Round To The Nearest Nickel: DeSantis Signs Gaetz Bill As Pennies Go Away
May 13, 2026
On Tuesday, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed legislation that allows businesses to round up or down to the nearest nickel when people are paying with cash because pennies are no longer being made by the U.S. Mint. The bill was sponsored in the Florida Senate by Sen. Don Gaetz of Northwest Florida.
The new law took effect immediately and states that cash purchases will be rounded to the nearest nickel — those that end in 1 or 2 cents will be rounded down to zero, those ending in 3 or 4 cents will be rounded up to 5 cents. Those transactions that end in 6 or 7 cents will be rounded down to 5 cents, and those that end in 8 or 9 cents will be rounded up to 10 cents.
The rounding does not impact sales tax; it is applied to the final, after-tax, total. The legislation does not have any impact on people who are paying with debit or credit cards.
File photo.
Escambia Sheriff’s Office Honors Fallen Officers And K-9s
May 13, 2026
Thursday, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office held a Law Enforcement Memorial Ceremony to honor deputies and K-9s killed in the line of duty. The families and friends of the fallen gathered to place a rose on the agency’s memorial.
Roll Call of Heroes:
- Town Hall Marshall Daniel Douglas – End of Watch 1893
- Sheriff A. Cary Ellis – End of Watch 1923
- Constable Mallory Williams – End of Watch 1941
- Deputy Joseph Elmer Whitworth – End of Watch 1954
- Constable William “Clint” Rigby – End of Watch 1955
- Patrolman Roland Davis, Sr. – End of Watch 1955
- Deputy Len B. Adams – End of Watch 1958
- Deputy Joseph Mallory Gassman – End of Watch 1966
- Deputy Charles Leroy Wilkerson – End of Watch 1974
- Deputy Morley “Buddy” Ray – End of Watch 1978
- Deputy Floyd “Doug” Heist – End of Watch 1980
- Corporal Eric Byron Streeter – End of Watch 1984
- Deputy Donald Ray Cook – End of Watch 1988
- Sergeant Dennis Mathis – End of Watch 1989
- Sergeant Roosevelt Walker, Jr. – End of Watch 1998
- Lieutenant George Hura, Jr. – End of Watch 2004
- Deputy Jeremy Cassady – End of Watch 2025
- K-9 Wolf – End of Watch 2000
- K-9 Erny – End of Watch 2000
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Miller Masterful As Wahoos Beat Lookouts 4-1
May 13, 2026
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos christened Chattanooga’s new Erlanger Park with a 4-1 win over the Lookouts on Tuesday night, riding a pair of homers and a quality start to victory over the team with the Southern League’s best record.
Jacob Miller (W, 1-2) turned in his best start of the season, scattering five hits and one run over 6.0 innings to earn his first win.
Dillon Lewis gave the Blue Wahoos an early 1-0 lead with a solo homer, his team-leading sixth of the season, in the second inning. Payton Green added a two-run shot in the fifth inning, and Fenwick Trimble singled home Brendan Jones in the sixth inning for a 4-0 advantage.
Miller surrendered a solo homer to Carlos Jorge in the sixth, but neither team could capitalize on ample opportunities in the late innings. Lookouts starter Johnathan Harmon (L, 3-1) worked around a leadoff Michael Snyder triple in the seventh, and Blue Wahoos relievers Kade Bragg and Logan Whitaker left the bases loaded with Lookouts runners in both the seventh and eighth. Luis Palacios (S, 1) inherited two baserunners in the ninth, but coaxed a game-ending double play grounder from Leo Balcazar to end the game.
The Blue Wahoos continue their series against the Lookouts on Wednesday morning.
written by Erik Bremer
Case Continued For Homicide Suspect That Claimed Self Defense In McDavid Main Street Drug Deal
May 12, 2026
During a court appearance on Monday, a court case was continued for the suspect in a February 2025 fatal shooting on Main Street in McDavid. The suspect claims he shot the victim out of fear, but the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office says it was murder.
