No Serious Injuries In Saturday Afternoon Highway 95A Wreck
December 21, 2025
There were no serious injuries in a two-vehicle crash Saturday afternoon on Highway 95A in Cantonment.
The crash happened about 3:20 p.m. just north of Highway 29. At least one person was transported by Escambia EMA with minor injuries.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Tate Aggies Win Niceville Christmas Tournament
December 21, 2025
The Tate Aggies won the Niceville Christmas Tournament.
The Aggies beat Cumberland County 83-72, d Charles Henderson 67-62, an claimed the tournament title with an 86-56 championship win over Niceville.
Marcus Cooper was named Tate’s MVP of the game, and Kade Calderon was named MVP of the Niceville Christmas Tournament.
After the Christmas break, the Tate Aggies will be back in action January 6 at the Washington Wildcats.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Photos: ‘Holiday With The Horses’ (And Santa) At Cantonment Horse Rescue
December 21, 2025
Santa Claus made a special appearance Saturday for “Holidays with Horses” at Panhandle Equine Rescue in Cantonment.
Click here for a photo gallery.
The free event took place at the non-profit horse rescue on East Chipper Road. Photos with Santa were available for a donation, and attendees were invited to visit with the rescue’s full-sized and miniature horses.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
FHP: Traffic Stop On Pine Forest Road Leads To DUI, Drug And Weapon Charges
December 21, 2025
The Florida Highway Patrol arrested a man for DUI, drug, and firearm charges Saturday on Pine Forest Road.
Troopers were conducting a speed enforcement operation when they stopped 28-year-old Kordell DeShawn Johnson for doing 60 mph in his Jeep in a 45 mph zone. Johnson told troopers that he had marijuana and a firearm in his vehicle.
He exited the vehicle, and a loaded 9mm handgun with an extended magazine was removed from his waistband, according to FHP. A book bag in the vehicle was located and searched; troopers reported finding 98 grams of marijuana, a scale, baggies, and rolling papers. Johnson also had a “large amount” of cash in small denominations on his person.
He was taken into custody after a DUI investigation.
Johnson was charged with DUI, no driver’s license, carrying a firearm in the commission of a felony, possession of drug paraphernalia, and trafficking in marijuana. He was booked into the Escambia County Jail without bond.
Ice Flyers Fall To Huntsville On Star Wars Night At The Hangar (With Gallery)
December 21, 2025
The Huntsville Havoc defeated the Pensacola Ice Flyers 5-1 Saturday night during Star Wars Night at the Hanger.
The Havoc came out flying and controlled much of the play through the opening period, testing the Ice Flyers’ resolve early.
The first period belonged to Huntsville, with Connor Galloway finding the back of the net for the game’s opening goal. The Havoc extended their lead shortly after, and the Ice Flyers headed into the first intermission down 2-0.
The second period saw a more evenly matched contest, with both teams battling hard but neither able to break through. The Havoc registered 7 shots on goal while the Ice Flyers generated 10 shots, but the scoreboard remained unchanged heading into the final frame.
The third period saw the Ice Flyers battle back, but it wouldn’t be enough. Huntsville’s Cole Reginato extended the lead to 3-0 early in the final frame. Tyler German finally put the Ice Flyers on the board later in the period, but the team couldn’t find the momentum needed to complete the comeback. Huntsville’s Giovanna Procopio added another goal shortly after, and Cole Reginato sealed the deal with an empty net goal to secure the victory for the Havoc.
The Ice Flyers will look to regroup Sunday as they take on the Macon Mayhem.
Two Seriously Injured In Kingsfield Road Crash (With Gallery)
December 20, 2025
Two people were seriously injured in a crash Friday afternoon on East Kingsfield Road.
An adult female driver lost control and struck a utility pole and privacy fence near Zane Grey Lane, about a mile east of Highway 29.
