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Escambia County Commission Reorganizes, Appoints New Chair And Vice Chair

During the regular BCC Meeting on Monday, the Escambia County Board of County Commissioners reorganized to appoint the new chair and vice chair.

The board appointed District 4 Commissioner Ashlee Hofberger as chair and District 1 Commissioner Steve Stroberger as vice chair. Commissioner Hofberger will serve as the commission chair until November 2026.

“I am excited to step into the role of board chair for the coming year,” Commissioner Hofberger said. “As your chair, I plan to ensure our board maintains a collaborative approach so we can make a lasting difference for our community. I want to thank Commissioner Mike Kohler, whose outstanding leadership as chairman over the past year has laid the foundation for great progress. It’s an honor and a privilege to be a public servant, and I look forward to representing not just District 4, but all of Escambia County in this new capacity.”

Commissioner Hofberger accepted the gavel from former chair District 2 Commissioner Mike Kohler, who served as chair during the 2024-2025 term.

“It has been an honor to serve the citizens of Escambia County as board chairman,” Commissioner Kohler said. “We have made tremendous strides over the past year, and I’m grateful for the support my colleagues on the board have shown me during my time as chairman. I look forward to continuing our forward momentum with Commissioner Hofberger as chair and bringing great progress to Escambia County. I will continue to work hard for not just District 2, but for all of Escambia County to make our community the best it can be.”

Fry Your Bird For A Good Cause: Miracle League Turkey Fry Set For Thanksgiving

With rows of timers and a command center, a small army of volunteers will be ready to fry your Thanksgiving turkey.

The annual Miracle League of Pensacola Turkey Fry Fundraiser will be Wednesday, November 26.

Last year, the Miracle League fried about 350 turkeys to golden brown perfection, with the help of volunteers from the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office cadets and American Legion Post 340.

The turkey fry will take place from 7 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Wednesday, November 26, the day before Thanksgiving at the Miracle League fields at the corner of Nine Mile Road and Airway Drive (the east end of the John R. Jones Sports Complex).

To make an appointment or for more information, call (850) 490-7035 (leave a message if no answer). Time slots are limited; walkups are welcome, but appointments take priority.

To have your turkey fried by the Miracle League, you must do the following before arriving at the park:

• Completely defrost and clean the turkey and remove the inside packing. If this is not done prior to arriving at the park, they will not be able to fry your turkey.
• Be on time for your appointment made at the number above.
• A minimum donation of $35 per turkey is needed to help cover costs, and any additional donation will benefit the Miracle League.

For a photo gallery from last year, 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. MLP offers a unique and memorable opportunity that 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.

Operation Christmas Child Collections This Week At Highland Baptist, First Baptist Bratt

Highland Baptist Church in Molino and the First Baptist Church of Bratt are Operation Christmas Child collection sites again this year.

Children in need are being blessed this Christmas season through the Samaritan’s Purse project, Operation Christmas Child. Individuals, families and groups have the opportunity to pack a shoebox gift filled with fun toys, school supplies, and personal care items and drop them off now during National Collection Week through Monday, November 25.

Operation Christmas Child has been collecting and delivering shoebox gifts to children worldwide for more than three decades. In 2024, Operation Christmas Child hopes to collect enough shoeboxes to reach another 12 million children. The project of Samaritan’s Purse partners with local churches across the globe to deliver these tangible expressions of God’s love to children in need. Find a step-by-step guide on the How to Pack a Shoebox webpage.

Churches can drop off their OCC boxes during the times below for them to be packed for processing.

• Monday, Nov. 17 – 10 a.m. – noon
• Tuesday, Nov. 18 – 10 a.m. – noon
• Wednesday, Nov. 19 – 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
• Thursday, Nov. 20 – 10 a.m. – noon
• Friday, Nov. 21 – 10 a.m. – noon
• Saturday, Nov. 22 – 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
• Sunday, Nov. 23 – 12:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
• Monday, Nov. 24 – 8 a.m. – 10 a.m.

NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.

Northview High Names Students Of The Month

Northview High School recently named its October Students of the Month. Pictured with Principal Michael Sherrill, they are Michael Griffis and Trinity Bryan. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Cantonment 10,000 Pound Food Distribution Set For Tuesday

The Cantonment Improvement Committee will host a food distribution Tuesday, November 18, providing 10,000 pounds of food to local residents in need. The giveaway will begin at 3 p.m. at Carver Park, located at 208 Webb Street in Cantonment.

Attendees should line up facing north on Webb Street.

To receive food, individuals must present a valid identification. The distribution will operate on a first come, first served basis as supplies last. Recipients must have an ID. Limited to two individuals with identifications per vehicle.

Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Florida Gas Prices Rise; Escambia County Has The State’s Cheapest Gas

Florida gas prices are declining again after abruptly rising 12 cents early last week.

The state average went from $2.84 per gallon last Monday, up to $2.96/g on Wednesday. By Sunday, the state average was back down to $2.92 per gallon, which is: 6.5 cents more than a week ago, 5 cents less than last month, and 21 cents less than this time last year.

The Escambia County metro had the lowest average gas price in Florida at $2.73 per gallon. The low price in Pensacola Sunday night was $2.47 on East Nine Mile Road. In North Escambia, a low price of $2.60 was available Sunday night on Highway 29 and on Muscogee Road in Cantonment.

“Florida gas prices continue fluctuating on a weekly basis,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman for AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Last week, the state average rebounded after dropping 13 cents in 9 days. Fortunately, pump prices remain on the low end of what drivers have paid this year.”

