James M. Avery
May 12, 2026
of Pensacola passed away on May 5, 2026 at the age of 82.
He was born in Pensacola, Florida on December 12, 1943 to James Moses Avery and Leeola Coleman. James was married to the love of his life Janis A. Avery for 25 years. He had a career as a Millwright and as a Professional Beekeeper. He was a Christian that loved the Lord. James had a passionate for Alabama football, fishing, and agriculture.
He was preceded in death by his father, James Moses Avery; his mother, Leeola Coleman; and his sister, Dolly Strickland.
James is survived by his loving wife, Janis and her sons, Michael (Brittanie) and Steven (Jenny); his sister, Zoia Holland and her family: Dave, Donna, Denver, Tonya (Matt), Paige, Jocelynn, Miles, Makalynn, Ethan, Isabella, Denver II, Scarlett, Donna (Rusty), Elizabeth, and Catherine; his sister, Hurene (Otto) and their family, Christian (Adam), Eli and family, Levi and Sara Grace; the children of his sister Dolly (Deacon), Wendy (David) and son Christian, Howie (Danielle); brothers, Matt (Kathy), Clint (Hannah), Mark, Abby, Carmella Mae, Michelle.
The honorary pallbearers are Mark Avery, Matt Avery, David Stacey, Michael Krause, Steven Krause, Dave Holland, Denver, Ethan, Matt, Rusty, Howie, Christian, and Clint.
A special note of thanks to his lifelong neighbor Shelby Jean Barnhill, Brandon, Blake and families, Richard and Theresa Coffee and family. Grateful for the care and compassion of so many doctors and staff, Sacred Heart, and Select Specialty Hospital and Hospice.
John David Minnick III
May 12, 2026
John David Minnick III, 75, of Cantonment, FL , passed away on May 3, 2026 after a lengthy illness.
John was born in Baltimore, MD to the late John David Minnick, Jr. and Mary Agnes Minnick.
John was an avid deer hunter, loved the outdoors and his many cats and dogs he had throughout the years. He was the life of the party. His laughter was contagious and loved joking around. John will be deeply missed.
He is preceded in death by his wife of 35 years, Carol (Davis) Minnick; brother, David Eugene Minnick; and sisters, Dee Sandnes, Mary Maier, and Susan Smith.
John is survived by his children, Brian Greene, Tania Eddins, David (Krystal) Minnick and Kathy (Chuck) Bonini; stepdaughters, Kathy Holler and Whitney Yell; numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren; brother, Robert (Kim) Minnick; and sisters, Linda Martin and Ann Barnes; numerous nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, Donations to Hotel for Cats and Dogs at www.h4dc.org
Baby, Adult Reportedly Transported Following Highway 29, Old Chemstrand Crash
May 11, 2026
A baby and an adult were reportedly transported to the hospital following an afternoon crash at Highway 29 and Old Chemstrand Road.
The crash, involving a GMC Terrain and GMC Sierra, occurred just before 1 p.m. The cause is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.
None of the injuries were believed to be serious.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Krisi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Escambia Man Charged With Traveling To Meet A Minor At Nine Mile Restaurant
May 11, 2026
A 62-year-old man was arrested after allegedly traveling to a local Waffle Huse to meet a child for illegal sexual activity.
Billy Ray Rogers was arrested by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office last Wednesday at the Waffle House on East Nine Mile Road at 7 East Nine Mile Road, near North Palafox Street. He faces a felony charge of traveling to meet after using a computer to lure a child. He was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $15,000 bond.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to a reported disturbance at the Waffle House. An arriving deputy was met by a man who said he works for Predator Poachers, a Texas company that goes undercover to catch sexual predators. The company is not affiliated with local law enforcement.
Another Predator Poachers employee told deputies that he had been working undercover as a 13-year-old girl named “Miley.” The sheriff’s office said he provided printed copies of messages between the Miley persona and Rogers from TikTok and Telegram in which Rogers invited Miley over to his house. The company enlisted a Waffle House customer to message and call Rogers to see if he was coming to pick her up at the Waffle House, an arrest report states.
The Waffle House customer told deputies that Rogers said he did not want to be arrested because he is a 60-year-old man and she was just 13 years old. She then explained to Rogers that she walked from a friend’s house and it was dark, asking him to pick her up, and he pulled up to the restaurant door, according to the arrest report.
According to the ECSO report, Rogers spontaneously told a deputy “that he has child porn on his black phone and a computer” and he sent nude photos of himself to an underage female and wanted the girls to come to his place. The phone was seized and submitted into evidence. Child pornography charges were not immediately filed, pending the outcome of the investigation.
The ECSO report states that Rogers admitted “that he knew what he did was wrong,” that he knew Miley was 13 years old, and that he sent her a sexually explicit photo of himself.
Deputies reported that the alleged messages sent by Rogers to the 13-year-old decoy were explicit details of what he intended to do.
Rogers was interviewed by the ECSO Special Victims Unit (SVU) prior to being booked into the Escambia County Jail.
