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.
Painting With Puppies Benefits Escambia County Animal Shelter
February 17, 2026
Painting With Puppies was held on Valentine’s Day at the Langley Bell 4-H Center with puppies from the Escambia County animal shelter.
“All of the dogs had a great time on their trip outside the shelter and loved the attention they got from event attendees,” Northview 4-H President Carly Gray said of the event that featured puppies Sheila, Sissy, Gelato and Hollie.
A 4-H Community Pride grant covered all of the event costs, allowing the shelter to collect donated supplies along with proceeds from event tickets and donations.
“No dogs were adopted on Saturday, but we’re considering giving it another go in the next few months, “bigger and better,” Gray said. “Thank you to everyone who participated, and we hope to see you volunteer with the shelter and keep your eyes peeled for a possible second Painting with Puppies event.”
The event was made possible by volunteers from the Escambia County Animal Shelter, Northview 4-H, Ransom Middle School National Junior Honor Society, and Tate High School National Art Honor Society.
To see a full list of adoptable pets in Escambia County, visit 24petconnect.com.
Photos by Cinci Poole for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Portion Of Fannie Road Near Century To Close For Paving On Wednesday
February 17, 2026
A portion of Fannie Road between Old Flomaton Road and Campbell Road in Century will be temporarily closed to through traffic beginning Wednesday, February 18, while crews pave one-third of a mile of the road.
There will be a short detour in place along Old Flomaton Road and Campbell Road. The road is expected to reopen by Thursday, February 19, weather permitting.
Residents, pedestrians, and emergency vehicles will have access to properties within the work area at all times; however, there may be short periods when a driveway or entrance may be blocked temporarily as equipment and materials are moved during construction.
NorthEscambia.com graphic.
Fresh Produce on Wheels From Millie Mobile Market Wednesday In Molino
February 17, 2026
The Millie Mobile Market is scheduled to be in Molino on Wednesday, February 18, with a variety of fresh produce.
Millie will be at the Molino Community Center (Molino Library) at 6450 North Highway 95A from 10 a.m. until noon.
During the Molino visit, Millie will offer a menu of fresh produce at discounted prices. Items available will include apples, cabbage, cucumbers, oranges, sweet potatoes, onions and more. The selection varies each visit and is based upon availability. This week’s menu is below.
Millie travels routes throughout Feeding the Gulf Coast’s Florida service area, addressing pockets of low food access (food deserts) where supermarkets are scarce, to provide community members the opportunity to buy affordable fresh produce and other nutritious foods at a significantly discounted rate. Feeding the Gulf Coast collaborates with local farmers to purchase produce when available specifically for the Millie Mobile Market.
Only debit or credit cards (including tap-to-pay) are accepted at Millie; no cash.
Pictured: A previous Millie Mobile Market visit at the Molino Library. File photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
‘Ashes To Go’ Available On Ash Wednesday In Cantonment
February 17, 2026
Need to do Ash Wednesday in a hurry? Several churches are offering outdoor imposition of ashes to help people start Lent on Wednesday, without even leaving their cars.
St. Monica’s Episcopal Church Rev. Deacon Rachel Iversen says they will be set up at Cantonment Ace Hardware at 1560 Highway 29. The church team will be there from 7 a.m. until 9 a.m., offering ashes to observe Ash Wednesday, the start of Lent.
“This is for people on their way to work – it’s a window of opportunity,” Iversen said. “People can pull up, we’ll have a guided meditation, a prayer on a bulletin. They can read the prayer, prepare mentally and spiritually. If they want to pray, we’ll pray with them.”
The drive-through concept welcomes people who have never seen Ash Wednesday before. They do not have to be churchgoers, Iversen said. “There’s no stipulation – wherever you are in your spiritual journey,” she said. “If they’re curious, they can experience the ashes. It’s a spiritual experience. If people want a time of prayer, repentance and reflecting on their own mortality, we want to let them know that the call to turn and focus on God is present anywhere.”
“We make a shape of the cross with ashes on the forehead and say what the ancients said, ‘Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return.’ It is a wonderful reminder of our mortality, but the grace of it all too.”
Iversen said they will hand out sheets with answers to often-asked questions about Ash Wednesday, such as “Do I have to wear the ashes all day?” “Only if you want to,” Iversen said. The ashes are worn as a sign of penitence. The church is called to take the church out to the streets. “We are going to dress like clergy, so people know we are fulfilling that role,” Iversen said. “If I were out there in blue jeans, people wouldn’t know we were ministers.”
