Pedestrian, 69, Struck and Killed Monday In Escambia County
September 8, 2026
A 69-year-old Pensacola man died after being struck by a vehicle on North W Street in Escambia County on Monday evening.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the crash occurred at approximately 7:40 p.m. on North W Street just north of Van Pelt Lane. Troopers said the pedestrian was walking west across North W Street in front of a Casey’s gas station when he was struck by a southbound sedan driven by a 77-year-old Pensacola woman.
“The driver of the sedan was unable to see the pedestrian crossing the roadway in time to avoid the collision,” FHP said.
Emergency medical personnel transported the man to a local hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. The driver of the sedan was wearing a seat belt and was uninjured.
File photo.
UWF QB Davis Named UAC Co-Offensive Player of the Week
September 8, 2026
For the second straight week a UWF player has earned a United Athletic Conference weekly award. Quarterback Ty’Ray Davis was named the UAC Co-Offensive Player of the Week for his head-turning performance in Saturday’s 42-14 win over No. 24 Central Arkansas.
Davis completed 14 of his 17 pass attempts for 227 yards and three touchdowns against the Bears. The redshirt sophomore also ran for 75 yards and a score to lead the Argos’ offense. Davis shares the weekly award with running back Tylan Hines of Tarleton State who ran for 250 yards in a win over FBS opponent Bowling Green.
UWF has an off week and will be back at PenAir Field on Sept. 19 to host Austin Peay at 6 p.m.
Photo Morgan Givens/UWF for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Recap Of Week 3 For Tate And Northview; Week 4 Preview
September 8, 2026
Week 3 brought mixed results for area programs, as the Northview Chiefs rolled to a dominant victory while the Tate Aggies came up just short in a defensive slugfest.
Tate Aggies
Tate’s bid for an undefeated season came to a halt against the Escambia Gators. The Aggies struck first with a field goal late in the opening quarter, but the Gators answered with a decisive touchdown late in the fourth to seal the victory.
Now 2-1 on the season, Tate hits the road Friday night to face the Crestview Bulldogs (0-3) at 7 p.m.
Northview Chiefs
Meanwhile, Northview kept its perfect record intact with an emphatic 50-6 blowout at Graceville. It was another brutal night for the Tigers, who have now been outscored 149-6 through their first three contests.
The 4-0 Chiefs return home next Friday night to host Port St. Joe (0-3) in a district clash.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Vernell Honeycutt
September 8, 2026
, age 94 of Pensacola, Florida, passed away peacefully on September 4, 2026.
Vernell was born in Flatwoods, Alabama, on December 20, 1931, to Virgil and Pauline Willcutt. She was married to Cecil Ralph Hall for 42 years before his passing in 1993. They were faithful members of Pensacola Blvd Church of Christ for over 40 years. They enjoyed traveling, fishing and camping. Nell was a gifted seamstress; she loved tending to her flowers and growing vegetables in her garden. One thing that brought her great
joy was visiting the sick, shut-ins and widows from her Church family. Vernell was kind, loving and always smiling. Her goodness was a bright Star to everyone who knew her.
Vernell was preceded in death by her father, Virgil Willcutt, mother, Pauline Willcutt, husband, Cecil Ralph Hall, husband, Robert Honeycutt and ex son-in-law Robert Chris Fleming.
Vernell is survived by her daughter, Diane Harmon, (Lee), granddaughter Christy Dawn Laiben, and great granddaughter Jada Laiben. Step grandsons Myles Harmon (Laura),
Hayden Harmon (Sky), great grandchildren Lane Harmon and Layklyn Harmon. stepdaughter Sandy Munden (Charles).
Nell graduated from Berry High School in 1950 and very soon moved to Pensacola to live with her Aunt and Uncle. She was with her favorite cousin Bobbi; they both worked at Martines, a highly popular Drive-In during the 50’and 60’s. There she met Cecil Ralph Hall who was in the Navy, and they quickly eloped in Mississippi. Pensacola was always their home base but travels did take them on tours with the Navy to Guntamou Bay
Cuba, and Providence RI. Cecil and Nell were married almost 43 years when he passed away in January of 1993. She later married Robert Honeycutt in October of 1995 until his death in November of 2000.
She loved and honored her family and friends well. She exemplified beauty, kindness, faithfulness, strength and courage to all who knew her. Her strong faith carried her through life and into the arms of Jesus. She will be greatly missed by her family and everyone who had the pleasure of knowing her.
