McDavid Fire Station Real Estate To Be Donated To Escambia County
September 28, 2025
This week, the Escambia County Commission is set to consider accepting the donation of the McDavid Volunteer Fire Department building and property.
The fire station at 100 North Century Boulevard, known as Escambia County Fire Rescue Station 9, operates from a building that still legally belongs to the McDavid Volunteer Fire Department, Inc.
If acceptance is approved by the commission, the real property ownership will transfer from the McDavid Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. to Escambia County.
The fire station will continue to operate as usual with volunteer firefighters using county owned vehicles and equipment.
Pictured: An Escambia County EMS ambulance earlier this year stationed outside the McDavid Fire Station belonging to the McDavid Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Man Pleads Guilty To Federal Narcotics And Firearms Charges
September 28, 2025
An Escambia County man has pleaded guilty to federal narcotics and firearms charges.
Akeem Cornell Shaw, 39, pleaded guilty in federal court to possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and possession of an unregistered firearm (short-barreled shotgun).
In February 2025 law enforcement executed a search warrant at Shaw’s residence. In Shaw’s bedroom, officers located multiple loaded firearms, including a short-barreled shotgun, fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamine, ammunition, and other items indicative of drug distribution. Shaw is a convicted felon, who has previously been convicted of several narcotics related offenses, including possession of heroin with intent to sell.
Shaw faces up to life imprisonment when he is sentenced ion December 11.
The case involved a joint investigation by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and the AFT.
“I am incredibly proud of the continued excellence demonstrated by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and our federal law enforcement partners to investigate this repeat offender and help bring him to justice. The hardworking prosecutors in my office are committed to using the full force of the law to keep our streets safe,” said United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida John P. Heekin.
Ernest Ward Middle School Names Students, Employee Of The Month
September 28, 2025
Ernest Ward Middle School recently named their employee and student of the month for August. Pictured (L-R) with Principal Tyvanna Boulanger are students Nevaeh Tidd, eighth grade; Zane Therrell, seventh grade; Hadley Cook, sixth grade; and Wesley Stafford, technology coordinator. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Farm Bureau Presents Farm Family, Distinguished Service Awards
September 27, 2025
Escambia County Farm Bureau recently honored local producers during their annual meeting.
The Farm Family award was presented to the Glen and Todd Wiggins, and the Distinguished award was presented to Brett Ward of Walnut Hill for outstanding services to rural Escambia County.
Pictured top: Jack Livingston presented Glen and Todd Wiggins the Farm Family award. Pictured below: Farm Bureau President Jerry Sheppard presented the Distinguished Service award to Brett Ward. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Down, But Never Out: Tate Aggies Stage Epic Second-Half Rally To Beat Navarre 29-26
September 27, 2025
The Tate Aggies charged back from a devastating first-half deficit to defeat the Navarre Raiders 29-26 Friday night in Navarre.
The Raiders stunned the Aggie faithful early, jumping out to a 13-0 lead by the end of the first quarter and pushing their advantage to 20-0 in the second. But the Aggies’ battle for the win picked up steam right before the half.
With 6:55 to go in the half, Ethan Pittman finally put Tate on the board, cutting the Navarre lead to 20-6. The comeback gained traction when a touchdown and two-point conversion from Tanner Clark with just 2:03 left in the second quarter slashed the score to a manageable 20-14 at halftime.
Tate needed just moments in the third quarter to take the lead, with Ladquarius Bradford finding the endzone for a 21-20 advantage. The Aggies sealed the game late in the third when Bradford delivered another touchdown, and a clutch two-point conversion from Clark extended the lead to 29-26. That score would hold, as both teams locked down defensively for a scoreless fourth quarter.
With the hard-fought district win, the Tate Aggies improved to 5-1 on the season. The Aggies are off next week and will host the Pace Patriots on October 10 in another critical district matchup.
