FHP Arrests Cantonment Man For DUI Hit And Run Crash
October 8, 2025
A Cantonment man was arrested following a DUI hit and run crash last week on East Kingsfield Road.
Alfred Ryan Long, 36, was charged with driving under the influence with property damage, leaving the scene of a crash involving property damage, and obstruction without violence.
The incident began around 10:00 p.m. when a blue 2005 sedan reportedly rear-ended another vehicle near the intersection with Cabot Street, then continued traveling until it crashed into a traffic sign. An independent witness at the scene reported seeing the driver—described as a white, middle-aged man wearing an orange shirt—flee the accident site on foot, walking eastbound. The witness noted the driver appeared impaired, reporting a strong odor of alcohol. The driver was later identified as Long.
A short time later, a responding Florida Highway Patrol trooper located Long, who matched the description, a few blocks from the crash site. Long was reportedly sweaty and out of breath. Upon contact, the trooper observed Long struggling to keep his balance, swaying and stumbling. The report also indicated Long exhibited several signs of impairment, including slurred speech and bloodshot eyes, with a heavy presence of alcohol detected on his breath.
During the investigation, Long was found to be concealing the vehicle’s Florida tag underneath his clothes, according to an arrest report. Troopers believed the tag was purposely removed from the vehicle in an attempt to deter the criminal investigation into leaving the scene of a crash.
Long was asked to perform a series of roadside sobriety exercises, which FHP said he failed. He subsequently refused to provide a breath sample to determine his alcohol content.
Long was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $2,500 bond.
Century Approves $49K Change Order For Wastewater Treatment Plant Repair
October 8, 2025
Tuesday night was a night of rather ordinary business for the Century Town Council, including a change order authorization for more than $49,000 on a wastewater treatment plant improvement project.
The $49,645.20 change order approved by the council, along with 20 additional construction days, will remove existing concrete coating in four concrete tanks located in the 35-year-old wastewater treatment plant on Jefferson Avenue. The coating will be sandblasted or removed in a similar method, according to engineer Dale Long said. The change order will also fund the repair of a large crack discovered in a clarifier tank.
In other business, the council also approved a resolution on miscellaneous water improvements that changes the language stating the funding source will be a new account recently created for that purpose.
Pictured: Portions of the Century Wastewater Treatment Plant that need repair and removal of concrete coating, including large crack (below). Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Lipscomb Elementary Names Students Of The Month
October 8, 2025
Lipscomb Elementary School recently named their September Students of the Month. They are Elijah Brown and Paris Pittman. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Over $63 Million In Bonuses Award To Law Enforcement Recruits In Florida
October 8, 2025
Governor Ron DeSantis announced Tuesday in the Panhandle that Florida has awarded more than 9,400 recruitment bonuses to new law enforcement officers through the Florida Law Enforcement Recruitment Bonus Payment Program. The latest round of bonuses went to officers serving the Florida Panhandle region, with an additional 734 bonuses distributed to recruits across the state.
Launched in 2022, this first-of-its-kind initiative underscores Florida’s nation-leading commitment to supporting law enforcement. The program provides a one-time $5,000 bonus—after taxes—to newly employed officers as a show of appreciation and incentive for choosing to serve in Florida.
“Today in Panama City, we welcomed new law enforcement recruits from Bay, Franklin, Gulf, and Walton counties and awarded them $5,000 recruitment bonuses,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “Many new officers across the state moved to Florida from soft-on-crime jurisdictions, where prosecutors allow crime to run rampant and local politicians denigrate law enforcement. Here in Florida, law enforcement officers are supported and appreciated—and criminals are held accountable.”
To date, more than 1,900 law enforcement officers from 49 other states and two territories have relocated to Florida, with more than 600 coming from anti-police states like California, Illinois, and New York. Each of the 9,400 newly recruited officers has received a $5,000 bonus after taxes, with the program distributing more than $63 million to date.
The bonuses are part of a broader initiative to make Florida the most law-and-order state in the nation. Under the Fiscal Year 2025-26 budget, the Governor secured $49 million in pay increases for more than 16,200 state sworn law enforcement officers, raised the minimum base pay to $60,000, and provided significant raises for both entry-level and veteran officers. The state has also expanded wellness resources, enhanced penalties for crimes against officers, introduced law enforcement education programs in high schools, and launched the Florida Law Enforcement Academy Scholarship Program to cover training costs for new recruits.
In addition to a $5,000 recruitment bonus, DeSantis said the benefits of becoming a Florida law enforcement officer include financial stability, upward mobility, excellent health and retirement benefits, student loan forgiveness programs, home loan programs, and more.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview Chiefs Sweep The Pine Forest Eagles (With Gallery)
October 8, 2025
The Northview Chiefs made quick work of the visiting Pine Forest Eagles on Tuesday night in Bratt, delivering a dominant performance to secure a straight-set victory. The Chiefs controlled the match from start to finish, winning in three sets: 25-9, 25-18, and 25-16.
For a photo gallery, click here.
The Chiefs completely overwhelmed the Eagles in the first set, closing it out with a decisive 25-9 margin. Though the Eagles rallied and played tougher in the subsequent sets, managing to push the score to 25-18 and 25-16, the Chiefs maintained control.
The Northview Chiefs will end the regular season on Thursday as they host the J.U. Blacksher Bulldogs from Uriah, Alabama.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Ernest Ward Eagles Celebrate 8th Grade Night
October 8, 2025
The Ernest Ward Middle School Eagles celebrated 8th Grade Night on Tuesday night, honoring 8th grade football players and cheerleaders.
For a photo gallery, click here.
In game action in Walnut Hill, Ernest Ward fell to the T.R. Miller Tigers.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Allie Penton, click to enlarge.
