Flomaton Woman Charged With Rape, Sodomy Of Missing Juvenile
January 7, 2022
A Flomaton woman is accused of the alleged rape of a juvenile in a child custody case.
Paisley Lanet Gantt, 21, was arrested without incident Thursday on charges of rape second degree, sodomy second degree and interference with child custody, according to the Flomaton Police Department.
A juvenile age 12-16 was reported missing on Thursday, and that child was located by Flomaton Police within two hours, according to Chief Charles Thompson. That investigation led to the charges against Gantt.
Further details were not released.
Gantt was booked into the Escambia County Detention Center in Brewton without bond.
Escambia County Graduation Rate Moves Upward. Here’s How Each County High School Did.
January 7, 2022
Escambia County graduation rates inched up for the last school year, but remained below the state average, according to a Florida Department of Education report.
The report showed a half percent point increase in Escambia County, while the state average was up just 0.1%.
The Class of 2021 graduation rate in Escambia County was 87%, continuing steady gains from 76.1% in 2016. The state graduation rate for 2021 was 90.1%.
Escambia Virtual, West Florida, Pine Forest, Pensacola, Northview and Tate high schools all had graduation rates above the district average.
The 2021 graduation rate for each Escambia County public school or special center was as follows:
- Escambia Virtual — 100%
- West Florida High — 98.6%
- Pine Forest High — 91.2%
- Pensacola High — 90.8%
- Northview HIgh — 90.6%
- Tate High School — 89.8%
- District Average — 87%
- Washington High — 85.4%
- Escambia High — 82.6%
- Escambia Westgate — 76.9%
- Success Academy — 72.2%
- Camelot Academy — 21.1%
“Our hard-working students and our entire district team have shown great resilience in navigating these unprecedented times,” Escambia County School District Superintendent Timothy Smith said. “The increases in district graduation rates over the last two years serve as an example and a reminder of their hard work and dedication. I am both thankful for and amazed at their efforts.”
New Beulah Fire Station Groundbreaking May Happen As Soon As May
January 7, 2022
Escambia County hopes to break ground on the new Beulah Fire Station in May, according to an update from District 1 Commissioner Jeff Bergosh.
“The glacially slow process of building the new fire station in Beulah has consumed the first five full years of my time on the Board of County Commissioners,” Bergosh wrote on his blog. “But we’re finally on the brink of moving this project forward.”
After a three-year process to acquire the property, funding is in place for construction directly behind the current fire station.
The Development Review Committee process, Building Inspections review and starting to advertise for bids is expected to be completed by March 8, with bids opened by April 8. With bid approval by the BOCC in April, a May groundbreaking can be scheduled.
If everything goes as planned, the new Beulah Fire Station will be completed by June 30, 2023.
A paid fire crew has staffed the current Beulah Fire Station since October 2021 from 7 a.m. until 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. Volunteers cover responses at other times.
Pictured: The current Beulah Fire Station. File photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Sunny Saturday; Rain By Sunday
January 7, 2022
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Clear, with a low around 34. East wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 64. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 54. East wind 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday: A chance of showers, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after noon. High near 74. Southeast wind 10 to 15 mph becoming south in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Sunday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before midnight, then a slight chance of showers. Cloudy, with a low around 48. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming north after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Monday: Partly sunny, with a high near 60. North wind 10 to 15 mph.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 36. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 54. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 34.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 59.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 40.
Thursday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 63.
Escambia Man Charged With December Shooting Death
January 7, 2022
An Escambia County man was arrested Thursday night and charged with the murder of a 21-year old man last week on Louisiana Drive.
Anthony Tyrone Brock, 30, was booked into the Escambia County Jail on charges of homicide, possession of a weapon by a convicted felon and firing a weapon in public or on residential property.
The victim, Quandarious Smith, was found with multiple gunshot wounds December 28 in the 100 block of Louisiana Drive. He was transported to an area hospital and later pronounced deceased.
Brock is being held without bond.
Escambia Health Department Resumes COVID-19 Testing
January 7, 2022
The Florida Department of Health in Escambia County has resumed drive-thru COVID-19 testing for all persons with or without symptoms.
Testing will be available as follows:
- Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 3330 West Park Place in Pensacola (across the street from FDOH-Escambia Fairfield)
- Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Marie K Young Wedgewood Community Center, 6405 Wagner Road in Pensacola
- Sunday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 3330 West Park Place in Pensacola (across the street from FDOH-Escambia Fairfield)
All tests are drive-thru with no appointment needed. Bring a valid form of identification. This is PCR testing with results available within 48 hours.
FDOH-Escambia continues to offer COVID-19 rapid testing to persons experiencing symptoms or those who have been exposed to someone with known COVID-19. An appointment is required. Call (850) 595-6500 option 6 to schedule an appointment. Rapid testing with results available within 30 minutes. Questions can be directed to FDOH-Escambia’s COVID-19 phone line at 850-595-6500 option 6.
Click or tap image to enlarge.
Jessica Varner Named Molino Park Elementary School Teacher Of The Year
January 7, 2022
Jessica Varner was selected as the Molino Park Elementary School Teacher of the Year. Varner is a first grade teacher at Molino Park. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
American Airlines Adding New Nonstop Between Pensacola And Boston
January 7, 2022
American Airlines is launching a new nonstop flight between Pensacola and Boston.
Service between Logan International Airport and Pensacola International Airport begins in June 2022, part of the Northeast Alliance between American Airlines and JetBlue, Logan Airport’s largest carrier.
Passengers on this weekly flight will take off aboard an American Eagle Embraer 175 regional jet. Flights will be on Saturdays and depart Boston at 9 a.m. (EST) and arrive in Pensacola at 11:30 a.m. (CST). Flights depart Pensacola at noon (CST) and arrive in Boston at 4 p.m. (EST).
“We are more than pleased to be a part of the Northeast Alliance expansion,” Airport Director Matt Coughlin said. “Boston, in particular, will expand our reach into the northeast thus giving our community new avenues to visit New England.”
Escambia’s New Waste Services Director Now On The Job
January 7, 2022
Escambia County’s new director of waste services is now on the job.
Donald Seitz’s first day was Tuesday, January 3.
A United States Air Force veteran, Seitz brings with him two decades of experience in waste management. Most recently, he served as the landfill division manager for Republic Services in Houston, Texas, were he was responsible for the management of five landfills, six transfer stations and a recycling center. He also oversaw a staff of 110 personnel including managers, supervisors, heavy equipment operators, general laborers, heavy equipment technicians and support staff.
“I’m looking forward to joining Escambia County and serving the people of the County in my new position as Director of the Waste Services Department,” said Seitz. “This is a first-class organization and I’m honored to be a part of it. Moving from Texas to Pensacola, being near the beach was a huge bonus for me and my family.”
Cantonment Man Charged With Felony Child Abuse
January 6, 2022
A Cantonment man is facing a felony child cruelty charge.
Adam Thomas Murphy, 41, was charged with felony child abuse without great bodily harm.
Murphy allegedly slapped and headbutted a juvenile, causing a cut on the child’s lip and redness underneath his eye, according to an arrest report. Much of the report is redacted as required by Florida law, so the age of the child and his relationship to Murphy were not released.
Murphy remained in the Escambia County Jail Thursday morning with bond set at $1,000, according to jail records.
The victim refused medical treatment, according to the report.