Warm And Sunny Into Friday, Then Cooler Temps Arrive
October 3, 2023
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tuesday Night: Clear, with a low around 61. East wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 88. East wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 63. East wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 89. East wind 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 65. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 87. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph in the morning.
Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 63. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 80.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 51.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 74.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 49.
Columbus Day: Sunny, with a high near 78.
Lady Aggies Sweep FWB On Senior Night (With Photo Gallery)
October 3, 2023
Tate High School volleyball honored their seniors Monday night and swept three straight from the visiting Fort Walton Beach Vikings.
The Lady Aggies easily defeated FWB 25-7, 25-2, 25-12.
Before the match, the Lady Aggies recognized seniors Chloe Biggs, Lauren Durham, Payton Garrett, Alyssa Moodie, Riley Robbins and manager Caroline Armstrong.
For a photo gallery, click or tap here. (Look for extra senior night photos at the end of the gallery.)
On Tuesday, the Lady Aggies (15-6) will visit Pensacola Catholic (4-16) at 6:30 p.m.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
IT ‘Security Event’ Impacting Circuit Courts For ‘Extended Period’
October 3, 2023
An “information technology security event” has impacted courts in the First Judicial Circuit.
Trial Court Administrator Kasey Watson said the “event will significantly affect court operations across the Circuit, impacting courts in Escambia, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, and Walton counties, for an extended period”. In addition, email and phone service may be disrupted.
The court system is prioritizing and conducting essential court proceedings but may cancel and reschedule other proceedings and pause related operations for several days. Judges in the four countie will contact litigants and attorneys regarding any hearings scheduled to be held this week.
All court facilities remained open.
The incident is under investigation.
Former Senator Don Gaetz Launches Campaign For District 1 Seat
October 3, 2023
Former Sen. Don Gaetz has announced he is seeking the Republican nomination for State Senate District 1. The seat is currently held by Sen. Doug Broxson, who is leaving office in 2024 due to term limits.
Gaetz, father of U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz, represented Northwest Florida in the Senate from 2010 to 2016 and served two years as Senate president. Former State Rep. Frank White, who has been a candidate for the Senate seat, withdrew Monday to support Gaetz.
“I have a passion for public service,” White said. “It’s been my privilege to serve in the Florida House and I intend to continue my community service in the future. Now, however, Northwest Florida has an opportunity to be represented by Don Gaetz, a proven champion for our area and for our values. I am pleased to endorse him, and I will do all I can to secure his victory next November.”
“Frank White is a leader for the new Florida. He is a job-creator and business developer with a wonderful family and a deep commitment to his community,” Gaetz said. “I am proud to be his friend and have his endorsement. He has many supporters here and in Tallahassee whose confidence I hope to earn. I know that Frank will serve in elected office again and I look forward to working closely with him and supporting him.
Broxson, chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, joined White in endorsing Gaetz. “Frank White has a bright future in public service,” Broxson said. “And Northwest Florida will be very well served with Don Gaetz back in the Senate. As a former presiding officer, Senator Gaetz has the skill and experience to be effective on day one. I’m delighted to endorse him and look forward to helping him win.”
Gaetz recently concluded five years as chairman of Triumph Gulf Coast where he presided over $300 million in grants to support job creation, career technical education and economic development in Northwest Florida. Gaetz authored and passed the legislation that created Triumph Gulf Coast which will be making an additional $1.2 billion in grants in the area over the next decade.
He is also vice cjair of the Florida Commission on Ethics and a board member of the Florida Education Foundation.
Gaetz is former superintendent of Okaloosa Schools and a long-time business owner in Northwest Florida. He co-founded VITAS Healthcare Corporation, the nation’s largest and leading provider of hospice care. Don and his wife, Vicky, have two adult children – Erin, a digital media producer and Matt, United States Congressman for Northwest Florida.
