One Injured In Oak Grove Rollover Crash
July 15, 2026
One person was injured in a single-vehicle rollover Tuesday night in Oak Grove.
The 21-year-old male driver claimed he hit a deer before his Chevrolet sedan traveled off the roadway and overturned. He was transported by Escambia County EMS to West Florida Hospital with minor injuries.
The crash happened around 9:40 p.m. on North Highway 99 just south of Eubanks Road, just over a half mile from Highway 97.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating. The Walnut Hill Station of Escambia County Fire also responded.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Baldwin Deputies Seek Woman Missing Since 2022 With Possible Escambia County Connection
July 15, 2026
The Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office is turning to the public for assistance as investigators breathe new life into a 2022 cold case involving a missing and endangered Alabama woman.
Taylor Elizabeth Gipson, 32, was reported missing in July 2022. According to authorities, she was last known to be living in the Lillian, Alabama area, but investigators believe she may have subsequently traveled into Escambia County, Florida.
Gipson is described as being approximately 4 feet, 11 inches tall and weighing around 120 pounds. She has multiple distinct scars on her face and neck. BCSO that Gipson suffers from a cognitive brain injury that is unrelated to her disappearance. The injury severely affects her judgment and behavior, making her highly vulnerable.
Because of her cognitive disability, authorities have classified her as a missing and endangered person. Investigators also noted that she has been known to use false names in the past and has ties to the homeless community.
As the search continues across state lines, the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office emphasizes that even the smallest detail could be the break investigators need to solve the case.
Have You Seen Her?
Anyone who has any information regarding the whereabouts of Taylor Elizabeth Gipson, or who may have seen her in Baldwin County or Escambia County, Florida, is strongly encouraged to contact Cold Case Investigator Cadenhead at (251) 972-8589 (Option 7) or (251) 937-0202.
Tossed Stanley Cup Leads To Arrest For Cocaine Trafficking, Weapon
July 15, 2026
An Escambia County man is facing multiple charges after deputies saw him tossing a Stanley cup and rummaging around in his vehicle.
Tristan Salter was charged with trafficking cocaine, concealing a firearm during the commission of a felony, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was booked into the Escambia County Jail without bond.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said deputies were investigating a separate case on Smiley Avenue when they observed him throwing a Stanley cup across a fence into a neighbor’s yard before reaching around in the backseat of his vehicle.
When deputies searched the vehicle and the Stanley cup, they reported finding a firearm, 104 grams of cocaine, 507 grams of marijuana, and drug paraphernalia.
Smiley Drive is located a few blocks south of East Nine Mile Road and the John R. Jones Athletic Park.
Temperatures Rise As Rain Chances Fall
July 15, 2026
Summer heat is firmly in place across the North Escambia area, with temperatures steadily climbing through the remainder of the work week. While clear and sunny conditions will dominate the next three days, residents should prepare for the return of potential pop-up thunderstorms heading into the weekend.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. Light west wind increasing to 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 73. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 92. West wind around 5 mph.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 75. West wind around 5 mph.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 93. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 75. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph after midnight.
Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Sunny, with a high near 93. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 75. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph after midnight.
Sunday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91.
Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 75.
Monday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Sunny, with a high near 95.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 76.
Tuesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Sunny, with a high near 95.
Florida Prisoner, 74, Becomes The Oldest Inmate Executed In State’s Modern History
July 15, 2026
Dennis Michael Sochor was executed Tuesday evening for the death of 18-year-old Patricia “Patty” Gifford in Broward County 44 years ago, becoming the oldest person put to death by the state since executions were revived in 1977.
Sochor, 74, was executed by lethal injection at 6:16 p.m. (EDT) at Florida State Prison, according to the Department of Corrections.
The execution occurred hours after the U.S. Supreme Court denied his latest motion for a stay.
Sochor was 18 days older than Dusty Ray Spencer when he was executed June 18 for killing his estranged wife. The execution was the tenth in Florida this year.
According to court documents, Gifford went to a bar with a friend to celebrate New Year’s Eve 1981, where they encountered Dennis Sochor and his brother Gary Sochor. The friend was escorted to a car in the parking lot, where she fell asleep. The brothers took Gifford in Dennis Sochor’s work truck, intending to get breakfast. Instead, Dennis Sochor stopped his truck in a secluded spot and took Gifford out of the vehicle.
Sochor confessed that when Gifford refused to have sex with him, he became angry, choked her until she died, and disposed of her body, which was never found, records state. Sochor told police his brother wasn’t with him at the time.
