Walnut Hill VFD Honors Firefighters, Community Members During 54th Annual Fish Fry (With Photo Gallery)
November 4, 2023
The Walnut Hill Volunteer Fire Department honored members of the community and the department during their 54th annual fish fry Saturday.
Joe Witherspoon (pictured second below) was named Firefighter of the Year, an award chosen by his fellow firefighters. Gerry Steege (pictured above) was named Officer of the Year and recognized for his service to the department.
Chris and Sandy Creverling (pictured first below)received the Walnut Hill Volunteer Fire Department’s Community Service Award for outstanding and dedicated service to the community.
There were hundreds of $12 catfish and grilled chicken plates sold. Plates included a choice of grilled catfish, fried catfish or grilled chicken, plus baked beans, coleslaw, homemade bread and homemade desserts. There were also drawings for door prizes throughout the event.
The Big Red Bus was also on hand for blood donations.
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Veterans Honor Program To Be Held Nov. 12 At Carver Park In Cantonment
November 3, 2023
The Cantonment Improvement Committee will honor veterans Sunday afternoon, Nov. 12 at Carver Park in Cantonment.
The Cantonment Improvement Committee will host a veterans honor program on Sunday, November 12 at 2:30 p.m. lunch will follow.
Everyone is invited to attend the free event.
Pictured: The 2021 Veterans tribute at Carver Park in Cantonment. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Blue Angels Homecoming Weekend Continues (with Photo Gallery)
November 3, 2023
Tens of thousands of people attended the first day of the Blue Angels Homecoming Airshow Friday and at Pensacola Naval Air Station.
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Day two is Saturday.Both the Main Gate, at the south end of Navy Blvd., and the West Gate, at the south end of Blue Angel Parkway, will open at 8 a.m. The airshow is scheduled to start at 9:30 a.m. The day-long series of events is scheduled to include performances by the United States Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, The Blue Angels; the U.S. Air Force’s F-16 Viper Demonstration Team; the U.S. Air Force’s F-35A Demonstration Team; Brian Correll Air Shows; Adam Baker Airshows; RAD Aerosports; the Stearman Flight Team; and the Third Strike WingWalkers. Additionally, the Budweiser Clydesdales are scheduled for appearances at the airshow.
Make sure you have your ID and observe traffic regulations when approaching the air station Individuals visiting Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola’s areas of public interest should observe all local traffic regulations. Parking along the side of roads entering the installation is prohibited.
No weapons, outside food or drink, bikes, roller blades, scooters, pets, drones, coolers or backpacks (besides small purses or diaper bags) are permitted.
No weapons, such as firearms and knives, are allowed on Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola. This includes weapons carried by individuals with a concealed weapons permit.
Themed 50 Years of Women in Naval Aviation, the 2023 NAS Pensacola Blue Angels Homecoming Airshow is designed to honor and recognize the significant contributions women have made to naval aviation since the enactment of the Women’s Armed Services Integration Act, which removed restrictions previously prohibiting women from serving in combat-related roles and ultimately opened the door for women to pursue careers as Naval Aviators. The first class of female Naval Aviators began training in 1973 at NAS Pensacola. The 2023 NAS Pensacola Blue Angels Homecoming Air Show is one of Pensacola’s largest events, attracting more than 220,000 spectators during the two-day event.
Pictured:The B lue Angels Homecoming Airshow on Friday. NorthEscambia.com photos by Perry Doggrell, click to enlarge.
Falling Back This Weekend: Why Not Keep Daylight Saving Time Year Round In Florida?
November 3, 2023
Why are we still falling back and off Daylight Savings Time?
During their 2018 session, the Florida Legislature passed a bill to keep daylight saving time year round that was signed into law by then-governor Rick Scott. But the change ultimately required Congressional approval, which has not happened yet.
Sen. Marco Rubio introduced the Sunshine Protection Act which would make daylight saving time permanent across the entire country.
The legislation, if enacted, would apply to those states who currently participate in DST, which most states observe for eight months out of the year. Standard Time, from November to March, is only observed for four months out of the year. The bill would simply negate the need for Americans to change their clocks twice a year. Many studies have shown that making DST permanent could benefit the economy and the country, according to Rubio.
“The practice of changing our clocks has outlived its purpose. Yet, we continue to fall back and spring forward. My Sunshine Protection Act would end this biannual and confusing practice. It is time to Lock the Clock.”, “Rubio said.
