WSRE Files Federal Lawsuit To Protect Donor Funds From Pensacola State College
December 12, 2025
The WSRE-TV Foundation filed a first-in-the-nation federal lawsuit today to prevent Pensacola State College from taking control of millions in funds donated by citizens in the region to support WSRE’s popular community programming.
For nearly 60 years, WSRE has been a presence in Northwest Florida and South Alabama — educating generations of children, supporting classrooms, honoring military families, documenting Gulf Coast history, and more.
The WSRE-TV Foundation has long been the engine behind that service, sustaining the station with private charitable gifts from the public.
Today’s legal action seeks to protect those donations after Pensacola State College moved to sever ties with the Foundation and demanded control to sweep the donor-raised funds for use by the college.
According to the Foundation’s federal complaint, PSC’s president went so far as to “require the dissolution of a pre-existing private foundation and demand that funds donated by private citizens be turned over to the government entity, PSC.”
“People generously donated these dollars because they believe in the education, community storytelling, and reliable local service that WSRE provides,” said Amy Day, Chair of the Foundation board. “They did not give so their gifts could be taken away and transferred into a government budget. Protecting the trust of our community and donors’ intent is our absolute responsibility.”
The Foundation emphasized that the lawsuit centers on a simple principle shared across the region: when private citizens step up to support a community mission, government should not be allowed to seize those charitable gifts for its own use.
Individuals, families and businesses across Northwest Florida and South Alabama have donated to the Foundation — from small monthly gifts to major endowments — to support WSRE’s programming and community services. Those contributions were made voluntarily with the understanding that they would be used for public television, not college operations.
“Private generosity built and sustains WSRE,” said Day. “The people who gave these funds deserve to have their trust honored, not broken.”
Earlier this year, PSC voted to end WSRE’s PBS affiliation. The Foundation affirmed that PSC has the right to make programming decisions for the college — but that choice does not give PSC permission to repurpose private charitable gifts.
“PSC made its decision,” said Day. “But donors made theirs, too. And their support was for public television programming that we have been providing for decades.”
Huntsville Havoc Falls To The Pensacola Ice Flyers
December 12, 2025
The Ice Flyers hosted College Night at the Hangar, squaring off against the Huntsville Havoc in what would prove to be a hard-fought battle that went down to the wire. The Havoc came out flying and controlled much of the play through the opening two periods, testing the Ice Flyers’ resolve early and often.
The first period belonged to Huntsville, with Matt Allen finding the back of the net for the game’s opening goal. The Ice Flyers struggled to find a goal of their own outshooting the Havoc 10 to 8.
The second period saw more of the same, with Huntsville continuing to dominate possession and create scoring chances. Dawson Sciarrino dropped the gloves during the period, and the physical play seemed to inject some energy into the Ice Flyers’ game. Still, Allen struck again, this time capitalizing on a powerplay opportunity to extend the Havoc’s lead to 2-0. The frustration was evident as the Ice Flyers searched for answers.
But if the second period showcased the Ice Flyers’ grit, the third period revealed their character. Sciarrino wasted no time getting Pensacola on the board early in the final frame, cutting the Huntsville lead in half and breathing life into the home crowd. Just two minutes later, Cam Gaudette capitalized on the momentum shift, tying the game at 2-2 and sending the Hangar into a frenzy.
The comeback wasn’t complete yet. Captain Ethan Price gave the Ice Flyers their first lead of the night with a short-handed goal. However, Huntsville refused to go away quietly. Ethan Lindsay answered back for the Havoc, knotting the score once again and forcing overtime.
In the extra frame, it was all Ice Flyers. After coming back from two goals down, Zack Bross played hero, finding the back of the net in overtime to secure a thrilling 4-3 victory and send the College Night crowd home happy.
The team will now take a few well-deserved days off to celebrate the holidays with family and friends before returning to the Hangar on December 20th for Star Wars Night, where they’ll face off against the Havoc once again.
Jesse LaCoste Of Cantonment Gets 10 Years For Grand Theft, Contractor Fraud
December 11, 2025
Thursday, embattled contractor Jesse Wayne LaCoste of Cantonment was sentenced to 10 years in prison
It October, an Escambia County jury deliberated for just over an hour before convicting LaCoste of grand theft and contractor fraud, both second degree felonies.
He had faced up to 30 years in prison, and still faces trail on additional similar charges in Escambia, Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties .
LaCoste was originally indicted on one count of racketeering and two counts of organized fraud.
The indictment alleged that between June 2018 and August 2022, LaCoste unlawfully managed LaCoste Construction Group, LLC and LaCoste General Contractors LLC by engaging in a pattern of racketeering activity, involving forgery, perjury, false official statements, theft, and insurance fraud.
According to investigators, LaCoste allegedly defrauded homeowners, their insurance companies, subcontractors and suppliers in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties of more than $2 million. LaCoste also allegedly forged and falsified applications to obtain his county and state contractor licenses.
LaCoste’s brother-in-law, Matthew Banks, is awaiting trial on similar racketeering and other contracting-related charges.
Cantonment Sexual Predator Charged With Absconding
December 11, 2025
A Cantonment sexual predator remains behind bars in the Escambia County Jail after vacating his permanent residence without notifying authorities, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Bradford Anthony McKune, 55, was charged with four felony sexual predator violations.
According to an arrest report, McKune moved away from 960 Rose Petal Lane six months ago but failed to report the change as required to the Sheriff’s Office and the driver’s license office. Authorities said he also provided false registration information to the Florida Sex Offender/Predator registry.
