Driver Escapes Serious Injury in Cottage Hill Single-Vehicle Crash
January 19, 2026
A driver narrowly avoided serious injury Sunday morning following a single-vehicle crash in Cottage Hill.
The wreck occurred when an adult male traveling on Eden Road lost control of his pickup truck while crossing the railroad tracks just off Highway 95A. The vehicle veered off the roadway and collided with a tree.
The driver told authorities that a jug of milk he had just purchased was launched into the windshield during the impact.
The Florida Highway Patrol is currently investigating the cause of the crash. No further details have been made available.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Teen Uninjured In Barrineau Park Rollover Wreck
January 19, 2026
A teen driver escaped uninjured when he flipped his vehicle at the Perdido River in Barrineau Park on Sunday afternoon.
The crash occurred around 2:05 p.m. on Barrineau Park Road west of South Highway 99.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating and has not released any details.
Reader submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Man Indicted On Federal Drug Trafficking Charges
January 19, 2026
An Escambia County man is facing a federal drug trafficking charge.
Adrian Dion Pettaway Jr., 24, was indicted by a federal grand jury charging him with distribution of a controlled substance.
If convicted, Pettaway faces between five to 40 years’ imprisonment.
The case involved a joint investigation by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Assistant United States Attorney Jeffrey Tharp is prosecuting the case.
DeSantis Appoints Four To PSC District Board Of Trustees
January 19, 2026
Recenthly, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced the appointment of Richard Holzknecht, Todd Leonard, and Audrey McDonald and the reappointment of Dr. Troy Tippett to the Pensacola State College District Board of Trustees.
The appointments are subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.
Richard Holzknecht
Holzknect is a Commercial and Residential Sales Agent for Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate. He is a veteran of the United States Navy, serving as a Naval Aviator and was the recipient of the Defense Superior Service Medal. Active in his community, Holzknect is a member of the LifeWise Academy of Escambia-Pensacola Board of Directors and the Restoring the Heart Ministries Board. He earned his bachelor’s degree in oceanography from the United States Naval Academy, his master’s degree in systems management from the University of Southern California, and his master’s degree in national security affairs from the Naval Postgraduate School.
Todd Leonard
Leonard is the Athletic Director for West Florida High School. He previously served as the Head Football Coach for Pensacola High School. A veteran of the United States Army, Leonard earned his bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of West Florida.
Audrey McDonald
McDonald is a Homeschool Educator focusing on classical curriculum. Previously, she served as the Chief Strategy Officer for the Healthcare Experience Foundation, the Client Outcomes Partner for HealthStream, and a Performance and Research Coach for the Baptist Leadership Group. McDonald earned her bachelor’s degree in economics and international affairs from Florida State University.
Dr. Troy Tippett
Dr. Tippett is a Neurosurgeon, Medical Director, and Owner of The Neurosurgical Group. Active in his community, he has served as a member of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, the Congress of Neurological Surgeons, and the Neurosurgical Education and Research Foundation. A veteran of the United States Air Force and the United States Army Reserve, Dr. Tippett earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Missouri and his Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Tennessee.
Pensacola Ice Flyers Beat Macon 3-2
January 19, 2026
The Pensacola Ice Flyers wrapped up a three-game weekend at the Hangar on Sunday with a 3-2 win over the Macon Mayhem.
Andrew Poulias got the home team on the board first with a goal just past the 5-minute mark in the 1st period. Macon’s Caleb Huffman evened things up with a powerplay goal at the end of the first frame. The second period remained quiet until Sam Rhodes reclaimed the lead for the Ice Flyers with 35 seconds left in the period. However, Huffman tied it up again for the Mayhem early in the 3rd period.
Neither team could find the back of the net in regulation, sending the game to overtime. After a scoreless overtime period, the teams headed to their second shootout of the weekend. This time, the Ice Flyers came out on top. Macon made their first two attempts while the Ice Flyers missed theirs, but they stayed in it, making the next four with Sam Rhodes, Cam Gaudette, and Zack Bross keeping the team alive. After Billy Girard made the save on Macon’s 6th attempt, Sam Rhodes sealed the deal with his second shootout goal of the game.
The Ice Flyers will recoup after the long weekend and head to Knoxville for a pair of games on the January 23rd and 24th.
Snow In Northwest Florida (With Gallery)
January 18, 2026
For the second year in a row, snow fell in Northwest Florida on Sunday morning.
