James Madison Top Troy To Win Sun Belt Women’s Basketball Title In Pensacola
March 10, 2026
James Madison defeated Troy 69–52 on Monday afternoon to take the 2026 Visit Pensacola Sun Belt Women’s Basketball Championship title.
James Madison claimed its second title in four years, after winning their first tournament title in 2023. Earning the league’s auto bid James Madison will make its 14th NCAA tournament appearance.
Peyton McDaniel led the Dukes with a 28-point, 11-rebound, double-double, adding on four steals and four assists. A four-time Sun Belt All-Tournament Team honoree, McDaniel caps her Sun Belt tournament career being named the event’s Most Outstanding Player. The redshirt-senior averaged 25 points, 6.7 rebounds, 4.0 steals and 3.0 assists per game through the Dukes three tournament games.
Teammate Ashanti Barnes was also named to the All-Tournament Team, producing a dominating 19-point, 10 rebound performances in the title game.
James Madison wasted little time taking control, opening the game on an 11–0 run fueled by McDaniel, who scored five of the Dukes’ first 11 points. The early surge forced Troy to burn a quick timeout as JMU set the tone on both ends of the floor.
The Trojans responded late in the first quarter. After falling behind by 14, Troy strung together a 6–0 run while the Dukes went cold offensively, trimming the deficit to single digits. James Madison still held a 20–12 lead heading into the second quarter.
A steal and full-court layup from Jackson pulled the Trojans within five, 23–18, and the momentum forced the Dukes to regroup as Troy threatened to cut the lead to just one possession midway through the quarter.
McDaniel halted the rally before halftime. The Dukes guard knocked down a deep three-pointer and followed it with a baseline layup, as the Dukes carried a four-point lead into the break.
James Madison seized control early in the third quarter scoring eight-straight points to start the half, pushing the Dukes’ advantage back to 14. The Trojans were unable to comeback and JMU maintained command, entering the fourth quarter with a 58–44 lead.
James Madison opened the fourth with eight-consecutive points, stretching the lead to 22. Troy made one last push, but the Dukes defense held for the 69-52 win.
James Madison enters the NCAA tournament with a 26-8 record overall. The team will learn of their March Madness opponent during the selection show on Sunday March, 15th at 7 p.m CT/ 8 p.m. ET.
Florida Special Olympics Torch Run Begins In Century (With Gallery)
March 9, 2026
The 2026 Law Enforcement Torch Run in support of Florida Special Olympics began in Century on Monday morning before continuing to Pensacola.
The torch run started at the Florida/Alabama state line on a foggy morning. Runners from Century Correctional Institution carried the torch south on Highway 29 from the state line to the Century Town Hall with an escort from the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Additional legs of the run were scheduled for later in the day in the southern half of the county with the ECSO and other law enforcement agencies.
Each year, over 5,000 law enforcement officers from around the state carry the flame to the Special Olympics State Summer Games. The torch will travel over 1,500 miles, through Florida’s 67 counties to the Opening Ceremonies of the Summer Games with the law enforcement “Guardians of the Flame.”
Pictured: The 2026 Law Enforcement Torch Run in support of Florida Special Olympics started at the Florida/Alabama state line in Century on Monday morning and continued south in Escambia County. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Train Strikes Vehicle At Cantonment Crossing Sunday Night
March 9, 2026
A train struck a vehicle Sunday night in Cantonment.
For an unknown reason, the passenger car was on the railroad tracks on Highway 95A at East Kingsfield Road when it was struck by a CSX train around 11:05 p.m., pushing the car away from the crossing.
First responders arrived to find no one in or around the vehicle, and a search of the area did not find anyone from the vehicle. There were no injuries to the train crew.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating.
Photos by Kristi Barbour and submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia County (AL) Woman Charged with Murder in Shooting Death Of 27-Year-Old Woman
March 9, 2026
An Escambia County, Alabama, woman has been charged with murdering another woman late last week.
Renotta Renee Seltzer was booked into the Escambia County (AL)Detention Center without bond charged with the shooting death of 27-year-old Anasty Brown on McGougin Road near Brewton.
Sheriff Heath Jackson said Seltzer confessed to murder.
The Escambia County (AL) Sheriff’s Office investigation continues.
Cadets Attend First Combined Area NJROTC Military Ball
March 9, 2026
Cadets from across the county traded their uniforms for dress blues as Northview High School joined four other area units for the first-ever combined NJROTC Military Ball at the NAS Pensacola Officers’ Club
Members of the Northview, Pine Forest, Washington, Escambia, and West Florida programs celebrated an evening of tradition and camaraderie, marking a historic milestone for the local corps.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Hundreds Attend Roy Hyatt ‘Night Of Nature’ In Cantonment
March 9, 2026
Hundreds of people attended the Roy Hyatt Environmental Center’s “Night of Nature” on Friday in Cantonment.
