Beulah Road Resurfacing Project Concludes
July 5, 2026
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has completed a $4.4 million project to resurface Beulah Road from Mobile Highway (S.R. 10A) to Issacs Lane, in Escambia County.
Additional improvements include:
- Construction of a 6-foot sidewalk on the west side of Beulah Road from the Beulah Academy of Science to Nine Mile Road.
- Sidewalk and crosswalk improvements, including Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) upgrades.
- Improvements at the Beulah Road at Nine Mile Road intersection.
- Stormwater management enhancements.
- Utility relocations.
- Guardrail installation.
- Signalization upgrades.
- New signing and pavement markings.
Despite Home Run Barrage, Wahoos Fall To Trash Pandas On Festive Fourth
July 5, 2026
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos hit four homers, including a pair from red-hot Cam Cannarella and a dramatic go-ahead shot in the eighth inning from Fenwick Trimble, but a bullpen blow-up cost the club in a 14-8 defeat to the Rocket City Trash Pandas on Saturday night.
The Trash Pandas rewarded their sellout holiday crowd of 7,219 by rallying for eight runs in the bottom of the eighth, spoiling Pensacola’s Independence Day heroics and sending the Blue Wahoos to their fourth loss in a row.
Brandon Compton opened the scoring for the Blue Wahoos with a solo homer in the second, his third long ball in five games since joining the club on Tuesday. Cannarella launched a solo homer of his own, his seventh of the season at Double-A, in the third as the Blue Wahoos and Trash Pandas exchanged volleys in the early innings.
Trailing 4-2 in the top of the fifth, the Blue Wahoos started a two-out rally with a pair of walks before Cristian Hernández laced an RBI double down the left field line. Juan Matheus followed with a grounder that would have ended the inning if not for a throwing error from Trash Pandas third baseman Jake Munroe, scoring a pair of runs to give the Blue Wahoos a 5-4 lead.
Holt Jones relieved Blue Wahoos starter Luis Moreno, escaping a threat in the bottom of the fifth but surrendering a pair of runs in the sixth to put the Trash Pandas back in front 6-5.
Cannarella evened the score in the seventh with another opposite-field homer, his second of the night, and Trimble put the Blue Wahoos in front 8-6 in the top of the eighth with a two-run homer.
Kenyon Yovan (W, 4-2) limited the damage after Trimble’s homer, stranding two Pensacola runners on base, and Jack Sellinger (L, 1-3) was unable to protect the late lead. Out for a second inning after a quick 1-2-3 seventh, the Blue Wahoos lefty walked the first two men he faced in the eighth before giving up an RBI single to Raudi Rodriguez and a game-tying RBI double to Munroe.
Tucker Flint, who had briefly put Rocket City in front with an RBI single in the sixth, gave them the lead for good in the eighth with a two-run single off reliever Livan Reinoso. Run-scoring hits from Jake Thompson and Juan Flores followed, ultimately adding up to an eight-run inning and a 14-8 lead. Yovan returned to the mound for the top of the ninth to seal the win for the Trash Pandas.
The Blue Wahoos wrap up their series, and their two-week road trip, against the Trash Pandas on Sunday afternoon.
written by Erik Bremer
Century And Flomaton Team Up For America 250 Celebration With Flyover, Fireworks (Gallery)
July 4, 2026
Hundreds of area residents celebrated America’s 250th and the Independence Day weekend on Friday in Century.
The event, a joint celebration presented by the towns of Century and Flomaton, was held at Anthony Pleasant Park and the adjacent Showalter Park. There were food trucks, arts and crafts vendors, and fireworks after dark.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Following the national anthem, the Commemorative Air Force performed a vintage aircraft flyover featuring a Soviet-built Yak and a Beechcraft T-34.
The celebration ended with a fireworks show.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Fireworks Are Terrifying For Pets: Here Are Some Tips To Help; How To Locate Lost Pets
July 4, 2026
Fireworks can cause a great deal of stress and anxiety for some pets. Pets may display unexpected behavior while trying to escape from the loud noises, including jumping a fence to find safety, running away or “flight from fright,” destruction of yard or household items, and biting.
Tips: Fireworks And Pets
- Do not take your pet to fireworks displays.
