Latest news with #BaptistHealthCare
Yahoo
30-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Fricker Center renovation sparks tension as Black residents tell city: We don't trust you
More than 100 people packed into the Fricker Community Center early this week for an input meeting on the center's renovations, and a large contingent of that group delivered a clear message to the city of Pensacola: We don't trust you. Several who spoke at the July 23 community engagement meeting in the predominantly Black neighborhood were full of fear and concern that the renovations of the Fricker Center would lead to more gentrification and even the closing of the nearby public housing complex Attucks Court. The meeting was publicly live-streamed on Facebook by multiple attendees. What is planned for the Fricker Center? Pensacola has $9.5 million in state grants to fund a renovation of The Fricker Center. The first grant was awarded in 2023 as part of the Hurricane Sally Infrastructure Repair Program, and a $4 million grant from the Florida Commerce Department. The grants must improve stormwater infrastructure on the property, but will also upgrade the center's classrooms, restrooms, playground, kitchen facilities, computer lab, and add a senior center that will be a health education and outreach facility with Baptist Health Care. The grant also calls for part of the building to be demolished and replaced with a two-story multipurpose space. The meeting on July 23 was meant to get input and suggestions from the public on the project. Loss of trust with Black residents The grants were some of the first won by Pensacola Mayor D.C. Reeves' administration, and Reeves has noted no previous city government has invested more in the city's westside than his administration, with the Fricker Center and efforts to create affordable housing on the former Baptist Hospital campus as two key examples. However, it's evident from recordings of the July 23 meeting those investments have not translated into trust. Pensacola resident Gerald Graham said he was disappointed that Mayor D.C. Reeves was not at the meeting and believes the city has an ulterior motive with the project. 'The renovations of the building is fine,' Graham said. 'I'm cool with that; however, I know the city of Pensacola and the officials of Pensacola have an ulterior motive. There's something more behind it.' He said he believes the city's gentrification is going to cross to the north side of Cervantes Street, and that Attucks Court will be shut down. "Pensacola is changing," Graham said. Assistant Parks and Recreation Director Tonya Byrd was the most senior city official at the meeting, and she said there are no plans to close Attucks Court, and the city doesn't control Attucks Court. 'We're not here to take Attucks Court from you,' Byrd said. 'We're here to improve this community center for this neighborhood.' All public housing complexes are under the Area Housing Commission, which is made up of five members appointed by both the city and Escambia County, and one selected from the Tenants' Association. Pensacola resident Jermaine Williams was not convinced and didn't trust those in office downtown. 'I've never seen the city of Pensacola dump $9 million into the Black community," Williams said. Pensacola has seen a loss of Black residents in the last 20 years While there are no plans to close Attucks Court, the anger expressed at the sense of loss of Black neighborhoods is reflected in real trends in local population data. In the last 20 years, the city of Pensacola has seen a decline in the number of Black residents, according to U.S. Census data, while the overall population has remained between 51,00 and 56,000 over that time period. In 2000, the city was 30% Black, but in 2020 that number had fallen to 22.19%, a raw number loss of 5,034 people. The number of Black residents in the Escambia County communities immediately surrounding the city limits – like Myrtle Grove, Bellview and Ferry Pass – has seen a corresponding growth in the share of Black residents. Census estimates show that the number is continuing to decline, with the most recent 2023 estimate at 21.2%. Another meeting at the Fricker Center is planned for July 31 at 6:30 p.m. Pensacola spokesperson Dominque Epps said Interim Parks and Recreation Director Kerry Shanaghan will be in attendance. The mayor and City Councilman Delarian Wiggins, who represents the area, will also hold a general town hall in August, though the exact time and location haven't been set yet. This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Pensacola Fricker Center renovation sparks gentrification concerns Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
11th annual Casino Royale Gala raises nearly $280,000 for Baptist Health Care Foundation
Baptist Health Care Foundation's 11th annual Casino Royale gala raised nearly $280,000. Proceeds will benefit Gulf Breeze Hospital. This year, Baptist is celebrating two major milestones − 40 years of compassionate care, innovation and excellence at Gulf Breeze Hospital and 50 years of transformative philanthropic support and impact through the Foundation. The annual Casino Royale gala is held at the Hilton Pensacola Beach. This year's theme was based on the James Bond movie, Dr. No. More than 300 guests enjoyed an elegant gourmet dinner, six-piece showband, casino games and a silent auction. To learn more about the Baptist Health Care Foundation or to make a contribution, call 448-227-8150 or visit Sunday's Child, a Pensacola-based nonprofit organization that promotes equality and inspires inclusion by awarding grants for significant charitable and economic initiatives, announces the opening of its 2025 grant cycle. Nonprofits serving Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties are invited to submit a Letter of Intent now through June 2 at Community Force, found at Founded on the belief that philanthropic action fosters social change, Sunday's Child has awarded over $1 million in grants since its inception in 2014, supporting projects that improve quality of life while upholding policies of inclusivity, particularly for the LGBTQ+ community. Past recipients include Pensacola Little Theatre, Community Health Northwest Florida, First City Arts Center, Manna Food Pantries, and many more organizations making a lasting impact. For the 2025 grant cycle, nonprofits can apply for awards of up to $50,000 to fund new programs, expand existing initiatives, or develop collaborative projects. Applications must serve residents of Escambia and/or Santa Rosa Counties and be completed within 18 months of award. Following the LOI and full grant application submissions, the Sunday's Child Grant Review Committees will evaluate applications and select finalists. All applicants will be notified of the evaluation process within one week of the grant application closing. Finalists will be announced in September 2025 and invited to present a five-minute verbal pitch — without visual aids — at the annual meeting on Oct. 12. Members will vote on recipients