FWC Law Enforcement Report: Pitcher Plants, Undersized Fish
October 12, 2023
The Florida FWC Division of Law Enforcement reported the following recent activity:
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
Officers Waters and Hahr responded to a complaint from the staff at Tarkiln Bayou State Park after a patron observed a subject picking protected pitcher plants. The patron advised the subject that picking the threatened plants was prohibited, but the subject responded she had permission and continued to pick them. The subject was found at her vehicle with the plants and issued a notice to appear for harvesting a threatened plant from public property without permission.
Officer Waters and Hahr were checking boats returning to the Navy Point boat ramp and located two boats in possession of undersized gray triggerfish. Both subjects responsible were charged with possession of undersized gray triggerfish. Later in the weekend, they located another boat with a four-person limit of gray triggerfish. All four of the fish were undersized, and the owner of the vessel was charged with possession of undersized gray triggerfish.
SANTA ROSA COUNTY
Officers Bower and Phillips were conducting resource inspections and located two subjects fishing from a local pier without valid saltwater fishing licenses. The officers conducted an inspection and located two flounder not in whole condition and additional undersized flounder. The flounder measured 10 inches in length. The legal size for flounder is 14 inches. A resource inspection was conducted on the second subject and two mangrove snapper filets were located at the bottom of the cooler, not in whole condition. Flounder and mangrove snapper are required to be landed in whole condition and possessing such fish not in whole condition in or on state waters or a public or private fishing pier is prohibited. Both subjects were cited appropriately for the violations.
This report represents some events the FWC handled during the time period; however, it does not include all actions taken by the Division of Law Enforcement. Information provided by FWC.
NorthEscambia.com photo.
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.
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.
Here Is Tonight’s High School Football Schedule
October 6, 2023
Here is tonight’s North Escambia area high school football schedule:
FLORIDA
- West Florida at Tate
- Northview at Baker
- Holmes County at Jay
- Pine Forest at Niceville
- Godby at Washington
- Pensacola Catholic at Gulf Breeze
- Pike Liberal Arts (Ala.) at Lighthouse Private Christian Academy
- Mosley at Navarre
- Pace 49, Pensacola High 0 (Thursday pm)
ALABAMA
- Thomasville at Flomaton
- Pickens Academy at Escambia Academy
- Escambia County (Atmore) at Jackson
- T.R. Miller at Bayside (Daphne)
- W.S. Neal at Cottage Hill (Mobile)
Pictured:: The Tate Aggies beat the Milton Panthers 45-7 last Friday night. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Good Sports: Tate, Northview Volleyball Honor Their Opponents On Senior Night
October 5, 2023
Call it good sportsmanship. Call it Southern hospitality. Call it class.
Call it what you like, but it’s just the way things are done in the Aggie Nation and Northview Chiefs land.
Like tens of thousands of high school volleyball teams across the nation, the Lady Aggies and the Lady Chiefs celebrated their senior nights this week.
It’s a happy moment. And a few tears are shed as players, and a lot of times moms and dads, realize their time on the court is coming to a close.
At both Tate and Northview, seniors were announced one by one, escorted onto the court by family. There are those tears, smiles, hugs and lots of flowers. Many of the seniors’ favorite moments were shared (so what was up with the Tate bus breaking down by the road a few years ago?).
But before the hometown seniors were recognized, there was a moment at both schools we think you should know about.
Tate and Northview recognized the visiting seniors from their opponents — flowers and all.
It was a small gesture that says big things about the Lady Aggies, the Lady Chiefs and good sportsmanship.
Pictured top: On their senior night, the Northview Lady Chiefs recognized the seniors from opponent Laurel Hill. Pictured below: The Tate Lady Aggies recognized the seniors from opponent Fort Walton Beach. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Northview Chiefs Sweep The Hoboes On Senior Night (With Photo Gallery)
October 4, 2023
Northview High School volleyball honored their seniors Tuesday night and swept three straight from the visiting Laurel Hill Hoboes.
The Chiefs defeated Laurel Hill 25-16, 25-16, 25-23.
Before the match, the Lady Chiefs recognized seniors Bailee Wiley, Kendal Beasley and Kayleigh Jay, along with manager Ja`Niya Hooks.
For a photo gallery, click or tap here. (Look for extra senior night photos at the end of the gallery.)
The Northview Chiefs (11-4, 2-3) will finish the regular season on the road in a district game at Central (6-11, 4-1) next Thursday at 5 p.m.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
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.
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
Jiles Overcomes Low Moment With Record Night In Leading No. 6 UWF Past NGU
October 1, 2023
In a span of 75 seconds Saturday, John Jiles went from the lowest point of UWF’s night to stamping the greatest, single-game receiver performance in Argos football history.