Ash Wednesday marks the start of the 40-day penitential period of Lent, leading up to the celebration of Easter, which will be observed April 5 in most churches.
Man Facing Drug Charges After Atmore Police Execute Search Warrant
February 17, 2026
An Atmore man was arrested on multiple charges after the Atmore Police Department executed a search warrant at 236 Wilson Avenue.
Larry Lyons was charged with distribution of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance (synthetic spice), and possession of drug paraphernalia.
APD said the charges resulted from the search warrant and a previous investigation.
Lyons was booked into the Escambia County (AL) Detention Center in Brewton.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Portwood, Sheffield Homer As Northview Beats Walton 13-2
February 17, 2026
Jase Portwood and Grayden Sheffield both homered Monday night in Bratt as the Northview Chiefs easily beat the Walton Braves 13-2. Portwood’s home run to left field scored two runs in the bottom of the fifth. Sheffield’s home run to left field came on an 0-2 count in the bottom of the sixth.
Jack Boutwell earned the win for Northview, surrendering no hits and two runs (none earned) in a complete-game six innings while striking out four and walking one. Jackson Bridges, Boutwell, Grayson Burns, and Portwood each had two hits for the Chiefs. Sheffield and Portwood each had three RBIs.
Next up, Northview will take on Freeport on Tuesday at 5 p.m. at Northwest Florida State College.
It’s Been 10 Years Since An EF-3 Tornado Ravaged Century (With Photo Gallery)
February 16, 2026
Sunday marked the 10th anniversary of an EF-3 tornado that ripped through Century.
The tornado first touched down southwest of Lambert Bridge Road southwest of McDavid at 3:32 p.m. on February 15, 2016. The first EF-2 intensity damage was on Holland Road where a workshop was destroyed. As it moved into Century, the tornado reached peak intensity with widespread EF-2 damage with isolated EF-3 level damage from 152 mph winds that destroyed numerous homes and businesses, according to the National Weather Service.
The tornado continued to track across the state line into Alabama with EF-2 damage on Old Fannie Road east of Flomaton. The tornado continued toward Pollard, AL, where it weakened and lifted at 3:55 p.m.
The EF-3 tornado was on the ground 16.5 miles with a path up to 300 yards wide.
The photos on this page and in the first gallery below were taken by NorthEscambia.com just minutes after the tornado touchdown in Century. In the top photo seen around the world, neighbors and first responders came together to rescue a woman who was trapped in her overturned mobile home.
For a photo gallery, click here.
The gallery includes NorthEscambia.com exclusive photos from February 15, 2016, along with additional damage photos, the Century United Methodist Church, and Gov. Rick Scott’s visit to Century.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Century Set To Consider Final Approval Of Stormwater Discharge Ordinance
February 16, 2026
On Tuesday, the Century Town Council is set to hold a second reading of an ordinance designed to strictly control how pollutants enter the town’s drainage systems. The ordinance aims to protect the local environment and ensure the town complies with state and federal clean water standards.
To read the complete ordinance, click here (pdf).
Key Takeaways for Residents and Businesses:
- Strict Discharge Rules: The law prohibits “illicit discharges”—essentially anything going into the storm drains that isn’t composed entirely of clean rainwater.
- Industrial & Construction Standards: Businesses and construction sites must manage their runoff on-site. They are also required to notify the Mayor’s office before connecting to the town’s drainage system.
- Mandatory Inspections: Town personnel must be granted access to facilities discharging or suspected of discharging into the system to inspect drainage systems and records to ensure compliance.
- Enforcement and Fines: Violations are treated as separate offenses for every day they continue. Property owners may be held liable for cleanup costs, sampling fees, and even legal expenses incurred by the town.
Common Activities Exempted:
The ordinance lists several “everyday” activities that are generally not considered violations, provided they don’t significantly harm the system:
- Individual residential car washing
- Lawn watering and landscape irrigation
- Air conditioning condensate
- Dechlorinated swimming pool discharges
- Emergency firefighting activities
Next Steps for the Town
The final reading and potential adoption of the ordinance is scheduled for the February 17 Town Council meeting at 6:15 p.m.. If passed, the law becomes effective immediately upon adoption