AAA Predicting Florida Thanksgiving Travel Will Be Busiest In Two Decades
November 25, 2022
AAA is forecasting that more than 2.9 million Floridians will travel 50 miles or more during this Thanksgiving holiday period — the busiest in nearly two decades. That’s 50,000 (2%) more Florida travelers than last year’s holiday and nearly 22,000 (0.74%) more than 2019.
In Florida, 2.7 million (91% of travelers) are expected to take a road trip; an increase of 28,000 people from last year’s holiday.
“Travel is still roaring back from the pandemic,” said Debbie Haas, Vice President of Travel for AAA – The Auto Club Group. “While gas prices and other inflationary pressures weigh on budgets, travel remains a top priority for Americans, particularly during the holidays. Travel spending is at the highest level since the pandemic began, which is a driving force behind our projections this year. AAA expects busy roads and long lines at the airport, so leave early and be flexible with your travel plans.”
Cantonment Rotary Provides Thanksgiving Meals For About 1,500 People (With Photo Gallery)
November 24, 2022
About 1,500 people can enjoy a complete Thanksgiving meal this year thanks to the members and friends of the Cantonment Rotary Club.
Wednesday, the club distributed everything for a turkey meal to 353 families in the North Escambia area. The recipients were chosen with the help of local school guidance counselors who helped identify families that might need a little help this time of year.
The Tate High School cheerleaders volunteered Wednesday at St. Luke United Methodist Church to help package the meals for delivery.
For a photo gallery, click or tap here.
The club fed just six families during their first event 10 years ago. Three years ago, that number was at 260, two years ago it was 325, and last year it was 343 families. To date, Cantonment Rotary estimates the project has delivered meals to over 2,100 families, feeding 7,500 people.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Miracle League Holds Annual Turkey Fry (With Photo Gallery)
November 24, 2022
The Miracle League of Pensacola held their annual turkey fry fundraiser Wednesday at their park on East Nine Mile Road.
Volunteers with the Miracle League spent their day frying about 300 turkeys for a minimum $30 donation, with all of the proceeds going to benefit the Miracle League.
For more photos, click or tap here.
A small army of volunteers worked to deep fry the turkeys to perfection, rows of timers keeping track of the cooking time at a command center of sorts. Cadets from the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also volunteered to make sure the turkeys were ready to enjoy for Thanksgiving.
The Miracle League provides physically and mentally challenged children a safe and spirited program in which they can hit, run, and catch on a baseball field – just like other kids. MLP offers a unique and memorable opportunity these children would not otherwise have. It is a place where every player plays, every player hits, every player gets on base, every player scores, and every player wins – every inning.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Man Identified As Suspect Fatally Shot By Deputies In Walton County
November 24, 2022
An Escambia County man has been identified as the suspect shot and killed by deputies in Miramar Beach last week.
The Walton County Sheriff’s Office has identified him as 39-year-old Jesse Mavrick Minton.
On Tuesday, November 15, deputies responded to the area behind a Five Guys restaurant Poinciana Boulevard in Miramar Beach just before midnight following a 911 call regarding a suspicious person with a gun in the area.
Minutes later, deputies confronted Minton, and shots were fired.
No deputies were injured. Minton was pronounced dead at the scene.
Walton County Sheriff Michael Adkinson immediately requested the Florida Department of Law Enforcement respond and assist in the investigation, as is agency protocol. That investigation is still being conducted.
More information will be released once it is available.
Molino Park Elementary Students Donate Food Items To Their Community
November 24, 2022
Molino Park Elementary School students stepped up to help fight hunger in the Molino community in a very big way this year.
The school collected food for the food pantry at Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Molino.
- Tie between Daniels and Gilmore classrooms
- Pre-K — Crites
- Kindergarden — Blackburn
- 1st grade — Ms.Warren
- 2nd grade — Robar
- 3rd grade — Sapp
- 4th grade — Bodiford
- 5th grade — Fletcher
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Drivers Getting A Road Construction Break Until Monday
November 24, 2022
Florida drivers are getting a little break from road construction during the long Thanksgiving holiday weekend.
According to the Florida Department of Transportation, there will be no construction related lane closures on state roads through 11:59 p.m. on Sunday. The lane closure restrictions include both construction and maintenance activities.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Farm To City Week Thanksgiving Meals Distributed To 1,000 Families (With Photo Gallery)
November 24, 2022
About 1,000 Thanksgiving meals were distributed to Escambia and Santa Rosa County residents this week as part of Farm to City Week.
The meals were distributed to 500 pre-registered applicants at the Waterfront Rescue Missing in Pensacola and 500 at the Milton Community Center. The distribution included a ham or turkey, loaf of bread, apples, dessert and fresh produce such as collard greens, cabbage, zucchini, and sweet potatoes.
At least 50 volunteers took part in the distribution.
On Monday, high school and middle school FFA members, boy scouts and other volunteers from Escambia and Santa Rosa counties worked to harvest fresh items at the West Florida Research and Education Center near Jay.
For a photo gallery, click or tap here.
The produce was paired with all of the fixings for a Thanksgiving meal from Feeding the Gulf Coast and the Waterfront Rescue Mission.
The three agencies donated 338,189 pounds of food to local nonprofits between 2010 and 2021. About 38,900 pounds came from produce harvested at the WFREC, and it all goes to feed lower-income families at Thanksgiving.
“Our Farm to City event is one of the best things we do each year,” said Wes Wood, director of WFREC. “Exposing high-school students to agriculture and helping provide a healthy Thanksgiving meal to 1,000 needy families in Santa Rosa and Escambia counties is gratifying.”
National Farm to City Week is a national effort to bring about a better understanding between rural and urban people by increasing knowledge and appreciation for agriculture.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Man Charged With Battery Of His Girlfriend At The County Landfill
November 23, 2022
A Cantonment man is charged with allegedly attacking his girlfriend at the county landfill.
Courtney Markett Thompkins, 28, was charged with misdemeanor battery, felony battery by strangulation in a domestic violence situation, obstructing justice by preventing communication to a law enforcement officer, and petit theft.
The victim, identified as Thompkins’ live-in girlfriend, gave him a ride to work at the Perdido Landfill. The two became involved in an argument, and Thompkins took her iPhone and prevented her from going inside an office to call for help, according to an arrest report.
He then grabbed her hair from behind and wrapped his hand around her throat, preventing her from breathing, the report states. The two returned to their residence on Old Chemstrand Road, where he stole her iPhone XR and case, along with a set of keys, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies said the incident at the county landfill was caught on surveillance video.
The landfill incident occurred on September 1, with Thompkins just recently arrested on an outstanding warrant. He remained in the Escambia County Jail Wednesday morning without bond for failure to appear on unrelated charges of criminal mischief, marijuana possession and resisting arrest.
Northview High Names Students Of The Month
November 23, 2022
Northview High School recently named their Students of the Month for October. They are Stefan Josipovic and Destiny Burt, both sophomores. They are pictured with principal Michael Sherrill. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
New Pensacola Mayor D.C. Reeves Sworn In
November 23, 2022
D.C. Reeves was sworn in as the new mayor of Pensacola on Tuesday.
New council members District 2 Charles Bare and District 6 Allison Patton were also sworn in, and District 4 member Jared Moore was sworn in for his second term.
District 7 councilman Delarian Wiggins was elected city council president, and District 3 councilman Casey Jones was elected vice president.
The city council also recognized outgoing Mayor Grover Robinson and outgoing council members Sherri Myers and Ann Hill.