Wanted Sex Offender Captured After Tip From NorthEscambia.com Reader
March 3, 2023
A convicted sex offender on the run from authorities was captured Friday in Alabama, thanks to a tip from a NorthEscambia.com reader.
Bobby Joe Simmons, Jr., was wanted for a sex offender violation for providing false registration information. According to Santa Rosa County Crime Stoppers, he is known to be violent.
According to Escambia County (AL) Sheriff Heath Jackson, Simmons was captured at the Gandy Mobile Home Park off old Atmore Road west of Flomaton. A reader sent the location to NorthEscambia.com, and we in turn provided it to law enforcement.
Simmons had a previous address on Scenic Lake Drive in Jay at the time of his last arrest in Santa Rosa County. At the time he last provided a registration address to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, he was residing on Community Church Road in Flomaton.
In January 2015, Simmons was convicted of lewd or lascivious sexual battery of a victim age 12-15.
Tate High School Names Students Of The Month
March 3, 2023
Tate High School recently named their Students of the Month for December. They are Kadyn Austin (pictured left) and Mason Mulholland. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Woman Claims $1 Million Lottery Scratch-Off Prize
March 3, 2023
An Escambia County woman has claimed a $1 million scratch-off lottery prize.
Janice Ryan, 67, claimed her prize at the Florida Lottery Pensacola District Office.. She chose to receive her winnings as a one-time, lump-sum payment of $820,000.00.
Ryan purchased her winning ticket from Lucky Penny, located at 7111 West Fairfield Drive in Pensacola. The retailer will receive a $2,000 bonus commission for selling the winning ticket.
The $50 game, 500X THE CASH, features a top prize of $25 million.
Laziness Encouraged: No Mow March Promotes Pollinators in the Panhandle
March 3, 2023
Need an excuse to not mow your lawn for a month?
UF/IFAS Extension agents in the Florida Panhandle are asking residents to skip their soon-to-be-weekly outdoor chore until the calendar flips to April.
The idea for “No Mow March” is borrowed from “No Mow May,” a concept begun in the United Kingdom that has now spread to northern parts of the United States.
“Obviously, our lawns are growing way too quickly by the time May rolls around,” said Beth Bolles, UF/IFAS Escambia County horticulture agent who is leading the pilot effort this year. “Here in North Florida, March is our transition period, when grass is exiting dormancy. But it’s also when pollinators are starting to become more active, so it’s the perfect time to celebrate them and promote their health and habitat.”
Bolles is quick to point out, though, that the month is about more than just turf.
“We recognize that some communities have rules to follow regarding their lawns,” she said. “There are other things you can do to encourage pollinators to visit, whether it’s container plants or adding new shrubs or pollinator houses. We encourage everyone to find their own way to participate.”
You can sign the No Mow March Pledge by clicking or tapping here.
By The Numbers: How Many Calls Did Escambia Fire Rescue Answer Last Month?
March 3, 2023
Escambia Fire Rescue responded to 80 fires during February.
The department’s 1,742 calls also included 178 vehicle crashes and 657 medical calls.
Details are in the infographic below.
This infographic includes a sampling of Escambia Fire Rescue calls for service during February 202..
Firefighters Battle Van Fire At Cantonment Gas Station
March 2, 2023
Firefighters battled a vehicle fire at a Cantonment gas station Thursday afternoon.
The fire was reported in the engine compartment of a passenger van at the gas station on Highway 29 near Tree Street, across from International Paper. The fire was quickly extinguished by Escambia County Fire Rescue..
There were no injuries reported, and no damage to any structures.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Manager, Customer Charged After Shots Fired Disturbance At Century Mexican Restaurant
March 2, 2023
The manager of a Century Mexican restaurant and a customer are facing charges following in incident an which a juvenile employee allegedly fired a gun.
Manager Salvador Sotelo-Nunez (pictured left), age 48 of Flomaton, was charged with furnishing a weapon to a minor under age 18, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, and battery. Customer Brent Allen Johnson (pictured right), 21, was charged with felony criminal mischief with damage over $1,000.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to a shots fired call January 19 at Vallarta’s Restaurant at 9010 North Century Boulevard.
According to an arrest report, Johnson and a female were asked to leave because the restaurant was closing. Sotelo-Nuneztold deputies that Johnson paid his bill and became angry on the way out, lunging toward him in an aggressive manner. He said a scuffle followed at the door when Johnson repeatedly pulled on the door in an attempt to open it and regain entry to the restaurant, the report states.
Sotelo-Nunez told deputies that “Johnson forcefully pulled the door open against his attempts to hold it closed, he punched Johnson in the face”. Sotelo-Nunez said he and Johnson began to fight outside the business, at which time Johnson went to his truck and returned with a firearm, the report continues.
