Molino Utilities Issues Boil Water Notice For Highway 97; Molino Park Students Provided Bottled Water
October 23, 2025
UPDATE: This boil water notice was lifted Saturday morning.
Molino Utilities has issued a precautionary boil water notice is in effect for a portion of Highway 97, including Molino Park Elementary School, following the repair of a broken water main.
Escambia County Public Schools said portable toilets were made available to students during a period of no water on Thursday, and bottled water has been provided for drinking.
The boil water notice is in effect for Molino Utilities customers on Highway 97 North of Crabtree Church Road to Abromovich Lane.
Precautionary boil water notices are issued as a part of the standard protocol following any loss of water pressure, whether as a result of planned maintenance activities or unscheduled repairs.
Residents located in the specified area are advised to boil water for one minute at a rolling boil or to use eight drops of regular unscented household bleach per gallon of water, for water to be used for drinking or cooking purposes. Two independent bacteriological samples have been initiated and the advisory will be lifted as soon as possible.
Residents within the area and nearby are advised that there is a possibility of discolored water as a result of the utility work, and to flush their home’s plumbing by running their taps for a few minutes.
This story will be updated when the boil water notice is lifted.
FDLE: 13 Arrested In Online Operation Targeting Child Predators
October 23, 2025
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement and partner agencies arrested 13 suspects during an online child sexual predator operation.
The five-day online operation targeted predators who were engaging in sexually explicit and harmful communication with minors, transmitting child sexual abuse material, and arranging to meet a minor for sexual activity.
The operation was conducted by inspectors, agents and analysts with FDLE and the Florida Highway Patrol, Florida Department of Agriculture, Homeland Security Investigations, Naval Criminal Investigative Service, United States Marshals Service, Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office, Gulf Breeze Police Department, Marion County Sheriff’s Office, and the Lake City Police Department.
The following suspects were charged:
- Nicholas Beech, 27, of Eight Mile, AL
- Charges: seduce, solicit, lure, or entice a minor to engage in sexual conduct; travel to meet a minor for sexual activity; use of a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony; transmission of harmful material to a minor
- Marshall Blansett, 39, of Pensacola
- Charges: seduce, solicit, lure, or entice a minor to engage in sexual conduct; travel to meet a minor for sexual activity; use of a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony, transmission of harmful material to a minor
- Duran Brown, 18, of Pensacola
- Charges: seduce, solicit, lure, or entice a minor to engage in sexual conduct; travel to meet a minor for sexual activity; use of a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony
- Royce Cromer, 39, of Pensacola
- Charges: seduce, solicit, lure, or entice a minor to engage in sexual conduct; travel to meet a minor for sexual activity; use of a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony
- Micah Costner, 18, of Gulf Shores, AL
- Charges: seduce, solicit, lure, or entice a minor to engage in sexual conduct; travel to meet a minor for sexual activity; use of a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony
- Christopher Glover, 47, of Grand Bay, AL
- Charges: seduce, solicit, lure, or entice a minor to engage in sexual conduct; travel to meet a minor for sexual activity; use of a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony; transmission of harmful material to a minor, resisting arrest without violence
- David Girard, 70, of Robertsdale, AL
- Charges: seduce, solicit, lure, or entice a minor to engage in sexual conduct; travel to meet a minor for sexual activity; use of a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony
- Noah Kimmons, 19, of Pensacola,
- Charges: seduce, solicit, lure, or entice a minor to engage in sexual conduct; travel to meet a minor for sexual activity; use of a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony
- William Pierce, 52, of Pensacola
- Charges: transmission of harmful material to a minor, use of a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony, promoting the sexual performance by a child
- Robby Robertson, 47, of Beulah
- Charges: seduce, solicit, lure, or entice a minor to engage in sexual conduct; travel to meet a minor for sexual activity; use of a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony
- Ricardo Del Rosario, 38, of Pensacola
- Charges: seduce, solicit, lure, or entice a minor to engage in sexual conduct; travel to meet a minor for sexual activity; use of a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony
- Ranger Shindle, 19, of Crestview
- Charges: seduce, solicit, lure, or entice a minor to engage in sexual conduct; travel to meet a minor for sexual activity; use of a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony; transmission of harmful material to a minor
- Chad Wren, 56, of Beulah
- Charges: seduce, solicit, lure, or entice a minor to engage in sexual conduct; travel to meet a minor for sexual activity; use of a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony
As we previously reported, Wren was a custodian at Blue Angel Elementary School and resigned the day of his arrest.
FDLE said the investigation remains active and ongoing.
Additionally, FDLE and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office conducted a three-day enforcement operation focused on verifying the residential addresses of registered sexual offenders and sexual predators. During the initiative, contact was made with 130 registrants residing within Escambia County. The investigation also remains ongoing.
