Driver Escapes Serious Injury in Cottage Hill Single-Vehicle Crash
January 19, 2026
A driver narrowly avoided serious injury Sunday morning following a single-vehicle crash in Cottage Hill.
The wreck occurred when an adult male traveling on Eden Road lost control of his pickup truck while crossing the railroad tracks just off Highway 95A. The vehicle veered off the roadway and collided with a tree.
The driver told authorities that a jug of milk he had just purchased was launched into the windshield during the impact.
The Florida Highway Patrol is currently investigating the cause of the crash. No further details have been made available.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Teen Uninjured In Barrineau Park Rollover Wreck
January 19, 2026
A teen driver escaped uninjured when he flipped his vehicle at the Perdido River in Barrineau Park on Sunday afternoon.
The crash occurred around 2:05 p.m. on Barrineau Park Road west of South Highway 99.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating and has not released any details.
Reader submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Man Indicted On Federal Drug Trafficking Charges
January 19, 2026
An Escambia County man is facing a federal drug trafficking charge.
Adrian Dion Pettaway Jr., 24, was indicted by a federal grand jury charging him with distribution of a controlled substance.
If convicted, Pettaway faces between five to 40 years’ imprisonment.
The case involved a joint investigation by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Assistant United States Attorney Jeffrey Tharp is prosecuting the case.
Back In The 20s Monday Night
January 19, 2026
Temperatures will dip back into the upper 20s tonight. Cloud cover increases Tuesday night ahead of a shifting pattern that brings rain chances back to the area from Wednesday night through the end of the week.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 28. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 56. Wind chill values between 25 and 35 early. North wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 34. East wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 61. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 48. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
Thursday: A 30 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 67. East wind 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 50. East wind around 5 mph.
Friday: A 40 percent chance of showers, mainly after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 67. East wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 47. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday: A 50 percent chance of showers. Cloudy, with a high near 57.
Saturday Night: Showers likely. Cloudy, with a low around 34. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Sunday: A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 46.
Sunday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 29.
Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 49.
Council On Aging of West Florida Reacquires Retired Senior Volunteer Program
January 19, 2026
The Council on Aging of West Florida recently reacquired the AmeriCorps Seniors Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) in Escambia County. The program had previously been administered by United Way of West Florida in Escambia for the past 12 years. This amounts to a nearly $100,000 infusion for strengthening and increasing the agency’s robust volunteer program.
“The efforts of our RSVP volunteers strengthen our current programs through volunteer service and furthers our mission by engaging active older adults in roles that give them greater community and a sense of purpose,” says Council on Aging President and CEO Josh Newby.
Council on Aging was the sponsor of RSVP for many years before United Way assumed the grant in 2013. With this new funding, Council on Aging brings the program back home and will leverage the skills and experience of AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers in the area to bolster services to older adults. These AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers will serve as Meals on Wheels drivers, congregate dining site volunteers, and in other support roles for older adults in need. The programs also enable adults over the age of 55 to gain valuable skills through service, helping them gainfully return to the workforce.
Those interested in learning more about the program can call Council on Aging at (850) 432-1475.
DeSantis Appoints Four To PSC District Board Of Trustees
January 19, 2026
Recenthly, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced the appointment of Richard Holzknecht, Todd Leonard, and Audrey McDonald and the reappointment of Dr. Troy Tippett to the Pensacola State College District Board of Trustees.
The appointments are subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.
Richard Holzknecht
Holzknect is a Commercial and Residential Sales Agent for Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate. He is a veteran of the United States Navy, serving as a Naval Aviator and was the recipient of the Defense Superior Service Medal. Active in his community, Holzknect is a member of the LifeWise Academy of Escambia-Pensacola Board of Directors and the Restoring the Heart Ministries Board. He earned his bachelor’s degree in oceanography from the United States Naval Academy, his master’s degree in systems management from the University of Southern California, and his master’s degree in national security affairs from the Naval Postgraduate School.
