Jay Man Charged With 15 Counts Of Animal Cruelty; 53 Animals Seized (((((((( UNBLUR )))))
February 5, 2026
A Jay man has been charged with animal cruelty after dozens of animals were seized from his farm, at least one of which was euthanized.
Charles Robert Higbee, age 54 of Bell Creek Road, was charged with 10 counts of felony aggravated animal cruelty and five additional misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty.
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement (OALE) and Santa Rosa County Animal Control investigated severe neglect on a farm owned by Higbee.
OALE said investigators discovered emaciated cattle and goats without food or water, poultry starving in filthy pens, and a longhorn cow trapped in a hole. The longhorn was later euthanized due to extreme suffering.
In total, 53 animals were seized:
- 12 cattle
- 31 poultry
- 6 goats
- 1 sheep
- 3 equine
Five poultry carcasses were also located.
Veterinary exams confirmed severe malnutrition and dehydration, investigators said.
Higbee was released from the Santa Rosa County Jail on a $55,000 bond.
Jay Man Charged With 15 Counts Of Animal Cruelty; 53 Animals Seized
February 5, 2026
A Jay man has been charged with animal cruelty after dozens of animals were seized from his farm, at least one of which was euthanized.
Charles Robert Higbee, age 54 of Bell Creek Road, was charged with 10 counts of felony aggravated animal cruelty and five additional misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty.
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement (OALE) and Santa Rosa County Animal Control investigated severe neglect on a farm owned by Higbee.
OALE said investigators discovered emaciated cattle and goats without food or water, poultry starving in filthy pens, and a longhorn cow trapped in a hole. The longhorn was later euthanized due to extreme suffering.
In total, 53 animals were seized:
- 12 cattle
- 31 poultry
- 6 goats
- 1 sheep
- 3 equine
Five poultry carcasses were also located.
Veterinary exams confirmed severe malnutrition and dehydration, investigators said.
Higbee was released from the Santa Rosa County Jail on a $55,000 bond.
Century Residents Lash Out At Town Council Over Garbage Hikes And Service Issues
February 5, 2026
Numerous residents expressed displeasure about the Town of Century’s new solid waste program and other utilities at a town council meeting this week.
The town’s new solid waste provider will collect two cans per week — one for garbage and one for yard waste — at a rate that is $10.47 more than charged by Republic Services, the previous provider.
For additional photos, click here.
“I heard I got to pay another extra $10; I don’t have no garbage,” Sim Brown of Hadley Street said. “I live by myself; I could use a five-gallon bucket to put my stuff in. I ain’t got nothing to throw away but egg shells and coffee grounds. I don’t have no garbage, but I still got to pay that money every month.”
Another resident, Albert Johnson, told the council that he’s 80 years old and can’t get out to pick up yard debris. “Y’all can come get both of them for my part,” he said of his waste cans. “I don’t need them.”
“It’s really pissing me off,” Tangla Ivory of East Pond Street said, “because it’s like how you make me pay for something I am not going to use?”
RELATED: Century Explains $10.47 Per Month Garbage Rate Increase
There were several complaints about new Waste Pro cans being smaller, but Town Clerk Carrie Moore said the cans are in fact the same 90-gallon capacity as used by Republic Services.
Other residents complained about wildly fluctuating water bills and billing periods, and bills that don’t arrive in the mail until right at the due date. Another resident complained about sand in the water system causing problems with dishwashers and plumbing fixtures.
There were additional complaints from residents that feel they are spoken down to, even chastised, by town employees when they call for assistance with utility and billing issues.
“You guys are taking my money and making money with my money,” another resident said, complaining that he made a $180 utility deposit in 2018 and it was refunded by check when he disconnected services recently. He said he wanted cash, like he paid, not a check, and he wanted interest for the time the town held his money.
The council took no official actions after hearing the citizen complaints.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Woman Charged After Allegedly Threatening Child’s Father with Knife
February 5, 2026
A Cantonment woman was arrested following a domestic disturbance involving a knife at a residence on Hicks Street.
Latoya Ann Allen, 54, was taken into custody after a witness reported she was being aggressive and hitting the father of her child. According to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Allen allegedly threatened the man with a knife while in close proximity, placing him in fear of violence. The victim and Allen have lived together for approximately six months and share a child.
