New Nine Mile Road Traffic Light At Ashland Avenue Goes Into Flash Mode Today
February 4, 2025
A new traffic signal on Nine Mile Road at Ashland Avenue will be activated in flash mode mode on Tuesday.
Drivers on Nine Mile Road will encounter a yellow flashing signal, meaning they should slow down and proceed through the intersection with caution. Drivers on Ashland Avenue will stop with a red flashing light.
On Tuesday, February 11 at 10 a.m., the traffic signal will be fully activated with in standard mode.
Atmore Police Execute Search, Arrest Six On Drug Charges
February 4, 2025
Atmore Police Department officers executed a search warrant at a residence on the 100 block of Harris Street on Saturday afternoon, leading to the arrest of six individuals and the seizure of illegal drugs and stolen firearms.
The operation, carried out around 3:30 p.m., was the result of citizen complaints and police surveillance. Inside the residence, officers discovered two stolen firearms, several hundred grams of marijuana, Ecstasy pills, THC gummies, synthetic cannabis (Spice), and drug packaging materials, including digital scales. Authorities also said they found two small children in close proximity to the narcotics.
The following individuals were arrested and charged:
- Willis Williams, 26 – possession of a controlled substance, receiving stolen property (second degree), possession of marijuana (first degree), and possession of drug paraphernalia.
- Kenta Finklea, 37 – possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of marijuana (first degree), receiving stolen property (second degree), obstructing government operations, and chemical endangerment.
- Diane Finklea, 63 – possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of marijuana (first degree), and receiving stolen property (second degree).
- Aaron Salter, 27 – possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of marijuana (first degree), and receiving stolen property (second degree).
- Brandon McCaster, 28 – possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of marijuana (first degree), and receiving stolen property (second degree).
- Tiecha Finklea, 37 – possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of marijuana (first degree), and receiving stolen property (second degree).
All six suspects were booked into the Escambia County (AL) Detention Center.
Pictured: (top row) Willias Williams, Kenta Finklea, Diane Finklea, (bottom row) Aaron Salter, Brandon McCaster, and Tiecha Finklea.
Mostly Sunny, High In The Middle 70s
February 4, 2025
Here is the complete North Escambia area forecast:
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 75. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph.
Tuesday Night: Widespread dense fog, mainly between 10pm and 3am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 57. Calm wind.
Wednesday: Patchy fog before 9am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 75. Light south wind increasing to 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon.
Wednesday Night: Patchy fog after 2am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 61. South wind around 5 mph.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 78. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday Night: Patchy fog after 3am. Otherwise, partly cloudy, with a low around 62. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Friday: Patchy fog before 8am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 79. Light southwest wind increasing to 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
Friday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62. South wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 78.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 61.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 78.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 53.
Monday: Partly sunny, with a high near 70.
Woman Charged With Passing Package Of Drugs To Death Row Inmate
February 4, 2025
A visitor to an Atmore prison has been charged with passing a package of drugs to a death row inmate from Atmore.
The incident happened Sunday at Holman prison. The Alabama Department of Corrections said Nanceen Alexander, 68, was observed passing a package to inmate Cedric Jerome Floyd. Correctional officers intervened and recovered the package.
The Department of Corrections Law Enforcement Services Division was notified and an agent responded. Alexander was interviewed then placed under arrest and transported to the Escambia County (AL) Detention Center. She was charged with trafficking methamphetamine, trafficking fentanyl, promoting prison contraband II, and possession of drug paraphernalia..
Floyd has been on death row since a 2013 conviction for murdering his girlfriend, 32-year old Tina Jones, in Atmore on January 2, 2011. The slaying was motivated by the victim’s intention to end a violent and tumultuous off-and-on two-year dating relationship with Floyd. Only hours before the Jones’ death, Floyd sent threatening cell phone messages to her saying “don’t make me send myself to prison,” and “ya’ll going to hate you ever met me.”
Jones called 911 at 12:46 a.m. to report that Floyd was breaking into her home. Two minutes later, Atmore Police officers arrived and found Jones lying in the floor of the home with what appeared to be several gunshot wounds, according to Atmore Police. She was transported to Atmore Community Hospital where she was later pronounced dead.
