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.”
Escambia Man Gets Federal Prison Time For Firearms And Narcotics Offenses
January 26, 2026
An Escambia County has been sentenced to 17 years in federal on federal drug charges.
Malcolm Terrell Louis, 40, previously plead guilty to two counts of possession with intent to distribute 5 grams of more of methamphetamine, cocaine, and marijuana, two counts of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense, and two counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
According to court records, on December 17, 2024, law enforcement observed a parked vehicle outside a housing complex in Escambia County with the engine running and no one inside. Multiple bags of narcotics including methamphetamine, cocaine, and marijuana, cell phones, and a Glock handgun were observed inside the vehicle. The cell phone was later identified as belonging to Lousi and his fingerprints were on one of the bags of narcotics. The methamphetamine weighed over 50 grams. On March 7, 2025, law enforcement executed a search warrant at a residence that was occupied by Louis and others. Investigators located multiple firearms, ammunition, and multiple bags of narcotics, including methamphetamine, cocaine, fentanyl, and marijuana. The methamphetamine weighed over 25 grams. Louis is a multi-time convicted felon, who was released from state prison in 2024 after a five-year sentence.
Thanks to the outstanding work of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and our federal law enforcement partners, my office was able to deliver this successful prosecution to keep drugs and this dangerous criminal off our streets,” U.S. Attorney John P. Heekin said.
Prison Employee Arrested On Contraband Charge
January 26, 2026
An Alabama Department of Corrections employee was arrested on a contraband charge at Fountain Prison in Atmore.
On Wednesday, the ADOC K-9 teams assigned to Fountain concuted vehicle checkpoints. ADOC said K-9 Gambler alerted to the odor of narcotics in the vehicle of employee Donniquia Grace, and authorities said a “contraband package” were discovered on her person.
Grace was charged with attempting to promote prison contraband third degree and user of position for personal gain. She was booked into the Escambia County (AL) Detention Center in Brewton.
“She has resigned her from her position with the ADOC,” the agency said in statement. “The investigation is ongoing and further charges may be pending.”
Cantonment Man Facing Domestic Battery and Weapons Charges
January 25, 2026
A Cantonment man is facing multiple felony charges following a domestic disturbance.
Jesse Allen Hudson, 43, was arrested by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and charged with felony battery (domestic violence), tampering with physical evidence, and three counts of possession of a firearm or ammunition by a convicted felon.
According to an arrest report, deputies responded to a residence around 4:38 a.m. on January 21. A victim at the scene told deputies that Hudson had charged at her and knocked her to the ground during an argument. Deputies noted the victim had a laceration on her knee.
During the investigation, the victim reported that a rifle and a pistol were missing from the home. Although Hudson denied taking the weapons, deputies located a loaded rifle hidden inside a laundry basket in a trailer on the property. A loaded magazine was also found inside the residence in a basket Hudson claimed as his own, the report states.
Records checks confirmed Hudson is a convicted felon. He remained in the Escambia County Jail Sunday with bond set $85,000.
Beulah Middle FFA Chapter Places At District Competition
January 25, 2026
The Beulah Middle School FFA chapter placed in several competitions at the recent district competition.
- 1st Place — Parliamentary Procedure
- 2nd Place — Extemporaneous Public Speaking
- 1st Place — Prepared Public Speaking
- 2nd Place — Creed Public Speaking
- 2nd Place — Opening & Closing Ceremony
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
It Is Literacy Week At Molino Park Elementary With Family Night, Book Fair
January 25, 2026
Next week is Literacy Week at Molino Park Elementary School with a book fair, family literacy night and more.
The Scholastic Book Fair continues through January 30. Each student will receive a $6 voucher from the Molino Park Elementary School PTA.
Family Literacy Night will be Thursday, January 29, from 5:30 until 7 p.m. An RSVP is being sent home with students this week and should be returned by Monday, January 26 so that the PTA knows how much pizza to order.
Book Fair proceeds are used to help fund AR celebrations.
File photo.
Grant Awarded For $1 Million Traffic Light At Walmart In Atmore
January 25, 2026
A state grant has been awarded for a traffic signal on Highway 21 at Walmart in Atmore.
The ATRIP-II grant for $914,000 will require a $113,400 local match for a project total of $1,027,400 for the light at 911 North Main Street, which is state Highway 21.
“Since 2019, Alabama generated more than $2 billion, paving the way for 500 vital road and bridge projects in all 67 counties. None of these projects would have happened without the passage of Rebuild Alabama,” said Gov. Kay Ivey during her State of the State address.
The funding is made available through the Alabama Transportation Rehabilitation and Improvement Program-II (ATRIP-II), a program created by the Rebuild Alabama Act. The Rebuild Alabama Act requires ATRIP-II to be an annual program setting aside a minimum of $30 million off the top of ALDOT’s share of new gas tax revenue for projects of local interest on the state highway system.
The Walmart traffic signal was the only project awarded in January, in Escambia County. In total, ALDOT announced grant funding for 25 projects totaling just over $40 million.
“Rebuild Alabama continues making generational transportation improvements a reality. I am proud to award funds towards these 25 projects. Our success with Rebuild Alabama will only continue,” said Ivey.
NorthEscambia.com graphic.
Escambia Man Pleads Guilty To Threatening To Kill Police Detective
January 25, 2026
An Escambia County man has pleaded guilty to threatening to kill a police detective.
Tamal W. Jenkins, 19, pleaded guilty in federal court for interstate threatening communication with intent to extort.
Court documents state that in July 2025 the Pensacola Police Department arrested suspects in a homicide investigation. Within days of the arrest, one of the Pensacola Police Detectives involved in the investigation received an electronic message making threats against her life for taking a suspect into custody. Law enforcement traced the threatening messages back to a device belonging to Jenkins.
Jenkins faces up to 20 years’ imprisonment upon sentencing, which is scheduled for April 14