Tate, Washington Face Off Friday Night In First City Bowl At Wahoos Stadium
November 2, 2023
written by Bill Vilona
The Blue Wahoos have always tried to seek ways to be innovative with special
events at their stadium outside of baseball season.
The inaugural First City Bowl game, presented by Cox Communications on Friday at 7 p.m. represents the latest one.
With its unique backdrop and configuration, the event is more than just a season-finale, high school football game between the Tate Aggies and the Washington Wildcats.
It’s the first time that Blue Wahoos Stadium has staged a regular-season, prep football game, utilizing both schools’ bands and other components to provide a different kind of experience. “I think this really meets our mission, which includes creating a community type of event like this game,” said Blue Wahoos president Jonathan Griffith, whose idea it was a year ago to bring two area high school teams for a game with a special name. “We thought it would be fun to name it the First City Bowl and get people excited about it and hopefully we will have many more of these games. “What you want is all these kids playing Friday to one day bring their own kids out to the stadium and say, ‘I played on this field.’ It’s another way to create those memories for life.”
The admission price, online ticketing, game operations matches the way all high school games are played in this area. The stadium will utilize all of its concession stands. The video board will have the game action. Cox Communications is providing a televised broadcast available on its YurView channel for Cox subscribers. With it being Washington’s home game, the Wildcats will be in the Blue Wahoos clubhouse and their band will perform pregame, along with both school bands performing at halftime. Tate will be in
the visiting team clubhouse at the stadium. “It’s been fun for me to see how open these two schools have been to this event,” said Shannon Hannah, the Blue Wahoos events manager. “They seem to be happy for the partnership. “Since we first announced in
ugust this game being played here and calling it the First City Bowl, the schools have been super responsive, excited and enthusiastic about to play the game here. “It’s a community experience,” said Hannah, who worked with both schools to handle logistic challenges. “We have never done this before and I think the kids are going to be excited to play here and have the experience of playing here.”
For both teams, the game represents a positive way to end the season. Washington won its season-opener, but has since lost the other seven games. “I think it was an easy trade (when proposal to was made months ago) on moving our home game to a professional baseball stadium that is one of the best in the country,” said Wildcats coach Ryan Onkka. “This will be our senior night moved to a new place. That will be a unique experience and a great first- time experience for these kids. “To us, it’s like our Super Bowl. That is how we will view it to build off and welcome it.”
Tate (4-5) will have a chance to finish with a winning record for the first time since 2017. The Aggies have already made significant strides under head coach Rhett Summerford, working his second season at Tate. The Aggies had won just one game in each of the previous four seasons. “It’s huge,” Summerford said, after his team dropped its third consecutive game in a loss at Escambia. “I am so glad we are playing there (at Blue Wahoos Stadium. Because it gives our kids some excitement. “We need some excitement now. Our guys are still playing their tails off, but we’re just not doing some of the things we were doing earlier this year. “We are playing in a phenomenal venue. It’s a great way to send our seniors out. We are going to prepare and play as hard as we can to play our best.”
WHEN: Friday, 7 p.m.
WHERE: Blue Wahoos Stadium
ADMISSION: $7.
TICKETS: Available online at www.bluewahoos.com/tickets. Or stadium box
office.
INFORMATION: www.bluewahoos.com/firstcitybowl.
PROMOTION: Early-arriving fans will receive special light-up bracelets,
courtesy of Cox Communications. There is a limited number.
GAME INFO: Seating is general admission, no reserved seating. Both teams’
bands will perform at halftime. Other special activities will occur.
No Serious Injuries When Train Strikes Pickup At East Kingsfield Crossing
November 2, 2023
There were only minor injuries reported Thursday when a train collided with a pickup truck on East Kingsfield Road.
Just before noon, a white Nissan pickup was stopped in traffic facing west on East Kingsfield Road approaching Highway 95A. A CSX train was traveling south on the railroad approaching the crossing.The train engine collided with the rear of the Nissan pickup. The 66-year old driver of the pickup sustained only minor injuries, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
File photo.
Fields Of Faith: Community Worship Service Held
November 2, 2023
Northview High School’s Fellowship of Christian Athletes hosted a spring Fields of Faith on a cold Wednesday night in Tommy Weaver Memorial Stadium.
