Teens Charged With Killing Girl, 14, In Santa Rosa County Before Burning Her Body
December 5, 2025
Two Santa Rosa County teens are behind bars, charged in the brutal murder of a 14-year old.
Gabriel Williams, 16, and Kimahri Blevins, 14, have both been charged with first-degree premeditated murder.
On December 1, 14-year-old Danika Troy was reported as a runaway after she was last seen on November 30.
The Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office said they carried out a plan to shoot Troy and burn her body.
About 11 p.m. on December 2, the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office located a burned body in a wooded area off Kimberly Road in Pace. Due to the condition of the body, immediate identification could not be determined.
On December 3, 2025, while conducting further follow up interviews, investigators determined the body was that of Troy and developed Williams and Blevins as suspects. After interviews and examination of evidence, the teens were charged.
Williams and Blevins are currently being held by the Department of Juvenile Justice.
Tate Aggies Fall To Garcia In Florida Invitational Tournament Championship
December 5, 2025
The Dr. Joaquin Garcia High School Bulldogs from Lake Worth defeated the Tate Aggies 10-0 on Thursday night to win the 2025 Florida Invitational Tournament (FIT) Division 2 (4A-7A) Football Championship in Sumterville, FL.
The Aggies went 10-4 on the season, including home FIT wins over First Coast, Bartram Trail, and Chiles.
Tate is already looking forward to next season.
What is FIT?
In addition to the traditional playoff path to a state championship, the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) Florida Invitational Tournament (FIT) will see additional teams continue play.
FIT stated last year as an experiment in the rural class. With the FIT, teams that do not make the traditional playoffs receive an invitation to the tournament and a chance to continue postseason.
FHSAA expanded the FIT to two 16-team brackets for high school classes 1A-7A. One bracket is for Class 1A-3A, and the other bracket is for Class 4A-7A. The third FIT bracket is 12 teams in the Rural Class.
High School Basketball Scoreboard
December 5, 2025
Here are high school basketball scores from the North Escambia area Thursday night.
BOYS VARSITY
Tate 72, West Florida 67 at West Florida
Central 51, Northview 26
GIRLS VARSITY
Central 68, Northview 20
West Hope Drive To Close Next Week
December 5, 2025
Beginning the week of Monday, December 8, West Hope Drive will be closed at North Palafox Street in Escambia County to allow crews to complete drainage work..
During the closure, traffic on North Palafox Street will be detoured to Tower Drive to reach Pittman Avenue. West Hope Drive and Pittman Avenue south of Tower Drive will be open to local traffic only.
The speed limit is reduced to 35 mph on North Palafox Street, and signage will be in place to direct drivers through the detour
This work is part of a $236 million construction project designed to improve safety and increase capacity for the 62,000 drivers who travel the I-10 at U.S. 29 interchange daily. The overall project is scheduled for completion in 2030.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
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.
