Retired Naval Aviator Celebrates 101st Birthday at National Naval Aviation Museum
May 7, 2025
Retired U.S. Navy Lt. Cmdr. Clyde “Cash” Barber celebrated his 101st birthday May 6 at the National Naval Aviation Museum (NNAM) onboard Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola.
“There’s no secret about it,” said Barber. “All you have to do is thank the dear lord for another beautiful day … that’s what has worked for me, and that can work for anybody.”
Barber, a veteran of World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War, has been a dedicated volunteer at the NNAM for over a decade. He said that he spends every Tuesday sharing his experiences with visitors in front of a PBY-5 Catalina aircraft—the same model he served on during World War II.
“There are very few of us left,” said Barber. “If we don’t tell our stories then there won’t be any stories to tell. I’m blessed to be able to tell my stories, and I love telling them, so it’s my pleasure to be here once a week.”
“It’s just a great day, and he is so representative of the men and women who serve this great country and have done so for 250 years,” said NNAM Director Capt. (ret.) Sterling Gilliam.
Barber enlisted in the Navy in May 1941 at the age of 17. He served as a flight engineer on Catalina patrol bombers in the Pacific theater during World War II, participating in missions from Midway to the Philippines. After the war, he continued his service and retired in 1971 after he rose to the rank of lieutenant commander.
The birthday celebration took place on the Cabot Flight deck of the museum with family, friends and museum visitors and staff. NNAM Foundation President and Chief Executive Officer Rear Adm. (ret.) Kyle Cozad praised Barber’s commitment to service and education at the museum.
“We have the opportunity to sit and listen to the stories that only Cash Barber can tell about his experiences,” said Cozad. “Cash is an example of the most important thing about this museum, and it’s not the more than 150 beautifully restored airplanes – it’s the people behind those airplanes and the stories they have to tell.”
story by Garrett Dipuma, Naval Air Station Pensacola
U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communications Specialist 1st Class Russell Lindsey for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Regional Semifinals: Northview Walks-Off Over Holmes; Jay Beats Chipley
May 7, 2025
Northview 1, Holmes County 0
The Northview Lady Chiefs earned a dramatic 1-0 walk-off win over Holmes County on Tuesday night.
The Rural Division semifinal game in Bratt was tied at zero in the bottom of the seventh inning when sophomore Mikayla McAnally laid down a sacrifice bunt, scoring Daviona Randolph.
Earlier, Randolph had reached on a wild pitch, a dropped third strike before stealing second and advancing to third on an error by the Holmes County catcher.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Randolph said she anticipated a rise ball on the third strike.
“I knew my bat couldn’t reach it, but I swung so maybe block the catcher’s view a little bit with my bat,” Randolph said. “And if it was close I was diving into the bag regardless. And I saw (head coach) Amy (Holland) was like you’re good, you’re good, I knew.”
John McAnally, who is the Northview hitting coach and Mikayla McAnally’s father, knew that Mikayla’s bunt was the right decision.
“They got to go for us at home, or they got to make a throw,” he said. “They read it perfect…She (MiKayla) read where the ball was and bunted. She had the confidence, and we worked on that every day. These girls work every day.
“That was a great fight out game for us tonight,” Holland said. “I’ll tell you that these two guys right here (pitching coach Shaun Tindall and McAnally) are the backbone of our team. John joined us last year, and Shaun joined us this year. My title is head coach, but these two guys right here are the backbone of our team. They are the backbone of our girls; they love them.”
““I just call the pitches,” Tindall said. “That’s just 20%t of the game, and she (McAnally) does the work. Let me just tell you she was on fire.”
McAnally had a stellar night in the circle with a one-hitter while striking out 13 and walking only one.
“I’m proud of my team,” the pitcher said. “I couldn’t have done it without them — if they didn’t get one base and score that run, I was going to have to keep pitching.”
McAnally and Avery Stuckey had the only hits — one each — for Northview as they faced the Blue Devils’ Bri Adams, who struck out then and walked one.
Northview will travel to Jay for a regional final game against the Royals next Tuesday, May 13, at 7 p.m.
Last week, Northview claimed the district title 9-1 over Jay as McAnally pitched a complete game, striking out 17 while allowing one earned run on three hits.
“I’m ready,” pitcher McAnally said, “to back at Jay.”
For a photo gallery, click here.
Jay 9 Chipley 1
The Jay Lady Royals beat Chipley 9-1 in a Rural Division semifinal in Jay.
Layna Lowry earned the win for Jay, giving up eight hits and one run in seven innings, striking out six and walking one.
Carleigh Baker led Jay with three RBIs as she went 1-3 for the night. Miley Mcgee went 2-2.
