FWC Hunter Safety Courses In September In Molino, Jay, Milton
August 30, 2026
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. Anyone under 18 must have a completed and signed parental release.
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 Range Day (listed bottom).
ESCAMBIA COUNTY In Person Field Day Classes
- September 14, 6-10 p.m. — Molino Community Center
SANTA ROSA COUNTY In Person Field Day Classes
- September 21, 6-10 p.m. — Jay United Methodist Church
- September 28, 6-10 p.m. – Extension Office, Milton
RANGE DAY
- October 3, 9 a.m. – noon — Santa Rosa Correctional Institution, Milton
Those interested in attending a course can register online and obtain information about future hunter safety classes, or contact FWC safety coordinator Jeff Schumacher at (850) 767-3612 or via email.
Florida Government Weekly Roundup: Cutting Jabs
August 30, 2026
Florida Weekly Roundup is a look back at last week in a Florida politics and government.
With students back in class, educators are looking for regulations on how college students use artificial intelligence while health officials have suggested a reduction in vaccines required to attend schools.
Meanwhile, the saga of the diversion of Medicaid settlement money into political committees in 2024 that supported Gov. Ron DeSantis’ agenda booked another chapter this week with the leak of a grand jury report that found no one to hold responsible for misappropriating $10 million.
VACCINES
The state is now in a 21-day public comment period on the Department of Health’s proposal to remove Hepatitis B, varicella (chicken pox), Haemophilus influenza type b (Hib) and pneumococcal conjugate vaccines from entry requirements for PreK-12 public schools.
American Academy of Pediatrics President Dr. Susan Kressly said the move will put children at risk of getting sick.
“The AAP believes every family should have access to immunizations to keep their community healthy,” Kressly said in a statement. “Schools are an important part of that community. For many kids, the best part of school is being with friends — sharing space, playing on the playground and trading germs. Close contact makes it easy for contagious diseases to spread quickly.”
Florida’s moves come as the White House has moved to reduce and space out recommended childhood vaccines, which most pediatricians have also decried as dangerous.
The proposed state agency rule expands religious vaccine exemptions to include moral and ethical beliefs and lets parents and college students opt out of having their records included in the state vaccine database.
Florida currently allows religious exemptions “if immunizations are in conflict with the religious tenets and practices of the child’s parent or guardian,” according to DOH.
The rule change has been in play for almost a year after Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo announced his intent to eliminate all vaccine mandates in the state. Last month, Attorney General James Uthmeier warned private Catholic schools that they must allow religious exemptions from vaccine requirements or risk disqualification from scholarships and vouchers.
Meanwhile, the state’s childhood vaccination rate for kindergartners is already at 88 percent, well below the 95 percent threshold of herd immunity that prevents communicable diseases from spreading.
AI PAPERS
Education Commissioner Henry Mack approved a rule Monday that calls for all 28 institutions in the Florida College System to outline AI policies for students, staff and guests on campus, covering academic integrity and dishonesty, course assignments and grading.
“The purpose of this rule is to require Florida College System institutions to adopt policies that provide for the use and limitations of use of artificial intelligence tools in order to ensure quality of education for students, efficiency of operations, and a safe learning environment for the whole college community,” the proposed rule states.
The Department of Education is already directing all K-12 school districts to incorporate rules regarding AI in their internet safety guidelines as well.
The State Board of Education will consider the issue at its next meeting on Sept. 16 at Polk State College in Winter Haven.
REVIVING HOPE
Democrats on Thursday called for more investigations and resignations of top state officials after a leaked state grand jury report found Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration “misappropriated” Medicaid money in 2024 that ended up in political committees.
But since the grand jury did not find enough probable cause to pursue criminal charges against anyone, DeSantis, Attorney General James Uthmeier and U.S. Sen. Ashley Moody, R-Tampa, responded to the grand jury findings as a “misrepresentation” of facts, a “hoax,” and an effort to “smear people.”
