Cantonment Man Charged With Alleged Stabbing Over Pot Smoking Dispute
May 23, 2023
A Cantonment man has been charged after allegedly stabbing a man during an argument over smoking marijuana inside a vehicle.
Antoine Maurice Johnson, 37, was charged with first degree aggravated battery domestic violence. He remained in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $50,000.
Johnson allegedly got into an argument with the victim inside a vehicle after the victim tried to smoke marijuana in the car, according to an arrest report. The driver pulled over at a business in the 7000 block of North Davis Highway and called someone to transport Johnson back to Booker Lane in Cantonment.
The victim told the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office that he did not immediately realize that he had been stabbed with a pocketknife during the physical altercation.
Deputies responded to Booker Lane in an attempt to locate Johnson, but a relative said Johnson jumped out of his vehicle near the railroad tracks on Muscogee Road. Deputies were searching the tracks when Johnson walked out of the woods and surrendered, the report states.
The ECSO said a pocketknife was found on Johnson’s person.
Tate High School Names The Top Of The Class Of 2023
May 23, 2023
Tate High School has named the top of the Class of 2023.
Valedictorian of the Class of 2023 is Chloe Elizabeth Cole (pictured left). Salutatorian is Rebekah Lynn Kelly.
The Tate High School Class of 2023 graduates at 9 a.m. on Thursday, May 25 at the Pensacola Bay Center.
The Top 10 Percent honors graduates are as follows:
- Chloe Elizabeth Cole
- Rebekah Lynn Kelly
- Anthony Eugene MacWhinnie
- Alahna Danielle Erd
- Olivia Kate Sarikaya
- Matthew Allen Josephs
- Aniyjah Breon Hooker
- Annalisa Marion Pusateri
- Casey Ryan Adams
- Adriana Faith Guthrie
- Margaret Elizabeth Shaffer
- Samantha Nichols LeTourneau
- Ian Alexander DeLay
- Caleb William Feliciano Rodriguez
- Angel Noelle Pittman
- Gabriel Allen Josephs
- Anna Riley Jackson
- Kalysta Nicole Brown
- Luke Wesley Lentz
- Stephen Michael Byrd
- Raegan Renee’ Kimbro-Cothron
- Evan Isaiah Graves
- Sandra Lee Guarino
- Krista Brooke Boyington
- Ayden Scott Palmer
- Paige Madison McKinney
- Ashlie Nicole Houdashelt
- Ellee Grace Adams
- Baylor Austin Locke
- Jacob Alexander Bures
- Ryleigh Nicole Maxwell
- Emily Helene Sanders
- Ethan Sanz
- Anthony Andrew Erie
- Callie Michelle Gunter
- Gianni Paolo Carollo
- Karigan Mikel Kowal
- Savannah Grace Guilford
- Tori Riley King
- Michael Chase Moulton
- Taylor Marie Walker
- Ava Elizabeth Mabry
- Isabella Lovisa Borg
Chance Of Rain Continues Into Tuesday Night
May 23, 2023
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Showers and thunderstorms likely in the evening. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Wednesday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 78. Northeast wind around 10 mph.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 61. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 83. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 60. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 84. Northeast wind 5 to 15 mph.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 62. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 84. East wind around 10 mph.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 61.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 85.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 62.
Memorial Day: Sunny, with a high near 88.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 65.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 89.
Gov. Kay Ivey Awards $34K In Grants To Atmore, Flomaton Police Departments
May 23, 2023
Gov. Kay Ivey has awarded $34,000 in grants to the Atmore and Flomaton police departments.
The City of Atmore will use $24,000 to purchase new software for Atmore Police Department vehicle computers to make information sharing between officers easier.
The Town of Flomaton will receive $10,000 to purchase new tactical bullet-proof vests for the Flomaton Police Department.
Ivey awarded grants totaling $147,414 to help seven law enforcement agencies in south Alabama purchase new or update existing equipment.
