State To Seek Death Penalty For Man Indicted For Sexual Battery Of Child, Murder, Arson And Animal Cruelty After Trailer Fire
December 7, 2025
Prosecutors have announced that they will seek the death penalty for an Escambia County man indicted for murder, sexual battery of a child, arson and animal cruelty.
A grand jury returned indictments last month 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.
State Attorney Ginger Madden said Friday that he office will seek the death penalty if Walston is convicted of the deaths of the children.
A jury trial date was set for January 26, 2026, following a docket court appearance on January 13, 2026. Any motions that may be filed in the case could delay the trial date.
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 by cutting their throats before he set the house on fire.
Highway 29 Small Retail Development Proposed With Drive-Thru Restaurant Near West Roberts Road
December 7, 2025
A new small retail development is in the works for Highway 29 south of West Roberts Road.
According to an Escambia County Development Review Committee (DRC) application filed by Hughes Development of Mobile, a 1.81-acre lot adjacent to Coast Equipment (north of the Dollar General) would be home to 11,750 square feet of buildings.
A drawing filed with the county shows a 10,000 square foot building with a rear loading area and a small drive-around quick serve restaurant of 1,750 square feet. The development is proposed with 56 parking spaces, according to the drawing, with a single driveway access to Highway 29.
The nature of the businesses, other than one building being used for a quick serve restaurant, is not revealed in the application.
The development is set for a pre-application meeting with the DRC at 1:45 p.m. Wednesday at the Escambia County Central Complex Building at 3363 West Park Place.
NorthEscambia.com graphics.
First Red Bulb Placed On Wreath After Residential Fire
December 7, 2025
The first red bulb was placed on “Keep the Wreath Green” wreath in 2025 following a fire last week.
Escambia County Fire Rescue responded to a residential structure fire in the 1200 block of Trammel Boulevard at 9:39 a.m. Thursday. Firefighters arrived to find that flames and smoke were visible from a single-story wood-framed home. Firefighters quickly attacked the fire, bringing the incident under control by 9:47 a.m.
Two dogs died as a result of the fire. ECFR conducted the investigation and determined that an extension cord plugged into a bedroom outlet experienced an electrical failure and caused the fire.
The American Red Cross is providing assistance to the displaced occupants.
During the month-long “Keep the Wreath Green” fire safety campaign, five-foot wreaths will be on display at 18 county fire stations and five city fire stations, along with several government building. Each time firefighters respond to a residential or commercial fire with damage, a green light bulb will be replaced with a red one to remind citizens of the dangers posed by fires in residential and commercial buildings.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Volunteer Wanted For West Florida Public Library Board of Governance
December 7, 2025
The Escambia County Board of County Commissioners is seeking county residents interested in volunteering to be considered for an appointment to the West Florida Public Library Board of Governance.
The duties of the board include establishing policy and overseeing the management of Escambia County library services and making recommendations to the BCC regarding the annual budget according to the purposes and authority set forth in resolutions, interlocal agreements and other agreements, as well as state and federal laws. These duties also include establishing an annual plan of service and the long-range strategic planning of library services.
West Florida Public Libraries provides service to all of Escambia County, with the board typically meeting on the fourth Monday of the month from 4-6:30 p.m.
Residents interested in serving on the board are asked to submit a resume and letter indicating their desire to serve by 5 p.m on Friday, January 9, 2025 . Resumes should be submitted to Christal Bell-Rivera, Interim Director, West Florida Public Libraries, 239 N. Spring St., Pensacola, FL, 32502 or by email to cbrivera@mywfpl.com.
Resumes submitted to a BCC agenda for consideration will become part of the official minutes and are subject to public records requests.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs Top Ice Flyers (With Gallery)
December 7, 2025
The Ice Flyers hosted Youth Jersey Giveaway Night at the Hangar, facing off against the Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs for the second night in a row. The first period started the same as the previous night, with Roanoke scoring the lone goal of the opening frame. The Ice Flyers didn’t let that slow them down.
The second period was all Ice Flyers. Cam Gaudette evened the score just three minutes in, and Sam Rhodes took the lead later in the period. However, Roanoke capitalized on a hooking call and found the back of the net with a powerplay goal to tie things up heading into the third.
The game went into overtime, where Roanoke took advantage of another powerplay opportunity after Tyler German was called for high-sticking. Despite the overtime loss, the Ice Flyers came away with 3 out of a possible 4 points against the Rail Yard Dawgs in the two-game series and sit atop the standings with a point over the Evansville Thunderbolts.
The team now has a few days to prepare before taking on the Havoc on December 11 for College Night at the Hangar.
Tens of Thousands In Stolen Property Recovered After Search Warrant In Cantonment
December 6, 2025
Ten of thousands of dollar in stolen property was recovered after a search warrant was executed on a private road in Cantonment.
