Semi-Truck Falls Off I-110 In Pensacola
August 13, 2026
A semi-truck fell off I-110 in Pensacola on Wednesday afternoon.
The driver lost control, crashed the truck over a concrete guardrail, and the truck fell to a grassy area below. There were no other vehicles involved.
There were no injuries reported.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Superintendent: Smooth Start Sets High Expectations For Escambia Schools As New Year Begins
August 13, 2026
The first day of school in Escambia County was a success, according to Superintendent Keith Leonard, and he says more good things are to come for the district.
“We have close to 32,000 students,” he said on his way home after a long day Wednesday of visiting schools. “We were able to get them all safely transported to and from school. For the most part, I believe everyone had a full schedule, a full day of activity. I would say we had a very successful full day of school here in Escambia County Public Schools.”
The school district is starting the year ranked at the top of the state’s grading system, earning an overall A, but there is still room for improvement for some schools.
“Our goal is simply to improve. If we improve from our last year’s score, that will be pretty substantive, so that is our goal.”
File photo.
‘An Honor And A Privilege’ – Former Century Mayor, Councilman Luis Gomez, Jr. Dies
August 13, 2026
Former Century mayor and councilman Luis Gomez, Jr. has died. Gomez resigned as mayor in early 2025 for medical reasons. He was 64.
“It is with a heavy heart that I submit my resignation as mayor of the Town of Century effective January 10, 2025,” Gomez said on January 7, 2025, reading from a letter to the town council. “This decision comes after much reflection and is based on a personal medical reasons that I now require all my full attention. Serving the Town of Century has been an honor and a privilege.”
“When the former mayor abruptly resigned in 2023, I stepped into the role of interim mayor by a 4-1 vote to provide leadership and stability. With the support and approval of the council, I took immediate action to address critical issues and set a foundation for Century’s future,” he said before citing specific accomplishments including insurance savings of nearly $200,000, hiring a professional management consulting firm, and outsourcing management of the wastewater treatment plant.
“These accomplishments reflect a shared commitment to the progress and fiscal responsibility, and I am proud that we were able to achieve it together in such a short time,” Gomez said. “I remain committed to supporting a smooth transition and full confidence that the foundation we built to sustain and propel the town forward. Thank you for your trust, collaboration and the opportunity to serve this incredible community.”
Gomez received a standing ovation for his service from the council.
Gomez was appointed interim mayor in August 2023 after the resignation of then-mayor Ben Boutwell. He was later elected to the position with no opposition in 2023 in a special election to finish Boutwell’s term and again with no opposition in 2024 for another four-year term that just started on January 1, 2025. He was first elected to the town council in 2017.
Funeral services have not been announced.
Pictured top: Century Mayor Luis Gomez, Jr. reads his letter of resignation on January 7, 2025. He received a standing ovation for his service from the town council (first below). Just reelected, he was sworn in as mayor (pictured second below) on January 7, 2025, to serve just a few days after resigning in the same meeting. Gomez was first elected to the town council in 2017 (third photo below). Gomez was also known for community service, hosting events such as block parties for youth (fourth below). NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
DeSantis Awards $9 Million Grant To Bring 2,000 Shipbuilding Jobs To Pensacola, Escambia County
August 13, 2026
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis visited the Port of Pensacola on Wednesday to award $9 million from the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund to the City of Pensacola, supporting the establishment of Birdon America Inc.’s Southeastern headquarters and creating 2,000 new jobs.
The grant funding will aid in public infrastructure enhancements and capacity building to support the construction of two shipbuilding facilities totaling approximately 400,000 square feet of manufacturing space at the Port of Pensacola. The new facilities will expand Florida’s maritime manufacturing capacity, allowing the port to produce complex Navy ship modules for submarines and surface vessels up to 400 feet long.
The project will support economic development not just in the City of Pensacola, but throughout Escambia County and the entire Northwest Florida Region, creating approximately 2,000 manufacturing and related jobs connected to advanced shipbuilding and maritime manufacturing operation, according to Escambia County officials.
