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University of West Florida Holds Fall Commencement (With Photo Gallery)

The University of West Florida held 2025 Commencement ceremonies on Saturday at the Pensacola Bay Center. For more photos from the Graduate School commencement (masters, specialists, doctorates), click here. Guest speaker from the Class of 2025 graduate, Diana Darling (Ed.D., Instructional & Performance Technology) told a personal story of perseverance as she overcame a brain tumor and brain surgery during her studies. Manny Diaz Jr., UWF interim president, encouraged hard work and success for the Argo graduates. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.  Read More →

30,000 Wreaths Placed At Barrancas Cemetery During Wreaths Across America Program

Hundreds of volunteers laid about 30,000 wreaths on headstones at Barrancas National Cemetery onboard Naval Air Station Pensacola Dec on Saturday, part of the national “Wreaths Across of America” event. U.S. Navy photos by Ensign Manolis Tsavaris and submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.  Read More →

Quintette Community Center Holds Annual Senior Citizens Christmas Luncheon

The Quintette Community Center and Park held its annual Christmas Luncheon for senor citizens on Saturday. The seniors enjoyed lunch and sang Christmas carols. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.  Read More →

Escambia Man Convicted Of 2022 Murder

An Escambia County man has been convicted of a 2022 murder. Kopelyn Gerard Gildon was convicted of second degree murder with a Firearm by an Escambia County Jury. On the afternoon of August 7, 2022, Gildon shot and killed Roosevelt Broadnax, Jr., in Broadnax’s home in Escambia County. Gildon was accompanied by Raven Morgan who initially distracted Broadnax before Gildon came into the bedroom and shot Broadnax as he lay on the bed. Broadnax was discovered several hours later, and the homicide was reported. In the days following the murder, investigators seized a cellular telephone from Gildon as he was trying to pass it off to Morgan during their interaction with law enforcement. Photographs of the deceased Broadnax were located on the phone. Morgan later confessed to her involvement in the case and explained the homicide was a murder for hire transacted by Gildon with another local drug dealer. Morgan entered a plea to second degree murder with a firearm and giving false information to law enforcement in a murder investigation. Gildon and Morgan are both set to be sentenced on December 17. Gildon has an extensive criminal history which includes several violent crimes. He is currently serving a state prison sentence for possession of a firearm by convicted felon.  Read More →

Sheriff’s Office Issues Warning About Warrant, Bond, And Ticket Scams

The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is once again warning residents about ongoing phone scams from individuals pretending to be ECSO employees, deputies, or supervisors. These scams are expected increase during the holiday season, and scammers may claim people owe money for a bond, ticket, or active warrant and will attempt to collect payment over the phone. ECOS said: The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office will never ask for or accept any payment over the phone. It does not collect money to remove a warrant, pay a fine, or secure a bond. Any call requesting payment in gift cards, cash apps, or wire transfers is 100% fraudulent. Anyone that receives such a call is advised to hang up immediately. The identity of any ECSO employee can be verified call calling (850) 436-9630.  Read More →

Photo Gallery: Santa Claus Visits Bellview Library; More Library Stops Upcoming

Santa Claus visited the Bellview Library twice his week. For a photo gallery, click here. There are four more chanced to see Santa at the library, including another visit to Molino. Dec. 16, 3:00 p.m. — Tryon Dec. 17, 4:30 p.m. — Southwest Dec. 18, 4:30 p.m. — Molino Dec. 20, 10:30 p.m. — Pensacola For photos from Santa’s recent visit to the Century Library, click here. For photos from Santa’s recent visit to the Molino Library Story Time, click here. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.  Read More →

Escambia County Man Gets Life For Murder In Dispute Over Missing Package

An Escambia County man has been sentenced to life in prison for shooting and killing a man after a dispute over a package. A jury previously found Shybri Bashiabeon Omar Steverson guilty of second-degree murder with a firearm. On November 1, 2023, Shybri Steverson shot Victim Guy Dixon, Jr. after a brief conversation about a missing package. Prosecutors said their case was supported by eyewitness testimony.  Read More →

