Escambia Man Gets 40 Years For Attempted First Degree Murder
September 30, 2025
An Escambia County man has been sentenced to 40 years in state prison on attempted murder charge.
Circuit Judge Amy Brodersen sentenced Jakari Whetstone to 40 years in state prison after a jury convicted him of attempted first degree premeditated murder with a weapon and shooting at a building.
On July 31, 2024, the victim got in a physical altercation with a female neighbor. Shortly thereafter, the neighbor returned to the victim’s residence, this time with her boyfriend, identified as Jakari Whetstone. Whetstone then shot at the victim multiple times while the victim ran for shelter. Ultimately, shot the victim multiple times in the legs and then fled the scene with the female neighbor.
During trial, Assistant State Attorney Allison McKenzie argued that Whetstone “knew exactly what he was going to do before he even arrived at the victim’s house.”
Whetstone has a prior conviction for Attempted third degree Murder and Robbery Without a Weapon, both from Tallapoosa County, Alabama.
Florida Minimum Wage Increases To $14 Per Hour
September 30, 2025
Florida minimum wage workers saw an increase as of Tuesday.
Effective September 30, the Florida minimum wage increased $1 to $14 per hour. The minimum wage for tipped employees is now $10.98, in addition to tips.
On November 3, 2020, Florida voters approved a state constitutional amendment to increase the state’s minimum wage by $1 each year until reaching $15.00 per hour on September 30, 2026.
Resuming in 2027, the minimum wage will be adjusted annually for inflation on September 30 of each year.
Upper 60s Tonight
September 30, 2025
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 67. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 86. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 65. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 85. East wind around 10 mph.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 63. Northeast wind around 10 mph.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 83. Northeast wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Friday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 66. Northeast wind around 10 mph.
Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 83. East wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Saturday Night: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 67. East wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Sunday: A slight chance of showers, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 83. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
Sunday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 68.
Monday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 85.
Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 67.
Tuesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 85.
Pine Meadow Elementary Fifth Graders Explore Roy Hyatt Science Environmental Center
September 30, 2025
Fifth grade students from Pine Meadow Elementary School recently enjoyed a visit to the Roy Hyatt Environmental Center in Cantonment.
For a photo gallery, click here.
The Roy Hyatt Environmental Center is operated by the Escambia County School District.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Sex Offender Charged With Felony Failure To Reregister
September 30, 2025
A Cantonment man has been charged with a felony sex offender registration violation.
Russell Alan Clanin, Jr., age 54 of 1404 Parker Road, was charged with felony failure to register every six months.
According to records, Clanin is a Florida-registered sexual offender that was convicted in 1992 of criminal sexual assault in Peoria, Illinois. He has been a registered sex offender in Florida since June 2020 and is required to reregister during his birth month of August and in February each year
Clanin remained in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $5,000.
Tate Aggies Starting QB Delarosa Out For The Rest Of The Season
September 30, 2025
Tate High School starting quarterback Miles Delarosa will miss the rest of the season due to a torn ACL that he suffered during last Friday night’s win over the West Florida Jaguars.
Delarosa’s dad said the sophomore will undergo physical therapy for the next two weeks followed by surgery in October, if not sooner.
“It’s all in God’s plan,” he said.
The Aggies are off this Friday night and will host Pace on October 10.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Laudie Mildred Higdon
September 30, 2025
Mrs. Laudie Mildred Higdon, 75 years old, departed this life on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, in Pensacola, Florida. She was born on October 19, 1949, in Century, Florida, and spent the majority of her life in Flomaton, Alabama.
She absolutely loved spending her time outdoors, whether it was fishing by the river or cheering on the dirt track races. Her greatest joy came from her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, with whom she shared countless laughter-filled moments. A talented cook, she made some of the best cat head biscuits that brought everyone together at the table. In her downtime, she enjoyed watching the Hallmark Channel, HGTV, and reality shows, finding comfort in their stories. Every Fourth of July, she looked forward to visiting the river at Eureka Landing for parade and fireworks. She enjoyed moments with family going to the mountains and traveling through Cades Cove watching all the animals. Her strong faith was evident as she was a devoted member of Lighthouse Baptist Church, where she especially loved being around the children, sharing her warmth and kindness with all.
