County Considers Land Purchase For Stormwater Pond On Desoto Road In Cantonment
January 21, 2026
The Escambia County Commission will consider the purchase of a property on DeSoto Road in Cantonment for a regional stormwater pond.
If approved at a commission meeting on Friday, the county will purchase 6.7 acres at 176 DeSoto Road from William and Jessica Ruzicka for $200,000.
The regional stormwater pond will be built to help with drainage in the area.
Escambia District 1 Beulah Town Hall To Be Held January 29
January 21, 2026
Escambia County District 1 Commissioner Steve Stroberger will hold a town hall meeting Thursday, January 29 to discuss county projects and initiatives in the Beulah community. The town hall will take place at 5:30 p.m. at Beulah Church, located at 7561 Mobile Highway.
During the town hall, Commissioner Stroberger will discuss OLF-8 along with upgrades to Beulah Regional Park, the Beulah Senior Citizen Center, and the Escambia County Equestrian Center. Escambia County staff will be in attendance to address any comments or concerns from residents.
The public is invested to attend.
Pensacola Airport Transformed Into Pensacola Intergalactic Airport
January 21, 2026
Pensacola International Airport has partnered with Pensacon for its annual transformation into Pensacola Intergalactic Airport, assuming the temporary name and stellar decor to commemorate the 2026 Pensacon convention scheduled for February 20-22.
Pensacola Mayor D.C. Reeves announced the temporary change renaming the airport Pensacola Intergalactic Airport on Tuesday, Jan. 20. The signage throughout the terminal highlights iconic comic and science fiction characters and welcome messages.
“Our relationship with the Pensacola Intergalactic Airport has been such a wonderful way to not only promote Pensacon, but also show travelers how great our city is in supporting events like ours. Each year, our celebrity guests are impressed when they come off the plane and feel like they are already immersed in Pensacon,” Pensacon CEO Mike Ensley said.
Pensacon attracts tens of thousands of fans to downtown Pensacola each year. Now entering its 13th year, Pensacon has had a cumulative economic impact of more than $31 million since its first convention in 2014, according to Visit Pensacola research.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate High School Named To Advanced Placement School Honor Roll
January 21, 2026
Tate High School has been recognized for student success in the Advanced Placement program while broadening participation.
The College Board announced that J.M. Tate High School has been named to the 2025 Advanced Placement Program (AP) School Honor Roll, earning Bronze distinction.
The AP School Honor Roll recognizes schools whose AP programs are delivering results for students while broadening participation. Schools can earn this recognition annually based on criteria that reflect a commitment to increasing college-going culture, providing opportunities for students to earn college credit, and maximizing college readiness.
Tate High School had 45% of seniors who took at least one AP Exam during high school, 28% of seniors scoring a 3 or higher on at least one AP Exam, and 11% of seniors who took five or more AP Exams.
Tatel offers a robust Advanced Placement program that provides students with meaningful access to college-level coursework. The school currently offers 19 AP courses, taught across 34 sections by 16 highly qualified AP teachers, allowing students to pursue rigorous academic opportunities across multiple subject areas.
“This recognition is a reflection of the hard work and dedication of our students, teachers, and instructional leaders,” said Principal Laura Touchstone. “Being named to the AP School Honor Roll shows that Tate is committed to expanding access to rigorous coursework while ensuring our students are supported to succeed. We are proud of our students for challenging themselves and of our teachers for creating a culture of high expectations, encouragement, and academic excellence.”
“AP gives students an opportunity to engage with college-level work, earn college credit and placement, and build professional career skills they can use no matter what path they choose after high school,” said Trevor Packer, head of the AP program. “Congratulations to this year’s AP School Honor Roll recipients for proving it’s possible to expand participation in these rigorous courses and still drive strong performance.”
College Board’s Advanced Placement Program (AP) enables students to pursue college level studies with the opportunity to earn college credit, advanced placement, or both while still in high school. Through AP courses, students learn to think critically, construct solid arguments, and see many sides of an issue, skills that prepare them for college and beyond.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Ernest Ward Middle Names Students Of The Month
January 21, 2026
Ernest Ward Middle School named their November and December students and employee of the month.
November award winners were: Ella Grace Diller, Sanora Martin, Greyson Diz and teacher Kaylee Gibson (pictured above).
December award winners were: Rylan Johnson, Wayne Golson, Hayden Hollingsworth, and employee Courtney Barrow (pictured below).
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Scattered Showers Persist Through Friday; Strong Cold Front Over The Weekend
January 21, 2026
Clouds will linger over the next few days as multiple rounds of light showers move through the North Escambia area. While Thursday and Friday remain warm with highs near 70, a stronger system arrives Saturday night into Sunday, bringing widespread rain and a few thunderstorms. A sharp cold front follows, plunging temperatures into the 20s by Monday night under clear skies.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: A 50 percent chance of showers. Cloudy, with a low around 53. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Thursday: A 50 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 70. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming southwest in the afternoon. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 55. East wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Friday: A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 70. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph in the morning.
Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 50. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday: A 50 percent chance of showers after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 66. Northeast wind around 10 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.
Saturday Night: Showers. Low around 51. Southeast wind around 10 mph becoming west after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
Sunday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. High near 61. Northwest wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
Sunday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 26. North wind around 10 mph.
Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 41.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 20.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 46.