Jay will host Northview next Tuesday, May 13, at 6 p.m. in the regional finals.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
It’s Grocery Store Sale Day — A Great Time To Prepare For Stamp Out Hunger on Saturday
May 7, 2025
Residents in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties are encouraged to fill their Stamp Out Hunger bags with healthy, nonperishable food donations this week, and leave them by their mailbox on Saturday, May 10 for pick-up by their letter carrier in support of the 33rd Annual National Association of Letter Carriers’ Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive. Donations stay local and benefit the children, senior citizens, veterans, families, and individuals served by Manna Food Bank and other local pantries.
It is the largest, national, single-day effort to put food on the table for millions of Americans. Food collected in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties benefits five local food pantries, helping to feed those who are struggling with food insecurity in our community.
“Stamp Out Hunger is one of the most important annual food drives for many of the area’s food pantries, including Manna,” said Dede Flounlacker, Executive Director of Manna Food Bank. “Every food donation collected by letter carriers helps meet the needs of hungry neighbors in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.”
Residents of the two-county area should receive a white Stamp Out Hunger bag ahead of the food drive to fill with food donations; however, any bag can be used. Residents are encouraged to fill the bag with healthy, non-perishable food items, such as canned chicken, canned tuna, canned fruit in 100% juice, dry breakfast items (oatmeal, whole-grain cereal), canned vegetables, and peanut butter. Residents should be sure to place the bag next to their mailbox (traditional or non-traditional) prior to regular mail delivery this Saturday, May 10. Residents should not donate items in glass containers or items that have been opened or homemade.
Escambia and Santa Rosa letter carriers will collect the food donations that will benefit individuals and families served by Manna Food Bank, Feeding the Gulf Coast, ACTS Ministries, We Care Ministries, and Warrington Emergency Aid Center.
FCA Game Changer Awards Presented To Local Athletes
May 7, 2025
This week, the Northwest Florida Fellowship of Christian Athletes recently presented their “Game Changer” awards to local high school athletes.
The awards honored their participation in flag football, lacrosse, and tennis. The winners were chosen by their teammates based upon their integrity, dedication, character, and FCA values.
Flag Football
- Madison Levins — Northview
- Meya Dunn — PHS
- Nikari Taylor — Pine Forest
- Jolie Larche — Booker T. Washington
- Adrianna Middleton — Tate
Lacrosse – Girls
- Mattie Hendrickson — Gulf Breeze
- Jade Mills — Milton
- Julia Frosch — Catholic
- Mallory Orcino — Tate (pictured below)
- Lucy Adams Stevenson — PHS
Lacrosse – Boys
- Thomas Ramsey — PHS
- Ezekiel Maxwell — Milton
- Hudson Mitchell — Catholic
- Jacob Poljak — Washington
- Graham Pennington — Gulf Breeze
Tennis – Girls
- Maya Chavan — Catholic
- Madison “Lexi” Hodge — Washington
- Regan York — Escambia
- Parker Briscione — PHS
- Quinn Dunne — Milton
Tennis – Boys
- Dylan Broxton — Milton
- Holt Pair — Catholic
- Christian Revoredo — Escambia
- Alex Kinney — PHS
- Avery Grizzard — East Hill
Photos or NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate High School’s Jacob Wallace Wins Superintendent’s Choice Art Award
May 7, 2025
Tate High School senior Jacob Wallace is the winner of this year’s Superintendent Choice Art Award.
His piece will hang in the Superintendent’s Gallery at the Vernon McDaniel Building alongside past years’ winners.
His art instructor at Tate is Elerene Walters.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Miller, Zamora Star In 6-1 Wahoos Road Series Opener Over Shuckers
May 7, 2025
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos continued their season-long 12-game road trip on Tuesday night, opening up a series against the division-rival Biloxi Shuckers with a 6-1 win.
Jacob Miller (W, 1-2) became the first Pensacola pitcher to complete 7.0 innings this season, scattering three hits and one run to earn his first win.
The Blue Wahoos jumped ahead early in the first inning, rallying with two outs against Biloxi starter K.C. Hunt (L, 2-3). Two walks and a single loaded the bases for Mark Coley II, who singled through the left side for an RBI single and a 1-0 lead.
The Pensacola lead grew to 3-0 in the third, as Nathan Martorella lifted a sacrifice fly and Josh Zamora lined an RBI double. Zamora went 4-for-5 on the night, notching the second four-hit game of the season for the Blue Wahoos.
After the Shuckers scratched across a run in the third on a Cooper Pratt RBI single, Miller locked in. The Pensacola righty got through his remaining 4.0 innings without allowing a hit, completing 7.0 innings for just the third time in his professional career and the first time at Double-A.
