Escambia Man Gets 15 Years For Drug Possession, Trafficking
August 15, 2023
An Escambia County man has been sentenced to 15 years in state prison on drug charges.
A jury convicted 38-year old Aaron Joseph Brunson of trafficking in cocaine, possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia and resisting an officer without violence.
On March 2, 2022, Brunson was stopped by Escambia County Sheriff’s deputies for a traffic infraction, but he fled on foot.
After he was captured, a search revealed that Brunson had a trafficking amount of cocaine, a quantity of methamphetamine, and a scale concealed in a zippered case in his pants.
Brunson had prior felony convictions for drug possession, drug sales, and weapons offenses.
EREC’s Fiber Network Goes Live As First Customer Connected In Bratt
August 14, 2023
A portion of a new high speed fiber internet network in North Escambia went live Monday morning with the very first customer of Escambia River Electric Cooperative and partner Conexon Connect.
Service was installed and activated at the Bratt home of William Reynolds, publisher of NorthEscambia.com.
A crowd of dignitaries and company officials gather at the Reynolds home not far from Northview High School to eagerly await the moment when the fiber was “lit” at a symmetrical speed of 2 GB down and 2 GB up — one of the fastest residential speeds available in Escambia County.
“This is a big step for our neighbors throughout the EREC territory as true high speed fiber internet comes to North Escambia,” Reynolds said. “From video conferencing, to telemedicine, to educational opportunities, to simply being able to watch a video without buffering, we now have internet not limited by our choice to live in a rural area. We now have the same opportunities as people in major cities.”
“I could not be happier to have the first fiber customer lit this morning,” Escambia County District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry said. “I think it’s a fantastic day for Escambia County, and certainly a fantastic day for Escambia River Electric Cooperative. I could not be more excited. The project is unrolling even faster than I could have ever hoped. Thanks to Ryan Campbell and his team at EREC and our partners Conexon. I want to thank them both, the State of Florida, Michelle Salzman state representative for our area. It’s a great day for Escambia County.”
“This is life changing, absolutely life changing,” Ryan Campbell, CEO of EREC, said. “Access to quality internet is important.”
“Access to quality internet is critical to citizens across all of America and in our community,” Rep. Michelle Salzman said. “We don’t have access to an emergency room or health care facility within 45 minutes from here. Being able to do a telehealth medicine appointment could literally be lifesaving. Of course access to education. For those that want to home school or do virtual school, they don’t really have that option if they don’t have quality internet. This will provide another opportunity for the children.”
Campbell said installations are expected to begin this week for additional customers in the Bratt area as fiber backbone construction continues across the rest of EREC’s service area in Escambia County. The fiber internet will also become available later to EREC customers in Santa Rosa County.
EREC and Conexon Connect are investing about $50 million to build the two-county network.
Editor’s note: NorthEscambia.com operates in the cloud; it does not operate on the Conexon service. For over 15 years, it has been hosted by a major provider elsewhere in the U.S.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
New Details Released On Deadly Home Depot Shooting
August 14, 2023
A report obtained early Monday morning by NorthEscambia.com provided more details into a deadly shooting Friday afternoon inside an Escambia County Home Depot store.
The suspect has been identified as 20-year old Keith Eric Agee of Calvert, Alabama. He has been charged with premeditated first degree murder and two counts of aggravated battery. He remains in the Escambia County Jail without bond.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to the shots fired report and arrived to find the victim deceased on the floor in aisle 52. The victim’s name was redacted from the report but states that she was a “contracted inventory worker” that was working inside the store.
Friends have identified the victim as 18-year old Brooklyn Sims.
Victim footage showed a black male, later identified as Agee enter the store and turn down aisle 52. Seconds later, people are seen running from aisle 52, then Agee runs back toward the entrance. He runs in the parking lot, gets into a silver four-door sedan and exits that parking lot at a high rate of speed toward Duval Street. He called 911 a short time later from the Mellow Mushroom on Bayou Boulevard and surrendered to police.
According to the report, Agee was interviewed at the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. He stated that his day started by going to work at AM/NS Calvert Steel in Mt. Vernon, Alabama. While at work, he received a call from a local medical office, and he headed to Pensacola. The remainder of his statements were redacted from the report.
The report reveals that two other people suffered gunshot wounds, including one wounded in the back. That victim said he heard an unfamiliar voice say something to the victim before gunshots rang out. A second witness stated that Agee said something to the victim before opening fire.
A Glock 19 and 9mm rounds were recovered from the street in front of AAMCO Transmission at 5655 North Davis Highway, and Agee’s shirt was found in the parking lot of the AMC Bayou 15 on Bayou Boulevard, according to the report.
Pictured: The scene at Home Depot on Davis Highway shortly after a shooting that left one person dead Friday afternoon. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century Man Accused Of Stealing Utility Trailer; Later Robbing, Hitting A Witness With A Bat
August 14, 2023
A Century man is accused of stealing a utility trailer before later robbing and hitting a witness with a bat.
