William Russell Slate
January 28, 2025
William Russell “Rusty” Slate, age 57, of Atmore, AL, passed away on January 26, 2025. He was born on November 3, 1967, in Hattiesburg, MS. Rusty was a retired superintendent with the oil industry. Rusty loved the outdoors! He was an avid hunter and fisherman. He also enjoyed woodworking.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Ronald Hansford Slate, Sr. and Linda Jackson Slate, and his brother, Ronald H. Slate, II.
Rusty is survived by his wife, Tracey Mason Slate of Atmore, AL; his son, T.J. Jarrell of Atmore, AL; his brothers, Tony (Sandra) Slate of Bratt, FL ,and Tim (Leizl) Slate of Atmore, AL, and his sister, Melanie (Thomas) Guy of Atmore, AL.
Visitation will be held Thursday, January 30, 2025, from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home.
Joseph Braxton Thomley
January 28, 2025
Joseph Braxton Thomley, Sr., age 85, of Perdido, AL, passed away on January 24, 2025, in Mobile, AL. He was born on December 4, 1939, in White House Fork, AL to William Benjamin and Freida Lezeita Rider Thomley. He was a heavy equipment operator with Gulf Equipment and served in the United States Army. Joseph is preceded in death by his parents; his son, William Timothy Burl Thomley and his brother, Rev. Angelo Thomley.
Joseph is survived by his wife of 63 years, Betty Weeks Thomley; his son, Joey (Sherry) Thomley of Perdido, AL; his daughter, LaDonna (Randy) Carpenter of Perdido, AL; his brothers, George (Retha) Thomley of Tensaw, AL and Dwayne (Judy) Thomley of Baraga, MI; his sisters, Billie (Roy) Foster of Pineville, FL, Betty Joan (Conny) Brady of Mobile, AL and Neita (Dewayne) Hall of Lottie, AL along with his six grandchildren, Hayley, Adam, Alex, Danielle, Timothy, Donyel; his eight great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.
Visitation will be held Thursday, January 30, 2025, from 5 p.m. until service time at 10 a.m. on Friday, January 31, 2025, at Splinter Hill Holiness Church.
Funeral services will be held Friday, January 31, 2025, at 10 a.m. at Splinter Hill Holiness Church in Perdido, AL with Bro. James Peacock and Bro. David Baggett officiating.
Interment will follow in Bryars-McGill Cemetery.
Active pallbearers will be Joey Thomley, Hayley Thomley, Adam Thomley, Camron Ganey, Brandon Rolin and James Bryars.
Honorary pallbearers will be Hayden Thompson and Hunter Ganey.
Bond Revoked For 14-Time Convicted Cantonment Felon Awaiting Trial On Drug Charges
January 27, 2025
Bond has been revoked for a 14-time convicted felon awaiting trial on a 2023 arrest for multiple drug charges.
Joshua Brennan Totty, 33, was charged with trafficking of methamphetamine-14 grams or more, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of marijuana with the intent to sell, manufacture, and/or deliver, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
According to court documents, Torry failed to follow GPS monitor conditions of his pretrial release agreement despite multiple warnings. This month, Judge John Miller ordered that Totty be held without bond.
On October 11, 203, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team and Narcotics Unit served a search warrant in the 1900 block of Ryale Road off Old Kingsfield Road.
A used glass smoking pipe with burnt residue on it and $230 cash were found in Totty’s front pocket, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
In the home, shed, and pickup truck deputies reported finding:
- six white rectangle bars inscribed with “555″ from black hoodie from bedroom one
- one round of 12 gauge ammunition from bedroom one cabinet
- clear crystal like substance in zip-lock bag from camouflage jacket pocket from bedroom two
- Taurus G3C 9mm with magazine from bathroom two plastic drawer
- 51 rounds of 9mm ammunition from bathroom two plastic drawer
- liquid methadone in 220 mg bottle from bathroom two
- camouflage backpack from Ford Ranger front seat, which contained multiple quantities of suspected methamphetamine
- black digital scale from camo backpack
- approximately three grams of marijuana in baggie from camo backpack
- $33,633 cash from camo backpack
- black Tracfone wireless smartphone in black case from shed countertop
- quantity of methamphetamine *field tested positive* from bedroom one dresser drawer
- miscellaneous ammo from bedroom one dresser drawer
- 40 cal ammo (13 rounds) from bedroom one dresser top
- Harrington and Richardson shotgun from bedroom one closet
- black digital scale in the laundry room
The ECSO said Totty is a convicted felon with 21 total felony charges and 14 total felony convictions, the latest of which was from two years ago for possession of methamphetamine with the intent to sell, manufacture, or deliver.
