Peanut Butter Challenge Month: Here’s How To Get Involved

October 20, 2024

The Peanut Butter Challenge, an annual jar collection for local food pantries hosted by UF/IFAS Extension and Florida A&M University Cooperative Extension, is continuing through the ned of the month.

Launched in the Florida Panhandle counties in 2012, the challenge is how held across the state. The 2023 Peanut Butter Challenge collected a total of 27,769 pounds of peanut butter from 44 Florida counties. Last year, 1.013 jars, or over 1,410 pounds of peanut butter were collected in Escambia County.

Last week, the Escambia County Commission proclaimed October as Peanut Butter Challenge month.

Unopened jars of peanut butter can be donated to the following locations throughout Escambia County now until Oct. 31:

Escambia County Extension, 3740 Stefani Road, Cantonment
Escambia County Farm Bureau, 153 Hwy. 97, Molino
Escambia County Public Safety, 6575 N. “W” Street, Pensacola
Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 10650 Gulf Beach Hwy., Pensacola
Gilmore Services, 31 E. Fairfield Dr., Pensacola
Escambia County Administration, 221 Palafox Place, 4th Floor, Pensacola

County Extension Director Nick Simmons, Extension Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources Murilo Morata, and Extension Agent Dorothy Lee with a Peanut Butter Challenge proclamation from the Escambia County Commission. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News

Ernest Ward Middle School Soars with State PBIS Recognition

October 20, 2024

Ernest Ward Middle School is taking flight as one of three Escambia County schools honored for its positive school culture. The school was named a bronze Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) Model School for the 2024-2025 school year.

PBIS is a program to increase academic performance, increase safety, decrease problem behavior, and establish positive school cultures.

Ernest Ward Middle and Blue Angels Elementary were named bronze schools, and Navy Point Elementary was honored as a platinum school.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News

UWF Cruises Past Chowan for Third Straight Win

October 20, 2024

by Bill Vilona, UWF Correspondent

The scheduled mid-morning trip Saturday to the stadium with UWF’s football team was hampered by a stalled bus in the hotel parking lot.

The game itself, however, worked out much smoother for the Argos.

With impressive efficiency, No. 23-ranked UWF produced touchdowns on its first four possessions, while its defense delivered another smothering performance in a 35-6 victory against Chowan University at the Hawks’ Garrison Stadium.

The Argos (4-2), who ended September with consecutive losses, now have a chance to sweep October next Saturday at home, as they continue their push for a potential post-season position.
Minus a couple blemishes, it was a win that brought smiles. Even a team photo afterward.

“We missed two field goals, we missed a wide open touchdown on a fourth-down call that we schemed up pretty good, so that’s 13 points right there that should be on the board for us… a little frustrated about that, but I’m very proud of how our guys played,” said UWF head coach Kaleb Nobles, speaking on the post-game radio interview with Will Kennedy, voice of the Argos.

“I thought they did a good job of playing for 60 minutes the whole time,” Nobles said.

Five different players scored touchdowns, including senior Zac Offord, who produced the first touchdown of his UWF career with a nice end zone catch from quarterback Marcus Stokes on a 24-yard pass in the fourth quarter to complete the scoring.

What also stood out was UWF amassed 285 yards rushing, led by TJ Lane with 96 yards and a second-quarter touchdown. Jay Sharp scored on an 11-yard run to cap a nine-play drive in the second quarter.

“Those guys have been ready all week and did a good job of running the football well in practice,” Nobles said. “I’m proud of those guys. We built up a little bit of depth with Jamontez (Woods) out and Jay Sharp a little banged up, but he’s getting a lot better. So, excited about the running game and how we ran the ball (Saturday).”

The Argos defense held Chowan (2-4) to minus-4 yards rushing in the first half and just 38 yards for the game. UWF had 14 tackles for loss, three sacks, a forced fumble and an interception as part of a dominant defensive effort.

“That defensive line has done a phenomenal job of whoever is there, staying ready, and making plays,” Nobles said. “Those guys had relentless effort. They do a phenomenal job getting after the quarterback and making it uncomfortable for him.”

The game had some emotional attachment for Nobles. He was UWF’s quarterback in the inaugural 2016 season when the Argos lost at Chowan (35-28) in a loss that ultimately cost UWF a winning record in the first year of playing football.

That trip also included travel challenges. In Saturday’s case, the team’s equipment truck arrived on time, but the team was late arriving, and it altered a pregame warmup schedule.

“Our guys were resilient,” Nobles said. “We packed every player on one bus, had five coaches (travel separately) to get here. We didn’t get into our normal pregame routine. We did as much as we could. I’m proud of the guys for the way they handled it. They didn’t blink at all and they handled this trip well.”

The Argos scored the game’s first points in nearly a blink.

After forcing Chowan into a three-and-out to start the game, UWF took advantage of a short punt, got the ball at the Hawks 42 and scored on their third snap when Stokes hit Da’Mani Brown on a 39-yard pass in the end zone.

After Chowan answered with a field goal, UWF closed the first quarter when Corey Scott caught a 19-yard pass from Stokes. Lane’s touchdown with 5:40 left in the second quarter followed a 38-yard punt return by Virgil Lemons, after he reversed field and raced to the Chowan 11.

