Escambia Man Guilty Of Shooting And Killing His Stepson
July 23, 2022
An Escambia County man was found guilty Friday of shooting his stepson in December of 2020 off Kingsfield Road.
James Isiah Blackmon, Jr., 56, was convicted of second degree murder for the death of Christopher Roan, his stepson, and attempted first degree murder of Samantha Noble, Roan’s girlfriend.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office arrived at the home on Packwood Drive, just off East Kingsfield Road, to find Blackmon’s wife standing on the front porch of the home and stating that her son was dead and her husband had fled the scene.
Deputies entered the home to find Roan on the floor partially in a hallway with a female witness by his side. He was dead with a gunshot wound to his forehead and multiple gunshot wounds to his torso, according to an ECSO report.
Moments later, deputies were behind Blackmon’s vehicle as it headed back to the scene. Deputies conducted a traffic stop in front of the home (pictured) and took him into custody without further incident. A Smith and Wesson handgun was on the floorboard of the Charger, deputies said.
Blackmon’s attorney argued the shooting was self defense.
His sentencing is set for September 8.
Exclusive photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Chance Of Showers And Thunderstorms Into The Evening Hours
July 23, 2022
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: A 30 percent chance of evening showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Sunday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 74. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Monday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 73. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Tuesday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 73. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Wednesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 74.
Thursday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91.
Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 75.
Friday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90.
FWC Law Enforcement Report: Fishing And Boating Enforcement
July 23, 2022
The Florida FWC Division of Law Enforcement reported the following recent activity:
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
Officer Specialist Allgood and Officer Burkhead were on patrol and observed a vessel returning to the Wilson Robertson Boat Ramp with no registration numbers. The officers conducted a safety inspection and asked the operator for his license. When running the license on the subject, it was determined the individual had an active warrant in Escambia County. The operator was arrested and transported to the Escambia County Jail.
Officer Burkhead was on patrol and conducted resource inspections on four fishermen when they returned to Mahogany Mill Boat Ramp. He found them in possession of eight red snapper. The season for red snapper was closed. Officer Burkhead issued citations for the violations.
Officers Cushing and Petty were on patrol in state waters of the Gulf of Mexico, focusing on red snapper enforcement. Officer Petty issued state citations to individuals on three different vessels for being in possession of red snapper during the closed state season.
While returning from offshore, Officer Cushing observed a vessel secured to a private dock near Galvez Landing. The vessel had been seen earlier returning from the Gulf of Mexico through the Perdido Pass and at that time the Officer observed many fishing poles in the rod holders. Officer Cushing contacted the individual that was sitting next to the vessel. When questioned about catching fish, the individual denied having any. A second subject approached and denied having any fish when questioned. The third subject returned, who was the owner of the vessel and denied having any fish or catching any fish, stating that it was “too rough”. Officer Cushing observed several red snapper scales in the large cooler on the vessel. When questioned about them, the owner stated that they had one small one but threw it back. Officer Cushing asked if they had moved any fish off the vessel and they denied that they had. Officer Cushing went with the owner to get the registration for the vessel from his truck. The officer observed a fish cleaning station behind a garage. He located six red snapper in whole condition buried under ice in the sink. The season for red snapper is closed. All of the subjects were cited for the violation.
SANTA ROSA COUNTY
Officers Corbin and Bower located a derelict vessel on Blackwater River near a local boat ramp. The vessel’s steering and engines had been removed. They spoke with the previous owner of the vessel who advised he had acquired it from a junk yard and planned on restoring the vessel, but never did. The previous owner provided information of who he gave the vessel to. After weeks of attempting to locate the owner, a phone number was located, and Officer Corbin met the new owner of the vessel. The current owner was aware of the condition of the vessel and had not been able to remove the vessel from the water to restore it. The owner of the vessel was issued a notice to appear citation for storing a derelict vessel on state waters and warning for other violations.
Officer R. Bower was on water patrol at Navarre Beach boat ramp. Two vessels were observed violating the idle speed zone. After speaking with the occupants of both vessels it was determined that the vessels were recently involved in a boating accident. The personal watercraft (PWC) struck the anchored boat, then navigated back to the boat ramp. While navigating to the boat ramp a nearby swimmer was almost struck by the operator of the PWC. The swimmer waved his arms in the air to alert the operator of the PWC. The officer conducted a boating accident investigation and interviewed the operator of the PWC and placed him under arrest for Boating Under the Influence (BUI).
Escambia School Orientations Are Set. Here’s The Schedule.
July 23, 2022
Mark you calendars…here are the dates and times for Escambia County school orientation sessions:
Elementary Schools
- All elementary school orientations will be August 5 from 9:00 until 11:00 a.m.
Middle Schools
- Bellview Middle – August 8, 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
- Beulah Middle – August 8, 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
- Brown-Barge Middle – August 8, 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
- Ernest Ward Middle – August 8, 9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
- Ferry Pass Middle – August 8, 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
- Jim C. Bailey Middle – August 8, 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
- Ransom Middle – August 8, 1:00 p.m.- 2:30 p.m.
