Mark Your Calendars: MILO, The Mobile ID And Licensing Office, Is Coming To Century
February 5, 2026
The Escambia County Tax Collector’s Mobile Identification and Licensing Office (MILO) will be in Century on February 19 and April 16 from 9:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. at the Billy G. Ward Courthouse.
MILO offers a convenient way for residents to access essential tax collector services, including:
- Driver License Services: Renewals, replacements, out-of-state license conversions/reciprocations, and address/name changes.
- Identification Cards: First-time issuance and renewals.
- Vehicle Services: Registration renewals and replacements, title transfers, and parking placards.
- Tax Payments: Property tax payments.
- Business Tax Receipts: Applications and renewals.
- Certified Driver Transcripts
Written and driving tests are not available at the MILO unit.
This initiative aims to bring services to areas of Escambia County that may have limited access to traditional tax collector offices, particularly during disaster recovery or for residents in assisted living facilities, community centers, and correctional facilities.
Florida drivers may renew their vehicle registrations for a period of one or two years and may renew up to three months in advance of the registration expiration. Vehicle registrations expire at midnight on the first owner’s birth date unless the owner is a business.
Pictured: The Escambia County Tax Collector’s MILO at the Billy G. Ward Courthouse in Century. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
County Seeking Applications for Affordable Housing Advisory Committee
February 5, 2026
The Escambia County Board of County Commissioners is soliciting applications for persons interested to serve as a representative to the Escambia-Pensacola Affordable Housing Advisory Committee for the term April 2026 through Dec. 31, 2029. All applications must be received no later than 3 p.m. on Friday, March 6 for consideration..
The Board is seeking to fill seven slots with citizens actively involved from he following categories:
- residential home building industry in connection with affordable housing.
- banking or mortgage banking industry in connection with affordable housing.
- representative of those areas of labor actively engaged in home building in connection with affordable housing.
- advocate for low-income persons in connection with affordable housing.
- for-profit provider of affordable housing.
- not-for-profit provider of affordable housing.
- real estate professional in connection with affordable housing.
- local planning agency pursuant to Florida Statutes, Sec. 163.3174.
- resides within the jurisdiction of the local governing body making the appointments.
- represents employers within the jurisdiction.
- represents essential services personnel, as defined in the local housing assistance plan.
The AHAC must have at least eight and no more than 11 members representing at least six categories identified in the statute.
The committee will meet monthly during review and development of the affordable housing incentives and the new LHAP and at least quarterly thereafter. Members will serve three-year terms unless a position is filled mid three-year cycle. Positions will be recommended to the board for approval in May.
Citizens interested in serving should complete an application available online here, or request a form via email at NED@myescambia.com. Completed applications should be forwarded to:
Escambia County Neighborhood & Human Services Department
Neighborhood Enterprise Division/AHAC
Attn: Garett R. Griffin
221 Palafox Place, Suite 200
Pensacola, FL. 32502.
Jay Boil Water Notice Lifted
February 4, 2026
UPDATE: A precautionary boil water notice for the entire town of Jay was lifted Wednesday afternoon, February 4.
On Sunday, Town of Jay Utilities issued a precautionary boil water notice for its entire town water system after its water wells were shut down for a leak repair.
The town experienced a weather-related water main break on an old pipe that could not be isolated from the rest of the water system, according to Town Manager Eric Seib. By 9 p.m., both water wells had returned to service, and water pressure was expected to return by about 10 p.m. Bacteriological tests were conducted Monday and Tuesday, both with clean results.
Precautionary boil water notices are issued as a part of the standard protocol following any loss of water pressure, whether as a result of planned maintenance activities or unscheduled repairs.
FDLE Charges McDavid Man With 14 Sex Offender Violations After Search Warrant
February 4, 2026
A McDavid man was arrested last week on 14 sex offender violations when the Florida Department of Law Enforcement served a search warrant at a Highway 164 home.
