Looking Back: The Local Photos And Stories From The Past Week
July 13, 2026
A man was airlifted after he was reportedly struck by a vehicle while riding an ATV crash in Walnut Hill. Authorities found the injured man in a local intersection, but the ATV was not to be found. (Story).
The final tally was in from the 9th annual Donut Strike for Manna from local first responder. The event collected enough food for nearly 48,000 meal. (Story)
Escambia County Supervisor of Elections Robert bender unveiled new vote-by-mail ballot tracking, new “I Voted” stickers, new precinct locations, and more. (Story)
Quick action by Escambia County firefighters saved a mobile home in Center after a lightning strike. (Story).
Despite strong opposition from residents, the Escambia County Planning Board approved big changes to the land use for OLF-8. (Story).
The Atmore Police Department used a drown to track down and aid in the arrest of Pensacola man that allegedly fired shots during a police chase. (Story).
The University of West Florida mourned the loss of Charles “Darrell” Gooden, a proud alumnus, local business leader, and the largest donor in the history of UWF Athletics. The under-construction UWF football stadium is named after Gooden. (Story).
A single engine plane made an emergency landing on Friday afternoon in a peanut field on the Alabama-Florida line. (Story | Gallery)
NorthEscambia.com photos and photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
These Are This Week’s Road Construction Trouble Spots
July 13, 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, July 12 through Thursday, July 16, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. for paving operations and roadway construction.
- S.R. 292 (Gulf Beach Highway) from east of Bauer Road (County Road 293) to Manchester Street – The week of Sunday, July 12, 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, July 12, 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 for stormwater drainage system reconstruction. This week, drivers may encounter a closure with detour at F Street. Signage will be in place to direct drivers through the work zone.
- On-street parking is closed on Garden Street, between A 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, July 12 through Thursday, July 16, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., for paving operations and roadway construction.
- I-10 Resurfacing from the Perdido River Bridge to west of U.S. 29 – I-10 drivers may encounter intermittent and alternating lane closures between the Perdido River Bridge and west of the U.S. 29 interchange (Exit 10), Sunday July 12 through Thursday, July 16, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., for construction activities.
- 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, July 12 through Thursday, July 16, between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m.
- Nine Mile Road will be reduced to one travel lane in each direction between the I-10 ramps, Sunday, July 12 through Saturday, July 18, between 8 p.m. and 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 may encounter intermittent inside lane closures on U.S. 29, between Diamond Dairy Road and Broad Street, Sunday, July 12 through Thursday, July 16, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., for stormwater drainage work. Additionally, drivers are reminded of the following ongoing construction-related traffic impacts:
- Intermittent lane closures on North Palafox Street between Whitehead Drive and Hope Drive. 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, July 13 through Friday, July 17, 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, July 13 through Friday, July 17, 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, July 12, through Saturday, July 18, 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.
Sunday’s Wahoos Game Suspended In The 9th, To Be Picked Up In August
July 13, 2026
The final game of the series between the Pensacola Blue Wahoos and the Montgomery Biscuits was suspended in the ninth inning due to inclement weather.
A 2-2 ballgame heading into the ninth and final inning, the Blue Wahoos hoped to pull off their third walk-off victory of the series until torrential rain engulfed Blue Wahoos Stadium with the winning run on second base.
The game will be resumed on August 4 when Montgomery returns to Pensacola for another six-game series at Blue Wahoos Stadium. Start time is set for 5 p.m. CT, prior to Tuesday’s regularly scheduled contest.
Pensacola scored their two runs on six hits, drawing six walks from the Montgomery pitching staff. Brandon Compton and Connor Caskenette each recorded 2-for-4 outings at the plate, with Compton managing his sixth home run of the season and his second in as many games.
Ian Lewis Jr. and Payton Green notched a hit each, with Lewis earning his seventh home run of the year in the seventh inning. Cam Cannarella demonstrated resilience at the plate, drawing three walks after contested at-bats.
A scoring stalemate between both sides was snapped in the bottom of the seventh by Compton, who powered a line drive over right center field to put the Blue Wahoos on the board. Just a beat later, Lewis powered his own long ball to the same side, padding the lead at 2-0.
Montgomery, in similar fashion, gathered their bearings in the eighth. Leadoff bat Ryan Spikes managed a no-doubt homer over left field to cut the deficit in half. Brayden Taylor, who put up a 4-for-4 performance for the Biscuits, hit the equalizer in the form of an RBI double to tie it at 2-2.
As it had the night before, the Blue Wahoos offense showed fight in the bottom of the ninth. Caskenette got aboard with a sharp single into right field, and his pinch runner Emaarion Boyd moved into scoring position on a sacrifice bunt by Lewis.
written by Maddy Branning
As Green stepped to the plate, heavy rain struck Blue Wahoos Stadium, forcing both sides off the field. The infield was deemed unplayable following the swell, and it was determined the game will be resumed at a later date.
The Blue Wahoos will head west for a three-game stint with the Biloxi Shuckers, the Double-A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers, starting on Friday, July 17.
