‘Returning Home’: Former Aggie Standout Misti Nims Named Tate Head Softball Coach
May 27, 2026
Misti Nims has been named the next head softball coach at Tate High School.
A native of Cantonment and a 1996 Tate graduate, Nims is returning home to lead the Aggies program she once helped build as a student-athlete.
During her time at Tate, Nims was a four-year starter in softball and helped lead the Aggies to the program’s first-ever Fastpitch Softball Final Four appearance in 1995. She was also a two-year starter for the volleyball team. Following her standout high school career, she earned a softball scholarship to Pensacola Junior College, where she was an All-Academic Team member and All-Conference first baseman.
Nims continued her education at the University of West Florida, earning a bachelor’s degree in sports science and a master’s degree in health, leisure, and exercise science/physical education.
Her coaching career began in 2001 at Jefferson Davis Community College, now Coastal Alabama Community College, where she served as head softball coach for more than two decades. During her tenure, she guided the program to 14 conference tournament appearances and was named the 2015 ACCC Softball Coach of the Year. She has also produced countless NJCAA Academic All-Americans, All-Region players, and All-Conference selections while helping numerous student-athletes continue their careers at the next level. She also served as head volleyball coach from 2003-2013 before focusing solely on softball.
In 2023, Nims was named head men’s and women’s cross country coach at Coastal Alabama following a major restructuring of the athletic department. In her first three seasons, the men’s cross country program earned national rankings each year, climbing as high as No. 11 nationally. The program also captured its first race victory, produced an ACCC Runner of the Week and All-Region selection, and qualified for the national meet all three seasons.
Nims also joined the West Florida High School softball staff in 2024 as an assistant coach, helping lead the Jaguars to two district championships and a regional semifinal appearance.
“Tate softball has a proud tradition, and we are excited to welcome one of our own back home to lead the program,” said Tate Principal Laura Touchstone. “Coach Nims brings a tremendous amount of experience and passion. Her success at the collegiate level, combined with her deep roots in the Tate community, make her an outstanding fit to lead our softball program into the future. We are excited for the future of Tate softball under Coach Nims’ leadership.”
“I am very excited to lead the Aggies back into a championship program,” said Nims. “I want our athletes to be proud to wear the ‘T’ across their chest and bring back a sense of pride and tradition to being an Aggie. I want to thank Mrs. Touchstone, Coach Blackmon, and the administration for entrusting me to lead this program. I also want to thank Coach Wyatt for all her years of success and for bringing home the first state championship. I plan to build on that success, and I cannot wait to get started.”
Melinda Wyatt retired at the end of the 2026 season, after 31 years as a varsity and junior varsity coach for the Tate softball program. She served 22 of those years as head coach.
Santa Rosa Medical Group Opening First Escambia County Primary Care Clinic In Cantonment
May 27, 2026
Santa Rosa Medical Group is expanding access to primary care services in Escambia County with the opening of a new clinic in Cantonment this July. The location, at 2360 South Highway 29, Cantonment, marks the medical group’s first primary care clinic in Escambia County and is designed to provide more convenient healthcare access to residents in the area.
The clinic will offer comprehensive primary care services for adults, including preventive care, treatment for minor illnesses, chronic disease management, wellness visits and walk-in visits. Patients will be able to receive care without an appointment for many everyday healthcare needs, helping improve access to timely medical care in the community.
Rachael Shumaker, an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN), will serve as the clinic’s primary care provider and begin seeing patients in July.
“As an Escambia County native, it means a great deal to me to care for patients in the community I call home,” Shumaker said. “I’m excited to join SRMG and provide such a needed service in the area.”
“We recognize the growing need for accessible primary care services in Central Escambia County,” said Randy DeLee, chief administrative officer for Santa Rosa Medical Group. “This new clinic represents our commitment to providing convenient, high-quality care closer to where people live and work.”
The clinic is expected to open at the beginning of July and will welcome both scheduled appointments and walk-in patients. To schedule an appointment or learn more about the clinic, call (850) 626-5350.
ECFR: Electrical Fault Sparks Fire That Destroyed McDavid Home
May 27, 2026
A fire that destroyed a McDavid home on Friday evening was caused by an electrical problem, according to Escambia County Fire Rescue.
The fire displaced two adult residents and claimed the life of one dog.
ECFR responded to the residential structure fire in the 2800 block of Velor Road on Friday, May 22, at approximately 6:26 p.m. Upon arrival, crews discovered an active fire venting from the single-story home.
Firefighters launched a rapid attack, bringing the fire under control by 7:01 p.m.
Following an investigation, ECFR determined that the cause of the fire was faulty electrical wiring in the kitchen.
The home was a complete loss.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Wahoos Drop Series Opener To Birmingham
May 27, 2026
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos dropped the opener of their road series against the Birmingham Barons on Tuesday night, falling by a score of 8-4.
After an afternoon filled with a dozen roster transactions, including the arrivals of infielders Aiva Arquette and Juan Matheus from High-A Beloit, the Blue Wahoos couldn’t get their offense going as they slipped back to .500 at 23-23.
The Barons took a quick 2-0 lead against Blue Wahoos starter Jacob Miller (L, 1-3) thanks to a second-inning RBI single from Jeral Pérez and a third-inning sacrifice fly from Alec Makarewicz. Cristian Hernández tied the game for Pensacola with a two-run homer in the fourth inning.
Birmingham took the lead for good in the fourth inning, loading the bases against Miller before reliever Luis Palacios served up a go-ahead grand slam to Colby Shelton. The Barons tacked on two more in the sixth inning with a two-out, two-run double from Makarewicz against reliever Livan Reinoso.
