FWC Hunter Safety Courses This Month In Molino, Cantonment, Jay, Milton
April 3, 2025
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is offering free hunter safety internet-completion courses in Molino, Cantonment, Jay and Milton. Hunter safety courses are designed to help students become safe, responsible and knowledgeable hunters and learn about conservation.
Participants must take the online course before attending a class.
All firearms, ammunition and materials are provided free of charge. Students should bring a pen or pencil and paper. An adult must accompany children younger than 16 at all times.
Anyone born on or after June 1, 1975, must pass an approved hunter safety course and have a hunting license to hunt alone (unsupervised). The FWC course satisfies hunter-safety training requirements for all other states and Canadian provinces.
The two-day events will be held as follows, and you must have completed an online hunter safety course and have a copy of the completion certificate or field day voucher prior to taking a Field Day.
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
- April 7, 6 p.m. and May 3, 9 a.m. — Escambia County Extension, Cantonment
- April 14, 6 p.m. and May 3, 9 a.m. — Molino Community Center
SANTA ROSA COUNTY
- April 21, 6 p.m. and May 3, 9 a.m. — Jay United Methodist Church
- April 28, 6 p.m. and May 3, 9 a.m. — Santa Rosa Extension, Milton
Those interested in attending a course can register online and obtain information about future hunter safety classes or by calling FWC safety coordinator Jeff Schumacher at (850) 767-3612 for more information or email.
Byrneville Elementary Recognizes Presidential Physical Fitness Test Winners
April 3, 2025
Byrneville Elementary School recently recognized their Presidential Physical Fitness Test Winners.
They are:
- Standing Long Jump: Jamarion Simpson
- Flexed Arm Hang: Kolin Rogers
- 40 Yard Dash: Jamarion Simpson
- Pro Agility Drill: Jagger Scott
- 300 Yard Shuttle Run: Kolin Rogers
- Sit and Reach: Lyla McDowell
- Sit-ups: Kolin Rogers
- Shuttle Run: Corbin Strawbridge
- Overall Champion: Kolin Rogers
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Republican Jimmy Patronis Wins Florida Congressional Race; Democrat Carries Escambia
April 2, 2025
Republican Jimmy Patronis defeated Democrat Gay Valimont in Tuesday’s special election to succeed U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz to keep Florida’s 1st Congressional District in Republican hands.
Patronis, who was endorsed by President Donald Trump, received 57% of the vote to 42% for Valimont. Stephen Brody, no-party candidate, received about 1% of the vote.
Valimont, however, was the top vote getter in Escambia County with 51.10% of the vote to 48.06% for Patronis.
“Thank you, Northwest Florida. Not all districts are built the same — the Panhandle is a force of its own,” Patronis said Tuesday night during his victory speech. “I’m going to Washington to help President Trump battle against all this far left insanity, to buttress his strong moves to return common sense to America, to pull our country out of the ditch. I like to think that when President Trump says Make America Great Again, he’s thinking about us. I am humbled by all of the support in this race. I’m no better than anyone else and I will do everything I can to represent this district.”
Last November, Valimont lost to Gaetz with 36 points as the district favorite Trump by 38 points.
Patronis has served for a nearly a decade as Florida’ Chief Financial Officer, but he was forced to resign as of Monday to run for Congress.
Escambia County Had ‘Temporary Ballot Shortages’ During Tuesday’s Congressional Special Election
April 2, 2025
Some of the polling locations in Escambia County experienced “temporary ballot shortages” due Tuesday’s Florida 1st Congressional District special election.
Just before precinct closed, the Supervisor of Elections Office sent an email to the media and posted a notice that “some precinct locations in Escambia County have experienced temporary ballot shortages.” due to unprecedented turnout. SOE Robert Bender assured voters that every voter in line before 7 p.m. would be able to cast their ballot, and that every ballot would be counted.
“Some precinct locations in Escambia County have experienced temporary ballot shortages.
“We are excited to see such an unprecedented voter turnout in this election, as we always encourage everyone to exercise their right to vote,” Bender said Tuesday just before polls closed. “I’d like to assure voters that anyone in line by 7 p.m. will be able to cast their ballot.”
Just over 32,000 ballots were cast in-person at polling locations in Escambia County on Tuesday.
For election results, click here.
Tate LaCrosse Celebrates Senior Night
April 2, 2025
Tate High School Lacrosse celebrated senior night Tuesday.
