Library’s Paula Hammond Named Escambia County Employee Of The Month
September 7, 2025
West Florida Public Libraries STEAM Instructor Paula Hammond has been named the Escambia County September 2025 Employee of the Month. She was recognized with a proclamation during a recent Board of County Commissioners meeting.
Hammond’s career with West Florida Public Libraries began in 2013 when she joined the Century Library as a part-time employee. Since then, she has filled several roles at the Century Library, including serving as the acting branch manager for a year and a half. She is always willing to lend a helping hand however she can and has been celebrated by her team members for her positive demeanor.
In her current role as a STEAM Instructor, she provides science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics programs for patrons at the Century and Molino libraries. Hammond’s tie-dye program at the Century Library is popular among library patrons, bringing dozens of people to the library each month to experience hands-on, creative activities.
“It’s truly a job working with the library system,” Hammond said. “I love all the people there, all the patrons in Century. Century is home, always has been, and I look forward to what the future holds. ”
“We are incredibly proud of Paula for her endless dedication to the Century library and our patrons,” Interim Library Services Director Christal Bell-Rivera said. “When people in Century think about the library, they think about Paula. She is a fixture in the community and is known and loved by many of the regulars that visit the library. She is extremely deserving of this recognition, and it is an honor to celebrate her as the Employee of the Month.”
In addition to the STEAM programming and her other regular branch duties, Hammond manages local outreach for the Century Center for Rehabilitation & Healing, providing interactive crafts for elderly adults designed with their skills and abilities in mind.
To read the proclamation, click here.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Wahoos Fall 5-3 To Shuckers Despite Strong Hitting
September 7, 2025
written by Erik Bremer
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos lost a back-and-forth game to the Biloxi Shuckers on Saturday night, falling 5-3 as their playoff hopes continued to fade.
The Blue Wahoos scratched out 12 singles, including six with runners in scoring position, but made three outs on the bases and twice were thrown out at the plate trying to score from second base.
Dub Gleed went 3-for-5, opening the scoring with an RBI single in the third inning off Shuckers starter K.C. Hunt. Gleed is now 11-for-20 through the first five games of this week’s series in Biloxi.
Blue Wahoos starter Luis Palacios worked a perfect first two innings, extending Pensacola’s scoreless streak to 21.0 innings dating back to Wednesday, but saw an unearned run score in the bottom of the third on a Tony Bullard fielding error to tie the game 1-1.
An RBI single from Colby Shade in the fourth put Pensacola ahead 2-1, but the Shuckers answered back once more in the bottom of the inning on a Zavier Warren sacrifice fly and Darrien Miller RBI single for a 3-2 Biloxi edge.
Bullard tied the game 3-3 in the fifth with a two-out RBI single, but Gleed was thrown out at the plate on a Payton Green single and Gage Miller was robbed of a run-scoring hit on a diving catch by Biloxi right fielder Garrett Spain to keep the game tied.
The Shuckers scratched across two runs in the sixth against Blue Wahoos reliever Evan Fitterer (L, 6-6), taking a 4-3 lead on a Miller hit-by-pitch and adding on with an Eduardo Garcia RBI single.
Abdiel Mendoza (W, 5-3) worked 2.2 scoreless innings of relief, benefitting from another outfield assist throwing out Gleed at the plate on a Green single in the seventh, and Travis MacGregor (S, 3) finished off the game with a perfect ninth inning for a 5-3 final.
With the loss and a Montgomery win, the Blue Wahoos trail the Biscuits by 6.0 games with 7 to play in the regular season. Any Pensacola loss or Montgomery win would eliminate the Blue Wahoos from playoff contention.
The Blue Wahoos play their final road game of the season against the Shuckers on Sunday.
Jan Coleman
September 7, 2025
Jan Coleman, 73, of Century, FL, passed away on August 31, 2025. She was born on October 21, 1951, in Gulfport, MS, to Paul and Mary Frasier, of Waynesboro, MS.
Jan was the first daughter of Paul and Mary Frasier. She was “Little Ms. Waynesboro”, played piano and saxophone, and was a baton twirling majorette. Jan graduated college with a degree in interior design. As life changed courses, so did she. Jan went back to school to get her degree in chemistry. This is where she found another passion. She was a lifeguard and an entrepreneur in selling the clothing that she made. She had a wide variety of things and areas that she was passionate about. Jan loved sewing and making things of all sorts. She made clothing from sweatshirts, dance costumes, outfits for the family, even the sheets and pillowcases that they laid their heads on. She taught many children and grandchildren how to sew.
