Driver Crashes Off Highway 95A In Gonzalez
March 19, 2026
A driver ran off Highway 95A in Gonzalez on Thursday morning.
The crash occurred shortly after 10 a.m. on Highway 95A just north of North Tate School Road, near a Gonzalez Waster System water tower.
The driver of a Kia Forte left the roadway for an unknown reason, with the sedan coming to a stop after it reached the railroad tracks.
One person was reportedly transported to an area hospital.
The Florida Highway Patrol investigated.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Court Records Reveal New Weapons Charge for McDavid Man in FDLE Sex Offender, Snapchat Upload Probe
March 19, 2026
Court documents are revealing a weapons charge and more details about a McDavid man arrested in January on 14 sex offender violations when the Florida Department of Law Enforcement served a search warrant at a Highway 164 home.
As we previously reported, Daquan Eric Ball, 22, was arrested at the home in the 100 block of Highway 164, about one-third of a mile west of Highway 29, shortly after 7 a.m. on January 28. He was charged with 14 counts of failure of a sexual offender to report an email address or internet identifier. Those charges were later refiled as felony failure to provide registration information. He also faces an additional felony charge of possession of a weapon by a convicted felon. Ball remains in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $72,000.
In October 2018, Ball was adjudicated as a juvenile for sexual battery on a victim under 12 in a Santa Rosa County case, and he was previously convicted of one count of felony battery in Escambia County.
For additional photos from the service of the search warrant, click here.
FDLE opened the investigation after a Snapchat user uploaded an image of child sexual abuse material to their Snapchat account, according to court documents. The upload was traced to the residence on Highway 164, leading to the search warrant when FDLE determined Ball, a registered sexual offender, lived at the address.
During the execution of the search warrant, FDLE agents located a Glock 30, .45-caliber handgun in Ball’s bedroom, and he admitted it was his and purchased at a gun show, FDLE said.
During the search warrant execution at the home, state agents seized Ball’s cell phone. FDLE said a preliminary forensic analysis revealed Ball had 14 unreported email addresses and internet identifiers, including TikTok, Discord, Zoom, Adult Friend Finder, and FeetFinder.com accounts, along with two distinct email addresses. FDLE said a forensic analysis conducted by Homeland Security Investigations extracted the 14 internet identifiers from the phone that were not reported to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office or FDLE. The analysis determined that each that of the accounts were utilized.
FDLE said the investigation remains active.
Numerous FDLE agents were seen entering and exiting the small 1,500-square-foot, single-family home and around campers located on the property. Before the operation, the agents gathered on Main Street in McDavid, across from the Post Office, to organize and prepare.
FDLE said the arrest is the result of the agency’s statewide initiative to locate and arrest criminals targeting children and sharing files depicting the sexual abuse of children.
Pictured: The Florida Department of Law Enforcement served a search warrant on Highway 164 in McDavid on January 28. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge. Pictured small inset above: FDLE gathered with its Bearcat tactical vehicle across from the McDavid Post Office to prepare for the operation (reader submitted photo from the post office).
Buck Powell And Frankie Bell: Two Champion Coaches Born In Century Pass Away
March 19, 2026
Two legendary state champion high school coaches born in Century recently passed away, leaving a legacy of success that spanned decades of local sports history.
Melvin “Buck” Powell and Franklin “Frankie” Nelson Bell are both being remembered for their contribution to both athletics and education.
Melvin “Buck” Powell
October 14, 1943 – March 14, 2026
Melvin Powell, 81, was born in Century on October 14, 1943. He grew up in Flomaton and graduated from Flomaton High School. Buck went on to attend Auburn University, where he graduated in 1966 with a B.S. in Education. He also received his M.S. in Educational Leadership from Troy University in 1983.
Powell began his teaching and coaching career at Lyeffion High School in Evergreen and then at Greenville High School. In 1970, Coach made a move that had a huge impact on his life; he became the head coach at Century High School. During his six seasons leading the Blackcats, his teams went 46-15-2. Powell was named Escambia River Conference Coach of the Year in 1973, 1974, and 1975. Also in 1975, he was named Florida Coach of the Year.
