Atmore Community Hospital Closing Surgery Department
April 4, 2024
Atmore Community Hospital is closing their surgery department effective June 1.
Officials pointed to low patient volumes, poor reimbursement rates including the lack of Medicaid expansion, and rapidly inflating costs as major reasons behind the closure.
“It is an unfortunate reality in today’s rural healthcare climate that hospitals are having to closely look at which services they are financially able to continue to provide. Atmore Community Hospital remains committed to providing our patients with quality healthcare and offering services locally. However, surgical services are not something we can continue offering and remain viable.” stated Brad Lowery, hospital administrator. “This decision was not made lightly, as we feel we have a very strong surgical team. Significant time and resources have gone in to trying to sustain the service, but we simply don’t have the necessary volume to support it at this time.”
According to hospital officials, Atmore Community Hospital is actively working to have outpatient surgical consults locally through visiting specialists, including D.W. McMillan Memorial Hospital. Along with this change in service, visiting specialists who were located in the ACH Specialty Care building will now be relocating to other areas of the hospital and clinics.
“We continue to review what is working from a financial perspective,” stated Debbie Rowell, Escambia County Health Care Authority board chairperson. “We cannot continue to offer services that decrease our financial feasibility. We continue to research impacts of Medicaid Expansion and better reimbursements options for rural healthcare facilities.”
NorthEscambia.com photo.
Tate Defeats Northview In Flag Football (With Gallery)
April 4, 2024
The Tate Aggies defeated the Northview Chiefs 21-0 in girls flag football Wednesday afternoon in Bratt.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Tate quarterback Gabrielle Smart had 103 yards passing, completing 14 of 20 attempts. Smart also had 60 yards rushing and one touchdown on six carries. Hannah Pitman had 100 yards rushing on six carries for the Aggies. Ryan Clarke had 34 yards receiving and two touchdowns.
Northview stats were not provided.
Wednesday was senior night for Northview with the team honoring seniors Carsyn Dortch, Kendal Beasley and Ava Gurganus before the game.
The Chiefs ended their season at 3-5 overall. The Tate Aggies, currently 5-5, will end their season Thursday against Gulf Breeze.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Veterans Outreach Events Planned In North Escambia
April 4, 2024
The Escambia County Veterans Services Office will hold three public meetings in North Escambia to give veterans a chance to discuss benefits with an accredited veterans services officer.
Assistance is provided on a first-come, first-served basis at no charge. No appointment is required.
Meetings will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the following dates at community centers in North Escambia:
- Friday, April 5: Byrneville Community Center, 1707 Highway 4A in Byrneville
- Thursday, June 6: Davisville Community Center, 10200 Highway 97 in Davisville
- Wednesday, July 10: Molino Community Center, 6450 Highway 95A in Molino.
Escambia County Veterans Services Office staff members will be available to help with topics including reviewing VA benefits, filing a VA claim, and reevaluating VA disability.
For more information, contact the Veterans Services Office at (850) 595-2409 or email VSO@myescambia.com. Learn more about Escambia County’s Veterans Services Office at MyEscambia.com/veterans-services.
NWE Hosting 8U, 10U Baseball Tourney With Free Entry
April 4, 2024
Northwest Escambia Bradberry Park will host a recreational 8U and 10U baseball tournament on April 13 and 14 with a three-game guarantee.
Registration is free. Click here for a registration form.
Blue Wahoos Complete Entertaining Showcase Against Monterrey Sultanes Before Season-Opener
April 4, 2024
by Bill Vilona, Pensacola Blue Wahoos
The never-before series with the Blue Wahoos and the Mexican League’s Monterrey Sultanes ended Wednesday with both teams hugging, exchanging their jerseys, then gathering for a team photo.
Then, a countdown in Spanish began for a fireworks show, while a Latin band performed and had people dancing on the concourse well after the game ended.
It was this kind of memorable night in Blue Wahoos Stadium history.
The game was a show, too.
The Sultanes hit three home runs, one of them a sure-bet into the water beyond left field, en route to a 6-4 win against the home team, which again reverted to its alter identity as the Pensacola Pok-ta-Pok in a nod to baseball’s Latino influence and Pensacola’s own Spanish history.
