Community Health Fair To Offer Free Services In Jay On March 8
February 25, 2025
The Northwest Florida Rural Health Network is hosting a Community Health Fair on Saturday, March 8, from 10 a.m. to noon at Jay First Baptist Church Family Life Center, located at 14113 Alabama Street in Jay.
This free event will feature vendor health booths, door prizes, and giveaways aimed at promoting community wellness. Residents will have the opportunity to connect with health professionals, learn about available resources, and receive valuable health information.
For more information, contact the Northwest Florida Rural Health Network at (850) 675-4787 or email keithstrickling@nwfrhn.org.
Parkrun At UWF Celebrating 250th Event, Six Years
February 25, 2025
Pensacola’s Rec Plex North parkrun will mark two significant milestones on Saturday, March 1, celebrating its 250th event and six years of bringing the community together through its FREE weekly timed 5k (3.1 miles) run/walk. Since its inception in February 2019 as the first parkrun on the campus of an American university, the weekly event has drawn more than 2,600 participants who have collectively completed over 20,000 runs covering 99,825 kilometers (62,028 miles) on the University of West Florida’s (UWF) scenic wooded trail.
The event, which routinely draws around 100 participants, has become known in the community for its friendly crowd that welcomes newcomers of all ages and abilities. “At every one of our events there are runners, joggers and walkers – parkrun is for everyone,” said Rob Gryskiewicz, who has volunteered at more than 175 parkruns and is now the co-event director with Caleb Carmichael, UWF’s cross country coach. “We’d love to have a big turnout for our 250th event and celebrate what makes this community so special.”
The free, volunteer-organized 5K has become a tourist attraction, drawing participants from across the United States and countries including Ireland, Germany, Poland, Canada, Australia, South Africa and the UK. These “parkrun tourists” have generated over 425 hotel room nights for the Pensacola area during their quest to visit new parkrun courses.
Each weekly parkrun is made possible by a thriving group of volunteers. “It’s a joy to see how the community has engaged and supported this event,” said Robin Foley, who co-founded the event in 2019. “We’re going strong after six great years thanks to hundreds of volunteers and the support of UWF, who allowed the use of their field and trails to make our parkrun possible.”
The partnership has benefited both organizations. Since parkrun volunteers revitalized the overgrown trail for the launch of their event in 2019, the site has once again become home to major cross country events like the ESCAROSA High School Championships and the Argonaut Invitational.
“Community engagement is a hallmark of our mission,” said Howard Reddy, UWF Vice President for University Advancement. “Mutually beneficial collaborations have been a key driver of our effort to become a community destination, so we’re proud to host parkrun and contribute to the immense health and wellness benefits it brings to our community.”
The success of the Pensacola event mirrors the global parkrun movement, which began in 2004 with just 13 runners in London’s Bushy Park. Today, about 400,000 people participate each Saturday at more than 2,500 free events across 23 countries.
New participants can register for free at ParkRun.us to receive a barcode for tracking their performance.
● What: 250th Rec Plex North parkrun
● When: Saturday, March 1, 7:30 a.m.
● Where: UWF Baars-Firestone Wildlife Sanctuary entrance (behind Lot Z at Rec Plex North)
● Cost: Free
Alabama Woman Gets 13 Years for Fleeing Fatal Escambia County Crash Scene
February 25, 2025
A Lillian, Alabama, woman was sentenced to 13 years in state prison following a fatal hit-and-run that claimed the life of a cyclist and injured another in Escambia County.
On October 19, 2022, Rachelle Johnson was driving a 2005 Toyota Highlander westbound on State Road 292 (Sorrento Road) when her vehicle veered off the road and struck two cyclists from Pensacola, who were riding on the road’s shoulder, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. One cyclist was pronounced dead at the scene, while the other was hospitalized with injuries.
Johnson fled but was later found at her home in Lillian. During the investigation, videos from Walmart at Blue Angel and Sorrento show the Toyota driven by Johnson pulling into the grocery pickup area with significant damage to the front end. Witnesses followed Johnson and assisted in identifying the vehicle involved.
