Pace Homicide Suspect Was ‘Smirking’, Provided Info Inconsistent With Crime Scene, Report States
January 3, 2023
An arrest report obtained by NorthEscambia.com states that a Pace murder suspect was “smirking” after the shooting and “what little information” she provided did not match the crime scene.
Chloe Colleen Davidson, 32, is charged with first degree felony homicide and a second degree felony weapons offense.
Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a reported shooting in the 3900 block of Deerwood Circle in Pace about 1:40 a.m. Sunday.
According to investigators, Chloe Davidson shot her husband Douglas Davidson. Deputies found him in the kitchen of their home on Deerwood Circle and attempted to render aid until EMS arrived. He was pronounced deceased at 1:56 a.m.
Chloe Davidson made a few statements to deputies that were redacted from an arrest report. She then immediately stated that she wanted a lawyer.
“No visible injuries were observed on Chloe’s neck or other parts of her body. There were no scratches, bruises, cuts, or any other injuries consistent with Chloe’s statement. The crime scene did not match with what little information Chloe provided. There were no signs of any struggle and neither party had any wounds or marks consistent with any type of physical struggle,” the arrest report states.
“Chloe’s demeanor was fairly calm. When detectives left the room after her request for a lawyer, she was smirking,” the report continues.
The SRSO has said there is no evidence that the shooting was self defense.
Davidson was sworn in as an ECSO training deputy on August 5, 2022. According to the ECSO, she failed out of the training program and had not been employed by the department for at least the past 30 days.
Century Appoints Two New Interim Council Members, Elects President And VP
January 3, 2023
The Town of Century started the new year with a holiday meeting Monday night to appoint two new interim members to the town council and swear in a reelected member.
Sandra McMurray Jackson was sworn in for another term after running unopposed. She was first elected to the council in 2010.
Two other council seats were open as of Monday night after no one ran for them during last year’s elections. The town appointed two members that will serve temporarily until a special election is held in about 60 days for permanent members.
Jackson nominated Eddie Hammond for a seat, but that motion died to a lack of second.
The interim seats were then filled on 3-0 votes for Shelisa McCall Abraham for Seat 3 and Alicia Johnson for Seat 4. Abraham was nominated by council member Dynette Lewis, and Johnson was nominated by council member Luis Gomez.
Abraham is currently the president of the Century Area Chamber of Commerce and has spent about 30 years in the financial services industry. Johnson was Century’s water and wastewater superintendent until she resigned in March 2019 after several years with the town.
Abraham was sworn into office Monday night. Johnson was out of town and unable to attend the meeting; she will be sworn into office at the council’s next regular meeting on January 17.
The vote was unanimous as Gomez was named council president, and Lewis was named council vice president for the upcoming year.
The council meeting was held Monday night on a legal holiday because the town charter specifies that council members will be sworn in on the first Monday of January. There is no provision in the charter to reschedule the swearing-in ceremony if it falls on a holiday.
Pictured top: Shelisa Abraham (center) was sworn in Monday night as an interim member of the Century Town Council. Pictured below: Sandra McMurray Jackson (center), who was reelected with no opposition, was sworn in for a four-year term. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Here’s What Alabama And Florida Residents Need To Know: Concealed Carry Permits Not Required In Alabama
January 3, 2023
Concealed carry permits are no longer required in Alabama, but officials say there are some very important need to know points for Alabama residents traveling into Florida, or Florida residents headed into Alabama.
Alabama Residents
With the new year, Alabama residents are not required to obtain a concealed carry permit from their county’s sheriff’s department for a handgun. But the permits, which cost just $20 a year ($15 for senior citizens) are still a good idea, according to Escambia County (AL) Sheriff Heath Jackson.
“If you cross the state line into Florida, their state law says if you carry a pistol without a permit, it’s a felony,” Jackson said. “Not buying a $20 permit is not worth the risk of driving to the grocery store in Century, getting stopped with a (concealed) pistol, and going to jail. That’s not going to work out in your favor.”
“The laws in Alabama do not dictate the State of Florida,” Escambia County (FL) Sheriff’s Office Commander Andrew Hobbs said. “The Escambia (FL) Sheriff’s Office is going to uphold the statutes of the State of Florida.”
Hobbs noted that a permit is required only for concealed carry. Anyone that is allowed to possess a gun can legally have a firearm in their vehicle – securely encased and not readily available.
Florida Residents
Out of state residents, for instance from Florida, must still have a concealed carry permit from their state, Jackson said. Only Alabama residents can concealed carry without a permit.
Probably Not A Problem
Both Jackson and Hobbs said that overall they don’t expect many problems from the new law in Alabama.
