Chance Of Rain Increases Into The Weekend And Next Week
June 27, 2025
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Friday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 88. East wind around 5 mph becoming west in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Saturday: Showers and thunderstorms, mainly between 1pm and 4pm, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 4pm. High near 88. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Saturday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 7pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. Southwest wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Sunday: Showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. High near 90. West wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Sunday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. West wind around 5 mph.
Monday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm, then showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. High near 88. West wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
Monday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. West wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday: Showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. High near 89. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
Tuesday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Wednesday: Showers and thunderstorms. High near 90. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
Wednesday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72.
Thursday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Red-Hot Wahoos Continue Offensive Surge, Win 10-6
June 27, 2025
written by Willie Phaler
After a 10-6 win Thursday night, the Blue Wahoos have continued to put up runs in bunches during their road trip in Chattanooga. With a 9-6 win on Wednesday and a 9-8 win Tuesday, the Wahoos have scored nine or more runs in three consecutive games for the first time since July 7-9, 2023.
The offense got things going against Lookouts starter Ryan Cardona, as Nathan Martorella picked up a bases-clearing double with two outs in the third after sneaking a chopper by first baseman Cam Collier. Kemp Alderman added on in the fifth for Pensacola with his league-leading fourth triple of the season. After legging out the three-bagger, Alderman was awarded home on a balk by Cardona.
After four innings of one-run ball from Ike Buxton in his second Double-A start of 2025, the Lookouts chased him in the fifth on the way to a five-run frame. Sal Stewart sent a three-run home run out to left-center while Noelvi Marte and Austin Callahan each picked up an RBI. Buxton was charged for three runs, while two were charged to Alex Williams (W, 3-0), ending his scoreless streak at 19.1 innings.
The offense continued to come flying in for the Wahoos with a two-run sixth. Third baseman Tony Bullard picked up an RBI with a double to right while Shane Sasaki drove in a run of his own.
The seventh inning was the cherry on top toward the massive offensive output. Grant Richardson gave Pensacola the lead for good by clobbering a three-run home run to right. Richardson’s drive left the bat at 111 mph and helped chase Chattanooga righthander Brandon Komar (L, 1-2). Catcher Spencer Bramwell added the tenth run with an RBI single to solidify the Blue Wahoos lead.
Left fielder Michael Snyder also shone through for the Blue Wahoos at the plate, tying a team record with four walks. Snyder is the first Wahoo to pick up four free passes since outfielder Jakob Marsee on May 8, 2024.
To pair with Buxton’s 4.1 innings, Williams provided length after taking over in the fifth as he finished the ballgame with 4.2 strong innings in a 10-6 Wahoo win.
The Blue Wahoos will continue their series against the Lookouts as they play game four of the series on Friday night. First pitch from AT&T Field in Chattanooga is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. EDT/ 6:15 p.m. CDT.
Nelda Sunday King
June 27, 2025
Nelda Sunday King, age 91, was called home to our Lord on June 22, 2025. She was born January 10, 1934, in Pensacola by a midwife. She was married to Gordon Curly King, February 9, 1951, until his death in June of 1990.
Nelda was a homemaker and loved being outside planting and tending her flowers or mowing her lawn. She loved riding the lawn mower and even after back surgery, her first question to the doctor was, “Can I drive my mower?”
We had to hide the keys! She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. Nelda was a member of Bellview Church of Christ and served faithfully for as long as she was able to attend.
Nelda is survived by her son, Gordon King (Roberta); daughter, Cyndi King Reed (Jim); daughter, Jody Ritchie (Rex); and son, Willard Butch King; four grandchildren and six great grandchildren.
We extend our deepest appreciation to Vitas Hospice, especially Katy, for the amazing care and love shown to our mom.
Funeral Services will be Saturday, June 28, 2025, at 11:00 AM, at Bellview Church of Christ. Visitation will be one hour prior at 10 a.m.. Interment will be in Beulah Baptist Church Cemetery.
