Atmore Mayor Jim Staff Announces Retirement
February 19, 2025
Tuesday, Atmore Mayor Jim Staff announced his retirement after 24 years of service to the city. His retirement will become effective at the end of May.
Staff served on the city council from 2000 to 2012 before being elected mayor in 2012.
“It has been an honor and a privilege to serve the people of Atmore,” Staff said. “This city holds a special place in my heart, and I am grateful for the support of our residents, city officials, and community partners over the years. However, the time has come for me to step down and spend more time with my family.”
“Mayor Staff’s leadership has left a lasting impact on the city, and his retirement marks the end of an era for Atmore,” Shawn Lassiter, council chair pro tem, said.
The Atmore City Council will appoint an interim mayor to serve the remainder of Staff’s term.
Cold Advisory: Low In The 20s, Wind Chills In The 10s
February 19, 2025
There is a cold advisory in effect due to very cold wind chills near 10-15 degrees by Thursday morning.
Here is the complete North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 27. Wind chill values between 20 and 25. North wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 44. Wind chill values between 10 and 15. North wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Thursday Night: Clear, with a low around 24. Wind chill values between 15 and 20. North wind around 10 mph.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 49. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 31. Calm wind.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 58. East wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the morning.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 35. Calm wind.
Sunday: A 20 percent chance of showers after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 57. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 36.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 65.
Monday Night: Clear, with a low around 43.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 72.
ECSO Coffee With A Cop Thursday Morning At The Parking Latte
February 19, 2025
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office will host Coffee With A Cop Thursday morning.
The event will take place at The Parking Latte at 4178 North Highway 29 (just south of Highway 196) from 7:30 until 9:30 a.m.
Coffee with a Cop provides a unique opportunity for community members to ask questions and learn more about the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office’s work in the community. It is a great way for Escambia County deputies and community members to come together, build relationships, and, of course, drink coffee.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Foundation and sponsors will provide a free cup of coffee to each attendee.
File photo.
FCA Above The Rim, Beyond The Goal Awards Presented To Local Athletes
February 19, 2025
The Northwest Florida Fellowship of Christian Athletes recently presented their “Above the Rim” Basketball Awards and “Beyond the Goal” Soccer Awards to local athletes.
Girls’ Basketball
- Central: Autumn Boutwell
- East Hill: Claire Utter
- Escambia: Demi Liu
- Gulf Breeze: Layla Gronert
- Jay: Brady Godwin (not coming)
- Milton: Alexis Hawthorne
- Navarre: Jolee Storer (not coming)
- Northview: Madison Levins
- PHS: Zion Perkins
- Pensacola Catholic: Morgan Smith (not attending)
- Pine Forest: Chrisshona Bargaineer
- Tate: Taylor Malone
- Washington: Chamiah Francis
- West Florida: Macey Vegas
- UWF: Delaney Trushel
Boys’ Basketball
- Central: Donovan Dean
- East Hill: Austin Lockard
- Escambia: Peter Brasfield
- Milton: Elliot Wilson
- Navarre: Kaleb Woodward
- Northview: Brian Yoder
- PHS: Khlyen Eccles
- Pensacola Catholic: Terius Mason (not attending)
- Tate: Bryce King
- Washington: Pierce Bizerra
- West Florida: Heston Burns
- UWF: Rodney Bryant Jr.
Girls’ Soccer
- Escambia: Addisyn Cole
- Gulf Breeze: Sarah Cornwell
- Milton: Jacquelyn Marie Ruffini
- Navarre: Kennedy Kerns
- Pace: Ana Saenz
- PHS: Peyton Chester
- Pensacola Catholic: Emma Lacour
- Pine Forest: Angel Walden
- Tate: Bristol Guy
- Washington: Tyler Stubblefield
- West Florida Tech: Laney Jackson
Boys’ Soccer
- Escambia: Kayden Hall
- Milton: Sawyer Anderson
- Pace: Fletcher Carroll
- PHS: Zach Peterson
- Pensacola Catholic: Thomas Lawrence
- Pine Forest: Yeison Sosa
- Washington: Carson Smith
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
50th Annual Walnut Hill Ruritan Farm Auction Is Saturday
February 19, 2025
The 50th Annual Walnut Hill Ruritan Club Farm Equipment Auction will be held Saturday, February 22, beginning at 9:30 a.m.
The auction includes not only farm equipment, but also household items like tools and small equipment, lawn and garden items, antiques and more.
The sale will take place at the Walnut Hill Community Center, 7850 Highway 97, just north of Ernest Ward Middle School. Items will be accepted for auction beginning at 7 a.m. Thursday and continuing all day Friday. The deadline for adding lots is 8:00 a.m. Saturday.
This is an open, no reserve sale. Ten percent of the final price will be assessed to the buyer for all lots sold, with a $500 maximum. There is a $5 minimum fee per lot. Settlement must be made the day of the sale with cash, check, cashier’s check or credit card. All sellers will be paid by a check in the mail.
For more information or consignments, call (850) 324-3358.
Pictured: Hundreds attended the annual Walnut Hill Ruritan Club 2023 farm equipment auction. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
1A Northview Lady Chiefs Fall To Defending 6A State Champion Pace
February 19, 2025
The 1A Northview Lady Chiefs opened their season with a 3-0 loss on the road at Pace, defending 6A state champions.
