Man Convicted Fatally Shooting Cantonment Man In Lounge Parking Lot Faces Up To 30 Years
March 5, 2025
A man faces up to 30 years when he is sentenced this week for the fatal shooting a Cantonment man in the summer of 2023 at a Pensacola lounge.
Michael Andrew Rodriguez, now 40, was originally charged with second degree murder but was convicted by an Escambia County jury of a lesser offense of manslaughter.
Rodriguez could be sentenced to up to 30 years in prison on Wednesday by Judge John Simon on the lessor manslaughter conviction. The maximum penalty for the original second-degree murder charge was life in prison.
He shot victim Damon Caldwell in the neck at Sam’s Lounge on Old Corry Field Road on July 21, 2023. Video surveillance showed a confrontation between Rodriguez and Caldwell outside the lounge before Rodriguez draws a firm and shoots Caldwell, who falls to the ground. Rodriguez then backs away, firing multiple additional shots toward the crowd near Caldwell. Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputies noted in their report that Caldwell never presented a firearm or any other weapon and did not utilize any other form of deadly force against Rodriguez.
Rodriguez later contacted law enforcement and told deputies that he planned to turn himself in, but he failed to do so. The ECSO tracked Rodriguez him and arrested him, as he told them he “knew he messed up”.
An Escambia County woman is awaiting trial and an accessory after the fact for allegedly helping Rodriguez, her boyfriend, after the shooting. According to investigators, Deomi Polyzos drove to the lounge and picked Rodriquez up after the murder before making stops” presumably to dispose of evidence/the firearm utilized”, an arrest report states.
Clear And Cold Tonight
March 5, 2025
Here is the complete North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 38. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 61. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 40. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 71. East wind 5 to 15 mph becoming south in the morning.
Friday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 58. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday: A chance of showers before 9am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 9am and noon, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 75. West wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Saturday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before midnight, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 56. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming north after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Sunday: A 20 percent chance of showers before noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 68. North wind around 10 mph.
Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers before midnight. Partly cloudy, with a low around 44. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 66.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 43.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 73.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 46.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 76.
Century Town Council Advances Plan to Hire A Town Administrator
March 5, 2025
At their Tuesday night meeting, the Century Town Council took the first step towards hiring a town administrator.
According to the town, a town administrator “would serve as the sole professional administrative officer assisting the mayor with municipal operations, personnel management, and financial oversight”. The position’s duties would also include the financial oversight responsibilities typically assigned to a financial services director” ensuring budget preparation, fiscal accountability, grant management, and procurement compliance”.
The town administrator would report directly to the mayor but also provide regular updates to the town council while taking directions from the council and mayor.
According to a draft ordinance approved on a 4-0 vote Tuesday night, the town administrator may be an employee, hired as a contracted individual, or a “company with expertise in municipal administration and financial management, contracted to provide these services.”
Interim mayor Alician Johnson said it would be necessary to have someone that is full time, a sentiment echoed by council president Dynette Lewis.
A salary for position has not yet been discussed by the town council.
Pictured top: Century Town Council members (L-R) Sandra McMurray-Jackson, Dynette Lewis, and Henry Cunningham at Tuesday night’s meeting. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Third Phase Proposed Bringing Cowetta Road Subdivision To 269 Lots
March 5, 2025
A third phase has been proposed for the Sanctuary subdivision off Cowetta Road in Cantonment with 53 additional lots on 17.31 acres.
The additional phase will bring the total number of lots in the D.R. Horton subdivision to 269, including 100 lots in phase one and 116 lots in phase two.
Sanctuary Phase 1 was approved in May 2024, and Sanctuary Phase 2 was approved in December 2024.
The plans have been filed with the Escambia County Development Review Committee and are in initial applications status. A public meeting has not yet been set.
Two Arrested On Drug Trafficking Charges During Traffic Stop
March 5, 2025
Two people were arrested Monday on multiple drug trafficking charges during a traffic stop on Pensacola Boulevard.
During the stop, Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputies discovered trafficking amounts of fentanyl, heroin, and methamphetamine, along with cocaine, Xanax, marijuana, oxycodone, and drug paraphernalia inside the vehicle.
