No Injuries When Jeep Rear-Ends Semi In Fiery Highway 97 Crash
August 12, 2026
There were no injuries in a fiery Wednesday afternoon crash on Highway 97 south of Walnut Hill.
The driver of a northbound Jeep Renegade rear-ended a tractor-trailer on Highway 97 just north of Tungoil Road just after 3 p.m. The Jeep traveled across the southbound lane, through a ditch and came to rest in a field. The driver was able to escape the vehicle before it was destroyed by fire.
The tractor-trailer stopped on the shoulder of Highway 97.
Both drivers refused transport by Escambia County EMS.
The fire was quickly extinguished by the Molino Station of Escambia County Fire Rescue with assistance from the ECFR Walnut Hill Station.
The Florida Highway Patrol investigated the crash, which closed both north and southbound Highway 97 for a short period of time.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Two Injured In Highway 29 Crash Wednesday Morning
August 12, 2026
Two people were injured in a Highway 29 traffic crash on Wednesday morning.
The driver of a Jeep apparently rear-ended a passenger car just north of Roberts Road.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Woman Charged After Alleged Knife Attack, Lawn Damage Off Becks Lake Road
August 12, 2026
A Cantonment woman is facing multiple charges after allegedly threatening a man with a knife and tearing up his lawn during a February dispute off Becks Lake Road.
Missty Louise Tarver, 44, was arrested recently on an outstanding warrant for felony aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without intent to kill and misdemeanor criminal mischief.
According to an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office arrest affidavit, deputies responded to a disturbance complaint on February 26, 2026, at a residence on Garman Road, located just off Becks Lake Road in Cantonment.
A resident told deputies that Tarver called him earlier that evening acting irate and slurring her words, appearing to be heavily intoxicated. Shortly after the call, Tarver arrived at the residence in a black Chevrolet pickup truck with her 7-year-old child inside the vehicle.
When the resident held the unscreened porch door shut to keep her from entering, Tarver allegedly thrust a camo-handled pocket knife with a serrated blade through the porch screen toward his wrist. The victim had to pull his hand back to avoid being cut while Tarver yelled repeated threats at him.
Deputies noted that Tarver then returned to her truck, wielding two knives. Before fleeing the scene, she allegedly drove her pickup truck in circles, performing “donuts” on the front lawn. The stunt left deep tire ruts in the grass, causing an estimated $500 in property damage.
Responding deputies observed the hole in the screened porch door and the fresh tire ruts across the lawn.
Tarver was booked into the Escambia County Jail before being released on an $8,000 bond.
ALEA Identifies Atmore Man Killed In Baldwin County Crash
August 12, 2026
An Atmore man has died from injuries sustained in a multi-vehicle crash in Baldwin County last week, according to Alabama State Troopers.
James H. Archie, 66, passed away at USA Health University Hospital in Mobile.
According to Troopers, Archie was critically injured around 11:06 a.m. Monday, August 3, when the 2013 Hyundai Sonata he was driving struck a 2005 Honda CR-V driven by Logan B. Holcomb, 26, of Milton, Florida.
Following the initial impact, Archie’s vehicle collided with a 2004 Nissan Pathfinder driven by Katrina M. Brown, 53, of Fairhope.
Archie was transported to the hospital in Mobile, where he later succumbed to his injuries. Brown was also injured in the wreck and was transported to North Baldwin Hospital in Bay Minette for treatment.
The crash occurred on HIghway 31 near the 23-mile marker, approximately one mile north of the Bay Minette city limits.
Troopers with ALEA’s Highway Patrol Division continue to investigate the crash.
File photo.
Alabama Troopers Identify Flomaton Man Killed In Tractor, Semi Crash
August 12, 2026
Alabama State Troopers have identified the Flomaton man killed in a two-vehicle crash involving a tractor last week in Escambia County.
James R. Ward, 72, was fatally injured when the 1977 John Deere 4430 tractor he was operating, which was towing a hay baler, was struck in the rear by a 2014 Kenworth tractor-trailer driven by Daniel L. Wilson, 43, of Quincy, Florida. Ward was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Wilson was also injured and was transported to D.W. McMillan Memorial Hospital in Brewton for medical treatment.
The crash occurred at approximately 1:50 p.m. Thursday, August 6, on Alabama 113 near the 11 mile marker, approximately 11 miles north of the Flomaton city limits.
Troopers with ALEA’s Highway Patrol Division continue to investigate the crash.
File photo.
School Street In Jay Closed For Emergency Water Well Repairs
August 12, 2026
School Street at Highway 89 in Jay will be closed beginning on Tuesday.
The Town of Jay will be conducting emergency repairs on a water well at the intersection. A large crane will be in place on School Street, and both lanes will be closed to traffic.
The roadway is expected to open by Tuesday, August 18 at 5 p.m.
Parents will be able to access student pickup and drop-off from the Springs Street side of School Street.
Tate Lady Aggies Sweep Washington Wildcats In Preseason Volleyball Action
August 12, 2026
The Tate High School Lady Aggies opened their preseason volleyball schedule Tuesday evening in a Preseason Classic at Pensacola Catholic High School, taking on the Washington Wildcats.
he Lady Aggies set a strong tone for the upcoming fall campaign, securing a dominant sweep in two sets, 25-17 and 25-11.
