Fall Tradition: Pumpkins Have Arrived At Cantonment Pumpkin Patch
September 26, 2025
It’s a sure sign of fall in Cantonment.
The pumpkins have arrived at the Allen Memorial Methodist Men Pumpkin Patch in Cantonment.
Volunteers from the Northview High School NJROTC and the Tribal Beat Band helped unload and setup the pumpkins Thursday afternoon.
The pumpkin patch is located on Highway 29 near Neal Road and is open from 11 a.m. until about 6 p.m. Monday-Friday; 10 a.m. to about 6 p.m. on Saturdays, and 1 p.m. to about 6 p.m. on Sundays. Smoked turkey legs will also be available for purchase on Saturdays and Sundays, but the first date has not yet been announced.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Photo Gallery: Baker Gators At Ernest Ward Middle Eagles
September 26, 2025
The Baker Gators defeated the Ernest Ward Middle Eagles Thursday night in Walnut Hill.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Tate Aggies Clean Sweep Milton In Commanding Performance
September 26, 2025
The Tate Aggies volleyball program dominated on the road Thursday, securing a clean sweep across all three matches against the Milton Panthers.
Tate 3, Milton 0
The Tate High School varsity volleyball team secured a three-set sweep against the Milton Panthers Thursday evening with scores of 25-21, 25-10, and 25-14.
Tate 2, Milton 0 (JV)
The Tate High School JV volleyball team defeated the Milton Panthers Thursday in Milton, winning in two quick sets with scores of 25-18 and 25-20.
Tate 2, Milton 0 (Freshmen)
The Tate High School freshmen volleyball team earned a decisive win Thursday evening, defeating the Milton Panthers in two sets. The Aggies secured a dominant 25-12 victory in the first set, followed by a strong 25-11 performance to close out the match.
‘Bout To Go To Jail – Escambia Felon Pleads Guilty To Federal Firearm Charge
September 26, 2025
A previously convicted Escambia County felon that posted a video that he was “bout to go to jail” has pleaded guilty to a federal firearm charge.
Earl Vincent Hudgins III, 32, pleaded guilty in federal court for possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon.
Court documents reflect that on February 16, 2025, Hudgins was driving a vehicle when he was stopped for a traffic infraction. A subsequent search uncovered an AR-style firearm loaded with 15 rounds of .300 caliber ammunition, which he was prohibited from possessing as a convicted felon. Later, law enforcement identified multiple posts on Hudgins’ social media showing him in possession of the same firearm that was located during the traffic stop. Hudgins also posted a video during the traffic stop which was captioned, “Bout to go to jail.”
Hudgins faces up to fifteen years’ in federal prison when he is sentenced on December 16.
Boil Water Notice Lifted For Portion Of Schaag Road In Molino
September 25, 2025
**This boil water notice was lifted the morning on Friday, September 26.**
Molino Utilities has issued a precautionary boil water notice following the repair of broken water main.
The notice is in effect until further notice for Molino Utilities customers on on Schaag Road from Rolling Oaks Drive to Highway 196.
The utility is advising, as a precaution, that all water 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 a bacteriological survey shows that the water is safe to drink.
For any additional information, contact the utility at (850) 587-5538.
This story will be updated with the boil water notice is lifted.
West Quintette Work Delayed, Road Will Likely Remain Closed Until Early November
September 25, 2025
West Quintette Road is now expected to remain closed into early November.
About 950 feet of West Quintette Road has been closed since July 18 and was originally estimated to be ready to reopen on September 6. However, a storm drain installation project underway along West Quintette Road has been extended, and a detour is expected to remain in place until early November.
“Work associated with the West Quintette Road detour is expected to be completed in early November, weather permitting. The project was delayed due to unforeseen conditions during construction, including utility conflicts and coordination,” Kaycee Lagarde, Escambia County strategic communications director, told NorthEscambia.com on Wednesday. “The public’s patience is appreciated as crews work diligently to complete this project as soon as possible.”
The Quintette Road work is part of a $2.5 million project that has been underway since late March on Stacey Road. The purpose of this project is to replace the undersized drainage infrastructure from the northwest corner of Stacey Road and Quintette Road to the outfall approximately three quarters of a mile south on the east side of Stacey Road.
The project includes replacing the existing system with approximately 350 feet of 4-foot x 10-foot box culvert, and will include the installation of 100 feet of a 10-foot-wide paved concrete ditch upstream of the existing system, reconstruction of about three-quarters of a mile of Stacey Road, milling and resurfacing the intersection of Stacey Road and Quintette Road, and regrading the existing downstream ditch.
While West Quintette Road is expected to reopen in early November, it is likely that Stacey Road will remain closed for an additional period of time.
NorthEscambia.com photos and graphic, click to enlarge.
