Pensacola Police Seek Suspect In Robbery And Shooting

April 17, 2018

The Pensacola Police Department is asking for the public’s help in locating a man wanted on robbery and aggravated battery with a firearm charges.

Zachary Shabaz Peterson Jr. has an active warrant with the Pensacola Police Departmen for a robbery and shooting on April 15 in the 1000 block of N. ‘J’ Street

Police said he may still be armed.

Anyone with information should call Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP or call the Pensacola Police Department at (850) 435-1900.

Grants Up $500 Available For CRA Neighborhood Improvement Projects

April 17, 2018

The Escambia County Neighborhood & Human Services Department is accepting applications for the spring cycle of the Neighborhood Renewal Initiative Mini Grant Program, funded through the county’s Community Development Block Grant Program. Applications are due Friday, June 29.

Neighborhood organizations located within the boundaries of one of the county’s Community Redevelopment Areas (CRA) are eligible to apply for up to $500 for projects that promote community and volunteer-based redevelopment efforts in a targeted neighborhood. Past applicants have completed neighborhood beautification projects, neighborhood signs and house numbering projects.

There are currently nine redevelopment districts in Escambia County — Atwood, Barrancas, Brownsville, Cantonment, Englewood, Ensley, Oakfield, Palafox and Warrington.

Applications can be submitted to the Neighborhood & Human Services Department at cra@myescambia.com, dropped off or mailed to 221 Palafox Place, Suite 305, Attn: Lily Blackburn. Click here for an application.

To determine if a property is located within a CRA District, click here and search the address from the drop down menu at the top of the screen. For more information, contact Lily Blackburn with the Community Redevelopment Agency at (850) 595-3585 or cra@myescambia.com.

NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.

Debra Sue Joiner

April 17, 2018

Mrs. Debra Sue Joiner, age 64, passed away on Wednesday, April 11, 2018, in Mobile, Alabama.

Mrs. Joiner was a native of Bay Minette, AL and had resided in Stockton, AL for the past 24 years. She was a loving mother, grandmother, sister and was of the Holiness Faith. She is preceded in death by her husband, Henry Rufus Joiner;  son, Claude Bennett Odom; and brother, Billy Hall.

She is survived by one son, Elzie Joiner of Stockton, AL; two daughters, Debra Michelle (Joseph) Odom of Flomaton, AL and Debbie Juanita (Michael) White of Bay Minette, AL; two brothers, Bubba Hall of Rabun, AL and Willie James Hall of Atmore, AL; seven sisters, Sherry Bryars of Rabun, AL, Wanda Hall of Bay Minette, AL, Mary Ann Waters of Stockton, AL, Tammy Jean Blount of Dothan, AL, Brenda Stewart of Semmes, AL, Linda Taylor of Whitehouse Fork, AL and Matilda Donald of Whitehouse Fork, AL; four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were held Monday, April 16, 2018, at the Dean Holiness Church with Sis. Helen Stewart officiating.

Burial was at the Dean Cemetery.

Pallbearers were Henry Hadley, Cameron White, Dalton White, Elzie Joiner, John Taylor and Joseph Rayborn.

Honorary pallbearers were Jonathan Frank Taylor, Samuel Taylor, John Victor, Curt Smith, Ryan Wilson and Robert Hooks.

Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes is in charge of all arrangements.

Donald Ray Harrison

April 17, 2018

Mr. Donald Ray Harrison, age 65, passed away on Saturday, April 14, 2018, at his home in Atmore, Alabama.

Mr. Harrison was a native and lifelong resident of Atmore, AL. He was a member of the Church of Living God.

He is preceded in death by his wife of 46 years, Barbara E. Harrison; parents, Elzie and Luverne Harrison; grandmother, Ida Rutherford; brother, Harold Harrison; and four sisters, Alice Ruth Harrison, Verna Mae Harris, Dorothy Milstead and Sarah O’Leary.

He is survived by his three brothers, Earl Harrison of Atmore, AL, Robert Wayne Harrison of Atmore, AL and David Michael Harrison of Brewton, AL; three sisters, Helen Jones of McCullough, AL, Kaye Robinson of Atmore, AL and Faye Odom of Perdido, AL; sister-in-law and caregiver, Joyce Evans of Atmore, AL; special great niece, Riana Evans and numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives.