Investigators charged Antonio Marshone DeSoto, now 26, with homicide for the shooting on Main Street, just east of Highway 29. During a hearing on Monday, Judge John Simon continued the case until July 22 at the request of the State Attorney’s Office.
DeSoto has pleaded not guilty and is being held without bond in the Escambia County Jail.
The victim, identified as Charles Black, was found lying in Main Street directly in front of the McDavid Post Office about 8:40 p.m. on February 18, who was suffering from two gunshot wounds. He was just a few feet away from the driver’s door of his Chevrolet SUV, which remained in the roadway.
The arrest report make no mention of any weapon being recovered from Black or his vehicle.
After he was shot, Black was able to call 911 and tell dispatchers that DeSoto was the perpetrator, according to an arrest report. He was no longer able to speak to deputies after they arrived on scene. He was transported by Escambia County EMS to the nearby McDavid Fire Station before being airlifted by Medstar AirCare helicopter to a Pensacola hospital where he later died.
Deputies received a tip that DeSoto had fled following the shooting to a residence in the 100 block of Highway 164, just west of Highway 29 and Driver Road, about a half mile from the shooting scene. Deputies searched the home and found nothing. ECSO said the homeowner said she was allowing DeSoto to stay in a camper inside the house, but she had not seen him since earlier that afternoon. She told deputies that she had been advised by her daughter that she heard gunshots from down the road, but she did not see DeSoto after that.
DeSoto was taken into custody outside the home, and a 9mm Taurus G2C handgun was recovered under the camper.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Once An Aggie, Always An Aggie: Keyla Richardson Was A 2015 Tate Graduate
May 12, 2026
Once an Aggie, Always an Aggie!
American Idol Top 3 finalist Keyla Richardson is a 2015 Tate High School graduate.
Keyla Deanna Richardson graduated from Tate High on Tuesday night, June 2, 2015, at the Pensacola Bay Center. She received generous applause as her name was called and she was handed her diploma by then Principal Rick Shackle. There was a big smile across her face as she moved across the stage and shook hands with then Superintendent Malcolm Thomas.
During her whirlwind hometown visit and concert last week in Pensacola, she was celebrated by the community.
The Tate High School Showband of the South played a big role in last Wednesday’s Keyla Fest, performing a custom arrangement for her at Life Shifting Learning Academy on Highway 29 in Ensley, and marching in the downtown parade.
She also made a surprise appearance at Education Day at Blue Wahoos Stadium, pausing for a photo with members of the Tate High School Yearbook staff.
She also autographed her photo in a school copy of the 2015 Tate yearbook.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Image above courtesy WEAR 3 for NorthEscambai.com
Northview Chiefs, Jay Royals To Battle For Regional Title Tonight
May 12, 2026
The Northview Chiefs will host the Jay Royals at 6 p.m. Tuesday for the Region 1 Rural championship.
The Chiefs (19-5) will be looking to continue their current eight-game winning streak, while the Royals (12-12) will be looking to upset the region’s top team.
Northview defeated Jay 7-0 for the district title.
Photos: Northview Blanks Jay for District championship.
Northview is coming off a 15-0 mercy rule shutout of Holmes County in just 2.5 innings, and Jay held on for a 3-2 win over Chipley in their regional semifinal.
Last season, Northview won the regional championship 4-1 over Jay. The Chiefs advanced to the state final, finishing as state runners-up to Trenton.
Tickets are available on GoFan; no cash at the gate.
Escambia Felon Indicted On Federal Gun, Drug Charges
May 12, 2026
An Escambia County felon has been indicted on federal drug and gun charges.
Marcellous Likely-McWilliams III, 27, was indicted in federal court on one count of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance involving marijuana; one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; and one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Trial is set for June 22.
If convicted, Likely-McWilliams faces a maximum of 20 years’ imprisonment on the possession with intent to distribute count; a minimum mandatory sentence of 5 years’ imprisonment and up to life imprisonment on the possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking count; and up to 15 years’ imprisonment on the possession of a firearm by a convicted felon count.