Julius Ray Harris, 59, was charged with robbery with a weapon, grand theft, petit theft and tampering in a third degree felony proceeding.
Harris and another suspect allegedly stole a 7×24 utility trailer from the 6900 block of Ashford Alley. Davis then allegedly sold the trailer to an individual with a concrete business for about $1,000.
A witness was later robbed and hit with a bat in Century by Harris, and Harris threatened him about testifying in the case, according to an arrest report.
Harris remained in the Escambia County Jail Monday morning with bond set at $65,000.
An Escambia County Sheriff’s Office report indicates an arrest warrant is active on a second suspect in the trailer theft, and a warrant is pending against a third suspect.
District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry To Host Molino Town Hall
August 14, 2023
Escambia County District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry will host a town hall meeting on Tuesday, August 29 at 5:30 p.m. at the Molino Community Center.
This is an open forum event and residents of District 5 are invited and encouraged to attend. County staff will be in attendance to address any additional questions or concerns from residents.
The Molino Community Center is located at 6450 North Highway 95A.
Pictured: District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry’s last town hall meeting in April 2023 at the Langley Bell 4-H Center in Cantonment. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Escambia Fire Rescue Continues Safety Standbys In School Zones
August 14, 2023
Escambia County Fire Rescue firefighters are continuing safety standbys in school zones across the county.
The trucks are there to remind drivers to slow down and keep children safe in school zones.
Pictured: Engine 18 from the Molino Station of Escambia County Fire Rescue on Highway 97 in the Molino Park Elementary school zone. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Sunday Evening Fire Destroys Shed, Boat In Beulah
August 14, 2023
Fire destroyed a large shed and boat in Beulah Sunday evening.
The fire was reported to Escambia County Fire rescue about 6:50 p.m. at a home in the 7000 block West Nine Mile Road at the intersection with Mobile Highway, near a large radio tower.
There was no immediate word on the cause of the fire and no reported injuries.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Florida Gas Prices Retreat From 2023 Highs
August 14, 2023
Florida gas prices are retreating from 2023 highs. A little more than a week ago, the state average reached $3.84 per gallon – the most expensive state average since August 2022. The state average has since declined nine consecutive days, falling a total of 10 cents per gallon, during that time.
Sunday’s state average was $3.74 per gallon. That’s the lowest daily average price since July 31. Florida drivers are paying just eight cents more than this time last year.
A North Escambia low of $3.35 was available Sunday night at a Cantonment station on South Highway 29. In the Pensacola area, a station on East Nine Mile Road was at $3.27.
“Florida drivers are likely relieved to see gas prices move lower again, but that downward trend may not last long,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Last week, gasoline futures prices rebounded to the same levels that led to the 2023-highs we saw earlier this month. Since it can sometimes take a week or two before changes in the futures market hits the retail side, drivers could see gas prices move higher early this week or next.”
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Wahoos Fall In Finale, Suffer Sweep In Chattanooga
August 14, 2023
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos dropped the finale of their series against the Chattanooga Lookouts on Sunday afternoon, falling by a score of 6-2.
The Blue Wahoos were swept in a six-game series for the first time in team history, and have lost six in a row for the first time since dropping seven straight in July of 2021.
Evan Fitterer (L, 6-5) allowed three runs over 5.0 innings, but didn’t receive enough run support as he lost for the second time in a week against the Lookouts.
Chattanooga took a 1-0 lead in the second on a Miguel Hernandez solo homer, and stretched their lead to 3-0 on a two-out, two-run single from Rece Hinds in the fourth.
The Blue Wahoos got a run back in the fifth on an RBI groundout from Tanner Allen, playing for the first time in a Pensacola uniform in his Double-A debut. Allen later added an infield single in a 1-for-4 day.
After Allen’s groundout, Vin Timpanelli (W, 2-2) relieved starter Julain Aguiar and got Nasim Nuñez to line into a double play to end the Pensacola threat. Nuñez hit into three double plays on the day, and the Blue Wahoos hit into five as a team.
The Lookouts scored three more in the eighth on a Quincy McAfee RBI single, passed ball, and throwing error. Will Banfield got a run back in the eighth with a solo homer, but the Blue Wahoos went down quietly in the ninth.
After an off day on Monday, the Blue Wahoos return home to Pensacola for a six-game series against the Montgomery Biscuits on Tuesday.
written by Erik Bremer
Century Woman Charged With Striking Deputy In The Face
August 13, 2023
A Century woman has been charged with allegedly resisting arrest and hitting a deputy in the face.
Amanda E. Hopkins, 33, was charged with battery on a law enforcement officer and resisting arrest with violence, both felonies.
Hopkins was being taken into custody at her residence when she resisted, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
She grabbed a deputy’s arm, fell to the ground and refused to stand up, refused to get into the patrol vehicle, and forced deputies to pull her into the vehicle, according to an arrest report. As she continued to resist, a handcuff slid off her wrist and she struck a deputy in the chin, an arrest report states.
The deputy refused medical treatment.
Hopkins was released on a $20,000 bond.
The arrest report does not state the original reason Hopkins was being detained.