Thank you to the staff and extended family at Country Cottages where she called home since October of 2020. There she received excellent care, attention and love. Thank you Dabrina, Heather, Jayme, and Nikki for loving my sweet momma. The family also wants to thank Emerald Coast Hospice and their entire staff for their attention, love and care.
Services to be held at Faith Chapel North. Burial will be at Pensacola Memorial Gardens.
Penny Vickery Walker
September 8, 2026
, 76, of Atmore, AL, passed away on September 1, 2026. She was born on January 30, 1950, to Johnnie Farrar (Red) Vickery and Bonita (Bonnie) Kirkpatrick Vickery.
Penny graduated from Escambia County High School in Atmore, AL, in 1968, worked as an insurance agent for 15 years, and was a member of First Baptist Church of Atmore.
She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 55 years, Galen Charles Walker; and sisters, Judith V. Branum and Beckey V. Shivers.
Penny is survived by two sons, Charles Farrar (Chuck) Walker and wife Lee of Robinsonville, AL, and Chad Alen Walker of Perry, FL; her daughter, Carrie Anne Walker Turberville (Michael) of Perdido, AL, and her sister, Peggy V. James (John).
She is also survived by her grandchildren: Blake Walker (Ally), Clay Walker (Carlee), Kaitlyn Walker, Ella Walker (Tate Dominguez), Avery Walker, Jessie Turberville, Samantha Turberville, Bentley Turberville; and her great-grandchildren, Braiden Walker, Charleigh Walker, Reid Walker, Bryson Walker, Kaysten Walker, Blakely Walker, Olivia Palmer, and Rhett Dominguez.
Memorial Services will be held on Saturday, September 12, 2026, at First Baptist Church of Atmore at 11:00 a.m., with Rev. Arnold Hendrix and Rev. Neal Butler officiating.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, September 12, 2026, at First Baptist Church of Atmore from 10:00 a.m. until service time at 11:00 a.m.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the First Baptist Church of Atmore.
Five People, Including Two Young Children, Injured In Early Morning Hwy 97 Head-on Crash
September 7, 2026
Five people were seriously injured in a two-vehicle head-on crash early Monday morning south of Walnut Hill.
The Florida Highway Patrol said a Nissan Rogue driven by a 23-year-old McDavid man was northbound on Highway 97 about a half mile south of Howell Road when he crossed the centerline and collided head-on with a southbound GMC Sierra pickup truck driven by a 37-year-old Uriah, Alabama, man at about 5:00 a.m.
There were four occupants in the pickup truck — the 37-year-old driver, a 31-year-old female passenger and two children, girls ages 3 and 6. Both adults and the 3-year-old were airlifted in three different medical helicopters to Pensacola hospitals as trauma alerts. The driver of the Nissan and the 4-year-old were also transported to the hospital.
The crash completely closed Highway 97 south of Walnut Hill for hours.
FHP said its investigation is continuing.
For additional photos, click here.
The Walnut Hill, McDavid, and Molino stations of Escambia County Fire Rescue, Escambia County EMS, and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Florida Hunting, Fishing and Camping Tax Holiday Is Now Through Dec. 31
September 7, 2026
Florida’s four-month sales tax holiday on outdoor gear, camping equipment, firearms and ammunition is underway and continues through December 31.
Shoppers can save on items with tents and fishing rods with set price limits, while there are no price caps on firearms and tactical accessories.
The “Hunting, Fishing and Camping” sales tax holiday excepts a wide variety of outdoor gear from sales tax, including tents up to $200, sleeping bags up to $50, lanterns under $30, fishing rods up to $75 and tackle boxes up to $30.
But different than other tax-free holidays, there is no price limit on firearms, ammunition, archery equipment and tactical accessories.
During the tax holiday, sales tax is not due on the retail sale of:
- Hunting supplies:
- Ammunition (as defined in section 790.001(1), Florida Statutes (F.S.))
-
Firearms, including:
- Any weapon designed to expel a projectile by an explosive
- Pistols, rifles, and shotguns
- Firearm accessories (see question #2)
- Bows and crossbows
- Bow and crossbow accessories, including:
- Arrows
- Bolts
- Quarrels
- Quivers
- Releases
- Sights or optics
- Wristguards
- Camping and fishing supplies, including:
- Bait and fishing tackle priced at $10 or less (or $20 or less when sold as a set)
- Flashlights, camping lanterns, tackle boxes, or tackle bags priced at $30 or less
- Camping stoves, collapsible chairs, portable hammocks, and sleeping bags priced at $50 or less