- Warrington Middle – August 8, 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
- Workman Middle – August 8, 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
High Schools
- Pine Forest High – August 6, 9:00 a.m. – noon
- Escambia High – August 6, 9:00 a.m. – noon
- Washington High – July 29, 9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
- West Florida High – July 30, 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
- Tate High – August 6, 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
- Northview High – August 8, 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
- Pensacola High – August 4, 3:30 – 5:00 p.m.
Escambia County Triple Shooting Suspect Wanted
July 23, 2022
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is looking for a man wanted in a triple shooting. And deputies say he should be considered armed and dangerous.
Traekese Devon Calhoun., 19, is wanted on three counts of attempted homicide in connection with a shooting May 4 on Besma Drive.
Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP or the ECSO at (850) 436-9620.
Two other people have already been charged in the shooting.
Jayshawn Jackson, 18, was charged in May with three counts of attempted homicide, possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, carrying a concealed firearm and other charges. Adrianna Jackson, 19, was charged in early July with three counts of principal to attempted homicide.
Northview Chiefs Hold Football Camp
July 23, 2022
The Northview Chiefs held their Football Youth Camp on Thursday and Friday. Participants ages 8-14 received fundamental coaching and instruction led by the Northview High coaching staff. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Wahoos Fall To Biloxi 5-1
July 23, 2022
In their return from the All-Sar break, the Blue Wahoos fell 5-1 to the Biloxi Shuckers Friday night in Biloxi. Photo for NOrthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia School Board Votes 3-2 To Increase Property Taxes
July 22, 2022
The Escambia County School District voted 3-2 Tuesday to move forward with effectively raising property taxes, following a recommendation by Superintendent Tim Smith.
The motion to advertise the tax increase was made by District 5 board member Bill Slayton and seconded by Patty Hightower. Slayton, Hightower and Dr. Laura Edler voted in favor, while Kevin Adams and Paul Fetsko voted against.
The board approved a total millage rate of 5.274 which will generate $139.35 million. It’s a rate lower than the current year rate of 5.657 mills, but due to rising home values, it will generally cost many taxpayers more.
A lower rolled-back rate is the tax rate that would generate the same amount of property tax revenue as approved for the prior year. The rolled-back rate was calculated at 4.914 mills, which would generate $129.84 million. A millage rate higher than the rolled-back rate is defined by the State of Florida as a tax increase and must be advertised as such.
Board chairman Kevin Adams said raising taxes now was not the right move as people are facing a 9.1% inflation rate.
“They are having to tighten their budget,” Adams said. “I think it’s a little bit too easy to raise people’s property bills. With the 9.1 inflation, we are getting more half-cent sales tax money, the other side of the picture. Our tax roll has grown by 18%; it’s historic…there’s more tax money coming in (from sales tax).”
“The general public is adamantly opposed to anything that has the title of tax increase,” Fetsko said.
“We have plenty of ability to look out our budget and see what on that wish list we can’t do,” Adams said. “We’ve got an increased tax base; we’ve got an increased half-cent sales tax. We’re not getting less coming in; we’ve got growth coming.”
“We are trying to hire teachers; we are trying to maintain the academic standards we are used to,” Slayton said. “I’m not sure that cutting $7 million (by lowering the millage rate) that we are going to be able to do that. So I want to make sure as you vote you understand that you could cause a huge embarrassment for the Escambia County Schools.”
“We are not buying luxury items. This is the recommendation in order to keep us where we are. We’re not buying anything new that we have not bought before.
The school board will hold a lenitive budget hearing on Thursday, July 28 at 5 p.m. The board will hear public comment and can change the millage rate if so desired.
Cantonment Man Charged With Breaking Into Ambulance Outside Hospital ER
July 22, 2022
A Cantonment man is accused of breaking into an ambulance after an incident this week at the West Florida Hospital emergency room.
Joshua Daniel Deluca, 24 was charged with felony unarmed burglary of an authorized emergency vehicle, trespassing failure to leave upon request, and disorderly conduct. He remained in jail Friday morning with bond set at $17,000.
An Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputy was waiting on a room with a patient when she observed Deluca running, jumping and screaming, “God be with us!”, an arrest report states. The deputy exited the ER and observed Deluca in a prone position near an ambulance and a marked Sheriff’s Office vehicle. He was bleeding from hitting his head on the pavement, the report continues.
A nurse told deputies that Deluca was calm prior to being discharged. When he was told that he had to leave the emergency room, he became irate and ran through the ER screaming and knocking over medical equipment, according to an arrest report. His belongings were placed near the main ER entrance.
Deluca ran and jumped into an unlocked, running ambulance that was parked nearby and got into the driver’s seat. A nurse “assisted” Deluca from the driver’s seat to prevent him from driving away in the ambulance and potentially hitting people that were nearby.
Deluca was trespass-warned from West Florida Hospital, unless seeking medical treatment.
When You Need A Friend: Bratt Elementary PTA Donates New ‘Buddy Benches’
July 22, 2022
Bratt Elementary School has new “Buddy Benches” thanks to the Bratt PTA.
“These will be used to help our children show kindness to other children who need a friend and to help them feel more included. If a child feels lonely or needs a friend, they can sit on the bench and our teachers will make sure a friend comes along to help cheer them up,” according to the PTA.
The benches were assembled by volunteers and are ready for the first day of school.
Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
