Vehicle Strikes Dollar General In Cantonment
June 21, 2026
A vehicle collided with a Cantonment Dollar General store Saturday evening.
The incident happened about 7:20 p.m. at the Dollar General on Highway 29 at Neal Road. The vehicle jumped the curb and crashed into the front wall of the store.
The driver sustained minor injuries. There were no other injuries reported.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating.
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Escambia Commission Joins Lawsuit Against Clerk Childers Over Blocked Donations
June 21, 2026
The Escambia County Commission has voted to join a lawsuit against Clerk of Courts Pam Childers, escalating a legal battle over who holds final authority over county tax dollars.
The 3-1 vote brings the county into an existing lawsuit filed by two local nonprofits—First Tee Gulf Coast and the Warrington Emergency Aid Center—after Childers refused to release two checks totaling $7,000 in board-approved community impact grants allocated by Commissioner Lumon May. Under longstanding county practice, each of the five commissioners is allocated $50,000 annually in discretionary funds to distribute to local organizations.
While commissioners maintain they have the sole legislative power to decide how public funds are allocated, Childers argues her constitutional duty as county auditor requires her to independently vet individual payments to ensure they serve a valid public purpose.
Alex Andrade, the attorney representing the two nonprofits, explained during the meeting that because the litigation directly challenges the county’s 1985 ordinance governing these charitable donations, state law mandates the county be involved in the case. Andrade advised the board that joining voluntarily as co-plaintiffs would allow them to actively defend their spending authority, rather than being dragged into the suit later as defendants.
The board conditioned its involvement on an agreement that they will not seek personal financial damages against Childers if she loses the case.
Commissioners Mike Kohler, Steve Stroberger, and Lumon May voted in favor, stating a judge needs to permanently clarify the boundaries between commission appropriations and clerk oversight. Commissioner Ashlee Hofberger cast the lone dissenting vote, arguing that property taxes should fund local infrastructure rather than charitable groups or lawsuits. Commissioner Steven Barry was absent.
“I am not going to sue to say that take property tax dollars that we require people to pay,” “and then turn around and give them to whatever charity we think is the best one. We have people begging for property tax reform, and we are going to turn around and sue to give that money away? Instead of building sidewalks, putting in cameras, or anything else we could be doing. That is absolutely freaking ridiculous.”
“This is about political theater,” Commissioner Mike Kohler said, after noting that Childers made the payments over over 12 years before refusing. “I don’t even know how this is normal accounting practices where you do something for 12 years, and then you just decide that you are not going to do it. It does not make any common sense to me.”
Tate High FFA Chapter Earns Multiple State Awards At Annual Convention
June 21, 2026
Forty-one members of the Tate High School FFA chapter traveled to Orlando last week to showcase their agricultural expertise and leadership at the 98th Florida FFA State Convention & Expo. The week concluded with numerous individual accolades, state championships, and premier chapter recognition for the Tate FFA.
Among the highest individual honors, six seniors received their State FFA Degrees: Raevyn Aldridge, AT Bridgers, Maegan Coleman, Taelyn Hubbard, Miller Richards, and Madison Wise. Additionally, Christian Hollingsworth and Ellen Rigby were awarded the American FFA Degree, the highest credential bestowed by the National FFA Organization.
Tate FFA was also recognized collectively on the state stage, earning designation as a Premier FFA Chapter and receiving Florida’s Finest recognition through the National Chapter Award Program.
In individual and team competitive events, several students secured top finishes across the state:
- Aquaculture: Henry Merritt, Aden Bailey, Luke Graham, and Daniel Aldridge were crowned State Champions. Henry Merritt also earned High Individual honors for the event.
- Environmental Science: Luke Graham, Parker White, Daniel Aldridge, and Henry Merritt placed second in the state.
- Farm and Agribusiness Management: William Mason, Lucas Jones, Hailey McVoy, and Isabella Towns secured a fifth-place finish.
- Agriculture Education: Madison Wise placed fifth individually in the state.
