Molino Tax Collector’s Office Enhances Safety While Highlighting Florida Specialty Plates
September 9, 2026
The Escambia County Tax Collector’s Office in Molino has taken an innovative approach to safety, while also taking the chance to promote two specialty license plates of local interest.
Previously, photo background screens hanging from the ceiling were used for driver’s license photos. Sometimes, people would lean against the screens, which were not stable, creating a fall hazard, according to Escambia County Tax Collector Scott Lunsford.
Now, the two photo screen backgrounds are mounted on a sturdy metal frame. The backs of the metal frames, which face the waiting area, are being used for signage to promote two Florida specialty license plates — “Save the Bees” and the Florida Agricultural Education specialty license plate.
Florida offers over 100 different specialty license plates for various organizations in support of the causes they represent. The money raised from the sale of these license plates goes directly to the organization. Since the inception of specialty license plates, millions of dollars have been raised for the organizations.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Ernest Ward Eagles Celebrate 8th Grade Night; Fall To Central
September 9, 2026
The Ernest Ward Middle School Eagles celebrated 8th Grade Night on Tuesday night, honoring 8th grade football players and cheerleaders.
For a photo gallery, click here.
In game action in Walnut Hill, Ernest Ward fell 16-0 to the Central Jaguars.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Flomaton Sweeps Northview In Straight Sets; Chiefs Take JV Win
September 9, 2026
The Flomaton Hurricanes swept the Northview Chiefs in varsity high school volleyball action Tuesday in Flomaton, winning in straight sets.
The Lady Canes took the varsity match 25-19, 25-16, 25-19. Northview fell to 2-5 on the season, and Flomaton went to 2-1.
Up next, Northview will host Pine Forest and Thursday, and Flomaton will travel to T.R. Miller on Thursday.
In junior varsity action on Tuesday, the Northview Chiefs earned a straight-set victory over Flomaton, winning 25-8, 25-18.
Century Walk Audit Project Moves Forward With Thursday Training Session
September 9, 2026
The Town of Century will hold a volunteer training session Thursday evening as work continues on an AARP Community Challenge grant project to assess local pedestrian safety and accessibility.
The meeting is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. at Century Town Hall.
The initiative is funded by a $2,500 grant through the nationwide AARP Community Challenge program. The project aims to identify barriers to mobility, document walking conditions, and highlight future infrastructure improvement opportunities for the town, with a special focus on residents aged 55 and older.
During an initial kick-off meeting, organizers and local residents began planning audit routes based on where pedestrian traffic is most common. The group selected three preliminary corridors for further evaluation:
- East Hecker Road
- The Dollar General area
- The Food Giant area
Thursday’s session will serve as the official walk audit training. Attendees will finalize the audit routes, develop a necessary supply list, and review the AARP Walk Audit reporting worksheets that volunteers will use to evaluate conditions in the field.
Organizers emphasize that participation is open to community members of all ages and abilities, and volunteers do not need to walk long distances to take part. Residents who prefer not to walk can assist from stationary positions—such as bringing a chair to observe traffic patterns, driver behavior, and pedestrian activity from a fixed location. Individuals with limited mobility are also encouraged to participate by evaluating the routes and offering observations using Google Earth.
The actual walk audits are expected to take place in late September or October. During the audits, volunteers will assess crosswalks, traffic speeds, sidewalks, signage, lighting, shade, and seating availability.
The findings will be compiled into a final report presented to the Century Town Council by December to help guide future pedestrian infrastructure decisions. The grant funding covers the study itself, while any future physical improvements will remain at the discretion of the town council.
Pictured top: Century Town Council member Sparkie Harrison (left) marks a typical walking route on an oversized map of Century in July. Pictured below: Some of the areas that were marked during a July 30 meeting. (Self-adhesive “Sign Here” indexing flags were being used to mark the map; they do not represent literal sign placements.) NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Wahoos Trounce Shuckers In Playoff Preview
September 9, 2026
In a preview of a playoff matchup beginning in a week, the Pensacola Blue Wahoos made a statement. A 9-run 8th inning led the Wahoos to a 15-7 over the Biloxi Shuckers.
Jacob Miller got off to a tough start on Tuesday night, allowing the first five batters to reach. The first three went single, walk, walk, loading the bases for the fearsome Andrew Fischer. Off the bat, it looked like Fischer had his 47th home run of 2026, but Colby Shade went over the wall and knocked it back into play. When the play was over, Fischer ended up with an RBI single. Two more runs crossed on an RBI knock from Damon Keith and a sac-fly from Eric Bitonti, giving the Shuckers a 3-0 lead before Pensacola could even come to hit.
The Wahoos loaded the bases with nobody out off Manuel Rodriguez, but only brought home one run, thanks to a deep sacrifice fly from Max Williams. Miller would pitch around baserunners in the second and third innings to finish strong, ending his day with 3.0 innings and just the three first inning runs.
Jaydenn Estanista was the first man out of the pen and quickly surrendered two runs in the top of the fourth. A leadoff walk to Daniel Dickinson and a Braylon Payne single both came around to score on Josh Adamczewski’s two-run single, extending the Shuckers lead to 5-1. The Blue Wahoos offense didn’t let up though, matching those two runs in the home half of the fourth on a two-RBI double from Ethan O’Donnell.
