Stray Bullet Strikes Cottage Hill Home; Deputies Find Target Shooters Nearby
February 18, 2026
There were no injuries reported when a stray bullet went through the window of a home in Cottage Hill on Saturday.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to a reported drive-by shooting on Handy Road. They arrived to find a bullet hole in a bedroom window.
While on scene, deputies heard the “distinct sounds” of additional gunfire, an ECSO spokesperson said on Tuesday. They determined the gunfire was coming from a wooded area and located two individuals target practicing in a clearing about one-half mile from the home.
Deputies said the individuals were firing into some sort of backstop, and one shot apparently missed. The sheriff’s office said they were firing 9mm rounds, like those discovered at the home. The incident was not considered malicious.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
$5 Million O.C. Phillips Bridge Replacement Project Set To Begin
February 18, 2026
Escambia County’s Construction Management Division is preparing to begin construction on a $5.03 million O.C. Phillips Bridge Replacement Project, replacing the existing bridge on O.C. Phillips Road near Walnut Hill.
Construction is scheduled to begin this month and includes a full replacement of the bridge. The roadway will remain open during construction via a temporary bridge.
The O.C. Phillips Road Bridge over Brushy Creek provides access to residents traveling between South Pineville Road and County Road 97A. The replacement bridge will be 0.015 miles (about 80 feet) in length and accommodate two travel lanes (one in each direction), including shoulders on each side. Escambia County said replacing the bridge will reduce flooding impacts, improve the creek habitat, improve driver safety, and provide emergency and residential access to the surrounding area.
The project is expected to be completed by summer 2027, weather permitting.
The O.C. Phillips Bridge Replacement Project is performed in partnership with the Florida Department of Transportation. The project is funded by Local Option Sales Tax, FDOT, and RESTORE funds, with construction costs totaling $5,032,813. Murphree Bridge Corporation is the primary contractor.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Taylor Robinson Grand Slam Powers Tate Lady Aggies Past Bulldogs, 12-6
February 18, 2026
Tate 12, Crestview 6
Tate Aggies head coach Melinda Wyatt got a “W” for her birthday on Tuesday.
A Taylor Robinson grand slam helped power the Tate Lady Aggies to a 12-6 season opener win over the Crestview Bulldogs. Robinson’s grand slam to left field came in the second inning.
Padgett earned the win for the Lady Aggies, surrendering five hits and three runs (two earned) in four innings while striking out five and walking three. Mitchell in relief…
At the plate, Mitchell led the Aggies as she went 3-4, and Padgett went 2-4. Robinson had four RBIs, and Mitchell added two runs batted in.
Tate 5, Crestview 1 (JV)
The Tate Aggies junior varsity beat Crestview 5-1 on Tuesday.
In the circle, Kaylyn Relstab earned the win for the JV Aggies. She allowed one hit and one run in three innings, walking four and striking out two. Bailey Parden threw two scoreless innings in relief.
Melanie Ramirez led Tate at 2-3 at bat, while McKynleigh Montano went 1-3 with two RBIs.
Tate JV will travel to Choctawhatchee at 4:30 on Thursday afternoon.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Chiefs Fall to Freeport 4-1 at Northwest Florida State College
February 18, 2026
The Northview Chiefs fell to Freeport 4-1 on Tuesday during a game at Northwest Florida State College.
Grayson Burns opened on the mound for the Chiefs, giving up three hits and four runs (two earned) in four and one-third innings while striking out three and walking three. Gauge Harrison went for one and two-third innings, allowing one hit, no runs, no walks and striking out three.
Grayden Sheffield went 1-4 at the plate for Northview with one RBI. Jackson Bridges, Taylor Curtis, Kobi Fiorenti, Bryant Mason, and Jase Portwood each added one hit.
Applications Open For 2026 Summer Youth Employment Program
February 18, 2026
Escambia County is now accepting applications for the 2026 Summer Youth Employment Program, which provides an opportunity for Escambia County youth ages 16-24 to receive paid work experience this summer.
Online applications are available now at MyEscambia.com/syep. The deadline to submit applications is 5 p.m. on Friday, February 27. Incomplete applications or applications submitted after the deadline will not be accepted.
Qualified youth who are accepted into the program will be able to work up to 30 hours a week at $14 per hour, with positions available in various county departments along with the Escambia County Property Appraiser and Tax Collector’s Office. Positions will be available across Escambia County, including the Town of Century. Participants will also receive job readiness training prior to job placement as well as post-employment briefings.
The Escambia County Summer Youth Employment Program aims to help local youth gain valuable on-the-job experience while working toward their future career goals. Program participants will have the opportunity to learn a variety of practical job skills, along with workplace etiquette such as professional dress, timeliness and respect.
