NTSB Releases Preliminary Report On Bluff Springs Plane Crash
October 16, 2025
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released a preliminary investigation report on a July 9 single-engine plane crash in Bluff Springs.
A witness reported the plane flying just above the treetops before the pilot attempted an emergency landing in a freshly plowed field where the plane flipped. The crash, which occurred around 6:20 p.m., was several hundred feet east of Highway 29, just north of Bluff Springs and Byrneville Roads, or about 1.5 miles south of Century
The pilot and a passenger were able to walk away from the crash and depart in a private vehicle. The report states that they were not injured.
According to Federal Aviation Administration registration data, the 1967 Cessna 172H belongs to an individual in Atmore.
The NTSB report says the personal flight departed the Atmore Municipal Airport at about 6 p.m.
“About 20 minutes later, while cruising at 1,500 ft mean sea level (msl), the engine suddenly stopped producing power. The pilot was unable to restart the engine and made a forced landing to a peanut field. When the airplane touched down, it nosed over resulting in substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer and rudder,” the investigation report states.
The plane was removed from the accident site days later and retained for further examination.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Worship And Witness: Hundreds Attended Northview FCA’s Fields Of Faith Event
October 16, 2025
red
Hundreds of people attended the Northview High School Fellowship of Christian Athletes Fields of Faith service Wednesday night in the school’s Tommy Weaver Memorial Stadium.
“You want to see a revival in Escambia County?” asked Pastor Phil Fischer of Dogwood Park Baptist Church as he urged those in attendance to spread the word about salvation. “The labors went out, with urgency to take the Gospel to people that don’t have the Gospel.”
Several students gave their testimony during the service, which included worship music and concluded with about 300 people forming a prayer circle on the Northview football field, stretching from red zone to red zone.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Fields of Faith is a national student-led initiative. “Students invite, pray for, share with, and challenge their peers to read the Bible and follow Jesus Christ. An athletic field provides a neutral, rally point where a community can come together,” according to national organizers.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Atmore Man Charged With Attempted Murder After Shooting Incident
October 16, 2025
The Atmore Police Department arrested a local man on a charge of attempted murder following a shooting incident Wednesday that reportedly endangered the lives of residents in nearby homes.
The shooting occurred about 8:17 p.m. near the intersection of Carver Avenue and 5th Street.
Brandon James McNeal, age 29 of Atmore, was taken into custody after turning himself in at the Flomaton Police Department. He was booked into the Escambia County (AL) Detention Center without bond.
According to the Atmore Police Department, the incident involved McNeal discharging a weapon at another individual. Police said bullets struck more than one residence in the area.
APD said McNeal is expected to face additional charges for the discharge of a firearm into an occupied building.
The scene of the shooting prompted a large-scale response from various units within the Atmore Police Department, including Patrol, the Criminal Investigation Division, the Narcotics/Vice Unit, the Crime Scene Division, and the Special Response Team (SRT).
The Escambia County (FL) Sheriff’s Office, Flomaton Police Department, Escambia County (AL) Sheriff’s Office and Poarch Creek Tribal Police assisted in the search for McNeal.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate High, Beulah Middle, Beulah Academy Place In District 1 FFA Forestry Event
October 16, 2025
More than 100 students from 17 schools competed for the District 1 FFA Forestry Career Development Event recently, with teams from Tate High School and Pleasant Ridge Christian Academy taking home the overall top team honors and will advance to the state competition.
The competition was held at the Florida Forest Service’s Blackwater Forestry Center Training Center in Holt and tested students on their skills in diagnosing forest disorders, managing forests and forest inventory and applying approved silviculture practices. Participating students were from Escambia, Holmes, Okaloosa, Walton and Washington counties.
Participants competed in tree measurement, map interpretation, identifying trees and equipment as well as a general forestry knowledge. Luke Graham from Tate High won the top spot in the high school division while Nate Abbott of Pleasant Ridge Christian Academy in DeFuniak Springs took first in the middle school individual competition.
