Escambia County, Florida, is experiencing a troubling rise in overdoses among girls aged 10 to 19, highlighting a critical lack of local youth-specific substance abuse treatment facilities. Despite existing resources for adults, there are no dedicated in-patient or out-patient programs for children, forcing families to seek help far away, often at great expense. The issue is being discussed at the Opioid Abatement Funding Advisory Board meeting, with hopes for new programs pending funding approval. Community members like Melissa Moyer Pusch are advocating for increased awareness and resources to combat the crisis.
The Florida Department of Health in Escambia County has issued a rabies advisory after a bat tested positive for rabies in Tippin Park. Residents and visitors are urged to avoid contact with wild animals, immunize pets, and take precautions to prevent rabies exposure. If bitten or scratched by an animal, seek medical attention and report the incident to local authorities.
Escambia County in Florida has launched a new telemedicine program called Tele911, which allows 911 callers to consult with a doctor virtually before an ambulance is dispatched. The aim is to free up ambulances for more urgent cases, as many calls are for non-emergency issues. The program has already reduced unnecessary 911 calls and helped paramedics and EMTs make more informed decisions about transporting patients to the hospital. Since its implementation in January, there have been 193 Tele911 interactions with patients.
A federal judge has allowed a lawsuit challenging book bans in Escambia County, Florida, to proceed, as the county has removed over 1,000 titles from school library shelves for review under a law limiting discussion of gender and sexual orientation. The lawsuit, brought by Penguin Random House, PEN America, authors, and families, argues that the removal and restriction of books violates the First Amendment, disproportionately targeting books by or about people of color and LGBTQ people. Recent legislation in Florida has led to increased attempts to ban library materials, with most challenges targeting books by or about marginalized communities.
Escambia County Emergency Management is closely monitoring a powerful storm, focusing on wind as the main threat. The Emergency Operation Center will not be activated until the storm hits and 911 calls come in, but they are prepared to respond swiftly. The center will start filling up with personnel around 10 p.m. as the storm approaches the area.
A Florida couple, Natalie Fonseca and Nafis Reynolds, have been arrested and charged with attempted murder, armed carjacking, armed robbery, and kidnapping after allegedly carjacking a man, taking turns cutting his throat, and throwing him off a bridge. The victim had met Fonseca on social media and was introduced to Reynolds as her uncle. After stealing the victim's belongings, the couple threw him off a bridge into the Escambia River. Miraculously, the victim survived and swam to shore, where he flagged down a deputy to report the incident.
The Florida Department of Health has issued a mosquito-borne illness alert in Escambia County after two confirmed cases of West Nile virus. Residents and visitors are advised to take precautions such as draining standing water, wearing protective clothing, using mosquito repellent, and repairing broken screens to prevent mosquito bites.
Two cases of West Nile virus have been reported in Escambia County, highlighting the presence of the mosquito-borne disease in the area and raising concerns for public health.
146 people were rescued from the Forest Creek Apartments in Escambia County due to severe flooding caused by heavy rainfall. Emergency responders used boats to evacuate residents from the complex, and no injuries were reported.
The Florida Department of Health has issued a Rabies Alert for Escambia County after three people were exposed to one rabid fox and one person was exposed to a rabid bat this month. The health department is urging residents across the county to avoid contact with wild and stray animals to protect against risk of rabies exposure. Rabies is transmitted through exposure to the saliva and nervous tissue from a rabid animal through a bite, scratch, or contact with mucous membranes such as the eyes, nose, or mouth. The department provides rabies vaccinations to victims of animal bites, the only known effective treatment for rabies prevention in humans.
The health department in Escambia County has issued a warning about rabid bats and foxes in the area. Residents are advised to avoid contact with these animals and to ensure their pets are up to date on their rabies vaccinations.
PEN America and Penguin Random House have filed a lawsuit against the school district and board in Escambia County, Florida, challenging decisions to restrict or remove books from school libraries. The suit argues that these decisions violate the First and 14th Amendments and asks the court to restore the books to the shelves and restrain the school district from removing or restricting access to them. The lawsuit names 10 books which the school board removed from the shelves, overriding the recommendations of a district review committee, including two written by plaintiffs in the suit, George M. Johnson and Kyle Lukoff.
A 13-year-old girl has been missing in Escambia County, Florida since Monday. The police are conducting a search for her and have asked the public for any information that could help locate her.
One person is dead and three others, including an Alabama State Trooper, were injured in a shooting that occurred after a police chase in Escambia County. The pursuit began after the Trooper attempted to stop a vehicle for a traffic violation on Interstate 65. The Trooper is in stable condition and is expected to recover. The incident is currently being investigated by ALEA's State Bureau of Investigation.
