Dozens of Escambia County FFA Members Recognized During State Convention (With Gallery)
July 1, 2025
Dozens of Escambia County FFA students were recognized during the 97th Florida FFA State Convention & Expo recently in Orlando.
Tate High School
Leadership Development Events
Top 12
- State Finalist Creed Speaking – Luke Graham
Career Development Events
- Aquaculture – 3rd in State: Daniel Aldridge, Raevyn Aldridge, Luke Graham, Henry Merritt, Christopher Smythe, Caileigh Tonsetic, Anthony Villaverde, Parker White
Proficiency Awards
- Talia Smith – 1st Place in Veterinary Science
General Awards and Achievements
- National Chapter being advanced to Nationals
- Premier Chapter
State FFA Degrees
- Kaydon Biggs
- Blakely Campbell
- Christian Hollingsworth
- Brooke Hoomes
- Phoenix Myrick
- Ellen Rigby
American FFA Degrees
- Sarah Alexander
- Kamden Jones
- Austin Manning
- Francis Martin
- Lyllian Warne
Northview High School
Leadership Development Events
Top 12
- State Finalist Parliamentary Procedure
Proficiency Awards
- Braden Glick – 1st Place in Fiber and Oil Crop Production
General Awards and Achievements
- Premier Chapter Award
- Florida’s Finest Chapter (National Chapter Award)
- Chapter Advocacy Award – 2nd Place
- State Talent Performer – Hunter Manning
- Elected District 1 Secretary – Ona Spinks
Alumni Awards:
- Outstanding Young Alumni – Courtney Solari
- Outstanding Alumni Chapter – 3rd Place Northview FFA Alumni
State FFA Degrees
- Tyler Gilmore
- Jackson Bridges
- Hunter Manning
American FFA Degrees
- Cody Pugh
- Tyler Riggs
- Jayden Franklin
West Florida High School
Leadership Development Events
- Extemporaneous Public Speaking, Suzie Baker 4th place in state
- State Finalist Conduct of Chapter Meetings
Proficiency Awards
- Feeder Swine
General Awards and Achievements
- Premier Chapter Award
- National Agriscience Fair Finalist, Suzie Baker and Kayley Ramswell Social Systems, Division 6
- State Agriscience Fair, Lily Driver and Ally Aguilar Animal Systems, Division 6 2nd place
- State Talent Performer – Gabriel Flores, National Anthem – Session 1
- State Talent Performer – Kensi Armendariz, “Girl Crush” – Session 3
Beulah Middle School
Leadership Development Events
Top 12 In State
- Parliamentary Procedure – Gabriel Lang, Garrison Bruck, Grady Jackson, Lydia Arnold, Emma Malecki, Olivia Nunn
Career Development Events
- 5th Place Aquaculture – Solise Beeks, Louis Hartjen and Lydia Arnold
General Awards and Achievements
- Agriscience 3rd Place Animal Systems Division 1 – Cheyenne Armstong
Agriscience - Agriscience 3rd Place Social Science Division 2 – Izsabella Long
Other Achievements:
Isabelle Jenkins:
- Elected Florida FFA State Secretary 2025-2026
- State Star in Agriscience
- State Proficiency Winner in Agriscience
- Agriscience 2nd Place Animal Systems Division 5
- State Degree Recipient
- Finalist for the Ryan Ryam Outstanding District Officer
- 1st in the State in Aquaculture
- Highest individual in State in Aquaculture
Jayden Williams & Jonathan McIntosh (FLVS FFA Member)
- 1st in the State in Aquaculture
UWF Students Partner With Naval Surface Warfare Center On RoboBoat
July 1, 2025
A group of four University of West Florida electrical engineering and computer engineering students worked with the Naval Surface Warfare Center in Panama City, on a RoboBoat kit to get more high school students interested and engaged in marine robotics.
Dr. Damion Dunlap, STEM Outreach Manager, Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division, tapped into the knowledge of UWF Hal Marcus College of Science and Engineering students in Fort Walton Beach and shared his vision for a kit for high school students, and one that could be used in competitions. Dunlap oversees STEM outreach to support the next generation of engineers.
“We decided that this project would be an amazing way to help high school students become more excited about STEM in an inexpensive and cost-effective way,” said Ashley Schnaible, who is a computer engineering student in her senior year. “This project gave us the opportunity to explore multiple ways of constructing a functioning RoboBoat kit using materials that students could obtain rather easily. It also gave our team the opportunity to be giant kids ourselves, having fun with the build, designing it essentially like a giant Lego set.”
