A Week Of Championship Basketball As Sunbelt Tournament Returns To Pensacola
February 11, 2026
Basketball fever returns to Pensacola as the 2026 Visit Pensacola Sun Belt Conference Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships, presented by Air Force Reserve, tip off Tuesday, March 3, at the Pensacola Bay Center. For one high-energy week, the city will host nonstop college basketball as the Sun Belt’s best teams compete for conference titles and NCAA Tournament berths.
All 14 Sun Belt Conference schools will compete in a single-elimination tournament running March 3 through March 9, with both the men’s and women’s championships held at the Pensacola Bay Center. Each game brings high stakes, as teams battle for an automatic berth to the 2026 NCAA Division I Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournaments.
“The Sun Belt Conference’s student-athletes, coaches, and fans always look forward to starting the road to March Madness in Pensacola,” said Sun Belt Conference Commissioner Keith Gill. “We are excited to once again showcase our competitive spirit and growing national profile of Sun Belt basketball in a community that continues to welcome us with open arms.”
Sun Belt Conference teams include App State, Arkansas State, Coastal Carolina, Georgia Southern, Georgia State, James Madison, Louisiana, ULM, Marshall, Old Dominion, South Alabama, Southern Miss, Texas State, and Troy.
By the end of play on Monday, March 9, one men’s team and one women’s team will emerge as conference champions, earning automatic bids to the NCAA Tournament and the opportunity to compete on college basketball’s biggest stage.
“Championship week brings an incredible level of excitement and energy to Pensacola,” said Darien Schaefer, president and CEO of Visit Pensacola. “We are proud to host the Sun Belt Conference once again and invite fans to experience great basketball alongside our beaches, downtown attractions, and outstanding local restaurants.”
Beyond the games, fans can take part in several free, family-friendly events throughout the week:
- Sun Belt Fan Fest: Join us outside the Bay Center on Saturday, March 7, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for a free family-friendly celebration featuring a DJ, spirit teams, bands, games, and food and drinks. Early arrivals can even snap photos with the Championship Trophy inside the Bay Center Arena.
- 2026 Sun Belt Dribble Drive: On Saturday, March 7, at 2 p.m., kids ages 3-12 can participate in this free event at the Bay Center. Children are encouraged to dribble around the venue and receive a free t-shirt, basketball, and two tickets to the Women’s quarterfinal game at 2:30 p.m. Registration is required as spots are limited to 650 participants!
The full schedule of Sun Belt Basketball Championship games, entertainment and events can be found at visitpensacola.com/sunbelt.
All Games, One Ticket, Plus a Free Tournament Cooler
Now through February 15, fans can purchase an All-Session Ticket Book for the 2026 Sun Belt Basketball Championships and receive one free official tournament cooler with each ticket book purchased. The offer includes access to every men’s and women’s game. Instructions for picking up your cooler voucher will be provided with purchase so you can redeem it at the merchandise stand during the tournament, March 3–9. More info: https://www.visitpensacola.com/sunbelt/sun-belt-january-cooler-promo/
Tickets are available online here at Ticketmaster. Group tickets start at $5 per person.
Missing, Endangered Runaway Teen Last Seen Off Beulah Road Has Been Located
February 10, 2026
UPDATE: Jada Coleman has been located.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is looking for a missing/endangered juvenile last seen on Tuesday off Beulah Road.
Jada Sade Coleman, 15, was last seen in the 3900 block of Whitetail Lane. She was wearing a grey sweatshirt, grey sweatpants, and brown “New Balance” sneakers. She has brown eyes, black hair styled in “puffs”, is 5’4” tall, and weighs 120 pounds.
If you have any information on her whereabouts, call the ECSO at (850) 436-9620.
Photo courtesy ECSO for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Fire Destroys Multiple Sheds And Vehicles In Cottage Hill, Kills Several Chickens
February 10, 2026
An early morning multi-structure fire in Cottage Hill on Tuesday destroyed sheds, vehicles and claimed the lives of several chickens.
The fire was reported about 1:05 a.m. in the 2300 block of Handy Road, north of McKensie Road.
Escambia County Fire Rescue arrived to find two sheds and nearby vehicles on fire with one of the sheds already burned to the ground. Firefighters worked to prevent the flames from spreading to additional vehicles or a wooded area, and the fire was declared under control by 1:31 a.m.
Both sheds and several vehicles were completely destroyed, and several chickens died in one of the sheds.
ECFR determined the accidental fire was caused by electrical equipment.
The Cantonment, Molino, Ensley, and Beulah fire stations responded.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Trial Date Set For Beulah Man Charged With 20 Child Porn Counts
February 10, 2026
A trial date has been set for a suspect arrested for child sexual abuse material by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement in August 2024.