Northview NJROTC Presented Pensacola Navy Days 4K Run Trophy

Pensacola Navy Days, an annual multi-day event celebrating the deep connection between the local community and the U.S. Navy, is once again fostering support for service members and veterans. The 2025 festivities, held earlier this year, was a major highlight for a local school team. On Thursday, Northview High School’s NJROTC athletic team was presented with the prestigious Traveling Trophy for their first-place finish in the 2025 Inaugural Navy Days 4K run. The Navy Days 4K, one of the signature community events aimed at highlighting Pensacola as a premier military-friendly city, saw robust participation. The new Traveling Trophy will be awarded annually to the top high school team participating in the 4K, with a plaque updated each year to honor the most recent winner. Northview’s unit is the first name to be etched into the award’s history, setting a high bar for future competitors. In addition to the athletic team’s dominant performance, the Northview High School’s NJROTC and the Tribal Beat Band participated in the Navy Day Parade. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.  Read More →

Molino Christmas Parade Is Saturday

This year’s Molino Christmas Parade will be held this Saturday, December 13 at 11 a.m. The parade will travel Crabtree Church Road from Molino Road to the Don Sutton Ballpark. Family fun activities, inflatables, food trucks and pictures with Santa at noon in the ballpark, following the parade. All proceeds from the parade, which is coordinated by Marcus Pointe Baptist Church Molino, will go to families in need in the North Escambia area. The parade was rescheduled from December 6 due to weather. Line up will be in a field at 4325 Crabtree Church Road at 10 a.m. Vehicles are $50, UTVs are $30, and horses are $20 each. No dirt bikes or ATVs are allowed. For more information, contact Kimberly King at Marcus Pointe, (850) 479-8337 ext. 136. To register online, click here. Pictured: The 2024 Molino Christmas Parade. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.  Read More →

Escambia Man SentencedFor Cyberstalking, Sending Obscene Material To Young Girls

An Escambia County man has been sentenced to federal prison for cyberstalking and sending obscene materials to minor females. Charles M. Schmaltz, 29, was sentenced to five years. Court documents reflect that the defendant communicated with multiple minor females between 2022 and 2024 by utilizing 10 or more social media accounts to contact them. The minor females, and later their parents, repeatedly requested that the Schmaltz strop communicating with them. Instead, the Schmaltz sent sexually explicit content to the minor females, including extremely graphic communications. The minor females in this case ranged in age from nine to 15 years old. Schmaltz was eventually caught through the work of a multi-agency investigation in North Florida and South Alabama, where some of the victims were located. Upon his release, Schmaltz will be supervised for five years by a United States Probation Officer and have to comply with sexual offender treatment. He faces additional state charges in Alabama. The case involved a joint investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, and the Dale County Sheriff’s Office and the Dothan Police Department in South Alabama. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David L. Goldberg.  Read More →

Photos: Santa Visits Molino Library Story Time

Santa Claus visited the Molino Library this week for Story Time. He read stories, sang songs, and introduced all of his reindeer. For a photo gallery, click here. There are five more chanced to see Santa at the library, including another visit to Molino. Dec. 11, 4:30 p.m. — Westside Dec. 16, 3:00 p.m. — Tryon Dec. 17, 4:30 p.m. — Southwest Dec. 18, 4:30 p.m. — Molino Dec. 20, 10:30 p.m. — Pensacola For photos from Santa’s recent visit to the Century Library, click here. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.  Read More →

WSRE Files Federal Lawsuit To Protect Donor Funds From Pensacola State College

The WSRE-TV Foundation filed a first-in-the-nation federal lawsuit today to prevent Pensacola State College from taking control of millions in funds donated by citizens in the region to support WSRE’s popular community programming. For nearly 60 years, WSRE has been a presence in Northwest Florida and South Alabama — educating generations of children, supporting classrooms, honoring military families, documenting Gulf Coast history, and more. The WSRE-TV Foundation has long been the engine behind that service, sustaining the station with private charitable gifts from the public. Today’s legal action seeks to protect those donations after Pensacola State College moved to sever ties with the Foundation and demanded control to sweep the donor-raised funds for use by the college. According to the Foundation’s federal complaint, PSC’s president went so far as to “require the dissolution of a pre-existing private foundation and demand that funds donated by private citizens be turned over to the government entity, PSC.” “People generously donated these dollars because they believe in the education, community storytelling, and reliable local service that WSRE provides,” said Amy Day, Chair of the Foundation board. “They did not give so their gifts could be taken away and transferred into a government budget. Protecting the trust of our community and donors’ intent is our absolute responsibility.” The Foundation emphasized that the lawsuit centers on a simple principle shared across the region: when private citizens step up to support a community mission, government should not be allowed to seize those charitable gifts for its own use. Individuals, families and businesses across Northwest Florida and South Alabama have donated to the Foundation — from small monthly gifts to major endowments — to support WSRE’s programming and community services. Those contributions were made voluntarily with the understanding that they would be used for public television, not college operations. “Private generosity built and sustains WSRE,” said Day. “The people who gave these funds deserve to have their trust honored, not broken.” Earlier this year, PSC voted to end WSRE’s PBS affiliation. The Foundation affirmed that PSC has the right to make programming decisions for the college — but that choice does not give PSC permission to repurpose private charitable gifts. “PSC made its decision,” said Day. “But donors made theirs, too. And their support was for public television programming that we have been providing for decades.”  Read More →

