Teens Charged With Killing Girl, 14, In Santa Rosa County Before Burning Her Body
December 5, 2025
Two Santa Rosa County teens are behind bars, charged in the brutal murder of a 14-year old.
Gabriel Williams, 16, and Kimahri Blevins, 14, have both been charged with first-degree premeditated murder.
On December 1, 14-year-old Danika Troy was reported as a runaway after she was last seen on November 30.
The Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office said they carried out a plan to shoot Troy and burn her body.
About 11 p.m. on December 2, the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office located a burned body in a wooded area off Kimberly Road in Pace. Due to the condition of the body, immediate identification could not be determined.
On December 3, 2025, while conducting further follow up interviews, investigators determined the body was that of Troy and developed Williams and Blevins as suspects. After interviews and examination of evidence, the teens were charged.
Williams and Blevins are currently being held by the Department of Juvenile Justice.
Tate Aggies Fall To Garcia In Florida Invitational Tournament Championship
December 5, 2025
The Dr. Joaquin Garcia High School Bulldogs from Lake Worth defeated the Tate Aggies 10-0 on Thursday night to win the 2025 Florida Invitational Tournament (FIT) Division 2 (4A-7A) Football Championship in Sumterville, FL.
The Aggies went 10-4 on the season, including home FIT wins over First Coast, Bartram Trail, and Chiles.
Tate is already looking forward to next season.
What is FIT?
In addition to the traditional playoff path to a state championship, the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) Florida Invitational Tournament (FIT) will see additional teams continue play.
FIT stated last year as an experiment in the rural class. With the FIT, teams that do not make the traditional playoffs receive an invitation to the tournament and a chance to continue postseason.
FHSAA expanded the FIT to two 16-team brackets for high school classes 1A-7A. One bracket is for Class 1A-3A, and the other bracket is for Class 4A-7A. The third FIT bracket is 12 teams in the Rural Class.
High School Basketball Scoreboard
December 5, 2025
Here are high school basketball scores from the North Escambia area Thursday night.
BOYS VARSITY
Tate 72, West Florida 67 at West Florida
Central 51, Northview 26
GIRLS VARSITY
Central 68, Northview 20
West Hope Drive To Close Next Week
December 5, 2025
Beginning the week of Monday, December 8, West Hope Drive will be closed at North Palafox Street in Escambia County to allow crews to complete drainage work..
During the closure, traffic on North Palafox Street will be detoured to Tower Drive to reach Pittman Avenue. West Hope Drive and Pittman Avenue south of Tower Drive will be open to local traffic only.
The speed limit is reduced to 35 mph on North Palafox Street, and signage will be in place to direct drivers through the detour
This work is part of a $236 million construction project designed to improve safety and increase capacity for the 62,000 drivers who travel the I-10 at U.S. 29 interchange daily. The overall project is scheduled for completion in 2030.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Escambia County Donates Trees To Kingsfield Elementary For Playground Shade
December 5, 2025
The Escambia County Natural Resources Management Department recently donated and planted 14 native canopy trees at Kingsfield Elementary School in Cantonment, providing students with additional shade for the school’s playground.
The trees will give students a cooler, more comfortable playtime area, along with providing a wide range of environmental and aesthetic benefits. The project was funded through the county’s Tree Mitigation Fund, which supports planting trees on public property.
“I’m so thankful that we are the recipients of such an amazing gift,” said Quinn Evans, Principal of Kingsfield Elementary School. “Kingsfield Elementary’s landscape will be forever changed and we are truly grateful.”
“I’m excited that we were able to partner with Kingsfield Elementary to provide these 14 trees and give students a more comfortable playground area, which is especially important during the warmer months,” District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry said. “Any opportunity to give back to our community, especially to our children, is truly what public service is all about. I hope Kingsfield students will enjoy their new playground shade for many years to come.”
In addition to offering shade and reducing ambient air temperatures, trees help lessen stormwater runoff, which can mitigate flooding in surrounding areas. For the schoolyard, the county selected deciduous trees. This choice will reduce summer heat, making outdoor activities more pleasant for children. In winter, when the trees shed their leaves, the sun will naturally warm the playground.
“This is a great example of how thoughtful planning can improve both the environment and the quality of life for our students and citizens,” County Arborist Jimmie Jarratt said.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
One Person Injured In Cantonment Fire
December 4, 2025
One person was injured in a fire Thursday morning in Cantonment.
