Escambia County Grants Final Approval For New Molino Subdivision On Highway 97
December 1, 2025
On November 19, the Escambia County Development Review Committee gave final approval to Bluewater Creek Estates, a new residential subdivision in Molino.
The gated community will have 33 single family residential lots located on 185 acres in the 1400 block of Highway 97 just north of Sunshine Hill Road. Lots for single family homes range in size from 4-12 acres.
The development will be served by Molino Utilities for potable water and private septic systems for wastewater because sewer is not available.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
17 Additional ‘Purple Star Schools’ Designated In Escambia County
December 1, 2025
The Florida Department of Education recently recognized 17 Escambia County Public Schools as Purple Star Schools of Distinction during the 2025-2026 school year.
The most recent schools to achieve this honor are:
- A.K. Suter Elementary School
- Bellview Middle School
- Beulah Academy of Science
- Blue Angels Elementary School
- Ensley Elementary School
- Escambia High School
- Ferry Pass Middle School
- Global Learning Academy
- Jim Allen Elementary School
- Jim C. Bailey Middle School
- McArthur Elementary School
- Montclair Elementary School
- N.B. Cook Elementary School
- Northview High School
- Pine Meadow Elementary School
- West Florida High School
- West Pensacola Elementary School
There are now nearly three dozen Escambia County schools recognized as a Purple Star School of Distinction.
“Earning the Purple Star School of Distinction status reflects the hard work and dedication of our administrators, staff, and students,” said Monica Willis, military liaison for the Escambia County Public Schools. “This recognition from the Florida Department of Education highlights our ongoing commitment to supporting military families across the district.”
The purpose of the Purple Star School of Distinction Designation is to recognize schools that support the unique needs of military families, help military-connected students navigate critical challenges and provide resources for military-connected students when transitioning to a new school environment. The program was established by the Florida Legislature (House Bill 429) and signed into law in June 2021.
The list of school in Escambia County to be recognized is as follows:
HIGH SCHOOLS
- Escambia High School
- Northview High School
- Pensacola High School
- Pine Forest High School
- Tate High School
- Washington High School
- West Florida High School
MIDDLE SCHOOLS
- Bailey Middle School
- Bellview Middle School
- Beulah Academy of Science
- Beulah Middle School
- Brown Barge Middle School
- Ernest Ward Middle School
- Ferry Pass Middle School
- Ransom Middle School
ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
- AK Suter Elementary School
- Bellview Elementary School
- Beulah Elementary School
- Blue Angels Elementary School
- Ensley Elementary School
- Ferry Pass Elementary School
- Global Learning Academy
- Hellen Caro Elementary School
- Jim Allen Elementary School
- Kingsfield Elementary School
- Lipscomb Elementary School
- McArthur Elementary School
- Montclair Elementary School
- Navy Point Elementary School
- NB Cook Elementary School
- Pine Meadow Elementary School
- Pleasant Grove Elementary School
- West Pensacola Elementary School
To earn the Florida Purple Star School of Distinction Designation, schools are required to maintain the following:
- A school military point of contact to serve as the central liaison for military families.
- A school webpage for military students and families that includes resources like academic planning, transition planning, and educational opportunities.
- A student-led transition program to assist military students coming into the school.
- Staff professional development to identify and respond to the needs of military families.
- Five (5) percent open enrollment seats for military students and families.
- Three additional activities to support military families such as participating in a service project to connect the school with the military community, hosting an annual military recognition event, or offering a JROTC program, among others.
Smokey Bear, Florida Forest Service Visits Jim Allen First Graders
December 1, 2025
Smokey Bear and the Florida Forest Service recently visited with first grade students at Jim Allen Elementary School.
With a special story, they learned all about fire safety and the importance of asking trusted adults for help. They also had a chance to meet Smokey and share high-fives.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate High Swim Team Make School History At State
December 1, 2025
The Tate High School swim team made school history recently at the FHSAA 3A State Swim Meet in Ocla.
Lauren Armstrong, Audrey Turner, Jordana Wright, Kiley Menser and alternate Izzy Eden became the first Girls 400 Freestyle Relay team in Tate history to make it to the state swim meet.