A solo home run from Johnny Olmstead in the fourth inning stretched the lead back to three runs, and the Blue Wahoos got two more in the sixth inning on a Sam Praytor RBI double and Shane Sasaki RBI single.
After Miller departed, relievers Jesse Bergin and Ricky DeVito contributed hitless innings of relief to close out a 6-1 win.
The Blue Wahoos continue their series Wednesday morning against the Shuckers.
Boil Water Notice Lifted For Stacey Road Area
May 6, 2025
THIS BOIL WATER NOTICE WAS LIFTED ON MAY 10.
A precautionary boil water notice has been issued for Cottage Hill Water Works members and meters on Stacey Road south of Quintette Road to Highway 95A. The notice was issued after a water main break due to construction on Quintette Road at Stacey Road that resulted in a disruption of water service.
The utility is advising, as a precaution, that all water in the area that is used for drinking, cooking, making ice, brushing teeth, or washing dishes be boiled. A rolling boil of one minute is sufficient. As an alternative bottled water may be used.
This precautionary boil water notice will remain in effect until the problem has been corrected and a bacteriological survey shows that the water is safe to drink.
This story will be updated when the boil water notice is rescinded.
Atmore Woman Killed In Single Vehicle Crash
May 6, 2025
Troopers have identified an Atmore woman that was killed in a single-vehicle crash Monday afternoon in the Booneville community of Escambia County, Alabama.
The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency said 63-year-old Debra S. Albritton was fatally injured when the 2007 Toyota Camry she was driving left the roadway and struck a tree. The crash happened about 3:25 p.m. on Booneville Road near Long Hollow Road, about 13 miles northeast of Atmore.
Troopers are continuing their investigation into the crash.
File photo.
One Injured When Log Truck And ECUA Trash Truck Collide on Highway 97
May 6, 2025
An Emerald Coast Utilities Authority employee was injured in a crash involving a trash truck and an empty tractor-trailer log truck Tuesday morning in Walnut Hill.
The crash happened around 7:45 a.m. on Highway 97 at Howell Road.
The ECUA truck was stopped in the northbound lane of Highway 97 when he turned left onto Howell Road when the log truck driver, a 32-year-old male from Brewton, attempted to pass in a clearly marked passing zone.
The front right corner of the semi collided with the left front of the ECUA truck, ripping away the left side and front of the trash truck. The 35-year-old male passenger in the ECUA truck was ejected, essentially fell out of the truck, according to witnesses. He was transported to an area hospital by Escambia County EMS with not life-threatening injuries.
The 35-year old male driver of the ECUA truck and the driver of the log truck were not injured. The log truck came to a stop on Highway 97 north of intersection.
The Florida Highway Patrol cited the ECUA driver with failure to yield while turning left while lawfully being passed on the left.
The Walnut Hill Station of Escambia County Fire Rescue and Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded to the crash, which closed the southbound lane of Highway 97 for about an hour.
ECUA confirmed the truck was hauling yard debris. None of the cargo spilled.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
New Century Library Manager Focusing on Community Connection and Growth
May 6, 2025
The new branch manager of the Century Library, Stevie Thomas, is aiming to strengthen the library’s connection with area residents and expand its services.
Thomas previously served as a senior librarian and systemwide youth services coordinator for the West Florida Public Libraries (WFPL).
“I want to see the library grow and connect with the community,” she said. “I’m looking for ways to do that.”
She is working to increase the number of library programs, ranging from book-related events to educational classes.
The library’s annual Summer Reading Program for children begins May 27 and runs through early August. The Century Library will also participate in the WFPL system’s free summer lunch program, sponsored by Feeding the Gulf Coast.
The Summer Reading Challenge 2025: Color World will launch in late May and feature a full schedule of events, including a community drum circle, the Pensacola Symphony Orchestra, a magical variety show, Art of the Wild, an interactive musical experience, dog puppets, an artist workshop, the popular Reno’s Reptiles, the Pensacola Museum of Art, a Moogician, Sunset Wildlife Connection, and Pensacola Little Theatre.
Thomas is also building partnerships with Pensacola State College, Camp Fire USA, along with Century Health and Rehabilitation.
“I want to see the Century Library be a part of the community,” said Thomas, who lives in the area.
Although located next to Century Town Hall and sharing a parking lot with it, the Century Library is a branch of the West Florida Public Libraries and is not affiliated with the Town of Century. The library is funded by Escambia County taxpayers.
Pictured: New Century Library Branch Manager Stevie Thomas adds a DVD to the library’s extensive collection and shelves books in the children’s area. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
