Four Local Wounded Warriors Honored On National Purple Heart Day
August 8, 2026
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office hosted a ceremony on Friday to observe Purple Heart Day and recognize local service members who were wounded or killed in combat. The Purple Heart, established by General George Washington in 1782, is the nation’s oldest military decoration.
Although U.S. Senator Ashley Moody was unable to attend in person as planned, she joined via Zoom to open the ceremony and express gratitude to Sheriff Chip Simmons for hosting on her behalf. During the event, Senator Moody introduced a congressional resolution recognizing August 7 as Purple Heart Recognition Day and entered the achievements of four Floridian Purple Heart recipients into the Congressional Record.
Reflecting on the gathering, Sheriff Simmons shared, “This may be the greatest collection of heroes in one room that we’ve ever had at the Sheriff’s Office.”
Senator Moody emphasized the solemn significance of the award in her statement: “On Purple Heart Recognition Day, we honor our nation’s wounded warriors and those who have died in service of our country. No one ever serves hoping to receive this medal, it is not an honor anyone sets out to earn—it is given because an American stood his or her ground against an enemy. It’s a privilege to introduce a resolution in Congress honoring these patriots’ sacrifice, as well as spotlight four brave Floridians by including their stories in the Congressional Record.”
John Byrnes, Strategic Director for Concerned Veterans for America, added, “Concerned Veterans for America is proud to support this effort to honor the brave men and women who defended our nation and our liberty at great personal sacrifice. The Purple Heart is one of our nation’s highest honors, representing extraordinary courage and selfless service in the face of profound hardship. Designating a day to recognize those who have borne the cost of protecting our homeland is the least we can do for them.”
The four veterans distinguished with Congressional Record entries were honored as follows:
- U.S. Army Sergeant Jason Crawford & U.S. Army Staff Sergeant (Ret.) Dustin Tuller: Both served together with Company B, 3rd Battalion, 124th Infantry Regiment during Operation Iraqi Freedom. On December 23, 2003, during a combat mission in Baghdad, both were critically wounded. Despite his own severe injuries, Sergeant Crawford instructed medics to “save him [Tuller] first” upon seeing Staff Sergeant Tuller’s condition. Both men survived, continued lives of service, and maintain a close friendship over two decades later.
- U.S. Marine Corps Sergeant Peter McKanna: Served with Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines in Vietnam and volunteered for a second tour. On Christmas Day 1970, while leading Marines on a mission, Sergeant McKanna stepped on an explosive device that resulted in the loss of part of his left leg and took the lives of three fellow Marines. Following a civilian career, he has remained dedicated to serving veterans.
- U.S. Navy Commander (Ret.) Douglas Doughty: Served in Vietnam, where he was wounded by enemy shrapnel to his shoulder and lower body during intense fighting in April 1969. After returning home, Commander Doughty pursued a career in medicine while continuing his service in the Navy Reserve, later answering the call to return to duty during Operation Desert Storm.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Elementary Schools Hold Orientation Across Escambia County (With Photo Gallery)
August 8, 2026
Friday was orientation for most elementary schools in Escambia County.
For a look at orientation day at Bratt and Lipscomb elementary schools, click here.
The first day of school for students in Escambia County is Wednesday, August 12.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Residents Encouraged To Participate In Fair Housing Survey
August 8, 2026
Escambia County, Santa Rosa County, the City of Pensacola, and the Emerald Coast Regional Council are seeking valuable input from the public about access to housing by conducting a Fair Housing Survey, which will help identify barriers and improve housing programs throughout the community.
The survey is available online now through Friday, Oct. 16, and all members of the public are encouraged to provide their feedback.
The survey asks about your opinions and experiences renting or purchasing a home, and it should take less than five minutes to complete. Participation is voluntary, and responses will be kept confidential to the extent permitted by law. The survey results will help guide fair housing planning and initiatives in Escambia County, Santa Rosa County, and the City of Pensacola.
