Jonnie Ray Gibson Sr.
July 19, 2026
Jonnie Ray Gibson Sr., a beloved husband, brother, father, and paw-paw passed away peacefully in his home surrounded by his family on July 18, 2026 at the age of 68.
Jonnie was born October 6, 1957 in Pensacola, Florida, until he met his soulmate and moved to Molino, Florida.
Jonnie is survived by his wife, Cindy Gibson of 51 years; his brothers, Doug (Tina) and David (Tammy); his children, Mandy (Blue), Misty (Will), Ashley (Travis), and Jonnie Jr. (Shelbi). Jonnie had thirteen grandchildren, Jordan, Clayton “Pebo” (Amara), Kayleigh, Kileigh (Jordan), Mileigh, Khloe, Kaiden, Kensee, Makenzi, Daneigh, Josephine, Harlan, and Raylyn. He had four great-grandchildren, Jason, Camden, Jaxon, and Oakleigh.
Jonnie Sr. will be deeply missed and forever loved.
No services are scheduled at this time.
Quietwater Beach Boardwalk Shooting Under Investigation
July 18, 2026
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is investigating an early morning shooting that left a 22-year-old man injured on the Quietwater Beach Boardwalk on Saturday.
Deputies responded to the scene at approximately 2:46 a.m. following reports of gunfire at a private, overnight camping event hosted by The Wharf. The business had utilized its privately leased portion of the beach property to host the event, charging attendees a $100 per tent to camp overnight.
Upon arriving, law enforcement secured the area and initiated an investigation. According to authorities, initial reports indicated that the victim’s injuries were self-inflicted. Investigators noted that the victim, along with several potential witnesses at the scene, refused to cooperate with law enforcement during the initial response.
Despite the lack of cooperation, investigators conducted a thorough examination of the scene and gathered available physical evidence. Preliminary findings suggest that the 22-year-old male sustained an accidental, self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The investigation remains active as detectives continue to review area surveillance footage and follow up on additional evidence.
According to a statement released by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, “There is no indication of any ongoing threat to the public, and no suspects are being sought in connection with this incident.”
File photo.
UPDATE – Missing Man Located
July 18, 2026
UPDATE–He has been located.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is searching for missing and endangered Cantonment man has seen before daybreak on Saturday.
The sheriff’s office said 44-year-old Matthew Thomas Sanders, Sr. was last seen at 4 a.m. on Green Tree Circle in Cantonment. He was wearing a grey shirt, black shorts and slides-style shoes. He is 6-feet, 3-inches tall and 350 pounds with tattoos on his arms and legs.
He was left with a multicolored pit bull dog.
Anyone with information is asked to call the ECSO at (850) 436-9620.
Thousands Pack Beach For Air Show Dress Rehearsal; Here’s The Saturday Schedule
July 18, 2026
Thousands of people packed Pensacola Beach on Friday for the 2026 Pensacola Beach Air Show Full Dress Rehearsal.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Saturday at the2026 Pensacola Beach Air Show will feature an expanded lineup of military aircraft, historic warbirds and elite aerobatic performers July 17–18 over Pensacola Beach.
This year’s show carries special significance, honoring the 80th anniversary of the U.S. Navy Blue Angels alongside America’s 250th anniversary. The expanded lineup will feature more aircraft and performances than in previous years, with flight demonstrations beginning earlier than usual on Saturday.
“This year’s air show is shaping up to be one of the most memorable we’ve ever hosted,” said Robbie Schrock, SRIA Director of Administration. “Spectators will see more aircraft and more performances over Pensacola Beach. It’s an extraordinary way to honor these two historic milestones in a community with such deep ties to Naval Aviation.”
Returning this year, the voice of the air show is Luke Carrico, a seasoned announcer renowned for his dynamic and engaging commentary that places audiences directly in the cockpits overhead. Paul Entrekin, a retired Marine Corps aviator and former full-time air show pilot performer, will mark his 33rd year as the Air Boss over the show.
Due to the expanded schedule this year, flight demonstrations will begin earlier than usual. Lifeguards and public safety personnel will clear spectators and vessels from Gulf waters inside the marked aerobatic box at 10:35 a.m. Saturday, ahead of the opening act at 10:46 a.m. Spectators will later have a brief 20-minute water break from 1:30 to 1:50 p.m. before the Gulf is cleared again for the Blue Angels’ 2 p.m. performance.
All times are subject to change due to weather or other operational considerations:
10:46 to 10:56 a.m. — The show opens with a Red Bull Air Force flag jump set to the National Anthem and a high-energy teaser featuring Red Bull Air Force helicopter aerobatic pilot Aaron Fitzgerald, aerobatic champion Kevin Coleman in the Extra 300, and precision jumpers.
10:58 to 11:08 a.m. Saturday — Shannon Elliott will perform in the historic SNJ-5, showcasing the power and grace of the classic military trainer.
