Reminder: Louis Street In Cantonment Closed For A Month
November 15, 2021
Louis Street in Cantonment will be closed for about a month beginning Monday.
Louis Street (Highway 297A) will be closed between Washington Street and Lincoln Street for drainage improvements and road widening, according to Escambia County.
Construction is expected to be completed by December 15.
Local traffic will be detoured in the surrounding neighborhood. All other through traffic should use County Road 97 between Muscogee Road and Kingsfield Road.
Pictured: Looking north (above) and south (below) on Louis Street from Lincoln Street Sunday afternoon. NorthEscambia.com graphic and photos, click to enlarge.
Bonus Gallery: Northview Chiefs Band, Cheerleaders And More
November 15, 2021
The Northview Chiefs defeated Bozeman Friday night in Bratt.
For a bonus photo gallery with the band, cheerleaders and more, click or tap here.
For an action photo gallery, click or tap here.
And click here for a game summary.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Northview NJROTC Wins Weekend Orienteering Meet
November 15, 2021
The Northview High School NJROTC took first place overall in a weekend orienteering meet at Blakeley State Park near Spanish Fort.
The Northview cadets also took first in male varsity, second in male junior varsity, and second in female intermediate.
Michael Cody took the top spot in varsity, with Ethan Kilburn and John Bashore coming in third and fourth. Erich Amerson took the second spot on junior varsity, and Dallon Rackard was fifth.
Sarius Davis, Raven Mccarthy and Shelby Kent took second, third and fifth place, respectively, in the female intermediate race.
Orienteering involves navigation with a map and compass with a goal of getting from point to point in the fastest time possible.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Sunny And Warming Week Ahead
November 15, 2021
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 70. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the morning.
Monday Night: Clear, with a low around 47. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 74. Light southeast wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
Tuesday Night: Clear, with a low around 51. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 77. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 56. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
Thursday: A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 75. East wind around 5 mph becoming north in the afternoon.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 47. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 66.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 45.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 69.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 48.
Sunday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 70.
Florida Gas Pries Drift Lower
November 15, 2021
Florida gas prices drifted lower last week, as the price of crude took another back step.
Florida pump prices averaged $3.27 per gallon on Sunday. The state average declined one cent last week, and has declined a total of four cents per gallon since the beginning of November.
In Escambia County, the average gallon of unleaded gas as $3.28. In North Escambia, the lowest price Sunday night was $3.17 at a station of Highway 29 in Cantonment. In Pensacola, prices were as low as $3.06 on Nine Mile Road.
So far this month, crude has mostly struggled to maintain strength, logging three consecutive weekly declines. Friday’s settlement of $80.79 per barrel was down 4% ($2.97) from three weeks ago, thus lowering the cost of producing gasoline.
Walnut Hill VFD Honors Firefighters, NWE Coach Greg Gibson During Record Breaking Fish Fry
November 14, 2021
The Walnut Hill Volunteer Fire Department honored a late community member, a retiring officer and a firefighter during a record-breaking fish fry Saturday.
There were 897 catfish or grilled chicken plates sold — the highest total on record in the 52 years of the event.
For a photo gallery, click or tap here.
The 2021 Community Service Award was awarded posthumously to Greg Gibson. The president of Northwest Escambia (NWE) Chiefs Football and Cheer since 2013 passed away in August.
“He has changed many lives. His memory and actions will continue changing people’s lives forever,” Walnut Hill Chief Kevin Mininger said about Greg Gibson Saturday before presenting the award to his wife, Sylvia Gibson.
Diann Stewart, who is retiring from the department, was named Officer of the Year. She began her service in July 1992 as an EMT and CPR and first responder lead trainer. She has been a firefighter, a fire lieutenant and a fire captain. Her husband, former Walnut Hill Fire Chief Robert Stewart, passed away in 2012.
“She still gave her time unselfishly for nine more years,” current Mininger said. “We would like to thank her for the dedication and willingness to serve our community.”
Austin Snyder was named Walnut Hill Firefighter of the Year, an award chosen by his fellow firefighters.
Proceeds from the event are used by the department for equipment and to assist displaced fire victims.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
No. 3 UWF Claims First Conference Title With 61-42 Win Over No. 2 Valdosta State
November 14, 2021
Another grand mountain was scaled Saturday by the University of West Florida football team.
Before a record crowd of 7,193 at Blue Wahoos Stadium — in a game they long-awaited — the No. 3-ranked Argos overpowered and outwilled their way into a signature 61-42 victory against No. 2-ranked, previously unbeaten Valdosta State in a pair of NCAA Division II football elites.
The win provided UWF (9-1) with their first Gulf South Conference football championship trophy and assured a first-ever home playoff game when the NCAA D-2 playoffs begin Nov. 20.
