Elected Or Appointed School Superintendent? It’s Headed Back To The Ballot
April 2, 2026
Should Escambia County have an elected or appointed superintendent? That question is headed back to the ballot for Escambia Voters to choose again.
The question will appear on the primary election ballot on August 18, 2026, as requested by the school board. The Escambia County School Board’s request for a countywide referendum ballot placement was approved 4-1 by the Escambia County Commission on Wednesday night. Procedure required the commission to approve the school board’s request.
Escambia County Commissioner Lumon May cast the dissenting vote. May’s opposition stemmed from the school board’s request for the primary ballot rather than the general election.
“That seems to be, you know, politically motivated to put it in the primary where we have the least amount of votes,” said May.
“I think that if there’s ever an opportunity to eliminate voter suppression, give every person an opportunity to vote, we should give it at the chance that allows for the most people to come out,” May said.
“Shall the superintendent of schools of Escambia County, Florida, be elected by the majority of the qualified electors of Escambia County, Florida?” will be the exact wording on the ballot — essentially will voters choose a school superintendent or will the office be appointed by the school board.
In November 2018, Escambia County citizens voted to move from an elected to an appointed superintendent.
“I feel very strongly about this,” District 5 School Board member Tom Harrell, who campaigned on a return to an elected superintendent, said when the school board approved the ballot request. “The county, I think, feels very strongly. There’s never anything wrong with letting the people decide. When you have a democracy, it’s all about people making decisions.”
“Deep down in my heart, having been here in this district for 60 years, that’s what the people of this district want,” Harrell added. “It’s the right time; it’s the right thing to do.”
Pictured: Current Escambia County School Superintendent Keith Leonard was appointed by the school board.
Escambia County Renews Head Start Lease At Molino Community Center
April 2, 2026
Wednesday, the Escambia County Commission voted to renew a lease with the Community Action Program Committee (CAPC) for a portion of the Molino Community Center that is used for the Head Start program.
The non-profit will pay $1 per year for the two-year renewal through April 28, 2028.
On April 22, 2024, the commission approved the first renewal of the lease agreement with CAPC for 3,755 square feet located at 6450 Highway 95A in the Molino Community Center.
Head Start and Early Head Start Programs provide comprehensive, developmental services for low-income pre-school children ages the birth to five and support services for their families. The purpose of the Head Start programs is to promote school readiness by enhancing the social and cognitive development of children through the provision of health, educational, nutritional, socia, and other services. The cornerstone of the program is parent and community development.
The program has operated at the Molino Community Center since 2014.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Ligon ‘Tim’ Fisher Of Cantonment Named National Merit Scholarship Finalist
April 2, 2026
Ligon “Tim” Fisher of Cantonment, a senior at Trinitas Christian School in Pensacola, has been named a 2026 National Merit Scholarship Finalist, one of the most prestigious academic honors awarded to high school students in the United States. The recognition places Fisher among an elite group of students nationwide who have demonstrated exceptional academic ability, leadership, and commitment to their communities.
The National Merit Scholarship Program recognizes students across the country for exceptional academic performance and potential. Finalists represent the highest-achieving students in the nation. National Merit Scholarships will be awarded later this year.
RELATED: Tate High Senior James Treick Named National Merit Scholarship Finalist
Sunny And Warm Into The Weekend
April 2, 2026
The next few days in the North Escambia area will feature a warm and spring-like pattern, with highs holding steady in the low 80s through Saturday. While the region will enjoy plenty of sunshine to end the work week, patchy overnight and early morning fog will become a recurring theme. The weather takes a turn late Saturday into Sunday as a cold front moves through, bringing a high probability of showers and thunderstorms followed by a noticeable dip in temperatures for early next week
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 83. Southeast wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Thursday Night: Patchy fog after 2am. Otherwise, increasing clouds, with a low around 62. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light southeast after midnight.
Friday: Patchy fog before 8am. Otherwise, cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 83. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday Night: Patchy fog after 1am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 64. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms between 1pm and 4pm, then a slight chance of showers after 4pm. Patchy fog before 8am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 83. South wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Saturday Night: A slight chance of showers, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 64. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Easter Sunday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Cloudy, with a high near 74. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming north in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers before 1am. Cloudy, with a low around 53. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Monday: Cloudy, with a high near 67.
Monday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 51.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 75.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 51.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 74.
Road Construction Worker Struck By Pickup, Critically Injured In Beulah
April 2, 2026
A road maintenance worker was critically injured early Wednesday morning after being struck by a pickup on Beulah Road.