- Prepared Public Speaking: Maegan Coleman represented the chapter as a state participant.
In the Proficiency Award categories, which recognize outstanding student achievement in specialized agricultural career areas, Rieslin Colvin was named the State Winner in Veterinary Science. Katie Byrd was recognized as a Top 4 Finalist in Agricultural Services, and Ava Atiyeh was named a Top 4 Finalist in Equine Placement.
Beyond competitions, members actively supported the convention’s operations. Daniel Aldridge, Luke Graham, Noah Jacobs, and Henry Merritt served as volunteers in the Courtesy Corps, assisting with general sessions and competitive event halls.
Luke Graham, who serves as the Tate FFA Chapter President, was elected by his peers to serve as the District 1 Secretary for the 2026-2027 year.
Over the next few days, NorthEscambia.com will bring stories and photos from other North Escambia area school that took part in the 98th Florida FFA State Convention & Expo in Orlando.
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I-10 Westbound Ramp To Davis Highway Closed Nights Through Thursday
June 21, 2026
The I-10 westbound off ramp at Davis Highway (Exit 13) will be periodically closed during Sunday, June 21 through Thursday, June 25, between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. for paving operations.
During the closures, I-10 westbound drivers will be detoured via Interstate 110 southbound and Airport Boulevard to N. Davis Highway. Law enforcement will be on site, and flaggers will be present to direct drivers through the work zone.
Additionally, drivers are reminded that there may be intermittent I-10 lane closures between U.S. 29 to Davis Highway (Exit 13) for roadway construction.
These activities are a part of the $7.4 million resurfacing project on I-10 from U.S. 29 to Davis Highway (Exit 13) that also includes guardrail installation, stormwater management enhancements, and new signing and pavement markings. This project is scheduled for completion later this summer.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather
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Northview 4-H Club Donates Food, Recipes To Escambia County Program
June 21, 2026
The Northview 4-H Club recently donated bags of food to the Escambia County expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP).
The donation also included recipes for using the food. EFNEP will distribute the food and recipes at sites countywide.
EFNEP is a free program for youth and families with limited resources. It is funded by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture and managed by the University of Florida IFAS Extension.
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After Record Rain Delay, Matheus Lifts Wahoos To Late-Night Win
June 21, 2026
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos and Birmingham Barons waited nearly four hours to play their Saturday game at Blue Wahoos Stadium, getting started past ten o’clock and dueling for seven innings in a 4-0 Blue Wahoos win to keep Pensacola’s first half playoff hopes alive.
Prior to this week, the longest rain delay in Blue Wahoos Stadium history had been 2 hours and 55 minutes. A seventh-inning rain delay on Thursday night lasted 3 hours and 40 minutes, sending the game to a 1 a.m. curfew and a shortened eight-inning game. Saturday’s pregame delay lasted even longer, pushing back a scheduled start time of 6:05 to 10:04, by far the latest first pitch in the stadium’s history as well as the longest weather delay.
Despite the unprecedented wait, hundreds of fans from what was initially a sellout crowd stuck around. Fireworks, intended to be shot off postgame, lit up the tarp-covered field around 8:30. Because the game had playoff implications, with the Biloxi Shuckers poised to clinch a first half South Division title upon a Blue Wahoos loss, the umpire crew went to unprecedented lengths to get the game in.
Luis Palacios made the start for the Blue Wahoos in his first appearance since being named Southern League Pitcher of the Week on Monday. The lefty endured shaky command, allowing only one hit but walking four batters over 3.1 innings. Kade Bragg (W, 4-2) inherited a pair of runners in the top of the fourth, coaxing a lineout from Colby Shelton and striking out Jeral Perez to escape the jam.
Barons starter Dylan Cumming (L, 1-5) was perfect through three innings, but the Blue Wahoos built a rally in the fourth. Cam Cannarella dropped down a bunt single, Aiva Arquette reached on a fielding error that could have been a double play grounder, and Juan Matheus launched a three-run homer to right field to put Pensacola ahead 3-0.
