Final Four Bound: Northview Lady Chiefs Seek Financial Support For State Trip
May 14, 2026
The Northview Lady Chiefs are asking for financial assistance to make the trip to the Rural Division Final Four next week.
The team will travel to Soldiers Creek Park in Longwood (Orlando metro) for the state semifinals on May 19 with the state championship to follow on May 20. The team must fund transportation, lodging, and food.
Donations can be made on Venmo or by check made payable to Northview Diamond Club at the school.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Molino Man Charged With Fleeing Deputies On Motorcycle, Possessing Drugs In Dollar Bill
May 14, 2026
A Molino man was arrested recenthly after allegedly fleeing law enforcement on his motorcycle at a high rate of speed and discarding narcotics while attempting to hide in a constructio
Spencer Ray Stokes, 34, was charged with fleeing and eluding a law enforcement officer with lights and sirens active and possession of a controlled substance without a prescription, both felonies.
According to an arrest report, a deputy was patrolling the area of East Nine Mile Road when he observed a motorcycle traveling at a high rate of speed. When the deputy attempted to catch up, the rider—later identified as Stokes—performed a U-turn and eventually sped through a red light at the intersection of Guidy Lane.
The deputy briefly lost sight of the motorcycle after it made evasive maneuvers through several intersections, leading the officer to deactivate emergency lights and sirens for safety, the report states. While continuing to search the area, the deputy discovered the unoccupied motorcycle parked behind a house under construction near Cain Avenue.
Stokes was located by responding units as he walked away from the scene. He reportedly admitted to parking the bike and walking behind the under-construction houses.
A K-9 unit searched the path Stokes had taken and alerted to several discarded items, including the motorcycle’s keys and a $1 bill. Inside the folded bill, deputies found two green pills identified as oxycodone.
Stokes was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $5,000 bond.
Northview High and Ernest Ward Middle Bands Present Joint Spring Concert
May 14, 2026
The Northview High School and Ernest Ward Middle School bands held their joint Spring Concert this week at Northview.
The Ernest Ward Advanced Band performed American Spirit March and Chorale and Mystic Chant.
Northview Jazz Ensemble performances included American Patrol and My Funny Valentine. The Northview Concert Band performed selections including Golden and Rising From The Earth.
The bands are all under the direction of Garsche Roble.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge
30,000 Pound Food Distribution Set For Saturday
May 14, 2026
State Representative Michelle Salzman, in partnership with Feeding the Gulf Coast and a dedicated coalition of community organizations, will host a large-scale food distribution event this Saturday, May 16, 2026, at Marcus Pointe Baptist Church.
Starting at 7:30 a.m. and continuing until supplies are exhausted, this event will provide approximately 30,000 pounds of food—including fresh produce—to families across our community. To ensure a smooth process, vehicles are permitted to begin lining up as early as 6:00 a.m. Distribution is available to the first 300 families.
Residents are strongly encouraged to arrive early, as demand is expected to be high and supplies are limited.
Each participating household will receive a box of fresh food, providing vital support to individuals and families navigating food insecurity within Escambia County.
“This event reflects the power of partnerships and our shared commitment to serving the community,” said Salzman. “We are proud to come together to ensure families have access to essential resources.”
Marcus Pointe Baptist Church is located at 6205 North W Street in Pensacola.
Lewis Homers Twice, But Bullpen Falters In Road Loss To Lookouts
May 14, 2026
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos hit three homers and held a comfortable lead through the middle innings, but the Chattanooga Lookouts rallied late for an 8-7 victory on Wednesday afternoon.
With two outs in the bottom of the eighth inning, Carlos Jorge lifted a go-ahead, three-run homer to complete a six-run comeback for the Lookouts and even up the series at one game apiece.
Fenwick Trimble and Dillon Lewis hit back-to-back homers right away in the first inning to put Pensacola ahead 3-0. It marked the first back-to-back homers for the Blue Wahoos since their last trip to Chattanooga in June of 2025.
Leo Balcazar got two runs back for the Lookouts with a two-run homer in the third inning against Blue Wahoos starter Alex Williams, but Cristian Hernández stretched the Pensacola lead back to 5-2 in the top of the fourth by hitting an RBI double and scoring on a Dylan Jasso sacrifice fly.
Lewis tacked on two more runs with a homer in the fifth, marking his second homer of the afternoon and team-leading eighth of the season.
Williams allowed two runs in the sixth, but Jack Sellinger prevented further trouble to preserve a 7-4 lead until the bottom of the eighth. The Blue Wahoos, who made five outs on the basepaths throughout the game, were unable to capitalize on threats against Chattanooga reliever Taylor Floyd (W, 1-0) in both the seventh and eighth innings, and paid the price when Jorge hit his three-run homer against Nigel Belgrave (L, 1-3) to give the Lookouts their first lead of the afternoon.
Hunter Parks (S, 3) narrowly avoided blowing a save of his own in the top of the ninth as Brendan Jones lifted a deep drive just foul down the right field line, but converted a 1-2-3 frame to lock down the save and a comeback win for the Lookouts.
