SEC Women’s Soccer Tournament Semifinals Set In North Escambia On Thursday
November 5, 2025
Here are scores from Tuesday action in the SEC Women’s Soccer Tournament continues in North Escambia at Ashton Brosnaham Park.
- Vanderbilt 2, Alabama 1
- Georgia 1(5), Kentucky 1(4)
- Mississippi State 2, Arkansas 1
- LSU 2, Tennessee 0
SEMIFINALS
In semifinal action on Thursday:
- Mississippi State vs. LSU
- Vanderbilt vs. Georgia
The championship will be Sunday.
Pictured: LSU in the SEC Women’s Soccer Tournament. NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Atmore-Based Manufacturer Alto Products Corp. Has Sold To International Company
November 5, 2025
Freudenberg-NOK Sealing Technologies (FNST), together with its aftermarket division Corteco, has signed an agreement to acquire Atmore-based Alto Products Corp., the world’s oldest and largest independently owned manufacturer of clutch plates and automatic transmission parts. This acquisition strengthens Freudenberg’s position in the North American and global aftermarket, expanding their product and service offerings for customers worldwide.
Founded and family-owned for two generations, Alto Products Corp. operates a 270,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Atmore with additional sales and distribution locations in Mexico, the Netherlands, and China. The company employs approximately 240 people, with 230 based in the United States. Alto is renowned for its friction plates, steel reaction plates, and comprehensive kits for automatic transmissions, serving automotive, heavy-duty, performance, and marine segments.
“With the acquisition of Alto Products Corp., we are not only expanding our product portfolio but also reinforcing our commitment to delivering comprehensive, high-quality solutions to our customers. Alto’s legacy, technical expertise, and strong brand presence in the aftermarket align perfectly with our strategic vision,” said Dr. Christian Dickopf, senior vice president of Freudenberg-NOK Sealing Technologies’ Corteco Division.
The company said the acquisition enables FNST to offer complete transmission rebuild solutions by integrating Alto’s friction and steel plates into new product offerings for the market. This unlocks growth in performance and recreational vehicle segments, enhances vertical integration, improves risk management, and strengthens supply chain resilience through Alto’s U.S.-centric manufacturing. It also expands FNST’s reach into international markets by leveraging Alto’s established presence in Latin America and Asia, while creating opportunities to consolidate product lines and operations across FNST’s global footprint.
Judy Love, North American vice president of the Corteco division, said, “This partnership strengthens our ability to deliver comprehensive solutions to customers across North America and globally. We are excited to welcome Alto’s skilled team into the Freudenberg organization.”
Freudenberg Sealing Technologies said the company is a long-standing technology expert and global market leader for sophisticated and innovative applications in sealing technology and electromobility. With its unique materials and technology expertise, the company is a proven supplier of sophisticated products and applications as well as a development and service partner for customers in the automotive industry and general industry. In the 2024 financial year, Freudenberg Sealing Technologies generated sales of around €2.5 billion (approximately $2.872 billon USD) and employed around 13,000 people.
The company is part of the global Freudenberg Group, which generated sales of almost 12 billion euros (almost $13.8 billion USD) in the 2024 financial year with its seals and vibration control technology, nonwovens and filtration, household products and specialties divisions and employed around 52,000 people in some 60 countries.
Warms Days, Cool Nights
November 5, 2025
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 77. East wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the afternoon.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 50. Calm wind.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 78. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 57. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Friday: A 30 percent chance of showers after noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 79. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south in the morning.
Friday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after midnight. Partly cloudy, with a low around 64. South wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 81. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers after midnight. Partly cloudy, with a low around 63. South wind around 5 mph.
Sunday: A 20 percent chance of showers before noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 76.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 42.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 54.
Monday Night: Areas of frost. Otherwise, clear, with a low around 31.
Veterans Day: Sunny, with a high near 57.
