UWF To Be First North American University To Host Parkrun, A Series Of Free 5Ks
February 8, 2019
The University of West Florida will host the first parkrun on a college campus in North America on Saturday. A volunteer-based nonprofit, parkrun offers free, weekly, timed 5K routes at 7:30 a.m. every Saturday, year-round.
There are currently 1,400 parkruns worldwide, with three established in the state of Florida. The other two Florida-based parkrun events are in Clermont and Gainesville. The nonprofit has developed a far-reach since its start in England in 2004. After visiting two parkrun events in Ireland, Pensacola resident Robin Foley introduced the idea of parkrun to Caleb Carmichael, head coach of the UWF men’s and women’s cross country teams, and Howard Reddy, vice president for university advancement.
“I was looking for a suitable course and UWF was looking for additional ways to attract visitors to campus, so linking up was a marriage made in heaven,” Foley said.
Foley has worked with UWF in recent months to clear the trail. The idea of parkrun was a welcoming one for Carmichael—he envisioned a competition-grade cross-country course that could serve UWF, nearby schools and the community.
“I wanted people to be able to come to a home meet here, train for UWF’s cross-country teams or run on a trail on campus,” Carmichael said.
Runners and walkers of all experience levels are invited to participate in the Rec Plex North parkrun. The meeting location will be at the entrance of UWF’s Baars-Firestone Wildlife Sanctuary, located at the backside of the Rec Plex North, behind Lot Z.
For more information about the Rec Plex North parkrun, visit parkrun.us/recplexnorth. To view the UWF campus map, visit map.uwf.edu.
Tate’s Palmer, Riggan Sign With South Alabama
February 7, 2019
Two Tate High School Aggies signed with the University of South Alabama Jaguars Wednesday.
Hunter Riggan and Patrick Palmer will play for the Jags under Head Coach Steve Campbell, who is also a Tate graduate.
Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Funeral Services Set For Northview’s Dariontae Richardson
February 7, 2019
Funeral arrangement have been announced for Northview High School student and football player Dariontae Richardson.
Visitation will be held Friday from 6-8 p.m. at Christian Memorial Funeral Home at 78 Harris Street in Atmore. Funeral services will be Saturday at 1 p.m. at Grace Fellowship at 1412 East Nashville Avenue in Atmore.
At a School Advisory Council meeting Wednesday at Northview, Interim Principal Gerry Pippins expressed deep sympathy to his family and friends. He said Richardson was in a Birmingham for a medical procedure that was originally thought to be successful, and it was not immediately known what happened.
Richardson suffered a heart attack hours after the Chiefs’ Northview first round playoff win over Graceville November 9. The Chiefs’ #10 passed away on Monday.
He made several key plays for Northview in their win against Graceville but was not injured in the game.
The morning after the game, the 16-year old was found at home not breathing. His mother performed CPR until an ambulance arrived. He was transported to Atmore Community Hospital and airlifted to a Mobile hospital.
As the Chiefs advanced to route two of the playoffs against Baker, they dedicated the game to Richardson.
Grief counseling was available Tuesday at the school for students and staff.
Pictured: Dariontae Richardson (#10) during the Northview Chiefs first round playoff win over Graceville November 9, 2018. He suffered a heart attack a few hours later. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Northview Chiefs Football Player Dariontae Richardson Passes Away
February 5, 2019
The Northview Chiefs are mourning the loss of Dariontae Richardson.
Richardson suffered a heart attack hours after the Chiefs’ first round playoff win over Graceville November 9. The Chiefs’ #10 passed away on Monday.
He made several key plays for Northview in their win against Graceville but was not injured in the game.
The morning after the game, the 16-year old was found at home not breathing. His mother performed CPR until an ambulance arrived. He was transported to Atmore Community Hospital and airlifted to a Mobile hospital.
As the Chiefs advanced to route two of the playoffs against Baker, they dedicated the game to Richardson.
Grief counseling was available Tuesday at the school for students and staff.
Pictured: Dariontae Richardson (#10) during the Northview Chiefs first round playoff win over Graceville November 9, 2018. He suffered a heart attack a few hours later. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
FWC Hunter Safety Courses Offered In Molino, Cantonment, Jay, Milton
February 5, 2019
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is offering free hunter safety courses in Molino, Cantonment, Jay and Milton.
Escambia County
Feb. 6 (6 to 10 p.m. ) & March 2 (7 to 10 a.m. )
Molino Community Center
6450 Highway 95A in Molino
Feb. 27 (6 to 10 p.m. ) & March 2 (7 to 10 a.m. )
Langley Bell 4-H Center
3730 Stefani Road in Cantonment
Santa Rosa County
Feb. 13 (6 to 10 p.m. ) & March 2 (7 to 10 a.m. )
Jay Community Center
5259 Booker Lane in Jay
Feb. 20 (6 to 10 p.m. ) & March 2 (7 to 10 a.m. )
Santa Rosa County Extension Services
6263 Dogwood Drive in Milton
Feb. 28 (6 to 10 p.m. ) & March 2 (7 to 10 a.m. )
Avalon Middle School
5445 King Arthur’s Way in Milton
Students who have taken the online course and wish to complete the classroom portion must bring the online-completion report with them.All firearms, ammunition and materials are provided free of charge. Students should bring a pen or pencil and paper. An adult must accompany children younger than 16 at all times.
Anyone born on or after June 1, 1975, must pass an approved hunter safety course and have a hunting license to hunt alone (unsupervised). The FWC course satisfies hunter-safety training requirements for all other states and Canadian provinces.
