Retiring Tate Lady Aggies Head Softball Coach Melinda Wyatt Honored
April 18, 2026
Longtime Tate High School Lady Aggies softball head coach Melinda Wyatt, who is retiring at the end of the season, was honored before a Friday night game.
We will have complete coverage and a photo gallery on Sunday here on NorthEscambia.com.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Pace At Tate Softball Game Called Due To Serious Player Injury
April 18, 2026
Friday night’s Pace at Tate varsity softball game was called due to the injury of a Pace Lady Patriot.
Junior Kylie Reed was running to second base when she collided with the Tate second baseman. She was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital by Escambia County EMS.
“Please keep our girl Kylie Reed in your thoughts and prayers,” Pace Softball posted on their social media Friday night. “She is in good spirits as of now, and is doing okay but in a lot of pain. We love you Kylie.”
“Our thoughts and prayers are with Pace High School Softball. Please keep their players, coaches, and family in your prayers,” Tate Softball posted. The Aggies’ second baseman was not injured.
For more photos from the beginning of the game, click here.
Before the game, the Tate Aggies honored retiring head coach Melinda Wyatt. We will have a complete story and photo gallery on Sunday morning on NorthEscambia.com.
Pace 3, Tate 0 (JV)
The JV Pace Patriots defeated the Tate Aggies 3-0 on Friday afternoon at Tate.
Middleton went five innings for Tate, giving up three unearned runs on six hits, striking out one and walking one.
For photos from the end of the game, click here. (JV photos are the end of the gallery.)
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Alabama Man Sentenced On Federal Charge Related To 2024 Cantonment Shooting Incident
April 18, 2026
An Alabama man who was accused of shooting into a home on River Annex Road in Cantonment has now been sentenced to four years in federal prison.
Grant Bieber, age 45, of Gulf Shores, previously pleaded guilty to possession of ammunition by a convicted felon.
The incident happened during a disturbance in the 200 block of River Annex Road in October 2024.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said Bieber and a female friend were outside a residence and tried to get inside. Bieber became angry and tried unsuccessfully to bust in a door, according to investigators. He then retrieved a firearm from a vehicle and fired into the residence, deputies said. There were no injuries.
Law enforcement obtained a search warrant to search Bieber’s truck, and located a box of .22-caliber ammunition and a wallet containing his Alabama driver’s license in the center console. He had previously been convicted of multiple felony offenses and was barred from possessing firearms or ammunition.
Bieber was first charged with attempted murder and a felony weapons offense for shooting into a home by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. Those charges were later dropped at the state level when the federal charge was filed.
“Keeping our communities safe remains the highest priority, and removing dangerous criminals from our streets is how we will achieve that goal. I truly appreciate the excellent investigative work by our brave state and federal law enforcement partners who are on the front lines in the fight against crime, and my office will continue to back up their efforts with aggressive prosecutions to hold criminals accountable,” said John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
Cold Front Will Bring Chance Of Showers And Isolated Thunderstorms Overnight
April 18, 2026
A passing cold front will bring a chance of showers and isolated thunderstorms overnight.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: A slight chance of showers between 10 p.m. and 1 a.m., then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 52. Southwest wind 5 to 15 mph becoming north after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Sunday: A 30 percent chance of showers before 10 a.m. Cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 70. North wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 47. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 78. Northeast wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 49. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 82. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 56. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Wednesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 81. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 55. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 83.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 59.
Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 82.
Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 63.
Saturday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 82.
Reminder: North Escambia Baby Shower Is Today In Century With Supplies, Resources
April 18, 2026
The Escambia County Healthy Start Coalition and the Florida Department of Health in Escambia County are partnering with various family support organizations to host the third North Escambia Baby Shower in Century today.
Organizers say the event is for you if you are pregnant, an expectant father, or have a child under 3-years-old.
The event is designed to connect families who are pregnant, newly postpartum, or have children ages 0 to 3 with essential resources, supplies, and education to support their health and wellness.
The North Escambia Baby Shower will be held inside the Century Community Center (Ag Building) at West Highway 4 and Industrial Boulevard from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Saturday.
Organizers said, “More than ever, families struggle to access community resources and connections that can aid their journey through parenthood. The North Escambia Baby Shower will help provide much-needed baby items in addition to resources from the vendors present. Caregivers will have the opportunity to learn the basics of keeping themselves and their babies healthy.”
Registration is not required for the event, which is first-come, first-served while supplies last.
Editor’s note: The North Escambia Baby Shower is not affiliated with NorthEscambia.com.
Rodger (Rod) Earl Wetzel
April 18, 2026
Rodger (Rod) Earl Wetzel, age 82, passed away peacefully in his sleep on April 11, 2026, in Pensacola, FL.
Rod was born on May 12, 1943, in Stockton, California, the son of the late Virgil and Lois Wetzel and the oldest of their 4 children.
Rod split time during his teenage years between the California Central Valley and Klamath Falls, Oregon. At the young age of 17 and by way of Parental Consent, he enlisted for service in the United States Navy. Rod served for six years between 1961 and 1966 with most of that time aboard the USS Lexington. He accepted his discharge in Pensacola, Florida, having served his commitment honorably.
Shortly after that, Rod would meet and fall for the love of his life, Sheryl Josey. Rod knew at first sight that this was who he wanted to start a life with and wasted no time. After courting for 2 weeks, Rod proposed to Sheryl and they were married within the year. They would remain married for 58 years until his passing. A true love story.
Rod worked as a tradesman until his retirement in 2000 due to a diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease. Rod would battle this disease with grace and humility until his passing.