Pictured: (L-R, top row) Blansett, Brown, Comer, (second row) Costner, Girard, Pierce, (third row) Robertson, Shindle, Wren. Other mugshots were not available from the Escambia County Jail at time of publication.
Former Ernest Ward Middle Bookkeeper Sentenced For Grand Theft
October 23, 2025
A former Ernest Ward Middle School bookkeeper has been sentenced for embezzling over $50,000 in cash from the school and its student organizations.
Lindsey Dawn Kelley of McDavid, now age 42, was arrested in October 2024 charged with grand theft, scheme to defraud and false entry in books of business for the alleged thefts from Ernest Ward. The scheme to defraud and false entry in books of business charges were dismissed by prosecutors, according to court records.
On Wednesday, Kelley was convicted of grand theft and sentenced by Judge Amy Brodersen to 120 days in the county jail to be followed by five years probation. She was remanded into custody and booked into the Escambia County Jail.
She was ordered to perform 50 hours of community service, undergo a mental health evaluation and follow through on any treatment recommendations, take an anti-theft course, complete a financial literacy course, and seek or maintain full-time employment or be a full time student.
She was also ordered to not handle money or finances for any business or organization, and pay $518 in court costs along with probation costs.
According to court records, Kelley paid $52,278.98 in restitution on September 2 as part of a plea deal. Under the plea arrangement, jail time was capped at a maximum of 180 days, and the school district made no objection to a sentence of probation only if restitution was made.
Ernest Ward Theft Allegations
According to investigators, Kelley stole cash collected by school organizations over a 13-month period.
She quit her bookkeeping job at the school in Walnut Hill before the first week of the 2024-2025 school year following her arrest on the unrelated credit card fraud and grand theft charges that have now been dropped.
That prompted Principal Tyvanna Boulanger to request the Escambia County School District complete an internal audit of the school’s bookkeeping and financial records.
According to an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office arrest report, Kelley collected $52,278.98 in cash from various organizations at Ernest Ward that was stolen between July 1, 2023, and August 30, 2024.
- Change Fund-$300
- FFA-$4,047.50
- Honor Society – $310
- Shop- $650
- Volleyball/basketball – $4,001.65
- Cheer – $28,192.34
- SGA/track – $850
- Football – $200
- Band – $1,840
- Library/yearbook/drama – $4,670.49
- Culinary-$865
- 6th grade- $1,786
- 8th grade – $2,756
- 7th grade- $1,810
“It should be noted that this amount does not reflect any money stolen from Earnest Ward Middle School prior to July 1, 2023,” the arrest report states.
The report states that in the school year before Kelley was hired as a bookkeeper at EWMS, the school deposited $82,475.24 in cash for school organizations. The report notes after Kelly was hired as school finance specialist in August 2020, cash deposits were as follow:
- 2019-2020 – $46,736.28 cash deposited
- 2020-2021 – $23,270.08 cash deposited
- 2021-2022 – $29,782.46 cash deposited
- 2022-2023 – $18,733.64 cash deposited
- 2023-2024 -No Cash Deposited
The school district told investigators that Kelley was audited in the 2022-2023 school year and the audit noted that Kelley had a “lack of organization led to several issues, the most severe of which was the inability to locate entire records for deposits and receipts.” Kelley has not been charged with any school related crime that occurred prior to July 1, 2023.
Kelley was interviewed by ECSO investigators on October 23, 2024.
“One at a time, we spoke with teachers/sponsors of the different school organizations who had given cash to Kelley during the previous school year for their organizations,” an investigator reported. “There was zero cash deposited to the school’s bank account during the 2023-2024 school year so all cash that was given to Kelley is now missing.”
“Immediately upon beginning the interview, Kelley stated that she took the money. Kelley did not know the amount of money that she had taken because she had taken it over time and did not keep track of it,” the ECSO report states. Deputies said the money was deposited in her credit union account or added to a GreenDot account.
“I advised Kelley of the amounts stolen from each team/organization and that the total amount stolen for the 2023-2024 school year adds up to $52,278.98,” the investigator wrote in his report. “While surprised, Kelley did not disagree with that amount and advised that if that was the amount that had been determined, then that was the amount that she had stolen. When asked about the balance statements for the teams/organizations, she admitted to editing them on an Adobe program so that they wouldn’t discover the low balances of the accounts. At the conclusion of the interview, Kelley advised that she was remorseful and would never do something like this again.”
In addition, school administration alleged that all documents, such as purchase orders, money collected forms, along with receiving invoices and documents, were missing.
