UWF Receives $32.5 Million Triumph Grant For Cybersecurity, Computational Research Hub
August 29, 2025
The University of West Florida is positioned to further its robust research presence in Northwest Florida following the approval of a $32,515,120 grant proposal, subject to negotiating a term sheet and legal contract, from the Triumph Gulf Coast board of directors. The investment will accelerate the growth of UWF’s Institute for Analytics and Industry Advancement, or IAIA, and the Center for Cybersecurity, as well as establish a new Center for Computational Intelligence.
“This grant marks a pivotal step forward for UWF and our region,” said UWF Provost Dr. Jaromy Kuhl. “By expanding our capacity in cybersecurity and computational intelligence research, we are positioning Northwest Florida as a national leader in innovation. The work being done here will not only advance discovery and technology but will also strengthen our economy. We are grateful for the support from Triumph in our efforts to elevate our region to new heights.”
IAIA helps prepare individuals with technical skills to address workforce needs in data science, cybersecurity and engineering. The institute has concentrations in predictive and cognitive analytics, big data analytics, artificial intelligence, machine learning, deep learning, automation and computing. The areas of focus are intended to advance the research and scientific contribution of UWF, enabling it to move beyond simply teaching college classes and enable research faculty and staff to provide partnerships with businesses across key industry sectors. The Institute is also home to the UWF Predictive Analytics and Modeling Lab, where user-friendly analytics tools are developed for data-driven decision-making and predictions.
A key component of the project is the creation of the Center for Computational Intelligence, or CCI, within the Institute. The new center will serve as a world-class hub for advanced computational research, uniting faculty, researchers, students and industry partners around the development of next-generation technologies.
CCI will focus on designing and applying computational models and systems capable of performing complex tasks — work that supports breakthroughs in artificial intelligence, machine learning, robotics, computational chemistry and bioinformatics. By fostering collaboration across disciplines, CCI will accelerate innovations with direct applications in healthcare, energy, environmental monitoring, personalized education and defense.
The grant will also allow UWF’s Center for Cybersecurity to leverage its role as a national leader in cybersecurity research and education programs to enable transformational impact across Northwest Florida and strengthen the region’s economic and workforce development. The Center will integrate AI into its initiatives and expand collaborations with defense, private sectors and regional partners to develop innovative solutions and provide long-lasting benefits to Northwest Florida.
In addition, the grant will help fund expansion of the new sciences and engineering building to provide added space for the Center for Cybersecurity and CCI, as well as the renovation of the Laboratory Sciences Annex to house advanced computational research labs. The overall project is projected to cost $130,204,292 over a 10-year period.
Molino Wreck Brings Down Power Lines Early Thursday
August 28, 2025
A single vehicle rollover crash brought down power lines early Thursday morning in Molino.
The driver of a Chevrolet Silverado ran off Highway 95A near Schaag Road about 5:40 a.m. and collided with a power pole, breaking the pole and sending power lines to the ground.
The driver was reportedly able to exit the truck on their own.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating. Escambia County EMS and the Molino Station of Escambia County Fire Rescue also responded.
FPL worked for hours to make repairs; there was no immediate word on the number of people who may have lost power.
Reader submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Man Sentenced To Federal Prison For Narcotics Trafficking
August 28, 2025
A Cantonment man has been sentenced to federal prison on narcotics trafficking charge.
Bennie Charles Deloach, age 36 of Hazard Lane, was sentenced to 14 years in prison after previously pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute more than 50 grams of methamphetamine or 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine.
“Methamphetamine is a dangerous drug that is plaguing our community and threatening the health and safety of our citizens,” United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida John P. Heekin said. “I deeply appreciate the hard work of our state and federal law enforcement partners to help keep drug traffickers like this defendant off our streets, and my office will not hesitate to aggressively prosecute these offenses to safeguard our community.”
According to court records, a Pensacola Police Department Officer attempted to stop Deloach’s vehicle, as Deloach had active felony warrants. Deloach fled from the officer, hitting a pole and a parked vehicle, and then got out of the vehicle and fled on foot. Officers located narcotics, including a large amount of methamphetamine, in a backpack Deloach dropped, as well as more narcotics in the vehicle. The methamphetamine weighed over 830 grams.
“Effective law enforcement in the war on drugs isn’t just about reacting to crime … it’s about anticipating it, disrupting the supply chains, and working together with all of our law enforcement partners to stop it,” said Pensacola Police Department acting Chief Kristin Brown. “Illegal use of drugs in our community is something that cannot be tolerated, and we will use all avenues in the war on drugs.”
