Escambia County Donates Trees To Kingsfield Elementary For Playground Shade
December 5, 2025
The Escambia County Natural Resources Management Department recently donated and planted 14 native canopy trees at Kingsfield Elementary School in Cantonment, providing students with additional shade for the school’s playground.
The trees will give students a cooler, more comfortable playtime area, along with providing a wide range of environmental and aesthetic benefits. The project was funded through the county’s Tree Mitigation Fund, which supports planting trees on public property.
“I’m so thankful that we are the recipients of such an amazing gift,” said Quinn Evans, Principal of Kingsfield Elementary School. “Kingsfield Elementary’s landscape will be forever changed and we are truly grateful.”
“I’m excited that we were able to partner with Kingsfield Elementary to provide these 14 trees and give students a more comfortable playground area, which is especially important during the warmer months,” District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry said. “Any opportunity to give back to our community, especially to our children, is truly what public service is all about. I hope Kingsfield students will enjoy their new playground shade for many years to come.”
In addition to offering shade and reducing ambient air temperatures, trees help lessen stormwater runoff, which can mitigate flooding in surrounding areas. For the schoolyard, the county selected deciduous trees. This choice will reduce summer heat, making outdoor activities more pleasant for children. In winter, when the trees shed their leaves, the sun will naturally warm the playground.
“This is a great example of how thoughtful planning can improve both the environment and the quality of life for our students and citizens,” County Arborist Jimmie Jarratt said.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Julianne Johnson ‘Julie’ Quimby
December 5, 2025
Julianne Johnson “Julie” Quimby, age 86, of Atmore, AL went home December 1, 2025, to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and her two loving sons, Robby & Toby Quimby, whom she deeply missed. Julie was born on August 16, 1939, to Julius and Sybil Johnson.
Julie was a graduate of Monroe County High School, class of 1957. Upon graduating from high school, she attended the University of Southern Mississippi, where she was a proud member of the Dixie Darlings and served as the feature twirler for the Pride of Mississippi Marching Band. She later married her sweetheart, Robert Quimby. After her husband graduated from the Dallas Institute of Mortuary Science, they purchased Johnson Funeral Home of Atmore, which is known today as Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home. She was also a proud licensed funeral director in the State of Alabama.
From an early age, she developed a deep love for spending time at Pensacola Beach. A love that she later passed down to her family and friends, where they spent quality time together laughing, catching up, and overall just enjoying quality time together.
Julie loved her family and friends the most, but her first love was Elvis Presley.
Julie is preceded in death by her parents, Julius and Sybil Johnson, her brother, John Romallis “Johnny” Johnson, and her two sons, Robert Lawrence “Robby” Quimby and Thomas Wilton “Toby” Quimby.
She is survived by her loving and devoted husband of 63 years, Robert E. “Bobby” Quimby, her daughter in laws, Maggie Quimby and Beth Woodfin, her grandsons, Blake Quimby, Brad Quimby (Samantha Roux), and Bryant Quimby, her granddaughter Lauren (Nestor) Sanchez, her great grandson, Myles Quimby, her great granddaughter, Soraya Sanchez, her nieces, Jennifer (Peter) Johnson Fruin and Tara (Paul) Johnson Elliott, and numerous family and friends.
Graveside service will be held Friday, December 5, 2025 at 2:30 PM at Oak Hill Cemetery in Atmore, AL.
Active pallbearers will be Blake Quimby, Brad Quimby, Bryant Quimby, Peter Fruin, Paul Elliott and Robert Woodfin.
In Lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the First Methodist Church of Atmore “More Than Bricks”
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
One Person Injured In Cantonment Fire
December 4, 2025
One person was injured in a fire Thursday morning in Cantonment.
Escambia County Fire Rescue responded to a reported residential structure fire at approximately 7:17 a.m. in the 1500 block of Pauline Street.
Firefighters located one person in the front of the home with “fire-related injuries,” according to ECFR. The victim was transported by Escambia County EMS to a local hospital.
The Florida State Fire Marshal is investigating the cause of the fire.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Cantonment Man Charged With Stealing $104K While Working As Brinks Driver
December 4, 2025
Authorities have arrested former Brinks Security driver Brian Anson Miller in connection with the theft of over $100,000 in cash from an armored transport firm. The security company reported the missing funds on November 29, quickly led to the arrest of the 35-year-old Cantonment resident.
He was charged with first degree felony grand theft over $100,000. He was released on a $50,000 bond.
According to an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office arrest report, the incident dates back to November 21, when a bag containing $104,000—intended for an ATM delivery—was mistakenly placed into the delivery bin assigned to Miller. The bag, which contained bundles of $20 bills, was not logged into Miller’s electronic route manifest.
Surveillance video evidence, reviewed by company security officials, reportedly shows Miller taking possession of the unlogged bag, in addition to his assigned four bags, before leaving the facility in an armored truck on his route. The manager told deputies that the extra bag was placed in Miller’s bin due to the incompetence of another employee with no criminal intent.
The report details that Miller abruptly aborted his scheduled route in the Panama City area after making only three stops. On his return trip to the company’s Davis Highway facility, he made an unauthorized, 11-minute stop at an I-10 rest area.
Video footage from inside the armored truck allegedly shows Miller exiting the vehicle with a large, company-issued cash transport bag. Upon re-entering, he was seen removing a personal backpack from the transport bag. Security officials noted the backpack appeared “full and heavy” and that Miller then stuffed a jacket into the top of the bag.
