Farm-City: Volunteers Harvest Thanksgiving Dinner For 1,000 Needy Families
November 28, 2025
Earlier this week, students and volunteers from Escambia and Santa Rosa counties worked in fields near Jay to harvest vegetables that will help feed about 1,000 needy families for Thanksgiving.
The event at the University of Florida’s West Florida Research and Education Center is part of Farm to City Week and brought the bounty of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences farm to the needy in the city.
The students were from agricultural programs and organizations, including FFA members from local schools.
The produce was distributed to 500 families in Escambia County and 500 more in Santa Rosa County along with a turkey and all the trimmings for a Thanksgiving meal from Feeding the Gulf Coast and the Waterfront Rescue Mission.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Four Arrested On Contraband, Drug Charges Near Atmore Prison
November 28, 2025
Four people were arrested in an alleged attempt to introduce phones and drugs into the Fountain Correctional Facility in Atmore on Wednesday.
At 6:50 p.m. Alabama Department of Corrections (ADOC) K-9 agents responded to the incident. An unidentified male had been observed throwing a package over the fence. The suspect was then observed getting into a gray car and leaving the property. The vehicle was later stopped on I-65, and four people were arrested.
ADOC said seven cell phones and about 221 grams of marijuana were recovered.
Suspects Sylvia Turner, Shelby Turner, Jacory Mitchell, and Jayden Armstrong were transported to the Escambia County Jail without incident and charged with distribution of marijuana, possession of marijuana, prohibited activity, and promotion of prison contraband. Their mugshots were not available at time of publication from the jail.
Officials said the investigation is continuing and additional charges may be pending.
UWF’s Nobles Named Region 2 Coach of the Year
November 28, 2025
UWF Argos Head Coach Kaleb Nobles has been named the American Football Coaches Association Region Two Coach of the Year.
Nobles led the Argos to a 9-1 record in the regular season and a No. 2 seed in Super Region Two for the NCAA postseason. UWF had its best start in program history with a 9-0 record heading into the final game of the regular season. The Argos defeated three nationally ranked teams during the win streak, including wins over No.14 Lenoir-Rhyne, No. 8 West Alabama, and No. 15 Delta State.
UWF was nationally ranked all season and jumped to No. 3 in the country where it remained for the majority of the season.
Last week Nobles earned his first career playoff win when West Florida defeated North Greenville 43-19 in the first round of the NCAA Division II Championships.
The AFCA recognizes five regional Coach of the Year winners in each of the Association’s five divisions: Football Bowl Subdivision, Football Championship Subdivision, Division II, Division III, and NAIA. The winners are selected by Active members of the Association who vote for coaches in their respective regions and divisions.
The season continues for Nobles and the Argos on Saturday, Nov. 29 when the team hosts No. 3 Newberry at PenAir Field at 1 p.m.
Federal Sentence For Escambia Man On Firearms Charges
November 28, 2025
An Escambia County man has been sentenced to federal prison on firearms charges.
Donavon Idris Ellis, 27, was sentenced to 40 months in federal prison after previously pleading guilty to possession of firearms and ammunition by a convicted felon.
Court documents reflect that a search warrant was executed at the his residence in March 2024, during which law enforcement found and seized two loaded firearms, boxes of bulk ammunition, and multiple magazines, including a large capacity drum magazine. Ellis admitted to law enforcement that the two firearms were his. In 2021, Ellis was of three federal counts of distribution of carfentanil.
Thanksgiving Double Shooting Leaves Two Critical In Cantonment
November 27, 2025
Two people were shot during an argument late Thanksgiving morning in Cantonment.
The shooting happened just before 11:30 in on Tate Road at Dolphin Road.
A male in his 30s and an 18-year-old were both shot. The older male was airlifted by LifeFlight helicopter to a Pensacola hospital, and the 18-year-old was transported by ambulance. Both victims were trauma alerts.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office investigation is in its early stages, but deputies say the shooting stemmed from some sort of dispute, and the victims shot each other. according to spokesperson Morgan Lewis.
Further details have not been released.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Woman Charged After Failed Robbery Attempt At Nine Mile Road Bank
November 27, 2025
A woman was charged with a failed robbery attempt late Wednesday morning at a bank on Nine Mile Road.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said 63-year-old Gwendolyn Brown passed a note indicating that she was robbing the Ensley Branch of Regions Bank at 4 East Nine Mile Road just before noon.
The ECSO said Brown was handed a bag with money, but the teller took the bag back. Deputies arrived on scene before Brown left the bank, and she was taken into custody without incident.
Brown was booked into the Escambia County Jail on charges of communications fraud obtaining $300 or more and grand theft $10,000 to $20,000. She was released from the Escambia County Jail early Thursday morning on a $5,000 bond.
Pictured: The Ensley Branch of Regions Bank on Nine Mile Road minutes after an alleged robbery attempt. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Miracle League Holds 15th Annual Turkey Fry (With Photo Gallery)
November 27, 2025
For the 15th year, the Miracle League of Pensacola held their annual turkey fry fundraiser on Wednesday at their park on East Nine Mile Road.
A small army of volunteers worked to deep fry hundreds of turkeys to perfection, with rows of timers keeping track of the cooking time at a command center of sorts. They worked to make sure the turkeys were ready to enjoy on Thanksgiving.
For a photo gallery, click here.
The Miracle League provides physically and mentally challenged children a safe and spirited program in which they can hit, run, and catch on a baseball field – just like other kids. The MLP offers a unique and memorable opportunity these children would not otherwise have. It is a place where every player plays, every player hits, every player gets on base, every player scores, and every player wins – every inning.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
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.
