Flomaton Police Investigating After FPD Officer Accused Of ‘Road Rage’ Incident Near Tate High
August 16, 2026
The Flomaton Police Department is investigating after a social media post alleged one of its officers engaged in aggressive driving and a verbal confrontation outside Tate High School in Cantonment, Florida—more than 30 miles south of the department’s Alabama jurisdiction.
Flomaton Police Chief Justin Hetrick issued a statement late Saturday afternoon addressing the incident, confirming the department is looking into the claims.
“I am aware of a recent social media post regarding allegations involving an officer with the Flomaton Police Department,” Hetrick said. “This allegation will be taken seriously and investigated thoroughly to determine whether any department policies or procedures have been violated.”
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Hetrick added that he has contacted the complainant and explained the process for filing a formal complaint, emphasizing that the department remains “committed to addressing all complaints fairly, professionally, and appropriately.”
The investigation stems from a Facebook post by a parent who described heavy traffic outside the school Friday evening while picking up her 14-year-old daughter from band at Tate as a Kickoff Classic football game was underway.
According to the post, the driver was pulling out from Tate School Road onto Highway 29 when a vehicle rapidly approached from behind. The driver alleged that the motorist began continuously blowing the horn “like a madman,” pulled in front to brake-check her, and slowed down to roughly 20 mph in a 45-mph zone.
When both vehicles stopped next to each other at a red light, the driver reported discovering that the vehicle was a marked Flomaton Police Department cruiser. The woman stated the officer rolled down his passenger-side window and yelled at her before driving away.
“I proceeded to tell him I was just as shocked that a police officer was acting like this and that I had my 14-year-old daughter in the car and he should know better to behave like this in front of myself and my child,” the woman wrote. “It was my first time seeing a police officer with road rage like that I’ve never been scared of police officers, but that was my first time I actually had a fear of a police officer.”
“This officer looked like someone waiting to explode. He was very angry and it’s scary to know someone like this is able to pull anyone over,” she posted. “And to know he’s someone with authority and he’s out there driving with so much road rage. So please be aware of this officer because I got the feeling he’s full of a lot of anger and just waiting to explode.”
After calling the Flomaton Police Department to report the encounter, the woman said she was informed that an officer with the department resides in the Cantonment/Pensacola area.
NorthEscambia.com image, click to enlarge.
Voter Turnout Near 14% So Far In Escambia County Aug. 18 Primary Election
August 16, 2026
Voter turnout stood at 13.93% by the end of early voting on Saturday for the August 18 primary election.
The Escambia County Supervisor of Elections Office reported 14,793 mail ballots received. During early voting, there were 14,793 ballots cast. Of those ballots, 15,635 were Republican, 10,033 were Democratic, 2,432 were No Party Affiliation and 356 were “other”.
The busiest early voting site was Asbury Place at Cokesbury Church on College Boulevard, and least busy was the Billy G. Ward Courthouse in Century. Early voters were able to choose from any of 10 locations.
The final early voting numbers were:
- Asbury Place: 2,896
- Bellview Branch Library: 2,647
- Escambia County Extension Office: 2,523
- Southwest Branch Library: 2,242
- Downtown Main Library: 1,937
- Molino Community Center: 832
- Supervisor of Elections Main Office: 651
- UWF Center for Fine and Performing Arts: 548
- Brownsville Community Center: 440
- Billy G. Ward Courthouse: 93
Polls will be open on primary election day, Tuesday, August 18 rom 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Lathram Chapel UMC Donates School Supplies To Molino Park Elementary School
August 16, 2026
Lathram Chapel United Methodist Church on Jacks Branch Road recently donated school supplies for teachers, students, and bus drivers at Molino Park Elementary School. Pictured are Pastor Hugo Gardner and LCUMC members Bonnie and Craig Exner. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Election Official Warns Voters Against Florida Governor Race Overvotes
August 16, 2026
One race on primary ballots across the state is causing some confusion among voters.
Both the Democratic and Republican ballots say “Governor and Lieutenant Governor (Vote for One).”
Some voters are marking two choices, perhaps thinking one is for governor and the second is for lieutenant governor.
On the Democratic ballot, only David Jolly has picked a running mate for lieutenant governor, with Gwen Graham indented and listed under Jolly’s name. On the Republican ballot, there are no candidates named and listed for lieutenant governor.
If voters choose two on either ballot, it’s an “overvote,” and voting machines will alert on the error. Voters will be able to fill out a new ballot, or let it stand in which case the double vote for governor will not be counted but other races on the ballot will.
