New Urgent Care Center Coming To Atmore
December 12, 2020
A new urgent care center clinic will be built on Highway 21 at I-65 in Atmore.
The Escambia County Healthcare Authority and Atmore Community Hospital announced that construction on the new clinic will begin in the first quarter of 2021, and it is expected to open in the fourth quarter of 2021.
“We have spent a great deal of time researching the most successful urgent care and healthcare models across the country, working with our community leaders and developing a plan of action to build the clinic,” said Debbie Rowell, ECHCA board chairwoman.
Care at the new urgent care clinic will feature a lab, X-ray equipment, a pharmacy and wellness care.
The health care authority said the facility will allow increased access care for residents of Atmore and surrounding areas.
Escambia Family Cares Grant Program Closes; About 1,400 Waiting For Checks
December 11, 2020
The Escambia County Family CARES Grant program application and verification process has officially closed, but not all of the approved applicants have a check in hand just yet.
In its four-day application window that began September 25, the county received a higher than anticipated volume of applications with 9,558 households submitting information. The county approved 5,500 of those applicants for the $3,000 grants.
As of Thursday, the Escambia County Clerk and Comptroller’s Office had released over 4,100 of the 5,500 payments. The remainder of the checks will be disbursed by the end of the year.
Applicants may check their the application portal to find their status:
- If the status is listed as “complete,” the application has been summited to the Clerk and Comptroller’s office for final review and payment.
- If the status is listed as “application under review,” and additional federal funding is allocated in the future then these will be reviewed.
- An application listed as “denied” will not receive the grant due to eligibility requirements.
The county has a list of all Family CARES Grant payments made on its website. If checks were returned to the county due to an insufficient address or unable to forward, the county is no longer able to provide further assistance. Residents should allow time for the check to be processed and mailed.
“We are pleased to be completed with the certification process for this grant, which is so helpful to the citizens of our county,” said Clara Long, director of Neighborhood and Human Services Department. “At this time, we’ve approved 5,500 grants, and we have officially closed the application and approval process for the Family CARES Grant Program. Our staff took the time to work with residents who needed assistance in completing the application correctly, and due to federal funding deadlines, we are no longer accepting additional information.”
The Escambia County Family CARES Grant program is part of a larger federally funded stimulus package. In total, there is a $57.3 million allocation for Escambia County, which is required to be spent by the December 30. 2020 deadline.
“Our staff has been working hard to ensure that this money gets in the hands of our citizens quickly, but we also worked diligently to make sure that only the individuals who qualified were on the receiving end of this allocation,” Long added.
Flomaton Police Officer Accused Of Trafficking Meth In Florida Now Charged In Alabama
December 11, 2020
The Flomaton Police Department lieutenant accused of trafficking methamphetamine in Florida is now facing an additional felony charge in Alabama.
On Monday, the Escambia County (FL) Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit, SWAT team and Patrol Division arrested 36-year old Isaac R. Lopez on charges of trafficking methamphetamine and using a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony.
Lopez arranged a narcotics deal for methamphetamine from an Escambia County (FL) Sheriff’s Office investigator by phone and text messages, according to an arrest report. The report states he arrived a predetermined location in Molino and accepted the two ounces of methamphetamine from the undercover officer.
The cellphone used by Lopez to arrange the meth deal belonged to the Town of Flomaton, according to Escambia County (AL) Sheriff Health Jackson. As a result, Lopez was booked into the Escambia County Detention Center in Brewton for felony use of official position or office for personal gain.
“He used his city cell phone to orchestrate it,” Jackson said. “We believe he was going to come back to Alabama and distribute the meth on this end.”
Lopez has been terminated from the Flomaton Police Department.
For more details on Monday’s arrest, click here.
Editor’s note: The “Inmate” label on Lopez’s mugshot was automatically added by the Escambia County (AL) Detention Center.
Escambia County’s First School Resource Officer Retires From ECSO
December 11, 2020
The first school resource officer in Escambia County has retired.
Commander Dale Tharp retired from the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office after 39 years. On Thursday, family members and friends honored him for his nearly four decades of service.
Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Woman On Moped Struck By Vehicle In Cantonment
December 11, 2020
A woman on a moped was struck by a vehicle in Cantonment.
The woman was riding her moped on Lakeview Avenue when she reportedly collided with a vehicle that was turning into a driveway about 4:40 p.m. Thursday. She was transported to a local hospital for treatment of her injuries.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating and has not released further details.
Gulf Power Foundation Awards $41,000 To Local Organizatons
December 11, 2020
The Gulf Power Foundation awarded more than $41,000 to local charitable or nonprofit organizations during the third quarter of 2020 to support communities throughout Northwest Florida.
