Northview Takes Three At Weekend At Panama City Softball Challenge
March 9, 2026
Northview’s Lady Chiefs went 3-1 at the Florida-USA Softball Challenge 2026 on Friday and Saturday in Panama City.
Daviona Randolph had three home runs for the Lady Chiefs, Avery Stuckey had one, and Brooklyn Allen had a grand slam.
Tournament Scores
- Northview 6, Port St. Joe 0
- Northview 5, Ashford 2
- Enterprise 8, Northview 3
- Northview 12, Walton 1
This week, Northview will host T.R. Miller on Tuesday and travel to Niceville on Thursday.
Saturday Night Crash Claims Life Of Motorcyclist On Highway 97
March 8, 2026
A motorcyclist was killed in a crash with a pickup truck on Saturday night on Highway 97.
The crash occurred about two miles south of Tungoil Road, or about six miles south of Walnut Hill.
The motorcyclist, a 54-year-old man from Stapleton, Alabama, was northbound on Highway 97 when he crossed the centerline, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The motorcycle collided head-on with a Ford F150 driven by a 63-year-old Milton man.
After collision, the vehicles traveled nearly 200 feet south until coming to rest on the shoulder of the roadway. The motorcyclist was pronounced deceased on the scene by first responders.
The driver of the pickup truck and his 54-year-old female passenger were transported by Escambia County EMS to Sacred Heart Hospital with minor injuries.
The Molino and Walnut Hill Stations of Escambia County Fire Rescue, Escambia County EMS, and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded.
Highway 97 was completely closed and detoured for about four hours.
NortheEcambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Man Wanted For Cantonment Homicide After Victim’s Body Found
March 8, 2026
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is searching for a homicide suspect in connection with the death of a 34-year-old man found dead in Cantonment.
Devaughn Kentrell Williamson is wanted in connection to a homicide that occurred on Wednesday, March 4 in the 100 block of Booker Lane, just north of Booker Street.
Deputies originally responded to Booker Lane after a report of “deadly missiles” and found blood and shell casings at the scene.
Deputies were working a missing persons case and developed Williamson as a suspect, which ultimately led to the discovery of the victim’s body.
Investigators believe the motive is drug related.
The case remains under investigation and further details have not been released.
Anyone knowing the whereabouts of Devaughn Kentrell Williamson is asked to contact the ECSO at (850) 436-9620 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Play Ball! Saturday Was Opening Day For A Growing Century Blackcats Ball Program
March 8, 2026
Saturday was opening day for the spring ball season for the Century Baseball Association at Showalter Park.
The program is continuing to grow, up from 198 players and 16 teams last year to 220 plays and 19 teams this year.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
After Sunday Rain, Back Near 80 For Monday
March 8, 2026
Sunday brings the highest chance of thunderstorms before a brief lull, followed by another significant system packing gusty winds and high rain chances by Wednesday night. Expect a beautiful, sunny clearing trend starting Thursday with much cooler overnight temperatures to finish the week.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Sunday:
Sunday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 9pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 64. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Monday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 79. Light south wind increasing to 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
Monday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 65. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Tuesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 82. Light south wind increasing to 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 65. South wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday: A 40 percent chance of showers after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 82. South wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Wednesday Night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before midnight, then a chance of showers. Low around 51. South wind 10 to 15 mph becoming north after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
Thursday: A 20 percent chance of showers before noon. Sunny, with a high near 65.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 41.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 71.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 49.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 77.
Escambia Fire Responds To Reported House Fire Off Chemstrand Road
March 8, 2026
Saturday night, Escambia County Fire Rescue responded to a reported house fire just off Chemstrand Road.
The fire in the 600 block of Dye Street was reported around 9:20 p.m. Escambia County Fire Rescue was able to quickly bring the situation under control with no significant damage.
Further details were not available Saturday night.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Photo Gallery: Opening Day At Molino, NEP and Century Ballparks
March 8, 2026
Saturday was opening day for the spring ball season at several local ballparks including NEP, Century Baseball Association at Showalter Park and the Molino Ballpark.
For a photo gallery that includes scenes from Molino, Century and ENP, click here.
Related story: Play Ball! Saturday Was Opening Day For A Growing Century Blackcats Ball Program
Reader submitted and NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Here Are This Week’s Road Construction Problem Spots
March 8, 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:
- Beulah Road (State Road (S.R.) 99) Resurfacing from Mobile Highway (S.R. 10A) to Isaacs Road – Drivers may encounter intermittent lane closures on Beulah Road, from Nine Mile Road to Mobile Highway, Sunday, March 8 through Thursday, March 12, between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m., for paving operations.
