Ronald ‘Steve’ King
June 8, 2026
Ronald “Steve” King, 79, passed away peacefully on June 3, 2026 following a courageous battle with bladder cancer.
Born on June 6, 1946 in Pensacola, Florida, Steve lived a life based on a faith in the Lord that was defined by kindness, servitude, and genuine connection with others. He never met a stranger and found great joy in striking up conversations, sharing stories, and making people feel welcome. He proudly served in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Germany and Okinawa. He worked in the Cerax division at Monsanto for years. He was a dedicated member of the Scenic Hills Church of Christ.
Above all, Steve was devoted to his family. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Lola Meredith King.
In his younger years, Steve enjoyed bowling and golfing. He was also an avid sports fan and even enjoyed watching Friday night wrestling. Some of his happiest memories were spent cheering from the sidelines at his son’s many athletic events, taking pride in every accomplishment and enjoying the special bond they shared.
Those who knew Steve will remember him not only for his love of sports and conversation, but for his steadfast faith in the Lord, devoted membership to the Church of Christ and the compassion and grace he extended to others. His genuine kindness, gentle spirit, and positive outlook served as an example to all who knew him.
Though he will be deeply missed, his legacy lives on in the countless lives he touched through his friendship, generosity, and love. His family takes comfort in knowing he is reunited with his beloved wife.
Steve is survived by his son, Steve King, Jr. (Hannah); grandchildren, Audra and Owen Davis; brother-in-law, Buddy Meredith (Melinda); nieces, Donna Carter and Brigett Valier (Martin); great-niece, Raven Valier; and great-nephew, Maverick Valier.
A visitation and service will be held on Monday June 8, 2026 at Faith Chapel North. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude’s or Wounded Warriors.
The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to all who offered support, prayers, visits and kindness during his final days. A special thanks to Jerry Caine, Kathy Ellis and Steve’s other great friends that went above and beyond.
Blue Wahoos Fall 10-1 To Chattanooga In Series Finale
June 8, 2026
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos fell to the Chattanooga Lookouts by a final score of 10-1 on Sunday afternoon.
A hot start by the Lookouts (31-26) in the first inning backed by dominant pitching from starter Jose Acuna (W, 4-4) left the home side unable to catch up. Tying his season high in innings pitched, Acuna delivered 7.0 stunning frames that saw three hits and one earned run allowed while fanning six Pensacola bats.
Though the Blue Wahoos (28-29) got one back in the fifth inning, seven unanswered runs spelled disaster in the series finale. Starter Luis Moreno (L, 1-3) suffered his third loss, allowing four earned runs to cross on four hits yet setting a season high in strikeouts, collecting eight.
Chattanooga evens the series with Pensacola at 6-6 on the season after the Blue Wahoos took the first series 4-2 at Erlander Park earlier this year. The Lookouts sit atop the North division of the Southern League, while the Blue Wahoos come in at third in the South division. They are 0.5 games back of Biloxi, and 2.5 games back of first place Montgomery.
The Lookouts jumped ahead early after a strong three-run first inning. Back-to-back sacrifice flies into deep left from Cade Hunter and Ruben Ibarra scored Carlos Jorge and Jay Allen II respectively, and a solo homer over right field from Cam Collier punctuated the 3-0 start for Chattanooga.
Pensacola got a run back in the bottom of the fifth as Connor Caskenette took home on a groundout by Cam Cannarella. The Lookouts answered immediately in the top of the sixth with a Julio Carreras sacrifice fly to score Ibarra, followed by a double from Pablo Aliendo to plate Collier and extend the lead to 5-1.
A five-run ninth inning for the Lookouts would shut down any hope for a late-game comeback, exacerbated by three hit batters and two errors in the field.
After an off day Monday, the Blue Wahoos begin a six-game road series against the Columbus Clingstones, Double-A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves, on Tuesday night.
