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Byrneville Elementary Names Students Of The Month

Byrneville Elementary School has named their August Students of the Month.

They are:

Kindergarten: Alyssa Rogers and Emmy Lou Tamondong
1st Grade: Zeke Wester and Remy Levins
2nd Grade: Ares Parish and Bailey Rogers
3rd Grade: Cole Lashley and Ava Culliver
4th Grade: Kase Calloway and Kipton Little
5th Grade: Paislee Cash and Kolin Rogers
Art: Devon Hall
Music: Conner Fowler
PE: Evin Levins

Cameras Capture Over 17,500 Pensacola Red Light Violations

The City of Pensacola’s red light camera program has been active since January 2025 and is now averaging approximately 97 citations a day.

In June, the city saw a decrease in red light camera citation numbers from 3,162 to 2,673, the second-lowest total since citations began in February. However, in July, the number of citations began to increase.

“These are egregious violations, not just someone who was a couple inches over the line,” Pensacola Mayor D.C. Reeves said. “Anyone watching the footage can see the complete disregard for the public’s safety, which is exactly why the cameras were installed.”

Red Light Camera Intersections by the Numbers

• 9th Avenue & Bayou — 5,557 (31% of citations)
  • north, south, east and west approaches
• 9th Avenue & Airport — 2,606 (15% of citations)
  • north, south, east and west approaches
• 9th Avenue & Fairfield Drive — 3,449 (20% of citations)
  • east and west approaches
• 9th Avenue & Gregory Street — 6,052 (34% of citations)
  • west approach

Alabama Grocery Tax Decreases Monday

Shoppers in Alabama will get a little savings on groceries beginning today.

Alabama’s grocery tax decreases from 3% to 2% on Monday under a house bill signed by Gov. Kay Ivey in May.

But that’s not all you will pay. County and municipal taxes will remain the same. That means in Atmore, for example, you’ll pay the 2% state tax on groceries, plus 2% Escambia County tax, plus 4% Atmore city tax — that’s a total of 8% tax on groceries in Atmore as of Monday. A $100 grocery purchase in Atmore would mean $8 in tax.

There is no tax on groceries in Florida.

Escambia Man Indicted On Firearms, Narcotics Possession Charges

An Escambia County man has been charged in a felony indictment for possession of narcotics and firearms.

Jujuan George, 33, of Pensacola, was indicted by a federal grand jury charging him with distribution of fentanyl and cocaine, possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamine, and marijuana, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense, and possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon.

Trial is scheduled for October 6, 2025 before United States District Judge M. Casey Rodgers in Pensacola. If convicted, George faces up to life imprisonment.

Wahoos Fall Short In Extras, Lose Homestand Finale

Blue Wahoos reliever Nigel Belgrave had just finished a clean ninth inning with three strikeouts.

But when Sunday’s game went into extra innings, an opposite result unfolded.

Chattanooga produced a 5-run rally in the 10th against Belgrave for a 7-2 victory, giving the Lookouts the series win at Blue Wahoos Stadium and putting a big dent into the Blue Wahoos’ postseason chances.

This game had breezed with solid pitching on both sides and was tied 2-2 heading into the seventh inning. The Blue Wahoos, however, could not generate a go-ahead run and it proved costly.

The Lookouts, who won the Southern League North Division first half race, took four of the seven games in this week-long series. The loss dropped the Blue Wahoos (29-28 in second half, 63-63 overall) four games behind the Montgomery Biscuits in the South Division race.

The Biscuits won their ninth consecutive game Sunday to surge into a commanding lead with 12 games left in the season. They also hold the tiebreaker against the Blue Wahoos if the second half ends that way.

Earlier in Sunday’s game, the Blue Wahoos got a solid start from Jacob Miller, who allowed just two runs, one walk through six innings. They received two shutout innings from new reliever Jack Sellinger.

But their offense sputtered. After Fenwick Trimble hit a two-run homer in the first inning, the Blue Wahoos had just three hits, all singles, the rest of the game.

Their best chance for a go-ahead run occurred in the sixth inning when Payton Green reached on an error and Emaarion Boyd was hit by a pitch with one out. Colby Shade and Spencer Bramwell both struck out to end the inning.
In the final three innings of regulation play, the Blue Wahoos had just two baserunners on walks.

