Escambia Students Return Tuesday. And The Next Holiday Is Coming Soon.
January 5, 2026
Teachers are back at school today for a workday in Escambia County, Florida, and students will return on Tuesday following the long Christmas break.
But when is the next holiday?
The next holiday is just two weeks away. Students and teachers will be out of school on Monday, January 19 for Martin Luther King Jr. Day. After that, students will be out as teachers work on February 16 for a professional development day. Coincidentally,, that’s also Presidents’ Day.
When is Spring Break?
Spring Break is March 16-20 for students and teachers.
Reminder: Recycle Your Real Christmas Tree With ECUA
January 5, 2026
The Emerald Coast Utilities Authority (ECUA) will pick up real Christmas trees from customers for free with the regular collection of yard waste.
Customers are asked to remove all decorations from their trees and cut the trees so that no portion is longer than six feet. Trees can be placed at the curb with other yard trash, and should not be placed in the regular garbage or recycling containers.
ECUA will compost the trees with the other yard waste at the Biosolids Composting Facility.
For more information, call ECUA Customer Service at (850) 476-0480.
Marcus Craig Vaughn
January 5, 2026
Marcus Craig Vaughn, age 71, passed away on January 3, 2026, at his residence in Atmore, AL, with his wife by his side. Marcus was born on June 30, 1954, in Pensacola, FL. Marcus was raised in Bratt, FL, and graduated from Ernest Ward High School. Marcus served as Fire Medic Captain with the Fire Medic Division in Montgomery, AL, retiring after twenty years of service.
Marcus enjoyed his career with his fellow brothers and sisters, especially sharing his career experiences with everyone. He also loved fishing, gardening, and traveling to the Great Smoky Mountains. Marcus cherished his time with his wife at home, listening to music and playing with his three dogs.
Marcus is preceded in death by his parents, Ray and Flora Godwin Vaughn, and his twin brother, Michael Keith Vaughn.
Marcus is survived by his loving wife of over 20 years, Teena Lynn Courtney Vaughn; his brother, Greg (Cyndi) Vaughn of Bratt, FL; special niece, Kimberly Vaughn (Frank) Murphy; his niece, Bailey Desai; his nephew, Jamey Vaughn; his great nieces, Hannah Godwin, Shelby Godwin, and Maegan Godwin; his cousins, Jackie Downer (Roy) Ward, Jordana Ward, and Jocelyn Ward Drew; his special friends, Paul Harper, Dean Smith, Scott Everette, and Frank Lewis, and a host of family and friends.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel with Chaplain Joe Stevens, Jr. officiating. Interment will follow in Bratt-Godwin Cemetery in Bratt, FL.
Active pallbearers will be Ronald Peebles, AJ Beechy, Louis English, Scott Everette, Jerry Gehman, and Paul Harper.
Honorary pallbearers will be Dean Smith, Dale Rutherford, Frank Lewis, Randy Johnson, Fellow Firefighters, Fire Medics, and the Montgomery Fire Department.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home.
Thanks to Lydia Bonner and Laura Tate for the special care they provided before he transitioned to hospice care. Special thanks to Southern Care Hospice for the special care they provided, especially the Case Manager/Nurse, Ronda, Nurse Kaylee, Social Worker Tracy, and Chaplain Joe.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Marcus Craig Vaughn
January 5, 2026
Marcus Craig Vaughn, age 71, passed away on January 3, 2026, at his residence in Atmore, AL, with his wife by his side. Marcus was born on June 30, 1954, in Pensacola, FL. Marcus was raised in Bratt, FL, and graduated from Ernest Ward High School. Marcus served as Fire Medic Captain with the Fire Medic Division in Montgomery, AL, retiring after twenty years of service.
Marcus enjoyed his career with his fellow brothers and sisters, especially sharing his career experiences with everyone. He also loved fishing, gardening, and traveling to the Great Smoky Mountains. Marcus cherished his time with his wife at home, listening to music and playing with his three dogs.
Marcus is preceded in death by his parents, Ray and Flora Godwin Vaughn, and his twin brother, Michael Keith Vaughn.
Marcus is survived by his loving wife of over 20 years, Teena Lynn Courtney Vaughn; his brother, Greg (Cyndi) Vaughn of Bratt, FL; special niece, Kimberly Vaughn (Frank) Murphy; his niece, Bailey Desai; his nephew, Jamey Vaughn; his great nieces, Hannah Godwin, Shelby Godwin, and Maegan Godwin; his cousins, Jackie Downer (Roy) Ward, Jordana Ward, and Jocelyn Ward Drew; his special friends, Paul Harper, Dean Smith, Scott Everette, and Frank Lewis, and a host of family and friends.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, at 2 p.m. at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel with Chaplain Joe Stevens, Jr. officiating. Interment will follow in Bratt-Godwin Cemetery in Bratt, FL.
Active pallbearers will be Ronald Peebles, AJ Beechy, Louis English, Scott Everette, Jerry Gehman, and Paul Harper.
