It Is Literacy Week At Molino Park Elementary With Family Night, Book Fair

January 25, 2026

Next week is Literacy Week at Molino Park Elementary School with a book fair, family literacy night and more.

The Scholastic Book Fair continues through January 30. Each student will receive a $6 voucher from the Molino Park Elementary School PTA.

Family Literacy Night will be Thursday, January 29, from 5:30 until 7 p.m. An RSVP is being sent home with students this week and should be returned by Monday, January 26 so that the PTA knows how much pizza to order.

Book Fair proceeds are used to help fund AR celebrations.

File photo.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News

Grant Awarded For $1 Million Traffic Light At Walmart In Atmore

January 25, 2026

A state grant has been awarded for a traffic signal on Highway 21 at Walmart in Atmore.

The ATRIP-II grant for $914,000 will require a $113,400 local match for a project total of $1,027,400 for the light at 911 North Main Street, which is state Highway 21.

“Since 2019, Alabama generated more than $2 billion, paving the way for 500 vital road and bridge projects in all 67 counties. None of these projects would have happened without the passage of Rebuild Alabama,” said Gov. Kay Ivey during her State of the State address.

The funding is made available through the Alabama Transportation Rehabilitation and Improvement Program-II (ATRIP-II), a program created by the Rebuild Alabama Act. The Rebuild Alabama Act requires ATRIP-II to be an annual program setting aside a minimum of $30 million off the top of ALDOT’s share of new gas tax revenue for projects of local interest on the state highway system.

The Walmart traffic signal was the only project awarded in January, in Escambia County. In total, ALDOT announced grant funding for 25 projects totaling just over $40 million.

“Rebuild Alabama continues making generational transportation improvements a reality. I am proud to award funds towards these 25 projects. Our success with Rebuild Alabama will only continue,” said Ivey.

NorthEscambia.com graphic.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News

Escambia Man Pleads Guilty To Threatening To Kill Police Detective

January 25, 2026

An Escambia County man has pleaded guilty to threatening to kill a police detective.

Tamal W. Jenkins, 19, pleaded guilty in federal court for interstate threatening communication with intent to extort.

Court documents state that in July 2025 the Pensacola Police Department arrested suspects in a homicide investigation. Within days of the arrest, one of the Pensacola Police Detectives involved in the investigation received an electronic message making threats against her life for taking a suspect into custody. Law enforcement traced the threatening messages back to a device belonging to Jenkins.

Jenkins faces up to 20 years’ imprisonment upon sentencing, which is scheduled for April 14

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News

Escambia County Value Adjustment Board Seeks Volunteers

January 25, 2026

The Escambia County Board of County Commissioners is seeking Escambia County residents interested in volunteering to be considered for an at-large appointment to the Escambia County Board of Adjustment.

Members serve a two-year term of office and meet at 8:30 a.m. on the third Wednesday of each month. Travel is not required. Financial disclosure is required.

Escambia County residents interested in being considered for a possible appointment to the Escambia County Board of Adjustment to begin serving in February 2026 are asked to submit a resume indicating their desire to serve by close of business on Monday, January 26.

Resumes should be submitted to Rachel Whitmire, 3363 West Park Place, Pensacola, FL 32505; or emailed to rwhitmire@myescambia.com.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News

Century Utility Bills Are Running Late; Here’s What To Know.

January 24, 2026

Town of Century utility January bills were delayed this month, but customers will still have time to pay without penalties or service disconnects.

Town officials said the delays were due to a meter changeout project by a contractor, in addition to the holidays. The bills were mailed from a service provider in Pensacola on Tuesday and are now arriving in customer mailboxes.

While the current January bills have a due date of January 25, residents will have until February 25 to pay the bills before facing disconnects and penalties. Officials noted that December bills not paid by Monday, January 26 will be subject to disconnect.

Residents who have not received their January bill may call the town at (850) 256-3208 to find their amount due or request that a copy of their bill be emailed. Alternatively, they can stop by the office to pick up a copy of their bill or make a payment.

Pictured: A sample Town of Century utility bill. Image for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News

FloridaCommerce Reports Decrease In Escambia County Unemployment

January 24, 2026

The Escambia County area unemployment rate decreased, according to data released Friday by FloridaCommerce.

The area’s unemployment rate was 5.2% in December 2025, a 0.4% decrease from the November 2025 rate of 5.6%. A year ago, the unemployment rate in Escambia County was 3.4%.

That represented 7,637 people unemployed out of a labor force of 147,631.

Florida’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.3% in December 2025, up 0.1 percentage point from the November 2025 rate, and up 0.9 percentage point from a year ago.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News

EREC Crew Heads North To Help Restore Power For Expected South Carolina Ice Storm

January 24, 2026

A team from Escambia River Electric Cooperative headed to South Carolina ahead of an impending ice storm.

If needed, the EREC crew will assist Aiken Electric Cooperative with power restoration efforts. According to the National Weather Service, the Aiken area is under and ice storm warning and is expecting significant icing, with power outages and tree damage likely.

Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News

Bratt Elementary School Holds Math And Reading Night (With Gallery)

January 24, 2026

Bratt Elementary School recently held a “Team Up For Success” Family Night with hands-on reading and math activities for families.

Parents also received a copy of the most recent assessment scores, and a take-home learning packet.

For more photos, click here.

Bratt student leaders led the activity stations and taught their friends how to play the games. Other student leaders welcomed guests, directed families through the building, and served refreshments.

Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under FEATURE TOP STORY, Features, News

All Escambia County, Alabama, High Schools Now In 3A Football Classification

January 24, 2026

Every high school in Escambia County, Alabama, will be in the same classification beginning with the 2026 season for fall sports.

The Alabama High School Athletic Association on Friday gave final approval to new classifications, including splitting public and private schools into different classes. Public schools will be Class 1A to 6A, and private schools will be two additional classifications, with the public and private schools playing for separate state championships.

Every public high school in Escambia County, Alabama, will be in Class 3A, with Escambia County High School (Atmore) moving down to 3A**,** as did W.S. Neal, joining Flomaton and T.R. Miller.

Class 3A Region 1 Football