Trial Date Set For Sexual Battery Of Child, Murder, Arson And Animal Cruelty After Trailer Fire
November 29, 2025
A trial date has been set for an Escambia County man indicted for murder, sexual battery of a child, arson and animal cruelty.
A grand jury returned indictments earlier this month against John Henry Walston, Jr., for two counts of first degree murder, one count of sexual battery of a child under 12, one count of arson, and one count of animal cruelty.
A jury trial date was set for January 26, 2026, following a docket court appearance on January 13, 2026. Any motions that may be filed in the case could delay the trial date.
In the early hours of November 7, 2025, emergency responders were called to a house fire on Flaxman Street where two children and a dog were found deceased inside the home. During the course of the investigation, it was discovered that Walston allegedly sexually battered one of the children before he killed both children and then set his house on fire.
Want To Run For Office? Candidate Workshop Set For Tuesday
November 29, 2025
On Tuesday, the Escambia County Supervisor of Election’s Office will hold a candidate workshop to prepare candidates for qualifying for office in the 2026 election cycle.
The workshop is aimed at those seeking to run for public office or any member of the public interested in learning about the process. It is designed to educate those interested about the appropriate procedures and documents required to run for office in Escambia County.
Those who attend will be introduced to each step of the process including pre-filing, collecting petitions, qualifying and reporting. The workshop will take place on December 2, at 11:30 a.m. at 221 Palafox Place, Pensacola, on the first floor
Participants can register by emailing qualify@escambiavotes.gov or by calling (850) 595-3900.
Century Council To Hold Envisioning Town Hall Meeting
November 29, 2025
The Town of Century has set an envisioning town hall meeting for local residents to help set a plan for the future of the town.
The meeting and council work session will be held Tuesday, December 2 at 5:30 p.m. at the Century Town Hall, just prior to a regular council meeting.
In October, the Century Town Council held a workshop to discuss goals and a clear direction for the town’s future. At the meeting, council member John Bass made a recommendation to solicit input from local citizens.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Tate Aggies Win Florida Invitational Tournament Semifinal Over Chiles
November 29, 2025
The Tate Aggies beat the Chiles Timberwolves 35-14 to win the 4A-7A Florida Invitational Tournament semifinal Friday night at Pete Gindl Stadium.
The No. 2 Aggies (10-3) will face the Dr. Joaquin Garcia High Bulldogs (10-3) from Lake Worth next Thursday, December 4 in the FIT championship at The Villages High School in Sumterville.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia Animal Shelter Free Cat And Dog Adoptions Through Tuesday
November 29, 2025
Through Tuesday, the Escambia County Department of Animal Welfare will offer a “Home for the Holidays” free pet adoption special for all dogs and cats one year or older.
A $15 licensing fee will be applied to all adoptions for Escambia County residents.
The adoption fee for pets younger than one year old will be $50 for puppies and $25 for kittens.
The Escambia County Animal Welfare and Adoption Center is located at 200 W. Fairfield Drive. Hours of operation are Monday-Friday, 12-5 p.m., and Saturday from 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Walnut Hill Man Charged With Battery, False Imprisonment
November 28, 2025
A Walnut Hill was charged with holding a woman against her will for hours and battery.
Andrew Kelly Freeman, 56, was charged with felony false imprisonment of a person and misdemeanor battery domestic violence.
The arrest followed an investigation initiated after a female victim reported the incident to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. The alleged crimes took place at a residence in the Walnut Hill area between the afternoon of November 6 and the morning of November 7.
Freeman allegedly became irate when the victim took her dogs to the vet, but he was unable to track her phone location because her battery had died. Freeman tried to take her car keys, grabbed by the hair and threw her around the house, an arrest report states.
The report continues that the victim was allegedly held against her will inside a bedroom for several hours. The report details that the victim was eventually able to leave the home under the pretense of a doctor’s appointment and subsequently contacted the sheriff’s office.
Deputies met with the victim at the ECSO’s Century Precinct, where she provided a sworn statement and evidence, including an audio recording of the incident. The recording, which lasted approximately two and a half hours, allegedly captured the argument and sounds consistent with physical contact, along with the victim repeatedly asking the suspect to stop and stating that he was hurting her.
