Man’s Body Found Not Far From Jim Allen Elementary School
December 16, 2025
An adult male was found deceased Monday afternoon in a wooded area off Eden Lane and Highway 95A, across the railroad tracks from Jim Allen Elementary School.
According to the Escambia County Sheriff’s office, the man died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. Foul play was not suspected.
The investigation is continuing by the ECSO and the District 1 Medical Examiner’s Office.
Further details have not yet been released.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Flomaton Council Votes To Name Justin Hetrick As Permanent Police Chief
December 16, 2025
The Town of Flomaton has hired a new police chief.
The town council voted unanimously during a Monday night special meeting to promote interim Chief Justin Hetrick to Flomaton police chief.
Hetrick said transparency and community engagement will be crucial to his administration with the department, which has seven certified officers.
After serving since May 2024, Dereck Lowry resigned as police chief on December 5. On December 8, the council stopped short of promoting then-captain Hetrick as police chief at Mayor Arthur Odom’s recommendation.The council instead appointed Hetrick as interim chief and set the Monday, December 15 special meeting to interview Hetrick.
For more photos from Monday night’s meeting, click here.
Monday night, only council members Roger Adkinson and Kay Wagner asked Hetrick any questions before the vote.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
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Camper Fire Claims Life Of A Dog Near McDavid
December 16, 2025
A camper fire claimed the life of a dog Monday afternoon near McDavid.
The camper was engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived in the 1800 block of Lambert Bridge Road, just off North Pine Barren Road.
A dog died in the blaze, and there were no injuries to people.
The camper was a total loss. Firefighters were able to prevent the spread of the fire to a nearby home, but heat caused damage to the home’s siding.
The cause of the fire was under investigation.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
FDLE Arrests Escambia County Sex Offender Who Now Faces 30 New Charges
December 16, 2025
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) has arrested a registered sex offender in Escambia County who now faces 30 new charges.
Donschee Ricky Montrell Foster, 33, was charged with 20 counts of possession of child sexual abuse material, one count of failure to report a change in residence, one count of failure to report vacating a permanent residence, three counts of knowingly providing false sexual offender registration information by act or omission and five counts of failure to report internet identifiers. He remains in the Escambia County Jail without bond.
he investigation began in early November, when FDLE discovered Foster was residing at an unreported address, which violates Florida’s sexual offender registration laws. The investigation revealed that Foster had not been at his registered residence for nearly a week but was living at an apartment in Pensacola which was also occupied by a juvenile family member. On November 17, FDLE obtained an arrest warrant for Foster for failure to report a change in residence, failure to report vacating a residence and knowingly providing false sexual offender registration information by act or omission.
During a post arrest interview of Foster, FDLE discovered that he was using multiple online accounts that had not been properly reported to the appropriate authorities in accordance with his registration requirements. FDLE obtained a search warrant for Foster’s cell phone. Agents said the digital forensic analysis resulted in the identification of five unreported online accounts including Facebook Messenger, Roblox, X, YouTube and Discord. The analysis also identified multiple files which appeared to depict the sexual abuse of children on his device. FDLE worked to obtain another search warrant to allow for a more thorough review of the contents of the device. The expanded search revealed numerous images involving the sexual exploitation of children.
On December 5, FDLE obtained a second arrest warrant for Foster for charges of failure to report an internet identifier and possession of child sexual abuse material.
No Serious Injuries Reported In Walnut Hill Highway 97 T-Bone Crash
December 16, 2025
There were no serious injuries in a T-bone crash Monday afternoon on Highway 97 in Walnut Hill.
The driver of a silver SUV reportedly pulled out of the parking lot of a Dollar General on Highway 97 at South Highway 99 and was struck by a white vehicle, according to witnesses. Both vehicles came to a stop in a field across the road from the Dollar General.
Both drivers initially refused transport by Escambia County EMS.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
One Injured In Cantonment Wreck When SUV Rear-Ends Tractor Trailer
December 16, 2025
One person was injured when they crashed their SUV into the rear of a tractor-trailer hauling a shipping container Monday afternoon on Becks Lake Road.
The crash occurred just before 1:30 p.m. near the railroad tracks, just east of the Highway 29 intersection. The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour and reader submitted photos, click to enlarge.
Free Cantonment, Farm Hill Neighborhood Cleanup Set For Wednesday
December 16, 2025
A neighborhood cleanup for residents in Cantonment and Farm Hill are will take place Wednesday, December 17. This is a chance for residents to dispose of items such as old furniture, appliances and household waste free of charge.
The cleanup was originally scheduled for Wednesday, October 15 and was rescheduled to Wednesday, December 17.
Only residents in the designated cleanup area can participate in the neighborhood cleanup. Items for pickup should be at the curb by 7 a.m. on Wednesday. Items left at the curb outside of the cleanup area will not be collected. (Click map above to enlarge.)