- Do not leave your pet in the car while you watch a fireworks display. In only a matter of minutes, the heat in a car can cause serious health problems or even death. A stressed animal can cause major damage to the interior of your car.
- Keep your dog off hot asphalt or sand. These surfaces can cause severe burns to the pads of their feet.
- Never leave pets unattended outside, not even in a fenced yard or on a chain, if you are near a fireworks display or if your neighbors are lighting small fireworks. They may try to run away or become tangled up in their chain.
- Keep pets indoors. Turn on the TV or radio as a distraction and close the curtains.
- Provide a pet bed or crate in a quiet place to create a small den-like atmosphere and a sense of security.
- If you must be outside with your pet, keep the pet on a leash or in a carrier at all times.
- Make sure your pet has proper identification tags with current information in case they run away.
- If your pet often becomes stressed during periods of loud noise like thunderstorms, check with your veterinarian to see if a sedative is appropriate foryour pet.
Shelters often see an increase in lost pets after fireworks displays. If your pet runs away, post and search for lost pets at myescambia.com/animalshelter or call the Escambia County Animal Shelter at (850) 595-3075. Rember, you will need proof of ownership to claim a lost pet from the shelter. Proof of ownership can include pictures of your pet, vaccination records, identifying marks on your pet, tags and/or microchips. If your pet is at the shelter you will need your state issued identification card or driver’s’ license in order to redeem.
Free Admission To Florida State Parks For The Independence Day Weekend
July 4, 2026
Admission is free to all state parks in Florida through Sunday to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary,
Florida’s award-winning state parks offer unrivaled outdoor recreation opportunities across a vast range of landscapes, from caverns to wetlands to springs to beaches. Visitors will find activities for everyone, including hiking, camping, wildlife viewing, swimming, paddling and horseback riding. Cultural and historical resources include forts, battlefields, archaeological sites and historic landmarks.
Parks with free admonishing in Northwest Florida include Yellow River Marsh Preserve State Park in Milton, Perdido Key State Park in Escambia County, Tarkiln Bayou Preserve State Park on Bauer Road, Big Lagoon State Park, Blackwater State Park, and Blackwater Heritage Trail.
“While every July 4th is special, we recognize this Independence Day is a significant moment in our nation’s history,” said FDEP Secretary Alexis A. Lambert. “I invite all Floridians, their friends and their family to our state parks to enjoy the outdoors, make new memories and support our treasured public lands.”
Free admission applies to day-use only and excludes Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park, Skyway Fishing Pier State Park and Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. All other fees, including overnight accommodations, special events, concessions and rentals from park vendors, will remain in effect.
Pictured; Big Lagoon State Park at 12301 Gulf Beach Highway in Pensacola. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Happy Fourth Of July: Mostly Sunny And Hot Today, Great Fireworks Weather Tonight
July 4, 2026
The Fourth of July will be mostly sunny, with just a few scattered afternoon showers. Heat indices will be mostly in the 100 to 105 range this weekend then trend to higher values of 100-108 for Tuesday through Friday. Rain chances increase on Sunday with rain likely over much of the area on Monday.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Independence Day: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Sunny, with a high near 94. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 74. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Sunday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 74. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Monday: A chance of showers, then showers and thunderstorms likely after 10am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 75. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Tuesday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the morning.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 75. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Wednesday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92.
Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 76.
Thursday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91.
Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 76.
Fourth Of July: Here’s Where To Find Area Fireworks Shows And Events
July 4, 2026
Here’s a guide to public Fourth of July Fireworks shows and events in the North Escambia area on July 4.
4th Of July Extravaganza (Molino)
Crossfaith Church at 5701 Highway 29 in Molino will host a 4th of July Extravaganza on July 4, beginning at 5 p.m. Games, food trucks and family fun. Fireworks are dark. Bring a lawn chair.
Pensacola’s Fourth of July Fireworks
Celebrate Independence Day with a spectacular bang at Pensacola’s 4th of July Fireworks Show to honor America’s 250th anniversary.
Join Pensacola Young Professionals and the Greater Pensacola Chamber on Saturday, July 4, for one of the Gulf Coast’s most anticipated Independence Day celebrations. This free community event will feature local food trucks, vendors, family-friendly activities, and a breathtaking fireworks display over Pensacola Bay.
