Two Facing Charges After Fleeing Driver Crashes Into Deputy’s Vehicle On West Roberts Road
August 18, 2021
Two people are facing charges after a vehicle fled from deputies Tuesday afternoon and later crashed into an unmarked sheriff’s cruiser.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office attempted to stop a vehicle but the driver fled. About 3:45 p.m., the vehicle was located in the area of West Roberts Road. The driver attempted to flee again, according to the Florida Highway Patrol, and struck the unmarked ECSO unit at West Roberts Road and Millet Circle.
“When he came out (of Millet Circle), he ran a stop sign and struck an unmarked,” ECSO Commander Andrew Hobbs said. “A large amount of marijuana was found in the vehicle.”
Driver Shernard Laron Johnson, 23, was charged with fleeing and eluding with willful disregard for public safety, possession of marijuana with the intent to sell, possession of drug paraphernalia and numerous other traffic violations. He was booked into the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $23,000.
The passenger, 18-year old Kadrian Deshon Mathis, was charged with possession of marijuana with the intent to sell and possession of drug paraphernalia. His bond was set at $6,000.
There were no injuries reported.
Pictured top: A suspect is taken into custody after a vehicle crashed into an unmarked Escambia County Sheriff’s Office unit Tuesday afternoon on West Roberts Road. Pictured below: The ECSO said a “large amount” of marijuana was found in the suspect vehicle after the crash. Reader submitted and NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
This Year’s Jay Peanut Festival Has Been Canceled Due To COVID-19 Concerns
August 18, 2021
The Jay Peanut Festival has been canceled again this year due to COVID-19 concerns.
The Gabbert family made the announcement Tuesday due to concerns over the coronavirus.
“It makes us sad. This is a bad time in history and we pray that we all come out of this in one piece, and soon. We pray that we can have the Peanut Festival in October 2022,” the family said in statement.
“There is no way that we can limit how many people come; it being an outside show with free admission and parking. We can’t control whether people wear a mask or not, or if they get the COVID-19 shot or not. We do not know of any other way to handle this problem,” they stated.
The annual festival was also canceled last year due to the pandemic.
The Jay Peanut Festival dates back to 1990 when the Gabberts started the event in memory of their daughter, Melissa, a 19-year-old who died earlier that year from cancer.
The Jay Peanut Festival at the Gabbert Farm has been a fall tradition on the Gulf Coast, showcasing the history, agriculture, food and fun of Santa Rosa County. What started as a chance for local kids and farmers to show off their best of the season has become an annual event covering 15 acres and drawing about 70,000 people to the Gabbert farm.
The event included tours of the 1930s Farm Museum, food booths, dozens of arts and crafts vendors, pony rides, games and fun. The Jay Peanut Festival was also a chance to try all varieties of peanuts – boiled, green, fried, candied and more.
NorthEscambia.com file photos.
Sunny, With Scattered Afternoon Storms
August 18, 2021
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 74. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Thursday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. Heat index values as high as 105. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Friday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Saturday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 74. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Sunday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 95.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 74.
Monday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 95.
Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 74.
Tuesday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 95.
Man Tried To Lure Juveniles Into Vehicle At An Escambia County Park
August 18, 2021
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said two juveniles reported that a man tried to lure them into a vehicle at a park.
An individual driving a newer model sports car approached the juveniles at a park on Quina Way in the Brentwood area. He told them if they got inside the vehicle, they would receive money, ECSO said. The juveniles declined the offer and ran away from the park.
The individual was described as a black male with a short haircut and no facial hair. He was wearing an orange shirt. Deputies searched the area, but were unable to locate the individual or his vehicle.
Anyone with information or that is approached by this vehicle is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or 911 for an emergency.
File photo.
Escambia, Alabama, Man Charged With Trying To Meet Child For Sex. Deputies Were Waiting Instead.
August 18, 2021
An Escambia County, Alabama, man thought he was going to meet a 16-year old for sex, but he was meet by law enforcement.
Blake Thomas Martin, 45, was charged with electronic solicitation of a child, traveling to meet a child for an unlawful sex act, unlawful possession of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana second degree and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Escambia County (AL) Sheriff Heath Jackson said investigators assigned to the Internet Crimes Against Children Task force received text messages that were meant for an underage child, leading to the undercover operation.
Martin “sent messages asking for sex and even stated that he knew it was illegal to have sex with someone under 16 years old,” said Jackson. “Investigators, posing as the child, agreed to Martins’ request for sex. Martin came to the agreed location and was arrested by investigators immediately.”
