New Assistant Principal Appointments Approved For Tate, Northview High Schools
June 18, 2026
New assistant principal appointments have been approved for Tate and Northview high schools, marking a promotion for one local educator and a new assignment for another.
Northview High School Dean Somer Bridges has been appointed as one of the three assistant principals at Tate High, taking the place of current Assistant Principal, Deans and Discipline Brandy White.
White has been named assistant principal at Northview High School after the retirement of Gerry Pippins.
“I am excited to serve the students, staff and communities of Tate High School, a school that is very rich in its traditions and legacies,” Bridges told the Escambia County School Board following her appointment. “I’m excited to begin this new chapter, and look forward to serving the Tate High School community with dedication, integrity and pride. Go Aggies!”
Both positions were approved this week by the school board and will be effective July 1.
Related Tate’s Laura Touchstone Named Escambia County Director Of High School Education
Pictured: New Tate High School Assistant Principal Somer Bridges (left) and new Northview High School Assistant Principal Brandy White. Pictured below: Bridges is congratulated by the school board. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate’s Laura Touchstone Named Escambia County Director Of High School Education
June 18, 2026
Tate High School Principal Laura Touchstone has been appointed director of High School Education for Escambia County Public Schools. The school board unanimously approved the appointment this week following the retirement of Lesa Morgan. The position of Tate High School principal remains open, but is expected to be filled by the start of the 2026-27 school year, according to the district.
“Most importantly, I want to thank the students, staff, and families of Tate High School,” Touchstone said after thanking the mentors, administrators, and teachers she worked with along the way. “Serving as principal has been one of the greatest privileges of my professional life… I will always be proud to be part of the Tate family.”
“Education changes lives. I look forward to supporting our principals and teachers as we continue the important work of creating opportunities for students and preparing them for the futures they deserve across all of our high schools,” Touchstone added. “My commitment is to serve with integrity, work with purpose, and always keep students at the center of every decision.”
Related: New Assistant Principal Appointments Approved For Tate, Northview High Schools
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Curiosity Catches the Kitty: Stuck Kitten Rescued From Tree By Escambia Animal Welfare
June 18, 2026
The Escambia County Department of Animal Rescue successfully rescued a curious little kitten on Wednesday.
The kitten somehow managed to get her head stuck in a tree. Animal Welfare officers were able to free the curious little kitty and get her back on solid ground. She was uninjured.
The kitten is now in the county shelter and under veterinary care.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Two Cantonment Residents Uninjured In Three-Vehicle Serious Escambia County Crash
June 18, 2026
Two Cantonment residents escaped injury in a three-vehicle crash Wednesday evening in Escambia County.
The crash occurred at approximately 7:05 p.m. at the intersection of Fairfield Drive and Hollywood Avenue.
The Florida Highway Patrol said the Cantonment residents, a 62-year-old male driver and a 63-year-old female passenger, were traveling eastbound on Fairfield Drive in an SUV as a 27-year-old Pensacola man driving a sedan was also traveling eastbound in the outside lane.
According to state troopers, the Pensacola driver attempted to make a left turn onto Hollywood Avenue from the outside eastbound lane. As he turned, the rear of his sedan collided with the front of the Cantonment residents’ SUV, which was traveling in the inside lane. Both Cantonment residents were wearing their seat belts.
Following the initial collision, the Pensacola man’s sedan continued through the intersection and entered the westbound lanes of Fairfield Drive. A third vehicle, a sedan driven by a 21-year-old Pensacola man with a 20-year-old female passenger, was traveling westbound and collided with the passenger side of the crossing sedan.
The 27-year-old driver of the first sedan, who was not wearing a seat belt, sustained critical injuries and was transported to a local hospital. The 21-year-old driver and 20-year-old passenger of the third vehicle both sustained serious injuries and were also hospitalized.
The crash remains under investigation by FHP.