“I love Pensacola. I really love the people,” said Guillermo “Willie” Gonzalez, the Sultanes’ vice president, who began working for the team at 13-years-old as a baggage handler, then worked his way all the way into having management stake in the oldest franchise (81 years) in the Mexican League.
“The weather is amazing, the food, everything,” he said. “The last time we played in the (United) States was in 2011 (against the Arizona Diamondbacks). So many years ago. This was our brilliant idea. We are so excited… I had heard about the fireworks and we’re so happy.”
The two games, which are believed to be the first time a Mexican League team has played against an affiliated Major League Baseball team in the eastern side of the U.S.. brought a sizeable crowd on a perfect weather night Wednesday at the bayfront stadium.
The event came about when Monterrey’s lead owner, a golfer and fan of Pensacola’s pro star Bubba Watson, read the introspective book by the two-time Masters champion and 11-time PGA Tour winner and wanted to meet him. That led to a meeting and eventual decision by Monterrey to travel to Pensacola.
The two organizations have quickly connected and mentioned about continuing this kind of series in future years.
The two exhibition games served as a prelude the Blue Wahoos’ 2024 season, which officially begins on Friday against the Mississippi Braves, the Atlanta Braves affiliate, and in their last year as the M-Braves before moving next season to Columbus, Ga.
Monterrey, managed by Roberto Kelly, a 14-year outfield veteran in MLB, including six seasons with the New York Yankees, begin their season next week.
“I think it’s been good, especially being in Monterrey and getting to play such a high-caliber team. I think it’s been good for the players to see different players, this kind of pitching and I think that will help us for our season.”
As for the game, the Blue Wahoos broke through first on a bases-clearing, 3-run double by Tanner Allen in the second inning, part of a good night at the plate for Allen, a Mobile-area native and former high school player.
But Monterrey’s big bats enabled them to get the lead on three home runs, including two on consecutive at-bats by first baseman Christian Villanueva, who played two seasons (2017-18) for the San Diego Padres. Both were big bombs, but the second one had the likelihood of bouncing quickly into the water beyond left field.
Romero Cuadrado, who has played nine seasons at various levels, had the Sultanes’ other homer.
The Blue Wahoos, as they hoped were able to use a half-dozen pitchers each game and get their likely starters some tasted of night games at the stadium.
Blue Wahoos starter Luis Palacios pitched out of a second-inning jam with runners on second and third and none out, before he was lifted in the fourth inning.
UPDATE: Boil Water Notice Lifted For Portion of Chemstrand Road And Area
April 3, 2024
UPDATE: This boil water notice was lifted Wednesday after bacteriological samples returned as clear.
Previous story:
Due to a broken six-inch water main, ECUA has issued a precautionary boil water notice for a portion of Chemstrand Road and the surrounding area.
This is the same area as a previous boil water notice issued March 21.
The April 1 notice was issued after a 6-inch water main was damaged by a road contractor working in the area of 8901 Chemstrand Road. The contractor previously damaged the 6-inch main at 8914 Chemstrand Road.
Precautionary Boil Water Notices are issued as a part of the standard protocol following any loss of water pressure, whether as a result of planned maintenance activities or unscheduled repairs.
Specifically, the boil water notice includes:
- Chemstrand Rd. (Address Range: 8702 – 9131)
- Camden Rd. (Address Range: 106-310)
- Topeka Rd. (Address Range: 207-301)
- Kaylyn Rd. (Address Range: 211-293)
- Lost Oak Dr.
- Beland Rd.
- Kokomo Rd.
- Bellington Rd.
- Arcadia Rd.
- Barker St.
- Fula Dr.
- Crum Ave.
- Danestar Dr.
- Sabrina Dr.
Residents located in the specified boil water notice area are advised to boil water for one minute at a rolling boil or to use eight drops of regular unscented household bleach per gallon of water, for water to be used for drinking or cooking purposes. Two independent bacteriological samples have been initiated and the advisory will be lifted as soon as possible. This process routinely takes 48 hours, and the notice will be rescinded at that time.