She had a love for the water, from teaching the children how to swim in the pool to hanging out on the beach with her sons (all 3). She had a love for flowers, so there always had to be flowers in the yard (sunflowers, especially). Jan loved to fish, watch “Law and Order” and sit on the porch or on her swing with a hot cup of coffee. Many grandchildren sat on the porch enjoying a cup of Nana’s hot chocolate with her. She had a love of baking and candy making. Jan loved to put on large family gatherings. They were always over the top to most but not for her- they were just right. She would cook for days on end to “get ready” as she would say. There would be so much more food than was needed and she would say “you never know who all is coming, I want to have enough”.
Christmas was her favorite time of year. Everyone knew all year to be ready for Christmas Eve at Nana’s (it will carry on). She loved watching some good football, whether it be from the stands cheering on the grandchildren or in the living room with family. Jan loved family and watched it grow through the years with many people becoming family. She has impacted a lot of lives in her lifetime, and she will be greatly missed by all that knew her.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 42 years, Gary Coleman; parents, Paul and Mary Frasier; and sister, Andreae O’Dom Busby.
Jan is survived by her brother, Paul (Vicki) Frasier of Shubuta, MS; sisters, Mona Shea (Larry) Givens of Chatom, AL, and Denise (Paul) Brown of Fruitdale, AL; sons, David Alan Coleman of Century, FL, Jeremy Coleman of Cantonment, FL, and Nick (Melissa) Fowler of Lyman, SC; daughters, Sylvia Hoy of Century, FL, and Nancy Hudson of Cantonment, FL; 15 grandchildren: Chandler, Micheal, Dillon, Nick, DJ, Jeremiah, Jacob, Joseph, Jasmine, Alex, Faith, Garrett, Damion, Mariah, and Dalton; and 13 great-grandchildren: Alexis, Liam, Destiny, Taccoa, Montana, Kingsley, Tori, JJ, Skyler, Alora, Kayden, Hezekiah and Rosalynn (on the way).
The family would like to give a special acknowledgment to friends and neighbors, Gary and Poly Johnson; and Nikki Fort, Rebecca Hudson, Nora Hudson, Racheal Sexton and Ronald Hoy, who became family many years ago and each had a special place in her heart.
Pallbearers will be Nick Fowler, Alex McMinn, Dalton Hudson, Jacob Coleman, Michael Boyd and David Hoy.
A Funeral Service for Jan were held on Saturday, September 6, 2025, at Trahan Family Funeral Home. Burial followed the service at Spruell Memorial Cemetery.
Tonight’s Powerball Jackpot Is 2nd Biggest Ever. Here Are Three ‘Secret’ Tips.
September 6, 2025
Saturday night’s Powerball drawing in the second largest ever, soaring to an estimate $1.8 billion, or a cash option of $826.4 million — both amounts before taxes.
The drawing trails only the world record $2.04 billion jackpot won on November 7, 2022, in California.
The drawing Saturday night will be the 42nd since the last winner on May 31, also in California.
“Secret” Tips And Tricks
Over the past 30-plus years, there have been many theories on whether players can gain an edge to winning the Powerball. Here are the top secret three misconceptions and tips, according to the lottery:
Misconception 1: You’re better off letting the computer randomly select your numbers versus you choosing your own numbers on a play slip.
How a player selects their numbers does NOT affect their probability of matching the winning Powerball numbers. Every number has the same probability of being drawn in every Powerball drawing. Historically, 82% of Powerball jackpot-winning tickets had winning numbers that were chosen by a computer. That doesn’t mean that method of play is any luckier, simply that more Powerball ticket purchases are quick picks, or had their numbers chosen by a computer. If half of all tickets purchased for a Powerball drawing had numbers that were chosen by a player, then statistically, we would expect player picks to account for half of the winning tickets.
Misconception 2: Powerball jackpot-winning tickets are only sold in big cities and states.
Powerball was designed to be a random game. Every ticket has the same probability of matching the winning numbers drawn, regardless of where a ticket was sold. The number of winning tickets in a location directly correlates to the volume of ticket sales. Typically, there are more winning tickets in cities because they have higher ticket sales compared to rural areas, and therefore, more winners based upon sales volume.