Northview Mini Chief Mini Cheer Clinic Is Friday
September 25, 2025
The Northview Mini Chief Cheer Clinic will be held Friday, September 26, from 4:30 until 7:30 p.m. in the school gym.
Registration for participants ages 5-12 is $40, which includes a t-shirt, snack, and a drink.
Campers will learn individual cheer skills, partner stunts, a spirit dance, and will have a lot of fun. They will also have a chance to cheer under the Friday night lights at an upcoming Northview Chiefs football game.
Participants should wear comfortable clothes and tennis shoes.
For more information, contact Lauren M. Godwin at (850) 572-6412 or email lauren.ashleymccall@yahoo.com; or contact Alexis Wilson at (251) 253-3503 or dwilson10@ecsdfl.us.
Former Jay High Contract Employee Charged With Sex Offense For Messages Sent To A Student
September 25, 2025
A contract groundskeeper at Jay High School has been charged with a felony sex offense for allegedly sending inappropriate messages to a student.
Kevin Ross Dunning, 52, of Jay, was charged with being an authority figure soliciting or engaging in a romantic relationship with a student. He remained in the Santa Rosa County Jail.
A 15-year-old Jay High student told Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office deputies that she accepted a Facebook friend request sent to her by Dunning, and she recognized him from Jay Elementary where he had worked as a janitor.
Dunning, a contract employee for ABM, was fired on September 9 when the allegations came to light.
“Her previous interactions with him consisted only of casual ‘fist bump’ greetings in passing,” the arrest report states.
Investigators said the girl said that Dunning began to send her private messages using Facebook Messenger. She told deputies that she responded at first “out of politeness but later grew uncomfortable as the messages became more personal and inappropriate.”
Deputies reviewed the Facebook messages. The messages, according to the arrest report, included:
- “I want to hug u but might get in trouble.”
- “I wish I was in high school cause I would have to ask u out.”
- “Sneak off an do some crazy stuff.”
- “Boy an girl stuff.”
- “oh ok well if I was your boyfriend I would have to keep you forever.”
- “If I was your age I would have to keep u as a girlfriend an not cheat.”
- “U r a gorgeous looking lady.”
- “It would have been better if I could have seen u.”
- “Well guess I will let u go luv ya have a good night hopefully I will c you Tuesday.”
Dunning admitted to deputies that he communicated with the girl, but asserted that the messages were not sexual in nature, according to the arrest report. He told deputies that he had known the girl since she was in sixth grade.
“Dunning stated she was the only person who was nice to him and helped him pick up garbage,” the report states.
In a statement, the Santa Rosa County School District said: “Santa Rosa County District Schools acted swiftly to ensure this individual was no longer employed or present on any district campus and referred this matter to state agencies and local law enforcement. We are working closely with ABM and law enforcement to ensure all appropriate actions are taken. The safety and well-being of our students remain our highest priority. As this is an active law enforcement matter, further inquiries should be directed to the appropriate authorities.”
ABM said in a released statement: “The safety of the students, clients, and communities we serve is of the utmost importance and we have a zero-tolerance policy for inappropriate conduct of any kind. The individual underwent and cleared the required background checks. He is no longer employed with our company.”
Escambia Animal Welfare Warns Of Lost Pet Text Message Scam
September 25, 2025
The Escambia County Department of Animal Welfare is warning residents of scam text messages individuals claiming to represent Animal Welfare staff. These messages are targeting residents with lost pets, claiming their pet has been found and asking to send a verification code to retrieve the pet.
The county warns to not respond to these text messages because they are not legitimate and are not associated with Escambia County Animal Welfare.
If Animal Welfare Officers locate a missing pet, the owner will be notified by phone, email and/or letter. Staff will ask the owner to visit the shelter in person to verify ownership. Animal Welfare staff will never ask for funds to be sent digitally to redeem a pet or access to a personal item. Redemption fees will be calculated at the time of redemption and paid in person.
Not Toy Car Parts: Escambia Man Indicted On Federal Drugs And Firearms Charges
September 25, 2025
An Escambia County man has been indicted on federal drug and firearms charges for allegedly ordering machine gun parts from China that arrived in a box labeled as toy car parts.
A federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Tre’Veonce Ezekiel Sanders, 19, with possession of a machine gun, possession of an unregistered firearm, and possession with intent to distribute marijuana.
The indictment says a package was labeled as being toy car parts, but U.S. Customs inspectors found it also contained pieces to build a machine gun device. During the execution of a search warrant at his home, officers reported finding a Glock with a similar device already installed along with nearly one-half pound of marijuana.
If convicted, Sanders faces up to 10 years’ imprisonment for each of the firearms offenses and up to five years’ imprisonment for the drug crime.
The case was a joint investigation by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.