Federal Law Enforcement Activity In Cantonment, And Escambia, Alabama
June 17, 2026
Federal law enforcement search warrants took place this morning in Cantonment and Escambia County in Alabama.
The Escambia County (FL) Sheriff’s Office confirmed that they assisted the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) with serving two warrants in Cantonment.
“The DEA New Orleans Field Division, assisted by law-enforcement partners, conducted multiple search warrants today across Baldwin and Escambia Counties pursuant to a federal investigation. As the investigation is ongoing, no additional information is available at this time,” a DEA spokesperson said.
Additional federal, state and local law enforcement agencies assisted in the operation.
The Escambia County (AL) Sheriff’s Office, Atmore Police Department, and Brewton Police Department issued near-simultaneous, near-identical statements:
“We are aware of the law enforcement activity taking place in (the area) today involving multiple local, state, and federal agencies. We want to reassure our community that this is a controlled, coordinated operation and there is no active danger or safety threat to the public.Because this involves an ongoing federal investigation, our agency cannot release any further details or comment on the matter.”
Residents across the county reported seeing heavily armed officers conducting in multiple locations, along with a helicopter circling overhead in some of the areas.
Century CRA Board Members Call For Effort To ‘Get Something Started’ On Local Improvements
June 17, 2026
“Sometimes we have a tendency to not do things. We have a discussion and we never do anything.”
That’s what Century Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) board member Henry Cunningham said Tuesday night as board members generally agreed that it’s time to stop being all talk and actually look at how to improve the CRA.
In October 2018, the council approved a Tax Increment Financing plan for its redevelopment area, allowing the CRA to receive property tax revenues each year in excess of an established base rate. The appraised value of the property within the designated district was “frozen” in 2018, with that amount of tax revenue generated still designated for the town’s general fund, the county, and other taxing authorities.
The redevelopment area receives 95% of the property tax generated in excess of the frozen base value as property values rise. Along with small interest earnings, the CRA has spent nothing on improving the area to date, as far as we know from financial reports that were last published nearly three years earlier.
The CRA funds can be used to improve conditions in the 510 acres bounded by Jefferson Avenue to the south, Jefferson Avenue to the east, East Highway 4 to the north and the center line of North Century Boulevard to the west. It also extends north on the east side of North Century Boulevard to include commercial properties up to, and including, the former Burger King (see map below).
The CRA has over $191,000 in the bank, and has not moved to spend any significant funds.
“At least have a discussion and try to make some effort to try to get something started,” Cunningham said.
The entire Century Town Council sits as the CRA board, along with Michelle Cunningham, daughter of Henry Cunningham. Council and CRA board members Shelisa Abraham and Dynette Lewis were absent from Tuesday’s meeting.
The attending members discussed how CRA funds could be used to improve the area, including roads, drainage, and developing a “Main Street” of sorts along Highway 29. No formal actions were taken.
The next regular Century CRA Board meeting will be in November.
Pictured: Century town council member Henry Cunningham, sitting as a CRA member, listens to discussion Tuesday night. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge. Pictured below: The Century CRA boundary map, click to enlarge.
Rev. Janet K. Lee Retires After 43 Years Of Ministry At Century UMC
June 17, 2026
A community worship service and retirement celebration was held for Rev. Janet K. Lee at Century United Methodist Church.
After 43 years, she is returning in her retirement to her home state of Kentucky.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Trial Delayed For Cantonment Felon Indicted On Federal Weapons Charges
June 17, 2026
A Cantonment felon indicted on federal gun charges has been granted a trial continuance.
Jesse Allen Hudson, 43, was indicted for one count of possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon and one count of possession of an unregistered firearm.
Hudson was originally scheduled to face a jury trial on June 15. However, U.S. District Judge T. Kent Wetherell II granted an uncontested defense motion to continue the trial to July 20 to allow defense counsel additional time to review discovery materials and consult with Hudson.
In January, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to a domestic disturbance on Winston Street in Cantonment. The victim reported that a rifle and pistol had been removed from the home.
Deputies first discovered a loaded AR-style magazine and an empty one on the ground near the back door, positioned next to a pile of Hudson’s clothing, according to an arrest report. A later search of the property revealed a loaded AR-style rifle with a round chambered, hidden inside a white laundry basket within a black trailer parked near the garage. A third loaded magazine was later recovered from another laundry basket inside the living room.
According to the report, Hudson was convicted in Florida of felony battery in 2012.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Thomas S.P. Geeker.
Escambia County Felon Arrested for Child Sexual Abuse Material, Drugs, And Stolen Guns
June 17, 2026
An Escambia County convicted felon has been arrested by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement on multiple counts of possession of child sexual abuse material and other charges.
Hershel Keith Cranford, 44, was charged with 20 counts of possession of child sexual abuse material (CSAM), and one count each of promotion of CSAM, using a two-way communication device to commit a felony, possession of methamphetamine, possession of a controlled substance, and dealing in stolen property.
FDLE’s investigation began in May when agents identified a device that was using a peer-to-peer file-sharing platform to share files depicting the sexual abuse of children. Investigators linked the device to an IP address in Escambia County and identified the user as Cranford.
This week, FDLE agents, with the assistance of the Florida Highway Patrol, Florida Department of Agriculture Law Enforcement Division and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, executed a search warrant at Cranford’s residence. FDLE said the search warrant resulted in the seizure of an electronic device, methamphetamine, a Schedule I controlled substance, and multiple stolen firearms.
