Spring Into Reading: Kingsfield Elementary Hosts Literacy Celebration (Gallery)
March 20, 2026
Kingsfield Elementary recently held its Spring Into Reading Literacy night.
It was a fun evening celebrating reading and creativity. Families enjoyed a spud book character contest, a lively recorder music program, a Reader’s Theatre with Tate Drama Club, and exciting reading games for all ages.
Organizers said it was a great time for families to come together, share stories, and spark a love of reading this spring.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate High Senior James Treick Named National Merit Scholarship Finalist
March 20, 2026
Tate High School senior James Treick has been named a 2026 National Merit Scholarship Finalist, one of the most prestigious academic honors awarded to high school students in the United States. The recognition places Treick among an elite group of students nationwide who have demonstrated exceptional academic ability, leadership, and commitment to their communities.
Treick has earned an impressive 5.15 weighted GPA at Tate. In addition to his coursework at Tate, he has been dual enrolled at Pensacola State College, where he has maintained a 4.0 GPA and has received President’s List recognition for his outstanding academic performance.
Beyond the classroom, Treick has demonstrated a strong commitment to mentoring and leadership in STEM education. For nearly three years, he has worked at Code Ninjas, where he mentors students, teaches coding to kindergarten through ninth grade students, and coaches teams in robotics design and programming. His work helps inspire younger students to explore technology, engineering, and problem-solving.
At Tate, Treick is actively involved in several academic and service organizations. He is a member of the National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, and Beta Club. He has also contributed to Tate’s athletic community as a member of the tennis team, where he demonstrated leadership by serving as team captain during his sophomore year. In addition, Treick has dedicated time to serving others as a missions volunteer, reflecting his commitment to giving back to the community.
“James has distinguished himself through both his academic accomplishments and the way he invests in others,” said Principal Laura Touchstone. “Whether he is excelling in the classroom, mentoring younger students, or leading among his peers, he consistently represents Tate High School with excellence. Being named a National Merit Finalist is an incredible accomplishment, and it reflects the dedication he has shown throughout his high school career. We are incredibly proud of him and excited to see the impact he will continue to make in the future.”
The National Merit Scholarship Program recognizes students across the country for exceptional academic performance and potential. Finalists represent the highest-achieving students in the nation. National Merit Scholarships will be awarded later this year.
Pineview Church Road South Of Jay Has Reopened
March 20, 2026
Pineview Church Road south fo Jay has reopened.
The bridge over Mare Branch Creek was closed on Monday for repairs, and reopened one day ahead of schedule.
Drivers in the area were detoured on Pineview Church Road south to Highway 89 and north to Hollandtown Church Road.
Pace Patriots Take Aggie Classic Championship; Tate Beats Blanchard
March 20, 2026
The Pace Patriots defeated Yukon (OK) 5-3 on Thursday night to claim the 31st Annual Aggie Classic Championship.
Thursday, March 19 Scores
- Pace 5, Yukon (OK) 3
- Tate 6, Blanchard 5
- Gulf Breeze 12, Broken Arrow (OK) 11
- Pensacola Catholic 15 Union (OK) 0
- W.S. Neal 9, Claremore (OK) 8
- Bixby (OK) 14. Christ Presbyterian (TN) 3
Tate 6, Blanchard 5
The Tate Aggies were down by five runs after three innings, but rallied Thursday night to beat the Blanchard (OK) Lions 6-5 on the final night of the Aggie Classic.
Hunter Clayton earned the win for Tate, giving up two hits and one unearned run in five innings, striking out seven and walking two. Keelan Beasley was first on the mound for the Aggies, surrendering three hits and four runs (three earned) in two innings, walking two and striking out five.
Nathan Connors went 2-3 with three RBIs, and Cal Foxworth went 2-3 with one RBI.
Next week, the Aggies return to action on Tuesday at Washington at 7 p.m.
