Average Florida Gas Price Increases Slightly
October 28, 2024
Florida gas prices inched up again last week. The average price per gallon in the state Sunday was $3.15, up six cents from a week ago, according to AAA.
In Escambia County, the average cost for a gallon of regular unleaded was $2.82, a decrease from $2.88 last week.
In North Escambia, a low of $2.69 was available on Highway 29 in Cantonment on Sunday. In Pensacola, prices booned at $2.63 at a station on East Nine Mile Road.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Motorcycle Club Ceremony In Century Honors Those Killed In Action And Missing
October 27, 2024
A veterans’ motorcycle club honored held a small ceremony Saturday morning in Century to honor those missing in action and that have given their lives for this county.
The Viet Nam & Legacy Vets Motorcycle Club meets once a month to honor the veterans, usually at the Veterans Memorial Wall in Pensacola.
A veterans wall of honor was dedicated in Century on July 2, 2008 at the then Roadside Park, now known as Nadine McCaw Park, on North Century Boulevard at Hecker Road.
For a photo gallery, click here.
“This month we decided to visit the smaller, less-known memorial in Century, to bring honor to those Northern Escambia veterans,” member Kris Fleming said.
Following the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silence, a half dozen members of the motorcycle club highlighted two local soldiers that were killed in action at age 19:
Marine LCpl. Travis Nelson of Bratt was killed in action on August 18, 2011, while conducting combat operations in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. It was just two weeks after his 19th birthday and only about a month after he arrived in Afghanistan. Nelson left behind a note — “Dear friends & family, If your reading this it seems I didn’t get to come home. I love each and every one of you and I want you to know I have no regrets. I died doing something meaningful.”
Army Sgt. James Larry Ward of Cantonment was killed in action in Vietnam on February 7, 1969. “James Ward gave his all for his country. He was in my platoon in Vietnam and I remember vividly the circumstances of his death. He was a fine soldier and good friend. He was doing his job when he was killed. He was walking point on a SRP no more than 150 feet from hill that we were camped on. He and three others walked into an ambush by VC. I can still hear the firefight. What can you say when a good friend walks into that kind of situation? I think of him daily and will always keep his memory alive. After 32 years, I still remember him as if it was yesterday. Rest in peace, honorable warrior.” – from The Virtual Wall Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Photos: Spooky Walk At The Molino Library
October 27, 2024
The Molino Branch Library hosted a Spooky Walk Saturday afternoon with silly, spooky games and activities around the walking track behind the library.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Tate High Observes Reb Ribbon Week
October 27, 2024
Tate High School is observing Red Ribbon Week and Bullying Prevention Month through Thursday. Each day, students are encouraged to participate in themed dress-up days that promote healthy lifestyles.
As part of the celebration, students are pledging to commit to health and wellness by signing a banner during lunch, which will be displayed at an upcoming football game. In addition, teachers are recognizing acts of kindness by distributing “Caught Being Kind” cards to students who demonstrate compassion and support toward their peers.
Students have adorned the campus with vibrant red ribbons, symbolizing their commitment to making positive choices and standing against bullying. The school said this week serves as a reminder for the entire school community to foster a culture of health, kindness, and respect.
Upcoming theme days are:
- Monday — Lei Off Drugs – Hawaiian Nice words are free. Compliment 5 people today.
- Tuesday — Be Smart Don’t Start-Nerd Day Make a new friend! Introduce yourself and say hello
- Wednesday — Team Up Against Drugs – Sports Teams-Write a “Thank you” note to someone.
- Thursday — Team Up Against Drugs – Sports Teams-Write a “Thank you” note to someone.
Pictured: Tate Leadership Clubs (Student Council, Senior Executive Board, and Junior Advisory Board) create a Red Ribbon. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
No. 23 UWF Takes Down Shorter for Fourth Straight Win
October 27, 2024
A fast start for UWF’s football team on Saturday became solid enough.
The No. 23-ranked Argos scored three touchdowns in the first 14 minutes and went on to a 35-16 victory against the Shorter Hawks at PenAir Field, enabling UWF to sweep October with four consecutive wins.
“Obviously excited about a good win and to get another W in the column,” said UWF coach Kaleb Nobles. “There’s so many things to the outside eye that we’re focusing on to try and clean up and get better at.
“We got to celebrate the wins. I thought we played well on offense in the first half. We’ve got to finish better in the red zone (inside opponent’s 20-yard line) and we’ve got to improve and keep trying to find the best way to keep going in the red zone. I thought we played very well on defense.”
The Argos missed chances to extend the lead in the second quarter, including a 15-play drive that ended with UWF missing on eight plays inside the 10 to score a touchdown. Twice, Shorter was flagged for penalties that provided more chances.
