Molino Man With 14 Prior Felony Convictions Charged With Stealing Truck, Shoplifting, Weapon Possession
December 31, 2025
A Molino man with a lengthy criminal history is facing multiple felony charges after allegedly stealing a vehicle and shoplifting from a local retailer while armed with brass knuckles.
James Douglas Arnold III, 30, was arrested by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office following two separate incidents that occurred in mid-December.
According to arrest reports, the first incident began on December 12 at the Keeton Correctional Facility at 225 Brent Lane. A 2009 black Dodge Ram was reported stolen from the front of the building after the owner’s son left the keys inside the facility’s front office.
Later that same evening, deputies were dispatched to the Walmart at 8970 Pensacola Blvd regarding a theft in progress. Loss prevention officers reported seeing Arnold opening multiple pocket knives and a crossbow from their packaging, concealing the items, and discarding others around the store. When deputies detained Arnold, they reportedly recovered black brass knuckles from his pants pocket.
Arnold was not immediately jailed following the Walmart incident as he was transported to a local hospital after claiming he had ingested multiple Xanax pills.
On December 20, a deputy spotted the stolen Dodge Ram parked at a cul-de-sac on Ives Place. Arnold was located in the passenger seat and was found in possession of a”personal use” amount of fentanyl. Authorities also discovered a collection of tools, a mini machete, and a BB gun inside the vehicle that did not belong to the truck’s owner.
Investigators noted that Arnold, a 14-time convicted felon, also presented a bill of sale for the truck that the owner later identified as a forgery
Arnold is charged with grand theft of a motor vehicle, possession of a controlled substance, possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, and retail petit theft with prior convictions.
Escambia County Seeks Public Input On $4.57 Million O.C. Phillips Bridge Replacement
December 31, 2025
An upcoming $4.57 million project will replace the O.C. Phillips Road bridge over Brushy Creek about seven miles outside Walnut Hill, and Escambia County is seeking public input.
The $4,568,387.75 replacement project will include the demolition of the existing bridge and construction of a new bridge in the same location.
The O.C. Phillips Road Bridge over Brushy Creek provides access to residents traveling between South Pineville Road and County Road 97A. The replacement bridge will be 0.015 miles (about 80 feet) in length and accommodate two travel lanes (one in each direction), including shoulders on each side. Escambia County said replacing the bridge will reduce flooding impacts, improve the creek habitat, improve driver safety**,** and provide emergency and residential access to the surrounding area.
A temporary bridge will be utilized as a bypass during the bridge replacement construction to prevent a lengthy detour.
In July 2023, the county approved $2 million in RESTORE funding to be used toward construction. The U.S. Treasury approved the individual project application and award in August 2024.
Submit Comments
The deadline to submit comments is Monday, January 5, 2026. Comments can be submitted via the online form, via email at RESTORE@myescambia.com, or via mail to:
Escambia County RESTORE Division
Ryan Kirby, RESTORE Division Manager
221 Palafox Place
Pensacola, FL 32502
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Sunny And Cool For New Year’s Eve
December 31, 2025
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 55. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming southwest in the afternoon.
Wednesday Night: Clear, with a low around 35. West wind around 5 mph.
New Year’s Day: Sunny, with a high near 63. West wind around 5 mph.
Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 44. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
Friday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 69. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph increasing to 10 to 15 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph.
Friday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after midnight. Low around 59. South wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Saturday: A 40 percent chance of showers, mainly before noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 69. West wind around 10 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 48. North wind around 5 mph.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 66.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 46.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 69.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 49.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 67.
Here’s The New Year’s Holiday Closures And Trash Schedule You Need To Know
December 31, 2025
Here’s the New Year’s holiday closure list for government offices and the trash schedule you need to know.
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
In observance of New Year’s, the following Escambia County offices will be closed Wednesday, Dec. 31 and Thursday, Jan. 1:
- Escambia County Board of County Commissioners (all departments)
- Escambia County Administration
- Escambia County Area Transit Administrative Offices
- Escambia County Department of Animal Welfare and Animal Shelter
- Escambia County Extension Office
- Escambia County Waste Services Administration
- West Florida Public Libraries (all locations)
- Escambia County Property Appraiser
- Escambia County Supervisor of Elections
Normal Escambia County operations will resume Friday, January 2.
TAX COLLECTOR
- Escambia County Tax Collector offices will be closed Wednesday, Dec. 31-Friday, Jan. 2.
PERDIDO LANDFILL
- The Perdido Landfill will close at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 31 and remain closed Thursday, Jan. 1.
- The landfill will reopen with regular hours Friday, Jan. 2.
ECAT
- ECAT administrative offices will be closed Wednesday, Dec. 31 and Thursday, Jan. 1. Customer service offices will be closed Thursday, Jan. 1.
- ECAT will run modified holiday service Wednesday, Dec. 31:
- The last bus will depart from ECAT at 5:30 p.m.
- Commuter Route 60 will depart from ECAT at 6 p.m.
- FlexTransit will run regular service Wednesday, Dec. 31.
- ECAT will not run regular bus service or FlexTranist service Thursday, Jan. 1.