McDavid Double Shooting Ruled Apparent Murder-Suicide by ECSO
October 7, 2025
Investigators now say a deadly double shooting Monday in McDavid appears to have been a murder-suicide.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said Tuesday afternoon that their investigation determined that the wife apparently shot her husband before turning the gun on herself in the family’s home.
Deputies discovered two people deceased from gunshot wounds inside a home in the 700 block of North Century Boulevard, about a half mile north of the McDavid Fire Station.
The ECSO said they were called Monday by the father of now-deceased husband to do a welfare check after he did not arrive for work Monday. They found the victims’ vehicles at the home, but no one answered the door. Deputies made entry about 11:30 a.m. and located a man and woman both deceased with gunshot wounds.
The Sheriff’s Office said there were no signs of a struggle, no forced entry into the home, and they do not believe there was any foul play by a third party.
The investigation is continuing.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
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Cantonment Man Faces Felony Strangulation, Battery Charges For Allegedly Attacking Children’s Mother
October 7, 2025
A Cantonment man is charged after allegedly strangling and cutting the mother of his two children.
Lamar William McDonald, 39, was charged with felony charges of aggravated domestic battery with a deadly weapon and domestic battery by strangulation.
The arrest report states that a responding deputy detained the suspect in his garage. Another deputy then made contact with the victim, the mother of the suspect’s two children, who was highly distressed and partially clothed.
The victim provided a statement alleging the assault began earlier at a sports bar. She claimed the suspect approached a vehicle she was in, forcibly pulled her out, and drove her back to their shared residence, the report states. During the drive, she was repeatedly struck and her clothing was ripped.
The assault escalated at the home, the report states. According to the victim, after being dragged inside, McDonald grabbed a kitchen knife with sharp prongs and knocked her to the floor in the kitchen, cutting her with the knife. McDonald then allegedly climbed on top of her, wrapped his hands around her throat, constricting her airway, and threatened to kill her.
The victim told deputies that she believed her life was in danger before she managed to break free and call 911 from her vehicle. Deputies observed multiple bruises, cuts, and redness on the victim consistent with her account.
When interviewed, the suspect was read his Miranda Rights and stated he did not wish to provide information that would incriminate him, though he acknowledged being at the bar, according to the arrest report.
McDonald was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $40,000 bond.
Coleman Named Tate High School Teacher Of The Year
October 7, 2025
Chip Coleman has been named the Tate High School Teacher of the Year.
Coleman currently serves as an Agricultural Educator and FFA Advisor, where he inspires students to embrace leadership, innovation, and community through Agricultural Education.
According to the school:
A proud Tate High School alumnus (Class of 1996), Coleman’s journey reflects a deep commitment to education and service. After earning his Associate of Arts degree from Pensacola Junior College, he went on to receive a BSBA in Marketing with a minor in Management from the University of West Florida, along with certificates in Sales Management and Internet Marketing. He later pursued his passion for teaching, completing a Master of Education (M.Ed.) from the University of West Florida in 2018.
Coleman began his teaching career in 2012 as a substitute teacher with Escambia County School District, before moving into the classroom at Jim Allen Elementary, where he taught first and fifth grades for nearly a decade and served as RTI Coordinator. In 2022, he returned to his roots at Tate High School to teach agriculture and serve the FFA chapter, blending his background with hands-on agricultural education.
Guided by the three words that define him Faith, Family, and Outdoors Coleman brings authenticity and heart into the classroom. His leadership has strengthened Tate’s Agricultural Programs while instilling responsibility, work ethic, and pride in his students.
He is also guided by one of his favorite principles, a quote from Dale Carnegie: “You can make more friends in two months by becoming interested in other people than you can in two years by trying to get other people interested in you.”
“Chip represents the very best of what it means to be an Aggie,” said Laura Touchstone, Principal of Tate High School. “He not only invests in his students’ education but also in their personal growth, preparing them to be leaders in agriculture and in life. We are thrilled to celebrate his dedication as our Teacher of the Year.”
Coleman’s recognition as Tate High School Teacher of the Year reflects his unwavering commitment to student success, his innovative teaching style, and his embodiment of the Tate Traditions.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Health Department Offers Free Or Low Cost Breast Cancer Screenings
October 7, 2025
The Florida Department of Health in Escambia County recognizes October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a time to spread important health education and encourage women to receive regular screenings to promote early detection and treatment of breast cancer.
Breast cancer is a disease in which cells in the breast grow out of control. Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer among women in Florida. Although rare, men can also develop breast cancer. Mortality rates have decreased by over 5% in the past 10 years, partly due to improved screening, access, and treatment.
Prevention
- Routine screening and self-breast exams are important to breast wellness. Being familiar with your breasts can help you notice signs/symptoms such as lumps, discharge, or changes in size or nipple appearance. Contact your health care provider if you notice any signs/symptoms.
- Women ages 40 to 74 should schedule a mammogram every two years with their health care provider, or with DOH-Escambia if eligible for the Florida Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program.
- At-risk women should schedule regular breast MRIs and mammograms every year. Risk factors include family history, genetics, breast density, and more.
- Healthy habits can help prevent breast cancer. A healthy lifestyle includes eating nutritious foods, avoiding alcohol and tobacco, regular physical activity, and adhering to recommended screenings.
- Breastfeeding lowers a woman’s risk of getting breast cancer.
Early Detection Tips
DOH-Escambia provides access to free or low-cost breast cancer screenings to women who are uninsured or underinsured, have a low income, and meet the program eligibility requirements. Mammograms can detect breast cancer in the early stages when it is easier to treat. To see if you qualify for these screenings, call (850) 316-2706 or visit Florida Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program.