The incident prompted a response from multiple deputies who arrived with lights and sirens because Allen was believed to be armed. Upon arrival, a deputy located the victim in the yard of the home. The victim then granted law enforcement consent to enter the residence, where they found Allen sitting in a chair. While she was unarmed at the time contact was made, she was immediately detained and placed in a patrol car.
Allen was charged with felony aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and misdemeanor battery. Both charges were designated as domestic violence. She remained in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $7,500.
The victim was not injured and declined medical treatment.
$6.3 Million In Grants Available To Support Florida’s Forests
February 5, 2026
Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson and the Florida Forest Service has announced a total of $6.3 million is now available to Florida landowners through two cost-share programs. Florida’s Future Forests Program and the Enhancing Gulf Waters Through Forested Watershed Restoration (RESTORE) Program aim to improve forest health and water quality by promoting tree planting and timber stand improvement practices that help ensure the long-term viability of Florida’s forestlands. Applications for both programs will be accepted until March 27, 2026.
“Florida’s forests are some of our most valuable natural assets – protecting water quality, supporting wildlife, and fueling an industry that supports thousands of jobs,” said Simpson. “These programs are a significant long-term investment for the state and will help maintain and preserve Florida’s forests and natural resources for future generations.”
Florida’s Future Forests Program is open to non-industrial, private landowners, local governments, and registered nonprofit organizations. Interested applicants should contact their Florida Forest Service County Forester to initiate the application process. Applicants may request funding for tree establishment practices on a minimum of 10 acres and up to 250 acres. To learn more, visit FDACS.gov/FutureForests. The deadline for application submission is 3 p.m. EST on March 27, 2026.
“Private lands make up the majority of Florida’s forestlands, and these funds will help landowners reestablish forests, improving water quality and enhancing overall forest health,” said Florida Forest Service Director Rick Dolan.
Since 2021, the Florida Legislature has appropriated approximately $18 million for this program. These funds have already been used to create over 50,000 acres of healthy forests in Florida.
An additional $2.3 million is available through the RESTORE Landowner Incentive Program. These funds are available to non-industrial private landowners, local governments, and registered nonprofit organizations located within specific priority watersheds. This program includes reforestation, prescribed burning, first pulpwood thinning, mechanical underbrush treatment, and chemical underbrush treatment, for practices on a minimum of 10 acres up to 250 acres. For more information, visit FDACS.gov/Restore. The application deadline is 3 p.m. EST on March 27, 2026.
Pictured: The Florida Forest Service’s Molino Forestry Station located on Highway 29. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Clear Skies and Sunny Days Forecasted Through Sunday
February 5, 2026
Temperatures are set to rebound after a chilly start to the week. A cold morning on Thursday will give way to a significant warming trend, with afternoon highs climbing from the low 50s today to the mid-70s by early next week. Dry and sunny conditions will dominate the weekend, though a slight chance of showers returns by next Wednesday.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 51. Wind chill values between 25 and 35 early. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Thursday Night: Clear, with a low around 33. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming southwest after midnight.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 65. West wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday Night: Clear, with a low around 42. West wind 5 to 10 mph becoming north after midnight.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 62. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday Night: Clear, with a low around 34. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 67. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the morning.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 45. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 73.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 51.
Tuesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 74.
Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 56.
Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 75.
Mark Your Calendars: MILO, The Mobile ID And Licensing Office, Is Coming To Century
February 5, 2026
The Escambia County Tax Collector’s Mobile Identification and Licensing Office (MILO) will be in Century on February 19 and April 16 from 9:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. at the Billy G. Ward Courthouse.
MILO offers a convenient way for residents to access essential tax collector services, including:
- Driver License Services: Renewals, replacements, out-of-state license conversions/reciprocations, and address/name changes.
- Identification Cards: First-time issuance and renewals.
- Vehicle Services: Registration renewals and replacements, title transfers, and parking placards.
- Tax Payments: Property tax payments.
- Business Tax Receipts: Applications and renewals.
- Certified Driver Transcripts
Written and driving tests are not available at the MILO unit.
This initiative aims to bring services to areas of Escambia County that may have limited access to traditional tax collector offices, particularly during disaster recovery or for residents in assisted living facilities, community centers, and correctional facilities.
