Sacred Heart Closes Drive-Thru COVID-19 Testing After Fewer Cases Result In Reduced Demand
April 1, 2021
Ascension Medical Group Sacred Heart has closed its drive-through COVID-19 testing centers due to decreased demand for testing and lower rates of COVID-19 in the community.
Ascension Sacred Heart will continue to provide COVID-19 testing at its Urgent Care Centers in Pensacola and Pace, while shifting some of its mobile testing site staff to join Ascension Sacred Heart’s expanded COVID-19 vaccination centers in Pensacola and Milton.
“While the demand for testing has been dropping as cases of COVID-19 have decreased in our area, we have a greater need to dedicate more resources right now to our vaccination sites,” said Justin Labrato, chief operating officer of Ascension Medical Group Sacred Heart. “So we are closing our mobile testing operations at the Milton Community Center, Tiger Point Community Center and drive-through center off Bayou Boulevard in Pensacola. We will relocate our COVID testing services to our Urgent Care Centers in Pensacola and Pace.”
The Urgent Care Center on Highway 29 in Pensacola and the Urgent Care Center on Highway 90 in Pace are open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (The Urgent Care Centers will reduce their hours on Easter Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.)
Labrato said Ascension Sacred Heart will be ready to ramp up drive-through testing again if there is another large spike of the coronavirus in the community. The healthcare system was one of the first in Florida to open a drive-through testing center when the first cases of COVID-19 arrived in the area in March 2020. Since then, Ascension Sacred Heart has conducted nasal swab tests on more than 75,500 people, with more than 12,000 of those confirmed to have the virus.
At the peak of the COVID-19 surge in Pensacola in December and January, Ascension Sacred Heart’s three drive-through centers in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties were testing 400-500 people each day. In the past two weeks, that number has dropped to about 100 per day.
“With the expansion of vaccinations to anyone in Florida over the age of 18 starting on April 5, we felt we had to focus our staffing resources where they are needed most — and that is our vaccination centers,” Labrato said.
In Pensacola, Ascension Sacred Heart will hold vaccination clinics for Florida residents 18 and older at Olive Baptist Church on April 5, April 8, April 10, April 16, April 17, and April 19.
ECSO Presents Service Awards To Deputies, Other Employees
April 1, 2021
Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons and Chief Tommi Lyter presented awards to the following Escambia County Sheriff’s Office employees and deputies recently:
Marcus Faulkner was awarded the Civilian Service Medal for meeting the challenges COVID-19 and Hurricane Sally presented during the year 2020. Faulkner was also the recipient of the Law Enforcement Employee of the Quarter.
Crime Scene Supervisor Lacey Oden was awarded the Achievement Medal for receiving a Master of Science degree in Forensic Science from Oklahoma State University.
Sergeant Vincent Odenbrett was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal and Cole Chancellor was awarded the Civilian Service Medal for exceptional professionalism and meeting the complex task of keeping the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office in compliance and accredited.
Master Deputy Michael Moulton and Deputy 1st Class Thomas Garrett were awarded the Life Saving Medal for saving the life of Ronnie Golloher, who was in cardiac arrest during Hurricane Sally.
Senior Deputy Samuel Shelley and Deputy 1st Class Jeremiah Meeks were awarded the Legion of Merit Medal for being recognized every year (2016 – 2020) by MADD for outstanding achievement in relation to DUI arrests. Shelley was also the recipient of the Achievement Medal for becoming a Certified Drug Recognition Expert.
The Medal of Courage was presented to Master Deputy Matt Watkins, Deputy Trenton Hershberger, and Deputy Daniel Weller, who were engaged in a lengthy exchange of gunfire with a violent suspect who was wanted for aggravated assault and battery on a law enforcement officer. Watkins, Hershberger, and Weller showed extreme bravery in the face of danger by staying in the gunfight and assisting with apprehending the armed and dangerous suspect.
The Medal of Valor was presented to Senior Deputy Douglas Shoemaker. Shoemaker was also the recipient of the Purple Heart and Law Enforcement Officer of the Quarter. Senior Deputy Douglas Shoemaker responded to a suicidal threats call, and upon his arrival, he was met with open gunfire. Shoemaker was struck several times, and despite being wounded, Shoemaker was able to maintain his composure while returning fire.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia County COVID-19 Hospitalizations Remain At Lowest Level In Nine Months
April 1, 2021
The number of Escambia County COVID-19 daily hospitalizations is remaining at or near the lowest levels since last June.