Items eligible for removal include:
- Household appliances and electronics
- Household junk and debris
- Bicycles and toys
- Old furniture and mattresses
- Barbecue grills
- Household hazardous waste (old paint, motor oil, chemicals, batteries)
- Tires (limit 10 per household)
- Yard debris (tree cuttings, branches, etc.)
Items NOT eligible for removal include:
- Building materials (concrete, bricks, blocks, roofing, drywall or lumber)
- Explosives or ammunition
- Auto parts
- Dirt or sod
- Vehicles or vessels
- 55-gallon drums of fluids
For questions,contact Escambia County Neighborhood and Human Services at (850) 595-3130.
Since 2016, more than 7,435 tons (16,393,574 pounds) of waste have been disposed of through the Community Redevelopment Agency’s Safe Neighborhood Program. During neighborhood cleanups, crew members and volunteers visit different neighborhoods in the county to remove a variety of debris and waste free of charge.
Northview Band Holds Winter Concert (With Gallery)
December 16, 2025
The Northview High School Tribal Beat band held its annual Winter Concert Monday night.
Ensembles performed selections that included Silent Night, Joy to the World, and Pat-a-pan. The Northview Concert Band then performed the lively Bobsled Run, Salvation is Created and Into the Arctic.
For a photo gallery, click here.
The Northview band is under the leadership of Director Garsche Roble and Assistant Director Alisa Brown.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Tate Senior Gage Coates Wins Esports Madden NFL Championship
December 15, 2025
Tate High School senior Gage Coates won the Esports Fall 2025 Madden NFL Central Region Championship Game, defeating his opponent from Bishop Verot Catholic High School in Fort Myers.
Coates earned the No. 2 seed in the playoffs with an impressive 7-1 regular season record. The national league, hosted by PlayVS, features 32 teams from across the United States, including competitors from states like Iowa, Alabama, and Kansas.
“I enjoy playing Madden because we get to play as our heroes and compete with people around the world,” Coates said. “Sometimes, we’re lucky enough to play as a guy we watched on Friday night, like Graham Gano.”
This victory marks the latest achievement in Coates’ esports career, following his impressive performance last season when he won the Central Region Madden NFL Championship with a 9-1 regular season record and an overall 14-1 performance.
In addition to Coates’s success, Tate’s esports program continues to thrive across multiple games. This year, multiple Tate teams qualified for the PlayVS playoffs, including two teams in Super Smash Bros. and two in Fortnite, showcasing the ongoing growth and success of Tate’s esports program.
The esports program at Tate High School was made possible through a Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) grant, which has allowed students like Coates to excel in competitive gaming at the highest levels.
“We are incredibly proud of Gage and the dedication he brings to our esports program,” Principal Laura Touchstone said. “His hard work, leadership, and passion have set a high bar for our students. Our esports teams continue to demonstrate excellence, and Gage’s championship victory is a testament to the talent and commitment found here at Tate High School.”
PlayVS (Play Versus) is North America’s leading platform for scholastic and collegiate esports. Coates’s championship victory underscores the exceptional talent at Tate, and the support of the DoDEA grant has been crucial in making these achievements possible.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Brent Wipf Selected As Escambia County 2025 Employee Of The Year
December 15, 2025
Brent Wipf, Water Quality and Land Management division manager in the Natural Resources Management Department, has been named the Escambia County 2025 Employee of the Year.
In his role as division manager, Wipf oversees the Water Quality and Land Management branch of the Natural Resources Management Department, serving the community through development and oversight of local environmental resource-focused initiatives. Wipf and his team manage several programs including Surface Water Quality Improvements and Monitoring, Urban Forestry and Land Management, Air Quality Monitoring and Compliance, and Laboratory Services. Wipf was also recognized as the November 2025 Employee of the Month.
Wipf’s team has recognized him for his approachable demeanor, exceptional leadership, and professionalism in running the division. He began his career with Escambia County in October 2001, gaining over two decades of knowledge and experience that have helped him effectively balance ongoing operational responsibilities to ensure the division runs smoothly and efficiently.
“Brent is an exemplary public servant who shows dedication each day to protecting and improving the county’s natural resources,” Natural Resources Management Director Chips Kirschenfeld said. “The quality of work accomplished by our Water Quality and Land Management Division is reflective of his leadership abilities and sets a high standard for performance. He is an invaluable asset to our department, and it is an honor to recognize him as Employee of the Year.”
“My role as Escambia County’s Water Quality and Land Management Division Manager provides continual opportunities to make a meaningful difference for both our citizens and the environment,” Wipf said. “The work never gets old. There are always new problems to solve and challenges to overcome, and I feel truly rewarded by helping the citizens of Escambia County. I am fortunate to manage a fantastic team of scientists and environmental professionals who all share my commitment to public service.”