Former Middle School Dean Designated As Sex Offender, Avoids Prison Time In Plea Deal
March 27, 2024
The former dean at Warrington Middle School in Escambia County has been sentenced on a plea deal to a year of community control and five years of probation.
Darreyel Devahn Laster, 34, was designated as a sex offender and ordered not to have any unsupervised contact with minors.
Laster was arrested in January 2023. He pleaded no contest Tuesday to charges of lewd and lascivious conduct and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. Charges of committing a sex act with a student and using a computer to seduce or solicit a child were dropped as part of the plea deal.
Laster was accused of providing marijuana to a 15-year-old boy before sexually propositioning him.
He resigned as Warrington Middle dean.
Escambia Schools Kindergarten Registration Opens April 1
March 26, 2024
Escambia County School District kindergarten registration for the 2024-2025 school year will begin on April 1.
All families are encouraged to register early this year. The preferred registration deadline for all students not currently attending one of our schools is June 30, 2024. The first day of the 2024-2025 school year in Escambia County is August 12.
Beginning on April 1, the parents or guardians of students reaching the age of 5-years old by September 1, 2024, are eligible to register their students to attend kindergarten either at the school of their residence or at one of the district’s choice schools.
“Escambia County Public Schools is looking forward to welcoming our new students for this coming school year, and are working to continue our tradition of providing awesome opportunities for all our students to learn and grow,” said Chris McFarland, coordinator of Enrollment Services.
Students wishing to attend the school for which they are residentially zoned can register directly at the school after completing the Focus Registration application, located on the school district website.
Students wishing to take advantage of School Choice can apply directly in the School Choice Office or on the school district website after completing the new student registration process, https://www.escambiaschools.org/Page/5413. Once the Choice school is approved, the parent or guardian can register at the approved choice school.
The following documentation should be taken to the school at the time of registration. Registration is not complete until all documents have been approved and forms have been signed.
- Birth Certificate
- Proof of Residence (Utility bill or lease)
- Immunization Record
- Physical (or appointment card for upcoming physical)
For more information or assistance with the new student registration process, contact the Enrollment Services Office at (850) 469-5580, or go visit https://www.escambiaschools.org/Page/5413.
Cantonment Man Arrested For DUI, Burglary With Assault, Weapons Charges After Wreck
March 26, 2024
A Cantonment man is facing DUI, weapons, and burglary charges after a Highway 297A wreck.
Kody Stephen Faxlanger, 28, was charged with using or displaying a firearm during a felony, burglary with assault or battery, reckless driving, leaving the scene of a crash involving damage to property, DUI refusal to submit to a DUI test after license suspension, and DUI of alcohol or drugs.
A Florida Highway Patrol trooper responded to a rollover traffic crash in the area of Highway 297A and Eight Mile Creek Road. A homeowner told the trooper that he heard the vehicle crash in his front yard and saw a man approaching the home while stating that he needed to get his gun before returning to the vehicle. The homeowner retreated inside.
He stated that the man, later identified as Faxlanger, entered an unlocked garage and started pounding on an interior door to the home before fleeing. Faxlanger was located by Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputies and detained.
FHP said Faxlanger’s vehicle left the roadway and traveled 542 feet before colliding with a concrete culvert and becoming airborne. The vehicle rolled for 197 before coming to rest in the front yard of a home. Troopers said two 16 ounce beer cans still cold with condensation were located in the vehicle.
The trooper stated Faxlanger had a heavy smell of alcohol on his breath, bloodshot and watery eyes, and slurred speech. He refused to provide a breath sample and was transported to Baptist Hospital for treatment. At the hospital, the trooper said Faxlanger made several spontaneous statements about being the driver of the wrecked vehicle and “ditching” a gun after fleeing. Officers located a 9mm Palmetto Dagger with a loaded 11-round magazine and one round in the chamber. Faxlanger’s driver’s license was nearby.
Faxlanger remained in the Escambia County Jail Tuesday morning with bond set at $13,500.
Century Reports Sewage Spill Due To Employee Negligence
March 26, 2024
The Town of Century has recently reported two sewage spills, including one caused by employee negligence, to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
During a 20-minute period the morning of March 22, a lift station serving the Century Woods Apartment spilled 100 gallons of raw sewage, half of which was recovered.
The lift station was running on bypass pump, but a town employee failed to open a bypass valve, according to a FDEP notice.
The report filed by council member Alicia Johnson as acting superintendent stated the area was vacuumed with a pump truck, lime was applied, and debris was raked up.
On March 19, a lift station on Fourth Street had a 150-gallon sewage spill due to a debris clog. The town reported 50 gallons was recovered.
Pictured: The Century Wastewater Treatment Plant. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
One Killed In Motorcycle, Bicycle Collision
March 26, 2024
One person was killed in a collision between a motorcycle and a bicyclist late Monday afternoon in Escambia County.
A 67-year-old motorcyclist was traveling north on North Palafox Street near Pensacola Boulevard when he struck a 40-year-old bicyclist that was crossing the roadway, the Florida Highway Patrol said. The motorcyclist was pronounced deceased on scene while the bicyclist was transported to Baptist Hospital with serious injuries.
The FHP investigation is continuing.
File photo.
Becoming Clear Tonight; Sunshine Returns Wednesday
March 26, 2024
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 50. North wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 72. North wind around 10 mph.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 47. North wind around 10 mph.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 68. North wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Thursday Night: Clear, with a low around 43. North wind around 5 mph.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 73. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 48. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 76. Southeast wind 5 to 15 mph becoming southwest in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 54. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 80.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 61.
Monday: Partly sunny, with a high near 81.
Monday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 64.
Tuesday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 82.
