James Ray Dunlap
May 17, 2026
James Ray Dunlap, of Cantonment, FL, passed away peacefully on April 27, 2026, surrounded by his family.
Born on March 30, 1942, in Milton, FL to Otha James and Dollie Mae Dunlap. Ray attended Milton High School, class of 1960. His early career started as a local radio DJ and he later went to work at Air Products. However, he was more widely known as an exceptional and leading salesman (mostly appliances) for Sears for many years. Following this, he went on to work with Washington Mutual/Citi Financial, valet parking with West Florida Hospital and even returned to sales with Barrows Furniture before officially retiring. He also returned to the airwaves hosting the Sunday morning radio program from Olive Baptist Church.
Ray was known for his caring nature, his voice on air as a disc jockey, and his relentless sense of humor. Ray loved all things outdoors including various forms of fishing, bird watching, yardwork/gardening or just riding his golf cart. But most of all, he loved spending time with family.
Ray is survived by his sister Charlotte Brainard (Phil), sons David (Vicki), Jay (Dannielle), and Kevin (Mandy), grandchildren Katharine, Amber, Emily, TJ, Olivia, and Chase, and great grandson Kayce. He was preceded in death by his parents Otha and Dollie Dunlap and sister Betty Harrington.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, May 30, 2026, at Gonzalez Methodist Church. The family will receive visitors from 4-5pm followed by the celebration service. Arrangements will be made through Waters and Hibbert Funeral Home.
‘Fortitude And Resilience’: Escambia Westgate Class Of 2026 Celebrates Graduation
May 16, 2026
The Escambia Westgate School Class of 2026 graduated on Friday.
“These students have demonstrated going forward each and every day with fortitude,” Escambia County Public School Superintendent Keith Leonard said. “We are very, very proud of each and every one of you. We know the obstacles that you have overcome.”
For a photo gallery, click here.
“High school graduation is a major achievement, and these students have overcome many obstacles to get to this point,” Escambia Westgate Principal Cathy Rudd said. “Each student here needed courage and resilience to get to where they are today.”
The Escambia Westgate Class of 2026 graduates were:
- Jonecia Azarian Brown
- Coryeon W. Carter
- Jordan Lee Devries
- Thomas James Flintroy
- Alexzandria Marie Green
- Hugh Atticus McClean
- Michael Edward McElroy
- Aidan Michael Neal
- Darious Syncere Polingo
- Nahki Allen Stewart
Escambia Westgate School serves students from pre-K through high school with varying exceptionalities.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
One Person Transported; Two Dogs OK After Highway 29 Crash
May 16, 2026
One person was transported to an area hospital following a two-vehicle crash on Friday afternoon on Highway 29.
The crash occurred at the entrance to a Dollar General at 3005 Highway 29, south of West Roberts Road.
An adult female was transported by Escambia County EMS. Two dogs that were in one of the vehicles were not injured.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge
Tate High School Class of 2026 Celebrates Annual Senior Drive
May 16, 2026
The Tate High School Class of 2026 held its Senior Drive from the now former Winn Dixie parking lot on Highway 29 to the school.
The annual tradition has occurred on the last day of school for years. The seniors drive to campus for Senior Breakfast and to pick up their caps and gowns.
The Tate High School Class of 2026 will graduate on Wednesday, May 27 at 9 a.m. at the Pensacola Bay Center.
Photos/video by Kristi Barbour for NorthEscambia.com. Click to enlarge.
Sunny, Dry And Warm For The Weekend
May 16, 2026
High pressure dominates the region this weekend, bringing plenty of sunshine and warming temperatures to the area. A light breeze will shift from the east to the south, keeping daytime highs in the mid-80s through Sunday. However, the calm and clear conditions will begin to give way by early next week as moisture returns from the Gulf, introducing a slight chance of afternoon showers and thunderstorms by Tuesday.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 84. Light east wind becoming southeast 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming clear, with a low around 60. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 85. Light and variable wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 66. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 87. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 69. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Tuesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 88. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Wednesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 87.
Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69.
Thursday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 86.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 68.
Friday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 87.
Chiefs Shut Out Chieftains: Northview Dominates Chickasaw 38-0 In Spring Game
May 16, 2026
The Northview Chiefs beat the Chickasaw Chieftains 38-0 on Friday night in a spring game at Tommy Weaver Memorial Stadium in Bratt.
For a photo gallery, click here.
The Northview Chiefs will open the fall season at home against the Marianna Bulldogs.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Aggies Hold Off Marlins: Tate Claims 28-23 Spring Victory At Panama City Beach
May 16, 2026
The Tate Aggies beat the Arnold Marlins 28-23 in spring football on Friday night at Panama City Beach.
The Aggies were ahead 21-10 at the half and held on for the win.
The fall season begins on August 21 as the Aggies host the Marianna Bulldogs in Pete Gindl Stadium.
Northview Chiefs Power Up For Spring Football Friday At QB Club Breakfast
May 16, 2026
The Northview Chiefs powered up for a spring football Friday with a team breakfast.
The Northview Quarterback Club provided the breakfast at Travis Nelson Park in Bratt, near the school.
