Ralph Darby
February 5, 2025
CMSAF Ralph Darby, age 79, passed away on February 4, 2025, in Pensacola, Florida. A native of Nokomis, Alabama, he spent the majority of his life in Bratt, Florida. Mr. Darby proudly served for 26 years in the United States Air Force, after which he embraced a fulfilling retirement. He was also a faithful member of Pine Barren Baptist Church.
Mr. Darby was a man of diverse interests, enjoying activities such as hunting, fishing, and gardening, as well as attending church and watching western films. An avid Alabama football fan, he found joy in reading, particularly the works of Louis L’Amour. Known for his loving nature and unwavering faith, he was always willing to lend a helping hand to those in need and cherished time spent with family, leaving behind a legacy of kindness and devotion.
He is preceded in death by his parents, George Washington (Fannie Mae) Darby; wife, Katie Darby; two brothers, Jack Darby and James Alfred Darby; sister, Dot Reeves.
He is survived by his son, James (Shelley) Darby of Louisville, Kentucky; brother, Billy (Jackie) Darby of Walnut Hill, Florida; sister, Annette Hassebrock of Bratt, Florida; five grandchildren, Amanda Bohlen, Dylan Williams, Keri Darby, Austin Williams, and Cody Darby; two great-grandchildren, Amirah Bohlen and Amani Bohlen; numerous nieces, nephews and friends.
Funeral service will be held Saturday, February 8, 2025 at 10:00 AM at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes, LLC. with and Reverend Mike Harper officiating.
Burial will follow at Godwin Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Friday, February 7, 2025 from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes, LLC.
Pallbearers will be Cody Darby, Greg Darby, Joey Darby, Silas Seamans, Willie Peoples and Josh McElhaney.
Honorary Pallbearers will be Pine Barren Adult Sunday School Class.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes, LLC. Atmore, AL. is in charge of all arrangements.
Danny Rolin
February 5, 2025
Danny Rolin, born on December 25, 1956, of Poarch, Alabama, passed away, leaving behind a legacy of love, laughter, and fast cars. He was a proud member of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians and a man who never met a stranger. If you knew him, you knew he never finished a conversation without saying, “I mean to tell ya!”
Danny was a devoted father, brother, and friend. He is survived by his son, Danny W. Rolin II, and his wife, Connie Rolin; his daughter, Christina Michelle Rolin Spicer, and her husband, Phillip Spicer. He was a proud grandfather to Katie Lorin Rolin, Riley Elizabeth Rolin, Susan Eve Claire Rolin, Eric Joe Bailey Rolin, and Phillip Jay (P.J.) Spicer. He also leaves behind his brother, Randy Rolin, who resides in Texas with his children, as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins who loved him unconditionally.
Danny was preceded in death by his grandparents, Cleve and Rhetta Rolin; his parents, John Rolin and Charle Mae Kelly Rolin; his wife, Connie Rosell Rolin and sister, Sara Rolin Daw.
Danny had big dreams, especially when it came to car shows. His love for fast cars was only rivaled by his love for his family. His humor, his big plans, and his unforgettable personality will be deeply missed, but his spirit will live on in the stories we tell and the memories we cherish.
He is also survived by his fiancée, Sherry Peavey, who shared in his dreams and laughter.
The Rooster Club A.K.A Breakfast Club doesn’t want to say Goodbye, “But we will see you Later”.
Funeral services were held Thursday, February 6, 2025, at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel.
Apparent Murder-Suicide Off 10 Mile Road Under Investigation
February 4, 2025
An apparent murder-suicide attempt Monday night off 10 Mile Road is under investigation.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to home on Millbrook Drive where they found two men suffering from gunshot wounds.
According to the ECSO, a 48-year-old male was pronounced deceased, and a 24-year-old male was transported to the hospital.
Morgan Lewis, ECSO public information officer, the situation appeared to be a murder-suicide, but the final determination will be made by the medical examiner.
The relationship, if any, between the individuals was not released, nor were details on the shooting.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Incumbents Adams, Fetsko Prefile To Seek Reelection To School Board
February 4, 2025
Two incumbent Escambia County School Board members pre-filed Monday to seek reelection this year.
District 1 member Kevin Adams and District 2 member Paul Fetsko prefilled to seek the non-partisan seats during the 2026 election cycle.
Pictured: Kevin Adams (left) and Paul Fetsko (right).
Motorbike Rider Seriously Injured In Highway 29 Crash With Vehicle
February 4, 2025
A motorbike rider was seriously injured in a collision with a vehicle Monday night in Cantonment.
The crash happened about 7:30 p.m. in the 700 block of North Highway 29, near Grocery Outlet.
The motorbike rider was airlifted by LifeFlight helicopter to a Pensacola hospital. An update on their condition was not available.
The Florida Highway Patrol investigation is continuing.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Man Charged With Felony Hit And Run In Century Crash That Injured Five
February 4, 2025
A Panama City man has been charged with a hit and run crash Saturday night in Century that injured five people, including children.
Dexter Ivey Smith, 35, was charged with felony hit and run for failure to stop or remain on scene at a crash with injury, along with misdemeanor battery and driving with a revoked license.