After building an early lead and controlling the pace in the opening set, Tate pulled away decisively in the second to put the match out of reach.
Back To School: Escambia District Aiming To Hold Onto Historic ‘A’ Rating
August 11, 2026
Wednesday is the first day of school in Escambia County, and this year school is starting with a loftier goal — maintain the school district’s first A grade in recent memory.
In the school grades released by the state on July 1, 83% of ECPS schools upheld or exceeded past years’ performances. Overall, 19 ECPS schools earned an “A”, 16 schools earned a “B”, or 17 schools earned a “C”. No Escambia County schools earned a grade of D or F. This marked a third year of increases in the number of A and B schools in the district.
Tate High School reached a historic milestone, earning its first-ever “A” school grade. The achievement marked the first time a traditional high school in Escambia County Public Schools has earned the state’s highest accountability rating.
Blue Angels Elementary, Lipscomb Elementary, Montclair Elementary, Beulah Middle, Ernest Ward Middle and Tate High each raised their grades from “B”s last year to “A”s. Scenic Heights Elementary increased from a C to an A. Montclair Elementary has increased its grade from an F to an A in three years. Lincoln Park Elementary, Longleaf Elementary, Ferry Pass Middle and Workman Middle all raised their grades from Cs to Bs, while Navy Point Elementary had the greatest increase in points, with its school grade increasing from a D to a B.
Mathematics scores increased at rates surpassing the recently announced state increases, with the middle school Algebra pass rate now leading the state average increases by 6% and the 9th grade Algebra pass rate matching the state average for the first time.
Escambia County Public Schools’ middle school acceleration rate was again among the highest in the state, increasing from 87% to 89%. The middle school acceleration rate measures proficiency on high-school-level courses taken by middle school students, such as Algebra and Biology, as well as high-school-level industry certifications earned by middle school students. For the first time, the middle school Algebra EOC pass rate exceeds the state average.
Here are the individual school grades:
Elementary Schools
- A. K. Suter Elementary School — A
- Bellview Elementary School — A
- Beulah Elementary School — B
- Blue Angels Elementary School — A
- Bratt Elementary School — B
- Brentwood Elementary School — C
- Byrneville Elementary School — C
- C. A. Weis Elementary School — C
- Cordova Park Elementary School — B
- Ensley Elementary School — C
- Ferry Pass Elementary School — B
- Global Learning Academy — C
- Hellen Caro Elementary School — B
- Jim Allen Elementary School — B
- Kingsfield Elementary School — B
- L. D. McArthur Elementary School — B
- Lincoln Park Elementary School — B
- Longleaf Elementary School — B
- Molino Park Elementary — A
- Montclair Elementary School — A
- Myrtle Grove Elementary School — C
- N. B. Cook Elementary School — A
- Navy Point Elementary School — B
- O. J. Semmes Elementary School — C
- Oakcrest Elementary School — C
- Pensacola Beach Elementary School — A
- Pine Meadow Elementary School — A
- Pleasant Grove Elementary School — A
- R. C. Lipscomb Elementary School — A
- Reinhardt Holm Elementary School — B
- Scenic Heights Elementary School — A
- Sherwood Elementary School — C
- Warrington Elementary School — C
- West Pensacola Elementary School — C
Middle Schools
- Bellview Middle School — C
- Beulah Middle School — A
- Brown Barge Middle School — A
- Ernest Ward Middle School — A
- Ferry Pass Middle School — B
- J. H. Workman Middle School — B
- Jim C. Bailey Middle School — B
- Ransom Middle School — A
High Schools
- Escambia High School — C
- J. M. Tate Senior High School — A
- Northview High School — C
- Pensacola High School — C
- Pine Forest High School — C
- Washington Senior High School — C
- West Florida High School/Technical — A
Other
- Beulah Academy Of Science — A
- Escambia Virtual Academy Franchise — B
- Pensacola State College Charter Academy — A
- Warrington Preparatory Academy — C
Escambia Library Director Christal Bell-Rivera Submits Resignation
August 11, 2026
Escambia County Library Director Christal Bell-Rivera submitted her resignation on Monday without explanation.
Bell-Rivera’s last day on the job will be September 9.
In early March, the Escambia County Commission affirmed County Administrator Wes Moreno’s decision to hire Bell-Rivera as library services director, rejecting recommendations from the West Florida Library Board of Governance (BOG) that ranked two other candidates higher.
The administrator’s decision came under fire because Bell-Rivera did not meet minimum qualifications at the time because she lacked a master’s degree in library science. She has since received the degree.
She had been appointed interim director by Moreno after the retirement of Todd Humble in November 2025.
New Car Rider Procedures In Effect At Tate High School This Year
August 11, 2026
Car rider procedures have changed this school year at Tate High School.
Parents will enter the campus at Tate School Road (near the electronic sign), and two lanes will make an immediate right and travel along a construction fence before merging into one lane and circling around in front of the Tate Building for morning drop-off and afternoon pickup. Traffic will then exit the campus with a left turn only back onto Tate Road.
The change is due to the upcoming construction of a performing arts center. Groundbreaking for the facility is expected in September, but the new car rider procedures will be in place as of the first day of school on Wednesday, August 12.
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