ECSO: Man’s Drunken Claim Of Machete Attack During Drug Deal Is Nonsense
July 23, 2025
A man claimed he was attacked by someone with a machete during a drug deal early Tuesday morning, claiming it occurred at Planet Fitness in Escambia County, but deputies aren’t so sure it ever happened.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to the Planet Fitness in the 5900 block of Mobile Highway about 3 a.m.. The alleged victim, who was not a member of the gym, had stopped there to use the phone. Deputies found him with laceration to the face.
“The victim, who was very intoxicated, reported that he tried to buy drugs at a home in the surrounding area. The victim’s account of the events seems nonsensical,” the sheriff’s office said. “He claims to have been beaten up and that a machete that the suspects used caused the injury to his face, but due to a lack of witnesses, the injury and his account are inconsistent with reality.”
Deputies said the man would not tell them where the incident and the “attempted drug transaction” occurred or provide a description of any suspects.
Wahoos Outlast Smokies In Marathon 13-Inning Win
July 23, 2025
written by Erik Bremer
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos defeated the Knoxville Smokies 6-4 in 13 innings on Tuesday night, rallying several times in extra innings before ultimately securing their most exhausting win of the season.
Pensacola’s first game at brand-new Covenant Health Park was their longest game by innings since 2021, and at 4 hours and 15 minutes was their longest game by time since 2018, prior to the implementation of MLB’s modern pitch clock rules.
The Smokies scored the game’s first run in the first inning, as Pedro Ramirez walked and scored on a Corey Joyce infield single when Blue Wahoos starting pitcher Alex Williams uncorked an errant throw into foul territory. Williams would recover to turn in 5.0 solid innings, but left trailing 1-0.
The Blue Wahoos managed only two hits through the first eight innings against five different Knoxville pitchers, and trailed 1-0 with two outs in the ninth inning before pinch hitter Ryan Ignoffo blasted his team back to life with an opposite-field, two-run triple that gave the Blue Wahoos a 2-1 lead. It marked Ignoffo’s first appearance since a concerning hit-by-pitch in Friday’s game.
On for the save in the bottom of the ninth, Josh Ekness instead blew his first opportunity of the season. Two singles and a misplayed fielder’s choice loaded the bases for BJ Murray Jr., who narrowly missed a walk-off grand slam and settled for a game-tying sacrifice fly as Pensacola right fielder Kemp Alderman made a leaping catch at the wall.
Ekness stranded the potential winning run at second base to force extras, and repeated the feat in the bottom of the 10th after the Blue Wahoos failed to score their placed runner in the top half of the inning.
In the 11th, Jake Thompson put the Blue Wahoos back in front 3-2 with a two-out RBI single to score pinch runner Grant Richardson from second base. Once again, the Smokies came back to tie it with a Felix Stevens sacrifice fly in the bottom of the 11th against Austin Roberts (W, 1-0).
In the 12th, Alderman lined a sacrifice fly to left field to bring home Ignoffo and give the Blue Wahoos another lead at 4-3. Another Smokies sacrifice fly, this time from Jefferson Rojas, again tied the game and forced a 13th inning.
Richardson, in his first at-bat of the night, laced an RBI single to center field to lead off the top of the 13th against Tyler Santana (L, 1-4). Alderman scored standing up on a close play at the plate, putting the Blue Wahoos ahead 5-4. Cody Morissette added insurance, scoring Richardson with an RBI single of his own for a 6-4 advantage.
Roberts, who was making his Blue Wahoos season debut after coming down from Triple-A Jacksonville earlier in the day, quickly found himself in more trouble in the bottom of the 13th as the Smokies put two runners in scoring position with one out. But the veteran righty, who led the Blue Wahoos with 15 saves in 2024, dug deep to retire Reivaj Garcia on a tapper and Stevens on a strikeout to end the game.
The Blue Wahoos used 17 players in the game, including five different pitchers. The Smokies used 19 players, including eight pitchers.
Though the Smokies scored three times on sacrifice flies in the 9th, 11th and 12th innings, they went 0-for-13 with men in scoring position.
The Blue Wahoos continue their series against the Smokies on Wednesday night.
Century Approves Concept ‘Centurion Program’ To Honor Notable Citizens
July 23, 2025
The Century Town Council has approved, at least in concept, the establishment of the “Centurion Program” to recognize local citizens who have made a difference.
The idea was proposed by council member John Bass to hold an annual, or biannual, banquet to honor selected Centurion recipients to be chosen by a committee.
Bass said he wants the program to pay homage to local military members, athletes, educators, and other notable citizens.
“It’s those individuals that made me proud to be from here,” he said.
Council member Shelisa McCall, who is also president of the Century Area Chamber of Commerce, said the chamber was already working on a similar recognition program since the Century chamber separated from a joint annual recognition program with the Flomaton Chamber.
Tuesday night’s affirmative vote advances the Centurion Program idea, with the details to be worked out between the town and the chamber.
Pictured: Century Council member John Bass presented his Centurion Program idea Tuesday night. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
The State Has Again Designated Century As A ‘Rural Community’. Here’s Why That’s A Big Deal.
July 22, 2025
Century has once again been designated by FloridaCommerce as a Rural Community.
The designation makes Century eligible to have matching fund requirements waived for state programs and grants.
