Escambia County Woman Pleads Guilty To Preparing 20 False Tax Returns
November 21, 2025
An Escambia County woman has pleaded guilty federal charges for a fraudulent tax return scheme.
Khristine N. Harper, 42, pled guilty in federal court to 20 counts of aiding and assisting the preparation of false tax returns and one count of identity theft.
“I applaud the excellent investigative work by our federal law enforcement partners to identify and dismantle this offender’s sophisticated fraud scheme,” said United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida John P. Heekin. Defrauding the federal government victimizes every tax paying citizen, and my office will aggressively pursue criminal prosecutions of fraudsters to ensure they are held accountable to the full extent of the law for their crimes.”
Court documents reflect that between 2018 and 2024, Harper routinely prepared and filed fraudulent income tax returns for her clients by listing false amounts for various deductions, credits, and other items that were never provided to her by those clients. After Harper became aware in July 2023 that the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation was investigating her, she changed the name of her tax preparation business from Kings Tax Service to Echelon Tax. She also obtained a Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN) in another person’s name without permission and filed her clients’ 2023 returns using that fraudulently obtained PTIN. For just the 20 specific returns listed in the indictment that were the basis of the counts to which Harper pled guilty, Harper caused over $103,000 in tax loss to the Internal Revenue Service.
Sentencing is currently set for December 17 at the United States Courthouse in Pensacola before United States District Judge M. Casey Rodgers.
If convicted, she faces up to 65 years’ imprisonment.
The case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Mobile Dental Unit Providing Services In Century On Monday
November 21, 2025
The Community Health Northwest Florida (CHNWF) mobile dental unit will visit Century on Monday.
The first mobile dental day in Century is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Monday, November 24, at Community Health on Industrial Boulevard. Dates for additional visits will be announced at a later time.
“The dental department is excited to once again provide much-needed dental consults, exams and cleanings to the citizens of Century, utilizing our mobile dental unit,” said Dr. Gabriel Hernandez, DDS who also serves as chief dental officer. “We look forward to providing much-needed dental access to a population with limited options for dental care.”
Essentially a portable dentist office on wheels, the dental unit has the capability of providing multiple chairs for basic dental examinations and cleaning. It’ll be working outside of the CHNWF Century office at 6021 Industrial Boulevard, off Highway 4.
Arrangements will be made for anyone that needs more complicated dental work at one of the CHNWF offices.
To make an appointment with the mobile dental team for the Century visit, call (850) 912-8880, Ext. 13065. Patients will need to bring their insurance information and identification to the appointment.
“Our mobile dental unit benefits our community by making quality healthcare more affordable and accessible, which in turn improves patient outcomes,” said Chandra Smiley, CEO of CHNWF. “Providing access to dental care in Century is a perfect example of what a mobile unit can do to overcome healthcare barriers, especially among vulnerable populations and in rural communities without easy access to healthcare facilities.”
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Highland Christmas Market Is Saturday In Molino
November 21, 2025
Highland Baptist Church will host the Highland Christmas Market on Saturday, November 22 from 9 a.m. until noon.
The market will feature gifts, crafts, and food.
Highland Baptist Church is located at 6240 Highway 95A in Molino.
Suspect Indicted For Sexual Battery Of Child, Murder, Arson And Animal Cruelty After Trailer Fire
November 21, 2025
An Escambia Man has been indicted for murder, sexual battery of a child, arson and animal cruelty .
A grand jury returned indictments against John Henry Walston, Jr., for two counts of first degree murder, one count of sexual battery of a child under 12, one count of arson, and one count of animal cruelty.
In the early hours of November 7, 2025, emergency responders were called to a house fire on Flaxman Street where two children and a dog were found deceased inside the home. During the course of the investigation, it was discovered that Walston allegedly sexually battered one of the children before he killed both children and then set his house on fire.
Walston is due back in court on November 26.
