ECUA Executive Director Bruce Woody Is Retiring
March 17, 2026
ECUA Executive Director Bruce Woody is retiring after six years in the position.
His last official day will be on or about July 6, but he plans to use accrued leave with a last day in the office no earlier than May 26, which coincides with an ECUA board meeting. He expressed a willingness to help in the process to select his replacement.
“There is a time in every employee’s career to retire, and now is my time,” he told the board earlier this year after thanking ECUA employees and the board for a smooth time at the utility.
The search is underway for a new ECUA executive director, with a salary range of $195,000 to $256,880 annually. According to an online listing, the closing application date is April 15.
Pictured: ECUA Executive Director Bruck Woody address the Escambia County Legislative Delegation in Molino. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Sixth Suspect In Atmore MLK Day Shooting Surrenders To Police
March 17, 2026
A sixth suspect has now been arrested in connection with a MLK Day shooting incident in Atmore.
Jovaughntai Henderson, 19, surrendered at the Atmore Police Department on charges of attempted murder, four counts of discharging a firearm into an occupied building, and discharging a firearm into an occupied building or vehicle.
“Photos shown below depict Henderson wearing blue clothing and displaying a pistol-style rifle-caliber firearm on the night of the incident, shortly before the shooting occurred,” APD said Monday afternoon.
Atmore Police said the investigation is continuing and additional arrests may be forthcoming.
A fifth suspect in the incident was recently arrested in Florida.
A U.S. Marshals Task Force and the Walton County Sheriff’s Office arrested Emonee Demontaen Long (picturted left) recently on felony warrants from Atmore for felon in possession of a firearm and felony violation of probation on an original charge of discharging a gun into an occupied building. Once at the Walton County Jail, a large quantity of tobacco and spice were found hidden on his person, according to WCSO, and additional charges were filed for introduction of contraband into a correctional facility, felony possession of synthetic cannabis, possession of marijuana, and possession of narcotic paraphernalia.
Four others were previously arrested and charged.
Jijavious Jadarrius Williams (first photo below, left) and Jitayvious Jamar Williams (first photo below, right), both from Baldwin County, were each charged with two counts of attempted murder, four counts of shooting into an unoccupied vehicle, and one count of shooting into an occupied building.
Nathaniel Crenshaw (second photo below, left) was charged with two counts of attempted murder, four counts of discharging a firearm into an occupied building or vehicle, and one count of shooting into an unoccupied dwelling or vehicle. His brother, Tobijah Keimond Crenshaw (second photo below, right and bottom photo) was arrested during a traffic stop for two counts of attempted murder, four counts of discharging a firearm into an occupied building or vehicle, and on count of shooting into an unoccupied dwelling or vehicle.
Byrneville Elementary Names Students of The Month
March 17, 2026
Byrneville Elementary School recently named its February Students of the Month.
They are:
- Kindergarten: Tayla Nichols and Ellie Vollmer
- 1st Grade: Colten McPhaul and Bo Koski
- 2nd Grade: Jani’la Durant and Manny Gifford
- 3rd Grade: Elli Macyn Plant and Jacob Vollmer
- 4th Grade: Baylee Gafford and Ellie Edwards
- 5th Grade: Chaplin Grassia and Myra Gill
- Art: Suzi Pope
- Music: Daviyelle Young
- PE: Harper Ellis
Image for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Wednesday: Fresh Produce on Wheels From Millie Mobile Market In Molino
March 17, 2026
The Millie Mobile Market is scheduled to be in Molino on Wednesday with a variety of fresh produce.
Millie will be at the Molino Community Center (Molino Library) at 6450 North Highway 95A from noon until 2 p.m. on Wednesday, March 18.
During the Molino visits, Millie will offer a menu of fresh produce at discounted prices. Items available will include apples, bell peppers, carrots, garlic, onions, oranges, gold and sweet potatoes, lemons, and tomatoes.
Millie travels routes throughout Feeding the Gulf Coast’s Florida service area, addressing pockets of low food access (food deserts) where supermarkets are scarce, to provide community members the opportunity to buy affordable fresh produce and other nutritious foods at a significantly discounted rate. Feeding the Gulf Coast collaborates with local farmers to purchase produce when available specifically for the Millie Mobile Market.
Only debit or credit cards (including tap-to-pay) are accepted at Millie; no cash.
