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Molino Volunteer Assistant Fire Chief Mark Butler Retires After 30 Years Of Service

Mark Butler, assistant chief of the Molino Station of Escambia County Fire Rescue, has retired after 30 years of volunteer service to Escambia County.

After serving as a junior firefighter, Butler was accepted as a volunteer member of the Molino Fire Department on September 21, 1995, one day after his 18th birthday. He worked his way up through the ranks, attaining assistant district chief in February 2021.

“During his 30 years of service to the citizens of Escambia County, he continuously went above and beyond as an active member,” stated an Escambia County Commission proclamation honoring Butler. “Mark has volunteered hundreds of hours working tirelessly during multiple emergency activations, including mutual aid, hurricanes, tornadoes, ice and snowstorms, floods, the COVID-19 pandemic, and numerous other local disasters affecting the citizens of Escambia County.”

During his tenure, he earned numerous accolades from his supervisors, peers and colleagues.

Pictured: Mark Butler was honored by the Escambia County Commission last week as he retired after 30 years of volunteer fire service. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Extreme Freezing Weather — Protecting Pets, Plants, Pipes And Other Tips

With freezing weather, take necessary precautions to protect pipes, pets and plants, and check on elderly friends and neighbors.

The low Monday night  is forecast to be in the upper teens in North Escambia with lows below freezing every night this week.

Here are ways to stay safe during cold temperatures, courtesy of the American Red Cross:

• Wear layers of lightweight clothing to stay warm. Gloves and a hat will help prevent losing body heat.
• Know the signs of hypothermia — confusion, dizziness, exhaustion and severe shivering. If someone has these symptoms, they should get immediate medical attention.
• Watch for symptoms of frostbite including numbness, flushed gray, white, blue or yellow skin discoloration, numbness or waxy feeling skin.
• Bring the pets indoors. If that’s not possible, make sure they have enough shelter to keep them warm and that they can get to unfrozen water.
• Avoid frozen pipes — run water, even at a trickle, to help prevent them from freezing. Keep the thermostat at the same temperature day and night to help avoid freezing pipes.
• Do not use a stove or oven to heat the home.
• Space heaters should sit on a level, hard surface and anything flammable should be kept at least three feet away.
• If using a fireplace, use a glass or metal fire screen large enough to catch sparks and rolling logs.
• Turn off space heaters and make sure fireplace embers are out before leaving the room or going to bed.

And here are a few extra details and tips from ECUA on protecting pipes against the freeze:

• Insulate pipes or faucets in unheated areas: Pipes located in unheated areas of your house, such as a garage or crawl space under the house or in the attic, are subject to freezing. If you have time to do this before freezing temperatures arrive, wrap these pipes with insulation materials made especially for this purpose. These materials can be found in most hardware stores or home improvement centers.
• Disconnect and drain outdoor hoses: Detach all hoses from faucets and allow them to drain. This action guards against the water in the hose or pipe from freezing and bursting the faucet or pipe to which it is connected.
• Run a trickle of water: When forecasts call for sustained and / or severe freezing temperatures, run a thin trickle of water from the faucet furthest from the water line coming to your house. Usually this is in a room at the back of the house or outside, in the yard. Allowing the water to circulate through your home’s plumbing helps to keep it from freezing. Some consider this a waste of water but the cost of the water used is extremely slight compared to repairing broken pipes and the resulting water damage.
• Remember the backflow preventer: Residents and business owners who have backflow preventers on their properties for water lines, fire lines, irrigation systems, and swimming pools need to protect their backflow preventers from freeze as well. Extended freezes can burst the body of the backflow assembly, rendering it useless. Wrap these pipes with insulation materials, made especially for this purpose. These materials can be found in most hardware stores or home improvement centers. If the device and the water line are not in use at this time (i.e., irrigation system or swimming pool lines), shut off the water supply line and drain the backflow device.

Lipscomb Elementary Teachers Take Pies To The Face To Celebrate Student Success

Lipscomb Elementary School students hit their WIGS — Wildly Important Goals, — with increased scores and celebrated with pies in the face of their teachers.

