State Fire Marshal Determines Atmore Church Fire Was Caused By Lightning
March 18, 2025
Investigators have confirmed that a Saturday night fire that destroyed an Atmore Church was caused by lightning.
The fire was reported during a heavy thunderstorm just before 11 p.m. Saturday. Just hours after the fire started, Atmore Fire Chief Ronald Peebles said it appeared the fire was likely caused by lighting.
Investigators from the Alabama Department Fire Marshal’s Office returned to the Horner Street Scene Sunday morning, and by Monday, they confirmed the cause of the fire was a lightning strike. Alabama Department of Insurance – Alabama Fire Marshal’s Office Public Information Officer Jennifer Bowen confirmed the cause determination on Monday.
Neighbors told NorthEscambia.com Saturday night that they saw multiple lighting strikes in the area before the fire.
The fire first broke through the roof (pictured left) where the church’s old sanctuary joins a fellowship hall and classrooms that were constructed after a tree fell into the old sanctuary in the days following Hurricane Ivan.
Despite a high-pressure water flow of up to 1,500 gallons a minute from an Atmore Fire Department ladder truck, the massive fire quickly raced through about 160 feet of the attic of the building, with the steeple and cross crashing down into the flames (pictured top).
Dozens of firefighters from across the area responded to the fire, including the Atmore, Barnett Crossroads, Poarch Creek, Little Rock and Nokomis fire departments from Alabama, and the Walnut Hill Station of Escambia (FL) Fire Rescue, with additional personal from Florida. The Atmore Police Department and other agencies also responded to fire, located just over a block off Atmore’s Main Street.
Firefighters remained on scene into the early morning hours of Sunday. There were no injuries reported.
For more photos from Sunday morning following the fire, click here.
For a photo gallery from the fire, click here.
Pictured top: The moment the steeple and cross collapsed into the flames Saturday night at First Presbyterian Church of Atmore. Pictured above and below: First destroyed the church, ripping through the attic. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Three Arrested in Drug Smuggling Attempts at Atmore Prison
March 18, 2025
Three visitors were arrested at Fountain Correctional Facility in Atmore last weekend after allegedly attempting to smuggle drugs into the prison, according to the Alabama Department of Corrections (ADOC).
The first incident occurred on March 15, when ADOC K9 officers noticed visitor Leigh Culwell acting suspiciously during a scheduled visitation. Officials said a search led to the discovery of approximately 78 grams of synthetic narcotics, valued at $3,900. Culwell was arrested and charged with unlawful distribution of a controlled substance, trafficking in synthetic narcotics, and promoting prison contraband.
The following day, officers observed suspicious behavior from visitors Angela McLain and JaDiamond Bolden. After an investigation, authorities said they confiscated 62 grams of synthetic cannabinoids, valued at $3,100, and 136 grams of marijuana, worth approximately $2,700. Both were arrested and face multiple charges, including trafficking in synthetic cannabinoids, unlawful distribution of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana., and promoting prison contraband.
All three suspects were transported to the Escambia County Jail. The ADOC continues to investigate the incidents as part of its ongoing efforts to prevent contraband in state prisons.
FDOT To Begin $4.4 Million Beulah Road Resurfacing Project
March 18, 2025
In April, the Florida Department of Transportation will begin a $4.4 million resurfacing project on Beulah Road from Mobile Highway to Issacs Lane.
The project will include
Constructing a 6-foot sidewalk on the west side of Beulah Road from the Beulah Academy of Science to Nine Mile Road.
Various sidewalk and crosswalk improvements, including Americans with Disabilities Act upgrades.
Improvements at the Beulah Road at Nine Mile Road intersection.
Stormwater management enhancements.
Utility relocations.
Guardrail installation.
Signalization upgrades.
New signing and pavement markings.
FDOT anticipates that the project will be complete in late 2026.
During construction, drivers and pedestrians may encounter periodic lane closures, minor traffic shifts and detours. Lane closures will be limited to nighttime hours from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.
Additionally, drainage construction will require an 18-day closure with a detour on Beulah Road at the Beulah Church Road intersection. This closure is slated to occur during the summer months. Traffic will be detoured to Rebel Road between Mobile Highway and Nine Mile Road.
Northview High School Names Students Of The Month
March 18, 2025
Northview High School recently named their March Students of the Month. They are Emma Reynolds and Preston Ross, pictured with Principal Michael Sherrill. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate Opens Aggie Classic Play With 5-4 Win Over Oklahoma Team
March 18, 2025
The Tate Aggies opened their play Monday in the annual Aggie Classic with a 5-4 win over the Charles Page Sandites of Sand Springs, Oklahoma.
Sheppard Edgar opened the home game on the mound for the Aggies, surrendering four runs and four hits in three innings while walking one and striking out three. Keelan Beasley earned the win for the Aggies, giving up no hits and no runs in four innings, while walking two and striking out four.
Taite Davis went 1-4 at the plate with two RBIs. Kaden Posta went 3-3, and Cal Foxworth was 2-2.
Up next, Tate will host the Yukon Millers of Yukon, Oklahoma, at 7 p.m. Tuesday. Yukon beat W.S. Neal of East Brewton, Alabama, 13-3 Monday night.
