Dorothy Rae Sellers
April 15, 2026
Dorothy Rae Sellers went to be with her Lord and Savior March 26, 2026. She was born November 20, 1947 to William “Sam” and Callie Patrick. Dorothy was kind, loving and fun. She loved life, laughing and talking. She loved to go fishing, shopping and singing. Before she got sick, she loved playing softball and volleyball and she loved going to church She wanted to make everyone feel special. She desired greatly to know that people knew Jesus as their Lord and Savior. She studied her Bible and after she got really sick she would have us read to her and pray with her. She was a great prayer warrior and she prayed for everyone. Should loved so many people and they loved her too.
She is preceded in death by her parents William and Callie Patrick, her mother and father-in-law Ernest and Fannie Sellers, her brothers Melvin (Josie), Lamar and Leon (Thelma) Patrick, her sisters Bessie (Gene) Bondurant and Anita Upton, her sisters and brother-in-law‘s, Margeret (Ralph) Thames, Marlene (William) Moore, Martha Lee (Johnny) Hodge, Louise (Ty) Cobb (Rob) Sanford, Marie (Frank) Frankowski, her grandson Ernest Brown, her son-in-law Mitchell Dunn, and her special aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins that she dearly loved!
She is survived by her loving, devoted husband and best friend Ernest “Junie” Sellers. Her loving daughter’s Renee (Gene) Brown, Lisa Dunn and Sherry Sellers. Her grandchildren, Ryan McIlwain, Tres Pena, Eli Woodruff, Gabe Milstid, Jeff Brown, Justin (Stephanie) Brown, Preston (Dani) Eddings, Annie (Zack) McLemore and Chris (Emma) Green. Her great grandchildren Christopher, Aaliyah, Everett, and Adaline. Her loving sister Geneva (Durwood) Edmonson, her sister-in-law‘s Marianne Patrick, Lela (John) Davis and brother-in-law, Leo Upton. Her special nieces, nephews aunts and uncles and cousins and her friends all of which she loved deeply, and that held a special place in her heart. She is greatly missed and so deeply loved! We are so grateful for everyone who loved on her cared for her spent time with her
Her celebration of life will be held at Petty’s funeral home in Atmore, Alabama at 1:00 with Pastor Grant Norris officiating. Family will be welcome at 11:30 and everyone else welcome at 12:00.
Burial to follow at new Beginnings cemetery in Molino, Florida and food to follow at Ray’s Chapel Baptist Church in McDavid, FL.
Pallbearers will be Justin Brown, Ryan McIlwain, Michael Patrick, Keith Edmonson, Joey Diamond and Christopher Green.
Honorary Pallbearers are Bradley Edmonson, Clinton Edmonson and Gene Brown.
Amber Alert Canceled, Santa Rosa Teen Found Safe
April 15, 2026
UPDATE: The amber alert for Santa Rosa County teen Adriana Hernandez was canceled just before midnight Tuesday. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement said she was safe, but provided no other details.
The Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office says Hernandez returned home.
Previous story:
On Monday, a Florida Amber Alert was issued for a Santa Rosa County teen who was last seen on April 7.
Adriana Hernandez is a White-Hispanic female, 15 years old, 5 feet 1 inch tall, and 130 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. She was last seen in the area of the 6400 block of Bruce Lane in Milton.
She may have a reddish-brown tint in her hair. Officials said she may have traveled to Georgia.
If you have any information on the whereabouts of this child, contact the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 983-1190 or call 911.
Photos: Blue Angels, Thunderbirds Perform Super Delta Over Pensacola Beach
April 14, 2026
The hometown United States Blue Angels and the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds performed a rare super delta formation over Pensacola Beach on Tuesday.
With NAS Pensacola closed to the public to see practices, the flyover provided a special view for beachgoers.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Perry Doggrell, click to enlarge.
Alleged Battery Of Escambia County Jail Inmate Leads To Arrest Of Two Corrections Officers
April 14, 2026
Two Escambia County corrections officers have been arrested following an investigation into the battery of an inmate that occurred at the Escambia County Jail.
Sharif Dawud Hale, age 42 of Cantonment was arrested on charges of felony battery with great bodily harm and tampering with physical evidence. Larry Ken Martin, age 32 of Flomaton, was charged with providing false information to law enforcement regarding a felony.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office began an investigation after an inmate was found on March 15, 2026, with a severe hand laceration requiring surgery and a rod insertion, a cracked rear molar, and head injuries. According to the reports, investigators determined the injuries occurred during an overnight shift between 03:53 a.m. and 03:55 a.m. after two officers entered the inmate’s cell for an unsanctioned encounter.
According to internal records and witness statements detailed in the reports, the officers failed to notify supervisors before entering the cell, which is required protocol during “lights out” hours. One witness told investigators she heard an officer state he “had to teach [the inmate] a lesson” because the inmate was “talking smack”.
Investigators said the inmate alleged that Hale “stomped” on him while he was on his bunk and intentionally twisted his finger. According to the reports, investigators observed security footage showing the Hale and Martin re-entering the cell approximately 10 minutes later. Investigators stated it appeared this second entry was an attempt to remove physical evidence, specifically beads that had broken off a bracelet during the struggle and a fragment of the inmate’s tooth.
While investigators noted that Martin appeared to attempt to calm Hale down after the initial encounter, the reports state he maintained a false account of the events during multiple interviews. According to the reports, Martin claimed the inmate was already bleeding and suggested the injuries were self-inflicted by “hitting the walls” or using a metal table, a theory investigators said was inconsistent with medical evidence and intake records.
