Escambia Sex Offender Faces 20 New Felonies Including Registration Violations, Crimes Against Children
August 5, 2026
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s (FDLE) Missing Persons and Offender Enforcement (MPOE) Division arrested Sebastian Christopher Ballensky, 22, on numerous felony charges. Ballensky is a registered sexual offender.
Ballensky is charged with two counts of failure to register an internet identifier, three counts of promoting the sexual performance of a child, 10 counts of possession of child sexual abuse material (CSAM), two counts of use of a computer to seduce, solicit, lure or entice a minor to engage in sexual conduct, and three counts of transmission of materials harmful to minors.
In April, members of the MPOE Division assisted the Florida Department of Corrections (FDC) in an interview with Ballensky to determine whether he had been in compliance with Florida’s registration laws. FDC subsequently located cocaine hidden within Ballensky’s residence and arrested him for violation of probation. Ballensky was booked into the Escambia County Jail. He was eventually transferred to the Holmes County Jail where his probation sentence had originated.
Further investigation by FDLE MPOE revealed Ballensky had allegedly used unreported Snapchat accounts to communicate with minors, as well as solicit and send them explicit content.
On July 28, FDLE obtained an arrest warrant for Ballensky and charged him with the previously mentioned felony offenses. Ballensky was still incarcerated in the Holmes County Jail for the April arrest.
FDLE’s Missing Persons and Offender Enforcement Division partners with sheriff’s offices, police departments and federal law enforcement across Florida to verify compliance with Florida’s registration laws for sex offenders, predators and career offenders.
Wahoos Walk Off Suspended Game, Fall 10-2 To Biscuits In Follow Up
August 5, 2026
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos ended up going 1-1 on Tuesday evening against the Montgomery Biscuits. The day started with the resumption of a suspended game that was started back on July 12th, and the Wahoos won that one in walkoff fashion 3-2. The regularly scheduled 9-inning contest went to the Biscuits by a final score of 10-2.
Before Pensacola could play a game that had been on the schedule since its release, they had to finish off a game that was suspended due to rain back in mid-July. Before the rain started to fall on that fateful day, the Wahoos and Biscuits were locked in a 2-2 tie in the bottom of the 9th inning with a runner on second and one down. That’s exactly where the game picked up on Tuesday and the Wahoos stranded that runner on second.
In the top of the 10th inning, Jack Sellinger (W, 2-3) loaded the bases with nobody out, but induced a forceout, strikeout, and flyout to the Montgomery 2, 3, and 4 hitters to keep the game tied. In the bottom half, Jay Beshears would be the runner on second to start the inning and ended up scoring without the benefit of a batted ball. Two wild pitches from Tommy McCollum (L, 3-8) got Beshears to third and then home, giving the Wahoos a 3-2 walkoff victory, their fourth walkoff win of the year. Sellinger earned the win and McCollum earned the loss.
In “game 2” the Wahoos offense went stagnant. Biscuits starter Santiago Suarez (W, 6-3) continued his dominance over the ‘Hoos with 6.0 innings of one-run ball on eight hits, one walk, and four strikeouts. The lone run for Pensacola came on Ian Lewis Jr.’s 9th homer of the year, an opposite field shot over the left-center wall. However, it was already 4-0 by the time that homer came.
Montgomery put up 3 runs in the 4th off of Luis Palacios (L, 4-1), though all of them were unearned. An early throwing error from Cristian Hernández opened the door for the Biscuits, and Will Simpson knocked an RBI single into center. A batter later, Mac Horvath blooped a base hit into left-center field that snuck past both Brenan Jones and Emarrion Boyd. Horvath ended up at third with a two-run triple and a 3-0 lead.
In the 5th, Cooper Kinney got the best of Holt Jones with an RBI knock of his own. The score stayed 4-1 until four homers in the 8th and 9th innings increased the lead to 10-1 capped off by a three-run moonshot from Will Simpson.
Ian Lewis Jr. sent his 10th longball over the right field wall in the bottom of the 9th, his second multi-homer game of 2026. This, however, would be the end of the road for the Pensacola scoring, as Jonny Cuevas (S, 1) cemented the 10-2 victory. The Wahoos ended the day with a 56-47 record overall and 20-14 in the second half. The Biscuits now sit at 53-50 and 18-16.
The series continues on Wednesday night at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
First Look At The Design For New $10 Million Shelter In Century
August 4, 2026
We are getting a first look at the design for a new multimillion dollar community shelter in Century.
The Town of Century was awarded $10 million Florida Department of Commerce’s Rebuild Florida grant to turn the old Century High School gym property into a multipurpose facility that will also serve as a shelter during hurricanes or other disasters. Grant management was later redirected from the town to Escambia County.
