Fields of Faith: Community Worship Service Wednesday Night At Tate High
October 8, 2023
UPDATE: This event has been moved indoors to the Fryman Gym due to the threat of rain.
Tate High School’s Fellowship of Christian Athletes will host Fields of Faith at 6:30 p.m. this Wednesday, October 11, in the Fryman Gym.
Fields of Faith is an interdenominational national event where thousands gather on over 500 athletic fields across the country to share their faith. It is a national student-led initiative where students are meeting and organizing the event. Students invite their peers, teammates, families and the local community to meet on the school’s athletic field to worship, pray, be challenged to read the Bible, and follow Jesus Christ.
Guest speaker Austin Marshick, a University of West Florida soccer player, will also share a message.
Admission is free. Local churches, athletic teams, and the community are encouraged to attend.
One Injured In Early Morning Highway 97 Crash Near Walnut Hill
October 7, 2023
One person was injured in a crash early Saturday morning on Highway 97 south of Walnut Hill.
The rollover wreck was reported about 2:35 a.m. on Highway 97 just south of Howell Road. The female driver lost control, left the roadway and crashed into the treeline.
The driver was able to get out of the vehicle on her own. Her injuries were not believed to be life threatening.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating. The Walnut Hill Station of Escambia County Fire Rescue and Escambia County EMS were also dispatched.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate High Crowns Homecoming Queen Lexi Nelson
October 7, 2023
Friday night, Tate High School crowned Homecoming Queen Lexi Nelson.
First runner-up to the queen was Taylor Bree Fitzgerald, and second runner-up was Synoma Perea.
- For a homecoming court photo gallery, click here.
- For a homecoming parade gallery, click here.
- For a gallery with alumni cheerleaders, cheerleaders, fans and more, click here.
- For a game action photo gallery, click here.
Pictured top: Second runner-up Synoma Perea, Tate Homecoming Queen Lexi Nelson and first runner-up Taylor Bree Fitzgerald. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Great Tate Comeback Continues With 58-41 Hoco Win Over West Florida (With Photo Gallery)
October 7, 2023
The great Tate comeback continues.
The Tate Aggies got a big 58-41 homecoming night win over the West Florida Jaguars Friday night in Cantonment. The Aggies are at 4-2 — their best season since 2017.
- For a game action photo gallery, click here.
- For a homecoming court photo gallery, click here.
- For a homecoming parade gallery, click here.
- For a gallery with alumni cheerleaders, cheerleaders, fans and more, click here.
Tate was first on the board when quarterback Taite Davis hit C.J. Autrey for a 75-yard touchdown. With a missed extra point, the Aggies were up 6-0. The Jags answered with a TD and a good kick to give WFHS a 7-6 lead.
Tate regained the lead on a Carson Secchiari touchdown from five yards out, 13-7. Then Davis found Autrey again, this time from 28-yards, to give the Aggies a 20-7 advantage in the first.
In the second quarter, Davis hit Christian Neptune for a 27-7 Aggie game. The lead was cut to 27-13 as the Jaguars scored from 75 yards out.
On a Tate punt, a high snap over Jackson Clarke’s head was recovered by West Florida in the endzone, 27-20.
Tate (4-2) will host Pace (5-1) next Friday night, while West Florida (2-4) will head over to Pensacola High (0–7)
- For a game action photo gallery, click here.
- For a homecoming court photo gallery, click here.
- For a homecoming parade gallery, click here.
- For a gallery with alumni cheerleaders, cheerleaders, fans and more, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Free Dog And Cat Adoptions At The Escambia Animal Shelter
October 7, 2023
The Escambia County Department of Animal Welfare is participating in the Bissell Pet Foundation “Empty the Shelters” event through October 15.
Adoptions for all cats and dogs 1 year or older will be free. Puppies will be available for $50 and kittens will be available for $25. An $11 licensing fee will be applied to all adoptions for Escambia County residents.
“We are proud to participate with Bissell for the second time for their ‘Empty the Shelters’ event,” said John Robinson, director for the Escambia County Department of Animal Welfare. “This will provide opportunities for all of our great dogs and cats to find their new families this summer. Adopting a pet not only gives our homeless animals a second chance, but also creates space that will allow our organization to help many other animals in need of temporary housing. We have a large number of animals available for adoption that will make a great addition to your family.”
