‘Fortitude And Resilience’: Escambia Westgate Class Of 2026 Celebrates Graduation
May 16, 2026
The Escambia Westgate School Class of 2026 graduated on Friday.
“These students have demonstrated going forward each and every day with fortitude,” Escambia County Public School Superintendent Keith Leonard said. “We are very, very proud of each and every one of you. We know the obstacles that you have overcome.”
For a photo gallery, click here.
“High school graduation is a major achievement, and these students have overcome many obstacles to get to this point,” Escambia Westgate Principal Cathy Rudd said. “Each student here needed courage and resilience to get to where they are today.”
The Escambia Westgate Class of 2026 graduates were:
- Jonecia Azarian Brown
- Coryeon W. Carter
- Jordan Lee Devries
- Thomas James Flintroy
- Alexzandria Marie Green
- Hugh Atticus McClean
- Michael Edward McElroy
- Aidan Michael Neal
- Darious Syncere Polingo
- Nahki Allen Stewart
Escambia Westgate School serves students from pre-K through high school with varying exceptionalities.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
One Person Transported; Two Dogs OK After Highway 29 Crash
May 16, 2026
One person was transported to an area hospital following a two-vehicle crash on Friday afternoon on Highway 29.
The crash occurred at the entrance to a Dollar General at 3005 Highway 29, south of West Roberts Road.
An adult female was transported by Escambia County EMS. Two dogs that were in one of the vehicles were not injured.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge
Tate High School Class of 2026 Celebrates Annual Senior Drive
May 16, 2026
The Tate High School Class of 2026 held its Senior Drive from the now former Winn Dixie parking lot on Highway 29 to the school.
The annual tradition has occurred on the last day of school for years. The seniors drive to campus for Senior Breakfast and to pick up their caps and gowns.
The Tate High School Class of 2026 will graduate on Wednesday, May 27 at 9 a.m. at the Pensacola Bay Center.
Photos/video by Kristi Barbour for NorthEscambia.com. Click to enlarge.
Chiefs Shut Out Chieftains: Northview Dominates Chickasaw 38-0 In Spring Game
May 16, 2026
The Northview Chiefs beat the Chickasaw Chieftains 38-0 on Friday night in a spring game at Tommy Weaver Memorial Stadium in Bratt.
For a photo gallery, click here.
The Northview Chiefs will open the fall season at home against the Marianna Bulldogs.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Aggies Hold Off Marlins: Tate Claims 28-23 Spring Victory At Panama City Beach
May 16, 2026
The Tate Aggies beat the Arnold Marlins 28-23 in spring football on Friday night at Panama City Beach.
The Aggies were ahead 21-10 at the half and held on for the win.
The fall season begins on August 21 as the Aggies host the Marianna Bulldogs in Pete Gindl Stadium.
Northview Chiefs Power Up For Spring Football Friday At QB Club Breakfast
May 16, 2026
The Northview Chiefs powered up for a spring football Friday with a team breakfast.
The Northview Quarterback Club provided the breakfast at Travis Nelson Park in Bratt, near the school.
Related: Chiefs Shut Out Chieftains: Northview Dominates Chickasaw 38-0 In Spring Game
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
White Goes Seven Innings, Backed By Homers From Lewis And Miller In 9-3 Wahoos Win
May 16, 2026
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos took game 4 of their six-game series against the Chattanooga Lookouts on Friday night, securing a 9-3 victory.
The Wahoos got some early offense, putting up three runs in the second inning on an RBI double from Payton Green and a 2-run single from Gage Miller on back-to-back pitches. They would tack on one more when Dillon Lewis would hit his 4th homer of the series, and 9th of the year to extend the Pensacola lead to 4-0.
