Scattered Showers Wednesday; Likely Rain Thursday And Friday
August 26, 2026
Shower and thunderstorm chances will steadily increase in coverage each afternoon through Friday, when the rain chance reaches 90%. Storms will be capable of producing strong to locally damaging wind gusts, heavy rain, and frequent lightning.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Wednesday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Sunny, with a high near 93. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph.
Wednesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 4am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. Calm wind.
Thursday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 1pm. High near 90. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
Thursday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 10pm, then showers likely between 10pm and 1am, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Friday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. High near 88. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
Friday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. Calm wind.
Saturday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 88. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph.
Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers after 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. Calm wind.
Sunday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 88.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 72.
Monday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 72.
Tuesday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91.
Cantonment Felon Pleads Guilty To Federal Gun Charges
August 26, 2026
A Cantonment felon has pleaded guilty in federal court to federal weapons charges.
Jesse Allen Hudson, 43, entered the guilty plea to one count of possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon and one count of possession of an unregistered firearm.
Hudson faces up to 15 years in prison when he is sentenced in November before U.S. District Judge T. Kent Wetherell II.
The charges stem from an incident in January 2026, when the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to a domestic disturbance on Winston Street in Cantonment. A victim reported that a rifle and pistol had been removed from the residence.
According to an arrest report, deputies discovered a loaded AR-style magazine and an empty magazine on the ground near the back door, next to a pile of Hudson’s clothing. A subsequent search of the property turned up a loaded AR-style rifle with a round chambered, hidden inside a white laundry basket in a black trailer parked near the garage. Deputies also recovered a third loaded magazine from a laundry basket in the living room.
Hudson was previously convicted in Florida of felony battery in 2012.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Thomas S.P. Geeker.
Bryon Donalds Picks Bryan Avila As Running Mate
August 26, 2026
U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds, the Republican nominee for governor, tapped state Sen. Bryan Avila of Miami as his running mate, who would become lieutenant governor if they win the general election in November.
Avila, 42, was elected to the House in 2014 and served eight years there before moving to the Senate in 2022. He was born in Hialeah and went to the University of Miami and later received masters degrees in criminal justice and public administration from Florida International University.
Donalds highlighted Avila’s background as the son of immigrants from Cuba who fled the communist government, and compared it with his Democratic opponent, former U.S. Rep. David Jolly, who will share a ticket with U.S. Senate Democratic nominee Angie Nixon a member of the Democratic Socialists of America.
Jolly picked former U.S. Rep. Gwen Graham as his running mate, and both have rejected the “socialist” label but Donalds and Republicans are connecting them to Nixon and the broader push from socialists around the country that has seen DSA-backed candidates win Democratic primaries in Michigan and New York.
“David Jolly and Gwen Graham answer to the Democratic Socialists of America; we answer to the people of Florida,” Donalds said at an event in the Freedom Tower in Miami, a building honored by Cuban immigrants for its role in processing refugees. “In this critical fight I wanted a proven warrior to fight beside me.”
Avila is also a captain in the Florida National Guard and serves as dean of the School of Criminal Justice at Doral College, a private school that opened in 2012. As of the fall of 2024 it had 559 students.
“My parents fled communist Cuba and left behind their home and their business because they knew what happens when government takes over, when freedom despairs and when socialism turns an opportunity into misery,” Avila said.
Donalds and Avila also emphasized his record in the Legislature, including sponsoring a bill this year (SB 484) to put some restrictions on large data centers.
The new law, pushed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, requires technology companies building the behemoths that use more energy than typical centers and are central to the burgeoning artificial intelligence industry to pay for their share of the energy consumption rather than spreading it out among ratepayers.
During the GOP primary, Donalds was hit by his opponents for taking money from tech companies and largely favoring the construction of data centers.
Avila stressed the importance of driving down prices and especially the cost of owning a home for young Floridians, whom he addressed directly in his speech.
“I know you’re concerned about when you’ll be able to purchase your first home,” Avila said. “We hear you and we will fight for you.”
Concerns about the cost of living have heightened, though, among voters, as the Iran war drags on, gas prices remain high, inflation still elevates grocery prices and housing and insurance costs remain exorbitant in Florida.
In reaction, Jolly hinted he’ll highlight Donalds’ connection with President Donald Trump during the next 70 days before the general election Nov. 3.