Misconception 3: You have a better chance of winning the Powerball jackpot if less people are playing.
Individual players have the same odds of winning in every Powerball drawing, regardless of the jackpot amount or how many tickets were sold for a particular drawing.
However, as the Powerball jackpot increases there is a greater likelihood of someone winning it. As the jackpot goes up, ticket sales increase, which means more number combinations are being purchased. Based on sales volume, game leaders can estimate how many potential number combinations are covered, assuming each ticket purchase has a unique number combination. Lotteries call this coverage. A higher coverage percentage means there’s a higher chance that the Powerball jackpot will be hit.
Northview Falls To Freeport 48-43 (With Photo Gallery)
September 6, 2025
The Northview Chiefs fell to the Freeport Bulldogs 48-43 in a hard fought game Friday night at Tommy Weaver Memorial Stadium in Bratt.
The Chiefs led 22-14 at the half, before closing out the third quarter with a 35-21 advantage.
But the Bulldogs bit back with a strong fourth quarter, score 27 points to 8 for the Northview.
For a photo gallery, click here.
The Chiefs, now 0-3, will look for their first win on the road next week against the Central Jaguars, also 0-3. Central lost 41-6 Friday night to the Baker Gators.
*Look for cheerleader, band, and fans photos coming soon from NorthEscambia.com.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Slight Chance of Rain, Then Sunny On Sunday
September 6, 2025
Here is your official NorthEscambia.com forecast:
Tonight: Partly cloudy with a slight chance of a shower and a a low around 70. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph after midnight.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 89. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 65. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Monday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Sunny, with a high near 87. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 67. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 86. East wind around 10 mph.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 67. East wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 87. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 68.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 89.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 66.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 89.
High School Football Scoreboard
September 6, 2025
Here are Friday night football scores from the North Escambia area (along with two Thursday night scores).
FLORIDA
Freeport 48, Northview 43 [Story, photos...]
West Florida 34, Fort Walton Beach 14
Niceville 35, Pine Forest 14
Pensacola Catholic 42, Tallahassee Godby 28
Baker 41, Central 6
Jay (Bye week)
Escambia (Bye week)
Navarre (Bye week)
Thursday Games
Tate 41, Pensacola High 0 [Story, photos...]
Milton 14, Washington 13
ALABAMA
Flomaton 28, Excel 7
Jackson 40, Escambia County (Atmore) 0
Escambia Academy 62, Springwood 0
T.R. Miller 35, Monroe County 8
St. Michael Catholic 43, W.S. Neal 29
Pictured: The Northview Chiefs fell to Freeport 48-43 Friday night in Bratt. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Tate Varsity Sweeps West Florida In Straight Sets, JV Fall To The Lady Jags
September 6, 2025
The Tate Aggies varsity swept three straight from West Florida Friday night at Tate, while the Aggies JV slipped to the Jags.
Tate 2, West Florida 0
The Tate Aggies varsity volleyball team secured a commanding clean sweep against the West Florida Jaguars on Friday night at Tate. After a slow start, the Aggies found their rhythm in the first set, winning 25-16. They continued their dominance in the second set, holding off a late Jaguars push to win 25-20. The third set was a masterclass in teamwork and execution, with the Aggies taking a convincing 25-11 victory to seal the match.
Next week, the Aggies will travel to Escambia on Monday, Choctawhatchee on Tuesday, and Pace on Friday.
West Florida 2, Tate 1 (JV)
After a tough first-set 13-25 Aggies loss to West Florida in junior varsity action, Tate rallied with a thrilling 27-25 victory in the second set. The JV Aggies carried that momentum into the deciding third set, but West Florida held on to win 16-14 to take the match.
ECSO Hosts Coffee With A Cop In Davisville
September 6, 2025
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office held “Coffee With A Cop” Friday morning at the Rustic Rooster on Highway 97 in Davisville.
Coffee with a Cop provides a unique opportunity for community members to ask questions and learn more about the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office’s work in the community. It is a great way for Escambia County deputies and community members to come together, build relationships, and, of course, drink coffee.
Click here for a photo gallery.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Foundation and sponsors provided free coffee during the event. Organizers said the event was a huge success.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
What Channel? Here’s Where To Watch Today’s College Football
September 6, 2025
Here is this week’s college football schedule and where to watch the games.
All times are Central.
