Former Coastal Alabama Community College President Arrested
December 31, 2025
The former president of Coastal Alabama Community College was arrested Tuesday.
Craig Pouncey, 67, was charged with multiple counts of use of position for personal gain. He was released on a $30,000 bond, according to Baldwin County Jail records. Exact details on the allegations against have not yet been released.
Pouncey was the Jefferson County (Alabama) School Superintendent and retired as president of Coastal Alabama in 2023.
Coastal Alabama Community College has campus locations in Atmore, Brewton, Bay Minette, Monroeville and other South Alabama towns.
Kimberly Ripley Named Escambia Westgate Teacher Of The Year
December 31, 2025
Kimberly Ripley was named the Escambia Westgate School Teacher of the Year.
“Ms Ripley makes science come alive, our students love going to Science Lab,” the school said.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Kenneth Atkinson Named Beulah Middle Teacher Of The Year
December 31, 2025
Kenneth Atkinson was named the Beulah Middle School Teacher of the Year. NorthEscambia.com photo.
Century Violent Sexual Predator Charged With Felony Registration Violation
December 30, 2025
A 67-year-old violent sexual predator from Century has been arrested for failing to register with the Florida Sexual Offender/Predator Registry.
Anthony Darnell Goldsmith was charged with a felony sexual predator violation for failing to register quarterly. He remains in jail without bond under the Jessica Lunsford Act.
Goldsmith was convicted of predatory sexual assault of a child in Cook County, IL, in 2005. He was then convicted of two sexual predator registration violations in Escambia County in 2008 and 2011.
He was also convicted in 2018 of indecent exposure for exposing and pleasuring himself at Panera Bread in Pensacola; he received 11 months in the county jail for that offense. In addition, he served a year in state prison for a 2002 aggravated assault case from Escambia County.
Century Mobile Home Fire Represented By Ninth Red Bulb On Fire Safety Wreath
December 30, 2025
A fire that destroyed a mobile home south of Century Sunday night is represented by the ninth red bulb during the Escambia County Fire Rescue “Keep the Wreath Green” fire safety campaign.
During the month-long campaign, a red bulb is added to five-foot wreaths for each residential or commercial fire with damage. The fire was reported shortly before 9 p.m. in the 5000 block of North Century Boulevard, just south of Elsie Davis Road.
Heavy flames were showing from the mobile home when firefighters arrived on the scene. The homeowner was able to escape the home without injury.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Florida Bureau of Fire, Arson & Explosives.
For more photos, click to enlarge.
The Century, McDavid, Molino and Walnut Hill stations of Escambia County Fire Rescue responded, along with the Jay and Flomaton fire departments, Escambia County EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Sunny And Cold Tuesday, Freezing Again Tuesday Night
December 30, 2025
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 47. Wind chill values between 20 and 30 early. North wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Tuesday Night: Clear, with a low around 27. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 55. Wind chill values between 25 and 35 early. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday Night: Clear, with a low around 34. West wind around 5 mph.
New Year’s Day: Sunny, with a high near 63. West wind around 5 mph.
Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 44. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
Friday: Partly sunny, with a high near 68. Southwest wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Friday Night: A chance of showers, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 59. South wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Saturday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before noon, then a slight chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 70. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 49.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 66.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 47.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 69.
ECSO Finds 20 Grams Of Cocaine During Nine Mile Road Traffic Stop
December 30, 2025
A 24-year old Alabama woman was arrested on drug charges after a traffic stop on Nine Mile Road on Monday.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said deputies conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle being driven erratically on Nine Mile Road. During the traffic stop, they reported finding 20 grams of cocaine in the vehicle.
Bailey Madison Burmit Hart of Robertsdale wa charged possession of cocaine, possession of drug paraphernalia, and violating a driver’s license restriction.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Chad Hetherington Named Molino Park Elementary Teacher Of The Year
December 30, 2025
Coach Chad Hetherington has been named the Molino Park Elementary School Teacher of the Year. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
FHP Working To Identify Victim Of Fatal Fiery Crash In Escambia County
December 30, 2025
The Florida Highway Patrol is working to identify a person killed in a fiery crash Monday morning in Escambia County.
Troopers said a Chevrolet Colorado was traveling southbound on Blue Angel Parkway about 6:24 a.m. when the driver failed to negotiate a curve, left the roadway and collided with a tree line. The pickup then caught fire.
“The single occupant did not exit the vehicle,” an FHP release stated. “Due to the extent of injuries, identification was not successful.”
Laura Sellers Named McArthur Elementary Teacher Of The Year
December 30, 2025
Laura Sellers has been named the McArthur Elementary School Teacher of the Year. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.