immediately following the presentations. Visit for details. The Escambia County Board of County Commissioners is seeking Escambia County residents interested in volunteering to be considered for the county administrator's appointment to the Escambia County Mass Transit Advisory Committee. Escambia residents interested in serving on the Escambia County Mass Transit Advisory Committee are asked to submit a resume by 5 p.m. May 23. Resumes should be emailed to boardapply@ or mailed to: Jose Gochez, Program Manager; Escambia County Board of County Commissioners; 221 Palafox Place; Pensacola, FL 32502 Be aware that resumes submitted to a BCC agenda for consideration will become part of the official minutes and are subject to public records requests. The board, in its regular meeting on Oct. 1, 2009, adopted a resolution establishing the MTAC. The MTAC meets quarterly, typically on the second Wednesday of the month from 3 to 5 p.m. Escambia County Sea Turtle Patrol volunteers celebrated Mother's Day with the first nest of the 2025 season on Perdido Key. This nest is the earliest nest on record for Perdido Key and ties for the earliest nest on Pensacola Beach since county surveys began in 2019. Heavy rains and Sargassum have made for tricky patrol conditions, but eagle-eyed patrollers spotted the loggerhead nest despite high surf and overnight rain. Loggerheads account for 90 percent of nests laid in Escambia County. May and June are the busiest nesting months in Escambia County, so more nests are expected in the coming weeks. Three other species of sea turtle nest on Escambia County beaches from May to October, including greens, leatherbacks and the rare Kemp's Ridley. Once laid, the eggs will incubate for around 60 days, after which hatchlings emerge under the cover of darkness and make their way to the Gulf. Sea turtles of all sizes face many threats. For nesting females, white lights on the beach may deter them from nesting or cause them to abandon a nesting attempt. Furniture, tents and toys left on the beach overnight create obstacles for nesting turtles and can injure or trap them on the beach. Follow the Escambia County Natural Resources Management Department on Facebook and Instagram at @ECNaturalResources for future updates and visit for more information about sea turtles and other coastal wildlife in Escambia County. Take part: To make a Causes submission, email giving@ Never miss a story: Subscribe to the Pensacola News Journal using the link at the bottom of the page under Stay Connected. This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Casino Royale Gala raises nearly $280,000 for Baptist Health Care
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Cardiovascular Symposium celebrates 10 years of free education to healthcare professionals
More than 350 health care professionals recently gathered for Baptist Heart & Vascular Institute's 10th annual Cardiovascular Symposium at Sanders Beach-Corinne Jones Resource Center. Speakers included physicians and leaders from Baptist Health Care as well David E. Winchester, M.D., M.S., FACP, FACC, FASNC, professor of Medicine and Radiology from the University of Florida. Since its inception, Baptist Heart & Vascular Institute's Cardiovascular Symposium has provided free continuing education to more than 3,000 health care professionals throughout Northwest Florida and South Alabama. Visit for details. Escambia County is hosting volunteer workdays from 9 to 11 a.m. Friday, March 28 and April 25 at the Perdido Key Coastal Demonstration Garden, 15500 Perdido Key Drive. Workdays are open to the public and are opportunities to become familiar with native species and gardening techniques, including how to care for and maintain coastal species. County staff will provide all necessary tools and equipment. Volunteers should wear comfortable clothing and bring a water bottle. All ages are welcome, although volunteers younger than 18 will need a parent or guardian onsite for the duration of the event. Volunteers should register in advance on Eventbrite at There is no cost to register. The Perdido Key Coastal Demonstration Garden was installed in 2021 with funding provided by the Pensacola and Perdido Bay Estuary Program's Community Grant Program. The garden highlights native coastal species and exhibits various landscape techniques suited for the barrier island. All plants are approved for use under the Perdido Key Habitat Conservation Plan and provide benefits to native wildlife and pollinators. For questions regarding the garden or workdays, email smpitts@ Stay up to date on the garden and future projects by following Escambia County Natural Resources Management on Facebook and Instagram. Visit for details. The next Mayor's Neighborhood Cleanup will be Saturday, March 29 in the area north of East Hill, along with some surrounding neighborhoods. This event allows city of Pensacola sanitation customers in the cleanup area to leave eligible items at the curb for pickup, free of customers in the cleanup area must place items curbside by 7 a.m. on the day of the cleanup. Note that items left curbside outside of the cleanup area will not be collected. The cleanup includes bulk items only. Yard waste or garbage will not be collected. Keep tires and paint cans separate from all other debris. Do not place piles under low-hanging lines or near poles, fences or mailboxes. Through the Mayor's Neighborhood Cleanup program, all city neighborhoods have a cleanup once a year during the months of January through October. In addition to sanitation services collecting items left at the curb, city of Pensacola code enforcement conducts a sweep of the cleanup area and addresses any code violations. Visit for details. The city of Pensacola was recently informed it had been awarded $608,200 from FloridaCommerce through the Defense Infrastructure Grant Program. This grant program supports infrastructure projects deemed to have an impact on the military value of installations within the state. The aim of this local project is to identify property near Naval Air Station Pensacola and develop it for affordable housing for military personnel and their families while fostering economic development in the city. The proposed initiative aims to address the increasing challenge of affordable housing faced by junior enlisted personnel at NAS Pensacola. By securing strategically located land for development, the city seeks to enhance military readiness and retention, reduce commuting times, and alleviate financial stress for military families. The project is slated to begin July 1 and is expected to be complete by April 1, 2026. Pensacola was one of eight projects funded through this latest round of the Defense Infrastructure Grant Program. Visit for details. Take part: To make a Causes submission, email giving@ Never miss a story: Subscribe to the Pensacola News Journal using the link at the bottom of the page under Stay Connected. This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Cardiovascular Symposium celebrates 10 years of healthcare education