The first-place team for the high school division was Tate High School Team A, and Tate’s second team, Team B, took second place. (Both Tate teams are pictured as a group above.)
Pleasant Ridge Team A won first place for the middle school division. Beulah Middle School’s Team A finished second, and the Beulah Academy of Science Team A.
Full results are as follows:
High School Team Competition
- 1st place: Tate High School- Team A
- 2nd place: Tate High School- Team B
- 3rd place: Milton High School- Team A
Middle School Team Competition
- 1st place: Pleasant Ridge Christian Academy Team A
- 2nd place: Beulah Middle Team A
- 3rd place: Beulah Academy of Science Team A
High School Individual Winners
- Luke Graham, Tate High School Team A
- General Knowledge
- Dendrology
- Map Interpretation
- Equipment ID
- Emma Posey, Central High School Team A
- Timber Cruising
- Alex Apperson, Tate High School, Team A
- Tree/Forest Disorders
Middle School Individual Winners
- Nate Abbott, Pleasant Ridge Christian Academy
- General Knowledge
- Equipment ID
- Map Interpretation
- Giselle Rodriguez, Pleasant Ridge Christian Academy
- Dendrology
- Tree/Forest Disorders
- Payton Coon, Pleasant Ridge Christian Academy
- Timber Cruising
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Above: Tate Team A — first place
Above: Tate Team B — second place
Above: Belah Academy of Science — third place
Typo Leads State To Reject Escambia County Emergency Response Agreement With Century Prison
October 16, 2025
A simple single-letter typographical error led to the state rejecting an Escambia County agreement to provide fire suppression and rescue services for the Century Correctional Institution.
A 2022 agreement with the Florida Department of Corrections was renewed for five years for Escambia County Fire Rescue to continue providing fire services and Escambia County EMS to respond to medical emergencies when the need arises.
On June 5, the Escambia County Commission approved the agreement, BOCC Chairman Mike Kohler signed it, and it was forwarded to FDOC. But FDOC discovered that the signatory page had Deputy General Counsel Kristen Clemons’ name spelled as “Kristin” (with an “i” instead of an “e’), and the state rejected the agreement. Both are pictured below.
As a formality, the Escambia Commission will approve a new copy of the very same agreement, just without the typo. During the reapproval process, there was no lapse in emergency services for the prison.
Century Correctional is located on Tedder Road, a short distance from the Century Station of Escambia Fire Rescue. In the event of a fire or other emergency, other surrounding ECFR stations may also respond.
Escambia County agreed to provide the following on an as-needed basis 24 hours a day, seven days a week:
- Fire suppression and fire equipment;
- Fire investigation;
- Contact for ambulance and emergency medical services; and
- Rescue of inmates/persons who may have become trapped.
- There are no financial obligations between the parties.
Pictured: An Escambia County EMS ambulances exist the Century Correctional Institution. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Escambia Sheriff’s Office Seeks Absconded Sex Offender
October 16, 2025
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is searching for an absconded sex offender who may be in the area.
Jeffery Adam Birdwell, 42, is wanted on three outstanding sex offender warrants with no bond.
- Sex Offender Violation- provided false registration info
- Failure to report after vacating residence
- Failure to report driver’s license office of address change
In 2016, Birdwell was convicted of sexual battery in Escambia County and he has an additional Okaloosa County conviction in 2021 for failure to comply with registration requirements, according to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
Anyone with information on Birdwell’s whereabouts is asked to contact the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620, or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Cantonment Man Dies After Medical Emergency, Crash On Nine Mile Road
October 15, 2025
A 63-year-old Cantonment man suffered a medical emergency and died after a crash on Nine Mile Road Wednesday morning, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.+
FHP said that due to the medical emergency, the man’s pickup truck sideswiped an SUV around 6:17 a.m. on Nine Mile Road near Fowler Avenue. He was transported to an area hospital where he was pronounced dead.