Hundreds Attend Inaugural Beulah Academy Of Science FFA’s Future Farmer Field Day
March 26, 2024
The Beulah Academy of Science FFA Chapter hosted their Inaugural “Future Farmer Field Day” advocacy day program recently.
“The purpose of the day was to bring awareness of the various industries and types of agricultural production in our local area,” educator Allie Eubanks said.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Fourth grade students from Cordova Park Elementary, local homeschool cooperatives, as well as incoming fifth graders for the upcoming school year from eight different elementary schools were in attendance.
BAS FFA hosted almost 20 different vendor booths to spread awareness about agriculture. Vendor booths included: Florida Forest Service, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Escambia County Extension Office, Primus Auditing Service (food inspector), Three Sisters Homestead, local farmers, embryologists and more.
“BAS FFA would like to thank everyone who made this first year such a success,” Eubanks added. “We look forward to seeing everyone next year.”
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
FWC Law Enforcement Report: Deer Out Of Season, Night Hunting
March 26, 2024
The Florida FWC Division of Law Enforcement reported the following recent activity:
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
While patrolling the Escambia River Wildlife Management Area, Officer Hahr observed a truck parked in an area frequented by people who are hunting. He located a subject carrying a rifle. Officer Hahr determined the subject had just shot at an antlerless deer but missed. The subject was charged with attempting to take deer during the closed season in the WMA and warned for attempting to take antlerless deer out of season.
SANTA ROSA COUNTY
While on patrol Officer Mullins received a tip from a hunter about vehicles destroying public land. The officer located a broken-down vehicle covered in mud. He tracked down other vehicles and found them doing donuts off a forest road. Each subject was issued several citations. The subjects were directed to remove their broken vehicle upon leaving the forest.
While on patrol, Officer Mullins observed a vehicle and two subjects searching for deer and possibly night hunting. The officer monitored their actions and conducted a check on the individuals. Upon contact, a loaded shotgun was discovered. The subjects were issued open container alcohol citations and notice to appear citations for illegal night hunting.
This report represents some events the FWC handled during the time period; however, it does not include all actions taken by the Division of Law Enforcement. Information provided by FWC.
NorthEscambia.com photo.
Connie Lee Delmar Powell
March 26, 2024
Connie Lee Delmar Powell, age 80, of Nokomis, FL passed away on March 24, 2024. She was born on May 27, 1943 in Nokomis, FL to James R. “Peter” and Pauline Henderson Lee. She was a member of Annie Jones Methodist Church. She was a retired bus driver with the Escambia County Florida School District. She is preceded in death by her parents and her daughter-in-law, Shamim Powell.
She is survived by her husband, J.D. Powell; her children: Lee Delmar of Walnut Hill, FL, Mark (Sharon) Delmar of Atmore, AL, Suzanne Delmar (James) Fordham of Huntsville, AL, Samantha Delmar (Todd) Hubbard of Nokomis, AL, Missy Powell of Pensacola, FL, Dwayne Powell of Pensacola, FL and Chris (Michelle) Powell of Milton, FL; her brother, Jim (Susan) Lee of Nokomis, FL; her grandchildren: James Lee Delmar, Ashleigh Delmar, Logan Delmar, Nick Delmar, Taylor Hubbard, Brayden Hubbard, Cecil Powell, Emmalee Powell and Corey Powell, and her four great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, March 27, 2024 at 3:00 p.m. at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Charles Melvin officiating. Interment will follow in Walnut Hill Baptist Church Cemetery.
Active pallbearers will be Brayden Hubbard, Joe Shaw, Todd Hubbard, Nick Delmar, James Fordman and Cecil Powell.
Visitation will be held Wednesday, March 27, 2024 from 2:00 p.m. until service time at 3:00 p.m. at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home.
Flowers will be accepted but donations can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
James Calvin Bolton
March 26, 2024
James Calvin Bolton, age 92, of Walnut Hill, FL passed away on March 22, 2024 in Atmore, AL. He was born on April 22, 1931 in Davisville, FL to Thomas Calvin and Hattie Winand Bolton. He attended First Baptist Church of Canoe. After graduating from Earnest Ward High School in Walnut Hill, James was employed by St Regis Paper Company in Cantonment, Fl. It was during this time that James accepted the Lord as his Savior. From that day until his last breath, James endeavored to live his life to the fullest to honor his Lord.
James was an especially gifted musician. He combined his talents with those of his family, singing Gospel Music throughout the South. When not on the road singing, he was active in the church he was attending as a Deacon, song leader and Sunday School teacher. Whenever the opportunity arose, James was more than ready and willing to spread the message of salvation throughout the land.
While raising a family and going to school at night, he became an accountant. He was employed as an accountant first at Swift Lumber Company and then Southland Telephone Company in Atmore. He later took a job with Port Saint Joe Railroad in Port Saint Joe, FL and then retired from Southern Erectors in Pensacola.
James Bolton was a God fearing, loving husband, father, father-in-law and grandfather. He was quick to give praise and always smiling. He will be greatly missed by family and friends alike.
He is preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 72 years, Tiny Rigby Bolton, his grandson, Zachary Bolton and his brother, Joseph Bolton.
He is survived by his children, Teresa Bolton (David) Brown of Atmore, AL, James Anthony “Tony” (Kim) Bolton of Franklin, TN and Terry Bolton of Pensacola, FL; seven grandchildren and four great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, March 27, 2024 at 11 AM at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Arnold Hendrix and Bro. Waylon Stuckey officiating. Interment will follow in Godwin Cemetery in Bratt, FL.
Active pallbearers will be Wayne Baker, David Rigby, Devon Stabler, Marshall Bolton and Reese Bolton.
Honorary pallbearers will be Mike Smith and James Jeter.
Visitation will be held Wednesday, March 27, 2024 from 10 AM until service time at 11 AM at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.