Northview Lifter Maggie Stewart Earns Top-Five State Finish; Ninth in Olympic
February 14, 2026
At the FHSAA 1A Girls Weightlifting Championship on Friday, Northview High School senior Maggie Stewart won the fifth place medal in the state in the Traditional division, and she finished ninth in the state for Olympic, on Friday in Lakeland.
In Traditional, which is a combination of clean and jerk and bench, she totaled 215 pounds. In Olympic, which is a combination of snatch and clean and jerk, she totaled 190 pounds.
Stewart placed fourth overall in both categories at Regionals in North Bay Haven.
At 94 pounds, she lifts in the 101 pound weight class.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Bratt Elementary Celebrates Valentine’s Day With Flowers For Teachers, Activities
February 14, 2026
Bratt Elementary School held a couple of events to celebrate Valentine’s Day this week.
On Friday, Pre-K hosted a special fun activity with parents.
For a photo gallery, click here.
And the Bratt Elementary School PTA supplied fresh flowers for students to present to their teachers.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
FBI Warns Of Romance Scams, North Floridians Lost $22.5 Million Last Year
February 14, 2026
February is a time when people think about love and connection. Unfortunately, not everyone who seems to be looking for love has good intentions. FBI Jacksonville (with a district that includes Escambia County) wants to make sure you are aware of perpetrators posing as perfect partners to exploit your heart and wallet.
In 2025, more than 550 victims from Jacksonville to Daytona, Gainesville, Tallahassee and the Panhandle reported losing $22.2 million in romance scams. Last year, confidence and romance fraud complaints and losses nationwide exceeded those recorded in the 2024 Internet Crime Complaint Center Annual report, showing it continues to be a growing problem, not just in February, but year round. It’s likely that many more losses went unreported.
Romance scammers use sophisticated and well-rehearsed tactics to trap unsuspecting individuals. Some create fake profiles on dating sites, apps, chat rooms, and other social media sites and send messages to establish romantic connections with their targets. Once contact has been established, romance scammers shower their targets with attention and romantic affection—even as they avoid meeting in person by claiming overseas work, travel, or family responsibilities. They may also ask for money to purchase plane fares to come visit, to cover unexpected and urgent work expenses, or to assist with medical emergencies. Romance scammers may introduce their targets to lucrative but secretive investment opportunities, soliciting them to send significant funds but forbidding them from talking to friends and family about the investment.
We see them increasingly create fake profiles on dating sites and apps or contact their targets through popular social media sites. They’re exploiting generative AI to commit fraud on a larger scale, which increases the believability of their schemes. They use generative AI tools to assist with language translations to limit grammatical or spelling errors for foreign criminal actors targeting U.S. victims. They also produce photos to share with victims in private communications to convince victims they are speaking to a real person.
If you develop a romantic relationship with someone you meet online, the FBI says consider thwww.e following:
Research photos and profiles in other online search tools and ask questions.
- Do not share sensitive personal information, such as social security numbers, home addresses, or financial account information.
- Never send money, gift cards, or cryptocurrency to someone you have never met in person.
- Do not allow attempts to isolate you from family and friends.
- Be wary of tragic stories designed to elicit your compassion and assistance. Romance scammers often share tales of severe life circumstances, family deaths, injuries, or other hardships to explain why they cannot meet in person and require financial assistance.
- If you are planning to meet someone in person you have met online, meet in a public place and let someone know where you will be and what time you should return home.
- If you are traveling to a foreign country to meet someone check the State Department’s Travel Advisories beforehand (http://travel.state.gov/), provide your itinerary to family and friends, and do not travel alone if possible.
Victims may be hesitant to report being taken advantage of due to embarrassment, shame or humiliation. The FBI said it’s important to remember, romance scams can happen to anyone at any time.
If you suspect an online relationship is a scam, stop all contact immediately and file a complaint with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov. You can report scams even if you haven’t lost money. If you are a victim who has already sent money, immediately report the incident to your financial institution.
Northview Baseball Splits Friday The 13th Games With Milton
February 14, 2026
Friday the 13th was perhaps a little bad luck for the Northview Chiefs varsity as they lost to Milton, but luckier for the Northview JV as they earned a big win over the Panthers.
Milton 5, Northview 3
The varsity Northview Chiefs lost to Milton 5-3 on Friday night in Milton.
