Two Cantonment Residents Charged With Aggravated Assault
March 19, 2025
A verbal dispute at a Ransley Station apartment complex escalated into violence on February 11, leading to the arrests of two Cantonment residents.
Matthew Thomas Sanders, Sr., 42 was charged with felony aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and misdemeanor battery. Chloe Dale Elder, 22, was charged with a single count of felony aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
According to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to a call on Boesch Lane after a man reported being attacked. The victim told deputies that he was called to the scene by his sister after receiving threats. When he arrived, he saw Sanders and Elders exit a vehicle, and a confrontation ensued.
During the altercation, the victim stated that Sanders punched him in the face, causing visible bruising and swelling, according to an arrest report. Sanders then allegedly pulled out a screwdriver in a threatening manner while yelling at him. Elders, meanwhile, stood near the apartment door, initially watching before retrieving a homemade baton, the report states, and she then raised the baton as if preparing to strike the victim, causing him to fear for his safety.
As tensions escalated, the victim pulled out a pocket knife and warned Sanders and Elders to leave. Witnesses, including the victim’s sister and another acquaintance, corroborated his account, deputies said. Video footage reviewed by deputies showed Sanders backing away while Elders advanced with the baton raised in a threatening manner, the report states.
The incident occured February 11, but both suspects were recently arrested on a outstanding warrants that were issued in the case.
Elder was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $20,000 bond, while Sanders was freed on a bond of $30,000.
Cantonment Church To Host Flower Arranging Class
March 19, 2025
St. Monica’s Episcopal Church is inviting community members to a hands-on flower arranging class on Saturday, March 29, at 9 a.m. The 90-minute session will be led by Beth Woods, a local master gardener, who will guide participants in creating beautiful floral arrangements. Attendees will also receive a leaflet on crafting a palm cross for Palm Sunday.
Participants need only bring flower snippers or scissors and a 4-6 inch vase; all flowers and greenery will be provided. The class is limited to 20 people, with a fee of $12 per person. Registration is available online. For more information, email Beth Woods at Bethw394@gmail.com.
St. Monica’s Episcopal Church, located at 699 South Highway 95A in Cantonment, is launching the event as the first in a series of engaging and educational experiences planned for the year. April will feature how to cook Crayfish, Shrimp and Crabs the Louisiana way
Byrneville Elementary Names Students Of The Month
March 19, 2025
Byrneville Elementary School recently named their February Students of the Month.
They are:
- Kindergarten: Bailee Griffis and Stevie Grace Scott
- 1st Grade: Jayceon Jackson and Braelyn Smith
- 2nd Grade: Deylan Burt and Arayah McCall
- 3rd Grade: Camden McPhaul and B.J. Cooley
- 4th Grade: Eastyn Wiggins and Chaplin Grassia
- 5th Grade: Deliah Fantroy and Breanna Greenwell
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Man Gets 25 Years For Whataburger Parking Lot Carjacking
March 19, 2025
An Escambia County man has been sentenced to 25 years in state prison for a 2023 carjacking at a Pensacola Whataburger.
Stephon Dewaunn Dudley, Jr. was sentenced by Circuit Court Judge John Simon for carjacking with a firearm and robbery with a deadly weapon after he was found guilty by an Escambia County jury.
On the early morning of May 12, 2023, in the parking lot of Whataburger on Gregory Street, Dudley brandished a firearm as he and his co-defendant stole the victim’s car keys, wallet, phone, gold chain off his person, and his car. The Pensacola Police Department located the stolen vehicle on May 14, 2023, and a high-speed car chase ensued when the driver of the vehicle refused to stop. The chase ended when the driver lost control of the vehicle and crashed the car into an empty building. Dudley was in the passenger seat of the vehicle, and he was wearing a gold chain resembling the one stolen from the victim. A gun with his DNA was located in the glove box of the car. A search of Dudley’s phone revealed photos of the stolen car taken on May 13 and text conversations indicating the his attempt to sell the stolen vehicle.
Dudley had only been out of prison for four months at the time, following a 10-month sentence for robbery without a weapon, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, grand theft auto and possession of a firearm.
Tate Downs Yukon (OK) 11-1 On Day Two Of The Aggie Classic
March 19, 2025
The Tate Aggies beat the Yukon Millers of Yukon, Oklahoma, 11-1 Tuesday night on day two of the Aggie Classic.
On the mound, Tate’s Zane Warrington struck out 10, allowing three hits and one run in six innings while walking two.
Nate Connors went 4-5 for the Aggies at the plate with two runs batted in, and Tatite Davis went 2-4 with one RBI.
Up next, the Aggies will face Washington OK Wednesday night at 7:00. WHS is coming off a 10-0 loss to Gulf Breeze.
State Fire Marshal Determines Atmore Church Fire Was Caused By Lightning
March 18, 2025
Investigators have confirmed that a Saturday night fire that destroyed an Atmore Church was caused by lightning.