“We have a strong economy because we have our priorities straight,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “We have delivered record tax relief while making strategic investments in workforce education, infrastructure, and economic development projects that bring industry and jobs to our state. Today, we’re building on that track record with a $9 million investment to support the construction of two boatbuilding facilities at the Port of Pensacola. These facilities will produce complex Navy ship modules for submarines and surface ships, and they are projected to create 2,000 jobs for Floridians in shipbuilding and maritime manufacturing.”
DeSantis and Florida Secretary of Commerce J. Alex Kelly made the announcement alongside Pensacola Mayor D.C. Reeves at the American Magic High Performance Center, located at the port.
“There are moments in a city’s history that define trajectory for not just years but for generations, and I certainly think this is one of those days,” Reeves said, noting Pensacola’s deepwater port history dating back to 1721. “The maritime industry is more than part of our history; it is part of our DNA. I thank Gov. Ron DeSantis for believing in Pensacola’s maritime future, for his commitment to infrastructure, high-wage job creation and Florida’s working waterfront. This grant is a massive vote of confidence in Pensacola.”
“I’m excited, I think everyone here should be excited,” DeSantis said. “This is going to continue the momentum. It’ll be really good.”
The $275 million overall project marks the largest job creation project in Pensacola’s history. The expected 2,000 new positions include 1,437 jobs with an average annual salary of $68,000 and 563 jobs averaging $112,000 annually.
DeSantis noted that these positions could draw former military personnel exiting nearby regional installations into Birdon and related positions, strengthening the local economy while supplying critical modules for warships and submarines.
“If you do the right things on job training and workforce development leading into that pipeline, it’s going to be a natural fit,” DeSantis said.
“Under Governor DeSantis’ leadership, Florida has ensured our state remains economically competitive through strategic investments that increase Florida’s maritime manufacturing capacity—bringing high-skill, high-wage jobs to Florida communities,” Kelly said. “By investing in this project, supporting our local and regional partners, and adding capacity to Florida’s overall industrial base, we are strengthening Florida’s growing maritime economy and doing our part to enhance our nation’s security.”
The City of Pensacola will maintain public ownership of the new infrastructure and enter into a long-term ground lease with Birdon America Inc. The $105 million facility construction phase includes a Phase 1 panel line and module fabrication warehouse along with a Phase 2 assembly bay.
Funding for the total $275 million initiative will combine state, federal, and private sources, including an expected $76 million grant from Triumph Gulf Coast, $33 million from the U.S. Department of Commerce, and $152 million from Birdon. Reeves stated the city hopes to bring the final agreement to the Triumph Board later this summer.
“Creating these high-wage, high-quality manufacturing jobs for our residents provides lasting opportunity to build a life, build a family, and build a future in Pensacola,” Reeves said.
To support the pipeline for this project and the surrounding industrial base, local partnerships are planned with the University of West Florida’s WAVE Center, Pensacola State College, and the Florida Institute for Human and Machine Cognition. The city is also continuing its aerospace workforce integration at Pensacola International Airport, where Pensacola State College recently broke ground on a $16 million Aviation Airframe and Powerplant Mechanics facility near ST Engineering. Hangar 3 for ST Engineering achieved substantial completion this summer, with construction on Hangar 4 slated to begin later this year for completion by late summer 2027.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Photo Gallery: First Day Of School In Escambia County
August 13, 2026
Wednesday was the first day of school in Escambia County.
As is an annual tradition, we asked parents to submit their North Escambia area back to school photos. We received hundreds of photos and have published as many as possible in the gallery linked below.
There are hundreds of photos in six galleries:
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Partly Cloudy, Low In The Upper 70s Tonight; Heat Advisory For Friday
August 13, 2026
A heat advisory is in effect for Friday. The National Weather Service said heat indices in the 105-112 degree range will be dangerous for anyone outdoors for extended periods.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 77. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Friday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 94. Heat index values as high as 108. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the morning.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 77. East wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Saturday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Sunny, with a high near 94. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Saturday 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 76. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Sunday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Sunny, with a high near 94. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 76. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
Monday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Sunny, with a high near 94. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 77.
Tuesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Sunny, with a high near 95.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 76.
Wednesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Sunny, with a high near 95.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 76.