Fields of Faith is a national student-led initiative. “Students invite, pray for, share with, and challenge their peers to read the Bible and follow Jesus Christ. An athletic field provides a neutral, rally point where a community can come together,” according to national organizers.
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Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Circuit Court Releases More Info On Computer Hack
November 2, 2023
The investigation is continuing into an “information technology security event” that impacted court in the First Judicial Circuit. This week, the court issued the following statement
This provides an update on the First Judicial Circuit of Florida’s (“Circuit”) investigation into a cyber incident. As our investigation is still ongoing, the Circuit is committed to providing information about the incident, our response, and steps for potentially impacted individuals to follow for protection against the possibility of identity theft or fraud. The Circuit takes this incident very seriously and is using this opportunity to further strengthen our policies, practices, and technology to protect against future attacks.
What Happened and What the Circuit Has Done: Upon detecting suspicious activity on its network, the Circuit responded quickly and temporarily disconnected computer systems to mitigate risk to sensitive information. Circuit Administration began investigating the cyber incident, including coordinating with law enforcement authorities, and utilizing Mandiant, leading global cybersecurity experts, to assist our team in forensic investigation and remediation efforts. The Circuit worked quickly to restore safe and secure access to court operations, services, and systems.
What Information Was Affected: Review and analysis of the affected data involved in this cyber incident is ongoing. While the impacted information varies based on the individual and their relationship with the Circuit, the following information may have been accessed as a result of this incident: name; Social Security number; taxpayer identification number; date of birth; driver’s license information; and state identification number. In addition, for some individuals, certain types of health and insurance information may also have been accessed.
What Information Was Not Affected: The Clerks of the Court in Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, and Walton Counties maintain the official records of the court in a separate system. As a result, based on the investigation to date, the Clerks’ records and data are not impacted by this incident.
What Should Individuals Do: Out of an abundance of caution, individuals may wish to take steps to protect themselves against the possibility of identity theft and fraud. The Circuit will notify impacted entities and individuals, as appropriate, through various communication channels, including through a media press release, letters mailed and/or emails.
Potentially affected individuals are encouraged to remain vigilant against incidents of identity theft by reviewing personal accounts and credit history for unusual activity and reporting any suspicious activity promptly. The Circuit has established a dedicated website, www.firstjudicialcircuit.org/NoticeofDataIncident, which provides additional resources for individuals.
The Circuit sincerely thanks everyone for their patience during this challenging matter. Special recognition to the Clerks of Court for their invaluable assistance and cooperation in restoring court operations; the Office of the State Attorney; the Office of the Public Defender; and the Office of Criminal Conflict and Civil Regional Counsel, along with other partner agencies, who stepped in to provide support with responding to this incident.
Catherine Carlene “Carla” Yeager
November 2, 2023
Catherine Carlene “Carla” Yeager, 85, of Cantonment, Florida passed away peacefully at home Thursday, November 2, 2023. Catherine was born February 11, 1938 in Highsprings, Florida to the late, Katie Corene Davis. She graduated from Bronson High School in 1957 and married Robert “Bobby” Yeager, Sr on November 22, 1961 in Jacksonville, Florida. She loved and honored her family and friends well. She exemplified beauty, kindness, faithfulness, strength and courage to all that knew her. Her strong faith carried her through life and into the arms of Jesus.
Catherine is preceded in death by her mother, Katie Corene Davis; her husband, Robert Lee “Bobby” Yeager, Sr; and her son, Robert Lee Yeager, Jr.
She is survived by her daughter, Robin Hicks Wopat (Marvin); granddaughter, Hannah Grace Hicks; sister, Patricia “Patsy” Sheppard; brothers, Darrell, Dale, and Arnold Davis; along with many nieces and nephews.
A memorial service for Catherine Carlene Yeager will be held Saturday, December 2, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North. The family invites friends for reception following the service.
Donations may be made in her honor to FavorHouse of Northwest Florida & Gulf Coast Kid’s House
www.favorhouse.org
www.gulfcoastkidshouse.org
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North, 1000 South Highway 29, Cantonment, is entrusted with arrangements. You may express condolences online at www.fcfhs.com.
To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Catherine Carlene Yeager please visit our Sympathy Store.
