Escambia County Seeks Volunteer for Planning Board Appointment
May 3, 2026
The Escambia County Board of County Commissioners is seeking Escambia County residents interested in volunteering to be considered for an at-large appointment to the Escambia County Planning Board.
At-large members serve a two-year term of office and attend one meeting per month (generally the first Tuesday of the month). Meetings are generally from 8:30 a.m. to no later than noon; however, occasionally may go beyond noon depending upon the agenda. No travel is involved unless the Planning Board members decide to view a particular property for informational purposes. Financial disclosure is required.
Escambia County residents interested in being considered for a possible appointment to the Escambia County Planning Board are asked to submit a resume indicating their desire to serve by close of business on Monday, May 11. Letters and resumes should be submitted to Rachel Whitmire; 3363 West Park Place; Pensacola, FL 32505; or emailed to rwhitmire@myescambia.com.
All submittals are subject to public records requests.
Lewis Jr., Blue Wahoos Sweep Doubleheader Over Shuckers
May 3, 2026
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos swept the Biloxi Shuckers in a doubleheader on Saturday night, extending their winning streak to a season-high four games with a 7-4 win in game one and a 6-3 win in game two.
Ian Lewis Jr. was the offensive star, hitting a go-ahead, two-run triple in the opener and giving the Blue Wahoos the lead for good in the nightcap with a three-run homer.
In game one, a makeup after Friday night’s rainout, the Shuckers jumped ahead 2-0 in the first inning on a two-run homer from Damon Keith. The Blue Wahoos answered back in the home half of the inning thanks to a Brendan Jones leadoff walk and an RBI groundout from Ryan Ignoffo.
Pensacola starter Brandon White (W, 1-1) allowed a solo homer to Mike Boeve in the fourth, but completed 5.0 innings with a season-high seven strikeouts to keep the Blue Wahoos within striking distance and ultimately earn his first Double-A win.
Trailing 3-1 in the fifth, the Blue Wahoos finally broke through against Shuckers starter Brett Wichrowski (L, 2-2). Ignoffo hit a two-run triple to tie the game, and Lewis Jr. hit another two-run triple two batters later for a 5-3 edge. Michael Snyder added insurance by scoring Lewis Jr. with a sacrifice fly, and Jones circled the bases an inning later with a single, stolen base and wild pitch to give Pensacola a 7-3 lead.
Nigel Belgrave (S, 3) surrendered a solo homer to Darrien Miller in the seventh, but kept the Shuckers at arm’s length to earn the six-out save in a 7-4 final.
In game two, Pensacola’s top prospect Karson Milbrandt (W, 1-1) surrendered a run in the first inning without allowing a hit. Blake Burke walked, stole second, took third on a throwing error, and scored on a wild pitch for a 1-0 Biloxi lead.
Milbrandt would settle down, ultimately striking out eight over 6.0 two-hit innings, and got a lead to protect in the bottom of the second when Lewis Jr. launched a three-run homer off Biloxi’s Manuel Rodriguez (L, 1-2) for a 3-1 advantage.
Dillon Lewis launched his team-leading fifth homer of the season, an opposite-field shot to right field, in the fifth inning to extend Pensacola’s lead to 6-1.
The Shuckers scored twice in the top of the seventh and loaded the bases with the top of their order due up, but Logan Whitaker (S, 3) retired Dylan O’Rae and Jesús Made with the tying run at first to end the game.
The Blue Wahoos wrap up their series against the Biloxi Shuckers on Sunday.
written by Erik Bremer
Mother Of Cantonment Murder Suspect Charged With Helping Him Flee
May 2, 2026
An Alabama woman is being charged with helping her son flee following a mid-April murder in Cantonment.
Sonya Nicole Cross-McAdoo is charged with accessory to murder after the fact. She’s currently in the Montgomery County (AL) Jail on a parole violation charge and awaiting extradition back to Escambia County.