Tate Aggies Win Nailbiter Over Bartram Trail To Advance To Tourney Semifinal
November 21, 2025
The Tate Aggies beat the Bartram Trail Bears in a 21-19 nailbiter in the 4A-7A Florida Invitational Tournament (FIT) regional finals Thursday night.
Tate took a 7-0 lead on a quarterback keeper—by sophomore Tanner Clark—as time expired in the first quarter. Clark added the second score on the night for the Aggies on another QB keeper with 31 seconds to go in the half.
With about a minute to go in the game, the Bears were inside the 12-yard line when the Aggies picked it off to seal the win.
For a photo gallery, click here.
*Look for a gallery with the cheerleaders, band, fans, and more coming soon.
Tate will host Chiles in the 4A-7A semifinals on Friday, November 28—the day after Thanksgiving.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
UWF Argos Seek First Playoff Win In Two Seasons On Saturday
November 21, 2025
Two months ago in Tigerville, South Carolina the University of West Florida football team walked away with a 25-17 win over North Greenville to improve their season record to 4-0. It was the first tight game the Argos had played in all season, needing a fourth quarter scoring drive to widen their lead to eight points. The Argos defense then needed a stop which they got by the graze of a knee in the redzone. The call was controversial at the time as NGU’s quarterback Dylan Ramirez found an open receiver in the back of the endzone to score what was thought to be touchdown, setting up a two-point conversion to tie the game. But the refs blew the play dead and credited Eli Webb with a sack to end the game.
It wasn’t the prettiest of wins for the Argos this season but they got the job done and faced some much needed adversity in a game to help the team march forward to a 9-1 record.
The Argos will now face that same North Greenville team at home on Saturday, Nov. 22 at 1 p.m. for the first round of the NCAA Division II playoffs.
The Trailblazers are coming into the game on a three-game win streak including a 34-20 win over UNC Pembroke to win the Conference Carolinas title. UWF is entering the game following a regular season finale loss to Valdosta State in overtime.
With a win-or-go-home mindset, coming off a loss and the adversity faced in the previous NGU matchup, the Argos are hungry and prepared to win their first NCAA playoff game in two years.
The first round game features two of the top quarterbacks in the country. Marcus Stokes is a legitimate Harlon Hill Award nominee and has led the Argos to a prominent offense all season. The redshirt sophomore was named the Gulf South Conference Offensive Player of the Year this week. He’s thrown for 2,886 yards and 28 touchdowns. Ramirez was named the Conference Carolinas Offensive Player of the Year following a season throwing for 2,747 yards and 21 touchdowns.
The Argos’ defensive front will be a major factor in the outcome of the game with getting pressure on Ramirez. UWF has registered 34 sacks this season – tenth most in NCAA DII. The defense also boasts the top run defense in the nation, allowing just 48.9 rush yards per contest. The defensive unit is led by GSC Defensive Player of the Year Ja’Kobe Clinton who led the conference in tackles for loss and sacks.
A victory on Saturday will head coach Kaleb Nobles first playoff win at the helm with UWF.
The game will be broadcast on ESPN + which does require a subscription to watch. Tickets to attend the game are still available.
Fog Again Overnight, Low In The Mid 60s
November 21, 2025
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Patchy fog after 1am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 66. South wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: Areas of fog before 8am. Otherwise, partly sunny, with a high near 81. West wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 56. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming north after midnight.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 76. North wind around 5 mph.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 50. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph after midnight.
Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 76. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
Monday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 60. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday: A 50 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 78. South wind 5 to 15 mph.
Tuesday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 63.
Wednesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 74.
Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 47.
Thanksgiving Day: Mostly sunny, with a high near 63.
Thursday Night Playoff Scoreboard And Friday Night Matchups
November 21, 2025
Here are Thursday playoff scores and Friday night matchups from around the North Escambia area.
