Thomas Flournoy Helms
October 23, 2025
Thomas Flournoy Helms, 96, of Molino, passed peacefully into the nearer presence of God on Friday evening, October 17th.
Born November 7th, 1928 to William and Myrtya Helms, Tom grew up surrounded by family and friends in Molino. Despite the struggles of the Great Depression and subsequent war years, his childhood and youth were blessed by many happy seasons exploring the Escambia River—swimming, camping, hunting, and most especially, fishing with his grandfather. While still a small boy, thrilled by the sight of Navy trainers overhead, Tom fell in love with the very idea of flying. He built countless planes—from balsa wood gliders to scale models to remote control planes of his own design.
This boyhood enthusiasm for aviation continued throughout his years at Pensacola High School and was eclipsed only when he fell in love more deeply with beautiful Margaret Presley whom he married in 1949. Together, they raised a family of three children and created a welcoming country home that has been a place of joy and delight for many. The couple shared their devotion to each other and their family for seventy-two years until Margaret’s passing in 2021.
Throughout his life, Tom was an active member of the Methodist Church, beginning at Molino Methodist, then Aldersgate United Methodist, and finally for over fifty years in First United Methodist Church of Pensacola. He was a member of the Cantonment Rotary Club, a founding member of the Molino Mid-County Historical Society, and for over seventy-five years a member of the Masonic order.
As an administrator in the paper manufacturing firms of St. Regis and Champion, Tom was respected for his principled commitment to honesty, fairness, and hard work. His keen and inquisitive mind, his willingness to learn and adapt, and his loyalty to his own deepest ideals grew only stronger as he aged. At fifty, he finally realized his boyhood dream and became a pilot. Some of his happiest days were spent flying with Margaret to visit family and friends across the country. Although a heart attack at age seventy ended his flying, he once again piloted a plane on his ninetieth birthday, doing three take-offs and landings and soaring over the bays and beaches of Pensacola.
Tom loved people and enjoyed sharing his interests with others—travel, good food, golf, music-making, carpentry, boating, and perhaps most of all, the simple pleasure of sitting on a patio, breathing the sweet air, and visiting with friends and family.
A strong and courageous man, a loving husband, father, grandfather, uncle, mentor and friend, Tom’s life and the blessings he has brought to so many will be celebrated for years to come, most gratefully by his family: Marjan Helms, Thomas Helms, Jr., Kathy Helms Starkey, Ron Starkey, and Brian and Trish Starkey.
Cottage Hill Water Works: Boil Notice Hazzard Lane And 29 North Of Hazzard
October 22, 2025
UPDATE — THIS BOIL WATER NOTICE HAS BEEN LIFTED.
Cottage Hill Water Works has issued a boil water notice for Hazzard Lane and Highway 29 north of Hazzard Lane.
Scheduled system upgrades took place today in the area, resulting in a disruption of water service.
The utility is advising, as a precaution, that all water in the area that is used for drinking, cooking, making ice, brushing teeth, or washing dishes be boiled. A rolling boil of one minute is sufficient. As an alternative bottled water may be used.
This precautionary boil water notice will remain in effect until the problem has been corrected and a bacteriological survey shows that the water is safe to drink.
This story will be updated when the boil water notice is rescinded.
Woman Crashes SUV Into Utility Pole On Pine Forest Road Near Walnut Hill
October 22, 2025
A woman was not seriously injured when she crashed her SUV into a utility pole Tuesday afternoon near Walnut Hill.
The crash happened about 3:50 p.m. on Pine Forest Road about a half-mile north of Arthur Brown Road. The woman was northbound on Pine Forest when she ran her GMC Terrain off the roadway, for an unknown reason, and struck a utility pole.
The woman was evaluated on scene by Escambia County EMS and refused transport.
The Florida Highway Patrol investigated the crash. The Walnut Hill Station of Escambia County Fire Rescue also responded.
The pole was almost snapped the crash.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Century Council Takes First Step To Set Clear Direction For The Future
October 22, 2025
“We need to change what normal is, what we used to do.”
That’s how a Century council member John Bass explained his vision for a plan for a new Century.
Tuesday, the Century Town Council held a workshop to discuss goals and a clear direction for the town’s future.
Bass, who spearheaded the meeting, said he wants to put objective for the town on paper.
The council discussed everything from park bathrooms, to walking paths, to first aid training for employees to just generally cleaning up the town. Ultimately, they finished the meeting by deciding to continue the goal planning process with input from the community and business leaders and the Century Chamber of Commerce.
After meeting with the chamber, the council plans to hold a town hall meeting for citizen input on December 2 at 5:15 p.m.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Great October Weather Continues: 70s Wednesday Afternoon, Low In The 40s
October 22, 2025
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 77. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday Night: Clear, with a low around 47. North wind around 5 mph.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 79. East wind around 5 mph.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 49. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 82. East wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 54. East wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high near 79. East wind around 10 mph.
Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 61. East wind 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 73.
Sunday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 61.
