Escambia County COVID-19 Hospitalizations Set New Record This Week
January 21, 2021
The number of daily local COVID-19 hospitalizations reached new record this week.
There were 284 people hospitalized due to COVID-19 in Escambia County on Monday. The number was 261 on Wednesday.
During a summer surge, local COVID-19 hospitalizations reached a peak of 246 on July 20.
According to Escambia County, there were 19 adult ICU beds available in Escambia County Wednesday night — none at Baptist, five at West Florida and 14 at Sacred Heart.
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 source: Escambia County, City of Pensacola. Graphic: City of Pensacola.
Escambia County Man Arrested On Charges Related To U.S. Capitol Attack
January 20, 2021
An Escambia County man has been arrested for his alleged role in mob attack on the U.S. Capitol.
Jesus D. Rivera, 37, was taken into custody at his residence Wednesday morning for his alleged role in the riot and siege at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, according to the Jacksonville Field Office of the FBI.
Rivera is charged with knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority; knowingly, with intent to impede government business or official functions, engaging in disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds; engaging in disorderly or disruptive conduct on Capitol buildings or grounds; and parading, demonstrating, or picketing in the Capitol buildings.
According to federal court documents, Rivera uploaded to his Facebook account a five minute video showing a crowd of individuals in the U.S. Capitol crypt. Approximately 13 seconds into the video, Rivera changed the direction
of the camera toward the individual recording the video and Rivera’s face is clearly visible. The video ends with the individual recording the footage, Rivera, beginning to climb out of a window.
Rivera uploaded two other videos to Facebook that allegedly show Rivera approaching the U.S. Capitol and then on the U.S. Capitol grounds surrounded by individuals demonstrating or protesting. In the videos, Rivera states, “record numbers here in DC.”. Rivera late states, “hey guys, if you are on here, share this live because I am about to take my ass to the middle of the state Capitol and see what’s going on, where they are trying to jump in.”
Rivera’s Facebook account has since been deleted.
Pictured: Screenshots from Facebook videos that allegedly show suspect Jesus D. Rivera of Pensacola inside the U.S. Capitol and on the Capitol grounds. Pictured inset: Rivera’s driver’s license photo.
500 COVID-19 Vaccine Appointments Made Available ForThursday In Molino
January 20, 2021
UPDATE: All available appointments were taken within minutes of NorthEscambia.com posting this story.
Ascension Medical Group Sacred Heart plans to hold another COVID-19 vaccination clinic on Thursday at the Molino Community Center.
The vaccination team from Ascension Sacred Heart will vaccinate approximately 500 people aged 65 and older.
Vaccinations are by appointment only and walk-up visitors will not be accepted. Vaccinations must be scheduled online by visiting www.getsacredheartcare.com. Appointments were available at the time of publication.
The State of Florida has not received nearly enough vaccine to provide the shots to the 4.5 million residents of the state who are 65 and older. Ascension Sacred Heart has stepped up to support the community, the state, and the Florida Department of Health in distributing vaccines as it becomes available.
Ascension Medical Group has vaccinated more than 8,000 seniors in Northwest Florida. Scheduled appointments have filled very quickly in clinics held so far due to the strong demand for the new vaccines. Additional vaccination clinics will be scheduled by Ascension Medical Group and the Department of Health as more is supplied to the state.
Century Council Can’t Agree To Allow 300 Foot Cell Tower By Showalter Park Or The Library
January 20, 2021
The Century Town Council could not reach a consensus Tuesday night to allow a new 300-foot tall cell tower to be built next to the library or near Showalter Park.
Two parcels owned by the town were under consideration for the tower site:
- A 0.698 acre lot directly south of the Century Branch Library. The tower would be located less than 50 feet from the library property, which is owned by Escambia County.
- A 0.68 acre area located on the northeast corner of the town’s maintenance building property on Alger Road, just across the railroad tracks from the playground at Showalter Park.
“I would not want a tower in my neighborhood,” council member Sandra McMurray Jackson said. “They don’t want it on Alger Road … I’m going to respect those residents.” She said Alger Road residents were concerned about possible ill effects to their health, and she said there would be no changing their minds.
Council President Luis Gomez said he did not think the tower belonged along Highway 29, between the library and a commercial building he owns. He said that while he personally does not want it located on Highway 29, it is important to consider that someone might want to locate a business on the property in the future.