Northview Beats Pine Forest 3-1
October 3, 2023
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
The 1A Northview Chiefs defeated the 5A Pine Forest Eagles 3-1 in high school volleyball Monday in Pensacola.
Northview won 25-23, 22-25. 25-17, 25-15.
Last month, Northview defeated Pine Forest 2-0 in Bratt in a match played without officials due to a scheduling problem.
Northview (10-4, 1-3) will host a district match against Laurel Hill (3-15, 0-5) at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday.
NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Robert Otis Thomas
October 3, 2023
Robert Otis Thomas, 67, of Molino, Florida, passed away Monday, October 2, 2023.
Robert, “Pops”, “Paw Paw”; a man of many titles. The one he loved to be called most was “Paw Paw”. He loved all his grand kids and they all loved him. He worked hard for his family for over 25 years being a roofer, and if he wasn’t doing that, he was helping whoever needed him. He was a jack of all trades. If you need something done, you called Pops.
His life was definitely one for the books. To be loved by many says a lot about someone. He left a little piece of himself in all of our hearts. He was a father figure to many.
Robert was preceded in death by his father, Malcolm Thomas Sr.; his brother, Jackie Thomas; daughter, Heather; and grandson, Noah James.
He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Barbara Thomas; his children, Tara (James), Robert Jr. (Collyn), Nathan (Crystal), Patricia (Pete), Earnest (Jennifer), Kimberly; daughters, Robin, Michelle, and Joanna; his many grandchildren, and great-grandchildren; his brothers, Malcolm Thomas and Johnny Thomas; his mother, Lura Mae Thomas; and many nieces and nephews.
He will forever be missed. Superman has hung his cape.
The family of Robert Otis Thomas will receive friends for visitation from 1-2 p.m., Thursday, October 5, 2023, at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North (1000 South Highway 29, Cantonment, Florida 32533).
Funeral services will begin at 2 p.m. with Pastor Mike Mashburn officiating.
Robert will be laid to rest at Clear Springs Cemetery in Robertsdale, Alabama.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North, 1000 South Highway 29, Cantonment, is entrusted with arrangements.
Violet M. Manning
October 3, 2023
Violet M. Manning, 90, passed away September 27 at Baptist Hospital in Pensacola, FL. She was the widow of Merl S. Manning. They had shared sixty years of marriage together at the time of his passing in 2009.
Born in Pensacola, FL she was the daughter of Walter C. and Willie M. Taylor.
She was a member of Leonard Street Church of Christ and lived the life of a true Christian lady. She enjoyed sewing, arts and crafts, and her bluegrass music. She will be remembered for her smiling face, her singing and playing her wash-tub bass.
She is survived by son, Kenneth Manning (Lynn), ten grandchildren, fourteen great-grandchildren, and four great great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Walter “Dick” and Willie Taylor; brothers, Alan, Walter Ray and W.D. Taylor; sister, Lois Dolihite; husband, Merl Manning; son, Wayne Manning; daughter, Gay Turner; and grandson, Wade Manning.
Funeral services will be at Eastern Gate Funeral Home, 1985 West Nine Mile Road, Pensacola, FL on Saturday October 2, 2023. Visitation will begin at 11:30 with Chapel Service at 12:30. Burial to follow in Eastern Gate Memorial Gardens immediately following the service.
Century’s Buck Showalter Out As New York Mets’ Manager
October 3, 2023
Century’s Buck Showalter is out as manager of the New York Mets.
“I want to make sure I get this right,” Showalter said early Sunday afternoon, his voice catching, before revealing that his tenure was coming to an end. He read a prepared note he had written on a piece of paper.
About an hour later, as Showalter approached home plate to exchange his lineup card for the final time as Mets manager, dozens of his players and staff members spilled out of the dugout to applaud him. The Citi Field crowd followed suit, offering Showalter a standing ovation. Showalter exchanged the card then turned, put his head down and walked quietly back to the dugout, where he watched the Mets lose 9-1 to the Phillies in their season finale.
