Once An Aggie, Always An Aggie: Keyla Richardson Was A 2015 Tate Graduate
May 12, 2026
Once an Aggie, Always an Aggie!
American Idol Top 3 finalist Keyla Richardson is a 2015 Tate High School graduate.
Keyla Deanna Richardson graduated from Tate High on Tuesday night, June 2, 2015, at the Pensacola Bay Center. She received generous applause as her name was called and she was handed her diploma by then Principal Rick Shackle. There was a big smile across her face as she moved across the stage and shook hands with then Superintendent Malcolm Thomas.
During her whirlwind hometown visit and concert last week in Pensacola, she was celebrated by the community.
The Tate High School Showband of the South played a big role in last Wednesday’s Keyla Fest, performing a custom arrangement for her at Life Shifting Learning Academy on Highway 29 in Ensley, and marching in the downtown parade.
She also made a surprise appearance at Education Day at Blue Wahoos Stadium, pausing for a photo with members of the Tate High School Yearbook staff.
She also autographed her photo in a school copy of the 2015 Tate yearbook.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Image above courtesy WEAR 3 for NorthEscambai.com
A Few Pop-up Showers This Evening; Sunny Skies Returning By Wednesday
May 12, 2026
Tuesday carries a lingering chance of showers and thunderstorms as clouds persist, the atmosphere stabilizes by Wednesday. Expect plenty of sunshine and a gradual warming trend through the weekend, with daytime highs climbing from the low 80s into the upper 80s by next Monday.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 7pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 61. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 84. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 63. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 83. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 58. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 84. East wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 61. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 86.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 63.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 87.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 66.
Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 88.
Northview Chiefs, Jay Royals To Battle For Regional Title Tonight
May 12, 2026
The Northview Chiefs will host the Jay Royals at 6 p.m. Tuesday for the Region 1 Rural championship.
The Chiefs (19-5) will be looking to continue their current eight-game winning streak, while the Royals (12-12) will be looking to upset the region’s top team.
Northview defeated Jay 7-0 for the district title.
Photos: Northview Blanks Jay for District championship.
Northview is coming off a 15-0 mercy rule shutout of Holmes County in just 2.5 innings, and Jay held on for a 3-2 win over Chipley in their regional semifinal.
Last season, Northview won the regional championship 4-1 over Jay. The Chiefs advanced to the state final, finishing as state runners-up to Trenton.
Tickets are available on GoFan; no cash at the gate.
Escambia Felon Indicted On Federal Gun, Drug Charges
May 12, 2026
An Escambia County felon has been indicted on federal drug and gun charges.
Marcellous Likely-McWilliams III, 27, was indicted in federal court on one count of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance involving marijuana; one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; and one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Trial is set for June 22.
If convicted, Likely-McWilliams faces a maximum of 20 years’ imprisonment on the possession with intent to distribute count; a minimum mandatory sentence of 5 years’ imprisonment and up to life imprisonment on the possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking count; and up to 15 years’ imprisonment on the possession of a firearm by a convicted felon count.
Pensacola Sports Honors Top Senior Athletes, Awards Scholarships (With Gallery)
May 12, 2026
Pensacola Sports recently recognized the top outstanding seniors who have excelled in their respective sports on and off the field in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties and awarded scholarships.
For a photo gallery, click here.
A selection committee, made up of educators, community leaders and Pensacola Sports board members, carefully reviews each anonymous application, honoring those whose character, leadership and achievements truly stand out. From these sport-specific winners,
2026 Senior Scholar-Athlete Award Winners
- Overall Boys Senior Scholar-Athlete ($5,000 Scholarship): Colton Guillot, Catholic High School
- Overall Girls Senior Scholar-Athlete ($5,000 Scholarship): Abby Vernier, West Florida High School
- Multi Sport Girls ($500 Scholarship): Kaylie Mitchell, Tate High School
- Multi Sport Boys ($500 Scholarship: Bowen Iorg, Pace High School
- Baseball: Clayton Sanders, Pace High School
- Boys Basketball: Sergio Robinson, Milton High School
- Boys Cross Country: John McAuley, West Florida High School
- Football: Caden Jasso, Catholic High School
- Boys Golf: Ian Morris, Catholic High School
- Boys Lacrosse: John Lagergren, Catholic High School
- Boys Soccer: John Zeravsky, Catholic High School
- Boys Swimming: Linden Mason, Pace High School
- Boys Tennis: Guy Ormsby, Gulf Breeze High School
- Boys Track: Markiece Kramer, Pace High School
- Boys Weightlifting: Roan Strom, Navarre High School
- Wrestling: Garrett Ferguson, Gulf Breeze High School
- Cheerleading: Brea Lyle, Jay High School
- Girls Basketball: Chamiah Francis, Central High School
- Girls Cross Country: Charlotte NeSmith, West Florida High School
- Girls Flag Football: Haley Dasinger, Pace High School
- Girls Golf: Lillian Day, Catholic High School
- Girls Lacrosse: Ella Adams, Catholic High School
- Girls Soccer: Lily Rodriguez, Catholic High School
- Softball: Mylee Frazier, Jay High School
- Girls Swimming: Taylor Clements, West Florida High School
- Girls Tennis: Maya Chavan, Catholic High School
- Girls Track: Trinity Jordan, Escambia High School
- Volleyball: Sydney Sutter, Gulf Breeze High School
- Girls Weightlifting: Abigail Butler, Navarre High School
- Multi Sport Girls: Kaylie Mitchell, Tate High School
- Multi Sport Boys: Bowen Iorg, Pace High School
Pensacola State College warded 25 individual sports winners with a one-year $900 renewable scholarships
Special Scholarships
Dr. Alec Kessler Memorial Foundation Scholarships ($1,000)
- Ruby Seacrest, Washington
- Lawson Killingsworth, Washington
- Darnell Thomas, Catholic
- Avril Clarke, Gulf Breeze
- Breanna Shaw, Navarre
UWF Scholarship ($1,500)
- Brody Bruce, Navarre
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
PensaKeyla Proud! Relive Top 3 Idol Finalist Keyla Richardson’s Concert, Parade
May 12, 2026
Keyla Richardson’s quest to be the next American Idol ended at the Top 3 on Monday night, but oh what a ride.
