Cantonment Man Charged With Leading Deputies On High Speed Pursuit
January 31, 2024
A Cantonment man is facing multiple charges after allegedly leading Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputies on a high speed pursuit.
Robert Eugene Royce, 65, was charged with fleeing and eluding at a high speed without regard for safety and driving with a suspended license.
An Escambia County deputy attempted to stop Royce’s 2005 Chevrolet Colorado pickup truck after an illegal U-turn on Mobile Highway. A deputy activated his emergency lights and siren at Mobile Highway and Green Street before coming to a stop at Green and Cervantes streets, according to an arrest report. Deputies said Royce began yelling something unintelligible and drove off. Royce continued to drive away at speeds of more than 80 mph and drove into oncoming lanes of traffic, the report continues. Deputies then called off the pursuit.
Deputies were later able to identify Royce as the man that fled, according to the ECSO, and an arrest warrant was issued.
Royce remained jailed with bond set at $6,000.
Cantonment Man Charged With Burglary
January 31, 2024
A Cantonment man is facing charges after allegedly being caught during a burglary by Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputies.
Jimmy Carlton Foley, Jr., 56, was charged with burglary of an unoccupied residence and grand theft. He was later released on a $17,500 bond.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to a possible burglary in progress in the 200 block of San Carloes Road. where they located Foley and another man loading a Honda ATV valued at $800 onto a trailer, according to an arrest report.
The second man was not arrested, according to the ECSO, because he was unaware that the ATV did not belong to Foley.
Cantonment Rotary Continues To Distribute Water Safety Books To Local Students
January 31, 2024
The Rotary Club of Cantonment is continuing to distribute “Josh the Otter” books to kindergarten students at 10 elementary schools primarily in North Escambia. The book relates to water safety and teaching kids how to float. A coloring book also comes with the book.
To date, 800 books have been distributed. Just before Christmas break, books were given to students at Bratt and Byrneville elementary school. Last week the Rotary Club distributed books to Ensley Elementary, and this week members of Cantonment Rotary will hand out books to kindergartners at Molino Park Elementary School.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Jim Allen Elementary Names Students Of The Month
January 31, 2024
First graders Camden Clarke and Faith Reed have been named Jim Allen Elementary School Students of the Month for January. Photo for Northescambia.com, click to enlarge.
Low In The 30s Tonight
January 31, 2024
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Clear, with a low around 36. North wind around 5 mph.
Thursday: Increasing clouds, with a high near 61. North wind around 5 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 39. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 67. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 42. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph after midnight.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 67. Southeast wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Saturday Night: A chance of showers, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after midnight. Low around 50. Breezy, with an east wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Sunday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. High near 63. Breezy, with an east wind 15 to 20 mph becoming southwest in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Sunday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before midnight, then a slight chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 45. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming northwest after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Monday: A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly after noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 61.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 44.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 61.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 41.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 62.
FDLE Arrests Escambia County Man On Child Solicitation Charges
January 31, 2024
Cyber agents with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) arrested James Michael Burkett, 31, of Escambia County Monday for sexual solicitation of a child online.
The investigation into Burkett started in November of 2023 when he initiated communication on a social media platform with who he believed was a 13-year-old female. In fact, Burkett was communicating with an FDLE undercover agent posing as a teen.
During the course of the communications, Burkett sent explicit photos of himself to the “child” and sought to meet for sexual relations.
Based on the online communications, FDLE obtained a warrant and charged Burkett with one count of using a computer to seduce, solicit, lure, or entice a minor; one count of promoting the sexual performance of a minor; two counts of transmission of material harmful to a minor; and one count of the use of a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony.
Burkett acknowledged that he was the individual communicating with the child persona, FDLE said. Burkett was transported to the Escambia County Jail where he was beng held on a $30,000 bond.
Burkett will be prosecuted by the Office of the State Attorney, First Judicial Circuit.
Callie Sue Stafford
January 31, 2024
Heaven gained a good and faithful servant as Mrs. Callie Sue Stafford entered into the joy of the Lord on January 27, 2024, at the age of 77. She was born in Monroe County, AL on May 4, 1946 to the late Earl and Callie Dunn Byrd. She was a retired LPN from Atmore Community Hospital and after retirement she worked for Dr. Frances D. Salter, MD and attended Cross Point Church in Atmore, AL.
She is preceded in death her parents; her husband, Don Stafford; her siblings, Houston Byrd, Tony Byrd, James Byrd, Jimmy Byrd, Donnie Byrd and Shelby Jean Byrd Dunn.