Dylan Jasso singled home Connor Caskenette in the top of the seventh inning and brought him in again in the ninth on a sacrifice fly, but the Barons bullpen held onto the lead for an 8-4 final.
Matheus was 2-for-3 with a double in his Double-A debut, and Arquette hustled out an infield single for his first Double-A hit in a 2-for-4 night. Caskenette, making his season debut for the Blue Wahoos after appearing in 14 games in 2024, was 2-for-4 with a double. Reliever Holt Jones, also called up from Beloit, worked a 1-2-3 eighth inning with a strikeout in his debut.
The Blue Wahoos continue their series against the Barons on Wednesday afternoon as they play in “The Rickwood Game” at historic Rickwood Field in Birmingham.
written by Erik Bremer
Cantonment Woman Charged With Felony Fraud For Using Stolen Checks
May 27, 2026
A Cantonment woman is facing multiple felony charges after allegedly stealing a local man’s checkbook and using it to at the grocery store.
Christina Marie Avirett, 38, was charged with four felony counts of uttering a false bank bill, note, check, or draft. She was later released on a $4,000 bond.
According to an arrest report, a deputy was dispatched to the Grocery Advantage on Highway 29 in Cantonment regarding a fraud complaint. A store manager reported that a female frequent shopper had used unauthorized checks to purchase items on consecutive days. When the same woman returned the following evening and attempted to use another check under the same victim’s name, the manager recognized something was wrong and denied the transaction.
Investigators contacted the victim, who stated his checkbook had been taken from a kitchen drawer. The victim noted that he personally only uses that checkbook for church, and the first fraudulent check actually had “Church clean up” written on the memo line. This led him to believe the suspect knew him and his specific check habits. The victim was able to identify a former coworker linked to Avirett’s residential address, noting that the individual had been inside the victim’s house three weeks prior.
The store manager later selected Avirett from a photograph line-up provided by the Sheriff’s Office, identifying her as the individual who passed the checks. Surveillance footage from Grocery Advantage also captured the suspect and her distinct electric bicycle, which the responding deputy recognized from prior interactions.
In total, three checks were successfully processed—two at Grocery Advantage and one online—totaling $369.96 before the account was frozen.
Ernest Ward Middle School Names Final Students, Employees Of The Month
May 27, 2026
Ernest Ward Middle School named its Students and Employees of the Month for the final three months of the school year.
May Employee of the Month is science teacher Tracy Bozeman, and Students of the Month are Ryleigh Crabtree, eighth grade; Colton Hopper, seventh grade; and Charlie Trawick, sixth grade.
April Students of the Month are Henry Cook, sixth grade; Jaelyn Connors, seventh grade; Jadon Long, eighth grade; and Employee of the Month is Kevin Knowles, PE teacher and coach.
March Students and Employee of the Month are Marlee McElhaney, sixth grade; Rachael Garrison, seventh grade; Walker Maughon, eight grade; and Yolanda Fountain, teacher assistant.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Man Charged With Trying To Pass ‘Play Money’ At Credit Union
May 26, 2026
A Cantonment man was arrested after he allegedly tried to exchange movie prop money for real cash and then use it to open an account at a local credit union
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to a counterfeit call at the Gulf Winds Credit Union located at 220 East Nine Mile Road in Pensacola.
Justin Wayne Jordan, 40, was booked into the Escambia County Jail on felony charges of passing a counterfeit bank bill and possession of 10 or more counterfeit bills.
According to an arrest report, Jordan entered the credit union and handed a credit union employee two $100 bills in an attempt to exchange them for real currency. The employee immediately noticed that the bills were counterfeit, observing that they were explicitly marked with the imprint “Copy Play Money”. When the employee informed Jordan that the bills were fake and could not be exchanged, Jordan stated he had more cash with him. He then produced additional movie prop bills and stated that he wanted to use them to open up a credit union account.
A responding deputy reviewed credit union video footage of the encounter, which corroborated the employee’s account of the incident. In total, law enforcement collected 12 of the fake bills to be submitted into evidence.
Jordan remains in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $5,000.
Ernest Ward Middle School Presents Student Awards
May 26, 2026
Ernest Ward Middle School presented student awards during last week of school programs.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century Correctional Inmate Assaulted Staff Member, FDC Says
May 26, 2026
A Century Correctional Institution inmate assaulted a correctional officer recently, according to the Florida Department of Corrections.
Yomi Williams, Jr., 30, assaulted an officer by spitting on them, according to the FDC.
Williams is serving an eight-year sentence on multiple convictions from Alachua County, including multiple counts of aggravated battery of a pregnant victim and burglary with assault.
MILO Mobile ID And Licensing Unit In Century Tomorrow
May 26, 2026
The Escambia County Tax Collector’s Mobile Identification and Licensing Office (MILO) will be in Century tomorrow, May 27.
The mobile unit will be available from 9:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. at the Billy G. Ward Courthouse. The next visit to Century is planned for July 16.
The event was originally scheduled for last week but was postponed to tomorrow.
MILO offers a convenient way for residents to access essential tax collector services, including:
- Driver License Services: Renewals, replacements, out-of-state license conversions/reciprocations, and address or name changes.
- Identification Cards: First-time issuance and renewals.
- Vehicle Services: Registration renewals and replacements, title transfers, and parking placards.
- Tax Payments: Property tax payments.
- Business Tax Receipts: Applications and renewals.
- Certified Driver Transcripts
Written and driving tests are not available at the MILO unit.
Florida drivers may renew their vehicle registrations for a period of one or two years and may renew up to three months in advance of the registration expiration. Vehicle registrations expire at midnight on the first owner’s birth date unless the owner is a business.
Pictured: The Escambia County Tax Collector’s MILO at the Billy G. Ward Courthouse in Century. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.