Huntsville Havoc Falls To The Pensacola Ice Flyers

The Ice Flyers hosted College Night at the Hangar, squaring off against the Huntsville Havoc in what would prove to be a hard-fought battle that went down to the wire. The Havoc came out flying and controlled much of the play through the opening two periods, testing the Ice Flyers’ resolve early and often. The first period belonged to Huntsville, with Matt Allen finding the back of the net for the game’s opening goal. The Ice Flyers struggled to find a goal of their own outshooting the Havoc 10 to 8. For more photos, click here. The second period saw more of the same, with Huntsville continuing to dominate possession and create scoring chances. Dawson Sciarrino dropped the gloves during the period, and the physical play seemed to inject some energy into the Ice Flyers’ game. Still, Allen struck again, this time capitalizing on a powerplay opportunity to extend the Havoc’s lead to 2-0. The frustration was evident as the Ice Flyers searched for answers. But if the second period showcased the Ice Flyers’ grit, the third period revealed their character. Sciarrino wasted no time getting Pensacola on the board early in the final frame, cutting the Huntsville lead in half and breathing life into the home crowd. Just two minutes later, Cam Gaudette capitalized on the momentum shift, tying the game at 2-2 and sending the Hangar into a frenzy. The comeback wasn’t complete yet. Captain Ethan Price gave the Ice Flyers their first lead of the night with a short-handed goal. However, Huntsville refused to go away quietly. Ethan Lindsay answered back for the Havoc, knotting the score once again and forcing overtime. In the extra frame, it was all Ice Flyers. After coming back from two goals down, Zack Bross played hero, finding the back of the net in overtime to secure a thrilling 4-3 victory and send the College Night crowd home happy. The team will now take a few well-deserved days off to celebrate the holidays with family and friends before returning to the Hangar on December 20th for Star Wars Night, where they’ll face off against the Havoc once again.  Read More →

Jesse LaCoste Of Cantonment Gets 10 Years For Grand Theft, Contractor Fraud

Thursday, embattled contractor Jesse Wayne LaCoste of Cantonment was sentenced to 10 years in prison It October, an Escambia County jury deliberated for just over an hour before convicting LaCoste of grand theft and contractor fraud, both second degree felonies. He had faced up to 30 years in prison, and still faces trail on additional similar charges in Escambia, Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties . LaCoste was originally indicted on one count of racketeering and two counts of organized fraud. The indictment alleged that between June 2018 and August 2022, LaCoste unlawfully managed LaCoste Construction Group, LLC and LaCoste General Contractors LLC by engaging in a pattern of racketeering activity, involving forgery, perjury, false official statements, theft, and insurance fraud. According to investigators, LaCoste allegedly defrauded homeowners, their insurance companies, subcontractors and suppliers in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties of more than $2 million. LaCoste also allegedly forged and falsified applications to obtain his county and state contractor licenses. LaCoste’s brother-in-law, Matthew Banks, is awaiting trial on similar racketeering and other contracting-related charges.  Read More →

Cantonment Sexual Predator Charged With Absconding

A Cantonment sexual predator remains behind bars in the Escambia County Jail after vacating his permanent residence without notifying authorities, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. Bradford Anthony McKune, 55, was charged with four felony sexual predator violations. According to an arrest report, McKune moved away from 960 Rose Petal Lane six months ago but failed to report the change as required to the Sheriff’s Office and the driver’s license office. Authorities said he also provided false registration information to the Florida Sex Offender/Predator registry. According to state records, McKune was convicted of sexual battery of a child in 2004 in Pasco County, Florida, and required to maintain his registration as a sexual predator. He is due back in court on December 23.  Read More →

Escambia Schools Announce Top 5 Teachers Of The Year

Escambia County Public Schools released the top five finalists for ECPS Teacher of the Year. The five finalists are as follows, listed in alphabetical order: Courtney Geiger — Lipscomb Elementary School David Dawson — Pine Forest High School Trinity Barnett — Blue Angels Elementary School Kathryn Cody — Booker Washington High School Cameron Peters — Bailey Middle School The overall Teacher of the Year for Escambia County Public Schools will be announced in the coming months, and honored, along with all district teachers of the year, at a special event.  Read More →