Monday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 77.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 59.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 77.
Ransom Middle School Names Students Of The Month
October 22, 2025
Ransom Middle School has named their Students of the Month for September. They are Emily Wears and Joshua Johnson, both seventh graders. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Night Of Creepy Crawlies Is Friday At Cantonment’s Roy Hyatt Environmental Center
October 22, 2025
The Roy Hyatt Environmental Center in Cantonment will host its annual Fall Open House, “Night of Creepy Crawlies” on Friday.
The event is free and open to the public on Friday, October 24 from 5:30 until 8:30 p.m. at 1300 Tobias Road in Cantonment.
The event will include:
- Birds of prey with the Wildlife Sanctuary of Northwest Florida
- Creepy crawly creatures with Sunset Wildlife Connection
- RHEC’s remarkable resident reptiles
- Naturalist led “Spider Hunt” through the woods
- Blasting off into space in the inflatable planetarium (seating is limited – sign-up for a showtime upon arrival to the event required – $2 donation suggested)
- Amazing aquatic creatures in the RHEC Beach House
- Fun activities with Frances M Weston Audubon Society
- Birding equipment with Birds Unlimited
- The RHEC merch table
- Food trucks (there is a fee for food)
The center, which is operated by the Escambia County School District, is requesting donations:
- Monetary donations
- Gift cards (Walmart, Home Depot, Lowe’s, grocery stores, pet stores)
- Black Oil Sunflower Birdseed
- Fruit and Nut Birdseed
- Floating Turtle Sticks for aquatic turtles
- Reptile Sticks for tortoise and box turtle
- Collard and kale greens
- Apples
- Strawberries
- Blueberries
- Carrots
- Copy paper
- Bleach
- Clorox Wipes
- Live crickets
- Hand sanitizer
- Reptile Light Bulbs
- Reptile Heat bulbs
- Newspapers
Pictured: Last year’s Night of Creepy Crawlies” at the Roy Hyatt Environmental Center. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Perdido Landfill To Close Early On Saturday
October 22, 2025
The Perdido Landfill will close at noon on Saturday, October 25 for new scale software installation.
Normal operating hours will resume Monday, October 27.
The Perdido Landfill is located at 13009 Beulah Road.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Bonus Gallery: Northview ‘Mini Cheerleaders’, Fans And Band
October 22, 2025
The Northview High School “Mini Cheerleaders” recently had a chance to show of their newly learned skills.
The Northview Mini Chief Cheer Clinic was held back in September for participants ages 5-12. Campers learned individual cheer skills, partner stunts, and a spirit dance.
They had a chance to perform during the third quarter of last Friday night’s football game with the Northview cheerleaders.
For a bonus photo gallery with the mini-cheerleaders, fans and the band, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Billie H. Dorriety
October 22, 2025
Mr. Billie H. Dorriety, born on September 16, 1950 in Escambia County, Alabama passed away on Thursday, October 16, 2025 in Mobile, Alabama. Loved his animals and especially his grandkids. Tremendously enjoyed his westerns and all John Wayne movies; and that he was born “A son of The South”. Retired United States Army National Guard, Fountain Correctional Facility and Poarch Police.
United States Army and Army National Guard Veteran deployments Vietnam and Iraq. Famous sayings, “Pay it no mind son”, “Outstanding!!”, “Billie’s Law”, “That’s the way the mop flops”, and “You do what you want to do”.
A special message to his children, “Always remember you are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, smarter than you think, & loved more than you know”.
He is preceded in death by his parents, James Morgan and Maggie Elizabeth Hall Dorriety; brothers, James Edward Dorriety, Curtis LaVonne Dorriety, Jerry Wayne Dorriety and Ervin Dorriety; sisters, Daisy Mills, Arvie Jean Jones, Gladys Taylor and Ersel Lee Brackin; beloved horse, WG, who held him high for many years. Stubborn mule Jake, whom he held many a conversation and canine companion, JoJo, who had his side for numerous walks and John Wayne Movies.
Mr. Dorriety is survived by his loving wife of sixteen years, Connie Dorriety of Atmore, Alabama; daughters, Catherine Renae Bowers (Jerome) of McDavid, Florida and Morgan Elizabeth Driver (Dillon) of Northport, Alabama; children by marriage, Robby Gibson (Sandra) of Yuma, Arizona and Amy Jo Gibson of Pace, Florida; sisters, Doris Lewis (James) of Milton, Florida, Libby Lundy (George) of Semirah Springs, Alabama, Betty Weaver of Booneville, Alabama; brother, Charles Dorriety of Atmore, Alabama; brother-in-law, Roy Brackin of Munson, Florida; grandchildren, Braige, Rhett, Renley, Reed Rushing; step-grandchildren and many numerous nieces and nephews.
Graveside services were held Monday, October 20, 2025, at Oak Hill Cemetery with Sister Helen Stewart officiating.
A special thanks to the doctors and nurses of Mobile Infirmary for all the care Billie received.