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.
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.
Community Career, College And Job Fair Thursday Evening At Tate High School
January 30, 2024
A career, college, and job fair will be held Thursday evening at Tate High School.
The event will be held from 5:30 until 7:15 p.m. in the Fryman Gym.
Tate High School students, families and community members are encouraged to attend. Over 40 companies, colleges, and training programs are scheduled to attend and provide information about employment and training.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Jacks Branch House Fire Was Caused By Lightning, ECFR Says
January 30, 2024
Escambia County Fire Rescue investigators have determined that a Saturday house fire on Jacks Branch Road was caused by a lightning strike.
The fire was reported about 9:20 a.m in the 900 block of Jacks Branch Road, near Charlemane Drive.
Fighters arrived to find heavy smoke showing from the sing-estory home. Rain and fog made the initial size-up of the situation difficult, according to ECFR, but crews quickly discovered a fire at the rear of the home.
Two cats were found unresponsive inside the home. While ECFR was able to resuscitate one cat, the other passed away. The fire was controlled by 9:54 a.m.
ECFR said the home can be reoccupied after extensive repairs.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Ernest Ward Middle School Names Students Of The Month
January 30, 2024
Ernest Ward Middle School has announced their December Students of the Month. They are (L-R) eighth grader Hunter Parker, seventh grader Shelby Riffenburg and sixth grader Josiah Randolph. They are pictured with Principal Tyvanna Boulanger. Photo for NorthEscambambia.com, click to enlarge.
Community Health Pharmacist Awarded Grant To Improve Antibiotic Use
January 30, 2024
A Community Health Northwest Florida pharmacist has been awarded a grant to enhance patients’ use and knowledge of antibiotics.
Ryan Pinto, PharmD, received the $5,000 highly competitive research grant that will be used to help patients in underserved rural North Florida using antibiotics to treat infections. He was one of only eight people in the U.S. to receive the American Society of Health System Pharmacists Foundation Pharmacy Resident Research Grant.
A Pensacola native, Pinto is working for one year at CHNWF as a resident as part of Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Institute of Public Health (CoPPS, IPH).
Pinto will be part of a research team that will investigate the impact of an antibiotic stewardship program. This enables collaborative work with a doctor to ensure that patients receive appropriate antibiotics and improves the health of those with infections.
After earning a Doctor of Pharmacy from Auburn University, Pinto returned to Pensacola to care for a familiar population. He says many of the people who visit the center’s pharmacy don’t have a primary care doctor.
“I’m honored and grateful to receive a grant that will have a direct impact on the people who may not receive this attention elsewhere,” Pinto said. “I’m learning a lot and enjoy working with the FAMU faculty and staff and the Community Health staff.”
The grant’s funding will provide resources and be used to hire a biostatistician to manage information obtained through surveys of providers and patients of Community Health. The questionnaires will help determine what they understand about antibiotics and how they should be used to treat illnesses.
A priority for the research led by pharmacists is to educate the community about changes in guidelines and directions for taking antibiotics.
Okere is the mentor to pharmacy residents at the center. Encouraging patients to ask pharmacists questions is another priority for residents because they often don’t have pharmacists to counsel them.
“Patients can experience side effects if given the wrong antibiotic which can lead to them going to the hospital. Our goal is to help prevent adverse effects from occurring,” Okere said.
Okere is optimistic about the study’s outcomes as a precursor to another sizable grant the center has applied for to widen research and reach.
The ASHP Foundation grant “supports quality health service research focused on practice advancement conducted by residents in ASHP-accredited pharmacy residency programs or by residents in pharmacy residency programs” who have applied for ASHP accreditation.
Additional Development Proposed In Devine Farm Area Would Bring ‘Wildwood Estates’ To 1,067 Lots
January 29, 2024
Additional phases with 215 news lots would bring a development in the area of Devine Road and South Country Road 97 to a total of 1,067 lots, on 777 acres, according to county applications.
The first three phases with 451 lots — Bookhaven 1 and 2, and Iron Rock 1 — are completed. The next three phases, Bookhaven 3 and 4, and Iron Rock 2 are under construction with 401 additional lots.
The remaining phases of Wildwood Estates are currently undeveloped, according to filings with the Escambia County Development Review Committee. Phase 7 will include 13 lots. There are 43 lots proposed for Phase 8 and 159 for Phase 9 in the plans filed by Devine Farms, LLC/Rodney Sutton.
An amended development between Escambia County and Devine Farms, Inc allows up to 1,200 lots.
The plans are in the staff internal review process with no public meeting yet scheduled before the Escambia County Development Review Committee.
2024 Northview Baseballl Roster Announced
January 29, 2024
The Northview Chiefs have named their 2024 baseball team.
The roster is:
- Robbie Bodiford
- Jack Boutwell
- Jackson Bridges
- Luke Chavers
- Ayden Crabtree
- Taylor Curtis
- Kobi Fiorenti
- Tyler Gilmore
- Brayden Gindl
- Gage Harrison
- Nate Jones
- Kelan Jurey
- Dane King
- Rylan Minor
- Easten Odom
- Jase Portwood
- Colby Pugh
- Brodie Rhodes
- Wyatt Scruggs
- Grayden Sheffield
- Brady Smith
- James Smith
- Will Strawbridge
- Jayden White
Jay Woman Claims Fantasy 5 Ticket Worth Over $120,000 Sold In Molino
January 29, 2024
A Jay woman has claimed a winning Florida Lottery Fantasy 5 ticket purchased in Molino.
The Florida Lottery said Tara Dawn Kerr took the cash option in claiming a ticket worth $122,318.87. The ticket was sold at the Molino First Stop on Highway 95A at Molino Road and was the only winning ticket in the Thursday evening, January 25 drawing.
The January 25 winning numbers were 1-17-23-26-36.
