Eagles Vs. Eagles: Ernest Ward Middle Falls To W.S. Neal
November 15, 2024
The Ernest Ward Middle Eagles boys and girls basketball fell to the W.S. Neal Eagles Thursday night.
In boys actions, Neal defeated EWMS 42-23, the Neal girls won 20-19.
Up next, Ernest Ward will travel to Central on Monday, November 18 with the girls at 5 p.m. to be followed by the boys.
NorthEsambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Man Sentenced To 25 Years For Child Sex Abuse
November 15, 2024
Thursday, a Cantonment man was sentenced to prison for sexually abusing children that lived with him.
Nathan Dale Toms, 50, was sentenced to serve 25 years in state prison followed by lifetime sex offender probation and was designated as a sexual predator by Circuit Court Judge John Simon. Toms was sentenced after entering a plea straight up to the court on four counts of sexual battery by a person in familial authority.
The investigation arose from a report that Toms had inappropriately touched minor children that were in his custody. The abuse alleged took place between 2016 and 2023.
Prosecuting attorney Carrie Gilmer said, “Nathan Toms manipulated the victims and their family to gain trust and access to the victims. Hopefully, this sentence will bring some much-needed closure to the victims.”
One Airlifted After Highway 97 Rear End Crash
November 14, 2024
One person was airlifted to the hospital after a crash Thursday morning in Walnut Hill.
The adult female driver of a Hyundai Santa Fe rear-ended a Ford pickup truck and utility trailer on Highway 97 north of the Walnut Hill Community Center. The northbound pickup driver was reportedly stopped for a school bus that was waiting to turn left onto Wiggins Lake Road. The pickup driver attempted to pull out of the way, but was rear-ended.
The Santa Fe driver was airlifted by MedStar Air Care helicopter to Sacred Heart Hospital with injuries that were not considered to be life threatening. The pickup truck driver was not injured.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Semi, Pickup Crash Closes Highway 29 For Hours In Cantonment
November 14, 2024
A crash involving a pickup truck and a semi closed Highway 29 in Cantonment for hours Thursday morning.
The 29-year-old pickup truck driver told troopers that he could not see due to the sun in his eyes when he tried to make a left turn in front of the semi-truck from Highway 29 to Neal Road about 7:23 a.m. After the collision, the semi ran off the road and into the ditch.
For a more photos, click here.
The pickup driver suffered minor injuries and was not transported, while the semi driver was transported with minor injuries to a Pensacola hospital by Escambia County EMS.
The Florida Highway Patrol said the driver of the pickup truck was cited for failure to yield right of way.
The roadway was closed for hours for cleanup, including the accident vehicles, a diesel fuel spill. and a large number of screws and other material on the road.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Now That Matt Gaetz Has Resigned After Being Picked For Trump’s AG, Who Will Seek His Seat?
November 14, 2024
Who will fill the Congressional seat that was held by Rep. Matt Gaetz?
Wednesday, President-elect Donald Trump named Gaetz at his choice to be the next U.S. attorney general.
Shortly after the announcement, Gaetz resigned from Congress, House Speaker Mike Johnson said that will give Gov. Ron DeSantis “about an eight-week period” to fill the vacancy, or early as January 3. DeSantis will set for the dates for a special election to choose a replacement.
RELATED: Northwest Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz Resigns From Congress After AG Nomination
By Wednesday night, names of potential Congressional replacements began to circulate.
One, Florida House Rep. Michele Salzman, is making it clear that she’s interested.
“I must admit my phone has really been blowing up with texts and calls from many I respect since Congressman Gaetz was announced as President Trump’s pick for Attorney General,” she wrote on social media. “I am going to weigh my options and seriously consider it. I love representing Northwest Florida and getting things done.”
“It is an honor serve as a State Representative, so I am already doing what I love to do,” Salzman continued.
Another potential replacement for Gaetz is another Gaetz. Matt Gaetz’s father, Former Florida Senate President Don Gaetz, recently won election to the Florida Senate District 1 seat that was held by Doug Broxson.
Other names being mentioned in statewide and local political circles Wednesday night included former Pensacola Mayor Ashton Hayward, current Pensacola Mayor D.C. Reeves, and Frank White.
