Cantonment Woman Charged With Allegedly Cashing Business Checks Meant To Pay Sales Tax
February 25, 2026
A Cantonment woman was charged with fraud and grand theft for allegedly cashing checks from her employer that were meant to pay business taxes.
Wendy Joan Moye, 48, was charged with one count of felony grand theft and three felony counts of uttering a forged instrument.
The owner of Franklin Antiques reported that Moye, her employee, wrote a total of six checks from a Regions Bank business checking account for $8,095 and cashed them. The business owner told deputies that Moye had permission to fill out the checks, but did not have permission to sign her name to them. She stated that six fraudulent checks were written for business taxes; however, her sales taxes were never paid.
Through a subpoena, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office obtained video surveillance and still photographs of female identified as Moye cashing or depositing checks on October 17, 2025, October 31, 2025, and November 13, 2025 at two separate Regions Bank locations, according to an arrest report.
The business owner was shown images from video surveillance of three transactions and positively indemnified Moye as the person in the images, according to the ECSO.
The ECSO investigators set a January 13, 2026, interview meeting with Moye at the main Sheriff’s Office.
“I subsequently received a phone call from a male slating he was Moye’s legal counsel and that she would not attend the meeting,” the deputy wrote in the report.
After a warrant was signed by a judge, Moye was booked into the Okaloosa County Jail with bond set at $9,000.
Jay Lady Royals Advance To Rural State Championship Game
February 25, 2026
The Jay Lady Royals are headed to the FHSAA Rural Class girls state championship.
On Tuesday, the Lady Royals beat Hilliard 53-39.
Jay will face Williston on Friday at 6 p.m. EST at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate Aggies Cheerleader Lillian Abner Signs With Morehead State
February 25, 2026
On Tuesday, Tate High School cheerleader Lillian Abner signed to continue her academic and athletic career in cheerleading at Morehead State University
“Lilly Abner is an elite talent when it comes to cheerleading, and she is one of the top recruits in her position this year. Lilly possesses the extreme discipline and tenacious work ethic necessary to be successful in the winningest collegiate cheer in the world, and I am confident that she will make an immediate impact on our MSU All-Girl team,” Morehead State University head coach Mark Coleman said. “I’m excited to see Lilly’s journey over the next four years, and Morehead State University Cheer couldn’t be happier that she is joining our Doan Dynasty Family!”
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One Big Inning Lifts Pace Past Northview in Battle of State Runners-Up (With Gallery)
February 25, 2026
Pace 4, Northview 0
One inning on a cold Tuesday night made all the difference between two of the state’s top softball teams in Bratt.
In the battle between two state runners-up from last year, the 6A Pace Lady Patriots defeated Rural Division runner-up Northview Lady Chiefs 4-0.
The game sat scoreless until the top of the fifth inning when the Patriots’ Gracie Ueberroth knocked a two-run home run over the center field fence, and Haley Olivet singled to score two more runs.
Mikayla McAnally pitched a complete game for the Lady Chiefs, allowing five hits and four runs (two earned) while walking two and striking out seven.
McAnally, Avery Stuckey, and Bailey Burkette each had one hit for Northview.
Pace 6, Northview 3 (JV)
Brooklyn Allen was in the circle for four innings, allowing six hits and six runs (one earned), while walking two and striking out one.
Kinley White and Katie Jones each had one hit for the JV Chiefs. White and Natalia Morales each had one RBI.
NorthEscambia.com photos click to enlarge.
Escambia Man Sentenced To Federal Prison On Methamphetamine And Firearm Charges
February 25, 2026
An Escambia County man has been sentenced on federal methamphetamine and firearm charges.
Geoffery Bartee Dale, 38, was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison after previously pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
“Thanks to the outstanding work of our local and federal law enforcement partners, this drug trafficker’s scheme has been dismantled and he’ll spend the next 15 years in federal prison,” said John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida. “My office will continue to deliver successful prosecutions like this one to keep violent drug traffickers in prison where they belong and give our residents the safe and drug-free streets they deserve.”
According to court records, in February and March of 2024, Dale was a target of a joint law enforcement investigation. On March 8, 2024, law enforcement executed a search warrant at his residence, during which investigators located over 3,100 grams of methamphetamine, as well as a large amount of marijuana, four firearms, ammunition, over $129,000 in United States currency, and other drug distribution related items. Law enforcement also obtained a search warrant for Dale’s storage unit, where they found more than 4,400 grams of methamphetamine, a large amount of marijuana, three firearms, and ammunition. Dale has two prior felony convictions.
Northview Beats Chipley; Tate Falls To Gulf Breeze
February 25, 2026
Northview 17, Chipley 3
The Northview Chiefs beat the Chipley Tigers 17-3 Tuesday night in Chipley.
