Female Body Recovered From The Perdido River
October 14, 2023
The body of a female drowning victim was recovered from the Perdido River Friday afternoon.
Authorities were alerted to someone in the water about 3 p.m. Friday in an area near Ruby’s Fish Camp and the Wilson B. Robertson boat launch along the Perdido River.
The incident is under investigation by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
The identity of the victim has not been released as the ECSO awaits confirmation from the Medical Examiner’s Office.
No other information has been released.
File photo.
‘I Don’t Think We’ve Seen Our Best Yet’ – Northview Beats Jay 41-19 (With Gallery)
October 14, 2023
The Northview Chiefs beat the Jay Royals 41-19 Friday night at Tommy Weaver Memorial Stadium in Bratt.
It was a big homecoming win, and awin that head coach Wes Summerford believes will put the Chiefs on the right track for the rest of the season.
For a game action photo gallery, click here. (Look for additional galleries with the homecoming court, cheerleaders, mini-cheerleaders, band and more coming soon.)
“It gets us on the track that we have been trying to get on for weeks now after a couple of games we dropped early that I thought we had a chance in,” Northview head coach Wes Summerford said. “I think this was that win we really needed to prove to our guys that we haven’t seen our best yet. That’s what I told them after the game. ‘I don’t think we’ve seen our best yet.’. But the kids have got to believe it first.”
The Chiefs headed into Friday night’s game ranked at No. 5 in Region 1-1R — right behind the Royals at No. 4. The will likely put the Chiefs in a better postseason playoff position.
Devin Kelly had three touchdowns on the night for the Chiefs. Joe Wright added a Northview TD, and quarterback Wyatt Scruggs had a quarterback keeper into the endzone.
Friday night marked Northview’s seventh consecutive win over the Royals.
Northview (3-4) will host Blountstown (4-2) Friday night in Bratt. The Jay Royals (4-3) will celebrate homecoming while hosting Lighthouse Private Christian Academy.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
FHP: Two Vehicles Flee Scene After Hitting Pedestrian On Highway 29
October 14, 2023
Two vehicles fled the scene after hitting a pedestrian on Highway 29, and the Florida Highway Patrol is looking for information.
Two vehicles were southbound on Highway 29 approaching Van Pelt Lane about 11:05 p.m. Thursday
Troopers said the male pedestrian traveled into the path of the first vehicle and was struck. The vehicle continued southbound, fleeing the scene. The victim was then hit by a second vehicle that also continued southbound.
The collision occurred in front of a Whataburger. Witnesses heard the first crash and believe one of the vehicles was a dark color SUV.
The pedestrian was transported to Baptist Hospital in critical condition. Their identity was not yet known.
Friday Night Football Scoreboard
October 14, 2023
Here are Friday night football scores from around the North Escambia area:
FLORIDA
- Northview 41, Jay 19 [Game story, photos...]
- Pace 41, Tate 13
- IMG Academy 55, Pine Forest 14
- West Florida 41, Pensacola 0
- Fort Walton Beach 44, Washington 14
- Choctaw 24, Escambia 20
- Walton 23, Pensacola Catholic 21
- Lighthouse Private Christian Academy at Sneads
- Navarre 45, Milton 14
- Baker 14, FAMU 0
- Tohopekaliga 18, Gulf Breeze 14 (Thursday p.m.)
ALABAMA
- W.S. Neal 44, Flomaton 21
- Patrician Academy 42, Escambia Academy 14
- T.R. Miller 42. Escambia County (Atmore) 7
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Woman Charged With Three Counts Of Attempted Murder After Road Rage Incident
October 14, 2023
A woman is charged with three counts of attempted murder following a road rage incident in Escambia County.
Melissa Danielle Johnson, 30, was also charged with the three counts of attempted murder, deadly missiles into a vehicle, discharging a firearm from a vehicle, possession of a controlled substance without a prescription, possession of cocaine and possession of marijuana weighing less than 20 grams. She was booked into the Escambia County Jail without bond.
The incident happened Thursday in the area of Barrancas Avenue.
“The victims claimed that the shooting was the result of a road rage incident, where the suspect fired a single shot from their vehicle into the victim’s vehicle, resulting in one of the passengers being injured and transported to the hospital prior to the deputies’ arrival,” the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement.
Johnson contacted the ECSO, identified herself as the suspect, and turned herself in. When deputies searched her vehicle, the firearm and narcotics were located.
Photo Galleries: Northview High School Homecoming Parade
October 13, 2023
The Northview High School Homecoming Parade rolled through Bratt as hundreds of people watched Friday afternoon.
For a photo gallery part one, click or tap here.
For a photo gallery part two, click or tap here.
Note: After the first few, the photos are in the order of the parade. Tag people that you know and share.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
School Board Looks To Make Leonard Permanent Superintendent
October 13, 2023
The Escambia County School Board is heading toward extending Keith Leonard’s contract as permanent superintendent.
