Only Woman on Florida’s Death Row Denied New Sentencing Hearing For Escambia Murder
July 24, 2026
Tina Lasonya Brown, the only woman on Florida’s death row, will remain there following a court ruling on the Escambia County case.
The Florida Supreme Court affirmed the denial of Tina Lasonya Brown’s successive post-conviction motion, ending her latest effort to receive a new sentencing hearing.
Brown was tried and convicted in 2012 by Assistant State Attorney Bridgette M. Jensen for first-degree murder in the brutal March 2010 killing of 19-year-old Audreanna Zimmerman.
Zimmerman was stunned with a taser, beaten, and then set on fire in an Ensley field. She managed to walk nearly a third of a mile to seek help but died two weeks later from her injuries.
Wahoos Sweep Clingstones In Tense Twin Bill
July 24, 2026
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos swept a doubleheader against the Columbus Clingstones on Thursday night in a pair of nailbiters, taking game one by a 4-3 final and winning the nightcap in a 1-0 thriller.
In game one, the Blue Wahoos jumped ahead early against Clingstones starter Ian Mejia (L, 0-7) in a three-run first. Brendan Jones hit a leadoff homer, the first for the Blue Wahoos in more than a year, and Ian Lewis Jr. added an RBI single for a 3-0 lead.
Blue Wahoos starter Eliazar Dishmey allowed only a Jordan Groshans RBI single in 3.0 innings, departing with a 3-1 lead. Jones tripled and scored on a wild pitch in the fifth inning, extending the lead to 4-1.
Kade Bragg (W, 7-2) breezed through his first two innings of relief, but ran into trouble in the top of the sixth. The lefty walked back-to-back batters before allowing a pinch-hit RBI single to Kevin Kilpatrick Jr. and an RBI double to Matt Scannell. Nigel Belgrave (S, 5) entered with the tying run at third base and the go-ahead run at second, but escaped the jam with the lead intact and worked a flawless seventh to seal the win.
In game two, Colby Shade opened the scoring with a solo homer, the first of his career at Double-A, to give the Blue Wahoos a 1-0 lead in the second inning. That would be all the damage done against Clingstones starter Anderson Pilar (L, 0-2) across 2.0 innings in his return to Pensacola after pitching in relief for the Blue Wahoos in 2024.
Luis Palacios started the nightcap for Pensacola, working 2.2 scoreless innings before allowing a pair of two-out baserunners in the top of the third. Gabe Bierman (W, 2-1) entered, escaped the jam, and ultimately contributed 2.1 perfect innings in relief.
Jack Sellinger (S, 5) worked into a jam in the sixth, hitting a batter and walking another, but stranded both runners in scoring position. The lefty returned for the seventh, and again put two runners aboard, before recording the final three outs for a 1-0 victory and a combined three-hit shutout.
The Blue Wahoos continue their series against the Clingstones on Friday
by Erik Bremer
West Roberts Road Lane Closures Will Extended Beyond Friday Target Date
July 23, 2026
A $4.6 million West Roberts Road widening and drainage improvement project is continuing.
Work was expected to be complete by this Friday, July 24, on the most recent phase of the project that began June 2 with lane closures between Stallion Road and State Road.
Wednesday afternoon, Escambia County confirmed that the work will be extended past Friday, and the county is waiting on an updated timeline from the contractor.
The widening and drainage improvements are along a 1.75-mile stretch of West Roberts from the Highway 29 intersection west to the southern turn to Sutton Place. The project will widen the roadway to two 12-foot-wide travel lanes with 5-foot-wide shoulders from Pine Forest Road to Highway 29. The roadway from the southern turn to Pine Forest will be resurfaced and striped.
The $4,635,298.30 project being funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) was awarded to contractor C.W. Roberts, Inc.
Pictured: Lane closures on West Roberts Road at Stallion Road as seen Tuesday evening, July 21. NorthEscambia.com photo.
Century Mulls New Ordinance To Allow ‘Backyard Apartments’, Tiny Homes
July 23, 2026
The Town of Century is moving closer to expanding local housing options following a newly released draft ordinance governing Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), which was presented to the town council. The proposal, outlined in a July 20 memorandum from Emerald Coast Regional Council (ECRC) Planner Eric Christianson, comgined direction from the town council across three workshops held in June and July.
The draft ordinance seeks to overhaul Section 90-81 of the town’s Land Development Code, shifting away from the confusing and restrictive “Accessory Apartments” rules toward a modernized framework that supports multigenerational living and increases housing availability while preserving existing neighborhood characters.
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.
