Former Oklahoma Detective Gets Life In Prison For Killing His Police Chief At Pensacola Beach
April 29, 2021
A former small town Oklahoma police detective was sentenced Thursday afternoon to life in prison for killing his police chief during a law enforcement conference on Pensacola Beach in 2019.
Michael Patrick Nealey, 50, was found guilty of second degree murder for the death of Mannford Police Chief Lucky Miller.
It took a jury about two hours Wednesday to return the guilty verdict. Nealey will be sentenced on April 29.
Prosecutors said the murder was the result of an alcohol-fueled night. Prosecutors say the medical examiner determined Miller was beaten and strangled or suffocated to death.
Images courtesy WEAR 3 for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Names New EMS Manager
April 29, 2021
Escambia County has named a new EMS manager.
David Torsell, III will take over on June 1. He joins Escambia County with more than 23 years of experience as a firefighter, paramedic and emergency management director.
As the Escambia County EMS Manager, Torsell’s duties will include supervising EMS staff, managing expenditures to the approved annual budget, developing goals and objectives for the division, planning, conducting research, and ensuring compliance with Federal, State, and local laws, regulations, codes and standards.
“I’m very excited to be a part of Escambia County Medical Services,” said Torsell. “I look forward to the opportunity to work with county administration, the Board of County Commissioners and the EMS team to provide the best care possible to Escambia County residents.”
Torsell currently serves as a district chief for Alachua County Fire Rescue and previously served as a paramedic for Florida Hospital Memorial. He earned an associate degree in emergency medical services with coursework from Daytona State College and Columbus State Community College.
Torsell was selected from a pool of 41 applicants, and the selection committee narrowed the list down to four candidates, ranking Torsell as the top candidate. The selection process included several interviews
Publix Opens The First Grocery Store In Beulah
April 29, 2021
The residents of the fast growing Beulah area now have a grocery store in their community.
The new Publix at Nine Mile Crossing opened Wednesday.
“We are excited to see the new Publix Supermarket open in District 1’s Beulah community today. We welcome them,” Escambia County District 1 Commissioner Jeff Bergosh said. “This shopping center — to include what will eventually be nine additional out parcels on the property with multiple restaurant and retail options for our area — will be a fantastic addition to the community.”
The 48,387 square-foot store features the standard departments for grocery, dairy, frozen food, seafood, meat and fresh produce as well as a full-service bakery, deli and pharmacy.
“We are very excited for the opening of our newest location in the Nine Mile Crossing Shopping Center. Publix Super Markets has a long and cherished history with the community of Pensacola, and we look forward to continuing to provide premier service and quality products our customers have grown accustom to,” said Chris Norberg, Publix Jacksonville Division community relations manager.
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Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Three People Shot In Three Days In Atmore
April 29, 2021
Three people have been shot in three days in Atmore.
Tuesday night, the Atmore Police Department responded to 200 block of 4th Avenue where male stated he had been shot, according to Chief Chuck Brooks. ”
“According to a witness at the scene, the male victim left his residence for a short time, and when he returned, he told the witness he had been shot,” Brooks said. The victim was transported to Atmore Community Hospital for treatment.
Atmore Police are continuing to investigate. Anyone with information is asked to call APD at (251) 368-9141.
On Sunday, 28-year old Scottie Dale Robinson of Atmore allegedly shot his brother and another man in the 100 block of 6th Avenue. He was arrested Tuesday afternoon after leading law enforcement on a high-speed chase from Cantonment to I-65 near Evergreen, Alabama, where he crashed.
Robinson is facing attempted murder charges for shooting 33-year old Gregory Lavon Robinson, and 19-year old Oneius Cotz White.
RELATED STORY: Attempted Murder Suspect Leads High Speed Chase Across Two States
Pictured below: Attempted murder suspect Scottie Dale Robinson of Atmore crashed on I-65 near Evergreen, Alabama, Tuesday afternoon following a high-speed chase that started in Escambia County, Florida. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Fog Tonight, Chance Of Rain For Friday
April 29, 2021
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Patchy dense fog after 1am. Otherwise, increasing clouds, with a low around 67. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west after midnight.
Friday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Patchy dense fog before 9am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 82. Light northwest wind becoming north 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
Friday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 61. North wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 81. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.
Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 63. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Sunday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 82. South wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Sunday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69. South wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Monday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 84. South wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Monday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tuesday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 86.
Tuesday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70.
Wednesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 83. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Wednesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 64.
Thursday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 80.