Leonard was hired as interim superintendent effective June 1 after the board fired former superintendent Tim Smith.
“I believe our interim superintendent has been doing an admirable job,” Hightower said as she brought up the discussion during a Thursday afternoon workshop session.
“Come January, any superintendent in the state is going to have to start thinking about roles and responsibilities preparing for the coming school year,” she said. “I just feel like it’s just a disservice not only to the person sitting in that seat, but also to our employees if we don’t say something earlier than June about what is going to happen.”
She said that if the board is ready, she would like to have a conversation in December about making Leonard the permanent superintendent.
“Mr. Leonard has come into this job, has hit the ground running,” Hightower said. “In order for us to create some stability and consistency, I would like for us to decide how we want to move forward.”
“I see excitement in our employees and in my schools,” board member Kevin Adams said. “I appreciate the job he’s doing, and right now he’s my guy.”
“It gives our employees a feeling of we are not guessing what the future looks like,” Bill Slayton said. “The board seems to be moving in a direction that we can have a permanent superintendent…that puts a lot of relaxation I think to all of our employees, and students and parents.”
Leonard mentioned a possible 18-month rolling contact.
“Right now, out teachers have a year to year contract. That’s what I think Keith Leonard should have,” Leonard said, adding the board should tell the superintendent each December if the contract will be continued. “In December, you are going to tell somebody something so they know that they have the authority and the responsibility, more than that, to get things done.”
Leonard was in the top four when the board last conducted a national search before hiring Smith. Leonard’s current interim contract ends June 30, 2024, if it’s not renewed.
14-Time Convicted Felon Charged After Narcotics Search Warrant In Cantonment
October 13, 2023
A 14-time convicted felon was arrested after the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office served a search warrant in Cantonment.
Joshua Brennan Totty, 33, was charged with trafficking of methamphetamine-14 grams or more, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of marijuana with the intent to sell, manufacture, and/or deliver, and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $121,000 bond.
Wednesday, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team and Narcotics Unit served a search warrant in the 1900 block of Ryale Road off Old Kingsfield Road.
A used glass smoking pipe with burnt residue on it and $230 cash were found in Totty’s front pocket, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
In the home, shed, and pickup truck deputies reported finding:
- six white rectangle bars inscribed with “555″ from black hoodie from bedroom one
- one round of 12 gauge ammunition from bedroom one cabinet
- clear crystal like substance in zip-lock bag from camouflage jacket pocket from bedroom two
- Taurus G3C 9mm with magazine from bathroom two plastic drawer
- 51 rounds of 9mm ammunition from bathroom two plastic drawer
- liquid methadone in 220 mg bottle from bathroom two
- camouflage backpack from Ford Ranger front seat, which contained multiple quantities of suspected methamphetamine
- black digital scale from camo backpack
- approximately three grams of marijuana in baggie from camo backpack
- $33,633 cash from camo backpack
- black Tracfone wireless smartphone in black case from shed countertop
- quantity of methamphetamine *field tested positive* from bedroom one dresser drawer
- miscellaneous ammo from bedroom one dresser drawer
- 40 cal ammo (13 rounds) from bedroom one dresser top
- Harrington and Richardson shotgun from bedroom one closet
- black digital scale in the laundry room
Three other suspects were present at the time the search warrant was served jail records do not show any of them had been arrested in Escambia County by Thursday night. Totty is not charged in connect with all of the items listed.
The ECSO said Totty is a convicted felon with 21 total felony charges and 14 total felony convictions, the latest of which was from two years ago for possession of methamphetamine with the intent to sell, manufacture, or deliver.
Northview Homecoming Parade To Roll Through Bratt Early This Afternoon
October 13, 2023
The Northview High School Homecoming Parade will roll through Bratt early Friday afternoon, starting and ending at Northview.
The parade will line up at noon and roll at 12:30 p.m. from Northview High School. It will travel east on Highway 4 before turning on Bratt Road by the Travis Nelson Park, around the park to Ashcraft Road to Highway 99, travel north past Bratt Elementary School, turn back onto Highway 4 and end at Northview. (Note that Ashcraft Road has a very narrow shoulder with no place to park.)
Only parade participants will be allowed to enter Northview’s campus.
The homecoming queen will be named during a ceremony that begins at 6 p.m. Friday in Tommy Weaver Memorial Stadium on the Northview campus. The Chiefs will host the Jay Royals at 7 p.m.
Pictured: The 2022 Northview High School homecoming parade. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Patchy Fog Possible Overnight, Low About 60
October 13, 2023
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Patchy fog after 1am. Otherwise, mostly clear, with a low around 60. Calm wind.
Saturday: Areas of fog before 9am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 82. Light southwest wind becoming west 10 to 15 mph in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph.
Saturday Night: Clear, with a low around 53. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 69. Northwest wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 48. Northwest wind around 10 mph.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 65. North wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Monday Night: Clear, with a low around 44. North wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 68. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tuesday Night: Clear, with a low around 45.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 72.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 50.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 75.