Tough Tuesday On The Court For Tate, Northview
September 23, 2026
It was a tough Tuesday night on the court for area teams as both the Tate Aggies and Northview Chiefs dropped home volleyball matches.
Niceville 3, Tate 0
The Tate Aggies fought hard Tuesday night on their home court, but the visiting Niceville Eagles managed to stave off a spirited Aggie rally to take the district match 3-1.
Niceville came out sharp early, controlling the tempo to hand Tate back-to-back 25-18 defeats in the opening two sets. Faced with an 0-2 deficit and their backs against the wall, the Aggies refused to go quietly.
Tate stepped firmly on the gas in the third set, surging with aggressive net play, crisp passing, and relentless energy. The Aggies turned the tables on the Eagles, storming ahead to claim an emphatic 25-18 win to flip momentum and bring the home crowd to its feet.
However, Niceville managed to regroup and answer in the fourth set. Despite Tate’s sustained hustle, the Eagles re-established their rhythm to seal the match with another 25-18 frame.
The Aggies, now 12-16, will travel to West Florida on Wednesday at Fort Walton Beach on Thursday.
Flomaton 3, Northview 0
In Bratt, the Northview Chiefs dropped a straight-set match to the visiting Flomaton Hurricanes, falling 25-7, 25-22, 25-16.
After a slow start in the opening set, Northview rallied to push Flomaton to the wire in a tightly contested second frame before the Hurricanes pulled away late to secure the sweep.
Next up, the Lady Chiefs will host the Jay Royals on Thursday at 5 p.m.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
West Roberts Road Closing Yet Again After Brief Reopening
September 22, 2026
West Roberts Road will completely close on Tuesday, this time for the rest of the week.
A portion of West Roberts Road that was closed August 29 reopened by last Friday, September 18, nearly two weeks beyond the estimated Labor Day weekend time frame.
But as we reported Sunday, it is closed to through traffic again between Tate Road and Stallion Road. This time, Escambia County says the road is expected to reopen by Saturday, September 26.
“The public’s patience is appreciated as crews work diligently to complete this project as soon as possible,” Escambia County said in a statement on Monday.
Once that complete road closure ends, intermittent lane closures will resume along West Roberts Road as the project continues, and periodic detours will be utilized along Kingsfield Road, Stallion Road, and Tate Road for the duration of the project.
The $5.16 million West Roberts Road Roadway and Drainage Improvements Project started in April and was first expected to be completed by fall 2026, but the schedule has now been pushed to winter 2026, weather and construction coordination permitting.
Residents, pedestrians, local traffic and emergency vehicles will have access to properties within the work area at all times; however, there may be short periods when a driveway or entrance may be blocked temporarily as equipment and materials are moved during construction.
Pictured: West Roberts Road was open at the railroad tracks just east of Highway 29 on Saturday, September 19. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
UWF Welcomes Two National Merit Finalists, Including A Tate High Graduate
September 22, 2026
The University of West Florida welcomed two National Merit Finalists this fall semester, including a Tate High School graduate, bringing the recipients of this scholarship to 20 students since 2017.
Tate graduate James Donald “Jack” Treick and Micaiah Henry are among the approximately 16,000 students across the country who met the requirements for finalist standing out of an estimated 1.3 million participating high school students in the 2026 National Merit Scholarship competition.
The National Merit Finalists earn UWF’s top scholarship with a total value of more than $50,000, including full tuition, room and board; an $800-per-semester book stipend and a research or study abroad experience.
“We are proud to welcome this year’s top scholars to the University of West Florida,” said UWF President Manny Diaz Jr. “These students have already demonstrated exceptional academic achievement, and we are committed to providing the opportunities and support to help them continue to excel and make a meaningful impact in their future professions.”
James Donald “Jack” Treick, a mechanical engineering major from Cantonment, was drawn to UWF for the ability to bring his engineering creations to life while pursuing high impact internship and research opportunities.
“UWF’s opportunities for research, internships and in-depth personal project support leave me excited to design and execute new ideas,” Treick said. “Exploring the labs and learning about the relationships that the University has with local companies such as the Institute for Human & Machine Cognition and American Magic showed me that there are a lot of opportunities for formative internships. I look forward to growing as both a problem solver and person while attending UWF.”
Micaiah Henry, an exercise science major from Kenai, Alaska, is grateful to be able to pursue a career interest in prosthetics and orthotics thanks to the financial opportunities and support offered by UWF.