The number of people hospitalized due to the virus on Wednesday was 23, after a low of 22 in recent days. In mid-January, the number reached a high of 291.
“We continue to be in the 20s range for COVID-19 hospitalizations between the three local hospital systems. We are glad to see these numbers coming down for our community and for our hospitals,” Pensacola Mayor Grover Robinson said. “Please continue to take preventive actions, including wearing a mask, washing your hands often, and staying home if you are sick.”
The numbers in the graph indicate daily hospitalizations in Escambia County and are provided daily by Ascension Sacred Heart Hospital, Baptist Hospital and West Florida Hospital. The daily numbers are not cumulative.
Data sources: Escambia County, City of Pensacola, Ascension Sacred Heart, Baptist and West Florida hospitals. Graphics: City of Pensacola, Escambia County.
Oklahoma Police Detective Guilty Of Murdering His Chief At Pensacola Beach Hotel
April 1, 2021
A former small town Oklahoma police detective has been convicted in Escambia County of killing his police chief during a law enforcement conference on Pensacola Beach in 2019.
Michael Patrick Nealey, 50, was found guilty of second degree murder for the death of Mannford Police Chief Lucky Miller.
It took a jury about two hours Wednesday to return the guilty verdict. Nealey will be sentenced on April 29.
Prosecutors said the murder was the result of an alcohol-fueled night. Prosecutors say the medical examiner determined Miller was beaten and strangled or suffocated to death.
Images courtesy WEAR 3 for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
15-Year Old Teen Seriously Injured In Hit And Run On Ten Mile Road; FHP Searching For Driver
March 31, 2021
The Florida Highway Patrol is searching for a hit and run driver that struck a 15-year old early Wednesday morning on Ten Mile Road.
The teen was walking west in the travel lane of of 10 Mile Road toward Chemstrand Road about 12:30 a.m as a vehicle was also traveling west.
The driver of the vehicle, described as possibly being a small dark-colored sedan, slammed on brakes and attempted to swerve to avoid the pedestrian, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The car hit the boy, throwing him to the right side of the vehicle and onto the roadway.
The driver failed to stop and was last seen traveling west towards Chemstrand Road. The car will have damage on the front bumper and hood, near the passenger side headlight.
The teen was transported to a local hospital with serious injuries.
Anyone with information is asked to contact FHP Trooper Knowles at *FHP from a cell phone or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
File photo.
Questions Raised About Residency Of ECUA District 5 Board Member Kevin Stephens
March 31, 2021
Questions have been raised about the residency of Emerald Coast Utilities Authority board member Kevin Stephens after recent comments he made at a Pensacola City Council meeting and a check of property records. But Stephens says he is, and remains, a longtime resident of Barth, a small community in the Molino area.
The political newcomer was elected to ECUA last year as the representative for District 5, an area essentially from Nine Mile Road north in Escambia County.
Last week, Stephens stepped to the microphone at Pensacola council meeting and made statements that some interpreted as indicating that he actually lives in the city.
“Good evening, my name is Kevin Stephens, 607 Crown Cove,” he said. He also identified himself as vice president of the homeowners association for the Crown Cove subdivision. Crown Cove is in Pensacola very near Veterans Memorial Park on Bayfront Parkway. The U.S. Navy veteran addressed the council in favor of the installation of bathrooms at the park.
“My 10-year old son and I jog down there frequently, three days a week when here ” Stephens told the council.
Speaking at the reopening of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Molino Precinct in February, Stephens referred to his neighbors in the area and driving by the precinct daily on his way home.
“From District 5 to my neighbors here in Molino and Barth, I can’t be more excited about having this substation opened up. I pass it to and from home each day and look at it,” he told a large crowd in Molino.
Public records show Stephens and his wife have claimed a homestead exemption on their Crown Cove property for the past two years. He said that a homestead exemption does not indicate residency.
“I have lived in Molino for over 16 years,” Stephens told NorthEscambia.com late Tuesday afternoon. “I live in District 5 and represent the people of District 5.”
