Thursday Escambia Commission Committee Workshop Meeting Canceled
October 12, 2022
An Escambia County Commission Committee of the Whole Workshop that was scheduled for Thursday as been canceled.
The BOCC has a regular meeting set for Thursday morning, October 20.
Michael Tedder Of Century Gets 30 Years For Multiple Counts Of Child Sexual Battery
October 11, 2022
A Century man has been sentenced to 30 years in state prison for child sexual battery.
Michael Tracy Tedder, 30, was also designated as a lifetime sexual offender by Judge Jennie Kinsey after he pleaded to multiple counts of sexual battery by a person in familian authority and lewd of lascivious exhibition in the presence of a minor.
On October 20, 2021, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to a local elementary school after a victim disclosed sexual abuse to a school counselor. The victim disclosed at school that she had been raped by Tedder. She stated that it hurt, and about the time she healed, he would do it again. The abuse occurred between January 1, 2020, and October 20, 2021.
During the course of the investigation, it was determined that Michael Tracy Tedder had abused additional victims.
“This defendant preyed on children that should have been able to trust him. With the sentence imposed, Mr. Tedder will no longer be able to harm innocent children,” Carrie Gilmer, prosecuting attorney, said.
When the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office went to Tedder’s home on October 20, 2021, to investigate the sexual battery allegations, deputies found Tedder and three others living in squalor with six children in two campers. The cases are continuing through the legal system for the others.
The Department of Children and Families removed the children.
Truck Burns At Atmore Sulfur Plant, Smoke Visible For Miles
October 11, 2022
Smoke was visible for miles from a truck fire Tuesday morning at an Atmore sulfur plant.
Officials say the fire burned a semi-truck at the Tiger-Sul Products on Highway 31 just west of the Atmore Country Club. The truck’s trailer was not involved.
There was no initial report of any injuries in the incident, which was reported about 11:10 a.m.
The Atmore Fire Department responded and quickly extinguished the blaze.
Pictured: Smoke could be seen rising for miles from the Tiger-Sul Plant in Atmore Tuesday morning. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Skid-Steer Accident Claims Life Of Young Child
October 11, 2022
The tragic death of a young child in Cantonment Sunday night remains under investigation.
The child was pronounced deceased at the scene following the incident about 8 p.m. Sunday on Balboa Road, about a block from the Santa Maria Plaza/Farm Hill Park.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said the incident involved a skid-steer loader.
Further details have not been released.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Century Man Caught On Trail Cameras At Hunting Camp Burglary, ECSO Says
October 11, 2022
A Century man was caught on trail camera photos at a hunting camp burglary scene, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Lawrence Scott Hamilton, 37, was charged with felony grand theft and misdemeanor criminal mischief with property damage.
Hamilton allegedly pried a locked window open on a hunt camp house in a wooded area near Salters Lake Road and the CSX railroad. That’s where he took a 3500 watt generator, two climbing tree stands, a Carbon Express crossbow and four boxes of .22 caliber ammunition, according to an arrest report. The property was valued at a total of $1,700.
The victim provided the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office with trail camera photos showing the suspect and his vehicle. A deputy “immediately recognized the vehicle as belonging to Larry Hamilton, and…indicated that the photo of the suspect closely resembled Hamilton,” the report states.
Deputies went to Hamilton’s residence on Hilltop Road where they found the vehicle with a freshly painted push bar, and a warrant was issued for his arrest.
Hamilton was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $26,000 bond.
Cat Country’s Cat Pak Morning Show Wins CMA Small Market Personality Of The Year
October 11, 2022
The Cat Pak Morning Show with Brent and Mel (Brent Lane and Mel McCrae) is the winner of County Music Association (CMA) Small Market Personality of the Year.
This was the fifth nomination for the Cat Pak Morning Show since it debuted in 2004, but it was their first win.
“I’m proud of the commitment to our communities our team members bring to the job every day and happy Brent and Mel are recognized on a national level,” said Mary Hoxeng, owner and general manager of Cat Country 98.7.