She pleaded guilty and received the maximum 13-year sentence for the leaving the scene of an accident involving death charge and four years, to be served concurrently, for leaving the scene of an accident involving bodily injury.
New Escambia EMS Strategy Aims to Enhance North Escambia Response Times
February 24, 2025
Currently, North Escambia EMS crews report to work at the Walnut Hill Fire Station or EMS “Post 50″ on Industrial Boulevard in Century. But that will soon change.
“The intent is not taking ambulances from up there,” Escambia EMS Director Chris Watts said. “The only change is going to be where they’re physically deployed out of…there’s some limitations with having the crews report directly to Century and Walnut Hill to start their day.”
Under the new plan, EMS crews that will work in the northern part of Escambia County will report to work at the main EMS headquarters on W Street and then drive an ambulance north to either Century or Walnut Hill.
“Some of the issues that we’ve run into is when you have people call out sick or can’t get to work,” Watts said, citing January’s ice and snow as an example. There are also situations, he said, when a crew could currently arrive to work Century or Walnut Hill to find that there’s no ambulance because it’s on a transport to Pensacola. If that same crew had reported to Post 10, they would have had an ambulance to take north.
Expansion of EMS Services in North Escambia
Upcoming changes also include plans for a third North Escambia ambulance that will station in McDavid or Molino. “Probably Molino just, so it’s a little bit further south, which provides a little bit better coverage for the North End of the county, especially where we’re starting to get more and more development as we, you know, move north of Cantonment.”
Watts is quick to admit that a crew destined for Walnut Hill, Century or Molino might come on duty at W Street and then get dispatched to an urgent call elsewhere in Pensacola.
“If that is the case, the intent is that the night shift hasn’t gone home yet and they’re still in the north end,” Watts said, explaining that start times for northern crews will be staggered. “So, you are still not eliminating coverage. It’s not like we are going to abandon (the north end) and bring everybody back to Post 10 off W Street and then deploy resources….After they get up there, then we can bring the night crews down.”
New Partnership with Newman’s Ambulance Service
In addition, Escambia County has a new agreement in place with Newman’s Ambulance Services, the oldest privately owned ambulance company in Alabama and the second oldest privately owned service in the United States.
Newmans’ Ambulances units are now staging at the Flomaton Fire Station, just across the line from Century. Watts said they have agreed to accept Florida calls when a Century or Walnut Hill unit is unavailable.
Watts said he is confident that EMS response will improve in North Escambia. He said the new plan and schedule will be evaluated once it goes into effect in March, and he will make adjustments, if needed, to address any problems that arise.
Pictured: Escambia County EMS ambulance on scene at calls in North Escambia. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Ernest Ward Middle Names Students, Employee Of The Month
February 24, 2025
Ernest Ward Middle School recently named their January Students of the Month and their January Employee of the Month.
The are:
- 6th grade–Siana Bonville
- 7th grade–Harleigh Grace Parsons
- 8th grade–Kaden Smith
- Employee–Phyllis Malone
Pictured: Ernest Ward Middle Principal Tyvanna Boulanger with Students of the Month (L-R) Kaden Smith, Harleigh Grace Parsons, and Siana Bonville. Below: Boulanger with Employee of the Month Phyllis Malone. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Bratt Elementary Students Give Back to Escambia Animal Shelter
February 24, 2025
Bratt Elementary School students are making a difference for animals in need. As part of their School Service Learning Project, students organized a supply drive recently to support the Escambia County Department of Animal Welfare.
The school collected 208 donations, including cleaning supplies and blankets, to help shelter animals stay comfortable while they wait for their forever homes.
To show their appreciation, Lead Animal Welfare Officer Sgt. Merideth Roberson and Animal Welfare Coordinator Gaby Negrete visited Bratt Elementary yesterday. They personally thanked the students for their generosity and shared ways the community can continue supporting local animals.
