30,000 Wreaths Placed At Barrancas Cemetery During Wreaths Across America Program
December 14, 2025
Hundreds of volunteers laid about 30,000 wreaths on headstones at Barrancas National Cemetery onboard Naval Air Station Pensacola Dec on Saturday, part of the national “Wreaths Across of America” event. U.S. Navy photos by Ensign Manolis Tsavaris and submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Quintette Community Center Holds Annual Senior Citizens Christmas Luncheon
December 14, 2025
The Quintette Community Center and Park held its annual Christmas Luncheon for senor citizens on Saturday. The seniors enjoyed lunch and sang Christmas carols. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Man Convicted Of 2022 Murder
December 14, 2025
An Escambia County man has been convicted of a 2022 murder.
Kopelyn Gerard Gildon was convicted of second degree murder with a Firearm by an Escambia County Jury.
On the afternoon of August 7, 2022, Gildon shot and killed Roosevelt Broadnax, Jr., in Broadnax’s home in Escambia County. Gildon was accompanied by Raven Morgan who initially distracted Broadnax before Gildon came into the bedroom and shot Broadnax as he lay on the bed. Broadnax was discovered several hours later, and the homicide was reported.
In the days following the murder, investigators seized a cellular telephone from Gildon as he was trying to pass it off to Morgan during their interaction with law enforcement. Photographs of the deceased Broadnax were located on the phone. Morgan later confessed to her involvement in the case and explained the homicide was a murder for hire transacted by Gildon with another local drug dealer.
Morgan entered a plea to second degree murder with a firearm and giving false information to law enforcement in a murder investigation. Gildon and Morgan are both set to be sentenced on December 17. Gildon has an extensive criminal history which includes several violent crimes. He is currently serving a state prison sentence for possession of a firearm by convicted felon.
Christmas Parade Rolls Through Century (With Photo Gallery)
December 13, 2025
The Century Christmas Parade will be held Friday afternoon, followed by a Sheriff’s Movie Night with a free showing of “The Grinch” at Anthony Pleasant Park.
For a parade photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia Sheriff’s Office Hosts Movie Night (With Gallery)
December 13, 2025
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office hosted a movie night in Century on Friday night following the town’s Christmas parade.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Residents enjoyed the movie “How The Grinch Stole Christmas” on a big outdoor screen, along with free hot dogs, hamburgers and popcorn from the ECSO at Anthony Pleasant Park.
The ECSO movie nights are presented across the county by the ECSO and the non-profit Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Foundation.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Photo Gallery: Santa Claus Visits Bellview Library; More Library Stops Upcoming
December 13, 2025
Santa Claus visited the Bellview Library twice his week.
For a photo gallery, click here.
There are four more chanced to see Santa at the library, including another visit to Molino.
- Dec. 16, 3:00 p.m. — Tryon
- Dec. 17, 4:30 p.m. — Southwest
- Dec. 18, 4:30 p.m. — Molino
- Dec. 20, 10:30 p.m. — Pensacola
For photos from Santa’s recent visit to the Century Library, click here.
For photos from Santa’s recent visit to the Molino Library Story Time, click here.
Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
One Injured In Century Highway 4 Crash
December 13, 2025
One person was transported to the hospital by ambulance following a two-vehicle wreck late Friday afternoon in Century.
The crash happened about 3:55 p.m. on East Highway 4 at Old Flomaton Road.
In addition to the one person transported by EMS with non-life threatening injuries, and a second victim indicated that they would be going to the hospital on their own to be checked out. A third person was not injured.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating and has not released additional details.
The crash closed the northbound lane of Old Flomaton Road and the eastbound lane of Highway 4 as the Century Christmas Parade approached on its route.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Man Gets Life For Murder In Dispute Over Missing Package
December 13, 2025
An Escambia County man has been sentenced to life in prison for shooting and killing a man after a dispute over a package.
A jury previously found Shybri Bashiabeon Omar Steverson guilty of second-degree murder with a firearm.
On November 1, 2023, Shybri Steverson shot Victim Guy Dixon, Jr. after a brief conversation about a missing package.
Prosecutors said their case was supported by eyewitness testimony.
Four Injured, Two Critically, In After Driver Runs Red Light At Highway 29 And Molino Road
December 12, 2025
Four people were injured, two critically, in a two-vehicle crash Friday afternoon at the intersection of Highway 29 and Molino Road.
The Florida Highway Patrol said an 86-year-old Birmingham man ran a red light as his red Lexus SUV was traveling south on Highway 29. At the same time, a white Chevrolet SUV driven by a 39-year-old Molino woman was northbound and turning onto Molino Road.
The Birmingham man and his 73-year old female passenger, also from Birmingham, were critically injured and were airlifted as “trauma alerts” to a Pensacola hospital by two medical helicopters. The Molino woman in the white SUV and her 40-year old male passenger, also from Molino, were transported to the hospital by ambulance.
Both Highway 29 and Molino Road were completely shut down by the crash and investigation.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
ECSO Master Deputy David Preston Retires After Over Three Decades Of Service
December 12, 2025
Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Master Deputy David Preston was honored on his retirement during a ceremony at ECSO headquarters on Thursday.
Preston, who is a North Escambia resident, joined the ECSO in 1994. He spent the early part of his career in the Patrol Division in Century and last worked as investigator in Property Crimes.
Sheriff Chip Simmons and fellow deputies praised Preston for a job well done during over three decades of service to the citizens of Escambia County.
“I want to thank God for just taking care of all of us for this many years,” Preston said. “I want to thank my family, in particular, my wife.”
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
