McDavid Fire Station Real Estate To Be Donated To Escambia County
September 28, 2025
This week, the Escambia County Commission is set to consider accepting the donation of the McDavid Volunteer Fire Department building and property.
The fire station at 100 North Century Boulevard, known as Escambia County Fire Rescue Station 9, operates from a building that still legally belongs to the McDavid Volunteer Fire Department, Inc.
If acceptance is approved by the commission, the real property ownership will transfer from the McDavid Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. to Escambia County.
The fire station will continue to operate as usual with volunteer firefighters using county owned vehicles and equipment.
Pictured: An Escambia County EMS ambulance earlier this year stationed outside the McDavid Fire Station belonging to the McDavid Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Man Pleads Guilty To Federal Narcotics And Firearms Charges
September 28, 2025
An Escambia County man has pleaded guilty to federal narcotics and firearms charges.
Akeem Cornell Shaw, 39, pleaded guilty in federal court to possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and possession of an unregistered firearm (short-barreled shotgun).
In February 2025 law enforcement executed a search warrant at Shaw’s residence. In Shaw’s bedroom, officers located multiple loaded firearms, including a short-barreled shotgun, fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamine, ammunition, and other items indicative of drug distribution. Shaw is a convicted felon, who has previously been convicted of several narcotics related offenses, including possession of heroin with intent to sell.
Shaw faces up to life imprisonment when he is sentenced ion December 11.
The case involved a joint investigation by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and the AFT.
“I am incredibly proud of the continued excellence demonstrated by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and our federal law enforcement partners to investigate this repeat offender and help bring him to justice. The hardworking prosecutors in my office are committed to using the full force of the law to keep our streets safe,” said United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida John P. Heekin.
Ernest Ward Middle School Names Students, Employee Of The Month
September 28, 2025
Ernest Ward Middle School recently named their employee and student of the month for August. Pictured (L-R) with Principal Tyvanna Boulanger are students Nevaeh Tidd, eighth grade; Zane Therrell, seventh grade; Hadley Cook, sixth grade; and Wesley Stafford, technology coordinator. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Emily Ahnelia Castleberry
September 28, 2025
Emily Ahnelia Castleberry, 84, of Cantonment, Florida, passed away peacefully, Saturday, September 27, 2025, surrounds by family. Emily was born in Prichard, Alabama and was in the area for over 75 years.
Mrs. Castleberry was a beloved wife to Kenneth Castleberry, Sr. for over 64 years, she was a mother to many and a loving grandmother to all. She was a faithful member, choir singer and nursey worker at Victory Bible Baptist Church for more than 48 years. She had a love for youth camp, cooking, roses and taking care of others. She is known as a Godly woman who loved children. She will be deeply missed.
Emily was an avid member at Victory Bible Baptist for many years.
Emily is preceded in death by spouse, Kenneth Franklin Castleberry, Sr. Parents, Rufus and Elizabeth Burnham, great granddaughter, Evelyn Walton, nephew, Larry Wayne Burnham, as well as several other precious children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren born silently to Jesus.
Emily is survived by children, Diane Van Meris (Jean), Brenda Chavis (Eddie), Kenneth Castleberry (Angela), Eddie Castleberry (Nona), Beth Livingston (Billy), Belinda McGrath, Keith Castleberry (Sandy), Junior Kozlowski (Karin), grandchildren; Cody Castleberry, Patrice Beradelli (Jeremy), Debbie Lee (Jerry), Kaila Ward (Addison), Steven Chavis, Trey Thompson, Randall Castleberry (Tessa), Amber Wise, Tayler Dimmick, Nikole Perna (Vincent), great grandchildren; Brody and Colton Castleberry, Mckenzie and Brantley Beradelli, Zachary, Grayson, Noah and Kiaden Lee, Bradley and Summit Castleberry, Xander and Phoenix Dimmick as well as Jaxson Perna and brother’s Doyle (Earlene) Burnham, Donnie (Jeanne) Burnham, Charles (Vicki) Burnham, David Burnham. Plus numerous nieces and nephews.