Tuesday, Escambia County Supervisor of Elections David Stafford agreed. He said that the residency requirement for the ECUA board is the same as defined by law for the Escambia County Commission.
“They must be a resident of the district on the day of election by statute,” Stafford said. Florida residency is defined as where a person spends most of their time and is not defined by homestead exemptions.
Stephens explained that he and his wife do spend time at their Crown Cove home in Pensacola, and that time increased right after Hurricane Sally which downed trees and caused significant damage their Barth Road home.
“We do still live in Molino. In fact we’ll be celebrating Easter their this weekend. Anyone that doubts we live there can stop by and hunt Easter eggs with us,” he said.
Pictured top: ECUA District 5 board member Kevin Stephens speaks about his neighbors during the reopening of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Molino Precinct. Picture below: Stephens, far right, looks on as the ribbon is cut on the precinct. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia Man Had Over 100 Images Showing Child Sex Abuse, ECSO Says
March 31, 2021
An Escambia County man was charged after investigators found over 100 images depicting child sexual abuse in his possession, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
On Tuesday a search warrant was executed in the 8500 block of Alvarado Calzada off Gulf Beach Highway by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Special Victims Unit and SWAT team, along with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and Homeland Security Investigations. The search warrant revealed that the target of the investigation, Andrew Alexander Thompson, was in possession of image files on his electronic devices which depicted over 100 children being sexually abused, the ECSO said in a statement.
The victims were between the ages of 2 and 12, according to an arrest report.
ECSO lead investigator Jeremy Horn arrested Thompson on 20 counts of possession of child sexual abuse material.
He was booked into the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $300,000.
Your Local Pizza Hut Has A New Owner In Massive Franchise Deal
March 31, 2021
Your local Pizza Hut has a new owner.
Flynn Restaurant Group has acquired 937 Pizza Hut locations across the United States from NPC International. NPC declared bankruptcy in 2020.
The deal includes the Pizza Hut restaurants in Cantonment, Pensacola, Milton, Pace, Atmore, Flomaton and Brewton, a Flynn Restaurant Group spokesperson told NorthEscambia.com.
Flynn, which describes itself as the largest restaurant franchise operator in the country, including Applebee’s, Panera Bread, Taco Bell and Arby’s. With the purchase, Flynn will nearly double its restaurant count as a result of this acquisition, now owning and operating a combined total of 2,355 quick-service, fast casual and casual dining restaurants, generating $3.5 billion in sales and employing 73,000 people in 44 states.
Pictured: The Pizza Hut location in Cantonment. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Tate Splits Games With Pine Forest
March 31, 2021
Pine Forest 3, Tate 1
The Pine Forest Eagles topped the Tate Aggies Tuesday night 3-1.
Tanner Rouchon allowed two hits and one run in two innings for the Aggies. Tucker Griffin pitched one inning, allowing one hit and sitting down one.. Ethan McAnally allowed two runs on one hit striking out one; and Jackson Penton pitched two innings, allowing two hits and striking out one.
Drew Reaves was 2-4 for Tate. Jadon Fryman was 1-3 with a run; Penton went 1-1 with a RBI.
Tate 4, Pine Forest 1 (JV)
The Tate High School junior varsity defeated Pine Forest 4-1 Tuesday.
Caleb Murph started on the mound for Tate, going three innings while allowing no hits, no runs and striking out four. Saxon Hill pitched two and a third innings allowing one hit, one run and striking out five.
Hill led Tate at bat, going 3-4 with two RBIs. Javin Floyd, Colton Swiers, Allan Beasley, Michael Sardar and Jamil Sarder each added a hit.
Pictured: Tate High School’s junior varsity defeated Pine Forest 4-1 Tuesday. Photos by Laura Glodfelter for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate Aggies Girls Continue Winning Streak With Defeat Of Washington
March 31, 2021
The Tate High School Aggies girls tennis team continued their winning streak Tuesday with a 4-3 win over Washington.
Ana Sanchez Morales and Kingsley Cline maintain their momentum at the #1 doubles with a 9-7 victory and the #2 doubles of Gwen Ward and Kayley Foshee securing the overall with their 8-5 win.
Next up, the Aggies will be at Milton on Thursday.
File photo.