Cantonment Man Charged With Child Abuse, Aggravated Assault
February 15, 2023
A Cantonment man was charged with child abuse in a domestic violence incident.
Michael Anthony Campbell, 38, was charged with felony child abuse, aggravated assault domestic violence, and battery domestic violence.
Campbell and the adult victim became involved in an argument over ending a dating relationship, and Campbell grabbed a “large butcher knife”, according to an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office report. As the adult victim and the child attempted to leave, Campbell punched the child in the face causing them to fall off a porch and hit his head, the report continues.
The child was taken to the emergency room suffering a possible concussion, according to the ECSO.
Campbell was released from the Escambia County Jail Thursday night on a $22,500 bond
Warm Wednesday, High In The Mid 70s; Rain For Thursday
February 15, 2023
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Wednesday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 76. South wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 63. Southeast wind around 10 mph.
Thursday: A chance of showers before 9am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 9am and noon, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after noon. Some of the storms could be severe. Cloudy, with a high near 77. South wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Thursday Night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before midnight, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between midnight and 3am, then a chance of showers after 3am. Some of the storms could be severe. Low around 48. South wind around 15 mph becoming northwest after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Friday: Partly sunny, with a high near 56. North wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 32. North wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 56. Northeast wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 37. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 66.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 46.
Washington’s Birthday: Partly sunny, with a high near 73.
Monday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 60.
Tuesday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 77.
ESCO Recovers Multiple Stolen Items On Bowman Avenue
February 15, 2023
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office recovered multiple stolen items Tuesday afternoon on Bowman Avenue in the Ensley area.
Items recovered included ATVs, lawnmowers, power equipment and more.
The ECSO said charges and arrests are expected in the case, but provided no other details.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Children’s Trust Funds ‘YouthFirst Century’ Ed Program; Town To Front $61K To Jumpstart
February 15, 2023
The Escambia County Children’s Trust (ECT) awarded $5,104,482 in grants to 19 service providers during a meeting Tuesday morning, including nearly $400,000 to a program focusing specifically on the Century area. The Town of Century will advance over $61,000 to jumpstart the program.
The Urban Development Center (UDC), a Pensacola non-profit, will receive $397,556 for the first year of a program called “YouthFirst Century” to serve 750 youth ages 11-18 over a three-year period at a total cost of $1.2 million. Of the 19 awards by ECT, it was the fourth-highest scoring program.
RELATED: Escambia Children’s Trust Awards $5.1 Million For 19 Programs, Only Two In District 5
According to the UDC proposal, Century is “often referred to as ‘the forgotten city’, by its residents” and the town’s children and youth children and youth “presently attend Bratt Elementary School, Byrne Elementary School, Earnest Ward Middle School and Northview High School”, according the proposal. (Editor’s note: The quoted incorrect spellings are those of UDC in their application; the correct spellings are Byrneville Elementary and Ernest Ward Middle.)
UDC stated that there are “no community activity center or facilities” for children and youth and no computer lab in the town.
In their application to ECT, UDC acknowledged that they did not have the cash on hand to operate under a cost reimbursement model.
ECT voted in early December not to advance any funding to providers. Multiple providers, in addition to UDC, based their programs on other funding or sponsorships from corporations, non-profits and other groups.
The Town of Century will front $61,925 to The Urban Development Center to purchase items like computers and workbooks. The 500 workbooks at $52.75 per workbook will be purchased from UDC for $26,375. UDC will reimburse the town after they receive the ECT funding, but no specific deadline was established.
The town originally approved fronting $58,775, but that amount was increased during a January 17 meeting. A NorthEscambia.com public records request has not been fulfilled for the documentation presented to the council by UDC on January 17.
“We have received your request and will respond as quickly as possible,” Town Clerk Leslie Howington wrote in an email on January 18.
UDC’s proposed budget, as presented to ECT is below.
According to UDC application, the program will utilize:
- Transportation for students will be provided by local startup Metro Rapid Transportation.
- The town-owned Century Business Center at 150 East Pond Street will host Century’s first computer lab. Other program locations will be the town’s Century Ag Building (community center) on Highway 4 and the “Century Public Center” at 7921 North Century Boulevard. According to Escambia County property records, the “Century Public Center”, located just south of the library, is owned by Century Town Council President Luis Gomez, Jr., who told the council he is donating the use of his building.
- The program will make classes available for 40 weeks from 2-6 p.m., Monday through Friday both in-person and virtually with more than 30 courses. It will shift into a camp-based program in the summer months.
RELATED: Escambia Children’s Trust Awards $5.1 Million For 19 Programs, Only Two In District 5
Pictured top and inset: Dr. Jessica A. Griffen, CEO of The Urban Development Center, addresses the Century Town Council at two different meetings. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Notes on the UDC budget above, per the application: JetFuel is a Century based technology entrepreneurial business operated by Calvin Cottrell. Tutor4You is a tutoring service with “Mr. Sanders”. Reality Check Counseling is Susan Dawson, a licensed mental health counselor. Favored Hearts is owned by Cordella Allen, a clinical nurse, that will provide CPR certifications.
Beulah Elementary Heart Challenge Raises $7,800 And Counting
February 15, 2023
Beulah Elementary School families have raised over $7,800 in the Kids Heart Challenge, and it continues through Friday.
The Kids Heart Challenge is a fun and exciting event where students learn about their heart while helping others by raising money for the American Heart Association.
Donations can be made through February 17 here or in the Kids Heart Challenge app from the Google Play Store or the Apple Store.
Beulah Elementary student also made paper hearts to dedicate their fundraising event to family members that have had a heart attack, heart disease or stroke.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Wednesday Was The 7th Anniversary Of EF-3 Tornado That Ravaged Century (With Galleries)
February 15, 2023
Wednesday marked the seventh anniversary of an EF-3 tornado that ripped through Century.
