Convicted Murderer’s Visitor Arrested for Contraband At Prison In Atmore
April 28, 2026
An attempt to smuggle contraband into Holman prison in Atmore was thwarted on Saturday, according to the Alabama Department of Corrections.
At approximately 12:30 p.m., the Alabama Department of Corrections (ADOC) Southern K-9 Unit intercepted an attempt to smuggle contraband into the William C. Holman Correctional Facility.
During a search of visitor Horace Laster, who was visiting inmate Akeem Prewitt, K-9 officers discovered a significant quantity of illegal items.
Laster was arrested and transported to the Escambia County Detention Facility, where he was charged with trafficking methamphetamine, trafficking fentanyl, first and second-degree promoting prison contraband, unlawful possession of a controlled substance, first-degree possession of marijuana, prohibited activities, and attempting to commit a controlled substance crime.
ADOC said officers confiscated 35 buprenorphine strips, three cell phones, one SIM card, approximately 66 grams of marijuana, approximately 140 grams of methamphetamine, and approximately 14 grams of fentanyl.
Prewitt is serving a 40-year sentence for murder out of Tuscaloosa County.
Laster’s mugshot was not made available by the Escambia County (AL) Detention Center
DeSantis Signs Gaetz Bill Allowing Armed Volunteers At Houses Of Worship
April 28, 2026
Houses of worship will soon be able to use armed volunteers instead of paid private security guards beginning July 1 under a bill signed last week by Gov. Ron DeSantis.
DeSantis signed SB 52, which was sponsored by District 1 Senator Don Gaetz. The legislation exempts the armed unpaid church volunteers from the same license requirements that security guards face. Paid security guards in Florida must have a Class D security officer license and Class G firearm license. Just the Class D license requires 40 hours of training.
“Unfortunately, it’s something we have to do. I didn’t want to sponsor this bill,” Gaetz said. “I didn’t want there to ever be a need to sponsor a bill like this, but unfortunately, in the times in which we live, we have to allow places of worship to be able to defend themselves and defend their congregants.”
The bill allows volunteers to provide armed security services on the premises of a church, mosque, synagogue, or other place of worship.
According to Florida Senate analysis, between 2000 and 2024, there have been 379 incidents of violence in houses of worship in the U.S. resulting in approximately 487 deaths and 172 injuries.
Pictured: Last weekend, Pilgrim Lodge Baptist Church in Century celebrated its 148th anniversary. NorthEscambia file photo, click to enlarge.
Rural Class District Softball Semifinals Today For Northview And Jay
April 28, 2026
Both Northview and Jay will be in action on Tuesday in the Rural District 1 semifinals.
Northview vs. Baker
At 5 p.m. Tuesday, No. 1 Northview (16-5) will take on No. 5 Baker (9-11) in Jay. While Northview had a quarterfinal bye, Baker defeated Central 10-1 on Monday afternoon.
Northview has shut out Baker twice this year by scores of 10-0 on March 24 and in a 12-0 mercy rule shortened game on April 6.
The winner will advance to face Jay or Paxton on Thursday at 7 p.m. for the district championship.
Jay vs. Paxton
At 7 p.m. Tuesday, No. 2 Jay will take on No. 3 Paxton in Jay. Paxton shut out Laurel Hill 17-0 on Monday evening.
The winner will face either Northview or Baker on Thursday at 7 p.m. for the district championship.
Pictured: Mikayla McAnally pitches for the Northview Chiefs. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
UWF Breaks Ground On New AI, Cybersecurity, And Engineer Research Building
April 28, 2026
Recently, the University of West Florida officially broke ground on a new advanced intelligence, cybersecurity and engineering research building called The Synapse. Funded by part of a $32.5 million award from Triumph Gulf Coast and more than $21 million in state funding, the 55,000-square-foot building on the Pensacola campus will house specialized labs and state-of-the-art equipment and technology to support advanced computational, AI, cybersecurity and engineering research across the University.
