Motorcyclist Killed In I- 10 Crash Near Highway 29 Exit
April 23, 2026
A motorcyclist was killed in a crash on Wednesday afternoon on I-10 in Escambia County.
The crash happened about 5 p.m. on I-10 Westbound at the Highway 29 exit. The Florida Highway Patrol said a Hyundai Tucson driven by a 25-year-old Daphne, Alabama, man was traveling west in the lane next to the motorcyclist.
“For reasons unknown and currently under investigation the Hyundai Tucson left its travel lane and struck the motorcycle and caused the motorcycle to leave the roadway and collide with a guardrail,” FHP said.
The motorcyclist, a 33-year-old Pensacola man, was pronounced deceased at the scene.
File photo.
Forest Service Arbor Day Tree Giveaway Is Friday In Century
April 23, 2026
The Town of Century will host a National Arbor Day tree giveaway by the Florida Forest Service on Friday morning.
Tree species available will include mayhaw, redbud, sycamore, and sweetbay.
The event will begin at 9 a.m. and continue while the supply lasts at the Century Community Center (Ag Building) on West Highway 4 at Industrial Boulevard.
strong>Pictured: A 2055 tree giveaway in Century. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Wyatt Caps 31-Year Tate Career With Regular Season Finale Win Over Choctaw
April 23, 2026
Tate High School head softball coach Melinda Wyatt ended her last softball regular season Wednesday night with an 11-8 Aggie win over Choctawhatchee.
Wyatt is retiring this season after 31 years at Tate, where she is 487-212 as a varsity and JV coach. [Read more: Aggies Honor Retiring Head Coach Melinda Wyatt]
The Lady Aggies had a bit of surprise for Wednesday night — the team and staff all wore t-shirts with her likeness and the words “Weight Room!!” on the back, and they wore temporary face tattoos of Wyatt’s face.
Taylor Robinson went 3-4 for the Aggies with a double in the sixth and singles in the first and third innings. Madison Smillie led the Aggies, going 4-5. Brelynn Morris, Kaylie Mitchell, Emorie Nelson, and Ke’Anna Smith each had multiple hits.
Middleton earned the win for the Aggies in the circle, surrendering five hits and five unearned runs in two and two-thirds innings while striking out two and walking one. Kaylyn Relstab collected the save in four and one-third innings, allowing four hits and three unearned runs while striking out three.
Tate finished the regular season at 10-13 overall, 1-4 in the district.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Northview’s Dane King Signs With Coastal Alabama
April 23, 2026
Northview High School senior Dane King signed on Wednesday afternoon to play baseball at Coastal Alabama Community College in Brewton.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Williams Fans 10 In 4-2 Wahoos Loss To Biscuits
April 23, 2026
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos fell 4-1 to the Montgomery Biscuits on Wednesday night despite a career-high 10 strikeouts from starting pitcher Alex Williams.
Williams (L, 0-3) surrendered three early home runs that proved to be the difference in the game, but led a Pensacola pitching performance that kept the Biscuits to only a single in their final six innings.
Will Simpson opened the scoring for the Biscuits with a two-run homer to left field, and Xavier Isaac followed immediately after with a solo shot of his own for a 3-0 Montgomery lead. Mac Horvath led off the second inning with a solo homer to extend the lead to 4-0.
The Blue Wahoos got a run back in the fifth inning thanks to an infield error and an RBI double from Garret Forrester, but that would be all the damage done against Jack Kartsonas (W, 1-1). The Biscuits starter worked 5.0 innings allowing just an unearned run on four hits.
After 2.0 scoreless innings of relief from Luis Palacios, the Blue Wahoos drew the score to 4-2 in the eighth inning when Forrester was hit by a pitch and scored on a two-out RBI single from Michael Snyder. That would be their final threat, as Derrick Edington (S, 2) worked around a two-out single in the ninth to lock down the save.
Gage Miller extended his hitting streak to a team-high eight games with a third-inning single.
The Blue Wahoos continue their series against the Biscuits with a doubleheader on Thursday.
written by Erik Bremer
Paul Francis Rydzowski
April 23, 2026
Paul Francis Rydzowski, 70, of Wing, Ala., died as the result of an accident near his home on Saturday, April 18, 2026.
Mr. Rydzowski was born Nov. 9, 1955 in Century, Escambia, Fla. to Ramon Francis Rydzowski and Gloria Marie Fleming Rydzowski. He worked all his life, beginning in grade school working in his grandparent’s grocery store. During his adult working years Paul began his career at Ingalls Ship Building in Pascagoula, Miss.; he then worked as a salesman at Stanton’s in Century, Fla.; next he worked at CSX Railroad for 18 years; and finally retired after 22 as a Lieutenant in the Florida Department of Corrections in Crestview, Fla. He also worked weekends and off hours as security for FDOT roadside rest area on I-10.
