UWF Unearths Ancient Artifacts Ahead Of Work On Stadium Construction
April 5, 2026
Faculty researchers and archaeology students at the University of West Florida have uncovered artifacts linked to multiple pre-Columbian Native American cultures during a recent archaeological survey on UWF’s Pensacola campus a head of new stadium construction.
The survey, conducted by the UWF Archaeology Institute, relocated a previously documented archaeological site first discovered on campus in 1989. Through systematic shovel test excavations, faculty and students also recovered ceramics associated with at least two pre-Columbian Native American cultures. The oldest artifacts appear to be linked to the Weeden Island culture of the Woodland period, likely dating between A.D. 600 and 900. Additional ceramics date to the middle-to-late Mississippian period, approximately A.D. 1250 to 1600.
“The condition of the site is significant due in part to the long history of development of our campus,” said Ramie Gougeon, director of the Archaeology Institute. “It is not common to find a site this intact. I am particularly excited to learn more about the different activities past peoples engaged in at this location.”
The survey is part of the University’s preparation for infrastructure improvements associated with the construction of the new Darrell Gooden Stadium. The work ensures compliance with state regulations governing ground-disturbing activities on state-owned land and helps protect cultural and historical resources.
Under Florida law, projects involving ground disturbance must be reviewed by the Division of Historical Resources within the Florida Department of State to determine whether archaeological or historic resources could be affected. After reviewing the stadium infrastructure plans, the division determined that an archaeological survey was required before construction could proceed.
“The survey demonstrates UWF’s commitment to responsible development and cultural resource preservation,” Gougeon said. “While our findings and follow-up work affect the timing of some activities, the investigation of this archaeological site will not negatively impact the current stadium infrastructure plans.”
In addition to supporting responsible development, the project provides valuable experiential learning opportunities for students in UWF’s anthropology and archaeology programs. Students participate directly in fieldwork by conducting shovel tests, screening soil for artifacts and documenting findings, gaining hands-on experience in the cultural resource management practices used by professional archaeologists.
“Archaeology is a hands-on profession, so any chance that we can give our students to have additional time working in the field is valuable,” Jennifer Melcher, senior faculty research associate with the UWF Archaeology Institute. “Having projects right here on campus means they can easily join us after classes and add that experience to their resumes.”
UWF archaeologists have been identifying and studying archaeological sites on campus since the late 1980s, uncovering evidence of thousands of years of human activity in the region. The current survey continues that long-standing research tradition while ensuring that cultural resources are properly documented and protected as the University grows.
Additional archaeological survey projects on campus are anticipated to continue throughout the spring.
Firefighters Save Quintette Home From Nearby Heavily Involved Shed Fire
April 5, 2026
Fire destroyed a shed and vehicles on Saturday afternoon in the Quintette community, but Escambia County Fire Rescue worked feverishly to save an adjacent home.
The fire was reported around 4:15 p.m. in the 2300 block of Welcome Road, just south of West Quintette Road.
The homemade shed was a complete loss, along with an unknown number of vehicles. Firefighters worked to knock down the heavily involved shed fire and prevent it from spreading to the residence.
The cause of the fire was not immediately known, and no injuries were reported.
Images by Ron Freeman for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Biscuits Blank Blue Wahoos Saturday Night
April 5, 2026
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos couldn’t solve Montgomery Biscuits starter Santiago Suarez on Saturday night, managing only three hits in a 9-0 loss.
Suarez (W, 1-0), making his Double-A debut, worked 6.0 scoreless innings while allowing only a Fenwick Trimble single. Tampa Bay’s #8 prospect struck out seven batters and walked only one, sending the Blue Wahoos to an 0-2 start to their 2026 season.
Pensacola starting pitcher Will Schomberg (L, 0-1) worked hitless ball until the third, when a walk and a hit batsman set the stage for a two-out Will Simpson RBI single and a 1-0 Biscuits lead. Brayden Taylor followed by hooking a two-run triple down the right field line, extending the Montgomery lead to 3-0.
In the fourth, Daniel Vellojín doubled off Schomberg and scored on a Ryan Spikes RBI single for a 4-0 Montgomery advantage. Schomberg allowed four runs in 3.2 innings, striking out six and walking two.