NorthEscambia.com file photo.

Bonus Photo Gallery: Tate Cheerleaders, Fans And More

The Tate Aggies beat First Coast 35-14 Thursday night to advance to the regional finals of  Florida Invitational Tournament (FIT).

For a bonus gallery with cheerleaders, AJROTC, fans and more, click here.

For a game story and action photos, click here.

NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.

UWF Argos Earn No. 2 Seed For NCAA Playoffs In Super Region 2

The University of West Florida football team has earned a bid to the NCAA Division II playoffs receiving the No. 2 seed in Super Region Two which was announced during the selection show on Sunday.

UWF (9-1) will host North Greenville at PenAir Field on Saturday, Nov. 22 at 1 p.m. for the first round of the playoffs. The Trailblazers are the No. 7 team in the region and finished the year with a 7-4 overall record including winning the Conference Carolinas title on Saturday with a 34-20 win over UNC Pembroke.

The Argos and North Greenville already faced off once this season when UWF made the trip to South Carolina back on Sept. 20. The Argos walked away with a 25-17 win over the Trailblazers in a tightly contested game that came down a late defensive stop in the redzone by UWF.

The Argos were the No.1 team in the region leading up to the final home game of the regular season before dropping the regular season finale to Valdosta, 47-44 in overtime. Despite the loss, UWF and Valdosta share the Gulf South Conference title due to a loss being credited to the Blazers after using an ineligible player in a previous GSC contest.

Evacuated Naval Station Guantanamo Bay Personnel Head Home From NAS Pensacola

After nearly three weeks at Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola during late October’s Hurricane Melissa and the subsequent recovery phase of Naval Station Guantanamo Bay from the storm, non-mission essential personnel temporarily relocated to the air station are returning to Cuba.

The nearly 900 Naval Station Guantanamo Bay non-mission essential personnel temporarily relocated to NAS Pensacola have been residing in installation accommodations and – as eligible beneficiaries – have been able to use air station resources such as the Jet Port Café; Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) facilities and services; and Navy Inn offerings.

“The dedicated and professional team at NAS Pensacola went above and beyond to ensure that these members of our Navy family were afforded every convenience we could provide,” said Capt. Chandra ‘Mamasan’ Newman. “The support of our air station and tenant command service members, civilian employees and other volunteers has been amazing during our increased operational tempo with our Guantanamo Bay guests, and I couldn’t be prouder of this team during what has been a challenging evolution.”

Newman said the activation of the Emergency Family Assistance Center (EFAC), a temporarily activated entity in response to an event causing relocation, was critical to the success of the nearly three-week operation. Controlled by NAS Pensacola’s Fleet and Family Support Center (FFSC), several installation departments and community mutual aid partnerships such as the Pensacola-area American Red Cross and the United Services Organization (USO) were involved in the ongoing evolution.

“Our FFSC personnel have manned the EFAC since we began this almost three weeks ago,” she said. “Their dedication, perseverance and resilience speak volumes of just how engaged and willing NAS Pensacola and our tenant commands are in ensuring we take care of our Navy family.”

Along with NAS Pensacola’s Unaccompanied Housing employees, staff from the Navy Lodge; Navy Inn; the Navy Exchange (NEX); MWR’s Child and Youth Programs; NAS Pensacola Religious Ministries and Public Works and the U.S. Army Pensacola Veterinary Readiness Activity Fort Eisenhower Pensacola Branch were integral parts of the EFAC. Additionally, organizations including the Navy and Marine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS) and USO as well as off-installation organizations such as the American Red Cross played a pivotal role in ensuring eligible beneficiaries were aware of available resources.

Newman added that the community support for Naval Station Guantanamo Bay non-mission essential personnel was overwhelming, referring to the significant donations of pet supplies, suggested outings and community engagements.

“Being part of a community which has embraced its service members and their families for nearly two centuries is awe-inspiring,” she said. “So many community organizations have reached out to provide assistance, to offer the opportunity to attend events, to just let these individuals displaced during a difficult time know that they care. The City of Pensacola and the surrounding communities are so much a part of our Navy, and we appreciate all they do.”

The non-mission essential personnel movement allowed Naval Station Guantanamo Bay to minimize operations during Hurricane Melissa and expedited recovery operations. An estimated 5,500 personnel and families live and work onboard Naval Station Guantanamo Bay.

NAS Pensacola, the only Navy installation in the Gulf with both a deep-water port and active airfield, previously received non-mission essential personnel during 2016’s Hurricane Michael, and also serves as a safe harbor for numerous U.S. Coast Guard and USNS ships during extreme weather situations.

story by Lt.j.g. Jonathan Pitts and Lt.j.g. Jonathan Merced

Photo by Bruce Cummins for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Tate High School Names Hall Of Fame Members

Tate High School has announced its Hall of Fame for 2025-2026.

These distinguished seniors exemplify the highest standards of character, leadership, and dedication to the Tate Aggie community.

The 20 students named to the Tate High School Hall of Fame are:

• Lauren Armstrong
• Willow Beachner
• Kinzlee Biggs
• Conner Bignell
• Aiden Bramblett
• Edwin Ciesla
• Maegan Coleman
• Garrett Groff
• Carter Hayden
• Carson Hindsman
• Brooke Holland
• Ava Jacobi
• Lawson Killingsworth
• Anna Lippitt
• Lena Litton
• Kaven Powell
• Emma Touchstone
• Linh Tran
• Tre Wells
• Rubing (Ruby) Wu

Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

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