Florida drivers may renew their vehicle registrations for a period of one or two years and may renew up to three months in advance of the registration expiration. Vehicle registrations expire at midnight on the first owner’s birth date unless the owner is a business.
Pictured: The Escambia County Tax Collector’s MILO at the Billy G. Ward Courthouse in Century. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
County Seeking Applications for Affordable Housing Advisory Committee
February 5, 2026
The Escambia County Board of County Commissioners is soliciting applications for persons interested to serve as a representative to the Escambia-Pensacola Affordable Housing Advisory Committee for the term April 2026 through Dec. 31, 2029. All applications must be received no later than 3 p.m. on Friday, March 6 for consideration..
The Board is seeking to fill seven slots with citizens actively involved from he following categories:
- residential home building industry in connection with affordable housing.
- banking or mortgage banking industry in connection with affordable housing.
- representative of those areas of labor actively engaged in home building in connection with affordable housing.
- advocate for low-income persons in connection with affordable housing.
- for-profit provider of affordable housing.
- not-for-profit provider of affordable housing.
- real estate professional in connection with affordable housing.
- local planning agency pursuant to Florida Statutes, Sec. 163.3174.
- resides within the jurisdiction of the local governing body making the appointments.
- represents employers within the jurisdiction.
- represents essential services personnel, as defined in the local housing assistance plan.
The AHAC must have at least eight and no more than 11 members representing at least six categories identified in the statute.
The committee will meet monthly during review and development of the affordable housing incentives and the new LHAP and at least quarterly thereafter. Members will serve three-year terms unless a position is filled mid three-year cycle. Positions will be recommended to the board for approval in May.
Citizens interested in serving should complete an application available online here, or request a form via email at NED@myescambia.com. Completed applications should be forwarded to:
Escambia County Neighborhood & Human Services Department
Neighborhood Enterprise Division/AHAC
Attn: Garett R. Griffin
221 Palafox Place, Suite 200
Pensacola, FL. 32502.
Jay Boil Water Notice Lifted
February 4, 2026
UPDATE: A precautionary boil water notice for the entire town of Jay was lifted Wednesday afternoon, February 4.
On Sunday, Town of Jay Utilities issued a precautionary boil water notice for its entire town water system after its water wells were shut down for a leak repair.
The town experienced a weather-related water main break on an old pipe that could not be isolated from the rest of the water system, according to Town Manager Eric Seib. By 9 p.m., both water wells had returned to service, and water pressure was expected to return by about 10 p.m. Bacteriological tests were conducted Monday and Tuesday, both with clean results.
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.
FDLE Charges McDavid Man With 14 Sex Offender Violations After Search Warrant
February 4, 2026
A McDavid man was arrested last week on 14 sex offender violations when the Florida Department of Law Enforcement served a search warrant at a Highway 164 home.
As we previously reported, Daquan Eric Ball, 22, was arrested at the home in the 100 block of Highway 164, about one-third of a mile west of Highway 29, shortly after 7 a.m. on January 28. He was charged with 14 counts of failure of a sexual offender to report an email address or internet identifier. Ball remains in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $35,000.
In October 2018, Ball was adjudicated as a juvenile for sexual battery on a victim under 12 in a Santa Rosa County case.
For additional photos from the service of the search warrant, click here.
During the search warrant execution at the home, state agents seized Ball’s cell phone. FDLE said a preliminary forensic analysis revealed Ball had 14 unreported email addresses and internet identifiers, including TikTok, Discord, Adult Friend Finder and FeetFinder.com accounts.
FDLE said the investigation remains active.
Numerous FDLE agents were seen entering and exiting the small 1,500-square-foot single family home, and around campers located on the property. Before the operation, the agents gathered on Main Street in McDavid, across from the Post Office, to organize and prepare.
FDLE said the arrest is the result of the agency’s statewide initiative to locate and arrest criminals targeting children and sharing files depicting the sexual abuse of children.
Pictured: The Florida Department of Law Enforcement served a search warrant on Highway 164 in McDavid on January 28. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge. Pictured small inset above: FDLE gathered with its Bearcat tactical vehicle across from the McDavid Post Office to prepare for the operation (reader submitted photo from the post office).