Saturday, September 6
11 a.m. | Kent State at No. 24 Texas Tech | TNT/truTV/HBO Max
11 a.m. | San Jose State at No. 7 Texas | ABC
11 a.m. | Iowa at No. 16 Iowa State | FOX
11 a.m. | No. 11 Illinois at Duke | ESPN
11 a.m. | Liberty at Jacksonville State | CBSSN
11 a.m. | East Texas A&M at No. 14 Florida State | ACC Network
11 a.m. | Baylor at No. 17 SMU | The CW Network
11 a.m. | Virginia at NC State | ESPN2
11 a.m. | FIU at No. 2 Penn State | Big Ten Network
11 a.m. | Kennesaw State at No. 23 Indiana | FS1
11 a.m. | Northwestern State at Minnesota | Big Ten Network
11 a.m. | Central Michigan at Pitt | ESPNU
11 a.m. | UConn at Syracuse | ESPN+/ACC Extra
11 a.m. | Sacred Heart at Lehigh | ESPN+
11 a.m. | Thomas More at Dayton | Dayton YouTube
11 a.m. | Lincoln (PA) at Duquesne | NEC Front Row
11 a.m. | New Haven at Mercyhurst | NEC Front Row
11:45 a.m. | Utah State at No. 19 Texas A&M | SEC Network
12 p.m. | Wagner at Georgetown | ESPN+
12 p.m. | Lafayette at Stonehill | NEC Front Row
12 p.m. | Truman State at Butler | FloFootball
12 p.m. | Eastern Illinois at Indiana State | ESPN+
12 p.m. | Bucknell at Marist | ESPN+
12 p.m. | UAlbany at Delaware State | ESPN+
12:30 p.m. | Ferrum College at VMI | ESPN+
1 p.m. | Western Carolina at Wake Forest | ESPN+/ACC Extra
1 p.m. | Howard at Temple | ESPN+
1 p.m. | Presbyterian at Furman | ESPN+
1 p.m. | Robert Morris at Youngstown State | ESPN+
1:30 p.m. | Chattanooga at Tennessee Tech | ESPN+
1:30 p.m. | North Dakota State at Tennessee State | ESPN+
2 p.m. | Idaho State at New Mexico | Mountain West Network
2:30 p.m. | Troy at No. 8 Clemson | ACC Network
2:30 p.m. | No. 20 Ole Miss at Kentucky | ABC
2:30 p.m. | Saint Francis (PA) at Buffalo | ESPN+
2:30 p.m. | Oklahoma State at No. 6 Oregon | CBS/Paramount+
2:30 p.m. | Kansas at Missouri | ESPN2
2:30 p.m. | Fresno State at Oregon State | The CW Network
2:30 p.m. | Austin Peay at No. 4 Georgia | ESPN+/SEC Network+
2:30 p.m. | UAB at Navy | CBSSN
2:30 p.m. | Bryant at UMass | ESPN+
2:30 p.m. | Lindenwood at Appalachian State | ESPN+
2:30 p.m. | Bowling Green at Cincinnati | ESPN+
2:30 p.m. | Miami (Ohio) at Rutgers | Peacock
2:30 p.m. | Grambling at No. 1 Ohio State | Big Ten Network
2:30 p.m. | Delaware at Colorado | FOX
2:30 p.m. | North Texas at Western Michigan | ESPN+
2:30 p.m. | ETSU at No. 22 Tennessee | ESPN+/SEC Network+
2:30 p.m. | Gardner-Webb at Georgia Tech | ESPN+/ACC Extra
2:30 p.m. | Texas State at UTSA | ESPN+
2:30 p.m. | The Citadel at Samford | ESPN+
3 p.m. | West Virginia at Ohio | ESPNU
3 p.m. | Middle Tennessee State at Wisconsin | FS1
3 p.m. | St. Thomas at Idaho | ESPN+
3 p.m. | UNI at Wyoming | Altitude Sports/Mountain West Network
3:15 p.m. | South Florida at No. 13 Florida | SEC Network
4 p.m. | Sacramento State at Nevada | Mountain West Network
4 p.m. | Jackson State at Southern Miss | ESPN+
4 p.m. | Arkansas State at Arkansas | ESPN+/SEC Network+
4 p.m. | Utah Tech at Northern Arizona | ESPN+
5 p.m. | North Carolina Central at Old Dominion | ESPN+
5 p.m. | Campbell at East Carolina | ESPN+
5 p.m. | Cal Poly at No. 25 Utah | ESPN+
