Photo Gallery: First Day Of School In Escambia County
August 12, 2025
Monday was the first day of school in Escambia County.
As is an annual tradition, we asked parents to submit their North Escambia area back to school photos. We received hundreds of photos and have published as many as possible in the gallery linked below.
For a photo gallery of parent submitted photos, click here.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Showers And Storms Increase; Temps Stay Below Average
August 12, 2025
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tuesday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm, mainly before 4pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 4pm. High near 83. East wind around 5 mph becoming south in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Tuesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Wednesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 87. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 73. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Thursday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 74. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Friday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 75. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Saturday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 74.
Sunday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 72.
Monday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91.
James Lawrence Whitehead
August 12, 2025
James Lawrence Whitehead, age 87, a longtime resident of Cantonment Florida, passed away peacefully on August 4, 2025 after a long battle with COPD with family by his side.
James was born on March 7, 1938 in Belleville, Alabama to Willis Floyd Whitehead, Sr. and Marie Driver Whitehead.
He was a member of the International Union of Operating Engineers and worked on construction sites throughout Northwest Florida and Alabama. He worked for a while in the bag plant at the papermill in Cantonment.
James and his wife, Carlie, enjoyed boating and fishing. In the 70’s while, living in Robertsdale, Alabama, they and their daughter, Patricia, sang as a gospel family group performing in Florida and Alabama. In the 80’s and 90’s James and Carlie performed with a local band known as the Drifters in the Pensacola area. In their later years, they sang in their church and various other churches.
James was preceded in death by his parents, Willis Floyd Whitehead, Sr. and Marie Driver Whitehead; brothers (infant), John Robert Whitehead and Jerald Wayne Whitehead; sister, Helen Emerich; his loving wife of almost 67 years, Carlie Morris Whitehead; son, Donald Ray Whitehead Sr.; and daughter Patricia Estill.
He is survived by two daughters, Lisa Davis of Cantonment and Margaret (Bobby) Boyette of Robertsdale, Alabama; numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and extended family and special friends.
Reverend Jean Comans will officiate the service, which will be held on Friday, August 15, 2025 at 1:00 PM at Faith Chapel North in Cantonment, Florida. Visitation will be held on August 14, 2025 from 5:00-7:00 PM for friends.
Burial will be at Cottage Hill Assembly of God cemetery in Cantonment Florida. There will be no graveside service.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North, 1000 South Highway 29, Cantonment, is entrusted with arrangements.
Escambia EMS CORE Program Marks 400th Opioid Recovery Patient
August 12, 2025
Escambia County EMS has reach a 400th patient milestone in its Coordinated Opioid Recovery Effort (CORE) which aims to combat the opioid crisis and provide comprehensive care to individuals battling opioid addiction.
CORE is a state-funded addiction recovery program that expanded to Escambia County in late 2022, with the county accepting its first CORE patient in February 2023.
Since its inception, the CORE program has worked diligently to offer personalized, non-judgmental support to individuals suffering from opioid use disorder. This program focuses on providing immediate medical care, counseling, and long-term recovery support to help patients through the recovery process.
“When we started, we had no idea just how incredible the journey would be,” said Joey Kerman, Supervisor of the Escambia County EMS CORE Program. “We didn’t have a roadmap — just a deep desire to make our community better. We knew the numbers were high, the need was substantial, and we had a group ready to make a difference. We set out to help people recover and empower them to become the heroes of their own stories. Healing is not easy, and the challenges of recovery are unlike those of any other disease. While physical signs and symptoms exist, addiction is often a secondary disease. What lurks beneath is even more difficult years of physical and emotional trauma that people try to self-medicate with substances.”
“We have asked these individuals to trust us, to let us guide them from darkness into light,” Kerman added. “These 400 patients have placed that trust in us — and in doing so, they’ve inspired us every day to help others. They remain our biggest source of referrals, proving that recovery is possible even when past attempts have failed. We have shown that healing can happen. And today, I want to celebrate those 400 patients. They are the true heroes and deserve the praise.”
