Families Connect With Resources At North Escambia Baby Shower
April 19, 2026
The Escambia County Healthy Start Coalition and the Florida Department of Health in Escambia County partnered with various family support organizations to host the third North Escambia Baby Shower in Century on Saturday.
Large crowds gathered as the event connected families who were pregnant, newly postpartum, or had children up to age 3 with essential resources, supplies, and education to support their health and wellness. Dozens of vendors filled the venue, providing a wide array of support services and baby items to the local community.
The North Escambia Baby Shower was held inside the Century Community Center (Ag Building).
Organizers noted that, more than ever, families struggle to access community resources that can aid their journey through parenthood. They stated the event helped provide much-needed baby items in addition to resources from the many vendors present. Caregivers also had the opportunity to learn the basics of keeping themselves and their babies healthy.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Editor’s note: The North Escambia Baby Shower is not affiliated with NorthEscambia.com.
Four Charged In Saturday Morning Alabama Prison Smuggling Attempt
April 19, 2026
The Alabama Department of Corrections (ADOC) successfully thwarted a coordinated contraband smuggling attempt at Fountain Correctional Facility during the early hours of Saturday.
The operation began around 1 a.m. when a trespasser was detected and subsequently apprehended by an ADOC K-9 unit. Simultaneously, the Atmore Police Department conducted a related traffic stop, resulting in the arrest of two additional suspects and the recovery of two firearms. During the operation, correctional staff recovered multiple contraband packages containing approximately 750 grams of marijuana, 15 cell phones, and one knife.
The suspects were taken into custody and transported to the Escambia County Detention Facility.
DeJa Johnson faces several charges, including attempting to commit a controlled substance crime, prohibited activities, promoting prison contraband first and second degree, possession of marijuana first degree, being a certain person forbidden to possess a firearm, and chemical endangerment.
Savion Gilchrist was charged with attempting to commit a controlled substance crime, prohibited activities, promoting prison contraband first and second degree, possession of marijuana first degree, and being a certain person forbidden to possess a firearm.
A third suspect, a juvenile, was also taken into custody but was not identified due to their age. Inmate Justin Hoyle is facing both criminal charges and administrative disciplinary action for his involvement; Hoyle is serving a 20 year sentence out of Lee County for robbery first degree.
“This operation is the result of strong teamwork and a proactive approach taken to ensure the security of ADOC facilities. I want to thank every staff member and agency involved for their swift and coordinated response. ADOC has zero tolerance for contraband or those who attempt to introduce it into any of our facilities. We will continue to identify, disrupt, and hold accountable anyone involved in these criminal activities,” said ADOC Commissioner John Q. Hamm.
Pictured: (L-R): Savion Gilchrist, DeJa Johnson, and inmate Justin Hoyle.
Cooler Sunday: Highs About 70, Low Sunday Night In The 40s
April 19, 2026
North Escambia is set for a noticeable cooldown on Sunday. The mercury is expected to peak at just 70 degrees—a 15-degree difference from Saturday. This shift will be accompanied by breezy conditions, with north winds gusting as high as 30 mph. Sunday night’s low will be down in the upper 40s.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Sunday: 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.
Former School Employee Pleads Guilty To Federal Child Sex Charges
April 19, 2026
A former school employee has pleaded guilty to federal charges for attempted sex trafficking of a minor in Escambia County.
Christopher W. Glover, 47, of Semmes, Alabama was indicted in federal court in Pensacola on attempted sex trafficking of a minor, attempted enticement of a minor, and traveling in interstate commerce to engage in illicit sexual conduct.
He faces up to 30 years in federal prison when sentenced.
At a detention hearing in federal court in Pensacola, evidence was presented that Glover communicated with who he believed to be a 14-year-old female and offered to pay her hundreds of dollars in return for sexual acts. It is alleged that Glover then traveled from Alabama, where he worked for the Baldwin County School District, to Pensacola to meet with the minor. The purported minor, however, was an undercover law enforcement officer. When Glover reached Pensacola to engage in the sexual acts with the minor, he was taken into custody. Glover remains detained in the custody of the United States Marshals Service.
The case is being jointly investigated by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, Florida Highway Patrol, and the United States Marshals Service.
Glover was arrested in October 2025 along with a dozen other people in a FDLE operation.
Tate Aggies To Face Gulf Breeze In Flag Football District Quarterfinals
April 19, 2026
The Tate Aggies begin play on Monday in the 3A District 1 flag football quarterfinals.
The No. 6 Aggies (6-7, 3-2) will travel to Gulf Breeze (8-4, 4-4) to take on the No. 3 Dolphins at 6 p.m.
The teams have met once this year, with Gulf Breeze taking the win 19-0 on February 16.
