Community Health Pharmacist, Alleged Accomplice Face Federal Drug Charges
January 28, 2026
A Community Health Northwest Florida (CHNWF) pharmacist and his alleged accomplice are facing federal drug charges.
The U.S. Department of Justice said Douglas Craig Reid Jr., and Martrice Lamar Portis, both 47 years old, were both charged in federal court with conspiracy to unlawfully dispense and distribute controlled substances and to obtain controlled substances by fraud.
Reid is a pharmacist with CHNWF.
“Community Health Northwest Florida will cooperate with any investigation, and we remain committed to our mission of serving our patients and the greater Northwest Florida community,” CHNWF said in a statement.
Trial for both defendants is currently set for March 2 before United States District Judge M. Casey Rodgers. If convicted, each defendant faces a maximum of 20 years’ imprisonment.
The case involved a joint investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Drug Enforcement Administration Diversion Control Division, with assistance from the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the Gulf Coast High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) Task Force. According to court documents, this case is related to a prior case that was indicted as part of the Department of Justice’s 2025 National Health Care Fraud Takedown. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Alicia Forbes.
Pictured: Douglas Reid, Jr. (left) from CHNWF and Martice Portis in a 2025 mugshot from an unrelated arrest (right).
Ransom and Ferry Pass Middle Schools Honored with Statewide Music Awards
January 28, 2026
Last weekend at the Florida Music Educators Association Conference, Ferry Pass Middle School and Ransom Middle School were awarded the Music Enrollment Awards for having over 45% of students enrolled in choir, band, or orchestra.
Half of Ransom’s students and 47% of Ferry Pass students are enrolled in a music education course.
The FMEA Professional Learning Conference is one of the largest music education professional learning events in the United States.
Pictured: Ransom Middle School (top) and Ferry Pass Middle School (below) were honored with statewide music awards. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Intermittent Lane Closures Through Friday On North Century Boulevard
January 28, 2026
Motorists may encounter intermittent lane closures through Friday on North Century Boulevard (Highway 29) from Tedder Road north to East Highway 4, according to the Florida Department of Transportation.
Crews will be conducting coring operations. Coring involves using equipment to remove a vertical sample (a “core”) from the pavement.
The coring operations are set to take place between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. each day through Friday.
Lipscomb Elementary Names Students Of The Month
January 28, 2026
Lipscomb Elementary School has named its Students of the Month for January. They are Graham Harris and Isabella Almonte-Knapp.Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century Residents to See First New Waste Provider In Over 30 Years, $10 Monthly Increase
January 27, 2026
In February, Town of Century residents will have a new solid waste provider, and they will see their bills increase by over $10 a month. It’s the first time in over 30 years that Century has changed waste services provider.
Currently, residents are paying the town $27.44 for one pickup per week from Republic Services. Under the new provider, Waste Pro, residents will pay the town $37.91, $10.47 more per month.
How Will New Carts Be Delivered?
The town says the can exchange between Republic and Waste Pro will be seamless. On regular collection day this Wednesday, Republic Services will empty carts as usual and then exchange them for new Waste Pro cartd.
Waste Pro will begin collecting next week, with yard waste collected in a green cart with a black lid on Tuesdays, and garbage in a green cart with a blue lid on Fridays. Waste Pro will officially begin servicing the new carts on Tuesday, January 3, with the collection of green yard waste carts (black lid). Garbage will be collected on Fridays in a green cart with a blue lid.
For complete information, click here (pdf).
If a resident does not receive a new Waste Pro cart by January 31, they should call the Town of Century at (850) 256-3208.
Customer Accounts
There is no action required from current, active customers with service from Waste Pro to receive a new cart from Waste Pro or to begin service. For questions, call the Town of Century at (850) 256-3208.
Why The Change?
Without accepting bids, Century had continued for three decades to renew an agreement with annual increases with Republic Services. But in 2025, the town decided to seek an updated agreement or a new provider.
They received bids from two companies — BFI Waste Services, dba Republic Services of Escambia County, and Waste Pro of Florida. An evaluation committee ranked Waste Pro significantly higher than Republic Services, with average scores of 93.5 and 72.3, respectively.
“Waste Pro of Florida, Inc. consistently scored the highest across all evaluators, with strengths in cost proposal, service plan, equipment, and community engagement,” according to a town document. “Republic Services was evaluated as adequate but with key weaknesses: missing a commercial pricing proposal, incomplete forms, and a weaker overall service plan.”
No other bids were submitted. The Emerald Coast Utilities Authority (ECUA), which provides residential sanitation collection in the remainder of unincorporated Escambia County, did not bid.
Pictured: A Waste Pro sanitation truck turns on a Century street. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Man, Passenger Charged With Fentanyl Trafficking After Traffic Stop
January 27, 2026
An Cantonment man was arrested in Escambia County last week after a traffic stop involving a stolen license plate led to the discovery of trafficking amounts of fentanyl
John Duncan McLean, age 35 of Cantonment,was charged with first degree felony trafficking in fentanyl (4 grams or more) and a misdemeanor count of possession of drug paraphernalia.
According to an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office arrest report, a deputy spotted a blue Dodge Dart traveling north on Bridgedale Road with an Alabama license plate that had been reported stolen. When the deputy activated emergency lights and sirens, The driver turned into a residential driveway on Broussard Street in an attempt to avoid law enforcement. McLean, the driver, and passenger 37-year-old Kristopher Robin Nix of Pensacola were removed from the vehicle. Deputies reported finding a plastic bag containing a white powdery substance where Nix had been sitting.
During a probable cause search of the vehicle, deputies located a black sunglass bag containing three syringes and a plastic baggie holding a powdery substance. The powder field-tested positive for fentanyl and weighed approximately 8.7 grams.
While McLean denied knowledge of the narcotics and claimed the vehicle belonged to his “boss,” a passenger in the car reportedly told deputies that McLean began throwing “stuff all around the vehicle” once he noticed the patrol unit approaching from behind. The homeowner at the Broussard Street residence told deputies she did not know the men and had the vehicle towed from her property.
McLean (above) and Nix (below) remain in the Escambia County Jail without bond.
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.