State Recognizes Cantonment Corrections Officer Trainee For Actions After I-10 Wreck
May 11, 2026
The Florida Department of Corrections has recognized a trainee from Cantonment for his actions following a wreck on I-10.
While off duty, Correctional Officer Trainee Justyn DuLac sprang into action after witnessing a serious crash on I-10, assisting the injured driver from the vehicle, and helping secure the scene until first responders arrived, FDC said.
Century Nonprofit Awarded $10,000 Dollar General Literacy Foundation Grant
May 11, 2026
The Dollar General Literacy Foundation has awarded a $10,000 grant to a Century nonprofit for a family literacy project.
The funds were awarded to the Extra Mile Club Str8 Up for the project “Families Getting Out of the Rat Race A Family Financial Literacy”.
The Dollar General Literacy Foundation annually awards grants to public schools, libraries and nonprofit organizations within a 15-mile radius of a Dollar General store or distribution center. Since its founding 33 years ago by Dollar General’s former CEO, Cal Turner, Jr., the DGLF has awarded more than $292 million to literacy efforts across the country.
“Since the Foundation’s inception in 1993, our focus has remained on making meaningful investments in students, teachers, and the organizations that support literacy and learning at every stage of life,” said Denine Torr, executive director of the Dollar General Literacy Foundation. “We are grateful for the impact teachers and educators make every day and are excited to have another record setting year of helping expand literacy access for learners of all ages. These funds will help educators enhance their instruction and create opportunities that help empower students to reach their full potential.”
Other grants were awarded in Northwest Florida: $3,000 for the Destin Library and $5,550 to the Fort Walton Beach Library.
Pictured: Pastor Evelyn Deterville opened the Extra Mile Club St8 Up Soul Train Club in April 2025 in Century. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Rain Likely Tonight; Slight Chance of Scattered Tuesday Showers
May 11, 2026
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 7pm, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm between 7pm and 1am, then a chance of showers after 1am. Cloudy, with a low around 66. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
Tuesday: A slight chance of showers before 10am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 83. East wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 62. Calm wind.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 84. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 63. Calm wind.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 83. North wind around 5 mph.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 58. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 82.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 60.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 84.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 62.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 84.
Weekly Traffic Report: Those Troublesome Construction Slowdowns
May 11, 2026
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads and projects n Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.
Escambia County:
- State Road (S.R.) 99 (Beulah Road) Resurfacing from Mobile Highway (S.R. 10A) to Isaacs Road – Drivers may encounter intermittent lane closures on Beulah Road, from Mobile Highway to Isaacs Road, Sunday, May 10 through Thursday, May 14, between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m., for concrete flatwork and striping operations.
- Interstate 10 (I-10) Resurfacing from east of U.S. 29 to east of Davis Highway (S.R. 291) – Drivers on I-10 may encounter intermittent lane closures, traffic shifts and periodic ramp closures, between mile markers 11 and 14, Sunday, May 10 through Thursday, May 14, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. for paving operations and roadway construction.
- S.R. 296 (Brent Lane/Bayou Boulevard) Resurfacing from Davis Highway (S.R. 291) to Baisden Road – Drivers may encounter the following traffic disruptions, Sunday, May 10 through Thursday, May 14, between 8 p.m. and 5:30 a.m., for paving operations and placement of thermoplastic striping:
- Intermittent lane closures on Brent Lane/Bayou Boulevard, from Davis Highway to Baisden Road.
- On-street parking closures on Bayou Boulevard, between 12th Avenue and Baisden Road.
- S.R. 292 (Gulf Beach Highway) from east of Bauer Road (County Road (C.R.) 293) to Manchester Street – The week of Sunday, May 10, drivers may encounter intermittent lane closures on S.R. 292, from east of Bauer Road to Manchester Street, between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m., for construction activities. Additionally, a new traffic configuration has been implemented on S.R. 292 between Mills Avenue and just east of Patton Drive, with travel lanes shifted to the outside of the roadway to provide space to construct a median traffic separator. Channelizing devices are in place to delineate the work zone. The speed limit has been reduced to 35 mph through the work zone.
- Business U.S. 98 (Garden Street) Construction from Pace Boulevard to the Interstate 110 (I- 110) ramp – The week of Sunday, May 10, drivers may encounter the following construction-related traffic disruptions:
- Garden Street, between Pace Boulevard and N. Donelson Street, is reduced to two travel lanes (one in each direction) as crews perform construction activities on the north side of the street. This temporary traffic configuration will be in place through late 2026.
- Temporary side street closures north of Garden Street, from B Street to E Street, for ECUA sanitary sewer upgrades. This week, drivers may encounter a closure with detour at D Street. Signage will be in place to direct drivers through the work zone.
- On-street parking is closed on Garden Street, between B Street and L Street.
- I-110 Resurfacing from I-10 to U.S. 98 – Drivers on I-110 may encounter intermittent lane closures, traffic shifts and periodic ramp closures, between I-10 and U.S. 98, Sunday, May 10 through Thursday, May 14, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., for paving operations and roadway construction.
