Escambia (AL) Sheriff Heath Jackson Named Alabama Sheriff Of The Year
February 2, 2025
Escambia County (AL) Sheriff Heath Jackson has received the 2025 Alabama Sheriffs Association Sheriff of the Year Award.
Jackson was nominated for his heroic actions that occurred in 2023 when Sheriff Jackson rescued four people that had become stranded on Burnt Corn Creek in rising flood waters. The children were found clinging to tree limbs, and Jackson rescued them with the aid of a jet ski.
Jackson was also recognized for his leadership and service as the Escambia County Sheriff. A graduate of T.R Miller High School, he was elected to his first term as sheriff in 2018 and reelected in 2022. Jackson previously served with the Brewton Police Department, and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office in Florida.
He is a graduate of the National Sheriffs’ Institute and the FBI National Academy and an FBI-LEDDA Trilogy Award winner. In 2024, Jackson was awarded the Medal of Valor Award by the National Sheriffs’ Association. He is also a member of the Brewton Rotary Club where he serves as past president. He currently serves as second vice president for the Alabama Sheriffs Association.
“Sheriff Jackson not only serves his county but is always eager to assist other Alabama Sheriffs when called upon,” Huey Hoss Mack, executive director of the Sheriff’s Association, said.
Pictured: Escambia County Sheriff Heath Jackson (right) was awarded the 2025 Alabama Sheriffs Association Sheriff of the Year Award. The award was presented by Houston County Sheriff Donald Valenza, president of the Sheriffs
Association, at the annual winter meeting in Hoover, AL. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Ice Flyers Bounce Back For Saturday Night Win
February 2, 2025
Despite facing a 3-1 deficit heading into the final frame, the Ice Flyers mounted an impressive comeback to force overtime, though ultimately fell short in a 9-round shootout Friday night.
Alex Wilkins opened the scoring for Fayetteville, but the Ice Flyers evened the score when Matt Wiesner benefited from an unusual bounce in the first period.
Marksmen forwards Khristian Acosta and Dalton Hunter propelled Fayetteville to a 3-1 lead with back-to-back goals, scored just 12 seconds apart, to end the second period.
Jake Hamilton gave the Ice Flyers a boost with his sixth goal of the season, cutting the deficit. Jonathan Bartuccio-Pereira tied the game 3-3 with a power-play goal to close out regulation.
Neither team managed to break through in the overtime period, sending the game to a shootout that would ultimately require nine rounds to determine a winner.
The shootout remained scoreless through six rounds until Ice Flyers forward Doug Elgstam finally broke through, sneaking one past Marksmen goaltender Ryan Kenney. However, the celebration was short-lived as Ryan Nolan quickly responded for Fayetteville to even things up. The marathon shootout finally came to an end in the ninth round when John Moncovich secured the victory for the Marksmen.
The Ice Flyers will host the Fayetteville Marksmen on Saturday for game two of their three-game series.
Scoring Summary
First Period
FAY 1, PEN 0
10:11 Alex Wilkins (1) – Unassisted – PP
Fayetteville capitalized on a power play to score the game’s first goal.
FAY 1, PEN 1
17:14 Matt Wiesner (6) – Cayden Cahill
A shot by Matt Wiesner ricocheted off the glass and bounced off the back of the Marksmen’s goalie, Ryan Kenney, to tie things up.
Shots on goal: FAY 11, PEN 18
Second Period
FAY 2, PEN 1
17:48 Khristian Acosta (3) – Alex Ambrosio, John Moncovich
Fayetteville took the lead with Khristian Acosta’s shot on a 2-on-1 rush.
FAY 3, PEN 1
18:00 Dalton Hunter (14) – Unassisted
12 seconds after Acosta’s goal, Dalton Hunter weaved around the Ice Flyers defense and sent a shot past Brody Claeys to extend the Marksmen’s lead to two.
