Beulah Regional Park Splash Pad Closed May 26 And 27 For Maintenance
May 23, 2026
The splash pad at Beulah Regional Park will be closed Tuesday, May 26 and Wednesday, May 27, for routine maintenance. The splash pad will reopen with normal hours Thursday, May 28.
The splash pad will remain open during Memorial Day weekend.
Beulah Regional Park and all other park amenities, will remain open during this time.
Beulah Regional Park is located at 7820 Mobile Highway. The park is open daily from sunrise to sunset, and the splash pad is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
File photo.
Late Lead Slips Away As Blue Wahoos Fall To Columbus Clingstones
May 23, 2026
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos fell to the Columbus Clingstones by a final score of 6-5 on Friday night, allowing four late runs to spoil what had been a dominant pitching performance.
With the loss, the series between the Wahoos (21-22) and Clingstones (21-21) is even at 2-2, following Columbus’ 4-3 win on Thursday night. The Wahoos fell to third place in the South Division standings of the Southern League.
Pensacola scored five runs on 11 hits while drawing five walks, while Columbus plated six runs on five hits and collected eight walks – despite having only one hit through the first seven innings. Notable on the night was Pensacola’s Gage Miller, who went 3-for-3 with a run driven in. Emaarion Boyd, Garret Forrester and Fenwick Trimble contributed two hits each and plated four of the team’s five runs.
In his third start of the year, Luis Palacios offered 3.2 strong innings in his longest outing in May at the Double-A level. He gave up no hits while allowing one earned run and four free bases, collecting five strikeouts. As a whole, the Wahoos pitching staff generated 14 strikeouts against the Clingstones offense.
Boyd got the scoring started in the bottom of the second, ripping a single through the right side to drive in Forrester. The Wahoos kept up the pressure just an inning later, with Trimble and Dillon Lewis getting aboard on back-to-back singles and advancing on an overthrow by the Clingstones’ right fielder. Forrester delivered, pushing a two-out single into right field to extend Pensacola’s lead to 3-0.
Columbus answered back in the top of the fourth with an RBI groundout to Payton Green at shortstop. With two outs and runners on the corners, Forrester prevented any further damage by throwing out the runner at second base.
Yet, the Clingstones stayed persistent. Another groundout by Columbus’ Kevin Kilpatrick Jr. drove in another run in the fifth, cutting the Wahoos’ lead in half at 4-2.
Pensacola’s pitching staff held off Columbus in the following innings, sitting down the batters in order in the sixth and seventh. The Blue Wahoos extended their lead in the bottom of the seventh as Gage Miller powered a single up the middle to score Forrester from second base.
However, it seemed the Clingstones’ bats warmed up at just the wrong time. With the bases loaded in the top of the eighth, reliever Colby Martin let up an Archer Brookman single into right field to score two runners and bring the lead within one, 5-4. Pitcher Owen Hackman (W, 1-1) walked away with the win, giving up a double but inducing two groundouts and a flyout from the Wahoos in the bottom of the eighth.
Columbus would tie the game in the top of the ninth against Nigel Belgrave (L, 1-4) with a Patrick Clohisy RBI double into right, and Lizandro Espinosa followed with a go-ahead RBI single. Pensacola went down in order to Columbus’ Luis Vargas (S, 1) in the following half inning to cement the loss, 6-5.
The Blue Wahoos continue their series against the Clingstones on Saturday.
written Maddy Branning
ECSO: No Charges To Be Filed In Accidental Cantonment Double Shooting
May 22, 2026
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office says no charges will be filed in an accidental double shooting early Friday morning in Cantonment.
The incident occurred around 3:40 a.m. in the 2600 block of Pleasant Valley Drive off Highway 297A.
Deputies said a man was holding a gun when it accidentally went off, hitting him and the woman sitting next to him. Both were transported to the hospital with injuries that were not considered to be life-threatening.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Rivers Up Just Inches As Area Remains In A Severe Drought
May 22, 2026
Dry conditions have improved slightly across the area, but all of Escambia and Santa Rosa counties remain in a severe drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor data released on Thursday.
Portions of northern Escambia and Santa Rosa counties in Florida had been in an extreme drought, and rain that is forecast through Monday will make a difference, but how much remains to be seen.
The Escambia River at Century was at 3.27 feet and falling on Thursday night. That’s up about seven inches from 2.69 feet on April 28. On Thursday night, the Perdido River at Barrineau Park was at 1.47 feet and falling, up about 1.5 inches from 1.34 feet on April 28.