Escambia County Fire Rescue responded to a reported residential structure fire at approximately 7:17 a.m. in the 1500 block of Pauline Street.
Firefighters located one person in the front of the home with “fire-related injuries,” according to ECFR. The victim was transported by Escambia County EMS to a local hospital.
The Florida State Fire Marshal is investigating the cause of the fire.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Cantonment Man Charged With Stealing $104K While Working As Brinks Driver
December 4, 2025
Authorities have arrested former Brinks Security driver Brian Anson Miller in connection with the theft of over $100,000 in cash from an armored transport firm. The security company reported the missing funds on November 29, quickly led to the arrest of the 35-year-old Cantonment resident.
He was charged with first degree felony grand theft over $100,000. He was released on a $50,000 bond.
According to an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office arrest report, the incident dates back to November 21, when a bag containing $104,000—intended for an ATM delivery—was mistakenly placed into the delivery bin assigned to Miller. The bag, which contained bundles of $20 bills, was not logged into Miller’s electronic route manifest.
Surveillance video evidence, reviewed by company security officials, reportedly shows Miller taking possession of the unlogged bag, in addition to his assigned four bags, before leaving the facility in an armored truck on his route. The manager told deputies that the extra bag was placed in Miller’s bin due to the incompetence of another employee with no criminal intent.
The report details that Miller abruptly aborted his scheduled route in the Panama City area after making only three stops. On his return trip to the company’s Davis Highway facility, he made an unauthorized, 11-minute stop at an I-10 rest area.
Video footage from inside the armored truck allegedly shows Miller exiting the vehicle with a large, company-issued cash transport bag. Upon re-entering, he was seen removing a personal backpack from the transport bag. Security officials noted the backpack appeared “full and heavy” and that Miller then stuffed a jacket into the top of the bag.
Upon returning to the Brinks facility on Davis Highway, Miller checked in only four of the five bags, and was reportedly seen setting the newly filled backpack to the side before transporting it to his personal vehicle. A branch manager later confirmed she did not search the opaque backpack, as company policy dictates for all employees leaving the area.
Miller resigned from his position over the weekend following the theft, sending a message to his supervisor and tossing his uniforms over the facility fence, the report states.
After security contacted Miller on November 29 regarding the missing money, he immediately terminated the phone call and refused subsequent attempts at contact, the report states. Deputies located Miller leaving his home off WEst Roberts Road and initiated a traffic stop.
During a search following the arrest, deputies seized $1,060 in cash from Miller, consisting mostly of $20 bills, which officials say is consistent with the stolen currency. Miller was read his rights and denied any involvement, claiming the stop was merely to use the restroom and that the company frequently misplaces money. He subsequently requested an attorney.
Jim Allen Elementary Names Students Of The Month
December 4, 2025
Jim Allen Elementary School recently named its November Students of the Month. They are Brianna Johnson and Cruz Hane. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Beulah Christmas Parade Rescheduled, Century Tree Lighting Ceremony Canceled Due To Weather
December 4, 2025
Due to forecasted rain, the Beulah Christmas Parade has been rescheduled, and Century’s annual tree lighting ceremony has been canceled.
Beulah Christmas Parade
The Beulah Christmas Parade has been rescheduled for noon on Saturday, December 20.
To enter the parade, click here to download the application. Return the completed form to the address or email provided at the top.
Century Tree Lighting, Open House
Christmas events on Friday in Century have been canceled.
The Century Area Chamber of Commerce canceled the annual tree lighting ceremony and the chamber’s open house event. The town tree in Nadine Mccaw Park will still be illuminated throughout the season.
Pictured: The 2024 Century Christmas tree lighting. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia Man Sentenced To 15 Years On Federal Drug Charges
December 4, 2025
An Escambia County man has been sentenced to federal prison on drug possession charges.
David Blackman III, 39, was sentenced to 15 years in prison after previously pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, and a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl, cocaine, and cocaine base.
According to court records, the Blackman sold narcotics from his residence. Law enforcement executed a search warrant in December of 2023 at the his residence. During the search, agents located over $8,500 in cash, more than 850 grams of methamphetamine, and other narcotics including, fentanyl, cocaine, and cocaine base.
“Removing this polydrug distributor from the streets is another step toward making our communities safer,” said DEA Miami Field Division Special Agent in Charge Deanne L. Reuter. “This joint investigation was the result of great work between our agents and law enforcement partners.”
The conviction and sentence were the result of a joint investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.