“As we’ve said from the beginning, this has been a politically motivated witch hunt driven by the Democrats and a far-left Democrat state attorney in Tallahassee,” Uthmeier said during an event in The Villages.
The report, though, shows that “allegations of fraud and abuse” made by Rep. Alex Andrade, a Pensacola Republican who led the House probe in the matter in 2025, led to the grand jury proceedings.
On Wednesday, CBS Miami obtained and published the Leon County grand jury report that found $10 million from a total $67 million settlement in 2024 between Florida and Centene Corp., a vendor for the state’s Medicaid program, was sent to the Hope Florida Foundation, the charity arm of an initiative helmed by First Lady Casey DeSantis. The money was then split equally between two nonprofit groups — Secure Florida’s Future and Save Our Society From Drugs.
From there, the money flowed to political committees opposing two measures on the November 2024 ballot. One would’ve installed a right to an abortion in the state constitution, the other would’ve legalized recreational marijuana. Both measures failed to get the 60 percent support required to pass.
David Jolly, a former Republican U.S. representative who is now the Democratic gubernatorial candidate, said if elected he’d support renewing the investigation.
The Florida Senate Democratic Caucus issued a statement Thursday calling for the resignations of Uthmeier and Moody. The Democrats pointed to the grand jury report finding Uthmeier “was in a position of authority over those involved in settling with Centene” and Moody, then Florida’s Attorney General, for having authorized her deputy to sign the settlement agreement.
CAMPAIGNING BY ASSOCIATION
Rounding out the major party tickets, U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds, the Republican nominee for governor, tapped state Sen. Bryan Avila of Miami Springs as his running mate.
Avila, 42, has been in the state Legislature since 2014, is a captain in the Florida National Guard and serves as dean of the School of Criminal Justice at Doral College, a private school that opened in 2012.
“My parents fled communist Cuba and left behind their home and their business because they knew what happens when government takes over, when freedom despairs and when socialism turns an opportunity into misery,” Avila said.
In a sign of the campaign to come, Donalds contrasted Avila’s background with Democratic U.S. Senate candidate state Rep. Angie Nixon, a Jacksonville bookstore operator whose affiliations include being a member of the Democratic Socialists of America.
The Democratic gubernatorial nominee, former U.S. Rep. David Jolly, and former U.S. Rep. Gwen Graham, whom he picked as his running mate have both rejected the “socialist” label.
Jolly hinted he’ll highlight Donalds’ connection with President Donald Trump during the next 70 days before the general election Nov. 3.
“I congratulate former State Sen. Bryan Avila on his selection as the Republican Lieutenant Governor nominee. I wish him well,” Jolly posted on X. “But, let’s be honest: this race won’t come down to Byron Donalds’ relationship with Avila, it will come down to Byron’s relationship with Donald Trump.”
STORY OF THE WEEK:
CBS Miami publishes the grand jury report involving the divergence of $10 million in Medicaid settlement money for political purposes. The report was finished in January but had been kept hidden from the public.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK:
“The only crime that was apparent was with whoever leaked the grand jury report.” — Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday in Lake City while responding to questions on the grand jury report into money from a Medicaid settlement going to political committees.
by Jim, Turner, The News Service of Florida
Blue Wahoos Set Home Run Record In Win Over Biscuits, Move Closer To Division Title
August 30, 2026
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos beat the Montgomery Biscuits 5-2 on Saturday night, securing their third win in a row and lowering their magic number to clinch the South Division second half title to six.
Brandon Compton and Ethan O’Donnell each hit solo homers in the second inning to open the scoring against Biscuits starter Marcus Johnson (L, 0-2). Compton’s opposite-field blast was his 21st Double-A homer of the season, the fifth-highest single-season total in Blue Wahoos history and just three shy of tying Griffin Conine’s 24 homers in 2022 for the franchise record. O’Donnell’s held team importance, as it was the 164th hit by the Blue Wahoos this season to surpass the 2023 club for the most in franchise history.
