Skeletal Remains Identified As Virginia Woman Missing Since 2018
April 23, 2021
Skeletal remains found in Escambia County, Alabama, have been positively identified as missing Virginia woman that was headed to visit relatives in Alabama nearly three years ago.
On August 4, 2018, 70-year old Shari Christine Saunders left Norfolk, Virginia, on her way to Monroeville, Alabama, to visit with family, but never arrived. She was last seen fueling her 2010 red Toyota Corolla in Evergreen, Alabama. Saunders was listed as a missing person and entered into a nationwide database.
Saunder’s vehicle was located on a dirt road off Canaan Church Road in Conecuh County, Alabama, a few miles north of the Flomaton exit on I-65 and Highway 113 on August 13, 2018. A search of the area was completed by the Conecuh, Escambia, and Monroe County Sheriff’s offices but Saunders was not located. Investigators continued to search for Saunders, conduct interview, and follow up on leads and information that came in on a weekly basis.
On December 26, 2020, skeletal remains were found in a wooded area off a gated private road that intersects with Canaan Church Road. The remains were submitted for forensic testing for a positive identification.
“A forensic laboratory has now positively identified the skeletal remains as that of Shari Saunders. Additional evidence is being evaluated by other forensic labs, and the sheriff’s offices are focusing on particular suspects,” Escambia County (AL) Sheriff Heath Jackson said. “We would like to thank the community for their willingness to help in bringing this case closer to being solved and ask that you report anything that might be of evidentiary value.”
Anyone with information is asked to call the Escambia County (AL) Sheriff’s Office Investigator Smith at (251) 809-0741.
Four Candidates Under Consideration To Be The Next Escambia County Fire Chief
April 23, 2021
Escambia County once again has a list of four candidates that might become the next fire chief.
The four are set to meet with county leaders on Friday. In alphabetical order, they are:
- Pascal Arnes — chief, Decatur Township Fire Department, Indianapolis, Indiana. He has 28 years in fire service from volunteer to chief positions.
- Jason Catrambone — chief, Williston Fire Department, Williston, North Dakota. He has more than 25 years experience.
- Billy Cockman — fire chief, Coffeyville Fire Department, Coffeyville Kansas. He served in the Navy for 16 years, and has experience in Florida including Ft. Myers and Jacksonville
- Carroll Spriggs — deputy chief, Annapolis Fire Department, Maryland. He served as a deputy sheriff beginning in 1996 and became a firefighter in 2004.
There’s no word on when a final selection might be made.
“The job will remain open and posted until it is filled,” Escambia County spokesperson Laura Coale told NorthEscambia.com.
Four finalists were also announced in late January, culled from a list of 60 applicants from a nationwide search. They were notified that none were selected and the search was continuing.
Escambia County’s last fire chief, Rusty Nail, was hired in April 2018 and resigned in April 2019.
NorthEsambia.com graphic.
New 448 Area Code Coming To The 850 – Mandatory Change In How You Dial Is Coming May 22
April 23, 2021
A new area code is coming to Northwest Florida, a mandatory change in how you dial your phone begins in about a month.
Mandatory 10-digit dialing will be effective on May 22 for all calls, including local calls, for existing and new phone numbers in the 850 and the new 448 area codes. This includes landlines, cellphones and other devices.
“With Florida’s 850 area code running out of phone numbers, the 448 overlay plan and 10-digit dialing is necessary,” said PSC Chairman Gary Clark. “The good news is that Florida’s growing population and economy are driving this change. With today’s digital applications, programming 10-digit dialing into our contacts and devices is relatively easy.”
New customers, or requests for additional lines, are now assigned the new 448 area code. The PSC actually delayed mandatory 10-digit dialing implementation for three months—originally scheduled to begin in February—so that business customers in the overlay region had ample time to reprogram alarm systems and elevator operations.
Here are some other quick facts about the new 448 area code:
- Your current telephone number, including current area code, will not change.
- You will need to dial area code + telephone number for all local calls.
- What is a local call now will remain a local call.
- The price of a call, coverage area, or other rates and services will not change due to the overlay.
- You can still dial just three digits to reach 911. You can also dial three digits to reach 211 and 811, as well as 311 and 511, where available.
- Telephone customers should remember to include their area code (3-digit area code + 7-digit telephone number) when giving their number to friends, family, business associates, and customers.
- Customers should ensure that all services, automatic dialing equipment, or other types of equipment recognize the new 448 area code as a valid area code, and should continue to program 10-digit telephone numbers.
The 850/448 area code region consists of 18 counties in the Florida Panhandle, including the cities of Pensacola, Panama City, and Tallahassee.
Northview Gets Walk-Off Win Over Lighthouse On Jefferson Single; Tate Softball Beats Gulf Breeze 18-3
April 23, 2021
BASEBALL
Northview 6, Lighthouse Christian 5
Jamarkus Jefferson singled on a 3-2 count scoring one run for a 6-5 Northview walk-off win over Lighthouse Christian Academy Thursday night in Bratt.
Jefferson started on the mound for the Chiefs, going three innings, allowing three and two runs while striking out six. Josh Landis and Ethan Collier closed out the game.
At the plate, Kaden Odom led things for Northview, going 2-4 with two runs and striking out six. Jefferson, Josh Landis, Luke Bridges and Wyatt Scruggs each added one hit for the Chiefs.
Northview (14-6, 7-1) begins District 1-1A postseason play next Tuesday, April 27 against Baker (6-12, 4-4) at Jay High School.
For a photo gallery, click here.