- Change Fund-$300
- FFA-$4,047.50
- Honor Society – $310
- Shop- $650
- Volleyball/basketball – $4,001.65
- Cheer – $28,192.34
- SGA/track – $850
- Football – $200
- Band – $1,840
- Library/yearbook/drama – $4,670.49
- Culinary-$865
- 6th grade- $1,786
- 8th grade – $2,756
- 7th grade- $1,810
Charges Dropped In Unrelated Arrest
In an unrelated case, Kelley was charged with petit theft, grand theft, fraudulent use of a credit card over $300, and fraudulent use of a credit card two or more times to obtain goods over $100 for the alleged fraudulent use of her uncle’s debit card while he was away at rehab. In July, the charges were dropped because the victim declined to prosecute, according to court documents.
Century Dollar General Manager Charged With Grand Theft
October 23, 2025
The manager of a Dollar General in Century has has been charged with stealing deposits totaling almost $8,000.
Dollar General Loss Prevention reported to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office that store manager Casey Leigh Rice failed to turn in two days of deposits. Dollar General reported that deposits of $$5,514.13 and another for $2,485.65 for October 2 and October 4 were recovered from her purse, according to an arrest report. The Dollar General loss prevention employee told deputies that Rice has admitted to stealing the deposits in a written statement. The total amount allegedly stolen by Rice was $7,999.78.
Rice told deputies that she “has been struggling with money, because her car broke down”, the arrested report states. Her additional statements were redacted from the report.
Rice was charged with felony grand theft between $5,000 and $10,000. She was later released from the Escambia County Jail on a $5,000 bond.
According to the ECSO report, Rice was manager of the Dollar General at 7731 North Century Boulevard, near Highway 4A
Farm Share Food Distribution Saturday In Century
October 23, 2025
Northwest Florida Community Outreach will hold their annual fall Farm Share food distribution on Saturday, October 25 in Century.
The food distribution will take place from 9 a.m. until 10 a.m., or while supplies last, at 150 East Pond Street. Recipients must be in line by 10 a.m.
File photo.
5-Year-Old Critically Injured After Being Hit By Pickup Truck
October 23, 2025
A 5-year-old boy was critically injured when he was struck by a pickup truck Wednesday night in Escambia County.
The Florida Highway Patrol said the incident occurred about 8:56 p.m. on West Michigan Avenue near Valley Escondido Drive. Troopers said the child was standing in the right lane when he was struck by a pickup truck driven by a 63-year-old Pensacola man.
The child was transported to an area hospital in critical condition.
The driver of the pickup truck was not injured. FHP said he will not face charges.
Troopers did not say why the child was in the roadway.
Lipscomb Elementary Students Rock The 50th Day Of School
October 23, 2025
This week, students at Lipscomb Elementary School celebrated the 50th day of the school year by dressing up like it was the 1950s.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Free Rabies Vaccine Clinic To Be Held In Escambia County
October 23, 2025
The Escambia County Department of Animal Welfare and the Florida Department of Health in Escambia County will hold a free drive-through rabies vaccine clinic for dogs and cats Saturday, November 1.
The clinic will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Escambia County Central Office Complex, at 3363 West Park Place.
This free event is open to Escambia County residents only, with valid photo identification required upon arrival. Free microchips for dogs and cats will also be available during the clinic, courtesy of Pensacola Humane Society. All dogs and cats must be secured in the vehicle to receive a rabies vaccine and a microchip. Vaccines and microchips are available while supplies last.
Escambia County residents are required to vaccinate any dogs and cats four months or older against rabies by a licensed veterinarian. Rabies vaccines are required annually, and proof of vaccination is required to obtain a county animal license.
Cottage Hill Water Works: Boil Notice Hazzard Lane And 29 North Of Hazzard
October 22, 2025
UPDATE — THIS BOIL WATER NOTICE HAS BEEN LIFTED.
Cottage Hill Water Works has issued a boil water notice for Hazzard Lane and Highway 29 north of Hazzard Lane.
Scheduled system upgrades took place today in the area, resulting in a disruption of water service.
The utility is advising, as a precaution, that all water in the area that is used for drinking, cooking, making ice, brushing teeth, or washing dishes be boiled. A rolling boil of one minute is sufficient. As an alternative bottled water may be used.
This precautionary boil water notice will remain in effect until the problem has been corrected and a bacteriological survey shows that the water is safe to drink.
This story will be updated when the boil water notice is rescinded.
Woman Crashes SUV Into Utility Pole On Pine Forest Road Near Walnut Hill
October 22, 2025
A woman was not seriously injured when she crashed her SUV into a utility pole Tuesday afternoon near Walnut Hill.
The crash happened about 3:50 p.m. on Pine Forest Road about a half-mile north of Arthur Brown Road. The woman was northbound on Pine Forest when she ran her GMC Terrain off the roadway, for an unknown reason, and struck a utility pole.
The woman was evaluated on scene by Escambia County EMS and refused transport.
The Florida Highway Patrol investigated the crash. The Walnut Hill Station of Escambia County Fire Rescue also responded.
The pole was almost snapped the crash.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
