Don’t Forget: Call To Get The Miracle League Fry Your Thanksgiving Turkey
November 20, 2022
It’s not too late to reserve your spot to have the Miracle League of Pensacola fry your Thanksgiving turkey on Wednesday
A minimum of $30 per turkey or turkey breast is necessary to help cover costs, and any additional donation will benefit the Miracle League of Pensacola. The minimum charge is $35 for turkeys that are 20 pounds or more.
Call (850) 860-3211 with questions or to schedule your appointment (leave a message if no answer). Walk-ups are welcome, but reservations should be made early as the number of time slots is limited and appointments take priority.
There are a few things to remember after scheduling an appointment. Completely thaw your turkey, removing all of the inside packaging and giblets. Write down exactly how much your turkey weighs so it is fried perfectly and take it to the Miracle League Park at 555 East Nine Mile Road at your appointment time between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Wednesday, November 23. And be on time for your appointment.
Individuals interested in volunteering should also call (850) 860-3211.
Byrneville Man Pleads Not Guilty To Attempted Murder Of His Wife
November 20, 2022
A Byrneville man accused of shooting his wife on October 25 has entered a plea of not guilty.
Joseph Anthony Franklin, 60, remained in the Escambia County Jail Sunday morning one count of a attempted murder. His bond is set at one-quarter of a million dollars.
An arrest report obtained by NorthEscambia.com details the allegations against him.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to the couple’s home on McBride Road just off Byrneville Road. Deputies arrived shortly after 8 a.m. on October 25to find Franklin sitting on the front porch smoking a cigarette, wearing a tan t-shirt and shorts. A female was on the porch floor next to him with an apparent gunshot wound to her left side, according to the report.
Franklin was ordered at gunpoint to put his hands on top of head. He was taken into custody and placed in an ECSO patrol vehicle.
The victim, later identified by the ECSO as Franklin’s wife, stated she found Franklin sitting on the couch that morning, but that led to an argument because he was supposed to be at work. During the argument, he pulled out a gun and started shooting it, according to the report. The victim told deputies that she tried to get the gun away from Franklin, and that is when he shot her.
Two other people were asleep upstairs in the home at the time but did not hear anything, deputies said.
The victim was airlifted to a Pensacola hospital by MedStar Air Care 2 and survived.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia Commission Gets New Member, New Chair And Vice-Chair This Week
November 20, 2022
A new commissioner will take office and a new chair and vice chair will be appointed at Tuesday’s meeting of the Escambia County Commission.
The BOCC will swear in Mike Kohler as District 2 commissioner, succeeding Doug Underhill who did not seek reelection. Robert Bender will also be sworn in as District 4 Commissioner.
The commission will then reorganize with District 3 Commissioner Lumon May serving as chairman and District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry serving as vice chairman.
Kohler is a retired Navy captain who spent more than 30 years as a registered nurse. He served as vice chairman of the Escambia County Health Facility Authority.
Pictured: Mike Kohler will be sworn in as the new Escambia County District 2 commissioner on Tuesday.
Here Are This Week’s Road Construction Trouble Zones
November 20, 2022
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities. In preparation for the Thanksgiving Day holiday weekend, there will be no lane closures or other activities that impede traffic on major state roads beginning at 7 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 23 and ending at 12 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 28.
Escambia County:
- Interstate 10 (I-10) Escambia County Welcome Center – The front parking lot is temporarily closed as crews work to resurface the pavement. The other parking areas remain open. Temporary sidewalk modifications are also in place while work is underway.
- U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures and lane shifts on the Pensacola Bay Bridge Sunday, Nov. 20 through Tuesday, Nov. 22 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Crews will be using lanes on the current bridge as a platform to perform miscellaneous construction activities on the westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) structure.
- Pace Boulevard from Barrancas Avenue to Massachusetts Avenue – Pedestrians will encounter alternating sidewalk closures on Pace Boulevard, between Barrancas Avenue and North Palafox Street (U.S. 29), as crews perform sidewalk and curb improvements. Pedestrians will be detoured to the signalized intersections to access the sidewalks on the other side of Pace Boulevard during this time.