Shots on Goal: FAY 10, PEN 15
3rd Period
FAY 3, PEN 2
13:05 Jake Hamilton (6) – Cayden Cahill
Jake Hamilton’s well-placed shot found its way through traffic and into the back of the net, giving the Ice Flyers the momentum boost they needed for their third period comeback.
FAY 3, PEN 3
15:05 Jonathan Bartuccio-Pereira (5) – Nick Pryce
The Ice Flyers tied things up with Jonathan Bartuccio-Pereira getting a much needed goal on a powerplay opportunity.
Shots on Goal: FAY 3, PEN 14
Overtime
None
Shootout
Ice Flyers – Doug Elgstam
Marksmen – Ryan Nolan
Marksmen – John Moncovich
Total Shots: FAY 30, PEN 52
Escambia County Teacher Of The Year Named
February 1, 2025
Friday night, Global Learning Academy kindergarten teacher Kelly Reed was nas named this year’s Escambia County Public Schools Teacher of the Year.
Reed will now be in the running for the state teacher of the year award.
The other finalist were:
- Beulah Elementary – Brooke Ferrara
- Beulah Middle – LeAnne Jenkins
- Ransom Middle – Stacey Hammer
- Tate High School – Kristin Maum0
Other Teacher of the Year, by school, were:
- Jim Allen Elementary – Jacey Taylor
- Bellview Elementary – Natalie Hardeman
- Blue Angels Elementary – Christina Cardenas
- Bratt Elementary – Sherri Carter
- Brentwood Elementary – Jill Stewart
- Hellen Caro Elementary – Erin Quinlan
- N. B. Cook Elementary – Kheri Murphy
- Cordova Park Elementary – Margaret Fox-McClellan
- Ensley Elementary – Mary Springer-Alonzo
- Ferry Pass Elementary – Jina Bradley
- Global Learning Academy – Kelly Reed
- Holm Elementary – Lynette Chandler
- Kingsfield Elementary School – Laura Wiggins
- Lincoln Park Elementary – Janie Hayes
- Lipscomb Elementary – Aurora Paul
- Longleaf Elementary – Christine Dunson
- McArthur Elementary – Jodie Langford
- Molino Park Elementary – Heidi Robar
- Montclair Elementary – Maxine Mathis
- Myrtle Grove Elementary – Carrie Lawson
- Navy Point Elementary – Tanya DeGruccio
- Oakcrest Elementary – Deja Ramsey
- Pine Meadow Elementary – Kristen Whiddon
- Pleasant Grove Elementary – Theresa Restifo
- Scenic Heights Elementary – Amanda Byers
- O.J. Semmes Elementary – April Scott
- Sherwood Elementary – Patrice Majewski
- A. K. Suter Elementary – Tracy Eiser
- Warrington Elementary – Sylvia Harvey-Thomas
- C. A. Weis Elementary – Brianna English
- West Pensacola Elementary – Brittany Langlois
- Bailey Middle School – Clif (William) Cone
- Bellview Middle – Vicki Davis
- Brown Barge Middle – Nora Guy
- Ernest Ward Middle – Maria Willis
- Ferry Pass Middle – Kristen Amerson
- Workman Middle – Cynethia Gosse
- Escambia High School – Alicia Gifford
- Northview High School – Obreonne Parker
- Pensacola High School – Justin Aultman
- Pine Forest High School – Jonetta Moody
- Booker T. Washington High School – Karen Privett
- West Florida High School – Tiffany Odom
- Alternative Education – Christopher Baker
- Beulah Academy of Science – Kara List
- Achieve Academy – Jayla King
- Success Academy – Pam Carter
- Escambia Virtual – Kimberly Rayburn
- Escambia Westgate – Terri Michelle Price
- ESE – Kirsten Kappler-Bennett
- Hope Horizon – Heather Turner
- George Stone Technical College – Garry Ellison
- Pensacola Beach Charter – Heather Gagnet
Funeral Services Held For Mother And Daughter Killed In Highway 97 Crash
February 1, 2025
Funeral services where held Saturday for the mother and daughter that were tragically killed in a three-vehicle crash January 23 on Highway 97 Walnut Hill.