7 Brew Plans New Coffee Shop On Nine Mile Road
January 27, 2025
7 Brew is planning a new coffee shop on Nine Mile Road, according to plans filed with Escambia County just after their first location opened on Davis Highway.
The new location is planned for 300 East Nine Mile Road — at the northeast corner of Nine Mile and Chemstrand Road. It will replace a former auto sales business that will be demolished, according to plants filed recently with the Escambia County Development Review Committee.
It is located next to an existing Dunkin’ Donuts and near a Winn Dixie store that is being converted into an Aldi.
The coffee shop would be located on just under a half-acre and will be about 540 square feet. Plans show that it will have two driver-thru lanes.
A new 7 brew opened earlier this month on North Davis Highway and recently on Brent Lane.
Pictured: The recent grant opening of a 7 Brew at 5305 North Davis Highway. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Students Return To School Today
January 27, 2025
Escambia County students head back to class on Monday — the first school day since Friday, January 17. Monday, January 20 was the MLK Day holiday, and students were out January 21-24 for snow and winter weather days.
Escambia County School District staff spend Saturday checking on building operations and making sure campuses were safe and ready for students to return today. ‘
Issues that were repaired included buster water pipes and heating and cooling systems.
Pictured: Snow covers the Tate High School in Cantonment last Tuesday. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate FBLA Members Showcase Skills, 59 Qualify For State Conference (With Gallery)
January 27, 2025
Tate High School Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) members showcased their exceptional skills and leadership at the District 1 FBLA Leadership Conference recently at the University of West Florida.
The conference, which hosted over 480 students from three counties, was a called a resounding success, thanks to the efforts of Tate’s own Aiden Maher, who serves as both the District 1 president and Tate High School FBLA president, along with his dedicated leadership team.
The District Leadership Conference gave students the chance to compete in a variety of events, build connections with peers, and sharpen their professional skills through interactive workshops.
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?vanity=northescambia&set=a.1030087689139426#mce_temp_url#
There were 59 students from the Tate High School FBCA chapter that qualified for the State Leadership Conference in March.
- Accounting I — Jaydin Bartholomew, Cody Rzepka
- Accounting II — Connor Hall, Timothy Pac
- Agribusiness — Brayden Gryskiewicz, Wyatt Kimbro
- Business Communication — Carly Gray, Kyleigh Lovelace
- Business Law — Kadence Lovelace, Hannah Sipes, Emily Tejada
- Coding & Programming Team 1 — Brycen Kirchharr, Gage Startzell, Tristan Whitson
- Computer Application — Rubing Wu
- Computer Problem Solving — Austin Dickens, Kaven Powell
- Cyber Security — Nathaniel Meyer
- Digital Animation — Carter Shaffer
- Digital Video Production Team 1 — Abigale Fowler, Addison Fowler, Jayce Latzer
- Digital Video Production Team 2 — Brogan Henley, Anthony Neptune, Aamir Sardar
- Economics — Elizabeth LeDuc
- Financial Math — Kyra Stokes
- Future Business Educator — Gianna Della Ratta
- Health Care Administration — Juayreaa Elnahrawy, Courtney Reichard
- Impromptu Speaking — Dustin Burdette
- Insurance & Risk Management — Kenneth Rathel
- Introduction to Business Communication — Isabelle (Izzy) Eden, Kensee Gibson
- Introduction to Business Concepts — Baylie Pittman
- Introduction to FBLA — Mason Darby, Ariana Jorge
- Introduction to Information Technology — Estelle Lentini
- Journalism — Willow Beachner, Natalie George, Nicolas White
- Networking Infrastructures — Aiden Maher, Carsyn Spurlock
- Organizational Leadership — Wyatt Ormand
- Personal Finance — Hayden Graybill, Landon Wise
- Public Policy & Advocacy — Shacora Caldwell
- Public Speaking — Anna Lippitt
- Securities and Investments — Julie Young
- Supply Chain Management — Marco Angel, Liberty Fernandez, Alysun Young
- UX Design — Bodie Adams, Alexander Lakian, Logan Shoffner
- Visual Design — Isabelle Aviles, Ryanna McClung
- Word Processing — Jacelyn Seals, Eli Whitton
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Here Are Tips Ahead Of Tuesday’s Congressional Special Primary
January 27, 2025
- Florida holds closed primary elections. This election is for registered Republican voters only.