Jase Portwood went 3-3 to drive in six runs on three hits to lead the Chiefs with a two-run double in the first and fifth innings, along with a two-run single in the sixth.
Jackson Bridges, Bryant Mason, and Grayden Sheffield each scored two runs for the Chiefs.
Gayson Burns earned the win on the mound for Northview, surrendering two hits and three runs (two earned) while walking three and striking out nine in five and one-third innings. Mason threw two-thirds of an inning, allowing one hit and no runs, striking out two.
Northview will host Holmes County on Thursday before traveling to Destin on Friday.
Gulf Breeze 3, Tate 0
The Tate Aggies fell to Gulf Breeze 3-0 on Tuesday night in Gulf Breeze.
Beasley took the loss for the Aggies. He went three and one-third innings, giving up three runs (two earned) on five hits, striking out one and walking four. In two and two-thirds innings, Hunter Clayton allowed one hit and no runs, striking out two and walking none.
Nathan Connors, Cade McNair, Cooper Halfacre, and Cal Foxworth each contributed one Tate hit.
The Aggies will take on Fort Walton on Thursday and Escambia on Friday at Wahoos Stadium.
Tate 9, Gulf Breeze 9 (JV) — tie
Tate 7, Gulf Breeze 3 (Freshmen)
Atmore Looks To Solve Flooding Problem. What Will That Mean Downstream In Florida?
February 24, 2026
A federally funded project is in the planning stages to alleviate flooding in Atmore, but what will that mean for Florida residents?
Atmore has received a $17 million grant from the USDA National Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to reduce flooding in the Pine Barren Creek Watershed. The watershed drains a large portion of the city, essentially south of East Nashville Avenue (Highway 31) between South Main Street and 21st Avenue. (Click map to enlarge.)
The water from Atmore flows down Pine Barren Creek into Florida, crossing culverts under Greenland Road and West Highway 4 before flowing under a bridge on Highway 99 in Oak Grove, a bridge on Highway 164, and continuing eventually to the Escambia River.
Recenthly, the City of Atmore and NRCS held a “scoping meeting” to explain the project and seek public input from Atmore residents.
Paul Simmons, a hydraulic engineer for consultant WSP Engineering, said the project will include 2D models of the watershed flow through Atmore and into Florida.
“We are extending it (the modeling) down into Florida to make sure the project we come up with does not extend problems to someone else,” he said.
“We are going to make sure we don’t send all of this water down into Florida and say, ’sorry, Escambia County, Florida, we fixed it in Atmore,’” Scott Taylor of WSP said.
The upcoming project, covering roughly 10 square miles (6,389 acres) in Atmore, is funded with 100% federal money, with local match required from Atmore. There is currently not a similar project planned south of the state line in Florida, according to state and county officials.
In the next phase of the Atmore project, alternatives will be explored before developing a final plan for presentation in 2027. The construction phase won’t be reached until sometime in 2028 or 2029.
Pictured above and below: Previous washouts and flooding along Pine Barren Creek at Greenland Road in Florida. Also pictured: Last week’s Pine Been Creek Watershed meeting in Atmore. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Molino Woman Charged With Alleged Amusement Park Burglary
February 24, 2026
A Molino woman was charged with recenthly with burglarizing a local waterpark and amusement park where she was formerly employed.
Madison Lee Galle, 19, is charged with unarmed burglary of an unoccupied structure and criminal mischief, both felonies.
According to Escambia County Sheriff’s Office records, deputies responded to Splash City Adventures on Pensacola Boulevard on December 23, 2025, after a manager reported seeing intruders on surveillance video.
Investigators found a warehouse door had been pried open, causing approximately $800 in damage. Galle, who was identified as a former employee of the business who had been terminated, was allegedly seen on camera inside the warehouse during the incident.
Galle was booked into the Escambia County Jail and later released on a $6,000 bond.
According to its website, the park closed on September 14.
Man Claims Fantasy 5 Prize From Davisville Retailer; Third Winner For Shop This Year
February 24, 2026
We now know who purchased a winning Fantasy 5 lottery ticket sold in Davisville — the third winning ticket sold this year by the retailer.
The ticket sold to Willie Newton Bradley, Jr. of Frisco City, Alabama, was one of two top-prize winning tickets sold for the Thursday, February 12, evening drawing and was worth $55,609.50 each. The other winning ticket was sold at a Publix in Pompano Beach.
He purchased the ticket at the State Line Gift Shop, on Highway 97 just south of Atmore. The winning numbers were 3-5-10-20-27.
The State Line Gift Shop sold a $55,328.49 winning ticket for the February 8 midday drawing to a Mobile woman, and a $55,272.07 winning ticket for the January 15 drawing to a Grande, Alabama, man.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Pine Meadow Elementary Hosts ‘Donuts With Dad’
February 24, 2026
Pine Meadow Elementary School recently hosted “Donuts With Dads”.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