The winner will travel to No. 2 Pace (10-5, 4-2) on Tuesday at 6 p.m. in the semifinals.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Pensacola Bay Center Future Begins To Take Shape Following Joint Government Meeting
April 19, 2026
A better image of what the future of the Pensacola Bay Center might look like emerged during a recent joint meeting of the Escambia County Commission and the Pensacola City Council.
No final decisions were made on the $180 million project. In June, the commission is expected to discuss next steps for the design of the Bay Center renovations and the design of a new flexible event center, which will help determine the scope of the project along with next steps.
The current Bay Center, which opened in 1985, has a capacity of 8,050 for hockey and 10,000 with a center stage. It currently averages 123 annual events with an attendance of 352,700.
A three-part proposal from Legends Global includes $71 million in renovations for the Bay Center, which will happen. A new ice rink, it appears, will rely upon private financing, and plans for a new event center are still taking shape.
To see the proposal, click here.
The complete proposal as pesented included:
Pensacola Bay Center (PBC) Improvements $71 million
Exterior upgrades & façade enhancements.
New club seats (between 400 and 600).
2 new club rooms/areas.
Expanded concourses.
Expansion & improvement of F&B and retail spaces & offerings.
New/expanded LED signage offerings.
Back-of-house & central plant improvements and upgrades.
Seamless connectivity to new Practice Ice Rink and Event Center.
New Practice Ice Rink $29.8 million
Attached or connected via enclosed walkway to PBC and Event Center.
one permanent ice sheet (NHL size, 200’ x 85’) with fixed seating for between 600 and 1,000.
4 locker rooms with toilets and showers.
2 coaches/officials rooms.
2 party rooms/flex rooms.
Pro shop/first aid.
Concessions & vending space.
(Optional) Physical therapy/weight room/fitness space.
Small allotment for dryland training space/other amenities (i.e., esports, golf simulator, stickhandling station, etc.).
350 incremental parking spaces needed.
New Event Center $84.4 million
Attached or connected via enclosed walkway to
PBC & Practice Ice Rink.
55,500 net square feet (185’ x 300’), column free, concrete floor, 2 moveable airwalls allowing for subdivision into 3 halls, minimum of 35-foot ceiling height.
6,000 square feet of breakout meeting space.
Warming/prep kitchen.
Enhanced FF&E:
Portable retractable seating for 2,000.
Rollable carpet for one subdivided hall (approximately 18,500 SF).
Portable SportCourt-type athletic surface.
(Alternate) Portable hardwood courts plus climate-controlled storage on-site.
Athletic netting systems & game equipment.
Approx. 105,000 gross square feet (2.4 acres) for facility footprint.
1,200 incremental parking spaces needed.
Blue Wahoos’ Bats Explode In 13-4 Blowout Win
April 19, 2026
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos got the offensive outburst they had been searching for on Saturday night, thrilling a sellout crowd with a 13-4 victory over the Knoxville Smokies.
After scoring a league-fewest 37 runs in their first 12 games, Pensacola poured it on with three homers and a seven-run sixth inning to score a season-high 13 times despite collecting only six hits.
Dillon Lewis jump-started the bats in the first inning, hitting a three-run home run off Smokies starter Jake Knapp (L, 0-1) for a 3-0 lead. It was the second three-run homer of the series for Lewis, who also went deep in the first inning on Tuesday.
Gage Miller added on with a solo homer in the second inning, his first of the season, to extend his hitting streak to a team-high six games.
Blue Wahoos starter Karson Milbrandt allowed a two-run homer to Andy Garriola in the fourth, but struck out a season-high eight batters over 4.0 frames in an effective start. The Blue Wahoos got the runs back on a bases-loaded walk to Miller and a sacrifice fly from Ian Lewis Jr. to stretch their lead back to 6-2.
After the Smokies added two more in the fifth on RBI singles from Garriola and Ethan Hearn, the Blue Wahoos exploded for a seven-run sixth inning despite collecting only two hits. With the bases loaded thanks to a pair of walks and an infield error, Fenwick Trimble served a two-run single to right field. Dillon Lewis sent a bases-loaded chopper to shortstop that could have ended the inning, but a bad throw from Karson Simas sailed down the right field line and plated two more. Jay Beshears put an exclamation point on the outburst with a three-run homer for a 13-4 lead.
Logan Whitaker (W, 1-0) was awarded the win in relief, scattering two hits over 3.1 scoreless innings.
The Blue Wahoos wrap up their series against the Smokies on Sunday.
written by Erik Bremer
Mickey Sue ‘Susie’ Messick
April 19, 2026
Mickey Sue “Susie” Messick, born October 18, 1951, in Pensacola, Florida, passed away on April 10, 2026, surrounded by her loving family.
She is survived by her devoted husband, Charles “Chuck” Messick; her daughter, Christy Gardner (Jesse); her beloved granddaughter, Lileah Messick; and her triplet grandsons, Jase, Grant, and Reed Gardner. She is also survived by her sisters, Judy Regan, Katie O’Quinn (Buddy), Cathy Anderson (Terry), and Shirley Caro (Buddy), along with many nieces and nephews who loved her dearly.
