DeSantis Grants State Workers Three Extra Days Off for Holiday Season
November 20, 2025
State workers are getting a few extra days off for the upcoming holidays.
State workers were already going to be off for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day, plus the Friday after Thanksgiving.
Governor Ron DeSantis has announced that state offices will also be closed on Wednesday, November 26; Friday, December 26; and Friday, January 2 in celebration of the holidays.
“Our state employees have worked hard throughout the year,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “I hope they enjoy additional time off with loved ones and friends this holiday season. The First Lady and I are thankful for their continued dedication to the people of Florida.”
These dates are in addition to regular office closures on Thursday, November 27; Friday, November 28; Thursday, December 25; and Thursday, January 1.
Escambia Man Faces Up To Life In Federal Prison After Drug Case Guilty Plea
November 20, 2025
An Escambia County man faces up to life in prison when he is sentenced in January on federal drug charges.
Malcolm Terrell Louis, 39, of Pensacola, Florida, pleaded guilty in federal court to two counts of possession of controlled substances with intent to distribute, two counts of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense, and two counts of possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon, according to John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
“This successful prosecution is the result of the outstanding investigative work by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and our federal law enforcement partners who are committed to ending the flow of drugs and violence plaguing our communities,” Heekin said.
Court documents reflect that in December of 2024, law enforcement located an unattended, parked vehicle that was left running at a housing complex. Law enforcement could see multiple bags of narcotics and a firearm in the vehicle. The defendant’s fingerprints were located on the vehicle and on one of the bags containing methamphetamine and cocaine. Law enforcement later executed a search warrant at a residence in Pensacola. Louis was present at the residence, and was found to be in possession of narcotics, including methamphetamine and cocaine, and firearms. Prosecutors said he is a multi-time convicted felon.
Roy ‘Chuck’ Skaggs
November 20, 2025
Roy “Chuck” Skaggs, 60, of Walnut Hill, FL, passed away on November 17, 2025, at his home. He was born on October 27, 1965, in Pensacola, FL, to Bennie Skaggs and Emogene Mitchell Beck. Chuck was employed with International Paper Company, where he later retired. In his spare time, he enjoyed fishing, hunting, gardening, and riding his tractor. He was also a member of Dry Springs Holiness Church.
Chuck is preceded in death by his parents, Bennie Skaggs and Emogene Mitchell Beck, and his grandparents, A.D. Spence and Hazel Spence.
Chuck is survived by his loving wife of 20 years, Alice Wood Skaggs, his sons, Riley (Erica) Skaggs of Cantonment, FL, and Corey Skaggs of Jay, FL; his daughter, Danielle (Alex) Scanlon of Pace, FL; his sisters, Christy Kolb of Pensacola, FL, and Sharon Skaggs of Texas; his grandchildren, Beverly Skaggs, Logan Skaggs, Gracie Skaggs, and Xander Scanlon, his niece; Bethany, his nephews; Aaron, and Ryan, and many other cousins, family, and friends whom loved him dearly.
A memorial service for Chuck will be held on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, at the Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel, with Bro. Joe Gibson officiating.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
FDLE Conducting Multiple Search Warrants In Escambia County
November 19, 2025
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is conducting multiple search warrants in Escambia County on Wednesday, and the agency made the somewhat unusual move of making a public announcement.
“Members of the public may notice an increased law enforcement presence, including tactical and specialized vehicles. There is no threat to public safety at this time,” the agency said.
FDLE said the operations are part of an active and ongoing investigation led by FDLE, and additional details will be available for release at a later date at the conclusion of the investigation.
File photo.
Escambia Man Gets Life In Prison For 2023 Mugs & Jugs Murder
November 19, 2025
An Escambia County man was sentenced Wednesday morning to life in prison for a 2023 fatal shooting at the Mugs & Jugs bar.
Christian Ketchup, now 27, was convicted in September of the second-degree murder with a firearm of 25-year-old Tierra Binion, the mother of twins. She was found deceased in the parking lot of the establishment on August 23, 2023.
As part of his sentence, Ketchup was ordered to pay $7,500 for the victim’s compensation trust fund.
The incident started inside the bar between Binion and Ketchup’s girlfriend, Rachel Marine DeRise, before continuing outside.
Binion was unconscious when Derise started hitting her while she was down. Ketchup then pulled out a handgun and shot Binion several times. Court documents said 20 shell casings were found near Binion’s body, and five more casings were located across the parking lot.
Derise was charged with misdemeanor battery following the incident. She pleaded no contest and was sentenced to 60 days in county jail and 12 months probation in September 2024.
