After 20 Years Atmore News Ceases Operation, Publishes Final Newspaper
July 3, 2025
With much sadness and much gratitude for your support through the years, we publish our last edition of Atmore News.
We love you all.
God bless you, and God bless Atmore.
With that, Publisher Sherry Digmon ended the lead story in the final edition of the Atmore News that hit the streets on Wednesday.
The Atmore News published their first edition in 2005. Now, 20 years later, they have ceased the locally-owned newspaper’s operation.
Digmon wrote that ”atmore magazine” will continue to be published. The monthly magazine will only be available at advertiser locations.
Pictured: The final edition of Atmore News in a vending machine Wednesday afternoon at the post office on Main Street in Atmore. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
ECHS Staff Member Charged With Contributing To Minor’s Delinquency In Murder Case
July 3, 2025
An ongoing murder investigation has led to the arrest of a current Escambia County High School staff member.
Jalen Pugh, age 24 of Atmore, was charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor by the Atmore Police Department.
APD investigators said that Pugh was present during a fatal double shooting on June 24 that claimed the life of 17-year-old Gabriel Elijah Hooks of Atmore (pictured left) and injured one other person.
Police said that while Pugh admitted to being at the scene, he declined to answer further questions.
“The investigation remains open to determine his full involvement in the street race preceding the shooting and his actions after the incident,” APD Sgt. Darrell McMann said. “Additional charges are possibly forthcoming.”
Atmore Police have arrested six others for murder and attempted in connection with the shooting.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Donut Strike For Manna Donations Surpass A Quarter Million Meals
July 3, 2025
Local law enforcement and fire departments teamed up last week to fight hunger. During the 2025 Donut Strike for Manna, nine agencies across Escambia and Santa Rosa counties collected food and funds, raising the equivalent of 47,626 meals for hungry neighbors in need served by Manna Food Bank. This year’s event brings first responders’ total contributions since 2017 to more than a quarter million healthy meals for children and families in need.
Participating agencies include the Escambia County Fire Rescue, Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Gulf Breeze Fire Rescue, Gulf Breeze Police Department, Midway Fire District, Pace Fire Rescue District, Pensacola Fire Department, Pensacola Police Department, and Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office.
“Local law enforcement and firefighters are not only our every-day heroes; they’re our hunger heroes too,” said DeDe Flounlacker, executive director of Manna. “Families are struggling to make ends meet this summer. Our first responders have generously answered the call to impact change for their neighbors in need.”
Pictured: Escambia County Fire Rescue firefighters collect donations during the Donut Strike for Manna at the Winn Dixie on Highway 29 in Cantonment on June 26. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Four Injured In Nine Mile Road Crash
July 3, 2025
A two-vehicle crash on Nine Mile Road on Tuesday night injured four people.
The crash happened at about 9 p.m. at the intersection of Nine Mile Road and Airway Drive.
The Florida Highway Patrol said a 17-year-old female from Crestview was driving a black 2009 Volkswagen Beetle eastbound on Nine Mile Road when a white Toyota Corolla entered the intersection from Airway Drive, into the path of the Volkswagen. Troopers said the Beetle driver unsuccessfully attempted to swerve to avoid a collision.
The driver of the Corolla, a 26-year-old man from Pace, sustained serious injuries. Both drivers and two passengers were transported to the hospital by Escambia County EMS.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia County, Century, ECUA Closures For Independence Day (Including Some On Thursday)
July 3, 2025
This is a list of government closures for the Independence Day holiday.
Escambia County
All offices will be closed on Friday, July 4.
Department of Health – Escambia County
All Florida Department of Health Escambia County (DOH-Escambia) offices will be closed on Thursday, July 3, and Friday, July 4
State Offices
All state offices will be closed on Thursday, July 3, and Friday, July 4.
ECUA
ECUA business offices will be closed on Friday, July 4, in observance of the Independence Day holiday. Residential and Commercial sanitation collections for ECUA customers will be collected one day later on Saturday, July 5.
