Escambia CARES Funding To Support COVID-19 Testing For Symptomatic Residents
October 3, 2020
Beginning Monday, October 5, Escambia County CARES Act funds will be used by Community Health Northwest Florida and Ascension Sacred Heart to offer rapid COVID-19 testing to Escambia County residents with symptoms.
In late August, the County Commission approved allocating CARES funding to create a rapid testing partnership that would allow for tests to be administered by Ascension Sacred Heart and Community Health Northwest Florida. CARES funds will support the purchase of Abbott ID NOW Rapid COVID-19 test kits and human resources to offer rapid testing five days per week at drive-through locations in Escambia County.
The Abbott test is a molecular nasal swab that detects COVID-19 in 15 minutes or less. It is a widely used point-of-care test to allow quick diagnosis so that new COVID-19 cases can be quickly identified and isolated to slow the spread of the disease.
Initially, rapid COVID-19 testing will be available by appointment only to Escambia County residents who are experiencing active COVID-19 symptoms. All patients are required to be pre-screened by calling the Ascension Sacred Heart COVID-19 Call Center at 850-746-2684. A phone pre-screen is required to obtain access to rapid testing at the drive-through test center. Call Center personnel will schedule appointments at the most convenient testing site for the patient.
Rapid COVID-19 testing is open to Escambia County residents who meet the pre-screening criteria, both adults and children three months of age and older. Testing is provided at no cost to patients.
“On behalf of the Escambia County Board of County Commissioners, we are extremely pleased to announce rapid COVID-19 testing for residents,” said Chairman and District 5 County Commissioner Steven Barry. “The board approved CARES Act funding in the amount of $1.25 million for our partnership with Ascension Sacred Heart and Community Health Northwest Florida to make this important resource available for residents to receive COVID-19 test results quickly. We hope this will assist in slowing community spread of COVID-19, and we would like to remind residents to continue to Mask Up, Escambia.”
Tate Aggies Beat PHS 13-6 (With Photo Gallery)
October 3, 2020
The Tate High School Aggies beat the Pensacola High School Tigers 13-6 Friday night at PHS.
Pensacola High quarter Nate Simmons picked up a 43-yard run before going in from a yard out to put the Tigers up 6-0.
Calen Arnevik hit a couple of a field goals for the Aggies, from 34 and 36 yards.
The Aggies took the lead on a touchdown from junior Warren Henke from a couple of yards out for a 13-6 Tate advantage.
In the final minute, a PHS Simmons pass into the endzone was broken up by Henke to seal the win for the Aggies.
The Tate Aggies (1-1) will host the Pace Patriots (0-2) next Friday night at Pete Gindl Stadium.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Jennifer Repine, click to enlarge.
Escambia Academy Takes Battle On The Line 27-22 Over Northview (With Photo Gallery)
October 3, 2020
The Escambia County Cougars defeated the Northview Chiefs 27-22 Friday night in Canoe, Alabama.
The two schools are just a few miles apart, separated by the Alabama-Florida state line. They’ve met twice before in the Battle on The Line. In 2016 Northview beat EA 21-14 in Bratt. Then in 2017, Escambia Academy again traveled to Northview and went home with a 41-14 win.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Friday night, the Cougars jumped out to an early 7-0 lead on a quarterback keeper by Landon Sim with 6:25 left in the first, a lead they held all the way through halftime.
Thee Chiefs answered in the second half with a 64-yard pass from Northview QB Kaden Odom to Logan Bryan. The extra point was no good. Minutes later Odom found Jayden Jackson for an 81-yard touchdown. With a good 2-point conversion, the Chiefs were back on top in Canoe, 14-7.
Jackson’s second touchdown of the night was a 51-yard run early in the fourth.
EA’s Bubba Nettles and Sims had two touchdown each.
The Chiefs had the ball in the final minute of the fourth when Malik Haynes sealed the win for the Cougars when he picked off a pass from Odom with 40 seconds on the clock.
Northview (1-1) will be on the road at Walton next week, while Escambia Academy (5-1) will be at home against Autauga Academy.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Man Killed In Santa Rosa Crash
October 3, 2020
An Escambia County man was killed in a Santa Rosa County wreck on Thursday.
The Florida Highway Patrol said a 68-year old Pensacola man driving a pickup truck with a utility trailer ran a red light at Highway 87 and Hickory Hammock Road near Milton. He collided with a silver GMC pickup truck. The driver , a 57-year old man from Pensacola, was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.
The 68 year old man and his passenger were not injured.
The Florida Highway Patrol no longer releases the names of individuals involved in traffic crashes.
Friday Night Football Finals
October 3, 2020
Here are North Escambia area high school football scores:
FLORIDA
- Tate 13, Pensacola High 6 [Story, photo gallery...]
- Escambia Academy 27, Northview 22 [Story, photo gallery...]
- West Florida 31 Catholic 0
- Escambia 28, Washington 20
- Baker 18, Jay 13
- Milton 28, Pace 0
- Navarre 35, Gulf Breeze 21
- Pine Forest – OPEN
ALABAMA
- Flomaton 35, Bayside Academy 17
- Escambia Academy 27, Northview 22
- T.R. Miller 59, Excel 20
- St. Michael Catholic at W.S. Neal (rescheduled for Oct. 16)
- Vigor 19, Escambia County 0 (Thursday)
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Details: FEMA Individual Assistance In Escambia County
October 2, 2020
Escambia County has received a FEMA Disaster Declaration for Individual Assistance.
