Ralph Douglas Benson
November 5, 2023
Ralph Douglas Benson, 88, of Pensacola Florida, left this life on Saturday, November 4, 2023.
“Doug” to his family and friends, was born in the beautiful Smoky Mountains of Brevard, North Carolina on March 6, 1935 to Ralph and Julie Benson. He was married to his high school sweetheart and love of his life, Martha Hooper Benson for an amazing 70 years! They would have three lovely daughters, Debbie, Jeanie, and Kathy.
Doug had a career in instrumentation, and was the owner/operator of Benson Instrument Group. He served 4 years Active duty in the United States Air Force and completed a 38-year career in the Air Force reserves. He was a member of Hillcrest Baptist Church, and had a passion for collectible cars, golf, water skiing and his grandkids.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Ralph and Julie Benson; his brothers, Joe Benson and John Benson; and sister, Margaret Garren.
He is survived by his wife, Martha Benson; daughters, Debbie Garrett (Dan), Jeanie Roberts (Lyle), and Kathy Speese (Gene); 8 grandchildren, Jennifer Welu (Ben), Nicholas Garrett, Daniel Garrett (Kayla), Jeffrey Garrett, Chennon Roberts, Alyssondra Roberts, Joshua Roberts, Brandon Speese (Kendra); 6 great grandchildren, Jackson, Quinn, Claire, Cooper, Grant, and Barrett; sister, Linda Peeples (Paul); and brother, Mike Benson (Debbie).
Funeral services for Ralph Douglas Benson will be held at Faith Chapel North on Hwy 29 Tuesday, November 14, 2023. Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. Funeral services will begin at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Jim Locks officiating. Ralph will be laid to rest at Barrancas National Cemetery with military honors.
Pallbearers include Brandon Speese, Jeffrey Garrett, Joshua Roberts, Nicholas Garrett, Daniel Garrett, and Ben Welu.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North, 1000 South Highway 29, Cantonment, is entrusted with arrangements. You may express condolences online at www.fcfhs.com.
Sunny, About 80 For Sunday Afternoon
November 4, 2023
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Today: Sunny, with a high near 80. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Tonight: Clear, with a low around 47. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 79. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph in the morning.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 48. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 80. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 52. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 80. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming southwest in the morning.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 55. South wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 82. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 59.
Thursday: Partly sunny, with a high near 81.
Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 59.
Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 76.
Photo Galleries: Blue Angels Homecoming Weekend
November 4, 2023
Over 200,000 spectators were expected during the two-day Blue Angels Homecoming Airshow Friday and Saturday and at Pensacola Naval Air Station.
The weekend included performances included the United States Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, The Blue Angels; the U.S. Air Force’s F-16 Viper Demonstration Team; the U.S. Air Force’s F-35A Demonstration Team; Brian Correll Air Shows; Adam Baker Airshows; RAD Aerosports; the Stearman Flight Team; and the Third Strike WingWalkers and the Budweiser Clydesdales.
For more photos, from Friday, click or tap here.
For Saturday photos, click here.
Over 200,000 spectators were expected during the two-day Blue Angels Homecoming Airshow Friday and Saturday and at Pensacola Naval Air Station.The weekend included performances by the United States Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, The Blue Angels; the U.S. Air Force’s F-16 Viper Demonstration Team; the U.S. Air Force’s F-35A Demonstration Team; Brian Correll Air Shows; Adam Baker Airshows; RAD Aerosports; the Stearman Flight Team; and the Third Strike WingWalkers and the Budweiser Clydesdales.For more photos, from Friday, click or tap here.For Saturday photos, click or tap here.Themed 50 Years of Women in Naval Aviation, the 2023 NAS Pensacola Blue Angels Homecoming Airshow is designed to honor and recognize the significant contributions women have made to naval aviation since the enactment of the Women’s Armed Services Integration Act, which removed restrictions previously prohibiting women from serving in combat-related roles and ultimately opened the door for women to pursue careers as Naval Aviators. The first clas of female Naval Aviators began training in 1973 at NAS Pensacola.
Pictured:The Blue Angels Homecoming Airshow on Friday. NorthEscambia.com photos by Perry Doggrell, click to enlarge.
Walnut Hill VFD Honors Firefighters, Community Members During 54th Annual Fish Fry (With Photo Gallery)
November 4, 2023
The Walnut Hill Volunteer Fire Department honored members of the community and the department during their 54th annual fish fry Saturday.
Joe Witherspoon (pictured second below) was named Firefighter of the Year, an award chosen by his fellow firefighters. Gerry Steege (pictured above) was named Officer of the Year and recognized for his service to the department.
Chris and Sandy Creverling (pictured first below)received the Walnut Hill Volunteer Fire Department’s Community Service Award for outstanding and dedicated service to the community.
There were hundreds of $12 catfish and grilled chicken plates sold. Plates included a choice of grilled catfish, fried catfish or grilled chicken, plus baked beans, coleslaw, homemade bread and homemade desserts. There were also drawings for door prizes throughout the event.
