Prom Promise Demonstration Shows High Schoolers The Reality Of Drunk Driving
March 20, 2025
A realistic DUI crash demonstration involving students gave Flomaton High School students a dose of reality on Wednesday morning.
One student, the DUI driver, was arrested. Two were transported to the hospital — one by helicopter in critical condition.
One student did not survive.
The demonstration was all part of the school’s Prom Promise program, encouraging the students to not drink and drive.
For a more photos, click here.
“You can talk about something all day long and it doesn’t set in their minds,” Flomaton Police Chief Dereck Lowry said. “When they see something in person, and they see the blood, or they see the people being put in the ambulance, they see the people being put on life flight, they see the people getting put in a hearse, it brings it home a little bit more for them, makes it a little more personal.”
Multiple agencies took part in the student demonstration Wednesday, including the Flomaton Fire Department, Flomaton Police Department, Century Station of Escambia County (FL) Fire Rescue, Escambia County (AL) Sheriff’s Department, Newmans Ambulance, MedStar Aircare 2, Williams Funeral Home. Peach Ford/Chevrolet Wrecker Service, Lambeth Fire Department, and Brewton Fire Department.
Photos by Katie Fowler for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Th
e demonstration was all part of the school’s Prom Promise program, encouraging the students to not drink and drive.
Special Election Sample Ballots Mailed To Escambia County Voters
March 20, 2025
Sample ballots for the April 1 special general election have been mailed to all registered voters who do not currently have a vote-by-mail request on file. Voters can expect their sample ballots to arrive in mailboxes early next week. All registered voters in Escambia County are eligible to participate in the April 1 Special General Election. Your sample ballot will also contain early vote information, vote-by-mail information, and your home precinct for election day.
Vote by mail ballots must be returned to the Supervisor of Elections Office no later than 7 p.m. on election day. The United States Postal Service recommends mailing your ballot back at least seven days prior to the deadline. Voters may drop their vote by mail ballots off at any early voting locations as well as the main SOE office.
Any voter has the option to vote-by-mail. Requests must be made for each new election cycle. If you have not already made a request and wish to receive your ballot in the mail, visit EscambiaVotes.gov/vote-by-mail or call (850) 595-3900. The request deadline is Thursday, March 20 for the April 1 special general election.
File photo.
FFA Members Attend ‘Ag On The Hill’ In Tallahassee
March 20, 2025
Florida FFA members took part in the 2025 Ag On The Hill day in Tallahassee this week.
FFA members from Northview High School were among those taking part.
Members met with their state representatives and senators to discuss key issues impacting Florida FFA and agricultural education.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Person of Interest In Suspicious Munson Death Found Deceased in Louisiana
March 20, 2025
The Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office said Wednesday that a man wanted for questioning in a suspicious death near Munson has been found deceased out of state.
Michael Glenn Davis, 60, was found deceased March 6 in the rural Munson area. An autopsy was underway to determine the cause of death.
Authorities had been seeking to question Johnny Drew Mobley, who was previously considered a person of interest in connection with the case.
The SRSO said Mobley (pictured) was found deceased in West Monroe, Louisiana, on March 15. His cause of death has not yet been confirmed. The investigation into Mobley’s death is ongoing, and Santa Rosa County authorities are working closely with West Monroe Police Department to gather more details.
Frost Advisory Overnight
March 20, 2025
There is a frost advisory overnight.
Tonight: Clear, with a low around 33. Northwest wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Friday: Areas of frost before 8am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 66. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Friday Night: Clear, with a low around 40. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 74. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 48. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm after midnight.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 75. South wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Sunday Night: Showers likely after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 57. South wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Monday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 1pm, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 72. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 47. North wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 75.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 52.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 78.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 52.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 77.
Tate Advances To Aggie Classic Championship With 12-2 Win Over BTW
March 20, 2025
The Tate Aggies advanced to the championship game of the 30th annual Aggie Classic with a 12-2-win Wednesday night over the Booker T. Washington Hornets of Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Kaleb Posta earned the win for Tate, surrendering one run on two hits (one earned) in five innings, walking one and striking out three. Bryton McLellan pitched one shutout inning in relief, allowing one hit.
Hunter Clayton had two hits and four RBIs at the plate for the Aggies. Nathan Connors and Cal Foxworth each added two hits for Tate.
Tate will host First Academy Royals from Orlando at 7 p.m. for the Aggie Classic championship.
Here is the complete Aggie Classic schedule for Thursday:
Tate High School
- 4:00 Bixby, OK vs Olympia, FL
- 7:00 First Academy, FL vs Tate, FL
Gulf Breeze High School
- 7:00 Broken Arrow vs Gulf Breeze, FL
Catholic High School
- 4:00 Blanchard, OK vs Neal, AL
- 7:00 Catholic vs Charles Page, OK
Washington High School
- 4:00 Washington, OK vs Noble, OK
- 7:00 Yukon, OK vs Washington, FL
Escambia Man Arrested for DUI, Hit-and-Run After Crash with Police SUV
March 20, 2025
A 48-year-old Escambia County man was arrested on charges of DUI and hit-and-run after crashing into a police vehicle.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol , the incident happened around 11:30 p.m. Tuesday while the Pensacola Police Department was setting up a perimeter to search for a stolen vehicle.
