Northern Florida U.S. Attorney Lawrence Keefe Resigning
February 27, 2021
U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Florida Lawrence Keefe resigned effective midnight Sunday.
He is one of dozens of U.S. attorneys that were nominated by former President Donald Trump that are now resigning.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Coody will serve as the interim U.S. attorney beginning Monday until President Joe Biden nominates a replacement that is confirmed by the U.S. Senate.
Keefe was sworn into office on January 9, 2019.
Northview Chiefs Beat The Baker Gators (With Photo Gallery)
February 27, 2021
The Northview Chiefs defeated the Baker Gators Friday night in Bratt.
In varsity action, the Northview beat Baker 7-1. The junior varsity NHS Chiefs beat Baker 6-4.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery, click here.
The Lady Chiefs will host Crestview on Tuesday. The JV plays at 4:00, followed by the varsity at 6:00.
Pictured: The varsity Northview Chiefs beat Baker Friday night. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Tate High Aggies Tennis Tops Pace 5-2
February 27, 2021
Tate High School Boys Tennis earned another win Friday, 5-2 over the Pace Patriots. The clinching match for the Aggies came from the No. 1 doubles team of Prosser Crow and Evan Hered in a tiebreaking set win. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
One Injured In Highway 29 Jeep Rollover
February 26, 2021
On person was injured in a single vehicle rollover crash Friday afternoon on Highway 29 south of Quintette Road.
The driver of a Jeep lost control and overturned. He was transported to an area hospital by Escambia County EMS with injuries that were not considered life threatening.
The driver stated he was ran off the road by a white pickup truck traveling in a reckless manner.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Man Charged With Stealing Boat And Gun, Fleeing From Deputies Twice
February 26, 2021
A man has been charged for allegedly stealing a boat and gun from Cottage Hill and fleeing from deputies on two different occasion.
Randall Lamar Boyett, 19, was charged with grand theft, grand theft of a firearm, two counts of fleeing and eluding, resisting an officer without violence, and operating a motor vehicle without a valid license.
On January 3, Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputies attempted to arrest Boyett on an outstanding warrant for failure to appear in criminal mischief case. They found him sleeping in a vehicle parked in front of a residence on Parker Road. A deputy banged on the window several times until Boyett woke up, and he crawled into the driver’s seat. The deputy gave multiple orders for him to step out of the vehicle, which he acknowledged by saying “just a second,” according to arrest report.
The report states Boyett had a blanket across his lap and refused to show his hands after verbal commands. Since he refused to comply, the deputy used his flashlight to break the driver’s window. Boyett then cranked the vehicle and fled at a high rate of speed north on Parker Road. He was last seen headed westbound on McKenzie Road.
On January 20, Boyett allegedly stole a boat, 40 horsepower outboard motor, and boat trailer valued at $4,500 from Clymil Drive in Cantonment. A .22 caliber revolver that was in the boat was also reported stolen.
The victim told deputies that Boyett had contacted him numerous times through Facebook asking to buy the boat but he had rejected the offer. Deputies went to Boyett’s home a short distance away on Handy Road and could see the stolen boat in plain view. The boat was recovered and returned to the owner, but the firearm was still missing. Boyett was not at the residence.
On February 24, a deputy spotted a Cadillac Escalade believed to be occupied by Boyett traveling southbound on Nicholson Drive in Molino and activated his lights and siren. The Cadillac Escalade continued onto Betts Avenue and then north on Highway 95A. The deputy called off the traffic stop when he realized the vehicle was not going to stop.
Boyett was later taken into custody in the 6000 block of Hagen Road in Century. He remained in the Escambia County Jail Friday morning with bond set at $38,500.
Gulf Power Foundation Contributes Nearly $84,000 To Community Organizations
February 26, 2021
The Escambia County Public Schools Foundation is one of several local charitable or nonprofit organizations to receive grants from the Gulf Power Foundation during the fourth quarter of 2020. The Gulf Power Foundation distributed $83,950 to support communities throughout Northwest Florida.
“Even as we continue to work through this pandemic, Gulf Power’s mission will always remain to support our communities where we live and work, and our quarterly grants through the Gulf Power Foundation are one way we can help build strong and sustainable communities,” said Sandy Sims, executive director for the Gulf Power Foundation. “The Foundation’s goal is to improve the lives of Northwest Florida residents, and during times like we currently face, we are honored these grants can help our community.”
The Escambia County Public Schools Foundation grant will help with their mission of enhancing education in the future of Northwest Florida children.
