Fl rests bread
February 6, 2026
Jay Man Charged With 15 Counts Of Animal Cruelty; 53 Animals Seized (((((((( UNBLUR )))))
February 5, 2026
A Jay man has been charged with animal cruelty after dozens of animals were seized from his farm, at least one of which was euthanized.
Charles Robert Higbee, age 54 of Bell Creek Road, was charged with 10 counts of felony aggravated animal cruelty and five additional misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty.
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement (OALE) and Santa Rosa County Animal Control investigated severe neglect on a farm owned by Higbee.
OALE said investigators discovered emaciated cattle and goats without food or water, poultry starving in filthy pens, and a longhorn cow trapped in a hole. The longhorn was later euthanized due to extreme suffering.
In total, 53 animals were seized:
- 12 cattle
- 31 poultry
- 6 goats
- 1 sheep
- 3 equine
Five poultry carcasses were also located.
Veterinary exams confirmed severe malnutrition and dehydration, investigators said.
Higbee was released from the Santa Rosa County Jail on a $55,000 bond.
Susan Jeanette ‘Sue’ Schneider
February 2, 2026
Susan Jeanette “Sue” Schneider, age 65, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family, on January 29,2026, at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Columbus, Mississippi, from complications of pneumonia. Sue was born on October 23, 1960, the youngest of six children, in Atmore, Alabama, to Raymond and Margaret (Mininger) Schneider. She enjoyed her many nieces and nephews, several of them being close to her age. Always a lover of snow, she enjoyed many trips to Ontario for family visits. At the age of 14, she gave her heart to Jesus and was baptized on April 14, 1974, by Minister Wilbert Peters, beginning a lifelong walk of faith. Since God’s plan for her did not include children of her own, she found fulfillment in caring for several children in the community, loving them as her own. Sue delighted in taking family and friends on fun outings; shopping and eating out were a couple of her favorite pastimes. Baking pound cakes and coffee cakes for others was her specialty; they were delicious even when they “flopped.”
After her parents passed away, Sue made her home at the Oakwood Retirement Community in Brooksville, Mississippi, in the spring of 2017. She made a multitude of new friends there; fellow residents and staff were dear to her. Aunt Sue was an “Aunt” to many in addition to her own dear nieces and nephews. She had an empathetic heart and cared deeply for her family and friends. She delighted in calling family members on their birthdays to sing “Happy Birthday,” even as it became increasingly difficult for her to do so as her lung condition progressed.
One of the most cherished experiences Sue often shared was a dream in which she saw the clouds roll back and felt herself rise up to meet Jesus. As she approached Him, she said, “My Jesus, how I love You,” and He wrapped His arms around her. This moment brought her peace and became a source of strength during her trials. She treasured this experience deeply as a precious reminder of God’s love for her. Listening to singing was a source of great comfort to her. One of her favorite hymns was “I Love to Steal Awhile Away.” Another beloved song, “Jesus Loves Me,” was sung to her by her family during her hospitalization. As she was leaving this world, family members stood around her bedside, singing the songs she loved – hymns that brought comfort and filled the room with love and sweet surrender.
She is lovingly remembered by her siblings: her sisters, Sally and Robert Toews, Kingsville, Ontario; Polly and Lyle Wiebe, Kirkton, Ontario; Rose and Carlos Koehn, Walnut Hill, Florida; her brother, Royce and Marilyn Schneider, Walnut Hill, Florida; sister-in-law Donna Schneider, Brooksville, Mississippi; along with many dear nieces, nephews, and friends who will forever hold her close in their hearts. Preceding her in death were her parents, Raymond and Margaret Schneider, her brother, Kale Schneider; one nephew, and three great-nephews.
Funeral Services for Mrs. Sue Schneider will be held on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, at 10:00 a.m., at The Walnut Hill Mennonite Church with Minister Brian Decker officiating. Interment will follow in the Walnut Hill Memorial Gardens.
Visitation will be held on Monday, February 2, 2026, from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Walnut Hill Mennonite Church.
Many thanks to the Oakwood staff for their untiring love and care extended to Sue and her family. Also, the expertise of the medical team at Baptist Memorial Hospital will not soon be forgotten.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
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January 23, 2026
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EXPIRATION: 06/15/2026
Shannon Marie Lord Brooks
January 1, 2026
Mrs. , 56, passed away sadly in Pensacola, Florida, on Monday, December 29, 2025. A lifelong resident of Atmore, Alabama, she had a passion for arts, crafts, and working with resin. Her heart was filled with love for her grandchildren and puppies, as well as for her cherished flowers and everything she could nurture. Above all, she adored her children and family.
