Molino Utilities Issues Boil Water Notice For Highway 97; Molino Park Students Provided Bottled Water
October 23, 2025
UPDATE: This boil water notice was lifted Saturday morning.
Molino Utilities has issued a precautionary boil water notice is in effect for a portion of Highway 97, including Molino Park Elementary School, following the repair of a broken water main.
Escambia County Public Schools said portable toilets were made available to students during a period of no water on Thursday, and bottled water has been provided for drinking.
The boil water notice is in effect for Molino Utilities customers on Highway 97 North of Crabtree Church Road to Abromovich Lane.
Precautionary boil water notices are issued as a part of the standard protocol following any loss of water pressure, whether as a result of planned maintenance activities or unscheduled repairs.
Residents located in the specified area are advised to boil water for one minute at a rolling boil or to use eight drops of regular unscented household bleach per gallon of water, for water to be used for drinking or cooking purposes. Two independent bacteriological samples have been initiated and the advisory will be lifted as soon as possible.
Residents within the area and nearby are advised that there is a possibility of discolored water as a result of the utility work, and to flush their home’s plumbing by running their taps for a few minutes.
This story will be updated when the boil water notice is lifted.
FDLE: 13 Arrested In Online Operation Targeting Child Predators
October 23, 2025
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement and partner agencies arrested 13 suspects during an online child sexual predator operation.
The five-day online operation targeted predators who were engaging in sexually explicit and harmful communication with minors, transmitting child sexual abuse material, and arranging to meet a minor for sexual activity.
The operation was conducted by inspectors, agents and analysts with FDLE and the Florida Highway Patrol, Florida Department of Agriculture, Homeland Security Investigations, Naval Criminal Investigative Service, United States Marshals Service, Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office, Gulf Breeze Police Department, Marion County Sheriff’s Office, and the Lake City Police Department.
The following suspects were charged:
- Nicholas Beech, 27, of Eight Mile, AL
- Charges: seduce, solicit, lure, or entice a minor to engage in sexual conduct; travel to meet a minor for sexual activity; use of a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony; transmission of harmful material to a minor
- Marshall Blansett, 39, of Pensacola
- Charges: seduce, solicit, lure, or entice a minor to engage in sexual conduct; travel to meet a minor for sexual activity; use of a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony, transmission of harmful material to a minor
- Duran Brown, 18, of Pensacola
- Charges: seduce, solicit, lure, or entice a minor to engage in sexual conduct; travel to meet a minor for sexual activity; use of a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony
- Royce Cromer, 39, of Pensacola
- Charges: seduce, solicit, lure, or entice a minor to engage in sexual conduct; travel to meet a minor for sexual activity; use of a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony
- Micah Costner, 18, of Gulf Shores, AL
- Charges: seduce, solicit, lure, or entice a minor to engage in sexual conduct; travel to meet a minor for sexual activity; use of a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony
- Christopher Glover, 47, of Grand Bay, AL
- Charges: seduce, solicit, lure, or entice a minor to engage in sexual conduct; travel to meet a minor for sexual activity; use of a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony; transmission of harmful material to a minor, resisting arrest without violence
- David Girard, 70, of Robertsdale, AL
- Charges: seduce, solicit, lure, or entice a minor to engage in sexual conduct; travel to meet a minor for sexual activity; use of a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony
- Noah Kimmons, 19, of Pensacola,
- Charges: seduce, solicit, lure, or entice a minor to engage in sexual conduct; travel to meet a minor for sexual activity; use of a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony
- William Pierce, 52, of Pensacola
- Charges: transmission of harmful material to a minor, use of a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony, promoting the sexual performance by a child
- Robby Robertson, 47, of Beulah
- Charges: seduce, solicit, lure, or entice a minor to engage in sexual conduct; travel to meet a minor for sexual activity; use of a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony
- Ricardo Del Rosario, 38, of Pensacola
- Charges: seduce, solicit, lure, or entice a minor to engage in sexual conduct; travel to meet a minor for sexual activity; use of a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony
- Ranger Shindle, 19, of Crestview
- Charges: seduce, solicit, lure, or entice a minor to engage in sexual conduct; travel to meet a minor for sexual activity; use of a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony; transmission of harmful material to a minor
- Chad Wren, 56, of Beulah
- Charges: seduce, solicit, lure, or entice a minor to engage in sexual conduct; travel to meet a minor for sexual activity; use of a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony
As we previously reported, Wren was a custodian at Blue Angel Elementary School and resigned the day of his arrest.