Town of Century
All Town of Century offices will be closed on on Thursday, July 3, and Friday, July 4
Pitching Leads Wahoos To Twin Bill Split With Shuckers
July 3, 2025
written by Willie Phaler
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos split a doubleheader Wednesday against the Biloxi Shuckers, powered by strong bullpen performances on each side as they strung together 16 innings of baseball at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
The Blue Wahoos took game two in seven innings, beating the Shuckers 5-1 as excellent pitching paired with timely offense secured the win.
Pitchers Luis Palacios, Will Kempner (W, 1-1) and Evan Fitterer combined to allow only one run to a Shuckers offense that ranks towards the top of the Southern League in most categories.
“This group of pitchers is good,” Blue Wahoos catcher Spencer Bramwell said. “Working on attacking the zone, working on nasty pitches. The guys that came in tonight executed that well.”
Along with catching the dominant pitching performance in game two, Bramwell broke the scoreless tie in the bottom of the third, sending a hanging breaking pitch from Biloxi’s Alexander Cornielle (L, 3-4) on a 429-foot ride over the left field wall for his third round-tripper of 2025.
“[I] was just looking for a pitch to drive and get things going,” Bramwell said. “Leading off the inning, with the score still zero, zero. I was looking for a good pitch to drive and I got it.”
The offense continued in the frame, as Nathan Martorella picked up his 33rd RBI of the year on a single to center that allowed Shane Sasaki to score.
Biloxi got on the board in the fourth, scoring a run via sacrifice fly off the bat of Spain, marking his fourth RBI on the day for the Shuckers. Shortstop Johnny Olmstead saved a run to end the inning, ranging over behind second base to scoop up a groundball from Jhremy Vargas and nailing Vargas at first, preventing Spain from tying the game from third base.
That ended Palacios’ night on the mound, and it was a good one for the Blue Wahoos’ all-time wins leader. Over 4.0 innings, the left-handed swingman struck out three and allowed only one run while lowering his ERA to 3.63.
From there, the Wahoos’ pen held steady. Kempner tossed an inning while picking up two strikeouts, and Fitterer shut things down with two shutout innings.
Martorella added an insurance run for the Blue Wahoos in the fifth, driving a double down the right field line to score Cody Morissette and forcing Biloxi manager Joe Ayrault to turn to his bullpen for the first time in game two.
After bringing in right-hander Ryan Middendorf to take over for Cornielle, the Blue Wahoos offense continued to produce. Grant Richardson laced a single past the right side of second base, allowing Morissette to score. Richardson then helped allow Josh Zamora to score from third after getting caught in a rundown stealing second, giving the Blue Wahoos a 5-1 cushion on the way to the win.
The Blue Wahoos fell 10-4 to the Shuckers earlier in the afternoon, completing Tuesday’s suspended game. Biloxi’s offense, which started out red-hot with two runs in the first inning prior to being suspended due to rain, was firing on all cylinders.
After resuming down 2-0 in the bottom of the first on Wednesday, the Pensacola offense found something early as Morissette drew a bases-loaded walk against Zach Peek in the second, forcing in Ryan Ignoffo to put the Blue Wahoos on the board.
The Shuckers extended their lead in the third, as Cooper Pratt came around to score on a wild pitch, tagging Wahoos pitcher Jacob Miller for his first run of the outing.
Zamora, who served as the designated hitter for the Blue Wahoos in game one, picked up his sixth home run of the year in the third inning after turning on a fastball from Biloxi’s Will Childers to send it 375 feet out to left for their second run of the game.
Biloxi added a solo home run of their own in the top of the fifth as leadoff man Ethan Murray hit a solo shot to extend their lead. The Shuckers’ offense continued its success in the eighth, picking up three runs. Mike Boeve picked up his second RBI of the game as he hit a triple to centerfield with a low line-drive getting by a diving Shane Sasaki. Boeve later came around to score, as Spain singled to center to drive in two, extending Biloxi’s lead to 7-2.
The Blue Wahoos picked up two runs in the bottom of the eighth, as Morissette and Sasaki both drove in a run with sacrifice flies, but it was not enough as the Shuckers picked up three more in the ninth to pair with a clean ninth inning from Justin Yeager.