- East Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90A) from Chemstrand Road to East of Baldridge Drive – The bicycle lanes are temporarily closed to allow crews to widen the turn lanes and construct new five-foot bicycle lanes. In addition, the speed limit on this section of East Nine Mile Road has been reduced from 45 mph to 35 mph as vehicles and bicycles will share the roadway. The closure and speed limit reduction will be in place until the project is complete next summer.
- North Ninth Avenue (State Road (S.R.) 289) Carpenter’s Creek Bridge Replacement – The Ninth Avenue northbound bridge over Carpenter’s Creek is open with four travel lanes, two in each direction. Drivers will continue to encounter intermittent and alternating lane closures as crews place the final layer of asphalt and perform final work activities.
- Pensacola Boulevard (U.S. 29) from Brent Lane (S.R. 296) to North of I-10 – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures Sunday, Nov. 20 through Tuesday, Nov. 22 from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. as crews pave the roadway.
- Lillian Highway (S.R. 298), from North of U.S. 98 to East of Fairfield Drive (S.R. 727) and Lillian Highway at Blue Angel Parkway (S.R. 173) - Drivers may encounter intermittent lane closures on Lillian Highway, between U.S. 98 and Blue Angel Highway for erosion control operations. Shoulder closures will be present throughout the project for erosion control installation.
- Cervantes Street (U.S. 90) Routine Underground Utility Maintenance at A Street Intersection – Motorist will encounter intermittent lane closures from 8 p.m. Monday, Nov. 21 through 8 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 22 to tie in a new waterline to the watermain.
Santa Rosa County:
- Pensacola Bay Bridge (U.S. 98) Replacement – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures and lane shifts on the Pensacola Bay Bridge Sunday, Nov. 20 through Tuesday, Nov. 22 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Crews will be using lanes on the current bridge as a platform to perform miscellaneous construction activities on the westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) structure.
- U.S. 90 Bridge Replacement over Simpson River - Construction crews have temporarily shifted eastbound traffic to the westbound bridge over Simpson River. The shift is expected to be in place through March 2023. During this time, there will be two westbound lanes and one eastbound travel lane using the westbound bridge. Due to the traffic shift, there will not be dedicated bike lanes on the bridge. Drivers are urged to use extra caution as they will be temporarily sharing the bridge with cyclists. Drivers are also reminded that the speed limit is 35 mph through the work zone.
- I-10 Resurfacing East of S.R. 281 (Avalon Boulevard) to East of S.R. 87 – Motorists can expect intermittent nighttime lane closures Monday, Nov. 21 and Tuesday, Nov. 22 for construction activities.
- U.S. 90 Routine Utility Maintenance from Fellowship Baptist Church to Santa Villa Drive in Pace – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures Monday, Nov. 21 and Tuesday, Nov. 22 from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. for routine utility maintenance.
- U.S. 98 Widening from Bayshore Road to Portside Drive – Motorists will encounter the following traffic impacts:
- Median and turn-lane closures from Bayshore Road to Tiger Point Drive.
- Intermittent lane closures and additional median closures between S.R. 281 and Bayshore Road Sunday, Nov. 20 through Wednesday, Nov. 23 from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for stormwater drainage improvements and paving operations.
- Settlers Colony Boulevard will remain closed to complete necessary drainage improvements. Motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians will access Settlers Colony Boulevard via Venetian Way and Coronado Drive. Detour signs will be in place. Residents may experience noise, vibrations, and dust during daytime hours as part of this drainage improvement effort.
All activities are weather-dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
UWF Gets Big 45-19 First Round Playoff Win Over Limestone
November 20, 2022
De’Mareyae Givens well-remembered the anguish from a year ago when UWF exited the first round of the NCAA playoffs, after a shocking upset loss at home as the No. 1 region seed.
“That didn’t feel good,” he said. “I didn’t want that to be our situation. I am a senior and this is my last chance. We’ve got to keep going and I’m going to give all I’ve got.”
