Walnut Hill Man Charged With Weapons, Theft Offenses After Search Warrant
May 31, 2024
A Walnut Hill man was arrested on weapons and theft charges after a search warrant was served at his home Thursday, the culmination of a Molino theft case.
Floyd Scott Mooney, 52, was charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, grand theft over $20,000 but less than $100,000, dealing in stolen property, and grand theft of a firearm.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Property Crimes Unit has investigated the theft of firearms and other property from an elderly victim in Molino over the past few weeks, identifying Mooney has a suspect and obtaining an arrest warrant.
A search warrant was served at Mooney’s home in the 3100 block of North Highway 99 near Breastworks Road, about one-half mile north of the Oak Grove Park. Deputies said he was inside during the search by the Property Crimes Unit, SWAT team and the Pensacola Office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
ECSO said five stolen firearms were recovered, along with other coins and evidence related to the investigation.
Mooney remained in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $50,000.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Bond Set Over Half Million For Armed Cantonment Man That Allegedly Broke Into Estranged Wife’s Home
May 31, 2024
A Cantonment man remained in the Escambia County Jail Thursday morning with a bond seat at over a half million dollars after allegedly breaking into his estranged wife’s home where she was inside with her sister.
Dwight Wendel Boutwell, 61, was charged armed burglary of a dwelling, staking, aggravated stalking, aggravated assault, criminal mischief, violation of a protection order and two counts of false imprisonment.
Boutwell was armed with a machete when he entered a home occupied by his estranged wife and sister-in-law, threatening to hit his wife with a shovel and holding both of them against their will, according to an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office report. He also broke a water heater inside the house and held both women against their will after harassing both for a period of time, the report states.
Boutwell locked himself inside the residence before deputies arrived, and they made forceable entry, the report continues.
After he was placed under arrest and into the back of an ECSO Tahoe, Boutwell banged his head into a vehicle partition, deputies said. He was transported by Escambia County EMS to Baptist Hospital for treatment before being booked into the Escambia County Jail.
Boutwell remained jailed with bond set $547,500.
NOAA Predicts Super-Charged Hurricane Season With Intense Activity (With List Of Names)
May 31, 2024
NOAA is predicting a record 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, which begins Saturday, June 1.
NOAA National Weather Service forecasters at the Climate Prediction Center predict above-normal hurricane activity in the Atlantic basin this year. NOAA’s outlook for the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, which spans from June 1 to November 30, predicts an 85% chance of an above-normal season, a 10% chance of a near-normal season and a 5% chance of a below-normal season.
NOAA is forecasting a range of 17 to 25 total named storms (winds of 39 mph or higher). Of those, 8 to 13 are forecast to become hurricanes (winds of 74 mph or higher), including 4 to 7 major hurricanes (category 3, 4 or 5; with winds of 111 mph or higher). Forecasters have a 70% confidence in these ranges.
The upcoming Atlantic hurricane season is expected to have above-normal activity due to a confluence of factors, including near-record warm ocean temperatures in the Atlantic Ocean, development of La Nina conditions in the Pacific, reduced Atlantic trade winds and less wind shear, all of which tend to favor tropical storm formation.
As one of the strongest El Ninos ever observed nears its end, NOAA scientists predict a quick transition to La Nina conditions, which are conducive to Atlantic hurricane activity because La Nina tends to lessen wind shear in the tropics. At the same time, abundant oceanic heat content in the tropical Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea creates more energy to fuel storm development.
This hurricane season also features the potential for an above-normal west African monsoon, which can produce African easterly waves that seed some of the strongest and longer-lived Atlantic storms. Finally, light trade winds allow hurricanes to grow in strength without the disruption of strong wind shear, and also minimize ocean cooling. Human-caused climate change is warming our ocean globally and in the Atlantic basin, and melting ice on land, leading to sea level rise, which increases the risk of storm surge. Sea level rise represents a clear human influence on the damage potential from a given hurricane.
