$6.3 Million In Grants Available To Support Florida’s Forests
February 5, 2026
Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson and the Florida Forest Service has announced a total of $6.3 million is now available to Florida landowners through two cost-share programs. Florida’s Future Forests Program and the Enhancing Gulf Waters Through Forested Watershed Restoration (RESTORE) Program aim to improve forest health and water quality by promoting tree planting and timber stand improvement practices that help ensure the long-term viability of Florida’s forestlands. Applications for both programs will be accepted until March 27, 2026.
“Florida’s forests are some of our most valuable natural assets – protecting water quality, supporting wildlife, and fueling an industry that supports thousands of jobs,” said Simpson. “These programs are a significant long-term investment for the state and will help maintain and preserve Florida’s forests and natural resources for future generations.”
Florida’s Future Forests Program is open to non-industrial, private landowners, local governments, and registered nonprofit organizations. Interested applicants should contact their Florida Forest Service County Forester to initiate the application process. Applicants may request funding for tree establishment practices on a minimum of 10 acres and up to 250 acres. To learn more, visit FDACS.gov/FutureForests. The deadline for application submission is 3 p.m. EST on March 27, 2026.
“Private lands make up the majority of Florida’s forestlands, and these funds will help landowners reestablish forests, improving water quality and enhancing overall forest health,” said Florida Forest Service Director Rick Dolan.
Since 2021, the Florida Legislature has appropriated approximately $18 million for this program. These funds have already been used to create over 50,000 acres of healthy forests in Florida.
An additional $2.3 million is available through the RESTORE Landowner Incentive Program. These funds are available to non-industrial private landowners, local governments, and registered nonprofit organizations located within specific priority watersheds. This program includes reforestation, prescribed burning, first pulpwood thinning, mechanical underbrush treatment, and chemical underbrush treatment, for practices on a minimum of 10 acres up to 250 acres. For more information, visit FDACS.gov/Restore. The application deadline is 3 p.m. EST on March 27, 2026.
Pictured: The Florida Forest Service’s Molino Forestry Station located on Highway 29. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Mark Your Calendars: MILO, The Mobile ID And Licensing Office, Is Coming To Century
February 5, 2026
The Escambia County Tax Collector’s Mobile Identification and Licensing Office (MILO) will be in Century on February 19 and April 16 from 9:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. at the Billy G. Ward Courthouse.
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/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.
This initiative aims to bring services to areas of Escambia County that may have limited access to traditional tax collector offices, particularly during disaster recovery or for residents in assisted living facilities, community centers, and correctional facilities.
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.
County Seeking Applications for Affordable Housing Advisory Committee
February 5, 2026
The Escambia County Board of County Commissioners is soliciting applications for persons interested to serve as a representative to the Escambia-Pensacola Affordable Housing Advisory Committee for the term April 2026 through Dec. 31, 2029. All applications must be received no later than 3 p.m. on Friday, March 6 for consideration..
The Board is seeking to fill seven slots with citizens actively involved from he following categories:
- residential home building industry in connection with affordable housing.
- banking or mortgage banking industry in connection with affordable housing.
- representative of those areas of labor actively engaged in home building in connection with affordable housing.
- advocate for low-income persons in connection with affordable housing.
- for-profit provider of affordable housing.
- not-for-profit provider of affordable housing.
- real estate professional in connection with affordable housing.
- local planning agency pursuant to Florida Statutes, Sec. 163.3174.
- resides within the jurisdiction of the local governing body making the appointments.
- represents employers within the jurisdiction.
- represents essential services personnel, as defined in the local housing assistance plan.
The AHAC must have at least eight and no more than 11 members representing at least six categories identified in the statute.
The committee will meet monthly during review and development of the affordable housing incentives and the new LHAP and at least quarterly thereafter. Members will serve three-year terms unless a position is filled mid three-year cycle. Positions will be recommended to the board for approval in May.
Citizens interested in serving should complete an application available online here, or request a form via email at NED@myescambia.com. Completed applications should be forwarded to:
Escambia County Neighborhood & Human Services Department
Neighborhood Enterprise Division/AHAC
Attn: Garett R. Griffin
221 Palafox Place, Suite 200
Pensacola, FL. 32502.