Lillian Mayson Laue
January 21, 2026
Lillian Mayson Laue, of Atmore, AL, passed away on January 16, 2026. Lillian was born on February 12, 1928, to the late C. Clifford Mayson and Kathryn F. Bremer. She was a homemaker who enjoyed puzzles, knitting, especially Christmas socks, and was a member of Saint Andrew’s Atmore Anglican Church in Atmore, AL.
Lillian is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Charles Wheeler Laue; and her sister, June Frances Crawford.
She is survived by her daughter, Linda Bumann, of Atmore, AL; granddaughter, Terri Laue; and great-grandson, Logan Wheeler Roberts.
Funeral Services were held on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel in Atmore, AL, with Chaplain Joe Stevens officiating.
Interment was at Oak Hill Cemetery in Atmore, AL.
Active Pallbearers will be Charlie Crawford, Mark Crawford, Cody Crawford, Bob Laue, Richard Booth and David Todd. Honorary Pallbearers will be Larry Houck and Dan Martin.
Two Injured In Gang-Related Shooting Following Atmore MLK Block Party
January 20, 2026
A day of celebration ended in gunfire Monday night as a shooting following an MLK Day block party in atmore left two people injured and investigators searching for those responsible.
According to the Atmore Police Department, officers responded to the intersection of Carver Avenue and Ashley Street at approximately 9:06 p.m. on January 19. The shooting occurred shortly after a day-long “MLK Car Meet and Block Party” had concluded. The event had been widely advertised on social media and drew a large crowd to the area.
Patrol officers arrived on the scene in less than one minute to find that over 30 rounds had been fired.
Victims in Stable Condition
Police confirmed two victims suffered gunshot wounds. One of the victims, a male subject, was reportedly shot while attempting to assist another person to safety. Both individuals were transported to a local hospital and are currently listed in stable condition.
Gang Activity Suspected
APD Major Charles Thompson stated that preliminary information suggests the incident is gang-related, a conclusion reached based on evidence gathered by the department’s Narcotics/Vice Unit.
Multiple divisions have been assigned to the case. The department’s Special Response Team is also on standby to execute search or arrest warrants as the investigation progresse, Thompson said.
“This type of senseless violence and complete disregard for human life and public safety will not be tolerated in our community,” Thompson said in a statement.
The Investigation
Detectives are currently reviewing both city-owned and private surveillance footage from the neighborhood. Ballistics experts are also working to trace the more than 30 shell casings recovered from the scene.
The Atmore Police Department is urging anyone with information about the shooting or those involved to contact investigators immediately at (251) 368-9141.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
State, Local Officials Tackle Traffic Woes At Jim Allen Elementary School
January 20, 2026
Local and state officials recently held a meeting to discuss how to improve the arrival and dismissal time traffic delays at Jim Allen Elementary School in Cantonment.
State Rep. Michelle Salzman, Escambia County School Superintendent Keith Leonard, District 5 School Board Member Tom Harrell and key school district staff met with the Florida Department of Transportation to begin discussing potential solutions. The meeting came about following citizen concerns during a District 5 Q & A Session in Molino on January 6.
“The discussion centered on traffic management challenges affecting school bus safety, student drop-off and pick-up times, and the broader impact on daily commuters in the north end of the district,” Salzman said.
“We want to do those things that we can do to make it safer,” Harrell said. “We are laser-focused on it and ways to improve, but there are so many variables there. It’s to the point we need extra extra assistance; we want to make sure that we have done all the things that we can.”
The school board member said Jim Allen is “landlocked” all the way around with no room to grow or expand in order to get cars off of Highway 95A. There is an apartment complex to the south of the school, and wetlands and a cemetery to the north. In front of the school on Highway 95A, there is limited or no right of way for turn lanes due to railroad tracks.
Harrell said an FDOT traffic study could determine options, such as perhaps encouraging drivers to use Neal Road with a traffic light at Neal Road and Highway 29. But a final plan would come from FDOT.
“I do believe FDOT will assist us with doing studies in that thoroughfare in front of the school and do what we can to assist them to help us to help the students and families,” Leonard said.
“As a result of the meeting, a clear plan of action was established,” Salzman said. “The Florida Department of Transportation will work with the school district to conduct targeted traffic studies to identify immediate and long-term solutions. One of the primary objectives moving forward is the installation of at least one additional traffic light along Highway 29 while aimed at improving safety during school hours.”
“The proposed improvements are intended to enhance traffic flow and driving safety for the entire community on a daily basis,” Salzman added.
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Midweek Warmup Ahead; Cold Rain For The Weekend
January 20, 2026
Clouds will begin to increase over the next few days as a series of weather systems approach the area. While Wednesday remains dry with a high in the low 60s, rain chances enter the picture Thursday afternoon and persist through the weekend. Saturday night looks to be the wettest period with a 90% chance of showers before temperatures take a sharp dip, leading to overnight lows in the 20s by early next week.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 37. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph after midnight.
Wednesday: Increasing clouds, with a high near 63. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 50. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
Thursday: A 30 percent chance of showers after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 70. South wind around 5 mph.
Thursday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 54. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Friday: A 50 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 68. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming north in the afternoon.
Friday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 48. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday: Showers likely, mainly after noon. Cloudy, with a high near 60. Northeast wind around 10 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Saturday Night: Showers. Low around 39. East wind around 10 mph becoming northwest after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
Sunday: Showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 47. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Sunday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 28.
Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 44.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 22.