Wednesday, March 18 Scores
- Tate 6, Claremore (OK) 5
- Pace 11, Blanchard (OK) 0
- Yukon (OK) 8, Gulf Breeze 1
- W.S. Neal (AL) 7, Union (OK) 5
- Broken Arrow (OK) 5, Christ Presbyterian (TN) 4
- Pensacola Catholic 6, Bixby (OK) 4
Tuesday, March 17 Scores
- Tate 5, Broken Arrow (OK) 2
- Pace 11, Claremore (OK) 1
- Yukon (12) W.S. Neal (AL) 2
- Gulf Breeze 9, vs Bixby ( OK) 8
- Blanchard (OK) 5, Pensacola Catholic 4
- Christ Presbyterian (TN) 11, Union (OK) 1
Monday, March 16 Scores
- Tate 10, Union (OK) 3
- Gulf Breeze 16, Blanchard (OK) 6
- Pace 15, Broken Arrow (OK) 6
- Pensacola Catholic 11, Claremore (OK) 0
- Bixby 13 (OK), W.S. Neal (AL) 1
- Yukon 10 (OK), Christ Presbyterian (TN) 0
Century Correctional Inmate Assaulted Multiple Staff Members, FDC Says
March 20, 2026
A Century Correctional Institution inmate assaulted multiple staff members recently, according to the Florida Department of Corrections.
Jeremy Lockhart, 47, assaulted multiple staff members by striking and spitting on them, causing injuries, according to the FDC.
Since 2022, Lockhart has been serving a 6-year sentence out of Palm Beach County for charges including felony fleeing and eluding and drug possession.
Police: Unborn Baby Dies After Crash Caused By Red Light Runner
March 19, 2026
A pregnant Escambia County woman lost her baby in a traffic crash on Wednesday in Pensacola.
The crash happened just before 7:30 a.m. at the intersection of North 9th Avenue and Bayou Boulevard, near Sacred Heart Hospital and Cordova Mall.
The crash occurred when a southbound vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed on 9th Avenue ran a red light at Bayou Boulevard and struck the woman’s vehicle on the driver’s side, Pensacola Police said in a release.
“The female, who was pregnant, was transported to the hospital,” the release stated. “Her baby did not survive.”
PPD said charges are pending against the driver who ran the red light. No names have been released.
Anyone that may have seen the pickup (pictured) speeding near 9th Avenue after 7 a.m. Wednesday is asked to contact Pensacola Police at (850) 435-1946 or call Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP
Early Thursday morning, PPD closed the intersection for a follow-up investigation.
File photo.
Driver Crashes Off Highway 95A In Gonzalez
March 19, 2026
A driver ran off Highway 95A in Gonzalez on Thursday morning.
The crash occurred shortly after 10 a.m. on Highway 95A just north of North Tate School Road, near a Gonzalez Waster System water tower.
The driver of a Kia Forte left the roadway for an unknown reason, with the sedan coming to a stop after it reached the railroad tracks.
One person was reportedly transported to an area hospital.
The Florida Highway Patrol investigated.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Court Records Reveal New Weapons Charge for McDavid Man in FDLE Sex Offender, Snapchat Upload Probe
March 19, 2026
Court documents are revealing a weapons charge and more details about a McDavid man arrested in January on 14 sex offender violations when the Florida Department of Law Enforcement served a search warrant at a Highway 164 home.
As we previously reported, Daquan Eric Ball, 22, was arrested at the home in the 100 block of Highway 164, about one-third of a mile west of Highway 29, shortly after 7 a.m. on January 28. He was charged with 14 counts of failure of a sexual offender to report an email address or internet identifier. Those charges were later refiled as felony failure to provide registration information. He also faces an additional felony charge of possession of a weapon by a convicted felon. Ball remains in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $72,000.
In October 2018, Ball was adjudicated as a juvenile for sexual battery on a victim under 12 in a Santa Rosa County case, and he was previously convicted of one count of felony battery in Escambia County.
For additional photos from the service of the search warrant, click here.
FDLE opened the investigation after a Snapchat user uploaded an image of child sexual abuse material to their Snapchat account, according to court documents. The upload was traced to the residence on Highway 164, leading to the search warrant when FDLE determined Ball, a registered sexual offender, lived at the address.
During the execution of the search warrant, FDLE agents located a Glock 30, .45-caliber handgun in Ball’s bedroom, and he admitted it was his and purchased at a gun show, FDLE said.