The Aggies honored three seniors: Talia Mendiola, Hannah Keeler, and Laila Ritchey.
In Tuesday night’s game, Tate fell to the Seacoast Collegiate Swordfish from Santa Rosa Beach.
Pictured top: (L-R) Tate Lacrosse seniors Hannah Keeler, Talia Mendiola, and Laila Ritchey. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate Girls Tennis Shuts Out Washington
April 2, 2025
Tate Aggies girls tennis defeated Washington 7-0 Tuesday, as the Tate boys lost 6-1 to the Wildcats.Up next, Tate will travel to Navarre on Thursday. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Bridges Records 18 Outs As Northview Slips To West Florida; Gulf Breeze Tops Tate
April 2, 2025
West Florida 3, Northview 1
The Northview Chiefs slipped to West Florida 3-1 on Tuesday night in Pensacola.
Jackson Bridges recorded 18 outs for the Chiefs in six innings, allowing just one hit and one earned run while striking out seven and walking three.
Northview’s only score came on an error in the third inning. Grayden Sheffield, Kelan Jury and Cole Davis each had one hit for the Chiefs.
Up next, the Chiefs will head up to Atmore to take on Escambia County on Thursday before a rematch in Bratt with West Florida on Friday.
Gulf Breeze, Tate 0
The Gulf Breeze Dolphins defeated Tate 7-0 on Tuesday night in Cantonment.
Connor Dethlefs, Cal Foxworth, and Kaden Posta each had one hit for the Aggies.
Bryton McLellan went five and two-thirds innings and took the loss for Tate. He allowed six runs (two earned) on five hits while walking one and striking out four. Sheppard Edgar threw one and one-third innings, allowing on hit and one run while walking one.
Next, Tate will host the West Florida Jagaurs on Thursday before traveling to Navarre on Friday.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Cantonment Man Arrested On Drug Charges After Atmore Traffic Stop
April 2, 2025
A Cantonment man was arrested on drug charges following a traffic stop in Atmore.
Joseph Neales, 49, was pulled over by Atmore Police on Highway 21 for failing to wear a seat belt. During the stop, an officer noticed suspicious behavior and obtained consent to search the vehicle. Police said the search uncovered a small amount of methamphetamine, ecstasy, and drug paraphernalia.
Neales was arrested and charged with two felony counts of possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.
He was booked into the Escambia County (AL) Detention Center.
DeSantis Proposes $1,000 Property Tax Rebate For Florida Homeowners
April 1, 2025
Governor Ron DeSantis unveiled a plan Monday to provide direct property tax relief to Florida homeowners, proposing a rebate averaging $1,000 for each homesteaded property in the state. He said the rebates, which would be issued in December 2025, are aimed at offsetting state-mandated school property taxes while ensuring full funding for local school districts.
If approved by the Legislature, the proposal would benefit more than 5.1 million homeowners across Florida. The initiative aligns with DeSantis’ broader goal of ultimately eliminating property taxes through a future constitutional amendment.
“Property taxes effectively require homeowners to pay rent to the government,” said DeSantis. “Constitutional protections for Florida homeowners require approval of the voters in 2026. In the meantime, Floridians need relief. I am today proposing a plan that will result in—on average—$1,000 rebate checks for each household as a discount on their property taxes. If the Legislature acts on this plan now, we can get this done this year. Let’s get this done for the people of Florida this session.”
The governor called on the Florida Legislature to grant the necessary authority to issue the rebates immediately, leveraging the state’s strong revenue position to benefit full-time residents.
West Florida Libraries Upgrading Software, Temporary Service Disruptions Expected
April 1, 2025
A migration to new software is underway at West Florida Public Libraries to provide improvements to patron requests, checkouts, and services.
During the migration period, interlibrary loan services will be temporarily unavailable. Any checked-out interlibrary loan materials can still be returned in person at any WFPL location. Overdue fines that occur due to the migration will be waived.
Beginning Thursday, April 3 at 7 p.m., access to library accounts and online catalogues will be temporarily unavailable. Patron accounts will be locked, and no new accounts or renewals will be processed until the migration is complete. Patrons are encouraged to visit WFPL locations in person to check materials out with a staff member.
The software migration is expected to be completed in April.
Library hours of operation and scheduled events will remain unchanged during the migration period.