Alex Williams’ First Win Of The Season Lifts Wahoos Above .500
May 21, 2026
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos eclipsed the .500 mark for the first time in 2026 thanks to a 6-5 victory over the Columbus Clingstones on Wednesday night.
An unconventional bottom of the second inning got the Wahoos offensive day going. Jay Beshears would start things off with a walk, followed by an Ian Lewis Jr. single and a Garret Forrester walk. With the bases loaded, Columbus starter Shay Schanaman (L, 2-3) would send a wild pitch to the backstop, allowing Beshears to score. Moments later, Schanaman would balk bringing home Lewis Jr. to make it 2-0 and advancing Forrester to third base. Gage Miller would bloop an RBI single into center soon after, bringing the score to 3-0. A 2-out Brendan Jones single would advance Miller to second and bring Cristian Hernández to the plate. Hernández would send a single into left field, scoring Miller and extending the Pensacola lead to 4-0.
The runs kept coming in the third, when Dillon Lewis would hit his team leading 10th home run of the season. Lewis is the first Wahoo in team history to hit 10 homers before the end of May. Jay Beshears would follow with his second walk of the game and eventually come around to score on a Garret Forrester run-scoring double to make the score 6-0.
Pensacola starter Alex Williams (W, 1-4) would work his best outing of the year, pitching his first 5.0 innings with nobody scoring. He would blink in the sixth when he’d hit Ambrioris Tavarez with a pitch and then immediately allow a 2-run home run to Patrick Clohisy, cutting the lead to 6-2. But Williams would maintain his composure and go on to retire the next 3 hitters to complete 6.0 innings and a quality start for his first time in 2026.
The Clingstones would continue to battle back, scoring on an RBI single from Tavarez off of Livan Reinoso in the 7th and a Jordan Groshans RBI triple off of Kade Bragg (H, 3) in the 8th to cut the lead to 6-4. Nigel Belgrave (S, 4) would come on for the save in the ninth, and Columbus would not make things easy for him. A leadoff walk to Cal Conley would come around to score on a 1-out single from Ambioris Tavarez. After a single and stolen base from Patrick Clohisy, the Clingstones had men on second and third trailing 6-5 with Lizandro Espinoza at the plate. He would proceed to rip a line drive right at the third baseman Ian Lewis Jr. who would make the catch and step on third to double off the runner and seal the victory.
With the win, the Wahoos would move to 21-20, bringing their record above .500 for the first time all season and keeping themselves in the hunt for the southern division crown.
The Blue Wahoos continue their series against the Clingstones on Thursday.
written by Charlie Hobert
James Quinn Burrus (‘Jimmy’)
May 21, 2026
James Quinn Burrus, lovingly known as “Jimmy,” was born September 25, 1958, in Pensacola to Robert and Janice Burrus. He passed away peacefully on May 12, 2026, in Pensacola after losing his hard-fought battle with cancer, surrounded by the love of his family.
Jimmy was a devoted husband, loving father, proud grandfather, faithful servant of God, and respected member of his community. He shared 45 wonderful years of marriage with the love of his life, Sylvia D. Burrus.
He was a proud graduate of Pine Forrest High School, Class of 1976. Following graduation, Jimmy answered to call to serve his country by joining the United States Army in 1977. He faithfully served for ten years and was honorably discharged in 1987 with the rank of Staff Sergeant.
After his military service, Jimmy dedicated 25 years of hard work as a warehouse manager for Haverty’s Furniture. Beyond his career, he poured his heart into mentoring and coaching youth baseball, softball, and football at Bellview Ball Park for many years. His influence on the young people in his community will not be forgotten.
Jimmy enjoyed golfing and bowling, above all else he cherished his family. The love he had for them was immeasurable and evident in everything he did. A God-fearing man who deeply loved Jesus Christ, Jimmy was a faithful member of Marcus Point Baptist Church for more than 20 years. He lived his life as a selfless servant to God, his family, and his community.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Janice Burrus; his sister, Marian Burrus; his son, James Burrus; and Grandson, Rashee Ross.