FDOT Reimburses Escambia County Over $1.5 Million For New Dawson Road Bridge
May 31, 2024
Escambia County has received reimbursements totaling over $1.5 million from the state after replacing a bridge on Dawson Road near Century.
Temporary repairs were made in 2016 to the structurally deficient timber bridge over Pritchell Mill Branch that was constructed in 1965.
It has now been replaced with a 76-foot long concrete structure. The project also included replacement of about 270 feet of roadway, curb and gutter, guardrail improvements and ditch grading. The new bridge opened in January.
The total project cost was about $1.7 million, and the Florida Department of Transportation has now reimbursed the county $1,577,272 under Florida Department of Transportation Local Agency Partnership Agreement (FDOT/LAP) approved in 2017.
Escambia County will put the money back into Local Option Sales Tax budgets to fund other bridge replacement projects.
Pictured: A new bridge on Dawson Road as seen January 22, 2024. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Additional Murder, Firearms Charges For Atmore Man After Ballistics Testing
May 31, 2024
The Atmore Police Department said Thursday that 22-year-old Isiah Finney has been charged with attempted murder and two counts of discharging a firearm into an occupied dwelling for shootings in September 2023 and April 2024.
On April 18, the U.S. Marshal’s Service located and arrested Finney age 22 in reference to several active felony warrants in reference to incidents that occurred in in Atmore in September and November of 2023. Finney left the Atmore area and was tracked by the marshals as he made his way back to Atmore, police said.
The Atmore Police Department develop Finney as their suspect for shooting at an occupied vehicle before fleeing. APD said they recovered firearms from his vehicle along with other evidence.
In April, he was booked into the Escambia County (AL) Detention Center on outstanding warrants for discharging a firearm into an occupied vehicle, certain persons forbidden to possess firearms, attempting to elude a police officer, and possession of marijuana second degree. An additional new charge of possession of a firearm by a violent felon was added at the time of his arrest.
He remains jailed without bond.
May 31, 2024
Mr. Leonard Stanley, age 96, passed away, Wednesday, May 29, 2024 in Atmore, Alabama. He was a native and lifelong resident of Atmore, Alabama. He was a faithful member of Brooks Memorial Baptist Church.
Mr. Stanley proudly served in the United States Army, a very active member of the Atmore VFW and American Legion, doing many fish fries and many other activities throughout the years. He enjoyed hunting and was an avid fisherman, he also enjoyed square dancing as member of Escambia Squares, he also attended many dances with the VFW and American Legion. He was a very skilled carpenter, loved spending time with family especially when they could all go camping. Watching westerns and ballgames was also something he loved to do to pass the time. He greatly enjoyed spending time at his river camp and all the time he could spend on the water fishing.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Henry Watt and Ruby Bell Stanley; wife, Kathryn Watford Stanley; son, Ronald Stanley; great-granddaughter Anna Grace Faith Stanley; two brothers, Cecil Stanley and Aubrey Stanley; sister, Gertrude Childress.
Mr. Stanley is survived by his daughter Carolyn (Charlie) Woods of Atmore, Alabama; brother, Windom Stanley of Spanish Fort, Alabama; three grandchildren Sharlie Terry of Atmore, Alabama, Scotty (Toshia) Woods of Uriah, Alabama, Robbie (Jennifer) Stanley of Atmore, Alabama; three great-grandchildren, Robert Stanley, Colton Stanley and Ava Woods.
Funeral service will be held Monday, June 3, 2024, at 11:00 AM at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes, LLC. with Dr. Tommy Smith officiating.
Burial will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Monday, June 3, 2024 from 9:30 AM until service time at 11:00 AM at Petty-Eastside Chapel funeral Homes, LLC.
Pallbearers will be Greg Stanley, Ricky Stanley, Sammy Day, Robbie Stanley, Robert Stanley and Randy Day.
