Navy JROTC Students In Escambia County Ordered to Stop Wearing Uniforms, Gear
March 14, 2026
Members of the Navy JROTC at high schools in Escambia County are being told not to wear their uniforms, gear, or any other NJROTC clothing on or off campus for now. The order from the NJROTC comes after a gunman opened fire in an ROTC classroom at Old Dominion University in Virginia on Thursday, killing an instructor and injuring two others.
Escambia County School Superintendent Keith Leonard said the directive came directly from the Navy, and Escambia County schools, including Northview, will comply.
Two ROTC programs in Escambia high schools are affiliated with other branches of service. Tate High School has an Army ROTC program, while Pensacola High School has an Air Force unit.
Leonard said the district is staying in contact with the Army and Air Force ROTC commands for any possible directives, but as of Friday evening nothing had been issued.
The superintendent noted that next week is Spring Break for Escambia schools.
Pictured: A recent NJROTC Annual Military Inspection at Northview High School. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Sunny Saturday And Sunday; Strong Sunday Night Cold Front Brings Rain
March 14, 2026
The North Escambia area will transition from a mild, sunny Saturday into a more active weather pattern. A slight chance of showers begins Sunday afternoon, leading into a much higher 80% chance of rain and thunderstorms Sunday Night as a front moves through. Temperatures will drop significantly by Monday, with breezy conditions and highs only in the mid-50s. A cold snap arrives Monday Night and Tuesday Night, bringing lows near the freezing mark and widespread frost before a gradual warming trend begins on Wednesday.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 77. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 58. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Sunday: A 20 percent chance of showers after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 79. South wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Sunday Night: A slight chance of showers before 10pm, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms between 10pm and 1am, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 1am. Low around 47. South wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Monday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 56. Breezy, with a northwest wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 32. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Tuesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 52. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tuesday Night: Widespread frost after 5am. Otherwise, mostly clear, with a low around 32. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Wednesday: Widespread frost before 8am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 62.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 41.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 72.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 49.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 79.
Northview Beats L.E.A.D. Academy, Tate Softball Slips To WFHS
March 14, 2026
BASEBALL
Northview 14, L.E.A.D. Academy 4
The Northview Chiefs defeated L.E.A.D. Academy of Pace 14-4 on Friday night in Bratt.
Mason went 3-4 for the Chiefs with three RBIs. Grayden Sheffield, Gauge Harrison, Jase Portwood, and Sam Reid had two RBIs each.
For a photo gallery, click here.
First on the mound, Portwood earned the win for the Chiefs, allowing no hits and no runs in three and two-thirds innings, walking two and striking out six.
SOFTBALL
West Florida 3, Tate 2
The West Florida Lady Jags defeated the Tate Lady Aggies 3-2 on Friday night at WFHS.
Sarah Mitchell went six innings for the Aggies, allowing two hits, three earned runs, walking four and striking out seven.
Ke’Anna Smith had one RBI for Tate as she went 1-3 at the plate. Jordyn Banks and Brelynn Morris each also had one hit for Tate.
The Lady Aggies will take off for spring break, returning with a road trip to Escambia on March 26.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
PPD Officer Arrested For Allegedly Failing To Disclose HIV Status To Partner
March 14, 2026
A Pensacola Police Department officer has been charged with allegedly having sexual intercourse with someone without informing them of his HIV status.
According to Escambia County Jail records, Pierce Avery Cotton, 32, was charged with third degree felony “crime against person — HIV infected person having sex without informing partner.” He was released Friday afternoon on a $10,000 bond.
In a brief statement released Friday afternoon, a PPD spokesperson said, “On March 13, 2026, the Pensacola Police Department arrested PPD Officer Pierce Cotton, charged with Florida State Statute 384.24(2).”
F.S. 384.24(2) states:
“It is unlawful for any person who has human immunodeficiency virus infection, when such person knows he or she is infected with this disease and when such person has been informed that he or she may communicate this disease to another person through sexual intercourse, to have sexual intercourse with any other person, unless such other person has been informed of the presence of the sexually transmissible disease and has consented to the sexual intercourse.”
PPD said Cotton is currently on administrative leave, and an Internal Affairs investigation is ongoing. The department said no further details will be released at this time.
Cotton is pictured in a February 2023 PPD photo. His mugshot is exempt from disclosure under Florida law.
Mayhem Top Ice Flyers In OT (With Gallery)
March 14, 2026
The Pensacola Ice Flyers and Macon Mayhem delivered a back-and-forth battle on St. Patrick’s Celebration Night on Friday night at the Hangar, with Macon ultimately edging Pensacola 6–5 in overtime.
The Ice Flyers came out strong in the opening period, striking twice on the power play. Cooper Jones opened the scoring for Pensacola before Zack Bross added another man-advantage goal to give the Flyers an early cushion. Macon answered late in the frame when Jake Goldowski found the back of the net, cutting the deficit to 2–1 heading into the first intermission.
The Mayhem surged in the second period as Eric Neily scored back-to-back goals to give Macon its first lead of the night. Pensacola responded in a big way, however, as Jack Suchy netted two goals of his own to swing the momentum back in the Flyers’ favor and send Pensacola into the final period with a 4–3 lead.