“Our teachers were awesome sports, and our students had an absolute blast earning this reward. Way to go, team! We are so proud of all the hard work paying off,” the school posted.

For a photo gallery, click here.

Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Today’s Fashion: Dressing In Layers For Cold Weather

With our cold weather this week, it’s important to dress in layers, cover skin and limit time outside, according to the National Weather Service office in Mobile.

Here’s how to dress for cold weather:

Here Are The Road Work Construction Spots To Watch This Week

Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads and projects in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.

Escambia County:

• Interstate 10 (I-10) Resurfacing from the Perdido River Bridge to west of U.S. 29 – Drivers may encounter outside lane closures on I-10 westbound, near the Pine Forest Road interchange (Exit 7) Sunday, Jan. 25 through Thursday, Jan. 29 from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. for construction activities.
• Interstate 110 (I-110) Resurfacing from I-10 to U.S. 98 – Drivers may encounter intermittent lane closures on I-110, between I-10 and U.S. 98, Sunday, Jan. 25 through Thursday, Jan. 29, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., for construction activities.
• State Road (S.R.) 296 (Michigan Avenue) Resurfacing from Mobile Highway (U.S. 90) to North Palafox Street (U.S. 29) – The week of Sunday, Jan. 25, 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 placement of thermoplastic striping.
• S.R. 292 (Gulf Beach Highway) Resurfacing from Gulf Beach Highway to Manchester Street – The week of Sunday, Jan. 25, drivers may encounter intermittent lane closures on S.R. 292 from east of Bauer Road (County Road (C.R.) 293) to Manchester Street, between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m., for construction activities. Additionally, a new traffic configuration has been implemented on S.R. 292 between Mills Avenue and just east of Patton Drive, with 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. The speed limit has been reduced to 35 mph throughout the work zone.
• Business U.S. 98 (Garden Street) Construction from Pace Boulevard to the I- 110 ramp – The week of Sunday, Jan. 25, 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 north side of the street. This temporary traffic configuration will be in place through late 2026.
  • Temporary side street closures north of Garden Street, from B Street to J Street, for ECUA water main upgrades. This week, drivers may encounter a closure with detour at B Street. Signage will be in place to direct drivers through the work zone.
  • On-street parking is closed on Garden Street, between B Street and L Street.
• 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, Jan. 25 through Thursday, Jan. 29, 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, Jan. 25 through Friday, Jan. 30, 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 the week of Sunday, Jan. 25:
  • I-10 eastbound lane closures near mile marker 9, Sunday, Jan. 25 through Thursday, Jan. 29, between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m., for construction activities.
  • Intermittent lane closures may occur on North Palafox Street between Whitehead Drive and Hope Drive for construction at the North Palafox Street overpass. Flaggers will be present to direct traffic through the work zone.
  • I-10 is reduced to two travel lanes in each direction between U.S. 29 and I-110.
  • I-10 travel lanes are shifted away from the median area of the roadway, near the U.S. 29 interchange.
  • The U.S. 29 southbound access to the I-10 eastbound on-ramp has been reduced.
  • 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.

• U.S. 29 (S.R. 95) Coring Operations from Tedder Road to S.R. 4 – Motorists may encounter intermittent lane closures Wednesday, Jan. 28 through Friday, Jan. 30 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for coring operations.

Santa Rosa County:

• 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, Jan. 25, through Friday, Jan. 30, from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for paving operations.
• S.R. 87 Resurfacing from U.S. 98 to south of East Bay Boulevard (C.R. 399) –Drivers will encounter intermittent lane closures Sunday, Jan. 25 through Thursday, Jan. 29, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., for striping operations.
• S.R. 281 (Avalon Boulevard) Bridge Rehabilitation over East Bay - Motorists may encounter intermittent lane closures Monday, Jan. 26 through Friday, Jan. 30 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. for construction operations.
• S.R. 89 (Dogwood Road) Coring Operations from U.S. 90 (Caroline Street) to S.R. 87 (Stewart Street) – Motorists may encounter intermittent lane closures Tuesday, Jan. 27 through Thursday, Jan. 29 from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. for coring operations.

All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.

