ECSO: Walnut Hill Man Charged After Tossing Meth During Traffic Stop
May 4, 2026
A Walnut Hill man was arrested after allegedly throwing meth from a vehicle during a traffic stop.
Anthony Michael Williams, 53, was charged with felony possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine) without a prescription, felony tampering with evidence, driving while license suspended, and failing to register a motor vehicle. He was also issued a citation for the open container. Williams was was later released from the Escambia County Jail on a $6,500 bond.
An Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputy observed a blue Honda Odyssey with no tag traveling on Nokomis Road.
When the deputy activated their lights and sirens, he witnessed the driver throw a bag of white powder out of the window as he came to a stop in a driveway on Nokomis Road, about a quarter mile east of Highway 97, according to an arrest report.
Williams was detained after deputies recovered a bag, which contained 0.7 grams of a white powdery substance that tested positive for methamphetamine
Investigators also located two open containers of alcohol in the vehicle’s cupholder.
A records check revealed Williams’ license had been suspended since May 2022 and the vehicle was not registered.
State Fire Marshal Continues Investigation Into Fatal Cantonment House Fire
May 4, 2026
The cause of an early April fire that claimed one life in Cantonment remains under investigation.
The fire was reported just after 8 p.m. April 6 on Arena Road, about a quarter of a mile west of County Road 97.
The house was involved with heavy fire when firefighters arrived a few moments later, and the adult victim was located inside the brick home. There was no one else inside, but a dog and a cat were also found deceased.
The Florida State Fire Marshal’s Office on Friday told NorthEscambia.com that the investigation is continuing.
For additional photos, click to enlarge.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Ernest Ward Middle Inducts New Honor Society Members
May 4, 2026
New members were inducted last Friday into the National Junior Honor Society during a ceremony at Ernest Ward Middle School.
The NJHS is the nation’s premier organization established to recognize outstanding middle school students. More than just an honor roll, NJHS serves to honor those students who have demonstrated excellence in the areas of scholarship, leadership, service, citizenship and character.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Week Starts Warm and Sunny, Rainy Shift Later
May 4, 2026
The upcoming days will feature warm, mostly sunny conditions before a mid-week shift toward unsettled weather. Highs will climb from the low 80s on Monday and Tuesday into the mid-80s by Wednesday. However, a cold front approaching on Thursday will bring a high chance of showers and thunderstorms, followed by a slight cooling trend and lingering rain chances through the weekend.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 80. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 52. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 81. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph.
Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 86. South wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Wednesday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69. South wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Thursday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. High near 79. West wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent.
Thursday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 57. North wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent.
Friday: A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 74.
Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 60.
Saturday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 79.
Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 63.
Sunday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 83.
Northview’s Season Ends In Regional Semifinals
May 4, 2026
Northview was at bat, down 9-7 in the bottom of the seventh with the bases loaded with one out. Everybody in the dugout was up and loud. A standing-room only Chiefs family cheered. There wasn’t a cloud in the blue skies over Bratt on a beautiful Sunday afternoon for baseball. A regional championship for the Chiefs seemed like a very real possibility.
Everything was perfect.
Until it wasn’t.
A groundball up the middle and one, two…a double play by the Chipley Tigers earned them a 2-1 series win and a Rural Region 1 semifinal win.
“It hurts.”
That’s how first-year Northview Chiefs head coach Justin Raley reacted to Sunday’s 9-7 loss to the Chipley Tigers.
“It hurts because you know how much it means to the seniors, to everybody that’s a part of this program. It hurts. I know what it’s like to win it, and I know how it feels to lose it, and it hurts so bad,” he said. “Especially when you know you had a chance. Oh yeah, so many chances, and we just kind of left it out there.”
Friday rain had forced two games on Saturday in the regional semifinals, with Chipley taking the first game 10-3 in a best-of-three series, and Northview powering back with a big 16-8 win in the nightcap.
Chipley held a 5-2 lead in the top of the third on Sunday, but the Chiefs battled back before Chipley took the lead 9-6 in the top of the seventh.
Bryant Mason went 2-5 to lead the Chiefs in hits on Sunday, while Grayden Sheffield, Dane King, Grayson Burns and Cole Davis each added one hit.