The CORE program combines EMS response with community resources, including addiction counseling, mental health support, and recovery services, to give patients the tools and services they need to overcome addiction. By intervening at critical moments and connecting individuals with resources, CORE helps to break the cycle of addiction and offers a pathway to recovery.
“Our CORE team truly cares about the individuals we serve, and I am so proud of them for reaching this significant milestone,” Escambia County EMS Chief Chris Watts said. “Hearing the success stories and the lives being transformed through the CORE program is so rewarding, and that positive impact is what drives us forward as we continue to address the opioid crisis in our community.”
NorthEscambia.com file photo/graphic, click to enlarge.
The Chosen Softball Wins 2025 Southern Nationals Tournament
August 12, 2025
The Chosen girls softball team based in Century recently won the championship at the 2025 MVP Southern Nationals Tournament.
The team finished third in points prior to the tournament, defeating teams from Alabama, Georgia, and Illinois to go undefeated and win Southern Nationals. Heather Pierce was named National Tournament MVP.
Chosen team members also won three of the four “skill events” held before play began, finishing first in the team spirit competition, first in the home run challenge, and first in the throwing skills competition.
They ended the 2025 travel ball season with 12 total tournaments, including eight championship titles, two second-place finishes, and two third-place finishes.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Jason ‘Jay’ DeWayne Brown
August 12, 2025
Jason “Jay” DeWayne Brown, 51, of Molino, Florida passed away unexpectedly on Monday, August 11, 2025.
Born April 14, 1974, in Pensacola, Florida to Wayne Brown and Donna Brown-Jernigan, Jason was a 1992 graduate of Tate High School. He was a member of East Side Assembly of God. He married the love of his life and beautiful bride, Jamie Knowles Brown, on October 25, 1997. Together they have three children: Kaylee, Kenley, and Karson.
As the owner of Brown Electric, Jason built lasting relationships with many local residents and businesses. He was a Master Electrician and a “Master Griller,”—he loved to cook delicious steak and brisket for his family and friends. A father-figure to many, Jason had many “adopted” children and did all he could to serve his community. He was affectionately known to many as “Brown Sugar” and loved cracking jokes, eating at La Hacienda with family, and singing along to Jimmy Buffett.
He is preceded in death by his father, Wayne Brown, and close friends Kevin Danforth, Curtis Finney, John “Whop-head” Webb, and Rev. Avon Fowler.
He is survived by his wife, Jamie Knowles Brown; three children, Kaylee (Gage) Gibson, Kenley Brown, and Karson Brown; his mother, Donna Brown-Jernigan; his brother, Rodney (Amanda) Brown; nephews, Kaleb (Madison) Brown and Hunter Brown; and many other loved ones.
Visitation for Jason will be held Friday, August 15, 2025 from 12:00 pm until service time at 1:30 pm at East Side Assembly of God in Pensacola, Florida, with Rev. Fred Stallworth, Rev. Jimmy Cook, and Rev. Ken Johnson officiating. Internment will follow at Poplar Dell Baptist Church in Century, Florida.
Active Pallbearers will be Gage Gibson, Ean Lundy, Hunter Brown, Kaleb Brown, Nathan Johnson, Rodney Brown, Nathan Danforth, and Jonathan Knowles.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
There’s A New Phone Ban In Florida Schools
August 11, 2025
There are new state laws in place governing cell phone usage in public schools.
Beginning with the 2025-2026 school year, a total ban has been implemented statewide on cell phone use for elementary and middle school students during school hours — essentially from bell to bell for grades K-8.
High school students are generally allowed to use their phones outside of class, but not during instructional time unless “expressly directed by a teacher solely for educational purposes”.
Students will be allowed to use their phones, however, for documented medical conditions or disabilities.
“It is a law, and it’s something we are going to make certain we adhere to,” Escambia County Public Schools Superintendent Keith Leonard said.
Escambia County looked at Yondr pouches to control phone usage, but they were found to be cost prohibitive. Yondr is a pouch that locks phones inside.