Northview High Names History Fair Winners

Northview High School recently held its 2025 History Fair. Winners were: 1st Place: Landon Allcock, Hunter Parker, Michael Greenwell 2nd Place: Olivia Hall 3rd Place: Jaxon Anderson, Makinzi Roley, Avery Trawick Honorable mentions were: Amy Floyd, Landon Brown, Katelyn Sanchez,  Day Randolph, Auna Arredondo, Brielle Garcia, Emma Godwin, and Warner Maxwelloinrry. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.  Read More →

Escambia Man Convicted of Animal Cruelty, Firearm Charge

An Escambia County man has been convicted of animal cruelty and a firearm charge. Joseph Henry Broxson, 23 was found guilty by a jury of aggravated animal abuse and discharging a firearm on a residential property . In the early morning hours of December 29, 2024, Broxson shot his neighbor’s one-year-old dog named Tank. Prosecutors said Tank and another dog got out of their fenced yard and walked into Broxson’s backyard. Broxson told Escambia County Sheriff deputies that the dogs were “snooping around” in his backyard and said they barked and growled. Broxson said that he was so afraid of the dogs that he went inside his home to arm himself with his firearm. He then went back outside to the front yard and discovered that the dogs were walking in the street, several houses away. Broxson said he waited in his front yard for the dogs to walk past his house again and shot at them, striking Tank multiple times. Tank made a full recovery. Sentencing is scheduled for January 21, 2026, before Judge Amy Brodersen.  Read More →

Century Christmas Parade, Sheriff’s Movie Night Showing ‘The Grinch’ Are Friday

The Century Christmas Parade will be held Friday afternoon, followed by a Sheriff’s Movie Night with a free showing of “The Grinch” at Anthony Pleasant Park Christmas Parade The Century Christmas Parade will line up at PSC on East Hecker Road beginning at 3 p.m. The parade will roll at 4 p.m. from East Hecker to Mayo Street to East Front Street to Jefferson Avenue. The parade will then travel Jefferson Avenue to West Highway 4, ending at Anthony Pleasant Park. For a parade entry form, click here. For more information, call Shelisa at (850) 256-3135. Sheriff’s Movie Night The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office will present “The Grinch” at 5:30 p.m. on a big outdoor screen, following the Century Christmas Parade, at Anthony Pleasant Park. Free hotdogs and hamburgers will be served, and attendees are encouraged to bring blankets or chairs for seating. The Sheriff’s Movie Night is presented by Sheriff Chip Simmons and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Foundation. File photos.  Read More →

Commission To Consider Land Use Changes For Two Molino Retail Properties

The Escambia County Commission will hold a public hearing on Thursday concerning the adoption of an ordinance amending the future land use categories for two parcels on Highway 29 near Molino Road, including a property where work began months ago to remodel a small shopping center. The first parcel is 3.75 acres located at 6505 North Highway 29, at the corner of Highway 29 and Molino Road. The parcel, which fronts both Highway 29 and Molino Road, includes a 10,346 square foot shopping center that is being remodeled. According to Escambia County, the work was started by a previous owner without a land use change. The property sold in June to 29 & Molino Rd Development, LLC. There is also a 55-year-old mobile home located behind the shopping center, according to county property records. Scott’s Pharmacy is currently located on the south end of the shopping center, which has been home to numerous businesses over the years, including thrift stores and a grocery store since it was constructed in 1970. Escambia County Code Enforcement issued a cease and desist order for land clearing on the property on September 9, 2025, according to county records, and a land and tree management permit was issued September 11. The after-the-fact permit did not authorize additional clearing until a development order was obtained. The second parcel, located to the north of the first and separated by Dollar General, is 3.321 acres and contains the Molino Food Mart and a tire store. The ordinance under consideration will, if approved, change the Future Land Use category of both parcels from Rural Community (RC) to Mixed-Use Urban (MU-U), which allows residential, retail, professional office, light industrial, recreational facilities, and limited agriculture. Surrounding properties are classified as Rural Community (RC), which allows agriculture, silviculture, residential, recreational facilities, public and civic, and compact traditional neighborhood supportive commercial. The public hearing is set for 5:45 p.m. Thursday during a regular Escambia County Commission meeting. NorthEscambia.com photos and graphic, click to enlarge.  Read More →