The Lookouts were retired with on consecutive strikeouts in the eighth and ninth innings.

But in the 10th with a placement runner on second, Edwin Arroyo hit a slow roller that stayed fair to put runners on the corners. Lou Balcazar doubled in a run. The Blue Wahoos chose to intentionally walk top hitter Cam Collier. Ruben Ibarra, who won a game earlier in the week, blasted a bases-clearing double to blow out the game.

The Blue Wahoos will travel on Monday to Biloxi, Mississippi for a Labor Day Monday night game (6:35 p.m.) against the Biloxi Shuckers, winners of the first half division race. The teams will have Tuesday as an off-day, then play Wednesday through Sunday to finish the six-game series.

The Blue Wahoos end their regular season schedule at home beginning on Sept. 9 against the Columbus Clingstones.

FPL Strongly Opposes Advocacy Group’s Rate Counterproposal As ‘Illusory And Unenforceable’

Florida Power & Light is strongly opposing rate proposal made by consumer advocacy groups, calling a proposal by the Office of Public Counsel “illusory and unenforceable” and pushing the Florida Public Service Commission to reject it.

The Florida Office of Public Counsel, created by the legislature in 1974 to represent the people in utility matters, objected to a proposed FPL rate, asserting that would increase FPL’s revenues by an “unconscionable” amount.

As we previously reported , FPL and 10 key stakeholder groups filed a comprehensive four-year rate settlement agreement with state regulators . The proposed  agreement reduces FPL’s original revenue request by nearly one-third.

Public Counsel Walt Trierweiler described the stakeholders that agreed to the settlement as a “minority coalition of very large customers” and said the “majority of FPL’s customers will see significantly increased” bills. FPL said the four-year settlement would result in increased revenues of $945 million in 2026 and $766 million in 2027, with additional amounts in 2028 for battery storage and solar projects.
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The Office of Public Counsel said in the letter that the proposal would cumulatively increase FPL revenues  by $6.753 billion through 2029.

FPL was quick to file a response with the PSC.

“Simply put, what the movants (the Office of Public Counsel and the four groups) have filed is not a settlement at all,” FPL attorneys wrote in a 14-page response. “Calling the documents that the movants filed a settlement defies general common sense; walks dangerously close to a bad faith filing from a legal perspective; and, at best, is a ham-handed media stunt that attempts to turn this proceeding into a circus.”

The PSC is schedule to hear the rate case in October.

Local Students Receive Construction Career Days Scholarships

The Escambia County School Board recently honored students who received 2025 Northwest Florida Construction Career Days scholarships.

Over 1,300 high school students from across the area attended the event last April. Seniors who attended in-person or virtually were eligible to receive a portion of up to $50,000 in scholarship funds.

Escambia County recipients included:

Northview High School

• Jack Boutwell
• Tyler Gilmore
• Markavia Johnson
• Jaquan Richardson
• Jackson Simmons

Tate High School

• Alec Clarke
• Miller Richards
• Randy Williams

West Florida High School

• Randelaysia Grier
• Keith Washington

Students had the opportunity to operate heavy equipment and learn about bridge inspections, paving, concrete, traffic control, engineering, and more. Students were also introduced to the large number of career paths available in the transportation, structural, engineering, and building industries, and were able to interact with representatives from the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), as well as various engineering firms, and contractors looking to hire in the Northwest Florida area.

Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

No Road Constructions Closures Through Labor Day. Here Are Closures For The Rest Of The Week.

During the Labor Day holiday weekend, there will be no lane closures or other activities that impede traffic on major state roads in Florida through 11:59 p.m. Monday, September 1.

