Immigration Enforcement Operation Arrests 200 In Escambia, Other Panhandle Counties
August 23, 2025
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said Friday that a first-of-its kind law enforcement operation targeting illegal immigration, dubbed the Panhandle Immigration Enforcement Operation, resulted in the arret of nearly 200 people in Escambia and other Panhandle counties.
The operation led by the Florida Highway Patrol in coordination with federal partners at ICE, Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Border Patrol, and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is part of a comprehensive, multi-agency immigration enforcement detail targeting those living in the country illegally with criminal records, fugitives, and repeat immigration violators.
“This week, a first-of-its-kind immigration enforcement operation started in Florida’s Panhandle, led by the Florida Highway Patrol in coordination with federal partners,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. ”The Panhandle Immigration Enforcement Operation has apprehended hundreds of illegal aliens—including fugitives with criminal records and repeat unlawful border crossers. Florida continues to deliver on the mandate to secure our interior and protect our citizens from the threat of illegal immigration.”
- 45 FHP troopers and 20 federal personnel carrying out enforcement across Escambia, Santa Rosa, Walton, Okaloosa, Holmes, Bay, Washington, and Jackson counties.
- Nearly 200 people apprehended.
- 37 arrested who previously received final orders of removal and failed to appear in court.
- Eight apprehended who had been deported and reentered the United States—one of which had been deported four times. These individuals will be federally charged.
“The FHP Immigration Enforcement Unit has demonstrated unprecedented success in apprehending illegal aliens,” said Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Executive Director Dave Kerner. “Working hand in hand with our federal partners, we are creating an enforcement model that can truly impact the illegal immigration crisis.”
Florida state troopers said they encountered persons who have fled, resisted arrest, and physically assaulted officers—underscoring the heightened danger posed by criminal illegal aliens.
Century Reports Spill At Wastewater Plant, The Third In A Month
August 23, 2025
The Town of Century on Friday reported a spill at its wastewater treatment plant on Jefferson Avenue, according to a report filed with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
The town reported that a temporary effluent pump failed and spilled about 1,000 gallons of treated wastewater over a 30-minute period on Friday morning. None of the spill was recovered, but the area was cleaned up with the application of lime.
On August 4, the town reported a 7,000-gallon spill when a bypass pump malfunctioned over a 14-hour period. Additionally, the town reported a 5,000-gallon spill occurred on July 25 after effluent pumps at the facility had an electrical issue that caused the treated wastewater to spill for seven and a half hours. Both spills, according to the reports, were cleaned by applying lime.
High School Football Scoreboard
August 23, 2025
Here are high school football scores from across the North Escambia area.
FLORIDA
- Tate 21, Fort Walton 7 [Story, photos...]
- Destin 37, Northview 2
- Jay 40, Lighthouse Christian Academy 0
- West Florida at Escambia (delayed to Monday)
- Pensacola Catholic 42, Navarre 27
- Pine Forest 29, Pensacola High 0
- Mary G. Montgomery 34, Pace 21
- Milton 20 , Crestview 19 (OT)
- Gulf Breeze at South Walton
- Franklin County 31, Century 0
ALABAMA
- Flomaton 17, Clarke County 0 (Thursday night)
- Escambia Academy 40 Snook Christian Academy 12
- Wenonah 19, Escambia County (Amtore) 0
- T.R. Miller 35, Reeltown 2
Pictured: The Tate Aggies beat Fort Walton Friday night. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Wahoos Drop 3-2 Nailbiter To Clingstones
August 23, 2025
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos lost their second game in a row on Friday night, falling 3-2 to the Columbus Clingstones in a low-scoring affair.
The Clingstones jumped ahead 1-0 in the second inning with a pair of singles from Adam Zebrowski and Drew Compton, followed by a sacrifice fly from Geraldo Quintero. That would be the only run allowed by Blue Wahoos starter Orlando Ortiz-Mayr, who worked 4.0 innings of three-hit, one-run ball.