Tate Boys Advance In District Tourney; Northview Chiefs Out
February 4, 2025
The Tate Aggies advanced in the district playoffs with a win Monday night, while the season came to an end for the Northview Chiefs.
Boys 6A District 1
The No. 5 Tate Aggies defeated No. 4 Niceville 52-20 Monday night in the Boys 6A District 1 Quarterfinals at Niceville.
The Aggies move on to the district semifinals Wednesday night at No. 1 Gulf Breeze. Also Wednesday, No. 2 Crestview will host No. 3 Milton. Winners will move on to the district championship game is set for Friday.
Boys Rural Class District 1
Monday night, No. 3 Paxton defeated the No. 6 Northview Chiefs 60-24 in the Boys Rural Class District 1 quarterfinals on Wednesday, No. 1 Baker will host No. 5 Laurel Hill and No. 2 Jay will host Paxton. The district championship game will be played on Friday.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Ernest Ward JV Wins; Varsity Falls in Tight Match Against Beulah Middle (With Gallery)
February 4, 2025
The Ernest Ward Middle School Eagles faced off against the Beulah Middle School Bears Monday night in Walnut Hill.
The Eagles’ junior varsity squad secured a hard-fought victory, winning in three sets –25-15, 21-23, 15-10. EWMS came out strong in the first set, but Beulah responded with a narrow win in the second. The Eagles regrouped in the deciding frame, taking control to seal the match.
For a photo gallery, click here.
In the varsity matchup, Ernest Ward started with a dominant 25-14 first-set win. However, Beulah battled back, winning the next two sets 25-17 and 15-13 to claim the victory.
NorthEscamiba.com photos, click to enlarge.
Mark Julian Elkins
February 4, 2025
Mark Julian Elkins, age 68, of Canoe, AL passed away on February 1, 2025 in Atmore, AL. He was born on February 6, 1956 in Fort Jackson, SC to James Stevens Elkins, Jr. and Mildred Davis Elkins. Mark was a member of The First Methodist Church of Atmore. To know Mark was to love him. Mark never let his learning challenges define him. Almost everyone in Atmore has special memories of him from his amazing ability to recall what vehicle a person drove to their car tag numbers, his friendly smile and kindness, and his genuine love for others. It seemed Mark never met a stranger and knew almost everyone in town.
Mark loved working for the City of Atmore. When he became physically disabled and retired in 2018, he always commented that he wished he could go back to work. Mark loved his church family. He loved participating in activities, especially the annual fish fry. He took pride in being able to get the most donations.
Mark is preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, and several aunts and uncles.
Mark is survived by his brother Jerry S. (Natalie) Elkins of Moundville, AL; his sisters, Carol Elkins of Canoe, AL, Kay Elkins of Jacksonville, FL and Janis Elkins of Atmore, AL; his beloved little “Doggie” Candy along with innumerable family and friends.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, February 6, 2025 at 11:30 a.m. at The First Methodist Church of Atmore with Rev. Mike von Keyserling officiating. Interment will follow in Oak Hill Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be his former workers from the City of Atmore Street and Sanitation Department.
Visitation will be held Thursday, February 6, 2025 from 10:00 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. at The First Methodist Church of Atmore.
SPECIAL REQUEST: As a memorial tribute to Mark, the family ask that everyone wear a bright shirt, shoes, tie, socks, etc. We also ask as many people as able to take part in the procession to Oak Hill Cemetery. Mark was a very social person who loved people. He would be honored to be recognized by all who knew him.
In lieu of flowers, the family ask that donations be made to Methodist Church of Atmore, More than Bricks Fund or to Brewton Paws Crossed Dog Rescue Fund.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Jo Ann McCullough
February 4, 2025
Jo Ann McCullough, age 74, passed away on February 3, 2025, in Pensacola, Florida. She was originally from Bay Minette, Alabama, but had lived in Enon, Florida, for the past 45 years. She will be remembered fondly by her family and friends for the love and kindness she shared throughout her life.