“Those who distribute methamphetamine in Florida will be held accountable,” said DEA Miami Field Division Special Agent in Charge Deanne L. Reuter. “The health and safety of our Florida communities is my top priority – always.”
The conviction and sentence were the result of a joint investigation by the Pensacola Police Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Gulf Coast High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) Task Force. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jessica S. Etherton.
Quarter Million Little Tabs, Big Impact: Molino Park Elementary Helps Families At Ronald McDonald House
August 28, 2025
Last school year, the students, faculty and families at Molino Park Elementary School collected 196 pounds of pop tabs—those little pull tabs off the tops of aluminum drink cans—to benefit the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northwest Florida.
The charity recycles the aluminum tabs, with the proceeds contributing to their mission of keeping families close to their children receiving medical treatment.
Just how many pop tabs is that? With an estimated 1,267 tabs per pound, Molino Park’s donation is just under a quarter million pop tabs!
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Highway 29 Crash Slows Traffic Wednesday Evening
August 28, 2025
There were no critical injuries reported in a two-vehicle crash that slowed traffic on southbound Highway 29 on Wednesday evening.
The crash happened about 6:40 p.m. on Highway 29 just south of West Roberts Road, near the Circle K.
The front of a Chevrolet Blazer collided with the side of a Chevrolet 2500 HD pickup, with the Blazer then striking a street sign. The crash blocked the southbound lane of the highway for about an hour.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating the cause of the crash.
The Ensley Station of Escambia County Fire Rescue and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Tate Aggies Sweep PHS Tigers In Decisive Victories (With Photo Gallery)
August 28, 2025
The Tate High Aggies varsity and junior varsity shut out the Pensacola High Tigers in Wednesday matchups.
Tate 3, Pensacola High 0
The Tate Aggies delivered a dominant performance at home, sweeping the Pensacola High Tigers in a decisive 3-0 victory Wednesday night. This win not only continued the Aggies’ success against the Tigers but also marked their strongest victory of the young season as they took every set by at least ten points.
From the first serve, the Aggies controlled the tempo, overwhelming the PHS defense with powerful hitting and an impenetrable block.
They won the first set 25-4, setting a dominant tone. While the Tigers mounted a stronger effort in the second set, the Aggies maintained their composure and pulled away, securing a 25-15 win. The final set was just as decisive, with Tate’s teamwork leading to a convincing 25-8 victory to complete the shutout.
With the victory, Tate’s record now stands at an impressive 3-1. For PHS, their loss was their first of the season, dropping their record to 2-1. The Aggies will have to hit the road for their next match, heading to Pine Forest to face the Eagles on Thursday.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Tate 2, Pensacola High 0
The Tate Aggies JV also shut out the Pensacola High Tigers on Wednesday, 25-18, 25-17+
NorthEscambaic.com photos, click to enlarge.
Wahoos Split Twin Bill With Chattanooga
August 28, 2025
written by Bill Vilona
A unique doubleheader on Wednesday, which included the Blue Wahoos as visiting team in their own ballpark, provided a tale of two different halves at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
The Blue Wahoos clubbed 15 hits and scored 15 runs in a 15-3 rout against the Chattanooga Lookouts in the first game as home team. But they managed just three hits during a 5-2 loss in a second game that was carried over from a June postponement in Chattanooga.
The late-afternoon start had an explosive beginning for the Blue Wahoos in Game 1 of the two 7-inning games.
Tony Bullard blasted a grand slam in the first inning after the first three batters reached on a pair of walks and a single. It was only the second grand slam the Blue Wahoos hit this season. The other was produced by Kemp Alderman in the season-opening weekend in April.
In the fourth inning, the Blue Wahoos fully ignited. They scored 11 runs, matching the franchise record for most runs in one inning – set on May 11, 2023 against the Birmingham Barons.
Outfielder Emaarion Boyd, who entered the day 0-for-15 since joining the Blue Wahoos on August 19 from the Beloit (Wisc.) Sky Carp, started things with his second consecutive single in the game. Catcher Spencer Bramwell singled. Fenwick Trimble was hit by a pitch to load the bases.
Jared Serna singled to drive in the first run. Alderman then cleared the bases with a 3-run triple. Still with no outs, Tony Bullard doubled home Alderman, Gage Miller walked and Payton Green hit a three run homer. When this inning finished, the Blue Wahoos used 13 batters and led 15-1.
Blue Wahoos starter Jake Brooks, making his fifth start, earned his second win since joining the team by working six innings, allowing five hits and one run with four strikeouts.
