Escambia County (AL) Schools Awarded $12.5M CTE Grant To Build Centralized Career Center In Flomaton
September 19, 2026
A new centralized Career Readiness Center will be built in Flomaton to serve high school students across Escambia County, Alabama, following the award of a $12.5 million grant.
The Career and Technical Education (CTE) grant was funded by the Alabama State Department of Education (ALSDE). The facility will be constructed on Escambia County school board property in Flomaton, with the project expected to take approximately three years to complete.
The transformational project establishes a regional partnership between Escambia County (AL) Public Schools and Brewton City Schools, serving students from all four area high schools: Flomaton High School, Escambia County High School in Atmore, W.S. Neal High School in East Brewton, and T.R. Miller High School in Brewton.
School officials said the centralized hub will ensure equitable access to modern training equipment, specialized classrooms, and industry-aligned instruction regardless of where a student lives in the county.
“This grant represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity for our students and communities,” said Dr. Michele W. Collier, Superintendent of Escambia County Schools. “Through our partnership with Brewton City Schools, we are breaking down barriers and expanding access to career and technical education for every student. This investment will help students discover their passions, earn valuable credentials, and prepare for successful futures in college, careers, military service, and beyond.”
Students attending the four high schools will have access to a variety of CTE pathways, including:
- Automotive Technology
- Business Information Technology
- Construction Technology
- Cosmetology
- Culinary Arts
- General Agriculture
- Health Science
- Industrial Maintenance
- Information Technology
- Law and Public Safety
- Television Production
- Welding
The pathways are designed to provide real-world training and allow students to graduate with industry-recognized certifications for high-demand careers.
District officials noted that by strengthening partnerships between education and regional industries, the center will help supply the skilled workforce needed to drive economic development across Escambia County and surrounding communities.
Additional updates will be provided to students, families, and community members as planning and construction advance.
Mostly Sunny And Hot For Saturday; Chance Of Showers By Sunday
September 19, 2026
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 94. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. Calm wind.
Sunday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. Heat index values as high as 105. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph.
Sunday Night: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 10pm, then a slight chance of showers between 10pm and 1am. Mostly clear, with a low around 72. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Monday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Sunny, with a high near 91. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. Calm wind.
Tuesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Sunny, with a high near 91. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. Calm wind.
Wednesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Sunny, with a high near 90.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 70.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 88.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 68.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 86.
Atmore Man Facing Multiple Drug Trafficking Charges Following Search Warrant
September 19, 2026
An Atmore man faces multiple felony drug charges following a raid on Middleton Lane.
According to the Atmore Police Department, narcotics investigators executed a search warrant at a residence located at 91 Middleton Lane. The operation led to the arrest of 39-year-old Makhail Reynolds.
Reynolds was charged with trafficking in cocaine, trafficking in methamphetamine, first-degree possession of marijuana, unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia, and two counts of unlawful possession of a controlled substance involving MDMA and suboxone.
The Lower Alabama Drug Task Force and the Escambia County SWAT Team assisted the Atmore Police Department Narcotics Division during the investigation and execution of the search warrant.
Reynolds was booked into the Escambia County Detention Center.
High School Football Scoreboard
September 19, 2026
Here are high school football scores from across the North Escambia area.
FLORIDA
Friday
- Northview 21, Monroe County (AL) 6
- Jay 24, Holmes County 14
- Pensacola 27, Escambia 24
- Pensacola Catholic 52, Navarre 0
- North Bay Haven Academy 50, Gulf Breeze 49
- Pine Forest — Open
- Washington – Open
- Pace – Open
Thursday
- Tate 34, West Florida 7
- Baker 30, Central 8
ALABAMA
- Flomaton 63, Excel 12
- Opp 32, T.R. Miller 28
- W.S. Neal 15, Escambia County (Atmore) 12
- Escambia Academy 57, Evangel Christian Academy 0
Willean (Wendy) Bondurant Sales
September 19, 2026
Willean (Wendy) Bondurant Sales, 91, of Monroeville, Alabama, passed away on Thursday, September 17, 2026, surrounded by her family. Mrs. Sales was born on March 7, 1935, in Flomaton, Alabama, to John and Alta Bondurant as the 11th of 14 children. She and her siblings learned early in life the value of hard work and the importance of family, values that she embraced and embodied throughout her life.