Oh, how they needed it, too.
Jiles willed his way with scoring catches, led sixth-ranked UWF to a fourth-quarter explosion that became a 48-24 victory against North Greenville and continued the Argos’ three-season, unbeaten streak in Gulf South Conference road games.
“This means a lot to me and obviously being back in the Carolinas, coming here, that was special, too,” said Jiles, a senior from Wake Forest, North Carolina, who transferred to UWF this year from Virginia Union.
Before Jiles finished the game with an astonishing 11 catches for 277 yards and three touchdowns – the fourth most yards by a receiver in GSC history – he had disaster strike.
Early in the fourth quarter, Jiles had the ball ripped from his arms as he was falling on a third-down conversion catch. North Greenville’s Jerrick Foster then headed the other way on a stunning, 33-yard, strip-and-score fumble return that cut UWF’s once-comfortable lead into 27-24 with 12:42 left in the game.
All the emotion, the momentum was suddenly on the Crusaders’ sideline at North Greenville’s Yount Stadium.
But Jiles instantly made amends. After the ensuing kickoff became a touchback, UWF quarterback Peewee Jarrett connected again with Jiles for a 51-yard catch-and-run touchdown with 11:19 remaining.
“That was a very low moment for me and right after that play, I said, well, I’ve got to make a play, I gotta make up for it, I gotta make up for it,” Jiles said. “I kept pounding that in my head and it then presented itself and I just went out made a play.”
Just like that, UWF’s lead was 10 points again. The Argos (4-1) later faced a 3rd-and-10 situation from North Greenville 44. UWF head coach Kaleb Nobles called for a pass that Jarrett beautifully threw to Jiles for a knockout touchdown with 2:44 left.
“It was like the cherry on top… it was great to end the night,” said Jiles, whose record surpassed the 254 receiving yards produced by Quentin Randolph, a Navarre High grad, in the 2019 national championship game.
“I am super excited about those guys,” Nobles said. “I can see that happening and I am not surprised, because they’ve had a great connection all summer.”
The only player in college football this season at all levels with more single-game yards is New Hampshire running back Dylan Laube who produced 295 yards in a game against Central Michigan.
“Guys like John Jiles, Peewee Jarrett and all those wide receivers, the tight ends and running backs… they make my life a lot easier. I’m really excited about this offense,” Nobles said.
A minute later, following UWF’s third defensive interception, the Argos were going to run out the clock when Jalen Bussey busted through a gaping hole and went 57 yards to double the lead and create the final score.
“I am very proud of that O-line,” said Nobles, whose team had 607 yards total offense and average 8.8 yards per-play. “They played very well and our running backs were phenomenal.”
This was among the wildest wins in UWF’s conference road streak. And longest, too, after the game took 3 hours, 33 minutes to complete, because of various reasons.
“I am really proud of how our guys played overall, how our effort was the entire game,” Nobles said. “There are a lot of things we really need to clean up, but we are moving in a really good direction.”
Leading the checklist of clean-up is the multitude of UWF penalties. It has been a season issue.
“We have to get more disciplined,” Nobles said.
The Argos overcame a season-high 17 penalties with big performances from many players. Jarrett followed his strong game a week ago against West Georgia – playing only three quarters that night in a lopsided win – by completing 21 of 33 passes against North Greenville for 419 yards, five touchdowns, no interceptions. He also rushed for a touchdown.
The running game was led by C.J. Wilson with 68 yards, then Jamontez Woods with 59 yards and Bussey’s two carries that included one to the end zone.
Among Jiles’ receiver supporting cast, Caden Leggett had five catches for 72 yards and a touchdown. KJ Franklin had two catches, one for a touchdown.
The Argos defense was led by Walker Robinson, a Fort Walton Beach High grad, who had 10 tackles, 7 solo stops. Gael Laurent had nine stops. Quincy Milhomme had two interceptions. Ralph Ortiz had the other interception.
The Argos racked up six quarterback sacks.
After North Greenville drove to the Argos’ 2 yard-line on the game’s opening possession, settling for a field goal, UWF took command of the first half, leading 20-3 at halftime.
Jarrett’s scoring run made it 27-10 with 55 seconds left in the third quarter. But the Crusaders answered with two touchdowns in 13 seconds. They finished a 79-yard drive with a touchdown pass, then had the big-play fumble return to produce 14 points.
“We pulled away at the end, but obviously I would have loved for us to start out hotter in the third quarter,” Nobles said. “We played well in the first half, executed the two minute drill and had a chance to get points (before missing field goal).”
The win now leads into a defining October, which begins with UWF’s homecoming game next Saturday against Shorter. The Argos will then play West Alabama and Delta State on the road, before ending the month at home against Valdosta State.
by Bill Vilona