She was preceded in death by her father, Robert Lord; three brothers—Robert Earl Lord, James Edward Lord, and Thomas Marvin Lord; one sister, Sarah Lord; and her father-in-law, Turner Maurice Brooks.
Her memory survives through her mother, Glenda White Lord, residing in Atmore, Alabama; her husband, Rodney Brooks, also from Atmore; her two sons, Bradley (Holly) Brooks from Century, Florida, and Rodney Kevin Brooks (Victoria) from Atmore; her two brothers, William Kirk (Diane) Lord from Providence, Rhode Island, and Steven Lord (Jennifer) from Bay Minette, Alabama; her two sisters, Yvonne (Richard) Bowen from Excel, Alabama, and Becky (Marlin) Nelson from Atmore; along with two grandchildren, Nahla Brooks and Taliyah Brooks; two great-grandchildren, Addlynn Boles and Aiden Wiggins; and many other relatives and friends.
The funeral service is set to take place on Monday, January 5, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at Petty Funeral Homes, LLC, with Sister Helen Stewart officiating.
Following the service, she will be laid to rest at Mothershed Cemetery.
Visitation is planned for Monday, January 5, 2026, from 1 p.m.until the service begins at 2:00 p.m. at Petty Funeral Homes, LLC.
The pallbearers selected are Bradley Brooks, Thomas Lord, James Brooks, Kevin Brooks, Kirk Lord and Steven Lord.
Arrangements are being managed by Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home, LLC in Atmore, Alabama.
Voncile Williams Smith
December 28, 2025
Voncile Williams Smith, age 86, of Pensacola passed away peacefully Sunday morning at her son’s home in Cantonment, Florida. She is now home with our Lord. Voncile was a member of Northside Baptist Church for the most part of her married life, where she raised her children. She was later a member of West Pensacola Baptist Church and currently a member of Charity Baptist Church of Pensacola, Florida.
Voncile was born December 26, 1938, in Savannah Georgia. Her family moved to Pensacola when she was 3 years old to Cantonment in the Cottage Hill area where she lived and met her husband. She was married to Jacob O. Smith, Sr. of Frisco City, Alabama, on the 15th of January 1955 in George County, Mississippi. They resided in Pensacola running a printing business in Brentwood area for over 40 years and raising their three sons and a daughter.
Voncile is preceded in death by her husband, Jacob Otto. Smith Sr., daughter, Vivian Faye Smith, and sons, Chester Harmon Smith and Jon Galen Smith. Also preceded in death by granddaughters, Tiffany Ann Smith, Sarah Elizabeth Smith, Khelsea Paije Barber, and Josalyn Isabella Renee Bush.
Voncile was survived in death by her son, Jacob Otto Smith, Jr. and wife Connie, grandsons, Jacob Smith III and wife Christina of Cantonment, Florida and Jarod Smith and wife, Sabrina in California and granddaughters, Kimberly Windham and husband Brett of Cantonment, Timothy Bush and Lauren, and Miranda McGallagher and husband, Jonathan and Karianne Bush and husband Jeffrey all of Pensacola; and great grandchildren, Nathaniel, McKenna, Khendal, Brett, Reagan, Kayla, Raelynn, Bryce and Adelyn and great, great granddaughter Emberlyn, and one brother, Robert O’Neil Williams and wife Carol of Pace, Florida and numerous nieces and nephews.
We want to express our sincere thanks to the staff of nurses and aids of Emerald Coast Hospice (especially Tracy, and Debra) who cared for her so lovingly. Thank you, we are forever grateful.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North, 1000 South Highway 29, Cantonment, is entrusted with arrangements.
polar express century library
December 21, 2025
MASTER PARADE LIST
November 29, 2025
Molino Molino Christmas Parade — Saturday, December. 6, 11 a.m.
The Molino Christmas Parade will be Saturday, December 6, from 4325 Crabtree Church Road, view from on Crabtree Church Road from Molino to Don Sutton Ballpark. Registration and lineup at 10, begins at 11 a.m Vehicles $50, UTVs $30, horses $20. No dirt bikes or ATVs allowed. Family festivities, activities, food trucks pictured with Santa, all at noon, after the parade, at Don Sutton Ballpark. All proceeds go to needy families in North Escambia. To register, click here. For more information, call Kimberly King at (850) 479-8337 ext. 136. Coordinated by Marcus Pointe Baptist Church Molino.
