Tate Aggies Crimson And Gray Game Is Tonight
May 8, 2026
The Tate Aggies Crimson and Gray game is set for 6 p.m. Friday at Pete Gindl Stadium.
The Tate Quarterback Club will be selling concessions, including pork nachos and sandwiches, hamburgers, drinks, candy, and chips.
Tickets are available on GoFan. Cards are accepted for concessions and at the Aggie Shack.
Mississippi Man Killed In Fiery I-65 Crash North Of Flomaton
May 8, 2026
A Mississippi man was killed in a fiery crash on I-65 in Escambia County, Alabama.
The two-vehicle crash occurred about 6 a.m. Monday on I-65 approximately 18 miles north of Flomaton, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency said on Thursday.
Brandon G. Wascom, 46, of Carriere, Mississippi, was fatally injured when his 2018 Chevrolet Silverado struck the rear of the 2001 Peterbilt tractor-trailer driven by Jaron K. Bush, 34, of Mobile. After the initial impact, the pickup caught fire. Wascom was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Troopers are continuing their investigation.
Reader submitted photo.
Lewis Jr. Homers In Wahoos 7-3 Loss To Trash Pandas
May 8, 2026
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos fell to the Rocket City Trash Pandas by a final score of 7-3 on Thursday night.
Pensacola was playing catch up early, when two runs scored on a ground ball that ate up Wahoos shortstop Payton Green off the bat of Rocket City leadoff hitter Wade Meckler, Green’s first error of the year.
The Blue Wahoos would answer back in the fourth inning, when Dillon Lewis walked with one out and Ian Lewis Jr. would send one over the right field wall for a 2-run homer, his third blast of the year. Two batters later, Payton Green would hit his team leading 8th double of the year and would eventually score on a Ryan Ignoffo go ahead RBI single, giving the club a 3-2 lead. Ignoffo had entered the game in the second inning, filling in for an injured Spencer Bramwell.
Pensacola starter Orlando Ortiz-Mayr would be taken out of the game in the 5th after allowing back-to-back singles to Kyren Paris and Gustavo Campero. Mason Vinyard would be the first arm called on out of the pen, and while he would retire three consecutive batters, a flyball and a ground out would move Paris to third and home, tying the game at 3-3.
That score would hold until the top of the 7th, when Pensacola reliever Logan Whitaker (L, 2-1) would allow two runs on a two run bomb off the bat of Rocket City’s Matthew Lugo, giving the Pandas a 5-3 lead. They would add to that lead in the top of the 8th, when Nick Rodriguez would send the first pitch he saw into left field for a two out, two run single, making it a 7-3 game.
The offense would threaten in the 8th, but ultimately come up empty before going down quietly in the 9th, finalizing the 7-3 loss. Trash Pandas reliever Camden Minacci (W, 1-2) was credited with his first win of the season and Luke Murphy locked down his third save of the season.
The Blue Wahoos continue their series against the Trash Pandas on Friday evening.
written by Charlie Hobert
Thousands Attend American Idol Finalist Keyla Richardson Hometown Concert (With Photo Gallery)
May 7, 2026
Thousands turned out Wednesday night for a concert featuring Keyla Richardson, a Top 3 finalist on American Idol.
Keyla Fest was held at the Hunter Amphitheater with overflow seating in Blue Wahoos Stadium. The concert, a hometown parade, and more will be featured in next Monday night’s American Idol finale.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Allie Penton, click to enlarge.
Jim Allen Elementary Students Among Hundreds Attending Blue Wahoos Education Day Game
May 7, 2026
Students from Jim Allen Elementary School were among hundreds who attended a Pensacola Blue Wahoos Education Day game on Wednesday at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
American Idol Top 3 finalist Keyla Richardson made a surprise appearance at the game.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
It’s Official. The New Nine Mile Road Costco Is Set To Open In June.
May 7, 2026
It’s official. The Pensacola Costco on Nine Mile Road will open in June.
The wholesale retailer has now listed the store as opening in June on their website, but a specific date has not been finalized.
The 172,580 square foot Costco retail store with a gas station and 830 parking spaces is located at 225 East Nine Mile Road, at the corner of East Nine Mile Road and Chemstrand Road. It’s on several parcels totaling just under 22 acres.
In April, the company listed numerous jobs available at the store. The jobs include tire installers, stockers, cashiers, pharmacy managers, cake decorators, deli clerks, food service, meat wrappers, and many more. Hourly employees begin at $20-$21 an hour, while some positions like pharmacy manager pay much more.
How much is a Costco membership?
Membership is required for in-store shoppers at Costco. Members must be 16 or older to apply. The pharmacy is open to anyone, regardless of membership.