11:10 to 11:20 a.m. — The Pink Jet, a striking pink Aero Vodochody L-39 Albatros flown by Stephanie Goetz and Olga Sannikova, combines unforgettable aerial performance with a powerful message of breast cancer awareness and community outreach.
11:22 to 11:32 a.m. — Frank Kimmel will fly his rare 1949 F4U-5 Corsair, one of fewer than 24 airworthy examples remaining worldwide out of more than 12,000 built. The Corsair remains one of World War II’s most iconic aircraft.
11:34 to 11:44 a.m. — 187th Fighter Wing F-35s based at Dannelly Field in Montgomery, Ala., will showcase the F-35A Lightning II’s unmatched stealth, sensor fusion and combat capability. Known as the “Red Tails,” the wing proudly carries forward the legacy of the WWII Tuskegee Airmen.
11:46 to 11:58 a.m. — Carol Pilon with Third Strike Wingwalking will perform atop a vintage Stearman biplane, executing daring acrobatics thousands of feet above the beach in a tribute to classic barnstorming tradition.
Noon to 12:10 p.m. — RJ Gritter will fly his Bellanca Decathlon in a routine filled with crisp loops, rolls, hammerheads and smoke-trailed maneuvers that highlight technical skill and dynamic showmanship.
12:12 to 12:24 p.m. — Father-and-son duo Ken and Austin Rieder with Redline Airshows will perform in matched RV-8 aircraft with opposing passes, tight formation flying and synchronized aerobatics.
12:26 to 12:39 p.m. — Titan Aerobatic Team will fly three WWII-era AT-6 Texan aircraft in tight, precision formation maneuvers that honor the legacy of the iconic military trainer.
12:41 to 12:51 p.m. — Skip Stewart returns with his highly modified biplane, Prometheus, delivering aggressive snap rolls, vertical climbs and his signature inverted low-level pass along the beach.
12:53 to 1:18 p.m. — Red Bull Air Force returns for a featured performance combining helicopter aerobatics, Kevin Coleman’s specialized Extra 300SHP and precision skydiving from the Red Bull Air Force Jump Team led by Luke Aikins.
1:20 to 1:24 p.m. Saturday — A four-plane formation of U.S. Air Force T-6 Texan IIs will take to the skies over Pensacola Beach, showcasing the precision, power and teamwork of the Air Force’s premier pilot training aircraft.
1:26 to 1:30 p.m. Saturday only — The Veterans Flight, organized by Pensacola attorney and pilot Roy Kinsey, will serve as a moving aerial tribute honoring 101-year-old Korean War Medal of Honor recipient and legendary U.S. Navy fighter pilot Capt. Royce Williams and all World War II and Korean War veterans.
Starting at 1:30 p.m., spectators will have a very short, 20-minute window to cool off in the Gulf before the show’s grand finale. At 1:50 p.m., lifeguards and public safety personnel will begin clearing everyone from the water in anticipation of the U.S. Navy Blue Angels. Spectators are urged to cooperate immediately when asked to exit the Gulf so the air show can continue safely and on schedule.
2 to 2:45 p.m. — Closing out the show on Saturday will be the U.S. Navy Blue Angels flying in their F/A-18 Super Hornets. For 80 years, the Blue Angels have represented the highest standards of excellence, teamwork and service within the United States Navy and Marine Corps. Spectators will witness signature maneuvers including the Diamond Dirty Loop, Double Farvel, Vertical Pitch, Fleur de Lis, Opposing Knife Edge Pass and crowd-favorite Sneak Pass.
“For Pensacola Beach, hosting the Blue Angels is personal. They are our hometown heroes and a proud part of our community,” said Mike Burns, Executive Director of the Santa Rosa Island Authority. “As we celebrate their 80th anniversary and America’s 250th birthday, we’re honored to share this special tradition with visitors from across the country.”
IMPORTANT NOTE: NO DRONES OR KITES ALLOWED DURING THE AIR SHOW
NorthEscambia.com photos by Perry Doggrell, click to enlarge.
Hot And Humid Saturday, Chance Of Afternoon Rain
July 18, 2026
A hot and humid Saturday is in store for the Pensacola Beach Air Show. Rain chances will increase to 50% for Saturday and Sunday afternoons.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Saturday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Sunny, with a high near 94. Heat index values as high as 105. North wind 5 to 10 mph. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Saturday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 75. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph.
Sunday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Sunny, with a high near 94. Heat index values as high as 106. North wind around 5 mph.
Sunday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 74. Calm wind.
Monday: Showers and thunderstorms likely after 1pm. Sunny, with a high near 94. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 76. Calm wind.
Tuesday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Sunny, with a high near 95. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 77. South wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 96.
Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 77.
Thursday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 94.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 75.
No Injuries In Friday Crash At Quintette Road, Highway 95A
July 18, 2026
There were no injuries in a Friday morning crash at the Circle K at the intersection of Quintette Road and Highway 95A.