Mrs. Sales graduated from Flomaton High School, where she participated on the cheerleader squad. It was in this capacity that a young athlete from rival Century High School, J.W. Sales, caught her eye. The attraction was mutual and it wasn’t long before they were married and began their nearly 60 years of life together. Their early years together were characterized by two significant beginnings, the beginning of his passion toward various business pursuits and the beginning of their family. But it wasn’t long before Mrs. Sales’ compassion for others led her to finish the nursing degree she had started pursuing before they were married. She received her degree from Mobile General Hospital’s nursing school where she graduated with honors and was given the Best Bedside Nurse award, a term that reflected her personality and demeanor so well. She began working at various hospitals and doctor’s offices in Flomaton, Mobile, and Monroeville, with increasing levels of responsibility with each new job. She ultimately served as the head nurse at Monroe County Hospital, which is where she finished her active nursing career. Her involvement in the nursing field, however, was not complete as she then began teaching nursing at Ed Reid Community College, where she was able to impart her knowledge, skills, and compassion to the next generation of nurses. But it was another passion that led her to her next endeavor, a passion to work hand-in-hand with her husband to help build and maintain the car dealership that bore their name for more than 50 years.
Mrs. Sales leaves a lasting legacy that is marked by her selfless love and compassion to all with whom she interacted throughout her long life. But her love and devotion for her family, both close and extended, is an example that will remain etched forever in the hearts and minds of that family she loved so much. She will be dearly missed.
Mrs. Sales is survived by her 4 children, Johnny Sales and his 4 children, Jenny Sales, Wes (Catie) Sales, Stephanie (Tim) Martin, and Jonathan Sales; Jim (Vanessa) Sales, and his 4 children, James (Cameron) Sales, Chris (Erin) Sales, Kimberly (Alex) Xu, and Becca (Mikey) Finamore; Jan (Jeff) Brewer and her 3 children, Kathryn Gallaway, Ashley (J.J.) Jinright, and Lauren Brewer; and Diane (Robert) Lindsey and her 3 children, Brooke (Mitch) Hydrick, Bo (Kasey) Lindsey, and Brandon (Katherine) Lindsey; and 28 beautiful great-grandchildren, Judah Del Gallo, Leo Sales, Raelynn Sales, Coulson Sales, Jacob Pruett, Samuel Martin, Magnolia Martin, Liam Sales, Meredith Sales, Elayne Sales, Oliver Sales, Lillian Sales, Cassie Sales, Declan Sales, Rami Sales, Eleanor Xu, Alexa Gallaway, Sophie Gallaway, Caleb Hydrick, Elliott Hydrick, Nathan Hydrick, Lucas Hydrick, Tripp Lindsey, KasonLindsey, Renlee Lindsey, Kabrynn Lindsey, Charlotte Lindsey, and Reagan Lindsey; her 2 sisters, Juanita Howell and Dawn (Denny) Printy; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Alta Bondurant; her husband, J.W. Sales; a granddaughter, Emily Brewer; a great-grandson, Dillon Jordan; and 11 brothers and sisters.
Visitation will be from 10:00-11:00 am on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, at First Baptist Church in Monroeville, with a funeral service immediately following in the sanctuary with Johnson Funeral Home directing.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.
Here’s Where To Watch This Weekend’s College Football
September 19, 2026
Here is this week’s college football schedule and where to watch the games.
All times are Central.
