William Theodore ‘Bill’ Staff
November 21, 2025
Mr. William Theodore “Bill” Staff, aged 87, sadly passed away on Thursday, November 20, 2025, in Atmore, Alabama, surrounded by his loving family. He was a lifelong resident of Atmore and dedicated his life to his faith as a devoted Catholic. Bill was an active member of Saint Roberts Bellarmine Catholic Church, where he found community and support throughout his years. His warm spirit and kindness will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
He had a true passion for fishing, whether it was deep sea or inshore, and he loved passing that joy on to his children and grandchildren, teaching them how to drive the boat. His favorite moments were spent at the Beach House in Fort Walton Beach, where laughter filled the air and memories were made. He enjoyed relaxing while watching westerns and was a big fan of Alabama football, never missing a game. After a long and dedicated career at Staff Chevrolet, working in the service department for seventy-three years, he also found time to cheer on his favorite NASCAR drivers, always eager to follow the races.
Preceded in death by his parents, Edmund Adam and Nell Yearwood Staff; wife of sixty-five years, Ann Staff; brothers, Edmund Adam Staff, Jr.; sister, Susan Staff Calvert.
Mr. Staff is survived by his two sons, Bill Staff Jr. and his wife Tina from Orange Beach, Alabama, and Speer Staff and his wife Cindi from Ocean Springs, Mississippi; two daughters, Suzanne McGill and her husband Mark from Atmore, Alabama, and Leslie Brand and her husband Doug from Senoia, Georgia; two brothers, Jim and Myrtle Staff, of Atmore, Alabama, Chipper and Wanda Staff, of Atmore, Alabama, one sister Catherine Tims, of Atmore, Alabama, along with nine grandchildren Shayna, Mandy, Ashleigh, Arielle, Anna Marie, Haden, Haleigh, Cayleigh, Christen, Ashley; eight great-grandchildren Will, Corbin, Thatcher, Norah, Evvie, Charlie, Nicholas, Ella.
Funeral services will be held Monday, November 24, 2025 at 3:00 PM at Saint Roberts Bellarmine Catholic Church with Father Joji Chacko officiating.
Burial will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Monday, November 24, 2025 from 2:00 PM until service time at 3:00 PM at Saint Roberts Bellarmine Catholic Church.
Pallbearers will be Hayden McGill, Will Strawbridge, Corbin Strawbridge, Johnny Simpson, Jim Harrison.
Although flowers will be accepted, donations may be made to Saint Roberts Bellarmine Catholic Church.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home, LLC Atmore, Alabama is in charge of all arrangements
Betty Jane Powell
November 21, 2025
Betty Jane Powell, age 91, of Molino, Florida, departed this life on Wednesday, November 19, 2025.
Betty was born on April 21, 1934, in Detroit, Michigan to William and Frances Johnson. In 1951 she married the love of her life, Roy Powell, and became a military spouse. She took great pride in her role. Together they built a beautiful life. Being stationed in many places throughout their time in the military, she always had a story to tell of her many adventures. She had genuine passion for life.
Betty loved crafting and there wasn’t much she could not do once she put her mind to it. Another hobby she loved was bowling with her league, where she made many close friends over the years. She always had a song and sometimes a dance move ready for any occasion that arose. She will be remembered for her quick-witty personality.
Betty is survived by her three children; Bob Powell (Dian) of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, Fay Powell (Rick) of Molino, Florida and Betty Lou Horton (Phil) of Oroville, California; six grandchildren, ten great grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild. One brother, Robert Johnson (Doris) of Roseville, Michigan; and many nieces and nephews.
Betty touched the lives of everyone who knew her and her memory will live on forever in the hearts of her family and friends. A memorial visitation for Betty will be held on Monday, November 24, 2025, from 3:00-5:00 p.m. at Faith Chapel Funeral Home in Cantonment, Florida.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to the American Legion Auxiliary Unit #340. 8890 Ashland Avenue, Pensacola, Florida 32534. As Betty was a long-time member of The Women’s Auxiliary.
Bob Sweeney
November 21, 2025
Bob Sweeney, 92, lived an active live energized by his faith in Jesus Christ, his devotion to family, and his creativity in his vocation of construction. He died peacefully at VITAS Hospice on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025.
Born June 18, 1933, at Sanders Beach in downtown Pensacola, Bob was the youngest of five children of Ivan Joseph and Mary Kathleen Murphy Sweeney. He was predeceased by his parents, three brothers and sister.
