Escambia Man Gets Life In Prison For Murdering Woman, 70, Before Police Chase
January 23, 2026
An Escambia County man has sentenced to life in prison without parole followed by another consecutive 30 years for murdering a 70-year old woman before a chase that killed one of his accomplices in 2024.
Terrance Lovelle Gross, Jr. was convicted by a jury of first degree murder, shooting into a building or vehicle, and fleeing to elude a law enforcement officer (siren and lights activated with high speed or reckless driving).
On the evening of June 24, 2024, Gross was one of three defendants who perpetrated a drive-by shooting on Erress Boulevard where Myra Hayes was sitting in her front yard with her family, according to presecutors The shooting covered an entire block of a residential area and Myra Hayes was shot in the neck and later died from her injuries. A family member witnessed a small white car and noticed a black gun extended from the window. Shell casings show there were at least two different firearms used during the shooting.
The white vehicle, which was found to be stolen, was quickly spotted by nearby law enforcement and a chase ensued. This chase was at very high speeds and the defendants crossed into oncoming traffic several times. Several pit maneuvers were performed and finally successful in stopping the defendants as they attempted to cross the bridge into Santa Rosa County.
The three defendants fled the vehicle and then jumped off the bridge and into the water below. Trevion Moton was found deceased under the bridge due to the impact after he jumped. Gross escaped the scene and was later located in a Texas hospital being treated for his injuries from the jump. He was extradited back to Escambia County.
Another defendant, Jaquaris Ethridge is due back in court in late February on a first-degree premeditated murder.
This Is Who Claimed A Winning $55,272 Fantasy 5 Ticket Sold In Davisville
January 23, 2026
We now know who had a winning Florida Lottery Fantasy 5 ticket sold on Highway 97 in Davisville.
The ticket sold at State Line Gift Shop, on Highway 97 just south of Atmore, was the only winning ticket in the Thursday, January 15 midday drawing and is worth $55,272.07 There were no winning tickets in that day’s evening drawing.
According to the Florida Lottery, the cash option on the winning ticket was claimed by David Loyd Stanton of Valley Grande, Alabama.
The winning numbers were 13-15-19-22-29.
Northview FFA Chapter Takes Top Honors
January 23, 2026
The Northview High School FFA chapter took top honors at a recent district contest. The Northview Parliamentary Procedure team took first place, and Jackson Simmons placed first in the Farm Bureau District Discussion Meet Contest.
Parliamentary Procedure team members are Ona Spinks, Jackson Bridges, Mary Oliver, Jack Boutwell, Grace Oliver, and Jackson Simmons.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
All Of Escambia County Is Now In A Moderate Drought (For Now)
January 23, 2026
All of Escambia County is in a moderate drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor released on Thursday.
But rain through the weekend is expected to provide some relief.
Last week, only a portion of North Escambia was official in a drought.
Top Spellers Crowned In 50th Annual Spelling Bee
January 23, 2026
The 50th Annual Sandy Sansing Spelling Bee was held recently.
After multiple rounds of competition, featuring spelling champions from elementary and middle schools from across Escambia County, the winners were:
First Place: Sam Lujan, Ferry Pass Middle School
Second Place: Kensley Middleton, Ransom Middle School
Third Place: Ivy Shaw, Bellview Middle School
Lujan’s first-place finish qualifies him to advance to the Regional Spelling Bee.
Pictured: (from the right) Sandy Sansing; Sam Lujan, Ferry Pass Middle School, first place; Kensley Middleton, Ransom Middle School, second place; Ivy Shaw, Bellview Middle School, third place. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Man Gets Life For Murdering Victim He Followed From The Molino Tom Thumb
January 22, 2026
An Atmore man has been sentenced to life in prison for murdering a man in Pace after following him from the Molino Tom Thumb.
In November, a jury found Ja’Cobey Quartise James guilty of second-degree murder with a firearm. He received the maximum allowable sentence.
On June 19, 2023, Joseph Liebe was driving home from work and stopped at the Tom Thumb in Molino. Liebe left the gas station and, unbeknownst to him, was followed by James and two other men in a Chevrolet Tahoe. The men had observed Liebe at the gas station and believed that he had cash on his person, according to prosecutors.
Liebe eventually turned onto Wallace Lake Road and pulled to the side of the road after the vehicle following him flashed its lights at him. The Tahoe pulled up beside Liebe’s vehicle and James stepped out of the passenger seat. James pulled out a firearm and fired 10 shots at Liebe’s vehicle as he attempted to drive away.
Charges against Ty’jerrious Keon Malone and Marcus Terel Dickinson were dropped due to insufficient evidence, according to court records.
Escambia County Deploys Next Generation 911 Services
January 22, 2026
Escambia County has launched Next Generation 911 Core Services, marking a major advancement in how emergency calls are routed, managed, and delivered to first responders throughout the county.
The new call-routing system sets a new standard for public safety communications. It immediately delivers enhanced capabilities, including Location-Based Routing, which intelligently directs 9-1-1 calls to the nearest public safety answering point based on the caller’s precise location.