Alabamians have overwhelmingly expressed their support for the Sunshine Protection Act, and I promised them I’d continue pushing to do away with the outdated practice of adjusting our clocks twice a year. It’s time for America to move forward and stop falling back. Congress should listen to the people and make Daylight Saving Time permanent.” , Alabama Senator Tommy Tuberville said.
“Permanent daylight saving means more time in the sunshine and that’s something everybody should support. Changing the clock twice a year is outdated and unnecessary. I’m proud to be leading this bipartisan legislation with Senator Rubio that makes a much-needed change and benefits so many in Florida and across the nation. When I was governor of Florida, I was proud to sign this bill into law on the state level, and I will continue this effort in Congress. We need to get it all the way over the finish line this time. It’s time for Congress to act and pass this good bill today.” , Sen. Rick Scott said.
Stephen Glenn “Steve” Mathi
November 3, 2023
Stephen Glenn “Steve” Mathis, 69, passed away at home on Tuesday, November 7, 2023. Steve was born in Pensacola on July 31, 1954. Steve attended J. M. Tate High School. He had life-long friendships with many of his classmates and considered several of them family.
Steve loved sports of all kinds, particularly football and outdoor sports. As a youth, he played football with the Cantonment Cowboys, and later, as safety and punt returner for J. M. Tate High School and for the University of Southern Mississippi briefly. He was a pole vaulter for the Tate track and field team. He was an avid golfer, and enjoyed hiking, skiing, swimming, surfing, fishing, boating, and camping in the mountains. He even lived in his cabin cruiser for a few years.
Steve was an adventurer. Among his favorite occupations was working for Air Florida and truck driving, because he was able to travel to many different locations. He lived in Atlanta, Georgia, Grayton Beach, Florida, and Maggie Valley, North Carolina, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Miami, Arizona, and Gainesville, Florida, where he developed his passion for Florida Gator football. He eventually returned to his beloved Pensacola to be close to family.
Steve loved his family and friends very much and he was fiercely loyal. He will be deeply missed. Although he never married or had children, he loved his nieces and nephews like they were his own. Steve volunteered to help with many youth sports teams that his nieces and nephews participated in throughout the years. He really enjoyed volunteering at his alma mater, J. M. Tate High School with the tennis and JV football team before he started having health issues.
He is preceded in death by his father, Calvin C. Mathis.
He is survived by his stepfather, Cecil R. Franklin; mother, Ida Nette Franklin; sister, Diane Kuykendall (Doug); his sister, Kaye Antone (Ronnie); step-sister, Sandy Erb (Bob); and his many nieces, nephews, and dear friends.
Visitation services for Stephen Glenn Mathis will be held Monday, November 13, 2023 at 10:30 a.m., followed by funeral services at 11:00 a.m. at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North with Pastor Bill Flannigan officiating. Steve will be laid to rest at Oak Hill Cemetery in Atmore, Alabama.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North, 1000 South Highway 29, Cantonment, is entrusted with arrangements. You may express condolences online at www.fcfhs.com.
To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Stephen Glenn Mathis please visit our Sympathy Store.
Fields Of Faith: Community Worship Service Held
November 2, 2023
Northview High School’s Fellowship of Christian Athletes hosted a spring Fields of Faith on a cold Wednesday night in Tommy Weaver Memorial Stadium.
Fields of Faith is a national student-led initiative. “Students invite, pray for, share with, and challenge their peers to read the Bible and follow Jesus Christ. An athletic field provides a neutral, rally point where a community can come together,” according to national organizers.
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Circuit Court Releases More Info On Computer Hack
November 2, 2023
The investigation is continuing into an “information technology security event” that impacted court in the First Judicial Circuit. This week, the court issued the following statement
This provides an update on the First Judicial Circuit of Florida’s (“Circuit”) investigation into a cyber incident. As our investigation is still ongoing, the Circuit is committed to providing information about the incident, our response, and steps for potentially impacted individuals to follow for protection against the possibility of identity theft or fraud. The Circuit takes this incident very seriously and is using this opportunity to further strengthen our policies, practices, and technology to protect against future attacks.
What Happened and What the Circuit Has Done: Upon detecting suspicious activity on its network, the Circuit responded quickly and temporarily disconnected computer systems to mitigate risk to sensitive information. Circuit Administration began investigating the cyber incident, including coordinating with law enforcement authorities, and utilizing Mandiant, leading global cybersecurity experts, to assist our team in forensic investigation and remediation efforts. The Circuit worked quickly to restore safe and secure access to court operations, services, and systems.