The driver of the SUV, a 36-year-old Cantonment man, was not injured.
The FHP investigation is continuing.
File photo.
Patients Sue Over Alleged ‘Degrading’ Photos Taken And Shared By Jay Hospital Staff
October 15, 2025
Lawsuits have been filed against Jay Hospital and Baptist Healthcare on behalf of three clients who were allegedly photographed without consent by hospital employees while under medical care. Zarzaur Law, which filed the suit, said the photos were later shared on social media, and the firm is offering a $5,000 reward to the first person to provide the photos as verified evidence.
The law firm said their investigation “has revealed deeply troubling details about the conduct of hospital staff and the hospital’s subsequent response”.
According to the allegations in the complaint, in February 2025, several employees at Jay Hospital entered patient rooms while patients were asleep or heavily medicated and took unauthorized and degrading pictures. Hospital representatives later acknowledged that these photos were taken by employees and described the images themselves as “horrible.” The photos were reportedly circulated on the social media platform Snapchat.
Attorney Joe Zarzaur stated that the hospital’s representatives approached the victims, offering them money in exchange for signing legal releases related to the incident. However, the victims were never shown the photographs, nor were they told what the images depicted.
“The hospital reps told them that they understood that employees took pictures,” Zarzaur said. “And that these horrible pictures were broadcast on Snapchat.”
One of the clients represented by Zarzaur Law reported that she woke up without clothing after being medicated. That patient recalled a staff nurse making a crude and humiliating remark, stating that her body had been visible throughout the night and that staff members were able to see her as they passed by in the hallway.
“She says she woke up without her clothes being on after being medicated,” Zarzaur said. “One of the staff nurses,” she says, ‘made a crude comment about how all night she was showing her body parts basically, and that they all were able to see them in the hall’.” She said she did not know that employees of the hospital had photographed her and posted it on Snapchat.
Zarzaur Law alleges that, despite being aware of the incident for months, Jay Hospital and Baptist Healthcare failed to take immediate and transparent action. The victims were never shown the images, and to this day, they have received no clear explanation about the extent of the violations.
Zarzaur Law, P.A. is offering a $5,000 reward to the first person to provide the photographs. Once the photographs are corroborated by evidence and verified to be authentic, that individual will be qualified for the $5,000 reward. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Zarzaur Law, P.A. at (855) HIRE-JOE or visit zarzaurlaw.com.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Shelly Helton Named Jim Allen Elementary Teacher Of The Year
October 15, 2025
Kindergarten teacher Shelly Helton has been name the Jim Allen Elementary School Teacher of the year.
Helton’s career in education has spanned 30 years, including 25 years at Jim Allen.
From the school:
Mrs. Helton has dedicated her career to shaping the lives of our students and families.
A true mentor, Mrs. Helton has guided many along the way as 4 of our current teachers were once her mentees. In a beautiful full-circle moment, she is now teaching kindergarten in the very same classroom where she herself was a kindergartener.
We are so proud to honor Mrs. Helton and celebrate her incredible impact on generations of students.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Brooks Promoted, Sessions Named New Atmore Police Chief
October 15, 2025
The Atmore Police Department has a new chief after the former chief was promoted to a new position.
The now former chief Chuck Brooks was appointed as Atmore’s director of public safety, and Major Ken Sessions was promoted to police chief.
Brooks has over three decades of professional law enforcement experience, including 10 years as police chief. Sessions has worked 12 years with the department and is experienced in narcotics investigations, administration, and organizational performance.
The changes were unanimously approved Monday by the Atmore City Council. Atmore has been without a director of public safety since Glenn Carlee retired in early 2016.
Pictured: Atmore City Magistrate Kaurean Reynolds swears in new Atmore Police Chief Ken Sessions (top) and Director of Public Safety Chuck Brooks (below). Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