Jamison Gilman started in the circle for the Lady Chiefs, giving up two runs on three hits, walking three and striking out five in five innings. Mikayla McAnally closed, allowing one hit and one run while striking out one and walking none in one inning.
Gilman went 1-for-3 at the plate to lead the Lady Chiefs for their only hit of the night.
Up next, Northview will be at Pensacola Catholic Thursday night.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Helen Marie Davis
February 19, 2025
Helen Marie Davis, age 85, of Davisville, FL passed away on February 19, 2025 in Century, FL. Marie was born on April 25, 1939 in Oak Grove, FL to Walter William and Irvie Mazelle Davis. She was of the Baptist faith and Valedictorian of her graduating class at Ernest Ward High School. After many years of service, she retired from Waller, Crook and Jones, PC. Helen is preceded in death by her parents; her brothers, Willie Davis and Alvin Davis, and her sisters, Arlene Godwin, Elsie Steele and Eleanor Heard.
Helen is survived by many nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, and great-great nieces and nephews.
Graveside services will be held Saturday, February 22, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. at Pine Barren Baptist Church Cemetery in Davisville, Florida with Bro. Robert Gandy officiating. Interment will follow in Pine Barren Baptist Church Cemetery.
Active pallbearers will be Michael Edgar, Cary Jordan, Chris Edwards, David Lambert and James Edgar.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
FHP Charges Man With Molino Driveway Hit And Run
February 18, 2025
The Florida Highway Patrol has charged a Cantonment man in connection with a hit-and-run troopers say was intentional that left a man injured while standing in his driveway on February 6.
Cody Lee Castleberry, 37, was charged with reckless driving and felony hit-and-run involving an injury.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the crash occurred around 10:20 a.m. on Chestnut Road when a black Chevrolet pickup truck struck a pedestrian standing in a driveway. Witnesses told troopers that the driver was speeding and driving recklessly before intentionally accelerating toward the victim, according to an arrest report. The impact threw the pedestrian backward into the driveway.
According to FHP, Castleberry fled the scene without stopping to provide aid or report the incident. Security footage from a nearby home confirmed witness statements, showing the truck striking the victim before speeding away, the arrest report states.
Troopers later located Castleberry at his nearby residence on Chestnut Road and took him into custody.
The victim was taken to a local hospital for evaluation. The case remains under investigation.
He was also arrested on an outstanding DUI warrant related to an unrelated 2021 motorcycle crash on Highway 297A near Heaton Road.
Castleberry was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $3,150 bond.
Walnut Hill Man Charged With Armed Burglary
February 18, 2025
A Walnut Hill man that claimed to be returning thousands of dollars’ worth of items has been charged with the armed burglary of a Highway 97 home.
Jared Lee English, 24, was charged with felony armed burglary of a residence, grant theft of a firearm, grand theft, and felony criminal mischief
In mid January, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to a burglary in progress call at home in on Highway 97 near Pine Forest Road in Davisville. The 911 caller reported that he was told by the armed suspect that his friend has broke into the home and he was returning items.
An ECSO deputy arrived to find the suspect, later identified as English, in the backyard of the home with a holstered semi-automatic pistol a holster in plain view. The deputy drew his service weapon and detained English in handcuffs without further incident.
English’s weapon was a .22 caliber Glock loaded with 10 rounds with an additional loaded 10 round magazine in the holster, an arrest reports states. English told deputies that he was returning items to the residence after finding them in his cousin’s home in Atmore.
The individual that called 911 told deputies that he did see English take a few items into the house.
Inside English’s vehicle, deputies reported finding thousands of dollars’ worth of items, including watches, clothing, cow halters, toilet paper, paper towels, tools, ammunition, ammunition, hunting and fishing items and dozens of other items. On the ground, deputies reported finding bags with items that included 500 rounds of ammunition, tools, a coin set, pickled string beans, jelly, taco holders, toothpaste and a Bible.
The total value of items located and returned, according to the ECSO, was $5,666.
The victim reported other items missing from the residence include numerous firearms, ammunition and camera and more.
The ECSO served a search warrant at English’s residence on Highway 97 and recovered many of the items.
English remains in the Escambia County Jail without bond is set to be arraigned later this week.
Driver’s License, Tag, Tax Collector Services Available Thursday In Century
February 18, 2025
Driver’s license and other tax collector services will be available in Century on Thursday.
The Escambia County Tax Collector will be at the:
- Billy G. Ward Courthouse in Century on Thursday, February 20 from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Mobile Licensing and Identification Office (MILO) is a fully functional tax collector office on wheels, offering a range of services. The mobile unit provides a convenient method to renew a driver license, obtain a replacement driver license, conversion/reciprocation of out-of-state license, change a name or address on a current driver license or identification card, and get a first-time identification card. In addition to licensing services, the mobile unit also provides an opportunity to renew or replace a vehicle registration, receive a parking placard, transfer a title, pay property taxes, and apply for a business tax receipt. Written and driving tests are not available from the MILO unit.
The Billy G. Courthouse is at 7500 North Century Boulevard.
Pictured: The Escambia Tax Collector’s MILO at the Walnut Hill Community Center. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.