Drivers Getting A Road Construction Break Until Monday
November 24, 2023
Florida drivers are getting a little break from road construction during the long Thanksgiving holiday weekend.
According to the Florida Department of Transportation, there will be no construction related lane closures on state roads through 11 p.m. on Sunday. The lane closure restrictions include both construction and maintenance activities.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
United Way of West Florida Celebrates New Headquarters
November 22, 2023
United Way of West Florida proudly celebrated the opening of its new headquarters recently, symbolizing a significant step in the organization’s mission to unite and serve the communities of Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. This achievement coincides with the anticipation of United Way of West Florida’s upcoming 100th anniversary.
The new headquarters, strategically located to enhance accessibility and engagement, symbolizes United Way of West Florida’s commitment to uniting and supporting communities across Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. As the organization prepares to commemorate its 100th year of service, this new facility stands as a testament to its enduring dedication to creating a lasting impact in the region. In attendance for this evening were the Greater Pensacola Chamber of Commerce, Santa Rosa County Chamber of Commerce, Gulf Coast Minority Chamber of Commerce, Navarre Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, the Gulf Breeze Chamber of Commerce, Cat Country 98.7, United Way of West Florida Board Members, sponsors, local non-profits, and community members.
Laura Gilliam, President/CEO of United Way of West Florida, expressed her enthusiasm for this significant development, stating, “The opening of our new headquarters is a testament to the collaborative spirit that defines our work. We are thrilled to have a centralized hub from which we can continue our mission of empowering individuals and improving lives. As we approach our 100th anniversary, we are inspired by the decades of impact and energized to shape an even brighter future for our communities.”
The upcoming 100th anniversary represents a remarkable milestone for United Way of West Florida, highlighting a century of service, partnership, and resilience. The organization looks forward to commemorating this achievement by renewing its commitment to addressing the most pressing needs in the region and empowering individuals to reach their full potential.
The new office is located at 7100 Plantation Road, Suite 18
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Bells Will be Ringing: Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign Kicks Off
November 20, 2023
The Salvation Army’s iconic Red Kettle Campaign is back on in the Pensacola area, ushering in the festive spirit of Christmas. The Red Kettle Campaign is The Salvation Army’s primary fundraising initiative, providing life-changing programs and services throughout the year, including food assistance programs, emergency financial assistance, youth programs, and disaster response.
The 2023 Red Kettle campaign goal is $148,000. The Red Kettle campaign ends December 23, and kettles are in 19 locations in both Santa Rosa and Escambia counties.
The Salvation Army has an unwavering commitment to helping people in times of need, and the Red Kettle campaign is a critical source of funding that helps us meet that commitment,” said Captain Stephan Wildish of The Salvation Army of Pensacola. “The funds the community generously gives to the Red Kettle ensures families do not have to make agonizing choices between basic needs like housing, food, and medical care.”
The Salvation Army relies on the money raised through the Red Kettle campaign to provide Christmas to local families and safeguard the well-being of people in need through year-round programming and social services.
Volunteering as a bell ringer is an excellent opportunity to give back to the community while spreading the season’s joy. To become a volunteer bell ringer, please visit RegisterToRing.com and follow the prompts or contact Captain Stephan Wildish at (850) 432-1501 or email Stephan.Wildish@uss.salvationarmy.org .
IP Names New Manager Of Cantonment Mill
November 15, 2023
International Paper announced Wednesday that Hunter Morris has been named Mill Manager of International Paper’s Pensacola Containerboard Mill in Cantonment. In his new position, Morris will assume overall responsibility for safety, people engagement, commercial and operational excellence and community stewardship at the Pensacola Mill.
Most recently, Morris was the Operations Manager for the company’s Savannah, Georgia Mill. Morris joined International Paper in 2007 at the company’s Riegelwood, North Carolina mill. He has worked in several manufacturing and technical leadership roles of i increasing responsibility throughout his career with the company.