Escambia Children’s Trust Makes Plans To Implement Property Tax, Appoints Leaders
April 29, 2021
The Escambia Children’s Trust planned their future course as the first meeting with a full 10 member board was held this week.
The trust has until July 1 to determine a millage rate up to .5 mill to be added to property tax bills in the county. But first, they must determine community needs and how to pay for solutions.
The trust will hold meetings on May 11, May 25, and June 22 at 5:30 p.m. in the chambers of the Escambia County Commission, with possible a fourth meeting to be scheduled. There will also be subcommittee meetings. Beginning in July, they will start meeting on the second Tuesday of each month.
Trust member Stephanie White was appointed board chair, and retired CPA Carolyn Appleyard was named interim administrator. Appleyard will not be paid.
This week’s meeting of the Escambia Children’s Trust was the first since Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed five people to complete the board.
Last November, voters approved the formation of the Children’s Trust to be funded by an increase in ad valorem taxes of up to a maximum of 0.5 mil that will cost the average Escambia County property owner $40 per year beginning in 2022. The tax is expected to generate $8 million or more each year, enabling the trust to provide early childhood education, safety, developmental, preventive, health, and well-being services, including after school and summer enrichment programs.
Five members were appointed to the board to fill positions as mandated by state law — Escambia County School Board member Patty Hightower, Department of Children and Families Northwest Region Managing Director Walter Sachs, Circuit Judge Jennifer Frydrychowicz, Escambia County Commissioner Lumon May and Escambia County School District Superintendent Dr. Tim Smith.
Escambia Man Gets 30 Years For $20 Robbery With A Knife
April 29, 2021
An Escambia County man has been sentenced to 30 years in state prison in a robbery that netted him $20.
Gregory Wyman Padgett, 57, pleaded charges of robbery with a deadly weapon, aggravated assault on a person 65 or older by threat with a deadly weapon. He was sentenced by Judge Joel Boles.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to a business on University Parkway on the morning of March 29, 2020. They found a victim who reported he was confronted by a man with a knife demanding his keys and wallet or the man would stab him. To try to diffuse the situation, the victim gave Padgett $20 before he left the area.
Padgett was last seen walking westbound on Nine Mile Road away from the incident. Deputies found him a short time later near a restaurant. Padgett was in possession of a knife and positively identified by the victim.
Prosecutors said Padgett confessed. He has an extensive criminal history.
Woman Rescued From House Fire Passes Away From Her Injuries
April 29, 2021
A woman rescued from a burning home north of Atmore last week has died.
Evelyn Glen Akers, 73, passed away from injuries she received in the April 23 fire, according to family members. She was trapped in an upstairs bedroom before being rescued by firefighters.
The fire was reported about 6:45 p.m. at the corner of Jack Springs Road and Woods Road. The Poarch Fire Department, Atmore Fire Department, Nokomis Fire Department and the Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue were dispatched to the blaze.
The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Alabama State Fire Marshal’s Office.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Pace Stuns Tate 14-1 In District 1-6A Semifinals
April 29, 2021
The Pace Patriots stunned the Tate Aggies with a 14-1 win Wednesday afternoon in the District 1-6A semifinals at Navarre High School.
In two and two-third innings, Josiah Glodfelter gave up 11 runs and seven hits while walking five and striking out four. Riley Lowery threw two and a third innings in relief, giving up two hits and three runs while walking two.
At the plate, Drew Reaves went 2-3 to lead the Aggies. Cade Kelly, Jackson Penton and Bray Touchstone added one hit each.
Also Tuesday, Niceville beat Crestview 8-0. Niceville will take on Pace Thursday night for the District 1-6A title.
Photo by Laura Glodfelter for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview Track Athletes Advance To Regionals
April 29, 2021
The Northview boys and girls track teams participated in the FHSAA 2A Region 1 District 1 Meet in Panama City recently.
Athletes participating in the Girls 4×800m Relay, Girls 100m Sprint, Girls 200m Sprint, Girls 400m Sprint, Girls Discus, Girls Shot Put, Boys 4×800m Relay, Boys Long Jump, and Boys Shot Put advanced to the FHSAA 2A Region 1 meet which will be held at Tommy Oliver Stadium in Panama City on Saturday, May 1
Pictured: (front, L-R)) Sarius Davis, Raven McCarthy, Anna Adams, Michael Cody, John Bashore, Ethan Kilburn, (back, L-R) Coach Ronnie Gill, Holly Gilley, Coach Wanda Gafford, Shelby Kent, Dakota Giddeon, Amber Irby, Garret Bodiker, Anthoni Weaver, Dallon Rackard and Coach Doug Godwin. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.