Christopher Odom, 47, was charged with a list of felony offenses, including dealing in stolen property, grand theft $20,000 to $100,000, burglary, using a two-way device to facilitate a felony, criminal mischief property damage $1,000 or more. He remains in the Escambia County Jail with bond due to a federal probation violation charge.
The investigation led the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office to Garman Road off Becks Lake Road, where they initially received a tip regarding an unrelated stolen tractor. While on the private property, investigators, who had the property owner’s permission to look around, located a utility trailer, a Honda outboard engine, and a Ford marine engine. A follow-up with the victim’s family confirmed these items, valued at thousands of dollars, had been stolen in a recent commercial burglary.
Odom was initially linked to the property at the Garman Road address. A witness statement later indicated that Christopher Odom had brought the utility trailer and a 17-foot Key West boat to the property around October 6.
After the initial recovery, investigators sought a search warrant for the Garman Road property, which was executed on October 21. Although the Key West boat was not found during the search—witnesses later indicated Christopher Odom had retrieved it days earlier—the continued investigation led detectives to another residence nearby.
At the second location, officers recovered the 17-foot Key West boat and a 30-foot enclosed Haulmark trailer. Inside the trailer, detectives found thousands of dollars in additional stolen property, including two Harley Davidson motorcycles, a washer and dryer, and a large toolbox with tools. The total value of recovered property from the overall investigation exceeds $34,000.
At another location on Kittrell Road in the Farm Hill community, deputies located items reported stolen from Gulf Beach Highway, including two Harley Davidson motorcycles, a washer and dryer, a window air conditioner, a toolbox and tools, a gas tiller, and assorted motorcycle parts, wheels, tires and engines.
Much of the property was reported stolen from a warehouse on Gulf Beach Highway.
Rain Chance Continues Into Sunday
December 6, 2025
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: A slight chance of showers between 9pm and 3am. Patchy fog after 11pm. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 46. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Sunday: A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly between noon and 3pm. Patchy fog before 7am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 62. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph.
Sunday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 48. Light and variable wind becoming north 5 to 10 mph after midnight. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Monday: Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 57. North wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 34. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 57. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 38. Calm wind.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 66. Light and variable wind becoming southwest 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 47. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 70.
Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 51.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 63.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 37.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 54.
No Serious Injuries Reported In Cantonment Crash
December 6, 2025
There were no serious injuries reported in a two-vehicle crash late Friday afternoon in Cantonment.
Two pickups collided near the intersection of Tate Road and Kingsfield Road about 4:45 p.m. One pickup came to a stop after running into a ditch, the other overturned into a ditch.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating and has not released the cause of the crash.
Escambia County EMS and Escambia County Fire Rescue also responded.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Reminder: Molino And Beulah Christmas Parades Rescheduled
December 6, 2025
Both the Molino and Beulah Christmas parades were rescheduled from today due to weather.
Molino Christmas Parade
The Molino Christmas Parade has been rescheduled for Saturday, December 13 at 11 a.m.
Parade Line up will be in a field at 4325 Crabtree Church Road at 10 a.m. Vehicles are $50, UTVs are $30, and horses are $20 each. No dirt bikes or ATVs are allowed. For more information, contact Kimberly King at Marcus Pointe, (850) 479-8337 ext. 136. To register online, click here. All proceeds from the parade, which is coordinated by Marcus Pointe Baptist Church Molino, will go to families in need in the North Escambia area.
Beulah Christmas Parade
The Beulah Christmas Parade has been rescheduled for noon on Saturday, December 20.
To enter the parade, click here to download the application. Return the completed form to the address or email provided at the top.
Pictured: The 2024 Beulah Christmas Parade. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Charges Dropped Against Man Previously Convicted In Ladarius Clardy
December 6, 2025
Charges have been dropped against one of the men convicted of the murder of Ladarius Clardy in 2021..
In August, an appeals court overturned the conviction of Da’Quavion Snowden after he claimed that the trial court made a mistake by denying motions to suppress his interviews with investigators following his arrest because his request for an attorney was ignored. The First District Court of Appeal agreed, reversing Snowden’s conviction and life sentence and sending the case back for retrial.
The appeals court ruled to exclude statements made by Snowden without an attorney, leaving the state unable to prove the case again.
Snowden was released from the Escambia County Jail early Friday afternoon.
Clardy, a former standout Pine Forest High School quarterback, was found shot dead in a vehicle crash about 1 a.m. on July 1, 2021. His vehicle was found with over 50 bullet holes after it crashed in a ravine. Authorities say the murder was a case of mistaken identity. Young was also shot in the incident and survived.
Da’Quavion Snowden’s brother, Amos Dehontiquan Snowden, was convicted of first-degree premeditated murder and received a mandatory life sentence.