Manny Diaz Jr. Selected By UWF Board of Trustees As The University’s Next President
January 9, 2026
The University of West Florida Board of Trustees selected Manny Diaz Jr. to serve as the University’s seventh president during a special board meeting on Thursday. Diaz, UWF’s interim president since July, was announced as the sole finalist on Nov. 22, 2025, following a comprehensive national search. His appointment is subject to confirmation by the Florida Board of Governors.
“On behalf of the University of West Florida Board of Trustees, I congratulate Manny Diaz Jr. on his selection as UWF’s seventh president,” said UWF Board of Trustees Chair Rebecca Matthews, who also shared an extended message to the University community. “During his past six months as interim president, Diaz has demonstrated that he is exceptionally suited for this role through his engagement with students, faculty, staff, and the community. We are confident that his leadership will be a catalyst for the University of West Florida to continue to succeed, grow and deepen its impact on the Northwest Florida region and beyond.”
Prior to coming to UWF, Diaz served as Florida’s Commissioner of Education, where he oversaw statewide policy, academic standards and student success initiatives across the K–20 system. His career experience includes work as a classroom teacher, administrator and policymaker.
“I am deeply honored and grateful for the trust UWF and the Board of Trustees has placed in me,” Diaz said. “UWF is a dynamic institution with extraordinary momentum, and I am excited to work alongside our faculty, staff, students, alumni and community partners to build upon that success. Together, we will continue to elevate UWF’s impact, strengthen opportunities for students, and advance our mission of excellence for the region and beyond.”
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Man Barricades Himself In Escambia Home, Shoots Fireworks At Deputies
January 9, 2026
A man is facing multiple charges following a standoff at a home just north of Nine Mile Road.
Phillip Preston Resmondo, 37, was charged with aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, criminal mischief with property damage under $200, and criminal mischief with property damage between $200 and $1,000. Resmondo, who was on federal probation, remains in the Escambia County Jail without bond on a hold placed by the U.S. Marshals.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to a criminal mischief complaint in the area of Le Ruth Drive, about two blocks north of Nine Mile Road near Copter Road, for a man that was hitting stop signs with a baseball bat.
When deputies arrived, he made threats and got into a truck and revved the engine “as if he was going to run over deputies,” and then locked himself in a house and refused to come out, according to the Sheriff’s Office. Deputies said he then started shooting fireworks out of the home’s windows.
After SWAT arrived on the scene, Resmondo was taken into custody.
Photos courtesy WEAR 3 for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Save The Eagles Day Program Is Saturday At The Molino Library
January 9, 2026
The Molino Library will host “Save the Eagles Day” on Saturday. Staff from the Wildlife Sanctuary of Northwest Florida will present a special program about eagles.
Attendees will hear incredible stories about the sanctuary’s work in rescue and rehabilitation, learn how they can help protect eagles and keep them thriving in their natural habitat, and enjoy a fun craft for the little ones.
The Wildlife Sanctuary does not currently have an eagle in its sanctuary that is “glove ready” and able to make public appearances. Instead, staff will bring a hawk to the Molino Library, another raptor that is similar to eagles.
The program will take place at 11 a.m. on Saturday at the Molino Library, located in the Molino Community Center at 6450A Highway 95A.
Charlotte Weaver Toop
January 9, 2026
Charlotte Weaver Toop, age 78, of Molino, Florida, passed away on January 7, 2025, at her home in Molino, lovingly surrounded by her family and her husband of 53 years.
Charlotte was born in McDavid, Florida, at her family home, to Charlie Weaver and Thelma Jane Weaver. She was the youngest of twelve children. From an early age, her life was grounded in faith, family, and a love for others.
She was known for her faithfulness to Christ, our Lord and Savior, and for the deep love she had for her husband, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Charlotte found great joy in tending to her garden, crochet, sewing, always offering a kind word to a stranger, and sharing an infectious laugh and smile that could light up any room. She also enjoyed traveling with her husband and cherished visiting friends and family all over the world.
Charlotte is survived by her husband, Ted Toop; her children, Gary Toop Sr. (Pam), Richie Toop and his wife Loretta, Chandra Toop, Scarlett Hommerbocker and her husband Preston.
She is also survived by her grandchildren: Gary Toop Jr. and his wife Kylie, Amber McCraney (Chris), Dannah Knight and her husband Lucas, Marcus Toop, Chelsey Abbott and her husband Alex, Brian Toop and his wife Montana, Krystale Toop, Blessing Masciale and her husband Isaiah, and Breanna Hommerbocker.
Her legacy continues through her great-grandchildren: Skylar Wood; Adalynn and Dallas Toop; Ayden, Caleb, Chance, and Kaisen McCraney; Ethan Shelley; Kayla, Talan, Hadley, and Annika Knight; Savannah Workman; Atlas Abbott; Landyn and Gracelyn Toop; and Colby Wayne and Lila-Mae Toop.
She is further survived by her honorary grandchildren, Katie-John and Prosser Crow, as well as a large and loving extended family of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends, all of whom held a special place in her heart.
Charlotte was preceded in death by her parents, Charlie Weaver and Thelma Jane Weaver; her brothers and sisters, Lucille Weaver Luongo, Mildred Weaver Bell, Beulah Weaver Nall, Hurtis Weaver, Curtis Alfred Weaver, Orley Kirby “Bill” Weaver, James Julius Roy Weaver, Henry “Hank Buddy” Weaver, Willie Lee Davis, Carlton Weaver, and James C. Weaver; and her beloved granddaughter, Kaylan Reshea Hommerbocker.
