Escambia Man Indicted On Federal Gun Charges
June 27, 2026
An Escambia County man has been indicted on federal drug charges.
James Christopher Bradford, 34, was charged with one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, and one count of distribution of Ketamine and MDMA.
If convicted, he faces up to 40 years in federal prison.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration with assistance from the Naval Criminal Investigative Service. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Brooke Lindsay.
Blue Wahoos Score 12 Unanswered Runs In Wild Comeback Win
June 27, 2026
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos pulled off the comeback of the season on Friday night, winning 12-7 over the Chattanooga Lookouts after trailing 7-0.
Things started out about as poorly as possible for the Wahoos. With Orlando Ortiz-Mayr on the mound, the Lookouts put up three runs in the 2nd inning on a 2-run double from Julio Cerreras and an RBI single from Carlos Jorge. Then, two innings later, four more runs came around to score when the first 6 batters reached, officially ending Ortiz-Mayr’s day at 3.1 innings, with 9 hits, and 7 runs allowed.
Trailing 7-0 and with only one hit through the first five innings, Pensacola had some work to do. And they slowly started chipping away in the 6th. A solo homer from Aiva Arquette got the scoring started. Juan Matheus followed with a walk and Fenwick Trimble followed that with a double. With two men in scoring position, Brendan Jones slapped a double down the third baseline to cut the deficit to 4 and make it a 7-3 game.
When the top of the 7th inning rolled around, Pensacola kept their momentum rolling. Following a leadoff single from Ian Lewis Jr., Cam Cannarella ripped a two-run opposite field homer, his 4th of the year. With the score now 7-5, Juan Matheus singled with two down to bring Fenwick Trimble to the plate representing the tying run. And Fenwick took full advantage, sending his 9th home run of the year over the left field wall and tying the game up at 7-7.
The Wahoos bullpen, which consisted of Holt Jones, Livan Reinoso, and Jack Sellinger (W, 1-2) would go on to pitch the next 6.2 innings scoreless and hitless after the 4th to send the game to extras.
Emaarion Boyd pinch-ran for Connor Caskenette to begin the 10th. Following an Ian Lewis Jr. sacrifice bunt that moved Boyd to third, Jay Beshears sent a high chopper over the first baseman to give Pensacola their first lead of the night at 8-7. But that was just the beginning. Jay Beshears stole second to get into scoring position, just in time for Aiva Arquette to bloop a single into center to score Beshears and make the lead 9-7.
Juan Matheus then drew a walk to put two men on with two outs for Fenwick Trimble. And Trimble pounced. Fenwick crushed a ball well over the left field fence for a three-run dinger, his second homer of the game, and, after once trailing 7-0, gave the Wahoos a 12-7 lead. Jack Sellinger would set the Lookouts down in order to complete the comeback and send Pensacola to victory.
Taylor Floyd (L, 2-2) was charged with the loss. The Blue Wahoos improved to 38-35 while the Lookouts fell to 39-34.
The Blue Wahoos continue their series against the Lookouts on Saturday night.
written by Charlie Hobert
Cantonment WWII Veteran, Purple Heart Recipient Passes Away At 109
June 26, 2026
One of America’s oldest living World War II veterans has passed away.
Army veteran Duane Brewton of Cantonment was 109 years old.
In February, he celebrated his 109th birthday at the Sodalis Senior Living Facility.
For more photos from Brewton’s 109th birthday celebration, click here.
He served in Europe during World War II. While serving in the Army infantry, Brewton was awarded the Purple Heart after an artillery shell exploded near him and caused critical injuries from multiple shrapnel wounds.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Two Arrested After $250K Copper Theft Ring From Local Bridges, Highways
June 26, 2026
A joint 10-month investigation into a major copper theft ring has culminated in the arrest of two individuals accused of stealing approximately $250,000 worth of copper wiring from local bridges and highways.
The Pensacola Police Department, in coordination with the Florida Highway Patrol, led the extensive operation that began in September 2025. According to officials, the thieves targeted light poles on bridges and along the interstate, stripping an estimated 100,000 total feet of copper wire.
The widespread thefts left several areas in the dark, including the Barrancas bridge over Bayou Chico. Motorists traveling the bridge at night had reported non-functioning lights for months, a direct result of the wiring being completely stripped. Similar thefts were also carried out along local interstate highways.
The investigation led law enforcement to David Nielsen, 37, and Rae Ann Horne, 31.