The Blue Wahoos continue their series against the Lookouts on Thursday.
written by Erik Bremer
Federal Jury Convicts Escambia County Felon on Firearms and Ammunition Charges
May 14, 2026
An Escambia County felon has been convicted on federal firearm charges.
James Michael Olshefskie, 55, was found guilty by a federal jury in Pensacola following a two-day trial for possession of ammunition by a convicted felon and possession of two unregistered firearm silencers.
On September 11, 2025, United States Probation Officers visited Olshefskie at his Escambia County residence as part of his federal post-conviction supervision. He was on federal supervised release for a 2024 federal felony conviction, and as a convicted felon, he was prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition. During their visit, probation officers found ammunition and unregistered firearm silencers in his bedroom.
Olshefskie faces up to 25 years’ imprisonment when he is sentenced on June 25, 2026.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
Final Four Bound: Northview Lady Chiefs Shut Out Jay For Regional Crown
May 13, 2026
The Northview Lady Chiefs headed to the Final Four for the second straight year after taking the Rural Region 1 softball championship with a 6-0 shutout of the Jay Royals on Tuesday night in Bratt.
Northview junior Mikayla McAnally struck out 10 batters, one hit shy of a perfect game, and walked none.
Addysen Bolen led the Lady Chiefs at the plate with two RBIs as she went 2-3 on the evening. Daviona Randolph also went 2-3 at bat. Peyton Womack and Bailey Burkette each added one hit.
Emery Vaughn had the only hit for the Lady Royals with a single to right fielder Randolph.
Fore a photo gallery, click here.
Ella Samford opened in the circle for Jay, giving up one hit and four runs in one-third of an inning, striking out none while walking three. Cadee Carroll went for five and two-thirds innings, allowing five hits and two runs with one walk and three strikeouts.
Tuesday was the first time on the field in a week for the teams due to rain, but Coach Amy Holland saw her Lady Chiefs take care of business.
“I think we need to work a little more on finding the middle part of the ball, but we scratched out some runs when we needed to,” Holland said after the game with rival Jay. “Every year we come back and we both battle it out. “There’s a good team; they’re a good rival team. You just never know how it’s going to go.”
“I didn’t pitch my best game, but we got the job done,” McAnally said. “But we hit as a team, and we got it all together when we needed to.”
Holland called McAnally the “heart of the team.”
“You’ve got to have a good pitcher to have a good team in softball, and she has come through in the circle for us.”
“We are going back this year,” the junior pitcher said. “We’re more prepared, and we know what to expect this year.”
Last season, Northview won the regional championship 4-1 over Jay. The Chiefs advanced to the state final for the first time in school history, finishing as state runners-up to Trenton.
“It’s a surreal feeling, and we all definitely wanted to make it back,” said senior Riley Brooks. “We are 100% more prepared. Our schedule this year will make it easier for us to face the challenge.”
Brooks added, “We know we have something to prove, and we will.”
The Lady Chiefs (20-5) will practice each afternoon this week before heading to the Orlando area for the state semifinals on Tuesday, May 19 against Liberty County (22-5). The winner will advance to the state championship on Wednesday, May 20.
Fore a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Former Lowe’s Worker Recently Arrested For 2025 Battery Of 73-Year Old Customer
May 13, 2026
A Cantonment man was recently taken into custody on an outstanding felony battery warrant issued following a physical confrontation that occurred last year at a local Lowes.
Joseph William Spencer, 66, was arrested on an outstanding warrant for battery on a person 65 years of age or older.
The arrest follows an investigation into an encounter on September 13, 2025, at the Lowe’s at 777 West Nine Mile Road. According to reports from the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were called to the customer service area to handle a disturbance involving two men.
Witnesses stated the altercation began when Spencer allegedly cut in line. When the 73-year-old victim confronted him, Spencer reportedly pushed the man backward and pinned him against a counter while throwing multiple punches. A bystander eventually intervened to break up the fight.
Spencer fled the scene in a red four-door pickup truck with a camper top before law enforcement arrived, according to an arrest report. While he was initially unidentified, an assistant manager recognized Spencer on surveillance footage as a former employee of the store.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office reported also noted that Spencer had previously been involved in a fight with a customer at the same location in 2017. The victim later positively identified Spencer during a photo lineup conducted by investigators.
Tate High Drama Celebrates Successful Year With Final Curtain Call For Seniors
May 13, 2026
The Tate High School Theatre program recently celebrated a successful year with a final curtain call for seniors.
This year, the program inducted 29 new Thespians into the troupe — the largest induction class in program history. The highest number of students ever involved in the club prior to this year was twenty-seven, meaning that this season the program more than doubled in size.
The final curtain call provided an opportunity to celebrate seniors as they took the Tate stage one final time, while recognizing several outstanding students with Legacy Awards for their leadership, service, and commitment to the performing arts.
Legacy Award Recipients were:
- Dorothy Lister “En Pointe” Award: Izzy Killebrew and Micah Frazier
- Neil Cobb “In The Wings” Award: Drew Crutchfield
- Ricky Still “Rising Star” Award: Gabriella Hardy
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Rotary Academic All-Stars Named From Northview, ECHS, Escambia Academy, Atmore Christian
May 13, 2026
The Atmore Rotary Club has named 175 area high school students as Academic All-Stars during their 41st annual program on Tuesday night.
