Atmore Community Hospital Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy, Vows to Keep Doors Open
July 13, 2026
Atmore Community Hospital has officially filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, but hospital leadership emphasizes that the facility will remain fully operational with no cuts to patient services.
The hospital serves not only Atmore but also surrounding areas, including many North Escambia residents.
The voluntary petition was filed on Friday, July 10, 2026, in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Alabama by Escambia County Alabama Community Hospitals, Inc. (ECACH), the non-profit organization that manages the 49-bed hospital. According to court documents, the hospital reports estimated assets between $10 million and $50 million, with estimated liabilities ranging between $1 million and $10 million.
Hospital board members stated that the restructuring is part of a broader financial strategy aimed at stabilizing the facility’s long-term future and preserving local access to healthcare.
“This decision was not made lightly,” said Debbie Rowell, Chair of the ECACH Board of Directors. “After carefully evaluating all available options, our Board approved this action because it is the best path to stabilize the hospital’s financial future and preserve local access to healthcare for the Atmore community.”
Ongoing Financial Battles and Tax Dispute
The bankruptcy filing follows a sharp decline in the hospital’s financial health, which forced the closure of its surgery department in 2024. Hospital officials pointed to standard rural healthcare pressures, including rising operational costs, staffing shortages, and lower reimbursement rates. However, the filing also aims to address “legacy financial obligations” connected to an ongoing legal battle.
Since April, ECACH has been locked in a lawsuit against the Escambia County Health Care Authority, the entity responsible for distributing local tax revenues to healthcare providers. The non-profit’s complaint alleges that the Health Care Authority and its chief financial officer disproportionately allocated property tax revenues to the larger D.W. McMillan Memorial Hospital in Brewton.
Furthermore, the complaint alleges that the Health Care Authority has blocked ECACH from accessing financial records, keeping them from fully assessing the hospital’s financial standing. The non-profit claims these funding disparities placed Atmore Community Hospital on the “precipice of financial insolvency and collapse.”
No Changes to Patient Care
Despite the financial restructuring, hospital officials stress that patients will see no disruption in care. The Chapter 11 process allows the hospital to organize its debts under court supervision while maintaining daily operations.
According to hospital press releases and court notifications:
- Emergency Services: The Emergency Department will remain open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- Staffing: The same physicians, nurses, and clinical teams will remain on staff.
- Appointments: Patients are urged to keep all scheduled appointments, procedures, and tests.
- Insurance: The hospital will continue to accept existing insurance plans, including Medicare and Medicaid.
A New Management Strategy
In an effort to stabilize operations prior to the bankruptcy filing, executive leadership from USA Health was placed onsite in January 2026. USA Health has been working alongside the local board to assess the hospital’s financial health and build a sustainable, long-term vision to eventually expand healthcare access in the region.
Among the hospital’s largest unsecured creditors listed in the bankruptcy documents are Forefront Healthcare, LLC ($395,831.33), Trubridge, LLC ($252,179.81), and Emcare Physician Services, Inc. ($190,529.00).
Hospital leadership has not detailed exactly how long the Chapter 11 reorganization process will take but promised to provide regular updates as milestones are reached.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Century Awarded AARP Grant For Pedestrian Safety And Walkability Study
July 13, 2026
The Town of Century has been awarded a $2,500 grant through the nationwide AARP Community Challenge program to study community walkability.
The grant will fund a community walk audit designed to assess sidewalks, pedestrian crossings, and lighting along key town corridors. The initiative aims to identify barriers to mobility and highlight opportunities for future infrastructure improvements to enhance the quality of life for residents, particularly those aged 55 and older.
Kleinhaus Consulting Group, LLC has been selected to lead the project. The group will manage community engagement activities, facilitate the audit process, and prepare a final report of findings and recommendations for the Town’s consideration.
“Creating a community where residents can safely walk, stay active, and remain connected is important for people of all ages,” Century Mayor Benjamin Boutwell said. “We appreciate AARP’s investment in Century and look forward to working with residents and our partners to identify ways we can make our town even more welcoming and accessible.”
The walk audit is scheduled to take place this fall. Local officials plan to issue a public call for volunteers in the coming months, encouraging community members, local leaders, and older adults to participate and share their perspectives. Community meetings will also be held to share the results and help guide future planning efforts.
Century’s grant is part of a larger $30,000 commitment by AARP to three Northwest Florida organizations. Other regional recipients include Divine Revelations Ministries Inc. and the Florida Housing Coalition, both located in Tallahassee.
Statewide, AARP Florida awarded 24 grants totaling over $200,000 this year as part of the 10th anniversary of the Community Challenge program. Nationally, the organization committed $8.3 million to fund 750 quick-action projects.