Mary Lee Frances Neal
June 8, 2026
Mary Lee Frances Neal, age 85, peacefully went home to be with her Lord and Savior on June 3, 2026, she went to meet on that beautiful shore, where her memories were made whole again.
Mary’s love and faith for the Lord shined as a lighthouse from her, to every person she met. She was a homemaker, and a nanny to kids in the community leaving her wisdom and loving nature with each kid. Her hands though wrinkled in time, were always busy crocheting, gardening, videography, and photography for her loved ones.
Mary was born to Marvin Barlow and Willie Barlow September 17, 1940, in Jay Florida. She Married her love, Homer Edgar Neal June 14, 1957, when they then built their home and started a family. Mary is leaving behind her brothers Earl Barlow, Jimmie Barlow, her children Shelby Douglas, her husband Michael Douglas, Shirley Williams, her husband Jesse Williams, Sheila Gibbs, her husband James Gibbs, Randall Neal, his wife Brandi Neal, 10 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren. Mary is being reunited with her husband Homer Neal, her Father Marvin R. Barlow, her mother Willie B. Barlow, and brother Travis Barlow.
Visitation will be Friday, June 12, 2026 from 5:00pm to 7:00pm at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North, Funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, June 13, 2026 at Faith Chapel North, 1000 S Hwy 29, Cantonment, FL. She will be laid to rest at Cottage Hill Community Center. Pastor Henry Lewis will officiate. Faith Chapel Funeral Home North, 1000 Hwy 29 S, Cantonment, FL is in charge of arrangements.
Even With Over A Foot Of Rain Last Month, We’re Still In A Drought
June 7, 2026
We are slowly getting there.
Despite well over a foot of rain across much of the area last month, most of Escambia County remains in a moderate drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. But that’s an improvement over the severe drought that was impacting much of Escambia County a month ago.
A small area of Escambia County in Florida is now officially out of the drought. The extreme northwestern part of the county, including Nokomis and Davisville, is classified officially as just being as just being abnormally dry.
The drought monitor does not measure recent rainfall; it tracks how deeply an area’s total water system has recovered from long-term deficits.
The next report will be issued on Thursday.
A Few Sunday Evening Showers; Sunshine For Monday
June 7, 2026
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 7pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Monday: Partly sunny, with a high near 87. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Monday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. Calm wind.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 89. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 71. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 90. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Wednesday Night: Clear, with a low around 71. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Thursday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 72. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Friday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 73.
Saturday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89.
Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 74.
Sunday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90.
ECSO: Hallucinating Man Fired Shots Inside His Beulah Apartment, Bullets Pierced Adjacent Unit
June 7, 2026
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said a 25-year-old man was hallucinating when he fired multiple shots inside his apartment on Saturday morning.
ECSO responded to reports of shots fired at Ascend at Pathstone Apartments on Riverstone Drive off West Nine Mile Road in Beulah
Demarian Markial Dawayne Kendrick, 25, fired his gun several times, with bullets traveling into an adjacent apartment. There was no one inside the neighboring apartment at the time, and no injuries reported.
Kendrick was charged with felony firing a deadly missile into a building, felony firing a weapon on residential property and misdemeanor criminal mischief with property damage greater than $1,000. He was booked into the Escambia County Jail without bond.
Want To Be A Firefighter? ECFR Physical Abilities Test Is June 15
June 7, 2026
Escambia County Fire Rescue will hold a physical abilities test Monday, June 15 for Florida-certified firefighters interested in joining ECFR.
The physical abilities test will take place at 8 a.m. at Pensacola Fire Department Station 4, located at 1 N. “Q” St. Participants should arrive 30 minutes early to sign in.
Those interested in the physical abilities test must apply for the Florida-certified firefighter position prior to registering for the test. Apply for the Florida-certified firefighter position at MyEscambia.com/careers. Qualified applicants will receive an email from Escambia County Human Resources with specific information and instructions for the test.
