In Local Case, State Appeals Court Rules Open Carry of Firearms Is Protected By The Constitution
September 11, 2025
An appeals court has ruled that Florida’s open carry gun ban is unconstitutional, a ruling applauded by the governor and attorney general.
Florida’s 1st District Court of Appeal said the open-carry band is not compatible with the nations “historical tradition of firearm regulation” under the Second Amendment.
“No historical tradition supports Florida’s open carry ban,” Judge Stephanie Ray wrote in a 20-page opinion joined by Judges Lori Rowe and M. Kemmerly Thomas. “To the contrary, history confirms that the right to bear arms in public necessarily includes the right to do so openly. That is not to say that open carry is absolute or immune from reasonable regulation. But what the state may not do is extinguish the right altogether for ordinary, law-abiding, adult citizens.”
The ruling from the three-judge panel came in an appeal by Escambia County. Stanley Victor McDaniels , who ran unsuccessfully in the past for local offices including county commission and supervisor of elections. He was convicted for an open-carry violation after he was arrested July 4, 2022.
RELATED: Local Law Enforcement Will No Longer Enforce Florida’s Open Carry Law
“Because the Second Amendment’s plain text encompasses the open carrying of firearms in public, that conduct is presumptively protected by the Constitution,” the court opinion stated. “The state therefore bears the heavy burden of establishing a relevant historical tradition of firearms regulation that justifies its prohibition. The state has not met that burden. It is not enough to rely on a generalized tradition of firearms regulation, for at that level of abstraction almost any law could be sustained.”
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier both spoke out in support of the ruling.
“This decision aligns state policy with my long-held position and with the vast majority of states throughout the union,” DeSantis said. “Ultimately, the court correctly ruled that the text of the Second Amendment — ‘to keep and bear arms’ — says what it means and means what it says.”
“Our office fully supports the Court’s decision.This is a big win for the Second Amendment rights of Floridians,” Uthmeier said. “As we’ve all witnessed over the last few days, our God-given right to self-defense is indispensable.”
Pictured: Stanley Victor McDaniels was arrested for an open carry violation in Pensacola on July 4, 2022.
Sunny, Dry And Very Warm On This September 11
September 11, 2025
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 90. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Thursday Night: Clear, with a low around 65. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 91. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 65. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 90. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Saturday Night: Clear, with a low around 64. East wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 90. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Sunday Night: Clear, with a low around 64. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 92.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 67.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 93.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 68.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 92.
‘Amazing News’ — Atmore Police Dept. Says Violent Gun Crime Down Over 46%
September 11, 2025
The Atmore Police Department on Wednesday said crimes involving weapons and violence are down this year to date when compared to last year.
Calling the statistic “amazing news,” APD said Wednesday that crimes with weapons and violence are down 46.43% from January 1, 2025, to September 10, 2025, when compared to the same period in 2024.
“This achievement is a direct result of the tireless efforts of our officers working day and night with strategic responses to keep our community safe,” Atmore Police said in a social media post. “We also want to commend our community as a whole for partnering with us in the fight against crime. Together, we are making Atmore a safer place for everyone.”
The department did not provide specific numbers by type of crime.
Pictured top: Atmore Police Chief Chuck Brooks listens to a citizen speak during a community meeting to seek solutions to violent gun crime in January 2025. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Wahoos Let Late Lead Steal Away In Loss To Clingstones
September 11, 2025
Columbus stole seven bases Wednesday night against the Blue Wahoos. The last two proved decisive.
The Clingstones rallied from a 5-1 deficit in the sixth inning, scoring two ninth-inning runs set up by stolen bases, for a 6-5 victory against Pensacola at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
The loss spoiled a strong start by Blue Wahoos righthander Jake Brooks, part of a revamped pitching staff of prospects elevated the past six weeks from the Beloit Sky Carp, the Miami Marlins’ High-A affiliate.
Brooks completed six innings, allowing four hits and two runs, struck out six batters and did not allow a walk. He left with a 5-2 lead. It’s been the kind of advantage the Blue Wahoos this season have normally turned into wins.
That changed when Columbus got its third run on an errant throw to second base by Blue Wahoos catcher Connor Caskenette on a steal attempt. The Clingstones’ Ambioris Tavarez then followed with an RBI double to cut the lead to 5-4.
In the ninth, Tavarez reached on a single, stole second and scored on John Gil’s RBI single. Gill then stole second and scored the go-ahead run on Ethan Workinger’s two-out RBI single off Blue Wahoos reliever Xavier Meachem, who had joined the team a day earlier from Beloit.
The Blue Wahoos were retired in order in the bottom of the ninth. They had staked a lead in the second inning when Emaarion Boyd singled and Caskenette doubled him home. Another newcomer, shortstop Cam Clayton, followed with an RBI single.
Clayton’s sacrifice fly in the fourth scored Payton Green for a 3-1 lead. In the fifth, Fenwick Trimble smashed a line drive, 2-run homer over the left field wall for the 5-1 lead.
The Blue Wahoos fell to 66-68 overall. and will need to win the remaining four games to extend their streak of eight straight winning seasons. Columbus improved to 57-74 overall.
WANT TO GO?
WHAT: Blue Wahoos Final Series Of 2025 Season
WHO: Columbus Clingstones vs. Blue Wahoos
WHERE: Blue Wahoos Stadium
WHEN: Thursday Through Sunday. Gametimes are at 6:05 p.m. through Saturday; a special
Woman Charged With Election Petition Fraud In Local Counties
September 11, 2025
A 24-year-old Miami woman has been charged with 72 counts each of petition fraud and perjury by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
The FDLE investigation into Jessica Sonia Humphreys began in January 2023 when agents received information from the Escambia County Supervisor of Elections about what appeared to be numerous fraudulent petitions related to the constitutional amendment regarding marijuana use. The fraudulent petitions were submitted by Humphreys who was a paid petition gatherer for “Smart and Safe Florida”. The investigation revealed that 38 counts of petition fraud.
During the investigation, FDLE agents also contacted the Santa Rosa County Supervisor Elections (SOE) and inquired about any petitions that may have been submitted by Humphreys in their county. The SOE notified the investigators about several potentially fraudulent petitions submitted by Humphreys and ultimately revealed that Humphreys had submitted 34 petitions using fictitious names.
FDLE agents contacted Humphreys at her residence in Miami Gardens and she confirmed she was a paid petition gatherer for several counties in North Florida, including Escambia and Santa Rosa.
In November 2023, FDLE agents obtained two arrest warrants for Humphreys: one for the crimes committed in Escambia County and one for the crimes committed in Santa Rosa County.
On January 29, 2024, the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office arrested Humphreys on 34 counts of petition fraud and 34 counts of perjury derived from the FDLE arrest warrant issued for the Santa Rosa County crimes. Humphreys posted bail and failed to appear in the scheduled court hearing.
On August 15, 2025, the Coral Springs Police Department arrested Humphreys during a traffic stop on 38 counts of petition fraud and 38 counts of perjury based on the FDLE arrest warrant issued for her Escambia County crimes. She was transported to the Broward County Jail and later extradited to the Escambia County Jail. She will also face charges for her failure to appear at her Santa Rosa County court hearing.
The Office of the State Attorney, First Judicial Circuit, is prosecuting the case.
Legislators Hear Funding, Policy Requests During Molino Meeting
September 10, 2025
Local governments, nonprofits and citizens had a chance to address the Escambia County Legislative Delegation Tuesday evening at the Molino Community Center. The delegation is comprised of Florida Rep. Michelle Salzman, Rep. Alex Andrade and Sen. Don Gaetz.
A few members of the general public addressed the delegation on issues ranging from concurrency, development and flooding, to long-term and healthcare and comments about the legislators’ responsibility to citizens. Most of the speakers had funding and program requests for the non-profits community service organizations and programs.
Local governments were also able to bring forth appropriation requests for the upcoming legislative session.
Gaetz cautioned that the legislature cut $3 billion from the state budget last session, and the cuts will continue.
“My prediction is that this year, we will spend $2 billion less,” he said. “So consequently, if you think were tight last year, you ain’t’ seen nothing yet.”