For the remainder of the week, 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 110 (I-110) Resurfacing from Interstate 10 (I-10) to U.S. 98 – Drivers will encounter intermittent outside lane closures near the I-10/I-110 interchange Tuesday, Sept. 2 through Thursday, Sept. 4 between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. Crews will be placing barrier wall from the I-10 westbound ramp to access I-110 southbound (Exit 12) to I-110 southbound at mile marker 6.
• Ninth Avenue (State Road (S.R.) 289) Resurfacing from Creighton Road (S.R. 274) to Olive Road - Drivers may encounter intermittent outside lane closures on Ninth Avenue, near Dunmire Street, Tuesday, Sept. 2 through Thursday, Sept. 4, between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m., for signalization work.
• Pine Forest Road (S.R. 297) Resurfacing from Mobile Highway (U.S. 90) to Blue Angel Parkway (S.R. 173) – Drivers may encounter intermittent lane closures on Pine Forest Road, from Mobile Highway to Blue Angel Parkway, Tuesday, Sept. 2 through Saturday, Sept. 6, between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m., for placement of thermoplastic striping.
• Michigan Avenue (S.R. 296) Resurfacing from Mobile Highway (U.S. 90) to North Palafox Street (U.S. 29) – Drivers may encounter intermittent lane closures on Michigan Avenue, from Mobile Highway to North Palafox Street, Tuesday, Sept. 2 through Saturday, Sept. 6, between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m., for milling and paving operations.
• S.R. 292 (Gulf Beach Highway) Resurfacing from Gulf Beach Highway to Manchester Street – Beginning Tuesday, Sep. 2, drivers will encounter:
  • Travel lanes between Mills Avenue and Patton Drive will be reduced from 12-foot to 10-foot in width and delineated by channelizing devices while crews perform drainage, curb and gutter work in the shoulder area.
  • Nightly lane closures on Gulf Beach Highway, between County Road (C.R.) 292A and Manchester Street, between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. for milling and resurfacing.
• U.S. 90 (Scenic Highway) Resurfacing, from south of I-10 to south of Hyde Park Road – Drivers on Scenic Highway may encounter intermittent lane closures, from south of I-10 to south of Hyde Park Road, Tuesday, Sept. 2 through Thursday, Sept. 4, from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m., for paving operations. Law enforcement will be on site and traffic flaggers will direct drivers safely through the work zone.
• Brent Lane/Bayou Boulevard (S.R. 296) Resurfacing from Davis Highway (S.R. 291) to Baisden Road – Drivers may encounter the following traffic disruptions, Tuesday, Sept. 2 through Thursday, Sept. 4, between 8 p.m. and 5:30 a.m., for milling and paving operations:
  • Intermittent lane closures on Brent Lane/Bayou Boulevard, from Davis Highway to Baisden Road.
  • On-street parking closures on Bayou Boulevard, between 12th Avenue and Baisden Road.
• Garden Street (Business U.S. 98) Construction from Pace Boulevard to the I-110 Ramp – The week of Sunday, Aug. 31, drivers may encounter the following construction-related traffic disruptions:
  • B Street, between Garden Street and Romana Street, is closed for stormwater management enhancements. Signs will be in place to detour drivers around the work zone using Garden Street, A Street and Romana Street.
  • 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 south side of the street. This temporary traffic configuration will be in place through early 2026.
  • Temporary side street closures south of Garden Street, from B Street to J Street, as crews perform utility and stormwater management enhancements.
  • On-street parking is closed on the south side of Garden Street, between B Street and L Street. Additionally, periodic on-street parking closures will occur on Garden Street, between A Street and Alcaniz Street, for sidewalk and crosswalk improvements.
• 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, Tuesday, Sept. 2 through Thursday, Sept. 4, 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, Tuesday, Sept. 2 through Friday, Sept. 5, 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 from Tuesday, Sept. 2 through Friday, Sept. 5:
  • Intermittent I-10 westbound outside lane closures will occur from 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. between mile markers 10 and 12 for materials delivery at the North Palafox Street overpass.
  • Intermittent daytime lane closures will occur on North Palafox Street between Whitehead Drive and Hope Drive at the Palafox Street overpass to allow crews to complete pile driving operations. Flaggers will be present to direct traffic through the work zone.
  • I-10 east and westbound travel lanes are shifted away from the median area of the roadway, between mile markers 10 and 12, near the U.S. 29 interchange.
  • The length of the U.S. 29 southbound turn lane access to the I-10 eastbound on-ramp has been permanently reduced to allow crews to complete construction activities. A concrete barrier wall and new pavement striping is in place to direct traffic through the work zone.
  • I-10, between U.S. 29 and I-110, is reduced to two travel lanes in each direction.
  • 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.

