‘We Are Ready’: Escambia Superintendent Visits Byrneville Elementary, Ernest Ward Middle
August 15, 2026
“We are ready.”
That’s how one Byrneville Elementary School student described the new school year, a sentiment echoed by Escambia County Public School Superintendent Keith Leonard, who continued his annual first week of school visits on Friday with stops at Byrneville and Ernest Ward Middle School.
“I am proud of where we started, and we are just going to keep working hard every day,” Leonard said, adding that enrollment had increased to over 32,000 students in traditional district schools.
Students in Byrneville fifth grade teacher Jacke Johnston’s class answered Leonard’s questions about what they did over the summer, their upcoming middle school, and what they like, so far, about fifth grade.
One of their favorite things about being a fifth grader is their “senior privileges,” especially eating lunch in their classroom.
“We have a refrigerator and a microwave that we get to use,” one student said.
The students also questioned Leonard about his job, expressing particular amazement that on the first day of school he stayed at work until after 6 p.m. when the last ECPS student made it home safely.
The superintendent also visited with Tracy Barberree very excited kindergarten class.
Ernest Ward Middle
A “Congratulations! Ernest Ward is an ‘A’ school!” sign outside EWMS proclaims.
“Come here, listen how quiet this hallway is; you can’t hear a thing,” Leonard said during his visit to Ernest Ward in Walnut Hill. “These kids are well-behaved, and they are learning.”
At EWMS, he met with Principal Tyvanna Boulanger and Assistant Principal Rodney Drish as they prepared for an eighth grade meeting on the district’s Code of Student Conduct.
“With my eighth graders, it’s just a quick review because they know what is expected of them,” Boulanger said.
Leonard congratulated the Ernest Ward administration on the school’s A grade and overall learning gains.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Football Preseason: Tate Edges Pine Forest, Marianna Tops Northview
August 15, 2026
The Friday night lights were on this week for preseason kickoff classics.
Tate 17, Pine Forest 14
In varsity jamboree action, the Tate Aggies defeated the Pine Forest Eagles 17-14 on Friday night in Pete Gindl Stadium. The regular season gets underway next week as the Aggies host the Marianna Bulldogs.
Marianna 30, Northview 14
The Marianna Bulldogs defeated the Northview Chiefs 30-14 on Friday night in Tommy Weaver Memorial Stadium. The Chiefs begin the regular season next Thursday night at home against the Rocky Bayou Christian Knights.
Santana’s Doubles Send Wahoos To Fourth Straight Win
August 15, 2026
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos won their fourth in a row on Friday night, overcoming an early deficit to beat the Biloxi Shuckers 9-4.
Adrian Santana had his biggest game since joining the Blue Wahoos at the trade deadline, hitting a two-run double in the second inning and a go-ahead, three-run double that proved decisive in the eighth inning.
Brandon Compton gave the Blue Wahoos an early 1-0 lead in the first inning with an RBI double, but the Shuckers answered back in the bottom half against Pensacola starter Orlando Ortiz-Mayr. After loading the bases on a walk, error and single, Matthew Wood hit a grand slam to give Biloxi a 4-1 lead.
Santana’s double in the second inning got the Blue Wahoos back within a run at 4-3, but neither team scored another run through the end of the sixth. Biloxi’s bid for a double steal of home in the fifth inning was foiled when catcher Ryan Ignoffo traded throws with Santana at second base to cut down Dylan O’Rae at the plate.
Three innings of effective relief from Jaydenn Estanista (W, 1-0) kept the game within reach for the Blue Wahoos, who finally tied the game 4-4 in the seventh inning thanks to a two-out RBI single from Juan Matheus. Against reliever Jesús Broca (L, 3-5) in the eighth, the Blue Wahoos loaded the bases with two singles and a walk before Santana ambushed the first pitch he saw for a three-run double. Cristian Hernández followed with a double of his own, his fifth in the past three games, to score Santana and extend the lead to 8-4.
