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Free Classifieds | Obituaries |

Michael Jon Colucci

Michael Jon Colucci, 88, of Pensacola, Florida, passed away August 3, 2026. He was born in Fall River, Massachusetts on July 3, 1938 to Michael and Juliette Colucci. He was married to Adria M. Colucci for nearly 54 years. Michael served his nation in the Korean War, had a varied professional life before retiring, and having surrendered his life to His Lord Jesus Christ in 1986, he wrote the closing chapter of his life in layman’s ministry.

He served in the U. S. Army, the CIA, and retired from IBM. His service and work were all punctuated by his ministry efforts. He founded and operated Layman’s Walk Ministries focused in Cuba, served his church dutifully, and cared for his family sacrificially.

He was a member of Hillcrest Baptist Church and had a passion for Missions, supporting several missionaries and works worldwide. He loved Children’s Ministry, travel, and art, producing a large portfolio of paintings, sculptures, and literary works. Before his earthly departure, he expressed that having written his “last book,” he would commit himself to mastering music.

Michael touched countless lives and left a lasting impression, due to his being a man of tremendous character, dedication, commitment, boundless energy, exuberance, and humor. He loved bringing joy and laughter to others. These traits were all reinforced by his relationship to his Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ as seen through his commitment to his church and his sacrificial care for his family.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Fannie Brown Colucci; infant son, Michael Colucci; father, Michael Colucci; mother, Juliette Denault Colucci; stepfather, Walter Boulé; brother, Kenneth Colucci; and sister, Carol Colucci Largay.

He is survived by his wife, Adria De Armas Colucci; daughter, Juliann Colucci; son, Michael L. Colucci; daughter, Roxanne D. Colucci Carroll; granddaughters, Nataniah E. Colucci McCart, Trinity D. DeVries, Xarisia P. Colucci; grandson, Michael-Orazio A. Colucci; and granddaughter, Zaria-Milan S. Colucci.

A funeral service will be held Saturday, August 15, 2026 at Hillcrest Baptist Church, 800 East Nine Mile Road, Pensacola, Florida 32514 with Pastor Brian Barlow officiating. The service will begin at 2:00 p.m., and the family will receive friends starting at 1:00 p.m. The burial will be Tuesday, August 18, 2026, 11:00 a.m. at Barrancas National Cemetery.

Susan Elizabeth Wiscombe

Susan Elizabeth Wiscombe, 67, of Pensacola, Florida, passed away on August 5, 2026. She was born on September 17, 1958, in Pensacola, where she lived her entire life.

She attended Little Flower Catholic School and graduated from Pensacola Catholic High School in 1976.

Susan was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Lyle Wiscombe; her parents, Bruce Merritt, Sr. and Marjorie Bledsoe Merritt; and her brother, Bryan Eric Merritt.

She is survived by her daughters, Amanda (Matthew) Waite and Heather (Christopher) Schultz; her beloved grandchildren, Mason Waite, Emerson Waite, Grayson Waite, Colton Schultz, and Cooper Schultz; and her siblings, Bruce Merritt, Jr., Bert Merritt, Ginger Goldbach, and Edye Lau.

Susan dedicated many years to caring for her home and family as a stay-at-home wife and mother. She had a quick sense of humor, a determined spirit, and was never afraid to do things her own way. In later years, some of her happiest moments were spent sitting on her porch, watching the birds and enjoying the peacefulness of home.

Above all, Susan loved her grandchildren. She cherished the time she spent caring for them when they were young, and being their grandmother was one of the greatest joys of her life. They will carry with them the memories of the time they shared together and the love she had for them.

Susan will be remembered with love by her family, who will miss her deeply and hold her memory close in their hearts.

Family and friends are invited to visit with the family on Saturday, August 15, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Faith Chapel North in Cantonment, Florida. A funeral service will follow at 12:00 p.m., with interment immediately following in Cottage Hill Community Cemetery.

Early Voting Begins Today, Continues For One Week

Early voting opens today for the August 18 primary election.

Early voting will be available from 8 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. daily through August 15 at 10 locations in Escambia County:

• Molino Community Center, 6450 Highway 95A, Molino
• Escambia County Extension Services, 3740 Stefani Road, Cantonment
• Billy G. Ward Century Courthouse, 7500 N Century Blvd, Century
• UWF Center for Fine and Performing Arts, Building 82, 11000 University Parkway, Pensacola
• Bellview Library, 6425 Mobile Highway, Pensacola
• Asbury Place, 750 College Blvd, Pensacola
• Escambia County Supervisor of Elections Office, 213 Palafox Place, Second Floor, Pensacola
• Main Library, 239 Spring Street, Pensacola
• Southwest Library, 12248 Gulf Beach Highway, Pensacola
• Brownsville Community Center, 3200 W De Soto Street, Pensacola

Polls will be open on election day, Tuesday, November 3 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

NorthEscambia.com file photo.