FHP said Wendell Snow, driving a Dodge pickup truck, approached from behind and collided with a marked PPD SUV that had its emergency lights activated and was slowly moving down the outside lane of Creighton Road.
The officer inside the SUV, a 25-year-old male, suffered minor injuries and was taken to the hospital.
Snow attempted to flee but was stopped several blocks away and detained. Troopers determined he was heavily impaired. He was arrested for hit-and-run and his third DUI offense in over a decade.
Donald Eugene ‘Donnie’ Brown, Jr.
March 20, 2025
Mr. Donald Eugene “Donnie” Brown, Jr. was a beloved member of the community who sadly passed away at the age of 45 on March 20, 2025, in Pensacola, Florida. Originally from Pensacola, he had made his home in Flomaton for the last four and a half years. Donnie will be remembered by his family and friends for his warm spirit and the joy he brought to those around him. His passing leaves a significant void in the hearts of all who knew him.
Mr. Brown was a man full of life and excitement. He loved to spend his weekends hunting in the woods, fishing by the lake, and crafting beautiful items in his workshop. His vibrant personality drew people in, and he enjoyed every moment watching wrestling matches, cheering for his favorite wrestlers. Fireworks were another passion of his; he loved the colors and sounds lighting up the night sky. Most importantly, Mr. Brown cherished time with his family, creating memories that they would hold dear forever.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Donald Eugene (Carol Ard) Brown.
He is survived by his two sons, Draven Brown, of Lillian, AL; Gabriel “Gabe” Brown, of Lillian, AL; sister, Monica McLain, of Atmore, AL; friend, Amber Munro, of Flomaton, AL; friends, Kevin (Haley) Walker, of Jay, FL; extended family, John McLain, numerous cousins and friends.
Visitation will be held, Tuesday, March 25, 2025, from 6-8 p.m. at Petty Funeral Homes.
Wildfire Evacuation Lifted Near Chumuckla; Fire Burns North Of Flomaton
March 19, 2025
UPDATE: Wildfire evacuations have been lifted near Chumuckla.
Chumuckla Springs Road, Mineral Springs Road, Sid Hayes Road and Watson Road have all been reopened. No homes were damaged by the fire and the evacuation recommendation has been lifted for the area.
Update from Florida Forest Service Blackwater Forestry Center:
The brush fire is 60% contained at 160 acres. All forward progress has been stopped, and a line has been established around the fire perimeter. The Florida Forest Service will remain on the scene to strengthen lines for the next several hours and continue to monitor the area tomorrow morning, Thursday, March 20.
Residents have been evacuated due to a large brush fire near Jay, and there is a large wildfire burning near I-65 north of Flomaton.
Currently, the Santa Rosa County brush fire is approximately 200 acres and residents in the area are being evacuated.
The following roadways in Jay are closed due to a brush fire:
- Chumuckla Springs Road, from Mineral Springs Road to just north of Howell Pit Road
- Mineral Springs Road from Chumuckla Springs Road to Sid Hayes Road
- Sid Hayes Road from Mineral Springs Road to Watson Road
- All of Watson Road
Florida Forest Service says five tractor plow units are on scene, as well as brush trucks. They’re currently doing structure protection operations in the area.
An unrelated wildfire is burning along Stanley Road near Coleman Road, west of Highway 113 at I-65. Fire departments from both Escambia County in Alabama and Escambia County in Florida are on scene. Alabama authorities have not provided further details on evacuations, if any. No updates have been provided.
Political Newcomer John Bass Wins Election To Century Town Council
March 19, 2025
Political newcomer John Bass easily won election to an open seat on the Century Town Council in a special primary election on Tuesday.
Three candidates appeared on the ballot on Tuesday for Century Town Council Seat 4.
Seat 4 on the council was left open in early January when Alicia Johnson was appointed interim mayor after Luis Gomez, Jr., resigned for health reasons.
“I am a life long citizen of Century that has appreciated and enjoyed the work of many others before me. Now I feel it’s my responsibility to help lead the way for future generations of Century residents.,” Bass, a retired correctional officer with an associate’s degree in electronic engineering, wrote in response to a questionnaire from NorthEscambia.com.
- John Bass – 75
- Kathryn Fleming – 27
- Lizbeth “Sparkie” Harrison – 26
With a 128 votes cast, Bass needed 65 votes to win — 50% plus one additional vote — to avoid a run-off in an April general election. There were 858 voters qualified to vote in Tuesday’s election, putting the voter turnout in the non-partisan race at almost 15%.
There were 85 votes in-person on Tuesday, with 54 of those going for Bass. A total of 43 votes were cast by mail prior to election, with the majority (21) going to Bass.
Both Fleming and Harrison took to the NorthEscambia.com Facebook page Tuesday night to congratulate Bass.
One candidate, Ben Boutwell, qualified for the position of mayor. He was elected automatically, and that contest did not appear on the special primary ballot. [Read: Century's Next Mayor Ben Boutwell Is Ready To Get To Work]
Boutwell and Bass will be sworn into office in early May.
Pictured top: John Bass (submitted photo). Pictured inset: There were 43 vote-by-mail ballots that were tabulated. Pictured below: Escambia County Supervisor of Elections Robert Bender announces special primary election results Tuesday night at the Century Town Hall. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
