Portion of North Escambia Is Officially In A Moderate Drought
January 10, 2026
A large swath of the North Escambia area is in a moderate drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.
While rain is on tap for Saturday, only a half inch or less is expected across the area.
The drought area includes McDavid, Walnut Hill, Bratt and Century.
Patronis Files Bills To Protect The Blue Angels From Government Shutdowns
January 10, 2026
Northwest Florida Congressman Jimmy Patronis has introduced the Special Operating Authority for Rehearsal (SOAR) Act, which is intended to protect the United States Navy Blue Angels during a federal government shutdown to ensure safety and readiness. He said this legislation will ensure Blue Angels airshows continue in the Pensacola region despite any Democratic shutdowns.
“This is home for the Blue Angels. Federal government shutdowns hurt our economy and undermine the men and women who serve our nation,” said Patronis. “The Blue Angels represent excellence, service, and unity, and they deserve stability and leadership that puts our nation and those who serve it first.”
During a recent shutdown, the Blue Angels were unable to perform their Homecoming Airshow due to a lack of funding for basic needs, such as fuel, aircraft maintenance, repairs, and required updates, which led to the cancellation of their homecoming air show and halted essential training.
To read the full text of the bill, click here.
Pictured: The 2024 Blue Angels Homecoming Show. NorthEscambia.com photos by Perry Doggrell, click to enlarge.
Rain Is Out; Colder Air Moving In
January 10, 2026
Chilly winds and clear skies will dominate the region as a cold front settles in for the first half of the week. While residents can expect plenty of sunshine through Tuesday, overnight temperatures will dip near the freezing mark, particularly on Sunday and Monday nights. A weak system brings a slight chance of showers late Tuesday into Wednesday, but significant rainfall is not expected. Conditions will remain cool but bright heading into next weekend.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Chilly winds and clear skies will dominate the region as a cold front settles in for the first half of the week. While residents can expect plenty of sunshine through Tuesday, overnight temperatures will dip near the freezing mark, particularly on Sunday and Monday nights. A weak system brings a slight chance of showers late Tuesday into Wednesday, but significant rainfall is not expected. Conditions will remain cool but bright heading into next weekend.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 45. North wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 56. North wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 32. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 51. North wind around 5 mph.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 31. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 57. Calm wind.
Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 40. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph.
Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of showers before noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 60. West wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers before midnight. Partly cloudy, with a low around 36. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming northwest after midnight.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 50.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 29.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 57.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 37.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 59.
DeSantis Announced Appointment, Reappointment To UWF Board Of Trustees
January 10, 2026
Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday announced an appointment and reappointment to the University of West Florida Board of Trustees. The appointments are subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.
Kevin Mason
Mason is the Chief Executive Officer & Co-Founder of Acentria Insurance. Previously, he served as the Producer and Managing Partner of North Florida Operations for the Insurance Office of America. Mason earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration and management from the University of West Florida.
Paul Bailey
Bailey is an Attorney for Welton Law Firm. He also serves as a Registered Instructor with the National Rifle Association and an Adjunct Professor at Pensacola Christian College. Bailey earned his bachelor’s degree in pre-law from Pensacola Christian College and his juris doctor from Regent University.
File photo.
James Earl Vickery
January 10, 2026
James Earl Vickery passed away peacefully on January 3, 2025, in Cottage Hill, Florida.
James Earl was the beloved son of Charlie and Lizzie Vickery and was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers: Wilburn Vickery, Coy Vickery, Troy Vickery; and his sisters, Alice Daniels, Jo McCurdy and Estelle Shelby.
He is survived by his wife, Carolyn Vickery; son, Steven Vickery (Donna); his daughter, Suzanne Perry (Aaron); his loving grandchildren: Megan Porter, Rachel Logan (Joshua); his great grandchildren, James Thomas Porter and Oliver Raymond Porter; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
James Earl worked for 35 years as an automotive mechanic at Hill Kelly Dodge and Pensacola Chrysler.
James Earl gave his life to the Lord on March 4, 1999, something that he was very proud of.
A visitation will be held on January 12, 2026, from 11 a.m. until 12 p.m. at Eastern Gate Memorial Funeral Home.
The funeral service will follow at 12:00 pm at the same location.
Interment will also take place on January 12, 2026, in Eastern Gate Memorial Gardens.
High School Basketball Scoreboard Roundup
January 10, 2026
Here are high school basketball scores from the North Escambia area this week.
BOYS VARSITY
- Tate 68, Pensacola 63 (Thursday)
- Washington 75, Tate 65 (Tuesday)
- Ponce De Leon 73, Northview 33 (Friday)
- Laurel Hill 67, Northview 46 (Tuesday)
GIRLS VARSITY
- Pensacola Catholic 76, Tate 49 (Friday)
- Ponce De Leon 49, Northview 17 (Friday)
- Laurel Hill 72, Northview 5 (Tuesday)
ECSO: Foul Play Not Suspected After Missing Man, 72, Found Dead In Cantonment Creek
January 9, 2026
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office says foul play is not suspected in the death of a missing and endangered man who was found dead on Sunday in Cantonment.
