Century Neighborhood Watch Organized, Sets Future Meetings
December 9, 2025
An organizational meeting was held Monday night for a new Century Neighborhood Watch, under the guidance of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
The group elected Evelyn Deterville as president, Emma Fletcher as vice president and Deborah William and secretary.
About a dozen attendees learned how to keep a watchful eye on their community, protect themselves, and properly report crime to the ECSO from David Craig, community relations coordinator, and Deputy Howard Enderson.
Future meetings will be held at 6 p.m. on the second Monday of the month at the Soul Train Club at 150 East Pond Street. The next meeting will be held on January 13, and the public is invited to attend.
NorhtEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Flomaton Council Reappoints Key Staff, Holds Off On New Police Chief After Derek Lowry Resignation
December 9, 2025
Flomaton’s police chief has resigned, and the appointment of a replacement has been delayed for at least a week.
Dereck Lowry resigned as police chief last Friday, Mayor Arthur Odom announced to the town council Monday night. He had served as chief since May 2024.
The council approved Odom’s recommendations to reappointed several municipal positions, including Town Clerk Kaci Boutwell, Superintendent of Public Works Shaun Moye, and Town Attorney Chuck Johns.
But the council on Monday night stopped short of promoting Flomaton Police Department Captain Justin Hetrick as police chief at the mayor’s recommendation. The council instead appointed Hetrick as interim chief and set a 5:30 p.m. special meeting on December 15 to interview him.
When Odom was sworn in as Flomaton mayor in early November, he deferred the municipal appointments until a November 10 meeting, and they were again deferred to December 8.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Clear, Low In The Mid 30s Tonight
December 9, 2025
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 36. Calm wind.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 64. Light south wind becoming west 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 38. West wind around 5 mph becoming north after midnight.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 57. North wind around 5 mph becoming west in the afternoon.
Thursday Night: Clear, with a low around 39. Calm wind.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 69. Light and variable wind becoming southwest 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 52. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 71. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the morning.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 54. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 66.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 38.
Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 60.
Monday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 40.
Tuesday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 61.
Byrneville Elementary Names Students Of The Month
December 9, 2025
Byrneville Elementary School recently named its Students of the Month for November.
They are:
Kindergarten: Miracle Slade and Tucker Boutwell
1st Grade: AJ Sutton and Georgia Cofield
2nd Grade: Cali Cottrell and Shelby McKenna
3rd Grade: Arayah McCall and Paisley Miller
4th Grade: Jagger Scott and Estella Johnson
5th Grade: Emrey Fowler and William Maxwell
Art: Derri’ashia Grice
Music: Chaplin Grassia
PE: Jaden Cardwell
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
International Paper Awards $65,000 In Community Grants
December 9, 2025
International Paper’s Pensacola Mill recently awarded $65,000 in International Paper Foundation grants to nine local organizations for education, hunger, health and wellness, disaster relief, and environmental initiatives.
The largest grant of $15,000 was awarded to Sacred Heart Foundation to create a multi-sensory room at the Studer Family Children’s Hospital at Ascension Sacred Heart. This space will provide therapeutic support for children with sensory processing challenges, neurological conditions, and anxiety, helping families across Northwest Florida.
Another major grant supports Jim Allen Elementary School’s Stoked about Science and Social Studies project, equipping classrooms with resources that inspire curiosity and strengthen STEM education for local students.
“We are proud to partner with organizations that share our vision for a stronger, healthier community,” said Whitney Fike, Regional Communications Manager at International Paper. “These grants allow us to amplify the impact of projects that matter most, whether it is creating a sensory-friendly space for children in need or providing innovative learning tools for local students. These initiatives represent the heart of what community investment should be: meaningful, lasting change.”
Grants were awarded to:
- Autism Pensacola – Families Navigating Autism
- Council on Aging of West Florida – Powering Our Future
- Covenant Care Foundation – Nonie’s Place
- Health and Hope Clinic – Access to Care
- Jim Allen Elementary – Stoked about Science and Social Studies
- Manna Food Bank – Healthy Kids Initiative
- Pensacola MESS Hall – Mess Hall Updates
- Sacred Heart Foundation – Sacred Space Sensory Room
- YMCA of Northwest Florida – Literacy Launch Kits
Grants were determined after a thorough review by local team members and the International Paper Foundation’s grants committee, with final approval by the foundation’s board of trustees.
Keiser Wins NAIA Soccer National Championship At Ashton Brosnaham Park
December 9, 2025
The NAIA Women’s Soccer Championship was held over the past week in North Escambia.
Escambia County’s Ashton Brosnaham Athletic Complex off 10 Mile Road hosted the tournament, except for last minute move of some matches to Gulf Shores due to weather,
The Keiser University Seahawks (West Palm Beach, FL) claimed their third championship title with a penalty kick, ending over 110 minutes of play with a combined 37 shots throughout the game. The Seahawks defeated Cumberlands (Kentucky) for the championship and the league’s Red Banner.
Keiser claimed its third red banner in program history with a 20-3-1 overall record. Cumberlands (Ky.) wrapped up their phenomenal season with an overall record of 17-5-3.
Last month, Ashton Brosnaham hosted the SEC Women’s Soccer Championship, which was won by Vanderbilt.
Theda Rae Warrick Bray
December 9, 2025
Theda Rae Warrick Bray, a resident of Jay, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, at the age of 96. She was born on February 11, 1929.
A funeral service was held on Sunday, December 7, 2025, at Jay First Baptist Church in Jay, Florida.
Arrangements were handled by Lewis Funeral Home Jay Cornerstone Chapel.
Lipscomb Elementary Names Students Of The Month
December 8, 2025
Lipscomb Elementary School recently named its Students of the Month for November. They are Naomi Truitt and Nyle Wright. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
A Christmas Miracle: Tate High Hosts Miracle League’s Annual Christmas Party (With Gallery)
December 8, 2025
Santa visited with Miracle League of Pensacola players during their annual Christmas party Friday night at Tate High School.
For the past eight years, Tate Beta Club, sponsored by Stacye Litton, has hosted the Christmas Party for the athletes and the families. Numerous other Tate High student organizations and volunteers came together to put on the party including Early Childhood Education, Diamond Girls, Tate Theatre, Chorus, Gatsby Girls and S2S,.
For a photo gallery, click here.
The Miracle League players were able to visit with Santa and share their wish lists, enjoy a spaghetti dinner, and take part in numerous activities.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Temporary Traffic Shift and Lane Reduction On I-10 Near Highway 29 Exit Tonight
December 8, 2025
I-10 westbound traffic will be reduced to one travel lane and shifted south, near the Highway 29 (Exit 10) exit between 8 p.m. Monday and 6 a.m. Tuesday. The temporary traffic shift will allow crews to perform beam placement operations at the North Palafox Street overpass.
The speed limit is reduced to 50 mph through the work zone.
This work is part of a $236 million construction project designed to improve safety and capacity for the 62,000 drivers who travel the I-10 at U.S. 29 interchange daily. The project is scheduled for completion in 2030.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.