Beulah Academy Collects 245 Canned Items In Food Drive
November 23, 2023
The Beulah Academy PTSA collected 245 canned food items during their recent food drive to fight hunger in the community.
With 99 cans, eighth graders brought in the most cans of food. Seventh grade collected 57 cans, while sixth graders collected 89 cans.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
AAA Predicting 3 million Floridians To Travel Over Thanksgiving Weekend
November 23, 2023
AAA projects more than 3 million Floridians will travel 50 miles or more during the Thanksgiving holiday travel period*. This year’s forecast is the second highest on record (2005), with an expected 87,000 (3%) more holiday travelers than last year.
“Travel demand has been strong all year and that trend will continue with one of the busiest Thanksgivings on record,” said Debbie Haas, Vice President of Travel for AAA – The Auto Club Group. “With more people taking to the roads, skies, rails and sea; travelers should expect congested roads and longer lines at transportation terminals. AAA encourages travelers to develop their plan now, leave early, and be courteous to others.”
Most Thanksgiving travelers will drive to their destinations. AAA predicts nearly 2.8 million Floridians will take a road trip of 50 miles or more. That’s nearly 71,000 more Florida drivers (+2.6%) than last year. This year’s forecasted auto travel volume is 10,000 shy of the all-time high, set during the 2005 Thanksgiving holiday weekend.
Thanksgiving road trips should be less costly at the gas pump this year. Despite global tensions causing ripples through the oil market, strong domestic gasoline supplies are causing pump prices to drop. Last Thanksgiving, the national average price for gasoline was $3.58 per gallon, while the state average was $3.41. AAA believes gas prices should remain low through the holiday season unless oil prices suddenly spike. Visit GasPrices.AAA.com to view updated gas price averages.
AAA expects nearly 210,000 Floridians to fly for Thanksgiving. That’s nearly 12,000 (6%) more than 2022, and the second highest air travel volume in 15 years, behind 2019.
Tuesday and Wednesday before Thanksgiving are the busiest air travel days ahead of the holiday and the most expensive. While Sunday is typically the busiest day to return home, AAA data shows Monday is also a popular day to fly back after Thanksgiving.
The number of Floridians traveling by cruise, bus, and train over Thanksgiving is up nearly 9% over last year. AAA expects 50,000 travelers to head out of town using these other modes of transportation, which suffered a severe setback during the pandemic, but have rebounded nicely.
“The cruise industry, in particular, has made a remarkable comeback, and thrives during the holidays,” Haas added. “Holiday cruises are highly sought-after as a means for large families to travel together and visit multiple destinations without having to worry about the cooking and cleanup. For those looking to plan a 2024 vacation, this is also a great time to connect with a Travel Advisor, who can navigate the many options available to find the best fit.”
Jim Allen Elementary School Students Hold Their Own Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
November 23, 2023
Ms. Taylor and Mrs. Cooley’s classes at Jim Allen Elementary School learned about the history of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Along with learning about gravity, the students worked together to design balloons to overcome gravity. When they finished, they held their very own “Macy’s” parade.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Rotary Provides Thanksgiving Meals For Over 1,600 People (With Photo Gallery)
November 23, 2023
Over 1,600 people can enjoy a complete Thanksgiving meal this year thanks to the members and friends of the Cantonment Rotary Club.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Wednesday, the club distributed everything for a turkey meal to 324 families in the North Escambia area. The recipients were chosen with the help of local school guidance counselors who helped identify families that might need a little help this time of year.
The Tate High School cheerleaders volunteered Wednesday at St. Luke United Methodist Church to help package the meals for delivery.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Miracle League Holds Annual Turkey Fry (With Photo Gallery)
November 23, 2023
The Miracle League of Pensacola held their annual turkey fry fundraiser Wednesday at their park on East Nine Mile Road.
Volunteers with the Miracle League spent their day frying about 300 turkeys for a minimum $35 donation, with all of the proceeds going to benefit the Miracle League.
For a photo gallery, click here.
A small army of volunteers worked to deep fry the turkeys to perfection, rows of timers keeping track of the cooking time at a command center of sorts. Cadets from the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also volunteered to make sure the turkeys were ready to enjoy on Thanksgiving.