Through the Fall 2024 semester, Schnaible, along with students Heather Sasser, David Laird and Xavier Frank, and under the guidance of Dr. Jeff McGuirk, senior lecturer of electrical and computer engineering who served in the United States Air Force as a developmental engineer, built the platform, while a group of Florida Polytechnic University students focused on the computer pieces.
After multiple trial and error runs with various designs and materials tested, the UWF student team decided to completely 3D print the RoboBoat in pieces using PLA filament and multiple layers of Flex Seal to ensure waterproofing. After the completion of the print and test for buoyancy, they mounted the necessities such as thrusters and a waterproof case that housed the battery, microcontroller and wires. The kit functions as any RoboBoat would, communicating with an RC remote controller.
For the next several weeks during the summer, Dunlap is working with high school students who earned a paid internship with the Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division on a continuation of the project by taking lessons learned from UWF’s project and building another boat.
Four Escambia Women Facing Federal Charges In Nationwide Drug Diversion Scheme
July 1, 2025
Four Escambia County women have been indicted on federal charges of illegal drug diversion to defraud medical programs by diverting oxycodone, hydrocodone, and amphetamine.
Alexandra M. Christensen, 31, Lindsay N. McCray (also known as Lindsay Rogers), 41, Heather T. Bradley (also known as %Heather Thomas), 36, and Jennifer E. Purves, 39, were all charged.
According to court records, Christensen and McCray are charged with conspiracy to distribute and dispense controlled substances, McCray, Bradley, and Purves are charged with distribution of controlled substances, and McCray is charged with identity theft in connection with a scheme to unlawfully divert oxycodone, hydrocodone, and amphetamine. As alleged in the indictment, between 2015 and 2024, McCray, while employed by a medical practice, forged controlled substance prescriptions using the names, signatures, and Drug Enforcement Administration registration numbers of the practice’s two physicians without their knowledge or authorization. As a result of the conspiracy, McCray, Christensen, and others caused to be unlawfully distributed and dispensed over 300,000 hydrocodone pills and over 30,000 oxycodone pills. McCray is further charged with distributing and aiding and abetting the distribution of amphetamine with Bradley and Purves.
All the cases are part of a strategically coordinated, nationwide law enforcement action that resulted in criminal charges against 324 defendants for their alleged participation in health care fraud and illegal drug diversion schemes that involved the submission of over $14.6 billion in intended loss and over 15 million pills of illegally diverted controlled substances. The defendants allegedly defrauded programs entrusted for the care of the elderly and disabled to line their own pockets. The United States has seized over $245 million in cash, luxury vehicles and other assets in connection with the takedown.
Trial for all defendants is currently set for August 18, 2025, in federal court in Pensacola. McCray faces a maximum of 80 years’ imprisonment, and Christensen, Bradley, and Purves each face up to 20 years’ imprisonment.
The charges filed in federal court are part of the Department of Justice’s 2025 National Health Care Fraud Takedown.
File photo.
Does FHP Have America’s Best Looking Cruiser? Cast Your Vote Here.
July 1, 2025
The Florida Highway Patrol is asking for your help to win the 2025 American Association of State Troopers (AAST) ‘Best Looking Cruiser’ competition.
As back-to-back defending champions, FHP is asking Floridians to continue to support us and vote for the FHP cruiser as the best-looking in the nation. Voting will continue through July 11. The cruiser with the most votes will grace the cover of the AAST 2026 calendar.
To vote for your favorite cruiser, click here (scroll to the bottom to choose your favorite and vote).
“FHP is proud to once again take part in the AAST ‘Best-Looking Cruiser’ contest. This year’s photo captures the beauty of a Miami skyline sunset and showcases the strength of Florida law enforcement through our new Corvette, seized from a convicted drug trafficker as part of a joint FHP-DEA criminal investigation,” said Executive Director Dave Kerner. “We encourage everyone to show their support by casting a vote and helping us defend our title as the best-looking cruiser in the nation.”
The FHP submission this year was taken during an iconic Miami sunset with the Florida Highway Patrol’s very own black and tan corvette! The corvette was seized in a joint criminal investigation into a nationwide drug trafficking organization with the Drug Enforcement Administration. It is currently being used at various outreach events to help bring attention to various traffic safety campaigns to reduce crashes on Florida’s roadways.