Monday Is The Deadline To Register For Tate Cheerleaders’ Lil Aggies Summer Camp
July 12, 2026
Monday, July 13 is the deadline to register for the Lil’ Aggies Summer Cheer Camp.
Late registration will not be accepted; forms and payments must be submitted by the deadline.
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.
Pictured: The 2025 Lil Aggies Summer Cheer Camp. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
USPS Rate Increases Take Effect Today: Forever Stamps Rise to 82 Cents
July 12, 2026
Mailing a letter will cost a bit more starting today. The U.S. Postal Service’s planned price adjustments officially take effect Sunday, July 12, raising the price of a First-Class Mail Forever stamp from 78 cents to 82 cents.
The 4-cent increase is part of a broader 4.8 percent rise in mailing services product prices, which was approved by the Governors of the Postal Service and reviewed by the Postal Regulatory Commission.
Under the new pricing structure that goes into effect today, a standard one-ounce First-Class Mail letter increases from 78 cents to 82 cents, while a metered one-ounce letter moves from 74 cents to 78 cents. Sending a domestic postcard now costs 65 cents, up from 61 cents. International travelers and standard mailers will also see increases, as the price for both international postcards and outbound single-piece international one-ounce letters has risen from $1.70 to $1.75.
Postal customers looking for a bit of good news will find it in the additional-ounce price for single-piece letters, which remains unchanged at 29 cents.
According to the postal service, the adjustments are a response to continued rising operational costs and the severe financial crisis facing the agency. As a self-financing independent federal establishment that generally receives no tax dollars for operating expenses, the USPS relies on the sale of postage, products, and services to fund its sprawling network.
Even with the new adjustments, U.S. Postal Service officials maintain that the nation’s mailing prices remain among the most affordable in the world as the agency continues its network modernization plan ahead of its 250th year of service.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Showers And Storms Likely Through Tuesday: Heavy Rain Possible
July 12, 2026
Coverage of storms increase Sunday through Tuesday. Heavy rainfall is possible and could lead to localized flooding.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Sunday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Sunday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am, then showers likely between 1am and 4am, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 4am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 74. West wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Monday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 1pm, then showers and thunderstorms between 1pm and 4pm, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 4pm. High near 85. West wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
Monday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely before 1am, then a slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Tuesday: A chance of showers, then showers and thunderstorms likely after 10am. Partly sunny, with a high near 87. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Wednesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph in the morning.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 74. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Thursday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 74.
Friday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Sunny, with a high near 92.
Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 75.
Saturday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92.
No Serious Injuries In Highway 97 Three-Vehicle Crash
July 12, 2026
There were no serious injuries in a three-vehicle crash Saturday afternoon on Highway 97.
The crash occurred just before 2 p.m. in front of the Davisville Community Center, just north of West Highway 4, and involved a Range Rover, a Ford Bronco, and a Hyundai SUV.
One person was transported to a hospital by Escambia County EMS following the crash, that completely shut down Highway 97.
The cause of the crash is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.
The Walnut Hill Station of Escambia County Fire Rescue and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Two Fallen Oak Trees Shut Down Century Area Roads; One Leaves Hundreds Without Power
July 12, 2026
Hundreds of residents in the Gandyville and Byrneville areas spent a portion of their Saturday without air conditioning after falling trees downed power lines and disrupted traffic on Saturday afternoon.
The trouble began shortly before 1 p.m. Saturday when a large oak tree collapsed near a 90-degree curves on Killam Road, just west of Century and a short distance from Gilmore Road. The falling tree completely blocked the roadway and ripped down several utility poles and power lines.
Escambia River Electric Cooperative (EREC) initially reported that 480 members lost electricity due to the damage.
Because of downed lines and broken poles, the resulting power outage lasted for hours before utility crews could safely replace the infrastructure. The Century Station of Escambia County Fire Rescue also responded.
Meanwhile, a second tree fell within the Century town limits across Hecker Road near Jefferson Avenue. Fortunately, that tree missed nearby utility lines. Town of Century crews were deployed to clear the debris and reopen the roadway.
There were no severe storms tracking through the immediate area when the trees came down; however, strong outflow winds preceding a thunderstorm were blamed for the damage.
Pictured above and first below: A toppled oak tree on Killam Road and downed power lines on Saturday afternoon. Pictured bottom: A fallen oak tree on Hecker Road in Century. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Jay Motorcyclist Killed In Saturday Night Collision
July 12, 2026
A Jay man was killed Saturday night in a two-vehicle collision in Navarre, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
The crash occurred at approximately 8:45 p.m. near the intersection of Highway 87 and Segura Street.
According to the FHP, a 75-year-old female driver from Fort Walton Beach was operating a sport utility vehicle when it collided with a motorcycle driven by a 36-year-old man from Jay.
The 36-year-old motorcyclist suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased. FHP noted that he was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash. The driver of the sport utility vehicle was wearing a seatbelt and reported no injuries.
The exact circumstances leading up to the collision have not yet been released, and the FHP investigation is ongoing.
Florida Government Weekly Roundup: Crossing The First Amendment
July 12, 2026
Florida Weekly Roundup is a look back at last week in a Florida politics and government.