FDLE said the investigation remains active and ongoing.
Additionally, FDLE and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office conducted a three-day enforcement operation focused on verifying the residential addresses of registered sexual offenders and sexual predators. During the initiative, contact was made with 130 registrants residing within Escambia County. The investigation also remains ongoing.
Pictured: (L-R, top row) Blansett, Brown, Comer, (second row) Costner, Girard, Pierce, (third row) Robertson, Shindle, Wren. Other mugshots were not available from the Escambia County Jail at time of publication.
Former Ernest Ward Middle Bookkeeper Sentenced For Grand Theft
October 23, 2025
A former Ernest Ward Middle School bookkeeper has been sentenced for embezzling over $50,000 in cash from the school and its student organizations.
Lindsey Dawn Kelley of McDavid, now age 42, was arrested in October 2024 charged with grand theft, scheme to defraud and false entry in books of business for the alleged thefts from Ernest Ward. The scheme to defraud and false entry in books of business charges were dismissed by prosecutors, according to court records.
On Wednesday, Kelley was convicted of grand theft and sentenced by Judge Amy Brodersen to 120 days in the county jail to be followed by five years probation. She was remanded into custody and booked into the Escambia County Jail.
She was ordered to perform 50 hours of community service, undergo a mental health evaluation and follow through on any treatment recommendations, take an anti-theft course, complete a financial literacy course, and seek or maintain full-time employment or be a full time student.
She was also ordered to not handle money or finances for any business or organization, and pay $518 in court costs along with probation costs.
According to court records, Kelley paid $52,278.98 in restitution on September 2 as part of a plea deal. Under the plea arrangement, jail time was capped at a maximum of 180 days, and the school district made no objection to a sentence of probation only if restitution was made.
Ernest Ward Theft Allegations
According to investigators, Kelley stole cash collected by school organizations over a 13-month period.
She quit her bookkeeping job at the school in Walnut Hill before the first week of the 2024-2025 school year following her arrest on the unrelated credit card fraud and grand theft charges that have now been dropped.
That prompted Principal Tyvanna Boulanger to request the Escambia County School District complete an internal audit of the school’s bookkeeping and financial records.
According to an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office arrest report, Kelley collected $52,278.98 in cash from various organizations at Ernest Ward that was stolen between July 1, 2023, and August 30, 2024.
- Change Fund-$300
- FFA-$4,047.50
- Honor Society – $310
- Shop- $650
- Volleyball/basketball – $4,001.65
- Cheer – $28,192.34
- SGA/track – $850
- Football – $200
- Band – $1,840
- Library/yearbook/drama – $4,670.49
- Culinary-$865
- 6th grade- $1,786
- 8th grade – $2,756
- 7th grade- $1,810
“It should be noted that this amount does not reflect any money stolen from Earnest Ward Middle School prior to July 1, 2023,” the arrest report states.
The report states that in the school year before Kelley was hired as a bookkeeper at EWMS, the school deposited $82,475.24 in cash for school organizations. The report notes after Kelly was hired as school finance specialist in August 2020, cash deposits were as follow:
- 2019-2020 – $46,736.28 cash deposited
- 2020-2021 – $23,270.08 cash deposited
- 2021-2022 – $29,782.46 cash deposited
- 2022-2023 – $18,733.64 cash deposited
- 2023-2024 -No Cash Deposited
The school district told investigators that Kelley was audited in the 2022-2023 school year and the audit noted that Kelley had a “lack of organization led to several issues, the most severe of which was the inability to locate entire records for deposits and receipts.” Kelley has not been charged with any school related crime that occurred prior to July 1, 2023.