Pictured: Tate beat West Florida 27-7 last week. NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Friday Night Football Scoreboard
September 27, 2025
Here are Friday night football scores from across the North Escambia area.
FLORIDA
Tate 29, Navarre 26 [Read more...]
Flomaton 21, Jay 7
Escambia 22, Washington 3
Bay 47, Pensacola High 28
Pensacola Catholic 42, Freeport 17
Mosley 27, Milton 14
Pace 34, Crestview 8
Niceville 56, Gulf Breeze 6
Rocky Bayou 41, Central 7
Northview – bye week
West Florida – bye week
Pine Forest – bye week
ALABAMA
Flomaton 21, Jay 7
Escambia Academy 72, Trinity Christian 42
Blountstown 38, W.S. Neal 7
UMS Wright 29, T.R. Miller 6
Escambia County (Atmore) – Bye week
Escambia Felon Charged With Federal Drug And Firearm Offenses
September 27, 2025
An Escambia County felon has been charged with federal drug and firearm offences.
Marcel Kamill Mickles, 49, of Pensacola, was indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Mickles is set for trial on November 3.
If convicted, Mickles faces up to 20 years’ imprisonment for the drug trafficking crime and up to 15 years for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. Possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime carries a consecutive five-year term with a maximum of life imprisonment.
The case was a joint investigation by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Escambia County Approves Slightly Reduced Property Tax Increase
September 26, 2025
This week, the Escambia County Commission approved a nearly $885.5 million budget for the next fiscal year while approving a slightly lower property tax increase than was originally proposed.
The $868,481,713 budget is nearly $70 million, or 8.74% higher than last fiscal year’s $798,672,479 budget, but $47 million of that increase is from hospital MSBU pass-through funds that are not controlled by the county.
After discussion, the commission approved a slight decrease in the proposed 6.6165 mills rate to 6.6 mills that was proposed by District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry. The difference will amount to about $546,000 and will be made up from reserve funds rather than cutting programs or laying off employees.
The final adopted millage rates were a 6.6 mills countywide, 0.359 mills for the library system, and 0.685 for the Sheriff’s Law Enforcement Municipal Services Taxing Unit.
Commissioners agreed that they will discuss more potential cost-cutting actions at future meetings, including potential reductions in $17.8 million in funding for community partners and the tax for the Escambia Children’s Trust, which may go back on the ballot next year.
The county has also approved a nearly doubled Fire MSBU — from $125.33 per dwelling unit to $226.78 — to boost firefighter pay and address potential new and improved fire stations.
Scattered Showers Possible This Afternoon; Great Weather For The Weekend
September 26, 2025
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Friday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly between 1pm and 4pm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Mostly sunny, with a high near 85. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 63. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 86. North wind around 5 mph.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 62. North wind around 5 mph.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 88. North wind around 5 mph.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 63. North wind around 5 mph.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 89. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 65. North wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 88.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 65.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 87.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 63.
Thursday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 83.
Pictured: An electrical substation near Walnut Hill at sunset Thursday evening. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Friends Of The Library Fall Book Sale Is Today Through Sunday
September 26, 2025
The Friends of the West Florida Public Library will hold their Fall Big Book Sale through Sunday at the DOwntown Library, 239 North Spring Street in Pensacola.
The event includes books, audio books, CDs, and DVDs. The selection covers a wide variety of genres including plenty of family-friendly options.
On Friday, the sale will take place from 3-7 p.m. with a $5 admission, or free for Friends of the Library members.
On Saturday, the sale will be open from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. The Sunday Bag Sale — all the books that will bit into a provided bag for $7 — will be open from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. Admission is free on Saturday and Sunday.
Items include hardback and softback books (fiction, nonfiction, mysteries, biographies, young adult, children’s), paperbacks, religious, foreign language, travel, crafts, holidays, cooking, and more. Multimedia includes CDs, DVDs, vinyl, and audio books.
Cash or credit cards will be accepted.
File photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