Florida-certified firefighters must be able to complete the following skills to pass the physical abilities test:
- 1 3/4″ charged hose pull in 23 seconds
- Keiser sled in 47 seconds
- Tower evolution in 5 minutes and 40 seconds
Participants must pass the physical abilities test in order to become an Escambia County Firefighter. Interviews for those who pass the test will be conducted on Tuesday, June 16.
Certified Escambia County Firefighters receive numerous benefits including competitive pay and health benefits, a 48/96 schedule, 14 paid holidays, special teams incentive pay and more.
Here Are This Week’s Road Constructions Spots To Watch
June 7, 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:
- Interstate 10 (I-10) Resurfacing from east of U.S. 29 to east of Davis Highway (State Road (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, June 7 through Thursday, June 11, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. for paving operations and roadway construction.
- S.R. 295 Resurfacing from S.R. 292 (Barrancas Avenue) to S.R. 727 (West Fairfield Drive) – The week of Monday, June 8, drivers will encounter a new configuration at the S.R. 295 at Martha Avenue intersection. The existing median crossover will be replaced with a directional median that only permits S.R. 295 northbound left turn movements to access Martha Avenue westbound. No other left turn movements will be permitted at this intersection. During median construction, drivers will be detoured via New Warrington Road, Lillian Highway, and N. 46th Avenue. Signage will be in place to guide drivers through the work zone.
- S.R. 292 (Gulf Beach Highway) from east of Bauer Road (County Road 293) to Manchester Street – The week of Sunday, June 7, 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, June 7, drivers may encounter the following construction-related traffic disruptions:
- Garden Street, between Pace Boulevard and N. 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 for stormwater drainage system reconstruction. This week, drivers may encounter a closure with detour at I Street and J 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.
- 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, June 7 through Thursday, June 11, 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 lane closures on I-10 westbound near the Nine Mile Road interchange, Sunday, June 7 through Thursday, June 11, 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, June 7 through Saturday, June 13, 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 – Drivers will encounter the following construction-related traffic disruptions:
- I-10 westbound traffic will be reduced to one travel lane and shifted south near mile marker 10, Sunday, June 7 through Thursday, June 11, between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m., for construction activities.
- Intermittent lane closures will occur on North Palafox Street between Whitehead Drive and Hope Drive for construction at the North Palafox Street overpass. Flaggers will be present to direct traffic through the work zone.
- 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:
- Intermittent lane and shoulder closures are to be expected throughout the project limits on Monday, June 8 through Friday, June 12, 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, June 8 through Friday, June 12, 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, June 7 through Saturday, June 13, from 7 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for paving operations.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Pictured: Improvements near the I-10 at Pine Forest Road interchange (Exit 7). Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Is Your Church Having VBS?
June 7, 2026
Is your North Escambia area church holding Vacation Bible School this year?
Now is the time to submit your Vacation Bible School announcements to NorthEscambia.com so that we can include them on our events page and let everyone know.
Send the information to news@northescambia.com for inclusion. This free service is intended for churches on or north of Nine Mile Road.
Register Now For Tate Cheerleaders’ Lil Aggies Summer Camp
June 7, 2026
The deadline is nearing to register for the Lil’ Aggies Summer Cheer Camp.
The camp will be held in the Tate High School Fryman Gym, July 27-29 from 8 a.m. until noon each day.
Tate cheerleaders and coaches will teach athletes proper stretch techniques, sideline cheers, chants, jump techniques, motion placements, stunting and tumbling skill building. Each day will also be filled with fun games, engaging activities, snack and drink. Each athlete will receive an exclusive Lil’ Aggies t-shirt. A parent pep rally will be held on the final day at 11 am.
Dress up days will be as follows:
Monday – Villains vs. Superheroes
Tuesday – Safari
Wednesday – Aggie Spirit Day
For a printable registration form and more information, click here.
The deadline to register ins July 13.
Pictured: The 2025 Lil Aggies Summer Cheer Camp. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