Mrs. McCullough cherished every moment spent with her grandchildren at Three Runs, she’d cook up chicken and rice in her trusty pressure cooker, making sure everyone was well-fed. There were always fun times at our camp at Boatyard, especially when we’d ride the golf cart a little too fast, leaving her worried but laughing. She was always busy making jelly and candy, and if you ever left her house hungry, it was truly your own fault because she’d insist about a hundred times that you eat something before you went. She had a special way of making everyone feel welcomed and loved, treating even strangers like family. Most of all, her love for her family was immense and unwavering, making her truly one of a kind. Now, heaven has gained the most precious angel, and she is no longer in pain.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Arthur C. and Josephine Merrill Jones; brothers, Glenn Jones and Larry Jones.
She is survived by her loving husband of 42 years, David Wayne McCullough of Enon, Florida; son, Jesse McCullough of Enon, Florida; daughter, Tami (Joe) Wright of Biloxi, Mississippi; sisters, Yvonne (Johnny) Harrison of Bay Minette, Alabama and Kathryn (Joe) White of Bay Minette, Alabama; grandchildren, Jessica McCullough and Jacob McCullough; great-grandchildren, Presley McCarty, Parker Burkett, and Ella McCullough.
Funeral service will be held Thursday, February 6, 2025 at 2:00 PM at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes, LLC. with Rev. Joe Gibson officiating
Burial will follow at Enon Baptist Church Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Thursday, February 6, 2025 at 1:00 PM until service time at 2:00 PM at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes, LLC.
Pallbearers will be Jacob McCullough, Clint Harrison, Jeremy White, Jesse McCullough, Ken Martin and Rickey Foster.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home, LLC Atmore, Alabama is in charge of all arrangements
$2.375 Million Project Will Align Quintette Road At Highway 95A Intersection, Install Traffic Light
February 3, 2025
The Escambia County Commission is set to accept a quarter million dollars from Circle K this week toward the realignment and improvement of the of the Highway 95A and Quintette Road intersection.
Circle K has an approved development order for a new convenience store at the northeast corner of the intersection.
The total cost of the project is estimated at $2.375 million for design and construction. Circle K will donate $250,000 and right of way toward the improvements. Escambia County has obligated $1.275 million, and Florida Department of Transportation Transportation Regional Incentive Program (TRIP) funding for $850,000 is allocated for 2026.
Currently, the east and west legs of Quintette Road are offset approximately 115 feet from one another, creating a hazard for the smooth flow of intersection traffic. There is no available right-of-way for a lateral shift on the west side of the intersection, but the east side has an approximate right-of-way of 100 feet, which could accommodate a northerly shift. Immediately adjacent to this intersection are a concrete plant, asphalt plant, a high-end vehicle restoration complex, a new residential development, and a proposed convenience store station on the northeast corner.
A 2023 study found that a traffic signal is needed at the intersection. A westbound right turn lane is also proposed, to reduce delays with logging trucks turning north onto CR 95A. The project consists of the design and construction of a new right turn lane on East Quintette Road for a free right turn onto northbound CR 95A, installation of a new traffic signal that will integrate into the Escambia County traffic signal network, associated striping and signage, and drainage work.
A timetable for the intersection work has not been announced.
Pictured top: One rendition of the proposed alignment of Quinette Road at the intersection with Highway 95A. Pictured below: A Circle K is proposed at the intersection. NorthEscambia.com graphics, click to enlarge.
Dense Fog Advisory Into Tuesday Morning
February 3, 2025
There is DENSE FOG ADVISORY IN EFFECT from midnight to 10 a.m. Tuesday with visibility one quarter mile or less in dense fog creating hazardous driving conditions.
Here is the complete North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Patchy dense fog after midnight. Otherwise, increasing clouds, with a low around 53. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Tuesday: Widespread dense fog, mainly before 8am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 75. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph.
Tuesday Night: Widespread dense fog, mainly between 10pm and 3am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 57. Calm wind.
Wednesday: Patchy fog before 9am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 75. Light south wind increasing to 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon.
Wednesday Night: Patchy fog after 2am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 61. South wind around 5 mph.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 78. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday Night: Patchy fog after 3am. Otherwise, partly cloudy, with a low around 62. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Friday: Patchy fog before 8am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 79. Light southwest wind increasing to 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
Friday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 78.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 61.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 78.