FHP: Woman Runs Red Light, Crashes Into Deputy At Highway 29 And Highway 97
December 26, 2025
There were no serious injuries when a driver ran a red light at Highway 29 and Highway 97 on Christmas Day and crashed into an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputy’s cruiser.
Just after noon, a 65-year old Atmore woman who was traveling south on Highway 29 failed to stop for a red light and collided with a deputy, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The collision caused the deputy’s cruiser to make minor contact with a third vehicle, a van that was in the turn lane from Highway 97 to northbound Highway 29.
The 65-year-old woman sustained minor injuries, while her 47-year-old female passenger, also from Atmore, was not injured. The deputy, a 30-year-old Molino woman, and the van driver, a 65-year old Molino man, were not injured.
Escambia County EMS, Squad 18 from the Molino Station of Escambia County Fire Rescue and additional units from the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Walnut Hill Man With Manifesto, Killing Spree Target List Pleads Guilty To Federal Firearms Charges
December 26, 2025
A Walnut Hill man who accidentally shot himself in July pleaded guilty this week to federal weapons charges.
Joshua Dean Hardy, 26, pleaded guilty this week in federal court to two counts of unlawful possession of firearm under the National Firearms Act (NFA), specifically two unregistered and unserialized silencers and a destructive device, and one count of possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number. Local charges against Hardy were dropped after the federal charges were filed.
He entered the guilty plea to all federal charges before his scheduled trial began. His sentencing is set for late February at the U.S. Courthouse in Pensacola.
Federal court documents state that investigators found documents including a multipage document titled ‘Manifesto’ on his laptop.
“This is it, this is my final words of this whole ordeal,” is how the document begins, according to the U.S. Department of Justice, along with a list of names, some of which are known family members.
The document then says “All of these [expletive] pukes seek to destroy my ass in my prime then i’ll give them what they want, it isn’t the so called hidden names like they want but a tombstone like i told them”, according to investigators.
“Later in the document, it goes on to explain that he is going to begin his killing spree and identifies the ‘targets’,” court records state.
He had been charged locally with three counts of making and/or possession of a destructive device, use of a firearm during a felony, and possession of a firearm with the serial number removed.
Hardy accidentally shot himself shortly after 3 a.m. on July 23 while walking in the woods on family property at 5000 Sandy Hollow Road, just off West Highway 4. His grandmother told deputies that she received a call about 3:15 a.m. from Hardy, stating he had tripped while walking on their property with his rifle and he had shot himself in the leg. She picked him up and drove him to Atmore Community Hospital.
At the emergency room in Atmore, Hardy told deputies that he often walks their 22-acre property because he does not like people there, the report states. He said he stepped in a hole and dropped his rifle, accidentally grabbing it as it fell by the trigger and shot himself. He was adamant that he was not shooting at anyone and had no intent of harming himself.
According to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Hardy suffered a serious gunshot wound that shattered his tibia and fibula and nearly took his left big toe.
Ascend Performance Materials Successfully Emerges from Chapter 11
December 26, 2025
Ascend Performance Materials, a leading producer of high-performance and durable engineered materials for everyday essentials and new technologies, has completed its financial restructuring process and emergence from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The Company’s Plan of Reorganization, confirmed by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court on December 9, 2025, is now effective.
The Pensacola Ascend plant on Old Chemstrand Road continued to operate as usual during the process, and will continue operation under the reorganization plan.
Ascend achieved the objectives it set for this process, including reducing its total long-term debt by approximately $1.3 billion, securing access to a $350 million asset-based credit facility, strengthening its liquidity position through more than $600 million of new capital provided by its new shareholders, and materially lowering its debt service costs, which will the complay says will enable Ascend to reinvest in reliability, efficiency, and long-term growth.
Today marks the final milestone in Ascend’s restructuring process, and we are thrilled to be emerging from Chapter 11 with significantly less debt and a much stronger capital structure,” said Patrick Schumacher, Ascend’s newly appointed CEO. “Thanks to the incredible efforts of our people and the support of our new ownership group, we have strengthened the business and positioned Ascend for future growth. As we move forward, we will increase our investments in reliability and advance our leadership position in nylon resins and engineering thermoplastics.”
Escambia Man Indicted On Federal Charges Of Drug Adulteration, Mail Fraud And Wire Fraud
December 26, 2025
An Escambia County man has been indicted on federal charges of drug adulteration, wire fraud, and mail fraud.
Scott Robinson, 51, was indicted by a federal grand jury and charged with two counts of drug adulteration, two counts of mail fraud, and two counts of wire fraud.
Trial is set for January 20, 2026, before United States District Judge T. Kent Wetherell, II. If convicted, Robinson faces up to 20 years in prison on each count.
The case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Office of Criminal Investigations. Assistant United States Attorney Christopher C. Patterson is prosecuting the case.