“I congratulate former State Sen. Bryan Avila on his selection as the Republican Lieutenant Governor nominee. I wish him well,” Jolly posted on X. “But, let’s be honest: this race won’t come down to Byron Donalds’ relationship with Avila, it will come down to Byron’s relationship with Donald Trump.”
by Gray Rohrer, The News Service of Florida
Deputies Search For Fleeing Domestic Disturbance Suspect In Cantonment
August 26, 2026
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to a reported shots-fired domestic disturbance shortly after 8:15 p.m. Tuesday in Cantonment. ECSO deputies responded to Green Tree Circle, off Jacks Branch Road near Muscogee Road.
Deputies said the suspect fled on foot as deputies were giving commands. A search followed, involving numerous deputies, K-9 units and a drone. As of just before 10 p.m., deputies said the search was still ongoing.
Deputies were not able to confirm that a gun was involved in the incident.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Operation Statewide Shield Recovers Eight Missing Children In Escambia County, 163 Statewide
August 26, 2026
Eight missing children have been safely located and recovered in Escambia County as part of Operation Statewide Shield, a massive multi-agency effort that rescued a total of 163 children across Florida and beyond.
The five-day operation, announced by Attorney General James Uthmeier and Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) Commissioner Mark Glass, marks the first state-led statewide child recovery initiative and stands as one of the largest child-recovery operations in American history.
The multi-disciplinary task force focused on identifying, locating, and recovering missing youth under the age of 18 using real-time intelligence and coordinated field operations. The recovered children ranged in age from just 2 months old to 17 years old, with many having experienced various levels of abuse, neglect, exploitation, or exposure to criminal activity.
“Many of these kids have been victimized by those who prey on the most vulnerable,” Attorney General Uthmeier said. “Thanks to the outstanding work of FDLE, the Office of Statewide Prosecution, and our state and local partners, these children are now safe and receiving the care they deserve. Florida will continue leading the recovery of missing children, hunting down every predator, and prosecuting abusers to the fullest extent of the law.”
In addition to the eight recoveries in Escambia County, the task force located 46 children in the Tampa Bay region, 41 in Miami, 32 in Jacksonville, 21 in Orlando, 12 in Fort Myers, and three in the Tallahassee area. Coordinated leads also extended far beyond Florida’s borders, resulting in locations and recoveries across six states, one U.S. territory, and 12 countries.
“Operation Statewide Shield demonstrates the power of collaboration and the unwavering commitment shared by all participating agencies and organizations to achieve a singular mission: find our kids and bring them home,” FDLE Commissioner Glass said.
Following recovery, local law enforcement safely transported children requiring assistance to designated hubs. There, child welfare professionals, medical providers, victim advocates, and social services delivered immediate care before the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) and the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) managed custody transfers.
All case details were logged into the Missing Endangered Persons Information Clearinghouse (MEPIC) to ensure formal case closures. The Attorney General’s Office of Statewide Prosecution and the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office provided legal counsel throughout the initiative and are taking on three felony cases generated during the sweep.
Wahoos Win 5th Straight Behind Matheus’ 4-RBI Night
August 26, 2026
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos won a back and forth game against the Montgomery Biscuits to open up their final road trip of the season.
With two men on and one down in the top of the first, Brandon Compton stepped into the batter’s box with a 14 game hit streak. When he left the batter’s box, he had a 15 game hit streak and the Wahoos had a 3-0 lead. Compton saw one pitch from Biscuits starter Jackson Baumeister (L, 4-5) and crushed it over the right field wall for his 20th blast with the Wahoos and 31st blast of his minor league season.
This early lead gave Jacob Miller, making his first start since July 24th, some wiggle room and a little time to find his footing. Unfortunately, his defense would not offer him the same wiggle room. After allowing a leadoff double to Mac Horvath, Cooper Kinney hit a groundball to second that Cristian Hernández bobbled and then threw past Dylan Jasso to the dugout, allowing Horvath to score. A couple productive groundouts later, Kinney touched home and it was suddenly 3-2.
The lead would not make it past the second inning, as Mac Horvath knocked an RBI single into right field, scoring JT Arruda and knotting the game up. The Biscuits kept adding in the third when Theo Gillen stole second base. Ryan Ignoffo’s throw trickled into center field, and allowed Gillen to score all the way from first. The Wahoos’ 3-0 lead seemed to have vanished into thin air as Montgomery stormed ahead 4-3.
In the top of the fifth, Pensacola loaded the bases without the benefit of a hit. The first three batters reached on an error, walk, and hit by pitch. Juan Matheus followed those at bats with a single down the right field line, plating two and returning the lead to the Blue Wahoos at 5-4. But Mathesu wasn’t done. After Aiva Arquette led off the seventh with a single, Matheus drove a ball out of the yard to left field, his 9th bomb of the year, and extended the Wahoo lead to 7-4.