Organizers Fear Annual MLK Ceremony At Risk Due To Town’s Rental Fee Hike
November 19, 2025
Robert Mitchell fears that an annual Martin Luther King, Jr. ceremony may not happen this year at a Century community center.
The program is held every year by the Century-Flomaton Improvement Association (CFIA) at the town-owned community center on West Highway 4 that is known as the Ag Building.
In June, the Century Town Council voted to hike community center rates. Previously, the daily rental fee was $380. However, a provision allowed a pastor or officer to sign off, dropping the rental to $200 for churches or non-profits.
The new rental policy is $500 for everyone, with a fee waiver that can only be approved by the council for any governmental agency using the facilities. Security, provided by either the sheriff’s office or a Florida-licensed security company, will be required at the renter’s expense for all events with more than 75 attendees.
“We just don’t have any money,” Mitchell told the town council Tuesday night. “We’d still like to keep one (MLK program) in Century…but we need a fee waiver, or a lower one to help us.”
As CFIA treasurer, Mitchell stood at the last Century MLK event last January and asked for small donations fund the event, which includes a lunch for well over 100 attendees celebrating on the national holiday. A guest speaker, a student essay contest, music and other events celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The town’s mayor and most of the town council traditional attend.
Tuesday night, Councilman John Bass said the town is going to revisit community center rental rates in time for the CFIA and their 2026 MLK program. Town Clerk Carrie Moore confirmed the discussion will be on the December 2 council agenda.
Pictured top: Robert Mitchell asks for donations during the 2024 Century-Flomaton Improvement Association Martin Luther King, Jr. program. Also pictured: The program honors King’s legacy NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
District 5 ECUA Member Stephens Elected Board Chairman
November 19, 2025
District 5 Emerald Coast Utilities Authority board member Kevin Stephens was elected board chairman during an organizational meeting on Tuesday. Larry Williams, Sr., District 3, was elected to the vice-chairmanship.
Lois Benson, District 3, was elected to the chairmanship of the Citizens’ Advisory Committee (CAC) and Vicki Campbell, District 1, was elected to serve as the CAC vice-chairman.
The Board then re-appointed the following citizens to serve on the CAC:
- Chuck Kimball – District 1
- Dean Kirschner – District 2
- Louis Brown, III – District 3
- Mark DeNunzio- District 4
- David Murzin – District 5
- Imelda Cromartie – At-large
- Louise Ritz – At-large
Pensacola Issues 26,085 Red Light Citations
November 19, 2025
On Tuesday, the City of Pensacola has issued a red light camera update.
The intersection of 9th Avenue and Gregory Street continues to be the city’s top hotspot for red light camera violations.
From February 1 to October 31, the city issued 26,085 citations and nearly 32% of them came from 9th Avenue at Gregory Street. The second-highest number came from 9th and Bayou, which has four approaches.
Here are the latest numbers:
- 9th Avenue & Bayou: 7,777
- • 9th Avenue & Airport: 3,616
- • 9th Avenue & Fairfield Drive: 4,969
- • 9th Avenue & Gregory Street: 8,274
- • Fairfield Drive & Davis Hwy: 1,449
Fugitive Arrested Near Oak Grove After Fleeing From Deputies
November 19, 2025
A wanted felon with outstanding warrants was arrested Monday near Oak Grove after a K-9 search.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office arrived at a home in the 3100 block of North Highway 99, just south of Breastworks Road, to arrest 54-year-old Floyd Scott Mooney, Jr. on outstanding warrants issued by the State Attorney’s Office for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, grand theft, and grand theft of a firearm.
Mooney arrived back at the property on a John Deere tractor and fled, leaving the tractor lights on and the keys in the ignition, according to an arrest report.
An ECSO deputy and his K-9 partner arrived at the scene to conduct a search, tracking Mooney north from the property.
A deputy posted near a hunting trail saw Mooney cross a hunting road and gave him commands to stop. Mooney first told the deputy “no” and was attempting to cross a fence before he was taken into custody, the report continues.
An additional charge of resisting arrest was filed against Mooney.
Mooney was booked into the Escambia County Jail and released on a $45,500 bond just under 10 hours later.
Sunny Warm Days, Clear And Cool Nights
November 19, 2025
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Wednesday: Becoming sunny, with a high near 79. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph.
Wednesday Night: Widespread dense fog, mainly between 3am and 4am. Otherwise, increasing clouds, with a low around 59. Calm wind.
Thursday: Patchy fog before 7am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 79. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 60. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Friday: A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 80. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 66. South wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: A slight chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 81. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 61. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 78.
Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 56.
Monday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 77.
Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 59.
Tuesday: A 40 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 75.