PPD: No Criminal Charges Expected In Drowning Of Girls, 5 And 8, In Neighbor’s Pool
June 9, 2026
No criminal charges are expected after two girls, age 5 and 8, drowned in a neighbor’s pool Monday evening.
Pensacola Police were called to the 500 block of Gerhardt Drive just after 6:30 p.m. in reference to two missing girls and began a search around their home and in the immediate area. Despite life-saving measures, both girls were pronounced deceased at the hospital.
PPD Chief Eric Winstrom said Tuesday morning that there was no negligence in the incident. He said the pool was protected by both a privacy fence and a second fence around the pool, both of which were up to code. He said officers believe the 8-year-old scaled the fence and then opened a gate for her younger sister.
Officers also believe there was no wrongdoing by the parents, and the girls snuck out prior to the incident.
The investigation is continuing.
File photo.
Day One: Here’s Who Qualified To Run For Office
June 9, 2026
Monday was the first day of qualifying for candidate to be on the 2026 ballot in Escambia County.
Candidates must qualify noon on Friday.
The following candidates have qualified as of 5 p.m., June 8:
Escambia County Commissioner (Partisan)
- District 2 – Glenn Dorsey (REP)
- District 2 – Mike Kohler (REP)
- District 2 – EErica King (Write-In)
- District 4 – Ashlee Hofberger (REP)
Emerald Coast Utilities Authority (Partisan)
- District 2 – Lois Benson (REP)
Escambia County School Board (Nonpartisan)
- District 1 – Kevin Adams
- District 1 – Erin Toler
- District 2 – Paul H. Fetsko
- District 3 – David Williams
- District 3 – Isaac L. Williams
City of Pensacola, Mayor (Nonpartisan)
- Ann Hill
- D.C. Reeves
- Jermaine J. Williams
Pensacola City Council (Nonpartisan)
- District 2 – Charles Bare
- District 2 – Sherri Myers
- District 4 – Brian Cole
- District 4 – Boyce White
- District 6 – Allison Patton
Santa Rosa Island Authority (Nonpartisan)
- Steven Luppert
The following candidate pre-filed on Monday, June 8:
Century Town Council (Nonpartisan)
- Seat 4 – John Bass
See A Wild Turkey? FWC Wants You To Report The Sighting
June 9, 2026
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is asking Florida residents and visitors to report all sightings of wild turkeys between now and Aug. 31. This includes hens, poults (newly hatched wild turkeys) and gobblers.
Florida’s annual summer wild turkey survey is part of a broader multi-state initiative aimed at better understanding the reproductive success and abundance of wild turkeys. This survey helps determine wild turkey nesting success, poult survival, and population distribution and abundance, which is crucial information that FWC biologists need to manage and sustain healthy wild turkey populations for years to come.
Wild turkeys are abundant in Florida and are found throughout the state, and nests typically begin to hatch in late spring and continue into the summer. However, nesting success can vary each year based on several factors, including weather conditions, predation and habitat quality. Fluctuations in nesting success and poult survival can strongly influence wild turkey populations. By reporting wild turkey sightings, Floridians and visitors can help biologists estimate population metrics at statewide and regional levels.
To learn more and start reporting, visit MyFWC.com/TurkeySurvey.
Two Correctional Inmates Assaulted Century Correctional Staff Members, FDC Says
June 9, 2026
Two Century Correctional staff members were assaulted by inmates in two unrelated incidents, according to the Florida Department of Corrections.
Inmate Lamon E. Robinson, 24, assaulted a staff member by grabbing them, according to the FDC. The staff member was not injured.
Robinson is serving a two-year sentence for robbery out of Duval County.
Inmate John W. Lance, 45, assaulted a staff member by striking them, according to the FDC. The staff member was not injured.
Lance is serving a three-year sentence out of Escambia County for possession of methamphetamine.
Pictured: Inmate Lamon Robinson (left) and John Lance (right).
UPDATE: Boil Water Notice Remains In Effect For Freedom Road In Century
June 8, 2026
UPDATE: This boil water notice was lifted Wednesday night, June 10.
A boil water notice issued last Thursday by the Town of Century for all of Freedom Road, including the Camellia Garden Apartments, remains in effect. Town officials said on Monday that it should be lifted by Wednesday.
The boil water notice was issued due to a broken water main.
As a precaution, the town advises that all water used for drinking, cooking, making ice, brushing teeth, or washing dishes be boiled. A rolling boil of one minute is sufficient. As an alternative, bottled water may be used. Residents are also advised to take precautions when bathing, especially immunocompromised individuals, infants, or the elderly.
A loss in system pressure could cause back siphonage of contaminants, such as e. coli bacteria, into the water system. water containing E. coli bacteria can be considered safe for drinking and cooking after vigorously boiling the water. Disease symptoms caused by these bacteria may include diarrhea, cramps, nausea, and possibly jaundice, and any associated headache and fatigue. EPA has set an enforceable drinking water standard for e. coli to reduce the risk of these adverse health effects. Under this standard all drinking water must be free of these bacteria.
The water system is currently collecting samples to determine if the presence of E. coli bacteria exists within the water system. This precautionary boil water notice will remain in effect until the problem has been corrected and a bacteriological survey shows that the water is safe to drink.
Anyone with question should call the Town of Century at (850) 256-3208.