Stokes finished completing 10 of 22 passes for 148 yards. He also had 67 yards rushing, matching the total for redshirt freshman Keeshaun Glanton, who had his most extensive playing time this season.

In the second half, UWF offense was slowed by a fumble and failed fourth down conversions, but the defense ensured Chowan didn’t gain an edge.

The Argos travel all night from Murfreesboro, North Carolina, located near the coastal edge of the state near the Virginia line.

They will begin preparations Monday for Shorter, one of two remaining home games. UWF is now 3-1 in the Gulf South Conference, after beginning the game in third place in league standings.

WANT TO GO?
WHO: Shorter University Hawks vs. UWF Argos
WHEN: Saturday (Oct. 26), 4 p.m.
WHERE: PenAir Field on UWF campus

Photo: Scott Miller/UWF for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News, Sports, TOP sports

Legendary WKRG Broadcaster Mel Showers Has Died

October 19, 2024

Longtime WKRG news anchor Mel Showers has died. The legendary broadcaster was 78.

Showers worked at WKRG 5 for 50 years and was the station’s main anchor from 1980 until his retirement in 2019.

He was later inducted into the Alabama Broadcasting Hall of Fame and was named Journalist of Distinction by the National Association of Black Journalists.

Courtesy photo.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News

Day Of Caring Projects Completed at Jim Allen, Tate, Lipscomb

October 19, 2024

Volunteer groups fanned out across Escambia County Friday for the United Way of West Florida’s 31st Annual Day of Caring.

Day of Caring is a community-wide initiative that connects volunteers and resources with local agencies and schools needing support. Escambia and Santa Rosa counties Hundreds of people worked together to complete all kinds of projects that provide additional capacity to the organizations and institutions that keep our community strong.

Since 1993, United Way of West Florida has coordinated more than 28,000 volunteers to complete projects across Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.

For more photos, click here.

About 850 volunteers took part in Friday’s Day of Caring, including volunteers at Jim Allen Elementary and Tate High schools.

A team from International Paper in Cantonment volunteered at Jim Allen Elementary School. They put a new coat of paint on the school’s basketball games, four square games and installed new basketball nets in a playground refresh.

Nearly 20 dedicated volunteers from the local Publix rolled up their sleeves to assist in a campus beautification project at Tate High School. Their efforts focused on revitalizing the front entrance by excavating overgrown plants and weeds, transforming the space in between the Jennings building into a welcoming environment for students and staff alike.

“A heartfelt thank you goes out to all the amazing volunteers who participated. Their hard work and commitment have made a lasting positive impact on Tate and exemplify the power of community collaboration,” Tate High School Assistant Principal Paul Lovely said.

At Lipscomb Elementary School, a team from Navy Federal Credit Union used paint to transform the school, adding new life and vibrancy to the campus.

Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News

Photos: Tate High Aggies Pep Rally

October 19, 2024

The Tate High School Aggies held a pep rally Friday morning in Pete Gindl Stadium.

For a photo gallery, click here.

Photos by Tate High School Yearbook for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under FEATURE TOP STORY, Features, News

IP To Lay Off 600 Employees Company Wide; None In Cantonment

October 19, 2024

International Paper plans to layoff 650 employees, the company has confirmed to several industry news sites. Locally, IP says the layoffs do not include the IP Pensacola mill in Cantonment.

“This announcement is not related to any mill operations at Pensacola – so no impact here.” IP Regional Communications Manager Whitney Fike said Friday.

A majority of the 650 layoffs are expected in Memphis, Tennessee, where the company is headquartered.

In October of last year, IP permanently ceased operation of one of their production machines in Pensacola. It was estimated at the time that about 100 local jobs would be impacted as the idled #4 machine did not resume production.

Pictured: The International Paper Pensacola Mill in Cantonment. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News

Tate Aggies Beat Washington 35-14 (With Gallery)

October 19, 2024

The Tate Aggies snapped a two-game losing streak Friday night as they beat the Wildcats of Washington 35-14 on Carl Madison Field.

Elijah West has two first half touchdowns for the Aggies, one on a 15-yard pass from Taite Davis and the other on a 34-yard pass from Davis.

Tate’s Carson Secchiari added a pair of TDs in the second half, one for 23 yards and one from 16 yards out.

The third Aggie touchdown of the night was a 19-yarder from senior Demorian Clay.

For a photo gallery, click here.
Look for fan, cheerleader and band photos coming soon.

“It’s nice to have a win and come back after a rough stretch there and get a W,” Tate head coach Rhett Summerford said. “We ran the ball well. We had not done that in a couple of weeks.”

The defense played well and stopped the runs. They made them play the football, and made them one-dimensional, and that helped us tonight,” he added.

Up next, the Tate Aggies will host the Crestview Bulldogs in a district matchup. Crestview (3-5) is coming off a 23-20 loss to Escambia Friday night.

NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News, Sports, TOP sports

Blountstown Shuts Out Northview 34-0

October 19, 2024

The Northview Chiefs fell on the road Friday night to Blountstown 38-0.

After a bye week, the Chiefs (2-7) will hope to bounce back as they host a season finale against the Flomaton Hurricanes (4-4) in a Thursday night Halloween game.

Pictured: The Northview Chiefs were shut out by Jay last week, 34-0. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.