SOFTBALL
Tate 18, Gulf Breeze 3
The Tate Lady Aggies defeated Gulf Breeze 18-3 Thursday night.
Courtney Lundquist earned the victim for the Lady Aggies, going two and a third innings with one run and three hits. Abbie Burks pitched one and two-thirds innings in relief, giving up two hits, two runs and striking out two.
Cam Wolfenden was 4-4 with five RBIs and four runs for Tate. Madison Holland and Michayla Kent were both 3-4. Courtney Adams, Sophia Jones and Christina Mason had two hits each, while Hanna Halfacre and Kennedy Turner added one apiece.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
FDLE Charges Escambia County Man With Child Porn Possession
April 23, 2021
An Escambia County man was arrested on child pornography charges Thursday.
Florida Department of Law Enforcement officers charged 33-year old Anthony Tidwell with 15 counts of possession of child sexual abuse material.
The investigation began when agents discovered an IP address being utilized to request child sexual abuse material on a peer-to-peer network. Agents traced the IP address to Tidwell’s residence.
FDLE agents executed a search warrant at Tidwell’ home with assistance from Homeland Security Investigations and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. The investigation found images depicting children as young as six years old, according to FDLE.
Tidwell was booked into the Escambia County Jail without bond. Additional charges are dependent upon completion of forensics exams, FDLE said.
Jay High’s Jada Lowry Signs With Pensacola State Volleyball
April 23, 2021
Jay High School senior Jada Lowry signed with Pensacola State College volleyball Thursday afternoon. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
ECSO: Cantonment Man Wanted On Multiple Felony Warrants
April 22, 2021
UPDATE: THIS SUSPECT HAS BEEN CAPTURED.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is looking for a Cantonment man wanted on multiple charges.
Hunter Grant Myrick, 31, is wanted on two counts of failure to appear, grand theft of a vehicle, two counts of fleeing and eluding, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, kidnapping and driving while license suspended as a habitual offender.
Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP or the ECSO at (850) 436-9620.
Alabama Semi Truck Driver Killed In Highway 97 Crash In Davisville
April 22, 2021
The driver of a semi truck was killed in a single vehicle crash in Davisville early Thursday morning.
The log truck was northbound on Highway 97 north of Nokomis Road about 6:20 a.m. when it left the roadway for an unknown reason, struck a culvert, went airborne and collided with a large oak tree.
The 52-year old Mobile, Alabama, man was transported by Escambia County EMS to Atmore Community Hospital where he was pronounced deceased.
Highway 97 was closed for nearly three hours between Nokomis Road and Meadows Road for the crash investigation.
The Florida Highway Patrol no longer releases the names of traffic victims. The Walnut Hill, Century and McDavid stations of Escambia Fire Rescue, Atmore Fire Department and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Molino Man Allegedly Beat His Child’s Mother With A Stick, Broom Handle And Belt; Battered His Mother
April 22, 2021
A Molino man is accused of striking his child’s mother with a stick, broom handle and a belt before pouring water and alcohol over her. He is also accused of the battery of his mother in an unrelated incident.
Pedro Yamirr Lopez-Nava, 18, was charged with felony aggravated battery using a deadly weapon and misdemeanor battery.
The victim stated she and Lopez-Nava had an argument in the driveway of the their Molino home. She said the argument turned physical when he grabbed a stick from the yard and began beating her, according to arrest report. She ran inside where Lopez-Nava beat her with a broom handle, threw a bucket of water and then alcohol on her, and demanded that she clean up the mess from the incident, the report continues.
The victim suffered injuries including bruises “from her right eye all the way to her right knee”, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
In an unrelated incident days later, Lopez-Nava allegedly committed battery against his mother.
The ECSO responded to Taqueria Olgys restaurant on W Street where they found Lopez-Nava sitting on a stool in front of his mother, and both of them were crying, deputies said. Speaking through another one of her sons acting as an interpreter, the mother told deputies Lopez-Nava tried to get her to leave but she refused. He became angry and grabbed her left arm trying to pull her off her seat but she continued to refuse, the report states. The mother told deputies Lopez-Nava is methamphetamine user, and she claimed he has hit her before.
Lopez-Nava remained in the Escambia County Jail Thursday with bond set at $4,000.
Cantonment Man Sentenced To 15 Years For Attempted Murder At Gas Station
April 22, 2021
A Cantonment man has been sentenced to prison for attempted murder at an Escambia County gas station in May 2020.
William David Nicholson II, entered a plea to attempted first degree premeditated murder with a firearm, possession of firearm by a convicted felon, criminal mischief ($1000 or greater) and, on a second case, to grand theft.
He was sentenced to 15 years in state prison with a 10 year minimum mandatory on the attempted murder charge and a three year minimum mandatory sentence for possession of firearm by convicted felon. Nicholson, who was sentenced by Judge Jennie Kinsey, will be required to serve the minimum mandatory sentences day for day.
On May 13, 2020, Nicholson attempted to sell marijuana to the victim. The victim did not pay Nicholson for the narcotics.
Nicholson seemed to realize this shortly after the transaction had occurred, and a brief high speed chase ensued between their two vehicles. After pulling into the parking lot of a gas station in the 8600 block of Pine Forest Road at I-10, Nicholson exited his vehicle with a firearm and fired two shots toward the victim. At least one projectile went into the victim’s vehicle, striking the victim. The victim suffered a non-life threatening injury to the head and was taken to a local hospital.
Nicholson then fled the scene.
Nicholson has multiple prior felony convictions including three for burglary, grand theft and three for grand theft of a firearm.