The Blue Wahoos added on after the early homers thanks to a third-inning sacrifice fly from Aiva Arquette. Arquette delivered once again in the fifth against Biscuits reliever K.C. Hunt, lacing an RBI single to left field. Juan Matheus followed with a sacrifice fly for Pensacola’s fifth and final run of the night.
Jacob Kisting (W, 3-0) was sharp once again in his fourth start for the Blue Wahoos, working into the sixth inning for the first time since being acquired from the Rays organization in a deadline trade. The righty allowed two runs, one earned, over 5.0+ innings, with the only damage a Will Simpson solo homer in the fourth.
Gabe Bierman, Alex Williams and Jack Sellinger (S, 
combined for 4.0 hitless innings of relief to secure the win, Pensacola’s 17th in their past 20 games.
With the victory, the Blue Wahoos improved to 18-6 with one game remaining in the month of August. They’ve secured the best winning percentage in a full month in franchise history, surpassing their 19-10 July in the 2018 season.
Pensacola’s lead over the Columbus Clingstones in the second half South Division race remains at 8.5 games with 13 remaining in the regular season. Their magic number to clinch a playoff spot is now down to six.
The Blue Wahoos wrap up their series with Montgomery on Sunday afternoon.
written by Erik Bremer
New West Roberts Road Closure Begins Today; Reopening Expected After Labor Day Weekend
August 29, 2026
A new closure is expected to begin today, August 29, on West Roberts Road between Tate Road and Highway 29 as crews continue roadway reconstruction for the $4.6 million West Roberts Road Roadway and Drainage Improvements Project.
West Roberts Road between Tate Road and Highway 29 is expected to reopen after Labor Day weekend, weather permitting. Work will continue along West Roberts Road following the closure period. The project is expected to be completed by fall 2026, weather and construction coordination permitting.
Residents, pedestrians, local traffic and emergency vehicles will have access to properties within the work area at all times; however, there may be short periods when a driveway or entrance is temporarily blocked as equipment and materials are moved during construction.
The project will widen the roadway to two 12-foot-wide travel lanes with 5-foot-wide shoulders from Pine Forest Road to Highway 29. The roadway from the southern turn to Pine Forest Road will be resurfaced and striped.
The $4,635,298.30 project, funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), was awarded to contractor C.W. Roberts, Inc.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarre.
Two Century Council Members Named to Florida League of Cities Policy Committees
August 29, 2026
Two members of the Century Town Council have been appointed to serve on 2026–2027 Florida League of Cities (FLC) Legislative Policy Committees.
Councilwoman Shelisa McCall Abraham was appointed to the Development, Code Compliance, and Redevelopment Committee, while Councilmember Sparkie Harrison was named to the Finance and Taxation Committee.
Committee appointments were made by Florida League of Cities President Mark Franks, Mayor of Shalimar.
The panels are two of the League’s five Legislative Policy Committees. As committee members, Abraham and Harrison will help shape the League’s legislative platform by identifying key issues that impact daily municipal operations and local decision-making ahead of the upcoming state legislative session. Members also assist League staff in analyzing the practical impacts of proposed legislation and advocate on behalf of local governments throughout the legislative process.
Founded in 1922, the Florida League of Cities serves as the united voice for Florida’s municipal governments, representing cities, towns, and villages across the state while advocating for local home rule and municipal decision-making.
Pictured: Century council members Shelisa McCall Abraham (left) and Sparkie Harrison (right). NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
ECFR And Jay Fire Department Conduct Specialized Grain Bin Rescue Training
August 29, 2026
Escambia County Fire Rescue joined the Jay Fire Department this week for a Grain Bin Rescue Class, a specialized training that tested crewmembers’ skills in unique situations.
The training session included a classroom component followed by a hands-on session with prop and active grain silos, in addition to simulating rescues for a victim trapped in a grain silo.