“I feel we matched that moment and played really well,” said quarterback Austin Reed, who passed 311 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for two touchdowns. “We scored 61 points against the No. 2 team in the country who has been stopping everyone.
“It was an awesome game to be part of, and obviously for conference championship implications, it was special.”
Yes, a lot to unpack for a team which has already delivered so many feats in its five-year history.
“What a great night for Pensacola, what a great night for Blue Wahoos Stadium, UWF athletics and UWF football,” said Argos coach Pete Shinnick. “Amazing crowd, tremendous energy.
“And we needed every bit of it. We had a lot of support building this thing in a way where we could be this type of team. So extremely proud of our team and really honored to be part of this community and play for a conference championship.”
Now, of course, the sights turn on repeating as national champions. This time, the Argos for certain won’t have to sweat the details when the NCAA announces Sunday the 28-team field for the regional playoffs.
After winning nine road playoff games, including the 2019 championship game, UWF will start their next quest at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
“It means a lot to have some playoff games for our fans,” said offensive guard Mike Dilla, who was one of 26 seniors honored before their final regular-season home game. “Our fans are awesome.
“We like playing on the road in the playoffs, but much rather play at home instead. Really looking forward to playoffs coming through Pensacola.”
They made it happen in record setting ways. Here are Saturday’s feats.
- The Argos set a single-game rushing record 347 yards. It was part of a whopping 658 yards total offense.
- Six rushing touchdowns were scored, another team record. Three of those by senior Anthony Johnson Jr., a Pace High grad, who is that school’s all-time rushing leader. In addition to Reed’s two rushing scores, team-leading rusher Shomari Mason added another and finished with 195 yards.
- Reed produced the longest rushing touchdown by a quarterback in team history with his 44-yard run early on the opening possession of the second half.
- The crowd surpassed the Oct. 16 crowd against West Georgia – the Argos first game in Blue Wahoos Stadium since 2019 – as the largest home attendance in team history.
- Against a Valdosta State defense which ranked No. 6 nationally in D-2 for fewest points (12.9) allowed per-game, the Argos hung 60-plus on the Blazers (9-1) and ended their nine-game win streak – tied for best nationally. It also snapped VSU’s 23-game win streak against GSC opponents in the regular season.
“This ranks up there,” said Shinnick in assessing the meaningful rating of the win. “And to be able to get what we did against one of the top scoring defenses in the country… I could not be happier for our guys. We felt if they gave us the right combination we would be able to run the ball.”
It happened and it was essential.
Five times in Saturday’s game UWF opened a double-digit lead, only to have Valdosta State answer with a touchdown to close the margin in a one-score game.
One of those happened right before halftime. UWF followed a touchdown to go up 24-14 by thinking it recovered the ensuing kickoff that bounced out of a VSU returners’ hands.
But a GSC official had inadvertently blown his whistle before the catch and fumble. That nullified the recovery and forced the kickoff to happen again. This time, VSU got the ball and drove 75 yards, aided by a pass interference call that incensed UWF’s sideline, to get a touchdown on the final play of the half.
“We just talked and said, we can’t worry about anything that has already taken place and we can’t worry about what the officials do or don’t do,” Shinnick said. “So let’s just go out and find our way in the second half.
“Offensively, we were just trying to make sure we were staying ahead of the curve a little bit,” Shinnick said.
It was followed by more back-and-forth between the teams until UWF pulled away for good with 17 points in the fourth quarter.
“Coach Shinnick instills in our team to keep having faith,” Mason said. “We knew we just had to make plays and everyone made plays.”
Ka’Ron Ashley, one of the members of UWF’s inaugural 2016 team, caught a pair of touchdown passes and finished with 82 yards. Though he didn’t catch a TD pass, David Durden had five receptions for 120 yards.
Johnson, who came into the game with five touchdowns this season, produced two in the second half Saturday. The best of his three scores was a 66-yard burst for the game’s final points with 7:13 left in the game. He finished with 96 yards in the game.
“Honestly, I came out of the hole stumbling,” Johnson said, breaking into a big smile. “My main thing was, I need to get first down for my team.
“I picked my knees up and that was the fastest I’ve ran in years — I’m not going to lie. My legs got a little heavy but we got there.”
Said Shinnick jokingly: “I was hoping no one would catch him. I was thinking where is the guy from Pace, who was running all over the place (in high school).”
While Valdosta State amassed 599 yards on 83 plays, UWF’s defense did help put the game away with stops in the fourth quarter, including Shannon Showers’ interception at the Argos’ 12 to thwart a drive.
“It was a perfect scenario,” Dilla said. “You couldn’t really ask for a better game on a better night on our last regular season game.”
By Bill Vilona. Photos:Morgan Givens/UWF for NorthEscambia.com.