That dugout office, where Showalter has spent more time than all but 18 men in history, is no longer his home. Following Saturday’s penultimate game of the season, Mets general manager Billy Eppler informed Showalter that he could either resign or be fired. Showalter, who had one year left on his contract, chose the latter route.
“I think the players know I would never quit or resign,” Showalter said.
Owner Steve Cohen considered the move necessary out of fairness to David Stearns, whose hiring as president of baseball operations will become official on Monday. The Mets’ owner did not want to disempower Stearns by forcing him to keep an incumbent manager, regardless of how popular that manager may have been.
“Buck did everything we wanted him to do,” Cohen said. “Not everything went right this year, and yet he kept an even-keel. The players loved him. These are always hard things to do.”
“I can’t tell you right now if it’s the right or wrong decision,” shortstop Francisco Lindor added. “Do I like it? No. It doesn’t feel good to have a man that I love, that my family loves, be without a job.”
As a manager, Showalter’s legacy is complicated. Of the 838 men to manage in the Major Leagues, only 18 of them won more games than him. But only 16 lost more games than Showalter, whose managerial career began in 1992 at the helm of a rebuilding Yankees team. Following a disappointing playoff performance in 1995, Showalter was dismissed, only to watch the Yankees win the World Series four times under Joe Torre. He moved onto a D-backs team that also won its first title a year after Showalter left.
Brought back to New York years later to resurrect the Mets, Showalter lasted two seasons, going 175-148.
Overall, he has produced a .509 winning percentage over 22 years and 3,393 games as a manager. Showalter has won just one postseason series, plus a Wild Card Game with the Orioles. Only Gene Mauch managed and won more MLB games without a pennant, which does not leave Showalter with a bitter taste.
“Baseball has been very fair to me, all things considered,” he said.
One of Showalter’s best chances to break through occurred last year, when he guided the Mets to a 101-win season but saw the NL East title slip out of his grasp with days to go. Rather than enjoy a bye, the Mets lost in the Wild Card Series to the Padres before faltering again this summer. They produced a sub-.500 record despite the largest payroll in Major League history.
“When things aren’t going well in New York, things happen,” outfielder Brandon Nimmo said. “And they happen quickly. It’s just our job as players to try and not let these things happen again.”
What the future looks like for Showalter remains to be seen. At 67, Showalter was already one of the game’s oldest managers, but he indicated he has a desire to remain in the dugout if another team will have him. Before joining the Mets, he spent time as a broadcaster, which could call to him again. Or, Showalter could simply retire home to Dallas, where he and his wife Angela have lived for years.
Showalter’s family moved to Century in the late 1950’s. His father served as a teacher, coach and principal at Century High School and Carver Middle in Century for 23 years. Buck Showalter, know as “Nat” to the locals, played Little League ball in a thriving program in Century, and he graduated from Century High School. Century’s modern day Showalter Park bears the family name in honor of his father.
Courtesy MLB/New York Mets
Tonight’s Powerball Jackpot Jumps To $1.04 Billion
October 2, 2023
The jackpot for tonight’s Powerball drawing as jumped to $1.04 billion.
Powerball jackpots start at $20 million and roll until the jackpot is won. Players win by matching the five white ball numbers (1-69) and the Power Ball number (1-26). The overall odds of winning a prize in the game are approximately 1-in-24.87.
Tickets must be purchased by 9 p.m. CDT to be eligible.
Driver Crashes Into Concrete Pole In Beulah
October 2, 2023
A driver was injured after crashing into a concrete pole early Monday morning in Beulah.
The crash happened about 4 a.m. at the intersection of West Nine Mile Road and Mobile Highway. The pickup truck crashed into a large concrete utility pole that supported traffic caution lights at the intersection. The pole, lights and wiring were downed.
The driver was transported to an area hospital by Escambia County EMS.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating the crash.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