- Regular bus service and FlexTransit service will resume Friday, Jan 2.
ESCAMBIA CLERK OF THE COURT
- The Clerk’s Official Records, Finance, Treasury and Clerk to the Board offices at 221 Palafox Place will be closed Wednesday, Dec. 31.
- All offices of the Clerk of Court and Comptroller will be closed in observance of New Year’s on Thursday, Jan. 1.
ECUA
- ECUA offices will be closed Thursday, Jan. 1.
- Collection will be made on Friday, Jan. 2, 2026. Friday’s collections will be on Saturday.
TOWN OF CENTURY
- Town of Century offices will be closed Thursday, Jan. 1 and Friday, January 2 for the Christmas holiday.
- Century trash collection will be on Wednesday, Jan. 30. Wednesday is the normal collection day.
Pictured: Palafox Place. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Not Toy Car Parts: Escambia Man Pleads Guilty To Federal Drugs And Firearms Charges
December 31, 2025
An Escambia County man has pleased guilty to federal drug and firearms charges for allegedly ordering machine gun parts from China that arrived in a box labeled as toy car parts.
A federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Tre’Veonce Ezekiel Sanders, 19, with possession of a machine gun, possession of an unregistered firearm, and possession with intent to distribute marijuana.
The indictment says a package was labeled as being toy car parts, but U.S. Customs inspectors found it also contained pieces to build a machine gun device. During the execution of a search warrant at his home, officers reported finding a Glock with a similar device already installed along with nearly one-half pound of marijuana.
If convicted, Sanders faces up to 10 years’ imprisonment for each of the firearms offenses and up to five years’ imprisonment for the drug crime.
The case was a joint investigation by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.
Former Coastal Alabama Community College President Arrested
December 31, 2025
The former president of Coastal Alabama Community College was arrested Tuesday.
Craig Pouncey, 67, was charged with multiple counts of use of position for personal gain. He was released on a $30,000 bond, according to Baldwin County Jail records. Exact details on the allegations against have not yet been released.
Pouncey was the Jefferson County (Alabama) School Superintendent and retired as president of Coastal Alabama in 2023.
Coastal Alabama Community College has campus locations in Atmore, Brewton, Bay Minette, Monroeville and other South Alabama towns.
Kimberly Ripley Named Escambia Westgate Teacher Of The Year
December 31, 2025
Kimberly Ripley was named the Escambia Westgate School Teacher of the Year.
“Ms Ripley makes science come alive, our students love going to Science Lab,” the school said.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Charles Allen Nichols
December 31, 2025
Charles Allen Nichols, long-life resident of Pensacola, Florida, was called home to be with the Lord on December 26, 2025, at the age of 39. Born in Pensacola, Florida, on February 24, 1986.
Charles was the beloved son of Gregory W. Nichols and Arlene D. Nichols. He was a cherished brother to Michael J. Nichols and brother-in-law to Megan Nichols. His affectionate spirit lives in the hearts of his adored nieces, Kaitlynn and Lainey Nichols. Though preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, C. B. Nichols, Sr. and Daphene Nichols; his maternal grandparents, Earl Douglas, Jr., Alice Walters, and step-grandfather, Thomas Walters; his uncles, C. B. Nichols, Jr. and Jeff Nichols; his aunt, Lynn (Uncle Mike) Stewart; and his first cousin, Ryan Nichols. Charles’s memory will continue to be honored through his surviving family, including a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, and countless friends.
Charles received his education from Escambia Public Schools and Jubilee Christian Academy. He was a member of First Pentecostal Church where he was a Champion Bible Quizzer in his youth.
His career as a Journeyman HVAC systems specialist was marked by his membership in the Sheet Metal Workers National Association. Charles took pride in his work, applying his skills with precision and care.
As a young boy Charles enjoyed playing football and baseball at Bellview ballpark which began a love for Alabama Football “Roll Tide”.
Charles’s memory will forever be a blessing to all who were touched by his kindness and friendship.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North with Pastor Daniel Strobel officiating.
The family will receive friends at 1 p.m. prior to services.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North, 1000 South Highway 29, Cantonment, is entrusted with arrangements.
Kenneth Atkinson Named Beulah Middle Teacher Of The Year
December 31, 2025
Kenneth Atkinson was named the Beulah Middle School Teacher of the Year. NorthEscambia.com photo.
Century Violent Sexual Predator Charged With Felony Registration Violation
December 30, 2025
A 67-year-old violent sexual predator from Century has been arrested for failing to register with the Florida Sexual Offender/Predator Registry.
Anthony Darnell Goldsmith was charged with a felony sexual predator violation for failing to register quarterly. He remains in jail without bond under the Jessica Lunsford Act.
Goldsmith was convicted of predatory sexual assault of a child in Cook County, IL, in 2005. He was then convicted of two sexual predator registration violations in Escambia County in 2008 and 2011.
He was also convicted in 2018 of indecent exposure for exposing and pleasuring himself at Panera Bread in Pensacola; he received 11 months in the county jail for that offense. In addition, he served a year in state prison for a 2002 aggravated assault case from Escambia County.