Honorary pallbearers will be Dean Smith, Dale Rutherford, Frank Lewis, Randy Johnson, Fellow Firefighters, Fire Medics, and the Montgomery Fire Department.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home.
Thanks to Lydia Bonner and Laura Tate for the special care they provided before he transitioned to hospice care. Special thanks to Southern Care Hospice for the special care they provided, especially the Case Manager/Nurse, Ronda, Nurse Kaylee, Social Worker Tracy, and Chaplain Joe.
James T. (Pete) Singleton, Sr.
January 5, 2026
Mr. James T. Singleton (Pete) Sr., passed away Monday, January 5, 2026, with his family by his side at his residence in Walnut Hill, Florida.
He was born on February 14, 1929, in Brewton, Alabama. James and his wife, Jamie H. Singleton were married on September 2, 1956, and were married for sixty-four years. He retired from St. Regis Paper Company and farmed as well. He was a member of the Walnut Hill Baptist Church. He was loved and will be truly missed. He was preceded in death by his wife, Jamie H. Singleton and great-granddaughter Addison Yvonne (Kimberly).
He is survived by one son, Theodore Singleton; three daughters, Glenda Holcomb (Frank), Barbara Dunsford Hollingsworth (Ronald) and Rebecca Blanton (Jeff); 16 grandchildren; 42 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren and one living sister-in-law, Betty Holland Blanton (Kenneth). Special thank you to Earl Jones, John Radke (the can man), Laytoa Washington, Vitas Hospice, Dr. Michael Smith and Jay Hospital Nursing Staff.
Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, at Petty Funeral Homes, LLC with Brother James Boyd officiating.
Visitation will be held on January 6, 2026, from 2 p.m. until service time at Petty Funeral Homes, LLC.
Pallbearers will be Avery Blanton, Tony Rider, Austin Dunsford, Colton Dunsford, Logan Hasting and Chandler Carter.
Honorary pallbearers will be James Otis Singleton, Earl Jones, Heath Ward, Brett Ward and John Radke.
AAA: Florida Gas Prices Lower Than Last Year, But Global Uncertainty Looms
January 5, 2026
Florida drivers are paying less for gasoline than they did a year ago, but uncertainty in global markets could change that, according to AAA.
Sunday’s state average of $2.83 per gallon was 8 cents more than a week ago, 15 cents less than a month ago, and 29 cents less than a year ago.
In Escambia County, Sunday’s average was $2.62, among the lowest cost metro areas in the state. A low of $2.39 could be found at the warehouse clubs. In North Escambia, the low price was $2.41 at stations on Highway 29 in Cantonment
While recent developments in Venezuela have drawn attention, oil prices remain relatively stable. Friday’s closing price for U.S. crude oil was $57.32 per barrel, up just 58 cents from the previous week. Although Venezuela was once a significant producer of crude oil, its exports have been limited for years due to sanctions. Analysts say global supply remains sufficient, though any major disruption could put upward pressure on prices.
“Florida gas prices are lower than a year ago because oil supplies have been steady and demand has softened compared to previous years,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman for AAA – The Auto Club Group. “While global events can influence prices, there’s no indication yet that recent developments will have a significant effect.”
Learn The Fundamentals Of Playing The Dulcimer At The Molino Library
January 4, 2026
You can learn the fundamentals of playing the mountain dulcimer at the Molino Library on Monday.
The “Fundamentals of Dulcimer” class will be held from 10:30 until 11:30 a.m.. on January 5. The class is free, and no experience or materials are required. Dulcimers are provided for the class.
Pictured: A previous dulcimer class at the Molino Library. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
New Palafox Project Begins Monday In Downtown Pensacola
January 4, 2026
Pensacola’s New Palafox project is set to get underway on Monday.
The $10.7 million project will transform the downtown area with sidewalk expansions, brick-paved intersections, new trees and landscaping, safety features for pedestrians, and an upgraded stormwater system.
For more project renderings, click here.
Palafox Street from Garden to Main Streets has an incentivized completion date of May 24, 2026. Romana and Intendencia Streets are to be completed by September 3, 2026, and Government and Zarragossa Streets are to be completed by November 11, 2026. Work will be conducted 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
All business storefronts will remain accessible during construction. There will be pedestrian crossings during construction, allowing people to move from one side of Palafox to the other. Nearby parking—including 412 free parking spaces—will also remain accessible.
Sunny, Middle 60s For Sunday
January 4, 2026
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 65. North wind around 5 mph.
Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 47. Calm wind.
Monday: Partly sunny, with a high near 68. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Monday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 53. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 73. Light south wind becoming southwest 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 58. South wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 75. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 59. South wind around 5 mph.
Thursday: A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 74.
Thursday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62.
Friday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 73.
Friday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 57.
Saturday: A 40 percent chance of showers. Cloudy, with a high near 65.
Megan Bryan Named Ernest Ward Middle Teacher Of The Year
January 4, 2026
Megan Bryan was named the Ernest Ward Middle School Teacher of the Year. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.