FHP I-110 Operation Leads To 8 DUI, 3 Super Speed Arrests, Citations
December 3, 2025
Over the Thanksgiving weekend, the Florida Highway Patrol conducted an enforcement operation on I-110.
Troopers from the Pensacola District targeted DUI offenses and aggressive driving. The operation resulted in eight DUI arrests, five criminal arrests, three “super speeder” arrests, and 10 traffic citations.
Photo courtesy FHP for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Sunny And Cool Wednesday; Rain Moves In Thursday Through Saturday
December 3, 2025
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 57. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the morning.
Wednesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers after 3am. Increasing clouds, with a low around 40. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph.
Thursday: Showers. High near 50. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Thursday Night: Showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 3am. Low around 45. Northeast wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Friday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. High near 57. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming north in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
Friday Night: Showers. Low around 48. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Saturday: Showers likely. Cloudy, with a high near 56. North wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Saturday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers, mainly before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 48. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph after midnight.
Sunday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 63.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 42.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 57.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 33.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 59.
Santa Claus Is Coming To A Library Near You
December 3, 2025
Santa Claus is coming to a library near you.
Santa will hear Christmas wishes, and parents are invited to use their phone or bring a camera for photos.
Century Library
- Thursday, December 4, 4:30 p.m.
Molino Library
- Wednesday, December 10, 10:30 a.m.
- Thursday, December 18, 4:30 p.m.
Bellview Library
- Tuesday, December 9, 10:30 a.m.
- Wednesday, December 10, 4:30 p.m.
Tryon Library
- Thursday, December 4, 10:30 a.m.
- Tuesday, December 16, 3:00 p.m.
Pensacola Library
- Wednesday, December 3, 10:30 a.m.
- Saturday, December 20, 10:30 a.m.
Westside Library
- Thursday, December 11, 4:30 p.m.
Brownsville Library
- Saturday, December 6, 10:30 a.m.
Southwest Library
- Wednesday, December 17, 4:30 p.m.
Pictured: Santa’s visit to the Century Library last year. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Tate Aggies To Play For FHSAA FIT Championship: How To Go, What To Know
December 3, 2025
The Tate Aggies will take on Dr. Joaquin Garcia High School from Lake Worth Thursday night at 6 p.m. CST for the FHSAA FIT 4A-7A State Tournament Championship.
The Aggies will travel on Wednesday in advance of the Thursday championship game.
Where, Clear Bag Policy
The game will take place at H.G. Morse Stadium with tickets available on GoFan. Click here for a map. The address is 2210 Dr Randy McDaniel Wy, Sumterville, FL 33585.
The stadium is about 415 miles, or just over six hours from Tate High School. There is a clear bag policy, and it is posted at the bottom of this story (click to enlarge).
Rooms And Tickets
If you need a room, click here for information from Sumter County Tourism.
Advance purchase tickets are $17, and a day-of price of $20. A convenience fee will also apply. There is no re-entry and no refunds. For tickets, click here.
Where To Park?
Parking fees will not be charged onsite and instead are already included in the cost of admission. Fan parking lots will open 90 minutes prior to the scheduled games, with gates opening 60 minutes prior to each contest. A parking map is below, click to enlarge. Tate will be on the visitor sideline (east side of the stadium).
How To Stream The Game?
The game is scheduled to stream on the NFHS Network — the only official steam. A subscription is required, and the cheapest option is $13.99 for one month.
What’s The Weather?
Here is the weather forecast for the game location in Sumterville, FL:
- Wednesday: Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 72. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.
- Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 49. Calm wind.
- Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 76. Light northeast wind.
- Thursday Night (Game Night): Mostly cloudy, with a low around 56. East northeast wind 3 to 5 mph.
- Friday: Partly sunny, with a high near 82. Light and variable wind becoming south 5 to 9 mph in the morning.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Ransom Middle School Hits High Note With Four Students On Florida All-State Band
December 3, 2025
Ransom Middle School’s music program has hit a high note, setting a new school record with four students successfully auditioning and earning a coveted spot in the prestigious Florida All-State Band this year.