Food trucks and vendors from 5-10 p.m. with fireworks at 9 p.m. It’s free and open to the public.
Enhance your experience by tuning your handheld radio to CatCountry 98.7 FM to enjoy patriotic music synchronized with the fireworks display. Please note that digital streaming services have a delay and will not sync properly with the show. A traditional radio is required for the real-time experience.
10th Annual Symphony Sparks and Stars (Pensacola)
The 10th Annual Symphony Sparks and Stars celebration, will take place on Saturday, July 4, at the Hunter Amphitheater in downtown Pensacola.
This free community event will begin at 7:00 p.m. (gates open early) and feature a patriotic performance by the Pensacola Symphony Orchestra, followed by the spectacular fireworks display over Pensacola Bay.
Pensacola Beach Fourth of July Fireworks Show
The Pensacola Beach Fourth of July Fireworks show will take place at 9 p.m. on Saturday, July 4,. along the Pensacola Beach Boardwalk and Santa Rosa Sound.
Milton Riverfest
Celebrate at Riverfest 2026 in Milton on Saturday, July 4 at Jernigan’s Landing. Live music, food, activities, and more beginning at 4 p.m. with fireworks at 8:30 p.m.
Freedom Fest Fellowship at Ray’s Chapel (Sunday)
Ray’s Chapel Baptist Church in McDavid will host Freedom Fest Fellowship on Sunday, July 5 p.m. at the church on Bogia Road. Hot dogs, hamburgers, and a water slide for the kids. The church is located at 140 West Bogia Road in McDavid
NorthEscambia.com photo.
Are Fireworks Legal For The Fourth In Escambia County?
July 4, 2026
Are fireworks legal for the Fourth of July? The short answer is yes, but there are a few things to know.
Escambia County allows fireworks on designated holidays, including the Fourth of July. Fireworks are also allowed in Escambia County on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, which mirrors state law.
The City of Pensacola bans fireworks in the city limits except for permitted public fireworks displays. Sparklers are allowed.
Noise ordinances remain in effect for the Fourth of July, except as waived for permitted public fireworks displays.
Escambia County ordinances prohibit fireworks in county parks and recreational areas (including Pensacola Beach), except for permitted public displays.
The Town of Century does not have specific fireworks ordinances on the books, so Escambia County ordinances apply.
File image.
Two Motorcyclists Killed After Being Thrown Over I-110 Overpass In Crash
July 4, 2026
A Navarre man and woman were killed Thursday night after their motorcycle collided with a concrete barrier on I-110 near the Pensacola Bay Center, causing them to fall from the overpass.
State troopers reported that a motorcycle was traveling northbound just after 8:30 p.m. when it veered off the roadway and onto the inside shoulder, striking a concrete traffic barrier.
The impact threw both the 43-year-old male driver and the 45-year-old female passenger from the motorcycle. Both individuals fell over the edge of the overpass and were pronounced deceased at the scene by emergency personnel.
FHP confirmed that both the driver and passenger were wearing helmets at the time of the crash. Their identities have not been released.
Escambia County Offers Fireworks Safety Tips
July 4, 2026
Escambia County is offering fireworks safety tips for this Fourth of July.
The most important tip: If you spot a brush or wildfire or if someone is injured, call 911.
RELATED STORY: Are Fireworks Legal For The Fourth In Escambia County?
Fireworks and Sparkler Safety Tips from Escambia County Fire Rescue
- Only purchase state-approved sparklers from licensed vendors.
- Read and follow all warnings and instructions.
- Do not use any unwrapped item that may have been tampered with.
- Light at arm’s length and then stand back.
- Never allow children to play with or ignite fireworks.
- Never hold a lit firework item in your hand.
- Make sure other people are out of range before lighting fireworks.
- Never have any portion of your body directly over a sparkler or firework when lighting the fuse.
- Only light fireworks on a smooth, flat surface away from the house and flammable materials.
- Keep a bucket of water, sand, or a fire extinguisher handy in case of a malfunction or fire.
- If your fireworks fizzle and don’t go off, consider them duds and douse them with water. Never relight a dud.
- Discard all products safely. Submerge used sparklers and fireworks in water prior to placing in household trash bins.