Jay Christmas Parade – Saturday, December 6, 10 a.m.
The Jay Christmas Parade will be held on Saturday, December 6 at 10 a.m with the Joy in Jay Festival to Follow
Beulah Christmas Parade — Saturday, December 6, 1 p.m.
The annual Beulah Christmas Parade will be Saturday, December 6 at 1 p.m. The parade will begin at Windy Hill Baptist Church on Rebel Road. It will then travel south on Rebel Road, to West Nine Mile Road, to Beulah Road, to Helms Road, to Mobile Highway, continuing through Vintage Creek, Tower Ridge, and Frank Reeder, and then return to Windy Hill Baptist on Rebel Road. For a map provided by organizers, click here. To enter the parade, click here to download the application. Return the completed form to the address or email provided at the top.
Century Christmas Parade & Movie Night — Friday, December 12, 4:30 p.m.
The Century Christmas Parade will be at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, December 12. A Sheriff’s Movie Night with free hamburgers and hot dogs will follow at 5:30 p.m. at Anthony Pleasant Park.
Poarch Creek Christmas Parade, Friday, December 12 at 5:30 p.m.
The Poarch Creek Indians Cowboy Christmas Parade will be Friday, December 12 at 5:30 p.m.
Flomaton Christmas Parade — Saturday, December 13, 10 a.m.
The Flomaton Christmas Parade will be Saturday, December 13 at 10 a.m. Lineup id at 9 a.m. Parade entry forms are available at Flomaton Town Hall.
Atmore Christmas Parade — Saturday, December 13, 5:30 p.m.
The Atmore twilight Christmas parade “A Cowboy Christmas” will be Saturday, December 13 at 5:30 p.m. from downtown Atmore to Lindberg Avenue.
Pensacola Christmas Parade — Saturday, December 13, 5:30 p.m.
The Pensacola Christmas Parade for 2025 is scheduled for Saturday, December 13, at 5:30 PM in downtown Pensacola. The event is a 1.2-mile parade with nearly 100 entries, including bands, floats, and the Blue Angels.
Cottage Hill Christmas Parade — Sunday, December 14, 2 p.m.
The Cottage Hill Christmas Parade will be Sunday, December 14 at 2 p.m.. The lineup will be at 1 p.m. at Wishbone Road at Williams Ditch Road. There is a $10 entry fee to benefit a local family in need. Message Kristi for more information.
400 Thanksgiving Meals Gone In 15 Minutes As Over 1,000 Seek Food Help
November 15, 2025
Some people line up as early as 11:30 Friday night for a Saturday morning Thanksgiving food distribution sponsored by Rep. Michelle Salzman.
By 6:30 a.m., there were over 1,000 vehicles in line at Marcus Pointe Baptist Church, with many people picking up for multiple families. Due to the sheriff’s office concerns for safety and traffic, the distribution started 45 minutes early at 6:45 a.m., and by 7:00, all 400 complete Thanksgiving meals had been handed out.
Another 600 boxes of free produce and other items were distributed.
For those who called the number on the flyer before noon (Saturday) to express concern about being near the front and still not getting the thanksgiving meal, we will be delivering a Thanksgiving meal to you,” Salzman said, noting those individuals will receive a call or text in the next few days to coordinate delivery.
“I know what it’s like to go hungry and our team of volunteers are all committed to taking care of you,” Salzman added. “Food insecurity is at an all time high, and this morning we all felt it.”
“It was heartbreaking to see the hundreds of cars coming through that missed out on the meals, and I wish we could have done more.”
She said over two dozen local businesses and organizations donated over $50,000 in food to the event, and over 200 people volunteered with the distribution Saturday morning.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Byrneville Elementary Names Students Of The Month
November 13, 2025
Byrneville Elementary School recently named its October Students of the Month.
They are:
1st Grade — Mason Wagner and Bailee Griffis
2nd Grade — Tatum Boutwell and Aiden Cofield
3rd Grade — Danny Parish and Owen Roberson
4th Grade — Adelina Sims and Camden McPhaul
5th Grade — Jonah Levins and Eastyn Wiggins
Music — Grace McKenna
Art –Blake Mathis
PE – Kolin Rogers