When authorities moved to execute arrest warrants on a boat owned by Nielsen, which was anchored in Bayou Chico, Nielsen reportedly jumped into the water in an attempt to escape. He was quickly apprehended by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and the Pensacola Police Department SWAT team. Horne was taken into custody without incident.
Nielsen has been charged with theft of copper from utility poles, which is a first-degree felony, alongside felony criminal mischief. Horne faces charges of dealing in stolen property after investigators discovered she allegedly took the stolen copper to local scrap yards to sell.
Pensacola Police PIO Mike Wood indicated that the investigation remains active and fluid, noting that several additional arrests are forthcoming.
The multi-agency operation was supported by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
Amateur Radio Field Day Is This Weekend With Free Demonstrations
June 26, 2026
Amateur Radio’s biggest annual event is this weekend.
The Five Flags Amateur Radio Association, in partnership with Escambia County Emergency Management, Escambia County ARES, BRACE, and Escambia Search and Rescue, invites the public to attend the 2026 ARRL Field Day event from 11 a.m. Saturday, June 27 until noon on Sunday, June 28, 2026, at the Escambia County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) on W Street.
(Note that the ECO is a location charge from prevous years’ event at Ashton Brosnaham Park.)
Field Day is the largest annual Amateur Radio operating event in North America. Each year, thousands of Amateur Radio operators across the United States and Canada set up temporary radio stations in parks, emergency operations centers, community locations, and outdoor sites to practice portable communications and demonstrate the value of Amateur Radio in public service and emergency preparedness.
During Field Day, local Amateur Radio operators will demonstrate how amateur radio can be used to communicate locally, nationally, and internationally using voice, digital, and other radio communication methods. The event will also highlight the ability of Amateur Radio operators to communicate when cell phones, internet service, and commercial power may be unavailable.
This year’s event brings together several community partners with a shared focus on preparedness, emergency communications, volunteer service, and public education. Escambia County Emergency Management, BRACE, Escambia County ARES, Escambia Search and Rescue, and the Five Flags Amateur Radio Association all play important roles in helping strengthen local readiness and community resilience.
The public is invited to visit the Field Day site, meet local Amateur Radio operators, see radio equipment in operation, and learn how Amateur Radio supports emergency communications, weather awareness, public service events, technical education, and disaster preparedness.
“Field Day is part emergency communications exercise, part public demonstration, and part open house,” said Paul Stefon, K7PCS, President of the Five Flags Amateur Radio Association. “It is a great opportunity for the public to see how Amateur Radio works and why it remains an important communications resource, especially during hurricanes, disasters, and other emergencies.”
The 2026 Field Day event follows the recent presentation of an official Escambia County proclamation recognizing the service of Amateur Radio operators. The proclamation was presented at the Escambia County Board of County Commissioners meeting on Wednesday, June 17, 2026.
No Amateur Radio license is required to attend Field Day. Visitors are welcome, and club members will be available to answer questions about getting licensed, radio equipment, emergency communications, and how to become involved.
Kids Enjoy Animal Tales At Century Library; Molino Program Is Saturday
June 26, 2026
Kids enjoyed “Animal Tales Presents Fossils Alive: Dinosaurs Among Us” on Thursday morning at the Century Library.
The program features several exotic animals with involvement through verbal participation, educational skits, and hands-on activities.
The Animal Tales program will be presented on Saturday at 1 p.m. at the Molino Library.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Ibarra Continues to Torment Wahoos in 10-3 Loss
June 26, 2026
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos dropped game 3 of their 6 game set with the Chattanooga Lookouts by a final score of 10-3.
Eliazar Dishmey (L, 0-1) struggled in his second straight start for the Wahoos, going just 4.0+ innings and allowing 5 runs on 3 hits and tying a career high with 6 walks. Meanwhile, Lookouts starter Javi Rivera (W, 1-4) kept the Pensacola offense in check. He gave up just 2 runs on 3 hits and 6 strikeouts.
Chattanooga took a 7-0 lead in the first 5 innings off of Dishmey, Kade Bragg, and Luis Moreno. The Wahoos were able to scrape across a pair of runs in the top of the 6th. Payton Green led off with a double and advanced to third on a Cam Cannarella single, a basehit that extended his hitting streak to 10 games. Aiva Arquette brought him home on a groundout to third and Juan Matheus scored Cannarella with an RBI single, bringing the score to 7-2.
The Lookouts had an answer though, and snatched those two runs right back on a home run from Ruben Ibarra, his 11th of the year and his 6th against the Wahoos this season, and an RBI double from Julio Carreras, which brought the Lookouts lead back to 7.