The project has reached the 30% plan status showing the overall size, shape, orientation, and functional layout of the building, which retains the basic structure of the old gym and expands it. Plans show several new additions, including a large main lobby, an 812 square foot computer lab, two multipurpose rooms about 900 square foot each, a kitchen, two locker rooms, and offices and small flexible spaces. The structure will feature the complete rehabilitation of the gymnasium.
For more design images, and October 2025 photos of the Century High gym and property, click here.
Built in 1960 out of steel, concrete, and solid brick, the former Century High Blackcats gym has spent years being ravaged by time and vandals. Despite heavy interior damage, officials note the building remains remarkably resilient.
“It has good bones,” Century Mayor Ben Boutwell noted during a walkthrough last year. “With a steel frame and solid brick and concrete construction, it will make a good shelter.”
The remnants of the Century Kayo Stanton Football Stadium behind the gym will be demolished for safety reasons. The stadium was heavily damaged in an EF-3 tornado that struck Century on February 15, 2016. Century High School was closed and merged with Ernest Ward High School into the present-day Northview High School, which opened in 1995.
A timetable for finals plans and construction is not yet available.
Pictured: A first look at the design plants for a new community shelter in Century, building upon the structure of the former Century High School gym. Below are are photos of the gym from October 2025. Images for NorthEscambia.com, NorthEscambia.com photos.
Free Cantonment, Farm Hill Neighborhood Cleanup Set For Wednesday
August 4, 2026
A neighborhood cleanup for residents in Cantonment and Farm Hill are will take place this Wednesday, August 5. This is a chance for residents to dispose of items such as old furniture, appliances and household waste free of charge. Only residents in the designated cleanup area can participate in the neighborhood cleanup. Items for pickup should be at the curb by 7 a.m. on Wednesday. Items left at the curb outside of the cleanup area will not be collected. (Click map above to enlarge.)
Items eligible for removal include:
- Household appliances and electronics
- Household junk and debris
- Bicycles and toys
- Old furniture and mattresses
- Barbecue grills
- Household hazardous waste (old paint, motor oil, chemicals, batteries)
- Tires (limit 10 per household)
- Yard debris (tree cuttings, branches, etc.)
Items NOT eligible for removal include:
- Building materials (concrete, bricks, blocks, roofing, drywall or lumber)
- Explosives or ammunition
- Auto parts
- Dirt or sod
- Vehicles or vessels
- 55-gallon drums of fluids
For questions,contact Escambia County Neighborhood and Human Services at (850) 595-3130.
Summer Lunch Program Continues This Week At the Molino and Century Libraries
August 4, 2026
The summer lunch program will continue through Friday, August 7, at the Century, Molino, Tryon, and Westside libraries.
Friday was the last day of the program at the Bellview, Pensacola, and Southwest libraries.
A special rural grab-and-go version of the program will be available this week at the Century and Molino library locations.
Disabled individuals 19 years of age and older who participate in a public or private non-profit program during the school year are also eligible to receive meals. This program is sponsored by Feeding the Gulf Coast.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Closures Begin This Week In $24 Million Jacks Springs Project North Of Atmore
August 4, 2026
The Poarch Creek Indians have secured a historic $24 million federal grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration, marking the largest roadway construction grant in Tribal history. While the massive infrastructure investment promises long-term safety and modernization for Escambia County, Alabama, local drivers will face immediate travel disruptions starting this week.
The $4 million first phase of the expansive project is scheduled to begin on Wednesday, August 5, bringing temporary road closures to a heavily traveled section of Jack Springs Road north of Atmore.
According to Tribal officials, the road will be completely closed near Judson Cemetery from August 5 through August 10, 2026. A dedicated detour route will be implemented to guide motorists around the construction zone during this six-day window, and emergency responders, businesses, and local residents are urged to plan for delays and utilize alternate routes.
The overall initiative is a comprehensive, four-phase safety and infrastructure overhaul designed to improve travel conditions across a vital transportation corridor. Upgrades scheduled for the initial phase of construction include:
Lane Widening: Expanding the existing roadway to better accommodate commercial traffic and standard vehicles.
Paved Safety Shoulders: Adding new paved shoulders alongside the travel lanes.
Rumble Strips: Installing shoulder rumble strips to prevent run-off-road collisions.
Resurfacing: Complete repaving of the degraded driving surface.
Drainage Improvements: Upgrading infrastructure to reduce frequent flooding concerns in low-lying areas.
The entire four-phase modernization project is anticipated to span roughly two years, with a final completion target set for March 2028.
Atmore Man Dies Following Monday Afternoon Crash
August 4, 2026
An Atmore man has died following a single-vehicle crash Monday afternoon just north of the city.
According to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA), 70-year-old Larry Wright was critically injured around 4:45 p.m. on Monday, when his 2002 Buick LeSabre left the roadway and struck a ditch.
