Learn What Tate High School Has To Offer At Tuesday Curriculum Fair
February 3, 2025
Tate High School will host a Curriculum Fair Tuesday for students and parents.
They will have the opportunity to learn about Tate course offerings, academies, advanced placement, sports and all the opportunities that are available to students at Tate High School.
The curriculum fair will take place from 5:30 until 6:30 p.m. Tuesday in the Tate High School cafeteria.
Jay Couple Places Top 10 in National Farm Bureau Competition
February 3, 2025
Brandt and Samantha Hendricks of Jay placed in the top 10 of the American Farm Bureau Achievement in Agriculture competition at the organization’s convention last week in San Antonio, Texas.
The couple are third generation farmers of Hendricks & Son Farms. They grow cotton, peanuts and hay and raise direct-to-consumer beef cattle. The couple served on the Florida Farm Bureau Federation Young Farmers & Ranchers Leadership Group and are active Farm Bureau members.
“It’s been a great honor to stand with so many great farmers from across the country,” said Brandt. “The opportunity we’ve had to represent our state and grow as stronger leaders has been fantastic.”
“We’re super thankful to Florida Farm Bureau for giving us the opportunity and platform to share our story,” added Samantha. “We appreciate their support throughout the process. We’ve truly enjoyed our time as Achievement in Agriculture finalists.”
The Achievement Award recognizes young farmers and ranchers who have excelled in their farming or ranching operations and exhibited superior leadership abilities. Participants are evaluated on a combination of their agricultural operation’s growth and financial progress, Farm Bureau leadership and leadership outside of Farm Bureau.
Last year, the Hendricks were named the state winners of the Florida Farm Bureau’s coveted Achievement in Agriculture award and received a $45,000 prize.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Basketball District Tournaments Begin Today For Tate And Northview
February 3, 2025
The boys and girls teams from both Tate and Northview will begin district tournament play next week.
Girls Rural Class District 1
- Quarterfinals, Tuesday, Feb. 4
- No. 6 Northview at No. 3 Central
- No. 5 Baker at No 4. Laurel Hill
- District Semifinals, Thursday, Feb. 6
- No. 1 Jay hosts Laurel Hill/Baker winner
- No. 2 Paxton hosts Central/Northview winner
- District Championship, Saturday, Feb 8
Boys Rural Class District 1
- Quarterfinals, Monday, Feb. 3
- No. 6 Northview at No. 3 Paxton
- No 5 Laurel Hill at No. 4 Central
- District Semifinals, Wednesday, Feb. 5
- No. 1 Baker hosts Central/Laurel Hill winner
- No. 2 Jay hosts Paxton/Northview winner
- District Championship, Feb 7
Girls 6A District 1
- Quarterfinals, Tuesday, Feb. 4
- No. 6 Tate at No. 3 Crestview
- No. 7 Gulf Breeze at. No. 2 Milton
- No. 5 Navarre at No. 4 Pace
- District Semifinals, Thursday, Feb. 6
- No. 1 Niceville hosts Pace/Navarre winner
- Milton/Gulf Breeze winner vs. Crestview/Tate winner
- District Championship, Saturday, Feb 8
Boys 6A District 1
- Quarterfinals, Monday, Feb. 3
- No. 5 Tate at No. 4 Niceville
- No 7 Pace at No. 2 Crestview
- No. 6 Navarre at No. 3 Milton
- District Semifinals, Wednesday, Feb. 5
- No. 1 Gulf Breeze hosts Niceville/Tate winner
- Crestview/Pace winner vs. Milton/Navarre winner
- District Championship, Friday, Feb 7
Pictured: The 6A Tate Lady Aggies took on the 1A Northview Lady Chiefs last month. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
TSA Precheck Enrollment This Week At Pensacola Airport
February 3, 2025
The popular Transportation Security Administration PreCheck expedited screening program at a TSA PreCheck Temporary Enrollment Center is at the Pensacola International Airport through Friday. An appointment is required.
TSA PreCheck is an expedited screening program that enables identified low-risk air travelers to enjoy a smart and more efficient screening experience. For TSA PreCheck travelers, there is no need to remove shoes, 3-1-1 liquids, laptops, light outerwear or belts. TSA PreCheck is currently available at more than 200 airports with over 85 participating airlines nationwide.
The Temporary Enrollment Center at the Pensacola airport will be open from 8 a.m. to noon and 1-5 p.m daily through Friday, February 7. It is located in the airport administration office on the second floor of Pensacola International Airport at 2430 Airport Boulevard.
Follow these steps to enroll:
- Click here to access the application page
- Under New TSA PreCheck Enrollment Options, select “Apply Now” located under the Idemia column
- Fill out the steps and choose “Next” at the bottom of each screen
- Type in your location in the zip code/City/Airport Code box
- Choose location “Pop Up: PNS, 2/3-2/7” and click “Next”
Select your desired appointment time (Please be sure to make note of your appointment time; no reminders will be sent out).
Once all online appointment slots are filled, TSA will accept a limited number of walk-ins until capacity is reached.
To complete the application process, you will need to bring proof of identity and U.S. citizen documentation (such as a U.S. Passport or a birth certificate and a driver’s license). If you have a valid U.S. passport, that is all you need for ID. The TSA PreCheck program is only open to U.S. Citizens, U.S. nationals and lawful permanent residents. Proper documentation must be provided.