What Information Was Affected: Review and analysis of the affected data involved in this cyber incident is ongoing. While the impacted information varies based on the individual and their relationship with the Circuit, the following information may have been accessed as a result of this incident: name; Social Security number; taxpayer identification number; date of birth; driver’s license information; and state identification number. In addition, for some individuals, certain types of health and insurance information may also have been accessed.
What Information Was Not Affected: The Clerks of the Court in Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, and Walton Counties maintain the official records of the court in a separate system. As a result, based on the investigation to date, the Clerks’ records and data are not impacted by this incident.
What Should Individuals Do: Out of an abundance of caution, individuals may wish to take steps to protect themselves against the possibility of identity theft and fraud. The Circuit will notify impacted entities and individuals, as appropriate, through various communication channels, including through a media press release, letters mailed and/or emails.
Potentially affected individuals are encouraged to remain vigilant against incidents of identity theft by reviewing personal accounts and credit history for unusual activity and reporting any suspicious activity promptly. The Circuit has established a dedicated website, www.firstjudicialcircuit.org/NoticeofDataIncident, which provides additional resources for individuals.
The Circuit sincerely thanks everyone for their patience during this challenging matter. Special recognition to the Clerks of Court for their invaluable assistance and cooperation in restoring court operations; the Office of the State Attorney; the Office of the Public Defender; and the Office of Criminal Conflict and Civil Regional Counsel, along with other partner agencies, who stepped in to provide support with responding to this incident.
Escambia (Ala.) School Board Member, Newspaper Publisher Indicted On New Felony Ethics Charges
November 1, 2023
Escambia County (Alabama) School Board member and newspaper publisher Sherry Ann Digmon, 72, of Atmore was arrested Wednesday on additional charges.
She was indicted by a grand jury on two counts of ethics violations for use of office for personal gain.
The latest indictment alleges she used her position as a school board member to solicit ads for Atmore Magazine, in which she is the incorporator and holds a financial interest.
Count two of the indictment alleges that she solicited payment for advertising from a subordinate, Then-Superintendent John Knott and/or CFO Julie Madden for advertising in Atmore Magazine.
She was released from jail Wednesday on a $100,000 bond. The new charges are Class B felonies with a maximum prison sentence of 20 years and a top fine of $30,000.
Digmon, who is publisher of The Atmore News weekly newspaper and her reporter, Don Fletcher were arrested last week on charges of revealing grand jury secrets.
Ice Flyers Towering Goaltender Makes Memorable Debut In Team’s OT Win
October 29, 2023
By Bill Vilona
Ice Flyers Correspondent
Earlier this month, Ice Flyers fans were informed about the likelihood of a 6-foot-8 goaltender making his debut at the Pensacola Bay Center.
Well, Stephen Mundinger’s first professional win Saturday certainly became memorable.
Mundinger, who waited last season for an opportunity that never happened, stopped all five shots in overtime as the Ice Flyers won a crowd-thrilling 3-2 win against the Huntsville Havoc and gaining a split of the teams’ home-and-home dual games this weekend.
“It was awesome,” said Mundinger, who played at the University of Maine, one of the nation’s top collegiate hockey programs. “Definitely has been a long time coming. I was happy to do it in front of these awesome fans here. And my teammates were great in front of me to make it very easy.
“They were dominating, so it was nice to have a shootout be the first one (win).”
Mundinger, 26, a Smithtown, New York native, actually celebrated twice Saturday. After stoning the Havoc’s fourth shooter, Doug Elgstram, who produced a hat trick in Friday’s 5-2 Huntsville win and the first goal Saturday, Mundinger reacted as if he had won the game.
So did the Ice Flyers teammates and the game announcer, causing a brief celebration as fans began exit.
Oops, hold on. Overtime shootouts are five shooters. So, the Ice Flyers, fifth shooter, Dante Zapata took his turn and was stopped. Then the Havoc’s Carter Cowlthorp was thwarted by Mundinger who this time was embraced in victory.
“It was a roller-coaster of emotions there,” said Mundinger, laughing. “I definitely got all hyped up there. But I had to focus back in. And what’s better than two (celebrations)?”
The Ice Flyers Brett Mecrones, who made his pro debut a week earlier in the Ice Flyers’ season-opening win, was the only goal-scorer in the shooter. He got a wrist shot past Huntsville’s Brian Wilson before all the drama ensued.
