Congratulations Class Of 2025! Celebrate With A Look Back At Hundreds Of Photos
June 1, 2025
Congratulations to the Class of 2025!
As we celebrate your successes, let’s look back at all the great photos.
NorthEscambia.com attended the graduation ceremonies for the three high schools located in North Escambia, publishing photo galleries with hundreds of photos and posting complete graduate lists for each of the schools.
Escambia Westgate School
The Escambia Westgate School Class of 2025 graduated May 19, and “you are champions” was the message from Escambia County Public Schools Deputy Superintendent Shenna Payne.
Tate High School
Over 500 members of the Tate High School Class of 2025 graduated on May 27 at the Pensacola Bay Center as valedictorian Talia Bethany Smith encouraged her classmates to “to truly embrace what is ahead, not with fear but with courage and curiosity”
- For the list of Tate High School graduates, click here.
- For a photo gallery from the Tate graduation, click here.
- For a second photo gallery from Tate, click here.
Northview High School
Northview High School Class of 2025 valedictorian told his 106 fellow classmates that “time is limited in this world; enjoy the time you get.; but most importantly, do something good with it.”
- For a list of Northview High School graduates, click here.
- For a photo gallery from the Northview graduation, click here.
- For a second photo gallery from Northview, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Jim Allen Elementary Names Students Of The Month
June 1, 2025
Jim Allen Elementary School named their May Students of the Month. They are Lyla Rae Bradley (pictured left) and Penelope Clyburn. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
It’s The First Day Of Hurricane Season. Here’s The List Of 2025 Storm Names.
June 1, 2025
June 1 was the first day of hurricane season, and Escambia County is urging residents to remain prepared before, during and after a storm during hurricane season by stocking up on seven days’ worth of supplies, otherwise known as being “One Week Ready.”
“Each hurricane season, we stress the importance of being ‘one week ready,’ meaning it’s important to have seven days’ worth of supplies to get you and your family through the aftermath of a hurricane,” said Emergency Manager Travis Tompkins. “Items should include bottled water, non-perishable food, spare batteries, flashlights, a hand-crank radio and other essential items.”
NOAA’s outlook for the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season, which goes from June 1 to November 30, predicts a 30% chance of a near-normal season, a 60% chance of an above-normal season, and a 10% chance of a below-normal season.
Here’s a list of the 2025 Atlantic Tropical Cyclone Names
Escambia Man, 69, Charged With Molesting Two Santa Rosa Girls
June 1, 2025
A 69-year old Escambia County man is facing charges for allegedly molesting two underage girls in Santa Rosa County.
James Philmore Phillips, age 69 of Waterford Lane, was arrested May 23 in Escambia County before being transferred to the Santa Rosa County Jail.
Phillips is charged with two counts of molestation or a victim less than 12 years of age.
Phillips was observed on a living room security camera molesting two girls, according to an arrest report. The report notes that Phillips was regularly providing childcare for the girls. Investigators said the girls told deputies about other similar incidents in the past.
The report states Phillips denied the allegations, but deputies said his statement was “contradicted by the video.”
These Are This Week’s Road Construction Slow Down Spots
June 1, 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.
Escambia County:
- Garden Street (Business U.S. 98) Construction from Pace Boulevard to the Interstate 110 (I-110) Ramp – The week of Sunday, June 1, drivers may encounter the following construction-related traffic disruptions:
- 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 (State Road (S.R.) 296) Resurfacing from Mobile Highway (U.S. 90) to North Palafox Street (U.S. 29) – The week of Sunday, June 1, 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 milling and paving operations.
- 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.
- Interstate 10 (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 1 through Thursday, June 5, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.
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- Nine Mile Road will be reduced to one travel lane in each direction between the I-10 ramps, Sunday, June 1 through Friday, June 6, 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 – The week of Sunday, June 1, drivers will encounter the following construction-related traffic disruptions:
- The U.S. 29 southbound turn lane access to the I-10 eastbound on-ramp will be temporarily shortened Monday, June 2 through Thursday, June 5, 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.
- I-10 Resurfacing from East of Shoal River Bridge to West of S.R. 285 – Drivers will encounter alternating nighttime lane closures west and eastbound between mile markers 59 and 70, Sunday, June 1 through Thursday, June 5 from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Crews will be paving the roadway.
- Pine Forest Road (S.R. 297) Resurfacing from Mobile Highway (U.S. 90) to Blue Angel Parkway (S.R. 173) – The week of Sunday, June 1, drivers may encounter intermittent lane closures and periodic detours on Pine Forest Road, from Mobile Highway to Blue Angel Parkway, between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m., for milling and paving operations. Signage will be in place to direct drivers around the work zone.
Santa Rosa County:
- 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 1 through Thursday, June 5, 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 1 through Thursday, June 5, 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 2 through Friday, June 6, between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m., for milling and paving operations.
- S.R. 281 (Avalon Boulevard) Bridge Rehabilitation over Garcon Point Bridge – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures Monday, June 2 through Friday, June 6 from 9 a.m. to 4 a.m. for construction activities.
- 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 1, through Friday, June 6, from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for paving operations.
- I-10 Resurfacing Eastbound near Exit 31 (S.R. 87) – Motorists will encounter intermittent eastbound lane closures between Miller Bluff overpass and Garnier’s Landing overpass on I-10 Sunday, June 1 through Thursday, June 5 from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. for paving operations.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Tate Lady Aggies Name Summer Softball Teams
June 1, 2025
The Tate High School Lady Aggies have named their summer softball teams.
They are:
Team 1
- Kayleigh Burt
- Kaylie Mitchell
- Jordyn Banks
- Aubree Gorum
- Madison Smillie
- Mykamia Padgett
- Keirstyn Phillips
- Taylor Robinson
- Gracyn Campbell
- Ke’anna Smith
- Sarah Mitchell
- Brelynn Morris
Team 2
- Berkley Anderson
- Mikala Foster
- Faith Middleton
- McKynleigh Montano
- Melanie Ramirez
- Alaina Ritchey
- Aubri Romero
- Paisley Smith
- Kaitlyn Stefanko
- Khloe Gibson
- Emorie Nelson
- Bailey Parden
- Kaylyn Relstab
A schedule has not yet been made available.
Win Again Remains Elusive For Blue Wahoos
June 1, 2025
written by Erik Bremer
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos scored four runs, their highest total in almost two weeks, but surrendered a five-run fourth inning that proved to be costly in a 6-4 loss to the Montgomery Biscuits on Saturday night.
The Blue Wahoos took their first lead since last Sunday in the second inning, as Sam Praytor laced an RBI single against Biscuits starter Duncan Davitt (W, 4-2) to jump ahead 1-0.
Dax Fulton (L, 2-4) breezed through his first three innings, but walks and errors stacked up in a fourth inning that put the Biscuits ahead for good. Colton Ledbetter tripled, and three straight Fulton walks forced him in to tie the game 1-1. Fulton then committed a throwing error on a comebacker that let in another run before another bases-loaded walk and fielding error made it a five-run inning and a 5-1 Biscuits lead.
The fourth inning ended on an interesting note, as the Biscuits tried unsuccessfully to steal a run with a first-and-third double steal. Praytor’s throw to second baseman Cody Morissette retired Hunter Stovall, and Morissette’s return throw home was in time to tag out Ryan Spikes for an unusual 2-4-2 double play without a ball in play.
The Blue Wahoos fought back, as Luis Palacios steadied the game with 2.2 innings of effective relief and back-to-back singles from Kemp Alderman and Nathan Martorella started the sixth inning. Josh Zamora then hit a grounder to shortstop for a potential double play, but an errant throw scored both runners and put Zamora at third base. Johnny Olmstead’s sacrifice fly capped a three-run inning, cutting the deficit to 6-4.
Jesse Bergin and Nigel Belgrave each contributed a scoreless inning of relief for the Blue Wahoos, but JJ Goss (S, 7) got the final six outs for Montgomery to secure a 6-4 final.