Related: Chiefs Shut Out Chieftains: Northview Dominates Chickasaw 38-0 In Spring Game
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
White Goes Seven Innings, Backed By Homers From Lewis And Miller In 9-3 Wahoos Win
May 16, 2026
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos took game 4 of their six-game series against the Chattanooga Lookouts on Friday night, securing a 9-3 victory.
The Wahoos got some early offense, putting up three runs in the second inning on an RBI double from Payton Green and a 2-run single from Gage Miller on back-to-back pitches. They would tack on one more when Dillon Lewis would hit his 4th homer of the series, and 9th of the year to extend the Pensacola lead to 4-0.
Chattanooga would get their only run off Wahoos starter Brandon White (W, 2-1) in the fourth, when Austin Hendrick ripped an RBI double into right field, scoring Zavier Warren and getting the Lookouts on the board. Pensacola’s offense would not be phased though, as Ryan Ignoffo brought in two more runs on an RBI single in the top of the fifth. One inning later, Gage Miller would put one over the wall for his fourth homer of the year to bring the lead to 7-1.
Brandon White would match his career high in innings with 7.0 complete, allowing only 1 run on 4 hits, 1 walk, and 8 strikeouts, making it his second consecutive quality start. Gabe Bierman would get the 8th and surrender one run via an RBI double off the bat of Cam Collier, scoring former Blue Wahoo Shane Sasaki and cutting the lead to 7-2.
Pensacola would top their offensive night off with two more insurance runs in the 9th. Michael Snyder would bring home Emaarion Boyd on a groundout, and Dillon Lewis would drive home Brendan Jones on a single into center, bringing the score to 9-2.
Livan Reinoso would finish things off in the ninth, after allowing a 2-out home run to Ruben Ibarra, cementing a final score of 9-3. Lookouts starter Kevin Abel (L, 3-2) got hooked with the loss and Wahoos starts Brandon White would notch his second career Double-A win.
The Blue Wahoos continue their series against the Lookouts on Saturday.
written by Charlie Hobert
Joseph Michael ‘Mike’ Nevels
May 16, 2026
Joseph Michael “Mike” Nevels, age 78, of Jay, Florida, went to be with our Lord and Savior on May 13, 2026, after a courageous battle with cancer.
Mike was born in Elba, Alabama, on November 30, 1947, to James and Claudine Nevels. In 1956, the Prescott family moved his family to Jay, where he grew up and graduated from Jay High School with the Class of 1966. Following graduation, Mike proudly answered the call of duty and voluntarily joined the U.S. Army, serving with honor in Vietnam during the Tet Offensive (1967-1968).
On June 2, 1967, he married the love of his life, Kay. Following his military service, the couple permanently settled in Jay, Florida, to build their life and raise their family. Mike was a highly skilled Master Electrician, dedicating 33 years of hard work and expertise to Exxon at the Jay plant and off-shore until his well-deserved retirement in April 2008.
Mike loved his family deeply, both immediate and extended. He was fiercely devoted to his wife, children, and grandchildren, and was a constant pillar of support for his many brothers and sisters. Everyone in the community knew that if they called Mike for help, he would drop everything to be there. This servant’s heart extended to his faith; Mike was a dedicated member of the Jay First Baptist Church for 46 years, where he spent countless hours contributing to the upkeep and maintenance of the church buildings and grounds.
Fishing has always been Mike’s passion even when he was little and he and his brothers Patton and Obie would walk to the river bridge to haul a mess of fish back to the house. After retiring, Mike found great joy in the simple pleasures of life and continued fishing whenever he could along the Escambia & Tensaw River with Obie and his brother-in-law Kenneth. He also cherished his afternoons and summer days spent making memories with Joseph and Holley James after school. He did his absolute best to take care of everyone around him, leaving a legacy as the toughest, most dependable man his family ever knew.
Mike was preceded in death by his parents, James and Claudine Nevels; his two sisters, Willigem Crocker and Betty Ates; and his beloved daughter, Kimberly Kay Nevels.
He leaves behind to cherish his memory his wife of 58 years, Carolyn Kay Nevels; his daughter, Melinda (Brian) Johnson; his son, James Michael Nevels; six grandchildren, Mary (Robby) Yant, Austin (Courtney) Sapp, Karrie (Tyler) Hutchcraft, Brody (Bentley) Johnson, Joseph Michael Nevels, and Holley James Nevels; three great-grandchildren, with a fourth expected blessing due in October; four sisters, Mary Dean Donaldson, Totsye Nevels, Jeanne Pepper, and Gwen Golden; three brothers, Patton (Sandy) Nevels, Obie (Reta) Nevels, and Marty (Delaine) Nevels; along with a large, loving network of nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.
Pallbearers are: Obie Nevels, James Michael Nevels, Brian Johnson, Derrek Nevels, Austin Sapp, Brody Johnson.
Honorary Pallbearers are: Joseph Michael Nevels, Patton Nevels, Marty Nevels, Kenneth McPherson, Wilbur Moran and Bob Holland.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, from 6-8 p.m. at Jay First Baptist Church.
A Celebration of Life service will take place on Thursday, May 21, 2026, at 2 p.m. at Jay First Baptist Church with burial immediately following at Jay Cemetery. Jay Funeral Chapel is entrusted with the funeral arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the American Diabetes Association in honor of “daddy’s little girl,” Kimberly.