Bob attended J.M. Tate High School where he met his first wife of 57 years, Shirley Pace Sweeney. Bob and Shirley married Feb. 17, 1951. They soon found a church home in Olive Baptist Church, where Bob made a profession of faith in Jesus as his Savior and followed in believer’s baptism. Bob and Shirley made Olive their church home for 54 years.
Bob said he “found” a stray horse at age 9 and began riding it to school daily. Thus began his lifelong affection for equines that led to his owning a 10-acre homestead in Cantonment for 60 years. Known to his grandchildren – Clayton and Melody – as PawPaw, he passed down his love for horses by teaching them to ride. He used his horseback riding skills in the 1960s and 1970s as a member of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Posse, performing search and rescues and representing the community in parades riding his Palomino “Peaches.”
Professionally, Bob was a Florida General Contractor and built well over 100 custom homes in the Pensacola area, including some of the first on Pensacola Beach’s Sabine Island. Then he transitioned to commercial construction. He built about 200 KFC stores across the Southeast and lastly was in charge of building some 20 churches and family life centers as superintendent for Jerry Toler Construction.
The last custom home Bob oversaw was the construction of his and his second wife Sue’s personal residence. Sue and Bob were married Jan.10, 2009, at East Brent Baptist Church where he has been a member the past 16 years. They moved into the new home in spring 2023. He personally built all the cabinets for this house!
Bob is survived by his wife, Carolyn Sue Pugh Sweeney; his daughter, Julie Gay (David) Sweeney Cameron; his youngest son, Clayton Thomas (Candy) Sweeney; his grandson, Clayton Thomas Sweeney II; his granddaughter, Melody Kathleen Cameron; his daughter-in-law, Susan Barber Sweeney; two stepsons, Jason and Jerel Pugh; and a stepdaughter, Kalyn Pugh. Bob was preceded in death last Nov. 22, 2024, by his oldest son, Stephen Robert Sweeney.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to Pensacola Habitat for Humanity.
Luther Joseph ‘Joey’ Croley
November 21, 2025
Mr. Luther Joseph “Joey” Croley, age 67, passed away on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, in Pensacola, Florida. A native of Crestview, Florida, Joey’s life journey led him through the charming towns of Fairhope and Daphne, Alabama, before he ultimately settled in Castleberry, a community that embraced him for the past forty years. Known for his warm spirit and kind heart, Joey touched the lives of many with his genuine nature and infectious smile. His legacy will undoubtedly live on in the memories of those who were fortunate enough to know him. As friends and family gather to celebrate his life, they will remember not only his contributions to the community but also the love he shared with everyone around him.
He had a deep passion for the great outdoors, always excited about hunting and fishing whenever he could. Riding motorcycles gave him a thrill, and he loved the freedom it brought. A devoted Alabama football fan, he would cheer loudly during the games, sharing those moments with family and friends. He enjoyed watching westerns, finding joy in their stories and adventures. His work took him traveling to many places, but he always treasured the time spent with loved ones. Food was another of his loves, with carrot cake being his absolute favorite treat.
Mr. Croley is survived by his sisters, Mary Abbott of Brewton, Alabama and Janet Croley of Brewton, Alabama; niece and nephew, Tracey Parr (Tracy) of Baytown, Texas and Amanda (Gene) Carpenter of Brewton, Alabama; great niece and nephew, Zack (Crystal) Williams of Brewton, Alabama and Allie Parr of Baytown, Texas.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Luther and Mary Lois Wright Croley; sister, Sarah Mae Croley.
Funeral services will be held Monday, November 24, 2025 at 12:00 PM at Petty Funeral Homes, LLC. with Reverend Michael Wright officiating.
Burial will follow at Godwin Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Monday, November 24, 2025 from 11:00 AM until service time at 12:00 PM at Petty Funeral Homes, LLC.
Pallbearers will be Michael Ballard, Tracey Parr Cameron Ballard, Gene Carpenter, Louis Tharp, Zack Williams.
Honorary pallbearer Jed Brooks.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home, LLC Atmore, Alabama is in charge of all arrangement
PSC Approves FPL Rate Schedule Increase
November 20, 2025
Thursday morning, the Florida Public Service Commission approved a Florida Power & Light comprehensive four-year rate settlement agreement with state regulators. The agreement reduces FPL’s original revenue request by nearly one-third.
The agreement uts FPL’s four-year revenue request by approximately 30%, keeping Northwest Florida rates nearly flat for a couple of years. The agreement, developed in collaboration with a broad coalition of customer groups, sets rates for 2026 through 2029.