AAA: Florida Gas Prices Ease After Spike Last Week

Florida gas prices are moving lower again after a sharp increase at the pump last week, according to AAA. The state average jumped 14 cents to $2.89 per gallon on Thursday, the highest daily average since December 20th. Since then, prices have begun to ease, slipping 3 cents over the past three days.

AAA expects weekly fluctuations to continue as retailers adjust to both wholesale costs and competitive pricing patterns across the state.

The average price per gallon in Escambia County was $2.61. The low price in Escambia County on Sunday night. In North Escambia, a low of $2.54 was available Sunday night at a station on Highway 29 in Cantonment.

“These fluctuations are part of a price‑cycling trend we’ve been seeing for more than a year now,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman for AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Retail prices tend to rise sharply over a short period, then gradually drift lower. Even with small movements in the oil market, this cycle continues to drive most of the day-to-day volatility at the pump.”

Escambia Man Gets Federal Prison Time For Firearms And Narcotics Offenses

An Escambia County has been sentenced to 17 years in federal on federal drug charges.

Malcolm Terrell Louis, 40, previously plead guilty to two counts of possession with intent to distribute 5 grams of more of methamphetamine, cocaine, and marijuana, two counts of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense, and two counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

According to court records, on December 17, 2024, law enforcement observed a parked vehicle outside a housing complex in Escambia County with the engine running and no one inside. Multiple bags of narcotics including methamphetamine, cocaine, and marijuana, cell phones, and a Glock handgun were observed inside the vehicle. The cell phone was later identified as belonging to Lousi and his fingerprints were on one of the bags of narcotics. The methamphetamine weighed over 50 grams. On March 7, 2025, law enforcement executed a search warrant at a residence  that was occupied by Louis and others. Investigators located multiple firearms, ammunition, and multiple bags of narcotics, including methamphetamine, cocaine, fentanyl, and marijuana. The methamphetamine weighed over 25 grams. Louis is a multi-time convicted felon, who was released from state prison in 2024 after a five-year sentence.

Thanks to the outstanding work of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and our federal law enforcement partners, my office was able to deliver this successful prosecution to keep drugs and this dangerous criminal off our streets,” U.S. Attorney John P. Heekin said.

Prison Employee Arrested On Contraband Charge

An Alabama Department of Corrections employee was arrested on a contraband charge at Fountain Prison in Atmore.

On Wednesday, the ADOC K-9 teams assigned to Fountain concuted vehicle checkpoints. ADOC said K-9 Gambler alerted to the odor of narcotics in the vehicle of employee Donniquia Grace, and authorities said a “contraband package” were discovered on her person.

Grace was charged with attempting to promote prison contraband third degree and user of position for personal gain. She was booked into the Escambia County (AL) Detention Center in Brewton.

“She has resigned her from her position with the ADOC,” the agency said in statement. “The investigation is ongoing and further charges may be pending.”

Cantonment Man Facing Domestic Battery and Weapons Charges

A Cantonment man is facing multiple felony charges following a domestic disturbance.

Jesse Allen Hudson, 43, was arrested by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and charged with felony battery (domestic violence), tampering with physical evidence, and three counts of possession of a firearm or ammunition by a convicted felon.

According to an arrest report, deputies responded to a residence around 4:38 a.m. on January 21. A victim at the scene told deputies that Hudson had charged at her and knocked her to the ground during an argument. Deputies noted the victim had a laceration on her knee.

During the investigation, the victim reported that a rifle and a pistol were missing from the home. Although Hudson denied taking the weapons, deputies located a loaded rifle hidden inside a laundry basket in a trailer on the property. A loaded magazine was also found inside the residence in a basket Hudson claimed as his own, the report states.

Records checks confirmed Hudson is a convicted felon. He remained in the Escambia County Jail Sunday with bond set $85,000.

Beulah Middle FFA Chapter Places At District Competition

The Beulah Middle School FFA chapter placed in several competitions at the recent district competition.

• 1st Place — Parliamentary Procedure
• 2nd Place — Extemporaneous Public Speaking
• 1st Place — Prepared Public Speaking
• 2nd Place — Creed Public Speaking
• 2nd Place — Opening & Closing Ceremony

Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

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