Miller provided length for the Blue Wahoos in his first relief appearance of the year, tossing 6.1 innings of five-run ball while striking out seven Shuckers. The right-hander took over for Orlando Ortiz-Mayr (L, 4-3), who started the game on Tuesday night and threw the first inning while being tagged for two runs.
Right-hander Gabe Bierman made his Double-A debut in the ninth inning of game one, picking up two strikeouts in his first appearance at the level.
Zach Peek replaced Biloxi starter K.C. Hunt in the first inning to start the afternoon, beginning what turned into a bullpen game that saw six different pitchers throw for the Shuckers. Nate Peterson (W, 6-4) carried the bulk of the innings for Biloxi, with four innings of shutout ball while allowing only three baserunners.
The Blue Wahoos and Shuckers will square off for a game three rubber match of this mini-series on Thursday, as Pensacola will send out Robby Snelling (3-5, 3.74 ERA) to take on Brett Wichrowski (1-2, 2.45 ERA) for Biloxi. Thursday’s game will serve as the Wahoos’ warmup to the Fourth of July, with special jerseys and an Independence Day-themed post-game fireworks show.
GAME NOTABLES
— Wednesday featured the brief return of “Downtown Dave” Presnell, the ultra-popular in-game emcee who has not worked a game this year due to his job requirements. He will also be working on Thursday’s game, and is hoping to return in either late July or August.
— The Blue Wahoos have enjoyed good luck with weather, aside from Tuesday’s weather issues. The Blue Wahoos made it to the last homestand of 2024 on September 11, before a game was either suspended in play or postponed.
— Prior to the rain stoppage, Tuesday’s pregame activities featured 85 teams competing in this week’s USSSA (United States Specialty Sports Association) tournament in Pensacola. One of the teams was from Puerto Rico, and that team carried miniature flags from their country. Players from several different teams returned on their rain check ticket to attend Wednesday’s games.
WANT TO GO?
WHO: Biloxi Shuckers vs. Blue Wahoos.
WHEN: Thursday, 7:05 p.m.
WHERE: Blue Wahoos Stadium
Cantonment Man Charged In Connection With $60,000 In Recovered Stolen Property From Several Counties
July 2, 2025
A Cantonment man is charged in connection with the alleged theft and recovery of property from four counties in Florida and Alabama.
Austin Devon Gillenwater, 33, was charged with grand theft auto and two felony counts of dealing in stolen property in Escambia County, Florida. He was also charged with receiving stolen property and four counts of drug possession in Baldwin County, Alabama, according to jail records.
Additional charges are possible.
Gillenwater was allegedly involved with $60,000 in stolen property from Escambia County in both Alabama and Florida, Santa Rosa County, and Baldwin County.
When a search warrant was served at his residence on River Annex Road, the Escambia County (FL) Sheriff’s Office reported recovering property including a flatbed trailer, RV camper, fuel tank trailer, and multiple utility trailers. A Big Tex trailer that was recovered before it had been reported stolen in Escambia County, Alabama.
Owners of the recovered property were notified.
Gillenwater remains in the Escambia County (FL) Jail with bond set at $25,000
New Gulf Coast Amtrak Service Launches, But Not To Pensacola Or Atmore
July 2, 2025
Ticker fares and schedules were announced Tuesday for new twice-daily Amtrak intercity starting August 18 between Mobile and New Orleans with stops along the Mississippi Gulf Coast. The new state-sponsored Amtrak Mardi Gras Service will offer convenient morning and evening departures from both cities.
“We encourage customers to get their tickets now to experience this new, comfortable, and scenic service, and have the first opportunity to travel by train on the Mississippi Gulf Coast in nearly 20 years,” said Amtrak President Roger Harris. “Guests can plan travel for football trips this fall, for November and December holiday travel – and even Mardi Gras Season next year.”
Adult coach fares end-to-end start at $15 each way, less for shorter distances. There are everyday discounts for children ages 2-12, students, seniors, veterans, military personnel and families, small groups, large groups, and others.
The new services do not extend to Atmore, Alabama’s official “Rail Welcome Center” for the state, or into Pensacola. In 2020
In January 2025, Escambia County (FL) Commissioners joined about 60 Florida commissioners in supporting expanded Amtrak passenger rail service from Mobile to Jacksonville, and the Florida expansion had the support of the Florida Association of Counties.
