Night Of Creepy Crawlies Held At Cantonment’s Roy Hyatt Environmental Center
October 27, 2025
More than 500 visitors and volunteers descended upon the Roy Hyatt Environmental Center in Cantonment Fridayt night for the annual “Night of Creepy Crawlies” The popular event offerened fun, adventure, and educational opportunities for all ages.
Attendees kicked off the evening by using flashlights to head down a trail in search of spiders.
A variety of educational area kept visitors engaged. The Wildlife Sanctuary of Northwest Florida taught guests about birds of prey, specifically vultures and owls, and led a scavenger hunt through the Beach House. Bird enthusiasts also sharpened their skills in a bird identification game with Wild Birds Unlimited and participated in birding color activities with the Francis M. Weston Audubon Society.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Sunset Wildlife Connection introduced attendees to a live scorpion, tarantula, Pac Man frog, and a rabbit. The center’s own resources were put to good use as well; guests made cool observations using RHEC microscopes and crawled into the planetarium to blast off into space with a full-dome movie focusing on “Earth, Moon, and Sun.” Many of the center’s resident reptile ambassadors were also on hand to greet the crowd.
In addition to the “creepy crawly” events when the Escambia Amateur Astronomers Association (EAAA) offered the chance to peer through telescopes, and there were food trucks.
The Roy Hyatt Environmental Center’s next big event will be the “Night of Nature” on Friday, March 6, 2026, from 5:30 until 8 p.m.
The center is operated by the Escambia County School District on Tobias Road.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century First Baptist Church Celebrates 121st Anniversary
October 27, 2025
Century First Baptist Church celebrated its 121st anniversary on Sunday.
It was established in 1904 with 25 charter members. The land for the building was donated by the Alger-Sullivan Lumber Company and much of the materials used in the construction were either donated or discounted to the young church by them.
In the beginning, services were held on the second and fourth Sundays of each month. In 1947, the church began meeting every Sunday under the leadership of B.A. Hawkins.
The church continues to worship in the original building. Many renovations and improvements have been made in recent years.
Since 1904, the church has been led by 33 pastors and several interim pastors.
Sunday’s anniversary service was led by Bro. Roger Richards and featured Bro. Dan Kirkland with special music, and a churchwide dinner followed.
Pictured: The Century First Baptist Church on NorthEscambia.com photos last Thursday. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
UWF Softball Players Read To Jim Allen Elementary Kindergarten Students
October 27, 2025
Recently, players from the University of West Florida Argos softball team read to kindergarten students at Jim Allen Elementary School and taught the students about teamwork. The visit was organized by the nonprofit ReadyKids! Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Florida Gas Prices are Slightly Higher Than Last Week, AAA Says
October 27, 2025
Florida gas prices continue to fluctuate, but remain low compared to the rest of the year. Last week, the state average declined 4 cents, increased 9 cents, then declined 3 cents.
Sunday’s state average was $2.92 per gallon. That’s 2 cents more than last week, 7 cents less than last month, 24 cents less than last year.
The state’s lowest priced metro area was Pensacola at an average of $2.67. In North Escambia, a low of $2.46 was available at multiple stations on Highway 29 in Cantonment.
“Price cycling remains a common occurrence at Florida’s gas pumps,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman for AAA – The Auto Club Group. “The good news for drivers is that the higher end of that trend is much lower than it used to be.”
NAS Pensacola Assists Naval Station Guantanamo Bay Non-Mission Essential Personnel Ahead of Hurricane Melissa
October 26, 2025
Approximately 864 non-mission essential personnel from Naval Station Guantanamo Bay arrived at Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola over the weekend as part of a Naval Station Guantanamo Bay non-mission essential personnel movement ahead of one of the strongest hurricanes of the 2025 storm season.
Family members, civilian employees and contractors and pets were all part of the Naval Station Guantanamo Bay non-mission essential personnel movement, arriving on five different flights, as Hurricane Melissa, potentially a major storm at projected initial landfall in Jamaica with a second landfall anticipated early next week in Cuba, could impact Naval Station Guantanamo Bay operations and could experience significant weather events including downpours, strong winds and storm surge.
“The safety and well-being of our Navy family is always a primary concern,” said NAS Pensacola Commanding Officer Capt. Chandra ‘Mamasan’ Newman. “The Sailors and civilian employees here are dedicated and adaptable, making sure they accomplish our Navy mission –and right now that’s taking care of our Navy family from Guantanamo Bay.”
This non-mission essential personnel movement will allow Naval Station Guantanamo Bay to minimize operations during the storm and expedite recovery operations after the hurricane has passed. The naval station has an estimated 5,500 personnel and families living and working on the installation.
