ESCO Honors Deputies, Employees, Road Camp Officers, K-9 Officer
October 10, 2020
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office held a quarterly awards ceremony Friday morning to honor the following deputies, Escambia County Sheriff’s Office employees, Escambia County Road Camp officers and a special K-9 officer.
For a photo gallery, click here.
- Deputy Trainee Christian Cochran and Deputy Meghan Matthews received the Life Saving Award.
- Lt. Marc Dewees, Senior Deputy Brad Baker, and Deputy 1st Class Thomas Bortner received the Medal of Courage Award.
- Carla Kunert, Michelle Stepanski, Alyssa Strickland, Wendy Martin, Jessica Miller, Julie Weaver, Shalonda Booker, Derondha Lee, Heather Gillman, Elizabeth Peterson, Shila Carter, Amy Baucum, Michael Barnhart, Lorie Rani and Matthew Pike received the Unit Citation Award.
- Captain Kevin Barnes, Lt. Chad Sims, Sgt. Chris Moye, Road Camp Officer Dusty Burkette, Road Camp Officer Matt Marmont, Road Camp Officer Robert Oliver and K-9 Shorty received the Meritorious Service Award..
- Sgt. Christopher Miller and Deputy 1st Class Robert Greene received the Life Saving Medal Award.
- Deputy Thomas Bortner received the Purple Heart Award.
- Crime Scene Tech Jennifer Hall received the Law Enforcement Employee of the Quarter Award.
- Rodney McKinney received the Law Enforcement Employee of the Year Award.
- Deputy Joan Savage received the Law Enforcement Deputy of the Quarter and the Law Enforcement Deputy of the Year Award.
- Deputy Matthew Johnson and Deputy Gabrielle Macool received the Life Saving Award.
- Captain Jeremy Small received the Medal of Courage and Life Saving Award.
- Christopher Leverett received the Civilian Service Medal Award.
- Lt. Stephen Schaff, Lt. Phillip Folmar, Sgt. Jonathan Wood, Sgt. Patrick Roberts, Sgt. Vince Odenbrett, Senior Deputy Jason Donnelly and Deputy Luke McCracken received the Medal of Courage and the Life Saving Award.
- Deputy Nolan Berkey and Deputy Kody Haley received the Medal of Courage and the Life Saving Award.
Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Cleaning Up This Weekend? Here’s How You Separate Hurricane Debris
October 10, 2020
Curbside removal of Hurricane Sally debris removal in now underway in Escambia County.
Escambia County residents are asked to place any storm-generated debris on the public right of way (the area of residential property that extends from the street to the sidewalk, ditch, utility pole or easement.) Residents are also reminded that there is a burn ban in effect for all of Escambia County.
Debris that was generated by Hurricane Sally should be placed and sorted on the area immediately adjoining the road in front of your home. The county has divided its jurisdiction into three zones and contracted with three separate companies to accomplish the debris removal in 90 days.
Residents are urged to separate the debris as follows:
- Vegetative Debris (whole trees, tree stumps, tree branches, tree trunks and other leafy material)
- Construction and Demolition Debris (damaged components of buildings and structures such lumber and wood, wall board, glass, metal, roofing materials, tile, furnishings and fixtures)
- Appliances and White Goods (refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners, heat pumps, ovens, ranges, washing machines, clothes dryers and water heaters)
- Electronic Waste (computers, televisions, office electronic equipment, etc.)
- Household Hazardous Waste (materials that are ignitable, reactive, toxic or corrosive such as paints, cleaners, pesticides, etc.)
- Only loose debris will be collected; bagged debris should not be placed on the public right of way. Make every attempt to avoid stacking debris below low hanging power or utility lines.
Do not place debris within four feet of:
- Mailboxes
- Water meters
- Fire hydrants, or any other above-ground utility
- Only debris placed on the public right of way will be eligible for collection until further notice.
If all debris is not picked up during the initial pass, please continue to push remaining debris to the right of way for collection on subsequent passes.
