Softball District Tournament Schedules Announced
April 24, 2026
Softball district tournament pairings were announced on Thursday, with Northview and Jay earning byes in the first round and Tate set to take on the top team in the district.
Rural District 1
In the Rural District 1 quarterfinals on Monday, Northview and Jay will each have a bye in the tournament.
On Tuesday, April 28 at 5 p.m. No. 1 Northview will play the winner of Monday’s Central and Baker game, while at 7 p.m. No. 2 Jay will play the winner of Monday’s Paxton and Laurel Hill game. The district championship will be Thursday, April 30.
All games will be played at Jay.
Region 1-6A
In the 6A District 1 semifinals, the No. 4 Tate Aggies (10-13, 1-4) will travel to No. 1 Pace (20-4, 4-0) next Tuesday, April 28 at 6:30 p.m.
Simultaneously, No. 3 Crestview (18-7, 2-3) will travel to No. 2 Navarre (13-9, 3-3).
The district championship will be Thursday, April 30 at the higher seed.
Pictured: The Tate Lay Aggies score back-to-back runs on Wednesday night in their win over Choctaw. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Wahoos Split Twin Bill With Biscuits In Montgomery
April 24, 2026
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos split their doubleheader against the Montgomery Biscuits on Thursday night, winning game one by a score of 8-7 and falling in game two by a 4-2 final.
In game one, the Blue Wahoos overcame an early deficit and withstood a late Montgomery charge to win their first game in five tries against the Biscuits this season. Austin Overn opened the scoring for the Biscuits with a safety squeeze bunt in the bottom of the third inning, but the Blue Wahoos exploded in a four-run fourth. Ryan Ignoffo hit a solo homer to tie the game, Payton Green smoked a two-run double, and Dylan Jasso added a sacrifice fly for a 4-1 lead.
The Biscuits wasted no time answering back against Pensacola starter Orlando Ortiz-Mayr, as Xavier Isaac hit a solo homer and Mac Horvath tacked on an RBI single before Gregory Barrios scored on a wild pitch to tie the game 4-4.
The Blue Wahoos took the lead for good against reliever Jackson Lancaster (L, 0-1) in the fifth, as Dillon Lewis brought home a run on a double play grounder and Cristian Hernández blasted a double, his second of the game, to score Michael Snyder from first base and put Pensacola ahead 6-4. They added two more in the sixth on a Gage Miller sacrifice fly and Brendan Jones solo homer for an 8-4 advantage.
Justin King (W, 1-0) worked 2.0 innings of effective relief, and Logan Whitaker (S, 1) survived an anxious bottom of the seventh to earn his first save. After loading the bases with nobody out, the righty worked around a bases-loaded walk to Isaac and an RBI groundout from Brayden Taylor to strike out Barrios, ending the game with the tying run at third and the winning run at second.
In game two, the Blue Wahoos played as the home team to make up a postponement in Pensacola from the opening weekend of the season. Montgomery’s Ryan Spikes and Pensacola’s Garret Forrester traded solo homers in the third inning for an early 1-1 tie game.
Emaarion Boyd put the Blue Wahoos ahead 2-1 in the bottom of the fifth with a sacrifice fly against Kyle Whitten (W, 2-0), but the Biscuits rallied back in the top of the sixth against Stephen Jones (L, 1-1). With two outs, Kenny Piper hit a game-tying RBI single before Barrios dropped a bloop double down the left field line, taking the lead when Boyd’s return throw deflected into foul territory. Horvath capped the rally with an RBI triple for a 4-2 Montgomery lead.
Pensacola threatened in the bottom of the seventh against Owen Wild (S, 2), as Green doubled and Forrester walked, before Boyd and Ian Lewis Jr. flied out to end the game.
The Blue Wahoos continue their series against the Biscuits on Friday.
written by Erik Bremer
Highland Baptist Jambalaya Fundraiser and Bake Auction Is Saturday In Molino
April 24, 2026
Highland Baptist Church will host a jambalaya fundraiser and bake auction this Saturday, April 25, from 5:- 7 p.m. to benefit Operation Christmas Child.
Plates are $10 and include jambalaya, rice, cornbread, dessert, and a drink. Meals will be available to eat on the lawn at the church or as take-out plates. The event will also feature a bake auction, with all proceeds going toward bringing Christmas presents and the gospel to children worldwide through the Samaritan’s Purse project.
Tickets are available by calling the church office at 850-587-5174. Highland Baptist Church is located at 6240 Highway 95A North in Molino.
Century Borrowing $7 Million For Water System, But Will Only Pay Back $700K
April 23, 2026
The Town of Century will borrow just over $7.06 million for drinking water projects, but they will never be required to pay back most of the loan.
Total project costs come in at nearly $8.95 million, and the town has received over $1.88 million in grants, leaving a total loan balance of just over $7.06 million.
Due to Century’s state economic designation by FloridaCommerce as a Rural Community, Century will receive 90% principal forgiveness, requiring total payments of about $706,000 on the State Revolving Fund loan.
With principal forgiveness and grants, the $8.95 million in drinking water system improvements will only cost the town approximately $706,000 over time.
A vote by the town council this week authorizes Mayor Ben Boutwell to execute the loan paperwork.
The drinking water system improvements include:
Well Improvement Projects
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Well No. 1 Improvements Constructed in 1963, this facility has not seen significant upgrades since its original build. The planned rehabilitation focuses on modernizing the wellhouse structure, replacing the electrical system, piping, and treatment equipment, and installing a SCADA system to improve overall reliability.