It was not nearly the amount of snow, up to 10 inches, that fell in North Escambia in 2025, but many people were treated to a light dusting and a few great photo opportunities. However, others, especially across extreme northern Escambia County, didn’t see anything but a few snowflakes.
For photo gallery #1, click here.
For photo gallery #2, click here.
NorthEscambia.com and reader submitted photos, click to enlarge.
Two Injured in Saturday Afternoon Crash On Highway 95A In Cantonment
January 18, 2026
Two people were injured in a two-vehicle crash Saturday afternoon on Highway 95A in Cantonment.
The crash occurred just before 2:30 p.m. just north of Highway 29 when a Chevrolet pickup truck and an Infiniti SUV collided. After the initial collision, the pickup truck left the roadway and struck a large pine tree.
The victims were transported to an area hospital by Escambia County EMS. The Cantonment Station of Escambia Fire Rescue also responded.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating; troopers have not released the cause of the crash.
NorthEscambiac.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Emergency Communications Chief Andrew Hamilton Retires
January 18, 2026
Escambia County Emergency Communications Chief Andrew Hamilton retired last month after over 30 years of service and dedication to the citizens of Escambia County. He was honored during a retirement ceremony, surrounded by his family and co-workers.
Hamilton’s public safety career began as a volunteer firefighter at age 17. He eventually became an EMT before transitioning to a career as a 911 dispatch operator. Since then, he remained with Escambia County Emergency Communications, holding positions such as emergency dispatcher, dispatch supervisor, operations manager, and, finally, emergency communications chief.
The Escambia County Commission honored him with a proclamation, stating, “His lifelong service embodies the very best of public service: dedication, leadership, and a steadfast commitment to protecting the lives and well-being of others.”
Hamilton is a North Escambia resident.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge
Injuries Reported In Saturday Afternoon Three-Vehicle Crash On Highway 29
January 18, 2026
At least one person was injured in a two-vehicle crash Saturday afternoon on Highway 29 in Cantonment.
The crash occurred shortly after 3:30 p.m. just north of Neil Road.
A Mercury Mountaineer and a passenger car collided on Highway 29. The Mountaineer then left the roadway and collided with a parked Chevrolet van belonging to a local pilot escort company.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating and has not yet released the cause of the crash.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
MLK Day Parades, Celebrations Planned For Monday; New Route For Pensacola Parade
January 18, 2026
Annual MLK Day parades and celebrations are planned across the Escambia County area for Monday. For the Pensacola parade, there is a new route due to the Reimagine Palafox construction project.
Cantonment MLK Parade The 19th Annual MLK Parade will be held Monday in Cantonment. Parade line-up begins at 3 p.m., and the parade will start at 4 p.m. from Carver Park, 208 Webb Street. There is no entry fee.
Century MLK Celebration and Parade An MLK Celebration program will begin at 10 a.m. Monday at the Ag Building at the corner of West Highway 4 and Industrial Boulevard. Guest speakers will include Mayor Ben Boutwell, and there will be live music from area church choirs and children’s groups. Immediately after a meal provided by the Century-Flomaton Improvement Association, there will be a motorcade from the Ag Building to the Century Business Center on Pond Street.
Atmore MLK Parade The annual MLK Parade will roll at 10 a.m. from Houston Avery Park and end at the Emmanuel Faith Center at 710 E. Ridgeley Street with food, door prizes, a guest speaker, and entertainment.
Pensacola MLK Parade The Pensacola MLK Parade for 2026 is set for Monday, January 19, 2026, kicking off at 11 a.m. at Spring & Garden Streets downtown with the theme “With Unity, We Won’t Turn Back,” featuring Grand Marshal Lumon May. Due to construction on Palafox Street, there is a new route this year. Rather than traveling all the way down Palafox Street, the parade will detour one block east to Jefferson Street south of Garden Street (map above).
The parade route and float staging areas will close to vehicular traffic approximately three hours prior to the start of each event. Parking is prohibited along the parade route and in designated no-parking areas. Vehicles will be towed if found on the parade route or the additional “no parking” zones when road closures begin.
Street closures will extend to Tarragona Street, DeVilliers Street, and Main Street, consistent with closures implemented during the 2025 Martin Luther King Jr. Parade and the Pensacola Christmas Parade. Heavy parade and float traffic is anticipated between Wright Street and Main Street, along with impacts to Garden Street, Palafox Street, and Spring Street.