The Miracle League provides physically and mentally challenged children a safe and spirited program in which they can hit, run, and catch on a baseball field – just like other kids. MLP offers a unique and memorable opportunity these children would not otherwise have. It is a place where every player plays, every player hits, every player gets on base, every player scores, and every player wins – every inning.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Ice Flyers Give Thanks With Shutout Win, Gender Reveal, And Remain Unbeaten At Home
November 23, 2023
By Bill Vilona
After the team’s practice Tuesday, the Ice Flyers players went together on a grocery shopping mission for Thanksgiving dinner, where they were to all share all gather.
The Ice Flyers have now completed the first two months with an unbeaten (6-0) home record. It is such a turnaround from the past several seasons when home ice wasn’t such an advantage.
“Obviously, it’s fun to play at home,” said Ice Flyers veteran forward Ivan Bondarenko. “We have a great crowd behind us and we always get that that energy and you can tell by our record, we are playing very well at home.”
For more photos, click or tap here.
And though he didn’t factor into the scoring Wednesday, Bondarenko generated energy when he and his wife, along with their young son, stayed on the ice after the first period for a gender-reveal event.
Bondarenko swiped at an artificial puck that burst into blue, signifying another boy is on the way.
“Originally the plans were for him to just be with his wife and we said, no, we all want to be there,” said Ice Flyers coach Gary Graham. “That was a cool moment. All the years I coached, I have never been part of that.”
Added Bondarenko: “It was amazing. It was an incredible moment to do it around friends and family and all the fans. It was great.”
At the time, the Ice Flyers led 1-0. Dante Zapata, who had seven assists in his first 10 games with the Ice Flyers, scored his first goal Wednesday on a rebound wrister with 12:35 left in the first period.
The game stayed 1-0 through midpoint of the second period.
Birmingham kept much of the play in the Ice Flyers zone though the first 10 minutes until Meirs Moore got free along the boards on the right side. He swooped toward the goal cage and sent a wrist shot into the net with 6:58 left for his first goal this season.
The Ice Flyers then followed with two goals 69 seconds apart. Leading scorer Brett Mecrones scored a spectacular goal while falling backwards on the ice. He got off a good wrist shot on a rebound and set it into the net. Malik Johnson then scored his first goal on a shot through the goaltenders pads and just like that, the Ice Flyers went from 1-0 to 4-0 at second intermission.
“(Earlier) in the second period we weren’t very good,” Graham said. And Dinger (Mundinger) was just huge for us. He made some big saves for us.
“And when Meirsey had that goal and we had the chance to build momentum we really seized it and you could see bang, bang, bang we scored three goals.
The Ice Flyers generated only 20 shots through two periods. But they scored four goals. That kind of efficiency decided the game before final period began.
“We got secondary scoring from guys that frankly we haven’t gotten it from this year,” Graham said. “Whenever you see three players in the classic goal celebration where they take the (imaginary) monkey off the back and (pretend) throw it into the stands… you usually see that once a game, but you had three guys who scored and could say, been waiting awhile for this to come.”
Mundinger, 28, a Smithtown, New York native, played four seasons as a backup goaltender with the University of Maine, one of the top collegiate programs in the country. He has been a special addition to this year’s team.
Earlier Wednesday, Ice Flyers goaltender Kaden Fulcher received a callup to the ECHL with the Savannah (Ga.) Ghost Pirates.
“For Dinger it was about just getting into the net and playing games this year,” Graham said. “We are just ecstatic to have him. We love Kaden, we love Dinger.”
It was the fourth meeting with Birmingham this season. Both teams entered tied for third in the standings with 14 points. The Ice Flyers will travel on Friday for a rematch against the Bulls in Birmingham.
Following that game, the Ice Flyers will then travel to Macon, Georgia for a game on Sunday at 4 p.m. against the Macon Mayhem.
“Bulls activated two really good forwards in their lineup and they had lot more firepower than last two times we played them,” Graham said. “Knowing that, we talked about trying to win the game defensively tonight and really be stingy, trying to get more physical on them.”
Following that game, the Ice Flyers will then travel to Macon, Georgia for a game on Sunday at 4 p.m. against the Macon Mayhem.
“Bulls activated two really good forwards in their lineup and they had lot more firepower than last two times we played them,” Graham said. “Knowing that, we talked about trying to win the game defensively tonight and really be stingy, trying to get more physical on them.”
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
WHAT’S NEXT?
WHO: Ice Flyers vs. Birmingham Bulls
WHEN: Friday, 7:05 p.m.
WHERE: Pelham Civic Complex, Pelham, Alabama.
