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Operation Southern Slow Down Target Speeding In Florida, Alabama, And 3 More States

The 8th annual Operation Southern Slow Down launched Monday.

Through this campaign, FDOT aims to reduce the risk of speed-related crashes by leveraging the use of enhanced enforcement of speed limits and public safety messaging about the dangers of speeding. FDOT’s Operation Southern Slow Down efforts, in partnership with the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) and its division of the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP), are part of a broader initiative involving counterpart transportation and law enforcement organizations in Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, and Tennessee.

“Operation Southern Slow Down is a united effort to reduce dangerous driving behaviors that contribute to serious crashes on our roadways,” said Florida Highway Patrol Colonel Gary Howze II. “Through increased enforcement and proactive education, FHP and our partners are working across state lines to save lives and move closer to our shared vision of zero traffic deaths.”

FHP Troop A, whose enforcement area includes Escambia and Santa Rosa counties, held a kickoff Monday morning at the Troop A – Panama City Station.

Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Tommy Ray McCrory

On Sunday, July 13, 2025 we lost the best man that anyone could ever know, Tommy Ray McCrory. Tommy was born in Pensacola, Florida on September 25, 1947 to Joe and Tiny McCrory.

Tommy was an avid outdoorsman. He loved to fish and hunt. He made many lifelong friends through these hobbies. Anyone that knew him, knew you couldn’t ask for a better friend. Always there to help at the drop of a hat. He also loved fellowshipping with his Victory Assembly church family.

He married the love of his life Loretta Hawthorne on April 6, 1967 and enjoyed 58 years of marriage. They settled in Cottage Hill and raised their family.

He preceded in death by his father, Joe McCrory Jr.

He is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Loretta McCrory; mother, Tiny McCrory; daughter, Kathy McCrory Faust; son, Paul (Marcia) McCrory; grandsons, Justin (Caitlin) Landers and Nolan McCrory; great-grandson, Ryder Landers; and aunts, Jean Moody and Ruth Neal.

Pallbearers will be Steve Sutton, Randy Wentz, John Daugherty and Otto Ard.

Florine Blackmon Wiggins

Mrs. Florine Blackmon Wiggins, age 83, of Bratt, Florida, passed away at her home after a brief illness on Sunday, July 13, 2025, surrounded by her loving family. She was a retired seamstress from Vanity Fair in Atmore, Alabama and active member of Bratt Assembly of God Church. She loved carpentry, gardening; especially tending to her beautiful daylily beds. She also loved to traveling to Tennessee, especially visiting Cades Cove, where she made many beautiful memories with Bernie.

She is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Bernie Jordan “Gator” Wiggins, her childhood sweetheart. They were married on February 14, 1970 and shared 38 ½ wonderful years together before his passing. Florine and Bernie are now united. She was also preceded in death by her parents, George Washington Blackmon and Martha Leonora Blackmon as well as her sisters; Winnie Blackmon, Connie Blackmon Garriety, Louise Blackmon Sanders and Janie Blackmon Dews; great-grandchild, Helene Bowen, along with her dear friend and neighbor Carolyn Parker.

Florine is survived by her devoted children, Dorothy Torrence Sawyer of Atmore, Alabama, David Edward Torrence, Jr. (Lorrie) of Walling Tennessee, Darlene Torrence Buckhault and Carol Wiggins Booth (Mark) of Atmore, Alabama; brother, Jerry Blackmon of Gulf Breeze, Florida; sisters-in-laws, Myrtle Wiggins Staff (Jim) and Diane Wiggins Rolin (Clarence); she was a proud grandmother to Brandy Long Hoover, Jennifer Dunn Reyes (Alex), Jarrod Long ( Ashley), Brandon Long (Nicole), Justin Long (Alicia), Felisha Buckhault Burkeen (Jason), Cecil Buckhault, Johnny Lacy, Jr. (Amy), Jordan Nelson Brown (Austin), Jarrett Nelson, David Torrence III, and Kody Torrence (Brenda); twenty-two great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild; Florine leaves behind her special niece Carissa Sheppard (Kyle) and special great-nephew Aiden Dews, as well as her dear friend Shirley Whatley.
Her life will be remembered with love and her memory will be cherished by all who knew her.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, July 16, 2025 at 11:00 AM at Petty Funeral Homes, LLC with Brother Clarence Rolin officiating.

Burial will follow at Godwin Cemetery.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, July 16, 2025 from 10:00 AM until service time at Petty Funeral Homes, LLC.