Upon returning to the Brinks facility on Davis Highway, Miller checked in only four of the five bags, and was reportedly seen setting the newly filled backpack to the side before transporting it to his personal vehicle. A branch manager later confirmed she did not search the opaque backpack, as company policy dictates for all employees leaving the area.
Miller resigned from his position over the weekend following the theft, sending a message to his supervisor and tossing his uniforms over the facility fence, the report states.
After security contacted Miller on November 29 regarding the missing money, he immediately terminated the phone call and refused subsequent attempts at contact, the report states. Deputies located Miller leaving his home off WEst Roberts Road and initiated a traffic stop.
During a search following the arrest, deputies seized $1,060 in cash from Miller, consisting mostly of $20 bills, which officials say is consistent with the stolen currency. Miller was read his rights and denied any involvement, claiming the stop was merely to use the restroom and that the company frequently misplaces money. He subsequently requested an attorney.
Jim Allen Elementary Names Students Of The Month
December 4, 2025
Jim Allen Elementary School recently named its November Students of the Month. They are Brianna Johnson and Cruz Hane. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Beulah Christmas Parade Rescheduled, Century Tree Lighting Ceremony Canceled Due To Weather
December 4, 2025
Due to forecasted rain, the Beulah Christmas Parade has been rescheduled, and Century’s annual tree lighting ceremony has been canceled.
Beulah Christmas Parade
The Beulah Christmas Parade has been rescheduled for noon on Saturday, December 20.
To enter the parade, click here to download the application. Return the completed form to the address or email provided at the top.
Century Tree Lighting, Open House
Christmas events on Friday in Century have been canceled.
The Century Area Chamber of Commerce canceled the annual tree lighting ceremony and the chamber’s open house event. The town tree in Nadine Mccaw Park will still be illuminated throughout the season.
Pictured: The 2024 Century Christmas tree lighting. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Three Rainy Days Ahead
December 4, 2025
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Thursday: Rain. High near 50. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New precipitation amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
Thursday Night: Rain and possibly a thunderstorm. Low around 46. East wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Friday: Rain and possibly a thunderstorm. High near 59. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
Friday Night: Rain likely. Cloudy, with a low around 48. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Saturday: Rain likely. Cloudy, with a high near 57. Northeast wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Saturday Night: A 50 percent chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 50. East wind around 5 mph.
Sunday: A 20 percent chance of rain before noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 64. North wind around 5 mph.
Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of rain before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 43. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 54.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 33.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 56.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 36.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 63.
Escambia Man Sentenced To 15 Years On Federal Drug Charges
December 4, 2025
An Escambia County man has been sentenced to federal prison on drug possession charges.
David Blackman III, 39, was sentenced to 15 years in prison after previously pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, and a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl, cocaine, and cocaine base.
According to court records, the Blackman sold narcotics from his residence. Law enforcement executed a search warrant in December of 2023 at the his residence. During the search, agents located over $8,500 in cash, more than 850 grams of methamphetamine, and other narcotics including, fentanyl, cocaine, and cocaine base.
“Removing this polydrug distributor from the streets is another step toward making our communities safer,” said DEA Miami Field Division Special Agent in Charge Deanne L. Reuter. “This joint investigation was the result of great work between our agents and law enforcement partners.”
The conviction and sentence were the result of a joint investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
Century Backtracks On Community Center Rental Rate Hike
December 4, 2025
The Town of Century backtracked on a community center rental rate hike after public pushback and reported decreased usage.
In June, the town council raised the rental rate for a community center to $500 for everyone, including a $150 refundable cleaning deposit, up from a low of $200 with a $100 refundable deposit for churches and nonprofits.
After that, the town reported that usage went down. As we reported last month, organizers of the annual Century-Flomaton Improvement Association (CFIA) told the council that the future of their annual Martin Luther King, Jr. ceremony was at risk due to cost.
After discussion at a workshop this week, the council dropped the rental fee to $350 with a$150 deposit that will be refunded if the facility is clean and undamaged. Security, provided by either the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office or a Florida-licensed security company, will be required at the renter’s expense for all events with more than 75 attendees. All renters will be required to sign a hold harmless agreement.
The council also voted to waive the rental fee for the MLK Day event, but still require the $150 refundable deposit and security.
In the future, the town council will consider other rental waivers on a case-by-case basis for nonprofits and governmental agencies, but they’ve decided the deposit and security requirements won’t be waived.
Pictured: Improvements inside the Century Community Center on West Highway 4. The bottom photo shows the yellow walls and moldy ceiling tiles in January 2025. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia Public Schools Hiring Additional Campus Security Officers
December 4, 2025
Escambia County Public Schools is hiring additional Campus Security Officers to begin training in May 2026.
“Campus Security Officers are ECPS employees trained by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office whose sole mission is to protect students and staff in our public schools across Escambia County,” said ECPS Protection Services Director Kyle Kinser. “All personnel are put through rigorous screening.”
Ideal candidates should have prior law enforcement and/or military experience and must have a passion for working with children.
Successful applicants will go through an extensive training curriculum with the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office that prepares them to safeguard schools. Candidates will be paid throughout their training and will be hired as a Campus Security Officer upon successful completion of training. The position is currently posted and any interested applicant should apply immediately, as the screening process is extensive.
Selected candidates begin with a starting salary of $33,978.00 for 10 months of employment. Once the training process has been completed, candidates are eligible for a variety of benefits.
Pictured: Campus security officers train for the current school year. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
