Jean Edna Tesch Guidy
January 14, 2026
Jean Edna Tesch Guidy, 95, went home to our Lord, at home, with her loving family.
She was born in Kearny, New Jersey to Lt. Cmdr. Paul Tesch and wife, Edna Mae. She was a “Navy Bratt” raised for most of her formative years in the Panama Canal Zone. This is where she got her love of horses and her first pony. She started training jungle ponies and taking sailors out on trail rides.
She attended Auburn University Veterinary School for 2 ½ years, then was deferred due to soldiers from the Korean War returning and attending the school and she never returned. She would still scream “War Eagle!”
She settled in Mobile after leaving vet school. She worked for a stable owned by Bob and Helen Brasswell. Their stable provided the Mardi Gras horses. There, she became a Grand Marshall and as far as we know, the first and only woman Grand Marshall. She rode her personal horse, San Carlos, a blue roan American Saddlebred, side saddle.
She married the love of her life, Cecil, in 1960, bringing a son, David, with her. They began building a home and farm for their children. They also built a lasting legacy in the horse community- training horses and teaching adults and children the art of horsemanship, with a plus of sportsmanship.
Jean had a passion for teaching children that reached far and wide, even to Russia, adopting the Russian Delegates at 4-H Washington Focus. She was a 4-H leader since 1970 starting with horses, but soon branched out to all livestock and wildlife, then onto leadership and legislature. This led her to many awards, national trips, and being placed in the 4-H Hall of Fame.
She and Cecil ran the Pensacola Interstate Fair 4-H Red Barn for 35 years. She was a founding member of the Pensacola Hunter Jumper Association that was formed in 1973. She hauled kids and horses all over the southeast to shows.
Outside of her youth work, she was very active in the Lord’s work by supplying animals for live nativities and working the Allen Memorial Pumpkin Patch, and food pantry.
Jean is survived by her daughter, Kristin Manning; step-daughter, Rosa (Angie) Knickelbine; grandchildren, Anthony Manning, Justin (Amanda) Manning, Drew (Julia) Manning, Kim Vinson, Kelly Norris, Jessica (Shawnn) Knickelbine, Keri Litton, Doug (Kristin) Arnold, and Derrick Arnold; and great-grandchildren, Austin, Addalyn, Hunter, Logan, Aiden, Emma, Audrey, Elenor, David, and Angel. She was Mom and Granny to so many more that were not blood but loved the same.
She is preceded in death by her parents; her beloved Cecil; her sweet son, David; step-daughter, Patricia; and step-son, Larry.
A Celebration of Life will be held on January 31, 2026 at 12:00 pm at:
Escambia County Extension Service
Livestock Facility
5701 Highway 29
Molino, Florida 32577
In lieu of flowers, please donate to:
4-H Arena Improvements
Escambia County Extension Service
3730 Stefanie Road
Cantonment, Florida 32577
4-H Pledge:
I pledge my head to clearer thinking
My heart to greater loyalty
My hands to larger service
My health to better living
For my club, my community, my country, and my world.
East KingsField Road Resurfacing Begins Next Week
January 13, 2026
A $875,000 resurfacing project will begin next Monday on East Kingsfield Road.
East Kingsfield will be resurfaced between Highway 29 and Highway 297A. Traffic on East Kingsfield Road will be reduced to a single lane during the construction period.
The paving project is expected to be completed by Friday, February 13.
Residents, pedestrians, local traffic, and emergency vehicles will have access to properties within the work area at all times; however, there may be short periods when a driveway or entrance may be blocked temporarily as equipment and materials are moved during construction.
NorthEscambia.com graphic, click to enlarge.
Fire Destroys Fifth-Wheel Camper On Highway 29 Near McDavid
January 13, 2026
Fire destroyed a fifth-wheel camper Monday evening near McDavid.
The incident occurred about 6:20 p.m. on the southbound side of Highway 29 about 1.5 miles south of Bogia Road. The driver of the pickup truck hauling the camper was able to get the vehicle almost off the roadway.
The camper was quickly engulfed in a fire and completely destroyed. There were no injuries.
For additional photos, click here.
Southbound Highway 29 was completely closed by the fire and the subsequent cleanup.
The cause of the fire was not immediately known. The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Sunny But Chilly Weather Continues
January 13, 2026
A mix of sunshine and scattered rain chances will define the middle of the week before a blast of cold air moves into the region. While residents will enjoy highs near 60 degrees through Wednesday, a strong cold front arriving Wednesday night will bring gusty winds and a significant temperature drop. By Thursday night, clear skies will allow temperatures to plunge into the lower 20s, marking the coldest point of the week before a gradual recovery begins heading into the weekend.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 59. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph.
Tuesday Night: A 30 percent chance of rain after midnight. Increasing clouds, with a low around 40. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph.
Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of rain before noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 60. West wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of rain before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 35. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 47. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Thursday Night: Clear, with a low around 23. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 58. Light and variable wind becoming southwest 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 38. South wind around 5 mph becoming west after midnight.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 58.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 31.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 50.
Sunday Night: Clear, with a low around 26.
M.L.King Day: Sunny, with a high near 50.
Headlines
Jay Home Heavily Damaged By Fire; Century Firefighters Rescue Cat
January 13, 2026
A fire heavily damaged a home near Jay on Monday morning, but firefighters were able to save a cat from the blaze.
