Flomaton Council Votes To Name Justin Hetrick As Permanent Police Chief
December 16, 2025
The Town of Flomaton has hired a new police chief.
The town council voted unanimously during a Monday night special meeting to promote interim Chief Justin Hetrick to Flomaton police chief.
Hetrick said transparency and community engagement will be crucial to his administration with the department, which has seven certified officers.
After serving since May 2024, Dereck Lowry resigned as police chief on December 5. On December 8, the council stopped short of promoting then-captain Hetrick as police chief at Mayor Arthur Odom’s recommendation.The council instead appointed Hetrick as interim chief and set the Monday, December 15 special meeting to interview Hetrick.
For more photos from Monday night’s meeting, click here.
Monday night, only council members Roger Adkinson and Kay Wagner asked Hetrick any questions before the vote.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
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No Serious Injuries Reported In Walnut Hill Highway 97 T-Bone Crash
December 16, 2025
There were no serious injuries in a T-bone crash Monday afternoon on Highway 97 in Walnut Hill.
The driver of a silver SUV reportedly pulled out of the parking lot of a Dollar General on Highway 97 at South Highway 99 and was struck by a white vehicle, according to witnesses. Both vehicles came to a stop in a field across the road from the Dollar General.
Both drivers initially refused transport by Escambia County EMS.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
One Injured In Cantonment Wreck When SUV Rear-Ends Tractor Trailer
December 16, 2025
One person was injured when they crashed their SUV into the rear of a tractor-trailer hauling a shipping container Monday afternoon on Becks Lake Road.
The crash occurred just before 1:30 p.m. near the railroad tracks, just east of the Highway 29 intersection. The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour and reader submitted photos, click to enlarge.
Free Cantonment, Farm Hill Neighborhood Cleanup Set For Wednesday
December 16, 2025
A neighborhood cleanup for residents in Cantonment and Farm Hill are will take place Wednesday, December 17. This is a chance for residents to dispose of items such as old furniture, appliances and household waste free of charge.
The cleanup was originally scheduled for Wednesday, October 15 and was rescheduled to Wednesday, December 17.
Only residents in the designated cleanup area can participate in the neighborhood cleanup. Items for pickup should be at the curb by 7 a.m. on Wednesday. Items left at the curb outside of the cleanup area will not be collected. (Click map above to enlarge.)
Items eligible for removal include:
- Household appliances and electronics
- Household junk and debris
- Bicycles and toys
- Old furniture and mattresses
- Barbecue grills
- Household hazardous waste (old paint, motor oil, chemicals, batteries)
- Tires (limit 10 per household)
- Yard debris (tree cuttings, branches, etc.)
Items NOT eligible for removal include:
- Building materials (concrete, bricks, blocks, roofing, drywall or lumber)
- Explosives or ammunition
- Auto parts
- Dirt or sod
- Vehicles or vessels
- 55-gallon drums of fluids
For questions,contact Escambia County Neighborhood and Human Services at (850) 595-3130.
Since 2016, more than 7,435 tons (16,393,574 pounds) of waste have been disposed of through the Community Redevelopment Agency’s Safe Neighborhood Program. During neighborhood cleanups, crew members and volunteers visit different neighborhoods in the county to remove a variety of debris and waste free of charge.