- Confirm the location of your polling place prior to Election Day: It is listed on your sample ballot (with the exception of Precinct 98), voter information card, online at EscambiaVotes.gov, or call (850) 595-3900.
- There have been three polling location changes since November 2024. Voters in the following precincts will need to report to these updated locations on Election Day.
- Precinct 98: St. John Divine Baptist Church, 620 E Jordan St., Pensacola
- Precinct 22: Billy G. Ward Century Courthouse, 7500 N Century Blvd., Century
- Precinct 24: St. John’s Episcopal Church, 401 Live Oak Ave., Pensacola
For a complete list of polling locations, visit EscambiaVotes.gov/where-to-vote.
- If you are unsure of your registration status, check EscambiaVotes.gov/am-i-registered, e-mail us at soe@escambiavotes.gov, or call (850) 595-3900.
- If you need to update your address, contact us prior to Election Day so you can be directed to your proper polling location. Visit EscambiaVotes.gov/update-my-info for more information.
- Photo and signature ID is required for all voters – if you do not present one of the 12 approved forms of photo ID, you may vote a provisional ballot.
- Be sure to review your sample ballot prior to Election Day to familiarize yourself with the contest and bring it with you to the polls. A sample ballot was mailed to eligible voters who did not have a vote by mail request on file, and you can view your sample ballot online at EscambiaVotes.gov/sample-ballots.
- Remember to make only one selection on your ballot. Please review your ballot carefully.
- The registration deadline for this election has passed. New registrations and party changes for this election may not be made at the polls.
- You may not return your completed Vote By Mail ballot to your precinct on Election Day – it must be returned to the Supervisor of Elections Office by 7 p.m. on Election Day.
- If you requested a Vote By Mail ballot but chose not to return it, you can vote at your polling place on Election Day. Though not required, we request that you bring your unvoted ballot package so it can be cancelled.
- Busiest times at the polls tend to be 7:00 a.m. until 9:00 a.m., mid-day, and 4:00 p.m. until polls close.
- Emergency Pick-up of Vote By Mail ballots can be obtained up by voters (or their designees) at our office on Monday and Tuesday. Emergency Affidavits are required.
- Early voting ended Saturday, January 25. If you have not yet voted or did not request a Vote By Mail ballot before the deadline, you must go to your designated precinct on Election Day.
- If you voted-by-mail, you can visit EscambiaVotes.gov/track-my-ballot for the status of your ballot.
Here Are This Week’s Road Construction Slow Down Areas
January 27, 2025
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads and projects in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.
Escambia County:
- U.S. 98 (Gregory Street) Resurfacing from North Palafox Street to east of 14th Avenue – Drivers on Gregory Street, from North Palafox Street to 17th Avenue, will encounter alternating, intermittent lane closures Sunday, Jan. 26 through Thursday, Jan. 30, between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m., for milling and paving operations.
- North Palafox Street (U.S. 29) Resurfacing from Cervantes Street to Brent Lane (State Road (S.R.) 296) – The week of Sunday, Jan. 26, drivers may encounter intermittent daytime lane closures on North Palafox Street, from Cervantes Street to Brent Lane, as crews perform paving operations.
- Interstate Circle Bridge Over Eight Mile Creek Construction – Interstate Circle is closed at the Eight Mile Creek Bridge through mid-2025 while crews replace the bridge. Signage is in place to detour drivers around the work zone using Pine Forest Road, Longleaf Drive and Wymart Road.