In early 2016, an Amtrak expansion train loaded with dignitaries traveled the route all the way through Atmore and Pensacola as early discussion for the service began.
Amtrak Mardi Gras Route
“We’re absolutely thrilled to welcome Amtrak back to Mobile, and with tickets now officially on sale, this long-awaited service feels closer than ever,” said Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson, who spoke at a Government Plaza news conference today where the start date, schedule and fares were first announced. “Mobilians have looked forward to the return of passenger rail for years, and the Amtrak Mardi Gras Service promises to deliver not just convenience, but connection.
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Amtrak Mardi Gras Service guests have same-day connections in both directions daily to the renowned Amtrak City of New Orleans trains between New Orleans and Chicago via Jackson, Miss., and Memphis, and next-day connections in New Orleans to famous Amtrak Crescent trains to and from New York via Atlanta, and legendary Amtrak Sunset Limited trains to and from Los Angeles via Tucson, San Antonio and Houston.
“The Southern Rail Commission is incredibly proud and excited that the Amtrak Mardi Gras Service is starting so soon after decades of work by all our partners who have played indispensable roles in today’s announcement,” said Southern Rail Commission (SRC) Chairman Knox Ross. “We know this service will have tremendous impact in boosting our local economies, connecting people with jobs and education opportunities, and bolstering our vibrant tourism industry in the coastal cities along the route and we encourage everyone to start buying tickets for your upcoming travel.”
Amtrak plans to celebrate the start of service with an Inaugural Train to operate on August 16. Stops will be Mobile, Pascagoula, Biloxi, Gulfport, Bay Saint Louis and New Orleans.
NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Northview Softball Wraps Historic Season With Banquet, Awards
July 2, 2025
The state runner-up Northview Chiefs held their annual banquet this week to wrap-up their historic season.
The Chiefs ended their season at 22-7, but what it season it was.
The Lady Chiefs had plenty of reasons to celebrate, including wins over Jay, their biggest rival. The Chiefs beat Jay 9-5 on April 3 in Bratt. And on a field in Jay that has seen more than its share of tears as seasons ended for the Lady Chiefs over the years. Northview claimed the district championship 9-1 over the Royals.
Then, for the first time ever, Northview earned a regional title with a 4-1 win over Jay.
Northview beat Branford 14-6 in their first ever trip to the Final Four, leading to the school’s first ever appearance in a state championship softball game where they fell 11-1 to Trenton.
This week, the Lady Chiefs honored the following players:
VARSITY AWARD
Rookie of the Year – Aubrey Hadley
Best Bat – Avery Stuckey
Best All Around – Day Randolph
Leadership Award – Riley Brooks
Best Hustle – Riley Brooks
Best Defense – Kylee Langham
MVP – Mikayla McAnally
JV AWARDS
Best Bat – Julianna Tidwell
Sportsmanship- Amanda Fernandez
Best Defensive Player -Bella Sanspree
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Wahoos, Shuckers Suspended By Rain; Game Will Resume Wednesday
July 2, 2025
Tuesday’s series opener between the Pensacola Blue Wahoos and Biloxi Shuckers was suspended due to rain with the Shuckers leading 2-0 in the bottom of the first inning.
The Shuckers scored a pair of runs in the first inning on a Cooper Pratt sacrifice fly and Mike Boeve RBI single, and the Blue Wahoos built a two-out rally in their half of the frame with a Kemp Alderman single and Nathan Martorella walk before a light rain turned steady and forced a weather delay.
After waiting approximately an hour, the game was suspended. It will be picked up Wednesday at 4:05 p.m. CT, and the regularly scheduled game will follow approximately 30 minutes after its conclusion. In accordance with MLB’s rules and regulations, the second game will be shortened to seven innings.
Fans with tickets to Wednesday’s game will have admittance to both games in the seat listed on their ticket. Fans with tickets to Tuesday’s suspended game can exchange them for any remaining regular season game, subject to availability. Each ticket must be exchanged at least 24 hours in advance of the desired game at the Pensacola Blue Wahoos Ticket Office for a ticket of equal or lesser value. Exchanges must be made in person.