Kelley was interviewed by ECSO investigators on October 23, 2024.
“One at a time, we spoke with teachers/sponsors of the different school organizations who had given cash to Kelley during the previous school year for their organizations,” an investigator reported. “There was zero cash deposited to the school’s bank account during the 2023-2024 school year so all cash that was given to Kelley is now missing.”
“Immediately upon beginning the interview, Kelley stated that she took the money. Kelley did not know the amount of money that she had taken because she had taken it over time and did not keep track of it,” the ECSO report states. Deputies said the money was deposited in her credit union account or added to a GreenDot account.
“I advised Kelley of the amounts stolen from each team/organization and that the total amount stolen for the 2023-2024 school year adds up to $52,278.98,” the investigator wrote in his report. “While surprised, Kelley did not disagree with that amount and advised that if that was the amount that had been determined, then that was the amount that she had stolen. When asked about the balance statements for the teams/organizations, she admitted to editing them on an Adobe program so that they wouldn’t discover the low balances of the accounts. At the conclusion of the interview, Kelley advised that she was remorseful and would never do something like this again.”
In addition, school administration alleged that all documents, such as purchase orders, money collected forms, along with receiving invoices and documents, were missing.
- Change Fund-$300
- FFA-$4,047.50
- Honor Society – $310
- Shop- $650
- Volleyball/basketball – $4,001.65
- Cheer – $28,192.34
- SGA/track – $850
- Football – $200
- Band – $1,840
- Library/yearbook/drama – $4,670.49
- Culinary-$865
- 6th grade- $1,786
- 8th grade – $2,756
- 7th grade- $1,810
Charges Dropped In Unrelated Arrest
In an unrelated case, Kelley was charged with petit theft, grand theft, fraudulent use of a credit card over $300, and fraudulent use of a credit card two or more times to obtain goods over $100 for the alleged fraudulent use of her uncle’s debit card while he was away at rehab. In July, the charges were dropped because the victim declined to prosecute, according to court documents.
Sunny, About 80 For Thursday
October 23, 2025
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 49. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph after midnight.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 82. East wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 53. East wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high near 80. Southeast wind around 10 mph.
Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 61. East wind 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday: A chance of showers before 10am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 10am and 1pm, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 74. East wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Sunday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
Monday: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 79. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon.
Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers after 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 57. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday: A 20 percent chance of showers after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 77.
Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 54.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 73.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 47.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 68.
Century Dollar General Manager Charged With Grand Theft
October 23, 2025
The manager of a Dollar General in Century has has been charged with stealing deposits totaling almost $8,000.
Dollar General Loss Prevention reported to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office that store manager Casey Leigh Rice failed to turn in two days of deposits. Dollar General reported that deposits of $$5,514.13 and another for $2,485.65 for October 2 and October 4 were recovered from her purse, according to an arrest report. The Dollar General loss prevention employee told deputies that Rice has admitted to stealing the deposits in a written statement. The total amount allegedly stolen by Rice was $7,999.78.
Rice told deputies that she “has been struggling with money, because her car broke down”, the arrested report states. Her additional statements were redacted from the report.
Rice was charged with felony grand theft between $5,000 and $10,000. She was later released from the Escambia County Jail on a $5,000 bond.
According to the ECSO report, Rice was manager of the Dollar General at 7731 North Century Boulevard, near Highway 4A
Farm Share Food Distribution Saturday In Century
October 23, 2025
Northwest Florida Community Outreach will hold their annual fall Farm Share food distribution on Saturday, October 25 in Century.
The food distribution will take place from 9 a.m. until 10 a.m., or while supplies last, at 150 East Pond Street. Recipients must be in line by 10 a.m.
File photo.