In 1976, Powell was named the athletic director and head football coach at Escambia County High School in Atmore. During his tenure, the Blue Devils were 33-17 in region play. In 1983, the Blue Devils posted a record-setting season of 13-2 and won the 3A Alabama State Football Championship. Powell was also named Alabama Football Coach of the Year.
He served as an assistant principal at Rachel Patterson Elementary School and principal at Escambia County High School in Atmore. In 2000, he was appointed Escambia County (AL) Superintendent of Education. He retired from public education in 2006.
For the complete obituary, click here.
Franklin “Frankie” Nelson Bell
July 10, 1944 – March 14, 2026
Franklin Nelson “Frankie” Bell, 81, was born in Century on July 10, 1944, and graduated from Flomaton High School in 1962. After high school, he attended Mississippi State College, where he earned his bachelor’s degree and proudly played football for the Bulldogs for all four years. He graduated with the Class of 1966.
Bell began his coaching career in Talladega, Alabama, and Tallapoosa, Georgia. He returned to Escambia County High School in Atmore in 1976 with a career that ended as head football and tennis coach in 2025. Bell led the Blue Devils to a state championship in 1983.
For the complete obituary, click here.
Molino Woman Charged With DUI After Highway 196 Rollover Crash
March 19, 2026
A Molino woman has been charged with DUI following a single-vehicle rollover crash on Highway 196 last week.
As we previously reported, the crash occurred just before 8:20 p.m. in the 3600 block of Highway 196 near Schifko Road, about 2.5 miles west of Highway 29. The Florida Highway Patrol said the Toyota FJ Cruiser ran off the roadway, causing it to overturn before it came to rest on its side on the highway.
FHP said the driver, 33-year-old Alix Madison Brown, had a strong odor of alcohol as the trooper approached, and was confused on how many drinks she had consumed. She failed field sobriety exercises, according to the trooper, and was placed under arrest.
“Brown stated that she was headed to the liquor store to get a few drinks and that she had one drink earlier today,” the trooper wrote in the arrest report.
At the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office facility, about an hour and 45 minutes after the crash, Brown provided breath samples as high as .101, the report states, above the Florida legal limit of .08.
Brown was later released from the Escambia County Jail on a $1,000 bond.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristu Barbour, click to enlarge.
Elementary Students Honored As Shining Stars
March 19, 2026
WSRE recently hosted the Shining Star Awards, honoring outstanding fifth grade students who have demonstrated exemplary citizenship and leadership, as well as demonstrating the core values of the Escambia County School District.
This was the 28th year that WSRE hosted this event, originally in partnership with the Greater Escambia Community Foundation and now in partnership with the Escambia County Principals Association, which raised the funds to purchase bicycles and also coordinated the event.
Each Shining Star student received a certificate and a brand-new bicycle.
The 2026 Shining Stars are:
- A. K. Suter Elementary — Saanvika Gampa
- Bellview Elementary — Veronika Yasenovska
- Beulah Elementary — Alyson Woods
- Blue Angels Elementary — Dominic Jackson
- Bratt Elementary — Lane Stuart
- Brentwood Elementary — Jameson Manni
- Byrneville Elementary — Kipton Little
- C.A. Weis Elementary — Za’Riyah Goble
- Cordova Park Elementary — Maren Fox
- Ensley Elementary — Malia Newberry
- Ferry Pass Elementary — Emma Smith
- Global Learning Academy — Zy’Tranna Mitchell
- Hellen Caro Elementary — Marlie Walters
- Holm Elementary — Brooklyn Hines
- Jim Allen Elementary — Elaine Ladieu
- Kingsfield Elementary — Alessa Zavala
- L.D McArthur Elementary — Amelia Yepishin
- Lincoln Park Elementary — Fabian Coronado
- Lipscomb Elementary — Jeffery Mensah
- Longleaf Elementary — Shanell English
- Molino Park Elementary — Ella Campbell
- Montclair Elementary — Liam Lionheart
- Myrtle Grove Elementary — Khloe Cobb
- N.B. Cook Elementary — Weston Berry
- Navy Point Elementary — Auburn Haruguchi
- O.J. Semmes Elementary — Tanayia Milton
- Oakcrest Elementary — Angela Austria
- Pensacola Beach Elementary — Olivia McPherson
- Pine Meadow Elementary — Nolan Spencer
- Pleasant Grove Elementary — Logan Dunlap
- Scenic Heights Elementary — Janae Kisor
- Sherwood Elementary — David Contreras Casteneda
- Warrington Elementary — Jakobi Henry
- West Pensacola Elementary — Lluany Jimenez-Zebadua
Photos courtesy WSRE for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Man Pleads To Federal Charges Of Selling Unregulationed Animal Medication
March 19, 2026
An area man has pleaded guilty to federal charges of selling unregulated animal medications.