White is former state representative, serving a single term from 2016-2018. He ran for Senate District 1 this year before bowing out to endorse Don Gaetz.
Destin Mayor Bobby Wagner has expressed interest in running for the Congressional seat.
A Democratic contender will likely also emerge for the special election, Gay Valimont who ran against Gaetz this year, is expected to run. Gaetz garnered about 66% of the vote to 34% to Valimont in the strongly Republican district.
Learn How To Break Down A Chicken At The Molino Library
November 14, 2024
Have you ever wondered how to break down a whole chicken?
Join Dorothy Lee from the Escambia County Extension Office for a fun, hands-on class at Molino Library as she teaches simple, expert techniques to portion a whole chicken like a chef. Attendees will elevate their kitchen skills and learn to save money.
The free class will be held Saturday at 10 a.m. at the Molino Branch Library, 6450 Highway 95A in Molino.
Escambia Man Dies In Two Vehicle Crash
November 14, 2024
An Escambia County man died in a two-vehicle crash Wednesday night near Ruby’s Fish Camp.
Troopers said the 66-year-old Pensacola man was traveling west on Mobile Highway when a vehicle driven by a 20-year-old man from Fairhope, Alabama, man crossed the centerline, causing a head-on crash.
The Fairhope man was transported to an area hospital with serious injuries. The 66-year old was pronounced deceased following the crash.
The Florida Highway Patrol is continuing their investigation.
Flomaton Man Arrested In Atmore For Possession of Fentanyl, Cocaine
November 14, 2024
A traffic stop for faulty lighting led the arrest of a Flomaton man on drug charges in Atmore.
Joel Howell, 59, was charged with possession of a controlled substance, possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, possession of marijuana second degree, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
An Atmore Police Department officer stopped Howell’s vehicle on South Main Street due to a lighting violation. A K-9 that responded to to the scene and alerted on the vehicle after Howell acted “suspiciously”, according to police.
During a probable cause search of the vehicle, officers reported finding 12 grams of a white powdery substance that field tested positive for cocaine, fentanyl pills, a small amount of marijuana, and other items used for the storage and use of narcotics.
Howell was booked into the Escambia County Detention Center in Brewton. His mugshot was not immediately available.
Escambia Man Sentenced to 25 Years for Fentanyl Trafficking
November 14, 2024
An Escambia County man has been sentenced to state prison for trafficking fentanyl.
Circuit Court Judge Linda Nobles sentenced Edward Eugene Williams to 25 years in state prison, with a mandatory minimum of seven years to be served without the possibility of early release, for trafficking in fentanyl. In addition, Williams was ordered to pay a $50,000 fine.
The case stemmed from an incident on August 26, 2023, when deputies from the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office stopped Williams for a broken headlight at the intersection of Pensacola Boulevard and Burgess Road. Officers noted his nervous behavior, and Williams admitted his license was suspended. A K9 unit alerted officers to the presence of drugs in the vehicle, leading to a search that uncovered over six grams of fentanyl, along with drug paraphernalia including scales, baggies, and pipes. A receipt bearing Williams’ name was also found with the drugs.
Following a one-hour deliberation, an Escambia County jury found Williams guilty on all counts. Prosecutor Christopher Patterson emphasized the severe impact of fentanyl on the community, stating, “Fentanyl has wreaked havoc on our community, and those who traffic in it must be held accountable.”
Tate High Softball’s Kara Wine Signs With The University of South Alabama
November 14, 2024
Tate High School senior Kara Wine on Wednesday signed to play Division 1 Softball at the University of South Alabama Jaguars. A standout player at Tate, Wine has played on the varsity team since her freshman year. S
During the first three years of her career at Tate, she broke numerous records including most homeruns in a single season with nine, the career homerun record with 20, slugging percentage, and career RBI’s.
For a photos gallery, click here.
Kara is the president of the senior class and has excelled academically with a 4.55 GPA. She was named to the Tate High School Hall of Fame. She also participates in Beta Club, National Honor Society, FCA, SEB, and has played volleyball and golf at Tate.
She was joined for her signing Wednesday by her fellow Lady Aggies, her travel ball team the “Showstoppers”, former and current coaches, teachers, family, and friends.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
