FDLE Charges Escambia Felon With Attempted Firearm Purchase
March 11, 2026
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement has charged an Escambia County felon with the attempted purchase of a firearm.
James Frank II, 37, was charged with one felony count of possession of a firearm, weapon and ammunition by a convicted felon.
The arrest was made on March 4, 2026, when FDLE agents served a search warrant on Frank’s residence for a related investigation. During the search, agents discovered two handguns and ammunition inside. Frank had previously served time for a narcotics related conviction and was released in May 2025.
Tate High School Students Earn Top Honors At Florida French Competition
March 11, 2026
For the first time, Tate High School students recently participated in Le Congrès de la Culture Française en Floride, held in Orlando.
The statewide event brings together students from across Florida to celebrate French language, culture, and the arts through academic and performance-based competitions.
Despite having only about two months to prepare for the event, Tate students demonstrated remarkable dedication as they prepared entries across numerous categories, including theatrical performances, poetry recitation, musical performance, impromptu speaking, cultural projects, reading comprehension, and creative design competitions aligned with this year’s theme, “The World of French Cinema.”
Led by veteran French teacher, Evangeline Leventhal, the students represented Tate High School with distinction, earning recognition in several categories:
Superior Merit
- Original French Skit (Writing and Performance): Shiloh Cash, Kaala Cowell, Duyen Luc, Khloe McMillian
- 3-D Cultural Project: Jagger Etheridge, Kira Kimmons
- Individual Poetry Recitation: Mariah Foster
Excellent Merit
- French Play Adaptation: Shiloh Cash, Kaala Cowell, Mariah Foster, Estelle Lentini, Duyen Luc, Khloe McMillian, Kiley Menser
- Individual Poetry Recitation: Kira Kimmons, Kiley Menser
Honorable Mention
- Individual Poetry Recitation: Kaala Cowell
- Impromptu Speech: Shiloh Cash
- Reading Comprehension Test: Jagger Etheridge, Nikolaus Huber, Khloe McMillian
- French Song Performance: Estelle Lentini, Anh Luc
In addition to their competitive events, students also created a cultural scrapbook highlighting how French language and culture are represented at Tate High School and designed a themed T-shirt connected to the competition’s focus on francophone cinema.
While the awards were a significant achievement, the students said the experience itself was equally meaningful. Students dedicated many hours outside of class memorizing lines, rehearsing performances, and refining their French language skills.
Their commitment allowed them to confidently present and perform in French while competing alongside schools with long-established programs, Principal Laura Touchstone said. “Participation in the competition fostered strong collaboration among students and teachers and provided an unforgettable opportunity to celebrate language learning, creativity, and cultural appreciation.”
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate Varsity Slips To WFHS; Tate Freshmen With Big Win
March 11, 2026
West Florida 5, Tate 1
The Tate Aggies slipped to West Florida 5-1 on Tuesday.
Bryton McLellan went five innings for Tate, allowing eight hits and five runs (four earned) while striking out four and walking one.
Nathan Connors, Griffin Cook, Kannon Ham, and Connor Dethlefs each contributed one hit for the Aggies.
Tate 11, Elberta 1 (Freshmen)
The Tate Aggies freshmen earned a big 11-1 win over the Elberta Warriors on Tuesday.
Grayson McLellan earned the win for Tate, allowing two hits and one unearned run while striking out one and walking one.
Trent Madden and Sean Smith each tallied two hits for the Aggies, while Jackson Turner had two RBIs.
Tate Boys And Girls Tennis Beat Escambia
March 11, 2026
Tate boys tennis beat Escambia 7-0 on Tuesday, as the Tate girls earned their first win of the season 4-3 over the Gators.
Next up is a showdown at undefeated Gulf Breeze on Thursday.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Charges Upgraded To First-Degree Murder In Cantonment Death Of 3-Year-Old
March 10, 2026
Charges have been upgraded to first-degree felony murder against a 28-year-old Honduran national following the death of his 3-year-old nephew at a Cantonment home.
The suspect, Samuel Antonio Maldonado Erazo, was charged last week with negligent manslaughter, based upon not taking the child for medical care. He remains in the Escambia County Jail without bond as he has an active ICE detainer.
Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons said on Monday that Maldonado Erazo has now been charged with first-degree felony murder “based upon interviews and additional investigation.”
“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.
Escambia County EMS To Hold Open House
March 10, 2026
Escambia County EMS is inviting the public to the 2026 EMS Open House on Saturday, March 21, a free, family-friendly community event offering a behind-the-scenes look at EMS and Public Safety operations. The open house will take place from noon to 4 p.m. at the Escambia County Public Safety building, located at 6575 N. “W” Street.
The event will feature hands-on demonstrations by EMTs and paramedics, giving attendees a chance to see emergency medical care in action. Attendees can also tour EMS vehicles and ambulances to learn about the equipment used in an emergency response.