Blue Wahoos Split Twin Bill With Barons
June 18, 2026
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos beat the Birmingham Barons 6-4 in the first half of their Wednesday doubleheader, but blew a late lead in the nightcap to lose 6-3.
Combined with a Biloxi Shuckers loss, the doubleheader split puts Pensacola in second place by 0.5 games with four to play before the end of the first half on Sunday.
In game one, the Blue Wahoos went deep three times to account for five of their six runs. Aiva Arquette hit a go-ahead two-run homer in the third inning, Dillon Lewis added his team-leading 14th later in the frame, and Cristian Hernández laced a two-run shot in the fifth inning.
Alex Williams (W, 4-5) outpitched Birmingham’s Gabe Davis (L, 0-2), working 5.2 innings of four-run ball. After surrendering a first-inning homer to Alec Briley, the righty settled down and effectively protected the Pensacola lead. Jack Sellinger (S, 3) inherited a pair of baserunners with the tying run at the plate in the sixth, but escaped the jam and returned for the seventh to secure a five-out save in a 6-4 final.
In game two, Lewis once again provided early offense with an RBI groundout in the first inning and an RBI single in the third. Connor Caskenette forced in the third Pensacola run with a bases-loaded walk in the fifth, though the Blue Wahoos squandered a chance to add on with the bases loaded and nobody out against reliever Phil Fox (W, 2-2).
Blue Wahoos starter Jacob Miller allowed a Brenden Dixon RBI double in the second inning, but otherwise looked sharp over 2.0 innings in his first start since coming off the injured list. Holt Jones was dominant in long relief, striking out seven batters over 3.0 one-hit innings, and Kade Bragg (L, 3-2) worked through a 1-2-3 sixth to send the game to the seventh and final frame.
Tasked with protecting a 3-1 lead, Bragg allowed an infield single and a pair of walks to load the bases. Colby Martin entered from the bullpen, getting a strikeout before allowing a game-tying two-run double to Pensacola native T.J. McCants. Martin struck out Samuel Zavala and intentionally walked Briley to load the bases for Caleb Bonemer, the top prospect in the White Sox organization who had made his Double-A debut in game one. A four-pitch walk forced in the go-ahead run, and Anthony DePino muscled a broken-bat single up the middle to score two more.
Jackson Kelley (S, 5) worked around a Lewis double in the seventh to close out a 6-3 Barons win.
The Blue Wahoos continue their series against the Barons on Thursday.
written by Erik Bremer
Federal Law Enforcement Activity In Cantonment, And Escambia, Alabama
June 17, 2026
Federal law enforcement search warrants took place this morning in Cantonment and Escambia County in Alabama.
The Escambia County (FL) Sheriff’s Office confirmed that they assisted the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) with serving two warrants in Cantonment.
“The DEA New Orleans Field Division, assisted by law-enforcement partners, conducted multiple search warrants today across Baldwin and Escambia Counties pursuant to a federal investigation. As the investigation is ongoing, no additional information is available at this time,” a DEA spokesperson said.
Additional federal, state and local law enforcement agencies assisted in the operation.
The Escambia County (AL) Sheriff’s Office, Atmore Police Department, and Brewton Police Department issued near-simultaneous, near-identical statements:
“We are aware of the law enforcement activity taking place in (the area) today involving multiple local, state, and federal agencies. We want to reassure our community that this is a controlled, coordinated operation and there is no active danger or safety threat to the public.Because this involves an ongoing federal investigation, our agency cannot release any further details or comment on the matter.”
Residents across the county reported seeing heavily armed officers conducting in multiple locations, along with a helicopter circling overhead in some of the areas.
Century CRA Board Members Call For Effort To ‘Get Something Started’ On Local Improvements
June 17, 2026
“Sometimes we have a tendency to not do things. We have a discussion and we never do anything.”
That’s what Century Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) board member Henry Cunningham said Tuesday night as board members generally agreed that it’s time to stop being all talk and actually look at how to improve the CRA.