For Republicans who dominate the state, a slew of court decisions went against them this week.
Federal appeals panels rejected the position of Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration on a pair of key issues, while a Leon County circuit judge ruled against an incumbent GOP House member looking to get on the ballot, a ruling that could flip a Central Florida House seat.
RESTRICTING ‘ANTI-WOKE’ RESTRICTIONS
Keeping in place a district court’s preliminary injunction, a 2-1 decision Tuesday from the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said the state law restricting how state college and university professors can teach about race and gender violates the First Amendment.
The majority declared the law “a breathtaking assertion of power to ban unpopular ideas from public discourse in the very places the state’s own statutes recognize as centers of inquiry.”
“If the First Amendment offers any boundary of protection at all for public university classrooms, this statute crosses it,” wrote Judge Britt Grant, an appointee of President Donald Trump.
Grant was joined by Judge Charles Wilson, an appointee of President Bill Clinton.
Judge Barbara Lagoa, a Trump appointee who had previously been appointed to the Florida Supreme Court by DeSantis, argued in dissent the state had the right to restrict the speech of professors in the classroom.
“To be clear, the First Amendment protects all viewpoints in the public square, whether they are conventional or controversial. But it does not compel all viewpoints to be worthy of state-sponsored endorsement,” Lagoa wrote.
The case was brought by a set of university professors and backed by the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida.
“We are thrilled the court has stopped the erasure of topics that have real implications for our students, allowing them to learn, discuss, and develop tools for combatting the complex issue of racism in our country without being gagged by those who would dictate that only state-approved thought may be promoted,” LeRoy Pernell, a Florida A&M University College of Law professor, and one of the instructors who brought the lawsuit, stated in a release.
The ruling prevents Florida from enforcing part of the “Stop Wrongs to Our Kids and Employees (WOKE) Act” passed by the Legislature and signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis in 2022.
DeSantis pushed for the law as a bulwark against “indoctrination” in university classrooms. It bars professors from endorsing precepts of critical race theory, including eight specific tenets.
APPROVING ACCREDITATION
A separate three-judge panel from the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Monday unanimously rejected Florida’s push to throw out federal rules for accreditation agencies for public universities.
The decision upheld a 2024 lower court ruling that found the federal accreditation structure to be constitutional.
“The accreditation requirement is neither a delegation of government power nor an unascertainable condition,” Judge Andrew Brasher wrote in the ruling.
Brasher, an appointee of President Donald Trump, was joined in the decision by Judge William Pryor, an appointee of President George W. Bush, and Judge Nancy Abudu, who was appointed by President Joe Biden.
DeSantis’ administration brought the lawsuit in 2023, arguing Congress had unconstitutionally delegated unchecked authority to private accreditation agencies.
“We reject the idea that a totally unaccountable, unappointed, unelected accrediting agency can trump what the state of Florida is doing,” DeSantis said at the time.
DeSantis has pushed to get Florida’s public universities out from the accrediting eye of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, or SACS.
In 2025 DeSantis announced Florida would set up a new accrediting body, in collaboration with other states, to review universities to ensure their quality.
Among his critiques of SACS, DeSantis alleges it insisted on incorporating diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs in schools. He’s also alleged that accrediting agencies aren’t accountable to the government.
A POSSIBLE FLIP
Rep. Paula Stark’s move to be placed on the ballot to retain her House District 47 seat was rejected by a Leon County court Wednesday.
The St. Cloud Republican’s application to qualify for the ballot was rejected for the lack of a financial disclosure form, which her campaign treasurer, Joel Davis, said was submitted to Division of Election officials before the noon June 12 deadline.
Second Judicial Circuit Judge Joshua Hawkes instead accepted the testimony of five state Division of Elections officials working in the hour before the deadline that if they had received the paperwork, it would have been stamped.
“They all testified consistently that after 11:30 (a.m.), the clerks no longer performed any check of the papers,” Hawkes wrote. “Instead, they just received, stamped, and later, if time allowed, handed copies of the stamped forms back as courtesy copies. The streamlined, no-review, process was to ensure those that wanted to qualify could before the noon deadline.”
Hawkes gave Stark seven days to file evidence showing why her petition shouldn’t be dismissed, but otherwise his order leaves her off the ballot for the district that is mostly in Osceola County and includes a sliver of Orange County.
Democrats Jorge Figueroa of Kissimmee and Anthony Nieves of St. Cloud were the only candidates to qualify for the contest when the filer period ended on June 12. If Stark is unable to get on the ballot — mail ballots have already started to be distributed — the Aug. 18 primary would be open to all voters of the district.
STORY OF THE WEEK:
A federal appeals court ruled that Gov. Ron DeSantis’ “Stop WOKE Act” restrictions on state university and college instruction violate the First Amendment.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK:
“This was not on my bingo card.” — State Rep. Dotie Joseph acknowledging her late entry into the Democratic gubernatorial primary was spurred by Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings dropping out for health reasons on the eve of the qualifying period.
by Jim, The News Service of Florida