Jay Royals Finish Historic Season As Rural State Runners-up
February 28, 2026
The Jay Royals girls basketball team wrapped up a stellar season Friday night as the FHSAA Rural Classification State Runners-up.
The Royals fell to Williston 66-49. Jay ended the season at 25-5.
Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com. Click to enlarge.
Friday Night: Niceville Edges Tate Softball; Northview Softball and Baseball Drop Away Games
February 28, 2026
Here are North Escambia ara high school baseball and softball scores from Friday night.
SOFTBALL
Niceville 3, Tate 2
Niceville defeated the Tate Lady Aggies 3-2 Friday night.
Mykamia Padgett pitched one inning for Tate, allowing three runs (two earned) on two hits, striking out one and walking two. Sarah Mitchell pitched five scoreless innings, surrendering three hits, striking out eight and walking two.
At the plate, Mitchell went 1-for-3 with two RBIs. Brelynn Morris, Taylor Robinson, and Madison Smillie each also added one hit for the Aggies.
Next up, Tate will host Gulf Breeze on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.
Orange Beach 10, Northview 2
The Orange Beach Makos defeated the Northview Chiefs 10-2 on Friday night in Bratt.
Mikayla McAnally opened in the circle for the Chiefs, allowing six hits and six runs (five earned) in four innings, walking one and striking out five. Peyton Womack threw for two innings, surrendering five hits and four earned runs while striking out one and walking three.
Riley Brooks and Kylee Langham each had one hit and one RBI for the Chiefs. Addysen Bolen, Daviona Randolph, and Avery Stuckey each added one hit.
Northview will host the West Florida Jaguars on Tuesday at 6 p.m.
BASEBALL
Destin 9, Northview 2
The Destin Sharks beat the Northview Chiefs 9-2 on Friday night in Destin.
Jackson Bridges took the loss for the Chiefs. In six innings, allowing six hits and five earned runs, he struck out six and walked one. Jase Portwood pitched two innings, allowing two hits and four unearned runs while striking out four.
Dane King, Portwood, and Taylor Curtis each had one hit for the Chiefs, while Cole Davis and Grayden Sheffield each had one RBI.
Northview will travel to Pensacola to take on the Escambia Gators on Tuesday.
Ice Flyers Fall To Birmingham (With Gallery)
February 28, 2026
The Ice Flyers fell 4-1 to the Birmingham Bulls on Dino Race Night at the Hangar.
Birmingham opened the scoring when Kyren Gronick found the back of the net, but Pensacola answered quickly as Nicholas Aromatario tied the game at 1-1 heading into the second period. The Bulls regained the lead on the power play when Drake Glover scored after Ethan Price was whistled for a slashing penalty. The Ice Flyers were unable to even things up in the middle frame and went into the third trailing by one.
Birmingham added insurance midway through the third as Jonathan Bartuccio-Pereira extended the lead, and CJ Walker sealed it with an empty-net goal to make it 4-1 as the Bulls came away with the win.
The two teams will meet again Saturday to wrap up the weekend series during the 30th Anniversary of Pensacola Hockey Celebration.
Federal Sentencing Delayed For Walnut Hill Man With Manifesto, Killing Spree Target List
February 27, 2026
Federal sentencing for a Walnut Hill man who accidentally shot himself in July has been delayed. His sentencing was previously set for Thursday.
Joshua Dean Hardy, 26, pleaded guilty last year in federal court to two counts of unlawful possession of a firearm under the National Firearms Act (NFA), specifically 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 entered the guilty plea to all federal charges before his scheduled trial began.
Hardy’s attorney, Randall Lockhart, asked for at least a 30-day delay on grounds that details were scarce in a draft pre-sentencing report, and he was seeking mental health records and results of a psychological evaluation. The prosecution did not oppose the motion.
Sentencing has now been set for early April. 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,” are how the document begins, according to the U.S. Department of Justice, along with a list of names, some of which are 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.
