Looking Back: The Local Photos And Stories From The Past Week
July 6, 2026
This photo gallery highlights some of the most interesting and meaningful images and stories as we look back at last week in North Escambia.
Tate High School reached a historic milestone, earning its first-ever “A” school grade from the Florida Department of Education. This achievement marked not only the first “A” in the school’s history, but also the first time a traditional high school in Escambia County Public Schools has earned the state’s highest accountability rating. (Story) Northscambia.com photo.
West Bogia Road repairs were completed the the road reopened at Highway 29, just a few weeks after a culvert collapse in flooding rainfall. (Story | Gallery) Northscambia.com photo.
Gov. Ron DeSantis signed Florida’s $117.6 billion state budget. (Story)
Century and Flomaton teamed up for an America 250 Celebration with a flyover, fireworks, and big community fun. (Story | Gallery) NorthEscambia.com photo.
Florida school grades were announced, with Escambia County Public Schools earning an “A” grade for the first time. (Story)
Escambia County Veterans Services Office held an outreach event at the Molino Community Center. (Story | Gallery) Photo for NorthEscambia.com.
Straight-line winds from a powerful afternoon thunderstorm cut power to about one-third of all Escambia River Electric Cooperative customers. (Story | Gallery) Northscambia.com photo.
These Are This Week’s Construction Delay Spots
July 6, 2026
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads and projects in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.
Escambia County:
- Interstate 10 (I-10) Resurfacing from east of U.S. 29 to east of Davis Highway (State Road (S.R.) 291) – Drivers on I-10 may encounter intermittent lane closures, traffic shifts and periodic ramp closures, between mile markers 11 and 14, Sunday, June 28 through Thursday, July 2, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. for paving operations and roadway construction.
- S.R. 292 (Gulf Beach Highway) from east of Bauer Road (County Road 293) to Manchester Street – Drivers may encounter intermittent lane closures on S.R. 292, from east of Bauer Road to Manchester Street, Sunday, June 28 through Wednesday, July 1, between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m., for construction activities. Additionally, a new traffic configuration has been implemented on S.R. 292 between Mills Avenue and just east of Patton Drive, with travel lanes shifted to the outside of the roadway to provide space to construct a median traffic separator. Channelizing devices are in place to delineate the work zone. The speed limit has been reduced to 35 mph through the work zone.
- Business U.S. 98 (Garden Street) Construction from Pace Boulevard to the Interstate 110 (I-110) ramp – The week of Sunday, June 28, drivers may encounter the following construction-related traffic disruptions:
- Garden Street, between Pace Boulevard and North Donelson Street, is reduced to two travel lanes (one in each direction) as crews perform construction activities on the north side of the street. This temporary traffic configuration will be in place through late 2026.
- Temporary side street closures north of Garden Street for stormwater drainage system reconstruction. This week, drivers may encounter a closure with detour at F Street. Signage will be in place to direct drivers through the work zone.
- On-street parking is closed on Garden Street, between A Street and L Street.
- On-street parking is closed on Garden Street, between A Street and L Street.
- I-110 Resurfacing from I-10 to U.S. 98 – Drivers on I-110 may encounter intermittent lane closures, traffic shifts and periodic ramp closures, between I-10 and U.S. 98, Sunday, June 28 through Thursday, July 2, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., for paving operations and roadway construction.
- I-10 Resurfacing from the Perdido River Bridge to west of U.S. 29 – I-10 drivers may encounter intermittent and alternating lane closures between the Perdido River Bridge and west of the U.S. 29 interchange (Exit 10), Sunday June 28 through Wednesday, July 1, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., for construction activities.
- I-10 at Nine Mile Road Interchange (Exit 5) Construction – Drivers will encounter the following construction-related traffic disruptions, Sunday, June 28 through Wednesday, July 1, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.:
- Intermittent lane closures on I-10 westbound near the Nine Mile Road interchange (Exit 5).
- Nine Mile Road will be reduced to one travel lane in each direction between the I-10 ramps. Law enforcement will be on site, and directional signage will be in place to guide drivers through the work zone.