Valerie Lynn Bullock Hicks, 66, of Molino, and Charity Lynn Hicks, 30, of Pensacola, passed away when their Mazda struck a large fence post after being hit by a pickup truck driven by a man that the Florida Highway Patrol says “failed to maintain his lane of travel “.
Valerie Hicks was a pastor’s wife, mother, grandmother, and business owner. She graduated from Pensacola Christian College with a bachelor’s degree and taught at Atmore Baptist Temple.
Charity Hicke was homeschooled by her mother and later graduated from Pensacola Christian College. She worked at Temple Christian Academy before becoming a realtor at Flynn Built Custom Home Builders.
“Both ladies will be missed and forever in our hearts. They were perfect examples of love, kindness, faith, and hope. We mourn their death today but look forward to the day we meet them again in heaven. Both ladies lived a beautiful life that deserves to be beautifully remembered. Please pray for her husband and all family members at this critical time,” Temple Christian Academy said in a statement.
“Charity was a remarkable soul — a force of nature whose boundless kindness, love, and generosity touched everyone she met,” Flynn Built said. “She was an extraordinary achiever, always bringing her radiant smile and vibrant energy to every room she entered. Charity’s light was truly one of a kind, and her memory will forever shine in our hearts.”
For the complete obituary, click here.
Funeral services were held Saturday afternoon at Smyrna Baptist Church in Pensacola with burial following at Ray’s Chapel Cemetery in Bogia.
The Florida Highway Patrol is continuing their crash investigation.
Fines Begin Today For Violators At Pensacola Red Light Cameras
February 1, 2025
The grace period is now over, and police are now issuing tickets and fines for violations at traffic cameras in Pensacola.
The cameras are located at:
- 9th Avenue & Bayou — north, south, east, and west approaches (near Cordova Mall)
- 9th Avenue & Airport — north, south, east, and west approaches (also near Cordova Mall)
- 9th Avenue & Fairfield Drive — east and west approaches
- Davis Hwy & Fairfield Drive — east and west approaches
- 9th Avenue & Gregory Street — west approach
These intersections were chosen based on traffic crash data collected over several years and have historically been sites of Pensacola’s most major crashes., Pensacola Police said. In the past two years alone, these five intersections have accounted for 377 vehicle crashes.
During a January grace period, Pensacola Police say more than 1,200 violaters were captures by the cameras.
Now, each violation will be reviewed by a Pensacola Police officer, and citations will be issued. The fine is $158.
Rep. Michelle Salzman To Host Sunday Open House On Immigration
February 1, 2025
Florida Rep. Michelle Salzman will host an open house at her office on Sunday to discuss the issue of immigration.
“There have been a lot of questions and emails about the special session we recently had, so I will be making myself available at my office this Sunday before I head back to Tallahassee for people that would like to drop in and discuss immigration,” Salzman said. “If you live in District One, I welcome you. I will always support the strongest of legislation on illegal immigration. I have always supported legislation combating the issue and I will continue to do so.”
The open house will be from 4-6 p.m. at Salzman’s office, 3212 Highway 95A in Cantonment (just north of 10 Mile Road).
Ice Flyers Rally Night Third Period Lead Evaporates In OT Loss Against Roanoke
February 1, 2025
by Bill Vilona, Ice Flyers correspondent
The Ice Flyers gained a point Friday, but left with an empty feeling.
They carried a 2-0 lead into the third period, but gave up a power play goal in the first five minutes, then had Roanoke tie the game with 1:14 left and the Rail Yard Dawgs followed with an overtime goal on their first puck possession for a 3-2 win at the Pensacola Bay Center.
It was the Ice Flyers fifth overtime loss this season, matching the most in the league. But this one occurred after the Ice Flyers had seemed to withstand a barrage of Roanoke scoring chances earlier in the game.