The application process is completed on-site, where TSA captures fingerprints for a background check and collects the $78 application for five years of service. The fee can be paid by credit card, debit card, money order, company check or certified/cashier’s check. Cash and personal checks are not accepted.
To learn more about TSA PreCheck and review a list of documents to bring to the Enrollment Center, visit the TSA website.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Florida Gas Prices Fall 15 Cents On Average Last Week, AAA Says
February 3, 2025
Pump prices continue to pinball, this time falling in Floridians’ favor. Florida gas prices declined 15 cents last week, falling from $3.22 per gallon to $3.07 per gallon by Sunday, according to AAA.
“The discount at the pump came as a result of a decline in the price of crude oil,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Earlier this month, oil price rose to multi-month highs due to frigid temps in the southern U.S. and sanctions on Russian crude. Now, oil prices are back down to where they were to start the year, allowing gas prices to fall too.”
So far this year, pump prices have ranged from a high of $3.23 per gallon (1/16) to a low of $3.06 per gallon (1/8). Meanwhile, the price for U.S. crude has ranged from $72-$78 per barrel. After trading at $78/b in mid-January, the U.S. price for a barrel of oil settled at $72.53 on Friday.
The Escambia County average stood at $2.90 on Sunday. Sunday night, pump prices were as low as $2.69 at a station on Pine Forest Road. The North Escambia low price was $2.76 at a station on Highway 29 in Cantonment.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Six More Weeks Of Winter? North Escambia Weather Ducks See Shadow
February 2, 2025
Six more weeks of winter? It’s not what we want to here in Florida after our once-in-a lifetime 7-10 inches of January snow.
But on this Groundhog Day, Punxsutawney Phil, the world famous groundhog, and the NorthEscambia.com Weather Ducks have both predicted six more weeks of winter.
Folklore says that if the groundhog sees his shadow on Groundhog Day, it means six more weeks of winter. We did not have a groundhog handy for a photo, but we did have the NorthEscambia.com Weather Ducks (pictured above). And just like their more famous Pennsylvania weather buddy, our weather ducks also saw their shadow this morning here in North Escambia.
The NorthEscambia.com weather ducks have been doing this for 15 years, and they’ve been more right that wrong. Like when they predicted six more weeks of winter in 2010. That’s pictured below.
However, in the near-term, our forecast is for sunshine and highs near 80 by the end of this week.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Five Injured In Century Highway 29 Hit And Run Crash
February 2, 2025
UPDATE: The Florida Highway Patrol says there has been an arrest in this crash, but the suspect’s name was not immediately available.
Five people, including children, were injured in a hit and run crash Saturday night in Century.
The crash happened just before 8 p.m. on Highway 29 near the southern town limits.
The driver of a northbound pickup truck had slowed to make a right-hand turn onto Salter’s Lake Road. That’s when a northbound SUV approached at a high rate of speed and struck the pickup truck, according to troopers. The pickup truck overturned, coming to rest off the roadway just north of Salter’s Lake Road. The SUV rotated into the paved median of Highway 29.
According to witnesses, the driver of the SUV fled on foot, and someone later returned to the SUV in a white pickup truck, removed items from the vehicle and left before law enforcement arrived. Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputies in the area were unable to locate the driver.
The occupants of the pickup were transported by Escambia County EMS to an area hospital with injuries that were not considered to be life threatening.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Florida Highway Patrol at *FHP or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
The Century and McDavid stations of Escambia County Rescue also responded.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Tate Aggies Cheerleaders Win Runner-up At State, Heading To Nationals
February 2, 2025
The defending state champion Tate Aggies cheerleaders took the FHSAA Competitive Cheerleading state runner-up spot on Saturday.
The Aggie cheerleaders will compete in nationals this week. They will depart Wednesday and being competition on Friday in Orlando. Both the junior varsity and varsity squads will complete n traditional and gameday at nationals.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Pedestrian Struck And Killed Crossing Nine Mile Road
February 2, 2025
A pedestrian was struck and killed late Friday night on Nine Mile Road.
The Florida Highway Patrol said a 29-year-old man crossed the roadway into the path of a vehicle driven by a 17-year-old Gulf Breeze girl about 10:47 p.m. at Nine Mile road near Holsberry Road. Troopers said the girl was unable to avoid colliding with the pedestrian.
The FHP investigating is continuing.
Escambia Children’s Trust Seeks Applicants For Micro Grants
February 2, 2025
The Escambia Children’s Trust (ECT) has announced the launch of the Community, Access, Resilience, and Empowerment (CARE) micro grants designed to to build resilience, access, and empowerment in the community.
The CARE micro grants program will award up to $50,000 in one-time funding for existing programs toward advocacy efforts, training initiatives, and community engagement activities.
The project period runs up to 12 months, starting on or after May 1, 2025, and ending no later than April 30, 2026.
ECT invites established, fiscally responsible local providers with a proven track record of delivering high-quality services to apply. Programs should align with ECT’s mission to serve at-risk youth and address critical areas such as health, education, and environmental sustainability.
Applications are now open and must be submitted by March 7, 2025, at 5 p.m. For more information and the application, click here.
In November 2020, 61% of participating voters in Escambia County supported the creation of the Children’s Trust to be funded by an increase in ad valorem taxes of up to a maximum of 0.5 mil. The Children’s Trust will provide early childhood education, safety, developmental, preventative, health, and well-being services, including after school and summer enrichment programs.