Homicide Investigation Continues After Man Shot Near Pine Meadow Elementary
January 3, 2025
A homicide investigation is continuing after a man was shot and killed late Wednesday night in not far from Pine Meadow Elementary School.
The adult male was shot about 11:45 p.m. outside a home on Tommy Street, just off Cove Avenue. The man was transported to any area hospital where he later died.
No arrests have been made. Anyone with information is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Additional details have not been released.
File photo.
Cantonment Man Charged With Fentanyl Trafficking After Traffic Stop
January 2, 2025
A Cantonment man was arrested by police with multiple drug charges including fentanyl trafficking after a traffic stop.
Cole Peyton Johns, 28, was charged with trafficking four or more grams of fentanyl, possession of a controlled substance without a prescription, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, resisting arrest without violence, possession of a drug paraphernalia, and driving with a suspended license.
On Christmas Eve, a Pensacola Police Department officer stopped Johns for suspended license on K Street. PPD said Johns provided his name and date of birth because he did not have his driver’s license. An Escambia County Sheriff’s Office K-9 responded and alerted on the vehicle.
During a search, officers located a backpack in the vehicle, and Johns fled on foot, according to an arrest report. He was apprehended by police at the corner of West Gregory and North K streets.
Inside the backpack, PPD officer reported finding four pipes with fentanyl residue, along with 31.4 grams of powder in plastic baggies and a pill bottle that tested positive for fentanyl. The report states officers also found nine and one-quarter Alprazolam pills, multiple small baggies, two scales with suspected fentanyl residue and a handgun with seven unspent rounds in the magazine.
According to the report, Johns confessed he owned the backpack and told police that the narcotics were heroin but offered a “silent acknowledgement ” when told the field test showed fentanyl. He also admitted to police that he sold narcotics and that the firearm belonged to him.
Johns was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $32,500 bond.
After 578 Days, Longest Resident Ever At Animal Shelter Goes Home
January 2, 2025
The longest resident ever at the Escambia County animal shelter found a home just in time for the holidays.
Daisy spent 578 at the shelter.
She was adopted in time to spend her best Christmas ever with her new family.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Weather Service Confirms EF-1 Tornado Hit Barnett Crossroads With 100 MPH Winds
January 2, 2025
The National Weather Service has confirmed that it was an EF-1 tornado that caused damage in the Barnett Crossroads community north of Flomaton on December 28.
A NWS survey found that the tornado was on the ground for 2.22 miles with winds up to 100 mph.
There were no injuries reported.
Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Meet The New Year’s Baby At Pensacola’s Ascension Sacred Heart
January 2, 2025
Ascension Sacred Heart in Pensacola welcome their New Year’s Baby early Wednesday morning.
Everly was one of at least seven babies born at the hospital on New Year’s Day.
Everly was born to Maegan Mapoles and Brian Allen of Pensacola at 12:09 a.m.
Maegan went into labor on New Year’s Eve, which just happens to be her birthday.
New Red Light Cameras Now Active At These Pensacola Intersections
January 2, 2025
New red light cameras are now active in Pensacola, and police will soon be issuing tickets.
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.
There’s a grace period in place for now. After February 1, each violation will be reviewed by a Pensacola Police officer, and citations will be issued. These citations will n
Escambia County Value Adjustment Board Seeks Volunteers
January 2, 2025
The Escambia County Board of County Commissioners is seeking Escambia County residents interested in volunteering to be considered for an appointment to the Value Adjustment Board. The VAB provides for the hearing of all petitions, complaints, appeals and disputes concerning taxable assessment of properties. The term of office is one year.
Escambia County residents interested in serving on the Value Adjustment Board are asked to submit a resume and letter indicating their desire to serve by 5 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 9. Resumes and letters should be submitted via email to boardapply@myescambia.com or by mail to:
Jose Gochez, Program Manager
Escambia County Board of County Commissioners
221 Palafox Place, Suite 420
Pensacola, FL 32502
Resumes submitted for consideration are subject to public records requests and are included in Escambia County Commission meeting information, including the agenda and official meeting minutes.
The Board of County Commissioners’ VAB appointee must meet the following requirements to be eligible to serve:
Must own homestead property in Escambia County.
Cannot be a member or employee of any taxing authority.
Cannot represent property owners in any administrative or judicial review of property taxes.
The VAB meets for approximately 30-40 minutes twice a year, usually in August and December.
Escambia County Attempted Homicide Suspect Arrested
January 2, 2025
An attempted homicide suspect wanted by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office since last week is now behind bars.
Terrance James Franklin, 45, is charged with an attempted homicide that occurred after an argument on Christmas Day in the 3000 block of Michael Drive. He allegedly shot someone in the chest and leg with a shotgun. The victim was expected to survive.
Franklin was charged with attempted homicide, aggravated assault, and possession of a weapon or ammo by a convicted felon. He remained in the Escambia County Jail without bond.
Atmore Police Investigate Shooting; 20 Rounds Fired Into Vehicle
January 1, 2025
The Atmore Police Department is investigating a shooting that happened late Monday night on Ashley Street.
Atmore Police responded to multiple reports of shots fired in the 100 block of Ashley Street at about 11:13 p.m.
“Atmore officers immediately responded and found a male with a single gunshot to the lower extremity,” Chief Chuck Brooks said. “The male was transported by EMS to Atmore Community Hospital.”
Brooks said the male was sitting in a vehicle when the suspects began firing into the vehicle with what believed to be a high-powered rifle.
“Officers recovered approximately 20 .223 (caliber) shell casings from the scene,” he said.
The name of the victim has not been released.
Anyone with information is asked to call Atmore Police at (250) 368-9141.
Here Are Escambia County’s Teachers Of The Year
January 1, 2025
Escambia County’s Teachers of the Year have been named to represent their respective schools.
One of them will named the Escambia County overall Teacher of the year in late January from a list of five finalists. Those finalists are highlighted in bold below.
- Jim Allen Elementary – Jacey Taylor
- Bellview Elementary – Natalie Hardeman
- Beulah Elementary – Brooke Ferrara
- 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
- Beulah Middle – LeAnne Jenkins
- Brown Barge Middle – Nora Guy
- Ernest Ward Middle – Maria Willis
- Ferry Pass Middle – Kristen Amerson
- Ransom Middle – Stacey Hammer
- 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
- Tate High School – Kristin Maum
- 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