Jimmy leaves behind to cherish his memory his beloved wife, Sylvia Burrus; his children, Kristal L. Burrus, Michael A. Burrus (Sarah), and Michelle A. McCastle (John); 11 grandchildren; I great-grandchild; 5 siblings; and many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends.
His legacy of faith, love, strength, and service will continue to live on in all who knew and loved him. He will forever be our hero.
Boil Water Notice Lifted For Brookhaven Subdivision
May 20, 2026
UPDATE: THIS BOIL WATER NOTICE WAS LIFTED ON FRIDAY AFTERNOON, MAY 22.
Farm Hill Utilities has issued a precautionary boil water notice for the Brookhaven Subdivision.
This notice was issued due to a loss of water pressure.
Precautionary boil water notices are issued as a part of the standard protocol following any loss of water pressure, whether as a result of planned maintenance activities or unscheduled repairs.
Residents located in the specified area are advised that all water used for drinking, cooking, making ice, brushing teeth, or washing dishes be boiled. A rolling boil of one minute is sufficient. As an alternative, bottled water may be used.
This story will be updated when the boil water notice is lifted.
Century Approves Updated Ask For $1.2 Million To Rehab Or Rebuild Seven Homes
May 20, 2026
The Century Town Council on Tuesday approved an updated resolution seeking $1.2 million in housing grant funds.
The vote was a formality following a workshop meeting last week during which the council directed grant consultant Robin Phillips to submit an application requesting $1.2 million to rehabilitate or replace seven homes. The body had previously approved a $1 million application to the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program.
The town will agree, if the grant is awarded, to use the $1.2 million to rehabilitate or replace seven homes. In actuality, the town will strive to include more homes within the budget. If construction costs for the first seven homes come in under budget, the town can always “pull” additional applicants from their waiting list to help more families.
Current estimates for a full demolition and reconstruction are closer to $140,000 to $150,000 per unit. Additionally, the grant must cover significant “soft costs,” including $180,000 for administrative and inspection fees and roughly $30,000 for temporary relocation of residents during construction.
In 2018, the town received a similar $700,000 CDBG grant for up to 10 families. That followed $1.3 million tornado recovery housing grants in 2016.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Warm, Hit And Miss Scattered Showers
May 20, 2026
Humid conditions will linger through the rest of May as a steady pattern of daytime warming and overnight fog sets the stage for a stormy holiday weekend. Clearer mornings mid-week will gradually give way to increasing cloud cover and higher rain chances by Friday, culminating in a 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms on both Saturday and Memorial Day, with daytime highs consistently holding in the mid to upper 80s.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 4 p.m. Patchy fog before 8 a.m. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 88. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Wednesday Night: A 10 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 7 p.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 69. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Thursday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 87. Light and variable wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 71. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Friday: A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 10 a.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 85. South wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent.
Friday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Saturday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 85. Light southeast wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Sunday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 86.
Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72.
Memorial Day: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 85.
Monday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71.
Tuesday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 85.
Mooove Over: Heifer Hit By Vehicle Near Jay Corralled By SRSO, FHP
May 20, 2026
A loose heifer near Jay was struck by a vehicle while wandering in the area of Highway 87 and Neal Kennington Road.
The bovine was unfortunately struck by a vehicle during her evening stroll, but authorities report she luckily suffered only minor injuries.
To keep the cow from darting back into the roadway, Deputy Jackson of the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office stepped in and secured her to his patrol truck. With assistance from the remaining SRSO shift deputies and the Florida Highway Patrol, the heifer was safely loaded into a trailer and reunited with her owner.
The SRSO took the opportunity to remind drivers to stay alert for livestock and wildlife on rural roadways, especially during nighttime hours when animals can appear suddenly.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview Lady Chiefs Fall In Extra-Inning State Semifinal To Liberty County
May 20, 2026
The Northview Lady Chiefs hope of a softball state championship ended on Tuesday afternoon with an extra-inning Rural Division 10-8 semifinal loss to Liberty County.
