Ascend Cares Delivers Christmas Magic To Escambia Westgate Students
December 18, 2025
The Pensacola Ascend Cares teams took part in a Christmas Parade for the very special students at Escambia Westgate School.
The volunteers brought holiday light and laughter, along with a gift for over 130 students from their personal wish lists. Each gift was hand-delivered with love from Santa, and Mrs. Claus.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Commemorative 250th U.S. Anniversary License Plates Available In Florida
December 18, 2025
In honor of the United States’ 250th anniversary on July 4th, 2026, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles has announced a new America 250 commemorative license plate.
“The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles is honored to give Floridians a meaningful way to participate in our nation’s 250th anniversary,” said Executive Director Dave Kerner. “This commemorative plate reflects our shared pride in America’s history and is a symbol of our state’s connection to America’s past.”
Unlike specialty plates, the America 250 plate serves as an alternative to the standard Florida license plate, with all regular fees applying. Motorists may request the America 250 license plate at the time of vehicle registration or renewal. The plate will be available through multiple channels, including local tax collector offices and authorized tag agencies.
Rain Likely For Thursday
December 18, 2025
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Thursday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm, mainly before 3pm, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 3pm. High near 68. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Thursday Night: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 9pm, then a chance of showers between 9pm and midnight. Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly clear, with a low around 46. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming northwest after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 58. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday Night: Clear, with a low around 37. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 67. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 52. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 70. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph in the morning.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 49. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 65.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 47.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 69.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 50.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 72.
Escambia Man Pleads Guilty To Possession Unregistered Machine Gun
December 18, 2025
An Escambia County man has been sentenced to four years in federal prison for possession of an unregistered machine gun.
Prashant M. Jenkins Jr., 24, previously entered a guilty plea in federal court.
Court documents state that on October 30, 2024, law enforcement officers found and seized from Jenkins’ residence an AR-style machine gun conversion device, a Glock pistol with a loaded magazine, a loaded AR-15 magazine, approximately 500 grams of marijuana, and other suspected drug trafficking paraphernalia. The conversion device, considered a machine gun under federal law, was not marked with a serial number and was not registered in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record as required.
U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “I applaud the excellent work of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and our federal ATF agents to make our community safer by getting this dangerous individual off the streets. My office remains fully committed to aggressively prosecuting those who illegally manufacture and possess these dangerous weapons, fulfilling the promise made by President Donald J. Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi to Take Back America by targeting violent criminals with the full force of the law.”
Jenkins faced up to 10 years’ in prison and will be prohibited from possessing any firearms or ammunition.
Tate Junior Mykamia Padgett Commits To D1 ASU Softball
December 18, 2025
Tate High School pitcher and infielder Mykamia Padgett, a junior, has committed to play softball for the NCAA Division I Alabama State University Hornets in Montgomery. Graphic for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
At Least One Injured In Four-Vehicle Highway 29 Crash
December 17, 2025
At least one person was injured in a four-vehicle crash Wednesday morning on Highway 29 in Cantonment.
The crash happened before daybreak on Highway 29 near Tate Road. The wreck involved a Mack semi-truck, an SUV, a Chevrolet pickup, and a Dodge Ram pickup. The Ram only suffered minor damage.
One person was transported to an area hospital, but an update on their condition was not available. The Florida Highway Patrol investigated and has not yet released further details.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Convicted Cantonment Felon Sentenced On Federal Armed Drug Distribution Charges
December 17, 2025
A convicted Escambia County felon has been sentenced to federal prison on armed drug distribution charges.
Carlton DeWight Shoemaker, age 51 of Carver Street, previously pleaded guilty in federal court to three counts of possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
He was sentenced to 60 months in federal prison followed by three years supervised release by U.S. District Judge Kent Wetherell II. He had faced up to life in prison.
Using an FDLE documented criminal informant, ATF purchased crack cocaine and methamphetamine on two occasions from Shoemaker in a hotel room , according to federal court documents, and a semi-automatic handgun was presented in the room.
When a search warrant was later served, investigators reported finding 4.5 grams of crack cocaine, 9.5 grams of powder cocaine, three ounces of marijuana pre-packaged for sale, drug paraphernalia, and two firearms with ammunition.
Shoemaker is a convicted felon and has multiple prior convictions, including burglary, grand theft, possession of cocaine, and grand theft of a firearm.
The case involved a joint investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and ATF.
Sex Offender, 84, Gets 30 Years For Viewing Porn On Probation
December 17, 2025
An 84-year old sex offender has been sentenced to three decades in prison for violating his probation.
Carl Wayne Castleberry was sentenced on Tuesday to 30 years in state prison by Circuit Judge John Miller.
Castleberry was on probation for two counts of lewd or lascivious conduct for abusing a young female relative. In September 2019, he pled guilty and was sentenced to 50 months in state prison to be followed by 25 years of sex offender probation. He was released from prison in August of 2022.
By October of 2025, his probation officer discovered that Castleberry had been viewing pornography in violation of his probation conditions, according to prosecutors.
Century High Class Of 1961 Donation To Launch Youth-Led Food Pantry
December 17, 2025
Pastor Evelyn Deterville saw a need in Century, and her nonprofit, Extra Mile Club Str8 Up, officially opened the “Soul Train Club of Century” youth resource center to offer education and outreach.
Upon learning that a crucial food pantry on Pond Street will close at the end of the year, she set out to launch “Str8 Up Blessing” in January. This youth-led food pantry will meet the community’s needs and deliver “Blessing Bags” directly to seniors and families facing emergency food shortages.
On Tuesday morning, the Century High School Class of 1961 made a $500 donation to help establish the new pantry.
“We are humbled and grateful for the Class of 1961,” said Deterville. “Their generosity strengthens our mission to empower youth while meeting the real needs of our elders with dignity and compassion.”
Pictured: Executive Director and local pastor Evelyn Deterville of Extra Mile Club Str8 Up (second from right) accepts a donation from members of the Century High School Class of 1961 on Tuesday morning. (NorthEscambia.com photo)
Santa Claus To Visit The Molino Library On Thursday
December 17, 2025
Santa Claus will visit the Molino Library on Thursday.
Santa will hear Christmas wishes, and parents are invited to use their phone or bring a camera for photos. He will be at the library at 4:30 p.m.
The Molino Library is at 6450A Highway 95A, in the Molino Community Center.
Pictured: Santa Claus during a recent visit to the Century Library. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