As we previously reported, Daquan Eric Ball, 22, was arrested at the home in the 100 block of Highway 164, about one-third of a mile west of Highway 29, shortly after 7 a.m. on January 28. He was charged with 14 counts of failure of a sexual offender to report an email address or internet identifier. Ball remains in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $35,000.
In October 2018, Ball was adjudicated as a juvenile for sexual battery on a victim under 12 in a Santa Rosa County case.
For additional photos from the service of the search warrant, click here.
During the search warrant execution at the home, state agents seized Ball’s cell phone. FDLE said a preliminary forensic analysis revealed Ball had 14 unreported email addresses and internet identifiers, including TikTok, Discord, Adult Friend Finder and FeetFinder.com accounts.
FDLE said the investigation remains active.
Numerous FDLE agents were seen entering and exiting the small 1,500-square-foot single family home, and around campers located on the property. Before the operation, the agents gathered on Main Street in McDavid, across from the Post Office, to organize and prepare.
FDLE said the arrest is the result of the agency’s statewide initiative to locate and arrest criminals targeting children and sharing files depicting the sexual abuse of children.
Pictured: The Florida Department of Law Enforcement served a search warrant on Highway 164 in McDavid on January 28. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge. Pictured small inset above: FDLE gathered with its Bearcat tactical vehicle across from the McDavid Post Office to prepare for the operation (reader submitted photo from the post office).
Two Railroad Crossings Along And Near South Highway 99 To Close Later This Week
February 4, 2026
Two North Escambia area railroad crossings, located along and near South Highway 99, are scheduled to close for a few days later this week.
The private crossing on Deer Run Road, located west of South Highway 99 about seven miles south of Highway 97 in Walnut Hill, is slated to close on Friday, February 6.
The crossing on South Highway 99, just east of the Highway 97A intersection in Bay Springs, about four miles north of Crabtree Church Road in Molino, is set to close on Saturday, February 7.
Both crossings are expected to reopen on Tuesday, February 10.
Pictured top: The South Highway 99 railroad crossing near the intersection of Highway 97A in Bay Springs. Pictured below: The private crossing on Deer Run Road, at South Highway 99. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Smokey Bear Saw His Shadow And Predicted Six More Weeks Of High Fire Danger
February 4, 2026
Smoky Bear saw his shadow on Monday, Groundhog Day, and predicted six more weeks of high fire danger.
Dry weather, low humidity, and wind lead to higher fire danger this time of year, according to the Florida Forest Service.
Smokey Bear turned 81 last August, marking the date when the U.S. Forest Service first authorized the character to promote wildfire prevention.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Mayor Names Michigan Man As New Pensacola Police Chief
February 4, 2026
Mayor D.C. Reeves has chosen Eric Winstrom to lead the Pensacola Police Department, wrapping up a national search for the City of Pensacola’s next chief of police.
Winstrom, who has been the chief in Grand Rapids, Michigan, will start with PPD on March 2, pending approval of his hiring by Pensacola City Council.
“Choosing the right person to lead our police department is perhaps the most important decision I will make as your mayor,” Reeves said. “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.
Winstrom began his law enforcement career with the Chicago Police Department in 2000, patrolling public housing complexes on the city’s South Side. In his 21 years in Chicago, he rose to the rank of commander, taking on multiple leadership roles and guiding tactical, investigative, and administrative teams through some of the department’s most challenging periods. He led the citywide child sex crimes unit at CPD, was captain of the 400-person 9th district in Bridgeport and commander of the Area 5 Detective Division, a 200-person team that covers the Northwest side and O’Hare Airport.
In 2022, Winstrom was named the Chief in Grand Rapids, Michigan’s second-largest city. In his tenure there, which he began as an external candidate, he focused on recruitment, training, community engagement, accountability and reducing crime, while managing day-to-day operations and high-profile police and public safety incidents that drew national attention.