Make Your Appointment Now To Let The Miracle League Fry Your Thanksgiving Turkey
November 14, 2021
Now is the time to reserve your spot to have the Miracle League of Pensacola fry your Thanksgiving turkey.
A minimum of $30 per turkey or turkey breast is necessary to help cover costs, and any additional donation will benefit the Miracle League of Pensacola. The minimum charge is $35 for turkeys that are 20 pounds or more.
Call (850) 375-1577 with questions or to schedule your appointment (leave a message if no answer). Walk-ups are welcome, but reservations should be made early as the number of time slots is limited and appointments take priority.
There are a few things to remember after scheduling an appointment. Completely thaw your turkey, removing all of the inside packaging and giblets. Write down exactly how much your turkey weighs so it is fried perfectly and take it to the Miracle League Park at 555 East Nine Mile Road at your appointment time between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Wednesday, November 24. And be on time for your appointment.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
DeSantis Appoints Century Woman To Florida Board of Cosmetology
November 14, 2021
A Century woman is one of four people appointed to the Florida Board of Cosmetology by Gov. Ron DeSantis.
Stephania Streit is the president of Streit Smart Capital. Previously, she was a sales manager for American Heritage Financial and a member of the Pensacola State College District Board of Trustees. Streit earned her bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in business administration from the University of Southern Mississippi.
The other appointees were from Miami, Pompano Beach and Tallahassee.
Traffic Alerts: What To Expect This Week
November 14, 2021
<Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.
Escambia County
- Pensacola Bay Bridge (U.S. 98) Replacement - Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures and shifts on the Pensacola Bay Bridge from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 14 through Saturday, Nov. 20. Crews will be using lanes on the current bridge as a platform to pour concrete decks for the westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) structure.
- North Ninth Avenue (State Road (S.R.) 289) Carpenters Creek Bridge Replacement- All travel lanes are temporarily shifted to the northbound side of the bridge as crews replace the southbound portion of the structure. Additionally, drivers may encounter intermittent temporary lane closures from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Nov. 15 through Friday, Nov. 19 as crews mobilize materials and equipment.
- West Cervantes Street (U.S. 90) Pedestrian Safety Improvement – Drivers will encounter intermittent lane closures between the following locations as crews perform median improvements and install poles for pedestrian traffic signals.
- A and N Streets (inside lane closures)
- Kirk and R Streets (intermittent outside lane closure)
- Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90) Widening from Beulah Road to Pine Forest Road (S.R. 297) – Drivers will encounter temporary intermittent shifts to allow crews to pave turn lanes, side streets, driveways, and the on- and off-ramps to Interstate 10 (I-10). Access to all businesses will be maintained. Traffic flaggers and signage will be in place to direct traffic.
- U.S. 29 Widening from I-10 to Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90) – Drivers can expect intermittent lane closures and shifts from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. on U.S. 29, between I-10 and Nine and Half Mile Road, and on Nine Mile Road at the U.S. 29 interchange.
- Sorrento Road (S.R. 292) Intersection Improvements at Innerarity Point (County Road 292A) – Motorists can expect daytime shoulder closures the week of Monday, Nov. 15 as crews place a watermain.
- Interstate 110 (I-110) Routine Bridge Maintenance over S.R. 752 (Texar Street) Overpass – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures four miles south of I-10 from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 16 through Thursday, Nov. 18 for routine bridge maintenance.
- Theo Baars bridge on S.R. 292 (Gulf Beach Highway) Routine Bridge Maintenance over the Intracoastal Waterways – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 14 through Monday, Nov. 15, for a routine bridge maintenance.
Santa Rosa County
- Pensacola Bay Bridge (U.S. 98) Replacement – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures and lane shifts on the Pensacola Bay Bridge from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 14 through Saturday, Nov. 20. Crews will be using lanes on the current bridge as a platform to pour concrete decks for the westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) structure. Additional work will include the installation of pier lighting.
- I-10 Resurfacing East of S.R. 281 (Avalon Boulevard) to East of S.R. 87 – Motorists can expect intermittent lane closures on the Blackwater River Bridge from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 14 through Thursday, Nov. 18 as crews perform paving operations.
- U.S. 98 Widening from Bayshore Road to Portside Drive – Major roadway construction activities are currently underway. Improvements on the 4.25-mile section include widening the roadway from four to a six-lanes with a raised median; safety and drainage upgrades; resurfacing State Road 281 (Avalon Boulevard) from U.S. 98 to Garcon Point Bridge; extending the existing shared-use path on the south side of U.S. 98 from Gondolier Boulevard; and new signage and pavement markings.
- S.R. 281 (Avalon Boulevard) Routine Maintenance near Garcon Point Bridge – Motorists can expect intermittent lane closures from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 17, as crews instill signage.
All activities are weather-dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.