About 450 visitors and volunteers came out and enjoyed an evening full of family fun. They met reptiles, blasted off into space in the planetarium, met cool creatures of the night, peered at Jupiter through telescopes, saw birds of prey, played bird matching games, participated in science and birding activities, took night hikes through the woods while learning about foxes, salamanders, opossums, and owls, ate, used microscopes to observe all kinds of microscopic organisms, and toured the beach house visiting with all of the aquatic creatures living there.
The Roy Hyatt Environmental Center on Tobias Road is owned and operated by the Escambia County School District.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Gas Prices Skyrocket Due To Iran Conflict, AAA Says
March 9, 2026
Florida gas prices skyrocketed in response to the conflict in Iran. The state average surged 57 cents per gallon last week, and Sunday’s average of $3.45 is the most expensive daily average since August 2024.
Compared to recent benchmarks, Sunday’s state average is: 56 cents more than a week ago, 59 cents more than a month ago, and 35 cents more than this time last year.
On Sunday, the average price per gallon was $3.12 in Escambia County. That is up 39 cents from $2.73 a week ago, 45 cents from a month ago, and 31 cents from one year ago. In North Escambia, a low of $3.09 could be found Sunday night at stations on Highway 29 in Cantonment.
“Prices at the pump moved up quickly early last week as oil prices rallied,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman for AAA – The Auto Club Group. “With oil taking another large step higher on Friday, motorists should prepare for another round of increases in the days ahead as retailers and suppliers adjust to those higher costs.”
Crude oil prices soared 36 percent last week, marking the largest weekly increase in twenty years. Friday’s closing price hit $90.90 per barrel, nearly $24 higher than the previous week and the highest since September 2023. Gasoline futures rose sharply as well, climbing 67 cents per gallon.
These increases pushed gas prices higher early in the week and will likely continue influencing pump prices in the days ahead, according to AAA.
“Oil is the biggest input cost in gasoline, so when crude and gasoline futures climb, retail prices usually follow,” Jenkins said. “U.S. supplies remain steady, refineries are operating, and there is no indication of a shortage for drivers. The higher pump prices reflect increased fuel costs, not disruptions to U.S. availability.”
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Tate Goes 3-4 At Weekend At Panama City Softball Challenge
March 9, 2026
The Tate Lady Aggies went 3-1 at the Florida-USA Softball Challenge 2026 on Friday and Saturday in Panama City.
Senior Kaylie Mitchell had four total home runs during the tournament, and was a tough call away from a fifth. Senior Jordyn Banks had one home run.
Tournament Scores
- Brewbaker Tech 5, Tate 4
- Tate 9, Wicksburg 2
- Tate 15, Ashford 10
- Tate 13, Arnold 3
This week, Tate will travel to Navarre on Tuesday, and to West Florida on Friday, to round out action before Spring Break.
Pictured: Tate Lady Aggies Senior Kaylie Mitchell at the Florida-USA Softball Challenge 2026 on Friday and Saturday in Panama City. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview Takes Three At Weekend At Panama City Softball Challenge
March 9, 2026
Northview’s Lady Chiefs went 3-1 at the Florida-USA Softball Challenge 2026 on Friday and Saturday in Panama City.
Daviona Randolph had three home runs for the Lady Chiefs, Avery Stuckey had one, and Brooklyn Allen had a grand slam.
Tournament Scores
- Northview 6, Port St. Joe 0
- Northview 5, Ashford 2
- Enterprise 8, Northview 3
- Northview 12, Walton 1
This week, Northview will host T.R. Miller on Tuesday and travel to Niceville on Thursday.
Saturday Night Crash Claims Life Of Motorcyclist On Highway 97
March 8, 2026
A motorcyclist was killed in a crash with a pickup truck on Saturday night on Highway 97.
The crash occurred about two miles south of Tungoil Road, or about six miles south of Walnut Hill.
The motorcyclist, a 54-year-old man from Stapleton, Alabama, was northbound on Highway 97 when he crossed the centerline, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The motorcycle collided head-on with a Ford F150 driven by a 63-year-old Milton man.
After collision, the vehicles traveled nearly 200 feet south until coming to rest on the shoulder of the roadway. The motorcyclist was pronounced deceased on the scene by first responders.
The driver of the pickup truck and his 54-year-old female passenger were transported by Escambia County EMS to Sacred Heart Hospital with minor injuries.
The Molino and Walnut Hill Stations of Escambia County Fire Rescue, Escambia County EMS, and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded.
Highway 97 was completely closed and detoured for about four hours.
NortheEcambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