Over $30,000 in scholarships was awarded to high school seniors based on the number of years they have been an Academic All-Star.
The program recognized outstanding students from Northview High School, Escambia Academy, Escambia County High School, and Atmore Christian School.
In addition, the Rotary Club presented Merit Scholarships to two seniors:
Little John Memorial Scholarship ($2,000): Luke Chavers, Northview High School
William and Mary Grissett Memorial Scholarship ($2,000): Tyler Carach, Northview High School
Those honored as Atmore Rotary Club Academic All-Stars were:
(Four-Year Academic All-Stars are denoted with asterisks.)
NORTHVIEW HIGH SCHOOL
Northview High School
Freshmen
Alexa Beasley
Brooklynn Bowen
Hartlie Bowman
Forester Bryan
Mazie Burkett
Presley Davey
Nathan Davis
Lillyth Dekker
Maggie DeVries
Aubrey Flowers
Olivia Garrett
Nathan Gilmore
Kyndal Hadley
Kaylee Harris
Sophia Ikner
Olivia Levins
Jeremy Lisenby
Annabelle Lynd
Jacob Marcum
Ava McCann
Camden Miller
Ryan Reynolds
Natalie Rogers
Curtis Smith
Kaden Smith
Summer Weaver
Kinley White
Bryce Yoder
Bailey Yuhasz
Sophomores
Aadan Adams
Jaxon Anderson
Kayde Boettger
Addysen Bolen
Kyleigh Brinkman
Madelyn Calloway
Hailey Carrillo
Kenley Clayton
Logan Diller
Santiago Espinoza Jr.
Parker Ganey
Carmen Garcia
Nicole Garcia
Sawyer Gilmore
William Gilmore
Emma Godwin
Michael Greenwell
Brody Hall
Camden Jacobson
Richard Maxwell
John McAnally
Hunter Parker
Allison Penton
Riley Phillips
Madalynn Pittman
Emma Reynolds
Makinzi Roley
Jackson Salter
Katelyn Sanchez
Avery Trawick
Eli Wiggins
Kaylee Wilson
Juniors
Jayden Arredonda
Camden Borelli
Alvia Brinkman
Asher Creighton
Caley Daharsh
Crimson Davis
Annberly Dunn
Hallie Emmons
Kobi Fiorenti
Amy Floyd
Maria Franco
Brielle Garcia
Hayden Gipson
Ashley Gleason
Lori Hall
Olivia Hall
Presley Johnson
Wesley Lambeth
Kylee Langham
Kaylee Long
Mikayla McAnally
Grace Oliver
Makayla Plato
Daviona Randolph
Dakota Richardson
Lexi Smallwood
Alexis Strength
Raleigh Warr
Allison Yoder
Seniors
Lauren Abbott
Claire Amerson *
Wade Bailey *
Kathryn Beasley
Cameron Bodiford
Jackson Bridges *
Alyssa Brooks
Leah Brooks
Tyler Carach *
Luke Chavers
Kenslee Chavira
Elizabeth Coleman *
Ayden Crabtree
Talaysha Curry *
Aakira Davis
Olivia Doyle
Shelby Greenwell
Kaiden Hall
Keeli Knighten *
Anna Kunkel *
Makenzie Levins
Bryant Mason
Samantha Minchew
Andrew Plant
Braylan Shelly *
Jackson Simmons *
Liam Simonson
Ona Spinks
Maggie Stewart *
Amie Weaver
Peyton Womack
Atmore Christian School
Freshmen
Kendall Harper
Riley Tate
Sophomores
Jenna Kennell
Elizabeth Landis
Juniors
Jordan Overton
Jordan Salter
Senior
Tyson Kennell*
Escambia Academy
Freshmen
Ensley Boykin
Bella Covington
Megan Harter
Marshall Lassiter
Camille Nichols
Athena Wilson
Sophomores
Leah Baggett
Poarcha Bailey
Mara Camp
Kimorah Goldsmith
Izabella Hadley
Cleria McCants
Cameron Perkins
Jackson Sellers
Jett Tillery
Asher Covington
Mary Davis
Marshall Gandy
Traegan James
Aleah Livingston
Lillian Manac
Courtney Richardson
Clinton Sasser
Seniors
Raelynn Manac
Kyler Williams
Escambia County High School
Freshmen
Jayleigh Brown
Diana Garcia
Laya George
Heaven Hartley
Aryanna Jones
Nicholas Sasser
Sophomores
Jyshaviah Knight
LaRodshia Lee
Di’Shaye Richardson
Gabriel Richardson
Ezekiel Riley
Juniors
Janae Dillard
Xamiria English
Khloe Sanders
Seniors
Shaleah Bright
Jalayah Bright-Alexander
Kydajah Brown
Trinity Gray
Amarion Lemon *
Imari Lemon *
Demyia Munlyn
Robert Smith
Pictured: Four-year Atmore Rotary Academic All-Stars. Photo by Andrew Garner/Atmore Advance for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.