Captured: Escaped Work Release Inmate Was Just Convicted Of Voyeurism. He Is Also Awaiting Trial On 20 Child Porn Counts.
October 9, 2020
UPDATE: Jeremy Daniel Pecotte has been captured.
Authorities are searching for an escaped Escambia County work release inmate that was just convicted of voyeurism and is awaiting trial on 20 child pornography counts.
Jeremy Daniel Pecotte, 28, was last seen on Bauer Road about 10:30 a.m. Friday. He was on a work release detail with an Escambia County road crew. He was wearing blue inmate scrubs with white lettering “ECRP” and black boots.
Just this month, he was convicted of voyeurism for using a small camera on selfie stick to film women in the women’s bathroom at Lowe’s on Airport Boulevard in April.
In June, he was arrested on 20 counts of possession of child pornography for allegedly possessing 20 images depicting minor children engaged in sexual conduct. According to an arrest report, 1,189 photos uploaded to Google Drive and Google Photos by Pecotte depicted minor females between the ages of 3 and 13 engaged in various sexual acts and poses.
Anyone that sees Pecotte is asked to immediately cally 911.
Cantonment Man Arrested In Walton County On Drug Charge After Undercover Operation
October 9, 2020
A Cantonment man has been arrested in Walton County for a drug made from a chemical often used to make paint thinner.
Steven Jared Roth, 32, was arrested after an undercover operation by the Walton County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit for the sale of 1,4-Butanediol (BD) — commonly known on the street by the name “One Comma Four”. The 1, 4-Butanediol is used to make floor stripper, paint thinner, and other industrial products.
When mixed with other drugs, misuse of 1, 4-Butanediol has resulted in addiction and death, according to the Walton County Sheriff’s Office.
In addition to the drug charges, Roth was also charged with unlawful use of a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony.
Roth was arrested in Lynn Haven and is in the Washington County Jail on other charges. He will later be transferred to Walton County to face the drug charge.
WCSO said 1, 4-Butanediol also known by the names “Liquid Fantasy”, “One Four Bee”, “Water”, “Scoop” and “One Four B-D-O”.
Construction Milestone: Traffic To Shift On Highway 29 Southbound On Sunday
October 9, 2020
Road construction on Highway 29 in Escambia County will reach a milestone of sorts on Sunday.
At 8 p.m. Sunday, all southbound Highway 29 traffic between Carolina Drive and I-10 will shift onto newly constructed southbound lanes. That put all southbound traffic between 9 1/2 Mile Road and I-10 on the west side of the median.
Construction activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Pictured: Previous work on the southbound lanes of Highway 29 just north of I-10. File photo.
Renters Can Apply For Hurricane Sally FEMA Assistance Too
October 9, 2020
FEMA wants renters in Escambia and Santa Rosa countie to know that they too can apply for individual assistance related to Hurricane Sally.
FEMA Individual Assistance is available to renters, including students, as well as homeowners. Federal grants can help pay for temporary housing. The initial rental grant is for a 60-day period and can be reviewed for further assistance. The registration deadline is December 1, 2020.
Renters may also qualify for a grant under FEMA’s Other Needs Assistance program for essential personal property and other disaster-related expenses. These may include:
Survivors can register with FEMA in the following ways:
- Visit DisasterAssistance.gov
- Download the FEMA App
- Call 800-621-3362 (800-462-7585 TTY). Multilingual operators are available. The toll-free numbers are open daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. local time. Those who use a relay service such as a videophone, InnoCaption or CapTel should provide FEMA with their specific phone number assigned to that service.
- Visit a Mobile Registration Intake Center:
- Escambia County Extension Service – 3740 Stefani Road, Cantonment
- Southwest Branch Library - 12248 Gulf Beach Highway
- Brownsville Community Center – 3200 W. DeSoto St.