Rain Becoming Likely Overnight Into Sunday
May 31, 2024
Here is your official North Escambia forecast
Tonight: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Saturday: Showers and thunderstorms. High near 81. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between 2 and 3 inches possible.
Saturday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light southeast after midnight. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Sunday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly between 1pm and 4pm, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 4pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 82. South wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Sunday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 7pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 69. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Monday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 86. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 69. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Tuesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Sunny, with a high near 89. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 71. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Sunny, with a high near 90.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 72.
Thursday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91.
Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 71.
Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Sunny, with a high near 90.
Marsee Mashes Wahoos To Wild Win Over Shuckers
May 31, 2024
written by Erik Bremer
Amid flaring tempers and rewritten record books, the Pensacola Blue Wahoos beat the Biloxi Shuckers 7-3 on Thursday night for their third straight win.
Jakob Marsee was 2-for-5 with a go-ahead solo homer in the fifth and a two-run triple in the sixth to help the Wahoos clinch a winning month of May and send the Shuckers to a franchise-record 10th straight loss.
The victory helped the Blue Wahoos climb to within 1.0 game of first-place Montgomery with 21 games to play in the first half. The Biscuits split a doubleheader against the Braves in Mississippi, losing game one but winning game two.
Evan Fitterer (W, 4-3) turned in a quality start, allowing three runs over 6.0 innings. In working scoreless baseball until the fourth, he helped the Pensacola pitching staff set a team record with 23.0 consecutive scoreless innings dating back to Sunday’s homestand finale against Tennessee.
The Wahoos jumped out to a 2-0 lead against Brewers top prospect Jacob Misiorowski, bringing home the game’s first run on a wild pitch in the second inning and adding to their lead with a Harrison Spohn RBI single in the fourth.
Fitterer ran into trouble in the bottom of the fourth, loading the bases on two walks and a hit batsman before Eric Brown Jr. tied the game 2-2 with a two-out, two-run double. A dispute over balls and strikes in the inning also led to Pensacola manager Kevin Randel’s ejection, the first in his four-season career at the helm of the Blue Wahoos.
Marsee quickly put Pensacola back in front in the fifth, homering on the first pitch he saw from reliever Kaleb Bowman (L, 2-1). A Bowman throwing error in the sixth inning opened the door for Marsee’s two-run triple, highlighting a four-run frame that gave the Blue Wahoos added insurance.
After 2.0 hitless innings of relief from Patrick Murphy, Zach McCambley loaded the bases with walks in the ninth before snaring a Carlos Rodriguez comebacker to lock down the win.
The Blue Wahoos continue their series in Biloxi on Friday. First pitch from Shuckers Ballpark is scheduled for 6:35 p.m.
Man, 19, Arrested In Double Stabbing At Atmore Tractor Supply
May 30, 2024
A 19-year-old has been charged in connection with an April double stabbing at Tractor Supply in Atmore.
Luke Still was arrested after being released from the medical center where he was being treated for his injuries. He is charged with first degree assault, third degree assault, burglary, criminal mischief, and theft. He was booked into the Escambia County (AL) Detention Center in Brewton without bond.
The incident happened about 12:20 p.m. in the parking lot of the Tractor Supply on Lindberg Avenue. Atmore Police Department officers arrived to find two people that had been stabbed.
“When officers arrived on the scene, one of the male subjects was laying just inside the Tractor Supply entry doors bleeding profusely. Officers and employees provided first aid and applied a tourniquet to slow the blood loss. The second male subject was found seriously injured in the parking lot,” Atmore PD Sgt. Darrell McMann said.
The officers encountered two male individuals in the parking lot who had a large amount of blood on their clothing but were not injured and were detained by the officers. The two people who were injured were transported by ambulances to Atmore Community Hospital and then were flown to different trauma centers.
Investigators interviewed several witnesses at the scene. The two people who were detained were transported to the Atmore Police Department where they were questioned and released.