Pallbearers will be the grandsons, David Torrence III, Jarrod Long, Brandon Long, Justin Long, Cecil Buckhault and James Kimmons.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Leslie Barnes, Bobby Waller, Jim Riggs, George Macks and Kody Torrence.

Petty Funeral Homes is entrusted with all arrangements.

Barbara Ann Yoder Ward

Mrs. Barbara Ann Yoder Ward, age 74, went home to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Sunday, July 13, 2025.

Mrs. Ward was born on May 10, 1951, in Sugarcreek, Ohio. She was a resident of Atmore, Alabama, for a number of years before moving to Flomaton, Alabama in 1985. She graduated high school at Earnest Ward. She worked at Vanity Fair in Atmore, Alabama, and then was a secretary for Gold Crown Camper Tops in Atmore. After she married her husband, James, in 1985 she dedicated her life to raising and taking care of her family. She enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her six grandchildren.

She is preceeded in death by her parents – Noah and Ida Yoder; and two brothers – Roman “Sonny” Yoder and Paul Yoder.

She is survived by her husband of 40 years, James Ward; two sons – Jameson (Lara) Ward and Andrew (Kayla) Ward; six grandchildren – Aleah Ward, Elijah Ward, Ryan Ward, Ellie Ward, Amelia Ward and Henry Ward; one brother – John (Brenda) Yoder; one sister – Miriam Classen.

There will be a visitation on Friday, July 18, 2025, from 10:00AM – 11:00 AM from the Chapel of Flomaton Funeral Home. Funeral service will be at 11:00AM from the Chapel of Flomaton Funeral Home.

Pallbearers – Jameson Ward, Andrew Ward, Kevin Classen, Marcus Castillow, Kenny Rolin and Will Wilson

Tate Aggies Coach Next Generation At Youth Football Camp

The Tate High School Aggies held their annual Youth Football Camp last week.

During the evening camps, which culminated under the lights, campers were able to run through fundamental drills. The camp was open to players in grades kindergarten through eighth grade.

Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Warm Temperatures and Afternoon Storms Ahead

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Expect a week of typical summer weather, with high temperatures in the low to mid-90s. Afternoon showers and thunderstorms will be a regular feature, with the highest chances for rain occurring mid-week.

Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:

Monday: Sunny with a high near 93 degrees, with a 30 percent chance of afternoon showers and thunderstorms. Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 75 degrees.

Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 95 degrees, and a 40 percent chance of afternoon showers and thunderstorms. Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 75 degrees and a 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms.

Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 93 degrees. Showers and thunderstorms are likely after 10 a.m., with a 70 percent chance of precipitation. Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73 degrees and a 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms.

Thursday: High chances for showers and thunderstorms throughout the day, with a high near 86 degrees and a 90 percent chance of precipitation. Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74 degrees and a 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms.

Friday: Similar to Thursday, expect showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm, with more showers and thunderstorms after 1 p.m. The high will be near 87 degrees, with a 90 percent chance of precipitation. Friday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74 degrees and a 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms.

Saturday: Showers and thunderstorms are likely, with mostly sunny skies and a high near 90 degrees. There’s a 60 percent chance of precipitation. Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 74 degrees.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 92 degrees and a 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms.

$1.3 Million Federal Grant Awarded For New Community Center In Cantonment

Escambia County has received a $1.3 million RESTORE Act grant to construct a new community center in Cantonment.

The Cantonment community center will serve as a hub for workforce development, adult education, tutoring, senior services, and community gatherings. Seasonal programming trends indicate strong demand for health and wellness activities from January through May, shifting to youth camps and sports activities during the summer months. Once completed, the center will also co-locate essential social service providers, strengthening community support systems.

Cantonment does not currently have a county-owned community center.

The 3,250 square feet modular building will be located in Carver Park at Webb and Washington streets.

For nearly a decade, the very active Cantonment Improvement Committee (CIC) has operated from a much smaller 600-squar- foot building that was dedicated as the Carver Park Resource Center. They have used the small space for computer instruction, food distributions, after-school programs, and meetings.

The community center will be a single-story modular construction similar to a building dedicated at the Ashton-Brosnaham Park (pictured at bottom).

“I am so pleased to see this project finally come to fruition. It’s an exciting day for the CIC, the Carver Park community and the greater Cantonment area. I know the community center, with the help of the CIC, will change people’s lives. It’s going to be outfitted with leading-edge technology for community use,” District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry said when the design was approved. ” I can’t wait to see how it changes the futures and the trajectories of some of the young people in the community.”

The new facility will be located in the area of the existing Carver Park Resource Center and will be capable of accommodating a medium to large dividable meeting room, a warming kitchen, office space, a computer area and a storage room that can be utilized for food distribution, according to the county.