Sotelo-Nunez went to his office to retrieve his .380 handgun, and a juvenile employee told Sotelo-Nunez to give him the handgun, ECSO said. The juvenile employee then allegedly fired the gun out the door of the restaurant. He later told deputies he fired three shots — two rounds fired into the air as warning shots and one at the rear wheel of Johnson’s truck as he was leaving the restaurant parking lot. Three shell casings were recovered by investigators.
Sotelo-Nunez claimed damage to the door was caused by Johnson punching it, deputies said, and Sotelo-Nunez stated he wished to file charges.
Johnson told deputies that after Sotelo-Nunez forced them to leave, Sotelo-Nunez stepped outside and punched him in the face. He told deputies that he punched and kicked the door because he was angry after being punched in the face, the report states. He told deputies that he never pointed the gun at anyone and kept it in his waistband.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said surveillance video showed Johnson exiting the restaurant at 10:14 p.m., and Sotelo-Nunez following and pushing him in the back and out the door. Sotelo-Nunez then pushed him again, prompting a physical altercation between the two. The video continues to show Sotelo-Nunez retrieve the weapon and give it to the juvenile employee who unlocked the door, went outside and fired a round over North Century Boulevard. After two more shots, the juvenile returned the gun to its holster and placed it inside on the bar.
A second video, the ECSO said, showed the parking lot with Johnson and Sotelo-Nunez in a physical altercation, and it showed Johnson punching the door. It shows Johnson retrieve a firearm from his truck but never point it at anyone, keeping it pointed at the ground. Deputies said the video showed the juvenile employee fired across North Century Boulevard and at Johnson’s truck twice. The employee then exited the restaurant into the parking lot, still pointing the gun at the pickup as it drove northbound on Century Boulevard, according to the arrest report.
It was not immediately clear if the juvenile was charged in the incident.
First Baptist Bratt Holding Spring Fling On Saturday
March 2, 2023
The First Baptist Church of Bratt will host a community Spring Fling this Saturday.
The free event from 1-3 p.m. will include games, food, popcorn, snowcones, a bounce house and more.
The First Baptist Church of Bratt is located at 4570 West Highway 4 in Bratt, just west of Northview High School.
Pensacola Beach Lifeguards Return To Their Towers
March 2, 2023
Pensacola Beach Lifeguards have returned to their towers on Pensacola Beach.
Initially, one to three towers at Casino Beach will be staffed from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, shifting from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. beginning Sunday, March 12. As summer approaches, staffing will increase to provide coverage at up to 10 towers, including the towers at Gulf Islands National Seashore, which begin staffing Memorial Day weekend.
In preparation for the 2023 season, Pensacola Beach hired 14 new lifeguards and welcomed 36 returning lifeguards with over 60 hours of open water training, emergency medical training and more.
Last season, Pensacola Beach Lifeguards performed 98 rescues from drowning and 115 assists to swimmers experiencing moderate distress. They also attended to 54 major medical incidents and assisted 30 patients for EMS transport.
“Our lifesaving team is prepared to prevent and respond to all unknown events that may occur in this amazing and wonderful part of our world,” said Water Safety Chief Dave Greenwood.
Annual Rotarians Against Hunger Event Provides 40,500 Meals For Manna
March 2, 2023
Rotary Clubs of Northwest Florida joined Manna Food Bank in the fight against hunger for the 11th Annual Rotarians Against Hunger event.
Rotarians recently packed approximately 40,500 lentil casserole meals for neighbors in need served through Manna’s pantry and food security programs.
The Rotarians Against Hunger project provides much-needed food during the winter and early spring months when giving has decreased and need has increased,” said Manna Executive Director DeDe Flounlacker. “Last year, Manna provided food assistance to 69,095 people – a 122% increase over the year prior. Many are the working poor, grandparents raising their grandchildren, and moms and dads who do not have enough money to pay their bills and buy food for their family due to rising food, utility, and housing costs. Thanks to our Rotary friends, thousands of our neighbors in need will be given the gift of nutritious food.”
More than 170 Rotarians representing all 12 clubs in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties participated, donating more than 340 hours of service.
“This was the 11th year that Rotary teamed up with Manna packing meals that will be distributed in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties to help families in need,” said Mike Stahl, Rotarians Against Hunger Project Chair. “Through this project, local Rotarians are striving to exemplify the Rotary motto, Service Above Self, and support our local community.”
Rotarians Against Hunger is a service project of the Combined Rotary Clubs of Pensacola (CROP) that launched in 2012, and since then, more than 771,900 meals have been assembled for distribution to the hungry.