FLORIDA
Region 1-6A
No. 3 Pace at No. 2 Mandarin (Jacksonville) — Friday, 6:30 p.m. EST
Region 1-3A
No. 5 West Florida at No. 1 Raines (Jacksonville) — Friday, 6:30 p.m EST.
Region 1-2A
No. 3 South Walton at No. 2 Pensacola Catholic — Friday, 7:30 p.m. CST
FIT 4A-7A Regional Final
Tate 21, Bartram Trail 19 (Thursday) [Read more, photos...]
FIT Rural Regional Final
Port St. Joe 37, Central 0
ALABAMA
AISA State Championship
Macon-East Montgomery Academy 34, Escambia Academy 14 (Thursday)
AHSAA 4A Third Round
W.S. Neal at Jackson — Friday, 7 p.m. CST
Pitured: The Tate Aggies beat Bartram Trail 21-19 Thursday night. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Woman Injured In Bratt Pine Barren Road Crash
November 21, 2025
One person was injured in a single vehicle rollover crash Thursday afternoon in Bratt.
The crash happened around 2:45 p.m. on North Pine Barren Road about one-third of a mile north of Breastworks Road.
The driver of a Nissan car was southbound when her vehicle left the road, struck a small ditch and overturned into woodline. She was able to walk out of the vehicle after first responders removed the windshield.
The adult female was transported by Escambia County EMS to Sacred Heart Hospital with injuries that were not considered to be serious.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
William Theodore ‘Bill’ Staff
November 21, 2025
Mr. William Theodore “Bill” Staff, aged 87, sadly passed away on Thursday, November 20, 2025, in Atmore, Alabama, surrounded by his loving family. He was a lifelong resident of Atmore and dedicated his life to his faith as a devoted Catholic. Bill was an active member of Saint Roberts Bellarmine Catholic Church, where he found community and support throughout his years. His warm spirit and kindness will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
He had a true passion for fishing, whether it was deep sea or inshore, and he loved passing that joy on to his children and grandchildren, teaching them how to drive the boat. His favorite moments were spent at the Beach House in Fort Walton Beach, where laughter filled the air and memories were made. He enjoyed relaxing while watching westerns and was a big fan of Alabama football, never missing a game. After a long and dedicated career at Staff Chevrolet, working in the service department for seventy-three years, he also found time to cheer on his favorite NASCAR drivers, always eager to follow the races.
Preceded in death by his parents, Edmund Adam and Nell Yearwood Staff; wife of sixty-five years, Ann Staff; brothers, Edmund Adam Staff, Jr.; sister, Susan Staff Calvert.
Mr. Staff is survived by his two sons, Bill Staff Jr. and his wife Tina from Orange Beach, Alabama, and Speer Staff and his wife Cindi from Ocean Springs, Mississippi; two daughters, Suzanne McGill and her husband Mark from Atmore, Alabama, and Leslie Brand and her husband Doug from Senoia, Georgia; two brothers, Jim and Myrtle Staff, of Atmore, Alabama, Chipper and Wanda Staff, of Atmore, Alabama, one sister Catherine Tims, of Atmore, Alabama, along with nine grandchildren Shayna, Mandy, Ashleigh, Arielle, Anna Marie, Haden, Haleigh, Cayleigh, Christen, Ashley; eight great-grandchildren Will, Corbin, Thatcher, Norah, Evvie, Charlie, Nicholas, Ella.
Funeral services will be held Monday, November 24, 2025 at 3:00 PM at Saint Roberts Bellarmine Catholic Church with Father Joji Chacko officiating.
Burial will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Monday, November 24, 2025 from 2:00 PM until service time at 3:00 PM at Saint Roberts Bellarmine Catholic Church.
Pallbearers will be Hayden McGill, Will Strawbridge, Corbin Strawbridge, Johnny Simpson, Jim Harrison.
Although flowers will be accepted, donations may be made to Saint Roberts Bellarmine Catholic Church.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home, LLC Atmore, Alabama is in charge of all arrangements