In Northwest Florida, the typical residential customer bill will drop nearly $2 next year, going from the current $143.60 to $141.36 in 2026. In the ret of Florida, the typical 1,000-kWh residential customer bill will increase by $2.50 a month, or about 2%, from the current $134.14 to $136.64.
The settlement significantly scales back FPL’s initial rate request.
Beginning in 2027, FPL customers in NorthWest Florida will pay the same rates as the remainder of the state. Panhandle customers will see an overall average monthly increase of $6.79 by the end of the four-year agreement, while the rest of the state will have increased by $14.01.
“We appreciate the Florida Public Service Commission’s thorough review of our rate plan. Today’s vote enables FPL to continue to deliver some of America’s most reliable electric service and meet the needs of our fast-growing state—and we project will keep customer bills well below the national average through the end of the decade,” said FPL President and CEO Armando Pimentel. “As we begin our second century of serving Florida, approval of this plan is a win for our customers and a win for the entire state.”
Sunny And Warm Today; Slight Chance Of A Scattered Shower Friday
November 20, 2025
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 79. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 60. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Friday: A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 80. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 66. South wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: A slight chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 81. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 61. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 78. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph in the morning.
Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 56. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Monday: A 20 percent chance of showers after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 77.
Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 59.
Tuesday: A 40 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 75.
Tuesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 57.
Wednesday: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 74.
Sheriff’s Dive Team Recovers Car From Bluff Springs Lake
November 20, 2025
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Dive Team recovered a vehicle from a lake Wednesday evening in Escambia County.
The unoccupied Honda Civic was found in a gravel lake in a remote area of the Escambia River Wildlife Management Area off Bluff Springs Road near the Escambia River about two miles south of Century.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Witnesses told authorities that the driver got out of the vehicle at a boat launch, accidentally leaving the vehicle in neutral. The vehicle rolled down the boat launch into the lake and then floated slowly until it sank nearly 100 feet from shore.
With the assistance of a boat and crew from the Cantonment Station of Escambia County Fire Rescue, the ECSO located the vehicle using sonar in about 15 feet of water.
The Sheriff’s Office dive team assisted a wrecker company in hooking to the sedan. The vehicle was slowly winched to the shore, where it was confirmed that no one was inside.
Preliminary information indicated the vehicle, which had a Colorado license plate, had not been reported stolen.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating the incident as a traffic crash.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com exclusive photos, click to enlarge.
Century Approves Development Fee Increases Up To 900%
November 20, 2025
The Town of Century has updated their permit fees schedule for the first time in 11 years. Fees are increasing from 100% to 900%.
The town’s current plans review fee schedule, adopted in 2014, set rates for planning actions such as development certificates, sign review, and comprehensive plan amendments. The town currently contracts with the planning organization Emerald Coast Regional Council (ECRC) for plan reviews, which generally costs more than the fees paid by citizens as the existing fees no longer reflect true administrative costs.
Town Administrator Dave Murzin, Mayor Ben Boutwell and ECRC Planner Eric Christianson have agreed that the town has been losing money on every permit issued, rather than at least covering costs.
The permit fee schedule, approved 4-0, with council president Dynette Lewis absent this week, is as follows:
The proposed fees are less than those charged by Escambia County.
NorthEscambia.com photos/graphic, click to enlarge.
Eagle Scout Project Drains Flooding, Brings Relief To Panhandle Equine Rescue
November 20, 2025
Panhandle Equine Rescue (PER) in Cantonment is breathing a sigh of relief following the successful completion of a much-needed drainage project spearheaded by a local Boy Scout.
Thomas Beck, with Boy Scout Troop 632, chose PER as the beneficiary of his Eagle Scout Service Project, installing a French drain for the main barn to combat chronic flooding issues caused by heavy downpours. The project, completed during a very productive day at the facility, is expected to significantly improve conditions for the horses and volunteers.
Beck selected the non-profit PER for his project because he felt their mission was worthy of the effort.
The new French drain system will divert water away from the barn, a critical improvement that addresses a long-standing challenge and ensures a drier, safer environment for the rescued horses.
Boy Scout Troop 632 meets at Windy Hill Baptist Church in Beulah.
Pictured: Thomas Beck’s Eagle Scout Service Project was the installation of a french drain around the barn at Panhandle Equine Rescue in Cantonment. Beck is pictured above, far right in the top row. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Opinion: 60,000 Locals Rely On SNAP. Nonprofits Can’t Meet The Gap Alone.
November 20, 2025
The following editorial opinion letter was submitted to North Escambia.com by 15 local nonprofit organizations.