Her son, 29-year old Devaughn Kentrell Williamson is accused of shooting Tyshawn McDowell in the chest during an incident at a residence on Booker Lane. He was located on April 17 at a bus stop in Phoenix with a bus ticket in his pocket for El Paso, Texas. He remains in the Escambia County Jail without bond charged with homicide.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said she traveled to Escambia County after the shooting, picked up Williamson and drove him back to Montgomery. He then traveled to Houston and then Arizona and had a bus ticket in his possession when he was arrested in Phoenix with the assistance of a U.S. Marshals Task Force.
“We believe that she knew what had occurred,” Simmons said. “She knew that her son was wanted. She knew what her son had done, and she obviously was accessory to murder after the fact.”
First Report
According to an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office arrest report, deputies responding to a deadly missiles call on Booker Lane on March 4, 2026, discovered blood and shell casings at the scene, along with a bloody firearm discarded in a nearby wooded area.
After deputies spoke with the reporting person, they first developed Williamson as the possible victim and were unable to locate him. On March 6 at 8:30 a.m., Williamson was located at Carver Park on Webb Street and he told deputies that he was fine and elected to leave after a fight with his girlfriend, according to the report. He also told deputies that he had no knowledge of anything occurring, and that it had nothing to do with him.
Victim Reported Missing
At 1 p.m on March 6, Tyshawn McDowell was reported missing by his mother who told deputies that family members had attempted unsuccessfully to contact him. She told deputies that McDowell was last known to be going to meet with Williamson because Williamson’s twin brother owed him approximately $20,000 from a winning sports bet.
McDowell’s brother received a Facebook call from someone wishing to remain anonymous and stating that McDowell had been shot and was dead, the report continues.
GPS Tracker and Bloody Palmprint
A GPS tracker placed by an automotive company was used to locate McDowell’s 2016 Nissan Altima on Greek Cemetery Road east of Robertsdale, Alabama. Investigators located the vehicle on the side of the road and observed blood inside and outside the car. Florida deputies learned the vehicle had previously been stopped by a Baldwin County deputy, and Williamson was the driver and sole occupant. The Alabama deputy noted money scattered around the floorboard in the car.
Also on March 6, investigators determined that palm prints on the bloody weapon’s magazine belonged to Williamson.
Victim’s Phone Data Leads To His Body
ECSO obtained geolocation records for McDowell’s phone, tracing its path from Booker Lane in Cantonment, along Highway 112 in Baldwin County where the phone was stationary for 15 minutes before moving back to Pensacola. Based upon the cellular data from the victim’s phone, investigators conducted a search and located McDowell’s body in a secluded wooded area just north of Highway 112 near Goodlander Road. He had a single gunshot wound to the chest.
An arrest warrant for second degree murder was obtained for Williamson.
NAS Pensacola Reopens Areas Of Public Interest Seven Days A Week
May 2, 2026
After being closed to the general public for over a month, NAS Pensacola has reopened areas of public interest seven days a week.
Areas of public interest on the air station include the Pensacola Lighthouse and Maritime Museum, Fort Barrancas and the National Naval Aviation Museum (NNAM). Other areas on NAS Pensacola can only be accessed by individuals with a Department of War (DoW) identification card.
The installation’s West Gate is open daily from 9 a.m. through 3 p.m. for visitor access to the air station’s areas of public interest.
The only authorized area onboard NAS Pensacola to view the Blue Angels practice is at the National Naval Aviation Museum flightline.
Access to Barrancas National Cemetery – located onboard the air station – is always available through the Visitor Control Center (VCC) to individuals with family interred at the cemetery. Visitors to Barrancas National Cemetery must enter the installation through the Main Gate at the south end of Navy Blvd.
All U.S. citizens or U.S. nationals 18 and older must have a Real identification card or passport and enter NAS Pensacola through the installation’s West Gate at the south end of Blue Angel Parkway.
Foreign Nationals are authorized access to NAS Pensacola but must be escorted by a U.S. citizen with proper identification.
