Fire Destroys Several Units At Atmore Self Storage Business
November 9, 2025
Fire destroyed the contents of several self storage units late Friday night in Atmore.
The fire at B&G Storage on Second Avenue was reported just after 11:15 p.m. Firefighters from the Atmore Fire Department and Poarch Creek Fire Department battled the blaze.
There was no immediate word on the cause of the fire.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Middle 70s For Sunday; 30s For Sunday Night
November 9, 2025
Here is your official North Escambia are forecast:
Sunday: Gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 74. West wind 5 to 10 mph becoming northwest 10 to 15 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph.
Sunday Night: Clear, with a low around 36. North wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 50. Breezy, with a northwest wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Monday Night: Clear, with a low around 26. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light north after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph.
Veterans Day: Sunny, with a high near 57. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph.
Tuesday Night: Patchy frost after 1am. Otherwise, clear, with a low around 37. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Wednesday: Patchy frost before 7am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 71. Light and variable wind becoming southwest 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 49. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 75.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 50.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 75.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 50.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 75.
Pictured: A dry, dusty peanut harvest Saturday afternoon in Bratt. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Man Charged With Killing Two Children, After Sexually Assaulting One, Setting Trailer On Fire
November 9, 2025
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office says two children were killed before a mobile home was set on fire early Friday morning.
Deputies have charged 27-year-old John Henry Walston Jr. with two counts of premeditated murder, one count of sexual assault on a victim under 12, one count of arson, and animal abuse.
“Our investigators have confirmed that the tragic fire on November 7th, in which a 7-year-old and a 9-year-old were found deceased was intentionally set after the children were killed,” ECSO said. “Evidence shows that John Henry Walston, Jr. assaulted one of the children before killing them both. He then set the fire before saving himself.”
The fully involved mobile home fire was reported at 12:48 a.m. at Grand Oak Mobile Home Park on Flaxman Street, in the block behind the Escambia High School campus. Two children and a dog were found deceased inside the home. Walston, along with another child and adult, were transported to area hospital for treatment. The home was a total loss.
The Florida Bureau of Fire, Arson and Explosives is investigating the cause of the fire with assistance from the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
“I don’t know what I can say about this terrible event, other than hug your children,” Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons said Saturday, his voice breaking with emotion.
Cantonment Man Killed In Alabama I-65 Crash
November 9, 2025
A two-vehicle crash Friday night on I-65 claimed the life of a Cantonment man.
Alabama State Troopers said, 32-year-old Austin E. Brown was fatally injured when the 2015 Hyundai Tucson he was driving struck the rear end of the 2016 Freightliner Cascadia tractor-trailer driven by 48-year-old Adhanom T. Ghidey of Houston. Brown was pronounced dead at the scene.
The crash occurred about 9:22 p.m. near the 93 mile marker, about four miles south of Evergreen.
Alabama troopers are continuing their investigation.
File photo.
These Are The Road Construction Spots To Watch This Week
November 9, 2025
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.
Escambia County:
- Interstate 10 (I-10) Resurfacing, from east of U.S. 29 to east of Davis Highway State Road (S.R.) 291 – Drivers may encounter intermittent inside lane closures on I-10, between mile markers 11 and 14, Sunday, Nov. 9 through Thursday, Nov. 13, between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m., for drainage improvements and milling and paving operations.
- S.R. 99 (Beulah Road) Resurfacing from Mobile Highway (S.R. 10A) to Isaacs Lane – Drivers will encounter intermittent lane closures on Beulah Road, from Nine Mile Road to Mobile Highway, Sunday, Nov. 9 through Thursday, Nov. 13, between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m., for paving operations.
- S.R. 289 (Ninth Avenue) Resurfacing from Creighton Road (S.R. 274) to Olive Road - Drivers may encounter intermittent lane closures on Ninth Avenue, between Creighton Road and Olive Road, Sunday, Nov. 9 through Thursday, Nov. 13, between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m., for construction activities.