“I am excited to join the Pensacola team and my family and I are excited to move to the area and learn more about the people and community,” said Hunter Morris. “Being able to lead the team in Pensacola is a wonderful opportunity, and I look forward to contributing to the continued success of the Pensacola Mill.”
In a related move, Pensacola Mill Manager Scott Taylor has been promoted to Director of Manufacturing, Containerboard. In his new leadership role, Taylor will have oversight of the Henderson, Ky., Newport, Ind., Rome, Ga., and Springfield, Ore., Containerboard Mills. Since 2017, Taylor has been the Mill Manager at the Pensacola Mill. Taylor and his family will be relocating to the Memphis, Tennessee area.
“The time I spent with the Pensacola team and community has been immensely rewarding,” said Scott Taylor. “While my family and I have a sense of sadness leaving Pensacola, I am confident in leaving the mill team with Hunter and look forward to hearing about the continued successes and achievements of the Pensacola Mill.”
Chance Of Rain Sticks Around Into Thursday
November 15, 2023
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
This Afternoon: Partly sunny, with a high near 68. East wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Tonight: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 56. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Friday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 72. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming north in the afternoon.
Friday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 57. North wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 71. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 46. North wind around 5 mph.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 69. North wind around 5 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
Sunday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 51. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph after midnight.
Monday: A chance of showers, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 70. South wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Monday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before midnight, then a chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 55. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Tuesday: A 30 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 62.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 41.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 55.
Ice Flyers Take On The Ice Bears
November 11, 2023
Friday night, the Pensacola Ice Flyers secured a 5-4 win in the first of two games against the Knoxville Ice Bears on Friday night at the Pensacola Bay Center. In front of 5,225 fans on Adult Jersey Giveaway Night, the Ice Flyers started hot and produced 3 of their 5 goals in the first period. Brett Mecrones continued his hot streak, finding the back of the net twice with Sean Gulka and Dallas Comeau joining in on the fun with crowd pleasing scraps. Kaden Fulcher secured his 2nd win in a row with 27 saves on 31 shots after shutting out the Birmingham Bulls the night before.
The Ice Flyers were set to move on to game two of the weekend series on Saturday night for their Inaugural Blue Angels Night.
State Approves FPL Rate Decrease
November 10, 2023
The Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) has approved amended interim storm restoration charges and requests to replenish the storm reserve fund for Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) Interim storm restoration recovery charges include costs associated with named storms and are subject to refund, with interest, pending further review once the total actual costs are known for each utility.
FPL’s storm recovery amount was reduced from $1.5 billion to $1.3 billion for costs associated with Hurricanes Ian and Nicole. PSC-approved charges for a 1,000 kWh residential bill will change from $15.30 to $6.65, effective January 2024 through March 2024. This reflects a monthly decrease of $8.65 and includes replenishing FPL’s storm reserve.
Utilities typically point to a benchmark of residential customers who use 1,000 kilowatt hours of electricity a month. Such FPL customers have been paying $15.30 a month for the storm-related costs, but that number will be reduced to $6.65 in January, according to the commission.
Sunshine, About 80 For Monday
November 5, 2023
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 80. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the morning.
Monday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 52. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 82. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the morning.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 54. South wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 82. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 57. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light southeast after midnight.
Thursday: Partly sunny, with a high near 81. Light southeast wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 63.
Friday: A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 75.
Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 56.
UWF Ignites For Bounce-Back Rout of MC to Enhance Postseason Opportunity
November 5, 2023
In games this season following a loss, UWF’s football team has responded with turnaround, complete-game performances.
The Argos added a pivotal one Saturday with a 42-14 win against Mississippi College at Robinson-Hale Stadium, which now sets up an opportunity to attain their fifth post-season trip in UWF’s seven-year tenure.
Bolstered earlier this week by a No. 4 position in the NCAA Division II Super Region 2 rankings, the Argos (7-3) further helped themselves by responding from a 7-0 deficit in the second quarter with five consecutive touchdowns against MC for a blowout win.