Thursday: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Sunny, with a high near 95.
Wahoos Slug Four More Homers In Blowout Biloxi Win
August 13, 2026
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos picked up right where they left off on Wednesday night, steamrolling the Biloxi Shuckers 12-4.
The Wahoos scored first when Brandon Compton drew a bases loaded walk in the first inning. And while the Shuckers did knot things up in the bottom of the first, Pensacola turned into a runaway train from the second inning on.
Cristian Hernández returned the lead to the ‘Hoos with an RBI double, making it 2-1 in the 2nd. The third inning went scoreless before Pensacola exploded for six runs in the 4th and it only took three swings. Ethan O’Donnell bopped his second homer of the year, a solo bomb. A couple batters later, Payton Green did the same thing. With a 4-1 lead, the Wahoos loaded the bases for Connor Caskenette. And Connor deposited a ball over the wall for a grand slam.
Biloxi got a run back in the 4th before Cristian Hernández added to his RBI total on the night with a two-run single in the 5th. Down 10-2, Damon Keith popped a two-run shot off of Luis Moreno (W, 6-6). Brandon Compton saw all these homers being hit and figured it had been a while by his standards, so he sent one out to center field, extending the lead to 11-4. They tacked on an extra run in the 8th and 9th to make it 13-4.
JD Thompson (L, 0-1) took the loss in his Double-A debut, surrendering two runs in 3.0 innings. Gabe Bierman and Christian MacLeod combined for the final 4.0 innings to seal the victory.
The Blue Wahoos continue their series against the Shuckers on Thursday.
written by Charlie Hobert
No Injuries When Jeep Rear-Ends Semi In Fiery Highway 97 Crash
August 12, 2026
There were no injuries in a fiery Wednesday afternoon crash on Highway 97 south of Walnut Hill.
The driver of a northbound Jeep Renegade rear-ended a tractor-trailer on Highway 97 just north of Tungoil Road just after 3 p.m. The Jeep traveled across the southbound lane, through a ditch and came to rest in a field. The driver was able to escape the vehicle before it was destroyed by fire.
The tractor-trailer stopped on the shoulder of Highway 97.
Both drivers refused transport by Escambia County EMS.
The fire was quickly extinguished by the Molino Station of Escambia County Fire Rescue with assistance from the ECFR Walnut Hill Station.
The Florida Highway Patrol investigated the crash, which closed both north and southbound Highway 97 for a short period of time.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Two Injured In Highway 29 Crash Wednesday Morning
August 12, 2026
Two people were injured in a Highway 29 traffic crash on Wednesday morning.
The driver of a Jeep apparently rear-ended a passenger car just north of Roberts Road.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Woman Charged After Alleged Knife Attack, Lawn Damage Off Becks Lake Road
August 12, 2026
A Cantonment woman is facing multiple charges after allegedly threatening a man with a knife and tearing up his lawn during a February dispute off Becks Lake Road.
Missty Louise Tarver, 44, was arrested recently on an outstanding warrant for felony aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without intent to kill and misdemeanor criminal mischief.
According to an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office arrest affidavit, deputies responded to a disturbance complaint on February 26, 2026, at a residence on Garman Road, located just off Becks Lake Road in Cantonment.
A resident told deputies that Tarver called him earlier that evening acting irate and slurring her words, appearing to be heavily intoxicated. Shortly after the call, Tarver arrived at the residence in a black Chevrolet pickup truck with her 7-year-old child inside the vehicle.
When the resident held the unscreened porch door shut to keep her from entering, Tarver allegedly thrust a camo-handled pocket knife with a serrated blade through the porch screen toward his wrist. The victim had to pull his hand back to avoid being cut while Tarver yelled repeated threats at him.
Deputies noted that Tarver then returned to her truck, wielding two knives. Before fleeing the scene, she allegedly drove her pickup truck in circles, performing “donuts” on the front lawn. The stunt left deep tire ruts in the grass, causing an estimated $500 in property damage.
Responding deputies observed the hole in the screened porch door and the fresh tire ruts across the lawn.
Tarver was booked into the Escambia County Jail before being released on an $8,000 bond.