Balloons Over Broadway: North Escambia Students Learn True Story Of Macy’s Parade Balloons
November 27, 2025
Thanksgiving means the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Last week, students at several North Escambia elementary schools held parades of their own after reading the book “Balloons Over Broadway: The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy’s Parade” by Melissa Sweet. The book brings to life the inspirational story of the puppeteer who invented the giant balloons in the parade. The book tells the story of Tony Sarg, a self-taught immigrant with a fascinating imagination.
The collage illustrations coupled with Sweet’s storytelling portray Sarg’s joy in his childhood inventions and his ingenious balloon creations that still bring delight to viewers around the country.
For photos from Byrneville, McArthur and Lipscomb elementary schools, click here.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Rotary Provides Thanksgiving Meals For 1,400 North Escambia Residents
November 27, 2025
About 1,400 people can enjoy a complete Thanksgiving meal this year thanks to the members and friends of the Cantonment Rotary Club.
Wednesday, the club distributed everything for a complete turkey meal to 330 families in the North Escambia area. The recipients were chosen with the help of guidance counselors at seven local schools who helped identify families that might need a little help this time of year.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Many of the meals were distributed by the Quintette Community Park Association and the Cantonment Improvement Committee in their respective areas.
The Tate High School cheerleaders volunteered Wednesday at Wilde Lake Church to help package over $16,000 worth of food from Publix for delivery.
Cantonment Rotary started the annual tradition in 2009 with just nine families.
“We are all about giving,” Cantonment Rotary Club President Greg Shoemaker said. “One of the reasons I joined Rotary, is because I saw all of the good that it does. This is our biggest giveaway every year when we feed people at Thanksgiving.”
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
FHP Investigates Serious Collision on Pine Forest Road Near West Roberts
November 27, 2025
At least one person was seriously injured in a two-vehicle crash Wednesday night on Pine Forest Road in Cantonment.
The crash occurred shortly before 6 p.m. in the 2900 block of Pine Forest Road, just south of West Roberts Road.
One person was transported in serious condition by Escambia County EMS to an area hospital.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating; the Ensley Station of Escambia County Fire Rescue also responded.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Ice Flyers Beat Havoc 8-1 (With Gallery)
November 27, 2025
The Ice Flyers needed to bounce back and to say they did was an understatement. In front of a sellout crowd at the Pensacola Bay Center Wednesday night, the Ice Flyers found a way to win with 8 different players scoring goals in an 8-1 victory over the Huntsville Havoc.
Tyler German started the scoring in the first period with the lone goal of that frame. The second period saw some scrums and newly acquired Tyrone Bronte finding the net, bringing it to 2-0. Andrew Poulias extended the lead to 3-0, Shane Bull made it 4-0, and Blake Wells capped off the Ice Flyers’ second-period scoring to make it 5-0. Huntsville’s Connor Fries scored the lone goal for the Havoc at the tail end of the period.
The third period continued the excitement with Nicholas Aromatario finding the back of the net, Zack Bross extending the lead to 7-1, and Sam Rhodes capping off the night with his 6th goal of the season to seal the 8-1 win.
The Ice Flyers are back at the Hangar on Saturday night for Blue Angels Night.
Road Worker Spots Fire, Quick Action Stops Spread
November 26, 2025
Firefighters were able to quickly extinguish a brush fire spotted by an Escambia County Public Works Department worker Tuesday afternoon.
The fire was behind a residence on West Highway 4 in Bratt, near Rigby Road.
The Walnut Hill Station of Escambia County Fire Rescue brought the fire under control in a few minutes. There was no structural damage.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Ensley Firefighters Free Rescue Puppy Stuck In Ductwork
November 26, 2025
Escambia County Fire Rescue firefighters rescued a puppy on Bush Street.
A crew from the Ensley Fire Station’s Ladder 6 confirmed that a puppy had fallen through an HVAC vent opening in the floor and was stuck in the duct work. The crew quickly got to work, accessing the crawl space and removing the duct work to safely rescue the puppy.
In about 20 minutes, the uninjured puppy was free and reunited with his family.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Four Teens Escape Burning Pickup in McDavid After Highway 29 Crash
November 26, 2025
Four teens were in a regular cab pickup truck that burst into flames after crashing in McDavid.
One of the teens was transported to an area hospital following the crash; the other three were not seriously injured.
The crash happened around 4:53 Monday evening on Highway 29 near Highway 164, across from the McDavid Fire Station.
The pickup truck left the roadway and crashed through a fence next to the Kynette’s Place convenience store. It came to rest overturned in the yard of an adjacent home before catching fire.
The occupants were able to escape the truck on their own before the fire was extinguished by Escambia County Fire Rescue.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Pine Meadow Elementary Turkey Trot Raises Funds For Outdoor Play Improvements
November 26, 2025
Pine Meadow Elementary students took part in Turkey Trot 2025 over two days last week.
The event raised money for upgrades to the school’s outdoor play area – with a goal of $15,000 to resurface the basketball courts, replace the sun sails over the playground and purchase a 9-square-in-the-air frame for the older students.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Felon Pleads Guilty To Firearm Possession
November 26, 2025
An Escambia County convicted felon has pleaded guilty to a federal firearms charge.
Jerney Jabara Purifoy, 33, entered the plea in federal court to possession of firearms and ammunition by a convicted felon.
Court documents reflect that deputies with the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at the Purifoy’s residence. In his bedroom, deputies located a loaded 9-millimeter handgun. In another room, deputies located a loaded .22 caliber AR15-style rifle.
Purifoy has prior felony convictions for aggravated battery and fleeing or eluding law enforcement, and he also has a pending case in Escambia County state court related to animal cruelty, animal fighting, and confinement of animals without sufficient food or water.
He faces up to 15 years in prison when he is sentenced in February.
Two Days, Two Tate Aggies Wins In Escarosa Thanksgiving Basketball Invitational
November 26, 2025
The Tate Aggies beat Mosley 73-60 Tuesday in the second day of The Escarosa Thanksgiving Basketball Invitational at Catholic.
On Monday, the Aggies earned a first day win 82-64 win over the Catholic Crusaders.