- Rods and reels priced at $75 or less, or $150 or less if sold as a set
- Tents priced at $200 or less
2. Are firearm accessories exempt from sales tax?
Yes. During the sales tax holiday, purchases of certain firearm accessories are exempt from tax, including:
- Barrels
- Cases or range bags
- Charging handles
- Cleaning kits
- Handguards
- Holsters
- Internal parts and components
- Magazines or other ammunition feeding devices or carriers
- Pistol grips
- Shooting chronographs
- Shooting mats, rests, or bipods
- Sights or optics
- Slides or cylinders
- Slings
- Stocks or braces
- Suppressors or silencers
- Triggers
3. How is ammunition defined?
Ammunition is defined in section 790.001(1), F.S., as any object consisting of all of the following:
- A fixed metallic or nonmetallic hull or casing containing a primer
- One or more projectiles, one or more bullets, or shot
- Gunpowder
Ascend Performance Materials Volunteers Spruce Up The Roy Hyatt Environmental Center
September 7, 2026
A group of volunteers from Ascend Performance Materials worked recently to spruce up the Roy Hyatt Environmental Center.
The group worked to help the facility get ready for upcoming student field trip visitors. They worked to replace pond pumps, trim around ponds, trim the butterfly garden, trim about 120 acres of trails, change animal substrate, build a rain gauge garden, and much more.
Roy Hyatt Environmental Center in Cantonment is owned and operated by the Escambia County School District. Second- and fifth-grade students visit the 120 acres of wilderness where they participate in science activities. The center is not generally open to the public, but does host announced public events during the year, including the free upcoming “Night of Nature” on Friday, October 16, from 5:30 until 8 p.m.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Bonus Gallery: Tate Cheerleaders,Showband, Fans, And More
September 7, 2026
Excitement was in the air on Friday night for Week 3 of high school football as the Tate Aggies hosted the Escambia Gators.
Look for more photos and coverage on Tuesday about one very special Aggie guest cheerleader and her inspiring story.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Blue Wahoos Punch Ticket To Playoffs With Ninth-Inning Comeback
September 7, 2026
The Blue Wahoos battled through a challenging season to fittingly celebrate reaching the playoffs in astonishing fashion.
Trailing 5-2 and down to their final at-bat with no one on base in the ninth inning, the Blue Wahoos incredibly blasted three homers in a five-run, two-out rally to pull off an amazing 7-5 victory Sunday night against the Columbus Clingstones that clinched the South League South Division second-half race.
What a way for the Blue Wahoos to return to the playoffs for the first time in three years.
It will be their eighth post-season trip in the 14-year history of the franchise. The Blue Wahoos, two-time league champions, have done it with three different affiliations. This is the third in six years as the Miami Marlins affiliate.
As the schedule fate turned out, the Blue Wahoos will finish their regular-season schedule at home this week with six games against the Biloxi Shuckers, beginning on Tuesday.
The teams will then turn around and play Game 1 of their best-of-three South Division series on September 15 in Pensacola.
How this unfolded befit the way the Blue Wahoos battled through a season with a slow start, injuries, late-season call-ups and other forms of adversity.
They began the second leg of a two-week road trip by dropping the first three games of this series to the Clingstones, cutting their first-place lead in half, but won an extra-inning game Friday, then swept the weekend to seal the division.
They entered Sunday with a 6.5 game lead, so it figured to happen soon, but not in this disbelieving way.
Cristian Hernández began the improbable rally with a solo homer to center field as the last hope in the ninth. Ethan O’Donnell kept the rally alive with a single. Colby Shade, who hit a solo homer in the eighth inning, blasted game-tying two-run bomb over the left field wall.
Ryan Ingoffo then followed by doubling down the right field line. On a two-strike pitch, Jay Beshears went opposite field to right with a go-ahead, two-run homer to complete the stunning feat.
Reliever Mason Vinyard earned the save in the bottom of the ninth. The Blue Wahoos did not jump into an infield celebration. Playing on the road, mindful of the situation, they were subdued before heading to their dugout.
This is the earliest the Blue Wahoos have clinched a playoff spot in franchise history with a full week of games remaining.
The Blue Wahoos gave up three runs in the first inning, then got excellent pitching and defense from that point, hit a pair of homers to cut the lead to 3-2. Columbus answered with two homers to take a 5-2 lead in the ninth.
But the Blue Wahoos were not done.
It’s only the second time the Blue Wahoos have won the second-half division to reach postseason.
Their first playoff trip in 2015 came by winning the second half race on the second-to-last game of the season. Since then, they won the first half division race four times, and twice qualified as the wild card team with the second-best record behind the full season winner.
The Wahoos will host the Biloxi Shuckers Tuesday through Sunday.