No Serious Injuries In Quintette Road Rollover Crash
June 26, 2025
There were no injuries in a single vehicle rollover Thursday afternoon on Quintette Road.
The crash happened a little before 5:30 p.m. on Quintette Road, just off Highway 29.
The female driver was able to exit the vehicle before first responders arrived on scene.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating the cause of the crash.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Second Suspect Arrested In Fatal Atmore Double Shooting
June 26, 2025
A second Evergreen man has been charged with murder and attempted murder for an early Tuesday morning shooting in Atmore.
Javarius Watkins (pictured top left), 24, turned himself in Wednesday night and has been charged with murder and attempted murder. Tyler Hall (pictured bottom left and top), 22, is being held without bond in the Escambia County (AL) Detention Center, and Atmore Police Sgt. Darrell McMinn said additional arrests are forthcoming.
Around 1:50 a.m. Tuesday, the Atmore Police Department responded to Atmore Community Hospital for reported gunshot victims. They discovered 17-year-old Gabriel Elijah Hooks of Atmore had passed away due to his injuries, and a second victim was flown to a trauma center with injuries that appeared to be non-life threatening. Police have not released the name or age of the second victim.
Officers determined the shooting occurred on Carver Avenue near 18th Avenue during a drag race, and they recovered “dozens” of spent shell casings. The investigation is continuing.
Escambia County High School in Atmore is offering counseling services Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Tate High School Revs Up New Automotive Service Academy, Seeks Mechanic Teacher
June 26, 2025
Tate High School’s new Automotive Service Academy is set to open in the fall, but the program is still looking for a teacher who is an experienced mechanic with ASE certification.
Last October, Triumph Gulf Coast voted to award a grant of up to $617,227 to Escambia County Public Schools to re-establish the Automotive Service Academy at Tate High School and to renovate and equip the former Auto Body building with modern equipment and a hands-on lab.
Academy Teacher Needed
“The instructor we are looking for does not need a college degree. We need a teacher who has experience in working on cars,” said Steve Harrell, Workforce Director for Escambia County Public Schools. “They need to have at least two years of full-time experience as a mechanic. Additionally, the new instructor needs to have ASE certification. They don’t need to have ASE Master Mechanic, but they do need to have passed at least four ASE certifications (such as brake, electrical, suspension and steering, etc.).”
“We value experience over all else,” he added.
The salary range is $48,300 to $52,100 for a 10-month position and includes benefits and access to training.
“We can move a new applicant up a little on the salary schedule if they have experience,” Harrell said. “I hope that everyone who sees this job posting realizes that comparing a teaching job to another job is difficult. The rewards that come from giving young people the skills they need to be successful in a career are immeasurable.”
Additionally, a “Classroom Heroes” grant can potentially pay up to $4,000 in sign-on bonus for veterans.
Automotive Service Academy
“This program is a reimagining of our previous Automotive Service program that closed down ages ago,” Harrell said. In the years since the program closed, the space that once was an auto service program became a storage facility and a pottery classroom.
With the Triumph grant and matching funds from the school district, just over $1 million has been invested in the program. The building has undergone a complete makeover with power door lifts, an epoxy floor, two classrooms, a locker room, and even a laundry room to wash coveralls that will protect student clothing. Before school starts, tool rooms and vehicle lifts will be installed.
The academy is also being outfitted with complete Snap-on tool sets.
Students will troubleshoot, diagnose, and repair vehicles, as well as provide routine maintenance on a variety of modern automobiles. This project will have a classroom academic component, but the primary learning environment will be the academy’s automotive service shop and will guarantee completion of 225 Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certificates by the end of the 2029-2030 academic year.
Pictured: Work is underway to complete the interior of Tate High School’s new Automotive Service Academy. Equipment such as vehicles lifts, tool cribs and classroom furniture will be installed in the the coming days. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Approves Casey’s Plans For New Convenience Store At Highway 29, Highway 97 In Molino
June 26, 2025
The Escambia County Development Review Committee on Wednesday gave final approval to plans for a new convenience store at the intersection of Highway 29 and Highway 97 in Molino.
