Mallory Jerome ‘Buck’ Chavers
January 28, 2026
Mallory Jerome “Buck” Chavers, age 71, of Hanceville, AL, passed away on January 27, 2026. Mallory was born on June 13, 1954. He served in the United States Marine Corps and had a career in the trucking industry. Buck is preceded in death by his father, Raymond Chavers.
Buck is survived by his children, Scott (Rachel) Chavers, Justin Chavers, Josh (Caitlin) Chavers, Dallas (Leah) Chavers, Jenny (John) O’Connell, Penny (Dane) Larsen, and Angela Gragg; his siblings, Bobby (Melinda) Chavers, Bruce (Tina) Chavers, and Marcella Chavers, and a host of grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, family and friends.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, January 31, 2026, at 2:30 p.m. at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Greg Sellers officiating. Interment will follow in Godwin Cemetery in Bratt, FL.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, January 31, 2026, from 1:30 p.m. until service time at 2:30 p.m. at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home.
The family would like to extend a special thanks to the Cullman Regional Home Health.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Norma Jean McCall Taylor
January 28, 2026
Norma Jean McCall Taylor passed away on January 25, 2026, with her two daughters at her side. Norma was born in Century, FL, on August 5, 1943. Growing up in Oak Grove, she graduated from Earnest Ward High School in 1961, following her marriage to Johnnie Taylor on May 31, 1963. She lived the majority of her adult life in Atmore, AL, where she and Johnnie ran Taylor Construction and Mini storage until their retirement. She lived the past four years in Monroeville, AL. Norma was a faithful member of the Atmore Church of Christ, raising her girls to follow the gospel of Christ and inspiring them both.
Norma is preceded in death by her parents, Thomas and Lucille McCall; siblings, Edward McCall, Calvin McCall, Wayne McCall, and Erlene Pugh; her husband of 58 years, Johnnie W. Taylor; and her son-in-law, John Spearman Winters.
Norma is survived by her two loving daughters, Lynn Winters of Monroeville and Suzanne Taylor of Opelika; her two granddaughters, who are the lights of her life: Mary Taylor Winters and Lucinda Ruth Johnson, plus many nieces, nephews, family, and friends.
Graveside services will be held on Friday, January 30, 2026, at 11:30 a.m. at Oak Hill Cemetery with Bro. Jay Skipworth officiating. Interment will follow in Oak Hill Cemetery in Atmore, AL.
Visitation will be held on Friday, January 30, 2026, from 10-11 a.m. at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home in Atmore, AL.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Pilots for Christ, P.O. Box 707, Monroeville, AL, 36461.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Century Residents to See First New Waste Provider In Over 30 Years, $10 Monthly Increase
January 27, 2026
In February, Town of Century residents will have a new solid waste provider, and they will see their bills increase by over $10 a month. It’s the first time in over 30 years that Century has changed waste services provider.
Currently, residents are paying the town $27.44 for one pickup per week from Republic Services. Under the new provider, Waste Pro, residents will pay the town $37.91, $10.47 more per month.
How Will New Carts Be Delivered?
The town says the can exchange between Republic and Waste Pro will be seamless. On regular collection day this Wednesday, Republic Services will empty carts as usual and then exchange them for new Waste Pro cartd.
Waste Pro will begin collecting next week, with yard waste collected in a green cart with a black lid on Tuesdays, and garbage in a green cart with a blue lid on Fridays. Waste Pro will officially begin servicing the new carts on Tuesday, January 3, with the collection of green yard waste carts (black lid). Garbage will be collected on Fridays in a green cart with a blue lid.
For complete information, click here (pdf).
If a resident does not receive a new Waste Pro cart by January 31, they should call the Town of Century at (850) 256-3208.
Customer Accounts
There is no action required from current, active customers with service from Waste Pro to receive a new cart from Waste Pro or to begin service. For questions, call the Town of Century at (850) 256-3208.
Why The Change?
Without accepting bids, Century had continued for three decades to renew an agreement with annual increases with Republic Services. But in 2025, the town decided to seek an updated agreement or a new provider.
They received bids from two companies — BFI Waste Services, dba Republic Services of Escambia County, and Waste Pro of Florida. An evaluation committee ranked Waste Pro significantly higher than Republic Services, with average scores of 93.5 and 72.3, respectively.
“Waste Pro of Florida, Inc. consistently scored the highest across all evaluators, with strengths in cost proposal, service plan, equipment, and community engagement,” according to a town document. “Republic Services was evaluated as adequate but with key weaknesses: missing a commercial pricing proposal, incomplete forms, and a weaker overall service plan.”
No other bids were submitted. The Emerald Coast Utilities Authority (ECUA), which provides residential sanitation collection in the remainder of unincorporated Escambia County, did not bid.
Pictured: A Waste Pro sanitation truck turns on a Century street. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Back Into The 20s Tuesday Night
January 27, 2026
Overnight lows will remain in the 20s for Tuesday and Wednesday nights. Rain chances move in Friday before a significant blast of arctic air arrives for the weekend, sending Saturday’s high to just above freezing and overnight lows plummeting into the teens.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 28. Calm wind.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 51. Wind chill values between 25 and 35 early. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 27. Calm wind.
