Cantonment Woman Charged With Welfare Fraud Over $11K In Food Assistance
March 27, 2024
A Cantonment woman is accused of fraudulently obtaining over $11,000 in food assistance from the state.
Arlene Jill Smith, 57, was charged with welfare fraud failure to disclose. She was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $5,000 bond.
The charge was brought directly by the office of State Attorney Ginger Maden against Smith, alleging that she obtained $11,359 in food stamps between November 20, 2019, and October 31, 2022, by failing to disclose or report employment and submitting false applications.
Cantonment Man Stole Vodka And A Chicken Sandwich From Walmart, Kicked Deputy, Report States
March 27, 2024
A Cantonment man was accused of stealing a chicken sandwich and a can of vodka from Walmart before kicking a deputy.
John Lynn Brinkley, 57, was charged with felony battery on a law enforcement officer and felony retail petit theft, second or subsequent offense.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to the Walmart at 4600 Mobile Highway where a loss prevention officer told deputies that Brinkley had taken a chicken sandwich earlier in the day. The loss prevention office said he was able to “recover” the sandwich and told Brinkley not to return to the store. Loss prevention said Brinkley returned and exited the store without paying for $4.48 can of High Noon vodka at which time he was escorted to an office, the report continues. The Walmart officer said he took a knife off Brinkley after he said something about “shanking”.
The deputy noted in the report that Brinkley appeared intoxicated as he cursed at the deputy and Walmart employee. According to the ECSO, Brinkley kicked the deputy in the leg, at which time the deputy “leg swept” Brinley, causing him to fall to the ground. EMS was called because Brinkley was bleeding profusely, and he was transported to Baptist Hospital where he was hospitalized and remote booked on charges.
Brinkley was not charged in connection with the alleged chicken sandwich theft.
New Airline To Fly From Pensacola To Tampa, Norfolk
March 27, 2024
Pensacola International Airport (PNS) is welcoming Breeze Airways with nonstop flights to Tampa (TPA) and one stop/no change of plane service to Norfolk (ORF). The two destinations will have twice-weekly service on Mondays and Fridays starting June 28. Travelers will have the opportunity to enjoy convenient and affordable flights between Pensacola, Norfolk and Tampa. This is the eighth airline to offer flights at PNS.
Flights will be offered from Pensacola to
- Tampa, Florida: Monday and Friday, starting June 28.
- Norfolk, Virginia: One stop/no change of plane “BreezeThru” service, Monday and Friday, starting June 28.
“We are excited to welcome Breeze Airways to Pensacola,” Airport Director Matt Coughlin said. “This expanded service brings additional travel choices to our customers across the area, while being their gateway to the Gulf Coast.”
Tate Aggies Falls To Milton Panthers
March 27, 2024
The Tate Aggies fell to the Milton Panthers 7-4 Tuesday night.
Zane Warrington started and took the loss for Tate, giving up four hits and six runs in three and one-third innings, striking out seven and walking two. Nate Conners went for three and two-thirds innings in relief, surrendering one hit and one run while striking out four.
Bray Touchstone was 1-4 at the plate for the Aggies with three RBIs.
Up next, the Aggies will travel to Niceville on Wednesday to take on Merritt Island at 7 p.m.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Century Correctional Inmate Assaulted Officer, FDC Says
March 27, 2024
A Century Correctional Institution inmate assaulted a correctional officer recently, according to the Florida Department of Corrections.
Inmate Andre Edouard, 36, assaulted a correctional officer by striking the officer in the eye, according to FDC.
Edouard was serving a 11-year sentence out of Hillsborough County for fleeing and eluding, and shooting into a vehicle or building. He was also serving five years for aggravated assault, and 18 months for grand theft and uttering a forged instrument in Polk County.
Former Middle School Dean Designated As Sex Offender, Avoids Prison Time In Plea Deal
March 27, 2024
The former dean at Warrington Middle School in Escambia County has been sentenced on a plea deal to a year of community control and five years of probation.
Darreyel Devahn Laster, 34, was designated as a sex offender and ordered not to have any unsupervised contact with minors.
Laster was arrested in January 2023. He pleaded no contest Tuesday to charges of lewd and lascivious conduct and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. Charges of committing a sex act with a student and using a computer to seduce or solicit a child were dropped as part of the plea deal.
Laster was accused of providing marijuana to a 15-year-old boy before sexually propositioning him.
He resigned as Warrington Middle dean.
