Water Safety Takes Center Stage as Cantonment Rotary Club Visits Bratt Elementary
March 16, 2026
The Cantonment Rotary Club brought its “Josh the Baby Otter” book project to Bratt Elementary School recently.
Club members have read the book to over 1,000 students at North Escambia area elementary schools.
The book Josh the Baby Otter teaches kids about water safety and learning how to float.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Community Honors Cantonment Veteran Critically Wounded In Operation Epic Fury (With Gallery)
March 15, 2026
Hundreds of people came together Saturday to honor retired former serviceman Hunter Girdner of Cantonment, who was critically wounded while saving a member of his military contract crew in support of Operation Epic Fury.
“I appreciate everyone for coming,” Girdner (pictured left) told the crowd gathered at the University of West Florida Conference Center. “It really means a lot to me, to have the support of the community.”
After being injured while serving, Girdner joined a contract crew at a top secret location in the Middle East, his way of continuing to serve.
“I had something to give, and I found a way to do it,” he said. “I used my body to ease my mind.”
For a photo gallery from the event, click here.
During this deployment, his team was located in a targeted area and was attacked. While relocating, the Cantonment veteran noticed one of his squad members, John Gabrysiak, was left behind. While running back to rescue his teammate, he was hit by shrapnel and critically wounded, undergoing several operations including the removal of a kidney, spleen repair, and more at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.
Gabrysiak (pictured left) also addressed the crowd, expressing his thankfulness to Girdner.
“He is a son of this community; he is someone who grew up among us, learned the same values that many of us were raised with, and when the moment came to act, he lived those values out in the most profound way possible during Operation Epic Fury,” Rep. Michelle Salzman said about Girdner, a 2016 graduate of Tate High School. “This is not just bravery, it’s character; it’s loyalty. And it’s simply America… It comes from something deeper, values that are forged in family and community and country and in faith.”
“Hunter, it takes a pretty special person to run back into the war zone,” Florida Lt. Governor Jay Collins told Girdner during Saturday evening’s event. “Thank you for living up to your heritage of your time in the military, and thanks for standing up for John.”
“Hunter, the power of your moment, you didn’t wait,” Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons said. “Your moment is going to define your life, and very much your legacy. We appreciate you.”
Simmons presented a Sheriff’s Award for performing an outstanding service to the community.
Prior to the event at UWF, a convoy honoring Girdner traveled from the former Denny’s on Nine Mile Road to UWF, with dozens of motorcycles, including the Patriot Guard, law enforcement and dozens of other vehicles. People lined up along Nine Mile Road to honor Girdner, including several people with a large American flag draped over a pickup truck at the John R. Jones Ballpark.
For a photo gallery from the convoy, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Walnut Hill Ruritan Holds 51st Annual Farm Auction (With Photo Gallery)
March 15, 2026
The Walnut Hill Ruritan Club held its 51st annual auction Saturday in Walnut Hill with crowds bidding on farm equipment and hundreds of other items.
All proceeds from the auction benefit the Walnut Hill Ruritan Club’s community service projects in the Walnut Hill area. The auction is held each year in the spring.
For a photo gallery, click here.
The auction included not only farm equipment, but also household items like tools and small equipment, lawn and garden items, antiques, and more.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
New Escambia County Extension Council Members Appointed
March 15, 2026
The Escambia County Board of County Commissioners recently appointed several North Escambia residents to the Escambia County Extension Council. The following individuals will serve a two-year term, ending on February 29, 2029:
- Zone 2 — Vicki Mizrahi, Wilma Road, McDavid (Zone 2 is south of the intersection at Highway 164 and Highway 97 to the north side of Tungoil Road)
- Zone 5 — Kristal Hayes, Mathison Road, Cantonment (Zone 5 is north side of Quintette Road to the south side of Molino Road)
- Zone 6 — Lauren Mate, Goldenrod Road, Cantonment (Zone 6 is south side of Quintette Road to the north side of Kingsfield Road)
- Zone 12 — Kellie Graham, Eclipse Lane, Pensacola (At-large)
An Escambia County Extension Council member serves as a volunteer advocate and liaison between the community and the Extension Service. Responsibilities include attending quarterly meetings, identifying local needs in areas like agriculture and youth development, and collaborating with extension agents to shape regional educational programs. Members must reside in the specific zone they represent.
State Arrests Man In Escambia County For ‘Sophisticated Fuel Theft Operation’
March 15, 2026
A 26-year-old man was arrested in Escambia County in what state authorities described as a sophisticated fuel theft operation spanning multiple counties.
Alain De Jesus Aguila-Martinez, 26, was charged with larceny — tampering with or removing a retail fuel dispenser by the Florida Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement (OALE). He also had active warrants for multiple felony charges, including organized fraud, retail fuel theft tampering, and petit theft.
Officers at the Florida Agricultural Inspection Station on I-10 identified a blue semi-truck pulling a refrigerated trailer that matched the description of a vehicle linked to a sophisticated fuel theft operation spanning Escambia, Santa Rosa, and Okaloosa counties.
