Iconic Civil Rights Leader H.K. Matthews Passes Away At 97
August 20, 2025
Iconic local civil rights leader Rev. H.K. Matthews, has passed away at age 97.
Matthews marched with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in the 1960s, was gassed and beaten on “Bloody Sunday” in 1965, and led sit-in lunch counter protests. In the 1970s, he led protests that led to the removal of the “Rebel” mascot from Escambia High School in Pensacola, and he led numerous protests that eventually led to his arrest and serving 63 days of a five year prison sentence. He was later pardoned.
After moving to Brewton, Alabama, he continued as a civil rights leader in South Alabama and Northwest Florida. The City of Pensacola renamed a park in his honor in 2006, and a street in Brewton was named after him in 2016.
In 2008, he worked to help Century keep the F-rated Carver/Century K-8 School and solve other local issues.
“There are a lot of things that are lacking as far as living in Century goes,” Matthews said during a 2008 meeting at Century Town Hall. “We are trying to find some answers to the problems that exist.” The school closed permanently a few months later.
Pictured: Rev. H.K. Matthews leads a meeting in 2008 at the Century Town Hall. NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Sheriff’s Office Issues Warning About Warrant Scam. Here’s How It Works.
August 20, 2025
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is once again warning about another warrant scam.
According to the ECSO, the scam involves callers identifying themselves as members of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. These imposters then claim that the recipient of the call has an outstanding warrant related to missed jury duty and demand payment to resolve the issue. Adding to the deception, the phone number displayed on caller ID may even appear similar to an official ECSO number, making it difficult for unsuspecting victims to immediately identify it as fraudulent.
“The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office will never call you and ask you to pay any amount of money,” the ECSO Said. “Do not send any form of payment or plan any meet-up if you receive a call such as this.”
Tate Aggies Beat The Crestview Bulldogs
August 20, 2025
The Tate Aggies varsity volleyball team defeated the Crestview Bulldogs in a conference match on Tuesday night, winning 3-1. The Aggies overcame an early deficit after dropping the first set in Crestview.
The Bulldogs started strong, winning the first set 25-21. However, the Aggies quickly recovered, battling back to win the second set by the same score, 25-21. This momentum carried through to the rest of the match.
The Aggies dominated the third set, taking a commanding 25-17 victory. In the final set, Crestview fought to stay in the game, but Tate’s consistent play secured the set 25-22, sealing their comeback victory.
Up next, the Aggies will travel to Navarre on Thursday.
Frank Lamar Hendrix
August 20, 2025
Mr. Frank Lamar Hendrix, 67 years old, passed away peacefully at his home on Wednesday, August 20, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. He was originally from Flomaton, Alabama, but had spent most of his life in Byrneville. Frank will be remembered for his kindness and the warm memories he created with those around him.
He was a passionate fisherman who loved spending his weekends by the water, casting his line and waiting for the perfect catch. When he wasn’t fishing, you could find him in the great outdoors, enjoying a day of hunting or grilling up a delicious meal for his family. Football season was his favorite time of year, especially when Florida State played; he cheered loudly for his team while enjoying the excitement with friends and family. In quieter moments, he relaxed by watching the History Channel or ID TV, always eager to learn something new. No matter what he was doing, having his loved ones around made everything even better.
He is preceded in death by his parents, William Bill Hendrix and Dorithy Jean Cofield Johnson; step-father, Clyde Johnson; brothers, Ricky Hendrix, Lavon Hendrix, Terry “ToTo” Hendrix; sister, Ruby Jane White.
Mr. Hendrix is survived by his loving wife of forty-six years Dee Hendrix of Byrneville, Florida; son, Josh (Crystal) Hendrix of Festus, Missouri; daughter, Jessi (Roland) Hall of Byrneville, Florida; two brothers, Tim (Melody) Johnson of Cantonment, Florida and Jim (Melissa) Johnson of Flomaton, Alabama; two sisters, Jeannie Moye of Century, Florida; Linda (Bernard) Zimlich, of Bay Minette, Alabama, two grandchildren, Zane Hendrix and Ezra Hall.
Funeral Services will be held on Monday, August 25, 2025 at 4:30 PM at Petty Funeral Homes, LLC with Tom Kimmons and Jessi Hall officiating.
