Escambia Man Charged With Fatal Whataburger Shooting
May 21, 2026
An Escambia County man has been charged with a November 4, 2025, fatal shooting in the parking lot of a Whataburger at 5480 Pensacola Boulevard.
This week, Ja’Kobe Mi’Keal Edward was charged with first-degree murder while engaged in robbery.
According to an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office arrest report, 22-year-old Ja’Kobe Edward met with the victim under the guise of purchasing three pounds of marijuana for $3,900. Text messages between the two revealed that they had negotiated the transaction over the preceding days, eventually changing the meeting location to the fast-food restaurant’s parking lot.
Investigators concluded that Edward and an unidentified accomplice approached a black GMC Yukon driven by the victim’s mother. The victim was seated in the rear passenger side. As Edward and the accomplice reached the vehicle’s rear window, a struggle ensued during an apparent robbery attempt.
The victim was shot in the shoulder and neck from outside the vehicle. His mother then used her Taurus .357 revolver to fire back through the window, striking Edward in the head. Edward collapsed in the parking lot next to two vacuum-sealed bags of marijuana, while his accomplices fled the scene in a rented white Chevrolet Malibu. The rental vehicle was later found abandoned and wiped down with cleaning chemicals.
The mother drove her unresponsive son to Baptist Hospital, while paramedics transported Edward to Sacred Heart Hospital. The victim succumbed to his injuries four days later on November 8, 2025.
Following a detailed investigation tracking cell phones, vehicle GPS data, and drug packaging, a warrant was issued.
Alex Williams’ First Win Of The Season Lifts Wahoos Above .500
May 21, 2026
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos eclipsed the .500 mark for the first time in 2026 thanks to a 6-5 victory over the Columbus Clingstones on Wednesday night.
An unconventional bottom of the second inning got the Wahoos offensive day going. Jay Beshears would start things off with a walk, followed by an Ian Lewis Jr. single and a Garret Forrester walk. With the bases loaded, Columbus starter Shay Schanaman (L, 2-3) would send a wild pitch to the backstop, allowing Beshears to score. Moments later, Schanaman would balk bringing home Lewis Jr. to make it 2-0 and advancing Forrester to third base. Gage Miller would bloop an RBI single into center soon after, bringing the score to 3-0. A 2-out Brendan Jones single would advance Miller to second and bring Cristian Hernández to the plate. Hernández would send a single into left field, scoring Miller and extending the Pensacola lead to 4-0.
The runs kept coming in the third, when Dillon Lewis would hit his team leading 10th home run of the season. Lewis is the first Wahoo in team history to hit 10 homers before the end of May. Jay Beshears would follow with his second walk of the game and eventually come around to score on a Garret Forrester run-scoring double to make the score 6-0.
Pensacola starter Alex Williams (W, 1-4) would work his best outing of the year, pitching his first 5.0 innings with nobody scoring. He would blink in the sixth when he’d hit Ambrioris Tavarez with a pitch and then immediately allow a 2-run home run to Patrick Clohisy, cutting the lead to 6-2. But Williams would maintain his composure and go on to retire the next 3 hitters to complete 6.0 innings and a quality start for his first time in 2026.
The Clingstones would continue to battle back, scoring on an RBI single from Tavarez off of Livan Reinoso in the 7th and a Jordan Groshans RBI triple off of Kade Bragg (H, 3) in the 8th to cut the lead to 6-4. Nigel Belgrave (S, 4) would come on for the save in the ninth, and Columbus would not make things easy for him. A leadoff walk to Cal Conley would come around to score on a 1-out single from Ambioris Tavarez. After a single and stolen base from Patrick Clohisy, the Clingstones had men on second and third trailing 6-5 with Lizandro Espinoza at the plate. He would proceed to rip a line drive right at the third baseman Ian Lewis Jr. who would make the catch and step on third to double off the runner and seal the victory.
With the win, the Wahoos would move to 21-20, bringing their record above .500 for the first time all season and keeping themselves in the hunt for the southern division crown.
