Christmas Night House Fire Is Sixth ‘Red Bulb’ Of December
December 26, 2018
A house fire Christmas night in the 900 block of Rentz Avenue in Warrington represents the sixth red bulb on the “Keep the Wreath Green” fire safety wreath. Escambia County Emergency Communications received a call at 11:34 p.m. reporting the residential structure fire.
Crews arrived on scene at 11:43 p.m. to find light smoke coming from the residence, with a report of an occupant still inside. Firefighters were able to locate the adult male occupant, who was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital in trauma alert condition. The fire was called under control at 11:59 p.m., with major damage throughout the home. Smoke alarms were present in the residence, but it is unknown if they alerted the occupant. The state fire marshal is investigating the cause of the fire. Navy Fire Department also responded.
The “Keep the Wreath Green” fire safety campaign is a Escambia County collaborative initiative with the city of Pensacola to promote fire safety during the month of December. During the month-long campaign, five-foot wreaths are on display at 18 county fire stations and five city fire stations, with wreaths also placed outside Escambia County’s Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building downtown, the Escambia County Public Safety Building, Pensacola City Hall and Cordova Mall near the food court entrance. Each time firefighters respond to a residential fire with damage, a green light bulb will be replaced with a red one to remind citizens of the dangers posed by fires in residential home.
If your home doesn’t have a working smoke detector, please call Escambia County Fire Rescue at 850-595-HERO (4376) or 850-436-5200 for city of Pensacola residents.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Late Night Burglary At Century Gas Station Under Investigation
December 26, 2018
A late night Christmas burglary at a Century gas station is under investigation.
Someone smashed a window at the Marathon gas station at North Century Boulevard and East Highway 4 about 11:30 p.m. A Whataburger patron saw someone smash glass on the business and run away with merchandise, according to Amber Southard, spokesperson for the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
A search by deputies and a K-9 unit turned up empty.
The suspect was described as wearing a gray hoodie with gray sweatpants.
Anyone with information on the burglary is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP or the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620.
NorthEscambia.com photo.
One Seriously Injured In Highway 97 Christmas Night Crash
December 26, 2018
One person was seriously injured in a single vehicle crash Christmas night on Highway 97 about halfway between Molino and Walnut Hill.
The driver of a pickup truck left the roadway and struck a tree about 10:45 p.m. one mile north of Hendricks Lane. The driver was airlifted by LifeFlight helicopter to an area hospital.
The wreck is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.
The Molino, Walnut Hill and McDavid stations of Escambia Fire Rescue, Escambia County EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Waterfront Rescue Mission Serves Christmas Lunch To Hundreds
December 26, 2018
The Waterfront Rescue served hundreds of people during their 70th annual Christmas luncheon.
There were 300 people served on the Waterfront Rescue’s campus on West Herman Street in Pensacola, and another 400 meals were delivered.
The meals were available to anyone that needed a meal or was looking for company on Christmas Day.
Pictured top: Cantonment resident Susan Whittle serving lunch to guests at Waterfront’s 70th annual Christmas luncheon. Pictured below: Hundreds of meals were served by volunteers. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Navy Federal Offers Relief During Government Shutdown
December 26, 2018
Navy Federal Credit Union has announced a plan to cover direct deposit for eligible members during the government shutdown. Coverage for this loan begins if a shutdown extends into the next pay period and pay is interrupted.
The credit union is offering assistance to Federal government employees and active duty members of the Coast Guard whose pay has been disrupted by the shutdown, and have an established direct deposit account. Navy Federal will also continue to accept registration for the program until three days after the scheduled pay day.
“Our members deserve peace of mind during a government shutdown, and eligible members can register to get some relief,” said Tynika Wilson, senior vice president of debit card and fund services at Navy Federal. “Public service is a defining characteristic of our membership, and this is the right thing to do.”
Program registration begins is availableon Navy Federal’s website navyfederal.org, in branches or by phone at 1-888-842-6328. Wilson urged eligible members to register so their pay is covered. Members impacted by the shutdown who don’t meet the eligibility requirements should visit a branch or call to discuss their situation with a representative.
“This is an evolving situation we are monitoring. Not knowing whether there will be available funds in your account can be especially troubling this time of year,” continued Wilson. “This is just another way in which we can help spread some happiness and relief during the holidays.”
Navy Federal helped its members in similar situations in April 2011, September 2013, and earlier this year. To find out if your pay is affected, check with your agency or visit opm.gov, dhs.gov or defense.gov.
Progress Report: New Escambia County Jail
December 26, 2018
Construction is underway on the new Escambia County Correctional Facility.
Substantial completion is expected by May 2020 with the first inmates housed three to six months later. Steve Jernigan of Bay Design told the Escambia County Commission recently that the project is currently on budget and on time.
