Cantonment Man Killed In Alabama I-65 Crash
November 9, 2025
A two-vehicle crash Friday night on I-65 claimed the life of a Cantonment man.
Alabama State Troopers said, 32-year-old Austin E. Brown was fatally injured when the 2015 Hyundai Tucson he was driving struck the rear end of the 2016 Freightliner Cascadia tractor-trailer driven by 48-year-old Adhanom T. Ghidey of Houston. Brown was pronounced dead at the scene.
The crash occurred about 9:22 p.m. near the 93 mile marker, about four miles south of Evergreen.
Alabama troopers are continuing their investigation.
File photo.
These Are The Road Construction Spots To Watch This Week
November 9, 2025
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.
Escambia County:
- Interstate 10 (I-10) Resurfacing, from east of U.S. 29 to east of Davis Highway State Road (S.R.) 291 – Drivers may encounter intermittent inside lane closures on I-10, between mile markers 11 and 14, Sunday, Nov. 9 through Thursday, Nov. 13, between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m., for drainage improvements and milling and paving operations.
- S.R. 99 (Beulah Road) Resurfacing from Mobile Highway (S.R. 10A) to Isaacs Lane – Drivers will encounter intermittent lane closures on Beulah Road, from Nine Mile Road to Mobile Highway, Sunday, Nov. 9 through Thursday, Nov. 13, between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m., for paving operations.
- S.R. 289 (Ninth Avenue) Resurfacing from Creighton Road (S.R. 274) to Olive Road - Drivers may encounter intermittent lane closures on Ninth Avenue, between Creighton Road and Olive Road, Sunday, Nov. 9 through Thursday, Nov. 13, between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m., for construction activities.
- Brent Lane/Bayou Boulevard Resurfacing, from Davis Highway (S.R. 291) to Baisden Road – Drivers may encounter the following traffic disruptions, Sunday, Nov. 9 through Thursday, Nov. 13, between 8 p.m. and 5:30 a.m., for drainage improvements, concrete flatwork and paving operations:
- Intermittent lane closures on Brent Lane/Bayou Boulevard, from Davis Highway to Baisden Road.
- On-street parking closures on Bayou Boulevard, between 12th Avenue and Baisden Road.
- S.R. 296 (Michigan Avenue) Resurfacing from Mobile Highway (U.S. 90) to North Palafox Street (U.S. 29) – The week of Sunday, Nov. 9, drivers may encounter intermittent lane closures on Michigan Avenue, from Mobile Highway to North Palafox Street, between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. for paving operations and placement of thermoplastic striping.
- S.R. 292 (Gulf Beach Highway) Resurfacing from Gulf Beach Highway to Manchester Street – The week of Sunday, Nov. 9, drivers traveling S.R. 292 from Gulf Beach Highway (County Road (C.R.) 292A east) to Manchester Street may encounter nighttime lane closures between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. for milling and resurfacing work. Additionally, a new traffic configuration has been implemented on S.R. 292 between Mills Avenue and just east of Patton Drive, with east and westbound travel lanes shifted to the outside of the roadway to provide space to construct a median traffic separator. Channelizing devices are in place to delineate the work zone.
- U.S. 90 (Scenic Highway) Resurfacing, from south of I-10 to south of Hyde Park Road – Drivers on Scenic Highway may encounter intermittent lane closures, from south of I-10 to south of Hyde Park Road, Sunday, Nov. 9 through Thursday, Nov. 13, from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m., for manhole adjustments and placement of thermoplastic striping. Law enforcement will be on site and traffic flaggers will direct drivers safely through the work zone.
- Business U.S. 98 (Garden Street) Construction from Pace Boulevard to the Interstate 110 (I-110) ramp – The week of Sunday, Nov. 9, drivers may encounter the following construction-related traffic disruptions:
- Garden Street, between Pace Boulevard and N. Donelson Street, is reduced to two travel lanes (one in each direction), as crews perform construction activities on the south side of the street. This temporary traffic configuration will be in place through early 2026.
- Temporary side street closures south of Garden Street, from B Street to J Street, for stormwater management upgrades. This week, drivers may encounter a closure with detour at E Street. Signage will be in place to direct drivers through the work zone.
- On-street parking is closed on the south side of Garden Street, between B Street and L Street. Additionally, periodic on-street parking closures will occur on Garden Street, between A Street and Alcaniz Street, for sidewalk and crosswalk improvements.