Proposed ADU Ordinance
Per the town council’s guidance, the proposed ordinance establishes clear, objective standards for property owners looking to add a secondary unit to their land:
- Eligible Land Use Categories: ADUs will be permitted on residential properties within four Future Land Use categories: Low Density Residential, Medium Density Residential, Rural Residential, and Mixed Use. The memo notes that the Town Attorney will specifically review the inclusion of Rural Residential and Mixed Use properties, as the town’s Comprehensive Plan lacks the explicit authorization language already present for Low and Medium Density zones.
- Strict Unit Limits: Only one ADU is permitted per lot, and it must be built on a lot that features an existing, lawfully established principal dwelling. Legal nonconforming lots are explicitly excluded from eligibility.
- Size and Type: Both attached and detached units are allowed. The maximum size of an ADU is strictly capped at a flat 700 square feet of gross floor area, and it cannot exceed the size or height of the primary home.
- Separation and Setbacks: Detached ADUs must maintain at least a 10-foot separation from the main house. Setbacks will be measured from the roofline to the property line, requiring a minimum of 5 feet for attached units and 10 feet for detached units. All units must sit to the rear of the principal dwelling and are barred from the front yard.
- Mandatory Utility Separation: In line with existing town regulations, all ADUs must feature completely separate water, sewer, and electrical connections and meters. The memo stresses that separate utility infrastructure differentiates an ADU from a simple home addition, while also generating needed tap fee revenue for the town.
- Parking and Variances: Property owners must provide one dedicated off-street parking space for the ADU, which can be part of an existing driveway if space allows. To ensure consistency, the ordinance states that no variances, adjustments, or waivers will be permitted to bypass these requirements.
Next Steps
Before the ordinance can be formally brought to a vote in public adoption hearings, the proposal must undergo two critical next steps. First, it will be forwarded to the Town Attorney for formal legal review and advice. Concurrently, the ECRC will prepare an official impact report detailing how the policy shift will affect infrastructure, revenue, and growth across the town.
Town council members will have a final opportunity to review the legal findings and impact data, allowing them to make additional changes before the ordinance is finalized for a public vote.
Pictured top: The Century Town Council considers options after receiving a request to permit an accessory dwelling unit. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Suspect Drowns In River After Fleeing From Santa Rosa Deputies
July 23, 2026
A search for a wanted suspect ended tragically when he drowned in the Blackwater River, according to the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office.
The incident began on the evening of Tuesday, July 21, when deputies attempted to serve multiple felony arrest warrants in the 6800 block of Pat Brown Road off Munson Highway. The suspect, identified as 41-year-old Jeffery Royce Day Jr, fled from deputies on foot and entered the Blackwater River. Law enforcement personnel witnessed Day swimming away before losing sight of him.
An extensive, multi-agency search was immediately launched Tuesday night. The Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit, Skyline Fire Rescue, and the Milton Fire Department assisted in the initial search but were unable to locate him.
Search efforts resumed Wednesday morning, with the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office Marine Unit and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Marine Dive Unit joining the operation. At approximately 11:30 a.m., divers located Day’s body in the river.
The Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Unit has assumed the investigation into the death.
According to authorities, the felony warrants that deputies were attempting to serve on Day included violation of probation for willful fleeing or attempting to elude a law enforcement officer, unarmed burglary of an unoccupied dwelling, and grand theft of property valued between $750 and $5,000.
Sunshine Returns For Thursday
July 23, 2026
Tropical Storm Bertha has moved on, making landfall in Louisiana on Wednesday. Sunshine returns for our Thursday and continues into the weekend.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Thursday: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms between 1pm and 4pm. Sunny, with a high near 90. South wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 73. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light southwest in the evening.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 93. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 74. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 94. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 76. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
Sunday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 95. West wind around 5 mph.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 77. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
Monday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Sunny and hot, with a high near 97.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 78.
Tuesday: Sunny and hot, with a high near 97.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 78.
Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 97.
Texas Women Charged In Escambia County Retail Theft Spree
July 23, 2026
A Texas duo’s Florida vacation took a sudden detour straight to the county jail following an alleged multi-store shoplifting spree on Wednesday.
Kimberly Nichole Brown, 26, and Mercedes Lasha Bingham, 25, both of Houston, Texas, were arrested by Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputies and charged with felony retail theft and possession of marijuana.
Patrol deputies and a license plate reader located their rental vehicle near Highway 29 and Brent Lane.
Deputies conducted a traffic stop, and the stealing spree came to an immediate end.