Saturday, September 19
Coastal Carolina at Delaware | 10:30 a.m. | CBSSN
No. 2 Georgia at Arkansas | 11 a.m. | ABC
Kent State at No. 6 Ohio State | 11 a.m. | FOX
Buffalo at No. 14 Penn State | 11 a.m. | Big Ten Network
Tulane at Kansas State | 11 a.m. | ESPN2
Bowling Green at Iowa State | 11 a.m. | ESPNU
Arizona State at Kansas | 11 a.m. | FS1
Mercer at Georgia Tech | 11 a.m. | ACC Network
North Carolina at Clemson | 11 a.m. | ESPN/Disney+
Akron at Minnesota | 11 a.m. | Big Ten Network
North Texas at Texas State | 11 a.m. | USA Network
Lafayette at Columbia | 11 a.m. | ESPN+
Dartmouth at Lehigh | 11 a.m. | ESPN+
West Georgia at East Tennessee State | 11 a.m. | ESPN+
Eastern Michigan at Wisconsin | 11:30 a.m. | Peacock
NC State at Vanderbilt | 11:45 a.m. | SEC Network
Wyoming at Central Michigan | 12 p.m. | ESPN+
Chicago State at Butler | 12 p.m. | ESPN+
Cornell at Colgate | 12 p.m. | ESPN+
Valparaiso at Indiana State | 12 p.m. | ESPN+
VMI at Davidson | 12 p.m. | ESPN+
Benedict College at Fort Valley State | 12 p.m. | ESPN+
Adrian at Mount St. Joseph | 12 p.m. | YouTube
Maine at Boston College | 1 p.m. | ACCNX
Southern Illinois at Illinois | 1 p.m. | Peacock
Yale at Holy Cross | 1 p.m. | ESPN+
Rockford at Concordia Chicago | 1 p.m. | YouTube
Lakeland at Wisconsin Lutheran | 1 p.m. | YouTube
Presbyterian at Western Carolina | 1:30 p.m. | ESPN+
Temple at Toledo | 2 p.m. | CBSSN
Eastern Illinois at Illinois State | 2 p.m. | ESPN+
Central Connecticut at Montana State | 2 p.m. | ESPN+
Penn at Bucknell | 2 p.m. | ESPN+
Kentucky at No. 9 Texas A&M | 2:30 p.m. | ESPN
Florida State at No. 10 Alabama | 2:30 p.m. | ABC
No. 12 USC at Rutgers | 2:30 p.m. | CBS
No. 16 SMU at No. 23 Louisville | 2:30 p.m. | ESPN2
Utah State at No. 17 Utah | 2:30 p.m. | FOX
UTEP at No. 19 Michigan | 2:30 p.m. | Big Ten Network
Miami (Ohio) at Cincinnati | 2:30 p.m. | ESPN+
Wagner at Cal | 2:30 p.m. | ACC Network
Duquesne at Washington State | 2:30 p.m. | USA Network
Stonehill at UMass | 2:30 p.m. | ESPN+
Georgetown at Richmond | 2:30 p.m. | ESPN+
Western Kentucky at No. 4 Indiana | 3 p.m. | Peacock
UNI at No. 18 Iowa | 3 p.m. | FS1
Stanford at Duke | 3 p.m. | CW
Ball State at Liberty | 3 p.m. | ESPN+
Louisiana Tech at Baylor | 3 p.m. | ESPNU
Abilene Christian at Idaho | 3 p.m. | ESPN+
Mississippi State at South Carolina | 3:15 p.m. | SEC Network
SE Louisiana at UL Monroe | 3:30 p.m. | ESPN+
East Carolina at Old Dominion | 5 p.m. | ESPN+
Florida International at Florida Atlantic | 5 p.m. | ESPN+
Charlotte at Appalachian State | 5 p.m. | ESPN+
North Carolina Central at Gardner-Webb | 5 p.m. | ESPN+
Fordham at William & Mary | 5 p.m. | ESPN+
Dayton at Eastern Kentucky | 5 p.m. | ESPN+
Point University at Charleston Southern | 5 p.m. | ESPN+
Wofford at Chattanooga | 5 p.m. | ESPN+
Marshall at Missouri State | 5:30 p.m. | CBSSN
Troy at No. 20 Missouri | 6 p.m. | SECN+