Costco offers two levels of membership for individuals or businesses:
Executive: $130 annually
- Annual 2% Reward
- Costco Services Discounts
- Shop Online and in Warehouses
- Includes 2 Membership Cards
- 100% Satisfaction Guarantee
Gold Star: $65 annually
- Shop Online and in Warehouses
- Includes 2 Membership Cards
- 100% Satisfaction Guarantee
Businesses can purchase either level to purchase items for resale or add additional people at $65 each.
Pictured: The Costco store in Montgomery, Alabama. NorthEscambia.com file photo.
American Idol Finalist Keyla Richardson Surprises Tate Yearbook Students At Wahoos Game
May 7, 2026
American Idol Top 3 finalist Keyla Richardson made a surprise appearance on Wednesday at a Pensacola Blue Wahoos Education Day game, attended by students from across Escambia County.
Members of the Tate High School Yearbook staff were there, and had a chance to meet Keyla and take a quick photo together.
Photos courtesy Tate High School Yearbook (above) and Olivia Lister/Tate High Yearbook (below) for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century To Consider Accessory Dwellings, ‘Backyard Apartments’
May 7, 2026
The Town of Century will consider a new accessory apartment ordinance to expand housing options available to all property owners in the Town.
The town already allows accessory dwelling units (ADUs), which it calls accessory apartments. The town council will consider modifying the existing ordinance to allow more structures to qualify as accessory dwellings, with clear objective standards that town staff could administer. The current ordinance limits ADU size to 25% of the main structure size, subject to setback requirements (the minimum distance from property lines).
Accessory dwellings are commonly known as granny apartments, in-law suites, and backyard apartments.
According to Century Town Council President Dynette Lewis, current housing ordinances were written in the early 1990s and need to be updated, and council member Donnie Bass said he agrees.
It is estimated that the updates to the town’s housing ordinance will cost about $1,500 from the Emerald Coast Regional Council, which serves as the town’s planning organization. The final cost will be determined by the number of revisions and meetings needed for a final version. The town has applied for a grant to update all of its ordinances, but it’s not yet known if the grant will be awarded to the town.
“The Council should understand that expanding this provision would be a meaningful change to the character of Century. A larger accessory apartment allowance would affect every residential property in Town and could result in a significant number of new units over time. The Council should think carefully about what standards would apply including: lot size minimums, setback requirements, utility connections, maximum size, and whether the unit must be attached or could be detached,” planner Eric Christianson of ECRC wrote in a memo to the town.
It is estimated that the process could take three months or more.
The move to consider a new ADU ordinance came after applicants Dewane Thomas and Mary Jo Thomas Clark first requested to place a 14×54 mobile home next to an existing home at 354 Hilltop Road, a lot with a total size of 1.6 acres, and connect the mobile home with a breeze way to the existing 874 square foot primary home.
They told the council that they wanted to use the second structure for their elderly mother, who is suffering from serious medical issues. Their mother is currently living in Michigan, and they wanted to move her to Century during winter months to escape the “brutal” cold.
They requested a medical hardship exemption to allow the second structure, but no provision for a medical hardship exists in Century’s current ordinances. Christianson said adding a medical hardship process to the town’s ordinances would come at significant cost and time.
Pictured top: The Century Town Council considers options after receiving a request to permit an accessory dwelling unit. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Escambia Woman Charged With Trafficking Meth, Heroin, And Fentanyl
May 7, 2026
An Escambia County woman was arrested on a list of felony drug offenses after a traffic stop in Ensley.
Misty Melissa Barfield, 49, was charged with trafficking methamphetamine, trafficking heroin, trafficking fentanyl, intent to sell marijuana, possession of cocaine and a controlled substance without a prescription, and possession of drug paraphernalia. She was booked into the Escambia County Jail without bond.
Her arrest followed an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office traffic stop on Ensley Street. Deputy said they located fentanyl, methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine, marijuana, and various narcotics.
Clouds Tonight; Rain Chances Increase Friday Afternoon
May 7, 2026
A chance of showers and thunderstorms will move into the region Friday afternoon, with rain chances increasing significantly into the weekend. Showers and thunderstorms are likely Friday night through Sunday, with the highest chance of precipitation reaching 90 percent on Saturday. Skies will begin to clear late Monday, leading to a sunny and mild stretch through the middle of next week.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62. West wind 5 to 10 mph becoming north after midnight.
Friday: A slight chance of showers between 1pm and 4pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 4pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 74. Northeast wind around 10 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Friday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 4am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 65. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Saturday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. High near 77. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming southwest in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
Saturday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 67. Southeast wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Sunday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. High near 81. South wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Sunday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 66. Calm wind.
Monday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 81. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 55.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 79.
Tuesday Night: Clear, with a low around 56.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 83.