DeSantis Appoints Ashlee Hofberger To Escambia County Commission
October 5, 2024
Gov. Ron DeSantis has appointed Ashlee Hofberger to the District 4 seat on the Escambia County Commission.
The District 4 seat has been vacant since Robert Bender was appointed Supervisor of Elections in January.
In August, Hofberger won the Republican primary for the seat. She will still face Democratic candidate Ron Helms in November. Helms is a Navy veteran and owner of a Pensacola business.
“I am so excited, beyond grateful to everyone that volunteered, and contributed, and everyone that got out and voted today.” Hofberger said after the win in August. “Thank you.”
“I believe our government’s top priority is to keep us safe,” she added. “And when you pick up the phone to call 911, the person who responds should have the tools and the skills to fix whatever emergency you are in. And I want to make sure that our firefighters and our EMTs and our law enforcement have the resources so they can do that.”
Hofberger is owner of The Wash Room laundromat and Bogeys Golf Suites. In 2012, she opened the emergency restoration firm Complete DKI and later sold it to the national company First Onsite in 2021. She is the recipient of the 2019 National Association for Industrial and Office Properties Member of the Year. A volunteer of the PACE Center for Girls, Hofberger earned her bachelor’s degree in business from the University of West Florida.
FDLE: Doctor, 11 Others Charged In Pill Mill Scheme
October 5, 2024
Agents with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) has arrested Dr. Elaine Sharp for murder, manslaughter and racketeering following a multiyear investigation involving an illegal drug ring accused of dealing narcotics and opioids throughout the Northwest Florida area. Ten others in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties have also been arrested in the case.
FDLE started its investigation in February 2021 after agents received complaints from several local pharmacists regarding the large amounts of oxycodone being prescribed. Agents say Dr. Sharp ran a pill mill out of her physician’s office in Gulf Breeze. Several patients overdosed after taking drugs prescribed by her.
FDLE Pensacola Special Agent in Charge Chris Williams said, “Shutting down this pill mill unquestionably made our community safer. We know this drug ring, led by Dr. Elaine Sharp, was a major contributor of illegal drugs flowing into our neighborhoods and even attracting drug dealers from throughout the Southeast looking for an easy way to obtain these drugs.”
Agents also arrested several suspects charged with selling drugs prescribed by Sharp. Most suspects were prescribed 120 oxycodone pills a month with no legitimate medical need.
Agents made arrests yesterday. The case will be prosecuted by the State Attorney’s Office, First Judicial Circuit.
Arrests
Dr. Elaine Sharp, 72, Pensacola Beach
Charges: murder, manslaughter, conspiracy to commit racketeering, unlawfully prescribing for monetary gain, unlawfully prescribing not medically necessary, conspiracy-trafficking oxycodone 100 grams or more, conspiracy-trafficking hydromorphone 28 grams or more, conspiracy-trafficking hydrocodone 100 grams or more, money laundering
Tammy Zell, 58, Gulf Breeze
Charges: conspiracy to commit racketeering, conspiracy-trafficking oxycodone 100 grams or more, conspiracy to obtain controlled substance not medically necessary, doctor shopping
Cheryl Tassin, 63, Milton
Charges: conspiracy to commit racketeering, conspiracy-trafficking oxycodone 100 grams or more, conspiracy to obtain controlled substance not medically necessary
Jessica Michael, 43, Navarre
Charges: conspiracy to commit racketeering, conspiracy-trafficking oxycodone 100 grams or more, conspiracy-trafficking hydromorphone 14 grams or more, conspiracy to obtain controlled substance not medically necessary
Kevin McLemore, 37, Pensacola
Charges: conspiracy to commit racketeering, conspiracy-trafficking oxycodone 100 grams or more, conspiracy to obtain controlled substance not medically necessary
Mark Heath, 63, Pensacola
Charges: conspiracy to commit racketeering, healthcare kickback
Jenni Harrell, 48, Pensacola
Charges: conspiracy to commit racketeering, conspiracy-trafficking oxycodone 100 grams or more, conspiracy to obtain controlled substance not medically necessary
Gary Eckard, 60, Pace
Charges: conspiracy to commit racketeering, conspiracy-trafficking oxycodone 100 grams or more, conspiracy to obtain controlled substance not medically necessary, doctor shopping
Kristopher Desposito, 22, Pensacola
Charges: conspiracy to commit racketeering, conspiracy-trafficking oxycodone 100 grams or more, conspiracy to obtain controlled substance not medically necessary
Shanna Castleberry, 39, Navarre
Charges: conspiracy to commit racketeering, conspiracy-trafficking hydromorphone oxycodone 100 grams or more, conspiracy to obtain controlled substance not medically necessary
Shawn Winchester, 54, Pensacola
Charges: conspiracy to commit racketeering, conspiracy-trafficking oxycodone 100 grams or more, conspiracy to obtain controlled substance not medically necessary
At Large Mickey Bowman, 53, Pensacola
Charges: conspiracy to commit racketeering, conspiracy-trafficking oxycodone 100 grams or more, conspiracy to obtain controlled substance not medically necessary
The Escambia and Santa Rosa county sheriff’s offices and the Drug Enforcement Administration assisted in the case.
Northview Falls To Baker (With Gallery)
October 5, 2024
The Northview Chiefs fell to Baker 20-26 on a wet homecoming Friday night in Bratt.
Baker struck with a touchdown pass and a good two -point conversion to take an 8-0 with about 4 minutes to go in the first quarter.
