Escambia Felon Charged With Federal Drug And Firearm Offenses
September 27, 2025
An Escambia County felon has been charged with federal drug and firearm offences.
Marcel Kamill Mickles, 49, of Pensacola, was indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Mickles is set for trial on November 3.
If convicted, Mickles faces up to 20 years’ imprisonment for the drug trafficking crime and up to 15 years for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. Possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime carries a consecutive five-year term with a maximum of life imprisonment.
The case was a joint investigation by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Escambia County Approves Slightly Reduced Property Tax Increase
September 26, 2025
This week, the Escambia County Commission approved a nearly $885.5 million budget for the next fiscal year while approving a slightly lower property tax increase than was originally proposed.
The $868,481,713 budget is nearly $70 million, or 8.74% higher than last fiscal year’s $798,672,479 budget, but $47 million of that increase is from hospital MSBU pass-through funds that are not controlled by the county.
After discussion, the commission approved a slight decrease in the proposed 6.6165 mills rate to 6.6 mills that was proposed by District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry. The difference will amount to about $546,000 and will be made up from reserve funds rather than cutting programs or laying off employees.
The final adopted millage rates were a 6.6 mills countywide, 0.359 mills for the library system, and 0.685 for the Sheriff’s Law Enforcement Municipal Services Taxing Unit.
Commissioners agreed that they will discuss more potential cost-cutting actions at future meetings, including potential reductions in $17.8 million in funding for community partners and the tax for the Escambia Children’s Trust, which may go back on the ballot next year.
The county has also approved a nearly doubled Fire MSBU — from $125.33 per dwelling unit to $226.78 — to boost firefighter pay and address potential new and improved fire stations.
Scattered Showers Possible This Afternoon; Great Weather For The Weekend
September 26, 2025
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Friday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly between 1pm and 4pm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Mostly sunny, with a high near 85. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 63. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 86. North wind around 5 mph.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 62. North wind around 5 mph.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 88. North wind around 5 mph.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 63. North wind around 5 mph.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 89. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 65. North wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 88.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 65.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 87.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 63.
Thursday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 83.
Pictured: An electrical substation near Walnut Hill at sunset Thursday evening. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Friends Of The Library Fall Book Sale Is Today Through Sunday
September 26, 2025
The Friends of the West Florida Public Library will hold their Fall Big Book Sale through Sunday at the DOwntown Library, 239 North Spring Street in Pensacola.
The event includes books, audio books, CDs, and DVDs. The selection covers a wide variety of genres including plenty of family-friendly options.
On Friday, the sale will take place from 3-7 p.m. with a $5 admission, or free for Friends of the Library members.
On Saturday, the sale will be open from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. The Sunday Bag Sale — all the books that will bit into a provided bag for $7 — will be open from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. Admission is free on Saturday and Sunday.
Items include hardback and softback books (fiction, nonfiction, mysteries, biographies, young adult, children’s), paperbacks, religious, foreign language, travel, crafts, holidays, cooking, and more. Multimedia includes CDs, DVDs, vinyl, and audio books.
Cash or credit cards will be accepted.
File photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
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.