Pictured: A previous Millie Mobile Market visit at the Molino Library. File photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Member Of Outlaws Motorcycle Club Pleads Guilty To Federal Arson Charge
March 17, 2026
An Escambia County member of the Outlaws Motorcycle Club has pleaded guilty in federal court to arson, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.
Gregory E. Simonds Jr., 42, pleaded guilty in federal court to the charge of arson by means of an explosive causing personal injury.
On February 15, 2025, during an altercation with a group of individuals associated with the Pagans Motorcycle Club in the parking lot of Emerald Coast Harley Davidson on Beal Parkway in Fort Walton Beach, Simonds set off an explosive that damaged the adjacent Jimmy John’s restaurant building and injured one of its employees, according to court documents.
Although the defendant drove away from the scene, Simonds was quickly identified and arrested by law enforcement. In his car, officers recovered four more explosive devices, two guns, narcotics and drug paraphernalia, and an Outlaws Motorcycle Club vest that the defendant had been identified wearing during the incident. During a subsequent search of his residence, federal agents seized additional explosive devices, explosive making material and equipment, and other evidence that the defendant was making and selling explosives.
Fire Destroys Large Barn In Molino (Gallery)
March 16, 2026
Fire destroyed a large barn in Molino on Sunday afternoon.
The approximately 2,400-square-foot barn was fully involved in fire shortly after the blaze was reported to Escambia County Fire Rescue around 3:30 p.m. on Sunshine Ride Court, off Sunshine Hill Road west of Highway 97.
The fire reportedly started when someone was working on equipment inside the barn. There were no injuries reported at the scene.
The barn was a total loss. The fire also damaged or destroyed horse trailers and other equipment.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Update: Man Completes Walk Across America From Top To Bottom
March 16, 2026
In early December, we introduced to Tim Hickle as he traveled through North Escambia on a quest to walk across America from north to south.
Sunday, Hickle texted NorthEscambia.com to say he has now made it to Key West — nine months, four days, 4,040 miles and 9.4 million steps later.
Our original story from December 2, 2025 (scroll down):
When Tim Hickle decided he would retire after 40 years as a buyer in the construction industry, his wife said he needed to find something to do. And he did.
Walking across America from north to south.
“So I went online and I searched the things to do when you retire, which is a horrible idea,” the 64-year-old said Monday afternoon on Pine Barren Road near McDavid.
“But I found this guy that walked Route 66 from Chicago to L.A. It was something I thought I could do. The more research I did, the more I found there were just hundreds and hundreds of people that go from coast to coast each year.”
He eventually settled on a north-south route from northern Minnesota, at the northernmost point of the U.S. at the Canadian border, to Key West, Florida. He retired in May and started his walk on June 8; he hopes to reach Key West by the end of February.
He’s made it over 180 days and 2,700 miles to North Escambia. He has about 900 miles to go.
He crossed into Florida on Sunday and spent Sunday night at Lake Stone near Century before hitting the road again. He planned to spend Monday night at the Bogia Boat Ramp on Bogia Road off Highway 29 before heading to the Molino Fire Station by Tuesday night.
As he walks, he pulls what he has nicknamed the “Copper Kettle”. It’s a simple camper cart he designed and built that carries his supplies and provides a place to sleep. The cart weighs about 120 pounds. “It has a memory foam mattress, sleeping bag, pillows,” he said. “Anything that needs to stay dry goes inside.”
Hickle is not walking to raise money or draw attention to any cause.
“It’s just a personal goal to walk from the far north in the Lower 48 to the far south in the Lower 48. There’s a lot to be said for downsizing to the point where everything I need fits into 22 square feet. I don’t mean to be anti-commercial or anything, but less is more for me.” Along the way, he recharges electrical items as he can, items like his phone and caution lights for the back of the camper.
Hickle is keeping in touch with his wife back home in Colorado as he walks, joining her when he can by phone or video—especially on Mondays when he helps her babysit their grandchild.
“We are about to celebrate our 40th wedding anniversary,” he noted. He is going to miss that anniversary as he walks. One of the best parts of the walk, he said, is meeting people.
“I’m doing this at a walking pace so that I can have human interactions,” he said. “I can have a conversation with someone by the road that is getting the mail or mowing their grass. We are going to have some kind of interaction.”
“They are really the high points of his journey.”