“Before receiving the National Merit Scholarship, college was nowhere in my plans for the future because it was too expensive,” Henry said. “UWF’s generous scholarship program has opened up the door to an enormous opportunity and an adventure that was entirely unexpected. I am thrilled to be joining UWF this fall to explore a different part of our beautiful country, make new friends and challenge myself in my classes.”
The University also hosted its annual President’s Scholarship Competition, which awards top Florida-resident incoming freshmen who show potential to serve as future leaders with the Institution’s most prestigious scholarship, the Pace Presidential Scholarship. This scholarship is offered in conjunction with Florida Bright Futures and covers on-campus room and board, tuition, an $800 book stipend and a research or student abroad experience, totaling more than $50,000.
The six students who were awarded the Pace Presidential Scholarship in 2026 include:
- Laila Chavarrie Service, clinical laboratory sciences major from Gulf Breeze High School
- Asher Colley, natural science major from Spanish River Community High School
- Elizabeth Ellis, biomedical science major from Milton High School
- Kamryn Gibbs, of Molino, pre-BSN major from West Florida High School
- Elijah Riffell, electrical engineering major from Pace High School
- Alexis Walders, pre-BSN major from Pace High School
In 2019, the University established the Argo Spirit Scholarship, a full-ride, competitive scholarship awarded to first-time-in-college freshmen who have shown strength of character, or “Argo Spirit.” Argo Spirit involves overcoming obstacles, fighting for something important and making an impact while in high school.
The five recipients of 2026 Argo Spirit Scholarship are:
- Marcus Cadet, cybersecurity major from Atlantic Community High School
- Brea Lyle, pre-BSN major from Jay High School
- Vanessa Neville, biochemistry major from Pine Ridge High School
- Nadia Poole, pre-BSN major from Bay High School
- Brenton Scofield, pre-BSN major from J.R. Arnold High School
Pictured: National Merit Finalists James Treick (left) and Micaiah Henry (right) with UWF President UWF President Manny Diaz, Jr. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Two Mississippi Men Charged After Traffic Stop Yields Over A Half Pound Of Cocaine
September 22, 2026
A routine traffic stop led to drug trafficking charges and the seizure of more than half a pound of cocaine, according to the Atmore Police Department.
Officers with the department’s patrol division stopped a vehicle and developed probable cause to conduct a search. During the inspection, officers uncovered more than 300 grams of cocaine, a small amount of marijuana, and over $7,000 in cash.
Police arrested Cassious Lett and Travis Colley, both of Moss Point, Mississippi. Both men were charged with drug trafficking in cocaine, second-degree possession of marijuana, and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.
Lett and Colley were booked into the Escambia County Detention Center in Brewton.
Pictured: (L-R) Colley and Lett.
Felon Arrested On Drug, Weapon Charges Following I-10 Traffic Stop In Escambia County
September 22, 2026
A Pace man with multiple felony convictions faces a series of drug and weapons charges after a traffic stop near the Florida–Alabama state line in Beulah.
According to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement (OALE), officers arrested 47-year-old Daniel Eric Slayton following a stop for a traffic violation near Agricultural Interdiction Station 19 along Interstate 10.
During the stop, officers deployed certified narcotics detection K-9 Ronin to conduct an exterior free-air sniff of the vehicle. Ronin alerted to the presence of narcotics.
A subsequent search of the vehicle uncovered methamphetamine, a digital scale containing methamphetamine residue, prescription medication not prescribed to Slayton, ammunition, and a loaded firearm featuring an altered serial number.
Authorities noted that Slayton is a nine-time convicted felon.
He was taken into custody and booked into the Escambia County Detention Facility. Slayton faces charges including possession of a firearm with an altered or removed serial number, possession of ammunition by a convicted felon, possession of a controlled substance without a prescription, and operating a motor vehicle while license suspended or revoked.
Lipscomb Elementary Honors Special Area Champions
September 22, 2026
Lipscomb Elementary School recently recognized its August Special Area Champions. The champions were honored in areas that included art, music, P.E., and reading for their outstanding efforts. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Pensacola High Rallies Past Northview in Four Sets; Tigers Also Sweep JV
September 22, 2026
The Pensacola High School Tigers rallied past the Northview Lady Chiefs 3-1 on Monday night in Bratt.
