Worshipers Gather For Easter Sunrise Services
March 31, 2024
Worshipers gathered for sunrise services across Escambia County on Easter Sunday morning.
The largest sunrise service in Escambia County was the Marcus Pointe Baptist Church Community Sonrise Service at Blue Wahoos Stadium. Other services included the a Beulah Community Sunrise Service at the Navy Federal Recreation Park on Nine Mile Road.
The services were to celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, an important event to the faithful. According to the Bible:
Matthew 28:1-20
Resurrection Morning
1 After the Sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to view the tomb. 2 Suddenly there was a violent earthquake, because an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and approached [the tomb]. He rolled back the stone and was sitting on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his robe was as white as snow. 4 The guards were so shaken from fear of him that they became like dead men. 5
But the angel told the women, “Don’t be afraid, because I know you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. 6 He is not here! For He has been resurrected, just as He said. Come and see the place where He lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell His disciples, ‘He has been raised from the dead. In fact, He is going ahead of you to Galilee; you will see Him there.’ Listen, I have told you.”
8 So, departing quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, they ran to tell His disciples the news. 9 Just then Jesus met them and said, “Good morning!” They came up, took hold of His feet, and worshiped Him. 10 Then Jesus told them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell My brothers to leave for Galilee, and they will see Me there.”
The Soldiers Are Bribed to Lie
11 As they were on their way, some of the guard came into the city and reported to the chief priests everything that had happened. 12 After the priests had assembled with the elders and agreed on a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money 13 and told them, “Say this, ‘His disciples came during the night and stole Him while we were sleeping.’ 14 If this reaches the governor’s ears, we will deal with him and keep you out of trouble.” 15 So they took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has been spread among Jewish people to this day.
The Great Commission
16 The 11 disciples traveled to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had directed them. 17 When they saw Him, they worshiped, but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came near and said to them, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
from the Holman Christian Standard Bible
Pictured top and bottom: The 2023 Community Sonrise Service at Blue Wahoos Stadium.. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Photos: Runamuck Ranch Family Day In Bratt
March 31, 2024
Saturday was Family Day at Runamuck Ranch in Bratt.
The ranch, known for thousands of lights and goats in pajamas at Christmas, opened Saturday for families to enjoy a beautiful spring day.
Visitors were able to see and pet miniature cows, miniature donkeys, goats and other small farm animals. There were also games and activities, roasted marshmallows, vendors, hayrides and more.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Tate Cheerleaders ‘Egg’ Yards Across North Escambia
March 31, 2024
Kids across North Escambia found eggs hidden in their yards Easter morning with the help of the Tate High School cheerleaders.
Tate Cheer held an “Egg My Yard” fundraiser. For donations that started at $20, the cheerleaders hid pre-filled eggs Saturday night in yards north of Nine Mile Road.
For more photos, click or tap here.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
UWF Softball Honors Miracle League Players
March 31, 2024
The University of West Florida softball team invited the players of the Miracle League of Pensacola to their game Saturday afternoon. The Argos honored the Miracle League placers and organization.
It was a quick and decisive game three at the UWF Softball Complex as UWF Softball (23-12, 12-6) run-ruled the Shorter Hawks (2-32, 1-20) by a 10-0 score Saturday afternoon.
The bats for West Florida continue to light up the scoreboard in recent weeks, as the run-rule marks the sixth victory in that manner in the last nine games. Since the March 15 series against Christian Brothers, UWF has outscored opponents 95-20 in that time.
It is also third-straight series sweep in conference for UWF. The victory marks their 23rd win of the year, surpassing the total from last year with 17 regular season games remaining. With a month till the GSC Tournament, UWF sits at fourth in the conference standings.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Egg The Park Held In Century (With Gallery)
March 31, 2024
Egg the Park, a community Easter egg hunt, was held Saturday afternoon at Showalter Park in Century.
The Century Chamber of Commerce event featured free snacks, Easter Bunny photos, prize eggs, a bounce house and more.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Photos: Beulah Dash Held Saturday
March 31, 2024
Marcus Pointe Baptist Church Beulah hosted Beulah Dash Saturday at the Escambia County Equestrian Center.
The family-friendly event featured a color run 5K, egg hunts including a special needs hunt, inflatables, food trucks, the Easter Bunny and more
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Camp Fire Kids Take Part In Nursing Facility Egg Hunt, Visit Easter Bunny
March 31, 2024
Students at the Camp Fire Century Youth Learning Center were recently invited to take part in an Easter egg hunt at the Century Health and Rehabilitation Center. Students were also visited at the center by the Easter Bunny.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Man Seeks To Reverse Plea In Conviction As Accessory In 2018 Walnut Hill Murder
March 30, 2024
A man recently sentenced to prison as an accessory in a 2018 Walnut Hill murder case has filed a motion to withdraw a no contest plea he made over four years ago.
Christopher James Logan Stacey was sentenced in January 2024 to 40 years in prison for accessory after the face to first degree premeditated murder and accessory after the face to first degree attempted premeditated murder. He received credit for 1,612 days served in the county jail awaiting trial.
