Sacred Heart To Offer Drive-Thru COVID-19 Testing. But You Must Call For Screening First.
March 16, 2020
Ascension Sacred Heart is offering drive-thru coronavirus (COVID-19) testing in Pensacola to persons that meet certain criteria.
Area residents experiencing fever, cough and symptoms of respiratory illness will have access to screening and – if needed – drive-through testing for COVID-19 on Monday, March 16, thanks to a service launched by Ascension Medical Group.
Nasal swab samples will be collected from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and sent to a state-approved laboratory for analysis.
“We are collaborating closely with the Florida Department of Health in Escambia County to ensure that community members experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 can be tested for the virus, while limiting exposure to keep the health and safety of our patients, associates and visitors as top priority,” said Justin Labrato, chief operating officer of Ascension Medical Group Sacred Heart.
Residents with symptoms of COVID-19 should call their primary care physician and ask to be screened over the phone. The screening involves answering a series of questions about symptoms, travel history and potential contact with COVID-19 patients.
To help prevent the spread of COVID-19, call (850) 746-2684 to be pre-screened over the phone before visiting the drive-through testing site.
Patients who meet the criteria, which is based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, will be directed to Ascension Medical Group’s drive-through testing site, where nurses will collect a nasal swab, with patients staying inside their cars. Patients will be registered and insurance information will be collected for follow-up purposes, but no patients will be turned away and there is no upfront charge for testing. Swab samples are sent to a state lab for processing, which can take up to a week. Then Ascension Medical Group will contact patients with test results. Positive results will be alerted to the Florida Department of Health.
According to the CDC, symptoms of COVID-19 can range from mild to severe and may appear 2-14 days after being exposed to the virus. Symptoms seen with the infection with COVID-19 are not specific, with cold-like symptoms in mild cases. Symptoms could include a fever, along with cough and shortness of breath. If someone is elderly or has other medical conditions, such as heart or lung disease, diabetes or cancer, they may get sicker from the virus and develop pneumonia or other lung problems.
Appeals Court Warns Convicted Cantonment Murderer Pinestraw To Stop Frivolous Filings
March 16, 2020
The Florida First District Court of Appeals is warning a convicted murderer from Cantonment to stop frivolous filings.
In August 2013, 23-year old Dwayne “Money” Pinestraw was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for firing a gun through the window of a Pensacola Village apartment, striking and killing 19-month old Ty’Quarius Moultrie on July 15, 2011.
Pinestraw has filed numerous appeals and motions that have been denied by the court.
On Wednesday, the First District Court of Appeals issued a warning to Pinestraw. “Appellant is warned that any future filings that this Court determines to be frivolous may result in the imposition of sanctions,” the three-judge opinion stated.
He was also warned that further frivolous filings could lead to disciplinary action by the prison system because Florida law provides “that a prisoner who is found by a court to have brought a frivolous or malicious suit, action, claim, proceeding, or appeal is subject to disciplinary procedures pursuant to the rules of the Department of Corrections.”
Two Dead, One Injured In Escambia County Shooting
March 16, 2020
One person was killed and a second injured in a shooting Sunday night in Escambia County, and the suspect is also dead.
The shootings happened after 9 p.m. at the Carriage Hills Apartments on West Michigan Avenue.
The survivor was transported to a local hospital suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. An update on their condition was not available.
The suspect was later found dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Additional information has not been released as the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office investigation continues.
FHP Rescues Man After His Vehicle Is Carjacked; One Charged
March 16, 2020
A 21-year old man was rescued after troopers found him in his carjacked vehicle Saturday night in Escambia County, and the alleged kidnapper was taken into custody.
Charles Lashure, 29, is charged with kidnapping, vehicle theft, fleeing police, battery of an officer, damage of property, driving with a suspended license.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office notified the Florida Highway Patrol that a carjacking and kidnapping had just occurred in the area of South New Warrington Road about 7:30 p.m.
ECSO deputies overserved the 2014 Dodge Dart and initiated a pursuit but lost contact with the vehicle in the area of Jackson Street and 57th Avenue. Witnesses later reported to the FHP that a vehicle was seen traveling at a high rate of speed with no lights on Admiral Doyle Drive. Troopers arrived in the area and located the vehicle in a driveway at 5950 Admiral Doyle Drive.
The FHP said Lashure was behind the wheel and attempted to leave the driveway before he was taken into custody by troopers. He was booked into the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $116,000.
The case remains under investigation.
Gas Prices Drop Below $2 A Gallon In Florida
March 16, 2020
Florida drivers are beginning to find gas prices below $2 a gallon in many markets, including Pensacola. According to AAA, 11% percent of Florida filling stations have sub-$2 gasoline. That number is expected to rise in the coming days.
“Low pump prices are likely to get even lower this week,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “The combination of the coronavirus and the ongoing price war between Saudi Arabia and Russia are contributing to some of the lowest futures prices since the Great Recession. Oil prices plunged early last week after Saudi Arabia pledged to flood the market with oil. As oil prices bottomed at around $33, gasoline futures continued to fall throughout the week. The effects of the coronavirus snowballed. Cancelled flights and large events, school closures, and companies asking employees to work from home lead to less fuel demand.”
