Northview Varsity And JV Defeat Jay (With Gallery)
April 17, 2026
Northview 7, Jay 2
Mikayla McAnally earned the win for Northview in seven innings, giving up three hits and two unearned runs while striking out seven and walking none. Samford took the loss for Jay in seven, surrendering six hits and seven runs (five earned), walking six and striking out two.
McAnally led at the plate, going 2-4. Burkette and Stuckey each had two RBIs.
Up next, Northview will host Niceville on Monday.
For JV action photos, click here.
Northview 15, Jay 6 (JV)
The Northview junior varsity defeated the Jay Royals 15-6 on Thursday afternoon in Jay.
Katie Jones went 3-3 for Northview at bat to lead the Chiefs. Brooklynn Allen, Natalia Morales, Kiley Webb, and Brooklynn Bowen each added one hit for Northview.
Allen was in the circle for two innings for Northview, giving up two hits and three runs (two earned) while striking out five and walking two. Sophia Ikner went for one inning, surrendering one hit and three runs (one earned), walking one and striking out three.
For Jay, Henie Macht took the loss in seven, allowing seven hits and 15 runs, striking out one and walking five.
Raegan Land, Macht, and Caroline McLellan each had one hit for the JV Royals.
Photos by Mary Land for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Wildness Costs Wahoos in 10-9 Loss to Smokies
April 17, 2026
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos saw a big early lead slip away late on Thursday night, falling 10-9 to the Knoxville Smokies.
Protecting an 8-2 advantage, the Blue Wahoos surrendered six runs in the eighth inning on six walks, a catcher’s interference call, a sacrifice fly, and an infield single. After retaking the lead in the bottom of the eighth, the Pensacola bullpen again surrendered two runs with two outs in the ninth for a heartbreaking defeat.
Playing for the first time this season as the Pensacola Mullets, the Blue Wahoos got their longest start of the campaign from Orlando Ortiz-Mayr. The veteran righty became the first Pensacola pitcher to complete 5.0 innings in 2026, scattering four hits and striking out four.
Knoxville struck first in the second inning, as Edgar Alvarez launched a solo homer before Carter Trice and Andy Garriola hit back-to-back doubles.
The Blue Wahoos answered back in the bottom half of the inning, as Dylan Jasso lined an RBI single to center field off starter Nick Dean (L, 1-1) and Garret Forrester launched a two-run homer, his first at the Double-A level, to take a 3-2 lead.
The Blue Wahoos added on against reliever Erian Rodriguez in the fifth, racking up five runs thanks to three hits, two walks, and a throwing error. Fenwick Trimble hit an RBI single, Brendan Jones laced a two-run triple, and Cristian Hernández drove in a pair when his chopper back to Rodriguez was thrown away down the right field line.
Staked to an 8-2 lead, Blue Wahoos reliever Kade Bragg contributed 2.0 scoreless innings of relief before the wheels fell off in the eighth. Colby Martin struggled to find the strike zone in his season debut, issuing three walks and allowing a batter to reach on catcher’s interference before departing. Samuel Vásquez fared little better, walking two more batters before departing with an apparent injury. Justin King entered with the bases loaded and no outs protecting an 8-5 lead, surrendering a sacrifice fly, infield single and RBI groundout before escaping the nightmare inning with an 8-8 tie game.
The six walks issued in the inning marked a franchise record for the Blue Wahoos dating back to 2012.
Trimble and Jones hit back-to-back doubles in the bottom of the eighth against Tyler Ras (W, 1-0) to put Pensacola in front again 9-8. Nigel Belgrave (L, 0-2) came on for the save, but issued a pair of singles before Alex Ramirez laced a two-out, two-strike, two-run single to center field on the ninth pitch of his at-bat to put Knoxville ahead 10-9.
Michael Snyder drew a leadoff walk against Vince Reilly (S, 1), but pinch-runner Emaarion Boyd was caught stealing second and Forrester struck out swinging to end the game.
The Blue Wahoos continue their series against the Smokies on Friday.
written by Erik Bremer
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Mary Graham Haas
April 17, 2026
Mary Graham Haas passed away on April 16, 2026 at 100 years and five months of age.
Born November 15, 1925 to Walker A. Graham and Nancy Lula Graham in Mt. Olive, Alabama, she later became a longtime resident of Cantonment, Florida where she had a career in nursing.
Mary was a faithful member of St. Jude’s Catholic Church of Cantonment, as well as an active member of the Pensacola Quilter Guild. Among her enjoyments were sewing, crocheting, knitting, and the delight of sharing fresh blueberries with her families and friends.
She is preceded in death by her loving husband, William Haas.
Mary is survived by her nieces and nephews, Faye Abbs, Margie Wolfe, Jerry Graham, Linda Morris, Tommy (Liz) Graham, Cheryl Booker, Peggy (Chuck) Folmar, Wayne Baldwin, James (Brenda) Graham, Nancy Davis, and Alfred Graham; her granddaughter, Janet Cavallaro; her great-nieces; her great-nephews; and her friends and neighbors.
A funeral service will be held at 11: 00 a.m. Wednesday, April 22, 2026 at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North with Bishop Holley officiating. Burial will follow in Spruell Cemetery.
The family will receive friends at 10:00 a.m. prior to service.
Janice Carolyn Smith
April 17, 2026
Janice Carolyn Smith, 94, of Molino, Florida, passed away on April 13, 2026. She was born in Andalusia, Alabama on May 26, 1931 to Ray Gardner and Lois Wood Gardner. She was married to Julian Smith for 42 years. Mrs. Smith spent her time working as a mail carrier for the United States Postal Service and was a member of Little Flock Primitive Baptist Church. She was passionate about traveling, drawing, and singing with the Grace Notes Musical Group.
