Bonus Gallery: Northview Band, Fans And Cheerleaders At Baker
November 22, 2021
The Northview Chiefs football season came to an end with a tough 46-35 loss to defending station champion Baker Friday night in the Class 1A regional semifinals.
For a photo gallery with the band, fans and cheerleaders, click here.
For a game action photo gallery, click here.
For a game action story, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Lodge Hosts First Responders Breakfast
November 22, 2021
Cantonment Masonic Lodge #322 hosted a free breakfast for first responders Saturday morning, serving about 75 active and retired first responders Saturday. They plan to hold breakfast events in the future for other community groups. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
No Honor: Thieves Caught On Camera Stealing From Local Farmer
November 22, 2021
FOR AN UPDATE TO THIS STORY, CLICK OR TAP HERE.
Three people were caught on camera stealing 27 bags of deer corn, peanuts and ear corn being sold on the honor system by a Walnut Hill farmer.
About 3:50 last Friday morning, the three men stopped at the farmer’s roadside bin and barn on South Highway 99. They can be seen on surveillance video loading up the bags into a white or light color panel van. It appeared as if the back doors of the van would not completely close, and it may have had a cracked windshield.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is investigating. Anyone with information is asked to call the ECSO at (850) 436-9620 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Images and video for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Drivers To Get Road Construction Break For Thanksgiving
November 22, 2021
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties Monday and Tuesday as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.
But due to the Thanksgiving holiday, there will be no lane closures or other activities that impede traffic on major state roads beginning at 7 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 24 and ending at 11:59 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 28.
Escambia County
- Pensacola Bay Bridge (U.S. 98) Replacement - Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures and shifts on the Pensacola Bay Bridge from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 21 through Tuesday, Nov. 23. Crews will be using lanes on the current bridge as a platform to pour concrete decks for the westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) structure.
- North Ninth Avenue (State Road (S.R.) 289) Carpenters Creek Bridge Replacement- All travel lanes are temporarily shifted to the northbound side of the bridge as crews replace the southbound portion of the structure. Additionally, drivers may encounter intermittent temporary lane closures from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Nov. 22 and Tuesday, Nov. 23 as crews mobilize materials and equipment.
- West Cervantes Street (U.S. 90) Pedestrian Safety Improvement – Drivers will encounter intermittent lane closures between the following locations as crews perform median improvements and install poles for pedestrian traffic signals.
- A and N Streets (inside lane closures)
- Kirk and R Streets (intermittent outside lane closure)
- Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90) Widening from Beulah Road to Pine Forest Road (S.R. 297) – Drivers will encounter temporary intermittent traffic shifts and alternating lane closures Monday, Nov. 22 and Tuesday, Nov. 23 as crews place final striping.
- U.S. 29 Widening from Interstate 10 (I-10) to Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90) – Drivers can expect the following construction related traffic impacts Sunday, Nov. 21 through Tuesday, Nov. 23:
- Nighttime intermittent lane closures and shifts, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., on U.S. 29, between I-10 and Nine and Half Mile Road, and on Nine Mile Road at the U.S. 29 interchange.
- The U.S. 29 southbound on-ramp and U.S. 29 northbound off-ramp at the Nine Mile Road interchange may be reduced to a single lane during the nighttime hours of 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. Signage will be in place and traffic flaggers will be on-site to direct motorists.
- Sorrento Road (S.R. 292) Intersection Improvements at Innerarity Point (County Road 292A) – Motorists can expect daytime shoulder closures Monday, Nov. 21 and Tuesday, Nov. 23 as crews place a watermain.
- S.R. 173 (Blue Angel Parkway) Routine Maintenance North of Sorrento Road – Motorists can expect intermittent lane closures from 8 p.m. Monday, Nov. 22 to 5 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 23 as crews perform paving operations.
Santa Rosa County
- Pensacola Bay Bridge (U.S. 98) Replacement – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures and lane shifts on the Pensacola Bay Bridge from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 21 through Tuesday, Nov. 23. Crews will be using lanes on the current bridge as a platform to pour concrete decks for the westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) structure. Additional work will include the installation of pier lighting.
- I-10 Resurfacing East of S.R. 281 (Avalon Boulevard) to East of S.R. 87 – Motorists can expect intermittent lane closures on the Blackwater River Bridge from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 21 through Tuesday, Nov. 23 as crews perform paving operations.
- U.S. 98 Widening from Bayshore Road to Portside Drive – Major roadway construction activities are currently underway. Improvements on the 4.25-mile section include widening the roadway from four to a six-lanes with a raised median; safety and drainage upgrades; resurfacing State Road 281 (Avalon Boulevard) from U.S. 98 to Garcon Point Bridge; extending the existing shared-use path on the south side of U.S. 98 from Gondolier Boulevard; and new signage and pavement markings.
- U.S. 90 Drainage Work just West of West Spencerfield Road – Motorists can expect lane closures at the merge lane just west of West Spencerfield Road from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 19 through Tuesday, Nov. 23 as crews perform drainage operations.