“Communities across Florida are eager for real solutions that boost mobility, connection, and quality of life,” Jeff Johnson, State Director at AARP Florida, said. “These projects will bring real improvement to Northwest Florida by improving accessibility, transportation methods, pedestrian safety, and digital literacy across the region.”
Stock image.
Federal Court Halts Florida ‘Stop Woke’ Law
July 13, 2026
A federal appeals court kept in place a district court’s preliminary injunction on Florida’s law banning “woke” instruction at public universities.
A 2-1 ruling last week from the three-judge panel on the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals found Florida’s assertion it could control the speech of its employees, including college professors, to be “a breathtaking assertion of power to ban unpopular ideas from public discourse in the very places the state’s own statutes recognize as centers of inquiry.”
Judge Britt Grant, an appointee of President Donald Trump, wrote the opinion and was joined by Judge Charles Wilson, an appointee of President Bill Clinton.
“Florida seeks to strip public university professors—and by extension their students—of the ability to fully engage with ideas that are, for better or for worse, very popular in some academic circles,” Grant wrote. “The State asks us to consider its rules a means of targeting discrimination. But hearing an idea you disagree with is not discrimination; it is an opportunity to come up with a better idea, or maybe even change your mind.”
The case was brought by a set of university professors and backed by the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida.
“We are thrilled the court has stopped the erasure of topics that have real implications for our students, allowing them to learn, discuss, and develop tools for combatting the complex issue of racism in our country without being gagged by those who would dictate that only state-approved thought may be promoted,” LeRoy Pernell, a Florida A&M University College of Law professor, and one of the instructors who brought the lawsuit, said in a released statement.
The ruling prevents Florida from enforcing part of the “Stop Wrongs to Our Kids and Employees (WOKE) Act” passed by the Legislature and signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis in 2022.
DeSantis pushed for the law as a bulwark against “indoctrination” in university classrooms. It bars professors from endorsing precepts of critical race theory, including eight specific tenets.
For example, the law bans instruction that causes students to “feel guilt, anguish or other forms of psychological distress because of actions, in which the person played no part, committed in the past by other members of the same race, color, national origin or sex.”
Supporters of the law said they sought to halt teachings that supported racial discrimination, while opponents in the Legislature, mostly Democrats contended it was really an attempt to quash candid teaching about historic racial horrors in the U.S., including slavery and the Jim Crow era.
Other parts of the law sought to ban workplace training at companies regarding racial, gender and sexual orientation issues, but those provisions have been struck down by federal courts.
Judge Barbara Lagoa, also a Trump appointee, wrote a dissent arguing the state had the right to restrict the speech of professors in the classroom.
“To be clear, the First Amendment protects all viewpoints in the public square, whether they are conventional or controversial. But it does not compel all viewpoints to be worthy of state-sponsored endorsement,” Lagoa wrote. “We need not agree or disagree with Florida that the viewpoints at issue here constitute racial discrimination; we need only acknowledge that the State is allowed to decide what is endorsed by its professors in its own classrooms.”
Before Lagoa was appointed to the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals she sat on the Florida Supreme Court as an appointee of DeSantis.
In her decision Grant stated she agreed the courts shouldn’t choose the content of university classrooms, but argued they must intervene when the government unduly restricts speech.
“We share the dissent’s view that the federal courts do not police curriculum. But we do police the First Amendment,” Grant wrote. “And if the history of that Amendment tells us anything, it is that the government cannot forbid what it perceives as heresy.”
by The News Service of Florida
AAA: Florida Gas Prices A Nickel Higher Than Last Week
July 13, 2026
Florida gas prices face renewed upward pressure after tensions between the U.S. and Iran escalated over the weekend, according to AAA. Oil prices increased in overnight trading amid uncertainty surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global oil shipments.
The state average price for gasoline declined early last week, then rose 13 cents per gallon. Sunday’s state average of $3.82 per gallon was 5 cents more than last week, 8 cents less than a month ago, and 86 cents more than a year ago.
The Pensacola metro had the lowest average price per gallon in the state at $3.57. In Pensacola on Sunday, multiple stations were at $3.39, while the low price in North Escambia was at $3.46 at a station on Highway 29 in Cantonment.
“Concerns about potential fuel supply disruptions have nudged oil prices higher,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman for AAA – The Auto Club Group. “With tensions in the Middle East adding uncertainty to the global oil market, gas prices could remain volatile in the coming weeks.”
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Century Reports 2,500 Gallon Raw Sewage Spill
July 13, 2026
The Town of Century recently reported a raw sewage leak from town equipment at the Century Correctional Institution at 400 Tedder Road, according to a report filed with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
“The prison had a major leak that caused the lift station to being overloaded with flow. The pumps could not keep up with the flow coming in,” the report states.
Approximately 2,500 gallons of untreated wastewater spilled, and the town applied lime for cleanup.
