Jim Allen Elementary To Host Family Literacy Night Thursday Night
January 27, 2026
Jim Elementary School will hold a Literacy Night on Thursday night.
The family event, part of the Literacy Week 2026 celebration, will be held on January 29, from 5:30 until 7 p.m. at the school.
There will be free grilled hamburgers and hot dogs, free books, and literacy games. Plus, attendees will be able to vote for their favorite decorated door.
Those planning to attend are asked to complete an RSVP form to help the school plan the quantity of food needed for the event.
Escambia County Seeks $15 Million In Funding For Emergency Communications Modernization
January 27, 2026
Escambia County commissioners have voted to advance an application seeking $15 million in Triumph Gulf Coast funding to modernize the county’s emergency communications system, a step aimed at strengthening day-to-day emergency response and improving reliability during hurricanes and other large-scale incidents.
Commissioner Ashlee Hofberger led the effort to move the application forward. The proposed project supports the county’s goal of ensuring clear, uninterrupted communication between dispatchers and first responders from the moment a 911 call is placed through response in the field.
“When residents reach out for help, they deserve the confidence that emergency responders can stay connected every step of the way,” Hofberger said. “This investment is about supporting our first responders and proactively addressing a known challenge before it impacts public safety.”
Escambia County’s current public safety radio system is aging and increasingly strained. In some areas, responders must manually change radio channels as they move across the county to maintain contact with dispatch. Coverage gaps also exist in certain buildings and high-traffic locations, including schools and emergency shelters. As equipment nears the end of its supported lifespan, maintenance demands increase and the risk of service disruptions grows, particularly during severe weather or major emergencies.
The proposed modernization would replace the countywide radio system and strengthen the infrastructure connecting dispatch centers, radio towers, and first responders throughout Escambia County. The system also supports mutual-aid responses with the City of Pensacola and Santa Rosa County, making its reliability an important regional public safety priority.
This initiative complements other county investments already underway, including the rollout of Next Generation 911 technology. Together, these efforts reflect a broader commitment to modernizing emergency communications from the initial call for help through on-scene response.
“I’m proud of the progress we’re making and grateful for the collaboration that makes it possible,” Hofberger said. “This is about practical solutions, supporting those who serve our community, and making sure Escambia County is ready when it matters most.”
Pictured: 911 calls are answered by Escambia County Emergency Communication. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
McArthur Elementary Holds STEM Night (With Gallery)
January 27, 2026
McArthur Elementary School recently held a successful STEM night.
Students and their parents had a chance to take part in numerous science, technology, engineering and math-related activities.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Ernest Ward Middle Volleyball Takes Two From Bellview
January 27, 2026
The Ernest Ward Middle School Eagles varsity and JV teams defeated the Bellview Middle School Warriors Monday night, at Bellview.
Up next, Ernest Ward will host Bailey Middle School on Thursday before traveling to Warrington on February 2 and Beulah Academy of Science on February 5.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Molino Volunteer Assistant Fire Chief Mark Butler Retires After 30 Years Of Service
January 26, 2026
Mark Butler, assistant chief of the Molino Station of Escambia County Fire Rescue, has retired after 30 years of volunteer service to Escambia County.
After serving as a junior firefighter, Butler was accepted as a volunteer member of the Molino Fire Department on September 21, 1995, one day after his 18th birthday. He worked his way up through the ranks, attaining assistant district chief in February 2021.
“During his 30 years of service to the citizens of Escambia County, he continuously went above and beyond as an active member,” stated an Escambia County Commission proclamation honoring Butler. “Mark has volunteered hundreds of hours working tirelessly during multiple emergency activations, including mutual aid, hurricanes, tornadoes, ice and snowstorms, floods, the COVID-19 pandemic, and numerous other local disasters affecting the citizens of Escambia County.”
During his tenure, he earned numerous accolades from his supervisors, peers and colleagues.
Pictured: Mark Butler was honored by the Escambia County Commission last week as he retired after 30 years of volunteer fire service. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Extreme Freezing Weather — Protecting Pets, Plants, Pipes And Other Tips
January 26, 2026
With freezing weather, take necessary precautions to protect pipes, pets and plants, and check on elderly friends and neighbors.
The low Monday night is forecast to be in the upper teens in North Escambia with lows below freezing every night this week.
Here are ways to stay safe during cold temperatures, courtesy of the American Red Cross:
- Wear layers of lightweight clothing to stay warm. Gloves and a hat will help prevent losing body heat.
