Thousands Attend American Idol Finalist Keyla Richardson Hometown Concert (With Photo Gallery)
May 7, 2026
Thousands turned out Wednesday night for a concert featuring Keyla Richardson, a Top 3 finalist on American Idol.
Keyla Fest was held at the Hunter Amphitheater with overflow seating in Blue Wahoos Stadium. The concert, a hometown parade, and more will be featured in next Monday night’s American Idol finale.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Allie Penton, click to enlarge.
It’s Official. The New Nine Mile Road Costco Is Set To Open In June.
May 7, 2026
It’s official. The Pensacola Costco on Nine Mile Road will open in June.
The wholesale retailer has now listed the store as opening in June on their website, but a specific date has not been finalized.
The 172,580 square foot Costco retail store with a gas station and 830 parking spaces is located at 225 East Nine Mile Road, at the corner of East Nine Mile Road and Chemstrand Road. It’s on several parcels totaling just under 22 acres.
In April, the company listed numerous jobs available at the store. The jobs include tire installers, stockers, cashiers, pharmacy managers, cake decorators, deli clerks, food service, meat wrappers, and many more. Hourly employees begin at $20-$21 an hour, while some positions like pharmacy manager pay much more.
How much is a Costco membership?
Membership is required for in-store shoppers at Costco. Members must be 16 or older to apply. The pharmacy is open to anyone, regardless of membership.
Costco offers two levels of membership for individuals or businesses:
Executive: $130 annually
- Annual 2% Reward
- Costco Services Discounts
- Shop Online and in Warehouses
- Includes 2 Membership Cards
- 100% Satisfaction Guarantee
Gold Star: $65 annually
- Shop Online and in Warehouses
- Includes 2 Membership Cards
- 100% Satisfaction Guarantee
Businesses can purchase either level to purchase items for resale or add additional people at $65 each.
Pictured: The Costco store in Montgomery, Alabama. NorthEscambia.com file photo.
American Idol Finalist Keyla Richardson Surprises Tate Yearbook Students At Wahoos Game
May 7, 2026
American Idol Top 3 finalist Keyla Richardson made a surprise appearance on Wednesday at a Pensacola Blue Wahoos Education Day game, attended by students from across Escambia County.
Members of the Tate High School Yearbook staff were there, and had a chance to meet Keyla and take a quick photo together.
Photos courtesy Tate High School Yearbook (above) and Olivia Lister/Tate High Yearbook (below) for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century To Consider Accessory Dwellings, ‘Backyard Apartments’
May 7, 2026
The Town of Century will consider a new accessory apartment ordinance to expand housing options available to all property owners in the Town.
The town already allows accessory dwelling units (ADUs), which it calls accessory apartments. The town council will consider modifying the existing ordinance to allow more structures to qualify as accessory dwellings, with clear objective standards that town staff could administer. The current ordinance limits ADU size to 25% of the main structure size, subject to setback requirements (the minimum distance from property lines).
Accessory dwellings are commonly known as granny apartments, in-law suites, and backyard apartments.
According to Century Town Council President Dynette Lewis, current housing ordinances were written in the early 1990s and need to be updated, and council member Donnie Bass said he agrees.
It is estimated that the updates to the town’s housing ordinance will cost about $1,500 from the Emerald Coast Regional Council, which serves as the town’s planning organization. The final cost will be determined by the number of revisions and meetings needed for a final version. The town has applied for a grant to update all of its ordinances, but it’s not yet known if the grant will be awarded to the town.
“The Council should understand that expanding this provision would be a meaningful change to the character of Century. A larger accessory apartment allowance would affect every residential property in Town and could result in a significant number of new units over time. The Council should think carefully about what standards would apply including: lot size minimums, setback requirements, utility connections, maximum size, and whether the unit must be attached or could be detached,” planner Eric Christianson of ECRC wrote in a memo to the town.
It is estimated that the process could take three months or more.
The move to consider a new ADU ordinance came after applicants Dewane Thomas and Mary Jo Thomas Clark first requested to place a 14×54 mobile home next to an existing home at 354 Hilltop Road, a lot with a total size of 1.6 acres, and connect the mobile home with a breeze way to the existing 874 square foot primary home.
