Prom Promise Demonstration Shows High Schoolers The Reality Of Drunk Driving
March 20, 2025
A realistic DUI crash demonstration involving students gave Flomaton High School students a dose of reality on Wednesday morning.
One student, the DUI driver, was arrested. Two were transported to the hospital — one by helicopter in critical condition.
One student did not survive.
The demonstration was all part of the school’s Prom Promise program, encouraging the students to not drink and drive.
For a more photos, click here.
“You can talk about something all day long and it doesn’t set in their minds,” Flomaton Police Chief Dereck Lowry said. “When they see something in person, and they see the blood, or they see the people being put in the ambulance, they see the people being put on life flight, they see the people getting put in a hearse, it brings it home a little bit more for them, makes it a little more personal.”
Multiple agencies took part in the student demonstration Wednesday, including the Flomaton Fire Department, Flomaton Police Department, Century Station of Escambia County (FL) Fire Rescue, Escambia County (AL) Sheriff’s Department, Newmans Ambulance, MedStar Aircare 2, Williams Funeral Home. Peach Ford/Chevrolet Wrecker Service, Lambeth Fire Department, and Brewton Fire Department.
Photos by Katie Fowler for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Th
e demonstration was all part of the school’s Prom Promise program, encouraging the students to not drink and drive.
Special Election Sample Ballots Mailed To Escambia County Voters
March 20, 2025
Sample ballots for the April 1 special general election have been mailed to all registered voters who do not currently have a vote-by-mail request on file. Voters can expect their sample ballots to arrive in mailboxes early next week. All registered voters in Escambia County are eligible to participate in the April 1 Special General Election. Your sample ballot will also contain early vote information, vote-by-mail information, and your home precinct for election day.
Vote by mail ballots must be returned to the Supervisor of Elections Office no later than 7 p.m. on election day. The United States Postal Service recommends mailing your ballot back at least seven days prior to the deadline. Voters may drop their vote by mail ballots off at any early voting locations as well as the main SOE office.
Any voter has the option to vote-by-mail. Requests must be made for each new election cycle. If you have not already made a request and wish to receive your ballot in the mail, visit EscambiaVotes.gov/vote-by-mail or call (850) 595-3900. The request deadline is Thursday, March 20 for the April 1 special general election.
File photo.
FFA Members Attend ‘Ag On The Hill’ In Tallahassee
March 20, 2025
Florida FFA members took part in the 2025 Ag On The Hill day in Tallahassee this week.
FFA members from Northview High School were among those taking part.
Members met with their state representatives and senators to discuss key issues impacting Florida FFA and agricultural education.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Person of Interest In Suspicious Munson Death Found Deceased in Louisiana
March 20, 2025
The Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office said Wednesday that a man wanted for questioning in a suspicious death near Munson has been found deceased out of state.
Michael Glenn Davis, 60, was found deceased March 6 in the rural Munson area. An autopsy was underway to determine the cause of death.
Authorities had been seeking to question Johnny Drew Mobley, who was previously considered a person of interest in connection with the case.
The SRSO said Mobley (pictured) was found deceased in West Monroe, Louisiana, on March 15. His cause of death has not yet been confirmed. The investigation into Mobley’s death is ongoing, and Santa Rosa County authorities are working closely with West Monroe Police Department to gather more details.
Tate Advances To Aggie Classic Championship With 12-2 Win Over BTW
March 20, 2025
The Tate Aggies advanced to the championship game of the 30th annual Aggie Classic with a 12-2-win Wednesday night over the Booker T. Washington Hornets of Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Kaleb Posta earned the win for Tate, surrendering one run on two hits (one earned) in five innings, walking one and striking out three. Bryton McLellan pitched one shutout inning in relief, allowing one hit.
Hunter Clayton had two hits and four RBIs at the plate for the Aggies. Nathan Connors and Cal Foxworth each added two hits for Tate.
Tate will host First Academy Royals from Orlando at 7 p.m. for the Aggie Classic championship.
Here is the complete Aggie Classic schedule for Thursday:
Tate High School
- 4:00 Bixby, OK vs Olympia, FL
- 7:00 First Academy, FL vs Tate, FL
Gulf Breeze High School
- 7:00 Broken Arrow vs Gulf Breeze, FL
Catholic High School
- 4:00 Blanchard, OK vs Neal, AL
- 7:00 Catholic vs Charles Page, OK
Washington High School
- 4:00 Washington, OK vs Noble, OK
- 7:00 Yukon, OK vs Washington, FL
Escambia Man Arrested for DUI, Hit-and-Run After Crash with Police SUV
March 20, 2025
A 48-year-old Escambia County man was arrested on charges of DUI and hit-and-run after crashing into a police vehicle.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol , the incident happened around 11:30 p.m. Tuesday while the Pensacola Police Department was setting up a perimeter to search for a stolen vehicle.
FHP said Wendell Snow, driving a Dodge pickup truck, approached from behind and collided with a marked PPD SUV that had its emergency lights activated and was slowly moving down the outside lane of Creighton Road.
The officer inside the SUV, a 25-year-old male, suffered minor injuries and was taken to the hospital.
Snow attempted to flee but was stopped several blocks away and detained. Troopers determined he was heavily impaired. He was arrested for hit-and-run and his third DUI offense in over a decade.
Political Newcomer John Bass Wins Election To Century Town Council
March 19, 2025
Political newcomer John Bass easily won election to an open seat on the Century Town Council in a special primary election on Tuesday.
Three candidates appeared on the ballot on Tuesday for Century Town Council Seat 4.
Seat 4 on the council was left open in early January when Alicia Johnson was appointed interim mayor after Luis Gomez, Jr., resigned for health reasons.
“I am a life long citizen of Century that has appreciated and enjoyed the work of many others before me. Now I feel it’s my responsibility to help lead the way for future generations of Century residents.,” Bass, a retired correctional officer with an associate’s degree in electronic engineering, wrote in response to a questionnaire from NorthEscambia.com.
- John Bass – 75
- Kathryn Fleming – 27
- Lizbeth “Sparkie” Harrison – 26
With a 128 votes cast, Bass needed 65 votes to win — 50% plus one additional vote — to avoid a run-off in an April general election. There were 858 voters qualified to vote in Tuesday’s election, putting the voter turnout in the non-partisan race at almost 15%.
There were 85 votes in-person on Tuesday, with 54 of those going for Bass. A total of 43 votes were cast by mail prior to election, with the majority (21) going to Bass.
Both Fleming and Harrison took to the NorthEscambia.com Facebook page Tuesday night to congratulate Bass.
One candidate, Ben Boutwell, qualified for the position of mayor. He was elected automatically, and that contest did not appear on the special primary ballot. [Read: Century's Next Mayor Ben Boutwell Is Ready To Get To Work]
Boutwell and Bass will be sworn into office in early May.
Pictured top: John Bass (submitted photo). Pictured inset: There were 43 vote-by-mail ballots that were tabulated. Pictured below: Escambia County Supervisor of Elections Robert Bender announces special primary election results Tuesday night at the Century Town Hall. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
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.