Charles “Billy” Danielson, who turns 52 next week, was charged with 20 counts of possession of child sexual abuse materials and one count of using a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony. During a February 4 hearing, Judge John Simon set a jury trial to begin May 11.
According to court records, Danielson was released from the Escambia County Jail after posting a $210,000 bond and pleading not guilty.
FDLE said the investigation began in February 2024 after agents received a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children about a social media user uploading images of child pornography.
On July 10, 2024, agents served a search warrant at Danielson’s residence and seized multiple electronic devices for examination. Agents said they found numerous images and videos depicting the sexual abuse of male and female children, some as young as infants and toddlers.
Call For Safety Changes On Highway 31 After Devastating Wreck That Injured Flomaton High Student
February 10, 2026
A Flomaton High School student remains hospitalized in critical condition following a devastating single-vehicle crash Friday afternoon on Highway 31. First responders, who described the 1:30 p.m. wreck as one of the worst in decades, noted the accident occurred just outside city limits in an area known for frequent incidents.
“This may be the worst motor vehicle crash I’ve seen in my 40 years,” Flomaton Fire Department Chief Steve Stanton said. “I mean it was just demolished.”
Chief Stanton noted that the stretch between the city limits and Twin Bridges Road averages 10 accidents annually. In response to the tragedy, the Escambia County (Alabama) School District has provided counseling for students and staff.
“We have met with our teachers and staff from the high school and offered counseling for our students or our staff that have needed additional resources,” Superintendent Dr. Michele Collier said. “We’ve let the teachers know to be on the lookout for any changes in behavior or withdrawals from any students.”
Dr. Collier is working with State Representative Alan Baker on two safety requests for the Highway 31 corridor near the campus:
- Relocating a crosswalk between the high school and the baseball park for better visibility.
- Expanding the reduced speed limit zone further out from the school.
“…We have a crosswalk between the high school and the baseball park that probably needs to be relocated so that it does draw more attention to for a better placement for our baseball team and our student athletes crossing that road,” said Collier. “It is a highway and so, you know, we also are requesting that we slow some of that speed down as well,” she added.
Currently, the 45 mph limit only drops to 35 mph a few hundred feet from the crosswalk. For Chief Stanton, whose granddaughter is a classmate of the victim, the accident serves as a somber reminder of road safety.
“It’s just so many things that can happen on the highway now,” Stanton said. “You know, it’s just tons of MVAs [motor vehicle accidents] and you know I just always tell my granddaughter to be safe and drive the speed limit. And you know be careful and this hits home, it really hits home.”
The driver’s identity has not been released.
New Century Neighborhood Watch Group Holds Meeting
February 10, 2026
Monday evening, the new Century Neighborhood Watch group held its third meeting since its inception in December.
Meetings are held at 6 p.m. on the second Monday of the month at the Soul Train Club, located at 11 East Highway 4 (near the railroad crossing). The next meeting will be held on March 9, and is open to any interested person, not just residents in the Century town limits.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Extension Service Holds Free Gardening Class At The Molino Library
February 10, 2026
Escambia Extension and Master Gardener volunteers held a Spring Gardening Class recently at the Molino LIbrary.
The program provided information on how to start a spring garden from seeds while building skills on garden tool prep.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Free North Beulah Neighborhood Cleanup Set For Wednesday
February 10, 2026
A neighborhood cleanup for residents in North Beulah will take place Wednesday, February 11. This is a chance for residents to dispose of items such as old furniture, appliances and household waste free of charge.
Only residents in the designated cleanup area can participate in the neighborhood cleanup. All items for pickup should at the curb by 7 a.m. on the day of the cleanup. Items left at the curb outside of the cleanup area will not be collected. Residents who live in the targeted area will have received a postcard in the mail with more information.
Items eligible for removal include:
- Appliances and electronics
- Household junk and debris
- Bicycles and toys
- Old furniture and mattresses
- Barbecue grills
- Household hazardous waste (old paint, motor oil, chemicals, batteries)
- Tires (limit 10 per household)
- Yard debris (tree cutting
Items NOT eligible for removal include:
- Building materials (concrete, bricks, blocks, roofing, drywall or lumber)
- Explosives or ammunition
- Auto parts
- Dirt or sod
- Vehicles or vessels
- 55-gallon drums of fluids
During neighborhood cleanups, crew members and volunteers visit different neighborhoods in the county to remove a variety of debris and waste free of charge.
The next North Escambia area neighborhood cleanups will be March 4 in Barth and Molino, Quintette on March 18, and Cottage Hill on April 15.
Contact the Escambia County Community Redevelopment Agency at (850) 595-3217 or email cra@myescambia.com for questions about the cleanup.
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.