“Gulf Power’s mission has always been to support our communities where we live and work, and our quarterly grants through the Gulf Power Foundation help build strong and sustainable communities,” said Sandy Sims, executive director for the Gulf Power Foundation. “The Foundation’s goal is to improve the lives of Northwest Florida residents, and during difficult and uncertain times like we currently face, we are honored to be able to give back to others through these grants.”
Third quarter grant recipients for the region are:
- Audubon Society (Pensacola and Bay County chapters) – Plants for Birds: $5,000
- Autism Pensacola: $5,000
- Capstone Adaptive Learning and Therapy Centers: $5,384
- Children in Crisis: $5,000
- Escambia County 4-H Foundation: $4,000
- Pensacola United Methodist Community Services: $4,836
- Mercy Chefs: $6,853
- Pensacola Promise: $5,000
These grants are in addition to $100,000 contributed in October to help those affected by Hurricane Sally; that grant went to four local charitable and nonprofit organizations in Northwest Florida helping communities recover. The money will help to continue to provide services to the hardest-hit areas in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
The Gulf Power Foundation has operated for 30 years as an independent 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, partnering and investing in communities throughout Northwest Florida.
Semi Reportedly Crashes Into Vehicles At Highway 29, Highway 97 In Molino
December 10, 2020
There were no injuries reported in a three vehicle crash Thursday morning on Highway 29 at Highway 97 in Molino.
Witnesses said a semi-truck collided with two vehicles that were stopped at the traffic light.
The Molino and Cantonment stations of Escambia Fire Rescue and Escambia County EMS responded. The crash is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Educational Born Learning Trail Installation Underway In Century
December 10, 2020
The installation of a Born Learning Trail is underway at Showalter Park in Century and is expected to be completed next week.
The Born Learning Trail, a United Way Worldwide initiative since 2005, is a series of 10 signs with activities painted on a park trail that offer fun, interactive learning activities for young children and their families. It helps parents, caregivers, and communities create quality engagement opportunities when out on a stroll or while playing at a park.
The signs are now in place in Century, and volunteers will return next week to paint the corresponding activities on the walkway.
The Born Learning Trail in Century is the second of five that will be in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. The first opened in Jay during the summer, and three more will be announced.
The Century Born Learning Trail is a partnership between the Early Learning Coalition of Escambia County, International Paper, the Town of Century, and United Way of West Florida
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Rolling Roadblocks This Weekend On I-10, Highway 29 For Plant Crist Natural Gas Conversion Prep
December 10, 2020
Rolling roadblocks are planned for Saturday and Sunday on I-10 and Highway 29 as Gulf Power readies for the conversion of Plant Crist to natural gas by pulling transmission wire across I-10 both days.
Gulf Power will be pulling transmission wire across I-10 both days.
The operation will occur on I-10 between the I-110 interchange and the Pine Forest Road exit. Local law enforcement will be leading the rolling road blocks, which will be conducted on I-10, I-110 and Highway 29.
Gulf Power received permission to conduct the wire pull project from the Florida Department of Transportation. The rolling roadblocks will start around 6:30 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 12 and will occur several times until noon or early afternoon. More are scheduled early Sunday morning. Between each operation, traffic will be allowed to resume normal flow.
“Completing this transmission line wire pull is another step in the process of providing cleaner energy and greater reliability to our customers as we work to modernize Plant Crist. We are performing this work on a weekend to avoid as much disruption to vehicle flow as possible,” said Mike Spoor, vice president of power delivery for Gulf Power. “We apologize in advance for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate travelers’ patience.”
The new transmission wire conductor is required to handle the increased capacity that is part of the Plant Crist modernization project; once complete, the increased capacity will deliver greater reliability to all customers. Gulf Power is converting Plant Crist to run 100% on natural gas.
The project previously included the installation of a natural gas pipeline from near Century through Molino and Cantonment to Plant Crist.
ECAT Requiring Masks Later This Month, Charging Regular Fares In January
December 10, 2020
Escambia County Area Transit (ECAT) will require face masks later this month and will return to charging regular fares in January.
Regular fares have been suspended since March 23 but will be reinstated on Monday, January 25.
Free face masks have been provided to ECAT riders since June 1 and will continue to be available. Face masks will be required on ECAT busses beginning Monday, December 21. If a passenger meets one of the Florida Department of Health requirements that prevents mask wearing, the passenger can notify the bus operator. Social distancing will still be encouraged on all ECAT vehicles.