Jackson Bridges took the loss for Northview, going two and one-third innings while surrendering four runs (two earned) on one hit, walking one and striking out two. Jase Portwood took the mound for three and two-thirds innings in relief, allowing three hits and a run (none earned) as he struck out seven and walked just one.
Bridges had two RBIs for the Chiefs, going 1-4 on the night. Luke Chavers, Dane King and Grayden Sheffield also contributed one hit each.
Next week will be busy in Bratt for the Chiefs; Northview will host Walton on Monday, Freeport on Tuesday, and Escambia on Friday.
Northview 15, Milton 1 (JV)
Tyler McAnally struck out 10 for the Northview Junior Varsity Chiefs in a 15-1 win over Milton on Friday. He gave up five hits and one run in five innings with no walks.
The JV Chiefs took a nine-run lead in the first inning and never looked back.
Greyson Hubbard went 3-3 to lead Northview at bat. McAnally and Karson Miller each had three RBIs. Sawyer Gilmore and Brentley Guy each added multiple hits for NHS, while Bryce Gigier recorded two of Northview’s six walks.
Retired Educators Gift Valentine’s Roses For Assisted Living Residents
February 14, 2026
The Escambia Retired Educators Association (EREA) donates roses each year to the residents of assisted living facilities in the area.
Pictured, EREA member Craig Exner, presented 50 roses to Sheila Allen, activities director at the Shelton Manor on Pensacola Boulevard. The roses will be distributed to residents and staff members for Valentine’s Day.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Baseball: Tate Varsity And JV Fall To Pace
February 14, 2026
The Tate varsity and junior varsity Aggies fell to the Pace Patriots on Friday, February 13, at Tate.
Pace 11, Tate 4
The Tate Aggies fell 11-4 to the Pace Patriots Friday night at Tate.
Bryton McLellan pitched four innings of relief ball for the Aggies. He allowed one hit and one run (zero earned), striking out five and walking none. Nathan Connors took the loss for the Tate Varsity Aggies. He pitched for one inning, surrendering eight runs (seven earned) on four hits, walking two and striking out one. Logan Kimmons pitched two, allowing two hits, two runs, walking one and striking out zero.
Hunter Clayton, Kannon Ham, Cooper Halfacre, Evan Taylor, Kaden Posta, and Brody White each had one hit for the Aggies. Ham led with two RBIs, going 1-2 on the night.
Up next, the Aggies will host West Florida on Wednesday, February 18.
Pace 8, Tate 4 (JV)
The Tate Aggies JV took the lead in the bottom of the first against Pace but fell 8-4 on Friday to the Pace Patriots JV.
The early lead for the Aggies came on a two-run Jordan Edmond double, a one-run single from Caileb Javier**,** and a run on an error.
Edmond led the Tate JV with two RBIs, going 1-2. Javier, Edmond**,** and Mason Bryant had one hit each.
Hunter Taylor opened on the mound for Tate, giving up two hits and four runs in one and one-third innings while striking out none and walking four.
Tate High Aggies Boys Tennis Improves To 3-1
February 14, 2026
The Tate High Boys Tennis team picked up a couple of big wins recently.
Last week, Tate High Boys Tennis earned a 6-1 win over West Florida High. Walker Culver provided the spark with hard-fought singles and doubles wins.
This past Thursday, Tate Boys Tennis improved to 3-1 with a 7-0 win over the Escambia Gators.
Up next, the Tate Aggies will host the Washington Wildcats on Tuesday.
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Cantonment Veteran, Age 109, Recognized On U.S. Senate Floor
February 13, 2026
Cantonment veteran Duane Brewton, who turned 109 last week, was recognized during the Thursday afternoon session of the U.S. Senate.
Florida Senator Ashley Moody today recognized Florida’s oldest living World War II veteran with a special address on the Senate floor that will be memorialized in the Congressional Record.
From 1944 to 1945, Mr. Brewton served as a private in the U.S. Army, stationed in Vire, France, where he was wounded in the line of duty and later returned home. Brewton received a Purple Heart for his service.
As we reported last week, Brewton celebrated his birthday with friends, family and well-wishers at the Sodalis Senior Living Facility. Brewton has told facility staff that the secret to a long life is putting God first and taking care of your health.