Escambia County, Alabama, Voters Approve Health Care Tax

Escambia County, Alabama, voters on Tuesday approved a property tax earmarked for hospital funding and health care. Tuesday’s referendum passed with 1,647 (54%) in favor and 1,396 (46%) against. The 4-mill tax is expected to generate and estimated $1.8 million for health care facilities, according to the Escambia County Healthcare Authority. The authority’s services include D.W. McMillan Memorial Hospital in Brewton, Atmore Community Hospital, D.W. McMillan EMS, Atmore Community Home Care, Atmore Med Plus, ACH Family Physicians, ACH Primary Care, Atmore Therapy Services, D.W. McMillan Home Medical Equipment, D.W. McMillan Home Health and the Flomaton Medical Center Preliminary unofficial results by precinct, were as follows: NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.  Read More →

Tate Moves To 5A, Northview Remains In Rural In New FHSAA Classifications

The Florida High School Athletic Association has released its new tentative classifications for 2026-28, and it sees several area teams moving down a class. The Tate Aggies moved down from 6A to 5A, as did Pace and Navarre. Pine Forest went down to 3A, while Gulf Breeze and Milton were reclassified into 4A. The changes are because FHSAA voted in November to drop Class 7A. Northview, Jay, and Central remained in the Rural Classification. Schools have until December 15 to appeal the changes, and teams cannot begin their scheduling until the final classifications are released on December 17. The remaining flass sport classifications will be released in the spring. Here are local classes and districts are aligned: Class 5A, District 1 Tate Crestview Navarre Niceville, Pace Class 4A, District 1 Escambia Gulf Breeze Milton Washington Choctawhatchee (Fort Walton beach) Fort Walton Beach Class 3, District 1 West Florida Pensacola Pine Forest South Walton Bay Rural The Rural class does not have regions or districts. Area teams in the Rural Class are Northview, Jay,  and Central. Pictured: The Tate Aggies hosted the Pace Patriots on October 10, 2025. Both teams moved down from 6A to 5A in new tentative classifications released by the FHSAA. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.  Read More →

Century Approves $2,000 Donation To Local Historical Society

At their last meeting ,the Century Town Council recently voted to donate $2,000 to the Alger-Sullivan Historical Society (ASHS). Named after the lumber mill that established a company town around 1901, ASHS maintains a museum, a historic park with other buildings and the Old 100 steam locomotive, and organizes the annual Sawmill Day bringing locals and visitors to town each May. The group also provides museum tours and educational outreach events. ASHS member Russell Brown said the group is facing rising costs for maintain facilities, including repairs, utilities, and a failed HVAC system. From their annual donation budget, the town previously donated $1,000 per year to the historical society for utilities. Brown said the organization’s utility bills are not about $2,400 per year. The Alger-Sullivan Historical Society will provide utility bill documentation to the town on a reimbursement basis up to $2,000 per year. The Alger-Sullivan Leach House Museum on Fourth Street is open on the first and third Saturday of each month. Pictured: Russell Brown of the Alger-Sullivan Historical Society shows a ledger book from their Leach House Museum collection. THe leger book documents early housing records from just after the turn of the 20th century. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.  Read More →

Tate Softball Holds Winter Wonderland Little Aggies Camp

On a cold Tuesday night, the Tate Aggies Softball hosted its Winter Wonderland Little Aggies Camp. For a photo gallery, click here. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.  Read More →

County Considers Expansion Of Highway 4A Safety Improvement Project To $2.36 Million

This week, the Escambia County Commission will consider expanding a Highway 4A safety improvement project. In August, the commission approved a $1.8 million roadway safety improvements project for Highway 4A from Byrneville to near Century. The approved project limits are from Highway 4, at the traffic light near the Byrneville Community Center, and continuing for 3.5 miles, about a half-mile past Broomes Road.. On Thursday, the commission will vote on a change order for $554,890.20 to extend the current project from 3.5 to 4.8 miles of roadway safety improvements. The new project limits, if approved, on Highway 4A will be from Highway 4 at the light in Byrneville to State Line Road, and include pavement reconstruction at the State Line Road intersection. The new project total will be $2,362,863.20. The planned roadway improvements include widening and overlaying the existing lanes. The project also includes the relocation of mailboxes, and the reinstallation of traffic signs to county specifications. The guardrails within the project limit will be upgraded to current Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) standards. The project also includes minor drainage modifications to accommodate road widening. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.  Read More →