Escambia (FL) Man Faces Drug Charges After Alabama Traffic Stop
November 5, 2025
An Escambia County, Florida, man was arrested in Atmore after a traffic stop led to the discovery of illegal narcotics, according to the Atmore Police Department.
Thames Stone, 45, was charged with two counts of possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.
The incident began when an Atmore Police Officer responded to a citizen complaint about a reckless driver on North Main Street. The officer located the vehicle and initiated a traffic stop after observing the driver fail to maintain his lane of travel.
During the interaction, the officer identified the driver as Stone and noted suspicious behavior, leading to suspicion that Stone may have been driving under the influence.
Following a consent to search the vehicle, officers discovered over two grams of cocaine, more than two dozen Xanax pills, and items associated with packaging narcotics, according to Atmore Police.
Stone was booked into the Escambia County (AL) Detention Center.
Escambia County Program That Provides Bus Or Plane Tickets To Get Homeless Out Reaches Milestone
November 5, 2025
Escambia County’s Real Change Project Reconnect Program is celebrating a milestone of helping more than 300 individuals, including 13 children, reunite with their family, friends, or other support networks through free transportation assistance.
Real Change Project Reconnect was launched in February 2024, with a goal of reducing homelessness in Escambia County. The program offers resources and assistance for individuals travel to locations where they have a better support system to help them get back on their feet.
The program is funded by Escambia County and facilitated by Ministry Village at Olive, Inc. Through Project Reconnect, eligible individuals and families are provided with a bus or plane ticket to their chosen destination, provided they can demonstrate that family, a job, or support network is in place for them.
Due to the success of the program, the Escambia County Board of County Commissioners approved another increase in funding for the program from $53,527 to $89,706, providing even more opportunities to help individuals seeking assistance. Approximately $54,569 of the funding allocated for the program has been spent for the 307 individuals who have received assistance so far.
Escambia County Governmental Liaison Liz Kissel, who manages the program for the county, said she’s excited about using the additional funding to continue helping individuals who are looking for an opportunity to improve their circumstances.
“This milestone is another testament to the success of the Real Change Project Reconnect program, which is truly changing lives for the better and giving these individuals hope for a brighter future,” Kissel said. “I appreciate Ministry Village for their continued partnership and dedication to helping those in need in our community – this wouldn’t be possible without their support. I look forward to hearing even more heartwarming stories of people being reunited with their families and getting a chance at a fresh start through this program.”
The following individuals and families may be eligible for Real Change Project Reconnect:
- Individuals and families seeking family reunification and housing with their family or other support system.
- Individuals and families who have identified employment and need only short-term social service support to facilitate their transition to the arrival community.
- Individuals and families who have affordable permanent housing or other shelter options awaiting them in a community where they have family or social supports.
This program is just one part of Escambia County’s ongoing efforts to reduce homelessness in the community, and the county is continuing to work with community partners to strategize additional solutions for those experiencing homelessness.
For more information about Project Reconnect and other Escambia County Real Change programs and resources, visit MyEscambia.com/realchange or email homelessness@myescambia.com.
Blue Wahoos To Be The ‘Pensacola Sky Jockeys’ During Some 2026 Games
November 5, 2025
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos unveiled a new alternate identity that pays tribute to the community’s strong ties to military aviation. With a blue and yellow color scheme reminiscent of the U.S. Navy’s Blue Angels Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Pensacola Sky Jockeys will take flight at Blue Wahoos Stadium during select games throughout the 2026 season.
Fitting Pensacola’s status as the “Cradle of Naval Aviation,” the Sky Jockeys jersey features the team wordmark in a sharp, angular font to match livery on the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet flown by the Blue Angels. The cap features a fierce, anthropomorphic fighter jet sporting aviator sunglasses and baseball bats on its wingtips.