Pictured: The Century Wastewater Treatment Plant. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Former Baptist Health Employee Sentenced To Seven Years For Molesting Teen Patient
July 13, 2026
A former Baptist Health Care employee has been sentenced to state prison for molesting a 15-year-old patient while he worked in 2024.
Judge John Simon sentenced 28-year-old Tariq Smith to seven years and designated him as a sex offender. According to court documents, Smith sexually battered a 15-year-old girl in his care after she was involuntarily committed for mental health problems at Baptist Behavioral Health. Smith was 26 years old at the time of the incident on June 30, 2024.
After serving seven years in state prison, Smith will be on sex offender probation for three years.
Looking Back: The Local Photos And Stories From The Past Week
July 13, 2026
A man was airlifted after he was reportedly struck by a vehicle while riding an ATV crash in Walnut Hill. Authorities found the injured man in a local intersection, but the ATV was not to be found. (Story).
The final tally was in from the 9th annual Donut Strike for Manna from local first responder. The event collected enough food for nearly 48,000 meal. (Story)
Escambia County Supervisor of Elections Robert bender unveiled new vote-by-mail ballot tracking, new “I Voted” stickers, new precinct locations, and more. (Story)
Quick action by Escambia County firefighters saved a mobile home in Center after a lightning strike. (Story).
Despite strong opposition from residents, the Escambia County Planning Board approved big changes to the land use for OLF-8. (Story).
The Atmore Police Department used a drown to track down and aid in the arrest of Pensacola man that allegedly fired shots during a police chase. (Story).
The University of West Florida mourned the loss of Charles “Darrell” Gooden, a proud alumnus, local business leader, and the largest donor in the history of UWF Athletics. The under-construction UWF football stadium is named after Gooden. (Story).
A single engine plane made an emergency landing on Friday afternoon in a peanut field on the Alabama-Florida line. (Story | Gallery)
NorthEscambia.com photos and photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
These Are This Week’s Road Construction Trouble Spots
July 13, 2026
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.
Escambia County:
- Interstate 10 (I-10) Resurfacing from east of U.S. 29 to east of Davis Highway (State Road (S.R.) 291) – Drivers on I-10 may encounter intermittent lane closures, traffic shifts and periodic ramp closures, between mile markers 11 and 14, Sunday, July 12 through Thursday, July 16, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. for paving operations and roadway construction.
- S.R. 292 (Gulf Beach Highway) from east of Bauer Road (County Road 293) to Manchester Street – The week of Sunday, July 12, drivers may encounter intermittent lane closures on S.R. 292, from east of Bauer Road to Manchester Street, between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m., for construction activities. Additionally, a new traffic configuration has been implemented on S.R. 292 between Mills Avenue and just east of Patton Drive, with travel lanes shifted to the outside of the roadway to provide space to construct a median traffic separator. Channelizing devices are in place to delineate the work zone. The speed limit has been reduced to 35 mph through the work zone.
- Business U.S. 98 (Garden Street) Construction from Pace Boulevard to the Interstate 110 (I-110) ramp – The week of Sunday, July 12, drivers may encounter the following construction-related traffic disruptions:
- Garden Street, between Pace Boulevard and North Donelson Street, is reduced to two travel lanes (one in each direction) as crews perform construction activities on the north side of the street. This temporary traffic configuration will be in place through late 2026.
- Temporary side street closures north of Garden Street for stormwater drainage system reconstruction. This week, drivers may encounter a closure with detour at F Street. Signage will be in place to direct drivers through the work zone.
- On-street parking is closed on Garden Street, between A Street and L Street.
- I-110 Resurfacing from I-10 to U.S. 98 – Drivers on I-110 may encounter intermittent lane closures, traffic shifts and periodic ramp closures, between I-10 and U.S. 98, Sunday, July 12 through Thursday, July 16, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., for paving operations and roadway construction.
- I-10 Resurfacing from the Perdido River Bridge to west of U.S. 29 – I-10 drivers may encounter intermittent and alternating lane closures between the Perdido River Bridge and west of the U.S. 29 interchange (Exit 10), Sunday July 12 through Thursday, July 16, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., for construction activities.
- I-10 at Nine Mile Road Interchange (Exit 5) Construction – Drivers will encounter the following construction-related traffic disruptions:
- Intermittent lane closures on I-10 westbound near the Nine Mile Road interchange, Sunday, July 12 through Thursday, July 16, between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m.
- Nine Mile Road will be reduced to one travel lane in each direction between the I-10 ramps, Sunday, July 12 through Saturday, July 18, between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. Law enforcement will be on site, and directional signage will be in place to guide drivers through the work zone.
- Temporary reconfiguration of the I-10 westbound ramps, which will remain in place through mid-2026.
