Jeep Catches Fire Following Cantonment Rollover Crash
February 15, 2026
There were no serious injuries when a Jeep overturned and burst into flames in Cantonment on Saturday night.
The crash occurred about 8 p.m. on Highway 95A near Archer Road. The driver of a Jeep lost control and overturned off the roadway. The engine compartment caught fire, but the occupants were able to safely escape the vehicle.
One person was transported to the hospital by Escambia County EMS with injuries that were not considered life-threatening. A second person was uninjured.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating. Escambia County Fire Rescue also responded.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Love And Community: Barrineau Park Historical Society Hosts Valentine’s Gathering
February 15, 2026
The Barrineau Park Historical Society sponsored a Valentine’s Day gathering on Saturday at the Barrineau Park Community Center.
The program, under the leadership of youth leader Brandie Crabtree, included food complete with a chocolate fountain, music, games, and other activities.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Five-Year Sponsorship Secured For Annual Aggie Classic
February 15, 2026
The 31st annual Aggie Classic baseball tournament is coming up next month, and Harvesters Credit Union has agreed to be a sponsor for the next five years. Friday night, Cantonment credit union presente a check to Tate Baseball for the deal.
This year’s Aggie Classic will be held March 16-19 with baseball teams from across the country taking part in the tournament at locations across Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
Last year, Tate fell to the First Academy Royals of Orlando in the Aggie Classic championship game.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Jay High School Names Valedictorian, Salutatorian
February 15, 2026
Jay High School has named the top of the Class of 2026.
Valedictorian is Isabella Seevers, and Salutatorian is Major Rowell.
Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview Lifter Maggie Stewart Earns Top-Five State Finish; Ninth in Olympic
February 14, 2026
At the FHSAA 1A Girls Weightlifting Championship on Friday, Northview High School senior Maggie Stewart won the fifth place medal in the state in the Traditional division, and she finished ninth in the state for Olympic, on Friday in Lakeland.
In Traditional, which is a combination of clean and jerk and bench, she totaled 215 pounds. In Olympic, which is a combination of snatch and clean and jerk, she totaled 190 pounds.
Stewart placed fourth overall in both categories at Regionals in North Bay Haven.
At 94 pounds, she lifts in the 101 pound weight class.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Bratt Elementary Celebrates Valentine’s Day With Flowers For Teachers, Activities
February 14, 2026
Bratt Elementary School held a couple of events to celebrate Valentine’s Day this week.
On Friday, Pre-K hosted a special fun activity with parents.
For a photo gallery, click here.
And the Bratt Elementary School PTA supplied fresh flowers for students to present to their teachers.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
FBI Warns Of Romance Scams, North Floridians Lost $22.5 Million Last Year
February 14, 2026
February is a time when people think about love and connection. Unfortunately, not everyone who seems to be looking for love has good intentions. FBI Jacksonville (with a district that includes Escambia County) wants to make sure you are aware of perpetrators posing as perfect partners to exploit your heart and wallet.
In 2025, more than 550 victims from Jacksonville to Daytona, Gainesville, Tallahassee and the Panhandle reported losing $22.2 million in romance scams. Last year, confidence and romance fraud complaints and losses nationwide exceeded those recorded in the 2024 Internet Crime Complaint Center Annual report, showing it continues to be a growing problem, not just in February, but year round. It’s likely that many more losses went unreported.
Romance scammers use sophisticated and well-rehearsed tactics to trap unsuspecting individuals. Some create fake profiles on dating sites, apps, chat rooms, and other social media sites and send messages to establish romantic connections with their targets. Once contact has been established, romance scammers shower their targets with attention and romantic affection—even as they avoid meeting in person by claiming overseas work, travel, or family responsibilities. They may also ask for money to purchase plane fares to come visit, to cover unexpected and urgent work expenses, or to assist with medical emergencies. Romance scammers may introduce their targets to lucrative but secretive investment opportunities, soliciting them to send significant funds but forbidding them from talking to friends and family about the investment.
We see them increasingly create fake profiles on dating sites and apps or contact their targets through popular social media sites. They’re exploiting generative AI to commit fraud on a larger scale, which increases the believability of their schemes. They use generative AI tools to assist with language translations to limit grammatical or spelling errors for foreign criminal actors targeting U.S. victims. They also produce photos to share with victims in private communications to convince victims they are speaking to a real person.
If you develop a romantic relationship with someone you meet online, the FBI says consider thwww.e following:
Research photos and profiles in other online search tools and ask questions.