5-Year-Old Critically Injured After Being Hit By Pickup Truck
October 23, 2025
A 5-year-old boy was critically injured when he was struck by a pickup truck Wednesday night in Escambia County.
The Florida Highway Patrol said the incident occurred about 8:56 p.m. on West Michigan Avenue near Valley Escondido Drive. Troopers said the child was standing in the right lane when he was struck by a pickup truck driven by a 63-year-old Pensacola man.
The child was transported to an area hospital in critical condition.
The driver of the pickup truck was not injured. FHP said he will not face charges.
Troopers did not say why the child was in the roadway.
Lipscomb Elementary Students Rock The 50th Day Of School
October 23, 2025
This week, students at Lipscomb Elementary School celebrated the 50th day of the school year by dressing up like it was the 1950s.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Free Rabies Vaccine Clinic To Be Held In Escambia County
October 23, 2025
The Escambia County Department of Animal Welfare and the Florida Department of Health in Escambia County will hold a free drive-through rabies vaccine clinic for dogs and cats Saturday, November 1.
The clinic will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Escambia County Central Office Complex, at 3363 West Park Place.
This free event is open to Escambia County residents only, with valid photo identification required upon arrival. Free microchips for dogs and cats will also be available during the clinic, courtesy of Pensacola Humane Society. All dogs and cats must be secured in the vehicle to receive a rabies vaccine and a microchip. Vaccines and microchips are available while supplies last.
Escambia County residents are required to vaccinate any dogs and cats four months or older against rabies by a licensed veterinarian. Rabies vaccines are required annually, and proof of vaccination is required to obtain a county animal license.
Thomas Flournoy Helms
October 23, 2025
Thomas Flournoy Helms, 96, of Molino, passed peacefully into the nearer presence of God on Friday evening, October 17th.
Born November 7th, 1928 to William and Myrtya Helms, Tom grew up surrounded by family and friends in Molino. Despite the struggles of the Great Depression and subsequent war years, his childhood and youth were blessed by many happy seasons exploring the Escambia River—swimming, camping, hunting, and most especially, fishing with his grandfather. While still a small boy, thrilled by the sight of Navy trainers overhead, Tom fell in love with the very idea of flying. He built countless planes—from balsa wood gliders to scale models to remote control planes of his own design.
This boyhood enthusiasm for aviation continued throughout his years at Pensacola High School and was eclipsed only when he fell in love more deeply with beautiful Margaret Presley whom he married in 1949. Together, they raised a family of three children and created a welcoming country home that has been a place of joy and delight for many. The couple shared their devotion to each other and their family for seventy-two years until Margaret’s passing in 2021.
Throughout his life, Tom was an active member of the Methodist Church, beginning at Molino Methodist, then Aldersgate United Methodist, and finally for over fifty years in First United Methodist Church of Pensacola. He was a member of the Cantonment Rotary Club, a founding member of the Molino Mid-County Historical Society, and for over seventy-five years a member of the Masonic order.
As an administrator in the paper manufacturing firms of St. Regis and Champion, Tom was respected for his principled commitment to honesty, fairness, and hard work. His keen and inquisitive mind, his willingness to learn and adapt, and his loyalty to his own deepest ideals grew only stronger as he aged. At fifty, he finally realized his boyhood dream and became a pilot. Some of his happiest days were spent flying with Margaret to visit family and friends across the country. Although a heart attack at age seventy ended his flying, he once again piloted a plane on his ninetieth birthday, doing three take-offs and landings and soaring over the bays and beaches of Pensacola.
Tom loved people and enjoyed sharing his interests with others—travel, good food, golf, music-making, carpentry, boating, and perhaps most of all, the simple pleasure of sitting on a patio, breathing the sweet air, and visiting with friends and family.
A strong and courageous man, a loving husband, father, grandfather, uncle, mentor and friend, Tom’s life and the blessings he has brought to so many will be celebrated for years to come, most gratefully by his family: Marjan Helms, Thomas Helms, Jr., Kathy Helms Starkey, Ron Starkey, and Brian and Trish Starkey.