Deputies reported observing physical marks on the victim, including small lacerations and scratches, which were documented as part of the investigation.
Freeman would not meet with deputies but denied all allegations on the phone, stating that he never touched the victim and that her claims were false. A warrant was issued for his arrest.
He remains in the Escambia County Jail without bond
Monday Is The Payment Deadline For Property Tax Discount
November 28, 2025
Scott Lunsford, Escambia County Tax Collector, is reminding taxpayers that the four percent discount on real estate and tangible personal property tax payments ends Monday, December 1.
To receive the discount, payments must be:
- Mailed with a November postmark
- Dropped off by midnight, December 1, in any 24-hour drop box
- Paid online by midnight, December 1, at EscambiaTaxCollector.com
The tax collector’s office is closed Friday, November 28 for the Thanksgiving holiday.
Drop boxes are open 24-hours a day are located at all four locations:
- Molino — 6440 Highway 95-A North, Suite A, Molino
- Brentwood — 5045 N Palafox St, Pensacola
- Downtown — 213 Palafox Place, Pensacola
- Warrington — 4051 Barrancas Avenue, Suite A, Pensacola
Taxpayers are encouraged to use the virtual office at EscambiaTaxCollector.com, available 24/7. Current taxes can be paid online by eCheck with no additional fee. Customers who prefer to visit one of our four offices may drop off payments in the drive-thru or in any exterior drop box.
Farm-City: Volunteers Harvest Thanksgiving Dinner For 1,000 Needy Families
November 28, 2025
Earlier this week, students and volunteers from Escambia and Santa Rosa counties worked in fields near Jay to harvest vegetables that will help feed about 1,000 needy families for Thanksgiving.
The event at the University of Florida’s West Florida Research and Education Center is part of Farm to City Week and brought the bounty of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences farm to the needy in the city.
The students were from agricultural programs and organizations, including FFA members from local schools.
The produce was distributed to 500 families in Escambia County and 500 more in Santa Rosa County along with a turkey and all the trimmings for a Thanksgiving meal from Feeding the Gulf Coast and the Waterfront Rescue Mission.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Four Arrested On Contraband, Drug Charges Near Atmore Prison
November 28, 2025
Four people were arrested in an alleged attempt to introduce phones and drugs into the Fountain Correctional Facility in Atmore on Wednesday.
At 6:50 p.m. Alabama Department of Corrections (ADOC) K-9 agents responded to the incident. An unidentified male had been observed throwing a package over the fence. The suspect was then observed getting into a gray car and leaving the property. The vehicle was later stopped on I-65, and four people were arrested.
ADOC said seven cell phones and about 221 grams of marijuana were recovered.
Suspects Sylvia Turner, Shelby Turner, Jacory Mitchell, and Jayden Armstrong were transported to the Escambia County Jail without incident and charged with distribution of marijuana, possession of marijuana, prohibited activity, and promotion of prison contraband. Their mugshots were not available at time of publication from the jail.
Officials said the investigation is continuing and additional charges may be pending.
UWF’s Nobles Named Region 2 Coach of the Year
November 28, 2025
UWF Argos Head Coach Kaleb Nobles has been named the American Football Coaches Association Region Two Coach of the Year.
Nobles led the Argos to a 9-1 record in the regular season and a No. 2 seed in Super Region Two for the NCAA postseason. UWF had its best start in program history with a 9-0 record heading into the final game of the regular season. The Argos defeated three nationally ranked teams during the win streak, including wins over No.14 Lenoir-Rhyne, No. 8 West Alabama, and No. 15 Delta State.
UWF was nationally ranked all season and jumped to No. 3 in the country where it remained for the majority of the season.
Last week Nobles earned his first career playoff win when West Florida defeated North Greenville 43-19 in the first round of the NCAA Division II Championships.
The AFCA recognizes five regional Coach of the Year winners in each of the Association’s five divisions: Football Bowl Subdivision, Football Championship Subdivision, Division II, Division III, and NAIA. The winners are selected by Active members of the Association who vote for coaches in their respective regions and divisions.
The season continues for Nobles and the Argos on Saturday, Nov. 29 when the team hosts No. 3 Newberry at PenAir Field at 1 p.m.