Scott Robinson, 51, of Pace, pleaded guilty in federal court to two counts of drug adulteration.
Court documents reflect that from 2022 to 2025, Robinson advertised and sold the animal drug toltrazuril to customers across the United States through his website. Under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, toltrazuril is deemed an adulterated new animal drug, which is subject to specific requirements for its production, labeling, and sale. The FBI conducted multiple purchases of items labeled and advertised as toltrazuril from the Robinson’s website. Those items were tested by the FDA and confirmed to contain toltrazuril. Prosecutors said he never complied with FDA regulations regarding his production, labeling, and sale of toltrazuril.
Robinson faces up to one year imprisonment on each count, followed by a term of supervised release.
Citizen Joins Century CRA Board As Efforts Resume To Revitalize Blighted Area
March 19, 2026
The Century Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) board set out to add two citizens — asking anyone interested to attend a meeting this week. Only one did, and she was appointed to the board.
In a four minute meeting the CRA Board voted to appoint Michelle Cunningham to the board, which was approved by the town council. As a citizen, Cunningham has been involved with the CRA since it was in the planning stages. She is the daughter of Henry Cunningham, who is a member of the town council and CRA board.
The five members of the Century Town Council and up to two citizens sit on the CRA board, which is expected to meet quarterly. However, a meeting in February was the first in years.
The CRA includes, by definition, a blighted area of the town. In October 2018, the council approved a Tax Increment Financing plan for their redevelopment area, allowing the CRA to receive property tax revenues each year in excess of an established base rate. The appraised value of the property within the designated district was “frozen” in 2018, with that amount of tax revenue generated still designated for the town’s general fund, the county, and other taxing authorities. The redevelopment area receives 95% of the property tax generated in excess of the frozen base value as property values rise.
Along with small interest earnings, the CRA has spent nothing on improving the area to date, and has $191,151.89 in the bank.
The CRA funds can be used to improve conditions in the 510 acres bounded by Jefferson Avenue to the south, Jefferson Avenue to the east, East Highway 4 to the north and the center line of North Century Boulevard to the west. It also extends north on the east side of North Century Boulevard to include commercial properties up to, and including, the former Burger King (see map above).
Tax Increment Financing is a unique tool available to cities and counties for redevelopment activities. It is used to leverage public funds to promote private sector activities in the targeted redevelopment area. Property owners in the CRA pay the same tax rate as those in the remainder of the town.
TIF revenue can be used on a “pay as you go” basis, where the annual stream of revenue is used to fund small projects, or used to pay debt service costs over the life of a project lasting 10 or more years. Historically in Florida, TIF has been effective at generating large amounts of funding for capital investments for roadway improvements, flood control programs, water and sewer and drainage infrastructure improvements, parking lots and garages, neighborhood parks, sidewalks, street and sidewalk tree plantings, signs and building construction.
After a February 2016 tornado damaged or destroyed 40 homes and businesses, the town looked to address the long-term effects on the community of a downturn in economic development. That led to the redevelopment area.
Aggie Classic Scores; Pace To Host Yukon For Title; Tate With Walk-Off Win
March 19, 2026
The field is set for the final day of the 2026 Aggie Classic on Thursday.
Pace will host Yukon (OK) at 7 p.m. for the Aggie Classic Championship at Pace High School.
Other Thursday games are:
Tate High School
Christ Presbyterian (TN) vs. Bixby (OK) 4 p.m.
Tate vs. Blanchard (OK) 7 p.m.