Miller got through 2.0 innings in his first start of the IL, and after him, Gabe Bierman (W, 6-2) and Holt Jones ate up the following 5.1 innings without allowing a run to cross. Jack Sellinger took over with one out in the 8th and, after surrendering a double, was struck by a line drive that resulted in an out. After a visit from the athletic trainer, Sellinger was pulled from the game and replaced by Nigel Belgrave (S, 9) with two outs and a man on third. An 0-2 wild pitch allowed the runner to score from third, but Belgrave secured the K to send his team to the 9th up 7-5.
After completing his last four save opportunities, Tuesday night was no different for Nigel. It wasn’t easy though, with the Biscuits scoring on a wild pitch and getting the tying run all the way to third. But Belgrave got it done, getting Cooper Kinney to line out to center, finalizing the game at 7-6.
The Wahoos improved to 70-50 overall and 34-17 in the second half while the Biscuits fell to 62-59 and 27-25. Pensacola is the first Southern League team to reach 70 wins, and their magic number is down to just 12 games.
The Blue Wahoos continue their series with Montgomery on Wednesday night.
written by Charlie Hobert
Wilma Walker Gibson
August 26, 2026
Wilma Walker Gibson was born September 4, 1933, and passed away on August 23, 2026. She was 92 years old.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Clarence and Louise Walker; by her first husband, Edward Baker, who died tragically in a car accident; her second husband, Gladen Gibson; her brother, James (Sonny) Walker; and a grandson, Michael Baker.
She is survived by one sister, Janis O’Farrell; five children and their spouses: Randy Baker (Judy), John Gibson (Janet), Bryan Gibson (Lynn); Laura Gibson, and Melanie Hinds (Marc).
She also survived by 10 grandchildren: Somer Bridges, Valerie Brock, Amanda Smith, Jesse Gibson, Jake Gibson, Kyle Gibson, Alli Roberts, Leah Binder, John Marc Hinds, Ginny Hinds; and 21 great grandchildren: Luke Bridges, Jackson Bridges, Mason Brock, Lyla Brock, Lincoln Brock, Bryant Smith, Sutton Smith, Tiffany Smith, Harper Smith, Walker Gibson, Lilly Gibson, Grace Gibson, Emma Gibson, Jett Gibson, Kyla Gibson, May Roberts, Harvey Roberts, Chapel Roberts, Bennett Binder, Jacob Hinds, and Viki Hinds.
We could also add to this number many special nieces and nephews that survive her.
She was a long-time faithful member of the Oak Grove Church of Christ in Oak Grove, FL, and in more recent years, the Jones Road Church of Christ in Athens, AL, and the Prattmont Church of Christ in Prattville, Alabama.
Funeral Services will be held on Friday, August 28, 2026, at 2:15 p.m. at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel with Billy Randolph, who works with the Fourth Street Church of Christ in Cullman, AL, officiating. Interment will follow at Oak Grove Cemetery in Oak Grove, FL.
Visitation will be held on Friday, August 28, 2026, from 1:00 p.m. until service time at 2:15 p.m. at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be Jake Eskew, Philip McKee, Luke Bridges, Jackson Bridges, Mason Brock, Bryant Smith, Sutton Smith, and Jesse Gibson.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Showers And Thunderstorm Again This Afternoon, Hot And Humid
August 25, 2026
Scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms can be expected each afternoon this week. Storms will be capable of producing gusty winds, heavy rain, and frequent lightning. Hot conditions continue, with heat indices topping out at around 102-107 degrees each day.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tuesday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. Heat index values as high as 105. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 73. Calm wind.
Wednesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely between 1pm and 4pm, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 4pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. Heat index values as high as 106. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Wednesday Night: A chance of thunderstorms before 7pm, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Thursday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 1pm. High near 90. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Thursday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. Calm wind.
Friday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 89. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. Calm wind.
Saturday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 72.
Sunday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 72.
Monday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Sunny, with a high near 92.
Century Teen Accused In Fatal Showalter Park Shooting Will Be Tried As Adult, Arrest Report Reveals New Details
August 25, 2026
A 16-year-old Century teen charged with first-degree murder for a deadly shooting at Showalter Park will be tried as an adult, authorities confirmed Monday.
Assistant State Attorney Greg Marcille said Keyunta Iveon Ewing of Mayo Street will be transferred to adult court, with formal charges to be determined at that time. A timetable for the court transfer is not yet known.
Ewing, known locally as “Baby K,” surrendered to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office on Friday night, August 21, at the Department of Juvenile Justice in Pensacola. He was booked on an active warrant for first-degree felony murder without premeditation in connection with the August 13 shooting that left 20-something Adarius Da’Shun Odom dead and another young man injured.