Florida at Auburn | 6 p.m. | ESPN
Georgia State at UCF | 6 p.m. | ESPN+
Murray State at Oklahoma State | 6 p.m. | ESPN+
UConn at Southern Miss | 6 p.m. | ESPN+
UT Martin at Memphis | 6 p.m. | ESPN+
Western Michigan at Rice | 6 p.m. | ESPN+
Delaware State at South Florida | 6 p.m. | ESPN+
Nevada at Middle Tennessee | 6 p.m. | ESPN+
Ohio at South Alabama | 6 p.m. | ESPN+
Georgia Southern at Jacksonville State | 6 p.m. | ESPN+
Nicholls at Sam Houston | 6 p.m. | ESPN+
Youngstown State at South Dakota State | 6 p.m. | ESPN+
South Carolina State at Furman | 6 p.m. | ESPN+
Austin Peay at West Florida | 6 p.m. | ESPN+
Central Arkansas at SE Missouri State | 6 p.m. | ESPN+
Alcorn State at North Alabama | 6 p.m. | ESPN+
Morehead State at Western Illinois | 6 p.m. | ESPN+
Merrimack at Tarleton State | 6 p.m. | ESPN+
Houston Christian at UIW | 6 p.m. | ESPN+
North Dakota at Nebraska | 6:15 p.m. | Big Ten Network
Eastern Washington at Washington | 6:15 p.m. | Big Ten Network
Michigan State at No. 3 Notre Dame | 6:30 p.m. | NBC
No. 7 LSU at No. 8 Ole Miss | 6:30 p.m. | ABC
No. 11 BYU at Colorado State | 6:30 p.m. | CBS
New Mexico at No. 24 Oklahoma | 6:30 p.m. | ESPN2
West Virginia vs. No. 25 Virginia (in Charlotte, N.C.) | 6:30 p.m. | ACC Network
Colorado at Northwestern | 6:30 p.m. | FOX
Virginia Tech at Maryland | 6:30 p.m. | FS1
Kennesaw State at No. 15 Tennessee | 6:45 p.m. | SEC Network
UTSA at No. 1 Texas | 7 p.m. | SECN+
Arkansas State at TCU | 7 p.m. | ESPNU
East Texas A&M at Tulsa | 7 p.m. | ESPN+
UAB at Louisiana | 7 p.m. | ESPN+
San Diego at Cal Poly | 7 p.m. | ESPN+
Northern Arizona at Utah Tech | 7 p.m. | ESPN+
Northeastern State at Northern Colorado | 7 p.m. | ESPN+
Northwestern State at Weber State | 7 p.m. | ESPN+
McNeese at UT Rio Grande Valley | 7 p.m. | ESPN+
Pacific Lutheran at Trinity (TX) | 7 p.m. | YouTube
South Dakota at Boise State | 9 p.m. | CBSSN
James Madison at San Diego State | 9 p.m. | CW
Stetson at UC Davis | 9 p.m. | ESPN+
Northern Illinois at Arizona | 9:30 p.m. | TNT
North Dakota State at Sacramento State | 9:30 p.m. | ESPN
Purdue at UCLA | 10 p.m. | Big Ten Network
Montana at Oregon State | 10 p.m. | USA Network
Fresno State at San Jose State | 10 p.m. | FS1
Boil Water Notice Issued In The Teleran, Kingsfield, Chemstrand Area
September 18, 2026
UPDATE…This boil notice has been lifted.
The Emerald Coast Utilities Authority has issued a boil water notice in the area of Teleran Street, Kingsfield Road, and Chemstrand Road following the repair of a 6-inch water main.
The boil water notice includes:
500-628 Rodney St.
11501-11645 Chemstrand Rd.
2619-2969 Kingsfield Rd.
11509-11611 Cabot St.
11000-11620 Joel St.
Pierpoint Ave.
Laura St.
Amy Ave.
Herschel St.
Temple St.
About 100 or more ECUA customers are affected.
The boil water notice follows an water outage due to broken 6-inch water main on Friday.
