Near 2 Million Gallons Of Wastewater, Stormwater Overflows From IP In Cantonment Into Local Creek
October 29, 2025
Almost two million gallons of a treated wastewater and stormwater mixture overflowered from the International Paper facility in Cantonment during heavy rains on Monday.
According to a report filed with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, the 1.98 million gallons were released into Elevenmile Creek. However, FDEP said all permit requirements were met during the event.
IP Regional Communication Manager Whitney Fike said Tuesday,, “Following the extreme rain in our area this week, we experienced an overflow of rainwater and fully treated effluent into Elevenmile Creek. Samples of the water confirmed no threat to the environment.”
“This overflow occurred despite mill efforts to impound the excess water from the rain event. Healthy watersheds are essential to our community, and we are committed to working with regulatory agencies to resolve this issue, she added.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Oak Grove Baptist Donates Treats To Area Schools
October 29, 2025
Oak Grove Baptist Church recently made donations of treats and goodies to Bratt Elementary School, Byrneville Elementary School, Ernest Ward Middle School, and Northview High School. Pictured: Donations to Byrneville Elementary (top), Bratt Elementary (first below), and Northview High School (bottom). Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
$3.6 Million Interstate Circle Bridge Replacement Project Concludes
October 29, 2025
The replacement of the Interstate Circle Bridge over Eight Mile Creek is now complete, the Florida Department of Transportation said Friday.
The bridge reopened to traffic in August, restoring the connection for local residents and daily commuters. Additional construction activities in the area continued with temporary lane closures.
The $3.2 million project addressed aging infrastructure, increasing safety and mobility in the region. The original bridge was constructed in 1970 and was considered functionally obsolete.
The newly reconstructed bridge features two 10-foot travel lanes (one in each direction), 5-foot paved shoulders, and new traffic railing that meets current standards.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Chili Fundraiser To Benefit Escambia Public Schools Foundation
October 29, 2025
The Escambia County Public Schools Foundation will be hosting its annual chili cook-off on Saturday, November 1..
This year’s cook-off will be held at Fountain Park, 300 E. Zaragoza Street, in downtown Pensacola adjacent to Seville Square. The event will start at noon and run until 3:00 pm.
Proceeds from this year’s chili cook-off will be used for the Tools for Teachers program, which provides free classroom supplies to all educators in Escambia County Public Schools.
“This event brings the community together for a fun afternoon that benefits the students and teachers in our district,” said Escambia Public Schools Foundation Executive Director Jo McArthur.
Tickets are $10 and can be purchased by visiting the Foundation website or by texting CHILI to 850-930-9939. Tickets can also be purchased at the event. Tickets will allow you to sample a dozen different chilis, and also gets you a drink and dessert. Kids 10 and under are free.
Visitors will be able to enjoy performances by the bands from Ransom Middle School and Bailey Middle School. ECPS Teacher of the Year Kelly Reed will serve as a judge.
Santa Rosa Man Executed For 1998 Rape, Murder Of His Neighbor
October 29, 2025
A Santa Rosa County man was executed Tuesday night for raping and murdering his next-door neighbor in 1998.
Norman Mearle Grim Jr., 65, was pronounced deceased at Florida State Prison near Starke,
Grim was convicted of first-degree murder and sexual battery for the 1988 murder of his neighbor, Cynthia Campbell.
After she was reported missing, her body was found by a fisherman at the Pensacola Beach Bridge. She had suffered 11 stab wounds to her chest, along with multiple blunt-force injuries to her face and head that were consistent with being struck by a hammer.
Grim was the 15th inmate executed in Florida in 2025.
Tate Baseball Hits A Home Run With Fall Halloween Costume Game (With Gallery)
October 29, 2025
Tate Aggie Baseball hosted their annual Fall Baseball Halloween Game Tuesday evening.
