McDavid Woman Facing Felony Meth Charge After Traffic Stop
September 24, 2025
A McDavid woman was arrested on felony drug charges after a traffic stop in Escambia County.
Jennifer Atrice Wiggins, 47, was stopped by an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputy on North W Street at Pensacola Boulevard after he observed a black Nissan SUV with a cracked windshield. A records check revealed the vehicle’s registered owner had an active warrant and a suspended driver’s license.
According to the arrest report, the deputy used a K9, Hura, to conduct a free-air sniff around the vehicle, which resulted in a positive alert. A subsequent search of the vehicle uncovered a clear plastic bag containing a crystal-like substance inside a flashlight in a purse on the driver’s side floorboard, according to deputies. The substance field-tested positive for methamphetamine, with a weight of 1.3 grams.
Wiggins was taken into custody and transported to the Escambia County Jail. She was given a bond of $2500 and a circuit court date of October 10, 2025.
Wiggins told authorities she had picked up a passenger from a casino in Atmore, Alabama, and was giving him a ride. She stated that she found the flashlight under her seat and did not know it contained narcotics, and she admitted that she had used meth for a couple of years but had not used narcotics for 7-9 months, the report states.
Wiggins was also cited for driving with a suspended license.
She remained in the Escambia County Jail on Wednesday with bond set at $2,500.
Northview Chiefs Celebrate Senior Night With Wins Over The Laurel Hills Hoboes
September 24, 2025
Northview 3, Laurel Hill 2 (Varsity)
The Northview Chiefs varsity celebrated Senior Night with a 3-2 win over the Laurel Hill Hoboes Tuesday evening in Bratt.
Northview won the five-set match 25-19, 21-25, 25-23, 17-25, 15-10.
For a photo gallery from the varsity and JV matches and Senior Night, click here.
Before the match, Northview honored six seniors: Maggie Stewart, Riley Brooks, Julianna Little, Amanda Fernandez-Santis, Sophia Adkins, and Keeli Knighten.
Northview will host W.S. Neal on Thursday before taking on the Escambia Gators and the Pensacola High Tigers next week.
Northview 2, Laurel Hill 1 (JV)
The Northview junior varsity Chiefs defeated the Laurel Hill Hoboes 2-1.
Northview took the first set 25-20 with Laurel Hill winning the second set 25-20. The Chiefs won the third and decisive set with a 15-5 comeback.
For a photo gallery from the varsity and JV matches and Senior Night, click here.
NorthEscambai.com photos, click to enlarge.
Tate Aggies Volleyball Takes Three From Navarre
September 24, 2025
The Tate High School varsity, JV, and freshman volleyball teams all defeated Navarre Tuesday evening.
Tate 3, Navarre 1 (Varsity)
The Tate High School varsity volleyball team secured a hard-fought home victory against the Navarre Raiders on Tuesday evening, winning the match 3-1.
Navarre came out strong, taking the first set with a score of 25-22. However, Tate responded winning the second set 25-20 to even the score. The Aggies’ momentum carried through, and they went on to win the next two sets, 25-17 and 25-19, sealing the victory over the Raiders.
Up next, the Aggies will heald to Milton on Thursday.
Tate 2, Navarre 1 (JV)
In a hard-fought battle on their home court, the Tate High School junior varsity volleyball team faced off against the Navarre Raiders on Tuesday evening. The match was a back-and-forth affair that went all three sets with Tate taking the win.
Navarre took the first set with a score of 25-21, putting the Aggies on their heels. However, Tate responded in the second set, bouncing back to secure a 25-22 victory and tie the match at one set apiece.
With the game on the line, the Aggies came out strong in the final set, dominating the Raiders with their powerful offense and solid defense. Tate decisively won the third set 15-10.
Tate 2, Navarre 0 (Freshmen)
It was a 2-0 sweep for the freshmen Aggies over Navarre.
In the first set, Tate dominated 25-14, and they closed out the match with a 25-17 victory.
Convicted Cantonment Felon Pleads Guilty To Federal Armed Drug Distribution Charges
September 23, 2025
A convicted Escambia County felon has pleaded guilty to federal armed drug distribution charges.
Carlton DeWight Shoemaker, age 51 of Carver Street, pleaded guilty in federal court to three counts of possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Using an FDLE documented criminal informant, ATF purchased crack cocaine and methamphetamine on two occasions from Shoemaker in a hotel room , according to federal court documents, and a semi-automatic handgun was presented in the room.
When a search warrant was later served, investigators reported finding 4.5 grams of crack cocaine, 9.5 grams of powder cocaine, three ounces of marijuana pre-packaged for sale, drug paraphernalia, and two firearms with ammunition.
Shoemaker is a convicted felon and has multiple prior convictions, including burglary, grand theft, possession of cocaine, and grand theft of a firearm.
Shoemaker faces up to life in federal prison when he is sentenced on December 11.
The case involved a joint investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and ATF.
County Clears Sand from Century’s Fischer Landing Boat Launch
September 23, 2025
Escambia County Public Works worked Monday to remove sand from the boat launch at Fischer Landing in Century.
Fischer Landing is owned by the Town of Century but does not have the equipment to maintain the boat launch. The town turned to Escambia County for assistance.
