Northview Golfer Luke Godwin Celebrates His 18th Birthday With A College Signing
November 14, 2025
Thursday was a double big day for Northview High School golfer Luke Godwin.
He signed with Coastal Alabama Community College, and it was his 18th birthday.
Godwin had eight total wins during the 2025 season.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Man Pleads Guilty To Federal Charges For Attempting To Kill Sheriff’s Deputy
November 14, 2025
An Escambia County man has pleaded guilty to trying to kill a sheriff’s deputy late last year.
Darrion K. Finley, 21, entered the plea on federal charges of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, attempting to kill an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputy to prevent certain communications, and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.
According to court records, Finley was driving a stolen vehicle on December 17. 2024. When the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office attempted to conduct a traffic stop, Finley accelerated and law enforcement began its vehicle pursuit.
He was eventually stopped when a deputy conducted a PIT maneuver on the stolen vehicle. As Finley and his vehicle were being stopped, he fired a 9 millimeter round into the deputy’s vehicle.
Finley then attempted to escape on foot, with his Glock 9 millimeter pistol and loaded extended magazine still in hand. The deputy released his K-9 partner, who took Finley to the ground. Finley, still armed, then tried to run but was shot by the deputy. Finley survived his wounds and was later indicted by a federal grand jury for his crimes.
He is set to be sentenced on January 13. 2026.
The case is being jointly investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office; the State Attorney’s Office; and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
Ernest Ward Eagles Split Games With The Neal Eagles
November 14, 2025
The Ernest Ward Middle School Eagles hosted the Eagles of W.S. Neal Thursday night in Walnut Hill.
The EWMS boys earned a win, while the girls fell.
Ernest Ward will close out their season on November 20 at Brewton Middle School.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Continuance Granted In Federal Trial For Walnut Hill Man With Alleged Manifesto, Killing Spree Target List
November 13, 2025
A continuance was granted this week in federal court for a Walnut Hill man who accidentally shot himself near Walnut Hill in July.
Joshua Dean Hardy, 26, was indicted in federal court for two counts of unlawful possession of firearm under the National Firearms Act (NFA), namely two unregistered and unserialized silencers and a destructive device, and one count of possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number. Local charges against Hardy were dropped after the federal charges were filed.
He was set for trial on Monday at the federal courthouse in Pensacola, but a motion to continue was granted. Hardy is now set for trial on December 15.
Hardy’s attorney, Randall Lockhart, requested the continuance to “review and finalize plea documentation with Mr. Hardy”, according to court documents.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Zachary C. Bolitho ordered Hardy held without bond until trial because there are “no conditions of release that would reasonably assure the safety of any other person and the community.” He remains in the Santa Rosa County Jail.
Federal court documents state that investigators found documents including a multipage document titled ‘Manifesto’ on his laptop.
“This is it, this is my final words of this whole ordeal,” is how the document begins, according to the U.S. Department of Justice, along with a list of names, some of which are names of known family members.
The document then says “All of these [expletive] pukes seek to destroy my ass in my prime then i’ll give them what they want, it isn’t the so called hidden names like they want but a tombstone like i told them**”**, according to investigators.
“Later in the document, it goes on to explain that he is going to begin his killing spree and identifies the ‘targets’,” court records state.
He had been charged locally with three counts of making and/or possession of a destructive device, use of a firearm during a felony, and possession of a firearm with the serial number removed.
Hardy accidentally shot himself shortly after 3 a.m. on July 23 while walking in the woods on family property at 5000 Sandy Hollow Road, just off West Highway 4. His grandmother told deputies that she received a call about 3:15 a.m. from Hardy**, stating he** had tripped while walking on their property with his rifle and he had shot himself in the leg. She picked him up and drove him to Atmore Community Hospital.
At the emergency room in Atmore, Hardy told deputies that he often walks their 22-acre property because he does not like people there, the report states. He said he stepped in a hole and dropped his rifle, accidentally grabbing it as it fell by the trigger and shot himself. He was adamant that he was not shooting at anyone and had no intent of harming himself.
According to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Hardy suffered a serious gunshot wound that shattered his tibia and fibula and nearly took his left big toe.
New Traffic Center Will Manage 380 Signalized Intersections In Escambia, Santa Rosa
November 13, 2025
A groundbreaking was held on Wednesday in Escambia County for a new Regional Traffic Management Center (RTMC) that will serve the Florida–Alabama TPO region.
