Preview: Tate Aggies Look For Win 7 Over Crestview
October 25, 2024
In week 10, the Tate Aggies will host the Crestview Bulldogs Friday night at Carl Madison Field in Pete Gindl Stadium.
Tate improved to 6-2 for the season as they ended a two-game losing streak last week with a 35-win over Washington. The Aggies are looking for another “W” over the Bulldogs to hold onto an at-large playoff bid in the regional playoffs .
The Aggies are running strong on their their best season since 2007 when they were 7-4, a win mark the would tie with a defeat of the Bulldogs. Crestview (3-5) is coming off a close 23-0 loss to the Escambia Gators last week.
Against Washington, Tate had 255 yards and three touchdowns on the ground, two from Carson Secchiari and one from Demorion Clay. Taite Davis passed for 177 yards and connected with Elijah West for two TDs. Kicker Elijah Crites was 5-5 on point afters.
Davis has 1404 passing yards for the season on 170 attempts and 82 yards rushing on 13 carries.
The Crestview at Tate game kicks off at 7 p.m.
For recap of last week’s Tate win over Washington and a photo gallery, click here.
Pictured: Tate defeated Washington 35-14 last Friday night on Carl Madison Field in Pete Gindl Stadium. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Pictured: Tate defeated Washington 35-14 last night on Carl Madison Field in Pete Gindl Stadium. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Big List: Fall Festivals And More
October 25, 2024
Several Halloween and fall festival events are scheduled in the North Escambia area. Here’s the big list.
To submit your event for Saturday or beyond for a non-profit community group in the North Escambia area, email news@northescambia.com, or click here for our contact form
FRIDAY
Build a Scary Lego House at the Century Library
Build you own scary Halloween Lego house on Friday, October 25, at the Century Library from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Legos will be provided.
Military and Veterans Trunk or Treat Event
State Representative Michelle Salzman is partnering with American Legions Post 340 to host a military veterans trunk or treat event on Friday, October 25, from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. Festivities include a haunted house, activity station, Halloween fire show, free hotdogs and chips for all kids in attendance, and over a dozen candy trunks. The American Legions Post is located at 8890 Ashland Ave in Pensacola. For sign up or for more information, contact Michelle Salzman at Michelle@sysctl.net.
SATURDAY
Spooky Walk at the Molino Library
The Molino library will hold a spooky walk on Saturday, October 26, from 4 p.m. until 5:30 p.m. There will be silly, spooky games and activities around the walking track behind the library. Costumes are encouraged.
Gonzalez Methodist Church Trunk or Treat Event
Gonzalez Methodist Church will host a trunk or treat event on Saturday, October 26, from 5:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m at the church. There will be food trucks, bounce house and lots of candy. The church is located at 2026 Pauline Street in Cantonment.
Dogwood Park Baptist Church Annual Peanut Boil
Dogwood Park Baptist Church will hold their annual peanut boil on Saturday, October 26, from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. There will be a cake walk, bounce house, corn dogs, cornhole competition and more. The church is located at 3301 Highway 97 in Molino.
Oak Grove Baptist Church Fall Festival
Oak Grove Baptist Church will hold their fall festival on Saturday, October 26, from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. There will be free food, games, a hayride, cakewalk, bounce house and slide, kids train ride, door prizes and a hot air balloon. Oak Grove Baptist Church is located 2600 Highwayy 99.
Autism Pensacola Trunk or Treat Event
Autism Pensacola is hosting a trunk or treat event special needs families on Saturday, October 26, from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m. at Ascension Sacred Heart Health Center parking garage located at 1890 Summit Blvd in Pensacola. Trunks arrive by 12:30 p.m. Each trunk should have a treat and a non-food item such as pencils, bubbles, etc., available on hand for attendees that are trunk or treating. This is a family event, so decorations should be inviting and not scary. For additional information or questions, please get in touch with Shanan at 850-434-7171 or by email: shanan@autismpensacola.org.