Four Local Wounded Warriors Honored On National Purple Heart Day

The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office hosted a ceremony on Friday  to observe Purple Heart Day and recognize local service members who were wounded or killed in combat. The Purple Heart, established by General George Washington in 1782, is the nation’s oldest military decoration.

Although U.S. Senator Ashley Moody was unable to attend in person as planned, she joined via Zoom to open the ceremony and express gratitude to Sheriff Chip Simmons for hosting on her behalf. During the event, Senator Moody introduced a congressional resolution recognizing August 7 as Purple Heart Recognition Day and entered the achievements of four Floridian Purple Heart recipients into the Congressional Record.

Reflecting on the gathering, Sheriff Simmons shared, “This may be the greatest collection of heroes in one room that we’ve ever had at the Sheriff’s Office.”

Senator Moody emphasized the solemn significance of the award in her statement: “On Purple Heart Recognition Day, we honor our nation’s wounded warriors and those who have died in service of our country. No one ever serves hoping to receive this medal, it is not an honor anyone sets out to earn—it is given because an American stood his or her ground against an enemy. It’s a privilege to introduce a resolution in Congress honoring these patriots’ sacrifice, as well as spotlight four brave Floridians by including their stories in the Congressional Record.”

John Byrnes, Strategic Director for Concerned Veterans for America, added, “Concerned Veterans for America is proud to support this effort to honor the brave men and women who defended our nation and our liberty at great personal sacrifice. The Purple Heart is one of our nation’s highest honors, representing extraordinary courage and selfless service in the face of profound hardship. Designating a day to recognize those who have borne the cost of protecting our homeland is the least we can do for them.”

The four veterans distinguished with Congressional Record entries were honored as follows:

• U.S. Army Sergeant Jason Crawford & U.S. Army Staff Sergeant (Ret.) Dustin Tuller: Both served together with Company B, 3rd Battalion, 124th Infantry Regiment during Operation Iraqi Freedom. On December 23, 2003, during a combat mission in Baghdad, both were critically wounded. Despite his own severe injuries, Sergeant Crawford instructed medics to “save him [Tuller] first” upon seeing Staff Sergeant Tuller’s condition. Both men survived, continued lives of service, and maintain a close friendship over two decades later.
• U.S. Marine Corps Sergeant Peter McKanna: Served with Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines in Vietnam and volunteered for a second tour. On Christmas Day 1970, while leading Marines on a mission, Sergeant McKanna stepped on an explosive device that resulted in the loss of part of his left leg and took the lives of three fellow Marines. Following a civilian career, he has remained dedicated to serving veterans.
• U.S. Navy Commander (Ret.) Douglas Doughty: Served in Vietnam, where he was wounded by enemy shrapnel to his shoulder and lower body during intense fighting in April 1969. After returning home, Commander Doughty pursued a career in medicine while continuing his service in the Navy Reserve, later answering the call to return to duty during Operation Desert Storm.

Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Century Man Charged With DUI Property Damage In Active School Zone

A Century man is facing a criminal charge after allegedly causing a hit-and-run crash in a school zone earlier this year while driving under the influence.

According to a Florida Highway Patrol warrant affidavit, Brian Christopher Flowers was driving a 2009 Saturn Aura southbound on Mobile Highway on January 9, 2026, when he sideswiped a 2023 Lincoln Aviator in the school zone at Bellview Middle School. State troopers reported that after causing an estimated $8,000 in damage, Brian Christopher Flowers aggressively fled the scene.

An Escambia County Sheriff’s deputy spotted the vehicle swerving shortly after and initiated a traffic stop. Deputies reported finding Brian Christopher Flowers sluggish, dazed, and oblivious to his surroundings, with droopy, red-tinted eyes and a bloody mouth.

Due to his condition, paramedics transported Brian Christopher Flowers to Baptist Hospital, where he consented to a voluntary blood draw. Florida Department of Law Enforcement toxicology results later revealed the presence of active, psychoactive THC in his system. Investigators confirmed Brian Christopher Flowers did not possess a valid medical marijuana card or prescription.

Following the investigation, law enforcement charged Brian Christopher Flowers with misdemeanor DUI causing property damage and cited him for failing to maintain a single lane. The arrest warrant was recently served, and Flowers are released on a $1,000 bond. He is scheduled to be arraigned next week.

Elementary Schools Hold Orientation Across Escambia County (With Photo Gallery)

Friday was orientation for most elementary schools in Escambia County.

For a look at orientation day at Bratt and Lipscomb elementary schools, click here.

The first day of school for students in Escambia County is Wednesday, August 12.

Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Escambia Residents Encouraged To Participate In Fair Housing Survey

Escambia County, Santa Rosa County, the City of Pensacola, and the Emerald Coast Regional Council are seeking valuable input from the public about access to housing by conducting a Fair Housing Survey, which will help identify barriers and improve housing programs throughout the community.