The crash happened just before 8 p.m. on Highway 29 near the southern town limits.
The driver of a northbound pickup truck was struck by a northbound SUV driven by Smith approached at a high rate of speed, according to troopers. The pickup truck overturned multiple times, coming to rest on the shoulder just north of Salter’s Lake Road. Smith’s SUV rotated into the paved median of Highway 29.
The 38-year-old female driver of the pickup truck and her passengers — a 45-year-old male, 18-year-old male, 13-year-old male and a 6-year-old female — all sustained minor injuries and were transported to an area hospital by Escambia County EMS.
A witness told troopers that a white male in his mid-thirties with short black hair and a long nose fled from the scene. The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office later received a report of a man matching the description outside a nearby home. The witness was able to identify Smith as the driver that fled the scene of the crash.
FHP said Smith was also charged with battery for throwing a flashlight at the passenger of the second vehicle.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
New Nine Mile Road Traffic Light At Ashland Avenue Goes Into Flash Mode Today
February 4, 2025
A new traffic signal on Nine Mile Road at Ashland Avenue will be activated in flash mode mode on Tuesday.
Drivers on Nine Mile Road will encounter a yellow flashing signal, meaning they should slow down and proceed through the intersection with caution. Drivers on Ashland Avenue will stop with a red flashing light.
On Tuesday, February 11 at 10 a.m., the traffic signal will be fully activated with in standard mode.
Atmore Police Execute Search, Arrest Six On Drug Charges
February 4, 2025
Atmore Police Department officers executed a search warrant at a residence on the 100 block of Harris Street on Saturday afternoon, leading to the arrest of six individuals and the seizure of illegal drugs and stolen firearms.
The operation, carried out around 3:30 p.m., was the result of citizen complaints and police surveillance. Inside the residence, officers discovered two stolen firearms, several hundred grams of marijuana, Ecstasy pills, THC gummies, synthetic cannabis (Spice), and drug packaging materials, including digital scales. Authorities also said they found two small children in close proximity to the narcotics.
The following individuals were arrested and charged:
- Willis Williams, 26 – possession of a controlled substance, receiving stolen property (second degree), possession of marijuana (first degree), and possession of drug paraphernalia.
- Kenta Finklea, 37 – possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of marijuana (first degree), receiving stolen property (second degree), obstructing government operations, and chemical endangerment.
- Diane Finklea, 63 – possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of marijuana (first degree), and receiving stolen property (second degree).
- Aaron Salter, 27 – possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of marijuana (first degree), and receiving stolen property (second degree).
- Brandon McCaster, 28 – possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of marijuana (first degree), and receiving stolen property (second degree).
- Tiecha Finklea, 37 – possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of marijuana (first degree), and receiving stolen property (second degree).
All six suspects were booked into the Escambia County (AL) Detention Center.
Pictured: (top row) Willias Williams, Kenta Finklea, Diane Finklea, (bottom row) Aaron Salter, Brandon McCaster, and Tiecha Finklea.
Mostly Sunny, High In The Middle 70s
February 4, 2025
Here is the complete North Escambia area forecast:
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 75. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph.
Tuesday Night: Widespread dense fog, mainly between 10pm and 3am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 57. Calm wind.
Wednesday: Patchy fog before 9am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 75. Light south wind increasing to 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon.
Wednesday Night: Patchy fog after 2am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 61. South wind around 5 mph.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 78. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday Night: Patchy fog after 3am. Otherwise, partly cloudy, with a low around 62. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Friday: Patchy fog before 8am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 79. Light southwest wind increasing to 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
Friday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62. South wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 78.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 61.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 78.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 53.
Monday: Partly sunny, with a high near 70.
Woman Charged With Passing Package Of Drugs To Death Row Inmate
February 4, 2025
A visitor to an Atmore prison has been charged with passing a package of drugs to a death row inmate from Atmore.
The incident happened Sunday at Holman prison. The Alabama Department of Corrections said Nanceen Alexander, 68, was observed passing a package to inmate Cedric Jerome Floyd. Correctional officers intervened and recovered the package.
The Department of Corrections Law Enforcement Services Division was notified and an agent responded. Alexander was interviewed then placed under arrest and transported to the Escambia County (AL) Detention Center. She was charged with trafficking methamphetamine, trafficking fentanyl, promoting prison contraband II, and possession of drug paraphernalia..
Floyd has been on death row since a 2013 conviction for murdering his girlfriend, 32-year old Tina Jones, in Atmore on January 2, 2011. The slaying was motivated by the victim’s intention to end a violent and tumultuous off-and-on two-year dating relationship with Floyd. Only hours before the Jones’ death, Floyd sent threatening cell phone messages to her saying “don’t make me send myself to prison,” and “ya’ll going to hate you ever met me.”
Jones called 911 at 12:46 a.m. to report that Floyd was breaking into her home. Two minutes later, Atmore Police officers arrived and found Jones lying in the floor of the home with what appeared to be several gunshot wounds, according to Atmore Police. She was transported to Atmore Community Hospital where she was later pronounced dead.