The Escambia County Animal Welfare and Adoption Center is located at 200 W. Fairfield Drive. Hours of operation are Monday-Friday, 12-5 p.m., and Saturdays from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m
High School Football Scoreboard
October 7, 2023
Here are Friday night’s North Escambia area high school football scores:
FLORIDA
- Tate 58, West Florida 41 [Story, action photos...]
- Northview 28, Baker 0
- Holmes County 55, Jay 7
- Niceville 31, Pine Forest 28
- Godby 43, Washington 6
- Pensacola Catholic 38, Gulf Breeze 17
- Lighthouse Private Christian Academy 19, Pike Liberal Arts 14
- Navarre 35, Mosley 31
- Pace 49, Pensacola High 0 (Thursday pm)
ALABAMA
- Thomasville 21, Flomaton 7
- Escambia Academy 46, Pickens Academy 14
- Jackson 50, Escambia County (Atmore) 7
- T.R. Miller 31, Bayside 17
- W.S. Neal 42,Cottage Hill 13
Pictured: The Tate Aggies beat West Florida Friday night. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Theresa Blanton Named Escambia County Employee Of The Month
October 7, 2023
Theresa Blanton was named the Escambia County Employee of the Month for October.
Blanton is a licensing specialist in the Building Services department and has worked for the county since August 2019.
She maintains over 2,500 contractor licenses for the county, which involves assisting applicants to obtain licensure, current license holders with renewals, report new applications to the Contractor Competency Board and the Board of Electrical Examiners, and ensuring the validity of license cards.
Another of Blanton’s essential duties includes working with outside agencies. She ensures neighboring jurisdictions are knowledgeable and consistent with tasks related to contractors, as well as researching and collaborating with county partners to develop policies compliant with legislation requirements. She also frequently meets with contractors to discuss licensing requirements to ensure compliance with state and local laws.
“It is an honor to recognize Theresa as the Employee of the Month,” said Building Services Director Tim Tolbert. “Her ability to create a positive experience from every interaction with contractors and citizens while respectfully and professionally enforcing the pertinent statutory requirements makes her a valuable member to the Building Services department.”
Charges To Be Upgraded To Attempted Murder For Bowling Alley Suspect
October 6, 2023
Charges will be upgraded against a 19-year old Cantonment man accused of shooting a teen following a bowling alley incident just before 1 a.m. on September 23.
Nicholas James Vallia was originally charged with aggravated battery using a deadly weapon. The State Attorney’s Office says that the charge will be upgraded to first degree attempted murder when Vallia is arraigned on October 20. He is also charged with discharging a firearm from a vehicle, firing into a vehicle or building, and criminal mischief.
Vallia allegedly shot into a car that had been parked outside of DeLuna Lanes, striking a 17-year old male in the arm and stomach. The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said the shots were fired somewhere on Nine Mile Road after the victim became involved in an argument with another group of people.
Vallia was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $46,000 bond seven minutes after surrendering at the Escambia County Jail.
Drought Worsens To Extreme Along State Line, Severe Rest Of Escambia
October 6, 2023
A severe drought continues across most of Escambia County in Florida but has expanded into an extreme drought across a small portion of North Escambia and across Escambia County in Alabama.
In North Escambia, the Nokomis, Davisville and Bratt areas along the state line are in the extreme drought area.
In the next week, there is only a small chance of rain on Friday.
According to the National Weather Service in Mobile:
- Many local streams and rivers have shown some degradation in flow and stage remaining at below or much below normal levels. This can lead to hazards and increased difficulty in safe navigation of recreational boating and commercial waterway needs.
- Crop condition in the driest of areas remains very poor and pasture lands provide little to no livestock feed. Supplemental feeding is required to maintain livestock condition.
- Increase in air-borne allergens likely to create problems for respiratory sensitive groups.
- Water conservation techniques are strongly encouraged in drought areas
Second Suspect Charged In Deadly Atmore Shooting
October 6, 2023
A second suspect has been charged with a fatal shooting last May in Atmore.
Wiley Tait, Jr., 42, was charged this week with murder and discharging a firearm in connection with the shooting death of 31-year old Robert Starks. Starks was shot in the area of Carver Avenue and King Street about 2:15 a.m. on May 29 and later died from his injuries.
Eric DePaul Mitchell, 44, was charged in late June with murder and discharging a firearm for the shooting.
No motive has been released by the Atmore Police Department.
Pictured above: Wiley Tait, Jr. Pictured below: Eric DePaul Mitchell.