Jubilee Church Harvest Fest
Jubilee Church will hold their annual harvest fest on Saturday, October 26, from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. There will be a hayride, inflatables, baseball & basketball challenges, face painting, horse rides, glow trunk stations, cake walk, food trucks, prizes, lots of candy and more. Admission is free and is open for ages 18 and under. The church is located at 5910 North W. Street in Pensacola. For more information, email info@jubileepensacola.com.
Beulah Chapel Assembly of God Fall Festival
Beulah Chapel Assembly Of God at 2311 Highway 4A in Byrneville will hold their fall festival on Saturday, October 26, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Everyone is welcome.
Fall Pumpkin Decorating Contest
Calvary Apostolic Tabernacle will hold a fall pumpkin decorating contest on Saturday, October 26, from 11:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. Paint and craft items provided. Judging starts at 1:30 p.m. First and second place prizes will be awarded. Must be onsite to claim prize. The tabernacle is located at 5591 Highway 29 North in Molino.
Ensley Sports Trunk or Treat
Ensley Sports will host a trunk or treat event on Saturday, October 26, from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. at 551 East Nine Mile Road in Pensacola. Candy, best trunk decorating contest, concessions, bounce house and more.
SUNDAY
Walnut Hill Baptist Church Fall Festival
Walnut Hill Baptist Church will hold their fall festival on Sunday, October 27, from 3 p.m. until 6 p.m. There will be a costume contest, fun games, trunk or treat, cake walk, chili cookoff, and more. The church is located at 5741 Arthur Brown Road in Walnut Hill.
Scenic Hills Church of Christ Trunk or Treat Event
The Scenic Hills Church of Christ will host a truck or treat event on Sunday, October 27, from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. The church is located at 1295 East Nine Mile Road in Pensacola.
ONGOING/NEXT WEEK
Downtown Flomaton Trick or Treat
Downtown Flomaton Trick or Treat event will be held Tuesday, October 29, 5:30 p.m. until. Lots of trick or treating, games, food and fun.
Highland Baptist Church Fall Festival
Highland Baptist Church will hold their fall festival on Wednesday, October 30, from 6 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. There will be trunk or treat, games, food, hayrides and fire truck. Everyone is invited. The church is located at 6240 Highway 95A N in Molino.
PJ Story Time at Century Library
Wear your pajamas and visit the Century Library on Wednesday, October 30 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. to hear a great story.
St. Luke UMC Trunk or Treat
St. Luke United Methodist Church will hold a trunk or treat event on Wednesday, October 30, from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. Candy, hotdogs, hay ride and more. The church is located at 1394 E. Nine Mile Road in Pensacola.
First Baptist Church of Cantonment Fall Festival
First Baptist Church of Cantonment will hold their Harvest Festival and Trunk or Treat event on Thursday, October 31, from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. Lots of games and candy. The festival will be located behind the church with parking in front. The church is located at 118 Morris Avenue in Cantonment.
Marcus Pointe Baptist Church Fall Fest
Marcus Pointe Baptist Church will hold a fall fest on Thursday, October 31, from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. at the Molino Ballpark. Food trucks, candy, inflatables, axe throwing and more. The park is located at 2340 Crabtree Church Road in Molino.
Cantonment Pumpkin Patch
The Allen Memorial United Methodist pumpkin patch in Cantonment is open from 10:30 a.m. until 6 p.m. Monday-Friday; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays, and 1-6 p.m. on Sundays. Smoked turkey legs will be for sale on Saturdays and Sundays beginning October 5. The pumpkin patch is located on Highway 29 near Neal Road in Cantonment.
Byrneville Elementary Fall Festival
Byrneville Elementary will hold their fall festival on Friday, November 8, from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. Games, cake walk, hay rides, haunted house, bake sale, music and more. The school is located at 1600 Byrneville Road.
St. Monica’s Episcopal Church Fall Market
St. Monica’s Episcopal church will hold their annual fall market on Saturday, November 9, from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. Browse over 20 vendors and enjoy barbecue food. The church is located at 699 South Highway 95-A on Cantonment.