The Blue Wahoos continue their series against the Clingstones on Thursday.
written by Charlie Hobert
Boil Water Notice Lifted For Brookhaven Subdivision
May 20, 2026
UPDATE: THIS BOIL WATER NOTICE WAS LIFTED ON FRIDAY AFTERNOON, MAY 22.
Farm Hill Utilities has issued a precautionary boil water notice for the Brookhaven Subdivision.
This notice was issued due to a loss of water pressure.
Precautionary boil water notices are issued as a part of the standard protocol following any loss of water pressure, whether as a result of planned maintenance activities or unscheduled repairs.
Residents located in the specified area are advised that all water 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 story will be updated when the boil water notice is lifted.
Century Approves Updated Ask For $1.2 Million To Rehab Or Rebuild Seven Homes
May 20, 2026
The Century Town Council on Tuesday approved an updated resolution seeking $1.2 million in housing grant funds.
The vote was a formality following a workshop meeting last week during which the council directed grant consultant Robin Phillips to submit an application requesting $1.2 million to rehabilitate or replace seven homes. The body had previously approved a $1 million application to the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program.
The town will agree, if the grant is awarded, to use the $1.2 million to rehabilitate or replace seven homes. In actuality, the town will strive to include more homes within the budget. If construction costs for the first seven homes come in under budget, the town can always “pull” additional applicants from their waiting list to help more families.
Current estimates for a full demolition and reconstruction are closer to $140,000 to $150,000 per unit. Additionally, the grant must cover significant “soft costs,” including $180,000 for administrative and inspection fees and roughly $30,000 for temporary relocation of residents during construction.
In 2018, the town received a similar $700,000 CDBG grant for up to 10 families. That followed $1.3 million tornado recovery housing grants in 2016.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Mooove Over: Heifer Hit By Vehicle Near Jay Corralled By SRSO, FHP
May 20, 2026
A loose heifer near Jay was struck by a vehicle while wandering in the area of Highway 87 and Neal Kennington Road.
The bovine was unfortunately struck by a vehicle during her evening stroll, but authorities report she luckily suffered only minor injuries.
To keep the cow from darting back into the roadway, Deputy Jackson of the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office stepped in and secured her to his patrol truck. With assistance from the remaining SRSO shift deputies and the Florida Highway Patrol, the heifer was safely loaded into a trailer and reunited with her owner.
The SRSO took the opportunity to remind drivers to stay alert for livestock and wildlife on rural roadways, especially during nighttime hours when animals can appear suddenly.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview Lady Chiefs Fall In Extra-Inning State Semifinal To Liberty County
May 20, 2026
The Northview Lady Chiefs hope of a softball state championship ended on Tuesday afternoon with an extra-inning Rural Division 10-8 semifinal loss to Liberty County.
The Bulldogs and Chiefs were tied at six headed into the seventh before LCHS took the eighth.
Peyton Womack led the Lady Chiefs at bat, going 3-5, and Riley Brooks went 2-4. Northview had one hit each from Kylee Langham, Daviona Rudolph, Addysen Bolen, Mikayla McAnally, and Aubrey Hadley.
Northview finished the season at 20-6.
Photos Gallery: Northview Beats Jay For Regional Title
Photo Gallery: Northview Beats Jay for District Title
Liberty County will play Trenton for the state championship on Wednesday.
It was the second-ever trip to the Final Four for the Lady Chiefs, falling to Trenton last season in the state final.
Two starters, Womack and Brooks, will graduate next week, but much of the team will return next season, looking for redemption and a third chance in the Final Four.
NorthEscambia.com photo/graphic, click to enlarge.
MILO, The Mobile ID And Licensing Office, Rescheduled For Next Week In Century
May 20, 2026
The Escambia County Tax Collector’s Mobile Identification and Licensing Office (MILO) was set to be in Century this Thursday, but the event has been rescheduled for next Wednesday, May 27, from 9:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. at the Billy G. Ward Courthouse.