Next Generation 911 provides emergency dispatchers and first responders with access to significantly more data, which improves situational awareness and decision-making during emergencies. Enhanced features include real-time caller location information and intelligent call routing designed to reduce call transfers and speed emergency response.
Motorola’s Location-Based Routing has been shown to reduce 911 call transfers by up to 50%, minimizing delays caused by misrouted calls. This capability is especially critical during large-scale incidents and natural disasters, when emergency call volume may rapidly increase. If a public safety answering point becomes overwhelmed or inoperable, enhanced call routing allows calls to be quickly rerouted, ensuring uninterrupted access to emergency services.
“Motorola’s call routing technology gives us new ways to better protect the people we serve,” Interim Emergency Communications Chief Mark Carter said. “For example, geofencing allows us to manage large annual events like the Pensacola Beach Blue Angels Air Show more efficiently by deploying alternate call routing during peak times. This ensures emergency calls from thousands of visitors are handled quickly and effectively.”
Escambia County is one of several communities utilizing Next Generation 911 call-routing service, which serves many other counties in Florida. According to Carter, the transition to the new system was the smoothest technology deployment he has experienced in his many years of service with Escambia County.
Pictured: 911 calls are answered by Escambia County Emergency Communication. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
West Florida High Electrathon Racing Team Collaborates With Sheriff’s Office To Build More Than Race Cars
January 22, 2026
West Florida High School is home to a growing, highly motivated Electrathon race car team that provides students with hands-on experience in engineering, teamwork, and real-world problem-solving.
The WFHS Electrathon team’s newest all-electric vehicle is an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office cruiser-themed race car. The car was custom built and designed by the student-members of the team in order to honor the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. The Sheriff’s Office has played a key role in shaping the Electrathon program and it has become a strong community partner with West Florida High School.
“What a great looking car! We are proud to partner with students at West Florida High School and their Electrathon Racing Team,” said Escambia County Sheriff Chip W. Simmons. “We feel as though this car will represent West Florida High School, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and our community well throughout its journey. Good luck!”
Currently made up of around 25 students, the team is focused on much more than racing. Students learn critical life and technical skills, including working effectively as a team, problem-solving, critical thinking, engineering design, battery management, gear ratios, fabrication, and data analysis. Electrathon racing is not about speed—it is about energy efficiency and endurance, with cars competing in one-hour races to see who can go the farthest on a limited amount of energy.
West Florida’s Electrathon team has traveled across Florida to compete at major tracks, including Daytona International Speedway, Homestead-Miami Speedway, and Five Flags Speedway. These opportunities give students exposure to professional racing environments while applying classroom knowledge in real, high-stakes situations.
The Electrathon team at West Florida High School of Advanced Technology continues to grow, innovate, and push boundaries—preparing students not only for competition, but for future careers in engineering, technology, and skilled trades.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Molino Woman Facing Felony Drug Charge Following Traffic Stop
January 22, 2026
A Molino woman was arrested on a felony drug charge late Monday night following a traffic stop in Pensacola.
Inez Yaminah Lyons, 41, was charged with possession of cocaine after a Pensacola Police officer stopped a vehicle for an expired tag in the area of Davis Highway and Chadwick Street.
According to the arrest report, an officer spotted a black Kia Soul with a Tennessee tag parked at Smart Fill on North Davis Highway. A records check indicated the registration had been expired since November 2024. When the vehicle pulled out of the parking lot, police initiated a traffic stop at Kenneth and Wynnhurst streets.
During the investigation, Lyons, who was a passenger in the rear seat, granted officers consent to search her person. Police reported finding a clear plastic bag containing approximately .5 grams of a white powder in her pants pocket. The substance field-tested positive for cocaine.
A K-9 unit also alerted to the odor of narcotics within the vehicle, though a subsequent search of the car yielded no further contraband.
Lyons was released from jail on a $2,500 bond
Ransom Academic Team Finishes As Top Public School At Invitational Tournament
January 22, 2026
The Ransom Middle School Academic Team recently secured a top-tier finish at the Middle School Invitational in Cottondale, placing third overall out of 12 teams from across the Florida Panhandle and Alabama.
Ransom entered the playoffs as the undefeated top seed in their bracket, eventually finishing as the highest-ranking public school in the competition. The team narrowly missed qualifying for the national tournament.
Individual students also earned top honors among the field of 43 players. Cutter Rhodes took home a medal for second place individual and was the top-ranked public school player. Levi Cox placed seventh overall, and Calleigh Anderson finished in tenth.
The team members who traveled to the competition included Calleigh Anderson, Kyson Beck, Khloe Caldwell, Levi Cox, Sydney Cox, Megan Degan-Dorangricchia, Megan Gray, Madelyn McShane, and Cutter Rhodes.
Ransom’s next tournament is scheduled for Saturday, January 31.
Pictured: (L-R) Coach Jon Walker, Coach Madison Bass, Sydney Cox, Kyson Beck, Madison Degan-Dorangricchia, Khloe Caldwell, Cutter Rhodes, Megan Gray, Madelyn McShane, Levi Cox, Calleigh Anderson, Coach Maggie Brown, and Coach Clarissa Brown. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.