Escambia Man Gets Life In Prison For 2023 Murder
November 24, 2025
An Escambia County man has been sentenced to life in prison a 2023 murder.
Darryl Jerome Walker, Sr., was sentenced by Circuit Judge John Simon following his conviction for second degree murder with a firearm by an Escambia County jury.
In the early morning hours of November 22, 2023, Walker shot and killed his wife, Sheena Marie Levine, in her home. Immediately after the shooting, Walker called his children and said, “I f—-d up” and “she grabbed the gun.” Walker took the firearm from the scene and fled to Marianna where he was arrested the following day.
During the trial, the children testified about finding their mother on the floor in the hallway of the home and the statements made by Walker. The firearm used was Walker’s .45 caliber handgun. After his arrest, Walker gave an interview to law enforcement, which was played at trial. While claiming the shooting was an accident, physical evidence located on the scene conflicted with his story. The most significant conflict came from his claim that the gun went off while he had his arms around the victim. The autopsy showed the entry and exits wounds on the top of the victim’s head.
Walker has eight prior felony convictions and had been released from prison on May 29, 2022, just shy of 18 months prior to the murder. Consequently, he was sentenced to life in state prison as a prison releasee reoffender.
Still A Few Appointments Left To Let The Miracle League Fry Your Thanksgiving Turkey
November 24, 2025
With rows of timers and a command center, a small army of volunteers will be ready to fry your Thanksgiving turkey.
The annual Miracle League of Pensacola Turkey Fry Fundraiser will be Wednesday, November 26.
Last year, the Miracle League fried about 350 turkeys to golden brown perfection, with the help of volunteers from the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office cadets and American Legion Post 340.
The turkey fry will take place from 7 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Wednesday, November 26, the day before Thanksgiving at the Miracle League fields at the corner of Nine Mile Road and Airway Drive (the east end of the John R. Jones Sports Complex).
To make an appointment or for more information, call (850) 490-7035 (leave a message if no answer). Time slots are limited; walkups are welcome, but appointments take priority.
To have your turkey fried by the Miracle League, you must do the following before arriving at the park:
- Completely defrost and clean the turkey and remove the inside packing. If this is not done prior to arriving at the park, they will not be able to fry your turkey.
- Be on time for your appointment made at the number above.
- A minimum donation of $35 per turkey is needed to help cover costs, and any additional donation will benefit the Miracle League.
For a photo gallery from last year, click here.
The Miracle League provides physically and mentally challenged children a safe and spirited program in which they can hit, run, and catch on a baseball field – just like other kids. MLP offers a unique and memorable opportunity that these children would not otherwise have. It is a place where every player plays, every player hits, every player gets on base, every player scores, and every player wins – every inning.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
AAA: Florida Gas Prices Rise Ahead Of Thanksgiving
November 24, 2025
Ahead of Thanksgiving, Florida gas prices rose 20 cents per gallon last week, according to AAA.
“Florida gas prices jumped 20 cents last week, following a familiar trend of rising after a series of declines,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman for AAA – The Auto Club Group. “If that pattern holds, drivers could see prices ease as they hit the road for Thanksgiving. With pump prices matching last year’s holiday, even a small drop would give travelers extra savings compared to 2024.”
On Sunday, Florida gas prices averaged $3.10 per gallon, which is:
- 18 cents more than last week
- 15 cents more than last month
- 2 cents more than last year
- The same price as Thanksgiving Day 2024
Sunday night, the average in Escambia County was $2.73 per gallon.
Byrneville Elementary Students, Families Enjoy Thanksgiving Feast
November 24, 2025
Byrneville Elementary fourth and fifth grade students enjoyed a Thanksgiving Feast with their families.
Images for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Pedestrian, Dog Struck By A Vehicle On Highway 29 In Molino
November 23, 2025
A pedestrian was struck by a vehicle Saturday night on Highway 29 in Molino.
An 18-year-old Cantonment man was in Highway 29 standing over another person’s dead dog that had already been hit by a vehicle near Mathison Road. He was hit by a vehicle driven by a 71-year-old Pensacola woman.
The victim was airlifted by LifeFlight as a “trauma alert” to Sacred Heart Hospital.
“The driver of the SUV was unable to see the pedestrian and dog who were in her direct path of travel in time to avoid a collision,” a Florida Highway Patrol report noted.
Southbound Highway 29 was closed by the incident.
This was the first of two pedestrians hit by a vehicle in Molino. About 12:20 a.m., a pedestrian was struck by an SUV on Highway 29 near the Highway 97 intersection.
NorthEscambia.com photo by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Man Hit By Vehicle On Highway 29 Near Highway 97 In Molino
November 23, 2025
An adult male was seriously injured when he was struck by a vehicle early Sunday morning in Molino.
