NAS Pensacola Reopens, Final Public Blue Angel Public Practice On Friday
November 14, 2025
Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola reopens today, and there will be a final “surprise” public Blue Angels practice on Friday.
Visitors will also have the opportunity to watch the Blue Angels practice at 1 p.m. on Friday. To give fans the best view, flight-line gates will open at 11 a.m. This will be the final opportunity this year to see the world-famous Blue Angels overhead before they retire for the season
The National Naval Aviation Museum will reopen on Friday.
The following restrictions will apply 2q!a O0to visitors during public access:
- No weapons (firearms/knives) allowed (to include Concealed Weapon Permit holders)
- No backpacks/coolers allowed (diaper bags or medically required bags are acceptable and subject to search)
- No alcoholic beverages allowed
- No drones allowed (counterm4WA8YTDZeasures will be taken)
- Persons with felony convictions are not authorized base access
- No visitors with boats and boat trailers
- All vehicles and personnel are subject to security searches and background checks
Public access to NAS Pensacola will be available from 9 a.m. through 3 p.m. daily beginning Nov. 14 through the West Gate only on Blue Angel Parkway. All U.S. citizens or U.S. nationals 18 and older must have a Real ID or passport.
Visitor access to NAS Pensacola is through the West Gate only at the south end of Blue Angel Parkway.
Installation access for visitors is dependent on available parking at the National Naval Aviation Museum (NNAM) and Pensacola Lighthouse. Once parking is full, public access will be halted until more parking becomes available. Temporary traffic control points will be located on base to prevent public access to other areas of the installation.
Access to Barrancas National Cemetery is always available through the Visitor Control Center (VCC) at the Main Gate to anyone with family interred at the cemetery.
As a federal entity, any identification card used for base access must be compliant with the REAL ID Act of 2005. Real ID-compliant identification cards are marked by a star on the upper right of the card.
Foreign Nationals are authorized access but must be escorted by a U.S. citizen. The U.S. citizen will have a background check conducted upon arrival. Foreign National visitors who have not been processed through the Foreign Visits System Confirmation Module (FVSCM) must be in possession and present a permanent Resident Card, Alien Registration Receipt Card (Form 1-551) or a foreign passport which contains a temporary 1-551 stamp or a temporary 1- 551 printed notification on a Machine-Readable Immigrant Visa (MRIV).
NorthEscambia.com photos by Perry Doggrell, click to enlarge.
Tate Aggies Beat First Coast To Advance In Florida Invitational Tourney (With Gallery)
November 14, 2025
The Tate Aggies beat First Coast 35-14 Thursday night to advance to the regional finals of Florida Invitational Tournament (FIT).
For a photo gallery, click here.
The No. 2 seed Tate Aggies (8-3) will host No. 6 Bartram Trail (4-7) from St. Johns (near Jacksonville) next Thursday night, November 20.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Northview Golfer Luke Godwin Celebrates His 18th Birthday With A College Signing
November 14, 2025
Thursday was a double big day for Northview High School golfer Luke Godwin.
He signed with Coastal Alabama Community College, and it was his 18th birthday.
Godwin had eight total wins during the 2025 season.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Man Pleads Guilty To Federal Charges For Attempting To Kill Sheriff’s Deputy
November 14, 2025
An Escambia County man has pleaded guilty to trying to kill a sheriff’s deputy late last year.
Darrion K. Finley, 21, entered the plea on federal charges of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, attempting to kill an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputy to prevent certain communications, and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.
According to court records, Finley was driving a stolen vehicle on December 17. 2024. When the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office attempted to conduct a traffic stop, Finley accelerated and law enforcement began its vehicle pursuit.
He was eventually stopped when a deputy conducted a PIT maneuver on the stolen vehicle. As Finley and his vehicle were being stopped, he fired a 9 millimeter round into the deputy’s vehicle.
Finley then attempted to escape on foot, with his Glock 9 millimeter pistol and loaded extended magazine still in hand. The deputy released his K-9 partner, who took Finley to the ground. Finley, still armed, then tried to run but was shot by the deputy. Finley survived his wounds and was later indicted by a federal grand jury for his crimes.
He is set to be sentenced on January 13. 2026.
The case is being jointly investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office; the State Attorney’s Office; and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
Ernest Ward Eagles Split Games With The Neal Eagles
November 14, 2025
The Ernest Ward Middle School Eagles hosted the Eagles of W.S. Neal Thursday night in Walnut Hill.
The EWMS boys earned a win, while the girls fell.
Ernest Ward will close out their season on November 20 at Brewton Middle School.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Continuance Granted In Federal Trial For Walnut Hill Man With Alleged Manifesto, Killing Spree Target List
November 13, 2025
A continuance was granted this week in federal court for a Walnut Hill man who accidentally shot himself near Walnut Hill in July.
Joshua Dean Hardy, 26, was indicted in federal court for two counts of unlawful possession of firearm under the National Firearms Act (NFA), namely two unregistered and unserialized silencers and a destructive device, and one count of possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number. Local charges against Hardy were dropped after the federal charges were filed.
He was set for trial on Monday at the federal courthouse in Pensacola, but a motion to continue was granted. Hardy is now set for trial on December 15.
Hardy’s attorney, Randall Lockhart, requested the continuance to “review and finalize plea documentation with Mr. Hardy”, according to court documents.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Zachary C. Bolitho ordered Hardy held without bond until trial because there are “no conditions of release that would reasonably assure the safety of any other person and the community.” He remains in the Santa Rosa County Jail.
