Cantonment Man Charged With Burglary Of An Occupied Dwelling
March 27, 2025
A Cantonment man has been charged with breaking into a residence, stealing a wallet, and damaging property before fleeing in a truck.
Roderick Ezell Purifoy, 35, was charged with unarmed burglary of an occupied dwelling, grand theft and criminal mischief with property damage.
The incident occurred on January 5, 2025, at a home on Woodbury Circle. According to the victim, he was startled awake around 10:30 a.m. to find a man standing over his bed after breaking in through a bedroom window. The victim recognized the suspect, who allegedly claimed he was there to collect a debt. Purifoy told the victim that he still owed $300 for transmission repairs made on a truck belonging to the victim’s dad, according to arrest report.
The suspect then reportedly took the victim’s wallet, which contained $100 in cash, an ID, a Social Security card, and a debit card, totaling $170 in value. Additionally, the break-in caused an estimated $350 in damage to a bedroom window, the victim reported. According to the report, the suspect was seen leaving through the same window and driving off in a dark-tinted Dodge pickup truck, allegedly causing an additional $500 in lawn damage.
Law enforcement officers responded to the scene around and later attempted to contact the Purifoy, who initially denied entering the home. However, Purifoy later admitted to being in the area and insisted that the victim still owed him $300, according to the arrest report.
The suspect reportedly hung up on investigators and turned off his phone when questioned further.
Purifoy was recently arrested on an outstanding warrant for the incident and released from jail this week on a $15,000 bond.
MADD Honors Three ECSO Deputies For 40 Combined DUI Arrests
March 27, 2025
Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) of Northwest Florida recently awarded Lt. Brian Shorette, Deputy Timyron Young, and Deputy Adam Norre for their exemplary service and dedication to transformative change in our community by making over 40 DUI arrests total in the year 2024. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Three Arrested In Atmore Prison Contraband Bust
March 27, 2025
Three people were arrested Wednesday for allegedly trafficking drugs into the Holman Correctional Institution in Atmore.
The Alabama Department of Corrections (ADOC) said they thwarted an attempt to introduce contraband into the prison. A K-9 Unit noticed a suspicious vehicle and with support from agents with the Narcotics and Law Enforcement Services Divisions, searched the vehicle and discovered illegal contraband.
Adam Louis Malone, Audrey Teresa Kelley, and Frederick Jermaine Cobb booked into the Escambia County Detention Center in Brewton on charges of trafficking marijuana, trafficking methamphetamine, trafficking fentanyl, prohibited activities, attempt to commit a controlled substance crime (distribution), and possession of a controlled substance (oxycodone).
ADOC said they seized the following during the investigation:
– approximately 1008 grams of marijuana
– approximately 88 grams of methamphetamine
– approximately 20 grams of oxycodone
– approximately 20 grams of sprayed paper
– approximately four grams of fentanyl
– eight cell phones
– 12 vape pens
Pictured (top to bottom): Adam Louis Malone, Audrey Teresa Kelley, and Frederick Jermaine Cobb.
Molino Library Hosting Free Cross Stitch Class For All Skill Levels
March 27, 2025
The Molino Library is inviting the community to a relaxing and creative Cross Stitch Class on Friday, March 28 from 5-6:30 p.m.
The free class is open to all ages and skill levels and will explore the art of cross stitching and introduce new techniques.
All materials will be provided, and no experience is necessary—just bring your enthusiasm! This event offers a great opportunity to unwind, get creative, and connect with fellow crafters.
The Molino Library is located at 6450-A Highway 95A in the Molino Community Center.
Tate Boys And Girls Tennis Defeat Navarre
March 27, 2025
The Tate High School boys and girls tennis teams beat Navarre Wednesday night. The Aggies girls won 4-3, and the Tate boys won 6-1. Next up, Tate will travel to Niceville on Friday. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview Lady Chiefs Fall To West Florida
March 27, 2025
The Northview Lady Chiefs fell to the West Florida Lady Jaguars Wednesday night in Bratt.
Northview’s lone score came in the bottom of the fifth when Avery Stuckey doubled on a fly ball to center field, bringing Riley Brooks across the plate.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Up next, the Lady Chiefs will host the Jay Royals on Thursday, April 3.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Woman And Her Two Young Grandsons Injured In Pensacola Wreck
March 26, 2025
A Cantonment woman and her two young grandsons were injured in a crash Tuesday afternoon on Fairfield Drive at Highway 90.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, a silver Honda Fit driven by a 33-year-old DeFuniak Springs man exited a Walgreens parking lot and entered the path of an eastbound white Hyundai Tucson. The Hyundai was driven by a 61-year-old woman from Cantonment, with her 12-year-old and 4-year-old grandsons as passengers.
The collision resulted in minor injuries for the woman and her grandsons. They were transported by Escambia County EMS to Sacred Heart Hospital. The Honda driver was uninjured and cited for failure to yield.
In His Own Words: New Northview Head Football Coach Doug Vickery
March 26, 2025
Northview vs. Flomaton has been a big rivalry for years. It’s usually a hard fought game, but a game that always ends with the Century Whataburger full of Hurricanes and Chiefs that left it all on the field and hang out together like good friends and neighbors door.
So for Doug Vickery, who was named the new head football coach at Northview Tuesday afternoon, it’s going to be an exciting fall when the two teams meet this season.
RELATED: Northview Chiefs Name Former Hurricane Doug Vickery As Head Coach
Tuesday afternoon, NorthEscambia.com interview Vickery just before we had the opportunity to be the first to break the big local sports story. Here’s what he had to say, in his own words.