Visitation will be held on Monday, August 25, 2025 from 4:00 PM until 4:30PM at Petty Funeral Homes, LLC.
Pallbearers will be David Carden, James Dewberry, Shorty Madden, Ricky Lambeth, Brian Newby and Baxley Raines
Ronnie Ray Jackson
August 20, 2025
Mr. Ronnie Ray Jackson, who was 76 years old, sadly passed away on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, at his home, where he was surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Atmore and spent most of his life in Poarch, Alabama. Ronnie will be remembered for the warmth he brought to the lives of those who knew him.
He was a beloved figure in the Poarch community, known for starting the Poarch Christmas Parade and being a passionate Alabama fan. He loved coon hunting and treasured time spent with his family and friends. As a father and grandfather, he was dedicated and caring, always ready to lend a helping hand to anyone he met. His contributions were significant, especially in the REC Department, where he played a key role in laying the gym floor. In 1985, he helped establish the Poarch Fire Department, transforming it from a volunteer service to a professional department, serving as chief from 1985 to 2022. He also made his mark as a former Tribal Council Member and served on various boards, including NAYO and NASA. Over the years, he coached countless kids and adults in baseball and softball, leaving a lasting impact on many lives.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Alton and Mable McGhee Jackson; wife, Deborah Jackson; brother Larry Jackson; great-grandson, Brayden Jackson.
Mr. Jackson is survived by his two sons, Ronald Scott (Tammy) Jackson of Wetumpka, Alabama and Ernest “Bubba” Rolin of Poarch, Alabama; two daughters, Nioma (Shawn) Till of Frisco City, Alabama and Tammy (Mike) Gaffrey of Atmore, Alabama; two brothers, Don (Marcia Ann) Jackson of Brewton, Alabama and Eddie “Dinky” Jackson of Atmore, Alabama; sister, Catherine Sells of Poarch, Alabama; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Funeral service will be held Saturday, August 23, 2025 at 11:00 AM at McCullough Christian Center with Reverend William Bubba Rolin and Reverend Steve Breceda officiating.
Burial will follow Judson Creek Indian Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Friday, August 22, 2025 from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM at McCullough Christian Center.
Pallbearers will be Robert Johnson, Kevin Baggett, Spencer Williamson, Cade Langham, Dylan Byrd and William Ervin.
Honorary Pallbearers will be All Former Poarch Softball Teams.
Petty Funeral Homes, LLC Atmore, Alabama is in entrusted with of all arrangements
Williams Leads Wahoos To Shutout Win Over Clingstones
August 20, 2025
written by Erik Bremer
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos began a pivotal road series against the Columbus Clingstones with a 3-0 shutout win on Tuesday night.
Alex Williams (W, 4-3) earned his first win of the season as a starting pitcher, scattering five hits over 5.0 innings while throwing a season-high 91 pitches. Luarbert Arias, Evan Fitterer and Josh Ekness (S, 10) worked the final four innings to give the Blue Wahoos their sixth shutout win of the season.
Ryan Ignoffo gave Pensacola a quick 1-0 lead in the first inning, doubling home Kemp Alderman from first base on a liner to right-center. It marked the fifth extra-base hit in five games for the hot-hitting catcher, who was removed from the game with an apparent injury in the third inning.
Mark Coley II stayed hot as well, lacing a two-run homer off the left field scoreboard for a 3-0 Blue Wahoos lead in the second inning. Coley, who hadn’t homered since early April before going deep last Friday and Saturday, later added a single in a 2-for-4 night.
The Blue Wahoos didn’t manufacture any offense after their early outburst, as Clingstones starter Landon Harper (L, 3-7) settled in to complete 5.0 innings of three-run ball. Three Columbus relievers worked 4.0 perfect innings of relief, but the Pensacola bullpen was just as effective to seal the 3-0 final.
Third baseman Gage Miller, added to the roster from High-A Beloit earlier in the day, went 1-for-4 with a run scored in his Double-A debut for the Blue Wahoos.
With the win, the Blue Wahoos maintained their 2.5-game lead over the second-place Montgomery Biscuits, who won their game 5-2 over Knoxville. There are 24 games remaining in the regular season as the Blue Wahoos aim to secure their eighth playoff berth in 10 seasons.