The body of the 72-year-old man was found in a shallow creek off Calloway Street after he had been reported missing by a family member from his home on Ellington Street earlier in the day.
The ECSO said the man had been listed as missing and endangered due to a medical condition, and his death appeared to be natural.
File photo.
Afternoon And Evening Rain Possible On Friday; Soggy Saturday Ahead
January 9, 2026
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Friday: A 40 percent chance of showers, mainly after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 76. South wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Friday Night: A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after midnight. Cloudy, with a low around 67. South wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Saturday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. High near 74. South wind around 10 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
Saturday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 46. North wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 55. North wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 31. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 51. North wind around 5 mph.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 31. Calm wind.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 57.
Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 40.
Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 59.
Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 39.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 52.
Global Engineering, Manufacturing Firm Selects Escambia County For U.S. Headquarters
January 9, 2026
The Escambia County Commission on Thursday night approved support for a tax exemption for a global aerospace company that will set up their United States headquarters in Escambia County. The Economic Development Ad Valorem Tax Exemption (EDATE) is for up to 10 years.
Field International Group, a global engineering and manufacturing firm headquartered in the United Kingdom, has selected Escambia Count for its new American headquarters and manufacturing operation. Formerly referred to confidentially as “Project Britain”, the company will invest $8 million in capital expenditures and create 50 new jobs with an average annual wage of $80,000. A second phase of expansion is under consideration that it could
generate an additional $12 million and 50 jobs at similar wage levels, according to the FloridaWest Economic Development Alliance.
Field International provides precision engineering, tooling and ground support equipment for the aerospace, transport, energy and medical industries. Founded in the United Kingdom in 1995, the company has built a global footprint delivering design, manufacture, and onsite services for aerospace original equipment manufacturers, maintenance repair and overhaul operators, and related industrial clients. Field International’s capabilities include engineering design, precision machining, fabrication, tooling assembly and maintenance services. The company has operations in the United Kingdom, India, China and Singapore.
“Following a competitive evaluation of multiple regions, Field International selected Escambia County for its first U.S. headquarters and manufacturing operation,” said Mark Booker, Group CEO of Field International Group. “The county’s strategic location, business climate, corporate assets, and skilled workforce align well with our growth objectives in the North American market. The level of coordination and support provided by the local community and economic development partners has been world-class and was very instrumental to our decision.”
A relationship with the company was initiated by Florida’s Great Northwest, which played a central role in positioning the region as a competitive location to do business. FloridaWest Economic Development Alliance partnered closely with Florida’s Great Northwest to advance the project locally, with Escambia County ultimately prevailing against competing locations throughout the United States.
“Field International’s decision to establish operations in Escambia County reflects our competitiveness in attracting high wage, advanced manufacturing jobs and strengthening the community’s aerospace cluster,” stated Ashlee Hofberger, chair of the Escambia County Board of County Commissioners. “The Board of County Commissioners is honored to support this project and approved a Resolution of Support for an EDATE to help secure these jobs and
associated capital investment for our community.”
The first phase of Field International’s operation will focus on core engineering and manufacturing activities supporting aerospace tooling and ground support equipment. The company’s presence in Escambia County is expected to enhance the local manufacturing base and employment opportunities in precision engineering.
“FloridaWest congratulates Field International on its decision to locate in Escambia County,” said Chris Platé, chief executive officer of FloridaWest. “This project reinforces the county’s value proposition for global precision manufacturers seeking access to U.S. markets and reflects the effectiveness of coordinated regional business attraction. Successful outcomes like this are the result of strong public and private sector collaboration.”
“Field International’s investment marks a victory for regional collaboration and foreign direct investment,” said Jennifer Conoley, president and CEO of Florida’s Great Northwest. “This is the culmination of years of marketing Northwest Florida as a premier business hub worldwide, made possible only through strong local partnerships.”
$2.36 Million Highway 4A Safety Improvement Project Is Now Underway
January 9, 2026
A $2.36 million, Escambia County Highway 4A safety improvement project is now underway near Century.
The 4.8 miles of roadway safety improvements are taking place on Highway 4A from Highway 4 at the light in Byrneville to State Line Road, and include pavement reconstruction at the State Line Road intersection. The project’s total cost will be $2,362,863.20.
The planned roadway improvements include widening and overlaying the existing lanes. The project also includes the relocation of mailboxes and the reinstallation of traffic signs to county specifications. The guardrails within the project limits will be upgraded to current Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) standards.
The project also includes minor drainage modifications to accommodate road widening.
Pictured: Work on Thursday afternoon on a safety improvement project on Highway 4A. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
