Funeral Service Held Saturday For ECSO Master Deputy Kevin Ray
October 22, 2022
A funeral service was held Saturday for Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Master Deputy Kevin Ray of Cantonment.
Ray passed away on October 15 when his vehicle was struck by an alleged drunk driver near Laurel Hill, Florida.
The graveside service took place Green Hills Memorial Cemetery in Troy, Alabama.
Ray’s daughter, Lauren, continues to recover in Florida hospital.
For the complete obituary, click or tap here.
Police Searching For Suspect In Second Bank Robbery Of The Week
October 22, 2022
Police are searching for the suspect in the second bank robbery of the week in Escambia County.
About 3:50 p.m. Friday, Pensacola Police responded to the robbery of the Wells Fargo on Bayou Boulevard.
A white male with short brown hair and brown eyes wearing a gray jacket robbed the bank, according to police. He was wearing a black mask
Anyone with information is asked to call the Pensacola Police Department at (850) 435-1901 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
On Tuesday, the Hancock Whitney Bank on Creighton Road was robbed. A suspect was soon arrested by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Ethics Commission Recommends Doug Underhill Be Removed From Office
October 21, 2022
The Florida Commission on Ethics Friday morning recommended that Gov. Ron DeSantis remove Escambia County Commissioner Doug Underhill from office and fine him $35,000.
The Ethics Commission found that Underhill misused his position by publicly sharing or publishing confidential transcripts, including minutes from Escambia County Commission shade meetings. A $10,000 fine was imposed for this offense.
The Commission recommended a fine of $6,250 for each of four ethics violations for soliciting donations from a county vendor or lobbyist, and gift disclosure laws.
The recommendation goes next to Gov. Ron DeSantis who can decide whether to enforce the order.
Underhill is expected to appeal.
Winning $57K Fantasy Five Ticket Sold At Beulah Store
October 21, 2022
Someone is over $57,000 richer today after purchasing a winning Florida Lottery Fantasy 5 ticket at a Beulah convenience store.
The quick pick ticket sold at the Circle K at the corner of Nine Mile Road and Beulah Road was one of three winning tickets sold in Thursday night’s drawing and is worth $57,057.87. The other winning tickets were sold in Orlando and Odessa.
The 180 tickets matching four numbers won $153 each. Another 6,545 tickets matching three numbers are worth $11.50 each, and 66,642 ticket holders won a free ticket for picking two numbers.
Thursday’s winning numbers were 03-22-24-32-35.
Sunny And Warming Into The Weekend
October 21, 2022
Here is your official North Escambia forecast:
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 75. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Friday Night: Clear, with a low around 48. South wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 77. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 49. South wind around 5 mph becoming east after midnight.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 78. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 53. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 80. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 58. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 79.
Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 57.
Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 76.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 52.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 75.
Cantonment Man Arrested At Gunpoint After Ramming ECSO Vehicles
October 21, 2022
A Cantonment man was taken into custody at gunpoint after allegedly ramming his vehicle into two deputy vehicles in a Publix parking lot as they tried to arrest him on stalking warrants.
Russ Hines McNair, Jr., was charged with two counts of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, and resisting arrest with violence.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Warrants Unit was searching for McNair on outstanding warrants when they located him sitting in a Toyota Tundra in the parking lot of the Publix on Mobile Highway. Due to McNair’s previous history of fleeing from law enforcement, deputies pulled their vehicles in front of, and behind McNair’s vehicle, according to an arrest report. The emergency lights on both vehicles were activated.
McNair, 44, put his Tundra in reverse and rammed an unmarked ECSO Ford Explorer to the rear and drove forward into a marked ECSO vehicle, the report states. He then accelerated, causing his tires to spin, as he attempted to push the ECSO vehicle away.
McNair was then taken into custody at gunpoint.
He had multiple outstanding warrants for stalking and violating protective injunctions involving an adult female. Last Sunday and Monday, he sent the victim 42 text messages, called her 30 times and left several voicemails, according to court records. He also allegedly threatened to physically harm the victim.
McNair remained in the Escambia County Jail Friday without bond.
Kevin Ray
October 21, 2022
Master Deputy Kevin Ray, of Escambia County, Florida Sheriff’s Office, passed away on Saturday, October 15, 2022. A graveside service will be on Saturday, October 22, 2022 at 2:00pm at Green Hills Memorial Cemetery. The family requests guests meet in the cemetery.
Kevin loved life and could always be heard cheering for his alma mater- the Troy University Trojans!! He was a Sherriff’s Deputy for over 20 years in Escambia County, Florida. The apple of his eye was his beloved daughter, Lauren Ray, who would travel all around riding and competing with her equestrian team. He enjoyed spending time with her and was her greatest support! He will be missed by all who loved and knew him.
Loving survivors include his daughter, Lauren Ray; his parents, Danny & Judy Ray; his brother, Richard Ray (Pam); his grandmother, Billie Gibson; his nephew, Carter Ray; and his niece, Kenzie Beth Ray.
