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Man Convicted Fatally Shooting Cantonment Man In Lounge Parking Lot Faces Up To 30 Years

A man faces up to 30 years when he is sentenced this week for the fatal shooting a Cantonment man in the summer of 2023 at a Pensacola lounge.

Michael Andrew Rodriguez, now 40, was originally charged with second degree murder but was convicted by an Escambia County jury of a lesser offense of manslaughter.

Rodriguez could be sentenced to up to 30 years in prison on Wednesday by Judge John Simon on the lessor manslaughter conviction. The maximum penalty for the original second-degree murder charge was life in prison.

He shot victim Damon Caldwell in the neck at Sam’s Lounge on Old Corry Field Road on July 21, 2023. Video surveillance showed a confrontation between Rodriguez and Caldwell outside the lounge before Rodriguez draws a firm and shoots Caldwell, who falls to the ground. Rodriguez then backs away, firing multiple additional shots toward the crowd near Caldwell. Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputies noted in their report that Caldwell never presented a firearm or any other weapon and did not utilize any other form of deadly force against Rodriguez.

Rodriguez later contacted law enforcement and told deputies that he planned to turn himself in, but he failed to do so. The ECSO tracked Rodriguez him and arrested him, as he told them he “knew he messed up”.

An Escambia County woman is awaiting trial and an accessory after the fact for allegedly helping Rodriguez, her boyfriend, after the shooting. According to investigators, Deomi Polyzos drove to the lounge and picked Rodriquez up after the murder before making stops” presumably to dispose of evidence/the firearm utilized”, an arrest report states.

FHP Charges Man With Molino Driveway Hit And Run

The Florida Highway Patrol has charged a Cantonment man in connection with a hit-and-run troopers say was intentional that left a man injured while standing in his driveway on February 6.

Cody Lee Castleberry, 37, was charged with reckless driving and felony hit-and-run involving an injury.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the crash occurred around 10:20 a.m. on Chestnut Road when a black Chevrolet pickup truck struck a pedestrian standing in a driveway. Witnesses told troopers that the driver was speeding and driving recklessly before intentionally accelerating toward the victim, according to an arrest report. The impact threw the pedestrian backward into the driveway.

According to FHP, Castleberry fled the scene without stopping to provide aid or report the incident. Security footage from a nearby home confirmed witness statements, showing the truck striking the victim before speeding away, the arrest report states.

Troopers later located Castleberry at his nearby residence on Chestnut Road and took him into custody.

The victim was taken to a local hospital for evaluation. The case remains under investigation.

He was also arrested on an outstanding DUI warrant related to an unrelated 2021 motorcycle crash on Highway 297A near Heaton Road.

Castleberry was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $3,150 bond.

Here Are This Week’s Road Construction Slow Down Areas

Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads and projects in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.

Escambia County:

• U.S. 98 Pensacola Double Bridge Run over Pensacola Bay Bridge – Motorists will encounter an eastbound single lane closure Saturday, Feb. 1 from 5 a.m. to 10 a.m. for the Pensacola Double Bridge Run. One lane will remain open for the traveling public.
• Ninth Avenue (State Road (S.R.) 289) Resurfacing from Creighton Road (S.R. 274) to Olive Road – The week of Sunday, Feb. 2, drivers may encounter intermittent lane closures on Ninth Avenue, from Creighton Road to Olive Road, between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m., for milling and paving operations.
• U.S. 90 (Scenic Highway) Resurfacing from south of Interstate 10 (I-10) to south of Hyde Park Road – Drivers on Scenic Highway will encounter intermittent lane closures from south of I-10 to south of Hyde Park Road, Monday, Feb. 3 through Thursday, Feb. 6, from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for milling and paving operations. Law enforcement will be on site and traffic flaggers will direct drivers safely through the work zone.
• U.S. 98 (Gregory Street) Resurfacing from North Palafox Street to east of 14th Avenue – Drivers on Gregory Street, from North Palafox Street to 17th Avenue, will encounter alternating, intermittent lane closures Sunday, Feb. 2 through Thursday, Feb. 6, between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. for milling and paving operations.
• North Palafox Street (U.S. 29) Resurfacing from Cervantes Street to Brent Lane (S.R. 296) – The week of Sunday, Feb. 2, drivers may encounter intermittent daytime lane closures on North Palafox Street, from Cervantes Street to Brent Lane, for paving operations and for crews to place thermoplastic striping.
• Interstate Circle Bridge Over Eight Mile Creek Construction – Interstate Circle is closed at the Eight Mile Creek Bridge through mid-2025 while crews replace the bridge. Signs are in place to detour drivers around the work zone using Pine Forest Road, Longleaf Drive and Wymart Road.