His determination produced a pivotal moment Saturday when he blocked a punt, then scooped the ball and scored with 11 seconds left before halftime, building an 18-point lead that the Argos eventually carried into a 45-19 victory against Limestone University in the first-ever NCAA Division II playoff game on campus at Pen Air Field.
Before a crowd of 2,147 on a cold, raw and light raining day, the Argos build at 31-6 lead early in the third quarter, overcome Limestone’s two touchdowns to trim the deficit and cruised the rest of the way into their 10th post-season win. It extends the best winning percentage (10-2 in four years) among any NCAA D-2 team.
“The momentum at the end of the half, that was huge,” said UWF coach Pete Shinnick. “That really gave our guys a lot of energy. But I love how we played just to answer the call. Not the prettiest game on offense, but I will take 45 points any time, anywhere. I think all our guys were very aware of a year ago, so to put ourselves in this situation right now is fantastic.”
The win sends No. 3 region seed UWF (10-2), which just attained its third season of 10 or more wins in the team’s brief, six-year history, into the Super Region 2 semifinals next Saturday in a rematch against Gulf South Conference rival Delta State, a 51-0 winner against Fayetteville (N.C.) State in another first-round game Saturday. The game will be at 1 p.m. next Saturday in Cleveland, Mississippi.
The Statesmen earned a higher seed (No. 2) by virtue of beating UWF 45-42 in double overtime on September 24 in Pensacola. Since that game, the Argos have reeled off eight straight wins.
“We have been saying this since we got into the league our first year (2016). You have to win the Gulf South Conference twice, because almost every year there will be two or three GSC teams in the playoffs,” Shinnick said. “We’ve had to go through this before. When we lost to (Delta State) the feeling was we would see them again.”
The Argos wound up with a 26-point win Saturday, but that is deceiving.
Limestone (8-3), which did not win a game a year ago (0-9) and was playing in its first-ever NCAA playoff game, set an early-game tone by driving to UWF’s 25 on the game’s first possession, then being thwarted on a goal-line stand by the Argos defense on Limestone’s third possession. On a fourth-and-goal call from the 2, the Saints’ star running back Tre Stewart was stood up by UWF’s defensive line.
And in the third quarter, Limestone cut the deficit to 12 points and had its boisterous contingent of fans in an emotional pitch after recovering a botched punt catch attempt by UWF’s David Durden and recovering the bouncing football in the end zone for a touchdown.
“That’s a very good football team we just played and very tough environment to play in but I’m very proud of our kids with the resolve they had,” said Limestone’s third-year coach Mike Furrey, whose team set a school record for most wins in a season and most conference wins in the South Atlantic Conference. The private school with less than 2,500 enrollment is located in Gaffney, South Carolina, about 55 miles southwest of Charlotte.
“I thought we cleaned some things up at halftime and went out and played the best we could play in the second half,” Furrey said. “This is one of the great stories in college football history what these kids (Saints) did going from 0-9 to 8-3 and making the playoffs. It’s never been done before in college football.
“What a great experience for us to play in this game and to be in the playoffs when nobody would have said that six months ago.”
Before the goal line stand from UWF’s defense late in the first quarter, the Argos scored the game’s first points when quarterback Peewee Jarrett scored the first of his three rushing touchdowns on a 19-yard run with 4:00 minutes left. Jarrett battled through a struggling day in the passing game, completing only seven of 18 attempts for 113 yards and was sacked three times.
One of the two pivotal moments in Saturday’s game occurred in the final two minutes of the first half. UWF led just 10-6 when Jarrett steered a nine-play, 70-yard drive that was capped by his 2-yard run with 1:11 left.
Following the ensuing kickoff, Limestone threw a pair of incompletions that kept the clocked stopped. With 24.2 seconds left on a punt from Bryan Frey, there were offsetting penalties, forcing a do-over kick.
This time, Givens burst free from a gap, blocked the ball with two hands and easily picked the ball off the bounce for a walk-in score from five yards out. When Griffin Cerra added the extra point, that once-four-point lead had swelled to 24-6.