The loss left a crowd of 4,140 exiting with disappointment on Rally Foundation Night, sponsored by Gulf Winds Credit Union, that raised thousands of dollars. The organization is part of Rally Gulf Coast, which helps children with cancer, along with their families, who live along the Gulf Coast region.
Wearing specialty jerseys designed by some of the children battling cancer, the Ice Flyers started strong.
Nick Pryce scored just 2:17 into the game, a split-second before the Ice Flyers power play expired. Midway through the period Ivan Bondarenko provided a 2-0 lead that stood all the way into the third period.
The teams will rematch Saturday at the Bay Center on Mardi Gras Night, which always attracts a mass crowd.
In one of the rare times this season, the Ice Flyers were outshot by a wide margin, 40-26, but Ice Flyers goaltender Brody Claeys came up with big saves throughout the first two periods and several in the third.
The Ice Flyers were seeking their first three-game win streak of the season. Instead, they settled for getting at least one point in six of their last seven games.
Here’s a quick recap.
FIRST PERIOD
Just 17 seconds into the game, the Ice Flyers had a power play. Roanoke’s Carson Gallagher was whistled for tripping.
As he was set to break from the penalty box, Pryce got a pass from Michael Herrera, made a great deke in the crease area and slid the puck on a backhand past veteran SPHL goaltender Austyn Roudebush. The 31-year-old Roudebush is playing his seventh season in the SPHL, five of those with Roanoke.
Gallagher, meanwhile, wound up being the game’s No. 1 star after he scored the tying and winning goal.
Later in this period, Houston Wilson was one of four Ice Flyers to hit a post with his shot and have the puck carom away.
With 10:47 left, Bondarenko worked past a Roanoke defender, moved in on goal and flicked a shot into the upper corner to give the Ice Flyers a 2-0 lead.
With 6:29 left, Claeys made a pair of big saves in the same sequence to keep the score the same.
SECOND PERIOD
No scoring, but plenty of action.
The biggest occurred with 8:22 remaining when Cayden Cahill was awarded a penalty shot when he broke free and was tripped by Bryce Martin with a clear path to the net. On the penalty shot, Cahill made a great move, but Roudebush stretched his leg and thwarted the tap-in shot with his skate up against the goalpost.
That play would prove decisive.
The Ice Flyers were whistled for two separate penalties in the final seven minutes of the period.
THIRD PERIOD
Roanoke’s Austen Swankler scored his first goal with the team on a one-timer during a power play that was perfectly set up with a cross pass from Nick Ford that Swankler blasted into the net with 15:28 left.
It was one of the few times the Ice Flyers have allowed a power play goal on home ice. Their 90.2 kill percentage entering the game was the best in the league.
The Ice Flyers killed another penalty with 4:19 left, but less than 30 seconds later with 1:44 left, Gallagher tied the game. It happened at the same time Roudebush was skating off the ice for an extra attacker.
That deflating moment led into another for the Ice Flyers. They gained the face off in overtime, carried the puck into the Roanoke end, but once the Rail Yard Dawgs gained possession, their chance proved decisive when Gallager rifled a shot into the net just 52 seconds into overtime.
GAME NOTABLES
The Ice Flyers wore specialty Rally Foundation uniforms with the jerseys designed by kids involved with the Rally Gulf Coast and Rally Foundation. There was a live auction after the game on the arena concourse with game-worn jerseys.
In a special scene, kids involved with Rally Gulf Coast and parents sat on the benches during warmups as players greeted the kids during their pregame routines.
WANT TO GO?
WHO: Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs vs. Ice Flyers
WHEN: Saturday, 7:05 p.m.
WHERE: Pensacola Bay Center
One Injured In Cottage Hill Rollover Crash
January 31, 2025
One person was injured in a single vehicle rollover accident Friday morning in Cottage Hill.