The game would remain at 8-0 until the Gators punched it in from the 5-yard line in the fourth quarter. Baker failed on the two-point attempt and remained on top 14-0. With about two minutes to go in ballgame, Baker was in the endzone again, and once again missed the two-point conversion, 20-0.
For a game action photo gallery, click here.
Look for an upcoming photo gallery with the homecoming mini-parade, band, cheerleaders, fans and more.
Northview junior Dane King put Northview on the board with 2:39 in the game on a 57-yard rushing touchdown. The Gators blocked the point after kick.
“We got behind early, and that’s something you can’t do on Baker,” Northview head coast Wes Summerford said after the game. “They’re really good at holding the football; that’s what they do. Ater that, it was hard to get our offense on the field and get our offense on the field and get our defense off the field.”
With the win, Baker improved to 6-1. The Northview Chiefs, now 2-5, will hit Highway 4 next Friday night to face the Jay Royals. The Royals are 6-1 with their only loss this year coming last month to the Flomaton Hurricanes.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Friday Night Football Scoreboard
October 5, 2024
Here are this week’s football scores from around the North Escambia area:
FLORIDA
- Baker 20 Northview 6 [Read more...]
- West Florida 35, Gulf Breeze 7
- Pine Forest 13, Crestview 7
- Pensacola 23 Washington 0
- Pensacola Catholic 48, Mobile Christian 20
- Escambia 28, Navarre 18
- Pace 35, Madison County 31
- Tate – Bye
- Jay 49, Central 0 (Thursday)
ALABAMA
- Flomaton 33. Monroe County 6
- Snook Christian, 34, Escambia Academy 0
- Orange Beach 38, Escambia County (Atmore) 6
- T.R. Miller 48, Cottage Hill Christian Academy 7
- W.S. Neal 32, Satsuma 26
Pictured: The Baker Gators defeated the Northview Chiefs Friday night. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Police Search For PenAir Robbery Suspect
October 5, 2024
The Pensacola Police Department is searching for a suspect in the Friday morning robbery of a local credit union.
The robbery happened about 9:34 a.m. at the PenAir Credit Union at 1289 Airport Boulevard, in front of Lowes’ q.
Pensacola Police said the suspect demanded money while carrying a trash bag.
The suspect was described as a 50 to 60-year-old white or Hispanic male wearing blue rain gear, white face coving, white shoes, carrying a trash bag.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Pensacola Police Department at (850) 435-1901, or to remain anonymous call Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP
Driver Swerves To Avoid Skeleton On Highway 29, Crashes Into Wooded Area
October 4, 2024
A driver on Highway 29 in Cantonment swerved to avoid a skeleton on Highway 29 and crashed into a wooded area Friday morning.
The woman was southbound on Highway 29 near Success Drive just before 7 a.m. when she swerved to miss another vehicle that had swerved to avoid an object that fell out of the back of a truck. She lost control on the wet roadway, crossed over both northbound lanes and ran into nearby woods. She was transported by Escambia County EMS to Sacred Heart Hospital with non-life threatening injuries, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
The object drivers avoided turned out to be part of a skeleton — the leg bones no longer connected to the rest of the 12-foot Halloween yard decoration.
We are told that the driver of the truck stopped to render assistance.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Century Man Accused Of Assaulting, Robbing Woman After Leaving Local Drug House
October 4, 2024
A Century man is accused of hitting and robbing a woman in Century after they left a purported local drug house.
Don Duran Dubose, Jr., 32, was charged with robbery of an individual, petit theft and battery. He remained in the Escambia County Jail Friday morning with bond set at $25,000.
Dubose allegedly struck the female victim in the face, pushed her to the ground and took her belongings.
She told Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputies that she had been arguing with Dubose after they drove away from the “spice house” near Showalter Park in Century because he was having a relationship with another woman, according to an arrest report. She stated that Dubose struck in the face, and she told him to get out of her car.
Later she stopped the car near Fannie Road and Campbell Road and again told Dubose to get out of the car. He refused, and she got out the car, the report states. At that point, Dubuse took her keys, pone and a Case brand pocket knife from the women, according to deputies.
The victim told deputies that she then took a bottle of rubbing alcohol and a lighter, threatening to light him on fire if he hit her again.
Dubose denied the allegations.
The female has a contusion on her face, but declined EMS, according to The ECSO.
Atmore Man Charged With Stealing Patient File From Hospital
October 4, 2024
An Atmore man is accused of stealing a patient file from the local hospital.
Christopher Dortch, 44, was charged with burglary third degree and theft of properly fourth degree.
Atmore Community Hospital reported that Dortch entered a restricted restricted office and removed a patient’s file and other items, according to the Atmore Police Department.
The file and other unspecified items were recovered just before Dortch’s arrest.
Northview Downs Central (With Gallery)
October 4, 2024
The Northview Chiefs defeated the Central Jaguars 3-2 Thursday night.
Northview won by scores of 25-11, 16-25, 25-18, 15-25, 15-10.
For a photo gallery, click here.
The Lady Chiefs will host the Tate Aggies Monday at 5:30 before wrapping up their regular season on October 10 at home against W.S. Neal.
NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Molino Craft Extravaganza Saturday At Community Center
October 4, 2024
The Molino Mid County Historical Society will host a Craft Extravaganza this Saturday. The event will showcase the talents of local artisans and crafters, offering a variety of handmade treasures.
From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., visitors can browse a wide selection of handcrafted items, including home decor, jewelry, walking sticks, wreaths, cups, flower arrangements, 3D printed creations, gifts and more. Food vendors will also be on site to satisfy hungry shoppers., including a mullet fish fry.
The Craft Extravaganza will be held indoors at the Molino Community Center, at 6450 Highway 95A North.