LOCAL ROUNDUP: Kidnapping Arrest at Graffiti Bridge, FHP Trooper Injured on I-10, and Community Triumphs

Pensacola, Fl. NewsWK — LOCAL ROUNDUP: Kidnapping Arrest at Graffiti Bridge, FHP Trooper Injured on I-10, and Community Triumphs

CRIME & PUBLIC SAFETY

Century Man Arrested for Kidnapping at Pensacola’s Graffiti Bridge

A major overnight altercation at Pensacola’s historic Graffiti Bridge (Wayside Park) has resulted in felony charges for a Century resident.

According to arrest reports from the Pensacola Police Department, 23-year-old De’Von Mekhi Malik White was taken into custody early Sunday morning. Independent witness accounts and video footage captured White allegedly attempting to forcibly push and pull a woman into the backseat of a Jeep while she screamed for him to stop.

The victim identified White as her “baby daddy”. Law enforcement noted that two children were inside the vehicle during the domestic dispute, and a firearm was recovered from White’s vehicle during the investigation. White faces charges of felony kidnapping-false imprisonment and misdemeanor domestic violence battery. He remains held in the Escambia County Jail on a $1,500 bond.

No Criminal Charges in Tragic Neighborhood Drowning

The Pensacola Police Department confirmed that no criminal charges are expected following the heartbreaking drowning of two young sisters, ages 5 and 8. The girls tragically lost their lives after wandering into a neighbor’s swimming pool.

Staff Assaulted at Century Correctional Institution

The Florida Department of Corrections reported an outbreak of violence inside the Century Correctional Institution, where two inmates carried out an physical assault against prison staff members. Details regarding the extent of the staff injuries have not yet been released.

TRAFFIC & ACCIDENTS

FHP Trooper Injured in I-10 Rear-End Collision with Semi-Truck

A morning traffic slowdown on Interstate 10 led to a violent collision on Tuesday, June 9, leaving a Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) trooper injured.

[Crash Timeline & Mechanics]
8:55 AM: Traffic congests on Eastbound I-10 -> Tractor-Trailer slows down -> FHP Cruiser rear-ends semi

According to FHP investigators, the crash occurred at exactly 8:55 a.m. in the eastbound lanes of I-10, just east of the Highway 87 exit in Santa Rosa County. A 28-year-old FHP trooper from Pensacola was traveling eastbound in the inside lane when heavy traffic ahead caused a tractor-trailer directly in front of him to slow down.

The trooper’s marked sedan was unable to stop in time, slamming straight into the rear of the semi-truck. The trooper sustained minor injuries. The driver of the tractor-trailer, a 49-year-old male from Fort Myers, Florida, was entirely uninjured. The wreckage caused localized traffic delays while emergency crews cleared the inside lane. The incident remains under active investigation.

COMMUNITY & LIFESTYLE

“Aggie Nation” Rallies for Tate Softball Standout After Successful Heart Surgery

The North Escambia community is celebrating excellent news from Orlando: Mykamia “MyMy” Padgett’s open-heart surgery was a verified success. Padgett, an incoming senior at Tate High School and an Alabama State University softball commit, underwent the procedure to correct a heart condition discovered after she unexpectedly passed out mid-season.

On Tuesday evening, the community transformed the Tate Lady Aggies’ Summer Ball season opener into a massive rally of financial and emotional support. All concession proceeds from the three-game slate—featuring matchups between Tate, West Florida, and Northview—were dedicated to helping Padgett’s family cover medical and travel expenses. Pizzas for the event were entirely donated by Johnny Brusco’s New York Style Pizza on West Nine Mile Road. Padgett will spend the next week recovering under specialized care in Orlando before returning home.

Ransom Middle School Academic Team Conquers National Championships

The Ransom Middle School Academic Team has made history at the International Academic Competitions (IAC) Middle & Elementary School Nationals in Orlando. Competing against a massive field of 2,200 students from across the country, Ransom players secured elite positions and multiple global bids:

• National Science Bee: Levi Cox, Sydney Cox, James Corvin, and Cutter Rhodes qualified for the 2028 International Science Championships in Washington, D.C..
• National History Bee: James Corvin and Sydney Cox qualified for the 2027 International History Olympiad in London.
• National History Bowl: Rising sixth-grader Zackary Cox joined the team to secure highly competitive finishes against the nation’s most experienced teams.
• Individual Triumphs: Cutter Rhodes placed third nationally in the Spelling Championships and took first place in the Jeopardy Charity Games.

International Paper Opens 2026 Community Grants Program

The International Paper Pensacola Mill announced it has opened applications for its 2026 community grants cycle. Local non-profit organizations can apply for environmental, educational, and literacy grants ranging between $2,500 and $10,000.

FWC Asks Pensacola Residents to Report Wild Turkey Sightings

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has launched a public request asking Pensacola and Escambia County residents to report any local sightings of wild turkeys. The data will be used for the agency’s ongoing population tracking and conservation initiatives.

POLITICS & GOVERNMENT

Candidate Qualifying Week Begins for 2026 Ballot

The high-stakes race for local government is officially underway as the qualifying window for Escambia County, Century, and Pensacola public offices opened Monday. Candidates have until noon this Friday to complete their qualification files to appear on the 2026 ballot.

Key races to watch include open seats on the Escambia County Commission (including the highly contested District 2 and District 4 seats) and the local School Board. To assist north county candidates, a special in-person qualifying event is being hosted today at the Century Town Hall.

For real-time updates on these developing stories, refresh your browser at pensacola.newswk.com.