Portwood went four innings on the hill for NHS, allowing five hits, five runs (four earned), striking out three and walking six. Jackson Bridges went for three innings, surrendering four hits and four runs (one earned), striking out five and walking three.
For a photo gallery, click to enlarge.
“Guys, I’m proud of you,” Raley, who last year was an assistant coach at Jay, told the team after the game. He pointed out the team was 19-10, and had beat Jay three times, including once to claim the district championship.
“It was a great year and we did so many great things with this group of guys. They changed some stuff around here, and I’m proud of them,” he said, already looking forward to next season.
“We’ve got a lot of good guys coming back, a lot of guys that are going to return and do good things,” Raley said. “There’s a good chance we can be back in the same spot next year, if we do what we are supposed to do.”
Chipley will now travel to Holmes County for the Rural Region 1 final on May 8-9.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
First Responders Sunday Honors Local Heroes and Their Families
May 4, 2026
The annual First Responders Sunday was held on Sunday at Marcus Pointe Baptist Church to honor the brave men and women who serve Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. The event was a day of gratitude and celebration for all firefighters, law enforcement officers, EMTs, paramedics, dispatchers, and their families.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Escambia County Fire Rescue, Escambia County EMS, Pensacola Police Department, and the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office were among the participants.
Escambia County officials, including District 1 Commissioner Steve Stroberger, District 3 Commissioner Lumon May, District 4 Commissioner Ashlee Hofberger, and Administrator Wes Moreno, attended.
The day’s event included activities and programs for children, family portraits, a free meal, and an exclusive Marcus Pointe pocket knife to commemorate the day.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Here Are This Weeks Road Construction Slow Down Spots
May 4, 2026
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.
Escambia County:
- State Road (S.R.) 99 (Beulah Road) Resurfacing from Mobile Highway (S.R. 10A) to Isaacs Road – Drivers may encounter intermittent lane closures on Beulah Road, from Mobile Highway to Isaacs Road, Sunday, May 3 through Thursday, May 7, between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m., for concrete flatwork and striping operations.
- Interstate 10 (I-10) Resurfacing from east of U.S. 29 to east of Davis Highway (S.R. 291) – Drivers on I-10 may encounter intermittent lane closures, traffic shifts and periodic ramp closures, between mile markers 11 and 14, Sunday, May 3 through Thursday, May 7, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. for paving operations and roadway construction.
- S.R. 296 (Brent Lane/Bayou Boulevard) Resurfacing from Davis Highway (S.R. 291) to Baisden Road – Drivers may encounter the following traffic disruptions, Sunday, May 3 through Thursday, May 7, between 8 p.m. and 5:30 a.m., for paving operations and placement of thermoplastic striping:
- Intermittent lane closures on Brent Lane/Bayou Boulevard, from Davis Highway to Baisden Road.
- On-street parking closures on Bayou Boulevard, between 12th Avenue and Baisden Road.
- S.R. 292 (Gulf Beach Highway) from east of Bauer Road (County Road (C.R.) 293) to Manchester Street – The week of Sunday, May 3, drivers may encounter intermittent lane closures on S.R. 292, from east of Bauer Road to Manchester Street, between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m., for construction activities. Additionally, a new traffic configuration has been implemented on S.R. 292 between Mills Avenue and just east of Patton Drive, with travel lanes shifted to the outside of the roadway to provide space to construct a median traffic separator. Channelizing devices are in place to delineate the work zone. The speed limit has been reduced to 35 mph through the work zone.
- Business U.S. 98 (Garden Street) Construction from Pace Boulevard to the Interstate 110 (I- 110) ramp – The week of Sunday, May 3, drivers may encounter the following construction-related traffic disruptions:
- Garden Street, between Pace Boulevard and North Donelson Street, is reduced to two travel lanes (one in each direction) as crews perform construction activities on the north side of the street. This temporary traffic configuration will be in place through late 2026.
- Temporary side street closures north of Garden Street, from B Street to E Street, for ECUA sanitary sewer upgrades. This week, drivers may encounter a closure with detour at C Street and D Street. Signage will be in place to direct drivers through the work zone.
- On-street parking is closed on Garden Street, between B Street and L Street.
- Interstate 110 (I-110) Resurfacing from I-10 to U.S. 98 – Drivers on I-110 may encounter intermittent lane closures, traffic shifts and periodic ramp closures, between I-10 and U.S. 98, Sunday, May 3 through Thursday, May 7, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., for paving operations and roadway construction.
