Community Health Pharmacist, Alleged Accomplice Face Federal Drug Charges
January 28, 2026
A Community Health Northwest Florida (CHNWF) pharmacist and his alleged accomplice are facing federal drug charges.
The U.S. Department of Justice said Douglas Craig Reid Jr., and Martrice Lamar Portis, both 47 years old, were both charged in federal court with conspiracy to unlawfully dispense and distribute controlled substances and to obtain controlled substances by fraud.
Reid is a pharmacist with CHNWF.
“Community Health Northwest Florida will cooperate with any investigation, and we remain committed to our mission of serving our patients and the greater Northwest Florida community,” CHNWF said in a statement.
Trial for both defendants is currently set for March 2 before United States District Judge M. Casey Rodgers. If convicted, each defendant faces a maximum of 20 years’ imprisonment.
The case involved a joint investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Drug Enforcement Administration Diversion Control Division, with assistance from the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the Gulf Coast High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) Task Force. According to court documents, this case is related to a prior case that was indicted as part of the Department of Justice’s 2025 National Health Care Fraud Takedown. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Alicia Forbes.
Pictured: Douglas Reid, Jr. (left) from CHNWF and Martice Portis in a 2025 mugshot from an unrelated arrest (right).
Ransom and Ferry Pass Middle Schools Honored with Statewide Music Awards
January 28, 2026
Last weekend at the Florida Music Educators Association Conference, Ferry Pass Middle School and Ransom Middle School were awarded the Music Enrollment Awards for having over 45% of students enrolled in choir, band, or orchestra.
Half of Ransom’s students and 47% of Ferry Pass students are enrolled in a music education course.
The FMEA Professional Learning Conference is one of the largest music education professional learning events in the United States.
Pictured: Ransom Middle School (top) and Ferry Pass Middle School (below) were honored with statewide music awards. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Intermittent Lane Closures Through Friday On North Century Boulevard
January 28, 2026
Motorists may encounter intermittent lane closures through Friday on North Century Boulevard (Highway 29) from Tedder Road north to East Highway 4, according to the Florida Department of Transportation.
Crews will be conducting coring operations. Coring involves using equipment to remove a vertical sample (a “core”) from the pavement.
The coring operations are set to take place between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. each day through Friday.
Partly Sunny, Daytime High In The 50s; Clear Night In The 20s
January 28, 2026
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Wednesday: Partly sunny, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 52. Wind chill values between 25 and 35 early. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 26. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 56. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 36. Calm wind.
Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 57. Light and variable wind becoming northwest 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
Friday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 25. North wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 34. Breezy, with a northwest wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 18. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 41.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 23.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 52.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 28.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 58.
Lipscomb Elementary Names Students Of The Month
January 28, 2026
Lipscomb Elementary School has named its Students of the Month for January. They are Graham Harris and Isabella Almonte-Knapp.Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Alex Blake Jay
January 28, 2026
Alex Blake Jay, age 33, of Stapleton, AL, passed away on January 27, 2026.
Alex was born April 13, 1992, in Birmingham, AL, to Randall Eugene and Joyce Thompson Jay.
He loved the outdoors and cherished time hunting with his dad and his special friends, Lester Scott and Billy Franklin.
Alex is preceded in death by his grandparents, Willard and Ann Thompson, and Mary Jay.
He is survived by his parents, Randy and Joyce Jay of Stapleton, AL; his brothers, Michael (Abby) Jay of Daphne, AL, and Stephen Craig Jay of Tulsa, OK; his sister, Anna (Drew) Odom of Spanish Fort, AL; his aunts and uncles, Sharon (Todd) Stearns of Brewton, AL, and Robin Earl (Stephanie) Jay of Pensacola, FL; his nieces and nephews, Jay Odom, Emma Odom, Beau Snowden, Bella Snowden, Luca Snowden, Blossom Jay, and Mary Charlotte Jay, along with a host of family and friends.
Funeral services will be held Friday, January 30, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel, with Father Pat Madden officiating. Interment will follow in Pine Barren Baptist Church Cemetery in Davisville, FL.
Visitation will be held on Friday, January 30, 2026, from 2:00 p.m. until service time at 3:00 p.m. at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home in Atmore, AL.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Gertrude Smith
January 28, 2026
Gertrude Smith, age 97, of Atmore, AL, passed away Monday, January 26, 2026, in Foley, Alabama. She was born to Ruby and Ollie Moye on December 25, 1928. She was a graduate of Escambia County in Atmore, AL.
She was a faithful member of First Baptist Church in Atmore, AL., where she cherished her church family and friendships. A devoted stay-at-home mother, she poured her life into caring for her family. Her home was always immaculate: a reflection of the pride and love she put into everything she did.
She would do anything for her children and grandchildren, and her love, strength, and quiet dedication shaped generations. She will be remembered for her kindness, always smiling, her unwavering faith, and the deep love she had for her family and friends. Her legacy lives on in all who were blessed to know her.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her devoted husband of 63 years, Jack Smith; her sisters, Earlene Helton, Gladys Stanton, Willanette Troutman; and her brother, Claude Moye.
She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Janet and Robin Swift, of Orange Beach; her son and daughter-in-law, Randy and Susan Smith, of Orange Beach; her grandchildren, Justin (Andrea) Beasley, of Atmore; Jace (Lauren) Beasley, of Atmore; Bailey (Adam) Stitt, of Orange Beach; her great-grandchildren, Kendal Beasley, Kate Beasley, Klaire Beasley, Alexa Beasley, Jackson Beasley, Paige Lassiter, Ragan Lassiter, and Brooks Stitt.