The event started with trunk-or-treat with baseball players, volleyball, softball, and student council all coming together for a fun night. Trunk or treat was followed by an exhibition baseball game with players in full costume with games and prizes for the kids between innings.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Allie Penton, click to enlarge.
Bonus Gallery: Northview Band, Fans And Cheerleaders
October 29, 2025
The Northview Chiefs celebrated Senior Night with a big 60-0 win over the Central Lions of Hayneville, Alabama, last Friday night.
For a bonsu gallery with the cheerleaders, band and fans, click here.
For a football action gallery and story, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
‘A Tragic Misunderstanding’ — Sheriff Details Accidental Shooting Of Walnut Hill Teen
October 28, 2025
A 16-year-old remains in critical condition after being accidentally shot in the chest early Sunday morning in Walnut Hill. Another teen is facing charges, but he is not charged with the shooting itself.
Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons told NorthEscambia.com Monday afternoon that another 16-year-old took a weapon that belonged to his sister’s boyfriend out of the glove compartment of her car without permission.
“He and another 16-year-old were talking about the gun, and they thought if they removed the magazine the gun was empty,” he said. “And, unfortunately, that was a tragic misunderstanding on their part because one round was left in the chamber and that was the shot that went off when he pointed it at the 16-year-old victim.”
It happened at a gathering at a home around 12:05 a.m. Sunday near South Highway 99 and Morgan Road.
The victim was airlifted by LifeFlight helicopter to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola. His mother has posted on social media that he has undergone surgeries and is continuing to fight for his life.
The sheriff said witnesses, the suspect, and the victim gave corroborating statements.
“Even the victim said to point the gun and pull the trigger for whatever reason,” Simmons said. “There’s obviously a lesson here, a very serious lesson here that had very serious consequences.”
The teen who discharged the 10mm semi-automatic weapon has been charged with grand theft of a firearm and possession of a firearm by a minor.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
David Jolly, Democratic Candidate For Governor, Holds Molino Town Hall
October 28, 2025
Democratic gubernatorial candidate David Jolly is the first to admit that you would not typically expect to see a Democrat campaigning for governor in Molino; which traditionally votes Republican. But he spoke to about 60 people Monday night at the Molino community center.
“A lot of people are saying we haven’t seen a gubernatorial candidate in Molino,” Jolly said. “We’ll get used to it, because this isn’t going to be our only trip; we are going to be back and back and back…because someone has to be a governor for the entire state, not just a political party, not just for one part of the state, but the entire state.”
Jolly is a former Republican and considered to be the front-runner among Democrats who are running for Florida governor. He served as a Republican in the U.S. House from 2014 to 2017 in Florida’s 13th district.
“The state of Florida is going to choose a new direction, and it doesn’t have to be rooted in deep partisanship to simply say we are going in the wrong direction, that we’ve gotten away from the values that we hold dear, and we need to reset.”
For more photos, click to enlarge.
He added that he does not look at voter registration when he goes into a community.
He likened his campaign to that of Democratic Lawton Chiles, who in 1970 started a 1,000-mile walking tour of the state in Century on the way to winning a seat in the U.S. Senate. Jolly said he’s made 108 campaign stops so far on his way to visiting every community in the state.
And he said he’s not a stranger to Molino—visiting churches in the area when his father, Rev. Lawson Jolly, was with the Pensacola Bay Baptist Association in the 1990s.
“I speak openly about my faith,” he said. “I think we need more Democrats that speak openly about their faith…I say it not to evangelize.”
“In a state that has become the home of culture wars rooted in faith, I think this state needs a governor that understands the governor’s personal and private faith stops at the steps to the State House.”
The Pinellas County resident added that it is important for voters to realize that they can vote Democratic, regardless of their party registration. He said he is focusing on making Florida an affordable place for everyone, with job growth and lower insurance rates.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Jim Allen Elementary Names Students Of The Month
October 28, 2025
Jim Allen Elementary School named their September Students of the Month. They are Aspen Neels and Jayce Austin. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.