William Joseph Coleman, 42, was charged with three counts of trafficking drugs, three counts of possession of drugs, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, and smuggling contraband. John Charges Peeterse, 34, was charged with three counts of trafficking drugs, three counts of possession of drugs, possession of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Both suspects were booked into the Escambia County Jail without bond.
Bratt Elementary School Names Students Of The Month
March 5, 2025
Bratt Elementary School recently named their Students of the Month for February. They are Axel Amerson and Cason Prall. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Thursday Is Last Day To Request Vote By Mail Ballot For Century Special Primary
March 5, 2025
Thursday, March 6, is the last day for registered voters to request a vote-by-mail ballot for the upcoming Century special primary election.
All vote-by-mail requests expired at the end of 2024. Requests must be renewed for for the 2025 special elections (both the Century special elections and the special general election for Congress on April 1).
For a vote-by-mail ballot, contact the Supervisor of Elections office by phone (850) 595-3900, by email at votebymail@escambiavotes.gov, by fax (850) 595-3914, or by using the online form at EscambiaVotes.gov/vote-by-mail
The person requesting a vote-by-mail ballot must disclose:
- The name of the voter for whom the ballot is requested;
- The voter’s address;
- The voter’s date of birth;
- The voter’s Florida driver license number, Florida identification card number, or that last 4 digits of the voter’s social security number;
- The requester’s name;
- The requester’s address;
- The requester’s driver’s license number, identification card number, or that last 4 digits of the voter’s social security number, if available;
- The requester’s relationship to the voter; and,
- The requester’s signature (written request only).
The Century precinct at the Billy G. Ward Courthouse will be open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 18 for the Century special primary election to fill a vacant Seat 4 on the Century Town Council.
Prep Update: Northview, Flomaton Baseball Play Today; Other NHS, Tate Games Canceled
March 5, 2025
Tuesday’s weather forced the cancelation of softball and baseball games for Tate and Northview High school games.
Tuesday’s Northview baseball at Flomaton baseball games are rescheduled for today. First pitch will be at 4:00 for junior varsity, followed by varsity at 6:30.
Other Tuesday cancelations included:
- All Northview Lady Chiefs softball games against West Florida have were rescheduled for March 24.
- All Tate Aggies baseball games for Tuesday against Milton were canceled.
- All Tate Lady Aggies softball games for Tuesday against Escambia were canceled.
Pictured: Grayden Sheffield on the mound for the Northview Chiefs against the Escambia Gators. NorthEscambia.com file photo.
SRO Mel Pfeiffer Honored As Tate High Support Personnel Of The Month
March 5, 2025
Escambia County Sheriff’s Office School Resource Officer Mel Pfeiffer named Tate High School’s Educational Support Personnel of the Month.
According to Principal Laura Touchstone, Pfeiffer is “a leader who effectively balances law enforcement duties with a deep commitment to building positive relationships within the school community. SRO Pfeiffer serves as a trusted mentor and educator, working closely with students, staff, and parents while maintaining a visible presence to ensure the safety and security of the school environment.
“In addition to his law enforcement expertise, SRO Pfeiffer understands the unique dynamics of the school setting, consistently demonstrating excellent communication skills, patience, and approachability. These qualities have allowed SRO Pfeiffer to navigate complex youth-related issues and de-escalate situations effectively, ensuring that the school’s environment remains supportive and safe for all,” Touchstone added.
Pictured: (L-R) Tate High School Principal Laura Touchstone, SRO Mel Pfeiffer, Assistant Principal Brandy White and Assistant Principal Austin Courson. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Wind Gusts Reach 47 MPH In North Escambia (With Location List)
March 4, 2025
Wind gusts Tuesday afternoon reached as high as 47 mph in Escambia County. The highest gust recorded at of 4 p.m. was 47 mph in Bratt.
These wind speeds were recorded at calibrated weather stations that are part of the Escambia County Weatherstem network:
- Bratt – 47 mph (1:01 p.m.)
- Cantonment – 41 mph (2:15 p.m.)
- UWF – 37 mph (11:22 a.m.)
- Pensacola Beach – 34 mph (2:30 p.m.)
- Century – 33 mph (2:32 p.m.)
- Walnut Hill – 32 mph (11:39 a.m.)
- Molino – 28 mph (1:00 p.m.)