Northview Seniors Celebrate Senior Sunrise
August 3, 2025
Members of the Northview High School Class of 2026 celebrated “Senior Sunrise” on Saturday morning to mark the beginning of the upcoming school year. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Daughter Of Deputy Killed By Drunk Driver Honored With Wahoos ‘Home Run For Life’
August 3, 2025
The daughter of an off-duty deputy killed by a drunk driver in 2022 was honored Saturday night at the Pensacola Blue Wahoos game.
In honoring Lauren Ray for her recovery from tragedy, the Sacred Heart “Home Run For Life” event Saturday brought another reminder of the horrors caused by drunk driving. Ray and her father, Escambia County Sheriff’s Master Deputy Kevin Ray of Cantonment, were traveling back from a Troy University football game when their car was struck near Laurel Hill.
Her father, who was driving, sustained fatal injuries. Lauren was in the passenger seat and spent nearly two months at an ICU in central Florida, having sustained injuries including a traumatic brain injury, two broken femurs, a broken left arm, a punctured lung, damage to her ribs, and some facial fractures.
After her discharge and return to Pensacola, she was assisted by the physical therapy team at Ascension Sacred Heart Rehabilitation center to help her complete her recovery process. Now, three years later, she is nearly fully recovered and healthy.
Saturday night, she circled the bases at Blue Wahoos Stadium in a Home Run for Life. Her Blue Wahoos jersey was numbered “602″ — his father’s radio number at the ECSO.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Pattern Of Afternoon Pop-Up Showers And Storms Continues
August 3, 2025
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Sunday: Showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. High near 87. North 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.
Sunday Night: Showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 7pm. Low around 73. Northeast wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Monday: Showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. High near 83. East wind around 5 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Monday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 1am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. East wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Tuesday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm, then showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. High near 83. East wind around 5 mph becoming south in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
Tuesday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Wednesday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. High near 87. East wind around 5 mph becoming south in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
Wednesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Thursday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 88. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 71.
Friday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly sunny, with a high near 88. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72.
Saturday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly sunny, with a high near 88. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Atmore Man Charged With Multiple Counts Of Attempted Murder In Brewton
August 3, 2025
An Atmore man has been charged with multiple counts of attempted murder in Brewton.
The Brewton Police Department charged 36-year-old Tylee Ikeem Brown with three counts of attempted murder and two counts of shooting into an occupied dwelling. The charges, according to BPD, are related to two separate shootings that occured in Brewton in December 2024.
Brown was booked into the Escambia County (AL) Detention Center in Brewton without bond.
Brewton Police have not released further details.
Escambia Felon Gets Federal Prison For Weapon Possession
August 3, 2025
An Escambia County felon has been sentenced in federal court for possession of a firearm and ammunition.
Brandon Martez Black, 27 was sentenced to 100 months in prison after previously pleading guilty to possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon.
On June 8, 2024, Black, a felon with prior drug trafficking convictions, fled in a vehicle from the Florida Highway Patrol (“FHP”) after an attempted traffic stop on Longleaf Drive. FHP was able to disable Black’s vehicle after performing a PIT manuver. Black fled on foot and threw a loaded Glock .40 caliber pistol over a fence into a residential backyard, which was later recovered by law enforcement.
White Continues Strikeout Binge, Wahoos Win Fourth Straight
August 3, 2025
Blue Wahoos’ top-rated prospect Thomas White came within one pitch – his 99th of the night — from earning his first Double-A level victory.
But the team result turned out well.
White, the 20-year-old lefthander with a glowing future, again overcame a rocky third inning in his third home start, then worked into the fifth to help Pensacola produce a 4-2 victory against the Biloxi Shuckers, amid the backdrop of the normal Fireworks Saturday capacity crowd (5,038) at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
With two outs in the fifth, White threw a two-strike pitch that was called a ball – the Blue Wahoos dugout disagreed – leading to Biloxi’s Darrien Miller lacing a single on White’s next offering. That 100th pitch, by far the most White has thrown in his professional career, ended his night one out short of qualifying for the win.
But Luis Palacios again followed with stellar relief, earning his third win with 2.1 shutout innings and no hits allowed.
“I feel like I executed pretty well,” said White, the Miami Marlins’ No. 1 rated prospect, No. 22 rated across all levels of Minor League Baseball by MLB Pipeline.
A week after striking out 14 of 17 batters he faced in a no-decision on the road against the Knoxville Smokies, White had seven strikeouts Saturday with two walks and six hits allowed.
His performance was defined by how he got through the third inning. After giving up a leadoff double, then a flyout, the next four Shuckers batters reached base. Three consecutive singles plated a pair of runs and cut the Blue Wahoos lead to 3-2.
With the bases loaded, White got a pair of flyouts to end the inning, enabling him to make his longest home start. He worked through the fourth and fifth without damage. He finished with an impressive 71 strikes in 100 pitches thrown.
“Just to attack the hitters and let the defense go to work,” said White, reflecting on his outing in a post-game, on field interview for the crowd. “Respect how good (Biloxi hitters) are, but let that (his pitching repertoire) stuff play.
“(Double-A hitters) are definitely more patient. But as long as I fill up the zone, I am pretty confident it will turn out pretty good for me.”
