Tractor-Trailer Crash Shuts Down Beulah Road Monday Afternoon
June 30, 2026
Traffic was blocked on Beulah Road Monday after a tractor-trailer overturned.
It happened just after noon when the tractor-trailer, driven by a 71-year-old Pensacola man, traveled off the east shoulder of the roadway, collided with a utility pole, and overturned onto its right side. There were no other vehicles involved.
Beulah Road was completely blocked by the incident.
The crash remains under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.
Man Wanted For Daycare A/C Theft, $30K Business Metal Theft
June 30, 2026
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is calling on the public to help locate a local man wanted on a string of felony charges, including the targeted burglary of a local childcare facility.
Authorities have issued active warrants for 48-year-old Joshua Michael McCay. According to investigators, McCay is the primary suspect in the theft of two air conditioning units from a daycare center located on Mobile Highway.
In addition to the daycare burglary, detectives have linked McCay to a theft at a commercial business on Brigadier Street. Investigators allege that McCay stole and subsequently scrapped approximately $30,000 worth of metal handrails from the property.
McCay is wanted for burglary, larceny, grand theft, and dealing or trafficking in stolen property, fraud, trespassing with the intent to commit an offense, criminal mischief causing property damage, and possession of burglary tools with the intent to use.
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP or the ECSO at (850) 436-9620.
West Bogia Road Collapse Repairs Are Complete (Well, Almost)
June 29, 2026
West Bogia Road repairs are now complete — except for striping.
Crews paved the roadway last Thursday and Friday, and they will soon return for the striping.
On May 31, an estimated six inches of rain fell in a three-hour window near McDavid. While Highway 29 at West Bogia Road was under several feet of water, the roadway completely washed away and collapsed at a culvert intersection.
For more photos of the damage and initial repair work, click here.
The Florida Department of Transportation quickly stepped in to handle the emergency repairs to the county road, replacing the failed 78-inch culvert pipe and rebuilding the crossing with solid concrete headwalls and new base materials.
By mid-June, the road was reopened after most of the repairs were made, but the road could not be paved right way due to daily rainfall.
The emergency repair was made at an estimated cost of $150,000.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Northview Athletic Director Obreonne Parker Wins Prestigious State Sportsmanship Award
June 29, 2026
Northview High School Athletic Director Obreonne Parker has been honored with the prestigious Chris Hixon Exemplary Sportsmanship Award from the Florida Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (FIAAA).
Parker is one of only four athletic administrators selected for the honor across the entire state of Florida for 2026, representing FHSAA Section 1.
Presented in conjunction with the goals and missions of the NIAAA, FIAAA, FHSAA, and FACA, the annual award recognizes athletic leaders who have distinguished themselves by promoting and exemplifying the true “Spirit of Sportsmanship” within their schools and communities. One administrator is chosen from each of the state’s four FHSAA sections.
Parker has served as the athletic director for the Northview Chiefs since 2017. 1 Her career at the school spans over two decades. She was also named the Northview High School Teacher of the Year for 2024-2025.
Looking Back: The Local Photos And Stories From The Past Week
June 29, 2026
(We are trying a new weekly feature on NorthEscambia.com with a look back at photos and stories from the past week. Tell us what you think in the comments. Would you like to see this continue? How can we improve it?)
This photo gallery highlights some of the most interesting and meaningful images and stories as we look back at the past week in North Escambia.
The highly anticipated ribbon cutting was held for the new Costco on Nine Mile Road on Thursday morning. Hundreds waited in line on day one, while thousands more streamed into the store over the next few days. (Story | Gallery) NorthEscambia.com photo.
Army veteran Duane Brewton of Cantonment passed away at the age of 109. At the time, he was recognized as one of America’s oldest living World War II veterans. He is seen here at his 109th birthday party earlier this year. (Story | Gallery) NorthEscambia.com photo.
A vehicle crashed into the Dollar General on Highway 29 at Neal Road in Cantonment. There were no serious injuries, but it left a hole in the front wall of the retailer. (Story) Photo for NorthEscambia.com.
