Four Teens Escape Burning Pickup in McDavid After Highway 29 Crash
November 26, 2025
Four teens were in a regular cab pickup truck that burst into flames after crashing in McDavid.
One of the teens was transported to an area hospital following the crash; the other three were not seriously injured.
The crash happened around 4:53 Monday evening on Highway 29 near Highway 164, across from the McDavid Fire Station.
The pickup truck left the roadway and crashed through a fence next to the Kynette’s Place convenience store. It came to rest overturned in the yard of an adjacent home before catching fire.
The occupants were able to escape the truck on their own before the fire was extinguished by Escambia County Fire Rescue.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Pine Meadow Elementary Turkey Trot Raises Funds For Outdoor Play Improvements
November 26, 2025
Pine Meadow Elementary students took part in Turkey Trot 2025 over two days last week.
The event raised money for upgrades to the school’s outdoor play area – with a goal of $15,000 to resurface the basketball courts, replace the sun sails over the playground and purchase a 9-square-in-the-air frame for the older students.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Felon Pleads Guilty To Firearm Possession
November 26, 2025
An Escambia County convicted felon has pleaded guilty to a federal firearms charge.
Jerney Jabara Purifoy, 33, entered the plea in federal court to possession of firearms and ammunition by a convicted felon.
Court documents reflect that deputies with the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at the Purifoy’s residence. In his bedroom, deputies located a loaded 9-millimeter handgun. In another room, deputies located a loaded .22 caliber AR15-style rifle.
Purifoy has prior felony convictions for aggravated battery and fleeing or eluding law enforcement, and he also has a pending case in Escambia County state court related to animal cruelty, animal fighting, and confinement of animals without sufficient food or water.
He faces up to 15 years in prison when he is sentenced in February.
Two Days, Two Tate Aggies Wins In Escarosa Thanksgiving Basketball Invitational
November 26, 2025
The Tate Aggies beat Mosley 73-60 Tuesday in the second day of The Escarosa Thanksgiving Basketball Invitational at Catholic.
On Monday, the Aggies earned a first day win 82-64 win over the Catholic Crusaders.
Man Arrested In Escambia County For Capital Murder Of Two Teens In Alabama
November 26, 2025
A capital murder suspect in an Alabama double homicide has been arrested in Escambia County, Florida.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office was alerted that 22-year-old Edwin Shawan Hyde had an active warrant for the murder of two teenagers in Wilcox County, Alabama. He was located in downtown Pensacola and arrested by the U.S. Marshals Gulf Coast Regional Fugitive Task Force, with assistance from the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, State Attorney’s Office, and the Pensacola Police Department.
Hyde was booked into the Escambia County Jail without bond to await extradition back to Alabama.
The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s (ALEA) State Bureau of Investigation and Wilcox County Sheriff’s Office are investigating a double homicide in Pine Hill, Alabama.
Two young men, ages 17 and 18, were both found deceased with gunshot wounds. The teens had been reported missing since Monday, November 17, and were reportedly last seen near Thomasville, Alabama.
Saturday, 27-year-old Courtney Anderson was arrested and booked into the Wilcox County Jail, charged with capital murder.
Lipscomb Second Grade Students Create Thanksgiving Cookbook
November 25, 2025
Lipscomb Elementary School second grade students in Betsy’s Eggart’s class worked together to create an extra special Thanksgiving Cookbook.
They gifted copies of the cookbook to Principal Kristen Danley, Assistant Principal Kanisha White and Curriculum Coordinator Holly Griffin.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Former Deputy Released On Bond After Vehicular Homicide Arrest
November 25, 2025
A former Escambia County Sheriff’s deputy has been released from jail on bond after being arrested felony charges for a double fatal crash that claimed the lives of two pedestrians in July.
Gregory Eugene Nesmith, 58, was booked into the Escambia County Jail Sunday night on two counts of vehicular homicide and held without bond. The Florida Highway Patrol announced Friday morning that the agency has completed its investigation into the crash and issued warrants for Nesmith.
Nesmith appeared in court Monday afternoon where Judge Kristina Lightel set his bond at $40,000 — $20,000 for each of two counts. He was released at 4:12 p.m. after posting bond, according to jail records.
The crash happened around 3 a.m. on July 5 on Perdido Key as Nesmith was working a security detail as an off-duty deputy at the Flora-Bama. FHP said he struck two pedestrians in a crosswalk on Perdido Key Drive. The pedestrians, Nicole Moore and Jackson Cunningham, both 20 and from the Birmingham area, were killed.
Nesmith’s attorney, Roy Kinsey, told the judge that the deaths were a tragic accident. Kinsey said Nesmith was traveling east as an ambulance was traveling west and the victims were crossing the street. He said that blocked Nesmith’s view.
Both families have filed civil lawsuits against Nesmith. Lawyers for the plaintiffs claim he was traveling at a high rate of speed at the time of the crash.
Nesmith, who has since retired, had worked for the ECSO for more than 30 years.
Pictured: Gregory Nesmith appeared at a bond hearing Monday afternoon. Photo courtesy WEAR 3 for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Schools Announce Top 10 Teachers Of The Year
November 25, 2025
Escambia County Public Schools have announced the Top 10 Teachers of the Year nominees.
- Trinity Barnett – Blue Angels Elementary School
- Kathryn Cody – Booker T. Washington High School
- Kristy Davis – Escambia High School
- David Dawson – Pine Forest High School
- Courtney Geiger – Lipscomb Elementary School
- Tyler Mertz – West Florida High School
- Shelly Mitchell – Beulah Elementary School
- Cameron Peters – Bailey Middle School
- Amanda Pinckard – Scenic Heights Elementary School
- Lori Walsh – Hellen Caro Elementary School
Nominated teachers will compete for selection as the school district’s overall Teacher of the Year.
Atmore Police Cracking Down On Illegal Street Racing, Which They Say Led To A Murder
November 25, 2025
The Atmore Police Department is stepping up their enforcement efforts to combat illegal street racing. The department said the move is in response to ongoing illegal street racing complaints within the city limits and in the police jurisdiction around the city.
Atmore Police Sgt. Darrell McMann said that a disagreement over the outcome of a June 24 street race on Carver Avenue near 19th Avenue led to the murder of 17-year-old Gabriel Elijah Hooks and the shooting of an adult.
“Not only is it dangerous to the individuals involved in the illegal street races, it’s dangerous to individuals watching the race, and to drivers who happen to encounter vehicles involved in racing,” McMann said.
McMann said the stepped up enforcement efforts include towing and impounding involved vehicles, citing violators involved in the illegal races, organizers of the illegal street races, spectators of the illegal street races, and spotters who warn illegal street racers law enforcement is approaching.
He added that the Atmore Police Department will utilize drones, unmarked vehicles to patrol known areas where illegal street racing occurs, and additional manpower.
Pictured top: Gabriel Elijah Hooks.
Escambia County Man Convicted Of Murder In Dispute Over Missing Package
November 25, 2025
An Escambia County man has been convicted of shooting and killing a man after a dispute over a package.
A jury found Shybri Bashiabeon Omar Steverson guilty of second-degree murder with a firearm.
On November 1, 2023, Shybri Steverson shot Victim Guy Dixon, Jr. after a brief conversation about a missing package.
Prosecutors said their case was supported by eyewitness testimony.
Steverson will be sentenced on December 11.