MILO offers a convenient way for residents to access essential tax collector services, such as driver’s license renewals, identification cards, vehicle services, tax payments and business tax receipts.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
FDLE Arrests Escambia Man For Child Porn, Bestiality Images
May 20, 2026
he Florida Department of Law Enforcement has arrested an Escambia County man for possession of child sexual abuse materials and bestiality.
Chandler Joseph Baker, 30, was charged with a total of 24 counts of possession of child sexual abuse materials, 13 counts of possession of bestiality, one count of possession of marijuana over 30 grams, and one count of unlawful use of a two-way communication device.
The investigation began when agents received a cybertip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), reporting that an unknown user uploaded numerous files containing images depicting the sexual abuse of children. Agents traced the associated IP address to Baker’s residence on Village Lane.
On May 7, agents conducted a residential search warrant at Baker’s address and seized multiple electronic devices for forensic review. FDLE said initial review at the scene found one video file of child sexual abuse material, and three image files of bestiality. Additionally, 43 grams of marijuana and 2 grams of THC wax were found on the property.
Baker was arrested and booked in the Escambia County Jail on a $50,000 bond, then released on Saturday, May 9.
Further forensic review of the devices revealed multiple files of child sexual abuse materials and bestiality that were uploaded to the user account.
On May 14, agents conducted a second arrest warrant for Baker. He was arrested without incident and transported to the Okaloosa County Jail on no bond.
The Office of Agriculture Law Enforcement and Homeland Security Investigations assisted with the initial search warrant. The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Marshals Service assisted with the second warrant.
Baker remains in the Okaloosa County Jail without bond.
WFHS Jag John Hatch Signs With Baptist University Of Florida
May 20, 2026
West Florida High School’s John Hatch of Molino signed on Tuesday to continue his academic and baseball career with the Baptist University of Florida.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Pensacola Airport Receives $9 Million Grant To Fund Terminal Modernization
May 20, 2026
Pensacola International Airport has been awarded a $9 million grant through the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Airport Terminal Program (ATP).
The award was announced by the U.S. Department of Transportation and Federal Aviation Administration as part of the fifth and final round of the ATPm to modernize infrastructure, improve accessibility, and strengthen the passenger experience at airports across the country.
The grant will support the continued expansion and modernization of Pensacola International Airport’s terminal facilities, specifically funding the expansion of the airport’s Transportation Security Administration (TSA) security checkpoint.
The project will add approximately 8,400 square feet of new space, expand the checkpoint to six screening lanes, improve passenger queuing areas, construct additional restrooms, and modernize critical baggage handling infrastructure to enhance the family travel experience.
“This investment is transformational for Pensacola International Airport and for the future of air travel in our region,” said Matt Coughlin, the airport’s Executive Director. “Our community continues to experience tremendous growth, and this funding allows us to accelerate critical infrastructure improvements that will enhance the passenger experience, improve operational efficiency, and position PNS for the next generation of growth. We’re incredibly grateful to the FAA and our congressional delegation for their continued support of our region’s infrastructure.”
The checkpoint expansion project is a key component of PNS’s larger Terminal Expansion and Modernization Program, which ultimately will deliver expanded passenger capacity, improved amenities, enhanced accessibility features, upgraded infrastructure, and future gate expansion opportunities to support continued air service development.
Pensacola Mayor D.C. Reeves said news of the grant award is a testament to the dedication of the Airport team and to partners at the federal level who advocated for our community.
“This grant program is the best opportunity to have less burden on bonds and on the airport passengers,” Reeves said. “Receiving these grant dollars ultimately helps keep costs low, and that’s what’s made Pensacola so competitive. The fact that we are able to get this funding does have a bottom-line impact to the users of our airport. We’re very grateful to everybody involved.”
U.S. Rep Jimmy Patronis, who is a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, praised the grant as an investment in a vital economic asset in Northwest Florida.
“When we invest in transportation infrastructure, we support jobs, strengthen our economy, and create opportunities for growth,” Patronis said. “I’m proud to help bring this $9 million investment home to Pensacola.”
Construction on the checkpoint is planned to begin at the end of 2026.