During the inspection, an OALE K-9 unit conducted a free-air sniff around Aguila-Martinez’s 2002 Freightliner semi-truck and alerted officers to the presence of narcotics. A subsequent search of the vehicle uncovered a large magnet concealed under the driver’s steering wheel, authorities said. The magnet was identified as “a device commonly used to manipulate fuel pump solenoids, enabling the unauthorized theft of diesel fuel”.
Pineview Church Road South Of Jay To Close On Monday
March 15, 2026
Pineview Church Road south fo Jay will be closed beginning Monday.
The bridge over Mare Branch Creek will be closed for repairs with with between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. each day.
Weather permitting, this project is expected to be completed by Friday, March 20.
Drivers in the area can detour from Pineview Church Road south to Highway 89 and north to Hollandtown Church Road.
Ice Flyers Bounce Back With Win Over Macon Mayhem (Gallery)
March 15, 2026
The Pensacola Ice Flyers bounced back on Small Dog Race Night defeating the Macon Mayhem 4–2 on Saturday night at the Hangar to close out the weekend series.
Macon struck first midway through the opening period, capitalizing on a power play opportunity to take the early lead. The Mayhem carried the 1–0 advantage into the first intermission despite several strong pushes from Pensacola.
The Ice Flyers responded in the second period as Jack Suchy continued his hot weekend, scoring his fourth goal of the series to even the game at 1–1. Less than 30 seconds later, the Hangar erupted when Porter Schachle netted his first professional goal, giving Pensacola its first lead of the night. Macon answered with a goal from Khaden Henry to tie the game, but the Ice Flyers regained momentum before the break when Andrew Poulias found the back of the net to send Pensacola into the second intermission with a 3–2 lead.
Pensacola extended its advantage early in the third period when Zack Bross buried a goal to make it 4–2. The intensity ramped up later in the frame as a series of roughing penalties got the home crowd on its feet, but the Ice Flyers held strong defensively down the stretch to secure the victory.
With the win, Pensacola earns two valuable points in the standings.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Fifth Suspect In Atmore MLK Day Shooting Arrested In Florida
March 15, 2026
A fifth suspect has been arrested in connection with a MLK Day shooting in Atmore.
A U.S. Marshals Task Force and the Walton County Sheriff’s Office arrested Emonee Demontaen Long recently on felony warrants from Atmore for felon in possession of a firearm and felony violation of probation on an original charge of discharging a gun into an occupied building.
He was found and arrested as Cessna Landing on Hogtown Bayou near Santa Rosa Beach. Once at the Walton County Jail, a large quantity of tobacco and spice were found hidden on his person, according to WCSO.
The Walton County authorities filed additional charges against Long of introduction of contraband into a correctional facility, felony possession of synthetic cannabis, possession of marijuana, and possession of narcotic paraphernalia.
He will face extrication back to Atmore once the Florida charges are satisfied.
Four others were previously arrested and charged.
Jijavious Jadarrius Williams (first photo below, left) and Jitayvious Jamar Williams (first photo below, right), both from Baldwin County, were each charged with two counts of attempted murder, four counts of shooting into an unoccupied vehicle, and one count of shooting into an occupied building.
Nathaniel Crenshaw (second photo below, left) was charged with two counts of attempted murder, four counts of discharging a firearm into an occupied building or vehicle, and one count of shooting into an unoccupied dwelling or vehicle. His brother, Tobijah Keimond Crenshaw (second photo below, right and bottom photo) was arrested during a traffic stop for two counts of attempted murder, four counts of discharging a firearm into an occupied building or vehicle, and on count of shooting into an unoccupied dwelling or vehicle.
Teen Girl Airlifted After Accidental Shooting Near Century
March 14, 2026
A 17-year-old female was accidentally shot Friday night near Century.
The incident happened around 8:40 p.m. on Carnley Road, just northeast of Century.
According to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, someone was cleaning a .45-caliber weapon that they thought to be unloaded. The weapon discharged, hitting the teen in the upper leg.
The victim was airlifted by Aircare medical helicopter to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola with injuries that were not considered to be life-threatening.
The ECSO said foul play was not suspected in the incident.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
NWS: EF1 Tornado Caused Damage On Poarch Creek Reservation Near Atmore
March 14, 2026
The National Weather Service has determined that damage on the Poarch Creek Reservation north of Atmore early Thursday morning was caused by an EF1 tornado.
The 12:53 a.m. tornado had an estimated peak wind of 100 mph and traveled for 0.63 miles with a maximum width of 80 yards. It was on the ground for approximately two minutes.
The tornado began in a field adjacent to the PCI Gym. The heavy part of a scoreboard was tossed 200 yards, while the lighter half was tossed about 500 yards away. The tornado also lifted a significant portion of roofing material on the gym and snapped a short power pole.
The tornado continued to the east-southeast, reaching its strongest point prior to crossing Lynn McGhee Drive where it snapped numerous small hardwood trees and pushed over several road signs. This is also where the tornado reached its peak width at approximately 80 yards.
After crossing Lynn McGhee Drive and Green Road, a softwood tree was snapped mid-trunk with large amounts of small tree debris and limbs scattered across the adjacent field.
The tornado continued weakening as it moved southeast and then east across Creek Drive, causing minor roofing and siding damage to buildings. The last visible damage point was along Jack Springs Road where a large oak tree was uprooted facing east-southeast.