In October 2018, the council approved a Tax Increment Financing plan for its redevelopment area, allowing the CRA to receive property tax revenues each year in excess of an established base rate. The appraised value of the property within the designated district was “frozen” in 2018, with that amount of tax revenue generated still designated for the town’s general fund, the county, and other taxing authorities.
The redevelopment area receives 95% of the property tax generated in excess of the frozen base value as property values rise. Along with small interest earnings, the CRA has spent nothing on improving the area to date, as far as we know from financial reports that were last published nearly three years earlier.
The CRA funds can be used to improve conditions in the 510 acres bounded by Jefferson Avenue to the south, Jefferson Avenue to the east, East Highway 4 to the north and the center line of North Century Boulevard to the west. It also extends north on the east side of North Century Boulevard to include commercial properties up to, and including, the former Burger King (see map below).
The CRA has over $191,000 in the bank, and has not moved to spend any significant funds.
“At least have a discussion and try to make some effort to try to get something started,” Cunningham said.
The entire Century Town Council sits as the CRA board, along with Michelle Cunningham, daughter of Henry Cunningham. Council and CRA board members Shelisa Abraham and Dynette Lewis were absent from Tuesday’s meeting.
The attending members discussed how CRA funds could be used to improve the area, including roads, drainage, and developing a “Main Street” of sorts along Highway 29. No formal actions were taken.
The next regular Century CRA Board meeting will be in November.
Pictured: Century town council member Henry Cunningham, sitting as a CRA member, listens to discussion Tuesday night. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge. Pictured below: The Century CRA boundary map, click to enlarge.
Rev. Janet K. Lee Retires After 43 Years Of Ministry At Century UMC
June 17, 2026
A community worship service and retirement celebration was held for Rev. Janet K. Lee at Century United Methodist Church.
After 43 years, she is returning in her retirement to her home state of Kentucky.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Trial Delayed For Cantonment Felon Indicted On Federal Weapons Charges
June 17, 2026
A Cantonment felon indicted on federal gun charges has been granted a trial continuance.
Jesse Allen Hudson, 43, was indicted for one count of possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon and one count of possession of an unregistered firearm.
Hudson was originally scheduled to face a jury trial on June 15. However, U.S. District Judge T. Kent Wetherell II granted an uncontested defense motion to continue the trial to July 20 to allow defense counsel additional time to review discovery materials and consult with Hudson.
In January, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to a domestic disturbance on Winston Street in Cantonment. The victim reported that a rifle and pistol had been removed from the home.
Deputies first discovered a loaded AR-style magazine and an empty one on the ground near the back door, positioned next to a pile of Hudson’s clothing, according to an arrest report. A later search of the property revealed a loaded AR-style rifle with a round chambered, hidden inside a white laundry basket within a black trailer parked near the garage. A third loaded magazine was later recovered from another laundry basket inside the living room.
According to the report, Hudson was convicted in Florida of felony battery in 2012.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Thomas S.P. Geeker.
Escambia County Felon Arrested for Child Sexual Abuse Material, Drugs, And Stolen Guns
June 17, 2026
An Escambia County convicted felon has been arrested by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement on multiple counts of possession of child sexual abuse material and other charges.
Hershel Keith Cranford, 44, was charged with 20 counts of possession of child sexual abuse material (CSAM), and one count each of promotion of CSAM, using a two-way communication device to commit a felony, possession of methamphetamine, possession of a controlled substance, and dealing in stolen property.
FDLE’s investigation began in May when agents identified a device that was using a peer-to-peer file-sharing platform to share files depicting the sexual abuse of children. Investigators linked the device to an IP address in Escambia County and identified the user as Cranford.
This week, FDLE agents, with the assistance of the Florida Highway Patrol, Florida Department of Agriculture Law Enforcement Division and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, executed a search warrant at Cranford’s residence. FDLE said the search warrant resulted in the seizure of an electronic device, methamphetamine, a Schedule I controlled substance, and multiple stolen firearms.
Cranford remains in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $80,000.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