“We need cellphone service in Century,” Gomez said. “No one wants to put a business in Century with the stagnant service we have.”
A motion by council member James Smith to locate the tower at the town’s shop on Alger Road and a motion by Jackson to locate it on Highway 29 both failed to reach a vote due to a lack of seconds.
Diamond Towers had requested a variance to the required 200 foot setback requirement for the tower. At 300 feet, the tower would be about the equivalent of a 30 story building, according to interim City Manager Vernon Prather.
If the council had approved, Diamond Towers would have leased one of the two properties at $1,000 total for one year with an optional extension for one more year at $1,000. Once a tower was constructed, Diamond’s lease would have increased to $1,500 per month for at least five years, with another $500 per month due for additional cellular providers collocated on the tower.
Pictured: This lot next to the Century Branch Library was one of two locations under consideration for a 300-foot tall cell tower. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Announces Top Five Teachers Of The Year
January 20, 2021
The Escambia County School District has named the Top 5 Teachers of the Year.
They are (in alphabetical order):
- Rochelle Carmichael — Workman Middle School
- Stephanie Connors — Washington High School
- Briana McCreary — Montclair Elementary
- Heather McWethy — A.K. Suter Elementary
- Mercedes Musto — Alternative Education
An overall Teacher of the Year will be announced January 29 during the Golden Apple award ceremony.
COVID-19 Vaccinations This Week In Century, Molino And Pensacola For Those Already Registered
January 20, 2021
The Florida Department of Health in Escambia County has announced this week’s COVID-19 vaccine plan for Escambia County.
Vaccines from the state are being distributed through county health departments, which are receive an allocated based upon their county’s percentage of Florida’s over-65 population. Wednesday, FDOH-Escambia received an allocation of 2,500 doses of the COVID-19 Moderna vaccine and is coordinating with community partners on distribution efforts.
In partnership with Ascension Sacred Heart, Baptist Health Care, Community Health Northwest Florida and West Florida Hospital, FDOH-Escambia is distributing vaccine in Century, Molino and Pensacola. FDOH-Escambia’s allocation will be distributed this week as follows:
- Ascension Sacred Heart: 1,050 doses
- Baptist Health Care: 1,000 doses
- Community Health Northwest Florida: 200 doses
- FDOH-Escambia: 250 doses
- West Florida Hospital: Assessing distribution
Most appointments will be scheduled using the information collected from FDOH-Escambia’s COVID-19 online interest form. FDOH-Escambia and partner organizations are in the process of contacting these individuals to schedule appointments.
If a resident completed the online form, FDOH-Escambia or its partners may reach out to them to schedule a COVID-19 vaccine appointment.
The registration form is currently closed. On January 15, FDOH-Escambia announced the temporary cloture of the online interest form as they continue to work through the list of individuals who completed the form.
Residents are asked to not directly contact the providers listed above for an appointment.
‘Carl Madison Field’ — School Board Approves Naming Tate Football Field For Legendary Coach
January 20, 2021
The Escambia County School Board officially voted Tuesday night to name the football field at Tate High School as the “Carl Madison Field” in honor of the legendary coach that led the Aggies to a 1980 state championship and is one of the all-time winningest high school coaches in the nation.
Madison, who celebrated his 90th birthday Saturday, sits at number two on Florida’s all-time football coaching victories list with a 326-129-7 record.
In addition to winning a state title at Tate, he took the Pine Forest Eagles to two state championships in 1987 and 1988. The 1988 Eagle team was named as national champions by USA Today, and Madison earned the title of the National High School Football Coach of the Year. All in all, he coached at five different Florida High Schools including Ernest Ward, plus three out of state schools.
“Coach Carl Madison taught his players about the game of life, how to compete successfully as a team, and ultimately, how to win,” stated a school board resolution approved Tuesday night. “His teams were successful in part because of the vision he cast for his players. The fruits of his labor cannot just be measured in the games won, football championships or the players fortunate to earn scholarships, but in the lives of the players, turned men, he coached over the years; men who have established and grown businesses, led corporations, developed into successful high school and college coaches, schoolteachers & administrators, lawyers, community difference makers, charitable leaders and professionals from all walks of life.”
