Santa Rosa Man Charged With DUI Manslaughter After Fatal Pickup Truck Crash
July 16, 2026
A Milton man was charged with DUI manslaughter following a severe single-vehicle crash early Wednesday morning that claimed the life of a 17-year-old passenger in Santa Rosa County.
The incident occurred on July 15, 2026, at approximately 1:46 A.M. on Munson Highway.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, 22-year-old Dylan Shane Barnhill of Milton was operating a 2009 Chevrolet pickup truck southbound when the vehicle traveled off the roadway onto the west shoulder. The truck reentered the road and continued south before running off the west shoulder a second time.
Troopers report the pickup then began rotating in a counterclockwise direction, crossing both the north and southbound lanes before exiting the roadway onto the east shoulder. The right side of the vehicle collided with a tree, causing the truck to counter-rotate and strike a second tree.
The force of the impact detached the front right door of the pickup, ejecting the 17-year-old passenger. The teen was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Barnhill was transported to Baptist Hospital in Pensacola. Further investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol determined he was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash.
Following a DUI investigation, Barnhill was booked into the Santa Rosa County Jail on a charge of DUI manslaughter.
FHP indicated that additional charges are pending as the investigation continues.
Daytime Heat; Scattered Weekend Showers
July 16, 2026
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 10pm. Mostly clear, with a low around 75. West wind around 5 mph.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 94. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 75. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Saturday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Sunny, with a high near 92. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 75. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph after midnight.
Sunday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
Sunday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 75. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Monday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 94.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 76.
Tuesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Sunny, with a high near 95.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 77.
Wednesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Sunny, with a high near 95.
Registration Deadline Friday For Tate High ‘Under The Lights’ Youth Football Camp
July 16, 2026
The deadline to register for the upcoming Tate High School “Under the Lights” Youth Football Camp is this Friday, July 17.
The camp will take place on Monday, July 20 and Tuesday, July 21 from 6:30 until 8:30 p.m. each evening. It is open to young athletes in kindergarten through eighth grade.
Participants will have the unique opportunity to hit the field and learn directly from current Tate Aggie players and coaching staff, participating in the same drills the high school team uses.
Registration includes a camp T-shirt. To secure your player’s spot before the Friday deadline, you can sign up through the online registration form.
Hurricane Center Gives Gulf Area A 20% Chance Of Development
July 15, 2026
The National Hurricane Center has identified an area in the Gulf that has a low chance of tropical development over the next week.
“An area of low pressure is expected to form during the weekend over the northeastern Gulf of America. Subsequent slow development of this system is possible while it moves slowly northeastward over the northeastern Gulf and/or near the southeastern coast of the United States by early next week,” the NHC said in a Wednesday morning advisory.
The NHC put the chance of formation near 0% over the next 48 hours and 20% over the next seven days. The development may be in the Gulf off the coast of the Big Bend of Florida or after it crosses Florida into the Atlantic.
If the tropical system should reach storm status, it would be named Bertha and likely be just a rain event, according to current models.
The general area and potential track does not include Northwest Florida at this time.
One Person Injured In Three Vehicle Crash On Highway 29 In Molino
July 15, 2026
One person was injured in a three-vehicle crash Wednesday morning in Molino.
The crash happened about 6:40 a.m. at the intersection of Highway 29 and Highway 196. The crash involved a passenger car, a pickup truck that rolled over in the intersection, and a Dodge 3500 truck pulling a trailer load of hay.
One person from the overturned pickup truck was transported to an area hospital by Escambia County EMS.
The cause of the crash, which temporarily closed southbound Highway 29, is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and the Molino Station of Escambia County Fire Rescue responded.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Century Council Spends Over an Hour Debating Resident Over Water Bill
July 15, 2026
The Century Town Council limits public forum speakers to three minutes, but spent well over an hour on Tuesday night in a back and forth with a local resident about her water bill.
Senecca Bright, a resident of Alger Road, approached the council about rising utility bills, which she attributed to multiple faulty water meters, including a one-month bill for $644.13.
The $644 bill was easily explained, according to Town Clerk Carrie Moore. She said it was a simple billing error that added an extra zero to the gallons used. She said the bill had already been adjusted down to actual usage of under $100. That bill, like all Century utility bills, included not only water usage, but also sewage and garbage collection. And those rates were increased across the board earlier this year..
