ECSO Develops Two Persons Of Interest In Molino Mailbox Vandalism Case
May 31, 2025
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office says they have identified two persons of interest in the destruction of multiple mailboxes last weekend in Molino. But there have yet been arrests, ECSO said Friday afternoon.
About two dozen mailboxes were damaged or destroyed in the area of Sunshine Hill Road, Crabtree Church Road, Gibson Road, and Chestnut Road. Not all of the property owners filed a reported with the sheriff’s office.
Several residents reported that the mailboxes that were damaged by someone one a four-wheeler.
Any that may have video is asked to contact the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Plan Ahead: Salzman To Host Constituents Day With Local, State And Federal Officials
May 31, 2025
Make your calendar — Rep. Michelle Salzman, in partnership with local, state, and federal officials will host in-person mobile office hours to assist constituents with casework issues. These office hours offer constituents who do not live close to one of the district offices a more convenient way to receive county, state, and federal casework assistance.
Expected to attend are:
- Representative Michelle Salzman’s Office
- Senator Rick Scott’s Office
- Congressman Jimmy Patronis’ Office
- County Commissioner Lumon May’s office
- County Commissioner Ashlee Hofberger’s office
- Escambia County Tax Collector
- Hope Florida
- Department of Health
- Florida Division of Blind Services
- Center for Independent Living
- Escambia County Neighborhood Enterprise Division
The event will take place from noon until 2 p.m. on June 13 at the Escambia County Tax Collector’s Office – Brentwood at 5046 North Palafox Street.
“I’m honored to host the upcoming community outreach event. It’s a valuable chance for elected officials to connect with community members and support them in addressing government-related concerns,” Salzman said.
Laskey’s Quality Start Not Enough In 3-1 Wahoos Loss
May 31, 2025
written by Erik Bremer
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos got another solid performance from their pitcher on Friday night, but couldn’t generate enough offense in a 3-1 loss to the Montgomery Biscuits.
Adam Laskey (L, 2-4) allowed just two runs over 6.0 innings, delivering his first professional quality start, but the Pensacola offense went just 1-for-9 with men in scoring position.
The Biscuits jumped ahead right away in the first inning, as Matthew Etzel and Brayden Taylor hit back-to-back RBI doubles with two outs for a 2-0 lead.
Montgomery starter Jackson Baumeister departed in the third inning with an apparent injury, and Jonny Cuevas (W, 1-0) entered in unexpected relief and contributed 3.0 scoreless frames. The Blue Wahoos left runners in scoring position in the first, fourth, fifth and sixth innings in an unsuccessful effort to back up Laskey’s strong start.
Pensacola reliever Justin King walked the bases loaded in the seventh inning and hit Cooper Kinney to force in a run, extending the Montgomery lead to 3-0. Josh Zamora delivered a long-awaited RBI single in the eighth to bring home Cody Morissette and get the Blue Wahoos on the board, but Derrick Edington (S, 1) entered to get the final out of the eighth inning and work a spotless ninth for the save in a 3-1 final.
With the defeat, the Blue Wahoos have lost 10 games in a row for the first time in team history.
The Blue Wahoos continue their series against the Biscuits on Saturday. First pitch from Riverwalk Stadium is scheduled for 6:05 p.m.
Boil Water Notice Lifted For Farm Hill Utility Customers
May 31, 2025
THIS BOIL WATER NOTICE WAS LIFTED MONDAY MORNING, JUNE 2.
Due to a broken water main at Muscogee Road and County Road 97, Farm Hill Utilities has issued a precautionary boil water notice for a portion of their service rea.
Specifically, the boil water notice includes the area bounded by Jacks Branch Road and adjacent roads, Muscogee Road and Andalusia Road.
Residents located in the area are advised that all water used for drinking, cooking, making ice, brushing teeth, or washing dishes be boiled. A rolling boil of one minute is sufficient. As an alternative, bottled water may be used. This “precautionary boil water notice” will remain in effect until the problem has been corrected and a bacteriological survey shows that the water is safe to drink
Precautionary boil water notices are issued as a part of the standard protocol following any loss of water pressure, whether as a result of planned maintenance activities or unscheduled repairs.
For more information, contact Farm Hill Utilities at (850) 968-2573 or check their website.
NorthEscambia.com photo by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Work Release Inmate Struck By Vehicle
May 30, 2025
An Escambia County work release inmate was struck by a vehicle Friday afternoon in Cantonment.
It happened about 2:45 p.m. on Muscogee Road at Country Road 97.
“An Escambia County inmate was struck by a vehicle while on work release detail. The inmate is being transported by EMS for further evaluation,” Andie Gibson, Escambia County public information officer, said after the incident.
The driver of a Chevrolet Silverado apparently struck the inmate as Escambia County crews were working in the area. Farm Hill Utilities was also working in the area to repair a water main break, but it was not immediately clear if that contributed in any way to the crash.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating and has not yet released further details.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Man Charged In String Of Vehicle Theft Cases
May 30, 2025
A Cantonment man has been charged in string of vehicle theft cases.
Timothy Garrett was charged with multiple counts of grand theft of a motor vehicle, grand theft from a posted construction site, dealing in stolen property, resisting, and criminal mischief.
In February, a Kubota RTV was stolen from a posted Emerald Coast Utilities Authority (ECUA) construction site on Old Chemstrand Road, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. The site’s fence was cut to gain entry, and a side-by-side, valued at $12,700, was taken. Investigators said that Timothy Garrett allegedly offered the stolen Kubota for sale shortly after its disappearance. Two separate witnesses reported Garrett attempting to sell them the vehicle for just $800.