The survey is available online now through Friday, Oct. 16, and all members of the public are encouraged to provide their feedback.

I-10 Eastbound Lanes To Shift North At Highway 29 Next Week

Next week, travel lanes on I-10 eastbound will be shifted north near the Highway 29 interchange (Exit 10). This temporary traffic configuration is anticipated to remain in place through late 2026.

Additionally, intermittent inside lane closures may occur on I-10 eastbound, between mile markers 8 and 11, Monday, August. 10 through Thursday, August. 13, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. for construction activities.

This work is part of a $236 million construction project designed to improve safety and capacity for the 62,000 drivers who travel the I-10 at U.S. 29 interchange daily. The project is scheduled for completion in 2030.

All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.

Warm Weekend, Rain More Likely On Sunday

Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:

Saturday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Sunny, with a high near 91. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph.

Saturday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 10pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 74. Calm wind.

Sunday: Showers and thunderstorms likely between 1pm and 4pm, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 4pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. Heat index values as high as 105. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 70%.

Sunday Night: A chance of thunderstorms before 7pm. Mostly clear, with a low around 74. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Monday: A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 10am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 74. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.

Tuesday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon.

Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 74. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.

Wednesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91.

Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 75.

Thursday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91.

Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 75.

Friday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92.

Pictured: Looking WNW from Highway 29 in Molino toward the remnants of an afternoon thundercloud near Barrineau Park on Friday. NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge..

Beshears’ Walk-Off Homer Caps Wild Blue Wahoos Win

A three-run walk-off bomb by Jay Beshears put the exclamation point on a 13-11 victory in 10 innings for the Pensacola Blue Wahoos over the Montgomery Biscuits on Friday night.

Down 11-10 in the bottom of the 10th inning, it was Beshears who put the nail in the coffin with his second home run of the game and 10th of the year. It was his first multi-homer game of his professional career and Pensacola’s first walk-off home run since the 2023 season, and Beshears is now the third Blue Wahoo to crank two home runs in a single game in this week’s series against the Biscuits.

The Blue Wahoos (58-48, 22-15) proved that not even an eight-run sixth inning for the Biscuits (54-52, 19-18) was too tall a task to overcome. Down to their final out in the bottom of the ninth, Cristian Hernández snapped a daunting hitless streak and breathed new life into the offense with a 411-foot home run to dead center field, tying the game at 10-10.

Brandon Compton, known for his tendency to hit balls out of the park, didn’t need to power one over the fence to score some runs this time. In the third inning, he’d bury a two-RBI triple into the corner of right field and hustled home on an overthrow to third to complete the three-run play.

The win evens the series at 2-2, though Montgomery still holds a 10-9 edge in games this season. The Biscuits stole 10 bases in the loss, tying a Southern League record set on July 21, 1972 between the Savannah Braves and Jacksonville Suns and managed once more in 1992 between the Orlando SunRays and Carolina Mudcats.

A gritty matchup from the start, the Biscuits earned an early pair of runs on some well-struck balls in the second. An RBI triple from Ryan Spikes was lost in the sun, followed immediately by a hard-hit RBI double into the left field corner from Kamren James.

Pensacola found their footing just as easily in the bottom of the frame. A Connor Caskenette double to the warning track did just the job, scoring Compton and O’Donnell to knot it at 2-2. Compton would circle the bases on his little league homer to extend the edge to 5-2 in the third, and Beshears powered his ninth home run in the fourth to bring it to 6-2.

Six unanswered runs would prove no feat for Montgomery to overcome as the visiting side went on to score eight runs in the top of the sixth. Seven hits – including a three-run homer by Xavier Isaac – coupled with two walks proved devastating for Pensacola relievers Christian Macleod and Colby Martin, as a four-run lead quickly turned into a four-run deficit, 10-6.

The Blue Wahoos got one back in the bottom of the inning as Caskenette singled and worked his way around the basepaths, scoring on a wild pitch by Montgomery’s Andrew Lindsey. The comeback kept rolling as Pensacola added two more with an Adrian Santana single in the eighth.

Hernández proved the hero, homering in the ninth to tie the game at 10-10 before Beshears took Montgomery’s Tommy McCollum (L, 3-9) deep over the left field wall in the 10th inning.

Gabe Bierman (W, 4-2) earned the win, retiring the potent bats of the Biscuits in order in the ninth and holding them to a single run in the 10th inning before the Blue Wahoos offense finished the job.

Pensacola scored their 13 runs on 12 hits, drawing five walks. Caskenette led the offense with a 4-for-5 outing at the plate, his first four-hit game of his professional career. Brendan Jones and Beshears each went 2-for-5.

The Blue Wahoos continue their series against the Montgomery Biscuits on Saturday.

written by Maddy Branning

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