Cranford remains in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $80,000.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Five Years Later: Molino Cold Case Murder Remains Unsolved, Investigators Still Seeking Answers
June 16, 2026
It’s now been five years since a young man was shot in a Molino home, and the case remains unsolved.
At approximately 1:45 a.m. on June 15, 2021, Shyheim Smith was shot inside a family home in the 5500 block of Cedartown Road. He was transported to a local hospital, where he later died from his injuries. At the time of his death, Smith’s girlfriend was pregnant with their son.
There were three adults in the room at the time of the shooting, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, but only Smith was struck by gunfire.
“We do not think it was random,” Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons told NorthEscambia.com shortly after the shooting. “We believe the shooter or shooters intentionally went to that residence, walked around to the side of the house and shot multiple rounds through the window.”
“We still have a number of investigators on the case,” Simmons added.
Anyone with information on the shooting is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP or the ECSO at (850) 436-9620.
Century Changing Yard Waste, Bulk Debris Collections After Council, Resident Outcry
June 16, 2026
After outcry from residents and town officials, Waste Pro is making changes to yard waste and bulk collections in Century.
At their most recent meeting, town council members expressed concern with the “black can.” It’s a green can with a black lid intended for yard waste, and they said it’s not practical to fit several tree limbs and other yard debris in the can.
Now, the Town of Century is removing the black lid cans and transitioning to a grapple truck collection of yard waste once per month. Waste Pro will collect organic debris smaller than 6 feet in diameter or 6 feet in length, placed in an area no larger than 6 x 6 feet square and 6 feet high. The collections will begin in July on a schedule to be announced, but household garbage, construction debris, treated lumber and large stumps will not be collected.
Bulk pick up for household items (furniture, mattresses, appliances and other large items) that will not fit inside the regular blue can will also begin in July. Areas on the west side of Highway 29, the “town hall side,” will be collected on July 7. The areas on the east side, the “Whataburger side”, of Highway 29 will be collected on July 14. Bulk items should be placed in an area no larger than 6 x 6 feet square and 6 feet high.
Bulk items, such as furniture and appliances, should be placed in a separate pile from organic material (such as limbs, leaves and grass clippings).
For additional details, click the graphic above to enlarge, or click here to download a printable pdf.
For other questions, call Century Town Hall at (850) 256-3208.
Graphic provided by the Town of Century for NorthEscambia.com.
West Bogia Road Open To Traffic; Paving Delayed By Forecasted Rain
June 16, 2026
West Bogia Road reopened Sunday afternoon, just two weeks after washing away during torrential rainfall and flooding, but work is not yet complete.
On May 31, an estimated six inches of rain fell in a three-hour window near McDavid. While Highway 29 at West Bogia Road was under several feet of water, West Bogia Road completely washed away and collapsed at a culvert intersection.
The Florida Department of Transportation quickly stepped in to handle the emergency repairs to the county road, replacing the failed 78-inch culvert pipe and rebuilding the crossing with solid concrete headwalls and new base materials.
For more photos of the opened road on Monday, click here.
For more photos of the damage and the road as it appeared last Saturday, click to enlarge.
While the vital corridor is now open to traffic—saving local residents from a significant daily detour—the $150,000 project is not quite finished. Final paving has been delayed for a few days due to rain in the forecast this week. According to FDOT, crews will complete the paving process as soon as the weather permits.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Florida AG Sues TikTok, Alleges Violation Of State Child Safety Law
June 16, 2026
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier has filed suit again TikTok, alleging the popular social media platform committed a series of violations of Florida law by actively targeting and contracting with minors while deceiving parents about the dangers of the app.
TikTok’s success hinges on its ability to addict children and teenagers to the platform,” said Uthmeier. “TikTok knowingly deceives parents and allows children to be exposed to harmful and inappropriate content in direct violation of Florida law. We have zero tolerance for companies that prioritize profit over children’s safety. TikTok should expect to be held accountable.”
The complaint alleges that TikTok is in violation of House Bill 3, Florida’s online child protections law, which took effect on January 1, 2025. Specifically, TikTok is accused of letting children under 14 years old create accounts, and letting 15- and 16-year-olds do the same without parental consent. Both violate H.B. 3, which bans children under 14 years of age from social media platforms entirely and requires parental consent for 15 and 16-year-olds to create accounts.
The lawsuit also alleges that TikTok is violating the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act by deceiving parents about the safety and appropriateness of the content their children will have access to. TikTok advertises itself on the app store as being appropriate for children 13 years and older, and characterizes mature themes including sex content, drug content, profanity, self-harm or suicide, and eating disorders as “mild” and “infrequent” – a claim that is blatantly false. These themes are present very frequently on the app, and are often shown/discussed in graphic detail.
FDOT Completes $5.3 Million Resurfacing Project On Brent Lane, Bayou Boulevard
June 16, 2026
The Florida Department of Transportation has completed a $5.3 million project to resurface State Road 296 (Brent Lane/Bayou Boulevard), from Davis Highway to Baisden Road, in Escambia County.
Additional improvements include:
Sidewalk and crosswalk improvements, including Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) upgrades.
Signalization improvements.
Stormwater management enhancements.
New signing and pavement markings.