- Pensacola State College South Santa Rosa Center – 5075 Gulf Breeze Pkwy, Gulf Breeze
Applicants may apply online using SBA’s secure website at https://DisasterLoanAssistance.sba.gov. Or they may email FOCE-Help@SBA.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For additional information about SBA disaster loans, the loan application process, or for help completing the SBA application, visit SBA’s secure website at https://DisasterLoanAssistance.sba.gov.
Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. Individuals who are deaf or hard-of-hearing may call 800-877-8339.
Escambia Man Gets Life For Murdering His Grandfather
October 9, 2020
Thursday, an Escambia County man was sentenced to life in prison for killing his grandfather.
The life sentence for Marcus Deangelo Knight has been handed down by Judge Jennie Kensey.
Knight killed his grandfather James Howard Royster, Jr., inside the victim’s home on Lee Street in Pensacola on May 9, 2019. Prosecutors presented evidence that included DNA and surveillance video in proving their case.
Knight was found guilty of the crime by an Escambia County jury during a trial held in February of 2020. The sentencing hearing was delayed due the impact of the pandemic on the court system.
Thursday Night Football Finals (With Tate Photo Gallery)
October 9, 2020
There was a full slate of high school football games Thursday night, all rescheduled early due to Hurricane Delta.
For a photo gallery from Pace at Tate, click here.
Here are the North Escambia area scores from Thursday night:
FLORIDA
Pace 35 Tate 17
Northview 27, Walton 12
Pine Forest 14, Washington, 6
Pensacola High at Gulf Breeze, 7:30 p.m.
Jay 14, Chipley 12
Escambia 46, Pensacola Catholic 12
Tate Freshmen 23, Pace Freshman 22 (Wed. pm)
ALABAMA
Flomaton 50, Excel 13
Escambia Academy 33, Autauga Academy 0
T.R. Miller 37, Hillcrest 20
Jackson 26, W.S. Neal 22
Williamson at Escambia County (Atmore) 6 p.m. MONDAY
Pictured: The Pace Patriots defeated the Tate Aggies 35-17 Thursday night at Pete Gindl Stadium. NorthEscambia.com photos by Jennifer Repine, click to enlarge.
Hurricane Delta: Escambia, Santa Rosa Schools Will Be Open On Friday
October 8, 2020
As Hurricane Delta takes aim at Louisiana, Escambia and Santa Rosa county schools will be in session on Friday.
Escambia and Santa Rosa counties were in the forecast cone. It has since centered on Louisiana, and forecasters say they have a high confidence in that forecast that will bring only minimal impacts locally.
“All Escambia County (FL) public schools and offices will be operating on a regular schedule for Traditional (face-to-face instruction), as well as Remote and Virtual instruction on Friday, Oct. 9, 2020. Current projections for Hurricane Delta indicate our area will be fortunate, receiving rain and some wind,” Superintendent Malcolm Thomas said in a written statement Thursday afternoon. “The district will continue to monitor Hurricane Delta, working along with the Emergency Operation Center (EOC), as the safety and welfare of our students and staff are paramount.”
All football games for Escambia County teams were already rescheduled for Thursday night (click for details).
Manhunt Leads To Arrest Of Man For Stealing From Bristol Park Flood Victims
October 8, 2020
A suspect accused of stealing from flood victims in Bristol Park was arrested after a manhunt Thursday morning.
Darin Anthony Mathis, 35, was allegedly stealing items from abandoned flood damaged cars along Bristol Park Road in Cantonment, according to Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Maj. Andrew Hobbs.
Mathis was charged with burglary, criminal mischief with property damage, possession of burglary tools, grand theft, resisting arrest, possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, and possession of paraphernalia. He also had outstanding warrants for failure to appear for a felony offense, fleeing and eluding and driving with a suspended license. He was booked into the Escambia County Jail without bond.
Hobbs said patrol deputies and a K-9 responded quickly and established a perimeter after the incident was reported, leading to the capture.
The area was flooded during Hurricane Sally, and multiple damaged vehicles were left behind along Bristol Park Road.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour and reader submitted photos, click to enlarge. Mathis is pictured in a 2019 mugshot from a previous arrest.