UWF scored early in the third quarter, then added a final touchdown with 1:52 remaining.
“If we can figure out ways to score in the red zone on a couple of those drives in the second quarter, I think it changes things and gives a better feeling,” Nobles said. “We got to score and make the most of an opportunity when we get into the red zone.”
It’s something the Argos (5-2) plan to make a focal point as they head into the final three games of the season that will determine a post-season chance. Up next is a first-time trip next Saturday to Erskine College (1-5) in South Carolina for a game that will also count in the Gulf South Conference standings.
“It’s one guy on every play not doing his job and it affects the rest of the play,” Nobles said. “And so, when you get down near the goal line, everything is under a microscope, every block is important. If you’re not going to run the quarterback, you have a free guy (on defense) somewhere that the running back has to run through. It is small things that are definitely fixable if our guys will commit to understand they have to trust their teammates and do their job and not try to overthink things.”
UWF’s defense allowed just a field goal in the first half and yielded just 12 first downs. The group was led by junior Ja’Kobe Clinton with nine tackles, four of which were tackles for a loss, along with an interception later in the fourth quarter.
Clinton, a Sanford native, who transferred from Valdosta State after he joined the team last winter. He credits UWF defensive coordinator Kavell Conner with taking his game to a higher level.
“Coach Conner always tells us that we have to practice with urgency,” Clinton said. “I try to implement that every day in my mind. We play together as a collective unit and we when we step out on that field, we feel nobody can touch us. Every time we step on that field we just have to attack, attack.”
That’s what he did throughout Saturday’s game, along with Walker Robinson and Tyrence Crutcher, who had five tackles apiece. They were among 11 members of UWF’s defense that had multiple tackles.
Nobles’ concern, however, was UWF’s defense was on the field for 64 plays. He wants that number reduced in November with the Argos in the hunt for a GSC championship.
“I thought they did a phenomenal job,” Nobles said. “But you start getting out there for 65-70 plays, you’re eventually going to get tired. We had a couple guys banged up. Ralph Ortiz (second leading tackler) didn’t play. Traevon Mitchell (third leading tackler) didn’t play. Those two are two of the top guys in the country.”
Offensively, quarterback Marcus Stokes had another quality game, completing 20 of 33 passes for 271 yards, three touchdowns and only one interception.
Stokes threw a 7-yard TD pass to Jake Robinette in the first quarter, then hit Mikaiah Stephenson on a 43-yard score in the third quarter and finished the UWF scoring with a 29-yard catch-and-run by Jay Sharp in the fourth quarter.
TJ Lane was UWF’s top rusher with 75 yards.
Both Nobles and players credited the hot October streak to changing up things in practice as well as other preparation type of elements.
“I’m proud of how they have responded,” Nobles said. “There are certainly a lot of points and plays left out there that we could make moving forward.”
“Our backs were against the wall,” said Clinton, referring to the 1-2 start on the sesaon. “We had to come out swinging.”
The Argos have one final home game on Nov. 9 against North Greenville (4-3, 3-1) which won in four overtimes Saturday against Delta State – the team UWF last beat at home and then had the Statesmen knock off previously unbeaten West Alabama last week.
“We just try to come in every day and be 100 percent better,” Clinton said. “We’re not worried about the record, we’re not worried who we’re playing. All we are worried about is the Argos and what the Argos have to be and come out ready to play.”
WHAT’S NEXT?
WHO: UWF Argos vs. Erskine Flying Fleet
WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 2, 1 p.m. (Central Time)
WHERE: J.W. Babb Stadium, Greenwood, South Carolina
Photo: Emily Miller/UWF for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century Sets Special Meeting, Cancels Regular Council Meeting
October 27, 2024
The Century Town Council has set a special meeting and a CRA meeting for this week, and canceled their first meeting of November.
A special meeting is set for Tuesday, October 29 at 6:30 p.m. In a public notice, no reason for the meeting was specified. That meeting will be followed by a CRA Board meeting at 6:45 p.m.
The council sits as the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) board. The CRA area is 510 acres, bounded by Jefferson Avenue to the south, Jefferson Avenue to the east, East High 4 to the north and the center line of North Century Boulevard to the west. It also extends north on the east side of North Century Boulevard to include commercial properties up to, and including, the former Burger King. Click here for a detailed map (pdf).
The town previously declared a portion of Century as “blighted” as part of the process to form the CRA.
A town council meeting that was set for Monday, November 4 has been canceled.
The council normally meets on the first and third Tuesday of the month.