Gabe Bierman escaped further trouble in relief of Schomberg in the fourth, but Kade Bragg surrendered two more Montgomery runs in the seventh. A John Diaz homer off Jake Smith in the eighth extended the lead to 7-0, and Livan Reynoso let in two more in the ninth for a 9-0 final.
Trimble was a bright spot for the Blue Wahoos, collecting two of the team’s three hits. Dylan Jasso collected his first Blue Wahoos hit with a single in the ninth inning.
The Blue Wahoos wrap up their series against the Biscuits on Sunday. First pitch from Blue Wahoos Stadium is scheduled for 4:05 p.m.
Large Barn Destroyed By Fire Friday Night Near Enon
April 4, 2026
Fire destroyed a large barn near Enon on Friday night.
Fire departments from Cantonment to Poarch, Alabama, responded to the blaze around 9 p.m. in the 4400 block of Highway 97A, about seven miles southwest of Walnut Hill.
Firefighters arrived to find the approximately 3,900 square foot barn fully involved. Multiple small explosions were reported due to fuel and items stored in the barn. There were no animals inside the barn.
It took firefighters over half an hour to bring the blaze under control; the cause of the fire was not immediately known.
There were no injuries reported.
The Walnut Hill, McDavid, Molino, Century and Cantonment stations of Escambia County Fire Rescue responded, along with the Atmore Fire Department, Nokomis Fire Department, and Poarch Creek Fire Department. Escambia County EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded.
Photos by Willie Will for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Local Drought Conditions Worsen
April 4, 2026
Local drought conditions have worsened, according to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor released this week.
All of Escambia County is now in a severe drought, with an area of extreme drought in the eastern two-thirds of Escambia County, Alabama and a very small area northeast of Century and part of Santa Rosa County near the state line.
A high chance of rain on Sunday may bring some relief.
The Century Splash Pad Is Now Open
April 4, 2026
The Century splash pad has opened for the season.
The Century splash pad, located at Showalter Park on Kelly Field Road, is open from sunrise to sunset. The park also features a playground.
This year, the town added four new benches around the splash pad.
NorthEscabambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Walk-Off Win: Banks Leads Tate Aggies Past West Florida in Strike Out Cancer Game
April 4, 2026
Tate 5, West Florida 4
The Tate Aggies walked off with a 5-4 win over West Florida in Friday night’s Strike Out Cancer game at Tate.
In the bottom of the seventh, the game was tied at four when Tate’s Jordyn Banks doubled to score one run.
Sarah Mitchell pitched a complete game seven innings for Tate, allowing seven hits and four runs (two earned) while striking out nine and walking two. For the Jags, Abby Cogdill went four innings, surrendering three hits and one earned run with three walks and one strikeout.
For a game action photo gallery, click here.
For more from the Strike Out Cancer game festivities, click here.
Next week, the Lady Aggies will have a three-game homestand with Navarre on Tuesday, South Warren on Wednesday, and Niceville on Thursday. West Florida will also have a busy week at home, with a Tuesday game against Niceville, North Bay Haven on Thursday, and Gulf Breeze on Friday.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
No Injuries In Highway 29 Crash
April 4, 2026
There were no injuries in a two-vehicle crash on Friday morning on Highway 29 southbound near Kingfield Road.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating and has not released additional details about the 8 a.m. crash.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Tate Aggies Take Down Robertsdale; Posta Homers in Win
April 4, 2026
Tate 6, Robertsdale 3
The Tate Aggies beat the Robertsdale Golden Bears 6-3 on Friday night in Cantonment.
Hunter Clayton earned the win on the mound for the Aggies, allowing three runs (two earned) and three hits in six innings, striking out five and walking two. Aiden Bramblett was in for one inning and the save.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Evan Taylor led the Aggies at the plate with two RBIs as he went 1-3 for the night. Kaden Posta hit a solo home run to left field in the bottom of the third, and the Aggies also had one hit each from Nathan Connors and Kannon Ham.
The Aggies will round out the regular season next week — at Escambia on Tuesday and at home against the Washington Wildcats on Thursday for Senior Night.
Tate 6, Robertsdale 2 (JV)
Tate Boys Tennis Beats Pace 6-1
April 4, 2026
The Tate High School boys tennis team defeated Pace 6-1 Thursday night.
The Aggies girls tea, fell 5-2 to the Patriots.
With the win, the team improved to 6-1. Up next, the Aggies will host Gulf Breeze on Wednesday.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