Santa Rosa County:

• S.R. 87 Resurfacing, from south of East Bay Boulevard (C.R. 399) to Vonnie Tolbert Road – Drivers may encounter intermittent lane closures on S.R. 87, from East Bay Boulevard to Vonnie Tolbert Road, Tuesday, Sept. 2 through Friday, Sept. 5, between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m., for concrete work and paving operations.
• U.S. 98 Widening from Bayshore Road to Portside Drive – Motorists will encounter the following traffic impacts:

o   Median and turn-lane closures from Bayshore Road to Tiger Lake Drive.

o   Intermittent lane closures and additional median closures between Bayshore Road and Tiger Lake Drive Tuesday, Sept. 2 through Friday, Sept. 5.

o   A new traffic pattern will be in place beginning Tuesday, Sept. 2, on U.S. 98 from Oriole Beach Road to Greenbriar Parkway. Drivers are reminded to pay attention to the reduced speed limit when traveling through the construction area, to watch for construction equipment entering and leaving the roadway, and to use caution when driving through the work zone.

All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.

File Photo.

UWF Argos Use Quick Start to Dominate No. 14 Lenoir-Rhyne in Season Opener

It was a memorable start to the 2025 football season as No. 8 West Florida dominated No. 14 Lenoir-Rhyne in a top 25 opening game showdown with the Argos coming out on top 48-21.

FIRST HALF
It didn’t take long for UWF to gain possession of the ball and jump out on top after Ja’Kobe Clinton forced a fumble on the opening kickoff. The Argos gained possession at the Lenoir-Rhyne 26-yard line and took just over a minute to find the endzone when TJ Lane took a short pass from Marcus Stokes 11 yards for the first score of the game.
In the first half alone UWF scored on five of its six offensive possessions. The first three drives on offense resulted in touchdowns. With under a minute to go in the first half the Argos had taken a demanding 31-0 lead.

The longest play of the game came in first quarter and second drive for the Argos when Stokes hit junior wide receiver Tyree Holloway deep down the right sideline for a 71-yard touchdown pass.
Lenoir-Rhyne did find its way on the scoreboard with no time left in the first half following a touchdown catch by tight end Tate O’Bryan. The late quarter drive was setup originally from a 51-yard catch by Zion Agnew.

SECOND HALF
The Argos began the second half much like the first half; with a quick touchdown. Holloway snagged his second score of the night with a 33-yard touchdown catch, giving UWF a sizeable 38-7 lead.
But the Bears began to make things interesting as the visitors responded with 14 unanswered points, cutting the lead to 38-21. Lenoir-Rhyne forced a punt on the Argos next possession after cutting into the lead, but it was muffed and recoved by The Argos to set up a fresh set of downs in the redzone. The fumble was recovered by Jake Robinette at the LR 19 yard line. UWF added a field goal to create a 41-21 lead.

Stokes recorded the final score of the game a couple series later to put UWF up 48-21 after a 22-yard fake reverse handoff run to the endzone.
The Argo defense kept the Bears scoreless in the fourth quarter and held them to just 43 yards on offense. On Lenoir-Rhyne’s third possession of the fourth quarter the Argos came up with three sacks, getting one from Collin Shaw, Warren Coneway and Christian Ware-Terry.

UWF finished the game with 537 yards of total offense on just 61 plays. Lenoir-Rhyne totaled 372 yards. The Argos gave up only one sack to six sacks given up by the visitors.

KEY PERFORMANCES

• Corey Scott had a career high 172 yards receiving on nine receptions and a touchdown. His previous best was 139 yards receiving last season against Delta State. It’s just the second time Scott has eclipsed the 100-yard mark in a game at UWF.
• Marcus Stokes’ 353 yards passing was his highest mark as an Argo. Stokes also had four passing touchdowns (a career best) and two rushing touchdowns.
• Tyree Holloway had just two receptions, but both went for touchdowns. The junior totaled 104 receiving yards, including a 71-yard touchdown catch.
• Walker Robinson had nine tackles, including two tackles for loss. Robinson also produced two quarterback hurries.
• Michael Shine didn’t have to punt much, but the transfer senior made the most of his time. Shine put two punts inside the 20, including one that was downed at the two yard line.