- Brent Lane/Bayou Boulevard Resurfacing, from Davis Highway (S.R. 291) to Baisden Road – Drivers may encounter the following traffic disruptions, Sunday, Nov. 9 through Thursday, Nov. 13, between 8 p.m. and 5:30 a.m., for drainage improvements, concrete flatwork 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.
- S.R. 296 (Michigan Avenue) Resurfacing from Mobile Highway (U.S. 90) to North Palafox Street (U.S. 29) – The week of Sunday, Nov. 9, 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 and placement of thermoplastic striping.
- S.R. 292 (Gulf Beach Highway) Resurfacing from Gulf Beach Highway to Manchester Street – The week of Sunday, Nov. 9, drivers traveling S.R. 292 from Gulf Beach Highway (County Road (C.R.) 292A east) to Manchester Street may encounter nighttime lane closures between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. for milling and resurfacing work. Additionally, a new traffic configuration has been implemented on S.R. 292 between Mills Avenue and just east of Patton Drive, with east and westbound travel lanes shifted to the outside of the roadway to provide space to construct a median traffic separator. Channelizing devices are in place to delineate the work zone.
- U.S. 90 (Scenic Highway) Resurfacing, from south of I-10 to south of Hyde Park Road – Drivers on Scenic Highway may encounter intermittent lane closures, from south of I-10 to south of Hyde Park Road, Sunday, Nov. 9 through Thursday, Nov. 13, from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m., for manhole adjustments and placement of thermoplastic striping. Law enforcement will be on site and traffic flaggers will direct drivers safely through the work zone.
- Business U.S. 98 (Garden Street) Construction from Pace Boulevard to the Interstate 110 (I-110) ramp – The week of Sunday, Nov. 9, drivers may encounter the following construction-related traffic disruptions:
- 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, for stormwater management upgrades. This week, drivers may encounter a closure with detour at E Street. Signage will be in place to direct drivers through the work zone.
- 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.
- 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, Nov. 9 through Thursday, Nov. 13, 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, Nov. 9 through Friday, Nov. 14, 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 – Drivers will encounter the following construction-related traffic disruptions from Sunday, Nov. 9 through Friday, Nov. 14:
- Intermittent daytime lane closures will occur on North Palafox Street between Whitehead Drive and Hope Drive at the Palafox Street overpass to allow crews to complete roadway construction. Flaggers will be present 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.
- I-10 east and westbound travel lanes are shifted away from the median area of the roadway, between mile markers 10 and 12, near the U.S. 29 interchange.
- 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.
- 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.
- I-10 Bridge Rehabilitation over Escambia Bay Bridge – Motorists may encounter intermittent lane closures Tuesday, Nov. 11 from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. for construction activities.
- S.R. 95 Routine Maintenance from North Barth Road to Cotton Lake Road – Motorists may encounter intermittent inside lane closures Monday, Nov. 10 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for tree trimming operations.
- S.R. 291 Routine Utility Maintenance South of Brent Lane – Motorists may encounter intermittent northbound outside lane closures Thursday, Nov. 13 from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. for routine utility maintenance.
Santa Rosa County:
- S.R. 87 Veterans Day Parade from Raymond Hobbs Street to Berryhill Road – Motorists will encounter a road closure Tuesday, Nov. 11 from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. for the Veterans Day Parade.
- 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, Nov. 9, through Friday, Nov. 14.
- U.S. 90 Resurfacing, from Escambia River Bridge to east of Woodbine Road (C.R. 197A) – Drivers may encounter intermittent lane closures on U.S. 90, from the Escambia River Bridge to Woodbine Road, Sunday, Nov. 9 through Thursday, Nov. 13, between 7 p.m. and 5:30 a.m., for milling and paving operations. Additionally, the speed limit has been reduced to 45 mph through the work zone.