High-Speed Chase Ends in Arrests After Contraband Tossed Over Prison Fence
February 27, 2026
A coordinated effort by multiple law enforcement agencies led to the arrest of two men Thursday following a high-speed pursuit that began at a prison in Atmore and spanned multiple counties.
The incident began when the Alabama Department of Corrections (ADOC) K-9 team at Fountain Correctional Facility received a report of a vehicle tossing a package of contraband over the prison fence. Officers quickly located a vehicle matching the description, but the driver refused to stop, initiating a pursuit.
According to ADOC officials, the suspects fled at high speeds, driving recklessly and forcing several other motorists off the roadway. The chase moved onto I-65, where authorities observed the suspects discarding items from the windows. The pursuit finally ended after the vehicle exited at Grace-Garland (Exit 107( and turned onto a dead-end road, where the occupants attempted to flee into the woods on foot.
Both suspects were apprehended after a brief foot chase. They have been identified as Kyle Wesley Turner and John Deodrick Bullock.
A search of the suspects’ vehicle following the arrest turned up a handgun. Meanwhile, correctional officers back at Fountain Correctional Facility recovered the package thrown over the fence into the North yard. According to ADOC, the contents included:
- 244 grams of marijuana
- 120 grams of crystal methamphetamine
- $1,000 in cash
- One knife and two USB charging cords
Turner and Bullock were transported to the Escambia County Detention Facility in Brewton. Both face a long list of charges, including first and second-degree promoting prison contraband, possession of marijuana, trafficking methamphetamine, and distribution of controlled substances. Turner faces an additional charge of attempting to elude law enforcement.
The ADOC K-9 unit was assisted in the operation by ADOC Narcotics Agents, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA), Evergreen and Castleberry Police Departments, and sheriff’s deputies from Escambia, Conecuh, and Butler counties.
The investigation remains ongoing, and officials indicated that further charges may be pending.
Pictured: Bullock (left) and Turner (right).
Northview Run Rules Defending State Champion Holmes County
February 27, 2026
Northview 14, Holmes County 1
The Northview Chiefs run-ruled the defending Rural Class state champion Holmes County Blue Devils 14-1 Thursday night, in Bratt.
Jack Boutwell earned the win on the mound for the Chiefs, giving up one hit in four no-run innings, walking four and striking out six. Gauge Harrison pitched one inning in relief, giving up one hit and one unearned run while striking out one and walking one.
Taylor Curtis went 3-for-4 at bat for the Chiefs. Jackson Bridges, Cole Davis, Jase Portwood and Grayden Sheffield added two hits each.
The Chiefs will head to Destin on Friday night to take on the Sharks.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Eight Ascend Performance Materials Mechanics Earn National Certifications
February 27, 2026
Eight mechanics at Ascend Performance Materials were recently recognized for achieving a major professional milestone by passing the NCCER (National Center for Construction Education and Research) certification test.
The mechanics are:
- Freddie Fails
- James Savage
- Tim Moore
- Vic Eicher
- Donnie Wilson
- Jason Marshall
- Lamar Flowers
- Jason Jarman
“This accomplishment reflects their dedication, skill, and commitment to advancing their craft. It’s an important accomplishment for our employees and strengthens the expertise across our site. We’re proud of the dedication these individuals demonstrated in preparing for and completing their NCCER testing,” the company said in a statement.
Pictured top: Freddie Fails, James Savage, Tim Moore, Vic Eicher, and Donnie Wilson with managers and supporting team. Not pictured: Jason Marshall, Lamar Flowers, and Jason Jarman. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Wahoos Stadium Win: Tate Beats Fort Walton
February 27, 2026
Tate 4, Fort Walton 1
The Tate Aggies beat the Fort Walton Beach Vikings 4-1 on Thursday night at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
Lance Brady was on the mound for the Aggies, surrendering three hits and one unearned run in seven innings, striking out four and walking one.