Funeral Services will be held on January 29, 2026, at 11:30 a.m., at Atmore First Baptist Church, in Atmore, AL, with Rev. Kelly Brown and Rev. Arnold Hendrix officiating. Visitation will be held on January 29, 2026, from 10:30 a.m. until service time at 11:30 at Atmore First Baptist Church.
Interment will take place at Oak Hill Cemetery in Atmore, AL.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Atmore First Baptist Church or the charity of your choice.
Johnson-Quimby is in charge of arrangements.
Mallory Jerome ‘Buck’ Chavers
January 28, 2026
Mallory Jerome “Buck” Chavers, age 71, of Hanceville, AL, passed away on January 27, 2026. Mallory was born on June 13, 1954. He served in the United States Marine Corps and had a career in the trucking industry. Buck is preceded in death by his father, Raymond Chavers.
Buck is survived by his children, Scott (Rachel) Chavers, Justin Chavers, Josh (Caitlin) Chavers, Dallas (Leah) Chavers, Jenny (John) O’Connell, Penny (Dane) Larsen, and Angela Gragg; his siblings, Bobby (Melinda) Chavers, Bruce (Tina) Chavers, and Marcella Chavers, and a host of grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, family and friends.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, January 31, 2026, at 2:30 p.m. at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Greg Sellers officiating. Interment will follow in Godwin Cemetery in Bratt, FL.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, January 31, 2026, from 1:30 p.m. until service time at 2:30 p.m. at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home.
The family would like to extend a special thanks to the Cullman Regional Home Health.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Norma Jean McCall Taylor
January 28, 2026
Norma Jean McCall Taylor passed away on January 25, 2026, with her two daughters at her side. Norma was born in Century, FL, on August 5, 1943. Growing up in Oak Grove, she graduated from Earnest Ward High School in 1961, following her marriage to Johnnie Taylor on May 31, 1963. She lived the majority of her adult life in Atmore, AL, where she and Johnnie ran Taylor Construction and Mini storage until their retirement. She lived the past four years in Monroeville, AL. Norma was a faithful member of the Atmore Church of Christ, raising her girls to follow the gospel of Christ and inspiring them both.
Norma is preceded in death by her parents, Thomas and Lucille McCall; siblings, Edward McCall, Calvin McCall, Wayne McCall, and Erlene Pugh; her husband of 58 years, Johnnie W. Taylor; and her son-in-law, John Spearman Winters.
Norma is survived by her two loving daughters, Lynn Winters of Monroeville and Suzanne Taylor of Opelika; her two granddaughters, who are the lights of her life: Mary Taylor Winters and Lucinda Ruth Johnson, plus many nieces, nephews, family, and friends.
Graveside services will be held on Friday, January 30, 2026, at 11:30 a.m. at Oak Hill Cemetery with Bro. Jay Skipworth officiating. Interment will follow in Oak Hill Cemetery in Atmore, AL.
Visitation will be held on Friday, January 30, 2026, from 10-11 a.m. at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home in Atmore, AL.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Pilots for Christ, P.O. Box 707, Monroeville, AL, 36461.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Century Residents to See First New Waste Provider In Over 30 Years, $10 Monthly Increase
January 27, 2026
In February, Town of Century residents will have a new solid waste provider, and they will see their bills increase by over $10 a month. It’s the first time in over 30 years that Century has changed waste services provider.
Currently, residents are paying the town $27.44 for one pickup per week from Republic Services. Under the new provider, Waste Pro, residents will pay the town $37.91, $10.47 more per month.
How Will New Carts Be Delivered?
The town says the can exchange between Republic and Waste Pro will be seamless. On regular collection day this Wednesday, Republic Services will empty carts as usual and then exchange them for new Waste Pro cartd.
Waste Pro will begin collecting next week, with yard waste collected in a green cart with a black lid on Tuesdays, and garbage in a green cart with a blue lid on Fridays. Waste Pro will officially begin servicing the new carts on Tuesday, January 3, with the collection of green yard waste carts (black lid). Garbage will be collected on Fridays in a green cart with a blue lid.
For complete information, click here (pdf).
If a resident does not receive a new Waste Pro cart by January 31, they should call the Town of Century at (850) 256-3208.
Customer Accounts
There is no action required from current, active customers with service from Waste Pro to receive a new cart from Waste Pro or to begin service. For questions, call the Town of Century at (850) 256-3208.
Why The Change?
Without accepting bids, Century had continued for three decades to renew an agreement with annual increases with Republic Services. But in 2025, the town decided to seek an updated agreement or a new provider.
They received bids from two companies — BFI Waste Services, dba Republic Services of Escambia County, and Waste Pro of Florida. An evaluation committee ranked Waste Pro significantly higher than Republic Services, with average scores of 93.5 and 72.3, respectively.
“Waste Pro of Florida, Inc. consistently scored the highest across all evaluators, with strengths in cost proposal, service plan, equipment, and community engagement,” according to a town document. “Republic Services was evaluated as adequate but with key weaknesses: missing a commercial pricing proposal, incomplete forms, and a weaker overall service plan.”
No other bids were submitted. The Emerald Coast Utilities Authority (ECUA), which provides residential sanitation collection in the remainder of unincorporated Escambia County, did not bid.
Pictured: A Waste Pro sanitation truck turns on a Century street. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.