Paul possessed a giant heart and loved his family deeply. He took great pride in maintaining the appearance of his yard and surrounding areas. He saw it more as a fun activity than a chore that must be done. In addition, he also highly valued being a good neighbor and helping anyone in need. He loved nature, the simple things in life, sitting on the back porch, drinking coffee and watching deer eat acorns. He was a hard-core Alabama fan and loved stock car racing. He was active in his church and a respected member of the community.
Mr. Rydzowski is survived by his wife, Karen Cook Rydzowski of 21 years; one son, Ronald William “Ronny” (Robin) Rydzowski of Satsuma, Ala.; one daughter, Elizabeth Anne “Beth” (Dwayne) Higdon of Brewton, Ala; two stepsons, Eric (Tabitha) McLeod, Brandon (Leah) Adams; five grandchildren, Joseph Rydzowski, Emma Rydzowski, Stephanie Whatley, Troy Rydzowski Higdon and Chloe Higdon; four step-grandchildren, Shawn McLeod, Trent McLeod, Hunter Adams and A.J. Reed; and brother, Steven Ray (Donna) Rydzowski of McDavid, Fla.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and one daughter, Charity Joanne “Sissy” Rydzowski Polk.
Visitation will be held at 10 a.m., Friday, April 24, at Union Hill Church of Christ in Wing. The funeral will be at the church with Brother Pat Brinn and the Pastor Jarrod Knoll officiating. Burial to follow in the church cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Troy Rydzowski Higdon, Trent McLeod, Joseph Rydzowski, Shawn McLeod, Nick Higdon and Micheal Stanford
Honorary pallbearer will be Hunter Adams.
Water Outage Planned Today For Area Of Neal Road West Of Highway 29
April 23, 2026
UPDATE: This precautionary boil water notices was rescinded on Friday afternoon, April 24.
A water outage is planned in the Neal Road area west of Highway 29 on Wednesday for planned upgrades, according to Cottage Hill Water Works.
The upgrades will impact Neal Road west of Highway 29, including the Pine Top and The Grove subdivisions. It will also include Well Line ROad, Brook Hills Drive, Forehand Lane, Knollwood Drive, Hillock Drive and Ridge Way.
The outage is expected to begin on Wednesday at 9 a.m. and end by about 3 p.m.
When water service is restored, a precautionary boil water notice will be in place.
As a precaution, we advise that all water used for drinking, cooking, making ice, brushing teeth, or washing dishes be boiled. A rolling boil of one minute is sufficient, or as an alternative, bottled water may be used. This precautionary boil water notice will remain in effect until a bacteriological survey shows that the water is safe to drink.
This story will be updated when the boil water notice is lifted.
Century Parts Ways With Water, Wastewater Company; Hires Employees Directly
April 22, 2026
The Town of Century is ending its contract with a company that was managing the town’s drinking water and wastewater services and compliance and will, instead, transition to a consultant and a full-time employee.
Century’s $17,410 per month contract with Clearwater Solutions expired on Friday, April 17.
Tuesday night, the council voted to approve consultant and operator contracts with Alan Fowler, former area manager for Clearwater and the person that performed the regulatory compliance services for Century under Clearwater.
A 12-month, $1,000 per month, consulting contract with Fowler was approved, along with a 60-day water-operator contractor agreement for $3,000 per month. This agreement will be in force until a newly hired employee obtains his state certification.
The council voted to hire Clemente Brooks of Flomaton as a wastewater and water operator for $28 to $31 per hour, with the Fowler contract covering regulatory until he obtains certification. Brooks is currently employed with Clearwater and providing services to Century under that now-expired contract, according to his application.
Fentanyl and Firearms: Convicted Felon Arrested in Early Morning Stop
April 22, 2026
An early morning traffic stop led to the arrest of a man in Escambia County.
Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputies stopped a vehicle at the intersection of Airway Drive and Prichard Avenue.
The investigation resulted in the arrest of Jonathan Broadwater after deputies discovered a significant cache of illegal items in his possession. According to the Sheriff’s Office, the seizure included trafficking amounts of fentanyl, along with methamphetamine, cocaine,various drug paraphernalia, and a firearm.
Broadwater was charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, concealing a firearm during the commission of a felony (fentanyl trafficking), violation of a domestic violence injunction (by possessing a firearm against the order), trafficking fentanyl, possession of a controlled substance without a prescription, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Tate High School Holds Spring Orchestra Concert
April 22, 2026
The Tate High School Orchestras presented their Spring Orchestra Concert, showcasing the hard work, talent, and growth of student musicians.
The concert was presented under the leadership of Catherine McConnell, Tate High director of orchestra.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
