Atmore Home Heavily Damaged By Fire
October 12, 2015
Fire heavily damaged a home in the 200 block of Liberty Street in Atmore this morning. There were no injuries. NorthEscambia.com photo.
State Agency Wants Century’s Last Doctor Out Of Old Hospital
October 12, 2015
A State of Florida agency has ordered the last doctor in Century out of a former hospital he’s leased since early 2006.
In a letter dated August 26, Century Health Care Access (CHCA) and Dr. Christian Bachman, president of CHCA and physician for Mayo Street Medical, were ordered to vacate the old Century Hospital facility by the end of September by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, current owners of 25,000 square foot building on Mayo Street.
“I don’t understand why they (DEP) have done this. We had a 50 year lease on the building, and received a 30 day notice to vacate. Even if we wanted to leave, we couldn’t do it in that amount of time. With the Hope and Health Clinic just closing in Century, and no other doctor in town, CHCA and Mayo Street Medical can’t depart without leaving hundreds of people without vital medical care. This is wrong.” Located just across the street, the non-profit Health and Hope Clinic shut down on October 1 due to a lack of funding.
While Bachman is the only doctor that practices in town on a regular basis, Baptist Medical Group, formally Century Medical Center, operates a primary care facility in Century that is staffed by nurse practitioner Georgia W. Agrait, GNP.
In the letter to Bachman, Cheryl C. McCall, chief of the Bureau of Public Land Administration Division of State Lands for DEP, wrote that the eviction was due to a violation of lease terms due to violations of Florida Life Safety Code and National Fire Protection Code.
In addition, DEP’s letter said CHCA had violated other terms of the lease, including:
- Purpose — the leased premises shall only be used for the establishment and operation of a health care facility
- Unauthorized Use — the lessee shall prevent the unauthorized use the leased premises or any use in violation of the lease
- Right of Inspection — the state or representatives have the right to inspect the leased premises
- Insurance Requirements – the lessee must maintain fire, extended risk and liability insurance naming the State of Florida as co-insured.
- Maintenance of Improvements — the lessee must maintain the property and an improvements in good condition.
Century Health Care Access acquired the lease for the Old Century Hospital in 2006 when a concerned group of citizens from Century formed a not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing medical care to the community of Century and surrounding areas. They now host Mayo Street Medical, a family medical clinic which opened in late 2014 with Dr. Bachman at the helm, and previously hosted Century Family Practice, which closed in late 2013.
Bachman said the practice now provides primary medical services for hundreds of patients throughout Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. He has a reputation for seeing patients regardless of their ability to pay, and he’s even known for making house calls.
“We have had a very difficult time,” said CHCA Office manager, Mary Gilson. “It is hard to run a medical clinic in an area where many people have Medicaid or are uninsured. We are struggling anyway, and if we lose the building we lose our ability to stay open. We can’t afford to move locations even if we had another location to move to – and we don’t. The people of Century desperately need us because many simply can’t afford to go elsewhere. I understand that the government has rules, regulations, and procedures, but evicting us now is madness.”
The letter from DEP gave CHCA until noon on September 30 to vacate the building. Now that the deadline has passed, there’s no concrete answer from DEP as to what their next step may be.
“The department is determining its next step,” Lori Elliot, press secretary for the Florida Department of Environmental Protection told NorthEscambia.com in an email on Friday.
“They will have to send in the sheriff to drag us out of here. We have a commitment to our community and to our patients,” Allison Mills, Bachman’s director of nursing said.
Pictured top: The former Century Hospital, constructed in 1965, on Mayo Street in Century. Pictured inset: Dr.Christian Bachman at his desk in the medical center. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century Man Wanted For Attempted Murder Following Bar Shooting
October 12, 2015
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is seeking a Century man on an attempted murder charge follow a late Sunday night shooting at a Century bar.
Deputies and Escambia County EMS were called to Odom’s Bar on North Century Boulevard at the Alabama state line about 11:50 p.m.
According to witnesses, Kendrick Jamar Washington shot David Darnell McCall following an argument over Washington’s girlfriend. McCall was transported first by private vehicle to D.W. McMillan Hospital in Brewton and later to Baptist Hospital in Pensacola where he was treated for a gunshot wound to his head.
Washington is a 27-year-old black male who is approximately 5-foot, 10-inches and 190 pounds. He has black hair, brown eyes, gold teeth and numerous tattoos. He sometimes goes by the alias of Cortez Washington and has several nicknames including “Candyman”, “Trap Star”, and “Gold Mouth”. He is wanted for attempted homicide and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and has a bond of $750,000.