Chattanooga would get their only run off Wahoos starter Brandon White (W, 2-1) in the fourth, when Austin Hendrick ripped an RBI double into right field, scoring Zavier Warren and getting the Lookouts on the board. Pensacola’s offense would not be phased though, as Ryan Ignoffo brought in two more runs on an RBI single in the top of the fifth. One inning later, Gage Miller would put one over the wall for his fourth homer of the year to bring the lead to 7-1.
Brandon White would match his career high in innings with 7.0 complete, allowing only 1 run on 4 hits, 1 walk, and 8 strikeouts, making it his second consecutive quality start. Gabe Bierman would get the 8th and surrender one run via an RBI double off the bat of Cam Collier, scoring former Blue Wahoo Shane Sasaki and cutting the lead to 7-2.
Pensacola would top their offensive night off with two more insurance runs in the 9th. Michael Snyder would bring home Emaarion Boyd on a groundout, and Dillon Lewis would drive home Brendan Jones on a single into center, bringing the score to 9-2.
Livan Reinoso would finish things off in the ninth, after allowing a 2-out home run to Ruben Ibarra, cementing a final score of 9-3. Lookouts starter Kevin Abel (L, 3-2) got hooked with the loss and Wahoos starts Brandon White would notch his second career Double-A win.
The Blue Wahoos continue their series against the Lookouts on Saturday.
written by Charlie Hobert
County Approves New 265-Lot Subdivision By Road Prison In Cantonment
May 15, 2026
This week, the Escambia County Development Review Committee gave final approval to a 265-lot Thomas Home subdivision on Highway 297A in Cantonment.
The 38.48-acre LaVelle Terrace Subdivision will be located on property owned by Thomas Home Corporation at 855 Highway 297A and will include paved public streets, public stormwater ponds and conveyance systems including operation and maintenance, and potable water and sanitary sewer facilities.
The subdivision will be sandwiched between the Escambia County Road Prison to the north and the existing Jackson Estates subdivision and Heaton Road to the south.
Escambia County intends to take over the long-term responsibility for the subdivision’s stormwater drainage system once construction is finished and specific requirements are met and it passes inspection and certification processes.
NorthEscambai.com graphic.
McDavid Man Charged With Aggravated Stalking For 2025 Incident
May 15, 2026
A McDavid man was recently arrested on an outstanding 2025 warrant for cyberstalking.
Govan Shane Alexander Sr., 54, was charged with felony aggravated stalking for following, harassing, or cyberstalking after a domestic violence injunction.
According to an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office arrest report, a deputy was originally dispatched to a residence in McDavid in November 2025 regarding a violation of a domestic violence injunction. Alexander’s wife told investigators that he was texting his minor children to have them relay messages to her despite a domestic violence injunction that was served in August 2025.
In the arrest report, a deputy noted viewing and photographing some of the text messages. Alexander was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $7,500 bond.
Ernest Ward Middle School Hiring New Agriculture Teacher For Growing Program
May 15, 2026
Dolly the goat was not terribly excited about posing for pictures on Thursday afternoon at Ernest Ward Middle School in Walnut Hill.
But agriculture students and FFA members were excited about the future of their program.
“Do we have a teacher yet?”
“Who is it? We can’t wait!” the students pressed Principal Tyvanna Boulanger for hints.
Escambia County Public Schools is hiring an agriculture teacher for the next school year.
The selected candidate will facilitate the Agriculture program at Ernest Ward and sponsor the FFA student organization. They will facilitate several school-based programs each year, including a FFA banquet and an appreciation breakfast, and will travel with students to multiple competitions.
The school’s facilities include an outdoor learning lab that currently has goats and chickens, and a greenhouse.
“Can we get a cow?”
“Or a pig?”
The students are anxious to see the program, which has roots that can be traced back to a one-room log schoolhouse built in 1886, continue to grow and thrive.
Dolly, by the way, and the other goats were happy to pose for a few pictures after a little attention and an afternoon snack.
Pictured: Ag students and FFA members at the school’s agriscience facilities on Thursday afternoon. Dolly is the white goat. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
