Mary Virginia Weaver Mills Sharpless
September 30, 2024
Mary Virginia Weaver Mills Sharpless, age 88, passed away on September 29, 2024 at her home. She was born on September 27, 1936 to Audrey and Onnie Mae Weaver of Booneville, AL.
She is preceded in death by her parents, her first husband James Harold Mills, her second husband Carlton Prescott Sharpless, her brother Charles O’Neal Weaver and her sisters Martha Sharpless and June Luker.
She is survived by her daughters Jeanie (Bruce) Bryan of Rome, GA and Shellie (Larry) Sharpless of Walnut Hill, FL; her brother Jerry (Jeanette) Weaver of Booneville, AL; her grandchildren Josh (Vanessa) Lyles of Nashville, TN, Eric Lyles of Cumming, GA, Rachel Rogers of Atlanta, GA, Jay (Mahryn) Sharpless of Cantonment, FL, and Samantha (Tony) Corley of Kingsville, TX; great-grandchildren Lexi, Adi, Emma, Kennedy, Easton, Brayden, Cooper, Raegan, Avery, Chloe, & James Jr., and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, October 5, 2024 at 11:00 am at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Tim Tew and Bro. Greg Sellers officiating. Interment will follow in McCullough Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Saturday, October 5, 2024 from 10:00 am until service time at 11:00 am at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Fall Tradition: Pumpkins Have Arrived At Cantonment Pumpkin Patch
September 29, 2024
It’s a sure sign of fall in Cantonment.
The pumpkins have arrived at the Allen Memorial Methodist Men Pumpkin Patch in Cantonment
The pumpkin patch is located on Highway 29 near Neal Road and is open from 10:30 a.m. until 6 p.m. Monday-Friday; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays, and 1-6 p.m. on Sundays. Smoked turkey legs will be for sale on Saturdays and Sunday beginning October 5.
The Allen Memorial United Methodist Men have sponsored the Pumpkin Patch since 1995.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Fire Destroys Mobile Home, Vehicle In Beulah
September 29, 2024
A fire destroyed a mobile home and a vehicle Saturday night near the Beulah Station of Escambia County Fire Rescue.
The fire was reported in the 6200 block of West Nine Mile Road 6:50 p.m. There were no injuries reported, and the cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Photo by WEAR TV 3 for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Three Critically Injured, Molino Man Unharmed In Crash On W Street
September 29, 2024
Three people were critically injured, and a Molino man was unharmed in a three vehicle collision on w Street in Pensacola. The Florida Highway Patrol is still investigating the cause of the crash at 2:33 a.m. Saturday at the intersection of W Street and Nabors Place.
The driver of a black sedan, a 40-year-old Pensacola man, was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital with critical injuries. A 44-year-old female passenger in the vehicle was transported to Baptist Hospital with critical injuries. The driver of a ban SUV was taken to Baptist Hospital with critical injuries.
A 20-year-old Molino man driving a silver sedan was not injured.
Troopers said charges are pending as the investigation continues.
Pine Meadow Elementary Hosts Doughnuts With Dads (With Gallery)
September 29, 2024
Pine Meadow Elementary School held a doughnuts with dads event last week.
With an overwhelming attendance, the special day was divided into five time slots.
Students enjoyed painting pumpkins and hanging out with their special guest.
The next big event for Pine Meadow Elementary School is a fall carnival next Saturday, October 5 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the Hadji Shrine Temple at 800 West Nine Mile Road.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate Aggies Win Bulldog Invitational In Five Straight Matches
September 29, 2024
The Tate High School Aggies volley team won five straight matches Saturday to win the Bulldog Invitational at Crestview.
The Aggies won all of their matches but one in two straight sets.
Tate defeated:
- Bay 2-0 (25-15, 25-13)
- Crestview 2-0 (28-26, 25-18)
- Fort Walton Beach 2-1 (25-11, 19-25, 15-3)
- Walton 2-0 (25-11, 25-11)
- Destin 2-0 (25-22, 25-22)
Pictured: The Tate Aggies won the Bulldog Invitational at Crestview Saturday in five straight matches. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Sunny And Dry, Upper 80s To Begin The Week
September 29, 2024
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 87. Light southwest wind becoming west 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 66. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 87. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 66. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 88. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph in the morning.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 68. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph after midnight.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 89. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 67. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph.
Thursday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 88.
Thursday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70.
Friday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 83.
Friday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68.
Saturday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 82.
UWF Takes Road Loss to No. 2 Grand Valley
September 29, 2024
by Bill Violona
After sustaining its worst regular-season loss Saturday in six years, UWF’s football team finds itself in uncommon territory, searching for solutions.
No. 2-ranked Grand Valley State opened up a close game at halftime with 17 points in the third quarter and rolled to a 31-7 victory against the No. 21 Argos, turning a marquee matchup into a one-sided showcase, delighting a crowd of 10,458 at Lubbers Stadium.
“I’m disappointed with how we played, especially on offense,” said head coach Kaleb Nobles during the post-game radio broadcast aired on ESPN-Pensacola. “We have to get better. “It’s completely on us. I take full responsibility with this one. It’s frustrating. But we’ve got to bounce back.”
That opportunity awaits UWF (1-2) with two home games – against winless Mississippi College and fierce rival Delta State – the next two weeks at PenAir Field.
In perspective to how great UWF’s success has been, this is the Argos’ only losing record at any point in a season since the inaugural 2016 season.
