$9 Million Donated For New UWF Football Stadium
April 12, 2024
The University of West Florida has received a $9 million donation to kickstart the construction of a 7,500 seat football stadium in the area of the current football field.
The announcement cam Thursday night as the college launched the public phase of the “Here for Good capital campaign,” the largest campaign in University history. President Martha D. Saunders announced the campaign at a gala held at the Field House on UWF’s Pensacola campus.
“The Here for Good campaign is a proclamation — a promise to expand the passion of our people and unleash the best of UWF,” Saunders said. “We are telling our community and our world that UWF is here today and here to stay.”
UWF enters the campaign already having raised $65 million and has a fundraising goal of $90 million. At the gala, Saunders announced a transformative gift of more than $9 million from Darrell and Debbie Gooden to break ground on the Darrell Gooden Stadium. This represents the largest gift from a living donor in the history of the University. The gift will help fund the construction of a football stadium. Darrell Gooden, a Pensacola native, studied accounting at UWF and said he attributes much of his professional success to his college education.
“I am thrilled and honored to be able to give this donation on the ‘Capital Campaign Launch’ and towards the new football stadium to be built on campus,” Gooden said. “Today is a fun and great time to be an Argo with the new football program and now our very own stadium. It is an honor to have the new stadium and field named after me, and I also would like to thank all the numerous people that have worked so hard in getting football to this point! Again, I am very blessed today to be able to give this gift to the University to give back what they have given me. Thank you and Go Argos!”
Guests heard remarks from Howard Reddy, vice president for the Division of University Advancement; James Hosman, UWF Foundation Board Chair; and Gail Dorsey, former UWF Foundation Board Chair. Inspiring videos played during the event and showcased how far UWF has come since 1967 while promoting its future success.
Key focus areas of the campaign include people, programs, place and community. UWF leadership shared how meeting the fundraising goal would impact each area of the campaign:
- People – Every undergraduate student at the University of West Florida would have access to a scholarship.
- Programs – UWF would bolster or create more high-impact programs for students and continue to earn national recognition for academic achievements, athletic accomplishments and groundbreaking research.
- Place – UWF would enhance its physical environment through named facilities and new technology.
- Community – UWF would make an even greater impact on Northwest Florida. With a successful campaign, UWF would have the opportunity to grow a larger footprint in the area such as expanding the UWF Historic Trust offerings, making more archaeological discoveries along the Gulf Coast and expanding the reach and resources of WUWF.
To make a gift, or for more information, visit uwf.edu/hereforgood.
Miliece Angelette Taylor
April 12, 2024
Miliece Angelette Taylor, age 56, of Cantonment, Florida, passed away on April 8, 2024. She was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan on November 29, 1967 to James and Clara Cage. She was married to Jerry Taylor for 15 years. Lisa worked as a Team Lead for Sacred Heart/ Ascension. She had a passion for interior design and cooking for family.
She is survived by her husband, Jerry Taylor; son, Jordan (Courtney) Leonard; grandchildren, Maleek, Keyana, Myliece, and Kaleah Leonard; mother, Clara Mathews; brothers, Brian Hardiman and Dobbie Hardiman; sister, Yvonne Hardiman; cousin, Napoleon (Heather) Cage; aunt, Annie McIntosh.
Funeral service will be held at 5:00pm Monday, April 15, 2024 at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North, 1000 South Highway 29, Cantonment, Florida. Visitation will be held prior to service from 4:00pm to 5:00pm.
Burial will be at Woodlawn Cemetery in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North, 1000 South Highway 29, Cantonment, is entrusted with arrangements.
Highway 29 Crash Slows Morning Commute Traffic
April 11, 2024
A Highway 29 crash slowed morning commute traffic Thursday.
The crash involving a car and pickup truck happened on Highway 29 near between Roberts Road and 10 Mile Road.
The Florida Highway Patrol has not released additional details.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Flomaton Woman Crashes Into Pensacola Home
April 11, 2024
A Flomaton woman was not injured when she crashed her car into a home Wednesday night in Pensacola.
The Florida Highway Patrol said the 22-year-old was traveling west on Lake Joanne Drive approaching 72 Avenue. She told troopers that she was unable to stop at a stop sign.
She crashed into a home on South 72nd Avenue.
The woman’s name was not released.
Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Jeanette “Jean” Moore-Dubbs
April 11, 2024
Jeanette “Jean” Moore-Dubbs, went to be with her Lord on Saturday, April 6, 2024, at her home in Cantonment, Florida. She was born November 5, 1946, in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania.
Following 35 years of service, Jean retired from the Department of the Navy (NAMI/NAS Pensacola). She also served as a faithful volunteer at Cantonment Volunteer Fire Department for over 20 years. She was passionate about serving her community and the department where her roles included being a first responder, EMT, board member, and a loving mentor to new recruits. Jean was also a Guardian Ad Litem for Escambia County.