Down 9-2, Pensacola would fight back for one more. With the bases loaded in the top of the 8th, Ryan Ignoffo grounded out to the pitcher, but brought home a run in the process to make the score 9-3.
Ruben Ibarra made sure to get a parting shot in before the game was up, as he launched his second homer of the game off of Colby Martin in the bottom of the 8th. That brought his total to 12 on the year and 7 against the Wahoos in 2026 alone.
That score would prove to be fatal for the Wahoos, as they would fall by a final of 10-3 on Thursday night, dropping their record to 37-35.
The Blue Wahoos continue their series against the Lookouts on Friday night.
written by Charlie Hobert
Nine Mile Road Costco Is Now Open (With Gallery)
June 25, 2026
The long-anticipated Nine Mile Road Costco is now open.
Hundreds of people were in a line that stretched from the entrance around to the back of the building at 225 East Nine Mile Road as a ribbon cutting was held at 7:30 a.m.
“Have your membership cards, or your digital membership card ready,” employees exclaimed as the line steadily streamed inside where members were required to scan their cards for entrance. Without a membership card, some would-be shoppers were turned away to buy a membership under tents outside the store.
An hour later, hundreds had made their way inside, replaced by newly arriving throngs of people that still stretched the line around to the back corner of the massive 172,580-square-foot store. There were very few, if any, available parking spaces in the 830-space lot.
“We used to wait in long lines for concerts,” a middle-aged lady standing in line with her friends said. “Now we wait in line at Costco.”
There was also a line to enter the liquor store.
The full-line warehouse has a tire center, food court with those famous $1.50 hot dogs, offers hearing aids, an optical department, pharmacy and many more products and services. There is also a standalone gas station for members only out front.
Once inside, shoppers were quick to check out big-screen TVs just inside the door, while others headed straight for the meat department.
“They have really good beef, the best really,” one shopper said.
An hour after the ribbon cutting, there was no line, no waiting at most of the checkouts — shoppers were still exploring the store, topping off their buggies, or enjoying free food samples.
How much is a Costco membership?
Membership is required for in-store shoppers at Costco. Members must be 16 or older to apply. The pharmacy is open to anyone, regardless of membership.
Also note that in-store
Costco offers two levels of membership for individuals or businesses:
Executive: $130 annually
- Annual 2% Reward
- Costco Services Discounts
- Shop Online and in Warehouses
- Includes 2 Membership Cards
- 100% Satisfaction Guarantee
Gold Star: $65 annually
- Shop Online and in Warehouses
- Includes 2 Membership Cards
- 100% Satisfaction Guarantee
Businesses can purchase either level to purchase items for resale or add additional people at $65 each.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Decomposed Body Found Outside Ensley Walmart
June 25, 2026
A heavily decomposed body was found on Thursday morning outside the Ensley Walmart Supercenter on Pensacola Boulevard, just a few hundred feet from the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office 4th Precinct on Hood Drive.
Morgan Diaz, ECSO public information officer, said the male’s body was found in an area with shrubbery near the loading dock of the store.
She said it did not appear initially that foul play was involved, but the investigation is continuing. The cause of death is yet to be determined by the Medical Examiner’s Office.
Submitted photos by Matthew Kennell for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
No CPA, No Adviser: Century Runs Finances Unsupervised For Months
June 25, 2026
The Town of Century has spent most of the year operating without a CPA or a signed contract for a financial advisor.
At the most recent town council meeting, Town Clerk Carrie Moore said that the town’s previous CPA was Robert Hudson of Atmore.
“The last time I think we saw him was probably the first week in January,” she said. “No signed contract.”
“To my knowledge, we’ve never had a signed contract with him (Hudson) for a while,” Mayor Ben Boutwell added.
“We have actually been working with a gentleman by the name of Jack. He’s a retired auditor with Warren Averitt,” Town Clerk Carrie Moore told the town council recently. “He’s done nothing but municipal accounting, pretty much governmental accounting is all he’s done.”
“Jack” is Jack Rowell, a retired accountant who voluntarily relinquished his CPA license, according to the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation.
“We’ve actually been in contact with him and gave him some background on what’s going on,” Moore said. “We’ve been talking with him on just the different issues that we’ve got and seeing what his take is on it is kind of thing, seeing if he can help. He would be interested in coming in. I can’t say part-time or whatnot.”
“He (Rowell) would be someone that we close up the books at the end of the month; he would review everything and when it came time for the audit,” Moore continued. “He would make sure your audit was where it needed to be before it was done.”
The town council has taken no action to formalize a contract with Rowell or seek bids from any CPAs.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.