Residents located in the specified PBWN area are advised to boil water for one minute at a rolling boil or to use 8 drops of regular unscented household bleach per gallon of water (let sit for 30 minutes), for water to be used for drinking or cooking purposes. Bacteriological sampling has been initiated, and the advisory will be lifted as soon as possible. This process routinely takes 48 hours.
ECUA crews completed the repair work and have flushed out the lines. Residents within the PBWN area and nearby are advised that there is a possibility of discolored water as a result of the utility work, and to flush their home’s plumbing by running their taps for a few minutes. If problems persist, customers are asked to contact ECUA Customer Service at 850-476-0480 for assistance.
This story will be updated when the boil water notice is lifted.
Century Approves Tentative $8.48 Million Budget, Steady Property Tax Revenue
September 18, 2026
The Century Town Council on Thursday night gave tentative approval to a millage rate for steady property tax revenue and an $8.48 million budget.
The council approved a millage rate of 1.0405. While higher than the 0.9204 mills that have been in place for several years, 1.0405 is the “rolled-back” rate — the computed millage rate that will generate the same amount of ad valorem tax dollars as the prior fiscal year, or about $69,916.
The council approved a tentative budget of $8,477,476.56 for FY 2026-2027, which begins October 1, 2026. That is down from $9.2 million during the current fiscal year.
A final decision on the property tax rate and budget will be made at a public hearing at 6:15 p.m. on Tuesday, September 29.
Pictured top: Century Town Clerk Carrie Moore and consultant Jack Rowell, a retired CPA who is assisting the town, make final tweaks to balance the town’s $8.48 million budget. Pictured below: Rowell and council member John Bass review financial documents. Pictured bottom: Council members Sparkie Harrison (left) and Dynette Lewis look at the budget. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Tate High AJROTC Honors The Lives Lost On 9/11
September 18, 2026
On September 11, 2026, the J.M Tate High School AJROTC Aggie Battalion came together for their annual solemn march to commemorate September 11, 2001. The Cadets marched with purpose and respect, remembering the nearly 3,000 people who lost their lives, as well as the firefighters, law enforcement officers, first responders, military members, and citizens who displayed extraordinary courage and sacrifice in the face of tragedy.
For the Aggie Battalion, the march provided an opportunity for today’s cadets to pause, reflect, and honor those who never made it home exactly 25 years ago. Through their discipline, unity, and commitment to service, the J.M. Tate Cadets helped ensure that the sacrifices of September 11 are not forgotten.
Written by and photos by C/1LT Kiley Adams, Aggie Battalion, Public Relations Officer (S-5) for NorthEscambia.com. Click photos to enlarge.
Register Now For October 2 Northview Homecoming Parade
September 18, 2026
The Northview High School Homecoming Parade will take place Friday, October 2.
For free entry to participate in the parade, click here for an entry form and release (pdf). Registrations are due by Thursday, September 24.
The parade will line up at noon and roll at 12:30 p.m. from Northview High School. It will travel east on Highway 4 before turning on Bratt Road by the Travis Nelson Park, around the park to Ashcraft Road to Highway 99, travel north past Bratt Elementary School, turn back onto Highway 4 and end at Northview. (Note that Ashcraft Road has a very narrow shoulder with no place to park.)
Guidelines and rules for parade participants include:
- The parade will follow the same route used in recent years.
- Cheer stunts are strictly prohibited on floats.
- Candy and throws must be provided by each individual group and may not be thrown until floats reach Highway 4.
- All floats should be decorated prior to arriving at Northview; only minor touch-ups will be allowed on campus.
- Floats will line up and park in the field next to the Northview bus loop. No parking is permitted in the bus loop.
- Floats must depart campus before afternoon buses arrive, or they will be required to hold until after school dismissal at 3:20 p.m.
- Participant and parent parking, as well as drop-off and pickup for younger participants, is located behind the Northview baseball field.
- Chaperones are responsible for students until they are picked up by parents.
- Group leaders and parents must supervise all children brought to the pep rally in the gym.
- Participants should bring their own water.
Pictured: The 2025 Northview High School Homecoming Parade. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