The fire was reported during a heavy thunderstorm just before 11 p.m. Saturday. Just hours after the fire started, Atmore Fire Chief Ronald Peebles said it appeared the fire was likely caused by lighting.
Investigators from the Alabama Department Fire Marshal’s Office returned to the Horner Street Scene Sunday morning, and by Monday, they confirmed the cause of the fire was a lightning strike. Alabama Department of Insurance – Alabama Fire Marshal’s Office Public Information Officer Jennifer Bowen confirmed the cause determination on Monday.
Neighbors told NorthEscambia.com Saturday night that they saw multiple lighting strikes in the area before the fire.
The fire first broke through the roof (pictured left) where the church’s old sanctuary joins a fellowship hall and classrooms that were constructed after a tree fell into the old sanctuary in the days following Hurricane Ivan.
Despite a high-pressure water flow of up to 1,500 gallons a minute from an Atmore Fire Department ladder truck, the massive fire quickly raced through about 160 feet of the attic of the building, with the steeple and cross crashing down into the flames (pictured top).
Dozens of firefighters from across the area responded to the fire, including the Atmore, Barnett Crossroads, Poarch Creek, Little Rock and Nokomis fire departments from Alabama, and the Walnut Hill Station of Escambia (FL) Fire Rescue, with additional personal from Florida. The Atmore Police Department and other agencies also responded to fire, located just over a block off Atmore’s Main Street.
Firefighters remained on scene into the early morning hours of Sunday. There were no injuries reported.
For more photos from Sunday morning following the fire, click here.
For a photo gallery from the fire, click here.
Pictured top: The moment the steeple and cross collapsed into the flames Saturday night at First Presbyterian Church of Atmore. Pictured above and below: First destroyed the church, ripping through the attic. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Three Arrested in Drug Smuggling Attempts at Atmore Prison
March 18, 2025
Three visitors were arrested at Fountain Correctional Facility in Atmore last weekend after allegedly attempting to smuggle drugs into the prison, according to the Alabama Department of Corrections (ADOC).
The first incident occurred on March 15, when ADOC K9 officers noticed visitor Leigh Culwell acting suspiciously during a scheduled visitation. Officials said a search led to the discovery of approximately 78 grams of synthetic narcotics, valued at $3,900. Culwell was arrested and charged with unlawful distribution of a controlled substance, trafficking in synthetic narcotics, and promoting prison contraband.
The following day, officers observed suspicious behavior from visitors Angela McLain and JaDiamond Bolden. After an investigation, authorities said they confiscated 62 grams of synthetic cannabinoids, valued at $3,100, and 136 grams of marijuana, worth approximately $2,700. Both were arrested and face multiple charges, including trafficking in synthetic cannabinoids, unlawful distribution of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana., and promoting prison contraband.
All three suspects were transported to the Escambia County Jail. The ADOC continues to investigate the incidents as part of its ongoing efforts to prevent contraband in state prisons.
FDOT To Begin $4.4 Million Beulah Road Resurfacing Project
March 18, 2025
In April, the Florida Department of Transportation will begin a $4.4 million resurfacing project on Beulah Road from Mobile Highway to Issacs Lane.
The project will include
Constructing a 6-foot sidewalk on the west side of Beulah Road from the Beulah Academy of Science to Nine Mile Road.
Various sidewalk and crosswalk improvements, including Americans with Disabilities Act upgrades.
Improvements at the Beulah Road at Nine Mile Road intersection.
Stormwater management enhancements.
Utility relocations.
Guardrail installation.
Signalization upgrades.
New signing and pavement markings.
FDOT anticipates that the project will be complete in late 2026.
During construction, drivers and pedestrians may encounter periodic lane closures, minor traffic shifts and detours. Lane closures will be limited to nighttime hours from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.
Additionally, drainage construction will require an 18-day closure with a detour on Beulah Road at the Beulah Church Road intersection. This closure is slated to occur during the summer months. Traffic will be detoured to Rebel Road between Mobile Highway and Nine Mile Road.
Northview High School Names Students Of The Month
March 18, 2025
Northview High School recently named their March Students of the Month. They are Emma Reynolds and Preston Ross, pictured with Principal Michael Sherrill. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate Opens Aggie Classic Play With 5-4 Win Over Oklahoma Team
March 18, 2025
The Tate Aggies opened their play Monday in the annual Aggie Classic with a 5-4 win over the Charles Page Sandites of Sand Springs, Oklahoma.
Sheppard Edgar opened the home game on the mound for the Aggies, surrendering four runs and four hits in three innings while walking one and striking out three. Keelan Beasley earned the win for the Aggies, giving up no hits and no runs in four innings, while walking two and striking out four.
Taite Davis went 1-4 at the plate with two RBIs. Kaden Posta went 3-3, and Cal Foxworth was 2-2.
Up next, Tate will host the Yukon Millers of Yukon, Oklahoma, at 7 p.m. Tuesday. Yukon beat W.S. Neal of East Brewton, Alabama, 13-3 Monday night.
Here’s a complete list of Monday Aggie Classic scores: