Reported ‘Possible Torpedo’ Recovered Near Escambia County Boat Launch; Here’s What It Really Was
February 3, 2026
A reported “possible torpedo” was discovered near an Escambia County boat ramp on Monday, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, but it was not a torpedo.
The ECSO Dive Team responded around 10 a.m. to the Mahogany Mills Boat Ramp on Bayou Chico after a report that the possible torpedo was discovered near the pier.
The area was secured, and the Bomb Squad/Explosive Incident response team and the Hurlburt Field Explosive Ordnance Disposal team responded.
“The torpedo was safely removed from the water,” ECSO said in a statement. “We appreciate the quick coordination between agencies and remind the public that if you encounter any suspicious or unfamiliar objects, do not touch them and immediately contact law enforcement.”
The object was later determined to be an old inert training munition — a practice bomb.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Six More Weeks Of Winter? North Escambia Weather Ducks See Shadow
February 2, 2026
On this Groundhog Day, Punxsutawney Phil, the world-famous groundhog, and the NorthEscambia.com Weather Ducks have the same winter predictions.
Folklore says that if the groundhog sees his shadow on Groundhog Day, it means six more weeks of winter. Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow, predicting more winter up in Pennsylvania.
We did not have a groundhog handy for a photo, but we did have the NorthEscambia.com Weather Ducks. Just like their more famous Pennsylvania weather buddy, the ducks saw their shadows late this morning at our office, predicting six more weeks of winter in North Escambia.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Century Explains $10.47 Per Month Garbage Rate Increase
February 2, 2026
For the first time in decades, a new solid waste provider will be collecting garbage and yard trash in Century, and some local residents are crying foul about a monthly rate increase over $10 for residents.
Residents were paying the town $27.44 for a single pickup per week from Republic Services, along with yard and bulk waste collection by the town on a somewhat irregular schedule. Under the new provider, Waste Pro, residents will pay the town $37.91, or $10.47 more per month. Yard waste will be collected on Tuesday in the cart with a black lid, and garbage will be collected on Fridays in the carts with the blue lid.
Friday, NorthEscambia.com held a phone conference with Century Mayor Ben Boutwell, Administrator Dave Murzin, and Clerk Carrie Moore to find out the reason for the 38% rate hike.
The biggest reason? The town said it lost $51,000 during the last fiscal year with Republic Services. The town’s “Garbage Fund” is not designed to be a money-maker, but losing money is irresponsible, officials said.
Without accepting bids, Century had continued for three decades to renew an agreement with annual increases with Republic. But in 2025, the town decided to seek an updated agreement or a new provider. Two proposals were received and ranked, with Waste Pro scoring 93.5 and Republic 72.3 out of a possible 100.
“Republic was just going to give us garbage pickup,” Boutwell said. “Waste Pro came back with garbage pickup, and also yard waste and then bulk pickup quarterly.”
It’s that bulk and yard waste collection that was really costing the town, and causing concern with a 25-year-old grapple truck and the potential inability to find parts for any timely repair that was needed.
“We were constantly doing repairs to it, and a new (grapple) truck would cost $200,000 or $300,000,” the mayor said.
“Now we don’t have to worry about the wear and tear of a truck and paying a driver with a CDL,” he said. “And keeping our employees working in the field instead of driving a truck on Thursday.” In addition, the town will save the fees that were being paid at the landfill to dump the bulk and yard waste.
Under the new agreement with Waste Pro and a higher cost to the citizens, the town projects breaking even, but not making a profit.
Boutwell said he’s been inundated with calls and visitors at town hall, around town, and even at his home, with residents expressing concern about the increased garbage rates.
“We understand that people don’t like change, but sometimes change is for the good,” he said. “But when they understand what’s going on, they know it’s for the good.”
Murzin clarified that residents can turn in their second can, which is for yard waste, but there is no discount.
“We will take the yard waste can if they don’t want it in their yard,” Moore said. “But they are not going to get a discount.”
“We’ve heard a lot of ‘we are just going to burn the leaves and the tree limbs’ and that sort of thing,” Murzin said, adding there is a burn ordinance in the town.
For more information on the new waste service in Century, click here for a previous story.
For complete information from Waste Pro services in Century, click here (pdf).
