Quick Action Limits Damage After Lightning Strikes Century Mobile Home — ADD PICS
July 8, 2026
Lightning sparked a small fire at a Century mobile home on Tuesday afternoon.
The fire was reported shortly after 2 p.m. in the 100 block of East Cottage Street, just off Ivey Street. Escambia County Fire Rescue firefighters arrived to find light smoke showing from the singlewide mobile home. Quick work prevented the fire from spreading.
Firefighters determined that lightning had struck a pipe chase on the structure, igniting the insulation and debris under the mobile home. ECFR said the home is still habitable.
The Century and Molino stations of Escambia County Fire Rescue, Flomaton Fire Department, and Escambia County EMS responded.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Trimble’s Walk-Off Elevates Wahoos To Victory
July 8, 2026
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos topped the Montgomery Biscuits by a final score of 6-5 in a 10-inning contest on Tuesday night
Some shaky defense behind Wahoos starter Jacob Miller allowed the Biscuits to jump out to an early lead, when a two-out error committed by Dylan Jasso in the second inning came around to score on an Austin Overn single to shortstop. An inning later, Jadher Arienamo cranked a homer to left, his second off of Miller this season, and Xavier Isaac ripped an RBI single to give Montgomery a 3-0 lead.
Through the first 4.0 innings, Montgomery’s starter Garrett Edwards kept Pensacola off the board. He had allowed just five baserunners on four singles and a walk. But that changed in the 5th, when Payton Green smashed his 6th home run of the year to get the Blue Wahoos in the run column. Two more basehits to follow would see the end of Edwards day before Chris Clark came in and stranded the Wahoo runners.
The Biscuits would keep applying pressure in the 6th when a throwing error from Ryan Ignoffo allowed Émilien Pitre to score from 3rd and make it a 4-1 game. But a solo bomb from Brandon Compton, his fourth homer in seven games, cut the lead in half. A scoreless 7th from Nigel Belgrave brought the Wahoos to the plate with a 4-2 deficit. With one out, Dylan Jasso sent his second single of the night into center field to make Cam Cannarella the tying-run. Well, Cannarella took that role to heart and sent his 9th home run of the year out to right field to tie things up at four.
Two batters later, Juan Matheus replicated Cannarella’s success with a solo shot to right-center field to give the Wahoos their first lead of the game at 5-4. Blegrave pitched a 1-2-3 8th inning to give Jack Sellinger (BS, 4) a chance to close it out and earn the save in the 9th. But Sellinger faltered. After a leadoff walk and an infield single, Sellinger induced two popouts to bring Pensacola one out away from victory. What followed was Sellinger’s 2nd and 3rd walks of the inning to walk in a run and tie the game at 5-5. Manager Nelson Prada went to Colby Martin (W, 3-4) to work out of the bases loaded jam with a huge strikeout.
Martin got through the 10th inning, thanks in part to Juan Matheus gunning down Rays top prospect Theo Gillen at home to keep the score tied. Then, in the bottom of the 10th with one down and Cristian Hernández on second, Fenwick Trimble ripped a game-winning walk-off single into left-center to give the Wahoos a 6-5 victory and their second walk-off of the year.
Hayden Snelsire (L, 3-3), who surrendered the game-winning run in the 10th, took his third loss of the year. The Wahoos moved up to 43-49 and 7-6 in the second half while the Biscuits fell to 39-44 and 4-9 in the second half.
The Blue Wahoos continue their series against the Biscuits on Wednesday.
witten by Charlie Hobert
No Charges To Be Filed After 2-Year-Old Rescued From Escambia County Septic Tank
July 7, 2026
We are learning more about a tragic event last Thursday in which a 2-year-old was rescued from a septic tank at a trailer park just north of East 10 Mile Road.
The incident occurred at a trailer park on Motley Court.
On Monday, an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson said the child was playing outside as the mother was watering flowers. The mother turned around to discover the child missing, searched frantically, noticed the uncovered tank, and called the sheriff’s office to report the child missing. The sheriff’s office noted that the mother could not see inside the dark tank.
According to investigators, the tank was covered with a green plastic lid that was made of a lightweight plastic material—light enough that a 2-year-old child could lift it.
The toddler was flown to an area hospital after being rescued. On Monday afternoon, the sheriff’s office said the child remained in the hospital.
The incident has been ruled accidental, and no charges have been filed.