“I don’t believe we are going to have a large issue with this,” Hobbs said. “Legal gun owners know the laws and abide by them.
Major Financial Impact For ECSO (AL)
The new law will have a big financial impact on the Escambia County (AL) Sheriff’s Office, Sheriff Jackson said. His department previously earned about $125,000 a year from the permits. The law that became effective January 1, 2023, was actually passed by Alabama lawmakers in March 2022. At that time, ECSO Alabama’s revenue from sales dropped by about half.
“I think it will drop to about $10,000 to $20,000 a year,” Jackson said. “We are asking people to still purchase the pistol permits so they are good in other states. And that’s money we used to train deputies, buy equipment and for the overall function of the jail.”
Risk Of Severe Thunderstorms Tuesday Night Into Wednesday Morning
January 3, 2023
There is a slight (2 of 5) risk of severe storms for most of North Escambia tonight into Wednesday morning. There is an enhanced risk (3 of 5) in Escambia County in Alabama along with a small portion of northern Escambia County in Florida.
The main threats are damaging straight line winds up to 60 mph, tornadoes (a few could be strong), and large hail.
Here is your official North Escambia are forecast:
Tonight: Showers and thunderstorms likely, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after midnight. Low around 64. South wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
Wednesday: A 50 percent chance of showers, mainly before 9am. Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 73. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 48. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph after midnight.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 64. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday Night: Clear, with a low around 40. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 62. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Friday Night: Clear, with a low around 42. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 68. East wind around 5 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 50. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Sunday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 67.
Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 49.
Monday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 63.
Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 45.
Tuesday: A 30 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 60.
Friday Is Deadline In Essay Contest For Students To Be A Florida House Page Or Messenger
January 3, 2023
Friday is the deadline for an essay contest from Rep. Michelle Salzman to select the 2023 page/messenger she will nominate to service in the Florida House program.
Pages and messengers work one week at the Florida Capitol during the 60-day regular legislative session. They assist representatives and their staff during the busy time while observing state government in action.
For essay contest rules and details, click or tap here. The deadline for students in grades 6-12 to enter is 5 p.m. on January 6, 2023.
While performing their duties, pages and messengers have the opportunity to observe lawmakers, lobbyists, staff, and constituents working together in the legislative process. Opportunities will include committee meetings, House sessions in the chamber, and occasionally press conferences with notable people or celebrities.
The page and messenger program is a longstanding tradition in the Florida House of Representatives, date back to 1865. Each student who serves as a page or messenger will have his or her name appear in the Journal of the House. This will be an official record of their time spent in the Florida House to perhaps one day show their children and grandchildren.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Convicted Sex Offender To Face Federal Prosecution For Allegedly Viewing Child Porn At His Business
January 3, 2023
The state has dropped all child porn charges against an Escambia County sex offender as he faces federal charges for allegedly viewing child porn on a smart TV.
Frank Paul Knight, 58, was charged in Escambia County Circuit Court last October with 20 counts of intentionally viewing child pornography. The State Attorney’s Office has dropped all 20 charges in lieu of federal prosecution, according to court documents.
He was on federal probation in a 2009 possession of child pornography case. Last October, probation officers with the U.S. Probation Office conducted a sex offender check on Knight at his place of business in the 300 block of Kenmore Road.
During the check, a smart TV was located hanging on the wall in Knight’s “personal space” inside the business, which consisted of a small living room area and a connected bedroom, according to a report. Officers noticed that several of Knight’s personal belongings were in the rooms.
During a preview of Knight’s TV, a Florida Department of Law Enforcement special agent supervisor discovered Knight’s Gmail account was associated with the TV setup, and the browsing history revealed that the TV had been used to visit a website with child pornography, the report continues.
Investigators interviewed six of Knight’s employees. All of them stated they knew about Knight’s personal space, but none of them used the space or the television.
Knight remains in the Escambia County Jail on a $10,000 bond on a dealing in stolen property charge.
North Beulah Neighborhood Cleanup Day Is Wednesday
January 3, 2023
Residents of the north Beulah area will have the opportunity to dispose of yard debris and other items free of charge Wednesday, January 4 during a neighborhood cleanup.
During neighborhood cleanups, Escambia County departments team up to bring services to residents in an effort to keep local neighborhoods clean and safe. Participating is easy: Residents in the cleanup area simply leave eligible items at the curb to be disposed of free of charge by Escambia County and partnering agencies.
All debris must be at the curb directly in front of residences in the area by 7 a.m. on the day of the cleanup. Tires and paint cans should be separate from all other debris. Debris piles should not be placed under low-hanging lines or near poles, fences or mailboxes. All items, including containers, will be collected.
