Senior Night Win: Tate Surges Past Central 8-1 (With Gallery)
March 28, 2025
Thursday night at home, Tate surged with a seven-run fifth inning to beat the Central Jaguars 8-1 on Senior Night for the Aggies.
Senior Zane Warrington earned the win for Tate, giving up three hits and one run in a complete game seven innings, walking three and striking out eight.
Hunter Clayton led the Aggies at the plate, with two RBIs as he went 1-3. Kaleb Posta went 2-4, while Connor Dethlefs and Nathan Ozuna both added a hit.
For a photo gallery, click here. (Senior Night family images are at the end of the gallery.)
Up next, the Aggies will head across the state line to take on Robertsdale Friday at 6:30 p.m.
Before the game, the Tate Aggies honor their seniors:
- Brayden Beck
- Taite Davis
- Sheppard Edga
- Nate Ozuna
- Kaleb Posta
- Zane Warrington
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
FDLE Charges Escambia Man With Transmitting, Possessing Child Sex Abuse Material
March 28, 2025
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) has charged an Escambia County man with 32 felonies related to possessing and transmitting child sexual abuse material.
Michael Desmond Locke, 45, was charged with 30 counts of possession of child sexual abuse material, one count for transmission of child sexual abuse material and one count for use of a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony.
FDLE said the investigation began on January 27 after agents discovered an online user who was sharing files depicting children being sexually abused. The investigation revealed the uploads originated from Locke’s residence.
On March 26, FDLE agents served a search warrant at Locke’s residence. During the search, two of his computers were located and a forensic preview of the computers located hundreds of child sexual exploitation files, some involving children as young as 3 years old, according to agents.
Locke was booked into the Escambia County Jail without bond.
The case is being investigated by the FDLE Pensacola Regional Operations Center. FDLE’s Panama City Field Office, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agents assisted in serving the search warrant. The investigation remains active.
In Four Overtimes, Northview Flag Football Beats The Escambia Gators
March 28, 2025
In four overtimes, the Northview Chiefs defeated the Escambia Gators 18-12 in flag football Thursday night in Bratt. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
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.
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.