Jay Boil Water Notice Lifted
February 4, 2026
UPDATE: A precautionary boil water notice for the entire town of Jay was lifted Wednesday afternoon, February 4.
On Sunday, Town of Jay Utilities issued a precautionary boil water notice for its entire town water system after its water wells were shut down for a leak repair.
The town experienced a weather-related water main break on an old pipe that could not be isolated from the rest of the water system, according to Town Manager Eric Seib. By 9 p.m., both water wells had returned to service, and water pressure was expected to return by about 10 p.m. Bacteriological tests were conducted Monday and Tuesday, both with clean results.
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.
Smokey Bear Saw His Shadow And Predicted Six More Weeks Of High Fire Danger
February 4, 2026
Smoky Bear saw his shadow on Monday, Groundhog Day, and predicted six more weeks of high fire danger.
Dry weather, low humidity, and wind lead to higher fire danger this time of year, according to the Florida Forest Service.
Smokey Bear turned 81 last August, marking the date when the U.S. Forest Service first authorized the character to promote wildfire prevention.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Mayor Names Michigan Man As New Pensacola Police Chief
February 4, 2026
Mayor D.C. Reeves has chosen Eric Winstrom to lead the Pensacola Police Department, wrapping up a national search for the City of Pensacola’s next chief of police.
Winstrom, who has been the chief in Grand Rapids, Michigan, will start with PPD on March 2, pending approval of his hiring by Pensacola City Council.
“Choosing the right person to lead our police department is perhaps the most important decision I will make as your mayor,” Reeves said. “My focus was on finding the person who is the right fit for our community with the ability to lead PPD into the future. After much consideration and feedback from the community throughout this selection process, I look forward to working with Chief Winstrom to help write PPD’s next chapter.”
Kristin Brown, who has been serving as PPD’s Acting Chief, will serve as the Deputy Chief during the transition.
Winstrom began his law enforcement career with the Chicago Police Department in 2000, patrolling public housing complexes on the city’s South Side. In his 21 years in Chicago, he rose to the rank of commander, taking on multiple leadership roles and guiding tactical, investigative, and administrative teams through some of the department’s most challenging periods. He led the citywide child sex crimes unit at CPD, was captain of the 400-person 9th district in Bridgeport and commander of the Area 5 Detective Division, a 200-person team that covers the Northwest side and O’Hare Airport.
In 2022, Winstrom was named the Chief in Grand Rapids, Michigan’s second-largest city. In his tenure there, which he began as an external candidate, he focused on recruitment, training, community engagement, accountability and reducing crime, while managing day-to-day operations and high-profile police and public safety incidents that drew national attention.
When Winstrom arrived in Grand Rapids, the force was budgeted for 302 officers but had only 260 sworn officers. There are now 312 sworn officers on the force so that the department can better keep pace with the needs of the city.
“Trust is a key component not only of leadership within a police department but also between the department and the community it serves,” Winstrom said. “I’m well aware that trust is earned and there are no shortcuts in earning it. I am eager to get to work with the team already in place at PPD.
“Pensacola’s looking to strive to thrive in an ethical way, and in a way that lifts everyone up. Policing is an integral part of that effort. Everyone wants to be on a winning team. Pensacola is a winning team, and I am looking forward to being part of that.”
Winstrom has been a guest lecturer on police issues at numerous colleges and universities and a regular expert witness in police-related litigation.
He earned his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Rutgers University, followed by a juris doctor degree from Brooklyn Law School. After law school, Winstrom worked at the NYPD Legal Affairs Bureau, where a police officer mentor told him that if he wanted to make substantive changes to the system, he should become an officer and help change it from the inside. It was advice that launched his career.
Winstrom and his wife — a former Chicago police officer — have been married for more than 15 years and have two children, ages 12 and 14.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Tate Aggies Beat Pace In District Quarterfinal; Northview Chiefs Fall To Central
February 4, 2026
District quarterfinal action Tuesday night was the end of the road for the Northview Chiefs, while the Tate Aggies are battling forward.