“He is a proud member of what history rightly calls the Greatest Generation,” Moody said on the Senate floor. “Ordinary Americans who answered the call, did extraordinary things and helped save the world. They did not do it for recognition. They did not ask for praise. They simply did their duty. Honoring their service while they are still with us is both a privilege and a responsibility. When this country called, when his country called, Duane Brewton answered.”
“Through his life, he set a shining example before his children, his family, all who knew him and to us of what it means to honor God and country. May we all strive to live with the same humility, discipline, and integrity that he has shown for more than a century—109 years to be exact.”
“I congratulate Mr. Duane Brewton on his 109th birthday, thank him for his extraordinary service, and wish him another joyous year, surrounded in faith, family, and the enduring appreciation of a nation forever indebted to him,” Moody added.
He was married for 78 years and has four children and a multitude of grandchildren.
NorthEscambia.com photos (below) by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
NW Florida District Issues ‘Water Shortage Warning’; Local Utilities Say Water Supply Is Stable
February 13, 2026
The Northwest Florida Water Management District (NWFWMD) issued a “Water Shortage Warning Order” on Thursday, February 12, 2026, asking for all water users across the district to conserve water as the area remains under drought conditions.
The NWFWMD covers the area from the Perdido River in Escambia County to the St. Marks River Basin east of Tallahassee in Jefferson County, protecting and managing water resources in the 16-county region. While the North Escambia area is in a moderate drought, conditions are much worse across the water district, with a severe drought, and even an extreme drought in much of the Tallahassee area.
While water supplies are currently meeting demand, the Water Shortage Warning is intended to encourage conservation, reduce drought impacts, and protect water resources. Users are encouraged to conserve water where practicable and to limit landscape irrigation to early morning or evening hours when possible. Activities necessary for fire protection are not affected, and any existing local mandatory water restrictions remain in effect.
Locally, utilities say there are no water shortages, but conservation is still a good idea.
“We are not seeing any effects from dry weather within our system. Additionally, this time of year typically brings the lowest water demand,” Maria Del Aguila of ECUA said. “That said, potable water is always a valuable resource that should be managed wisely and not wasted.” ECUA offers a list of 25 water conservation tips on their website.
Vernon Prather with Molino Utilities stated they were not experiencing any water shortages, but “we are a willing partner with their (NWFWMD) guidance.”
“We are not experiencing any shortages, but encourage everyone to follow the order,” said Ryan Campbell, CEO of Escambia River Electric Cooperative, which operates the Walnut Hill and Bratt Davisville water systems in Escambia County.
“We are not experiencing any issues here,” Century Town Administrator Dave Murzin said. “But there are ways to conserve.”
Murzin said Century is also working daily to repair leaks in its decades-old system in an additional conservation effort.
The NWFWMD water shortage warning order will remain in place until rescinded by the governing board.
The water shortage warning encourages all users to reduce water use and to conserve water to the maximum extent possible. The district recommends that all landscape irrigation users limit irrigation to the low evaporation periods of the evening and early morning hours.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Michigan Man Confirmed As New Pensacola Police Chief
February 13, 2026
Thursday, the Pensacola City Council officially confirmed Eric Winstrom as the new chief of the Pensacola Police Department. The vote was unanimous.
Winstrom, who has been the chief in Grand Rapids, Michigan, will start with PPD on March 2. He was selected by Mayor D.C. Reeves after a nationwide search.
“Choosing the right person to lead our police department is perhaps the most important decision I will make as your mayor,” Reeves said recently. “My focus was on finding the person who is the right fit for our community with the ability to lead PPD into the future. After much consideration and feedback from the community throughout this selection process, I look forward to working with Chief Winstrom to help write PPD’s next chapter.”
Kristin Brown, who has been serving as PPD’s Acting Chief, will serve as the Deputy Chief during the transition.
In 2022, Winstrom was named the Chief in Grand Rapids, Michigan’s second-largest city
“Trust is a key component not only of leadership within a police department but also between the department and the community it serves,” Winstrom said. “I’m well aware that trust is earned and there are no shortcuts in earning it. I am eager to get to work with the team already in place at PPD.
“Pensacola’s looking to strive to thrive in an ethical way, and in a way that lifts everyone up. Policing is an integral part of that effort. Everyone wants to be on a winning team. Pensacola is a winning team, and I am looking forward to being part of that.”
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.