Further investigation linked Garrett to the theft of a Yamaha Warrior 4-wheeler from a residence on Molino Road in March. The victim reported their fence was cut, and the 4-wheeler, valued at $1,500, was stolen. Information gathered during the inquiry suggested Garrett was seen with the stolen 4-wheeler, and its tires were later located at a property on Jacks Branch Road. Garrett claimed to have purchased the 4-wheeler from a teenager, but this account was refuted by another individual.
Most recently, in May, deputies attempted to locate Garrett on Jacks Branch Road in connection with active warrants. Garrett was observed riding a green motorcycle dirt bike and attempted to flee. After a pursuit, he was apprehended. The motorcycle was later identified as stolen from a residence on San Carlos Road.
Garrett remained in the Escambia County Jail Friday morning with bond set $87,500.
Two McDavid Men Charged In Case Of Stolen, Returned, Stolen Again Side-By-Side
May 30, 2025
A recent theft investigation by the Atmore Police Department has unveiled a series of events more like a comedic caper than a typical crime, involving a stolen side-by-side vehicle that was snatched, returned, and then stolen again within the same night.
The curious case began on May 19, when an Atmore Police Department officer responded to Parker & Sons on Nichols Avenue at Highway 31 regarding a stolen side-by-side. Upon reviewing security footage, the business made a surprising discovery: their side-by-side had been stolen not once, but twice on the night of May 18.
Atmore Police Department investigators, working in conjunction with Escambia County (FL) Sheriff’s Office investigators, soon pieced together the peculiar timeline and recovered the vehicle at a residence in McDavid.
Investigators identified the initial culprit as 27-year-old Cody McNeil from McDavid. According to investigators, McNeil stole the side-by-side just after midnight. In an unexpected twist, he apparently had a change of heart and returned the vehicle about an hour later, according to police.
However, the side-by-side’s brief return to its rightful place was short-lived. Soon after McNeil’s impromptu return, 50-year-old Dennis Comalander, also of McDavid, allegedly stole the very same side-by-side. The vehicle was ultimately recovered at Comalander’s residence, according to police.
The Atmore Police Department obtained warrants for both individuals for theft of property first degree. Cody McNeil was arrested by an Atmore Police officer on May 27 and transported to the Escambia County (AL) Detention Center.
Dennis Comalander was apprehended by an Escambia County (FL) Sheriff’s deputy on May 28 and booked into the Escambia County (FL) Jail, where he is currently awaiting extradition back to Alabama.
Ernest Ward Middle School Names Students, Employee Of The Month
May 30, 2025
Ernest Ward Middle School recently named their employee and student of the month for May. Pictured (L-R) with Principal Tyvanna Boulanger are students Kaylee Moore, eighth grade; Jocelyn Smith, seventh grade; Hadley Alan Ramos, sixth grade; and Selena Hester, teacher assistant. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Final Vote To Set Special Election For Century Town Council Seat
May 30, 2025
The Town of Century has set a second and final reading of an ordinance setting a special election to fill a vacant seat on the town council.
The ordinance will be up for a final vote during the town council’s regular meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 17 at town hall.
On May 6, Councilmember Sandra McMurray-Jackson resigned from Seat 5 for personal reasons. With more than six months remaining until the end of her term in January 2027, the town charter requires that the council set a special election and appoint a replacement to the five-member body.
The special election has been set for Tuesday, July 29. If no candidate for the non-partisan seat receives one vote more than 50%, a runoff will be held on September 29. The winner will take office 10 days after certification of the election.
The qualifying period for candidates is set for June 23-25.
The town recently held a special election for mayor and another council seat due to resignations, electing Ben Boutwell to the mayor’s seat at John Bass to the council.
Pictured: Century Mayor Ben Boutwell, attending his first council meeting after being reelected in a special election, takes notes during a town council meeting on May 20. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Fitterer Sharp, But Clutch Hitting Eludes Wahoos In 6-1 Loss To Biscuits
May 30, 2025
written by Erik Bremer
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos had ample opportunity to convert on offensive opportunities on Thursday night, but couldn’t make the most of their chances in a 6-1 loss to the Montgomery Biscuits.
A night after going 0-for-11 with men in scoring position in a 3-1 defeat, the Blue Wahoos left a runner in scoring position in seven of their nine innings and brought in their lone run on an RBI groundout.
Evan Fitterer (L, 2-4) pitched well, allowing only two runs in 5.1 solid innings, but solo home runs from Xavier Isaac in the first inning and Ricardo Genoves in the fifth inning provided the Biscuits with an early boost.
The Blue Wahoos evened the score 1-1 in the second inning, loading the bases with no outs against starter Ty Johnson (W, 4-0) thanks to a hit batsman and two walks. Johnny Olmstead tied the game with an RBI groundout, but Johnson coaxed a popout and strikeout to escape further trouble.
The Genoves homer in the fifth gave the Biscuits a 2-1 edge, and the Blue Wahoos failed to capitalize on their many late-game opportunities to tie the game or take the lead. Their only hit among 15 at-bats with a man in scoring position was a Dalvy Rosario single in the seventh that moved Spencer Bramwell from second base to third. Both runners would be stranded, among the 10 total men left on base throughout the night.
In a rare off night for Pensacola reliever Josh Ekness, the Biscuits added four insurance runs in the eighth on a Will Simpson sacrifice fly and two-out RBI singles from Ryan Spikes and Hunter Stovall. Dan Hammer closed out the ninth for the Biscuits to secure a 6-1 final.
With the defeat, the Blue Wahoos have lost nine games in a row to tie a team record.
The Blue Wahoos continue their series against the Biscuits on Friday. First pitch from Riverwalk Stadium is scheduled for 6:35 p.m.