“The Pensacola Blue Wahoos have enjoyed a strong relationship with our military community since we first took the field in 2012, and that partnership has only grown in recent years,” said Blue Wahoos assistant general manager Anthony Aspenson. “Our players have visited the Blue Angels on the flight line at N.A.S. Pensacola, and the Blue Angels have reciprocated with frequent flyovers during Blue Wahoos home games. When we think about what makes Pensacola special in the world of Minor League Baseball, our special connection with the Blue Angels is near the top of the list. We can’t wait to take the field wearing uniforms that recognize this unique point of Pensacola pride.”
The Blue Wahoos launched the Pensacola Mullets brand in 2016, and have worn the uniforms of their fun-loving alter egos for every Thursday home game since 2021. In 2023, the Blue Wahoos unveiled the Pensacola Pok-Ta-Pok brand identity as part of Minor League Baseball’s “Copa de la Diversión” celebration of Hispanic culture.
Photos/images for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Completes Multiple North Escambia Road, Drainage Projects In-House
November 4, 2025
Over the past several months, Escambia County has used county staff rather than outside contractors to save not only time but also money on road and drainage projects.
“We save a lot of money by doing it in-house,” Public Works Director Jamey Higdon said. “Using county crews and equipment also saves time compared to putting out contracts out to bid.”
Some of the North Escambia projects recently completed by county staff include:
- drainage projects on Macks Road, Pine Forest Road, State Line Road, Nokomis Road, Meadows Road, and Pineville Road
- shoulder work on West Highway 4
- bridge approaches on Rockaway Creek Road and Arthur Brown Road
- complete milling of Jakes Road. Crews will complete the milling on Jones Road soon.
In addition, Higdon said county crews will replace drainage pipe under Highway 4 near Northview High School. The work, which will require closure of Highway 4 and a detour, is currently slated for the school district’s Christmas break.
Pictured: This serious drainage washout on Macks Road near Bratt was repaired in-house by Escambia County Public Works staff. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Clear, Middle 40s Tonight
November 4, 2025
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Clear, with a low around 45. Calm wind.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 77. East wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the afternoon.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 50. Calm wind.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 78. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 57. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Friday: A 30 percent chance of showers after noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 79. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south in the morning.
Friday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after midnight. Partly cloudy, with a low around 64. South wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 81. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers after midnight. Partly cloudy, with a low around 63. South wind around 5 mph.
Sunday: A 20 percent chance of showers before noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 76.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 42.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 54.
Monday Night: Areas of frost. Otherwise, clear, with a low around 31.
Veterans Day: Sunny, with a high near 57.
FHP Corporal Constance Knowles Honored By Medical Examiner’s Office
November 4, 2025
The District One Medical Examiner’s Office has recognized Florida Highway Patrol Corporal Constance Knowles as one of this year’s Above and Beyond Award recipients.
The Medical Examiner’s Office said “Corporal Knowles demonstrates exceptional professionalism, communication, and dedication in every collaboration. Her diligence ensures accurate, timely, and respectful investigations, reflecting the highest standards of service.”
Knowles is an FHP traffic homicide investigator.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com click to enlarge.
Shawn Lassiter Sworn In As Atmore’s New Mayor (With Gallery)
November 4, 2025
In Atmore Monday, newly-elected Mayor Shawn Lassiter was sworn into office. He has served as interim mayor since July 1, after Jim Staff retired after 24 years of service.
During an organizational meeting, councilmembers were also sworn in: Bob Turk, Jerome Webster, Eunice Johnson, David Dobson, and Bub Gideons.
Turk and Gideons are newly elected, replacing longtime council members Webb Nall and Chris Harrison, who did not seek re-election. Dobson was elected after being appointed to fill Lassiter’s council term when Lassiter was appointed interim mayor.
Municipal Judge Karean Reynolds, City Clerk Becca Smith, Director of Public Safety Chuck Brooks, Police Chief Ken Sessions and Fire Chief Ronald Peebles were also sworn into their positions.
The council also appointed Webster as mayor pro tem, Joe Whitt as municipal prosecutor, Gordon Godwin as public defender, Bill Wasden as city attorney, and Smith as city clerk.
Employment was continued by ordinance for all classified officers and employees.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