Rod Wetzel was first and foremost a follower of Jesus Christ attending Smyrna Baptist Church. He was equally dedicated to being an incredible husband, father and Grandfather.
Rod is survived by his wife, Sheryl, his daughter Paula Keating and her husband Tom, his eldest son Levi Wetzel, and his youngest son, Ty Wetzel, his sister Rixey Quadros and brother Ronald Wetzel, and his three grandchildren Jacob, Lauren and William.
Fair Winds and Following Seas, Rod. Until we meet again in Heaven.
Molino And Cantonment Suspects Charged After Stolen Guns Surface in Delaware
April 17, 2026
A Molino man and a Cantonment man are facing multiple felony charges after an investigation into stolen firearms led authorities from Florida to Delaware.
Christopher Michael Spruill, 30, of Molino, was arrested following a foot pursuit in a West Nine Mile Road parking lot . Spruill was wanted for a late February burglary at the Eight Mile Creek Road home of his step-parents, where six firearms were reportedly stolen from a bedroom closet and a garage toolbox . Following his arrest, deputies also found a fanny pack containing suspected synthetic cannabinoids (spice), a scale, and distribution baggie, according to an arrest report. Spruill wass charged with burglary of an unoccupied dwelling, six counts of grand theft of a firearm, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of a synthetic cannabinoid with intent to distribute, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
The investigation expanded when Spruill admitted to investigators that he had taken five of the firearms to a residence near Olive Road and given four of them to a man named “Robert” in exchange for an $1,100 loan . Later, a detective from the New Castle County Division of Police in Delaware contacted local investigators after recovering one of the stolen weapons—a Windham AR-15—during a domestic violence search warrant at a home.
Delaware authorities also executed a search warrant on the Delaware suspect’s cellphone, uncovering text messages that linked the stolen guns to Cameron Edmond Edgecumbe, 32, of Cantonment, the arrest report states. The messages, dated between detailed Edgecumbe purchasing a black N-PAP AK-47 and a Taurus Judge .410 revolver from the Delaware man while he was in Pensacola . In the exchange, Edgecumbe reportedly acknowledged the risk of the transaction, stating, “I know, I know its Illegal in our hands”.
Edgecumbe was charged with two counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted Florida felon.
Both suspects were booked into the Escambia County Jail, where Spruill is held with bond set at $86,000 and Edgecumbe remains with bond set at $50,000.
Pace Walks Off With With District Title 4-2 Over Tate
April 17, 2026
With a dramatic three-run homer, Pace walked off with the 6A District 1 championship 4-2 over Tate on Thursday night at Pace. It’s the sixth consecutive district title for the Patriots.
The Aggies outhit Pace six to five and held a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the seventh inning when Pace’s Cheshire hit a home run to left field to score three runs.
Nathan Connors went 3-4 with one RBI to lead the Aggies at bat, while Kaden Posta was 1-3 with one RBI.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Lance Brady pitched six and two-thirds innings for Tate, giving up four runs (three earned) on five hits, striking out one and walking none.
The Aggies are 20-7 overall, 2-2 in the district, and will have a likely slot in the regional quarterfinals. Pace is 23-4, 4-1 as they move into regionals with a guaranteed home field advantage.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Free Compost Available At Escambia County Equestrian Center
April 17, 2026
The Escambia County Equestrian Center has announced the availability of free compost for local residents. The material, which consists of horse manure and wood shavings, is being offered exclusively for personal use.
The program is structured as a self-service initiative. Interested individuals are required to bring their own shovels and containers, as the facility does not provide loading assistance.
Operational Guidelines
To ensure the orderly distribution of the material, the Equestrian Center has outlined several specific regulations:
- No Heavy Machinery: The use of personal or facility equipment, such as tractors or skid steers, is strictly prohibited. All loading must be done manually.
- Non-Commercial Use Only: The compost is intended for private residential use; commercial hauling and the resale of the material are not permitted.
- Material Restrictions: Officials stated that the public is only authorized to remove compost. Taking any other materials from the property is strictly forbidden.
Location and Access
The compost is located at the rear of the property in a large clearing within the wooded area.
File photos for NorthEscambia.com click toe enlarge.
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Grand Opening Date Set For Improved Beulah Regional Park
April 17, 2026
A grand opening date has been set for the Beulah Regional Park.
The public is invited to a grand opening and ribbon cutting event on Friday, May 1 at 10 a.m. The event will take place at the park, located at 7820 Mobile Highway.
“I’m very excited to reopen Beulah Regional Park to the public, which is now better than ever after numerous upgrades and new amenities,” District 1 Commissioner Steve Stroberger said. “This park is a staple in the Beulah community, and I look forward to seeing families and children of all ages enjoy the new splash pad, pickleball courts, basketball court upgrades, and the many other improvements we’ve made throughout the park. I’d like to thank our Parks and Recreation staff for their hard work on this project, along with the public for their patience as the work was completed. I hope the Beulah community is proud of their new and improved park and will enjoy it for many years to come.”
Improvements to Beulah Regional Park include four new pickleball courts, a new splash pad, new basketball goals, new picnic table pavilions and grills, new fencing, and more. Several ADA upgrades were also made throughout the park, including the addition of two new ADA-compliant parking spaces, sidewalks to and from the parking lot, and improved connectivity to the existing amenities.
Drainage enhancements were also completed throughout the park to minimize areas with standing water and improve overall park aesthetics.
Additional upgrades were completed at the Beulah Senior Citizen Center, including a new basketball court, playground, and walking track resurfacing.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