The students are :
- Chase Redman (trombone)
- Aiden Harris (trombone)
- Braylen Barton (alto saxophone)
- Cooper Boddy (baritone saxophone)
The unprecedented achievement marks the first time in Ransom Middle School’s history that such a high number of students have been selected for this elite honor.
The students demonstrated exceptional musical skill and dedication in a rigorous audition process, competing against the best young musicians across the state of Florida. Being selected for the All-State Band is a prestigious accomplishment, showcasing their hard work, passion for music, and excellence in performance.
The Florida All-State Band will perform at the Florida Music Education Association (FMEA) Annual Professional Development Conference in January, where students will have the opportunity to perform alongside other top young musicians from around the state.
School administration and faculty have expressed immense pride in the students for their musical accomplishment.
Escambia County Felon Sentenced On Federal Drug And Firearm Charges
December 3, 2025
An Escambia County man has been sentenced to seven and a half years in federal prison on drug and firearm charges.
John Cody Hawthorne, 32, previously pleaded guilty to possession of firearms and ammunition by a convicted felon, possession of a short-barreled rifle, and possession with intent to distribute controlled substances.
Court documents show that Hawthorne, who was on state probation at the time, was in possession of multiple firearms, as well as illegal narcotics. Law enforcement executed a search warrant at Hawthorne’s residence and located seven firearms in his bedroom, one of which was a short-barreled rifle, as well as over 400 live rounds of ammunition, marijuana, methamphetamine, ballistic body armor, and several thousand dollars.
“I applaud the outstanding work of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and our federal law enforcement partners to remove this violent felon from our streets,” U.S. Attorney John P. Heeking said. “Keeping our communities safe is our top priority, and my office will aggressively prosecute repeat offenders like this defendant with the full force of the law.”
“Hawthorne’s seven and a half year sentence reflects both the seriousness of his actions and our commitment to holding violent offenders accountable,” said Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons. “We are proud of our partnerships and the effect they have on making our community safer.”
The case involved a joint investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Tate Softball To Host Winter Wonderland Little Aggies Camp
December 3, 2025
Tate Aggies Softball will host the Winter Wonderland Little Aggies Camp on Tuesday, December 9 from 6-8 p.m at the Tate softball complex. It was rescheduled from December 4 due to a rainy forecast.
The cost is $75 per player for 6U through eighth grade with a Santa hat and shirt included. Food and drink for players are included, and limited concessions will be available.
Registration begins at 5:30 p.m. To register online, click here.
Pera ‘Allen’ Adams
December 3, 2025
Pera “Allen” Adams, 79, completed his earthly journey at Harbor Hospice of Houston, Texas on October 16, 2025. He was born in Orange, Texas on September 7, 1946, to Claude Patrice and Jimmie Lee (Fulton) Adams. Allen spent his formative years in Escambia County, Florida where his artistic gifts began to flourish. Allen is a Tate High School and Pensacola Junior College Alumnus. He was an Arthur Murry dance instructor for a while, but it was with his natural artistic talent and a keen discerning eye that Allen began his career in Pensacola, Florida at an advertising department where his illustrations brought ideas to life. It wasn’t long before the pulse of larger cities called to him and Allen soon discovered that the world was wide and waiting. Allen answered the call – first to New Orleans, Louisiana and eventually to Houston, Texas.
After leaving Pensacola, Allen spent some time working in non-artistic fields as well, working at an optometrist office and Texas Power and Light. He adored New Orleans; for the culture, music, and food, but most of all, the architecture. After moving to Houston, he would return to visit New Orleans as often as the opportunity arose. He loved cooking and was an enthusiastic fan of Elvis Presley.
Allen was his own biggest critic and often cynical but whether designing for ad agencies, painting murals in homes, preparing authentic New Orleans-style cuisine, or infusing countless spaces with color, movement, and life, he lived his life through art. He saw the world differently and invited others to see it through his eyes. An artistic soul in the most intense way; imaginative, expressive, endlessly creative and unapologetically himself- Allen made life more colorful and interesting for those around him.