Thursday: Partly sunny, with a high near 55. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph.
Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 37. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph after midnight.
Friday: A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 54. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 22. North wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 33. Breezy, with a northwest wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 18. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 41.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 23.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 51.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 28.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 56.
Cantonment Man, Passenger Charged With Fentanyl Trafficking After Traffic Stop
January 27, 2026
An Cantonment man was arrested in Escambia County last week after a traffic stop involving a stolen license plate led to the discovery of trafficking amounts of fentanyl
John Duncan McLean, age 35 of Cantonment,was charged with first degree felony trafficking in fentanyl (4 grams or more) and a misdemeanor count of possession of drug paraphernalia.
According to an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office arrest report, a deputy spotted a blue Dodge Dart traveling north on Bridgedale Road with an Alabama license plate that had been reported stolen. When the deputy activated emergency lights and sirens, The driver turned into a residential driveway on Broussard Street in an attempt to avoid law enforcement. McLean, the driver, and passenger 37-year-old Kristopher Robin Nix of Pensacola were removed from the vehicle. Deputies reported finding a plastic bag containing a white powdery substance where Nix had been sitting.
During a probable cause search of the vehicle, deputies located a black sunglass bag containing three syringes and a plastic baggie holding a powdery substance. The powder field-tested positive for fentanyl and weighed approximately 8.7 grams.
While McLean denied knowledge of the narcotics and claimed the vehicle belonged to his “boss,” a passenger in the car reportedly told deputies that McLean began throwing “stuff all around the vehicle” once he noticed the patrol unit approaching from behind. The homeowner at the Broussard Street residence told deputies she did not know the men and had the vehicle towed from her property.
McLean (above) and Nix (below) remain in the Escambia County Jail without bond.
Jim Allen Elementary To Host Family Literacy Night Thursday Night
January 27, 2026
Jim Elementary School will hold a Literacy Night on Thursday night.
The family event, part of the Literacy Week 2026 celebration, will be held on January 29, from 5:30 until 7 p.m. at the school.
There will be free grilled hamburgers and hot dogs, free books, and literacy games. Plus, attendees will be able to vote for their favorite decorated door.
Those planning to attend are asked to complete an RSVP form to help the school plan the quantity of food needed for the event.
Escambia County Seeks $15 Million In Funding For Emergency Communications Modernization
January 27, 2026
Escambia County commissioners have voted to advance an application seeking $15 million in Triumph Gulf Coast funding to modernize the county’s emergency communications system, a step aimed at strengthening day-to-day emergency response and improving reliability during hurricanes and other large-scale incidents.
Commissioner Ashlee Hofberger led the effort to move the application forward. The proposed project supports the county’s goal of ensuring clear, uninterrupted communication between dispatchers and first responders from the moment a 911 call is placed through response in the field.
“When residents reach out for help, they deserve the confidence that emergency responders can stay connected every step of the way,” Hofberger said. “This investment is about supporting our first responders and proactively addressing a known challenge before it impacts public safety.”
Escambia County’s current public safety radio system is aging and increasingly strained. In some areas, responders must manually change radio channels as they move across the county to maintain contact with dispatch. Coverage gaps also exist in certain buildings and high-traffic locations, including schools and emergency shelters. As equipment nears the end of its supported lifespan, maintenance demands increase and the risk of service disruptions grows, particularly during severe weather or major emergencies.
The proposed modernization would replace the countywide radio system and strengthen the infrastructure connecting dispatch centers, radio towers, and first responders throughout Escambia County. The system also supports mutual-aid responses with the City of Pensacola and Santa Rosa County, making its reliability an important regional public safety priority.
This initiative complements other county investments already underway, including the rollout of Next Generation 911 technology. Together, these efforts reflect a broader commitment to modernizing emergency communications from the initial call for help through on-scene response.
“I’m proud of the progress we’re making and grateful for the collaboration that makes it possible,” Hofberger said. “This is about practical solutions, supporting those who serve our community, and making sure Escambia County is ready when it matters most.”
Pictured: 911 calls are answered by Escambia County Emergency Communication. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
McArthur Elementary Holds STEM Night (With Gallery)
January 27, 2026
McArthur Elementary School recently held a successful STEM night.
Students and their parents had a chance to take part in numerous science, technology, engineering and math-related activities.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Ernest Ward Middle Volleyball Takes Two From Bellview
January 27, 2026
The Ernest Ward Middle School Eagles varsity and JV teams defeated the Bellview Middle School Warriors Monday night, at Bellview.
Up next, Ernest Ward will host Bailey Middle School on Thursday before traveling to Warrington on February 2 and Beulah Academy of Science on February 5.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Extreme Cold Warning: Low Around 20 Tonight
January 26, 2026
An Extreme Cold Warning is in effect through Tuesday morning for dangerously cold wind chills as low as 15 degrees.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Clear, with a low around 20. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 46. Wind chill values between 15 and 25 early. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday Night: Increasing clouds, with a low around 28. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 51. Wind chill values between 25 and 35 early. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 26. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 54. North wind around 5 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 33. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph after midnight.
Friday: A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 48. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 20. North wind 10 to 15 mph.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 35.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 18.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 43.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 23.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 51.