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
It’s Spring Break – That Means The Annual Aggie Classic
March 16, 2026
It’s spring break, and that means it’s time for the 31st annual Harvesters Credit Union Aggie Classic with teams from four states facing off across Pensacola.
Tate, Washington, Gulf Breeze, Pensacola Catholic, and Pace will take part in the tournament, as will W.S. Neal from East Brewton, Alabama. The remainder of the teams are from Tennessee and Oklahoma.
Daily tickets for adults are $10, or $35 for a weekly pass. For children (11 and under), daily tickets are $5, or $15 for a weekly pass. Ages 5 and under are free. Tickets will be available at the gate each day, with cash or card accepted.
Last year, the Tate Aggies fell in the championship game of the Aggie Classic 13-7 to the First Academy Royals of Orlando.
Monday, March 16
Tate High School
4:00 PM – Christ Presbyterian, TN vs Yukon, OK
7:00 PM – Tate, FL vs Union, OK
Pace High School
4:00 PM – WS Neal, AL vs Bixby, OK
7:00 PM – Pace, FL vs Broken Arrow, OK
Gulf Breeze High School
7:00 PM – Gulf Breeze, FL vs Blanchard, OK
Catholic High School
7:00 PM – Catholic, FL vs Claremore, OK
Tuesday, March 17
Tate High School
4:00 PM – WS Neal, AL vs Yukon, OK
7:00 PM – Tate, FL vs Broken Arrow, OK
Pace High School
4:00 PM – Pace, FL vs Claremore, OK
Gulf Breeze High School
4:00 PM – Christ Presbyterian, TN vs Union, OK
7:00 PM – Gulf Breeze, FL vs Bixby, OK
Catholic High School
7:00 PM – Catholic, FL vs Blanchard, OK
Wednesday, March 18
Tate High School
4:00 PM – WS Neal, AL vs Union, OK
7:00 PM – Tate, FL vs Claremore, OK
Pace High School
7:00 PM – Pace, FL vs Blanchard, OK
Gulf Breeze High School
7:00 PM – Gulf Breeze, FL vs Yukon, OK
Catholic High School
4:00 PM – Christ Presbyterian, TN vs Broken Arrow, OK
7:00 PM – Catholic, FL vs Bixby, OK
NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
AAA: Florida Gas Prices Surge 84 Cents In 12 Days, More Increases Possible
March 16, 2026
Florida gas prices continue to climb at the fastest pace in four years. Over the past 12 days, the state average rose 84 cents, adding about $12 to the cost of filling an average-sized gas tank. Sunday’s average reached 3.72 dollars per gallon, the highest daily average price since August 2023.
Compared to recent benchmarks, Sunday’s state average is 27 cents more than a week ago, 84 cents more than a month ago, and 61 cents more than this time last year.
In Escambia County, the average price per gallon on Sunday was below the state average at $3.48 — up from $3.12 a week ago and $2.74 a month ago.
Fuel markets have been extremely volatile since the conflict with Iran began. In the first week of the conflict, the US price of oil (WTI) rose 36 percent, an increase of $23.88 per barrel. This surge was driven by concerns about global supply disruptions and instability affecting major oil shipping routes.
Continued uncertainty pushed prices higher again late last week, lifting oil another $8 per barrel. Gasoline futures also climbed, increasing 29 cents last week and 96 cents over the past two weeks. These higher crude oil and wholesale gasoline costs are now steadily working their way down to retail prices in Florida. If crude oil prices remain elevated or increase further, pump prices in Florida could continue trending higher through the week.
“Even though fuel supplies in the United States remain steady and refineries continue to operate, higher crude and gasoline futures are lifting prices at the pump,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman for AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Florida drivers may see another round of price hikes in the coming days as stations adjust to rising wholesale costs. How high prices ultimately go, will depend on how long this conflict continues and whether there are further effects on global fuel supplies.”
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Escambia Man Critically Injured When Pickup Rolls, Hits Pole, Lands In Church Parking Lot
March 16, 2026
A 30-year-old Escambia County man was critically injured in an early Saturday morning crash.
The Florida Highway Patrol said the man was traveling west on Highway 90 near Bridget Lane when his Dodge Ram pickup left the roadway, rolled over, and collided with a utility pole just before 3:30 a.m. The pickup came to a stop in the parking lot of Transformation Church.
The driver was transported by Escambia County EMS to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola.