Delivery Experts: Santa Claus Visits School Bus Drivers
December 25, 2025
Santa Claus is arguably the king of the delivery business, delivering presents around the world in just one night each year.
Last week, Santa took time out of his busy schedule to visit bus drivers at Northview High School, who deliver precious cargo each school day.
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Dedria’s Gift Makes Christmas Donation For Century Nursing Home Residents
December 25, 2025
Dedria’s Gift made a Christmas gift for the residents of the Century Center for Rehabilitation & Healing again this year
Dedria’s Gift honors the memory of Dedria Robinson who was killed 2005 in an automobile accident at age 11. The group annually provides school supplies for hundreds of children in the Century area.
Pictured: Sonja Straughn, Linda Jackson, Dedria’s mom Rita Robinson, and Dedria’s grandma Alice Perryman Submitted image for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
‘Shop With A Cop’ Brings Holiday Cheer to Local Children
December 25, 2025
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Shop with a Cop provided Christmas for over dozens of children.
ECSO partnered with the Escambia County Sheriff Foundation to bring holiday cheer.
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ECSO deputies shopped for these kids based on a special list they each submitted. The kids then visited the ECSO special winter wonderland party, where they received all of their gifts.
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55 Kids Receive Christmas Presents From The Flomaton Police ‘Fill The Cruiser’ Toy Driver
December 25, 2025
This Christmas, 55 children in Flomaton had presents thanks to the success of the Flomaton Police Department’s “Fill the Cruiser” Toy Drive.
With donations from area businesses, a Scout troop and other local organizations, the gifts filled the town council chamber prior to distribution.
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McArthur Elementary First Graders Get Creative With Gingerbread Houses
December 24, 2025
Last week, first grade students at McArthur Elementary School had a blast decorating gingerbread houses.
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State Workers Get Extra Days Off For The Holiday Season
December 24, 2025
State workers are getting extra days off for Christmas and New Year’s.
Governor Ron DeSantis announced that state offices will also be closed on Friday, December 26; and Friday, January 2 in celebration of the holidays.
“Our state employees have worked hard throughout the year,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “I hope they enjoy additional time off with loved ones and friends this holiday season. The First Lady and I are thankful for their continued dedication to the people of Florida.”
State workers also received an extra day off on November 26.
These dates are in addition to regular office closures on Thursday, November 27; Friday, November 28; Thursday, December 25; and Thursday, January 1.
Reopening Held For North Escambia Stork Stock, Providing Free Baby Essentials
December 24, 2025
A grand reopening was held Tuesday afternoon for the new location of the North Escambia Stork Stock.
The Escambia County Healthy Start Coalition — a local non-profit for pregnant women, new mothers, fathers, and children ages 0-3 — first opened the North Escambia Stork Stock at the Community Health Northwest Florida-Century Pediatrics office on Church Street in June 2024. However, the resource center temporarily closed when Century Pediatrics moved across town in July 2025.
Now, it has moved alongside Community Health Northwest Florida at the new Century Pediatrics office at 6021 Industrial Boulevard.
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The North Escambia Stork Stock provides free essential baby gear including wipes, clothing, diapers, Pack ‘n Plays for safe sleep, and more. Hours are by appointment only and can be made by calling Century Pediatrics at (850) 724-4054.
“Our commitment to North Escambia is for the long-haul, and we look forward to bringing vital resources to the community for years to come,” said Healthy Start Executive Director Allyson Anderson.
The Escambia County Healthy Start Coalition’s outreach in North Escambia also continues through bi-annual baby showers. Community baby showers allow families a chance to meet with local health organizations and receive important resources regarding pregnancy and infant care, maternal mental health, fatherhood, and more. The next baby shower will be on Saturday, April 18, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the community center on West Highway 4.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Christmas Eve Powerball Jackpot At $1.7 Billion, Fourth Largest Ever
December 24, 2025
UPDATE: ONE WINNING TICKET WAS SOLD IN ARKANSAS. FLORIDA HAD ZERO SECONDARY PRIZE WINNERS.
The Powerball jackpot has reached an estimate $1.7 billion, with an estimated cash value of $781.3 million, for tonight’s drawing, the fourth largest jackpot in the game’s history.
Tonight’s Christmas Eve drawing marks the 47th drawing in the current jackpot run – a game record for the most drawings in a jackpot cycle. The Powerball jackpot was last won on Sept. 6 by two tickets in Missouri and Texas that split a $1.787 billion prize.
If a player wins Wednesday’s jackpot, they will have the choice between an annuitized prize estimated at $1.70 billion or a lump sum payment estimated at $781.3 million. Both prize options are before taxes. If the winner selects the annuity option, they will receive one immediate payment followed by 29 annual payments that increase by 5-percent each year.
Powerball tickets are $2 per play. Tickets are sold in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. More than half of all proceeds from the sale of a Powerball ticket remain in the jurisdiction where the ticket was sold. Since its first drawing in 1992, the Powerball game has helped generate more than $37 billion for good causes supported by U.S. lotteries.
The drawing will take place at 9:59 p.m. Central time.
The overall odds of winning a prize are 1 in 24.9. The odds of winning the jackpot are 1 in 292.2 million.
Historically, the Powerball jackpot has been won once on Christmas Eve (2011) and four times on Christmas Day (1996, 2002, 2010 and 2013).
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Photos: Bratt Elementary Jingle Bell Jog And Christmas Program
December 24, 2025
Bratt Elementary School held their Jingle Bell Jog last week, and Pre-K students entertained guests with a festive Christmas program.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Local Drivers Get Break From Road Construction For The Holidays
December 24, 2025
Florida drivers will get a break from road construction for Christmas and New Year’s.
There will be no lane closures or other activities that impede traffic on major state roads throughout the Florida panhandle beginning at beginning on Christmas Eve and ending at 11:59 p.m. on Friday, January 2, according to the Florida Department of Transportation.
NorthEscambia.com illustration, click to enlarge.