- Interstate 10 (I-10) at Nine Mile Road Interchange (Exit 5) Construction – Drivers will encounter the following construction-related traffic disruptions Sunday, Jan. 26 through Thursday, Jan. 30, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.:
- Intermittent I-10 inside lane closures near the Nine Mile Road interchange.
- Nine Mile Road will be reduced to one travel lane in each direction between the I-10 ramps. Law enforcement will be on site, and directional signage will be in place to guide drivers through the work zone.
- I-10 at U.S. 29 Interchange (Exit 10) Construction – Drivers will encounter the following construction-related traffic disruptions:
- North Palafox Street, between Hope Drive and Whitehead Drive, will have intermittent daytime lane closures. Signage will be in place to direct drivers safely through the work zone.
- I-10 between U.S. 29 and I-110, is reduced to two travel lanes in each direction.
- The U.S. 29 northbound ramp to I-10 eastbound is closed. U.S. 29 northbound drivers are being detoured to make a U-turn at Broad Street onto U.S. 29 southbound to access I-10 eastbound.
- A new temporary on-ramp for U.S. 29 southbound drivers accessing I-10 eastbound is now open. Detouring traffic to the temporary ramp will allow crews to continue work to reconstruct the I-10/U.S. 29 interchange.
- U.S. 29 (North Century Boulevard) Resurfacing between S.R. 4 and the Alabama State Line – Drivers on North Century Boulevard, between S.R. 4 and the Alabama State Line, may encounter intermittent lane closures for paving operations. Signage will be in place to direct drivers safely through the work zone.
Santa Rosa County:
- U.S. 90 Resurfacing from west of Avalon Boulevard to east of Stewart Street – Drivers may encounter intermittent U.S. 90 lane closures, between Avalon Boulevard and Stewart Street, Sunday, Jan. 26 through Thursday, Jan. 30, from 7 p.m. to 5:30 a.m., for milling and paving operations.
- U.S. 90 Bridge Replacement over Simpson River – Drivers on westbound U.S. 90 may encounter intermittent lane closures over the Simpson River Bridge, Sunday, Jan. 26 through Thursday, Jan. 30 between 8 p.m. and 5:30 a.m. as crews perform shoulder work. Drivers are reminded that the speed limit is 35 mph through the work zone.
- U.S. 98 Widening from Bayshore Road to Portside Drive – Motorists will encounter the following traffic impacts:
- Median and turn-lane closures from Bayshore Road to Tiger Lake Drive.
- Intermittent lane closures and additional median closures between Bayshore Road and Tiger Lake Drive, Sunday, Jan. 26, through Friday, Jan. 31, from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for stormwater drainage improvements and paving operations.
- S.R. 281 (Avalon Boulevard) Routine Bridge Maintenance over Garcon Point Bridge – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures Monday, Jan. 27 through Friday, Jan. 31 from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. for routine bridge maintenance.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Florida Average Gas Price Rises A Few Cents
January 27, 2025
During the past two weeks, Florida’s state average gas price exceeded $3.20 per gallon.
Sunday’s state average of $3.22 per gallon is 3 cents per gallon more than a week ago, 11 cents more than a month ago, and 5 cents more than this time last year.
Escambia County’s average was $2.94, one of the lowest regions in the state. A North Escambia low price of $2.85 was available Sunday night at several stations on Highway 29 in Cantonment. The cheapest in Pensacola was $2.71 at a station on West Nine Mile Road.
“Drivers will likely continue to see gas prices fluctuate through the week, but there doesn’t currently appear to be any significant measure of relief on the way as of now,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
All Library Locations Accepting Donations For Children’s Home Society
January 27, 2025
West Florida Public Libraries is holding a supply drive throughout January to support the Children’s Home Society (CHS) Navigator Program. Donations can be made during open hours at all library locations.
The drive seeks school supplies, household products, and hygiene items, including pads, tampons, detergent, soap, body wash, lotion, deodorant, towels, washcloths, neutral-colored backpacks, socks, underwear, and clothes hangers. All items must be new, unused, or in their original packaging.
The CHS Navigator Program helps at-risk students and their families by connecting them with essential resources such as food, clothing, and government assistance programs.