Former Tate Aggies Coach Named Defensive Coordinator For The Flomaton Hurricanes
July 1, 2025
Former Tate Aggies coach Josh Hardy has been named the defensive coordinator and inside linebacker coach for the Flomaton Hurricanes.
Hardy has been at Tate High School for the last five years, coaching inside linebackers, outside backers, and safeties, and he served as defensive coordinator for the Aggies for one season. He was also an assistant freshman baseball coach for two years and head girls flag football coach for two years for the Aggies.
Before Tate, the Philadelphia, Mississippi native coached football at Philadelphia High School, along with being the head baseball and soccer coach. He also coached at Calhoun (GA) High School where he won a state championship as an assistant varsity baseball coach
Hardy joins the staff of first-season Flomaton Hurricane head football coach Jace Gandy. Gandy was previously the co-defensive coordinator for Spanish Fort, defensive coordinator for Northview, and had coaching stints at Tate, Jay, and W.S. Neal.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Suspect, 18, Charged In Recent Atmore Shooting Now Charged With 2024 Double Murder
June 30, 2025
An 18-year-old already charged in a May shooting in Atmore now faces charges for two shooting deaths that occurred late last year.
Dexter Adams, 18, has been charged with two counts of murder in the shooting deaths of 25-year-old Juwan McNeal and 27-year-old Joe Jones, Jr. The victims were fatally shot while sitting in a vehicle on Ashley Street around 8:15 p.m. on December 8, 2024. Atmore Police said additional arrests are possible.
Adams is also one of the suspects charged in a May 7 shooting at an intersection, during which a vehicle and a nearby restaurant were hit by gunfire. He was charged with attempted murder, discharging a firearm into an occupied vehicle, shooting into an unoccupied building, attempting to elude, and receiving stolen property in the second degree. He wa taken into a custody after a brief foot chase.
Around 10:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 7, Atmore officers responded to the area of North Main and Howard Street after reports of shots fired into a passing vehicle. The Wing & Burger Box restaurant on the northeast corner of the intersection was also struck by gunfire. No injuries were reported in that incident. Responding officers recovered a significant amount of evidence at the scene, including 47 spent shell casings believed to be from two different caliber firearms.
Pictured top: Dexter Adams was taken into custody after a brief foot chase on May 11 after a brief foot chase.
UWF Archaeology Explores Mission Dating Back To 1741 In Molino
June 30, 2025
University of West Florida archaeology students wrapped up a three-week dig last week in Molino, further investigating the over 280-year-old remains of San Joseph de Escambe, a mission constructed in 1741 near the Escambia River.
The Mission San Joseph De Escambe was established upriver along the Escambia River — which, along with Escambia County, actually took its name from the mission near Molino. The Apalachee Indian settlement with dozens of residents is well documented, according to archaeologist John Worth. It was established in the 1740’s. A Franciscan missionary was stationed by the Spanish at the village along with 15 members of a Spanish cavalry unit until about 1757.
The village was led by Apalachee Chief Juan Marcos Fant until it was destroyed during a Creek Indian raid on April 9, 1761. The village and the church were at least partially burned during the raid. Following the raid, the residents moved down the Escambia River to what is now downtown Pensacola.
The Mission was uncovered in 2009 by the UWF archeology students under the leadership of professor of Worth, who spent years digging through historical records before the actual digging in Molino began. Exactions were paused a decade a ago when the de Luna settlement near downtown Pensacola was found and explored.
This year, both graduate and undergraduate students from the UWF Archeology program spend three week in the field school.
For a photo gallery, click here.
“It’s an important site with a lot of history that has not been disturbed,” UWF archeology professor John Worth said last week as he lead NorthEscambia.com through the site — through swarms of mosquitoes with near constant warning about the abundant poison ivy in the thick woods a few hundred feet from the Escambia River.
While we there, students were conducting “shovel tests” — digging small holes about 19.5 by 19.5 inches (50cm x 50cm) too “spot check” for important remnants and clues. While we there, they unearthed a small sherd of of pottery possibly dating to the Mission, and an interesting brick fragment was uncovered by a student.
“That looks it could be British,” Worth said. “It’s different than the bricks made in later periods here.” The brick will go back to the university for some high tech tests to determine its composition and likely time period.
During the field school, students also located a lead ball that was likely colonial-era buckshot and glass seed beads, including a turquoise-colored seed bead. The beads were used for trade between European settlers and local indians, with the beads often traveling trade routes well into the Americas.