Connors had two RBIs for the Aggies as he went 2-3 for the night. Kaden Posta and Cal Foxworth also added two hits each.
Friday night, the Aggies will return to Blue Wahoos Stadium to take on the Escambia Gators at 7 p.m. Tickets, which are $12.25, will be available for purchase at the stadium or online from MLB. Parking is free, and one food and beverage storefront will be open for concessions.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Road Trips: Northview Chiefs Beat Destin 18-2; Tate Falls To Niceville By One
February 27, 2026
Northview 18, Destin 2
The Northview Chiefs hit the road and bit the Destin Sharks 18-2 on Thursday night.
Kylie Langham went 3-5 for the Chiefs, including a solo center field home run in the fourth, a single in the sixth, and a double in the seventh.
Peyton Womack went 4-6 at the plate for Northview; Riley Brooks, Davonia Randolph, and Avery Stuckey each added multiple hits.
Mikayla McAnally opened in the circle for the Chiefs, giving up one hit and no runs in three innings while striking out four and walking none. Randolph threw one inning of no-run ball, and Womack pitched three, surrendering two hits and two runs, striking out none and walking one.
Next up, the Lady Chiefs will host Orange Beach at 6 p.m. Friday.
Niceville 3, Tate 2
The Tate Lady Aggies dropped a Thursday loss 3-2 on the road at Niceville.
Mitchell was 1-3 with two RBIs for the Lady Aggies. Morris, Mitchell, Robinson, and Smillie each added one hit for THS.
Padgett went one inning for Tate, giving up three runs (two earned) on two hits while walking two and striking out one. Pitching five innings of no-run ball in relief, Mitchell allowed three hits, walking two and striking out eight.
The Lady Aggies will return home to Cantonment against Gulf Breeze next Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.
Application Deadline Extended For 2026 Summer Youth Employment Program
February 27, 2026
Escambia County has extended the application deadline for the 2026 Summer Youth Employment Program, which provides an opportunity for Escambia County youth ages 16-24 to receive paid work experience this summer.
Online applications are available now at MyEscambia.com/syep. The deadline to submit applications is now 5 p.m. on Thursday, March 12. Incomplete applications or applications submitted after the deadline will not be accepted.
Qualified youth who are accepted into the program will be able to work up to 30 hours a week at $14 per hour, with positions available in various county departments along with the Escambia County Property Appraiser and Tax Collector’s Office. Positions will be available across Escambia County, including the Town of Century. Participants will also receive job readiness training prior to job placement as well as post-employment briefings.
The Escambia County Summer Youth Employment Program aims to help local youth gain valuable on-the-job experience while working toward their future career goals. Program participants will have the opportunity to learn a variety of practical job skills, along with workplace etiquette such as professional dress, timeliness and respect.
Last summer, over 200 youth participated in the program, working in county departments including Engineering, Escambia County Area Transit, Public Safety, West Florida Public Libraries, the Town of Century, and more.
Limited positions are available. Requirements for the program are as follows:
- Must submit a completed application packet with all required supporting documentation by 5 p.m. on Friday, February 27.
- Must be a resident of Escambia County, Florida at the time of application and for the duration of program participation.
- Must be between the age of 16 and 24 years old at the time of enrollment.
- Must complete up-front job readiness preparatory training classes and post-employment debriefing sessions.
- Must not have any felony convictions.
- If enrolled in school, must submit enrollment verification.
- Must show proof of identify (state-issued driver’s license or state ID card) and proof of address.
- Must meet hiring criteria of the temporary employment agency.
- Must attend the end of the Summer Youth Program Award Ceremony.
For additional information, please call Neighborhood and Human Services at 850-595-3927 or 850-595-1620.
Pictured: Escambia County Summer Youth Employment participants Shelby Rydzowski of McDavid (top) and Aaliyah Fountain of Walnut Hill (inset) worked at the Century Town Hall last year. Pictured below: Other program participants across Escambia County. NorthEscambia.com and contributed photos, click to enlarge.