COACH NOBLES
“The offense prepared really well. We took our lumps on offense last year with a lot of redshirt freshman. They’ve played in some tough games and have some experience now, so we expected them to play well. The reps they’ve gotten and chemistry they have, and our new offensive coordinator Donny Baker is doing a great job and called a good game tonight. I’m excited about the offense, but all three phases played well tonight.”

NEXT UP
Up next, UWF will head on the road to Owensboro, Kentucky to take on Kentucky Wesleyan. Kickoff is scheduled for Sat. Sept. 6 at noon in Steele Stadium.

White Delivers Flawless Gem In 7-4 Wahoos Win

Manager Nelson Prada leaped off the steps of the Blue Wahoos dugout in the fifth inning, embracing starting pitcher Thomas White for crafting his latest wowing effort.

If Saturday night was White’s second-to-final start at Blue Wahoos Stadium, then what a memory.

The 20-year-old wunderkind lefthander delivered his best home field outing with a five-inning, no-hit, 10-strikeout performance in the Blue Wahoos’ eventual 7-4 win against the Chattanooga Lookouts, thus delighting the customary capacity (5,038) on Fireworks Saturday at Blue Wahoos Stadium.

White exited with a 2-0 lead, thus earning the Miami Marlins’ No. 1 prospect his first home win in his 10th overall start in Double-A.

“I’m seeing what we’ve been seeing a lot of times… a guy who is really good,” Prada said. “(Saturday) he was on it. He was attacking the hitters early, mixing all the pitches he has. And being Thomas White.”

The win evened the series at 3-3, heading into Sunday’s finale. An extra game was played this week due to a makeup of a rainout in Chattanooga.

Fenwick Trimble’s grand slam in the seventh inning blew open the game to a 7-0 lead, before the Lookouts got all of their runs in the ninth.

But White set the tone by silencing the Lookouts lineup after hitting the game’s leadoff batter Edwin Arroyo. White yielded four walks and another hitter reached on an error. Like he’s done in every Double-A level start, White made big pitches with runners on base, either with his fastball approaching 98-mph or array of sweeper pitches.

White, who has risen to No. 21 ranked among all MiLB prospects across all levels, lowered his Double-A earned run average to 1.59. It was the fifth time he’s struck out nine or more batters, highlighted by the record 14 he fanned in a July 26 road start against the Knoxville Smokies.

“On top of all this, he’s a great kid. I love this kid a lot,” Prada said. “I really enjoy seeing him out there, because he has a lot of confidence. I had him two years ago (at Class A Jupiter Hammerheads) when we won there (Florida State League champions). It’s a pleasure to see him pitch.”

White, a Massachusetts native, who has risen to No. 21 ranked among all MILB prospects across all levels, lowered his Double-A earned run average to 1.59. It was the fifth time he’s struck out nine or more batters, highlighted by the record 14 he fanned in a July 26 road start against the Knoxville Smokies.

After being a compensatory, first-round pick in 2023, the No. 35th player taken overall, his rise has been steady and filled with acclaim.

“He’s throwing a lot more strikes,” Prada said. “He was good there (Class A) but inconsistent. Now, he’s really more consistent in the strike zone. He’s developing his pitches better. He’s throwing harder. He’s getting better. He is really close to being where he wants to be (Major Leagues).”

Early game run support was provided by Emaarion Boyd, who led off the third inning with a double, stole third and scored on Dub Gleed’s sacrifice fly. In the fifth, Gleed scored on Michael Snyder’s double. Snyder then singled home another run before Trimble’s bases-loaded shot into the right field berm.

It was the team’s second grand slam hit this week. Even with the win, however, the Blue Wahoos lost ground to the Montgomery Biscuits who swept a doubleheader Saturday against Biloxi to expand their lead to 3.5 games in the second-half league division race.

WANT TO GO?
WHO: Chattanooga Lookouts vs. Blue Wahoos.
WHERE: Blue Wahoos Stadium.
WHEN: Sunday, 4:05 p.m.
WHERE: Blue Wahoos Stadium.

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