- Know the signs of hypothermia — confusion, dizziness, exhaustion and severe shivering. If someone has these symptoms, they should get immediate medical attention.
- Watch for symptoms of frostbite including numbness, flushed gray, white, blue or yellow skin discoloration, numbness or waxy feeling skin.
- Bring the pets indoors. If that’s not possible, make sure they have enough shelter to keep them warm and that they can get to unfrozen water.
- Avoid frozen pipes — run water, even at a trickle, to help prevent them from freezing. Keep the thermostat at the same temperature day and night to help avoid freezing pipes.
- Do not use a stove or oven to heat the home.
- Space heaters should sit on a level, hard surface and anything flammable should be kept at least three feet away.
- If using a fireplace, use a glass or metal fire screen large enough to catch sparks and rolling logs.
- Turn off space heaters and make sure fireplace embers are out before leaving the room or going to bed.
And here are a few extra details and tips from ECUA on protecting pipes against the freeze:
- Insulate pipes or faucets in unheated areas: Pipes located in unheated areas of your house, such as a garage or crawl space under the house or in the attic, are subject to freezing. If you have time to do this before freezing temperatures arrive, wrap these pipes with insulation materials made especially for this purpose. These materials can be found in most hardware stores or home improvement centers.
- Disconnect and drain outdoor hoses: Detach all hoses from faucets and allow them to drain. This action guards against the water in the hose or pipe from freezing and bursting the faucet or pipe to which it is connected.
- Run a trickle of water: When forecasts call for sustained and / or severe freezing temperatures, run a thin trickle of water from the faucet furthest from the water line coming to your house. Usually this is in a room at the back of the house or outside, in the yard. Allowing the water to circulate through your home’s plumbing helps to keep it from freezing. Some consider this a waste of water but the cost of the water used is extremely slight compared to repairing broken pipes and the resulting water damage.
- Remember the backflow preventer: Residents and business owners who have backflow preventers on their properties for water lines, fire lines, irrigation systems, and swimming pools need to protect their backflow preventers from freeze as well. Extended freezes can burst the body of the backflow assembly, rendering it useless. Wrap these pipes with insulation materials, made especially for this purpose. These materials can be found in most hardware stores or home improvement centers. If the device and the water line are not in use at this time (i.e., irrigation system or swimming pool lines), shut off the water supply line and drain the backflow device.
Lipscomb Elementary Teachers Take Pies To The Face To Celebrate Student Success
January 26, 2026
Lipscomb Elementary School students hit their WIGS — Wildly Important Goals, — with increased scores and celebrated with pies in the face of their teachers.
“Our teachers were awesome sports, and our students had an absolute blast earning this reward. Way to go, team! We are so proud of all the hard work paying off,” the school posted.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Today’s Fashion: Dressing In Layers For Cold Weather
January 26, 2026
With our cold weather this week, it’s important to dress in layers, cover skin and limit time outside, according to the National Weather Service office in Mobile.
Here’s how to dress for cold weather:
Here Are The Road Work Construction Spots To Watch This Week
January 26, 2026
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads and projects in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.
Escambia County:
- Interstate 10 (I-10) Resurfacing from the Perdido River Bridge to west of U.S. 29 – Drivers may encounter outside lane closures on I-10 westbound, near the Pine Forest Road interchange (Exit 7) Sunday, Jan. 25 through Thursday, Jan. 29 from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. for construction activities.
- Interstate 110 (I-110) Resurfacing from I-10 to U.S. 98 – Drivers may encounter intermittent lane closures on I-110, between I-10 and U.S. 98, Sunday, Jan. 25 through Thursday, Jan. 29, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., for construction activities.
- State Road (S.R.) 296 (Michigan Avenue) Resurfacing from Mobile Highway (U.S. 90) to North Palafox Street (U.S. 29) – The week of Sunday, Jan. 25, drivers may encounter intermittent lane closures on Michigan Avenue, from Mobile Highway to North Palafox Street, between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m., for placement of thermoplastic striping.
- S.R. 292 (Gulf Beach Highway) Resurfacing from Gulf Beach Highway to Manchester Street – The week of Sunday, Jan. 25, drivers may encounter intermittent lane closures on S.R. 292 from east of Bauer Road (County Road (C.R.) 293) to Manchester Street, between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m., for construction activities. Additionally, a new traffic configuration has been implemented on S.R. 292 between Mills Avenue and just east of Patton Drive, with travel lanes shifted to the outside of the roadway to provide space to construct a median traffic separator. Channelizing devices are in place to delineate the work zone. The speed limit has been reduced to 35 mph throughout the work zone.