ECUA crews have completed the repairs and flushed out the lines. Residents within the area and nearby are advised that there is a possibility of discolored water as a result of the utility work, and to flush their home’s plumbing by running their taps for a few minutes. If problems persist, customers are asked to contact ECUA Customer Service at (850) 476-0480 for assistance.
New Weapons Detection System Being Deployed To Escambia Middle And High Schools
April 3, 2024
The Escambia County School District is deploying a new weapons detection system called OPENGATE to all middle and high schools.
The new technology allows for screenings to occur more frequently and to be less intrusive than traditional metal detector searches, the district said. Random screenings will be conducted quickly and in such a way that interruptions to instructional time will be limited.
“We are excited to deploy the OPENGATE technology to add one more layer of security to our schools,” said Superintendent Keith Leonard. “We will always be proactive in our search for ways to make our campuses and offices more secure.”
“OPENGATE will identify individuals in possession of weapons, vape devices, and other prohibited items. It is our hope that our parents will continue to have conversations at home to discourage potentially harmful and disruptive items from being brought to our schools,” the district said.
The district has purchased 25 OPENGATE detectors and may purchase more.
Additional screenings will also take place at school board meetings and extracurricular events. Weapons of any kind are prohibited on any Escambia County school campus or district office.
Pictured: A school installation of the OPENGATE system in Lee County, Florida. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Woman Accused Of Burglary, Battery With Deadly Weapon
April 3, 2024
A Cantonment woman is accused of attacking a man with a nightstick after he answered his door.
Summer Caroline Davis-Root, 24, was charged with burglary with battery, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and possession of a controlled substance without a prescription. She remained in the Escambia County Jail Tuesday morning with bond set at $50,000.
A Chemstrand Road resident told Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputies that Davis-Root arrived at his residence and started beating on the door. When he opened the door, Davis-Root entered and hit him with an object that he believed to be a crowbar while he was standing inside his residence, the report states. The victim told deputies that he stepped outside and pushed Davis-Root off his porch, and she struck him on his forearm and triceps, causing a slight skin tear. She then fled the scene, and the victim found a black retractable nightstick on his front lawn, an arrest report states.
Deputies found Davis-Root sitting in a Jeep at her residence on Deerfoot Lane in Cantonment. Deputies ordered her to exit the vehicle and she refused, so deputies removed her from the vehicle and placed her under arrest, the report continues.
Davis-Root told deputies she went to the victim’s house to confront him “about what he did to her as a child”, according to the report. She denied striking him with any sort of weapon but did state he went to the house with nightstick, the ECSO said.
Deputies said Davis-Root had 25 amphetamine dextroamphetamine pills, a controlled narcotic, in her possession that were stolen from her mother.
Escambia Schools Career Academy Awards Presented
April 3, 2024
The Escambia County Public Schools Career Academy Awards luncheon was held Tuesday, honoring the recognizing CTE students, teachers and programs.
Winners were:
- High School Career Academy Student of the Year: Carsyn Dortch, Culinary Arts Academy, Northview High School (pictured top)
- High School Career Academy of the Year: Skilled Trades Academy, Northview High School (pictured first below)
- High School Career Academy Scholar: Chase Gray, Game, Simulation and Animation Academy, Tate High School (pictured second below)
- Middle School Career Academy of the Year: Digital Discoveries Academy, Ransom Middle School (pictured bottom)
- High School Career Academy Student Intern of the Year: Michael Kleback, Agriculture Biotechnology Academy, West Florida High School
- High School Career Academy Teacher of the Year: David “Bryan” Dawson, New Media Academy (Digital Video), Pine Forest High School
- Middle School Student of the Year: Adrianna Kearbey, Digital Discoveries Academy, Ferry Pass Middle School
- Middle School Career Academy Teacher of the Year: Shawn Platt, We Build It Better Program, Workman Middle School
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Transit Vehicle Goes Into A Ditch on Williams Ditch
April 3, 2024
There were no injuries when an Escambia County Community Transportation vehicle went into a ditch on William Ditch Road in Cottage Hill Tuesday afternoon. An Escambia County spokesperson said, “the driver was backing out of the client’s home when one tire went into the grass and off the cement.” NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