A search of Martin’s pockets found three condoms, a breath mint, one Viagra, one oxycodone pill and marijuana, according to the sheriff’s office. A subsequent search warrant executed at Martin’s residence on Keego Road resulted in the seizure of methamphetamine and electronic devices.
Martin remained in the Escambia County (AL) Detention Center with bond set at a half million dollars.
EREC Line Crews Help With Power Restoration After Tropical Storm Fred
August 18, 2021
Line crews from Escambia River Electric Cooperative departed before daybreak Tuesday to assist following Tropical Storm Fred.
They worked to help West Florida Electric Cooperative in Calhoun, Florida, restore power to thousands. West Florida Electric reported 10,000 customers without power Monday night. By 10 p.m. Tuesday, all but 814 had been restored.
EREC crew members are Tony Moody, Gary McCaskill, Jonathon Tutt, Tyler Prescott, Brandon Smith and Kyle Strickling.
West Florida Electric and EREC are both served by the same power supplier, PowerSouth Energy Cooperative.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Blue Wahoos Get Series Opening Win Over Shuckers
August 18, 2021
The Wahoos fended off a late comeback-bid from the Biloxi Shuckers to win Tuesday’s series opener 2-1 at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
Leading 2-0 in the top of the eighth, turned a two-out error into a potential game-tying rally. After Galli Cribbs mishandled Alexander Palma’s groundball, Andrew Nardi walked back-to-back batters, which loaded the bases for Biloxi. That forced the Wahoos to bring in their closer, Colton Hock (S, 14), for a four-out save. The Shuckers brought in Chad Spanberger to pinch-hit (creating a right-on-left matchup), and he was able to draw a walk, which brought home Hayden Cantrelle (pinch-ran for Palma).
Fortunately for the Wahoos, Hock induced an inning-ending groundout from Gabe Holt to end the threat for the Shuckers. In the top of the ninth, Hock worked around a two-out single from Mitch Longo to close out the game and his 14th save of the year.
Kyle Nicolas (W, 2-0) did much of the heavy lifting for Pensacola to begin the game. The right-hander pitched five shutout innings and allowed three hits and four walks while striking out seven. In three starts at Blue Wahoos Stadium, Nicolas has pitched 15 shutout innings and has allowed a total of five hits, 11 walks, and has struck out 23.
Offensively, Pensacola took the lead in the third inning after Cribbs doubled and later scored on an RBI single from Peyton Burdick. The Wahoos doubled their edge in the fifth inning, when Burdick reached on an error and scored on JJ Bleday’s team-leading 17th double of the year. Chris Chinea also turned in a multi-hit performance with his 2-for-2 night that included a walk.
The home stand continues tomorrow night with RHP Max Meyer (6-1, 2.00) toeing the slab for Pensacola. Biloxi will send RHP Noah Zavolas (4-6, 5.01) to oppose him. Meyer in five previous starts against the Shuckers 3-0 with a 0.37 ERA (1 ER / 24.1 IP).
Donnie Lambert Nicholson
August 18, 2021
How do you define a lifetime? If you look at the simple definition, it is defined as the duration of one’s existence or usefulness. Many would say a lifetime encompasses one’s accomplishments or the places they have visited and seen. But as Donnie’s family, we would say a lifetime is defined as the countless number of people he loved and the impact he had on those around him. In his almost 71 years of life, the outpouring from our relatives, friends, and community has been simply nothing short of amazing and a true picture of the wonderful man that we knew as hun, daddy, and pa.
Growing up in Molino, his parents Rufus and Bertie Nicholson owned a cash house. If you are unaware of what a cash house is, it is like a general store. And in a time where Walmart or Dollar General did not exist, it is where you bought the things that you could not grow or make yourself. The cash house was in Old Molino and in that store, Donnie would grow up learning some of the most valuable lessons in life. He was expected to work hard, treat people with kindness, and it was where he was taught the true meaning of integrity. From the stories his mother and friends told, he could be mean as a rattlesnake but would also turn around and give you the shirt off his back.
He attended Tate High School where he played baseball and also met the love of his life, Jackie. Graduating in 1968, Donnie left for Tennessee attending tech school to become a certified diesel mechanic. On Friday afternoons, Donnie would leave his last class to make the long drive back to Molino to see Jackie. After completing his certification and Jackie graduating high school, they were married August 29, 1969, at Aldersgate United Methodist Church. This month would have been their 52nd wedding anniversary.
Some may not know, but Donnie served in the U.S. Army. He was drafted in 1970 and stationed in Ft. Lee, Virginia. In 1972, his father passed away and being the only son in his family, he was honorably discharged of his duties after serving almost two years. After the Army, Donnie continued his professional journey working for various contractors until he was hired on with Flor-Daniels. At Flor-Daniels he was certified a welder/pipe fitter and worked for
them for 20 years. He was later hired at International Paper. Donnie would continue working at International Paper for 18 more years and retired in 2012.