In 2006, Jean married her soulmate, Bobby. The two of them loved to spend time with family and travel, taking many spontaneous trips. She also loved to cross stitch, watch Ice Pilots hockey, and spoil their precious pup, Booger.
Jean was a beloved mother and more than life itself, loved being “Granny”. She was a loving and devoted grandmother to her 4 grandchildren.
Jean was preceded in death by her mother, Valeria Orris; stepfather, Chester Orris; father, James Mills and brother, Jack Oyler.
Jean is survived by her husband, Dale (Bobby) Dubbs; daughter, Toni White (Ernest); son, James Stankard (Mary); grandson, Brent White; grandson, Matthew White; granddaughter, Kally Stankard; granddaughter, Hope Stankard; sister-in-law, Joanne Oyler; brother-in-law, Gary Dubbs (Chella). And many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, April 13, 2024, at 11:00 AM, at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North. Visitation will be one hour prior at 10:00 AM. Pastor Zack Smith will be officiating.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North, 1000 South Highway 29, Cantonment, is entrusted with arrangements.
Molino Woman Charged With Felony Child Abuse
April 11, 2024
A Molino woman was recently arrested on an outstanding warrant from a 2023 child abuse case.
Frances Maegan Thompson, now 32, was charged with felony child abuse without great bodily harm.
Thompson allegedly slapped the victim in the face three times, leaving red marks on the left side of his face. The victim told the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office that he and other children were playing on a ramp outside the home when a small child pulled up one of the broken boards on the ramp. A short time later, Thompson came over to him yelling and cursing at him before slapping him in the face three times, an arrest report states.
The age of the child was redacted from an arrest report from the State Attorney’s Office.
Thompson was release from the Escambia County Jail on a $5,000 bond.
Free North Escambia Baby Shower Is Saturday In Century
April 11, 2024
The 2024 North Escambia Baby Shower will be held Saturday in Century.
Healthy Start and the Florida Department of Health will host the free community baby shower from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the Century Community Center, also known as the Ag Building at the corner of Highway 4 and Industrial Boulevard.
The event is for families who are pregnant and or have just given birth within the last year. There will be multiple community organizations present including various programs from the Florida Department of Health, Baptist Hospital and much more. Essential baby gear and supplies will be distributed while supplies last, and prizes will be awarded.
Expert support and resources. will be available for questions about pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, fatherhood and more.
Editor’s note: The North Escambia Baby Shower is not affiliated with, or sponsored by, NorthEscambia.com.
Flood Warning For Escambia River
April 11, 2024
There are flood warnings in effect for both the Escambia River and the Perdido River.
Escambia River
A flood warning is in effect for the Escambia River near Century until further notice.
The river is expected to rise above flood stage Thursday evening and continue rising to a crest of 17 feet Friday morning. Flood stage is 17.0 feet. At 19 feet, low lying pastures will flood forcing cattle to be moved to higher ground.
The river is forecast to fall to 13.5 feet Tuesday morning.
Flood Warning – Perdido River
A flood warning for the Perdido River was canceled Thursday morning. The is expected to crest Friday evening at 12.7 feet. Flood stage is 13 feet.
Photo Gallery: Storm Damage In Escambia County
April 11, 2024
UPDATE: The National Weather Service has determined the damage was caused by an EF-1 torndao.
Wind damage was reported Wednesday afternoon in Escambia County. Multiple trees and utility line were reported down in the area of Pine Forest High School, closing the intersection. A tree fell on a mobile home at the nearby Pine Forest Mobile Home Park.
That tree by the light fell right as I was turning,” Tee Randolph said. “It was super scary.”
For a reader-submitted photo gallery of Escambia County damage, click here.
Power outages were reported across in the area. There were no injuries reported.
A tornado warning was in effect at the time of the damage. The National Weather Service will work to determine if the damage was caused by a tornado or just strong winds.
Escambia County Schools were closed Wednesday, so there were no issues at nearby Pine Forest High School, Longleaf Elementary and George Stone Technical College.
Pictured top: Trees and debris in the roadway at Community and Longleaf Drives. School buses can be seen in the background at Pine Forest High School. The school was closed on Wednesday. Photo courtesy WEAR 3 for NorthEscambia.com. Pictured below: Damage at Hillcrest and Green Bay avenues, near PFHS (courtesy Harmony Malone).
NorthEscambia Publisher Named One Of Escambia County’s Most Influential People
April 11, 2024
The Pensacola Independent News has released their 2024 Inweekly Power List — their ranking of the most powerful and influential people in Escambia County.
Only one person that works primarily in the North Escambia area was named to the list — NorthEscambia.com publisher William Reynolds for the 12th consecutive year.
University of West Florida President Martha Saunders tops this year’s list.
To view this year’s Inweekly Power List edition, click here.
Pictured: Martha Saunders was at the top of the 2024 Inweekly Power List. Courtesy image for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.