Paper copies of the survey will be available at the following locations during normal business hours:
- Escambia County and the City of Pensacola
- City of Pensacola Housing Office, 420 W. Chase St., Pensacola
- E.S. Cobb Resource Center: 601 E. Mallory St., Pensacola
- Woodland Heights Resource Center: 111 Berkley Drive, Pensacola
- Pensacola Library, 239 N. Spring St., Pensacola
- Bellview Library, 6425 Mobile Highway, Pensacola
- Brownsville Library, 3300 W. De Soto St., Pensacola
- Century Library, 7991 N. Century Blvd., Century
- Molino Library, 6450-A Highway 95A, Molino
- Southwest Library, 12248 Gulf Beach Highway, Pensacola
- Tryon Library, 1200 Langley Ave., Pensacola
- Westside Library, 1301 W. Gregory St., Pensacola
- Santa Rosa County
- Milton Library: 5541 Alabama St., Milton
- Pace Library: 4750 Pace Patriot Blvd., Pace
- Navarre Library: 8484 James M. Harvell Road, Navarre
- Gulf Breeze Library: 1060 Shoreline Drive, Gulf Breeze
- Jay Library, 5259 Booker Lane, Jay
- Santa Rosa County Housing Department, 6051 Old Bagdad Highway, Suite 201, Milton
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I-10 Eastbound Lanes To Shift North At Highway 29 Next Week
August 8, 2026
Next week, travel lanes on I-10 eastbound will be shifted north near the Highway 29 interchange (Exit 10). This temporary traffic configuration is anticipated to remain in place through late 2026.
Additionally, intermittent inside lane closures may occur on I-10 eastbound, between mile markers 8 and 11, Monday, August. 10 through Thursday, August. 13, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. for construction activities.
This work is part of a $236 million construction project designed to improve safety and capacity for the 62,000 drivers who travel the I-10 at U.S. 29 interchange daily. The project is scheduled for completion in 2030.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Beshears’ Walk-Off Homer Caps Wild Blue Wahoos Win
August 8, 2026
A three-run walk-off bomb by Jay Beshears put the exclamation point on a 13-11 victory in 10 innings for the Pensacola Blue Wahoos over the Montgomery Biscuits on Friday night.
Down 11-10 in the bottom of the 10th inning, it was Beshears who put the nail in the coffin with his second home run of the game and 10th of the year. It was his first multi-homer game of his professional career and Pensacola’s first walk-off home run since the 2023 season, and Beshears is now the third Blue Wahoo to crank two home runs in a single game in this week’s series against the Biscuits.
The Blue Wahoos (58-48, 22-15) proved that not even an eight-run sixth inning for the Biscuits (54-52, 19-18) was too tall a task to overcome. Down to their final out in the bottom of the ninth, Cristian Hernández snapped a daunting hitless streak and breathed new life into the offense with a 411-foot home run to dead center field, tying the game at 10-10.
Brandon Compton, known for his tendency to hit balls out of the park, didn’t need to power one over the fence to score some runs this time. In the third inning, he’d bury a two-RBI triple into the corner of right field and hustled home on an overthrow to third to complete the three-run play.
The win evens the series at 2-2, though Montgomery still holds a 10-9 edge in games this season. The Biscuits stole 10 bases in the loss, tying a Southern League record set on July 21, 1972 between the Savannah Braves and Jacksonville Suns and managed once more in 1992 between the Orlando SunRays and Carolina Mudcats.
A gritty matchup from the start, the Biscuits earned an early pair of runs on some well-struck balls in the second. An RBI triple from Ryan Spikes was lost in the sun, followed immediately by a hard-hit RBI double into the left field corner from Kamren James.
Pensacola found their footing just as easily in the bottom of the frame. A Connor Caskenette double to the warning track did just the job, scoring Compton and O’Donnell to knot it at 2-2. Compton would circle the bases on his little league homer to extend the edge to 5-2 in the third, and Beshears powered his ninth home run in the fourth to bring it to 6-2.
Six unanswered runs would prove no feat for Montgomery to overcome as the visiting side went on to score eight runs in the top of the sixth. Seven hits – including a three-run homer by Xavier Isaac – coupled with two walks proved devastating for Pensacola relievers Christian Macleod and Colby Martin, as a four-run lead quickly turned into a four-run deficit, 10-6.
The Blue Wahoos got one back in the bottom of the inning as Caskenette singled and worked his way around the basepaths, scoring on a wild pitch by Montgomery’s Andrew Lindsey. The comeback kept rolling as Pensacola added two more with an Adrian Santana single in the eighth.
Hernández proved the hero, homering in the ninth to tie the game at 10-10 before Beshears took Montgomery’s Tommy McCollum (L, 3-9) deep over the left field wall in the 10th inning.
Gabe Bierman (W, 4-2) earned the win, retiring the potent bats of the Biscuits in order in the ninth and holding them to a single run in the 10th inning before the Blue Wahoos offense finished the job.
Pensacola scored their 13 runs on 12 hits, drawing five walks. Caskenette led the offense with a 4-for-5 outing at the plate, his first four-hit game of his professional career. Brendan Jones and Beshears each went 2-for-5.