The Gifford family released a statement Tuesday thanking prosecutors, investigators and others who carried the case forward and to “correct a painful misconception” that Patty Gifford “willingly went off with Dennis Sochor and his brother Gary.”
“Sochor’s conviction and sentencing in 1987 gave our family a measure of justice, consolation, and closure in knowing that he would never again be free to hurt another woman,” according to the family’s statement provided by Patricia Gifford’s brother, Bob Gifford
“When he confessed in 1987 and led detectives to the Alligator Alley area in an attempt to locate Patty, we also came to understand that her remains would likely never be recovered.”
“Today marked the end of a legal process that lasted nearly half a century,” the statement continued. “Patty’s remains were never recovered, but her life was never lost to us. She was our sister, our daughter, our friend, and she mattered.”
Sochor is the 17th prisoner executed in the U.S. this year. Besides Florida, there have been four inmates put to death in Texas, two in Oklahoma and one in Arizona.
There were 47 executions last year, with Florida accounting for 19, the most in one year for the state in the modern era.
Because of the increased pace of executions, Rev. Jeff Hood, Sochor’s spiritual advisor, challenged Gov. Ron DeSantis to attend an execution to experience what corrections officials go through. Hood also questioned the selection of aged inmates for the latest round of executions.
Sochor may not hold the oldest executed distinction for long.
DeSantis has already signed a death warrant for Dominick Anthony Occhicone, 80, who is set to be executed on July 28 for killing his former girlfriend’s parents four decades ago.
by Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida
Thursdays Are For Legos At The Century And Molino Libraries
July 15, 2026
Thursday evenings are Lego Nights at the Century and Molino libraries.
The one hour event is from begins at 5:00 in Molino and 5:30 p.m. in Century. Accept building challenges from library staff or freely build your own unique creation. Lego Night is suggested for youth and their families. Duplo blocks will be available for younger builders.
The Century Branch Library is located at 7991 North Century Boulevard, and the Molino Library is located at 6450-A Highway 95A in the Molino Community Center.
MILO Mobile ID And Licensing Unit In Century On Thursday
July 15, 2026
The Escambia County Tax Collector’s Mobile Identification and Licensing Office (MILO) will be in Century on Thursday, July 16.
The mobile unit will be available from 9:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. at the Billy G. Ward Courthouse. The next visit to Century is planned for August 20, followed by September 17 stop at the Walnut Hill Community Center.
The event was originally scheduled for last week but was postponed to tomorrow.
MILO offers a convenient way for residents to access essential tax collector services, including:
- Driver License Services: Renewals, replacements, out-of-state license conversions/reciprocations, and address or name changes.
- Identification Cards: First-time issuance and renewals.
- Vehicle Services: Registration renewals and replacements, title transfers, and parking placards.
- Tax Payments: Property tax payments.
- Business Tax Receipts: Applications and renewals.
- Certified Driver Transcripts
Written and driving tests are not available at the MILO unit.
Florida drivers may renew their vehicle registrations for a period of one or two years and may renew up to three months in advance of the registration expiration. Vehicle registrations expire at midnight on the first owner’s birth date unless the owner is a business.
Pictured: The Escambia County Tax Collector’s MILO at the Billy G. Ward Courthouse in Century. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Glenn Edwin Miller
July 15, 2026
Glenn Edwin Miller, age 73, of Pensacola, FL passed away on July 9, 2026 surrounded by his loving family.
Glenn was born in Savannah, GA on September 28, 1952 to the late J.C. (Jake) Miller and Maxine (Parker) Miller.
Glenn graduated from Tate High School as a member of the Class of 1970, where he proudly participated on the track and field team. During his high school years, he met the love of his life, his sweetheart, Kathy. The two were married on May 11, 1971, and shared 55 wonderful years of love, devotion, and cherished memories together.
Glenn enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1972, where he was a chief master technician, one of four in the entire U.S. His tours of duty included Keesler, AFB (MS), Barksdale AFB (LA), Hastings, NE, Seoul, South Korea, Thailand, and many TDY’s in the U.S. and abroad. Glenn proudly served for 21 years and retired as SMsgt. Post military in 1992, he went on to work for General Electric in Pensacola, and in 2004 he co-founded Custom Control Solutions. In 2022, he retired to the good life with his wife Kathy.
Glenn is preceded in death by his parents, J.C. (Jake) Miller and Maxine (Parker) Miller, sister Delores (Miller) Christiansen. He is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Kathy (Smith) Miller, his children Kenneth Glenn (Michelle) Miller, Melissa Kathleen (David) Neal; Grandchildren Douglas (Halli) Lester, Mikayla (Matthew) Heldt, Jake Miller, Allison Neal; Great Grandchildren, Maisie Lester, Sarah Heldt; brothers Michael (Shigeko) Miller, Alan (Patty) Miller and many cousins, nieces and nephews.
