Christmas Trees Honor Those That Serve
December 21, 2022
An outdoor Christmas tree display in Century in honoring those that serve.
The display has a tree decorated for each of five branches of the military.
The trees are located on private property but visible from Jefferson Avenue just south of East Highway 4.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Shop With A Cop Makes Christmas A Little Brighter For Local Kids (With Photo Gallery)
December 21, 2022
Christmas was a little brighter this year for several children from across Escambia County, thanks to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office’s annual Shop with a Cop.
The Escambia County School District identified the children with families that needed a little extra help.
Each child submitted a wish list, and a deputy shopped for them. Their gifts were wrapped and placed in a winter wonderland at the ECSO.
For a photo gallery, click or tap here.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview’s John Michael Ward Had 15 D1 Offers. He Chose South Alabama.
December 21, 2022
Northview High School lineman John Michael Ward committed Tuesday to the University of South Alabama Jaguars.
Ward had 15 Division 1 college offers, including UAB, Colorado State, Appalachian State, Georgia State and others.
“I chose close to home,” Ward said. “South had a great season last year, and I just really felt like being a part of it. I just love the coaches, love the players, and I’m ready to get back at it.”
During his senior season, Ward had 126 tackles, 30 for a loss and 70 pancake blocks in 12 games as the Chiefs finished as state 1R runner-ups.
NorthhEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
UWF Ranked No. 4 In Final 2022 AFCA D2 Coaches’ Top 25 Poll
December 21, 2022
The UWF football team was ranked fourth in the final 2022 AFCA Division II Coaches’ Top 25 Poll that was announced by the American Football Coaches Association.
UWF went 12-2 and advanced to the national semifinals of the NCAA Division II Football Championship, marking the program’s third appearance in the Final Four in four all-time postseason appearances since 2017.
This is the third time in the last five seasons to have a top four final ranking and the fourth time in that same span to be in the top 12. UWF has previously ended the 2017 season at No. 2, 2019 at No. 1 and 2021 at No. 12.
The Argonauts also won a share of the Gulf South Conference Championship for the second-consecutive year, going 6-1 in the league’s regular-season.
UWF is 56-21 all-time in six seasons since starting the program in 2016, and 12-3 in NCAA D2 Championship play, with the highest postseason winning percentage in D2 history at .800.
Photo: Morgan Givens/UWF.
Rickie Lee Parham
December 21, 2022
Mr. Rickie Lee Parham, age 71, passed away, December 20, 2022, in Pensacola, FL; with his family at his bedside. He was a lifelong resident of McDavid, FL. He retired from construction after many years of service. He was a member of Christian Home Freewill Baptist Church where he served as a deacon, Sunday school teacher, and worship leader.
Mr. Parham enjoyed spending time with his family. He enjoyed wood working, painting, and leather tooling. He loved going fishing, hunting, and singing gospel music.
Mr. Parham is preceded in death by his parents, John D. (Mary Burkett) Parham, three brothers, Marvin Parham, Dallon Parham, and Malcom Parham.
He is survived by his loving wife of 52 ½ years, Charlotte Parham, of McDavid, FL; two sons, Jason (Janice) Parham, of Atmore, AL; Ross (Tawana) Parham, of Poarch, AL; one brother, Dillon (Diane) Parham, of Nunnelly, TN; two sisters, Thelma Wiggins, of Moultrie, GA; Shelia Ward, of McDavid, FL; five grandchildren, Chelsea Huggins, Kade Parham, Jude Parham, Jordan Parham, Charleigh Parham, one great-grandchild, Rogan Huggins, and other relatives.
Funeral service will be held Friday, December 23, 2022, at 10:00 AM at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home, LLC. with Rev. Randall Jackson officiating.
Burial will follow at Christian Home Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Thursday, December 22, 2022 from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home, LLC.
Pallbearers will be Josh Long, Cory Hanks, Wayne Holland, Wayne Long, Shaw Evans, and Kainoa Gumapak.
Ray Donald Welch
December 21, 2022
Ray Donald Welch, age 81, of Bratt, FL formerly of Indian Mills, NJ passed away on December 14, 2022.
He was born on March 9, 1941 in Perdido, AL to Gary and Laura Levins Welch. Ray served in the United States Air Force and was employed with the oil refinery industry. He is preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Curtis Welch.
He is survived by his wife, Joann Rackard Welch of Indian Mills, NJ; his sons: Don (Barbara) Welch, Kenny (Darlene) Welch, Larry (Karen) Welch, all of Indian Mills, NJ and Michael (Kelly) Welch of North Carolina; his sister, Shirley Welch Wyatt along with many grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Inurnment will follow at a later date at Pine Barren Baptist Church Cemetery.
Highway 29 Reconstruction Project In Century Set To Begin In January
December 20, 2022
Work is expected to begin in January on a $4.7 million Florida Department of Transportation safety improvement project on Highway 29 in Century.
FDOT plans a major reconstruction of Highway 29 from just south of East Highway 4 to the Alabama state line. The project includes the roadway reconstruction, curb and gutter, drainage upgrades, signal loop replacement, driveway modifications, and sidewalks.
A curve at Jackson Street (pictured inset and shown in graphic below) will be realigned with drainage improvements; the curve has been the site of several truck accidents in recent years.
The state budget signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis included $3,278,228 for the project.
FDOT has not announced a specific construction start date.
Pictured: Looking south into Florida on Highway 29 in Century. Pictured inset: Part of a Highway 29 safety improvement project will include the realignment of this curve. Graphics below show project details. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Need Those Gifts Wrapped? The Tate Band Has You Covered
December 20, 2022
The Tate Band Showband of the South will be wrapping gifts for donations through Christmas Eve. Look for the tent at JCPenney on North Davis Highway, just outside the entrance closest to Academy Sports.
Tate Band Gift Wrap Schedule:
- Dec. 21 — noon – 8 p.m.
- Dec. 22 — noon – 8 p.m.
- Dec. 23 — noon – 8 p.m.
- Dec. 24 — 9 am – 4 p.m.
Pictured. The Tate Showband gift wrapping tent outside JCPenney, next to Academy Sports.. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Snow, Santa And Gifts For All: Christmas Parade At Escambia Westgate
December 20, 2022
Every child received a gift during a Christmas parade at Escambia Westgate School.
The gifts were thanks to the employee-supported non-profit Ascend Cares, and the gifts were delivered by the Grinch and Santa Claus.
For more photos, click or tap here.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Chance Of A Little More Cold Rain Tonight, Low In The Lower 40s
December 20, 2022
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Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: A chance of rain before 9pm, then a slight chance of showers between 9pm and midnight. Cloudy, with a low around 42. Northeast wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Wednesday: Cloudy, with a high near 55. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers after midnight. Cloudy, with a low around 47. East wind around 5 mph.
Thursday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 62. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming southwest in the afternoon.
Thursday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers before midnight. Partly cloudy, with a low around 20. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming northwest 10 to 15 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 30 mph.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 31. Blustery, with a northwest wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 18. Northwest wind around 10 mph.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 35. Northwest wind around 10 mph.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 17.
Christmas Day: Sunny, with a high near 39.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 22.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 49.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 29.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 51.