The win was gratifying for the Ice Flyers on a number of elements. They again fell behind 2-0 in their building in a quick set of second-period goals. They tied the game in the same period.
In the third period, they had a pair of power play chances and couldn’t get go-ahead goal. In the final 22 seconds of regulation play, three different Ice Flyers players had good shots that got stopped.
“It was exciting,” said Ice Flyers coach Gary Graham, whose team is now 2-1 after its first back-to-back games with travel involved. “Last week we got down 2-0 in our big home opener and showed resiliency and again you see it from the group (Saturday).
“The guys just stuck with it.”
After a scoreless first period, the teams combined on a four-goal flurry within an eight-minute span in the second period.
The Havoc took a 2-0 lead on goals only 63 seconds apart. The first was on a breakaway against Mundinger when Elgstram made a deke move and slipped a shot under a sprawling Mundinger. The second one came on a 2-on-1 and perfect pass that Brandon Osmundson buried.
“Boy is that an opportunistic Huntsville team,” Graham said. “I mean, we weren’t giving them much of anything and then, boom-boom!, all of sudden you are down 2-0. It was like were scratching and clawing and doing so much good stuff and before you know it, you’re blinking.”
The Ice Flyers then got the crowd energized when Ivan Bondarenko poked in a shot amid a scramble in the crease area with 12:14 left in the period.
Five minutes later, the Ice Flyers crashed the net with several players. The puck came lose and Dallas Comeau flicked it off his stick into the net, tying the game.
“We knew the only way you’re going to beat Huntsville is you got to win in the trenches,” Graham said. “You have to get in ugly, dirty areas, because those guys are so good defensively and they’ve shown that in the first three games they won.
“We talked about it, saying it can’t be about pretty plays, it can’t be about the perimeter, we got to get the nuts and bolts areas and we did a good job of it.”
Mundinger played four seasons for the Maine Bears, a 50-year history that includes two NCAA Division I national titles and eight appearances in the “Frozen Four” the major college hockey version of the Final Four.
His goaltender teammate was Jeremy Swayman, now in his fourth year with the Boston Bruins. Mundinger a year ago was in two ECHL camps and hoping for an opportunity, but it didn’t happen, so he sat out the entire season.
“He’s one of those rare gems,” Graham said. “He went to Cincinnati’s camp last year, didn’t make the team, decided not to go to an SPHL team. He thought he would be an ECHL goalie – he’s got a real good goalie coach– and that happens to a lot of guys coming out of college.
“So he chose to work with his goalie coach in Long Island and waiting for an ECHL team to call and never got a phone call.”
Earlier this month, Mundinger was back in Cincinnati’s camp, plays an exhibition game and he comes to us to develop and that’s what he is here to do.”
“So that was his first pro win (Saturday). He’s going to remember that one.”
For sure.
The game also included the Ice Flyers promotion as the “Small Dog Fright Night” with races between each period.
There was also post-game trick-or-treating with costumed fans on the upper concourse and autographs with Ice Flyers players.
Late TD Gives No. 24 Valdosta State 31-28 Win Over No. 18 UWF
October 29, 2023
Never was the old axiom about winning everywhere but on the scoreboard more apparent than in No. 18 UWF’s heartbreaking 31-28 loss to Gulf South Conference rival No. 24 Valdosta State Saturday night.
By most measures, the Argos (6-3, 4-2 GSC) outperformed the Blazers (8-1, 5-1 GSC). Yet, in the final tally, both on the scoreboard and in the GSC standings, Valdosta State came out on top.
UWF held the Blazers to minus-3 yards rushing and 272 yards of total offense while racking up 444 yards of offense (248 rushing and 196 passing), but a series of miscues – a fumble inside their own 5, a pair of missed kicks, a handful of passes that were ever so slightly out of rhythm, a key missed fourth-down conversion, and a few defensive hiccups – added up to three points too few.
“We’ve got to clean up mistakes,” head coach Kaleb Nobles said. “I’m looking at the stats and we won a lot of stats and did some good things, but there are no moral victories. Our guys have got to know. We’ve got to execute on third downs better. We’ve got to get them off the field better. On defense, we can’t give up drive-extending plays, and we’ve got to be better on special teams.”