North Escambia and surrounding areas have numerous grain silos, ranging from a commercial facility in Walnut Hill to area farms.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Pierce Leads Tate Past Former Milton Team In 24-21 Win
August 29, 2026
Senior quarterback Cade Pierce returned to his old stomping grounds Friday night to lead the Tate Aggies to a gritty 24-21 road victory over his former team, the Milton Panthers.
Riding high after a dominant 40-13 home win over Marianna last week, the Aggies quickly went to work against a Milton squad hungry to rebound from a Week 1 shutout against Pensacola Catholic.
Pierce set the tone early in the opening quarter, finding Efidarius Bryant for a touchdown strike to give Tate a 7-0 edge. Running back Ethan Pittman carried the heavy load from there, punishing the Milton defense with a touchdown run in the second quarter to help secure a 17-14 Tate advantage at the break.
Pittman struck again in the third quarter, taking a handoff from Pierce and punching it across the goal line to extend the lead to 24-14. The workhorse back anchored the Aggie offense all night, piling up 171 yards and two scores on 27 carries. Milton rallied in the fourth to pull within three, but Tate’s defense stood tall in the closing minutes to seal the win.
Now 2-0 on the season, Tate returns to Pete Gindl Stadium next Friday at 7 p.m. to host the Escambia Gators (0-1), who are looking to regroup after an 8-0 loss to Pine Forest.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Chiefs Roll Past McIntosh 42-13, Shift Focus To Graceville Road Trip
August 29, 2026
The Northview Chiefs remained undefeated on the young season Friday night, rolling past the McIntosh Demons 42-13 just across the Washington County, Alabama line north of Mobile.
With the dominant road victory pushing Northview to 2-0, the Chiefs now face another lengthy trek next week—a roughly 140-mile journey east to take on the Graceville Tigers.
The Tigers (0-2) are looking to turn their fortunes around after dropping their first two contests against Central and Cottondale by a combined 99-26.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Friday Night Football Scoreboard
August 29, 2026
Here are Friday night football scores from across the North Escambia area.
FLORIDA
Thursday
- Niceville 41, West Florida 14
Friday
- Northview 42, McIntosh 13
- Tate 24, Milton 21 [Recap story...]
- Jay 56, Elberta 8
- Pine Forest 8, Escambia 0
- Pensacola High 32, Gulf Breeze 10
- Catholic 51, Pace 33
- Washington 45, Navarre 27
ALABAMA
- T.R. Miller 14, Straughn 7
- Escambia County (Atmore) 50, Tarrant 6
- Evangel Christian 50, Escambia Academy 21
- Flomaton (open)
- W.S. Neal (open)
Recap: UWF Football With Stunning Win Over No.16 Southern Illinois In Division I Debut
August 29, 2026
Given an opportunity for a second historical debut, the UWF football team produced another stunning achievement.
The Argos, a 20-point underdog in their first Division I game Thursday night against Southern Illinois – ranked No. 16 in one FCS preseason poll – powered into an 18-point lead midway through the third quarter, then made dramatic game-sealing plays in the final minutes for a 34-31 victory, thrilling a record crowd of 6,124 at Pen Air Field.
The Argos have proven adept at creating attention across the college football world.
“It’s always good to be on the right side of history,” said redshirt senior defensive lineman Byron Puryear in a fitting assessment of what happened. “That’s the moment right there, the right side of history. We played good. We did what we had to do.”
Playing with a remade roster of 73 new players, the Argos were ready for the moment.
“I think a lot of people outside the team were counting us out,” said UWF head coach Kaleb Nobles. “And I’ve got to tell you, our locker room does not think like that…Our job is to come in play good football and our guys did that. Was it perfect? Absolutely not. Am I stressed out, yes.”
“(Thursday) is kind of what UWF football is about,” said Nobles, who ushered the arrival of UWF football in 2016 when he was the starting quarterback for the Argos’ inaugural season. “We had success on the Division II level. Now you make the jump to Division I. I know a lot of people outside were just wanting us to play our best and have fun… and that’s not we’re about .. We’re here to win. We’re here to compete every play. And that’s what UWF football has been about for 10 years.”