Tate High results were as follows:
- Lauren Armstrong – 200 Freestyle
- State Selection – 17th seed
- Preliminaries – 17th place
- Lauren Armstrong – 500 Freestyle
- State Selection – 12th seed
- Preliminaries – 16th place
- Finals – 15th place
- Audrey Turner – 100 Backstroke
- State Selection – 17th seed
- Preliminaries – 20th place
- Alex Witte – 50 Freestyle (DIS)
- State Selection – 7th seed
- Finals – 6th place
- Alex Witte – 100 Freestyle (DIS)
- State Selection – 7th seed
- Finals – 6th place
- Lauren Armstrong, Audrey Turner, Jordana Wright, Kiley Menser – Girls 400 Freestyle Relay
- State Selection – 19th seed
- Preliminaries – 18th place
The team is led by Head Coach Kevin Menser and Assistant Coach Katie Eden.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Woman Arrested For DUI, Drug Possession
December 1, 2025
A Cantonment woman was arrested after an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputy observed her driving erratically recently on West Nine Mile Road.
Tiffany Ann Baisden, 59, was charged with DUI, refusal to submit to DUI testing, and possession of a controlled substance without a prescription (alprazolam).
According to an arrest report, Baisden was pulled over in the Kohl’s parking lot after being seen driving without tag lights, accelerating and braking without reason, and drifting across traffic lines. The deputy noted Baisden appeared unsteady and unable to focus.
After performing poorly on field sobriety tests, Baisden was taken into custody The report state that the deputy found 10 alprazolam pills in her wallet during a search prior to booking.
At the jail, Baisden reportedly initially agreed to provide a urine sample but then failed to do so in a timely manner, which was taken as a refusal. Deputies said she also spontaneously stated that she had snorted methamphetamine in the past two days.
She was later released on a $2,800 bond.
Wreck Cuts Highway 29, Muscogee Road Traffic Light Sunday Morning
November 30, 2025
The traffic light at Highway 29 and Muscogee Road was out Sunday morning following an early Sunday morning crash, according to thee Florida Highway Patrol.
The Florida Highway Patrol said Sunday morning that the light was out “for the foreseeable future”, and it was repaired by early Sunday afternoon.
The FHP said an SUV collided with a pole shortly after 3 a.m. at the intersection. Troopers said the crash appears to be a hit-and-run.
NorthEscambia com file photo.
Unborn Child Dies Following Early Morning Crash On Highway 29 In Cantonment
November 30, 2025
An unborn child has died following a two-vehicle crash early Sunday morning on Highway 29 in Cantonment, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
The crash happened about 1:05 a.m. on Highway 29 at Neal Road.
FHP said a white GMC Sierra pickup truck driven by a male 17-year-old Molino teen was traveling southbound on Highway 29 approaching, Neal Road as a black Ford F150 pickup driven by a 21-year-old Cantonment woman was traveling northbound. The teen attempted a left turn onto Neal Road. The vehicles collided, with one of the pickups overturning into a ditch.
FHP confirmed that the teen driver was at-fault in the crash.
Firefighters worked over an hour to free one of the entrapped victims. The two drivers were seriously injured, with one airlifted to the hospital. A passenger in the Sierra, a 21-year-old male from Magnolia, Texas, was also injured.
FHP said the 21-year-old woman was pregnant and lost her child in the crash.
The FHP investigation is continuing.
Tag Violation Leads To Arrest Of Cantonment Man On Multiple Drug Charges
November 30, 2025
A routine traffic stop for an obscured license resulted in the arrest of a Cantonment man on multiple drug charges.
Scott Alan Popp Jr., 25, of Pensacola, was pulled over near North W Street and Sam’s Fun City by an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputy. The initial stop was for an alleged unlawful alteration of his vehicle tag, which obscured the state designation.
According to an arrest report filed, a K-9 unit was deployed and alerted to the presence of narcotics in the vehicle. A subsequent probable cause search uncovered a container allegedly holding crystal substances that field-tested positive for methamphetamine, a white rock-like substance that tested positive for cocaine, and loose marijuana, along with drug paraphernalia.
Popp was charged with possession of a controlled substance without a prescription (methamphetamine), possession of a controlled substance without a prescription (cocaine), possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, and issued a citation for unlawful alteration of a tag.
Popp remained in the Escambia County Jail on Sunday with bond set at $6,150.
Cantonment Lodge Donates Food Boxes To Families In Need
November 30, 2025
For Thanksgiving, Cantonment Masonic Lodge No. 322 partnered with Manna Food Pantries to donate 37 food boxes to local schools for families in need.
The food boxes, including turkeys, were donated to Ernest Ward Middle and Jim Allen Elementary schools.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Christmas Parades: Here’s The Big Local List
November 30, 2025
He’s a big list of NorthEscambia.com area Christmas parades coming up in December.
Have a church or nonprofit Christmas event to share? Email news@northescambia.com.