RV Park Proposed For Walnut Hill
February 24, 2025
An RV Park is being proposed for Walnut Hill.
Matthew Coverdale of Pensacola is proposing the C&E Destinations RV Park between Cypress Street and Pine Forest Road, just north of Arthur Brown Road.
A written narrative provided to the Escambia County Development Review Committee states that the RV park would initially contain ten 25×35 concrete pads connected by concrete drive 200 feet in length from Pine Forest Road with a cul-de-sac. It states that the 20-acre parcel is being split out from a parcel at 24 North Cypress Street, and the applicant is seeking advance confirmation that the RV park would be allowed.
NorthEscambia.com graphic.
AAA: Florida Gas Prices Up Over The Past Week
February 24, 2025
Florida gas prices on Sunday were up 7 cents on average in the last week, which is more than a 25 cents less than this time last year.
On Sunday, the state average was $3.10 per gallon, and $2.85 in Escambia County. A low of $2.59 was available at stations on West Nine Mile Road. In North Escambia, a low of $2.69 was available Sunday at two stations in Cantonment.
“Florida gas prices continue bouncing up and down, yet have remained within the same 25-cent range since early September,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “However, seasonal factors could apply upward pressure on pump prices in the next couple of months. Spring refinery maintenance season generally peaks in late February and March. This combined with higher fuel demand from spring travel and the switch to summer gasoline all typically contribute to higher prices in the spring. For context, last year, gas prices rose 30 cents from late February to the end of March.”
Ice Flyers See Lead Slip Away Into OT Loss Against Evansville
February 24, 2025
No team in the league has played more overtime games than the Ice Flyers.
This season, that element has only compounded the overall struggles.
For a photo gallery, click here.
For the second time in a three-game weekend, the Ice Flyers lost a two-goal lead in the final period, then fell 3-2 in overtime Sunday against the Evansville Thunderbolts, ending a crucial series at the Pensacola Bay Center in the least desired way.
“It’s like there is just a black cloud over top of us and we got to get rid of it,” said Ice Flyers coach Rod Aldoff, who returned earlier in the week for a third time in his career behind the Ice Flyers bench, after a decision was made to release Gary Graham from his contract.
Friday night, the Ice Flyers opened the series with a 2-0 lead in the third period, only to fall 4-3. Saturday night, they tied the game in third period, but lost 3-2 in the post-overtime shootout.
Sunday, a 2-0 lead was erased by Evansville’s Issac Chapman, who scored with 11:59 left to halve the lead, then tied the game with just 2:30 remaining.
In the 3-on-3 overtime period, the Thunderbolts got a 2-on-1 rush after an Ice Flyers turnover and Aidan Litke kept the puck and wristed a shot past Ice Flyers goaltender Ricardo Gonzalez for the game winner.
Playing in just his second game since joining the team this week, Gonzalez stopped 32 shots, including a penalty shot and other great saves, but Evansville’s resolve led to a big weekend. The Thunderbolts picked up six points to climb all the way into fifth place in the Southern Professional Hockey League standings.
The Ice Flyers (14-23, 8 OT losses, 36 points) gained just two points, but still closed to within a point of ninth-place Macon and only two points behind the Quad City Storm for eighth-place and the final playoff spot.
Confronting the Ice Flyers, however, is they’ve played more games (45) than any other team in the league. They also have to travel next weekend to Roanoke, Virginia to face the Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs, the third place team in the league for back-to-back games.
A two-week break between games will follow before the Ice Flyers host Quad City for back-to-back games March 14-15 that will like be make-or-break for playoff hopes.
“We’re past urgency,” said Aldoff, who guided the Ice Flyers to three of their four SPHL championships during his tenure. “It’s Game 7 every day for us.
“We played some good hockey,” he said. “I was impressed with the team overall. I used this weekend to evaluate a lot. I’m evaluating everybody in this situation… and I liked a lot of things.