- I-10 at Nine Mile Road Interchange (Exit 5) Construction – Drivers will encounter the following construction-related traffic disruptions:
- Intermittent I-10 inside lane closures near the Nine Mile Road interchange, Sunday, Nov. 9 through Thursday, Nov. 13, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.
- Nine Mile Road will be reduced to one travel lane in each direction between the I-10 ramps, Sunday, Nov. 9 through Friday, Nov. 14, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Law enforcement will be on site, and directional signage will be in place to guide drivers through the work zone.
- I-10 at U.S. 29 Interchange (Exit 10) Construction – Drivers will encounter the following construction-related traffic disruptions from Sunday, Nov. 9 through Friday, Nov. 14:
- Intermittent daytime lane closures will occur on North Palafox Street between Whitehead Drive and Hope Drive at the Palafox Street overpass to allow crews to complete roadway construction. Flaggers will be present to direct traffic through the work zone.
- I-10, between U.S. 29 and I-110, is reduced to two travel lanes in each direction.
- I-10 east and westbound travel lanes are shifted away from the median area of the roadway, between mile markers 10 and 12, near the U.S. 29 interchange.
- The length of the U.S. 29 southbound turn lane access to the I-10 eastbound on-ramp has been permanently reduced to allow crews to complete construction activities. A concrete barrier wall and new pavement striping is in place to direct traffic through the work zone.
- The U.S. 29 northbound ramp to I-10 eastbound is closed. U.S. 29 northbound drivers are being detoured to make a U-turn at Broad Street onto U.S. 29 southbound to access I-10 eastbound.
- I-10 Bridge Rehabilitation over Escambia Bay Bridge – Motorists may encounter intermittent lane closures Tuesday, Nov. 11 from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. for construction activities.
- S.R. 95 Routine Maintenance from North Barth Road to Cotton Lake Road – Motorists may encounter intermittent inside lane closures Monday, Nov. 10 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for tree trimming operations.
- S.R. 291 Routine Utility Maintenance South of Brent Lane – Motorists may encounter intermittent northbound outside lane closures Thursday, Nov. 13 from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. for routine utility maintenance.
Santa Rosa County:
- S.R. 87 Veterans Day Parade from Raymond Hobbs Street to Berryhill Road – Motorists will encounter a road closure Tuesday, Nov. 11 from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. for the Veterans Day Parade.
- U.S. 98 Widening from Bayshore Road to Portside Drive – Motorists will encounter the following traffic impacts:
- Median and turn-lane closures from Bayshore Road to Tiger Lake Drive.
- Intermittent lane closures and additional median closures between Bayshore Road and Tiger Lake Drive, Sunday, Nov. 9, through Friday, Nov. 14.
- U.S. 90 Resurfacing, from Escambia River Bridge to east of Woodbine Road (C.R. 197A) – Drivers may encounter intermittent lane closures on U.S. 90, from the Escambia River Bridge to Woodbine Road, Sunday, Nov. 9 through Thursday, Nov. 13, between 7 p.m. and 5:30 a.m., for milling and paving operations. Additionally, the speed limit has been reduced to 45 mph through the work zone.
- S.R. 87 Resurfacing from south of East Bay Boulevard (C.R. 399) to Vonnie Tolbert Road – Drivers may encounter the following traffic disruptions on S.R. 87, from East Bay Boulevard to Vonnie Tolbert Road, Sunday, Nov. 9 through Friday, Nov. 14:
- Intermittent lane closures between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. for construction activities.
- Intermittent lane closures between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. for placement of thermoplastic striping
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Inez Chancery of McDavid Celebrates Her 103rd Birthday
November 9, 2025
Inez Chancery of McDavid is celebrating her 103rd birthday on Saturday.
She has five children, eight grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren, and eight great-great-grandchildren.
Friends and family celebrated with her at Grace Baptist Church in McDavid.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Man Convicted Of Murdering Victim He Followed From The Molino Tom Thumb
November 8, 2025
An Atmore man has been convicted of murdering a man in Pace after following him from the Molno Tom Thumb.
A jury found Ja’Cobey Quartise James guilty of second-degree murder with a firearm. He faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 25 years in prison and a maximum of life in prison when he is sentenced in January 2026.
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 ten shots at Liebe’s vehicle as he attempted to drive away.