Pictured: A 2-year-old child was rescued after apparently moving this lightweight plastic septic tank lid, seen in this photo obtained by NorthEscambia.com. The photo was taken after the incident and after the investigation was completed, and after the chairs and caution tape were placed. Click to enlarge.
Local First Responders Donut Strike Raises Nearly 48,000 Meals To Fight Hunger
July 7, 2026
Local law enforcement and firefighters recently swapped their typical treats for a cause, raising the equivalent of 47,895 healthy meals for neighbors in need during the 9th annual Donut Strike for Manna.
From Wednesday, June 24, through Friday, June 26, first responders across Escambia and Santa Rosa counties went on a strike against donuts to inspire community donations. The food and funds collected will directly support Manna, a local grassroots non-profit dedicated to fighting hunger in the two counties.
The multi-day campaign brought the total contributions from local emergency agencies to more than 297,700 meals since the initiative first began in 2017.
Escambia County Fire Rescue claimed the top donor spot for the 2026 campaign, contributing the equivalent of 7,497 healthy meals.
Participating agencies included:
- Escambia County Fire Rescue
- Escambia County Sheriff’s Office
- Gulf Breeze Fire Rescue
- Gulf Breeze Police Department
- Midway Fire District
- Pace Fire Rescue District
- Pensacola Fire Department
- Pensacola Police Department
- Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office
To celebrate surpassing their goal and ending their donut deprivation, the participating first responders gathered for a wrap party on Tuesday, June 30.
Manna operates an emergency food distribution pantry and 18 food security programs alongside 25 community partners, providing critical food assistance to tens of thousands of local residents each year.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Survey: What Did You Think About The Century Independence Day Celebration And Fireworks?
July 7, 2026
What did you think about the Independence Day celebration and fireworks in Century?
The Town of Century wants to know, and they are asking you to take a short anonymous survey before Monday, July 13:
https://forms.gle/fbFbZth3zBGbCxy79
The event, a joint celebration presented by the towns of Century and Flomaton, was held at Anthony Pleasant Park and the adjacent Showalter Park on July 3. There were food trucks, arts and crafts vendors, and fireworks after dark.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Following the national anthem, the Commemorative Air Force performed a vintage aircraft flyover featuring a Soviet-built Yak and a Beechcraft T-34.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Tonight’s Century Town Council Meeting Has Been Rescheduled
July 7, 2026
The regular July 7 Century town council meeting that was scheduled for tonight has been rescheduled for next Tuesday, July 14.
The town council normally meets at 6:15 p.m. on the first and third Tuesday of each month. This month, the second meeting will be on Tuesday, July 21.
All meetings are held at the Century Town Hall, 7995 North Century Boulevard.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Eight, Including Seven Children, Escape Serious Injury In I-10 Travel Trailer Rollover
July 7, 2026
Eight people from central Florida, including seven children, escaped with only minor injuries after their vehicle and travel trailer overturned on I-10 in Escambia County midday Monday.
The crash occurred at approximately 11:42 a.m. in the westbound lanes of I-10 near mile marker 14 and the Davis Highway exit, according to a Florida Highway Patrol press release.
State troopers reported that a 42-year-old male from Dade City was driving a sport utility vehicle towing a recreational travel trailer westbound in the outside lane. The SUV ran off the edge of the roadway onto the shoulder. When the driver attempted to regain control, the vehicle traveled farther off the road and began to sway out of control.
The SUV and the attached travel trailer then rolled over, ultimately coming to rest on their rooftops across the shoulder and the outside lane of the interstate.
Among the passengers were seven children ranging in age from 1 to 16 years old.
The FHP confirmed that the driver and all seven children were properly restrained by seatbelts or child restraints at the time of the crash.
Pictured: A traffic camera image shows a rolled over travel trailer midday Monday on I-10 near Davis Highway.
UWF Has A New Logo, Refreshed Branding
July 7, 2026
The University of West Florida has unveiled a refreshed brand identity, including a new primary logo and updated visual system, designed to better reflect the University’s growth and forward momentum.
The brand refresh comes at a transformative time for UWF as it reaches record enrollment, expands research with an R2 designation, strengthens its regional impact and begins the transition into NCAA Division I athletics. The updated identity provides a more unified and contemporary representation of UWF while honoring the traditions and heritage that have shaped the institution.