Brent and Mel from the Cat Pak Morning show will receive the CMA award on November 9 at the 56th Annual CMA Awards. The show will air live from Nashville on ABC, locally on WEAR 3.
Entries for Broadcast Personality of the Year are judged on aircheck, ratings, community involvement and biographical information.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia And Santa Rosa Sheriff’s Offices, Pensacola Police Return From Helping With Ian Recovery
October 11, 2022
The team of local law enforcement officers that helped clean up and restore areas after Hurricane Ian has returned home.
The team was composed of officers from the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Pensacola Police Department and Gulf Breeze Police Department.
Taking part were: Colonel Jeremy Small (ECSO), Lt. Mike Hoyland (ECSO), Lt. Patrick Crossley (ECSO), Lt. Phillip Folmar (ECSO), Lt. Kevin Biggs (ECSO), Sgt. Vince Odenbrett (ECSO), Sgt. David Brown (ECSO), Sgt. Jacob Holloway (ECSO), Deputy Ken Holyfield (ECSO), Deputy Justin Fountain (ECSO), Deputy Jorge Haitt (ECSO), Deputy Larry Richardson (ECSO), K-9 Eso (ECSO), Deputy Eric Alvarez (ECSO), Deputy Anthony Silva (ECSO), Deputy Bert Powell (ECSO), Deputy Thomas Hyler (ECSO), Deputy Mickey Swaboda (ECSO), Deputy Jalen Atkins (ECSO), Deputy Jason Donnelly (ECSO), Jack Reid (ECSO), Jake Lucas (ECSO), John Dosh (ECSO), Chad Mauldin (ECSO), Officer Blaine Welers (GPD), Officer Ben Cunningham (GPD), Lt. Chad Willhite (PPD), Sgt. Danny Harnett (PPD), Det. Kyle Skipper (PPD), Det. Charles Restifo (PPD), Det. John Cramer (PPD), Officer Drew Glass (PPD), Officer Kenneth McMahon (PPD), and Officer Kesley Isenberg (PPD).
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview High Names Students Of The Month
October 11, 2022
Northview High School has named their Students of the Month for September. They are freshman Jackson Simmons and sophomore Maggie Scott. They are pictured with Principal Michael Sherrill. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Father, Son Seriously Injured In ATV Crash Near Escambia County Park
October 11, 2022
A father and son were seriously injured in an ATV crash Monday night at an Escambia County park.
The 33-year old man and his 11-year old son were riding the Polaris 900 RZR in a field behind the Lewis Powell Athletic Park on Rolling Hills Road. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the adult male driver struck a large wooden pole in the grass head-on.
The ATV began to roll and both occupants were ejected. They were transported to a local hospital with serious injuries.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
The Annual Peanut Butter Challenge Is Accepting Donations Now
October 11, 2022
There’s still time to donate in the Peanut Butter Challenge in Escambia County to help families in need.
The Peanut Butter Challenge, UF/IFAS Extension’s annual jar collection for local food pantries, first launched in the Florida Panhandle in 2012. It has since launched statewide, giving counties the chance to compete for most jars of peanut butter donated. The challenge serves a way to feed hungry families ahead of the holidays and also promotes peanuts grown in Florida.
Unopened, unexpired jars of peanut butter can be donated at the following locations through October 31:
- Escambia County Extension, 3740 Stefani Road, Cantonment
- Escambia County Farm Bureau, 153 Highway 97, Molino
- Escambia County Public Safety, 6575 North W Street
- Gilmore Services, 31 East Fairfield Drive
- Escambia County Administration, 221 Palafox Place, 4th Floor
- Holy Spirit Catholic, 10650 Gulf Beach Highway
In addition to the community donations, the Florida Peanut Producers Association (FPPA) and Florida Peanut Federation (FPF) have partnered with the project for years. These organizations are based in the northwest and northeast peanut-producing regions of the state and will again contribute to the totals distributed to food pantries in those regions.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.