Charges against Ty’jerrious Keon Malone were dropped, and Marcus Terel Dickinson was found mentally or physically unfit to stand trial, according to court records.
Update: Highway 97 Head-on Crash Claims Life Of Pensacola Woman
November 8, 2025
A head-on collision claimed the life of a woman Thursday night on Highway 97 in Walnut Hill.
Family members have identified the victim as a 70-year-old Pensacola woman.
The crash happened on Highway 97 just north of South Highway 99. Two sedans, both in the southbound lane of Highway 97, collided head-on about 7:50 p.m.
The Florida Highway Patrol has not yet released the cause of the crash, but it was apparent on scene that one of the vehicles crossed the centerline.
Both drivers were airlifted to a Pensacola hospital where the 70-year-old female, was pronounced deceased. There were no other occupants by the vehicles.
Highway 97 was closed for hours by the crash.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Ernest Ward Middle School Honors Veterans (With Photo Gallery)
November 8, 2025
Ernest Ward Middle School held its annual Veterans Day program Friday, honoring veterans in the community.
The program featured the presentation of colors by the Northview High School NJROTC; patriotic music; drama presentations; a memory table; and a “Tribute to the Armed Services” with the Patriot Guard.
For a photo gallery, click here.
The annual Veterans Day program at Ernest Ward is a longstanding community tradition, held annually (except in 2020) for over a quarter century.
NorthEscambia.com photos; click to enlarge.
Hundreds Attend Byrneville Elementary Fall Festival (With Photo Gallery)
November 8, 2025
Hundreds of people attended the annual Byrneville Elementary Fall Festival Friday evening at the school.
The event, organized by the Byrneville PTO, was packed with family-friendly fun, games, and fall festivities. Festival-goers enjoyed an array of activities, including carnival rides, rock climbing, inflatables and more. Attendees tested their skills at games such as bull riding and a cake walk. The event also featured a haunted house, face painting, vendors, and a basket auction.
For a photo gallery, click here.
The festival is a major fundraiser for Byrneville Elementary, with all proceeds supporting school programs and resources.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Northview’s Riley Brooks Signs With Coastal Alabama
November 8, 2025
Northview High School senior Riley Brooks signed Friday to play softball at Coastal Alabama Community College.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Playoffs: Flomaton Shut Out By Montgomery; Escambia Academy Beats Snook
November 8, 2025
Here a look at first round playoff action Friday night from South Alabama.
Montgomery Academy 42, Flomaton 0
The Flomaton Hurricanes fell to the Montgomery Academy Eagles 42-0 Friday night in Montgomery in the first round of the AHSAA 3A playoffs.
The Eagles came out strong, scoring 21 points in the first quarter followed by 21 points in the second before a scoreless third and fourth quarters.
Flomaton’s first season under new head coach Jayce Gandy ended at 6-5.
Escambia Academy 56, Snook Christian 8
The Escambia Academy Cougars defeated the Snook Christian Academy Eagles 56-8 Friday night in Canoe in the first round of the AISA Eight-Man Playoff quarterfinals.
After Snook scored eight points in the first quarter, the Cougars held the Eagles scoreless for the remainder of the game.
With the win the Cougars advance to host Cornerstone Christian.
NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Two Children Killed In Mobile Home Fire In Escambia County; Three Others Injured
November 7, 2025
An early morning fire claimed the lives of two children and a pet in Escambia County.
The fully involved mobile home fire was reported shortly before 1 a.m. at Grand Oak Mobile Home Park on Flaxman Street, in the block behind the Escambia High School campus.
“Upon arriving on scene, heavy flames and smoke engulfed a single-wide mobile home, with reports of two children inside the home. Due to the severity of the fire, ECFR immediately began firefighting efforts so firefighters could enter the home. Upon making entry, two children and one dog were found deceased,” ECFR said in a statement.
Additionally, Escambia County EMS provided on-scene care to two adults and one pediatric patient, who were evaluated and taken to area hospitals with fire-related injuries.
ECFR was dispatched to the fire at approximately 12:48 a.m. Friday, Nov. 7. Firefighters and Escambia County EMS arrived on scene at 12:56 a.m. and the fire was extinguished by 1:17 a.m. The home is a total loss as a result of the fire.
The Florida Bureau of Fire, Arson, and Explosives is investigating the cause of the fire with assistance from the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
File photo.