Century Neighborhood Watch Organized, Sets Future Meetings

An organizational meeting was held Monday night for a new Century Neighborhood Watch, under the guidance of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. The group elected Evelyn Deterville as president, Emma Fletcher as vice president and Deborah William and secretary. For more photos, click here. About a dozen attendees learned how to keep a watchful eye on their community, protect themselves, and properly report crime to the ECSO from David Craig, community relations coordinator, and Deputy Howard Enderson. Future meetings will be held at 6 p.m. on the second Tuesday of the month at the Soul Train Club at 150 East Pond Street. The next meeting will be held on January 12, and the public is invited to attend. NorhtEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.  Read More →

Flomaton Council Reappoints Key Staff, Holds Off On New Police Chief After Derek Lowry Resignation

Flomaton’s police chief has resigned, and the appointment of a replacement has been delayed for at least a week. Dereck Lowry resigned as police chief last Friday, Mayor Arthur Odom announced to the town council Monday night. He had served as chief since May 2024. The council approved Odom’s recommendations to reappointed several municipal positions, including Town Clerk Kaci Boutwell, Superintendent of Public Works Shaun Moye, and Town Attorney Chuck Johns. But the council on Monday night stopped short of promoting Flomaton Police Department Captain Justin Hetrick as police chief at the mayor’s recommendation. The council instead appointed Hetrick as interim chief and set a 5:30 p.m. special meeting on December 15 to interview him. When Odom was sworn in as Flomaton mayor in early November, he deferred the municipal appointments until a November 10 meeting, and they were again deferred to December 8. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.  Read More →

Byrneville Elementary Names Students Of The Month

Byrneville Elementary School recently named its Students of the Month for November. They are: Kindergarten: Miracle Slade and Tucker Boutwell 1st Grade: AJ Sutton and Georgia Cofield 2nd Grade: Cali Cottrell and Shelby McKenna 3rd Grade: Arayah McCall and Paisley Miller 4th Grade: Jagger Scott and Estella Johnson 5th Grade: Emrey Fowler and William Maxwell Art: Derri’ashia Grice Music: Chaplin Grassia PE: Jaden Cardwell Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.  Read More →

International Paper Awards $65,000 In Community Grants

International Paper’s Pensacola Mill recently awarded $65,000 in International Paper Foundation grants to nine local organizations for education, hunger, health and wellness, disaster relief, and environmental initiatives. The largest grant of $15,000 was awarded to Sacred Heart Foundation to create a multi-sensory room at the Studer Family Children’s Hospital at Ascension Sacred Heart. This space will provide therapeutic support for children with sensory processing challenges, neurological conditions, and anxiety, helping families across Northwest Florida. Another major grant supports Jim Allen Elementary School’s Stoked about Science and Social Studies project, equipping classrooms with resources that inspire curiosity and strengthen STEM education for local students. “We are proud to partner with organizations that share our vision for a stronger, healthier community,” said Whitney Fike, Regional Communications Manager at International Paper. “These grants allow us to amplify the impact of projects that matter most, whether it is creating a sensory-friendly space for children in need or providing innovative learning tools for local students. These initiatives represent the heart of what community investment should be: meaningful, lasting change.” Grants were awarded to: Autism Pensacola – Families Navigating Autism Council on Aging of West Florida – Powering Our Future Covenant Care Foundation – Nonie’s Place Health and Hope Clinic – Access to Care Jim Allen Elementary – Stoked about Science and Social Studies Manna Food Bank – Healthy Kids Initiative Pensacola MESS Hall – Mess Hall Updates Sacred Heart Foundation – Sacred Space Sensory Room YMCA of Northwest Florida – Literacy Launch Kits Grants were determined after a thorough review by local team members and the International Paper Foundation’s grants committee, with final approval by the foundation’s board of trustees.  Read More →

Keiser Wins NAIA Soccer National Championship At Ashton Brosnaham Park

The NAIA Women’s Soccer Championship was held over the past week in North Escambia. Escambia County’s Ashton Brosnaham Athletic Complex off 10 Mile Road hosted the tournament, except for last minute move of some matches to Gulf Shores due to weather, The Keiser University Seahawks (West Palm Beach, FL) claimed their third championship title with a penalty kick, ending over 110 minutes of play with a combined 37 shots throughout the game. The Seahawks defeated Cumberlands (Kentucky) for the championship and the league’s Red Banner. Keiser claimed its third red banner in program history with a 20-3-1 overall record. Cumberlands (Ky.) wrapped up their phenomenal season with an overall record of 17-5-3. Last month, Ashton Brosnaham hosted the SEC Women’s Soccer Championship, which was won by Vanderbilt.  Read More →