She is preceded in death by her parents, James O’Pete (Mary Moore) Mathis, one sister, Peggy Mathis McDonald, one brother, Jerry Wayne Mathis, grandson, Ronnie Michael Higdon, and one daughter in-law, Heather Marie Sutton.
She leaves behind her devoted husband of 54 and a half years, Danny Higdon, from Flomaton, Alabama; two sons, Marcus Wayne (Cindy) Mathis of Century, Florida, and Daniel (Sonya) Higdon, also of Flomaton, Alabama; one daughter, Gidget (Jeremy) Dortch, residing in Flomaton, Alabama; two brothers, James Dooley (Vivan) Mathis from Bay Minette, Alabama; and Johnny (Tina) Mathis from Flomaton, Alabama; three sisters, Evelyn (Gilbert) Cozart of Jay, Florida; Gayle Mathis of Century, Florida; and Kathy Mathis Simmons of Jay, Florida; five grandchildren: Ryan Reeves, Cody Mathis, Shae Etheridge, Jakob Higdon, and Cadie Higdon; as well as three great-grandchildren, Josie Mathis, Rowdy Etheridge, and Emersyn Higdon, along with numerous other family members and friends.
Funeral services will be held Friday, October 3, 2025 at 10:00 AM at Lighthouse Baptist Church with Reverend Chuck Day and Reverend Gilbert Cozart officiating.
Burial will follow at Little Escambia Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Thursday, October 2, 2025, from 6-9 p.m. at Lighthouse Baptist Church.
Pallbearers will be Isaiah Day, Josh Day, Parker Bell, Nick Driver, Randy Cozart, David Cozart, and Michael McDonald.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home, Atmore, Alabama is in charge of all arrangement
Tate High Showband Fall Concert Is Tonight
September 30, 2025
The Tate High School Showband of the South will present their Fall Concert tonight at Marcus Pointe Baptist Church.
The concert will feature performances by Jazz I, Jazz II, Symphonic Band, and Wind Ensemble.
The concert begins at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Marcus Pointe, 6205 Northview W Street in Pensacola. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m., and admission is free.
Costco, Escambia County Still Negotiating Chemstrand Road Improvements
September 29, 2025
Escambia County and Costco are still negotiating terms for improvements to Chemstrand Road, which has not necessarily delayed the project.
On August 20, the Escambia County Development Review Committee (DRC) granted approval for a new Costco store at the corner of Nine Mile and Chemstrand roads. The construction will require traffic and road improvements Read more
Bicycling Walnut Hill Woman Charged With Felony Fentanyl Possession
September 29, 2025
A Walnut Hill woman on a bicycle was arrested and charged fentanyl possession after a routine traffic stop on Plantation Road led to discovery of Fentanyl and drug paraphernalia, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
While on patrol a deputy observed a woman, later identified as 47-year-old Donnie Joe Taylor, riding a bicycle that lacked the required red light on the rear. After initiating a stop near the Margarita Fusion bar, the officer requested identification.
According to the arrest report, Taylor initially declined to provide information but eventually cooperated. She was then asked for permission to search a white bag she was wearing, but she admitted to recent Fentanyl use and instead granted permission to search a small black pouch hanging from a lanyard around her neck.
Inside the black pouch, the officer located a piece of tin foil with burn marks, two blue cotton swabs, a used syringe, and a white powdered substance. Taylor admitted the tin foil was drug paraphernalia, and the powdered substance later field-tested positive for fentanyl, the report states.
Taylor was charged with third degree felony possession of a controlled substance (fentanyl). She remained in the Escambia County Jail with bond set $2,500.