Coffee Cup Clue Leads To Arrest Of Two Cantonment Men For Stealing $7,000 In Wire, Tools
March 26, 2026
Two men were arrested, thanks to a coffee cup, following a business burglary in Cantonment where 18 vehicles were entered and $7,000 in equipment and wire was stolen .
James Allen Casey, 46, and Michael Sheldon Lay II, 37, are both facing multiple charges including 18 counts of burglary of an unoccupied conveyance, grand theft, and trespassing.
According to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, the incident occurred early in the morning on March 19, 2026, at a Pike Electric supply and equipment yard on Becks Lake Road. A foreman at the facility reported that trail camera footage showed two subjects wearing camouflage walking onto the property and removing copper wire and tools.
Deputies determined that the suspects gained access to the yard by cutting a chain-link fence. Once inside, they allegedly broke into 18 trucks and stole approximately $6,000 worth of solid and stranded copper wire, a gas-powered drill valued at $500, and a chainsaw valued at $500.
Investigating deputies discovered a fresh coffee cup from a nearby convenience store on the trail used by the suspects. Surveillance video from Cumberland Farms at 392 North Highway 29 showed two men matching the descriptions from the trail camera—one in a camouflage jumpsuit and another in camouflage pants and a hat—purchasing coffee and leaving in a white Dodge Dakota. An image from Highway 29 and Tree Street also showed the same vehicle.
The vehicle was described as a Dodge Dakota with a white front end, white doors with brown or gold bottom, having a dark bed and black wheels.
Authorities later located the vehicle at a residence in Cantonment. Investigators used prior traffic stop records and driver’s license photos to positively identify both men.
Both suspects were booked into the Escambia County Jail with a bond set at $51,000 each.
Escambia Woman Gets 27 Years For Fatal Pensacola Beach DUI Crash
March 26, 2026
A 63-year-old Escambia County woman has been sentenced to 27 years in state prison for DUI manslaughter and vehicular homicide for a fatal crash on Pensacola Beach that claimed the life of a Texas man in June 2025.
Ann Passman Killough was driving a BMW SUV that rear-ended one of two motorcycles traveling east on Via De Luna Drive near Avenida 19 about 3:10 a.m., according to the Florida Highway Patrol. Troopers said the motorcycle was dragged for almost one block before she stopped.
The motorcyclist, a 28-year-old Frisco, Texas, man, was pronounced deceased on the scene.
Annual GCA & NRYO Spring Livestock Show Is Friday And Saturday
March 26, 2026
The next generation of agricultural leaders is preparing to step into the spotlight as the Gulf Coast Agriculture and Natural Resources Youth Organization (GCA & NRYO) hosts its Annual Spring Livestock Show this weekend.
The event kicks off Friday at 1 p.m. and continues Saturday, at 9 a.m. at the Escambia County 4-H Livestock Facility at 5701 Highway 99 near Molino.
This year’s showcase arrives amid a significant surge in interest. Organizers say the show has nearly doubled in size compared to previous years, a growth they believe reflects an increasing interest among youth in agriculture, livestock management, and hands-on learning experiences.
Visitors can expect to see a wide variety of livestock, including hogs, cattle, sheep, goats, poultry, and rabbits. For the exhibitors, the event is the culmination of months of early mornings and rigorous responsibility. Beyond the technical aspects of agricultural knowledge, organizers say the projects help local youth develop dedication and responsibility as they prepare their animals for judging.
The weekend is more than just a competition; organizers describe it as a “great opportunity for the community to come together and support the next generation of agricultural leaders.”
The festivities will conclude Saturday with a market animal auction. The auction allows community members to directly support the exhibitors, with proceeds designated to help the youth continue their agricultural education and invest in future projects.
The event is free and open to the public. Organizers are encouraging families and supporters to attend to celebrate hard work and learn more about the impact of local agriculture.
On Saturday, the event will be concurrently with the annual Blue Jacket Jamboree, which will be ongoing from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m with crafts, a car show, kids zone, egg drop (11 a.m.), and more. Admission is free.
NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Community Rallies To Support Injured Father Of Three; Here’s How To Help
March 26, 2026
March 2 was a day that turned the world upside down for RJ Bilbro and his wife Maegan of Molino.
RJ, the proud father of two young children with a third on the way, was at work as a roll-off dumpster truck driver for a private company at Escambia County’s Palafox Transfer Station when he was critically injured. He’s still in the hospital in Birmingham with injuries that will impact him for the rest of his life. He’s undergone multiple surgeries, almost every day since the accident.
“He’s improving a little more every day and continuing to make steady progress. We’re taking things one day at a time,” Maegan said Wednesday. “While there’s no exact release date yet, we’re hopeful he’s moving in the right direction.”
Maegan stepped away from work to be by RJ’s side in Birmingham. Maegan has not left his side, spending every night sleeping in a reclining chair in his hospital room so she can be there for him every moment.
With two boys, ages 2 and 4 at home with their grandparents, and baby girl Rylee due in late August, it’s been financially tough for the family.
A community diaper and wipes drive and a GoFundMe was created to benefit the family.
“The donations mean everything to our family right now. They help ease the financial stress so we can focus on his recovery and being together through this,” Maegan said. “We’re incredibly grateful for the support, prayers, and generosity; it truly makes a difference.”