“Our EMS Open House is an opportunity for the community to see firsthand the training, teamwork, and dedication that go into providing emergency medical care every day,” EMS Chief Chris Watts said. “With hands-on activities, vehicle tours, and opportunities for families to interact with our EMTs and paramedics, we’re proud to open our doors and strengthen our connection with the community we serve. We hope this open house inspires people to learn more about EMS, whether it’s understanding how we respond in emergencies or considering a future in emergency medical services.”
Along with Escambia County EMS, each division of Public Safety will be represented during the open house, including Escambia County Fire Rescue, Escambia County Emergency Management, Escambia County Emergency Communications and the Pensacola Beach Lifeguards.
The open house will also feature a kids’ scavenger hunt and the annual EMS employee chili cook-off, where attendees can enjoy chili prepared by EMS personnel and vote for their favorite.
Side of Car Peeled Away In Highway 29 Collision; One Injured
March 10, 2026
One person was injured in a Monday morning Highway 29 crash that peeled away the side of the car.
The driver of a Pontiac Grand Am was northbound on Highway 29 north of Highway 164 when the vehicle struck the rear corner of an ECUA delivery truck that had reportedly stalled and was pulling off the roadway.
The collision peeled the side of the car away, including the passenger door. The passenger was transported by Escambia County EMS to Jay Hospital with injuries that were not considered serious. The driver of the ECUA truck was not injured.
The McDavid Station of Escambia County Fire Rescue, and the Florida Highway Patrol investigated the crash.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Ransom Middle Science, History, Geography Students Qualify For National Competition
March 10, 2026
The Ransom Middle School science, history and geography regional players placed this past weekend in Mobile.
The five players — James Corvin, Levi Cox, Sydney Cox, Cutter Rhodes, and Ryan Rodgers – earned medals in their grade level divisions, and qualified for International Academic Competitions Middle Nationals in Orlando this May. Rhodes took first place in all three of the bees.
Pictured: (L-R) Coach Clarissa Brown, Levi Cox, Cutter Rhodes, James Corvin, Sydney Cox, Ryan Rodgers, and Coach Maggie Brown. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview Chiefs Overpower J.U. Blacksher 12-2
March 10, 2026
The Northview Chiefs beat the J.U. Blacksher Bulldogs (Uriah, Alabama) 12-2 on Monday night, in Bratt.
On the mound, Jack Boutwell earned the win for the Chiefs, giving up one hit and two unearned runs in five and one-third innings, walking two and striking out seven. Gauge Harrison went two-thirds of an inning in relief with no hits, no runs, and one strikeout.
At the plate, Grayden Sheffield went 2-3 for the Chiefs with one RBI. Harrison, Bryant Mason, Grayson Burns, Dane King, Easten Odom**,** and Jase Portwood each added one RBI.
Next up, Northview will host T.R. Miller on Thursday at 6:30 p.m.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Back-To-Back: Troy Wins 2026 Sun Belt Men’s Basketball Championship In Pensacola
March 10, 2026
Troy defeated Georgia Southern, 77-61, in the championship game of the 2026 Visit Pensacola Sun Belt Conference Men’s Basketball Championship presented by Air Force Reserve on Monday evening at the Pensacola Bay Center.
The Trojans punched a ticket to their fourth NCAA Tournament in program history and became the Sun Belt’s first back-to-back champions since Georgia State in 2018 and 2019. They will learn their seeding and regional destination during the NCAA Selection Show which will be televised nationally on CBS on Sunday, March 15 at 5 p.m. CT
Junior forward Thomas Dowd registered his 17th double-double of the season with a game-high 23 points and 13 rebounds on 8-for-12 shooting while adding three assists. He was named Sun Belt Tournament Most Outstanding Player as, senior forward Jerrell Bellamy added 15 points on 7-for-11 shooting to earn All-Tournament Team honors.
Troy shot 30-for-51 (.588) from the field, owned a 35-18 rebounding advantage and outscored Georgia Southern, 50-22, in the paint and 11-2 on second chances.
Georgia Southern scored the first basket of the game on a 3-pointer by graduate guard Tyren Moore, but Troy responded with eight-straight points capped by a transition basket in the paint from Bellamy.
Troy led for the remainder of the half and created its first double-digit lead of the night, 32-18, on a 10-2 scoring run capped by a 3-pointer off the hand of redshirt junior guard Cobi Campbell with 2:31 left before halftime. The Trojans shot 15-for-26 (.577) from the floor and outscored the Eagles, 26-8, in the paint whole holding them to just 8-for-26 (.308) shooting at the intermission.
Georgia Southern’s offense found a groove early in the second half, trimming its deficit to just four, 39-35, on a trey by graduate guard Jefferson Koulibaly with 16:07 to go.
Troy got the margin back to double digits, 49-39, on a Victor Valdes basket at the 12:34 mark. The advantage remained in double-digits for the rest of the night, as the Trojans shot 60 percent from the field in the second half.