Low Tonight In The Middle 30s, Warmer For Tuesday
February 2, 2026
A warming trend is taking hold of the region this week, though it won’t arrive without a few bumps in the road. Residents can expect a breezy and mild Tuesday before a quick-moving front brings a high chance of showers overnight into Wednesday morning. Once that system clears, a brief shot of chilly air will settle in for Thursday, sending overnight lows back down to near the freezing mark. However, the sunshine returns in full force by Friday, kicking off a beautiful, clear weekend with afternoon temperatures climbing comfortably back into the mid to upper 60s.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tuesday: Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 66. Light southwest wind increasing to 10 to 15 mph in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph.
Tuesday Night: Showers, mainly after midnight. Low around 52. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Wednesday: A 50 percent chance of showers before noon. Cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 58. West wind 5 to 10 mph becoming north in the afternoon.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 31. North wind around 10 mph.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 50. Northwest wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 30. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 63. West wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday Night: Clear, with a low around 39. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming north after midnight.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 65.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 39.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 66.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 45.
Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 68.
Tate Lady Aggies Prepare For Upcoming Softball Season (With Rosters)
February 2, 2026
Tate Lady Aggies Softball held a welcome dinner recently at CrossFaith Church in Molino.
Preseason play for the Lady Aggies begins next week.
Team members are:
VARSITY
Jordyn Banks
Kayleigh Burt
Gracyn Campbell
Aubree Gorum
Kaylie Mitchell
Sarah Mitchell
Brelynn Morris
Carmen Morris
Emorie Nelson
Mykamia Padgett
Kierstyn Phillips
Taylor Robinson
Madison Smillie
Ke’Anna Smith
Peyton Wilson
JUNIOR VARSITY
Berkley Anderson
Mikala Foster
Khloe Gibson
Novalee Hudgens
Tessa Kendrick
Faith Middleton
McKynleigh Montano
Bailey Parden
Melanie Ramirez
Kaylyn Relstab
Alaina Ritchey
Aubrie Romero
Kaitlyn Stefanko
Cantonment Garage Destroyed By Fire
February 2, 2026
Fire destroyed a garage Saturday afternoon in Cantonment.
The fire in the 3500 block of Wiggins Lane was reported around 4:45 p.m. Firefighters arrived to find the structure engulfed in flames.
David Uebelsteadt, a local race car driver and mechanic, said the entire shop was a total loss. A wooden boat was also destroyed.
There were no injuries reported.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Photo courtesy WEAR 3 for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
These Are The Road Construction Spots To Watch This Week
February 2, 2026
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads and projects in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.
Escambia County:
- Interstate 10 (I-10) Resurfacing from the Perdido River Bridge to west of U.S. 29 – Drivers may encounter outside lane closures on Pine Forest Road (State Road (S.R.) 297) southbound, between Detroit Boulevard and Wilde Lake Boulevard, Wednesday, Feb. 4 and Thursday, Feb. 5, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., for roadway widening operations.
- Interstate 110 (I-110) Resurfacing from I-10 to U.S. 98 – Drivers may encounter intermittent lane closures on I-110, between I-10 and U.S. 98, Sunday, Feb. 1 through Thursday, Feb. 5, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., for construction activities.
- I-10 Resurfacing from east of U.S. 29 to east of Davis Highway (S.R. 291) – Drivers on I-10 may encounter intermittent lane closures between mile markers 11 and 14, Sunday, Feb. 1 through Thursday, Feb. 5, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., for guardrail installation.
- S.R. 296 (Michigan Avenue) Resurfacing from Mobile Highway (U.S. 90) to North Palafox Street (U.S. 29) – The week of Sunday, Feb. 1, drivers may encounter intermittent lane closures on Michigan Avenue, from Mobile Highway to North Palafox Street, between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m., for paving operations and placement of thermoplastic striping.
- S.R. 292 (Gulf Beach Highway) Resurfacing from Gulf Beach Highway to Manchester Street – The week of Sunday, Feb. 1, drivers may encounter intermittent lane closures on S.R. 292 from east of Bauer Road (County Road (C.R.) 293) to Manchester Street, between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m., for construction activities. Additionally, a new traffic configuration has been implemented on S.R. 292 between Mills Avenue and just east of Patton Drive, with travel lanes shifted to the outside of the roadway to provide space to construct a median traffic separator. Channelizing devices are in place to delineate the work zone. The speed limit has been reduced to 35 mph throughout the work zone.