“We had about one or two per early voting site on the first day,” Escambia County Supervisor of Elections Robert Bender said. Those voters were able to choose a replacement ballot. “The problem lies with the vote-by-mail ballots that will be marked as an overvote.”
Bender said voters should be aware that only one vote should be cast for the races labeled “Governor and Lieutenant Governor (Vote for One).” And he said that he does not believe it will be a big problem.
Sample ballot image.
It’s Not Yet Election Day, But Three Century Town Council Races Are Already Decided
August 16, 2026
Primary election day is not until Tuesday, but three Century Town Council members have already won reelection.
When qualifying for candidates for the municipal election cycle ended in June 2026, three incumbents were the only ones to qualify for three seats.
With no opposition, three Century Town Council members were automatically deemed elected to the nonpartisan seats.
- Seat 3: Incumbent Shelisa Abraham. She was first appointed as an interim council member in January 2023 and elected during a 2023 special election.
- Seat 4: Incumbent John Bass. He first won the election for a term that began in January 2025 after Alicia Johnson was appointed interim mayor.
- Seat 5: Incumbent Sparkie Harrison. She was first elected without opposition in June 2025 to fill a seat left vacant after the resignation of Sandra McMurray-Jackson.
All three will be sworn in for their new four-year terms in January 2027.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Weekly Roundup: Primary Home Stretch
August 16, 2026
Florida Weekly Roundup is a look back at last week in a Florida politics and government.
Candidates in Tuesday’s primary elections spent the final week getting out their message, as many voters have already cast their ballots.
Nearly 1.5 million Floridians have voted by mail or through in-person early voting.
CLOSING ARGUMENTS
It’s no surprise Republican voters, with nearly a 1.6 million registration advantage over the Democrats, have been more active in the primary, at least when it comes to those already filling out ballots.
There are scrambles for Congressional districts that were rewritten by the Legislature to bolster the number of Republican-held seats, primaries on both sides of the aisle for U.S. Senate and the Cabinet offices of agriculture commissioner and chief financial officer.
At least 16 state House incumbents are facing primary challengers. The focus of the state Senate primaries has been Senate District 16 between House Minority Leader Fentrice Driskell, D-Tampa, and Rep. Michele Rayner, D-St. Petersburg, where the winner takes the seat.
The big-ticket item for Tuesday’s contest is the Republican gubernatorial primary, which long ago was tilted by President Donald Trump towards U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds of Naples.
The endorsement didn’t deter the other 10 Republicans on the ballot, including Lt. Gov. Jay Collins, former state House Speaker Paul Renner and conservative activist James Fishback.
But it has helped Donalds’ campaign account collect more than $11.5 million, while Renner, Collins and Fishback are all under $600,000.
Term-limited Gov. Ron DeSantis hasn’t made an endorsement, but recently said Renner could “be really good” as governor.
DeSantis had previously said Renner’s entry into the contest was “ill-advised.”
U.S. Sen. Rick Scott, the former governor who hasn’t been on the best terms with DeSantis, campaigned with Donalds in Wauchula on Thursday, retorting that when he ran for re-election to the U.S. Senate DeSantis “didn’t endorse me and I did fine in ‘24.”
On the Democratic side in the gubernatorial race, former U.S. Rep. David Jolly, a converted Democrat, is the frontrunner in a field of six that includes state Rep. Dotie Joseph of Miami. Joseph jumped into the contest after former Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings dropped out on the eve of qualifying due to health concerns.
The Democratic primary for U.S. Senate sees state Rep. Angie Nixon, a Jacksonville progressive, taking on retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. Alex Vindman, who became a national figure as a key witness in Trump’s first impeachment. Most of his messaging has been directed as U.S. Ashley Moody, the Tampa Republican appointed to the office last year by DeSantis, who has three primary challengers.
CREATING AIR TRAFFIC
DeSantis announced that testing on electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft will be underway by the end of the year at the SunTrax test facility in Polk County.
“We believe that you’re going to see major breakthroughs in this technology in the coming years,” DeSantis said.
Earlier this year, DeSantis signed legislation (HB 1093) allowing the Florida Department of Transportation to fund 100 percent of the project costs for a public vertiport if federal funds are unavailable. If federal funds are available, FDOT may fund up to 80 percent of the nonfederal share.
Vertiports are expected to serve as hubs for short aerial commutes by the battery-powered aircraft that have characteristics of airplanes and helicopters.