A sandbar remains in front of the launch with a narrow path around it due to the low river level. We were told the sandbar cannot be removed without obtaining state permits.
Monday, the level of the Escambia River at Century was 2.71 feet. The record low for the river was 1.3 feet in 1954.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
FWC Operation Targets Meat Processors To Prevents CWD Spread
September 23, 2025
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) Operation Processor 24 concluded earlier this year, following a 4-month effort to inspect businesses involved in meat processing and taxidermy of highly regulated wildlife species. FWC announced the results of the operation on Monday.
The operation began on November 1, 2024, and concluded its inspections on March 1, 2025, with several investigations still ongoing.
The operation covered all 16 counties of the Northwest Region, from the Alabama state line to Jefferson County. It included 88 businesses known to work with regulated species. Of those, 70 were actively operating during the inspection period. The initiative focused on ensuring compliance with wildlife conservation laws while supporting hunters and trappers.
“This detail underscores the FWC’s commitment to protecting Florida’s wildlife and holding processors and taxidermists accountable to the law,” said Maj. Robby Creech, FWC Northwest regional commander. “The results speak for themselves and further support our ongoing efforts to prevent the spread of CWD (Chronic Wasting Disease) throughout our state.”
A total of over 100 violations of Florida laws and rules were cited during the operation, including:
Failure to submit harvest reports.
Hunting without a license.
No deer permit.
No archery permit.
Taking deer during closed season.
Taking deer by illegal method.
Exceeding daily bag limit for deer.
Exceeding seasonal bag limit for deer.
Antler restriction violations.
Illegal sale of deer meat.
Taking bobcat during closed season.
Illegal take of fox.
Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) violations
The operation also led investigators to violations that occurred in other states. FWC partnered with Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky and Mississippi to curtail wildlife violations crossing state lines.
Century Approves Lower Tax Rate, $9.2 Million Budget
September 23, 2025
The Town of Century on Monday gave final approval to a $9.2 million budget for the next fiscal year and a property tax rate that is, by definition, a tax decrease.
The town council approved a tentative millage rate of .9204, the same rate that has been in place for several years.
That is 7.85% less than the rolled-back rate of .9988 mills, according to filed documents. The rolled-back rate is a computed millage rate that would generate the same amount of ad valorem tax dollars as the prior fiscal year, based on the proposed year’s tax roll, excluding new construction. While Century’s tax rate will hold steady, it is by definition a tax decrease as it is lower than the rolled-back rate.
Property tax is expected to generate $59,680 for the town budget.
The town council also approved a $9,203,199 FY 2025-26 budget.
Both the tentative budget and millage rate passed unanimously .
‘Stupid And Sick’ – Escambia Man Charged With Exposing Himself To Children
September 23, 2025
An Escambia County man is facing felony charges for allegedly exposing himself to children.
Tyler Lee Hamilton, 25, was charged with indecent exposure – exposure of sexual organs and lewd and lascivious behavior be in two separate incidents that occurred on September 4 and September 9.
In both incidents, victims between 9 and 15 years old reported that they were walking, when they were approached by a white male driving a black car. According to the ECSO, surveillance video led investigators to identify the suspect as Hamilton, who is the registered owner of a black Ford Fusion.
“Stupid and sick,” Escambia Sheriff Chip Simmons said. “is what this is. I want to give credit to our investigators and analysts who worked tirelessly to identify the individual responsible. We will do whatever it takes to protect our children.”
Hamilton remained in the Escambia County Jail Tuesday morning without bond.
Escambia Man Sentenced For Manslaughter Of His Stepson
September 23, 2025
An Escambia County man has been sentenced for shooting and killing his stepson.
Martin Everardo Cardenas was sentenced to 30 years in state prison. He was previously convicted of murder with a firearm by an Escambia County Jury in early August.
Prosecutors said that on the evening of November 8, 2023, Cardenas killed his stepson Ray Oehlerking, 47, by shooting him five times with a .45 caliber revolver. Two other people witnessed the shooting, one of whom was Cardenas’ former wife and Oehlerking’s mother. The shooting occurred in the home, just after the family had finished dinner.
According to the witnesses, there was no indication of any imminent violence, but Cardenas bumped into Oehlerking and said something unintelligible before walking off to his room. When Oehlerking followed Cardenas to the back of the house, Cardenas shot him. Cardenas testified and claimed he feared Oehlerking was going to kill him.
The State Attorney’s Office sadi Cardenas used special .45 caliber bullets designed and marketed as self-defense ammunition (R.I.P. or radically invasive projectile). Additionally, after shooting Oehlerking twice as he stood in the doorway of the room, Cardenas followed Oehlerking through the house to the kitchen, shooting him another three times, one of which was in the back of Oehlerking’s head.
FHP Investigation Fiery Fatal Pickup Crash In Northern Santa Rosa County
September 23, 2025
The Florida Highway Patrol is continuing to investigate a fiery fatal crash that claimed the life of a man Sunday in northern Santa Rosa County.
FHP said a pickup truck traveling north on Williams Lake Road left the roadway and became fully engulfed in fire about 6 p.m. on Sunday.
Troopers have not released any further details.
File photo.