According to state records, McKune was convicted of sexual battery of a child in 2004 in Pasco County, Florida, and required to maintain his registration as a sexual predator.
He is due back in court on December 23.
Escambia Schools Announce Top 5 Teachers Of The Year
December 11, 2025
Escambia County Public Schools released the top five finalists for ECPS Teacher of the Year.
The five finalists are as follows, listed in alphabetical order:
- Courtney Geiger — Lipscomb Elementary School
- David Dawson — Pine Forest High School
- Trinity Barnett — Blue Angels Elementary School
- Kathryn Cody — Booker Washington High School
- Cameron Peters — Bailey Middle School
The overall Teacher of the Year for Escambia County Public Schools will be announced in the coming months, and honored, along with all district teachers of the year, at a special event.
Northview High Names History Fair Winners
December 11, 2025
Northview High School recently held its 2025 History Fair.
Winners were:
Honorable mentions were: Amy Floyd, Landon Brown, Katelyn Sanchez, Day Randolph, Auna Arredondo, Brielle Garcia, Emma Godwin, and Warner Maxwelloinrry.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Man Convicted of Animal Cruelty, Firearm Charge
December 11, 2025
An Escambia County man has been convicted of animal cruelty and a firearm charge.
Joseph Henry Broxson, 23 was found guilty by a jury of aggravated animal abuse and discharging a firearm on a residential property .
In the early morning hours of December 29, 2024, Broxson shot his neighbor’s one-year-old dog named Tank. Prosecutors said Tank and another dog got out of their fenced yard and walked into Broxson’s backyard. Broxson told Escambia County Sheriff deputies that the dogs were “snooping around” in his backyard and said they barked and growled.
Broxson said that he was so afraid of the dogs that he went inside his home to arm himself with his firearm. He then went back outside to the front yard and discovered that the dogs were walking in the street, several houses away. Broxson said he waited in his front yard for the dogs to walk past his house again and shot at them, striking Tank multiple times. Tank made a full recovery.
Sentencing is scheduled for January 21, 2026, before Judge Amy Brodersen.
Century Christmas Parade, Sheriff’s Movie Night Showing ‘The Grinch’ Are Friday
December 11, 2025
The Century Christmas Parade will be held Friday afternoon, followed by a Sheriff’s Movie Night with a free showing of “The Grinch” at Anthony Pleasant Park
Christmas Parade
The Century Christmas Parade will line up at PSC on East Hecker Road beginning at 3 p.m. The parade will roll at 4 p.m. from East Hecker to Mayo Street to East Front Street to Jefferson Avenue. The parade will then travel Jefferson Avenue to West Highway 4, ending at Anthony Pleasant Park.
For a parade entry form, click here. For more information, call Shelisa at (850) 256-3135.
Sheriff’s Movie Night
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office will present “The Grinch” at 5:30 p.m. on a big outdoor screen, following the Century Christmas Parade, at Anthony Pleasant Park. Free hotdogs and hamburgers will be served, and attendees are encouraged to bring blankets or chairs for seating.
The Sheriff’s Movie Night is presented by Sheriff Chip Simmons and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Foundation.
File photos.
Escambia County Public Works Holds Year End Holiday Party (With Gallery)
December 11, 2025
The Escambia County Public Works Department held its annual year-end holiday luncheon on Wednesday.
District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry, County Administrator Wes Moreno, and Escambia County Supervisor of Elections Robert Bender joined staff for an afternoon of food, fun and fellowship. Staff from the Road Department and the Work Annex also attended.
Service awards were also presented during the luncheon.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Commission To Consider Land Use Changes For Two Molino Retail Properties
December 10, 2025
The Escambia County Commission will hold a public hearing on Thursday concerning the adoption of an ordinance amending the future land use categories for two parcels on Highway 29 near Molino Road, including a property where work began months ago to remodel a small shopping center.
The first parcel is 3.75 acres located at 6505 North Highway 29, at the corner of Highway 29 and Molino Road. The parcel, which fronts both Highway 29 and Molino Road, includes a 10,346 square foot shopping center that is being remodeled. According to Escambia County, the work was started by a previous owner without a land use change. The property sold in June to 29 & Molino Rd Development, LLC. There is also a 55-year-old mobile home located behind the shopping center, according to county property records.
Scott’s Pharmacy is currently located on the south end of the shopping center, which has been home to numerous businesses over the years, including thrift stores and a grocery store since it was constructed in 1970.
Escambia County Code Enforcement issued a cease and desist order for land clearing on the property on September 9, 2025, according to county records, and a land and tree management permit was issued September 11. The after-the-fact permit did not authorize additional clearing until a development order was obtained.
The second parcel, located to the north of the first and separated by Dollar General, is 3.321 acres and contains the Molino Food Mart and a tire store.
The ordinance under consideration will, if approved, change the Future Land Use category of both parcels from Rural Community (RC) to Mixed-Use Urban (MU-U), which allows residential, retail, professional office, light industrial, recreational facilities, and limited agriculture. Surrounding properties are classified as Rural Community (RC), which allows agriculture, silviculture, residential, recreational facilities, public and civic, and compact traditional neighborhood supportive commercial.
The public hearing is set for 5:45 p.m. Thursday during a regular Escambia County Commission meeting.
NorthEscambia.com photos and graphic, click to enlarge.