Those interested in attending a course can register online and obtain information about future hunter safety classes at MyFWC.com/HunterSafety or by calling the FWC’s regional office in Panama City at (850) 265-3676.
FHSAA Announces Volleyball Classifications For 2019, 2020 Seasons
February 3, 2019
The Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) announced Friday the classifications for the 2019 and 2020 girls volleyball seasons. As requested by membership, the classifications were determined solely based on each member school’s enrollment size.
Tate, Milton, Pace, Niceville, Crestview and Navarre are in 6A.
Class 5A includes Pine Forest, Washington, Escambia, Gulf Breeze, Fort Walton Beach and Choctawhatchee.
In Class 4A, West Florida and Pensacola High are with Walton, South Walton, North Bay Haven, Rutherford and Bay.
In Class 3A, Pensacola Catholic will compete with P.K. Younge and Oak Hall from Gainesville and Florida High and Barclay from Tallahassee.
Northview, Jay, Central, Baker Laurel Hill remain in 1A Rural.
The FHSAA will not be accepting any appeals of the newly announced classifications.
Pictured: Last season’s Tate High School volleyball seniors. File photo.
Phifer Leads Century Heat In Victory Over Warriors
February 2, 2019
The Century Heat defeated the Warriors 16-15 Friday night in youth basketball (ages 8-10) at Poarch.
Jakel Phifer scored 14 points to lead the Heat.
With the Heat down 14-15 and with 39 seconds remaining, Phifer made a steal and scored putting the Heat up for good.
Pictured: The Century Heat’s Jakel Phifer. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Spring Ball Registration At NWE, Century And Cantonment
February 2, 2019
Northwest Escambia
Registration concluded Saturday.
Cantonment Ballpark
Registration at the Cantonment Ballpark is Saturday, February 9 from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. Registration is $80 and includes the team uniform jersey. For more information, email cantonmentsports@gmail.com. First practice will be Tuesday, February 19, and Opening Day is set for Saturday, March 30.
For a registration form, click here.
Century Little League
Century Little League registration for 2019 is happening now.
Registration fees are as follows:
- Now until February 14: First Child $60; $55 each additional
- February 15 to March 2: First Child $70; $65 each additional
Register online here, or in person registration dates will be held on the following Saturdays from 9 a.m. until noon at the Showalter Park press box:
- February 16
- March 2
All fees are due at the time of registration. Credit and debit cards are accepted online. In person registration is cash or check only.
Molino Ballpark
Registration has closed.
Tate High Varsity Cheerleaders Win State Championship
January 31, 2019
The Tate High School varsity cheerleaders are state champions.
The Aggie cheerleaders won the Florida High School Athletic Association Region Small Coed Championship Thursday afternoon in Gainesville.
The Tate Aggies took first with a score of 83.10, defeating Sebring High with 74.80 and Anclote High with a score of 64.50.
The squad is coach by second-year coach and Tate graduate Morgan White, who spent four years as an Aggie cheerleader.
Pictured: The Tate High School varsity cheerleaders won a state championship Thursday in Gainesville. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
T.C. Venom Minor League Football Team To Call Century Home
January 31, 2019
The new T.C. Venom minor league football team will call Century home this year in a season that begins in a few weeks.
The Venom will play four home games at Anthony Pleasant Park off East Highway 4. They are the newest team in the Amateur to Professional Development Football League, the AFDFL.
The APDFL is a nonprofit corporation dedicated to the promotion and advancement of adult minor league football teams throughout the Southeast, according to their website. Players are between the ages of 18 and 30 looking to obtain a second chance of reaching their college or professional football dreams. The APDFL provides these athletes a place to improve their football skills and a platform to showcase their talents by attracting scouts from the collegiate and professional levels.
Team owner Luis Waters said he currently has 53 players on his roster, many that played during their high school days on local teams like the Northview Chiefs and the Flomaton Hurricanes.
“I’m here to give these guys a second chance,” Waters said.
Other teams in the league include the Greater Pensacola Jets, Crescent City Rampage from New Orleans, and the South Alabama Dolphins from Mobile.
The T.C. Venom will open play on Saturday March 2 on the road against the Tuskegee Ayrmen, followed by games in New Orleans and Thomasville, GA. Their first home game in Century will be Saturday, March 23 at 7 p.m. as they host the Steel City Raptors of Birmingham. A complete schedule is below.
The “T.C.” in T.C. Venom is stands for “Tri-County.”
T.C. Venom Schedule
Sat Mar 2 — Tuskegee Ayrmenc — Tuskegee, AL, TBD
Sat Mar 9 — @ Crescent City Rampage — New Orleans, LA, TBD
Sat Mar 16 — @ Georgia Cobras — Thomasville, GA, TBD
Sat Mar 23 — Steel City Raptors — Century, FL, 7 p.m. CDT
Sat Mar 30 — Crescent City Kings — Century, FL, 7 p.m. CDT
Sat Apr 6 — Greater Pensacola Jets — Century, FL, 7 p.m. CDT
Sat Apr 27 — @ South Alabama Dolphins — Mobile, AL, TBD
Sat May 4 — @ Tri-City Savages — Hattiesburg, MS, 7 p.m. CDT
Sat May 11 — Florida Phoenix — Century, FL, TBD
Sat May 18 — @ Mississippi Raiders — Waynesboro, MS, 7 p.m. CDT