Graveside services will be held Wednesday, April 18, 2018, at 2:00 p.m. at the Moyeville Cemetery with Rev. Mike Hutto officiating.

Visitation will be Wednesday, April 18, 2018, from 11:45 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.

Pallbearers will be Freddie Lambeth, Joey Emmons, B.J. Emmons, Cody Emmons, Henry “Junior” Lambeth and Ronald Mosley.

Honorary pallbearers will be Charlie Jones, Helen Jones, Earl Harrison, Robert Harrison, David Harrison, Kenny Robinson and Eddie Odom.

Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes is in charge of all arrangements.

Meet The Three Finalists For Escambia County Fire Chief

April 16, 2018

Interviews are set to be held this week with the three finalists for the Escambia County fire chief job.

The county expects to being the top three candidates to Escambia County on Thursday to tour the Emergency Operations Center and public safety building, and some local Escambia County Fire Rescue stations, followed by a meet and greet with staff, volunteer firefighters and full-time firefighters. The selection committee will conduct in-person interviews with the top three candidates Friday morning.

The finalists for Escambia County fire chiefs are, in alphabetical order:

Stephen F. Cox, South Bend, IN

Stephen Cox  is a U.S. Army veteran with 25 years experience in fire services.

Cox has been with the South Bend Fire Deportment since 1993. He began as a firefighter/paramedic and promoted to lieutenant and captain before becoming assistant chief of EMS in 2007. The department provides service from 11 fire stations with an annual operational budget of approximately $33 million. the full-time staff consists of 257 sworn firefighters and eight civilian support staff.

He was promoted to fire chief in 2012. He served as as an Army combat medic for over five years, including deployment to Seoul, South Korea, and during Operation Desert Shield/Storm.

Cox holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Indiana University in South Bend and has completed courses from the National Fire Academy.

Russell Clark Nail, Melbourne, FL

Russell Nail has 26 years experience in fire services, including over nine years at the command level. He has led departments with up to 17 fire stations, over 500 personnel and up to a $100 million budget.

Nail has worked as fire chief-emergency manager for the City of Palm Bay Fire Rescue Department in Florida since July 2017, and previously served as battalion chief in administration. In 2004, has was a lieutenant of field operations and training for the City of Orlando Fire Department and worked his way through the ranks as a district chief, assistant fire chief and deputy fire chief. He began his fire service as a volunteer for the Brevard County Fire Department .

He holds a bachelor of science degree in fire and emergency services from the University of Florida and associates degrees in general studies and fire science technology from Brevard Community College.

Paul Randall Smith, Mobile, AL

Paul Smith has 35 years experience in EMS, 31 years in the fire service, 22 years in disaster response and just over a year in law enforcement.

Smith is currently deputy chief of operations for the Mobile Fire Department,  responsible for third shift including 130 personnel, 20 stations, 25 engines and ladder trucks and 11 ambulances. He has served the Mobile Fire Department as deputy chief and interim fire chief. He spent just over a year as a police cadet with the Mobile Police Department.

He has worked with the U.S. Department of Health and Hume Services National Disaster Medical System since August 1995.

Smith holds a masters degree in emergency management and a bachelors of science in emergency services administration.

NorthEscambia.com graphic.

Local Elementary Students Shine At Sunshine Math Competition

April 16, 2018


Hundreds of Escambia County elementary school students took part in the annual Sunshine Math Competition this past weekend at Washington High School.

Winners were:

3rd Grade Team

  1. Molino Park elementary School’s Team 1
  2. McArthur Elementary School’s Team 1
  3. McArthur Elementary School’s Team 2

3rd Grade Individual

  1. Ethan White, Pine Meadow Elementary School
  2. Jordan Foster, A.K. Suter Elementary School
  3. Presley Johnson, Bratt Elementary School

4th Grade Team

  1. Lipscomb Elementary School
  2. McArthur Elementary School
  3. Pleasant Grove Elementary School


4th Grade Individual

  1. Parker Mims, R.C. Lipscomb Elementary School
  2. Peyton Brummet, N.B. Cook Elementary School
  3. Ray Duong, N.B.Cook Elementary School

5th Grade Team

  1. Hellen Caro Elementary School’s Team 2
  2. Cordova Park Elementary School’s Team 1
  3. Scenic Heights Elementary School’s Team 1

5th Grade Individual

  1. Aiden Ripley, Scenic Heights Elementary School
  2. Brody Hills, Pensacola Beach Elementary School
  3. Benjamin Fulkerson, Blue Angels Elementary School

Additional North Escambia winners are pictured below, scroll down.

