West Highway 4 Closed Near Highway 97
December 22, 2025
A portion of West Highway 4 between Highway 97 and Pine Barren Church Road is closed to through traffic beginning through Wednesday while crews replace a pipe under the roadway.
Traffic is being detoured along Pine Barren Church Road.
Residents, pedestrians, and emergency vehicles will have access to properties within the work area at all times; however, there may be short periods when a driveway or entrance may be blocked temporarily as equipment and materials are moved during construction.
NorthEscambia.com photos and graphic, click to enlarge.
ECUA Reports 5,500 Gallon Sewage Spill On Pine Forest Road In Cantonment
December 22, 2025
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UPDATE: On Monday, ECUA updated the total volume of the spill to 5,500 gallons, with 5,300 gallons recovered with vacuum trucks.
The Emerald Coast Utilities Authority (ECUA) reported a sanitary sewer overflow on Sunday on Pine Forest Road in Cantonment.
The 1,000 gallon spill was due to a broken force main in the 2800 block of Pine Forest Road, just south of West Roberts Road, according to a report filed with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
The spill occurred between 2-8 p.m. on Sunday.
After crews recovered the remains of the spill, they cleaned and sprayed the area with biocide, according to ECUA.
Ransom Middle Students Enjoy PBIS Holiday Celebration
December 22, 2025
Ransom Middle School celebrated student achievement lst week with a PBIS Holiday event designed to reward positive behavior.
Students donned festive reindeer antlers and holiday lights while gathering to decorate wooden ornaments and stars.
Along with the crafts, students enjoyed a cookies and refreshments.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Letters To Santa From Bratt Elementary Second Graders
December 22, 2025
NorthEscambia.com asked second grade students at Bratt Elementary School to write letters to Santa. The letters have already been forwarded to Santa to make sure he knows all their special wishes.
Students in the classes of Mrs. Phillips, Mrs. Estes, and Mrs. Ward wrote letters to Santa.
For all of the letters, click here.
Jim Allen Elementary Students Celebrate ‘Grinch Day’
December 22, 2025
Jim Allen Elementary School held a “Grinch Day’ before Christmas Break. Students wore green or dressed like their favorite Grinch characters.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
No Serious Injuries In Saturday Afternoon Highway 95A Wreck
December 21, 2025
There were no serious injuries in a two-vehicle crash Saturday afternoon on Highway 95A in Cantonment.
The crash happened about 3:20 p.m. just north of Highway 29. At least one person was transported by Escambia EMA with minor injuries.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Tate Aggies Win Niceville Christmas Tournament
December 21, 2025
The Tate Aggies won the Niceville Christmas Tournament.
The Aggies beat Cumberland County 83-72, d Charles Henderson 67-62, an claimed the tournament title with an 86-56 championship win over Niceville.
Marcus Cooper was named Tate’s MVP of the game, and Kade Calderon was named MVP of the Niceville Christmas Tournament.
After the Christmas break, the Tate Aggies will be back in action January 6 at the Washington Wildcats.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
FHP: Traffic Stop On Pine Forest Road Leads To DUI, Drug And Weapon Charges
December 21, 2025
The Florida Highway Patrol arrested a man for DUI, drug, and firearm charges Saturday on Pine Forest Road.
Troopers were conducting a speed enforcement operation when they stopped 28-year-old Kordell DeShawn Johnson for doing 60 mph in his Jeep in a 45 mph zone. Johnson told troopers that he had marijuana and a firearm in his vehicle.
He exited the vehicle, and a loaded 9mm handgun with an extended magazine was removed from his waistband, according to FHP. A book bag in the vehicle was located and searched; troopers reported finding 98 grams of marijuana, a scale, baggies, and rolling papers. Johnson also had a “large amount” of cash in small denominations on his person.
He was taken into custody after a DUI investigation.
Johnson was charged with DUI, no driver’s license, carrying a firearm in the commission of a felony, possession of drug paraphernalia, and trafficking in marijuana. He was booked into the Escambia County Jail without bond.
Ice Flyers Fall To Huntsville On Star Wars Night At The Hangar (With Gallery)
December 21, 2025
The Huntsville Havoc defeated the Pensacola Ice Flyers 5-1 Saturday night during Star Wars Night at the Hanger.
The Havoc came out flying and controlled much of the play through the opening period, testing the Ice Flyers’ resolve early.
The first period belonged to Huntsville, with Connor Galloway finding the back of the net for the game’s opening goal. The Havoc extended their lead shortly after, and the Ice Flyers headed into the first intermission down 2-0.
The second period saw a more evenly matched contest, with both teams battling hard but neither able to break through. The Havoc registered 7 shots on goal while the Ice Flyers generated 10 shots, but the scoreboard remained unchanged heading into the final frame.
The third period saw the Ice Flyers battle back, but it wouldn’t be enough. Huntsville’s Cole Reginato extended the lead to 3-0 early in the final frame. Tyler German finally put the Ice Flyers on the board later in the period, but the team couldn’t find the momentum needed to complete the comeback. Huntsville’s Giovanna Procopio added another goal shortly after, and Cole Reginato sealed the deal with an empty net goal to secure the victory for the Havoc.
The Ice Flyers will look to regroup Sunday as they take on the Macon Mayhem.
‘He’s Got A Gun’ — Man Charged With Ensley Homicide
December 20, 2025
An Escambia County man has been charged with homicide for a fatal shooting last week in Ensley.
Alex Leon Hines, 44, was arrested early Friday morning and booked into the Escambia County Jail without bond on charges of homicide negligent manslaughter and a felony weapons offense.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office received a report on December 13 of an armed disturbance in the area of Briese Lane and Jeffery Lane. Deputies located Ivan Frolov Murray with a gunshot wound to the head.
Murray had called 911 and told FHP, “…there is some dude here ramming my camper with his truck, he is drunk as hell, he’s in a Bronco…He’s got a gun and he’s a [expletive] maniac…”
Deputies later obtained video of the Bronco (image top) and traced it to Hines on Jeffrey Lane. The Bronco was also in a still-image from a security camera (pictured below) on the victim’s camper just 37 seconds before the murder, according to Sheriff Chip Simmons.
Simmons said the investigation is continuing.