Allen was preceded in death by his parents, his siblings, Cary Adams and Michael Adams, his niece Taunja Adams, and by his former wife and best friend, Norma Louise (Buechner) Adams. Though Allen had no children of his own he leaves behind a nephew, Tony, and three nieces, Tina, Angela, and Karla.
Allen’s legacy lives on in his artwork, his stories, and the indelible mark he left on those who knew him. His life is a reminder that beauty and art can be found in the details–and that courage can be found in following where the heart leads.
Allen will be laid to rest on Monday, December 8, 2025, at Harris County Eastern Gate Cemetery in Crosby, Texas.
Man Traversing North Escambia On A Mission To Walk Across America From Top To Bottom
December 2, 2025
When Tim Hickle decided he would retire after 40 years as a buyer in the construction industry, his wife said he needed to find something to do. And he did.
Walking across America from north to south.
“So I went online and I searched the things to do when you retire, which is a horrible idea,” the 64-year-old said Monday afternoon on Pine Barren Road near McDavid.
“But I found this guy that walked Route 66 from Chicago to L.A. It was something I thought I could do. The more research I did, the more I found there were just hundreds and hundreds of people that go from coast to coast each year.”
He eventually settled on a north-south route from northern Minnesota, at the northernmost point of the U.S. at the Canadian border, to Key West, Florida. He retired in May and started his walk on June 8; he hopes to reach Key West by the end of February.
He’s made it over 180 days and 2,700 miles to North Escambia. He has about 900 miles to go.
He crossed into Florida on Sunday and spent Sunday night at Lake Stone near Century before hitting the road again. He planned to spend Monday night at the Bogia Boat Ramp on Bogia Road off Highway 29 before heading to the Molino Fire Station by Tuesday night.
As he walks, he pulls what he has nicknamed the “Copper Kettle”. It’s a simple camper cart he designed and built that carries his supplies and provides a place to sleep. The cart weighs about 120 pounds. “It has a memory foam mattress, sleeping bag, pillows,” he said. “Anything that needs to stay dry goes inside.”
Hickle is not walking to raise money or draw attention to any cause.
“It’s just a personal goal to walk from the far north in the Lower 48 to the far south in the Lower 48. There’s a lot to be said for downsizing to the point where everything I need fits into 22 square feet. I don’t mean to be anti-commercial or anything, but less is more for me.” Along the way, he recharges electrical items as he can, items like his phone and caution lights for the back of the camper.
Hickle is keeping in touch with his wife back home in Colorado as he walks, joining her when he can by phone or video—especially on Mondays when he helps her babysit their grandchild.
“We are about to celebrate our 40th wedding anniversary,” he noted. He is going to miss that anniversary as he walks. One of the best parts of the walk, he said, is meeting people.
“I’m doing this at a walking pace so that I can have human interactions,” he said. “I can have a conversation with someone by the road that is getting the mail or mowing their grass. We are going to have some kind of interaction.”
“They are really the high points of his journey.”
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Kicks Off The ‘Keep The Wreath Green’ Fire Safety Campaign
December 2, 2025
Escambia County Fire Rescue, in collaboration with the Pensacola Fire Department, launched its annual “Keep the Wreath Green” fire safety campaign on Monday, Dec. 1. While a joyous time of year, cold weather, holiday decorations and festivities can create serious fire dangers. Firefighters hope to reduce the number of fires by promoting simple, life-saving holiday safety tips each day in December.
During the month-long campaign, five-foot wreaths will be on display at 18 county fire stations and five city fire stations, as well as Escambia County’s Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building downtown, the Escambia County Public Safety Building, Pensacola City Hall and Cordova Mall. Each time firefighters respond to a residential or commercial fire with damage, a green light bulb will be replaced with a red one to remind citizens of the dangers posed by fires in residential and commercial buildings. In 2024, 14 bulbs were changed to red on county wreaths, while three bulbs were changed in the city.
“We encourage all of our residents to practice fire safety throughout the holiday season and join us as we ‘keep the wreath green,’” Fire Chief Adam Harrison said. “While fire safety needs to be practiced year-round, we tend to see an increase in fires during the colder months. Let’s keep this season full of cheer and do our part in keeping the wreath green.”
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.