Friday Night High School Football Schedule
October 25, 2024
Here is Friday night’s high school football schedule for the North Escambia area.
All games are at 7 p.m., unless otherwise noted.
FLORIDA
- Crestview at Tate
- Wewahitchka at Jay
- Pensacola High at West Florida
- Pine Forest at Escambia
- Pensacola Catholic at South Walton
- Destin at Washington
- Pace at Navarre, 7:30 p.m.
- Niceville at Milton, 7:30 p.m.
- Mosley at Gulf Breeze
- Lighthouse Private Christian Academy at Central
- Bye: Northview
ALABAMA
- Cottage Hill Christian at Flomaton
- T.R. Miller at Bayside Academy
- Mobile Christian at W.S. Neal
- Hillcrest (Evergreen) at Escambia County (Atmore)
- Bessemer 2, Escambia Academy 0*
*Escambia Academy has forfeited all remaining games (10/25 and 11/1) due to injuries.
Pictured: Tate defeated Washington 35-14 last Friday night on Carl Madison Field in Pete Gindl Stadium. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Canceled: Food Distribution Saturday Morning In Walnut Hill
October 25, 2024
A food giveaway that was scheduled for Saturday morning in Walnut Hill has been canceled. Farm Share will be unable to participate as they have depleted supplies due to helping hurricane victim in Florida.
Pictured: A previous Justified Incarcerated Ministries food giveaway in Walnut Hill. File photos, click to enlarge.
Town of Century Asks Voters To Amend Charter
October 24, 2024
Voters in Century will consider three amendments to the town charter when they vote in the general election.
What’s a charter?
The Century town charter is the document that establishes the town, outlines its powers and spells out how it should operate. The charter has not been updated in over 40 years, and that often creates problems in the operation of the town. (Pictured left: The first portion of the original 1979 Century town charter, which created the Town of Century, Florida from the Town of South Flomaton, Florida. Click to enlarge.)
One of the big problems for the town has been a spending limit for the mayor of under $200 without council approval. And over recent years, there has been a lot of tension and even a stalemate between the mayor and council over hiring employees. The mayor can’t hire employees without council approval, even down the lowest level employee.
Mayor Luis Gomez, Jr., by his own admission, violated the town charter earlier this month by exceeding his spending limit by $161,590. And he says it saved the town a nearly $200,000. Gomez informed the council after-the-fact- that he approved an insurance proposal for $161,790 without council approval to avoid a $134.883 increase in premiums and choosing a cheaper policy to save $190,173. The town has yet to completely fulfill a public records request related to the insurance issue to verify the mayor’s claims.
The charter has other issues with outdated provisions not following changes in a current state law.
How did the recommended changes come about?
In recent years, the town sat a charter review committee to create a new draft charter, and the town council set about reviewing those changes. There were several snafus along the way, from the pandemic to wrong documents, which delayed the process.
The volunteer charter review committee spent about three years creating a draft of a completely new charter from beginning to end. The town attorney submitted another draft build around a town manager and no mayor, but the council later shelved that version.
Now, the town had scrapped the full charter review committee recommendations made by the local citizens’ committee, instead opting for three changes of their own, but not a complete re-write.
Early this year, the town placed the three charter amendments on the ballot, without ever formally approving them. That caused the Escambia County Supervisor of Elections Office to become involved and force the town to give final approval before the SOE finalized ballots. (Pictured left: The original signature page from the 1979 Century town charter.)
The town council voted to approve the three questions for the ballot at their July 2 meeting; the approval came as three ordinances. That was step one, but ordinances require a second reading and a final vote to become official.
Escambia County Supervisor of Elections (SOE) Robert Bender said the town had been given a deadline of the week of the August 20 primary to submit the ballot items for the November election.
The town had a regular meeting scheduled for August 20, but they rescheduled the meeting and two workshops because the council chambers were being used for primary voting under an agreement with Bender’s office. The meeting was rescheduled for the following day, August 21. The charter ballot ordinances were on the agenda for that night, but the vote was deliberately delayed until September 17 –after the SOE deadline — at the request of Mayor Luis Gomez, Jr.
