Margaret Eylene Pack
January 15, 2026
Mrs. Margaret Eylene Pack, age 80, passed away on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, in Atmore, Alabama. Four years prior, she made the move from Walnut Hill to Atmore and was an active member of Dry Springs Community Church. A talented seamstress and an author, she cherished her family deeply and dedicated herself to her church community. She enjoyed spending her leisure time playing games and solving puzzles, and often took walks to the nearby creek.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Rudolph and Mary Maholovich Howell; her husband, Clifton Pack, Sr.; her son, Christopher Thomas; her daughter, Vickie Lynn Johnson; as well as four brothers: Norman Kenneth, David Westly, Lawrence Roland, and Ernest Rayford. Additionally, she is survived by four sisters: Lilly Francis, Helen Juanita, Iris Laverne, and Faye Marie.
She is survived by her one son, James William (Teresa) Johnson, of Mississippi, three daughters, Tracy Johnson (Daniel Smith, Sr) of Tallahassee, Florida; Margaret (Ron) Waters, of Cullman, Alabama; Marie Quinn, of Atmore, Alabama; one sister, Faye (Charlie) of Satsuma, Alabama; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren, other relatives and friends.
Funeral service will be held Sunday, January 18, 2026, at 2:00 PM at Petty Funeral Homes, LLC. with Reverend Joe Gipson and Reverend John C. Spence.
Following the service, she will be laid to rest at Dry Springs Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Sunday, January 18, 2026, from 1:00 PM until the service begins at 2:00 PM at Petty Funeral Homes, LLC.
The pallbearers will be Ray Chavers, Wiley Gipson, Travis Cromwell, Hayden Gipson, Cameron Gipson and Christine Morris.
Arrangements are being managed by Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home, LLC in Atmore, Alabama.
Edna Ruth Johnson
January 15, 2026
Edna Ruth Johnson, 91, of McCullough, AL, passed away on January 10, 2026. Edna was born on November 15, 1934, to Benjamin Jack Norris and Ola Mae Robinson in Castleberry, AL.
Edna was a retired bus driver with the Escambia County Alabama School Board. She was a devout Christian and a member of McCullough Christian Center. She cherished her family and loved spending time with her kids and grandchildren.
She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Erbie S. Johnson; two brothers; two sisters; and her granddaughter, Nacole Johnson.
Edna is survived by her sons, Larry Johnson, Ronald Johnson and Mike (Susan) Johnson, all of McCullough, AL; her brother Wayne (Phylis) Norris; her sister, Linda Luthur; her
grandchildren, Janice (Doug) Cook; Megan Johnson; Brad (Lisa) Johnson; and one great-grandchild, William Lemon.
Funeral services were held January 14, 2026, at McCullough Christian Center in McCullough, AL with Bro. C.P. Phillips and Bro. Richard Daniels officiating.
Interment will take place at McCullough Christian Center Cemetery at a later time.
Lipscomb Elementary Fifth Graders Explore Roy Hyatt Science Environmental Center (Gallery)
January 15, 2026
Fifth grade students from Lipscomb Elementary School recently enjoyed a visit to the Roy Hyatt Environmental Center in Cantonment.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century Issues Boil Water Notice For Part Of Hwy. 4A And All Of Backwoods Road
January 15, 2026
This boil water notice was lifted on Thursday afternoon, January 22.
The town of Century has issued a boil water notice for a portion of Highway 4A and Backwoods Road.
The notice for 662-1050 of Highway 4A and all of Backwoods Road.
The boil water notice was issued after a contractor struck a 6-inch water main.
As a precaution, the town advises that all water used for drinking, cooking, making ice, brushing teeth, or washing dishes be boiled. A rolling boil of one minute is sufficient. As an alternative, bottled water may be used. Residents are also advised to take precautions when bathing, especially immunocompromised individuals, infants, or the elderly.
A loss in system pressure could cause back siphonage of contaminants, such as e. coli bacteria, into the water system. water containing E. coli bacteria can be considered safe for drinking and cooking after vigorously boiling the water. Disease symptoms caused by these bacteria may include diarrhea, cramps, nausea, and possibly jaundice, and any associated headache and fatigue. EPA has set an enforceable drinking water standard for e. coli to reduce the risk of these adverse health effects. Under this standard all drinking water must be free of these bacteria.
The water system is currently collecting samples to determine if the presence of E. coli bacteria exists within the water system. This precautionary boil water notice will remain in effect until the problem has been corrected and a bacteriological survey shows that the water is safe to drink.
Anyone with question should call the Town of Century at (850) 256-3208.
This story will be updated when the boil water notice is lifted.
Melissa Jean Whatley
January 15, 2026
Melissa Jean Whatley went back many names. Mama Lissa, Aunt EE, GG, and seester.
She was born on June 11, 1968 in Atmore, AL.
She was a hardworking, loving, and compassionate person. Some of her favorite things included playing with her grandkids, making fun of her brother, watching Alabama football, and being there for her family when they needed her.
She is preceded in death by her mother Jean Wells, father Robbie Whatley, and brother Michael Whatley.
She leaves behind a beautiful family. Her children Leanne (Jacob) Bedsaul, Angel White, Brianna (Patrick) Parker, Alexandra Leddick, Michael Leddick, thirteen grandkids, and many nieces and nephews.
She also leaves behind her dog Kisses, to be cared by Mary Ann Hadley.
Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 AM on January 19, 2026 at Petty Funeral Homes, LLC.
Burial will follow at White Cemetery in Dyas, Alabama.