5 p.m. | Missouri State at Marshall | ESPN+
5 p.m. | Texas Southern at Cal | ESPN+/ACC Extra
5 p.m. | Florida A&M at FAU | ESPN+
5 p.m. | AIC at Central Connecticut State | NEC Front Row
5 p.m. | Warner at Stetson | ESPN+
5 p.m. | Davidson at Elon | FloFootball
5 p.m. | Rhode Island at Stony Brook | FloFootball
5 p.m. | Elizabeth City State at Hampton | FloFootball
5 p.m. | Holy Cross at New Hampshire | FloFootball
5 p.m. | Monmouth at Fordham | ESPN+
5 p.m. | Richmond at Wofford | ESPN+
5 p.m. | Houston Christian at Eastern Kentucky | ESPN+
5 p.m. | Colgate at Villanova | FloFootball
5 p.m. | Maine at William & Mary | FloFootball
5 p.m. | Saint Anselm at Merrimack | ESPN+
5 p.m. | Virginia State at Norfolk State | ESPN+
6 p.m. | Tulane at South Alabama | ESPN+
6 p.m. | Bethune-Cookman at No. 5 Miami (Fla.) | ESPN+/ACC Extra
6 p.m. | Western Kentucky at Toledo | ESPN+
6 p.m. | North Carolina at Charlotte | ESPN+
6 p.m. | Memphis at Georgia State | ESPN+
6 p.m. | Army at Kansas State | ESPN
6 p.m. | Houston at Rice | ESPN+
6 p.m. | South Carolina State at No. 10 South Carolina | ESPN+/SEC Network+
6 p.m. | North Carolina A&T at UCF | ESPN+
6 p.m. | LIU at Eastern Michigan | ESPN+
6 p.m. | West Georgia at Nicholls | ESPN+
6 p.m. | Adrian College at Valparaiso | ESPN+
6 p.m. | Portland State at North Dakota | ESPN+
6 p.m. | Alcorn State at Alabama A&M | HBCU GO
6 p.m. | Mississippi Valley State at Tarleton State | ESPN+
6 p.m. | Morehead State at Illinois State | ESPN+
6 p.m. | North Alabama at Southeast Missouri State | ESPN+
6 p.m. | Arkansas-Pine Bluff at Central Arkansas | ESPN+
6 p.m. | South Dakota at Lamar | ESPN+
6 p.m. | Alabama State at Southern | ESPN+
6 p.m. | UTRGV at Prairie View A&M | SWAC TV
6 p.m. | Northern Colorado at Colorado State | Altitude Sports/Mountain West Network
6 p.m. | Towson at Morgan State | ESPN+
6 p.m. | Southeastern Louisiana at Murray State | ESPN+
6:30 p.m. | No. 12 Arizona State at Mississippi State | ESPN2
6:30 p.m. | Vanderbilt at Virginia Tech | ACC Network
6:30 p.m. | No. 15 Michigan at No. 18 Oklahoma | ABC
6:30 p.m. | Charleston Southern at Coastal Carolina | ESPN+
6:30 p.m. | Ball State at Auburn | ESPNU
6:30 p.m. | Boston College at Michigan State | NBC/Peacock
6:30 p.m. | Akron at Nebraska | Big Ten Network
6:30 p.m. | Southern Illinois at Purdue | Big Ten Network
6:30 p.m. | Georgia Southern at USC | FS1
6:30 p.m. | Louisiana Tech at No. 3 LSU | ESPN+/SEC Network+
6:45 p.m. | UL Monroe at No. 21 Alabama | SEC Network
7 p.m. | McNeese at Louisiana | ESPN+
7 p.m. | UCLA at UNLV | CBSSN
7 p.m. | South Dakota State at Montana State | ESPN+
7 p.m. | Stephen F. Austin at Abilene Christian | ESPN+
7 p.m. | Central Washington at Montana | ESPN+
8 p.m. | UT Martin at UTEP | ESPN+
8 p.m. | Tulsa at New Mexico State | ESPN+
8 p.m. | Southern Utah at San Diego | ESPN+
9 p.m. | Weber State at Arizona | ESPN+
9:15 p.m. | San Diego State at Washington State | The CW Network
9:15 p.m. | Stanford at BYU | ESPN
10 p.m. | UC Davis at Washington | Big Ten Network
10:59 p.m. | Sam Houston at Hawaii | Spectrum Sports