- I-10 at Nine Mile Road Interchange (Exit 5) Construction – Drivers will encounter the following construction-related traffic disruptions:
- Intermittent outside lane closures on I-10 westbound near the Nine Mile Road interchange, Sunday, May 3 through Thursday, May 7, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.
- Nine Mile Road will be reduced to one travel lane in each direction between the I-10 ramps, Sunday, May 3 through Friday, May 8, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Law enforcement will be on site, and directional signage will be in place to guide drivers through the work zone.
- Temporary reconfiguration of the I-10 westbound ramps, which will remain in place through mid-2026
- I-10 at U.S. 29 Interchange (Exit 10) Construction – The week of Sunday, May 3, drivers will encounter the following construction-related traffic disruptions:
- I-10 is reduced to two travel lanes in each direction between U.S. 29 and I-110.
- I-10 travel lanes are shifted away from the median area of the roadway, near the U.S. 29 interchange.
- The U.S. 29 southbound access to the I-10 eastbound on-ramp has been reduced.
- The U.S. 29 northbound ramp to I-10 eastbound is closed. U.S. 29 northbound drivers are being detoured to make a U-turn at Broad Street onto U.S. 29 southbound to access I-10 eastbound.
- S.R. 97 (Atmore Highway) Resurfacing from U.S. 29 to the Alabama State Line – Motorists will encounter the following traffic impacts:
- North and southbound drivers will encounter a temporary traffic shift to one lane at S.R. 97 and S.R. 95.
- Intermittent lane and shoulder closures are to be expected throughout the project limits on Monday, May 4, through Friday, May 8, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. for median improvements.
- Lane closures are to be expected at S.R. 95 and S.R. 97 on Monday, May 4, through Friday, May 8, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. for median improvements.
Santa Rosa County:
- U.S. 98 Widening from Bayshore Road to Portside Drive – Motorists will encounter the following traffic impacts:
- Median and turn lane closures from Bayshore Road to Tiger Lake Drive.
- Intermittent lane closures and additional median closures between Bayshore Road and Tiger Lake Drive, Sunday, May 3 through Friday, May 8, from 7 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for paving operations.
- U.S. 90 Resurfacing from Escambia River Bridge to east of Woodbine Road (C.R. 197A) – Drivers may encounter intermittent lane closures on U.S. 90, from Escambia River Bridge to Woodbine Road, Sunday, May 3 through Thursday, May 7, between 7 p.m. and 5:30 a.m., for guardrail installation. Additionally, the speed limit has been reduced to 45 mph through the work zone.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Pictured: Culvert work in the intersection of Highway 29 at Highway 97 in Molino. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Florida Gas Prices Rise 40 Cents, Set New Four-Year High
May 4, 2026
Florida gas prices surged 40 cents per gallon last week, going from $3.94 gallon on Monday to $4.34 gallon on Sunday, according to AAA. Sunday’s state average is the highest daily average price since July 2022.
In Escambia County, the average price per gallon was the lowest in the state at $3.96, up from $3.67 one week ago, $3.89 a month ago and $2.80 a year ago.
In North Escambia on Sunday, drivers could find a low price of $3.85 at stations on Highway 29 in Cantonment, or a high of $4.15 in Century
“Big gains in oil and gasoline futures contributed to the jump at the pump last week,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman for AAA – The Auto Club Group. “The ongoing Iranian conflict and uncertainty tied to the closure of the Straight of Hormuz is keeping upward pressure on fuel prices with no clear indication of letting up.”
A 13% increase in crude oil prices and a 46-cent gain in gasoline futures triggered the latest round of rising gas prices. Based on additional moves in the futures market, another price hike could be on the way, but not quite as dramatic as a week ago. Last week, U.S. crude oil prices rose another 8%, while gasoline futures gained 13 cents.
Since the Iranian conflict, Florida’s average price rose $1.46 per gallon, going from $2.88 per gallon to $4.34/g. That adds $22 to the cost for an average-sized tank of gas.
Pictred: A gallon of regular unleaded gas $3.89 on Saturday in Cantonment. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Wahoos Win Fifth In A Row As Manager Prada Reaches Milestone In Style
May 4, 2026
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos won their fifth game in a row on Sunday afternoon, beating the Biloxi Shuckers 9-4 and securing manager Nelson Prada’s 800th career victory.