Authorities stated Wright was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the collision. He was transported to a local hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased.
The crash occurred on Jack Springs Road near Smith Dairy Road, approximately one mile north of Atmore in Escambia County.
Troopers with ALEA’s Highway Patrol Division are continuing to investigate the crash. No further details have been released at this time.
ECFR: Clothes Dryer Sparked Friday Night Cantonment Apartment Laundry Room Fire
August 4, 2026
The fire that damaged the laundry room at a Cantonment apartment complex on Friday night was sparked by a clothes dryer, according to Escambia County Fire Rescue.
ECFR said their investigation determined the fire was started by an electrical malfunction inside the dryer.
The fire was reported shortly after 9 p.m. at the Wild Oak Farm Apartments at 850 North Highway 29. Firefighters arrived to find heavy black smoke inside the laundry room. The fire was extinguished in about 20 minutes, and damage was confined to the laundry room.
There were no injuries reported.
The responding Escambia County Fire Rescue stations included Cantonment, Molino, Ensley and Osceola.
Pictured below: Multiple Escambia County Fire Rescue stations responded in heavy rainfall on Friday night at the Wild Oak Farm Apartments in Cantonment. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge. Picturd above: An electrical malfunction with this dryer was blamed for the fire. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Pensacola Chamber Reaffirms Support For Appointed School Superintendent
August 4, 2026
The Greater Pensacola Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors has formally reaffirmed its support for maintaining an appointed Superintendent of Schools in Escambia County.
The Chamber first adopted its stance in 2018 when voters approved the measure. The Board of Directors remains united in that commitment as the measure returns to the ballot on the August 18 primary election.
“The Greater Pensacola Chamber of Commerce has held a clear and consistent position on this issue since 2018, and our board of directors is united in reaffirming that stance today,” said Chamber Board Chair Ildi Hosman on Monday. “We believe that an appointed superintendent model best serves the students, families, and employers of Escambia County, and we encourage the business community and all eligible voters to consider the long-term implications of this decision for our region’s future.”
The upcoming August 18th primary election ballot will allow all eligible registered voters in Escambia County to vote on whether the Escambia County School Superintendent should remain an appointed position or return to an elected one.
In November 2018, Escambia County citizens voted to move from an elected to an appointed superintendent.
Here is how the referendum will appear on the primary ballot:
ESCAMBIA COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENDUM
Shall the Superintendent of Schools of Escambia County, Florida, be elected by the majority of the qualified electors of Escambia County, Florida? YES or NO
Ercell Womack
August 4, 2026
In Loving Memory of Ercell Womack
December 8, 1935 – August 2, 2026
Ercell Womack, age 90, of Huxford, Alabama, peacefully entered the presence of her Lord and Savior on Sunday, August 2, 2026, at her home surrounded by the place she loved.
Ercell was born on December 8, 1935. She was a faithful Christian whose life reflected unwavering trust in God. A devoted member of Huxford Baptist Church for many years, she was known as a woman of steadfast faith and a true prayer warrior. Her faith, strength, and faithful prayers blessed her family, church, and all who knew her. Her legacy is one of faith, love, humility, and devotion—a legacy that will continue for generations.
She was preceded in death by her husband, J. D. Womack; her parents, Rue and Clarence Mason; and her siblings, Autrey Mason, Aubrey Mason, Hazel Griffith, and Billy Mason and her granddaughter Morgan Womack.
She is survived by her children: Susan Holland of Bay Minette, Alabama; Sandra (Bert) Hendrix of Mobile, Alabama; and David (Janet) Womack of Atmore, Alabama.
She is also survived by her grandchildren: Kevin (Jessica) Holland of Bay Minette, Alabama; Hayley (Zac) Palm of Dothan, Alabama; Jana (Kreg) Keiffer of Birmingham, Alabama; and Shelly (Ryan) Lambert of McDavid, Florida.
She was blessed with ten great-grandchildren: Katie Grace Holland, Kinsley Holland, Anna Kate Palm, Riley Palm, Maddie Palm, John Palm, Beckham Keiffer, Mary-Ann Lambert, John Lambert, and Mack Lambert.
Though her family grieves her passing, they rejoice in knowing that she is now at home with her Savior. Her family will forever remember her steadfast prayers, wisdom, her unwavering faith, and the love she so generously gave. Her life was a beautiful testimony of God’s grace, and her memory will remain a blessing to all who were privileged to know her.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, August 7, 2026, at 11:00 a.m., at Huxford Baptist Church in Huxford, Alabama, with Mr. Bert Hendrix officiating. Interment will follow at Huxford Baptist Church Cemetery.
Visitation will be held on Friday, August 7, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. until service time at 11:00 a.m. at Huxford Baptist Church.
“The righteous man walks in his integrity; blessed are his children after him.” — Proverbs 20:7
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.