During the search warrant execution at the home, state agents seized Ball’s cell phone. FDLE said a preliminary forensic analysis revealed Ball had 14 unreported email addresses and internet identifiers, including TikTok, Discord, Zoom, Adult Friend Finder, and FeetFinder.com accounts, along with two distinct email addresses. FDLE said a forensic analysis conducted by Homeland Security Investigations extracted the 14 internet identifiers from the phone that were not reported to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office or FDLE. The analysis determined that each that of the accounts were utilized.
FDLE said the investigation remains active.
Numerous FDLE agents were seen entering and exiting the small 1,500-square-foot, single-family home and around campers located on the property. Before the operation, the agents gathered on Main Street in McDavid, across from the Post Office, to organize and prepare.
FDLE said the arrest is the result of the agency’s statewide initiative to locate and arrest criminals targeting children and sharing files depicting the sexual abuse of children.
Pictured: The Florida Department of Law Enforcement served a search warrant on Highway 164 in McDavid on January 28. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge. Pictured small inset above: FDLE gathered with its Bearcat tactical vehicle across from the McDavid Post Office to prepare for the operation (reader submitted photo from the post office).
Buck Powell And Frankie Bell: Two Champion Coaches Born In Century Pass Away
March 19, 2026
Two legendary state champion high school coaches born in Century recently passed away, leaving a legacy of success that spanned decades of local sports history.
Melvin “Buck” Powell and Franklin “Frankie” Nelson Bell are both being remembered for their contribution to both athletics and education.
Melvin “Buck” Powell
October 14, 1943 – March 14, 2026
Melvin Powell, 81, was born in Century on October 14, 1943. He grew up in Flomaton and graduated from Flomaton High School. Buck went on to attend Auburn University, where he graduated in 1966 with a B.S. in Education. He also received his M.S. in Educational Leadership from Troy University in 1983.
Powell began his teaching and coaching career at Lyeffion High School in Evergreen and then at Greenville High School. In 1970, Coach made a move that had a huge impact on his life; he became the head coach at Century High School. During his six seasons leading the Blackcats, his teams went 46-15-2. Powell was named Escambia River Conference Coach of the Year in 1973, 1974, and 1975. Also in 1975, he was named Florida Coach of the Year.
In 1976, Powell was named the athletic director and head football coach at Escambia County High School in Atmore. During his tenure, the Blue Devils were 33-17 in region play. In 1983, the Blue Devils posted a record-setting season of 13-2 and won the 3A Alabama State Football Championship. Powell was also named Alabama Football Coach of the Year.
He served as an assistant principal at Rachel Patterson Elementary School and principal at Escambia County High School in Atmore. In 2000, he was appointed Escambia County (AL) Superintendent of Education. He retired from public education in 2006.
For the complete obituary, click here.
Franklin “Frankie” Nelson Bell
July 10, 1944 – March 14, 2026
Franklin Nelson “Frankie” Bell, 81, was born in Century on July 10, 1944, and graduated from Flomaton High School in 1962. After high school, he attended Mississippi State College, where he earned his bachelor’s degree and proudly played football for the Bulldogs for all four years. He graduated with the Class of 1966.
Bell began his coaching career in Talladega, Alabama, and Tallapoosa, Georgia. He returned to Escambia County High School in Atmore in 1976 with a career that ended as head football and tennis coach in 2025. Bell led the Blue Devils to a state championship in 1983.
For the complete obituary, click here.
Molino Woman Charged With DUI After Highway 196 Rollover Crash
March 19, 2026
A Molino woman has been charged with DUI following a single-vehicle rollover crash on Highway 196 last week.
As we previously reported, the crash occurred just before 8:20 p.m. in the 3600 block of Highway 196 near Schifko Road, about 2.5 miles west of Highway 29. The Florida Highway Patrol said the Toyota FJ Cruiser ran off the roadway, causing it to overturn before it came to rest on its side on the highway.
FHP said the driver, 33-year-old Alix Madison Brown, had a strong odor of alcohol as the trooper approached, and was confused on how many drinks she had consumed. She failed field sobriety exercises, according to the trooper, and was placed under arrest.
“Brown stated that she was headed to the liquor store to get a few drinks and that she had one drink earlier today,” the trooper wrote in the arrest report.
At the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office facility, about an hour and 45 minutes after the crash, Brown provided breath samples as high as .101, the report states, above the Florida legal limit of .08.
Brown was later released from the Escambia County Jail on a $1,000 bond.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristu Barbour, click to enlarge.