“Every time we (Flomaton and Northview) play, it is like a dog fight. I’m just excited about getting over there; I’m excited about working with those kids and putting a great product on the field, something that everybody can be proud of. Kids that will hostel and fight and scratch. That’s my personality, and I’m just excited.
“Coach Summerford did such a great job there…too them to the state championship game just a few years ago. He’s got the foundation laid out, and it is a science. It’s a football rich tradition school, so I’m excited.”
Positive Personality
“I felt like what I do well is develop culture, and God have given me the ability to coach and lead young men,” he said. “You are concerned about those young men mentally and spiritually. You are constantly trying to feed those you men, and the second part is to develop toughness and implement toughness in everything that we do. The third thing is to build them up.”
“I am going to coach them hard and get on to them, but twice as much coach them up and tell them love them, brag on them, and push them in that right direction.”
“Football is a tough game, and it demands a lot out of you physically and mentally, but you’ve got to have some with it. And if you don’t have fun with it, why are you even playing the game?”
As for Friday night, he said Chiefs fans can expect to see him yelling and screaming (perhaps at the refs), but fans will also see him fist bumping, jumping up and down, and getting excited with the players.
Why cross the state line?
“I decided I had 31 years in the state of Alabama, so I’d been doing it a long time, and it was time and had an opportunity. I had some other opportunities come up these last few months when I’ve just been kind of looking around, and Northview popped up. Obviously, it’s always been in the back of my head that one day Northview would really be something I’d like to have, so it’s kind of like a dream job.”
And it’s almost a homecoming of sorts, he said. Vickery is an Atmore native, and his wife Leah is from Walnut Hill where she graduated from Ernest Ward High School.
“It just opened up, and (Principal) Mr. Sherrill’s giving me an opportunity. I can retire from Alabama, and I feel like I’ve still got a lot of juice in the tank, so I’m excited about having a group of you men that I can pour into and try to help them anyway I possibly can. That’s what I really enjoy.”
I enjoy every aspect of it from. Practice to off-season workouts to summer workouts. I think those are some of the best things, whether we’re going to camp together, or whether we’re spending time, whether we take them bowling or to a hockey game, whatever that’s some of the funniest things it keeps me young.”
And about THAT game
Former Flomaton Hurricane coach Vickery’s first season at Northview is also the first season for former Northview co-defensive coordinator Jace Gandy who is now Vickery’s successor as the new head coach at Flomaton — will end on the field in Flomaton. They know each other’s playbooks, and each other’s players.
“It will be tough,” Vickery said with a little chuckle. “Honestly, there are the kids that I have coached since they were really little, and I was their coach forever. And I love those kids, but now my sole responsibility is head football coach for Northview. So, I’m a Chief now, and I’m going to do all I possibly can. That does not mean I still don’t love those kids, but at the end of the day, it’s a game.”
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Century Man Arrested For DUI, Drug Possession In Atmore Traffic Stop
March 26, 2025
A Century man was arrested early Saturday morning after an Atmore Police Department officer stopped his vehicle for failing to maintain its lane.
According to police, the incident occurred at approximately 3:15 a.m. on Cowpen Creek Road. The driver, identified as 27-year-old Dennis Mathis showed signs of impairment and was asked to perform field sobriety tests. When he was unable to do so, officers placed him under arrest.
APD said a subsequent search of the vehicle uncovered a small amount of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. Mathis was charged with DUI, including possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, and open container violations.
He was transported to the Escambia County Detention Center.
Elementary Students Honored As Shining Stars
March 26, 2025
WSRE recently hosted the Shining Star Awards, honoring outstanding fifth grade students who have demonstrated exemplary citizenship and leadership, as well as demonstrating the core values of the Escambia County School District.
This was the 28th year that WSRE hosted this awards ceremony, previously with the Greater Escambia Community Foundation and now in partnership with the Escambia County Principals Association which raised the funds to purchase bicycles and also coordinated the event.
Each Shining Star student received a certificate and a brand-new bicycle.
For a photo gallery with additional photos with North Escambia students, click here.
The Shining Star award winners were:
A. K. Suter — Ja’Michael McCastle
Bellview — Adalyn Robinson
Beulah — Carly Jones
Blue Angels — Major Suggs
Bratt — Amahl Atallah
Brentwood — Conner Spratt
Byrneville — Kolin Rogers
C.A. Weis — Sarah Zaremba
Cordova Park — William Sherrill
Ensley — Daniel Cano Gutierrez
Ferry Pass — Harper Miller
Global Learning Academy — Yaretzy Alvarez
Hellen Caro — Ava Pope
Holm — Cameron Steele
Jim Allen — Chipper “Drew” Haney
Kingsfield — Aiden Barnhill
L.D McArthur — Alyson Le
Lincoln Park — Lemuel Ade Taku
Lipscomb — Kensley Adkisson
Longleaf — Elan Thompson
Molino Park — Emilee Marlow
Montclair — Fiona Hop
Myrtle Grove — Sarenity Rowe
N.B. Cook — Kelsie Barnhardt
Navy Point — Maria Guevera-Garcia
O.J. Semmes — Hope Johnson
Oakcrest — Sophia Perez Virola
Pensacola Beach — Jace Davis
Pine Meadow — Vance Beeks
Pleasant Grove — Eva Cunningham
Scenic Heights — Zachary Goodyear
Sherwood — Damion Felger
Warrington — Willow Turner
West Pensacola — Henry Ezell
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