- Temporary reconfiguration of the I-10 westbound ramps, which will remain in place through mid-2026.
- I-10 at U.S. 29 Interchange (Exit 10) Construction – Drivers may encounter the following lane closures on Sunday, June 28 through Thursday, July 2, between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m.:
- Intermittent inside lane closures on the I-10 westbound off-ramp to access U.S. 29 southbound (Exit 10). The outside lane will remain open.
- Intermittent lane closures on U.S. 29, between Diamond Dairy Road and Broad Street.
Additionally, drivers are reminded of the following ongoing construction-related traffic impacts:
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- Intermittent lane closures on North Palafox Street between Whitehead Drive and Hope Drive. Flaggers will be present to direct traffic through the work zone.
- I-10 is reduced to two travel lanes in each direction between U.S. 29 and I-110.
- I-10 travel lanes are shifted away from the median area of the roadway, near the U.S. 29 interchange.
- The U.S. 29 southbound access to the I-10 eastbound on-ramp has been reduced.
- The U.S. 29 northbound ramp to I-10 eastbound is closed. U.S. 29 northbound drivers are being detoured to make a U-turn at Broad Street onto U.S. 29 southbound to access I-10 eastbound.
- S.R. 97 (Atmore Highway) Resurfacing from U.S. 29 to the Alabama State Line – Motorists will encounter the following traffic impacts:
- Intermittent lane closures on Highway 97 fore resurfacing operations.
Santa Rosa County:
- U.S. 98 Widening from Bayshore Road to Portside Drive – Motorists will encounter the following traffic impacts:
- Median and turn lane closures from Bayshore Road to Tiger Lake Drive.
- Intermittent lane closures and additional median closures between Bayshore Road and Tiger Lake Drive, Sunday, June 28 through Thursday, July 2, from 7 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for paving operations.
- U.S. 90 Resurfacing, from Escambia River Bridge to east of Woodbine Road – Drivers may encounter intermittent lane closures on U.S. 90, from Escambia River Bridge to Woodbine Road, Sunday, June 28 through Thursday, July 2, between 7 p.m. and 5:30 a.m., for guardrail installation. Additionally, the speed limit has been reduced to 45 mph through the work zone.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Dishmey Flirts with Perfecto As Wahoos Win Chippy Rocket City Finale
July 6, 2026
Eliazar Dishmey took a perfect game through 5.2 innings, allowed just three hits over 6.1 scoreless frames, and led the Pensacola Blue Wahoos through four ejections to an eventful 5-2 win over the Rocket City Trash Pandas on Sunday afternoon.
The Blue Wahoos took an early lead against Rocket City starter Eybersson Polanco (L, 3-5) with a Juan Matheus RBI single in the third inning. They added another in the fourth when Fenwick Trimble doubled and scampered home from third base while Brandon Compton was caught in a rundown between first and second in a double steal.
Staked to a 2-0 lead, Dishmey (W, 1-1) was nearly flawless. He worked 5.0 perfect innings on only 57 pitches, and didn’t allow a baserunner until Mac McCroskey softly lined a single to center field with two outs in the sixth. He ultimately tied a career high with 6.1 scoreless, three-hit innings to earn his first Double-A win.
In the top of the seventh, Cam Cannarella was hit by a pitch from Rocket City reliever Leonard Garcia. Cannarella tossed his bat in frustration, shared sharp words with Garcia, and prompted a benches-clearing altercation. In a fracas that saw four flare-ups but little physical contact over the span of 15 minutes, both Cannarella and Garcia were ejected. Blue Wahoos third baseman Ian Lewis Jr., reserve outfielder Emaarion Boyd and injured outfielder Dillon Lewis were also ejected for their role in the altercation.
After some lineup shuffling that saw the Blue Wahoos use all of their possible bench options and place Matheus in left field for the first time in his professional career, the game resumed. Compton added a two-run single in the seventh, and relievers Colby Martin and Kade Bragg each allowed a run but successfully protected the Pensacola lead for a 5-2 final.
After an off day Monday, the Blue Wahoos return to action Tuesday as they begin a six-game home series against the Montgomery Biscuits.
written by Erik Bremer
One Dead, Six Others Injured In Downtown Pensacola Shooting
July 5, 2026
One person was killed and six others were injured in a downtown Pensacola shooting early on Sunday morning.
