Florida Minimum Wage Increases To $14 Per Hour
September 30, 2025
Florida minimum wage workers saw an increase as of Tuesday.
Effective September 30, the Florida minimum wage increased $1 to $14 per hour. The minimum wage for tipped employees is now $10.98, in addition to tips.
On November 3, 2020, Florida voters approved a state constitutional amendment to increase the state’s minimum wage by $1 each year until reaching $15.00 per hour on September 30, 2026.
Resuming in 2027, the minimum wage will be adjusted annually for inflation on September 30 of each year.
Pine Meadow Elementary Fifth Graders Explore Roy Hyatt Science Environmental Center
September 30, 2025
Fifth grade students from Pine Meadow Elementary School recently enjoyed a visit to the Roy Hyatt Environmental Center in Cantonment.
For a photo gallery, click here.
The Roy Hyatt Environmental Center is operated by the Escambia County School District.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Sex Offender Charged With Felony Failure To Reregister
September 30, 2025
A Cantonment man has been charged with a felony sex offender registration violation.
Russell Alan Clanin, Jr., age 54 of 1404 Parker Road, was charged with felony failure to register every six months.
According to records, Clanin is a Florida-registered sexual offender that was convicted in 1992 of criminal sexual assault in Peoria, Illinois. He has been a registered sex offender in Florida since June 2020 and is required to reregister during his birth month of August and in February each year
Clanin remained in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $5,000.
Tate Aggies Starting QB Delarosa Out For The Rest Of The Season
September 30, 2025
Tate High School starting quarterback Miles Delarosa will miss the rest of the season due to a torn ACL that he suffered during last Friday night’s win over the West Florida Jaguars.
Delarosa’s dad said the sophomore will undergo physical therapy for the next two weeks followed by surgery in October, if not sooner.
“It’s all in God’s plan,” he said.
The Aggies are off this Friday night and will host Pace on October 10.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Costco, Escambia County Still Negotiating Chemstrand Road Improvements
September 29, 2025
Escambia County and Costco are still negotiating terms for improvements to Chemstrand Road, which has not necessarily delayed the project.
On August 20, the Escambia County Development Review Committee (DRC) granted approval for a new Costco store at the corner of Nine Mile and Chemstrand roads. The construction will require traffic and road improvements Read more
Bicycling Walnut Hill Woman Charged With Felony Fentanyl Possession
September 29, 2025
A Walnut Hill woman on a bicycle was arrested and charged fentanyl possession after a routine traffic stop on Plantation Road led to discovery of Fentanyl and drug paraphernalia, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
While on patrol a deputy observed a woman, later identified as 47-year-old Donnie Joe Taylor, riding a bicycle that lacked the required red light on the rear. After initiating a stop near the Margarita Fusion bar, the officer requested identification.
According to the arrest report, Taylor initially declined to provide information but eventually cooperated. She was then asked for permission to search a white bag she was wearing, but she admitted to recent Fentanyl use and instead granted permission to search a small black pouch hanging from a lanyard around her neck.
Inside the black pouch, the officer located a piece of tin foil with burn marks, two blue cotton swabs, a used syringe, and a white powdered substance. Taylor admitted the tin foil was drug paraphernalia, and the powdered substance later field-tested positive for fentanyl, the report states.
Taylor was charged with third degree felony possession of a controlled substance (fentanyl). She remained in the Escambia County Jail with bond set $2,500.
Ransom Middle Names Students Of The Month
September 29, 2025
Ransom Middle School recently named its August Students of the Month. They are Rodderrick Purifoy and Neve Barrow-Wade, both eighth graders. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Driver Charged With Child Abuse After DUI Crash Injures Two Children In Escambia County
September 29, 2025
An Escambia County man is facing multiple felony charges, include child abuse, after a DUI crash in Escambia County.
About 9:50 p.m. Saturday, as Terry J’Juan McGhee drove his 2019 Kia sedan off Olive Road near Briese Lane and struck a large tree, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. Troopers said McGhee had two passengers — children ages 3 and 7 — and no one in the vehicle was wearing a seat belt or was properly restrained.
FHP said the 7-year-old child was propelled into the windshield and suffered serious injuries. The 3-year old-child suffered minor injuries, both were transported to a local hospital by ambulance for medical treatment.
McGhee fled the scene on foot after being approached by witnesses. McGhee later returned to scene, with minor injuries, agitated, combative and showing obvious signs of impairment, troopers said.
McGhee was subsequently arrested and transported to a local hospital for medical clearance. He was ultimately charged by FHP with DUI traffic crash with serious bodily injury: hit and run, failure to remain at the scene of a crash with serious Injuries; aggravated child abuse; child abuse, and resisting arrest without violence.
Woman Killed In Single-Vehicle Crash On I-10 In Escambia County
September 29, 2025
A woman was killed in a crash on I-10 in Escambia County.
A 36-year-old Whistler, Alabama, woman died in the crash Friday morning on Interstate 10 between Nine Mile Road and Pine Forest Road, according to a report released Sunday by the Florida Highway Patrol.
Troopers said she ran off the roadway and collided with the tree line. She was transported to a local hospital, where she was pronounced deceased.
Northview Lady Chiefs Diamond Club Fall Softball Tourney Is Oct. 4-5, Register By Oct. 1
September 29, 2025
The NHS Lady Chiefs Diamond Club is set to host its annual Fall Softball Tournament next weekend, Oct. 4-5, at the Don Sutton Ballpark (Molino Ballpark), promising a full weekend of action for young players across the region.
This tournament is a key fundraiser for the Northview High School (NHS) Lady Chiefs Softball program and will feature age divisions ranging from T-Ball up to 16U. Registration is open, but teams must sign up by the Oct. 1 deadline.
Play will begin on Saturday, Oct. 4, with a 2 Pool Play format to ensure every team gets quality field time. Sunday, Oct. 5, will transition to a Single-Elimination Bracket using a blind draw, where teams will battle for the championship titles.
A $100 registration fee per team is due upon sign-up, which can be completed online at tiny.cc/ladychiefsfalltourney or via Venmo to @ladychiefs-01. Teams will also participate in a Pay-at-the-Plate (PAP) arrangement of $25 per team per game, with the exception of the T-Ball and 8U divisions, which will use volunteer umpires.
The tournament is held at the Don Sutton Ball Park, located at 2340 Crabtree Church Rd in Molino. The Gate Fee is set at $10 for spectators, with ages 10 and under receiving free entry. Two coaches per registered team will also receive free entry.
In addition to the softball action, the tournament will feature food trucks and a bounce house to provide entertainment and refreshments for players and fans alike.
For more information, team registration, or any questions, interested parties should contact Adam Bolen at (850) 777-4238 or via email at cbolen@yahoo.com. The tournament is held in partnership with Hometown Team Sports and the Molino Recreational Association.