“I did (feel a block was coming),” said Givens, a senior from Palatka. “With the spaces that were left in between two (Limestone) players and I know how quick I am to get off the ball, I thought I have a chance of blocking this kick. The snap was high. When (Frey) tried to bring it back down I was already there.
“I couldn’t sleep (Friday night) trying to think about this game. Last year had a lot to do with how this game turned out. I am a senior and I just wanted to do all I could to help us win.”
The Argos took a 31-6 lead on Ra’veon Hargove’s 3-yard run early in the third quarter. But that’s when the game’s second pivotal moment occurred. Limestone drove 64 yards for a touchdown later in the quarter. When the Argos defense got another stop, Frey’s punt to Durden was signaled as a fair catch. But Durden didn’t complete the catch and the ball bounded backwards to enable Limestone to recover it for a touchdown with 57 seconds left in the third quarter.
Suddenly, it’s now a 31-19 game, after the extra point failed.
“Dave muffed a punt which is something he doesn’t do,” Shinnick said. “It was very unfortunate, very uncharacteristic of us and Dave. But I will stick him back there any time. That was obviously something that cannot happen.
“But I still felt we were doing a lot of really good things… So I wasn’t sitting there panicking, but it was more like, okay we got the ball back, now we have to do something good. And I felt like our guys understood the situation well.”
UWF answered less than three minutes later when Jarrett hooked up with Durden on a 33-yard touchdown pass in the back left corner of the end zone.
“I felt like our offense has been electric all season,” Jarrett said. “Big play touchdowns, one play drives. I knew it was coming throughout the game, I like Dave one on our against whoever he faces in that situation.”
From that point, UWF stayed in control. Hargrove led UWF in rushing with 121 yards. CJ Wilson had 66 yards and Shomari Mason had 40 as UWF amassed 259 yards on the ground.
Willie Jordan led UWF’s defense with 11 tackles. Will Breland and Sharrod Oliver both had interceptions. It was a far different ending to this first-round playoff game as compared to the Argos’ 33-30 overtime loss a year ago to Newberry at Blue Wahoos Stadium. That became the final game UWF played at the bayfront baseball stadium.
Shinnick credits this team’s experienced leadership with practice efforts that emphasized not to take Limestone as an easy game.
“Our seniors did a good job this week staying true to that,” he said. “They understood the heartache and they understood the disappointment from a year ago. Last year we had a punt blocked, this year we blocked a punt. Last year we threw interceptions, this year we won the turnover game.”
By doing so, UWF gets an opportunity against Delta State to continue its amazing postseason streak. The Argos have not lost a playoff game at another team’s stadium.
“Like to see that continue,” Shinnick said.
By Bill Vilona, UWF Senior Writer. Photo: Morgan Givens/UWF.
Tate Lady Aggies Hold Annual Softball Skills Clinic (With Photo Gallery)
November 20, 2022
The Tate Lady Aggies held their fall softball skills clinic fundraiser last week with help from the Pensacola State Pirates.
For more photos, click to enlarge.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
One Injured In Semi, Car Crash At Highway 29, Highway 97 Intersection
November 19, 2022
One person was injured in a crash involving a semi-truck and a car Friday afternoon at the intersection of Highway 29 and Highway 97 in Molino.
The driver of the car was reportedly transported by Escambia County EMS to an area hospital with injuries that were not considered life-threatening. The driver of the semi was not injured in the 1:40 p.m. crash.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating, and troopers have not said how the crash occurred. The Molino and Cantonment stations of Escambia County Fire Rescue and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Northview Chiefs Beat Holmes County 34-26 In 1R Regional Semifinal (With Photo Gallery)
November 19, 2022
The Northview Chiefs improved to 11-0 Friday night with a 34-26 win over Holmes County in a FHSAA Region 1-1R semi-final game on a cold night in Bratt.
“Hats off to Holmes County. They did an excellent job,” Northview head coach Wes Summerford said. “I told their coach that. They did a great job on both sides of the ball; they gave us some trouble all game long. We struggled to be who we are, and that’s something we’ve got to look at this weekend and get it fixed.”