Stacey allegedly helped his father transport the bodies to Alabama and burn the evidence in Florida.
He appeared before Escambia County Circuit Court Judge Linda Nobles this week, saying that he wanted to withdraw his no contest plea because he thought he would be sentenced as a youthful offender or to just 10 years.
According to a motion filed in circuit court, Christopher James Logan Stacey seeks to withdraw his plea because it was “entered due to defense counsel coercing him and/or not explaining all implications of the plea”. His attorney, Bryan J. Hamlin, disputes the claim and asked the court to appoint another “conflict-free” counsel. A hearing is set for next week before Judge Linda Nobles.
According to court transcript , Stacey was asked by the court, “And has anyone forced you to enter a plea against your will?” to which Stacey replied, “no, sir”.
“Has anyone promised you and guarantee you what your furfure sentence will be,” the judge asked.
“No, sir,” Stacey replied, according to transcripts.
Judge Nobles will issue a ruling at a later date.
Christopher James Logan Stacey’s father, Christopher Alan Stacey was convicted in September 2023 and sentenced to life plus 30 years for second degree murder and attempted second degree murder. He was originally indicted for first degree premeditated murder and attempted first degree premeditated murder but pleaded to the lesser charges.
Christopher Alan Stacey claimed the shootings were self defense. Court motions and denied appeals from the Florida First District Court of Appeals delayed the trial, but all of Stacey’s self defense motions were eventually denied.
Christopher Alan Stacey’s ex-wife, Jessica Nicole Thomas, was also charged with accessory after the fact to first degree premeditated murder and accessory after the fact to attempted first degree premeditated murder for the shooting at her home on Highway 164. Alexis Ileene Shiffner Cain pleaded guilty to accessory after the fact to first degree premeditated murder and accessory after the fact to attempted first degree premeditated murder.
Alabama detectives learned that Boutwell had been at his friend’s house in the 5900 block of Highway 164, just east of Highway 97 in Walnut Hill. Deputies responded to find the suspects in the home.
An Escambia County, FL, investigator was contacted by Atmore Police to relay information on the shooting location. He instructed deputies to respond to the home where they found a couch burning in the backyard (photo below). Deputies extinguished the fire. Victim Boutwell later said he was shot on the couch in the living room of the home, which is about nine miles from where the men were found with the truck.
According to the report, an AR-15 was found in one of the bedrooms and a 12-gauge shotgun was found in another bedroom. The report does not specify if either was the murder weapon. A bullet hole was found in an interior wall.
Christopher Alan Stacey was seated on a bucket across the road from the residence watching as investigators processed the crime scene, while his son sat in a wooden chair in front of a neighboring home (both pictured below). Cain and Jessica Thomas were placed in the back of ECSO patrol vehicles as investigators worked.
Florida investigators also responded to the truck at Brushy Creek on Deere Creek Road in Alabama to process that crime scene with Alabama agencies. The straight-line location of the truck was about 1,000 feet north of the Alabama-Florida State line.
Christopher Alan Stacey resided with Thomas at the home on Highway 164. Boutwell told law enforcement that he was shot because of an argument with her ex-husband. The son, Christopher James Logan Stacey, also resided in the home, the report states.
Boutwell, the victim that survived the July 2018 shooting, was killed in a single vehicle wreck on March 13, 2021, on Highway 4A about three miles west of Century. He was pronounced deceased at the scene; there were no passengers in the vehicle. [Read more...]
Pictured below: Christopher Alan Stacey was seated on a bucket across the road from the residence watching as investigators processed the crime scene, while his son James Logan Stacey sat on a wooden chair in front of a neighboring home. Pictured middle below: A deputy questions Jessica Thomas as she sits inside a patrol vehicle in Walnut Hill. Pictured bottom: Investigators say two men were shot inside this home on Highway 164 in Walnut Hill. NorthEscambia.com exclusive photos, click to enlarge.
Woman Seriously Injured In I-10 Crash With Two Semi Trucks
March 30, 2024
One person was seriously injured in a three-vehicle crash Friday afternoon on I-10.
The crash happened about 4:50 p.m. on I-10 between the Pine Forest and Highway 29 exits.
A tractor-trailer driven by a 68-year old Pensacola man rear-ended a tractor-trailer driven by a 45-year old New York man, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The second truck was pushed forward into a vehicle driven by a 64-year old Milton woman. She was transported to an area hospital as a trauma alert.
Poarch Woman Charged With Bay Minette Murder
March 30, 2024
A Poarch woman has been charged with murder in connection with a fatal stabbing Friday morning in Baldwin county.
Cassandra Marie Malden, 30, was booked into the Baldwin County Jail without bond Friday evening.
The Bay Minette Police Department responded to a Daphne Road residence behind the former Standard Furniture factory about 9:30 a.m. Friday. Upon arrival, they located an adult male dead from an apparent stabbing.
BPD said the suspect was cooperating with investigators. Further details were not released.