Mother Arrested For Homicide After 5-Year Old’s Body Recovered In Trash Bag
February 6, 2026
The body of a 5-year-old boy was recovered in a trash bag on Friday morning in Escambia County, and the child’s mother is charged with homicide.
Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputies took 36-year-old Jalynda Smith into custody Friday afternoon.
The young boy’s body was recovered from the water in the 9500 block of Lillian Highway near San Sebastian Circle. Additional details have not been provided.
Anyone with information of the incident is asked to contact the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office immediately at (850) 436-9620. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Cantonment WWII Veteran, Purple Heart Recipient Celebrates 109th Birthday
February 6, 2026
A Cantonment man celebrated his 109th birthday on Thursday at the Sodalis Senior Living Facility
Army veteran Duane Brewton was born February 5, 1917. He was married for 78 years and has four children and a multitude of grandchildren.
Brewton has told facility staff that the secret to a long life is putting God first and taking care of your health.
He served in Europe during World War II. While serving in the Army infantry, Brewton was awarded the Purple Heart after an artillery shell exploded near him and caused critical injuries from multiple shrapnel wounds.
Brewton had a big birthday cake and celebrated the momentous occasion with family and friends.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
FHP Searching For Nine Mile Road Hit And Run Driver
February 6, 2026
The Florida Highway Patrol is searching for a driver involved in a hit and run on Wednesday.
The crash happened about 2 p.m. on East Nine Mile Road at Airway Drive.
Anyone with information about the crash or vehicle is asked to contact Trooper Boothe at *FHP (*347) in reference to case number FHP26ON0053712.
Troopers have not released any details about the wreck or said if there were any injuries.
Photo FHP for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Visitor At Century Prison Arrested On Drug-Related Charge
February 6, 2026
An Alabama woman was arrested at the prison in Century after a visitor contraband interdiction, according to the Florida Department of Corrections (FDOC).
Visitor Erica Nicole Clark, age 35 of Millbrook, Alabama, was visiting inmate Joshua Brase at the Century Correctional Institution when a FDOC K-9 alerted on her vehicle. Staff discovered 0.1 grams of meth and a meth pipe, and the visit was terminated, according to FDOC.
Clark was transported to the Escambia County Jail on a charge of possession of drug paraphernalia.
Brase is serving a seven year sentence out of Walton County for aggravated battery with intended harm.
Escambia County Man Arrested On Federal Child Porn Charge
February 6, 2026
An Escambia County man was arrested Monday by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement on a federal child porn charge.
Jordan Quinones, 29, was arrested on a federal charge of possession of obscene visual representation of the sexual abuse of children. He remains in the Santa Rosa County Jail without bond.
FDLE’s investigation into Quinones’ crimes revealed he had failed to report four email addresses and five online accounts. Following an interview with FDLE, Quinones reported those accounts to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. Investigators conducted a forensic analysis of Quinones’ electronic device, which revealed hundreds of files of computer-generated child sexual abuse material.
On January 21, a grand jury returned an indictment in Quinones’ case. FDLE, with the assistance of the United States Marshal Service, arrested Quinones on February 2 on the federal warrant and transported him to the Santa Rosa County Jail where he is being held without bond. He will be prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida.
RELATED: FDLE Charges McDavid Man With 14 Sex Offender Violations After Search Warrant
The arrest is the result of FDLE’s statewide initiative to locate and arrest criminals targeting children and sharing files depicting the sexual abuse of children.
Tate Aggies Win District Semi, Head To Finals Saturday Night
February 6, 2026
The Tate Aggies beat the Gulf Breeze Dolphins 66-54 Thursday night in the 6A District 1 semifinals at Tate High School.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Also on Thursday night, the Milton Panthers defeated the Niceville Eagles 68-42.
The No. 2 seed Aggies will travel to No. 1 Milton on Saturday at 7 p.m. for the district championship.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Allie Penton, click to enlarge.
Jay Man Charged With 15 Counts Of Animal Cruelty; 53 Animals Seized
February 5, 2026
A Jay man has been charged with animal cruelty after dozens of animals were seized from his farm, at least one of which was euthanized.
Charles Robert Higbee, age 54 of Bell Creek Road, was charged with 10 counts of felony aggravated animal cruelty and five additional misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty.
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement (OALE) and Santa Rosa County Animal Control investigated severe neglect on a farm owned by Higbee.
OALE said investigators discovered emaciated cattle and goats without food or water, poultry starving in filthy pens, and a longhorn cow trapped in a hole. The longhorn was later euthanized due to extreme suffering.
In total, 53 animals were seized:
- 12 cattle
- 31 poultry
- 6 goats
- 1 sheep
- 3 equine
Five poultry carcasses were also located.
Veterinary exams confirmed severe malnutrition and dehydration, investigators said.
Higbee was released from the Santa Rosa County Jail on a $55,000 bond.