Disaster Declared: Loan Program Available in Escambia County Due To Drought
November 1, 2023
The U.S. Small Business Administration announced Wednesday that federal Economic Injury Disaster Loans are available in Florida and most private nonprofit organizations with economic losses due to the drought conditions that began on Oct. 3, 2023.
The declaration includes Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties in Florida, and Escambia and Baldwin Counties in Alabama.
“Working capital loans from the SBA are essential to eligible small businesses when the Secretary of Agriculture declares a disaster due to farmers’ crop losses,” said Francisco Sanchez Jr., associate administrator of SBA’s Office of Disaster Recovery & Resilience. “These loans help sustain rural economies when a disaster occurs.”
Under this declaration, the SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program is available to eligible farm-related and non-farm-related entities that suffered financial losses as a direct result of this disaster. Apart from aquaculture enterprises, SBA cannot provide disaster loans to agricultural producers, farmers and ranchers. Nurseries are eligible to apply for economic injury disaster loans for losses caused by drought conditions.
The loan amount can be up to $2 million with interest rates of 4% for small businesses and 2.375% for private nonprofit organizations with terms up to 30 years. The SBA sets loan amounts and terms based on each applicant’s financial condition. Interest does not accrue, and payments are not due until twelve months from the date of the first loan disbursement. Eligibility is based on the size of the applicant, type of activity and its financial resources. These working capital loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that could have been paid had the disaster not occurred. The loans are not intended to replace lost sales or profits.
Applicants may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via the SBA’s secure website at sba.gov/disaster and should apply under SBA declaration # 20038.
Disaster loan information and application forms may also be obtained by calling the SBA’s Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 (if you are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services), or sending an email to DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov. Loan applications can be downloaded from the SBA’s website at sba.gov/disaster.
Completed applications should be mailed to: U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155. Submit completed loan applications to the SBA no later than June 10, 2024.
Miami Woman Charged With Smuggling Drugs Into Century Prison
November 1, 2023
A Miami woman has been charged with smuggling drugs into the Century Correctional Institution.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said 52-year old Maria Delosangeles Maceo used a false name and smuggled both marijuana and cocaine into the facility and tried to pass them to an inmate during a visit. The exchange failed, and she was caught by FDC staff, the ECSO said. She was booked into the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $55,000.
Escambia (Ala.) School Board Member, Newspaper Publisher Indicted On New Felony Ethics Charges
November 1, 2023
Escambia County (Alabama) School Board member and newspaper publisher Sherry Ann Digmon, 72, of Atmore was arrested Wednesday on additional charges.
She was indicted by a grand jury on two counts of ethics violations for use of office for personal gain.
The latest indictment alleges she used her position as a school board member to solicit ads for Atmore Magazine, in which she is the incorporator and holds a financial interest.
Count two of the indictment alleges that she solicited payment for advertising from a subordinate, Then-Superintendent John Knott and/or CFO Julie Madden for advertising in Atmore Magazine.
She was released from jail Wednesday on a $100,000 bond. The new charges are Class B felonies with a maximum prison sentence of 20 years and a top fine of $30,000.
Digmon, who is publisher of The Atmore News weekly newspaper and her reporter, Don Fletcher were arrested last week on charges of revealing grand jury secrets.
Cold Mornings Continue
November 1, 2023
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 64. East wind 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday Night: Clear, with a low around 37. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 71. East wind around 5 mph.
Friday Night: Clear, with a low around 46. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 75. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 48. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 78. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 52. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Monday: Partly sunny, with a high near 79.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 57.
Tuesday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 81.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 59.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 80.
Longtime Century Town Planner Debbie Nickles Has Passed Away
November 1, 2023
Longtime Century Town Planner Debbie Nickles passed away Monday. She worked with the town as a consultant for over 40 years, first under then-mayor Benny Barnes.
Nickles worked on numerous projects for the town, including a Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA), EPA Brownfields, a Land Development Code, tornado recovery, a five-year schedule of improvements, housing grants and Triumph funding requests. She was responsible for securing millions of dollars in grants for Century and its residents, particularly those most in need of housing and other assistance.
Nickles passed away following a battle with ongoing health issues. Memorial services will be scheduled at a later date.
Pictured: Debbie Nickles at a 2018 community “Welcome Home” block party as residents returned home to new homes following the destruction of a tornado that devastated the Front Street area of Century. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.