Last week, Richardson was in Pensacola for Keyla Fest, with a downtown parade and concert.
You can relive both in our photo galleries:
For a photo gallery from the concert parade and more, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Allie Peton, and photos courtesy Escambia County and the U.S. Navy for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
James M. Avery
May 12, 2026
of Pensacola passed away on May 5, 2026 at the age of 82.
He was born in Pensacola, Florida on December 12, 1943 to James Moses Avery and Leeola Coleman. James was married to the love of his life Janis A. Avery for 25 years. He had a career as a Millwright and as a Professional Beekeeper. He was a Christian that loved the Lord. James had a passionate for Alabama football, fishing, and agriculture.
He was preceded in death by his father, James Moses Avery; his mother, Leeola Coleman; and his sister, Dolly Strickland.
James is survived by his loving wife, Janis and her sons, Michael (Brittanie) and Steven (Jenny); his sister, Zoia Holland and her family: Dave, Donna, Denver, Tonya (Matt), Paige, Jocelynn, Miles, Makalynn, Ethan, Isabella, Denver II, Scarlett, Donna (Rusty), Elizabeth, and Catherine; his sister, Hurene (Otto) and their family, Christian (Adam), Eli and family, Levi and Sara Grace; the children of his sister Dolly (Deacon), Wendy (David) and son Christian, Howie (Danielle); brothers, Matt (Kathy), Clint (Hannah), Mark, Abby, Carmella Mae, Michelle.
The honorary pallbearers are Mark Avery, Matt Avery, David Stacey, Michael Krause, Steven Krause, Dave Holland, Denver, Ethan, Matt, Rusty, Howie, Christian, and Clint.
A special note of thanks to his lifelong neighbor Shelby Jean Barnhill, Brandon, Blake and families, Richard and Theresa Coffee and family. Grateful for the care and compassion of so many doctors and staff, Sacred Heart, and Select Specialty Hospital and Hospice.
John David Minnick III
May 12, 2026
John David Minnick III, 75, of Cantonment, FL , passed away on May 3, 2026 after a lengthy illness.
John was born in Baltimore, MD to the late John David Minnick, Jr. and Mary Agnes Minnick.
John was an avid deer hunter, loved the outdoors and his many cats and dogs he had throughout the years. He was the life of the party. His laughter was contagious and loved joking around. John will be deeply missed.
He is preceded in death by his wife of 35 years, Carol (Davis) Minnick; brother, David Eugene Minnick; and sisters, Dee Sandnes, Mary Maier, and Susan Smith.
John is survived by his children, Brian Greene, Tania Eddins, David (Krystal) Minnick and Kathy (Chuck) Bonini; stepdaughters, Kathy Holler and Whitney Yell; numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren; brother, Robert (Kim) Minnick; and sisters, Linda Martin and Ann Barnes; numerous nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, Donations to Hotel for Cats and Dogs at www.h4dc.org
Baby, Adult Reportedly Transported Following Highway 29, Old Chemstrand Crash
May 11, 2026
A baby and an adult were reportedly transported to the hospital following an afternoon crash at Highway 29 and Old Chemstrand Road.
The crash, involving a GMC Terrain and GMC Sierra, occurred just before 1 p.m. The cause is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.
None of the injuries were believed to be serious.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Krisi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Escambia Man Charged With Traveling To Meet A Minor At Nine Mile Restaurant
May 11, 2026
A 62-year-old man was arrested after allegedly traveling to a local Waffle Huse to meet a child for illegal sexual activity.
Billy Ray Rogers was arrested by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office last Wednesday at the Waffle House on East Nine Mile Road at 7 East Nine Mile Road, near North Palafox Street. He faces a felony charge of traveling to meet after using a computer to lure a child. He was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $15,000 bond.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to a reported disturbance at the Waffle House. An arriving deputy was met by a man who said he works for Predator Poachers, a Texas company that goes undercover to catch sexual predators. The company is not affiliated with local law enforcement.
Another Predator Poachers employee told deputies that he had been working undercover as a 13-year-old girl named “Miley.” The sheriff’s office said he provided printed copies of messages between the Miley persona and Rogers from TikTok and Telegram in which Rogers invited Miley over to his house. The company enlisted a Waffle House customer to message and call Rogers to see if he was coming to pick her up at the Waffle House, an arrest report states.
The Waffle House customer told deputies that Rogers said he did not want to be arrested because he is a 60-year-old man and she was just 13 years old. She then explained to Rogers that she walked from a friend’s house and it was dark, asking him to pick her up, and he pulled up to the restaurant door, according to the arrest report.
According to the ECSO report, Rogers spontaneously told a deputy “that he has child porn on his black phone and a computer” and he sent nude photos of himself to an underage female and wanted the girls to come to his place. The phone was seized and submitted into evidence. Child pornography charges were not immediately filed, pending the outcome of the investigation.
The ECSO report states that Rogers admitted “that he knew what he did was wrong,” that he knew Miley was 13 years old, and that he sent her a sexually explicit photo of himself.
Deputies reported that the alleged messages sent by Rogers to the 13-year-old decoy were explicit details of what he intended to do.
Rogers was interviewed by the ECSO Special Victims Unit (SVU) prior to being booked into the Escambia County Jail.