Federal court documents state that investigators found documents including a multipage document titled ‘Manifesto’ on his laptop.
“This is it, this is my final words of this whole ordeal,” is how the document begins, according to the U.S. Department of Justice, along with a list of names, some of which are names of known family members.
The document then says “All of these [expletive] pukes seek to destroy my ass in my prime then i’ll give them what they want, it isn’t the so called hidden names like they want but a tombstone like i told them**”**, according to investigators.
“Later in the document, it goes on to explain that he is going to begin his killing spree and identifies the ‘targets’,” court records state.
He had been charged locally with three counts of making and/or possession of a destructive device, use of a firearm during a felony, and possession of a firearm with the serial number removed.
Hardy accidentally shot himself shortly after 3 a.m. on July 23 while walking in the woods on family property at 5000 Sandy Hollow Road, just off West Highway 4. His grandmother told deputies that she received a call about 3:15 a.m. from Hardy**, stating he** had tripped while walking on their property with his rifle and he had shot himself in the leg. She picked him up and drove him to Atmore Community Hospital.
At the emergency room in Atmore, Hardy told deputies that he often walks their 22-acre property because he does not like people there, the report states. He said he stepped in a hole and dropped his rifle, accidentally grabbing it as it fell by the trigger and shot himself. He was adamant that he was not shooting at anyone and had no intent of harming himself.
According to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Hardy suffered a serious gunshot wound that shattered his tibia and fibula and nearly took his left big toe.
New Traffic Center Will Manage 380 Signalized Intersections In Escambia, Santa Rosa
November 13, 2025
A groundbreaking was held on Wednesday in Escambia County for a new Regional Traffic Management Center (RTMC) that will serve the Florida–Alabama TPO region.
The new center will enhance regional safety and reliability by enabling real-time traffic management, faster incident detection, coordinated responses with law enforcement and emergency services, and on-the-fly signal timing optimization across more than 380 signalized intersections in the Escambia and Santa Rosa County area.
For more photos, click here.
The goal is a safer, smoother, and smarter trip for the traveling public across the region.
The facility will include operator workstations and a large-scale video wall for situational awareness and traveler information, improving traffic congestion management across the roadway network in the region.
Escambia County District 5 Commissioner and TPO Chairman Steven Barry gave remarks at the event, highling the benefit of improved traffic management across the region for efficiency and safety.
Construction is expected to begin in late 2025, with operations beginning in 2026-2027. The center, located on W Street behind the Escambia County Public Safety building, will cost about $20 million, funded by the Florida Department of Transportation.
Pictured top: Escambia County District 5 Commissioner and TPO Chairman Steven Barry at the groundbreaking of a new traffic management center in Escambia County on Wednesday. Also pictured: More photos from the groundbreaking ceremony. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Man Gets 25 Years For Double Stabbing
November 13, 2025
An Escambia County man has been sentenced to prison for attempted murder of two people.
Circuit Court Judge Amy Brodersen sentenced Jacobia Ladraina Newberry to 25 years in state prison for two counts of attempted second degree murder with a weapon.
On the morning of August 3, 2024, two victims with life threatening stab wounds arrived at Baptist Hospital.
Investigators located Newberry with a cut finger, and he stated that he stabbed one victim in self-defense.
The injuries suffered by the victims were horrific, and the trauma surgeon stated both were lucky to be alive given the severity of the injuries and amount of blood loss suffered by both, according to prosecutors. One victim suffered slashes and stabs to the neck. The female victim was stabbed near the carotid artery and lost nearly 40% of her blood before going into surgery.
Based on the evidence presented at trial, the defendant’s assertion that he nearly killed one victim in self-defense was refuted. Prosecutors said the victims were not armed, and the defendant was suspected of being under the influence of drugs when he attacked both victims.
SEC Recognizes Five Escambia County Teachers
November 13, 2025
The Southeastern Conference recognized five Escambia County teachers during the championship game of the SEC Women’s Soccer Tournament at Ashton-Brosnaham Park.
- Brandi Ziglar, Lipscomb Elementary, fourth year of teaching
- Amanda Byers, McArthur Elementary, 13th year of teaching
- Jazmine Benson, Ferry Pass Elementary, 8th year of teaching
- Kenneth Atklinson, Beulah Middle School, 21st year of teaching
- Gena Keszthelyi, Longleaf Elementary, 40th year of teaching
Each teacher will receive a $500 DonorsChoose gift card to fund projects, to assist them with teaching and benefit their students.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Cottage Hill Water Works: Boil Water Notice For Williams Ditch Road
November 12, 2025
UPDATE: This boil water notice was rescinded Friday afternoon, November 14.
Cottage Hill Water Works has issued a boil water notice for 24-625 Williams Ditch Road due to a water main break.
There was a water main break at 230 Williams Ditch Road on Wednesday. Neighboring streets may experience low water pressure. Crews were working as quickly as possible to make the necessary repairs.
The utility is advising, as a precaution, that all water in the area that is used for drinking, cooking, making ice, brushing teeth, or washing dishes be boiled. A rolling boil of one minute is sufficient. As an alternative bottled water may be used.
This precautionary boil water notice will remain in effect until the problem has been corrected and a bacteriological survey shows that the water is safe to drink.
For more information, contact the utility’s office at at (850) 968-5485
This story will be updated when the boil water notice is rescinded.