When Winstrom arrived in Grand Rapids, the force was budgeted for 302 officers but had only 260 sworn officers. There are now 312 sworn officers on the force so that the department can better keep pace with the needs of the 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.”
Winstrom has been a guest lecturer on police issues at numerous colleges and universities and a regular expert witness in police-related litigation.
He earned his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Rutgers University, followed by a juris doctor degree from Brooklyn Law School. After law school, Winstrom worked at the NYPD Legal Affairs Bureau, where a police officer mentor told him that if he wanted to make substantive changes to the system, he should become an officer and help change it from the inside. It was advice that launched his career.
Winstrom and his wife — a former Chicago police officer — have been married for more than 15 years and have two children, ages 12 and 14.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Tate Aggies Beat Pace In District Quarterfinal; Northview Chiefs Fall To Central
February 4, 2026
District quarterfinal action Tuesday night was the end of the road for the Northview Chiefs, while the Tate Aggies are battling forward.
In 6A District 1, the No. 2 Tate Aggies beat the No. 7 Pace Patriots 62-42 Tuesday night at Tate. Up next, the Tate Aggies will host No. 6 seed Gulf Breeze in the semifinals at 7 p.m. Thursday in Tate’s Fryman Gym.
In Rural Class District 1 quarterfinals, the Central Jaguars beat Northview 72-35 at Central, ending the season for the Chiefs.
NorthEscambia.com file image.
Ransom Academic Team Takes Second In Beulah Academy Tournament
February 4, 2026
The Ransom Middle School Academic Team competed at the Beulah Academy of Science Snowball last Saturday.
In a field of eight teams from four schools, the Ransom C team – Sydney, Megan, Madelyn, and Adelynn – made the playoffs, and the Ransom A team – Calleigh, Cooper, Levi, Zackary and Cutter Rhodes won the semifinal over King Middle, but fell late in a tight championship final to defending champions Freeport and missed qualifying for Nationals.
Rhodes too overall individual first place.
Ransom Academic Team members that competeted were:
- Calleigh Anderson
- Kyson Beck
- Cooper Boddy
- Daniel Boone
- Khloe Caldwell
- James Corvin
- Levi Cox
- Sydney Cox
- Zackary Cox (a Kingsfield Elementary 5th grader “playing up”)
- Madison Degan-Dorangricchia
- Ryann Gibbs
- Megan Gray
- Madelyn McShane
- Adellyn Mortellaro
- Cutter Rhodes
- Ryan Rodgers
- Jazmin Yahya
Host Beulah Academy of Science had two teams that made the playoff bracket. Forrest Scott of BAS placed fourth out of 38 players.
Pictured top: Ransom Academic Team (front, L-R) Ryan Rodgers, Cooper Boddy, Kyson Beck, Cutter Rhodes, Levi Cox, Zackary Cox, Daniel Boone, James Corvin; (back, L-R) Sydney Cox, Madison Degan-Dorangricchia, Calleigh Anderson, Khloe Caldwell, Madelyn McShane, Megan Gray, Adellyn Mortellaro, Jazmin Yahya. Pictured first below: Ransom championship final (L-R) Zackary Cox, Cutter Rhodes, Cooper Boddy, Levi Cox, Coach Jon Walker, Calleigh Anderson, Coach Maggie Brown, Coach Samantha Brown, Coach Clarissa Brown, Coach Madison Bass. Not pictured, Coach Brandon Bass. Pictured second below: The Ransom and Freeport championship teams. Pictured fourth below: The Beulah Academy of Science Team. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
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Anderson Leads Tate Boys Tennis To Season-Opening Win Over Choctaw
February 4, 2026
The Tate High School boys tennis team opened the season with a 4-3 district win over Choctawhatchee in Fort Walton Beach.
Newcomer Noah Anderson, a junior, led the way with singles and doubles wins.
Up next, Aggies tennis will travel to face the West Florida Jaguars on Thursday.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