Some of those governmental requests or comments were:
CENTURY
Century Mayor Ben Boutwell thanked the legislators for previous state funding that is currently leading to ongoing projects in the town.
“We realize the state will face fiscal constraints in the coming years. With that in mind, our request will be focused and strategic. We will be asking for assistance with projects stimulating economic growth, directly address health and safety issues for residents,” Boutwell said. “These are the investments that will have the greatest long term impact on Century’s future,” Boutwell said. “Together, we can strengthen what we call Blackcat Pride…Thank you for your continued support. With your help, Century will continue to rise.”
ECUA
Emerald Coast Utilities Authority Executive Director Bruce Woody said ECUA was requesting funding for a sewage expansion project in West Ensley. The project service boundaries would be Jones Street to the south, Highway 29 to the west, Barber Street to the north, and Orange Avenue to the east.
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
Escambia County will request funding for a South Navy Boulevard improvement project, public safety improvements for the Escambia County emergency communications system, and a water quality and flood mitigation project. The county will also support legislation to allow county code enforcement to designate vessels as derelict, which must now be done by other agencies.
ESCAMBIA COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
“Let’s do what we can during the legislative session to make certain that students are being educated in their public schools and that those school districts are receiving the funding. There is some discrepancy in how the vouchers are being used versus school district funding,” Escambia Public School Superintendent Keith Leonard told the delegation. “We need your help.”
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Cat Country 98.7 Cat Pak Morning Show Nominated For CMA Award
September 10, 2025
The Cat Country 98.7 Cat Pak Morning Show has been nominated as one of five radio shows nationwide for the 2025 CMA Broadcast Personality of the Year Award for small markets from the Country Music Association (CMA).
The announcement was made Tuesday morning in Nashville by the CMA.
The Cat Pak Morning Show previously won the award for CMA Broadcast Personality of the Year in 2022.
The winners of the 59th Annual CMA Awards will be honored during the November 19 ABC telecast from Bridgestone Arena in Nashville to been seen locally on WEAR 3.
Flomaton Police Seek Vehicle Theft Suspect
September 10, 2025
The Flomaton Police Department is seeking the public’s held in identifying a vehicle theft suspect.
The man allegedly stole a silver car (pictured behind him” from an employee at the We Care Thrift Store in Flomaton.
Anyone with information on the alleged theft is asked to call FPD Sgt. Clay Smith at (251) 296-5811.
After Five-Year Closure, Bidding Process Underway To Replace Freedom Road Bridge In Century
September 10, 2025
The Freedom Road bridge in Century has been closed for five and a half years, and bids are finally being accepted for a replacement bridge.
“I’m excited about it. My big thing is removing the delays for EMS, the fire department, and school buses. It’s about safety,” Mayor Ben Boutwell said Tuesday afternoon. “It will also mean convenience for residents there. They will have their street back.”
On January 29, 2020, the town suddenly closed the bridge on Freedom Road, just east of Jefferson Avenue. Photos obtained by NorthEscambia.com a few days later showed the dangerous conditions that led to the emergency closure. Several pilings under the wooden bridge were no longer properly supporting the structure, and some of the pilings were split or had extreme deterioration (pictured left and below).
On Tuesday, the town held a pre-bid conference with two contractors interested in bidding on the construction of a replacement bridge. Bids are due by October 7.
Century received a nearly $1.257 million legislative appropriation for a new Freedom Road bridge, and about $1 million remains for construction after project design and permitting, according to the town’s engineer, Dale Long.
Construction will begin in very late 2025 or very early 2026. The project is set to be completed within 280 days of start, which would put the new bridge in place in the second half of 2026.
The big delay in the project to date, according to officials, was waiting for a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers permit.
File photos/graphics for and by NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Mostly Clear, Low 60s For Wednesday Night
September 10, 2025
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Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 63. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 90. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Thursday Night: Clear, with a low around 65. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 91. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 65. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 90. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Saturday Night: Clear, with a low around 64. East wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 90. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Sunday Night: Clear, with a low around 64. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 92.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 67.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 93.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 68.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 92.