Gulf Breeze High School
Gulf Breeze vs Broken Arrow (OK) 7 p.m.
Pensacola Catholic High School
W.S. Neal (AL) vs. Claremore (OK) 4 p.m.
Pensacola Catholic vs. Union (OK) 7 p.m.
Wednesday, March 18 Scores
- Tate 6, Claremore (OK) 5
- Pace 11, Blanchard (OK) 0
- Yukon (OK) 8, Gulf Breeze 1
- W.S. Neal (AL) 7, Union (OK) 5
- Broken Arrow (OK) 5, Christ Presbyterian (TN) 4
- Pensacola Catholic 6, Bixby (OK) 4
Tate 6, Claremore (OK) 5
The Tate Aggies walked off with a 6-5 win over the the Claremore (OK) Zebras on Wednesday night at Tate.
In the bottom of the seventh and tied at five, the Aggies scored on an error.
Clayton earned the win for Tate, giving up no hits and not runs in one-third of an inning, striking out one and walking none. Brady opened the game for Tate, surrendering seven hits and five runs (four earned) in six and two-thirds innings, walking two and striking 11.
At the plate, Griffin Cook went 3-4 with three RBIs, and Evan Taylor went 2-4 for the Aggies. Cade McNair added one hit.
Tuesday, March 17 Scores
- Tate 5, Broken Arrow (OK) 2
- Pace 11, Claremore (OK) 1
- Yukon (12) W.S. Neal (AL) 2
- Gulf Breeze 9, vs Bixby ( OK) 8
- Blanchard (OK) 5, Pensacola Catholic 4
- Christ Presbyterian (TN) 11, Union (OK) 1
Monday, March 16 Scores
- Tate 10, Union (OK) 3
- Gulf Breeze 16, Blanchard (OK) 6
- Pace 15, Broken Arrow (OK) 6
- Pensacola Catholic 11, Claremore (OK) 0
- Bixby 13 (OK), W.S. Neal (AL) 1
- Yukon 10 (OK), Christ Presbyterian (TN) 0
Century Council Votes To Nearly Double Water Rates, Increase Sewer Rates
March 18, 2026
The Century Town Council voted Tuesday night to nearly double the cost of water usage, alongside smaller increases for wastewater.
The move came after the Florida Rural Water Association (FRWA) determined that the rate increases were necessary in order to remain financially viable and make payments on six outstanding loans.
“What’s the scenario if we do nothing?” Council member John Bass asked.
“The state will take over; you can’t keep operating and paying loans,” Town Clerk Carrie Moore responded.
The council considered two rate increase scenarios—a graduated hike over several months, or an immediate one. The council voted 3-2 for the immediate increase, which the study said will ultimately save residents money. Bass and Henry Cunningham voted against the measure, voicing support for the more graduated increase.
Under a resolution approved Tuesday night, the base rate for 2,000 gallons of water will nearly double on April 1 from the current $13.59 to $26.64. Usage tiers over 2,000 gallons a month would nearly double for up to 5,000 gallons (from $2.59 to $5.08) with other increases for additional usage.
Wastewater rates will increase from a current $16.94 to $17.79 for 2,000 gallons, plus additional usage fees above 2,000 gallons.
For an average customer using 5,000 gallons of water per month, the water cost will rise from $21.36 to $41.87, while the study said the combined water and wastewater cost will rise from $48.95 to $74.56 per month.
The town council will hold a special meeting on Tuesday, March 31 at 6:15 p.m. for a second and final vote on the rate increase.
Pictured top: Council members Sparkie Harrison (left) and Dynette Lewis (right) voted for an immediate water rate increase on Tuesday night. Shelisa Mccall, not pictured and participating by phone, also voted in the affirmative. Pictured below: Council members Henry Cunningham (left) and John Bass (right) voted against the immediate increase, supporting a graduated increase. NorthEscambia.com photos and graphic, click to enlarge.
GoFundMe Aims To Send Body Of Boy Murdered In Cantonment To Mom In Honduras
March 18, 2026
Horrendous and despicable.
