Tate Lady Aggies Host Back To School Camp (Gallery)
August 7, 2026
The Tate Lady Aggies held a Back to School Camp this week, giving campers a chance to learn and improve their skills while having fun.
The three-hour camp was for players 8 years old through eighth grade.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Wahoos Beat The Montgomery Biscuits
August 7, 2026
Eliazar Dishmey and Nigel Belgrave authored a masterpiece for the Pensacola Blue Wahoos on Thursday night, taking a combined no-hitter through 8.2 innings in a 4-1 win over the Montgomery Biscuits.
One out away from the fourth no-hitter in Blue Wahoos franchise history and just the second at Blue Wahoos Stadium, Biscuits top prospect Theo Gillen hit an opposite-field solo homer to break up the no-hit bid and spoil the celebration.
Dishmey (W, 3-1), who had twice before taken a no-hitter through five innings in his first 10 Double-A starts, tied a professional career high with 10 strikeouts. He allowed three baserunners, with Gregory Barrios reaching on a Dishmey error in the third inning for Montgomery’s nearest chance at a hit.
Brendan Jones carried the Pensacola offense with a two-run homer in the first inning and a solo homer in the sixth for his second multi-homer game of the season. Biscuits starter K.C. Hunt (L, 1-1) allowed just the Jones homer over 5.0 innings in a tough-luck loss.
Belgrave (S, 6) took over the game in the seventh inning and worked around a walk to take the no-hitter into the ninth. A strikeout of Caden Bodine was followed by a routine flyout off the bat of Cooper Kinney to put Pensacola on the precipice of history. On a 1-0 pitch, Gillen lifted a fly ball just beyond the left field wall for his eighth Double-A homer and second in as many nights.
Belgrave rebounded to strike out Will Simpson and end the combined one-hitter, the 16th in Blue Wahoos history and the second this season. Of the sixteen, it was the third taken to the ninth inning with a no-hitter intact and the first to end one out away from securing the feat.
The Blue Wahoos continue their series against the Biscuits on Friday.
‘Blindsided’ – Century Council Members Balk At Water, Wastewater Contract Over Lack Of Information
August 6, 2026
Blindsided.
That’s how Century Town Council President Dynette Lewis described a five-year, $17,410 per month contract with a company to run the town’s water and wastewater treatment facilities.
This week, the entire council balked at signing the contract, not because they disagreed with mayor’s recommendation to hire the company, but because council members never saw the contract and really didn’t know what was happening.
Mayor Ben Boutwell requested approval of the contract with Clearwater Solutions, the company that has provided the services for years. Council members only received a one-page proposal in advance of the meeting and have yet to see the actual contract with all of its terms and conditions.
“It’s unfortunate that we are just hearing about this, and we were not given anything that we were able to read over this and come to an understanding on the agreement prior to this meeting,” Lewis said. “That’s basically an element of surprise at a meeting.”
She said she did not see the immediacy of a vote this week, but Boutwell, who attended the meeting by phone, said a contract would lower the month-to-month payment from $20,000 to the $17,410 per month.
Council member John Bass interjected that he believed the town missed a step and the council was not informed.
Back in April, the council voted to end an expiring contract with Clearwater and directly hire two Clearwater employees, one as a contractor and one as an operator.
The mayor said both individuals are still running Century’s water and wastewater systems, but they still work for Clearwater, and they were hired on paper but never actually went to work for the town due to a Clearwater agreement.
“I feel it’s interesting that we didn’t hear anything about it until now,” Lewis said, “at a particular time we have a proposal placed in front of us at the meeting.”
“I don’t want to vote on this because I don’t feel like I have enough information,” Shelisa Abraham said. “I would like to be able to compare the old one (contract) to this one. I did not appreciate us approving to hire people, and we find out (differently) at the meeting and are expected to give a decision tonight. We haven’t had time to get details or make a well-informed decision.”
With recent rate increases, Century can afford the Clearwater contract, Boutwell said, describing the company as a “great partner for the last several years.” The council agreed, but opposed taken action without reviewing the contract.
Following a unanimous vote to table action on the Clearwater contract, Lewis said, “It seems like we should have somebody in place that should be providing these issues where we’re not basically blindsided like this.”
The town council is expected to consider the contract again at their next meeting on August 25.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Man Injured In Apparent Accidental Wednesday Night Shooting
August 6, 2026
An adult male suffered an apparent accidental gunshot wound on Wednesday night in Cantonment.
The shooting was reported around 10:15 p.m. on Calloway Street, south of Booker Street. The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said the man suffered a gunshot wound to his side.