“Our law enforcement officers put their lives on the line to protect and serve our communities every day and having up-to-date equipment helps them be better prepared for what they may face on any given day,” Ivey said. “I am pleased to assist these agencies in their efforts to keep their officers and communities safe.”
The grants are from more than $750,000 in law-enforcement equipment funding allocated by the U.S. Department of Justice and administered by the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs.
NorthEscambia.com photo.
Defending State Champion Jay Falls To Branford In 1A Final Four
May 23, 2023
The defending 1A station champion Jay Lady Royals fell 2-1 to Branford Buccaneers Monday in the Final Four in Clermont.
Jenna Toups surrendered two runs and five hits over six innings while walking one and striking out four.
Brett Watson led Jay at the plate, going 2-3. Caitlyn Gavin and Brooklyn Sorrells also added a hit each for the Royals.
Branford (25-4) moves on to the 1A state championship game tomorrow afternoon.. The Royals finished their season at 16-12.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Lana Moore Melvin
May 23, 2023
Mrs. Lana Moore Melvin, age 69, passed away, Sunday, May 21, 2023 in Atmore, AL. She was born June 1, 1953, in Pensacola, FL; and has resided most of her life in Atmore, AL. She was a floral designer for many years.
Mrs. Melvin enjoyed going fishing and to the beach. She enjoyed watching Alabama Football, and watching wrestling with her granddaughter Brittany. She enjoyed traveling with her husband while he was in the military.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Charles (Dorothy Davis) Moore, one daughter, Tonya Vickery Gilbert, and numerous brothers and sisters.
She is survived by her husband of 39 years, Rick Melvin, of Atmore, AL; one granddaughter, Brittany Gilbert, of Atmore, AL; two brothers, Glenn (Diana) Moore, of Alabaster, AL; James (Linda) Moore, of Tampa, FL; and other relatives.
Graveside services will be held Saturday, May 27, 2023 at 10:00 AM at Oak Grove Cemetery with Rev. Thurl Pearson officiating.
Lowouida (Lou) Floyd Duff
May 23, 2023
Lowouida (Lou) Floyd Duff, 90, of Pensacola, Florida, passed away peacefully on 29 April 2023.
She was born to parents Byron Floyd and Annie Marie Floyd, on 21 August 1932 in Shreveport, Louisiana. Lou graduated from Milby High School in Houston, Texas in 1949. Her sister introduced her to a co-worker’s brother-in-law Robert Duff, and they were married in February 1954. Together they raised 3 children: Robert (Bob) Jr, Richard (Rick), and Annette. Lou worked as an accounting clerk at Escambia County School Board Food Services for 17 years until she retired.
She embraced the challenges of being a Navy wife and successfully raised their 3 children. She enjoyed going across the country in the RV with her husband Bob and frequently their grandson Seth. They often would find excuses to spend time with her sisters in Texas whenever possible. Lou was very involved in helping raise her grandson Seth until he later became her driver, medical translator, and gopher.
Lou is survived by children Robert Duff Jr (Lorri), Richard Duff (Margarita), Annette Gray Bartush (Gary); grandchildren Jennifer Washington, Sandy Duff, Ryan Simoneaux, Bryan Duff, Katelyn Duff, Ceri Vest, Seth Gray, Travis Bartush, Taylor Duff and 11 great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by the love of her life and husband Bob Duff, her sisters Bettye Hudgens, and Elizabeth (Liz) Gibson and her Parents.
A celebration of Lou’s life will take place at Faith Chapel North on Saturday, May 27. Visitation will be from 10-11 am and the service will begin at 11:00 am. Reverend Andy Blackmon will officiate the ceremony. Interment at Barrancas National Cemetery on NAS Pensacola will take place on a date to be determined.