Over the years, Donnie did some pretty amazing things. He and Jackie had two daughters, Charlene and Amanda. They were blessed with three grandchildren, Austin, Jared, and Violet and one great grandchild, Hazel. Donnie loved his community and he loved people. He attended Aldersgate United Methodist Church where if you were a member or just visiting, you would have met or heard Donnie when you entered the front doors. He greeted everyone with a smile and a big HEY! When he was younger, Donnie served as a firefighter for the Molino Volunteer Fire Department and later became captain for many years. He was an avid field trailsman for the Northwest Florida Pointer and Setter Club and served on the board. He loved to hunt and fish, and there wasn’t much that he did not hunt. Trips to Saint Vincent’s Island to hunt deer or quail hunting in Texas with Uncle Jamie, he was always on the go. The same was for fishing, though he loved his freshwater fishing best. He taught his grandsons how to hunt and fish and loved to go with them every chance he could.
Over thirty years ago, Donnie and Jackie asked their daughter Amanda if she wanted to play ball and she said yes. No one knew how that moment would shape the future of softball for so many in our community. And from that moment on, Donnie started coaching. With his passion for the game, love for his family, and dedication to the community, Donnie would go on to coach many girls and many different teams. He dedicated his time to those that wanted to play.
If you needed extra help, he would say meet me at the ballpark. If you needed to know where Donnie was, you could check the Tom Thumb getting coffee for him and Jackie or check at the ballpark. He volunteered his time wherever it was needed, especially when it came to softball. From helping other coaches, ball parents, and even the high school players and their coaches, to simply going to watch one of his previous players at their college game, he chased his passion. He followed the careers of his softball girls, attended their games, even recruited for his next season team while attending those games, all the while doing what he loved.
These words only give you a sample of Donnie’s lifetime and glimmer of the how many people that crossed his path. A true testament to the man we loved is receiving the outpouring of love from our community and family. We have been blessed as a family to call him husband, dad, and pa, but even more blessed that we could share our wonderful person with the sport he loved the most and the people that loved it with him.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to one of Donnie’s passions:
Molino Ball Park – Girl’s Softball
Aldersgate United Methodist Church
Services and important information:
Ball Practice (Viewing)
Friday – August 20
5-7 p.m. Faith Chapel North
Game Day (Service)
Field – Aldersgate Cemetery, behind Highland Baptist Church
Saturday – August 21 10 a.m.
The family requests that all precautions be taken for COVID and wearing a mask are required. This horrible disease took a great man. We want you and our family safe. For those attending graveside, please come dressed cool and comfortably. Coach Donnie was always casual and the weather will be hot.
Robbie Lynn Carnley
August 18, 2021
Mrs. Robbie Lynn Carnley, age 39, passed away, August 18, 2021, in Atmore, AL. She was a lifelong resident of Flomaton, AL. She worked for the United States Postal Service as a mail courier for 20 plus years. She was a member of Little Escambia Baptist Church.
Mrs. Carnley loved her family dearly and always valued the time she spent with them. She was involved in her children’s cheering and their sports activities. She enjoyed painting, remodeling her house and vacationing with her family. She loved the Christmas holidays out of any other holiday because she loved decorating for it.
She is preceded in death by her grandparents, Robert and Louise Ellis, Howard and Eunice Stanton.
She is survived by her parents Mr. and Mrs. Steve (Christine) Stanton, of Flomaton, AL; her husband of four years Jerry Wayne Carnley of Flomaton, AL; two sons, Jerry Wayne Carnley III, of Flomaton, AL; Cooper Nathaniel Carnley, of Flomaton, AL; two daughters, Amber Burkett, of Flomaton, Lilly Sutton, of Flomaton, AL; relatives, and friends.
Funeral services will be held Sunday, August 22, 2021, at 2 p.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Rev. Jonathan Hill, Rev. Waylon Stuckey, and Rev. Jeff Howard officiating.
Burial will follow at Little Escambia Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Saturday, August 21, 2021, from 6-9 p.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home LLC.
Pallbearers will be Johnathan Bondurant, Brian Conway, Kenny Fehl, Zach Carter, Wayne Sullivan, and Jimmy White.
Flomaton’s Hurricane Lake Closed Due To Alligator
August 17, 2021
Hurricane Lake in Flomaton is closed due to an alligator in the lake.
Town officials said the gates to the lake and the walking trail around it are closed until further notice. The rest of the park remains open.
Hurricane Lake will remain closed until the alligator is removed in the next few days.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.