All activities are weather-dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
It’s Fall Break For Escambia County Students
November 22, 2021
It’s Fall Break for Escambia County School District students.
Students will return to class on Monday, November 29.
Students in Escambia County will next be out of class for Christmas Break from December 18 through January 3.
AAA: Florida Thanksgiving Gas Prices The Highest In Eight Years
November 22, 2021
Florida gas prices set a new 2021 high last week as 2.6 million Floridians prepare to hit the road for Thanksgiving, according to AAA.
The state average price for gasoline jumped 10 cents mid-week, reaching $3.36 per gallon. That’s the highest daily average price since September 2014.
The average price per gallon in Escambia County was better than the state average at $3.27 per gallon. A North Escambia low of $3.13 could be found at a station on Highway 29 in Cantonment Sunday night. Several Pensacola stations were a few pennies above $3.
“High gas prices are not something drivers will be thankful for this Thanksgiving,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “The good news is gas prices should gradually decline through the holiday. Crude oil and gasoline futures dropped last week, and that should restore some downward pressure on prices at the pump.”
‘A Good Man’ – Gene Gabbert, Jay Peanut Festival Host, Has Passed Away
November 21, 2021
The man that hosted thousands upon thousands of people at his farm each year for the Jay Peanut Festival has passed away.
Eugene Emil Gabbert, known as “Gene”, passed away at the age of 84. Gene and his wife Brenda, saw crowds reaching 75,000 or more visit the Jay Peanut Festival on the first weekend of each October.
“I was fortunate to have spent 61 years of marriage to the most wonderful man and the most loving father to our daughters,” Brenda said. The peanut festival was started in 1990 in memory of their daughter Melissa Caroline Gabbert, who passed away due to cancer.
There were many accolades over the years for the Jay Peanut Festival — including U.S. Congressional recognition.
Gabbert was born in 1937 on a 160 acre farm in Minnesota.
“Gene loved living on his family farm, as he did on ours here on Pine Level Church Road,” Brenda stated.
He joined the Air Force when he was just 19-years old, serving four years active duty plus two years in reserve. He was stationed at Tyndall Air Force Base when he married Brenda, shortly after she graduated from Bay High School in Panama City. He worked for a private telephone company in Minnesota and General Dynamics before becoming a supervisor with Western Electric and then Southern Bell.
In 1975, the couple moved from Cantonment to Jay, opening a John Deere dealership that they operated for 11 years. He worked as a salesman and continued farming.
“He then decided to retire from outside jobs to work from his home shop, repairing farm tractors and equipment. He loved restoring old 2-cylinder tractors, wagons, and other farm equipment,” she said. His farm museum and tractor displays were peanut festival favorites.
“There was not much that Gene could not build, repair, or maintain. He built everything on our farm with his own two hands.” Brenda said. “He was a good man with a loving heart and soul.”
Photo Gallery: Northview Falls To Baker
November 21, 2021
The Northview Chiefs football season came to an end with a tough 46-35 loss to defending station champion Baker Friday night in the Class 1A regional semifinals.
For a game action photo gallery, click here.
For a game action story, click here.
For a photo gallery with the band, fans and cheerleaders, click here.
NorthEscmabia.com photos, click to enlarge.
UWF’s Season Ends In Heartbreaking 33-30 Overtime Loss in NCAA First Round
November 21, 2021
by Bill Vilona, UWF Argos Senior Writer
The stadium fell silent. The home crowd stared ahead in shock. The players fell to their knees, many fighting back tears.
A season of high expectations and cresting momentum for the No. 2-ranked University of West Florida football team came to a stunning, heart-breaking end Saturday, after unranked Newberry College pulled off a 33-30 overtime upset in the first round of the NCAA Division II playoffs at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
“I’m sick for our whole team. I’m sick for Pensacola,” said UWF coach Pete Shinnick, following the first time UWF hosted a post-season game. “I thought it was a great day to host a home playoff game. This is a very, very difficult way to end the year.”
On this day, the script was flipped. The tables were turned.
The Argos (9-2) entered 9-0 in non-championship, playoff games. They were the defending national champions from 2019. They had just rung up a 19-point victory against the former No. 1-ranked team, then-unbeaten Valdosta State, on this field a week ago by scoring 61 points.
They had the confidence. But Saturday, the Argos’ two-touchdown lead evaporated in the fourth quarter by continued miscues. The Argos were then forced to kick a field goal with their overtime possession.
That was all Newberry (10-2) needed to reel off eight rushing plays from the 25 – the final being a 1-yard sweep run by Mario Anderson – for the walk-off win. It was Newberry’s third overtime game this season, which helped provide more resolve when it reached that point.
“I’m a little bit in awe of the outcome,” said Newberry coach Todd Knight, in his 14th season at the rural South Carolina school. “I know the young men played their hearts out today and I’m extremely proud of ‘em. We are extremely happy that we got lucky and came out on top.
“This is an unbelievable opportunity that we had, coming to an amazing place. We are from a small, southern town in South Carolina. We don’t have anything that compares to what West Florida has.”
