Two Residents Displaced By Molino House Fire
May 29, 2025
Fire left two people without a home in Molino Thursday afternoon.
The fire was reported about 1:30 p.m. in the 550 block of Cedartown Road, just off Highway 95A. Arriving fire crews found heavy smoke coming from the eaves of the home from the attic fire.
The American Red Cross is assisting two adults who were displaced by the fire.
There were no injuries reported, and the cause of the fire was under investigation.
Responding units included the Molino, Cantonment, McDavid, and Century stations of Escambia County Fire Rescue, Pace Fire Department, and Escambia County EMS.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Judge Rejects Arrest Warrant For Employee In Case Of $11,000 Missing From Town Of Century
May 29, 2025
An Escambia County judge declined to issue an arrest warrant in connection with the alleged theft of over $10,000 from the Town of Century.
In March 2025, then-interim mayor Alecia Johnson reported to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office that there were six missing deposits totaling $11,000 from the Town of Century to their bank account at United Bank in Flomaton.
Johnson told deputies that one town employee was solely responsible for making the deposits, but the employee had denied taking anything. The individual is no longer employed by the town.
In late February 2025, the town received a letter from Whataburger stating that their utility payment from July 23, 2024, had not cleared their bank. Current Town Clerk Carrie Moore told an ECSO investigator that a review of the town’s records and bank transactions confirmed that on multiple dates, utility payments received from residents and businesses were not deposited into the Town of Century’s bank account. Moore said, however, that the residential and business accounts were credited, according to an ECSO report obtained by NorthEscambia.com.
The Town of Century’s internal investigation revealed that the now former employee, “who was solely responsible for making the town’s daily deposits into the Town of Century’s bank account, failed to do her duty in a timely and consistent manner resulting in the missing deposits exceeding $11,000.”
In a meeting with interim mayor, town clerk and town manager on March 3, the former employee “admitted that she did not make deposits daily and on multiple occasions she held the deposits for several days before taking them to the bank,” the ECSO report states. Whataburger and other utility customers were credited for payments.
The former employee stated she was either “sick or gone from work for some reason”, the ECSO report states, but the investigator found she was walking on the dates of the missing deposits. The Town of Century report shows that of the seven missing deposits there is a total of $2,627.90 in cash and $8,432.51 in checks for a total of $11,060.41 not deposited into their account.
On March 10, the former employee told the ECSO investigator that she was seeking legal counsel and would speak at that point. The ECSO report noted that she never made additional contact with investigators, and their attempts to contact her were unsuccessful.
The ECSO received subpoenaed documentation and surveillance video of the night deposits from United Bank.
The internal Town of Century report, records of daily deposits and corresponding transactions, the former employee’s time sheets, Town of Century monthly bank statements and thumb drive of surveillance video were placed into evidence as the ECSO submitted a warrant affidavit seeking an arrest warrant for the former employee.
Escambia County Judge Scott Ritchie rejected the warrant affidavit for the former employe, according to a supplemental ECSO report, closing the investigation. A reason was not specified.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Molino Woman, Pensacola Man Arrested By FDLE On Fentanyl Charges
May 29, 2025
A Molino woman and Pensacola man were arrested on drug charges on Wednesday after the Florida Department of Law Enforcement served multiple search warrants in Molino, Cantonment and Pensacola.
Darius Andreas Brooks, 37, and Jennifer Lynn Beck, 53, were arrested on fentanyl and related crimes., according to FDLE. The arrests were the result of a joint investigation led by FDLE with assistance from the Pensacola Police Department, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
Brooks is charged with trafficking fentanyl, trafficking heroin and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Beck is charged with trafficking methamphetamine, possession of fentanyl and possession of controlled substances without a prescription.
“Today’s arrests highlight FDLE’s unwavering commitment to fighting fentanyl traffickers in Florida. I am proud of the dedicated FDLE agents and crime analysts who continue to work with our law enforcement partners to ensure drug traffickers are held accountable,” FDLE Pensacola Special Agent in Charge Chris Williams said Wednesday.
