‘Threads of Hope’ To Provide School Clothes For Needy Kids. Here’s How To Help.
July 29, 2025
Waterfront Mission has launched Threads of Hope. The community initiative aims to provide clothing assistance to homeless and at-risk students across the Gulf Coast as they prepare for the new school year.
The program encourages community members to purchase Waterfront Thrift gift cards, which are distributed directly to local school districts, including Escambia and Santa Rosa. The districts then distribute gift cards to families in need, allowing them to purchase suitable clothing for their children.
Each gift card purchase supports Waterfront Mission’s broader programs that provide meals, shelter, and recovery services to individuals experiencing homelessness and addiction.
“We first learned about the urgent need for clothing from our partners at Escambia County Homeless Student Services,” said Mark Isbell, vice president of PR and Development. “As we spoke with them, we realized just how powerful our community could be if we came together. With the support of our generous thrift shoppers and the communities surrounding each of our seven stores, we knew we could expand this outreach across every school district we serve.”
The program has a goal of $15,000 in gift cards for the campaign by September 1. The gift cards can be purchased online at WaterfrontThrift.org or at any of the seven store locations in Pensacola, Gulf Breeze, Milton, Crestview, Fort Walton Beach, Mobile, or Foley.
New Requirements For Teen Drivers In Florida
July 29, 2025
New requirements will go into effect on Friday, August 1 for teen drivers in Florida.
The requirements will apply to teens ages 15–17 seeking a Class E Learner’s Permit.
Effective August 1 in Florida, all new teen drivers must complete the following:
- 6-Hour Driver Education Course (DETS)
- REAL ID-compliant documents
- Proof of residential address
- Parental consent
Teen and their families can find course information at FLHSMV.gov or FLVS.net.
Teens that are at least 14-years-old who complete the Traffic Law and Substance Abuse Education (TLSAE) course before August 1, 2025, may be exempt from the 6-hour Driver Education requirement, provided they obtain their learner’s permit within one year of course completion.
Driver Education Exceptions
The following individuals are not required to complete the new 6-hour Driver Education course:
Teens who already hold a Class E Learner’s Permit or Operator’s License
Individuals transferring a valid Learner’s Permit or Operator’s License from another state
Teens with a valid TLSAE certificate dated before August 1, 2025 (valid for up to one year)
Office Phone Outage At Town Of Century
July 28, 2025
The Town of Century is experiencing temporary difficulties with their office phone system.
The town is able to receive calls on its main line, but staff are unable to hear callers.
An estimated time of repair is not yet available. Once service is restored, citizens can call (850) 256-3208.
Federal Drug Trafficking Charges Filed Against Cantonment Man After Undercover Buys
July 28, 2025
Federal drug trafficking charges have been filed against an Escambia County man.
Carlton Dewight Shoemaker, age 51, of Carver Street, was indicted in federal court for three counts of possessing with the intent to distribute controlled substances, one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense, and one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Using an FDLE documented criminal informant, ATF purchased crack cocaine and methamphetamine on two occasions from Shoemaker in a hotel room , according to federal court documents, and a semi-automatic handgun was presented in the room.
When a search warrant was later served, investigators reported finding 4.5 grams of crack cocaine, 9.5 grams of powder cocaine, three ounces of marijuana pre-packaged for sale, drug paraphernalia, and two firearms with ammunition.
If convicted on all counts, Shoemaker faces up to life imprisonment.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
Escambia Man Indicted On Federal Firearm Charges
July 28, 2025
An Escambia County man was indicted on federal firearms charges.
Jason Wayne Coleman, 41, was indicted in federal court for two counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Coleman faces a maximum of 15 years’ imprisonment for each count.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office are investigating the case.
Century Changes Land Development Code To Allow For New ATM
July 28, 2025
Earlier this year, the Town of Century modified its parking requirements, allowing the construction of an ATM in the parking lot of the local grocery store.
The space allocated for the PenAir ATM in the Food Giant parking lot on North Century Boulevard would have reduced the number of available parking spaces below the land use code requirements for the store.
In an ordinance passed in March, the town reduced the number of required parking spaces for a food store from five to four per 1,000 square feet of gross floor area. The ordinance also reduced the number of mandatory spaces for general businesses by one per 1,000 square feet. Other parking requirements for commercial establishments were not changed under the land use ordinances. Current parking requirements are pictured below (click to enlarge),
A similar PenAir ATM was recently constructed in the parking lot of the Cantonment Marketplace shopping center and the Winn-Dixie on Highway 29 in Cantonment.\
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
AAA: Florida Gas Prices Are Up Slightly Over Last Week
July 28, 2025
Despite a week of price swings, Florida gas prices continually reflect a long-running trend of relative stability. According to AAA, the state average dropped 8 cents early last week, surged by 13 cents midweek, and then slipped another 3 cents through the weekend.
By Sunday, the state average stood at $3.10 per gallon, marking a slight 2-cent increase from the week before. Prices remain 10 cents higher than a month ago but are still 31 cents lower than this time last year.
In Escambia County, the average price per gallon was $2.89. In Pensacola, prices were as low as $2.71 at the warehouse clubs. In North Escambia, a low of $2.72 was available Sunday at one station on Highway 29 in Cantonment.
Since September, Florida pump prices have consistently moved within a 31-cent window, ranging from $2.92 to a peak of $3.23. This yearlong pattern parallels trends in the oil market, which has traded within a steady range for the past five weeks.