Century Residents Lash Out At Town Council Over Garbage Hikes And Service Issues
February 5, 2026
Numerous residents expressed displeasure about the Town of Century’s new solid waste program and other utilities at a town council meeting this week.
The town’s new solid waste provider will collect two cans per week — one for garbage and one for yard waste — at a rate that is $10.47 more than charged by Republic Services, the previous provider.
For additional photos, click here.
“I heard I got to pay another extra $10; I don’t have no garbage,” Sim Brown of Hadley Street said. “I live by myself; I could use a five-gallon bucket to put my stuff in. I ain’t got nothing to throw away but egg shells and coffee grounds. I don’t have no garbage, but I still got to pay that money every month.”
Another resident, Albert Johnson, told the council that he’s 80 years old and can’t get out to pick up yard debris. “Y’all can come get both of them for my part,” he said of his waste cans. “I don’t need them.”
“It’s really pissing me off,” Tangla Ivory of East Pond Street said, “because it’s like how you make me pay for something I am not going to use?”
RELATED: Century Explains $10.47 Per Month Garbage Rate Increase
There were several complaints about new Waste Pro cans being smaller, but Town Clerk Carrie Moore said the cans are in fact the same 90-gallon capacity as used by Republic Services.
Other residents complained about wildly fluctuating water bills and billing periods, and bills that don’t arrive in the mail until right at the due date. Another resident complained about sand in the water system causing problems with dishwashers and plumbing fixtures.
There were additional complaints from residents that feel they are spoken down to, even chastised, by town employees when they call for assistance with utility and billing issues.
“You guys are taking my money and making money with my money,” another resident said, complaining that he made a $180 utility deposit in 2018 and it was refunded by check when he disconnected services recently. He said he wanted cash, like he paid, not a check, and he wanted interest for the time the town held his money.
The council took no official actions after hearing the citizen complaints.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Woman Charged After Allegedly Threatening Child’s Father with Knife
February 5, 2026
A Cantonment woman was arrested following a domestic disturbance involving a knife at a residence on Hicks Street.
Latoya Ann Allen, 54, was taken into custody after a witness reported she was being aggressive and hitting the father of her child. According to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Allen allegedly threatened the man with a knife while in close proximity, placing him in fear of violence. The victim and Allen have lived together for approximately six months and share a child.
The incident prompted a response from multiple deputies who arrived with lights and sirens because Allen was believed to be armed. Upon arrival, a deputy located the victim in the yard of the home. The victim then granted law enforcement consent to enter the residence, where they found Allen sitting in a chair. While she was unarmed at the time contact was made, she was immediately detained and placed in a patrol car.
Allen was charged with felony aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and misdemeanor battery. Both charges were designated as domestic violence. She remained in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $7,500.
The victim was not injured and declined medical treatment.
$6.3 Million In Grants Available To Support Florida’s Forests
February 5, 2026
Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson and the Florida Forest Service has announced a total of $6.3 million is now available to Florida landowners through two cost-share programs. Florida’s Future Forests Program and the Enhancing Gulf Waters Through Forested Watershed Restoration (RESTORE) Program aim to improve forest health and water quality by promoting tree planting and timber stand improvement practices that help ensure the long-term viability of Florida’s forestlands. Applications for both programs will be accepted until March 27, 2026.
“Florida’s forests are some of our most valuable natural assets – protecting water quality, supporting wildlife, and fueling an industry that supports thousands of jobs,” said Simpson. “These programs are a significant long-term investment for the state and will help maintain and preserve Florida’s forests and natural resources for future generations.”
Florida’s Future Forests Program is open to non-industrial, private landowners, local governments, and registered nonprofit organizations. Interested applicants should contact their Florida Forest Service County Forester to initiate the application process. Applicants may request funding for tree establishment practices on a minimum of 10 acres and up to 250 acres. To learn more, visit FDACS.gov/FutureForests. The deadline for application submission is 3 p.m. EST on March 27, 2026.
“Private lands make up the majority of Florida’s forestlands, and these funds will help landowners reestablish forests, improving water quality and enhancing overall forest health,” said Florida Forest Service Director Rick Dolan.
Since 2021, the Florida Legislature has appropriated approximately $18 million for this program. These funds have already been used to create over 50,000 acres of healthy forests in Florida.
An additional $2.3 million is available through the RESTORE Landowner Incentive Program. These funds are available to non-industrial private landowners, local governments, and registered nonprofit organizations located within specific priority watersheds. This program includes reforestation, prescribed burning, first pulpwood thinning, mechanical underbrush treatment, and chemical underbrush treatment, for practices on a minimum of 10 acres up to 250 acres. For more information, visit FDACS.gov/Restore. The application deadline is 3 p.m. EST on March 27, 2026.
Pictured: The Florida Forest Service’s Molino Forestry Station located on Highway 29. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.