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Well No. 2 Improvements Built in 1983, Well No. 2 requires similar structural and technical modernization. While the town is currently using a Legislative Appropriation and a Pilot grant for specific needs like lime equipment and electrical work, they intend to use SRF funding to supplement these grants as bid pricing dictates.
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Well No. 3 Improvements This well, which exclusively serves the Century Correctional Institute, has been out of service since failing in 2023. The project involves drilling a new well and rehabilitating the existing structure and equipment to ensure the 1,350 inmates have a reliable primary water source.
System-Wide Infrastructure Projects
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Tedder Road Booster Pump Station Intended as a backup for the prison, the existing station failed in late 2023 and the current replacement is undersized. The town proposes installing a new, sufficiently sized duplex skid-mounted system equipped with SCADA to properly coordinate operations with Well No. 3.
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Water Service Renewals The town’s system is plagued by significant water loss due to old copper, galvanized, and polybutylene service lines that frequently leak. This project aims to replace these aged services throughout the entire system with new tubing and modern connections to the water mains.
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Utility Billing Software Century’s current billing software is obsolete and unable to track water production or reconcile non-revenue water. Replacing this system is considered critical for meeting SRF program goals, enhancing fiscal accountability, and improving asset management reporting.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Prom Promise Demonstration Shows High Schoolers The Reality Of Drunk Driving
April 23, 2026
A realistic DUI crash demonstration involving students gave Flomaton High School students a dose of reality on Wednesday morning.
One student, the DUI driver, was arrested. Two were transported to the hospital — one by helicopter in critical condition and one by ambulance.
One student did not survive. A mother screamed in agony.
The demonstration was all part of the school’s Prom Promise program, encouraging the students to not drink and drive.
Multiple agencies took part in the student demonstration Wednesday, including the Flomaton Fire Department, Flomaton Police Department, Century Station of Escambia County (FL) Fire Rescue, Newman’s Ambulance, MedStar Aircare 2, Brewton Fire Department, Williams Funeral Home, and others.
Photos by Katie Fowler and others for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Hands-On Earth Day: Local Students Tackle Environmental Issues
April 23, 2026
Wednesday, students across North Escambia were busy on taking part in Earth Day hands-on projects designed to protect the environment.
At Jim Allen Elementary School, Ms. Cole’s class worked hard to keep the school — and the planet– clean.
At Tate High School, Stephanie Gzybowski’s class brought learning to life with a hands-on oil spill simulation. Students explored real-world environmental challenges by using floating oil booms, skimmers, absorbents, and dispersants to clean up a simulated spill.
For more photos, click to enlarge.
The activity gave students the opportunity to think critically, problem solve, and better understand how science is used to protect our oceans and environment.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Motorcyclist Killed In I- 10 Crash Near Highway 29 Exit
April 23, 2026
A motorcyclist was killed in a crash on Wednesday afternoon on I-10 in Escambia County.
The crash happened about 5 p.m. on I-10 Westbound at the Highway 29 exit. The Florida Highway Patrol said a Hyundai Tucson driven by a 25-year-old Daphne, Alabama, man was traveling west in the lane next to the motorcyclist.
“For reasons unknown and currently under investigation the Hyundai Tucson left its travel lane and struck the motorcycle and caused the motorcycle to leave the roadway and collide with a guardrail,” FHP said.
The motorcyclist, a 33-year-old Pensacola man, was pronounced deceased at the scene.
File photo.
Forest Service Arbor Day Tree Giveaway Is Friday In Century
April 23, 2026
The Town of Century will host a National Arbor Day tree giveaway by the Florida Forest Service on Friday morning.
Tree species available will include mayhaw, redbud, sycamore, and sweetbay.
The event will begin at 9 a.m. and continue while the supply lasts at the Century Community Center (Ag Building) on West Highway 4 at Industrial Boulevard.
strong>Pictured: A 2055 tree giveaway in Century. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Wyatt Caps 31-Year Tate Career With Regular Season Finale Win Over Choctaw
April 23, 2026
Tate High School head softball coach Melinda Wyatt ended her last softball regular season Wednesday night with an 11-8 Aggie win over Choctawhatchee.
Wyatt is retiring this season after 31 years at Tate, where she is 487-212 as a varsity and JV coach. [Read more: Aggies Honor Retiring Head Coach Melinda Wyatt]
The Lady Aggies had a bit of surprise for Wednesday night — the team and staff all wore t-shirts with her likeness and the words “Weight Room!!” on the back, and they wore temporary face tattoos of Wyatt’s face.
Taylor Robinson went 3-4 for the Aggies with a double in the sixth and singles in the first and third innings. Madison Smillie led the Aggies, going 4-5. Brelynn Morris, Kaylie Mitchell, Emorie Nelson, and Ke’Anna Smith each had multiple hits.
Middleton earned the win for the Aggies in the circle, surrendering five hits and five unearned runs in two and two-thirds innings while striking out two and walking one. Kaylyn Relstab collected the save in four and one-third innings, allowing four hits and three unearned runs while striking out three.
Tate finished the regular season at 10-13 overall, 1-4 in the district.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Northview’s Dane King Signs With Coastal Alabama
April 23, 2026
Northview High School senior Dane King signed on Wednesday afternoon to play baseball at Coastal Alabama Community College in Brewton.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