The Bulldogs and Chiefs were tied at six headed into the seventh before LCHS took the eighth.
Peyton Womack led the Lady Chiefs at bat, going 3-5, and Riley Brooks went 2-4. Northview had one hit each from Kylee Langham, Daviona Rudolph, Addysen Bolen, Mikayla McAnally, and Aubrey Hadley.
Northview finished the season at 20-6.
Photos Gallery: Northview Beats Jay For Regional Title
Photo Gallery: Northview Beats Jay for District Title
Liberty County will play Trenton for the state championship on Wednesday.
It was the second-ever trip to the Final Four for the Lady Chiefs, falling to Trenton last season in the state final.
Two starters, Womack and Brooks, will graduate next week, but much of the team will return next season, looking for redemption and a third chance in the Final Four.
NorthEscambia.com photo/graphic, click to enlarge.
MILO, The Mobile ID And Licensing Office, Rescheduled For Next Week In Century
May 20, 2026
The Escambia County Tax Collector’s Mobile Identification and Licensing Office (MILO) was set to be in Century this Thursday, but the event has been rescheduled for next Wednesday, May 27, from 9:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. at the Billy G. Ward Courthouse.
MILO offers a convenient way for residents to access essential tax collector services, such as driver’s license renewals, identification cards, vehicle services, tax payments and business tax receipts.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Today: Fresh Produce on Wheels From Millie Mobile Market In Molino
May 20, 2026
The Millie Mobile Market is scheduled to be in Molino on Wednesday with a variety of fresh produce.
Millie will be at the Molino Community Center (Molino Library) at 6450 North Highway 95A from noon until 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 19. A future visit is planned for May 20.
During the Molino visits, Millie will offer a menu of fresh produce at discounted prices (see list below).
Millie travels routes throughout Feeding the Gulf Coast’s Florida service area, addressing pockets of low food access (food deserts) where supermarkets are scarce, to provide community members the opportunity to buy affordable fresh produce and other nutritious foods at a significantly discounted rate. Feeding the Gulf Coast collaborates with local farmers to purchase produce when available specifically for the Millie Mobile Market.
Only debit or credit cards (including tap-to-pay) are accepted at Millie; no cash.
Pictured: A previous Millie Mobile Market visit at the Molino Library. File photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
FDLE Arrests Escambia Man For Child Porn, Bestiality Images
May 20, 2026
he Florida Department of Law Enforcement has arrested an Escambia County man for possession of child sexual abuse materials and bestiality.
Chandler Joseph Baker, 30, was charged with a total of 24 counts of possession of child sexual abuse materials, 13 counts of possession of bestiality, one count of possession of marijuana over 30 grams, and one count of unlawful use of a two-way communication device.
The investigation began when agents received a cybertip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), reporting that an unknown user uploaded numerous files containing images depicting the sexual abuse of children. Agents traced the associated IP address to Baker’s residence on Village Lane.
On May 7, agents conducted a residential search warrant at Baker’s address and seized multiple electronic devices for forensic review. FDLE said initial review at the scene found one video file of child sexual abuse material, and three image files of bestiality. Additionally, 43 grams of marijuana and 2 grams of THC wax were found on the property.
Baker was arrested and booked in the Escambia County Jail on a $50,000 bond, then released on Saturday, May 9.
Further forensic review of the devices revealed multiple files of child sexual abuse materials and bestiality that were uploaded to the user account.
On May 14, agents conducted a second arrest warrant for Baker. He was arrested without incident and transported to the Okaloosa County Jail on no bond.
The Office of Agriculture Law Enforcement and Homeland Security Investigations assisted with the initial search warrant. The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Marshals Service assisted with the second warrant.
Baker remains in the Okaloosa County Jail without bond.