This story will be updated when the boil water notice is lifted, which may be Saturday.
Flomaton Man Killed In Monday Morning Crash Near Century
June 8, 2026
A 20-year-old Flomaton man was killed in a single-vehicle crash just outside of Century on Monday morning.
The car was traveling southwest on Fannie Road when the driver lost control in a curve and left the roadway to the south. The Florida Highway Patrol said the driver overcorrected, striking a tree. The vehicle went through a metal fence, hit another tree, and then rotated, coming to rest on its passenger side leaning against a house and catching fire.
Arriving firefighters were able to quickly extinguish the small engine compartment fire before it spread to the remainder of the vehicle or the house.
“The driver was not wearing a seatbelt and was ejected. He was pinned under the car. He was pronounced deceased on the scene.” FHP said. “Family arrived on scene and (were) notified.”
There were no other occupants in the vehicle, and no other injuries reported.
For additional photos, click here.
The house sustained minor damage, with the front porch shifted by the crash.
The Century, Molino and McDavid stations of Escambia County Fire Rescue, Escambia County EMS, Newman’s Ambulance, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, and Flomaton Police Department were among those that responded.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Qualifying Week For Three Century Town Council Seats Begins Monday
June 8, 2026
Three Century Town Council seats will appear on the 2026 ballot, with candidates required to qualify by noon on Friday.
The seats up for election this year are:
- Seat 3: Held by incumbent Shelisa Abraham. She prefiled for the seat last September, but must complete the qualification process this week.
- Seat 4: Held by incumbent John Bass.
- Seat 5: Held by incumbent Sparkie Harrison.
The official qualifying period will begin at noon, Monday, June 8, and end at noon, Friday, June 12. Qualifying takes place at the Escambia County Supervisor of Elections, 213 Palafox Place, 2nd Floor, in Pensacola, from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. A special in-person qualifying event will be held on June 10 from 8 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. at the Century Town Hall, 7995 North Century Boulevard.
If three or more candidates qualify for a seat on the Century Town Council, the seat will appear on the primary election ballot on August 18. Any required runoff election, along with the election for seats with just two candidates, will be during the general election on November 3.
If there is only one qualified candidate for a seat, that person will be deemed elected. Council seat 1, held by Dynette Lewis, and Council seat 2, held by Henry Cunningham, will appear on the 2030 ballot, along with the office of mayor.
The term of office for the mayor or a council seat in Century is four years.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Molino Tax Collector Office Wins Statewide Donate Life Photo Contest Award
June 8, 2026
The Escambia County Tax Collector Molino office won the Donate Life Florida Small Offices public vote photo contest.
Driver’s license offices across Florida participated in the National Donate Life Month campaign, “Leave a Legacy.” As part of this campaign, offices brought the theme to life by creating meaningful displays, many featuring trees and leaves, to symbolize how one donor can create a lasting impact.
The statewide contest was an effort to increase awareness for Donate Life while also fundraising for organ and tissue donation education.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
We Are A Week Into Hurricane Season: Here Are The Predictions And Storm Names
June 8, 2026
Monday marks the start to the second week of hurricane season, and forecasters are predicting a below normal number of storms in 2026.
NOAA’s outlook for the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season, which runs June 1 to November 30, predicts a 35% chance of a near-normal season, a 10% chance of an above-normal season, and a 55% chance of a below-normal season.
The agency is forecasting a total of 8-14 named storms (winds of 39 mph or higher). Of those, 3-6 are forecast to become hurricanes (winds of 74 mph or higher), including 1-3 major hurricanes (category 3, 4 or 5 with winds of 111 mph or higher). NOAA has a 70% confidence in these ranges. An average season has 14 named storms with seven hurricanes, including three major hurricanes.
The famed Colorado State University forecast is for 13 named storms (tropical storms and hurricanes), of which they anticipate six to become hurricanes and two to become major (Category 3, 4, or 5) hurricanes. These numbers are below the long-term seasonal average of 14, seven and three, respectively.
The Atlantic season is expected to be below-normal due to competing factors. El Niño is expected to develop and intensify during the hurricane season, while ocean temperatures in the Atlantic are expected to be slightly warmer than normal and trade winds are likely weaker than average. El Niño conditions tend to support less tropical storms and hurricanes, while warmer ocean temperatures and low winds support a more active year.
“Although El Niño’s impact in the Atlantic Basin can often suppress hurricane development, there is still uncertainty in how each season will unfold,” said NOAA’s National Weather Service Director Ken Graham. “That is why it’s essential to review your hurricane preparedness plan now. It only takes one storm to make for a very bad season.”
Here are the names for the 2026 hurricane season:
Pictured below: Visible satellite image of Hurricane Ida approaching land in the Gulf of Mexico at 4:10 a.m. on August 29, 2021.
Hydroplaning Semi-Truck Crashes Into Median, Blocking I-10 Westbound
June 8, 2026
A jackknifed semi truck and trailer completely shut down I-10 in Escambia County on Sunday morning.
It happened around 7 a.m. on I-10 westbound near the West Nine Mile Road exit. The Florida Highway Patrol said the semi, driven by a 31-year-old Houston man, hydroplaned and ran off the roadway, striking the concreate median barricade.
The truck and trailer blocked both westbound lanes of the interstate. Authorities diverted all westbound traffic off the interstate onto West Nine Mile Road.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