They told the council that they wanted to use the second structure for their elderly mother, who is suffering from serious medical issues. Their mother is currently living in Michigan, and they wanted to move her to Century during winter months to escape the “brutal” cold.
They requested a medical hardship exemption to allow the second structure, but no provision for a medical hardship exists in Century’s current ordinances. Christianson said adding a medical hardship process to the town’s ordinances would come at significant cost and time.
Pictured top: The Century Town Council considers options after receiving a request to permit an accessory dwelling unit. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Transportation, Development And Concurrency Dominate North Escambia Community Forum
May 6, 2026
Transportation, development, and concurrency led the issues in a North Escambia community forum Tuesday evening at the Molino Community Center.
Nearly 60 people attended the forum where they had an opportunity to ask Florida Department of Transportation panelists about state road projects and transportation issues.
Residents asked questions and expressed their viewpoints on an April 28 NorthEscambia.com article about the proposed projects on the Regional Rural Transportation Plan (RRTP) 2026 Transportation Project Priorities list, including a feasibility study on six lanes for Highway 29 and potentially four lanes for Highway 97.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Many residents expressed concerns about the lack of concurrency—a growth management strategy ensuring that necessary public infrastructure—such as roads, water, sewer, and schools—is available to support new development at the time of, or shortly after, its construction.
Rep. Michelle Salzman said she found little appetite among her colleagues to mandate concurrency from the state-level.
“The meaningful response was that’s a local decision that a lot of counties opt into, and they do that,” she said. “I can promise you that it is on my priority list, but I am one of 120… I agree with you.”
In addition to Salzman and FDOT, officials and agencies attending included ECUA Board Chairman Kevin Stephens, ECUA Executive Director Bruce Woody, Escambia County Administrator Wes Moreno, Century Mayor Ben Boutwell, Molino Utilities, and Cottage Hill Water Works.
Noticeably absent, and drawing the ire of a large number of attendees, was Escambia County District 5 Commissioner and Florida-Alabama Transportation Planning Organization Chairman Steven Barry. Salzman told the crowd that he was coaching T-ball.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Man Arrested In Molino For Alleged Abuse Of Teen Girl Over Several Years
May 6, 2026
A man arrested in Molino remains in the Escambia County Jail without bond for allegedly sexually assaulting an underage victim over several years.
Brandon Lee Everette Doss, 36, was taken into custody at a residence on Fairground Road by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, according to his arrest report. He faces three felony counts of sexual battery by a custodian on a victim between the ages of 12 and 17.
According to the arrest report, the investigation began after a school resource officer was alerted to the possible abuse by a guidance counselor. The victim provided sworn statements detailing a pattern of abuse that allegedly began when she was 13 years old.
The reported incidents, according to the report, include an initial assault occurring when the victim was 13, during which she was unable to defend herself due to a physical injury, an incident around the victim’s 16th birthday in 2025, and a recent assault on April 19. The victim told investigators that she would tell him to stop, but he did not.
Deputies noted that the victim became visibly distressed, shaking and crying, while recounting the events. Investigators determined the case met domestic violence criteria, as Doss lived with the victim “as if a family.”
Doss denied the allegations against him at the time of his arrest.
Team From Congressman Jimmy Patronis’ Office Tours Upgraded Century Wastewater Plant
May 6, 2026
Tuesday a team from the office of Congressman Jimmy Patronis visited the Town of Century Wastewater Treatment Facility on Jefferson Avenue.
The once troubled treatment facility has undergone numerous upgrades with grants and loan forgiveness totaling over $5 million in upgrades.
The facility was dedicated over 35 years ago, and it has operated with very little preventive or routine maintenance since. There have been numerous failures of the many mechanical parts, pumping, churning, filtering, spraying and moving wastewater through the cleaning process and into the Escambia River.
Mayor Ben Boutwell led Patronis’ team on a tour of the facility and recent improvements.
Patronis said he is “grateful for the leadership and commitment to keeping the community running strong.”
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