“It’s just a matter of getting this cloud over our head (removed). Because we were in great position Friday night and great position (Sunday) to finish those games off. And we found a way not to. We have to change that.”
Blake Tosto was involved in both goals to give the Ice Flyers their 2-0 lead after two periods. He assisted on Greg Susinski’s first period goal, then Tosto buried a shot on a feed from Ivan Bondarenko during 5-minute power play in the second period.
But just as Friday’s lead slipped from the Ice Flyers’ grasp, this game took the same course.
“First (Evansville) goal, (puck) bounced off the boards and off the slot and bounced a few times right on their (stick blade) tape and the shot goes up high into the net,” Aldoff said. “It’s just sequence after sequence of bad puck luck.
“We fought hard. We did a lot of good things. We played a pretty good game as far as I’m concerned. The effort and tenacity was there. It’s just a bad bounce here or there.”
Both of Evansville goals followed situations where the Ice Flyers were unable to clear the puck from their zone. And too many times, when the Ice Flyers cleared the puck, it was a icing call and the faceoff was back in their zone.
“If you look at how Evansville played, one thing I think that’s important, is they got pucks and just flipped them out and they got to the red (center ice line) and flipped them in,” Aldoff said.
“That’s all they did for nine periods. There were times when we were trying to make plays when there was no play there. And we just need to flip those pucks out. Just get it out, get it deep and go to work on it.
So these are things, it’s a learning process, game management and knowing the situation you’re in. You don’t need to make something that’s not there. Just keep it simple and get it out and live another day and just keep doing it. They literally did that for nine periods.”
Here’s a quick recap.
FIRST PERIOD
The Ice Flyers caught a break when one Evansville shot clanged off the goal post with 6:30 remaining. Two minutes later, Gonzalez made a big save on a point blank chance from the crease area.
With 3:50 left in the period, Susinski got a feed from Tosto following a face off and rifled a shot through traffic past Evansville goaltender Cole Ceci, who finished the game with 37 saves and won all three games in net.
There were no penalties in the period.
SECOND PERIOD
Ice Flyers captain Jake Hamilton, returning from a five-game, league-imposed suspension, made his presence known by dropping a Evansville player during a brawl that led to each team getting two guys in the penalty box.
The Ice Flyers thought they had a second goal during the 13-minute mark, but the replays showed the puck hit the cross ball, bounced down and straddled the goal line before rolling away. The referee made the right call in waving it off, even though the goal light came on.
With 9:48 remaining Evansville’s Grayson Valente was hit with a 5-minute major penalty for boarding. During the power play, Bondarenko made a perfect pass to Tosto who buried the shot for the two-goal lead.
THIRD PERIOD
After Gonzalez thwarted Evansville’s Scott Kirton on a penalty shot – awarded after the Ice Flyers’ Jonathan Bartuccio-Pereira was called for closing his gloves on the puck in the crease area with 13:31 left – the Ice Flyers seemed in good shape.
But Chapman gave his team momentum with a goal from just outside the faceoff circle. He then buried a wide open look with 2:30 remaining.
WHAT’S NEXT?
WHO: Ice Flyers vs. Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs
WHEN: Friday-Saturday, both games at 6:05 p.m. (CST)
WHERE: Berglund Center, Roanoke, Virginia.
NEXT HOME GAMES: March 14-15 vs. Quad City Storm.
Walnut Hill Ruritan Holds 50th Annual Auction (With Photo Gallery)
February 23, 2025
The Walnut Hill Ruritan Club held their 50th annual auction Saturday in Walnut Hill with crowds bidding on farm equipment and hundreds of other items.
All proceeds from the auction benefit the Walnut Hill Ruritan Club’s community service projects in the Walnut Hill area. The auction is held each year on the last Saturday of February.
The auction included not only farm equipment, but also household items like tools and small equipment, lawn and garden items, antiques and more.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Pictured: Hundreds attended the annual Walnut Hill Ruritan Club farm equipment auction Saturday in Walnut Hill. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
