Escambia County Commission Cancels COW Meeting
April 12, 2023
The Escambia County Commission has canceled Thursday’s planned Committee of the Whole (COW) meeting.
The COW is a workshop type meeting held for commission discussion, but no votes are taken.
Man Charged With Cantonment Stabbing Around The Corner From Active Crime Scene
April 11, 2023
A Cantonment man has been charged with a Thursday night stabbing that occurred literally just around the corner from where a large Escambia County Sheriff’s Office presence was investigating a drive-by shooting.
Tommie Lee Bonner, Jr., 52, was charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. He was released on a $10,000 bond.
Deputies were on scene of the shooting off Shepherd Street when they received a call of a cutting victim in the 100 block of Calloway Street. Deputies arrived to find the victim in the ground saying he was stabbed, pointing toward Lewis Street. Bonner was located at the corner of Calloway and Lewis Streets and taken into custody. A folding knife was located nearby, according to an arrest report.
The victim suffered injuries to his thigh and chest that were consistent with being cut with a knife, the report states.
According to the report, a witness said he saw Bonner and the victim fighting near the street. The victim tried to get away, but Bonner followed. The witness said he then saw Bonner on top of the victim making stabbing motions.
According to the ECSO, Bonner and the victim are nextdoor neighbors.
The ECSO said the stabbing was unrelated to the shooting.
Escambia (AL) Deputy Fired, Charged With Have Sexual Contact With Inmate
April 11, 2023
An Escambia County (AL) Sheriff’s deputy was fired and arrested after allegedly having sexual contact with an inmate.
Eric Glenn Lambeth, Jr. was charged with custodial sexual abuse and a felony ethics violation. He was released from jail on a $45,000 bond.
Sheriff Heath Jackson said his office received a complaint that Lambeth had sexual contact with an inmate who was being transported to jail.
“Lambeth was terminated from his position and transported to the Escambia County Detention Center,” Jackson said.
The sheriff said Lambeth previously worked at the jail and was transferred to patrol after attending the law enforcement academy in 2022.
Investigation Continues Into Cantonment Drive-by Shooting
April 11, 2023
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is continuing to investigate a drive-by shooting Thursday night in Cantonment.
The woman was in her vehicle outside a home on Sheppard Street near Lincoln Street about 9 p.m. Thursday when she was shot in the face during the drive-by, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. She was transported by Escambia County EMS to a Pensacola hospital as a “trauma alert”. An update on her condition was not available.
According to the ECSO, she had just pulled up to her residence when multiple vehicles were struck by gunfire.
As of late Monday, there had been no arrests in the case.
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP or the ECSO at (850) 436-9620.
A man has been arrested for a stabbing that occurred in the same neighborhood about an hour later, but deputies said it was not related. Read more…
Pictured: The scene in Cantonment Thursday night after a woman was shot in the face during a drive-by shooting and one person was stabbed. Photos contest WEAR 3 for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
District 1 School Board Member Adams To Hold Town Hall This Evening
April 11, 2023
Escambia County School Board District 1 member Kevin Adams and Superintendent Tim Smith will hold a town hall meeting this evening.
The town hall will take place at 6 p.m. in the Pine Forest High School media center and is open to the public.
District 5 member Bill Slayton will hold a town hall on May 8 at 6 p.m. in Tate High cafeteria
The other three school members previously held town hall meetings over the past few weeks.
District 5 Town Hall Discussion Dominated By Roads, Traffic And Growth
April 11, 2023
Escambia County Commissioner Steven Barry held a District 5 town hall meeting Monday evening in Cantonment.
Most of the questions and comments centered around infrastructure issues — roads, traffic and development.
One citizen told Barry that he knows growth in the county is moving northward, but he was “just asking, please, just take common sense and dot it properly with a lot of infrastructure that is still not in place”.
For a photo gallery, click or tap here.
Pictured: Escambia County District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry held a town hall Monday evening at the Langley Bell 4-H Center in Cantonment. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Man With 48 Prior Convictions Gets 30 Years On Firearm Charge
April 11, 2023
A career criminal that opened fire after becoming angry about a car that cut in front of him at a lounge and opened fire has been sentenced to state prison.
Christopher Alexander Sidener was sentenced to 30 years for being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm.
Jude Linda Nobles found that Sidener qualified as a habitual felony offender and imposed the maximum 30 year sentence. Nobles cited Sidener’s 48 previous criminal convictions and the clear danger that he posed to the community.
In March of 2022, Sidener became angry and opened fire while in the drive through lane at Chaser’s Lounge and Liquor Store, because a car cut in front of him, according to the State Attorney’s Office and law enforcement.