After being stymied for four innings against Clingstones ace Ian Mejia (W, 11-2), the Blue Wahoos put together a rally in the fifth. Jared Serna laced a bases-loaded single to center field to tie the game 1-1, but both Kemp Alderman and Tony Bullard were retired to end the threat.
Columbus wasted no time in taking the lead back, stringing together three singles off Gabe Bierman (L, 0-2) in the bottom of the fifth. Jim Jarvis slapped an RBI single through the drawn-in Pensacola infield to score EJ Exposito and give the Clingstones a 2-1 edge.
Will Schomberg was greeted rudely in his Double-A debut for Pensacola, issuing a leadoff walk to Geraldo Quintero in the sixth before David Fletcher singled in an insurance run. Schomberg would bounce back, eventually completing 3.0 innings of relief without allowing another hit, but the third Clingstones run would prove to be the difference.
Fenwick Trimble got a run back for the Blue Wahoos with a seventh-inning solo homer, his second in as many days, but two late pickoffs squandered Pensacola’s opportunities to tie the game. Elison Joseph (S, 6) worked around a one-out single in the ninth inning to seal the 3-2 final.
With the loss, the Blue Wahoos saw their lead over the second-place Montgomery Biscuits shrink to 1.5 games in the second-half division race. There are 21 games remaining in the regular season.
The Blue Wahoos continue their series against the Clingstones on Saturday night.
James David Page
August 23, 2025
James David Page Sr, 81, a resident of Honoraville, Alabama, passed away peacefully in his home on Saturday, August 9th, 2025. A celebration of his life will be held at 1:30 PM on Saturday, August 16th at United Pentecostal Church in Atmore with Brother Derek Gobert and Brother Rusty Knowles officiating.
David spent most of his professional career as a truck driver, which allowed him the opportunity to see a lot of places and meet a lot of people he otherwise wouldn’t have been able to do. At home, he loved watching sports. Didn’t matter if it was football, baseball, or racing, he was there for it! He was also a faithful and beloved member of United Pentecostal Church where he adored both his pastor and his church family. David was blessed with a servant’s heart, which was quite fitting for the gentle giant of a man he was. He was also blessed with the gift for gab and nothing, not even physical limitations, would keep him from entertaining you with stories of places you’ve never been and people you’ve never met! Above all, he was a devoted husband, father, and “Paw Paw” to his grandchildren and great-grands. There was nowhere he’d rather be than his home, surrounded by his beloved family members. He never wanted anyone to stray too far, especially his cherished wife, daughter, and favorite son-in-law, Ray. Words could not properly express how much he meant to all of them nor how much he was loved by them all, but comfort is found in the knowledge that he is now dancing on the streets of gold in his heavenly reward.
David was preceded in death by his parents, Charles Walker & Ella Mae Rose Page; siblings, Robert Wesley Page, Edmond Page, John William Page, Iva Jean Page Butler, and Charlene Gilliam Page; and niece, Rita Gail Gilliam. He is survived by his beloved wife of almost 62 years, Betty Sue Yarbrough Page; their children, Patty Lynn (Mickey Ray) Stringer and Craig (Maria) Smith; grandchildren, Chelsea Lorainne (Chris) Coburn and Wesley M. (Zoe) Peebles; great-grandchildren, Lane Matthews, Sophia Renea Coburn, and Sylvia Violet Peebles who is set to make her arrival in September; siblings, Myra Ann Joiner, Janice Page Coale, William Paul (Sue) Page, and his baby (i.e. favorite) sister, Mary Jane Page; and a host of nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends.
The family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to both their church family at United Pentecostal Church of Atmore and everyone else who prayed so fervently for David.
The family requests that any memorial donations be made to David’s church, United Pentecostal Church of Atmore.
Escambia County Legislative Delegation Committee To Meet In Molino Next Month
August 22, 2025
The Escambia County Legislative Delegation will meet in Molino next month.
