Escambia County Man Charged With Threatening President Donald Trump
March 3, 2026
An Escambia County man has been charged for making criminal threats against President Donald Trump.
Markus Edward Hamlett, 46, was indicted in federal court on one count of threatening the president of the United States.
According to federal court documents, Hamlett made threats to the life of President Donald Trump via emails, phone calls, and in person.
The U.S. Secret Service said those emails included statements such as “I’m planning on murdering Donald trump,” and “He’s VERY dangerous and I’ll stop at nothing to stop him”.
He was first detained by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and transported to Lakeview Center under the Baker Act for evaluation. At Lakeview, he reportedly made numerous verbal statements to the intake staff at the facility, threatening to take the life of President Trump.
When Secret Service agents arrived at Lakeview the following day, Hamlett “stated he had been waiting a long time to speak with us. He stated, ‘I have been sending emails and making phone calls for a year trying to get arrested.’,” according to court documents.
Records show he was also arrested in October 2025 in California for threats against the president after allegedly making a 911 call and advising that he had “a great plan to assassinate Donald Trump.”
If convicted, Hamlett faces up to five years’ imprisonment and a $250,000 fine. His trial is set for April 6.
This case was investigated by the United States Secret Service and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Christopher C. Patterson.
Pictured: According to a U.S. Secret Service affidavit obtained by NorthEscambia.com, Markus Edward Hamlett sent the emails (above) in regards to President Donald Trump, and submitted an additional threat one the CIA website (below).
Wednesday: Fresh Produce on Wheels From Millie Mobile Market In Molino
March 3, 2026
The Millie Mobile Market is scheduled to be in Molino two days this month with a variety of fresh produce.
Millie will be at the Molino Community Center (Molino Library) at 6450 North Highway 95A from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Wednesday, March 4, and again on Wednesday, March 18.
During the Molino visits, Millie will offer a menu of fresh produce at discounted prices. Items available will include apples, cucumbers, oranges, sweet potatoes, onions, tomatoes, and more. The selection varies each visit and is based upon availability. The current menu is below.
Millie travels routes throughout Feeding the Gulf Coast’s Florida service area, addressing pockets of low food access (food deserts) where supermarkets are scarce, to provide community members the opportunity to buy affordable fresh produce and other nutritious foods at a significantly discounted rate. Feeding the Gulf Coast collaborates with local farmers to purchase produce when available specifically for the Millie Mobile Market.
Only debit or credit cards (including tap-to-pay) are accepted at Millie; no cash.
Pictured: A previous Millie Mobile Market visit at the Molino Library. File photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Trash Fire Reignites, Destroys Flomaton Workshop And Tractors
March 3, 2026
Fire destroyed a freestanding workshop near Flomaton on Monday afternoon.
The fire was reported just before 1:30 p.m. in the 200 block of Twin Bridges Road, just off Highway 31 east of the Flomaton town limits.
According to Flomaton Fire Chief Steve Stanton, the fire destroyed the workshop, two tractors and a zero turn mower. He said the blaze was believed to be caused by a Sunday trash fire that smoldered, reignited and spread on Monday.
There were no injuries.
The Flomaton Fire Department, McCall Volunteer Fire Department and the Century Station of Escambia County Fire Rescue responded, along with Newman’s Ambulance.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Reminder: Barth, Molino Neighborhood Cleanup Day Is Wednesday
March 3, 2026
A neighborhood cleanup for residents in a portion of Barth and Molino will take place Wednesday, March 4. All items for pickup at the curb by 7 a.m. on Wednesday.
This is a chance for residents to dispose of items such as old furniture, appliances and household waste free of charge.
Only residents in the designated cleanup area can participate in the neighborhood cleanup. Items left at the curb outside of the cleanup area will not be collected. Residents who live in the targeted area will have received a postcard in the mail with more information.
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
During neighborhood cleanups, crew members and volunteers visit different neighborhoods in the county to remove a variety of debris and waste free of charge.
Contact the Escambia County Community Redevelopment Agency at 850-595-3217 or cra@myescambia.com for questions about the cleanup.
Upcoming North Escambia area cleanups will be Wednesday, March 18 in Quintette, Wednesday, April 15 in Cottage Hill
It’s Book Fair Week At Bratt Elementary; Every Student Able TO Shop With PTA Support
March 3, 2026
t’s Scholastic Book Fair week at Bratt Elementary School, and every student will have a chance to shop thanks to the Bratt PTA.