Newly released arrest warrant affidavits obtained by NorthEscambia.com reveal extensive details about what investigators say happened leading up to and during the fatal encounter.
The Incident and Scene
At approximately 6:53 p.m. on August 13, Escambia County Sheriff’s Office patrol units were dispatched to Showalter Park at 7890 Kelly Field Road in Century following reports of a shots-fired disturbance.
Arriving deputies located Odom, known as “Daily,” lying on his back behind a white four-door Kia sedan in the parking area between the ball field and playground. He had sustained multiple gunshot wounds to his chest and neck. Escambia County EMS responded to perform life-saving measures, but Odom was pronounced deceased at the scene. Spent shell casings were discovered near his body.
Shortly afterward, a second victim, Da’Quan “Money” Johnson, arrived at Jay Hospital suffering from a through-and-through gunshot wound to his leg. Both Odom and Johnson were members of the 2018 Flomaton High School state championship Hurricanes football team.
While there were no organized activities taking place at Showalter Park at the time, youth football and cheerleading practices were underway nearby at Anthony Pleasant Park, which is connected to Showalter by a wooded trail and footbridge. The sound of multiple gunshots prompted coaches and Century Blackcats Youth Football and Cheerleading organizers to halt practice and clear the park.
Conflicting Statements and Video Evidence
About an hour and a half after the shooting, ECSO investigators interviewed Ewing at the Century Precinct. According to the report, Ewing claimed he had gone to the park to watch a prearranged fistfight between two individuals.
Last week, Sheriff Chip Simmons said a group of seven to eight people, some from Alabama and some from Florida, had gathered at Showalter Park to reportedly fight over a girl.
Ewing told investigators that after the fight, Odom reached into his waistband and stated, “You ain’t going to do that to my boy,” prompting Ewing to run toward the woods. Ewing claimed he heard three gunshots as he ran, followed by approximately four more once he entered the tree line.
During that initial interview, Ewing was wearing a red and gray hoodie and black shorts.
However, investigators executed a search warrant on the cellphone of another witness who had been at the park. Video recovered from the phone showed two males engaging in a fistfight, with Ewing walking around near the end of the recording wearing a pink hoodie and dark-colored shorts.
Witness Accounts Describe Ambush and Robbery
Witness statements provided to investigators contradicted Ewing’s initial claims.
A witness at Jay Hospital told deputies that he had gone to Showalter Park with four of his cousins to settle an argument through a fistfight, stating nobody intended to use a firearm. He reported that after the fight, a shorter male in a hoodie approached one of his cousins with a handgun and attempted to rob him before opening fire the evening of August 13.
On August 15, another witness provided a sworn statement at the ECSO 6th Precinct in Century. The witness stated that after the fistfight ended, the group was standing around talking about playing video games. At that point, the witness said Ewing pulled a handgun from his shorts, pointed it at Odom, and demanded, “Give it up, give it up,” before shouting, “Get the drake, get the drake” — street slang referring to a Draco AK-47 style pistol, according to the report.
The witness told deputies that Odom raised both hands and said, “Hold on bro, you got it,” before Ewing shot Odom four to five times in the chest. The witness stated Johnson was also hit in the leg during the gunfire before they rushed him to Jay Hospital. The witness subsequently identified Ewing from a photo lineup.
On August 19, investigators conducted an interview with another witness at the West Fraser Timber Company sawmill in McDavid. That witness corroborated the account, stating he heard Odom say, “You got it, you got it,” looked over to see Odom with his hands up and Ewing pointing a gun, and watched Ewing open fire before everyone fled. That witness also positively identified Ewing in a photo lineup.
Retaliatory Gunfire and Ongoing Case
The same evening as the homicide, deputies responded around 8:00 p.m. to a separate shots-fired call on Mayo Street, just blocks from the park, where multiple bullet holes were found in a home. Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons previously stated investigators believe that home is connected to Ewing and that the gunfire was retaliatory.
Ewing remains held pending his formal transfer and proceedings in adult circuit court.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Northview FFA Students Take Top Three In Farm Bureau Speech Contest
August 25, 2026
Northview High School FFA took the top spots at the recent Escambia County Farm Bureau Speech Contest.
Grace Oliver (pictured top) earned first place honors, followed by Nathan Gilmore in second place and Payton Coon in third place, all representing the Northview FFA chapter.
Participants delivered a five-minute speech before a panel of agricultural community judges on the topic: “What are some of the proactive, collaborative steps that farmers, ranchers, local communities, and organizations like Farm Bureau can take to help guard against invasive species threatening Florida agriculture?”
As the first-place winner, Oliver will advance to represent Escambia County at the district-level contest on September 18.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