Escambia Fire Lt. Steve Bode Retires After 32 Years
April 11, 2023
Escambia County Fire Rescue Lt. Richard “Steve” Bode has retired after 32 years of service to Escambia County.
Bode began his career with Escambia County in November of 1989 as a part-time EMS paramedic and went full-time on March 5, 1990. Bode transitioned to Escambia County Fire Rescue in 2000 as a Fire Lieutenant, where he served most of his tenure. During his time with ECFR, he remained a part-time paramedic for EMS for an additional 15 years.
Throughout his public safety career, Bode has worked during multiple emergency activations, including mutual aides, hurricanes, tornadoes, oil spills, ice storms, floods, the COVID-19 pandemic and several other local disasters affecting the citizens of Escambia County.
He attained his fire officer certification and has served as an alternate or acting battalion chief. He has spent many years mentoring and training fire personnel in basic and advanced life-saving emergency medical care and certifying paramedics in advance airway and critical care.
During his career, Bode responded to cardiac arrest events and other complicated medical emergencies. During one of those calls, he is credited with saving the life of a Navy pilot that was struck by a vehicle on Perdido Beach. The pilot remains in contact with Bode.
“Lt. Bode has had an amazing career stretching beyond his time as a career firefighter,” said Deputy Fire Chief Paul Williams. “Beyond being hired by ECFR, Steve was a volunteer firefighter at our Pensacola Beach fire station. In addition to the lives he’s saved, he has numerous surf rescues as well. Steve was also known for his abilities as a paramedic, having saved numerous lives in that capacity. His many, many years of service and talent will leave a void in the organization. We wish Steve the best in his well-deserved retirement.”
Partly Sunny For Tuesday; Thursday May Be A Washout
April 11, 2023
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tuesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 74. East wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 56. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday: A 30 percent chance of showers after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 73. East wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Wednesday Night: A chance of showers, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 59. East wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Thursday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. High near 73. East wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Thursday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 61. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 79. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 61. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 81.
Saturday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 65.
Sunday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 79.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 54.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 74.
Clara Pearl Stokes
April 11, 2023
Mrs. Clara Pearl Stokes, age 76, passed away, Sunday, April 9, 2023, in Pensacola, FL; surrounded by her family at her bedside. She resided in Pensacola, FL; before moving to McDavid, FL; in 1978. She enjoyed attending Cross Point Church in Atmore, AL. She was a Therapeutic Foster Parent for 20 years. She was employed with the Escambia County Florida School Board for many years.
Mrs. Stokes enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and her sisters. She loved to read, go on cruises, play bingo and go to the casinos with her sisters. She loved to go out boating with all the family. She always enjoyed taking care of her home and yard.
Mrs. Stokes is preceded in death by her father, John Martin Fredrickson, Sr; mother, Marie Brown (Pete) Papour, grandson, Michael Shane Clemmons, two sisters, Lucy Marie Lopez, Mary Martha Guetherman.
She is survived by her husband of 58 years, Bennie Earl Stokes, of McDavid, FL; one son, Martin Eugene (Ronda) Stokes, of Castleberry, AL; two daughters, Lisa Marie Kelley, of Baton Rouge, LA; Kerisa (Terry) Covas, of Mobile, AL; four brothers, John Martin (Susan) Fredrickson, Jr; of Jacksonville, FL; William Edward (Jane) Fredrickson, of St. Augustine, FL; James Ronald (Linda) Fredrickson, of Lake Park, GA; Thomas Joseph Fredrickson, of Elberta, AL; two sisters, Kathy Ann Bradley, of Dickinson, TX; Marie Frances Dorr, of St. Augustine, FL; seven grandchildren, Lisa Madison, Nathan Hunter Clemmons, Victoria Stokes (Jared Key), Cody (Courtney) Stokes, Toryn Kenneth Glisson, Kynsleigh Isabella Covas, Tripp Lionell Covas, nine great-grandchildren, Zakhel Cameron Clemmons, Zamya Jada Clemmons, Zayden Caleb Harrison, Zaria Sade Madison, Dani Nicole Clemmons, Gunner Pemberton, Tucker Stokes, Emberlyn Stokes, Clayton Stokes, numerous nieces, nephews, and other relatives.
Funeral service will be held Saturday, April 15, 2023 at 11:00 AM at Petty- Eastside Chapel Funeral Home, LLC. with Rev. Ed Boutwell officiating.
Burial will follow at Godwin Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Friday, April 14, 2023 from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM at Petty- Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.