The Big Red Bus was also on hand for blood donations.
For more photos, click or tap here.
For more photos, click or tap here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Arkansas To Take on Georgia For The SEC Women’s Soccer Championship At Ashton Brosnaham Park
November 4, 2023
The Arkansas Razorbacks will take on the Georgia Bulldogs Sunday afternoon for the SEC Women’s Soccer Championship at Escambia County’s Ashton Brosnaham Athletic Park.
Admission is free for children four and under. there will be a Free Fan Fest from from 11 a.m. until halftime of the game with music, food trucks and activities for all ages.
This is the second year that Escambia County has hosted the tournament. Pensacola first hosted the tournament in 2022 and set SEC records for attendance. Escambia County is scheduled to host through 2024 with an option to extend the agreement through 2026.
Over the last six years, the SEC has earned 44 NCAA Tournament bids – an average of more than seven per year – with all 14 member institutions making at least two appearances during that span. Eight different SEC teams have advanced to the Round of 16 since 2013 and the league has placed teams in the NCAA quarterfinals in each of the last nine seasons.
Last year, the South Carolina Gamecocks women’s soccer team won the SEC Championship
Game time is 1 p.m.
Fires Damage Two North Escambia Structures Saturday
November 4, 2023
Two unrelated fires damaged structures in North Escambia on Saturday.
The first was reported about 4:30 p.m. in the 4800 block of North Pineville Road, just north of Arthur Brown Road. It was first reported as a yard fire that spread to home. One person was reportedly injured and evaluated by Escambia County EMS.
The second was reported about 7 p.m. in the 100 block of Brown Road, just off North Century Boulevard. firefighters arrived to find the structure fully involved in fire.
Additional details were not available as investigations continued.
NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Animal Welfare Open On Sundays Beginning Today
November 4, 2023
The Escambia County Department of Animal Welfare is pleased to announce it will begin extended holiday hours starting Sunday, Nov. 5. The Animal Welfare and Adoption Center will open on the following Sundays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. through the remainder of the year to allow the public additional opportunities to adopt:
- Nov. 5
- Nov. 12
- Nov. 19
- Nov. 26
- Dec. 3
- Dec. 10
- Dec. 17
The facility will be closed to the public for the following holiday dates:
- Nov. 10 – Veterans Day
- Nov. 23-24 – Thanksgiving
- Dec. 24-25 – Christmas
- Dec. 31-Jan. 2 – New Year’s
“One of our priorities at the Escambia County Department of Animal Welfare is to get animals out of our facility and into their forever homes,” said John Robinson, Director for the Department of Animal Welfare. “We do this through adoptions and reuniting lost pets with their families. During this holiday season, thanks to help from our other county departments, we have the ability to be open on Sundays to provide more of these opportunities for everyone. Our long-term goal is to provide these new hours on a permanent basis. We believe this is a benefit to the animals in our facility and the members of our community.”
The Escambia County Animal Welfare and Adoption Center is located at 200 W. Fairfield Drive. Hours of operation Friday from 12-5 p.m., and Saturdays from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m.
Northview Falls On The Road To Undefeated Walton
November 3, 2023
The undefeated Walton Braves defeated the Northview Chiefs 54-14 Friday night at Walton.
The Chiefs enterered the game ranked fifth in Region 1-1R…a win would have ensured a first-round matchup against the Jay Royals.
A loss to the 10-0 Walton Braves might still increase the final computer rankings for the Chiefs (3-5); we’ll find out when the next FHSAA rankings are released.
NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Walnut Hill VFD Fish Fry Is Today
November 3, 2023
The Walnut Hill Volunteer Fire Department will host their 54th annual fish fry on Saturday.
The fish fry will be held Saturday from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the Walnut Hill Fire Station at 7760 Highway 97, just north of Ernest Ward Middle School.
Plates will be $12 each with a choice of grilled catfish, fried catfish or grilled chicken, plus baked beans, coleslaw, homemade bread and homemade desserts. There will also be a drawing for door prizes throughout the event.
The Big Red Bus will also be on hand for blood donations.
NorthEscambia.com photo.
High School Football Scoreboard
November 3, 2023
Here are a high schoool football scores from around the North Escambia area.
FLORIDA
- West Florida 35, Gulf Breeze 32
- Tate 45, Washington 0
- Nicevile 63, Navarrre 34
- Walton 54, Northview 14
- Escambia 47, Pensacola 7
- Pace 35, Lafayette 7
- Catholic 34, JP 13
- Jay 41, Blacksher 20,
- Godby at Milton
- St. John Paul II at Pensacola Catholic
- BYE: Pine Forest
ALABAMA
- Flomaton 63 Marengo 0
- T.R. Miller 36, W.S. Neal 8
- Chambers Academy 55, Escambia Acacdemy 18