With Allegedly Breaking Both Of A Four Month Old Baby Girl’s Legs
July 23, 2020
A second person has been charged with allegedly breaking both of a four-month old baby girl’s legs.
Ashley Anne Mack, age 26 of Red Level, Alabama, was charged with first degree felony aggravated child abuse. She remained in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $50,000. Dustin Raymond McCurdy, age 27 of Century, was previously charged with first degree felony aggravated child abuse in the case and released on a $100,000 bond.
X-rays showed baby girl had femur fractures on each side of her body. A Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) investigator told the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office that the hospital determined the injuries were consistent with child abuse and had possibly been caused by the pulling on the child’s legs.
“The type of fractures this child has sustained is the most specific fracture seen in child abuse, and is the result of violent shearing (pulling),” an arrest report states.
DCF described McCurdy and Mack as illicit drug users, according to arrest reports.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office alleged the fractures occurred during an altercation between McCurdy and Mack.
All Students At 44 Escambia Schools Will Receive Free Lunch, Breakfast This Year
July 23, 2020
Breakfast and lunch will be free for all students, regardless of income, during the upcoming school year at 44 schools in Escambia County.
The Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) program means that parents of the students at these schools are not required to submit an application for the Free and Reduced Meal program at that school. However, siblings attending schools not on the CEP list will need to apply for eligibility.
The free meal schools are selected based upon income levels.
This program has been in place since 2015 in Escambia County and is not related to the current pandemic.
Participating schools are:
ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
- Bellview
- Bratt
- Brentwood
- Byrneville
- C.A. Weis
- Ensley
- Ferry Pass
- Global Learning Academy
- Holm
- Jim Allen
- Lincoln Park
- Lipscomb
- Longleaf
- McArthur
- Molino Park
- Montclair
- Myrtle Grove
- Navy Point
- Oakcrest
- Pine Meadow
- Pleasant Grove
- Scenic Heights
- O.J. Semmes
- Sherwood
- Warrington
- West Pensacola
MIDDLE SCHOOLS
- Bellview
- Beulah
- Ernest Ward
- Ferry Pass
- Jim Bailey
- Warrington
- Workman
HIGH SCHOOLS
- Escambia
- Northview
- Pensacola
- Pine Forest
- Washington
OTHER SCHOOLS AND CENTERS
- Camelot
- Capstone
- Escambia Westgate Center
- Jacqueline Harris Preparatory Academy
- Lakeview Center
- Success Academy
NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia County, Alabama, COVID-19 Cases Increase By One-Fourth In One Week; Three New Deaths
July 23, 2020
The number of COVID-19 cases in Escambia County, Alabama, are up by one-fourth in the past week.
As of Wednesday night, there were 697 confirmed cases in the county, up 24% from 562 a week ago. There have also been three additional deaths in the past week, brining the county’s total to 15 since the pandemic began.
In the past two weeks, 259 of 1,443 tests have been positive, a rate of 18%, compared to 13.5% statewide.
The latest data from the Escambia County Healthcare Authority shows 335 of the positive tests were from Atmore Community Hospital, and 81 were from D.W. McMillan Hospital in Brewton.
Pictured: Atmore Community Hospital. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
FWC Law Enforcement Report
July 23, 2020
The Florida FWC Division of Law Enforcement reported the following activity during the period from May 15-May 28 in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
(FWC fell behind in issuing reports during the pandemic. An additional update will be posted in the coming days.)
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
Officers Cushing and Land were on patrol in state waters of the Gulf of Mexico south of Pensacola in the offshore patrol vessel NW Fincat. They conducted a boarding with multiple people onboard and located eight red snapper and three gray triggerfish. The season is currently closed for both species. The appropriate action was taken reference the violations.
Officers Cushing and Land were on water patrol near Bayou Texar. They observed an individual beach his vessel at the public boat ramp. The operator fell as he stepped out of his vessel, got up, and began staggering to his vehicle in the parking lot. Officer Land stopped the individual before he could leave to drive his vehicle. Standardized Field Sobriety Tasks (SFST) were conducted and the operator was arrested for BUI.
Officers Cushing and Land were on patrol in state waters of the Gulf of Mexico south of Pensacola in the offshore patrol vessel. They conducted a resource inspection on a vessel with multiple people on board and located eight red snapper and three gray triggerfish. The season is currently closed for both species. The appropriate action was taken in reference to the violations.
Officers Cushing, Land, Matechik, Allgood, Graves, and Manning were on patrol in several different vessels, including an unmarked vessel and offshore patrol vessel. They patrolled waters targeting illegal harvest of red snapper and located many vessels and individuals possessing red snapper in closed state waters. They issued 18 citations for possession of red snapper, multiple fishing license citations, interference with a Fish and Wildlife Commission officer, multiple boating citations and 35 warnings.
SANTA ROSA COUNTY
While on patrol in the Shorebird Nesting Zone on Navarre Causeway, Officer Wilkenson observed several subjects fishing within the bird nesting area under the bridge. A resource inspection was conducted and revealed two undersized red drum. The subject was issued a notice to appear for the violation.
K9 Handler Officer J. Hutchinson was patrolling at night on state owned land near a boat ramp and observed a truck travelling towards him with its headlights off. A stop revealed the driver did not have a valid driver’s license. The glove compartment contained a loaded pistol and the driver informed Officer Hutchinson there were possible illegal drugs inside of the vehicle. Drug paraphernalia and methamphetamine were in the driver’s pants pocket and a check revealed the passenger was a convicted felon. Two Santa Rosa Sheriff’s Deputies arrived and assisted with the search of the vehicle. The driver was arrested for the drugs, paraphernalia and driving while license suspended. The passenger was arrested for possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon. Both subjects were booked into the Santa Rosa County Jail.
Officer Ramos was on patrol when he observed a man and woman fishing from a public pier. A license and resource inspection were conducted. The non-resident woman didn’t have a fishing license and the man admitted that he pulled someone else’s blue crab trap out of the water, retrieved a pinfish and placed it on a hook as bait. The female was issued a citation for not having a fishing license and the man was issued a criminal notice to appear for removing or taking possession of the contents of another harvester’s blue crab trap.
Community Health Northwest Florida Receives $50,000 COVID-19 Emergency Grant
July 23, 2020
Community Health Northwest Florida recently received $50,000 in emergency grant funding from the medical aid organization Direct Relief, in partnership with the National Association of Community Health Centers.
Community Health Northwest Florida was among 518 federally qualified health centers to receive funding through Direct Relief’s $25 million Covid-19 Fund for Community Health, which recognizes the profound effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on the finances, services, staff, and patients of community health centers.
Community Health Northwest Florida will utilize the funds to ensure the continued safety of their healthcare workers through acquisition of additional personal protective equipment for front line clinical teams, physical building modifications and additional training for staff. The funds will also enable the health center to continue to provide walk-up and drive-through Covid-19 testing in addition to Covid-19 health education and outreach to the communities they serve, including Cantonment and Century.
“We are grateful for this critical and immediate support as we work to keep our communities safe and healthy during this unprecedented pandemic,” said Chandra Smiley, chief executive officer of Community Health Northwest Florida.
“Access to primary care is what keeps people healthy and out of the hospital, and the frontline work of Community Health Northwest Florida and other nonprofit community health centers across the U.S. is more
critical than ever with the onset of Covid-19,” said Direct Relief President and CEO Thomas Tighe. “Direct Relief is doing everything possible to bolster the work and support the staffs at the safety-net health facilities on which so many patients and their families rely for excellent care and trust for advice in this public health emergency.”