He was predeceased by his grandfather, Henry Gibson; and his paternal grandparents, Carter & Johnnie Ray.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Troy Bank & Trust in memory of Kevin Ray for his daughter’s medical expenses.
$2 Million Grant Will Benefit Arts Programs At 15 Escambia Schools
October 21, 2022
Students at 15 schools will benefit from a $2 million, 5-year arts education project.
“The All in for the Arts grant will grow a sustainable arts ecosystem that supports and develops students and teachers who champion the arts, leading to outcomes that extend beyond the four walls of the classroom,” said Escambia School Superintendent Dr. Tim Smith. This marks the 10 consecutive year the school district has received a Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA).
All in for the Arts will be implemented at Beulah, Blue Angels, Cook, Hellen Caro, Kingsfield, Navy Point, and Pleasant Grove elementary schools; Bailey, Beulah, and Brown Barge middle schools; Escambia, Tate, and West Florida high schools; Escambia Virtual Academy and Escambia Westgate.
Improved access to resources and opportunities, in tandem with elevated instruction, will afford rich arts experiences for students, according to the district. New extra-curricular tutoring and enrichment programs will provide learners avenues to hone their skills and further explore the arts.
Through supervised, paid internship opportunities, skilled high school arts students will engage young arts students at project middle schools, assisting with instructional activities while gaining valuable work experience
Holley ‘Rex’ Crews
October 21, 2022
Holley “Rex” Crews was born to Versie and Willie Mae Crews on January 18, 1941, in the Holland Town community, where he grew up with his siblings and cousins. Rex began working on his uncle’s farm at a young age and was driving a tractor by the age of 8. As he got older, he began working with a builder where he learned some of the skills that would help build his career.
He met the love of his life, Lottie “Nell” Day at a school dance in July of 1958, and they were married June 27, 1959. They welcomed their first son, Danny, in 1961, followed by their youngest son, Rocky, in 1962.
1962 was a big year for Rex, as he also started his flooring business “Rex Crews Flooring.” He loved making his customers happy and making sure that he left a job that he was proud of. He learned his trade well and could nail a floor faster than most other floor men all the way up until the day he retired. With this determination and perseverance, and most importantly God’s help, he and Nell built a strong business that provided well for their family and then their sons’ families for 45+ years and left a legacy of quality service for the Gulf Coast community.
If you ever got to speak with Rex about his life, he would tell you he was very blessed. He was a member of Springhill Primitive Baptist church where he faithfully attended and helped with church upkeep as much as he could. He loved having his wife by his side from his morning cup of coffee throughout the day until he could kiss her good night. It was rare that you ever saw them apart. He also loved being outside tending his yard, helping his sons with various projects, showing his grandkids things in the woods, or just enjoying the beauty of God’s creation while relaxing on vacation. He was a cancer survivor of almost 30 years. He always counted it a great blessing to be able to sit down to a good meal, especially when it was finished up with a big bowl of soft serve ice cream or one of Nell’s famous desserts. These meals were even more enjoyable to him, when he could be surrounded by his sons, grandkids, and great grandkids. He loved being able to share time with them.
Jesus called Rex home to be with Him in Heaven on October 17, 2022. He is preceded in death by his father, Versie Crews; his mother, Wille Mae (Nelson) Crews; his brother, Heston Crews; and his sister and brother-in-law, Thelma and Doyle Wolfe.
His memory will be cherished and carried on by his wife of 63 years, Nell; his two sons Danny (Wendy) Crews and Rocky (Connie) Crews; his four grandchildren Jennifer (David) Brooks, Joe (Sarah) Crews, Heather (Jordan Dunlap) Crews, and Ethan (Hayley Wilson) Crews; ten great grandchildren; sister Kathleen (Wayne) Pierce; brother John David Crews; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Visitation will be Friday, Oct. 21 from 5 PM- 7PM. Services will be Saturday, Oct. 22 at 11 AM at Faith Chapel North, with Elder Michael Johnson and Elder Gerald Manning officiating. Interment will follow immediately afterwards at Springhill Primitive Baptist Church in Flomaton, AL.
Pallbearers will be Joe Crews, Ethan Crews, David Brooks, Chuck Booth, Kenny Ogwynn and Phil Richards. Honorary pallbearers are is Mike Hawk and David Rogers.
Here Is Tonight’s High School Football Schedule
October 21, 2022
Here is the North Escambia area football schedule for Friday
FLORIDA
- Northview at Marianna
- Gulf Breeze at Tate
- Pine Forest at Escambia
- Lighthouse Christian at Pensacola High
- Washington at Choctaw
- Pensacola Catholic at Munroe
- Milton at Crestview
- Pace at Navarre
- Graceville at Jay (Thursday, canceled)
- Bye: West Florida
ALABAMA
- Escambia Academy at South Choctaw Academy
- Escambia County (Atmore) at Orange Beach
- Flomaton at Monroe County
- St. Michael Catholic at T.R. Miller
- W.S. Neal at Excel
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.