The collision occurred around 4 a.m. on Beulah Road just north of Helms Road. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, a road maintenance crew was in the process of repainting lines on the roadway at the time of the accident.
The victim, a 68-year-old male from Sanford, Florida, was reportedly walking southbound in the northbound lane. FHP said the worker was wearing reflective safety gear when he was struck by a northbound blue pickup truck.
The driver of the truck, identified as a 21-year-old male from Pensacola, was wearing a seatbelt and did not report any injuries.
The investigation is continuing.
Unlucky 13: Northview Falls 3-1 To Milton
April 2, 2026
Thirteen was not a lucky number for the Northview Chiefs.
After 12 consecutive wins, the Chiefs lost an April Fool’s Day matchup to the Milton Panthers 3-1.
Grayson Burns took the loss for Northview in five and one-third innings, giving up three runs on one hit, walking three and striking out seven.
Luke Chavers went 1-2 with one RBI. Burns, Jase Portwood, and Grayden Sheffield each had one hit for the Chiefs.
The Chiefs will be back in action Thursday night as they host West Florida in Bratt.
Boil Water Notice Rescinded For For Stallion Road, Monica Lane Area
April 1, 2026
UPDATE…THIS BOIL WATER NOTICE WAS RESCINDED ON FRIDAY MORNING.
A boil water notice is in effect for residents in the area of Stallion Road south of West Roberts Road after a a planned water outage Tuesday night into Wednesday morning.
The notice includes:
- Monica Lane
- The portion of Stallion Road that is south of West Roberts Road
- Colt Lane
- Pierce Road.
Residents located in the specified PBWN area are advised to boil water for one minute at a rolling boil or to use 8 drops of regular unscented household bleach per gallon of water (let sit for 30 minutes), for water to be used for drinking or cooking purposes. Bacteriological sampling has been initiated, and the advisory will be lifted as soon as possible. This process routinely takes 48 hours.
ECUA crews completed the repair work and have flushed out the lines. Residents within the PBWN 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. If problems persist, customers are asked to contact ECUA Customer Service at 850-476-0480 for assistance.
Century Water Rates Doubled Effective Today, Sewer Rates Increased
April 1, 2026
The Century Town Council gave final approval Tuesday night to nearly double the cost of water usage, alongside smaller increases for wastewater.
The rate hike was approved on a 3-2 vote, with John Bass and Henry Cunningham voting against. There was no discussion at a special meeting that lasted just four minutes with no citizens attending.
Effective April 1, the base rate for 2,000 gallons of water nearly doubled from $13.59 to $26.64. Usage tiers over 2,000 gallons a month almost doubled for up to 5,000 gallons (from $2.59 to $5.08) with other increases for additional usage.
The move came after the Florida Rural Water Association (FRWA) determined that the rate increases were necessary in order to remain financially viable and make payments on six outstanding loans.
Wastewater rates increased from $16.94 to $17.79 for 2,000 gallons, plus additional usage fees above 2,000 gallons.
For an average customer using 5,000 gallons of water per month, the water cost increased from $21.36 to $41.87, while the study said the total combined water and wastewater bill increased from $48.95 to $74.56 per month.
NorthEscambia.com photos and graphic, click to enlarge.
Tate High’s Maryjane Gardner Named Escambia County Librarian of the Year
April 1, 2026
Tate High School librarian Maryjane Gardner has been named school librarian of the year in Escambia County.
The Escambia School Library Association selects one exceptional educator for the prestigious Dr. Paula Gleason Librarian of the Year Award, an honor that celebrates excellence in supporting student learning, promoting literacy, and leading innovative library programs.
The award highlights librarians who go above and beyond in fostering a love of reading, teaching digital citizenship and research skills, building strong collections, supporting staff, and serving as leaders on their campus.
“Gardner’s passion for students, commitment to literacy, and leadership within our school community truly embody what it means to be an Aggie. Her impact is felt across campus every single day,” the school said.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Teen Killed, Four Other Teens Injured In Overturned Pickup Crash In Escambia, Alabama
April 1, 2026
An 18-year-old riding in the bed of a 2006 Ford F-150 was killed in a single-vehicle crash Sunday in Escambia County, Alabama.
According to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, the pickup left the roadway and overturned on Travis Road near Neese Road, outside East Brewton, around 5:33 p.m.
Two teens, ages 16 and 17, were also riding in the truck bed when the vehicle flipped. Additionally, a 15-year-old passenger in the cab and the 16-year-old driver—neither of whom was wearing a seat belt—were injured.
The four injured teens were transported to a local hospital for medical treatment.
File photo.