Escambia, Santa Rosa Schools Closed Today
January 9, 2024
Escambia and Santa Rosa county schools and district offices are closed on Tuesday.
School in Escambia County (Alabama) Schools will be on an e-learning day on Tuesday.
“We anticipate normal district operations will resume on Wednesday, January 10,” stated Superintendent Keith Leonard. “Of course, we’ll continue to work closely with local emergency operations officials to determine what is safest for our families and staff.”
For more cancellation information, click or tap here.
Monday Evening Fire Destroys Home In Century
January 9, 2024
The cause of a Fire that destroyed a home in Century Monday evening is under investigation.
The fire was reported shortly after 600 in the 400 block of Cedar Street just south of Old Flomaton Road.
The first firefighters arrived to find the home fully involved in fire. It took firefighters about 30 minutes to bring the fire fully under control.
There were no injuries rereported and no immediate word on the cause of the fire. The Florida State Fire Marshal was called to investigate.
The Century, Walnut Hill and McDavid stations of Escambia County Fire Rescue, Jay Fire Department and Flomaton Fire Department were dispatched to the blaze, along with Escambia County EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Four People Shot In Escambia County
January 9, 2024
The investigation is continuing after four people were shot early Tuesday morning in Escambia County.
Two victims were located in the area of Bainbridge Avenue and Graupera Street about 1 a.m.. On had been shot in the hip; the second was shot in the thigh
Two other victims arrived at the hospital suffering from gunshot wounds.
All are expected to survive.
The Sheriff’s Office said a home invasion turned into a shootout.
At last report, no one has been charged, and further details have not been released.
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP or the ECSO at (850) 436-9620.
Atmore Capital Murder Suspect Released From Jail After Waiting Six Years For Trial
January 9, 2024
An Atmore capital murder suspect has been released from jail after waiting six years for trial.
Yeldon Rostchild was indicted for capital murder in July 2017 and was set to go to trial this week after waiting over six years for his court date. But instead, he was set free from jail on January 3.
“The capital murder case no longer exists,” appointed defense attorney Christine Hernandez told our news partners at WPMI.
According to the NorthEscamia.com archives, Donta Demorris Russell of 176 Patterson Street in Atmore was found dead after the Escambia County (AL) Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of shots fired at 1980 Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive Atmore in April 2017.
Rostchild was developed as a suspect and indicted in July 2017.
“It’s not a matter of evidence from the state. This is a matter of it didn’t exist. This man’s been in jail for six years. It didn’t exist? Yet, it’s all in narratives and police officer’s written notes, but it doesn’t exist? We’re talking audio statements, finger prints, we’re talking reports, cell phones. They said they had search warrants. There’s no search warrants. They say they have Facebook, they didn’t have any of that,” said Hernandez.
Hernandez raised evidentiary issues with the court and asked the judge to dismiss the case.
“We amended the capital murder charge by agreement to an obstruction of justice charge. Anytime a case is this old the evidence tends to weaken and that was the case here. We settled on time served…”
In an email, District Attorney Stephen Billy told WPMI, “We amended the capital murder charge by agreement to an obstruction of justice charge. Anytime a case is this old the evidence tends to weaken and that was the case here. We settled on time served…”
A trial date has not been set for Rostchild’s co-defendant Darrel Brown.
ECUA Trash Collections One Day Later For the Rest Of The Week
January 9, 2024
All sanitation collections for ECUA customers that would normally be made on Tuesday, January 9, will be made one day later, on Wednesday, January 10.
All subsequent collections this week will also be conducted one day later than normally scheduled.
Collections were postponed due to the severe weather threat.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Sheriff Chip Simmons Pre-Files To Seek Reelection
January 9, 2024
Incumbent Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons pre-file Tuesday to see reelection as a Republican in the 2024 election.
Simmon was first elected in 2020.
Lisa Thomas Named McArthur Elementary School Teacher of the Year
January 9, 2024
Lisa Thomas was named the McArthur Elementary School Teacher of the Year.
NorthEscambia.com is welcoming 2024 honoring the Teachers of the Year from North Escambia schools over the next several days. Escambia County’s overall Teacher of the Year will be named in February.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century Woman Charged With Trying To Obstruct Arrest Of Her Boyfriend
January 9, 2024
A Century woman has been charged with allegedly trying to prevent deputies from arresting her live-in boyfriend.
Shana Oneida Killam, 39, was charged with felony obstructing justice. She was released on a $1,000 bond.
Deputies went to a residence on C.W. Carraway Road to arrest Haden Brock Howard, 29, on two outstanding warrants for failure to appear on charges of possession of a firearm by convicted felon and as a habitual traffic offender.
Deputies said Killam was staying at the residence and Killam told them multiple times that Howard was not there before she fled the scene.
Deputies located Howard and gave him several loud commands to surrender, but he refused, according to an arrest report. He continued to fight deputies, and he was forcibly placed on the ground where he refused to comply.
Howard was arrested on two outstanding warrants for failure to appear on charges of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and as a habitual traffic offender.
Miranda Freauff Named Beulah Elementary School Teacher Of The Year
January 9, 2024
Miranda Freauff was named the Beulah Elementary School Teacher of the Year.
NorthEscambia.com is welcoming 2024 honoring the Teachers of the Year from North Escambia schools over the next several days. Escambia County’s overall Teacher of the Year will be named in February.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
DeSantis Declares State Of Emergency Following Severe Weather
January 9, 2024
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday declared a state of emergency in 49 Florida counties following severe weather.
The order includes Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa and Walton counties
“Because of the foregoing conditions, which are expected to constitute a major disaster, I declare that a state of emergency exists,” the order stated.
The order directs the state to seek federal assistance from the White House and activates the state National Guard. It also allows emergency contracts without the customary bidding process.