Susie was preceded in death by her son, Jason Messick, and her parents, W.C. and Thora Regan.
A graduate of Pensacola High School, Class of 1969, Susie had a special talent and passion for cooking and cake decorating. She created wedding cakes for her daughter, as well as for nieces, nephews, and many friends over the years—each one made with care and pride.
Above all, Susie’s greatest joy in life was her family, especially her grandchildren: Lileah, Jase, Grant and Reed, who brought her endless joy.
She found peace in traveling to the Smoky Mountains—especially Cades Cove—and loved her time at the beach at Fort Pickens. She was also a devoted fan of the Atlanta Braves and enjoyed cheering them on.
Susie lived her life with kindness, love, and a quiet faith, finding strength and comfort in the Lord. She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.
“And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage one another with these words.”
— 1 Thessalonians 4:17–18
Funeral services will be held on Monday, April 20, 2026 at 2:00 pm at Faith Chapel North with Mary Taylor officiating. The family will receive friends from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital.
William ‘Blake’ Adams
April 19, 2026
William “Blake” Adams, age 40, was born on October 20, 1985, in Pensacola, FL.
With a sense of passion and divine purpose, Blake cherished his family and friends. His loving spouse, Tiffany, was the guardian of his heart and protector of his peace. Whether he was cheering from the sidelines at the kids’ sporting events or just being present in their daily lives, the love he held for his family was the driving force behind everything he did. Their home was a sanctum of peace and love for all who entered. Blake’s stubbornness was rooted in an intense, unwavering protectiveness over the people he held dear. If you were loved by Blake, you were protected by his loyal spirit. Blake possessed a brilliant, quick wit that kept everyone on their toes. He was genuinely hilarious, and his contagious laugh could fill a room and instantly lift the spirits of anyone blessed enough to hear it. Beyond family, Blake had a deep-seated passion for the roar of an engine. He loved spending time at the race track with his brother and had an enduring passion for classic cars. One of his proudest recent achievements was finishing the restoration of a 1974 Pontiac Grand Ville, affectionately known as “The Vert.” This was a labor of love completed in cherished memory of his late brother. We find deep comfort in knowing that he and Bo are together again, likely shooting pool and catching up. Blake’s legacy of devoted friendships lives on in the many lives he touched, particularly those of his lifelong friends, Daniel (Fred), Matt (Hollywood), and Kevin (Smoky). Blake and Daniel’s friendship is a noteworthy bond that illustrates a journey of commitment and loyalty that very few will ever experience. We can hear him telling you now, “I’m gonna pull up”. Blake was our champion through life’s unpredictable twists and turns; a constant in times of need. While no words can capture the space he leaves behind, we will carry Blake’s memory with us forever. He has “pulled up” to his forever home, smiling with joy in the midst of his Dad, brother, and Jesus.
Blake was preceded in death by his grandfather, William L. Adams; grandmother, Nina Sue Muszynski; his father, William “Buster” Adams; and brother, Waylon Lee Adams.
Blake is survived by his mother, Lori Barnhill; spouse, Tiffany Davis, and their children Jay, Essan, Briley, Kasen; sister, Kalli Wilks (Jamison); uncle, Mike “Unk” Chavers; Aunt, Lois “Lori” Adams, nieces and nephews, Miley, Stella, Eli, Kyler, Bailey; and many more cherished family members and friends.
Services will be held at Faith Chapel North, 1000 S. Hwy. 29, Cantonment, FL. 32533, on Tuesday, April 21, 2025. We’ll begin welcoming friends and family at 12:00 pm; the memorial service will commence at 12:30 pm.
Thank you all for your continued prayers, encouragement, and support!
Suspect In Cantonment Homicide Captured At Bus Stop In Phoenix
April 18, 2026
The suspect in a homicide last month in Cantonment has been arrested at a bus stop in Phoenix, Arizona.
Devaughn Kentrell Williamson, 29, was wanted in connection with a homicide that occurred on Wednesday, March 4 in the 100 block of Booker Lane, just north of Booker Street.
He was located on Friday morning at a bus stop in Phoenix with a bus ticket in his pocket for El Paso, Texas, according to Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons. The sheriff said he had cut off his dreads, which were in a bag in his possession (pictured left), and he also had a handgun (pictured bottom).
He was captured with the assistance of a U.S. Marshals Task Force. He is being held in the Maricopa County Jail in Arizona, awaiting extradition back to Escambia County.
Deputies originally responded to Booker Lane after a report of “deadly missiles” and found blood and shell casings at the scene.
Deputies were working a missing persons case and developed Williamson as a suspect, which ultimately led to the discovery of the victim’s body.