- Do not share sensitive personal information, such as social security numbers, home addresses, or financial account information.
- Never send money, gift cards, or cryptocurrency to someone you have never met in person.
- Do not allow attempts to isolate you from family and friends.
- Be wary of tragic stories designed to elicit your compassion and assistance. Romance scammers often share tales of severe life circumstances, family deaths, injuries, or other hardships to explain why they cannot meet in person and require financial assistance.
- If you are planning to meet someone in person you have met online, meet in a public place and let someone know where you will be and what time you should return home.
- If you are traveling to a foreign country to meet someone check the State Department’s Travel Advisories beforehand (http://travel.state.gov/), provide your itinerary to family and friends, and do not travel alone if possible.
Victims may be hesitant to report being taken advantage of due to embarrassment, shame or humiliation. The FBI said it’s important to remember, romance scams can happen to anyone at any time.
If you suspect an online relationship is a scam, stop all contact immediately and file a complaint with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov. You can report scams even if you haven’t lost money. If you are a victim who has already sent money, immediately report the incident to your financial institution.
Northview Baseball Splits Friday The 13th Games With Milton
February 14, 2026
Friday the 13th was perhaps a little bad luck for the Northview Chiefs varsity as they lost to Milton, but luckier for the Northview JV as they earned a big win over the Panthers.
Milton 5, Northview 3
The varsity Northview Chiefs lost to Milton 5-3 on Friday night in Milton.
Jackson Bridges took the loss for Northview, going two and one-third innings while surrendering four runs (two earned) on one hit, walking one and striking out two. Jase Portwood took the mound for three and two-thirds innings in relief, allowing three hits and a run (none earned) as he struck out seven and walked just one.
Bridges had two RBIs for the Chiefs, going 1-4 on the night. Luke Chavers, Dane King and Grayden Sheffield also contributed one hit each.
Next week will be busy in Bratt for the Chiefs; Northview will host Walton on Monday, Freeport on Tuesday, and Escambia on Friday.
Northview 15, Milton 1 (JV)
Tyler McAnally struck out 10 for the Northview Junior Varsity Chiefs in a 15-1 win over Milton on Friday. He gave up five hits and one run in five innings with no walks.
The JV Chiefs took a nine-run lead in the first inning and never looked back.
Greyson Hubbard went 3-3 to lead Northview at bat. McAnally and Karson Miller each had three RBIs. Sawyer Gilmore and Brentley Guy each added multiple hits for NHS, while Bryce Gigier recorded two of Northview’s six walks.
Retired Educators Gift Valentine’s Roses For Assisted Living Residents
February 14, 2026
The Escambia Retired Educators Association (EREA) donates roses each year to the residents of assisted living facilities in the area.
Pictured, EREA member Craig Exner, presented 50 roses to Sheila Allen, activities director at the Shelton Manor on Pensacola Boulevard. The roses will be distributed to residents and staff members for Valentine’s Day.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Baseball: Tate Varsity And JV Fall To Pace
February 14, 2026
The Tate varsity and junior varsity Aggies fell to the Pace Patriots on Friday, February 13, at Tate.
Pace 11, Tate 4
The Tate Aggies fell 11-4 to the Pace Patriots Friday night at Tate.
Bryton McLellan pitched four innings of relief ball for the Aggies. He allowed one hit and one run (zero earned), striking out five and walking none. Nathan Connors took the loss for the Tate Varsity Aggies. He pitched for one inning, surrendering eight runs (seven earned) on four hits, walking two and striking out one. Logan Kimmons pitched two, allowing two hits, two runs, walking one and striking out zero.
Hunter Clayton, Kannon Ham, Cooper Halfacre, Evan Taylor, Kaden Posta, and Brody White each had one hit for the Aggies. Ham led with two RBIs, going 1-2 on the night.
Up next, the Aggies will host West Florida on Wednesday, February 18.
Pace 8, Tate 4 (JV)
The Tate Aggies JV took the lead in the bottom of the first against Pace but fell 8-4 on Friday to the Pace Patriots JV.
The early lead for the Aggies came on a two-run Jordan Edmond double, a one-run single from Caileb Javier**,** and a run on an error.
Edmond led the Tate JV with two RBIs, going 1-2. Javier, Edmond**,** and Mason Bryant had one hit each.
Hunter Taylor opened on the mound for Tate, giving up two hits and four runs in one and one-third innings while striking out none and walking four.