- I-10 at U.S. 29 Interchange (Exit 10) Construction – Drivers may encounter intermittent inside lane closures on U.S. 29, between Diamond Dairy Road and Broad Street, Sunday, July 12 through Thursday, July 16, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., for stormwater drainage work. Additionally, drivers are reminded of the following ongoing construction-related traffic impacts:
- Intermittent lane closures on North Palafox Street between Whitehead Drive and Hope Drive. Flaggers will be present to direct traffic through the work zone.
- I-10 is reduced to two travel lanes in each direction between U.S. 29 and I-110.
- I-10 travel lanes are shifted away from the median area of the roadway, near the U.S. 29 interchange.
- The U.S. 29 southbound access to the I-10 eastbound on-ramp has been reduced.
- The U.S. 29 northbound ramp to I-10 eastbound is closed. U.S. 29 northbound drivers are being detoured to make a U-turn at Broad Street onto U.S. 29 southbound to access I-10 eastbound.
- S.R. 97 (Atmore Highway) Resurfacing from U.S. 29 to the Alabama State Line – Motorists will encounter the following traffic impacts:
- Intermittent lane and shoulder closures are to be expected throughout the project limits on Monday, July 13 through Friday, July 17, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. for median improvements.
- Lane closures are to be expected at S.R. 95 and S.R. 97 on Monday, July 13 through Friday, July 17, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. for median improvements.
Santa Rosa County:
- U.S. 98 Widening from Bayshore Road to Portside Drive – Motorists will encounter the following traffic impacts:
- Median and turn lane closures from Bayshore Road to Tiger Lake Drive.
- Intermittent lane closures and additional median closures between Bayshore Road and Tiger Lake Drive, Sunday, July 12, through Saturday, July 18, from 7 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for paving operations.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Sunday’s Wahoos Game Suspended In The 9th, To Be Picked Up In August
July 13, 2026
The final game of the series between the Pensacola Blue Wahoos and the Montgomery Biscuits was suspended in the ninth inning due to inclement weather.
A 2-2 ballgame heading into the ninth and final inning, the Blue Wahoos hoped to pull off their third walk-off victory of the series until torrential rain engulfed Blue Wahoos Stadium with the winning run on second base.
The game will be resumed on August 4 when Montgomery returns to Pensacola for another six-game series at Blue Wahoos Stadium. Start time is set for 5 p.m. CT, prior to Tuesday’s regularly scheduled contest.
Pensacola scored their two runs on six hits, drawing six walks from the Montgomery pitching staff. Brandon Compton and Connor Caskenette each recorded 2-for-4 outings at the plate, with Compton managing his sixth home run of the season and his second in as many games.
Ian Lewis Jr. and Payton Green notched a hit each, with Lewis earning his seventh home run of the year in the seventh inning. Cam Cannarella demonstrated resilience at the plate, drawing three walks after contested at-bats.
A scoring stalemate between both sides was snapped in the bottom of the seventh by Compton, who powered a line drive over right center field to put the Blue Wahoos on the board. Just a beat later, Lewis powered his own long ball to the same side, padding the lead at 2-0.
Montgomery, in similar fashion, gathered their bearings in the eighth. Leadoff bat Ryan Spikes managed a no-doubt homer over left field to cut the deficit in half. Brayden Taylor, who put up a 4-for-4 performance for the Biscuits, hit the equalizer in the form of an RBI double to tie it at 2-2.
As it had the night before, the Blue Wahoos offense showed fight in the bottom of the ninth. Caskenette got aboard with a sharp single into right field, and his pinch runner Emaarion Boyd moved into scoring position on a sacrifice bunt by Lewis.
written by Maddy Branning
As Green stepped to the plate, heavy rain struck Blue Wahoos Stadium, forcing both sides off the field. The infield was deemed unplayable following the swell, and it was determined the game will be resumed at a later date.
The Blue Wahoos will head west for a three-game stint with the Biloxi Shuckers, the Double-A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers, starting on Friday, July 17.
Monday Is The Deadline To Register For Tate Cheerleaders’ Lil Aggies Summer Camp
July 12, 2026
Monday, July 13 is the deadline to register for the Lil’ Aggies Summer Cheer Camp.
Late registration will not be accepted; forms and payments must be submitted by the deadline.
The camp will be held in the Tate High School Fryman Gym, July 27-29 from 8 a.m. until noon each day.
Tate cheerleaders and coaches will teach athletes proper stretch techniques, sideline cheers, chants, jump techniques, motion placements, stunting and tumbling skill building. Each day will also be filled with fun games, engaging activities, snack and drink. Each athlete will receive an exclusive Lil’ Aggies t-shirt. A parent pep rally will be held on the final day at 11 am.
Dress up days will be as follows:
Monday – Villains vs. Superheroes
Tuesday – Safari
Wednesday – Aggie Spirit Day
For a printable registration form and more information, click here.
Pictured: The 2025 Lil Aggies Summer Cheer Camp. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