Macon evened things up early in the third when Conor Witherspoon tied the game. The Ice Flyers answered once again as Nicholas Aromatario restored Pensacola’s lead, but the Mayhem refused to go away. Alex Cohen scored later in the period to knot the game at 5–5 and force overtime.
Pensacola thought they had the winner early in the extra frame, but the goal was waved off by officials. Moments later, Michael Herrera found the game-winner for Macon to secure the overtime victory.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Dump Truck Left Hanging Over Escambia Bay Bridge After Tire Blowout
March 13, 2026
A blown tire sent a dump truck partially off the I-10 Escambia Bay Bridge on Friday morning, leaving part of the truck hanging over the bay.
The crash happened around 7:10 a.m. on I-10 eastbound. The Florida Highway Patrol said the “dump truck experienced a tire rupture and lost control.” It overturned and struck the wall of the bridge.
The driver, a 44-year-old man from Pensacola, was able to safely exit the vehicle. He suffered serious but non-life threatening injuries. He was transported to an area hospital.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Work Set To Begin Soon On Cantonment Winn-Dixie Conversion To New Aldi Store
March 13, 2026
Work will soon begin to convert the Winn Dixie in Cantonment into an Aldi store as the German company continues to open stores in Escambia County.
The county’s newest, and fourth, Aldi opened last week on Ninth Avenue, also from a converted Winn Dixie. A fifth store will open in the coming month at South Blue Angel Parkway, followed by Winn Dixie conversions in Cantonment and on Bayou Boulevard later this year.
A banner proclaims “This store is closing soon” outside the Cantonment Winn Dixie, while black and yellow “Store Closing Sale” signs dot the windows of the building. Inside, remaining items were clearanced, up to 98% off. (If you are curious, the greeting cards were marked down to 98% off, while most items were around 40% when we visited on Wednesday.) Most of the store was already cordoned off and empty.
An exact timetable for the Cantonment Aldi’s opening is not yet known.
Another Aldi is under five miles away in 20,000 square feet of a converted Winn Dixie on Nine Mile Road at Chemstrand Road. It opened a year ago on March 3, 2025. The new Nine Mile Aldi employed 15 people at opening, four of whom were employees at the former Winn Dixie.
Don’t Forget A Quarter. And A Bag.
Then there’s the quarter thing.
Shoppers must insert a quarter, much like a rental, for a shopping cart. When the cart is returned, the quarter is returned, eliminating the need for employees to round up buggies in the parking lot.
If you want to bag your purchases, you’ll need to bring your own reusable bags or purchase one of Aldi’s. A large reusable shopping bag is under a buck.
Why shop Aldi?
“So, I think what we say a lot of times is the price brings them in the door, and the quality brings them back,” Heather Moore, vice president of Aldi’s Loxley Division told NorthEscambia.com during the Nine Mile Road store grand opening. ”So, the first thing that customers are going to notice we’ve never been in Aldi is how inexpensive the products are. So, we are going to save them a ton of money on the stuff they buy every day. Whether it’s fresh produce or fresh meat. We get that stuff in every day.”
She said all of the products will meet or beat the national brand, backed by a double quality guarantee. About 90% of the products are private-label, Aldi exclusive brands with about one-in-three products are award winning.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Annual Walnut Hill Ruritan Farm Auction Is Saturday
March 13, 2026
The 50th Annual Walnut Hill Ruritan Club Farm Equipment Auction will be held Saturday beginning at 8:30 a.m.
The auction includes not only farm equipment, but also household items like tools and small equipment, lawn and garden items, antiques and more.
The sale will take place at the Walnut Hill Community Center, 7850 Highway 97, just north of Ernest Ward Middle School. Items will be received for auction from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. on Friday.
Ten percent of the final price will be assessed to the buyer for all lots sold, with a $500 maximum. There is a $5 minimum fee per lot. Settlement must be made the day of the sale with cash, check, cashier’s check, or credit card. All sellers will be paid by check in the mail.
Concessions will be available.
For more information or consignments, call (850) 324-3358.
Pictured: In 2025, Hundreds attended the annual Walnut Hill Ruritan Club farm equipment auction in Walnut Hill. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Beulah Middle School To Host Open Farm Day On Saturday
March 13, 2026
Beulah Middle School FFA is inviting the community to experience agriculture in action at its annual Open Farm Day on Saturday from 10 a.m. until noon.
Families are encouraged to join FFA members for a hands-on morning on the school farm. Guests will have the opportunity to walk the farm, meet a variety of animals, and shop plants in the greenhouse. The event is designed to showcase the many ways agriculture impacts our daily lives while highlighting the hard work and leadership of Beulah Middle’s FFA members.
The event is family-friendly and open to the public. Visitors should drive around the left side of the school to the back and walk across the grass to access the farm.
The family event is free. Beulah Middle School is located at 6001 West Nine Mile Road.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Court Records: Woman Fatally Shot In Escambia, Alabama, Was Pregnant
March 13, 2026
A woman fatally shot March 6 near Brewton was pregnant, according to court records.
Renotta Renee Seltzer, 46, was charged with the shooting death of 27-year-old Anasty “Anna” Brown on McGougin Road near Brewton. According to court documents, Brown was pregnant at the time of her death.
Sheriff Heath Jackson, said Seltzer confessed to murder. She remains in the Escambia County (AL) Detention Center without bond.
The Escambia County (AL) Sheriff’s Office investigation continues.