Frank Michael Dellaccio
March 10, 2026
Frank Michael “Mike” Dellaccio, 72, of Atmore, Alabama, passed away peacefully at his home on March 6, 2026.
Mike was born on March 25, 1953, in Pensacola, Florida, to Joseph and Catherine Dellaccio. He became a resident of Atmore at the age of two and spent most of his life there. Mike attended Escambia County
schools, where he played both baseball and football, although baseball was always his favorite sport. In 1970, he met the love of his life, Diane Ardis, and the two shared a loving marriage for 53 years.
Mike began working at Elmore when he was just 16 years old. Throughout his adult life, he worked for several companies, including Sunbelt Chemical and Swift Lumber. He was known as a hardworking man
who took pride in providing for his family. He enjoyed playing golf and tennis, but more than anything, he loved spending time with his family and friends. Mike had a special gift for making people laugh and
bringing joy to those around him. His sense of humor and warm personality made every day brighter for the people who knew him.
Mike was a member of Saint Robert Bellarmine Catholic Church in Atmore.
He is survived by his loving wife, Diane Dellaccio; his daughters Stephanie Skipper (John Skipper), Jennifer Rutherford (Christopher Rutherford), and Holly Young (Adam Young); and his six grandchildren,
Brooke Presley (Michael Hipa), Macey Jones, Adilyn Jones, Logan Young, Leah Young, and Lauren Young, all of Atmore.
He is also survived by his four great-grandchildren, Kinnedy McCarthy, Kyndall McCarthy, Tracen Hipa, and Teelen Hipa.
Additional survivors include his brothers Douglas Dellaccio of Birmingham and Joseph Dellaccio of New Orleans, along with many nieces and nephews who loved him dearly.
He was preceded in death by his father, Joseph Dellaccio Sr.; his mother, Catherine Dellaccio; and his sister, JoAnn Pugh (“Sissy”).
Mike will be remembered for his devotion to his family, his strong work ethic, and his ability to make others laugh. His presence brought joy to those around him, and he will be deeply missed by all who
knew and loved him.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mike’s memory to the American Lung Association and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
The family would like to give a special thank you to Southern Care Hospice.
Brenda Mae Simmons Wiggins
March 10, 2026
Brenda Mae Simmons Wiggins, 75, of McDavid, FL, passed away on March 9, 2026, in Pensacola, FL. Brenda was born on June 30, 1950, to Charlie Alexander Simmons and Verna Mae Darby.
Brenda was a seamstress with Vanity Fair and enjoyed spending time with her great-grandchildren. She was lovingly known as “Crazy Silly Nana”.
She attended Pleasant Hill Baptist Church and loved fellowship and cooking at church.
Brenda was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 54 years, Jerry Darnell Wiggins; and siblings, Billy Simmons, Wade Simmons, Linda Findley, and Clyde Simmons.
She is survived by her son, Randy Wiggins of McDavid, FL; daughters, Alicia Wiggins (Tony Godwin) of Brewton, AL, Sherry Wiggins (Kenneth) Roley of Davisville, FL; her brother, David Simmons of Jay, FL; and her sister, Patricia “Patsy” (Arthur) Harrington of Louisiana. Brenda is also survived by seven grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces, nephews, family, and friends.
Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, March 12, 2026, at 2 p.m. at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Tyler Roley officiating.
Interment will follow at Crary Memorial Cemetery in McDavid, FL.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, March 12, 2026, from 1 p.m. until service time at 2 p.m. at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home.
Florida Special Olympics Torch Run Begins In Century (With Gallery)
March 9, 2026
The 2026 Law Enforcement Torch Run in support of Florida Special Olympics began in Century on Monday morning before continuing to Pensacola.
The torch run started at the Florida/Alabama state line on a foggy morning. Runners from Century Correctional Institution carried the torch south on Highway 29 from the state line to the Century Town Hall with an escort from the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Additional legs of the run were scheduled for later in the day in the southern half of the county with the ECSO and other law enforcement agencies.
Each year, over 5,000 law enforcement officers from around the state carry the flame to the Special Olympics State Summer Games. The torch will travel over 1,500 miles, through Florida’s 67 counties to the Opening Ceremonies of the Summer Games with the law enforcement “Guardians of the Flame.”
Pictured: The 2026 Law Enforcement Torch Run in support of Florida Special Olympics started at the Florida/Alabama state line in Century on Monday morning and continued south in Escambia County. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Train Strikes Vehicle At Cantonment Crossing Sunday Night
March 9, 2026
A train struck a vehicle Sunday night in Cantonment.
For an unknown reason, the passenger car was on the railroad tracks on Highway 95A at East Kingsfield Road when it was struck by a CSX train around 11:05 p.m., pushing the car away from the crossing.
First responders arrived to find no one in or around the vehicle, and a search of the area did not find anyone from the vehicle. There were no injuries to the train crew.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating.
Photos by Kristi Barbour and submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia County (AL) Woman Charged with Murder in Shooting Death Of 27-Year-Old Woman
March 9, 2026
An Escambia County, Alabama, woman has been charged with murdering another woman late last week.