“Our guys were relentless,” said UWF coach Kaleb Nobles, referring to the surge that became with a game-tying touchdown in the second quarter. “They did a great job of doing what they’re supposed to do and playing with a lot better effort and focusing.
“It has kind of confirmed what I know about our team… is that they have something in their chest about them that is pretty resilient. They have a great heart about them, great spirit about them. They know in the three losses, we played good teams and they played us very well, but we also didn’t play our best in those games.
“But I am excited about how we have responded. I hate the opportunity to respond after a loss, because it means we lost, but I’m proud of the way we have come off losses.”
This was the third consecutive season UWF has played at Mississippi College. Saturday’s win was the second-largest margin of victory in the eight times these teams have played – all won by the Argos.
The Argos will head into their season-finale next Saturday against winless Chowan University (0-9) at UWF’s Pen Air Field knowing a win could seal a place among the 28 team-field in the Division II playoffs.
Seven teams from each of the four NCAA D-2 Super Regions make the playoffs.
“We feel like this is when you’ve got to play your best,” Nobles said. “A lot goes into it, but teams are going to remember who wins in November and December. And so our guys know we’ve got to play at a high level. We’ve left some good football out on the field (in season), but we’ve got to play well this week coming up and hopefully that leads to us playing further in November and December.”
Coming off last Saturday’s heart-breaking home loss to Valdosta State in the final 36 seconds, the Argos’ offense started slow Saturday against the Choctaws.
Their first four possessions resulted in two punts, a missed field goal and a failed conversion on 4th-and-one.
The Choctaws had a 7-0 lead after a 9-play, 80-yard drive was capped by quarterback Cameron Davis’ 1-yard run with 1:50 left in the first quarter.
The Argos tied the game with 6:04 left in the first half on a 42-yard touchdown run by Jamontez Woods that highlighted a 93-yard, nine play drive. It featured the Argos rushing attack and became part of the game’s big storyline.
Playing without leading rusher C.J. Wilson, who was sidelined by a minor injury, the Argos amassed 274 yards rushing on 42 attempts. Woods led the way with 113 yards on 12 carries. Jalen Bussey had 84 yards and one touchdown on 12 carries. Quarterback Peewee Jarrett added 53 yards on 10 carries to combine for the bulk of this yardage.
“CJ was just banged up a little bit and he’s going to be fine moving forward,” Nobles said. “Those guys (running backs) kind of cleaned up and shored up some things and we know with our o-line, you don’t have to be perfect and our guys just made plays behind them.
“It’s a testament to our offensive staff, how well they put together a really good run-game plan, but also to adjust to the game. (Choctaws) were doing some certain things that were a little bit different than we thought, which is kind of par for the course this season offensively. But it’s really a testament to our players, our offensive line, our running backs, tight ends and how well blocked up front and how we ran the ball.”
After UWF’s defense forced a quick stop, the Argos then took a 14-7 haftime lead on Jarrett’s 42-yard touchdown pass to John Jiles –part of another big day for Jiles with 110 yards on five catches and two touchdowns.
The game’s defining moment then happened within a two-minute span in the third quarter.
Mississippi College missed a 45-yard field goal with its first possession of the second half. The Argos took over and scored on a 41-yard pass from Jarrett to Jiles for a 21-7 lead.
On the ensuing possession, the Choctaws began at their on 9-yard line after a blocking penalty on the kick return. Forced to punt from their own 11, UWF defensive back Braylon Anderson from Saraland High near Mobile, swooped in and blocked the punt.
It was recovered in the end zone by linebacker Mi’Chaun Coward, a Niceville High grad, in the end zone for a touchdown and 28-7 lead.
“When you block a punt, that changes games,” Nobles said. “Braylon Anderson with a great block. That raises your opportunity to win. And that’s contagious.