The name of the of the Tate High School football field as “Carl Madison Field” took effect immediately. The stadium will continue to be known as the Pete Gindl Stadium in honor of the longtime educator who served a total of 24 years on the Escambia County School Board and 18 years in the classroom.
Alabama Murder Suspect Arrested In Escambia County
January 20, 2021
A Montgomery murder suspect was captured in Escambia County on Tuesday.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office with the assistance of U.S. Marshals arrested 27-year old Pierre Tremore Woods on Tuesday. He taken into custody by ECSO Deputy Eric Peck without incident in the 2700 block of Massachusetts Avenue.
Woods is accused of the November 5 murder of 27-year old Joshua Thompson. Thompson was found shot to death near the River Bridge on Highway 31 between Montgomery and Prattville. Alabama authorities said Thompson was killed elsewhere before his body was dumped at the bridge.
Woods remained in the Escambia County Jail Wednesday morning awaiting extradition back to Alabama to face the murder charge.
Gaetz Says He Won’t Run For Rubio’s Senate Seat, But He Might Run For Commissioner Of Agriculture
January 20, 2021
Northwest Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz has put an end to speculation that he might run in 2022 for the seat currently held by Sen. Marco Rubio.
But he’s not ruling out a possible run for a state office with a seat on the Florida Cabinet.
“I have no interest in running against Marco Rubio for the US Senate,” Gaetz tweeted Tuesday afternoon. “In 2022, the only statewide position I would consider running for in the current political climate is Commissioner of Agriculture. But things can change! (Not the Senate thing though).”
Gaetz is now in his third term in the U.S. House. He is known for his staunch support of Donald Trump, appearing at numerous Trump rallies and opening for the president at the Republican National Convention. He’s also known for his frequent appearances on Fox News.
Democrat Nikki Fried is the current Florida agriculture commissioner and as such is the highest elected Democrat in the state.
Gaetz tweeted: “Florida deserves a Commissioner of Agriculture who will print on every weapons license: ‘The Second Amendment of the Bill of Rights authorizes every American to openly bear arms.’ Regardless of party.”
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Baseball Hall Of Famer Don Sutton, Formerly Of Molino, Has Passed Away
January 19, 2021
Hall of Fame pitcher and former Molino resident Don Sutton has died at age 75.
“My dad passed away in his sleep last night,” Don Sutton’s son Daron Sutton said Tuesday afternoon on Twitter. “He worked as hard as anyone I’ve ever known and he treated those he encountered with great respect…and he took me to work a lot. For all these things, I am very grateful. Rest In Peace.”
Sutton attended Tate High School where played basketball, football and led the Aggies baseball teams to two state championship games, one ending with a win. He was the Tate High Class of 1963’s “Most Likely to Succeed”.
During his career as a right-handed pitcher, he won 324 games, including 58 shutouts and earned the seventh place spot on baseball’s all-time strikeout list with 3,574. Sutton played over a decade with the LA Dodgers, and also played for the Houston Astros, Milwaukee Brewers, Oakland A’s and California Angels before returning for one last season with the Dodgers. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1998.
“My mother used to worry about my imaginary friends ‘cause I would be out in the yard playing ball,” Don Sutton said in his Hall of Fame induction speech in 1998. “She worried because she didn’t know a Mickey, or a Whitey, or a Yogi, or a Moose, or an Elston, but I played with them every day.”
Sutton also had a successful broadcasting career, working for major networks including TBS and NBC, along with the Atlanta Braves and Washington Nationals.
The Don Sutton Ballpark in Molino is named in his honor, and a portion of Highway 29 in Molino is known as the Don Sutton Highway. There is also a display devoted to Sutton in the Molino Museum in the Molino Community Complex.
“My heart is broken, hearing of Don Sutton’s passing,” longtime WEAR 3 sportscaster Dan Shugart posted on Titter. “Our first Hall-of-Famer, but so much more. I’ve never met anyone more gracious with his time nor more generous with his praise for that young sportscaster way back when. I have few heroes. I lost one today.”
Sutton was born April 2, 1945, in Clio, Alabama.
Pictured below: The display devoted to Don Sutton in Molino Museum and photos of Don Sutton will his son Daron Sutton. Photos by NorthEscambia.com and others, click to enlarge.