The new jail is being built at the site of the McDonald Shopping Center on the southeast corner of Fairfield Drive and Pace Boulevard, adjacent to the current 1980s jail. The two facilities will be connected.
Nursing Homes Get More Time For Generators
December 26, 2018
About 300 nursing homes across the state have been given another six months to meet a state mandate that they have generators and fuel that can help keep buildings cool.
Agency for Health Care Administration spokeswoman Mallory McManus said that before agreeing to temporarily waive the requirement, the state reviewed the nursing homes to ensure that they had “made every effort to attain compliance.”
“We will stop at nothing to ensure these facilities are appropriately protecting Florida patients,” McManus said in a statement to The News Service of Florida.
The backup power requirement came after residents of a Broward County nursing home died following Hurricane Irma in 2017. The hurricane knocked out the facility’s air-conditioning system, creating sweltering conditions.
Florida has 686 licensed nursing homes, and a News Service review of state records shows that 406 nursing homes have requested variances to the backup power requirements since September because they were unable to comply with the law.
The state during the past week has approved about 300 of the requests. To date, no request for a variance has been denied, McManus said.
By contrast, according to the website, 198 nursing homes have fully implemented their emergency plans.
Florida has 3,083 licensed assisted-living facilities, which also are required to meet backup-power requirements. Department of Elder Affairs spokeswoman Amy Chambers said the agency has received requests for variances from 270 providers. Five have been approved, Chambers said, and two have been denied.
Incoming Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration already has indicated that it may revisit the backup power mandate, which Gov. Rick Scott made a top priority in his final legislative session.
Lt. Gov.-elect Jeanette Nuñez said this month that the mandate will likely be an “ongoing discussion,” given the number of long-term care providers that are unable to meet the timelines.
Scott, who came into office railing against costly government regulations, lobbied the Legislature during the 2018 session to ratify backup-power rules initially ordered following the deaths of as many as 12 residents of The Rehabilitation Center at Hollywood Hills after Hurricane Irma.
Despite the steep costs — $121.3 million over the first five years for nursing homes and $243 million for assisted living facilities — the Legislature put the rules into law.
The regulations have been phased in over time, first requiring facilities to submit to local officials comprehensive emergency-management plans that detail how facilities would obtain generators and 96 hours of fuel to keep residents cool in the aftermath of a storm.
Providers were required to submit the plans and implement them by June 1, the start of hurricane season. The rules allowed the Agency for Health Care Administration to grant informal extensions giving providers additional time to comply with the requirements while remaining in good standing with the state.
The temporary extensions expire Jan. 1, which triggered the onslaught of waiver requests.
Lobbyists for nursing homes and assisted living facilities worried that the timeline in the regulations would be difficult for facilities to meet, but the state maintained the Jan. 1 deadline for compliance.
by Christine Sexton, The News Service of Florida
Pictured. Generator at Century Health & Rehabilitation, which meets the state requirements. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
The ‘Great Christmas Puppy Rescue” — Deputies Rescue Puppies Thrown From Car
December 26, 2018
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is calling it the “Great Christmas Puppy Rescue.”
Deputies rescued a litter of puppies thrown from a vehicle on Christmas Day. A concerned citizens called the Sheriff’s Office, and the men and women in green came to the rescue. The puppies were not injured.
Deputies transported the puppies back to the the Sheriff’s Office were the deputies and dispatchers enjoyed some puppy time.
All of the puppies have been adopted, and one was given the name “Tinsel.”
Merry Christmas! The Story Of The Greatest Gift Of All
December 25, 2018
Today’s lead story on NorthEscambia.com is a story that happened over 2,000 years ago today — the birth of a boy child.
It is story that was first delivered by an angelic choir. It was the news that changed the world…a Savior had been born in a little town called Bethlehem. It was a humble scene. A little baby wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
It was the world’s first ever Christmas gift on that very first Christmas morning, the gift of a Savior with the promise of eternal life.
It’s good news for all of us on this Christmas. Good news that Emmanuel, the Lord Jesus, was born. It’s story that was reported by Luke in the New Testament in the Bible, the widest circulated publication in history. It’s reprinted below for you to read, and for you to share the Good News with someone you care about this Christmas.
From our NorthEscambia.com family to you and yours, Merry Christmas!
- And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.
- (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
- And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
- And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
- To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
- And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
- And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
- And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
- And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
- And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
- For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
- And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
- And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
- Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
- And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
- And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
- And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
- And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
- But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
- And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
Christmas Concert: Molino Park Elementary Choir
December 25, 2018
Merry Christmas!
This is the Molino Park Elementary School Choir with several Christmas songs, including “Candy Cane Lane” during a recent performance at Winterfest.