Every day, health and human service non-profits provide essential support to local households, including food, shelter, healthcare, and more. These services are funded by donations from individuals and businesses, corporate and foundation grants, and state and governmental funding. This array of funding supports direct services and agency operations.
Non-profits fill the gaps when other services are unavailable or unaffordable. However, these organizations do not have the financial resources to provide the full range of assistance necessary to meet all a household’s needs. That requires a variety of resources, including jobs, private benefits, public benefits, and government-funded programs. When some or all of those cease to exist, it strains the safety net supported by the non-profit sector.
When communities shut down because of COVID, people lost jobs, and the non-profit safety net kicked in. Households received assistance from non-profits, which had enough funds and resources for a while. As the pandemic continued, the federal government provided important funding, which many non-profits used to provide food, rent, utilities, and other assistance to households in need.
A major source of support for households in our area, SNAP, was temporarily without funding due to the government shutdown. SNAP, or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, provides food benefits to low-income families to help with their grocery budgets. This helps ensure people can afford nutritious food that is necessary for them to lead healthy lives.
As of this week, SNAP funding and eligibility remains unclear. Proposed changes suggest that many Americans may lose SNAP benefits entirely as they return. Even those who continue to receive SNAP benefits face financial hardships as they have dipped into other limited funds to pay for food in the past weeks.
U.S. Citizens, or individuals with qualified non-citizen status, are eligible for SNAP. Undocumented immigrants cannot qualify for SNAP. Other requirements vary from state to state.
In Florida, households must earn less than or equal to 200% of the Federal Poverty Level which is $64,300 for a family of four. These ALICE, Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed, families are working yet living paycheck to paycheck. People over 60 must meet income and asset tests to qualify. Thirty-seven percent of individuals receiving SNAP are in working families. Individuals who are blind or are on federal disability are also eligible for SNAP.
In the United States, nearly 42 million people, or 12% of the population, participate in SNAP. In the state of Florida, 2.98 million people, or 12.7% of the population, receive SNAP benefits. Of those, 1.1 million are children, which represents 39% of all SNAP recipients in Florida.
Forty percent of older adults in Florida are on SNAP. About 30% rely on other programs to have enough to eat, which means that in some cases, multiple services are not enough to feed seniors.
Across the country, National Guard, reservists, military families, and veterans benefit from the SNAP program. In the state of Florida, 108,000 veterans, or 7% of veterans, are SNAP recipients. Locally, in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties, 60,000 individuals rely on SNAP.
The dollar amount of the benefit depends on the state of residence. In Florida, the average SNAP benefit per household member per month is just $186, or $6.12 per day. That’s not a lot, but it means households are closer to having enough to eat.
Loss of SNAP is not detrimental to just the individuals who rely on it, but to communities as well. Every $1 in SNAP benefits generates $1.50 in economic output. SNAP recipients spend their benefits quickly, boosting sales for grocery stores and their suppliers, which in turn supports jobs and wages, directly stimulating the local economy.
The loss of SNAP benefits, in the middle of a government shutdown, is causing tremendous strain on households. That strain is also being felt by the local non-profits, who are committed to helping people. Non-profits are designed to provide support and a safety net when needed, but they are not built to meet all the needs of struggling households. Communities thrive when local, state and federal governments, businesses, foundations, and non-profits work together to provide support to households in need. The absence of one or more of these creates a gap that jeopardizes the health and well-being of hardworking citizens, vulnerable children and adults, and members of our military and veterans.
The non-profit sector in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties works hard to keep families safe and healthy, but we cannot do it alone. You can help your favorite non-profit, or the non-profit sector, by making a financial gift, volunteering your time, and/or advocating for policies that support struggling families in our communities. In turn, you are bringing hope to our friends and neighbors.
Respectfully submitted by,
Laura Gilliam, United Way of West Florida
Katie Ballard, Studer Community Institute
Connie Bookman, Pathways for Change
Shirley Cornett, Interfaith Ministries
Rev. Ashlee Mosley Brown, Bright Bridge Ministries
Rachelle Burns, EscaRosa Suicide Prevention Coalition
Karen Egozi, Epilepsy Alliance Florida
Cheryl Etheridge, The Black NonProfit Group
Carolyn Grawi, Center for Independent Living of Northwest Florida
Christeia Hawkins, Northwest Florida Community Outreach
Rachel Iverson, Gulf Coast Freedom Schools
Josh Newby, Council on Aging of West Florida
Gladys Scott, Sisters of Hope
Paula Shell, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Florida
DeDe Flounlaker, Manna Food Bank