The current resource building will be moved and remain on site next to the parking lot for the new facility.

A date to commence construction has not been announced.

Pictured top: The new site design concept for a new Carver Park Community Center in Cantonment (click to enlarge). Pictured inset: The 2015 ribbon cutting of the current Carver Park Resource Center. Pictured below: U.S. Representative Matt Gaetz meets with local citizens inside the current cramped resource center in 2018. Pictured bottom: A similar building at Ashton-Brosnaham Park during last year’s SEC Women’s Soccer Tournament. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.

These Are This Week’s Road Construction Trouble Spots

Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads and project in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.

Escambia County:

• Beulah Road (State Road (S.R.) 99) Resurfacing from Mobile Highway (S.R. 10A) to Isaacs Lane – The week of Sunday, July 13, Beulah Road will be temporarily closed at the Beulah Church Road intersection for a period of 18 days for drainage construction. Signs will be in place to detour drivers around the work zone using Rebel Road, Mobile Highway and Nine Mile Road.
• U.S. 90 (Scenic Highway) Resurfacing, from south of Interstate 10 (I-10) to south of Hyde Park Road – Drivers on Scenic Highway will encounter intermittent lane closures, from south of I-10 to south of Hyde Park Road, Sunday, July 13 through Thursday, July 17, from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m., for paving operations. Law enforcement will be on site and traffic flaggers will direct drivers safely through the work zone.
• Garden Street (Business U.S. 98) Construction from Pace Boulevard to the Interstate 110 (I-110) Ramp – The week of Sunday, July 13, drivers may encounter the following construction-related traffic disruptions:
  • B Street, between Garden Street and Romana Street, will be closed for a period of 14 days for stormwater management improvements. Signs will be in place to detour drivers around the work zone using Garden Street, A Street and Romana Street.
  • Garden Street, between Pace Boulevard and N. Donelson Street, is reduced to two travel lanes (one in each direction), as crews perform construction activities on the south side of the street. This temporary traffic configuration will be in place through early 2026.
  • Temporary side street closures south of Garden Street, from B Street to J Street, as crews perform utility and stormwater management enhancements.
  • On-street parking is closed on the south side of Garden Street, between B Street and L Street. Additionally, periodic on-street parking closures will occur on Garden Street, between A Street and Alcaniz Street, for sidewalk and crosswalk improvements.

• Michigan Avenue (S.R. 296) Resurfacing from Mobile Highway (U.S. 90) to North Palafox Street (U.S. 29) – The week of Sunday, July 13, drivers may encounter intermittent lane closures on Michigan Avenue, from Mobile Highway to North Palafox Street, between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. for paving operations.

• Brent Lane/Bayou Boulevard (S.R. 296) Resurfacing, from Davis Highway (S.R. 291) to Baisden Road – Drivers may encounter the following traffic disruptions, Sunday, July 13 through Thursday, July 17 between 8 p.m. and 5:30 a.m. for milling and paving operations:
  • Intermittent lane closures on Brent Lane/Bayou Boulevard, from Davis Highway to Baisden Road.
  • On-street parking closures on Bayou Boulevard, between 12th Avenue and Baisden Road.

• Pine Forest Road (S.R. 297) Resurfacing from Mobile Highway (U.S. 90) to Blue Angel Parkway (S.R. 173) – The week of Sunday, July 13, drivers may encounter intermittent lane closures on Pine Forest Road, from Mobile Highway to Blue Angel Parkway, between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m., for placement of thermoplastic striping.
• Interstate Circle Bridge Over Eight Mile Creek Construction – Interstate Circle is closed at the Eight Mile Creek Bridge through mid-2025 while crews replace the bridge. Signs are in place to detour drivers around the work zone using Pine Forest Road, Longleaf Drive and Wymart Road.

• I-10 at Nine Mile Road Interchange (Exit 5) Construction – Drivers will encounter the following construction-related traffic disruptions:
  • Intermittent I-10 inside lane closures near the Nine Mile Road interchange, Sunday, July 13 through Thursday, July 17, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.
  • Nine Mile Road will be reduced to one travel lane in each direction between the I-10 ramps, Sunday, July 13 through Friday, July 18 from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Law enforcement will be on site, and directional signage will be in place to guide drivers through the work zone.