For more photos, click or tap here. (Look for fans, cheerleaders, the band and more coming soon.)
Northview quarterback Kaden Odom led the Chiefs with four touchdowns — a 75-yard kickoff return plus TD runs of 5-yards, 32-yards and 19-yards. Jamarkus Jefferson also added a touchdown from one-yard out.
Next Friday night, Northview will host Chipley (11-0) at Tommy Weaver Memorial Stadium in Bratt. Chipley is coming off a 33-20 win over Baker this week.
“We’ve got a tough team coming in here. We’ve got to get better, and we’ve got to play better than that. We just weren’t ready. That’s my fault, and that’s on me.”
“We just got to do better. We got to get on both sides, the ball better.”
For more photos, click or tap here. (Look for fans, cheerleaders, band coming soon.)
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
ECUA Elects Benson As Chair, Stephens As Vice Chair
November 19, 2022
The Emerald Coast Utilities Authority held its organizational board meeting this week.
District 2 member Lois Benson was reelected as board chair, and District 5 member Kevin Stephens was reelected as vice chair.
Vicki Campbell of District 1 was reelected as chair of the ECUA Citizens’ Advisory Committee CAC, and Larry Williams, Sr., was reelected as vice-chair.
The board also reappointed members of the CAC as follows:
- Mr. Carl Punyko – District 1
- Dean Kirschner – District 2
- Louis Brown, III – District 3
- Larry Walker, Ph.D. – District 4
- David Gaines – District 5
- Imelda Cromartie – at large
- Louise Ritz, at large
The ECUA board also set meetings for the 2023 calendar for the typical 3 p.m. on the fourth Tuesday of each month.
Pictured: ECUA board attorney Robert Beasley (center), administers the oath of office to Lois Benson (right) as member Kevin Stephens (left) looks on. NorthEscambia.com image, click to enlarge.
You Saw The Blue Angels Air Show. But Did You Hear This Korean War Vet’s Once Top Secret Story?
November 19, 2022
Over 210,000 people attend last weekend’s Blue Angels Homecoming Air Show at NAS Pensacola this past weekend.
And last Saturday, the crowds heard the story of an American hero that was only recently declassified.
NAS Pensacola Commanding Officer Capt. Terry Shashaty had the privilege of hosting Capt. (ret.) Royce Williams for the show. And his once top secret story was shared with the crowd.
Williams’ solo dogfight with seven Soviet pilots during the Korean War was a classified military secret for decades.
For 30 minutes, he was the lone American in a dogfight with several Russian Migs.
He was assigned to a Carrier Air Group aboard the USS Oriskany off the extreme northern coast of North Korea on November 18, 1952.
Williams was awarded the Medal of Honor in July 2022.
“To me and everyone who learns his story, Royce Williams is more than the Navy’s Top Gun pilot for all time,” said Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) at the time. “His courage under fire and service to our country in a time of war should be an inspiration for all Americans. While Royce seeks neither fame nor recognition, those of us who know him and know what he did won’t give up until our mission to honor him is a success.”
According to the Military Officers Association of America”
“On that day in 1952, Williams’ team of F9F-5 Panthers had just conducted an airstrike on the Hoeryong industrial complex near the Korea-Soviet Union border when Williams and his wingman, Dave Rowlands, were surprisingly engaged by seven enemy MiGs. Rowlands pursued one of the MiGs out of formation, leaving Williams to deal with the other six.
“As the MiGs buzzed by him, Williams was able to shoot down the trail plane before entering in a high stakes cat-and-mouse game in blizzard-like conditions. The end result of a 35-minute dogfight: four downed MiGs, one damaged MiG, and Williams’ badly beat up Panther.
“With 263 bullet holes and limited ability to steer, Williams was able to limp back to USS Oriskany.”
After the ordeal, he was awarded the Silver Star and received credit for downing one plane and damaging another, as the complete events of the day were classified for five decades.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