- Interstate 110 (I-110) Resurfacing from Interstate 10 (I-10) to U.S. 98 – Drivers may encounter the following traffic disruptions, Sunday, March 8 through Thursday, March 12, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., for paving operations and roadway lighting work:
- Intermittent lane closures on I-110, between I-10 and U.S. 98.
- Intermittent lane closures at the I-110 ramps to Brent Lane (S.R. 296) and Airport Boulevard (Exit 5).
- I-10 Resurfacing from east of U.S. 29 to east of Davis Highway (S.R. 291) – Drivers may encounter the following traffic disruptions, Sunday, March 8 through Thursday, March 12, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., for paving operations:
- Intermittent lane closures on I-10, between mile markers 11 and 14.
- Intermittent lane closures at the I-10 ramps to I-110 (Exit 12) and Davis Highway (S.R. 291) (Exit 13).
- Ninth Avenue (S.R. 289) Resurfacing from Creighton Road (S.R. 274) to Olive Road – Drivers may encounter intermittent lane closures on Ninth Avenue, between Creighton Road and Olive Road, Sunday, March 8 through Thursday, March 12, between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m., for paving operations and placement of thermoplastic striping.
- S.R. 296 (Michigan Avenue) Resurfacing from Mobile Highway (U.S. 90) to North Palafox Street (U.S. 29) – The week of Sunday, March 8, 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 east of Bauer Road (County Road (C.R.) 293) to Manchester Street – Drivers may encounter intermittent lane closures on S.R. 292 from east of Bauer Road (C.R. 293) to Manchester Street, Sunday, March 8 through Thursday, March 12, 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, March 8, drivers may encounter the following construction-related traffic disruptions:
- Garden Street, between Pace Boulevard and N. 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.
- On-street parking is closed on Garden Street, between B Street and L Street.
- I-10 at Nine Mile Road Interchange (Exit 5) Construction – Drivers will encounter the following construction related traffic disruptions:
- Intermittent I-10 lane closures near the Nine Mile Road interchange, Sunday, March 8 through Thursday, March 12, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. for barrier wall placement and heavy equipment relocation.
- Nine Mile Road will be reduced to one travel lane in each direction between the I-10 ramps, Sunday, March 8 through Friday, March 13, 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, March 8:
- Alternating lane closures on I-10 eastbound near the U.S. 29 interchange, Sunday, March 8 through Thursday, March 12, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., for bridge construction activities.
- 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.
Santa Rosa County:
- 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, March 8, through Friday, March 13, 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, March 8 through Thursday, March 12, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., for striping operations.
- U.S. 90 Coring Operation over the White River Bridge – Drivers will encounter intermittent lane closures Monday, March 9 through Friday, April 10, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., for coring operations.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Students Learn About Ag During NHS ‘Fresh From Florida’ Event (With Gallery)
March 7, 2026
About 550 elementary school students from Escambia and Santa Rosa counties attended the annual Northview High School FFA “Fresh From Florida” agricultural advocacy program Friday morning at the school in Bratt.
Formerly known as the “Food For America program”, the event gave students a chance to learn about agriculture first hand, up close and personal with farm animals, farm equipment and more to learn how food gets from the farm to their tables. Students were even able to make and enjoy eating their own fresh butter.
The Northview High School FFA “Fresh From Florida” program has been honored as the number one program in the state multiple times, and the chapter was also named one of the best in the United State by the National FFA Organization.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Man Charged With Making False Claim Of Liquor Store Knife Attack
March 7, 2026
A Cantonment man was arrested after security footage allegedly debunked his claims of being threatened with a knife during a January disturbance at a local liquor store.
Kenneth Scott Miller, 48, is charged with making a false report to law enforcement. He was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $500 bond.
According to an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office arrest report, Miller contacted authorities on January 20, claiming a man had held a pocket knife to his throat and threatened him outside The Liquor Cabinet on Highway 29 and Old Chemstrand Road. Miller reportedly maintained this version of events under oath, even after deputies warned him of the legal consequences of filing a false report.
However, the reporting officer noted that Miller provided inconsistent stories during the initial investigation. A follow-up review of the business’s security footage showed Miller as the primary aggressor, according to the arrest report. The video reportedly depicted Miller aggressively approaching another individual’s vehicle multiple times. While the other man did brandish a knife to protect himself, the footage showed he held it by his side or at chest height and never placed it to Miller’s neck.