For more photos, click here.
During a 50-to-100-year drought in July 2011, the Escambia and Perdido rivers were at 2.90 and 1.30 feet, respectively.
RELATED: Escambia River Dropping Closer To Historic Low (April 29)
Pictured: The Escambia River at Fischer Landing near Century this week. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Century, Cottage Hill, And Molino Utilities Staff Complete Infrastructure Mapping Training
May 22, 2026
The Town of Century hosted regional Diamond Maps training on Friday.
Diamond Maps is a simple, cloud-based Geographic Information System (GIS) designed specifically for municipalities, rural utilities, and first-time GIS users. It is built to help small towns and utility districts map their infrastructure and track system maintenance without needing extensive technical training.
Utility staff from the Town of Century, Cottage Hill Water Works, and Molino Utilities was among those who attended the training.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Atmore Man Charged With Three Counts Of Attempted Murder In Brewton
May 22, 2026
An Atmore man is behind bars facing multiple attempted murder charges following an investigation by the Brewton Police Department into a pair of shootings from late last year.
Brewton Police said Devon Shavers was charge with three counts of attempted murder and two counts of shooting into an occupied dwelling.
According to police, the charges stem from two separate shooting incidents that took place in Brewton on December 13 and December 16, 2024.
Police revealed that these December shootings are directly linked to the subsequent murder of Rickel Samuel, which occurred in February 2025.
While Shavers has been charged in connection with the December incidents, the Brewton Police Department noted that the investigation into the murder of Rickel Samuel remains active and ongoing. Officials indicated that further developments in the case may result in additional arrests.
Shavers remains in the Escambia County (AL) Detention Center in Brewton with bond set at $250,000.
Non-Profit To Hold Horse Tack Sale on Saturday
May 22, 2026
The non-profit horse rescue group Panhandle Equine Rescue will hold a tack sale on Saturday, May 23.
The sale will take place at 3099 East Chipper Road in Cantonment from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Both new and used tack will be fore sale.
The indoor sale will take place rain or shine.
Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Ernest Ward Middle School Holds 8th Grade Promotion Ceremony
May 22, 2026
Thursday morning, Ernest Ward Middle School held a promotion ceremony for eighth grade students.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
NOAA Predicts Below Normal 2026 Hurricane Season
May 22, 2026
Forecasters with NOAA’s National Weather Service are predicting a below-normal hurricane season for the Atlantic basin this year. NOAA’s outlook for the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season, which runs June 1 to November 30, predicts a 35% chance of a near-normal season, a 10% chance of an above-normal season, and a 55% chance of a below-normal season.
The agency is forecasting a total of 8-14 named storms (winds of 39 mph or higher). Of those, 3-6 are forecast to become hurricanes (winds of 74 mph or higher), including 1-3 major hurricanes (category 3, 4 or 5 with winds of 111 mph or higher). NOAA has a 70% confidence in these ranges. An average season has 14 named storms with seven hurricanes, including three major hurricanes.
“With the most advanced forecast modeling and hurricane tracking technologies, NOAA and the National Weather Service are prepared to deliver real-time storm forecasts and warnings,” said Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. “Our experts are integrating cutting-edge tools to ensure communities in the path of storms receive the earliest, most accurate information possible.”
“NOAA’s rapid integration of advanced technology, including AI-based weather models, drones, and next-generation satellite data will deliver actionable science to safeguard the lives and livelihoods of the American people,” said NOAA Administrator Neil Jacobs, Ph.D. “These new capabilities, combined with the unmatched expertise of our National Weather Service forecasters, will produce the most accurate forecasts possible to protect communities in harm’s way.”
The Atlantic season is expected to be below-normal due to competing factors. El Niño is expected to develop and intensify during the hurricane season, while ocean temperatures in the Atlantic are expected to be slightly warmer than normal and trade winds are likely weaker than average. El Niño conditions tend to support less tropical storms and hurricanes, while warmer ocean temperatures and low winds support a more active year.
“Although El Niño’s impact in the Atlantic Basin can often suppress hurricane development, there is still uncertainty in how each season will unfold,” said NOAA’s National Weather Service Director Ken Graham. “That is why it’s essential to review your hurricane preparedness plan now. It only takes one storm to make for a very bad season.”
NOAA’s outlook is for overall seasonal activity based on large-scale weather and climate patterns. It does not indicate where or when any storms may affect land as that is determined by short-term and variable weather patterns. The outlook is not a landfall forecast.