The sixth inning saw the scoreboard flip for the first and final time. Max Williams led the inning off with a majestic moonshot to right field, his 4th in as many games with the Wahoos. Three straight singles followed, loading the bases before Colby Shade struck out. With one down, Dylan Jasso grounded a ball to short that looked like an inning ending double play, but an errant throw from Dickinson allowed two runs to score, putting the Wahoos ahead 6-5.
Tristen Stevens (W, 1-0) threw 2.0 hitless innings, lowering his ERA to 0.90 through his first 10.0 innings. Pensacola followed this pitching performance by unloading in the 8th inning, putting up 9 runs off of Wande Torres (L, 1-1)(BS, 1) and Edwin Jimenez. Dylan Jasso had two RBIs. Dylan Lewis, Max Williams, Ryan Ignoffo, and Ethan O’Donnell each had an RBI. And the inning was capped with a bases loaded, bases-clearing double from Colby Shade, putting the Wahoos up 15-5.
After Nigel Belgrave struck out the side in the 8th, Josh Hejka finished the game in the 9th. Jesús Made and Josh Adamczewski each took Hejka deep before the final out was recorded and the Wahoos took home the 15-7 win.
The Blue Wahoos continue their series against the Biloxi Shuckers on Wednesday night.
written by Charlie Hobert
Living Her Best Life: Childhood Cancer Survivor Cheers Alongside Tate Aggies
September 8, 2026
Five-year-old Kinslee Gibson was living her best life on Friday night, cheering with the Tate High School Aggie cheerleaders.
Kinslee is a four-year cancer survivor who was diagnosed with a Wilms tumor, a rare type of kidney cancer that affects mostly young children. After bravely facing chemotherapy, she’s now living life to the fullest as a sweet, strong, and courageous little girl.
“She reminds us all that there is so much strength in the smallest of warriors,” the announcement in Pete Gindl Stadium said.
All of the cheerleaders, including Kinslee, wore yellow ribbons to mark Childhood Cancer Awareness Month in September.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Longtime ECUA Board Member Dale Perkins Passes Away
September 8, 2026
Longtime Emerald Coast Utilities Authority District 4 Board Member Walter “Dale” Perkins died Sunday, September 6. He was 64.
Perkins served on the ECUA Board for 32 years, having first taken office in 1994. His final term was scheduled to conclude in November after he chose not to seek reelection.
Earlier in 2026, a commemorative plaque honoring his tenure was dedicated near the entrance to Pensacola Beach, placed in front of the ECUA water tanks. The plaque notes his background as a fisherman and environmentalist, citing him as the longest-serving member of the ECUA Board from 1994 to 2026.
Outside of his public service with the utility authority, Perkins worked professionally as a social worker, a substance abuse counselor, and a military and family life counselor. He also worked as a local fishing boat captain.
Perkins is survived by his daughters, Jade Perkins and Stacey Livingston; his mother, Marcia Perkins; and seven siblings: Bill, Mike, Jeff, Melanie, Libby, Sandi, and Patti.
Pictured top: Dale Perkins at an August 25 ECUA board meeting. Pictured below: A plaque honoring Perkins on Pensacola Beach. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Pedestrian, 69, Struck and Killed Monday In Escambia County
September 8, 2026
A 69-year-old Pensacola man died after being struck by a vehicle on North W Street in Escambia County on Monday evening.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the crash occurred at approximately 7:40 p.m. on North W Street just north of Van Pelt Lane. Troopers said the pedestrian was walking west across North W Street in front of a Casey’s gas station when he was struck by a southbound sedan driven by a 77-year-old Pensacola woman.
“The driver of the sedan was unable to see the pedestrian crossing the roadway in time to avoid the collision,” FHP said.
Emergency medical personnel transported the man to a local hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. The driver of the sedan was wearing a seat belt and was uninjured.
File photo.
UWF QB Davis Named UAC Co-Offensive Player of the Week
September 8, 2026
For the second straight week a UWF player has earned a United Athletic Conference weekly award. Quarterback Ty’Ray Davis was named the UAC Co-Offensive Player of the Week for his head-turning performance in Saturday’s 42-14 win over No. 24 Central Arkansas.
Davis completed 14 of his 17 pass attempts for 227 yards and three touchdowns against the Bears. The redshirt sophomore also ran for 75 yards and a score to lead the Argos’ offense. Davis shares the weekly award with running back Tylan Hines of Tarleton State who ran for 250 yards in a win over FBS opponent Bowling Green.
UWF has an off week and will be back at PenAir Field on Sept. 19 to host Austin Peay at 6 p.m.
Photo Morgan Givens/UWF for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Recap Of Week 3 For Tate And Northview; Week 4 Preview
September 8, 2026
Week 3 brought mixed results for area programs, as the Northview Chiefs rolled to a dominant victory while the Tate Aggies came up just short in a defensive slugfest.
Tate Aggies
Tate’s bid for an undefeated season came to a halt against the Escambia Gators. The Aggies struck first with a field goal late in the opening quarter, but the Gators answered with a decisive touchdown late in the fourth to seal the victory.
Now 2-1 on the season, Tate hits the road Friday night to face the Crestview Bulldogs (0-3) at 7 p.m.
Northview Chiefs
Meanwhile, Northview kept its perfect record intact with an emphatic 50-6 blowout at Graceville. It was another brutal night for the Tigers, who have now been outscored 149-6 through their first three contests.
The 4-0 Chiefs return home next Friday night to host Port St. Joe (0-3) in a district clash.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.