• Interstate 10 (I-10) at Nine Mile Road Interchange (Exit 5) Construction – Drivers will encounter the following construction-related traffic disruptions Sunday, Feb. 2 through Thursday, Feb. 6, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.:
  • Intermittent I-10 inside lane closures near the Nine Mile Road interchange.
  • Nine Mile Road will be reduced to one travel lane in each direction between the I-10 ramps. Law enforcement will be on site, and directional signage will be in place to guide drivers through the work zone.

• I-10 at U.S. 29 Interchange (Exit 10) Construction – Drivers will encounter the following construction-related traffic disruptions:
  • North Palafox Street, between Hope Drive and Whitehead Drive, will have intermittent daytime lane closures. Signage will be in place to direct drivers safely through the work zone.
  • I-10 between U.S. 29 and I-110, is reduced to two travel lanes in each direction.
  • The U.S. 29 northbound ramp to I-10 eastbound is closed. U.S. 29 northbound drivers are being detoured to make a U-turn at Broad Street onto U.S. 29 southbound to access I-10 eastbound.
  • A new temporary on-ramp for U.S. 29 southbound drivers accessing I-10 eastbound is now open. Detouring traffic to the temporary ramp will allow crews to continue work to reconstruct the I-10/U.S. 29 interchange.

• U.S. 29 (North Century Boulevard) Resurfacing between S.R. 4 and the Alabama State Line – Drivers on North Century Boulevard, between S.R. 4 and the Alabama State Line, may encounter intermittent lane closures for paving operations. Signage will be in place to direct drivers safely through the work zone.
• U.S. 90 Routine Bridge Maintenance over Eleven Mile Creek – Motorists may encounter intermittent eastbound lane closures west of I-10 Tuesday, Feb. 4 from 8 p.m. to 12 a.m. for routine bridge maintenance.

Santa Rosa County:

• County Road 89 Routine Bridge Maintenance over I-10 Overpass – Motorists may encounter intermittent northbound lane closures west of S.R. 87 Wednesday, Feb. 5 from 12 a.m. to 4 a.m. for routine bridge maintenance.
• U.S. 90 Resurfacing from west of Avalon Boulevard to east of Stewart Street – Drivers may encounter intermittent U.S. 90 lane closures, between Avalon Boulevard and Stewart Street, Sunday, Feb. 2 through Thursday, Feb. 6, from 7 p.m. to 5:30 a.m., for milling and paving operations.

• U.S. 90 Bridge Replacement over Simpson River – Drivers on U.S. 90 westbound may encounter intermittent lane closures over the Simpson River Bridge, Sunday, Feb. 2 through Thursday, Feb. 6 between 8 p.m. and 5:30 a.m. as crews perform bridge construction work. Drivers are reminded that the speed limit is 35 mph through the work zone.
• U.S. 98 Widening from Bayshore Road to Portside Drive – Motorists will encounter the following traffic impacts:
  • Median and turn-lane closures from Bayshore Road to Tiger Lake Drive.
  • Intermittent lane closures and additional median closures between Bayshore Road and Tiger Lake Drive, Sunday, Feb. 2, through Friday, Feb. 7, from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for stormwater drainage improvements and paving operations.
• S.R. 281 (Avalon Boulevard) Bridge Rehabilitation over Garcon Point Bridge – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures Monday, Feb. 3 through Friday, Feb. 7 from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. for construction activities.

All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.