Moore (pictured left) held up a 41-page report showing hour-by-hour water usage at Bright’s residence that, she said, showed an ongoing leak or water usage. She said Bright’s total bills have been around $200 for the past several months, with only about $50 of that for water.
After Bright received a new meter during a town-wide replacement project, the town replaced her meter with new meters twice after her complaints, the clerk said.
Moore characterized Bright as having been “nasty and despicable” in wanting her money back, not a bill credit for any incorrect amounts. Meanwhile, Bright attacked Moore’s character numerous times, saying that she was a liar, that she was extremely rude, and that she threatened to call the police. Moore said she finally stopped dealing with Bright, referring her to another staff member when she started calling six to seven times a day “screaming”. Bright also said Town Manager Dave Murzin was rude and did not follow through on promises to correct her bill.
Bright claimed that she never had a leak and had recently had someone “professional” make that determination.
“I can tell you with certainty that water went through that meter,” Moore said. “State law requires you (referring to the town) to pay for the water you pump.”
As the conversation passed the one hour mark, council member John Bass said, “We have no proof of the amount you were overcharged; there is no way the town can know this is what happened.”
“I don’t see where the town actually made a mistake,” he added.
The council took no formal action on the bill.
NorthEscmbia.com photos, click to enlarge.
One Injured In Oak Grove Rollover Crash
July 15, 2026
One person was injured in a single-vehicle rollover Tuesday night in Oak Grove.
The 21-year-old male driver claimed he hit a deer before his Chevrolet sedan traveled off the roadway and overturned. He was transported by Escambia County EMS to West Florida Hospital with minor injuries.
The crash happened around 9:40 p.m. on North Highway 99 just south of Eubanks Road, just over a half mile from Highway 97.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating. The Walnut Hill Station of Escambia County Fire also responded.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Baldwin Deputies Seek Woman Missing Since 2022 With Possible Escambia County Connection
July 15, 2026
The Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office is turning to the public for assistance as investigators breathe new life into a 2022 cold case involving a missing and endangered Alabama woman.
Taylor Elizabeth Gipson, 32, was reported missing in July 2022. According to authorities, she was last known to be living in the Lillian, Alabama area, but investigators believe she may have subsequently traveled into Escambia County, Florida.
Gipson is described as being approximately 4 feet, 11 inches tall and weighing around 120 pounds. She has multiple distinct scars on her face and neck. BCSO that Gipson suffers from a cognitive brain injury that is unrelated to her disappearance. The injury severely affects her judgment and behavior, making her highly vulnerable.
Because of her cognitive disability, authorities have classified her as a missing and endangered person. Investigators also noted that she has been known to use false names in the past and has ties to the homeless community.
As the search continues across state lines, the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office emphasizes that even the smallest detail could be the break investigators need to solve the case.
Have You Seen Her?
Anyone who has any information regarding the whereabouts of Taylor Elizabeth Gipson, or who may have seen her in Baldwin County or Escambia County, Florida, is strongly encouraged to contact Cold Case Investigator Cadenhead at (251) 972-8589 (Option 7) or (251) 937-0202.
Tossed Stanley Cup Leads To Arrest For Cocaine Trafficking, Weapon
July 15, 2026
An Escambia County man is facing multiple charges after deputies saw him tossing a Stanley cup and rummaging around in his vehicle.
Tristan Salter was charged with trafficking cocaine, concealing a firearm during the commission of a felony, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was booked into the Escambia County Jail without bond.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said deputies were investigating a separate case on Smiley Avenue when they observed him throwing a Stanley cup across a fence into a neighbor’s yard before reaching around in the backseat of his vehicle.
When deputies searched the vehicle and the Stanley cup, they reported finding a firearm, 104 grams of cocaine, 507 grams of marijuana, and drug paraphernalia.
Smiley Drive is located a few blocks south of East Nine Mile Road and the John R. Jones Athletic Park.
Temperatures Rise As Rain Chances Fall
July 15, 2026
Summer heat is firmly in place across the North Escambia area, with temperatures steadily climbing through the remainder of the work week. While clear and sunny conditions will dominate the next three days, residents should prepare for the return of potential pop-up thunderstorms heading into the weekend.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. Light west wind increasing to 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 73. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 92. West wind around 5 mph.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 75. West wind around 5 mph.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 93. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 75. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph after midnight.
Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Sunny, with a high near 93. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 75. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph after midnight.
Sunday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91.
Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 75.
Monday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Sunny, with a high near 95.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 76.
Tuesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Sunny, with a high near 95.