Escambia Man Pleads Guilty To Federal Bank Fraud
October 3, 2025
An Escambia County mans has pleaded guilty in federal court to three counts of band fraud.
When 52-year -old Shawn Steele is sentenced by District Judge M. Casey Rodgers on December 17, he faces up to 30 years’ imprisonment followed by five years of supervision upon release.
Between January 3, 2023, and June 30, 2023, the Steele obtained loans from PenAir Credit Union and Central Credit Union of Florida for a Jeep Wrangler, a Ferrari 488 Pista, and a Cape Horn boat. He knowingly made false statements about in his income in the loan applications for the purpose of influencing the financial institutions,” according to federal prosecutors.
“I am proud of the excellent investigative work by our federal law enforcement partners that uncovered and stopped this fraudster’s scheme. This successful prosecution should serve as a warning to others who think they can fraudulently enrich themselves by ripping off banks. Doing so will only book you a one-way ticket to prison,” said United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida John P. Heekin.
The case was investigated by the FBI.
Craft Extravaganza Saturday At The Molino Community Center
October 3, 2025
The Molino Mid County Historical Society will hold its 2025 Craft Extravaganza on Saturday, October 4 at the Molino Community Center from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The event will feature crafts, art, holiday decor, honey, jewelry, baked goods and more. A fish fry will be held from 11 a.m. until sold out, and there will be cold drinks, ice cream and more.
The Molino Community Center is at 6450 Highway 95A in Molino.Admission is free, and museum will be open for tours.
NorthEscambia.com photo.
C-130 Hercules Transported Through North Escambia
October 2, 2025
A C-130 military transport aircraft was transported through North Escambia on Thursday.
The U.S. Air Force Lockheed C-130 Hercules was operated by the 179th Airlift Wing, a unit of the Ohio Air National Guard. In 2015, was dedicated as the “Spirit of Galion” to pay tribute to the city of Galion, Ohio, and the Guard members from there.
The plane left Hurlburt Field in Okaloosa County and is being hauled to a company in Catoosa, Oklahoma, a small city about 15 miles from Tulsa where it will be retrofitted as a training module.
The plane traveled Highway 4 and Highway 29 Thursday and was stopped temporarily on Muscogee Road.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Developers Announce Plans For OLF-8 To Be Known As ‘Outlying Fields’
October 2, 2025
The group that purchased the OLF-8 property on Nine Mile Road for $42.5 million from Escambia County is detailing their plans for future development.
Catalyst Healthspan (Catalyst), in partnership with Jim Wilson & Associates, on Wednesday announced its plans for a transformational, multi-generational, mixed-use development at OLF-8 to be known as Outlying Fields.
Located on the 540-acre parcel in Beulah, Florida, once referred to as OLF-8, Outlying Fields will build on the site’s history while creating a premier destination in Northwest Florida, the group said, adding that the development will consist of five unique districts providing opportunities for neighbors to gather and businesses to thrive.
“Outlying Fields will be a place with soul, honoring Northwest Florida’s authenticity, natural beauty, and the people who bring our community to life,” said Chad Henderson, CEO of Catalyst. “We are proud to create a destination that will drive Escambia County and greater Pensacola’s economy forward while leaving a lasting legacy for generations to come.”
“This project represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform this land into a vibrant space fueling economic growth and community life,” said Will Wilson, President of Jim Wilson & Associates. “Our team has seen firsthand how thoughtful, mixed-use developments can build a thriving and innovative hub for a region’s future. We are thrilled to partner with the Catalyst team to bring this opportunity to Northwest Florida.”
Catalyst is a multi-faceted investor with a focus on healthcare and healthspan real estate investments across 23 states. Catalyst has performed on over $2.5 billion of projects and investments. Through its community development division, The 1559 Collective, Catalyst brings years of Northwest Florida development experience to the Outlying Fields project. The 1559 Collective is responsible for impactful projects such as the development and curation of The
East Garden District, a placemaking project in downtown Pensacola, as well as Ransley Station, a 65-acre mixed use development in Escambia County.
Jim Wilson & Associates brings unmatched expertise and decades of success in transformative mixed-use developments to the Outlying Fields project. In a successful partnership with the U.S. Army at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama, the firm reimagined unused military land and created hundreds of light manufacturing jobs for the region. Through their strategic approach to real estate development, the Jim Wilson & Associates team has generated thousands more jobs in office and retail projects across the Southeast.
Supporting the effort, Goodwyn Mills Cawood is guiding the infrastructure planning and engineering with Cooper Carry leading the architectural design. Together, the team brings extensive experience delivering high-quality, mixed-use developments in a variety of residential, urban, suburban, and exurban environments.
The development partnership will unveil the five districts of Outlying Fields – Town Center, Community, Commerce, Employment & Technology Innovation (ETI), and Residential – in phases with additional details, renderings, and district spotlights to be announced over the coming months.