Happy Thanksgiving! Chilly Temps In the 50s Today
November 23, 2023
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Thanksgiving Night: A 30 percent chance of rain before midnight. Cloudy, with a low around 44. North wind around 5 mph.
Friday: Partly sunny, with a high near 61. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 42. North wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 65. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 47. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph after midnight.
Sunday: Showers likely, mainly after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 64. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming north in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Sunday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 46. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Monday: Partly sunny, with a high near 58. North wind around 10 mph.
Monday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 37.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 54.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 33.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 57.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 37.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 59.
Search Underway For ‘Armed and Dangerous’ Escambia County Homicide Suspect
November 22, 2023
At approximately 5:30 a.m. Wednesday, Escambia County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the 12000 block of Meadson Road in reference to a shooting victim. Upon arrival, a 35-year-old female was located with a gunshot wound and was pronounced deceased.
The suspect, 36-year-old Darryl Walker is believed to have shot his wife and then fled the scene. He fled in a black 2020 Hyundai Veloster with Florida tag #BG10PN. He is wanted for homicide. He is considered armed and dangerous.
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 850-433-STOP or the ECSO at 850-436-9620, or 911.
$189K In Taxpayer Reimbursement Requested From Escambia Children’s Trust For YouthFirst Century Program That Missed Goals
November 22, 2023
A children’s services provider in Century funded by Escambia Children’s Trust has failed to meet goals while requesting over $189,000 in taxpayer funding, according to organizers.
The Escambia Children’s Trust (ECT) awarded a contract to the Pensacola non-profit Urban Development Center for “YouthFirst Century” to serve 750 youth ages 11-18 over a three-year period at a total cost of $1.2 million. Of the 19 awards by ECT, it was the fourth-highest scoring program during the application proesss.
UDC CEO Dr. Jessica A. Griffen appeared before the ECT board last week, asking to lower her focus age group from 11-18 to ages 5-18. The program serves children from Bratt Elementary, Byrneville Elementary, Ernest Ward Middle and Northview High schools.
Griffen said the program has served the younger age group, but has experienced great difficulty in reaching the targeted middle and high school age groups. The UDC originally proposed to serve 750 youth ages 11-18 in the Century area, a number that does not exist in the entire Century zip code, according to U.S. Census data.
UDC has requested a $189,256.70 reimbursement despite reaching just 56 children, with less than 30 of those in the target age range. That equals $6,308 per targeted child in the 11-18 age group.
UDC’s reimbursement request from ECT included about $60,000 for personnel, $6,212 in travel, $2,692 for advertising, $37,000 for program supplies, $1,201 for field trips, $59,000 in “sub-grants to partners”, and $21,000 for professional services for 56 children, 29 of which are not in the program’s target group.
According to documentation presented to the ECT board, the Urban Development Center stated:
- We underestimated the need and desire for children outside of our proposed program age range to want to play an active role in the center activities.
- We underestimated the challenge that the children and youth of The Town of Century faced by not having a community-based school culture, which creates proximity and family participation issues.
- We overestimated the desire for youth in our proposed program age range to participate in program activities initially and consistently.
- We overestimated the commitment of parents to actively pursue out of school time (OST) and summer program educational activities for their children and youth.
In their application to ECT, UDC acknowledged that they did not have the cash on hand to operate under a cost reimbursement model. UDC approached the Century Town Council for help in early 2023. The town has provided the Century Business Center at 150 East Pond Street as meeting space, with upgrades such as lighting and an ice machine.
The Town of Century fronted $61,925 to The Urban Development Center to purchase items like computers and workbooks. The 500 workbooks at $52.75 per workbook were to be purchased from UDC for $26,375. UDC said they would reimburse the town after they received the ECT funding, but no specific deadline was established. At least $20,000 was recently repaid to the town.
The Escambia Children’s Trust tabled any action on Griffen’s request to lowet the focus age group.
Pictured: The Urban Development League’s Dr. Jessica Griffen introduces YouthFirst Century to a group at the Pilgrim Lodge Baptist Church in Century In February 2023. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Thanksgivng Forecast: Turning Cooler
November 22, 2023
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
This Afternoon: Mostly sunny, with a high near 59. North wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 38. North wind around 5 mph.
Thanksgiving Day: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 58. North wind around 5 mph.
Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 46. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 63. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 44. North wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 65. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 46. East wind around 5 mph.
Sunday: A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 66. East wind 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 48.
Monday: Partly sunny, with a high near 59.
Monday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 39.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 55.