Lady Aggies Sweep FWB On Senior Night (With Photo Gallery)
October 3, 2023
Tate High School volleyball honored their seniors Monday night and swept three straight from the visiting Fort Walton Beach Vikings.
The Lady Aggies easily defeated FWB 25-7, 25-2, 25-12.
Before the match, the Lady Aggies recognized seniors Chloe Biggs, Lauren Durham, Payton Garrett, Alyssa Moodie, Riley Robbins and manager Caroline Armstrong.
For a photo gallery, click or tap here. (Look for extra senior night photos at the end of the gallery.)
On Tuesday, the Lady Aggies (15-6) will visit Pensacola Catholic (4-16) at 6:30 p.m.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
IT ‘Security Event’ Impacting Circuit Courts For ‘Extended Period’
October 3, 2023
An “information technology security event” has impacted courts in the First Judicial Circuit.
Trial Court Administrator Kasey Watson said the “event will significantly affect court operations across the Circuit, impacting courts in Escambia, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, and Walton counties, for an extended period”. In addition, email and phone service may be disrupted.
The court system is prioritizing and conducting essential court proceedings but may cancel and reschedule other proceedings and pause related operations for several days. Judges in the four countie will contact litigants and attorneys regarding any hearings scheduled to be held this week.
All court facilities remained open.
The incident is under investigation.
Former Senator Don Gaetz Launches Campaign For District 1 Seat
October 3, 2023
Former Sen. Don Gaetz has announced he is seeking the Republican nomination for State Senate District 1. The seat is currently held by Sen. Doug Broxson, who is leaving office in 2024 due to term limits.
Gaetz, father of U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz, represented Northwest Florida in the Senate from 2010 to 2016 and served two years as Senate president. Former State Rep. Frank White, who has been a candidate for the Senate seat, withdrew Monday to support Gaetz.
“I have a passion for public service,” White said. “It’s been my privilege to serve in the Florida House and I intend to continue my community service in the future. Now, however, Northwest Florida has an opportunity to be represented by Don Gaetz, a proven champion for our area and for our values. I am pleased to endorse him, and I will do all I can to secure his victory next November.”
“Frank White is a leader for the new Florida. He is a job-creator and business developer with a wonderful family and a deep commitment to his community,” Gaetz said. “I am proud to be his friend and have his endorsement. He has many supporters here and in Tallahassee whose confidence I hope to earn. I know that Frank will serve in elected office again and I look forward to working closely with him and supporting him.
Broxson, chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, joined White in endorsing Gaetz. “Frank White has a bright future in public service,” Broxson said. “And Northwest Florida will be very well served with Don Gaetz back in the Senate. As a former presiding officer, Senator Gaetz has the skill and experience to be effective on day one. I’m delighted to endorse him and look forward to helping him win.”
Gaetz recently concluded five years as chairman of Triumph Gulf Coast where he presided over $300 million in grants to support job creation, career technical education and economic development in Northwest Florida. Gaetz authored and passed the legislation that created Triumph Gulf Coast which will be making an additional $1.2 billion in grants in the area over the next decade.
He is also vice cjair of the Florida Commission on Ethics and a board member of the Florida Education Foundation.
Gaetz is former superintendent of Okaloosa Schools and a long-time business owner in Northwest Florida. He co-founded VITAS Healthcare Corporation, the nation’s largest and leading provider of hospice care. Don and his wife, Vicky, have two adult children – Erin, a digital media producer and Matt, United States Congressman for Northwest Florida.
Northview Beats Pine Forest 3-1
October 3, 2023
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
The 1A Northview Chiefs defeated the 5A Pine Forest Eagles 3-1 in high school volleyball Monday in Pensacola.
Northview won 25-23, 22-25. 25-17, 25-15.
Last month, Northview defeated Pine Forest 2-0 in Bratt in a match played without officials due to a scheduling problem.
Northview (10-4, 1-3) will host a district match against Laurel Hill (3-15, 0-5) at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday.
NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Century’s Buck Showalter Out As New York Mets’ Manager
October 3, 2023
Century’s Buck Showalter is out as manager of the New York Mets.
“I want to make sure I get this right,” Showalter said early Sunday afternoon, his voice catching, before revealing that his tenure was coming to an end. He read a prepared note he had written on a piece of paper.
About an hour later, as Showalter approached home plate to exchange his lineup card for the final time as Mets manager, dozens of his players and staff members spilled out of the dugout to applaud him. The Citi Field crowd followed suit, offering Showalter a standing ovation. Showalter exchanged the card then turned, put his head down and walked quietly back to the dugout, where he watched the Mets lose 9-1 to the Phillies in their season finale.
That dugout office, where Showalter has spent more time than all but 18 men in history, is no longer his home. Following Saturday’s penultimate game of the season, Mets general manager Billy Eppler informed Showalter that he could either resign or be fired. Showalter, who had one year left on his contract, chose the latter route.
“I think the players know I would never quit or resign,” Showalter said.
Owner Steve Cohen considered the move necessary out of fairness to David Stearns, whose hiring as president of baseball operations will become official on Monday. The Mets’ owner did not want to disempower Stearns by forcing him to keep an incumbent manager, regardless of how popular that manager may have been.
“Buck did everything we wanted him to do,” Cohen said. “Not everything went right this year, and yet he kept an even-keel. The players loved him. These are always hard things to do.”
“I can’t tell you right now if it’s the right or wrong decision,” shortstop Francisco Lindor added. “Do I like it? No. It doesn’t feel good to have a man that I love, that my family loves, be without a job.”