Here’s a complete list of Monday Aggie Classic scores:
Woman Critically Injured In Fiery Crash On Highway 29 In McDavid
March 17, 2025
A 22-year-old Fairhope woman was critically injured in a fiery single-vehicle crash on Highway 29 in McDavid on Sunday night.
The Florida Highway Patrol said the woman lost control of her Nissan and collided with a bridge guardrail and overturned just north of the McDavid Fire Department.
“The vehicle became engulfed in flames shortly after,” FHP said in a report. The driver was extricated from the vehicle and airlifted by LifeFlight to a Pensacola Hospital.
The driver was the only occupant of the vehicle.
The investigation is ongoing.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
FHP Releases Details In Pine Forest Crash That Injured Two Children
March 17, 2025
Multiple people, including at least two children, were injured in a multiple vehicle crash Saturday morning on Pine Road near Godwin Lane, near the entrance to the Pensacola Interstate Fairgrounds.
In a report released Monday, the Florida Highway Patrol said a passenger car driven by a 39-year-old Massachusetts woman ran a stop sign and pulled into the path of a SUV driven by a 29-year-old Cantonment man. The SUV then collided with a nearby business, Elegant Kitchen & Bath.
Two children in the car, ages 5 and 6, were injured. One child and the driver were listed in serious condition with injuries not considered life-threatening, troopers said. The Cantonment man sustained only minor injuries.
Escambia County EMS, Escambia Fire Rescue and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded to the crash, which completely shut down Pine Forest Road.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
‘Believing That God Has Something New For Us’ – Atmore Church Plans To Rebuild After Devastating Fire
March 17, 2025
The First Presbyterian Church of Atmore congregation gathered outside under a sunny blue sky for Sunday morning worship, just hours lightning from a strong thunderstorm likely sparked a massive fire that destroyed their church building.
Nearby, their sanctuary and fellowship were in ruins.
But churchgoers are quick to point out that while the building was destroyed, the church was not.
“The church is fine. The building is not,” church elder Chuck Dettling said. “We have to stay together. I’m hoping that this will drive us closer.”
“For our church people, it’s a shock of course,” interim pastor Jim Diet said. “But we are believing that God has something new for us. We didn’t anticipate that, but we are going accept that from God.”
The Atmore Fire Department and the Alabama State Fire Marshal were back at the church Sunday, working to make a final cause determination. But preliminary information indicates the fire was started by lighting.
The church says they will rebuild, and they are looking for place to temporarily hold services for about a year.
For more photos from Sunday morning following the fire, click here.
For a previous story and overnight fire photos, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Meet The Candidates: Century Town Council Seat 4
March 17, 2025
NorthEscambia.com submitted a questionnaire to each of the three candidates seeking a on the Century Town Council in Tuesday’s special election.
Three candidates will appear on the ballot for Century Town Council Seat 4.
Seat 4 on the council was left open in early January when Alicia Johnson was appointed interim mayor after Luis Gomez, Jr., resigned for health reasons. The candidates are (click a name for that candidate profile):
The questionnaire was created as a secure Google Form. Each candidate received the exact same questions in the same order, and they were warned that responses would not be spell checked or edited. This was a free service offered equally to each candidate.
Any candidate that receives 50% of the vote plus one on Tuesday will be declared the winner. If no candidate receives a majority of the vote, the top two candidates will advance to the special general election on April 29.
Polls will be open on election day from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. at the Billy G. Ward Century Courthouse at 7500 North Century Boulevard in Century. The election is nonpartisan and open to any registered voter that lives within the town limits. The voter registration deadline has passed.
It’s Spring Break – That Means The Annual Aggie Classic
March 17, 2025
It’s spring break, and that means it’s time for the 30th annual Harvester’s Credit Union Aggie Classic with teams from three states facing off across Pensacola.
Tate, Washington, Gulf Breeze and Pensacola Catholic will take part in the tournament, as will W.S. Neal from East Brewton, Alabama. The remainder of the teams are from across Florida and Oklahoma.
Admission is $10 daily or a tournament pass is $35. Cash and Square are accepted at the game. Regular season passes will not be accepted for entry.
Monday’s schedule is as follows:
Tate High School
- 1:00 PM – W.S. Neal vs Yukon, OK
- 4:00 PM – Broken Arrow, OK vs Olympia
- 7:00 PM – Tate vs Charles Page, OK
Washington High School
- 4:00 PM – First Academy vs Washington, OK
- 7:00 PM – Washington vs Bixby, OK
Gulf Breeze High School
- 4:00 PM – Gulf Breeze vs Blanchard, OK
- 7:00 PM – Gulf Breeze vs Yukon, OK
Catholic High School
- 4:00 PM – NO GAME
- 7:00 PM – Pensacola Catholic vs Noble, OK
Last year, the Pace Patriots claimed the Aggie Classic title with a win over the host Tate Aggies.
The complete list of teams participating this year is as follows:
Florida Teams:
- Tate High School
- Washington High School
- Gulf Breeze High School
- Catholic High School (Pensacola Catholic)
- First Academy
- Olympia
Oklahoma Teams:
- Yukon
- Broken Arrow
- Charles Page
- Noble
- Blanchard
- Washington
Alabama Teams:
- W.S. Neal
Pictured: 2024 Tate Aggie Classic championship game action. NorthEscambia.com file photo.