Unoccupied Home Near Davisville Burns To The Ground

An unoccupied home near Davisville burned to the ground Thursday morning.

Escambia County Fire Rescue was called to the 5000 block of Sandy Hollow Road, just south of West Highway 4 about 5:18 a.m. Firefighters arrived to find that the home had burned to the ground.

The home reportedly had not electricity or gas service.

The cause of the fire was not immediately known. There were no injuries.

The Walnut Hill, Molino, and  McDavid stations of Escambia County Rescue, Escambia County EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded.

Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Today Is The Congressional Special Primary Election. Here’s Who Is On The Ballot.

Today is the Special Primary Election in the race to replace Matt Gaetz in Congress.

The 2025 Special Primary Election is for Republican voters only. The State of Florida holds closed primary elections, meaning only registered Republicans will be eligible for the 2025 Special Primary Election There is only one Democratic candidate, Gay Valimont so there is no Democratic primary. Today’s primary winner will face Valimont and write in candidates during the general election on April 1.

Polls are open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. Busiest times at the polls tend to be 7:00 a.m. until 9:00 a.m., midday, and 4:00 p.m. until polls close.

A completed Vote By Mail ballot cannot be returned to a precinct on Election Day – it must be returned to the Supervisor of Elections Office by 7 p.m. today. If you requested a Vote By Mail ballot but chose not to return it, you can vote at your polling place on Election Day. Though not required, we request that you bring your unvoted ballot package so it can be cancelled.

Joseph Braxton Thomley

Joseph Braxton Thomley, Sr., age 85, of Perdido, AL, passed away on January 24, 2025, in Mobile, AL. He was born on December 4, 1939, in White House Fork, AL to William Benjamin and Freida Lezeita Rider Thomley. He was a heavy equipment operator with Gulf Equipment and served in the United States Army. Joseph is preceded in death by his parents; his son, William Timothy Burl Thomley and his brother, Rev. Angelo Thomley.

Joseph is survived by his wife of 63 years, Betty Weeks Thomley; his son, Joey (Sherry) Thomley of Perdido, AL; his daughter, LaDonna (Randy) Carpenter of Perdido, AL; his brothers, George (Retha) Thomley of Tensaw, AL and Dwayne (Judy) Thomley of Baraga, MI; his sisters, Billie (Roy) Foster of Pineville, FL, Betty Joan (Conny) Brady of Mobile, AL and Neita (Dewayne) Hall of Lottie, AL along with his six grandchildren, Hayley, Adam, Alex, Danielle, Timothy, Donyel; his eight great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.

Visitation will be held Thursday, January 30, 2025, from 5 p.m. until service time at 10 a.m. on Friday, January 31, 2025, at Splinter Hill Holiness Church.

Funeral services will be held Friday, January 31, 2025, at 10 a.m. at Splinter Hill Holiness Church in Perdido, AL with Bro. James Peacock and Bro. David Baggett officiating.

Interment will follow in Bryars-McGill Cemetery.

Active pallbearers will be Joey Thomley, Hayley Thomley, Adam Thomley, Camron Ganey, Brandon Rolin and James Bryars.

Honorary pallbearers will be Hayden Thompson and Hunter Ganey.

Cynthia Guthrie Smith

Cynthia Guthrie Smith passed away peacefully on December 27, 2025, from complications of pneumonia. Sinde or Momma Rizzo, as she is known to all, was known for her sass, wit, kindness, grace, compassion, and love for God, family, and friends.

Sinde was born on July 21,1954, in Florala, Alabama to Charles Warren and Alice Marie Guthrie. The family, along with her brother David, later relocated to Lynn Haven, Florida where Sinde’s youngest siblings, Ken and Cathi, made their arrival over the next several years. Sinde went on to meet the love of her life, David, in Norfolk, Virginia in 1974. These two fell in love immediately and never looked back. Their love was the epitome of unwavering. Until her last breath, David was beside his “brown eyed girl” letting her know that the two would be reunited one day. David served in the U.S. Navy and thus, Sinde and David moved various places over the years. In July of 1975, Sinde and David welcomed their first daughter, Jessica in Panama City, FL. In September of 1977, in Pensacola, FL they welcomed their second daughter, Jacquelyn. Sinde spent the rest of her life being the best mother imaginable to her daughters. She was the room mom, the team mom, at every function, and even as her daughters grew, she was always there for them in every capacity.