“Pro tip: If you’re visiting Escambia County, leave with sunscreen and souvenirs, not felony charges,” the ECSO noted in a public statement following the arrests.
Both women were booked into the Escambia County Jail with bonds set at $3,000 each.
FDLE Arrests Escambia Man For Possession Of Child Sexual Abuse Materials
July 23, 2026
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) arrested an Escambia County man for child sexual abuse materials.
Robert Demarcus King II, 35, is facing 20 counts of possession of child sexual abuse materials (CSAM), all second degree felonies, and one count of unlawful use of a two-way communication device, a third degree felony. The arrest is part of FDLE’s statewide initiative to identify and apprehend offenders who target children and share files depicting child sexual abuse.
In June 2026, agents received a cybertip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), reporting that an unknown user uploaded over 1,500 files containing images depicting the sexual abuse of children. Agents traced the associated IP address to King’s residence and identified King as the user of the account.
Agents conducted a residential search warrant at King’s address and seized multiple electronic devices, which were previewed on scene. King was confirmed as the owner of the suspect account, having used a mobile messaging app to obtain the files. Some of those files depicted female children as young as toddlers being sexually abused.
King was booked into the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $240,000.
FDLE’s Special Operations Team, the Office of Agriculture Law Enforcement, Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, and Homeland Security Investigations assisted with the search warrant.
Blue Wahoos Breeze To 3-1 Win Over Clingstones
July 23, 2026
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos defeated the Columbus Clingstones by a final score of 3-1 on Wednesday night behind consistent bats and tactical pitching performances.
The Blue Wahoos (47-43, 11-10) claimed the first game of the series after Tuesday’s game was postponed due to weather. Pensacola improved to 9-4 over the Clingstones (42-44, 13-9) this season with the win tonight.
A 10-hit night yielded three runs for the home side, with all but one Blue Wahoo recording a knock. Pensacola was led at the plate by the newly-acquired Ethan O’Donnell, who went 3-for-4 with a double and a run scored. It was his first three-hit performance of the 2026 season after spending a majority of the year with Triple-A Jacksonville.
Brandon Compton continues to provide the power for Pensacola, mashing his ninth home run in 15 games in the sixth inning. He leads all minor leaguers in the Marlins system with 21 home runs, having managed 12 with High-A Beloit prior to his promotion.
A trio of consecutive singles in the second inning saw the Blue Wahoos on the board first, with Ryan Ignoffo scoring on a drive into left field by Payton Green.
Pensacola starter Luis Moreno (W, 5-4) kept the Clingstones scoreless through five innings, allowing only four hits and one walk while striking out four. The Blue Wahoos extended their lead in the fifth with an Ian Lewis Jr. single into center field that pushed O’Donnell home from second base. Columbus starter Julio Robaina (L, 2-3) was saddled with the loss.
Columbus cut the deficit in half in the top of the sixth with an RBI groundout from Jordan Groshans, but it’d be answered immediately with a first-pitch solo home run by none other than Compton in the bottom of the frame to establish a 3-1 edge that the Blue Wahoos would defend through the ninth.
Relievers Holt Jones and Colby Martin (S, 5) defended well after Moreno exited in the fifth, delivering two innings each to combine for two hits and six strikeouts with just a run relented.
In the interest of fan safety amid high coastal winds, the Blue Wahoos were unable to shoot fireworks after Wednesday’s game as originally planned. Fans with tickets to Wednesday’s game can visit the box office for a voucher to one of the five remaining fireworks games on July 25, August 5, August 8, August 22 or September 12.
The Blue Wahoos continue their series with a doubleheader against the Columbus Clingstones on Thursday.
written by Maddy Branning
Molino Utilities Issues Boil Water Notice For Portion Of Highway 95A
July 22, 2026
Update: This boil water notice was lifted the morning of Friday, July 24.
Molino Utilities has issued a precautionary boil water notice is in effect for a portion of Highway 95A between Schaag Road and Cedartown Road.
Crews were working Wednesday afternoon to restore water service following a water main break.
Precautionary boil water notices are issued as a part of the standard protocol following any loss of water pressure, whether as a result of planned maintenance activities or unscheduled repairs.
Residents located in the specified area are advised to boil water for one minute at a rolling boil or to use eight drops of regular unscented household bleach per gallon of water, for water to be used for drinking or cooking purposes. Two independent bacteriological samples have been initiated and the advisory will be lifted as soon as possible.
Residents within the area and nearby are advised that there is a possibility of discolored water as a result of the utility work, and to flush their home’s plumbing by running their taps for a few minutes.
This story will be updated when the boil water notice is lifted.