The town had their first meeting for November set for November 5, but that is election day, and they won’t have access to use their council chambers. The meeting was first rescheduled for November 6, but council members voted recently to move it to November 4, which is now canceled and not yet rescheduled.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
All West Florida Library Book Drops Closed Until After The Election
October 27, 2024
All West Florida Libraries book drops are closing until after the November 5 general election
Materials can be returned to the service desk at any WFPL library.
All WFPL book drops will reopen on November 6, according to the library system.
The Pensacola, Southwest and Bellview libraries will be early voting locations August 10-17. The main Pensacola and Bellview libraries are both early voting and election day polling locations; however, Southwest is not a regular polling place. (There is also early voting near the Molino Library in the Molino Community Center, but not in the actual library.)
Pictured: The book drop outside the Molino Branch Library. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Ice Flyers Fall 5-2 To Birmingham Bulls (With Gallery)
October 27, 2024
The Pensacola Ice Flyers’ early season struggles continued Saturday night with the team falling to the visiting Birmingham Bulls with a 5-2 final in front of a crowd of 4,602 at the Pensacola Bay Center on Small Dog Race Night.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Here’s a quick recap of how the game unfolded:
1st Period
Cameron Cook started the scoring for the Ice Flyers with an assist by Matt Wiesner at with 9:25 on the clock.
The Bulls quickly answered with a goal from Kyler Mathews, assisted by Drake Glover and Carson Rose, with 7:37 left in the 1st.
2nd Period
Carson Rose took the lead for the Bulls early in the second period with an unassisted goal with 16:59 on the clock.
Rose found the back of the net again with an assist from Nikita Koyzrev shortly after extending the Bulls lead to 3-1.
MacGregor Sinclair brought the Bulls’ lead to 4-1 with an assist from Arkhip Ledziankou with 3:03 left in the period.
3rd Period
Matt Wiesner added a boost to the Ice Flyers with a goal assisted by Tim Faulkner and Shane Bull four minutes into the period bringing the score to 2-4.
Kolten Olynek hit on an empty net with :41 seconds left in the game securing the Bulls 5-2 win.
What’s Next?
- Next Game: Friday, November 1 at Roanoke
- Next Home Game: Friday, November 8.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Military Dad Surprises Son At Beulah Academy After Long Deployment
October 26, 2024
For Luke Wilkins at the Beulah Academy of Science, it started as just another walking into class on just another Friday.
But little did he know about the surprise standing just around the corner.
Luke followed his classmates into the room and gasped when he saw his dad Jeffery Wilkins. He ran into dad’s arms for an emotional embrace.
Dad Jeffery had been deployed with the U.S. Army since January.
Pictured: Dad Jeffery Wilkins, mom Bridgett Wilkins and Luke Wilkins Friday at Beulah Academy of Science. Photos and video for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Gov. Ron DeSantis Joins Escambia Sheriff Chip Simmons To Speak Against Amendment 3 (Marijuana Legalization)
October 26, 2024
In Pensacola Friday, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis spoke out against Amendment 3 — the Marijuana Legalization Initiative.
Desantis was joined at the press conference at the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office by Sheriff Chip Simmons, Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joe Ladap and other leaders to encourage voters to vote against Amendment 3.
“This deceptive amendment, written and sponsored by a handful of corporations that seek to profit by rewriting the Florida constitution, has nothing to do with freedom and everything to do with greed,” DeSantis said. “One single weed company has spent more than $100 million to pass Amendment 3.”
“They are giving themselves, the weed companies, total immunity from any civil liability,” DeSantis said during local press conference. “What does that mean? If they sell you defective weed and you have a seizure or something, can you sue them? No, there’s no exception to this.”
“You may not be interested in weed, but it’s going to be interested in you,” DeSantis added. “This will impact your life because of how this amendment is written and how it’s going to be rampantly used in public.”
Following the press conference, DeSantis provided a list of key points of “why Amendment 3 is the wrong plan for Florida”:
- No time and place restrictions on smoking marijuana—even in places like parks and beaches—where children are present. Amendment 3 would degrade our quality of life, hurt our tourism industry, and put Floridians’ health at risk.
- No way to hold Big Weed corporations accountable. The corporations that have poured $100 million into Amendment 3 made sure to include a carve-out for themselves, so they will enjoy immunity from liability if their products end up harming Floridians.
- Provides for a big weed cartel—Floridians would not be permitted to grow their own marijuana.
- And there’s no way for legislators to fix the problems that Amendment 3 would create. A constitutional amendment is not the same as legislation. Lawmakers can change and update state laws as needed, but changing the constitution is permanent. Other states that have passed similar amendments have come to regret it over time. Florida does not have to make the same mistakes as Colorado or California.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
