Volunteers Needed Friday In Century To Paint Born Learning Trail
April 7, 2026
Volunteers are needed Friday morning in Century to paint and prep the Born Learning STEAM Trail in Century.
The Born Learning Trail, a United Way Worldwide initiative since 2005, first opened in Century in late 2020, but the trail’s paint has since faded away. The trail is a series of 10 signs with activities painted on a park trail that offer fun, interactive learning activities for young children and their families. It was designed to help parents, caregivers, and communities create quality engagement opportunities when out on a stroll or while playing at the park.
The Born Learning Trail in Century was the second in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
The Century Born Learning Trail is a partnership between International Paper, the Town of Century, and United Way of West Florida.
Volunteers — no artistic experience or expertise necessary — are needed on Friday, April 10 from 9 a.m. to noon at Showalter Park on Kelly Field Road in Century. Examples of activities to paint include hopscotch or other game boards, interpretive signs featuring animals, nature themes, ABCs, or 123s. They are simple interactive designs that inspire movement and curiosity.
To volunteer, click here to register by Wednesday, April 8.
Pictured: The Century Born Learning Trail in late 2020. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Cheerleaders Honored At FCA Spirit Of Champions Awards
April 7, 2026
The Fellowship of Christian Athletes Sport of Champions Awards were presented recently at a banquet hosted by the First Baptist Church of Pensacola.
The winners were chosen by their teammates based upon their integrity, dedication, character, and FCA values.
The honorees were:
- East Hill — Khenedy Dukes
- Escambia – Trinity Jordan
- Gulf Breeze – Jadalynn Rorabaugh
- Jay – Ansley Nowling
- Milton — Mikayla Bouie
- Northview — Maddy Pittman
- PHS – Arianna Simpson
- Pensacola Catholic – Lennon Lusane
- Pine Forest – T’Ericka Walker
- Tate – Alyssa Clarke
- Washington – Cameron Wilcox
- West Florida Tech – Adalyn Brown
Pictured top: The Fellowship of Christian Athletes Sport of Champions Awards. Pictured first below: That High School award winner Alyssa Clarke. Pictured second below: Northview High School winner Maddy Pittman. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
K-9 Units Thwart Contraband Smuggling Attempt At Atmore Prison; Two Arrested
April 7, 2026
Two people were arrested Monday, April 6 after K-9 units thwarted a smuggling attempt at the Holman Correctional Facility in Atmore.
At approximately 12:15 a.m., K-9 officers from the nearby Fountain Correctional Facility were alerted to a trespasser on Holman grounds. Tracking dogs successfully located Mathew Neal Jordan, who was taken into custody. The investigation subsequently led officers to a vehicle driven by Samantha Lynn Gates.
Authorities reported recovering a significant cache of contraband, including 320 grams of synthetic cannabinoids, 36 grams of marijuana, 28 grams of methamphetamine, and 10 cell phones.
Both suspects were transported to the Escambia County (AL) Detention Center. Jordan was charged with promoting prison contraband first degree, trafficking methamphetamine, trafficking synthetic drugs, unlawful possession of marijuana first degree, prohibited activities, and attempting to commit a controlled substance crime.
Gates is charged with trafficking methamphetamine, trafficking synthetic drugs, and two counts of criminal conspiracy to commit a controlled substance crime.
The Alabama Department of Corrections said more charges may be pending as the investigation continues.
Northview Flag Football Celebrates Senior Night With Win Over PHS
April 7, 2026
The Northview Chiefs celebrated Senior Night with a flag football win over the Pensacola High Tigers on Monday in Bratt.
Before the game, Northview honored seniors Claire Amerson, Kenslee Chavira, Addison Clausen, Makenzie Levins, and Braylan Shelly.
Up next, Northview will host the Gulf Breeze Dolphins on Monday, April 13.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Portwood Drives In Four As Northview Shuts Out Baker
April 7, 2026
Northview 11, Baker 6
The Northview Chiefs beat the Baker Gators on the road on Monday night 11-6 as Jase Portwood drove in four runs as he went 3-4.
Portwood had a one-run single in the first, a two-run double in the fourth, and a one-run double in the sixth inning.
Baker held a 6-1 lead after one inning, but Northview powered back with a seven-run fourth inning and a three-run sixth.
Harrison earned the win for the Chiefs, surrendering two hits and no runs in four innings, walking two and striking out five. Bryant Mason threw one and two-thirds innings of scoreless baseball, striking out three and walking one.
Luke Chavers and Taylor Curtis were both 2-4 for the night.
Northview will wrap up its 2026 season with a road trip on Thursday to Pensacola Catholic.
Northview 17, Baker 4 (JV)
Tyler McAnally was 2-3 with five RBIs as the Northview Chiefs JV beat Baker 17-4 in two innings at Baker.
