Escambia Animal Welfare Warns Of Lost Pet Text Message Scam
September 25, 2025
The Escambia County Department of Animal Welfare is warning residents of scam text messages individuals claiming to represent Animal Welfare staff. These messages are targeting residents with lost pets, claiming their pet has been found and asking to send a verification code to retrieve the pet.
The county warns to not respond to these text messages because they are not legitimate and are not associated with Escambia County Animal Welfare.
If Animal Welfare Officers locate a missing pet, the owner will be notified by phone, email and/or letter. Staff will ask the owner to visit the shelter in person to verify ownership. Animal Welfare staff will never ask for funds to be sent digitally to redeem a pet or access to a personal item. Redemption fees will be calculated at the time of redemption and paid in person.
Not Toy Car Parts: Escambia Man Indicted On Federal Drugs And Firearms Charges
September 25, 2025
An Escambia County man has been indicted on federal drug and firearms charges for allegedly ordering machine gun parts from China that arrived in a box labeled as toy car parts.
A federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Tre’Veonce Ezekiel Sanders, 19, with possession of a machine gun, possession of an unregistered firearm, and possession with intent to distribute marijuana.
The indictment says a package was labeled as being toy car parts, but U.S. Customs inspectors found it also contained pieces to build a machine gun device. During the execution of a search warrant at his home, officers reported finding a Glock with a similar device already installed along with nearly one-half pound of marijuana.
If convicted, Sanders faces up to 10 years’ imprisonment for each of the firearms offenses and up to five years’ imprisonment for the drug crime.
The case was a joint investigation by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.
Century Council Incumbent Shelisa McCall Abraham Prefiles For Reelection
September 25, 2025
Incumbent Century Town Council member Shelisa McCall Abraham prefiled Wednesday morning to see reelection to Seat 3 on the council in 2026 for the nonpartisan office.
There will be three Century Town Council Seats on the ballot in 2026:
- Seat 3, currently held by Abraham
- Seat 4, currently held by John Bass
- Seat 5, currently held by Sparkie Harrison
There are currently no other candidates other than Abraham that have prefiled.
Pictured: Shelisa McCall Abraham discusses an agenda item during a town council meeting this summer. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
County Approves New Foosackly’s Restaurant On West Nine Mile Road
September 25, 2025
The Escambia County Development Review Committee on Wednesday approved a new Foosackly’s restaurant on West Nine Mile.
The 4,416-square-foot restaurant will be located on a 2.14-acre parcel at 2605 West Nine Mile Road, at the corner of Nine Mile Road and 8 Mile Creek Road. That’s about halfway between the Walmart at the Nine Mile and Pine Forest intersection and I-10.
Foosackly’s is a chicken restaurant founded in Mobile in 2000. The company’s website lists 14 existing locations in Alabama and two in Northwest Florida — one at 1690 East Nine Mile Road and one on Mobile Highway.
Frontier Landline Customers May Not Be Able To Reach 911
September 24, 2025
Frontier Communications landline customers may not be able to call 911 in North Escambia, including Bratt, Walnut Hill and Molino.
Frontier was unable to connect landline customers to 911 earlier Wednesday night, and we’ve received conflicting information; some reports indicate it may have been repaired, while other customers say they still cannot call 911.
Authorities recommend that anyone who cannot call 911 from a Frontier landline use a cell phone.
Molino Utilities Reports Water Outage On Schaag Road
September 24, 2025
Molino Utilities is reporting a water main break on Schaag Road.
The utility says there will be low water pressure or no water at all from Rolling Oak south to Schaag Road.
The repair process has begun with no estimated time for repair.
[Posted 2:14 p.m.]
Local Students Gather For ‘See You At The Pole’ (With Photo Gallery)
September 24, 2025
Students across the North Escambia area gathered on Wednesday morning for the annual See You at the Pole event.
Students gathered before school began to pray in the non-denominational event. See You at the Pole is a national student-initiated, student-organized, and student-led event. Students prayed for their school, friends, teachers, government, and the nation.
For a photo gallery, click here.
At Tate High School, Senior Nick Kontek welcomed everyone and read from Habakkuk 3:2, the national verse for this year. Senior Carson Hindsman prayed for students all over the world who have little to no religious freedom. Junior Addie Manning prayed for Tate administration and faculty. Nick also prayed for the nation and government. He also reminded students to share the gospel with their loved ones. Carson also prayed specifically for Tate students, encouraging them and faculty to form small groups to pray for each other, and their friends and families. The event at Tate was sponsored by First Priority.
At Northview High School, the event was sponsored by the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. During the event, students learned about the importance of reading the Bible and they gave thanks for and prayed about things in their personal and school lives.
The national See You at the Pole verse this year is: “I have heard all about you, Lord. I am filled with awe by your amazing works. In this time of our deep need, help us again as you did in years gone by. And in your anger, remember your mercy.” Habakkuk 3:2 (NLT).
For a photo gallery, click here.
School represented in the photo gallery include Bratt Elementary, Byrneville Elementary, Beulah Academy of Science, Ernest Ward Middle School, Northview High School and Tate High School.
NorthEscambia.com and submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
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Tate Student Named Named National Merit Scholarship Semifinalist
September 24, 2025
A Tate High School student has been named a semifinalist in the 71st annual National Merit Scholarship Program.
James Treick has the opportunity to continue in the competition for some 6,930 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $26 million that will be offered next spring.
To be considered for a Merit Scholarship award, semifinalists must fulfill several requirements to advance to the finalist level of the competition. About 95% percent of the semifinalists are expected to attain finalist standing, and approximately half of the finalists will win a National Merit Scholarship, earning the Merit Scholar title.
National Merit Scholarship Corporation, a not-for-profit organization that operates without government assistance, was established in 1955 specifically to conduct the annual National Merit Scholarship Program. Scholarships are underwritten by NMSC with its own funds and by approximately 280 business organizations, higher education institutions, and individual donors that share NMSC’s goals of honoring the nation’s scholastic champions and encouraging the pursuit of academic excellence.
Holman Prison Trespasser Arrested On Contraband Charges
September 24, 2025
A man allegedly trespassing at Holman Correctional Facility in Atmore was arrested on narcotics and contraband charges.
The Alabama Department of Corrections (ADOC) on Tuesday announced the arrest of 24-year-old Jauvon Travis Leonard. The incident occurred the afternoon on Monday, September 14. At about 3:@5 a.m., ADOC K-9 agents spotted a man with a bag running towards the Holman perimeter fence. The suspect was detained and identified as Leonard.
ADOC narcotics agents arrived on the scene and processed the bag, which contained seven individually wrapped packages. Officials said the packages contained:
• 14 cell phones
• one lock-blade knife
• five phone cards
• one phone charger cord
• one silver necklace
• Approximately 154 grams of marijuana
• Approximately 58 grams of methamphetamines
Leonard was charged with trafficking methamphetamine, attempting to commit a controlled substance crime, possession of marijuana first degree, prohibited activities, and attempting to promote prison contraband first degree. He remained in the Escambia County (AL) Detention Center with bond set at $1 million.
Ernest Ward Recognizes Students With Perfect Scores On State Tests
September 24, 2025
Ernest Ward Middle School recently recognized four students who earned a perfect score on state tests last school year.
Dean Marks, Miguel Espinoza, Jadon Long, and Sawyer Odom each made a perfect score on 8th Grade Math. Marks also earned a perfect score on the Civics EOC.
Pictured (L-R): Dean Makes, Miguel Espinoza, Jadon Long, and Sawyer Odom. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.