Visitation will be held from on January 19, 2026 from 10:00 AM until Service time at Petty Funeral Homes, LLC.
Pallbearer include Jacob Bedsaul, Brandon White, Patrick Parker, Jordan Bankster, Andy Whatley, & Jason Lindsey.
Very Cold Thursday. Light Snow Flurries For Saturday Night?
January 14, 2026
Temperatures are set to take a tumble over the next few days as a cold front sweeps through the region. Residents should prepare for a significant chill Thursday morning with wind values dipping into the 20s, followed by widespread frost on both Thursday and Friday nights. A brief warming trend arrives Friday afternoon, but another chance for a rain then maybe light snow highlights the Saturday night outlook.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: A 20 percent chance of showers before 9pm. Cloudy during the early evening, then gradual clearing, with a low around 30. North wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 46. Wind chill values between 20 and 30 early. Northwest wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Thursday Night: Widespread frost after 9pm. Otherwise, clear, with a low around 26. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Friday: Widespread frost before 8am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 62. Light and variable wind becoming southwest 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 45. South wind around 5 mph becoming northwest after midnight.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 56. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday Night: A slight chance of rain showers before midnight, then scattered rain and snow showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 30. Northwest wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 47. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday Night: Clear, with a low around 26.
M.L. King Day: Sunny, with a high near 55.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 33.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 51.
Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 33.
Wednesday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 56.
SOS Mode? No Service? Verizon Reports Major Outage
January 14, 2026
UPDATE: About 9:30 Wednesday night, Version said, “The outage has been resolved. If customers are still having an issue, we encourage them to restart their devices to reconnect to the network.”
Users across the North Escambia area reported that their phones were stuck in “SOS” or similar emergency modes with no service on Wednesday afternoon.
At our office in North Escambia, Verizon service was restored at about 1:40 p.m., and down again by 3 p.m.
Verizon reported a major outage across the nation, including portions of South Alabama and Northwest Florida.
“We are aware of an issue impacting wireless voice and data services for some customers. Our engineers are engaged and are working to identify and solve the issue quickly. We understand how important reliable connectivity is and apologize for the inconvenience,” Verizon said about 2 p.m. The company did not give an estimated time for service restoration.
If you still don’t have service, you can get back online or make a call by just connecting to a Wi-Fi network and making sure Wi-Fi calling is turned on. If you can’t connect to Wi-Fi, you can still make an emergency call to 911.
Cantonment Man Charged With Fleeing From Deputies At High Speed
January 14, 2026
A Cantonment man is facing multiple charges after allegedly fleeing from law enforcement at high speeds and running a red light
Lederrian Quamon Grandison, 28, was arrested recently on a warrant for fleeing or attempting to elude a law enforcement officer, reckless driving, and driving with a suspended or revoked license.
According to an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office arrest report, a deputy was patrolling near the intersection of Highway 29 and Pinestead Road on New Year’s Eve when they observed a black Chevrolet Impala exiting the Regency Motel with no tag light. A records check revealed the tag was not assigned to that vehicle.
When the deputy activated emergency lights to conduct a traffic stop, the vehicle reportedly looped through the parking lot of Smyrna Baptist Church before accelerating back onto Highway 29 northbound. The vehicle then turned east onto Burgess Road, extinguished its headlights, and ran a red light at the intersection of Palafox Street while traveling at a high rate of speed.
Deputies were able to identify Grandison as the driver through a combination of motel surveillance footage and previous contact with him earlier that day at the Circle K on Kenmore Road and Highway 29. Records indicated that Grandison did not have a valid driver’s license and had a prior conviction for driving without a license in 2019.
Grandison was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $21,000 bond. As a special condition of his bond, a judge has ordered that he is not to drive or be behind the wheel of any motor vehicle.
A Growing Century Neighborhood Watch Group Holds Second Meeting
January 14, 2026
Monday evening, the new Century Neighborhood Watch group held its second meeting since its inception in December.
Among the guests were an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office lieutenant and sergeant assigned to the ECSO Century Precinct. Two additional members of the public also joined the group.
Meetings are held at 6 p.m. on the second Monday of the month at the Soul Train Club, located at 150 East Pond Street. The next meeting will be held on February 9, and is open to any interested person, not just residents in the Century town limits or the surrounding area.
Pictured: The ECSO demonstrates a vehicle and emergency lighting Monday evening at a meeting of the Century Neighborhood Watch. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia District High School Graduation Rates Increase
January 14, 2026
The graduation rate in the Escambia County School District continues an upward trend, according to recently released data.
The district’s graduation rate for the 2024-2025 school year increased by 5.3% from 84.2% to 89.5%. Florida’s statewide graduation rate increased to 92.2%, an increase of 2.5% over the previous year.
Graduation rates by school for the 2024-2025 school year and compared to 2023-2024:
- Tate High School – 97.5%, up from 93.3%
- Northview High School – 95.4%, up from 92.3%
- West Florida High School – 99.7%, Up from 98.6%
- Pine Forest High School – 88.9%, up from 85.4%
- Escambia High School – 94.5%, , up from 94.1%
- Pensacola High School – 92.1%, up from 87.9%
- Washington High School – 92.8%, up from 86%
“Our hard-working students and our entire district team continue to reach new heights each and every day,” stated ECPS Superintendent Keith Leonard. “The increases in district graduation rates over the past several years serve as an example and a reminder of their hard work and dedication. I am both thankful for and amazed at their efforts.”
With 504 graduates, Tate High School had the largest graduating class in Escambia County for the 2024-2025 school year. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