Only residents in the designated cleanup area are able to participate in the neighborhood cleanup. Items left at the curb outside of the cleanup area will not be collected. The collection area us from West Nine Mile Road to just north of Frank Reeder Road, and between Tower Ridge Road and Beulah Road (see map above).
Items eligible for removal include:
- Household appliances and electronics
- Household junk and debris
- Bicycles and toys
- Old furniture and mattresses
- Barbecue grills
- Household hazardous waste (old paint, motor oil, chemicals, batteries)
- Tires (limit 10 per household)
Items NOT eligible for removal include:
- Building materials (concrete, bricks, blocks, roofing, drywall or lumber)
- Explosives or ammunition
- Auto parts
- Dirt or sod
- Vehicles or vessels
- 55-gallon drums of fluids
For more information, contact Development Program Manager Max Rogers at (850) 595-3499 or mprogers@myescambia.com.
The neighborhood cleanup initiative involves an aggressive cleanup effort, targeting different neighborhoods throughout the county, with crew members and volunteers picking up a variety of debris and waste, including electronics, furniture and household items.
Since 2016, more than 5,469 tons (10,938,000 pounds) of debris were collected and disposed of through the Community Redevelopment Agency’s Safe Neighborhood Program.
Linda Powell
January 3, 2023
Linda Powell, 82, of Pensacola, Florida passed away on January 1, 2023. She was born in Carrollton, Georgia on July 16, 1940 to Elon P. and Ruth Baggett Seals. She worked in Civil Service for the government. She was a member of Cokesbury United Methodist Church. She had a passion and love for her grandchildren and yard sales.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Elon P. Seals and Ruth Baggett Seals; spouse, William E. Powell Sr.; daughter, Katherine Powell; grandson, Drew Powell.
She is survived by son, William Powell and daughter in law, Deborah Powell; sister, Amelia (Richard) Silver; four grandchildren, Isobel McKinney, Miya May Iverson, Marianna May and Alicia Powell; five great grandchildren, Declan Powell, River McKinney, Jonah McKinney, Nehemiah McKinney and Julian Iverson.
Visitation Service will be on Saturday, January 7, 2023 from 2:30pm – 4:00pm at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North.
Percy Lee Heard
January 3, 2023
Percy Lee Heard, 65 of Pensacola, Florida passed away December18th, 2022. Percy was born December 6th, 1957, to Rev. Jasper C. Heard, and Josephine Heard. He Loved the Lord, and accepted Christ at an early age. He was united in Holy Matrimony in 1978 to Margie Carolyn Heard.
Percy graduated from Tate High School where he was a member of the basketball team. He proudly served his country in the United States Army where he received medals for Expert Rifle, and Government Conduct. Percy worked for several different construction companies after his tour in the Army. He loved his family dearly, and always made sure we knew he did. He had a passion for sports and world news.
He was preceded in death by his parents Rev. Jasper C. Heard, and Josephine Heard. His brother Ronald
Heard, and his sister Lovely Heard.
He leaves to cherish his memories, His Wife Margie Carolyn Heard, his son Shon Johnson, Four brothers
Donald Heard, Jasper Heard, Gregory Heard, and Victor Heard. Three sisters Cheryl Williams, Melanie Curry, and Deidre Byrd, and a host of family, and friends.
Services will be held Saturday, January 7th, 2023, at 11:00a.m. at Faith Chapel North Funeral Home.
Tuesday Begins $4.7 Million Highway 29 Reconstruction Safety Project In Century
January 3, 2023
Tuesday was the official first day of a $4.7 million safety project to resurface Highway 29 in Century.
FDOT plans a major reconstruction and realignment of Highway 29 from just south of East Highway 4 to the Alabama state line.
The project includes reconstructing a 700-foot curved segment of Highway 29 from north of Henry Street to Cottage Street; the curve has been the site of several truck accidents in recent years.
FDOT will also upgrade traffic signals, drainage structures, pavement markings, and driveways, while also improving curb ramps and sidewalks to comply with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements.
During construction, drivers may encounter temporary traffic shifts and daytime and nighttime intermittent lane closures. Access to adjacent businesses and other properties will be maintained at all times.
FDOT estimates the project will be completed in late 2024.
All activities are weather-dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
The current state budget signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis included $3,278,228 toward the total cost of the project.
Pictured: Looking south into Florida on Highway 29 in Century. Pictured inset: Part of a Highway 29 safety improvement project will include the realignment of this curve. Graphics below show project details. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