The fire was reported around 9:20 a.m. in the 3000 block of Shell Road. The first firefighter to arrive on the scene reported a working fire with smoke and flames visible.
Crewmembers from Escambia County Fire Rescue Engine 519 (Century) rescued a cat while battling the fire inside the home. The cat was successfully resuscitated on-site by first responders.
No human injuries were reported. The Jay, Allentown, and Berrydale stations of Santa Rosa County Fire Rescue responded, along with Escambia Fire Rescue (Century Station), Lifeguard EMS, and the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Longtime North Escambia Building Inspector James ‘Jimbo’ Horan Passes Away
January 13, 2026
A beloved building inspector who devoted most of his career to serving citizens in North Escambia has passed away.
James “Jimbo” Edward Horan, Sr., of Molino was 64.
Horan retired in November 2023 after a combined 17 years as an inspector in the Escambia County Building Services Department. He was originally hired in May 2005 and re-hired in January 2016, performing structural inspections on residential and commercial projects in Escambia County.
“James has firmly established himself as the technical expert for inspections on the northern end of Escambia County, invaluable to contractors and fellow employees in resolving difficult construction obstacles**,” a** November 2023 Escambia County Board of County Commissioners proclamation stated as Horan was honored upon his retirement.
He was also a baseball coach, home builder, cabinet maker, farmer and mechanic. His hobbies included racing and fishing.
Horan is survived by his wife Lisa, five siblings, two children, three step-children, and numerous other family members.
For the complete obituary, including service details, click here.
McDavid Man Facing Drug Charges After Alabama Traffic Stop
January 13, 2026
A McDavid man was arrested in Alabama after traffic stop led to the alleged discovery of fentanyl and oxycodone.
According to the Atmore Police Department, an officer conducted a traffic stop on Highway 31 at approximately 7:25 p.m. Sunday due to an expired license plate.
The driver was identified as 51-year-old Denis Comalander of McDavid.
During the stop, the officer noted suspicious behavior from Comalander and requested consent to search the vehicle. Upon searching the car, investigators reportedly found a small amount of fentanyl and oxycodone. Additionally, officers recovered a digital scale and other items commonly used to package narcotics.
Comalander was charged with two counts of possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was transported to the Escambia County (AL) Detention Center.
Tate Defeats Northview 56-20 Monday Night (With Gallery)
January 13, 2026
The Tate Aggies defeated the Northview Chiefs 56-20 Monday evening in Tate’s Fryman Gym.
With the win, the Aggies improved to 4-7 on the season, while the Chiefs fell to 1-9.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Up next, Tate will host Pensacola Catholic on Wednesday and the Washington Wildcats on Thursday. Northview will travel to Baker on Thursday before hosting South Baldwin Christian Academy on Friday.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
James ‘Jimbo’ E. Horan Sr.,
January 13, 2026
James “Jimbo” E. Horan Sr., age 64 of Molino, Florida, went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, January 8, 2026.
He was born March 9, 1961, in Pensacola, FL the son of the late Thomas Edward Horan and Doris Marie Horan.
Jimbo worked for Escambia County as a building inspector in the North end of the county from May 2005 until his retirement in November 2023. Prior to that he was a baseball coach, home builder, cabinet maker, farmer and mechanic essentially there was no job too big for him to handle. His hobbies included racing and fishing.
He is survived by his wife Lisa, five siblings, Randy Horan, Cindy Wright (Morris), Kathy Brien (Glenn), Dorothy Horan and Gary Horan; two children, James Horan Jr. (TK) and Casey Walker (Gary); three step-children Janice DeLuca (Blake), Theresa Murray (Ben) and Michael Emmons; nine grandchildren Ambree, Landen, Branden, Hayley, Sabrina, Blake, Elise, Devlyn and Justin; and two great grandchildren Colt and Gracelyn.
Friends and family may visit Thursday, January 15th from 5pm to 7pm at Faith Chapel North, 1000 S Highway 29, Cantonment, FL. Funeral services will be held on Friday, January 16th at 12pm at Faith Chapel North with Rev. Rusty Knowles officiating. Burial will follow at Morgan Cemetery located on Highway 29 in Molino, FL.
Pallbearers are Tommy Aaron, Jeff Aaron, Dickie Davis, Blake DeLuca, Jerry Godwin, Gary Horan, Gary Walker, Landen Walker. Honorary pallbearers are Tim Davis, Randy Horan, Branden Walker, and Louis Tharp.
Cantonment Man Charged With Attempted Homicide For Shooting Into A Vehicle Outside A McDonald’s
January 12, 2026
A 48-year-old Cantonment man is charged with attempted homicide for allegedly shooting at a woman in her vehicle outside an Escambia County McDonald’s.
Quincy Jerrell Hollins was booked into the Escambia County Jail on charges including attempted homicide, firing a weapon into a vehicle, possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, criminal mischief with property damage, and violating a domestic violence injunction. He remains in jail Monday morning without bond.
About 9 a.m. on January 7, Hollins approached the victim’s car at the McDonald’s at Michigan Avenue and Mobile Highway and fired one shot, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
The shot missed the victim, who went across the road to Publix and called for help. She was not injured.
Hollins was arrested in Santa Rosa County and extradited to Escambia County.