In lieu of flowers, please kindly consider a memorial donation to the American Diabetes Association https://diabetes.org/ Breast Cancer Research Foundation https://www.bcrf.org/, or Covenant Hospice https://www.choosecovenant.org/donate/
Samuel Garth Branch
May 23, 2023
Mr. Samuel Garth Branch, age 98, was born November 20, 1924, and passed away, Sunday, May 21, 2023, very peacefully and surrounded by a number of his family with hands on him as he took his last breath. He was a member of Brooks Memorial Baptist Church and a devout Christian, and served as a deacon for many years.
Mr. Branch, born in the roaring 20’s dropped out of school in the 7TH grade during the great depression to assist his father in clearing fields with a plow and mule to provide for their family. He was drafted into the Army, serving in the Philippine’s in 1945 as part of a bazooka team, clearing Japanese soldiers resisting in pill boxes, and snipers. He re-enlisted to serve in post WWII occupation of Japan as a Sargent and chief jailer for Sugamo Prison in Tokyo. The most famous person jailed under his section was Tokyo Rose. He met Hideki Tojo (Japan’s Prime Minister of War that was over the order to bomb Pearl Harbor) in his jail cell in a separate section of Sugamo Prison, and got his autograph on the back of a picture of Tojo being led to war crime trials. He held jobs such as parts delivery, auto mechanic, farmer, truck driver, oil rig, and finally settled into a career balancing helicopter rotors at Pensacola Navy Base. He was an avid reader and scholar of the Bible. When retiring in the mid 80’s traveling the continental US with his wife for the next 15 or so years, often convoying with other RV friends, in their Suburban, pulling their Airstream Travel Trailer.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Samuel William (Martha) Branch, and one daughter, Deborah Branch Singleton.
He is survived by his loving wife, of 74 years, that he met in 1949, Voncile Drew Branch, of Atmore, AL; one son, Dee (Donna) Branch, of Chireno, TX; four grandsons, Travis Branch, Michael Branch, Kris Singleton, Will Singleton, and nine great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, May 25, 2023, at 2:00 PM at Petty-Eastside Chapel funeral Home, LLC. with Rev. Tim Tew officiating.
Burial will follow at Serenity Garden Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Thursday, May 25, 2023 from 1:00 PM until service time at 2:00 PM at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home, LLC.
Pallbearers will be Gary Hare, Joe Lane, Wesley Hughes, Rick Warren, John James, and Hugh Long.
McDavid Man Now Charged With Murder After Atmore Shooting Victim Dies
May 22, 2023
A McDavid man has now been charged with murder after the woman he allegedly shot last week in Atmore has died.
Luis Trevizo Becerra, 39, remains in the Escambia County (AL) Detention Center without bond on the murder charge.
The Atmore Police Department said that the victim, Tara Ann Bryan, died Monday at the hospital.
The Atmore Police Department responded to the Southland Motel on East Louisville Avenue about 11:45 on May 17. They found Bryan suffering from gunshot wounds on the floor of a motel room. She was airlifted to the trauma center at an area hospital.
Once police developed Becerra as a suspect, a statewide alert was issued. Becerra was apprehended by Alabama Law Enforcement Agencies troopers along I-65 near Evergreen.
After Firing Smith, School Board Sets Special Meeting To Discuss Move To An Interim Superintendent
May 22, 2023
The Escambia County School Board has scheduled a special meeting for Tuesday, May 30 to plan their next steps after voting last week to terminate Superintendent Tim Smith.
The board voted 3-2, with Patty Hightower and Bill Slayton dissenting, to fire Smith with his final day set for May 31. They also named Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources Keith Leonard as interim superintendent, presumably beginning June 1.
In the meeting, the board is set to determine how to transition to an interim superintendent and how to start the process of finding a permanent replacement. The details of moving Leonard into the interim role were not discussed last week. Leonard and Smith were two finalists for the position, with Smith chosen for the top spot.
The special meeting will take place at 1 p.m.May 30 at the J.E. Hall Center on Texar Drive.
In November 2018, Escambia County citizens voted to move from an elected to an appointed superintendent.