Escambia Schools Kindergarten Registration Opens April 1
March 26, 2024
Escambia County School District kindergarten registration for the 2024-2025 school year will begin on April 1.
All families are encouraged to register early this year. The preferred registration deadline for all students not currently attending one of our schools is June 30, 2024. The first day of the 2024-2025 school year in Escambia County is August 12.
Beginning on April 1, the parents or guardians of students reaching the age of 5-years old by September 1, 2024, are eligible to register their students to attend kindergarten either at the school of their residence or at one of the district’s choice schools.
“Escambia County Public Schools is looking forward to welcoming our new students for this coming school year, and are working to continue our tradition of providing awesome opportunities for all our students to learn and grow,” said Chris McFarland, coordinator of Enrollment Services.
Students wishing to attend the school for which they are residentially zoned can register directly at the school after completing the Focus Registration application, located on the school district website.
Students wishing to take advantage of School Choice can apply directly in the School Choice Office or on the school district website after completing the new student registration process, https://www.escambiaschools.org/Page/5413. Once the Choice school is approved, the parent or guardian can register at the approved choice school.
The following documentation should be taken to the school at the time of registration. Registration is not complete until all documents have been approved and forms have been signed.
- Birth Certificate
- Proof of Residence (Utility bill or lease)
- Immunization Record
- Physical (or appointment card for upcoming physical)
For more information or assistance with the new student registration process, contact the Enrollment Services Office at (850) 469-5580, or go visit https://www.escambiaschools.org/Page/5413.
Cantonment Man Arrested For DUI, Burglary With Assault, Weapons Charges After Wreck
March 26, 2024
A Cantonment man is facing DUI, weapons, and burglary charges after a Highway 297A wreck.
Kody Stephen Faxlanger, 28, was charged with using or displaying a firearm during a felony, burglary with assault or battery, reckless driving, leaving the scene of a crash involving damage to property, DUI refusal to submit to a DUI test after license suspension, and DUI of alcohol or drugs.
A Florida Highway Patrol trooper responded to a rollover traffic crash in the area of Highway 297A and Eight Mile Creek Road. A homeowner told the trooper that he heard the vehicle crash in his front yard and saw a man approaching the home while stating that he needed to get his gun before returning to the vehicle. The homeowner retreated inside.
He stated that the man, later identified as Faxlanger, entered an unlocked garage and started pounding on an interior door to the home before fleeing. Faxlanger was located by Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputies and detained.
FHP said Faxlanger’s vehicle left the roadway and traveled 542 feet before colliding with a concrete culvert and becoming airborne. The vehicle rolled for 197 before coming to rest in the front yard of a home. Troopers said two 16 ounce beer cans still cold with condensation were located in the vehicle.
The trooper stated Faxlanger had a heavy smell of alcohol on his breath, bloodshot and watery eyes, and slurred speech. He refused to provide a breath sample and was transported to Baptist Hospital for treatment. At the hospital, the trooper said Faxlanger made several spontaneous statements about being the driver of the wrecked vehicle and “ditching” a gun after fleeing. Officers located a 9mm Palmetto Dagger with a loaded 11-round magazine and one round in the chamber. Faxlanger’s driver’s license was nearby.
Faxlanger remained in the Escambia County Jail Tuesday morning with bond set at $13,500.
Century Reports Sewage Spill Due To Employee Negligence
March 26, 2024
The Town of Century has recently reported two sewage spills, including one caused by employee negligence, to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
During a 20-minute period the morning of March 22, a lift station serving the Century Woods Apartment spilled 100 gallons of raw sewage, half of which was recovered.
The lift station was running on bypass pump, but a town employee failed to open a bypass valve, according to a FDEP notice.
The report filed by council member Alicia Johnson as acting superintendent stated the area was vacuumed with a pump truck, lime was applied, and debris was raked up.
On March 19, a lift station on Fourth Street had a 150-gallon sewage spill due to a debris clog. The town reported 50 gallons was recovered.
Pictured: The Century Wastewater Treatment Plant. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
One Killed In Motorcycle, Bicycle Collision
March 26, 2024
One person was killed in a collision between a motorcycle and a bicyclist late Monday afternoon in Escambia County.
A 67-year-old motorcyclist was traveling north on North Palafox Street near Pensacola Boulevard when he struck a 40-year-old bicyclist that was crossing the roadway, the Florida Highway Patrol said. The motorcyclist was pronounced deceased on scene while the bicyclist was transported to Baptist Hospital with serious injuries.
The FHP investigation is continuing.
File photo.