Family and friends are invited to a visitation on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Faith Chapel Funeral Home, 1000 S. Hwy 29, Cantonment, FL. A funeral service will be held on Thursday, July 23, 2026, at 12:00 PM at Faith Chapel Funeral Home, with a visitation from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Burial will follow at Barrancas National Cemetery, NAS Pensacola.
Following the burial service, family and friends are invited to join in a celebration of Glenn’s life at the American Legion Riders 340, 8890 Ashland Ave, Pensacola from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM.
Mosquito Control To Spray Tonight In Area Between Nine And Ten Mile Roads
July 14, 2026
Escambia County’s Mosquito Control Division will conduct fogging mission Tuesday evening in area area between Nine Mile and Ten Mile roads, between Pine Roast Road and Highway 29.
Fogging will begin at sunset and will continue during the evening as weather conditions allow. The timing helps target mosquitoes when they are active while reducing impacts on other insects.
Click map to enlarge.
To request mosquito control service, call (850) 937-2198 or email mosquitocontrol@myescambia.com.
Camp Fire Century, The Town’s Only Childcare Facility, Closes Permanently On Friday
July 14, 2026
After 18 years, the Camp Fire Century Youth Learning Center will close permanently on Friday.
“It’s absolutely heartbreaking that we have to go through with and close the doors in Century,” La-Vonne Haven, executive director of the Gulf Wind Council of Camp Fire U.S.A., told NorthEscambia.com. “They have all been truly incredible kids.”
On April 5, 2008, Haven cut the ribbon (pictured left) for the childcare facility in a municipally owned building in the Century Industrial Park, capping a nine-year dream of meeting a critical need for childcare and a VPK program in Century.
The facility opened with 18 students enrolled before the first day of operation and a license to serve up to 75 children. Hundreds of children from not only Century, but also surrounding communities, are Camp Fire graduates.
“Over the years, we have cherished the moments spent with your children and have enjoyed watching them grow and thrive in our care,” Haven said in a letter to parents announcing the closure. “Thank you once again for allowing us to be a part of your child’s life. We will always hold fond memories of our time together and wish you and your family all the best in the future.”
“Your employment with Camp Fire Century will officially end on July 17, 2026,” Haven wrote in a closure and termination notice to employees. “We sincerely appreciate your hard work, dedication, and contributions to the company…Thank you for your service.”
She signed her name to the employee notice, followed by “Wo-He-Lo” — a phrase known by all Camp Fire kids. The name is an acronym created by combining the first two letters of the words “Work, Health, and Love”, the Camp Fire motto.
Haven said that as of last Friday, there were only four children and two staff members remaining at the Century facility as the closure neared.
What Lead To The Closure Decision?
She said the reason for the closure is simply economics and changing times.
“Everything is just so, so high, and the money just isn’t there,” she said, “We tried everything we knew how to raise money, but nothing came to fruition.” She also noted that qualified teachers became progressively harder to find.
The Century Center was the last for the Gulf Wind Council of Camp Fire U.S.A., based in Pensacola. Their other facilities in Pensacola have already been closed, including most recently a childcare facility at Pensacola State College.
Haven, now 86, said she contributed 35 years to childcare in the area, and, more recently, contributed tens of thousands of her own money to Camp Fire in an attempt to make payroll and keep the doors open.
“It’s about kids, not about Camp Fire,” she said, emotion evident in her voice. “It’s about the kids.”
The Lease
In September 2004, the Town of Century leased two buildings, totaling 4,200 square feet, to the non-profit Camp Fire for $1 per year on a 100-year lease. At the time, Century’s mayor and council felt like it was a good deal to finally bring a licensed childcare facility to the town, providing childcare for working parents and educational opportunities for young children.
Camp Fire has notified the town that they are terminating the lease and anticipate being out of the building by July 31.
What’s Next?
In response to a request from NorthEscambia.com last Friday afternoon, Haven said Camp Fire will donate most of the facility’s property — essentially a fully outfitted childcare facility and playground — to the Town of Century, or the next occupant of the building, if it is a non-profit that will operate a childcare center.
Local, county and state leaders went to work on Friday afternoon, and a preliminary plan was reached to tentatively bring another non-profit into the building to operate a state-certified childcare facility. NorthEscambia.com will post a follow-up story if the plan becomes a reality, or if the Town of Century moves forward with leasing the buildings to any other entity.
NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