The man, reportedly in his 50s, was transported to an area hospital.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Remains Of Pfc. Joseph Chancery Return Home After 75 Years Missing In Action
August 6, 2026
After more than 75 years listed as missing in action, U.S. Army Pfc. Joseph “Dile” Chancery returned home on Thursday, arriving at Pensacola International Airport. From there, he wasescorted by the Patriot Guard and law enforcement to a Mobile funeral home as his family and community prepare to honor the fallen hero.
Identified through advanced forensic analysis by the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA), the Brewton, Alabama native who fell during the Battle of Chosin Reservoir in 1950 will finally receive full military honors.
Born June 26, 1930, in Brewton, Chancery was one of 12 children born to George Leonard Chancery and Martha Jane Posten Chancery in rural Escambia County. He entered the Army from Alabama, serving with Battery A, 57th Field Artillery Battalion, 7th Infantry Division.
On November 28, 1950, during the Battle of Chosin Reservoir, Chancery’s unit came under overwhelming attack by Chinese People’s Volunteer Forces near the P’ungnyuri Inlet on the eastern side of the reservoir. Amid sub-zero temperatures, the soldiers engaged in brutal, hand-to-hand combat to defend their artillery positions. Chancery was reported killed in action, but because the fallen could not be recovered due to the intense fighting, he was classified as Missing in Action.
In 1954, following Operation GLORY, unidentified service members were returned to the United States. Unidentified remains were later interred at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (the “Punchbowl”) in Honolulu. On March 29, 2021, a set of remains was exhumed as part of DPAA’s Korean War Disinterment Project. Using DNA analysis provided by his family, alongside anthropological and dental evidence, scientists positively identified Chancery on March 24, 2026.
Though his parents and all 11 siblings passed away before his return, a new generation of nieces and nephews is fulfilling the promise to bring him home.
During his service, Pfc. Chancery earned the following decorations:
- Purple Heart
- Army Good Conduct Medal
- National Defense Service Medal
- Korean Service Medal with three bronze service stars
- Presidential Unit Citation (Navy)
- United Nations Service Medal
- Republic of Korea Korean War Service Medal
- Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation
The public is invited to attend upcoming memorial events:
Purple Heart Presentation: Friday, August 7, 2026, at the Daphne Civic Center during the “Saluting Our Nation’s Purple Heart Recipients” ceremony.
Funeral Service: Saturday, August 8, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at Lottie United Methodist Church Cemetery near Atmore, Alabama, featuring Full Military Funeral Honors. He will be laid to rest alongside his parents and two siblings. A public luncheon will follow at the Lottie Volunteer Fire Department.
Escambia Man Charged With Pensacola Boulevard Motel Murder
August 6, 2026
An Escambia County man has been charged with a shooting last week at a motel on Pensacola Boulevard.
Mario Antwean Wiggins, 38, has been charged with murder and remains in the Escambia County Jail for the shooting at the Quality Inn about 10:55 p.m. on July 31.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said a caller reported hearing a gunshot and looked out to saw a man face down suffering from a gunshot wound. Upon arrival, deputies found the man dead from a gunshot wound to the head.
Colorado State Lowers ‘Well Below-Average’ Storm Forecast
August 6, 2026
Colorado State University researchers further reduced their projections for the number of named systems, including the odds of landfalls, during the remaining months of the Atlantic hurricane season.
But they also advised people to stay prepared.
“We are forecasting a well below-average probability for major hurricane landfalls along the continental United States coastline and in the Caribbean,” the researchers posted Wednesday. “As with all hurricane seasons, coastal residents are reminded that it only takes one hurricane making landfall to make it an active season.”
In the update on their storm season, the research team cut its number of forecast storms from 9 to 7 before the season ends November 30. The count includes two tropical systems that have already formed this year.
The forecast maintains the chance for four hurricanes to form, with one reaching Category 3 or greater status on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, where maximum winds are at least 111 mph.
The update is the third for the school since they initially forecast 13 named storms in April. The predicted storm count was lowered to 11 in June and 9 in July.
As with other forecasters that have downgraded their outlooks, the university researchers pointed to the effect of El Niño weather conditions suppressing tropical activity in the Atlantic.
“Sea surface temperatures across the Caribbean and tropical Atlantic are slightly above their long-term averages,” the researchers posted online. “We anticipate the powerful El Niño being the dominant factor for the upcoming hurricane season, driving very high levels of tropical Atlantic vertical wind shear.”
Last week, the meteorological company AccuWeather recently maintained its revised forecast for the nearly two-month-old hurricane season of 8- to 14-named storms of which four to seven will grow into hurricanes.