As a manager, Showalter’s legacy is complicated. Of the 838 men to manage in the Major Leagues, only 18 of them won more games than him. But only 16 lost more games than Showalter, whose managerial career began in 1992 at the helm of a rebuilding Yankees team. Following a disappointing playoff performance in 1995, Showalter was dismissed, only to watch the Yankees win the World Series four times under Joe Torre. He moved onto a D-backs team that also won its first title a year after Showalter left.
Brought back to New York years later to resurrect the Mets, Showalter lasted two seasons, going 175-148.
Overall, he has produced a .509 winning percentage over 22 years and 3,393 games as a manager. Showalter has won just one postseason series, plus a Wild Card Game with the Orioles. Only Gene Mauch managed and won more MLB games without a pennant, which does not leave Showalter with a bitter taste.
“Baseball has been very fair to me, all things considered,” he said.
One of Showalter’s best chances to break through occurred last year, when he guided the Mets to a 101-win season but saw the NL East title slip out of his grasp with days to go. Rather than enjoy a bye, the Mets lost in the Wild Card Series to the Padres before faltering again this summer. They produced a sub-.500 record despite the largest payroll in Major League history.
“When things aren’t going well in New York, things happen,” outfielder Brandon Nimmo said. “And they happen quickly. It’s just our job as players to try and not let these things happen again.”
What the future looks like for Showalter remains to be seen. At 67, Showalter was already one of the game’s oldest managers, but he indicated he has a desire to remain in the dugout if another team will have him. Before joining the Mets, he spent time as a broadcaster, which could call to him again. Or, Showalter could simply retire home to Dallas, where he and his wife Angela have lived for years.
Showalter’s family moved to Century in the late 1950’s. His father served as a teacher, coach and principal at Century High School and Carver Middle in Century for 23 years. Buck Showalter, know as “Nat” to the locals, played Little League ball in a thriving program in Century, and he graduated from Century High School. Century’s modern day Showalter Park bears the family name in honor of his father.
Courtesy MLB/New York Mets
Driver Crashes Into Concrete Pole In Beulah
October 2, 2023
A driver was injured after crashing into a concrete pole early Monday morning in Beulah.
The crash happened about 4 a.m. at the intersection of West Nine Mile Road and Mobile Highway. The pickup truck crashed into a large concrete utility pole that supported traffic caution lights at the intersection. The pole, lights and wiring were downed.
The driver was transported to an area hospital by Escambia County EMS.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating the crash.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
ECUA Rates Increase 9.5% For Sanitation With ‘Free’ Second Can, 5% For Water And Sewer
October 2, 2023
Emerald Coast Utilities Authority rates increased effective October 1 by 9.5% for all sanitation customers and a 5% for water and sewer customers.
The 9.5% increase raises the rate for one 90-gallon container from $27.67 to $29.88 and includes an optional additional trash or recycling can at no cost.
Facing a potential $1.8 million shortball and big problems with the wrong items being placed in recycling cans, staff had proposed a more modest 3.5% rate increase for sanitation customers plus a $3 a month recycling fee.
ECUA staff had proposed a 4% rate increase for water and 6% for wastewater. The board approved an increase to both water and wastewater by 5%.
ECUA customers can make their request for a second sanitation can by calling customer service at (850) 476-0480 Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m or by using an online contact form. Customer who wish to continue using a current recycling container do not need to call.
Century Library Is Now Open On Mondays
October 2, 2023
The Century Library is now open on Mondays.
The library is open Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. and Saturdays 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.
“Opening our Century location on Mondays is a step forward in ensuring that we are best serving the communities in the north end of Escambia County. We look forward to bringing new programming and events to the Century Library six days a week,” said Todd J. Humble, director of West Florida Public Libraries.
The Century Library hosts Family Story Time every Wednesday from 10:30 until 11:30 a.m. in addition to other programming and events.
The library is located at 991 North Century Boulevard, next to the town hall. A 24-hour book return is also available at the rear of the building.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Annual Peanut Butter Challenge Underway; Here’s How To Donate
October 2, 2023
The annual Peanut Butter Challenge is now underway in Escambia County to help families in need.
The Peanut Butter Challenge, UF/IFAS Extension’s annual jar collection for local food pantries, first launched in the Florida Panhandle in 2012. It has since launched statewide, giving counties the chance to compete for most jars of peanut butter donated. The challenge serves a way to feed hungry families ahead of the holidays and also promotes peanuts grown in Florida.
Unopened, unexpired jars of peanut butter can be donated at the following locations through October 31:
- Escambia County Extension, 3740 Stefani Road, Cantonment
- Escambia County Farm Bureau, 153 Highway 97, Molino
- Escambia County Public Safety, 6575 North W Street
- Gilmore Services, 31 East Fairfield Drive
- Escambia County Administration, 221 Palafox Place, 4th Floor
- Holy Spirit Catholic, 10650 Gulf Beach Highway
In addition to the community donations, the Florida Peanut Producers Association (FPPA) and Florida Peanut Federation (FPF) have partnered with the project for years. These organizations are based in the northwest and northeast peanut-producing regions of the state and will again contribute to the totals distributed to food pantries in those regions.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Pine Meadow Elementary Hosts ‘Donuts With Dad’
October 2, 2023
Pine Meadow Elementary School recently hosted “Donuts with Dad”. Dads had a chance to attend and enjoy doughnuts with their children Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