“While gas prices may shift from week to week, overall they tend to follow a relatively steady pattern,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman for AAA – The Auto Club Group. “As long as oil prices remain stable, drivers can expect pump prices to stay within their current range.”
Escambia (AL) Sheriff Attends Halt Fentanyl Act Bill Signing At The White House
July 28, 2025
Escambia County (Alabama) Sheriff Heath Jackson was one of four sheriffs from across the nation that attended the Halt Fentanyl Act bill signing at the White House recently.
“It was an honor to watch the president sign the bill, which will strengthen the penalties for those who distribute this poison in America,” Jackson said. “It was also an honor to represent Escambia County and the great State of Alabama.”
The legislation, according to Trump, is “delivering another defeat for the savage drug smugglers and criminals, and the cartels”—and is just one of the many historic actions the Trump Administration has taken to end the carnage wrought by foreign drug cartels in our communities.”
Other sheriffs invited to attend the ceremony were from South Dakota, New Jersey, and Ohio.
Pictured: Escambia County (Alabama) Sheriff Heath Jackson attended the Halt Fentanyl Act bill signing. In the top photo, Jackson is seen in the front row just to the right of Trump, third from the right in the photo below, and in the far left in the front row of the third photo below. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Despite Furious Comeback Effort, Wahoos Fall In Series Finale
July 28, 2025
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos (50-45) dropped their series and regular season finale against the Knoxville Smokies (44-51) by a final score of 6-5.
On a sweltering Sunday afternoon, the Wahoos fell behind early. Knoxville plated a run in the first inning against Pensacola starter Jacob Miller when second baseman Reivaj Garcia singled home shortstop Jefferson Rojas with two outs.
After the Wahoos failed to answer in the top of the second, Knoxville burst out with a four-run bottom of the second inning. The first five Smokies of the inning reached base on three walks and two hits. Jefferson Rojas’ bases-clearing double and third baseman Pedro Ramirez’s RBI single capped the scoring for the Smokies, who led 5-0 after two innings of play.
The early lead held behind Knoxville starter Antonio Santos and a slew of bullpen arms. Pensacola scored its first run in the sixth inning when right fielder Kemp Alderman hit a solo home run against lefthander Chase Watkins, but the Wahoos trailed 5-1 heading into the seventh inning.
In the seventh inning, the Wahoos mounted another late-inning rally against the Knoxville bullpen. Righthander A.J. Puckett entered and promptly loaded the bases with one out before departing. New righthander Zac Leigh then walked three of the next four hitters with the bases loaded to cut the deficit to 5-4. With two outs, the bases loaded, and a 3-0 count on designated hitter Cody Morissette, Leigh stepped off the rubber and caught Jared Serna moving too far off third base. The 1-2 pickoff and caught stealing ended the inning and kept the Smokies in front 5-4.
In the eighth, Pensacola bounced back to tie the game. Shortstop Johnny Olmstead doubled with one out and later came in to score on a two-out RBI infield hit from catcher Spencer Bramwell.
Following a 1-2-3 top of the ninth worked by Smokies righthander Brad Deppermann (W, 4-2), Knoxville mounted its game-winning rally. Following a hit and an intentional walk against Pensacola righthander Jesse Bergin (L, 2-2), the Wahoos inserted closer Josh Ekness to escape the jam. However, Ekness walked right fielder Andy Garriola to load the bases before a run-scoring walk-off wild pitch ended the game and the series one batter later.
With the defeat, Pensacola heads home with a 4-2 series win despite a pair of losses to end the week. The Wahoos also found a pair of bright spots in the form of two newcomers – righthander Natanael Polanco worked three scoreless innings of relief in his Double-A debut, while catcher Nestor Rios collected his first career Double-A hit in the seventh inning.
The Blue Wahoos return home on Tuesday, July 29 when they begin a six-game series versus the Biloxi Shuckers.
Cantonment Man Charged With Kidnapping And Burglary
July 27, 2025
A Cantonment man was arrested following an incident on Candy Lane that involved an uninvited entry into a home, a stolen weed eater, shots fired, and allegations of false imprisonment.
Kaleb Blaine Jernigan, a 23-year-old resident of Candy Lane, was charged with kidnapping false imprisonment, burglary of an occupied dwelling, and petit theft.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to the 900 block of Candy Lane for a shots fired disturbance call. A caller reported that neighbors had a male on the ground who had entered their house. Dispatchers were told that one shot was fired into the air and the male was “having a manic episode.”
Deputies arrived to find Jernigan in handcuffs, acting erratically, according to an arrest report. Witnesses told deputies they believed Jernigan was under the influence of drugs and experiencing a manic episode, stating he had been “acting crazy all day.” Jernigan was cleared by EMS and did not require medical attention.
The incident escalated when Jernigan allegedly approached a neighbor’s yard and allegedly took a string trimmer. The neighbor retrieved the trimmer from Jernigan and told him to leave, according to an ECSO report, but Jernigan continued to wander around his property.
Moments later, a neighbor and his wife heard yelling from inside their home. The neighbor found his front door locked and saw Jernigan standing between his wife and the door, preventing her exit. She recounted that Jernigan entered her house uninvited while she was in the kitchen, stood next to her, and then blocked her path to the door when she tried to leave. Jernigan eventually unlocked the door and walked outside, the report states. The woman was not injured.
Jernigan remained in the Escambia County Jail without bond on Sunday.