The Blue Wahoos continue their series against the Montgomery Biscuits on Saturday.
written by Maddy Branning
Free Movie Night Tonight At Carver Park In Cantonment
August 7, 2026
The Cantonment Improvement Committee will host a movie night tonight, Friday, August 7, at Carver Park, 208 Webb Street.
The evening begins at 7:30 p.m., and the movie “Zootopia 2″ starts at 8 p.m. Snacks and drinks will be provided.
Children must be accompanied by an adult, and attendees are encouraged to bring their own blankets or chairs.
Image courtesy Walt Disney Studios.
Back To School Events On Saturday
August 7, 2026
Back to school events will be taking place in North Escambia on Saturday.
Quintette Community Center
The Quintette Community Center will host a Back-to-School Giveaway on Saturday, August 8 from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. Backpack and supplies giveaway while supplies last. The child must be present. Fun activities, food, and drinks, and games at the Quintette Community Center, 2490 Quintette Lane in Cantonment.
First Baptist Church of Cottage Hill
The First Baptist Church of Cottage Hill will host a Back to School Bash on Saturday, August 8 from 10 a.m. until noon. Waterslides, backpack giveaways, refreshments, and more. The church is located at 230 Williams Ditch Road in Cottage Hill.
Beulah Chapel Back-to-School Community Fun Day – Byrneville
Beulah Chapel Assembly of God will host a Back-to-School Community Fun Day on Saturday, August 8 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at 2311 Highway 4A in Century. The day of fun, food, and community features a waterslide, kickball, a cookout, and back-to-school grab bags for kids.
Pilot Emily Shelton Honored With Sheriff’s Medal After I-10 Emergency Landing
August 7, 2026
Flight instructor Emily Shelton was awarded the Sheriff’s Medal on Thursday, following her successful emergency landing on I-10 near 9th Avenue earlier in the week.
Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons presented the award to the 21-year-old pilot for her exceptional airmanship and composure under pressure. On Monday, Shelton was conducting a flight lesson when an emergency forced her to land the Piper aircraft directly onto the interstate lanes, swooping under a highway sign and avoiding traffic.
“Thanks to her quick thinking, training, and professionalism, she safely landed the aircraft and prevented what could have been a much more serious incident,” the ECSO said in a statement. “Join us in congratulating, Emily, on this well-deserved recognition, and thank you for your outstanding airmanship and composure in a challenging situation.”
According to flight tracking data (pictured bottom, click to enlarge), the plane departed the airport in Pensacola before flying north into the North Escambia area and looping around Barrineau Park.
Tate Lady Aggies Host Back To School Camp (Gallery)
August 7, 2026
The Tate Lady Aggies held a Back to School Camp this week, giving campers a chance to learn and improve their skills while having fun.
The three-hour camp was for players 8 years old through eighth grade.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Wahoos Beat The Montgomery Biscuits
August 7, 2026
Eliazar Dishmey and Nigel Belgrave authored a masterpiece for the Pensacola Blue Wahoos on Thursday night, taking a combined no-hitter through 8.2 innings in a 4-1 win over the Montgomery Biscuits.
One out away from the fourth no-hitter in Blue Wahoos franchise history and just the second at Blue Wahoos Stadium, Biscuits top prospect Theo Gillen hit an opposite-field solo homer to break up the no-hit bid and spoil the celebration.
Dishmey (W, 3-1), who had twice before taken a no-hitter through five innings in his first 10 Double-A starts, tied a professional career high with 10 strikeouts. He allowed three baserunners, with Gregory Barrios reaching on a Dishmey error in the third inning for Montgomery’s nearest chance at a hit.
Brendan Jones carried the Pensacola offense with a two-run homer in the first inning and a solo homer in the sixth for his second multi-homer game of the season. Biscuits starter K.C. Hunt (L, 1-1) allowed just the Jones homer over 5.0 innings in a tough-luck loss.
Belgrave (S, 6) took over the game in the seventh inning and worked around a walk to take the no-hitter into the ninth. A strikeout of Caden Bodine was followed by a routine flyout off the bat of Cooper Kinney to put Pensacola on the precipice of history. On a 1-0 pitch, Gillen lifted a fly ball just beyond the left field wall for his eighth Double-A homer and second in as many nights.
Belgrave rebounded to strike out Will Simpson and end the combined one-hitter, the 16th in Blue Wahoos history and the second this season. Of the sixteen, it was the third taken to the ninth inning with a no-hitter intact and the first to end one out away from securing the feat.
The Blue Wahoos continue their series against the Biscuits on Friday.