Todd Leonard
Leonard is the Athletic Director for West Florida High School. He previously served as the Head Football Coach for Pensacola High School. A veteran of the United States Army, Leonard earned his bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of West Florida.
Audrey McDonald
McDonald is a Homeschool Educator focusing on classical curriculum. Previously, she served as the Chief Strategy Officer for the Healthcare Experience Foundation, the Client Outcomes Partner for HealthStream, and a Performance and Research Coach for the Baptist Leadership Group. McDonald earned her bachelor’s degree in economics and international affairs from Florida State University.
Dr. Troy Tippett
Dr. Tippett is a Neurosurgeon, Medical Director, and Owner of The Neurosurgical Group. Active in his community, he has served as a member of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, the Congress of Neurological Surgeons, and the Neurosurgical Education and Research Foundation. A veteran of the United States Air Force and the United States Army Reserve, Dr. Tippett earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Missouri and his Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Tennessee.
Pensacola Ice Flyers Beat Macon 3-2
January 19, 2026
The Pensacola Ice Flyers wrapped up a three-game weekend at the Hangar on Sunday with a 3-2 win over the Macon Mayhem.
Andrew Poulias got the home team on the board first with a goal just past the 5-minute mark in the 1st period. Macon’s Caleb Huffman evened things up with a powerplay goal at the end of the first frame. The second period remained quiet until Sam Rhodes reclaimed the lead for the Ice Flyers with 35 seconds left in the period. However, Huffman tied it up again for the Mayhem early in the 3rd period.
Neither team could find the back of the net in regulation, sending the game to overtime. After a scoreless overtime period, the teams headed to their second shootout of the weekend. This time, the Ice Flyers came out on top. Macon made their first two attempts while the Ice Flyers missed theirs, but they stayed in it, making the next four with Sam Rhodes, Cam Gaudette, and Zack Bross keeping the team alive. After Billy Girard made the save on Macon’s 6th attempt, Sam Rhodes sealed the deal with his second shootout goal of the game.
The Ice Flyers will recoup after the long weekend and head to Knoxville for a pair of games on the January 23rd and 24th.
Snow In Northwest Florida (With Gallery)
January 18, 2026
For the second year in a row, snow fell in Northwest Florida on Sunday morning.
It was not nearly the amount of snow, up to 10 inches, that fell in North Escambia in 2025, but many people were treated to a light dusting and a few great photo opportunities. However, others, especially across extreme northern Escambia County, didn’t see anything but a few snowflakes.
For photo gallery #1, click here.
For photo gallery #2, click here.
NorthEscambia.com and reader submitted photos, click to enlarge.
Two Injured in Saturday Afternoon Crash On Highway 95A In Cantonment
January 18, 2026
Two people were injured in a two-vehicle crash Saturday afternoon on Highway 95A in Cantonment.
The crash occurred just before 2:30 p.m. just north of Highway 29 when a Chevrolet pickup truck and an Infiniti SUV collided. After the initial collision, the pickup truck left the roadway and struck a large pine tree.
The victims were transported to an area hospital by Escambia County EMS. The Cantonment Station of Escambia Fire Rescue also responded.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating; troopers have not released the cause of the crash.
NorthEscambiac.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Cold Sunday Ahead, Middle 20s Sunday Night
January 18, 2026
A Cold Weather Advisory is in effect from late tonight until 8 a.m. on Monday due to very cold conditions with a wind chill as low as 22 expected,
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Clear, with a low around 26. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph.
MLK Day: Sunny, with a high near 54. Wind chill values between 25 and 35 early. Light northwest wind becoming north 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 28. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph after midnight.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 53. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 33. East wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 58. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers. Cloudy, with a low around 44. East wind around 5 mph.
Thursday: A 30 percent chance of showers before noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 60. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 39.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 65.
Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 47.
Saturday: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 68.