- S.R. 87 Resurfacing from south of East Bay Boulevard (C.R. 399) to Vonnie Tolbert Road – Drivers may encounter the following traffic disruptions on S.R. 87, from East Bay Boulevard to Vonnie Tolbert Road, Sunday, Nov. 9 through Friday, Nov. 14:
- Intermittent lane closures between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. for construction activities.
- Intermittent lane closures between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. for placement of thermoplastic striping
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Inez Chancery of McDavid Celebrates Her 103rd Birthday
November 9, 2025
Inez Chancery of McDavid is celebrating her 103rd birthday on Saturday.
She has five children, eight grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren, and eight great-great-grandchildren.
Friends and family celebrated with her at Grace Baptist Church in McDavid.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Man Convicted Of Murdering Victim He Followed From The Molino Tom Thumb
November 8, 2025
An Atmore man has been convicted of murdering a man in Pace after following him from the Molno Tom Thumb.
A jury found Ja’Cobey Quartise James guilty of second-degree murder with a firearm. He faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 25 years in prison and a maximum of life in prison when he is sentenced in January 2026.
On June 19, 2023, Joseph Liebe was driving home from work and stopped at the Tom Thumb in Molino. Liebe left the gas station and, unbeknownst to him, was followed by James and two other men in a Chevrolet Tahoe. The men had observed Liebe at the gas station and believed that he had cash on his person, according to prosecutors.
Liebe eventually turned onto Wallace Lake Road and pulled to the side of the road after the vehicle following him flashed its lights at him. The Tahoe pulled up beside Liebe’s vehicle and James stepped out of the passenger seat. James pulled out a firearm and fired ten shots at Liebe’s vehicle as he attempted to drive away.
Charges against Ty’jerrious Keon Malone were dropped, and Marcus Terel Dickinson was found mentally or physically unfit to stand trial, according to court records.
Update: Highway 97 Head-on Crash Claims Life Of Pensacola Woman
November 8, 2025
A head-on collision claimed the life of a woman Thursday night on Highway 97 in Walnut Hill.
Family members have identified the victim as a 70-year-old Pensacola woman.
The crash happened on Highway 97 just north of South Highway 99. Two sedans, both in the southbound lane of Highway 97, collided head-on about 7:50 p.m.
The Florida Highway Patrol has not yet released the cause of the crash, but it was apparent on scene that one of the vehicles crossed the centerline.
Both drivers were airlifted to a Pensacola hospital where the 70-year-old female, was pronounced deceased. There were no other occupants by the vehicles.
Highway 97 was closed for hours by the crash.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Ernest Ward Middle School Honors Veterans (With Photo Gallery)
November 8, 2025
Ernest Ward Middle School held its annual Veterans Day program Friday, honoring veterans in the community.
The program featured the presentation of colors by the Northview High School NJROTC; patriotic music; drama presentations; a memory table; and a “Tribute to the Armed Services” with the Patriot Guard.
For a photo gallery, click here.
The annual Veterans Day program at Ernest Ward is a longstanding community tradition, held annually (except in 2020) for over a quarter century.
NorthEscambia.com photos; click to enlarge.
Warm, Low 80s Today; Turning Cold Early Next Week
November 8, 2025
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Saturday: Patchy fog before 7am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 81. West wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 3am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 63. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming west after midnight.
Sunday: Mostly cloudy through mid morning, then gradual clearing, with a high near 72. Breezy, with a northwest wind 5 to 10 mph increasing to 15 to 20 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph.
Sunday Night: Clear, with a low around 36. North wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 50. Breezy, with a northwest wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Monday Night: Widespread frost before 2am, then widespread frost after 3am. Otherwise, clear, with a low around 26. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light north in the evening.
Veterans Day: Widespread frost before 7am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 57. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Tuesday Night: Areas of frost after 11pm. Otherwise, clear, with a low around 36. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 72.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 48.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 75.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 48.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 75.