Atmore Community Hospital Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy, Vows to Keep Doors Open
July 13, 2026
Atmore Community Hospital has officially filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, but hospital leadership emphasizes that the facility will remain fully operational with no cuts to patient services.
The hospital serves not only Atmore but also surrounding areas, including many North Escambia residents.
The voluntary petition was filed on Friday, July 10, 2026, in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Alabama by Escambia County Alabama Community Hospitals, Inc. (ECACH), the non-profit organization that manages the 49-bed hospital. According to court documents, the hospital reports estimated assets between $10 million and $50 million, with estimated liabilities ranging between $1 million and $10 million.
Hospital board members stated that the restructuring is part of a broader financial strategy aimed at stabilizing the facility’s long-term future and preserving local access to healthcare.
“This decision was not made lightly,” said Debbie Rowell, Chair of the ECACH Board of Directors. “After carefully evaluating all available options, our Board approved this action because it is the best path to stabilize the hospital’s financial future and preserve local access to healthcare for the Atmore community.”
Ongoing Financial Battles and Tax Dispute
The bankruptcy filing follows a sharp decline in the hospital’s financial health, which forced the closure of its surgery department in 2024. Hospital officials pointed to standard rural healthcare pressures, including rising operational costs, staffing shortages, and lower reimbursement rates. However, the filing also aims to address “legacy financial obligations” connected to an ongoing legal battle.
Since April, ECACH has been locked in a lawsuit against the Escambia County Health Care Authority, the entity responsible for distributing local tax revenues to healthcare providers. The non-profit’s complaint alleges that the Health Care Authority and its chief financial officer disproportionately allocated property tax revenues to the larger D.W. McMillan Memorial Hospital in Brewton.
Furthermore, the complaint alleges that the Health Care Authority has blocked ECACH from accessing financial records, keeping them from fully assessing the hospital’s financial standing. The non-profit claims these funding disparities placed Atmore Community Hospital on the “precipice of financial insolvency and collapse.”
No Changes to Patient Care
Despite the financial restructuring, hospital officials stress that patients will see no disruption in care. The Chapter 11 process allows the hospital to organize its debts under court supervision while maintaining daily operations.
According to hospital press releases and court notifications:
- Emergency Services: The Emergency Department will remain open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- Staffing: The same physicians, nurses, and clinical teams will remain on staff.
- Appointments: Patients are urged to keep all scheduled appointments, procedures, and tests.
- Insurance: The hospital will continue to accept existing insurance plans, including Medicare and Medicaid.
A New Management Strategy
In an effort to stabilize operations prior to the bankruptcy filing, executive leadership from USA Health was placed onsite in January 2026. USA Health has been working alongside the local board to assess the hospital’s financial health and build a sustainable, long-term vision to eventually expand healthcare access in the region.
Among the hospital’s largest unsecured creditors listed in the bankruptcy documents are Forefront Healthcare, LLC ($395,831.33), Trubridge, LLC ($252,179.81), and Emcare Physician Services, Inc. ($190,529.00).
Hospital leadership has not detailed exactly how long the Chapter 11 reorganization process will take but promised to provide regular updates as milestones are reached.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Century Awarded AARP Grant For Pedestrian Safety And Walkability Study
July 13, 2026
The Town of Century has been awarded a $2,500 grant through the nationwide AARP Community Challenge program to study community walkability.
The grant will fund a community walk audit designed to assess sidewalks, pedestrian crossings, and lighting along key town corridors. The initiative aims to identify barriers to mobility and highlight opportunities for future infrastructure improvements to enhance the quality of life for residents, particularly those aged 55 and older.
Kleinhaus Consulting Group, LLC has been selected to lead the project. The group will manage community engagement activities, facilitate the audit process, and prepare a final report of findings and recommendations for the Town’s consideration.
“Creating a community where residents can safely walk, stay active, and remain connected is important for people of all ages,” Century Mayor Benjamin Boutwell said. “We appreciate AARP’s investment in Century and look forward to working with residents and our partners to identify ways we can make our town even more welcoming and accessible.”
The walk audit is scheduled to take place this fall. Local officials plan to issue a public call for volunteers in the coming months, encouraging community members, local leaders, and older adults to participate and share their perspectives. Community meetings will also be held to share the results and help guide future planning efforts.
