Photos: Santa Visits Molino Library
December 19, 2025
Santa made a special visit to the Molino Library on Thursday.
Children were able to take photos with him and share their Christmas wish lists before making Christmas crafts.
For a photos gallery, click here.
Santa has one more library store this year — Saturday at 10:30 a.m. at the Main Library on Spring Street.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
‘Holiday With The Horses’ (And Santa) Will Be Saturday In Cantonment
December 19, 2025
Santa Claus recently paid a surprise visit to the horses at the Panhandle Equine Rescue in Cantonment and he’ll be back on Saturday for “Holidays with Horses.”
The event is free and open to the public, taking place at PER, 3099 East Chipper Road in Cantonment from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m.
During the event, photos with Santa will be available with a suggested donation of $20.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Man Charged As ‘Super Speeder’ For 102 MPH On Highway 29
December 18, 2025
A 21-year-old Cantonment man was charged under Florida’s “super speeder” law after troopers say he was clocked at 102 mph in a 45 mph zone on Highway 29.
Andrew Thomas Heck was charged with operating a vehicle exceeding the speed limit by more than 50 mph.
A Florida Highway Patrol trooper was northbound on Highway 29 near Nine Mile Road when he met a red passenger vehicle that was traveling at 102 mph in the posted 45 mph zone, according to an FHP report. The trooper conducted a traffic stop just north of Nine Mile Road.
He was immediately placed under arrest. Heck, according to the report, told the trooper that he had “no reason to be going that fast.”
Ascend Cares Delivers Christmas Magic To Escambia Westgate Students
December 18, 2025
The Pensacola Ascend Cares teams took part in a Christmas Parade for the very special students at Escambia Westgate School.
The volunteers brought holiday light and laughter, along with a gift for over 130 students from their personal wish lists. Each gift was hand-delivered with love from Santa, and Mrs. Claus.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Commemorative 250th U.S. Anniversary License Plates Available In Florida
December 18, 2025
In honor of the United States’ 250th anniversary on July 4th, 2026, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles has announced a new America 250 commemorative license plate.
“The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles is honored to give Floridians a meaningful way to participate in our nation’s 250th anniversary,” said Executive Director Dave Kerner. “This commemorative plate reflects our shared pride in America’s history and is a symbol of our state’s connection to America’s past.”
Unlike specialty plates, the America 250 plate serves as an alternative to the standard Florida license plate, with all regular fees applying. Motorists may request the America 250 license plate at the time of vehicle registration or renewal. The plate will be available through multiple channels, including local tax collector offices and authorized tag agencies.
Escambia Man Pleads Guilty To Possession Unregistered Machine Gun
December 18, 2025
An Escambia County man has been sentenced to four years in federal prison for possession of an unregistered machine gun.
Prashant M. Jenkins Jr., 24, previously entered a guilty plea in federal court.
Court documents state that on October 30, 2024, law enforcement officers found and seized from Jenkins’ residence an AR-style machine gun conversion device, a Glock pistol with a loaded magazine, a loaded AR-15 magazine, approximately 500 grams of marijuana, and other suspected drug trafficking paraphernalia. The conversion device, considered a machine gun under federal law, was not marked with a serial number and was not registered in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record as required.
U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “I applaud the excellent work of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and our federal ATF agents to make our community safer by getting this dangerous individual off the streets. My office remains fully committed to aggressively prosecuting those who illegally manufacture and possess these dangerous weapons, fulfilling the promise made by President Donald J. Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi to Take Back America by targeting violent criminals with the full force of the law.”
Jenkins faced up to 10 years’ in prison and will be prohibited from possessing any firearms or ammunition.
Tate Junior Mykamia Padgett Commits To D1 ASU Softball
December 18, 2025
Tate High School pitcher and infielder Mykamia Padgett, a junior, has committed to play softball for the NCAA Division I Alabama State University Hornets in Montgomery. Graphic for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
At Least One Injured In Four-Vehicle Highway 29 Crash
December 17, 2025
At least one person was injured in a four-vehicle crash Wednesday morning on Highway 29 in Cantonment.
The crash happened before daybreak on Highway 29 near Tate Road. The wreck involved a Mack semi-truck, an SUV, a Chevrolet pickup, and a Dodge Ram pickup. The Ram only suffered minor damage.
One person was transported to an area hospital, but an update on their condition was not available. The Florida Highway Patrol investigated and has not yet released further details.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Convicted Cantonment Felon Sentenced On Federal Armed Drug Distribution Charges
December 17, 2025
A convicted Escambia County felon has been sentenced to federal prison on armed drug distribution charges.
Carlton DeWight Shoemaker, age 51 of Carver Street, previously pleaded guilty in federal court to three counts of possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
He was sentenced to 106 months in federal prison followed by three years supervised release by U.S. District Judge Kent Wetherell II. He had faced up to life in prison.
Using an FDLE documented criminal informant, ATF purchased crack cocaine and methamphetamine on two occasions from Shoemaker in a hotel room , according to federal court documents, and a semi-automatic handgun was presented in the room.
When a search warrant was later served, investigators reported finding 4.5 grams of crack cocaine, 9.5 grams of powder cocaine, three ounces of marijuana pre-packaged for sale, drug paraphernalia, and two firearms with ammunition.
Shoemaker is a convicted felon and has multiple prior convictions, including burglary, grand theft, possession of cocaine, and grand theft of a firearm.
The case involved a joint investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and ATF.
Sex Offender, 84, Gets 30 Years For Viewing Porn On Probation
December 17, 2025
An 84-year old sex offender has been sentenced to three decades in prison for violating his probation.
Carl Wayne Castleberry was sentenced on Tuesday to 30 years in state prison by Circuit Judge John Miller.
Castleberry was on probation for two counts of lewd or lascivious conduct for abusing a young female relative. In September 2019, he pled guilty and was sentenced to 50 months in state prison to be followed by 25 years of sex offender probation. He was released from prison in August of 2022.
By October of 2025, his probation officer discovered that Castleberry had been viewing pornography in violation of his probation conditions, according to prosecutors.