Bragg walked the bases loaded in the fifth, but struck out three Birmingham batters to keep the lead intact. Cannarella added insurance with a solo homer, his first at Double-A, in the sixth inning. Colby Martin (S, 3) earned a four-out save to finish off a combined three-hit shutout.
With the win, the Blue Wahoos’ first half playoff hopes remain alive. On Sunday, they would need the Biloxi Shuckers to play – no sure thing, given that they have only been able to play two of their scheduled games this week at Keesler Federal Park due to heavy rain and unplayable field conditions – and lose twice to the Columbus Clingstones. The Shuckers and Clingstones will complete a suspended seven-inning game from Friday, tied 1-1 in the third inning, and play another seven-inning contest. The Blue Wahoos would also need to win their series finale against the Barons.
The Blue Wahoos wrap up their series, and the first half schedule against the Barons, on Sunday afternoon.
written by Erik Bremer
Located: Silver Alert Issued For Pace Man That May Have Been Traveling West
June 20, 2026
UPDATED: This missing man has been located and is safe.
A Florida Silver Alert has been issued for an 87-year-old man last seen in Pace.
Terence Wiley was last seen on Saturday in the 5000 block of Dove Drive in Pace. He was wearing a black T-shirt, blue jeans, and black and red tennis shoes. He may also be wearing a black dive watch.
Wiley is 5 feet, 9 inches tall, weighs 192 pounds, with gray hair and hazel eyes. He has a Wile E. Coyote tattoo on his right outer bicep and a “Sharon” tattoo on his right knee.
Investigators believe he may have been westbound through Escambia County on his way toward the Alabama/Mississippi line in a 2011 white Ford F-150 with Florida tag LA251E. The vehicle had a handicap placard hanging from the rearview mirror and a crack on the right taillight.
Anyone who sees him is asked to call the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office immediately at (850) 983-1190 or 911.
Atmore Man Arrested For Downtown Pensacola Battery
June 20, 2026
An Atmore, man was arrested recently for a physical altercation in downtown Pensacola last month.
Jovon Brown, 19, was booked into the Escambia County Jail charge of battery.
The arrest stems from a May 29, 2026, incident on South Jefferson Street. According to Pensacola Police Department reports, passengers in a vehicle began yelling comments at two individuals walking in the area. The verbal exchange escalated when occupants exited the vehicle and physically assaulted a victim, striking her multiple times in the face and body.
Investigators utilized surveillance footage and witness statements to identify Brown as one of the individuals who exited the vehicle and engaged in the physical confrontation, according to the report.
Brown was released from jail on a $2,500 bond.
Heavy Rain Washed Away Portion Of Road In McDavid
June 20, 2026
Heavy rain over the past few days washed away a portion of a dirt road near McDavid.
A small portion of Railroad Street collapsed just south of Main Street, and a resident was forced to navigate part of the washed-out road on foot. To make matters worse, a small tree came down across the road.
Railroad Street is a seldom-traveled road between Main Street in McDavid and Mystic Springs Road. There is just one residence on Railroad Street.
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Escambia Convicted Felon Pleads Guilty to Federal Firearm Charge
June 20, 2026
An Escambia County felon has pleaded guilty to a federal firearm offense.
Michael Stephen Johnson, 59, pleaded guilty in federal court to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a shooting at a residence on July 16, 2025. Deputies detained Johnson and transported him to the Sheriff’s Office for an interview.
During the interview, Johnson admitted to possessing a firearm, which he described as a .22-caliber assault rifle, and stated that he purchased the firearm from the victim within the past few months for approximately $150.
Investigators obtained a residential search warrant for the residence and found a black Mossberg Intl Model 702 Plinkster, semi-automatic .22 LR caliber rifle with a magazine inside one of the bedrooms. At the time of the arrest, Johnson was a convicted felon and could not legally possess a firearm based upon his multiple prior convictions for aggravated assault and bank robbery.
Johnson faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years’ imprisonment up to a maximum of life imprisonment.