“Our Foundation works with school leaders to determine how and where private-sector investment and volunteer involvement can have the greatest impact on student success,” said Kristie Kelly, executive director for the Escambia County Public Schools Foundation. “We are grateful for the partnership between our organizations.”
Helping more than 40,000 students, during the 2019-2020 school year the Escambia Foundation was able to share funding with 25 schools in the country – out of 58, distributing 14 collaborative grants of $89,287 and providing 21 teacher opportunity grants for a total of $18,953 – just to name a few.
The fourth quarter grant recipients for the Tregion are:
- Central Gulf Coast CDF Freedom Schools – Freedom School Summer 2021 – Harambee! At Global Learning Academy: $7,500
- Escambia County Public Schools Foundation: $25,000
- Greater Pensacola Junior Golf Association – First Tee Gulf Coast: $1,500
- Manna Food Bank – Manna’s Monthly Senior Program: $10,000
- The Nature Conservancy – Rainwater Perdido River Preserve Stewardship: $15,000
- Pace Center for Girls – Girls Earning Diplomas: $5,000
- United for a Good Cause – Hope Squad to Peer Suicide Prevention Program for Schools: $5,000
- UWF Foundation – Monitoring Gopher Tortoise Abundance, Distribution and Burrow Activity: $9,950
- Waterfront Rescus Mission – Homeless to Home-Working Homeless Program: $5,000
The Gulf Power Foundation has operated for 30 years as an independent 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, partnering and investing in communities throughout Northwest Florida. The Foundation is one of the region’s largest corporate foundations, funded entirely through resources independent of Gulf Power’s customers.
Pictured: Teachers like Maren Leonard at Molino Park Elementary School will benefit for the Gulf Power Foundation’s grant to the Escambia County Schools Foundation. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Father And Son Charged With CARES Act Fraud
February 26, 2021
An Escambia County father and son have been charged with CARES Act fraud.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Economic Crimes Unit charged 34-year old Antonio Raychouni Slocum Sr. and 19-year old Antonio Raychouni Slocum Jr. in the scheme.
Investigators have been investigating the father/son duo since Slocum Jr. was arrested in December 2020. Slocum Jr. was arrested with his mother Megan Slocum for their involvement in a scheme to defraud Navy Federal. Slocum Jr. and Slocum Sr.’s most recent charges are related to obtaining a CARES ACT loan from the Small Business Administration by using another individual’s stolen identity; which Slocum Sr.’s younger brother Ari’obasi Jenkins was also charged with back in December.
Slocum Jr. is charged with fraud and swindle of $50,000 or more, fraud-use ID of another without consent of $50,000 or more, fraud-money laundering $20,000 less than $100,000, and fraud-illegal use of a credit card. Slocum Sr. is charged with fraud and swindle of $50,000 or more, fraud-use ID of another without consent of $50,000 or more, fraud-money laundering $20,000 less than $100,000, and fraud-uttering a false instrument. Both remained in the Escambia County Jail without bond.
Investigators said more arrests are expected.
Tate Boys Tennis Comes From Behind To Beat Washington
February 26, 2021
Tate High School Boys tennis earned a come from behind 4-3 victory over Washington High School Thursday. Tate had key victories from Barry Harberson, Alex Grace, and Peyton Herrington. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
West Florida Baseball’s Andrew Robinson Signs With Huntington College
February 26, 2021
West Florida High School senior Andrew Robinson has signed with Huntingdon College in Montgomery, Alabama. Andrew is a two-year varsity letterman for the Jags who plays the corner infield and pitches.
“Robinson has worked hard on the field and in the classroom in order to earn this opportunity,” said Joe Rieland, West Florida head baseball coach.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Judge Denies Bond For Two Charged With Murder In Lawson Lane Shooting
February 25, 2021
A judge ruled Thursday that a man and woman accused of a February 1 murder on Lawson Lane in Cantonment will remain in jail without bond.
Jonathan Taylor Hobbs and Dawn Lucille Sluder are charged with first degree premeditated murder for allegedly shooting and killing 35-year old Danny Blackmon, Jr., as his 19-year old girlfriend, who is Sluder’s daughter, watched.
Both were denied bond Thursday during an arraignment hearing before Judge Jan Shackelford. They will be back in court in early May.
RELATED STORY: Grand Jury Indicts Two On Murder Charges In Cantonment Shooting Death
Pictured: Sluder was taken into custody on Muscogee Road following a shooting in Cantonment. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