The following restrictions will apply to visitors:
- No weapons (firearms/knives) allowed (to include Concealed Weapon Permit holders)
- No backpacks/coolers allowed (diaper bags or medically required bags are acceptable and subject to search)
- No alcoholic beverages allowed
- No drones allowed (countermeasures will be taken)
- Individuals with felony convictions are not authorized base access
- No visitors with boats and boat trailers
- All vehicles and personnel are subject to security searches and background checks
Tate FFA Alumni Rodeo Continues Tonight
May 2, 2026
There’s one more chance to see real rodeo action this weekend.
The second night of the 35th Annual Tate FFA Alumni Foundation Rodeo will be Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at the Escambia County Equestrian Center on Mobile Highway.
Tickets can now be purchased on GoFan. General admission tickets are $15 at the gate, $7 for children. Children ages 5 and under are admitted free.
NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Regional Class Rural Softball Brackets Set
May 2, 2026
FHSAA Rural Division softball brackets have been released with the schedule for Northview and Jay.
Ranked No. 1, Northview (18-5) will host No. 4 Holmes County (8-16) at 6 p.m. on Thursday, May 7. Meanwhile, No. 2 Chipley (19-4) will host No. 3 Jay (11-12), also at 6 p.m. on Thursday, May 7.
The regional championship will be at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, May 12. If Northview wins, the Lady Chiefs will host, potentially setting up a rematch with Jay.
Regional games are single-elimination.
The state Rural semifinal is May 19, followed by the state championship on May 20, at Soldiers Creek Park in Longwood.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Here’s The Northview Baseball Regional Schedule For Saturday, Possibly Sunday
May 2, 2026
Friday’s game was canceled, leaving the Northview Chiefs with Saturday, and possibly a Sunday game in their quest for a Rural Division semifinal win.
The No. 1 seeded Chiefs (18-8) will host No. 4 Chipley (15-10) at 3 p.m., and 6 p.m. Saturday. If the teams split, a third game will be played at 3 p.m. on Sunday.
A separate ticket will be required for each of Saturday’s games, and the park will be cleared after the first game in accordance with FHSAA rules.
Northview and Chipley met once early in the regular season, with Northview winning 17-3 on February 24.
The Chiefs beat Jay 2-1 on April 17 to claim the district title. Jay will travel to Holmes County for their semifinal game.
Pictured: Northview won the district championship on April 17. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Splash Pad And Pickleball: Ribbon Cut On Upgraded Beulah Park
May 2, 2026
A ribbon cutting was held on Friday for an upgraded Beulah Regional Park.
Park improvements include a new splash pad, four new pickleball courts, 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.
“I’m excited to finally reopen Beulah Regional Park and celebrate the completion of long-awaited improvements to the park,” said District 1 Escambia County Commissioner Steven Stroberger said. “Parks are an incredibly important amenity for our community, and I’d like to express my sincere thanks to our county staff for their hard work completing these upgrades for our residents. This park is for everyone in Escambia County, and I look forward to seeing our residents and visitors enjoy it for generations to come.”
Drainage enhancements were also completed throughout the park to minimize areas with standing water and improve overall park aesthetics.
Beulah Regional Park is located at 7820 Mobile Highway. The park is open daily from sunrise to sunset, and the splash pad is open daily from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Gradual Clearing, Windy And Cooler
May 2, 2026
Conditions will rapidly improve on Saturday as a cool breeze from the north brings in drier air. Expect a beautiful Sunday and Monday with plenty of sunshine and a steady warming trend. High pressure will dominate through the early part of the week before moisture returns by Wednesday afternoon, ushering in several days of unsettled weather and potential thunderstorms.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Saturday: Slight chance of morning showers. Gradual clearing, with a high near 69. North wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Saturday Night: Clear, with a low around 47. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 73. North wind around 5 mph.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 49. Calm wind.
Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 78. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 53. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 79. Light southeast wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph.
Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 61. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 84.
Wednesday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 67.
Thursday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 81.
Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 57.
Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 76.
Create a Special Card For Mom Today At The Molino Library
May 2, 2026
Stop by the Molino Library between 10:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. and make a special card for mom to show just how much you care.
Use the free Mother’s Day Card Creation Station to design a one-of-a-kind card using color paper, stickers, and more.
File image.