Sacred Heart To Restart COVID-19 Drive-thru Testing Next Week
December 30, 2021
In response to an increase in coronavirus cases in the area, Ascension Medical Group Sacred Heart will restart a drive-thru COVID-19 testing center on Tuesday, January 4.
The drive-through will be open Tuesday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 5192 Bayou Boulevard. No pre-registration or appointment is needed. The testing site will offer the traditional PCR swab test that will be sent to the hospital laboratory at Ascension Sacred Heart Pensacola. Lab results will be available in 24 hours.
Ascension Medical Group will bill a patient’s insurance if they have it, but the service will be provided with no out-of-pocket charges for the test. Those seeking a test should bring a valid form of identification and insurance card.
“We know the State of Florida is seeing unprecedented numbers of new COVID-19 cases and we expect the new Omicron variant will bring a rapid surge of cases into Northwest Florida in the weeks ahead,” said Justin Labrato, chief operating officer at Ascension Medical Group Sacred Heart. “Hospitalizations are starting to climb so we are responding again to a community need for more accessible testing. Testing can help to identify the virus early, slow the spread, and allow infected people to isolate and seek treatment as needed.”
Decisions about Ascension Sacred Heart’s testing beyond next week have not been made yet.
The Ascension Sacred Heart team was among the first in Florida to open a drive-through testing site when the coronavirus first arrived in Pensacola in March 2020. The site continued to operate for 54 consecutive weeks. After ceasing operations when cases dropped later in 2021, Sacred Heart resumed its drive-through when Pensacola had its third and worst surge of the coronavirus during August and early September. At the height of the summer surge, the drive-through staff provided swab tests to more than 500 people in only four hours. In total, the drive-thru center has tested approximately 100,000 people.
Escambia Firefighters Rescue Dog Stuck In Cinder Block
December 30, 2021
Earlier this week, we told you about Escambia Fire Rescue saving a kitten stuck in a piece of furniture. Firefighters also rescued a dog this week.
The dog managed to get its head stuck in a cinder block. Firefighters used an air chisel to free the dog’s head from the block. In order to keep the dog calm, ECFR personnel accessed the crawl space underneath a home to provide comfort before use of the air chisel.
The dog is doing just fine, according to Escambia County.
Photo for NorthEscambia.co, click to enlarge.
Flomaton Police Seek Molino Man Suspected In Burglary
December 30, 2021
The Flomaton Police Department is looking for a Molino man in connection with a burglary on Christmas Day.
Richard Newcomer is wanted on a charge of third degree burglary, according to FPD.
The suspect is seen in a surveillance video backing up a car to an open garage door, entering the structure and checking two large boxes, including a Vizio television box. Both boxes appear empty. The suspect then wanders around the mostly empty garage area.
According to police, the suspect was driving a vehicle with Florida tag Y21 0IX.
Anyone with information on Newcomer’s whereabouts is asked to call the Flomaton Police Department at (251) 296-5811 or their local law enforcement agency.
Images courtesy Flomaton Police Department for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Katie Roley Named Ernest Ward Middle School Teacher Of The Year
December 30, 2021
Ernest Ward Middle School named Katie Roley as Teacher of the Year. Roley is the Ernest Ward Culinary Arts instructor. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Two Northview FFA Members Place in Subdistrict Speech Competitions
December 30, 2021
Two Northview High School FFA member recently placed at subdistrict competitions. Audrey Goetter for placed third in prepared public speech, and Judson Lee placed second in extemporaneous public speech. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Skanska Loses Federal Lawsuit Over Hurricane Sally Barge Damage
December 29, 2021
Skanska USA has lost a lawsuit in federal court over damage caused by multiple barges during Hurricane Sally.
The decision handed down Wednesday from Judge Lacey A. Collier states Skanska was negligent and cannot limit liability under a maritime law.
The order allows state lawsuits to proceed seeking financial relief that have been filed by almost 1,000 others, including businesses, homeowners, governments and others claiming direct loss due to the barges or the destruction of a portion of the Pensacola Bay Bridge.
Collier rejected Skanska’s argument that it was caught off guard by the fact that Hurricane Sally would strongly impact Pensacola.
“While Pensacola may not have been the most likely recipient of a direct strike during the time Skanska made its decision, the threat of tropical force winds remained a distinct possibility. It is difficult to accept Skanska’s expression of surprise over the turn of events when at the time the Pensacola Bay area was under a tropical storm warning and a hurricane watch,” the ruling stated. “Moreover, Skanska’s Hurricane Plan directed that the barges be relocated to Butcherpen Cove in the very situation presented by Hurricane Sally.”
First Responders Locate Hunter Lost In McDavid Woods
December 29, 2021
First responders quickly located a hunter lost in the woods near the McDavid sawmill Wednesday morning.
The hunter became lost behind the West Fraser Mill on Champion Drive and called 911 for help about 9:30 a.m.
Escambia Fire Rescue located the adult male in the woods, and he was assisted back to his vehicle by Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputies. The man refused medical treatment from Escambia County EMS.
The McDavid and Century stations of Escambia Fire Rescue responded.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Century Man Charged With Strangulation, Battery Of Woman On Christmas
December 29, 2021
A Century man is charged with the battery and strangulation of a woman 0n Christmas.
Tristan Dean Qualls, 23, was charged with battery and felony battery by strangulation.
Qualls hit the victim multiple times and choked her in a domestic violence situation, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. The exact relationship between Qualls and the victim was redacted from the ECSO report.
The victim stated Qualls became irate when she was not listening to Qualls while they were lying in bed, and he slapped her on the forehead. She told deputies that Qualls hit her until “she saw stars”, according to an arrest report, before he said he was going to get a gun, come back and shoot her. She reported Qualls then fled the residence while completely naked.
The victim suffered numerous bruises on her arms, legs and neck, a report states.
Deputies searched the area but were unable to locate him. On December 26, the victim reported Qualls was back at the residence. Deputies responded and took Qualls into custody as he was taking a shower.
Qualls remained in the Escambia County Jail Wednesday with bond set at $9,000.
Here’s How To Dispose Of Your Real Christmas Tree
December 29, 2021
In Escambia County, ECUA will pick up Christmas trees from customers for free with the regular collection of yard waste.
“When it’s time to take down the decorations, place your real tree or (natural) wreaths out by the curb on your usual collection day for pickup as part of your regular scheduled yard waste collection.,” ECUA spokesperson Jim Roberts said.
Natural trees should be free of decoration and tinsel, and the tree stand should be removed. Trees should not be placed in the street.
The trees will be composted with other yard waste at the ECUA Biosolids Composting Facility.
Two Charged With Human Smuggling After I-10 Traffic Stop
December 29, 2021
A traffic stop in Escambia County Tuesday led to human smuggling arrests.
A Florida Highway Patrol trooper conducted a traffic stop about 9 a.m. on I -10 near the eastbound weigh station in Escambia County.
An investigation revealed there were 11 individuals within the vehicle that were in the country illegally.
“Further investigation determined that the occupants were being transported to multiple locations along the east coast. It was discovered that the driver and front seat passenger were being paid to smuggle them into the United States for work,” FHP said in a release.
Troopers arrested 23-year old Omar Alberto Lemus-De Leon (pictured left) and 27-year old Jose Toribio Morales-Orozco. Both were charged with felony human smuggling. Lemus-De Leon was also cited for driving with no driver’s license.
One of the smuggling victims was a juvenile, and the Department of Children and Families was notified.