The case began in July of 2024 when FDLE received a tip that fentanyl was being distributed in Pensacola. The tip also included the names of persons suspected of trafficking fentanyl and other illicit drugs in the West Florida region.
Agents said the investigation revealed that Brooks and Beck were trafficking drugs with another trafficker, David Ryan Thompson, who FDLE arrested in February of 2025.
Multiple search warrants were served Wednesday at locations in Molino, Cantonment, and Pensacola. Law enforcement seized approximately one kilogram (more than 2.2 pounds) of fentanyl, trafficking amounts of heroin, trafficking amounts of methamphetamine, trafficking amounts of MDMA, approximately one pound of cannabis, an AR-15 rifle, a stolen AK-47 rifle, U.S currency, several cell phones and a 2019 Chevrolet Camaro.
Brooks and Beck were booked into the Escambia County Jail without bond.
Northview High Class Of 2025 Graduates (With Complete Graduate List, Gallery)
May 29, 2025
Over 100 members of the Northview High School Class of 2025 graduated Thursday afternoon at the Pensacola Bay Center.
Valedictorian of the Class of 2025 is Colton Ray Criswell, and salutatorian is Jamison Abigail Gilman.
Criswell thanked the family, friends, teachers and school stuff that supported him over the year. He offered a special thanks to his family, including his mother, Crystal Criswell, who passed away unexpectedly in 2017.
“She is the reason that I am here before you all because she wanted me to achieve this,” Criswell said of his late mother. “As she was my motivation, I encourage each of you to find your motivation and run with it.”
“Regardless of what the future holds, you must remember that God is the one that holds your future, and that will allow you to do great things in life,” Criswell told his classmates. “As we walk across this stage, take a moment to thank God for how far you have come…Find you motivation, find your passion, figure out what makes you happy and run with it. Time is limited in this world; enjoy the time you get. But most importantly, do something good with it.”
For a photo gallery, click or tap here.
Principal Mike Sherrill said 23 members of the class were at or above a 4.0 GPA, seven were at or above a 3.75 GPA, and 11 had earned at least a 3.5 GPA. Collectively, the class received over $1.23 million in scholarships.
Here is the complete graduate list for the Northview High School Class of 2025:
Summa Cum Laude GPA of 4.0 and above
- Colton Ray Criswell
- Jamison Abigail Gilman
- Jayden Kenneth White
- Madison Ann Levins
- Maddie Mae Elle Driskell
- Brianna Grace Reynolds
- Brian James Yoder
- Ally Bama Richardson
- Colby Alexander Pugh
- Maggie Elizabeth Scott
- Lauren Ashley Stinson
- Laura Hope Laborde
- Mary Catherine Hughes
- Kate Ashley Stinson
- Ashton Connor Covan
- Addisen Joy Miller
- Evin Alexander Matlock
- Desiray Makayla Bagwell
- Kelan Davis Jurey
- Ayden William Atallah
- Madeleine Reem Atallah
- Tyler Matthew Gilmore
- Bryce Rolhings Stabler
Magna Cum Laude GPA of 3.75 and above
- Payton Kathleen Daw
- Kamryn Elizabeth Langham
- Alysia Renee Enfinger
- Braden Robert Glick
- Cody Allen Geneux
- Lilly Grace Smallwood
- JaCee Leigh Dortch
Cum Laude GPA of 3.5 and above
- Delina Jolie Garcia
- Kathleen Olivia Jackson
- Matthew Daniel Hunter
- Kaitlin Rena Lloyd
- Kyrie Elizabeth King
- Xochitl Lluvia Medina Cortes
- Mallory Kaitlyn Smith
- Raegan Makenna Kimmons
- Jane’ Vermeulen
- Aliyah Zinniau Fountain
- Ryan James Phillips
Graduating in alphabetical order
- Troy Nicole Ard
- Abbie Lee Bertran
- Logan Alan Bevins
- Jayla Unique Brown
- Jaden Lamar Brown
- Gabriella Caroline Burklund
- Destiny Alexis Burt
- Jaquorious Dontaus Burt
- Aaron Alan Cuenca
- Michael Tripp Curtis
- Beau Gavan Daw
- Michael Moses Delarosa
- Benjamin Luke Diamond
- Irmani Lenia Dixon
- Kerissa Marie Dortch
- Demonte Izaiha Ewing
- Khaliah Ty’Keria Ewing
- Johnathan Byrd Garrett
- Noah Webster Goslee
- Abbie Shane Hardy
- Joshua Alexander Hetrick
- William Cole Hughes
- Damarius Tyree Jefferson
- Markavia Demetria Mae Johnson
- Taliyah Michole Johnson
- Nathan Dane Jones
- Sophia Ann Marie Jones
- Zykel Gavion Jones
- Crista Leigh Kinley
- Derek James Kinley
- Justin Dean Kinley
- Emma Marie Lamont
- Brent Mason Lee
- Ja’Mya Lilstar Lowery
- Darius Justin Martin
- Mattie Leann McLaney
- Robert Duane Mitchell, Jr.
