Cantonment Man Facing Multiple Drug Charges After Fleeing Traffic Stop
February 8, 2025
A Cantonment man is facing multiple drug charges after a traffic stop in Escambia County.
William Austin Thomann, 27, was charged with driving a motorcycle without a valid motorcycle endorsement, fleeing and eluding with disregard to public safety, failure to register a motor vehicle, possession of a controlled Substance without a prescription (fentanyl), possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
An Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputy attempted to pull Thomann over on Pensacola Boulevard for speeding and no license plate on his motorcycle. After Thomann ran stop signs and increased his speed, the deputy back off the pursuit. Deputies located the stalled motorcycle on Hansen Boulevard, at which point Thomann dropped the bike and fled on foot, according to an arrest report. He was captured at a nearby residence.
In Thomann’s backpack, deputies reported finding a bag of marijuana, two prescription bags of marijuana that weighed 3.5 grams, additional bags and containers of marijuana, a blue powder that field tested positive for methamphetamine with fentanyl.
He remained in the Escambia County Jail after his bond was revoked in an open weapon and drug possession case from last year.
Tate Aggies Slip To Milton, Finishing Season At District Runners-Up
February 8, 2025
The Tate Aggies are 6A District 1 runners-up after falling on the road to the Milton Panthers.
The Panthers dominated scoring in the first half, leading Tate 39-10 at the half. Despite a slow start, the Aggies found their rhythm in the third quarter, outscoring Milton 18-16.
But Tate just could not keep pace with Milton in the final period.
The Aggies finished their season at 17-10.
Pictured: The Tate Aggie home opener with a 71-68 win over the Atmore Blue Devils. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
North Beulah Neighborhood Cleanup Set For Wednesday
February 8, 2025
Residents of a portion of north Beulah can dispose of yard debris and other items free of charge during a Neighborhood Cleanup next Wednesday, February 12.
During neighborhood cleanups, Escambia County departments team up to bring services to residents in an effort to keep local neighborhoods clean and safe. Participating is easy: Residents in the cleanup area simply leave eligible items at the curb to be disposed of free of charge by Escambia County and partnering agencies.
All debris must be at the curb directly in front of residences in the area by 7 a.m. on the day of the cleanup. Tires and paint cans should be separated from all other debris. Debris piles should not be placed under low-hanging lines or near poles, fences or mailboxes. All items, including containers, will be collected.
Only residents in the designated cleanup area are able to participate in the neighborhood cleanup. Items left at the curb outside of the cleanup area will not be collected.
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)
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
The neighborhood cleanup initiative involves an aggressive cleanup effort, targeting different neighborhoods throughout the county, with crew members and volunteers picking up a variety of debris and waste, including electronics, furniture and household items.
Since 2016, more than 6,915 tons (13,830,000 pounds) of debris were collected and disposed of through the Community Redevelopment Agency’s Safe Neighborhood Program.
Ernest Ward Eagles Triumph Over Bailey Bulldogs In Middle School Volleyball
February 8, 2025
The Ernest Ward Middle School Eagles soared to victory over the Bailey Middle School Bulldogs this week in middle school volleyball matchups.
In the JV game, the Eagles dominated with a straight-set win, taking the match 25-21, 25-12.
The varsity matchup was a nail-biter, with both teams battling hard. Ernest Ward claimed the first set 25-16, but Bailey fought back to take the second 25-21. In the decisive third set, the Eagles held their ground and secured the win 15-11, sealing their victory for the night.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Recap: Mayhem 3, Ice Flyers 2 (With Gallery)
February 8, 2025
Despite a hard-fought effort, the Ice Flyers fell short 3-2 to the Mayhem Friday night in the first of two weekend games.
The first period ended scoreless, with neither team finding the back of the net.
Macon’s Jarret Kup broke the deadlock early in the second period.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Midway through the second, Ice Flyers’ Jake Hamilton and Macon’s Jacob Schapps dropped the gloves, energizing the crowd.
Macon then took control as Jake Raleigh netted two power-play goals before the period’s end.
In the third period, Nick Pryce scored his third and fourth goals of the season to cut the Mayhem’s lead to one.