University leaders, faculty, staff, students, donors, community partners and elected officials gathered on campus to celebrate the beginning of construction on the new building, which will be located just south of the John C. Pace Library and identified as Building 129.
“The Synapse is a transformational facility made possible through the support of Triumph Gulf Coast and the state of Florida,” said UWF President Manny Diaz Jr. “This new modern facility will allow the University to expand research capacity, strengthen industry partnerships and better prepare students for career fields critical to our region’s future.”
The new building, designed by Caldwell Architects, is intentionally shaped like a Y to reflect its core design inspiration, the way neurons connect within the human brain. Just as synapses transmit information between neurons, the building is designed to foster collaboration and innovation across disciplines. Inspired by neuromorphic architecture – a strategy that mimics how the brain processes and stores information – The Synapse integrates research labs, office hubs and open collaboration spaces to encourage parallel discovery and the free exchange of ideas.
“The Synapse is intentionally designed to bring researchers and students together in ways that spark innovation,” said UWF Provost Jaromy Kuhl. “By connecting disciplines and creating shared spaces for discovery, this facility will accelerate research and expand opportunities for experiential learning.”
The facility will serve as the base for the Center for Computational Intelligence and the Center for Cybersecurity and AI, as well as a hub for collaborative projects in robotics, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, power systems, material science and civil engineering. A central multi-story atrium with interconnected corridors create efficient pathways for interaction, resulting in a facility built not only for cutting-edge technology, but for constant intellectual connection.
“The new building will support the type of interactions its namesake implies,” said Dr. Mohamed Khabou, dean of the Hal Marcus College of Science and Engineering. “Ideas from various research areas come together to excite other research pathways.”
The Center for Computational Intelligence, housed within UWF’s Institute for Analytics and Industry Advancement, serves as a world-class hub for advanced computational research, uniting faculty, researchers, students and industry partners around the development of next-generation technologies. With its new home in the Synapse, the CCI will be able to design and apply computational models and systems capable of performing complex tasks to accelerate innovations with direct applications in healthcare, applied and basic sciences, engineering, energy, environmental monitoring, personalized education and defense.
“This dynamic new research hub will position UWF to expand its cutting-edge computational research, creating opportunities to tackle complex, real-world challenges across diverse fields through collaborations on campus and with external partners,” said Karen Molek, associate vice president of Computational Intelligence and Student Scholars Programs.
Upon completion of the new building, the UWF Center for Cybersecurity and AI will join CCI in the Synapse. The UWF Center for Cybersecurity and AI is a globally recognized leader in advancing secure, responsible digital and intelligent systems and preparing workforce-ready AI and cybersecurity leaders.
“The Synapse represents the future of innovation, where AI, cybersecurity and advanced computing come together to solve complex challenges,” said Dr. Eman El-Sheikh, associate vice president of the UWF Center for Cybersecurity and AI. “This state-of-the-art environment will accelerate research, strengthen collaboration and position UWF as a leader in securing and advancing intelligent systems.”
All-Clear Given After Beulah Middle School Bomb Threat Evacuation
April 27, 2026
The all-clear has been given and students are returning to class following a bomb threat on Monday afternoon at Beulah Middle School.
The school was evacuated about 12:40 p.m. after a bomb threat was received.
Multiple law enforcement agencies, including a bomb-sniffing K-9 from Santa Rosa County, searched the school for nearly two hours and no explosive device was found.
File photo.
Cantonment Man Charged With Aggravated Assault With Deadly Weapon, Child Abuse
April 27, 2026
A Cantonment man was arrested on multiple charges after allegedly threatening a woman and forcing her vehicle off the road with a child inside.
Colton David Gideons, 27, was booked into the Escambia County Jail on charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, child abuse without great bodily harm, and misdemeanor assault. All charges are classified as domestic violence.
Escambia County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a disturbance on Canal A Way in Perdido Key. Gideons lunged at a woman with a closed fist at a residence in Cantonment, stopping just inches from her face while making verbal threat, an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office arrest report states, before following her to Perdido Key.