It’s also the first back-to-back losses since 2018, which was followed by the 2019 historic national title season when Nobles was on the coaching staff.
Facing one of the most tradition-rich programs in NCAA Division II, one with four national titles and the most wins the past 52 years of any D-2 or FBS (formerly Division 1-AA) team in the country, the Argos struggled from the outset against Grand Valley State.
The unbeaten Lakers (4-0), who now have three consecutive wins against ranked teams, took their first possession and went 85 yards in seven plays for a touchdown and emotional edge they kept the whole game.
This game’s statistical summary reflected how difficult Saturday became for UWF. Grand Valley amassed 436 yards total offense, including 312 rushing yards. The Lakers entered No. 3 in D-2 for rushing offense with 312 yards.
Meanwhile, Grand Valley’s defense held the Argos to only 121 total yards that included minus-7 yards rushing and just 56 yards total offense at halftime.
The Argos offensive line was overwhelmed by Grand Valley’s defense, which entered ranked No. 4 nationally in D-2 for fewest yards allowed.
UWF quarterback Marcus Stokes was under siege the entire game. He was sacked eight times, knocked to ground multiple other times, forced into two interceptions and completed 10 of 27 attempts for 102 yards.
Nearly every time Stokes dropped back to pass, there were defenders charging him. Nobles indicated in the post-game radio interview the need to address things on the offensive line.
“We have to find who our best guys are and get them on the field,” Nobles said on the offensive line. “We think we know, but those guys did not play as well today. We got to keep pushing those guys to get better.”
The Argos defense kept UWF in the game the first half and produced the Argos longest play of the game when senior defensive lineman Byron Puryear picked up a fumble and returned it 37 yards for a touchdown with 2:27 left before halftime.
Unfortunately, Puryear was hurt during a pass rush tackle in the third quarter concluding a positive day for the senior that included three tackles.
The fumble was caused by sophomore defensive back Kamrin Canterbury, who jarred the ball loose from Grand Valley quarterback Avery Moore during a tackle in the backfield. The scoop and score tied the game at the time.
Canterbury had a sensational game as UWF’s top performer. He had 16 tackles including seven solo stops. Ralph Ortiz was UWF’s next highest tackler with nine.
After that defensive score, however, Grand Valley answered with an eight-play, 74 yard drive, aided by two pass interference penalties, to take a 14-7 lead before halftime.
There’s obviously some things we have to clean up on defense overall,” Nobles said. “And we have to stop the run better.”
When the Lakers got the opening kickoff to start the second half, their 80 yard drive pushed the lead two scores and forced UWF to try and make plays against Grand Valley’s stout defense.
Jamontez Woods was UWF’s leading rusher with just 15 yards on eight carries. Da’Moni Brown, who had a big game last week against West Alabama, was held to one catch for 26 yards.
Former Milton High standout Raymond Cotrell saw his first action late in the game and had two catches for 18 yards.
This was the first meeting between the teams, but not UWF’s first time to Grand Valley State. The Argos practiced at Lubbers Stadium during the 2019 run to the championship when beating Ferris State in Big Rapids, Michigan.
UWF is hoping to arrange a return trip by Grand Valley to Pensacola in a future season.
WHAT’S NEXT
WHO: Mississippi College (0-4) vs. UWF Argos (1-2).
WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 5, 4 p.m.
WHERE: PenAir Field
Photo Jon Rose/UWF for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Fire Rescue Deploys To Assist Following Hurricane Helene
September 29, 2024
Several resources from Escambia County Fire Rescue have deployed to Gilchrist County, Florida, in the wake of Hurricane Helene.
Seven personnel along with an engine company, a tender, and a command vehicle will meet with other resources from Region 1, including an engine from Pensacola Fire Department, to form a structural strike team. The strike team will assist Gilchrist County with emergency responses and will be deployed for 14 days.
Escambia County often deploys resources to areas affected by severe weather. Escambia County has received assistance following severe weather events including Hurricane Ivan and Hurricane Sally.
Pictured top are: Escambia County Fire Rescue Firefighter Robert Held, Firefighter Haley Crabb, Firefighter Michael Maddrey, Lieutenant Darren Snipes, Battalion Chief Steve Boothe, Firefighter Kenny Fehl, Lieutenant Keith Chapman, and Firefighter Shannon Halfacre.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
FPL Seeks Parcel For ‘Laydown Yard’ In Century Industrial Park
September 29, 2024
Florida Power & Light in proposing to use a Town of Century industrial park lot for a “laydown yard” to place poles and equipment, according to the town.
According to an agenda item that will be presented to the town council this week, FPL will pay the town $10,000 if the proposal is approved. OF that. $7,500 will be for 0.368 acres of a permanent utility easement and $2,500 will be for 2.127 acres of temporary construction easement that will expire in December. The easement will be located along the boundary of two parcels. FPL will be given the right clear the land and keep it cleared of all vegetation.
The parcel would provide FPL easy access to an electrical transmission line located just to the north of the Industrial Park.
Once FPL has completed their project, the utility will return to the property to its original state, according to the proposed agreement. FPL will have access to the property by foot, motorized construction and other types of heavy vehicles and trucks carrying construction equipment, materials and personnel.
Pictured: The red area indicated the approximate utility easement the temporary FPL proposes in the Century Industrial Park. NorthEscambia.com graphic, click to enlarge.