DeSantis also signed a wide-ranging transportation package in 2025 requiring the transportation department to develop a plan for advanced air mobility with the Department of Commerce. The law also required advances in aviation technology to be included in the annual transportation work program.
STORY OF THE WEEK:
With nearly 1.5 million Floridians already participating, the 2026 primary cycle reaches its final days.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK:
“I have not endorsed Cory Mills and I do not support Cory Mills.” — Gov. Ron DeSantis when asked Friday about Florida’s Congressional District 7 contest that involved incumbent U.S. Rep. Cory Mills, a Republican from New Smyrna Beach who is subject to an active House Ethics Committee investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct and campaign finance breaches.
by Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida
Wahoos Win Fifth Straight Over Biloxi
August 16, 2026
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos stayed hot on Saturday night, beating the Biloxi Shuckers 7-3 for their fifth win in a row.
Jacob Kisting (W, 2-0) continued to impress on the mound, allowing just one earned run over 5.0 solid innings to earn his second win in as many starts since joining the Blue Wahoos at the trade deadline.
After falling behind 1-0 in the first, the Blue Wahoos struck back in the second inning against Biloxi’s Bishop Letson (L, 5-6) thanks to three hits and a pair of errors. Connor Caskenette tied the game with an RBI single, and then scored from first when Colby Shade’s RBI single was misplayed by Shuckers right fielder Damon Keith.
Another Biloxi error from shortstop Jesús Made netted a Pensacola run in the third inning, and the Blue Wahoos created more distance in the fifth inning against reliever Travis Smith. Brandon Compton hit an RBI double to score Juan Matheus from first base, and Fenwick Trimble launched a two-run homer to extend the lead to 7-2. Trimble was 2-for-4 in his first game since missing nearly a month to injury.
Effective relief from Logan Whitaker, Gabe Bierman and Nigel Belgrave sealed a 7-3 win, tying Pensacola’s longest winning streak of the season at five games. It also marked a low point for the Shuckers, who have now lost 10 games in a row dating back to August 5.
With the win, the Blue Wahoos gained ground in the race for the second half South Division title and are now 4.0 games ahead of the Montgomery Biscuits with 25 games remaining in the regular season.
The Blue Wahoos wrap up their series against the Shuckers on Sunday, searching for their first six-game series sweep since September 2023.
written by Erik Bremer
State Ag Officer Praised For Saving Life Of Choking Child In Century
August 15, 2026
A Florida Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement (OALE) officer is being credited with saving the life of a one-year-old child in Century earlier this week.
On Tuesday afternoon, OALE Officer William Register was working a detail in Century when a couple rushed to him at the Marathon Station on North Century Boulevard for help after their child began choking and struggling to breathe.
“Register immediately took action, performing back blows that helped clear the child’s airway and improve breathing before EMS arrived,” OALE said on Friday. “The child was transported to a local hospital for treatment.”
The incident began in Flomaton where the couple called for help, prompting a response from the Flomaton Fire Department and Newman’s Ambulance. In the meantime, the couple decided to drive south, stopping at the Marathon Station at North Century Boulevard and East Highway 4. Since Flomaton Fire and Newman’s had already responded, they continued to the Century gas station along with the Century Station of Escambia County Fire Rescue.
Flomaton Fire Chief Steve Stanton later praised Register’s actions, saying that in more than 40 years of firefighting, he had never seen a law enforcement officer handle a situation with such care and professionalism.
OALE said, “We are incredibly proud of Officer Register’s quick thinking, calm composure, and genuine compassion in a moment that truly mattered.”
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
All West Florida Library Book Drops Closed Until After August 18 Election
August 15, 2026
All West Florida Libraries book drops are closed until after the August 18 primary election.
Materials can be returned to the service desk at any WFPL branch.
The book drops are closed to avoid confusion and voters attempting to return vote-by-mail ballots. Some of the libraries serve as either early voting or precinct locations.
Pictured: The book drop outside the Century Library. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Man Charged With Murder At Escambia County Apartment
August 15, 2026
A 31-year-old man is facing a homicide charge after allegedly shooting and killing his roommate in an Escambia County apartment on Thursday.
According to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded on to an apartment located on Spanish Trail. Upon arrival, they discovered a 37-year-old male deceased from a gunshot wound.
Investigators determined that the victim was shot by his roommate while lying in bed.
Deputies arrested Will Victor Bryant, 31, and charged him with homicide. Authorities stated that a motive has not yet been established, and the case remains an ongoing investigation.