Early in the contest, the Argos seemed poised to run away with the game. They quickly went ahead with a 20-yard touchdown pass from Peewee Jarrett to John Jiles on UWF’s first drive and followed with a 14-play, 75-yard drive that ended with a Jamontez Woods 1-yard run and a 14-0 lead in the second quarter.
It was the first of two rushing touchdowns on the night for UWF as three players – Jarrett (120 yards), Woods (51), and CJ Wilson (70) – paced a strong ground attack.
Unfortunately, a second-quarter fumble on the UWF 3 resulted in a scoop-and-score for the Blazers and turned the game’s momentum.
“Those guys did a great job,” Nobles said. “I told the guys earlier in the week I wanted to run the football. We had good chances to run the ball. Peewee’s one of our best guys running the football. I gave him a lot of carries and he wants to do that. Best quarterback in the country in my opinion. He’s going to throw the ball well. He’s going to run the ball well.”
Nobles added, “I know everybody is going to focus on the fumble that flipped the momentum, but we are not in that game without CJ, Jamontez, Peewee, Jalen Bussey, those guys.”
In reality, the Argos shook off the fumble reasonably well. Indeed, after Valdosta State tied the game at 14, Jarrett connected with Jiles on a 33-yard pass to push to put UWF up 21-14.
The game would enter the break tied, though, after Blazers quarterback Sammy Edwards scored on a 6-yard run to cap a late-second-quarter drive that covered 77 yards.
Valdosta State didn’t hold a lead in the game until the 0:36 mark in the fourth quarter when Edwards connected on a 28-yard touchdown pass with Ted Hurst.
Jarrett guided the Argos to within field goal range with 1 second to play, but a 51-yard attempt by Griffin Cerra went wide right.
“Unfortunately, kicking is the toughest job on the team … because everybody’s watching you and everybody knows when you mess up,” Nobles said. “You can get covered up at other positions. Griff is going to know, because I am going to tell him enough this week, ‘Hey, it doesn’t change anything. You are our guy. You are the guy I trust, and you are the person we are going to put out there to go make plays … We trust Griff and we know he’s going to help us win games down the stretch.”
POSITIVE TAKEAWAYS NOT HARD TO FIND
Despite the disappointing outcome, there were plenty of positives for the Argos.
The defense, under first-year coordinator Kavell Conner, continued to impress, holding the Blazers to abysmal rushing numbers while keeping Edwards under duress most of the contest.
All told, the Argos sacked Edwards five times and registered seven quarterback hurries.
Junior defensive end Byron Puryear was a constant presence in the VSU backfield and ended the game with two-and-a-half sacks and four hurries to go along with six tackles.
“Get to the quarterback, that’s my job,” Puryear said. “Especially on third down. They brought me here to pass rush and that’s what I was trying to do.”
Senior linebacker Gael Laurent was the team leader in tackles with eight. Defensive tackles John McMullen (1½ sacks) Collin Shaw (1) accounted for the other tackles-for-loss on the Blazer quarterback.
Offensively, Jiles continued to rack up yards and touchdowns. His five receptions for 92 yards and two scores was a team-best and bumped his season tally to 49 catches for 1,017 yards and 13 touchdowns.
Senior wide receiver Caden Leggett was again solid, hauling in three passes for 50 yards.
STILL MUCH TO PLAY FOR
After the game, Argos players and coaches expressed a mixture of emotions – frustration about a game that slipped away, but also optimism for a season in which a postseason berth is still within reach, although no longer a given.
“We literally don’t know what the future holds for the playoffs, so the best thing you can really do is win out,” Jarrett said. “If you win out, you put the ball in the NCAA’s hands.”
Puryear added, “We’ve still got to play two games for the rest of the season. Nobody is going to quit on each other. We are just going to try to win out and see what it holds.”
For UWF, whatever the future holds will be decided on what the Argos do on the road next week against Mississippi College, where a 2 p.m. Saturday showdown with the 3-5 Choctaws awaits.
Although he said he wanted his team to let the loss “sting”, Nobles stressed that the team putting the Blazers in their rearview mirror quickly would be key as would maintaining the strong character they’ve displayed all season.
“Coaching in the good moments is easy, but coaching in these moments is when you really find out who you are as coaches and as men,” Nobles said. “I told those guys, don’t lose your belief. Don’t lose the heart that you’ve got. Don’t change who you are just because we lose a game. We’ve still got a chance.”
UWF returns home on Nov. 11 for the regular-season finale, a Senior Day contest against Chowan.
by UWF/photo Emily Miller/UWF