Registration Is Underway For The Tri-City Children’s Choir
September 28, 2025
Registration is now open for the Tri-City Children’s Choir’s fall season.
The program is for children in grades 2–7 and is led by choir director and piano instructor Holley Driver. Rehearsals begin October 9 at First Pentecostal Church at 8451 North Century Boulevard in Century.
To register online, click here.
Financial assistance is available for families who apply, funded through a donor-supported scholarship program. To help keep this opportunity open to every child, contributions can be made anytime at www.TriCityChoir.org, or interested donors, supporters, and businesses can contact the office to learn more about supporting the scholarship fund at (850) 434-7760.
Pictured: The Tri-City Children’s Choir during a March 2025 practice. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Perfect Weather Days Ahead This Week
September 28, 2025
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 67. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 88. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 64. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 87. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 66. North wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 86. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 64. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 81.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 61.
Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 79.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 61.
Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 81.
38 New Students Selected For Take Stock in Children Scholarship Program
September 28, 2025
Take Stock in Children of Escambia County recently welcomed 38 new scholars. There are now 192 students in grades 7-12 in Escambia County’s program.
When Take Stock Scholars maintain the program standards, including good grades, attendance, and citizenship, and attend weekly meetings with their volunteer community mentors, they are awarded a four-year tuition and fees scholarship to a state college in Florida.
Students selected in 2025 to be Take Stock Scholars are:
- Ernest Ward Middle – Brantley Laborde
- Ransom Middle – Darwin Franco-Gonzalez, Micah Hrabak
- ailey Middle – Olivia Cipriano, Nevaeh Hadder, Aria Hungerford, Semaiah Nitzke-Jenkins, Ashton McMahan, Mary Soper, Zachary Soper, Ramon Spann, Jr., Malachi Williamson, and Killian Williamson
- Bellview Middle – Levi Paul (formerly of West Pensacola Elementary)
- Beulah Middle – David Hall, Lillymae Knight, Basileigh Olford, and Kaylee Spearman
- Brown Barge Middle – Faisal Abumohaimed, Barin Barthwell, Giovanna Capocci, Tyson Culliver, Dakoda Ellis, Trevor O’Neill, Duc Tran, and Chloe Wood
- Dixon School of Arts & Sciences – Annelly Barcia, Ezekiel Chase, and Lavon Slater, Jr.
- Ferry Pass Middle – James Bain, Nigel DeVaughn, Coriana Powell (formerly of Cordova Park Elementary), Stephen Williams, Tiana Williams, Zari Woods
- Florida Virtual School – Douglas Caden Epps
- West Florida High – Rickiyah Randolph
- Workman Middle – Ayla Rostofer and Sunshine Sampson
Take Stock in Children is a statewide non-profit organization operating locally under the Escambia County Public Schools Foundation.
Take Stock provides “scholarships, mentors & hope” to deserving young people selected at the end of their 6th or 7th grade year through a need-based application process. Scholarship donations from local foundations, organizations, businesses and individuals are matched dollar-for-dollar when scholarships are purchased each year at selection from Florida Prepaid College Foundation, and are held until students graduate from high school.
To date, Take Stock in Children graduates have been awarded nearly 200 post-secondary completions including professional certifications, Associate’s, Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhDs.
McDavid Fire Station Real Estate To Be Donated To Escambia County
September 28, 2025
This week, the Escambia County Commission is set to consider accepting the donation of the McDavid Volunteer Fire Department building and property.
The fire station at 100 North Century Boulevard, known as Escambia County Fire Rescue Station 9, operates from a building that still legally belongs to the McDavid Volunteer Fire Department, Inc.
If acceptance is approved by the commission, the real property ownership will transfer from the McDavid Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. to Escambia County.
The fire station will continue to operate as usual with volunteer firefighters using county owned vehicles and equipment.
Pictured: An Escambia County EMS ambulance earlier this year stationed outside the McDavid Fire Station belonging to the McDavid Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Man Pleads Guilty To Federal Narcotics And Firearms Charges
September 28, 2025
An Escambia County man has pleaded guilty to federal narcotics and firearms charges.
Akeem Cornell Shaw, 39, pleaded guilty in federal court to possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and possession of an unregistered firearm (short-barreled shotgun).
In February 2025 law enforcement executed a search warrant at Shaw’s residence. In Shaw’s bedroom, officers located multiple loaded firearms, including a short-barreled shotgun, fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamine, ammunition, and other items indicative of drug distribution. Shaw is a convicted felon, who has previously been convicted of several narcotics related offenses, including possession of heroin with intent to sell.
Shaw faces up to life imprisonment when he is sentenced ion December 11.