Pensacola Police said a 19-year-old male was pronounced deceased at the scene following the 1:20 a.m. incident on Intendencia Street between Jefferson and Palafox streets. Six other victims, ranging in age from 16 to 26, were transported to area hospitals and all are expected to survive.
Pensacola Police Chief Eric Winstrom said investigators believe it was a targeted shooting, but they are not sure if any of the seven people struck by gunfire were the intended victims.
“We believe that it was targeted; I don’t think that this was a random act all,” the chief said.
He said a crowd of unaccompanied young people had gathered in the area following the downtown fireworks.
“Kids as young as middle school I saw out there,” Winstrom said, “by themselves engaging in some frightening behavior.” He said five arrests were made earlier in the evening for offenses that included disorderly conduct and throwing fireworks at people. One had a firearm in his waistband.
That escalated into gunfire, which numerous officers heard at 1:20 a.m. and ran to the scene.
“We saw numerous people on the ground suffering from gunshot wounds. Officers immediately began providing first aid,” Winstrom said during a morning news briefing.
As of a morning press conference, no suspect was identified or arrested in connection with the shooting.
Man Airlifted In Serious Condition After Reported Walnut Hill ATV Crash
July 5, 2026
A man was airlifted to the hospital in serious condition following a reported ATV crash in Walnut Hill on Saturday evening.
The crash was reported around 6:20 p.m. at Arthur Brown Road and North Cypress Street. First responders arrived to find a man lying in the intersection, but no ATV. Investigators believe someone removed the vehicle immediately following the incident, though authorities noted finding evidence of a crash at the scene.
The adult male was airlifted to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola.
The Florida Highway Patrol is leading the ongoing investigation.
The Walnut Hill and McDavid stations of Escambia County Fire Rescue, Escambia County EMS, and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Thousands Endure Power Outages On Hot Fourth Of July Afternoon
July 5, 2026
Thousands of people endured a hot Fourth of July afternoon with no power, some for several hours.
FPL first reported over 4,000 customers without power in an area generally south of Nine Mile Road and north of Longleaf along Pine Forest Road, including Wilde Lake Boulevard and West Detroit Boulevard.
Escambia County Fire Rescue responded to multiple calls of people stuck in elevators at hotels, and someone stuck in a self-storage business because the door would not open. Several minor traffic crashes were reported at intersections with no power.
Power was restored to a larger portion of that area by about 3:15 p.m., but FPL reported nearly 7,000 customers without power on and north of Nine Mile Road to about West Roberts Road in Cantonment. A later outage of over 3,000 customers was reported in an area centered around Nine Mile Road and Milestone.
NorthEscambia.com readers across the outage area reported that their power would come back on briefly, only to go out a few minutes later.
Most customers had power restored by 5 p.m., according to FPL’s reporting system.
No reason was provided for the outages.
What Did Florida Include In America’s Time Capsule To Be Opened in 2276?
July 5, 2026
“America’s Time Capsule” was buried on Saturday, July 4, 2026, at Independence National Historical Park in Philadelphia. It will be opened in 250 years — on July 4, 2276.
Inside the capsule are contributions from all three branches of the U.S. federal government, all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and five U.S. territories, America250 tentpole programs, as well as select national partners and institutions whose contributions reflect the people, places, ideas, and innovations shaping the United States at 250 years.
What did Florida include?
Set of Four Challenge Coins —A set of four challenge coins representing the Florida Attorney General, the Florida Agency for Fiscal Oversight (FAFO), the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and Governor Ron DeSantis, Commander-in-Chief.
Pin and Letter — A Florida House of Representatives pin attached to a notecard to Americans from Daniel Perez, Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives, 2024-2026.
The Florida Senate Booklet — The Florida Senate Booklet 2024-2026, Ben Albritton, President of the Senate.
America250FL Booklet — America250FL Booklet highlighting Florida’s Semiquincentennial Celebration.
What about Alabama?