Pictured below: We were there when Escambia County (FL) Public Schools Superintendent Keith Leonard visited Flomaton High School last year to learn about Yondr pouches for locking away cell phones during the school day. Escambia County, Florida, ultimately determined the pouches were too expensive. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
2025 Pensacola Beach Air Show Delivers $31.5 Million in Economic Impact for Escambia County
August 11, 2025
The Santa Rosa Island Authority said on Friday that the 2025 Pensacola Beach Air Show, headlined Blue Angels, delivered a substantial boost to the local economy. The event generated more than $31.5 million in economic impact for Escambia County, according to a recent study conducted by Downs & St. Germain Research.
Commissioned by Visit Pensacola, this annual economic impact study found that the air show attracted 206,500 visitors from July 9-12, 2025. Of those, 124,000 were unique attendees – meaning visitors who attended more than one day of the event. Nearly half of all attendees (49%) were out-of-county visitors. These non-local attendees alone spent $20.6 million in the Pensacola area, supporting local businesses across the hospitality, retail, and service sectors.
“This report reinforces what we already know — the Pensacola Beach Air Show is not just a beloved tradition, it’s a powerful economic driver for our community,” said Mike Burns, Executive Director of the Santa Rosa Island Authority. “Visitors come for the Blue Angels, but they stay in our hotels, dine in our restaurants, and shop in our stores. It’s a huge win for our entire region.”
Other key highlights of the 2025 report:
- 61,000 out-of-county visitors attended the show, traveling in groups of 3.1 people on average.
- 63% of out-of-county guests stayed in paid accommodations, staying an average of 3.7 nights.
- Visitors who came specifically for the event accounted for 31,900 room nights in the area.
- The average out-of-town travel party spent $1,050 during their visit.
- 59% of non-local attendees said the air show was their main reason for visiting the area.
The economic impact includes both direct spending and the indirect and induced effects that follow — such as increased business and household spending throughout the region. The report was calculated using IMPLAN economic modeling and a local multiplier of 1.53.
“As we continue working to enhance tourism on Pensacola Beach, having this kind of data helps us see just how impactful events like the Pensacola Beach Air Show are for our community,” added Burns. “We’re proud to highlight our hometown heroes, the Blue Angels, with this iconic experience year after year.”
Pictured: The Blue Angels over Pensacola Beach on Thursday, July 10 as seen from onboard a Coast Guard ship in the Gulf. NorthEscambia.com photos by Perry Doggrell, click to enlarge.
First Day Of School Forecast
August 11, 2025
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast for the first day of school and the remainder of the week:
Monday: Showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. High near 86. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Monday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 7pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Tuesday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 1pm, then showers and thunderstorms between 1pm and 4pm, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 4pm. High near 85. East wind around 5 mph becoming south in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
Tuesday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely before 10pm, then a slight chance of showers between 10pm and 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Wednesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 88. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 73. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Thursday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 74.
Friday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 75.
Saturday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Sunny, with a high near 93.
Century Council Members, Chamber Discuss Plans For ‘Centurion’ Honor Program
August 11, 2025
Plans are in the works to establish the “Centurion Program” to recognize local citizens who have made a difference in Century.
The town council has voted to approve a proposal by council member John Bass to hold a banquet to honor selected Centurion recipients, who will be chosen by a committee.
The Century Chamber of Commerce was already working on a similar recognition program since the Century chamber separated from a joint annual recognition program with the Flomaton Chamber.
Recently, Bass sat down with the Century Chamber of Commerce to discuss his ideas and how the town and chamber could work on a joint program. Two other town council members were in attendance at the publicly noticed meeting — chamber President Shelisa Abraham and Sparkie Harrison.
“There are a lot of people from Century that have done wonderful things,” Bass said at the chamber meeting. “I want to honor them.”
Bass added that he wants the program to pay homage to local military members, athletes, educators, and other notable citizens.
Discussion and planning of the Centurion event, likely to be held early next year, are expected to continue.
Pictured top: Century council member John Bass discusses his ideas for a “Centurion” honors program during a recent Century Chamber of Commerce meeting. Pictured below: Chamber President Shelisa Abraham (behind computer), who is also a council member, discusses the program with council member Sparkie Harrison (foreground). NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