As the woman attempted to leave the residence in a truck, Gideons allegedly followed her aggressively in his own brown Dodge Ram truck. According to the arrest report, Gideons accelerated past her, swerved into her path, and slammed on his brakes. This maneuver caused the woman to lose control and spin her vehicle around in the roadway with a child in the vehicle.
The victim recorded the pursuit on her phone, which deputies said showed Gideons’ truck passing her very closely and causing her to spin out.
An online report was filed with the Department of Children and Families (DCF) because a child was present during the incident.
Gideons was released from the Escambia County Jail late last week on a $35,000 bond.
Northview’s Fernandez-Santis Receives Full-Tuition Florida Prepaid Scholarship
April 27, 2026
Northview High School senior Amanda Fernandez-Santis was one of two students in Escambia County to receive a Florida Prepaid Scholarship.
The scholarship covers full tuition for two years at any Florida public college or university. She plans to attend Florida’s Pensacola State College this September.
Superintendent Keith Leonard and Director of High Schools Lesa Morgan presented the scholarship.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com; click to enlarge.
Ransom Middle School Names Students Of The Month
April 27, 2026
Ransom Middle School recently named their Students of the Month for February and March:
The Ransom March Students of the Month were Ryann Gibbs (top left) and Amir Hankins (top right).
The Ransom February Students of the Month were Reese Warner (bottom left) and Aiden Evangelista (bottom right).
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Forest Service Celebrates National Arbor Day With Tree Giveaway In Century (With Gallery)
April 27, 2026
The Florida Forest Service held a tree giveaway last Friday morning to celebrate National Arbor Day in cooperation with the Town of Century.
A line formed nearly an hour before the 9 a.m. start time at the community center on West Highway 4.
Over 125 tree were available — mayhaw, redbud, sycamore, and sweetbay in one gallon containers — with a limit if two trees per person. Most of the trees were gone in under 15 minutes, with mayhaw and redbud going first.
For a photo gallery, click to enlarge.
Forest Service personnel were on hand to share helpful planting information for the free trees, or to answer other tree-related questions.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia County EMS Passes State Inspection
April 27, 2026
Escambia County Emergency Medical Services has passed its state inspection from the Florida Department of Health, with FDOH inspectors finding EMS vehicles and service records to be “outstanding.”
The site visit and inspection, which noted no deficiencies or discrepancies with Escambia County EMS, was conducted by the FDOH Bureau of Emergency Medical Oversight earlier this month at Escambia County Public Safety.
Escambia County EMS met all inspection criteria, with the inspection covering numerous categories including:
- Employee training records and certifications
- Vehicle records and registrations
- Compliance with controlled substance medication storage, how medications are distributed for use by EMS and tracking of medication administration by EMS
- How EMS orders, stocks, distributes, and replaces medical equipment and supplies
- Random ambulances were selected for complete inventory inspection in compliance with state requirements
- Patient care records and storage of records
- Quality assurance and quality improvement measures with patient care and patient care reports
- Training and in-service records for all EMS employees
- Compliance with state requirements for medical direction
The representative from FDOH gave EMS glowing reviews following the inspection, noting that it was “truly a joy to see more of Escambia County EMS and speak with your team members” and that they are “proud to have you serving the local community.”
“This successful inspection is a testament to our dedicated team at all levels of Escambia County EMS, who work diligently every day to ensure we are providing top-tier care and service to every patient we serve,” Escambia County EMS Chief Chris Watts said. “I’m very proud of our employees and leadership team for their hard work and dedication, and we look forward to continuing to accomplish great things at Escambia County EMS.”
I’m incredibly proud of our EMS team for continuing to serve the citizens of Escambia County with professionalism every day,” Public Safety Director Eric Gilmore said. “Their dedication helps us maintain the highest level of service to our community, setting the gold standard for excellence in EMS service.”
File photo.