However, the Ice Flyers couldn’t complete the comeback in the final minutes.
Scoring Summary
First Period
MAC 0, PEN 0
No Scoring
Shots on goal: MAC 6, PEN 15
Second Period
MAC 1, PEN 0
1:39 Jarret Kup (5) – Unassisted
MAC 2, PEN 0
13:32 Jake Raleigh (5) – Yaroslav Yevdokimov, Jake Goldowski
MAC 3, PEN 0
17:14 Jake Raleigh (6) – Yaroslav Yvdokimov, Jake Goldowski
Shots on goal: MAC 7, PEN 11
Third Period
MAC 3, PEN 1
7:12 Nick Pryce (3) – Matt Wiesner
MAC 3, PEN 2
12:53 Nick Pryce (4) – Douglas Elgstam, Houston WIlson
Shots on goal: MAC 4, PEN 7
Total shots: MAC 17, PEN 33
Weight Limits Lowered On Kingsfield Road Bridge, And That’s A Problem For School Buses
February 7, 2025
New weight restrictions have been implemented on a West Kingfield Road bridge, and that’s going to have a big impact on school buses.
According to Escambia County, the weight limit on the bridge over Eleven Mile Creek has been temporarily reduced to the following:
- 13 tons for single unit (SU) truck (e.g., garbage truck)
- 19 tons for combination (C) truck (e.g., large moving truck)
- 25 tons for semi-tandem (ST-5) trucks (e.g., delivery truck with trailer)
The county said the bridge will be rehabilitated, and that is expected to take about 90 days, weather permitting.
School buses are rated at 15 tons, meaning that they can no longer cross the bridge, which is located between Tate High School to the east and Kingfield Elementary and Ransom Middle School to the west.
NorthEscambia.com has learned this will impact the majority of the buses from Tate and Ransom, plus a few of the buses from Pine Meadow Elementary, Pine Forest High, McArthur Elementary and Escambia Westgate. We are told that on any given school day, there are 139 bus trips across the bridge at least once a day, with some buses crossing the bridge up to eight times per day.
For some bus routes, detouring around the bridge will add 15 to 20 minutes to some bus route times.
The bridge, which has a woodrn support structure, was constructed in 1968.
Aldi VP Says Nine Mile Store Will Open ‘In The Spring’
February 7, 2025
For the first time, Aldi is providing a little more insight in the grand opening on their new store, a converted Winn Dixie, on Nine Mile Road.
In March 2024, the Germany-based Aldi completed the purchase of all Winn Dixie stores.
The former Winn-Dixie store located at 312 East Nine Mile Road closed for renovations in late September.
Thursday, Heather Moore, Loxley Division Vice President at ALDI told NorthEscambia.com that the store will open sometime in the spring. “We are excited to share that our store in Pensacola is expected to open this spring,” she said, promising updates as they are made available. A potential opening date posted online was not confirmed.
For the first time, however, the Nine Mile Road Aldi store is listed on the company’s website under “Grand Openings, New Grocery Stores Coming Soon”, but without a specific date.
In Escambia County, Aldi operates standalone stores on South Blue Angel Parkway and Mobile Highway. There is also a store in Pace.
Meanwhile, Aldi is not saying which, if any, other Winn Dixie stores in Escambia County will be converted to Aldi stores in the future.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
New Community Park In Gonzalez Opens Monday
February 7, 2025
Thursday, Escambia County District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry announced that a ribbon cutting will be held soon for the new Jennings-Gonzalez Park.
The small community park in Gonzalez is under construction at the site of the former Escambia Charter School at 319 90 & 9 Ranch Road, just behind Gonzalez Utilities on Old Chemstrand Road. The park is named in honor of the Gonzalez community and the Jennings family from the Gonzalez Baptist Church area.
“We don’t’ have the space for everything you see behind me,” Barry said at the ribbon cutting for the new Paper Park in Cantonment. “But it’s going to be great. It’s going to be a great amenity for those folks that live in that Gonzalez community.
RELATED STORY: New ‘Paper Park’ At Former IP Golf Course Is Now Open
Construction is continuing on the Jennings-Gonzalez Park. An exact opening date has not been announced.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
The new Jennings-Gonzalez Park in Gonzalez will officially open Monday.