Pensacola Sports Honors Top Senior Athletes, Awards Scholarships (With Gallery)
May 12, 2026
Pensacola Sports recently recognized the top outstanding seniors who have excelled in their respective sports on and off the field in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties and awarded scholarships.
For a photo gallery, click here.
A selection committee, made up of educators, community leaders and Pensacola Sports board members, carefully reviews each anonymous application, honoring those whose character, leadership and achievements truly stand out. From these sport-specific winners,
2026 Senior Scholar-Athlete Award Winners
- Overall Boys Senior Scholar-Athlete ($5,000 Scholarship): Colton Guillot, Catholic High School
- Overall Girls Senior Scholar-Athlete ($5,000 Scholarship): Abby Vernier, West Florida High School
- Multi Sport Girls ($500 Scholarship): Kaylie Mitchell, Tate High School
- Multi Sport Boys ($500 Scholarship: Bowen Iorg, Pace High School
- Baseball: Clayton Sanders, Pace High School
- Boys Basketball: Sergio Robinson, Milton High School
- Boys Cross Country: John McAuley, West Florida High School
- Football: Caden Jasso, Catholic High School
- Boys Golf: Ian Morris, Catholic High School
- Boys Lacrosse: John Lagergren, Catholic High School
- Boys Soccer: John Zeravsky, Catholic High School
- Boys Swimming: Linden Mason, Pace High School
- Boys Tennis: Guy Ormsby, Gulf Breeze High School
- Boys Track: Markiece Kramer, Pace High School
- Boys Weightlifting: Roan Strom, Navarre High School
- Wrestling: Garrett Ferguson, Gulf Breeze High School
- Cheerleading: Brea Lyle, Jay High School
- Girls Basketball: Chamiah Francis, Central High School
- Girls Cross Country: Charlotte NeSmith, West Florida High School
- Girls Flag Football: Haley Dasinger, Pace High School
- Girls Golf: Lillian Day, Catholic High School
- Girls Lacrosse: Ella Adams, Catholic High School
- Girls Soccer: Lily Rodriguez, Catholic High School
- Softball: Mylee Frazier, Jay High School
- Girls Swimming: Taylor Clements, West Florida High School
- Girls Tennis: Maya Chavan, Catholic High School
- Girls Track: Trinity Jordan, Escambia High School
- Volleyball: Sydney Sutter, Gulf Breeze High School
- Girls Weightlifting: Abigail Butler, Navarre High School
- Multi Sport Girls: Kaylie Mitchell, Tate High School
- Multi Sport Boys: Bowen Iorg, Pace High School
Pensacola State College warded 25 individual sports winners with a one-year $900 renewable scholarships
Special Scholarships
Dr. Alec Kessler Memorial Foundation Scholarships ($1,000)
- Ruby Seacrest, Washington
- Lawson Killingsworth, Washington
- Darnell Thomas, Catholic
- Avril Clarke, Gulf Breeze
- Breanna Shaw, Navarre
UWF Scholarship ($1,500)
- Brody Bruce, Navarre
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
PensaKeyla Proud! Relive Top 3 Idol Finalist Keyla Richardson’s Concert, Parade
May 12, 2026
Keyla Richardson’s quest to be the next American Idol ended at the Top 3 on Monday night, but oh what a ride.
Last week, Richardson was in Pensacola for Keyla Fest, with a downtown parade and concert.
You can relive both in our photo galleries:
For a photo gallery from the concert parade and more, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Allie Peton, and photos courtesy Escambia County and the U.S. Navy for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Baby, Adult Reportedly Transported Following Highway 29, Old Chemstrand Crash
May 11, 2026
A baby and an adult were reportedly transported to the hospital following an afternoon crash at Highway 29 and Old Chemstrand Road.
The crash, involving a GMC Terrain and GMC Sierra, occurred just before 1 p.m. The cause is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.
None of the injuries were believed to be serious.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Krisi Barbour, click to enlarge.