Cristian Hernández launched his first home run of the season, a two-run shot in the bottom of the fifth inning, with Prada’s help. After umpires initially ruled the drive foul down the left field line, Prada successfully lobbied the crew to overturn the call in what proved to be the biggest momentum swing of the afternoon.
For the fifth game in a row, the Shuckers jumped ahead early in the top of the first inning as Damon Keith hit a two-run homer against Pensacola lefty Luis Palacios. It was the third home run of the series for Keith, and second in as many days.
The Blue Wahoos got a run back in the bottom of the first when Ryan Ignoffo grounded out with the bases loaded, but the Shuckers answered in turn in the top of the third when Jesús Made lined a solo home run off the left field foul pole.
Trailing 3-1, the Blue Wahoos chipped away with a Fenwick Trimble RBI single in the third and Gage Miller RBI double in the fourth to tie the game. After Stephen Jones and Mason Vinyard (W, 1-0) each contributed a scoreless inning of relief, Jay Beshears put Pensacola in front 4-3 in the bottom of the fifth with an RBI double against Shuckers reliever Anthony Flores (L, 2-1). Hernández followed with a liner headed down the left field line into Pensacola Bay, initially ruled foul but overturned for a two-run homer and a 6-3 lead.
Another Biloxi homer, a solo shot from Darrien Miller in the top of the seventh, drew the score to 6-4. The Blue Wahoos added on insurance in their half of the inning, as Brendan Jones tripled, Ignoffo hit a sacrifice fly, Beshears hit a solo home run and Miller hit his second RBI double of the game. Gabe Bierman closed out the 9-4 win with a scoreless ninth inning.
The Blue Wahoos pulled into a tie for second place in the South Division standings, only 1.0 game behind first-place Montgomery.
written by Erik Bremer
Thaddeus Marion Morris
May 4, 2026
Thaddeus Marion Morris, 46, of Cantonment, Florida, passed away on April 29, 2026.
Born on December 25, 1979, in Dayton, Ohio, Thaddeus lived a life defined by service, leadership, and devotion to his family. He proudly served his country in the United States Navy for 23 years as a Cryptologic Technician (Collection) (CTR). Enlisting as an E-3, he rose through the ranks through determination, technical excellence, and exceptional leadership, ultimately achieving the rank of Master Chief Petty Officer.
Thaddeus’ distinguished naval career spanned the globe and multiple critical commands. He began his service at Naval Security Group Activity, Rota, Spain from 1999 to 2001. He then served at Navy Information Operations Command San Diego, supporting Naval Special Warfare from 2001 to 2006. From 2006 to 2010, he was assigned to the Center for Information Dominance Detachment at Corry Station in Pensacola, Florida.
He went on to serve as a proud plank owner aboard the USS Spruance (DDG-111) from 2010 to 2014, helping bring the ship to life and establish its operational foundation. He later completed a key assignment at Navy Information Operations Command Pensacola from 2014 to 2017, followed by service at the Center for Information Warfare Training (CIWT) in Pensacola from 2017 to 2020.
His leadership culminated in his role as Senior Enlisted Leader at Naval Information Operations Command Pensacola (NIOC Pensacola), where he mentored countless Sailors and shaped the next generation of Information Warfare professionals. He was widely respected for his steady leadership, deep technical knowledge, and genuine care for those under his charge.
Beyond his military accomplishments, Thaddeus had a passion for golf, fishing, woodworking, home improvement projects, and technology. He was known for his ability to build, fix, and improve anything he touched, and for always being willing to lend a hand.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Kimberly Seedorf; his father, Earnest Morris; and his grandmother, Maxine Morris.
Thaddeus is survived by his loving wife, Kristie Morris; his two beautiful sons, Bryson Morris (3) and Jayce Morris (7 months); his sisters, Tarra Crompton (Ryan) and Jennifer Tydingco (Dan); and his stepmother, Linda Morris.
Thaddeus will be remembered as a devoted husband, proud father, and respected leader whose legacy of service, strength, and integrity will live on in all who knew him.
Fair winds and following seas, Master Chief. Your watch has ended, but your impact will endure.