The Wolves, playing in the first post-season game since 2016 and advancing past the first round for only the second time, pulled this off by starting fast, creating turnovers, and making UWF’s high-octane passing game get knocked off-rhythm.
With its offense, Newberry scored on the game’s second play and the final play.
The first sign of trouble for UWF arrived instantly after the opening kickoff. On the game’s second offensive snap, the Wolves turned a five-yard, sideline pass to Bryce Woodruff into a 66-yard touchdown, after he eluded the tackle and outraced UWF defenders.
“At Newberry we teach grit,” said Woodruff, who finished with 11 receptions for 131 yards. “From the start to the finish we always say we’re going to play 60 minutes, so there was never a doubt in my mind.
“There were ups and downs in the football game, but I thought we could win the whole time.”
The Wolves took a 14-0 lead less than six minutes into the first quarter, after a fumbled kickoff return pinned UWF deep and the Argos three pass attempts were incomplete. With field position, Newberry used it to create more positive emotion and force UWF to climb from a two-touchdown deficit.
“We gave them life. We talk all the time, don’t give a team life,” Shinnick said. “They threw a five yard pass and we miss a tackle. We had a couple chances on offense where we just missed on a couple balls.
“In that first five minutes, I felt like we were just kind of running in mud. I don’t know why. It will be something for a very long time we will be thinking about.”
From that point, UWF’s defense rose up. It enabled UWF to trail just 14-10 at halftime, then take 27-14 lead early in the fourth quarter.
All seemed right again.
And then it wasn’t.
The Wolves’ Ke’Shoun Williams blocked a punt at the UWF 36 that he returned for a touchdown with 12:09 remaining. On the ensuing possession, after a long kickoff return by UWF’s Marcus Clayton, Argos’ sophomore quarterback Austin Reed threw his third interception on a deflected pass.
Newberry drove in for the tying touchdown. It was a struggling day for Reed, who completed just 11 of 35 passes for 134 yards – the least productive game in his great career at UWF.
“Obviously, I didn’t play well at all,” he said. “I put that on me.”
Time and again, the Argos normally potent passing game wasn’t clicking. Either with overthrown passes or dropped passes. Newberry had two veteran cornerbacks and their pass rush put UWF’s offensive line in a challenging position to help create problems.
“The only thing I can really say at this point is that I’m sorry,” said Reed, who led the Argos to their national title season in 2019 as a redshirt freshman. “I let a lot of seniors down. I let UWF fans down. I should have found a way in this game and I didn’t and I apologize.
“Coach Shinnick did a great job getting us ready, getting us right, and we didn’t perform as players. He shouldn’t take any of the blame whatsoever for this loss. It falls 100 percent on us.
“(Newberry) just had a good gameplan. They came out and executed really well. We’re up 27-14 at one point and really could have ended it. We just didn’t do what we needed to do to end a game.”
An interception by Reed near the goal-line right before halftime thwarted a chance to take the lead earlier.
But he guided the Argos offense into a pair of touchdowns and a field goal with possessions in the third quarter.
Until that blocked punt, everything was going in the right direction.
“(Reed) has been one of the best quarterbacks in the country,” Shinnick said. “(Saturday) was just an ugly day offensively. We knew (Newberry) would create some issuesand they probably created more than we anticipated.
“They disrupted what we do. We could not get any rhythm going.”
With time now a factor in the game, Newberry took a early fourth quarter chance with a certain formation UWF was in and sent punt blockers rushing up the middle. That special teams play helped change the game.
“Good tactic by them. Something we’ve been working on and just didn’t perform it the way we were practicing,” Shinnick said. “We knew it was one of the things they were going to do.
“That was the momentum swing that kept them in the game.”
Saturday’s stunning playoff loss occurred in UWF’s third postseason trip in its five-year history, which is a feat itself. And it followed two incredible playoff runs. The Argos reached the national title game in 2017 with four road wins, then won the title in 2019 with five road wins.
It created a special legacy for the Argos senior class, some of whom were involved in all three playoff trips.
“It is sickening that it ends this way,” Shinnick said.
Photo: Morgan Givens/UWF for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Operation Christmas Child Collections Thru Monday At Highland Baptist, First Baptist Bratt
November 21, 2021
National Collection Week for Operation Christmas Child continues through Monday at two North Escambia churches — the First Baptist Church of Bratt and Highland Baptist Church in Molino.
The shoe boxes are distributed by trained local pastors and volunteers around the world…right where the children live. The children that receive the box are invited to participate in a 12-step bible study called The Greatest Journey translated into their native language and taught by local people the children know.
Collection week at Highland got underway when the First Baptist Church of Cantonment dropped over 105 boxes. The church’s Kids Klub held a church-wide packing party, packing nearly 250 boxes in one night.
Remaining collection hours at the First Baptist Church of Bratt are:
- Monday, Nov. 22: 8-10 a.m.
And at Highland Baptist Church:
- Monday, Nov. 22: 9:30-11:30 a.m.