A young girl and an adult woman were seriously injured. An extended extrication was required to free the woman from the vehicle, with firefighters and special operations squads using multiple sets of the Jaws of Life and hydraulic rams to remove the roof and doors from the vehicle and push the dashboard.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating and has not yet released details.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
‘He’s Got A Gun’ — Man Charged With Ensley Homicide
December 20, 2025
An Escambia County man has been charged with homicide for a fatal shooting last week in Ensley.
Alex Leon Hines, 44, was arrested early Friday morning and booked into the Escambia County Jail without bond on charges of homicide negligent manslaughter and a felony weapons offense.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office received a report on December 13 of an armed disturbance in the area of Briese Lane and Jeffery Lane. Deputies located Ivan Frolov Murray with a gunshot wound to the head.
Murray had called 911 and told FHP, “…there is some dude here ramming my camper with his truck, he is drunk as hell, he’s in a Bronco…He’s got a gun and he’s a [expletive] maniac…”
Deputies later obtained video of the Bronco (image top) and traced it to Hines on Jeffrey Lane. The Bronco was also in a still-image from a security camera (pictured below) on the victim’s camper just 37 seconds before the murder, according to Sheriff Chip Simmons.
Simmons said the investigation is continuing.
Pickup Truck Reported Stolen 19 Years Ago Found In North Escambia Lake
December 20, 2025
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office dive team has recovered a pickup truck from a local lake that was reported stolen 19 years ago.
According to Sheriff Chip Simmons, a fisherman on Cotton Lake, north of Molino, spotted what he believed was a vehicle in the water.
The ECSO Dive Team responded and recovered the 2001 Toyota Tundra, which was reported stolen in 2006, the sheriff said.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Teens Indicted For Premeditated Murder In Brutal Death of Girl, 14, In Santa Rosa County
December 20, 2025
Two Santa Rosa County teens will be tried as adults for the brutal murder of a 14-year old.
Gabriel Williams, 16, and Kimahri Blevins, 14, have both been indicted on charges of first-degree premeditated murder.
On December 1, 14-year-old Danika Troy was reported as a runaway after she was last seen on November 30.
The Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office said they carried out a plan to shoot Troy and burn her body.
About 11 p.m. on December 2, the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office located a burned body in a wooded area off Kimberly Road in Pace. Due to the condition of the body, immediate identification could not be determined.
On December 3, 2025, while conducting further follow up interviews, investigators determined the body was that of Troy and developed Williams and Blevins as suspects. After interviews and examination of evidence, the teens were charged.
Williams and Blevins are currently being held without bail in the Santa Rosa County Jail.
Escambia Man Convicted Of Murdering Woman, 70, Before Police Chase
December 20, 2025
An Escambia County man has been convicted for murdering a 70-year old woman before a chase that killed one of his accomplanches in 2024.
Terrance Lovelle Gross, Jr. was convicted by a jury of first degree murder, shooting into a building or vehicle, and fleeing to elude a law enforcement officer (siren and lights activated with high speed or reckless driving).
On the evening of June 24, 2024, Gross was one of three defendants who perpetrated a drive-by shooting on Erress Boulevard where Myra Hayes was sitting in her front yard with her family, according to presecutors The shooting covered an entire block of a residential area and Myra Hayes was shot in the neck and later died from her injuries. A family member witnessed a small white car and noticed a black gun extended from the window. Shell casings show there were at least two different firearms used during the shooting.
The white vehicle, which was found to be stolen, was quickly spotted by nearby law enforcement and a chase ensued. This chase was at very high speeds and the defendants crossed into oncoming traffic several times. Several pit maneuvers were performed and finally successful in stopping the defendants as they attempted to cross the bridge into Santa Rosa County.
The three defendants fled the vehicle and then jumped off the bridge and into the water below. Trevion Moton was found deceased under the bridge due to the impact after he jumped. Gross escaped the scene and was later located in a Texas hospital being treated for his injuries from the jump. He was extradited back to Escambia County.
Gross faces a mandatory life sentence in state prison. A sentencing hearing is set for January 21, 2026 before Judge Amy Brodersen.
Another defendant, Jaquaris Ethridge is due back in court in late February on a first-degree premeditated murder