Puryear was part of a swarming, gang-tackling, well-focused UWF defense that often won the line-of-scrimmage battles and forced out Southern Illinois star quarterback DJ Williams in a second-quarter injury. Williams, a senior and FCS All-American, spent the second half watching in shorts from the sideline.
His backup, Jake Curry, tossed a pair of interceptions, one of which A’khoury Lyde returned 44 yards for a second-quarter touchdown that gave UWF a 20-6 lead at halftime.
“We prepared a lot for DJ Williams,” Nobles said. “I talked more about him than I talked about our kids. He’s a great player and I hope he is not hurt too bad. Anytime you get a back-up quarterback, you put another good plan together and we knew they would. I’m not sure that guy is as athletic as DJ but he’s a good passer, but our guys did what they had to do to hold him back and get the win.”
The Argos further gained control on Markel Townsend’s nine yard TD run with 7:27 left in the third quarter, which built a 27-9 lead.
But Curry rallied the Salukis. Taking advantage of two UWF fumbles, Curry ran for a score, then threw a touchdown pass with 7:39 left and suddenly UWF’s lead was 27-24.
The Argos defense, however, changed the momentum by recovering a fumble at the Salukis’ 42, after UWF’s ensuing possession went nowhere.
With 6:22 left, UWF’s new starting quarterback Ty’ray Davis, a sophomore from Orlando, led a defining drive.
After losing yardage on a first down play from the Southern Illinois 18, the Argos called a wide receiver screen to Luc Carroll, a freshman from Miami’s Gulliver Prep High, who turned the play into a 22-yard touchdown with 2:37 left.
“It was big time play call by coach (offensive coordinator) Donny Baker,” Nobles said. “It is something we have repped from day one. Just a normal tunnel screen that we blocked up well and we had two freshman receivers out there….That was Luc’s first college pass… and to win the game. A great time to call it. I think (Salukis) were blitzing into it and worked out perfect.”
Southern Illinois, however, was not done. Curry completed a nine-play, 73-yard drive with 9-yard touchdown pass with 1:10 left.
The Salukis had all three timeouts remaining. The ensuing onside kick was smothered by UWF’s Kenyan Hunter at the Southern Illinois 46. UWF forced the Salukis to use all three time outs, then punted to the 20 yard-line.
With 18-seconds left at his own 36, Curry threw another interception, this one snagged by David Law-Mortinez to end the game and began the Argos celebration.
UWF amassed 335 offensive yards in the game. An important element was UWF committed just five penalties for 48 yards.
Davis rushed for 88 yards and passed for 109 yards and two scores.
The Argos defense was led by sophomore linebacker Cameron Anderson of Jacksonville, who had 11 solo tackles and sophomore Carson Ratliff from Mobile’s Faith Academy who had nine stops.
Ratliff was a pallbearer in former UWF teammate Ben Conken’s funeral on Aug. 22. Conken died after a battle with cancer.
A moment of silence was held for Conken and UWF top donor Darrell Gooden, who died in July.
“Carson was a pallbearer for his best friend’s funeral and then he comes out (Thursday) and plays his tail off,” said Nobles, his voice cracking with emotion. That is not easy for a 19-20 year-old kid to do.”
UWF has now won their season opening game for six straight seasons. The first FCS win will be a memory for many for years to come.
by Bill Villona, Argos Correspondent
WHAT’S NEXT? – The Argos travel to Conway, Arkansas to face Central Arkansas on Sept. 5 at 6 p.m. This will be the Argos first conference game in the United Athletic Conference. The Central Arkansas Bears were formally members the Southland Conference from 2007 until joining what is now the UAC.
Central Arkansas competed in the Arkansas Intercollegiate Conference, an NAIA level conference until 1993, then became members of the Gulf South Conference – the Argos former home – as NCAA Division II members until 2007 when joining the FCS Southland Conference.
written by Bill Villona, Argos Correspondent
Photo Morgan Givens/UWF for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.