“Madame president, I would like to have those three items tabled until September 17,” Gomes said at the meeting with no explanation. He did not tell the council about the deadline imposed by Bender’s office, nor did he disclose the council that the charter changes had been submitted for the ballot two days prior.
Without any discussion, the town council unanimously approved the mayor’s request with no further explanation about the ballot items.
This week, the town did not respond to a NorthEscambia.com request for more information on the charter ballot questions, or interviews.
What are the items on the ballot?
Here are the items appearing on the ballot for voters that live inside the Century town limits. The exact wording is available in the sample ballot pictured left (click to enlarge).
Question 1:
TOWN CHARTER AMENDMENT PROVIDING FOR TOWN PURCHASING TO BE GOVERNED BY COUNCIL-APPROVED PURCHASING POLICIES
Amending the Town of Century Charter to remove specific bidding, contracting, purchasing, and expenditure requirements and procedures from the Charter, and provide that Town bidding, contracting, purchasing, and expenditures will be governed by Town ordinances, policies, and procedures adopted by the Town Council. Shall the above-described amendment be adopted? [Click for pdf.]
The first amendment to the town charter would allow town purchasing to be governed by purchasing policies approved by the council.
Currently, the charter requires the town to receive bids and award contracts for expenditures of $500 or more. The mayor can also approve expenditures of up to $200. The mayor has a limit of $500 in an emergency situation, and most notify the town council president immediately. There is no current charter provision that allows the mayor to spend more than $500 under any circumstances without council approval.
If the amendment is approved, the current requirement to receive bids and the mayor’s spending limit will be removed from the charter. Instead, the town council will be able to set purchasing guidelines and limits, making whatever charges at any point they see fit.
Question 2:
TOWN CHARTER AMENDMENT CONCERNING MAYOR’S EMPLOYMENT AUTHORITY
Amending the Town of Century Charter to expand the Mayor’s powers to select, appoint, suspend, and remove town employees and appointive administrative officers, by limiting the requirement for Council approval of such actions solely to the selection, appointment, suspension, or removal of the Town Clerk, Town Attorney, and Town Manager. Shall the above-described amendment be adopted? [Click for pdf.]
The second amendment to the town charter would allow the mayor to hire, and fire, employees at will. The mayor would only need to the council’s approval to hire, or fire, a town clerk, town attorney, and town manager.
Currently, the charter requires the mayor to recommend and seek the town council’s approval to appoint or remove any town employee. Without conical approval, the mayor cannot hire, terminate or suspend any employee.
Question 3:
TOWN CHARTER CLEANUP AMENDMENT
Amending the Town of Century Charter to correct scriveners and codification errors, and to conform charter provisions to the requirements of the Florida Election Code. Shall the above-described amendment be adopted? [Click for pdf.]
The third proposed amendment will amend the charter “to correct scrivener and codification errors” and confirm charter provisions to Florida Election Code.
Scrivener’s errors, by common definitions, are typographical errors, misspellings, omitted words or other common errors–essentially clerical errors or typos.
While the mayor and council members are currently elected for four year terms, charted language that states two years terms would be changed to reflect four years terms of office. Language requiring that voters register and qualify with the town clerk would also be removed, as voter registration is now handled by the Escambia County Supervisor of Elections. A requirement that voters reeside in town limits “on election day” would be removed, as would requirements that the town clerk keep registration books.
A current provision as outline for allowing charter changes by voters would be replaced to conform to wording in Florida Statutes.
Otherwise, the town has not specified what would be changed in the charter as “scrivener and codification errors”, nor have they specified who will have the authority to make changes, if any, in the future.
NorthEscambia.com photo and images, click to enlarge.
Today Is The Last Day To Request Vote-By-Mail Ballot
October 24, 2024
Thursday, October 24, is the deadline to for Escambia County, Florida, voters to request a vote-by-ballot for the general election.