“To be honest, we have been close on like seven of them this year. Finally, we got a perfect run through. Our guys did a great job running through the A-gap to get there and I’m just excited about how they finished that to get a touchdown on special teams.”
Ten seconds later, another big defensive play ensued. On the first snap from the kickoff, UWF defensive tackle Collin Shaw forced and recovered a fumble at the MC 27. On a 4th-and-21 situation from Choctaws’ 38, Nobles made the bold decision to go for it and Jarrett connected with Zac Offord for a 25-yard gain.
Two players later, Jarrett connected with Caden Leggett for an 11 yard touchdown and 35-7 lead. That’s three touchdowns in the third quarter to blow open the game and five scores in a 21-minute span.
“I challenged our guys pretty good at halftime,” Nobles said. “We had a great way to end (half) on the pass to Jiles, but we don’t need to play to the atmosphere (small crowd at stadium)… we need to play to our best and focus on what we’re supposed to do.
“And we did that in the second half.”
The Argos capped their scoring on Bussey’s 25-yard scoring run on a burst around the left sideline with 9:21 remaining in the game. The rest of the way, Nobles was able to utilize his backup players, including quarterbacks Michael Rich and Marcus Stokes.
Jarrett finished with 235 yards, three touchdowns, one interception. Receiver Anthony Ballard had three catches for 59 yards and Offord (48 yards) and Leggett (43 yards) were part of 294 yards passing.
Ralph Ortiz had eight tackles for UWF and a forced fumble.
This win enabled UWF to record its fifth season of at least seven wins in the program’s 7-year history.
“It’s special and it’s cool to have been a part of a lot of that stuff,” said Nobles, who was an assistant coach under Pete Shinnick for three seasons, including the national title team in 2019. “A huge shoutout to Coach Shinnick what his vision was for UWF football. I am excited that we’re able to keep doing that and hopefully keep adding more wins to this season.”
Written By Bill Vilona PHoto Emily Miller/UWF.
Ralph Douglas Benson
November 5, 2023
Ralph Douglas Benson, 88, of Pensacola Florida, left this life on Saturday, November 4, 2023.
“Doug” to his family and friends, was born in the beautiful Smoky Mountains of Brevard, North Carolina on March 6, 1935 to Ralph and Julie Benson. He was married to his high school sweetheart and love of his life, Martha Hooper Benson for an amazing 70 years! They would have three lovely daughters, Debbie, Jeanie, and Kathy.
Doug had a career in instrumentation, and was the owner/operator of Benson Instrument Group. He served 4 years Active duty in the United States Air Force and completed a 38-year career in the Air Force reserves. He was a member of Hillcrest Baptist Church, and had a passion for collectible cars, golf, water skiing and his grandkids.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Ralph and Julie Benson; his brothers, Joe Benson and John Benson; and sister, Margaret Garren.
He is survived by his wife, Martha Benson; daughters, Debbie Garrett (Dan), Jeanie Roberts (Lyle), and Kathy Speese (Gene); 8 grandchildren, Jennifer Welu (Ben), Nicholas Garrett, Daniel Garrett (Kayla), Jeffrey Garrett, Chennon Roberts, Alyssondra Roberts, Joshua Roberts, Brandon Speese (Kendra); 6 great grandchildren, Jackson, Quinn, Claire, Cooper, Grant, and Barrett; sister, Linda Peeples (Paul); and brother, Mike Benson (Debbie).
Funeral services for Ralph Douglas Benson will be held at Faith Chapel North on Hwy 29 Tuesday, November 14, 2023. Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. Funeral services will begin at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Jim Locks officiating. Ralph will be laid to rest at Barrancas National Cemetery with military honors.
Pallbearers include Brandon Speese, Jeffrey Garrett, Joshua Roberts, Nicholas Garrett, Daniel Garrett, and Ben Welu.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North, 1000 South Highway 29, Cantonment, is entrusted with arrangements. You may express condolences online at www.fcfhs.com.