“As our University continues to grow and reach new milestones, it is important that our identity reflects who we are today while honoring the legacy that brought us here,” said UWF President Manny Diaz Jr. “This refreshed brand positions us to more clearly tell the UWF story and communicate the impact we have on our students, our region and beyond.”
The brand refresh was informed by a comprehensive brand audit conducted by The Moore Agency, which included stakeholder interviews, focus groups and an evaluation of UWF’s visual identity. The research provided insight into how the University is perceived by prospective and current students, alumni, partners and the broader community, and it identified opportunities to strengthen consistency and recognition across audiences.
The new primary logo builds upon the University’s existing athletic lettermark and features a stylized UWF monogram in the institution’s updated navy and green color palette. The design creates stronger alignment between academic and athletic branding while providing a distinctive and recognizable identity for UWF.
As part of the refresh, UWF’s primary blue and green colors have been updated to Argo Navy and Argo Green. The revised color palette creates a more consistent and cohesive visual identity across the University, while improving accessibility and flexibility across digital, print and environmental applications. The updated primary colors also establish a stronger and more distinctive presence that reflects the University’s growing reputation and institutional prestige.
For nearly 60 years, the Nautilus Shell has served as a defining symbol of UWF, representing progress and the University’s connection to place. While the shell is no longer featured in the primary institutional logo, it remains an important part of UWF’s identity and heritage and will continue to be represented through the academic seal and other institutional brand elements.
“This consolidation of our visual brand comes at a pivotal time as we are on the cusp of so many highly visible endeavors,” said UWF Creative Director Jennifer Peck. “All of our heritage brand icons remain part of our story, but they have evolved and reorganized to help propel us into our next chapter.”
In addition to the visual identity update, UWF has refined its brand messaging framework to ensure greater consistency across communications, marketing and recruitment efforts. The updated brand strategy emphasizes student success, regional impact, innovation and opportunity, and it frames UWF as a place that is bold, authentic, accessible, determined and always advancing.
“All of these updates reflect an important step forward for UWF,” Diaz said. “While our visual identity is evolving, our mission and our commitment to our students, faculty, staff and community remain unchanged.”
Century Prison Inmate Faces Meth Trafficking Charges After Visitation
July 7, 2026
A Century Correctional Institution inmate was charged with possessing a trafficking amount of methamphetamine following a routine security screening after visitation hours.
Rodney L. Addison, 33, was charged with trafficking in methamphetamine of 14 grams or more and possession of contraband by an inmate.
According to a probable cause affidavit the incident occurred as inmates were returning to their dormitories from the facility’s visitation park. A correctional officer performing unclothed body searches noticed Addison acting suspiciously by moving to the back of the line and reaching inside his jacket. When ordered to submit to a search, a bag containing a white, crystalline substance fell from Addison’s jacket to the floor. Correctional staff reported that Addison then attempted to conceal the bag inside his body, prompting officers to call for backup and place him in hand restraints.
The seized substance was field-tested at the scene and later sent to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement laboratory for formal chemical analysis. Laboratory reports confirmed the bag contained approximately 32.51 grams of methamphetamine. Under Florida law, any amount of the drug exceeding 14 grams triggers a trafficking charge.
Addison is currently serving a 15-year sentence on multiple Duval County charges for fleeing law enforcement and attempted second degree murder.
Pensacola Police Say Deadly Downtown Shooting Resulted From ‘Ongoing Feud’
July 6, 2026
Pensacola Police Chief Eric Winstrom said Monday that an ongoing feud led to the shooting that claimed one life and injured six others early Sunday morning in downtown Pensacola. The investigation has determined that at least two weapons were fired during the shooting incident.
“What we have been able to determine is that there is an ongoing feud between these individuals,” Winstrom said. “That is obviously playing a role into the direction of the investigation.”
He said that most of the victims knew each other, had “social connections,” and may have had gang connections. Six of the seven victims were known to each other.
The deceased victim has been identified as 19-year-old Phillip Devon Monte Sheppard Jr., and all but one of the six other victims have been released from the hospital.
Winstrom said there were nine people arrested in the hours prior to the shootings, with the suspects ranging in age from 14 to 22. Police responded to over 20 reported fights.
Police are asking for any photos or videos that were taken in the area downtown, along with any other information from the public.
Pictured: Pensacola Police Chief Eric Winstrom at a Monday morning press conference. Image for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.