Renotta Renee Seltzer was booked into the Escambia County (AL)Detention Center without bond charged with the shooting death of 27-year-old Anasty Brown on McGougin Road near Brewton.
Sheriff Heath Jackson said Seltzer confessed to murder.
The Escambia County (AL) Sheriff’s Office investigation continues.
Cadets Attend First Combined Area NJROTC Military Ball
March 9, 2026
Cadets from across the county traded their uniforms for dress blues as Northview High School joined four other area units for the first-ever combined NJROTC Military Ball at the NAS Pensacola Officers’ Club
Members of the Northview, Pine Forest, Washington, Escambia, and West Florida programs celebrated an evening of tradition and camaraderie, marking a historic milestone for the local corps.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Slight Chance Of Rain Today, Wednesday Night Cold Front On The Way
March 9, 2026
The next few days in the North Escambia area will feature a warm-up with highs reaching the lower 80s by Tuesday and Wednesday. While Monday and Wednesday afternoons carry a slight risk of a stray shower, the most significant weather arrives Wednesday night as a strong cold front brings a high chance of rain and thunderstorms. Once the front clears, Thursday will be noticeably cooler and breezy, leading into a clear and pleasant stretch of sunshine for the upcoming weekend.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Monday: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms between 1pm and 4pm, then a chance of showers after 4pm. Patchy fog before 10am. Otherwise, partly sunny, with a high near 80. Light southeast wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Monday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers before 7pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 66. South wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 82. Light south wind increasing to 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 65. South wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 82. South wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.
Wednesday Night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Low around 54. South wind 10 to 15 mph becoming northwest after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
Thursday: A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly before 1pm. Sunny, with a high near 66. North wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 42. North wind around 5 mph becoming east after midnight.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 74.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 48.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 79.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 56.
Sunday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 80.
Hundreds Attend Roy Hyatt ‘Night Of Nature’ In Cantonment
March 9, 2026
Hundreds of people attended the Roy Hyatt Environmental Center’s “Night of Nature” on Friday in Cantonment.
About 450 visitors and volunteers came out and enjoyed an evening full of family fun. They met reptiles, blasted off into space in the planetarium, met cool creatures of the night, peered at Jupiter through telescopes, saw birds of prey, played bird matching games, participated in science and birding activities, took night hikes through the woods while learning about foxes, salamanders, opossums, and owls, ate, used microscopes to observe all kinds of microscopic organisms, and toured the beach house visiting with all of the aquatic creatures living there.
The Roy Hyatt Environmental Center on Tobias Road is owned and operated by the Escambia County School District.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Gas Prices Skyrocket Due To Iran Conflict, AAA Says
March 9, 2026
Florida gas prices skyrocketed in response to the conflict in Iran. The state average surged 57 cents per gallon last week, and Sunday’s average of $3.45 is the most expensive daily average since August 2024.
Compared to recent benchmarks, Sunday’s state average is: 56 cents more than a week ago, 59 cents more than a month ago, and 35 cents more than this time last year.
On Sunday, the average price per gallon was $3.12 in Escambia County. That is up 39 cents from $2.73 a week ago, 45 cents from a month ago, and 31 cents from one year ago. In North Escambia, a low of $3.09 could be found Sunday night at stations on Highway 29 in Cantonment.
“Prices at the pump moved up quickly early last week as oil prices rallied,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman for AAA – The Auto Club Group. “With oil taking another large step higher on Friday, motorists should prepare for another round of increases in the days ahead as retailers and suppliers adjust to those higher costs.”
Crude oil prices soared 36 percent last week, marking the largest weekly increase in twenty years. Friday’s closing price hit $90.90 per barrel, nearly $24 higher than the previous week and the highest since September 2023. Gasoline futures rose sharply as well, climbing 67 cents per gallon.
These increases pushed gas prices higher early in the week and will likely continue influencing pump prices in the days ahead, according to AAA.
“Oil is the biggest input cost in gasoline, so when crude and gasoline futures climb, retail prices usually follow,” Jenkins said. “U.S. supplies remain steady, refineries are operating, and there is no indication of a shortage for drivers. The higher pump prices reflect increased fuel costs, not disruptions to U.S. availability.”
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Tate Goes 3-4 At Weekend At Panama City Softball Challenge
March 9, 2026
The Tate Lady Aggies went 3-1 at the Florida-USA Softball Challenge 2026 on Friday and Saturday in Panama City.
Senior Kaylie Mitchell had four total home runs during the tournament, and was a tough call away from a fifth. Senior Jordyn Banks had one home run.
Tournament Scores
- Brewbaker Tech 5, Tate 4
- Tate 9, Wicksburg 2
- Tate 15, Ashford 10
- Tate 13, Arnold 3
This week, Tate will travel to Navarre on Tuesday, and to West Florida on Friday, to round out action before Spring Break.
Pictured: Tate Lady Aggies Senior Kaylie Mitchell at the Florida-USA Softball Challenge 2026 on Friday and Saturday in Panama City. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