In October of 1997, Sinde got the title she was made for, Nana, when Brianna was born. Sinde spent her days helping to be the best role model she could be for her. Many years later in November of 2005, she became a Nana again to Meredith. Always present and always showing them the way to be the best versions of themselves, her spirit will live on in her “baby” girls as she always called them.

Over the years, Sinde made countless friendships with various other U.S. Navy wives in many different cities where they were stationed. In 1989, Sinde and David and their girls moved to Milton, Florida to their forever home. During this time, Sinde became a Manager of the Deli at Winn Dixie for 30 years where she met numerous friends, many of whom became as close as family. After retirement from Winn Dixie, Sinde decided to work part time at Crain Supply with her daughter and her husband where she took so much pride and love in her job.

Sinde is preceded in death by her father, Charles; mother, Marie; great grandparents, Wilburn and Fannie Fleming; and niece, Nikki Smith.

She is survived by her loving husband of 51 years, David; her daughters, Jessica Smith and Jacquelyn (Brian) Johnston; granddaughters, Brianna Smith and Meredith Johnston; step-grandsons, Andrew (Kayli) Johnston, Tyler Johnston, and Hunter Johnston; brothers, David (Sandra) Guthrie and Ken Guthrie; sister, Cathi (Kelly) Guthrie; brother-in-law, Terry Smith; one step great granddaughter; two step great grandsons; and numerous nieces and nephews.

The pallbearers will be David Smith, Brian Johnston, Becky Guthrie, Myles Guthrie, Andrew Johnston, Hunter Johnston, and Preston Moore.

A funeral service will be held on Monday, January 5, 2026, at Lewis Funeral Home Milton Chapel, 6405 Highway 90 W, Milton Florida 32570, with visitation from 10:30-11:00 a.m. and service at 11:00 a.m. Interment will be at Elizabeth Chapel in Chumuckla, Florida.

In lieu of flowers the family kindly request that donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital – a charity near and dear to Sinde’s heart.

Paula Jean Langford

Paula Jean Langford of Molino, Florida; beloved wife, mother, and grandmother; passed away peacefully on December 15, 2024. She was born in Pensacola on August 6, 1954, to Paul and Geraldine Houston.

In 1971 she married the love of her life, Collen Langford Jr. During their 53 years together, they had the tremendous honor and opportunity to travel and serve in many duty stations throughout Collen’s Navy service. During this time Paula and Collen raised their two wonderful sons. She served for many years as a teacher’s assistant and office aide for Escambia County Schools and later she retired from the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office where she worked alongside her husband.

Paula was active in her church, the Lathram Chapel United Methodist Church. Her love and light will be greatly missed by the congregation. Her family is comforted by the knowledge that Paula was at peace in her relationship with the Lord; she wanted all of her friends and family to know that as she enters the gates of heaven “I’ll be young again when I get over there. No more illness or pain. Thank you, Jesus, for saving my soul.”

She is survived by her loving husband Collen; her sons, Dennis (Christina) Langford and Collen III (Jodie) Langford; her four beautiful grandchildren, Dominick, Allison, Sadie, and Jack; sister, Sue Hill; and brothers, Patrick and Randall Houston.

A service will be held to honor Paula on December 30, 2024, at The Lathram Chapel United Methodist Church 2690 Jacks Branch Road, Cantonment, FL 32533 at 12:00 pm, followed immediately by a reception and celebration of her life in the Fellowship Hall.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Paula’s name to The Lathram Chapel.

Faith Chapel Funeral Home North, 1000 South Highway 29, Cantonment, is entrusted with arrangements

Molino parade

Here Are The Road Construction Delay Spots For The Week

Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.