A visitation will be held at Pensacola Memorial Gardens Funeral Home on Friday, October 3 from noon until the service begins at 1 p.m. Brother Allen Cotton will be officiating and the grandsons will be pallbearers. A special thank you to her nurses Jillian, Andrea and Virginia at VITAS Hospice.
Escambia Farm Bureau Presents Farm Family, Distinguished Service Awards
September 27, 2025
Escambia County Farm Bureau recently honored local producers during their annual meeting.
The Farm Family award was presented to the Glen and Todd Wiggins, and the Distinguished award was presented to Brett Ward of Walnut Hill for outstanding services to rural Escambia County.
Pictured top: Jack Livingston presented Glen and Todd Wiggins the Farm Family award. Pictured below: Farm Bureau President Jerry Sheppard presented the Distinguished Service award to Brett Ward. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
EREC: Please Don’t Shoot At Our Lines During Dove Season
September 27, 2025
Dove season begins today in Florida, and a fiber internet provider and power company have issuing a warning — don’t shoot at power or fiber lines.
According to Connect Powered by Escambia River Electric Cooperative and EREC, shooting at an electrical line is a crime
EREC said shooting at power lines and fiber lines can cause extensive damage, costing thousands in repairs, leading to higher utility bills or a large fine for the hunter. There’s also the risk of a fire or electrocution from downed power lines. In addition, the cooperative said damaging electrical equipment is against the law and could result in criminal charges or financial liability for repair costs.
Anyone that witnesses a person shooting at wired lines in EREC’s territory is asked to report it to the cooperative at (850) 675-4521.
According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, dove season this year is September 27 – October 19, November 8- 30, and December 19 – January 31.
Great Weekend: Highs In The 80s, No Rain, And Nights In The 60s
September 27, 2025
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 86. North wind around 5 mph.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 63. North wind around 5 mph.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 88. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 65. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 88. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 66. North wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 88. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 66. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 87.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 66.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 85.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 62.
Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Sunny, with a high near 81.
Pulled Pork Sandwich Meals Available Saturday At Aldersgate Church In Molino
September 27, 2025
Aldersgate Methodist Church will be selling large BBQ pork sandwich plates on Saturday form 11 a.m. until 2 p.m.
The $12 plates will include coleslaw, chips and a brownie.
Meals will be available drive thru, take out or dine-in. Dine-in meals will also include a complimentary iced tea.
Proceeds will benefit the church’s local community projects. Aldersgate is located at 6915 North Highway 29 in Molino, just south of Highway 97.
Image for illustrative purposes only.
Down, But Never Out: Tate Aggies Stage Epic Second-Half Rally To Beat Navarre 29-26
September 27, 2025
The Tate Aggies charged back from a devastating first-half deficit to defeat the Navarre Raiders 29-26 Friday night in Navarre.
The Raiders stunned the Aggie faithful early, jumping out to a 13-0 lead by the end of the first quarter and pushing their advantage to 20-0 in the second. But the Aggies’ battle for the win picked up steam right before the half.
With 6:55 to go in the half, Ethan Pittman finally put Tate on the board, cutting the Navarre lead to 20-6. The comeback gained traction when a touchdown and two-point conversion from Tanner Clark with just 2:03 left in the second quarter slashed the score to a manageable 20-14 at halftime.
Tate needed just moments in the third quarter to take the lead, with Ladquarius Bradford finding the endzone for a 21-20 advantage. The Aggies sealed the game late in the third when Bradford delivered another touchdown, and a clutch two-point conversion from Clark extended the lead to 29-26. That score would hold, as both teams locked down defensively for a scoreless fourth quarter.
With the hard-fought district win, the Tate Aggies improved to 5-1 on the season. The Aggies are off next week and will host the Pace Patriots on October 10 in another critical district matchup.
Pictured: Tate beat West Florida 27-7 last week. NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Railroad Junction Day Festival Is Today In Flomaton
September 27, 2025
Railroad Junction Day 2025 is going on Saturday in Flomaton from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m.
The community celebration will include live music, a car show, vendors, local shopping, family fun and more.
The event takes place in downtown Flomaton. Admission is free.