Casey’s received approval for a 4,569 square foot convenience store, a dozen fueling stations, and 14 parking sparces on the 8.13 acre parcel. According to the plans, there will only be right turn in and right turn out access on Highway 29 and a full access connection to Highway 97 with a turn lane Casey’s will be on the northwest corner of the intersection, across Highway 97 from the existing Tom Thumb.
Casey’s is the third largest convenience store and fifth largest pizza chain in the United States. Last year, Casey’s announced the acquisition of Fikes Wholesale, owner of CEFCO Convenience Stores, in an all-cash transaction for $1.145 billion for 198 stores.
According to DRC documents, Casey’s will still need approval from the Florida Department of Transportation for access to Highway 29 and Highway 97, both state roads. Building permits from the county will also be required.
NorthEscambia.com graphic, click to enlarge.
Sparkie Harrison Automatically Elected As Only Candidate To Qualify For Century Council Seat
June 26, 2025
Only one candidate qualified for a vacant seat on the Century Town Council and was elected by default.
Lizbeth A. “Sparkie” Harrison was the first and only candidate to qualify for the seat. Earlier this year, she was defeated in a three-way race for another open council seat by John Bass.
According to a resolution approved by the Century Town Council, Harrison should be sworn into office 10 days following the certification of the July 29 election date.
“Since there is only one qualified candidate for Seat 5, there will be no Special Election on July 29,” Escambia County Supervisor of Elections Robert Bender told NorthEscambia.com. “According to Florida law, the unopposed candidate is deemed to have voted for himself or herself at the general election and thus elected to the office.”
This month marked the second time Harrison sought election to the town council; she ran unsuccessfully for a different vacant council seat previously. She lost the three-way race to John Bass, who received 58.6% of the vote to her 20.3%.
Harrison, who has lived in Century and worked as a director of PSC Century Center for two years, is “driven by the desire to help others and enhance the quality of life for all who call Century home,” according to a letter she submitted to the town before the previous election. She holds a bachelor of science degree in human services from Tennessee Wesleyan University.
On May 6, Councilmember Sandra McMurray-Jackson resigned from Seat 5 for personal reasons. With more than six months remaining until the end of her term in January 2027, the town charter requires that the council set a special election and appoint a replacement to the five-member body. To date, the council has failed to appoint an interim replacement as required by the town charter.
Pictured: Lizbeth A. “Sparkie” Harrison addresses the Century Town Council in January 2025. NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Hot, Chance Of Showers And Thunderstorms Thursday
June 26, 2025
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Thursday: A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 10am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Thursday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 71. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Friday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 90. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Friday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 71. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Saturday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Saturday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Sunday: Showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. High near 91. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Sunday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
Monday: Showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. High near 91. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Monday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72.
Tuesday: Showers and thunderstorms. High near 90. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Tuesday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72.
Wednesday: Showers and thunderstorms. High near 88. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
First Responders Continue Donut Strike For Manna Today (With Donation Location List)
June 26, 2025
Area first responders will take part in the Donut Strike for Manna again today and Friday.
Each day of the Donut Strike, first responders will be stationed at grocery stores across Escambia and Santa Rosa counties from 3 to 6 p.m. to collect food and monetary donations.
In the North Escambia area, first responders will be at:
- Winn Dixie — 1550 South Highway 29, Cantonment
- Publix — 2180 West Nine Mile Road (Nine Mile at Pine Forest)
- Publix — 9251 University Parkway (Nine Mile at University)
Participating agencies include the Escambia County Fire Rescue, Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Gulf Breeze Fire Rescue, Gulf Breeze Police Department, Midway Fire District, Pace Fire Rescue District, Pensacola Fire Department, Pensacola Police Department, and Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office.
For the complete list of locations across Escambia and Santa Rosa counties for Thursday, click here.
Pictured: Escambia County Fire Rescue firefighters collect donations during the Donut Strike for Manna at Publix on University Parkway on Wednesday afternoon. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.