As students dug, the dirt was carefully sifted to look for any artifacts. They kept small contained firms smoldering nearby so that the smoke would keep mosquitoes away, much like the Apalachee like did at the Mission.
One discovery, or actually the lack of a discovery, disappointed Worth this year. During a previous excavation years ago, they found remnants of a wall that were marked. This year, excavations on either side of the wall revealed that the wall didn’t seem to extend anywhere.
“We had thought it was the remnants of the church,” he said, explaining the layout (pictured left). “It was disappointing to learn that maybe it was not.”
Worth said he plans to bring the archeology field school back to Molino next summer, perhaps spending more time in the search for Mission San Joseph De Escambe history, and a few students may be explore more recent history, including the once thriving Molino Mill sawmill that was built nearby in 1886.
“There’s a lot of history here in Molino, a lot of history.”
For a photo gallery, click here.
Editor’s note: The archaeological site in Molino is located on private property and is not accessible to the public.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Camp Standouts: Tate Aggie Cheerleaders Shine At 2025 UCA Masters Camp
June 30, 2025
The Tate High School cheerleaders took part in the 2025 UCA Masters Camp in Orlando, their first trip to Masters Camp in five years.
- The Aggies were awarded:
- Superior Squad
- Max Crowd Effective Cheer
- Camp Standout
The Camp Standout was only awarded to two teams from the entire camp.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Beulah Road At Beulah Church Road Closed For Drainage Work
June 30, 2025
Beulah Road will be temporarily closed at the Beulah Church Road intersection for a period of 18 days for drainage construction.
Traffic will be detoured to Rebel Road between Mobile Highway and Nine Mile Road.
The work is part of a $4.4 million resurfacing project on Beulah Road from Mobile Highway to Issacs Lane.
The overall project will include
- Constructing a 6-foot sidewalk on the west side of Beulah Road from the Beulah Academy of Science to Nine Mile Road.
- Various sidewalk and crosswalk improvements, including Americans with Disabilities Act upgrades.
- Improvements at the Beulah Road at Nine Mile Road intersection.
- Stormwater management enhancements.
- Utility relocations.
- Guardrail installation.
- Signalization upgrades.
- New signing and pavement markings.
FDOT anticipates that the full project will be complete in late 2026.
Here Are This Week’s Road Construction Trouble Zones
June 30, 2025
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads and projects in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.
In preparation for the Independence Day holiday, there will be no lane closures on major state roads from 7 a.m. Thursday, July 3 to 11:59 p.m. Sunday, July 6.
Escambia County:
- Beulah Road (State Road (S.R.) 99) Resurfacing from Mobile Highway (S.R. 10A) to Isaacs Lane – Beginning Sunday, July 6, Beulah Road will be temporarily closed at the Beulah Church Road intersection for a period of 18 days for drainage construction. Signs will be in place to detour drivers around the work zone using Rebel Road, Mobile Highway and Nine Mile Road.
- U.S. 90 (Scenic Highway) Resurfacing, from south of Interstate 10 (I-10) to south of Hyde Park Road – Drivers on Scenic Highway will encounter intermittent lane closures, from south of I-10 to south of Hyde Park Road, Sunday, July 6 through Thursday, July 10, from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m., for concrete work and shoulder reconstruction. Law enforcement will be on site and traffic flaggers will direct drivers safely through the work zone.
- Garden Street (Business U.S. 98) Construction from Pace Boulevard to the Interstate 110 (I-110) Ramp – Drivers may encounter the following construction-related traffic disruptions Sunday, June 29 through Wednesday, July 2 and Monday, July 7 through Saturday, July 12:
- Garden Street, between Pace Boulevard and N. Donelson Street, is reduced to two travel lanes (one in each direction), as crews perform construction activities on the south side of the street. This temporary traffic configuration will be in place through early 2026.
- Temporary side street closures south of Garden Street, from B Street to J Street, as crews perform utility and stormwater management enhancements.
- On-street parking is closed on the south side of Garden Street, between B Street and L Street. Additionally, periodic on-street parking closures will occur on Garden Street, between A Street and Alcaniz Street, for sidewalk and crosswalk improvements.
- Signage will be in place to direct drivers and pedestrians around the work zone.
