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.
County Approves New 265-Lot Subdivision By Road Prison In Cantonment
May 15, 2026
This week, the Escambia County Development Review Committee gave final approval to a 265-lot Thomas Home subdivision on Highway 297A in Cantonment.
The 38.48-acre LaVelle Terrace Subdivision will be located on property owned by Thomas Home Corporation at 855 Highway 297A and will include paved public streets, public stormwater ponds and conveyance systems including operation and maintenance, and potable water and sanitary sewer facilities.
The subdivision will be sandwiched between the Escambia County Road Prison to the north and the existing Jackson Estates subdivision and Heaton Road to the south.
Escambia County intends to take over the long-term responsibility for the subdivision’s stormwater drainage system once construction is finished and specific requirements are met and it passes inspection and certification processes.
NorthEscambai.com graphic.
McDavid Man Charged With Aggravated Stalking For 2025 Incident
May 15, 2026
A McDavid man was recently arrested on an outstanding 2025 warrant for cyberstalking.
Govan Shane Alexander Sr., 54, was charged with felony aggravated stalking for following, harassing, or cyberstalking after a domestic violence injunction.
According to an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office arrest report, a deputy was originally dispatched to a residence in McDavid in November 2025 regarding a violation of a domestic violence injunction. Alexander’s wife told investigators that he was texting his minor children to have them relay messages to her despite a domestic violence injunction that was served in August 2025.
In the arrest report, a deputy noted viewing and photographing some of the text messages. Alexander was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $7,500 bond.
Ernest Ward Middle School Hiring New Agriculture Teacher For Growing Program
May 15, 2026
Dolly the goat was not terribly excited about posing for pictures on Thursday afternoon at Ernest Ward Middle School in Walnut Hill.
But agriculture students and FFA members were excited about the future of their program.
“Do we have a teacher yet?”
“Who is it? We can’t wait!” the students pressed Principal Tyvanna Boulanger for hints.
Escambia County Public Schools is hiring an agriculture teacher for the next school year.
The selected candidate will facilitate the Agriculture program at Ernest Ward and sponsor the FFA student organization. They will facilitate several school-based programs each year, including a FFA banquet and an appreciation breakfast, and will travel with students to multiple competitions.
The school’s facilities include an outdoor learning lab that currently has goats and chickens, and a greenhouse.
“Can we get a cow?”
“Or a pig?”
The students are anxious to see the program, which has roots that can be traced back to a one-room log schoolhouse built in 1886, continue to grow and thrive.
Dolly, by the way, and the other goats were happy to pose for a few pictures after a little attention and an afternoon snack.
Pictured: Ag students and FFA members at the school’s agriscience facilities on Thursday afternoon. Dolly is the white goat. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Beautiful, Sunny Weekend Ahead with Temperatures Climbing Into the 80s
May 15, 2026
Sunny skies and warm temperatures will dominate the upcoming weekend across the region, making for ideal outdoor conditions before storm chances return mid-week. Highs will steadily climb from the lower 80s on Friday into the mid-to-upper 80s by early next week. A weak cold front approaching on Tuesday will bring the next notable chance for scattered showers and thunderstorms, with lingering slight chances of rain persisting through Thursday.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 82. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the afternoon.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 57. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 83. Light and variable wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 61. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 84. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 67. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 86. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 68. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Tuesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 87.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 68.
Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 87.
Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68.
Thursday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 86.
Atmore Teacher Facing Narcotics Charges After Being Found Allegedly Unconscious At Burger King
May 15, 2026
A call regarding an unconscious man behind the wheel of a vehicle led to the narcotics arrest of a now-former teacher Wednesday afternoon in Atmore.
Officers with the Atmore Police Department responded to the Burger King on South Main Street at approximately 5:31 p.m. on Wednesday, May 13. Upon arrival, authorities discovered an individual, later identified as James Clayton Page, slumped over the steering wheel.
Page was formerly a math teacher at Escambia County High School in Atmore, but in an emergency meeting Wednesday afternoon, May 13, the Escambia County (AL) School Board accepted Page’s resignation effective the day before, May 12.
The APD stated that officers discovered a variety of illegal substances in Page’s possession.
Page was taken into custody and faces four counts of possession of a controlled substance for cocaine, heroin, a THC vape, amphetamines, and dextroamphetamines, as well as a charge for possession of drug paraphernalia.
Atmore Police stated that additional charges may be pending as they await further testing results.
Ready For Some Football? Spring Games Friday For Tate And Northview
May 15, 2026
Are you ready for some football?
Both the Northview Chiefs and Tate Aggies have spring games set for this Friday night, May 15.
Northview vs. Chickasaw
It’s the Chiefs versus the Chieftains in spring football on Friday night in Bratt. The Northview Chiefs will host the Chickasaw (AL) Chieftains.
Chickasaw is a smaller school with about half the enrollment of Northview.
Game time is 7 p.m. at Northview’s Tommy Weaver Memorial Stadium. Tickets are only available on GoFan.
Tate vs. Arnold
The Tate Aggies will take a little road trip down to Panama City Beach on Friday night.
The Aggies will take on the Arnold Marlins at 6:30 p.m.
Arnold High School is located at 550 Alf Coleman Road in Panama City Beach. Tickets are available on GoFan.
NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Gerald ‘Jerry’ Allen Erickson
May 15, 2026
Gerald “Jerry” Allen Erickson of Pensacola, Florida passed away on May 13, 2026.
Jerry was born on September 15, 1953 in Maple Lake, Minnesota to Warren Carl Erickson and Catherine Marie O’Neill Erickson. He had a career with the United States Navy, retiring as an ABH1 after 20 years of dedicated service. Afterwards, Jerry worked for over 35 years at the Pensacola Aviation Center. Passionate about sports, he was very actively involved in coaching baseball for all three of his sons.
Jerry was preceded in death by his father Wayne Carl Erickson and his mother Catherine Marie Erickson.
He is survived by his wife, Char Erickson; his sons, Gerald Erickson, Jr., Keith Michael Erickson, and Joseph Carl Erickson; his ex-wife, Pam Smith; his granddaughter, Izabella Erickson; his grandsons, Evann Erickson, Keith Erickson, Jr., Liam Erickson, Jace Edwards, Jackson Edwards, Alex Morales, and Louie Morales.
The pallbearers will be Gerald Erickson, Jr., Keith Erickson, Joseph Erickson, Evann Erickson, Keith Erickson, Jr., and Liam Erickson.
Services for Jerry will be held at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North, with a visitation starting at 11 a.m. and funeral starting at noon officiated by Pastor Mike Mashburn. Burial will follow at Barrancas National Cemetery, his final resting place.
Escambia County Animal Welfare Rescues 32 Dogs Recovered In Animal Hoarding Case
May 15, 2026
The Escambia County Department of Animal Welfare has rescued 32 dogs from a recent animal hoarding case,
Recently, Escambia County Animal Welfare Officers recognized that an individual was struggling to care for their dogs after falling on hard times. Officers coordinated with animal shelter staff to develop a plan for the removal and care of the dogs, but since they had not had veterinary care for some time, the team determined it would not be safe to bring them to the shelter and risk exposing the other pets in their care.
Animal Welfare Officers and shelter staff worked with Escambia County Administration and the Facilities Department to find a potential emergency shelter where the dogs could be temporarily housed. An empty building was located at the Perdido Landfill, and Animal Welfare coordinated with the Waste Services Department to set up a temporary emergency shelter for the dogs.
“I’m so proud of our team for their hard work and willingness to go above and beyond on this case,” Animal Welfare Director John Robinson said. “This rescue was a team effort that highlights the importance of planning and coordination between multiple agencies. Hoarding cases are never easy, but our team is passionate about what we do and, and we are always working toward helping the animals in our community. Any time we can help animals and give them a chance to live a happy, healthy life, it’s a good day for our team.”
The rescued dogs will soon be available for adoption, thanks to the hard work of Animal Welfare staff and county employees. The dogs have already begun receiving treatment from Animal Welfare’s veterinary team, including vaccines and parasite prevention. The Pensacola Humane Society will assist veterinary staff with spay and neuter surgeries for the dogs.
“We’re grateful for these partnerships that help make operations like this a success,” Robinson said. “I’m glad that the quick, professional response by our team, county departments, and community partners has resulted in a second chance for these dogs. Thank you to everyone who helped with this rescue, and thank you to the Pensacola Humane Society for their continued partnership with helping animals in our community.”
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Wahoos Rally Late In Comeback Win Over Chattanooga
May 15, 2026
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos rallied for an impressive comeback win over the Chattanooga Lookouts on Thursday night, scoring four times in the eighth inning after letting an early lead slip away.
The Lookouts took a 1-0 lead in the first inning thanks to an infield single, stolen base, throwing error and wild pitch from Pensacola starting pitcher Orlando Ortiz-Mayr. The Blue Wahoos answered back in the second, capitalizing on a missed catch error from Lookouts left fielder Shane Sasaki to score three runs on a Michael Snyder sacrifice fly, Dylan Jasso RBI double and Brendan Jones sacrifice fly.
Jasso extended the Pensacola lead to 4-1 in the fourth inning with an opposite-field solo homer, his second of the season. The Lookouts tied it up in the bottom of the fifth, as Ortiz-Mayr started the frame by issuing a walk and a pair of singles before Christian MacLeod entered to make his Blue Wahoos debut. A run-scoring balk and Leo Balcazar RBI single followed to bring the score to 4-4.
The Lookouts took a 6-4 lead in the sixth on a Dominic Pitelli two-run homer. After the Blue Wahoos got a run back in the seventh on a Jones RBI single, reliever Luis Moreno (W, 1-2) surrendered a two-run homer to Cade Hunter to stretch the Chattanooga lead to 8-5.
Down to their final six outs, the Blue Wahoos mounted a rally in the eighth by drawing three walks against reliever Irvin Machuca. Snyder laced a two-run double into the left field corner against Thomas Farr (L, 1-2), Jasso tied the game with a sacrifice fly, and Gage Miller capped the comeback with a go-ahead RBI single for a 9-8 lead.
Colby Martin (S, 1) earned his first Double-A save, getting the final six outs while allowing only a walk and a single.
The Blue Wahoos went 6-for-9 with men in scoring position, and tied a franchise record last set in 2017 with three sacrifice flies in the same game.
The Blue Wahoos continue their series against the Lookouts on Friday
written by Erik Bremer