“Due to the medical conditions of the two individuals who were stabbed, investigators were not able to interview them for several days,” McMann said. “Meanwhile, investigators were able to view camera feed which clearly showed who was involved and their actions. The statements coupled with the video footage provided a clear picture of the incident.”
“The injured party found in Tractor Supply has also had multiple surgeries and has a long road to recovery,” he added.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Fourth Family Member, Norman Tedder, Gets Prison Time In Century Child Abuse Case
May 30, 2024
A Century man previously found incompetent to stand trial has been sentenced to state prison on child abuse and robbery charges. He is the fourth member of a Century family sentenced to prison in connection with a 2021 child abuse case in which several children that had been sexually abused were found living in squalor in two campers.
Under a plea agreement, Tedder pleaded no contest and was convicted of two counts of child neglect without great bodily harm and one count of robbery with a firearm. He faced a maximum of life in prison if he had been convicted as charged.
He was sentenced to 60 months in state prison, with credit for 290 days time served while awaiting trial.
The robbery charge stemmed from a 2022 incident in which Tedder allegedly shot at a man at Tedder’s home and took several items from him. The incident happened outside Tedder’s home on old Flomaton Road, and authorities said he had the opportunity to leave the situation without firing a weapon.
Child Abuse Charges
The child abuse charges were from a 2021 case that has already sent three of Tedder’s family members to prison.
Noman Tedder’s wife, Tabitha Ann Tedder, was sentenced to four years concurrently on three counts of child neglect without great bodily harm, and four additional years on a felony charge of failure to report child abuse. An additional charge of tampering in a felony first degree proceeding was dismissed.
Michael Tracy Tedder was sentenced to 30 years in state prison for child sexual battery and designated as a lifetime sexual offender after he pleaded to multiple counts of sexual battery by a person in familial authority and lewd and lascivious exhibition in the presence of a minor.
Michael Tracy Tedder’s wife Elizabeth Mae Dennis was previously convicted of two counts of child neglect and sentenced to 19.5 months in state prison, with credit for 116 days served, to be followed by 18 months probation.
Some readers may find the following details disturbing. Reader discretion is advised.
On October 20, 2021, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to a local elementary school after a victim disclosed sexual abuse to a school counselor. The victim disclosed at school that she had been raped by Tedder. She stated that it hurt, and about the time she healed, he would do it again. The abuse occurred between January 1, 2020, and October 20, 2021.
During the course of the investigation, it was determined that Michael Tracy Tedder had sexually abused additional victims between January 1, 2020, and October 20, 2021. He was the only family member charged with a sexual offense.
“This defendant preyed on children that should have been able to trust him,” Carrie Gilmer, prosecuting attorney, said.
When the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office went to Tedder’s home to investigate the sexual battery allegations, deputies found Tedder and three others living in squalor with six children in two campers.
One camper was “extremely dirty”, with “raw sewage coming from the back side of the camper and flowing underneath the camper causing an unbearable foul odor”, and “hundreds of roaches”, according to an arrest report. The roaches were in the food cabinet, running over the food, on the stove, on the sink and on the counter.
A deputy further described the camper as having roaches inside the shower and toilet area, pots with old food in them on the kitchen counter, a sink filled with dirty dishes and a refrigerator he called “extremely nasty”. There was one full size bed, a let-down bed with roaches crawling on it, and a baby crib in the camper. Two cats and two dogs were inside, and there were power cords running through the camper and by the kitchen sink.
“The camper had a foul odor inside and out that was unbearable,” the deputy wrote in his report.
The other camper, described as being “extremely small,” was also roach infested, dirty and piled full of clothes and other items making it impossible to enter, the report states.
According to the ECSO, there was no electrical service on the property; the campers were powered by numerous electrical cords strung together to a nearby home. Some of the cords had bare wires in places and junctions exposed to the weather.
“The parents smelled as if they had not bathed in several days,” a deputy wrote in his report.
The Florida Department of Children and Families removed the children.