Before the season started on June 1, AccuWeather forecast between 11 and 16 named storms.
The season has so far seen two tropical storms, Arthur and Bertha, both of which affected parts of the nation’s Gulf coast.
by The News Service of Florida
Wahoos Ninth Inning Rally Falls Short In 9-7 Loss To Biscuits
August 6, 2026
Despite a late-inning rally, the Pensacola Blue Wahoos dropped game two of their series with the Montgomery Biscuits by a final score of 9-7.
After batting seven through the first two innings, the Biscuits had 10 batters come to the plate in the top of the third inning. Luis Moreno (L, 5-6) struggled, giving up 6 runs on 4 hits, three walks, and a balk. Caden Bodine and Will Simpson each had two RBIs with Xavier Isaac driving in a run as well. Moreno was pulled with just one out recorded and ended his day with just 2.1 innings on the day.
Pensacola struck back in the 4th when Brandon Compton took Biscuits starter TJ Nichols (W,1-4) deep to left-center field, his 15th home run in 29 games. Rays top prospect Theo Gillen answered with a solo home run of his own, bringing the score to 7-1.
With Josh Hejka on the mound in the 7th, Will Simpson brought home two more runs with an RBI double over the head of Colby Shade in left field. The 9-1 score remained until the bottom of the 8th, when the Wahoos bats started to pick up steam. Ethan O’Donell led the inning off with a single and Jay Beshears followed with his second triple of the season, a line drive down the right field line that scored O’Donnell. A Colby Shade groundout brought Beshears home and made it a 9-3 game.
With Junior William making his Double-A debut in the 9th, the Pensacola offense jumped all over him. Juan Matheus rolled a ball just inside the third baseline for a leadoff double. Brandon Compton proceeded to bring him in with a single to left, lowering the deficit to five runs. With Compton on first, Connor Caskenette singled to the opposite field, setting the stage for Brendan Jones to smack one into right-center field, scoring both runners on the double and bringing the score to 9-6.
All the offense prompted Biscuits manager Kevin Boles to pull William for Roel Garcia III (S, 1). Garcia would allow Brendan Jones to score, bringing the ‘Hoos to within two runs, but ultimately set down the home team in order. Garcia III earned his first save of the year in the 9-7 Wahoos loss.
Pensacola’s record dropped to 56-48 overall and 20-15 in the second half while the Biscuits improved to 54-50 and 19-16. Most importantly, the Montgomery win brought them within a game of Pensacola in the Southern League South Division standings.
The series continues on Thursday night.
written by Charlie Hobert
Cantonment Man Arrested On Multiple Sexual Battery, Minor Exploitation Charges
August 5, 2026
A 70-year-old Cantonment man has been arrested by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office following allegations of sexual battery and explicit communications involving a minor.
Gonzalo Quinones is facing multiple felony charges, including sexual battery by an adult on a victim under 12 years of age, lewd or lascivious conduct, and transmitting information harmful to minors.
According to the arrest report, the investigation began in late June after the victim’s family discovered inappropriate and explicit text messages sent from Quinones’ phone number. The family noted that similar messages had been received previously, but they initially believed the texts were sent to the minor by mistake and had been intended for someone else.
A subsequent forensic interview conducted at the Gulf Coast Kids House with the now 14-year-old girl uncovered additional allegations of physical abuse dating back several years, beginning when the victim was 9 years old.
Deputies noted that Quinones initially claimed he was not in his right mind when sending the messages. He later declined to meet further with investigators upon consulting legal counsel.
Quinones remained in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $345,000. An Escambia County Judge has appointed an expert for a competency evaluation in response to a motion filed in the case, according to court records.
ECUA Debuts Upgraded Website
August 5, 2026
The Emerald Coast Utilities Authority has launched a newly redesigned website featuring a modern layout, streamlined navigation, and enhanced accessibility. Built on the CivicPlus platform, the site marks ECUA’s first major website redesign in nearly a decade.
Key upgrades include a prominent top-page alert bar for service advisories, an interactive calendar, a new “Notify Me” subscription feature for local updates, and full compliance with accessibility standards.
“Taking on this project was truly a labor of love for our staff and our customers,” said Maria Del Aguila, ECUA public information specialist for digital communications and records. “My goal was to create a website that is easier to navigate, ADA compliant and, of course, nice to look at. Gathering feedback from our residents and staff, especially hearing what they disliked about the previous site, helped shape many of the decisions we made during the redesign. We put a lot of time and care into making this a better experience, and I hope our customers enjoy the new site and feel that it is a real improvement.”
Customers can explore the new features and submit feedback by visiting ecua.fl.gov.