Century first received the designation in 2022, but it lapsed when previous administrations failed to submit necessary paperwork.
But after his election, current Century Mayor Ben Boutwell, Rep. Michelle Salzman and other partners went to work to reinstate the Rural Community designation. According to FloridaCommerce, the reinstatement will expire on December 31, giving Century an opportunity to formally reapply.
Sometimes Century may be eligible for a grant, but meeting a financial match requirement might be difficult, Boutwell said, adding that the designation is a big deal for the small town.
“It’s a big deal to have this back,” Boutwell said. “It means that we may receive a grant but might not be required to provide the matching funds. It will really help out.”
Century was able to obtain the Rural Community designation by having an agriculture-related employment base, a population of less than 25,000 and three qualifying economic distress levels. Those factors are a high poverty rate, low educational attainment, and below-average median household income.
Salzman said she’s glad to see Century once again with Rural Community status with the state, but she would not support the designation for the rural part of Escambia County.
“It’s great for Century, but I don’t support it for everybody. “It’s only a small pot of state money that is divided.”
Pictured: Rep. Michelle Salzman and Century Mayor Ben Boutwell held a sit-down lunch meeting to discuss Century’s future after he was sworn into office in May 2025. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Man Charged In Family Disturbance
July 22, 2025
A Cantonment man is facing felony charges after a family disturbance.
Edward Wickham, 33, was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, battery, and possession of a weapon or ammunition by a person subject to a domestic violence injunction. As of Monday, he remained in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $17,500.
Deputies with the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to an armed disturbance call after the relative reported Wickham pulled a knife and threatened to stab her.
According to the arrest report, the victim stated that Wickham had been displaying aggressive behavior due to continued drug use. She recounted an incident where, after she called him for dinner, he became enraged, grabbed her face with both hands, and shook her. She then entered his room to retrieve a TV remote she believed he had taken, at which point he allegedly produced a switchblade knife, pointed it at her, and threatened to stab her, causing her to fear for her safety. She then told him she was calling the sheriff’s office, and he left the residence.
Deputies located Wickham in the area and placed him under arrest. According to the ECSO report, a search of his backpack revealed an unloaded silver revolver. Deputies said Wickham stated he was aggravating everyone all day and denied stealing the remote. He claimed he grabbed a Gerber multi-tool, not a knife, to protect himself and did not open it or display a blade. He did not provide a reason for possessing the firearm.
According to the ECSO, Wickham has an active permanent domestic violence injunction, including firearm possession, that was served on him in 2015.
Pensacola Symphony Orchestra To Perform At The Century And Molino Libraries
July 22, 2025
The Pensacola Symphony Orchestra will present a special musical performance this week at the Century and Molino libraries.
The programs will take place on Thursday at 10:30 a.m. in Century and Friday at 10:30 a.m. in Molino.
Each location will host a different performance. All ages are welcome
Escambia Woman Gets 20 Years For Fentanyl Trafficking
July 22, 2025
An Escambia County woman has been sentenced to state prison for fentanyl trafficking.
Jorgina Ann Nichols, 41, was sentenced by Judge Linda Nobles to 20 years for two counts of trafficking in fentanyl, two counts of possession of a controlled substance and one count of introduction of contraband into a county jail facility.
On the morning of September 26, 2024, officers conducted a routine traffic stop on a vehicle in which Nichols was riding. A search of the vehicle located over six grams of fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine, and narcotics paraphernalia. Nichols was arrested and transported to the Escambia County Jail where, later that day, she was caught in her cell holding an ounce of fentanyl.
Nichols entered a no contest plea to the court. Under Florida’s drug trafficking statutes, her 20-year sentence must be served day for day and she was assessed $150,000 in fines.
Tate Cheerleading’s Lillian Abner Commits to D1 Morehead State
July 22, 2025
Lillian Abner is the Tate High School cheerleaders’ first college commit of the 2025-2026 season. She is set to continue her academic and athletic career at Morehead State. The NCAA Division I school is renowned for its 54 college national championships. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Blaise Ingoglia Sworn In As Florida CFO
July 22, 2025
Monday, Blaise Ingoglia was officially sworn in by Governor Ron DeSantis as Florida’s next Chief Financial Officer (CFO).
Ingoglia replaces Jimmy Patronis, who was elected to represent Florida’s First Congressional District in a special election to replace Matt Gaetz.
He is a longtime ally of DeSantis, a homebuilder, former state senator, and former Florida GOP chairman.
As Florida CFO and State Fire Marshal, Ingoglia serves as the state’s top financial watchdog, a member of the Florida Cabinet, and the head of the Florida Department of Financial Services. As CFO, he oversees billions of dollars in state funds and is charged with protecting taxpayer dollars, strengthening Florida’s fiscal health, and delivering essential services that support the state’s excellent economy.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Robb Whitfield Named New Athletic Director At Flomaton High School
July 22, 2025
Robb Whitfield has been named the new athletic director at Flomaton High School and assistant principal at Flomaton Elementary School.
Whitfield is a Tate High School graduate and spent a total of 14 years coaching baseball and football at Tate and West Florida high schools.
After three years at W.S. Neal Middle School, he moved to W.S. Neal High School as the assistant principal and athletic director for the past two years.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.