The park is located at 1552 Goldenrod Road and features a playground with a slide, numerous climbing structures, and additional play features for all ages. The park will be open each day from sunrise to sunset.
The park is named in honor of the Gonzalez community and the Jennings family.
It is the second new park to open this year in District 5; a ribbon cutting was held for the new Paper Park in Cantonment on January 30.
RELATED STORY: New ‘Paper Park’ At Former IP Golf Course Is Now Open
“I’m very excited to add another park in District 5, providing even more opportunities for children and families to get outside and play,” said District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry. “The immediate popularity of Paper Park demonstrates the growing need for new parks and playgrounds in our community, whether it’s a large regional park or a smaller neighborhood park that families can walk to and enjoy. I appreciate our Parks and Recreation team for continuing to add amenities like this that will enhance the quality of life for our residents, and I look forward to seeing this new park enjoyed by residents for many years to come.”
A ribbon cutting ceremony for the Jennings-Gonzalez Park will be held at a later date.
Northwest Florida Community Land Trust Homebuyer Applications Now Open
February 7, 2025
Pensacola Habitat for Humanity has opened homebuyer applications for the Northwest Florida Community Land Trust (CLT), bringing another affordable homeownership solution to Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
The CLT is a shared equity model designed to make homeownership attainable for low- income households. It is an effective alternative to renting for qualified households by separating ownership of the land from the home. Each homeowner in the CLT will own their house but not the land on which the house sits. Instead, they will sign a 99-year ground lease for the land. Removing the cost of the land from the mortgage creates affordability for buyers as they build shared equity.
“Our goal is to create and maintain affordable homeownership beyond a closing date,” said Alicia Popper, Pensacola Habitat for Humanity’s CLT program manager. “The stewardship of land through the CLT provides not just a solution today but creates permanent affordability for generations to come.”
Interested applicants will apply online via Pensacola Habitat for Humanity’s Programs Application Portal. Eligibility criteria include a minimum credit score of 640 and a minimum income of $35,000 for Escambia County homes and $30,000 for Santa Rosa County homes. Currently, CLT homes are available for purchase in Milton, Gulf Breeze, Ensley, and West Pensacola, providing an exciting opportunity for affordable homeownership in these communities.
To learn more about the Northwest Florida Community Land Trust and to start an application, visit pensacolahabitat.org/nfclt.
Pictured: The DeVilliers is a shotgun-style home with four bedrooms and two bathrooms with 1,218 square feet. Photo for Northescambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia, Alabama, Man Charged With Multiple Felonies After Walton County Traffic Stop
February 7, 2025
An Escambia County, Alabama, man is is now facing multiple felony charges in Florida after he was stopped in Walton County driving a stolen vehicle.
Walton County Sheriff’s Office deputies located a stolen yellow Dodge Dakota pickup truck driving east on Highway 98 in Santa Rosa Beach. A felony stop was conducted and the driver, 31-year-old Antonio Quintez Hall was removed from the vehicle and detained.
While removing the suspect from the truck, deputies could see a clear bag with small white rocks individually wrapped within a small plastic bag on the floor near the driver’s seat. The substance tested positive for cocaine.
Upon searching the vehicle, a blue plastic container was located. Inside were clear bags with white residue and burnt pieces of tin foil that also tested positive for cocaine.
Additionally, a black and bronze Kel-Tec 9-millimeter pistol was found under the driver’s seat with an extended magazine. Fourteen rounds of miscellaneous ammunition were loaded into the magazine.
The last digit of the gun’s serial number was scratched off, preventing deputies from properly checking the firearm to confirm it was stolen.
During the investigation, it was found Hall had been driving on a suspended license out of Alabama since October of 2024, and an expired driver’s license out of Florida since July of 2020. He also had an active warrant out of Escambia County, Alabama.
Hall was arrested and charged with possession of a controlled substance without a prescription, removing a serial number from a firearm, dealing in stolen property, driving with a suspended license, possession of drug paraphernalia, and violating driver’s license law.
He was booked into the Okaloosa County Jail on a $5,000 bond.