Florida Corrections Pay Could Jump From $22 To $28 An Hour Under DeSantis Budget
February 10, 2026
Base pay for correctional officers in Florida could rise $6 per hour.
Monday, Lieutenant Governor Jay Collins stood with Florida Department of Corrections (FDC) Assistant Deputy Secretary of Institutions Hope Gartman and correctional officers at Santa Rosa Correctional Institution to support Governor Ron DeSantis’ Floridians First 2026-2027 Budget, which includes raising the base pay for correctional officers, probation officers, and inspectors from $22 an hour to $28 an hour.
“Correctional officers are on the frontline, 24/7, to keep dangerous criminals behind bars and protect public safety,” said Lieutenant Governor Jay Collins. “This is a top responsibility for the state of Florida, which is why I am proud to support Governor Ron DeSantis’ budget proposal to raise the starting pay for correctional officers from $22 an hour to $28 an hour. Florida is a law-and-order state, and that means that we provide for those who protect Floridians.”
In December 2025, Governor DeSantis announced the Floridians First Budget, which he said reaffirms his steadfast commitment to FDC by funding essential public safety initiatives. Highlights from his budget recommendation included:
$373.9 Million for Major Pay Raises for Certified and Support Staff Statewide
$56.7 Million for Staffing to Support Florida’s Public Safety Mission
$56 Million to Invest in Correctional Infrastructure
“On behalf of Secretary Ricky Dixon, Deputy Secretary Richard Comerford, and our 24,000 staff statewide, we are grateful to have Lieutenant Governor Collins standing with Florida’s correctional professionals,” said Assistant Deputy Secretary of Institutions Hope Gartman. “Thank you to Governor DeSantis for his proposed strategic investment to strengthen staffing in our prisons and support the men and women who protect public safety every day. This commitment sends a clear message that the service and sacrifices of our correctional staff are valued.”
Picture: Florida Lt. Governor Jay Collins champions a DeSantis budget at the Santa Rosa Rosa Correctional Institution on Monday, February 9. Pictured inset: Assistant Deputy Secretary of Institutions Hope Gartman. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Beulah Middle, Ernest Ward Split Monday Volleyball Matches
February 10, 2026
Beulah and Ernest Ward split volleyball matches on Monday night at Beulah.
The Ernest Ward Middle School Eagle junior varsity earned a win before the Beulah Varsity Bears came out on top.
On Thursday, Ernest Ward will host the Ransom Middle School Tigers at 5:30 p.m., and Beulah Academy of Science will host Beulah Middle at 5:30 p.m.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Ransom Middle School Cheerleaders Take Second In The Nation
February 9, 2026
The Ransom Middle School Cheerleaders finished second in the nation over the weekend.
Ransom took second in the Large Junior High Intermediate division at UCA Nationals, the newest intermediate division.
It was the first trip to Nationals for Ransom Cheer in 13 years. Coaches are China Purifoy and Brittany Settle.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate Aggies Cheerleaders Place In The Top 10 Nationally; JV Ranks Top 5
February 9, 2026
The Tate High School Aggie varsity and junior varsity cheerleaders finished among the top squads in the country this weekend in Orlando.
The varsity Aggies finished in 10th place out of 113 teams at the UCA High School Nationals.
“These athletes put in countless hours of practice, early mornings and late nights, endless lifting sessions, and showed up week after week on the sidelines at football and basketball games, always bringing energy and pride to Tate,” Coach Morgan Norwood said. “Their dedication, discipline, and teamwork never wavered—and it showed on the national stage.”
The junior varsity Aggie cheerleaders earned fifth place in the nation.
Pictured top: The varsity Tate Aggie cheerleaders at nationals. Pictured below: The JV squad. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Davisville Lottery Store Sells Another $55,000 Winning Fantasy 5 Ticket
February 9, 2026
A Davisville lottery store has sold another winning Fantasy 5 ticket, and someone is over $55,000 richer.
The ticket sold at the State Line Gift Shop, on Highway 97 just south of Atmore, was the only winning ticket in the Sunday, February 8 midday drawing, and is worth $55,328.49. There were no winning tickets in Sunday’s evening drawing.
The winning numbers were 11-26-28-30-35.
In January, the store sold a winning ticket worth $55,272.07. The prize was claimed by an Alabama man.
Pictured: The State Line Gift Shop on HIghway 97, next door the Piggly Wiggly in Davisville. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Deer Collision Sends Car Into Molino Front Yard; Two Uninjured
February 9, 2026
Two people escaped injury when their vehicle crashed into a deer on Sunday night in Molino.
It happened about 8:13 p.m. on Highway 29 south of Bet Raines Road, just over a half mile south of the Highway 29 and Highway 97 intersection.
The heavily damaged vehicle came to a stop in the front yard of a home.
The Molino Station of Escambia County Fire Rescue responded after the vehicle was reported to be smoking.
Photos by Kevin Enfinger for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Man Accidentally Shoots Self in Foot Near McDavid
February 9, 2026
A man accidentally shot himself late Sunday afternoon near McDavid.
According to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, it happened off Brown Road, off Highway 29.
Escambia deputies were dispatched to Jay Hospital shortly before 5 p.m. They said that he had a gun in his pocket, and it accidentally fired when he reached into his pocket, striking him in the foot.
The man’s injuries were not life threatening.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Vehicle Burns On Bluff Springs Road
February 9, 2026
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating after a truck and trailer burned Sunday night south of Century.
The fire was reported around 8:20 p.m. on Bluff Springs Road east of Highway 29.
The Century Station of Escambia Fire Rescue arrived to find a truck and enclosed trailer burned in the roadway.
Further details were not immediately available as the investigation continued.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Two More Suspects Arrested In MLK Day Shooting In Atmore
February 9, 2026
The Atmore Police Department has made two additional arrests in connection with a Martin Luther King, Jr. Day shooting.
Jijavious Jadarrius Williams (above left) and Jitayvious Jamar Williams (above 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.
Two other suspects were previously arrested. Nathaniel Crenshaw (pictured left) was charged with two counts of attempted murder, four counts of discharging a firearm into an occupied building or vehicle, and one court of shooting into an unoccupied dwelling or vehicle. His brother, Tobijah Keimond Crenshaw (pictured below) 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 court of shooting into an unoccupied dwelling or vehicle. He is being held without bond.
The Atmore Police Department more arrests or charges may be forthcoming.
Kingsfield Resurfacing Project Moves To Railroad Crossing
February 8, 2026
Resurfacing is scheduled to begin Monday on East Kingsfield Road at the railroad crossing, just west of Highway 29.
The work is part of an $875,000 resurfacing project that began Monday, January 19.
The paving project is expected to be completed by Friday, February 13.
East Kingsfield is being resurfaced between Highway 29 and Highway 297A. Traffic on East Kingsfield Road will be reduced to a single lane during the construction period.
Residents, pedestrians, local traffic, and emergency vehicles will have access to properties within the work area at all times; however, there may be short periods when a driveway or entrance may be blocked temporarily as equipment and materials are moved during construction.
Pictured: East Kingsfield Road on Thursday afternoon, February 5. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