- Business U.S. 98 (Garden Street) Construction from Pace Boulevard to the I- 110 ramp – The week of Sunday, Jan. 25, drivers may encounter the following construction-related traffic disruptions:
- Garden Street, between Pace Boulevard and N. Donelson Street, is reduced to two travel lanes (one in each direction) as crews perform construction activities on the north side of the street. This temporary traffic configuration will be in place through late 2026.
- Temporary side street closures north of Garden Street, from B Street to J Street, for ECUA water main upgrades. This week, drivers may encounter a closure with detour at B Street. Signage will be in place to direct drivers through the work zone.
- On-street parking is closed on Garden Street, between B Street and L Street.
- I-10 at Nine Mile Road Interchange (Exit 5) Construction – Drivers will encounter the following construction-related traffic disruptions:
- Intermittent I-10 inside lane closures near the Nine Mile Road interchange, Sunday, Jan. 25 through Thursday, Jan. 29, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.
- Nine Mile Road will be reduced to one travel lane in each direction between the I-10 ramps, Sunday, Jan. 25 through Friday, Jan. 30, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Law enforcement will be on site, and directional signage will be in place to guide drivers through the work zone.
- I-10 at U.S. 29 Interchange (Exit 10) Construction – Drivers will encounter the following construction-related traffic disruptions the week of Sunday, Jan. 25:
- I-10 eastbound lane closures near mile marker 9, Sunday, Jan. 25 through Thursday, Jan. 29, between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m., for construction activities.
- Intermittent lane closures may occur on North Palafox Street between Whitehead Drive and Hope Drive for construction at the North Palafox Street overpass. Flaggers will be present to direct traffic through the work zone.
- I-10 is reduced to two travel lanes in each direction between U.S. 29 and I-110.
- I-10 travel lanes are shifted away from the median area of the roadway, near the U.S. 29 interchange.
- The U.S. 29 southbound access to the I-10 eastbound on-ramp has been reduced.
- The U.S. 29 northbound ramp to I-10 eastbound is closed. U.S. 29 northbound drivers are being detoured to make a U-turn at Broad Street onto U.S. 29 southbound to access I-10 eastbound.
- U.S. 29 (S.R. 95) Coring Operations from Tedder Road to S.R. 4 – Motorists may encounter intermittent lane closures Wednesday, Jan. 28 through Friday, Jan. 30 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for coring operations.
Santa Rosa County:
- U.S. 98 Widening from Bayshore Road to Portside Drive – Motorists will encounter the following traffic impacts:
- Median and turn-lane closures from Bayshore Road to Tiger Lake Drive.
- Intermittent lane closures and additional median closures between Bayshore Road and Tiger Lake Drive, Sunday, Jan. 25, through Friday, Jan. 30, from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for paving operations.
- S.R. 87 Resurfacing from U.S. 98 to south of East Bay Boulevard (C.R. 399) –Drivers will encounter intermittent lane closures Sunday, Jan. 25 through Thursday, Jan. 29, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., for striping operations.
- S.R. 281 (Avalon Boulevard) Bridge Rehabilitation over East Bay - Motorists may encounter intermittent lane closures Monday, Jan. 26 through Friday, Jan. 30 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. for construction operations.
- S.R. 89 (Dogwood Road) Coring Operations from U.S. 90 (Caroline Street) to S.R. 87 (Stewart Street) – Motorists may encounter intermittent lane closures Tuesday, Jan. 27 through Thursday, Jan. 29 from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. for coring operations.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
AAA: Florida Gas Prices Ease After Spike Last Week
January 26, 2026
Florida gas prices are moving lower again after a sharp increase at the pump last week, according to AAA. The state average jumped 14 cents to $2.89 per gallon on Thursday, the highest daily average since December 20th. Since then, prices have begun to ease, slipping 3 cents over the past three days.
AAA expects weekly fluctuations to continue as retailers adjust to both wholesale costs and competitive pricing patterns across the state.
The average price per gallon in Escambia County was $2.61. The low price in Escambia County on Sunday night. In North Escambia, a low of $2.54 was available Sunday night at a station on Highway 29 in Cantonment.
“These fluctuations are part of a price‑cycling trend we’ve been seeing for more than a year now,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman for AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Retail prices tend to rise sharply over a short period, then gradually drift lower. Even with small movements in the oil market, this cycle continues to drive most of the day-to-day volatility at the pump.”