Janice was preceded in death by her parents, Ray and Lois Gardner; husband, Julian Smith; brothers, Wayne and James Gardner; sons, Byron and Mitchell Smith; granddaughter, Dawn Smith; grandson, Jessie Smith; and great-grandson, Johnny Funkhouser.
She is survived by her daughters, Judy Smith Dean and Lisa Smith Harman; 11 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; 9 great-great-grandchildren; 7 great-great-great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, and other family members.
Two Highway 29 Crosswalks Coming To Century Following Fatalities, Injuries
April 16, 2026
There have been numerous pedestrians struck and killed or seriously injured on North Century Boulevard (Highway 29) in the town of Century over the last several years. And now, the Florida Department of Transportation is planning safety improvements that will include two new crosswalks on the busy roadway by next year.
The Florida Department of Transportation will put a federally-funded safety improvement project out for bid in October, with construction expected to begin in early 2027, Ian Satter, FDOT spokesperson, said.
The first crosswalk will be located on North Century Boulevard (Highway 29) north of Bradley Street, at the Century Food Mart — the exact spot where a man using a walker while crossing was hit in late March. The second will be about half a mile away between West Highway 4 and Pond Street.
Both crosswalks will include a concrete divider in the median, signage and handicap accessibility features. According to construction documents, pedestrians will press a button to activate the crosswalk and flashing lights, which will require North Century Boulevard traffic to stop. There will be an island, a “safe zone” in the median where pedestrians may pause.
Warm Into The Weekend, Then A Sunday Cold Front Cool Down
April 16, 2026
The North Escambia area is looking at a warm and generally pleasant stretch of weather as we head into the weekend. Highs will hover in the mid-80s through Friday under mostly sunny skies, though early morning commuters should be wary of patchy fog through Saturday morning. A slight shift arrives late Saturday night into Sunday as a weak front brings a small chance of showers and noticeably cooler, breezier conditions to wrap up the weekend.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Thursday: Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 83. Light southeast wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
Thursday Night: Patchy fog after 1am. Otherwise, mostly clear, with a low around 61. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light in the evening.
Friday: Areas of fog before 9am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 86. Light southwest wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon.
Friday Night: Patchy fog after 1am. Otherwise, partly cloudy, with a low around 60. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light in the evening.
Saturday: Patchy fog before 10am. Otherwise, partly sunny, with a high near 84. Light south wind becoming southwest 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 59. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming northwest after midnight.
Sunday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 73. North wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 51. North wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 77.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 55.
Tuesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 77.
Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 57.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 80.
Worship And Witness: Fields Of Faith Held At Northview High School
April 16, 2026
A large crowd attended the Northview High School Fellowship of Christian Athletes Fields of Faith service Wednesday evening in the school’s Tommy Weaver Memorial Stadium.
“This is what needs to be happening in our world,” Pastor Ted Bridges of Walnut Hill Baptist Church told those gathered for the worship service. “It is for us to take out into a lost and dying world.”
The event included praise and worship music and concluded with people forming a prayer circle on the Northview football field. There was also an Easter Egg hunt for the children in attendance.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Fields of Faith is a national student-led initiative. “Students invite, pray for, share with, and challenge their peers to read the Bible and follow Jesus Christ. An athletic field provides a neutral, rally point where a community can come together,” according to national organizers.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Tate High Army JROTC Earns Historic Honors At State Competition
April 16, 2026
Tate High School’s Army JROTC program achieved historic success at the Sixth Brigade Florida State Drill Team and Color Guard Competition in Orlando this past weekend. Competing against roughly 120 of the state’s top programs, the Aggie cadets secured two prestigious third-place finishes.
Tate High School’s honors included:
- 3rd Place – Female Platoon Regulation
- 3rd Place – Female Squad Unarmed Regulation
Led by Army Instructors Major Hill and Master Sergeant Kyser, the program continues its mission of developing leadership, citizenship, and personal responsibility.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Free Supplies And Resources: North Escambia Baby Shower Is Saturday In Century
April 16, 2026
The Escambia County Healthy Start Coalition and the Florida Department of Health in Escambia County are partnering with various family support organizations to host the third North Escambia Baby Shower in Century on Saturday.
The event is designed to connect families who are pregnant, newly postpartum, or have children ages 0 to 3 with essential resources, supplies, and education to support their health and wellness.
The North Escambia Baby Shower will be held inside the Century Community Center (Ag Building) from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Saturday.
Organizers said, “More than ever, families struggle to access community resources and connections that can aid their journey through parenthood. The North Escambia Baby Shower will help provide much-needed baby items in addition to resources from the vendors present. Caregivers will have the opportunity to learn the basics of keeping themselves and their babies healthy.”
Registration is not required for the event, which is first-come, first-served while supplies last.
Editor’s note: The North Escambia Baby Shower is not affiliated with NorthEscambia.com.
ECSO K-9 Sadie Retires After Five Years Of Service
April 16, 2026
After five years of faithful service, Escambia County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Sadie has retired.
Throughout her years of service, Sadie was a loyal partner, a protector, and a vital part of the ECSO. Her work has made a lasting impact in keeping our community safe.
Sheriff Chip Simmons had the honor of presenting Sadie with a well-deserved retirement cake to celebrate her career and dedication.
“When asked about her plans for retirement… Sadie made it clear: soaking up the sun and taking plenty of well-earned naps,” the ECSO said.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