The tornado first touched down southwest of Lambert Bridge Road southwest of McDavid at 3:32 p.m. on February 15, 2016. The first EF-2 intensity damage was on Holland Road where a workshop was destroyed. As it moved into Century, the tornado reached peak intensity with widespread EF-2 damage with isolated EF-3 level damage that destroyed numerous homes and businesses, according to the National Weather Service.
The tornado continued to track across the state line into Alabama with EF-2 damage on Old Fannie Road east of Flomaton. The tornado continued toward Pollard, AL, where it weakened and lifted at 3:55 p.m.
The EF-3 tornado was on the ground 16.5 miles with a path up to 300 yards wide.
The photos on this page and in the first gallery below were taken just by NorthEscambia.com just minutes after the tornado touchdown in Century. In the top photo seen around the world, neighbors and first responders came together to rescue a woman that was trapped in her overturned mobile home.
For a photo gallery from February 15, 2015, click here.
For a photo gallery featuring the Century UMC, click here.
For an additional damage photo gallery, click here.
For a photo gallery from Gov. Rick Scott’s visit to Century, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Anti-terrorism Exercises Continue This Week At Local Navy Bases
February 15, 2023
An annual anti-terrorism force protection exercise continues through Friday at area Navy bases.
Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola and NAS Whiting Field are taking part.
Exercise Citadel Shield-Solid Curtain 2023 is conducted at all Navy installations in the continental U.S. The exercise, which is not a response to any specific threat, is designed to enhance the readiness of Navy security forces and ensure seamless interoperability among the commands, other services and agency partners.
Measures have been taken to minimize disruptions within local communities and to normal base
operations, but there may be times when the exercise causes increased traffic around bases or delays in base access. Area residents may also see or hear security activities associated with the exercise.
Advanced coordination has taken place with local law enforcement and first responders.
Both Spans Of The Pensacola Bay Bridge Now Open
February 14, 2023
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) opened the westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) span of the Pensacola Bay Bridge on U.S. 98 to vehicular traffic about 11:30 Monday night.
The two spans of the bridge are now temporarily accommodating two east and two westbound travel lanes, but upon final completion of the project each structure will support three lanes of traffic in each direction, along with inside and outside shoulders, and 10-foot-wide multiuse paths for pedestrians and bicyclists.
The multiuse path on the eastbound (Pensacola to Gulf Breeze) bridge remains open, but the westbound path will remain closed until completed.
While there is now traffic on both spans of the bridge, multiple miscellaneous tasks remain to complete the project. These include work on the U.S. 98 tie-ins and median areas, the wayside park in Gulf Breeze, bridge painting, and other final items. Completion of the project is currently estimated for this summer.
With a construction cost of approximately $440-million, the Pensacola Bay Bridge replacement project is the largest transportation initiative in Northwest Florida history. More than 55,000 drivers travel the bridge daily between Pensacola and Gulf Breeze. The modern, six-lane structure replaces a four-lane bridge that opened in 1960.
Pictured: Traffic flows over both spans of the Pensacola Bay Bridge about 11:30 Monday night. Image for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Molino Man On Probation Now Charged With Murder
February 14, 2023
A Molino man on probation after threatening his mother in 2021 has now been charged with murdering a man.
Nicholas Bronson Pierce, 37, was booked into the Escambia County Jail on a charge of first degree felony murder,
On January 31, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office found a white male face down in the dirt driveway in the 1300 block of Blue Angel Parkway. The victim was deceased with multiple gunshot wounds to his back, leg and side, according to investigators. Multiple shell casings were found near the body. Witnesses reported seeing a black Chevrolet Impala and a blue Honda Accord in the driveway prior to the shooting.
The resident of the home told deputies that he had never seen the victim before.
Pierce’s arrest report does not indicate how he was developed as the suspect.
In August 2021, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded n armed disturbance at a residence on Pilgrim Trail West. Pierce entered a residence and pointed a gun at his mother’s head and yelled, “I’ll kill you [expletive]‘, according to an arrest report.
Pierce was previously convicted in September 2022 of possession of a weapon or ammunition by a convicted felon and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. He was ordered to serve 12 months on community control and 24 months probation.
FBI Warns Of Romance Scams, North Floridians Lost $15 Million Last Year
February 14, 2023
The FBI Jacksonville Division is warning those looking for love about romance scams.
During 2022 in northern Florida, 387 victims reported losing a total of over $15 million, according to the FBI.
Romance scams occur when a criminal adopts a fake online identity to gain a victim’s affection and trust. The scammer then uses the illusion of a romantic or close relationship to manipulate or steal from the victim.
The criminals who carry out romance scams are experts at what they do and will seem genuine, caring, and believable. Con artists are present on most dating and social media sites, according to authorities.
The scammer’s intention is to establish a relationship as quickly as possible, endear himself to the victim, and gain trust. Scammers may propose marriage and make plans to meet in person, but that will never happen. Eventually, they will ask for money.
Upon gaining the trust of their victims, romance scammers request money for false purposes including medical, travel, or legal fees.
The FBI has also identified a trend in which these criminals are increasingly pressuring victims to invest in cryptocurrency, which could lead to increased victimization in 2023. To demonstrate the returns on investment, victims are directed to websites that appear authentic but are instead controlled by the scammer. Once the victim makes a purchase, they are denied the ability to cash out their investments and the scammer cuts off contact.
“Online dating is common today, but unfortunately scammers also thrive on those same sites,” said Special Agent in Charge of FBI Jacksonville Sherri E. Onks. “Whether you’re looking for love or a friendship online, be sure you first understand the risk of being exploited. Remember, a scammer will always eventually ask you for something, so set a boundary early on and never, ever send money to someone you’ve never met.”