Five Die In Three Baldwin County Wrecks, Two Involving Atmore Residents
December 26, 2025
The past few days have been deadly on roadways in Baldwin County with five fatalities in three crashes, including two wrecks that involved Atmore residents.
Triple Fatal
A two-vehicle crash that occurred about 7:45 p.m. Tuesday claimed three lives.
Simon Hadley, 84, of Bay Minette, was critically injured when the 2005 Chevrolet Silverado he was driving collided head-on with the 2026 Kia Niro, driven by Amaya H. Williams, 21, of Albany, Ga. Amaya Williams and Keithrick Williams, 49, of Auburn, a passenger of the Kia, were fatally injured in the crash and were pronounced deceased at the scene. Hadley was transported to North Baldwin Infirmary in Bay Minette where he succumbed to injuries and was pronounced deceased.
The crash occurred on I-65 near the 39 mile marker, approximately three miles south of Stapleton.
Christmas Eve Fatal
A two-vehicle crash that occurred around 1:20 a.m. on Christmas Even claimed the life of an Axis, Alabama, man. Gary W. Jordan, 48, was fatally injured when the 2023 Yamaha YZF-R7 motorcycle he was operating was struck by the 2022 Hyundai Sonata driven by Jemalra Williams, 21, Atmore. Jordan was thrown from the motorcycle and pronounced deceased at the scene. Williams was injured and transported to North Baldwin Hospital in Bay Minette for treatment.
The crash occurred on I-65 near the 43 mile market, about nine miles north of Bay Minette.
Flat Tire Fatal
A two-vehicle crash that occurred at approximately 11:48 p.m. Tuesday claimed the life of a Bay Minette man. Leo Mitchell, Jr., 41, was fatally injured when the 2016 Toyota Camry that he was sitting in was struck by the 2018 Ford F150 driven by Jaxon T. Singleton, 21, of Atmore. The Camry was stationary in the roadway with a flat tire at the time of the initial collision.
Mitchell was pronounced deceased at the scene. Singleton was not injured during the course of the crash.
The crash occurred on Alabama 225 near the 6 mile marker, about seven miles north of Spanish Fort, Alabama, city limits,
Escambia Public Schools Collect Near 12 Tons Of Food For Manna
December 26, 2025
An Escambia County Public Schools food drive for Manna Food Pantries collected nearly 12 tons of non-perishable food items for those in need in Escambia County.
This year’s drive collected 23,557 pounds of food for Manna’s food pantry – the equivalent of 27,844 meals to our neighbors in need. Under the direction of ECPS’s Office of Community Involvement, and in conjunction with the District’s Warehouse Services department, Escambia County schools and district offices were able to deliver 29 pallets of boxes filled with food to Manna before the Christmas break.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
First Responders Put On Christmas Light Show For Children’s Hospital Patients
December 25, 2025
The Child, the Child sleeping in the night
He will bring us goodness and light.
He will bring us goodness and light.
Local first responders gathered outside the Studer Family Children’s Hospital at Ascension Sacred Heart Christmas Eve night. Children and families inside watched as the first responders gathered outside waving, every emergency light flashing. A few minutes to say they care about the children inside and shine a little light for those who can’t be home this Christmas.
The Pensacola Police Department, Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Florida Highway Patrol, Pensacola Fire Department, Escambia County Fire Rescue and more made Christmas a bit brighter for those in the children’s hospital.
The Child, the Child sleeping in the night
He will bring us goodness and light.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Teacher Crochets Special Christmas Gifts For Her Second Graders
December 25, 2025
Second graders in teacher Brianna Smith’s class at Byrneville Elementary School received a very special Christmas gift.
Months ago, she gave each of them a coloring page with a simple task — color a hat with the color or colors they wanted. Then she went to work.
Brianna went to work with her crochet hook, bringing each hat to life, one stitch at a time.
The students read the book “The Hat” by Jan Brett, and Brianna presented each with their gift.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Photos: Jim Allen Elementary Celebrates Christmas
December 25, 2025
Jim Allen Elementary School celebrated with holiday events during December.
From holiday socks showing off those “mistleTOES”, to Reindeer Games, Santa Day, Polar Express Day, Flannel Friday and more, a variety of activities were held during the two weeks before Christmas break.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Small Hands, Big Hearts: The Magic Of School Santa Shops At Local Schools
December 25, 2025
Among the most cherished treasures to be found under any tree this year are the simple girts given by a child—the extra-special, hand-picked gifts wrapped in pure love.
Many of these heartfelt surprises are found every year in “Santa Shops” at our local schools. There, a dedicated team of “elves”— selfless PTA and PTO volunteers — guide little hands as they choose that perfect item for Mom or Dad. With a bit of ribbon and a lot of care, these volunteers help ensure every gift is perfectly packaged, ready to become a lifelong memory for families across the area.
For more photos from the Santa Shops at Byrneville and Pine Meadow elementary schools, click here.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