Colby Shade added an insurance run in the ninth when he was hit by a pitch, stole third base, and scored on a wild pitch. Holt Jones got the final six outs in relief to seal Pensacola’s 9-4 victory.
With the win, the Blue Wahoos remain 3.0 games ahead of the Montgomery Biscuits with 26 games to play in the race for the second half South Division title.
The Blue Wahoos continue their series against the Shuckers on Saturday.
written by Erik Bremer
Electrical Problem Blamed For Fire That Destroyed Cantonment Guesthouse
August 14, 2026
An electrical problem is blamed for a fire that destroyed a guesthouse in the 2800 block of Stefani Road in Cantonment early Thursday morning, according to Escambia County Fire Rescue.
ECFR responded to the fire at approximately 3:41 a.m., arriving to find heavy flames showing from the 600-square-foot guesthouse located behind the main residence.
Crews worked quickly to attack the blaze and brought the fire under control before 4 a.m.
No residents or firefighters were injured in the incident, though officials confirmed the structure is considered a total loss.
The Ensley, Cantonment, Belleview and Brent stations of Escambia County Fire Rescue responded to the early morning blaze, along with Escambia County EMS.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Firefighters Working To Help Keep School Zones Safe
August 14, 2026
Escambia County Fire Rescue firefighters are continuing safety standbys in school zones across the county.
The trucks are there with emergency lights activated to remind drivers to slow down and keep children safe in school zones.
Pictured: Engine 18 from the Molino Station of Escambia County Fire Rescue on Highway 97 in the Molino Park Elementary school zone on Thursday morning. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Federal Indictment: Escambia Woman Charged With Arming Convicted Felon
August 14, 2026
An Escambia County woman has been indicted on a federal charge of arming a convicted felon.
Razhane Harrison, 31, was indicted in federal court for the transfer of a firearm to a prohibited person. The indictment alleges that Harrison disposed of a Glock 9-millimeter pistol to convicted felon Marcellous Likely-McWilliams III, who pleaded guilty earlier this month to possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
Harrison appeared in federal court for her arraignment before United States Magistrate Judge Hope T. Cannon in Pensacola, Florida. A jury trial is scheduled for September 8.
The case is being jointly investigated by the ATF and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Tate Lady Aggies Defeat Pace Patriots To Finish Preseason Unbeaten
August 14, 2026
Building on their momentum from Tuesday night’s straight-set win over Washington, the Tate High School Lady Aggies wrapped up preseason volleyball play Thursday night at Pensacola Catholic High School with a 3-1 victory over the Pace Patriots.
After dropping a competitive opening set 25-18 to Pace, the Lady Aggies roared back with a dominant performance in the second frame, storming past the Patriots 25-12 to even the match.
Tate carried that momentum into a tightly contested third set to edge Pace 25-21 before taking control of the fourth set 25-20 to close out the exhibition victory.
Up next, the Lady Aggies open regular season match play on the road Tuesday, August 18 at Escambia High School, followed by a road trip to Navarre on August 20. Tate will host Fort Walton on Tuesday, August 25 for “Rule The Vikings” — fans are encourage to dress as royalty or wear gold.
Wahoos Hold On For Dear Life, Win Wild Extra-Inning Thriller 11-10 Over Biloxi
August 14, 2026
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos endured a pair of back-to-back homers in both the ninth and tenth innings to beat the Biloxi Shuckers 11-10 on Thursday night in one of the most remarkable games of the season.
In a game that saw the Shuckers run out of available pitchers and resort to a position player in extras, the Blue Wahoos had just enough offense to withstand two late Biloxi home run outbursts and win their third game in a row.
Shuckers starting pitcher Braylon Owens departed just three batters into the game due to an apparent injury, and the already-taxed Biloxi bullpen performed capably to get the game through nine innings. Against position player Jheremy Vargas (L, 0-1), pitching for the second game in a row in the tenth inning, the Blue Wahoos pushed across four runs in what proved to be the difference in the game.
One start after working 6.0 no-hit innings on his way to earning Southern League Pitcher of the Week honors, Blue Wahoos starter Eliazar Dishmey didn’t have his sharpest stuff. He allowed a run in the first inning for the first time in a dozen Double-A starts, and allowed three total runs on eight singles over 4.2 innings. The righty struck out seven without walking a batter, and left in a 3-3 tie thanks to RBI doubles from Dylan Jasso and Cristian Hernández.
A two-run double from Juan Matheus gave the Blue Wahoos a 5-3 lead in the top of the seventh, and Colby Martin (W, 5-4) escaped a bases-loaded jam in the bottom half of the inning to preserve a 5-4 lead. Jasso homered and Hernández added an RBI single in the top of the ninth, giving the Blue Wahoos a 7-4 cushion heading to the bottom of the inning.
One out away from securing a seven-out save, Martin surrendered a two-run homer to Andrew Fischer that got the Shuckers within a run. After a mound visit from manager Nelson Prada, Martin was left in to face Damon Keith. On a 1-2 pitch, Keith launched a solo homer that sent the game to extras tied 7-7.
Any momentum gained by Biloxi’s ninth-inning rally was snuffed out when Vargas took the mound for the top of the tenth, a clear indication that the Shuckers pitching staff had reached its limit. Jasso brought home the first run on a sacrifice fly, and Hernández slashed a two-out, two-run double down the left field line for crucial insurance. Brandon Compton’s bloop RBI single to shallow center put Pensacola ahead 11-7, but once again the Shuckers had an answer.
Facing reliever Josh Hejka in the bottom of the 10th, Mark Coley II and Daniel Guilarte hit back-to-back homers to bring Biloxi back within a run. Dylan O’Rae dropped down a bunt single before the Blue Wahoos turned to Nigel Belgrave (S, 7) as a last resort with the tying run aboard. He got Vargas to fly out to deep right before coaxing a game-ending double play off the bat of Matthew Wood for an 11-10 final.
The Blue Wahoos stole six bases in the game, with all six coming in the ninth and tenth innings. Catcher Ryan Ignoffo threw out three Biloxi base stealers, tying a season high.
With the win, the Blue Wahoos remain 3.0 games ahead of the Montgomery Biscuits with 27 games to play in the race for the second half South Division title.
The Blue Wahoos continue their series against the Shuckers on Friday
written by Erik Bremer
$8.7 Million Grant To Expand Healthcare Access In Century, Reopen Second Clinic Location
August 13, 2026
Community Health Northwest Florida has been awarded an $8.7 million five-year grant that will be used to improve healthcare in Century, with $3.99 million allocated for the first year.
Community Health with expand service at its existing Industrial Boulevard location in Century for adult primary care and pediatric care. Community Health will also reopen a second location on Church Street in Century (the former Century Pediatrics location) for services including women’s health, behavioral health and psychiatry, and treatment for opioid use disorder.
“This is truly a transformational opportunity for every rural patient in Northwest Florida,” said Chandra Smiley, CEO of Community Health Northwest Florida and chair of the Northwest Florida Health Council Board of Directors. “We will be able to provide care closer to where our patients live, and also help keep them out of emergency rooms. It will improve lives, save lives, and save money in the process.”
The Rural Health Transformation Program grant was awarded by the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration and the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to bring transformative care to the most rural parts of Northwest Florida.
The Community Health Northwest Florida location on Industrial Boulevard in Century opened in August 2019. Century Pediatrics moved from Church Street into the Industrial Boulevard location in July 2025.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Semi-Truck Falls Off I-110 In Pensacola
August 13, 2026
A semi-truck fell off I-110 in Pensacola on Wednesday afternoon.
The driver lost control, crashed the truck over a concrete guardrail, and the truck fell to a grassy area below. There were no other vehicles involved.
There were no injuries reported.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
