All Escambia County, Alabama, High Schools Now In 3A Football Classification
January 24, 2026
Every high school in Escambia County, Alabama, will be in the same classification beginning with the 2026 season for fall sports.
The Alabama High School Athletic Association on Friday gave final approval to new classifications, including splitting public and private schools into different classes. Public schools will be Class 1A to 6A, and private schools will be two additional classifications, with the public and private schools playing for separate state championships.
Every public high school in Escambia County, Alabama, will be in Class 3A, with Escambia County High School (Atmore) moving down to 3A**,** as did W.S. Neal, joining Flomaton and T.R. Miller.
Class 3A Region 1 Football
- Escambia County High School
- Excel High School
- Flomaton High School
- Jackson High School
- Opp High School
- T.R. Miller High School
- Wilcox Central High School
- W.S. Neal High School
Class 3A Area 1 Volleyball
- Escambia County High School
- Flomaton High School
- T.R. Miller High School
- W.S. Neal High School
Class 3A Section 1 Cross Country
- Beulah High School
- Bibb County High School
- Booker T. Washington High School, Tuskegee
- Excel High School
- Flomaton High School
- Geneva High School
- Hale County High School
- Jackson High School
- LAMP High School
- Opp High School
- Tallassee High School
- T.R. Miller High School
- Wicksburg High School
- W.S. Neal High School
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Tate Aggies Cheerleaders Win Runner-up At State, Heading To Nationals
January 23, 2026
The Tate High School Lady Aggies cheerleaders won the FHSAA 2A state runner-up title on Thursday in Lakeland.
In a few weeks, the Lady Aggies competitive cheerleading team will head to Nationals.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Police Name Two Suspects In Atmore MLK Day Shooting
January 23, 2026
The Atmore Police Department is seeking two suspects in connection with a gang-related MLK Day shooting.
The Atmore Police Department Special Response Team, Patrol Division, Narcotics/Vice Division, and Criminal Investigations and Crime Scene Division executed a search warrant at 310 Everette Street on Thursday afternoon.
As officers arrived to begin the search, multiple people fled the residence and ran into a wooded area, prompting a manhunt.
Atmore Police said 20-year-old Nathaniel Leon Crenshaw, Jr. (pictured above left) is wanted in connection with the shooting investigation and fleeing from officers during the search warrant. He will face two counts of attempted murder, four counts of discharging a firearm into an unoccupied building, and shooting into an occupied building.
E’monee Demontae Long, 23 (pictured above right), is also wanted in connection with this investigation on the charge of certain persons (felon) forbidden to possess a firearm. Additional charges are expected, according to police.
The Atmore Police Department is actively searching for Crenshaw and Long. Anyone with information regarding their whereabouts is urged to contact the Atmore Police Department at (251) 368-9141.
“These individuals are not believed to be the only subjects involved in this case,” APD said. “Additional arrests and suspect releases are anticipated as the investigation continues.”
MLK Day Shooting
A day of celebration ended in gunfire Monday night as a shooting following an MLK Day block party in Atmore left two people injured and investigators searching for those responsible.
According to the Atmore Police Department, officers responded to the intersection of Carver Avenue and Ashley Street at approximately 9:06 p.m. on January 19. The shooting occurred shortly after a day-long “MLK Car Meet and Block Party” had concluded. The event had been widely advertised on social media and drew a large crowd to the area.
Patrol officers arrived on the scene in less than one minute to find that over 30 rounds had been fired. Police confirmed two victims suffered gunshot wounds. One of the victims, a male subject, was reportedly shot while attempting to assist another person to safety. Both individuals were transported to a local hospital and are currently listed in stable condition.
Pictured above: Nathaniel Leon Crenshaw, Jr. (left) and E’monee Demontae Long (right).
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.