With the defeat, the Blue Wahoos have lost 11 games in a row to extend their longest losing streak in team history.
The Blue Wahoos wrap up their series against the Biscuits on Sunday. First pitch from Riverwalk Stadium is scheduled for 3:33 p.m.
Molino Man Charged With Trafficking Meth After Traffic Stop
May 31, 2025
A Molino man was arrested this week after a traffic stop escalated into a drug trafficking investigation.
Jeffery Gene Brown, 44, was charged with felony trafficking in methamphetamine. He was later released from jail on a $30,000 bond.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said Brown’s vehicle was observed traveling northbound on Pensacola Boulevard with inoperable tag lights. A traffic stop was initiated in the parking lot of a Circle K at the corner of Pensacola Boulevard and Broad Street.
During the stop, a clear plastic baggie, consistent with narcotics transportation, was observed protruding from underneath the armrest, according to an arrest report. Brown was asked to exit the vehicle, and a probable cause search was conducted.
Deputies said the baggie was found to contain a white crystalline substance that field-tested positive for methamphetamine.
Behind the driver’s seat where Brown had been sitting, deputies reported finding a black bag containing a large quantity of methamphetamine, a plastic bag containing large “shards” of meth and a large digital scale. They also located a “multicolored smoking device” a box of clear sandwich gags and a pair of brass knuckles, the arrest report states.
New Medical Director Brings Experience And Innovation to Escambia County Public Safety
May 31, 2025
From a young age, Dr. Ben Abo knew he wanted to help people.
He worked his first shift as an EMT the day after his 16th birthday, became a paramedic in college, and worked as a medic for several years before ultimately deciding to go to medical school.
Dr. Abo’s career has taken him all over the world, from starting a nonprofit for motorcycle ambulance service in Africa, to working as a paramedic in Ireland, to hurricane deployments in Puerto Rico and the Bahamas – just to name a few.
Dr. Abo has made a name for himself as an internationally-renowned EMS physician for his practice and engagement in EMS medical direction, disaster response, toxinology, and emergency medicine.
Now, his career in medical service is continuing in Escambia County as the new Interim Medical Director for Escambia County Public Safety, overseeing emergency medical care for all of Public Safety including Escambia County EMS, Emergency Communications, Emergency Management, Escambia County Fire Rescue, Pensacola Beach Lifeguards, and the Pensacola Fire Department.
Dr. Abo has big ideas for the future of Escambia County Public Safety, and he is already working on new initiatives to take emergency medical care to the next level in Escambia County.
Within his first month on the job, Dr. Abo has taken more than 200 complex or high-risk medical phone consultations to assist EMTs and paramedics on emergency calls, added new lifesaving medications including cyanide antidote kits, and responded to several dozen major calls, including several cardiac arrests where he was able to restore the patient’s pulse.
Dr. Abo said he’s already impressed with the leadership and staff at Escambia County Public Safety, especially their willingness to make changes for the sake of doing good – not just for the sake of making changes.
“The reception has been almost overwhelmingly amazing,” Dr. Abo said. “It’s been such a welcome from everybody, from Fire Rescue and EMS to law enforcement and the lifeguards. The excitement is palpable. And I don’t think it’s they’re excited just for me – I think they’re excited for growth, for someone who trusts them, someone to want to help them grow and expand care.”
Dr. Abo’s overall goal is always to provide “top notch care anywhere,” whether it’s responding to an emergency call at someone’s home or treating a patient while suspended from the side of a building after a disaster.
“We used to always say we want to provide ICU-level care in the emergency department, and now we’re bringing ICU-level and emergency department care out to the streets, to your home,” Dr. Abo said. “I don’t call it pre-hospital medicine, because if we can treat you and you don’t even have to go to the hospital – even better. For a lot of calls, we are providing the same level of care as the emergency department, right there on scene.”