Northview came out strong to claim a tight opening set 25-23, but Pensacola High answered with a 25-23 win in the second set before taking the final two frames 25-15 and 25-13.
Key varsity stats for Northview varsity:
- Natalia Morales: 18 assists and 4 digs
- Aubrey Hadley: 4 kills and 3 digs
- Hartlie Bowman: 4 kills, 4 digs, and 13 serve receptions
- Daviona Randolph: 2 kills, 2 blocks (1 solo), 1 ace, and 5 service points
- Avery Trawick: 2 aces, 3 service points, and 1 solo block
- Nevaeh Allen: 8 digs and 1 assist
- Brielle Garcia: 12 serve receptions and 2 digs
In junior varsity action, Pensacola High defeated Northview in two straight sets, 27-25, 25-14.
Up next, Northview (3-8, 1-4) will host the Flomaton Hurricanes (6-2) on Tuesday before a big home matchup against district-leader Jay (15-1, 3-0) on Thursday.
NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Commerce Chief Kelly Named Pensacola State College President
September 22, 2026
Pensacola State College has named. Alex Kelly, Secretary of the Florida Department of Commerce, as the school’s next president.
The Pensacola State College District Board of Trustees voted unanimously on Monday to appoint Kelly, the only finalist.
“Alex understands, as well as anyone in Florida, how education and economic opportunity are connected,” said District Board of Trustees Chair Zack Smith. “Throughout this process, we have seen a leader who listens, understands what employers and communities need and recognizes the extraordinary role Pensacola State plays in creating opportunity for our students and our region. The Board is confident he is the right person to lead PSC into its next chapter.”
Kelly will replace Edward Meadows, who has been president of PSC since 2008. This spring, Meadows announced he would retire at the end of 2026.
DeSantis appointed Kelly as secretary in 2023, after the state folded and rebranded the Department of Economic Opportunity as the Department of Commerce.
For the previous two years, Kelly worked in DeSantis’ office as his deputy chief of staff. Before that, he was chief of staff at the Florida Department of Education to then-Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran.
PSC’s presidential search included 109 applicants from across the country, according to the school. The search committee then selected nine candidates for interviews and four candidates for in-person interviews in Pensacola.
Kelly will visit campus in late September for meetings and forums with students, faculty, staff and community members.
“I am honored by the Board’s confidence and grateful for the warm welcome I have received from the Pensacola State community,” Kelly said. “I have spent my career working to connect people with opportunity, and few institutions do that more directly than colleges like Pensacola State. Our students will be the workforce, entrepreneurs and leaders who shape Northwest Florida’s future. I look forward to working alongside our faculty, staff, employers and community partners to create even more opportunities for them to succeed.”
Kelly joins a number of DeSantis administration members who have taken prominent educational leadership roles the past couple of years.
Most recently this summer, former Education Commissioner Anastasios Kamoutsas was selected the next president of Polk State College.
Log Truck Driver, 66, Pronounced Deceased After Highway 29 Crash
September 21, 2026
The 66-year-old driver of a log truck was pronounced deceased on Monday afternoon following a crash on Highway 29 north of Molino.
The crash occurred around 3:45 p.m. on southbound Highway 29, just south of North Barth Road and Camp O’ the Pines.
The Florida Highway Patrol said the truck was northbound on Highway 29 when the driver crossed the median and the southbound lanes of Highway 29 before crashing into a power pole and the tree line and overturning.
The Milton man was pronounced deceased by Escambia County EMS.
A pickup truck was also struck in the crash. The pickup driver, a 78-year-old Pensacola man, was not injured.
The downed pole and utility lines left about 150 Florida Power & Light customers in the area without power.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Cottage Hill Water Works: Boil Water Notice Neal Road Area
September 21, 2026
Cottage Hill Water Works performed system upgrades on Monday on Neal Road west of Forehand Lane that also affected Ridge Way, Hillock Drive, and Knollwood Drive. These areas experienced a loss of water service for a short period of time while the upgrades were completed.
The utility is advising, as a precaution, that all water in the area that is used for drinking, cooking, making ice, brushing teeth, or washing dishes be boiled. A rolling boil of one minute is sufficient. As an alternative bottled water may be used.
This precautionary boil water notice will remain in effect until the problem has been corrected and a bacteriological survey shows that the water is safe to drink.
For more information, contact the utility’s office at at (850) 968-5485
This story will be updated when the boil water notice is rescinded.