Ernest Ward Middle Band And Chorus Perform At Winter Concert
December 23, 2024
The Ernest Ward Middle School band and chorus recently presented their winter concert. Both the chorus and band performed a selection of Christmas favorites for a large crowd. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Photos: Second Annual Cottage Hill Neighborhood Christmas Parade
December 22, 2024
The second annual Cottage Hill Neighborhood Christmas Parade was held Saturday afternoon, complete with a visit from Santa and the Grinch.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Proceeds from entry fees were donated to a local family in need in coordination with a local school.
Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Man Facing Multiple Charges After Escambia County Shooting
December 22, 2024
An man is facing multiple charges after a shooting Friday night in Escambia County.
Thomas Lamar Gulley, 28, was charged with aggravated battery using a deadly weapon, firing a weapon in public, possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, using or display a weapon during the commission of a felony, possession of cocaine, possession of marijuana,, possession of drug paraphernalia, and possession of a controlled substance without a prescription. He was booked into the Escambia County Jail without bond.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said the shooting happened about 10:30 p.m. in the area of Truman Avenue and Warehouse Lane. Baptist Hospital notified deputies that a gunshot wound victim had arrived from that area.
The victim’s injuries were believe to be non-life threatening.
Flomaton Host Free Family Movie Night
December 22, 2024
The Town of Flomaton hosted a movie night with a showing of the animated “The Grinch” in downtown Flomaton on Saturday night.. The cold night started with free food before the movie. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate Cheerleaders Win Top Spots In Gulf Breeze Competition
December 22, 2024
The Tate High School Cheerleaders took several top spots during the Gulf Breeze Fins Up Cheerleader Competition on Saturday.
The teams placed as follows:
VARSITY
- Traditional — 1st place
- Gameday — 1st place
JV
- Traditional — 1st place (in an all VARSITY division)
- Gameday — 1st place
- Overall Traditional Grand Champions
- Best pyramid
FRESHMEN
- Traditional — 1st place
- Gameday — 1st place
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Need Those Gifts Wrapped? The Tate Band Has You Covered
December 22, 2024
The Tate Band Showband of the South will be wrapping gifts for donations through Christmas Eve. Look for the tent at JCPenney on North Davis Highway, just outside the entrance closest to Academy Sports.
Volunteers will be wrapping gifts from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m. on Monday, and Christmas Eve.
Ice Flyers Delight Big Crowd With Thrilling Win Against First-Place Havoc
December 22, 2024
by Bill Vilona, Ice Flyers correspondent
The team’s pregame message was about the loyalty Ice Flyers’ fans have shown through this difficult start to the season.
The players then delivered a sought-after Christmas present, making everyone feel warm and joyful.
After Shane Bull produced a go-ahead goal with 2:15 remaining, the Ice Flyers received clutch stops from goaltender Brody Claeys, then held off a 6-on-4 situation in the final 41 seconds to seal a 3-2 win against the Huntsville Havoc that had a crowd of 5,352 at the Pensacola Bay Center standing and screaming in glee.
Just like old times.
“With how things have been going lately, to finally get a win it feels nice, it feels great,” said Bull, who scored a go-ahead goal earlier in the third period before the Havoc tied the game.
It was the Ice Flyers (5-14-2) first win since November 30 against Birmingham. The arena vibe and celebratory finish was a far different setting than the last Ice Flyers home game in a 2-1 loss against Macon when Graham was unable to coach due to a medical situation.
“I told the guys what I was most disappointed about (Macon) game was how we lost,” Graham said. “There were no fights. There was no passion, no urgency.
“And the fans have been extremely patient with the group. They should be upset with me. I understand that part of it. But they have been extremely supportive of the guys.
“I said (to team), do understand how rare that is in pro sports? To have the season we’re having and the fans continue to show up to support you guys. We have to start giving them payback.
“They are the ones who pay the bills, boys. We have to give give back, we have to give more of ourselves on home ice and to get a win for them was very important.”
The Ice Flyers will now take a brief break before a Christmas Day practice in late afternoon in preparation for the Dec. 26 game against the Macon Mayhem. A trip to Macon follows Dec. 27 and the Ice Flyers will be back at home on Dec. 28 against Peoria.
Based on how they played in consecutive nights against the Havoc – the first-place team in the league – the Ice Flyers have reason to gain confidence.
After six losses to Huntsville, including the 5-4 overtime loss Friday in Huntsville, the Ice Flyers gained three points out of four against the best team.
“It is obviously a step in the right direction,” Bull said. “This week we really battled hard in practice and had a setback and refocused on what we had to do to better and I think we showed all those things in past two games.”
In goal, Claeys earned his first win in a big way. He stopped 24 shots, many of those point-blank looks and provided a performance the Ice Flyers needed.
“Everybody played a role tonight, but I thought Brody really stole the game,” Graham said. “I think he played good (Friday) and we had the better scoring chances and weren’t able to get the point and I think Huntsville had the better scoring chances (Saturday) and (Claeys) was the difference maker.’’
A quick recap.
FIRST PERIOD
No scoring. The Ice Flyers killed off the game’s first power play and were in process of killing off another when Huntsville got its first penalty with 46 seconds left.