The man was in the outside northbound lane of Highway 29 for an unknown reason when he was hit by an SUV. The incident occurred between Raines Road and the Highway 97 intersection about 12:20 a.m. The crash closed northbound Highway 29.
The man was transported by Escambia County EMS to a Pensacola hospital.
This was the second pedestrian struck by a vehicle on Highway 29 in Molino this weekend. About 8 p.m. Saturday, a man was hit on Highway 29 near Mathison Road.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Hands-On Heroes: Scouts Witness EMS, Fire Rescue, and Trauma Care in Action
November 23, 2025
Scouts has a chance to see first responders in action on Saturday at the Hadji Shrine on Nine Mile Road during the Pensacola Bay First Responder Camporee, hosted by the Gulf Coast Council.
In a demonstration, Escambia County Fire Rescue and Escambia County EMS responded to a staged motor vehicle crash with two ejected patients. In the scenario, one patient experienced minor injuries, while the second was a trauma patient.
First responders demonstrated to attendees how they would respond to the scenario in real time. LifeFlight arrived and transported the critical patient while ECFR worked to extricate a third patient trapped in the vehicle.
The scenario demonstrated to attendees the teamwork required to achieve the best possible outcome. Prior to ECFR and EMS arrival, Escambia County Emergency Communications provided crucial information to the responders in order to best prepare them for when they arrive to the incident.
As the first responders were working the incident, ECFR Battalion Chief Dan Brask provided a narration to attendees.
Participating agencies included: Escambia County Fire, Escambia County EMS, LifeFlight, BRACE, Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Florida Highway Patrol, American Red Cross, Escambia County Emergency Communications and the Five Flags Amateur Radio Association.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Manny Diaz Named The Solo Finalist For UWF President
November 23, 2025
The University of West Florida Presidential Search Committee has selected Manny Diaz Jr. as the sole finalist for the UWF Board of Trustees to consider as the University’s seventh president. There were 84 applicants.
“The Presidential Search Committee worked diligently to recommend the best candidate to serve as UWF’s next president,” said Zack Smith, chair of the UWF Presidential Search Committee. “After reviewing all of the applicants and conducting in-person interviews, it became clear that Interim President Diaz’s experiences of working in higher education, shaping education policy in the Florida Legislature, and serving on the State University System of Florida Board of Governors — while also serving as Florida’s Education Commissioner — have uniquely prepared him to be UWF’s next president.”
Diaz has served as interim president of UWF since July 2025 and brings a record of leadership in education policy, organizational strategy and initiatives focused on student success and innovation. He is a lifelong educator, whose career spans roles as a teacher, coach, assistant principal and chief operating officer of Doral College, followed by service as Florida’s Commissioner of Education and a member of the Board of Governors. Prior to his appointment as commissioner, he served in the Florida House and Senate, where he became a leading voice on education policy and sponsored numerous initiatives supporting students, families and teachers.
The presidential search committee process followed state law and Florida Board of Governors’ regulation to include stakeholder input; the development of a position profile; marketing of the position; identifying and screening the most qualified candidates; and then recommending a finalist to the Board of Trustees for consideration.
The UWF Board of Trustees is responsible for selecting the University President, whose appointment is then subject to confirmation by the Florida Board of Governors.
As a next step in the process, the University will host an open public forum with Diaz, as well as an interview with the UWF Board Of Trustees.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Florida Man Dies, Woman Injured In Baldwin County Crash
November 23, 2025
An Escambia County, Florida, man was killed in a crash Saturday morning in Baldwin County, Alabama.
Alabama State Troopers said a Kia driven by 64-year-old Lee H. Hill of Pensacola left the roadway about 18 miles north of the Robertsdale city limits and struck a tree. Hill, who was not wearing a seatbelt, was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital where he was later pronounced dead.
Troopers said a passenger in the Kia, 59-year-old Cassandra Allen of Pensacola, was also not wearing a seat belt and was transported to Baptist Hospital in Pensacola. An update on her condition was not available.
Troopers are continuing to investigate.
File photo.
Two Injured In Molino Road Pickup Truck Rollover
November 23, 2025
Two people were injured in a rollover crash Saturday night in Molino.
A pickup truck rolled over after the driver lost control on Molino Road near Veazey Lane about 11:45 p.m. due to wet roadway, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The truck came to rest on its roof in a ditch.
Escambia County EMS transported the male driver, an 18-year-old from Molino, and the passenger, a 17-year old female from Molino, to the hospital with minor injuries.
The Molino Station of Escambia County Fire Rescue also responded to the crash.
NorthEscambia.com photo by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.