The new center will enhance regional safety and reliability by enabling real-time traffic management, faster incident detection, coordinated responses with law enforcement and emergency services, and on-the-fly signal timing optimization across more than 380 signalized intersections in the Escambia and Santa Rosa County area.
For more photos, click here.
The goal is a safer, smoother, and smarter trip for the traveling public across the region.
The facility will include operator workstations and a large-scale video wall for situational awareness and traveler information, improving traffic congestion management across the roadway network in the region.
Escambia County District 5 Commissioner and TPO Chairman Steven Barry gave remarks at the event, highling the benefit of improved traffic management across the region for efficiency and safety.
Construction is expected to begin in late 2025, with operations beginning in 2026-2027. The center, located on W Street behind the Escambia County Public Safety building, will cost about $20 million, funded by the Florida Department of Transportation.
Pictured top: Escambia County District 5 Commissioner and TPO Chairman Steven Barry at the groundbreaking of a new traffic management center in Escambia County on Wednesday. Also pictured: More photos from the groundbreaking ceremony. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Man Gets 25 Years For Double Stabbing
November 13, 2025
An Escambia County man has been sentenced to prison for attempted murder of two people.
Circuit Court Judge Amy Brodersen sentenced Jacobia Ladraina Newberry to 25 years in state prison for two counts of attempted second degree murder with a weapon.
On the morning of August 3, 2024, two victims with life threatening stab wounds arrived at Baptist Hospital.
Investigators located Newberry with a cut finger, and he stated that he stabbed one victim in self-defense.
The injuries suffered by the victims were horrific, and the trauma surgeon stated both were lucky to be alive given the severity of the injuries and amount of blood loss suffered by both, according to prosecutors. One victim suffered slashes and stabs to the neck. The female victim was stabbed near the carotid artery and lost nearly 40% of her blood before going into surgery.
Based on the evidence presented at trial, the defendant’s assertion that he nearly killed one victim in self-defense was refuted. Prosecutors said the victims were not armed, and the defendant was suspected of being under the influence of drugs when he attacked both victims.
SEC Recognizes Five Escambia County Teachers
November 13, 2025
The Southeastern Conference recognized five Escambia County teachers during the championship game of the SEC Women’s Soccer Tournament at Ashton-Brosnaham Park.
- Brandi Ziglar, Lipscomb Elementary, fourth year of teaching
- Amanda Byers, McArthur Elementary, 13th year of teaching
- Jazmine Benson, Ferry Pass Elementary, 8th year of teaching
- Kenneth Atklinson, Beulah Middle School, 21st year of teaching
- Gena Keszthelyi, Longleaf Elementary, 40th year of teaching
Each teacher will receive a $500 DonorsChoose gift card to fund projects, to assist them with teaching and benefit their students.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Cottage Hill Water Works: Boil Water Notice For Williams Ditch Road
November 12, 2025
UPDATE: This boil water notice was rescinded Friday afternoon, November 14.
Cottage Hill Water Works has issued a boil water notice for 24-625 Williams Ditch Road due to a water main break.
There was a water main break at 230 Williams Ditch Road on Wednesday. Neighboring streets may experience low water pressure. Crews were working as quickly as possible to make the necessary repairs.
The utility is advising, as a precaution, that all water in the area that is 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 precautionary boil water notice will remain in effect until the problem has been corrected and a bacteriological survey shows that the water is safe to drink.
For more information, contact the utility’s office at at (850) 968-5485
This story will be updated when the boil water notice is rescinded.
Amazing Sight: Northern Lights Over North Escambia Area
November 12, 2025
North Escambia area residents were treated to a rare sight Tuesday night. The dazzling display of the aurora borealis was visible across the area, especially in more rural locations away from city lights.
The experience, commonly called the northern lights, was caused by an extreme solar storm.
For more reader submitted photo, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos from Bratt (above, by William Reynolds) and Molino (below, by Perry Doggrell),click to enlarge.
Veterans Services Outreach On Thursday In Molino
November 12, 2025
The Escambia County Veterans Services Office will hold an outreach event on Thursday, November 13 in Molino.
Veterans are invited to discuss veteran benefits with an accredited veteran service officer from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the Molino Community Center, 6450 North Highway 95A.
Assistance is provided on a first-come, first-served basis at no charge. No appointment is required.
Veterans Services Office staff members will be available to help with topics including reviewing VA benefits, filing a VA claim, and re-evaluating VA disability.
For more information, call (850) 595-2409 or email VSO@myescambia.com.