Claeys made several big saves to keep it scoreless at intermission.
SECOND PERIOD
A mistake behind the net led to Huntsville getting the game’s first goal with 12:39 remaining.
But two minutes later Cayden Cahill finished a perfect pass near the crease area from Tim Faulkner. On the ensuing faceoff, the Ice Flyers’ Sean Gulka dropped the gloves, then dropped Huntsville’s Benito Posa to the ice after both players traded a flurry of punches.
This was a fight that will be a season highlight and got the crowd going.
THIRD PERIOD
Bull’s first goal, his fourth of the season came on a rebound from a shot by Doug Elgstam. Bull was in perfect position after Huntsville goaltender Brian Wilson made a pad save to then bang home the rebound.
Four minutes later, the Havoc tied the game on Dominick Procopio’s wrist shot through traffic.
The score stayed that way until Bull made a power play pass to Jonathan Bartuccio-Pereira at the blue li ne, who then passed across to Sam Dabrowski. Bull then rushed to a point near the slot, had his stick locked and loaded and immediately rifled Dabowski’s pass to him into the net.
It was a one-timer that Graham has been preaching to Bull to shoot more often.
“I had to yell him in practice.. what are you doing?” he said. “That is a goal if you just shoot the one timer. It’s an ongoing joke. We when he scored that goal all the players were touching me with their sticks on the bench … “Coach you see, a one timer.
“I’m like thank the Lord we shot the one timer. It was funny but it was a great look, the pass was perfect from Dabo.”
The game ended in the flurry of the final minutes. The Ice Flyers were whistled for a delay of game penalty on a clearing attempt by Ivan Bondarenko that somehow lifted over the glass.
But in the final 15 seconds the Ice Flyers won a boards battled and got a clearing shot on the 6-on-4 situation to end the game.
Acres Of Christmas Lights, Hayride, Goats In Pajamas At Run-a-muck Ranch In Bratt
December 21, 2024
The Run-a-muck Ranch in Bratt is open with tens of thousands of Christmas lights, and you are invited to stop by and see them for free. And see the famous goats in pajamas.
Skip and Kristy Geiser opened the Christmas display several years ago, and it’s even bigger this year.
For a 2024 photo gallery, click here.
There are always plenty of “oohs and ahhs” over the goats in pajamas and mini donkeys.
Nestled on three or four acres in the woods off Rigby Road, the display is walk-through (not a drive-through). Admission and parking are free, but donations are accepted.
Visitors walk a short distance from the parking lot down a lighted path and cross a small footbridge into the Christmas wonderland. If it’s rained recently, remember appropriate footwear because it may be muddy. It’s in an open, park-like setting with lots of lights, inflatables, animated display and an old-fashioned hayride down a lighted trail.
Concessions including hot dog meals, popcorn, s’mores, nachos at hot cocoa are available for a nominal cost, and only cash is accepted. There are picnic tables and lounge chairs, and plenty of room to sit around a fire.
For a 2024 photo gallery, click here.
LOCATION AND HOURS
Run-a-muck Ranch is located on Rigby Road in Bratt (about 1.5 miles from Bratt Elementary). Take Still Road south off West Highway 4 turn left on Rigby Road and look for the signs and a lighted arch drive. (We found that Google Maps was a bit off on the location; click here for a map to the driveway.)
Weather permitting, the lights festival will be open from 5:30 until 8:30 p.m. as follows:
- Saturday, December 21
- Monday, December 23
- Tuesday, December 24 (Christmas Eve)
- Thursday, December 26
- Friday, December 27
The display will be closed on Christmas, December 25.
Pictured: A recent evening at Run-amuck Ranch in Bratt. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Home for the Paw-lidays Free Dog, Cat Adoptions At Escambia Shelter
December 21, 2024
The Escambia County animal shelter is offering will offer free adoptions for all dogs and cats one year or older during the “Home for the Paw-lidays” adoption event, beginning through Monday, December 30.
Puppies are available for $50 and kittens are $25. A $15 licensing fee will be applied to all adoptions for Escambia County residents. To see a full list of adoptable pets in Escambia County, visit 24petconnect.com.
The Escambia County Animal Welfare and Adoption Center is located at 200 W. Fairfield Drive. Hours of operation are Monday-Friday, 12 – 5 p.m., and Saturday from 11 a.m.- 4 p.m. The shelter will be closed December 24-25, December 31, and January 1 in observance of Christmas and New Year’s Day.f
FDOT Completes $7.5 Million Highway 90 Resurfacing Project
December 21, 2024
The Florida Department of Transportation has completed a $7.5 million project to resurface Mobile Highway (Highway 90), from Nine Mile Road to west of Pine Forest Road.
Additional project improvements included:
- Traffic signal upgrades at the Mobile Highway/Blue Angel Parkway intersection. and a new traffic signal at the Mobile Highway/Klondike Road intersection.
- New guardrail, signing, and pavement markings.
- Drainage enhancements.
- Widening of turn lanes to include five-foot bicycle lanes at the Woodside Road, Klondike Road, and Millview Road intersections.