This declaration will allow those who have been impacted by Hurricane Sally to apply for the Individuals and Households Program. With this announcement, families impacted by Hurricane Sally now have access to critical FEMA programs, including housing assistance, crisis counseling, disaster unemployment assistance, Small Business Administration (SBA) assistance, disaster legal services and case management.
Related Story: FEMA Individual Assistance Approved For Northwest Florida
When a disaster occurs, this program provides grant money and services to people in the declared area whose property has been damaged or destroyed and whose losses are underinsured or not covered by insurance. To file a claim for assistance, you must first register with FEMA in one of the following ways:
- Call 1-800-621-3362 (TTY# 1-800-462-7585)
- Register online at www.disasterassistance.gov
- Download the FEMA app on your mobile device and register using the app.
Typically potential applicants can begin registering within a few hours after a declaration is issued. FEMA will verify eligibility and need before assistance is offered.
Details on what is covered by Individual Assistance can be found here. It is important to understand that by law, FEMA assistance cannot duplicate the assistance you receive from your insurance company, but you may receive assistance for items not covered by insurance.
FEMA does not offer assistance for your secondary home. Federal guidelines only allow FEMA to provide housing assistance when your primary residence is impacted by a presidentially-declared disaster.
If you received a letter from FEMA that says you’re ineligible for assistance, that’s not the last word. Providing more information may change FEMA’s decision. Read quick facts about why FEMA may have found you ineligible here.
FEMA Individual Assistance Approved For Northwest Florida
October 2, 2020
FEMA Individual assistance has been approved for Hurricane Sally victims in Florida.
Public assistance had already been approved from the two counties for government infrastructure, including direct federal assistance, for emergency work and the repair or replacement of disaster-damaged facilities.
Individual assistance from FEMA helps people, providing federal funds for home repairs, temporary housing, and additional programs for individuals and businesses.
Rep. Matt Gaetz said much of the delay in approving the individual assistance was because so much of the damage from Hurricane Sally was flooding that was not immediately apparent to federal officials that toured the area.
“Flooding events are different that windstorms,” Gaetz told NorthEscambia.com. “In windstorms it is easy to get a fast declaration for individual assistance when you look from the sky and road. But after a flooding event, it can look pretty normal, but you have to get inside and see the damage.”
Gaetz said he was notified Friday morning that the individual assistance has been approved for Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa and Walton counties.
Escambia County launched a public push on NorthEscambia.com asking individuals to submit their damage photographs and damage stories that were passed on to federal officials. That allowed those officials to get a much closer look at the damage, including flooding damage inside homes.
“We are absolutely thrilled FEMA individual assistance will be available for Escambia County residents,” Escambia County Commission Chairman Steven Barry said. “This gives our residents who are hurting the opportunity to apply for much needed assistance after Hurricane Sally devastated so many homes in Escambia County. I hope this assistance provides some degree of stress relief for those who are in need. On behalf of the Escambia County Board of County Commissioners, I would like to thank President Trump, Representative Matt Gaetz, Gov. Ron DeSantis, as well as every single federal and state partner for working together with us and for advocating on our behalf on the national level to help our community recover post Hurricane Sally.”
For information on the assistance program, click here.
Burn Ban In Effect For Escambia County
October 2, 2020
A burn ban is in effect in Escambia County until further notice.
The burn ban was issued due the fuel load – the sheer amount of storm debris from Hurricane Sally. Additionally, when it’s burned, it can create adverse medical conditions for those with respiratory problems, according to Escambia Fire Rescue.
The following activities are prohibited by the ordinance in both the incorporated and unincorporated areas of the county: the carrying out of open burning including, but not limited to, campfires, bonfires, trash burning and other similar forms of incineration.
The following are exempt from the burn ban: outdoor cooking in barbecue grills, smokers or other outdoor stoves located at private residences and businesses, state permitted burns, fire department training, authorized fireworks displays, and fireworks sales allowed by state law.
Click or tap here to read the entire ordinance.
Cantonment Man Facing Charges After Highway 29 Drug Raid
October 2, 2020
A Cantonment man is facing felony drug and weapons charges after a drug raid at a Highway 29 residence Thursday afternoon.
Ashley Gavin Sticken, 23, was charged with drug trafficking, possession of a controlled substance without a prescription, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit and SWAT team executed a search warrant in the 800 block of South Highway 29, just north of Archer Road. A search of the premises located several types of narcotics and firearms, according to ECSO Maj. Andrew Hobbs. Sticken was taken into custody after the raid.
According to an arrest report, authorities located a 9mm handgun with a loaded magazine, a .45 caliber firearm with ammunition, a ballistic vest, 72.8 grams of marijuana, 27.4 grams of THC wax, 62.9 grams of Xanax pills, digital scales, a quantity of ecstasy pills, 0.3 grams of LSD strips and $580 in cash.
Sticken’s wife told deputies that her husband deals narcotics to friends from the house, selling to them as they drive up outside the home.
Sticken remained in the Escambia County Jail Friday morning with bond set at $117,500.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Both State Sponsored COVID-19 Testing Sites In Escambia County Have Closed Permanently
October 2, 2020
The two state-sponsored COVID-19 testing sites in Escambia County closed permanently at 5 p.m. Friday.
The sites have operated for months at the University of West Florida and in front of the Publix on Ninth Avenue.
The closures came days after Gov. Ron DeSantis moved Florida into Phase 3 of his reopening plan.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.