UWF Announces First Division 1 Season Schedule
May 22, 2026
University of West Florida football has released its 2026 schedule with a slate of five home games and six away games in the first season as NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision members. In anticipation of the new era of Argo football as members of the United Athletic Conference, season ticket renewals are now available for current ticket holders.
“This new era of Argonaut Athletics reflects the momentum and vision that continues to elevate UWF, and we look forward to seeing Argo Nation rally behind our team throughout this inaugural FCS season,” said UWF President Manny Diaz Jr.
The schedule combines established FCS programs, conference matchups and longtime regional opponents as UWF prepares for its first season at the DI level.
“We are looking forward to the 2026 UWF Football Season which will bring new opponents at the Division I level both on campus and on the road,” said head coach Kaleb Nobles. “We really wanted to give our team an opportunity to play a near full schedule of DI opponents during our first FCS season and we feel that this gives our entire program an opportunity to showcase the work that we put in to play great football each week. With our transition to the DI level, we spoke with a large number of teams across the country to set up what we feel like is a great schedule this year. We look forward to a great season in our first year in the UAC and on the DI level.”
SCHEDULE BRINGS IN NEW OPPONENTS AND REIGNITES OLD RIVALRIES
The Argos will open the season with a headliner matchup against Southern Illinois on Aug. 27 at Pen Air Field. The visiting Salukis went 7-5 in the 2025 season including a win over No. 11 ranked Illinois State to close out the regular season. Kick off is scheduled for 6 p.m. CT for the Thursday night opener.
UWF will then hit the road for its first-ever UAC game on Sept. 5 against Central Arkansas. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. CT.
Following a bye week, the Argos return home to host UAC member Austin Peay on Sept. 19 during Family Weekend at UWF. Kick off is scheduled for 6 p.m. CT.
UWF will then have two straight weeks on the road with games against Southeast Missouri State on Sept. 26 and Abilene Christian on Oct. 3. UAC co-champion Abilene Christian was 7-1 in the conference last year and made a run into the FCS playoffs where they defeated Lamar in the first round before falling to Stephen F. Austin. Gametime for Southeast Missouri State is to be determined, while kickoff against ACU is scheduled for 7 p.m. CT.
The Argos return home for two consecutive games against familiar NCAA Division II opponents Northeastern State on Oct. 10, and West Alabama during UWF’s Homecoming on Oct. 17. UWF played both opponents in the 2025 season picking up wins against each team on the road. The Argos defeated Northeastern 31-24 and West Alabama 23-16.
The Argos will travel to Eastern Kentucky on Oct. 24 with gametime still to be determined followed by North Alabama on Nov. 7 at 6 p.m. CT. UWF and North Alabama have faced off three times in program history with the Argos holding a 2-1 record against the Lions.
On Nov. 14 at 2 p.m. CT, UWF will close its home schedule with FCS powerhouse Tarleton State. The Texans finished 12-2 in 2025, including a double overtime win over FBS Army, and advanced to the second round of the FCS playoffs before losing to Villanova.
In the final game of the season, UWF will look to reignite its past rivalry with former Gulf South Conference team West Georgia. The Argos will travel to Carrollton, Georgia, on Nov. 21 for the 2 p.m. CT game. The teams have played eight times in program history with the Argos holding a 5-3 advantage in the series.
As part of the NCAA Division I three-year reclassification process, UWF will be eligible to compete for a UAC Championship, but will not be eligible for FCS playoffs until the University completes the transition requirements and achieves active DI membership status in Fall 2029.
PURCHASE TICKETS FOR THE INAUGURAL FCS SEASON
Current season ticket holders can begin renewing season tickets beginning May 21 and have through July 10 to complete the renewal process. Ticket holders will receive an email from HomeTown Ticketing with step-by-step instructions and a unique renewal code.Emails will be sent from the University of West Florida Box Office at fansupport@hometownticketing.com.
New season ticket sales will begin on June 1. If you are interested in purchasing season tickets, fill out the Season Ticket Interest Form. Single game tickets will go on sale Aug. 1.
Due to the ongoing construction of Darrell Gooden Stadium, all seating for the 2026 season will be located on the east side of Pen Air Field.
Fans will also experience the addition of a new state-of-the-art video board located near the north endzone, further enhancing the gameday atmosphere for the Argos’ inaugural FCS season.