- I-10 at Nine Mile Road Interchange (Exit 5) Construction – Drivers will encounter the following construction-related traffic disruptions:
- Intermittent outside lane closures on I-10 westbound near the Nine Mile Road interchange, Sunday, May 10 through Thursday, May 14, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.
- Nine Mile Road will be reduced to one travel lane in each direction between the I-10 ramps, Sunday, May 10 through Friday, May 15, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Law enforcement will be on site, and directional signage will be in place to guide drivers through the work zone.
- Temporary reconfiguration of the I-10 westbound ramps, which will remain in place through mid-2026.
- I-10 at U.S. 29 Interchange (Exit 10) Construction – The week of Sunday, May 10, drivers will encounter the following construction-related traffic disruptions:
- I-10 is reduced to two travel lanes in each direction between U.S. 29 and I-110.
- I-10 travel lanes are shifted away from the median area of the roadway, near the U.S. 29 interchange.
- The U.S. 29 southbound access to the I-10 eastbound on-ramp has been reduced.
- The U.S. 29 northbound ramp to I-10 eastbound is closed. U.S. 29 northbound drivers are being detoured to make a U-turn at Broad Street onto U.S. 29 southbound to access I-10 eastbound.
- I-10 Resurfacing from the Perdido River Bridge to west of U.S. 29 – Drivers on I-10 may encounter intermittent inside lane closures, between mile markers 6 and 8, Sunday, May 10 through Thursday, May 14, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., for access management improvements and installation of high-tension cable barrier in the median.
- S.R. 97 (Atmore Highway) Resurfacing from U.S. 29 to the Alabama State Line – Motorists will encounter the following traffic impacts:
- North and southbound drivers will encounter a temporary traffic shift to one lane at S.R. 97 and S.R. 95.
- Intermittent lane and shoulder closures are to be expected throughout the project limits on Monday, May 11, through Friday, May 15, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. for median improvements.
- Lane closures are to be expected at S.R. 95 and S.R. 97 on Monday, May 11, through Friday, May 15, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. for median improvements.
Santa Rosa County:
- U.S. 98 Widening from Bayshore Road to Portside Drive – Motorists will encounter the following traffic impacts:
- Median and turn lane closures from Bayshore Road to Tiger Lake Drive.
- Intermittent lane closures and additional median closures between Bayshore Road and Tiger Lake Drive, Sunday, May 10 through Friday, May 15, from 7 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for paving operations.
- U.S. 90 Resurfacing from Escambia River Bridge to east of Woodbine Road (C.R. 197A) – Drivers may encounter intermittent lane closures on U.S. 90, from Escambia River Bridge to Woodbine Road, Sunday, May 10 through Thursday, May 14, between 7 p.m. and 5:30 a.m., for guardrail installation. Additionally, the speed limit has been reduced to 45 mph through the work zone.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Gas Prices Ease Just A Bit After Hitting Four-Year High
May 11, 2026
Florida gas prices are edging lower after climbing to their highest level in nearly four years last week, according to AAA.
The state average jumped 20 cents per gallon, peaking at $4.50 on Thursday. That marked the highest daily average since July 2022. The increase followed sharp gains in the futures market over the previous two weeks, including a 21 percent rise in oil prices and a 59-cent jump in wholesale gasoline.
Prices began to ease through the weekend. The state average fell 9 cents, bringing Sunday’s price to $4.43 per gallon. That is 10 cents more than a week ago, 34 cents more than a month ago, and $1.48 more than this time last year.
Pensacola had the lowest average metro price in the state at $4.12, which is up 16 cents from a week ago, 24 cents from a month ago, and $1.28 higher than one year ago.
“The fuel market remains headline-driven and extremely volatile, making it difficult to predict what drivers will pay at the pump this summer,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman for AAA – The Auto Club Group.
The lowest price Sunday night in North Escambia was $3.99 at a station on Highway 29 in Cantonment.
Escambia Sex Offender Arrested On Pensacola Beach Pleads To Federal Charges
May 11, 2026
A registered Escambia County sex offender arrested on Pensacola Beach, has pleaded guilty to federal child porn charges.
Donnschee Ricky Montrell Foster, 34, pleaded guilty in federal court to one count of possession of child pornography and one count of committing a felony involving minors while being required to register as a sex offender.
Court documents show the Florida Department of Law Enforcement conducted routine checks on Foster as a registered sex offender in late 2025; Foster has a prior state conviction for possession of child sexual abuse material.
When FDLE determined that Foster was not residing at the location where his sex offender registration required him to be, law enforcement conducted follow-up investigation in an attempt to locate him and obtained an arrest warrant for sex offender registration violations. FDLE, along with the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, located Foster working on Pensacola Beach in November 2025.
Foster was taken into custody, and a search warrant was obtained for his cell telephone. Authorities reported that a search of his phone revealed images of real child pornography as well as computer-generated child sexual abuse material.
Foster remains detained in the custody of the United States Marshals Service pending sentencing.