Karson Miller and Brentley Guy each added two hits and two RBIs.
In a single inning, Tyler McAnally earned the win on the mound for the Chiefs, surrendering three hits and four unearned runs in one inning, striking out two and walking one Gator.
Tate 4, West Florida 1 (Freshmen)
The Tate Freshmen beat West Florida 4-1 on Monday to finish the season at 8-4-1.
Grayson McLellan earned the win for Tate, surrendering three hits and one run in five innings, striking out fix and walking three.
Frederick Woods III, AJ Williams, Trent Madden, and Carter Stewart each had one hit for Tate.
Northview Chiefs Varsity And JV Beat Baker
April 7, 2026
Northview 12, Baker 0
The Northview Lady Chiefs shut out the Baker Gators 12-0 on Monday in Baker. Kylee Langham went 3-3 for the Lady Chiefs.
Daviona Randolph and Avery Stuckey each had three RBIs apiece.
Starting in the circle for Northview, Mikayla McAnally surrendered three hits and no runs in three innings while striking out six and walking two. Peyton Womack pitched two innings in relief, giving up one hit, striking out two and walking one.
Up next, the Chiefs will host Jay on Thursday and Destin on Friday.
Northview 8, Baker 7 (JV)
The Northview Chiefs held off the Baker JV for an 8-7 win on Monday.
Brooklynn Allen gave up two hits and four runs in four innings, striking out nine and walking six.
Kinley White went 1-3 with three RBIs, while Presley Davey and Natalia Morales each added two hits for the Chiefs.
Fire Destroys Cantonment Mobile Home Monday Afternoon
April 6, 2026
Fire destroyed a mobile home on Well Line Road in Cantonment on Monday afternoon.
The fire was reported about 3 p.m. in the 400 block of Well Line Road, just west of Morris Avenue.
The structure was fully involved and had collapsed before it was reported to Escambia County Fire Rescue. It was not immediately clear if the home was currently occupied.
There were no injuries reported, and no word on the cause of the fire. Well Line Road was completely closed s firefighters battled the blaze.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Grand Slam: Tate’s Strike Out Cancer Game Nears $300,000 For Charities
April 6, 2026
By the time the Aggies won Friday night, Tate softball’s annual Strike Out Cancer Game was near an incredible $300,000 raised in the fight against cancer over the past 16 years.
“It’s not about y’all,” Wyatt said to the teams Friday night. “We are just providing some entertainment. It’s about all of these survivors that are courageous and have to deal with something that I never want to have to deal with.”
“Back in 2010 we had our first cancer game. We raised a little over $2,500. In 2022, we raised over $30,000. Since then it has gone up and up,” Wyatt said. “That is what amazes me.”
For a photo gallery, click here.
Friday night was Wyatt’s final Strike Out Cancer Game at Tate High School; she has announced her retirement from coaching at the end of this season.
The West Florida Jaguars have played in the game for years, because “they are not cheap like other schools,” Wyatt quipped. Friday night, they arrived with a $3,512 check.
The umpires not only provided their time for the game, they came with a $5,000 check. And they work for free and give back every single year.
“If the next coach of Tate High School is sitting somewhere in the stands, please don’t let this game go under. Keep it going because these kids and parents and cancer people truly, truly enjoy it.”
“Cancer sucks.”
During Friday night’s game, the Tate Aggies walked off with a 5-4 in over West Florida. For a game action photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
West Roberts Road Lane Closures Begins Tuesday, Continue Into Summer
April 6, 2026
Temporary lane closures and detours on West Roberts Road that will continue into the summer are scheduled to begin on Tuesday.
A portion of West Roberts Road between Stallion Road and Highway 29 will experience temporary lane closures with detours beginning Tuesday, April 7 while crews install new stormwater culvert crossings beneath the roadway.
Work will be completed in two phases:
- Phase one: Lanes will be closed along West Roberts Road between Tate Road and Highway 29 beginning Tuesday, April 7. Work is expected to be completed by Tuesday, June 2.
- Phase two: Lanes will be closed along West Roberts Road between Stallion Road and Tate Road beginning Tuesday, June 2. Work is expected to be completed by Friday, July 24.
Traffic on West Roberts Road will be detoured along Stallion Road, East Kingsfield Road, Tate Road, and Highway 29.
Residents, pedestrians, local traffic 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.
North Escambia Students Take Top Honors At District 4-H Public Speaking Competition
April 6, 2026
The Florida 4-H Public Speaking district competition was held recently.
Escambia County Public Schools winners were:
- 4th Grade 1st Place: Bennett Campbell, R.C. Lipscomb Elementary
- 5th Grade 1st Place: Elliot Reeser, R.C. Lipscomb Elementary
- 6th Grade 1st Place: Ryann Gibbs, Ransom Middle
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.