Escambia County EMS transported the victim to a local hospital with injuries not considered serious following the 9 a.m. crash. The vehicle rolled over and came to rest off the roadway in the 1400 block of Wishbone Road just south of Williams Ditch Road.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Atmore Debates Curfew, Seeks Solution To Increased Violent Crime
January 31, 2025
There were three murders in just three months in Atmore and shooting incidents with dozens of rounds fired into homes.
And Police Chief Chuck Brooks is looking for solutions.
“Y’all, I’m getting tired of this violence in my community,” Brooks told a crowd of over 100 people gathered at city hall Thursday evening. “And by the looks of it, y’all are too.”
The meeting with Brooks, the city council, city attorney and other officials was called to discuss actions that might include a curfew. Brooks was the only city official to speak, saying that he did not think the curfew would be a workable solution.
“You’ve got to be able to freely move about, do your business, eat, and go to work or whatever, so that’s out” Brook said about a general curfew, before also explaining the problem with a juvenile curfew. “Juveniles are some of the problem here, but our problems are looking at the age group of 20 to 25.”
“So, if I’ve got a juvenile that needs to go to school, if they’re in dual enrollment, if they’re doing something at the high school, but they can’t even go out to the college out at the interstate. That ain’t gonna work,” he said.
His department has added more patrols and is turning to technology in their fight against crime. He said officers have body cameras, and there are tag readers and other equipment that has proven invaluable, even leading to the arrest of a murder suspect.
And they are recovering numbers of firearms and are working to identify gang members. Brooks acknowledged that while they may not be the notorious gangs, there are gangs in his city.
The police chief said potential solutions include an active neighborhood watch, a program in which residents and businesses can share security camera footage with police, a Crime Stoppers program, and an anonymous tip line. That tip line is in place now — citizens can call the police dispatcher at (251) 368-9141 and ask for extension 1168, which is often answered by voicemail.
Community members in attendance were divided on implementing a curfew, with many saying it would simply restrict the movements of good citizens and infringe on basic civil liberties.
No official action was taken Thursday night on implementing a curfew.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Search Warrant Leads To Arrest Of Century Felon On Gun Charge
January 31, 2025
A convicted felon was arrested on a weapons charge after deputies served a search warrant in Century.
Edward Devon Johnson. Jr., 41, was charged with possession of a weapon by convicted felon. He remained in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $25,000.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to a citizen complaint Wednesday afternoon at a home in the 100 block of Henry Street in Century. A woman told deputies that her driver’s license was suspended because she sold a car to Johnson, and he allowed the vehicle insurance to lapse.
When deputies approved the home, they could hear someone in the backyard. That’s where deputies made contact with Johnson holding a dark in color Smith & Wesson handgun in his hand, which he tried to hide, an ECSO report states. The deputy drew his weapon and ordered Johnson to put the gun down, and he complied. A deputy worked to determine if Johnson was a convicted felon and thus not legally allowed to own a handgun. Before the determination was made, deputies completed their business at the home and left.
The deputies immediately returned to the home when they learned of Johnson’s felony status, and he was detained.
Another party returned to the scene and told deputies that they had only seen a pellet gun in Johnson’s hands.
“(The witness) produced a black Marksman Repeater pellet gun that in no way resembled the gun I had seen in Johnson’s hands earlier,” a deputy wrote in his report. A search warrant was secured for the home and car. The warrant was executed Wednesday night.
During a search of the the trunk of a 2008 Honda, deputies located a dark in color Smith & Wesson 9mm handgun with one round in the chamber and seven rounds in magazine.
“It matched the handgun I had previously seen in Johnson’s hand,” the deputy stated in the report.
Florida Department of Corrections records indicate that Johnson served 15 months for a 2006 cocaine possession conviction.
Pictured above and below: Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputies serve a search warrant at a mobile home on Henry Street in Century, where they reported finding a loaded handgun hidden in the trunk of a car (below). NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