Family shopping time is available Tuesday during scheduled grade-level times, and Wednesday after school from 2:15 until 3:15 p.m. All students will be able to shop thanks to the Bratt PTA providing $5 Bratt Bulldog Bucks.
Families are encouraged to set up a Scholastic Book Fair eWallet.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Man Sentenced To Decade In Prison On Drug, Firearm Charges
March 3, 2026
An Escambia County man has been sentenced to a decade in federal prison on narcotics and firearms charges.
Timothy Lamar McGee, 43, pleaded in federal court for possession of more than 500 grams of cocaine, tetrahydrocannabinol, and marijuana with intent to distribute and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense. He has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison.
According to documents, law enforcement executed a search warrant at McGee’s residence in September 2024. During a search of the residence, investigators located more than 600 grams of cocaine, more than 300 grams of tetrahydrocannabinol, more than 1,000 grams of marijuana, approximately $32,000 in United States currency, and four firearms.
McGee faced a minimum mandatory term of five years of imprisonment on each charge, to run consecutively, with the possibility of life imprisonment.
Update: ECSO Locates Missing, Endangered Woman Last Seen In Cantonment
March 2, 2026
UPDATE: Mary Edith Hudson has been safely located.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is searching for a missing and endangered woman last seen Sunday night in Cantonment.
Mary Edith Hudson, 62, was last seen at 8:30 p.m. Sunday in the 800 block of Neal Road. She was wearing a black t-shirt with colorful turtles and gray sweatpants. She is 5-foot, 2-inches tall, 180 pounds with gray hair and brown eyes.
The ECSO said she may be in need of medical attention. Anyone with information on her whereabouts is asked to call the Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620.
Pensacola Beach Lifeguards Return
March 2, 2026
The Pensacola Beach Lifeguards returned to their towers Saturday for the 2026 lifeguard season. Initially, Casino Beach will be staffed from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. seven days a week. The lifeguards will shift their hours to 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. starting Sunday, March 8 to reflect Daylight Saving Time. As summer approaches, staffing will increase to cover up to eight towers, with increased staffing to begin Memorial Day weekend.
In preparation for the 2026 season, Pensacola Beach hired 10 new lifeguards and welcomed 65 returning lifeguards to a rigorous training program, including over 60 hours of open water training, emergency medical training and more.
Last season, Pensacola Beach Lifeguards performed 359 rescues from drowning and assisted swimmers experiencing distress. They also attended to 130 major medical incidents and assisted in locating 48 missing persons. Lifeguards made contact with beachgoers 439,629 times during the 2025 season, providing information about rip currents, beach condition flags and several other safety tips.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Ernest Ward Middle Names Students Of The Month
March 2, 2026
Ernest Ward Middle School recently named their January Students and Employee of the Month.
Pictured (L-R) with Principal Tyvanna Boulanger, they are: Brantley Driver, sixth grade; Hadley Weaver, seventh grade; and McKenzie Norton, eighth grade.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tow Truck Driver Honored for Stopping Wrong-Way Driver on I-110
March 2, 2026
Last month, a routine night at work turned into a life-saving intervention for a tow truck driver in Escambia County.
At about 10:30 p.m. on February 18, an automated wrong way driver alert was received on I-110 and was verified using traffic cameras by the FDOT District 3 Regional Traffic Management Center. As operators monitored the vehicle traveling against traffic flow and alerted nearby law enforcement, a nearby tow truck operator made a decisive and courageous choice, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
James Barlow, a tow truck driver with Secon Recovery & Towing, positioned his service vehicle to physically block the wrong way driver from continuing northbound in the southbound lanes at Airport Boulevard. “What might have appeared to be a split-second reaction was, in reality, a deliberate act that likely prevented a catastrophic head-on collision,” FHP said.
After being stopped, the driver corrected course, only to turn around and begin traveling the wrong direction again. Without hesitation, James intervened a second time, using his truck to block the path of the vehicle once more. He then remained on scene, maintaining a protective position until FHP troopers took control of the situation.
“Wrong way driving incidents are among the most dangerous events encountered on our roadway system, often resulting in severe or fatal crashes due to high-speed, head-on impacts. James’ awareness, quick thinking, and willingness to place himself between danger and the traveling public exemplify the critical partnership between roadway responders and traffic operations personnel,” FHP said.
The FDOT Traffic Incident Management Team and FHP Troop A honored Barlow for his bravery, professionalism, and life-saving actions. “His commitment to public safety reflects the very best of those who serve on the front lines of roadway operations,” troopers said.
