$1.8 Million Highway 4A Safety Improvement Project Approved
August 12, 2025
Escambia County has approved a $1.8 million roadway safety improvements project for Highway 4A from Byrneville to near Century.
The project will include widening existing 10-foot travel lanes to 11-foot-wide lanes with 1-2 foot shoulders.
“4A doesn’t have any shoulders,” area resident Mike Killam told the commission. “There’s a lot of school buses passing dump trucks up on 4A. If you do the math on there, there’s not a lot of distance between the two when they pass. One has got to get off the road, so it’s dangerous.”
“If you look at this road, it’s crumbling. It needs fixing. It’s just pothole, patches, patches. If it were a straight road, it would be better, but that got a lot of curves and it winds around,” he told the commissioner. “I’m here to plead with you to fix 4A.”
The planned roadway improvements include widening and overlaying the existing lanes. The project also includes the relocation of mailboxes, and the reinstallation of traffic signs to county specifications. The guardrails within the project limit will be upgraded to current Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) standards.
The project also includes minor drainage modifications to accommodate road widening, with work expected to begin in October.
The project limits are from Highway 4, at the traffic light near the Byrneville Community Center, and continuing for 3.5 miles, about a half-mile past Broomes Road.. The entire length of Highway 4A is about 6.7 miles to Highway 29 in Century.
The winning bidder for the project was C.W. Roberts Contracting at $1,807,973. The total project includes $807,973 transferred from Local Option Sales Tax Reserves.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Superintendent: New School Year Off To A Smooth Start With Exciting Things To Come
August 12, 2025
The new school year got off to a smooth start in Escambia County, according to School Superintendent Keith Leonard.
“We had, for the most part, a really good first day,” he said.
He said there were expected first-day delays with transportation especially at the elementary level.
“It took a little bit longer, and that’s because we are extra cautious picking up the students and then in the afternoon as we drop them off. So that leads to extended time prior to picking up high school students and then we go to middle school students, so it did take a little bit longer. That’s okay, because the first few days we’re just getting used to routines and procedures. I hope we will improve as we go throughout this first week, and it always has.”
Leonard started visits to schools in the county Monday morning at Bratt Elementary before working his way back south.
“On a positive note, for the seven or eight schools I was able to visit today, I saw excited students happy to be there in their school, whether it be their first day in kindergarten or, in particular when I was able to visit some of our high school students and those students that are seniors. It was their last year in school instead of their first day in school. All in all, we had a good first day.”
The School Year Outlook
“We are looking for our kids to have a good academic experience and then always try to make certain that we’re providing a well-rounded education through extracurricular activities and those electives that we offer at each of our schools,” Leonard said. “We just want to provide opportunities to our students and our families that are beneficial to all our students.”
“That’s really what I get excited about, and we’ll have all types of activities starting up pretty soon whether it be high school football, marching band, volleyball, and all those fall sports we are looking forward to.”
New Statewide Phone Policies
Under a new state law, a total ban has been implemented statewide on cell phone use for elementary and middle school students during school hours, and high school students can only use their phones outside instructional time unless expressly allowed by a teacher.
The superintendent said he did not know of any problems with the new cell phone law on Monday in the district.
“It seemed to be okay. Today, I didn’t get any phone calls related to the new cell phone law,” Leonard said. “The first day went pretty good.”
NorthEscambia.com/courtesy photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Felon Sentenced To Federal Prison For Firearm Possession
August 12, 2025
An Escambia County felony has been sentenced for firearm possession.
Ralphael Roy Caldwell, 35, was sentenced to 42 months in federal prison after previously being found guilty by a jury of possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon.
Evidence admitted at trial established that during a traffic stop on September 10, 2024, Caldwell had a loaded pistol in his waistband that he admitted to officers was his. He had previously been convicted of the felony offenses of principal to attempted home invasion robbery with a firearm and shooting into a building.
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.