Readers got a first look at the aftermath of a rising Brushy Creek that destroyed a temporary road to a temporary bridge at a $5.03 million construction site for a new, permanent bridge near Walnut Hill. (Story | Photo gallery) NorthEscambia.com photo.
By early in the week, all Escambia County bridges that had been closed by flooding had reopened. (Story) Photo for NorthEscambia.com
As its lawsuit against the Town of Century continues, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection sent an inspection team to inspect out the town’s wastewater treatment plant and an out-of-service water well. (Story | Gallery) NorthEscambia.com photos.
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos started the second half with a close 4-3 win on the road at the Chattanooga Lookouts. (Story) Photo for NorthEscambia.com.
It was a tough week for local first responders, like these Escambia County Fire Rescue firefighters at a Nine Mile Publix. First responders across the area gave up donuts during the Donut Strike for Manna to fight hunger. Photo for NorthEscambia.com.
Century Correctional Inmate Serving Time For Homicide Assaulted Staff Member, FDC Says
June 29, 2026
A Century Correctional Institution inmate assaulted a correctional officer, according to the Florida Department of Corrections.
Inmate Jimmy Hernandez-Pantoja assaulted a correctional officer by spraying them with an unknown liquid, FDC said.
Hernandez-Pantoja is serving a 20 year sentence for a 2022 Manatee County culpable negligence manslaughter. He is currently set for release in February 2037.
Florida Gas Prices Declined 20 Cents Last Week On Average, AAA Says
June 29, 2026
Escambia County gas prices were up a few cents, on average, during the past week, according to AAA.
Sunday’s average wsa $3.45 for a gallon up regular unleaded, up 4 cents over the past week, but down 52 cents from the month ago price of $3.97. The Pensacola metro had the lowest metro average price in the state.
Sunday in Escambia County, the low price was $3.07 at the warehouse clubs, but $3.28 at the next cheapest stations. In North Escambia, the low price was $3.39 at stations on Highway 29 in Cantonment.
Wahoos Wallop Lookouts In Series-Clinching Finale
June 29, 2026
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos didn’t need a comeback to win their Sunday series finale against the Chattanooga Lookouts, scoring early and often in a 12-2 victory.
After overcoming a seven-run deficit on Friday and a six-run deficit on Saturday in a pair of impressive wins, the Blue Wahoos jumped ahead in the second inning against Lookouts starter Bryce Hubbart (L, 1-1). Connor Caskenette and Jay Beshears each drew walks, setting the stage for Emaarion Boyd. In his first at-bat since hitting a dramatic game-tying homer in the ninth inning on Saturday night, the Blue Wahoos left fielder launched a three-run shot for an early 3-0 lead.
Fenwick Trimble added a two-run homer in the third inning, his third home run in as many days, to extend the lead to 5-0. Three batters later, Ian Lewis Jr. ripped an automatic double over the right-center wall on a bounce to put Pensacola ahead 6-0.
Blue Wahoos starter Luis Moreno (W, 4-3) took that lead and ran with it, taking a no-hitter into the fifth inning and ultimately turning in a season-high 6.0 innings of two-hit, one-run ball.
Cam Cannarella saw his team-high hitting streak end at 12 games, but he did contribute an RBI with a sacrifice fly in the sixth inning to extend the Pensacola lead to 8-1. A Cristian Hernández three-run homer in the eighth added more distance, and Trimble ended the scoring by coming in from third base on a passed ball in the ninth inning.
Moreno was relieved by Josh Hejka, Christian MacLeod and Livan Reinoso, who totaled 3.0 effective innings of relief to seal a 12-2 final.
The Blue Wahoos have now won three straight games and scored 12 runs in each of them, ultimately taking four of six in their series against the Lookouts.
After an off day Monday, the Blue Wahoos continue their 12-game road trip on Tuesday as they open up a six-game series against the Rocket City Trash Pandas.
written by Erik Bremer
Escambia Ham Radio Operators Practice Emergency Communications During Annual Field Day
June 28, 2026
Local amateur radio operators gathered on Saturday at the Escambia County Emergency Operations Center on W Street to participate in the annual ARRL Field Day, an event highlighting emergency preparedness and public service.