She is survived by her daughter, LaDawn (Darryl) Singleton of Beulah, FL and her son, LaDon “Scooter” (Wendy) Stafford of Atmore, AL; her grandchildren, Dakota (Jessica) Singleton, Shadow (Katelyn) Singleton,
Sydney Singleton, Devin Stafford, Dayne Stafford, Griffin Stafford; her special nephew and great-niece, Byron Dunn and Heather Dunn along with many family and friends.
Her proudest title was being called “Nan-Nan”. She adored and deeply treasured her grandchildren. They were the light of her life and the joy of her heart. She leaves her family and friends with an enduring legacy of
unconditional love, loyalty, and devotion that they will carry with them forever.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, January 31, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Tim McCraney officiating. Interment will follow in Oak Hill Cemetery.
Active pallbearers will be her grandchildren.
Visitation will be held Wednesday, January 31, 2024 from 1:00 p.m. until service time at 2:00 p.m. at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home.
Larry ‘Crow’ Johnson
January 31, 2024
Mr. Larry “Crow” Johnson, age 71, of Walnut Hill, FL; passed away, on January 26, 2024, He was a lifelong resident of Walnut Hill. He was an iron worker with Union #798 for many years.
Mr. Johnson loved his family and grandchildren that also enjoyed joking and picking around. His biggest accomplishment was to see his children and grandchildren grown. He loved his chickens and playing dominoes. He enjoyed the outdoors, such as gardening, fishing, and dove hunting.
He is preceded in death by his parents, James Edcar (Marie Lee) Johnson, three brothers, James C. Johnson, Tony R. Johnson, Willie D. Johnson, and one sister, Evonne Anderson.
He is survived by his loving wife of 46 years, Teresa Johnson, of Walnut Hill, FL; one son Brandon Wayne Johnson, of Walnut Hill, FL; one daughter, Angela Nichole (Josh) Baggett, of Huxford, AL; three brothers, Van (Sandra) Johnson, of Nokomis, FL; Wayne Johnson, of Summerdale, AL; Jerry (Shelia) Johnson, of Nokomis, AL; one sister, Irene Harverson, of Century, FL; four grandchildren, Dylan Baggett, Riley Baggett, Leah Baggett, Haleigh Johnson numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Graveside services will be held Saturday, February 3, 2024 at 12:30 PM at Sullivan Cemetery with Rev. Steve Breceda officiating.
Burial will follow at Sullivan Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Saturday, February 3, 2024, from 10:30 AM until 12:00 PM at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes, LLC.
Pallbearers will be Josh Baggett, Dylan Baggett, Riley Baggett, Bubba Johnson, Hunter Johnson, and Olan Albritton.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home, LLC Atmore, Alabama is in charge of all arrangements.
Work Release Inmate Recaptured Aftern Beulah Escape
January 30, 2024
UPDATE: Justin Thompson has been located, and is in custody.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is assisting Escambia County Corrections in the search for an inmate who escaped during a road camp detail in Beulah Tuesday afternoon.The ECSO said 44-year old Justin Thompson may be in the area of Isaacs Lane and Beulah Road.
Thomspon was jailed January 1 on charges of smuggling contraband, possession of a controlled substance, and grand theft.
If you have any information, call 911. The Sheriff’s Office said do not approach Thompson.
Beulah Middle School was placed on a lockdown followng the escape.
Community Mourns Tate Student Killed In Crash Friday Night
January 30, 2024
A GoFundMe fundraiser has been established for 17-year old Tate high School junior Bradley Ellertson who was killed last Friday night in a crash near Molino.
According to his aunt Nicole Troyer, the funds raised will be used to help the family with costs to transport Bradley from Pensacola back to Arizona along with other funeral costs and travel expenses.
“Our hearts are completely broken. Our prayers are heavy but hopeful,” the fundraiser states.
The fundraiser has a $10,000 goal.
The Florida Highway Patrol said the driver of the Kia Soul, a 16-year old female from Pensacola, was traveling eastbound on Highway 196 when she stopped at the stop sign at Highway 29 but failed to yield to an oncoming semi-truck. The driver and a 16-year old passenger from Gulf Breeze were seriously injured.
Ellertson was pronounced deceased on the scene.
The truck driver was not injured.
“In Remembrance: today we remember the life of Bradley Ellertson,” Tate High Football wrote in a social media post. Ellertson played football his freshman year for the Aggies.
“Please remember his family, teammates, and student body in your prayers these next couple of weeks. The entire Aggie Nation is praying for them,” Tate Football continued on social media.
Photo courtesy GoFundMe for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