Both men were booked into the Escambia County Jail and each released within minutes on bond — $50,000 for Hale, and Martin on a $5,000 bond.
According to the arrest reports, medical staff at the Escambia County Jail concluded that the victim needed further care and he was ultimately transported to Baptist Hospital. Hospital records indicated that he was admitted and required surgery for his injuries, which included the surgical implantation of a rod and pins in his hand, the reports state.
According to jail records, the inmate victim, a 35-year-old Pensacola man, remains in jail without bond on an unrelated charge of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and a probation violation.
Mugshot for Hale and Martin were not released.Under Florida’s public records laws, the identities and photographs of correctional officers are often protected from disclosure.
Pictured: A cell in the Escambia County Jail. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
‘Agriculture Security Is National Security’ — Florida Lt. Gov. Jay Collins Meets With Local Farmers
April 14, 2026
Florida Lt. Gov. Jay Collins met with farmers from Escambia and Santa Rosa counties on Monday in Jay.
“Having grown up on a family farm, touring Diamond Farm in Santa Rosa County today and spending time with those on the front lines of Florida agriculture was personal for me,” Collins said. “We had critical conversations about the current state of the ag industry, the challenges producers are facing, and the opportunities ahead.”
Collins visited several farms in the Jay area to discuss the challenges that farmers are facing from the economy and climate.
“Supporting our farmers isn’t optional; it’s essential to keeping Florida and America strong,” Collins said. “Agriculture security is national security.”
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Easter ‘Fields Of Faith’ Is Wednesday Evening At Northview
April 14, 2026
Community members are invited to gather for an evening of worship and celebration as “Fields of Faith” comes to the Northview High School’ Tommy Weaver Memorial Stadium stadium on Wednesday.
The event, hosted by the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), will run from 6 to 8 pm and features a special message from Walnut Hill Baptist Church Pastor Ted Bridges. Attendees will also enjoy live music performed by a band from Walnut Hill Baptist.
Organizers are encouraging children to bring their Easter baskets to join in festivities following the service. The event is free and open to all members of the public.
Pictured: The 2025 Fields of Faith at Northview High School. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Warm And Sunny Days Continue
April 14, 2026
Highs will stay steady in the mid-80s through the work week with plenty of sunshine and light winds. Patchy fog will be a recurring theme during the early morning commutes, particularly on Wednesday and Thursday. A slight cooling trend arrives by Sunday as cloud cover increases.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tuesday: Partly sunny, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 84. Light southeast wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
Tuesday Night: Patchy fog after 1 a.m. Otherwise, mostly clear, with a low around 58. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Wednesday: Areas of fog before 9 a.m. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 84. Light southeast wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
Wednesday Night: Patchy fog after 1 a.m. Otherwise, partly cloudy, with a low around 60. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Thursday: Areas of fog before 9 a.m. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 84. Light southeast wind becoming southwest 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 61. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light in the evening.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 87. Light southwest wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 61. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light after midnight.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 86.
Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 64.
Sunday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 80.
Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 54.
Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 81.
Reminder: District 5 Cottage Hill Neighborhood Cleanup Is Wednesday
April 14, 2026
A neighborhood cleanup for residents in Cottage Hill will take place Wednesday, April 15. This is a chance for residents to dispose of items such as old furniture, appliances and household waste free of charge.
Yard debris is eligible for removal during this cleanup.
Only residents in the designated cleanup area can participate in the neighborhood cleanup. All items for pickup should at the curb by 7 a.m. on the day of the cleanup.
Items eligible for removal include:
- Household appliances and electronics
- Household junk and debris
- Bicycles and toys
- Old furniture and mattresses
- Barbecue grills
- Household hazardous waste (old paint, motor oil, chemicals, batteries)
- Tires (limit 10 per household)
Items NOT eligible for removal include:
- Building materials (concrete, bricks, blocks, roofing, drywall or lumber)
- Explosives or ammunition
- Auto parts
- Dirt or sod
- Vehicles or vessels
- 55-gallon drums of fluids
During neighborhood cleanups, crew members and volunteers visit different neighborhoods in the county to remove a variety of debris and waste free of charge.
Contact the Escambia County Community Redevelopment Agency at (850) 595-3217 or cra@myescambia.com for questions about the cleanup.
District Baseball Playoffs Begin Tonight
April 14, 2026
High school baseball district tournaments are underway this week, with both Northview and Tate in action.
6A District 1
Location: Pace High School
In the semifinals on Tuesday, No. 2 Tate will play No. 3 Crestview at 4 p.m., and No. 1 Pace will take on No 4 Navarre at 7 p.m**.**
The district championship game will be played on Thursday, April 16, at 7 p.m.
Rural District 1
Location: Central School
No. 1 Northview has a bye on Tuesday, as does No. 2 Jay.
In Tuesday’s quarterfinals, No. 4 Baker will play No. 5 Paxton, and No. 3 Central will play No. 6 Laurel Hill.
On Thursday, Northview will face either Baker or Paxton, and Jay will face either Central or Laurel Hill in the semifinals. Thursday’s game times are to be determined after Tuesday’s play.
Pictured: In early March, the Tate Aggies walked off with a home run over Crestview. The two teams meet again Tuesday night in the district semifinals at Pace. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Flag Football: Gulf Breeze Defeats Northview Chiefs (With Gallery)
April 14, 2026
The Gulf Breeze Dolphins defeated the Northview Chiefs 19-0 on Monday evening in Bratt.
Northview, now 4-5, will travel to Pensacola on Tuesday for the final game of the season against the Escambia Gators.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