- Sophia Lynn Morris
- Brandon Latrell Odom
- Kaylee Marie Oswald
- Logan Dylan Warrick Pollard
- Jessica Raniya Pullins
- Brayden Walker Reaves
- Naoki Cassandra Rogers
- Preston Lee Ross
- Lacey Marie Sapp
- Jaden Daniel Satterwhite
- Drayton Joseph Schroeder
- Genesis Diamond Scott-Johnson
- Makayla Sage Sells
- Alan Kent Shoemaker, III
- Jacory Deonta Shoemo
- Brady Remington Smith
- Hannah Brooke Smith
- Zi’don Isaiah Smith
- Sydney Faith Snow
- Marcus Aurellio Soto
- Russell Ayden Starr
- Dallas Terry Thomas
- Alana Patrice Toney
- Joshua David Walker
- Adam Lee Waller
- Christopher Michael Weber
- Ashlyn Taylor Welch
- Brayson Alec White
- Danny Ray Wilson
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Farm Bureau Presents Two Scholarships
May 29, 2025
Escambia County Farm Bureau presented two scholarships to Northview High School seniors this year. The scholarships, valued at $2,500 each, were presented to Maddie Mae Driskell and Tyler Gilmore. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Holds Hurricane Exercise
May 29, 2025
The annual Escambia County Hurricane Exercise at the Emergency Operations Center on W Street in Pensacola.
Escambia County Emergency Management and community partners took part in an exercise to simulate an emergency activation due to a hurricane.
Throughout the exercise, several scenarios were presented.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Snelling Goes Seven, But Bats Kept Quiet In 3-1 Blue Wahoos Loss
May 29, 2025
written by Erik Bremer
Robby Snelling pitched a career-high 7.0 innings for the Pensacola Blue Wahoos on Wednesday night, but didn’t receive enough run support in a 3-1 loss to the Montgomery Biscuits.
Snelling (L, 2-4) was perfect through 4.0 innings in his first start since being named Southern League Pitcher of the Week, and finished his night retiring four in a row to complete 7.0 innings for the first time in his professional career. But a brief hiccup in a five-hit, three-run fifth inning proved to be too much to overcome for the Blue Wahoos, who fell below .500 for the first time this season with their eighth consecutive loss.
Brody Hopkins (W, 3-2) danced around trouble for the Biscuits, working 5.0 scoreless innings and stranding five runners in scoring position. The Blue Wahoos had ample opportunities to take advantage, but went 0-for-11 with men in scoring position throughout the evening.
The Biscuits came to life in the fifth inning, getting their first baserunner of the night on a first-pitch Colton Ledbetter single before Matthew Etzel broke the scoreless tie with a long two-run homer to right field. It continued a run of dominance for Etzel, who homered in Tuesday’s game and has hit 6 of his 10 career Biscuits homers against Pensacola since joining the Rays organization late last season.