NAS Pensacola was notified of the non-mission essential personnel movement Oct. 24, and Newman said preparations began instantly. “Our Fleet and Family Support Center (FFSC) established an Emergency Family Assistance Center (EFAC), and our lodging and dining facilities prepared for the influx of people. The NAS Pensacola team is proud to be part of an operation contributing to the safety and well-being of our service member’s families.”
EFACs are established at specific locations by FFSC’s to provide assistance to service members, their families and other eligible personnel following a large-scale emergency. EFACs provide a wide range of services to military personnel, civilians and their families including counseling, information referral, financial assistance and housing assistance.
NAS Pensacola’s Navy Lodge and Navy Inn provided lodging accommodations for Naval Station Guantanamo Bay non-essential personnel, and local American Red Cross representatives are also providing assistance.
NAS Pensacola, the only Navy installation in the Gulf with both a deep-water port and active airfield, previously received non-mission essential personnel during 2016’s Hurricane Michael, and also serves as a safe harbor for numerous U.S. Coast Guard and USNS ships during extreme weather situations.
Story by U.S. Navy Mass Communications Specialist Seaman Apprentice Jon Jezreel Japay Andres.
US Navy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Teen Charged In Accidental Shooting Of 16-Year-Old At Walnut Hill Party
October 26, 2025
A 16-year-old was shot early Sunday in Walnut Hill. The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said the shooting has been ruled accidental, but the teen who discharged the firearm has been arrested.
The shooting happened around 12:05 a.m. Sunday near South Highway 99 and Morgan Road.
Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Melony Peterson said the victim was shot by another 16-year-old at a party. The victim was airlifted by LifeFlight helicopter to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola. The victim remains in critical condition.
Late Sunday morning, Peterson said the 16-year-old male who discharged the firearm has been charged with grand theft and possession of a firearm by a minor. She confirmed the shooting is still ruled accidental, and the teen has not been charged in connection with the injury.
The shooting incident remains under investigation.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Two-Alarm Fire Damages Commercial Building On Oil Plant Road In Jay
October 26, 2025
The State Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating a Saturday night commercial structure fire near Jay.
Firefighters from across the area responded to the two-alarm fire on Oil Plant Road in Jay shortly after 9 p.m. The Allentown, Berrydale, Munson, Skyline, and Whiting Field fire departments from Santa Rosa County, Ladder 5 from the Century Station of Escambia County Fire Rescue, and the Flomaton Fire Department all responded to the blaze, which heavily damaged a building and at least one vehicle.
Lifeguard Ambulance, Santa Rosa County Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), and the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office also responded.
There were no injuries reported. Additional details have not been released.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Driver Critically Injured When Vehicle Crashes Into Wooded Area Near Jim Allen Elementary
October 26, 2025
A man was critically injured Saturday when he crashed his vehicle into a wooded area near the intersection of Highway 95A and Eden Lane, near Jim Allen Elementary School.
The 55-year-old man was transported by Escambia County EMS to an area hospital with critical injuries to his leg.
His Chevrolet Impala SS came to rest in the wooded area.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating the cause of the crash.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
United Way Day Of Caring Makes A Difference At North Escambia Schools
October 26, 2025
Volunteer groups fanned out across Escambia County Friday for the United Way of West Florida’s 32nd Annual Day of Caring.
Day of Caring is a community-wide initiative that connects volunteers and resources with local agencies and schools needing support. In Escambia and Santa Rosa counties, hundreds of people worked together to complete all kinds of projects that provide additional capacity to the organizations and institutions that keep our community strong.
Since 1993, United Way of West Florida has coordinated more than 28,000 volunteers to complete projects across Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
Volunteers and projects in North Escambia included:
- International Paper and Trane Technologies at Jim Allen Elementary School
- Escambia County Corrections at Escambia Westgate School
- Cerex at Lipscomb Elementary School
- ECAT at McArthur Elementary School
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
International Paper and Trane Technologies at Jim Allen Elementary School
Jim Allen Elementary
Jim Allen Elementary
Escambia County Corrections at Escambia Westgate School
Cerex at Lipscomb Elementary School
ECAT at McArthur Elementary School
McArthur Elementary School
McArthur Elementary School
More Rain And Storms Tonight
October 26, 2025
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm, mainly before 1am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1am. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Patchy fog after 1am. Low around 63. East wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.
Monday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 10am. Partly sunny, with a high near 75. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming northwest in the morning.
Monday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 56. North wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 70. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tuesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers after 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 55. North wind around 5 mph becoming southeast after midnight.
Wednesday: A 40 percent chance of showers, mainly before 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 67. Southwest wind 5 to 15 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 46. West wind 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 62. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 42.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 65.
Friday Night: Clear, with a low around 40.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 68.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 45.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 72.