- Michigan Avenue (S.R. 296) Resurfacing from Mobile Highway (U.S. 90) to North Palafox Street (U.S. 29) – The week of Monday, July 7, drivers may encounter intermittent lane closures on Michigan Avenue, from Mobile Highway to North Palafox Street, between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. for paving operations.
- Brent Lane/Bayou Boulevard (S.R. 296) Resurfacing, from Davis Highway (S.R. 291) to Baisden Road – – Drivers may encounter the following traffic disruptions, Sunday, June 29 through Wednesday, July 2 and Monday, July 7 through Thursday, July 10 between 8 p.m. and 5:30 a.m. for milling and paving operations:
- Intermittent lane closures on Brent Lane/Bayou Boulevard, from Davis Highway to Baisden Road.
- On-street parking closures on Bayou Boulevard, between 12th Avenue and Baisden Road.
- Interstate Circle Bridge Over Eight Mile Creek Construction – Interstate Circle is closed at the Eight Mile Creek Bridge through mid-2025 while crews replace the bridge. Signs are in place to detour drivers around the work zone using Pine Forest Road, Longleaf Drive and Wymart Road.
- I-10 at Nine Mile Road Interchange (Exit 5) Construction – Drivers will encounter the following construction-related traffic disruptions:
- Intermittent I-10 inside lane closures near the Nine Mile Road interchange, Sunday, June 29 through Wednesday, July 2 and Monday, July 7 through Thursday, July 10, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.
- Nine Mile Road will be reduced to one travel lane in each direction between the I-10 ramps, Sunday, June 29 through Wednesday, July 2 and Monday, July 7 through Friday, July 11 from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Law enforcement will be on site, and directional signage will be in place to guide drivers through the work zone.
- I-10 at U.S. 29 Interchange (Exit 10) Construction – Between Sunday, June 29 and Saturday, July 12, drivers will encounter the following construction-related traffic disruptions:
- Monday, June 30 and Tuesday, July 1, Interstate 10 (I-10) eastbound will be reduced to one open travel lane between the North Palafox Street overpass and mile marker 12, near the I-110 interchange (Exit 12). The outside travel lanes will be closed each night between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. to allow crews to relocate low-profile barrier wall.
- The U.S. 29 southbound turn lane access to the I-10 eastbound on-ramp will be temporarily shortened Monday and Tuesday, June 30-July 1, and Monday, July 7 through Friday, July 11 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The reduced turn-lane length is required for daytime construction activities and will reopen nightly from 5 p.m. to 9 a.m.
- I-10 between U.S. 29 and I-110, is reduced to two travel lanes in each direction.
- The U.S. 29 northbound ramp to I-10 eastbound is closed. U.S. 29 northbound drivers are being detoured to make a U-turn at Broad Street onto U.S. 29 southbound to access I-10 eastbound.
Santa Rosa County:
- U.S. 98 Turn Lane Operations at Ambassador Drive – Motorists will encounter intermittent east and westbound lane closures Monday, June 30 through Thursday, July 3 for turn lane operations.
- U.S. 90 Resurfacing from west of Avalon Boulevard to east of Stewart Street – Drivers may encounter intermittent U.S. 90 lane closures, between Avalon Boulevard and Stewart Street, Sunday, June 29 through Wednesday, July 2 and Monday, July 7 through Thursday, July 10, from 7 p.m. to 5:30 a.m., for shoulder work and placement of thermoplastic striping.
- U.S. 90 Bridge Replacement over Simpson River – Drivers on U.S. 90 may encounter intermittent lane closures over the Simpson River Bridge, Sunday, June 29 through Wednesday, July 2 and Monday, July 7 through Thursday, July 10, between 8 p.m. and 5:30 a.m. as crews perform bridge construction work. Drivers are reminded that the speed limit is 35 mph through the work zone.
- S.R. 87 Resurfacing, from south of East Bay Boulevard (County Road 399) to Vonnie Tolbert Road – Drivers may encounter intermittent lane closures on S.R. 87, from East Bay Boulevard to Vonnie Tolbert Road, Monday, June 30 through Wednesday, July 2 and Monday, July 7 through Friday, July 11, between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m., for concrete repair work.
- U.S. 98 Widening from Bayshore Road to Portside Drive – Motorists will encounter the following traffic impacts:
- Median and turn-lane closures from Bayshore Road to Tiger Lake Drive.
- Intermittent lane closures and additional median closures between Bayshore Road and Tiger Lake Drive, Sunday, June 29, through Thursday, July 3, from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for paving operations.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.