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.
Connie Charlene Rigby
January 12, 2026
Mrs. Connie Charlene Rigby, 77, passed away on Thursday, January 8, 2026, surrounded by her loving family. A native and lifelong resident of McDavid, Florida, Connie was well-loved in her community. She was a member of Ray’s Chapel Baptist Church, where she found joy and support throughout her life. Her warmth and kindness will be deeply missed by all who knew her.
She had a heart full of love for many things in life. Bowling brought her joy, just like cooking delicious meals for her family. Her animals were a big part of her world, and she took great pleasure in crocheting beautiful pieces. Nothing made her happier than spending time with her children and grandchild, and she loved attending church to connect with her community. Flowers brightened her surroundings, reflecting her warm spirit and kind heart. In the evenings, she enjoyed sitting on the back porch, breathing in the fresh air and soaking in the peaceful moments.
Preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Dora Sims Ard; sister, Francis Townes; husband, Crediton Eugene Rigby.
She is survived by her son, Anthony Eugene Rigby from Molino, Florida, and her two daughters, Gena Renee Rigby of McDavid, Florida, and Cynthia Rigby Daniel, who is married to Nathan, from Bratt, Florida. She also leaves behind two sisters, Joanne Freeman and Mary Graf along with her husband Gary, both from Cantonment, Florida. Additionally, she will be remembered by her grandchild, Dalton Daniel.
A memorial service will take place on Thursday, January 15, 2026, at 11:00 AM at Ray’s Chapel Baptist Church. Reverend Dexter Truesdale will be leading the service. Everyone is welcome to join as we come together to celebrate and remember the life of our loved one.
A visitation will be held from 10:00 AM until service time at 11:00 AM at Ray’s Chapel Baptist Church.
Petty Funeral Homes, LLC is in charge of all arrangements
ECSO Investigation Determines No Foul Play In Death of Man Found Near Jim Allen Elementary
January 11, 2026
An Escambia County Sheriff’s Office investigation has confirmed that there was no foul play involved in the death of a man whose body was found December 15 in a wooded area off Eden Lane and Highway 95A, across the railroad tracks from Jim Allen Elementary School.
According to the Escambia County Sheriff’s office, the 56-year-old man died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. He had been reported missing two weeks prior on December 1 from the area of Olive Road and Cody Lane.
The investigation was conducted by the ECSO and the District 1 Medical Examiner’s Office.
Pictured: A body was found not far from Jim Allen Elementary School on December 15. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