Diapers and wipes to help them prepare for the new baby can be dropped off at the front counter at Back to the Rack Thrift Store at 433 South Highway 29 in Cantonment, Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. (just tell them it’s for the Bilbros) or CrossFaith Church at 5701 Highway 29, on Sundays from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. (look for the donation box).
To view and donate to the GoFundMe, click here.
Time Running Out To Sign Up For Ransom Middle Cheer ‘Egg My Yard’
March 26, 2026
ime is running out to sign up for the Ransom Middle School Cheerleaders Egg My Yard fundraiser.
Order candy-filled eggs to be hidden in your yard on the night before Easter. Additional options include delivery or pick up at Ransom. Deliveries to Nine Mile Road and north only.
Packages:
- 25 eggs – $20
- 50 eggs – $35
- 100 eggs – $50
Ordering closes on March 27, or when sold out. Checks should be payable to Ransom Middle.
To sign up or for more information, click here.
Of note, the Tate High School cheerleaders are not holding an Egg My Yard fundraiser this year.
Warm and Sunny Finish To The Work Week
March 26, 2026
High pressure will dominate the region over the next few days, bringing a warm and mostly sunny end to the work week with highs climbing into the mid-80s. A dry cold front is expected to move through Friday night, ushering in a noticeably cooler and breezier weekend with clear skies. Pleasant, spring-like conditions continue into early next week as temperatures gradually trend back toward the 80s.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Thursday: Gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 83. Light and variable wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon.
Thursday Night: Patchy fog after 1am. Otherwise, increasing clouds, with a low around 59. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Friday: Patchy fog before 9am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 85. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 58. West wind 5 to 10 mph becoming north after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 75. North wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 55. North wind around 10 mph becoming east after midnight.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 74. East wind around 10 mph.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 56. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 77.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 56.
Freshmen Baseball: WFHS Defeats Tate
March 26, 2026
West Florida 5, Tate 1 (Freshmen)
TheWest Florida High School Freshmen Jaguars defeated the Tate Aggies 5-1 on Wednesday night.
Chandler Goins earned the win for West Florida Freshmen, giving up one hit on one unearned run in six innings, walking three and striking out eight. Brayden Luciano took the loss for Tate, giving up four runs (three earned) on six hits in five innings, walking two and striking out one.
Goins, Carson Howell, and Griffin King each had two hits for the Jaguar freshmen. Goins and Chase Gilmore each recorded one RBI.
Jackson Turner went 1–2 with one RBI for the Freshmen Aggies.
Escambia SWAT Team Takes Barricaded Suspect Into Custody
March 25, 2026
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office SWAT team took a barricaded man into custody on Wednesday morning.
ECSO said 34-year-old Seveyon DaQuon Richardson barricaded himself inside a residence at Pace Boulevard and Belmont Street after deputies arrived to serve felony warrants.
Richardson had outstanding warrants for burglary with property damage, multiple counts of criminal mischief, firing a weapon, aggravated battery, a weapons offense, and possession of a weapon by a convicted felon.
Richardson has an extensive criminal history, including 10 prior misdemeanor and seven felony convictions, with charges ranging from battery, theft, burglary, aggravated assault, aggravated battery, fleeing and eluding, drug offenses, and weapon violations, and is facing additional charges related to items found in his possession during the incident.
Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Walnut Hill Woman Charged For Alleged Facebook Death Threat Over Mutual ‘Baby Daddy’
March 25, 2026
A Walnut Hill woman is facing a felony charge after allegedly posting online threats to kill or cause bodily harm to another woman who shares the same “baby daddy.”
According to a Pensacola Police Department warrant affidavit, officers responded to a harassment complaint on June 17, 2024. The victim reported that 41-year-old Kizzi Sherae Graham had been making threatening posts on Facebook.
On Monday, Graham was arrested on an outstanding warrant, charging her with one felony count of written or electronic threats to kill or do bodily injury. She remained in the Escambia County Jail Wednesday morning with bond set at $10,000.
Investigators state the dispute began over a social media post involving a mutual “baby daddy.” Graham allegedly posted threats to “drag,” “beat,” and “put hands on” the victim at her place of employment. One post, which remained visible to police, explicitly warned the victim to “be ready” the next time they crossed paths, the affidavit states.
The victim provided screenshots of the messages to law enforcement as evidence.
Tate High Ag Student Completes 54-Hour Custom Fire Pit Build By Hand
March 25, 2026
Tate High School senior Ian Stinnett recently completed a custom hanging fire pit, finishing the 54-hour project entirely by hand in the school’s agricultural mechanics shop.
While many modern shop projects utilize the Torchmate CNC machine for automated precision, this specific design required manual fabrication. Working under the supervision of Ag Mechanics teacher and FFA advisor Travis Ackerson, Stinnett used a plasma cutter, MIG welder, and angle grinder to cut and join every component.
The project required manual measurements and steady-hand cutting for each piece. Stinnett also had to manually level the pit using a chain system to ensure the finished product hung evenly.
The project highlighted the technical problem-solving and manual craftsmanship taught within the Tate agricultural program, particularly when automated equipment is not an option for a specific build.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.