Curiosity Caught The Cat Owner: Atmore Man Searching For Pet Arrested On Meth Charge
January 20, 2026
An Atmore man who was looking for his missing cat was arrested on drug charges, according to the Atmore Police Department.
An Atmore Police Department officer on routine patrol found a vehicle parked at the gate of a locked business on Robinsonville Road. That’s where they found a woman lying down in the backseat. She informed the officer that her boyfriend, 46-year-old Dennis Sothman, had climbed over the gate looking for their cat.
APD deployed a drone, locating Sothman hiding behind some bushes. He was detained, and officers found “several” grams of methamphetamine on his person along with items used to package narcotics, police said.
Sothman was charged with possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, and attempting to elude an officer.
Three Injured In Highway 168 Rollover Crash
January 20, 2026
Three people were injured in a single-vehicle crash Monday afternoon near Byrneville.
A Ford Expedition was westbound on Highway 168 between the two intersections with Wawbeek Road when the vehicle left the roadway for an unknown reason, struck a ditch and culvert, and became airborne. The vehicle came to rest on its side on the shoulder of the road.
One person wasapped in the vehicle for an extended period of time while firefighters worked to extricate her, removing the windshield and cutting off the roof. The woman and a 17-year-old female were transported to Ascension Sacred Heart Hospital by Escambia County EMS. Another passenger, also a 17-year-old female, was airlifted to the hospital in serious condition.
For additional photos, click here.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating and has not released further details.
The Walnut Hill and Century stations of Escambia County Fire Rescue and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Two Convicted Felons Charged With Trafficking Fentanyl
January 20, 2026
Two Escambia County convicted felons have been indicted on federal fentanyl trafficking charges.
Ke Anthony Javon Blackmon, 29, and Averee Kathryn Savage, 27, were indicted by a federal grand jury. Each was charged with conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing fentanyl; possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing fentanyl; and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
If convicted, as charged, they each face a minimum mandatory of 10 years up to life imprisonment on the drug charges and a maximum of 15 years imprisonment on the gun charge.
The Drug Enforcement Administration, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case.
Giant Xylophone, Wind Chimes: Ascend Cares Volunteers Complete Work On New Roy Hyatt Sensory Trail
January 20, 2026
Volunteers from Ascend Cares returned for another work day on Friday at the Roy Hyatt Environmental Center in Cantonment to complete work on the new Roy Hyatt Sensory Trail.
They include “Windows to the Wind,” a “Whirling Wind Station,” a “Crunch Trail,” a huge xylophone, a human-sized bamboo wind chime, and a natural wood binocular station.
The Roy Hyatt Environmental Center is owned by the Escambia County School District and utilized for school field trips. RHEC is not open to the public; however, there are several annual special events that are open to the public. Those events are usually posted in advance on NorthEscambia.com.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Water Leak Causes Traffic Delays On North Century Boulevard
January 20, 2026
A water leak under North Century Boulevard (Highway 29) in Century caused traffic delays on Tuesday.
The leak was in the northbound 8800 block of North Highway 29, just south of the Mexican restaurant.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office assisted with traffic control.
Contractors assisted the Town of Century with the repair. A town official said the line never lost enough pressure to require a boil water notice.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Held In Century (With Photo Gallery)
January 19, 2026
A crowd headed out on a cold Monday in Century to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
The Century-Flomaton Improvement Association (CFIA) held its annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Celebration at the Century Ag Building Monday.
For a photo gallery, click here.
The program and celebration featured guest speaker Rev. Clara Clark of Wesley Chapel C.M.E. Church in Century and special music. A motorcade around Century followed lunch.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
East KingsField Road Resurfacing Begins Today
January 19, 2026
A $875,000 resurfacing project will begin today, January 19 on East Kingsfield Road.
East Kingsfield will be resurfaced between Highway 29 and Highway 297A. Traffic on East Kingsfield Road will be reduced to a single lane during the construction period.
The paving project is expected to be completed by Friday, February 13.
Residents, pedestrians, local traffic, and emergency vehicles will have access to properties within the work area at all times; however, there may be short periods when a driveway or entrance may be blocked temporarily as equipment and materials are moved during construction.
Editor’s note: Escambia County said that even though Monday, January 19, is a holiday, the project is set to begin.
NorthEscambia.com graphic, click to enlarge.
Driver Escapes Serious Injury in Cottage Hill Single-Vehicle Crash
January 19, 2026
A driver narrowly avoided serious injury Sunday morning following a single-vehicle crash in Cottage Hill.
The wreck occurred when an adult male traveling on Eden Road lost control of his pickup truck while crossing the railroad tracks just off Highway 95A. The vehicle veered off the roadway and collided with a tree.
The driver told authorities that a jug of milk he had just purchased was launched into the windshield during the impact.
The Florida Highway Patrol is currently investigating the cause of the crash. No further details have been made available.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Teen Uninjured In Barrineau Park Rollover Wreck
January 19, 2026
A teen driver escaped uninjured when he flipped his vehicle at the Perdido River in Barrineau Park on Sunday afternoon.
The crash occurred around 2:05 p.m. on Barrineau Park Road west of South Highway 99.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating and has not released any details.
Reader submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Man Indicted On Federal Drug Trafficking Charges
January 19, 2026
An Escambia County man is facing a federal drug trafficking charge.
Adrian Dion Pettaway Jr., 24, was indicted by a federal grand jury charging him with distribution of a controlled substance.
If convicted, Pettaway faces between five to 40 years’ imprisonment.
The case involved a joint investigation by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Assistant United States Attorney Jeffrey Tharp is prosecuting the case.