Man’s Body Found Not Far From Jim Allen Elementary School
December 16, 2025
An adult male was found deceased Monday afternoon in a wooded area of Eden Lane and Highway 95A, across the railroad tracks from Jim Allen Elementary School.
According to the Escambia County Sheriff’s office, the man died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. Foul play was not suspected.
The investigation is continuing by the ECSO and the District 1 Medical Examiner’s Office.
Further details have not yet been released.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Flomaton Council Votes To Name Justin Hetrick As Permanent Police Chief
December 16, 2025
The Town of Flomaton has hired a new police chief.
The town council voted unanimously during a Monday night special meeting to promote interim Chief Justin Hetrick to Flomaton police chief.
Hetrick said transparency and community engagement will be crucial to his administration with the department, which has seven certified officers.
After serving since May 2024, Dereck Lowry resigned as police chief on December 5. On December 8, the council stopped short of promoting then-captain Hetrick as police chief at Mayor Arthur Odom’s recommendation.The council instead appointed Hetrick as interim chief and set the Monday, December 15 special meeting to interview Hetrick.
For more photos from Monday night’s meeting, click here.
Monday night, only council members Roger Adkinson and Kay Wagner asked Hetrick any questions before the vote.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
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Camper Fire Claims Life Of A Dog Near McDavid
December 16, 2025
A camper fire claimed the life of a dog Monday afternoon near McDavid.
The camper was engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived in the 1800 block of Lambert Bridge Road, just off North Pine Barren Road.
A dog died in the blaze, and there were no injuries to people.
The camper was a total loss. Firefighters were able to prevent the spread of the fire to a nearby home, but heat caused damage to the home’s siding.
The cause of the fire was under investigation.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
No Serious Injuries Reported In Walnut Hill Highway 97 T-Bone Crash
December 16, 2025
There were no serious injuries in a T-bone crash Monday afternoon on Highway 97 in Walnut Hill.
The driver of a silver SUV reportedly pulled out of the parking lot of a Dollar General on Highway 97 at South Highway 99 and was struck by a white vehicle, according to witnesses. Both vehicles came to a stop in a field across the road from the Dollar General.
Both drivers initially refused transport by Escambia County EMS.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate Senior Gage Coates Wins Esports Madden NFL Championship
December 15, 2025
Tate High School senior Gage Coates won the Esports Fall 2025 Madden NFL Central Region Championship Game, defeating his opponent from Bishop Verot Catholic High School in Fort Myers.
Coates earned the No. 2 seed in the playoffs with an impressive 7-1 regular season record. The national league, hosted by PlayVS, features 32 teams from across the United States, including competitors from states like Iowa, Alabama, and Kansas.
“I enjoy playing Madden because we get to play as our heroes and compete with people around the world,” Coates said. “Sometimes, we’re lucky enough to play as a guy we watched on Friday night, like Graham Gano.”
This victory marks the latest achievement in Coates’ esports career, following his impressive performance last season when he won the Central Region Madden NFL Championship with a 9-1 regular season record and an overall 14-1 performance.
In addition to Coates’s success, Tate’s esports program continues to thrive across multiple games. This year, multiple Tate teams qualified for the PlayVS playoffs, including two teams in Super Smash Bros. and two in Fortnite, showcasing the ongoing growth and success of Tate’s esports program.
The esports program at Tate High School was made possible through a Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) grant, which has allowed students like Coates to excel in competitive gaming at the highest levels.
“We are incredibly proud of Gage and the dedication he brings to our esports program,” Principal Laura Touchstone said. “His hard work, leadership, and passion have set a high bar for our students. Our esports teams continue to demonstrate excellence, and Gage’s championship victory is a testament to the talent and commitment found here at Tate High School.”
PlayVS (Play Versus) is North America’s leading platform for scholastic and collegiate esports. Coates’s championship victory underscores the exceptional talent at Tate, and the support of the DoDEA grant has been crucial in making these achievements possible.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
I-10 To Be Resurfaced From State Line To Near Highway 29 In $19.8 Million Project
December 15, 2025
The Florida Department of Transportation will soon begin a $19.8 million resurfacing project early next year on I-10, from the Perdido River Bridge at the state line to west of the Highway 29 (Exit 10).
The project also includes:
- Installation of an intelligent transportation system (ITS) wrong-way detection system, along with eastbound on-ramp and westbound off-ramp extensions at the I-10/Pine Forest Road (State Road 297) interchange (Exit 7).
- Installation of high-tension cable barriers from the Perdido River Bridge to Beulah Road, and from Nine Mile Road (Exit 5) to west of U.S. 29 (Exit 10).
- Median crossover installation for emergency vehicles.
- Guardrail replacement.
- Expansion joint rehabilitation on the westbound approach slab of the Perdido River Bridge.
During construction, traffic shifts may be required for travel lanes, ramps and shoulders. Lane closures may also occur Sunday through Thursday, between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m.
Construction is expected to be completed in late 2027.
Hundreds Attend Annual Molino Christmas Parade (With Gallery)
December 14, 2025
Hundreds of people lined Crabtree Church Road for the annual Molino Christmas Parade on a beautiful Saturday morning, after the parade was rescheduled last week due to rain.
All proceeds from the parade, which was coordinated by Marcus Pointe Baptist Church Molino campus, will benefit families in need in the North Escambia area.
For a photo gallery, click here.
The parade was followed by a family fun event at the Don Sutton Ballpark, featuring activities, inflatables, food trucks and pictures with Santa.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
University of West Florida Holds Fall Commencement (With Photo Gallery)
December 14, 2025
The University of West Florida held 2025 Commencement ceremonies on Saturday at the Pensacola Bay Center.
Guest speaker from the Class of 2025 graduate, Diana Darling (Ed.D., Instructional & Performance Technology) told a personal story of perseverance as she overcame a brain tumor and brain surgery during her studies.
Manny Diaz Jr., UWF interim president, encouraged hard work and success for the Argo graduates.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Christmas Parade Rolls Through Century (With Photo Gallery)
December 13, 2025
The Century Christmas Parade will be held Friday afternoon, followed by a Sheriff’s Movie Night with a free showing of “The Grinch” at Anthony Pleasant Park.
For a parade photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia Sheriff’s Office Hosts Movie Night (With Gallery)
December 13, 2025
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office hosted a movie night in Century on Friday night following the town’s Christmas parade.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Residents enjoyed the movie “How The Grinch Stole Christmas” on a big outdoor screen, along with free hot dogs, hamburgers and popcorn from the ECSO at Anthony Pleasant Park.
The ECSO movie nights are presented across the county by the ECSO and the non-profit Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Foundation.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