That’s how Escambia COunty Sheriff Chip Simmons described the death of a 3-year-old boy in Cantonment, allegedly due to the negligent actions of his uncle. 28-year-old samuel Antonio Maldonado Erazo at home on Brentco Road.
Orlín Josué Hernandez Reyes died after his mother was deported to Honduras.
Local advocate Grace Resendez McCaffery, owner of Latino Media Gulf Coast (La Costa Latina Newspaper) in Pensacola, has established a GoFundMe.
“I am raising funds to get the remains of a little boy to his mother in Honduras,” McCaffery wrote. “With the help of a caring and experienced organization that helps Honduran nationals in the U.S., we are working to get Baby Orlin’s body to his mother, Wendy,”
To view or contribute to the GoFundMe, click here.
The Murder Case
Maldonado Erazo is facing multiple charges include felony murder.
“The uncle will now be held responsible and accountable for not just the care, but also for inflicting these horrendous injuries,” Simmons said.
The case began on Wednesday night, March 4, when deputies responded to a report of a 3-year-old in cardiac arrest in the 1900 block of Brentco Road. Despite the efforts of first responders, the child was pronounced dead.
The subsequent autopsy performed by the Medical Examiner’s Office revealed a harrowing pattern of physical trauma. Simmons reported that the child suffered from 17 separate strikes to the head, burn marks caused by a lighter being heated and pressed into the skin, multiple broken ribs, with one being completely detached from the backbone, a transected pancreas, which is a rare injury typically only seen in cases of extreme blunt-force trauma, and signs of possible sexual abuse and a broken collarbone.
“The injuries to the child are hard to talk about and even harder to imagine having to endure,” the sheriff said.
An arrest report obtained Monday by NorthEscambia.com reveals more information about the alleged abuse that led to the death of the young boy.
The following details may be extremely disturbing to some readers.
Arrest Report Details
A deputy arriving at the home on Brentco Road found Maldonado Erazo carrying the child in the yard. Escambia Fire Rescue and Escambia County EMS performed life-saving efforts, but the child was pronounced deceased upon arrival at Sacred Heart Children’s Emergency Room.
The deputy wrote in the report that the child had numerous bruises, scratches, scrapes, and scabs covering his body, with an abnormally swollen abdomen. The deputy notes some of the bruising to be “patterned,” appearing to potentially be shoe prints, and other bruising to have crisp, straight lines consistent with a hard linear object.
Speaking through a deputy that was translating, Maldonado Erazo told deputies that the child was not feeling well and got sick after dinner the night before and still did not feel well on the day of his death, prompting Maldonado Erazo to take the child to work, the report states. He decided to leave work early and stopped to buy Alka-Seltzer for the child on the way home. At home, the child was limp and threw up. After carrying him inside, the child was unresponsive, and he called 911.
According to the ECSO, the child’s mother was deported about three weeks ago, leaving the child in Maldonado Erazo’s care.
When Maldonado Erazo was notified of the child’s passing, the deputy “could tell by Maldonado Erazo’s reaction that he wasn’t upset by the news,” the report states.
Autopsy, Search Warrant
The chief medical examiner’s statements to deputies were redacted from the report, other than to say she was “concerned” when she saw photos of the child.
A search warrant was executed at Maldonado Erazo’s residence, and a large number of the “tools, extension cords, items with handles, etc.” were seized, but it was not immediately known if any were of value as evidence.
During the autopsy performed by the chief medical examiner, injuries were found that were “likely caused by a looped cord.” There were burn marks on the child’s cheek, arm, chin and shin consistent with a hot lighter, such as a grill lighter, being pressed against the skin. Additional findings were redacted from the report, but the death was ruled a homicide.
When Maldonado Erazo was interviewed at the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, he said the child was always with him, even when he is at work. He provided explanations for the injuries, including bug bites and that he dropped a 12-pack of Coca-Cola on his foot. The medical examiner disagreed.
When Maldonado Erazo was advised of his rights, deputies said he advised he did not want to speak, and he wanted a lawyer.
Investigators said another child told authorities that Maldonado Erazo “drinks too much, gets mad, and whips them with a ‘wire,’” according to the ECSO report.
Top two photos courtesy GoFundMe for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.