• I-10 at U.S. 29 Interchange (Exit 10) Construction – Between Sunday, July 13 and Friday, July 18, drivers will encounter the following construction-related traffic disruptions:
  • Beginning Monday, July 14, I-10 east and westbound travel lanes will be shifted away from the median area of the roadway, between mile markers 10 and 12, near the U.S. 29 interchange (Exit 10).
  • Intermittent I-10 eastbound outside lane closures will occur from 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. between mile markers 9 and 10 for barrier wall adjustments.
  • The length of the U.S. 29 southbound turn lane access to the I-10 eastbound on-ramp has been permanently reduced to allow crews to complete construction activities. A concrete barrier wall and new pavement striping is in place to direct traffic through the work zone.
  • I-10 between U.S. 29 and I-110, is reduced to two travel lanes in each direction.
  • The U.S. 29 northbound ramp to I-10 eastbound is closed. U.S. 29 northbound drivers are being detoured to make a U-turn at Broad Street onto U.S. 29 southbound to access I-10 eastbound.
• U.S. 29 (S.R. 95) Turn Lane Operations South of Cedar Tree Lane – Motorists will encounter intermittent outside southbound lane closures Sunday, July 13 through Thursday, July 17 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. for turn lane operations.

Santa Rosa County:

• U.S. 90 Resurfacing from west of Avalon Boulevard to east of Stewart Street – Drivers may encounter intermittent U.S. 90 lane closures, between Avalon Boulevard and Stewart Street, Sunday, July 13 through Thursday, July 17, from 7 p.m. to 5:30 a.m., for shoulder work and placement of thermoplastic striping.

• U.S. 90 Bridge Replacement over Simpson River – Drivers on U.S. 90 may encounter intermittent lane closures over the Simpson River Bridge, Sunday, July 13 through Thursday, July 17, between 8 p.m. and 5:30 a.m. as crews perform bridge construction work. Drivers are reminded that the speed limit is 35 mph through the work zone.
• S.R. 87 Resurfacing, from south of East Bay Boulevard (County Road 399) to Vonnie Tolbert Road – Drivers may encounter intermittent lane closures on S.R. 87, from East Bay Boulevard to Vonnie Tolbert Road, Monday, July 14 through Thursday, July 17, between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m., for concrete repair work and paving operations.
• U.S. 98 Widening from Bayshore Road to Portside Drive – Motorists will encounter the following traffic impacts:
  • Median and turn-lane closures from Bayshore Road to Tiger Lake Drive.
  • Intermittent lane closures and additional median closures between Bayshore Road and Tiger Lake Drive, Sunday, July 13, through Friday, July 18, from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for paving operations.

All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.

See All The Photo Highlights From All Three Days Of The Blue Angels

Huge crowds watched the Blue Angels and the Pensacola Beach Airshow this year, possibly setting record attendance records.

NorthEscambia was there with photographer Perry Doggrell bringing our readers exciting and unique photos for three days. The photos from Thursday were especially unique and unlike what local fans are accustomed to seeing, taken from on-board the USCGC Barbara Mabrity, the Coast Guard ship in the Gulf that serves as the center point for the show. Doggrell even caught a rare view of the Blue Angels’ Fat Albert and an osprey—not the military kind, but the bird.

Here’s a look back at the photos:

• Thursday Practice Show photos (from the USCG ship), click here.
• Friday Dress Rehearsal, click here.
• Saturday Pensacola Beach Air Show, click here.

NorthEscambia.com photos by Perry Doggrell, click to enlarge.

Jackson Lafayette Sharpless Jr.

Jackson Lafayette Sharpless Jr., age 89, passed away on July 13, 2025.

He was born on July 6, 1936 to Jackson Lafayette Sr. and Thelma Viola Bratcher Sharpless of Atmore, AL. He was the fifth of eight children.

He is preceded in death by his parents, his brother Carlton Sharpless, and his sisters Waldene Sharpless Argroves, Joyce Sharpless Hogg, and Carolyn Sharpless Smith. He is survived by his wife of 61 & ½ years, Betty Philyaw Sharpless; his siblings, Ronnie (Margaret) Sharpless, Lynn Fralick, and Brenda (David) Cruce; his sons, Glenn (Jeannie) Sharpless, Larry (Shellie) Sharpless, and Allen (Gina) Sharpless; his grandchildren, Brandon (Ally) Sharpless, Jay (Mahryn) Sharpless, Aaron Sharpless, Samantha (Tony) Corley, and Andrew (Maggie) Sharpless; and eight great-grandchildren.

He enjoyed woodworking over the years, and was a faithful member of Brooks Memorial Baptist Church, where he sang in the choir and served as a deacon.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, July 16 at Brooks Memorial Baptist Church.

Visitation will be from 10:00-11:00 am, with a service following at 11:00 am. A graveside service will follow at Sardis Church Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to The Gideons International.

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