The case involved a joint investigation by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and the AFT.
“I am incredibly proud of the continued excellence demonstrated by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and our federal law enforcement partners to investigate this repeat offender and help bring him to justice. The hardworking prosecutors in my office are committed to using the full force of the law to keep our streets safe,” said United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida John P. Heekin.
Ernest Ward Middle School Names Students, Employee Of The Month
September 28, 2025
Ernest Ward Middle School recently named their employee and student of the month for August. Pictured (L-R) with Principal Tyvanna Boulanger are students Nevaeh Tidd, eighth grade; Zane Therrell, seventh grade; Hadley Cook, sixth grade; and Wesley Stafford, technology coordinator. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Emily Ahnelia Castleberry
September 28, 2025
Emily Ahnelia Castleberry, 84, of Cantonment, Florida, passed away peacefully, Saturday, September 27, 2025, surrounds by family. Emily was born in Prichard, Alabama and was in the area for over 75 years.
Mrs. Castleberry was a beloved wife to Kenneth Castleberry, Sr. for over 64 years, she was a mother to many and a loving grandmother to all. She was a faithful member, choir singer and nursey worker at Victory Bible Baptist Church for more than 48 years. She had a love for youth camp, cooking, roses and taking care of others. She is known as a Godly woman who loved children. She will be deeply missed.
Emily was an avid member at Victory Bible Baptist for many years.
Emily is preceded in death by spouse, Kenneth Franklin Castleberry, Sr. Parents, Rufus and Elizabeth Burnham, great granddaughter, Evelyn Walton, nephew, Larry Wayne Burnham, as well as several other precious children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren born silently to Jesus.
Emily is survived by children, Diane Van Meris (Jean), Brenda Chavis (Eddie), Kenneth Castleberry (Angela), Eddie Castleberry (Nona), Beth Livingston (Billy), Belinda McGrath, Keith Castleberry (Sandy), Junior Kozlowski (Karin), grandchildren; Cody Castleberry, Patrice Beradelli (Jeremy), Debbie Lee (Jerry), Kaila Ward (Addison), Steven Chavis, Trey Thompson, Randall Castleberry (Tessa), Amber Wise, Tayler Dimmick, Nikole Perna (Vincent), great grandchildren; Brody and Colton Castleberry, Mckenzie and Brantley Beradelli, Zachary, Grayson, Noah and Kiaden Lee, Bradley and Summit Castleberry, Xander and Phoenix Dimmick as well as Jaxson Perna and brother’s Doyle (Earlene) Burnham, Donnie (Jeanne) Burnham, Charles (Vicki) Burnham, David Burnham. Plus numerous nieces and nephews.
A visitation will be held at Pensacola Memorial Gardens Funeral Home on Friday, October 3 from noon until the service begins at 1 p.m. Brother Allen Cotton will be officiating and the grandsons will be pallbearers. A special thank you to her nurses Jillian, Andrea and Virginia at VITAS Hospice.
Escambia Farm Bureau Presents Farm Family, Distinguished Service Awards
September 27, 2025
Escambia County Farm Bureau recently honored local producers during their annual meeting.
The Farm Family award was presented to the Glen and Todd Wiggins, and the Distinguished award was presented to Brett Ward of Walnut Hill for outstanding services to rural Escambia County.
Pictured top: Jack Livingston presented Glen and Todd Wiggins the Farm Family award. Pictured below: Farm Bureau President Jerry Sheppard presented the Distinguished Service award to Brett Ward. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
EREC: Please Don’t Shoot At Our Lines During Dove Season
September 27, 2025
Dove season begins today in Florida, and a fiber internet provider and power company have issuing a warning — don’t shoot at power or fiber lines.
According to Connect Powered by Escambia River Electric Cooperative and EREC, shooting at an electrical line is a crime
EREC said shooting at power lines and fiber lines can cause extensive damage, costing thousands in repairs, leading to higher utility bills or a large fine for the hunter. There’s also the risk of a fire or electrocution from downed power lines. In addition, the cooperative said damaging electrical equipment is against the law and could result in criminal charges or financial liability for repair costs.
Anyone that witnesses a person shooting at wired lines in EREC’s territory is asked to report it to the cooperative at (850) 675-4521.
According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, dove season this year is September 27 – October 19, November 8- 30, and December 19 – January 31.
Great Weekend: Highs In The 80s, No Rain, And Nights In The 60s
September 27, 2025
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 86. North wind around 5 mph.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 63. North wind around 5 mph.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 88. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 65. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 88. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 66. North wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 88. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 66. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 87.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 66.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 85.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 62.
Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Sunny, with a high near 81.