- Business U.S. 98 (Garden Street) Construction from Pace Boulevard to the I- 110 ramp – The week of Sunday, Feb. 1, drivers may encounter the following construction-related traffic disruptions:
- Garden Street, between Pace Boulevard and North Donelson Street, is reduced to two travel lanes (one in each direction) as crews perform construction activities on the north side of the street. This temporary traffic configuration will be in place through late 2026.
- Temporary side street closures north of Garden Street, from B Street to J Street, for ECUA water main upgrades. This week, drivers may encounter a closure with detour at C Street. Signage will be in place to direct drivers through the work zone.
- On-street parking is closed on Garden Street, between B Street and L Street.
- I-10 at Nine Mile Road Interchange (Exit 5) Construction – Nine Mile Road will be reduced to one travel lane in each direction between the I-10 ramps, Sunday, Feb. 1 through Friday, Feb. 6, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. for bridge construction activities. Law enforcement will be on site, and directional signage will be in place to guide drivers through the work zone.
- I-10 at U.S. 29 Interchange (Exit 10) Construction – Drivers will encounter the following construction-related traffic disruptions the week of Sunday, Feb. 1:
- Intermittent lane closures may occur on North Palafox Street between Whitehead Drive and Hope Drive for construction at the North Palafox Street overpass. Flaggers will be present to direct traffic through the work zone.
- I-10 is reduced to two travel lanes in each direction between U.S. 29 and I-110.
- I-10 travel lanes are shifted away from the median area of the roadway, near the U.S. 29 interchange.
- The U.S. 29 southbound access to the I-10 eastbound on-ramp has been reduced.
- The U.S. 29 northbound ramp to I-10 eastbound is closed. U.S. 29 northbound drivers are being detoured to make a U-turn at Broad Street onto U.S. 29 southbound to access I-10 eastbound.
- S.R. 173 (Blue Angel Parkway) Coring Operations from Gulf Beach Highway to Blue Angel Lane – Motorists may encounter intermittent lane closures Monday, Feb. 2 through Thursday, Feb. 5 from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. for coring operations.
- S.R. 295 (North Navy Boulevard) Turn Lane Operations near S.R. 292 (Barrancas Avenue) – Motorists may encounter intermittent lane closures Sunday, Feb. 1 through Thursday, Feb. 5 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. for turn lane operations.
- U.S. 90 (Scenic Highway) Routine Maintenance South of Hyde Park Road – Motorists may encounter a traffic shift Friday, Jan. 30 through the end of Feb. 2026 for routine maintenance.
Santa Rosa County:
- S.R. 87 (Stewart Street) City of Milton Mardi Gras Parade – Motorists will encounter a road closure from Raymond Hobbs Street to Elva Street Saturday, Jan. 31 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. for the City of Milton Mardi Gras Parade.
- U.S. 98 Widening from Bayshore Road to Portside Drive – Motorists will encounter the following traffic impacts:
- Median and turn lane closures from Bayshore Road to Tiger Lake Drive.
- Intermittent lane closures and additional median closures between Bayshore Road and Tiger Lake Drive, Sunday, Feb. 1, through Friday, Feb. 6 from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for paving operations.
- S.R. 87 Resurfacing from U.S. 98 to south of East Bay Boulevard (C.R. 399) –Drivers will encounter intermittent lane closures Sunday, Feb. 1 through Thursday, Feb. 5, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., for striping operations.
- S.R. 281 (Avalon Boulevard) Bridge Rehabilitation over East Bay - Motorists may encounter intermittent lane closures Monday, Feb. 2 through Friday, Feb. 6 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. for construction operations.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Florida Gas Prices Reach Six-Week Highs
February 2, 2026
Florida gas prices climbed again last week, according to AAA. The state average increased 9 cents per gallon, hitting a weekly high of $2.93 per gallon on Friday. While prices dipped slightly heading into the weekend, motorists are still paying the highest pump prices seen in the past six weeks.
Despite the recent uptick, Florida drivers are still paying less than they did a year ago. Sunday’s state average of $2.91 per gallon is 5 cents more than last week, 5 cents more than last month, and 17 cents less than this time last year.
In Escambia County, the average was $2.66 per gallon.
“Florida gas prices are inching higher as global oil markets react to geopolitical tensions, tightening fuel supplies, and growing optimism about future fuel demand,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman for AAA – The Auto Club Group. “These factors have pushed oil and gasoline futures upward, and when combined with Florida’s normal pattern of price cycling, they’ve contributed to the recent uptick at the pump.”