The delegation, comprised of Florida Rep. Michelle Salzman, Rep. Alex Andrade and Sen. Don Gaetz, will meet at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, September 9 at the Molino Community Center.
The meeting will provide the public the opportunity to bring forth their policy proposals and appropriation requests.
Elected officials, civic organizations, and local governments will also address their representatives in advance of the next Legislative Session.
Citizens that wish to address the Escambia County Legislative Delegation should complete this form.
Chance Of Scattered Storms Hangs Around For Friday Afternoon
August 22, 2025
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Friday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Partly sunny, with a high near 88. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.
Friday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. Calm wind.
Saturday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 86. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Saturday Night: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 10pm, then a slight chance of showers between 10pm and 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Sunday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 70. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Monday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Sunny, with a high near 92. North wind around 5 mph.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 69. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 91.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 68.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 85.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 65.
Thursday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 86.
West Roberts Road $4.6 Million Drainage, Widening Project Continues
August 22, 2025
An Escambia County $4.6 million West Roberts Road widening and drainage improvement project is continuing.
The widening and drainage improvements will be along a 1.75 mile stretch of West Roberts from the Highway 29 intersection west to the southern turn to Sutton Place. The project intent is to widen the roadway to two 12-foot-wide travel lanes with 5-foot-wide shoulders from Pine Forest Road to U.S. 29. The roadway from the southern turn to Pine Forest will be resurfaced and striped.
The $4,635,298.30 project being funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) was awarded to contractor C.W. Roberts, Inc.
The county said access to adjacent properties will be maintained, although there may be short periods when a driveway or entrance is blocked.
Pictured top: West Roberts Road just west of Stallion Road on Thursday morning. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Escambia County’s Newest Library Is Now Open
August 22, 2025
The ribbon was cut on Thursday for Escambia County’s newest library.
The Brownsville Library, the first in the community, is located at 3300 West DeSoto Street.
Escambia County purchased the former Masonic Lodge building to convert into a new 8,000-square-foot library and community space in the heart of Brownsville. The first floor features a public library and café space, with a large multi-use space on the second floor for senior activities, children’s programs, classes and events.
“I’m excited to finally open our first library in Brownsville, right in the heart of the community,” District 3 Commissioner Lumon May said. “This project has been a long time coming and I look forward to seeing all our residents take advantage of everything the library has to offer. Giving back to the community and investing in human capital have always been my pillars of public service, and cutting the ribbon on the Brownsville Library is a testament to that. I want to thank our staff who worked diligently to complete this project and who understand how vital this project is to not only Brownsville, but to Escambia County.”
In addition to offering a wide variety of literature for the community, the new Brownsville Library will provide high-speed internet access on library computers, along with free high-speed Wi-Fi for those who prefer to bring their own devices.
Escambia County was also awarded $350,000 in RESTORE Act funding for the design of a business incubator, which will be constructed near the new library to provide services and resources to business owners or anyone looking to start a new business. The business incubator will include office space and commercial space, offering networking opportunities, business mentorships, and more.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Are You Ready? Here Is Tonight’s High School Football Schedule
August 22, 2025
Here tonight’s North Escambia area high school football schedule.
(See info notes below for Northview and Tate.)
Look for all the scores and game coverage on Saturday morning.
FLORIDA
- Fort Walton Beach at Tate*
- Northview at Destin**
- Lighthouse Christian Academy at Jay
- West Florida at Escambia
- Pensacola Catholic at Navarre
- Pine Forest at Pensacola High
- Pace at Mary G. Montgomery
- Crestview at Milton
- Gulf Breeze at South Walton
*Fort Walton at Tate parking is $3 cash. Tickets on GoFan.
**Northview at Destin is at Destin Middle School, 4608 Legendary Marina Drive in Destin. Parking is $5. Tickets on GoFan or cash at the gate.
ALABAMA
- Flomaton 17, Clarke County 0 (Thursday night)
- Escambia Academy at Snook Christian Academy
- Wenonah at Escambia County (Atmore)
- Reeltown at T.R. Miller