Escambia County:

• U.S. 98 Road Closure for Pensacola Great Gulf Coast Arts Festival – Motorists will encounter a temporary road closure on Bayfront Parkway from 9th Avenue to Government Street from 9 a.m. Friday, Nov. 1 through 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 3 for the Pensacola Great Gulf Coast Arts Festival.

• U.S. 98 (Gregory Street) Resurfacing from North Palafox Street to east of 14th Avenue – Drivers may encounter traffic disruptions, Monday, Nov. 4 through Thursday, Nov. 7, between 8:30 a.m. and 1 p.m., while crews perform concrete work at the following locations:
  • U.S. 98 (Gregory Street) westbound outside lane closures near North Tarragona Street.
  • Gregory Square westbound outside lane closures near North Tarragona Street.

• North Palafox Street (U.S. 29) Resurfacing from Cervantes Street to Brent Lane (State Road (S.R.) 296) – The week of Sunday, Nov. 3, drivers may encounter intermittent lane closures on North Palafox Street near North Pace Boulevard, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. for milling and paving operations.
• Interstate Circle Bridge Over Eight Mile Creek Construction – Interstate Circle is closed at the Eight Mile Creek Bridge through mid-2025 while crews replace the bridge. Signage is in place to detour drivers around the work zone using Pine Forest Road, Longleaf Drive and Wymart Road.

• Interstate 10 (I-10) at Nine Mile Road Interchange (Exit 5) Construction – Drivers may encounter inside lane closures on I-10 near Exit 5, Wednesday, Nov. 6 and Thursday, Nov. 7, between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. These closures are required as crews construct a temporary traffic shift.
• I-10 at U.S. 29 Interchange (Exit 10) Construction – Drivers will encounter the following construction-related traffic disruptions the week of Sunday, Nov. 3:
  • I-10, between U.S. 29 and I-110, is reduced to two travel lanes in each direction.
  • The U.S. 29 northbound ramp to I-10 eastbound is closed. U.S. 29 northbound drivers are being detoured to make a U-turn at Broad Street onto U.S. 29 southbound to access I-10 eastbound.
  • A new, temporary on-ramp for U.S. 29 southbound drivers accessing I-10 eastbound is now open. Detouring traffic to the temporary ramp will allow crews to continue work to reconstruct the I-10/U.S. 29 interchange.

• U.S. 29 (North Century Boulevard) Resurfacing between Henry Street and Cottage Street in Century – Beginning the week of Nov. 4, U.S. 29 (North Century Boulevard), between Rudolph Street and Green Street, will reopen to four travel lanes (two travel lanes in each direction). Resurfacing construction activities will continue through the end of the year and drivers may encounter intermittent lane closures for paving operations and to allow crews to remove low-profile barrier walls. Signage will be in place to direct drivers safely through the work zone.
• S.R. 289 (9th Avenue) and S.R. 291 (North Alcaniz Street) Routine Railroad Maintenance – Motorists may encounter road closures at the railroad crossing near East Wright Street starting 5 a.m. Monday, Nov. 4 to 5 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 7 for routine railroad maintenance. 

Santa Rosa County:

• S.R. 87 (Stewart Street) Coring Operations from U.S. 90 to South of Clear Creek – Motorists may encounter intermittent lane closures Wednesday, Nov. 6, Thursday, Nov. 7 and Monday, Nov. 11 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. for coring operations.
• U.S. 90 Resurfacing from west of Avalon Boulevard to east of Stewart Street – Drivers may encounter intermittent U.S. 90 lane closures, between Avalon Boulevard and Stewart Street, Sunday, Nov. 3 through Thursday, Nov. 7, from 7 p.m. to 5:30 a.m., for milling and paving operations.
• U.S. 98 Widening from Bayshore Road to Portside Drive – Motorists will encounter the following traffic impacts:

• • Median and turn-lane closures from Bayshore Road to Tiger Lake Drive.
  • Intermittent lane closures and additional median closures between Bayshore Road and Tiger Lake Drive Sunday, Nov. 3, through Friday, Nov. 8, from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for stormwater drainage improvements and paving operations.

All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.

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