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Susan Jeanette ‘Sue’ Schneider
February 2, 2026
Susan Jeanette “Sue” Schneider, age 65, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family, on January 29,2026, at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Columbus, Mississippi, from complications of pneumonia. Sue was born on October 23, 1960, the youngest of six children, in Atmore, Alabama, to Raymond and Margaret (Mininger) Schneider. She enjoyed her many nieces and nephews, several of them being close to her age. Always a lover of snow, she enjoyed many trips to Ontario for family visits. At the age of 14, she gave her heart to Jesus and was baptized on April 14, 1974, by Minister Wilbert Peters, beginning a lifelong walk of faith. Since God’s plan for her did not include children of her own, she found fulfillment in caring for several children in the community, loving them as her own. Sue delighted in taking family and friends on fun outings; shopping and eating out were a couple of her favorite pastimes. Baking pound cakes and coffee cakes for others was her specialty; they were delicious even when they “flopped.”
After her parents passed away, Sue made her home at the Oakwood Retirement Community in Brooksville, Mississippi, in the spring of 2017. She made a multitude of new friends there; fellow residents and staff were dear to her. Aunt Sue was an “Aunt” to many in addition to her own dear nieces and nephews. She had an empathetic heart and cared deeply for her family and friends. She delighted in calling family members on their birthdays to sing “Happy Birthday,” even as it became increasingly difficult for her to do so as her lung condition progressed.
One of the most cherished experiences Sue often shared was a dream in which she saw the clouds roll back and felt herself rise up to meet Jesus. As she approached Him, she said, “My Jesus, how I love You,” and He wrapped His arms around her. This moment brought her peace and became a source of strength during her trials. She treasured this experience deeply as a precious reminder of God’s love for her. Listening to singing was a source of great comfort to her. One of her favorite hymns was “I Love to Steal Awhile Away.” Another beloved song, “Jesus Loves Me,” was sung to her by her family during her hospitalization. As she was leaving this world, family members stood around her bedside, singing the songs she loved – hymns that brought comfort and filled the room with love and sweet surrender.
She is lovingly remembered by her siblings: her sisters, Sally and Robert Toews, Kingsville, Ontario; Polly and Lyle Wiebe, Kirkton, Ontario; Rose and Carlos Koehn, Walnut Hill, Florida; her brother, Royce and Marilyn Schneider, Walnut Hill, Florida; sister-in-law Donna Schneider, Brooksville, Mississippi; along with many dear nieces, nephews, and friends who will forever hold her close in their hearts. Preceding her in death were her parents, Raymond and Margaret Schneider, her brother, Kale Schneider; one nephew, and three great-nephews.
Funeral Services for Mrs. Sue Schneider will be held on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, at 10:00 a.m., at The Walnut Hill Mennonite Church with Minister Brian Decker officiating. Interment will follow in the Walnut Hill Memorial Gardens.
Visitation will be held on Monday, February 2, 2026, from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Walnut Hill Mennonite Church.
Many thanks to the Oakwood staff for their untiring love and care extended to Sue and her family. Also, the expertise of the medical team at Baptist Memorial Hospital will not soon be forgotten.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Two Escambia County Tax Preparers Indicted In Fraudulent Tax Return Scheme
February 2, 2026
Two Escambia County tax preparers are facing federal charges for an alleged fraudulent tax return scheme.
D’ontrinique K. Johnson, formerly known as D’ontrinique K. Wilkerson, 30, and Tequilla D. Nairn, formerly known as Tequilla D. Robinson, 37, were indicted in federal court for one count of conspiracy to aid or assist in preparation of false tax returns and to steal government money and three counts of filing false tax returns. Nairn has additionally been charged with one count of aggravated identity theft and one count of wire fraud. Both are set for trial in March.
If convicted, Johnson faces up to five years’ imprisonment for the conspiracy count and up to three years’ imprisonment for each count related to filing a false tax return.
If convicted, Nairn faces up to five years’ imprisonment for the conspiracy count, up to three years’ imprisonment for each count related to filing a false tax return, a mandatory consecutive two years’ imprisonment for the aggravated identity theft count, and up to 20 years’ imprisonment for the wire fraud count.
The case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Alicia H. Forbes.