Florida gas prices dropped an average of 22 cents in the past 18 days. The state average of $2.17 per gallon is 11 cents less than a week ago, 44 cents less than this time last year, and 39 cents less than the highest price so far this year.
The average cost per gallon in Escambia County Sunday night was $2.13, down from $2.30 a month ago. In North Escambia, the lowest price was in Cantonment at $2.05 Sunday night. Multiple stations in Pensacola were below $2 Sunday night, including one at $1.94.
“Although the average price for gasoline in Florida is $2.17, many drivers are paying much less,” Jenkins continued. “More drops are coming this week. Retail prices are still catching up to big drops in wholesale and gasoline futures prices. Unless those prices suddenly bounce back, it’s likely that the state average will soon dip below $2 a gallon.”
NorthEscambia.com photo.
Escambia (AL) Jail And Sheriff’s Office Lobbies Closed Due To Coronavirus Threat
March 16, 2020
The Escambia County (AL) jail and sheriff’s office lobby have been closed to the public due to the coronavirus.
The Escambia County Detention Center in Brewton is closed to all public access.
“The lobby will not be open for any reason,” a statement late Sunday night said, noting that funds can be added online to inmate photo accounts.
The lobby of the adjacent Escambia County (AL) Sheriff’s Office is now also closed. For assistance, call (251) 809-0741 or 911 for emergencies.
There are no known COVID-19 cases so far in Escambia County, Alabama.
NorthEscambia.com photo.
Some Florida Driver’s License Expirations Extended Due To COVID-19; Escambia Tax Collector Open
March 16, 2020
If your Florida driver’s lcense or identification card is set to expire between March 16 to April 15, 2020, the expiration date has been automatically extended by 30 days, according to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. Tax Collector Offices in Escambia County are currently set to remain open this week. Tax Collector Scott Lunsford told NorthEscambia.com Sunday night that he is urging citizens to take advantage of online services at escambiataxcollector.com, including driver’s license and ID renewals, registration renewals and property tax payments with no need to visit an office in-person.
Alabama Suspends In-Person Court Proceedings, Jury Duty For 30 Days
March 15, 2020
The Alabama Supreme Court has suspended in-person court proceedings for the next 30 days, which also means the cancellation of jury duty.
A message from Escambia County (AL) Presiding Judge Dave Jordan:
Late on Friday, March 13, 2020, the Supreme Court of Alabama issued its Administrative Order Suspending All In-Person Court Proceedings for the Next Thirty Days. That Order is effective March 16, 2020 and extends through April 16, 2020. This Order includes all Circuit, District (including Small Claims), Municipal, Probate and Juvenile Courts in the State of Alabama.
All persons in Escambia County, AL who received a juror summons for Monday March 16th, 2020 should NOT report to court. If you have questions about your jury service please call Linda Young, Jury Coordinator, at the number listed on your juror summons.
Parties with questions about their case(s) should contact their attorney or the Circuit Clerk’s Office.
Individuals who were served with a witness subpoena for any case set In Escambia County for court from March 16th through April 16th, 2020 and who have questions should contact the attorney who requested that subpoena or the Circuit Clerk’s Office.
The Supreme Court did NOT close the courts, and the Escambia County, AL Courthouse is NOT closed by this Order. The offices of both Circuit Judges, District Judge, Probate Judge, District Attorney and Circuit Clerk shall remain open pending any future decisions.
Any questions concerning municipal court cases should be directed to that court.
Questions about county offices should be directed to those offices or the Escambia AL County Commission. This action by the Supreme Court does NOT affect county offices.
The courts of Alabama and specifically those in Escambia County remain open, court proceedings only are affected.
These Aren’t Just Your Grandma’s Old Quilts. Check Out This Local Quilt Show In Photos.
March 15, 2020
The Pensacola Quilters’ Guild held their biannual show and sale Friday and Saturday at the Pensacola Fairgrounds.
Over 150 quilters took part in the 2020 Quilt Show “Portal to the Future” with over 200 quilts made by members over the last two years on display.
The show included traditional handcrafted quilts, art and modern quilts with intricate computerized designs. Organizers said the show covered the spectrum of quilting today and showed just how far quilting has advanced into a textile art form.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Florida Announces New COVID-19 Cases; All Nursing Home Visitations Banned For 30 Days
March 15, 2020
Florida now has 100 confirmed cases of coronavirus (COVID-19), the Florida Department of Health said during early morning hours Sunday.
There were no new cases announced recently in the immediate Florida Panhandle. There is a previously announced case in Okaloosa County, and a Santa Rosa County man previously died at Baptist Hospital in Pensacola from COVID-19.
On Saturday, Gov. Ron DeSantis confirmed the death of a 77-year old male in Lee County who had previously tested positive for COVID-19, and a Florida resident died in California.
DeSantis on Saturday also issued an order banning visits to nursing homes in the state for the next 30 days. The emergency order to nursing homes, assisted living facilities, adult family-care homes, long-term care facilities and adult group homes. He said there may be exemptions in what he described as “compassionate” cases.