And if you are wondering about nearby Alabama, they contributed a book of poetry. America: A Quintet of Poems by James Matthew Wilson was written as a civic and educational offering to future generations.
Pictured: America’s Time Capsule, which was buried on July 4, 2026, will be opened on July 4, 2276. In the photo at page bottom, the actual time capsule is on the left, and a “bell jar cover”, which aids in waterproofing, is seen on the right. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Our Hometown Blue Angels Played Big Part In America 250 Celebration
July 5, 2026
Pensacola’s own U.S. Navy Blue Angels were a big part of the America 250 celebrations on July 4.
The Blues performed a flyover during Sail 250 festivities commemorating the 250th anniversary of the United States and accompanied the Parade of Ships in New York Harbor.
Later in the afternoon, the Blue Angels flew over Washington, D.C.
The Blue Angels will be at home in Pensacola for Red, White, and Blues Week and the Pensacola Beach Air Show July 15-18.
U.S. Navy/U.S. Coast Guard photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Beulah Road Resurfacing Project Concludes
July 5, 2026
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has completed a $4.4 million project to resurface Beulah Road from Mobile Highway (S.R. 10A) to Issacs Lane, in Escambia County.
Additional improvements include:
- Construction of a 6-foot sidewalk on the west side of Beulah Road from the Beulah Academy of Science to Nine Mile Road.
- Sidewalk and crosswalk improvements, including Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) upgrades.
- Improvements at the Beulah Road at Nine Mile Road intersection.
- Stormwater management enhancements.
- Utility relocations.
- Guardrail installation.
- Signalization upgrades.
- New signing and pavement markings.
Despite Home Run Barrage, Wahoos Fall To Trash Pandas On Festive Fourth
July 5, 2026
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos hit four homers, including a pair from red-hot Cam Cannarella and a dramatic go-ahead shot in the eighth inning from Fenwick Trimble, but a bullpen blow-up cost the club in a 14-8 defeat to the Rocket City Trash Pandas on Saturday night.
The Trash Pandas rewarded their sellout holiday crowd of 7,219 by rallying for eight runs in the bottom of the eighth, spoiling Pensacola’s Independence Day heroics and sending the Blue Wahoos to their fourth loss in a row.
Brandon Compton opened the scoring for the Blue Wahoos with a solo homer in the second, his third long ball in five games since joining the club on Tuesday. Cannarella launched a solo homer of his own, his seventh of the season at Double-A, in the third as the Blue Wahoos and Trash Pandas exchanged volleys in the early innings.
Trailing 4-2 in the top of the fifth, the Blue Wahoos started a two-out rally with a pair of walks before Cristian Hernández laced an RBI double down the left field line. Juan Matheus followed with a grounder that would have ended the inning if not for a throwing error from Trash Pandas third baseman Jake Munroe, scoring a pair of runs to give the Blue Wahoos a 5-4 lead.
Holt Jones relieved Blue Wahoos starter Luis Moreno, escaping a threat in the bottom of the fifth but surrendering a pair of runs in the sixth to put the Trash Pandas back in front 6-5.
Cannarella evened the score in the seventh with another opposite-field homer, his second of the night, and Trimble put the Blue Wahoos in front 8-6 in the top of the eighth with a two-run homer.
Kenyon Yovan (W, 4-2) limited the damage after Trimble’s homer, stranding two Pensacola runners on base, and Jack Sellinger (L, 1-3) was unable to protect the late lead. Out for a second inning after a quick 1-2-3 seventh, the Blue Wahoos lefty walked the first two men he faced in the eighth before giving up an RBI single to Raudi Rodriguez and a game-tying RBI double to Munroe.
Tucker Flint, who had briefly put Rocket City in front with an RBI single in the sixth, gave them the lead for good in the eighth with a two-run single off reliever Livan Reinoso. Run-scoring hits from Jake Thompson and Juan Flores followed, ultimately adding up to an eight-run inning and a 14-8 lead. Yovan returned to the mound for the top of the ninth to seal the win for the Trash Pandas.
The Blue Wahoos wrap up their series, and their two-week road trip, against the Trash Pandas on Sunday afternoon.
written by Erik Bremer