3rd grade, second place McArthur Elementary School’s Team 1.

3rd grade, third place, McArthur Elementary School’s Team 2.

3rd grade, first place individual Ethan White, Pine Meadow Elementary School.

3rd place individual, Presley Johnson, Bratt Elementary School

4th grade, first place Lipscomb Elementary

4th grade, second place McArthur Elementary



4th grade, first place individual Parker Mims, R.C. Lipscomb Elementary School


Photos courtesy Kim Stefansson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.


Escambia BOCC Weekly Meeting Schedule

April 16, 2018

Here is a schedule of Escambia County public meetings for the week of April 16-20:

Monday, April 16

Public Safety Coordinating Council – 12 p.m., M.C. Blanchard Judicial Building, 190 Government St.

Tuesday, April 17

Board of Electrical Examiners – 9 a.m.,  Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place

Community Redevelopment Agency – 9 a.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place (Agenda)

BCC Agenda Review – 9:15 a.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place

Pensacola-Escambia Development Commission Board of Directors – 2 p.m., 418 W. Garden St.

Environmental Enforcement Special Magistrate – 1:30 p.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place (Agenda)

BCC Public Forum – 4:30 p.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place

BCC Regular Meeting – 5:30 p.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place (Agenda)

Wednesday, April 18

Escambia Soil and Water Conservation District – 8 a.m., 151 Highway 97, Molino

Board of Adjustment – 8:30 a.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place

Development Review Committee – 1 p.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place

Escambia County Disability Awareness Committee – 3 p.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place

Friday, April 20

Selection Committee Fire Chief Interviews – 8:30 a.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place

Expect Daily Lane Restrictions On Highway 29 In Century

April 16, 2018

Drivers can expect intermittent lane restrictions on North Century Boulevard (Highway 29) in Century the next few days.

Crews will perform pavement testing daily until Wednesday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. from East Highway 4 to the Alabama state line.

This is in addition to northbound, outside lane closures between 5 p.m. and 5 a.m. daily as crews work to install a natural gas pipleline.

For a complete list of this week’s traffic problems on state roads in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties, click here.

Sunny And Nice Monday

April 16, 2018

Here is your official NorthEscambia area forecast:

Today: Sunny, with a high near 67. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Tonight: Clear, with a low around 42. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm after midnight.

Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 76. Light southwest wind increasing to 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon.

Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 55. South wind 5 to 10 mph.

Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 82. Southwest wind 5 to 15 mph.

Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 60. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.

Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 80. Northwest wind around 5 mph.

Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 50. North wind around 5 mph.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 76. Northeast wind around 5 mph.

Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 53.

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 77.

Saturday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 61.

Sunday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 77. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Delton Boswell Passes Away Several Months After Receiving Very Special Gift

April 16, 2018

Delton Eugene Boswell, Jr. passed away Saturday. He was 54.

Boswell was an Escambia County employee over 30 years — many of those years at the Escambia County Road prison.

We introduced you to Delton and his story on Christmas Day 2016 after he received a very special gift.

While undergoing his second surgery in 16 months, the officers at the road prison’s Camp 5 came together to support their supervisor and friend. A few months prior, they decided to finish the restoration work he had started on his 1956 Ford Crown Victoria Sunliner.

Days after one of Boswell’s surgeries, two of the officers loaded up the car to have the exhaust re-done at George’s Muffler Shop. Later, 18 officers and friends gathered at a garage to give the car an overhaul. In 10 hours, the car had a new gas tank, new Edelbrock carburetor, new seats, radiator repair (special thanks to Danny Cain) and other fix-ups before the big reveal.

As Boswell turned into the driveway, the garage door was raised and the car pulled out while friends and family followed behind. Lots of smile and lots of tears were shed along with a prayer.

Visitation for Delton Eugene Boswell, Jr. will be 5-8 p.m. Thursday at Faith Chapel North. Funerals services will be held Friday morning at 11:00 at Faith Chapel North, with burial to follow at Eastern Gate Memorial Gardens.

« Previous PageNext Page »