Last summer, over 200 youth participated in the program, working in county departments including Engineering, Escambia County Area Transit, Public Safety, West Florida Public Libraries, the Town of Century, and more.
Limited positions are available. Requirements for the program are as follows:
- Must submit a completed application packet with all required supporting documentation by 5 p.m. on Friday, February 27.
- Must be a resident of Escambia County, Florida at the time of application and for the duration of program participation.
- Must be between the age of 16 and 24 years old at the time of enrollment.
- Must complete up-front job readiness preparatory training classes and post-employment debriefing sessions.
- Must not have any felony convictions.
- If enrolled in school, must submit enrollment verification.
- Must show proof of identify (state-issued driver’s license or state ID card) and proof of address.
- Must meet hiring criteria of the temporary employment agency.
- Must attend the end of the Summer Youth Program Award Ceremony.
For additional information, please call Neighborhood and Human Services at 850-595-3927 or 850-595-1620.
Pictured: Escambia County Summer Youth Employment participants Shelby Rydzowski of McDavid (top) and Aaliyah Fountain of Walnut Hill (inset) worked at the Century Town Hall last year. Pictured below: Other program participants across Escambia County. NorthEscambia.com and contributed photos, click to enlarge.
Tate Boys Blank Washington; Girls Battle To Tie Before Darkness
February 18, 2026
Tate Aggies boys tennis beat Washington 7-0 on Tuesday.
The Tate Aggies girls tennis team played to a 3-3 tie against Washington due to darkness.
Up next, the Aggies will take on Milton on Thursday, February 19, 2026.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
MILO, The Mobile ID And Licensing Office, Is In Century On Thursday
February 18, 2026
The Escambia County Tax Collector’s Mobile Identification and Licensing Office (MILO) will be in Century on on Thursday, February 19 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.
Tate Lacrosse Beats Milton 11-4
February 18, 2026
Tate High School Girls Lacrosse beat the Milton Panthers 11-4 on Thursday night at Tate.
With the win, the Aggies are 2-1 on the season, while Milton dropped to 0-3.
Up next, Tate will host the Navarre Raiders in a district matchup on Friday at 6 p.m.
Power Failure Leads To Chemical Release At Ascend, FDEP Says
February 17, 2026
A power failure led to the release of nitrogen oxides on Tuesday morning from Ascend Performance Materials on Old Chemstrand Road, according to a report from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP).
The “plant suffered power failure and nitrogen oxides (NOx) was released from the Adipic Acid Unit. The total quantity is unknown at this time but operators are restarting the unit to normal operation,” the FDEP initial report released Tuesday afternoon stated. The report stated the incident began at 10 a.m. but did not indicate an end time.
“At approximately 10:00 a.m. today, Ascend sustained a power failure at the Pensacola, Florida site, Based on information currently available, no impacts or chemical spills to the environment occurred as a result of this power outage. Following our standard procedures, the appropriate notifications were made, out of an abundance of caution. The plant is currently in the process of restarting operations,” Ascend said in a stetement.
The incident was reported to FDEP by an Ascend Environmental manager. A release quantity was not immediately reported.
In a report to the National Response Center, Ascend stated that its engineers believed the release was not above the required reportable quantity, but they wanted to make the report out of an abundance of caution.
File photo.
Walnut Hill Post Office Box Delivery Resumes, But Other Services Still Limited
February 17, 2026
Over six months after the building reopened, mail is once again being delivered to boxes at the Walnut Hill post office, but other postal services remain limited.
The Walnut Hill post office is officially known as a Contract Postal Unit, a small office shared with the electric utility on Highway 99A across from Ernest Ward Middle School. It previously provided the Walnut Hill community with post office boxes, package pickup and shipping, and standard postal services like mailing and stamps.
The building was closed by EREC in August 2024, due to mold, and post office box customers were able to collect their mail from the U.S. Post Office on Main Street in McDavid. Post office box mail that was uncollected in McDavid was boxed in Walnut Hill on July 29, 2025, and EREC announced the reopening of its office and the post office. But no more mail was delivered by the U.S. Postal Service.
Now, the USPS is delivering mail that is being boxed at the Walnut Hill post office. However, the Walnut Hill location is not able to accept packages or provide services that require the use of a postal scanner — it is still waiting on the USPS to get the scanner operational. Any mail that requires a signature will need to be picked up at the McDavid Post Office on Main Street because that requires the use of a scanner.
EREC CEO Ryan Campbell said the member-owned cooperative is looking forward to returning full service to the Walnut Hill post office.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.