Patronis Wins Primary, Will Face Valimont In November
August 19, 2026
U.S. House District 1 incumbent Jimmy Patronis won the GOP primary on Tuesday to head to the general election.
Patronis received 71.14% of the vote, easily defeating challengers John Frankman (19.51%) and Douglas Chico (9.35%).
Patronis will face Democrat Gay Valimont in November.
Meet The Ernest Ward Middle School ‘A Team’
August 19, 2026
The Ernest Ward Middle School “A Team” gathered for a group photo on Tuesday morning to celebrate the school’s ‘A’ grade.
The teachers and staff wore matching “A School” t-shirts, sponsored by David’s Catfish in Atmore.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Tate Aggies Sweep Escambia Tuesday
August 19, 2026
The Tate High School Aggies made quick work of their road trip Tuesday evening, cruising to a decisive 3-0 straight-set victory over the Escambia High School Gators.
Tate set the tone early in the opening set, controlling the net and capitalizing on service runs to build an insurmountable lead, closing out the frame 25-6.
The momentum carried seamlessly into the second set, where the Aggies delivered their most dominant stretch of the night. Strong defense and relentless attacking kept the Gators out of system, resulting in a swift 25-4 set win.
Escambia showed some fight in the third set, putting together a few rallies to reach nine points, but Tate’s offense remained too efficient to slow down. The Aggies sealed the sweep with a 25-9 victory to finish the match.
Next up, the Aggies will travel to Navarre on Thursday.
District 2 Escambia Commissioner Kohler Wins Republican Primary
August 19, 2026
Incumber Escambia County Commissioner Mike Kohler won the Republican primary on Tuesday.
Escambia Commissioner District 2
- Mike Kohler 62.26% ✅
- Glenn Dorsey 37.74%
In November, Kohler will face Democratic challenger Mathious Robinson.
Wahoos, Smokies Suspended by Rain
August 19, 2026
Tuesday’s series opener between the Pensacola Blue Wahoos and Knoxville Smokies was suspended due to rain with the Smokies leading 9-0 in the top of the second inning.
The Smokies scored nine runs in the top of the first inning, and the game was halted with a runner at first and no outs in the top of the second.
After waiting approximately an hour, the game was suspended. It will be picked up Wednesday at 4:05 p.m, and the regularly scheduled game will follow approximately 30 minutes after its conclusion. In accordance with MLB’s rules and regulations, the second game will be shortened to seven innings.
Fans with tickets to Wednesday’s game will have admittance to both games in the seat listed on their ticket. Fans with tickets to Tuesday’s suspended game can exchange them for any remaining regular season game, subject to availability. Each ticket must be exchanged at the Pensacola Blue Wahoos Ticket Office for a ticket of equal or lesser value. Exchanges must be made in person and cannot be processed via telephone, e-mail or fax.
Dangerous Heat Index Values With Afternoon Storm Chances Through Friday
August 19, 2026
Dangerously hot conditions and typical late-summer storm chances will dominate the North Escambia area over the next few days, with heat index values expected to peak between 106 and 110 degrees through Thursday before storm chances slightly ease heading into the weekend.
A heat advisory is in effect for Wednesday.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
This Afternoon: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly sunny, with a high near 95. Heat index values as high as 110. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming southwest. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 75. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
Thursday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 94. Heat index values as high as 106. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the afternoon.
Thursday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 10pm. Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming clear, with a low around 75. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Friday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Sunny, with a high near 94. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph.
Friday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 74. Calm wind.
Saturday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. Calm wind.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 94. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 74.
Monday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Sunny, with a high near 93.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 74.
Tuesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 94.
Homeless Woman Wanted for Attempted Homicide After Cantonment Shed Shooting
August 18, 2026
A homeless woman is wanted for attempted homicide after a Sunday night shooting in Cantonment, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
The incident occurred shortly after 9 p.m. at a residence on Woodbury Place, off Woodbury Circle.
According to the ECSO, the homeowner had allowed the woman to stay in a shed on his property. Sunday night, while standing outside, the woman fired a gun through the closed shed door, striking the man while he was inside. She then fled the scene.
Deputies searched the area using patrol units, a drone, and a K-9 team, but were unable to locate her.
The victim refused medical treatment from Escambia County EMS.
Deputies said the woman will face an attempted homicide charge. Her identity has not yet been released.
FDLE Arrests McDavid ManOn Multiple Felony Child Sexual Abuse Material Charges
August 18, 2026
State authorities arrested a McDavid man on multiple felony child sexual exploitation charges on Monday
James Thomas McDuffie, 49, was booked into the Escambia County Jail on multiple Florida Department of Law Enforcement charges including two counts of creating, producing, or possessing computer-generated or altered child sexual abuse material, 20 counts of possessing, promoting, or distributing child sexual abuse material or child pornography, and using a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony.
He was booked into the Escambia County Jail at noon on Monday. He remained in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $301,000.
Complete details on the charges and allegations against McDuffie were not immediately available on Monday.
This story will be updates as more details are released.
It’s Primary Election Day: Here’s What You Need To Know
August 18, 2026
Today, August 18, is primary election day in Escambia County.
“Voting earlier is better,” Escambia County Supervisor of Elections Robert Bender said. “The influx usually grows through the day and tapers off toward evening.”
NorthEscambia.com will have election results tonight on our Facebook page, beginning after polls close at 7 p.m. We will also have complete local and state results on our website and social media channels on Wednesday morning.
Here are the need-to-know tips for voting today in Escambia County:
- Polls are open 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. Anyone in line by 7 p.m. will be allowed to vote.
- Check your registration status: escambiavotes.gov/am-i-registered , soe@escambiavotes.gov, or (850) 595-3900.
- Photo and signature ID required for all voters. If you do not present an approved ID, you may vote a provisional ballot.
- Make only one selection per contest on your ballot.
- You can view your sample ballot online at EscambiaVotes.gov/sample-ballots.
- Study and mark your sample ballot and bring it with you to the polls.
- You may not return your voted absentee ballot to your precinct on Election Day. It must be received in the Elections Office by 7 p.m. Election Day.
- If you requested a vote-by-mail ballot but chose not to return it and wish to vote at your polling place instead, bring your ballot with you so it can be canceled.
- Registration books closed on July 20th – new registrations for this election may not be made at the polls.
- Early voting ended August 15th. If you have not yet voted or did not request an absentee ballot, you must go to your designated precinct on Election Day.
File photo.
Updated: School Street In Jay Closure Extended Through Friday For Well Repairs
August 18, 2026
An ongoing road closure at a key intersection in Jay has been extended through the end of the week to allow crews to complete municipal utility work.
The intersection of School Street at Alabama Street (Highway 89) will now remain closed through Friday, August 21, at 5 p.m. The closure originally began on Wednesday, August 12, to allow the Town of Jay to repair a water well located at the intersection.
School Street is closed from Highway 89 extending approximately 200 feet to the west.
Motorists will not be able to turn from Alabama Street onto School Street while work is underway. Drivers needing to access School Street are instructed to detour using Spring Street.
Residents with questions or seeking additional information can contact the Town of Jay directly at (850) 675-4556.