EREC Linemen Work To Restore Power In Northern Mississippi After Ice Storm
January 29, 2026
A team from Escambia River Electric Cooperative is working in Mississippi to help restore power after last weekend’s ice storm.
EREC is among cooperatives providing mutual aid to Alcorn Electric Cooperative (ACE) in Corinth, Mississippi.
As of Wednesday night, ACE reported 7,471 without power out of 23,567 total members.
For additional photos, click here.
“We greatly appreciate what you have done for our community,” ACE CEO Sean McGrath said to the lineworkers who are assisting in recovery efforts.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Strikes, Spares, and Smiles: Westgate Students Go Bowling
January 29, 2026
Escambia Westgate School students kicked off the new year by participating in the lifetime sport of bowling recently thanks for the support of DeLuna Lanes and the dedicated effort of the Westgate staff and faculty,
The entire school worked together to ensure that students of all grade levels and abilities had the opportunity to participate. Wall-to-wall smiles and happiness filled the bowling alley as the community came together to support the outing.
The students rolled the bowling balls and knock down pins, securing spares and strikes with no gutter balls in sight. Students laughed and learned in this authentic, real-life environment, gaining confidence with every frame played.
Photos courtesy Barrett McClean for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview NJROTC Air Rifle Earns Bronze At Area Championship
January 29, 2026
The Northview High School NJROTC Air Rifle Team earned a bronze medal finish in the Area 10 Air Rifle Championship.
The team finished third out of 25 schools, and Nicholas Kahalley finished fifth out of 100 shooters in the overall championship.
Northview NJROTC Air Rifle Team members are Damon McDuffie, Will Nowlin, Nicholas Kahalley, and Xyia Martin.
The competition was held at the Ware County High Shooting Complex in Waycross, Georgia.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
One Charged With Attempted Murder For MLK Day Shooting In Atmore
January 28, 2026
One suspect has been charged with attempted murder in connection with a shooting on Martin Luther King Jr. Day in Atmore.
Nathaniel Crenshaw surrendered at the Escambia County Detention Center in Brewton. He is charged with two counts of attempted murder, four counts of discharging a firearm into an unoccupied building, and shooting into an occupied building. He is being held without bond.
Police are still searching for 23-year-old E’monee Demontae Long (pictured left) in connection with the investigation on the charge of certain persons (felon) forbidden to possess a firearm. Additional charges are expected, according to police.
On January 22, Atmore Police executed a search warrant at 310 Everette Street. As officers arrived to begin the search, multiple people fled the residence and ran into a wooded area, prompting a manhunt.
MLK Day Shooting
A day of celebration ended in gunfire Monday night as a shooting following an MLK Day block party in Atmore left two people injured and investigators searching for those responsible.
According to the Atmore Police Department, officers responded to the intersection of Carver Avenue and Ashley Street at approximately 9:06 p.m. on January 19. The shooting occurred shortly after a day-long “MLK Car Meet and Block Party” had concluded. The event had been widely advertised on social media and drew a large crowd to the area.
Patrol officers arrived on the scene in less than one minute to find that over 30 rounds had been fired. Police confirmed two victims suffered gunshot wounds. One of the victims, a male subject, was reportedly shot while attempting to assist another person to safety. Both individuals were transported to a local hospital and are currently listed in stable condition.
FDLE Agents Search McDavid Home
January 28, 2026
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement was involved in an apparent search in McDavid Wednesday morning.
Shortly after 7 a.m. about two dozen unmarked vehicles and an FDLE Bearcat tactical armored vehicle converged on a house in the 100 block of Highway 164, about one-third of a mile west of Highway 29.
Numerous agents were seen entering and exiting the small 1,500-square-foot single family home, and around campers located on the property.
“FDLE is on-site as part of an active investigation,” FDLE confirmed to NorthEscambia.com by email. “We don’t have additional information to share, as the investigation is still active and ongoing.”
Before the operation, the agents gathered on Main Street in McDavid, across from the Post Office, to organize and prepare.
This story will be updated as we learn more details.
Pictured: The Florida Department of Law Enforcement conducts an operation on Wednesday morning on Highway 164 in McDavid. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge. Pictured inset: FDLE gathered with their Bearcat tactical vehicle across from the Post Office to prepare for the operation (reader submitted photo).
ECSO: When Your Art Project Goes Criminal
January 28, 2026
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a 19-year-old after an alleged graffiti spree.
In a release titled “When Your Art Project Goes…Criminal”, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said Orion Sky Dickinson was arrested Tuesday after deputies responded to a reported vandalism in progress at Fast Eddie’s Fun Center. Deputies reported finding Dickinson there with spray paint on him. He’s accused of also spray painting a Sheriff’s Office speed trailer and several street signs.
Dickinson was charged with felony criminal mischief, misdemeanor criminal mischief, resisting without violence, possession of marijuana under 20 grams and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $6,500 bond.
Community Health Pharmacist, Alleged Accomplice Face Federal Drug Charges
January 28, 2026
A Community Health Northwest Florida (CHNWF) pharmacist and his alleged accomplice are facing federal drug charges.
The U.S. Department of Justice said Douglas Craig Reid Jr., and Martrice Lamar Portis, both 47 years old, were both charged in federal court with conspiracy to unlawfully dispense and distribute controlled substances and to obtain controlled substances by fraud.
Reid is a pharmacist with CHNWF.
“Community Health Northwest Florida will cooperate with any investigation, and we remain committed to our mission of serving our patients and the greater Northwest Florida community,” CHNWF said in a statement.
Trial for both defendants is currently set for March 2 before United States District Judge M. Casey Rodgers. If convicted, each defendant faces a maximum of 20 years’ imprisonment.
The case involved a joint investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Drug Enforcement Administration Diversion Control Division, with assistance from the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the Gulf Coast High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) Task Force. According to court documents, this case is related to a prior case that was indicted as part of the Department of Justice’s 2025 National Health Care Fraud Takedown. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Alicia Forbes.
Pictured: Douglas Reid, Jr. (left) from CHNWF and Martice Portis in a 2025 mugshot from an unrelated arrest (right).
Ransom and Ferry Pass Middle Schools Honored with Statewide Music Awards
January 28, 2026
Last weekend at the Florida Music Educators Association Conference, Ferry Pass Middle School and Ransom Middle School were awarded the Music Enrollment Awards for having over 45% of students enrolled in choir, band, or orchestra.
Half of Ransom’s students and 47% of Ferry Pass students are enrolled in a music education course.
The FMEA Professional Learning Conference is one of the largest music education professional learning events in the United States.
Pictured: Ransom Middle School (top) and Ferry Pass Middle School (below) were honored with statewide music awards. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Intermittent Lane Closures Through Friday On North Century Boulevard
January 28, 2026
Motorists may encounter intermittent lane closures through Friday on North Century Boulevard (Highway 29) from Tedder Road north to East Highway 4, according to the Florida Department of Transportation.
Crews will be conducting coring operations. Coring involves using equipment to remove a vertical sample (a “core”) from the pavement.
The coring operations are set to take place between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. each day through Friday.
Lipscomb Elementary Names Students Of The Month
January 28, 2026
Lipscomb Elementary School has named its Students of the Month for January. They are Graham Harris and Isabella Almonte-Knapp.Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.