A Celebration of Life service will be held on Wednesday, January 14th, at 11:00 a.m. at Faith Chapel North. A viewing will be held the evening prior on Tuesday, January 13th, at 5:00 p.m. Charlotte will be laid to rest at Enon Baptist Church in McDavid, Florida.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Enon Baptist Church for mission work in Charlotte’s memory.
Charlotte Weaver Toop will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered for her unwavering faith, gentle spirit, and boundless love.
Failed Attempt To Pass Ends With Serious Injuries In Quintette Road Crash
January 8, 2026
Two people were seriously injured when a driver attempted to pass on Quintette Road Thursday afternoon and instead crashed over a guardrail.
The Florida Highway Patrol said the 50-year-old Pensacola man attempted to pass another vehicle in his pickup truck and ran off Quintette Road near Rocky Branch Road. The vehicle then traveled over a guardrail and struck two trees.
The driver and his passenger, a 51-year-old female also from Pensacola, were extricated by Escambia County Fire Rescue and transported in serious condition to an area hospital by Escambia County EMS.
The FHP investigation is continuing.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Man In Custody After Standoff With Escambia County Deputies
January 8, 2026
A suspect was taken into custody Thursday afternoon following a standoff at a home just north of Nine Mile Road.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to a criminal mischief complaint in the area of Le Ruth Drive, about two blocks north of Nine Mile Road near Copter Road, for a man that was reportedly hitting stop signs with a baseball bat.
When deputies arrived, he made threats, locked himself in a house, and refused to come out, according to the Sheriff’s Office. Deputies said he then started shooting fireworks out of the home’s windows.
After SWAT arrived on the scene, the man was taken into custody. His name has not been released.
Photos courtesy WEAR 3 for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Winn Dixie Closing Mid-March For Aldi Conversion
January 8, 2026
The Winn-Dixie in Cantonment will close in mid-March to begin its conversion to an Aldi store.
Southeastern Grocers, (SEG) confirmed the closure to NorthEscambia.com.
“All associates at this location received advance notice, and Southeastern Grocers is working closely with Aldi to support a smooth transition,” SEG said in the statement. “Associates will have the first opportunity to apply for roles at the new Aldi store or may continue their careers with Winn-Dixie at another location.”
There’s no word how long the Winn Dixie to Aldi conversion will take at the Cantonment store, located at 1550 South Highway 29.
The Winn-Dixie at 312 East Nine Mile Road closed in September 2024 and reopened an Aldi in March 2025.
Aldi acquired SEG in 2024. Later, a consortium of private investors acquired SEG— and its Winn-Dixie and Harveys Supermarket brands — from Aldi. Aldi then announced it would continue with plans to convert its remaining 220 Winn Dixie and Harveys locations into the Aldi format by 2027, including the Cantonment Winn-Dixie.
Millions In Projects, Mostly Grant Funded, Underway In Century
January 8, 2026
Million of dollars of projects are underway in Century.
The town’s consulting engineer, Dale Long, recently present an update to the town council on the projects, including funding status. Major projects include
- wastewater improvements including wastewater treatment plant — $8.86 million (90% grant, 10% loan)
- water meter and service replacements — $1.3 million (100% grant)
- Freedom Road Bridge replacement — $1.3 million (100% grant)
- wastewater lift station rehabilitation — $3.36 million (90% grant, 10% loan)
- wastewater treatment plant improvements — $5.36 million (90% grant, 10% loan)
- water well replacement == $1.85 million
For a complete status report (pdf format), click here.
Pictured: Work on the Century lift station on West Highway 4 recently. NorthEscambai.com photos, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Cold Case: Murder 45 Years Ago Remains Unsolved
January 8, 2026
It was45 years ago on the afternoon of January 2, 1981, that 9-year-old Kenneth Deshun Underwood and three companions went bird hunting in the woods near their Cantonment home. Everyone returned home that afternoon except for Underwood.
When Underwood was still not home around 6 p.m., Escambia County Search and Rescue personnel were called. The area where Underwood was last seen alive was canvassed. His body was discovered about 5:45 the next morning –apparently murdered — in an area near Booker Street. His cause of death was determined to be blunt force trauma.
The case remains unsolved, and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is asking the public for help because they believe someone in our area still has information about Underwood’s death.
If you know anything about the death of Kenneth Deshun Underwood, 9, you are asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Unit at (850) 436-9580 or Crime Stopper at (850) 433-STOP (7867).
Pictured above: The fourth-grade photo of murder victim Kenneth Deshun Underwood of Cantonment. Pictured below: The highlighted area in this map shows where the body was found. Courtesy images for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Longtime Escambia County Attorney Alison Rogers Is Retiring
January 8, 2026
Longtime Escambia County Attorney Alison Rogers is retiring.
Rogers, who served Escambia County as an assistant county attorney from 1999 to 2003, was named deputy county attorney in 2003 before being named county attorney in February 2008.
Rogers submitted a one-year retirement notification on Tuesday. Her final day will be January 4, 2027.
“I am available throughout 2026 to assist with the transition as needed,” she wrote in a letter to the Escambia County Commission.
The commission is expected to discuss her retirement at a regular meeting on Thursday.