The win clinched the series against the Shuckers, winners of the first half Southern League divisional race, plus extended the Blue Wahoos (20-11, 54-46 overall) second-half lead as the series concludes Sunday.
As for the Blue Wahoos, this continues their strong second half. With 38 games remaining, they have not dropped a series and have won the past three.
“Momentum,” said White, speaking on what winning the homestand does. “Just carry it week to week and letting the team stack good days and keeping it up as best you can.”
The Blue Wahoos produced a 3-run rally for White in the second inning. Josh Zamora’s one-out single was followed by Tony Bullard’s double to put runners on second and third. Mark Coley II followed with a two-run single, then newcomer catcher Connor Caskenette singled home the third run.
The Blue Wahoos added a run in the seventh when Coley II stole third and scored on a throwing error. The Blue Wahoos bullpen ran their record to 41-1 when leading after seven innings. Palacios was followed by Nigel Belgrave, who earned his third save by pitching the final two innings without allowing a hit and striking out two.
Alabama Crash Claims Life Of Bratt Man
August 2, 2025
A two-vehicle crash north of Atmore claimed the life of a Bratt man on Friday afternoon.
Marion Cooper, 61, was pronounced deceased at the scene of the 2:03 p.m. crash on Highway 21, near Huxford Road. Cooper apparently went through a stop sign on Huxford Road and into the path of a semi-truck traveling on Highway 21. His Crown Victoria became lodged under the truck’s trailer. The driver of the truck was not injured.
Early reports indicated that Cooper may have suffered a medical emergency before the crash.
Alabama State Troopers are continuing their investigation.
Photo by Andrew Garner/Atmore Advance for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Woman Gets 15 Years For High Speed Chase With Three Kids In Her Car
August 2, 2025
An Escambia County woman has been sentenced for a high-speed chase with three children in her car.
Christina Lynn Chenault, 40, was sentenced to 15 years in state prison for fleeing and eluding a law enforcement officer, three counts of child neglect, leaving the scene of a crash with injuries, driving with a suspended license, and reckless driving.
On January 5, Chenault was driving with a suspended license when she struck a teenager on his bicycle. The teenager sustained non-life-threatening injuries. When officers arrived, Chenault got in her car and sped through the surrounding residential area, refusing to stop.
She then drove onto the interstate at high rates of speed, endangering other motorists. When she encountered a blockade set up by the Florida Highway Patrol while driving westbound on I-10, she performed a U-turn on the grassy median and attempted to continue on eastbound I-10. Officers successfully executed a PIT maneuver on her vehicle. After the vehicle was immobilized, officers discovered that the defendant was driving in this reckless and dangerous manner with three young children in her car. The children were unharmed.
Chenault was on probation at the time out of Okaloosa County for fleeing and eluding a law enforcement officer, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of marijuana, driving with a suspended license, and driving under the influence with a minor in the vehicle. After her Escambia County conviction, she will again face the Okaloosa County charges for her latest crimes.
Rep. Michelle Salzman Graduates With Highest Honors From FSU’s Prestigious MAAPP Program
August 2, 2025
Rep. Michelle Salzman became the first Florida lawmaker to graduate from the esteemed Master’s in Applied American Politics and Policy program (MAAPP) at Florida State University.
Salzman accepted her degree during a graduation ceremony on Friday, graduating Summa Cum Laude with a 3.98 GPA.
“Graduating from the Master’s in Applied American Politics and Policy program at Florida State University has been a deeply personal and professional milestone for me,” Salzman said. “As a seated lawmaker, juggling legislative duties, community responsibilities, and academic coursework was no small task. But I pursued this degree because I believe in leading by example, and in order to make the best policy decisions, we need to constantly grow, learn, and challenge ourselves.”
“‘It wasn’t easy, especially going back to school more than a decade after earning my undergraduate degree,” she said. “This journey has strengthened my ability to write policy, interpret data, and advocate more effectively for the people I represent.”
The FSU Master of Applied American Politics & Policy (MAAPP) program is a leading graduate program providing practical career training in an intellectually challenging environment for individuals committed to making a difference in the world through the political process.
MAAPP is a 36-credit-hour non-thesis program, including 24 credit hours of coursework and a 12 credit hour practicum. Students taking 12 credit hours per semester for three consecutive semesters may earn the degree in a one year period.
Homeowners, Witnesses And A Drone Lead To Capture Of Burglary Suspect In Beulah
August 2, 2025
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said homeowners, witnesses, and a drone led to the capture of a Beulah burglary suspect.
Deputies responded to a report of a burglary in progress on the 7400 block of Woodside Road. They said 36-year-old John Paul Rush was caught in the act of a burglary, with stolen property valued at approximately $4,400. He had also caused about $500 in damages to an RV he burglarized.
Rush attempted to escape, but the homeowners and several witnesses pursued him. Despite his efforts to flee, the homeowners and witnesses pursued him, the ECSO said in a statement. Initially, Rush ran into a wooded area, but quick thinking from a witness who used a drone led to his capture. ECSO said drone footage revealed him scouting another residence to burglarize.
Rush was located, arrested, and charged with three counts of burglary, grand theft, and criminal mischief. Additionally, he had an outstanding warrant for burglary and battery domestic violence against a relative stemming from an incident on July 24, 2025, also on Woodside Road.
Rush remained in the Escambia County Jail on Saturday without bond.