The crash involved an SUV that was pulling a utility trailer and a Ford pickup truck.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Southern Slow Down Speeding Crackdown Continues
July 18, 2026
Law enforcement agencies across five southeastern states are wrapping up a coordinated crackdown on speeding this weekend as part of a multi-state campaign aimed at reducing traffic fatalities.
Operation Southern Slow Down, now in its ninth year, concludes Saturday. The annual initiative brings together transportation and safety agencies from Florida, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, and Tennessee to flood major corridors with increased speed enforcement and public education.
In Florida, the initiative is spearheaded by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP), and local law enforcement agencies as part of the state’s “Target Zero” safety initiative. According to state data, speeding remains a factor in approximately six percent of all traffic fatalities across Florida.
Officials across the region stressed that the surge in troopers is designed to hold reckless drivers accountable and protect innocent motorists, noting that higher speeds shrink reaction windows and significantly reduce the effectiveness of vehicle safety features.
Drivers are reminded to stay out of the far-left lane except when passing, slow down ahead of curves, and allow extra travel time to avoid the temptation to speed during the final weekend of the enforcement push.
Pictured: A Florida Highway Patrol trooper conducts a traffic stop on North Century Boulevard in Century. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Former Pensacola Postal Worker Admits To Stealing Mail And Gift Cards
July 18, 2026
A former postal employee has pleaded guilty to stealing mail from an Escambia County post office.
Evan Aldric Harris, 30, of Evergreen, Alabama, pleaded guilty to the federal charge of theft of mail by a postal employee.
According to court documents, Harris was caught on video opening and removing the contents of mail he was tasked with sorting while working as an employee of the United States Postal Service at the Pensacola Processing and Delivery Center. When interviewed by law enforcement, the defendant admitted that he had opened greeting cards and stolen gift cards out of them, according to the Department of Justice.
Harris faces up to five years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and restitution when he is sentenced in September in federal court in Pensacola.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General.
Escambia County Corrections Lieutenant Graduates From Florida Senior Leadership Program
July 18, 2026
Escambia County Corrections Lieutenant Ashley Griffin recently graduated from the Florida Criminal Justice Executive Institute’s Senior Leadership Program, demonstrating her dedication to enhancing her leadership skills in the criminal justice profession.
Lt. Griffin is among 33 graduates representing 27 criminal justice agencies throughout the State of Florida to recently complete the program, which is designed to prepare Florida’s criminal justice leadership for the challenging and changing demands of the future.
Participants in the Senior Leadership Program met in Tallahassee for six week-long classes over a 10-month period, attending courses on topics such as risk management, trust-based leadership, and criminal justice futures forecasting. Class participants studied the trends and events that will continue to challenge criminal justice professionals and examined the leadership skills necessary to create and lead the changes that lie ahead.
“I’m extremely proud of Lt. Griffin for completing this program and taking the initiative to further her leadership skills,” Escambia County Chief of Corrections Rich Powell said. “This training not only benefits Escambia County Corrections, but all of the individuals we protect and serve every day. Congratulations to all of the graduates, and thank you to FDLE for offering these programs for our officers to grow within the criminal justice profession.”
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Compton Homers, But Bats Kept Quiet In Wahoos Loss To Shuckers
July 18, 2026
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos returned from the All-Star Break with a 4-2 loss to the Biloxi Shuckers on Friday night.
Brandon Compton highlighted the offense for the Blue Wahoos, hitting a solo homer in the sixth inning for his seventh home run in 12 Double-A games.
Jacob Miller (L, 1-4) took the loss for the Blue Wahoos despite making his longest start in more than a month since coming off the injured list. The righty allowed four runs in 4.2 innings while striking out five.
The Shuckers took a 1-0 lead in the second inning on a Josh Adamczewski double and Matthew Wood RBI single, and added two more in the third inning on a Jesús Made RBI groundout and Adamczewski RBI single. They scored their fourth and final run on an Andrew Fischer RBI single in the fifth inning.
Yorman Galindez lasted only two innings in his start for the Shuckers, laboring with a high pitch count. Jesús Broca (W, 2-3) came on to work a scoreless third before Travis Smith worked 4.0 effective innings of one-run relief.
The Pensacola bullpen struggled with command, but the Shuckers failed to add on in the later innings. Relievers Christian MacLeod, Livan Reinoso and Nigel Belgrave combined to walk seven Biloxi batters over 3.1 scoreless innings. Blue Wahoos catcher Ryan Ignoffo helped the cause by throwing out three Shuckers base stealers, tying a Double-A career high he previously set last August.
Though the Blue Wahoos threatened in the ninth inning with an RBI double from new arrival Ethan O’Donnell, Nick Merkel (S, 1) needed only one pitch to retire Juan Matheus on a deep flyout as the potential tying run to end the game in a 4-2 final.
The Blue Wahoos continue their series against the Shuckers on Saturday night
written by Erik Bremer