One major change Dr. Abo is working on is making whole blood available to EMS crews, which can be the difference between life and death when a patient experiences significant blood loss. Currently, blood products like plasma and red blood cells are more commonly used, but some counties in Florida including Broward County and Palm Beach County have now made whole blood available for patients.
Dr. Abo said it can sometimes take agencies years to implement this change, but he is aiming high and hoping to have whole blood available for Escambia County EMS by the end of the year.
“Whether it’s a medical cause or traumatic injury, the biggest killer is lack of blood,” Dr. Abo said. “It’s been proven time and time again, if you can just give them what they’re missing, that is the best thing for the patient. We’re replacing what they’ve lost immediately and giving them a better chance to make it to the trauma center.”
With years of experience in disaster response and urban search and rescue, Dr. Abo is also passionate about improving community resiliency through prevention, education and outreach. As the coordinating Medical Team Manager for FEMA’s Florida Task Force 1 Urban Search and Rescue, Dr. Abo has responded to numerous major natural disasters worldwide since 2016, seeing firsthand the importance of community resiliency.
“There is so much that happens here in Escambia County and has the potential of happening here, that I truly feel that I’m going to be able to help strengthen our resiliency,” Dr. Abo said. “Education and prevention are very important. Things are going to happen, but education can help prevent a large number, and then the outcomes won’t be as bad. I look forward to working with our team and community partners to expand what we’re doing for community health and education.”
Dr. Abo continues to remain active in the EMS community at a national and international level, including research, education, speaking engagements, consulting, committees and more, along with active field response. He has also earned numerous awards throughout his career, including EMS Provider of the Year for Heroism and Valor from the National Collegiate Emergency Medical Services Foundation, Touro University’s Inaugural Alumni Lamplighter Award, and multiple citations for various rescues and disaster deployments.
“We are incredibly fortunate to have Dr. Abo’s experience, passion, and wealth of knowledge here in Escambia County,” Public Safety Director Eric Gilmore said. “We have an amazing team of professionals who are passionate about providing the highest level of care to our residents, and I am confident that he will empower our team and help elevate our emergency medical care to the next level. Dr. Abo is already proving to be a valuable asset and forward-thinking leader for our team, and I am very excited to see what’s in store for the future of Escambia County Public Safety under his leadership.”
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
ECSO: Woman Fraudulently Purchased Truck From Dealership, Then Posed For Picture
May 31, 2025
An Escambia County woman fraudulently purchased a truck from a local dealership and even posed for a photo, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Brandi Michelle Neal, 51, was charged with grand theft of a motor vehicle and six counts of fraud. She remains in the Escambia County Jail without bond.
“That’s not your name, and that’s not your truck,” the sheriff’s office said in a social media post about the May 8 incident at Sandy Sansing Chevrolet on Pensacola Boulevard.
Here’s how the ECSO described what happened:
Brandi Michelle Neal didn’t have a car. And, she had her eye on a particular truck. She concocted quite a plan. She would steal another’s identity and try to buy that truck in that innocent person’s name without their knowledge. She entered a local dealership and, using the name that’s not her own, purchased a bright red Chevrolet Silverado. She even had the audacity to pose with the truck, which was adorned with a large red bow celebrating the new, if not legal, ownership (thank you for that).
She took possession of the truck. At one point, the truck came into possession of an acquaintance of hers (information is sketchy on this part). On the very next day, a private landowner contacted a tow-truck company to tow the abandoned truck from their property. Ultimately, the truck was reported stolen by fraud and returned to the dealership.
Meanwhile, Brandi Neal, still in character, discovered that the truck had been recovered and contacted the Sheriff’s Office about having the truck returned to her. Yep, the same truck that she had used another’s identity to purchase. And yes, she tried to re-acquire the truck from the Sheriff’s Office while still pretending to be the legal owner.
Obviously, the truck was not returned to her even though it contained a lot of her belongings. And yes, she was locked up under what we believe to be her real name, Brandi Michelle Neal.
By the way, it looks like she also goes by Chyna White (Chyna Whyt) on Facebook – just in case she looks to buy a car from you…that’s all for now, but we are still investigating.