In 6A District 1, the No. 2 Tate Aggies beat the No. 7 Pace Patriots 62-42 Tuesday night at Tate. Up next, the Tate Aggies will host No. 6 seed Gulf Breeze in the semifinals at 7 p.m. Thursday in Tate’s Fryman Gym.
In Rural Class District 1 quarterfinals, the Central Jaguars beat Northview 72-35 at Central, ending the season for the Chiefs.
NorthEscambia.com file image.
Ransom Academic Team Takes Second In Beulah Academy Tournament
February 4, 2026
The Ransom Middle School Academic Team competed at the Beulah Academy of Science Snowball last Saturday.
In a field of eight teams from four schools, the Ransom C team – Sydney, Megan, Madelyn, and Adelynn – made the playoffs, and the Ransom A team – Calleigh, Cooper, Levi, Zackary and Cutter Rhodes won the semifinal over King Middle, but fell late in a tight championship final to defending champions Freeport and missed qualifying for Nationals.
Rhodes too overall individual first place.
Ransom Academic Team members that competeted were:
- Calleigh Anderson
- Kyson Beck
- Cooper Boddy
- Daniel Boone
- Khloe Caldwell
- James Corvin
- Levi Cox
- Sydney Cox
- Zackary Cox (a Kingsfield Elementary 5th grader “playing up”)
- Madison Degan-Dorangricchia
- Ryann Gibbs
- Megan Gray
- Madelyn McShane
- Adellyn Mortellaro
- Cutter Rhodes
- Ryan Rodgers
- Jazmin Yahya
Host Beulah Academy of Science had two teams that made the playoff bracket. Forrest Scott of BAS placed fourth out of 38 players.
Pictured top: Ransom Academic Team (front, L-R) Ryan Rodgers, Cooper Boddy, Kyson Beck, Cutter Rhodes, Levi Cox, Zackary Cox, Daniel Boone, James Corvin; (back, L-R) Sydney Cox, Madison Degan-Dorangricchia, Calleigh Anderson, Khloe Caldwell, Madelyn McShane, Megan Gray, Adellyn Mortellaro, Jazmin Yahya. Pictured first below: Ransom championship final (L-R) Zackary Cox, Cutter Rhodes, Cooper Boddy, Levi Cox, Coach Jon Walker, Calleigh Anderson, Coach Maggie Brown, Coach Samantha Brown, Coach Clarissa Brown, Coach Madison Bass. Not pictured, Coach Brandon Bass. Pictured second below: The Ransom and Freeport championship teams. Pictured fourth below: The Beulah Academy of Science Team. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
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Anderson Leads Tate Boys Tennis To Season-Opening Win Over Choctaw
February 4, 2026
The Tate High School boys tennis team opened the season with a 4-3 district win over Choctawhatchee in Fort Walton Beach.
Newcomer Noah Anderson, a junior, led the way with singles and doubles wins.
Up next, Aggies tennis will travel to face the West Florida Jaguars on Thursday.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
High School Baseball Scoreboard
February 4, 2026
Here are Tuesday night preseason high school baseball scores:
Fort Walton Beach 8, Northview 4
The Fort Walton Beach Vikings defeated the Northview Chiefs 8–4 in Crestview.
Jack Boutwell opened on the mound for the Chiefs, giving up five hits and six runs (two earned) in one and two-thirds innings while striking out one and walking three.
Jackson Bridges, Taylor Curtis, Dane King, Jase Portwood, and Grayden Sheffield each had one hit for Northview. Grayson Burns and Sheffield each had an RBI for NHS.
West Florida 6, Tate 1
The West Florida Jaguars downed the Tate Aggies 6–1.
Bryton McLellan opened for Tate on the mound, giving up six hits and six runs (one earned) in two innings, striking out three while walking one. Logan Kimmons went three in relief, surrendering one hit and no runs as he struck out seven and walked one.
At the plate for the Aggies, Cal Foxworth went 1-for-1 with a sacrifice fly for an RBI. Nathan Connors, Griffin Cook, and Kaden Posta each added a hit for Tate.
On Thursday, the Tate Aggies will take on the Catholic Crusaders at 4:00 p.m. at West Florida.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.