At the plate, Boyd finished 3-for-4. Serna went 3-for-5. Alderman and Bullard both had five RBI.
But if only the Blue Wahoos could have banked some of those hits and runs.
The second game started with the Blue Wahoos batting first. The only time this happened before at Blue Wahoos Stadium was in 2017 during the Southern League divisional playoffs against the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp. The Blue Wahoos were the visiting team during the series-clinching third game that provided their first trophy as co-champions when a hurricane threat cancelled the final round.
In Wednesday’s case, Trimble led off the game with a single. Serna followed by homering just inside the left field foul pole for a quick 2-0 lead.
But from that point, the Blue Wahoos had just two base runners and one hit the rest of the game, which was completed in 1 hour, 38 minutes.
Chattanooga starter Kevin Abel dominated. He worked the entire seven innings, striking out eight, allowing just one walk in a 3-hit quality performance.
The Lookouts used a 4-run rally in the fourth inning against Blue Wahoos reliever Evan Fitterer, then tacked another run against new reliever Jack Sellinger, who made his Blue Wahoos debut after joining the team Tuesday from the Beloit Sky Carp.
The Lookouts now have a 2-1 edge in the seven-game series which continues Thursday with Blue Wahoos using a new starter in this spot. On Wednesday, Dax Fulton, the normal Thursday starter, was elevated to Triple-A Jacksonville.
WANT TO GO?
WHO: Chattanooga Lookouts vs. Blue Wahoos.
WHERE: Blue Wahoos Stadium.
WHEN: Thursday Thru Sunday.
George Stone Corrections Graduates Ready For Duty With Escambia County
August 28, 2025
A dozen new corrections officers will be joining Escambia County Corrections following their graduation from the George Stone Criminal Justice Training Center. The graduation marked the completion of a rigorous 420-hour training program designed to prepare them for careers in corrections.
The graduates were:
- Thomas Accardi
- Fernando Almanzar
- Jessica Bizzell
- Marc Blanton
- Marc Clarke
- Jeshua Collado
- Rachel Kanter
- Robert Kersey
- Deandra McClain
- Stephan Schultz
- Daniel Tipton
- Tyra Yelverton
“In a country of over 260 million adults, less than 1 in 600 wears the uniform of a corrections officer,” Escambia County Corrections Captain Shawn Hankins said. “These silent professionals stand watch behind the walls – protecting those who can’t protect themselves, maintaining order where few dare to go, and upholding justice from the inside out. We encourage you to support these everyday heroes and honor their unseen sacrifice.”
Over the course of three months, the trainees participated in an intensive curriculum that combined physical training, academic studies, and hands-on certifications. The program, recognized for its demanding nature, equipped the students with the skills and knowledge necessary to handle the complexities of working in corrections.
The training curriculum covered essential topics including defensive tactics, physical fitness, and specialized certifications such as CPR, first aid, and firearms. Students also participated in academic courses that explored the legal, ethical and procedural aspects of corrections work.
Century Proposes Property Tax Rate, And It’s A Decrease
August 27, 2025
The Town of Century has set a proposed tax rate for the upcoming fiscal year, which is effectively a decrease.
The town has set a tentative millage rate of .9204, the same rate for several years.
That is 7.85% less than the rolled-back rate of .9988 mills, according to filed documents. The rolled-back rate is a computed millage rate that would generate the same amount of ad valorem tax dollars as the prior fiscal year, based on the proposed year’s tax roll, excluding new construction. While Century’s tax rate will hold steady, it is by definition a tax decrease as it is lower than the rolled-back rate.
The Town of Century’s process is ongoing as they finalize their budget for the upcoming fiscal year. During a budget workshop on Tuesday, accountant Robert Hudson said the proposed budget is nearing completion. He said the town still needs estimated costs for employee insurance, workers’ comp, and liability, but noted employee health insurance costs are expected to decline.
A tentative first reading of the budget has been set for Monday, September 8 at 5:01 p.m., with the second reading and approval tentatively set for Monday, September 22 at 5:01 p.m.
Pictured: the Town of Century held a budget workshop on Tuesday afternoon. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Library Services Director Retiring; Interim Named
August 27, 2025
Escambia County is looking for a new director for the West Florida Public Libraries (WFPL).
Library Services Director Todd Humble has notified Escambia County that he intends to retire effective November 18.
Deputy Director of Library Services Christal Bell-Rivera has been named interim director of Library Services.
The WFPL Board of Governance will recommend a new library services director to the county administrator in the coming weeks.