Once fully developed, Outlying Fields will provide outdoor recreation, shopping, dining, job opportunities, and residential options.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
New Splash Pad Opens In Flomaton
October 2, 2025
The Town of Flomaton has officially opened its new splash pad.
The splash pad is located on Church Street, just behind the Flomaton Public Library, and it is open from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. each day until it closes later in the season for winter.
Getting the waterworks started is simple: users just need to touch the top of the bright yellow post located at the entrance to trigger the sensor.
The Town of Flomaton is inviting everyone to “bring your family, cool off, and have fun!” The facility has been designed with families in mind, including new restrooms located in the building at the back right corner of the splash pad area.
There are a few simple rules for the splash pad — keep the area clean, be mindful and respectful of others, and no pets on the splash pad.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Woman Arrested On Felony Drug Charges After Traffic Stop
October 2, 2025
A routine traffic stop for a window tint violation escalated into a felony drug arrest for a passenger in Pensacola.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop on a silver SUV near the intersection of Pensacola Boulevard and Kenmore Road. A K-9 was deployed and alerted to the presence of narcotics in the vehicle.
A of the passenger side of the vehicle, where 27-year old Emily King, was seated, uncovered a small bag and a large purse allegedly containing drug paraphernalia, including blue straws and glass pipes with residue, according to an arrest report. Deputies said field tests of the substances in the bag were positive for methamphetamine and fentanyl.
King was charged with two felony counts of possession of a controlled substance without a prescription and one misdemeanor charge of possession of drug paraphernalia. She was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $5,500 bond.
The driver of the vehicle was issued a verbal warning for a window tint violation and driving without a license and was not arrested.
Tate Aggies Fall To Gulf Breeze (With Photo Gallery)
October 2, 2025
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The Tate Aggies volleyball team fell to the visiting Gulf Breeze Dolphins 3-1 Wednesday night.
The Dolphins secured the varsity win with set scores of 25-18, 23-25, 25-21, and 25-17.
For a varsity photo gallery, click here.
The junior varsity Gulf Breeze team won 2-0 (25-23, 25-18), and the freshman Dolphins took their match 2-0 (25-9, 25-11).
For a junior varsity photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Northview High’s Makinzi Roley Recognized For Perfect State ELA Test Score
October 2, 2025
Northview High School student Makinzi Roley earned a perfect score on last year’s state English Language Arts (ELA) test. She is pictured with principal Michael Sherrill. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
October Hunter Safety Courses Set For Molino, Cantonment, Jay, Milton
October 2, 2025
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is offering free hunter safety internet-completion courses during October Molino, Cantonment, Jay and Milton. Hunter safety courses are designed to help students become safe, responsible and knowledgeable hunters and learn about conservation.
Participants must take the online course before attending a class.
All firearms, ammunition and materials are provided free of charge. Students should bring a pen or pencil and paper. An adult must accompany children younger than 16 at all times.
Anyone born on or after June 1, 1975, must pass an approved hunter safety course and have a hunting license to hunt alone (unsupervised). The FWC course satisfies hunter-safety training requirements for all other states and Canadian provinces.
The two-day events will be held as follows, and you must have completed an online hunter safety course and have a copy of the completion certificate or field day voucher prior to taking a Range Day (listed bottom).
ESCAMBIA COUNTY In Person Classes
- October 6, 6 p.m. — Escambia County Extension, Cantonment
- October 13, 6 p.m. — Molino Community Center
SANTA ROSA COUNTY In Person Classes
- October 20, 6 p.m. — Jay United Methodist Church
- October 27, 6 p.m. — Extension Office, Milton
RANGE DAY
- October 4 or November 1 at 9 a.m.
Those interested in attending a course can register online and obtain information about future hunter safety classes or by calling FWC safety coordinator Jeff Schumacher at (850) 767-3612 for more information or email.
Cantonment Man Faces Felony Grand Theft Charges Over Garage Door Deal
October 1, 2025
A Cantonment man was arrested on a grand theft felony charge following a months-long investigation by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office into an alleged failure to provide services after receiving a large deposit.
Robert Anthony Turley, 38, of Winners Circle in Cantonment, was taken into custody after a warrant was issued for his arrest. He is charged with grand theft between $5,000 and $10,000 for an alleged incident that occurred earlier this year.
According to an ECSO arrest report, the victim reported contracting with Turley of RTS All American Garage Doors, in March of 2025 for the installation of a new garage door. Turley allegedly presented a contract totaling $22,000, and a deposit check of $12,000 was given to him by on March 24, 2025, to begin the work.
The report states that the agreement stipulated the installation would be completed within eight to twelve weeks. However, the ECSO investigation found that between March and August, the work was never started at the residence located on Hesperia Way, nor was the deposit money returned to the customer.
The victim reportedly provided the Sheriff’s Office with a written demand letter sent to Turley and copies of certified mail receipts.
Turley was released from the Escambia County Jail on an $8,000 bond.