Due to a change in Florida law, all vote-by-mail requests were cleared December 31, 2022, and you must renew your vote-by-mail request each election cycle. Visit EscambiaVotes.gov/am-i-registered to see if you have a vote-by-mail request on file or to check your registration status. To request a vote-by-mail ballot, click here.
Any vote-by-mail request for the general election received since January 1, 2023, is current through the November 5, 2024, for the general election. Only then, by Florida Statute, does the vote-by-mail request expire and a voter must renew the request. You can check your vote-by-mail status, along with your registration and polling location information at EscambiaVotes.gov/am-i-registered.
Early voting opened on October 21 and will continue through November 2 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. each day at 10 area locations.
Cantonment Man Accused Of Robbing, Attacking Ex-Wife At Gallery Night
October 24, 2024
A Cantonment man is charged with attacking and robbing his ex-wife during a recent Gallery Night event in downtown Pensacola.
Marcus Romaro Anderson, 41, was charged with aggravated battery, robbery by sudden snatching, larceny, and criminal mischief $1,000 or more. All of the charges are felonies.
The victim told the Pensacola Police Department that Anderson had contacted her by text and would not leave her alone, and he was agitated because she had blocked his number. They were married for 20 years but are no divorced and a domestic violence injunction had expired.
While walking with friends at Gallery Night, the victim was attacked by Anderson in front of 121 South Palafox, according to an arrest report. Anderson struck his ex-wife on the right cheek with a closed fist before snatching her iPhone 14 Pro Max and crushing it, according to an arrest report. He then grabbed her by the arm and slammed her to the ground, police said. A security guard in the area saw the incident, the report states, and took the phone from Anderson and returned it to the victim.
The victim’s shoulder was fractured in the incident, the report continues.
Anderson remained in the Escambia County Jail Thursday with bond set at $15,000.
Escambia County School Choice Expo to be Held Tuesday, Oct. 29
October 24, 2024
Escambia County Public Schools will host their annual School Choice Expo on Tuesday, October 29 from 6-7:30 p.m. at Washington High School.
Representatives from ECPS career academies and choice schools will be on hand to greet guests and answer questions about their programs. Tables for career academy displays will be set up inside the Washington gym and cafeteria. Local vendors will provide items for gift bags for attendees.
The expo typically welcomes over 1,000 guests.
“The school district is excited to once again be offering our School Choice Expo to the community,” stated Coordinator of Enrollment Services Chris McFarland. “This is a great opportunity for our students to experience all of the awesome programs and school choice transfer options available to our students in one venue.”
The School Choice Expo coincides with the middle and high school open enrollment period, which is from October 28 until December 6, 2024. The open enrollment period for elementary schools will be January 27 – March 7, 2025.
For questions about open enrollment, contact Chris McFarland, coordinator of enrollment services at (850)469-5580. For questions about career academies, contact Steven Harrell, director of Workforce Education, at (850)469-5357. Families are encouraged to apply while attending the School Choice Expo; technology to apply will be made available on site.
Tate, Beulah FFA Teams Take Top Sports At District Forestry Contest
October 24, 2024
Area schools took top spots in a recent FFA District Forestry Contest at Falling Waters State Park in Chipley.
Tate High School FFA took first and third place among high schools at the event hosted by the Florida Forest Service.
Tate High FFA team members (pictured above), led by advisor Melissa Gibbs, were:
Milton High School was in second place.
In the middle school division, the Beulah Academy of Science FFA Team A earned first place under advisor Allie Eubanks.
Beulah Academy of Science FFA Team A members (pictured below) were:
Addyson Creighton
Becca DeCoux
Braxton Williams
Luci Graham.
Second place middle school was Pleasant Ridge Christian School from Walton County. The Beulah Middle School FFA Team A finished third.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Sunny Dry Weather Pattern Continues
October 24, 2024
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Clear, with a low around 58. Calm wind.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 86. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Friday Night: Patchy fog after 1am. Otherwise, clear, with a low around 58. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 88. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph.
Saturday Night: Clear, with a low around 58. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 86. North wind around 5 mph.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 59. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 83. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 60. East wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 82.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 60.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 82.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 60.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 82.