Century’s grant is part of a larger $30,000 commitment by AARP to three Northwest Florida organizations. Other regional recipients include Divine Revelations Ministries Inc. and the Florida Housing Coalition, both located in Tallahassee.
Statewide, AARP Florida awarded 24 grants totaling over $200,000 this year as part of the 10th anniversary of the Community Challenge program. Nationally, the organization committed $8.3 million to fund 750 quick-action projects.
“Communities across Florida are eager for real solutions that boost mobility, connection, and quality of life,” Jeff Johnson, State Director at AARP Florida, said. “These projects will bring real improvement to Northwest Florida by improving accessibility, transportation methods, pedestrian safety, and digital literacy across the region.”
Stock image.
No Serious Injuries In Highway 97 Three-Vehicle Crash
July 12, 2026
There were no serious injuries in a three-vehicle crash Saturday afternoon on Highway 97.
The crash occurred just before 2 p.m. in front of the Davisville Community Center, just north of West Highway 4, and involved a Range Rover, a Ford Bronco, and a Hyundai SUV.
One person was transported to a hospital by Escambia County EMS following the crash, that completely shut down Highway 97.
The cause of the crash is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.
The Walnut Hill Station of Escambia County Fire Rescue and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Two Fallen Oak Trees Shut Down Century Area Roads; One Leaves Hundreds Without Power
July 12, 2026
Hundreds of residents in the Gandyville and Byrneville areas spent a portion of their Saturday without air conditioning after falling trees downed power lines and disrupted traffic on Saturday afternoon.
The trouble began shortly before 1 p.m. Saturday when a large oak tree collapsed near a 90-degree curves on Killam Road, just west of Century and a short distance from Gilmore Road. The falling tree completely blocked the roadway and ripped down several utility poles and power lines.
Escambia River Electric Cooperative (EREC) initially reported that 480 members lost electricity due to the damage.
Because of downed lines and broken poles, the resulting power outage lasted for hours before utility crews could safely replace the infrastructure. The Century Station of Escambia County Fire Rescue also responded.
Meanwhile, a second tree fell within the Century town limits across Hecker Road near Jefferson Avenue. Fortunately, that tree missed nearby utility lines. Town of Century crews were deployed to clear the debris and reopen the roadway.
There were no severe storms tracking through the immediate area when the trees came down; however, strong outflow winds preceding a thunderstorm were blamed for the damage.
Pictured above and first below: A toppled oak tree on Killam Road and downed power lines on Saturday afternoon. Pictured bottom: A fallen oak tree on Hecker Road in Century. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Jay Motorcyclist Killed In Saturday Night Collision
July 12, 2026
A Jay man was killed Saturday night in a two-vehicle collision in Navarre, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
The crash occurred at approximately 8:45 p.m. near the intersection of Highway 87 and Segura Street.
According to the FHP, a 75-year-old female driver from Fort Walton Beach was operating a sport utility vehicle when it collided with a motorcycle driven by a 36-year-old man from Jay.
The 36-year-old motorcyclist suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased. FHP noted that he was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash. The driver of the sport utility vehicle was wearing a seatbelt and reported no injuries.
The exact circumstances leading up to the collision have not yet been released, and the FHP investigation is ongoing.
Small Plane Makes Emergency Landing In Peanut Field Near Florida-Alabama Line
July 11, 2026
A single-engine plane made an emergency landing in an Alabama peanut field near the Florida state line on Friday afternoon.
The pilot and a student made the landing in the field after experiencing engine trouble, approximately 0.7 miles south-southwest of the runway at the Atmore Municipal Airport. There were no injuries.
The 2023 Diamond DA 40 NG plane belonging to Skywarrior Flight Training of Pensacola did not sustain any apparent damage.
The incident occurred just north of Old Bratt Road, which is also known as State Line Road in Florida. The Florida-Alabama state line is generally considered to be along the middle of the roadway.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
First Mail Ballots Returned For August Primary, Including 18 In Escambia County
July 11, 2026
Ballots are being cast across Florida for the 2026 primary election.
In Escambia County, 18 mail ballots had been returned by Friday, with 10 of those Democratic, six Republican, one with no party affiliation (NPA) and one listed as “other”, according to the Supervisor of Elections.
Over 800,000 mail ballots have been sent out across the state.
The deadline to register to vote in the August 18 primary or for changing party affiliation is July 20.
In Escambia County, in-person early voting at limited polling locations will run from August 8 to August 15.
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