Milton man indicted for firearm possession by convicted felon
PENSACOLA, Florida - Darin Leroy Vanness, a 32-year-old from Milton, Florida, has been indicted by a federal grand jury for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, announced John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida. Vanness appeared for his arraignment in federal court before...
Ex-boyfriend sentenced to life without parole for January 2024 murder of Pensacola mother
PENSACOLA, Fla. -- A 36-year-old man was sentenced to life without parole for the murder of Pensacola mother Kayla Atwood in January 2024. Mikhail Fountain was convicted of second-degree murder in January. According to authorities, Fountain and Atwood were in a previous relationship together. After killing her, he...
Report: Pensacola mother’s 5-year-old weighed 20 lbs at time of death; Timeline revealed
ESCAMBIA COUNTY, Fla. -- The arrest report for a Pensacola mother charged with her 5-year-old son's death states the boy weighed just 20 pounds when he was found deceased, adding that he was malnourished and dehydrated. Jalynda Smith, 36, was arrested Friday afternoon and charged with aggravated negligent...
Local patient’s battle with AFib highlights need for awareness during Heart Month
Atrial fibrillation, or AFib, is a condition that affects millions of people each year. AFib is the most common type of heart arrhythmia and can be alarmingly serious, as it increases the risk of stroke by five times and doubles the risk of heart-related deaths. Many people don’t even know they have it. Some have no...
Reimagine Palafox: Week 5 Construction Update
The Reimagine Palafox street reconstruction project continues to advance through its fifth week of construction, with several significant developments and an important timeline clarification that downtown stakeholders need to understand. Construction Progress. ECUA completed its utility work on Friday, Feb. 6, with...
Contractor shut down at Midway development as ash covers neighborhood
A contractor burning vegetation at a Midway site being cleared for townhouse development was shut down Feb. 6 after neighbors complaints prompted a visit from the Florida Forest Service. Stephen Boudreaux, who lives in the Waterford Sound subdivision near the land being developed , had called the Forest Service a...
Santa Rosa County offices to close for Presidents’ Day
Video above: ‘News 5 Now’ — Top Stories from Feb. 9, 2026 MILTON, Fla. (WKRG) — Offices in Santa Rosa County are set to close in honor of Presidents’ Day. On Monday, Feb. 16, the following offices will be closed: The Central Landfill, 911 Dispatch, the Lifeguard Ambulance Service, and all fire departments will remain...
Pensacola advances emergency Scenic Highway repairs as easement contract still needed
PENSACOLA, Fla. -- The City of Pensacola is moving forward with emergency repairs to a section of Scenic Highway. Engineers are warning erosion has made the roadway unstable. The city is expected to vote on an easement agreement with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) on Thursday. City officials say...
‘Elvis: In Person’ coming to the Pensacola Saenger Theatre
Video above: ‘News 5 Now’ — Top Stories from Feb. 9, 2026 PENSACOLA, Fla. (WKRG) — Put on your blue suede shoes! One of the most recognized Elvis tribute bands is set to return to the Saenger Theatre in Pensacola. According to a news release, Elvis: In Person will hit the stage on Sunday, Feb. […]
Fire chief: Weekend brush fire sets record for structures, property lost in Lillian
LILLIAN, Ala. -- A brush fire scorched 40 acres in Lillian over the weekend, burning vehicles and buildings. The fire broke out Saturday near the intersection of County Road 93 and Bishop Trace Lane. Fire rescue chief Curtis Cantrell says crews have battled bigger fires in terms of acreage. But...