His last known address is 6711 Jefferson Avenue in Century, but he is known to frequent his girlfriend’s home in Foley. Investigators said he may be in the company of his girlfriend, Lauren Ashley Rose New. New is a 20-year-old white female who is approximately 5-foot, 5-inches and 137 pounds. She is wanted for questioning only in connection with the incident.
Investigators would also like to question 30-year-old D’Antonio Keith Warren of Pensacola in connection with the incident. The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said it is important to note that New and Warren are wanted for questioning only and are not suspected of any crime at the present.
Anyone with the knowledge of the whereabouts of the three individuals or the incident should call Gulf Coast Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP or the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
One Injured In Hwy 29 Rear End Wreck
October 12, 2015
At least one person was injured in a two vehicle rear-end type crash shortly before 6 p.m. Sunday on Highway 29 near Kingsfield Road. The person’s injuries were not considered to be life-threatening. Further details have not been released by the Florida Highway Patrol as they continue their investigation. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Price, click to enlarge.
Local High School Bands Shine At Marching Performance Assessments
October 12, 2015
District 1 High School Marching MPA performances were held Saturday at Tate High School.
Several bands, including the Royal Pride Band from Jay High and the Showband of the South from Tate, earned straight superiors.
For more photos of the Tate, Northview and Jay bands, click here.
Results are below (G=Good, E=Excellent, S=Superior):
Pictured top: The Tate High School Showband of the South earned straight superiors Saturday. Pictured below: The Jay High band also earned straight superiors. Pictured bottom: The Northview Tribal Beat Band performs. Photos by Gary Amerson and Michele Gibbs for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Applications Being Accepted For Free Professional Firefighter Training Program
October 12, 2015
CareerSource Escarosa has partnered with the City of Pensacola, Escambia County Fire-Rescue and Midway Fire Academy to provide training opportunities to individuals interested in training for a new career as a professional firefighter.
Eligible candidates may qualify for no-cost training through CareerSource Escarosa’s Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Program. Eligibility is determined by household income and dislocation status.
Minimum Requirements:
- Must be at least 18 years of age
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Valid State of Florida Driver’s License (Class E)
- Must be free from use of all tobacco products for one year prior to application
- Applicants must be willing to attend six month training program at the Midway Fire Academy (located in Gulf Breeze) to receive State of Florida Firefighter Certification.
- Candidates must be willing to submit to a background check and drug test, fingerprinting, medical exam and physical ability test.
For complete position details and eligibility requirements, visit employflorida.com and search job order # 10075446, or call (850) 607-8721 to speak with a WIOA Career Advisor.
Learn more about CareerSource Escarosa’s WIOA Program including; eligibility requirements, list of approved programs and providers, orientation dates and application procedures online at careersourceescarosa.com/programs/firefighters
Camp Fire Kids Hold Trike-A-Thon For Children’s Hospital
October 12, 2015
The children at Camp Fire USA Century Youth Learning Center recently held their seventh annual Trike-A-Thon in support of St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital last week. The children not only raised money for St. Jude; they also learned about trike safety and the importance of helping others.
Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
No Injuries When Driver Overturns Near Bridge
October 11, 2015
There were no serious injuries when a driver lost control and overturned his pickup truck in the Bay Springs community Saturday afternoon.
The driver apparently lost control of his Chevrolet Z71 on Highway 97A, about a mile west of South Highway 99, at the Boggy Creek Bridge. His vehicle left the roadway, crossed back over both travel lanes and overturned.
The accident remains under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. Further details have not been released. The Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue and Atmore Ambulance also responded to the accident.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Comes Home For Homecoming Fall Festival
October 11, 2015
Cantonment residents took part in a Homecoming Fall Festival Saturday at Carver Park. The event brought families together with food, family fun, kid’s games and entertainment, plus information tables from community partners. The event was organized by the Cantonment Improvement Committee.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Local Fire Stations Participate In Fire Safety Outreach Events
October 11, 2015
Two North Escambia fire stations took part in Fire Safety Week events Saturday morning.
The Cantonment Station of Escambia Fire Rescue took part in a Fire Safety Awareness Day Saturday the Cantonment Waterfront Rescue Mission Bargain Center (pictured left and below).
And members of the Molino Station of Escambia Fire Rescue took part in a fire safety display at the Molino Community Center (pictured top).
Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