The Blue Wahoos continue their series against the Clingstones on Wednesday night.
Train Collides With ECUA Truck At Crossing In Molino (With Gallery)
August 19, 2025
One person was injured when a CSX locomotive collided with an ECUA sanitation truck Tuesday morning in Molino.
The crash happened just before 10 a.m. at a private crossing about a half mile beyond the paved south end of Fairground Road.
One person in the ECUA truck was transported by Escambia County EMS to an area hospital with minor injuries. The CSX engineer on the single locomotive was not injured.
ECUA said the driver was a 12-year employee that sustained a laceration to his foot.
The windshield from the ECUA truck was still hanging on the locomotive when it came to a stop a short distance away. It did not derail, and there was no obvious damage to the tracks.
For a photo gallery, click here.
The private crossing is marked by a stop sign and a small railroad crossing sign that advises to look both directions. There are no warning lights or crossing arms.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour (ground) and Sean Kahalley (drone), click to enlarge.
Brass Knuckles Land Cantonment Convicted Felon In Jail
August 19, 2025
Brass knuckles sent a convicted felon from Cantonment to jail following a traffic stop in Pensacola.
The Pensacola Police Department stopped his orange Dodge Challenger in the area of I Street and Intendencia Street due to a records check showing the registered owner had an expired license.
The driver, 32-year-old Leo Valentino Benjamin, Jr., told officers that he knew his license was suspended due to insurance issues. A PPD K-9 alerted on the vehicle, and a probable cause search located a pair of full-size brass knuckles in the empty center console, according to an arrest report, and burnt foil with residue on the front passenger side.
Officers determined Benjamin had previous felony convictions for drug possession and obstruction of justice.
According to PPD, he told officers that he had obtained the brass knuckles earlier in the day for self-defense purposes because he was concerned about getting ambushed by someone.
He was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $6,000 bond.
‘Never Attempted To Stop’ — Report Details Habitual Offender’s Crash Into State Trooper
August 19, 2025
Witnesses said a habitual traffic offender never attempted to stop before he crashed into a Florida Highway Patrol trooper Sunday morning on Highway 29.
Deondrez Dequan White, 36, was charged with driving while license suspended as a habitual offender and booked into the Escambia County Jail after he was released from the hospital.
FHP said White rear-ended a 27-year-old male trooper who was investigating a previous crash on Highway 29 just south of West Roberts Road.
“Both witnesses advised the black SUV (driven by White) was traveling in the inside southbound lane and never attempted to stop,” states the FHP report obtained Monday by NorthEscambia.com.
At 6:21 a.m. Sunday, the trooper stated on the radio that he was involved in a vehicle crash. A second responding trooper arrived to find the first trooper’s patrol car facing south in the median of Highway 29 with crash debris in the inside lane. There were skid marks leading from the inside lane where the trooper’s car was parked in the inside lane with emergency lights activated.
White was still sitting in the driver’s seat of his SUV and requested to be transported to Sacred Heart Hospital. The trooper was transported to an area hospital for injuries “to his head, neck, back, and hands/arms,” the report states.
White was arrested after being medically cleared by the hospital and booked into the Escambia County Jail. He was released from jail about 5 p.m. Monday on a $500 bond. He is set to be arraigned on September 12.
According to the FHP report, White’s license had been suspended multiple times, since 2011, for failure to pay financial obligations and was revoked for five years in 2018. Court records show he was convicted of no valid driver’s license twice in 2013, driving with a suspended license in November 2014, driving with a suspended license in January 2017, driving with a suspended license in March 2017, knowingly driving with a suspended license in November 2019, and knowingly driving with a suspended license and leaving the scene of an accident for a December 2023 crash.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Funeral Home Hearse Burns At Highway 29 Gas Station
August 19, 2025
A hearse belonging to an Atmore funeral home burned Monday night at a gas station in Gonzalez.
The fire was reported about 9:30 p.m. at the Speed Mart on Highway 29 at Tate School Road. Firefighters were able to quickly bring the fire under control, without significant damage to the nearby fuel pumps.
There were no injuries reported. There was no casket or cargo in the vehicle, which belonged to Turner Funeral Chapel.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