The event, which serves as the largest annual amateur radio operating event in North America, moved to the Emergency Operations Center this year after previously being held at Ashton Brosnaham Park. Local hobbyists set up temporary stations to practice portable communication techniques and demonstrate the enduring capability of amateur radio when traditional power grids, internet access, and cellular networks fail.
“We are out here doing the 2026 Field Day,” said Paul Stefon, K7PCS, president of the Five Flags Amateur Radio Association. “Groups all over the country practice emergency communications and get ready for storm season and catastrophes. And we’re here to introduce ham radio to the public and push for the community to know that there is ham radio available when the system or grid goes down.”
Stefon discovered ham radio after Hurricane Ivan.
“After Ivan, I couldn’t talk to anybody, and that scared me to death,” he said. “So I went and took a class, and now I know how to get ahold of somebody when catastrophe hits.”
The ham operators have an Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) room that is actually inside the Escambia County Emergency Operations Center (EOC), creating a bridge during a disaster to the outside world. They operate three stations—for long distance and local communications, along with a digital station that can be used for things like email or even securely and privately sending a prescription from a doctor inside the EOC.
After Hurricane Ivan, amateur radio operators were the only ones communicating in Escambia County, according to the group.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Throughout Saturday, operators demonstrated voice, digital, and various other communication methods to connect with participants locally, nationally, and internationally. The open-house style gathering allowed members of the public to visit without a license, explore the equipment firsthand, and learn how amateur radio supports disaster relief, weather tracking, and community readiness. The entire event was operated only on generator and backup power to simulate an actual emergency.
The Field Day event continues until noon on Sunday at the Escambia County EOC, 6575 North W Street.
The 2026 exercise brought together a coalition of local organizations focused on emergency readiness, including the Five Flags Amateur Radio Association, Escambia County Emergency Management, Escambia County ARES, BRACE, and Escambia Search and Rescue. The weekend event followed a formal presentation on June 17, 2026, where the Escambia County Board of County Commissioners issued an official proclamation recognizing the vital public service provided by local radio operators.
The Five Flags Amateur Radio Association will offer amateur radio classes to prepare people for the FCC license test beginning in September at Pensacola State College. The class is just $20 and will meet on Tuesday and Thursday nights from 6 until 8:30 p.m. from September 14 until November 19. To register, click here. Or for more information, email Gene Bannon, KB4HAH, at kb4ahah@bellsouth.net.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Local Students Receive Construction Career Days Scholarships
June 28, 2026
The Escambia County School Board recently honored students who received 2026 Northwest Florida Construction Career Days scholarships.
The high school juniors and seniors participated in the event last February alongside students from every high school in Escambia County.
Eleven students have been awarded $2,000 each, and 28 students will receive $500 each, totaling $36,000:
$2,000 Recipients
- Addison Giger — Northview
- Alexandra Bentley — Tate
- Caleb Levins — Northview
- Caleb Thomas — Tate
- Easten Odom — Northview
- Ethan Travis — Tate
- Ezekiel Farley — West Florida
- Gabrielle Osten — Escambia
- Jessie Joyner — Northview
- Jonas Houston — Northview
- Kaiden Hall — Northview
$500 Recipients
- Brielle Garcia — Northview
- Caleb Hurd — Tate
- Cooper Hall-Bridges — Pensacola
- Daniel Romero — Tate
- Decatur Evil-Hunter — West Florida
- Emma Bowman — Northview
- Emma Holder — Northview
- Estela Peralta — Northview
- Grayson Walker — Tate
- Ian Stinnett — Tate
- Isaac Gomez — Tate
- Jack Boutwell — Northview
- Jackson Schrock — Tate
- Jackson Simmons — Northview
- Jaeden Vuong — West Florida
- James Connors — Northview
- Jaxson Stella — Tate
- Kayden Samelson — Northview
- Keith ONeill — Tate
- Lily Driver — West Florida
- Lucas Jones — Tate
- Lucas Mota — West Florida
- Maurice Dixon — Northview
- Micah Deburkarte — Escambia
- Michael Brazwell — Northview
- Tripp Daughtry — Tate
- Tyson Tang — Washington
- Vincent Fox — West Florida
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.