Tatem Levins doubled and Willy Vasquez singled with two outs in the fifth to add another run, giving the Biscuits a 3-0 lead.
The Blue Wahoos scored an unearned run in the sixth as Kemp Alderman reached on an error and scored on a Nathan Martorella RBI groundout, but Biscuits relievers Ty Cummings, Derrick Edington and JJ Goss (S, 6) protected the Montgomery lead to seal a 3-1 final.
The Blue Wahoos continue their series against the Biscuits on Thursday. First pitch from Riverwalk Stadium is scheduled for 6:35 p.m.
In About A Week, Fluoride Will No Longer Be Added To ECUA Water
May 28, 2025
In an estimated week to 10 days, there will no longer be fluoride in the water from the Emerald Coast Utilities Authority.
During a Tuesday meeting, the board voted to not purchase any more fluoride ahead of the state mandated removal of fluoride from public drinking water by July 1.
ECUA Executive Director Bruck Woody said just over 1,000 gallons of fluoride are stored at well locations throughout the utility’s system, and it is used at a rate of about 750 gallons a week.
“It’s just over a week’s supply,” he said.
“By my calculations…based on our current consumption, we would have to order more fluoride if we chose to continue adding it up to the July 1st deadline,” District 5 board member Kevin Stephens commented, and Woody agreed. “I think that would be insane.”
Stephens made a motion to not purchase any more fluoride after existing stock is gone.
“It doesn’t make sense for us to go and purchase more,” Perkins said. “We exhaust our supply and then follow the spirit as well as the letter of the law.”
Board member Louis Benson said ECUA should conduct public outreach to educate consumers how to fluoridate their own teeth. Perkis said he would not want ECUA to circumvent the state law.
Rescheduled Sawmill Day To Be Held June 7 In Century
May 28, 2025
The 35th Anniversary Sawmill Festival and Car Show in Century is coming up on Saturday, June 7. It was rescheduled from May 3 by weather.
Vendor spaces are available for $20. Those interested can contact Christina at (850) 377-6752. Vehicle enthusiasts can register bikes for $15 and classic cars for $25.
Running from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., the festival will feature a classic car and bike show. Attendees can look forward to live entertainment, including performances by the Southern Revival Band and Friends in Low Places.
Beyond the music, visitors can enjoy local food, crafts, and a variety of vendors. There will also be contests, museum tours, and exhibits that highlight the rich history of the area.
The free event will be held in the historic district at the corner of 4th Street and Jefferson Avenue.
Pictured: Sawmill Day in 2024. NorthEscambia.comp photos, click to enlarge.
Flomaton Man Is Second Suspect Charged With Attempted Murder In Atmore Shooting
May 28, 2025
The Atmore Police Department has arrested a second attempted murder suspect in connection with a shooting incident last week.
Terry Clark, 24, was arrested on an outstanding warrant for attempted murder and discharging a firearm into an occupied vehicle. He was taken into custody on an outstanding warrant after a traffic stop by the Flomaton police Department.
At approximately 7 p.m. on Wednesday, May 21, Atmore Police Officers responded to reports of multiple shots fired in the area of Sowell Avenue and Trout Street. The victim and witnesses provided dispatch with a description of a vehicle fleeing the scene.
An Atmore Police Officer en route to the shooting location observed a vehicle matching the description leaving the area. The officer attempted to initiate a traffic stop and made eye contact with the driver, whom he recognized as James Antonio Johnson of Atmore. Johnson then dramatically accelerated, reaching speeds of 100 miles per hour on Carver Avenue as he attempted to evade the officer. The officer briefly lost sight of Johnson’s vehicle before locating it abandoned at a nearby residence.
Upon interviewing the victim of the shooting, Johnson was positively identified as the individual who had fired shots at their vehicle. Investigators processed the scene, recovering 27 spent shell casings from two different caliber firearms.
James Antonio Johnson (pictured left and below), 24, later turned himself in to authorities and was charged with attempted murder and felony fleeting charges.
